001: Video

[tryingitall]

[The first images that appear are fuzzy close-ups of a hand. Calloused, tan fingers, a grass-stained palm, and—ah! He’s been covering up the lens accidentally. Balthazar has never had occasion to use one of these things before, and, already uncomfortable and disoriented, he’s a little slow to learn. Oops.] Oh. There I am. Do I look that bad? Eurgh.

[He does, in fact, look ill; eyes shadowed, skin pale and clammy.] I’ve decided I don’t enjoy pain, except in very small, controlled doses.

[There’s a long pause, during which Balthazar looks like he’s trying to construct a speech, or maybe just keep from throwing up. Or both. He may not be dealing with the shock of arrival very well. In any case, he gives up on profound observations quickly.] However, I do enjoy alcohol, in large, uncontrolled doses.

[His smile is wan.] No, I’m not asking. I don’t take candy from strangers.

[Another pause, with him staring elsewhere, frowning mildly. The questions he really wants answers to--what the hell happened? why am I here? what do I do now?--don't seem to have simple answers. And the question 'who else is out there?' may have answers he doesn't like.]

…So, are there games on this thing? [Beep-boop-boop. Hello, button mashing.]

Comments

video;

[matri]

And the feathers multiply...

[Oh my Dad she is getting bored of this already.]

video;

[tryingitall]

We're fruitful, too! [Okay, the cheer is decidedly forced, and it's more of a stall tactic than an answer. Because if this is who he thinks it is...that's more than a little unsettling.]

video;

[matri]

[Oh she's long since passed unsettling and parked herself into downright annoyingly terrifying. Or at least, she hopes. Because if not, then she could easily crank up the nerve to bother all the angels out of their halos.]

Bountiful beasts of burden, is what I'd call you. [And yet her tone isn't quite so morose.]

video;

[tryingitall]

[Balthazar may be overly optimistic; he dares to hope if he stays out of the way of certain individuals, they'll have no reason to harm him.]

Alliteration! Very nice. Except now I'm going to have that bloody Rolling Stones song stuck in my head.

video;

[matri]

[Don't worry too much, Balthazar. She's not all gung-ho for harming Angels. It's not as much fun when they just come back a few hours or days later. ... That and she's fairly sure Daddy would have a bone to pick with her about it. Killjoy, that he is.]

Shame for you. [S m i r k.] I'll go out on a limb and guess you're Balthazar, the greedy one. Hm?

video;

[tryingitall]

I suppose there's worse things than earworms. [Ba-dum-bum. He's smirking now, too.]

Greedy? Who said I was greedy? [He's not really offended. Just surprised it was 'greedy' not 'slutty'.] Yes, though, that would be me. And you would be the Mother.

[matri]

Most definitely. [Hey, her earworms were awesome, okay. But yes, there were much worse things.]

[Oh come now. He's much more a sinner of Greed than simply Lust, isn't he? Indulging in all the pleasures of being human, and keeping his angelic abilities.]

No, you're right. Gluttony is more your style. [Rly.] You catch on quick.

[tryingitall]

[Okay, she's got his number. He supposes he shouldn't be surprised. He has enough self-awareness to look sheepish, rubbing the back of his neck, but there's not much genuine guilt.] I think I'll have to admit to that one.

[Seeing as how he was just saying he liked to drink and all.] And you don't have any vices at all?

[It's a genuine question. He has no idea what she's like, other than dangerous.]

[matri]

I never said I was innocent. [A vague shrug.]

But I'm not part of the Host now, am I? Or. Was. [Semantics.] The Seven Sins are always a bit of fun.

[tryingitall]

I wouldn't believe you if you did. Innocence is overrated, anyway. [Shrug.]

Some of them are fun. Lust and Gluttony are fun. Envy, not so much. But that's just my opinion. [His head tilts as he considers her through the feed. When he speaks again, it's wary.]

I have a small question.

[matri]

[She merely smiles. Some Sins were less fun than others- but it all depended on your take on them. Lust had never been her favourite, but then, it didn't have to be a strictly physically sexual sin, either.]

And what might that be?

[tryingitall]

[Exactly! It takes a true philosopher to sin outside the box. Balthazar would like to think he's one of these. Time will tell.]

The body you're using; I understand it was a human at one point. Is her soul still in there?

[matri]

[He's getting there, she might admit. But he's still such a puppy in the ways of Sin and Disobeying. Granted, he's already a natural at it.]

An interesting question. [But she chinhands, all the same.] No. There's no one but me in here. She was purged when I took the body as my own.

[tryingitall]

[It is a slightly strange question for an angel to ask. He seems to accept the answer, though. A faint frown crosses his face, but it's gone quickly, and he gives a mild nod.] Probably for the best.

Well. I'm glad to know you're here. [So he can avoid you.] I hope you find some vices to enjoy.

[matri]

[What makes him think he can avoid her? She might keep to herself most of the time, but bothering Daddy's kidlets? That's always fun.]

I've found a few.

Don't go causing any fights with the other kids, now.

[tryingitall]

[All he can do is try his best.]

I won't be fighting, no worries. That would be Wrath. Not one of my favorites.