Oh, there was the Einherjar Barracks all right, though it wasn't quite what one might expect based on Norse mythos.
That's because the whole afterlife thing tended to be more complicated and less bound by "normal" three dimensional "reality" than the "reality" mortals were saddled with.
When mortals or those normally stuck with three-dimensional paradigm visited, it tended to give them a headache as their minds tried to process things that they normally couldn't.
There were also those unfamiliar with perfection or just horrendous levels of order. Which is why to be perfect, there had to be imperfection.
The nickname was the "Alley of Lingering Smells" because to someone used to Perfect - the place stunk. It was a small alley that someone not looking for it would easily overlook. Once there, however, it broadened out quite a bit.
The area was essentially Phillip Marlowe heaven. Crumbling brownstone buildings, frequently a light drizzle coming from seemingly overcast skies, garbage cans and boxes and bottles sitting about along the sides. There were a few "businesses" out this way. "God's Gym" where some of the rowdier spirits/gods/goddesses/etc came to spar or just get a good workout. "Mom's Diner" - a battered looking old section of passenger train set off to the side, where home-cooking "just like Mom used to make" was offered. Somehow it didn't matter whether or not the visitor was a Klingon ordering bloodworms or a Scottish einherjar ordering haggis or an Irish deity wanting an order of fried potatoes or an international superspy ordering the 1/4 pound cheeseburger - it was always "just as good" as they remembered it.
There were also the offices of the Rival Relief Office.
"Try not to talk to any strange cats," cautioned Botan. "Especially black ones that happen to be Elder gods. In fact, try to avoid Elder gods altogether as they tend to be more trouble than they are worth."
"Why is it called Rival Relief Office?" Ranma asked.
"Originally it was set up as the Temporary Relief Office - providing relief from the various other agencies," explained Botan. "They added the 'Rival' part after people started confusing it with the Goddess Relief Office. Then they got rid of the 'Temporary' because it just seemed to gain momentum."
"This is the place?" Ranma frowned at the glass and wood door that Botan had stopped at. Somehow he'd still expected something a bit more impressive, though it did have words etched in faded gold print on the glass.
The interior proved as little in inspiration as the outside. A combination of curio shop, 1940s private investigation firm, and 1980s computer office. Ancient manual typewriters vied for desk space with bulky old computers.
"Is this the new recruit? Hi, I'm here for your orientation," said a voice from behind several bins of weird stuff marked "Unsorted."
Ranma's eyes widened as the figure came out, he hadn't expected:
(Posted Sat, 15 Mar 2003 13:06)
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