Coffee in La Trattoria

Sephar is a rat in the restaurant.

Sephar could probably fly there by borrowed wings and find a rat/mouse in the alley and get in that way or something.

You say "Sephar, certainly you can sneak in."

You say "Eduardo, you've had a letter."

Demiurge tugs Eduardo off to one side to display said letter.

Long distance to Eduardo: Demiurge hms. No, not letter. You've had a phone call from Pat asking you to be at La Trattoria restaurant at 3pm this afternoon, as apparently Terethel, a Mercurian of David, wants to chat with Pat and his angelic friends about something.

Long distance to Eduardo: Demiurge believes that Pat would have passed on all that info.

Hitherby will buzz in a bug and try and take over someone who looks happy, contented, safe, and in no kind of hurry to talk through. She'll probably try that Resonance trick in the Guide to make sure that his life isn't going to fall apart if she keeps him in the restaurant for a bit, but is fine with not going into details for the GM's convenience. (Paul -- was that his name? -- said that she couldn't use her old urchin host for getting a drink, and he's much better with figuring out what's bad for a human than she is.)

You say "(Pat, and that's fine, Hitherby. There are probably several professional-looking types on their own who'd do as hosts.)"

Sephar (Well, if they're just hanging around... they'd likely be less disruptive than a rat... though the rat could hitch a ride on one of 'em after I snag gently...)

You say "Who's arriving early, who's arriving on time, and who's arriving late?"

Sephar is precisely on time.

Eduardo will be early.

Zebina will be on time, of course.

Hitherby nods. Cool. It steps into the body of an immaculately-dressed woman with greying blond hair and a tiny birthmark just under her eye, kicks off her shoes, and waits around -- arriving about 15 mins. early.

Sephar steps into a middle-aged business man who has a pager, celphone, and pocket daykeeper... resonates to that kind, it does.

Hitherby hopes this Servitor of Stone appreciates what she's going through for him. She had to give up a rabbit and two anthills when upgrading from the kid :)

Sephar also curls quietly within the business man's suit pocket, warm and snug.

At about five to three, a young man steps through the restaurant doors. Smartly dressed, ruffled blond hair, grey eyes, briefcase under one arm. He heads for the inner room where your table has been reserved.

The restaurant is busy, as one might expect from a popular restaurant at three in the afternoon.

Eduardo is sitting at a table in the smoking section; alone - a dark skinned Hispanic, dresed in a somewhat rumpled looking suit - a trenchcoat folded on the seat beside him. Alert eyes flicker over every entrant, a measure of paranoia implicit in the action.

The blond man halts a couple of arm-lengths away. "Afternoon. My name's Terence Mubin. Would you be one of the people I was hoping to talk to today?"

Eduardo just nods, at first. After a moment he adds "Si," and gestures to a seat. "Want coffee?"

"E vero," the man says, cheerfully taking a seat. He offers his hand, voice quieter. "Terethel. And you are?"

Eduardo regards the hand a moment, almost deliberately curt. Then he takes it in his own and says, "Edward."

The other man shakes it, his clasp firm and dry. "Any ideas how many others we're expecting?"

You paged Eduardo with 'Resonating? :)'.

Zebina walks in the door. She's dressed in a battered old leather jacket with a baroque, asian-looking design painted on the back in, aviator sunglasses, and, somewhat at odds with both of those things, a dressy blouse, skirt, and matching pumps. She hangs the jacket on a peg, slips the shades into one pocket, revealing a pair of gold green eyes, and sits down. Only then does she bother to rearrange her hair from red and somewhat windblown to merely a nice shade of red.

The blond man looks across at Zebina, lips parting in a grin. "You _must_ be the one they call the Kiwi."

Hitherby slips out of a booth a few tables away, a bit unsteady, a bee crawling abstractedly on her ear. She pads over to Edward and Terethel's table on feet bare except for hose, glances at the handshake, and smiles abstractedly. "I've always liked rock," she notes. "It's warm. I mean, when it's been in the sun."

Zebina says, "Hello." Her accent is from New Zealand. "That's me!" She looks over a menu, orders tea and a salad without looking up, and then looks back at the blond man. "Call me Zeb. And may I ask...?"

Zebina looks up at the woman. "Ah, hello to you too." She reaches over and grabs one of the condiments. "Um, honey?"

Zebina offers it up.

