008 | Video | Day 107

[tryingitall]

[Balthazar appears on the screen with lines of static rippling across his upper chest. He looks in good enough health and spirits, at least, but serious.] Hello, Kore. I'll be quick to the point since the communicators are squirrelly these days.

One: I assume we're all avoiding the ocean inasmuch as possible. Are people still fishing, and if so, where? If not, how is that affecting food stores? Anyone in need?

[The image distorts and gets swallowed up in white noise for a moment, a few words cut off.] ---ouple pounds of purslane and dandelion greens and picked another crop of radishes; I'm happy to make trades. I've also caught something that looks like a rabbit with tusks. It's up for grabs, because the hell if I'm going to skin and gut it myself.

Two: Given the way conditions are deteriorating, I'm wondering if we ought to initiate some sort of buddy system. Pairs, trios, small groups to look out for one another?

Comments

[any1youwant]

[She raised an eyebrow, obviously slightly confused over the whole angel-archangel thing. It'd been a while since she'd even gone near a church.] And usually you can angel yourself out of bad situations? [She honestly wasn't even sure what all the verb 'angeled' entailed, but she had to assume they were fairly powerful.]

From the other prisoners I've talked to I've gathered that a few escape attempts have been made and none of them went well. So, I guess you're not really alone there. Has anyone tried luring them to us?

God-sorry, again. Let's just talk about something else. I don't really feel like thinking about how stuck we are at the moment. Back to you- so why did you decide to take a vessel? I mean, I'm sure wandering around Earth must be a little more entertaining than sitting around in heaven... but still.

[tryingitall]

Usually, if only by flying away. No, there's something exceedingly odd going on here. [Grimacing, he shakes his head at the question.]

The last attempt nearly set the place on fire, and I hear there were a lot of casualties the time before that. I don't know about luring them to us. They're quite well equipped. It might be worth the thought, though.

[There's a glint of amusement in his eyes then.] You can swear, I don't mind. Truly. I initially took a vessel under orders. I was meant to protect a soldier during the first World War. It was a long while after that that I left Heaven.

[any1youwant]

[She raised an eyebrow, trying to stifle a small giggle when the image of an all powerful angel just turning and running away. Unfortunately, the reality of their captors having the ability to dampen, or even negate, their powers wasn't at all a laughing matter.]

Sounds like quite a party... [She sighed and tucked some hair behind her ear.] Despite the fact that they know exactly what our abilities are, with my specific 'gift' and some planning, I might be able to trick our observers. Maybe...

[She eyed him again.] Does your vessel age? Or is this the same vessel that you had since the first War?

[tryingitall]

[Ah, now a topic he's even more interested in.] Yes, do tell me about your gift. And where you come from, if you don't mind. There are a number of talented humans and non-humans about, and I'm curious where you fall on the spectrum.

[After all, they can do more if they can coordinate their strengths.]

My vessel doesn't age as long as I'm in it. This is exactly how he looked when I came to him.

[any1youwant]

[Mystique didn't mind showing off a bit. She only needed a few seconds to get someone's voice and appearance down, and only a minute or so more to be able to copy their unique expressions and quirks, so mimicking the angel's vessel after speaking with him this long was simple. Her blue skin faded to the same color as his and her hair went short and brown; in half a second Balthazar was now looking at a perfect replication of his vessel.] I'm not a human. [She said in his voice.] I'm the next step in human evolution. Where I come from they call us mutants.

[tryingitall]

[That's intriguing. He hasn't seen his vessel from the outside since he first negotiated with him. He blinks, grins, and nods.]

I see. You be careful there, love. Two of me may be more than this place can handle.

Looks like fun, though. Do you find it hard to mimic mannerisms and speech patterns? I had a go at it a while back, thanks to something this place did to me. It was tricky, I thought.

[any1youwant]

I've always assumed it must be part of my ability. Before I knew any better I thought that everyone could most likely pick up on the things I do, but now that I'm older I know that's not so.

... I could have easily mimicked you, and well, after only having talked with you for a minute or so. I knew you weren't completely human, or maybe just not the kind of human I'm used to by your mannerisms. They were close, yet slightly off. Voice I only need a few seconds.

All part of the package, I guess. [She shrugged and shifted back into herself, but continued speaking in the voice that he'd recognize as the one from the welcoming video.] All I need is a video clip, something... mix that with a distraction and I think we might have a chance at getting out of here. Maybe. [She sighed, her voice once again her own.]

[tryingitall]

I'm afraid I haven't seen any of our captors, not well enough to even tell you whether they were human. Bipedal, yes, but beyond that, I don't know. The voice could be good, though.

[He's quiet for a moment, thinking this over, then speaks very softly.] I know at least one other person capable of illusion and trickery on this scale. Possibly two or three. If we could somehow come up with a plan and coordinate...

The problem I'm having is I'm not sure where we'd get to if we escaped beyond the bounds of this place.

[any1youwant]

[She nods, listening intently.] And I know someone who could help us communicate without speaking or using these. [She waves her communicator around.]

My thoughts weren't so much along the line of escape, at least not as a first move. I was thinking kidnap and torture. We have mind readers, what we need to do is lure out one of their own and get some information.

[tryingitall]

Yes. That, also, although given how little we know of these scientists, they may be able to overhear various types of telepathy, as well.

Still, we have to try something. [Or not. Balthazar doesn't actually care if he ever leaves here, but some other people he quite likes seem to want to go, so he's game to help with a plan, as long as there's a good chance of success.

He's not sure he cares for the idea of torture, though. It's not an unheard-of procedure in Heaven, but he's never taken part. It takes incredible skill and lack of emotion to get anything useful out of that kind of interrogation. He knows he doesn't have the temperament.

He grimaces, slightly uncomfortable.] Actually, I believe that was attempted at least once before, with minimal success. I wasn't here then.

[But hadn't Anna and Gabriel nabbed a scientist at one point? He'll have to ask. Clearly it didn't get them free, anyway.]

[any1youwant]

Hear telepathy... or see through our disguises. [She purses her lips thoughtfully.] It has to be worth a try though. If we fail, that's one more thing off the list.

What was tried? Kidnap? Do you know who was here?

[tryingitall]

Anything's possible. We don't even know what species they are, or the extent of their technology. But, yes. Even failing will teach us something. I just wouldn't want us to fail as spectacularly as the last time.

Kidnap and torture both, if my recollection is accurate. I didn't ask too many questions.

I think my housemate was here. I'll ask him.

[any1youwant]

[She perks up a little as she slows their pace and stops in front of one of the houses.] This is me. Please, do ask your housemate. I'd really appreciate it... or at least tell him to get in contact with me, let him know I'd like to talk to him.

Let me dump this stuff in the kitchen and I'll have your basket back for you. [She turned and walked inside, reappearing a minute later with his basket.] Thanks again.

[tryingitall]

I'll ask him. He's...occasionally difficult, but if you can tolerate his wicked sense of humor, he's well worth being friends with. [Ah, Gabriel. Balthazar may have some blinders on in regards to big brother's less sociable tendencies.]

Sure, I'll wait here.

[He's studying the clouds overhead when she reemerges.] You're quite welcome. Come by House 11 if you need vegetables again. I have enough to spare.

Pleasure meeting you, Miss Raven. I hope to see you around.

[any1youwant]

[She hands over the basket with a lopsided smile.] I will. If you need anything, I obviously owe you now and you know where to find me.

Same to you, B, and I'm sure you will.