Back From Hell (Castiel/Halbrek/Azi/Cordelia/Sam/etc)
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Azi didn't blink when Castiel and Halbrek suddenly appeared in the booth again, but Sam did give a frown of concern. People would likely not notice, their minds not wanting to notice, but if someone did, because sometimes they did, there would be clean up to do that he wasn't equipped to handle unless the truth would suffice. That was all he and Dean ever had...well their version which was at times watered down for the safety of others. Sam's gaze ran over Cas relieved that the angel seemed fine.
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"Where? What happened," he demanded, the hunter's words tumbling out over one another in his haste.?
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"What's wrong with her,"Azi asked, the fox demon half rising out of his seat, black eyes fixed with concern on Halbrek's unresponsive face.
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"Demons don't sleep or pass out," he shared helpfully for the benefit? of all humans present.
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His nose twitched as he sniffed the air around Castiel and Halbrek. "Aohila," he mouthed.
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He didn't exactly dread the earth queen because he was air and didn't have to answer to her but...Halbrek didn't look good...And the earth queen or water king being busy was just never good.
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I'm friends with the monster that's under my bed.
I get along with the voices inside of my head. |
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It worked. It really worked. Castiel has begun wondering if his luck would keep getting worse, but it worked. Aohila placed no obstructions to his translocation and he found himself surrounded by his friends and confidants. He would not have known where to start asking for help and was grateful for the questions he could use to guide his mind through the maze of confusion.
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"It is an ancient story. To summarize, an ancient demon queen from one of the Hells associated with the element of Earth, snatched Halbrek, tormented her, then snatched me. She discovered that we had...a child, together. She did something horrible, but that?could wait for later. She released both of us into some dessert. I suspect it might have been Aram Naharaim, but may be wrong. Halbrek was tired, I thought she needed to recover, but then she just passed out, for no apparent reason. I suspect she is drained, but have no means to figure out how. I tried to summon archangels, but they probably couldn't hear me, so I brought her here instead, hoping there is something, our combined forces can think of," Castiel hastily explained for Sam's and Cordelia's benefit.
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"Oh, and there is some Tree, growing, it might have to do something with primeval issues from the?Garden of Eden itself. Not completely sure how it relates, but Halbrek and I both considered the demon queen's actions to be a kind of distraction. If what she did with my Hlabrek has any bearing on that Tree situation, I thought I would mention it," the angel?blurted out, almost uncertain what needed to remain a secret, what had to come out, what was relevant, and what was not, allowing the others?to decide among themselves how to proceed next. ? |
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"You had a baby,"Sam nearly shouted.
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Then lowering his voice. "When did you do that? I mean I heard nothing about this..." Glancing at Halbrek,"She didn't show...when?"
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Then, "Can angels and demons even have babies...together?" Where was Dean when he needed him? A sharp pang from his chest told Sam he wished he'd stop thinking so much about things that hurt like hell...and he likewise wished he'd stop talking to himself.
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For his part Azi sat silently. Usually ready to comment the fox demon's sharply handsome?features were thoughtful and considering as his mind played over all the implications. ALL THE IMPLICATIONS because there were a lot of them! On so many levels. The tree, the damned earth queen, a twisted bitch if ever there was one and a baby? The baby was going to rock a lot of foundations all on its bloody own!
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Who' side would it be on, heaven's or hell's? And would the demons and angels vie for it's allegiance? Of course they would but how? And what would happen? So many thoughts had the fox demon's eyes glazed over and for a bit he forgot about Halbrek's state.
I'm friends with the monster that's under my bed. I get along with the voices inside of my head. |
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Castiel helplessly turned from Sam back to Halbrek and sadly shrugged. "I hate being irresponsible. It is not like an angel of the Lord to engage in the pursuits of the flesh, and forget all propriety. At least, it seems to be against the rules. I don't recall Father actually mentioning it directly to me, but it is commonly assumed to be true. And yet, here I go, gallivanting..I have no excuse. I have wronged my poo demoness, and truth be told, I don't even know exactly when.
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It's horrible, I know, but the act has been performed so many times, that I couldn't be sure, nor could I gauge by human standards that I learned?being in your company. I am sorry, I?feel so horrible, I am rambling. There was no physical indication of course. I didn't know, we didn't know. The Earth Queen knew somehow, before us, and used that knowledge to her advantage. Perhaps her element is associated with fertility, and thus she could have advanced warnings. It never has even occurred to me before. I have underestimated her woefully. Perhaps she has underestimated me as well and believes me to be broken, I know not. Only, naturally, our child cannot benefit from any of this. It is taken away from us, and a good way to recapture it is nowhere evident.