Eduardo pages: Sure!

The blond man nods up to Hitherby. "I love it myself. Do have a seat." He turns back to Zebina. "Terethel. Pleased to meet you."

<> Eduardo rolls the d666 and gets 5 2 CHECK: 3.

Hitherby smiles brightly to Zebina. "How charming. Do you -- does the stuff outside come off?"

Zebina says "Fairly sure."

Hitherby pushes out a chair and sits down.

Eduardo turns, glancing at each of the newcomers in turn.

Zebina holds out her hand, shakes Terethel's, uncovers the honey, hands the uncovered glass to Hitherby, and puts her napkin in her lap.

You paged Eduardo with 'He's an honourable guy, fairly. Notable things he's done in the last year are helping get rid of some unsafe tenements, supporting a zoo proposal, and dragging a junkie off the street.'.

Terethel returns Zebina's shake, and gestures a waiter across: the waiter brings a tray of coffee pot, tea service, mugs, and condiments.

Terethel says, more quietly, "Perhaps some introductions generally?" He glances to Hitherby. "A Kyriotate, I assume?"

Hitherby accepts it graciously, en femme, and flies delicately to the rim of the glass, en bee.

Hitherby nods. "Hitherby," they explain, although the woman does most of the talking. "Servitor of Jordi."

Eduardo turns back to Terethel, and then nods; something more than simple acquiesence in the bald gesture. "Edward," he says, voice careful, rigid and as controlled as his features. "Malakite of Gabriel."

Sephar walks in the door, checks an electronic watch, and then checks with the maitre de before walking over to the reserved room... as a heavyset-middleaged business man in a blueblack suit.

Terethel looks up from something that Eduardo is saying to him, and smiles. "Would you be another of our party?"

Zebina says "Zeb, Ofanim of Marc. Pleased to meet you, Edward."

Hitherby beams. "Malakim," she says, "always seem to have a lot on their mind."

Sephar nods to Terethel, "Yes. Pat's gonna be late, held up..."

Hitherby waves to Sephar.

Eduardo nods to Hitherby. "Usually."

Terethel says "Okay. Please have a seat."

Sephar nods cheerfully to Hitherby as a white rat runs up the business man's arm to perch quietly on his shoulder.

Sephar sits.

Terethel gestures around the table. "Hitherby, Kyrio of Jordi, Edward, Malakite of Gabriel, Zeb, Ofanite of Marc, and I'm Terethel, a Mercurian of my lord David's."

Eduardo says "But a fair one."

Sephar nods, "Self am Sephar, Kyrio of Jean."

Terethel says "Pleased to meet you."

Terethel pushes round coffee cups, in a friendly manner.

Sephar nods again, takes to the coffee happily, with sugar and milk.

Zebina takes tea, apologizing for not partaking of the coffee. "Caffeine makes me twitch. Sorry."

Hitherby leans down to sniff the coffee, and looks faintly ill. "Thank you," she says, straightening, and ignores the cup henceforth.

Zebina pours Hitherby a mug of jasmine tea. "Here, try this. Use a little honey in it."

Eduardo offers "Tea has more caffeine than coffee," scooping up his own cup of the latter and taking a long sip.

Zebina says "Not herbal tea."

Zebina says "I stay away from the black teas too. Well, except on twenty hour flights."

Terethel pours himself some coffee, and adds milk and sugar.

Terethel says "I'm very grateful to you people for showing up like this."

Eduardo says "Ah."

Terethel says "I've got a bit of a problem, see."

Hitherby says, "What is Heaven without mutual support?"

Terethel says "Absolutely true."

Sephar leans back and listens.

Terethel says "Okay."

Terethel fiddles with his coffee cup.

Terethel says "One of my Role's bennies is as Patron of the local opera, see."

Hitherby, being in a human host, does as the humans do and uses her hands to scoop up a bit of tea instead of simply lapping it from the mug.

Terethel says "I'm one of the people who's supposed to hang around and attend performances and support it. It has its moments. Lovely building. Beautiful work."

Terethel says "Problem is, I was passing it yesterday when I saw someone hanging round outside it, and, like, I recognised this guy, or rather, his Vessel."

Terethel looks rather less happy. "It was a Calabite of Asmodeus."

Eduardo grunts, face steeling despite himself.

Zebina's eyebrow goes up. "Oh. Dear."

