exsiliumlogs | It seemed like a good idea at the time...

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It seemed like a good idea at the time...

Date & Time: 2698, fin-de-millenium, just prior to the formation of the United Earth
Location: Las Vegas
Characters: Break, Kevin, Gilbert, Oz, Elliot, Alice, Allen, Lenalee, Rosette, Chrono, Chrysos
Summary: Fear and loathing
Warnings: Showgirls and Gilbert weeping.

The statement “Let’s go to Vegas” exists as the multiverse’s quintessential definition of, “well it seemed like a good idea at the time.” Even in this case, it really had, between zombies, insurrection, and the day to day tedium of life on the moon. Besides which, Xerxes Break has a new sentient (sentient-er) weapon, which in a stunning show of good judgement is too dangerous to test on the moonbase, nor in any concentration of people. Las Vegas, set against the backdrop of the vast, desolate Mojave desert, seemed to be a perfect choice.

When our heroes wink into existence, squinting against the early-morning desert sunshine, they’ll find themselves duly welcomed. Come play in the casino. When you feel a bit peckish, indulge in all you can eat. Take your winnings and go shopping; at night, take in a show. And if you’ve done really well gambling, unwind in a ridiculously luxurious suite.

…or is this how you’re spending the night?

Thirty-six hours in Vegas, what could possibly go wrong?

(ooc: feel free to start threads willy-nilly, name your time and place, threadjack and mingle)

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Well, that is...

[Being addressed by his real name, by someone who has never known "Uriel", mesmerizes him so that he almost misses the fact that Break didn't answer his question. Almost. He does not press further though. Not right now, anyway. It seems barbaric to ruin Break's peace. Particularly when he is about to cause him pain once more.

He touches Break's chest gently, briefly, and then the side of his neck, as if sensing his pulse, accessing the state of Break's soul.]

Are you certain? Mad Hatter, whatever he is, seemed rather unpleasant.

[ Break submits to this attention without protest, although he busies himself with his walking stick simultaneously. A snap and it transforms from a cane to a sword. ]

I won't argue with that, except to say that I really can't blame him for being the way he is. He was created for a specific purpose, one which would be enough to drive anybody mad, I think.

[ He unsheathes the sword, and, stepping away from Kevin, slashes it through the air a few times. Several feet away, the top of a prickly pear cactus wobbles in the breeze and falls over, having been neatly sliced. ]

There's something I used to be able to do, namely confine Mad Hatter's power to my sword. Hm.

[ Another slash, and that same cactus shudders and, with a quiet whoosh!, disintegrates into dust. ]

[Kevin allows his hand to stay on Break's shoulder, protectively. He watches the poor tree disappear, feeling rather conflicted. This is the sort of weapon he would never wish to see in the hands of humans...and yet it is keeping Break alive.

He remembers being rather relieved, not a long time ago, at the fact that young master had finally decided to learn magic. With so many dangers around, those he cares about should be able to keep themselves from harm.]

...What is its purpose?

[ Break hums happily, and sheathes his sword. Click! It's a cane once more. He twists back, facing Uriel, his fingers touching his own chest. ]

I say! I do believe you might have stabbed Hatter a little. He seems less... hm, how shall I put it?

[ He is feeling the outline of his blood seal mirror, beneath his shirt. It occurs to him that, insane or not, he probably should have asked Mad Hatter whether he wanted to be sentient weaponized, before having it done. He'd assumed that his Chain tried to kill him and take over straight away, simply because he could, but perhaps there was more to it than that. ]

Less mad. Angry mad, I mean.

[He can't help but smile. Break is still evading his questions, but that only means Kevin is being too nosy.]

...You will have to thank the Initiative for that. I have never been able to make anyone less mad before. At least not on my own. It is...a nice development.

[He finds out he has a more practical question to ask.]

Are you aware when he is...out?

[Mad Hatter claimed he could see everything, and Break is, well...]

Dear me, I should hope so~!

[ He is starting to wander off, in the direction of a large rock outcropping, sizable enough to blot out the sun. He swings his cane jauntily, gesticulating expansively with his other arm. ]

Otherwise he'd pop out and get into all manner of trouble, and we can't have that, now, can we?

[Such a calm and peaceful Break is a wonder to behold. And he suspects Mad Hatter is not the only one who has become a little less mad.

If the legends about night and day gambling are true, Kevin might suggest Break to visit this place more often. He follows him with his eyes, realizing the days of the poor rocks are counted. It is all right, he thinks distractly, as long as that makes Break happy.

Finally reaching a spot just outside the rocks' range, he deflates after a theatrical sigh.]

That is a little concerning, though. To be seen like this. I fear he considers me rather ugly...

He's mad.

[ On cue, a black whirlwind sweeps up behind him, erupting into a wide, fluttering cape, topped with a wholly improbable, gigantic hat. The great red eye beneath it winks open, as chains clank all around. ]

Go on. Stretch your... your brim or something, I know you've been all cooped up.

[ There's a piercing, loud crack as the end of rocky promontory breaks off and shatters into so many pebbles. He has to leap backwards to avoid some of them, then vaporizes the rest. ]

Hahahaha! Ha! Ha!

[ Yes, that laughter is sounding a bit unhinged. ]

[Kevin does not move. Being in his own element so to speak, he raises a crystal shield just in time to avoid being rained on by peddles. Only then does he approach Break, crystal spear already in hand, gleaming like a beacon in the sunlight.

As it is often the case when Mad Hatter is involved, the angel's speech becomes even and detached, shedding the range of human emotions that makes him Kevin.]

