SING, O GODDESS

[strangerpeople]

SING, O GODDESS


[The place that Zagreus brings them to is an abandoned house. Like the rest of Greece, at first the grass and plants are dead, withered. But only at first.

As everyone files into the garden, it starts to slowly come to life. flowers begin to bloom. Fruits and vegetables start to sprout from the soil. The trees begin to grow once more. Wheat stalks slowly pop up out of the ground. Wherever this is, it's clear that life is returning-and the gods are awakening.

It's probably best that they don't return to the underworld, to the House of Hades-but, if anyone wishes to, Charon has arrived with the dead from the previous rounds-now alive-and little baby Ayame. If anyone wishes to go there-though, why would anyone ever willingly go back to the House, knowing you-know-who is probably awake by now?-they can.

But for those who stay here, there is food and drink, wine and bread, fresh meat and ripe crudités. Talk. Plot. Say your goodbyes before you are SHIFTed back to your homeworlds.

Who knows? Maybe there are still some surprises left to be had. But, either way...it is a good day. The new moon will pass. The sun will rise.

The Game-or at least, this variation of it-is over.]



((OoC: And with this, Round 7 is complete! Thank you everyone who participated-we hope you enjoy the aftermath, and stay tuned for the SHIFT Meme and HMD!))

Comments

[onychomance]

[Kira takes his hand down from her shoulder now that she has her arms around him. He really couldn't read her expression of pity, atypical. The man nods unironically at her joke, but her example is a bit poor. Offering her pinky is interesting though. A promise? A connection through fate? In any case the honest answer is the only one that could suffice, even if he can't fathom what it has to do with her threat of eating Kosaku's face.]

I don't have any plans yet. You could say I'm free for that time.

[yesorwoof]

Hm. [Innocent boys can taste so sweet. Is it because he once again has lips that have never been kissed that Kira doesn't sense why Makima is leaning so close to him? A pinky promise is what she means, close to how they sealed the contract with a kiss. In the world of devil hunters, there is no such thing as a promise, only another type of contract. At least he hasn't let go of her completely. Makima loosens her arms further, basically waiting for him to let her go.]

Then I'll wait a little longer to decide. Might as well talk it over in the kitchen.

[She pats his face with her hand one last time (just barely avoiding the lips) before she stands up.]

Don't tell anyone what I'm doing, of course. I shouldn't be gone too long. [She gives another thoughtful, patient look that is much more typical for her, shows how the pity was different and deeper.] I know I've made you wait recently, and the precaution wasn't too productive in the end. I've already been gone so long. If you really aren't ready when I come back... [She turns to walk away in this moment.] I'll see what I can do to help.

[onychomance]

[think about it in your own logic, Makima... If he kisses you before you try to eat the face off the ground, you could just eat it after you had your fill of kisses without worrying that some disease would pass to Kira.

He is still a little awkward about her going to fetch the thing (preserve for what? Will she give Kira a taste of his own medicine and shower it in affection?) However, she is listening to his request, so somehow he still feels calmer. Kira's standards for peace have been miserably lowered in the past month. He just nods helplessly.

When she returns, he will have just lay down in the grass, trying to let his frustration trickle out of him with the white engine noise she will have become accustomed to. For what it's worth, it seems to be somewhat working, but she could still help him along.]

[yesorwoof]

[Kissing outdoors is for CHILDREN!!! Makima feels like she has to create an unassailable bargain where the disease risk is somehow an inevitable effect of Kira's own choices. Of course she wants both lips to eat and tongue to taste, but to outright ask? To long for affection and to "buy" kisses? To not have control over what she devours? That's anathema. Still, it might work out that way naturally at this rate as she has calmed her baby down with this deferred decision, so she is a bit cheered up.

Makima is away for a good few minutes. Her makeshift satchel isn't that big, and just in case, she wants to keep the blood separate from that magical doll she had Ritsu salvage. When she turns back, she's a bit surprised that he's outright lying down and takes a glance to look for the motorcycle, Stray Cat, and Killer Queen's scent. (The fact that he's not taking this moment to relax with "Makima" is a great relief.) Walking closer, Makima takes care in a roundabout path where her shadow does not cross over him. She stands a little ways to the side of his head, and her feet shuffle a bit as she really is so tempted to nudge him in the face with her shoe. But she will be good. Waiting either for him to open his eyes, or about one minute as it becomes certain that he's using the white noise to relax and not outright sleep, Makima leans down just far enough that her soft voice can be heard and says,]

You're soaking up the sun just like a big cat.

