Sarah walks out of the theater with Pat. Somewhat rumpled.
You say "It's a nice day outside."
Pat comments, drily, "Well."
Sarah glances around as she walks, with a smile that becomes somewhat slightly fixed after it occurs to her that there was also a certain Calabite in the building. "Relatively, yes."
Pat guides Sarah in the direction of the nearest metro stop, maintaining the pretense of rumpled afterglow. "I am certain the Game heard what happened there. They will investigate."
Sarah keeps to Pat's side, smiling vaguely even as her eyes flick back and forth. "I suppose so," she murmurs, absently.
Nobody seems to be following the pair.
Pat says "What happens now?"
Sarah says "I don't know. Are we going anywhere in particular?"
Pat says "Away, at the moment." He turns a corner, leading her to the escalator. "We still have a Comedian at large, and opening night is tonight. However, we would be recognized by the Game."
Sarah gives a hint of a wry smile. "Easily," she admits, following to the escalator. "With luck, the others will be able to deal with the Comedian."
Pat says "If they're not distracted."
Sarah says "Or overcome."
Pat says "If they focus on the Comedian, they have a clear numerical advantage."
Sarah says "Until the Comedian manages to turn one of them against the others."
The busy Metro crowds move around them, quite unconscious of the fact that there are angels in their midst.
Pat steps off the escalator. "It must know what happened to its partner. The theatre is populated, and will become more populated over the course of the evening. The Game is more than aware of the activity, and I believe the Comedian is aware of the Game's involvement. It cannot, frankly, risk a full scale battle."
Sarah says, mildly, "Its partner went to great lengths to retain its chances."
Sarah says "It would seem reasonable that he would be equally motivated."
Pat says "It must complete the prank to be restored to favour in its Prince's eyes. That is an impossibility if it is dead."
Sarah says "If it doesn't complete the prank, it's lost anyhow."
Pat says "So abandoning it to fight proactively is a loss in two ways."
Sarah says "It doesn't have to fight, itself."
Pat says "It must expend the effort. And it has no guarantee of success."
Sarah doesn't seem overly reassured, but admits, "That's true."
Pat says "About tonight.."
Sarah says "Yes?"
Pat says "Have any arrangements been made?"
Sarah says "I believe Liz has a total of - four tickets, if I remember correctly. You might want to confirm that with her."
Pat says "She has tickets?"
Sarah says "For tonight? Yes."
Pat says "I'm impressed."
Sarah says "I believe she'd earmarked three for herself, Lightner, and myself, which leaves one still open."
Pat says "Oh?"
Sarah says "Is that 'oh' to the remaining ticket, or to Lightner?"
Pat says "I should be unsurprised by Lightner."
Sarah says "He has possibilities. Where are we going?"
Pat says "I hadn't determined, yet. Do you have a preference?"
Sarah rubs at the side of her neck. "I should wash and change at some point."
Pat nods. "Rumpled is likely not the expected fashion for an opening."
Sarah murmurs, "Neither is 'bloodied', despite the usual operatic themes."
Pat's phone begins to buzz.
Pat says "Are you feeling alright, now?"
Sarah says "Other than echoes, yes."
Pat blinks, reaching into his coat and opening his phone. "Hello?"
The voice of Michael Focals remarks, "Hello."
Pat's face goes neutral. "Hello."
Sarah glances to Pat, stays quiet.
The voice on the phone says, "Somewhat audible. I take it that the information was of use to you?"
Pat says "Quite."
There is a slight hesitation. "I believe there is some possibility that a rogue factor from, shall we say, our division, is conjoining with certain of your operatives."
Pat says "I'm aware of it, yes."
A fingernail taps against the phone on the other end. "If you could identify this factor to us, I believe that we could give you accurate information as to their probable methodologies and goals."
<
You say "Pat, roll..."
<
You say "Sounds like a good idea, Pat. Might as well get some accurate information from the
horse's mouth."
Pat says "I'll have something sent over."
The voice says, firmly, "We will probably have to check our files. The sooner you can pass on the
information, the sooner we can arrange a report back to you."
Pat says "I'm escorting a friend home. I'll fax it when I get back to my office."
The voice says, "Ah. I perceive. I am sorry if I have placed you in an inconvenient position."
Pat says "Ah. Thank you. I'll be in touch."
The voice says, "Later, then," and hangs up.
Pat puts his phone away. Sighs.
Sarah says "Business?"
Pat nods. "With no regard to convinience, I'm afraid."
Sarah says "If you could use any assistance..."
Pat shakes his head, smiling faintly. "You have a show to get ready for, Sarah."
Sarah says "I suppose so. Are you coming?"
Pat says "To the show?"
Sarah says "Yes."
Pat says "I don't own a tuxedo."
Sarah says "I take it that that's a problem."
Pat says "It could be arranged, I suppose."
Sarah says "If you're interested. If business calls, however - that should of course be a priority."
Pat says "The business can be handled quite briefly. I would be happy to attend."
Sarah says "You have my number. I'll," she smiles, "stay quietly at home and out of the way till
you call?"
Pat squeezes her hand, very slightly. "I'll rent something appropriate to wear."
Sarah says "And I'll see if I can manage to make myself presentable."
Pat chuckles, quiet. "I'll call tonight, then."
Sarah straightens her jacket. "And I'll leave you to business."
Pat nods. "Until then, Chephirah." He releases her hand.
Sarah agrees, "Until then," and moves off to navigate the subtleties of the Metro.
Pat follows, long enough to take the other line towards his home.
Sarah, er, goes home and showers and frowns at clothes a lot. Taking Pat is probably more
productive. :)
Pat must stop and rent formalwear before getting home. Any difficulties in that?
You say "No, it is easily done, though expense will depend on how good a set of formalwear you
are hoping for."
Pat says "Good enough for an opera opening."
Pat will bill Focals for it. :)
Demiurge laughs out loud.
Hitherby (such a pity you're not working for Kobal!)
Hitherby (... yet.)
Pat gets home, formalwear in hand, and faxes Focals Investments with a request for Mr. Focals
to call.
About five minutes later, Pat's phone buzzes.
Pat picks it up. "Hello."
Focal's voice says, "You wished communication?"
Pat says "I am alone now."
There is the sense of relaxation from the other end of the line. "Very well. How much
identification can you give us?"
Pat says "The name he is using, his Band, and his Prince."
The voice replies, "That should be sufficient."
Pat says "Daimon Lightner, Kobaline Lilim."
There is the sound of a scratching pen. "Thank you very much. We will get back to you as soon
as possible. Our computers are down, unfortunately, which is slowing information processing."
Pat says "I had heard something to that affect."
"Hmph." The pen scratches again. "I will contact you as soon as possible. The same phone
number?"
Pat says "Yes."
The voice says, "Thank you," and the phone clicks down.
You say "Hold there, Pat, unless you have anything else you want to do? :)"
Pat hangs up the phone, and sets about getting ready.
Sarah says "Sarah hangs out, gets blood off her, pays actual attention to looking other than like
part of a shelf, frets about Habbalites and a certain Lightner, and waits for calls unless she receives
none till it gets worrisomely close to time to be at the opera."
---