Sage lay on his bed, hands folded behind his head staring at the ceiling. He knew it was coming. They all did. His parents, his friends, his brother...they were all there, up until he could hear the long, high, unwavering tone reverberating in the background as he felt himself pulled. The waiting room, like his apartment, was a huge disappointment. Oh, but he's in a better place now, they would be saying back on Earth, Thank God his suffering is over. Little did they know that instead of a hospital bed, he got a twin mattress that wasn't adjustable, it was stiff and rarely got any use without the need to sleep. The afterlife was about bounty, so long as you killed your fair share, and he found that out with his sacrifice. They made it sound like one had to fight.

Shit, if he went another day wanting to taste something delicious, he might. He'd been told of his newfound powers, his super speed and ability to nullify demon's powers, but he had to eat their flesh to do it, drink their blood. It would taste delicious, they told him, and he wasn't sure when they were lying and telling the truth. The way he understood it, the afterlife was a business. That the kindness you showed in life, or your innocence, earned you a place in daylight rather than in night, but you would never escape the sun's gaze. The stars would never greet your face unless you went to Hell.

He sat up, hearing thumps next to his head and knocked on the wall, “Hey, you okay in there?”

=-=

Seventy-five years dead and still Kat forgot her sunglasses. She was lucky though, today was cloudy and the street's golden reflection was not quite so harsh today. Her heels clacked against the golden streets with the steady clack, clack, clack of a woman on a mission. Her pace was quick, and her hips swayed with just the right amount of curve to propel her closer to her destination rather than please the other onlookers on the street. Judgment Hall was still three blocks away, and rent was due within the half hour. Lucky for her, she had several demonic weapons and trinkets stashed on her bodice and she'd be making enough, but she needed to get there to turn them in.

Eyes on the sidewalk, she sped, not noticing those she passed by when she ran face-first into a dark-skinned girl with golden eyes, “I'm sorry!” she squeaked, scrambling up to her feet and straightened her pencil skirt before she held out her hand to help the other pedestrian up.

Hell

Axle stood behind the counter inside a run-down joint called the Inferno. In his hands was a cloth and a glass that he was in the process of polishing. Rather than restocking it, he squat behind the counter standing only when a carton of milk appeared on the bar, followed by a bottle of chocolate syrup, and then a spoon. Soon, the glass was filled with white contents turning brown and the only sound that could be heard in the entire bar was that of cheap metal against glass. Red irises traveled to the clock above the door and after a gulp of the concoction, he groaned, falling back onto a stool. He missed the days when he could go outside and burn one, finishing out the rest of the shift high as a kite, but none of that was available to him now, and he spun around on the stool lazily, grabbing the remote to the jukebox. If he played the right music, his fellow demons might find it in themselves to go and get drunk to good music.

He stood at attention when a woman stepped in, a platinum blonde with with black lowlights stepped in acting like she owned the place. Her lips were painted black, and even Axle could see that her wings were flawless. She must've been one of the club kiddies, though she was bound to find disappointment here. Seemed only those that have been dead a long ass time enjoyed the Inferno, and for more than its brilliant reference. This woman wasn't broken enough to see the Inferno for what it was. Nevertheless, Axle was bored and willing to entertain.

“Welcome to the Inferno, shittiest bar on this side of Purgatorio. What can I get you to drink?” Axle offered his best grin and even tacked on a weak excuse for a bow.

The woman opened her eyes and when Axle saw them, he smirked. They were a vibrant yellow. Another with odd-colored eyes. He was sure she was a popular little treat to those that managed to catch her interest. She, however, didn't respond and motioned for him to speak again. He noticed her eyes didn't leave his lips and nodded stepping forward. It was in that moment that he realized she had a white board strung up across her chest.

She's deaf, Axle thought to himself and sighed. Conversation was going to be slow. She wrote: “Whiskey, please. Little ice. Well.”

Axle nodded and fetched the lady her drink.

Sage pressed his ear to the wall, not able to hear a response, though he could hear someone's body shifting on their bed clear as day. He knew he was heard, but why wasn't he receiving an answer yet? He resumed his former position, but his brooding was no focused on something other than the bullshit afterlife agenda and now on his neighbor. He'd been in Heaven all of about a week, and he knew they threw them up in the free, shittiest of all apartments to ensure that all of the new angels would either a.) get a job or b.) get their asses out onto the battlefield. The latter he knew to be especially true for himself. But whoever his new neighbor was, apparently they were a shut in. He wondered how long he'd been there without his realizing it.

