@vdova ; video

[waytodie]

[Her hair is in two messy twin braids. Her eyes are glassy. The sharp-eyed might notice she's probably, definitely drunk. The less-so might just assume she's overly tired. Her tongue presses into her cheek as she considers how to start this one, but in the end she just rips the bandaid off quickly: ]

So, tell me, how is it that you handle grief?

[She probably won't be elaborating on why she's asking, unless she has a certain level of familiarity with you, but you can try. People closest to her probably already know what this is really about: Her sister is gone. From Moorecroft. From Etraya. From the top side of the dirt. Gone and back to dead, and Yelena is spiraling.]

Comments

[prevail]

In my case, if only briefly, I passed into another plane and was able to speak with him. I have the benefit of knowing.

[ To have to simply believe is far more difficult, he understands. He'd never been terribly good at taking anything on faith. ]

He too made a choice which I could do nothing about... Have you considered "blowing off steam"? I've observed that some find relief in it.

[waytodie]

How did that happen? [Beat.] If that is not rude to ask.

[She props her chin in her hand.] Yes... I might need to find a sparring partner. I do have the classes I was talking about teaching before we were shipped off to Moorecroft. [She hums thoughtfully.] Might need to get someone already skilled for this particular purpose, though.

[She'd hate to actively hurt someone she's trying to teach.]

[prevail]

I don't quite know how myself... Perhaps the use of so much power thinned the barrier between realms, if only briefly.

[ It's the best he's been able to surmise, at least. Sandalphon looks back on that time as a precious, undeserved gift. To see Lucifer once more, to speak as they had so very long ago, gave him more strength than he could say.

Yet to leave him was akin to ripping half of himself away. The memory flits through his mind and he brushes it away, folding his arms as he considers her words. ]

While training others is admirable, I agree skilled opponent is best in this case. My understanding is that exhaustion is ideal, and a challenge is necessary for that.

[waytodie]

If only I could be so lucky.

[Maybe in a way she was, with Natasha's time here, however short it may have been. Yelena just can't view it that way right now, in the thick of losing her once more.

She purses her lips and nods.] That does actually sound really nice. I think I might have to do that once I am sober again.

[prevail]

[ Once she's— ah. Puzzlement flits across his features, only to be replaced by a thoughtful frown. Eugen occasions to over-indulge when it comes to drinking, and he's seen others "drown their sorrows". It must be that sort of thing. ]

If you need healing afterward, you may call on me. It doesn't tax me to mend others' injuries.

[waytodie]

Is it magic?

[She's wary of it, mostly for the intense lack of familiarity to it. And letting other people mess with her in any significant way, with magic or science either one, feels... uncomfortable, at best.]

[prevail]

Others have compared it to that. From my perspective, I'm using elemental energy, which I'm made from to begin with.

[ He shrugs, as though he isn't saying anything out of the ordinary. His kind view their own abilities in such a way, describing their functions clinically, because to them it's a simple and factual matter. ]

I don't find it particularly taxing.

[waytodie]

[Well, it's official: She'll just be going around thinking homeboy is made of sparkly magic-particles underneath the human facade. RIP. ✨ ✨ ✨]

Well, that is good to know. [She hums in consideration.] Not sure yet if I will take you up on it, but I will keep the offer in mind.

[It's a sweet offer, even if she is feeling a little weird about the idea in general.]

[prevail]

[ It's close enough. His body is convincingly flesh and bone but he can just demanifest it into nothing, so where's the lie really... ]

I understand. The offer is open should you need, but I've known others to be wary as well.

[ While Sandalphon may find it impractical, accustomed as he is to healers and the like, he's been here long enough to know it's thoroughly alien to a significant amount of their population. ]

[waytodie]

Thanks... er- [A pause. She cocks her head to the side and gives a wry smile.] I think we skipped introductions. I am Yelena.

[prevail]

Ah, you're right. [ He'd been far too focused on her question and failed in proper manners once again. ] My name is Sandalphon.

[ After a pause, he thinks to add— ]

While I am an archangel, my nature differs from what most here think of.

[waytodie]

Nice to meet you officially now.

[A little dawn of understanding crosses her features.] Ohhh, okay. Well, lucky you, I do not have very many preconceived notions about what nature archangels actually have.

[prevail]

Honestly, that is a relief.

[ His shoulders even relax ever so slightly. Sandalphon didn't relish the thought of correcting a grieving woman about Lucifer. Why do so many worlds have one so very different from his?

Well, no matter. ]

I'm tasked with my world's defense, so in that respect [ he waves a helpless hand at this business they've wound up in ] I'm still doing my job here, in theory.

[waytodie]

[She can see a visible line of tension escape him, and she wonders how often he is faced with such specific thoughts that it might make him so guarded about it.]

Well, that's so not such a bad thing. My sister did that, too. She saved our world from a tyrant who took half of us away.

[That might be the closest she's gotten to mentioning anything about The Snap to anyone yet.

She takes a slow, deep breath and lets it out- ]

I don't want to talk about it, but- um- [She drags a hand through her hair.] since you are an archangel... do you hear prayers? I am not one for it, usually, but... if I needed you in a pinch, can I just- yell for you in my head and you hear me?

[She has no idea how this works, sir.]

[prevail]

[ Half of them... He frowns at the thought of such devastating loss of life. At least justice was served, but such a horrible figure reminds him so terribly of Lucilius.

For now, he puts it aside. ]

If you're capable of telepathy, I wouldn't mind. I have no need for sleep, and I'm accustomed to people bringing up what concerns them.

[ That's what she meant, right? ]

[waytodie]

Ah... no. I am just a normal squishy human girl.

[Normal is an understatement. She's a highly trained assassin and spy, but you know. As far as the superpowered types go: Normal squishy human.]

[prevail]

Ah.

[ It's all he seems to have on the subject, though the way his eyebrows pinch together and his focus seems to drift somewhere distant suggest something else.

How did Lucifer explain it again...? ]

In that case, I can give you one of my feathers. If you hold it and focus, I should be able to sense you. Then I can come listen if you like.

[ Perhaps Lucifer would have a more elegant solution, but at least this should work in theory. ]

[waytodie]

[She looks a little surprised at the suggestion.]

That sounds really personal. Are you sure?

[Angel feathers????? Are real?????
Her face is neutral, but she's having A Moment, here, sir.]

[prevail]

I wouldn't offer if I was unwilling.

[ Sandalphon may be earnest, but he's not the sort to give too much of himself. Usually. ]

Using this network isn't private, so my alternative strikes me as preferable for this purpose.

[waytodie]

Okay, fair.

[She nods a litle.]

Yeah, all right. I can meet with you, if you like.

[prevail]

Very well. Given the circumstances, is there a day you might prefer?

[ Odd angel he may be, but he understands mourning all too well. ]