First Psalm [Video]

[psalmed]

This is not the Apocalypse I expected. Where are the angels? Where is the flaming sword? Where is the pit of fire? I'm a bit relieved...I haven't been to Mass in too long. Except for today, of course, but it does not truly count if you are not going to Confession for the sake of your own soul.

[Lia is sitting there, blonde hair slightly mussed. Her fingers are wrapped in the rosary around her neck and she looks around, worry clear on her features.]

I do not know this place or how I arrived here. I was...is this an afterlife? I have no guide, only this strange device. It seems this is my connection to others?

[She licks her lower lip, worrying it uncertainly between her teeth before glancing up. Her expression is almost pleading as it occurs to her that she might simply be talking to herself and hoping.]

...I tried to be a pious woman. Truly.

Comments

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[bedsidemanners]

I'm afraid this isn't the afterlife, my dear.

[There's a grin on his face.]

Or the Apocalypse.

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[psalmed]

If it is not the afterlife, where is it?

[She looks around, not certain she likes that grin.]

It looks a good deal like the ending of something, monsieur.

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[bedsidemanners]

It's a place they call the City. Not exactly imaginative.

[a pause, considering]

Well. I suppose it is the end of something, considering I've always been told there's no going back home of your own volition. I'm sorry to have to tell you that.

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[psalmed]

The City.

[Not imaginative at all and even more confusing.]

But which city? I do not understand where I am. Are we prisoners here?

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[bedsidemanners]

In a sense. ... That's the name, it's just the City.

To be honest, I haven't been here for very long myself. But for a lovely lady like you, I'd be happy to answer your questions as best I can.

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[greatcherubim]

You are not in any kind of afterlife. I am not sure if I'll be able to assist you, but I'll do my best. My name is Gabriel.

You don't need to fear for your soul if you carry good intentions within it. There is some much more to piety than mass.

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[psalmed]

Gabriel. My name is Lia.

[An odd name for a woman. An odd looking woman, but Lia is grateful for the notice anyway.]

I am afraid my soul has much to account for, even if this is not the afterlife after all. But how is it I came to be here without divine intervention?

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[greatcherubim]

Hello, Lia.

That is a difficult question to answer. You were brought here by "deities," but they are nothing like any deity I have ever been accustomed to. Their motives are unknown, but they probably aren't doing this to punish you.

What do you have to account for?

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[psalmed]

Then there is no way home? No way out? I...will have to get used to that.

[Lia shakes her head lightly, fingers curling around her cross.]

With all respect for your concern, Mademoiselle, I believe it should stay between myself and the confessional.

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[greatcherubim]

Not as of yet. I am told some simply return home on their own.

[Gabriel watches her fingers curl around the cross interestedly, but she nods, blue curls bobbing as she does.]

Understood. I merely thought, as an angel, I might be able to offer some absolution.

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[universaltranslator]

It's a communicator. It's not your only connection to other people here, but it does help.

[She smiles reassuringly.]

My name is Nyota. Welcome to the City.

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[psalmed]

A communicator. Then it is connected to others but I might find them in person as well?

[A pause, before Lia manages the best curtsy she can while seated, which ends up being a deep nod.]

My name is Lia de Beaumont. Thank you, Mademoiselle Nyota.

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[universaltranslator]

[Uhura likes to put people at their ease by speaking their native language when she can. She switches to French -- slightly accented, as she lacks perfect fluency, but still very clear.]

Do you speak French?

[Assuming the answer is yes, she'll continue in French. If not, she'll switch back to English.]

And yes, exactly. Unfortunately, you can't contact anybody on your homeworld, but you can reach anyone who's in the City.

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[psalmed]

[And Lia switches, easily, almost eagerly. To anyone with a knowledge of it, her French is a much older dialect.]

French is my native tongue, but I know Russian and English. Enough to negotiate, at the very least.

[She smiles again, but her fingers are still wound in the beads of her rosary.]

There is no way to get home? No way to even send a message? How terrible.

[But, well, not exactly unexpected.]

What country are we in?

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[universaltranslator]

[Sympathetic smile. Yeah, it's pretty terrible.]

Nobody knows what country this is, or where this is. We just know it's called the City. It's run by a group of people who call themselves "Deities".

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[byherscore]

Boring!

If you want to die, why not have some fun? [ pious, hah! Diva knows there's no god. If there was, she wouldn't be alive. It's the little things... ]

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[psalmed]

Excuse me?

It was not that I wanted to die...

[And she'll be staring because she doesn't know what to do with this.]

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[byherscore]

[ Toss it of course. Or crush it underneath a heel ]

But if you're dying anyways...

[ Diva tilts her head ] What's the difference?

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[psalmed]

The difference is that I have important things to finish at home. I can not be stuck here if there is any way to leave.

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[byherscore]

{ Diva smiled then and practically purred across the line as she answered ] Ah... but there's no escaping this place. They just don't like to let us go.

[ she giggled ]

I guess your important things just won't get done.

[onset]

You... were expecting the Apocalypse.

[psalmed]

I was. Why else would things look as they do now? Why would I not be home?

[onset]

You were simply kidnapped, I'm afraid.

Though - 'simply' has nothing to do with it, honestly.

[psalmed]

So I am quickly becoming aware, monsieur.

Do you have a name?

[onset]

Peter. Peter Chadwick.