Sephar 's eyes narrow.

Terethel says "You got it."

Hitherby rests her chin on her hand, a few drops of tea running gently down her arm. "Hm."

Terethel says "And, hell, you know what they say about Asmodeus' people. They only show up when they're hunting other demons."

Terethel says "There's a first night for a new opera coming off in a couple of days. Some important people there. I really don't want to think about things going wrong in the middle of it."

Hitherby says, "Can you call it off?"

Terethel says "But, see, I have this other problem. My Role is involved in all sorts of shit for the next few days, right down to showing up at this opera. I can't get away without blowing my cover six ways to Sunday."

Terethel shakes his head. "No chance. It's a big thing. The composer died in an accident, and the funds are going to charity."

Sephar says "Accident?"

Terethel frowns faintly. "Tripped over and fell into the middle of a busy road. Everyone assumed it was an accident. I didn't think to check particularly at the time. It was a month ago."

Zebina hands Hitherby a napkin. "Here, like this."

Sephar sips his coffee and says, "Maybe better check."

Terethel says "I can put in a request, but it'll be a day or two before reports get back."

Sephar nods, mostly looking at his coffee.

Terethel remembers his coffee, and drinks some of it. "Basically, guys, I'm looking for a favour on this one. I need this looked into, and I don't have the leisure to do it myself at the moment without blowing some other deals I'm working on."

Zebina smiles. "Fair enough. I know how that works."

Hitherby rubs at her hands with the napkin. She's seen Paul do this. "Hm."

Terethel smiles at Zebina. "It's appreciated. I'll try and do as much for you some day."

Terethel glances round at the others.

Zebina says "I don't suppose, though, that the job involves flying in any way?"

Zebina says "Ground stuff isn't really, ah, my specialty."

Hitherby says "It sort of seems like a lose-lose situation, taking out a demon that Hell doesn't like or a demon who hunts other demons, or even both. I mean," She frowns. "... Never mind. I suppose one is as good as another. Er, bad."

Eduardo listens in silence, looking to each of the others only as they speak.

Terethel says, towards Hitherby, "I'm more worried that they'll screw up the whole affair for the humans while they're trying to jump each other."

Terethel grins at Zebina. "Well, you can always hang around up in the balconies if you want."

Zebina looks dubious. "It's not quite the same thing, really."

Terethel shrugs. "I'm sorry."

Terethel says "But I hope you're still willing to help."

Eduardo says, quietly. "I am. He's too typical. My mistress wouldn't forgive me if I let this go."

Hitherby says, succinctly, "I'm *not* worried about whether they screw up the whole affair for the humans." She hesitates. "But, still. Hell is Hell, I suppose. I'll give you as many hosts as I can spare."

Zebina smiles at Terethel. "S'okay..."

Terethel nods, pouring himself some more coffee.

Terethel says "I can give you a description of the guy, and the name I once heard him called by. Ran into him before: he's a nasty bruiser."

Hitherby smiles. "Where is this place exactly?"

Terethel says "I can try and arrange some sort of reason for you to be at the opera house, too, if you haven't got anything offhand that would suit."

Terethel says, to Hitherby, "It's a couple of blocks east from here, on the edge of the old district."

Zebina says "Well... sometimes I work in kind. Say, a pair of primo opera tickets in return for a vacation flight to Aspen?"

Hitherby makes an amused noise. "I don't need *reasons* to be places."

Hitherby then blushes, slightly. "But maybe someone else does."

Terethel chuckles. "Sounds good to me." He nods to Zebina, then turns to Hitherby. "What sort of thing might suit you?"

Zebina says "I'm due to make a flight down to Chiapas in a few days. I'll do what I can until, oh, say Sunday. No problem. The flight to Aspen's at your leisure, of course."

Zebina sips her tea, getting herself and Hitherby a refil.

Hitherby blinks to Terethel. "Hm?"

Terethel says, to Hitherby, "Well, if you need some sort of reason to be going in. I'm on the Patrons listing, so I could try and get you clearance to be inspecting, or something."

Terethel nods to Zebina. "Cool. That'll be after the first night, so hopefully you'll have sorted whatever it is out by then."

Hitherby says "I meant someone else *here*, dear. Not some other part of me."

Sephar says "Clearance would be good for me, Terethel, always wanted to explore stage setups..."

