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 Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 3:01 pm
She of course had heard his prayer, even if she hadn't understood it. He had been speaking softly, and she had still been a ways away so he might have been speaking a different language for all she knew.
At his response she figured that he wasn't opposed to company. Which was good, because many stoners deplore getting stoned by themselves, and even though Abigail did it all the time she till preferred for someone to be around. Kind of like the difference between ice cream cake and angel cake. Both are good, but one is better.
She would approach and sit down next to him, laying her head back and staring at the stars. Smoke would drift up and away from the joint in her lips and her right hand would be offering up a new one to her new companion. She was absolutely screw-balled, but could still walk at least.
Stars were nice.
"You're a fighter too...."
She didn't end the sentence like a question, as many stoners didn't when they were getting pretty deep into the bag. She just kind of... talked and trailed off.
"And an angel..."
She knew this because she had had her fight with Snow in a certain abandoned church while this gentleman had been fighting somebody else a few feet away. She had been busy, but in the warm-up for the fight sha had recognized him as winning.
Though that might have changed.
"...
In a Tournament for Demons..."
The smoke drifted away and with each puff, there was an explosion of blue-gray that punctuated the line leading from her lips to the stars overhead.
Puff.
Puff.
Her eyes would be lined with tears, though she wasn't sad at all.
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Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 4:50 pm
Haelstrom Fist THREE! Those arms flailed upward, as the two would meet mid-air dynamically; now both ablaze, illuminating the nearby area with a sickly glow. Bruder couldn't tell what the lad was doing, only that the lad was in fact doing something; and that was all that mattered, as the ninja rapidly criss-crossed strikes at now unheard of speeds forward, indeed facing his challenge head-on with blazing glory, pompous or non.
Bruder purposely placed himself in harm's way, just to place the lad in the metaphorical eye of the tornado - Sturm und Drang at point-blank range! The midair lighter-v-blender match off was now in full swing!
This would do one of two things. It would either A) throw Schwartz's arms out and down or B) throw the warrior's leg out due to the force of coming into direct contact with the spin.
Of course there was the unforeseen possibility of a C option, but such things are best for the other author to decide. Going from here would be a bit difficult... so lets await the results!
One way or another the man wasn't going to take as many cuts to the leg as intended, but don't be fooled. The tanned warrior wasn't leaving without a few gashes on those flaming legs of his. Such is the price of recklessness.((Sorry about the EXTREME delay. To be quite honest... I forgot about the fight with all that's been going on.))
sweatdrop
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Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 10:33 am
Mordecai shook his head against the offered joint, "'Twould be hardly in keeping with my divine image to smoke." There was a bit of a smile on his lips as he said it. Despite being an angel, he knew that the world wasn't all about trying to make sure everyone followed the values of righteousness. The work of an angel was about picking one's battles, knowing how best to spread the good word. In this case, admonishing Abi for what he viewed as a wrong-doing would not benefit either of them, so he remained quiet about it. Despite his meditative posture and closed eyes, he seemed to have no trouble knowing where Abi was and what she was doing.
He waited, patiently, reciting verses in his head while she spoke in that on-and-off, trailing manner that most stoners had. He was an angel, and a fighter, in a tournament of demons. "Thou art correct. Is this a problem?" There wasn't a trace of malice in his voice; he wasn't trying to sound intimidating about it. There was a sincerity to his voice, a simple gentle quality to it. In truth, angels were less taken by emotions than their dark counterparts, demons, were. Demons had a tendency to fall prey to their superficial lusts and desires, while Angels tended to be more concerned with larger, ineffable issues.
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Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 12:12 pm
He said no to the smoke and she returned the joint to her pocket. It was weird. She hadn't even found one person in this whole place that would blaze up with her. It was impossible, but now she was more going through the motions then actually expecting anyone to take her up on her offer.
Puff.
"Not a problem...
At least... Not if you don't see it as one..."
She was still staring at the stars, her eyes glistening with water now, as if by laying on her back her eyes weren't getting rid of her tears fast enough. The stars were becoming a blur.
"It's just that... You're surrounded.
