Demiurge says "What time in the morning are you heading for the Opera House?"
Pat says "After calling the Sergeant."
Hitherby will follow Pat's lead, unless (and she highly doubts this) he oversleeps or something :)
Demiurge says "What time do you call the sergeant?"
Pat doesn't sleep.
Pat says "Nine or so."
Demiurge says "You get the switchboard at the police station, who puts you through to him. He sounds tired."
Pat says "Sergeant?"
Hitherby lands a few bugs on another phone in the house, but for some reason she can't hear any sound coming out of it. (Somebody will teach her to pick up the receiver. Someday.)
Demiurge says "He says, "Yeah, hi, Pat. How's it going?""
Pat says "Enh. Long night."
Demiurge says "There's the sound of a yawn. "Yeah, you're telling me.""
Pat says "Everything get settled up at the theatre?"
Demiurge says "He says, "Yeah." Some paper is shuffled. "Or rather, nah. The forensic boys have taken samples and we've pulled statements, but God knows what really happened.""
Pat says "Or He's trying to find out. How are the injuries?"
Demiurge says "He pauses. "Well, the Props guy is dead. One of the guards was at ground zero: he's got some cracked ribs and minor abrasions, can't remember anything about it.""
Pat says "That's rough. Hope he heals up alright."
Demiurge says "He says, "Yeah. Me too. So how did you get involved?""
Pat says "Coincidence, mostly. I was there earlier yesterday on a job. Couple old ladies concerned about this new opera."
Demiurge says "He chuckles. "Yeah, well, little old ladies get concerned about their kitty-cats going outside without booties on." He yawns again."
Pat chuckles. "They do, at that. Like I said, coincidence. Thanks, though. This curiosity is gonna kill me someday."
Demiurge says "He laughs, gives the usual farewells, and puts the phone down."
Pat hangs up the phone and looks for the nearest bug. "Props is dead."
Hitherby gathers behind Pat when he puts his receiver down and breaks the news gently. "Your other phone is defective."
Pat says "What?"
Hitherby says "It didn't make any noise!"
Pat says "What did you do?"
Pat stands, walking to the other phone.
Hitherby chitter-giggles. "Listened to it. Don't be silly."
Pat says "How in the world did you put it back on the cradle?"
Hitherby says "Oh, I didn't *move* it or anything. Just listened."
Hitherby says "I didn't want to break it further."
Pat closes his eyes for a moment. "Did you see me speaking into it?"
Hitherby says "Sephar hates it when I do -- yup! I did."
Pat says "Did you notice I had picked the handset up and held it to my ear?"
Hitherby says "Oh."
Hitherby says "That's important?"
Pat says "Quite."
Hitherby says "Oh."
Hitherby says "Live and learn! Was there anything else? I already knew about Props."
Pat says "The guard is injured. The police still aren't sure exactly what happened, but they'll figure something suitable out."
Hitherby says "Okay."
Pat wonders when the theatre opens?
Demiurge says "Probably the stage door will be open from 8am onwards, if you can talk your way in. Front will probably be open from 9-10am onwards."
Pat says "Well. I think we have a musician to speak with this morning."
Hitherby coils into a loose cloud. "Sure."
Pat walks over to his desk, pulling his gun out and slipping the harness on.
Pat says "Are you still at the airfield?"
Hitherby thinks. "There should still be lots of birds around for backup. And I'll try and get a few more swarms."
Hitherby mutters cheerfully to herself. "You should probably just use the phone."
Hitherby says "Again, I mean."
Pat pulls his suit jacket on. "Watch carefully." He picks up the handset.
Hitherby says "I see all, I hear all."
Pat holds the handset to his ear, significantly, and makes a point of very slowly and distinctly dialing Zebina's number. One would almost think he was being condescending.
Liz picks up the phone. "Blue Sky Air Charter. Elizabeth Bradfield Speaking."
Pat says "It's Patrick. Am I calling too early?"
Liz says "Hmm? Oh, no, not at all. I don't sleep. What's up?"
Pat says "We're heading to the theatre to speak to a certain music teacher. Are you available?"
Liz says "Let me check"
Pat says "Of course."
The line muffles as she covers the speaker with her hand. There's about twenty seconds of silence, then, "We have errands to take care of this morning, but Daimon has a lunch appointment he can't miss. I can be at the opera at 11:30 or so. How does that work?"
Pat mouths a silent 'We?' "Alright. We'll met you then?"
Pat says "Eleven thirty?"
Liz says "Yes. Don't wait up, if you have plans."
Liz gives Pat her cellphone number, if he needs to get ahold of her in a hurry.
Pat writes down the number. "We'll see you then."
Liz says "Good luck, and Godspeed."
Pat says "Godspeed."
Pat click.
Liz thinks all the Ofanim love the word 'Godspeed'. It just gets them where they live.
Demiurge laughs.
Hitherby buzzes. "You performed that task very admirably," she admires.
Pat says "Thank you. We've a few hours before she'll be free. Apparently, she and Daimon have 'errands'"
Hitherby says, "I would prefer not to wait. Time is beginning to get -- er, short."
Pat nods. "My thoughts exactly."
Hitherby lands on Pat's coat with a fluttering of wings.
Pat picks up his hat, setting it on his head and heading out into the grey Washington morning.
Hitherby accumulates other bugs as she spots them.
Demiurge says "The Washington morning is grey. You soon arrive at the Opera House. There's still a mob of birds feeding on the roof of a house nearby."
Hitherby pops into a bird in case we need backup later, and will ask Pat to hold on a minute until she has enough bugs for three swarms -- unless there just aren't bugs around today.
Demiurge says "Not many bugs, Hitherby. The number of birds may be involved."
Hitherby disharmonics sadly. Oh well.
Demiurge says "It's all very natural. :)"
Hitherby nods. But birds just aren't subtle.
Demiurge says "Are you two trying to get in round the front or the back?"
Pat would be oh so gawthic with a crow on his shoulder. And there are plenty around. "The front. We're not criminals."
Hitherby thought about it, Pat. :)
Demiurge says "Okay: the foyer is open, as it was yesterday, and the woman in the ticket booth is just finishing some business with another customer."
Pat waits patiently for the ticket woman to finish her business.
Demiurge says "She concludes, and turns to you, as the middle-aged woman she was serving heads past you to the door, with a polite nod."
Hitherby fights down her natural impulse to leap into the middle-aged woman.
Pat says "Hello again."
Demiurge says "It is the same woman as yesterday. She blinks a moment, then nods. "Good morning, sir.""
Pat smiles, resonating against her.
<
Pat stomps all over that success. :)
Demiurge says "She's worried about the business here last night, mildly annoyed that you're back,
concerned about the opera, glad because her daughter's doing well in school, and waiting for a
mug of coffee that a friend's making."
Demiurge says "You have the impression that you could probably ease past her if you didn't sound
as if you were going to cause more trouble."
Pat says "Is Mr. Guther available? I have some good news for him."
Demiurge says "She nods, her face brightening. "I think so, sir. Let me call and see." She turns
aside to pick up the internal phone beside her, and murmur into it."
Pat smiles at her, waiting.
Demiurge says "After a bit of muttering, she puts the phone down. "He can see you now, sir, if
you like. Do you remember the way?""
Hitherbugs wiggle their antennae uncertainly.
Pat nods. "Of course. Thank you." He moves away, into the theatre.
Hitherby clings to the back of Pat's coat and is very still while his back is to the lady.
Pat walks into the theatre proper, gesturing towards the stage. "Look around while I take care
of this. Let me know if the musician is around."
Demiurge says "Okay."
Hitherby congenially splits off two or three bugs into a swarm to do this thing.
Demiurge says "There's a small rehearsal in progress. Several orchestra members are in the pit,
while a pianist plays and a couple of soloists work through a duet with the conductor."
Pat heads for Mr. Guther's office.
Demiurge says "There's also a blocky man in ripped leathers sprawled towards the back of the
auditorium in a seat there, idly turning through a programme and ripping corners off the pages."
Demiurge says "The office is there, door slightly open, Pat."
Pat knocks on the door. "Mr. Guther?"
Hitherby's subswarm wanders in an aerial circle above the rehearsal, thinking about the blocky
man.
Demiurge says "His voice calls, "Come in!", Pat."
Pat steps into the office, smiling amiably.
Pat says "Good Morning."
Demiurge says "They're practising a love duet, Hitherby, going over it slowly till they're absolutely
certain."
Demiurge says "He stands up from behind a high-piled desk, Pat, looking harassed. "Good
morning, Mr Murphy. What can I do for you today?""
Pat resonates, still smiling. "I have some good news."
<
Pat makes it. BARELY
Hitherby decides, very reluctantly, that this is not the time to leap into a Calabite. Although she
does compare the blocky man to Terethel's description.
Demiurge says "Pat... he's harassed, worried, fretful, and does not need more worries. Like you.
;)"
Demiurge says "He eyes Pat, slightly nervously. "I'm glad to hear it. Might I ask what?""
Demiurge says "He looks like Terethel's description, Hitherby. Then again, all these humans look
like each other sometimes, you know..."
Hitherby nods to Demiurge. In fact, so do most angels. And most demons. And sometimes
humans even look a little bit like plants. All these *confusing* details :)
Demiurge nods to Hitherby. Why can't they be like dragonflies?
