Questions and Answers, and Other Information

Demiurge says "Liz. Daimon. When/where are you?"

Daimon says "Morning. In Liz's bed. Wearing socks and a hangover. :)"

Liz says "What Daimon said, but with no hangover."

Liz says "Oh, and garters, no socks."

Demiurge says "What sort of time is it?"

Liz says "As early as you like. I don't sleep."

Daimon says "I snooze. Alcohol and relaxation, you know."

Demiurge says "At about 10.30 am."

Daimon does his impression of a lump.

Demiurge says "Daimon, you feel the arrival of a Celestial Song of Tongues, in the back of the head."

Daimon has a bad feeling about this already. "Okay, so I listen."

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

Liz doesn't, though.

The Song rings like a carillon. "DAIMIE, BABY, HOLD IT RIGHT THERE AND RING ME ON (NUMBER) AND _DON'T_ GO DOWNSTAIRS!"

Demiurge says "It's Terry's voice. You recognise it."

Daimon grumbles something about agents.

Daimon says "Don't go downstairs. Where is the phone?"

Daimon starts feeling around for his underwear.

Daimon, after finding underwear, will attempt to locate said phone.

Liz is probably over on the computer, typing in a long report to Marc, still wearing only her garters. One phone on the desk, plus a cellphone in her purse.

Daimon looks at Liz wearing just garters, and thinks about getting back to bed quickly.

Daimon says "I have to use the phone. Izzat OK?"

Daimon says "Or are you on a modem or something."

Liz says "Go ahead."

Liz nudges the phone over to the side of the desk.

Liz says "Computer has a local drop to the airport LAN."

Daimon picks up the receiver of the phone and dials the number that was piped into his head.

Daimon says "Oh, okay, cool."

There is some melodious bleeping the other end, then Terry's voice answers. "Who is it?" There's a note of wariness to it.

Daimon says into the phone, "I am not going downstairs. Where are you?"

Terry breathes a sigh of relief. "Daimie, you're okay. Goood. I was getting worried. I'm in LA, okay, but I can get over your way? You're in deep shit, baby. You and all your team."

Daimon says "I don't have a team. I have a me. And I figured that out, but you are free to elaborate. When do you expect to show up and make my life miserable?"

Terry says, "Okay, where are you?"

Liz looks over at Daimon, raises an eyebrow, but doesn't say anything. Instead she sighs, and walks into the bathroom to shower and give Daimon some privacy.

Daimon says into the receiver, "I'm in DC."

Terry says, "Cool. Cool, baby. That is so cool. You see, Kobal has arrested Asmodeus."

Daimon looks after Liz, and gets irritated, because now he'll have to wait to see the garters again.

Daimon blinks.

Terry says, "No, wait, wait, wrong way round. Asmodeus has arrested Kobal, baby."

Daimon blinks again.

Daimon says "Oh. Oh. Oh shit. You shit me not."

Liz peeks out of the bathroom again, curiosity overcoming politeness.

Terry says, "Do I shit, baby? I shit you not. This is the real shit."

Daimon blinks. "I'm trying to figure out if this is one of your stunts or not."

Terry says, "This isn't a stunt. This is the real thing, and Comedians are either getting pulled in for long serious talks or they're just going missing, and they're not coming back."

Liz walks out of the doorway, and leans aesthetically against the sill, waiting.

Terry pauses for a long breath of what might be a cigarette. "Daimie, baby, you are a lot safer where you are than down home in the good old Theatre." He pauses. "Still, need any help, baby?"

Daimon blinks a few times. "Yeah, Terry, I need help."

Daimon swallows. "Terry, he can not arrest a _Demon Prince_! It's like arresting Nybbas!"

Liz coughs.

Terry sighs. "Look, I hardly know the legalese of the fucking thing. Arraigned for treason and heresy or whatever."

Liz . o O (Sweet Jesus!)

Daimon says into the receiver. "Like heresy is _anything new_. I don't believe it. I don't fucking believe it. I mean, I do, but I don't. There would be _Civil War_, Terry."

Terry mutters, "Well, yeah, that is one of the possible options coming up, you know?"

Daimon says "That's really just not pretty. I take it you guys are just filming it and screaming 'story of the decade' and shit like that."

Terry says, wheedlingly, "Daimie, it's my job. At least with us round the Game can't sit on all the fucking facts. Look. Lilith's staying out of it, she's pulling _all_ the Frees out of the area. Andre's playing it real close to the chest."

Terry continues, "Haagenti's brain-dead. You know him. Kobal went quietly, but Lucifer knows what he's planning. All I'm asking is that you. Stay. Away."

Daimon sighs. "I'm going to be pulled to, then. I won't go."

Daimon pauses. "I can't stay away, Terry. He's my Boss."

Terry says, "Look, at least give me a contact number, right? If we can catch Certain Fucking People playing it outside the rules, you want someone to film the evidence, okay?"

Daimon breaths heavily, and pushes the hair out of his face. "Terry, you're my best friend. You have to come out here. You have to film them. You have to catch them at it, and we already have some beginnings of evidence." He pauses, and gives him Liz's cellphone number. "I don't have a phone right now. I'll get one, and then you can call me direct. Cool?"

Liz feels like one of her eyebrows is trying to crawl over the top of her skull, but she manages to keep her face neutral.

Terry says, "Cool. Cool, baby. I'll be with you as fast as I possibly can. Mind your step, okay?"

Daimon says "I will Terry. I swear, I'll stay alive until you get here."

Terry mutters, "You do that," and puts the phone down.

