A Quiet Basement

Liz would probably get frustrated eventually, and call back asking for the nearest Lust tethers to the comedy place.

Demiurge says "Daimon, your cellphone is ringing."

Daimon is in Pat's kitchen, picking through his fridge without too much enthusiasm. He picks his phone off the kitchen table, and answers it, warily, sounding vaguely depressed. "Yeah? Hello?"

Pat is at his desk, doing mundane stuff at the moment.

Liz says "Daimon, hi. It's Liz. I'm out driving around, looking for your friend from the comedy club who disappeared on us yesterday."

Liz says "Like I said at Sistine's, I'm pretty sure he's okay, but I think you should talk to him."

Daimon perks up a bit. "Really? Cool."

Liz says "I'm not having much luck so far. My list of potential sites is too long, so maybe you can help narrow things down for me. Do you, or someone you know and can talk to, have a list of Andresites or Andretethers near the club?"

Daimon says "I don't. I bet I know someone who does, though."

Liz says "Okay, you know the number of this phone?"

Daimon says "Um, no, I don't. You bought it and never told me what the number was."

Liz laughs.

Daimon says "I figured I was too much of a basketcase to be considered secure, you know?""

Liz gives Daimon both numbers: 'her' phone, the one he carries now, and the one she got from the trade tether, and makes sure which is which.

Liz says "I think you'll be okay, Daimon. And I trust you to do the right thing. It's fine if Terry has the number for your phone, but I'd like to keep this one a bit more secret."

Daimon digs around in his jacket (which is not in the kitchen, and requires him to wander around Pat's house until he finds it) pulls out his pad of paper, and jots them down. "Okay, cool. I am now In The Know."

Daimon says "Understandable. I mean, he has the number of my phone, and who knows who'll be calling me now. Terrybuddies. Be afraid."

Liz says "Just so long as he keeps the brainwashing to a minimum."

Liz says "Let me know as soon as you get the list, okay? I have Hitherby and Sephar with, if you need to make a 'secure' connection."

Daimon says "Well, we'll keep it to mostly me. I don't know which was is up anymore anyway, so the damage is minimized."

Daimon says "And I'll give you a call in a few minutes."

Liz says "Great. Take care. Love you!"

Daimon says "I love you too, Liz. Be careful."

Liz says "I will."

Liz says "I have plenty of backup, I should be OK."

Daimon says "Kyriotate power."

Liz says "Darn straight."

Liz doesn't mention Azalea's following her around, too.

Daimon says "You're in good hands. I'll call you back in a few minutes."

Daimon waits for Liz to hang up.

Daimon hangs up, and then dials Terry's cellphone number.

Daimon thinks about the Phone service, Dial-A-Balseraph.

Daimon remembers to mention that.

Terry answers after the first ring. "Hey there, can I help you?"

Daimon says "Hey, it's Dai, and I hope so."

Terry says, "Sure, Dai. What can I do for you?"

Daimon says "Do you know any of the locations of Lust Tethers in DC?"

Daimon cuts to the chase.

Terry pauses. "Let me check a moment on that one. I don't know offhand, but someone in the Tether may." There's the mutter of talk away from the phone.

Daimon raises his eyebrows, and waits.

Terry takes his hand off the phone after a minute, and speaks again. "Okay, I got a site, but I need a sort of guarantee, Daimie. Like, that if I tell you, it's not going to end up with large numbers of black-wing-types smashing the door down, you know?"

Daimon says "Somehow I think if I contact some black wing types, they're going to kill me first."

Terry says, meaningfully, "The Pretty Prince would not be happy with my people if that happened. If he found out." He stresses the "found out".

Daimon says "I'm looking for a Kobalite ex-Seneschal. Is that better?"

Terry says, "Sure, whatever. I haven't heard about that there yet, but you'd know your side better than I would."

Daimon says "I used to think so. I can guarentee it's not for calling down a

Malakim Hit Squad."

There's a rustling of paper. Terry says, "Okay." He gives an address. "Go to the lift at the end on the left of the entrance hall."

Daimon says "What kind of place is this?"

Terry says "Press for the basement. When you get there, there's a corridor, and then there's a closed door, with two goons who tell you it's a private club. Oh, it's one of those quiet little expensive places."

Daimon says "Oh, a bordello."

Terry says, "Well, what the fuck kind of place you think he's going to have as a Tether?"

Daimon says "Okay, sheesh. Sorry for making a comment."

Terry says, "You tell the goons that you're from the IRS and show a Gold Card, at the moment. They take a look at it, and let you in."

Daimon takes notes of all this. "Very cute."

Terry says, "Apparently they've got one of those cute change-the-password systems. IRS is the current one."

Terry says, "Then you just go in there. Current Seneschal's called Shemyaza. Has Vessels of both sexes, so I don't know what he or she'll look like, but they'll probably be in charge."

Daimon says "Okay, thanks. Hopefully he's hiding there."

Terry says, more seriously, "Look, be careful, Daimie. Some shit I can't get you out of."

Daimon says, honestly, "Terry, I'm scared. I'm probably going to die soon."

Pat looks up from the desk. "Are not." He goes back to work.

Terry snorts. "Not if your friends have anything to say about it, baby, and especially not if you still have that cute girlie form."

Pat considers, then looks up again. "Daimon?"

Daimon says "Fab-u-lous. One needs to rely on the charity of one's friends. You've been a help, thanks. And nothing that will get you in trouble is going to happen."

Hitherby hums quietly.

Terry says, "Give my love to the cute redhead, baby," and puts the phone down.

