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

[sohoangel]

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.

[sacredeyes]

"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."

[sohoangel]

"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."

[sacredeyes]

"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."

[sohoangel]

"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.

[sacredeyes]

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?"

[sohoangel]

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.

[sacredeyes]

"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."

[sohoangel]

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."

[sacredeyes]

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."

[sohoangel]

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."

[sacredeyes]

"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."

[sohoangel]

"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."

[sacredeyes]

"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."

[sohoangel]

"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."

[sacredeyes]

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."

[sohoangel]

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."

[sacredeyes]

"In my home they are." She blushes fiery red at the compliment though. "He keeps telling me I should stop being afraid here."

Lucifer was a little pushy sometimes but she understood why. Anyone with the confidence to stab God was going to come across that way sometimes.

"Come by the church whenever you want to practice." She smiles at his obvious affection. "I'm sure his hair is quite lovely."

[sohoangel]

"While I do agree with him that no one is likely to judge you for your wings in the Nexus, I know that it is not easy to turn off one's anxieties." Lord, does he know that. "Humans often find what they don't understand to be frightening. Rightfully so for angels and demons, if I'm being totally honest, but most times that fear is misplaced."

Aziraphale has had just enough alcohol that he doesn't realize he's got that besotted look on his face. Even when sober, his eyes always shine on the subject of Crowley. "Oh, it is. The most beautiful shade of red, although it tends to be darker when he keeps it short. He's gone through more hairstyles than you can possibly imagine, but that's how he's always been, on the cutting edge of fashion. I'm sure he'll be wearing it long again soon enough."