#he is going to be hammered after 1 empty chalice

[ragingbookdragon]

Should Judgement Come To Pass

Asra x M!Apprentice

Word Count: 2.8K Warnings: Explicit Language

Author’s Note: My spin on Book 20: Judgment, 1. The Red Room. Enjoy! -Thorne

           It was the oppressive emotion that kept his throat tight, heart hammering in his chest as he gazed from his plate to the other members of the Devil’s dinner party. Even if he wasn’t under the compulsion like Asra and them, his movements made him feel like he was. Too focused on trying to fit in, to keep the secret of his freedom hidden, it was eating away at his usually reserved demeanor. His eyes shifted to Asra, just a second is all it took for the other to nod and he inhaled deeply, glancing towards the Devil, an inviting smile growing underneath his mask. And the Devil smiled back, but it was anything but friendly.

           “See, (Y/N). All of this isn’t so bad.” He raised the silver goblet in his hand, and (Y/N) took a moment to glance at his own wine, imagining one of those vampire eels swimming around in it.

           “There’s food and wine, all of your favorite people in the same place. What more could you even ask for?” (Y/N) knew he had to play this by ear, and his answers had to seem like the most selfish he could possess.

           “I’d like…power.” He allowed a mock look of greed to come across him, voice dark and lusting. “If this is how it’s going to be, I want power.” The Devil burst into a roaring laughter, Valdemar and the others following.

           “Power!” The Devil repeated with a low chuckle. “Perhaps you and I are not so different after all, (Y/N).” He gave him a knowing look. “I bet you want to return to the great monster hunter you were before, hmm?”

           (Y/N) took a moment to think it over. “I can’t deny it’s crossed my mind.” His eyes flitted to Nadia and he sent a silent plea that she would play along. “When I was as powerful as I was three years ago, I had princesses tripping over themselves to make me their consorts.”

           Nadia was one smart cookie because she scoffed and spat, “You are just the same as Lucio.”

           He winked and flashed a pearly grin. “I can’t deny that power has its benefits.”

           “All mortals want power, Nadia,” the Devil tutted before turning his attention back onto (Y/N). “You desire to crush your enemies and to befuddle your betters…” his eyes darted to Asra. “To protect the ones you love dearly.”

           A bolt of white-hot anger thundered in (Y/N)’s chest, but he merely smiled through his clenched teeth. “What can I say? I’m a greedy bastard.”

           Some of the attendents laughed, and that was when (Y/N) felt the cool whisper of Asra’s magic was over him and Faust. Averting his gaze, he absentmindedly ran his pointer around the rim of his wine glass.

           “So, Devil?”

           The dark, maroon eye fell on him. “Yes, (Y/N)?”

           “Can I ask you something before the world is shot to hell?”

           The Devil snorted. “Oh, don’t be so dramatic. The world isn’t going to end, it’s just going to be…altered.”

           (Y/N) met his stare head on. “Why go through all this trouble? You’re an Arcana. You have control of an entire realm, and anybody stupi—understanding enough of magic to deal with?”

           Tutting once more, the Devil sighed. “(Y/N), (Y/N), (Y/N). Do you have any idea what any of what you just said means?” He scoffed. “Of course you don’t, do you? You’ve never even stopped to consider it. We Arcana are masters of our own realms, but in the rest of existence, we are confined. Restricted to our unchanging roles.” The Devil offered a sympathetic look. “Surely someone as talented and smart as you can see how awfully tiresome it would become to stay unchanging all the time?”

           (Y/N) opened his mouth to respond when he heard a voice that sent his heart pounding against his chest.

           Help!

           Before he could even do a thing, Asra jolted in his seat, knee banging the underside of the table, fork clattering against the porcelain dish. The Devil was silent, but (Y/N) could tell that in the way his crimson eyes focused on Asra that he was suspicious.

           (Y/N) sucked in a breath, eyes darting wildly around to find some form of distraction, all the while Asra and Faust were conversing. It was too confusing, trying to focus on them while trying to distract the Devil. If he didn’t find something to say, something to do, they were doomed. They were—

           “…no one wants you here, Devil.”

           The voice was quiet but firm, and (Y/N) turned his attention to Muriel who gave him a small nod. It was just the distraction enough because the Devil turned on Muriel, but he met the glare with defiant green eyes.

