001 – Trading Hells [OPEN]

[mediumhoodie]

WHO: Kat
WHERE: Fountain & Inn & Around House 48
WHEN: August 2nd
OPEN TO: Closed
WARNINGS: Drowning [a little], past injuries & trauma.

---

AUGUST 2nd [ARRIVAL & INN]
[ooc: I'd like for only one person to comment at the fountain, everything else is fair game.]

Water pulsed and Kat felt herself being lifted. Her arm had been broken, her body bruised and her heart shattered. The first two injuries had been wrought by Mundus, a demon of pain and torture, but the other… That had come from someone close to her. Someone she had loved. Someone she still loved.

I'm sorry.

Her throat began to burn as her body struggled for air. The push lifted her higher and when she reached the surface of the fountain she gasped, coughing as she fought to open her eyes. Kat remembered the comfort and strength of Dante's arm as it curled around her slim shoulders but nothing after that. Her feet kick beneath her, pushing her towards the fountains edge. She used one arm to lift herself and the backpack from the water, never noticing that her other arm wasn't broken anymore.

Waves splashed onto the stone.

Kat sat and stared at the village around her. She focused on breathing, on clearing her thoughts, and remaining calm. This wasn't the first time she'd found herself in a strange place though it didn't have the same feeling as Limbo.

After taking a moment to get her bearings and catch her breath, Kat rose and headed towards the inn. She didn't know that it was a central location in the village or some kind of important landmark but she had noticed the curling gray tendrils of smoke rising from the chimney. Out of everywhere in the village, it was her best bet.

Once inside she inspected the walls, the notes and then found a place next to the fire to sit and dry off. Her backpack ended up leaning against the far side of the hearth. Kat wasn't too worried about it or its contents. She sat in front of the fire, her legs curled to her chest, her thoughts tumbling uncomfortably into loosely formed theories and questions.

She would survive. She always survived, even if she didn't have a clear reason to survive anymore.

AUGUST 2rd [NIGHT AROUND HOUSE 48]
[ooc: This takes place after this thread and after everything has been explained to her.]

Kat's conversation with Vergil had gone better than she would have expected. The confrontation felt like it had happened two days ago though there was no mark left on her body. His words back then, they had cut her, but Kat wanted to give him a chance and she truly thought that he had that chance here. He was human now. He was working. He was more than a man with two lives and a hidden agenda. That didn't mean that Kat didn't think that Vergil was scheming but that she wanted to support his efforts.

It hurt. She didn't want to admit how much he had hurt her but she was used to pain.

She wouldn't let her pain rule her.

Kat held the small note in her palm as she looked for the correct house. It'd been a code, as expected of Vergil, but Kat had worked with Vergil long enough to have figured out what he had meant without too much difficulty. She had brought her backpack with her, having no other place to put it, and had collected some items that she would need from the inn. Now she had to find Vergil's home.

It would have helped if he hadn't just given her a piece of paper with a number on it.

Darkness covered the village like a veil with the bright moon illuminating Kat's wandering path. She continually looked down at the small piece of paper, looking incredibly lost while trying to recall the map she'd seen at the inn. When she reached the mill she knew that she'd gone too far, turned around and continued her search.

[ooc: If you want something special or to continue test drive things please let me know. I am happy to write up meeting starters for anyone who wants to run into her.]

Comments

Closed to Kat

[demonic_divinity]

Vergil had pondered, just letting her believe he was at the inn as he had said when they spoke. However, it was the aching in his chest that urged him forward to leave the note for her on the table. He knew the inn was full, unless Kat shared a room with someone, and something about that irked him... The idea of her bunking down with someone, even if the inn was the best place to make connections.

He couldn't allow himself to feel much on it, he simply left his code for her and returned home to finish working on the furnace. By the time she reached the inn, he was coming out of the cellar, his hands blackened from the work...desperately missing his gloves. His fingers ached from all the things he had to do lately, Danny's lessons had been helpful in making him a little more self sufficient.

He was about to head inside when he saw her, the dull ache rising again as he whistled to catch her attention, it was getting dark and he figure if he called out it might spook her, but whistles worked, namely when fighting demons. Sadly, the only demon around right now was him...he wronged her so bad. He leaned on the porch post waiting for her to make her way over, his blackened hands now behind his back.

[mediumhoodie]

Kat heard the high pitched whistle and turned to find Vergil waiting for her. She exhaled a breath of relief, as if he had confirmed that she'd read his vague note correctly, and then silently cursed herself for caring about something so stupid.

Her chest ached as she walked forward though it didn't show on her face. "I found what I needed for your hands." She didn't mention that he had told her the inn when he clearly lived somewhere else or both to ask him why he was still playing these games.

Kat was here to help him and that's what she was going to do.

