Vertiginous Perception

Demiurge says "Okay. What time is it?"

Azalea says "Still morning; I've spoken with Aron, and then Liz, and then I'd go back to my hotel room to collect clothes, cellphone, file, etc."

Demiurge nods.

Demiurge says "Nobody seems to be following you or anything."

Azalea goes to her hotel room, has a shower, forces her hair and makeup into submission, dresses in the very severe skirt and jacket she arrived in, and then phones the number they've given her.

After two rings, the phone is answered. You recognise the voice of the secretary from earlier. "Can I help you?"

Azalea says "Alia here."

Azalea says "Just reporting in."

The voice replies, "Noted." There's a brief buzz. "Any news on your subject?"

Azalea says "I've followed her around for a while; nothing terribly interesting. Do you want to hear what I've got?"

The voice says, "Sure. Anything might be useful. Has she been meeting any people?"

Azalea says "She had one visitor." Azalea gives the woman the description Liz gave her, generally that of Pat. "I don't have a name."

The voice says, "Right." There is the sound of scribbling. "When was that?"

Azalea says "Earlier this morning."

The voice says, "Uh-huh," and there is more scribbling. "Is she still there, or has she gone out?"

Azalea says "She's gone out."

The voice says, "Okay. You did the right thing to wait there. She won't leave the plane, we think. Hm. We may be able to get you some listening devices to plant. That okay?"

Azalea says, blandly, "That's fine."

The voice says, "Okay. I'll pass in your report. Thank you very much. Anything you need your end?"

Azalea says "A clue, maybe. All I'm really supposed to be doing is follow this woman around?"

The woman's voice lowers, conspiratorially. "Well, yes, for the moment, but I think they're just trying to get information on her entire ring before they grab them all."

Azalea repeats, still bland, "'They'."

The woman's voice lowers still further. "The others like you, Mistress. I just do what I'm told."

Azalea pages: One of Azalea's skills is 'detect lies', I think.

You paged Azalea with 'Yes, you've got it at a total of 10, -1 for being over the phone. Roll.'.

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

You paged Azalea with 'She's lying: you get the impression she knows more than she's telling, and that she feels guilty about it.'.

Azalea tells the receptionist, dryly, "How very nice for you, to be out of the loop. Maybe next time I can give my report to someone who has answers."

The receptionist swallows. "Yes, Mistress. I'm sorry, Mistress."

Azalea's voice is cutting. "Don't call me 'Mistress', you nitwit. You're in a public place - and talking on a cellphone - and you must sound like an idiot to anyone who can hear."

The receptionist sounds nervous enough to be on the point of begging. "I'm, er, very sorry, madam. We'll have the next booking for you as soon as possible."

Azalea says "Better. But next time I ask a question, I expect a straight answer. I do not like being lied to by lackeys."

The receptionist swallows again, her breathing settling. "Yes, madam. We are ready with all your information requirements."

Azalea says, crisply, "Thank you."

The receptionist says, "Will there be anything else, madam?"

Azalea says "No."

The receptionist says, "Thank you, madam," and rings off.

Demiurge says "Does Azalea have any other plans?"

Azalea says "Probably to dump everything at the hotel room and go back to Sistine's."

Demiurge nods.

Demiurge says "Marath is managing to be in about six places at once."

Demiurge notes that Aron is also lounging in the general dining area.

Aron is, somewhat predictably, drinking black coffee and leafing through a children's book.

Azalea enters the room briskly and glances around.

Marath flicks a brief wave, and heads into the kitchen again.

The room is busy, though not crowded, with diners enjoying food and coffee.

Aron turns the page and pauses to take a sip of his coffee. He looks around, notes Azalea and nods. Instinctively, he checks the space around her.

Azalea goes directly up to her room.

The room has not been disturbed since she was last there: nobody has tried to search it or move anything.

Azalea takes a seat, opens her file, and waits.

About nine minutes later, there is a knock on the door.

Azalea says "Who is it?"

The voice replies, "Marath. I have coffee."

>From afar, Azalea rolls to test for lies?

You paged Azalea with 'Sure, if you want.'.

<> Azalea rolls the d666 and gets 1 1 CHECK: 1.

<> Daimon spews coffee all over the keyboard.

<> Pat says "WOO!"

<> Demiurge says "Wow."

<> Sarah says "EEP"

<> Azalea says "All I wanted to know was if she was safe."

Demiurge says "Azalea, you suddenly realise precisely _how_ safe she is. You gain some perception of her Malakite, honor-bound nature, and exactly how trustworthy and precise she is. Unbending, reliable, _good_."

Demiurge says "It's a different sort of feeling from when you try to normally guess whether a demon or human is telling lies."

Demiurge says "It's a perspective on her - and maybe on other angels - that you didn't have before."