Daimon hangs up the phone, and stares at it for a while.

Liz fails to reign in her curiosity any longer. "Daimon?"

Daimon says "Yeah?"

Liz says "Not to seem nosy, or anything, but what was that all about? Someone arrested a Demon Prince?"

Daimon nods slowly, still staring at the phone like it is all the phone's fault.

Shannen pages: I've decided you're not just as evil as I imagined. You're more evil than I can possibly imagine.

Liz says "And who is your 'Best Friend'? Not a...um.. comedian?"

Daimon says "No, not a comedian."

Daimon says "He's worse."

Liz has about two zillion questions, most of which boil down to 'Should I go buy more ammo?'

Long distance to Shannen: Demiurge smiles. Why, thank you.

Liz says "Worse?"

Daimon slowly, stunned, sits on the bed. "Yeah. Media."

Liz ponders worse. "He's not a Calabite, is he?"

Daimon says "No, he's not a Calabite."

Liz looks relieved.

Liz says "Another Lilim?"

Daimon says "No."

Liz says "Oh."

Liz looks nonplussed.

Liz says "Impudite?"

Daimon says "No."

Daimon says "You're running out of Bands."

Liz says "Want to just tell me?"

Daimon says "Terry is a Bal."

Liz says "Ah."

Liz hmms.

Daimon says "His hair is _very_ good. He's, thankfully, mostly harmless in the conventional sense."

Daimon still looks stunned. He can't figure out if he's going to kick things or go curl up and cry.

Liz says "Y'know, I'd be disappointed and all, but considering who you're sleeping with, I'm not exactly in a position to judge your friendships. So I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and assume he's not coming here to break us up or drag you off or anything."

Daimon says "No. He's coming to help."

Liz says "Okay."

Liz says "If I can wrap my mind around you, I can cope with a Bal that wants to help."

Daimon licks his lips, and still looks vague. He seems to be slowly settling on option B, curling up and crying, though.

Liz walks across the room, and kisses Daimon's cheek.

Daimon says "Terry will convince himself that we're all his friends. No problem."

Liz says "That sounds like a Bal, yeah."

Liz says "Maybe I should go get my hair done first, though."

Daimon says "Terry is, in fact, the least of my problems."

Liz says "He's probably majorly into first impressions."

Liz settles down a bit. "Right. Demon Prince Arrested..." She blinks. "No. Not..."

Daimon shrugs. He doesn't really care about Terry anymore, until said Balseraph show up.

Daimon says "And I was going to Bind to him, too."

Liz *stares*.

Daimon blinks up at Liz, blinking tears out of his eyes.

Daimon says "I... I... I have to do _something_. But I don't know what yet. I'm just stunned."

Liz ponders this, then plops herself down into Daimon's lap, and *hugs*

Liz has been taking lessons from the Cherubs.

Daimon hugs back, and buries his face in her chest.

Liz just holds Daimon for the longest time.

Daimon cries a little bit, and hold Liz.

Finally, Daimon says, "Lilith is going to come for me eventually."

Liz says "Ah. Um, why?"

Daimon says "She's pulling all the Frees out. This may break down into Civil War."

Liz says "Oh. Oh, hell."

Daimon says "I won't go, Liz. I won't go. She'll have to drag me. I'm not going to run and hide."

There is a knock on the door.

Daimon jumps more then a bit.

Liz jumps too, and somehow winds up on her feet.

Liz says "Okay, Daimon, in the bathroom."

Daimon nods. "Okay."

Liz siiighs.

Daimon grabs his jeans on the way into the bathroom.

Liz slides on panties and a bra, thinks about it, and decides that if it's human, she'll have a slight edge, and if it's a superior it won't matter. She grabs her gun and keys, walks out of the office, locks it, walks over to the door, looks out the peephole.

Outside stand three people. One taller than the other two, a well-dressed man with good cheekbones and dark glasses, who has just knocked on the door: another man, smaller, beside him, calm and poised: and a dark woman, bulky and vaguely protective.

Liz laughs. "Oh, of course. I should have guessed."

Daimon settles for sitting on the floor of the bathroom, with his head against the door so he can still hear conversation.

Jordan knocks on the door again.

Liz thinks about this, then unlocks the door, and pulls it open, stepping back into the shadows and levelling her gun at the tallest one. From the shadow, she says, "You have thirty seconds to prove you're not the Game. The tall guy doesn't talk, and nobody moves hands."

Jordan raises his eyebrows and glances at his fellows.

The smaller man calmly inclines his head. He folds his hands in front of him, making the movements careful and precise, slow.

The dark woman glances towards the two men, and twitches, some urgent emotion visible in her face.

<> Demiurge rolls the d666 and gets 4 5 CHECK: 6.

Demiurge says "Please make a Will roll, Liz."

Liz pulls the trigger, shooting the smaller guy in the arm.

<> Liz rolls the d666 and gets 1 3 CHECK: 6.

Liz says, harshly, "NOBODY MOVES HANDS."

The smaller man goes stumbling, oddly without crying out, as the woman launches herself towards Liz in a rush of motion.

Liz dodges.

Liz . o O (Boy, I'm glad we're at a noisy airport.)

<> Demiurge rolls the d666 and gets 3 4 CHECK: 6.

<> Liz rolls the d666 and gets 1 5 CHECK: 5.

Daimon pages: If I hear gunshots, I'm going to come out of the bathroom.

The larger woman goes straight for Liz in a body-grab, but just barely misses, as Liz does an astonishing dodge.

You paged Daimon with 'You hear, you hear.'.

