Truth or Dare: Nexus Edition

[the_rebel_son]

Lucifer isn't quite sure how this madness started. The angels had opened up the council chamber for visitors and of course Beelzebub had started them drinking, then they got rowdy and people started joining them. Who had brought up the idea of Truth or Dare was unknown but it rippled through the amassing group to a uniform good idea, despite the objective nature of it being a disaster.

Then there was some vote that Lucifer missed where Galahad, Prometheus, and Belial were made judges to keep things in line. That might have been the most reasonable and sane thing since this conversation started. Chairs were rearranged to a big circle.. and all the chairs from the villa had been taken. It was crowded, specially when they decided the judges should have chaises to lounge on. This was some true ancient Greek style madness with the drinking and the topics that were sure to come up. Still, it was all fun and games, right?


Rules of the Road:
1. Top level with your character.
2. Note if you are opting this in as canon for Nexus. This may be done in top level or in individual responses (If there is any questions about this please seek out players OOC.. Discord, PM in Dw etc)
3. A character may only ask truth or dare of the same character once.
4. However, a character may ask as many different characters as they please.
5. Characters may ask questions without doing a top level. However the 1 per the same character applies
6. If your character is crossing threads for a dare, please link back to the original comment where the dare was issued.
7. When in doubt ask?

Comments

[goldenwolf]

"Boredom comes to those who avoid challenges." Mammon truly believed that as well. Most of the angels sought out challenging situations. "That is the trick. What is wanted by someone who appears to have everything? Everyone wants something, some are honest, or make you guess, or lie."

[mayfairmonster]

"If I had to guess? The kinds of things that people who either have or can have everything want are personal. Emotional. Intangible. Either that, or I'd guess that they crave an experience of some kind."

[goldenwolf]

"For some." Mammon glanced around the room at the other angels and grew thoughtful. "A blanket statement is ill advised with the variability long lifespans. Expanses of time breed both stability and extreme variability."

He knew that it sound like he was being vague but it was an honest answer. Time worked oddly on people, diverging them and consolidating at the same time. "Not everyone will accept what they want from everyone willing to offer either."

[mayfairmonster]

"True enough." Dorian can think of a few very specific charred bridges that he'd have trouble crossing now in such a way if it's what he desired to do. "That is what time does to us all, if nothing else. Produces eccentricity. Variability." If there's a wine bottle or other alcohol nearby, Dorian's going to reach over and refill his now-empty glass.

"I was speaking from a self-referential perspective when I supposed that immortals might crave the personal or intangible, or an experience."

[goldenwolf]

There is likely wine around, with how heavily most of the angels drink.

"It is true of some, though materialism and greed can continue into eternity. I've seen both commonly enough in my time. I think you have the same desire as most angels, gods and other immortals are not always as open to unknown experiences."

[mayfairmonster]

"I have certain advantages that allow me to take risks that others might not be able to do so freely."

Dorian smiles at Mammon at the mention of endless materialism and greed, watching him closely. "Do you desire gems and minerals endlessly? Currency?"

[goldenwolf]

"What advantage is that?" Mammon asks with genuine curiosity.

"No. Not particularly." Mammon comments. "I am a trader by nature. What I have fluctuates, though I do ensure the currency for Chaos is minted and maintained."

[mayfairmonster]

There's no harm in sharing this aspect of himself with the angels, Dorian reasons, because he's reasonably sure some of them already know-- Sin and Lucifer definitely do, at least. "I heal immediately from any physical slights my body may suffer. That, and I can die and resurrect without issue." He'll leave out the part about his lack of a soul and the extra benefits that confers, but given how Lucifer was able to tell he didn't have one simply by being near him, it may or may not be pointless to withhold this particular truth from any of the angels. "I still feel pain, but as you can probably imagine, being able to heal and resurrect takes away a lot the dangers of living an immortal life that ordinary humans, or immortals that can die from physical wounds wouldn't be able to face as easily."

That surprises Dorian a little. From the careful and elegant way the angel is dressed, he would have figured him for someone who enjoyed such material objects-- the gems, at least. "No? So, if I'm understanding you, it's the value of those objects and how they're used that you like?"

[goldenwolf]

Mammon hadn't cared to look to closely at the state of Dorian, only a casual overview of his presence, the immortality. True, if he wished he could delve in and see the lack of soul. However, as an archangel and him specifically, the sense of those things required active looking. "Then you are much like our kind in those respects."