Finally, he heard a knock at his door, and it was little wonder that his face was one of confusion when he answered. The boy standing before him had platinum white hair and looked as though recently he'd been crying. With most of the new angels being cooped up here, it didn't take much to guess as to why. If he'd died young, it was little question as to why. He'd been going through his own shit. “Hey, I'm Sage. And you are...?”

> > >

“No, no. It's my fault; I was ah...in a hurry,” Kat responded with a certain earnest twinge in her voice. Please let this be my fault, I cannot forgive you if it isn't... She pulled the other woman up and held out her hand to shake, “I'm alright, I promise. I didn't hit the ground that hard, and after earning this,” she held up a necklace that was in her pocket, “A fall like that is nothing. Name's Katarina, by the way.” The woman's German accent had faded over the years, but the accent was there regardless. She offered the other woman a smile.

Axle sighed, narrowing his eyes at the newcomer. He'd seen this type before. So, he propped his elbows up on the bar, plastered his best “I don't give a shit about you” face, and said “I imagine you would have to actually be heard of to be everyone's anything, let alone anyone's favorite. Tell me, Red, how many angels have you sent back to the mortal realm?” He cocked an eyebrow and grabbed a glass, “To answer your question, just like everywhere else, you ask for one and then you pay. What are you drinking?”

Olivia didn't notice the newcomer until he all but grazed her thigh as he clambered onto his barstool. She spun her whiskey around and cleared her throat, tossing the contents of the glass down her throat. She held out her glass to Axle, knowing he'd know to refill it, which he did promptly.

Sage had to adjust his gaze slightly lower to look at the man in the face. His eyes screamed discomfort, but he was trying, and Sage had to give that to him. He tried to make it easier by making his posture more casual and less formal when a voice started speaking in his head. “Luka? That's your name?” he said this without thinking, as the voice seemingly came from nowhere. The man on the opposite end of the doorway hadn't moved his lips. “I know this sounds crazy...You uh...didn't you didn't say anything, but I thought I heard a voice saying 'I'm Luka!' so I thought maybe? Does it have to do with your sacrifice?”

> > >

“Well, back when the user was alive, it caused invisibility, but they're dead, so now it's going to pay my rent,” Kat said with a laugh. “Speaking of, that's why I was in a hurry, but uh...if you'd like to come with me, you can. If you're new, I can show you around,” she gave a nonchalant shrug and shifted the shoulder bag's strap to a more comfortable position, dug in it for a moment and drew out a pad of sticky notes and a pen, quickly scribbling her phone number down. “If not, you can get a hold of me here. I'm looking for a new hunting party; the one I'm running with now doesn't seem to suit me.”

“At the Inferno, kid, we don't give a shit about our customers. We don't really need the cash,” Axle's black eyes betrayed no emotion, as if Red's words didn't even graze him. “You're aware they give you the number with each turn in, right? Or are you illiterate?” Axle rolled his eyes only to blink when there was suddenly another person there.

“This bill is big enough to buy several rounds, I think he can afford to get you something. Speaking of, Whitey ordered from the well. You sure you want that? You can afford top shelf with this kind of dough,” Axle pointed to the literal top shelf and wondered if this man even knew the difference between well whiskey and top shelf whiskey, but at this point he felt like he'd seen it all.

He snatched the bill from the table, slid back the change (not really expecting a tip, considering the service), and began mixing the new girl's drink, a chocolate milk, one of his specialties. “If you don't want it, I'll drink it and get you what you want, but there's no alcohol as per Red's request.” Here, he mock bowed to the boy.

Olivia meanwhile, could only read what the bartender was saying – he was the one that was facing her – and based on that half of the conversation, she could tell that shade was being thrown. She just wished she could have actually listened to it.

Sage nodded, slowly, mouth agape. He couldn't believe what was happening, “I think 'heard' is the wrong word, but yeah. I understand you. Your voice is in my head...I ah, I guess you gave up your voice? This is a nice way to get around the communication barrier, isn't it? Uh...just nod if I did understand correctly though, you're Luka, yeah?”

Sage stepped back from his doorway and gestured into his shitty apartment, “Well, Luka, it seems we both are freshly dead. I don't have friends, and if I did understand you correctly, you also don't. If you wanna, we can be each other's firsts? Come on in.” He opened his cupboards, remembering that he hadn't been grocery shopping. He had no snacks or treats to offer and he gave a dejected sigh, “I'm afraid I've nothing to offer. Food turns to ash now, so I haven't ah...well, you know.”