Demiurge says "She is here with nothing but coffee, and with good intentions."

Demiurge says "She is safe."

Azalea says, almost startled, "Come in."

Marath enters, pushing the door open with her hip. She's balancing a tray with two mugs of black coffee, which smell extremely good.

Marath closes the door behind her. "Everything all right? I thought I might as well check on what you'd be wanting, if you plan to stay out of the way later."

Azalea says "Just some toast, maybe? Everything's fine, as fine goes."

Marath nods. She removes one of the mugs from the tray, and puts it down on the table nearby. "Can do. Do you take it dry, or with butter, or how?"

Azalea says "Butter and preserves, please."

Marath nods again. "I'll bring some up. Do you want me to send Aron up with it, or would you rather have the peace and quiet?"

Azalea says "If he wants to come."

<> Pat says "He's a Creationer, Az, of course he wa...never mind."

Marath picks up her tray again. "I'll ask him. I'll keep you updated on things below, too. No need for you to be stuck up here unless it's necessary." She wanders back to the door.

Azalea says, her voice suddenly gentle, "Thank you, Marath."

Marath smiles in return. "It's a pleasure, dear. Heaven knows I'd be annoyed if I were stuck up here all the day while people were dining downstairs."

Marath lets herself out, the door shnicking closed behind her.

Azalea drinks from her coffee, thoughtful.

Downstairs, some five minutes later, Marath comes across to Aron's table, and leans against it. In a conspiratorial manner, she mutters, "Busy?"

Aron looks up and sets aside the book. He shakes his head. "Prince George can wait," he murmurs.

Marath smiles. "Your mission, should you choose to accept it, and if it won't bore you, is to take the toast and butter and jams currently sitting just inside the door to the back stairs up to Azalea's room, and to chat with her."

Marath says, more seriously, "I'll let you know when company arrives."

Aron nods. Solemnly, he offers, "I'll require a scone of my own in payment." His eyes twinkle.

Marath says, equally solemn, "I put two portions worth there. Now hurry on with you, I've got garlic to chop." She heads back for the kitchen.

Aron finally allows himself a smile. He picks up his book and rises. Taking the tray in hand, he makes his way up to Azalea's room. He knocks.

Azalea says "Come in," without bothering to ask who it is, perhaps still in shock from the last time.

Aron opens the door and steps in. "Room service," he announces.

Azalea's expression twists. "Just what every demon wants. Angelic room service."

Aron's lips twitch. "I'm sure it figured in many a nightmare."

Aron sets the toast and coffee down, and serves appropriately. "How are you?"

Azalea says "Well enough."

Aron says "Really?"

Azalea says "I spoke with Liz this morning; she advised me to, rather than go officially renegade, to continue with the appearance of industry and loyalty. To that end, she'll supply me with the information I need until I can break completely."

Aron nods. "Traders, as I said, are good at that sort of camouflage."

<> Liz says "Who, moi?"

Azalea says "'Traders'."

Aron says "Liz."

Aron says "She serves Trade, and well I am told."

<> Liz is looking to redeem the whole set! (Terry's next.)

<> Demiurge snorts.

Azalea says "I do wonder how 'trading' became an angelic occupation. I always thought we created commerce."

Aron takes a bite of toast. After swallowing, he offers, "No, just greed."

Azalea says "Hrm."

Aron takes a sip of his coffee. "I imagine we're rather starkly portrayed in Hell."

Azalea says "Probably."

Azalea says "I've never been much for gossip."

Aron nods. "Nor I. Have you come up with any questions?"

Azalea says "What happens next?"

Aron says "Prepare yourself for a cliche."

Aron says "That depends on you."

Azalea says "It's not a very helpful cliche."

Aron purses his lips. "No, I suppose it isn't." He sips his coffee.

Aron says "I'll elucidate."

Aron says "If, after your introspection and your questioning, you've found some part of what drives you from hell and, more importantly, towards Heaven, then we will arrange a meeting."

Azalea says "I tire quickly of my own thoughts."

Aron sips his coffee. "I know Dream and Creation." He pauses, as if about to say something else. "I can tell you about those two."

Azalea says "Tell me the thing you didn't say, first."

Aron frowns. "I am unwilling, but you already have my name. I could also tell you of Purity."

Azalea says "Why were you unwilling?"

Aron pushes aside the tray. "The memory of Purity makes me sad." He holds up a hand. "I don't think I could adequately explain it. I don't adequately understand it."

Azalea says "Then I certainly wouldn't."

Aron nods. "But Dream... I can speak of Dream happily."

Azalea says "Why?"

Aron chuckles. "My own question thrown back at me." He finds a seat. "Dream satisfies me. It is, in many ways, the broadest of the Words, I think." He looks distant. "Man dreams widely and thickly." He pauses. "And not all of those dreams are bad," he says, focusing again.