           Across the table, Julian cleared is throat too, voice carrying over the table. “He’s right you know. I can party with just about anyone, even Lucio, but you have to be the exception.”

           Soon, everyone was following along, and Nadia was the next to get her shot in. “And I do not recall inviting you to my Masquerade. You have been such an ungracious guest.” (Y/N) fought viciously to keep the smile hidden as he looked over his frien—no, his best friends.

           The Devil paused a moment to regard them all, as if he genuinely cared what they were saying to him, though the way his clawed hands started clenching and unclenching told him otherwise.

           “Courage in the face of inevitable fate.” His voice turned downright mocking. “How…admirable.” Smiling, he added, “I hope something of you remains when the new world dawns. Perhaps I’ll have new toys to play with.”

           A flickering next to (Y/N)’s silver chalice caught his eye, something that could’ve been a trick of the light, but he knew what it really was. The red wine rippled, then stilled, and next to him, Asra slumped back in his seat, exhaustion seeping down his body. (Y/N) inconspicuously lowered his hand to Asra’s thigh, trying to pour magic into his lover. Whether it worked or not, he didn’t know, but the way Asra sighed in slight relief made his heart calm. Cool snakeskin ran behind his ankle as Faust wound her way up.

           Done…

           Even she sounded exhausted. His heart picked up again, but he was too afraid to even look in Asra’s direction for fear that a single glance would give them both away.

           The Devil raised his chalice and smiled. “To all of you. Thank you so much for playing the wonderful parts you’ve been given.”

He passed the chalice to Julian, and try as he did to resist, the compulsion was too strong, and he took the goblet. His normally pale complexion seemed to whiten even further after he swallowed the wine. The chalice made its way around the table, and one by one the dinner guests drank from it before it finally reached Asra and (Y/N).

           Raising it, Asra said, “To you, (Y/N).” he took a long sip before passing it over into (Y/N) hands.

           He took a long look at it, the dark crimson stains across the sides of the polished silver made his stomach curl. Before he lost his nerve, he grunted and knocked the remaining wine back, forcing himself to keep the sickly saccharine liquid down.

           Asra’s hand fell to his, worry in his voice. “Are you alright, my love?”

           He didn’t have a chance to respond as the Devil chuckled and shook his head, eyes falling on the two of them. “Love. Tell me Asra, what do you think your love managed to accomplish?” With a clawed hand, he vaguely gestured to the rest of the guests at the table. “Everyone is here. Everyone drank the wine. Even your darling (Y/N).”

           Grinning evilly, he finished with, “All your efforts were for naught. You and your love achieved nothing.”

           And that was the bridge too far. (Y/N) could take the Devil mocking his failures, but not those of Asra’s. His lover had worked for too long, worked far too hard, and suffered enough to be subjected to such abuse.

           The screeching of his chair sounded through the room as he stood to his feet and to his full height, ripping the mask off his face so the Devil could look his straight in the eyes.

           “You’re wrong,” (Y/N) condemned with the most withering glower he could muster.

           “Oh?” the Devil merely looked amused as he steepled his fingers. “Indulge me then, (Y/N). Tell me how wrong I am about this mortal delusion you call love.”

           Everyone fell silent, and with the weight of their gazes on him, (Y/N) inhaled and exhaled before he picked up the empty goblet and turned to Asra.

           “Asra, the first thing I remember in this new existence is the feeling of your arms wrapped protectively around me, the relieved and joyous tears seeping into my shirt.” He reached out, taking his lover’s hand. “You have always and will always be the greatest part of me, the truest friend and partner. The man I love the most.”

           (Y/N) raised the chalice to Julian. “We discovered the truth and redeemed an innocent man…not that he made it easy on us.” Julian’s face flushed a light pink as he laughed and gave a dramatic bow.

           “We have traveled across the realms of magic with nothing but our wits and ability to save us. We saved your parents and unraveled numerous mysteries great and small.” Asra’s eyes shone with crystal clear tears and he squeezed (Y/N)’s hand with all he could.

           “I couldn’t’ve done this, any of this, had you not been by my side the entire time.” Flashing him a smile, “Well, I probably could’ve, but not as stylishly of course.” Asra merely giggled and nodded.