Daimon shakes his head, hangs up the phone, and dials Liz.

Pat shrugs, and goes back to work.

Liz answers the phone, "This is Liz."

Daimon says "I just got off the phone, and I have your information."

Liz says "Great. I think."

Daimon holds up his notepad, and recites the instructions he just received from Terry, including the bit about the IRS and the Gold Card and the warning about if the Seneschal is currently a He or a She. "And, you need to dye your hair."

Liz says "Dye my hair?"

Daimon says "Certain Balseraphim like red heads."

Liz siiiighs.

Liz says "Joy. Okay, thanks for the info. Now, next question, and Pat might want to hear it."

Daimon says "Sure. I can tell it to Pat."

Liz says "Do you want to come with while I check the place to see if your friend is there, or would you rather stay there? I'd prefer to minimize exposure here."

Daimon gets up off the couch, and pads into Pat's office, to sit in the chair across from his desk.

Pat sets his pen down and looks at Daimon.

Daimon says "I think Sarah would object to me going into a Tether of Lust."

Pat says "I think so too."

Daimon says "Pat also objects."

Liz says "Okay. I think I have enough backup, so I'll do it. If I find your friend, I'll have him call you, and you two can see if you want to meet."

Daimon says "Definitely. Arranging a meeting would be optimal."

Daimon can't figure out if he's some sort of weird prisoner or a really well dressed pimp.

Liz says "All right. If I don't call back or show up in an hour, you might want to have Pat come looking. With friends."

Daimon says "Okay, one hour. And I will tell Pat that we're waiting for your call."

Liz says "Great! Thanks Daimon. Bye!"

Daimon says "Be careful, Liz. I don't like Lust, and I was one once..."

Daimon sighs. "Bye Liz. Talk to you when you call back in an hour."

Liz says "I'll be very careful. And I'm taking backup."

Daimon says "That's good. Hitherby's mind is very sturdy."

Hitherby hums quietly in the next seat over.

Daimon hangs up the phone, looks at Pat, and says, "If Liz does not call back in one hour, we'll need to do something."

Hitherby whispers atonally to Liz, "You have discovered the Tether?"

Pat nods to Daimon.

Liz nods. "I have."

Liz says "We're going to go ask about a certain Seneschal of Comedy."

Daimon says to Pat, "I wasn't ignoring you, I was in the middle of conversation."

Hitherby chrisks. "Indeed." She wibbles her wings thoughtfully. "I am not likely to be welcome in this current form -- at least, not at first encounter. Perhaps a pocket? Or under your shirt, in back?"

Liz says "Somewhere you won't get crushed if I have to go into major dodge mode."

Liz says "In the holster next to the gun is a good choice. If I have to pull the gun, you can ride it out, and if I don't, you'll be protected."

Hitherby considers. "Reasonable enough. Pause for a moment, when we arrive, and I will climb in. Unless you feel comfortable with me under your hair -- the other alternative that suggests itself to me."

Liz laughs. "That's fine too."

Liz drives over to the tether.

It's in the high-rent old-business district, and the building whose address you have looks like just another of the expensive banks or corporations along there. There's a large lobby, with several elevators along it.

Hitherby will climb into Liz's hair, then, as she gets out. (This is the advantage of working with other angels instead of Soldiers.) Then she goes still. In the back of the head, mostly -- she wants to be able to erupt out at need, doesn't need to see.

Liz is still dressed to kill, so to speak, from lunch with Terry.

Liz strides confidently into the building.

Nobody gives Liz a second look. Business is quiet and steady, people come in and go out.

Liz looks elegant, professional, and sexy.

Liz follows the directions, going to the appropriate elevator, getting on, pressing the 'B' button.

The lift doors close, and the lift descends. It feels as if it goes down for more than one floor, before it opens on a dark-walled passage with overhead lighting.

Liz works on calming her motions, making her seem less obviously fidgety, and instead smooth and directed. Mostly it's the same way she gets when she flies.

Liz strides down the hallway.

At the end of the corridor, two men are seated: both in neat suits, but with a certain goon quality about them. They are sitting on either side of a door in the wall.

Hitherby . o O ( Mental note: cut down on days where you lose one host, have to scramble to save another's job, chitchat with a Balseraph, and walk into a demonic Tether. )

Liz smiles at the men. (Ick, Calabim.) She picks the one who appears to be the more dominant/bigger/whichever, and says, "Hello. I'm with the IRS." She shows him a corporate Gold Card from a dummy corporation that has no obvious links to Blue Sky.

Liz is not going to be dumb enough to use her real name or Blue Sky's name in a Tether of Lust. no *way*.

The man takes the card, scrutinises it, and nods. The other leans across to press a small button set into the frame of the door, then rises to push it open. "Go on in, madam."

The first man passes the card back to Liz.

Liz walks coolly into the room, and lets Demiurge go happily decadent describing the place.

Through the door is a neat little anteroom, with a young woman sitting behind a desk. Several small doors are inset in the wall to the side, and there is a main door at the other end. It all looks like nothing more than a businesslike anteroom.

The young woman, who is wearing a white latex basque and high heels, says, "Good morning, mistress. Is this your first visit here?"

Liz smiles at the young woman, and nods. "I'm here on business, not pleasure, alas. May I please speak to the Manager, in private?"

The young woman bows her head very politely. "Certainly, mistress. Shall I give any name or relevant business?"

The whole room is well-carpeted and entirely soundproof. No noise drifts in through the walls or from any doors.

