The Kêres (thedarknesses) wrote in nevermore_logs, @ 2011-04-25 04:29:00 |
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Entry tags: | hades, thanatos, the keres |
WHO: Lugra, Thanatos, Hades
WHEN: Saturday night
WHERE: Thanatos' hospital
WHAT: Taking the dead
WARNINGS: Creepy death gods?
Dark-tressed Lugra knew hospitals well. She and her sisters stalked their overly bright corridors, unseen by all, plucking away the souls that they were allowed. (There were so few that they could drag to Hades anymore, but even those that couldn't they were permitted to taste, just a little.)
But today she came for one who did belong to them. Her sisters other places Lugra would collect this one alone.
She walked through the hospital, long black hair and long black dress covering that pale flesh, bright eyes wide and dangerous, lips bound tight with cord. No one saw her. No one but her brother and she twisted her lips slowly upwards into the darkest of smiles. (Fortunate no one could see her. That smile would turn a brave man's blood to ice.)
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[info]a_gentle_death
2011-04-24 03:21 pm UTC (link) Track This
He was not a god (or concept, or spirit) that thought himself selfish. As Death, he was fairly relaxed about such things. And he could not make the mortals choose which death they wished for.
So when the mortal had tipped herself over with the aid of modern medicine he could not do anything. If she wished to meet his sisters, so be it. He stood at the side of the bed, smiling as he saw Lugra.
He wished he could give the mortal more comfort, but she was out of his hands now. "Just you then?"
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[info]thedarknesses
2011-04-24 03:24 pm UTC (link) Track This
Lugra nodded and then moved in closer to the bed, peering at the woman whose heartbeat sang out to her.
She looked up at Thanatos and though she said nothing (could say nothing) they were both Death and had been siblings for eternity. Her expression asked him if he was staying for this, and she knew he understood it.
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[info]a_gentle_death
2011-04-24 03:33 pm UTC (link) Track This
He smiled and nodded, "she's still my patient." He understood Lugra. None of them competed. At lease he did not compete with any of them. He sat down, letting her do her thing. He could see the thread himself, knowing it would be soon.
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[info]thedarknesses
2011-04-24 03:50 pm UTC (link) Track This
Lugra was fine with him staying for this. The thread was fraying, twisting and ready to snap loose, and Lugra was hungry and read to deliver this one to the dark realm belong where Hades would judge her.
They waited together in silence with the dying woman. Lugra had never been much for talk before Nosoi had stitched her lips shut.
Then the cord that only they could see snapped and Lugra was there like the dark wraith she was, hissing through her lips and crawling on top of the woman, the woman-shape remaining but somehow becoming more monstrous as she ripped the soul from of the mortal form and dragged it down through the layers of earth, feasting on the spirit blood until it filled her.
The woman's body was gone from the room when Lugra returned to the hospital, contented and fed now, finding her brother once more.
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[info]a_gentle_death
2011-04-24 04:00 pm UTC (link) Track This
He'd seen his sisters work before. He was more gentle yes but he never judged them. They could still do what they were meant for and for that he was grateful. He worried for his sisters, as he worried for himself. But there were young ones once again praising the names of the old gods.
By the time she returned he had cut off a lock of the woman's hair before doing his job as nurse and contacting the people who needed to know. With gentle motions he straightened the covers and made sure the woman looked peaceful.
When he noticed his sister he smiled at her and rose, "good seeing you."
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[info]thedarknesses
2011-04-24 04:06 pm UTC (link) Track This
Lugra gave him a small smile and nodded. It was good to see him as well.
A pair of scissors had rested on the counter as she'd come down the corridor again and she handed them to her brother now, stepping closer to him and tilting her face into the light.
The stitches were coming out, just for a short time. It wasn't breaking the bargain that she'd struck with Nosoi, because to be fair their bet had long run out. She only kept her lips stitched out of habit. She had worn them for decades, why not take a few moments free to speak with the brother she hadn't seen for many years?
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[info]a_gentle_death
2011-04-24 04:10 pm UTC (link) Track This
For a moment he frowned to the scissors before getting the purpose of them. He'd known of the bet, although not why, and it was a thing between his sisters. Still, if she offered.
He stepped closer, setting his hand on her chin and gently cutting the stitches open before stepping back. "There you are." He hadn't heard his sisters voice in quite some time, yet he waved her into a waiting room. He didn't want people to interrupt.
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[info]thedarknesses
2011-04-24 04:14 pm UTC (link) Track This
Lugra opened and closed her mouth widely a few time as she followed her brother, rolling her jaw and feeling the freedom of it. From the holes in her lips she drew the thick pieces of cord, putting them into her pocket.
