Demiurge says "Okay. You two were at the airport. The Triad had just left. Busybodies that they were."
Daimon says "I assume we shower and dress."
Liz steps out of the shower, begins dressing. She's choosing weekend-ish type clothing. Jeans, boots, a belt, a couple of layers of cotton shirts, a jacket, and a shoulder holster.
Liz looks a little mopily at her leather jacket, but the back logo's too noticeable and it was seen at the Focals thing.
Daimon will shower. After he's done, he will return to his traditional black turtleneck and jeans.
Liz picks out a North Face type windbreaker instead, reasonably well worn from a few trips down to America del Sud.
Liz also picks up the phone, rings Shannen's coffee shop.
Daimon shaves, and becomes nicely groomed. He's pretty quiet the whole time.
Shannen's voice, high and jubilant "Iiiiitttt's Shannen! Wow, I'm not here - or I'm not on the phone or .. well, there's literally THOUSANDS of possibilities but, you know. Please leave a message and I'll get back to you. And keeeepp smiling!"
Liz smiles.
Liz says "Shannen, this is Liz. Listen, I had a visit a little earlier from a trio who work for the same folks Pat does. They're remarkably friendly and helpful, but one of them got a little enthusiastic, which is never a good idea when you're visiting an airport, so he's kind of scratched up."
Liz says "You know the local medical situation better than me, so I gave them your number. They'll probably call or drop by. Don't sweat it. Daimon met them, and they got off on exactly the right foot."
Liz says "In any case, I have to go report, but if you need to talk, you can reach me at
Liz sets the phone down, slips her current cell into her pocket.
Liz says "Okay, all set. Ready, Daimon?"
Daimon nods, while he slips on his jacket and puts his wallet into his pocket. "I'm all set."
Daimon is more then a little subdued.
Liz locks up, walks Daimon out to the car.
Daimon follows Liz out to the car.
Liz hands Daimon a card. "Here's the number of the tether. If you need to get ahold of me, phone
here, and I'll come-a-running."
Liz says "We'll stop by for my replacement cellphone first."
Liz says "And you can use that until I pick you up."
Daimon looks at the card, and slips it into his wallet. "Okay."
Liz gets in the car, and drives with Ofanite efficiency to the cellphone store to get her new cell.
"Be right back."
Daimon says "Where is this tether? I mean, yours."
Liz says "Same one as last night. SEC."
Daimon says "Oh. Okay."
Liz zips into the cellphone store for her phone.
Daimon waits out in the car.
Liz drops off the shattered remains of her old phone, apologizes to the clerk, "Got mugged, sorry.
But hey, that's why I got insurance on the darn thing in the first place." Picks up her new phone.
The clerk makes the usual mutters, does his job.
Liz looks at her new phone. "Cool. They got smaller."
Liz jaunts out of the store, whistling. "Sephar's gonna love this one."
Liz gets back into the car, hands Daimon the new phone. "Here you go." She leans over, kisses
him.
Liz's phone begins ringing.
Liz blinks. "Well now."
Liz plucks her phone back, answers.
Daimon kisses Liz back.
Liz mmms.
Liz gives it a couple of rings, then, and only -then- does she answer.
Liz says, a bit breathily, "Elizabeth Bradley speaking."
A pleasant male voice says, "My dear Liz! I do hope you're all right. I'm at the Continental
Restaurant. Care to do lunch?"
You paged Liz with 'It's Marc's voice. _His_ voice.'.
Liz blinks.
Liz says "Ah. Well, sir, of course. I'd planned to go to the office to report, but... lunch? I'd love
to. And yes, I'm quite well."
Liz thinks. "Sir, may I bring a guest?"
Daimon looks at Liz, and then looks out the window.
The voice says, thoughtfully, "It's up to you, of course, but I suspect the guest might not want to
come. If so, I do understand entirely." He pauses. "I'll be waiting in the lounge."
Liz says "Of course. I'll be right there, alone or accompanied. Thank you."
The voice says, "I'll look forward to it." The phone goes down.
Liz looks over at Daimon. "Daimon?"
Daimon says "Yeah?"
Daimon looks away from the outside, and looks at Liz.
Liz says "That was Marc. I'm meeting him for lunch, not at the Tether."
Liz says "Would you like to join us? He said it was okay if you wished to, but also okay if you
didn't wish to."
Liz says "I know it's a lot to take in, but, hey, I guarantee it'll distract you from your problems for
a little while."
Daimon blinks at Liz, and turns very pale.
Daimon says "Um."
Daimon . o O ( Turning down lunch with an Archangel may be seen as an insult. And there aren't
too many ways for my day to get horribly worse. )
Liz says "Like I said, Daimon, either way is fine."
Daimon says "I, uh... which would you like?"
Liz says "He said you might not feel ike coming."
Daimon says "Um, whichever way you think is best."
Daimon drops the ball and punts.
Liz kisses Daimon again. "Naturally I'd like you to meet my Superior, especially if we're going to
be spending a lot of time together. But I don't want you to feel like you're being railroaded into
it."
Daimon swallows hard. "If you'd like me there, then I'll go."
Liz says "We're looking for facts, though, and he might have more information from that Game
data we got from Focals, and lots of other stuff. It's incredibly intelligent."
Daimon nods.
Daimon says "If you think it's best."
Liz smiles. "I'd like you. I won't force you, though, and I won't think the worse of you if you
didn't come. After all, I'd be pretty reluctant to go to lunch with your Boss."
Daimon grins a little. "I'd be pretty relucants to go to lunch with my Boss, too. But for entirely
different reasons."
Liz smiles brightly at Daimon, kisses. "Okay. To lunch, or not to lunch?"
Daimon says "I'll go."
Liz says "Great!"
Daimon will follow the plot wherever it may lead.
Liz starts the car and -zoom- off to the Continental.
Daimon is coming to the conclusion that the only way this day can get worse is if he died.
<
It's a very nice hotel in a very nice part of town. There's a hotel-doorman who is prepared to drive
your car round to the hotel garage. There's a hotel-doorman in white gloves to bow you in.
Daimon realizes that he's not dressed for this sort of lunch.
Liz either, but hey, it's Marc.
Liz says "He'll understand. Come on."
Daimon is sort of thinking the same thing, but without the happy overtones.
Daimon follows Liz. He's not really into conversation.
Inside the lounge, a good-looking man in a gleaming business suit is busy doing the Times
crossword. He looks up, and smiles cheerfully, crossing the room to take Liz's hands in his.
Liz beams at Marc. "Hello. It's wonderful to see you. Thanks for taking the time."
Daimon tries to pretend, once again, that he's not there.
Marc says, amiably, "I'm so glad you could make it. And your young friend, too."
<
<
Liz says "Sir, this is Daimon. He's, well... I guess 'significant other' applies."
<
<
Daimon patiently waits for the lighting bolt from above to strike him dead.
Marc releases Liz's hands, and smiles at Daimon, in a friendly and soothing way. "Delighted to
meet you. Care for something to drink, or shall we go straight through to lunch?"
Daimon wonders if it is uncouth to get down on one's knees before a superior in a resturant. He's
starting to decide no.
Liz reaches over, takes Daimon's hand in hers.
Long distance to Daimon: Marc notes that while Marc is an Archangel and Daimon is paranoid
and in shock and so on, it is really, _really_ hard to actually dislike the guy face to face, or even
feel that totally terrified of him. At least, here and now.
Daimon takes Liz's hand.
Daimon pages: But that doesn't stop me from being foolish.
You paged Daimon with 'Of course not. ;)'.
Liz looks at Daimon, and says, "I think a drink would suit us both, Sir."
Marc smiles. "The whiskey? They have a rather good 30-year-old single malt here."
Daimon sticks to holding Liz's hand, and only speaking when directly spoken to.
Marc gives it a couple of minutes, then smiles again, and turns to the hovering waiter, placing an
order. Three glasses of whiskey are brought across.
Marc takes his glass first, and sips in a reassuring way.
Liz nods encouragingly to Daimon.
Daimon obediently picks up the glass, and takes a sip, making an effort not to slosh it all over
himself.
Liz sips her glass too. "My. It's incredible."
Liz says "Shall I give my report now, Sir, or shall we wait until lunch?"
Marc turns to escort the two of you towards the dining room. "The privileges of wealth, my dear.
And give it now, by all means. I may get beeped. You know how busy my schedule is. Poor
Yzatriel has regular migraines about it."
You paged Liz with 'Yzatriel is one of Marc's secretaries.'.
Liz smiles. "Of course."
Daimon follows, obediently.
Liz follows along with Daimon, staying close.
Liz brings the drinks, naturally. Waste not, want not.
Marc wanders into the dining room, and is met by polite waiters, who show him and the two of
you to a secluded side-table, in the curve of a bow window. Menus of the understated and
unpriced sort are left beside the places.
Marc says, taking a seat, "That reminds me. I do believe that I owe your friend a certain salary
on behalf of his cooperation in the Opera matter."
Liz smiles. "He was a great help."
Daimon takes a seat. "That's unnecessary, sir."
Liz settles next to Daimon, of course.
Marc turns his attention to Daimon. "Not at all. A fair day's pay for a fair day's work, that's the
cornerstone of my organisation." He reaches into one of his suit pockets, and fishes out a
sunglasses case, putting it on the table between himself and Daimon.
Daimon blinks at the glasses case. "Sir," he says quietly, "I was working in employ to my Prince.
I... I... I don't want to seem rude, sir, but..."
Daimon blinks down at the case.
Daimon says "Sir, I was fully employed."
Daimon thinks he's being rude. He waits to die.
Marc says, "My dear young man, in entering contract with my employee, you established an
professional relationship with my Organisation. We pay our debts."
Daimon says "Oh."
<
Daimon decides that he's not going to die _yet_, but the bread hasn't come yet. He reaches up to
take the glasses case. "Thank you, sir."
Marc says, thoughtfully, "If you wish, you may consider all such professional relationship at an
end with the receipt of this payment, and conduct all future relationships on a purely personal
level."
The waiter brings fresh rolls, butter, and so on, and waits for orders.
You paged Daimon with 'Make a Per roll?'.
<
Daimon says, quietly, "Whatever you feel is appropriate, sir."
Liz selects something Continental. A dish from the south of France, perhaps, with a nice sauce
and wild rice.
You paged Daimon with 'Those sunglasses in there are a Relic of some sort.'.
Daimon pages: I side them into a jacket pocket, trying desperately not to look rude.
Marc nods, with a smile, and turns aside to order some grouse and asparagus tips.
Daimon looks at the menu, and orders something pretty much at random, that looks vaguely mild.
Chicken, maybe.
You paged Daimon with 'For future reference: they are Cool Shades. They've got a modified Song
of Form, which makes you unnoticeable. Not invisible, just really hard to notice.'.
Daimon pages: That is cool. They'll be appreciated when the freaking out ends.
Liz whispers, "Try the quail.'
Daimon nods, and follows Liz's suggestion.
Marc finishes ordering, and turns back, breaking a roll and buttering it. "So, Liz, what did you get
up to last night?"
Liz says "Well, Sir, things became somewhat hectic..."
Marc nods encouragingly, dealing with the roll, which is fresh and still warm.
Liz starts off, first with Dominique's appearance last night, and then tracking back over the events
that led to it.
Marc nods at regular intervals, occasionally asking for clarification on a point.
Liz mentions the Focals influence, the two Renegades, the death of the Shedite, the artefact and
what happened to it, Sephar's problems with the Vaputech computers, how Daimon helped her
with the Impudite, the data they got out, and so on.
Liz is utterly up front about her relationship with Daimon. She's sleeping with him. She's at least
a little bit in love with him, and he came to try and rescue her from the Game, which was a little
bit unexpected.
Marc says, finally, "Hm. Has anybody made arrangements to deal with that young woman,
Tania?"
Liz blinks.
Liz says "Why, no. I don't believe so."
Daimon says "Yes, sir, I had lunch with her twice."
Liz aha.
Marc pauses as the waiters - with amazing speed - bring the dishes to the table, then retreat.
Daimon is going to try very hard to eat the quail without it landing in his lap.
