(Chephirah and Hitherby have both left the restaurant: Liz/Zebina and Daimon remain.)
Liz ordered a glass of wine for herself.
Daimon would also have some wine.
Daimon is not going to be able to drive at this rate.
Liz orders a bottle then. Something French.
Liz says "That's okay. I'll drive."
Daimon says "Are you sure?"
Liz thinks. "Yes, but we'll just order a couple of glasses, not a whole bottle."
Daimon says "Probably a good plan."
The waiter comes across, and inquires politely whether the lady and gentleman will be wanting any coffee or liqueors.
Liz says "If I only have a glass, I'll be fine."
Daimon says "Wine will be fine, thanks."
Liz says "Two glasses of port, please."
The waiter glances between Daimon and Liz.
Liz ordered a dessert wine cause, well, it's dessert!
The waiter nods, and fetches two glasses of a decent port.
Daimon nods. Indeed.
Daimon says "So. Ah."
Liz says "Mmmhmm?"
Liz looks at Daimon with those startling green eyes of hers.
Daimon shifts, looks a little uncomfortable, and takes a sip of water.
Daimon says "Anyway. Where were we before we were interrupted?"
Liz says "Good question, I'm not sure."
Liz says "Maybe we should just talk about something else?"
Liz says "And not how weird the last day has been."
Daimon says "I believe so."
Daimon contemplates, trying to think up a topic.
Daimon says "Er, yeah. Nice weather."
Liz laughs.
Liz says "Actually, it has been, considering the time of year."
Daimon shrugs. "You don't seem the type to hang around with Sarah. She's very bookish, and you're, well, the opposite.
Daimon says "If I may be forward and all that."
Liz says "Is more of that complement thing. Sometimes I'm a little, well, flighty I guess. She's a lot more grounded."
Daimon says "She doesn't seem to be your type. Then again, how would I know your type?"
Liz laughs. "She's a friend, y'know. I'm not sleeping with her or anything."
Daimon says "Well, that's good to hear."
Daimon thinks for a moment. "You aren't, uh, seeing anyone right now, are you?"
Liz looks back, "Um, not really, no. This is the first date I've been on in a while. Usually I'm really busy working."
Daimon says "Yeah, me too. I get sort of booked on a moment's notice."
Liz says "And zoom, off to wherever."
Liz says "I love that sort of thing, but it's hard on a relationship, so."
Liz says "That's part of what makes Sarah a friend. She's the type who'll always be there for you, y'know?"
Daimon says "It's convenient, then, that you happened to come into a town where you had friends who weren't in your line of business."
Liz says "Hmm? Daimon, my 'main office' is here. Well, at least the US part."
Liz says "I fly out of DC when I'm on this side of the ocean. Usually Paris or Rome when I'm flying in Europe."
Daimon says "Oh. I didn't realize you were central to DC. My mistake."
Liz sips her port.
Daimon says "It's good to have friends who will do strange things for you, though. You're pretty lucky."
Liz says "Who, Sarah? She came along for moral support and because she was curious about you. That's not weird."
Liz grins. "And the bee and I just met. Honest."
Daimon leans back, takes a sip of wine, and grins. "Sure. I bet you say that to all the guys."
Liz says "Only top flight comedians who I meet at the opera. Really."
Daimon says "And do you meet top flight comedians at the opera often?"
Liz says "First time."
Daimon says "Wow. I'm flattered. Really."
Liz laughs. "I'm the one who should be flattered, shouldn't I? You're the bigshot star."
Daimon says "Hardly. I still play some pretty small crappy shops."
Liz says "Mmm hmm. Like Leno?"
Daimon says "Leno is pretty big time. You know, people pulling down millions a shot."
Daimon says "I'm happy if I get dinner."
Liz says "So do you have to get a movie deal or something before you're a big comedy star?"
Daimon says "I'm pretty sure you do. Or else, people only kind of hear about you. Although I have weaseled my way into some fairly large arenas."
Liz says "What's the biggest show you've ever played?"
Daimon says "I played the Improv last year. And there was that gig on HBO, which got me a lot of exposure."
Liz says "That sounds pretty impressive."
Liz says "Almost makes me wish I owned a TV."
Daimon says "I thought you were always on the move?"
Liz says "I am."
Liz says "So it's really not practical."