Evil.
Chaos.
Sin.
On all sides. How have you not been torn to pieces by the spectators?"
And as she asked this she realized something. Here she was, an atheist, in a tournament for demons, and having a conversation with one of god's servants.
The thought was enough to make her giggle. And the act of giggling would turn into a laugh until the joint had fallen out of her mouth by her side and she was holding her abdomin in pain. Tears would be streaming down her face and her laughter would be heard by all.
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Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 11:28 pm
Mordecai was about to respond to Abi's musings, his mouth opening to form the words as she giggled. The sound caught him by surprise, causing him to pause, which then gave opening for her outburst of laughter. Mordecai smiled, opening his eyes but did not laugh out loud. The amused expression widened to a wide grin as the girl laughed. Mordecai's body seemed to glow brighter, as if fueled by her laughter, but he sensed something beneath this.
He would wait for the laughter to subside, if it did, and if so then he would speak. "To answer thy question.. the only thing that hast kept me alive to this point.." The angel looked up, a sober expression on his face as his smile faded to a more serious, but calm look.
"Faith."
He turned his gaze to her, unknowingly a sign of politeness; he didn't, by default, actually look at who he was speaking to, but he understood it was common etiquette among mortals to do so. He still remembered some things from his mortal life.
"Surrounded, as thy say, by things evil, and chaotic, and void of mercy. Driven by sin. Yes, this is hardly the usual setting for an angel.." He speech was slow and precise, as if taking careful measure of each word, "But what place could need an angel more? Were I in mine Kingdom, with mine King and fellow angels, I wouldst be in a place of comfort. A place of safety. Where I would never have to question my faith, my commitment, or my ability. Here, I must remain strong. I must stand steady in the face of everything that seeks to undo what I hast done. Tis said that the measure of a person is not taken during times of comfort, but of hardship. As for the spectators.." Mordecai couldn't help but let out a light laugh, not a bitter one but an amused chuckle, "I doth not think they view me as a threat. What could one angel do against thousands? No, my role is just to keep safe a small light in a place of absolute darkness." He lowered his voice at the last few words, averting his gaze to the ground. There seemed to be some history there, but he didn't go into it.
"Why doth thou smoke?" It was, again, not accusatory, but a sincere question. The angel sounded curious, or reflective, as he turned his attention back to her - but his gaze was directed once more directly in front of himself.
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Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 11:44 pm
The angel, if he could see such things, would notice that Abigail wouldn't return the politeness of his gesture. Under normal circumstances she would have been happy to be nice to someone that she had no quarrel with. But she was stoned and the stars were pretty. That being said she wouldn't respond in kind to him, and instead would keep her head facing straight upwards. Towards the stars.
"A test, huh?
Putting yourself through hell to prove your value in heaven?"
This was the best that she could get from what he had said. Be it her changed state of mind, his abnormal way of talking, or just her upbringing, she didn't understand the nobility behind it. It was a foreign concept to her, just as her use of drugs would no doubt be to him.
"When you've seen the things I've seen it tends to take the edge off. Make the universe a little bit funnier. Easier to handle. You serve under a god that supposedly loves all, and yet lets so many terrible things occur. In my eyes he must either be a corrupt a*****e, or else have the sickest sense of humor ever...
Or maybe he just isn't in control like everyone says. Maybe he's nothing more than a kid watching his ant-farm grow, wage wars, and destroy itself. More comforting then the alternatives, but I'm not about to worship a being that can create without being able to control.
Or maybe...
Maybe he doesn't exist.
It's the easiest of those thoughts to deal with.
Once you know that there isn't an absolute plan, a person needs a little bit to relax them. A way to escape all..."
She would wave her hand around, indicating the park, the stars. the world in general.
"All this..."
As she finished she would of course bring her hand back down to rest on her stomach. It was weird, speaking such things that this creature would no doubt see as blasphemous... but she was also a rambling stoner.
"You have your God. I have my mind altering substances."
It would be then that she would turn her head and look into those big white orbs, momentarily mesmerized by them. This being went against everything that she believed in... and she still believed.
