CLOSED ♪ Don't waste your worry on me, I always find what I need

[meinwaifu]

Who: Mephisto Pheles (meinwaifu) & various
What: Teaching classes and hunting for extremists. Just a typical day tbh.
When: Throughout April
Where: Olympia
Warning(s): Blood, violence, gore, mentions of death, torture, and hypnosis/brainwashing. Threads will be marked!



Closed prompts in the comments below!

Comments

Closed to Amaimon - cw: violence, mentions of death/torture, brainwashing, demons being demons

[meinwaifu]

[It's been about a week since Amaimon came down to the surface, and things were still a little transitional for now. Mephisto was still working out a place for them to live (and maybe just a little reluctant to finally lose his excuse to be living part-time with Mipha -- even if that's gone unsaid) so they've been staying in a hotel for now... or maybe a tree in Amaimon's case, wild child that he is. It's not like Mephisto is babysitting him 24/7.]

[Which is why he's not with him now, and is why Amaimon will be getting a text from Mephisto -- with a set of instructions for how to get to a specific address and a note to come immediately. I need your help with something. It's something only you can do.]

[Which all sounds pretty ominous... and yet the instructions simply lead to a bar, where Mephisto is casually sitting at the counter, sipping at a glass of water. The beer he ordered sits untouched. He won't wave Amaimon over, trying to keep a somewhat low-profile... but who knows how long that'll last with Amaimon here.]

[crunchcrunch]

[to his credit amaimon hasn't wandered too far from his brother during their times apart in the last week or so. staying in a hotel isn't fun at all and leaves him itching with unresolved energy so it's for the best he's left to wander around rather than be stuck inside a very damageable building.

so when he gets the text from mephisto he's in the middle of sitting on a bench somewhere chewing on some candy. it's a curious request, but it's not unusual so of course he responds.]

sure sure

[it's not too long after that when he arrives at the bar, nose sniffing at the smell of beer and starchy foods as he walks over to mephisto. he takes the seat next to him and spins a little on the stool. aweeee....]

Brother, this place smells bad.

[meinwaifu]

Surely it's no worse than some of the places I've found you wandering about in the past.

[Amaimon swimming in an actual mudbath, getting really familiar with the earth and all that... but hey, with him spinning in his seat like that, this'll be easy.]

But don't worry, I didn't invite you here to share a drink... do you see that man in the corner, the one with a hood pulled up over his head?

I have some unfinished business with him. I was hoping you might accompany me in tailing him once he leaves tonight.

[...he knows better than to elaborate because he's pretty sure Amaimon will make a scene and kill the guy if he says what that unfinished business is.]

[crunchcrunch]

I guess so. [don't call him out like that, mephisto.

but that does grab his attention. to his credit he wouldn't immediately kill the guy, but he definitely would make a huge, very bloody, scene in this bar and no one wants that right now.

amaimon peers over his brother's shoulder to study the hooded figure. his scent isn't terribly obvious, what with all the other smells of a bar, but he has a decent enough grasp on it that he could hunt him down later.]

That sounds fun. Yeah, I'll help you.

Closed to Diva, guest starring Amaimon - cw: Diva is literally going to eat a person tbh

[meinwaifu]

[It's a little late when Mephisto sends a message to Diva. When did they even exchange numbers anyway?? Who the fuck knows. But he has a very important task for her... or rather, a very special present to give to her.]

Good evening, Miss Diva. Sorry to bother you out of the blue like this, but there's something I'd like to ask you.

Are you hungry?

it's dinner time

[colorature]

oh
yes
im always hungry

[meinwaifu]

Glad to hear it!
Then could I perhaps interest you in a little snack? It would be a shame for all this to go to waste.

[And she gets a photo... of a body. Tastefully cropped but obviously covered in blood.]

[colorature]

where
ill eat it

Closed to Mipha - cw: Mentions of murder, torture, death, etc etc

[meinwaifu]

[It's very late in the evening when Mephisto calls. He knows Mipha would usually be asleep by now, and perhaps it's a bit cold to hope that she might be awake anyway, given her recent sleep problems... but in any case, if she doesn't answer the first time, he'll try at least once more. When she does answer, his voice sounds a bit rough -- the sound of the rain falling around him muffling his voice a little.]

...sorry. Did I wake you?

[fisherwife]

[She is, in fact, sleeping when Mephisto calls. Though the first time wakes her, she's still too held back by dreams to answer and spends a few seconds half-awake, wondering if she'd dreamed it too. But then it rings again and she picks it up, her voice sleepy, but pleased.]

It's alright. It's nice to hear your voice. [Though it's a little odd that he's calling and not just popping up in her room or something, but she refuses to let herself be alarmed by it just yet.]

I can think of much worse things to be woken by. [She sits up and leans against the headboard, rubbing at her eyes] Is something wrong?

[meinwaifu]

[As soon as he hears her voice, he feels himself growing a bit... lighter. As if it were possible to just forget his actions tonight and talk about sweet things and nothing in particular. To tell her he just wanted to hear her voice.]