“Wonderful! Zen it is a date, erm, well, proverbially speaking that is,” Kat replied, color rising to her pale cheeks, “I'm also in dire need of...well...actual... friends. You don't mind heading to the Hall of Judgment, do you? I know it's looked down on in some circles, but turn-ins have been my primary source of income for a while now.” She lead the way to the Hall, having no fear about linking arms with her new accidental friend.

“You've been around a while, yes? What do you do? Do you hunt, or have you found a more tame occupation?”

“Yes. Friends,” Axle said, once again rolling his eyes. “You have this kind of money and you're still willing to drink well? I mean, suit yourself, but that doesn't sound like pleasure. It sounds like shit.” Still, he poured the drink and slid it over to him. “Enjoy your piss.”

His demeanor completely changed when he turned his attention to the lovely lady in the lab coat, “I didn't take you for a child, but I figured one is always better with a good glass of chocolate milk. If you'd like, I can dump some Kahlua in it to add some zip? It pairs well.”

Olivia turned when tapped on the shoulder, and caught sight of his lips only to catch the words “do you?” Her lips pressed in a thin line and not for the first time since her recent arrival did she regret her sacrifice. So this was the world that her parents lived in. One of silence and solitude. She saw his hands and brightened up immediately, downed her own drink, and nodded.

Sage saw right through his attempts, and couldn't help but smile in response to the glow. “Great, so a mode of communication is laid out, which means you can probably do this with other people too,” Sage said, offering his own grin. “Looks like loneliness will only happen if you let it now.” He stepped back into his meager room and plopped down on the sofa, trying to ignore the burst of dust cloud that poofed up under his backside when it made contact with the cushion.

“I take it your apartment is this shitty? I'm surprised it even came with one of these, and a comfy chair to boot! It almost beats the hospital room minus the adjustable bed and constant beeping,” Sage said, not knowing whether to laugh at the absurdity of his own comment or brood in self pity that that was what he'd seen in his last days. “They told us we don't need to, but I couldn't anyway. I sacrificed my ability to taste. The fuckers granted it, except for one thing. Apparently the flesh of demon to my senses is like the greatest delicacy. Ironic, right? What'd you end up getting for your voice besides being able to talk in people's minds? Or did they even bother to tell you?”

The Halls were as enormous as they were immaculate, marble gleaming between the random interspersions of sunlight and cloud, red carpet standing in start contrast to the white walls. Statues stood at attention in place of columns, and two more guarded opposing sides of the desk housing the clerk they needed to speak with. Other angels were there, some right off of the battlefield, others here for the same reason Katarina was – rent was due. Some chatted excitedly with each other, of those, many were apparently raiding parties and had earned their turn-ins together. There were maybe fifteen in all, as this was but one place of many, and not even one of the more impressive Halls. Katarina, and in turn her new friend, took their places in line. “I do it more out of necessity than any actual want to be out there. War is Hell, as the saying goes, no?” Katarina said, “But after being out there, It's...hard to adapt to any other job. So, I kill just enough to get by these days. Hardly any ambition left, I guess. Maybe a new face would help inspire that.”

Olivia was elated that there was someone there that knew sign. Sign was her first language, as both of her parents were deaf, but once she went to school she learned to speak normally in no time. “My name is Olivia Dalloway. Have you been dead long?” She signed, not realizing that that question was, in a sense, a rite of passage for new demons getting to know each other. Age often determined rank, and the longer one had been dead, either the more powerful – or the more respected – they tended to be. Age, so far as the afterlife went, was dictated by time spent dead rather than time spent living.

Axle laughed and grabbed a bottle of Kahlua, grabbing her chocolate milk, and dumping a shot in it. “I just made your chocolate milk a little more fun. Not enough to get you drunk, but if your tolerance is really low, it might get you tipsy.” He stirred his own chocolate milk again with his spoon and sipped from the glass. “No need to be nervous; I didn't poison it,” he said, resisting the urge to chuckle at how suspicious he sounded.

“Ask any questions you need, kid. I've been around the block a coupla times.”

Sage was at a loss of what to do now. In life, making friends wasn't his forte. He'd always been a sickly child and missed a lot of school, leading to no small amount of shyness on the man's part. Shifting, he rest his forearms on his knees and offered a smile, “I think they expected that. You saw the guidebook that they left on the bed, right? It tells you everything you need to know. The thing's a tome for all intents and purposes, and it even has a personalized section at the back based on your sacrifice and new abilities.”

