A deer, a cat and an agent of God walk into a forest...

[wiseoldbartender]

WHO: Husk, Shroud and Alastor
WHERE: At the entrance of Kami State Park
WHEN: The nebulous time Alastor arrives
WHAT: Seeing if somebody is lying about having an archangel in his head
WARNINGS: Alastor.

[Husk is still deeply unhappy about all of this. Sure, he and Shroud had talked about what could be done if Alastor ever showed up, but he never actually thought it would. Or, hell, if it did, he expected it to be a while off. Not less than a month after the damn fact. The universe is pointing and laughing at him, he's sure.

Pointedly not telling his family where he's going, he does as Shroud asks and gets his strongest earplugs, pockets them and flies his way to Kami. He's still not sure how well he'll cope with seeing Alastor in person, but he won't let Shroud handle this alone, regardless of what a powerhouse the kid is. That wouldn't be right. He might need help cleaning up his own messes, but he won't leave someone else handle it entirely.

He lands near the park entrance, taking in a deep breath. It's fine. He just needs to push through all of this. Figure out how to deal with his loved ones and then maybe he can let himself process all of this. Now is not the time to fall apart. He leans against a tree, summoning his cards so he can shuffle them anxiously as he waits. ]

Comments

[sindeerly]

[Alastor isn't able to use the shadows to get around like he did in their past lives, but that doesn't make him less dangerous. His footsteps don't make a sound as he walks through the city at a leisurely pace. He largely sticks to the shadows and back alleys to avoid any of Husk's friends in the city. As much as Alastor enjoys a good scrap, he would much rather not end up in a more precarious position.

Michael remains in the back of his mind as a judgmental presence, but he can also sense the Archangel's curiosity for this 'test.' Not that Alastor can blame him this time. He has to admit that he shares in that curiosity.

Anyway, the deer walks out casually and silently out of an alley near the park entrance. Normally, on seeing Husk he might have gotten up into the cat's space. Alastor doesn't do that. He can read the room, and it won't do him any favors to provoke Husk at this time. So, instead, he strolls up and keeps a respectful distance away from the former Overlord.]

My, my, you're looking rather well! It seems that leaving The Order has been treating you nicely.

[wiseoldbartender]

[Alastor's voice makes Husk freeze in his careful card shuffling. It leaves an icy pit of dread in his stomach. He's had a full life here without hearing that voice in anything but his memories or the occasional spirit-vein induced hallucination. But distance born from time doesn't make him feel that dread any less.

In a spit-second sleight-of-hand, one of his cards shifts to rest between his index and middle finger. It would take a moment to charge it into an explosive and throw it as his stupid, smug face. A part of him wants to do it. It would make him feel better.

But it wouldn't do anything but start a war he can't win. He takes a deep breath, pulls those apathetic walls around him again. Don't let him know he bothers you. He likes that. Just give him a heap of nothing to react to. That's how you survive this. Survive him. ]

What can I say, you stop being sent all over the damn world for a sociopathic cult, and suddenly you start sleeping better. It's a miracle.

[ Alastor is keeping his distance at least. He's not getting close or, even worse, fucking petting him. Small mercies. He heaves out a sigh. ]

You've got really shit timing, you know. You could've waited until after Christmas to crop up, Asshole.

[sindeerly]

[Alastor chuckles politely.]

Truly the worst!

[He then plants his staff in front of himself and rests both of his hands on it, leaning forward. The deer is quite relaxed as he gives a casual shrug of his shoulders.]

Oho, believe me, I wish the timing was better. It's a busy time of year for me and I would have rather done this after the New Year, but Mikey thought I should speak with you sooner than later since we don't know how long we'll be here.

[I stand by it.]

[whiteshroud]

[Out of thin air, Shroud's modulated voice will echo through the cold air]

Very well. Then speak now we shall.

[It's then that Shroud will reveal himself. In truth, he'd been there the whole time- opting to cloak himself with invisibility and stealth as he got an idea of the situation. But now he'll undo the spells, revealing himself to be standing not far from them.

He's not bothering to hide his true power signature either like usual- instead the sheer power of it radiates off him. Michael will recognize the signature right away. ]

I am the one who was called upon to verify your claim. I assume no introduction is needed.

[It's the first test.]