Sephar says "... and the Boss likes me working for a reason."

Terethel says "Sure. What sort of letter of introduction do you want?"

Terethel cracks open his briefcase, removing pen and paper.

Sephar shrugs.

Sephar says "What would work for someone you can't ID by look?"

Sephar says "Hrm. For an electrician."

Terethel says "Okay. Shall I say you're there for safety checks or something? Insurance, whatever?"

Terethel says, to Hitherby, "Well, there are always loads of cats around the place there, and rats. And pigeons."

Hitherby says, with a frown, "Human hosts take up a *lot* of my attention, you know. I couldn't possibly give you one on any long-term basis, and in an emergency one grabs as catch can." Then she smiles. "I have some bugs and a cat I'm not using for much, though, in this area."

Sephar says "Safety checks would be good. Making sure there are no... hrm... flaws in the equipment."

Terethel says "Sure."

Terethel begins to scribble.

Eduardo considers, fingers steepled before him.

Terethel finishes, and signs the letter with a flourish, passing it across to Sephar with an envelope.

Terethel says "That should do it."

Sephar smiles and takes it. "Thank you."

Zebina blinks at Terethel. "Hmm."

Terethel says "Hm."

Terethel says "They're often shipping stuff into the Opera, you know."

Sephar sets it by the coffee cup and the rat runs down his arm to test lift the letter... it seems to struggle just a bit and then drags it here and there instead of lifting it.

Terethel says "Costumes, scores, that sort of thing."

Terethel says "Some of it needs to be flown in, even, if it's expensive."

Sephar nods quietly and then listens again.

Zebina nods. "Divas needing just the right costume."

Terethel says "You got it."

Zebina says "Cost no object and that sort of thing."

Zebina smiles. "I'm sure we can work something out.

Terethel nods.

Terethel says "You figure you can get in all right, Edward?"

You sense Hitherby begins the mobilization process, freeing up two Forces worth of bugs with an aim to catch a bird, some *local* wasps (maybe about ten), and two locked-in cats. The bird should be easy, starting from a dragonfly in a park; the wasps will take a few minutes; getting the cats will take as long as it takes. The bird will head for the restaurant; the others will just hang out in the area until things begin to happen.

Eduardo says "Got any potential mundane threats? Something that would need a cop there?"

Zebina says "At an Opera?"

Hitherby says, "Didn't the composer get killed?"

Eduardo nods. "I'm not Homicide and it looked like an accident."

Hitherby wiggles her fingers. "Well, you know."

Hitherby says "Oh."

Terethel says "Hm."

Terethel says "Bomb threat?"

Long distance to Hitherby: Terethel nods. Right.

Terethel says "Terrorists will try blowing up anything these days."

Zebina looks dubious again.

Sephar says "Backstage security?"

Terethel says "A few people. The opera employs them."

Terethel says "There's a guard or two on the back door, and doormen at the front when there's a performance in progress. And watchmen at night, of course."

Eduardo shrugs. "I'll just make like I'm nosey."

Zebina says "Bodyguard for a Diva, p'raps?"

Terethel says "Sure. That should work."

Terethel says "Hm. Current diva's Susannah Raima, largish fish with a temper. Good voice, though."

Eduardo shrugs. "The Ell-tee.." (his use of the abbreviation oddly awkward "... is used to it. I get more than my job done."

Terethel says "Okay."

Terethel says "Anything else I can tell you lot?"

Zebina says "Description of the Demon? Name?"

Zebina says "Place of Residence?"

Hitherby says, idly, smiling, "Hell."

Sephar says "Recognizable Vessel."

Sephar's rat bows to Hitherby and chitter-laughs quietly.

Zebina says "All right, his weekend residence."

Terethel says "Sure. Name's Kushiel. A bit squat, lot of muscle, likes ripped leathers and mirrorshades, brown hair in a ponytail."

Terethel says "Don't know where he's staying at the moment, only that I spotted him near the Opera House."

Eduardo snorts. "Punk."

Terethel nods, ruefully.

Terethel says "No style."

Terethel says "Then again, he _is_ a Calabite."

Zebina perhaps hisses, just a bit.

Terethel drinks some more coffee.

Terethel says "The opera's called _Fiat Justitia_. It's all about romance and rebellion and family honour and things like that."

Terethel says "I'm told it's quite good."

Hitherby wonders, "Was anyone supposed to be around when he was?"