He stood up, walked to his bed and grabbed his copy. He wasn't exaggerating in terms of its size either as could be felt when he handed it over to Luka to look at. “My sacrifice dictates that food turned to ash, but they didn't say shit about drink. Do you wanna get a drink or something? I have ten...uh. I don't know what they call the currency here. So I have ten.” He had to laugh at the absurdity of it all and he held his hand out to help Luka up. The money they gave new angels was close to nothing, but Sage assumed that that was further incentive to get the angels on the battlefield. He also assumed that it had something to do with a quota. There was room to grow here in Heaven so long as one was willing to kill.

Katarina and Avani went through the entire turn in process and Kat made the deposits she needed to ensure that she was able to continue living where she was. Her place wasn't in the nicest of areas despite how long she'd been dead. She always did just the bare minimum always going out by herself. “Drinks sound excellent. I have a bit left over, so first round's on me!” She led the way to one of her favorite places, one of those hole in the wall joints that the lower classes seemed to love.

“What are you drinking?” the bartender asked the ladies without so much of a greeting.

“A nice, stout beer,” Katarina responded pleasantly and then turning to her friend, “Order what you'd like, I've got it!”

Olivia hadn't been able to speak to anyone for three days, since she'd died. She'd seen plenty of other angels, but of those, none that she knew of knew sign. She'd been meandering the streets of Hell in silent solitude, and the music that she'd loved so much in life was no relegated to nothing more than the occasional feelings of bass reverberating through her body, even if she couldn't technically hear it. “I've been here three days,” she signed, “You're the first I've met that can sign. Can we be friends?”

Axle could almost sense the intimidation, but rather than ramp it up like he would in almost any other instance, he actually turned it down, “Yeah, the kahlua doesn't take away from the sweetness and even adds a layer of creaminess to it. I can't get drunk anymore and I will still occasionally add it just for shits and grins.” He carefully added a smile here and took a seat on his own stool that was on his side of the counter as he began to answer questions, “No need to be sorry. Waking up dead is a confusing experience. First, hunting will get you both in one shot. The goal from the Council is to coerce us into killing as many angels and demonly possible so you don't have to choose you just get both with the turn ins. You can go out with as many or as few friends as you'd like. Most groups are formed by a group of friends, but some join more professional groups in order to get money and power faster. I was a part of one for a bit, but then I killed the leader and that was ah...frowned upon. So long as you're standing and whatever angel you're against is dead, you're in the clear. Just don't forget to pick up their weapon or whatever the fuck it is that grants them power for the turn in.”

“It's understandable,” Sage said softly, looking down. He almost wished he could be shaken by his own death. But his was always there looming on the horizon, patiently waiting for him to come to it. It was expected. There was no shaking when death was the one stability in his life. “Would you believe it if I told you I am actually better off here than I ever was in life? I feel better than I ever did. I can walk. There's no tubes...no...beeping. It's crazy, but I feel alive more now than ever – if that isn't a bit of irony for you.”

Sage helped him to his feet and then he followed him onto the streets. They were in the slums. He'd seen the bright side of Heaven, and he knew that most of those there had built their wealth on the blood of demons. He wondered what it was like....what they would taste like. He shook the thought out of his head almost as soon as it'd arrived, but...once it was there, he couldn't deny it.

The bar was exactly what was expected in this part of town, minus the live band set up in the corner, which was a pleasant surprise. “You know, I've never seen a live band,” he mused out loud.
….
The bartender slide Kat her drink and began pouring Avani's hers and Kat laughed, “You know that schnapps is considered 'hard' right? But peach is the best flavor, or maybe mint if the day is cold.” She sighed, “I don't know if there ever was a cold day in Heaven though. You have to go to the Border to even get a slight chill, and then you're kept warm by constant activity. I always preferred the winter, and it seems that being a good person denied me of it.”

She took a drink of her beer, smacking her lips in a satisfied motion and nodded, “It might give me a chance to move out of the shithole I live in. It's only slightly better than those that they give to the newest angels. What about them?” Katarina asked, tossing her head in the direction of the two boys.

Sage lifted up his hand, “Something good for a first-timer?” The bartender raised his eyebrow and laughed, “First time drinking kid? I got somethin' for ya.” He poured two shots of vodka and set them on the counter in front of the boys.

Sage lifted his glass in a “cheers” motion and looked to Luka uncomfortably, “Bottom's up?”

