Transcribed by Michelle Kelly.
Josie: Welcome back to Miami, everyone. Starting with the midroll at the beginning… start-roll? Announcement section, whatever you wanna call it. Because I’m really excited to say that Demon: Love and Hellfire merch is now live! Fuck yes. I’ve been waiting for that since the show launched, I worked really hard on the designs and Rhi and Kim worked really hard on getting them up there. I’m super proud of them. It’s t-shirts and stickers, all with the show logo on them, the rainbow pentagram, except they also come in a bunch of other pride flag colors, so express your demonhood however you want. And I don’t know, maybe if there’s a flag you want but aren’t seeing, shoot me an @ or a message @Love_Hellfire on Twitter and maybe I can see what I’ll do. That’s how you say that phrase.
There’s not really an official featured charity this month, so I’m just gonna plug #TransCrowdFund again. Though really just wherever, on any platform, friend or not, trans people could really use a lot of help right now. A lot of us are really scared. If you can support the trans people in your life, especially monetarily, and especially especially if they’re a trans person of color, that would be amazing. I’m doing okay-ish in California, but a lot of people I know are in ever-hostile states like Texas and, well, Florida. So like, whatever you need to do to help the trans people in your life be safe, that’s what I’m encouraging this month.
City That Never Dies is still on in-between season hiatus and we’re gonna do the Q&A episode soon. We are approaching the mid-point of season 1 here, which is honestly further than I thought I’d get, so thank you all for supporting us by listening, reviewing and being patreons. It really means a lot when we hear how people are enjoying the show. Now, let’s get this started.
##Story continues [00.02.12]
Josie: You do catch something worrisome out of the corner of your eye. A small family, a mother and her child and a father, aka Father John.
[gasps]
Kris: [groans]
Josie: He seems to just be here having a time with his family.
Kris: Uh huh?
Josie: But you don’t know if he’s seen any of you all wandering around, or if he knows about the Shard in the castle. You gotta assume so. He seemed to have some idea of where they are.
Kris: Y— yeah… uh huh.
Josie: Remy has a brief moment to maybe do something, or keep going and pretend like nothing’s wrong.
Kris: Ooh. [nervous laugh] I think the concern here is that, um, that these two forces are going to clash again, right? That we’re going to have to interact with Father John, either he’s gonna come at us, or we’re gonna go at him, or just we’re gonna bump into each other. And I think they don’t want Jade or Isaiah to get caught up in the middle of that, so I think Remy, you know, we pass and Remy just tries to play it cool in a sort of like, doesn’t immediately whip their head around to be like, ‘Who was that?’ um, but sort of like, says quietly to Jade,
Kris (as Remy): Hey, you remember, um… what I said I would talk to you about later? Uh, actually a little bit— hmm, okay. Um… something might happen here and again now, and I don’t want you or Isaiah to get caught in the middle of that so I’m… I’ll stay in to— I’m not just gonna disappear. I’ll let you know when I know what’s happening, but I’m just gonna go and catch up with some other people I know are at this festival.
Josie (as Jade): Remy, what the fuck do you mean something might happen?
Kris (as Remy): Uh… there’s a lot of history there and I don’t know that I have time to explain all of it right now, because I’m not sure what’s going to happen, but I’m worried that something is going to happen, and if it does, I don’t want it to affect you. So—
Josie (as Jade): Are we talking argument?
Kris (as Remy): If that’s all it comes to, that would be great, actually. But… look, I really don’t quite know what to expect here. But please, can you…
Josie: I think she’s giving you a hard look like, ‘You’re really not gonna give me more than that? You’re just gonna let me worry?’
Kris: I don’t know that Remy, that Orea knows quite what to say that will assuage that fear, right? Like, that will be reassuring without going into the whole, like, ‘Well, you see, we fought a church man and some goons in a church and well,’ like, I don’t know that Remy really knows what short thing to say, so I think is just sort of trying to be like,
Kris (as Remy): Please, I promise I will explain this later. Just, for now, I need to go catch up with some other people so… uh… I’ll let you know later?
Josie (as Jade): … alright…
Kris (as Remy): [nervous exhale]
Josie (as Jade): I… well, meet us back at the car in… soonish. Hour or two. Okay?
Kris (as Remy): Sure. And if I can’t, I promise I will keep you updated as much as a I can, because I don’t want things to get too late. And yeah, I’ll be in touch.
Kris: And then heads, I think, towards the sandcastle that was our target and is also, like, texting everyone like,
Kris (as Remy via text): Hello. Father John from the church is here. I have to assume he’s here because of the Shard. Has anyone else interacted with him or his family?
Josie: Real quick, I think Jade has to take a moment to process what has just happened, and Isaiah tugs at her hand a little bit. Remy?
Kris: Yeah?
Josie: I think this slightly touches on some of your Torments.
Kris: I agree.
Josie: Uh, I’m thinking the Letting Others Down part.
Kris: Yup.
