2527/Dinner and and Demon

Dinner and and Demon
Date of Scene:	26 June 2015
Location:	Bar and Grill at the Edge of the Multiverse
Synopsis:	A Union ally and a Confederacy Lieutenant cross paths at the Bar and Grill and share a brief conversation while he eats dinner.
Cast of Characters:	802, 817

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James Rogers (802) has posed:
While exploring Njorun, James opens a door and steps across the Multiverse into the Bar and Grill at the Edge of the Multiverse. After reading the rules he nods -- glad for them because he left his weapons (including the iconic shield) at his house at Njorun Station -- and heads to the bar where he orders a drink: hard apple cider, a grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup. He settles down on a bar stool and looks around at the other patrons all quietly eating meals quitely at various tables.

Asteroth (817) has posed:
Asteroth was attempting to get back to her corner of the Hells after scouting out part of the multiverse for potential expansion. She's been in half a dozen worlds in as many days, and watching over her ... less then loyal demonic minions can get tiresome, and it was just this thought going through her head when she instead found herself in a ... bar and grill. She looks around, rather startled at first, and reads over the posted rules.

She raises an eyebrow at them (or would, if she had eyebrows in her current form), shrugs, and heads for a barstool. As she sits down in one of the bar stools, her form shifts and changes - going from an ugly-as-sin 6'2" red-skinned demonic monster with maggots crawling just under its skin, a form designed to try and intimidate her minions, into a lithe, scantily-clad blonde in a short blue dress. She smiles and flags down the bartenter, and asks him if he accepts soul-coins as currency. After a short conversation, she orders a sangria.

James Rogers (802) has posed:
James does not look old enough to be drinking in most worlds, but the barkeep doesn't blink about his order. Nor do most of the patrons seem bothered by Asteroth's appearance -- the original or change there of. James does notice it. He blanches at her initial appearance when she sits down next to him and seems very glad that he hasn't eaten yet. He smiles wanly at her after the change in appearance though. "Uh... hi," he says in greeting after her conversation with the barkeep is over.

Asteroth (817) has posed:
Asteroth crosses her legs and smiles. "Hello." she says, nonchalantly. She waits until her drink arrives, then takes a sip of it. "You know, I don't have anything that tastes half so good back home." She glances around. "I wasn't expecting to end up here. Rather surprisng to see so many from both of the major governmental factions mingling. If I found any of my minions or servants mingling with servants of Dis, or Cocytus, I'd have to have them eaten by flies for a few years, and then turned into bricks, or something similiar, or I'd loose so much face I'd probably be overthrown." She says this very casually and matter of factly.

James Rogers (802) has posed:
The leg crossing has the expected effect on James -- he is an eighteen year old after all -- and then he shivers as he remembers her original appearance. And then her comments. "Uh, okay... I take it this is common behavior for your... kind?"

Asteroth (817) has posed:
Asteroth shrugs delicately. "Not really." she says. "Most of my fellows are far more cruel. I'm considered unnecessarily kind. Its actually a rather difficult balancing act, really."

James Rogers (802) has posed:
"I see." James says before pausing as his order arrives and takes a sip of the cider and a bit of his sandwich after dipping it into the soup. He starts to ask a question and stops himself, shaking his head at himself. He turns back to his soup and after a few spoonfuls and another bite of the accompanying sandwich he takes another sip of his sider and finally asks a question -- not the original one but... "I hope this isn't too rude... what are you?"

Asteroth (817) has posed:
Asteroth smiles. "You know, thats a very good question." she says, taking another sip of her drink. "It has many layers to it. Do you want the easy answer, or the uncomfortable one?"

James Rogers (802) has posed:
James chuckles. "Perhaps you should start with the easy answer and then I can tell you if I want the uncomfortable one?" He dips his half eaten sandwich into the soup and then pulls it dripping out and, after the drips subside, takes another bite out of it.

Asteroth (817) has posed:
Asteroth nods her head. "Well, most would tell you that I'm a demon. I rule a city in one of the hells of the multiverse, containing both the souls of the dead and lesser demonic creatures. It is a place of suffering and torment, where all whom dwell there exist in eternal agony, and always of their own free will, which is what makes it all the more awful."

James Rogers (802) has posed:
James frowns at that and asks, "So... you don't force anyone to live there?" At this poin the is also glad that he didn't give her his name.

Asteroth (817) has posed:
Asteroth shakes her head. "No." she says. "That is not how it works. I may expand outwards into other hells, or other undesired parts of the multiverse, but I cannot force a soul to go there, or stay there once sent, either through misdeeds, or through selling their soul. What keeps all of them there is their own misguided perceptions, their own lack of virtue, and the same applies to any hell I conquer."

James Rogers (802) has posed:
"That doesn't seem... that bad. I've heard that some worlds define 'demon' less darkly." He pauses and asks, "I guess that's not you. You're a Fed, right?"

Asteroth (817) has posed:
Asteroth uncrosses her legs and adjusts her hair. "Yes, I am." she says. "And you are with the Union, I presume? I wouldn't say my hell isn't bad, par se. Tremendous suffering goes on there, all the time. It really is quite..." She trails off. "Charnel. But...yes, I do see your point. There are hells where such rules do not apply."

James Rogers (802) has posed:
"Yes. Although...." James pauses, not sure if he should be speaking of this but he figures it isn't a secret after all, "I'm not a member of the Union military."

Asteroth (817) has posed:
Asteroth nods, tapping her chin with her fingers. "I see." she says. "And what do you think of the war, from a mortal perspective? The eternal fighting, across millions of worlds? Its familiar to me, of course, in that we always fight back home. But it seems somehow ironic to watch the mortal governments organizing themselves in a way that mimics us, don't you think?"

James Rogers (802) has posed:
"I'm still fairly new here, ma'am," James says. "And I was raised to fight so... I'm not the best person to ask I fear."

Asteroth (817) has posed:
"Fair enough." the demon says, finishing her drink. "I wish you the best of luck in your mortal life here, then." she says, standing up. "I should get back to my city. When the Lady is a way, the devils will play, and all that. Don't want them getting any ideas."

James Rogers (802) has posed:
"Are you a 'names have power' person, or may I ask the name of my dinner companion?" James asks as the demon stands.

Asteroth (817) has posed:
"I'd prefer to say instead, that I've been called many things." Asteroth replies. "Among them are Ishtar, Asteroth, and Astarte. If you ever decide you are in the mood for a bargain, most basic demonologists should be able to help you contact me." She smiles. "And, pray tell, what might your name be?"

James Rogers (802) has posed:
James notices the care she takes but throws caution slightly to the wind. "Rogers," he says and then, after a final sip of his cider, he completes it with, "James Rogers."

Asteroth (817) has posed:
Asteroth tilts her head. "A pleasure, James Rogers." she says, smiling. "Remember me, should you ever need a friend in very low places. I very rarely bite." She winks, and then saunters off towards the exit.

James Rogers (802) has posed:
As the door closes behind the demon, James shudders again and says, "That was... disturbing," to the barkeep who nods as he hands over his Union IdentCard for the charges to be applied to it. After paying he stands and heads towards the same exit, and finds Njorun Station on the other side for him as he departs the Bar and Grill.