Olivia smiled, her heart filling with warmth. She had a hard time believing that everyone in Hell truly deserved to be there, and there was the possibility that the demons there gave up the parts of them that led them to Hell to begin with. She didn't know this guy's story, but he was her ticket out of complete involuntary solitude. Did Heaven have a deaf community? That sounds amazing. Are you hearing? How do you know sign?

She was genuinely curious. She'd learned from the book they gave her that upon death, new demons are given their pique physical conditions. The deaf can hear, the blind can see. That is, unless they sacrifice that aspect of themselves. Surely, she was not the only one to give up one of her senses, surely there were others that were deaf, just like her?

Axle spun back and forth on his bar stool, thankful that such an entertaining bunch had found their way into the bar. And they were a bunch that had never met before to make the concoction all the more glorious. A slow smile crept across his face when she actually asked about something he'd dropped so nonchalantly. The girl listened. Kudos where kudos were due. “Well, for one thing. The 'trouble' you get in for killing another demon is just a large fine. They don't even deduct from your powers. Just a fine. A couple of high priced angels paid it off. Shit, I was able to pay out of pocket. And there were a few reasons, some of those you'll find arbitrary and perhaps a bit sickening, but tell me dear Inferno patron, what would you do if you saw the person most precious to you being harassed? Relentlessly? All because of the color of her skin, too. And if that harassment culminated to an attack? I killed him, and I did it slow. I've no regrets on the matter. Hopefully his soul went to create a better person.” He shook his head and looked at his chocolate milk, desperately wishing there was alcohol in it. Almost forty years later and the yearning never quite seemed to go away.

The conversation brought back some painful memories. Oh, Kady. He would have done anything for her. He would have done anything to take her place, but she was in the wrong place and even with his teleportation, he saw her too late. She'd been gotten through the heart, and he held her as she gasped her last struggling breaths. The battlefield is a terrible and wonderful place. They knew the risks when they rolled the dice, when they spun the cylinder and pulled the trigger. Kady lost and Axle won. She was gone.

And Axle remained.

Axle swallowed shaking his head. That was over twenty years ago now. The pain had mostly subsided, only coming back once in a while now. Time had mostly healed his wounds, but when he thought of her, when he remembered her face, it came crashing back in. And unlike in life, he couldn't turn to drugs to heal himself. There was no self-medication outside of the death of another.

Sage tipped his glass back, dumping the contents into his mouth when his eyes went as wide as dinner plates and a mucky mud filled his mouth. Instantly, he was coughing up a black mud and he knew that even something like vodka could turn to ash. He scraped his tongue, desperately trying to get the ashy remnants off.

Kat smiled and waved her pinky at the two boys and raised her eyebrow pointing at Sage but talking to Luka, “Is your ah...friend...okay?”

The bartender laughed, “Gave up your taste, did you? Yeah, well, vodka is something that tastes like shit, but it definitely still tastes. Can't have anything without some demon blood in it.” He set a shot glass down in front of the struggling angel and nodded, “Drink this instead. Don't worry. No ash. Tried and true for angels like you.”

In an act of desperation, Sage grabbed the crimson colored shot glass and knocked it back, straightened his spine and licked his lips, “That was...that was delicious...What..what was it?” he asked, not knowing if he wanted the answer.

“That, m'boy, was your first taste of demon blood. A bit hard liquor infused with the stuff, and guys like you are able to get drunk. Congratulations, drinks just got a helluva lot more expensive for ya. First shot's on the house. Next round is on you, and if you're as new as you seem, ya might wanna get your ass to the Border and either bring your own blood that you collect in or be willing to pay extra for the others that do bring their own blood in.”

Olivia bit her lip, suddenly grateful for her parents' disability and her need to learn sign growing up. That's very responsible of you, and I'm glad you had an interest in it, Olivia signed, her hands and arms moving rapidly, her face reflecting her gladness. She felt guilty about ignoring the others, but they seemed to be in their own conversation, and she had no method of communicating with them anyway, unless they both faced her and had patience enough to let her write out responses. So she was perfectly alright with being enamored in the conversation she was in. Pale cheeks turned to roses and she bit her lip, I don't know what to say...Thank you. You're quite handsome yourself...

Axle raised his eyebrows at his companion and leaned on the bar, stirring the chocolate syrup that had settled at the bottom of his now near empty glass, “Wow. We really are the same. And yes. We were right, minus getting the wrong guy part. Next time you gotta make sure you get the right one,” Axle said tapping his temple. “But, I suppose that answers the first question most have about the others they see here. 'Why are you in Hell?' Well, why are you in Hell, Carol? Obviously we're not fuckin' perfect.” He rolled his black eyes and held an inked hand across the bar, “Name's Axle, by the way. Fellow murderer and your current bar tender. Wanna be hunting partners? I can show you the ropes.”

