entranceway | 002 | Video/Action

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002 | Video/Action | Open

[Balthazar pops up in the feed looking drawn and stressed-out, his voice terse and sharp.] I have a question. Has anyone out there with peculiar weaknesses tried them on their own Shadow? Out of curiosity. Living with them indefinitely seems a bit--

[The voice of his Shadow comes from offscreen, but close.] Draw your sword. Let's try it. I won't even fight back.

[Flinch. The angel's eyes lock on the screen as he attempts to ignore the antics of his duplicate self in the background.] --seems a bit of a tall order, when they're so utterly determined to needle us.

Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot you're a coward. Well, never mind. At least you know I won't stab you in the back, either.

[His jaw twitches, and he goes on through gritted teeth.] Mostly, I'm curious whether spells and sigils can trap them effectively, but mine seems determined to stay close and disrupt my concentration.

Haha! Get it? Because stab--

[The sound cuts off abruptly, and a hand covers the video screen while Balthazar waits for replies.]

((OOC note: Still studying for my test, so replies will be very slow, but I will get to tags when I can.))

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Well, I've already watched myself die in the first person. I'm not interested in watching it again, in the third person. [It's a terse answer, because he doesn't want to go into the details.]

Besides...whether I like it or not, it's...an angel, like me. Sorry, I didn't mention that yet, did I?

You never did mention that. I'd be interested in hearing more about being an angel, but now isn't really the best time.

[His friend on the other side of the mirror gave Dick a little information.]

Dying would be a little redundant in your case then. Maybe if somebody got rid of it while you're not looking then that would be more acceptable.

[Hmm. As anxious as he is to get rid of his Shadow, Balthazar can't help but notice the lack of surprise in his conversational companion, now. That's a bit suspicious. Or is it? In Wonderland, there are bound to be people who are blase about everything from angels to aliens.]

I like the sound of that, I think, only I'm not sure how that would happen. Are you offering?

[The Shadow is silent for the moment, as if waiting to see how this might play out.]

[Once they get to talking about it, Dick can come up with any reason he wants to for knowing what angels are. This is assuming that he is not outed for what he actually is and that it will matter at all or not.]

I can get rid of it.

[His attention turned to that shadow on the other side of the video.]

For good.

The same way you did your own? [He's visibly uncertain, and his Shadow looks less and less comfortable with the conversation.]

You'll regret it. You'll never shake the guilt.

The exact same way I got rid of mine. Don't listen to that one. He's just trying to get to you.

[Dick turns back to Balthazar.]

You don't want that guy following you around. He's not even you. All he does is sit around insulting you and trying to upset you.

[There's a long pause while Balthazar considers, and his Shadow looks equally uncertain, silent while its fate hangs in the balance. At length, the original sets his jaw and gives a slight nod.]

What do you need me to do?

[There it is. Dick nods with his calm smile on his face. No harm in helping somebody out with a little extermination.]

Just sit tight and get comfortable. I'll come to you. Where are you?

Edited 2013-07-04 03:03 (UTC)

[Possibly the Shadow isn't speaking now because it knows Balthazar's own instincts are screaming at him that this isn't a good idea.

Still, since when is Balthazar known for good ideas?]

I'm on the fifth floor. Toward the west corner of the building.

[He continues to smile as he nods and the feed cuts off. Dick is counting on that instinct to remain quiet until the deed is done. He follows the directions without trouble. The room number wasn't mentioned. As he walks, he treats the device like a phone.]

I'm in the vicinity. These hallways sure are long.

[There's a sound on the other end of the connection that's almost like a mild scuffle, but if that's the case, it's the original Balthazar that's won. He appears in the hall a moment later, popping out from an unremarkable door like a prairie dog from a burrow.]

Space folds strangely here, I think. Hello. [He waves and beckons his new acquaintance closer.]

[There he is! Dick puts on his best smile and answers the beckon by approaching. There is a lot he can do here if he wanted to. He is a lot more interested in eating that shadow.]

Hey there. Looks like you've been struggling to keep that thing in check. Good on you for coming out on top.

[He waits a beat.]

I'm Dick. We've never officially met before.

He's not much of a fighter. Even less than I am, I think. [Now that he's seeing this new acquaintance up close, though, he feels slightly uncomfortable about where this is going. Can't quite put his finger on it. Is it the situation or is it the person?

But it doesn't do to be rude. He offers a handshake.] I'm Balthazar.

[There's a beat, and his lips twitch slightly.] I...suppose it would be rude to make jokes about your name when you've come up here to help me.