"We all have our vices."
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Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 11:56 pm
Surprisingly, Mordecai seemed rather alright about all this. "We all have a path to walk. I was not sent here to lecture you on the 'wickedness of your ways'." The angel almost managed to get the proper amount of sarcasm on the last part, as he was joking, even if it was hard to tell, "I do not judge you for your choices. Lathander, mine Lord King, does not want to force people to understand. He would rather people learn, and choose to come to him."
For a while, listening to her words, he just sat. He was absorbing everything she said. There was a lot there to take in.
and yet lets so many terrible things occur
Mordecai picked up on this, and it was the first thing he addressed after she had finished speaking, and after the several minutes of silence from him that followed. Finally, he did speak, "Why, doth thou think, do people always bring up that point? That, surely, a benevolent Lord would not allow terrible things to happen? Yet when good things happen, often it is the people who take credit for it. 'Look at us, we have achieved so much.' If you blame any God for the tragic events of your life, then so too should you not give him credit for the blessings? And who is to say what makes an event terrible? Death is a natural part of life. They are absolutely necessary for one another. So tell me, my lady, were you given the vast resources, knowledge, power, and omnipotence of a God.. how would you rule your world?" Mordecai seemed genuinely interested in this, though he did seem to have something in mind for it. But as always, he kept his calm voice level the entire time, rather enjoying himself.
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Posted: Sat May 09, 2009 12:13 am
There was a reason that Abigail was an Atheist. It wasn't from being raised that way. It was because, underneath the pill-popping exterior, she was still smart. How else would she have gotten a job as a Captain in this tournament. The woman calculated, and even though she may be absolutely wrecked off pot she still could keep her reasoning and arguments straight. Gotta love a good debate.
It was like fighting. Only with words...
[/CoughRpTournamentcough]
"Never heard the phrase 'Thank god' when the praise genuinely should lie elsewhere? Never heard people cry out his name during sex, thanking him for making the act that fun? Millions of people go to churches to beg his forgiveness every day, and the worshipers of Alla pray every morning and sunset (I think). Something great happens for a kid and the parents say 'Praise the lord'...
God gets plenty of credit..."
At this point there would be a small smile on her face, as if she were truly enjoying debating theology with an angel; probably the utmost authority on the matter. But she had her own ammunition.
"And you're right. There are plenty of things that could be considered terrible by some and great by others. Wars are always better for one side then another. Fights are the same. Even when a girl is born into poverty and forced into prostitution at a ridiculously young age. So young that she would carry those memories forever...
All of these things have their up sides."
The weirdest part? Even with her long pauses to consider her words and getting lost in the blinding whiteness of this figure while surrounded by the night, even while talking about such terrible things.
She never lost her smile.
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Posted: Sat May 09, 2009 12:26 am
Mordecai listened, and paused. Point one for Abi. The divine do often get credit, even when it is not theirs. But then she mentioned the girl, "So tell me, what you wouldst do given limitless power? How would you change the girl's life, if you had such influence? Give her royal birth?"
Mordecai was enjoying himself, a light smile playing across his lips. He looked up at the sky, the stars reflected in his blank white eyes as he awaited her retort. She hadn't really answered his question the first time, about how she would run things, given the option.
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Posted: Sat May 09, 2009 12:34 am
She hadn't answered the question for a very important reason. She didn't have an answer. She had thought long and hard about so many different sides of this argument, and yet had never once imagined what it would be like to be all powerful.
She figured that instead of thinking it through, and thinking it through so slowly because of how much the pot was clogging her thought processes, she would counter with another question while she figured it out.
"What's heaven like?
...
I mean...
How could it possibly be an eternal utopia if everyone has different beliefs, as I just pointed out."
She would ask this almost as a panic because of being caught off guard, though she could even now see where she was headed with this train of thought. Even if the train was a few stations behind her mouth.
