Players:
Summary: Ethan makes a plea to the Spirit of Spirit for help with the Inferno.
Date: January 25, 2010.
Log Title Raising Spirits
Rating: PG.
NYC - The Marc (Keith's Penthouse)
Late night and the apartment is dark and still for the most part. Even a demonic invasion can't bring New York entirely to a halt and there are still services to be had, even if the lights occasionally flicker and wails both mechanical and inhuman can sometimes be heard wafting up from the streets far below. Ethan is sitting on the couch, one table lamp on, trying to read something in bad medieval Latin from a book that has seen so many years that the ink is more of a shadowy gray than black. He's rather tactfully giving Kaden and Drew some alone time and giving himself a few hours to try and process his life lately. His choices, he reflects, are worse than this author's grasp on the language.
Xane has been taking this time from the restaurant to help local food banks assist those in need. Of course being New York, he just finished his long volunteer session. A key is inserted into the tumbler and he turns the deadbolt. And there he is, the chef, holding his prized knives. He drops some of his stuff at the door before walking into the main room. He notices someone there, but doesn't really question who it is. The Spirit just walks into the kitchen and looks ironically enough, for something to eat.
Ethan looks up from his book and because Xane is outside the little circle of light thrown by the lamp, he can see the man only as a silhouette. On the other hand, there are only a few people he knows who have auras of power like that. And only one with the distinctive overflowing sense of what he defines as 'life' that Xane exudes. He stands as Xane heads into the kitchen. The etiquette of greeting someone when they walk into their own home is always a little tricky. After a moment, he follows the Spirit towards the kitchen, still holding the book in one hand. A sort of touchstone of something comforting (as much as 14th century tomes on necromancy can be comforting) in a strange social situation. He clears his throat and says, "Ah, good evening?"
Xane didn't feel the connection between himself and the others when he entered. But he wasn't sure of what was going down. "Oh, uhh. Ethan, right? How's it, buddy?" Yes, his banter surely isn't pedantic. But Xane has always been a down to earth guy. Never hiding behind impressive lexicons. The chef looks to the fridge and pulls out some carrots, baby carrots that is. The telltale crunch erupts and he smiles.
Ethan can't help but give an ironic, faint grin. "Oh, semi-possessed by a demon queen, wrecking havoc over most of the city, especially my school, plotting world domination, attempting to capture you Spirits and use you as a power base, getting defeated and cleansed of the demonic infestation by Drew and Kaden. You know, the usual." His tone is as dry as dust on that one and he just quirks one eyebrow up at the recitation. Mr. Spock eat your heart out. "How have you been?"
"Trying to take care of those guys who can't really do much right now. Closed down the restaurant for a little while. And helping Drew out against you." He was not there, of course, but the connection he shares with the others means that they can communicate with him, and he can see what they see. So that he may route his own power to his kindred Spirits. Xane isn't mad, or anything against Ethan, of course.
Ethan nods and says, "Let me know if I can help out. And, um, thanks for that. Helping him help me, that is." He seems faintly surprised that Xane isn't visibly annoyed. He watches the man eat a moment and says, "Ah, I'm guessing you know I'll be crashing here for a few days if that's okay with everybody?" He shrugs and says, "My school is closed. And, ah, I may have set my dorm on fire while harassing the lacrosse team." He really is trying to feel guilty and contrite about what he's done but /that/ particular memory is very, very amusing to him. Years of being the odd man out in a closed environment, perhaps.
Xane gives a bit of a laugh at the lacrosse team bit. "Serves 'em right. Anything played with tiny nets and balls deserves to be on fire." Though Xane is only kidding, he's not one to be violent, well, violent in a sense of using his power. "Don't worry about that, I mean, it was to help both of you." The chef continues to munch on carrots before looking to the young mage. "So, you're thinking I', gonna give you the boot?" He asks, wondering what the student is thinking.
Ethan shrugs and says, "I'm not going to assume. I mean, I was kind of a supervillain yesterday. And besides, it's … you know, post-apocalyptic out there. /And/ you guys don't know me that well. /And/ I haven't exactly distinguished myself with all of you. And…." He cuts himself off and then just says, "Well, like I said, I don't want to assume anything."