[wiseoldbartender]

Three fuckin' cheers for Mikey, I guess.

[He sounds so deeply unimpressed by this. He would have preferred to have had a peaceful Christmas with his family. Instead, he's stood in a cold-ass park dealing with the person he hates the most in the entire universe.

Luckily, Shroud makes his appearance, Husk's ears swivelling to the sound of his voice. He doesn't do any introductions, he can see this for what it is, and instead waves a hand between them. Go on, smartass, answer the question-that-isn't-one. ]

[sindeerly]

[Alastor's ear also swivels to catch the unexpected sound, but he looks completely unflappable. There's no surprise on the Radio Demon's face nor in his general body language.

However, Michael is suddenly extremely interested. The Archangel naturally recognizes his Lord's energy signature. Even if he doesn't know who White Shroud is specifically in this life, he does know a Holy Knight when he sees and senses one. Information is whispered into Alastor's mind quickly.]

Yes, yes, a Holy Knight of the Lord. A real one from what my patron is telling me!

I must admit, you can't get a better test proctor than that!

[Ah, I do so hope it is that one spirited young one we ran into decades ago! A pity that such a valiant soul couldn't receive the Lord's blessings at the time.

Alastor is starting to hope that he fails this test. Maybe it'll put him out of his misery.]

So, what would you have me do?

[whiteshroud]

[Shroud notes the unflappable reaction from Alastor. It's not too surprising. This was a demon overlord who was claiming to be the vessel for the Archangel Michael. All of that translates to this guy has probably seen a lot of shit and is real good at keeping a poker face on.

That's fine, Shroud can work with that. At least he seems to answer the question. He gives a brief nod to reflect that it was a correct answer. ]

Not much, really. You just need to listen.

[Just listen huh. But obviously, there's a catch]

It's well known the Lord uses messengers to speak, as hearing His voice unfiltered can be deadly to most. However, His angels should remain unaffected by it.

So... I'm going to borrow His voice, essentially. If you truly are the Archangel Michael's vessel, you'll be fine and we'll have undeniable proof you are what you say you are. If you aren't... you'll be dead, and my original mission will be complete.

[Win-win scenario, really. ]

I'd also suggest turning off any electrical devices. The voice has a tendency to fry those.

[sindeerly]

[He's seen some shit and done some shit. Not much takes Alastor by surprise, though it does happen.

The deer smells a catch. It's never simple with the Lord, and he's proven correct as Shroud elaborates. Alastor's grin doesn't fade and his eyes don't reveal much of his thoughts, but truly it's a win-win scenario for everyone involved. Either Alastor lives, which he most certainly will, or he gets put out of his misery existing with Michael in his head!

Confident in his chances of surviving, Alastor takes out his phone, turns it off completely, and puts it back into his pocket.]

Just so you know, Mike is quite giddy about this! Oh, the things he wants to talk to you about when all is said and done! But we can always talk about that later.

[Misery loves company, after all!]

By your leave, then! If you're good, I might even join in on the fun!

[whiteshroud]

[Shroud is thankful for the hood he's wearing covering his expression, as the face he pulled at the thought of talking to an angel was certainly notable. He's not giddy about the prospect. He spent two lifetimes certain that angels were fraudulent monsters that preyed upon the vulnerable. If this guy is legitimate in his claim...]

... Good to know.

[Well, it's not the first time Jun's had to adjust his beliefs, but it's not one he's looking forward to. Best to cross that bridge later. Right now, it is notable how open to this plan Alastor appears to be. Either he really is telling the truth and feels he has nothing to feel, or he's an arrogant fool that doesn't actually believe Jun's claim.

Well. They'll find out which it is in a moment. Once he's sure that Husk has those earplugs in and the phones are seemingly turned off, Jun will turn off his modulator and begin to sing a song he knows well.]

♫ Ave Maria, gratia plena,
Maria, gratia plena ♫

[At first, it just sounds like a normal singing voice. Jun's a good singer, much like his brother but with a higher register. But then, as the song continues, things start to take a turn.]