Liz says "Please tell her that I'm a business associate of a popular Comedian your manager may be aware of, and that we need to discuss pressing matters."

The young woman looks blankly noncomprehending, but bows her head in another nod. She presses one of the buttons on her desk, and murmurs into the intercom. She murmurs, "Your pardon, madam. A business associate of a popular Comedian known to you wishes to speak to you."

Liz is, by the bye, wearing sunglasses of the 'slumming movie star' type.

There is a brief buzz, and then the voice replies, "Male or female?"

The young woman answers, "Female, madam. Red hair, sunglasses, very well-dressed."

Liz smiles reassuringly at the young woman.

A pause, and then the voice says, "I will see her in the White Room. James will be by to fetch her."

The young woman presses the button again, and looks up. "She will see you in a moment, mistress."

Liz nods. "Thank you. The service here is excellent."

The young woman looks relieved. A few moments later, the door at the far end of the room opens, and a large black man with ripped t-shirt and stone-washed jeans enters. His hair is buzz-cut short, and metal glints at points through the ripped shirt.

The large man nods, flatly. "My name is James. You are requested to come with me."

Liz nods to 'James'. "Of course." She smiles again at the young woman, and turns to follow him, without getting too close.

James opens the door for Liz, letting her walk into the corridor beyond, and closes it behind her. The corridor is similarly soundproofed and heavily carpeted and well-lit.

Liz waits politely for James to lead.

James leads the way down to the left, past several doors in the walls, until he comes to the seventh on the right. He opens it. The room beyond can be seen to be walled in white, and have a brushed-board pale floor and ceiling.

Liz nods to James. "Thank you." Then she walks into the room.

Liz looks about for places to sit.

James nods, and closes the door behind Liz.

Liz does not bother to check the door. Either it's locked, or unlocked. If the former, she brought her own ninja dragonfly.

Inside, the furniture is neat office furniture, though the odd attached bolts and locks are an incongruous note. There is a small-built Asian woman in a sari sitting at a desk to the left of the door, and she rises as Liz enters.

The Asian woman, who is neatly coiffed and in a high-slit scarlet sari, folds her hands and bows her head. "Good afternoon."

Liz coasts to a stop in front of the desk, just out of arm's reach. She bows in turn. "Good afternoon. Thank you for taking the time to meet with me."

The woman smiles, and takes a seat. "Please, do sit down. I understand that we have some interests in common."

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

<> Demiurge says "Liz, what's your current main emotional state?"

Liz sits down across from the woman, seemingly unconsciously picking at the armrest.

Liz says "Somewhat nervous, but hopeful this will work out and we'll be able to come to a mutually beneficial agreement. Impressed at the quick service and excellent customer relations so far."

The woman says, "So, how may I assist you?"

Liz says "I am an associate of noted Comedian. Recently his... union has been undergoing some difficulties. Top leadership investigated for possible conflicts of interest and the like."

Liz says "As a result, the local 'Union' hall was hard hit, and the local manager forced to flee, in poor shape."

The woman nods, thoughtfully. She pauses, then speaks a sentence in a grinding and harsh tongue, one that is almost physically unpleasant.

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

Demiurge says "Main emotional reaction to that, please, Liz."

Liz says "Distaste, lack of comprehension."

The woman smiles, slowly.

Liz sighs. "I was warned you might do that. I don't understand the language. Please understand that I am under certain obligations to my associate. I will not harm him, nor give away his location."

Liz says "It would be... unfortunate."

The woman parts her hands, and reaches across to touch a button on one arm of her chair. She presses it, once, then says, "I do ask your pardon. You will understand that I could not take the risk that you might serve the Game."

The woman says, "However, the Game would understand Helltongue."

Liz shrugs. "Perhaps. Their human servitors might not."

The woman inclines one hand. "In any case, you have made certain facts quite clear. I will be equally frank. The person who you are looking for is under our care, but is somewhat damaged, both physically and mentally. The loss of his Tether."

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

Demiurge says "Liz, Hitherby, make a Per roll."

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

Liz nope.

Demiurge says "Actually, Liz, even despite your blowing it, you have the feeling that something just happened nearby."

Demiurge says "Yes, it was that big."

Liz blinks.

<> Hitherby rolls the d666 and gets 1 2 CHECK: 6.

<> Hitherby says "Woo."

<> Pat says "WOO!"

<> Liz's jaw drops.

<> Hitherby is notorious for her keen senses.

<> Daimon says "Hitherby's Sturdy Mind!"

Demiurge says "Hitherby, a Superior just arrived, and it was a few rooms away."

<> Pat says "oh shit."

<> Daimon says "AUGH! ANDRE! RUN!"

<> Pat states, again, oh shit.

<> Pat says "Are we close enough to said Tether to feel this?"

Hitherby hums, sharply, "Superior!"

<> Demiurge says "(a) No, Pat, and (b) the Tether is shielding the noise somewhat."

<> Pat says "Okey"

The woman frowns abruptly. "You are accompanied?" She half rises.

<> Hitherby just relayed, though. Multiprocessing Kyriotates :)

Liz stands abruptly. "No."

Liz says "You were expecting a visit from your Superior?"

The woman makes a small gesture, showing both her hands are free. "Please sit down. You have my word that you are not in any immediate danger."

Liz says "I rephrase. I am unaccompanined by anyone who makes *that* sort of noise."

Liz nods, somewhat grudgingly. "All right."

Liz sits.

The door of the room opens. Beyond it is a faintly-rumpled looking man, black hair carelessly tied back in a ponytail, blue eyes glinting and charming. He is in a loose shirt and jeans, barefoot, and smiling.