When she finally spoke her voice was hushed and gravelly. "A long time," was all she said, and Lugra would let him take it to mean the stitches or the parting of siblings.
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[info]a_gentle_death
2011-04-24 04:20 pm UTC (link) Track This
"Far too long," smiling he sat down, "but I suspect we will cross paths a little more often now." He set his hands on his lap and relaxed. He wondered if she'd know of Lyra and her family. "There's a girl here, whose grandfather died. Her parents died in a carcrash. They belonged to us, so I wonder if you took them. Her name's Lyra."
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[info]thedarknesses
2011-04-24 04:26 pm UTC (link) Track This
Lugra's blue eyes never left her brother's. She had always had the tendency to stare at people in a way that unnerved them, but that wasn't a problem when your brother was Death. She ran her tongue along her lips, not used to the feeling at all.
Lugra shook her head. "No car. Not for years."
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[info]a_gentle_death
2011-04-24 04:33 pm UTC (link) Track This
He tilted his head as he calculated. "it would have been fifteen years ago." He tended to keep track of some of those he took, and there was an interest with Lyra. Part of her had been taught to worship those of his pantheon, and he still wondered if she'd been fathered by Apollo.
Such children always warranted watching.
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[info]thedarknesses
2011-04-24 04:37 pm UTC (link) Track This
Lugra couldn't be expected to remember every single person who died with the Keres there to feast upon them, but it was easier to remember those who were taken to Hades. There were so few of them now.
"Two parents, a child, yes," Lugra told him, getting used to speaking the more she did it. "The man and the woman dwell below in the darkness. The child - your Lyra - she escaped our claws even as we had them wrapped around her." Modern medicine and its insistence on returning those that were, by all rights, dead. "We remember them." (Even though she was alone, Lugra still found herself speaking for her absent sisters.)
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[info]a_gentle_death
2011-04-24 04:42 pm UTC (link) Track This
He nodded, "she said her mother called her a child of Apollo. I cannot tell if it is boasting or truth." He shrugged, then smiled. He was less upset when those who would feel his touch had their thread's rewound. IT happened. "Sometimes threads rewind sister. The dead would be her profession. I've suggested she work for the King. He'll be by for the woman too I imagine, if you wish to say hello."
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[info]thedarknesses
2011-04-24 04:47 pm UTC (link) Track This
"I tasted no god in her blood," Lugra told him. "But we had very little of her."
Lugra wasn't sure how wise it was for this girl to be in such contact with all the Greek gods of death if her parents were in the Underworld. It seemed a dangerous position for a mortal, especially for one that had escaped it so closely once before. But it was not her place to say, nor did she feel like using so many unimportant words after such a long silence.
"I wait with you for the King," Lugra said, still poking at the holes in her face with her tongue.
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[info]a_gentle_death
2011-04-24 04:57 pm UTC (link) Track This
"Ah. Well that answers that question." Thanatos didn't always get mortals, so he tried to befriend them. He tired fitting into a society he didn't belong into. Mostly because he had no choice in the matter. He wasn't a wild spirit like his sisters were.
"Stop that," he gave her a look, "you'll agitate them." He was still her brother. He'd fuss. "He'll enjoy seeing you."
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[info]thedarknesses
2011-04-24 05:01 pm UTC (link) Track This
"Flesh feels wrong," Lugra complained, and for a moment she did sound just like she might be the little sister Thanatos was chiding and not the age old phantom of death, the most deadly of the remaining trio.
"I see him sometimes," Lugra assured her brother. "But no words shared since... I don't remember when the stitches went through."
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[info]a_gentle_death
2011-04-24 05:08 pm UTC (link) Track This
He sighed, "and if you keep poking at it, it'll only feel worse. It wants to heal. Leave it be." they made an odd pair, him chiding this odd looking thing but he'd done it before. The siblings all looked after one another with Father and Mother so far away.
"Well then now you can say hello. It will be a nice surprise." He leaned back, "and if anything soon we'll get to go down and watch another judging. It'll be strange with the Lady there."
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[info]thedarknesses
2011-04-25 02:39 pm UTC (link) Track This
"Nosoi will re-stitch it later," Lugra just said, living her skin be for now. "She'll cry and cry if I don't allow it." So Lugra would. She'd let her sister stitch her up tightly once more just to keep her happy.
Lugra's eyes darkened at the mention of the Lady and it was clear that she was troubled. It wasn't right that the Iron Queen would pass down into that realm when the weather was turning warmer with each day.