           Sighing indulgently, the Devil glanced at them. “Yes, yes, this all so very touching. Dare I ask what even your point to all this is, (Y/N)?”

           (Y/N) tossed the goblet away, not caring that it bounced along the marble floor with a clang. The Devil’s eyes briefly darted to it, then back to him, an anger drawing into them.

           “Love’s the one thing you don’t understand Devil. It will always matter, even if you can’t comprehend it.” He tugged Asra to his feet and turned his attention to the beautiful mauve eyes he as well as his own. “It’s important to me. Important to us. And that���s all I need to be happy.”

           Raising his free hand, he caressed Asra’s cheek. “I don’t need anything else as long as you’re by my side, beloved.”

           “Is that so? Love has driven many passionate mortals, the same as you, into my open and waiting arms.” He grinned deviously. “Always craving more pleasure, more novelty, more control. Your kind are never sated. You’re greedy—like me.”

           (Y/N) shook his head, but never took his eyes off Asra’s. “The feelings you’re describing aren’t love. That’s pride and arrogance. Greed and loathing.”

           Finally, he looked over at the Devil. “However, I’m not surprised that the likes of you can’t tell the difference. It’s almost pitiful. But it makes me see just how delusional you’ve become in this whirlwind of a masterplan.” Expecting a barb back at him, (Y/N) was unnerved to see how conspicuously silent the Devil became.

           Asra looked as though he was seeing the sunrise for the first time after a life in the darkness as he confessed, “(Y/N), you didn’t have to say all the on my behalf.”

           He grinned at his lover. “Probably not…but it made me feel all manly to defend your honor.” Pressing a quick kiss to his cheekbone, he murmured, “Like a knight in shining armor defending his damsel in distress.” Asra snorted, pressing his face into (Y/N)’s shoulder to muffle his laughter, and it made his heart feel bubbly and light despite the gloom and darkness around them.

           “Well, I do feel safe and defended, so thank you, (Y/N).” Peeking his head up, he gazed into (Y/N)’s eyes. “And remember, whatever comes next and becomes of us, I love you too.”

           His heart swelled in his chest and it was only then that (Y/N) realized that everyone was watching them with grand smiles on their faces. It was enough to stun him and Asra, mainly because they’d forgotten they weren’t alone—Asra more so.

The Devil on the other hand was barely containing his annoyance. “Are you quite finished filibustering, (Y/N)? I’ve an agenda to keep up with.”

           (Y/N) shrugged and deadpanned, “Technically you asked me, asshole.”

           Ignoring the insult, the Devil huffed, “A moment of idle curiosity, nothing more than so.” Not wanting to push the envelope farther, (Y/N) fell silent and let the conversation stand. “Nevertheless, now that your sickenin—heartwarming display is over…”

           With an earsplitting ring, the Devil’s hands clapped together. (Y/N)’s teeth rattled, ears ringing as every nerve ending was set aflame. By the shock on Asra and the other’s faces, they felt it too. As quick as it came over, it was gone, and Julian was the first to break the silence.

           “Uh…was something supposed to happen? Because I don’t think it’s happening.”

           “Patience,” the Devil commanded. “One can’t rush these things.” Clapping his hands again, the same outcome applied. “What…is this? It should work.”

           (Y/N) sighed wistfully, and with humor. “Ah well, performance issues are not uncommon.” Asra choked on his spit as he tried not to laugh. “Running an apothecary, I’ve seen it’s about one out of five. I could recommend—” A deafening screech echoed through the room and they all spun to see Volta screaming at the top of her lungs.

           “Oh! Oh, what is happening to Volta? Volta feels…light? Volta feels so strange!”

           They stared in shock as the other courtiers started squirming uncontrollably in their seats, even Valdemar who was the strongest of them appeared particularly rattled. Something didn’t seem right with them to (Y/N) and before he could speak his concern to Asra, his vision fell into a hazy red, nausea threatening to turn his stomach inside out. What reeled him more was the true visage of the courtiers—constructed shells, thin as frost, and barely containing their real, nightmarish forms. He drew his eyes away only to catch sight of the ghostly chains binding everyone to their chairs. The vision began to fade, and the chains started unraveling, link by link by link.

           When it all cleared, the first thing (Y/N) saw was Asra’s face. “Come on, (Y/N). Deep breaths. You’re here. You’re with me.”