Josie: Yeah. So you can either take a Torment point, or try and resist it.
Kris: Um, I think I’, gonna take the Torment point. That locks off a Faith, right?
Josie: Yes.
Kris: Okay. I’m gonna make that box a different color.
Josie: I also want you to give me a… yeah, let’s go with Demon Name, because I should probably codify this somewhere, which kinda does that.
Kris: Sure.
Josie: But yeah, let’s say since Father John clearly knows you’re a demon and you’re trying to not be seen by him, trying to manage your demon half, roll me your Demon Name. Risky, standard.
Kris: Risky, standard, I see. Um, can I… I’m wondering if there’s an item or something I can do to get another die. I don’t really wanna use more Faith right now.
Josie: You could have a Devil’s Bargain?
Kris: I would love to hear one, thank you.
Josie: The Devil’s Bargain is that you will gain another Torment point from the All Eyes on Me thing. I think…
Kris: Ooh…
Josie: Remy, which is your other Torment, I think suddenly being in the crowd is not as invigorating, and since you’re trying to avoid someone, things are perhaps slightly more claustrophobic and you’re trying to dodge the attention that the human Remy ended up running away from.
Kris: Sure. I will take that. Running from one Torment into another sounds like a good time. [laughs]
Josie: Uh huh! So you can get another die or increased effect.
Kris: I would like another die, I think.
Josie: Okey dokey.
Kris: 2d6… and it’s /roll for this one. That’s a 5.
Josie: 5. Okay. I think Father John does seem to be genuinely trying to enjoy his day, maybe unwind from the harrowing events of his spiritual enemies fucking up his church.
Kris: [laughs]
Josie: I do think— what’s a… cause 5 is doing it with consequence, what’s a good consequence?
Kris: Can I pitch a thing?
Josie: Sure, I’m open. I’m always open to suggestions.
Kris: Yeah. Part of this, um, All Eyes on Me Torment attention could be that like, you know, if that comes from Remy trying to disappear into this crowd and probably bumping into people, like, bumps into someone who recognizes them in a minor way and it’s just like, ‘Oh, aren’t you— why are you here? What?’ It’s like that sort of thing where it’s like you see a washed-up celebrity from 30 years ago and it’s like, ‘Oh, are you here for festival stuff? Why are you here?’ Like, it’s weird to see a former famous person just living their life post-fame.
Josie: Sure. Remy ends up bumping into the rare fan who recognizes them as an adult.
Kris: Mm hmm.
Josie: And Remy isn’t super famous anymore.
Kris: Nope.
Josie: But— and they’re not like, outright fangirling, but they are definitely like, startled to see you there and keep trying to get you into a conversation. Just like a normal thing, but…
Kris: Uh huh?
Josie: I’m certain that’s incredibly awkward for Remy. [laughs]
Kris: Yeah, cause Remy is also like, you know, trying to not be rude to this person while looking over their shoulder and being like, ‘Did I lose him? Is he paying attention? Okay.’
Kris (as Remy): Oh you know, I just… live here? Um, just looking at sandcastles. How are you enjoying the—
Kris: Right, and is like, trying to engage but is also distracted like, oh, I had things I wanted to be doing.
Josie: [laughs]
Kris: And I also can’t, like, check my phone to see if anyone’s responded yet, so it’s just like, too many things are happening.
Josie: With that, I’m gonna jump over to Luz and Jordan who are having a great time being da— I was about to say ‘being dancing and doing gay’.
Kris: [laughs]
Fabby: That’s correct, we’re being dancing and doing gay.
Josie: They’re being dancing and doing gay, when—
Minna: Episode title.
Josie: [laughs] Yep, okay.
Fabby: [laughs]
Josie: 100%. I’m gonna write that down real quick.
Minna: [laughs]
Josie: When both of you stumble. Like, Jordan kind of stumbles back into you and like, she almost fell over or passed out or something. And you feel this sensation, too. It’s like when you feel a huge wave caught up from under you, and you’re kind of tossed up and then the undertow kind of takes you beneath it. But just like, internally like, [deep breath] I think you can tell that someone just made a huge pull on the Lore of Storms. Like, a little further than what you’ve unlocked, but a taste of something you had back in the day. Someone somewhere just pulled on that, and Jordan’s like,
Josie (as Jordan): Did you feel that?
Fabby: I grab Jordan by the hand and I start leading her towards the beach, where the sandcastle is.
Fabby (as Luz): Yeah, follow me.
Josie: So, she follows you, taken by the hand. Minna, I wanna go to the drum circle in progress. And does Julia or rather the part of her that’s Aigron, enjoy this? Or is this just a means to an end?
Minna: I mean, there is a nice community aspect to it, that it’s just a bunch of people coming together or something. She likes that part. She’s not sure why this exactly, but it’s enjoyable.
Josie: I think after a little bit of playing and people coming and leaving, you remember the mayoral candidate Rebecca Greer, who had a speech not too long ago.