It wasn't surprising to hear, and made his presence fall into place. The similar method of living and not dying could be a unifying characteristic across immortals. "Yes. However, I am not without favored things in what I do have. Everyone has objects and other items that are too valuable, though perception or personal reasons, to be traded away or sold without great pressure or offering."

[mayfairmonster]

"Others in your family have said the same thing." And it has taken Dorian a while to agree, but he does now. He does think it's interesting, though, that yet another angel doesn't hesitate to pull him within the venn diagram of 'like us' where the Fallen are concerned.

"So they do. What is it you favor, then?" The angel has been a little cagey, either deliberately or not, on this point so far. It's left Dorian wondering if he'll tell him now.

[goldenwolf]

"I can only assume that you have shared qualities with them that they also see in our kind." Mammon was completely neutral on the idea but there were, at least some, similarities between whatever type of immortal Dorian was and a fallen angel.

"Information?" Then the angel smiles and it grows until he laughs. "I've always favored the gold gilded walkways and spires of heaven; encrusted with fine gems. The hypocrisy of that being the request of a God who speaks of the sin of avarice as one of the greatest evils has a pleasant feeling to it. His throne too laden with gems and gold."

[knightgallant]

Beelzebub has pointed this angel out to Galahad before, but the knight has never had a chance to meet him personally. Belial seems polite and self-possessed to Galahad, and he gets the impression that he may be older than some of the other angels he's met before. Accordingly, the knight offers the angel a polite, but friendly smile when he turns to him and compliments him.

"'Tis a pleasure to meet you, Sir." His eyes trail admiringly up to the handsome-looking hawk on the angel's shoulder, and then back to Belial's face as he continues. He's never seen an angel besides Beelzebub carry around an animal companion like this. "Thank you for your kind words. It's been orderly so far from what I've seen, thankfully." His smile tugs a little wider. "Are you enjoying yourself this evening?"

[hellsadvisor]

It is true that among the fallen Belial is next in age after Lucifer, though several billion years separate their creation.

"Belial." He corrects politely. He knows that this human is closer to family than friend and therefore formality is less important. Hawk meets the knight's gaze inquisitively. Despite looking like a slightly larger than normal falcon or hawk, there's a sense to its gaze that the intelligence behind it is far beyond that of an animal. The angel's gaze remains distant and not necessarily focused on the man before him, though it wouldn't take much experience in life to realize the white eyes may indicate he's blind when paired with other behaviors.

"Agreed. I wouldn't want to reign in this many." Belial smiles and shakes his head. "I'm not as prone to debauchery and wildness as my brothers, but it is pleasant enough to note who has come. And your night is enjoyable?"

[mayfairmonster]

"The same that I just shared with you." Dorian issues a short, amused huff, as he remembers telling both Sin and Lucifer separately about this particular ability. All of the angels either seem to like, or seem compelled by, drawing parallels between him and themselves. "Your kind seem to like consolidating immortals and their favored humans among themselves-- collecting, one might even say." A beat, as he looks indicatively around the party. "And by the looks of this party, you've all done an impressive job of it."

The comment about God's throne gets a short, cynical laugh from the immortal. "So it's less of the walkways and throne themselves, but your own amusement at God's hypocrisy?"

"And what kinds of information interest you? Or do you not discriminate?"

[goldenwolf]

"We fell long before humans and those of Earth were created." Mammon shrugged joining Dorian's gaze considering the party goers. "... but we were intended to watch over and aid humanity. Without the gates of heaven holding us at a distance it's not surprising to see from any of the fallen." Mammon grinned as a sidelong gaze settled on Dorian. "The benefits are mutual from the what I have noted of the collection, a thing you've taken advantage of yourself in the bed and favor of royalty among us."

The angel was merely calling attention to the fact that the one talking about collecting had at one point or was still part of the collection he spoke about. Mammon knew about Sin, she was clearly fond of this immortal, and the gaze on Lucifer earlier drew curiosity.

"The walkways and structures of heaven are indeed of a splendor and glory worthy of envy, but it is amusing to know God is as far from His own laws as we are, maybe farther."

"Everything has potential worth. Knowing is always better than remaining ignorant."

[coldsong]

An odd friendship these two are striking up, but a fitting one. At least Loki thinks so. He returns the smile with one of his own, taking up the barstool next to the angel and resting an elbow on the bar itself. Still annoying to be so much shorter, but he's starting to adapt to it.

"You and I both know the value of a lie," he says. "And conversely, the value of the truth. A story is often neither and both, fiction with a message that lies beneath it. Do you have a favorite story? If so, what is it?"