           He breathed a sigh of relief. “Asra, we did it. The plan worked.”

           “What? How do you know? What did you see?” Asra’s questions were rapid-fire.

           Nadia cut off any response, rising from her seat gloriously like a phoenix from the ashes. “Whatever you hoped to accomplish has failed, Devil.” Her voice held a barely contained, seething rage. “If you are quite done with this perverse little charade, get the hell out of my Palace.”

           Everyone began to rise as though they were awakening from a long, hellish dream, standing as they were no longer bound by the ritual. Asra and (Y/N)’s smiles grew by the moment.

           Asra looped his arms around (Y/N)’s waist, hugging him tightly. “We did it! It worked!”

           (Y/N) yanked off his mask and took hold of Asra’s chin, sealing their lips in a searing kiss. As they pulled away, Aisha and Salim leapt from the chair and ran over to hug them.

           “Oh, thank the Gods you’re both alright!” Aisha exclaimed, pressing kisses to both their cheeks.

           “What of you two? Are you hurt?” Asra’s hurt was palpable. “I’m so sorry we didn’t come sooner. We—”

           Salim rested a hand on Asra’s shoulder. “Asra, don’t be sorry. We’re alright. And you two did marvelously.”

           “And we’re so very proud of you two,” Aisha added with a smile.

           “Ahem.” The Devil exaggerated and everything fell silent once more. Asra took his place before his parents, and (Y/N) before him.

           “We drank your wine and ate your food, and nothing has happened. The ritual has failed. It’s over. Let us go.”

           All at once the shadows darkened as he rose from his seat, form distorting until he towered over the guests.

           “Over?” he laughed coldly. “Never.” He reached out a shadowy clawed hand to seize them, blackened fire erupting around the room.

           (Y/N) raised a hand, instantly cooling the fires around Asra and he. “It’s over, Devil. Fate says it is. We say it is.” His eyes narrowed with determination and he fiercely declared, “I say it is.”

           “You’re not going anywhere you foolish mortals,” the Devil countered and (Y/N) willed the magic to his fingers, an ethereal blade forming in his hand.

           He pointed at the Devil, took Asra’s hand in his free one, and dared fearlessly, “Watch us.”

[fridaythe13ththeseries]

13 O’Clock

Episode Recap #35: 13 O'Clock Original Airdate: January 7, 1989

Starring: John D. LeMay as Ryan Dallion Louise Robey as Micki Foster Chris Wiggins as Jack Marshak

Guest cast: Gwynth Walsh as Reatha Wilkerson David Proval as Eric Ingrid Veninger as Skye Jason Hopley as Johnny-O Ron Hartmann as Henry Wilkerson Alan Moses as Busker Peter Langley as Businessman Bob

Written by Rob Hedden Directed by Rob Hedden

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This week, we open at the subway during the night. People on and off the train, including an older businessman, Henry Wilkerson. He goes up to the street, seemingly anxious. He passes by a group of street kids fiddling with a soda machine, then a man playing the saxophone. He checks his pocket-watch, not realizing a woman is following him.

He gives the sax player a $20 bill then hits him with a hammer, killing him. He checks the pocket-watch again and heads back to the subway. The woman, Reatha, follows behind him, watching.

In the subway, he waits until the pocket-watch strikes 1 AM, however the number on the watch changes to 13 and all around him the world freezes. He alone can move about. He goes back to the street.

The next day, Micki and Ryan have to walk after the car breaks down and is towed away. They bicker about who is at fault. They are supposed to get a cursed chalice back by 5 PM. Micki suggests they use the subway.

In her home, the woman who had been following the man earlier finds the stopwatch in his desk. Henry comes home, telling Reatha he has goodies for her. But he grows angry when he sees her with the watch. Henry says it was a present from his father. The woman feigns ignorance, then plays up to him for her gifts. He gives her a solid platinum letter opener. Reatha is less than thrilled. He then pulls out some car keys. In the driveway is a brand new car. She is thrilled. She tries to ply him about the watch, but he just wants her to continue their weird sexual role-play.