Marc says, mildly, "I ask because the girl clearly has natural potential. I'd suggest that you make
arrangements to have her talk with someone appropriate, Liz, either from our Organisation, or
elsewhere if you think she'd be better suited there."
Liz nods at Marc.
Daimon says, quietly, "Yes, sir."
Daimon puts it on the stack of things to worry about.
Liz says "Yes sir. Perhaps a Servitor of Creation attached to Trade?"
Liz says "She seemed quite...artistic."
Marc nods, and spends a couple of moments appreciating his lunch. "Good, good. Now, hm.
Awkward situation you have. This Alliance, for one. I can have some searches run, of course, and
pass down any relevant information."
Liz says "Yes Sir. There have been some unexpected developments."
Liz says "I don't know how much has passed upstairs, and we have only rumor ourselves, but..."
Liz says "Apparently the Game has arrested the Prince of Comedy."
Liz says "With expected side effects on both organizations."
Liz says "Also, a Triad of Judgement appeared to question Daimon this morning. It went well,
I think. Although I'm afraid I shot the Elohite before I could confirm their identity."
Liz looks a little sheepish.
Liz says "I've apologized, but I wanted to make my repentance clear to everyone."
Marc frowns slightly, brows coming together.
Marc says "Liz, I thought I _told_ you not to be quite so enthusiastic about acting like a refugee
from a second-rate cop show."
Liz blushes. "I apologize, but I was expecting both the Game and Judgement, and there are
rumors that the Game has been known to appear as a Triad of Judgement to fool angels."
Marc says, "Hm," and spends the next few minutes on his food, face thoughtful.
Daimon is starting to believe that Liz's superior is going to fry her. He starts looking really
nervous.
Liz says "I tried to use non-lethal force, and I specifically asked them to identify themselves as
non-Game. Instead, they tried to cast a Song on me."
Marc sighs. "Well, my dear, please try not to do it again, and do bear in mind that you may end
up making all Triads nervous about angels opening fire on them. All right?"
Liz sighs. "I apologize, both to you and to Dominique, but I was rushed and acting on incomplete
information."
Liz smiles. "Oh, if I'd known they were a Triad, I'd have come to the door with tea, not a gun."
Marc nods, and reaches across to pat her hand. "That's the right spirit. Now, hm. Where were we.
Ah, yes. The Game."
Liz looks a bit relieved.
Daimon sits, a little surprised that Liz lived through this.
Marc reaches down for his briefcase. "Naturally, I brought down an immediate audit on Bellmans
Films. An interesting subject, to be sure, though we only had the basic facts to hand."
Liz gets all inquisitive.
Marc considers, opening the briefcase and passing a manilla folder across. "If you need a more
complete audit, please do contact the local office and request the services of an Auditor."
Liz says "Thank you, Sir."
Long distance to Liz: Marc thinks that in Marc's organisation, his crack team of Malakite
investigators are called Auditors. :)
Liz says "I will."
Marc nods, and closes the briefcase.
Liz says "Was there any other relevant information to come out of the data we retrieved?
Particularly having to do with the Game and Comedy?"
Liz says "And do you have any recommendations about what to do about the possibility of
reprisals. In the past two days we've put two Gamesters in Trauma, and pretty much destroyed
their local office."
Marc returns his attention to his diminshed lunch, then looks up. "Hm. Well, I must say, studying
the general market patterns, it would look as though the Game has been meditating such a strike
for a while. You might wish to factor this into your data."
Liz eats while Marc talks.
Marc says, putting down his fork, "I think that you can expect some sort of retaliatory strike,
certainly, as can the others who cooperated. An awkward situation. And the whole matter smells
of collusion."
Liz sighs.
Liz says "I had thought of leaving town for a few days and doing some normal business, but I
wouldn't want to leave the others alone."
Marc puts his cutlery together. "My dear Liz, I am afraid that you are entirely correct. Also, has
it occurred to you that if you abandon your current investigations, the lead is likely to vanish
soon?"
Liz nods. "Yes, although I wished to balance that with Daimon's safety. Still, I do see a definite
opportunity here. The local Game is depleted. I should like to find the remaining members if
possible, and see what we can get from them."
Liz says "And Daimon has expressed a wish... well, I'll let him explain."
Marc nods, then glances to Daimon, expectantly.
Daimon tries not to choke.
Daimon says "I have?"
Liz nods. "You have, to the Triad, earlier today."
Daimon's brain scrambles.
Liz says "You wanted facts. I can't think of anyone better situated to give them."
Daimon nods. "Yes, sir. Free information, or what can be mananged."
Marc nods, thoughtfully.
Marc says, "Well, naturally, my Organisation would see the Game's power ascending as a difficult
and possibly awkward matter. However, you will..." He pauses, as a pager bleeps. "A moment,
if you would."
Daimon says "I am... I... I don't know. I'm in a position, and right now I don't know anything. I
will discover things, of course, but the deal with the Triad... the deal with the Triad was to share
information."
Daimon stops speaking, and looks sheepish.
Marc makes an understanding gesture at Daimon, glancing at his pager.
Marc snaps the pager shut, and slips it back into his pocket. "No rest for the wicked. Ah, well.
Yes, my good sir, I quite appreciate that. However, my agents are still looking into the matter."
Daimon says "Yes, sir."
Marc glances to Liz. "Naturally, such data will be available at your clearance once it has been
auditted, and naturally, what you choose to do with it is up to your own judgement." There's a
slight inflection to the word "judgement".
You paged Liz with 'What Marc is saying is "pass data to him if you want, but if you start sliding
downhilll, I'm not going to be able to cover you for long re Judgement".'.
Liz nods. "Of course sir. I will, however, attempt to give prior notice before doing anything that
could be considered ... rash."
Marc smiles. "Naturally."
Marc says "Well, I'm terribly sorry to have to cut the meal short like this, but I have to be on my
way. It's on my tab, of course, so do feel free to have some dessert and brandy and so on."
Daimon says "Thank you, sir."
Marc nods to Daimon, though he doesn't offer his hand. "I do trust that you'll watch your step,
young man. And you, my dear Liz." He offers his hand to Liz.
Liz reaches out.
Marc shakes Liz's hand, his grip firm, then nods to Daimon, rising.
Daimon sits there, like a stone.
Demiurge says "Liz, you feel a momentary sensation of looseness, unsettled, then the world snaps
back into focus. There's a slight edge to vision, more precise, sharper."
You paged Liz with 'And yes, you _have_ just received the Malakite of Marc attunement.'.
Liz smiles, and bows her head. "Thank you, Sir. Your trust and love are my Source."
Marc settles his tie, and smiles. He doesn't reply, but pauses for a quiet word with the waiter, then
leaves the room
Daimon gives in to a SERIOUS case of the shakes.
Liz settles next to Daimon, wraps an arm around him, and holds him until they pass.
Daimon tries very hard not to start crying again, and instead works on getting ahold of himself.
<
<
Daimon does, eventually, stop shaking.
<
A waiter comes across, bearing things like dessert trolley lists and brandy or liquor lists.
Daimon orders a stiff drink.
Liz ponders, orders the chocolate mousse cake.
Liz will save half for Sarah. She'll adore it.
Brandy and chocolate mousse cake are brought.
Liz slips around to face Daimon, although she doesn't sit in the chair where Marc sat, but in the
one next to it.
Daimon basically pours the drink down his throat, hoping for the calming influence of alcohol on
his nerves.
Liz smiles, and rapidly pages through the folder, looking at what's to be found.
Daimon sits there, and gazes out the window.
Liz says, quietly, "That's two Archangels in two days, Daimon, plus a Triad. That must be a
record."
The financial documents show that Bellmans is apparently a producer of cheap science fiction
films, the flashy pulp sort with many naked women. There are suggestions that there may be a
pornography connection, as a lot of money comes out of it.
Daimon says, equally quietly, "I must be very popular."
The proprietor is a Mr Bellman: there's also a list of directors, writers, etc.
Liz pages through the records, particularly interested in where these things are.
Liz says "This is interesting. The Game with links to the pornography industry, perhaps."
Liz says "Azzie would be either livid, or very proud."
Daimon says, flatly, "Andrealphus. Or Nybbas. Or both."
Daimon blinks. "That's a little odd. They're not real big on toeing the party line, just being
cowards. I vaguely wonder why."
The studio itself is sited out in Reston, near Dulles Airport.
Liz says "Mmm. Well."
Liz says "There's a Servitor of Nybbas coming into town. We could borrow a Seraph and ask him
about it."
Daimon says "Heh."
Daimon continues to stare out the window.
Liz ponders. "By the way, what did he give you?"
Daimon reaches into his coat, and pulls out the glasses case. He opens it, and takes out the relic.
He passes them over to Liz.
Demiurge says "Make a Per roll, Liz."
<
Demiurge says "It's a relic, Liz, and it involves the Song of Form to a minor degree to make the
wearer really unnoticeable."
<
<
<
Liz smiles. "Cool. Daimon, I think you'll like this."
Daimon nods, and takes them back from Liz.
Liz hands it back. "You put them on, you become pretty unnoticeable."
Daimon says "I know."
Liz says "Nice toy. I'm glad he likes you."
Daimon says "Me too. Or I'd be a spot right now."
Liz has a bit more cake, realizes that's most of it, and instead has another order prepped to go for
Sarah.
Liz says "So, I think we should visit your Tether, find out what's going on, then depending on
whether or not Terry's around, meet him or grab the others and go out to Reston, or both."
Daimon says "I agree."
Liz says "And, if it wouldn't be too much trouble, I'd like to ask Sarah to go back to Focals, see
if that Lilim is still around."
Daimon nods, still very vague.
Liz says "Normally I don't much agree with kidnapping and such, but we should borrow her for
a bit."
Daimon looks like he'll go along with any of Liz's plans at this point.
Daimon says, flatly, "If she's handcuffed, she might get dissonant."
The waiter turns up, with the boxed order of chocolate mousse.
Liz says "Or jailed, right."
Liz smiles at the Waiter. "Thank you very much."
Liz says "The service here is lovely."
Daimon says "It's just something to keep in mind."
Liz says "And the food... mmmm."
The waiter nods politely. "The bill has been taken care of, ma'am. Mr Masterly took care of it."
Daimon makes no comment. He knows he'd rather end up at White Castle with the Boss sticking
a banana in his ear then with a million really _nice_ Archangels.
Daimon says "You ready?"
Liz says "I believe so."
Liz smiles. "To the tether?"
Daimon says "Yeah. To the tether. Off to find out what happened."
Liz says "Okay."
Daimon stands, and slides on his jacket.
Liz gets up, walks off to the Valet Parking spot with Daimon, gives the tag to the person working
there.
The car is at once fetched round.
Daimon climbs into the car.
Liz gets into the driver's side.
Daimon reminds Liz of the directions to where they took Math last night (probably the DC
Improv).
Demiurge nods. The actual Seneschal is one of the mime-group who performs outside it.
Liz drives with speed, but not illegally.
Daimon remembers the guy he warned not to get trapped in an invisible box.
You reach there with due speed. When you get there, you notice (a) some traces of police
investigation tape, (b) a couple of cops making some notes and measurements, (c) a certain
amount of gun and explosive damage, (d) chattering bystanders.
Liz says "Oh boy."
Daimon makes a noise in the back of his throat, and gets out of the car quickly, running over to
the damage.
Daimon says "Oh my god... oh my god..."
Liz stays with the car.
Daimon runs toward the center of the damage, ignoring the cops.
Liz finds a parking spot.
Liz parks, then goes after Daimon.
Daimon is looking around frantically for anyone who might be a comedian, and staring at the
damage.
You paged Eduardo with 'Okay. You and some others got called because of the report of some
sort of gunfight here. You got there, but it was all over.'.
Eduardo pages: Any fatalities?
You paged Eduardo with 'Three dead - a secretary, a general worker, and one of the mimes from
outside.'.
You paged Eduardo with 'And another of the mimes from outside seems to have gone missing.
A few witnesses say they saw him running.'.
You paged Eduardo with 'The perps were four guys in black suits, used guns and a grenades. MO
and a couple of overheard words suggest Mafia involvement.'.