Hitherby suspects that their mistake was giving up live food.
Pat says "I've finished my work for a certain group of concerned older ladies. Their concerns have
been put firmly to rest."
Demiurge says "He takes an audible breath. "Well. I'm delighted to hear that.""
Hitherby hms. Are there curtains obscuring parts of the whole opera set that she can sneak
through?
Demiurge says "There are, Hitherby, yes."
Hitherby will do so.
Demiurge says "You're backstage."
Pat says "I thought you would be. I thought you might appreciate one concern removed, so I
came to tell you myself."
Hitherby flits around, examining all the Stuff. Are there people around, too?
Demiurge says "He nods. "I'm definitely relieved to hear it, Mr Murphy.""
Demiurge says "Hitherby, there are people bustling round moving bits of scenery, and tech people
fiddling with the lights, and actors who aren't on stage at the moment hanging round at the edges
to listen and watch."
Pat says "Well. I'm glad to be able to deliver it, then."
Demiurge says "He nods again. "Anything else I can do for you while you're here, Mr Murphy?""
Pat shakes his head. "Would you mind, though, if I stopped to look into the theatre? It was empty
the last time I was here, and I wanted to take a peek at the final preparations."
Hitherby looks for a dominant personality among the people moving bits of scenery. (Not
supernaturally, just -- you know. Someone with the body language or actions that indicate
in-charge-ness.
Demiurge says "He nods to you, Pat. "Sure, Mr Murphy. I'll probably see you round.""
Pat nods. "Alright." He walks out of the office and goes to the theatre to watch for evildoers.
Demiurge says "Hitherby, you recognise a man-in-charge, busy organising the others around."
Hitherby notes his physical characteristics.
Hitherby (hair color. Nose size. Clothes color. The important things.)
Hitherby will speak to Pat if there's a chance -- if he's out of range of the thug's hearing and the
office people's hearing at the same time. :)
Demiurge says "Yes, you can easily speak to Pat without being overheard by thug or other
people."
Hitherby warns Pat, "I think the Calabite is in the theatre."
Hitherby says "I haven't seen the violinist, though."
Pat reaches under his coat. "Then we go look for him."
Hitherby says "The violinist?"
Hitherby bobs in the air.
Demiurge notes there are a couple of violinists currently sitting in the orchestra pit, along with
a pianist (playing for the couple practising on stage), a horn player, and a flautist.
Pat opens the door to the auditorium, murmuring now. "Yes. The violinist."
Hitherby . o O ( Are any of them playing things that sound like what I heard that night? If not, I'm
assuming they're not him :) )
Hitherby . o O ( Pat may assume differently. )
Demiurge says "The pianist is the only one currently playing. It doesn't sound like a violin."
Demiurge says "The others are studying their music, or reading, and one's eating an orange."
Hitherby . o O ( The monster! )
Pat finds a seat about halfway down the aisle, settling in for a brief wait.
Hitherby trails along with Pat, regrouping and redistributing somewhat so that the only separate
part of her is fluttering around above the possible Calabite. (Way above.)
The thug continues to tear his program into little bits, sulkily.
Eventually, the pianist finishes, and the conductor gestures the two violinists to play as
accompaniment to a solo theme. (Yes, this sounds like violin music.)
Pat whispers "This hardly sounds odd."
Hitherby doesn't mean the instrument part of the sound, but the melody. Kyriotates can grok
music. :)
Demiurge says "Nobody seems to be playing last night's melody."
Hitherby mutters atonally, softly, to Pat. "It's rather bland, yes."
Pat listens to the music, then, absorbing the melody.
The piece eventually finishes, and the conductor gestures to the singers and musicians to take a
break.
Hitherby rises and falls about Pat, slowly becoming vaguely agitated.
Pat makes a quiet interrogative noise.
Hitherby wonders, softly, "Is this how Dominicans perform their investigations?"
Pat says "How do you mean?"
Hitherby says "Well, you're just *sitting* there."
Pat says "Yes. I'm waiting."
Hitherby says "... For?"
Pat says "For our violinist."
Hitherby says, uncertainly, "Do you have an appointment?"
Pat says "No. But the show opens this evening. It is entirely probable that last minute lessons will
be necessary."
Hitherby points out, "I'm not sure that he is that overt."
The stagehands chivvy the singers off the stage so they can adjust the backdrop. In the orchestra
pit, one of the violinists examines his violin, the second plays cards with the flautist, and the
horn-player does the crossword.
Pat says "We'll give them the length of their break. Is there any further evidence of the Calabite?"
Hitherby adds, with a sharper, realizing buzz, "If he's hunted by the Game, he *won't* come out
with the Calabite here."
Hitherby adds, if he remains here, "And he's right back there."
Pat says "Hitherby, we have no evidence that the violinist is anything but a mortal."
Hitherby says "That's an okay assumption in general, but not a very practical one to make while
investigating him."
Pat says "Neither is assuming he is a renegade demon."
Hitherby says "We have a saying. 'Everything happens, so plan accordingly.""
Hitherby says "If he's a mortal, then anything we do is okay. If he's Renegade, then sitting here
is silly. If he's an angel, then, well."
Pat says "Can you get backstage easily?"
Hitherby says "Yes."
Pat says "Then you have the advantage."
Hitherby says "Perhaps you could advise me as to what to ... look for backstage, when searching
for him?"
Pat says "A violinist, likely older. Look for a slightly unbalanced look to his face. He may or may
not be instructing one of the musicians."
Hitherby says "And spatially? I'm, er, not used to navigating opera houses."
Pat says "Downwards, most likely. The dressing rooms and the like are normally under te
auditorium, to keep the fly space open."
Hitherby says "Wow. They have a whole room just for flies?"
Hitherby splits off as many selves as she can afford to head backstage, while speaking to Pat.
Hitherby (as many bugs, not as many separate incarnations :)
Demiurge nods.
Pat says "The area above and behind the stage, Hitherby. It's used for storage of set elements."
Hitherby proceeds to look around for a way downwards or under the stage or whatever from
behind the curtain. If she spots a human who doesn't seem to be doing anything important, she'll
try and grab him. I mean, doors are evil and all that, but sometimes you just have to bite the bullet
and turn one of those handle thingies.
Pat watches the orchestra pit, seemingly content to study the musicians in repose.
Hitherby probably has a paltry eight bugs of miscellaneous parts back there.
Demiurge says "Hitherby, there's a spare person there who's just wandering round with one of
those book things and not doing anything particular."
Hitherby says "Aha."
Hitherby steps into the quantum accelerator and ... vani -- er, possesses him.
<
<
Demiurge says "You're in."
Demiurge says "Pat, the musicians are still idling for the moment, except for the first violinist,
who is practicing some scales."
Pat says "Normal scales?"
Hitherby finds a nice place to store the book thing, because, well, she doesn't have authorization
to offend Yves, and then proceeds with her search.
Demiurge says "Normal scales."
Pat nods.
Pat says "Am I close enough to resonate?"
Demiurge says "Hitherby, backstage reminds you favourably of a teeming anthive."
Demiurge says "No, Pat, not yet, but you can get closer."
Pat stands, moving down to the seats nearer the pit.
Demiurge says "You're probably close enough now."
Hitherby considers anthills. Yes, downwards is definitely the direction to go.
Pat nods, resonating on the practicing musician first.
<
Demiurge says "Pat, you get nothing."
Demiurge says "Absolutely nothing."
Pat says "At all?"
Demiurge says "At all."
Pat . o O ( Oh dear. )
Demiurge says "It's as if he wasn't there."
Pat says "The one playing cards."
<
Pat continues to cut it close. :)
Demiurge says "He's normal enough. Worried about tonight's performance and last night's crime,
trying to win at the cards."
Pat sighs, relieved for some unspoken reason.
Hitherby doesn't understand Elohim enough to notice. :)
Demiurge says "Hitherby, you wander downwards, past practice rooms and rooms where people
are chatting or exercising, or where things are stacked."
Demiurge says "Everyone seems occupied. There are a couple of violinists practicing in some
areas."
Hitherby checks their expressions for insanity, which she might not understand humans well
enough for. And she checks their melodies for the kind of banal nonsense most angels prefer or
the wild atonal stuff that Kyrios tend towards.
Demiurge says "Their music sounds like regular banal scales, Hitherby. Some are wild-eyed,
frantic-looking, and the like, but nobody else seems to think they're insane."
Pat turns his attention to the conductor, reaching for a glimpse at his state.
<
Demiurge says "The conductor is worried about tonight, but controlling it. He's concerned that
those thugs from last night might try another attack. He's being grateful that the musicians with
him currently, the old experienced ones, are sensible and unflappable."
Hitherby considers. If there are several such, then it's unlikely to be celestials, although it might
be influence.
Hitherby cleverly investigates by approaching one and saying, "Hi! Are you okay?"
Hitherby (a wild-eyed violinist :))
The approached violinist raises his chin from the violin in order to say, "Yeah. I'm fine. I just have
to get this bit right or Morgensen's going to murder me."
Hitherby smiles at him. "I understand." She considers. "Say, you seen that old guy around? The
one who plays real weird?"
He blinks. "What old guy who plays real weird?"
