Little Russia

[Bern]

Bradley

The full hulking physique turned to face the woman who had dared utter such falsehood. No he hadn't turned, his legs hadn't moved at all nor had he turned his upper body. It, it was almost like the room itself had shifted around so that he was now facing her, and they were closer now. so close in fact that his shadow was looming over her, despite that he was glowing faintly with the same aura that permeated the desk.

"Oi, listen carefully you little shit. Her Majesty is the chosen ruler of mankind by the endless wisdom of the Lord Himself. To question her is nothing short of heresy. But the Lord tells us to be merciful, that temperance is a virtue, and while ignorance is a sin, it is a minor one and should be corrected and forgiven.... Ivan  fetch me my robes."

"Yes Your Holiness." One of the men who had stood up to salute the painting of the little Tzaritza went into the backroom.

[YOLF]

Lubei

He recoiled, still holding Uria as though she was a misbehaving cat, but instantly put a step forward and drew up to his full height. Lubei Sang's shoulders seemed larger with his own aura, like a wall of authority standing in front of the incensed man.

"Your generosity is waste -" He halted to suck in air through his teeth. "Wasted on us. No need to bother yourselves."

His eyes pointed away, and the demon king scowled feebly at the fae child, feeling the onset of a stomachache. "Don't make this worse," he said to her. The assurance was welcome, but the words were begging for trouble. She shouldn't have chosen this time to express herself if it meant contradicting bullheaded human worshippers. They wouldn't let them go ignorant now, unless they knew he was a demon - in which case they might run in horror or try to stab him, and the last thing Lubei needed at the moment was the screaming that would result from either.

Endure it? He didn't have the patience for that. And she didn't have the patience to not be perfuratingly sincere, or didn't know the meaning of it at all. Could they forget about it with enough drinks? If he had to participate that was even worse. He didn't even want to sleep anymore, but it would be preferrable.

If there had been a flush to hidden by the cold flakes that bloomed around his eyes and cheeks, then perhaps Lubei's face was turning green under them next.

[Umbra of Chaos]

Uria

They pressed a finger to their bottom lip as they hung from Lubei's grip. Their mouth had a little frown, their brows furrowed a little, but their eyes were still wide and curious. "But there are people outside of this place. If she's supposed to be ruling all of them then she isn't doing a very good job."

[Bern]

Bradley

His Holiness was just about to respond to their insolence when his trusty college returned with the item he had requested. The muscular man slid into the robes that had been handed to him with a grace that just shouldn't be possible for a human, much less one of his builds. And the robes weren't just any old robes either, they emitted the same radiant as the man himself, whether it was the robes that had rubbed off on him or the other way around wasn't clear. What was clear though was the Holy Seal that adorned the robe, the very symbol of authority in the Orthodox Church of Little Russia.

"It's a pity, it really is. But that is the trial presented to her Highness that she and us all must endure, for once all the land is reunited once more will the light of The Lord shine eternal, Amen!"

[YOLF]

Lubei

He couldn't stand this any longer. At least give him a pamphlet he could throw out later and not feel bad about. Don't make him listen to this. Lubei all but growled, and when it came out more unsteady than he intended, stomped his foot. "Are you deaf? Thanks, but we're taking our leave."

He turned his back on the man and his elaborate regalia and walked towards the exit, dragging Uria with him. Icy footprints were left behind him as he went.

[Umbra of Chaos]

Uria

"So shiny," they chirped as they were dragged away by the demon. Going by the little wave they gave the bar's occupants, they seemed unbothered by the whole situation.

[YOLF]

Lubei
Nexus Time 3:15 AM

The demon king shifted Uria to hang in the crook of his arm, carrying her on his side like a sack of vegetables. He didn't turn back when he slammed the door, or walked down the same street as before. Lubei just kept going, more erratic every couple of steps away from that annoying encounter. If anyone yelled after them, he'd ignore them. Luckily, as far as the concept could apply to him now, no one did, and he was left quiet with his detained child. The pace slowed momentarily so he could address her.

"There are things you shouldn't bother saying." As his shoulders wobbled, icy marks were left beneath his feet. "They're not worth the fallout, in some times and places."