Minna: Mm hmm?
Josie: I think she and Wes end up in the drum circle with you.
Minna: Oh my God, yeah.
Josie: At some point, because she’s juts having a good time, but in that way that she’s genuinely having a good time, but it’s definitely a photo op sort of thing.
Minna: Mm hmm.
Josie: And Wes is definitely networking. Do you wanna describe what Wes looks like to us?
Minna: God, I don’t know what Wes looks like. [laughs]
Josie: [laughs] Sure. I think he’s a, like, a decently hefty guy. I 100% think he has khakis and a dad Hawaiian shirt on for today.
Minna: Of course he does.
Josie: [laughs]
Minna: Or maybe a Columbia shirt.
Josie: Yeah.
Minna: You know like the all-weather Columbia shirts or whatever?
Josie: Yeah, sure, why not. And I think he kinda scoots over to you and says,
Josie (as Wes): Hey, fancy seeing you here.
Minna (as Julia): What, you don’t think it’s my scene?
Josie (as Wes): I mean, I would’ve thought you more of a drum kit sort of gal, but drum circle works too.
Minna (as Julia): I’m not picky.
Josie (as Wes): [laughs]
Josie: I think he just kinda pulls you into a conversation of how his day has been going. I think he’s about to try to introduce you to candidate Greer, how does Julia react to that?
Minna: Sure, this is happening, I guess. [laughs]
Josie: Uh huh. [laughs]
Kris: [laughs]
Josie: But I think as it’s about to happen, there’s a low rumble of thunder way off in the distance.
Minna: [laughs] IS it 4pm? IT’s currently somewhere in Florida and if there’s thunder in the distance that means it’s probably 4pm.
Josie: I see, okay. [laughs] Yeah, let’s say its close to 4pm, so you don’t think much of it at first. But whatever sort of weather is coming is coming fast. Real fast. There’s another peal of it and I think the festival was still pretty much ready to go on, some people were probably gonna leave, people might think they have more time, but before Remy or Luz are even to the sandcastle, it starts raining.
Minna: Mm.
Kris: Ah…
Josie: First, it’s just a drizzle. Probably not great for the sandcastles but hey, they were never meant to be there permanently. But again, it gets heavy fast. And people are getting out of there. The musicians are having to really hurry to get their equipment covered up. Things are getting loud and a little hectic and people are trying to manage the festival. And this is no weather for a drum circle. The conversation with candidate Greer was pretty brief and it was just an introduction and she has opened her mouth to say something and there’s another peal. And she says,
Josie (as Candidate Greer): I think we should probably all get out of here. Wes?
Josie (as Wes): Yeah. Yeah, I think so. I think I’m in… I’m not dressed to get wet today.
Josie: Julia, what do you do?
Minna: I think Julia is not going to go inside. She’s going to kind of like make like she’s going to meander off towards the car or whatever, but then she’s gonna double back towards the sandcastle.
Josie: I never let you all respond to that text message about Father John. I think as the rain is picking up and Julia breaks from the drum circle, she finally sees it. Probably didn’t notice her phone over all the drumming. Any responses to Remy’s texts?
Fabby: I think all she replies is,
Fabby (as Luz via text): The castle. Someone’s using Lore of Storms.
Kris: Remy feels their phone buzzing in their pocket but is engaged in a conversation and can’t check that just yet. [laughs]
Minna: I think Julia pulls hers out and sees that and is like,
Minna (as Julia via text): Oh great. Competition.
Kris: [laughs]
Josie: And I think Remy can be away from the conversation now.
Kris: Yeah.
Josie: I think with some of the chaos that’s escalating that’s long over.
Kris: Yeah, especially as it starts raining, like,
Kris (as Remy): Oh hey, hope you don’t get too soaked. Bye.
Kris: [laughs] Thanking whoever made this rain happen and then reads this text that’s like, oh, I guess not. But will move to, yeah, meet everybody at the castle. They were headed there anyway.
Josie: I think Luz and Jordan get there first because they were not delayed. And Chazaqiel is there and turns and says,
Josie (as Chazaqiel): So, this isn’t natural weather.
Fabby (as Luz): No, it’s not. It’s not me.
Josie (as Chazaqiel): Then who? I don’t think Abaddon had this sort of Lore.
Josie: And Jordan shakes her head.
Fabby: Can I try to focus in on the source? Would that be a thing I can do? If not, I have another thing I could do.
Josie: I’m willing to allow that. I’m gonna say this is an Angelic Epithet roll.
Fabby: Oh great. I don’t have any of those. So 2d6, take the lower?
Josie: Yep. Little Miss Painter of Horizons at Sea.
Fabby: Uh huh. What would a Devil’s Bargain look like here?
Josie: A Devil’s Bargain will be you won’t like the answer.
Minna and Kris: [laugh]
Fabby: Okay. I will… [laughs] so I’m just gonna roll 2d6. I have my physical dice here. [shakes dice]
Kris: Well if you take it, you get to roll one die, right?