"Doesn't have to be true, or about you personally."

[vliste_staba]

If she could see Aziraphale's wings, she would already realize who and what he is, but she has yet to meet an angel that doesn't wander around with them out and all over the place. It seems that it would be hard for some of them to get through doorways like that, but she has yet to see any have trouble. In any case, she doesn't have quite the knowledge base to identify an angel on sight--or by psychic feel--but there is something very wholesome and peaceful about him that she likes.

"It's nice to meet you, Aziraphale. Thank you for the help," she gives him a sunny smile.

She's already willing to let him lift her, even before he explains. Even if he didn't feel pleasant and wholesome, this place is safe as far as she's concerned, with Thnisko and his family in the same room with her. She brightens when he explains, though, settling in his arms and holding onto his sleeve for balance. "Oh! But where are your wings, then? Are you from Chaos like the others? I haven't met all of them, but Thnisko is my friend."

Maybe a little more than friend. Best friend? Romantic interest? Neither of them is sure yet.

[starryeyedangel]

The angel takes time with this question. He's a collector of information. Stories were something that facinated Astaroth. The silence goes on for a long time before he finally looks over to address the God.

"Mythology related to constellations." He pauses and clarifies. "More so, the myths that a culture chooses to immortalize in thier sky. I find the way that defines morality to be fascinating."

It wasn't a specific answer, if pressed perhaps he could choose one, but for now it was the most truthful answer he could give.

[mayfairmonster]

Dorian's drinking continues, with another thoughtful sip of wine taken as he listens to Mammon. A smile tugs at his lips again as the angel points out his entanglement with his family. The other man isn't wrong about that, and Dorian can't deny the truth of it either. He'll always consider himself his own man to a certain degree, but this is the most time he's spent in close contact with a group of the same people in a while.

"'Taking advantage of' is a strong way to put it," Lucifer might see it that way now, but Dorian doesn't know for sure. He wonders if Sin does. "Would your family see it that way with regards to themselves?" His eyebrows rise as he watches the other man closely. It would be quite something to hear, if the angel really thinks it's the case.

"So you think of yourself as a scholar of everything and anything?"

[goldenwolf]

"Is it?" Mammon counters, more with curiosity than rhetoric. He continues, even toned and with acceptance. "We are ancient, even by the standards of gods. We understand that all initial contact is with someone who wants the benefits of our company. It may be as benign as simple curiosity or our reputation for sin and pleasure freeing people from thier culture's restrictions. Others may have more demanding benefits of protection, information, or coming at us with preconceived demands of what they want or expect from us."

Mammon paused to observe the man beside him. "Even when we initiate an interaction, as the more powerful component, we must be wary of others using us to thier benefit and our detriment."


He figures that is enough to say on that subject. "It is the natural condition when you reach a certain length of life."

[mayfairmonster]

Dorian's smile grows --it's pleasant, polite, a little distant-- but inwardly he wonders how much he should say about this particular subject to an angel with an observant temperament like this one. Mammon reminds him of Death in this way, if seemingly more detached. A person like this is interesting to him, but someone worth watching his step around.

"That's why, in my home world, I take steps to guard my privacy." Which he knows isn't an option for the angels for many reasons, but Dorian's just trying to relate to Mammon and his family. "The powerful and the unusual attract attention, curiosity, people's desires--" A thoughtful beat. "For the record, I knew very little about any of your family members before I approached them."

That answer's a little vague in his estimation, so Dorian tries a different approach. "Do you like to read?"

[goldenwolf]

"We do too." Mammon agreed. "There are very few who know more about an angel than they wish you to see."

Dorian's comment gets a quiet laugh. "I find it hard to believe you knew little about the devil."

"We all do." Mammon's expression turned devious. "We're in a competition to see who can finish reading all the books in the library first."

[mayfairmonster]

"I know more than I ever wanted to about my Lucifer. But I wouldn't compare yours to him-- especially not after coming to know him better."

"Oh?" Somehow he's not surprised by this. "Who or what do you like to read, particularly?"

[goldenwolf]

"You are friends with Lucifer?" He asks off hand. The glances from earlier lingering in his mind.

"We're competitive with each others sometimes." He mentions with a good humor. "Civilizations and culture."

[mayfairmonster]

"In a manner of speaking. Friendship is something of a complicated thing with me. I like him, certainly." Which is the version of his thoughts on it that he'll share with someone he doesn't know very well yet.

"Any particular authors? I've indulged in some non-fiction on those subjects in the past, but lately I mostly read fiction and poetry."