Hitherby says "I mean, if he was watching for someone, who could it be?"

Eduardo mutters, softly; words that would have been a curse were they voiced by another officer, but are simply irritated sounds in the Malakite's case. He reaches down, taking a pager from his waist and eying it malevolently.

Terethel gives Eduardo a sympathetic look, then says to Hitherby, "I've no idea. If there is some deep-cover demon hiding out there - or some Renegade who's hoping to Redeem - then I guess we'll find out about it."

Sephar murmurs, "Find out, seek out, discover and mind..."

Eduardo shrugs, straightening without explanation and tossing a handful of notes and changes on the table. "Coffee's on me."

Terethel says, to Eduardo, "I'll see you round. Luck."

Eduardo nods once, then starts for the door.

Sephar finishes his coffee, thoughtfully.

Sephar whispers "Can I possess his pager for a moment to see what it said?"

Zebina runs fingers through her hair, smoothing it and sighs. "_Fiat Justitia_, hmm? Sounds bloody, I'm afraid."

Sephar whispers "Or should I throw dice?"

Long distance to Sephar: Terethel hms. Throw some dice.

Terethel says "It means, "Let justice be done.""

<> Sephar rolls the d666 and gets 2 2 CHECK: 3.

Terethel shrugs. "Opera titles."

You paged Sephar with 'It was a bulletin from the police station. Someone had come in about a case of his.'.

Hitherby looks thoughtful.

Sephar pages: Is there a name on the case?

Hitherby says "Operas are a kind of fiction?"

Sephar nods. "Yes."

You paged Sephar with 'Just mentioned, "the Matthews case".'.

Terethel nods.

From afar, Sephar nods.

Terethel says "Sung and spoken and danced."

Hitherby frowns. "So this is a fiction about a rebellion?"

Sephar says "Oh."

Terethel says "Oh, yes. The people rising up against their cruel, despotic," he considers his words. "Arrogant, vicious, really very unpleasant overlord.""

Zebina says "What about the people themselves?"

Terethel says "And there's a pair of lovers, who unite the people at the end."

Terethel says "Oh, they're the ones rebelling."

Pat enters, speaking to the hostess quickly, and then moving towards the table she indicates.

Sephar grins in quiet relief... and waves to Pat.

Hitherby says, "Except for the bit about the overlord being arrogant, vicious, cruel, despotic, and unpleasant, it's a very demonic theme." She frowns. "Well, and except for the lovers." She considers, and then blushes. "Nevermind."

Pat clears his throat lightly.

Terethel, the blond man in a good suit sitting at the table with a briefcase open beside him, looks up and nods with a grin.

Hitherby says "Oh! Hi."

Terethel says "You must be Pat, right? Do join us."

Pat nods to Terethel, taking the seat he was standing behind.

Terethel says, more quietly, "Pleased to meet you." He offers his hand. "Terethel, Mercurian of my lord David."

Pat takes the hand. "Mazpatiel, Elohite of Judgement."

Hitherby smiles. "Glad you're here."

Pat nods to whoever Hitherby happens to be at the moment.

Terethel says "I've just been telling your friends about this problem I've got."

Pat nods. "Go on."

Hitherby is a grey-haired woman, immaculately dressed, with tea-stains on one sleeve, holding an opened pot of honey with a bee in it.

Terethel says "Saw a Calabite of Asmodeus hanging around by the Opera House."

Pat's eyes narrow fractionally, the only reaction. "I see."

Terethel arranges some more coffee for himself. "Unfortunately, my Role's got too many demands on my time for the next couple of days, so I'm asking for help in looking into it."

Pat says "Of course."

Terethel says "Your friends have been kind enough to agree to help."

Terethel smiles, pleasantly.

Pat turns his head, looking at the others.

Sephar nods, "Electronic duty. Always wanted to see a stage setup."

Hitherby explains, uncomfortably, "It's better to keep demons out of one's territory."

Pat looks back to Terethel. "And what was this Calabite /doing/ near the opera house?"

Terethel takes a sip of coffee. "_That_ is what I don't know, and what we need to find out."

Terethel says "As I was telling your friends, there's a new opera having its first night the day after tomorrow, and it's going to be having a load of VIPs there."

Terethel says "I really don't want to think about the number of things that could go wrong."