Daimon pages: I come out, and start searching Liz's apartment - quickly - for something, anything, that can be used as a weapon.

Liz rolls behind the woman, sticks her gun at the base of the woman's skull, and says, "EVERYONE FREEZE."

The smaller man is pulling himself off the ground, arm running with blood, face still even.

<> Liz rolls the d666 and gets 2 2 CHECK: 1.

Jordan the tall man suddenly *uncoils* into a gleaming serpent, tawny feathered and with scales like tiger's eyes. "Ahem."

You paged Daimon with 'Um, computer, phone wire, desk ornaments, desk tidy, paper-opener, chair..'.

<> Jordan says '"And there is much noise in the symphony...'

Liz peers at the serpent.

<> Demiurge rolls the d666 and gets 3 3 CHECK: 3.

Jordan has feathers. Not leather wings.

Daimon pages: Letter opener works. And if I hear someone coming, I'll retreat back to the bathroom.

Liz pulls her gun away from the woman's head, puts the safety on.

The large woman balances herself, and glares at Liz.

Liz says "Right, you didn't have to move your damn hands to do that."

Liz says "Come on in. I'll make coffee."

Daimon pages: And so do I hear THAT? *poof* Celestial.

Jordan says "Are you usually this... aggressive when greeting Triads, Zebina?"

The smaller man says, "A Song of Harmony appeared optimal, concerning the situation."

Long distance to Daimon: Demiurge nods.

Jordan returns to corporeal form.

<> Daimon rolls the d666 and gets 2 4 CHECK: 4.

Liz sighs.

Daimon pages: Heard. If I hear someone coming, I go back into the bathroom, with the letter opener."

Liz says "Everyone come in. I'll get you a bandage."

Liz says "And no, it was not optimal. The last person who raised up a hand stuck a Song of Entropy on me, so I'm a little gunshy."

Liz glares at the small guy.

Jordan will follow Liz in, nodding for his triad to come after him.

<> Jordan rolls the d666 and gets 6 2 CHECK: 5.

The smaller man follows Jordan, letting Liz's glare run off him like water, and the larger woman brings up the rear, closing the door.

Liz says "And yes, I usually greet Triads like that when they might be a Game Triad pretending to be a regular one. Daimon is in the bathroom. Kindly do -not- scare him. He's shaky enough."

The dark woman takes up stance by the door, watching the room carefully.

Jordan says "Ah. Yes, he is disturbed, isn't he. We are not here to ... drive the Lilim away. Necessarily."

Liz unlocks the office door, calls in, "Daimon? Some people from upstairs are here. The gunshot was a false alarm. They work for our friend from last night, but they do not intend us harm.

Liz says "I thought they might be Gamesters, I'd have to say they are not."

The smaller man watches Liz thoughtfully.

<> Demiurge rolls the d666 and gets 6 5 CHECK: 5.

Daimon slides the letter opener into his back pocket, and comes out of the bathroom, SLOWLY.

Liz glares at the small guy. "Although, much like Focalor, they don't know enough to not cast songs when they're covered by a gun."

He says, mildly, "I would recommend that you supply me with a bandage, if you wish me to cease bleeding upon your carpet.

Liz happens to have *tons* of medical supplies at the moment, so she digs out a bandage and some painkillers, gives them to the Cherub.

The dark woman takes them, and bandages up the smaller man's arm, muttering occasionally to herself.

Liz says "Here, for your friend. Either of you know corporeal medicine?"

Liz looks over at the Seraph. "Coffee? Tea?"

She says, over one shoulder, "Yes."

Jordan says "I do not generally imbibe. We are on duty."

Liz says "How about water? It's polite among humans to accept refreshments, and it's a good habit to be in."

Liz says "Besides, your friend is going to need some fluid to replace the blood."

Jordan says "Are we among humans? However, some fluids for Jada-dan might help."

Liz nods.

Jordan glances over to the smaller man when he says that.

Jordan looks for a chair. Behind a desk will do.

Liz pours a nice big glass of water, brings it over to the man. "Here. I apologize for the shoulder, but I did warn you, and I think you'll find we have good reason to be paranoid.

Liz's desk faces the outside window, so the chair's out in the middle of the room.

Liz mmms.

The smaller man nods, and takes it. "Your kindness is appreciated."

Liz folds the bed in, creating a couch again.

The dark woman resumes her stance by the door.

Jordan takes the chair and swings it around so that he can view the rest of the room. The lean Seraph sits down.

Daimon just tries to look nice and small and he pretends he isn't here.

Liz puts the pillows back on it, hands Daimon a shirt.

Liz doesn't bother to dress herself.

Daimon slides his shirt on, and busies himself with the buttons.

Jordan is apparently not noticing Liz's dishelvement, though with the sunglasses, it's hard to tell...

Liz looks over at the Seraph. "Let me properly introduce us."

Jordan smiles faintly. "Do. Please."

Liz says "I am Zebina, of Trade. This is Daimonique, usually known as Daimon, late of Comedy, although things just got fuzzy that way."

Daimon says "No. I still work for Comedy."

Daimon is fairly adamant about this point.

Liz says "It's more of a question of whether Comedy still works for you, though. Sorry."

Daimon lets it drop. He won't argue it in the presence of others.

Liz says, bluntly, "Daimon is not a Renegade. He serves his Prince faithfully. That said, we seem to have a remarkable amount in common, so he's here."

Jordan raises his eyebrows, and takes a small notepad and pen from his inside suitcoat pocket.