Azalea observes, "I've noticed."

Aron nods. "My work is to perfect dreams."

Azalea says "How does one 'perfect' a dream?"

Aron stands and paces. "Let us say that there is an architect."

Aron says "In his dreams, at some point, might come a vision of a building. But if the day has been tiring or the month stressful, then the vision might be clouded. Distractions enter the dream."

Aron says "I would help him clear them away - perfect the dream."

Azalea says "I'm not sure this helps me."

Aron pauses, then nods. "All right."

Azalea looks discontented. "I'm not sure what would. I want to move on, to another step. I want to know what the steps are." She stands, putting her coffee mug aside.

Aron considers. "First, you must know what it is of hell that drives you away. You've done that. Then, what it is of Heaven that draws you. You've done some of that, as well, I think."

Azalea turns on him. "It distresses me that I do have to be 'drawn'. I want to have my considerable skills put to good use. Must I become a zealot, for this to happen?"

Aron says, simply, "Yes."

Aron holds up a hand. "But hear me out."

Azalea puts a lid on her next, doubtless desultory, remark.

Aron smiles.

Aron says "Heaven is not a corporation."

Aron pauses. "Much as Liz would argue otherwise."

Aron searches for words. "I *love* what I do, Azalea. The need to do it is a need inside me."

Aron says "For me, the burn is a comfortable one. Not only am I old, but I have passed from one duty to the next more times than others. But it is still a fire."

Azalea says "And that is how I feel, about my work."

Azalea says "I just want to change directions."

Aron nods. "Don't you think it's reasonable, then, to find a place in Heaven where you can apply that same fire?"

Azalea says "But finding a place in Heaven is different from finding Heaven."

Azalea says "It's a little easier to hack."

Aron nods. "You mentioned Fire, I mentioned Dream. These are two places."

Azalea says "What was the other one you said you could speak of?"

Aron says "Creation."

Aron smiles, despite himself. "The Word that saved me."

Azalea says "From what?"

Aron says "Myself."

Aron says "I think - and I'm not sure - that I almost Fell, once."

Azalea says "I know."

Azalea smiles darkly.

Azalea says "Tell me about Creation, then."

Aron's features fold briefly into the hard lines common to the Malakim. After a moment he softens, and nods. "I don't know where to start."

Aron says, somewhat abashed, "It's a very big Word, and it's not terribly well understood by Heaven."

Azalea lifts a brow. "There's something Heaven doesn't understand? You shock me."

Aron smiles, at that. "I know."

Azalea says "What do you do?"

Aron says "I'm an editor."

Aron considers. "Well, an Editor, I suppose."

Azalea says "What does that mean?"

Aron says "It means that I looked at the creations, and the Creations, of others and made them better."

Aron says "That's what I do, you know. I make things better. It's the purpose to which I was created."

Azalea says "And mine, the opposite."

Aron's lips quirk. "I know. But I was not created by Dream. I was created by Purity."

Azalea says, suddenly, "They want to take you all in."

Aron pauses, and finds a seat. "Tell me."

Azalea says "That's all I know."

Aron frowns. "The demons want to take us 'in'. To hell?"

Azalea says "I tried to find out what all this was about, and the receptionist told me that 'they' - whoever 'they' are - want more information, so they can bring you all in."

Aron nods. "So there's to be blood." His features harden. "My duties were twofold, under my Lord. For the one, perfect the Creations of others. For the other, protect the Creators."

Azalea says "And you think I should go to Dream."

Aron nods. "I do."

Azalea says "Should I speak to someone, there?"

Aron leans back. "I can see you there, but I do not know you as well as you do."

Aron nods. "I can get you started, but you should." He is quiet for a time. "I would have you meet my Lady, if she is amenable."

Azalea says "Very well."

Azalea asks, after a moment, "What is she like?"

Aron smiles, at that, again left defenseless. "She's beautiful," he murmurs, "though in a quiet, strengthening way. She is fierce, dedicated to her demesnes and if you did not know her you might think her cold."

Aron says "She is sad."

Azalea says "Why?"

Aron says, suddenly, "Do you know that Beleth was once my Lady's lover?"

Azalea laughs. "No."

Aron nods. "They were."

Aron says "I would be sad, were I she."

Azalea asks, curiously, "Do you really think so? As I see it, Nightmare has as much a role in the creation of - well, of creation - as Dream. Images of cruelty can be beautiful."

Azalea says "Even compelling."

Aron nods. "I agree. But to what end to they compell you?"

Aron says "There is, I think, a difference between nightmare and Nightmare, yes?"

Azalea says "Yes."

Azalea says "Still, sometimes I think we must have have dreamed up the Crucifixion, and it got out of hand. It's such a perfect image."