You paged Eduardo with 'You're currently sort of tidying up, looking for unnoticed shreds of
evidence, etc.'.
You paged Eduardo with 'This happened about an hour ago.'.
From afar, Eduardo assumes 'cause of death' is pretty apparent?
Long distance to Eduardo: Demiurge nods. Though, curiously, they seem to have been shot rather
more than one might think necessary to kill someone.
You paged Eduardo with 'If that makes sense.'.
Eduardo pages: Yes, it does. I'll note that that's not unusual, but I assume this is vastly overkill?
Long distance to Eduardo: Demiurge nods. _Vastly_.
Demiurge says "Daimon, the place is pretty ripped up. There were grenades used, as well as
guns."
From afar, Eduardo nods. Okie. I can run from here. One would assume I was 'out of town' for
some time on 'urgent business'?
Demiurge says "There is also some blood, and police chalk outlines, and things."
Long distance to Eduardo: Demiurge nods.
Demiurge says "And a couple of cops, and many bystanders yattering."
Daimon wanders toward the middle of the destruction, where the terminus of the tether was.
Daimon stops and looks at the blood, the tape outlines, the destruction.
Eduardo crouches, face even bleaker than might be considered usual close by one of the chalk
outlines; a steel rod in his hand with which he is probing at the pavement.
Demiurge says "Looks like there was a grenade explosion almost exactly there."
Daimon is beginning to cry openly, knowing that all of the Kobalites who lost their vessels here
are probably dead via the Game by now, or worse.
Eduardo pages: Would it make sense to assume that a vessel is *much* harder to kill than a body?
But that I've no reason to suspect that this was what happened here?
Long distance to Eduardo: Demiurge nods. Vessels _are_ harder to kill than normal bodies,
usually. Though you haven't any definite reason, no.
From afar, Eduardo nods.
Daimon stands in the middle of the rubble, tears streaming down his face, and looks up at the sky.
He screams, "THIS IS WAR, YOU MOTHERFUCKER! DO YOU HEAR ME?"
Liz gets out of the car, rushes up to Daimon.
Demiurge says "Liz, Eduardo, make a Per roll, please."
<
Liz nope.
<
Daimon points up at the sky. "YOU CAN KILL US. YOU CAN MURDER US. YOU CAN
TORTURE US. BUT WE _WILL_ WIN. DO YOU HEAR ME?"
Daimon breaths raggedly. "I embody Freedom. And I damn well will visit it upon you with furious
vengeance."
Demiurge says "Eduardo, you notice a woman who has been standing vaguely at the edge of the
crowd taking a certain interest in this. She's wearing dark glasses, jeans, casual leotard and leather
jacket: slight build, unobtrusive."
Daimon is staring at the sky, absolutely furious.
Eduardo straightens, attention first on Daimon as he screams but then flickering to one side. He
strides over towards the woman, trying to make it look like he has some other purpose in life
rather than merely encountering her.
Liz walks up to Daimon, puts her hand on his shoulder.
The woman's attention is more on Daimon than on the passing Eduardo, though she is fading back
to unobtrusiveness again.
Daimon quotes from Ezekiel, as he stares down at the chalk outlines. "I will execute great
vengeance upon them with wrathful punishments."
Daimon squints his eyes back at the heavens. He yells, "I SWEAR UPON MY SOUL, I WILL
MAKE THIS _RIGHT_."
Liz says "Daimon."
Daimon lowers his head, and sobs.
Liz tugs lightly on the Lilim's shoulder, turning him around so she can hug him.
Eduardo throws a glance back over at Daimon and then reaches out, laying one hand on the
woman in question. "Excuse me."
Daimon goes willingly into Liz's arms, ignoring everyone else.
<
<
The woman's attention flicks to Eduardo, her shift of movement a little too quick and fluid. She
twitches. "I beg your pardon?"
Demiurge says "Eduardo, you are getting a _full_ reading. This woman's greatest height was to
be an Elohite of Michael, and she might still be able to be such a thing again. Her greatest sin was
to Fall to be a Habbalite of Baal. She is _strongly_ honorable."
Eduardo closes his hand about the womans wrist. "Could you come with me. I need to ask you
a few questions."
<
<
Eduardo points to his badge with his free hand.
The woman says, mildly, "Sure, officer, though I don't know what I can do for you."
Liz blinks over at Eduardo, and then whispers to Daimon, "Honey, there's at least one angel here.
And something's up. Just hold on a minute and don't do anything, um, rash at them."
You paged Liz and Eduardo with 'You probably notice each other.'.
Daimon nods, still sobbing into Liz's shoulder.
Liz just stands there holding Daimon in the middle of everything. But she's keeping an eye over
on Eduardo and the person he's talking with.
Eduardo nods. "Hopefully this shouldn't take long," leading the woman over towards a corner and
-- when a sufficent distance away from most others -- hissing loudly at her. "Right. What
happened here? I don't think you;ll lie to me."
The woman frowns at Eduardo for a long moment.
<
<
Daimon mutters something into Liz's shoulder about not knowing what to do.
Eduardo doesn't bother to smile, and nor does he make any pretence at flinching from the gaze.
The woman says, quietly, "It's not you I need to talk to, though I don't know how you spotted
me. It's the guy who was with the redhead. And he doesn't need to know who I am: it'd only make
it worse for him."
The woman says, voice pitched very low, "I don't know what you've spotted, or how much, but
trust me, there are some things that are better not said. If I know you know something, I may
have to tell someone. Capisce?"
Eduardo turns so he can look over at Daimon and Liz, then back. "Oh," he murmurs. "I capisce.
I'm not sure that I care, but I capisce."
<
The woman shrugs. "Just remember to tell him that I'm not the Game. Or walk me over and I'll
tell him myself."
<
Eduardo says "I think the former."
<
She shrugs, nods, and leans back against the wall.
<
Eduardo glances back, smiles; all teeth. "Do stick around."
She smiles back, mouth curled, eyes hidden by the mirrorshades. "Surely."
Eduardo pads across towards Liz and Daimon, since Liz is the obvious 'redhead' indicated.
Liz notices Eduardo coming. She turns slightly, so that she and Daimon are both facing him to
the same degree, and says, "Daimon, there's someone I'd like you to meet."
Daimon looks up, and reaches the back of his arm up to wipe the tears off his face.
Liz . o O (Great, Daimon finally meets a Malakite, and it's anti-climatic.)
Eduardo looks momentarily taken aback. "Liz. Co-incidence?"
Liz says "Detective. Pleased to see you again."
Daimon is still holding Liz.
Liz says "And probably not. I'd like you to meet Daimon Lightner, my significant other. Daimon,
this is Detective Eduardo. He was peripherally involved with the Opera matter, although I don't
know how much he knows."
Daimon sniffs. "Hi."
Eduardo nods, squints. "Enough," he says. "But not all."
Liz says to Eduardo, "Daimon is a Comedian by trade, although obviously they're having a bit of
a problem right now. My boss knows about him, as does Judgement. Right now you might say
he's at least somewhat on the side of the angels."
Liz says "This..." she looks around, disgusted at the destruction, "is probably the work of the
Game, although I can't confirm it. Do you have a list of casualties?"
Eduardo blinks, and squints rather more; face setting as he offers his hand to Daimon; the gesture
more than slightly reluctant. "Ah."
Daimon pages: When I take his hand, I resonate Lust style for needs.
Daimon shakes Eduardo's hand.
You paged Daimon with 'Roll?'.
Liz says "And perhaps we should go elsewhere to talk."
You paged Eduardo with 'Let me guess, you're resonating?'.
<
Eduardo pages: Damn straight.
<
You paged Eduardo and Daimon with 'Eduardo, Daimon has just resonated you for Needs, and
got a 6. Would I guess it's along the lines of "Punish the cruel, investigate this mess, let Gabriel
be sane?"'.
Eduardo pages to Demiurge and Daimon: Sounds about right. With a higher one to punish the
idiots who did this.
You paged Eduardo and Daimon with 'And Eduardo gets an honor reading on Daimon. ;) Hm.
Daimon has strong Lilim-honor-repayment ethics. Most honorable action lately was probably to
run into danger to save Liz and others.'.
You paged Eduardo and Daimon with 'Also to act to save the lives of humans, _when he didn't
have to_.'.
Eduardo nods, pulling his hand back from Daimon and giving him a slightly less frozen nod.
"You'll do." He pauses. "For now."
Daimon just stands there and stares, like a deer caught in headlights. What did they say about just
when you thought things couldn't get any worse?
Daimon, surrounded by the remains of a tether, where his comrades died, his Lord imprisoned,
and subjected to both a triad and Marc in the same two hour span, is staring at a servitor of
Gabriel. His brain is calling it a day.
Liz says "Right, I think we need to go for coffee."
Daimon starts to giggle.
Eduardo considers a moment longer, eyes dark. "You've at least a chance," he adds, and then says
""We've company."
The woman standing to the side frowns.
<
Daimon starts to laugh a little harder.
You paged Daimon with 'Make a will roll?'.
Liz looks at Daimon, looks at the woman, sighs. "Oh great."
<
Liz says "And she is?"
You paged Daimon with 'Drat. You throw off her attempt to forcibly calm you down. :)'.
Daimon falls to his knees, holding himself, and starts laughing hysterically.
Daimon coughs out between spasm, "The Joke... The Joke... don't you _get_ it?"
Eduardo says, shortly. "Habbalite. But she has honour," and then frowns, looking down at
Daimon. "No. Can you make him stop that?"
Daimon is literally laughing uncontrollably, trying to breath.
Liz looks at Daimon, sighs. "No, probably not. He's had a whole bunch of shocks these last two
days. Last night he met Dominique, today Marc and a Triad, and now this..."
Liz says "If he doesn't laugh, he'll probably go nuts, so let him laugh."
Daimon is sort of broken at the moment, so if you'll like to leave a message at the beep, he'll get
back to you...
The chattering bystanders are getting an eyeful.
Liz looks around. "He's got reason. You might want to go clear off the crowd though, and ask
the woman to wait. If she's not the Game. If she is, it'd be best if you arrested her. Or shot her."
Eduardo turns and rakes a glare over the bystanders, then steps back from Daimon a little. "You
said 'significant other'?"
Daimon is holding himself, rocking back and forth, still laughing.
Eduardo says "She said she wasn't."
Eduardo says "I believe her."
Liz says "Okay, then ask her to wait."
Liz says "And yes, significant other. I'll explain it all to you, if you'll hold on a bit."
Liz kneels on the ground next to Daimon, and wraps her arms around him.
Daimon reaches over to clutch to Liz, burying is face in her chest, and lets it turn into
uncontrollable sobs.
Eduardo frowns, and turns tback; beckoning the Habbalite over and then waving a second time
to a patrolman.
Daimon . o O ( I'm losing my mind.... )
The Habbalite crosses over from by the wall, face oddly calm, still with a somewhat
harmless-looking manner.
Liz holds Daimon, and rocks him, and makes private little vows that she's going to just get
someone for this.
Pat . o O ( I've a spare you can borrow. Shhh.... )
Eduardo holds himself rather as if he still wishes he had that big honking sword, disbelief in his
situation clear.
Daimon clutches Liz tightly.
<
<
Eduardo . o O ( A Lilim Dominic judged and who met Marc, and I'm looking for info from a
Fallen? )
Daimon does, eventually, start to calm down.
The woman says, quietly, to Liz, "If you can get through to him, tell him the Seneschal is alive.
He ran to Lust for help." There's a certain undertone of dryness in her voice.
Liz says "All right. And the others?"
The woman shrugs, and glances at the tape outlines.
Eduardo grunts. "Explains it."
Liz sighs.
Eduardo doesn't look too terribly upset about this turn of affairs.
Eduardo says "And who did it?"
Eduardo says "It wasn't the mob."
Liz coughs. "Well, actually, it might have been."
Liz says "But I'm getting ahead of myself."
The woman says, thoughtfully, "Could have hired the mob. No disturbance that way. I surely
didn't hear anything."
Liz looks up at the woman. "Go on."