The smaller man considers Daimon, absently, as he sips his glass of water.

<> Demiurge rolls the d666 and gets 5 1 CHECK: 2.

Liz says "He's also probably pretty nervous, so please take that into account."

Jordan says "Yes. We were intending to. A moment, please. Being shot at is rather unexpected."

Liz fixes herself a nice cup of herbal tea, and while it brews, she picks up her gun, replaces the spent round into the magazine, resafeties it, and holsters.

Jordan makes some notes on the paper.

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

Liz smiles. "Yeah. Sorry about that. The Game is incredibly not happy at us right now. I was halfway expecting company. Coming as a Triad would have been appropriate, as you weren't entirely unexpected either.

Liz pours her cup, sets the gun down out of reach, pours a cup of coffee for Daimon, and walks it over to him.

Jordan makes more notes, very quickly. "True enough. Perhaps in the future you could ask for identification through the door, instead of with a gun drawn? Such hostility is rather typical of Calabim..."

Daimon takes the coffee from Liz, and mutters, "Thanks."

Jordan says "Now. To business. Would you care to explain your relationship with Daimon here?"

Liz says, "The door's proof against my 9mm, but not a submachine gun. I didn't want an ugly surprise."

Jordan pages: Hmph. No excuse. But we'll let it go. She's being honest, one presumes...

Liz says "Mmm? We're sleeping together. We talk a lot. He acted to save me, twice, from Infernal influences."

Long distance to Jordan: Demiurge nods. Honest, yup.

Liz says "He's nice, although he's entirely into depressing German philosophers."

Jordan scribbles calmly. "Having sex together, more than sleeping. More details, please -- ah, not the salacious ones. But the ones regarding what you speak of, together."

Liz says "And he's been brought up to think of angels as straight out 'demon killers', no matter the demon. I'm trying to fix that."

<> Sephar . o O ( Liz is Utterly Cool(tm) )

<> Shannen says 'And dead, but that's beside the point..'

<> Jordan . o O (Consorting with demons. *sigh* Lilim and Trade... Such a nuisance.)

The smaller man inclines his head slightly to Jordan.

You paged Jordan with 'Emotional signs indicate that she is being honest, Most Holy.'.

<> Daimon says '"Yeah, well.'

Jordan nods back; a tiny gesture. And waits to be provided with more details.

Daimon bites his lower lip, then sips a little coffee.

<> Jordan . o O (Ofanim can be outwaited. One merely needs to be patient...)

Liz shrugs. "We have dinner. The others have met Daimon, including Mazpatiel, who is of Judgement. Everyone seems to work well with him, and I think Daimon rather likes most of us."

Liz says "Daimon helped out a lot keeping other Comedians from pulling the Prank at the courthouse. He helped Sephar, Kyrio of Jean, escape from a Vapula trap."

Liz says "He warned us all about the Game, and he was just so right about them."

Jordan takes notes, occasionally flicking an eyebrow up (barely visible over the sunglasses) in Liz's direction, and waits for her to indicate when she's finished.

Liz says "Consider some of the things he says he's worried about, I'm pretty impressed. Granted, he hasn't met any Malakim yet, but I don't think they'll be as bad as he's expecting either."

Liz smiles sweetly at the Elohite. "Oh, and he's utterly amazing in bed."

The Elohite smiles back, mildly.

Liz says "Not selfish in the least."

Jordan murmurs, "You certainly believe that..."

Liz mmms. "I don't think he's exactly clamoring to Redeem, but he's more than happy to work with us, I'm willing to work with him, and he doesn't seem the type to do anything I would hugely object to, so. We Trade information, assistance, and a good deal of affection. Seems like a pretty good situation to me. Not perfect, but pretty good."

The Elohite nods again, slightly, towards Jordan, and makes a small inclination of one hand. The Cherub at the doorway doesn't move.

You paged Jordan with 'She believes it, Most Holy, and she hopes for more in time.'.

Jordan says "Indeed. And he has not causes you to become dissonant or Discordant? He has not spoken to you of the... entertainment available in Shal-Mari?"

Liz says "I have a bunch of other stuff that isn't directly related to him that the Superiors should know about, but we'll let that go for a minute."

Daimon flicks his eyes up at Jordan, and frowns.

Liz says "I don't feel dissonant or discordant. All the reports from my organization have been good, although I need to go upstairs for a full report."

Jordan sighs faintly at the Elohite and might have rolled his eyes.

Jordan nods to Liz. "Good. And he has not tried to recruit you?"

Liz says "Not hardly."

Jordan says "Fascinating."

Jordan turns his attention to Daimon.

Liz says "And yes, I've heard the stories about Shal-Mari. Based on his...um...technique? I'd believe them."

The Elohite's brows rise.

Liz turns, and right in front of the triad gives Daimon a hug and a kiss.

Daimon kisses Liz back, obviously nervous.

Liz smiles sweetly at the Elohite. "It's optimal, his technique. Well, as far as I'm concerned."

Jordan sighs. "This wastes time. If you *must* engage in corporeal... activity of that nature, could you perhaps wait until *after* we have found what we were sent to find?"

The Elohite nods at Jordan's words, and does not reply to Liz's comment.

<> Jordan rolls the d666 and gets 4 1 CHECK: 5.

Jordan says "Daimon, I believe you are called? Would you please explain the nature of your relationship with Zebina, as you see it?"

Liz settles down. "Certainly, but I won't attempt to disguise the nature of the relationship, either. It'd be pointless and suspicious."

Daimon says, matter of factly, "I am in love with Zebina."