Pat hrms, and settles in again, watching the empty violinist.
Hitherby says "You haven't met him? He was training a few people. I thought he was just part of
the -- you know. A helper."
Hitherby rubs her hands together nervously.
The violinist shrugs at Hitherby's host. "No idea what you're talking about, man. Sorry."
Hitherby says "'Sokay. Thanks."
Hitherby wanders off to look around some more.
Demiurge says "Pat, the empty violinist just continues playing, working through scales almost
mechanically."
Across the auditorium, a well-dressed man (with good hair) emerges from a door in the wall, and
glances across the auditorium towards Pat.
Pat frowns, reaching out to the violinist again, hoping to find /something/ there.
<
Demiurge says "Nothing, Pat. Absolutely nothing."
Demiurge says "Make an Int roll?"
<
Demiurge says "Ah!"
Pat makes it in a big way.
Demiurge says "Searching your memory, you recall that Remnants are totally blind-spots to all
Celestial perceptions. Totally."
Pat stills. Completely.
Demiurge says "You also recall (your memory being obliging) that Remnants tend to be mostly
amnesiac, believing themselves to be no more than the Roles they once held, for the most part."
Demiurge says "Hitherby, you walk round a corner to discover a pair of humans engaging in
human mating rituals, involving much wriggling against the wall."
Pat swallows hard after a moment, rising and turning to walk back to the rear of the auditorium.
Hitherswarm (less those wandering with Hitherman) follows Pat uncertainly.
Hitherby smiles to them. "Keep up the good work," he tells them, and proceeds on.
Hitherby adds, "Make many fine young," over her shoulder.
The couple separate a moment, gawping at Hitherby, then scramble for some more secluded spot.
The man who glanced towards Pat remains where he was, near the back wall.
Pat sits near the back, watching the pit from a safe distance now, a finger coming up to be idly
gnawed on.
Hitherbugs hum inquisitively.
The conductor calls, "All right, everyone! Finale of act one." A bell rings somewhere in the back
of the building, where Hitherby is, and people begin to head for the stage.
Hitherby beams. Perfect.
Pat sits up a bit straighter, dropping his hand as the announcement pulls him from whatever train
of thought was hurtling towards the washed-out bridge.
Hitherby will watch as many of them go past as they can, but her main thought is: "If all these
people are out front, then it's easier to find a teacher, who won't be."
The man at the back of the opera turns away, stepping back through the door. It closes behind
him.
Demiurge says "Many people in variations on the same dress head out to the stage, Hitherby,
leaving you in a somewhat deserted backstage."
Demiurge says "Pat, your cellphone begins to buzz."
Hitherby prowls, alert to the slightest sound. Well, the relatively modest sounds. Well, the loudest
sounds. But she's alert for them!
Pat reaches into his coat, pulling out the phone and opening it. "Yes?" he whispers.
A voice murmurs on the other end, "There were disturbances here, last night." It's the voice of
the Game-Servitor.
Pat says "Yes."
Hitherby also looks for unattended violins.
There is a pause, then he says, "I believe that I can give you the new identity of the Shedite, given
that the Kyriotate killed his old host. You will understand that this is unconfirmed."
Pat says "Of course."
Demiurge says "Hitherby, while you are finding many interesting things, you have not as yet found
unattended violins. People seem to take good care of them."
Another pause. The Game-servitor says, "We are also informed that there may be a rogue demon
on the loose, acting for his own aims."
Pat says "Whom?"
The voice says, smoothly, "We were hoping you might know more of this than we did, given that
he might try to approach one of the angels whom you protect."
Demiurge says "Suddenly."
Demiurge says "Everyone roll Perception."
<
<
<
<
Demiurge says "Hitherby, Pat, you both hear something Symphonic happen cross-town. Pat,
you're not sure what it is, but it feels like property destruction. Hitherby, you think it's vaguely
in the area where those humans do that thing called "business"."
The thuggish type drops his mangled program and sits up, blinking, looking from side to side.
There is a mangled squawk down the phone, as of a sudden intake of breath and shock.
Pat makes no reaction to the disturbance. "I'll keep my eyes open."
Hitherby positions birds, as quickly as she can, to watch all exits to the Opera House.
Pat says "Who is the new host?"
The voice down the phone sounds as if it is chewing nails. "The stage manager." It smooths out,
with a conscious effort. "I will contact you again in a moment. Something just happened."
Pat says "You know how."
Pat hangs up the phone.
Hitherbugs wonder, almost eagerly, "Host?"
Pat says "The Shedite is riding the stage manager."
Hitherbugs land on the armrest and roll over on their backs happily.
Pat says "Can you locate him?"
Hitherby pulls herself back up into the air. "I have no idea what she looks like."
Hitherby says "Do you?"
Pat says "Now will be a good time to look. Backstage, likely wearing a headset, giving directions
at a very rapid pace."
Hitherby takes a look.
Hitherbugs mention, "No luck finding the violinist."
Pat says "Secondary concern."
Demiurge says "Sarah, Shannen, you have just arrived outside the Opera House."
Demiurge says "Make Perception rolls, please, Sarah and Shannen."
<
Hitherby ee.
Demiurge says "Oh boy."
Sarah hides her face.
Demiurge thinks. (Roll too, Shannen.)
Sarah says "I KNEW THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN"
<
Demiurge says "The night is still young!"
Demiurge thinks.
Shannen . o O ( Mental note: Move very very far away from Sarah. )
Demiurge says "Okay. Shannen, you hear a cross-town Symphonic disturbance somewhere in the
business district. Sounds like corporeal property being destroyed in a largish way."
Demiurge says "Sarah."
Sarah . o O ( No, no, Shannen, this is just exactly precisely Sarah's luck. :) )
Demiurge says "You hear this disturbance. It builds. It BUILDS. You can't seem to stop hearing
it. It's ringing in your ears. It's like a huge gong inside you. You're beginning to get a nosebleed.
And bleeding at the ears."
Demiurge says "You are, in fact, beginning to get a fair amount of pain as it keeps on resonating
in you."
You paged Sarah with 'Feel free to react. :)'.
Shannen tilts her head up slightly, looking off, away from the opera house, her face tightening a
bit as she chews her lip slightly. She turns to face Sarah, speaking as she does so "Sarah, did you
hea--" and stops, eyes widening.
Sarah pauses at the same moment, her eyes going a little vague with concern. And then she
presses her hands over her ears, however useless the gesture might be. It isn't a verbalized 'yes',
but it might be taken for that.
You paged Sarah with 'Boom. Boom. BOOM. You're barely able to stand upright.'.
Blood comes trickling from under Sarah's fingers.
Sarah staggers, more or less toward a wall. Rather less than more. Her knees hit the pavement,
followed shortly thereafter by the rest of her body.
You paged Sarah with 'Slooooooooooowly it dies away. But you're not going to be able to pick
up _anything_ on Perception for the next few hours. You might be okay by the evening, but you'll
still be at a penalty.'.
Shannen winces and looks around quietly for an empty place, hidden from-- and then stops at the
thump, wincing again before kneeling by Sarah's head, lifting it into her lap and looking about for
witnesses.
Various passers-by are moving along the street. A couple are charitable enough to investigate.
You paged Hitherby with 'It's odd enough to be noticeable.'.
A crow perched on a nearby roof flutters down towards Sarah and Shannen. Amazingly helpful,
it croaks.
Shannen smiles gratefully at the couple and then looks back at Sarah, looking very worried and
unhappy and scared, checking to see if her pulse and breathing are well, before silently saying a
prayer.
You paged Sarah with 'You can start coming round slowly, and the bleeding will stop and clot,
but you're going to be a bit dizzy for a short while.'.
The man of the couple says, "Should we call an ambulance or something?"
Sarah's breathing is fairly ragged, and her pulse is probably racing, but she begins to blink with
a little more focus.
Hitherbird weighs things, but she likes Sarah. She risks an Essence on a Corp Healing, and
another to help with the roll, unless Shannen is obviously engaged in a Song herself.
From afar, Sarah twitches. Uh, am I going to be deaf to that, or is it going to hurt more? :)
You paged Sarah with 'It'll help you, but you'll still be deaf to it.'.
You paged Sarah with 'That is, it'll help with the bloodloss and dizziness, but it won't make your
Per come back any faster.'.
From afar, Sarah okays. She was worried, given proximity, that it'd make her relapse into agony
or something. Good.
You paged Sarah with 'Tempting thought. :) But no.'.
Hitherby admits OOC that this may not be helpful, necessary -- or even the right version of the
Song :)
Shannen shakes her head, a bit absent mindedly and smiles a little stronger when Sarah's eyes blink
more .. humanly "Don't worry, you'll be alright," she whispers softly, before, softly to Sarah she
sings a quick selection from 'Cats'. Specifically 'The Journey to the Heaviside Layer'
The helpful couple watch, a touch confused.
From afar, Shannen will make Sarah pay for this. Oh yes, she will. 3 Essence. 8)
Sarah mumbles, not particularly clearly, "Hurts. Head hurts." She lets her hands slip, closing them
(mostly) in a vague, misguided attempt to hide the blood.
<
Demiurge says "Sarah, you feel a renewed sense of stability as the fevered clanging dies away, and
the ruptures in your ears and nose close over. You feel better."