Liz strokes Daimon's hair.
The woman doesn't remove her dark glasses. "I came with a message for him. I take it you are
cooperating with him?"
Liz says "I am. We're sharing information, among other things."
Eduardo pivots back, looking far more like he'd vastly rather hit something than be doing this.
She nods, a quick gesture. "All right. If you know what he knows, you know there are currently
two, shall we say, people at odds down there. There are some other people round who don't want
the whole situation going down to civil war."
Daimon is starting to calm down. He says, quietly, "We need to get out of here."
The woman nods to him. "Round the corner or something. This won't take long."
Liz looks at the woman sharply, then at Daimon. "Right."
Liz says "Detective, can you arrange for us not to be disturbed?"
Liz helps Daimon up.
Daimon allows himself helped up.
Eduardo gestures again to the patrol man, mutters angrily at him as he points at the bystanders.
"Get them back. I need to talk to these people." He pauses. "Privately."
The patrolman nods, and begins to move the bystanders back and away.
Liz walks Daimon over to the alleyway, along with the woman and Eduardo, if he wishes to
come.
The woman's step is quick and quiet, and her head flicks a little as though she were watching for
movement from the sides.
Eduardo pages: This isn't too far wrong for what I am, as a Malakite is it? To co-operate, since
she *does* have honour?
Liz asks, as she walks. "Were you looking for Daimon in specific, or just anyone from his
Organization who showed up?"
You paged Eduardo with 'It's reasonable to cooperate: though as she's a demon and therefore evil
you have to later try and sort her out one way or another, really.'.
The woman says, quietly, "Him first, then any others, and then I have to tell some others
elsewhere."
Liz says "How'd you find out about him?"
She says, blandly, "Tea-leaves."
Liz raises an eyebrow, then says, "An aquaintance of mine owns a coffee shop. You two would
get along."
Eduardo snorts. "There's only so much I'll take as co-operation."
You paged Eduardo with 'Probably with a few depressed thoughts about the tragedy of someone
honorable also being evil, etc.'.
As you turn into the alley, she says, "Okay. Information."
Liz says "Right."
Liz hugs Daimon, having slipped under one of his arms.
Daimon hugs Liz back.
The woman says, "I represent a person, and don't ask who, because you don't want me to have
to say that I told you."
Liz says "Fair enough."
Eduardo nods. "And you will." He pauses, shaking his head as he does so.
Daimon lets go of Liz and fishes around in his coat for the spare cellphone.
The woman's head turns slightly to glance at the end of the alley, then back again. "This person
would like to see matters resolved without either a civil war, or without a certain party being
removed from the scene. They want to defuse it. Fair?"
Daimon is listening, but he's also opening up the cellphone and dialing Information.
Liz says "Right."
Eduardo frowns a little more, but says nothing. It's clear he doesn't really agree with this.
She nods. "Okay. The Game got some people to hit this place before I got here, and I only saw
the end of it. No time to do something."
Liz says "When?"
The woman says, "About an hour ago."
Daimon flicks his eyes at the woman. "Just an hour ago?"
She nods.
She considers a moment, and says to Daimon, "They'd have had the news already. You turning
up wouldn't have told them anything they didn't know."
Liz thinks about that. "Daimon, if you'd been here an hour ago, you'd be dead, or in Trauma, or
in the hands of the Game."
Liz offers up a little prayer of thanks to Marc.
Daimon stops dialing Information, and stares at the phone in his hands.
Eduardo nods. "She's right. They knew."
Eduardo says "You don't kill people that way. Just vessels."
Eduardo says "I've seen it."
Eduardo frowns at the Habbalite again.
Daimon says "They have the Heartroom."
Daimon says that with absolutely no emotion.
Daimon says "Why else kill vessels? Putting people in Trauma is meaningless."
She shrugs. "Probably. I wasn't briefed extensively. I was sent to take a message, and fast."
Liz looks at the woman. "All right. Anything more?"
The woman watches Daimon. "The message is this. Get some sort of evidence of collusion, or
falsity, or whatever, and get it to the number I'll give you, and the person I represent will try and
defuse things."
Liz says "Collusion? With who?"
Daimon . o O ( Or, do something far more entertaining with that evidence. )
Daimon . o O ( I don't just want him freed. I want revenge already. )
Eduardo looks over again. "Can we trust them?" he asks. "In this?"
Daimon nods. "Okay."
She shrugs. "Let's just say that the Game is _not_ responsible for a lot of incidental deaths going
on. Other people are involved. And big factions forming are not what my person wants."
Daimon says "Big factions are... bad."
Liz says "Ah. Factions. Joy."
The woman reaches into the pocket of her jacket, and fishes out a small piece of paper. She offers
it towards Daimon with the tips of her fingers.
You paged Daimon with 'It's a don't-try-touching movement.'.
Liz takes the paper, hands it to Daimon.
Daimon looks at the paper.
Liz looks at the woman. "Better?"
She glances across. "Perhaps them. We don't know." She nods.
Daimon says "The Boss has enemies."
Liz says "All right."
The paper has a single typed telephone number on it, and nothing else.
Liz plucks out a card.
Daimon says that in a matter of fact way.
Eduardo says "We all do."
Daimon puts the paper in his wallet.
Liz says "You can reach me here, if Daimon is not available. Please try to have legitimate
business."
The woman shakes her head at Liz. "No cards. You don't want me to know some things. If - I say
if - he's having a relationship with angels, this won't help his case. Get me?"
Liz nods.
Eduardo says "It will. Just not in the way you mean."
Daimon says "If I get caught, I will _die_ regardless of what I'm doing."
Liz writes a number on a sheet of paper. "Here. This is a second cellphone, untraceable to me, or
Daimon. It goes to a Faceless Government Agency."
Eduardo gives another toothy smile.
She considers it a moment, then takes it neatly.
She glances at Eduardo. "I'm working for right now. Later's a different problem."
Eduardo nods. "Later is a very different problem." His tone leaves no doubt that he speaks with
two meanings.
Liz says "All right, thank you for your help."
The woman's face seems to set, rigid. "I take your point. Later we settle as we must. Right now,
I've got to talk to some more people. Any more questions?"
Liz says "Have you a name to call you by?"
Liz says "Doesn't need to be a traceable one."
Liz looks faintly annoyed with all this running around the issue stuff.
Her mouth curls. "Mention Cecilia." She tucks the paper away.
Liz says "Right."
Daimon is just looking like someone has removed his brain and replaced it with a block of tofu.
Liz says "And a good day to you, Cecilia. Godspeed."
She says, dryly, "Godspeed to you all," and turns, stalking towards the other end of the alley.
Liz sighs.
Liz says "Can't *anyone* have a direct coversation around here?"
Daimon says "No."
Eduardo says "With her?"
Liz siiighs.
Eduardo says "No. She'll pass on what we say."
Liz says "At least the Triad was direct."
Eduardo says "The Triad are on our side."
Eduardo pauses, then corrects himself. "Mostly."
Eduardo looks over at Daimon again as he speaks, shaking his head slowly.
Liz smiles. "You'd have liked this Triad, I think. I shot the Elohite, and they were still willing to
listen patiently."
Daimon looks up at Eduardo, pretty much waiting for whatever to happen to happen.
Eduardo says, very slowly. "You. Shot. The. Elohite."
Liz says "In the arm."
Eduardo raises his hands. "I'm not going to ask why."
Eduardo says "I don't think I want to know."
Liz shrugs. "I was afraid they were a Game Triad pretending to be a real one. They attempted a
Song rather than identify themselves. I was a little quick on the trigger."
Eduardo ahs, and relaxes.
Eduardo says "Makes sense."
Liz says "And I promise, I did not shoot the Seraph."
Eduardo says "In that case."
<
<
Liz says "Okay."
Eduardo raises his hands again. "It seems my trip covered a lot of ground."
Liz says "I think we should try and find the local seneschal."
Liz says "He'll know what the Comedians have left, locally."
Daimon does not make that comment, but thinks it. He can't help it. The rest of the universe is
ludicrious.
Liz says "And we have a couple of other things to investigate. If you're interested, I'll copy you
on the information."
Eduardo says "One ran."
Eduardo says "Three dead. Very dead."
Liz says "We're short on time, and the local Game should be somewhat disorganized still. I don't
want to wait around. Either we go after them."
Liz says "Or we run."
Liz says "No diddling around."
Eduardo gives Liz a look that plainly says "I'm a Malakite. You have to ASK my opinion on this?"
Daimon leans against the wall, and sort of slides to the ground.
Liz smiles.
Liz says "Oh good."
Eduardo says, however, "I'm starting to want to get my Sword back."
Liz says "No doubt."
Eduardo says "I miss it."
Liz says "All right, Detective, if you'll join Daimon and me back at the hangar, we can pass around
copies of the information, I'll bring you up to date, and Daimon can, I hope, recover from some
shocks."
Eduardo glances down at Daimon. "He's on the right path. You'll keep him there?"
Liz says "He's on a Path. I'll make sure he has opportunities and gets a chance."
Liz says "I can't do any more than that."
Eduardo nods. "You know what I have to do if he doesn't?"
Eduardo says "What I will do?"
Pat . o O ( The same thing Pat and Jordan will do. :) )
Daimon starts shaking again. He wraps his arms around himself.
Liz looks at Eduardo, "He's terrified enough as it is, all right? Let's not talk about premature
smiting."
Eduardo's eyes show nothing. "I'm just stating my case. You'd not expect mercy from a Malakite."
Eduardo points. "He has a right to know." His fingers indicate Daimon.
Liz says "He's not cruel, at least not to me. He's loyal, he's funny, he's intelligent, and he respects
human life and the lives of the angels he knows. He's been in front of two Archangels and a Triad
in 24 hours. On the whole, he's doing pretty darn well."
Eduardo nods. "He is."
<
Liz says "And he thinks you exists solely to slay him on the spot, which I doubt isn't helping. I
don't expect you to go Mercurian on him, but a little slack would be nice."
<
<
Eduardo gives a dry smile. "This is slack."
Daimon is rocking back and forth a little, and mostly staring at the opposite wall.
Liz smiles. "Good."
Liz says "Now, I'll get the car, and we'll take him elsewhere, and see what can be done."
Liz zips of to the car.
Eduardo's smile fades and he nods. "I'll be around. I hope."
Eduardo reaches down to pick Daimon off and points him after her. He whispers. "Remeber what
I said."
Liz returns with the car before Daimon can leave the alley, opens the door for him.
Daimon gazes up at Eduardo, and then starts to wander in the direction of the car.
Eduardo stands and watches.
Daimon climbs into the car.
Liz reaches across, pulls the door closed, makes sure Daimon's buckled in, and peels out.
Daimon finally will call Information, getting the number of Pat Murphy, and call that number,
hoping it's a home number and hoping there's at least an answering machine.
Demiurge says "Okay. It's late afternoon / early evening, then."
Demiurge says "Guys, all make a Perception roll."
<
Demiurge says "About now, something happens."
<
<
Liz finally, for the first time in the game, makes a perception roll.
Demiurge says "All of you sense something happening cross-town, somewhere central, and also
vaguely underground."
Daimon looks at Liz.
Liz says "I heard it. A moment."
Daimon says "I, uh, don't think I can _handle_ more adventure today, Liz."
Demiurge says "Eduardo picks up that there's some use of Songs. Daimon and Liz also pick up
that someone went Celestial, or two someones, and that one of the Songs was Celestial
Harmony."
Demiurge says "It's dying away now."
Demiurge says "It would be hard to get a directional or positioning on very precisely."
Eduardo starts out, after the car.
Liz stops the car, doubles back to Eduardo.
Daimon is hoping to be on the phone with Pat.
Pat answers the phone. "Murphy."
Eduardo jogs up. "You heard it?"
Daimon's voice is weak and very shaky. "Pat, it's Daimon."
Pat pages: Can I resonate over the phone?
You paged Pat with 'At a penalty.'.
Liz nods to Eduardo. "We heard it. Daimon's on the line to Mazpatiel. A moment."
From afar, Pat has a buff Perception. Tries.
<
Pat says "Daimon? Is something amiss?"
