The Library, Thursday early evening

[carpe_demon]

After making his circuit of the island, Drake shimmered into the library, a place he always felt at home. It was closed for the day, but that was how he wanted. He didn't want anyone else around when made his exit. "Best year of my life," he murmured to himself. It was a statement of fact, not an attempt to reassure himself. He'd spent two hundred years in the Underworld, but from the day he was hatched he was the most undemony demon that ever did demon. He'd venture into the mortal world to explore the libraries and museums and just to watch the people go about their lives. He envied them their love and joy, something a demon could never know. He had a human shape, but not a human heart or a human soul, but still he found humans absolutely fascinating.

Back in the Underworld, he'd been ordered to do all manner of evil acts, including innocents and witches and anyone the Source felt threatened by or wanted out of the way. More than once he'd been threatened with death for refusing to obey, but he'd always found some way to worm out of it, even if it just meant running for his life. He'd latched on to Cole soon after they'd met, intrigued by the half-demon and trying to make sure he remembered that part of him and treasured his human blood. He hadn't been successful in making Cole turn his back on the Underworld, but he'd kept that spark of humanity alive until a pretty little witch could truly ignite the fire.

Of course, it hadn't gone completely well for Cole, and now his friend was trapped in limbo, though he wasn't entirely bound and helpless. And when Cole had come to him with the bargain the Sorcerer was offering, he'd jumped at the chance. Cole didn't trust the Sorcerer, but Drake was more than willing to take the chance. A year of life with a soul, and all he had to do was not use his powers for evil. No problem. He never had, and he never would. And he'd sucked the marrow out of life, just like he told his students, over that year. Fandom had been the perfect place to live those days out.

And now that year was over. He had no regrets, but as cheerful as he was, there was sadness, too. He was going to miss teaching and the friends he had made, and he desperately hoped that wherever he ended up now, he could still check in on them from time to time.


[ooc: for one, well, for two if you count other me, but OOC is welcome.]

Comments

IC

[carpe_demon]

 

Re: IC

[demon-in-limbo.livejournal.com]

Suddenly he wasn't alone. Cole appeared in swirl of grey smoke behind him. "You did good," he said.

Re: IC

[carpe_demon]

"Thanks," Drake said, turning around. He took a few steps toward Cole, sliding his hands into his pockets. "So did you. I couldn’t have tasted life unless you set me up with that sorcerer. I just wish I could save you, too."

Re: IC

[demon-in-limbo.livejournal.com]

"I’ve come to terms with my fate," Cole said, a slight pang of longing in his voice, "especially now that I know it won't be Phoebe's, too."

Re: IC

[carpe_demon]

"So that was a pretty bold move sending in those thorn demons." Drake said. He'd thought Cole's plan to save Piper and Leo's relationship, and thereby ensuring Phoebe didn't give up on love, was a little crazy, but hey, it had worked.

Re: IC

[demon-in-limbo.livejournal.com]

"Well, I had to risk everything for this one," Cole said.

Re: IC

[carpe_demon]

"Understandably," Drake said. He just hoped that Piper could do something now to save Cole. Whatever had happened with the Source, he deserved that much, and he knew Phoebe still cared for him, deep inside.

Re: IC

[demon-in-limbo.livejournal.com]

"So now what?" Cole asked. "Your year's up. Any chance you can...?"

Re: IC

[carpe_demon]

Drake shook his head. "One year for one soul," he said. "That's it." He glanced around the library. "I'm just waiting for someone, and I'll be on my way, wherever that may be."

Re: IC

[living_endless]

And lo, the someone he was waiting for came in, as if on cue.

"You weren't waiting, were you?" Death asked, then turned to Cole with plain curiosity. "Hi. I'm ... well, in my universe, I'm Death. I was also one of your young minds Drake molded. It's a long story."

Re: IC

[demon-in-limbo.livejournal.com]

Cole had to take a moment to just stare at Death. "Most demons just explode and end up in the Wastelands," he said. "They don't get a personal escort." He shook his head to collect himself. "Cole Turner," he said. "Resident of limbo and restless spirit."

Re: IC

[carpe_demon]

Drake grinned at Cole. "I got connections," he said. "Did I mention I swept the Goddess of Love off her feet? It's good to be me."

He turned to Death. "You're right on time," he said. "I'm packed and ready to go. But how are you doing?"

Re: IC

[living_endless]

"I got to be alive for a whole year," Death answered with a tiny smile. "It's still settling. But mostly ... I'm good. And honored to be an escort."

To Cole, she added, "Drake's not most demons. How'd you end up out of limbo?"