Aron says "It is a perfect image."

Aron says "Until it becomes a nightmare. You see?"

Azalea says "But it was a nightmare first."

Aron frowns. "Do you truly believe that?"

Azalea says "Crucifixion was around a long time before anyone deified found their way onto a cross."

Azalea says "I bet there's a demon out there languishing in Hell, thinking of the glory days before the Galilean, when he was lauded for his invention."

Aron nods. "Indeed, but the image of the Martyr is a different one entirely." He pauses. "But yes, for martyrdom to exist, first there must be fear and pain."

Azalea says "For greater good, there must be greater evil?"

Aron shakes his head. "I would not take that step, no. But certain goods are made greater by the evil they transform."

Azalea says "You don't think that maybe both sides are needed? That for good to triumph, there must be evil? That maybe we weren't created just to give the other side something to do all these years?"

Aron shakes his head. Seriously, he says, "Good does not triumph by 'defeating evil'. Good triumphs by promoting goodness."

Aron says "There is a difference between pain and evil, however."

Azalea says "Goodness for its own sake. Interesting."

Aron says "One might argue that it is a cornerstone of Heaven."

Azalea says "I have this strange, panic reaction to mention of Heaven as a whole."

Azalea says "I wonder if this is a problem."

Aron says "Potentially."

Aron smiles, ruefully. "Liz will indubitably say it is not."

Azalea says "And yet I find her much more terrifying than you."

Aron says "Why?"

Azalea says "She is so bright, my eyes hurt to look at her; her words sparkle and bounce and glow. I am not made for this, not yet; I want quiet rivers, tranquil. I want moonlight."

Aron nods, thoughtfully. "I don't know that I shouldn't be offended."

Aron smiles. "Time and Dream have dimmed my light and softened it, respectively, however."

Azalea says "Or maybe you're just more practical - as paradoxical as that might seem."

Azalea says "You don't seem to expect that I will feel the glow, just yet."

Aron nods, thoughtfully. "I simply don't know what's necessary."

Aron says "I know what I feel. I know what I wish you to feel. But how can anyone but you lead you there?"

Azalea says "Again, more panic."

Azalea says "But I think I've defined it."

Azalea says "It's - fear of failure."

Azalea says "That I'm simply not capable of the feelings I'm expected to have."

Aron nods. "That's a lie, you know. I'm no Seraph with six eyes dedicated to the Truth, but I know that much."

Aron says "It will be difficult. I think it will even hurt."

Azalea says "I've heard something like that."

Azalea says "Hurting would be okay."

Aron nods. "And it'll stop hurting, too."

Aron says "I don't know if you realize that."

Azalea says "Perhaps it's the journey through the forge that sets the mind the way it should go. Maybe I'm panicking over something that isn't even mine to control."

Aron says "Do this."

Aron says "Do what you think is right; what feels right not just instinctively but after consideration."

Azalea says "I don't *do* anything. I wait."

Aron says "Will you come with me, when next I enter the Marches?"

Azalea says "Yes."

Aron nods. "Then you can see what I do, and we can see what you are tempted towards."

Azalea says "I don't *feel* tempted."

Aron says "One can be tempted towards Good."

Aron says "It is a sweeter thing."

Azalea says "We'll see."

Aron nods. "I want to see if you can use Fear for good in the Marches."

Azalea says "Fear, for good."

Aron says "Yes."

Aron says "Some would say it is something quite familiar to the Malakim."

Azalea says "I've heard that."

Aron nods. "Carelesness does not serve good."

Aron says "Fear is the cure, so fear can be a good thing."

Azalea says "Preachers have been using fear of hell to drive their flocks to heaven for centuries."

Azalea says "I'm not entirely certain I believe the tactic was successful."

Aron nods. "That's not the fear I'd like to see you apply."

Aron says "Those Preachers had no love."

Azalea says "How does that work?"

Aron frowns, pensively. "Let us say that there is a person you love."

Aron says "I understand the concept may be foreign. Bear with me."

Azalea says "I bear."

Aron says "Say this person you love is about to embark on a dangerous, unhealthy and ill advised course of action."

Aron says "Imagine a mother finding out her son is about to buy a motorcycle."

Aron says "Fear becomes an entirely reasonable method to save this person you love."

Azalea says "I like motorcycles."

Aron's lips twitch. "As do I, much to my consternation."

Aron says "But surely you, daughter of Nightmare, can exert your imagination."

Azalea says "I can."

Aron nods. "Fear can be used in the Marches similarly. A touch to clarify, to guard, to advise."

Aron challenges, "It'd take a subtle touch."

Azalea lifts a carefully plucked eyebrow. "I can do that."

Aron hides a smile. "The next time I go, I'll tell you."

Azalea says "Good."

---

Fiat Justitia