♫ Maria, gratia plena,
Ave, Ave, Dominus,
Dominus tecum. ♫

[While Jun's own singing voice can still be heard, there starts to be a reverb sound that's closer to the Shroud voice that starts to overtake his voice. If either of them can sense power, they will begin to notice a sharp spiking of power as the song continues]

♫ Benedicta tu in mulieribus,
et benedictus,
Et b̸e̸n̵e̸d̴i̵c̷t̶u̶s̶ fructus ventris (̴t̷u̶i̴)̸
V̴e̶n̸t̷r̷i̴s̷ tui, J̶̧̨̛͕͓̭̱̟̘͍͉̬̹͑͊̔̏ę̷̫̝̼̳̟̞̲͔͉͍̓̊s̵̨̛̹̱̦̳͐̆̍͂̅̽ư̵̳̖̯̰̓̆́̆̈́̉͛͌̌s̸̡̧̭̯͍͖̭͔͓͍̝̔̌̾̀̆̋͛̍̑̋̆͜͝͝ͅ
A̸v̴e̷ ̴M̷a̷r̵i̵a̸!̶! ♫

[As the lyrics continue, the distortion effect gets louder. The street lamps near them start to flicker, and if you failed to turn off your phones? They are starting to make staticy sounds that sound like distorted versions of the song. As for Jun's voice itself... he's starting to sound like a mix of voices. There's Jun, there's Shroud, there's voices that sound familiar to them, and there's voices that aren't recognizable at all- potentially the echos of past vessels of the Lord. They sing together in perfect unison that sounds both beautiful and terrifying at the same time.

As he hits the next verse, his eyes- which normally aren't visible from under the shadow of the shroud- snap open and can be seen as they glow a pure white. The power levels continue to spike, and animals in the area will start to flee. The song is becoming painful to hear as ""Jun"" puts even more bravado into it]

♫ S̵a̶n̶c̶t̸a̴ ̵M̷a̶r̵i̸a̴,̵ ̶M̷a̴t̷e̸r̵ ̸D̴e̵i̵,̴
̴O̸r̵a̷ ̶p̷r̸o̸ ̴n̷o̶b̵i̶s̷ ̶p̵e̷c̴c̵a̵t̷o̷r̷i̸b̸u̸s̴,̷
̸O̷r̷a̴,̵ ̶o̴r̵a̷ ̷p̷r̵o̸ ̸n̷o̸b̸i̴s̸;̵
̷O̸r̸a̶,̶ ̷o̴r̷a̸ ̵p̴r̵o̷ ̷n̶o̴b̶i̷s̸ ̴p̷e̷c̸c̸a̶t̶o̸r̸i̸b̴u̸s̵,̴ ♫

[The street lamps? They will now blow out, the glass shattering- not that it changes the level of light, thanks to the energy around ""Jun"" glowing. Any critter with the sense not to leave the area or cover their ears? Will fall over as the song hits its finale - if not full on vaporize if they were too near. Husk, depending on how well he protected himself, may run the risk of falling unconscious]

♫ N̶͇̪̲̜͉̋̊̐̈ṷ̸̡̪̬͍́͐̕n̸̯̺̳͖̽ͅć̴̟͌͝ ̷̖̜̠͂͑͊e̴̡̝̳͖̍̌̇̅͒t̶͓̗̦̎̏ͅ ̷̨̱̈̌̿̌ͅi̵̤̫̺̙̝̓n̶̯̽̒̆͗͒ ̴͕̖̘͂̑͋͛͑ḣ̴̩̳̯͠õ̶̡͔r̴̟͉̀͒̚a̶̧͐ ̶̯͎̘̀͐ͅm̴̡͍̝͍̒̌o̴̪̝̹͊̄̑r̸̠̫̫̝͋́͒̈́t̶̢̡̪̤̺̓ï̷͙̞͍̖̞̌̍s̷͔͊̀͑͑͐,̵̮̰̬̗̕͜
̶̳̯̈́̏I̶͚̓ń̶͇̦̝͕̊͜͝ ̶̥̓́h̵͎̗͔̎̂̉̅̓o̸̢͍̺̝͆̊̑̕͜r̸͈͈̗̱͍͋̎̀͋͗a̶̟̠͎̜͂ ̴̳̾m̵̛̩̭͝o̴̭̼̩̖̊̇͝͝r̷̨̞̻̱͆̍͌ť̶̨̹͋̈í̷̥̳͉̭̣̌̽s̵̻͍̤̜̪̍̿̒̔ ̶͕͋̌n̷͇͝o̵̝̭̎̌̐̈̀͜ṡ̵͍t̷̡̹͎̞͊̐̓̐ȑ̶̖̟̥å̸̳̪͔ë̶̻̜́̉̂.̵̨̗͆̔͜

