009 | Anna Milton | [video & private]

[afallenstar]

It seems everyone's had quite the morning, so I'll keep this brief. If any of you think you might be the kind of powered up that can help figure out exactly what it is people are turning into, let me know.

In the mean time just...be careful, guys.

[[ Private to the Angelsibs and honorarysib housemate Chuck ]]

As someone [ see Gabriel, re: griping announcement earlier ] has mentioned already, there's something weird going on here. We're human now, completely, and Balthazar....
[ All in good time. ]

Obviously it's a little harder to keep in touch now, but are you all okay so far? No broken bones, stubbed toes, fatal injuries? Keep in touch, okay?

[[ Private to Fun Ghoul ]]

We have a bit of a situation here.

Comments

Video-private to angelsibs

[tryingitall]

Balthazar...is not human. More's the pity.

[afallenstar]

And is Balthazar going to let us in on what that is, exactly?

[tryingitall]

What makes you think I know? I can't think straight. I'm a monster. An animal.

[afallenstar]

I'm working on it. Someone around here has got to be able to figure it out, they can't have just downgraded us all.

[tryingitall]

Downgraded? How ethnocentric of you, love. [For a moment he sounds like himself, but it breaks apart quickly.]

I don't feel any weaker. Stronger, maybe. Just poorly controlled.

[afallenstar]

That's- that's not what I meant. [ She doesn't exactly mean to sound terse, but it's been one hell of a day. ]

Look, someone around here has to know. I'll figure it out, okay? Then we can work on fixing whatever mess that's been made here.

[tryingitall]

I know you didn't. At least I can joke?

[He still feels awful about biting her, and yet he can't seem to forget how her blood tasted. This can't get fixed fast enough.]

An archangel should know, if anyone does. I'm trying to stay inside.

I'm...I'm sorry, Anna.

[afallenstar]

Shame they were never funny.

[ Hey look, at least he managed to get a weak laugh from her, right? It's just, every time she thinks about those teeth it sets her on edge all over again. ]

Master of negotiations, right here. Pulling every string I've got, and some I don't too, so just- don't eat anyone while I'm doing that, okay?

[ That's supposed to be a joke too, even gets delivered with a grin and a chuckle, but it dies quickly and she just gives him a slightly sad smile instead. ]

Don't be. It's not you, I know that.

[tryingitall]

Ouch! I think you scored a point there.

[He smiles, though, because if they're bickering, they can pretend things are, if not normal, at least repairable.]

Don't pull so many strings you get tied up, all right? I'm not worth that.

[afallenstar]

Don't be stingy, that was at least two.

[ She's trying, she's trying so hard. Humans aren't built to handle this much stress, and even Anna is struggling. It's a wonder her body is keeping up with her at all.

She'd let it collapse from exhaustion before she let Balthazar think she was going to give up on him though, so she just gives him another, more reassuring smile. ]

Don't worry about me, just keep yourself safe, and inside. Temptation is easier to resist if it's not shoved in your face, right?

[tryingitall]

I'm holding one point in escrow until I can award it in person without being a danger to you.

[He will not forget this. He will not forget that he tried to rip her arm off and all she wanted was to fix it for him. Anna, you are due the biggest hug ever, if and when this mess blows over.]

I'm trying, love. Truly.

...I'll repair the kitchen floor later.

[afallenstar]

[ And there he goes again, despite everything that has already happened today, he gets her laughing, and it's even a little more sustained this time around.

...Not much more, but anything's an improvement. A laugh and only the hints of a sad smile, that's practically singing from the rooftops by the standards set so far. ]

I've never liked that flooring anyway, some renovations were in order.

[tryingitall]

[Unfortunately, the floor genuinely will need some repair. There's no hole through it, but the linoleum is badly shredded. Still, better that than a living person.

He's pleased he made her laugh, at least, and his smile, if wan, is sincere.]

Good, then. Anything else you need chewed up, you just let me know.

[afallenstar]

Maybe tackle the ugly curtains. Some of the crockery is a little dated, too.

[ Maybe she's keeping this up a little more than she has to, pushing the joke a little further than it should have rightfully gone, but she needs to be reminded that it is her brother in there still. It's still Balthazar and not some mindless monster.

The second he stops finding bad jokes funny is when they really need to start worrying, obviously. ]

Not like we'll need it when all this gets sorted anyway, right?

[ When. Not if, when. ]

[tryingitall]

[He smiles, careful to keep his mouth closed so as not to flash those teeth at her.]

Curtains are go. I'll look through the dish cabinets and see what I can find.

[afallenstar]

Best housemate ever.

[ She grins, but it's tired, and the feed shakes as she sits down carefully. She's right at the other end of the hall, but she's still there. Someone will have to move her to get rid of her now. ]

If you need anything just yell, okay?