Fabby: Yeah. No, I’m not, I’m gonna roll 2d6 and take the lower. Because both are gonna be 6. They have bears in them, of course.
Josie: Alright.
Fabby: That’s a 6 and a 1.
Kris: [groans]
Josie: You aren’t able to get a good read on who is doing this and where. Obviously, the storm is coming in from the sea, but for all you know, the other— the person who summoned it could be in the city. You are going to, as a consequence here, confront one of your Torments, which is… I think it’s gonna be Losing Hope. Because this is supposed to be your thing, but you don’t remember so much. You hardly remember anything. You don’t remember much aside from Lucifer, and didn’t even remember—
Fabby: The angel parts are the parts I remember the least.
Josie: Yeah. And you didn’t remember Jordan, Phanuel, either. And it’s like, the storm feels overwhelming, in part because you feel like you should be able to do it, but you can’t.
Fabby: I think I’m gonna hold on tighter to Jordan’s hand and remind myself that there is hope. Even if I didn’t remember her, I know her now. I made a friend, someone I care about, and I made so many people in my life. And I’m gonna get there. This part of my life, I’m not gonna let it slide. Not gonna let it slip.
Josie: Okay. Give me a True Name roll.
Fabby: Okay. True Name I have one, so… that’s a 5.
Josie: 5. So you only need to spend one Faith to stave off this Torment.
Fabby: I will.
Josie: Yeah. And your True Name is The Feeling of Being Submerged in a Calm Ocean.
Fabby: Yeah.
Josie: I imagine that’s what it feels like to hold on to hope.
Fabby: Yeah. It like, the water stops— not really, but basically she feels— she’s not— it feels like the water has, the rain has stopped for a second, even if it hasn’t. She grounds herself by holding her hand and taking a deep breath and then is like,
Fabby (as Luz): We need to… I have an idea, but I need you to back me up in case something happens.
Josie (as Jordan): Okay?
Fabby (as Luz): Okay.
Fabby: I would like to use my Lore of Storms to move— either use— I don’t know how close the beach is right now to that sandcastle, the one with the piece of Babel. Either use the beach and have water hit the piece of Babel and push it towards us, or have rain— control the rain so that it knocks the piece of Babel off the castle, closer to us.
Josie: Sure. Give me a… give me a risky, standard Fallen Epithet roll.
Fabby: That’s a 3. I should have asked about— sorry. I should have asked about a Devil’s Bargain.
Kris: Mm.
Josie: You know what? I’ll give it ya.
Fabby: Okay. What would it be?
Josie: I think the Devil’s Bargain is gonna be that someone’s gonna recognize that you just used a Lore.
Fabby: Yeah. Yeah, no, that’s fine. Yeah. Uh huh.
Josie: Okay, so roll another dice for that.
Fabby: Okay, that’s a 5.
Josie: A 5. So, describe what this looks like. You’re on the beach, you’re by the sandcastle. How do you use water to get the Shard down to you?
Fabby: I imagine either a stray wave or just the rain pushes it. Like, as rain is falling, if someone’s paying attention it will look like the rain becomes basically like a hand pushing the piece closer to me. But from far away it’s like, oh yeah, no, the rain dislodged it. Oh yeah, it happens. The structure of it might have been a little bit messed up. And yeah, it’s hopefully nearer, near enough to us where we can just walk, grab it and leave.
Josie: Sure. You command the rains to knock it loose of the sandcastle, which is starting to dissolve. I don’t think Shards really deal with physics super well. Despite feeling and looking like a heavy piece of glass, it kind of catches the wind and flutters like a leaf.
Kris: [laughs]
Fabby: Hmm.
Josie: Before soaring over your heads and lodging in the sand a ways behind you. But it is down. And that is your consequence. But some people just noticed that you used a Lore, and we are going to jump back over to Remy, who just saw this happen, I think. Remy is almost there. However, you catch a glance off to the side and despite the chaos, Father John is heading towards the sandcastle and he’s rolled up his sleeves a little bit and doesn’t seem to mind the rain.
Kris: Oh, I don’t like that. I wonder if maybe Remy tries to head him off in a sort of like, oh I’m just gonna make it so that he has to focus on me instead of what he is actually aiming for, which is, you know, gonna delay me from getting to the lighthouse— to the, not lighthouse, to the sandcastle too, but I’ll take it if it buys us more time there because I saw Luz, Luz is over there, I’m assuming Julia will get there. I wanna keep him away. So I think Remy is gonna try to head him off, but like, doesn’t go about it in a, ‘Hey, I’m gonna fight you,’ kinda way, but goes up to him and is just like, I think is gonna lie and be like,
Kris (as Remy): Father John… I can’t believe we’re running into you here. I actually wanted to talk to you and um, apologize for the other day. I… as you can imagine, I’ve been thinking about that confrontation a lot and I…
Kris: Yeah, is pretty much coming at this like they’re apologizing?