̸̛̝̺̱̮͙͙͙̝̌͛͊̀̚Į̵̩̭̫̯͓̉̐́̓͒n̵̛̳͕̺̹̲̼͉̑̇̑͑͋͆̎͌̊̏́̚͘͠ ̵̢̬̯̗̯̬̽̈́̇͊̏h̶̨̧̡̨̛̛̛̟̤͖̹͎͉̘͆̓̐͑͊̾́͆̄̀̾̎̑͠ȯ̵̡̨̘̙̲̀̂͘͠͝r̷̛̹͚͇̺̋͆̌̀͋̓̉̚͠ą̸͓̘̲͇̠̬̼̘̝̤̘͙̉̄͊̀,̵͖̞̥̗̗̳̈́̎͐̕ ̷̩̮̯̠̞̱̊̃̔̈́̅̐̈́̒̈́͗̄̚̕͘͝h̶̛̛͈̔͆̀̅͗̈́̑͒̍͝ô̷̦̘͓͔̜̟̥̤̠̞͍͇̜̜͕͈̂͐̓̈́̌̓̎̀̈́̋̂̓͜͝͝r̶̟͒͊̌̚ä̶̧̢̧̹͕̩̬̲͇͚̗̪̳̭́ ̷̨̛̼̻̻̻̩̉̓͛̍́̋̾̕m̴̩̘̘͉̮͍̤͎͎̪̙̠͍͖̦̎͗̌͗̏̀͗̅̈́̌̊̿́͝ͅö̶͓̯̻͕̪͓̺̻̏͆̄́̄̾̈̑̚ŗ̸̡̙̭̱̯̮̘͙͕͕̪̜̠͓̀̏̓̅̉̅̄͂̾̊̒̑͗͝ţ̸̡̖̬̺̻̫̣̞̮̬͈̪͓̄́̑̓̽̃̈̈́̊̇͒̀͊̄͝͠͠ͅi̶̡̝̣̎̌̈́̽͊̄͋̉̈́̎͌̂͘͝͝͝s̴̺͐̈̌̈̉̅̄̈́̏̎ ̸̮̥͓͔̼̭̖͖̞̖̋̆͒̽̄̂̉̇͌͐̐̽͠͠͝͝͠n̴̢̞̮̩͚͍̟̝͂̍̽͒̉́̍̈́̊̿͘̕o̵̢͍̺̜͍̖̬̯͈̘̪̾͊͆̃̀̐̃̉͝͝s̵̛̰͔̼̗͖̞̬̭̣̳͙̠͎͙͈̿̄̍̒́̄̀́̈́̿̚ͅt̷̲̥̬̬͌ͅŕ̵̡̛̩̻̻̘̉̆͛̽̑̎̑ä̵̡̢̨̗͖͔̫͙͉͈́̽͋͑̀̍̈̒̀͘͘͝e̷̛̳͚̳̘͍̦̼͉͑̌̿̋̿͌͑̐̾͑̿̇̈̂͘͠ͅ,̶̩͎̞̘̥̘̝̪̜͙̖̹̆͋̈́
̶̨̣̗͚̜̝̗͇̣͛̒͌̏͘͝͝͝I̴̛̹͗̍̀̋̓̀͊̾̏͑͘n̶̨̩̜̜̹͉͓̙̭͇͚͙̦̠̹̎̿̂̑̂̾͠ ̸̧̨̢̧̲̮̭̺̼͈̖̗̬͇̦̀̎h̷̼͕̥̖̭͇̬̏͌̿̅͛̚͜ǫ̶͍̯̮̣͇͉̜͈̯̦̲̮̓͌͋̀̈́͗̓̌͑͐̇̕̕r̵̡̧̮̳̜̩͈̱̝͚̺͑̊̈́́̇͂a̴̡͎̤̮̱̬̺̪͕̙̤͈̩̣̭͂̈̆͜͝ ̸̫̱̝̤̯̟͖̠̮̽̊̽͐̂̈̿͑̈́͑̄͗̚͜m̶̨̜͙̬̞͙̻͔͍̪͈̝̝̠̂̃̈́̈́̉̎̅̈̐̑̓̿̑̕͜o̶͙̠͈͑ŕ̵̢̘͔̲̪̟̠̏̏̒̚̕ṫ̴̗͎̰͉̱͗̾͛̌͝į̸̨̛̛͈̟̳̜̩̩̞͛͐̃͗͆̇̈́̈́̒͊͒̚̚͝ś̴̳̬͚̔͆ ̶̢̟̩͓̭̘̣̰̥̬͈̮̖̀͜͝n̶̢͔̥̼͉̮̞̹̲̱̳̝͑̍̒̀̿̄̽̕͜ǫ̵̧̨̘͙͍̗̲̥̰̠̠̣͎̼͐̇͂͗́̀̑͂͐͒̕ͅs̸̱̀͑͌̎̆̈̋̃́͒̄̐͘t̸̞̮̠̪̣̬̳̒̒͑̒̇́͋͂͛͒͑̋̃̏̾͝ͅr̷̢̧̨͔͔͈͎͇͚̠͚̍̾͗́̇ͅą̶̤̝̗̝̞͍̈́̇ẻ̵̡̧̨̙͇̗̮̘͖̱̣̦̍̈́̍͂̓͑̂̃̽͌̽́́̚͜͝͝.̷̧̛̘͕͍͚̇̒̂̅̿̊̈́͂̀͐̚
̷̢͎̙͉̠̮̺̺̗̤̦̰̳͙̱͑A̵̬̩̩̜͈̦̬̍̋͑̆͒̍͛̈́̀͌̿͆̈͠͝͝ͅͅv̴̧̡̱̰̦̗̮̳̗͙̬̥̙͔̰͛͑̽̄̔͂e̶̞̯̣͒͐̽̀͑̿̀̇͑̊͘ ̵̢̨̢̨̫͉͓͖̗̩͎̗͇̪̘͍̖͑͛͗̇̍͒̓̀͆M̸͚̙̹̱̊̄̏̐͋̍̽̌ą̸̧̼̮̺̹̘̯̝̦͓̙͔͇͚́̄̅͒̇̓̈́̄̈́̈́͐̓̈́͘ͅŗ̶͚̻͇͖̮̣̲͛̌̊̾̽̈́̐̂̿͜ͅͅḯ̷̛͖͎̟̝̯͕͕̲͚̹̺͝a̴̧̧̧̰̪̪̲̖͉̣̥̞̦͚̘͋͂̽̌͝!̸̛͇̩̳̟̮͕̺̠̪̤̹̣̫̥̙̩̿̂́͗̅͋͂̄̚͝♫