Liz says "But if you have a tape or something, I'd like to watch it sometime."
Daimon says "Sure. Well, not with me. I have some demo tapes back home."
Daimon sips some wine.
Liz says "No rush or anything."
Liz sips her wine, which is getting mostly gone.
The waiter hovers nearby, in a way that suggests he could be stopped for more port, or whatever.
Daimon sighs.
Liz says "Daimon, if you'll excuse me for a moment? I need to go powder my nose."
Daimon says "Sure. I'll be right here, on the look out for more killer bees."
Daimon grins.
Liz laughs.
Liz says "Offer them sugar water if you see them. It seems to work pretty well."
Liz passes her glass of ice water, still with a lot of sugar in it, over to
Daimon, then excuses herself.
Daimon looks dubiously into the glass of ice water.
Daimon sips a little wine.
Liz steps out of the ladies' room. Her makeup looks a bit more in order, and her lip gloss seems a shade redder. Oh, and her neckline may just have dropped by one button on her blouse, but that might just be your imagination. She definitely seems a bit flushed, though.
Liz sits down. "Miss me?"
Daimon says "Definitely."
Liz smiles. "Neat."
Daimon's eyes light up, and he sits a little straighter.
Liz says "All set with your wine, or did you want to stay for another round?"
Daimon says "I'm pretty well set, if you are."
Liz nods. "Particularly if I'm driving."
Daimon digs the keys out from his coat pocket, and slides them across the table. "Probably for the best."
Liz takes the keys, nods.
The waiter hovers.
Liz says "It's been a lovely dinner, Daimon. Well, perhaps except for the killer bees."
Liz says "Although it didn't seem all that bad, really."
Daimon pulls out his wallet, and fishes around for the all important American Express card. He attacks the bill with it. "Well, we did have an odd visitor who accosted you, and I ate the flowers, and your friend was frightened off, but the pasta was decent."
Liz laughs. "I hope all of our dinners aren't like this."
The waiter takes the card and bill, and makes the traditional maneuvers, ending by presenting Daimon with a receipt to sign.
Liz says "And Sarah wasn't frightened off, I don't think."
Daimon signs the receipt, and tacks on the nominal 15 %. "Well, I think she could have had a better time, but I'll apologize to her later, if I ever see her again."
The waiter nods, returns the card to Daimon, and retreats.
Liz says "Impressive service here."
Daimon shoves the card into his wallet, and the wallet into his coat. "You would think they want us out of there," he grins.
Liz laughs.
Liz collects her things, stands up.
Daimon stands up, albeit a little shaky, and pulls on his coat.
Liz says "Lead on, Daimon."
Daimon leads on, a little drunk, and heads out to the sidewalk.
Liz tags along.
Daimon heads in the direction of his rental car.
Daimon says "Wait a sec."
Liz says "Hmm?"
Daimon holds up a hand.
Liz stops.
Daimon says "Now, look. We're probably going to go back to your place. And then we're going to relax and have a good time. But there will come a point where we will be very relaxed enough to do away with some extraneous clothing, and we'll get nervous, because we'll be at a point where we need to kiss, and we will have never done so. So if you kiss me now, we'll get over all that anxiety, and go back to your place, and have a really nice night."
Liz looks stunned, then bursts out laughing.
Daimon says "It's perfectly logical. We get it all out of the way, and we'll feel much better."
Liz says, in a voice half strangled by either outrage or mirth, "Daimon! That's the most absurd thing..."
Daimon says "Hardly. It makes perfect sense. So kiss me now, and we'll get going."
Liz gasps for breath, putting one hand on Daimon's shoulder for support.
Liz says "Do you do this on all of your dates?"
Daimon is still straight-faced.
Daimon says "Just the ones I really like."
Liz says "Mmmhmm."
Liz looks up, her eyes sorta sparkly in the light.
Liz says "Well, if you think it'll make things easier."
Daimon says "I believe so, yes."
Liz tilts her head up, and stands tiptoe.
Daimon takes Liz into his arms, and kisses her with passion.
Liz murmurs, "Comedians..." just before the kiss, then... !
Liz kisses back, perhaps a bit inexpertly. She's way out of practice. (Like about 100 years worth.) But she gets better in a hurry.
Daimon lets Liz go after finishing the kiss. "See? Don't you feel better? Now let's go back to your place."
Liz seems a little short of breath, but nods.
Daimon leans down, takes Liz's hand, and leads her over to the rental car.
Liz gets the passenger door lock, then flits round to the driver's door, sits down, starts the car.
Daimon gets in on the passenger side.
Liz puts her seatbelt on, looks over.
Liz says "Buckle up?"
Daimon does buckle on his seat belt, but he hadn't before.
Liz says "Thanks. Sometimes I get complaints on my driving."
<
<
Liz makes her resonance, and then proceeds to make it home in, well, short order. *zoom*
You say "You go _real_ fast."
Daimon is rather surprised at how Liz drives, actually.
Daimon says "You drive like some sort of de-... some sort of bat out of hell, Liz. If I may say so."
Liz grins, neatly slipping between two slower cars. "Maybe, but I use my signals."
Liz manages to catch four lights in a row on the yellow.
Liz says "I like driving. It's soothing. If you mess up, you're already on the ground."
Daimon . o O ( This is the point where I clutch to the dashboard and scream like a cheerleader.)
Liz winds up, in short order, at the airport, around in the private plane entrance.
Daimon looks a little relieved when the car stops.
Liz carefully sets the parking brake, steps out. "Mmm, that was -great-. Just the thing to keep me
from getting sleepy from all that pasta."
Daimon climbs out of the car, a little thankful.
Liz says "Here's your keys back."
Liz tosses the car keys to Daimon.
Daimon takes the keys, and stuffs them in a pocket.
Liz leads Daimon through to a private hangar.
Liz says "This is 'my place'. It's easier than trying to find a nice place to live locally."
Liz says "Besides, I'm usually not in town for more than a couple of days."
Daimon takes an interested look around.
Daimon says "I guess not, if you're always flying."
Daimon peers at the stuff.
The hangar is a big double-wide affair. She opens up a regular-sized door next to the main doors,
which are shut. She reaches in, turns on the lights. Things get very bright, showing off a hangar
that's kept with a sort of obsessive neatness that a person who would, if she weren't careful, be
very messy. All the tools are put away in their place. Spare parts are neatly stacked, and a
gleaming, almost completely restored Lockheed Electra sits in one half of the hangar.
Liz says "Come on."
Daimon follows Liz.
Liz says "This is 'home'. At least to Amelia over there."
Liz points at the Electra.
Daimon says "Man. I thought I was happy with my room at the Holiday Inn. I'm impressed with
the setup."
There's an office that takes up about half of the space where a second plane would fit. It's
obviously been retrofitted into the hangar, as it doesn't really match. Two thick sound-proof
windows with shades look out from either 'wall' to cover the whole hangar, and there's a locking
door.
Liz smiles. "Well, business has been pretty good."
Liz steps around an engine that's up on a block, and leads Daimon to the office. She shuts most
of the lights off in the main hangar, and turns on the lights inside the office.
Liz says "C'mon in."
Daimon follows into the office.
There is an envelope sitting on the desk, with the word, "Zebina," on the front in crisp printed
calligraphy.
You paged Liz with 'It wasn't there before.'.
Daimon lifts an eyebrow.
The office is decorated in 'practical modern aviation'. It's soundproofed (necessary, if you want
to not listen to planes taking off and landing all the time), and has a couple of desks, each
underneath one of the windows, a big comfy couch that could fold out into a bed, a small
conference table and chairs, and maps of *everywhere* put up on the walls, along with framed
prints of planes.
Liz picks up the envelop. "Hmm. Curious."
You paged Liz with 'It's the sort of thickness that one might expect for an official permit of some
kind.'.
Daimon looks around with interest, and settles on the couch.
Daimon says "Do you know this Zebina?"
Liz smiles, taking a letter opener. "Pretty well. She's me."
Daimon says "Ah ha."
Liz opens the envelope, has a look inside.
Daimon makes a point of forcing himself to relax on the couch.
You paged Liz with 'It's a permit to carry your gun.'.
Liz smiles, tucks the official looking document into her purse.
Daimon just waits.
Liz shrugs at Daimon. "Well, 'Zebina' isn't really a common name. Most folks feel easier dealing
with 'Elizabeth' or 'Liz'."
Liz says "Tea? Coffee?"
Daimon says "Um... coffee is fine."
Liz says "So, legally, it's Elizabeth."
Daimon does some quick rationalization to deal with things.
Liz says "Except when I'm in the middle east, of course."
Daimon says "Of course."
Liz puts coffee on. She fixes a nice strong cup for Daimon, and gets herself some herbal tea.
Liz says "Sugar? Cream?"
Liz pauses, smiles. "Honey?"
Daimon says "Sugar and cream is fine, thanks."
Liz adds in both, stirs. "Here you go."
Liz finishes fixing her tea, and settles down next to Daimon on the couch.
Daimon takes the coffee, and sips it. He forces himself to relax further. "Thanks."
Liz kicks off her shoes, and puts them up on the coffee table.
Liz puts her feet up, that is.
Liz flexes her toes. "Mmm, better. Dress shoes are a pain."
Liz looks over, smiles. "Comfy?"
Daimon drinks a little coffee, then sets the cup aside. "Sure they are." He gets up, and sits on the
coffee table, and takes her feet in his lap. He starts rubbing her feet.
Liz sets her mug aside, and sighs. "Mmm. That's heavenly."
Liz says "You're very good at that."
Liz lays her head back, and just sort of revels in the foot massage for a bit.
Daimon attempts to give a very good foot massage, while he goes through his normal hoops of
rationalization and comes to conclusions that are much happier for him to deal with.
Daimon says "I don't honestly, get much practice."
Liz says "Really? I'm surprised women aren't falling over you for a nice foot massage."
Daimon says "I'm really pretty busy, most of the time."
Liz nods. "Especially with the Comedy thing, and searching opera houses for demons and the
like."
Daimon's hands stop in mid-rub. Then he says, flatly, "I have no idea what you're talking about."
Liz sighs again. "Okay Daimon, I really like you. You wouldn't be here if I didn't. And I think you
pretty much like me. And just in case we do get all cuddly 'n stuff later on, I don't want to be
doing it on false pretenses."
Liz says "So I'll tell you what I'm up to, and you can tell me what you're up to, fair enough? I'll
even massage your feet, if you want."
Daimon's face drains of color.
Daimon says "I'm sorry, I don't know what you're talking about."
Liz sips her tea. "Daimon, please. Be honest with me for just five minutes? I promise, you're not
in any danger here, and it's not a set-up."
Daimon says "Oh, fuck.""
Daimon stands up, and gets up to grab his coat.
Liz says "Daimon, will you *please* stand still for a minute?"
Daimon sighs, and stands still.
Liz says "Look, if you are who I think you are, you can probably figure out if I'm telling the truth,
right?"
Daimon says "Sure, probably."
Liz says "Okay, go ahead."
Daimon says "Go ahead what? Leave? What do you want me to say?"
Daimon says "I'm still hoping that I'm *wrong*."
Liz says "No, go ahead and find out if I'm telling the truth."
Daimon sighs.
Liz says "So let me tell it, and you can do your thing. If you still want to leave at that point, you
can."
Liz says "Without saying another word."
Daimon nods. "Fine. Tell me what you're going to tell me."
Liz says "Okay. My real name is Zebina, which you know. I work for a guy named Marc, who
you may have heard of."
Liz smiles. "And, as silly as it sounds, I'm an angel who flies cargo."
Daimon sighs and sits on the couch heavily.
Daimon says "I really was praying you were some sort of Soldier, or one of the Kyrio's hosts."
Liz arranges for Daimon's coffee mug to wind up close to him.
Liz says "No luck, I'm afraid."
Liz says "Hmm. Who were you praying to, come to think of it."
Daimon says "I'm so fucked up it's not even funny. Actually it is funny. It's very very funny. It's
a riot."
Liz says "Shh. Sip your coffee, let me finish, okay?"
Daimon says "I was praying to my ability to rationalize any situation and make it look like it's
okay."
Daimon picks up his coffee and takes a sip.
Liz says "Hey, maybe it's okay, just different than you'd been rationalizing?"
Daimon says "Maybe. Just go on."
Liz says "Anyways, a couple of days back, I was asked to look into a situation at the Opera
house. Seems someone spotted one of the Agents of the Game there, but didn't have time to take
care of it themselves."
Liz says "It's really not what you'd call one of my specialties, but there are a couple of others
working on it to. The Kyriotate you met earlier is one."