You paged Jordan with 'TRUE!!!'.

Liz ! (Oh my.)

Jordan goes utterly blank. Does not scribble.

The Elohite's eyes widen slightly. The Cherub still just glares somewhat.

Daimon goes back to staring into his coffee.

Jordan stays quiet for several seconds, apparently swallowing. "I... see." He writes something down. It seems to have at least one exclamation point.

Jordan finally asks, sounding just a *leetle* shakey, "And... your intentions, in her company?"

Jordan says "Besides the sex."

Daimon says "Companionship. Soul searching. Attempting to not feel so lonely anymore, especially for her. I was... instructed not to lie. It's not about sex, although that is part of it."

Daimon says "She feels lonely. She needs someone."

You paged Jordan with 'True true pretty true, yup.'.

Jordan says "You have no other plans, in her company, than to... *be* in her company? To... collect a Geas upon her by your love?"

Jordan sounded kind of puzzled at the last there...

Daimon says "There's no geas involved. Well, not anymore."

Liz says "Mmm? Oh, right."

Liz says "I had one on him for a bit, I think."

Daimon says "Er, no. Liz..."

Daimon looks pained.

Liz says "Yes?"

Daimon says "I, um."

Daimon looks back into his coffee.

Jordan looks relieved. Then watches the byplay with apparent interest, making occasional notes.

Liz says "Go on."

You paged Jordan with 'Daimon _does_ have a small one on her, but the Truth reveals that he does not intend to use it.'.

Daimon says "I didn't know if I was going to go below, and be forced to explain my actions to the Game. I was afraid. And so I... I'm sorry."

Liz says "You stuck a Geas on me?"

Daimon looks like someone whose world is quickly coming to an efficient end.

Jordan says "You can rectify this matter, can you not, Daughter of Lilith?"

You paged Jordan with 'Though the Truth does reveal that he got it a couple of days ago, and that he is _honestly_ sorry.'.

Daimon says "Yes, I certainly can."

The Elohite glances to Jordan again, and makes a couple of quick gestures.

Liz looks over at Jordan. "May I have a moment please? You can listen, but I want to be the one asking the questions."

You paged Jordan with 'Most Holy, he _is_ sincerely sorry.'.

Jordan nods to Liz.

Liz says "Thank you."

Liz says "Now then, 'You stuck a Geas on me?'"

Daimon says "Yes."

Jordan looks at Jad'an, the Elohite, and taps his pen against the notepad.

Daimon looks _amazingly_ guilty.

Jordan pages: Basic signal: This is complex. Take notes. We'll compare them later.

Liz says "OK. Is it still there?"

Daimon says "Yes."

Liz says "How big is it?"

Daimon says "Not too big."

Jordan pages: If Dai is guilty, he ought to be pouring with blood-sweat, to Jad'an's eyes.

The Elohite produces a small notepad from one pocket, and begins to take a couple of notes, balancing the pad against his bandaged arm.

Daimon pages: Uh, how big IS it?

Liz says "Say, I fly you up to New York for the weekend at no cost sort of big?"

The Elohite absently brushes his hand against the side of his face, as if he were wiping away sweat.

Daimon says "Sounds about right."

You paged Daimon with 'About a Geas/2.'.

Daimon pages: Gotcha.

You paged Jordan with 'Most Holy, he drips with personal guilt.'.

Liz says "Good. We'll leave tonight. Besides, if I'm going to hang out with you, I'll need nicer clothing."

Daimon nods, numbly.

Jordan takes notes.

Liz says "Okay, all yours again, Jordan."

Jordan says "Thank you."

Jordan returns his attention to Daimon.

<> Jordan rolls the d666 and gets 3 3 CHECK: 6.

Jordan says "Now, what course of action do you intend to follow, while you remain in Zebina's company?"

Daimon says "No more hooks. No lies. No games. As for what we're going to do next... I really don't know."

The Elohite scribbles something involuted.

Jordan takes notes. "Ah.

Jordan says "Why do you not know?"

Liz looks at the Elohite. "Oh, hey, I know a Mercurian with Corporeal Healing, ifyou'd like that fixed today."

The Elohite nods mildly. "The offer is appreciated, but I believe that the matter can be dealt with by one of my Triad. Still, I would be grateful if you could give us the name and location of the Mercurian."

Daimon is shaking too hard to hold the coffee cup. He carefully puts it down on the counter and folds his arms over his chest instead.

Liz shrugs, scribbles Shannen's phone number on a sheet of paper, hands it over.

The Elohite takes the paper with a nod of thanks, then glances across to Jordan, making a small neat gesture.

You paged Jordan with 'Emotional shock sincere and heavy, Most Holy.'.

Liz looks at Daimon and gives him another hug. "Daimon got some, ah, bad news this morning. Give him a minute, okay?"

Jordan frowns slightly. He looks to the Elohite, then to Liz. Gently, the Seraph says, "Yes. I believe we have time."

Liz says "Thanks."

Liz keeps her arms around Daimon.

Daimon folds his arms around Liz, and buries his face in her hair. He starts to sob quietly.

Jordan waits patiently, with an occasional flick of the chin that suggests he's watching the Elohite.

Liz murmurs soft little comforting words in Daimon's ear, and holds him.

Jordan pages: Tell me when he is in an appropriate emotional state for more questions, Power.

Daimon mutters into her ear, "I'm so sorry. I don't want you to leave. I won't do it again."

Jordan pages: Was what Dai just said audible, and is the Check 6 still in force?