Liz sighs. "'Immediate' danger..." she murmurs to herself.

The woman at the desk rises, then bows her head. She walks across, still with her head bowed, and goes down on her knees beside the man. He reaches down to stroke her hair, still smiling.

Liz stands up, and bows deeply, although she does not go to her knees. She leaves the glasses on, for all the good it will do. "Dread Prince."

The man says, "I'm so glad that you didn't feel the urge to run. There are a couple of things that I need from you."

Hitherby crouches low on Liz's head and performs the bug equivalent of growling. Very very quiet, but Andre can probably hear. Of course, he probably knows she's there -- make that 'certainly knows'.

<> Pat says "Andre likes redheads too."

There is a almost tangible feeling of heat in the air, desire, what one might call raw sex. It doesn't even seem a conscious thing. It's just there, crawling against the skin, hanging, warm.

Liz thinks about how Daimon felt against her, and how this feels. This is *much* stronger, but it's...lacking something.

Hitherby says, softly, in Pat's house, unless prevented, "He's here."

Liz concentrates on what it lacks.

Liz waits for him to continue.

Andrealphus lets his hand fall from his servant's head, and wanders across towards Liz, lazily. The woman stays kneeling there, head still bowed.

Andrealphus says, "My dear - and may I say that I fully admire Daimonique's taste - I am afraid that I need to talk to your consort, quite urgently. You see, I have information, and he needs it."

Liz says "I...see."

Liz says "Would a phone call be sufficient, or do you require face to face contact?"

Liz resists the urge to run like a Demon Prince was chasing her, since if she did, he would.

Andrealphus' steps take him round behind Liz, and Hitherby can quite clearly feel his gaze, even through the hair. "A Domination. How charming. I remember..." his voice trails off for a moment, then he continues.

Andrealphus says, "I am afraid it will have to be face to face, my sweet, since it is a matter of such urgency that Kobal only told it to the others of us face to face."

Liz can't quite keep from forcing herself from shifting her weight from foot to foot, nor does she particularly want to.

Liz says "I'll tell him, of course. His choice on whether or not he wants to meet."

Liz says "May I make a call?"

Andrealphus says, "Of course. Strictly consensual." He reaches to touch the side of Liz's neck. "You're twitching, sweet. Are you nervous?"

Hitherby rotates on Liz's scalp, tickling, to keep Andrealphus in -- well, she can't see through the hair, but to continue to face his presence.

Liz says "Need you ask, Dread Prince?"

Andrealphus chuckles, and his laugh is a brush against the skin, like a breath. "Good answer. Of course you can make a phone call, sweet."

Andrealphus removes his hand, slowly.

Liz turns neatly to pluck her phone from her jacket, half a step away from the touch before she realizes it. She dials the number of the cellphone Daimon has.

Liz swears to herself she is going to go straight to Marc after this and ask him to have her soul dry-cleaned.

Hitherby hums, quietly, almost audibly, "We are guests." Then she stops growling and simply huddles down as a bug does when it's taking a few minutes off.

Daimon jumps when the phone rings, and picks it up off of Pat's desk, where he set it. "Liz?"

Liz says "It's me, Daimon. Things just became... complex. I'm at the location. They have custody of your associate. He's in bad shape, physically and mentally, but stable. Most of it is the loss of his place of business."

>From afar, Hitherby dunno how Demon Princes are at sensory stuff, but Hitherby can't make up her mind whether it's good or bad that it would be rude to challenge him outright and be wiped from existence. :)

Andrealphus makes a small, approving noise in the depths of his throat as his eyes wander over Liz's figure.

Long distance to Hitherby: Demiurge snickers.

Daimon swallows. "Understandable. Are you okay?"

Liz says "However, the Owner of this Location just showed up. He says he has news from your 'Boss', that it was said face to face, that you need to hear it, and that you can only hear it face to face."

Liz says "I'm as okay as I'm going to get under the circumstances. Don't feel you have to show up. There is, I believe, no implied threat that I have to say if you don't come."

Liz looks somewhat hopefully at Andre, sort of willing this to be Reality.

Daimon says, "I am coming then. Now. Right now."

Andrealphus looks faintly hurt. "My sweet and charming Ofanite, I am not threatening you at all. I am appealing to his sense of duty."

Pat looks at Daimon. "Elsewhere."

Daimon looks at the assembled group. "I'm not going to fight with him, Pat. I need someone's car keys."

Sarah takes a deep breath. "I'll drive you."

Andrealphus looks thoughtful. "You are speaking to him at the moment?"

Liz nods. "I am."

Andrealphus reaches across for the phone. "If I may?"

Daimon says into the phone, "I am leaving Pat's home and going outside now. I'll be there nearing the speed of light."

Liz says "And your pardon, Dread Prince. This is something of a novel experience for me."

Liz holds the phone by the very ends of her fingers, and passes it over.

Pat rises from his chair, and picks up his jacket.

Andrealphus takes the phone. His eyes abstract, faintly, as though he is concentrating.

Liz idly hopes Sephar is *not* posessing her cellphone.

There is a sudden crackle from the phone which Daimon holds, and a flare of light that bursts from it to encompass Daimon.

Daimon blinks, and doesn't move.

Liz steps back all of a sudden.

<> Demiurge says "Anyone want to grab at Daimon?"

<> Pat does.

Demiurge says "Agility roll for anyone trying to grab Daimon."

<> Pat rolls the d666 and gets 4 1 CHECK: 2.