You paged Pat with 'Darn, not quite good enough, with the penalty. Sorry.'.
Pat pages: Sokay. Maybe he'll just tell me. :)
Daimon says "I... I'm in the middle of the worst day of my life, and that's not to be taken lightly.
I... we... if we... you can look at things without getting upset, right?"
Daimon's eyes flick up the Malakite, and knows this isn't making things easier.
Eduardo flicks his attention back to Liz. "You going that way?"
Pat says "I can, and I must. Is that what you'd like?"
Daimon says "Yes. Yes. Definitely. I think we're going to Liz's hangar."
Liz looks at Daimon, looks back. "Depends. I might drop him off first."
Daimon says "Hold on. I dunno where we're going."
Daimon looks at Liz.
Eduardo says "You think it was important?"
Pat says "Daimon. If possible, come to 16803 K street."
Liz says "Do you want to meet Pat at the hangar?"
Daimon admits to Eduardo and Liz, "I'm sort of a basketcase."
Liz says "Or shall I drop you at his place?"
Liz nods.
Daimon says "Pat is inviting me to his place. Come meet there later?"
Liz says "I'll drop you off, Eduardo and I can go."
Daimon nods.
Daimon says into the phone, "Liz is going to drop me off at your place. Then we'll talk."
Liz says "Detective, kindly get in the car, and, if you don't mind, I'm going to ignore traffic rules
for a bit."
Pat says "Of course. I'll be expecting you."
From afar, Sarah pings resonance when she hears Pat mention Daimon's name.
You paged Sarah with 'Roll?'.
<
From afar, Sarah, oblivious. :)
You paged Sarah with 'Well, he isn't in immediate danger of death.'.
Daimon says "Cool. I'll be there, hopefully, in a few minutes."
You paged Sarah with 'And hasn't been all day.'.
Pat says "Alright."
Daimon says "Okay. Um, later."
Daimon waits for Pat to hang up.
Liz should go too, so it's drop Daimon off at Pat's, and then Eduardo & Liz go off to find out
what happened. (And, if nothing does happen, we can resume later separately)
Pat hangs up, looking up at Sarah. "We'll need more coffee."
<
Eduardo shrugs. "Ignore at will."
Liz is so there.
Eduardo says "I've a badge."
Sarah shifts nervously in her chair; gets up, then. "May I?"
Eduardo smiles.
Pat nods. He opens up his desk drawer and pulls out a few packs of cigarettes and a bottle of
whiskey. "Daimon is en route. He is...unstable."
Demiurge says "Liz, you get there Real Fast."
Eduardo smokes on the way over. He uses his badge if he has to.
Sarah steps into the kitchen or whatever passes for one; regards the arcane instruments there with
some trepidation, and busies herself with, er, well, making coffee. That at least she's starting to
get the hang of. "How unstable?"
Liz pulls up outside of Pat's place.
Pat says "The worst day of his life, he said."
Daimon will climb out of the car, very shakily.
Liz gets out of the car with her package from the restaurnt.
Liz walks Daimon up to the door.
Sarah says "Dear. I suppose we'll have to medicate him."
Daimon sort of allows himself to be walked up to the door.
Pat says "Whiskey and cigarettes. And coffee."
Liz rings the doorbell.
Sarah says "Coffee might undo the effects of the whiskey and cigarettes, if I recall."
Daimon is staring, fixedly, at the ground.
Pat says "Then we'll have to balance it." He walks over to the door, checks the peephole, and
opens it. "Come in."
Eduardo remains in the car, smoking. A cigarette, even, as opposed to the more literal
interpretation so common to those of his ilk.
Liz stays at the door. "Hi Pat. I've got Daimon here."
Daimon doesn't look like he's going anywhere by himself right now.
Liz passes over the package. "And this is for Sarah. Stick it in the fridge for her for the next time
you see her, would you please?"
Pat nods. He takes the package, turning away from the door for a moment. "Sarah. Liz brought
you a gift."
Liz leads Daimon inside enough to transfer her 'lead function' to Pat.
Daimon seems to deal with this leading okay.
Sarah calls, "Really?" She appears behind Pat after a few seconds. Then blinks, decidedly
worriedly, at Daimon and holds out a hand.
Pat balances the package in one hand, and takes Daimon's with the other.
<
<
Eduardo looks out of the car window and tips Pat a somewhat sardonic salute.
Liz blinks at Sarah. "Oh. Hi. There you are."
Daimon seems to do well with this people directing him to go places thing.
<
Liz gives her package to Sarah. "A little gift, compliments of me and my Superior, from the
restaurant. I thought you might like it. It's heavenly."
<
<
<
Sarah takes the package, letting Pat keep a free hand. It's fairly obvious from her frequent and
disturbed glances that she'd rather trade burdens with Pat, though. "Thank you, Liz. Is he --?"
Pat nods to Eduardo over Daimon's shoulder, and frowns. "You need a cigarette, Daimon. And
soon."
Daimon nods. "A smoke would be good.
Pat leads Daimon towards alcohol and nicotine.
Daimon can't seem to get a cigarette soon enough.
Liz says, "He met a Triad this morning, Marc for lunch, and found out someone had bombed his
tether, vessel killed three Comedians, and the Seneschal was fled. Oh and a Habbalite of some
group that's not the Game showed up to say there are other 'Groups' downstairs who don't want
the Comedians to disappear as an organization."
Liz says "And of course he met Eduardo, the Malakite."
Liz says "He's having a Really Bad Day, yes."
Pat turns back to Liz. "The Triad is /here/?"
Daimon adds, "And Terry's phone call."
Daimon is reaching for alcohol.
Liz says "Oh right. His agent, a Balseraph of the Media is going to show up in town, and Kobal's
been arrested by the Game for Treason."
Sarah blinks at Liz.
Pat winces.
Pat says "Right. We'll take this one thing at a time."
Sarah calls over her shoulder, "Pat? Are we going to need more whiskey?"
Pat says "I've plenty, I hope."
Eduardo lights another cigarette off the butt of the first.
Pat pours a drink for himself.
Liz nods at Pat. "Yes, the Triad is here. They came this morning. I thought they might be a false
Triad of the Game, so I asked them to identify themselves. I'm afraid they tried a Song instead,
so I shot the Elohite. But things improved a lot from there."
Pat says "You shot the...Did they give names?"
Liz says "And the Elohite's going to be okay."
Daimon is going to try the whole chain smoking thing himself.
Liz says "Jordan, Jada-dan and Maasiai."
Pat pages: Any recognition?
Liz says "Seraph, Elohite, and Cherub of Judgement, respectively."
Pat pages: More to the point, have I ever worked with any of them during my Triad days?
Liz says "Maasiai is currently attuned to me, and they and Daimon agreed to share information."
Sarah blinks again, calmly and thoughtfully. "Excuse me, please." She retreats from the door, into
the apartment, package absently under her arm. And, after looking around the room Daimon and
Pat are in for windows with drapes open, seats herself calmly near to Daimon, sets the package
down next to her, and pulls her purse into her lap, one hand resting almost in it.
Liz says "Oh, and Daimon was talking about freeing Kobal from the Game, although I think he's
gotten all the way to 'Revenge on Asmodeus'."
Liz mmm. "Oh, and Marc gave him an artifact."
Daimon is working on whiskey and smokes.
Pat considers Liz for a moment. He says nothing.
Long distance to Pat: Demiurge hms. Jordan you've heard of, he's a fairly experienced guy. Same
for Jada-dan. Never worked with either, though.
You paged Pat with 'Jordan is supposed to be reasonably easy-going, as Seraphim of Judgement
go. Not that that's saying much.'.
Liz says "I *think* that's everything, except there was a big noise from thataway, so Eduardo and
I are going to go have a look. Oh..."
Liz says "Marc gave me a file folder. Can you make copies for the others?"
Pat nods. "Of course."
Liz runs out to the car, grabs the folder, runs back in.
Sarah sits patiently and watches Daimon drink and smoke. Along with considering everyone and
everything else in the room that has a clear line-of-sight to Daimon, especially exits.
Daimon looks like he's a shaking mess.
Liz says "It includes data from that Vaputech computer. The Game is tangentially involved in
what is basically a porno studio, as if this weren't complex enough."
When Liz returns, Pat asks "Do you have way to contact Jordan?"
Daimon also looks like he's been crying quite a bit.
Liz nods, relays Jordan's contact information.
Liz says "Please relay my apologies again to Jada-dan."
Liz says "And explain that attempting to out-react an Ofanite is a generally bad idea."
Pat nods, setting the file near the small photocopier. "Of course. I'm certain he does not hold a
grudge. Godspeed, Zebina."
Liz walks over to Daimon, kneels in front of him, and then *kisses* him.
Daimon kisses Liz back, responding in kind, and wraps his arms around her.
Liz stays there until her need to get moving is just screaming at her, and says, "I'll be back later.
Take care of yourself. I love you."
Daimon says "I love you too, Liz."
Pat doesn't even blink.
<
Daimon says "They'll make sure I don't do something stupid to myself."
Liz lets Daimon keep her cellphone, she keeps the unregistered one.
Liz makes sure Pat has her 'new' number, and says to Sarah, "Keep an eye on him, okay? I think
Marc likes him, and so does Dominique. I'd hate to lose him."
Sarah says quietly, "I've had an eye on him since last night, Liz."
Liz bails from the house, is in the car, and peeling away before Eduardo can finish exhaling the
drag he's working on.
Pat closes the door behind Liz and walks back to Daimon. He pulls a chair over and sits, watching
the other man quietly.
Daimon blinks a few times. "I resonated on him. I... he wanted... to smite... cruelty and blackness
and pain and... and he told me that if I did the wrong thing he..."
Daimon says "he'd kill me..."
Daimon puts down the glass of whiskey carefully, and with as much poise as he can muster, he
stands and starts looking for a bathroom.
Pat says "Daimon."
Daimon is going to look for that bathroom, because he doesn't want to throw up all over Pat's
carpet.
Sarah rises, slips her purse to her shoulder again, and steadies Daimon in his quest.
Pat's bathroom is readily visible.
Daimon goes over, kneels in front of the porcelin god, and throws up his lunch, the brandy he had
afterwards, and the whiskey he just drank. And then heaves for a while.
Pat tucks the bottle away.
Daimon reaches out for something to wipe his face with, and flushes the toilet.
Sarah continues to steady Daimon, and keep his hair out of the way.
Daimon leans back, holding his forehead in his hands, and rocks back and forth for a bit.
Pat stands just outside the bathroom.
Sarah shelters Daimon in an arm, as needed.
Daimon looks up at Sarah. He says quietly, "I think I'm okay. Can you help me out to the living
room?"
Sarah answers, "Of course," and helps him up.
Daimon allows himself to be helped back out to the living room. He gives Pat a very apologetic
look.
Pat says "It's alright, Daimon."
Daimon nods.
Daimon says "It just wasn't going to stay down any longer."
Sarah seats Daimon again, cautiously. "Evidently."
Pat nods. "I understand. Eduardo is...exuberant. The price of being sworn to a madwoman."
Daimon says "I'm sorry. Um."
Daimon nods. "Just getting his Needs was pretty... awful. But it was just the frosting on the cake
of a truly horrible day.
Sarah smooths Daimon's hair back with a light hand. "Yes."
Daimon says "Maybe I should just start at the beginning."
Pat nods. "That would be best. Espescially if you seek perspective."
Daimon nods. "I can't put everything in perspective."
Daimon sighs, and stares off into no man's land for a moment.
Pat nods. "I know. And I am more than willing to help."
Sarah says quietly, "So am I." She touches Daimon's cheek with the back of a cool hand, then
retreats a few steps, giving him breathing space.
<
<
<
Daimon is a little confused by angelic compassion, but let's it pass. "This morning I was woken
by a song of tongues in my head. My best friend, Terry, had news. Last night sometimes,
Asmodeus, somehow, I don't know, arrested my Prince and has subjected him to the Game. My
friend is flying out here. He's a, um, Bal of the Media, but he's nothing like that Focalor guy. I'm
hoping to set all the switches in his brain from agent mode to useful investigative reporter mode.