[And with that, it all goes silent. ]

[wiseoldbartender]

[Husk had been quietly watching the exchange between the two. Alastor (or Mikey) at least had an answer for who... what Shroud was - though he could just as easily pass that off as Alastor being smart and doing his research prior to making himself known. The fucker was smart and Husk has a lifetime of experience to not put much trust in anything the Radio Demon says.

Still, Shroud has a plan and he'll go with it. If nothing else, he can put a little faith in the kid - he's proven himself to the city time and time again, after all. He does as is asked - switching his phone off (he doesn't, he hits sleep instead, and that's on Jun expecting a boomer to understand how phones work) and puts the earplugs in his ears. He considers conjuring up his box - maybe a little extra protection - but he decides against it. He can't see shit in there, and he wants to make sure Alastor doesn't pull anything stupid with Jun.

The song is... deeply discomforting and only gets more so as Shroud goes on. There's far too many voices to keep track of and he swears to fuck his phone is making weird noises. He's about to check that out when the lampposts start to shatter. Earplugs aren't really made for huge-ass cat ears and while they do prevent Husk from being vaporised, they really can't hold him up to stay awake.

He manages a confused "fuck" before collapsing to a heap on the ground. Riparoonie Husker. ]

[sindeerly]

[Alastor has to admit that one's a classic. Michael even settles in the back of his mind and it's honestly like two people getting a free opera concert. As power begins to enrich Jun's voice, he even begins to sway his head to the music and hum along.

He knows the words, of course. New Orleans was and still is part of the Bible Belt of America, and he's grown up with this song. Even if he didn't, Michael would've supplied the lyrics easily enough. It's as Shroud reaches "Sancta Maria" that they can't contain themselves.

