ashes_ascending

Wonderland 'verse.

Phoenix rather enjoys his sojourns topside. And since he's managed to behave himself, his owners, Hell's royal family, seem more than happy to allow it again.  As long as he continues not to cause havoc in the palace, be it accidentally poisoning monkeys, or insulting Lucifer's sister, or … Well, he's been good little incubus. He'll be leaving it at that. 

Santa Barbara's fun. He likes the bars. He particularly likes how easy it is to pick up a spot of dinner. Tonight it's a cute young male bartender. Dark hair, dark eyes, and a still a virgin, which is impressive in itself, and happens to be of Phoenix's favourite flavours. He's been flirting with the guy all night, but rather than endure all that ridiculous - "Oh wait, I'm going that way too, let me walk you home…" chat-up nonsense, he opts for the pleasure of stalking him home once the bar's closed up. 

He's doing just that thing, when he realises he can sense another supernatural being nearby. Somewhere. It's not a fucking angel that's for sure and if it thinks it's going to be sharing his supper… it's very much mistaken.
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[[ooc: I thought I'd play this as - Phoenix already knows nondemon!Shawn. It's part of his RP canon, and he sees Shawn as a 'pet'. Phoenix is also quite possessive over Santa Barbara's favourite piece of tail. XD I know your demon guy interacts with dial_a_psychic a fair amount. Hope that fits in okay with you?]]

((I'm still in a rut with this muse, and need some character development. However, the temptation to make him more like Irony!Phoenix is being RESISTED. AARGH. Anyhoo, since Vahl's hold on him has been lifted, there'll be a few changes in the powers he was supposed to have, but were being suppressed))

(I'm handwaving my bit of Rubella Wars plot, because quite frankly ficcing the stuff that's going on at the Kaldoan end is getting a bit tedious. It's tl'dr anyway, feels like self-threading and I'd rather just be getting along with RP as and when it happens)

The Younger Phoenix has been put into a coma by Alec. (Tanith by Ylaia, and Corvo by Drakus) So that Ylaia can take Vahl's ESP powers and heal the three younger gods. They'll wake up safely and well, with all memories of their abuse eradicated, and the suggested knowledge that Vahl has been wanted for criminal activity for a while now. Ylaia doesn't need proximity for the taking of another god's powers, it can be done by tapping into the nebula)

They have tried to locate Vahl, to arrest him, but the bad guy has gotten wind that something's wrong, and is rather reluctant to be found.

So. At this point. Vahlmir Ravenhead has just been psychically torn in half, which fucking HURT – he deserved it, right? ;) And is pretty pissed about the whole fact that not only have his plans been screwed, but he's wanted by his own people. And the NUTJOB he detests so much is partly responsible (Yup, that'll be the older Phoenix) Vahl also still has the usual god powers, with a residual and natural but far more limited psychic ability.

This just sets up and justifies why he'll be off with Raissa, to free Revka and Snake; then go on to help Raissa cause more trouble for everyone.

(Crossposted to ashes_ascending ashes_ascended and linked toplotfest)