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June 24, 2001 |
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Hell's Kitchen - Business District...
Cisco strides into view, rolling a bicycle wheel.
Pestilence stands on the steps of the Cathedral, just out of the rain.
Cisco hums a tune from a children's movie, and gives the wheel enough of a push to roll over to Pestilence. He follows along at an easy pace.
Pestilence raises a brow. "And what is that for, Cisco?"
Cisco says "Wheels are very important, Duanya. One of the earliest machines, and the basic component of most complex machines." He pauses to bow, saying "And how are you today?"
Pestilence nods as if to suggest that she is 'fine'. "But what is it for."
Cisco offers. "It still works, and I just felt like rolling it."
Pestilence closes her eyes for a moment and shakes her head, "Naturally."
Cisco exclaims "What! What? Don't you ever do stuff just for the fun of it?"
Pestilence considers. And then, "What point would that serve?" She then changes the topic, "I'm looking for Kitsune. Perhaps you've seen her today."
Cisco says "I have seen her several times recently." He nods to the top of the old apartment buildings to the south. "Up there, mostly, watching the streets."
Pestilence tilts her head so as to glance up at the decrepit buildings, "Yes. Not today, however."
Cisco's eyes narrow as he looks around. "Hmmmm, how about we go up there and wait for her? I wanted to ask you about something, anyway."
Pestilence nods, though, as she does, she begins to lift into the air, floating slowly and softly toward the rooftops....
Hell's Kitchen - Rooftops...
Cisco takes the more mundane path of climbing the fire escape.
Pestilence steps lightly onto the rooftop, just beside Cisco.
Ryker leans against an air conditioning unit, casually cleaning a high powered rifle.
Cisco looks around, catches sight of Ryker, and mutters "Aw shit."
Pestilence raises a brow at Cisco's words.
Cisco heads to the roof edge and jumps over to the nearby Apartment Building.
Ryker pays no active attention.
Selene steps onto the roof after climbing the rusty fire escape from the alley.
Pestilence follows after Cisco, giving Ryker only a slight nod.
Selene climbs up to the roof with her sketchbook Selene climbs onto the roof of Joey's Place.
Ryker moves forward and vanishes, leaving behind a rapidly fading afterimage.
On the Apartment Building Roof, Cisco says "Sheesh, Grand Central Station here "
"It would seem that way as of late, wouldn't it? What is on your mind, Cisco?"
Cisco says "I assume things are coming to a head." He pauses, looking over the roofs towards Selene. "I wonder about you, and the others. I also worry, I don't think Kitsune will survive what is coming here."
"That is entirely possible. I am sorry for that."
Cisco takes a seat, leaning back on a chimney that raises from the roof like a crone's chipped and rotted tooth. He sighs, looking up at the fog wrapped stars. "Well shit."
"What would you have me do?"
Cisco says "I don't know. What can you do." He glances over at Pestilence. "What are you, anyway? What are you and Kitsune and the other two?"
Pestilence crosses her arms and leans against the same Chimney beside Cisco, "That's two questions, and I haven't been granted the courtesy of being able to ask you one."
Cisco sits a bit straighter, and apologizes. "Sorry! Please, go ahead." Pestilence looks down at Cisco,
"You're concern for Kitsune, where does it come from?"
Cisco blinks, then shrugs. "I don't know?" His gaze wanders as if the answer is on the clouds above, then repeats, "I don't know."
Selene puts out her clove and seems to be lost in thought.
Pestilence glances over in Selene's direction, "Perhaps you should reflect on that for a time. Now which question did you want me to answer first?"
Cisco nods, "What are the four of you... it's a general basis to work off of."
Pestilence absentmindedly toys with the ring on her finger, "Not only that, but knowing what we are would certainly give one insight into what it is that we can do." She smirks, "Nevertheless, in the spirit of intrigue and mystery that is our existence, I'll share with you the tails or... 'truths' that are known. How is that?"
Cisco thinks that over, then smiles. "I would be honored to hear the tail."
Pestilence pauses for a long while before she begins, "The Riders, it has been told in the Book of the Serpent, were created by the Serpent to ensure those of Chaos were," She chuckles, "Hardy and fit, as the story goes." She glances down at Cisco, "They assisted various House in defeating their enemies, though, how they were summoned into service is unknown."
"How did they assist?"
Pestilence smiles, "In whatever means were necessary to preserve the ends, as it were. The ends being the preservation of The Courts and her Houses." She considers, "Ultimately, it has been told that Yyvrael enlisted the aid of The Riders when Dworkin stole the Eye of The Serpent. The Riders were caught in the metaphysical blast of sorts,when Dworkin drew the pattern and were strewn across shadow - so I've been told." She smirks.
Cisco's gaze is a little unfocused as he listens. He nods, commenting "Before the pattern, then. Maybe dating back before the Courts?"
Pestilence nods silently. "I have no memory of that time save for the moment Dalt called us together in a shadow he refers to as Apocalypse. And here we are. There are other stories as well, but none so dramatic as this."
Cisco says "Does he command you? This Signor Dalt?"
Pestilence smirks, "He did, but to be sure, I do exist independent of his authority - as does Death. She will do what she must... at the expense of Kitsune if that is the only way.
Cisco says "I am not under his control. This does not make us enemies, does it?"
Pestilence laughs at that, "Hardly. You forget, it is not in our nature to be evil. I'm afraid that is sometimes an unfortunate by-product of inhabiting a tangible form with it's own personality."
Cisco says "I got another question, you want to ask me something first, though, Duanya?"
"Yes. As a matter of fact, I do."
Cisco grins nervously, then his head dips in a bow, "As you wish."
"Where do your loyalties rest, Cisco. When all is said and done, can you be relied on as an ally?"
Cisco lifts his hand to count down. "Friends are important to me, and you are a friend. My family is very important to me. My family of House Tan Aderyn, my mother and father who reside far away in a peaceful shadow. I have had to think long and hard on this, you see I am a member of the House Guard, and have been assigned on occasion to join the forces of the Courts in war. But," Here he has only one finger still upraised, "The Serpent, in all it's manifestations, claims my final loyalty."
Pestilence smiles, "Loyalty. That is certainly a trait I would use to define you. Another question, or is it your turn?"
"You may have another, as you wish. You went into depth answering mine."
Pestilence nods, "Whose 'friend' are you, Cisco. Yosannah's or mine?"
"Well...?" He thinks on this a while. "Hmm. Friend, I'd say, of Signora Yosannah. Wouldn't you agree she's the friendlier of you two? But I think you, Duanya Pestilence, are more in line with the work the Serpent asks of me."
Selene appears to be in trump contact - she offers her hand out and vanishes.
Pestilence glances to where Selene once sat as she asks, "How can you be so sure?"
Cisco shrugs, "I have seen things in the Abyss, Duanya." He gives the apologetic smile again, and tentatively asks "Time for my question?"
Pestilence motions with the palm of her hand for him to proceed.
Cisco says "You sort of answered it already, I was going to ask how it was that you and Signora Yosannah are not the same. Your bodies are the same, and I think most knowledge is. But not your outlook, or attitude. All I have to do is see you smile, and I know you are not Yosannah."
Pestilence nods, "We do share some common knowledge, yes. As I said before, it is difficult to exist in this form and ignore her personality.. or, her soul."
"Do you inhabit her? Is she a part of you?"
"Ah, but I already answered that as much as I am going to. It is in my own best interest to keep some secrets, Cisco."