And until he had some better idea of what inside-out corner of the nine hells he'd walked out of, Lubei wasn't going to risk the fallout of throwing a fit against these believers. Not even if you sold him a chunk of heaven could you convince him. The sooner they were away, the better, and he sped up until the buildings became sparse in the distance and even the road was bare of signs. Again, it was good it was so late. He didn't have to justify himself or worry for appearances, and he didn't owe them anything.

Wait. He hadn't paid for the food and drink.

A string of unformed curses rolled under his tongue, and he gave no second thoughts to his course towards an approaching expanse of water. Lubei's jog turned into a hop past the chain that cordoned off the edge, and touched down with a solid crack.

He continued the dash uninterrupted, a thin bridge stretching over the dark river as ice formed right ahead of the demon's legs.

[Kotomine_Rin]

ZEKE

NEXUS TIME 9:00 AM
GM NOTE: THIS IS A NON CANON POST

[/b]
WRITER NOTE: WHAT A BOLD ASSUMPTION

Heavy boots stepped over the snowy fields. A dark, looming figure stood like a tower, casting a shadow over the cold fields of the land he had invaded oh so long ago. Or perhaps it wasn't so long ago, perhaps it was but yesterday. Oh well, while it was a different vessel and form, to him... it just felt like Tuesday. Looking at the people going about their lives, leaving their own little trails of snow... how should he put this...

He cared not one bit. He came here for one reason and one reason only after all. A dark shadow crept up his face as he smiled widely, his wrinkles shifting and folding like a devil's mask. Nothing good could come out of that evil smile. Nothing at all. After all-



"дядя Zeke!"

Despite her little feet, she darted faster than a squirrel. A little girl dashed like a bullet and pounced on the poor old man, knocking the living daylights and breath out of him with a bear hug to end all bear hugs!

"Prushka!" The old man grinned like a total fool and rubbed her fluffy head... or would have if she weren't wearing a military helmet! His niece was seriously cute today! Absolutely adorable!

"О, черт возьми, я так по тебе скучал!" Bottle of vodka in one hand, she proceeded to utterly suplex the massive man, smashing the ground and cracking it all over! The impact sent snow all over, while the rest of the kids marched in straight lines, just out of recess and back to class.

"Hahah! Oh, god, my lumbago!" He snickered and winced. Argh, his vessel was getting too old for this crap. His legs wrapped around her kiddie neck and he flipped her in a  monstrous reversal, crushing her face straight into the asphalt. The two quickly rolled back, faced one another with a new fighting stance and...

Performed a super-secret awesome handshake!


"...Дядя, почему ты пахнешь водкой?" Her eyes seemed to almost eat his soul. He shivered and looked away in embarrassment.

"E-eh? Hmmm, great question! I do not know." He stuttered, paused, and shook his head. "Besides, so what if I had a few drinks! You're always hoarding that bottle to yourself! Hmph! A-anyways, you've gotten the paperwork done, right? Prayed to the great and wonderful tzaritza?"

He crossed his arms and pretended to be hurt, but it was clear he was having way too much fun.

"Ха ха ха ха ха! КОНЕЧНО!!"

They both immediately coordinated a super pumped up arm cross and puffed their chest, jumping high in the air.

"Very well! You know what day it is then! Guess what, I've gotten the paperwork done too! Sooooo...."

They both chanted in unison.

"IT'S BRING YOUR NIECE TO WORK DAY!"
"ЭТО ПРЕВЫШАЕТ ВАШУ ШЕЛКУЮ РАБОТУ!"

Continued in the Citadel

[YOLF]

Lubei Sang
8:15 AM, Day 3, Nexus Time

Sentinels had told him to stop, and at least on one border someone had raised guns at him, but he refused to acquiesce. No effort had been made by the wounded demon king carrying a mutilated, barely breathing man to slip by unseen if it would divert his course. He was relying on memory addled by pain, and he couldn't risk any other distraction. The streets looked different enough under the pale, long rays of the morning, but where it promised a bright day under few, slothful clouds, Lubei felt little comfort. This was the only place he could turn to.

He left a struggling, ugly trail of kicked up snow up to the door of the establishment from which he had retreated that night with no intention of returning, and banged on the door merely once before shoving him and his burden inside. The demon yelled for the man who had attended the counter, that priest of stout and threatening voice, though the hours were not right for any customer to ask for anything.

