nexus_crossings | (no subject)

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Many others of his ilk like to cause a scene or enter with a bang - Stolas, however, is not one for dramatics. He's also one for studying a situation before stepping into it.

He doesn't immediately ask any questions - instead, he watches the Nexus-goers like someone would people watch. Perhaps a little more intently than some would like, leaving them feeling like an owl is watching them from somewhere. The custom of asking a question makes itself shown quickly, and people like it when customs or traditions are followed. He might as well.

Stolas' voice is on the deeper end of the scale, but clear and calm, sounding like a college professor. "What constellations have you always been able to find, when the sky allows it? Why do you think it's easy for you to find this particular one?"

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Stolas rolls his eyes at the sarcasm. He smirks a little. "Well, at least he mistook me for a man as handsome as I am. I'd be disappointed if it turned out you weren't." But joking aside, Stolas shrugs.

"I read something that said that people, during their lifetime, have at least seven dopplegangers, where it used to be assumed there was only one." He's not about to go into the history of dopplegangers and fetches being seen as an omen of death or bad luck, because Josh is freaked out. He's not about to suggest another form he could take, if Josh is too uncomfortable looking at a mirror image.

"Where are you from?"

Josh is watching Stolas carefully. Now that he's forced to believe that this is in fact Real, he needs to start thinking harder about everything that's going on. They don't share the same name or voice. but is he another version of Josh, perhaps form another world? Or just a very convincing look alike.

"I'm from Alberta. Canada. Earth circa 2015. But my family is half Canadian and half Egyptian."

Oh Josh. Oh, Josh.

Stolas raises an eyebrow. So far nobody has actually asked him that question, so he's had no reason to answer. But well, the box is open, and Stolas gives an easy shrug.

"The Earth I know is circa 2016," he begins. "Though I can't truthfully say that I'm from it. My own family is neither Canadian or Egyptian - as the hierarchy of angels was made before Earth was, it seems silly to call ourselves a citizen of any earthly country. To simplify things - I am from Hell. I am Prince Stolas, the head of twenty six legions. I will teach gemology, poisonous herbs, and astronomy to those who summon me, though those are not the only things I know."

An angel should never be proud. A fallen angel knows exactly how magnificent they are, and have no compulsions against pride.

I've met another me today and he's a goddamn fallen angel Prince of Hell. Yeah, that sounds about right.

Monster. Psychopath.

Even people who look like him are monsters. Josh doesn't know what to say, but he certainly doesn't look shocked. If anything, there's an emptiness to his face that is slowly replaced by a self loathing so great that he can barely stop from laughing hysterically.

"Well, that makes sense. Good for you, guy."

Josh hangs his head and wraps his arms around himself. He doesn't want to be like that. Doesn't want to be a monster. They say he's not, but they don't know. They don't know what's inside his head, clawing at his sanity. They don't know that everything else like him is a monster so far as he knows. He can't let Han know. Can't let anyone know. They'll turn on him. As they should.

But Joshua is selfish and he doesn't want to be alone again.

Not again.

"Could you...maybe not tell anyone else that? Especially not...not Han. Really anyone, but."

Stolas cocks another eyebrow.

Human politics are confusing for him, and Stolas doesn't quite understand why looking too close to someone is often a notch against someone. He isn't aware that this is the problem that Josh is having, either, so he just sees his doppleganger looking extremely upset. That is something that Stolas is familiar with, at least.

"I assumed you'd make a joke about the prince and the pauper. Ah, well," Stolas says. "As of yet, you're the only one that's asked me explicitly, if that gives you any comfort." He tilts his head, studying Josh.

The other man doesn't seem to think that Stolas is lying, which isn't odd, if this place is as diverse as they say. Except the usual reaction that he gets upon saying that isn't present here. Curious.

"I...have enough trrrrouble with people without my body double goin' around tellin' folks he's the Prince of hell and all that."

There's a slight slur to Josh's words. An inconsistency in the pacing that doesn't sound right. Josh is trying very hard to be calm. To be normal.

"...No offense."

Edited 2016-12-14 18:16 (UTC)

"A Prince," Stolas corrects idly.

His eyes are softer, inasmuch as a fallen angel's eyes can be soft. Stolas is no stranger to those in the middle of a panic. Sometimes it's a lot of fun to wind someone up, to stoke the flames, but right now he's trying to make a good impression in the Nexus. Besides, this seems like undue cruelty.

"There are other forms I could take, though I'm not sure how someone would react to a five foot owl wearing a crown," Stolas says. "As it is, I won't run around happily telling everyone what and who I am, if that helps you any. And I can at least be sure to state that I am not you, nor any relation to you. We just look alike."

Beat.

"Would you feel more at ease if I were to not look like you, at least for the moment?"

Because watching himself turn into a giant bird monster is going to lead to anything other than more horrific nightmares.

"N-no. I'm fine."

Josh shakes his head quickly. Takes a deep breath and tries to hold it as long as he can before slowly releasing it. That's it, nice and easy.

"You do you, man. I"ll be fine. Just...j-just need a moment to adjust, is all."

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