[She can really see it now, the way that he slowly circles his owner and she's still the one to pick him up first in the end.]

[onychomance]

[Kira spent time with his special someone already, and he didn't think Makima would be gone for long. He can wait the trip until he will yearn for her again. Kira opens his eyes, not finding a problem with her assessment. Killer Queen is a manifestation of him and a cat, so it's tough to argue with that.]

I always like to spend a beautiful day outdoors. Don't you?

[Stray Cat is looking more lively now that the sun has fully risen, unfolding its leaves and watching Makima calmly. She is a nice lady who gave it meat cake, so it's happy to see her, meow meow.]

[yesorwoof]

Hmmmmm... When I'm walking my dogs, it's not exactly as serene as this. And I often seek out restaurants, movie theaters... I might have been missing out.

[She is not going to mention that "outdoors" is also where a lot of the Devils are because that is not conducive to Kira's mental health.

Instead, Makima is going to take another step over towards Stray Cat, tuck the satchel a bit behind herself, and put her hands on her knees, leaning very far down while still standing.]

Good morning.

[The bizarre combination of features really makes this pet a lot like a devil. She looks at the teeth, wondering if there is any other snack that seems suitable since the meat she has on her person right now is For Makima. Reaching out to give scritches (petal scritches???) unless if it seems too bitey.]

[onychomance]

[Kira once again does not understand Makima's decision to have seven dogs. He'd think you could still walk one in peace at a nice park, but... well. Is it too late to embellish his profile's dislike of dogs into an outright phobia? Yes, probably. How unfortunate.]

Ah, I see. Well, try dining on the patios sometime. You just might enjoy it.

[If the devils have ruined patios then he will just have to learn the hard way. Stray Cat will side eye until a sniff is allowed, but then permit petal scritches with a happy purr. It has gotten used to everyone's scent from behind the door so is not especially bitey. It doesn't register the scent of the meat she has as food, but will look longingly at any birds flying out of its shooting range.]

[yesorwoof]

[Be it a dog walk in the park or on the pavement, Makima just doesn't soak up the sun like a plant or cat. She can sense the timing of the slight disgust and so only acknowledges the patio idea with a nod, almost like a blink, before saying something else.] Oh, that reminds me. Staying on the upper of the two stories in the apartment seems pretty good, but should we pick up some allergy medicine?

[Another reason that pet care has come to mind is her observation that Stray Cat apparently can't wander off to the birds.] Poor thing in the flowerpot. [Looking at Kira more directly.] Are you going to be carrying it...?

[onychomance]

[Feigning an allergy would be too much trouble, so he may as well be completely honest at this point. Kira sits up, shaking his head.] No... I have no allergy to dogs. I honestly just think they are too bothersome, but the consideration is nice.

[Makima wouldn't pity Stray Cat's lack of mobility if she knew how dangerous it could be, Kira thinks.... but the little Stand is quite useful to him, so he won't be revealing his hand until the time is right.]

Killer Queen has a compartment in its body that Stray Cat has gotten accustomed to being carried in. When it's summoned, it will float by my side limited to a range of 4.5 meters, thus ensuring Killer Queen will keep up with the motorcycle. The compartment will keep Stray Cat shielded from the force of the wind, so there should be nothing for it to worry about.

[yesorwoof]

I see I'll have some interesting concerns to balance in the future.

[Makima says this a bit wryly, because Kira's mood at the moment seems entirely incapable of inferring the concern "whether to cuddle with Kira or the dogs". Then she puts her hands behind her back a bit to tilt her head in Killer Queen's direction.] So he does. [Have a compartment, that is. She'd say "I see", but she can't yet; instead this position naturally flares her nostrils and she's smelling the Stand again, though not yet inferring details about his shape... Kira's attachment to Stray Cat is certainly suspicious. Although dogs are more bothersome than other pets, it seems Kira doesn't have pet cats either. And he keeps it in his Stand, which is essential to his identity in some way, with its name "Killer Queen" only confided later? Makima doesn't know if the advantage is offensive, defensive, or supportive, and she doesn't care. The truth will come out soon enough. Her voice comes out husky as usual:]

What a good owner you are.