Liz whispers back, "Shhh. It wasn't unexpected, and it's already forgiven. I know you're sorry. I won't leave."

Daimon crushes Liz tightly to his chest, eyes closed tightly.

Liz adds, "If you insist on feeling utterly broken up about it, I can ask Marc for a Trade rite and if you ever do it again, you'll take corporeal damage. But only if that'll make you feel better."

You paged Jordan with 'Yes and yes.'.

Jordan takes notes. Quietly.

Liz smiles, and kisses Daimon again.

Daimon says "No. No. If you feel better it's okay. But if it makes you feel better."

Liz says "You gave your word, right? I trust you to keep it."

Daimon nods. "T-too many things falling apart at once."

Liz nods.

Daimon swallows hard.

Liz says "Why don't you tell Jordan there about what you found out. He seems astute, maybe he can help you clarify things in your mind."

Daimon holds Liz, and rocks her back and forth.

Liz says "About what's going on down below, yes?"

Daimon nods, silently.

Liz rocks back 'n forth.

The Elohite makes another small gesture or two.

Daimon says "H-h-his boss was pretty cool to me last night."

You paged Jordan with 'He is in tolerable state, Most Holy, but don't push him.'.

Liz nods. "And she helped us out of a tight spot. And helped you get a nice bellylaugh, if that story you were telling after the sixth round was true. I think it's cool if you tell them.

Jordan inclines his head to the Elohite, just a trace, then sighs and considers Daimon. With an air of resignation, he removes his sunglasses to watch Daimon and Liz.

Jordan has perfectly normal hazel-green eyes.

Daimon's eyes flick to the members of the Triad. "You guys are here to help, right?"

Jordan says "We are here to determine the Truth of this matter. We are not here to harm you, unless your actions make it unavoidable."

The Elohite nods. The Cherub nods, but more grudgingly, not one line of her body shifting from an alert posture.

<> Liz . o O (Oh, man, I've got Daimon thinking Triads are here to help. Maybe I should cut down on the amount of lingerie I wear in bed.)

Daimon is still holding Liz. "Okay. Okay, I'm going to... to TRY to trust you. Okay?"

Liz nods at Daimon. "Right."

Jordan nods to Daimon, in a respectful gesture.

<> Daimon says '"Look, Dominic was pretty cool. Pat is pretty cool. Therefore and thus, the logic carries through. Does it matter if it's WRONG?'

<> Jordan says '. o O (Jordan is not pretty cool?)'

<> Shannen says 'Absurd logic works in any situation.'

Daimon swallows hard. "I got a call, right before you guys showed. It seems, last night, something... something horrible has happened at home."

Jordan watches Daimon, patiently. For once, he is not taking notes.

The Elohite also stays his scribbling hand.

The Elohite twitches, then controls himself.

Daimon says "I... I'm a Free, right? Your notes probably say that somewhere. But I work on contract for Prince Kobal. And... I've worked for him for almost a century. I like working for him. I _love_ working for him. I know he's evil and bad, but there's something that just... clicks. I can't describe it. And one thing about our organization you have to understand is that we're a bunch of aimless heretics. The top banana is the worst. Or the best. Depending on who you ask. And... and we get into fights with Gamesters. Pranks. Whatnot. It just seems... it just seems that the Prince of the Game has finally caught my Boss at something and he's... he's... how do you arrest a Prince? That's what I want to know. We're disappearing. And, um..."

Daimon looks down, and hugs Liz again.

Daimon says "I refuse to be recalled. I refuse to disappear. I've got... I've gotta do something. I just haven't had time."

Jordan blinks thrice in rapid succession.

Jordan says "You... are intending to... rescue Prince Kobal... from the Game?"

The Elohite has gone stock-still, and his jaws are set.

Liz hugs Daimon and shrugs over at Jordan. "I said he'd had a shock."

Daimon says "I don't know. I just don't know. I'll think of something."

Daimon says "I. We. We will free him. Somehow."

Daimon says "I will. Do this. What would you do if your Superior was imprisoned?"

Jordan glances down at his notepad for a moment. "It would depend if the accusation is just. But with the Game, the point is likely moot."

Daimon says "Right."

Daimon kisses the top of Liz's head.

The Cherub growls faintly in her throat, but her expression suggests agreement with Daimon's words.

Liz kisses Daimon's shoulder, and hugs.

Daimon says "The others will scatter. But I... I can't do that. I can't 'scatter'. I refuse to hide with the rest of the Lilim."

Jordan sighs. He gives the Cherub a slightly reproving glance, then asks Dai, "Do you intend to drag Zebina, whom you truly love, into conflict with the Game? When your state is...." He grimaces faintly.

Daimon says "No. I will not force her into any conflict that is against her nature, her wishes, her will, or the will of her superior."

Daimon's voice gains a little more strength.

You paged Jordan with 'TRUE.'.

Jordan sighs again, with the air of one who expects to do a lot of sighing. "I suspect you would not be forcing her. She would go into danger, risking her very nature, of her own free will." He looks to Liz, one eyebrow raised.

Liz looks back at Jordan. "Let's be real for a second, okay? Daimon came and saved me, not once but twice. Okay, so Dominique showed up the second time, but he -came-. So yes, I'd try and help him."

Liz says "But I'm not going to walk up to Azzie's desk and say 'Hey, let the Demon Prince go.' I'd get squished like a Shedite under one of Jordi's paws."

<> Hitherby says 'Yay Jordi!'

Daimon says "N-n-no. This is a little more complicated then that."

Jordan says "It is a relief to know there is *some* subtlety to your intentions..."