[It's not wrong. But it's not right either.]

...I believe I may have stumbled again. [...] Or perhaps fallen entirely.

[fisherwife]

[Well now she's awake.

Mipha sits up a little straighter and pauses, unsure of what to say next.] Are you alright? [That's the most important thing to get an answer to right now, and then:] ...Do you want to talk about it?

Closed to Chuuya - cw: murder, mentions of all that fun kidnapping business

[meinwaifu]

Ah, if it isn't Mr. Nakahara!

[Where was Chuuya headed tonight? A bar? A brothel? Back home? Either way, it's late and the streets are dark, and seemingly out of nowhere, Mephisto appears to throw his arm over Chuuya's shoulders, laughing and acting jovial as ever as he leans in nice and close--]

I'm being followed. Act natural.

[--and whispers quickly into Chuuya's ears. But after that, he's back to normal, talking casually and keeping his stance calm and relaxed. It's hard to say who or what is following him, since the streets aren't exactly empty, even this late at night. But provided he's able to make the conversation appear casual, he might be able to fill Chuuya in on what he's up to while he lures the man following him right where he needs him.]

You certainly have good timing! I was just on my way to a rather interesting little show... perhaps you'd care to join me? I think it might be worth your while.

[thetaintedsorrow]

[Chuuya, being Chuuya, is, of course, on his way to a bar when a familiar form pops up next to him and throws an arm around his shoulders, casual as you please. Chuuya, with his past as an ex-Mafia, instantly tenses up out of pure instinct, but then that familiar, playful voice whispers in his ear, and he immediately knows who it is.

Those words, of course, pique his curiousity, and it’s all Chuuya can do to keep himself from glancing back over his shoulder at the culprit.

He’s not exactly a master of stealth, since his ability is better suited for combat, but he can take a hint, though whether Mephisto is just fucking with him or not remains to be seen...]

Yeah? Sounds interesting. Tell me about it and I might just join you.

[meinwaifu]

Ah, of course! [Hmm, will he pick up on what he means? He's not sure how subtle he can get away with right now.] It's a magic show, actually! And the headliner is a man with some very interesting talents.

[They're definitely walking in the direction of the entertainment district, which might almost seem like this is legit. But the streets they're taking are interesting -- moving down alleys that contain fewer and fewer people. He's hoping to find a place where he can make his move before the one following him does...]

You see, he's a man skilled in making people disappear. And he was quite the hit last month.

[thetaintedsorrow]

That so? Sounds like a good time.

[Chuuya is slowly catching on to the code Mephisto is using, and considering the shady shortcuts they keep using, the guy following them is in for a hell of a time.

It’s the words “last month” that tell Chuuya all he needs to know. A kidnapper. Mephisto has somehow lured one of the pieces of shit involved in all the mayhem out of his hiding place, and he can only assume he intends to exact revenge.with Chuuya’s help.

Oh hell yes. There’s a fire in Chuuya’s eyes as he meets Mephisto’s gaze. Finally, a chance to get back at the people that hurt Atsushi.

This asshole is going to pay.]

I’m eager to see just how talented he is.

Closed to Peter

[meinwaifu]

[It was a nice change of pace to be teaching outside his usual classroom at the Simwe Institute. And Mephisto had something of a soft-spot for Voss. He reminded him so much of the stuffy upper-management of the Vatican -- a nice little reminder of home where he wasn't expecting it, even if it's mostly just Mephisto laughing behind his back. So, upon hearing that Voss was putting out a call for teachers to share their skills, naturally he volunteered without hesitation!]

[But this class was a little different from what he was used to teaching -- offering to school the students in use of the different crystals that Voss produced here in the temple. He's already given a brief lecture on the different types -- but for the most part, he's a learn-by-doing kind of guy. So after passing out a few crystals to different groups, he went about seeing how they're handling them! ...and maybe will take the opportunity to experiment more with them himself. From where he's standing one end of the garden, he holds a red crystal in his hand to warm it up, places a marker next to where Peter is standing, and is then swiftly carried towards it!!]

[...but the marker decides to shift at the last second, sending him flying into a nearby bush instead, landing upside-down. At least he's laughing??]

Hahah! Now see, that's just what I was talking about before -- they are a bit prone to malfunctioning at times. [And he holds out a hand, looking expectantly at Peter.] Ah, help me out of here, would you?

[rosebyanyother]

[Peter has never really been to school or taken, in fact, a class of any kind. Or no, not strictly true. He's posed as a student. He's even posed as a professor! But he's never in earnestness taken a class for his own edification.

But he hears about classes being taught at the Sanctuary and Peter is by nature curious. He looks into it, at the very least. And when he comes across a class promising to teach about the uses of magic crystals that afforded their users various abilities? Well, consider his curiosity absolutely piqued.

They really are very fascinating. Although....]

How often would you say they malfunction?

[As he leans down to grasp Mephisto's hand and begin to pull him upright.]