You paged Sarah with 'Though your Perception is still basically deafened.'.
Shannen smiles a little better as he sing stops, tilting her head to the side, speaking softly "Are you
okay now?" and then over to the couple "She's fine. Thank you for your compassion.", smiling
brighter at them.
Hitherbird hops a few steps over and tests the nutritional value of a few strands of Sarah's hair.
Sarah's breathing evens out further, and she closes her eyes for a moment in relief. "Yes. Yes, I
think so."
They smile back, surprised by Shannen's brightness. The woman says, "Well, if you're sure..." and
looks uncertainly at the bird.
Shannen nods "Yes, I'm.." and then turns her head to follow the woman's gaze, smiling gently at
the bird and speaking softly to it "Please leave her alone," nodding to Sarah before turning back
to the woman. "She's much better."
Hitherbird fluffs her feathers.
The couple back off, and with another nod head down the street the way they had been going.
Shannen . o O ( Mental note: Do not scare the customers. )
Sarah begins to reach to a pocket; halts as it actually occurs to her that her hands are all over
blood.
Hitherby croaks, very slowly and carefully, "Ond Eedirt."
Shannen starts slightly and looks at the bird for a second before speaking to Sarah softly "What
is it, Sarah? What happened?"
Sarah takes a deeper breath. "I don't know. So loud, it hurt."
Shannen nods slowly "Do you need to rest or wait or something?"
Sarah says "No. No. I'll be all right - thank you, for that - once I've cleaned up."
Shannen nods slowly "Do you have something to clean up with? What.. oh the blood." She
blushes faintly.
Sarah says "I should have tissues, but I don't believe they'll be quite sufficient."
Hitherby murmurs to Pat, as they stand near the entrance to the auditorium, "Do you wish to do
anything about the Calabite?"
Shannen nods, frowning slightly "I need an easier way to clean messes. If you let your hair down
and .. well, that might help cover up the blood. We can get you better cleaned up somewhere
else.. And we need to meet Pat." She sighs, looking at the operahouse.
Pat says "What is he doing?"
Sarah replies, "I don't think I'd better touch my hair myself." She smiles a little, and sits up,
carefully. "Could you...?"
Hitherby says "He's standing up over there reacting to that Symphonic bang."
The thug in the opera house drops the remnants of his torn program, and shoulders up out of his
seat, heading for one of the doors in the side of the auditorium.
Hitherby mutters atonally, "Sarah and Shannen are here." Very softly, if the thug is coming this
way.
Pat checks his watch, estimating the time before Liz and Daimon are expected.
Hitherbird suddenly realizes that its presence might betray Sarah and Shannen as angels, if the
Game has a clue, and flutters back up to a roof with a suddenness of wings.
Shannen smiles "Of course." and undoes Sarah's bun (icking inwardly) and begins to rearrange
her hair, attempting to cover up the blood in the best manner possible, but also making sure it
looks nice.
Pat rises from his seat. "Can you track him?"
Hitherby mutters and chirrs, "Unreliably. Cars are troublesome."
Pat says "Is he riding in one?"
Hitherby nevertheless keeps the survey bug above the guy, since, well, it's already all the way over
there using up a Force of its own.
Sarah's hair is quite possibly long enough to do a good job at this. (She also, incidentally, would
probably look much better with her hair down if not for all the blood.)
Hitherby says "He's leaving. So he might be."
The thug heads through the door, and heads for the nearest pay-telephone. He shoves a coin into
the slot, and picks up the receiver, beginning to dial.
Pat looks around the theatre. "If he does, try to read the plate."
Hitherby chrisks, in neat purely-formed words, "Or he might use a talkie thing."
Pat says "A telephone?"
Hitherby says "Yah."
Pat says "Can you hear what he's saying?"
Hitherby says "He hasn't started talking yet."
Sarah endures Shannen's ministrations fairly patiently, head bent a little to keep the blood on her
face from attracting still more attention.
Hitherby says "I'm not getting close. Calabim squish bugs."
Hitherby says "But maybe he'll talk loudly!"
Shannen nods to Sarah "See, that's better. And it looks much better when down." She smiles
faintly and looks at the operahouse "Do you think the tissues will help with the rest of the blood?"
Pat says "Stay out of his line of sight."
Hitherby says "Okay."
Pat says "Where are Sarah and Shannen?"
Sarah says "I think the tissues will smear it. Water would help."
Hitherby stays about five feet above him and two feet back, listening with her keen bug ears.
Hitherby says "They're outside. Sarah's ears were bleeding, but Shannen sang something."
Pat accepts the blood as just another fact, his tone not changing. "Does Sarah seem alright?"
Hitherby says "She's concerned about whether the blood gets smeared."
The thug mutters into the phone. Audible are the words, " ... disturbance .. yeah, I heard it too,
right... you say that Nelis... right, that's cool... okay." He pauses to listen further.
Hitherby says "Apparently things are all right for the Game wherever that Symphony blast was."
The thug pauses, and begins to swear in a twisting, harsh, guttural tongue that Hitherby does
_not_ understand.
Pat says "That does not bode well."
Hitherby lands uncertainly on a seat. "Or maybe they're not."
Hitherby says "They're all right and not all right."
Shannen shakes her head slightly "I don't have any water, dear. I .. maybe we can find some in the
operahouse? Or .." She looks about for a public fountain or such.
Hitherby says "Good and bad, up and down. I don't know. I don't understand demons."
Hitherby buzzes.
Pat says "Trust me, Hitherby. You don't want to."
Sarah nods, and gets to her feet, slowly and carefully. "There should be a washroom or the like."
Pat walks out of the theatre proper, heading for the lobby.
Hitherby nods. "They're too dangerous to be properly funny."
Hitherby follows along in silence.
The thug on the phone begins to calm down, though now he looks a touch scared as well as
furious. He mutters again, tone lower. " .. okay, so right, he'll get some desc... got you, boss. I'll
hold." He hangs up.
Shannen stands slowly as well, watching Sarah to make sure she doesn't slip or fall "Be careful.."
she says somewhat worriedly.
Pat attempts his best PI 'Check out the suspect without being noticed' glance as he moves across
the lobby for the exterior doors.
Sarah keeps her attention on the ground. "I will."
Demiurge says "You see the thug finishing his mutter into the telephone, Pat, and him hanging
up."
Demiurge says "You also, through the glass revolving doors, see Sarah and Shannen outside."
Pat walks out of the Opera House, pulling a cigarette from a pack several months old, an excuse
for being outside.
Demiurge says "Sarah, Shannen, Pat comes into view."
Hitherby performs an ancient dance which flying bugs use to communicate across species, also
an excuse for being outside.
Sarah keeps, still, head bent and hair down, mostly concealing the blood on her face and head and
neck, if not that smeared over her hands.
Pat lights the cigarette, attempting to look casual and practiced. He glances over Shannen and
Sarah, but does not greet them.
Shannen looks over at Pat, smiling weakly and then looks back to Sarah "We'll find a washroom.
There should be one inside the lobby, I hope.."
Hitherby hums softly, "Would you like me to relay a message?"
Pat says "Describe the Calabite to them. Suggest avoidance."
Hitherby says, "Um."
Hitherby points out, quietly, "She's an Ofanite. But I'll pass that on."
Sarah asks, "Lead on?"
Hitherbugs drift over to Sarah and Shannen.
Pat says "Oh. To Liz. Recommend a prompt arrival here?"
Shannen nods slowly, leading Sarah towards the operahouse and looking about for any signs
which would indicate a washroom.
Hitherby crisks a few random notes and adds, to Sarah and Shannen, "Pat suggests avoiding the
Calabite. He's inside. We're going to catch the Shedite, though."
Pat looks up and down the street.
Sarah hears the word 'Calabite' and closes her eyes. Tightly. "Oh, dear."
Pat, meanwhile, has his phone out and is dialing Liz.
Shannen stops and uh ohs softly under her breath and begins to slowly turn around "Don't worry,
dear. We'll just.. walk away..", giving another glance in Pat's direction "Where else do you think
a washroom is ..?"
Sarah says "There's a stage door at the back. I'd prefer not to walk in front of the Calabite, as he'd
most likely recognize me."
Liz's phone doesn't answer.
Hitherby bobs. "You've met him?"
Liz probably got too close to one of the lightning parts, and the battery's fried, or the phone is.
Pat . o O ( Or Liz is. )
Sarah says "I've met him."
Pat frowns, hanging up the phone.
Through the doors, the thug in the lobby can be seen - by Hitherby - to hunch his shoulders, turn,
and head back into the main body of the theatre.
Sarah says "He apparently decided that I was in league with the Renegades somehow or other."
Hitherby trisks. "I see."
Shannen nods slowly to Sarah and begins to slowly lead her around the side, frowning somewhat
at Sarah's words.
Hitherby says "He's heading back into the theater. The Calabite, I mean."
Sarah says "Ah. Oh, good."
Shannen pauses for a second, sighing softly and blushing "Sarah, Hitherby .. will you two be
okay? I'll .. be back as soon as I can, okay?" She closes her eyes for a second, sighing inwardly
"Just going to check out that.. nasty noise. I hope."
Sarah says gently, "Probably best, if the Calabite's around. I can find my way."
Hitherby bobs.