But he's the least of my worries."
Pat says "What were the charges?"
Daimon says "My... Prince. I was considering binding myself to him. Seriously. Considering. And
for a Lilim to want to give up Freedom for something else, that's something."
<
<
Daimon shakes his head. "Heresy. Treason. Heresy I understand. Heresy is the norm. But
_treason_?"
Sarah murmurs, "Treason to whom or what, I wonder?"
Daimon says "I don't know. Some falsified evidence. It sounds like Azzie has finally cooked up
something to _get_ the Boss. Not like they haven't been going rounds for millenia."
You sense Liz probably winds back up at the hangar, and finishes prepping Amelia for a flight.
One way or another, she's going Flying tonight.
Long distance to Liz: Demiurge nods.
Daimon says "It means... Civil War. Or worse."
Daimon says "Comedians are disappearing. Or worse. Definitely worse."
Pat says "For the charges levied against Kobal?"
Sarah murmurs, "Not this one."
<
Daimon says "If he's arrested, then everyone is a 'Renegade'. And I become a Free without a
contract. Which is... a good thing, until Lilith shows up and orders me to go home."
Daimon says "Which I won't do. I won't go and hide my head in the sand. He's my _Lord_. It
doesn't _work_ that way."
Daimon says "I'll find someone else to pick up my contract for the interrum, if I have to. I'll do
anything to help him, anything it takes."
<
Pat says "You're positive the charges are false?"
Daimon says "No, of course not. But when he briefed me, via the radio, he said... things were
bad."
Pat nods. "This does explain quite a bit."
Sarah asks, "What charges, Pat, could be honest - in Hell?
Daimon furrows his brow. "I started thinking this morning that I wasn't sent here to deal with two
renegades and the opera. I started thinking I was tossed out of Hell as fast as possible and sent
to get that information we got from Focals."
Daimon says "It was all a smokescreen. To get evidence of whatever Asmodeus was working on."
Daimon says "And when I _got_ it... oh god, I didn't get him arrested, did I?"
Pat leans back in his chair. "Posit. Tensions between Asmodeus and Kobal rise, through the nature
of the Infernal heirarchy. Kobal attempts pre-emptive defensive measures. Result? Asmodeus acts
prematurely."
Daimon says "My theory is that Asmodeus is trying a major power play, and my Boss is a
roadblock."
Daimon seems to becoming a little calmer.
<
Pat nods, shifting to an alternate thread without pause. "At what point do you feel Kobal became
an obstacle? At the inception of the involvement, or at the point when it became actuality?"
Daimon says "My instinct this morning was to drag my favorite media stoodge into things. I mean,
okay, you guys will hate him and he'll eventually get killed in a messy way, but there's something
about a Balseraph who is prying information out of people that's fun to watch."
<
Daimon ponders Pat's question. "The point when it became an actuality."
<
Sarah stands back; hands folded, quietly listening.
Pat nods, continuing along the thread. "Then the Game had no reason to be involved until that
point. This does not coincide with our evidence of their behaviour."
Sarah says "At what point did it become actuality?"
Daimon says "I believe they were here before everything came to a head. The two
really-not-renegades just happened to show up and get in the way. They were eliminating
Kobalites pro bono."
Daimon says "Everything became an actuality.... when I sent that information down the Tether."
Daimon becomes pale. "I killed all those people, didn't I?"
Pat says "No."
Pat states this with some level of conviction.
Daimon says "Pat... they destroyed on of our tethers today. They killed several servitors. I believe
they probably have the Heart room."
Daimon swallows hard.
<
Pat says "Heart room?"
Sarah says quietly, "Daimon, if that transmission triggered an attack, then the information
involved was important enough to warrant it. Consider what might have happened if you /had not/
passed on the information, thus."
Daimon says "Why else kill servitors? They'll just be back in a few days, unless you can grab them
when they pop up in Trauma."
Daimon says "Had I not, the Boss would not be inprisoned, and people would not be _dead_."
Sarah murmurs, "Yet."
Daimon says "Maybe not ever."
<
<
<
<
<
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<
<
<
<
<
<
<
Pat says "Daimon."
Daimon says "Yes?"
Pat says "Follow the other track for a moment. Kobal becomes aware, means irrelevant, that
Asmodeus considers him a block. Project Kobal's next reasonable actions."
Daimon says "Hmmm. Play up that block for all its worth."
Pat nods. "To what extent?"
Daimon says "I think that Kobal, knowing what was going on, would make a point of making
everyone else know too, just so Asmodeus would look like a fool. If Azzie is playing a high stakes
game with the other Princes, bringing out that they are all being used would make them all very
angry. And then the Boss would sit back, amused, why everyone came after Azzie, demanding
their money back...."
Daimon says "I see the point."
Pat nods.
Sarah inclines her head, gently.
Daimon says "Which means that I should find out what he knew, and follow that plan through."
Pat says "Now. Take the other side."
Pat says "As Asmodeus, would you consider Kobal to be a threat?"
Daimon says "Yes."
Pat says "How serious of one?"
Daimon says "It depends on the plan that was about to come out. If it was some machinations that
would make everyone very angry, then a very major threat."
Sarah shifts her stance; paces around the room once, listening still.
Daimon is basically smoking cigarette after cigarette at this point.
Pat says "You're the Game, Daimon. How likely are you to make plans that do not involve such
machinations?"
Daimon says "Never."
Pat nods.
Pat says "Now."
Daimon says "But this has happened _before_. This is nothing new. It's just that, whatever Azzie
is up to...."
Pat holds up a finger.
Daimon falls silent.
Sarah hesitates behind Daimon's seat, lays a hand on the back of it for a moment, then continues
her circuit. When she reaches the place where she began, she returns to standing still, listening.
Pat says "Whatever Asmodeus is up to, he has been up to for some time."
Daimon nods.
Daimon says "Right."
Pat says "It is exceedingly unlikely that Kobal's interference was not accounted for. It is far more
likely that there have been contingency plans in place to deal with him, should the matter arise."
Daimon says "And this would be it."
Pat nods.
Daimon says "And, god help me, I may be the Boss's plan B."
Pat says "There's something your Boss failed to account for."
Sarah murmurs, "Or one of them. Or a wild card."
Daimon says "Yes?"
Pat says "If I heard Zebina correctly," He smiles, a bit, his face returning to an almost human
expression. "You've the eyes of Judgement on you."
Daimon says "I met a Triad today. They were far less worse than I'd been led to imagine."
Pat says "Jordan's group, yes."
Daimon says "I mean, I was scared, but there wasn't torture involved."
Pat exhales, reaching for one of the packets of cigarettes. "There was no need. Did you tell them
about Kobal?"
Sarah says "And there will not be."
Pat looks up, and nods to Sarah.
Daimon says "Yes, of course. I remember someone telling me to always tell the truth around those
kinds of people, and I did."
Pat says "Then let me explain something, Daimon."
Daimon waits for the explaination.
Pat lights the cigarette. "The nature of Judgement, Daimon, is to ensure an even hand. In the
particular, we are charged with the upholding of the laws of God and Heaven. In the general,
though, we are sworn to the cause of equity. If you told Jordan what you have told me, then
neither one of us, nor any servitor of Dominic's Word, could stand apart and abide by such
injustice. It would destroy us."
Daimon looks a little confused. "Okay..."
Daimon says "I... I wouldn't do something that would hurt you guys."
Sarah says gently, "I know, Daimon."
Pat draws on the cigarette. "I know. And it is because of that that injustice is created."
Daimon says "I'm confused. Did I do something wrong?"
Daimon says "I mean if I did, it would just sort of mesh with the rest of the day."
Pat shakes his head. "That's the point, Daimon. If you, or your compatriots, or Kobal, if you were
the sort to revel in sadism and barbarism, to torture with a smile and condemn without cause, then
yes. Your situation would be at best just, and at worst deserved. But you are not. And you have
proven as much, more times than anyone has need to ask for."
<
Daimon says "We... don't.... the shedim, maybe...."
Daimon is getting mired in total confusion.
Pat says "We have never held the many completely responsible for the sins of the few, Daimon."
Pat says "It reflects; it does not define."
Daimon says "No. _NO_. That's not the Boss's point, not to go around torturing people and then
laughing at them and saying, 'Gee, it sucks, you're being tortured.'"
Daimon says "That's why it isn't so funny to kill a thousand people in an Opera, just because."
Pat nods.
Sarah murmurs, "Exactly, Daimon."
Daimon says "I, we, I... Hell is so ludicrous. It's so pointless. They go around hurting each other
and hurting us, and we point out... it's just stupid to keep at it... I mean..."
Daimon says "Look, whatever Asmodeus is doing is going to hurt more people then dragging his
plan out and laughing at it would ever do!"
Pat says, simply, "Yes."
Daimon tries to drag a few cooperating braincells together in one place. "I mean, look. When you
live in hell, you have three choices. You can deal with it, you can try to escape, or you can try to
_change_ it. And we're the third choice. The only rebellion in Hell. The only heretics in Hell."
Pat says "It is axiomatic that Hell has no law, only the Game."
Daimon says "So is it wrong to oppose the Game?"
Pat says "It is wrong to break the law. I believe I have just stated that the Game is not law."
Daimon looks a tad relieved. "Oh, okay."
Pat nods.
Daimon says "The Boss needs to be freed. But first, I need to know what is really going on."
Pat says "It would assist matters greatly, yes. How much is known?"
Daimon says "Not much, just the information Sephar gathered, and the information Liz got from
her Superior today. And that tethers are being destroyed - but that's an obvious course of action
for the Game."
Daimon says "We know about the connection to Bellman's - probably some sort of Lust outpost
working with the Game."
Daimon wrinkles his nose. He doesn't like either of those two.
Pat nods. "All external symptoms. Is there any way to determine the internal issues prompting the
visible signs?"
Daimon says "I... Pat, I don't understand what you're asking."
Pat says "An inquiry into Hell is a difficult feat, Daimon. However, if the injustice is
documentable, then there is a great deal more possible in the way of assistance."
Daimon says "Oh. Well, that's something else entirely. I agree, if there is evidence of, what was
it called today? Falsity? Collusion? Some real _facts_ coming out of Hell, then assistance can
come in from all sides."
Daimon says "As for getting that evidence, I really don't know. We'd have to hunt down all the
leads from the original Game computer."
Pat says "Possible. Jean has the information, according to Sephar."
Daimon says "I can't exactly, um, talk to Jean."
Pat says "Not directly."
Daimon says, softly, "Not directly." He sighs. "I'm afraid my nerves are a mess right now."
Pat nods. "It's alright, Daimon. That's what we're here for."
Daimon says "It's hard to trust. Ya know?"
Pat nods. "I know. And it's only compounded by the fact that you must trust me when I say that
you can trust me. It's a matter of faith, Daimon."
Daimon laughs, softly. "I'm not well known for my power of faith. But I'm _trying_."
Pat smiles, slight. "And that alone speaks volumes."
Daimon says "I was expecting Liz's Superior to fry her today. That was pretty bad. I was
convinced he was just going to say, 'Well, you made a mistake, you're useless to me' and fry her.
Not offer her dessert."
Daimon says "The worst part is that, if he did just fry her, there would have been nothing I could
do."
Pat says "I don't believe he would do so."
Daimon says "I didn't know. I'd never... gone to _lunch_ with an Archangel before."
Daimon says "And there are plenty of stories back home of that happening all the time."
Pat nods. "I'm certain there are. It's expected."
Daimon says "It was all very surreal. Are all the Archangels like that? Do they always say, 'Okay,
you screwed up, but we'll move on?'"
Pat says "No."
Daimon says "Oh."
Pat says "For example, you and I both were in a perilous position with Dominique's arrival."
Daimon nods. "I knew I was. I was fairly certain I was done. Just... done."
Pat shakes his head. "Are you familiar with double jeopardy?"
Daimon says "Not really."
Daimon says "I mean, I'm educated. I went to school. But you know how it is."
Pat says "In the instant she regarded you, you were judged for your entire existance up until that
point."