Josie: Okay. You just running up to him definitely gets his attention. He’s distracted.
Josie (as Father John): What the… you have a lot of nerve.
Kris: I have always taken big swings and been a bold person, and you know, sometimes I don’t always meet my target. But… that is why people seek guidance, isn’t it? For a little bit of direction? Maybe you can tell me a bit more about that. You seem to have such a clear vision of what you’re doing, such a solid grasp on some kind of future. What’s that future? Am I in it?
Josie: Give me a Demon Name roll. This is gonna be desperate, but standard effect because you’re appealing to the stuff he wants to hear, it’s just kind of weird and unbelievable that you would suddenly appear and begging to pledge allegiance. But you’re saying the right things.
Kris: Okay. Um, now I’m aware that Father John is, you know, aware of and in touch with demon stuff. I think— can— is there a way that I can get better effect here if I use the Lore of Celestials to like, make their, right, cause the first dot of that says ‘Cause your voice to be unignorable, understood regardless of language’ like, they are trying to amp up that intent there so it sounds more sincere, somehow.
Josie: Interesting… I hadn’t conceived of that ability that way.
Kris: I mean the second dot, I have two dots in Celestials, and the next one is just like, ‘Inspire hope or dread, enhancing or hindering abilities, usually in terms of effect’.
Josie: I would say the inspiring hope aspect could help you out here. I would say spend a Faith to put some of that Celestial oomph into it, and then give me the roll with increased effect.
Kris: I will do that.
Josie: Mm hmm. So you mark an XP in your Demon Name track.
Kris: I only have the one die, I would like more. [laughs]
Josie: Now that he’s gotten a good look at you and can talk to you, if he gets out of this, he’s going to start looking into you more. Personally. Specifically you. Which will maybe put your mortal connections at risk.
Kris: Ah… ooh… character Remy says no, but player Kris says yes. I will take it.
Josie: [laughs]
Kris: Alright, that’s a problem for future somebody else. [gasps] Oh, I got a crit!
Josie: Holy shit.
Kris: I got two 6s!
Minna: Yes!
Josie: He seems shocked and then a little moved, and then you can kinda see the glint of power satisfied behind his eyes.
Kris: Ugh.
Josie (as Father John): Well. I can hardly blame you for seeing the error in your ways. I’ll admit I was reluctant to believe my Lord at first. Bring the Shard to me and your allegiance will be sworn, how’s that?
Kris: I think— and part of this, one of the 6s has to be Remy just not, like, Remy keeping their face from sneering, just sneering in disgust at him like, ‘Oh, you suck’. But just looks him dead in the eye and says,
Kris (as Remy): I’ll go get it right away.
Kris: Mentions nothing about bringing it to him, but they’re gonna go get it cause they saw it sort of flutter off. And then just like turns around and makes a dash for the beach.
Josie: Mm hmm. And he doesn’t follow you.
Kris: Mm hmm.
Josie: Julia, before you get too far, one of the stages get struck by lightning.
Minna: Oh!
Josie: It’s bad. Things have escalated very quickly into a very strong hurricane-level stuff. Like, not fully. Now it’s total chaos. People are getting the fuck out of there. Like, they’re used to the 4 o’clock thunder, they’re not used to going from zero to all of this in like, five, ten minutes.
Minna: Yeah. If we’re talking like, the winds and shit, yeah, that’s wild. Um, uh, do we know who’s doing this?
Josie: Uh, you’re about to find out.
Minna: Oh. Exciting.
Josie: Because someone grasps your wrist.
Minna: I think Julia automatically foes to pull her wrist away.
Josie: And I think they let you.
Josie (as Stranger): It is you.
Minna (as Julia): It seems you have the advantage of me.
Josie: If you look at them, they’re a… they’re a tall non-binary person, sort of a lighter brown complexion. Turkish, maybe? And long, dark hair. They kind of are just wearing clothes that they just probably stole right off the rack in a Goodwill or something. You can feel the Devourer aura off them. Like, there’s I guess sort of a feral energy, like when the Aigron part of you comes out, you feel that off of them. They seem ill-suited to the human shape.
Minna: Do I know this person?
Josie: Give me a True Name roll.
Minna: Alright.
Josie: Risky, standard.
Minna: That’s a 4?
Josie: You remember some details. Not everything. But I think if you get a good look at them, you remember that this is another Devourer you knew, named Scylla.
Kris: Oh. Oh boy.
Josie: Like the ancient Greek monster.
Minna: I was about to about to ask, like Scylla and Charybdis? [laughs]
Josie: They were one of the few Devourers who was of the ocean and ocean life, specifically ocean predators. Normally that’s kind of the domain of the Defilers, but a lot of their deal is emotion and water itself and the thing as a whole. The few ocean Devourers there were were responsible for the animal life and making sure the ecosystem down there worked. You remember Scylla. They were vicious, but not necessarily cruel. You know what I mean? They fought hard and fought without mercy, but when they weren’t on the battlefield, they were mostly like you. They mostly stuck to their place and did their own thing. A lot of their domain was off the coast to yours. Their little sanctuary. And to be honest, I kind of want you to decide how close the two of you were and what that relationship was like.
Minna: I kinda want it to be like a… you know how siblings will bicker, but like, when push comes to shove if anybody from outside comes along they’re like, fuck you, this is my person?
Josie: Yes, I love it. And I think they say,
Josie (as Scylla): Do you remember me?
Minna (as Julia): Of course I remember you. What the fuck, Scylla?
Josie (as Scylla): Good. Good. I’ve been looking for you for a while.
Minna (as Julia): How long?
Josie: They kind of look up at the sky.
Josie (as Scylla): A decade, maybe? It’s weird how long that feels now.
Minna (as Julia): I mean, that is a while. For this.
Minna: Gestures between their human bodies.
Josie (as Scylla): Yeah.
Minna (as Julia): You woke up alone?
Josie (as Scylla): Yes. I found someone, but I was alone for a while. And I need to bring them that.
Josie: They kind of nod over at the sandcastle, just in time to see the Shard get pushed off by Luz’s Lore and flow down into the sand.
Minna (as Julia): By any chance is the person you found the guy posing as a fucking priest?
Josie (as Scylla): No, no. Fuck that.
Minna (as Julia): So there’s more than one. Great. [sighs]
Josie (as Scylla): Do you remember Belial?
Minna: Do I remember Belial?
Josie: They were very close— they were lovers with Lucifer and very high up in the Crimson Legion. It was like them and Naz and Lucifer and, to an extent, Luz that were kind of all hanging around, buddy-buddy at the top of that chain. They were a Defiler and they were— they fought hard, but also had a lot of compassion. A sword in Lucifer’s hand, so to speak.
Minna (as Julia): So Bileal’s trying to build what Lucifer lost?
Josie (as Scylla): No. We’re trying to bring Them back. And we need that to do it.
Minna (as Julia): Bring Lucifer back?
Josie (as Scylla): Yes.
Minna (as Julia): You know where they are?
Josie (as Scylla): No. But they will come to us.
Minna (as Julia): How do you know?
Josie (as Scylla): Because They care a lot about them.
Josie: They gesture their arm at the chaotic mass of people that’s kind of— I’m imagining in that dramatic way that you can only see in fiction that people have kind of given you a berth so you can have your dramatic conversation against the storm and the chaos behind.
Josie (as Scylla): They will return because They care about them.
Minna (as Julia): Are you threatening the humans? I— you gotta give me some idea what you mean by that. Are you trying to help the humans or hurt them? What’s… I don’t understand how you think this is going to work.
Josie: Bileal needs the power to threaten them. And if humanity is in danger, Lucifer will come back to us.
Minna (as Julia): You think that’s gonna go down well?
Josie (as Scylla): They won’t be able to ignore that.
Minna (as Julia): [sighs]
Josie (as Scylla): And from there, we can do what we want. I don’t really care either way how it goes down. I just want us to have space again. Do you see how crowded this place has become?
Minna (as Julia): Yeah. I got that. [sighs] You think Babel’s gonna make that any less of a problem?
Josie (as Scylla): Not on its own. It is a weapon, after all. But it’s a step in the process.
Minna (as Julia): Is it a weapon?
Josie (as Scylla): Well, the way we’re gonna use it.
Minna (as Julia): [sighs] Okay. Hey, do you have a cell phone?
Josie: They cock their eyebrow.
Josie (as Scylla): I… don’t, actually.
Minna: [laughs]
Minna (as Julia): Cool. Do you know where Little Havana is?
Josie (as Scylla): Yes.
Minna (as Julia): Why don’t we put this away for another time? Because this is a nightmare. Look, you’re not the only demons in Miami.
Josie (as Scylla): I’ve gathered that much now.
Minna (as Julia): Yeah, and you’re trying to make a big old mess to bring Lucifer back. You’re not the only one who’s gonna be affected if that happens, and you’re not gonna be the only ones who’s affected even if Lucifer doesn’t pay attention, if he’s not— if They’re not anywhere out there.
Josie (as Scylla): Well, I figure there are some people I need to talk to. Penumbra will likely be down for this, and you can’t say us washing out Abaddon’s corruption—
Minna (as Julia): Oh no, fuck Abaddon.
Josie (as Scylla): Yes.
Minna (as Julia): Laying my cards on the table here, I’m not a big fan of the idea of constructing Babel. I’m even less fond about it being a big weapon. Because actually, I do care about the people here as well as everything else. So…
Josie (as Scylla): Interesting. You didn’t seem to care much about them back them.
Minna (as Julia): [sighs] That was a really, really long time ago.
Josie (as Scylla): I suppose it was. Regardless, this storm is just a cover. I’ll need to take the Shard and then we can talk later.
Minna (as Julia): It’s not just Penumbra and Bileal. Nazriel’s here, too.
Josie (as Scylla): I see.
Minna (as Julia): [sighs] I figure if you guys are gonna do this, if you’re gonna hatch plans on Lucifer’s behalf, you might as well hook up with the other people who care about that. There’s this restaurant in Little Havana, we do a brunch there. It’s not the worst place to set up a meeting— probably not during the brunch.
Josie (as Scylla): Brunch.
Minna (as Julia): Yeah, it’s that thing you eat between normal breakfast time and lunch time when you just wanna hang out with your friends on like, a Sunday morning.
Josie (as Scylla): You used to command the everglades at a whim, and now you have brunch.
Minna (as Julia): I used to command the everglades on a whim, and also I have been to brunch, or Sunday breakfast, or Friday night dinners many nights and many mornings throughout my life. It’s a bit complicated when you’re two people at once.
Josie (as Scylla): I wouldn’t know. Well, I suppose I will see you there once we are finished here.
Josie: And they’ll start walking towards the sandcastle.
Minna (as Julia): Shit.
Minna: I think Julia’s going to make a beeline for Luz.
Josie: Okey dokey.
Minna: Because I think she’s in damage control mode.
Fabby: [laughs]
Josie: Okay, so I think things converge a little bit. Luz, you had gone over, I assume, to pick up the Shard, because it’s not too far from you. And Jordan and Chazaqiel are there ready to go. And at that point, Remy arrives at the sandcastle. And in a few moments, the other two will. But right now, you have a few moments.
Fabby: My other idea was to use, uh, Lore of Longing so no one could see me grab it? But that’s okay if not.
Josie: Okay. You’re a—
Fabby: Okay, in that case I’m just gonna pocket that.
Josie: You can if you want, no one’s really paying a-fucking-ttention.
Fabby: Now it’s in her purse, we should go, though.
Josie: Yeah.
Kris (as Remy): You have it?
Josie: So Remy’s here, now.
Kris (as Remy): It didn’t burn you, did it?
[missing line, woops]
Kris (as Remy): Yes.
Kris: Looks over their shoulder, back at Father John, who’s presumably just staring and like, waiting for Remy to bring it back.
Fabby: [laughs]
Kris (as Remy): Okay, great.
Josie: He’s— he had actually backed off a little bit. I think he’s—
Minna: Holy shit, my cat was in here the whole time.
[laughter]
Minna: He just scared the shit out of me coming out of the closet.
Josie: Hello Raja. Was somebody sleeping in the closet?
Minna: He was, and now he wants out of my room.
Josie: Yes, you can. You’re not on screen right now. I think Father John is getting his family out of there and is expecting you to show up at the church.
Kris: Okay, cool. So yeah, Remy looks over their shoulder and doesn’t see him and like, breathes a sigh of relief and says,
Kris (as Remy): Good. We should get out of here before things escalate further.
Kris: And I think looks over and notices like, Julia approaching and also someone else approaching along with Julia and like, I don’t necessarily wanna use a Lore about it, but Lore of Celestials lets you identify— like, detect the presence of other people. But I think there’s just like an intensity to Scylla, even not knowing who they are, that Remy’s like, ‘Oh, this person’s… they mean business. Okay.’
Josie: Mm hmm. And Julia is running and I think gets there first. Chazaqiel says,
Josie (as Chazaqiel): Yes, whoever did is not someone I think we want to confront right now.
Josie: And that’s when Julia gets there and Scylla stops a few steps behind and says,
Josie (as Scylla): Hello, Penumbra. Chazaqiel. You’re the two I recognize.
Fabby: Luz does a big, exaggerated wave.
Fabby (as Luz): Hi!
Josie: Scylla just blinks at that.
Minna: I don’t know how much Julia knows about like, Luz’s whole damage with Lucifer, to be honest?
Josie: Mm hmm. You know she’s down bad for Them.
Fabby: Mm hmm.
Minna: Yeah…
Kris: It’s Luz.
Minna: Who has the Shard right now? Is it Luz?
Josie: Yep, it’s in Luz’s backpack.
Minna: Mm. I think honestly what happens is that Julia just like, steps in between Luz and Scylla.
Josie: Scylla raises an eyebrow.
Kris: I think Remy asks Julia,
Kris (as Remy): Who’s your friend?
Minna (as Julia): This is Scylla.
Kris: Looks out at storm over ocean. Looks back.
Kris (as Remy): That makes some sense.
Kris: I don’t even know if Remy is saying that remembering who Scylla is, but just like, the name is in mythology.
Josie: Give me a True Name roll about it, if you wanna try and remember anything about Scylla.
Kris: I think since Scylla just mentioned potentially escalating this, I think I will. Uh, it’s not gonna be good, but that’s fine. I think I’ve done enough Devil’s Bargains today. [laughs] This is two dice and I’m keeping the lower. That is a 3.
