Coming Home from a Dream

[helluvaboss]

Hell has a habit of sucking in hapless, tortured souls... including those from other worlds, it seems, when helped along by portalling magic concocted by Stolas of the Ars Goetia. Hell, in fact, is very receptive to the devised spell, sucking in those that portal from the land of dreams, songerein.

Residents of hell walking through the portal find themselves startled awake where they were, but newcomers? Their forms become physical, tangible, changing them into the creatures they dream themselves to be - for the best and most certainly for the monstrous. It is Hell, after all.

Welcome home, I.M.P. : D.M.C.!

Comments

[herewardbound]

"I suppose it is convenient, but..." He frowned, looking down at himself. One taloned hand reached up, touched his... hair? Not quite hair. Feathers, certainly, but with a softer texture that was very hair-like. The same shade of sandy-blonde he'd always been used to. Had the change... kept everything he actually cared about?

"So I look like Stolas's bastard, instead of... Shido's." His voice was slightly distant, not offended or even really upset, just... digesting, that bit of information. Somehow the term 'bastard' didn't feel like it applied. "Ignore that. It was a shitty thing to say."

[helluvaboss]

"It's hell, we love bastards, here," the imp purred. Ah, yeah, actually purring, too - he was absolutely elated. He pulled Akechi into a squeeze of a hug. "And full disclosure, if you're Stolas' kid, you're my kid too. No escape," he teased affectionately.

[herewardbound]

He was quiet, for a moment. Letting the thought... sink in.

You're my kid too. No escape.

"Maybe one day I'll... work out how to respond. To that." At the very least, he had the decency to look slightly guilty, for not knowing how to feel.

[helluvaboss]

"I'll do my part of being a good one so it's easier on ya," Blitzø promised easily. Akechi had seen his gnarliest sides, the depths of his brain, and didn't back off - Blitzø already knew he'd die for this kid, too.

"I'm gonna call Stolas. He said not everyone would show up at the same time, exactly, but I know he's been wondering if you'd make it through okay," he blabbered, strolling to the front receptionist desk and plucking the phone off the hook.

[herewardbound]

"Well, you don't exactly have strong competition there, so it shouldn't be too difficult," he said, quietly. Staring at his hand, still. Stolas, though... it would be nice to see him. And, admittedly, Loona again. And Moxxie, and Millie too. "I do have questions, but... they can probably wait."

[helluvaboss]

While the phone is ringing, Blitzø takes out his cell phone and snaps a pic of Akechi in his whole raven-y glory, grinning horn-to-horn again. "Hey, wanna bet a coffee on whether Stolas has one of his giddy giggles seeing you first or if he gets all emotional first?" the imp snickered, the receiver for the office phone balanced on his shoulder.

[noctuagoetia]

Barely a minute passed after Blitzø hit 'send' before there was a familiar blue rimmed portal appearing in the middle of the office. Hellphone still in his talons, the goetic prince strolled through the magical opening, it sealing behind him as he exited. The bird's face was twisted with a blend of giddy excitement and two seconds from crying like a proud mama as his eyes fell on Akechi.

"It really is Little Raven!" Stolas's clutched hands vibrated as he glided over to scoop the boy up in a tight hug. Better ask forgiveness than permission~ "Look at you~ You're almost as tall as me. We really do look like birds of a feather now."

[systemofadowny]

Stepping through alongside Stolas is the younger owl, elated to see somewhat familiar faces among the crowd. Changed to look more like sinners, sure, but enough of them is there to immediately recognize.

"Akechi!" Via calls out, beaming. He's taller than her now, but that makes him a better target for hugs. Cue one more bird skipping right in to greet him lovingly.

"You're like a brother now."

[herewardbound]

There was a phenomenon, in computing, known as the 'blue screen of death'. In certain popular operating systems, an error serious enough to cause a complete system shutdown would be indicated by a blue screen with white text, usually containing an error code and a string of unhelpful gibberish only intelligible to people who had spent time learning about such things.

If one looked carefully, as Goro Akechi was bodily lifted off the ground and embraced again- twice in one day- from both sides- one could, very nearly, see the signs behind the eyes.

The system has encountered an error and must be shut down. Please contact your administrator.

[helluvaboss]

"Wait, wait, let me in on the group hug!" Blitzø bounced over, swinging his arms wide and scooping all three birds into a hug, his tail coiling around them all. It was cute how utterly baffled Akechi looked. He could kinda relate. He deserved an extra squeeze and all the extra hugs.

[herewardbound]

It took several seconds for his brain to reactivate. And when it did, he still... fairly obviously didn't quite know what to do with himself, in this situation.

But it wasn't... bad. It was even... pleasant wasn't the right word. Like- air, to a drowning man. Needed, desperately needed, even if it left him feeling confused and wrongfooted and... lost.

His voice came out heavier than he intended, halting. "Um. Thank- thank... you."

It sounded so stupid, coming out of his mouth. That that was all he could think of, in the moment.