IC: EVENT

[bossman]

A TERRIBLE THING IS HAPPENING

reference books detailing myths and legends stolen from libraries...
wikipedia pages wiped clean from the face of the internet...
ancient stained glass windows smashed and destroyed...
historical research centers burnt to the ground...

Someone out there is trying very, very hard to erase all of the possible sources of power and belief of the ancient gods and goddesses. And it hurts. Whilst the powers of the minders are unharmed by the attacks, the gods and goddesses will be certainly feeling the toll: it's now painfully clear that even the simplest of miracles are now becoming almost impossible to perform.

deities, you had better have gifted your minders with some decent blessings! Because now you're going to rely on them more than ever. Someone is out to get you.

Comments

[oppose]

TO: [ esther ] [ francis ]

there's been a hit on the british library, which i suspect is only the tip of the proverbial iceberg considering how poorly i'm faring
someone's trying to wipe us out

where are you

[befallen]

TO: [ lu ] [ francis ]

Well that doesn't seem very nice. Where do you want me to be?

At work, atm.

[oppose]

TO: [ esther ] [ francis ]

just wanted to make sure you're alright; i don't think minders are in any trouble but there are first times for everything.

[befallen]

TO: [ lu ] [ francis ]

Forget about me, right now. I'm fine. What I want to know is you.

[oppose]

TO: [ esther ] [ francis ]

i've been better, but i've been worse, too.
i'm trying to get word to see how others are doing before going any further.

[befallen]

TO: [ lu ] [ francis ]

So what are we talking about here — another War?

[oppose]

TO: [ esther ] [ francis ]

nothing that extreme; just a little pest control.

[befallen]

[ Just to him, since this is a rarity and she's not sure she wants to set precedent with Francis just yet. But at the end of the day Esther is his minder and it's something she chose, not something trust onto her. And so, she chooses to do what he can for him. ]

TO: [ lu ]

Tell me what you need me to do.

[oppose]

TO: [ esther ]

see if you can find out what the source of all this is.
other than that,
as horrible as it sounds i really don't have any other way of putting it:
keep believing in me.
that's what they're going after.
and keep yourself safe.

[befallen]

TO: [ lu ]

For what it's worth, I believe in you more than I believe in your dad. He's never done me any favors and maybe that's shit criteria for not liking him, but I don't care.

You have done me favors. And not the sell-your-soul kind.

So. I do believe in you. I don't need books to remind me.

[oppose]

TO: [ esther ]

thank you.

[ He wavers, then, unsure of what else to add but unwilling to seem as if he's making light of what she's said. ]

i mean it.

[befallen]

TO: [ lu ]

Thank me after your stint with Francis.

You, my friend, have a babysitter.

[oppose]

TO: [ esther ]

i love it when you're forceful

[befallen]

TO: [ lu ]

Yeah, well, don't get used to it.
It's not my color.

[oppose]

TO: [ esther ]

oh, i don't know, i think it suits you quite nicely
brings out your eyes

[befallen]

TO: [ lu ]

Yeah yeah yeah.
Don't think you're going to be able to get out of giving me a raise after this.

[ Nothing for a while, then: ]

TO: [ lu ]

Let's play a game of forced honesty.

How are you really?

[oppose]

TO: [ esther ]

i'll give mammon the memo.

[ Similarly, the next text takes a little while, too. ]

TO: [ esther ]

like someone took a hammer to my head.
i can't do very much beyond playing text tag with the fam.

but a little po'ed, mostly.

[befallen]

TO: [ lu ]

PO'ed.
Duly noted.

Is there anything you need from me?
Anything.

[ The emphasis there is important. You. It's less about the Devil and more the being that wears the Devil's name pinned to his chest. It's not the request of a minder, more that of a friend. If the Devil has friends at all. ]

[oppose]

TO: [ esther ]

just take care of yourself.
honestly, that's all.

and don't get used to me being so pliant.

[befallen]

TO: [ lu ]

I'm 'of the corporeal plane' or whatever.
They can't touch me.

[ Yes, she sees the irony of that statement. Yes, it may have been a lame-ass joke. ]

TO: [ lu ]

I'm saving all these texts, by the way.

[oppose]

TO: [ esther ]

ha ha, very funny.

you had better treasure them.
i'm never saying any of this again.

[befallen]

TO: [ lu ]

Ha ha's right. I'm hilarious.

You can always try to claim extenuating circumstances, but I'll know the truth.
And so will you.

[oppose]

TO: [ esther ]

you could go on the road, with an act like that.
the devil for a roadie, it'll be perfect.

alright, alright, you've made your point.