They simply must add their voices to the choir.]

Sancta Maria, Mater Dei,
Ora pro nobis peccatoribus,
Ora, ora pro nobis;
Ora, ora pro nobis peccatoribus,

[Honestly, Alastor and Michael get into it. As it hits the climax, he brings up his arms in the same gesture opera singers would to give the song the grandiosity it deserves. Their voices mingle and intertwine. His Transatlantic American accent drops to his real one while Michael takes on a more ancient accent.]

Nunc et in hora mortis,
In hora mortis nostrae.

In hora, hora mortis nostrae,
In hora mortis nostrae.
Ave Maria!

[Their voices mingle and join Shroud's choir, radio filter falling away in favor of his true voice. There's a pure, simple joy to be found in music and Alastor isn't immune to that.

As the last note fades, Alastor puts his staff under his armpit and claps for Shroud.]

Well done! That's the spiciest version of Ave Maria that I've ever had the pleasure of hearing! It's a shame that I can't have you come onto my podcast to sing during intermission. I fear my loyal listeners wouldn't be able to survive it!

[whiteshroud]

[It figures they'd join along. But the fact they enthusiastically joined along rather than writhed in pain and vaporized is the best proof they could possibly get to the identity of Alastor's patron ability.

If anything, singing together leaves Jun with an old feeling of warm nostalgia that he can't fully describe- as he definitely has no memory of ever meeting either of these two before, much less singing with them.

Though, perhaps it probably wasn't his nostalgia. Especially as the feeling goes away as the song end and the power goes down. The world dims (partly thanks to the street lights being wrecked) and Jun has a small coughing fit as his vocal cords recoil from channeling that.

When he speaks, the modulator isn't working. But it's not like his voice is identifiable, as he sounds extremely hoarse, like he's sandpaper personified. Even as the Lord's vessel, there was only so much human vocal cords could handle. ]

ThAnk yOu...

[Blech, that sounds awful. He does notice that Husk is passed out on the ground. With concern, he'll go over to the cat demon and kneel down. He nearly goes to shake him-- but stops to take off his glove first before doing that. His shroud is made to ward off demons, so let's not accidentally fry the old man]

Husk- [God it hurts to talk, so he's switching to telepathy. Have shroud's voice echoing in your mind Husk]

Husk, wake up.

[wiseoldbartender]

[ It's a blessing that Husk didn't have to listen to the ending of that song. He would have wanted to cringe himself out of existence. He can remain blissfully unaware just how much the Radio Demon got into that.

Unless Alastor tells him. Which is also likely.

The hand shaking him does start to bring him back to the edges of consciousness. He doesn't like being touched in general, and with Alastor around? Even less so. The man used that against him pretty consistently. A part of his survival instinct is kicking in, telling him to wake the fuck up and get away from whatever is touching him.

But it's the voice in his head that snaps him from groggy semiconsciousness to full, awake and alert. He sits up with a dart, wings and arms flailing as he scuttles back away from the hand on him - fur sticking up on end and ears pinned right back on his head. He backs right up against a tree, where he pants, wide-eyed and panicked for a moment, tail lashing behind him. Then he focuses and realises it wasn't Alastor touching him. The Radio Demon is still over fucking there - it was Shroud. It's fine. Just Shroud.

He runs a hand over his face, heaving out a haggard sigh, bringing his breathing back to normal. Calm. Calm. It's not Alastor.]

Fffuuuck me. What happened?

[whiteshroud]

[Jun doesn't move, not trying to go after Husk as he scuttles back. Rather he knows to sit still and not try to encroach on the panicking man's space while he work through it. He knows not what causes the reaction but well.... considering all the man has been through, he can't say it's too surprising either.

Especially with Alastor here.

He'll wait until the man's collected himself before he speaks again, using telepathy. Both Alastor and Husk should be able to hear it. ]

You passed out during the song. You've been out a couple minutes.

Alastor passed the test. The being using him as a vessel is indeed the Archangel Michael.

