the_rebel_son | Truth or Dare: Nexus Edition

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Truth or Dare: Nexus Edition

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?

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Peninnah has only alluded to her past, but he sympathizes easily, reaching over to pat her arm. "You certainly don't need to. In fact, I dare say that your presence here is necessary. In all my wanderings about the Nexus, I have yet to find another house of worship that is so welcoming to all."

The little dog is very good at brightening the mood. Aziraphale continues to giggle, even when Agatha switches targets to her owner. "Oh dear, someone likes to get fresh with the hair brush. The result is certainly worth it, though." He admires Agatha's fluffy fur before sighing wistfully. "I have often considered getting a pet of my own. I love dogs, but they require a lot of care, and up until recently I was at Heaven's beck and call. Even now, I'm not sure how well one would tolerate a bookshop. They are so precious, though. Such a joie de vivre, and so affectionate, too."

The compliment brings a bright smile, and a faint blush to her cheeks. "Thank you. Everyone deserves a place where they're welcome."

The already bright smile broadens as the angel speaks so fondly of animals. Peninnah wouldn't trade her dog for anything. "Maybe you could foster one? Or dog sit instead of having one all the time?"

It would help people and dogs. That was a worth cause for an angel.

"In the Nexus more than anywhere else, I'd imagine." The eclectic collection of residents and visitors is proof enough of that.

"Foster?" he repeats curiously, before his expression turns thoughtful. "That would be more of a short-term commitment, wouldn't it? A few weeks and then it'd be ready for a new family."

Or he'd grow so attached to it that he'd end up adopting it. In fact, given all possibilities, that was most likely.

"I'd need to talk about it with Crowley, of course. The bookshop is his home, too."

She nodded agreement. "So many are here to get away from oppression or being outcast at home."

She listens and brightens. "One of the nuns would pet sit, especially for soldiers who were called to war or someone who was taking care of a sick relative or if they were traveling. That was only a few days or weeks sometimes."

Peninnah really enjoyed the idea of pets, especially in her isolation. Agatha never turned away from or was upset by her form. Before the Nexus, she was the only one.

"That is certainly true. I have a home for myself in my world, but even I appreciate the fact that I don't have to hide my nature in the Nexus." Even if he rarely chooses to let out his wings.

A few days in a row also sounds manageable to Aziraphale. He's definitely warming up to the idea of fostering or pet-sitting. "You know, I did care for a rabbit for a few days. His name was Harry, I was using him for a magic show. Terribly sweet fellow, all white like Agatha here. Things, ah... got a little intense immediately after my performance, so I gave him to a nice family in the neighborhood. That's my only recent experience with animals."

He decides it's better not to mention the dove he accidentally let asphyxiate in his sleeve. (At least it got better!)

"I believe that is why this place is beautiful. It is the love and acceptance to be found here." She would understand the hidden wings. Hers also remained hidden most of the time.

"Rabbits are adorable." She can definitely see the angel with a rabbit in his lap, petting it. "Do you visit Harry?"

There's a brief pause and a smile. "I didn't have any experience with animals before Agatha. My friend's dog had puppies that needed homes and he brought one to me when I was living alone."

There are many fond memories of the tiny, barely a tea cup of a puppy that she had received all that time ago. Many things had changed since then.

Aziraphale has an affinity for rabbits, especially the white ones. Perhaps subconsciously feels as though he has something in common with them. The question, however, has him looking somewhat embarrassed. "I used a bit of magic to have the family believe that they'd always owned Harry. I think it'd be peculiar to have an acquaintance ask to see their rabbit, so I haven't tried."

In truth, he likely could have handled that situation better, but he and Crowley had less than a week to find the real Antichrist and somehow stop Armageddon, the angel didn't think he had the time to explain and formally hand over Harry to the family.

"He's much better off with the Johnsons, they can give him the care he needs." He blinks and smiles at her admission. "Is that so? You were a fast learner, then. What are the parts of owning a dog that are the hardest work, in your opinion?"