Pat tosses the cigarette to the ground, mostly unsmoked, and heads back for the lobby.
Hitherby trisks. "Liz says the Shedite is the stage manager."
Sarah gives Shannen a bloodstained smile; winces slightly; and also heads for the lobby, and
hopefully a restroom, trying not to smear anything much with red.
Demiurge says "Sarah, the thug has left the lobby, and you can find a restroom. The woman on
duty at the desk gives you a horrified and sympathetic look."
Shannen nods faintly and gives Sarah a tiny wave and worried smile "You be okay, Sarah.."
before slowly making her way back to the street, and towards the business district.
Hitherby sinks low towards the ground. "I don't have anybody with Pat," she admits. "But he's
probably heading in the same direction as the Calabite."
Sarah does not smile at the woman at the desk. At least not until she's managed to get into the
restroom and hopefully rinse (or scrub, it may by now be drying) the blood off of her face.
Pat finds the woman at the ticket booth, hopefully the one he dealt with so pleasantly this
morning.
Sarah asks - if no-one else, as is likely, is in the restroom - "Do you know if he wants me to meet
him directly? He seemed noncommittal outside."
Hitherby says "I *presume* that we should bring the force of numbers to bear when we go after
the Shedite."
Hitherby says "Pat's been behaving pretty oddly."
Hitherby says "I mean, not that he usually acts normal."
Sarah splashes a little more water on her face, leaning forward to keep it from dripping onto her
blouse, then starts cleaning blood from fingers and nails. "He behaves as the situation requires,
Hitherby."
Hitherby lands neatly on the mirror. "Unless the Habbalite has gotten to him. Although he doesn't
seem as thoroughly weird as you did."
Demiurge says "Pat, you probably see Sarah vanishing into the restroom."
The woman turns from looking worriedly at the restroom door to give Pat a helpful smile.
Pat smiles. "Hello again."
Sarah's shoulders sag, and she stares intently at the sink.
Sarah says "Ah. Well. There is that."
Sarah says "But he hasn't been alone here, has he?"
Hitherby says "Not while with me."
From afar, Pat would like to resonate and make her happy....oops. Forget I said that. I was joking.
Yeah. That's it.
The woman nods. "How can I help you, sir?"
Sarah pauses.
Sarah says "Er, yes."
Pat says "I've been watching the final preparations, and unfortunately I won't be able to get tickets
to the show tonight. But I was wondering, is there any way I could get a program ahead of time?"
She nods. "I can sell you one for just three dollars, sir, if you want."
Pat reaches for his wallet. "Wonderful. How long is the run planned? I may be able to come see
one of the later shows." Money is produced and offered.
Sarah dabs at the blood at the sides of her neck rather more carefully, trying to keep it from
running. Does not do nearly as thorough a job, given that, but then her hair for the most part
covers it.
The woman takes the money, and passes Pat a programme in exchange. "Two months, sir, with
a possible extension if it does well."
Pat takes the program, smiling again. "Wonderful." He nods, turning for the theatre again.
Pat flips through the programme, offering a silent prayer that bureaucracy has reared its mighty
head and forced the inclusion of technicians.
The woman goes back to her business.
Sarah eventually departs the restroom, no longer looking like a refugee from a horror movie.
Hitherbugs whirl around near Sarah, making her look a *little* like a refugee from a horror
movie, but only from up close.
Demiurge says "Pat's prayer is answered. The programme names the Stage Manager and the head
of the lighting crew and several other important production people."
Pat allows himself a smile, and settles in to wait for one of the others.
Pat nods to Sarah, this time, a faint smile in greeting.
Hitherby is at pretty much the minimum for talking, since there's still half of her original swarm
walking around in the bowels of the theater with a human. (No longer looking for a mad violinist,
but looking for a place where she can rejoin herself for the search/assault.) So she just sticks with
Sarah.
Pat pages: What's the SM's name?
Sarah returns the nod, and gives an apologetic smile to the girl at the ticket booth as she moves
over to join Pat. She does, with Hitherbugs in mind, try to avoid anyone else in the lobby.
You paged Pat with 'Michael Johns.'.
Pat states, quietly, "Michael Johns."
Hitherby says "A curious greeting."
Pat says "Information, rather. Michael Johns is the Shedite."
Sarah murmurs, "Oh, dear."
Hitherby says "Ah."
Hitherby crisks, "We must isolate him before we can destroy him."
Pat says "Can he be forced from the host?"
Sarah says "Without damage to the host? I don't know."
Pat says "One mortal has already died due to this hellspawned abomination. I would prefer to
avoid a second."
Hitherby says, "Of course."
Sarah nods, mutely.
Hitherby says "If he is immobilized and hidden, he will leave the host of his own accord. The
prank requires it."
Pat lifts an eyebrow. "How long would it take?"
Sarah says "It needs to go off tonight."
Sarah says "Another night would lessen the impact, not to mention that at least two factions either
are closing in or have done so."
Hitherby thinks. "What ways can a human be rendered unconscious without severe damage?"
Pat says "Movies to the contrary, there are none."
Pat says "Without the risk of damage, rather."
Sarah nods to Pat.
Hitherby says "Asphyxiation?"
Pat says "Do we have any conception of the nature of the Prank?"
Hitherby says "Vessels don't need much, but they need air."
Sarah says "The opera is all we have, I think."
Hitherby says "I could try taking over the host."
Pat says "Would that force him out?"
Hitherby says "Yes. And I believe I am stronger than he -- but --" A disturbed buzz. "We and our
twisted images are not meant to share hosts. There are many factors, and strength is only one of
them.""
Pat says "Tell me the others."
Hitherby hums, quietly, "The structure of the host's -- internal places. The element of surprise.
The position of the Shedite inside the host, and the angle I come in at. Most of all, whether it is
a higher or lower power that is watching at that moment."
Pat says "I will ask you then, and expect a frank answer. Is it feasible?"
Hitherby says "There is one more factor. My apologies for forgetting."
Pat says "That being?"
Hitherby buzzes softly, disturbed. "Essence is always important. If I can trust the two of you to
destroy him once he takes Celestial form I can use ... a good deal."
Pat looks at Sarah.
Sarah glances back to Pat. "It'll be noisy," she says, quietly. "Not that everything else hasn't been.
My ears are still ringing from the last."
Pat says "It will be quieter than killing another mortal."
Pat says "Hitherby, have you need of Essence?"
Hitherby says "We must still get him alone, or he will simply enter another host."
Hitherby says "Thankfully, the Great One has foreseen this, and has provided me with all that I
shall need."
Hitherby adds, wryly, "And all that I can hold."
Pat nods. "We will wait for you, then. Can you lead him outside?"
Hitherby says "Perhaps if ... you could locate a host in authority ..."
Hitherby says "Aren't there other mortals outside, though?"
Sarah says "Generally."
Pat says "There are private alleys."
Pat says "What is his range?"
Hitherby says "Unfortunately, he will have approximately half an hour to locate a host, moving
at normal celestial speed. Fortunately, he will probably strike back if the alternative is turning his
back on several angels ..."
Pat says "Then we will provide something at his back to think about."
The rehearsal inside begins to break up. The sound of singing and music stops, and breaks down
to more casual chat.
Hitherby says "... he will come to a private alley if led by a superior?"
Hitherby says "Perhaps I could be an attractive female!"
Pat says "He'll likely expect some depraved offer to be made."
Sarah glances toward the theater. "If the Calabite comes out," she murmurs, "he'll recognize me."
Hitherby buzzes cheerfully. "Of course. He is a Shedite. I am willing to make such an offer, if you
will suggest one to make -- I am not a Malakite, obligated to follow through."
Pat nods to Sarah, then turns to Hitherbugs, visibly pained. "Offer him some sugar."
Sarah gives another glance to the theater. "Shall I wait for the two of you outside?"
Hitherby frowns suddenly. "Oh," she says, uncertainly. "How will we remove the host I *use?*
I will need all of my Forces to possess him."
Elsewhere, Liz says "So, how much Essence is Liz the Essence Vacuum going to get?"
Pat says, simply, "We pray."
Hitherby says, quietly, "Okay."
Hitherby leads her human somewhere and has him lie down.
Elsewhere, Sephar will give up three, as it's full-up at the moment.
The human lies down.
Elsewhere, Liz positively glows.
Hitherby then abandons him and the bugs with him wander off to find an attractive human female.
Elsewhere, Sephar says "Then that's what I'll do. Mousie hops onto Liz's hand and transfers."
Elsewhere, Demiurge nods to Sephar.
Elsewhere, Liz now positively glows. Whee!
Hitherby says, softly, "Show me where to take him."
Elsewhere, Sephar chirrrs cheerfully.
Pat says "Follow me."
Sarah looks fairly relieved, and follows.
Demiurge says "There are attractive human females wandering round, Hitherby, mostly about to
run off for lunch, or eating lunch."
Pat tucks the programme into his coat and heads for the outside.
Hitherbugs Mark I follow Pat. Hitherbugs Mark II pick the human female who seems to have the
most brightly-colored clothing, and leap. Hitherbugs Mark I say, "Do you know, either of you,
what this man looks like?"
Demiurge says "Roll, Hitherbugs II."
<
<
Elsewhere, Daimon would have given a point to Liz as well.