Katarina's fingers gripped the handle to her mug, enjoying a good beer when she got one, and this was definitely one of the better. Nice and stout, just as she asked. The good beer, however, was not on the foreground of her thoughts and she peered over her mug to the struggling new angel, her face contorted to one of worry.

Sage put up a hand and plastered a cheeky grin on his face, “Better now! I promise...I just, I guess I just didn't think it applied to drinks as well, but I guess I did give up my ability to taste.”

The bartender laughed, “That's a bit obvious, isn't it? If you could have tasted it in life, it'll turn to ash once in your mouth. This even goes for shit like grass. Trust me on that.”

“How do you know so much about my sacrifice?” Sage asked, cocking his eyebrow at the bartender. He was now fully involved in that conversation, unaware that the two ladies had actually spoken to him because when they initiated the conversation he was in the midst of a muddy ashy crisis.

“Hey, I keep a bottle of demon blood round these parts for a reason,” he said, winking.

Katarina shook her head and smiled at Luka, “That's no matter. We can teach you. We're just sick of the stiffs up top and want to see if we can find anyone...more bearable to hunt with. It will be more difficult to deal with if one of us dies if we actually like each other, but that's why we'll have to make sure none of us die, yes?”

Olivia was radiant, lighting up for the first time since she died. For the first time since she died, she didn't regret her sacrifice. She'd given up what was most precious to her – music – and left herself in solitude, and for what? Some sort of shiny weapon summoned to kill angels? She hadn't even used it yet. Was it possible it was for nothing? Xander showing up changed that. The music she could never get back, but now there was no need for solitude. That would be wonderful! And I thought I was lucky to have only one person to talk to. Do you live around here?

Axle reached his arm over the bar for her to shake and when she didn't quite grasp what it was he was trying to convey he just nodded toward his hand, “Then it's a deal. We'll be partners. I'll train ya. By the time I'm done with you, you can get a penthouse near Purgatory you'll be able to kill so many. Did you read about your abilities yet?”

Sage shook his head and turned from the bartender back to the conversation with his new friend. He'd gained the attention of two ladies, one dark, one white. “Hm? Sorry about that, I ah...I missed the conversation, I was learning how I can drink given my uh...my curse,” Sage muttered scratching the back of his head.

Katarina was taken aback for a moment, noticing the white hair's lips – perfectly still, saved for when he opened them to drink. She blinked a moment as the pieces fell together. His voice. That was his sacrifice. So they gave him the ability to communicate. It made her wonder what they did for those that gave up their hearing. Maybe not all were so lucky. His voice must have been precious. It was, after all, a sacrifice more readily seen than her abstract inability to forgive. She'd lost much since turning up in Heaven because of her sacrifice, but her body remained intact. “Sticking together is how you will survive, believe me on that. Are you...sure that this is something you want? To bring you up to speed, Sage was it? We were asking if you two gentlemen would like to form a hunting group. What do you say?”

Sage gulped, then took the rest of his drink the bartender gave him, “Y-yeah. Sage is right. Hoo boy. Alright. Well, I figure I can't stay in that shit hole of an apartment forever, and you feel the same way, right, Luka? But what are demons like? They were...they were people once too, right?”

Katarina glanced over to Avani and swallowed when her ice blue eyes went to Sage once more, “Well, you see...Your first time is going to be hard, unless you were a murderer in life – which is only possible if you were a soldier. They are the only ones that have ever taken a life that make it here. I'm going to...go out on a limb and guess that neither of you were soldiers.”

Olivia tilted her head as if wondering if she'd said something strange. But then, it made sense. Those that lived the longest would naturally accumulate more wealth. Of course he wouldn't be living in these parts, Olivia thought to herself so she signed, I'd like to see it sometime! I'm sure it's better than the shithole they gave me.

Olivia made her way to the Inferno in a desperate attempt to avoid the familiar sights of peeling wall-paper, a leaking faucet, a ticking clock – all things a normal person would hear, all things she was so used to hearing now silent. It was enough to drive a person to insanity. That was what made Xander's next signing sound tantalizing and she blinked at him for a moment as if to make sure that he'd signed correctly (or that she'd seen him correctly). When he made no sign of regretting his words, she lifted her hands,How about I stay the night for a while before we decide if I move in or not? Granted, if she stayed the night, likely she'd bring all of her belongings. There weren't many. She'd spawned in Heaven with the outfit she'd died in, and in the dresser that was provided she saw that they provided a set of sleep wear...miraculously in her size. It looked new, but she didn't know how much she trusted that. If she decided to “move in,” really, it would be in name. But...I would like to try hunting, but I am scared because I won't be able to hear them. Her face showed her worry, and she feared that she looked like a coward to one who had already seen so much.