[demonic_divinity]

The sad part was, he was pleased that she had figure it out. She was always such a smart and useful human, though the memories returned made it more dangerous than not. After everything he didn't know what he wanted anymore.

"It might be for nothing." He moved his hands from behind his back as he pushed off the pole, his soot covered hands were pretty messy. "Come, give me a moment to clean up." He spoke as he got the door open without leaving a print. Which was pretty comical to watch him twist a door knob with his wrists opposed to ask for help. He made his way through the dark house towards the kitchen where the fireplace was, for some stupid reason. The fire wasn't going for heat, but for light, and to eat if he had meat to cook, which he didn't It was salad night again. The community garden was a godsend.

He got the sink on and started running his hands under the water trying to get the blackness off without soap.

[mediumhoodie]

Kat stood back, giving Vergil space to open the door without the pressure of her gaze boring into his back. She had watched him use his wrists to open the door but she didn't think it was worth commenting on. Some things... never do change.

She followed him inside but stopped at the front door. Her shoulders dipped and her backpack slipped gently onto the floor. She didn't intend to stay the night and the placement of her backpack looked like someone who would grab it on the way out.

Kat opened the front pocket and pulled out two herbs and some bandages she had been able to get her hands on in the last few hours. When Kat set her mind to a task, she didn't stop until she succeed.

She followed him to the kitchen and smiled a little as she looked around the house. She liked it. "I've seen some of the houses here. This one looks like it's in good shape." She's surprised but she didn't let it reflect in her voice.

[demonic_divinity]

He hated admitting he needed help in any fashion. If he could stubborn his way out of a situation he would. He heard it hit the ground, but he didn't comment. he didn't plan to offer the invitation just yet, but it was already bouncing in his head.

The kitchen only had light from the fireplace, but the windows were open to allow in some air and the faintest remaining light of the twlight. Once he he got his hands as clean as he could he turned, and dried his hands on a cleanish towel. He was learning to let some things go.

"Don't be fooled by it, getting it to this state was hellish. I would take fighting the demons again over scrubbing floors and walls... it took me and a friend." Yes, he just said friend... "nearly a week to get it livable, and that was with the mercy of the woman next door loaning us tools.... but I couldn't stay at the inn anymore, it was to packed." He liked his solitude.

He pushed off the counter and offered his hands over. "you do know you don't need to do this, in fact I would understand if you never wanted to see me again." he repeated from earlier.

[mediumhoodie]

Kat took a seat with her shoulder angled roughly 45 degrees from the fire as she set out her meager collection of supplies. It would allow Vergil to sit in the light and give her room to inspect and care for his hands. She had learned a great deal about their situation and taking care of his hands was a valuable endeavor.

"I wouldn't have offered if I didn't want too." It bothered her that she wanted to care for him but he didn't have to know that. Vergil thought he was in the right but he still realized that the way that he had treated her had been awful.

The means to an end, Kat wouldn't have acted that way but so many people in her life had that it felt natural to her. Maybe that made it easier to accept, even with the aching pain that throbbed in her chest.

Friend.

Kat's head snapped up and her dark emerald green eyes met Vergil's. He had made a friend. Not just a friend but someone who he had called a friend. That was... new. Kat had been needed, she'd been valued in his life, but never exactly a friend.

That was good.

Her expression softened as she gently reached for his hands, inspecting the blisters and calluses that he's been collecting since his arrival. "Your hands are important."

[demonic_divinity]

Vergil watched her lay the supplies out as he turned the second chair, most likely that second chair had been moved for Danny at some point in Vergil's lessons, or shooting the shit. His eyes traveled from what she had, back to her, his hair had fanned down in his face as he took a seat only after turning it to face her, his elbows rested on his knees as he held his hands out to her.

"Your a bleeding heart, Kat, I know you." It almost hurt to say it, using her had been almost to easy, even if he didn't intend to hurt her in the long run, she was like everyone in his life, a pawn. Even Danny is a pawn, on a fresh game board.

When her head snapped up, their eyes met a moment in the flickering firelight. His bangs were in his face, but the blue eyes tired and lacking the fire that used to burn in them before the stabbing. Something was gone. "Yes, his name's Danny. He is a master martial artist, I am lucky to have met him. He is teaching me to survive on my own. I can't keep relying on the kindness of others."

He tried to make Danny sound shiny, but his heart wasn't in it, not with his biggest source of guilt taking his busted up hands in hers. "They lack purpose here... I try but I keep hitting walls."

[spoileralert]

Steph only went to the inn when she needed food. Unfortunately, that ended up being fairly often. She was useless at hunting, gardening just made her impatient, and cooking seemed like way too much effort for not enough reward. So she hoarded what snacks and bits of lunch cooked by the others she felt she could get away with, and mostly went hungry. It was sort of like penance, she figured.