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[info]a_gentle_death
2011-04-25 11:10 pm UTC (link) Track This
He raised an eyebrow, but that was a thing between his sisters. They all had odd habits. He wouldn't interfere. "Give her my best regardless." He noticed the shift and held up his hands. "Like I said, it's strange. You tell the King that. I had enough frowns from that subject to let it go." Not that he minded seeing Hades happy, but things were a certain way for a reason.
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[info]thedarknesses
2011-04-25 11:57 pm UTC (link) Track This
"There is a natural order to things," Lugra just grumbled, her voice low and dark. They were Death. If anyone knew about the natural order it was them. Even Lugra, a Ker, could not change things that were to come - even if she and her sisters did enjoy putting pieces into place to bring about a death to feed on. "Perhaps it is time he was reminded."
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[info]a_gentle_death
2011-04-26 12:06 am UTC (link) Track This
"There is. From Death must come Life. Winter must go to Spring." He sighed. Lugra was different. He was still a priest to Hades, and in some respects Thanatos thought of Hades like his Lord and King. Disagreeing with him was hard. "Feel free. He's not listened to me."
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[info]thedarknesses
2011-04-26 04:10 am UTC (link) Track This
Lurga had no such discomfort with going against Hades. He was not her king. She answered only to Fate.
"When he arrives," Lugra said, "I will share my words." She gave her brother what was almost a smirk. "Sixty years without speech, I suddenly have much to say about this."
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[info]a_gentle_death
2011-04-26 04:51 am UTC (link) Track This
He chuckled, "I imagine you do." Smiling he sat back. "He will be here soon I imagine. I guess in some way he wants to see those bodies of the souls he will judge." He shrugged, "I try not to make sense of most other Gods. They confuse me."
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[info]thedarknesses
2011-04-26 05:02 am UTC (link) Track This
"None make sense to me," Lugra said honestly. "Save for Death." She and her sisters and Thanatos, all of them the last of life.
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[info]unseenone
2011-04-26 05:13 am UTC (link) Track This
Thanatos agreed, but he didn't often say that. He tried seeing a point in it all, or he didn't really know what to do anymore.
After a moment he got up and waved Lugra along, smiling at Hades who stood leaned over the body. Thanatos gave the lock to Hades, who turned to give Lugra a nod. "Lugra. Long time."
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[info]thedarknesses
2011-04-26 05:19 am UTC (link) Track This
Lugra nodded at well, saying nothing yet despite the fact that the last time they'd run into each other her mouth had been stitched.
She let Hades have a few moments with the body to do whatever it was that he wanted and then she spoke. "Hades, I have grave concerns to raise with you."
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[info]unseenone
2011-04-26 05:22 am UTC (link) Track This
It was a little surprising to hear Lugra's voice. Last time he'd seen her she'd been a silent companion. He raised an eyebrow and turned to the spirit, motioning for Thanatos to continue with the rites.
"Alright, let's hear them then."
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[info]thedarknesses
2011-04-26 05:38 am UTC (link) Track This
"The Iron Queen," Lugra said without pause or fear. If Lugra knew anything, it was the balance of the world. "I hope you understand that your actions are going to have dire consequences for all of us, not just you and her."
It seemed that after half a century silent, Lugra had no concerns any longer about correct protocol. Besides, if Hades wanted to change everything then why should she abide by old rules too?
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[info]unseenone
2011-04-26 06:18 am UTC (link) Track This
He sighed. Why could no one ever be happy for him? He crossed his arms, knowing Lugra had brought it up for a reason. "Times are different now. And they weren't my actions. Persephone chose to stay." Thanatos glanced to his sister, almost to say 'told you so' before going back to the body.
"There's yet to be any consequences."
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[info]thedarknesses
2011-04-26 06:33 am UTC (link) Track This
Thanatos could 'I told you so' all he liked. Lugra wasn't finished.
"Times may be different but we are what they believe and the rules have always been clear. Winter she is with you as Queen but winter has passed and she is supposed to be gone. You will both be held accountable for whatever befalls us. Consequences will come," Lugra assured him.
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[info]unseenone
2011-04-26 06:40 am UTC (link) Track This
"Perhaps. Perhaps not. Times are different." It wasn't a very good excuse, but it was Hades' excuse. "She's my wife, not just my Queen. I should be able to spend what time I want with her. Rules can change."
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[info]thedarknesses
2011-04-26 06:49 am UTC (link) Track This
"When the books rewrite it then your rules will be rewritten at well," Lugra continued on, her attention now only on Hades, her brother neglected. "Love changes nothing. You are Death and she is Spring and from the beginning your union bent rules to exist, even if you helped build those rules to begin with. But this action you've both embarked on doesn't bend old rules, it breaks ones that have been set and believed for centuries. Nothing good will come of what either of you are doing and you continue it out of selfishness."