Axle smiled, “Well then. We could probably start by getting you a phone or some way to get a hold of you. I take it you don't already have one?”

Sage was a bundle of emotions all hidden behind a near stoic face. First, he'd just figured out that demon's blood was better than anything he'd ever tasted. To equate it to honey would be a gross mistake. It was far more exquisite. If the thought didn't sicken him, it would have made the sacrifice worth it. They'd explained as he was making his sacrifice that he would, for all intents and purposes, need to reap the souls of demons; he knew he'd be killing. But to eat them too, to think that their flesh likely tasted even better than their blood. Hunting only seemed like the next logical step. He would have to swallow his honor to partake, and Luka was obviously uncomfortable with the topic.

But Sage? He was excited to get outside. He was excited to see everything, even if it killed him.

“And I technically would have just graduated. I was homeschooled...erm, well, towards the end it was hospital-schooled, but you get what I mean,” Sage said, shrugging. He turned to Luka, his eyes losing their luster as he saw how little Luka wanted to go. “Luka, you don't...you don't have to go. I'm essentially a stranger to you still. If it's that...well, if it's going to be that hard for you, I can just give you a portion of my earnings? It probably won't be much, but I'll probably be looking for a roommate anyway and that might as well be you. I'm willing to support you until you find a normal people job?”

Olivia's brow creased, worried that she'd offended her only friend and she quickly put a comforting hand on his shoulder, her eyes begging forgiveness. She pulled away only to sign It isn't a no. Not even close. I just will want to wait a little before submitting my change of address forms, okay? She did not want to chase away her only friend. And besides, she was already dead, she knew no one else in Hell (she assumed those that she knew that died most likely wound up in Heaven), and this guy was really cute. Then, she always had a thing for gingers.

Olivia watched his hands and she nodded to show her understanding, signing back Well, if I have your help, I'm sure I'll do just fine! You've been here since the mid-1800's. You have to be doing something right, am I right? She paused for a moment, fiddling with the trinket she'd been given. She was told that it granted her an insane amount of power and that if she hunted that power would grow. When she was handed that shitty hand-me-down book, she devoured it. It provided something outside of the silence, and it recommended traveling in groups. Having a partner was a good start, but she didn't know how big the groups generally were, Do you hunt with others too?

Axle looked from her eyes down to the small pile of crinkled bills and his eye twitched, his pierced lip curling up in disgust. “Yeah. No.” He finally said, pushing the small pile of beginner's money toward the woman, “You're not gonna get jack shit with that. I'll get you your phone and the drink's on the house. Didn't realize you were that new. Shit. No matter. We all were at one point, right? Besides, a week from now, they're gonna think you've been dead for a century.”

Katarina's fingers clung to the handle of her mug and she took a large swig. She was excited to have people to hunt with, but these two were fresh off the proverbial boat. They'd have to train them from the ground up, and she didn't even know what abilities they had. Obviously, they both sacrificed parts of them that were precious to them – Luka's voice and Sage's sense of taste. “Avani's right,” she finally said to add to the conversation, “Us angels stick together. We'll train you, keep you alive, and make you the best damn demon hunters Heaven has ever seen. Now, do either of you know anything about your abilities?”

Sage tapped the counter, half wishing he had the money to buy another drink, and half-disgusted at the other half for wanting to drink demon's blood. “In theory, not in practice yet. Apparently my abilities are geared more towards fighting. Well, one of them is. They gave me two, apparently supposed to be complementary. Super speed and power absorption? That's just what it said, temporary power absorption after consumption.”

The blonde angel almost choked on her beer, “Power absorption? That ability is broken as Hell – erm, in a good way. But...you have to eat them to get it. I don't think you need to eat an entire demon, but I'm guessing the more you do, the stronger that power gets. What did you get as a weapon?”

“These?” Sage asked, holding up his pair of serrated daggers. They were brand new, never before used, just like his super speed. He had no idea how to activate his abilities, unless that part was consumption based as well?