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Trust me, I was not expecting a baby myself. But I suppose, the energies could be naturally mixed to form a new being. We are both entities of higher order, it stands to reason that we could have children, I just didn't hear about such an event for quite some time," Castiel?tiredly admitted.? |
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Sam choked. "Look if you're talking about safe sex I just can't do this right now...It's too much for my brain to handle."
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"Besides, probably wouldn't work for long with our kind. Especially not with the way you two go at it." The fox demon rolled his eyes at Castiel in amusement.
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"I think a lot of people are intrigued by the? angel demon couple. It's the first, you know. I hear even Mikey didn't move to interfere and you know that sort of thing in intentional. WHICH leads me to think." Here azi paused, resting sharply pointed elbows on the table and leaning forward.
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"That the baby is important or could be to one or both sides. Guessing both or the one is still undecided."
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"Now the situation is getting headache sized," Sam said, his own issues forgotten for the moment.?
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"So you're saying the baby, because? it's a demon and an angel, could go either way in its loyalties?"
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"Smart one," Azi nodded.
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"Or as Castiel said, it's an entirely new being which could indicate something even more interesting...that it's on neither side."
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Azi yawned, scratching one ear. "Then we do already have the fairies for that."
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He looked to Halbrek, still limp in Castiel's arms. "I can try to help her. Give her some energy. But not sure it'll help that much considering who had at her."
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He nearly felt pity for Halbrek, only demons didn't do that.
I'm friends with the monster that's under my bed.
I get along with the voices inside of my head. |
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"Well, no, you didn't do so well in the way of mentorship, Sam. If truth be told, that kind of sex was not safe in most regards, " Castiel earnestly replied.
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"I fear to even guess which way the child would lean after resting in Aohila's clutches," the angel sadly commented. "To say that we need to rescue it soon is probably an understatement. I do hope that Michael and whoever else upstairs is planning it has a good plan ahead. Because I find myself clueless. Oh well, a little might be better than nothing. Go ahead Azi, and in the mean time we would consider other ideas. We have other ideas, don't we, Sam?" Castiel wondered almost desperately for him.? |
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Sam scowled when asked by a freaking angel for ideas. "Dude, you're the freaking angel! You'd know more about demons than I would...At least when it comes to helping rather than killing them."
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Weren't demons closer to angels in breed or something? Or where the opposite? Or both? Hell either way Castiel was more of an expert than he. Though once it may have been flattering to have been asked. He sighed, looking across at Cordelia.
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"You got nothing, right?"
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Meanwhile Azi slid out of his chair and came around the table to hold one of Halbrek's slender hands in his own. A waitress paused to ask if she was alright and Azi gave her a wink and a grin that had her blushing because she only saw a handsome young man with red hair.
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"Ah her boyfriend her just didn't keep her from drinking too much. Some coffee would be appreciated I'm sure. Very strong coffee."
He gave Cas a mock reproachful look and when the waitress was away he turned his attention back to Halbrek, threads of energy coming from his hand into her. Her eyelids fluttered and her breathing shifted a bit but she didn't move aside from that.
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"Cas, she really had a go at her," Azi said, intentionally not? speaking the name of the demon queen. Just didn't feel like a good idea at present though that was likely just paranoia. He continued to work in silence and when he stepped away in perhaps 5 minutes he was drained and slightly shaky.
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It was weird to see demons helping one another but Sam made no comment save to ask,"That coffee gonna be for you or her?"
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Azi shrugged. "I was hoping for her but if she won't wake up and drink it I guess I will."
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I'm friends with the monster that's under my bed.
I get along with the voices inside of my head. |
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"Coffee, truly? Coffee is going to help her..." Castiel shook his head with despair. No matter how hard he tried to pass for a normal human he was never going to get it. What it was like to be one, to use one's resources. His understanding of humans and their tools was definitely inferior to that of demons...Of course now that Sam mentioned demons a thought occurred to him. An option?he had forgotten about. An ally he was now reluctantly considering.