"I understand. It's good that you found him a loving home." She doesn't want him to feel embarrassed about his choices if it was in the animal's best interest.

"oh." She's a little surprised by both the compliment and the questions. "Thank you. I had help learning. Training is hard because you have to be stern and unwavering even when they're being cute... and you always have to be there for them. It changes how you live. If I'm going to be gone for too long I have to take Agatha with me or find someone to care for her."

Now that Peninnah thinks about it, maybe that is a benefit to these angels being so close by. Fallen they are but she's never seen cruelty in them, especially toward animals.

He smiles sheepishly, appreciating her understanding. "I'd only had him a short time, anyway. I'm sure he's much happier with a whole family to look after him. Rabbits are social creatures."

Compared to him, Peninnah is a dog expert, so he listens closely to her answer, unconsciously nodding and looking a bit stern himself as per her recommendation. Of course, his expression immediately melts into a smile as soon as he looks at Agatha again. No doubt any cute animal in his care is going to walk all over him.

"Yes, that's the main hangup of mine, who might care for a pet if I owned one and had to be away. I do have a number of friends I could call on, at least." Peninnah could find any number of competent caretakers here, although if she left Agatha in Beelzebub's care, the little dog will likely be returned wearing armor.

"I don't know much about rabbits except that they seem fond of living in cemeteries." Most of Peninnah's up close interactions with rabbits had been in those conditions. Though, she didn't travel much so her experience was limited in many ways.

"Agatha is small enough that I usually take her with me." However, she could think of situations where she might not be able to take her along. It was true that there were many here she would trust, and that was still a surprise given how many fallen angels were in this room. However, war-like didn't mean cruel and that was a lesson she was learning. Her smile brightens though.

"If you want practice, you can come spend time with Agatha. She adores visitors and is well behaved."

"Is that so? I know that they live in burrows. A cemetery must be a nice, quiet place for them to live."

Agatha isn't that much bigger than a rabbit, come to think of it. He wonders what it would be like to have a little animal companion to keep him company during the day. Or does Crowley already fill that role? Technically he's a serpent... not very little, though. He amuses himself with the thought of carrying Crowley about as a large snake before returning his attention to Peninnah.

"Oh, may I?" He beams at the idea. "I would like that very much, my dear."

"Of course." She brightens at his obvious excitement. "I may return to my own world, in the summer, for a few days, if you feel confident to babysit for me until I return."

"I'd be honored," he replies, thrilled at the thought of watching Agatha. "I'll read all I can on the matter of caring for dogs so that I'm fully prepared."

He smiles at the small, furry canine, delighted at the opportunity. This will be excellent practice if he decides to foster a dog of his own. He'll bring it up with Crowley, but he's certain that the demon will not mind an addition to their household for a few days in the summer.

Penninah leans over and gives the angel a gentle hug. "Thank you."

She pulls away smiling. "No, I shouldn't take up all your time among your own people, or close to your own people." She pauses worrying her lip. "Do you consider them all your kin? The fallen, I mean, and well I guess the ones from other places?"

Aziraphale returns the hug easily and then settles back in his seat. "We'll have a wonderful time, won't we?" he says to Agatha, although he doesn't expect her to answer.

"Oh, I don't mind, dear, although perhaps I should make the rounds a bit before I leave." The question surprises him and he has to think on it a moment, hands folded in his lap. "Lucifer and his court have been extremely welcoming to me, and despite our opposing theologies, we share a love and compassion for humanity... so, yes, I do view them as kin. And Balthazar, certainly, he's the only other angel I've ever met who's anything like me."

The angel's smile is bittersweet. It is a wonderful feeling to be regarded with affection and respect from other celestial entities, but it also highlights how cold and distant the angels on his world were. The ones that should have been his kin treated him like anything but.

"No, I shouldn't keep you from your other friends."

Peninnah looks down, slightly embarrassed. "I was curious. Lucifer has been very nice to me and.. and I was worried it was trickery. I try not to judge people but the scriptures and writings make him sound to be deadly. I trust your judgement of his character."

