So a god walks into a bar...

[scrapgege]

WHO: Xie Lian, Ignacio Varga, Stephen Strange, maybe more?
WHEN: In the second phase of Alem's siege
WHERE: Around the arkets and near the Hellgate
WHAT: Xie Lian has some existential conversation while feeding stray kids and investigating the gates to hell, as you do.
WARNINGS: It's Xie Lian, so he might offhandedly mention some of his past which includes suicide and torture, and a whole lot of people dying.


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Stephen Strange - The Hellgate

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[Xie Lian initially stayed away from those gates of hell, whatever they really were. between his bad luck and his power, it seemed more dangerous to go closer than to stay away.

But then he noticed the fluctuation in spiritual levels, and Lan Wangji suggested it might have to do with the reinforcements of the seals... and if anyone is equipped to go investigate and not die from it, it's probably him.

It's not actually that hard to get close. The guard has definitely thinned, most men diverted to defense of the city after two of the towers fell.

The paper talismans look familiar even though the signs on them aren't. And the energy... it also feels familiar.

Xie Lian has, after all, been to hell before.]

I wonder if my talismans would work...

[rehandle]

[ It's inevitable that he should find himself here eventually. Body sleeping in the aftermath of a hard day at battle, it's not necessarily wise of him to stray so far when he leaves himself unconscious in the very tower where battle still rages... but curiosity calls.

He needs to know if he's going to be needed down here too. Needs to see it for himself so he can weigh where his efforts are best spent.

So down he comes, free of the weight of corporeal existence to instead float as if through water, making light work of the thick stone floors and walls of the fortress until he finally passes into the Room of Seals.

He isn't alone, as it turns out. Another - of their number? seems likely, the people local to Alem have been living through this siege for long enough to all have the same air and the same look to them, and on closer inspection he recognises this man in passing from their crossing of the desert - stands paying attention to the talismans that ward the place. Moving closer, Stephen comes to a halt hovering at his shoulder, keeping just enough distance to not accidentally make contact as he peers over to take a look and listen in. ]

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[Xie Lian ponders the talismans for a few seconds longer... and then fully turns around to face the apparition, giving them a smile and a nod.]

Hi! Anything familiar to you? Apart from the writing on the talismans, this really looks like something you'd see to conjure an evil spell or create a barrier where I am from. And this place does have dark energy but...

[rehandle]

[ — Wait, what? For a second he just stares - then twists to look over his shoulder. There's nobody there, so... ]

... You're talking to me?

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Hm?

[Xie Lian cocks his head to the side and looks around for a second.]

Well, I don't see anyone else here for now, so yes?

[rehandle]

[ Huh. That's... interesting. Stephen takes a second to wonder whether he might have come through the veil without noticing, but even if that were the case he's not a usual sight. He should be more of a shock to behold.

Present company is accustomed to this sort of thing. ]

I see. [ Hell is pressing, but first this mystery. ] Are you a medium? A sorcerer?

[scrapgege]

Ah, no, not really.

[Xie Lian scratches his head, looking a little embarrassed.]

I'm a Heaven Official. I guess you could say a god?

You're not a ghost but I didn't realize anyone among us could do astral projections like that.

[rehandle]

[ A god. Well, at least this isn't the first time he's run into one of those. With the revelation provided, Stephen settles a little, eases into the interaction. ]

Surprise. [ A brief jazz hand - here he is, astral projecting. ] Nothing as impressive as a god, I'm a sorcerer.

I wasn't expecting to be spotted. Sorry for sneaking around.

[ He's doesn't sound that sorry really, but it's the thought that counts. ]

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It's alright. It's not like you could have known.

[he tends not to trumpet the fact, after all. And he is significantly crippled by the cursed shackles at the moment, even if that doesn't impede on his ability to see spirits and sense qi.]

Did you see anything familiar ?