(no subject)

[stds-r-4-lovers.livejournal.com]

Date: December 29, 1999

Status: Public

Summary:  Pestilence looks for clients...

 

Pestilence had always enjoyed studying anatomy.  There was so much to learn about humans... what made them tick... what made them stop ticking... It was all so fascinating!

Since coming to the manor, though, he had found his knowledge a little lacking.  No matter what he did here, he had no effect on any of the inhabitants.  Sure, they coughed when he was around, but it wasn't a *good* cough.  No chest rattling sounds, no mucus.  It was all for show.

He had felt at odds for a while now.  He decided it was time for a change.

Every night, after everyone had gone to bed, he would creep down to the library and read voraciously.  And after nearly a month, he finally felt that he was ready to start a new path in his existance.

With a slightly giddy feeling in his chest, he pinned an announcement up in the main hall of the Manor.  In his delicate hand was written:

 

Are you feeling worn down?

Have the aeons been getting to you?

Are your wings ruffled?

Then come in to see Dr. Albus.  Specializing in: Shiatsu, Reflexology, Reiki, Rolfing, And Hot Stone.

Stop by today for a free thirty minute session!

Special discount for any Anthropomorphic Personifications.

 

With a spring in his step, he meandered his way back to his room to set up his massage table.

Comments

[average-adam.livejournal.com]

The first time Adam saw the handwritten notice, he sighed but ignored it. The second and third times he saw it, he looked nervously around to see if anyone else had seen it. The fourth time, he couldn't stand it any longer and walked up to Pestilence's room. He knocked gently on the door and stuck his head in.

"Any takers yet?"

[stds-r-4-lovers.livejournal.com]

Pestilence looked up sadly from his desk, an array of physical therapy books opened on top. He quirked up one corner of his mouth, a gaspy, insincere laugh escaping between thin lips. "No. Not so much as an inquiry." He put a hand to his head, sincerely regretting his personal standards for trying out each of his illnesses himself. His latest passion for emotional disorders was wearing him down. He turned pale grey eyes to the young anti-christ. "You're supposed to know pretty much everything, right kid? Well tell me, what is this all about? I mean, I exist as an idea. A scourge on humanity. Its my job and I have done it for ages, and aside from one minor lapse, I have done my job damn well. Why am I..." Pestilence paused and swallowed, looking at the strange expression on the young man's face as it peeked around his doorframe. Pestilence sighed and looked away. "Nevermind, kid. This..." he indicated to himself, "...is before your time. Its not your problem. Thanks for stopping by, though, I appreciate it."

[average-adam.livejournal.com]

Looking worried, Adam stepped fully into the room.

"I know it's hard for you right now. Bein' a personification of somethin' isn't easy, but it is important. If there wasn't bad stuff happenin' in the world, people wouldn't understand the good stuff. Like if you weren't there to make 'em sick, how would people know how good they feel when they're not?"

"And as much as you hate them, there prob'ly wouldn't have been many scientific breakthroughs if people weren't tryin' to get rid of you or Famine or Death. We'd all still be stuck in the Dark Ages, I expect. Almost all of human civilization and progress is due to you three, if you think about it."

"So, if you look at the big picture it's not so bad. You've got a job to do and you do it real well. I'm sorry that I can't let you do it here much, 'cause I'm supposed to be protectin' everybody, but I may have another job for you if you're interested..."

[stds-r-4-lovers.livejournal.com]

Pestilence smiled. "Thanks, kid. I thought you might be doing something, and I suppose I understand. It just never used to be this hard. I knew what I had to do. It was fun. I enjoyed it. I never mixed much with anyone but the other horsepeople, and since their goals were the same as mine, it was easy. I don't even have a problem with humans, its just the challenge. But its just been tough lately. Its not like the middle ages when everything was so simple. All of us horsepeople working together. Now there are... complications."

He shook hs head quickly to erase his meandering thoughts. "Sorry about that, my latest hobby has side-effects... You mentioned something about a job?" Pestilence's heart skipped a few beats. He liked nothing so much as to be busy.

[average-adam.livejournal.com]

"I'm sorry that I had to do that," said Adam, not loudly, but so it would carry should anyone be listening. "I'd hoped you wouldn't notice. If it makes you feel better, I've had to do it with the other horsepeople, too, just because the humans around here are vulnerable."

He then quickly closed the door behind him and moved closer to Pestilence's desk so that he could speak quietly and avoid being overheard.

"Pestilence, do you know of any diseases that affect immortals, like angels and demons?"

[stds-r-4-lovers.livejournal.com]

Pestilence arched a thin white eyebrow. "Well, immortals are off-limits, you know. Biblical fine-print and all. I've never really heard of any *diseases* that affect the... non-living." He lowered his voice conspiritorally. "But what did you have in mind?"

[average-adam.livejournal.com]

"Right," whispered Adam. "I don't want to kill them, of course, but I wondered if you would be able to find something that just makes them feel weak or tired or somethin' and not want to fight. And somethin' that spreads real quick, like in minutes."

He grinned. "I bet you could find somethin' that'd do it. You're the best."

[stds-r-4-lovers.livejournal.com]

A rosey hue spread over pale cheeks. "And here I thought you were so different from your father. Honey-coated forked tongues must be hereditary." In spite of his words, though, Pestilence couldn't help but feel better. "Well, I have done a little research into divine physiology... off the record, of course. It would take a little time to work something up, though. When would you need it by?"

[average-adam.livejournal.com]

Adam stuck his tongue out and tried to peer at it. Then he grinned at Pestilence to show that he was kidding.

"Guess you can't avoid all your nature..."

Dropping the joke and suddenly looking interested, Adam leaned forward.

"I knew I came to the right person. I don't exactly know much about how this all works. Would six months be too soon?"

[stds-r-4-lovers.livejournal.com]

"Heh, don't worry kid, I was just joking. And six months should be more then enough time. Never takes me too long to figure out a new strain, and even with immortals, I don't anticipate it can be too difficult. In fact..." he turned to the little library of books by his desk gleefully, "I think I'll start my research right away." Pestilence began enthusiastically thumbing through a few choice references. "Are there any other specifications you want? I think an air based inhalant would be most effective, though the posibilities are nearly endless!" He gushed, but paused, looking gratefully at the young man. "Thanks, kid. This is just what I needed."

[average-adam.livejournal.com]

Adam smiled roguishly as he stepped back from the desk.

"Great. I'm glad we could help each other out. I don't have any other specifications, really. It's just gotta work, work quickly, and not really hurt or kill anybody. I'll leave the details up to you. Let me know if you find somethin' or need somethin', okay? Otherwise, I guess I'll leave it to you."

He returned to the door and opened it.

"Thanks," said Adam as he walked out.

[stds-r-4-lovers.livejournal.com]

Pestilence watched Adam leave. Well, the companionship was good while it lasted. Time for work.

The former horseman turned back to his books, pouring over the material. It felt good to have something to do again.