Josie: 3. Yeah, so…
Kris: Uh huh?
Josie: I think all you remember about Scylla is the one time they fought an archangel and it got nasty. I think that in that battle they invented the concept of… I think they invented the idea of like, limb loss? Like, not having bodily integrity?
Kris: Oh.
Josie: Because back then, everybody just kinda had a body that suited them, but given that they’re of ocean predators, kind of invented the idea that something could eat a part of your body. That’s all you remember about them.
Kris: Okay, Scylla is who we have to blame or thank, depending on how you feel about Jaws. Okay. Um, so yeah, Remy um, is worried about that, because an archangel is no joke and here we are all on a beach. I think Remy might respond and say— ooh, oh gosh, how would they de-escalate this? Cause… it doesn’t seem like, uh, Scylla intends to leave without what they came for, yeah?
Josie: I think Scylla looks at Penumbra and says,
Josie (as Scylla): Do you want to see Them again?
Fabby (as Luz): What?
Josie (as Scylla): We intend to use the Shards to bring Them back.
Fabby: She closes her eyes and then like, takes a big breath.
Fabby (as Luz): I want to see Them more than anything else in the world. But I do not trust… I do not trust you if you’re working with that priest. I do not trust you if you’re working with all of this. No. If you believe that, they’re lying to you. They wouldn’t come just for this.
Josie (as Scylla): Well, the good news is I am not working for them.
Fabby (as Luz): You’re not with the priest that we burned the church with?
Josie (as Scylla): Nope.
Fabby (as Luz): Okay, cool. Uh, that makes things much better. Why don’t we meet somewhere and we talk this over? How ‘bout brunch at La Casita?
Josie (as Scylla): You all seem quite determined to get me to experience brunch.
Minna: [laughs]
Kris: [laughs]
Fabby (as Luz): It’s really good!
Minna: [wheeze-laughs] ‘What is with you guys and brunch?’ [laughs]
Kris (as Remy): And beyond being delicious, it does seem like there are a lot of forces at play here, and it would behoove all of us to get a good handle on the situation. Everyone’s situation. Maybe we have more in common than we are aware of.
Fabby (as Luz): If you are planning to bring Them back and this is not part of them, but not Lucifer them, them.
Fabby: She like, gestures wildly.
Fabby (as Luz): Their plan, then we should talk. I would like to know how and why, but maybe here is not the best place to— do you use Reddit?
Minna: They don’t even have a cell phone.
Josie: They just kinda stare and blink at Luz.
Fabby (as Luz): You don’t have a cell phone? We should get them a— we should get you a cell phone.
Josie (as Scylla): Very well. I am going to speak to them. And then we will have a truce over brunch.
Josie: And they turn and just start to walk away.
Fabby (as Luz): That went way better than I expected.
Minna (as Julia): Yeah. Let’s get outta here.
##Credits [00.52.17]
Josie: Demon: Love and Hellfire is a Clever Corvids production. Find the show on Twitter @Love_Hellfire and follow @Clever_Corvids on Twitter for updates on the network and City That Never Dies. We also have a website, CleverCorvids.net.
Don’t forget to support the Clever Corvids Patreon. It supports all our shows, and you get some extra goodies each month if you do. I have a few more shows planned, so if we can get enough patrons to afford them, we can keep expanding our network.
Luz, aka Penumbra, is played by Fabby Garza. Fabby is a Mexican-American queer trans woman and you can find her voice in other Actual Play podcasts such as Eidolon Playtest, Moon Harbor Heroes, and Don’t Cast, Don’t Tell. You can find her and all of her work @Fabby_Garza on Twitter.
Remy, aka Orea, is played by Kris Allison. Kris is black, ace and tired. You can also hear them having anti-capitalist gay space adventures in the podcast Breathing Space: Fading Frontier. You can also find them on Twitter @knalliso, where they frequently retweet other people and sometimes draw swords.
Julia, aka Aigron, is played by Minna Reilly. Minna is an aro-ace Florida woman who doesn’t do anything wild enough to end up in a headline. You can, however, hear her elsewhere on Clever Corvids in The City That Never Dies. You can also find her on Twitter @mynaminnarr, where she is almost certainly talking about fanfiction.
The GM is Josie S. Josie is a literal, actual dragon and a thirsty trans lesbian. Hear her elsewhere on Clever Corvids in The City That Never Dies, or guesting on a bunch of other podcasts like Moon Harbor. You can find her on Twitter @DragonGirlJosie, where she is extremely gay all the time.
All music on the show is from Pixabay, used under their license, unless otherwise noted. Pixabay’s license grants the irrevocable, worldwide, non-exclusive and royalty free right to use, download, copy, modify or adapt their content for commercial or non-commercial purposes. Attribution of the artists is not required, but we have a page on our website, CleverCorvids.net, to credit the artists anyway.
Thank you for listening!