<> Daimon grabs himself. Um wait.

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

<> Hitherby says "Close!"

<> Sarah says "Very close!"

<> Pat says "Too close."

Demiurge says "Ack. Sorry, Sarah, you miss your grab."

Pat turns at the flash and lunges for the hand holding the cellphone.

The light flares, expanding to include Pat as well, and then both he and Daimon are gone. The phone clatters to the ground, in a faint odour of cologne.

At the same moment, Pat and Daimon appear together in the white room, standing beside Andrealphus and Liz. The woman still kneels by the door, head bowed.

Sarah does not, quite, shriek. She whirls toward Hitherby. "Are they --"

Daimon blinks, twice, and gets onto his knees pretty damn quick.

Andrealphus offers the phone back to Liz. "I am so bad at waiting, sweet."

Liz takes her phone back. "Ah, yes. I can imagine you're quite busy."

Liz says "Pat, Daimon, are you two all right?"

Hither-by-Sarah says, "Blood and ashes. Yes, they're here."

Daimon examines the carpet. Hmmm, nice carpet.

Pat blinks, looks around, and doesn't kneel. Quite. He nods to Liz.

Pat looks at Andre. "Prince."

Hither-by-Sarah adds, "Er, that's, you know, a vituperation, not a description of their arrival state."

Andrealphus smiles, sweetly. The heat of desire still hangs in the air. "You have no objection to your - friends - hearing what I may say, Daimonique? Knowing what it may mean to you?"

Daimon . o O ( Did I bring my autograph book? Noooooooooo. )

Hither-by-Sarah says, "They're fine." And then goes back to gnawing at Pat's chair nervously.

Liz slips her phone back into her purse.

Daimon says "No, my Prince."

<> Pat assumes Andre doesn't feel guilty. :)

Daimon . o O ( Funny story number 4 in two days. 'Boss, you gotta hear this story....' )

Andrealphus says, "There's a sweet girl." He leans down to stroke Daimon's hair away from his face.

<> Demiurge says "Oddly enough, Pat, no. Want to resonate him? :)"

Daimon does not look up, but takes the time to tremble like mad.

Pat's face twitches.

<> Pat does NOT.

<> Pat says "That's a fast track to tattoo land."

Liz takes a half step before she realizes this again, but *forward*, towards Daimon, before she catches herself. Then she goes back to shifting back and forth on the balls of her feet.

Daimon . o O ( If I get out of this alive, I'm going to have so many Funny stories... )

Andrealphus murmurs, "If we had more time... but business, always business. Daimonique, dear, a while ago Kobal came to me and a few of the others, with the most annoying story. About an Alliance."

Sarah relaxes. Slightly. Enough not to fling herself out the door (or a window, faster) at a moment's notice. She does, however, begin to nailbite desperately.

<> Demiurge says "Want to check your attunement, Sarah? :)"

Daimon nods, listening, not saying anything.

<> Pat says "Your resonance tells you Daimon is being groped by a Demon Prince."

<> Sarah knows DAMN WELL what her attunement says :)

Andrealphus nods to himself, still touching Daimon's face. "He informed us, my lovely child, that Asmodeus, Beleth, and Kronos had made an alliance in order to raise themselves and lower the rest of us."

<> Liz points out Sarah could always attempt to summon Yves...

<> Sarah is keeping that in mind, Liz. This is the one reason why she is not in the car and driving already. :)

Daimon flicks his eyes up at Andre.

<> Sarah says "But if Hitherby so much as twitches funny.... :)"

Andrealphus' gaze passes across Liz and Pat, a physical thing. "Of course, the annoying thing, my dears, was that Kobal failed to share any of his proof on the subject. He merely declared that he would bring it down himself."

Daimon closes his eyes. Oddly, he is not surprised.

<> Pat says "I will not feel. Feelings are the mind-killer. Feelings are the little death which bring damnation..."

Liz moves back and forth a little more quickly, and wonders if going to orbit the Seneschal would make her feel better...

Andrealphus removes his hand from Daimon, wandering round him in a circle. "Now, my sweet, I have certain evidence, shall we say, which makes me believe that Kobal intended to break the power of this "alliance" by embarassing the Game."

Andrealphus says, most delicately, "By assisting Renegades."

Pat relaxes, suddenly, falling into abject Elohim calm.

Liz . o O (No fair! Andre gets to orbit and I don't!)

Daimon says "Yes, my Prince. I have heard this rumor."

Daimon corrects, "Of the assisting Renegades."

Andrealphus pauses. "No rumour, my sweet. It is what he did. Unfortunately, it would seem that Asmodeus played the Game a step better than he did."

Andrealphus moves again, walking towards Pat thoughtfully.

Daimon sighs, and gets this amazingly defeated look on his face.

Pat looks at Andrealphus, eyes flat.

Pat . o O ( I will not feel... )

Andrealphus considers Pat. His mouth curves, very slowly. He says, nearly a whisper, to Pat, "Don't challenge me, little one. Do you remember her hair as you let it fall over your hands, her face as you touched her? There is so much more than that."

Hitherby simply huddles. She has many things she would like to say, and all of them are wrong.

Pat says "It is extraneous."

Andrealphus' eyes are darkening as he speaks, to the same shade as Sarah's. "You invited yourself, little Power. Do not even attempt to meet my eyes, or I will break you."

Pat says "We must all be true to our functions."

Andrealphus reaches towards Pat's face, mouth still curved in a smile. He says, almost a whisper, "Lower. Your. Eyes."