[wiseoldbartender]

[ Husk takes a few more steadying breaths, then exhales, long and slow. Right. Back to business. Now is absolutely not the time to fall to pieces. He's still got so much shit he needs to do. He pulls himself up to his feet, brushing himself off. Jun's voice in his head is unsettling - but he'll live with it. He figures something happened to the kid's voice after... well, all that. Those aren't hard dots to connect. ]

Fantastic. Piece of shit earplugs.

[ Nothing to do with your GIANT ASS CAT EARS, Husk. He scrapes a hand over his face, finally glancing over to where Alastor is. ]

...Well, fuck me. You were telling the truth. First time for everything, I guess. Great. Now I'm gonna have to tell a lotta people not to be goddamn idiots and leave your stupid ass alone.

[ He passes Shroud a glance. ]

Thanks for that, Kid. Big help. [Then, because he realises his grouchy ass tone might make him seem disingenuous: Genuinely.

[sindeerly]

[Alastor has been totally silent the entire time. There's a bit of audible static when Shroud telepathically sends a message for the first time to him, but otherwise it's quiet. He checks his nails as he waits for Husk to regain his composure.

However, when he's addressed, his attention goes back to the two of them.]

And so I was! As it happens, being left alone is precisely what I was hoping for. I'm quite tired of being chased around all creation!

[That much has a ring of sincerity to it. Faint as it might be, Alastor is tired of being pursued by The Order and he hasn't been looking forward to the same thing happening here.]

I would hazard a guess that I will still need to rely on the both of you for this next part! It's not as though my words will do anything helpful!

[whiteshroud]

[Shroud will move to stand. The static sound is unpleasant, but he won't show an outward reaction to it. Instead, he'll focus primarily on Husk. After all, he's the hurt party here.]

If that is your choice.

[He wants to make that clear to Husk]

While the presence of the Archangel does complicate matters for me, you did come to me for aid with Alastor. That agreement still holds true... and thus, it is still your decision.

If you wish him gone, while I can't fight him myself... I do have connections to those who would be able to act in my stead. Gods of other pantheons, and even god slayers. It'd be easy to convince them to act. The Archangel should survive even if Alastor perishes, so the consequences for me should be minimal.

But if you would rather show mercy, if you trust in Michael's efforts... I will stay my hand. I will assist in any persuasion you will need to do to convinced your loved ones to stand down.

The choice is yours, Husk Agapov.

[He just wanted to make it clear, as he didn't want Husk leaving this feeling that yet again he had no option.]

[wiseoldbartender]

Forgive me if I don't pull out my tiny ass violin and play a song for you, Al.

[He's trying to not let his irritation show. He's been rattled, and he'd rather do anything right now than deal with Alastor's smug, stupid face. He wants to get all of this squared away so he can just get the fuck away for a while and attempt to process all of this. Try and figure out how he's supposed to move forward from this. And then Shroud just drops that on him.

The choice is yours.

Husk has only ever had one single choice when it came to Alastor, and it was a monumentally bad one. It put a chain around his neck and reduced him to a fucking pet. To be pointed wherever the Radio Demon saw fit. It was a choice he's regretted deeply for two lifetimes. Alastor made him miserable - the damage he's left behind is insurmountable. He's a fucking monster and Husk hates him.

And now here Shroud is, pointing out that he could still just have the Radio Demon wiped from existence. That what Husk knows is going to be a fucking headache for everyone in the city could just be removed before most people would even know he's here. Husk could still have Alastor destroyed, and he doesn't think anyone would begrudge him the choice. Husk has every fucking right to get his own back and have this piece of shit killed. He turns to look at Alastor. It would be so easy to give the go ahead and save himself from facing all the stress and dug up memories from having his former soul owner, his former tormentor and abuser, existing in the same space as him.

Maybe if Husk had been the person he was before Alastor got him, when he was still an Overlord, when he had power and the ability for cruelty that came with the position... maybe he would have done it. But Husk isn't that person anymore. He's had two lifetimes of people showing him how to be better. Keeping that quiet flame of kindness that doesn't want to see people suffer if he can do something about it alive. Feeding it with every word, every moment.

He's not a man who would get someone killed just because it's the easy option. To hurt someone else because they hurt him. He sucks in a ragged breath, muttering curses under his breath. God fucking damnit it would be so much easier if he was.]