Sephar says "Standing punk. Might be hunting. Also composer of opera died of... accident."

Zebina says "Ah, Terethel... That composer."

Zebina says "Had things changed much? The opera, that is."

Zebina says "From the way they were to, well, the way they are now?"

Zebina says "You know, the whole work, especially the music."

Terethel considers, then shakes his head. "I don't _think_ so. I haven't really been that involved, though."

Zebina says "I don't know if you'd heard it while it was being composes."

Terethel says "Afraid not, no. They've probably got copies of the original score there."

Zebina says "Who would? Isn't there supposed to be a music director or a conductor or something?"

Zebina shrugs. "I can't read music, unfortunately."

Zebina says "Maybe we can ask someone."

Terethel perks up, clearly fond of the subject. "There's the Director of the Opera, yes: he's conducting this production. And there's the Business Manager. And all the cast and orchestra and stage hands."

Zebina says "Mmm. Well, I could talk to the Business Manager, see if things have changed a lot since the composer died."

Pat says "Had Eduardo been here, yet?"

Zebina says "If someone wanted things to change a lot, they'll probably need some things."

Sephar says "Been and gone. Paged."

Pat nods.

Hitherby says "Things?"

Sephar pours himself another cup of coffee, stirs sugar and milk into it and drinks. The rat pulls itself a packet of sugar and tears it open with its teeth and nappily munches away at the sugar.

Terethel says "Things?"

Hitherby says "Well, I always thought that when humans wanted to make music, they just -- made music. They didn't need *stuff*. I've always thought it was one of their most appealing traits."

Zebina says "Well, yeah. Whenever humans change they way they're doing it, they always need some new things. Usually in a hurry."

Terethel says "Ah, right. True."

Zebina smiles. "Someone once needed a hundred pounds of Ostrich feathers in Vienna in two days. That was a trick."

Zebina says "Particularly before jets."

Terethel laughs.

Pat looks at Hitherby.

Terethel says "How did you do it?"

Zebina says "Used some drop tanks off of two P-38s on the underbelly of a DC-3, and flew right over Palestine."

Terethel purses his lips in a whistle. "Impressive."

Zebina says "Fortunately the British were still in charge in India, so they had some of the right aviation fuel in New Dehli."

Hitherby looks back to Pat questioningly.

Pat shakes his head, acquiring a cup of coffee.

Terethel says "Useful."

Terethel says, towards Pat, "At least the new opera should appeal to you."

Pat says "Is that so? What is the theme?"

Terethel says "Justice. It's the title of the piece. _Fiat Justitia_."

Terethel says "Let justice be done."

Zebina says "And a Servitor of the Game was hanging around?"

Pat nods, once. "Does it portray Justice properly?"

Zebina says "What would happen if it wasn't done. Justice, I mean."

Pat says "Cautionary, then."

Hitherby mulls. "I've never been sure whether the Game is the closest thing to justice the demons understand or the furthest thing from it that they have." Then she giggles. "Of course, I've never actually thought about it before now."

Terethel says, to Pat, "I hope so."

Pat says "You're not certain?"

Sephar grins at Hitherby. "Me, either."

Terethel says "I haven't read the script."

Pat says "Hm. I wonder if one could be acquired."

Sephar says "Can we have a copy of original and performed?"

Terethel looks a touch sheepish. "Role's commitments, you know. I'm sure you could get hold of one at the opera house."

Terethel says "I don't have any myself."

Sephar nods.

Hitherby's bee flutters back to its human's ear.

Zebina says "May I get a couple of your cards, Terethel? They'll probably come in handy when we talk to some of the opera people."

Pat considers, sitting back with his coffee.

Sephar looks at his coffee again and frowns. "Maybe stage tech better than equipment checks... could get things like stage hand scripts."

Terethel nods to Zebina, and roots in his briefcase, bringing out five of his business cards. "These do?" He nods to Sephar. "True."

The rat drags the letter back to Terethel.

Terethel takes the letter, raising his eyebrows. "Don't you want this?"

Sephar says "Intros for check. Not as stage hand. I've got electronics to do Role, but intro might help."

Sephar says "Or is it generalist introduction?"

Terethel says "It was generalist, but I can redo it."

Zebina smiles. "Y'know, Sephar, if they're changing things around at the last minute, they might have some openings for stagehands. Do you have a Union Card?"

Sephar says "Could."