Nice to meet you.

[Dick will waste no time in shaking hands with the angel. As soon as he makes content, he becomes privy to a wealth of information. Quite the life story among other things. Useful, but not yet. All Balthazar gets to see is his unwavering smile and a short laugh.]

It won't be anything I have not heard before, so knock yourself out. I have a pretty thick skin. Tell you what though: I'll take care of your problem then we'll see what you have cooked up for me. It'll be a riot.

[To Balthazar, the handshake reveals nothing. An archangel might know a Leviathan at a glance. Balthazar is only an ofan, a second-lieutenant, and he's in over his head.

That's never stopped him before, though.] No, no, I'll restrain myself. I'm a bit off my game today, anyway. But I am a fan of puns. The dirtier, the better.

[He opens his door, and beckons Dick after him, innocent of any danger. The Shadow is nowhere to be seen, but there are thumps coming from inside the closet, and a sigil sketched in chalk on the door.] That won't hold him long, unfortunately.

I'll look forward to the inevitable jab at my name then. Don't disappoint me.

[There is genuine amusement in Dick's face as well as in his voice. With a name like his, it's pretty much expected. He follows Balthazar into the room and raises an eyebrow at the sounds coming from the closet.]

He won't be trapped forever. Besides, being a little feisty will make this more interesting.

[He cracks his knuckles..]

Let me in there then close the door behind me. I'll take care of it.

Oh, damn, now I feel like I have to think of a really good one. [He smiles, but it fades quickly. Charming as is the facade he presents, Dick is obviously a predator. One that's confident enough to take on an angel.

That's unsettling, but he's come too far now to stop.]

...right. Try not to stain the carpet? [It's a weak joke, but he grips the doorknob gamely, turns it and holds the door open just long enough for his guest to enter.]

[All Dick will do here is smile as he steps past the angel and into the closet. He will wait for the door to be closed behind him before he shows his true face. Before he does, he cracks his neck and chuckles.]

I'm starving.

[What else does he need to say here? Anything else will be a waste of time. Whatever this shadow of an angel has in store for him, it will not work. That is the beauty of being what he is. He reaches forward to grasp the shoulders of the others and opens his mouth...wide. He will not leave a drop of anything on the carpet as per Balthazar's request.]

I know what you are. He doesn't know, but I do. [In the dark of the closet, the yellow eyes of the Shadow are faintly luminous. Which only serves to give away his location in the back corner. His sword is drawn, but it's a futile last stand. He stabs wildly as he gets grabbed, and whether he makes contact or not, the end is inevitable.]

BALTHA-- [A yell of reproach and horror gets cut off by the Leviathan's teeth.

Well. At least it was quick, right?

Outside, the real angel cringes and retreats several steps, rattled.]

[It really does not take long to finish off this shadow of an angel. Dick always liked having that advantage over God's later creations. Somehow he managed not to spill but a few drops. He wipes his mouth with a napkin he happens to have in his pocket.

He knocks on the door. Before he says anything out loud, he thinks fondly over what the late angelic shadow blurted out. He never got to say much of anything, did he? What a shame.]

All taken care of.

[The real Balthazar lets him out, trying to look calm and collected about what's just happened and possibly not succeeding. He clears his throat nervously.]

Well. Good job. I...won't be missing him.

[He could end this right here, bury his head in the sand, and chalk up this whole messy business to Wonderland. That's what he should do. No doubt.

It's not what he does, though. He's quiet for a second before blurting:]

There's no polite way to ask this. What the hell are you?

No you won't because I can promise you he will not be back. When I say I'll do something, I stick to my word.

[He smiles as if this is all perfectly normal. For him, it definitely is. Somebody allowed him to satisfy himself over something that was not created by the closet. He straightens his jacket before he replies.]

Honestly I was expecting you to ask something like that. Do you really want to know? They say ignorance is bliss.

[Balthazar still feels rattled and uncertain. He does want to know. But maybe now isn't the time.

Give him a few days to get back on an even keel.]

You know what? No. I'll ask later. For the moment, you've done me a favor. Let's leave it there, and I'll see you around.

[And he will find out in due time. Dick will be more than happy to tell the angel what he is when he wants. The consequences of that...well...no sense in getting all excited until that actually happens.]

Yes. It should definitely wait. You take care of yourself and don't hesitate to let me know if you have more trouble. We're all in this thing together after all.

[With the usual smile, he turns to the door and leaves the room. All good things come to those who wait.]

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