[meinwaifu]

[Good man, good man... he stands with assistance and brushes himself off, plucking his hat up out of the bushes and pulling off a few leaves.]

Hmm, I'd say anywhere between 20-35% of the time. But that depends too on what you consider to be a malfunction! In some cases, it's simply a matter of the crystal not being very effective, while in others, the malfunction is far more dramatic-- such as being thrown into an entirely unexpected direction!

But for those who possess no powers of their own, or have abilities which could be aided by the occasional support, they're rather handy regardless.

Closed to Percy - cw: Intense secondhand embarrassment.........

[meinwaifu]

[When Percy comes home tonight, perhaps earlier than he'd told Mipha he'd be home, he'll find a rather odd sight awaiting him. The lights are all turned down low -- some replaced entirely with candles. And on the ground is a trail of rose petals, leading back towards Mipha's bedroom down the hall. Strange -- no one should be home right now.]

[What do, Percy.]

[phykios]

[ percy doesn't think to notice anything when he gets home until he flips the lights on.

and.

hm.

this is happening. ]

Um. Mipha?

[ and he'll........follow the flowers, he guesses??? and, on instinct, pulls riptide out of his pocket -- though he leaves his magical sword in its form as an ordinary pen for now. he'll feel stupid about it later, but after all the riots and kidnappings and stuff, it seems reasonable!!!! right now!!! ]

[meinwaifu]

[...that isn't Mipha's voice??]

[Well, thankfully Mephisto can remove anything liable of causing trauma with a snap of his fingers -- which isn't much, since he was fully dressed here, wearing a nice (read: tacky) red suit with rose patterns stitched into it and purple accents. The room is lit with candles and the bed covered in roses and overall it's disgustingly romantic. This was almost definitely a Date Night™, and here it was about to go very very... weird.]

[Because when Percy reaches the room, he's going to find Mephisto just sitting on the edge of the bed with this face.]

...well, I can see you're certainly not Lady Mipha.

Closed to You

[meinwaifu]

[The events of last month are still rather fresh on Mephisto's mind. But he's determined to make the most of things, and try to get something good out of it. He's already hoped to find new allies in the aftermath of their rescue. But for those he was kidnapped with, it was a little more complicated. Even now, he's not entirely sure just how much of what he really is was ultimately leaked while he was under the effects of the brainwashing. All he knows for sure is by the end of it, he was something of a walking nightmare fuel machine, constantly forced to heal from wouds no human could have possibly survived.]

[But perhaps there was a way of salvaging this... and right now, the person he's hoping to reach out to is You. He sends her a cordial message -- something light and not directly addressing what happened, along with an offer to come have tea sometime during his office hours at the Institute, if she's interested.]

[Come to think of it, did she even know he came back after he died...? Details.]

[His office is a small room in the teachers wing of the Institute, with books stacked high all the way up to the rather high ceiling all around the walls (how exactly does he get to any of them?? this is the real mystery). It's small but clean, and somewhat homey, with a few little cutesy knick-knacks sitting on shelves here, and there and the gentle aroma of tea brewing off to the side of his desk. Mephisto will just be sitting back with a book when she walks in, and he's stands to greet her with a slight bow.]

Ah, Watanabe-san! How good to see you well.

[ayes]

[Not only did she not know he'd come back, she didn't know he'd died, so it was kinda all even in the end.

You had gotten the invitation, and had not responded for quite some time. She'd been nervous, really. Nervous about going outside, about being with people. But at last, her guilt over not responding outweighed those nerves, and she'd written back to him.

Though when she does show up, she's wearing a hoodie with the hood pulled up, her hands jammed in the pockets. It's very not idol-like; nor is the heavy bruising, now mostly healed, on her face.

She shifts from foot to foot awkwardly.] ...hey. [She bows her head.

The bright spark in her from before is not remotely present.] Um, thanks for inviting me out!

[meinwaifu]

Please, it's my pleasure! Honestly, I wish I could have invited you over sooner, but it's been rather busy on my end.

[Ah. It's about what he was expecting, but no less disappointing. She was an ordinary girl living an ordinary life until she came here. It's possible this was her first experience with violence of this magnitude.]

[He gestures for her to have a seat, waving his hand -- and causing two tea cups to appear in a little poof of smoke between them, the nearby teapot moving on its own to float over and pour some tea. He's glad he decided to go with his special Mister-Slaine-Blend today -- the blissroot tied in with the subtle sweet flavors has a relaxing effect on those who drink it, causing happy thoughts and feelings of being at ease. And it definitely looks like that's something You could use right now.]

But I'll admit, I'm a bit surprised to see you came... I know we weren't exactly well-acquainted before, but I imagine most people wouldn't be eager to meet with someone who lied about who and what they are.

[Sure, he didn't exactly announce that he was human, but he didn't disclose that he was a demon either -- not until after they'd been held captive for a few days. But then, he's not sure exactly how much she might remember with all the brainwashing -- and he's not really eager to ask either.]