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"Are there any visions on the matter, Cordelia? Any guidance from your, what they are called, Be Powers?" Castiel wondered almost hopefully. Because those powers and himself were at least working on the same side. The other option would take him in a very different direction, towards an uncomfortable compromise with his consciousness. Without even any guarantees of success. Hopefully, with him unable to think clearly due to everything that has happened, others would keep coming up with ideas he hasn't considered. Like...coffee. ? |
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Jo ducked outside following their disappearances intent on catching up with the waitress who¡¯d bolted. Though to what end she couldn¡¯t quite say as a part of her hoped the woman might be able to provide a little insight as she¡¯d been watching things unfold as an outsider rather than being among those seated at the table when it happened. Or maybe, it was damage control, again...hard to say.? ? Her head whipped around as she looked around in every direction. Had she simply disappeared or been taken? But why? She was just a waitress at a local diner or was she? ¡°Damn it!¡± She exclaimed when her search of the immediate area turned up nothing. There was a feeling of unease that followed as the hunter began suspecting the whole ¡®frightened waitress¡¯ thing was a rather convincing act.? ? She was about to head back inside when she stopped to call the roadhouse to see if her mother had learned anything new from the hunters who passed through. As? the two women talked she kept looking around just in case. ? ? ? ? ? ? __________ ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Cordelia came back inside after going to check on Jessica hoping to her friend to rejoin them but ultimately respecting her wishes. It wasn¡¯t unreasonable to ask for a bit more time given she¡¯d come face to face with the ex she believed died in a helicopter explosion while in FBI custody. She walked back over to the table retaking her seat just as their missing ¡®friends¡¯ popped back in as suddenly as they¡¯d disappeared causing the seer to swear under her breath. ? Most of the time she could always at least be counted on for carefully timed snappy remarks but at present the brunette was left in stunned silence at the subject of a baby given the nature of its parents. ¡°Aside from an intense sense of dread...I got nothing.¡± She didn¡¯t much want to admit this child was the source of it, however, she thought it was something she might not be alone on. ? She shifted uncomfortably when asked about visions, something she was hesitant to discuss where the matter of the demoness and missing baby were concerned. ¡°So far, they aren¡¯t too chatty but...that could change.¡± Leaving unspoken it might be once it¡¯s decided whether the child is a threat or an asset. ? ? ? ? ? ? _________ ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Jo got off the phone with her mother casting a parting glance to where Sam¡¯s ex was restlessly pacing back and forth. For a moment she thought of going over and talking with her but felt she should be getting back inside. One hand pushing the door to the diner open causing the bell above it to jingle. She made her way back to the table though given everyone¡¯s expressions she almost wished she¡¯d gone with her other choice.? ? She wanted to ask what happened or where they¡¯d gone but was sensing now wasn¡¯t the time and decided to ask Sam about it later. Taking a seat once more, fearing what she may have gotten herself into in doing so.? ? ? ? ? ? ? _________ ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Cordelia looked to the door half expecting to find Spike walking towards them instead of Sam¡¯s friend. She almost asked after the waitress as she¡¯d assumed that Jo had gone after her but was too preoccupied with other things.? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? |
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Azi rose, looking colorless and tired after keeping
his hands on Halbrek's shoulders while Castiel held her for several
minutes.
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"I gave her energy. I did what I could,Angel and
now you own me information whenever I need it. One good turn deserves another,"
he said with a shudder.
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"What happened,"Halbrek asked, sitting? up
slowly and peering around, expression dazed. She didn't rise from Castiel's
arms, instead leaning back into the angel's chest as most of what happened
returned to her. You could see it in the shadowing of her eyes.
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"I guess she drained you because you passed out. It
takes a lot for demons to lose consciousness,"Azi's final comment was directed
to the humans, and he gave Jo a wink, gaze concluding on her.
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Sam's thoughts were racing from one topic to
another, many returning to his personal life in one way or another before being
redirected. That was the last thing that needed his attention right now
considering. The.last.thing!"
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"That's too bad," he commented to Cordelia's
visions or lack there of.
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"Hopefully you'll get more later."
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"Just a lot of dread for now. That's all you
missed,"Azi told Halbrek helpfully.
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It was then that Spike came through the door and
strolled up to the table, stopping beside Cordelia's chair.
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"Cab drivers charge far too much here. Especially
when a bloke is broke," he said.
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Idly Azi wondered if this was the reason for
Cordelia's dread. Certainly the fashion choices of this one left much to be
desired, but his aura was interesting.
I'm friends with the monster that's under my
bed. I get along with the voices inside of my head. |
¿ªÔÆÌåÓý"Fair enough, I owe you a very big favor, or two smaller ones. As you well know, I always honor my promises," Castiel solemnly?confirmed,?his gaze?grimly settling on Halbrek once again.
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"You did pass out, but I wonder if you remember, in case it is important somehow...you started saying something about a...Tree. I wonder if that means something. Or rather, if that was what somehow caused you to feel the drainage at that precise moment and fall, in case that would matter for the future," the angel thoughtfully considered.
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"Whatever it is, it can probably wait. The important thing is that you are back with us. With me. Do you feel better? Do you need something else to make you stronger?" the angel of the Lord wondered almost hopefully.