[onychomance]

[Kira merely smiles in response to her wry statement. He had expected a token attempt to reassure him that hers are very well behaved and not troublesome at all, or to disregard the concern since it wouldn't actually kill him to interact with mutts.

In any case, Kira is independent by nature... she can cuddle her dogs and he can enjoy solitude. Or, looking it another way, if she'd like him to become more dependent then she'd better choose him. But there wouldn't be any need for that, as long as her plan succeeded, right?]

Well, I'm fond of both plants and cats. It's little wonder the two of us hit it off. I suppose Stray Cat can keep me company while you play with the pooches. Along with my love, of course.

[yesorwoof]

[Makima has a whole entire bed on the upper story - she may have been slightly unclear when praising her dogs, rather than sleeping with them every single time it's more like they're so soothing as to be incapable of bothering her heart. Sometimes a woman wants to be cozy and make sure that her big new pillow hasn't gotten wrinkled by the sound waves from the lower story if nothing else. What a shame that she'll have to leave for Enoshima so soon after she returns... Maybe it really will be a good opportunity to make up for lost quality time.]

Yes, I wouldn't want to overstep. You two know each other best, after all.

[It's more like Kira's delusions about handling his "girlfriend" are completely inscrutable nonsense that Makima washes her hands of playing along with. Her eyes are bright as if she can see through Kira's pocket. Makima's mercy doesn't come cheap, and her patience doesn't either.]

[onychomance]

[Kira is learning to fear those glowing eyes of hers... Not that it will keep him from his hobby. At least she is tolerating it, if coldly. From his perspective, they have now had a sufficiently quiet moment together.]

Now that that's settled, I think I am good to get started.

[Kira stands. He poses with his arms crossed downward.]

Killer Queen.

[His stand appears next to him in the same pose, before crouching by the little flower cat to lift it into its compartment. Makima may see it floating...]

[yesorwoof]

Just like you're summoning a Devil.

[In his world where supernatural phenomena are only known to a select few, he'd look like he's doing a pose from a cartoon. There must be even more dramatic poses to go with the more impactful of Killer Queen's abilities. Makima holds her satchel closer and begins walking towards the motorcycle.]

The speed limit in the city center will be only 50 kilometers per hour.

[She does have reason to believe they will go through the portal onto the road. Why not?]

[onychomance]

If I was, it would be the devil within....

[Killer Queen is his fighting spirit after all. Then again, he still hasn't explained very much about Stands at all. As Killer Queen closes Stray Cat in its belly like a 'catryoshka', Kira gets on the visible motorcycle. Riding it still feels instinctive.]

How's the traffic? Bad enough that no one will notice a bike appearing out of thin air?

[yesorwoof]

Maybe that's what I'll tell them. "I contracted with this new Devil who has a peerless love for each of his girlfriends, so he looks like a handsome human"...

[When the truth is that those roles are reversed. Makima doesn't really question the logistics of Kira's inner devil, as it's been established that they have no time to talk about complicated things. She's saying these sweet words rather close to the comely face she's praising, though surely that's just a result of stepping closer to him on the motorcycle. Makima finally gets on behind him, in so doing pressing against him the satchel containing the other face, and says]

Don't worry. I'll handle it. If anyone notices you, it will be because you're with me.

[onychomance]

No, I doubt I would be able to sell a ruse like that. I'm far too average.

[It is ultimately up to Makima what cover story she uses, but it feels a little like she just wanted to flaunt their contract. It gives him that strange eye of the storm feeling again. Only Makima makes him feel like this. That sense only intensifies with her pressing behind him. What are her plans for his former face... what does she mean, she would handle it? Is public safety so powerful that her mere presence eclipses such a monstrous bike?]

Don't tell me you have paparazzi following you.

[yesorwoof]

For the newspapers? No, they know that under our government jurisdiction they can't do that and live. Speaking of which, there's a phone call I'll have to make.

[With this insouciant remark Makima's legs completely leave the ground. She can leverage the power of her contracts to fly, so it's natural that Kira with his bike makes her feel that way. An average man who just happened to be her savior in this particular minute escapade...]

It's time. I'll steer you.