Hitherby sighs many tiny little bug-sighs, ceases to huddle, and drifts off of Liz's head into a cloud.

Hitherby, by Sarah, who has been echoing for her, asks, "Will Pat?"

Sarah whispers, "He'll do what's necessary," and closes her eyes, hands shaking.

Hitherby says, quietly, "Eater of dead."

Pat says "I cannot, Prince. I fear you, and I may not let it rule me."

Liz murmurs, "Pat, getting yourself wiped by a Demon Prince is really not optimal just now..." Then she ponders how hard it might be to summon Marc if she blew all of her essence right this second. Or, for that matter, Laurence...

There is something dark at the back of Andrealphus' eyes as he lowers his hand again, turning away. He says, mouth still smiling, "If you come beneath my hand again, Power, when I have no friendship for your allies, you may change your mind."

Liz whew.

Daimon lets out the breath he was holding.

Liz sags a bit, and looks back at the Seneschal for a moment.

Pat exhales.

Daimon goes back to looking at the carpet. Hmmmm... nice carpet. Shag.

Andrealphus turns back, and strokes Daimon's hair again. He continues as though nothing had happened. "The Game is extended, little one. Any embarassment at the moment could be severely damaging to Asmodeus."

The Seneschal is as still as an amber statue, hands crossed on her breast and head bowed. She is not quite trembling.

Daimon says, "Yes, my Prince."

Liz thinks, 'What's the best way to make Daimon feel better and chin up right now. Ah.' She orbits back to the Seneschal, until she stands right next to her.

Hitherby, by Sarah, murmurs, "I suppose I should be pleased."

Andrealphus continues, "And any actual, concrete proof of this Alliance would be equally damaging, if placed in suitable hands. Others among the Princes would take it amiss. Do you take my point, sweet?"

Daimon says, "We have a little proof. Although I left my notepad back on the other end of the phoneline, my Prince. What is it you want to hear from me?"

Sarah lowers her head almost to Pat's desk, and then - after a moment - picks up her pen again, slow. "He's all right?"

Liz . o O (Oh. Score.)

Andrealphus lowers his hands to Daimon's shoulders, and pushes him upright gently, raising Daimon to his feet.

Hitherby, by Sarah, bobs. "Yes."

Sarah lets out a long breath, and begins to take her shorthand notes again. Not as efficient as Judgment shorthand by any means, but something.

Daimon goes to his feet.

Andrealphus turns Daimon to face him, and murmurs, "I want you to save your Prince, little one. And since breaking the Alliance is the only way to do that, I want you to break the Alliance."

Liz says, quietly, "Dread Prince, a question."

Daimon says, quietly, "I will do anything to save my Prince. I will do as you ask... but..."

Andrealphus leans closer. "But what?"

Daimon says "I am but one little servitor of no consequence, my Prince. I will not allow this to get in the way of my duty, however."

Andrealphus smiles. "Ah, but you will go with my blessing and my gift. And you have friends, do you not?"

Liz. o O (Gift? *BLESSING?!*)

Daimon says "Yes, my Prince."

Daimon is into the blessed land of Not Wanting to Know.

Andrealphus glances across at Liz. "Yes, pretty one?"

Liz says, softly, "The disposition of the Dread Prince Vapula in all this. Much of the data we have resides on computers. I trust Lightning to cope with the data we have, but if you have to make use of Vapulan facilities on your end..."

Daimon has a timeshare in the blessed land of Not Wanting to Know.

Liz gives a small shrug.

Hither-by-Sarah murmurs, quietly, "Now I get to watch my back for a century or so, wondering if he even recognized 'Eater of dead' as an insult, and it didn't even distract him." She bites Pat's chair viciously. "He's mean. But it wasn't a very good insult."

Andrealphus says, vaguely, "I had not thought that Vapula had dabbled his fingers into this more than the average, but you have most perceptive eyes. I shall take .. pains .. to look into it."

Daimon . o O ( The Media is my friend. )

Andrealphus turns his attention back to Daimon, and murmurs, "My gift and my blessing." His hand moves behind Daimon's head, tilting him into a kiss.

Liz uh oh.

Hither-by-Sarah wonders, "'Furless spider,' next time, do you think?"

Pat clenches his jaw.

Daimon cooperates as is expected.

You paged Daimon with 'You have just collected Andre's Rite of "have sex for half an hour" for a point of essence.'.

Sarah murmurs shakily, "Spiders have more eyes."

Daimon pages: How quaint.

You paged Daimon with 'You are also probably staggering by the time he lets you go.'.

Daimon pages: Right-o.

Andrealphus releases Daimon, after a minute or two.

Hither-by-Sarah considers that. "He might have some we can't see. Hidden away somewhere."

Daimon staggers back a bit.

Andrealphus murmurs, "For the moment, my pet, you may call upon me as you would your own Prince. Till this is over."

You paged Daimon with 'ie, Invocations.'.

Daimon . o O ( Wheel of Superior, Turn Turn Turn. )

Daimon says "Yes, my Prince."

Pat's notebook is on his desk. Damn.

Andrealphus glances over to the still-kneeling Seneschal. "Give them all due assistance, Shemyaza, my pet. Let them speak to the Kobalite, if they wish."

Daimon . o O ( You know something? I might invoke Kobal for Lunch. I would not invoke him to get me out of a jam. )

The woman nods, keeping her eyes dodwn.

Liz says, quietly, once more, "Dread Prince, any deliveries that need to be made... here will suit?"