I don't got much faith in Michael's efforts at all. I know who he is. I know what he's about. I ain't stupid enough to believe that fucker can change. [Because if he can, how can he ever make peace with everything Alastor's put him through? If he was capable of choosing differently? No. He knows what Alastor's game is. It won't change.] But I believe he's got him on a short leash, and that's good enough. He can't hurt anyone if they don't hurt him first. He don't own my soul anymore. That's going to have to be good enough.

[ He's not happy about it, it's CLEAR he's not happy about this. His tail taps off-tempo behind him as he folds his arms. ]

Honestly, letting him live in this city won't even be that much of a fuckin' mercy. You know how people are here. Let them be their obnoxious, friendly selves at his stupid ass. He can live in perpetual misery about all the friends he's going to make. Hope he chokes on it.

[Yup, just gonna talk about Alastor like he isn't even there. Because that'll rankle too.]

...Yeah, probably gonna need help on that one. They're gonna think I fuckin' lost it. Or he made me.

[sindeerly]

[Alastor just shrugs.

It's true that he's rankled by being ignored, but Michael's presence keeps him patient. His grip tightens on the staff as the only show of his true feelings about it.

However, he's also known Husk long enough in their past lives to understand that the former Overlord changed to be kinder. Husk is a good person at his core. Perhaps if things with Angel went well, he'd have been next on the list of those to be redeemed and thus be out of Alastor's grip entirely. A pity that memory is fickle.

Truth be told, if things went south Alastor had no plans on staying here. He's nowhere near his former strength. He's not a big fish here, so his only option would be to flee. Alastor will do whatever it takes to live and grow stronger, even if it means swallowing his pride and ego.

Even after Husk is finished with speaking, the Radio Demon remains silent and doesn't rise to the cat's bait. He does raise an eyebrow at the people being obnoxiously friendly. Clearly, Alastor highly doubts that they're going to want to try and befriend a man like him. Like, come on, you'd have to be fucking crazy.]

[whiteshroud]

[....

Damn. Between this, August, and the Spardas-- demons really were proving to be such softies. Part of Jun is a little disappointed he won't get as much payout with this gig as slaying an overlord would've gotten...

Well. He'll respect Husk's choice. Probably is the better move in the long run.

Very well.

[He'll turn to address both of them now. Thanks Alastor for waiting.]

I'll provide my assistance in convincing everyone to stand down then. Though, this will only pertain to the ones fighting on Husk's behalf. Don't expect me to come running to intervene every time Alastor or Michael manages to start a fight. I have other things I need to do with my time.

[.... Truth be told, that warning is probably more for Michael than it is for Alastor. Sir. Your reputation as the warrior angel proceeds you sir.]

[wiseoldbartender]

[Sometimes demons are, in fact, not that bad, actually! Husk is a little annoyed that he didn't get a raise out of Alastor. But fine, he'll get his eventually. In a way he'll genuinely hate. There's no escaping the friendly people in the city. ]

'Preciate that. Should only need it the once. If any of them are still bugfuck nuts enough to keep at it, I'll deal with them. They're my headache, not yours, and they can be... real fuckin' stubborn. As for the rest? Yeah, no, you'd be at it all day. You got better shit to do.

[ He takes his phone out of his pocket - tries to turn it on and... ]

Lemmie try and get them on the- [Nope. The phone is dead. It's dead as a doornail.] Wait, what the fuck? Did that break my phone? I turned the fucker off!!!! [ No. ]

[sindeerly]

[The delayed revenge will be the sweetest thing for Husker Agapov. It'll be a terrible day for Alastor.

Then Husk starts trying to use his phone. Alastor starts fucking cackling. He can only be on good behavior for so long, you know?]

Did you only put it to sleep? Ahahaha, ahhhhh, phew!

[whiteshroud]

[ .... 💧 ]

You... have to hold down the power button and select "shut down" to turn off a phone, Husk.

[wiseoldbartender]

[Husk turns to Alastor, and very delicately flips him the bird.

Then he turns his attention to Shroud, waving his very new-fangled smartphone in the air.]

I already yelled at Lapis about this, it don't GOT any buttons. [ It has like three buttons. It is a standard smartphone. ] How the fuck am I supposed to know the difference between sleep and shut down? Ain't they the same fuckin' things?

[sindeerly]

[It just makes Alastor laugh harder.]

It has three buttons on the side! Sleep mode only turns off the screen and keeps the phone itself on!