Re: IC

[demon-in-limbo.livejournal.com]

"Holding on to love," Cole said with a wry smile. "I can't seem to entirely let go, not yet, not if there's still a chance."

Re: IC

[carpe_demon]

"Keep holding on to that, buddy," Drake murmured. Louder, he added, "So, you got a year, I got a year. Sad that it's over, but I loved every single minute of it."

Re: IC

[living_endless]

"Exactly," Death agreed with a nod. "We got a year. Now I go back to work and you -- move on."

Stepping closer to the pair, she added, "Whenever you feel ready, take my hand."

Re: IC

[carpe_demon]

Drake took a deep breath. "Ready as I'll ever be," he said. "Pumpkin time!"

"Good bye, Drake," Cole said. "It's been a pleasure."

Drake held out a hand to Death. "Here I go," he said. Then his eyes rolled back, and he crumpled to the floor. His body remained there, unmoving, as a spirit rose from his body and sat up. He glanced back at his body as it turned to dust, then vanished completely, leaving no trace.

"Well, that was different," he said, standing up.

Re: IC

[living_endless]

"It's always different," Death noted. By her lights, that had been fast and clean. There was some slight sorrow behind her eyes as she spoke.

"And it's always the same, in a way. Goodbye, Drake."

Re: IC

[carpe_demon]

"Farewell, my friend," Drake said to Cole. He bowed to Death. "Farewell, and thanks."

He looked up, and his body dissolved into a golden light. It spun like a slow tornado, then soared upward and disappeared.

Re: IC

[living_endless]

Death watched that for a moment, eyes widening a bit. It was an unusual way to go.

"Hope that means he went someplace peaceful," she murmured, to herself as much as to Cole. "Where do you go now? I have one person to find, then it's back to work."

Re: IC

[demon-in-limbo.livejournal.com]

"Back to limbo," Cole said. "I can get out, but I'm still bound there, forever. I'm just glad I could help Drake have his year. He deserved it."

Re: IC

[living_endless]

"He was amazing," Death answered with conviction. "It was good to meet you, Cole. Maybe someday I'll see you when things are a little happier."

Re: IC

[demon-in-limbo.livejournal.com]

"If I'm lucky," Cole said. "Thanks for seeing him on his way."

He gave Death a nod of farewell, then vanished in a swirl of grey mist.

Re: IC

[living_endless]

"'Bye," Death whispered into the silence.

Then she walked out of the school, going slowly. She knew she'd probably never be inside it again.

OOC

[carpe_demon]

 

Re: OOC

[thismaskiwear.livejournal.com]

NO. *CLINGS*

Re: OOC

[carpe_demon]

*CLINGS* :(

Re: OOC

[weetuskenraider]

I KNOW I TOLD YOU TO GO AHEAD AND DO IT BUT OMG. *DENIES*

Re: OOC

[mathletenomore.livejournal.com]

Oh man, I'm seriously wibbling over here already. D:

*cliiiings*

Re: OOC

[carpe_demon]

*wibbles along with you* :(

Re: OOC

[canadianpopstar.livejournal.com]

NO. I REFUSE TO ACCEPT ANY OF THIS.

Re: OOC

[carpe_demon]

I AM DEEP IN DENIAL.

Re: OOC

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

*wiiiiiibbbble* *HUGS* Damnit...

Re: OOC

[carpe_demon]

...I'm on a boat? :(

Re: OOC

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

YOU ARE ON A BOAT!!! *CLING AND HUG* And you smell like freedom!

Re: OOC

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

Woe!!!!!!

Re: OOC

[carpe_demon]

Drake hopes his Wyatt gets to find an Isabel of his very own, yes.

Re: OOC

[rilla-myrilla.livejournal.com]

*WAILS*

Re: OOC

[carpe_demon]

:( :( *CLINGS*

Re: OOC

[likethegun]

NO. STOP IT, ALL OF YOU.

Re: OOC

[carpe_demon]

:( :( :( I CAN'T

Re: OOC

[life_inshadow]

DAMMIT NO.

(Now that my part is over, I can cliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing.)

Re: OOC

[carpe_demon]

*CLINGS AND LOOOOOOOOVES*

Re: OOC

[puppy_fair]

Okay, I'd just finished crying over my own thread with Didi, and then I read this, and now I'm wibbling again. *clings* That was beautifully done. Drake was an awesome teacher, and he'll be missed.

Re: OOC

[glacial_queen]

I am so filled with sadness!

Draaaaaaaaake!

Re: OOC

[awakestheghosts]

*wibbles and clings like a clinging thing*

DRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAKE!