15strangers | Afterparty Buffet

Afterparty Buffet

[So, that trial sure happened, didn't it? And on nearly empty stomachs, no less. That's why people might catch Alastor headed for the kitchen as soon as they're out of the theater, obviously intent on making food. He's in there a while, actually, and the hallway outside of it smells strongly of some rather tasty food.

What he's up to will become clear when he goes around to tell people to visit the mess hall. There, he's set up a varied buffet on one of the tables, all of various foods easy to serve in small portions. This includes small slices of beef only very lightly seared on the outside, but also more fully cooked fare, and even a few fruit and vegetable dishes. Plus the requisite spread of alcohol, because it sure has been A Day, huh?

...Also, while Hermes obviously doesn't eat, he still gets the instructions to go to the mess hall. Huh.]

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[He nods and approaches, gently reaching to take Roland's hand.]

This... it does not change how I feel about you, I hope you know.

[ Going to give Alastor's hand a reassuring squeeze and the flash of a smile. ]

Just... [ A heavy, deep sigh, his other hand going through his hair before curling tight around his rosary. ] You must know as a faithful follower of the Lord... to be made into something with demonic power... it's a little much.

It does mean Heaven will be...harder for you to get to. Skewing your soul's balance, and all.

Just...does it help to know that I'm not the only devil who's also a good person? There's one humans even hail as a hero of legend.

[ There's something that flashed across his face briefly, and it truly did seem like Alastor's being here actually was helping more than one would expect. ]

That's.. what I was afraid of.

[ He closed his eyes and exhaled a deep, heavy breath. Roland is genuinely just trying to deal with this since it was a bit... much to deal with. ]

Yes. I... do believe you might have said that was... Sparda, wasn't it?

[He'd like to say Hell isn't as bad as mortals make it out to be, but...a lot depended on where you ended up, even in his day. So he just nods slightly.]

Sparda saved humanity not long after Mundus killed me. Locked Mundus away, and severed most of the connections between the underworld and the human world, so Mundus' followers couldn't just continue his crusade.

He truly sounds like quite a good, strong individual.

[ Roland finally released his rosary reluctantly, but there was still a furrow to his brow. ]

So... please. Tell me more about Devil Arms... and if you know of one that matches what my power entails.

[He glances at that rosary curiously. He can't help but wonder if it's genuinely holy or just symbolic, considering the former would be the antithesis of infernal power.]

Ordinarily, a Devil Arm is a weapon either made from or infused with the soul of a slain devil. In my case, I deliberately tied my soul to my favorite blade so that when Mundus destroyed my body, I survived as part of the weapon.

If the wielder of a Devil Arm can tap into its magical power, they can use some of the devil's abilities for themselves...but only while using the weapon. When I served Dante, he'd have me ready when he wanted a boost to mobility, since I granted him some of my speed. When he had me stowed to use Ifrit or his father's blade instead, though, all I could do was watch.

I'm not sure about your power, though. The only thing I can think of that even comes close isn't a weapon at all. It's not even anything physical.

Edited 2023-07-09 07:24 (UTC)

[ Hm. That was a very indepth explanation but he figured he understood it, though this still sounded like he may have part of a demonic soul mixed with his own. Which was still a bit concerning but he would focus on that last part instead of the rest of it. ]

Really? Is that a... good or bad thing?

[ Everything else for the most part had been something Alastor had known about, so he trusted his word here. ]

Could be either, or neither. I've been out of the loop for a long time, so I'm sure there are plenty of devils too young for me to remember.

T-Then I suppose it will be up to me to try and learn everything I can about it!

[ It's probably about time for him to learn the depths of his power anyway. Admittedly it's just put him off for a while, due to what he's been able to see these past weeks. ]

Do you believe the rest of these Devil Arms all have names, then?

Yeah, all of us do. Even if the base weapon didn't have a name at first, it'd inherit the name of the soul inside it.

The one I'm bonded to...between my title and how its power manifests...actually, this is kinda awkward.

Hmm? How so?

[ At least his faith and what he does seems to be fairly differing so he feels like it should be fine. ]

There's an old Devil Arm in the form of wing-like frames that can generate an infinite number of blades. His name is Lucifer, and I'm sure I don't have to tell you what that is in Latin.

Lucifer? My goodness... The light-bringer. Archangel who fell from heaven... known for being rebellious and proud...

[ That makes him laugh a little, smile wide and absolutely genuine. ]

Hahaha! That does seem quite fitting for you to be paired with this particular Devil Arm, I think!

I don't know if he was actually a fallen angel, or if that's just something humans assumed because of his wings and association with light, but...you do have a point about us having a lot in common.

[His usual calm smile returns at the lack of a negative reaction. It certainly could have been worse...he'd hate to have ended up bonded with someone like Beowulf.]

Not to mention, I like to think I'm almost as devilishly handsome as he was.

There is a distinct lack of actual proof to whether he truly was a fallen angel or not, that is true. I'll give you that.

[ Upon seeing that familiar smile return, that tells him he must have said or done something right here. Not that he could necessarily pinpoint which, but he did suspect it had to do with his reaction about Lucifer. ]

Almost? I could argue you're just AS handsome, if not more. [ Roland then brings up their joined hands and shifted enough so he could place a kiss on the back of his hand. Glove or no glove. It wasn't stopping him any. ] Though my opinion may be a little biased.

[It's felt a little odd to have his hands uncovered all evening, but...this part, he definitely doesn't mind.]

Maybe just a bit...but I can't say I'm not flattered. 'S a huge compliment to be compared to someone gorgeous enough to rival a goddess of beauty.

[ He gave their joined hands a light squeeze, reveling in that warmth. ]

Mm-hm~! You even have quite a charming personality to match, too.

[ Just had to throw that last one in there, too. ]

I do hope I can find the name of the one who's bonded to me. Maybe I can try to understand them better if there's any way to connect with them.

I'm sure it'll take some trying for both of us, but knowing the sources of our powers are souls should help.

Plus, should be fairly easy for me. Not like I've never used a Devil Arm myself, after all.

I absolutely agree.

[ A nod of his head. ]

I have complete faith in you, Alastor. Do let me know if there's any advice you can pass onto me for how I might be able to best connect with one.

I'll let you know after I try it out tomorrow. I expect mine to be...pretty destructive, so I don't wanna test it until I have some decent space to myself.

That makes sense. I do wish you all the luck in that, and I hope it works out.

[ His expression seems to dim a little but then bounced back right after, pretending like it didn't even happen. ]

I expect everyone's to be quite flashy, like Hermes and yours. Miss Makima's seems like it'll be an offensive one as well, though I can't quite figure out what mine may amount to.

If you're lucky, it'll involve better control...

[ Such a comment made him chuckle a little. ]

I quite hope so.

[ Then, minutely, he brought his hand up where two fingers were pinching at his temple and closed his eyes. ]

Mon Dieu... I can't believe how much I took things for granted. From the green grass, lush, colorful flowers and the sky that goes on forever.

[ He was homesick, though at least the sight of the vines and branches don't bother him as much as they had that first week of seeing them. ]

It's not the first time I've been trapped indoors, but being cut off from the sky doesn't exactly get easier...

[His wings stretch and flap. There's a definite aching to take flight in the motion.]

But we'll see it again. Even being trapped in my blade couldn't contain the greatest lightning devil forever.

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Afterparty Buffet

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