“Well, they certainly have a sense of humor, don't they?” she spoke in reference to the Council. “Serrations used for the tearing of flesh. They insist on you getting out to the battlefield apparently. They always do with the ones that sacrifice the most. Well, what about you, Luka?”

Axle shook his head, sighing, “No, dear. You will not. I won't take it. Take it as a “Welcome to Hell” gift, aight? My shift ends in an hour. If you stick around until then, I'll take ya to get a new one. Also a ride. My board's good, but you'll have to learn how to use one if we're gonna hunt. They don't have those on Earth yet, right? Hoverboards? Eh, whatever, if you don't know how to use one, that'll be our first lesson. Nothing is more important than mobility on the battlefield, because sometimes it's best just to run. Pride will get you killed.” The black-eyed demon spoke with a self-assurance that seemed only to tell of his experience. In relativity to the redhead, he was still just a baby demon – albeit one that gained powers quickly if only because of his regular appearances at the Border.

Olivia was careful of her facial expressions, knowing that that was half of communicating in sign – her eyes showing nothing but warmth, I didn't see it as creepy, just fast. I like you and I think you're cute, and who am I to deny hospitality when it's there? The smile she now gave was genuine and she stopped to grab Xander's hands, giving them a gentle squeeze. She was serious about what she'd said.

Axle cocked an eyebrow turning to the two that'd been in their own world since coming in and looked at Nancy (still not knowing her name), then back. He'd only been planning on taking one under his wing, generally hunting by himself, but perhaps a group would be good for him. “I'm game if this lady here is,” he said, motioning for the other two to join their conversation, “So, Red, yeah. We'll take ya up on that offer. Is Whitey over here cool with it?”

Katarina took another large swig of her beer. It wasn't often she got out for a drink, and she'd ordered the largest mug they had – and it was already almost gone. Her belly was full and she was beginning to feel the effects. Tipsy. It was a good place to be. “Well, lucky for us, we have time. My rent is already paid for the month, and once we start hunting we'll be doing just fine as far as finances go!” She moved behind her friend to get closer to Luka and put her hand on his shoulder, “I understand that death is hard to grapple with, especially if it was sudden. Mine was and I was a wreck when I first got here. It took me months to swallow my cowardice and get to the Border.”

Sage leaned back, “I was ready for my death. In fact, I was ready and waiting. I guess I'm in a pretty good spot. The sacrifice sucked, but look!” he waved his hand, turning his wrist and grinning, “No tubes! I feel better than I ever did in the mortal realm. I just wish I could have actually enjoyed my first drink...”

Katarina smiled, “Well, I'm glad some of us had an easy transition. For the others, we're here for you, okay? And yes, Avani, that sounds splendid. I'm sure Sage is eager to see what he gave up food for, yes? Then follow me, and we'll be seeing you two later.”

Axle grinned and looked at the clock again. For the first time in a long while, he was excited to get off of work. His job at the Inferno wasn't needed, not technically. He made more than enough with his side activities to pay for what he needed to – and much more. He lived simply and earned plenty. The Inferno just gave him a reason to see people that he wasn't trying to kill. It eased his loneliness. Now, his empty apartment wouldn't be so hard to face. He had friends again. “It's no big. Trust me, I can swing it just fine. If you need another drink while we wait, I can put somethin' together for you.”

Olivia smiled. The redhead gave her vibes of a tough guy, but he seemed vulnerable around her, like his walls were more for show than anything, and that if she wanted to, if she really wanted to, she could scale them with ease. Her eyes drifted to the two he was speaking of and nodded, Do you know them? I would like to make more friends.

Finished with his drink, Axle began to wash his glass, going so far as to polish it and place it back on the rack when he was done, laughing. “You can't hold your alcohol, so the first place you go when you die is to...a bar? And alright, alright, no more booze, but don't say I never did anything for ya.” Axle grabbed one of the empty glasses from the other two, moving to wash those as well wanting to just get up and walk out rather than focus on sidework when his replacement came in. “How long have I been in Hell? I guess that depends on what year it is in the land of the living. 2018? Yeah? Thirty-five years? Sounds about right. That long.” How long he'd been in Hell was one of the easy questions. The hard ones came when he had to explain why he was there (though most didn't bother asking him, just assuming someone who looked like him would end up there anyway) and events that happened once he got there.

Well, then it's worth a shot, isn't it? Olivia signed, her smile still radiant. It was the first time she'd smiled since she'd died, and she couldn't stop. Was this was “love at first sight” was? It would have to be sight Olivia thought to herself, I can't hear anything. Then she signed, You really think he could do that? What did he sacrifice?