Liz smiles. "Just a bit. I'm one of the more subtle of the Ofanim. Really."

The Elohite makes a note.

Daimon says, softly. "I have no facts. I have a handful of allies. I can't even say what to do until I have more facts in hand."

Liz says "And if you don't believe it, consider. I bet you're feeling at least a little sympathetic about the prospect of a Lilim freeing a Demon Prince. Subjectively speaking."

Jordan quirks an eyebrow at Liz.

<> Jordan rolls the d666 and gets 6 5 CHECK: 3.

Jordan says "Allies? Facts?""

Jordan is making small, tidy notes again, while watching Daimon.

Liz says "Me, I have a whole lot of problems with Kobal being free, but if it causes enough Havoc with the Game, hey, it might be a good idea. But I want to see how Marc feels about it, and get more facts. And so forth."

Jordan looks very relieved when Liz mentions "see how Marc feels"!

Liz quirks an eyebrow right back at Jordan. Okay, maybe it's not such a good idea to have an out-eyebrow contest with a Seraph, but...

<> Jordan . o O (This is a stressful mission...Lilim and Ofanim. *sigh*)

Daimon says "Okay. One ally. And he's not very good."

Liz says "That would be Terry?"

Daimon says "Yes."

Liz smiles. "This should be entertaining."

Daimon nods, but doesn't comment.

Jordan clears his throat. "Terry?"

Daimon says "A Balseraph of the Media. And, uh, my agent."

Liz says "Oh, so -that's- how you wound up on Leno."

Jordan says "Ah. He is your ally...?"

Liz looks enlightened.

Daimon kisses the top of Liz's head. "Yeah. He does Lunch. I do flying from one city to the next alot." His eyes lift, and he nods to Jordan. "He will get his story. Therefore he is an ally."

<> Liz realizes she's babbling, but Ofanim are easily distracted.

Jordan says "And you are going to introduce him to Zebina?"

Daimon says "I don't know."

Liz says "If you want me to meet him, I will, but I'm wearing sunglasses the whole time."

Jordan says "Sunglasses do not protect against the lies of Balseraphs."

Daimon laughs a little, very quietly, and kisses Liz on the top of the head again. "No, dearest, those are for Lilim."

Liz says "Ah."

Liz hmms. "Earplugs?"

Jordan looks mildly offended at saying "Balseraphs."

<> Hitherby says 'They can't hurt you if you can't see their hair!'

<> Demiurge snickers.

Daimon says "Earplugs will work."

Jordan says "Earplugs are slightly better. However, the encounter is still likely to be dangerous."

Liz nods. "Earplugs. He can write me little notes or something."

Jordan fixes Liz with a disapproving frown.

Daimon closes his eyes, and attempts, very very hard, to imagine a dangerous encounter with Terry. All he can imagine is a very dangerous eating of an overly fatty fruit salad. It just isn't happening.

The Elohite blinks.

Liz shrugs at Jordan. "Look, he can't possibly be any worse than Focalor. We'll bring friends. *lots* of friends. Including the Kyrio who ripped out Focalor's throat if need be."

Daimon tries again to imagine a dangerous meeting with Terry, and all he can imagine is commentary on a fashion disaster.

Jordan clears his throat again. "We are digressing."

Liz says "Ah, sorry."

Liz says "Anyway."

Daimon bites his lip.

Liz says "Go on."

Jordan says "Daimon, despite being in the company of angels, despite loving one, intends to attempt to rescue a Demon Prince -- is that accurate?"

<> Jordan says '. o O (A simple yes or no will suffice...)'

Daimon says "He's my Lord."

The Elohite clips pen and pad together, making another small gesture.

Daimon asks, very quietly, "Would you not do the same?"

You paged Jordan with 'Honesty and affection, Most Holy.'.

Jordan looks pained. "You are not bound to him... And no, I would not seek to rescue Kobal without such instructions." He pauses...

Daimon continues, quietly, "Your Lord, your friends, your home, all destroyed without trial? Would you stand aside?"

Daimon asks, quietly, "Would you just accept it as Fate?"

Jordan grimaces. "The situation is different. *But*. I will accept that you have... an interesting choice of people to care about. I must request something of you, though."

Daimon says "Go ahead. Ask."

Jordan looks pained. "What you propose is dangerous, not only to you, but to Zebina and the others. Going into this matter without proper facts..."

Daimon says "And I'm sorry. I have no facts yet."

Jordan says "I would request that you attempt to *avoid* getting into... trouble ...until more facts can be gathered."

Daimon nods.

Jordan looks around at his Triad. "We might be able to do some fact gathering of our own..."

Jordan looks back at Dai. "Do you understand what I am offering?"

The Elohite inclines his head slightly. "It is possible that other information may be available through different channels."

Daimon nods. "I believe so, but I'm not entirely certain. If you are asking for an exchange of information, certainly."

Jordan says "That, and that you will hold off on your rescue plans until we can make our own investigations into the matter."

Daimon nods. "I will do my best."

Jordan nods, looking slightly more satisfied. "May I have your word on that?" He holds up one long-fingered hand. "I do not require a Geas. Merely your honest promise."

<> Jordan rolls the d666 and gets 1 6 CHECK: 6.

Daimon nods. "You have my word."

<> Liz says 'Oh, God. I can just see this. The cell door swings open, Kobal, his celestial form bruised, looks up into Daimon's eyes. "You came." "I did. And you're going to laugh yourself sick when you see who I brought with."'

<> Daimon says '"I'm like, a pure free now. This is going to get... weird.'