She paused on her way through the old fashioned lobby to consider the sopping wet girl in front of the fire. It wasn't that long ago that it was her sitting there, dripping, feeling lost.

"Hey," she called out casually, just to make the girl aware of her presence. "Sup?"

[mediumhoodie]

Thin fingers ran through her hair, guiding the silky strands out of her eyes as she turned to look at the young girl who had addressed her. Kat wasn't sure what to make of Steph. They were wearing similar clothes but she didn't know if this person was a part of this world or an addition like she seemed to be.

"At the moment?" She shifted, resting her arms on her knees. "Not very much. Just thinking." It wasn't helpful thinking but circular and depressing. Kat welcomed the distraction that the other woman provided.

"Are you from here?" Kat's seen a few people pass but Steph was the first person to come and speak to her.

[spoileralert]

Steph wore the black scrub shirt she had been issued, but preferred the denim overalls for pants. They had pockets to shove her hands into. Now she wandered over, stew in hand.

“Nah,” she answered with a shrug. “I’m from Gotham. Hey... do you want to borrow some dry clothes? You look about my size.”

[mediumhoodie]

Kat looked between Steph and herself before shaking her head softly from side to side. It wasn't that she wasn't thankful for the offer but she wasn't sure that she'd fit in Steph's clothes. They were about the same size but Kat wasn't sure her chest would fit in Steph's clothes. She also wasn't sure what kind of clothes Steph was referring too.

Too many unknowns and she doesn't want to trouble anyone.

"I'll be fine once I dry off. I wouldn't say no to some company. I've been taking everything in and-" She sighed. "I'm not sure what to think." Kat didn't smile a lot but her expression was open and light. "I don't think I'm heard of Gotham. Have you heard of Limbo City?"

[spoileralert]

Steph shrugged and pulled up a chair. Boobs were a constant problem. She got that.

The question made her frown.

"Lucky you. Limbo... City? I know a guy who talked about Limbo, but I think he meant it biblically."

[mediumhoodie]

Kat didn't feel particularly lucky.

It had been a city filled with demons, terror and abuse. Now it was a city of ruin but at least it was something that could be rebuilt.

"Is that so?" She looked thoughtful as she glanced into the fire. "I guess it'd be ridiculous to hope someone I know is here." Kat didn't know a lot of people and she couldn't imagine any of them being stuck here. This was likely a problem she'd have to face on her own.

"How long have you been here?"

august 2nd ; night

[copingskills]

It wasn't difficult for Elena to notice the lost air of the girl making her way down the street ahead of her. She'd been the girl not too terribly long ago; they all had at one point or another.

Considering it was getting late, she couldn't fathom just leaving her out here to wander even if it would have her getting back to the inn later than she'd planned, so she quickened her steps to catch up.

"Hey," she called softly once she was just a couple of feet away, moving to jog up beside her. "You look lost." Her voice withheld any judgment, concern coloring her features instead.

august 2nd ; night

[mediumhoodie]

Kat tensed and turned at the sound of the voice. She didn't think that anyone here was immediately out to get her but she hadn't gotten a good read on the people here and she wasn't sure what to make of them yet. So far, everyone she'd met had been helpful but it only took one bad incident for everything to go horribly wrong.

"Oh." She looked down at the numbered paper and nodded. "I am lost. I was looking for this house number. I.." Kat paused and looked unsure. "I'm supposed to meet someone there... someone I know."

It was clear from Kat's tone that it was complicated and she wasn't really sure if she wanted to go. She needed too... in a way, she had promised to help Vergil but her heart was torn in two directions about the whole situation.

[copingskills]

Elena had certainly been down that line of thinking more than a time or two. Fortunately, seeing as they were all in the same situation here, everyone tried their best to help out. It was more than she could have hoped for, really.

They had enough other things to worry about.

She knows about complicated relationships too, so she doesn't push.

"It's down this way," she said, pointing down the road. "Come on, I'll show you."

[mediumhoodie]

Kat exhaled a slow breath and then nodded. "Thank you." She padded along Elena's side as she continued to glance between the paper and the world around her. It didn't really help, all that was written on the paper was a number, but Kat was sure that it was a house number.

"Do you live near here?"

She wasn't sure how many of these houses were occupied.

[copingskills]

It wasn't too hard finding your way around once you got used to it, but Elena had trouble finding things in the beginning too. Being in the dark wouldn't help much, either, and it really wasn't any trouble. "It's no big deal. Promise."

If anything, it made her feel less useless. There were so many things that needed to get done around here, and she wasn't particularly trained in any of it. But showing people around? She could do that.

"I actually still live at the Inn," she said, pointing in the direction of the mentioned building. "I guess I should look into moving into a place. I just haven't gotten around to it yet."

Living alone wasn't high on her list of things she wanted to do, either. She wondered if maybe Rose would move out with her if she asked.