Daimon . o O ( This extends to ALL Princes. )

Andrealphus smiles at Liz again, eyes thoughtful and hungry. "I think so, my dear. But for the moment, and since I am in charity with you..."

Sarah swallows, hard, and begins to look mildly ill as well as anxious, nervous, and panicky.

Andrealphus gestures, and there is a brief moment of light, and a dropping sensation.

You are all standing outside the building, in a side-alley. Business is going on as normal in the street.

Liz gasps.

Hitherby hums uncertainly.

Daimon sags, perceptively.

Liz quickly looks all around, then up, then down.

There are no apparent lurking Princes or spy-cameras.

Liz says "I. So. Did. Not. Need. That."

Liz looks over Daimon and Pat.

Liz reaches up into her hair. "Hitherby?"

Daimon closes his eyes. "I just want the Boss back, in one piece, and everything back to normal."

Hitherby, having drifted up into a cloud, is presumably in a cloud nearby.

Liz says "If Normal means not having to do that again, I'll happily pray for it."

Hitherby says, quietly, "We all survived it."

Daimon says "Normal is a relative term."

Pat collapses.

Liz says "Pat, are you all right?"

Pat says "No."

Liz says "Oh... hell."

Liz says "Right. Daimon, Hitherby, stay with him. I'll get the car."

Liz gets the car. *quickly*.

Hitherby lands neatly in Pat's lap.

Liz would, at some point, like to have a long talk with the Seneschal of that Tether and ask her if things are *always* that stressful when Andre shows up. Or maybe she wouldn't.

Daimon gets on his knees next to Pat, and take pains to comfort him.

Daimon whispers down to Pat, "It's okay, it's gonna be okay, it's gonna be alright."

Liz returns shortly, with car.

Sarah starts to bite nails again, waiting anxiously for a hint of update. "Hitherby?"

Pat says "How can someone encourage that, Daimon? Loss in passion, drive without purpose or thought, without balance...."

Hitherby says, calmly, "It is said among the ants that That One visited an anthill once, to partake of the sensual joys of the insect realm. He knew that if he could but find the queen, he would enjoy bliss like no other, but, unfortunately, he got turned around and spent eighty-two hours in the body of an ant, hopelessly lost and unsatisfied. Then he finally met the queen, and she told him, 'You have not bathed, have you?'"

Daimon looks over his shoulder, and whispers to Pat, "Liz is here with the car. Come on, I'm gonna help you get up and get in."

Daimon tries to help Pat up. "You can tell me about it in the car. I'll listen. But you have to get up."

Pat stands, not shaking too much anymore.

Hitherby, by Sarah, says, "We're not in the Tether any more. Apparently, the Prince decided to have fun with the Seneschal. Or something."

Liz pops open the locks on the doors, and opens the back door for Pat and Daimon.

Hitherby considers. "Or to empty her mind of what she had heard."

Daimon helps Pat into the back seat, and will join him back there.

Hitherby slips in through the open back door and swirls around to the passenger-side front seat.

Liz closes the door, makes sure Hitherby's inside, jumps into the driver's seat, and, very carefully, and making sure not to lose Azalea, drives off, towards Pat's house.

Liz says, quietly, "Daimon, we can come back later. I'll arrange a contact with the Seneschal for you."

Liz says "I think..."

Liz swallows hard.

Pat comments, quietly, "My cigarettes are at home."

Daimon tries to comfort Pat anyway he can. "We'll come back later. I'll come back later."

Sarah asks, weakly, "All of you?"

Liz says "I think I'll be, ah, treated comparatively well there."

Hitherby, by Sarah, bobs. "All of us. We are returning here."

Daimon checks for Pat's needs.

<> Daimon rolls the d666 and gets 1 3 CHECK: 2.

<> Daimon says "Level 2's."

<> Pat needs to get a grip on himself. And a cigarette.

Daimon fishes around in his pockets for a smoke, but he's not wearing his coat where they usually live. So no luck there.

Demiurge says "Liz, you get back to Pat's house double-quick."

Liz parks right in front of the house, hops out, gets the door open for Pat and Daimon and helps Daimon get Pat into the house."

Daimon looks exceedingly concerned.

Sarah calmly starts coffee, tucks cigarettes in her left hand, and copies what notes she has. When the door opens, she's out of her seat and toward it in a run, still holding said cigarettes.

Hitherby leaves the swarm in Liz's car.

Hitherby's other swarm follows Sarah.

Daimon helps Pat inside, and onto the couch.

<> Pat says "Wow. I need to be traumatized by Princes more often."

<> Daimon thinks it's weird that he's fine and Pat is traumatized.

Liz does a quick look-round for other Calabim.

Hitherby says, as Pat sits or flops on the couch, "I would like to apologize in advance, Mazpatiel, for your chair."

Demiurge says "No Calabim around, no."

Liz siiighs.

<> Hitherby says "We are a hedge, citizen. Move along."

Daimon says "Pat? Anything I can do for you? Other then smokes?"

Liz says "Sarah, take care of Pat. Daimon, once Pat's stable, we need to talk."

Liz . o O (Not even Azalea trailing behind?)

Daimon nods. "I seem to be the center of continuous calamity."

Demiurge says "Well, Azalea was trailing behind, Liz. But no other Calabim."

Pat is calm, placid. "Just a cigarette right now."

Daimon gets up to take the smokes from Sarah, and light one, and give one to Pat.

Sarah lets Daimon, glancing back and forth between all of them as if to continually reassure herself.

Pat smokes. "Thank you."

Daimon nods, and looks over his shoulder at Liz. "Okay, in the bedroom."

