portals

[from_scratch]

The portal system is replaced with a more secure successor over time. Inferno's subworlds are still non-urgent, but the daeva do get a portal to Limbo, where the humans present are much less likely to be able to freak out and successfully move from freaking out to doing anything along the lines of "nuke the rogue daeva and hope the summoner's within the blast radius". Cam visits his dad and gets a letter to his mom asking that she show up at his dad's house. He makes useful things in ways that won't be too traceable (if his dad's fridge has slightly more bacon and cheese and apples to share with the neighbors a few days in a row, who'll notice?), as a short-term intervention while awaiting more acculturation to the way Limbo works so they won't upset any very delicate balances. The portals to the other worlds can wait until there are actual plans on what to do with them. And possibly until their alts have more free time to help. In the meantime, Cam has his parents again.

Comments

[from_scratch]

"The demonic terminology is probably best translated as 'upgraded', for people who become demons, and something - more or less untranslateable for people who become angels, and it varies how the languages feel about fairies, and I think I'd render the word for becoming a Limboite as 'defaulting'."

[ask_nicely]

"The terminology for becoming an angel is something mean, isn't it," snorts Adana.

[from_scratch]

"Yes. But in an extremely untranslateable way!"

[ask_nicely]

She giggles. "Of course. The way angels referred to demons is kind of - similar. I don't know how to accurately translate it. I can try, if you're curious?"

[from_scratch]

"Sure. And vice-versa if you like."

[ask_nicely]

"Go for it, I won't be offended. Hmmm. Uh - okay, 'The cheating, useless people of wasted potential and zero skill.' Also translatable as 'blisterbutts.'"

[from_scratch]

"...Blisterbutts. Is that a reference to the tails, the lakes of fire, or something more obscure? And the words for angels tend to aim at - you know what a Mary Sue is, in literature? Characters who may or may not be written such that they actually do no wrong, but who the story considers paragons, and who are consequently really annoying. One languages also calls you 'fluff-for-brains'."

[ask_nicely]

Adana giggles. "I'm pretty sure it's a reference to all of those, but also how demons are - basically in permanent retirement and apparently do nothing but sit around. Those are - hilarious translations."

[sundayfish]

"Racial slurs over fried eggs. Very romantic." Charlie serves up fried eggs.

[ask_nicely]

"Apparently my view of romance is a bit different from the standard."

[from_scratch]

"We are very suited."

[ask_nicely]

She grins. "Plus, it's - not like either of us are going to use the racial slurs on each other. Or anyone else, really. I just think the ones for angels are somewhat entertaining."

[from_scratch]

"But you don't want me to translate 'angel' when I use it as an endearment?"

[ask_nicely]

"I can imagine it now," she snickers. "'Hey, fluff-for-brains, c'mere, I want to cuddle.'"

[from_scratch]

"Mary Sue darling, let's go put an aquifer in Limbo. Yes. Perfect."

[ask_nicely]

"There is no way that can go wrong. Ever. Not even once."

[from_scratch]

"Excellent. I'll revise my vocabulary posthaste."

[ask_nicely]

"Good, good, it's always nice to stay completely updated."

[sundayfish]

"So you're the other person with the - alts? And all the other Cams are girls and all the other yous are boys?" says Charlie. "I don't know if I'd even like to meet others of myself but Cam seems to think it's grand."

[ask_nicely]

"It's pretty grand, actually. My alts are even all very nice - even Prime, the one who is five hundred years old and also basically incapable of not saying things sarcastically. I'm just - occasionally frustrated by how they're all men. I'm sure there are girl versions of us, somewhere. I can't be the only one."

[from_scratch]

"You could get the mages to look specifically. Isn't that how we got found? Turtle wanted to, ah...?"

[ask_nicely]

Adana coughs. "I mean. I wouldn't be looking for the same reasons. At - at all. But it would be nice to not be the odd one out in being female. Not that - they're not jerks about it, they don't treat me strangely or anything, but it would be nice."

[from_scratch]

"Phix wanted to know what it's like to be a boy. That was weird. I'm not overwhelmingly itching to have to switch from being 'Cam' to being 'Revelation' in peal company, though."

[ask_nicely]

"... Fair. Oh, I would need a nickname, too, wouldn't I, if there were another female me. Hm. Call me sentimental, but I'd like to match."

[from_scratch]

"The others are all doing it, except Rain and Katydid, and even they both have familiar-oriented names. So sure. Along what axes would you like to match?"