Demiurge says "You're in. You have a host with yellow hair and bright red and purple clothes."
Hitherby wiggles her fingers, starts to slip off her shoes, and then, reluctantly, pulls her hands
away from her feet and wedges the heels back in.
Elsewhere, Liz says "OK, one it is."
Elsewhere, Liz is back up to 5 Essence! Yay! (Another point for owning vastly expensive
information from the Game.)
Hitherbugs Mark I buzz, for no clear reason, "The things I go through for the cause."
Pat says "Ask around for Michael. Any of the crew should be able to help you find him."
Hitherby looks around. What she does not want is to be obviously possessed while in sight of this
stage manager person. Fortunately, she looked around at the people in authority backstage, so she
can check if they're here now.
Elsewhere, Demiurge says "Okay. Liz and Sephar, you may now officially be on the way to the
Opera House."
Elsewhere, Sephar slips into Liz's pocket and happily hides there as she goes *zoom*.
Demiurge says "Seems to be mostly other people the girl's own age round at the moment,
Hitherby, behaving in a young-frivolous-preening way."
Pat leads Sarah and HbM1 into the nearest alley, and far enough down that the street is difficult
to see.
Hitherby approaches one of them and wonders, "Could you tell me where Michael is?"
Sarah follows, not fidgeting *too* much, neatening her jacket as she walks.
The young girl giggles. "Probably in his office, this time of day. He'll be writing up the notes.
Careful how you pester him, though, he'll be busy."
Hitherby says "Where is his office again? I get so turned around sometimes. This place is like an
anthill!"
She giggles again. "You're weird, Maria. Down that way and second corridor on the left and the
door with his name on it."
Hitherby says, "Weird times demand weird people." Then she grins brightly at the woman and
follows the directions.
Elsewhere, Demiurge says "Sephar, Liz: I telescope. You're arriving at the Opera House."
Hitherby then knocks on the door.
There's a grunt from inside. "Yes?"
Hitherby says "Michael? Can I come in? It's Maria."
Elsewhere, Liz says "It's a taxi, remember? We get out, walk in. I'm wearing business professional
garb (again), but not eveningwear, as it isn't yet evening."
Another grunt. "Sure."
Elsewhere, Liz says "Oh, and I checked my phone at the hangar. Strangely enough, it was dead.
Did the spare battery work?"
Pat says "I haven't done this in a long time, Sarah."
Hitherby thinks about how to do this first, and then turns the handle and opens the door.
Elsewhere, Demiurge says "It works if you replace the battery, Liz."
Demiurge says "Hitherby, if you still have birds up there, they might notice Zebina getting out of
a taxi and walking into the building."
Sarah flexes her fingers, repeatedly. "Neither have I, really. But we'll do what we have to."
Pat says "We'll wait until the change. Otherwise, he may be warned."
Hitherby still has a bird; she doesn't need to suck away all her Forces *yet*. She'll drop it down
towards Zebina, fly around her once, and then head for the alley.
Liz waves to the bird, and follows it around to the alley.
Demiurge says "Hitherby, you walk into the room. Inside, a young man with thinning blond hair
is working on some papers at a desk. He looks up, raising an eyebrow. "Hey, Maria. What's the
problem?""
Hitherbugs Mk. I buzz, "Zebina incoming."
Pat says "Noted."
Sarah looks relieved. "Oh, good."
Liz walks quickly around to the alley.
Liz is actually looking forward to coming in the front door of the place tonight.
Hitherby says, "Um." She appears to have difficulty choosing her words, which is accurate,
although to a very finely tuned eye her blush (for being uncertain what to say) is less than what
it should be for what she is about to say. Then she adds, "I shouldn't be saying this. I shouldn't be
doing this. I should go."
Hitherby starts to turn around, and then hesitates for a short time half-turned in the doorway.
Hitherby tries to bait the Shedite hook as well as she can. (It's wrong! It's unethical! It'll corrupt
your host! Honest!)
The stage manager stares at Hitherby's host. "What is this? Something the matter, honey?"
<
Liz looks around the alley, hoping it's deserted, except for Hitherbird.
Hitherby stammers, "It's just --" She looks down. "I've been -- thinking about you --" She
hesitates. "Would you like to -- go somewhere private and -- have some sugar?"
The alley is not deserted; Pat looks up as Liz arrives. "Zebina."
Liz says "Well, hello Pat. Fancy meeting you here."
Hitherby puts on her best blush, with bonus points for being a bodyhopper and negative points
for not knowing humans real well.
Liz waves to Sarah.
Sephar peeks out from Liz's pocket and wriggles whiskers at Pat and squeeks something like,
"Hi!"
Liz smiles. "Here's Sephar."
Sarah waves back, hair down around her shoulders. "Hello, L-- both of you."
<
Liz blinks at Sarah. "Are you okay?"
The stage manager's jaw simply drops. He stares at Maria for a moment, something between
desire and calculation in his eyes.
<
Liz very quickly walks over to Sarah.
Pat says "Very soon now, we must kill a Shedite."
Hitherbugs buzz nervously.
Pat may well be discussing the weather.
Liz blinks. "Shedite? One of the comedians? Oh hell."
The stage manager says, voice low, "Honey, I didn't know you were into .. sugar."
Pat says "Precisely."
Liz says "How?"
Pat says "His current host is being lured here. He will be forced from the body."
Liz says "Oh."
Liz says "And then what? Everyone goes Celestial and beats on him?"
Pat says "Effectively, yes."
Sarah smiles at Liz, wearily. "More or less okay. My head hurts, but we have other things to deal
with." She nods, both to Pat and to Liz's summation of the plan.
Hitherby says, quietly, "I -- I didn't either. Until -- I just suddenly -- I just suddenly realized that
I wanted to. And I thought -- maybe -- you would want to too."
Liz pulls some kleenex out of her purse (leaving the gun tucked inside), and nods.
Liz says "Don't tell me, really *big* burst of Song earlier today?"
Hitherby stammers, "I'll go," and starts to head out of the office.
Pat sends waves of lust and temptation Michael's way...er...oops. Scratch that.
Hitherby | LOL.
Sarah says "Ah, yes."
Daimon |OOC, laughs out loud.
Liz says "That was me, I'm afraid."
Pat says "What happened?"
Liz says "We broke Sephar free of a Game computer that had it trapped."
He rises. "Now, wait a moment, honey. I didn't say I wanted you to get into trouble. There's
nothing wrong in being into sugar."
Sarah says "I'm glad I bled in a good cause, then."
Pat frowns. "I see."
Liz says "The resident demon at the office tried to stop us, so I killed her vessel."
Pat says "Just the vessel?"
Liz says "As far as I'm aware."
Hitherby looks back over her shoulder, uncertainly.
Liz says "Sephar, part of it, had the security system locked down. No pictures, and the only
witness to me being there is in Trauma, I hope."
Liz says "We also have a huge dump of the data in the Game computer. Could be useful. Oh, and
the two Comedians are definitely Renegade."
Pat nods. "Even that is unacceptable in this case. The Shedite is in too high a position to allow
the Prank to continue."
Pat says "It must be destroyed."
Liz says "Daimon, for what it's worth, agrees."
Hitherby says, quietly, "Oh." Then, tentatively, she smiles.
Pat nods.
Liz says "Do you have a line on the other one? The Habbalite?"
Hitherby murmurs, "I know a place -- where no one in the House will hear --"
Sephar squeeks quietly, "It's Math, one of the house Techs."
Liz says "Where is it now?"
He grins. "Sure, honey, but I probably know a better one. Trust me. I know this place inside out."
Pat nods to Sephar. "Thank you."
Liz says "Wait..."
Liz says "You're going to lure the Shedite out and noisily kill it, without having a line on the
Habbalite?"
Hitherby's face is burning, because Hitherby is actually embarrassed at this point. "Tell me?"
Sarah asks, "What is it going to do?"
Hitherbugs mutter, in confusion, "He knows another place and wants to go there. But it's where
no one will hear, he says."
Liz says "I have no idea. Possibly set off the prank?"
He strolls towards Hitherby's host. "Well, honey, there's a little spot up in the attics, or down in
the cellars, where we could get nice and private. If you really want to play around with .. sugar."
Hitherbugs say, imploringly, "Feed me a good line, Pat, or do you want to do this in the cellars?"
Pat says "The timing is wrong."
Liz says "We -think- the timing is wrong."
Liz says "Okay, I'll grant, it's probably a lot easier to go after the Habbalite after the Shedite's
dead, but..."
Sarah says "If it happens in the cellars, the Habbalite will be too close."
Liz says "Unless Sephar and I distract it."
Hitherbugs say, "The attic?"
Sarah's voice weakens for a moment. "Liz, if there are only two of you, you'll be fighting each
other."
Sephar squeeks, "Attic near lights, near Math's work."
Pat looks up at the wall of the theatre. "We can reach you through it, Hitherby. The attic will
suit."
The stage manager strolls closer still to Hitherby's host.
Sarah shakes her head at Pat. "It gives the Shedite reinforcements."
Liz smiles. "If Sephar and I can find the Habbalite when it comes-a-running..."
Hitherby says, softly, to the stage manager, "Well, if you want, then we could do the attic." Then
she grins wickedly. "I was thinking of the alley." Then she blushes furiously.