When Ethan brings up the many reasons for Xane and the other spirits to distrust him, Xane can only chuckle. "Okay. Dude. I don't think you get it yet. We /are/ the elements, it's going to take way more than just one former 'supervillain' to destroy us. And even then we'll just keep coming back." Xane offers, a bit headstrong but he knows the kind of power than the five of them possess. "So, I think it goes without saying that we feel it's safe, even with your meddling butt here in this penthouse."
Ethan nods. "I'm beginning to get it. A little. Even demon-enhanced, I wasn't a match for any of you. But the coming back thing… I don't want to test that. Ever." His lips quirk up at 'meddling butt'. "Ok, that might be an accurate description. But then again, that's what I'm supposed to do. Mages have a responsibility to defend people against magic stuff. And as an elementalist, you guys are kind of in my domain." He pauses and then corrects himself. "Or, as I'm learning, I'm in yours. But yea, I do get that you're all in a different ballpark than me." He pauses and says delicately, "Which is why I'm kind of hoping that you'll help. More than just shelters and soup kitchens. You're essentially demi-gods. And right now we could use a few miracles."
An eyebrow quirks before Ethan corrects himself. Xane's face goes cold though when Ethan mentions miracles. Remembering what Angelie said about the anti-spirits, he gives a grimace. "Listen…if you believe that we are who we are, could you also believe in an opposite of us?" He figures he can tell Ethan about it, since he seems to be destined to have something to do with their existence.
Ethan ponders that for a moment, his expression going thoughtful and distracted. "Not literally, no. In a classic sense of the elements, you balance each other out." A pause and he says, "But… if we extend the metaphor of your portfolios, then you each have some attributes associated with your elements. Drew heals bodies, Kaden can bring clarity by burning away for impurities and I'm guessing that your emotion altering food is an extension of 'spirit' or 'life'. So, Spirits of … disease? Harm? Abstract concepts of things that plague humanity given incarnation? That makes a sort of thematic sense as well as fitting into a more sophisticated myth structure than I first assumed." Finally he focuses back on Xane. "Um, yes. Yes, I could."
"Yeah, they exist, but I'm not sure how." The Spirit is still a bit weary of doing big things with his powers. "What if because we start using our powers for stuff like that, that we will attract their attention. A…former Spirit told me that when all five of us find each other, it is a sign of bad things. FOr the last year, we've been wondering just how bad it's going to get." He's not even so sure himself.
Ethan doesn't speak a long moment. He finally puts his book down and gives Xane thoughtful and slightly sad look. "Forgive me for what I'm about to say. I hope you can sense, somehow, that I'm not saying this out of anger or fear. But I guess I'd say this is /why/ you are. Things like this. People suffering. Threats happening that us mortal types aren't able to handle. And if that calls down those other Spirits on you, then, that's kind of the price of doing what's right." He crosses over to stand closer to Xane and tilts his head back a bit to look the Spirit in the eyes, though he usually tries to avoid looking like he's staring, given their different shades. "I know you guys didn't sign on to be heroes. But dude, for centuries, maybe forever, we've made gods out those who are the elements and known that they can both protect and destroy. And that myth structure is there for a reason. We need you."
Believe it or not, Xane is used to people not looking him in the eyes. They open a bit wide as the youngster looks into his. "Yeah, there is some truth there. I'll have to talk with Drew and the others. I have a feeling it's gonna be hell out there." Xane offers before finishing the small baggie of carrots. "Well, it's friggin late. Did they give you a room yet?" He's not even sure he's seen all the rooms here, as he mainly stays in the kitchen and his own room.
Ethan looks obscurely relieved when Xane at least agrees to talk it over with the others. He might be taking up the whole superheroing thing but armies of demons are a bit out of a young hero's class. He smiles a bit broader than the joke might warrant and nods. "Ah, I spent last night in Drew's room, pretty much knocked out after that fight and the cleansing. But…um… yea. I think that tonight I'm surfing a couch." Once again not assuming anything.