Daimon says "Oh. Oh. Geez, there's some crappy stuff in there."
Pat says "And apparently, enough to balance it. You will not be judged for it again. There is no
need."
Daimon says "Oh."
Daimon ponders this fact. "So what does that mean?"
Pat says "In what aspect?"
Daimon says "I dunno. I guess in general."
Pat says "In a general sense, it means that you stand at the midpoint. Where you proceed from
here is measured against a tabula rasa."
Daimon says "Sort of sounds like my entire life. 'You stand at a midpoint....'"
Pat says "It also implies a significant responsibility."
Daimon says "I want to rescue my Boss. Anything other then that is sort of... I don't know. A
distraction? A source of unreal hopes?"
Pat says "There is no such thing as unreal hope."
Pat says "Tell me about them?"
Daimon says "My hopes?"
Pat nods.
Daimon says "Not to have to ever go home again, for one. But don't tell that to the Game,
thanks."
Pat says "I don't intend to."
Daimon says "To not have to see other Lilim get dragged down into the machinations of Hell, and
see their youthful exuberance be sold off to the highest bidder - usually to Lust, to be used for
their bodies."
Pat nods.
Daimon says "You know, my sister Malik used to tell me that I should go see someone to get my
'forces adjusted'. That if they sort of... rearranged me, then the whole Hell thing wouldn't bother
me as much anymore. I wouldn't think about it so much. But that was a long time ago, and I didn't
bother."
<
<
<
Pat says "If I may?"
Daimon says "Go ahead."
Pat says "I'm pleased you didn't."
Daimon says "But I would have been like the rest of my sisters. I would have been happy just
doing favors for toys."
Sarah shudders, quiet.
Pat nods. "And others would have been worse for it."
Daimon says "Maybe. I don't know. When I walked out of Lust without renewing my contract,
it was because I had had an eye opening experience."
Pat says "Oh?"
Daimon says "I was happier to bus tables in Hell for a while then I was to do that ever again."
Pat says "Would you feel comfortable discussing it?"
Daimon says "Well, look. It's like the rest of Shal-Mari. At first it's a helluva lot of fun. It's huge
fun. You get a sexy vessel, you get huge cleavage, you get long legs. You get those perfect blow
job fuck-me lips, and big eyes. You are a sex object. And it's fun."
Pat nods.
Daimon says "Men take you out, wine you and dine you. And you get to turn heads when you
walk into rooms. You smile, bat your eyes, and you do well. It's amazing. You sit around with
other Lilim and talk about fellatio techniques."
Daimon says "If you don't have two brain cells to knock together, then you have fun _forever_.
The smarter ones Bind, because they can really manipulate people and get favors doing this. And
me.... what the hell was wrong with me?"
Pat says "You tell me."
Daimon says "I don't know. It was fun. And then it became less fun. And then it became a force.
I had to force myself to go down on another mark. The geas collections weren't fun anymore. It
wasn't that you didn't care, it was that you couldn't care."
Pat says "Mandatory self-absorption."
Daimon says "I was sitting around one day, thinking about the fact that I was a prostitute for a
demon prince."
Daimon says "Exactly. I was spending too much time talking to my marks and not enough time
sleeping with them."
Daimon says "I started to hate it. Sure, I got to spend lots of time Earthside. Sure I got to hang
around humans alot and be treated well. But I got sick of being a thing."
Pat nods.
Sarah shudders again, quiet, wrapping her arms about herself.
Daimon says "You fuck to do this, you fuck to do that. You go up to earth and you fuck all day.
You go home, and you fuck all day. Sex sort of loses its POINT after a while."
Daimon says "Your body becomes your tool."
Daimon says "I was young when I started. I thought it would be cool, and I really wanted to meet
humans. Boy, did I meet humans. I had to sleep with Andre for my vessel. I had to sleep with
Andre for better assignments. I had to sleep with his Dukes to get decent quarters."
Pat nods.
Daimon says "My sisters told me it was _loads_ of fun. They showed off their geas collections
to show exactly how much fun it is. Near the end I was burning my geasa, and getting people to
do things like 'make me a sandwich'."
Pat says "Because you minded."
Daimon says "I don't take geasa much anymore, unless there's a reason. Tracking people. That
sort of thing. If people don't want to do things for me, then they shouldn't be made to. I'm not
going to make someone a sandwich, and make them go assassinate someone later."
Sarah says softly, "You cared."
Daimon says "Between, in that weird fuzzy perfectly Free period, I did alot of lame things. Some
of it was good, some of it was bad, all of it was very blase."
Daimon says "And then I signed on with the Boss."
Daimon sort of looks off into the distance.
Daimon says "No more sex jobs. No more using my body to be a weapon, or a tool."
Pat says "What, then?"
Pat says "What replaced it?"
Daimon says "I hate to say it, but it felt good to stand on the stage down in hell and attack Andre
in a nice funny way. It felt better."
Daimon says "Rebellion. Education. A different vessel, a change of gender. Being taught that
there were things I was good at."
Daimon says "And yes, attacking things in a nice socially acceptable manner that I really couldn't
stand."
Pat says "Doing your part."
Daimon says "Doing my part. Not just going through the motions anymore. Seeing everyone in
that ridiculously critical light came in handy."
Pat nods. "Towards what end? Why did you tell yourself you were doing it?"
Daimon says "Rebelling against Hell. It's such a hopeless situation, that there gets to be a point
where you can't stand it anymore. So you just either start laughing at it or show up with a gun and
start killing everyone in sight. It's much easier to attack it, right out in the open. It's a weird sort
of cerebral enlightenment."
Daimon says "I'm a hopeless heretic, when it comes right down to it. I can't follow orders, I
mouth off, I don't go with any 'party line'. And hell, I fit right in."
Pat nods, listening.
Daimon says "I mean, I write my own stuff, which is sort of strange for a comedian sometimes.
You can get a media guy to write it all for you, you're just a frontman. But I write my own stuff,
and it's filled with all that venom and observations that I get from just walking through the
downtown area. And I'm just utterly hopeless. I can't follow rules. I disregard stuff that I don't
care about. I dunno."
Pat says "What /do/ you care about, then?"
<
Daimon laughs a little. "People. Sometimes the stuff I write, sometimes the stuff I play on the
guitar. People like Liz. I dunno.
<
<
<
Pat says "Why Liz? If it's not an intrusion."
Daimon says "When I picked up her needs, I realized that she was a naturally lonely person. She
likes people, but her job takes her away from them for long periods of time, or keeps her on the
move so she can't really maintain long relationships without some sort of arrangement. Me being
what I am, I tried to fill that void. And I found that filling that void gets a response of me being,
well, needed. And it sort of feeds on itself. And then I become a drooling basketcase who can't
get her out of his mind."
Pat says "If you'll excuse me, I don't think mental saturation explains love."
Daimon says "I... she needs me. And I need to be needed. If that makes any sense."
Sarah murmurs, "I think it does."
Daimon says "And I need someone to want and need me around. And I dunno... I can't describe
it."
Pat says "You need to have a place."
Daimon says "I thought it was infatuation. I was wrong. But I rationalize things away all the
time."
Daimon says "I need someone like that to fill up the empty void that is alot of my life. I can't fill
it all up with work, although I certainly try."
Pat nods. "Alright."
Daimon says "Don't get me wrong, I love my job. Hell really needs people who point out how
ridiculous the whole place it. It takes itself very seriously, and in reality, it's just a bunch of politics
and hand wavings. But sometimes it isn't enough. Not all the books or education or work or
anything else makes it enough."
Pat says "I must admit to a significant bias there, Daimon."
Daimon says "Can you explain?"
Pat says "Hell, to my eyes, consists solely of those who have placed themselves beyond the light
and the will of God. The infernal hierarchy's purpose seems to be to maintain the status quo, to
enforce deception and restriction to the level where the majority of the populace is not even
/aware/ that they are there by their own designs. They have, through malice, deceit, or simple
ignorance, become blind to their own inherent potential. It is a vicious circle indeed."
Daimon says "I'm sorry, I was born there."
Sarah says softly, "Simple ignorance." It's gentle, not an accusation; warm in a quiet way. "If I'm
interpreting you correctly, Pat?"
Pat nods to Sarah. Then, "You've known nothing else, Daimon. As stated, you are not condemned
for it."
Daimon says "It's not that I'm unaware of the infernal hierarcy. I have to be, considering how
much material I've written that points out its flaws in several rather nasty yet humorous ways. I'm
aware of how it strives to maintain status quo and how it grinds people like me down until we die.
I'm not blind to it."
Daimon says "I just, I dunno. I'm Lilim. My place is in Hell."
Pat says "Is that where you wish to be?"
Daimon says "I'd rather just be human. But then I'd end up just where I started."
Pat . o O ( Mental note. Contact *shudder* Eli. )
Pat says "How so?"
Daimon says "Well, I know my habits. I jump beds. I don't much care about religion. I'm not the
world's best person. I spend too much time being Funny, or failing that, shocking. As a human,
I would never make it into that little elitist group of of 'the saved'."
Pat says "Nor would I."
Daimon says "So I'd be human, and I would, for a short amount of time, have the human grace
of 'hope'. That's what the humans get that we Lilim don't, you know. In return for their curse of
mortality they get hope. We get eternal lives, be we get to become parts of the 'system'. But then
I'd grow old, die, and end up right back in hell."
Pat says "You know there are other options."
Daimon says "I don't... really... believe in other options."
Pat says "Why not?"
Daimon says "Because I'm Lilim."
Daimon says "And... what they... _do_ ... to you when you first get up there."
Pat says "Pardon?"
Pat blinks.
Daimon says "You know. What they do. To make you atone."
Pat says "I don't, actually."
Sarah frowns, slightly. "Neither do I."
Daimon says "From what I heard, even though you Redeem, you have to pay penance and feel
sorry for all the things you did. And me, I'll never stop being an aimless heretic. That's just who
I am. And... I don't think I want to pay penance for what I did. I lived in Hell, I survived, I'm sorry
I hurt people but I don't think I should be punished for it after the fact."
Pat blinks again, more significantly.
Pat says "Daimon..."
Sarah asks, rather blankly, "Penance?"
Daimon says "You know. You redeem, and then they... you know... make you pay."
Pat says "No, I don't know."
Daimon says "And I refuse to pay. I refuse to be taught my lesson by people like that Malakite
I ran into today. He scared the piss out of me. I don't want to be at his mercy, or any of his
choirmates."
Pat says "Daimon."
Daimon says "No thanks. I can get beat up at home."
Pat says "Daimon."
Daimon says "No. And I mean it. Besides, I'm loyal enough to my Boss that I'll do nearly anything
to save him."
Pat says "/Daimon/."
Daimon says "_No_. I'm not going up to heaven to be used. Sorry. Been there, done that."
Daimon says "Or be traded around. Or be sold. Or be beaten."
Daimon says "Or, god help me, used as a toy for an Archangel and then killed."
Pat says "Listen to me."
Sarah simply stares.
Daimon says "You know what they say about why there are no Lilim in heaven..."
Pat says "No. I don't know. In fact, I have no idea what you've been speaking of for the last few
minutes. Beaten? Sold?"
Sarah finds herself a seat, not quite staggering, and drops into it.
Daimon says "That's what they do to you when you Redeem. All those things you've done? Well,
you have to be punished for them somehow. But it's okay, you deserve it. And on some reflection,
I probably do, but I care little for the methodology. And then some Archangel buys your services.
There you go, you're done."
Daimon says "You're lucky. You were born there. You have nothing to atone for."
Pat states, simply, "No."
Daimon says "I mean look at me. I carry the burden of my mother's sins. We have no Son of God
to die for our sins for us. We don't even get the grace of being born in God's light."
Sarah says quietly, "He isn't listening, Pat."
Daimon says "Lilim are born to suffer for Lilith's sins. And suffer we will do."
Daimon trails off, and looks at his hands.
Pat considers, and takes a peek at Daimon.
<
<
<
Daimon says "Forget it."
Sarah asks, gently, "Daimon?"
Daimon says "Yeah?"
<
Sarah says "May I ask something of you?"
Daimon says "Sure."