Liz says "The day I met you, I was at the opera house to have a look and talk with the business
manager. The business contact is real, as are the opera tickets. I'm hoping to eventually get some
shipping business out of the Opera. You never know."
Liz says "But mean time, there's Demons at the Opera."
Daimon says "No kidding."
Liz says "Now, this is just a guess, but based on the night with that...thing...screaming, how you
were acting, and what yo do for a living, I'd say you're working for Kobal. You're probably pretty
high up, and you were obviously in town on short notice. So, you're sort of like me; a
troubleshooter called in at the last minute."
Daimon says "What am I going to do, deny it?"
Liz says "And I'm guessing you're a Lilim or an Impudite. You're cute, well mannered, and you've
got a nice rear."
Daimon says "I'm not an Impudite, but then again, I might be lying."
Liz nods. "I've been giving that some thought, yes."
Liz says "But I like you. It's probably not that healthy for me, but... *shrug*"
Daimon says "Or I may not be bothering to lie. It's very tricky to deal with demons. You never
can tell what sort of evil malicious thing they're planning."
Liz grins. "Including taking a girl out for dinner, getting yourself drunk, failing to get her drunk,
and then going back to her place for coffee & cuddlies?"
Daimon says "I thought you were human. Had I known, I wouldn't have. I should have just
concentrated on work anyhow."
Liz says "That's okay. My own fault. I pretty much guessed you were a demon last night, but I
decided to go out with you tonight anyways."
Daimon says "Ah ha. They let you do that?"
Liz says "I have, um, they used to call it 'unusual operating latitude'. Meaning if I screw up, I get
called on the carpet for it."
Daimon says "And what is considered a screw up? Just so I know what sort of operational
boundaries we're talking about."
Liz says "But you're certainly not like any demon I've ever met, and my Organization is known
for dealmaking, so they're not hugely uptight about it either."
Liz says "The usual. Failing to prevent humans from getting hurt. Getting myself hurt, or worse,
Falling. Getting other angels into trouble, that sort of thing."
Daimon closes his eyes. "And how many demons have you met?"
Liz says "A few. I don't know. Baker's dozen? None since the 40s."
Daimon says "Oh."
Daimon pauses for a moment. "I have no idea how much trouble I'm in now. I don't really want
to think about it."
Liz smiles. "Depends, I guess. You -are- unusual, you know. Well, in my limited experience."
Daimon says "Is this a good thing or a bad thing?"
Liz says "So, anyway, if you're here as a troubleshooter, that means there's some other people
from your, um, union. Here in DC, at the opera house."
Daimon says "Yes, there are other Kobalites here in DC at the Opera House."
Liz says "Well, you're cute, aren't trying to kill me or sink a ship that I'm on, you've bathed in the
last year, and your breath smells good, even without the flowers. And you drink port."
Liz blushes. "And you're a good kisser, without trying to dump me into bed three seconds after
you met me."
Daimon says "I'm trying to decide how I feel right now. I really lo- like you, and this is sort of
screwing with my head."
Liz says "Yeah, I'm pretty confused too."
Daimon says "This is not good. Funny, but not good."
Daimon says "But I can work with anything. I figure, if I liked you before you were an angel, I
can continue to do so."
Liz says "But I do know this. The Game is here. And the idea of Renegade Kobalites at the Opera
makes me really, *really* nervous, since I doubt they're trying to break in to ... Daimon, that's
sweet."
Liz smiles. "And I liked you even after I knew you were a demon, so."
Daimon says "Well, okay then. And I'm _not_ an Impudite. I'm not puppylike, just annoying."
Daimon says "I suggest we lay our cards out on the table."
Liz says "Sure. You're a Lilim, right?"
Daimon says "That's right."
Liz says "How about an agreement, then? We tell each other what we know about the situation,
without revealing any, um, trade secrets?"
Daimon says "Sure. An agreement, then."
Liz takes a piece of paper, writes down a short passage to that effect. "Sign?"
Daimon looks down at the paper and signs it. Then he says, "By my nature, I won't reveal any
trade secrets during this conversation. I swear it."
Daimon says "That's the second one for you tonight. This is going to make me start feeling funny
soon."
Liz signs.
Liz blinks. "Second one?"
Daimon says "Sure. I uh, geased myself into being good. As in, no more sex jokes, scandals, or
flower eating."
Liz says "Oh."
Liz blushes. "Um, sorry about that. Tell you what, if you give me another foot massage after we're
done, I'll consider us even."
Daimon nods.
Daimon gets up and sits back on the coffee table.
Daimon takes Liz's feet into his lap, and starts to rub.
Daimon says "So who goes first?"
Liz says "Let me finish, and then you can go."
Daimon says "Okay."
Daimon sets about rubbing.
Liz says "So, we have a small group of angels. We know at least one of the Gamesters, a Calabite,
and there's a demon in the theatre. The old guy. I'm also guessing that a group called Focals
Investments is involved. Not sure how, but there's something very weird about them."
Liz smiles. "The Calabite ran into someone who didn't like him very much, by the way. He got,
um, chastized. Unfortunately, it wasn't a permanent sort of chastizing."
Daimon listens and rubs.
Liz says "There's not a lot more beyond that. Some of the others may know more. A couple of
the others know about you, but only the Kyriotate and a Cherub. We haven't told the Malakim
or the Seraph. I wanted to talk agreements first, so they don't get, um, proactive?"
Liz says "Oh, and there's at least one Dominican around. It makes sense, given the game's
around."
Liz smiles. "Or is that 'The Game's Afoot?' Maybe not."
Daimon says "Fabulous."
Liz says "Sorry. Lame joke."
Daimon says "Okay. My turn?"
Liz nods, and wiggles her feet. "More on the arches of my feet, please."
Daimon works more on the arches of her feet.
Daimon says "I'll tell you a story. Once upon a time there was a Shedite and a Habbalite, and they
decided that they wanted to be very funny all by themselves. So they left the Happy Woods and
took off on their own... to DC, in fact. And they hid themselves there well, but not well enough,
because the big lion of the forest noticed that they had gone. So the big lion calls in one of the
wood elves (who happens to be looking at contract negotiations soon enough) and told the wood
elf to go and find the two bad little demons and bring them back any way possible, but funnier is
more preferable. See?"
Daimon says "So the wood elf goes to the land of the DC, and finds them hiding out. And is not
really happy, because they are going to be _very_ funny indeed all by themselves! And they've
been preparing this for a while, so it's sure to be a hoot. This bothers the wood elf quite a bit,
because certain Shedite animals play jokes that really aren't very funny."
Liz blinks. "A Shedite? Oh, Hell."
Liz says "And a Habby too. Fan-tas-tic."
Daimon says "Now the wood elf also notices that there are some Bad Hunters from the other
forest who have also come to find the two animals. There's a Balseraph hunter, probably a
Habbalite hunter, maybe a Djinn hunter (although he may be just a driver) and a Calabite hunter."
Daimon says "Now the Balseraph hunter was calling himself Michael Focals, and he had everyone
wrapped around his little schemes. By using money, he'd gotten himself into the DC. Isn't that
fantastic?"
Liz says "You have been busy."
Liz says "And what is the little wood elf planning on doing?"
Daimon says "Now the little wood elf doesn't really know what to do anymore. The wood elf
knows where the Shedite and the Habbalite are. The wood elf also knows that there are big
meanies called Angels running around, wanting to squish the wood elf. The wood elf is starting
to think very seriously indeed about those contract negotiations."
Liz pouts. "And I'm a big meanie?"
Daimon says "The wood elf also knows there is something.... else going on, but isn't sure what.
But he better damn well find out before that opera starts."
Daimon says "Maybe. But a meanie with sore feet who need rubbing."
Liz says "Well, you have that last part right."
Daimon says "The problem is the wood elf has also met an Angel that he likes very very much.
Might even sort of kind of feel more then that, but isn't saying, and is now in a really tizzy. What
is the wood elf to do?"
Liz says "Hiding in a tree is traditional, I hear. If you're a wood elf."
Daimon says "Well, the wood elf is really a meaner meanie."
Liz says "Who gives good footrubs?"
Daimon says "But, in the real world, your Kyrio friend spotted me talking to Ashamael, our
Shedite today, and accosted me. Then he... she? he? I dunno. IT went and got into a fight with
Ashamael. Nothing apparently came from it, thank god."
Liz says "Ah, okay. Hmm, that makes it harder. So the old guy isn't a vessel, then?"
Daimon says "Then your Kyrio friend yelled at me, and made sure that I 'treated you right'. I
dunno, everyone has their own opinions."
Daimon says "Yes, he's in Props. And he didn't cover it up well. But there is - listen to me - there
is Something Else going on."
Liz smiles. "I think Hitherby's being overly protective, but you can't really blame him."
Daimon says "More then our little games between us and the Game."
Liz nods. "I think it's tied to the composer guy."
Liz says "The one who died."
Daimon says "No kidding. I'm talking to one of the choir girls, and she has some teacher who is
teaching her 'weird stuff' but she won't cough up his name. This morning, all the mirrors were
broken in the ballet room. Have you seen a score of the music yet?"
Liz shakes her head. "I don't read music, unfortunately."
Liz says "But... an Opera about Justice, with both the Game and Judgement running around. That
could get sticky."
Daimon says "Well, I do. But I seriously doubt I'll find a score that I can just skim. I don't even
know if they've printed one."
Liz says "I could probably get you a score. Or, more to the point. Hitherby could probably get
one."
Daimon says "Great. Getting more tangled up with angels."
Daimon says "Not that angels are bad. Just that there are certain preconceptions that I don't think
we have time to work through."
Liz says "These preconceptions wouldn't have anything to do with Malakim and big swords,
would they?"
Daimon says "I'm allergic to death. My doctor tells me it's bad for my health."
Daimon says "And, I'm sorry, but I have to be the least combat person I know."
Liz nods. "I have the same sort of reservations about Calabites with parachutes and bombs."
Daimon shrugs. "So that's my cards on the table. Now what?
Liz says "Actually, I'm not even sure it bothered with the parachute... hmm."
Liz says "Well, if Focals is really a Game triad, I think I can arrange for them to have some very
short term difficulties."
Daimon says "Short term difficulties are good. I can just about guarentee you that they're a Game
triad."
Liz says "And I think it would be a very good idea if we could get the Shedite and the Habbalite
out of the Opera."
Daimon says "They won't want to go. They're going to Prank."
Liz says "Would you mind terribly if they didn't get to?"
Daimon says "And... uh... how do I say this. If they're going to Prank, um, I dunno if my Boss will
approve of my involvement in removing them."
Daimon says "I don't want them to Prank in a way that will kill everyone or blow up the Opera
house or something like that. I really don't want to. But this isn't my choice."
Liz says "Okay, but if they're doing something that has the Game after them, and doing it without
permission?"
Liz says "Would your Boss prefer a 'nothing happens' or a 'something potentially very bad
happens'?"
Daimon says "Well, the hope is that they're just planning something big, and I'll ditch the Game
and they'll pull it off. Then we'll all go home and... well do something."
Daimon says "Nothing happens, I think."
Liz nods. "I think we can potentially do nothing happens."
Liz says "I'll have to talk with the others, though."
Daimon says "Which is not as good as something very funny happening."
Daimon sighs.
Liz says "What if something funny happened to the Gamesters, instead?"
Daimon says "Well, that would certainly work."
Liz smiles. "After all, I like a good joke as much as the next angel."
Daimon says "Do angels like jokes?"
Liz says "Say... hmm. Perhaps a Balseraph playing a financial type suddenly winds up broke?"
Liz says "Oh, sure. We love jokes. Well some of us."
Liz says "I'm an Ofanite, if the driving didn't tell you, and we adore good jokes."
Liz says "Most of us."
Daimon says "Well, that does explain the driving."
Daimon sighs.
Liz says "So, I'll see if I can arrange for something bad to happen to the game. If I work it right,
maybe you can help?"
Daimon says "Of course I'll help."
Liz says "And we'll see if we can get the other two somewhere we can talk to them."
Daimon says "Ummm... well, your Kyrio knows what I am. Your other friend, is she...?"
Liz says "She knows what's going on. It's not really my place to tell you more about her, other
than I don't think she's a danger to you."
Liz says "She's not a Malakim."
Daimon says "If she had been, I'd be looking at my Heart right about now."
Liz says "She might give me a smiting for talking in depth with a demon, but..."
Liz shrugs. "Hey, no guts, no glory."
Daimon says "I'm all for no glory, myself."
Daimon sighs heavily.
Daimon says "Now what?"
Liz mmms. "Well, my feet are happily relaxed. And I think I can say we've both fulfilled both parts
of the bargain?"
Daimon says "Sure, I think so."
Daimon gets up off the coffee table and settles back onto the couch.
Liz says "Did the geas thingies resolve right?"
Daimon says "More or less. You shouldn't concern yourself with my geasa."
Liz smiles. "Why not? You concerned yourself with my feet. And I didn't even ask."
Liz says "Really, Daimon. I don't know why, but you being happy seems like a reasonably nice
thing to want."
Daimon shrugs noncommitally. "I don't really think you should worry about my happiness. I
rubbed your feet because your feet needed rubbing."
Liz says "But you don't need to be happy?"
Daimon says "It's not essential to my completing the mission."
Liz somehow winds up snugged right next to Daimon, with her head sort of lying against his
shoulder.
Liz says "Neither is going out to dinner with suave Lilim, y'know."
Liz says "I think the traditional thing is to have them kidnapped and questioned by a Seraph if you
really want to know what's going on."
Daimon reaches up to stroke Liz's hair. "No, that's just good taste."
Liz smiles. "I hear happiness is in good taste this decade."
Daimon says "Ah ha. Should I expect to be kidnapped and questioned by a Seraph any time
soon?"
Liz says "Um, well if I don't show up tomorrow, Sarah might make a phone call, but short of that,
I don't think it'll happen."
Daimon says "I hear that happiness is fairly optional. It's the 90's way. And I'm happy to hear that
I won't be kidnapped and dragged off to places unknown for a fun and interesting questioning
session."
Liz pats Daimon's leg, just above his knee. "Trust me. Happiness is a good thing."
Daimon says "Well, I'll remember to try it sometime. Under controlled conditions."
Liz says "What qualifies as a controlled condition?"
Daimon says "A laboratory with lots of very complicated controls and gadgets. And with someone
with lots of letters after their name watching all the little dials to make sure I don't implode."
Liz says "And you're supposed to be happy that way?"
Daimon says "I dunno. I just don't want to implode."
Liz gives a short laugh, then suddenly vaults up off the couch, twists around mid air, and lands
in Daimon's lap. She looks at him from about two inches away, and says. "Field test!" Then she
kisses Daimon. Hard.
Daimon kisses Liz back with equal passion.
Liz winds up with her arms over Daimon's shoulders, straddling his lap, and breathing sort of
raggedly. This after about two minutes of proving that breathing is optional while kissing.
Daimon reaches his arms up around Liz and starts running his hands over her back, while kissing
back passionately.
Liz is still wearing her jacket, which is sort of bulky.
Liz pulls back. "Here, one sec."
Daimon waits, breathing heavily.
Liz slides her arms out, and lays it down on the floor over one side of the couch.
Liz smiles at Daimon. "So. Implode yet?"
Daimon says "No, not yet. Oh God, Liz, I want to make love to you so badly."
Liz blushes.
Daimon says "I know it's the wrong thing to do..."
Liz says "Daimon... well, you're definitely direct. The last guy I made love to took three years to
get up the gumption to propose."
Daimon says "I...."
Daimon bites his lower lip.
Liz says "Mmmhmmm?"
Liz's eyes are very sparkly now, with amusement and more than a little passion, and not a little
nervousness too.
Daimon says "I'm sorry... I'm sorry if I'm too direct."
Liz says "Daimon..."
Daimon bites his lip.
Liz reaches up, lightly caressing his cheek with her fingertips. "Daimon, for God's sake, I'm an
Ofanite. We -like- direct, remember?"
Daimon looks uncertain. He has the look on his face like a little kid who has just broken a very
expensive lamp.
Liz says "Here, look."
Liz takes one of Daimon's hands, and lifts it to one of her breasts. "See? I'm not going to run
screaming from the room."
Daimon nods, and looks a little more certain.
Daimon says "I know it's _wrong_. I know it's the wrong thing to do. But I want to make you feel
good so badly."
Liz nods. "It's probably exactly the wrong thing to. It's impractical, probably heretical, and for all
I know, you always use all the hot water in the morning. So are you going to seduce me or not?
Hint: a yes wouldn't be objected to."
Daimon says "Then, that's a yes."
Daimon leans forward to take Liz into his arms.
Liz hugs tight, and kisses again.
Daimon kisses Liz with passion, and decides that the couch is officially good enough and long
enough.
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