Pat frowns. Looks at the nearest bug. "Tell him you're feeling brave today."
The stage manager smiles slowly. "Attic sounds fine to me, honey."
Hitherbugs say, helplessly, "The attic it is."
Liz sighs.
Liz says "Okay, come on Sephar, let's go hunt a Habbalite, unless you think you'd be of more use
with the Shedite."
Hitherbugs say, defensively, "I don't know the mating rituals!"
Liz says "In which case I'll take Sarah."
Hitherby slowly steps forward and takes the stage manager's hand in her extended hand. "We'll
just pretend that we're going somewhere on business, okay?"
Elsewhere, Demiurge says "Hm. Are you picking Tania up at the opera house?"
<
Elsewhere, Daimon says, "Yep."
Elsewhere, Daimon drives like a demon.
Sephar thinks a bit, "I'll be good help against the Shedite after it's out, but also better to stand
against a Habbalite than others."
Demiurge says "At this point, Daimon's car turns up round the back of the opera house."
Daimon makes car idling sounds.
Liz looks around. "Daimon! What are you doing here?"
Liz looks, oh, a tad wild eyed.
The stage manager strokes Hitherby's host's hand a moment, before releasing it to show her out
and lock the door of his office behind them.
Daimon looks completely embarrassed. "Um, picking up a lunch date."
Daimon says "I told you, I was picking someone up, and then I'd meet you at two."
Liz nods.
Sephar scampers from Liz's shoulder, down her suit then back up Pat's suit to his shoulder.
Daimon says "Is something wrong?""
Pat looks pained.
Liz says "Not good timing, Daimon. We're about to try to take down the Shedite."
Daimon looks very vague. "You're, uh, what?"
Sephar squeaks cheerfully.
Pat says "Hitherby, let us know when you're about to try. Then strike in the noise."
Liz says "The Shedite. We're about to try to take it down."
Daimon says "Um."
Daimon contemplates.
Hitherbugs say, "You can get to the attic fast?"
Liz says "And I think we need to go inside now."
Daimon says "Let me pick up my lunch date, and I'll get the hell out of here."
Pat says "If I remember my celestial form correctly, yes."
Liz says "Hurry, then."
Daimon says "Well, I don't have much choice on when I leave."
Hitherbugs say "*Oh*."
Liz says "Oh, wait. What's your date's name?"
Daimon darkens. "Do you have Sephar with you?"
Daimon says "Tania."
Liz says "Sephar's with us, yes. The mouse on Pat's shoulder."
Sephar 's tail waves to Daimon.
Liz says "Not Maria?"
A young woman comes out of the stage door of the opera. She looks from side to side, trying to
get a sight of Daimon and car.
Pat says "Daimon, get her out of here. Now."
Daimon says "No, Tania. I guess saying, 'Hey, let Sephar come with me-Oh hey."
Daimon leans over to open the door for Tania.
Daimon looks at Liz. "I'll be back AT TWO."
Liz says "Have a good lunch."
Liz says "Right. At two. See you."
Tania looks round at the assorted group. She pauses. "Um. Am I interrupting?"
Daimon nods, and as soon as Tania gets in and closes the door, he starts backing out of there.
Liz smiles. "Nope. Go ahead. Have a nice lunch."
Hitherby walks with the Shedite, as slowly and nervously as possible, like she is about to commit
some horrible and unforgivable sin. Since she has no idea what sugar is, besides the condiment,
this is exactly what she expects the Shedite expects.
Daimon grins at Tania in a vague, "Ah hell" sort of way. "No, no, of course not."
Daimon wishes he could have had a chunk o' Sephar, but hey, being a demon, he can't have
everything.
Tania swallows and gets into the car beside Daimon, eyeing the others nervously.
Hitherby keeps glancing around, but will hurry if he ever looks suspicious.
Liz smiles reassuringly at Tania.
Daimon will pull out of there at high speed.
The stage manager escorts Hitherby's host upwards: soon they are out of the main opera area and
in among the storerooms.
Pat thinks Daimon is showing wisdom.
Liz says, quietly, "You've got a host luring the Shedite up to the attic?"
Sephar sighs a mouse-sigh while bouncing on Pat's shoulder, squeeks, "Yeah. Smart boy."
Hitherbugs chirrup, "Yes."
Liz says "Fine. You'll need someone to pull the host out when you attack. I'll get her."
Sephar says "Good."
Liz says "Sephar, with me?"
Sephar says "Yes."
Liz holds out her hand.
Pat says "Move now, then. To the attic."
Sephar says "When I know she's out, I can go in..."
Sephar jumps for the hand.
Pat says "You'll hear it when it starts."
Hitherbugs say, "Everyone going in physically, *hurry*. Everyone going in celestially, you have
a little bit of time. Just a little."
Sephar curls in close to Liz. "Yes."
Liz slides Sephar into a pocket, and moves.
Liz moves like an Ofanite, even.
<
Liz is, like, so there.
Sephar (Yes!)
Demiurge says "Liz, like, you find an incredibly quick route through the twisty corridors."
Pat looks at Sarah. "Ready?"
Sarah says "Ready."
Pat says "On your mark, Hitherby."
Liz gets very quiet and careful coming up on the pair.
The stage manager leads Hitherby into the attic room, and quietly closes the door behind him,
before turning to take Hitherby in his arms.
If his back is to the window, Hitherbugs hiss, "Now!"
Liz follows the pair to the door, quietly tries the lock.
Hitherby smooshes lips.
Liz . o O (Or maybe not so quietly.)
Demiurge says "It's not locked, Liz, just closed."
Liz gets ready to burst in.
Demiurge says "Pat, Sarah, make a Will roll to go Celestial if you're doing that."
<
<
Demiurge says "You both assume your shining Celestial forms."
Demiurge says "Perception roll, all."
<
<
<
<
<
<
<
Demiurge says "Okay, so you all notice it."
<
The stage manager blinks, abruptly, and pushes Hitherby away from him slightly.
Hitherby leaps. Burning, oh, 7 Essence.
Mazpatiel is in the air, moving towards the attic already.
Hitherby yells, "Now!" as she does so, or just before.
Liz bursts through the door.
Liz has her hand in her open purse, on her gun, but it's not visible.
<
Demiurge says "Roll, Hitherby."
<
Demiurge says "You crash into his Host, Hitherby, displacing consciousness in a mighty swirl of
Essence!"
Demiurge says "Forcing him brutally out."
<
Sephar leaps for the girl, in the same way Hitherby leaped for the other.
Demiurge says "Roll, Sephar."
Hitherby bounces. Ooh. *Clever* Sephar.
<
<
<
Demiurge says "Sephar, you're in."
Sephar runs for the door that Liz just opened...
Liz says "Sephar, which is you?"
Liz . o O (Boy, this is noisy!)
Sephar 's girl says, "Me. I'm Sephar!"
Demiurge says "Mazpatiel, Chephirah, at this point you burst through the attic wall (being able
to go in a straight line) and perceive the Shedite, a swirl of abominable malevolence, in the centre
of the room."
Mazpatiel launches itself at the hellspawn. Battle cries are not necessary.
Chephirah imitates Mazpatiel. Except that she snarls.
Demiurge says "Rolls, please. :)"
Sephar also squeeks, "Girl is me!" from mouse form.
Hitherby's next action will be to burn her last 2 Essence to manifest celestially, herself, without
abandoning the stage manager. Then the stage manager will run for it. Unless the stage manager
requires > 6 Forces to hold :) Btw, I'm out of everyone except for him right now; the bugs and
birds have no minds but their own.
Demiurge nods to Hitherby.
<
<
<
Liz keeps an eye on the door in case of Habbalite.
<
Demiurge says "Okay. Pat, Chephirah: your blows hammer into the Shedite, tearing away gobbets
of substance. It hisses, viciously, "Let me go! Do you think this will help?""
Liz says "Demi, can I see the fight?"
Demiurge says "Try a Per roll, Liz."
Demiurge says "You too, Sephar."
<
<
Demiurge says "Sephar can see it. Liz can't."
Demiurge says "Sephar, Hitherby, did you say you had the spare humans running down the stairs
and away?"
Mazpatiel says nothing, its mouth a flat calm line as it continues to attempt to wreak great bodily
harm on the fleshless horror.
Sephar says "Yes."
Hitherby nods.
Hitherby says "And I'm manifesting."
Sephar says "And I will when the humans are safely away."
Demiurge says "You're halfway down the stairs when you run into a young woman in a business
suit, who's coming up them. She blinks at the pair of you. "What's all the noise?""
<
The Shedite attempts strange movements, perhaps some Song, but it fails to work. It sinks
towards the floor, in some hope of escape.
Sephar will tug on the suited woman's arm, "It's awful up there... you shouldn't go up there, we
should call for help..."
Liz calls out, "There's an artifact around here somewhere. *find out* where it is."
Liz calls to thin air. Go figure.
Liz says "And the Prank. What's the Prank!"
Mazpatiel . o O ( Those wacky Ofanim )
Hitherby is somewhat behind Sephar, because (she just checked) she tried to manifest before
running :)
Demiurge says "Hitherby and Sephar are now in celestial forms with their spare Forces."
Demiurge says "Everyone who wants to hit the Shedite or do something similar, roll a d666."