He is also a bit of an exhibitionist, I think. Or is that you?

Hahaha!

[ Another bubbling paroxysm of laughter. Yet Xerxes Break remains himself, contractor and controller of Mad Hatter. Their old relationship has been reestablished. Things are as they were. And yet....

The fact that Kevin's (Uriel's) spear touched Mad Hatter suggests that his Chain actually wants to be helped. Being a force of terror, killing so many of his own kind, year after year... it must have affected him, just as being the author of the Tragedy of Sablier must have affected Oz. Just as becoming a murderer had changed him.

He presses his hand to his chest. ]

The truth is, it's both of us who are like that. We are —

Edited 2013-11-27 06:47 (UTC)

[ Whatever he was going to say is cut short by a wet, bloody COUGH! ]

[They are-

Kevin doesn't even ask. The crystal barrier is down in a second, and the spear is thrust at Break's heart with the flawless aim and stunning grace of an angel who has stabbed coughing targets millions of times.]

[ It occurs to Break, as he is pierced through, that this must be affecting Uriel as well. ]

Ha!

[ So this time, because he expects the pain, he is able to maintain something resembling a smile. He even grabs Uriel's hand with both of his, encouraging him to stab deeper. ]

Yes, good. Thanks!

[ He imagines that neither crumpling nor gasping nor clinging will make this all a bit easier for this gentle-hearted angel. Besides which, he is feeling a tempered sort of triumph. Mad Hatter's power is still terribly damaging to his body, but his Chain isn't overtaking his will any more. ]

[Mister Break's reassurance is overwhelming, and a bit reminiscent of another human he used to hurt. The angel is too broken and confused to do anything but accept that with a mix of terror and gratitude. Too close!, an older side of Uriel supplies. He has beautiful hands..., another, more mysterious side counterarguments, as he drives the spear deeper until it is gone, leaving nothing behind but divine warmth.

Never releasing Break's hands, he gently urges their bodies together for mutual support. He doesn't know about Break, but his knees have become rather weak.]

...I wonder...can we stop for the rest of the day?

[ Break, by contrast, is standing tall (all 5'9 and 3/4" of him), through force of will, and lets Uriel lean on him. He has asked too much of this gentle creature, who deserves better than the hand fate has dealt him. ]

Dear me, that's right. I've been keeping you from the card tables. I'm sure you're anxious to get back to —

[ Here Emily chimes in: ]

GAMBLING AND DEBAUCHERY! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA!

...

...I am going to stab you again, sir.

[Break...Break keeps teaching Emily terrible things. But he will not think about any of that now, or blush. He is not blushing at all, and if he is...well, it is certainly because Mister Break makes gambling sound so sinful. ]

Instead, he searches for a flat and relatively comfortable rock so the two of them can rest for a while. It is going to be a long flight back home.]

Go right ahead. You've improved very much. It doesn't even hurt anymore.

[ This is a raging lie, of course, spoken lightly as Kevin guides them both to sit down.

The rock is warm, and so is the sun, having risen further into the sky. It will be uncomfortably hot soon, but right now it's perfect. Break feels something close to contentment: his body is still thrumming with the aftereffects of Kevin's divine healing, and his mind, though exhausted, is satisfied with this morning's efforts. He can master Mad Hatter's will, which is the most important thing. ]

[He laughs weakly at Break’s terrible, terrible lie and leans on his shoulder with a sigh. He is exhausted, and, jokes aside, caring about someone he was supposed to hurt was exactly how he ended up broken like this.

His defenses are low enough that he finds himself pressing his lips to Break’s forehead, his warm fingertips caressing his cheek.]

I wish you had a better angel than me.

[That is not quite right. He wishes he could have been that angel too. And that is not the first time. He has been so lonely, but he doesn't feel as lonely when Break is with him.]

[ As Kevin holds and kisses him, Break realizes finally: this isn't a mad crush. This is sincere affection. ]

You are —

[ He is hot; he is blushing. He remembers how he'd felt when Kevin had, er, cracked his back, and at the same time feels utterly undeserving. ]

Don't be ridiculous.

[ He reaches up and winds his arms around Kevin, pulling him close and to one side, making it difficult for Kevin to carry on kissing him. ]

[Kevin gives him an innocent and bewildered look, but does not fight back. Instead he holds Break’s hand again, resting his head on his shoulder.

He doesn’t deny being ridiculous either.]

It is the truth, though.

[He has done terrible things, and regretting most of them is not even something he should be doing, since he was following heaven's will. This sort of questioning is not allowed, and Kevin knows that.

And yet...]

[ From the time he first made his contract with Mad Hatter, Break knew his days were numbered. No mere human could withstand that sort of power for long. Between his loyalty to Lady Sheryl, his devotion to her granddaughter, and his understanding that he was marching inexorably towards death, he could never fathom the idea of pursuing any sort of romantic attachment. He was born to serve, and lives on only to complete his mission.

Except all of that was upended when he was ripped from his own world into Exsilium. Through Kevin's ministrations, he is physically stronger now, than when he first came to Exsilium; his death seems inevitably postponed. Not only his body, but also...

He feels like a house at dusk, with its rooms darkening as twilight falls: but then there's a little flicker of light in each window, as one by one the candles are lit. ]

The truth is...

[ The truth is that he does not deserve this sincere affection, but perhaps that's what forgiveness is. Perhaps this is what redemption means. ]

The truth is that you are ridiculous, but I'll tell you a secret...

[ He turns his head, as if he were going to whisper something in Kevin's ear, but kisses his cheek instead. ]

...I am, too.

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