<> Jordan says '"Mr. Kobal, we hereby arrest you for your treason to Heaven, when you Fell...'

<> Daimon says ''That's PRINCE Kobal.'

Liz says "Okay, is there anything else you'd like to know?"

Liz says "And is there a way to contact you once Daimon knows more?"

Jordan nods to Daimon, and stands, gathering his triad up with a glance. "Yes, but the priorities have been dealt with, I think. We have much to do. Ah, yes, contact."

Daimon says, quietly, "I will need a cell phone soon."

The Elohite moves to stand beside Jordan. The Cherub jerks to attention, one hand on the door handle.

Liz looks over at the Cherub. "I said 'Us contact you.' although if you wish to have her attune to me, I have no objection."

Jordan gives Zebina a phone number. He looks to the Cherub and considers a moment.

Liz smiles. "Thanks."

Liz writes something on a card. "Here's phone number here, my regular cell, and the number of the cell I'm currently using until I get a replacement. My usual phone got smashed by a Calabite."

The dark woman nods. She moves forward, offering Liz her hand.

Jordan takes the card with dignity and tucks it away with his notepad and pen.

Liz takes the cherub's hand. "I'm Zebina. G'day."

Liz says "Oh, call me 'Liz' or 'Elizabeth' in human company. It's on the card."

The woman replies, "I am Maasiai, and shall protect you, Wheel of Marc."

Liz says "Your protection is accepted and cherished, Protector of Dominique."

The woman clasps Liz's hand a moment longer, then steps away. She looks to Jordan again.

Jordan nods to Liz and Dai. His eyes rest on the Lilim for a moment, and look pained, then he shakes his head and collects the rest, departing.

Daimon sighs.

The Elohite and Cherub follow him out, the door clicking shut behind them.

Liz walks over, gives Daimon a *big* hug.

Liz says "Wow. I'm impressed."

Daimon hugs Liz back.

Liz says "You did great."

Daimon is shaking a bit.

Daimon says "I suppose."

Liz says "Come on, Daimon. Have you ever heard of a Triad giving a non-Renegade demon a full interrogation, and not only did not haul him off afterwards, but promised aid and information?"

Daimon kisses Liz on the top of the head.

Liz says "I think you've just set some sort of record."

Daimon says "No. Never. I have never heard of something like that. But, I am grateful."

Liz says "Good, you should be. So am I."

Liz says "But they did remind me of something. I need to make a full report, in person, today."

Daimon presses his lips together, and gets a distant look in his eyes. "They are, I assume, the good guys."

Liz says "They are the guys who help keep us good. They are the good guys, yes, but even so, people tend to worry that when the Triad shows up, they've been not so good."

Daimon says "But _you_ are good. I know so."

Liz nods.

Liz says "I'm good. You're a lot better than anyone expects."

Liz says "So they left promising aid and information."

Daimon says "So why is there any doubt about you?"

Liz says "Let me put it this way. If I hung around a Balseraph a lot, you'd probably start worrying about whether or not I was good."

Liz says "For the Triads, that sort of extends to all Demons. So me hanging out with you makes them a little worried."

Liz says "After all, they don't know you as well as I do."

Daimon says "Oh."

Daimon nods. "I understand."

Liz says "Now they do, and that went pretty well, so there you go."

Daimon nods, and thinks. "I have to go to that Kobalite tether, if there is anyone there."

Liz says "Although shooting the Elohite was probably not the most intelligent thing I've ever done."

Daimon says "Probably not."

Liz shrugs. "I told them to prove they weren't the game and not to move their hands. They didn't listen."

Liz says "If the Seraph had just gone celestial instead of having the Elohite try and do a Song at me, he wouldn't have got shot."

Liz says "Maybe Dominique will have a talk with them about 'proper procedures around nervous, armed, and exceedingly quick Ofanim'."

Daimon nods, and says quietly. "I'm sure she will."

Liz says "Okay."

Daimon closes his eyes. "So what now?"

Liz says "All right. So what now is I'm going to pick up a new Cellphone, run by the Tether for a full report, talk with all the others to see just how eventful their days were, and prep Amelia for a flight up to NYC."

Daimon says "What do you want me to do? I have to stop by that tether, to find out if there's anyone around."

Liz says "That's good."

Liz says "We should figure out where you want to meet Terry, and with who."

Liz says "I'm sure the others would just all love to stand around, glare at a Bal, and make him nervous."

Liz says "Hitherby in particular."

Daimon grins a little bit. "That would be amusing, to say the least."

Daimon kisses Liz on the top of the head. "How do you want to do this? Do you want to rendezvous somewhere?"

Liz mmms. "Sure. I'll drive you to the Tether, and pick you up after, okay?"

Liz keeps getting kissed on the top of her head. Maybe she should have got a taller vessel.

Daimon nods. "That's fine. That's acceptable.

Daimon is nervous, and the top of Liz's head is very accessable.

Liz waits until Daimon's going to kiss her the next time, then intercepts, and pulls him down for a *real* smooch.

Daimon gets *smooched*.

Liz says "Okay. First we should shower, though. No wonder the Elohite mentioned Shal-Mari. It probably smells like it in here, after last night."

Daimon says "Well..."

Liz smiles. "You were great, though."

Daimon smiles back. "Thanks."

Liz says "I'll have the cleaning service in, too."

Daimon peers around at the apartment. Oh boy.

<> Hitherby | The cleaning lady says, "Liz *again?* But it's so hard moving the plane to dust under it ..."

---

Fiat Justitia