<
Liz gets out of Line of Sight of the door.
Chephirah lowers, as if to pursue - or block - the Shedite, wings extended.
<
Mazpatiel follows the Shedite, intentions of letting it escape the furthest thing from its mind.
Gobbets are torn, God willing.
Hitherby lunges at the Shedite with hands like hawk's talons, wickedly sharp.
<
Hitherby (it's Jordi-style Celestial Kung Fu!)
Liz . o O ( Yay Hitherby! )
Sephar celestially yells on that plane, "I want data from it before you take it completely apart..."
The Shedite screams with tones like shattering slimed glass, trying to defend itself but
outnumbered. Great oozing rents are torn in it, tentacles and eyes ripped loose. It screams,
"Mercy!"
Sephar celestially grabs Mazpatiel, if it can, before he swings at the Shedite again... not to hurt,
just to get Pat to think a moment.
Mazpatiel sinks a hand into the mass, grabbing something that can be grabbed. Calmly, "Talk."
Mouths along the heaving flanks of the creature whimper, "Spare me.. what do you want to
know, I'll tell you, just don't kill me, don't kill me..."
Chephirah holds. Quick, sudden, silent.
Liz whispers urgently, "Sephar, what's happening?!"
Mazpatiel says "The Prank."
Sephar 's mouse squeaks a sigh, 'They stopped to get it to talk.' to Liz. 'Good thing you reminded
them.'
On the stairs, the suited woman attempts to shoulder past the two human hosts, heading upwards.
Liz continues, "Artifact, Prank. Get them both. Find out what they both are, and then *hurry*,
the Habbalite might be coming."
Mazpatiel resonates the demon, eyes flat as it looks at the rent terror.
<
Sephar girl tugs hysterically on the suited woman's arm. 'No no... you're going the wrong way."
Sephar celestially says, "And the artifact. We want information about that, too."
Demiurge says "Mazpatiel, it's terrified of permanent death, and it's desperately trying to find
some way out of being ripped apart without giving away its only chance of regaining favour in
Hell."
<
Demiurge says "Sephar, Str roll, please."
<
Hitherby will probably try and block the woman, too, if she keeps coming -- it might be the
Habbalite.
Demiurge says "Str roll, Hitherby."
<
Liz says "Sephar, what's happening? Where are the two humans? Are they clear?"
<
Sephar mouse squeaks, "There's a woman on the stairs trying to come up and we're trying to keep
her clear."
Demiurge says "Hitherby, you manage to grab the woman's arm."
Liz hisses. "Woman? What kind? Opera? Security? Business?"
The Shedite whimpers, "What do you want to know?" Pieces of it begin to ooze into a long
downwards shape, like a drooping tear.
Hitherby slashes out casually at the creature's flank -- not a real attack, just something to give it
pain. "Mazpatiel," she says, "I have been ordered to show this creature my rage."
Mazpatiel's eyes narrow, its first displayed reaction. "How did you intend to regain Infernal
favour?"
Sephar squeaks doubtfully, "She's in a suit."
Mazpatiel says "Hold, Hitherby."
Liz says "God help us... she's probably one of the Game."
Liz says "Try and keep her away, but if you have to let her go, -tell- me. Don't risk your hosts."
Chephirah glances upward at the Shedite, showing teeth.
The woman turns to look between the human hosts, making eye contact. "Look. What's going on
up there?"
<
Sephar mouse squeaks, "okay."
<
Liz smiles eerily. "I have an idea."
Liz begins composing herself to look as calm and elegant as she can.
The Shedite's breathing is ragged. "We ... we hoped to make a joke, to please our Prince..."
Mazpatiel says "What was the joke to be?"
You paged Sephar with 'The Lilim has just got a level-2 reading of your Needs. I suspect that is
mainly concerned with the current battle.'.
Hitherby says, quietly, "I will not accept its continued presence here. I am not angry, yet; it has
not yet been foolish enough to provoke me again. But bear this in mind."
Mazpatiel says "Noted."
Sephar pages: Uhm... hyup. Need to keep the humans safe, need for data (always).
Mazpatiel . o O ( Good angel, bad angel? )
From afar, Sephar likely surprisingly doesn't care about killing anything.
Hitherby says, quietly, to the woman, "There are two people having *sex*. In a very -- er,
degraded fashion."
In a sudden swirl of motion, the Shedite attempts to break for it, diving downwards, leaving a
deep wound in its side and a long trail of intestines in Mazpatiel's fist.
Sephar celestially grabs for it...
The woman looks shocked. "Horrible. Awful. Someone should stop them."
<
<
Demiurge says "Sephar, your whirling silvery presence blocks it viciously, and it screams again."
Mazpatiel drops the celestial viscera and is after the Shedite as well.
<
Chephirah lets the Shedite dive into her. And meets it.
<
Hitherby smiles with several mouths and uses Jordi Snake Style Celestial Kung Fu. As lethal a
snapping-out biting limb as she can produce. :)
Hitherby says, to the woman, "I don't think that it's suitable for female eyes."
<
Sephar nods, wants data, not death, but knows that's what the others want, so it can't get away.
Liz whispers, "Sephar, your host is the stage manager. He can order anyone out."
Liz blinks. "Oh, wait. Hitherby's host is. Tell him, if you can."
Demiurge says "Great hideous wounds mar the Shedite now, dripping acidic slime as it withdraws
again, recoiling. "Curse you all to the everlasting stage! So proud, so virtuous... You'll pay! You'll
all pay!""
Mazpatiel is still calm. "That was your one chance. This is your last. What is the Prank?"
Hitherby will, in any case, attempt to steer the woman down the stairs, albeit not using authority.
Keeping her grip.
Hitherby will just keep attacking. She doesn't believe in this many-chances thing. :)
Sephar's girl stumbles on the steps, leans on the stage manageer and whispers, "You can order her
out..."
Hitherby has given it three *already* :)
The Shedite screams, "Rot in Hell, Game-monger!" and launches itself with the last of its strength
at Mazpatiel, lashing out with slimy tentacles.
<
Mazpatiel tries to get out of the way.
<
Sephar girl will just qo quietly with the manager... and when she's far enough, it'll let go.
Sephar celestially will now slash at the Shedite, hard.
<
Mazpatiel moves back, still unruffled.
Hitherby says, to the woman, his eyes flashing, "Don't push me."
<
Hitherby's Shark-Style Celestial Kung Fu:
<
The woman lowers her eyes, clearly intimidated, and begins to back down the stairs.
Mazpatiel moves back again, wiping the gore from luminous limbs. "You have decided."
Demiurge says "Mazpatiel dodges. Sephar and Hitherby strike viciously, their blows ripping apart
the last remaining structure. With a long-drawn hopeless shriek of agony, the Shedite is
unseamed, coming apart in drifts of slime that fall to coat the floor."
Mazpatiel says "...and been judged."
Chephirah shakes slime from her fur, distastefully.
Demiurge says "The Shedite is soul-killed. Dead dead."
Sephar whirls in a soft sigh. "It did choose."
Elsewhere, Daimon decides to me nice to Pat, and lick his shoes with his tongue or something.
Hitherby meticulously licks her hands clean.
Mazpatiel . o O ( EW )
Chephirah does NOT lick her fur.
Hitherby (of course not, Chephirah. You're out of touch with your inner animal. :)
Sephar grins and just whirls it off and sinks back into the mouse.
Chephirah (it isn't that, Hitherby, it's just SHEDITE EW :) )
Daimon is going to be very NICE to the NICE angels and do EXACTLY as they say.
Meanwhile, the woman in the business suit backs down the stairs further, heading towards the
main area of the opera house.
Mazpatiel condenses into flesh, wordless.
Hitherby comments to Sephar as Sephar starts to fade her celestial form, "Do you think the
woman's a spare Habbalite Vessel?"
Sephar waits a moment, shakes it's many heads. "No... I don't think so... she... she didn't *push*."
Hitherby nods and drifts up to the attic to begin meticulously collecting bugs.
Chephirah spreads her wings, just once more and just for a moment; then folds them and follows
Mazpatiel.
Sephar says "Not like the Habbalite did before, and she clearly wanted up."
Sephar then swirls into the mouse.
Hitherby buzzes cheerfully, when she has enough bugs, "Hey. I'm the stage manager."
Pat says "Of course, we now have to find a way to excuse ourselves from the attic."
Hitherby buzzes, "Don't worry. I told them you were having sex."
Pat * chokes on his apple juice RL
Pat ahems.
Sarah blinks mildly.
Sephar chitter-giggles in Liz's pocket.
Pat says "I...see."
Sarah takes off her glasses without a word, tucks them in a pocket, and musses her hair a little.
Pat un-knots his tie and lets it dangle, opening the collar of his shirt. Rumpling has been done
months ago.
Pat looks at Sarah. "Shall we?"
Hitherby says "The stage manager seems like a good person to go after the Habbalite with."
Sephar says "Likely."
Pat says "Not to mention the access to his office. There may be notes on the Prank."
Hitherby says "Oh! That's smart. I think I have a key thingie."
Sephar says "I'll help with the data search?"
Sarah offers Pat her hand, without saying a word.
Hitherby buzzes happily. "Sure. ... um, how do I *use* the key thingie?"
---