That night, Reatha is with her boyfriend, Eric. He wants to make love, but she wants to talk about the watch and what she saw. She thinks it is a way for them to get what they want - and for her to be free of Henry. Eric is worried about the cops investigating him for real estate fraud. And besides that, his lawyer wants to get paid. He asks if she pawned her gifts from "Daddy". She gets him the money. He wants more, getting rough with her. He tells her to stick with her sugar daddy, for now.

At the subway, Micki and Ryan have the cursed chalice and are now waiting to re-board the subway. The street kids are there, daring each other to try stupid tricks close to the tracks. Micki and Ryan watch and Micki worries the girl, Skye, will get hurt. The girl promptly falls into the tracks, Ryan jumping after her. She jumps up, it was just a prank. Ryan gets out just in time. They scold the kids, who laugh at them and leave. Micki and Ryan board the train.

Later, two of the kids are eating their make-shift diner in a garbage-strewn alley. The boy, Johnny-O, leaves but his sister, Skye, lags behind. Soon, Henry is nearby, ready to use his pocket-watch again. This time, Reatha reveals her presence. He is angry, telling her to go home. She tells him she saw him kill the man and use the watch. He says it was all for her. She plays coy, asking to see the antique. She gets him to reveal that you have to be in the Castle Hill Station at exactly 1 AM and time will stand still, after you kill someone. Henry then raises the hammer, but Reatha gets him first, stabbing him in the gut. Henry dies, while Skye witnesses it all. When she rushes off, she makes noise and Reatha spots her. But the time is close, so the woman heads to the subway.

In the Castle Hill Station, Reatha just makes it in time for the watch to work. Henry's death has powered it, and time freezes. Reatha walks among the frozen world and begins to snatch items. She uses a frozen cop's billy club to smash a jewelry store window and steal a watch. Soon, she is laden with bags and furs. The hour passes and time resumes.

Skye and Johnny-O discuss what she saw. He says she should go to the cops, but she won't because she doesn't want to go back into the social system. He tries to push, but she resists.

Ryan comes down in the morning, Micki and Jack tell him about the murder at the subway, and the nearby robberies. Their interest is piqued by it all. Jack says there was another murder the other day, same area, and Micki says there were also more robberies. They day goes on with the three of them searching the Manifest and newspapers. Jack eventually finds the pocket-watch in the book, bought by a Bart Wilkerson, the last name matching the murder victim, Henry. After a call saying the car is fixed, Jack sends them to visit Henry's widow and he is going to look into Bart Wilkerson.

Reatha gives Eric the watch she stole, but he is still on edge. The woman who can implicate him with the cops appears to be making a recovery in the hospital. Reatha tells him it won't make a difference. She pulls out a hypodermic needle and some drugs and says she is going to kill the woman. Eric is unsure, but she says why not, she killed Henry.

Micki and Ryan arrive at Reatha's house, offering sympathy about Henry, then asking if he owned an antique pocket-watch. Reatha plays dumb, then plays up the grieving widow angle. Micki gives their business card as Reatha shuts the door. Eric now believes the watch might actually be something special. Micki tells Ryan they should head back to the subway.

At night, at the Castle Hill Station, they are looking for the street kids from the night before. They find Johnny-O and follow him. Reatha and an old man she met on the subway come up right after, slowly walking together.

Johnny-O comes back to where Skye has been hiding. He knows she is worried, even is she says she's not. They are startled by Micki and Ryan's appearance. Reatha plays up to her new prey, kissing him. She pulls out the watch and checks the time.

Micki and Ryan press the kids for information. Johnny-O and Skye want money for information. Ryan gives them $20, but the kids laugh and say they saw nothing. Ryan snaps at them. Micki acts kinder, giving them her card and telling them to call if they see anything.

Reatha leads the man to an alley. He is unsure, but she plays up to him, then draws her knife. She kills him and heads back to the subway, Ryan and Micki spotting her - and the watch. She seems them and dashes off. They chase her, Ryan grabs her and looks at the watch, seeing it change to 13 O'Clock. He is stunned, so Reatha hits him and he falls into the subway track. A train is right before him, but momentarily frozen in time.

Reatha heads to the hospital, making her way inside with everyone around her frozen. She enters the old woman's room and injects the drug into her IV line. Ryan wakes up in the tracks and sees the train before him. Just as time resumes, he jumps out of the way. In the hospital, the old woman reacts to the drug in her system, quickly dying.