Zebina says "That would probably work better, especially if it's a Union production."

Sephar hears a bee buzzing and brightens, "Yes."

Terethel says "Point."

The rat sighs, so Sephar takes the letter back and then tucks it gently into the outer pocket of his outer coat.

Zebina says "All right."

Terethel chuckles.

Sephar then tucks the rat in the other pocket and finishes his coffee.

Zebina says "Now... we just need to maybe find out where this Demon lives?"

Zebina says "If possible."

Sephar says "Can follow from House if he's there."

Zebina says "That'd be perfect."

Terethel says "Unfortunately, I'm not sure how to track him otherwise."

Terethel says "I don't suppose any of you have useful attunements or the like?"

Sephar says "They're all useful."

Zebina laughs. "Well, if you want a letter mailed to him, maybe..."

Sephar says "Oh. For tracking."

Pat sets his coffee down. "What else do you know about him?"

Terethel's face shifts towards a brooding expression. "I ran into him once before: he was working with two other of Asmodeus' people. I had the impression he was too stupid to be let out on his own."

Terethel says "Tough, though."

Hitherby says, quietly, "I can talk to birds."

Terethel smiles at Hitherby.

Terethel says "Perhaps they can follow him."

Sephar says "What do the other two look like?"

Sephar says "Or are there regular Vessels?"

Terethel shrugs. "The other two got killed that time, so I can't be sure what they look like if they are hunting together."

Sephar nods.

Pat says "Killed?"

Terethel says "Vessels killed: I don't know if they survived it or if they're out of Trauma yet, or what."

Pat says "How were they killed?"

Terethel says "Fire. We had some Servitors of Gabriel on the scene. They pulled out the Cherub that Asmodeus' boys were hunting, and toasted the hunters."

Terethel says "That was a couple of years ago, mind."

Pat says "And this Calabite survived."

Zebina says "Tough customer."

Terethel says "Think so. I was on the edges, myself."

Zebina checks her watch. "Oh, heck. I'm late."

Pat says "That's not a very reassuring implication."

Zebina says "I'm supposed to meet with some customs types about the cargo I brought in yesterday."

Zebina says "Terribly sorry."

Hitherby shakes her head. "Humans and their customs." She laughs.

Zebina scatters some cards. "Here's my number at the airport. Hanger 40. Call me!"

Pat looks at Zebina. "Good luck."

Zebina grabs her coat and shades and disappears out the door with a trailing, 'Bye!'

Sephar waves.

Sephar takes a card and tucks it in the same overcoat pocket.

Terethel chuckles at Zebina vanishes, and picks up a card.

Terethel says "I love Ofanim. They've just got this style, you know."

Terethel says "So. That's the situation."

Pat says "An unknown demon, an opera, and some connection between them."

Terethel says "Demon certainly. I don't know why he might be hanging at the Opera House."

Pat says "Hm."

Terethel shrugs. "For all I know, his target likes the stuff."

You paged Pat with 'Hm. You're picking up that Terethel feels faintly guilty about something.'.

Pat says "Terethel."

Terethel says "Mm?"

Pat says "Is that all?"

Terethel says "Can't think of anything else important, unless you want a rough map of the place."

From afar, Pat .oO (Break out the thumbscrews)

Hitherby smiles. "'m ready any time."

Sephar listens quietly, watching Pat.

Pat says "Mmm. That would be useful. Along with any other information that comes to mind in the fiuture."

Terethel reaches into his briefcase to find some paper, and begins to sketch. His style is clearly that of an experienced architect, and he adds brief notes as to what the main rooms are.

Terethel says "Believe me, if I knew anything more about what the Game's up to, I'd tell you."

Hitherby says "Sephdear, does your rat have fleas? No offense."

Pat says "There's no reason to limit yourself to speculation on Asmodeus' activities. Anything that could be relevant would be greatly appreciated."

Terethel says "Unfortunately, I'm not sure what is relevant here."

Pat pages: Is he still feeling guilty?

Terethel continues to sketch. "I've been there fairly often, as one of the local Patrons of the Opera group."

Long distance to Pat: Terethel nods. And - hm - want to resonate?

Pat pages: Sure.

You paged Pat with 'Roll dem bones.'.

<> Pat rolls the d666 and gets 1 4 CHECK: 1.

You paged Pat with 'You're picking up on something that feels strongly like personal embarassment from Terethel.'.