Aziraphale smiles at Peninnah reassuringly, leaning forward a bit to hopefully catch her gaze. "It is perfectly reasonable to be cautious. I was much the same way when I first spoke with him, and I'm sure that I handled it with far less grace than you did. But I can say with confidence that Lucifer's kindness is genuine. He is certainly not immune to pride, but he won't abuse your goodwill or otherwise betray you."

There is a pause before the angel adds ruefully, "He does like to tease, but it's all meant in fun, and I suspect that I get the brunt of it because he sees me like a little brother."

She's glad for the understanding and leans close to the angel beside her. "I was worried about the church, but I think I like having it so close to his Villa. One of the angels came to purify the church and bless it."

She giggles at his comment. "He harasses me about being tiny and my hair."

If Aziraphale had his wings out, he'd put one around Peninnah in an added show of reassurance. He settles for patting her arm. "There is something very symbolic about having them close together. Also, the very fact that one of his court can purify and bless your church is a good sign, yes? Crowley can also perform blessings, you know. Even on my world, angels and demons aren't so different."

The angel sighs. "I was told once that he teases those he cares about. I wish his teasing of me was in regards to my height and hair."

"It makes the neutrality and peace of this place more tangible." Penninah agrees with the angel on this topic. "I was raised on the idea of ugly, evil demonic forces working against God. I'm still accepting that it's different in other worlds, maybe mine too."

She lowers her head and sighs. "He tosses me in the air sometimes and harasses me about hiding my wings constantly." She flushes a little from shyness. "Though, he's very good at braiding hair."

"Sometimes things are not as black and white as they appear," he replies, giving her a look of commiseration. "But there will always be people who need our compassion and support. I've never regretting helping someone in need, even if it didn't always turn out the way I expected."

Aziraphale makes a distressed sound at hearing more details. "Well, I wouldn't want him tossing me about... if it makes you feel any better, I keep my wings hidden nearly all the time, too. Did he braid your hair? I learned a bit about braiding, but that was a long time ago. I haven't had an opportunity to do it in a long while."

"It helps me." She smile briefly. "I've always wondered why God gave me demon wings instead of angel wings. I don't think that's the way to think about myself anymore."

That was a hard confession to make but she felt safe here with this angel. "I think he means well. He reminds me more of the bad boys in a service harassing their friends across the pews than malicious so I try to endure it." Penninah nods. "Yes, he has several times. If you want to practice on mine you can."

"Demon wings? Why, what do yours look like? On my world, there isn't really any difference except for color. Crowley tends to keep them in better shape, too."

There's always a feather or two sticking out of place, much like the state of his bookshop. At any rate, he doesn't seem inclined to judge, no matter what Penninah's wings look like.

Her comparison of Lucifer to a naughty human child at church has him giggling. "Well, I suppose that's not so bad... Oh? You'd let me?" He smiles warmly, touched by the offer. "I might take you up on that. Crowley sometimes wears his hair long and... well..." He leans in and confesses, "If I get the opportunity to braid his, I want to do it right."

She trusts him enough to shift her robes and open her wings. They are indeed black bat wings with a dusting of amber brown fur. Though, she doesn't keep them open long and is soon hiding them under the fabric again.

"I would." She giggles at the confession whispered to her. "I think it's a good way to show your affection." Really, no one needed to tell her how Aziraphale felt about Crowley, it was there so clearly in the way he spoke about him. "Mine is curly. It's tricky to braid."

Aziraphale blinks at the sight of her wings. "My dear, there's nothing demonic about them at all. They're lovely." Perhaps this is why Lucifer teases her about hiding her wings, as he'd rather see her show them off proudly. They're nothing to be ashamed of.

The angel blushes and smiles, very obviously in love. "Well, his hair is not nearly so curly as yours when it's long. He kept a braid in his hair in Mesopotamia, I've only seen it like that occasionally since, when it was in fashion."

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