Demiurge says "Pat, are you planning to wait round for Dominique to call on you, or do you intend to head upwards?"
Pat says "She said we'd speak anon. I'm waiting for anon."
Demiurge says "Okay. How long are you waiting?"
Demiurge says "That is, have you taken action by, say, mid-morning the next day?"
Pat says "Nope."
The doorbell rings.
Pat sets his coffee mug down, walking over to the front door and looking through the peephole.
A pale blonde woman is waiting there, handbag tucked under one arm, the face and form recognisable.
Pat unlocks the door, opening it as he steps backwards.
The woman steps neatly inside, walking across the room to take Pat's usual seat on the other side of the desk.
Pat closes the door, walking over to stand in front of the desk. "Lady."
Dominique says, "Mazpatiel. You put me to a certain amount of exertion, it seems."
Pat says "It was not my intention, Lady."
Dominique says, simply, "Report," and folds her hands in front of her. Her gaze is like a weight of glass, calm and heavy.
Pat nods. "Four days ago, I was approached by Terethel of Stone. He was concerned over diabolical influence in regards to the opera that opened last night. His request was for investigation and assistance, if the investigation revealed an infernal hand. It was brought to light that two of the Damned, in hopes of regaining favour, had selected the opera as the site and situation of a..." He pauses for a brief moment. "A Prank, Lady."
Dominique nods. "I am familiar with the term. Your assistance would have been appropriate. Continue."
Pat says "The handling of the incipient Prank was routine. Identification and removal of crucial elements. The complications came in the form of Asmodean involvement."
Dominique says, "Clarify."
Pat says "As stated, the purpose of the Prank was to regain favour in Hell. It is my evaluation that if the infernals were not as yet renegade, they were exceptionally close. The Game had an interest in the matter as well, towards ends I cannot speak with certainty of."
Dominique nods.
Dominique says, "You were ensnared by a Balseraph."
Pat nods. "Of what I was told, I am unaware of the proportion of truth to falsehood."
Dominique has still not blinked. "Why did you refrain from sharing information with the other angels?"
Pat says "Their discretion was questionable."
Dominique's tone of voice remains the same. "Project. Would you have been ensnared as thoroughly by the Balseraph if you had maintained closer contact with the other angels?"
Pat says "Projection. Contact with the Game is revealed. Suspicion grows, markedly in the case of the Ofanite. Cooperation dwindles. Deception on behalf of Balseraph continues. Factions form. Infighting becomes inevitable."
Dominique's brows draw together.
Dominique says, oh so mildly, "You attempt justification, and grow subjective. Avoid this error in future."
Pat nods. "I will."
Dominique adjusts her position in the chair, folding one leg over the other. "Project: what if you had known that the Game was led by a Balseraph, earlier, due to more full information-sharing with the other angels?"
Pat says "Projection: Information is shared. I am alerted to possible deception through shared information. Precautions are taken, deception is made impossible. The Game's interest in Lightner is not revealed. I do not speak with Lightner privately to inform him of the interest, allowing him to go with the Ofanite. The Game is encountered, motives unknown."
Dominique nods. "Unknown but deducible."
Pat says "The standing assumption was their interest in the renegades only. Lightner was not aware of their interest in his person and activities."
Dominique says, "Collaboration with the Game does not take place unless you have specific orders from me, Mazpatiel."
Dominique says, voice dry, "Am I understood."
Pat nods, keeping his head lowered. "Yes, Lady."
Dominique nods.
Dominique says, "The Game is likely to return. You are to be wary of them, and not to aid them in the pursuit of Renegades. Especially those who have hopes of Redemption."
Pat nods, again. "Is that to be our stance on Lightner?"
Dominique says, "For the moment. A Triad of my children will be here soon. You are to give them all due assistance."
Pat nods. "Of course, Lady."
Dominique says, "I question whether I should leave you alone again so long, my son. The world has set its colors upon you."
Pat says "I have endeavoured to minimize such, Lady. By definition, I am unaware of the degree of success."
Dominique's voice is thoughtful. "Indeed. Perhaps you require some higher standard of judgement."
Pat blinks. "I do not understand, Lady."
Dominique continues. "If I have caused your judgement to become overcast, or your vision to be blurred, then it falls to me to correct it again." Her voice is dark, foreboding.
Pat . o O ( *gulp* )
Pat bows his head. "Thy will, Lady."
Dominique rises and steps around the desk, walking towards Pat. She raises her hand to touch his forehead, her fingers gloved and cool.
Pat closes his eyes, slowly.
Dominique says, her voice taking on overtones of the Symphony, "I give to thee, Mazpatiel, the power to call upon my judgement, at cost to thyself. Use it wisely." She lets her hand fall again.
You paged Pat with 'Lucky thing, you just got the Heavenly Judgement attunement.'.
Pat pages: EEE
Pat nods, eyes still closed. "May its presence strengthen purpose."
Dominique says, "Walk with wisdom and judgement, my child." A moment later, she is gone, only a whisper in the Symphony marking her passing.
Pat swallows. Hard. And goes to sit in his chair.
Pat thinks we're done, Demi?
Demiurge nods, unless you have more plans?
Pat says "Um, mostly getting my self-control back. :)"
Demiurge nods. ;)
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