It was more than she'd spoken for a century but Lugra meant every word of it. The only things constant in this world was Death and their dependence on Belief. Love meant nothing.
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[info]unseenone
2011-04-26 06:55 am UTC (link) Track This
For Hades, it was different. Love was everything, and without Persephone he felt empty. He needed her, even if her own feelings were less then his own. "Like you said, I build the rules, and bend them before. I'm bending them now again. None of us are strong enough to affect the world anymore." He sighed, "I am not keeping her chained you know. Persephone is free to leave as she wishes. She does not."
He glanced to Thanatos, then Lugra. "I'm in no mood to be lectured."
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[info]thedarknesses
2011-04-26 07:10 am UTC (link) Track This
"You are both acting like foolish love-struck children," Lugra told him firmly. "Someone needs to lecture you if you're not wise enough to see that yourself. And to think that you are above the magic of belief proves you arrogant as well as foolish."
Lugra could taste blood in her mouth from the constant movement of her lips but unfortunately it wasn't the blood that would sustain her.
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[info]unseenone
2011-04-26 08:55 pm UTC (link) Track This
Hades took a long breath. It wouldn't benefit anyone if he lost his temper. "I am of Olympus. Arrogance is in my blood. I have never warranted much belief. If I had, perhaps she'd have returned already." It seemed like a good enough excuse. At least to him.
"I've no patience for this." Then Hades stepped back to continue his job. Thanatos just giving his sister a shrug. Thanatos knew Hades wasn't about to listen to anyone.
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[info]thedarknesses
2011-04-26 09:03 pm UTC (link) Track This
"You have no patience to hear sense," Lugra stated coldly, torn lip turning up into a sneer. "You truly are of Olympian blood, and you damn us all."
Lugra walked out of the room without another word, leaning her back against one of the walls of the corridor and thinking hateful thoughts towards the king who didn't deserve the underworld.
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[info]a_gentle_death
2011-04-26 09:08 pm UTC (link) Track This
Thanatos half agreed with Lugra, but he could see Hades' perspective. He spared the King a glance before following his sister.
He sighed and stopped before her, putting a rag to her lips to clean up the blood. "Don't fuss now. You've gone and made those wounds worse." Gently he dabbed at the wounds. "Eros makes many a god deaf sister. Those who have not felt his arrows cannot understand."
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[info]thedarknesses
2011-04-26 09:10 pm UTC (link) Track This
Lugra looked at him, an eyebrow raised. "Because I cannot love, I cannot be allowed to tell him truth?" she demanded of her brother.
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[info]a_gentle_death
2011-04-26 09:14 pm UTC (link) Track This
He gave her a look, "stop fussing or I'll break out the antiseptic." He raised an eyebrow before continuing to clean up the blood. "I didn't say that. I said we can't understand why he is willing to do as he is doing. You do speak truth. Eros' arrows just made him deaf to it. All the anger in the world won't stop that."
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[info]thedarknesses
2011-04-26 09:22 pm UTC (link) Track This
Antiseptic. Lugra didn't think it was possible for any part of her to go septic, especially knowing the care she and Nosoi didn't take with these stitches. "Someone needs to make him understand then," Lugra hissed, "because he and Persephone are spelling doom to all of us. They've forgotten that in tragedies everyone dies, not just the stupid young lovers."
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[info]a_gentle_death
2011-04-26 09:29 pm UTC (link) Track This
He sighed and finished taking care of the wounds. He just hoped they wouldn't get infected any time soon. "I think they passed the young a few centuries ago." He raised his hands, "And I know and agree. I've said my mind. He is as stubborn as the earth though. Let's hope they will soon come to the same conclusion."
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[info]thedarknesses
2011-04-26 09:36 pm UTC (link) Track This
"Let's hope their punishment comes swiftly," Lugra corrected her brother, "so they can see their mistake."
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[info]a_gentle_death
2011-04-26 09:45 pm UTC (link) Track This
"Of course sister." Smiling he stepped back. "Tell Kakoi to watch those stitches. I won't have them get infected. Tell her I'll have issue with her if they do."
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[info]thedarknesses
2011-04-26 09:58 pm UTC (link) Track This
"She pretends she can't hear me if I speak," Lugra told him. "But I'll be sure to tell her." She gave him a nod that was her goodbye and walked off down the corridor, dark knotted hair streaming behind her.