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Posted: Sat May 09, 2009 12:51 am
Mordecai looked almost sad at this question. As if she had asked a difficult one. In truth, it was just one that he couldn't answer. "As an angel.. everyone, at some point, asks that question. Everyone wonders. And, sooner or later, everyone gets to find out." He looked up, hoping it would be enough, "It is not really something I can describe. It would be like..." He paused, thinking. "Describing a rainbow to a dog." Dogs, of course, being color blind, so the concept of any color, much less a rainbow, would be utterly incomprehensible.
Mordecai paused for a long time. Finally, he continued, "There is a simple truth about Lathander, and of death. He is not blessed or merciful. Nor is he cruel and spiteful. He just is. Even as we're talking, he is there for old and young, innocent and guilty, those who die together and those who die alone. He is in cars and boats and planes, in hospitals and forests and abattoirs. For some His presence is a release and for others, it is an abomination, a terrible thing. But in the end, He is there for all of them."
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Posted: Sat May 09, 2009 1:15 am
"So a child with an ant hill that feels for every dead ant without actually doing anything to help.
Real productive God..."
She would say, her sarcasm twisting her smirk into a smile, pulling at the burnt flesh of her mouth and cheeks, as if to portray that she wasn't actually attacking him or his faith. Rather that she was making a joke and nothing more.
"As for your earlier question. You say that heaven is hard to describe. Is it that way because of how wonderful it is?"
And as she asked she would let her head loll back up to look once more upon the stars. As many children do she genuinely believed that up there was heaven, when in reality heaven would be a place for spirits. Souls, whatever you would call them. And they wouldn't be bound to such reality as clouds or space.
It was just easier to believe in the topic of conversation when you thought that you were looking upon it.
Simple maybe, but when one is doped up, simple is usually for the best.
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Posted: Sat May 09, 2009 1:23 am
"In some ways.. After all, it is much like they say it is. Take a look at the demons at this tournament.. Doth thou know why demons are so strong? Why they fight with such malice, and hate with such passion?" He paused for a moment before continuing, "Because they have seen heaven." He let this sink in, since for him it was a strong statement, though it may just go over the stoner's head, "What power would hell have if those imprisoned would not be able to dream of heaven?"
The angel finally broke his posture as he let himself fall back on the grass, "In the end, Lathander may be, as thou says, like a child. What I don't understand is what you would prefer. That He does everything he can to help, or does nothing. What is better, to you? That every choice you make affects a larger, grand plan? That every moment is weighed by the knowledge of its consequences? Or would you rather that your choices had no impact at all, that there was no fate, no destiny, and that all was happenstance."
He paused, this time to let her answer before he continued, "Tell me, my lady.. what is it that you are afraid of?" He was taking a leap here, but often hesitations to accept, or if not accept than confidently deny, a presence such as his King's was borne from some worry, fear, or uncertainty. Perhaps she was afraid of what lies beyond life; perhaps she wanted to know if she truly possessed free will or if it was all decided. He didn't know if there was anything behind it, but he felt there was.
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Posted: Sat May 09, 2009 1:37 am
The blond girl had long since burned down the joint to a roach and flicked it away when she answered. She would finally be able to answer his previous question of what she would do in God's place. She had her answer ready, and then he came from left field with a cold-c**k that she hadn't expected.
What is it that you are afraid of?
She would pause, unable to conjure up an answer. Instead she would give herself a few seconds by delving into her pockets and retrieving a joint, lighting it, and taking a puff or two.
"If I were in God's shoes, I wouldn't bother with earth. Humanity is flawed, so why give them free reign?
...Let them have paradise, and when they ******** up let them get ********' spanked and sent down. That way there wouldn't be all of this wondering...
...
All of this hatred and war towards the fellow man.
Greed.
Corruption.
Fighting tournaments."
She would say with a small giggle, letting her most recent inhalation of the smoke drift out of her mouth accompanying the sound of her laughter once again.
"It would all be gone and people could be happy. There would be no need for the little girl to grow up in either environment. Neither selling herself so that she might be able to eat that night, nor riding her royal pony. Everything and every body would be happy...
Because a god that cared would want to grant perfection if it were in his power...
Wouldn't he?"
She would ask, those tears once again welling up in her eyes.
Though were they from the conversation, or the pot?
Nobody could be certain.
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