Pat sets his coffee aside, leaning forward as the man sketches. "Terethel."

Terethel finishes a line, and looks up. "Yes?"

Pat just /looks/ at him.

Hitherby hums thoughtfully to herself.

Terethel flips his pen between his fingers.

Terethel sighs.

Terethel says "You people make a guy feel so _guilty_, you know that?"

Terethel says "It's not as if it's actually dissonant."

Pat says "Yes, I know."

Terethel says "Even if it's not really _wrong_."

Pat says "You're dodging."

Terethel says "Yeah, well."

Pat says "Mm."

Terethel says "How would you feel having to tell _Dominic_ that you liked modern rock music?"

Pat lifts an eyebrow.

Pat says "What /sort/ of rock music?"

Hitherby shudders, about a minute after Terethel's comment.

Hitherby then grins.

Terethel says "Whatever."

Terethel says "Same sort of position, here, in reverse."

Terethel goes back to the sketching.

Pat says "I don't follow."

Terethel says "Servitors of Stone are strong, right? Lead by example, cooperate, build humans up, whatever?"

Pat says "Supposedly."

Sephar listens quietly: the rat actually comes out of the pocket to wander over towards Hitherby and scratches himself quietly as the rest of the conversation goes on.

Hitherby's bee flutters over and hangs near the rat; if it should spot a flea,

Hitherby murmurs, "Stop scratching," and pours a "Force" into the fleas on the beast in general. If she succeeds again, well, the rat stops itching, too.

Terethel shrugs.

Terethel says "Sometimes it goes down badly when I admit to liking opera."

Terethel finishes the sketch, and snaps the top back on the pen.

Sephar's rat sits still at the murmur and then twitches pink ears in gratitude.

Pat says "There's nothing wrong with opera."

Terethel says "Of course not."

Sephar contemplates rocks and contemplates opera. "Uhm... David likes rock music?"

Pat says "Musicals are another matter entirely, but there is nothing wrong with opera."

Terethel says, towards Sephar, "Ah, no comment on that one."

Sephar blinks quietly.

Terethel pushes the sketch-map across the table to Mazpatiel.

Terethel says "The First Night of the opera is the day after tomorrow."

Pat takes the map, studying it before folding it and tucking it into his overcoat.

Sephar says "I should be quick at getting the stage hand job, then..."

Terethel nods.

Pat says "I should be able to get a copy of the script by tonight."

Terethel says "I'll wish you luck, then."

Terethel says "I need to be going, guys. There's a civic planning session in half an hour. Unless there's anything else?"

Pat shakes his head.

Sephar 's rat hugs the finger of the lady and then scampers for the business man's pocket.

Terethel smiles as he rises. "I do appreciate this, people."

Sephar finishes his coffee and nods.

Hitherby smiles. "All in this together."

Hitherby scrambles out of her chair.

Terethel says "My number's on the cards. Give me a ring if I can help at all."

Pat says "We will."

Sephar grins.

Terethel snaps his briefcase shut. "Luck, guys. And thanks again." He turns, heading for the door.

Hitherby waves. "I've got a bird outside," she comments. "I don't want to head over there alone, but anyone who wants to -- I dunno. Lead the way? -- let me know."

Sephar shakes his head silently at yet another card... but slips it into his pocket.

Terethel is gone through the door, step cheerful.

Sephar says "I have to pick up someone more suitable for the job..."

Sephar says "But I'll be heading there shortly."

Sephar says "Pat, do you want Pinky for comm duty?"

Pat rises, pulling his overcoat on. "Pinky?"

Sephar's rat peeks out of the pocket and scrambles into the man's hand.

Sephar lifts the rat for Pat to take or see.

Pat picks up the rat. "Pinky. I see. I'm headed in that direction, myself."

Sephar nods.

Sephar says "He/I/We'll be able to talk to you through the rat's connection to your celphone at any time, if we need to talk..."

Pat slips the rat into his overcoat, picking up his hat and putting it on. "You'll know when I'm there, then."

Sephar nods.

Sephar says "Exactly."

Pat nods.

Sephar's rat curls up comfortably and quietly in the pocket.

Sephar then gets up, bows gently and goes for the door.

Hitherby looks thoughtful.

Pat assumes his practiced slouch, and heads out as well.

---

Fiat Justitia.