At Curious Goods, Ryan tells Jack about the time freezing. Micki says to her nothing happened, one second Ryan was there, then gone. Ryan's watch is also an hour ahead of Micki and Jack's. They put together all the pieces of the cursed item. Jack says it is known in the occult world as "13 O'Clock".

The kids talk about what to do, Johnny-O wanting his sister to go to the cops,  when Reatha appears, knife in hand. She chases the siblings, but they are faster. She checks her watch, not worried about them getting away.

Ryan, Micki and Jack find out that Bart Wilkerson had a grudge against the subway system, after he was fired for drinking on the job. He pawned the watch at Lewis' store, then bought it back a year later, with the bonus of the curse. Jack quotes Shakespeare, but is hard pressed to come up with a way to stop Reatha. Soon, Johnny-O calls, telling them they are ready to talk.

At her house, Reatha and Eric celebrate the death of the woman in the hospital. They are drunk with the power of the watch and what it can do for them. Before any of that, Reatha says she has to get rid of the street girl who witnessed her kill Henry.

Micki tends to the Skye's wound. The young woman looks around Micki's room. Micki tries to bolster the girl's feelings, telling her she was good doing her acrobatics in the subway. Soon they are all enjoying dinner together. The kids are grateful, then Skye tells them about seeing Reatha kill Henry. Ryan then takes a chance and tells the kids about the cursed pocket-watch. Johnny-O doesn't buy it, but his sister is more accepting. Jack says they are all in danger during the hour Reatha can walk freely among them.

That night, they all head to the subway, a plan in motion to try and catch Reatha. Johnny-O tells Ryan about the train times and that they have all the subway entrances under watch. Reatha is about, a new man in her sights. Soon, he stumbles out, stabbed in the chest. Micki rushes to him. Reatha and Eric appear and abduct Skye.

Johnny-O and Ryan search one train and come up empty. Reatha and Eric take Skye to the Castle Hill Station, waiting for 1 AM. Eric wants to go somewhere quiet, but Reatha says they have to stay put until 1 AM.  Skye looks for an opportunity to make a break for it. She spots Ryan and her brother. The subway doors open, she grabs the watch and dashes into the train. They follow. Micki yells to Ryan and Johnny-O that they are on the train car. Ryan and Johnny-O rush off to find the emergency stop for the train.

Reatha and Eric chase Skye, cornering her in the last car. Ryan pulls the power, stopping the train in the dark. Skye tosses the watch, telling them it is useless if they aren't in Castle Hill. Reatha grabs it and tells Eric to leave the girl, they have to get back. They rush down the tracks. Ryan jumps out and attacks them, struggling with Eric. The man knocks Ryan out and leaves him behind. Johnny-O and Micki spot Reatha and Eric running towards the station. Soon, Ryan is in pursuit. He catches up to them, grabs the watch away from them as Reatha screams. But since Ryan has it, time only freezes for Reatha and Eric, who stand like statues.

At the store the next day, the kids come down, thanking them all for their help. But they want to go back to the streets, it is their home. Jack gives them a card for a friend of his who runs a youth shelter. They are unsure, but trust their new friends. Ryan says they can all drive down, but Jack again offers one of his quotes. When Ryan asks who said it, Jack motions to the man towing their car away, yet again.

~~~~~~~~~~

My thoughts:

A great episode. The cursed pocket-watch is such a great item for a story. The possibilities it holds are almost limitless. The restriction of the specific subway station is really the only thing that holds it back from being nearly the most powerful item.

I love the use of black and white filming for the world when time is stopped, except for the one using the cursed item. And love how that is reversed when Reatha and Eric are trapped in time at the end.

I wonder what became of them? Were they just frozen for an hour and then turned over to the cops? Or are they perpetually frozen in time? The show does not address this. Did our group stick them in the vault?

Also like seeing how our group helps the kids out, not forcing them to do anything they don't want to do, but offering ways to make their lives a little better. Also like how Ryan is more reluctant than Micki and Jack, at first, since he was the one who nearly got smooshed by the train thanks to their prank.

The relationship between Reatha and Henry is pretty icky. Her calling him Daddy and wanting her presents before being punished for snooping. Yikes.

Just a great episode with an interesting antique. If it had been in more capable hands, it could have been quite the weapon.

Next week: Night Hunger