Sarah removes her glasses, folds them and holds them lightly in her hands.
Daimon raises his eyebrows.
Sarah says "Lilim can see needs. That's correct?"
Daimon says "That's generally how it works."
Pat lifts an eyebrow, but says nothing.
Daimon says "Oh. You want me to read them."
Sarah says "I'd like to ask you to. Yes."
<
<
<
<
Daimon closes his eyes.
Daimon says "You shouldn't bother."
<
<
Sarah says "I hope you'll pardon me if I disagree."
Daimon says "I'm, in all honesty, not worth it."
Pat says "May I be colloquial?"
Daimon says "Sure."
Sarah says "Certainly."
Pat says "Bullshit."
Daimon says "I'm a demon. Why should you care?"
Sarah smiles at Pat.
Sarah says "Because you care, Daimon. Demon or no."
Daimon says "I'm just miswired."
Pat stands up, lighting a cigarette. "Daimon, let me explain something again."
Daimon says "I'm sorry if I'm a little slow."
Pat begins to pace. "You called me because you needed objectivity. There are some who state that
the Elohim do not care, that we are without passion, and without desire." He pauses. "They are
wrong. We care, and we care greatly. But we cannot act on it." The cigarette is dragged on. "I
care. Among other things, I care about you. I am permitted to want the best for you, and knowing
you, I feel I know what that best is. But I cannot force it on you. I can offer it, I can help light the
path. But by the same token, I cannot stop you. I cannot keep you from swallowing the deception
and malice and ignorance that you were born to. And if you choose to live your life convinced that
you are paying for sins that are not yours, I cannot raise a hand to object. But if that becomes the
case, I will grieve for the loss of a friend."
Daimon blinks. "I... I...."
Daimon bows his head.
Daimon says "I dunno. I think I'm a little lost. Just lost, period. In general."
Pat says "There are wayposts."
Daimon says "I... I... I lost my life today, you know? My home is gone. I was threatened with
death, at least once to my face, a few times a little more subtly. I was recruited. I saw what Hell
does to its own. And I dunno. I'm just lost."
Sarah says, softly, "There are stable places. For a little, at the least."
Daimon says "I'm a mess."
Pat says "You don't want to be."
Daimon says "Not really, no. But I am, at least right now."
Sarah says "That may yet change."
Daimon seems to fall silent for a bit. "Okay, so what now?"
Pat glances at Sarah briefly, his expression held neutral.
Sarah takes a longish breath, lets it out, very slowly. "First: we keep you safe. If any of your
guesses at all are correct, that may possibly be one of the most important things on this plane at
the moment."
Pat . o O ( Cherub priorities. )
Daimon says "I need to learn all the facts, though."
Daimon . o O ( I agree with Pat too much. A disturbing sign. )
Pat says "You said you had a friend arriving?"
Sarah . o O ( Hey, it's the job. )
Daimon says "Terry. He's a pain. I want to flip all the switches in his brain that make him, 'Terry,
Investigative Reporter and Man With a Story' rather then 'Terry, Hollywood Agent'. Manipulating
Balseraphim is strange, but it can be done."
Pat nods. "How far can he be trusted?"
Daimon says "About as far as Sarah can throw me."
Pat looks at Sarah. Decides not to comment.
Sarah murmurs, "Probably somewhat less far than that."
Daimon says "Maybe a little shorter then that. Not much, but he knows that he has a story, and
he's Media, and that's that. You can rely on him to do his job."
Pat says "I'll restate. Will he be willing and able to provide information without compromising our
position?"
Daimon says "Probably."
Daimon says "I won't say _yes_, because he has a disturbing habit of, ah, 'changing his mind'."
Pat says "Then that will need to be assessed before he is in a position to endanger us."
Daimon says "Sure."
<
Pat nods. "I will be speaking with Jordan and the others. I would prefer a consensus before
committing any extraordinary assistance."
<
<
Daimon says "Whatever you feel is best."
<
Sarah takes a long, mild breath. "I'll follow whatever you and the others agree on, in this, Pat."
Pat says "Justice will be done, Sarah. We can't have it any other way."
Daimon says "I'm in no real position to make major decisions. I might be again in a day or two,
when I calm down and my brain starts functioning again."
Daimon says "But I'm still too upset, too shaken up, too confused to make any decisions that
affect anything important. I need a keeper."
<
<
Pat says "You've several, Daimon."
Daimon says "Well, good. I don't want to be left alone to get too depressed."
Pat says "We can't have that. You vomit my good whiskey."
Pat smiles.
Daimon says "I know. I'm sorry about that. The Malakim sort of pushed me over the edge, and
I got sick."
Pat says "The Malakite...will be spoken to."
Daimon says "He didn't know. It's okay."
Pat lifts an eyebrow.
Sarah glances down, slightly, and smiles to herself.
Daimon says "I mean, he was just doing his job. His job included giving me a stern threat. He
didn't know that I was still shaken from everything else, or that I had cause to be so upset at the
destroyed tether."
Pat nods. "Then at the least, he will be made aware."
Daimon says "I still think that it was okay, but you should do what you feel is best."
<
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<
Sarah says quietly, "Does he know now?"
Daimon shakes his head. "Only that he said that 'I'll do'.
Sarah says "Then we'll make sure."
Daimon shrugs, and doesn't argue the point further.
Pat walks back to his seat, composed again.
Daimon seems to have fallen silent.
Sarah sighs, quietly. "Information."
Daimon says "Yes."
Daimon looks at Pat. "Do you have any sleeping pills or anything?"
Pat blinks. "I can check. I don't normally sleep."
Daimon says "I just think if I dropped off into nothing for a while, I might feel a little more...
coherent in the morning."
Daimon says "Although if Liz comes for me, moving me will be interesting."
Pat rises, "I'll look." He moves back to the bathroom.
Daimon nods, and sits there, patiently.
Sarah says calmly, "If Liz comes for you, I'll carry you if necessary."
Daimon nods. "If I'm unconscious, I'm unconsious. But I'm also very depressed. It might just be
better to just... not go to the Marches, but not go anywhere for a while."
Sarah nods back to him. "I can see your point. Yes. It sounds - as wise as anything can, at the
moment."
Daimon says "And it keeps me out of trouble."
Sarah smiles.
Sarah says "Relatively."
Daimon grins a little. "Something I think you'd go in for."
Sarah unfolds her glasses, bends her head to slip them back on. "Mmm."
Daimon says "We don't have Cherubim. It's a little something to get used to. I mean, Djinn get
obsessed for a little while, then otherwise don't care."
Pat makes rummaging noises in the bathroom.
Daimon looks in the direction of the bathroom.
Sarah shivers very slightly at the mention of her counterparts. "The poor things," she murmurs,
half to herself.
Daimon says "Well, _they_ don't seem to mind."
<
<
Sarah says "If they admitted they did, they might have a chance."
Daimon says "I dunno. Most of them are hellborn. They don't know anything else. But for me,
it's a big change to go from Djinn to Cherubim. I admit freely, I'm just not used to it."
Sarah bows her head again. "There is grace enough for all," she sighs, with the sound of a
quotation. "If only they could see."
Daimon looks guilty. He's very good at looking guilty. "Hey, look, I'm sorry I brought it up.
Honestly."
Daimon looks in the direction of the bathroom, hoping imminent unconsciousness will save him
from any more breaks in etiquette.
Pat is still making rummaging noises, dooming Daimon to further conversation.
Daimon . o O ( Bastard. :) )
Sarah glances at him; smiles, gentle. "It's all right. It's not as if you caused it."
Daimon says "True. So what do you do if you're attuned to multiple people at once? Do you just
sort of gather them in a room and keep an eye on them all?"
Sarah says "Ah, no. I tend to do a great deal of worrying. I also tend to attune to books and
manuscripts, which /can/ be gathered in a room if necessary." She smiles. "People tend to object."
Daimon says "I would only object to being shelved, but not with being stuffed in a room with
several interesting books and manuscripts."
Daimon says "I'm too big to fit on the shelf properly, see."
Sarah promises gravely, "I'll endeavor not to shelve you."
Pat wanders back from the bathroom. "Um. Daimon?"
Daimon says "Yeah?"
Pat says "I found a box that dates back to ninety-five."
Daimon says "It probably won't kill me."
Pat nods, handing the package to Daimon.
Daimon inspects the package, and peers at the label.
Daimon says "I think it'll probably be fine."
The label is, indeed, dated from mid-95
Daimon says "Hmmm."
<
Pat nods. "Sleep well then, Daimon."
Daimon tries to remember if taking old sleeping pills is BAD. Doubtful.
<
<
Sarah frowns, lightly. "I /think/ it decomposes harmlessly."
Daimon asks for a glass of water, and someplace he can sleep.
Pat has a faucet, and a bed for appearance's sake. He provides both.
Daimon thanks Pat, and takes two of the pills. Then he goes and wanders into the bedroom,
hoping the bed isn't _too_ musty.
The bed is as musty as the rest of the apartment, ie: Not Very.
Daimon curls up, and hopes he isn't too hard to move when Liz comes back.
Pat sits down after Daimon wanders off to oblivion, and looks at Sarah.
Sarah wanders into the bedroom after Daimon; frowns at any windows that need blocking, and
pulls blinds if necessary, then leaves him to sleep and returns to be looked at.
Pat says "Well?"
Sarah pauses; seats herself. "Well?"
Pat says "He's so close, Chephirah."
Sarah says, hesitantly, "I made a request while I was in the Library,Pat."
Pat says "That being?"
Sarah says "I -" She hesitates. "Asked after Redeemed who had served Dark Humor, before. All
that were noted were on assignment, at the moment, but... when they return, they'll be asked if
they're willing to chat."
Pat nods. "I think it would be a help. He seems to have some misconceptions about the nature of
Redemption."
Sarah says "That was clear before, but - more so, now."
Pat nods.
Pat says "That's what keeps him back, though."
Pat says "Deceit, ignorance, and malice."
Pat sighs.
Sarah murmurs, "The three cornerstones of Hell."
Pat says "Yes."
Pat says "Did you hear him, though? Apart from that?"
Sarah says "Yes. Caring. Guilt. Repentance. If he's a demon, it's by technicality."
Pat nods.
Sarah says "Lilim have - such potential."
Sarah's voice catches, and she lowers her head for a moment.
Pat blinks. "What is it?"
Sarah straightens. "Nothing," she says, stronger, "that can be helped. It's all right, or may yet be.
Was there something in particular you were thinking of?"
Pat shakes his head. "No."
Sarah says "All right."
<
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<
<
<
<
<
Pat decides that breaking down is better than awkward silence, since he would love to do the
same but can't. He lays his hand lightly on top of Sarah's.
Sarah does, indeed, break down, leaning into Pat's side and weeping almost silently. She tugs her
glasses off after a moment, the insides of the lenses already tearstreaked.
Pat, silently, puts his arm around her and lets her cut loose.
Sarah does, quietly, shaking. "I forget," she whispers, after a long time, "how bad it can be, for
them. The poor child."
Pat says "He's come so far already, though..."
Sarah nods against him. "He'll be so bright, if he can bear the rest. But - how many are there like
him, but without a chance to reach this far? Even one brought to light is a victory... but there are
so *many*."
Pat says "We do what we can, Chephirah. That is the best we can do."
Sarah curls against his side, giving another small nod. "It's not - It's the contrast. I -" She takes
a longer breath, achieving this time something resembling a sort of stability. "I was afraid," she
admits then, "to come here. This is the first time I've been glad I was sent."
Pat says "You've been a wonderful help to him, you know."
Sarah says "All of us have. And will continue to be, I pray."
Pat nods. "Deo Volente."
<
<
<
<
Sarah murmurs, "Exactly." Her voice is steady now, and her shoulders not shaking. But she
doesn't straighten.
Pat just holds her then, falling quiet.
Sarah says, after considerable time, "Thank you." Without referent. Without moving. Nothing
else.
Pat says "You're welcome. Any time."
Sarah smiles, a little. "Both our duties permitting, I may take you up on that."
Pat says "I would be honored."
Sarah smiles, and quiets again, so.
---