Blood gurgled out of Lubei's mouth, and he wiped it away. The wailing of bone crunching back into place echoed up to his inner ears, alongside the burn of meat unswelling to its assigned shape, but in the frenzy to reach help, at least one rib had splintered and driven its jagged length into his lungs.

Impatiently, he leaned for support on a table, carefully hefting the prone Vanguard onto a bench.

[SINIB]

Lubei Sang
8:15 AM, Day 3, Nexus Time

Sentinels had told him to stop, and at least on one border someone had raised guns at him, but he refused to acquiesce. No effort had been made by the wounded demon king carrying a mutilated, barely breathing man to slip by unseen if it would divert his course. He was relying on memory addled by pain, and he couldn't risk any other distraction. The streets looked different enough under the pale, long rays of the morning, but where it promised a bright day under few, slothful clouds, Lubei felt little comfort. This was the only place he could turn to.

He left a struggling, ugly trail of kicked up snow up to the door of the establishment from which he had retreated that night with no intention of returning, and banged on the door merely once before shoving him and his burden inside. The demon yelled for the man who had attended the counter, that priest of stout and threatening voice, though the hours were not right for any customer to ask for anything.

Blood gurgled out of Lubei's mouth, and he wiped it away. The wailing of bone crunching back into place echoed up to his inner ears, alongside the burn of meat unswelling to its assigned shape, but in the frenzy to reach help, at least one rib had splintered and driven its jagged length into his lungs.

Impatiently, he leaned for support on a table, carefully hefting the prone Vanguard onto a bench.

The Propriator

"What happened to him?" The older man asked in alarm. "And what do you expect us to be able to do?"

Regardless, he opened his doors to Lubei, even helping him carry the dying man inside. She told them to help a stranger as if they were a friend. Even as the alarm and fear filled his mind, he just kept thinking back to her speeches and her sermons. It filled him with an inner peace which calmed his nerves, one which Lubei could tell was supernatural in origin.

[YOLF]

Lubei

"You have miracles," he said, as if it were an obvious escape from a dark place. "Help him. If not you, then your leader. I will repay whatever debt this incurs."

The demon king would not bow his head to mortal worshippers of a true divinity, but his eyes made an unflinching promise.

[SINIB]

Lubei

"You have miracles," he said, as if it were an obvious escape from a dark place. "Help him. If not you, then your leader. I will repay whatever debt this incurs."

The demon king would not bow his head to mortal worshippers of a true divinity, but his eyes made an unflinching promise.

The Propriator

"Me? I have no miraculous powers-the Patriarch was merely here doing some charity work. Right now, he is probably with Her." He replied, pointing at an enormous, ornate church the size of a skyscraper. It dwarfed every other building in the city, at least twice as tall as the next highest one. "If you're respectful and harbor no evil intent, She is sure to grant your request."

[YOLF]

Lubei

What was evil intent? Was it any intent that demons held, when faced with the justice of Heaven? But if his intentions were decided by his race and not his will, perhaps at least she would still save the warrior. And Lubei was not so weak he could not force his way out of a high god's domain.

He clicked his tongue to the proprietor, but nodded. The taste of blood began to fade from his mouth, giving way to a bitter haste, and he picked up Vanguard in both his arms. No other glance was given to the man as he rushed to the holy spires and arches.

[SINIB]

Little Russia

As Lubei approached the structure, he could feel the strength of the divinity that resided within. In fact, even a normal human could. It was a soft, calming presence that spoke to the soul and promised salvation. Once he arrived at the great oak doors, it was almost suffocatingly powerful.

[YOLF]

Lubei

The bright yet oppressive sensation confirmed his suspicious. He didn't know the true seeming of this holy leader, but her divine power was unmistakable. And if Lubei was going to choke on it anyway, he'd do it at the feet of her throne and make her remember, not outside the doors like a mutt.

He slammed them open with his foot and shifted the unstirring Vanguard higher in his arms. "The Demon King of Black Ice requires an audience with the Seraph!" He yelled out into the massive structure, striding in without a hint of shame.