[mediumhoodie]

Kat wouldn't want to live alone either though she didn't know the whole of Elena's situation. "The inn seems like the best place to be." Except that there were no more rooms open there. "I'm not sure where I'm staying yet." Only because she didn't know how things with Vergil would go.

"Thank you again. Maybe I can make it up to you sometime?"

She didn't have a lot of friends in the city but maybe that could change now that she was in a new place. It was worth a try and Elena seemed nice.

"After I get my barrings." Kat would need a few weeks in order to walk around the village and not get lost. She didn't know what to expect in this new world or what dangers were out there.

Circe's Garden

[pharmakis]

It was the animals that alerted Circe to the presence outside. Her mountain elk was spooked while the peacock cat was initially hostile. Since the wendigo appeared in the village, they were suspicious of anyone that came too close to Circe's bungalow. She placed a calming hand on them, letting her powers influence and gentle them. Once she was reassured they wouldn't run or attack, she slipped outside to meet the stranger in her garden.

Her plants were already growing at an exponential rate, helped by her magic. She could already see olives collecting on its tree and blooms on the belladonna. The familiar smell of her garden on Aiaia filled the air, soothing her and sometimes making her forget where she was. It was a relief in these moments to see someone else, an unfamiliar face to remind her that she wasn't alone anymore.

"Can I help you?"

Circe's Garden

[mediumhoodie]

Kat had spoken to Vergil and taken one of the rooms in his house but she was still getting her barrings of the village and the people in it. He had mentioned that he had a neighbor named Crice and she'd made a note to come and introduce herself to the other woman. She hadn't known about the animals and while Kat usually had an affinity for wildlife, she jumped when she heard the odd noises inside the house.

She'd never heard animals like that before.

"Excuse me." Her voice was soft and kind. "I moved in across the street. I wanted to say hello but I saw your garden here. I knew some of the herbs. I hadn't known they grew here." She had told Vergil she'd start a garden for them though she had a little more home knowing that the plants she had in mind actually grew in this climate.

[pharmakis]

"Oh, are you friends with Vergil?" She asked, glancing back towards the house. That was the only other person that lived on this part of the road. All the others had moved or been taken from the village altogether. "I'm Circe." She offered a kind smile. There would at least be more activity and faces, this avenue would not become so desolate.

"Many of these herbs don't." She kept the ones she recognized from her world on a separate plot from the natural plants, uncertain if they would harm the other herbs in her garden. It was useful to have all of them at her disposal. "I was given them by the Observers, I believe they are called? They sometimes offer gifts to us."

These had just been the most precious out of everything she was given.

"You studied plants in your world?"

[mediumhoodie]

Kat's expression softened into a fond smile. "Yeah, you could say that. We met in Limbo City, a few years ago." It was the meeting that saved and changed her life forever. "It's nice to meet you Circe. Vergil told me a little bit about how you helped him. Thank you." It was probably a silly thing to thank her for but Kat was happy to see that he had a fresh start here.

Her eyes dropped down to the plants and she nodded. "I did, I used them for my work, but they were usually dried. It's difficult to get anything fresh in the city." She knew the basics about gardening because she's read about books about plants but she didn't have any practical skills yet.

"I was hoping to search the forests here for some and try planting my own." Maybe the observers would be kind enough to give her plants from home as well. "I was also thinking of planting some pots inside but I don't know if that's reasonable here."

[pharmakis]

It was a kind gesture, even if her help was minimal at best. "There is no need to thank me. We are neighbors and I am glad to be of help." It had been offered to her when she arrived, it was only natural that she do the same for him. "Now that you are here, I imagine it shall be easier for him." She had the sense he didn't know how to cook or clean very well.

"Dry is good for straining oils, but you need the seeds and the juices for many other creations. Draughts, salves. If they weren't available to you, that is a pity. It's very limiting for what the plants can give."

"The natural plants in this realm are near the front of my garden. You will find those in abundance in the forests. The rest, I could spare some seeds for you, if you like?" She nodded in approval. "Some of these plants can't normally survive in this climate, but I have been given some of my abilities, so I can help them grow."

[mediumhoodie]

"Yes. Hopefully I'll be able to help." There was a lot that Vergil didn't know how to do and Kat hoped to fill in the gaps. They've always worked together though this would be the first time that they'd heavily depended on what the other person did. It had always been Vergil relying on her... less so the other way around.

"I lived in the city. You had to purchase all those things separately." It wasn't impossible to get them but it was expensive. Kat had been lucky enough to have the Order to pay for most of the materials that she needed for her work.

Dark green eyes lit up at Circe's offer. "Yes. If it's alright." Her excitement was tampered by a touch of confusion. "Your abilities work here? I had thought they were all taken away from us." Kat had been grateful that she couldn't walk through Limbo anymore. It had given her the first real nights sleep she'd ever had.