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He?did want?to relate to humans more than once, but feeling helpless to offer any real assistance was a real lousy way of going about it,?as far as the angel was concerned. ??
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"The tree has nothing to do with it. It's the
tree...you know that we were asked to look after," Halbrek said carefully, not
wanting to specify in front of anyone present who had? asked them. For
several reasons that wouldn't go over well mainly lock of understanding and
knowledge on the part of most.
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"I guess she just got? me and I tried to keep
going."
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She closed her lips tightly, struggling against the
unwanted rush of fear and upset and revulsion that the Earth queen had gotten to
her after so very long. She had broken away had stayed away. Unable to keep from
shivering against Castiel's chest she silently struggled to center herself. She
was out. It was well now...But what if she wanted her again? Couldn't she
just...
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"Someone needs to bind her again. Soon. We need to
deal with that," she said, eyes nearly wild as she gazed around.
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"Anyone know someone strong enough to work with us
on doing that?"
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Having her out was no good. Her thoughts sluggishly
returned to their son...not that she didn't are but realizing they had a son was
just...so difficult to comprehend. How hadn't either of them known? And didn't
that serve to make someone feel stupid?
I'm friends with the monster that's under my
bed. I get along with the voices inside of my head. |
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Cordelia suddenly felt homesick as she found herself wishing that Wesley were here. He always seemed to be able to find the answer in one of his old musty books to whatever problem they were facing. She looked among the faces present noticing the fact that Azi didn¡¯t look at all well when he rose. Wait. Gave her some energy? Was it even possible? Aside from drinking a crap ton of something like Red Bull. ? ? ? ? ? ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª ? ? ? ? ? Jo was still a little preoccupied, thinking about the vanishing waitress, though not so much that she¡¯d missed the wink sent her way. It was a thing that caused her to shift uneasily, not altogether sure how she felt about it. Demons were the enemy. It was hard to see them any other way especially with what happened to her father. ? She decided it was simpler to focus on something else...anything else. Which was easy enough to do with the nagging feeling she had about the waitress. Something was just...off. Maybe she should have kept looking. Or maybe someone or some thing was setting a trap.? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª ? ? ? ? ? ¡°Spike?¡± Cordelia spoke hesitantly, half not believing her own eyes when she looked up at hearing a familiar voice that left her feeling even more homesick. It was somewhat belated but after a moment she got to her feet then pulled him into a quick hug, a gesture having more to do with a familiar face from back home than anything else. ? While it was true they hadn¡¯t been exactly close it was enough just having at least one person from her past here with her. ¡°Cab fare isn¡¯t the thing that takes adjusting to here.¡± ? ? ? ? ? ? ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª ? ? ? ? ? ? It was then that a woman¡¯s voice interrupted the conversation after checking her phone. ¡°I can think of someone who¡¯s not the slightest bit interested in having your...¡¯little friend¡¯ roaming free.¡± She¡¯d slipped into the booth just behind theirs moments after the couple had suddenly reappeared, a thing that seemed to go unnoticed by the population at large but had certainly piqued her interest.? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? |
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"Good to see you too! You'd not believe where I was
or what happened." Spike found himself giving Cordie a tight squeeze, clinging
to something familiar for? a moment before letting her? go and
regarding the demons with? studied yet casual interest. The fox demon
returned his gaze with a bit of curiosity.
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"Never seen my sort before, ay? A bit perplexing
for you," he asked the demon, amused.
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"No, frankly. Not vampire, not? demon, a
little of both?"
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Spike smirked and shrugged. "The last one I suppose
it is."
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When the woman spoke in the booth behind them, Azi
let out a hiss between his teeth, otherwise not showing emotion or discomfort.
Halbrek stiffened but turned in Castiel's arms to face behind them. She knew she
should deal rather? than letting the angel do so. They had to get their
child back.
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Not that having a child wasn't going to be a
problem, the angels and demons would both either want him dead or on their side.
It was going to get complicated and dangerous. Not in the way she
liked.
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She disliked being in the presence of more powerful
demons as it rarely went well for her especially when they were females. They
were usually harder to deal with. She sighed and steeled herself.
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"We're listening. We need to get something back
that she has."
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At this point she really wanted to feel the others
had her back, but why? Most of them hated or distrusted her and all her kind
with reason. The rest who may stand with her would likely be defeated even
faster than her, leaving her alone to then be defeated.
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A demoness of war did not take defeat well...Today
had just been bad. Nothing else for it.
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I'm friends with the monster that's under my
bed. I get along with the voices inside of my head. |
Kat
Hugin
Ishamael Moridin