<> Daimon says "I work for a lot of people who aren't my Boss or Lilith. This is getting irritating. :)"

Pat says "Daimon."

Daimon says "Yes Pat?"

Pat says "For reference, calling upon Andrealphus is not advisable behaviour for a Servitor of Judgement."

Daimon sighs, and sags a bit. "I didn't.... your comment is taken under advisement, Pat."

Pat nods. "I didn't expect you to think otherwise, but I felt it necessary to state."

Pat . o O ( Minutiae. Minutiae will keep me from cracking. )

Sarah hugs Daimon, quickly and tightly.

Daimon says "Yes Pat. Your comment is noted. I will do as you ask."

Daimon hugs Sarah back, letting go of her to go and talk to Liz.

Pat smokes.

Hitherby settles next to Pat.

Daimon lets concern and duty override the fact that he wants to hit something over and over again.

Sarah moves to hover by Pat. "Coffee? Tea? Whiskey? Anything?"

Liz orbits distractedly around the room, then pulls Daimon into a bedroom.

Liz says "Okay, I'm really, *really* not into going back there, but..."

Daimon sits on the bed. "But there is a Kobalite Seneschal there."

Daimon says "I need to call Terry soon. Before he thinks he's walking into Factions and it turns out to be Fate."

Liz nods.

Liz says "Exactly."

Liz says "And Pat is in no shape, and Sarah should stay with him."

Daimon says "So it's me and you."

Pat says "I believe I need a touch, Sarah. One that means something."

Pat says this all with perfectly abstract calm.

Liz says "Let's give... Andre *cough* an hour to deal with his Seneschal, and you talk to Terry and warn him about Fate. I'll call my own briefing officer, and give him a report. Then we can, if nothing else horrible happens, go see about your Seneschal."

<> Demiurge says "Something horrible happen? What a dreadful thought."

<> Liz says "Uh huh."

Hitherby rises up from next to Pat and drifts over to a corner of the room. "A suggestion, Pat?"

Pat says "Yes?"

Daimon nods. "Sounds, calm and rational. I do want to schedule in a period of full scale freak out after we see the Seneschal. It's been that kind of day."

Liz says "You might also want to talk to Pat about how to report this."

Liz says "I'll join you. We can go rent a room. I don't think the Hangar is safe, and I think Pat needs time alone with Sarah."

<> Pat locks the door and curtains the windows, and hosts a freakout party.

Daimon says "I agree. We can do this thing. Later."

Hitherby says "Meaningful touch may suffice. If it does not, consider a visit to the Marches? On Blandine's side, there are a million things of beauty -- deep, true beauty. And contemplation of them is healing but does not even -- resemble -- that."

Daimon says "Oddly, I'm not all that bugged right now. When I see the Boss, I'm going to knee him. Hard. Repeatedly. But I'm not totally upset."

Liz reaches over and pulls Daimon *tight*, and kisses him. She kisses him with love and affection and everything that Lust *isn't*, for herself and for him.

Daimon blinks, surprised, and melts into Liz's arms. Mmmm.... warm happy Ofanite. He kisses back with equal enthusiasm.

Pat says "There was beauty there, Hitherby. A terrible, empty, /cold/ beauty."

Liz also kisses him because she'll be Damned if she'll let Daimon have the taste of Andre on his lips one second longer.

Sarah curls on the couch beside Pat and wraps her arms about him, almost feverishly tight.

Daimon reaches up, and takes Liz into his arms, still kissing her.

Pat compulsively resonates Sarah, /needing/ to know.

<> Pat rolls the d666 and gets 6 5 CHECK: 1.

<> Pat says "Oh bad."

<> Demiurge says "Perhaps it's because Pat is still all jangled."

Liz holds Daimon tight tight tight, rolling around with him, but not, absolutely refusing to, have sex with him. Not right now. It would be a very bad thing.

<> Pat gets more jangled, since he can't tell.

Hitherby says, softly, "That is not beauty, Pat. It was only a powerful lie."

<> Demiurge says "He's not in balance enough to feel the way he would normally. Or that might be how he explains it to himself."

Pat starts to shake.

<> Demiurge says "You can try again in a moment, Pat."

Daimon is very recepting to being held and kissed. He whispers into Liz's ear, "I love you so much. I don't know what I would do if something happened to you."

<> Pat nods, and will shake until then. :)

Sarah draws him closer, stroking his arms, shoulders, back. "Shh, shh," she whispers. "It's all right. It's all right. I'm here."

Hitherby drifts into the Jordi Tether, having a body there, to inform the Seneschal of the new information. Should Jordi care, which is unlikely. :)

Liz sighs softly and murmurs, "I love you too, Daimon. And I don't want to lose you."

Daimon says "I'm not going anywhere."

Liz smiles. "Well, I might, but I promise I'll come back."

Demiurge nods to Hitherby.

Daimon reaches up and touches Liz's nose. "You better keep to that promise, or I'll have to come after you."

Liz laughs.

Liz kisses. "Still have that hook?"

Daimon says "Nope. I gave it back. I have nuthin' on you."

Liz mmms.

Hitherby suddenly feels very stupid. If she hadn't been panicking, she could have invoked Jordi in his own Tether to -- I dunno. Get us out of there.

Liz says "Except I love you, of course."

Liz grins.

Daimon says "Well, there is THAT. But it's all free will."

Liz nods. "Definitely."

Pat clings to Sarah, not crying, not laughing, not even breathing too hard. Just trembling. "He had your eyes..."

Liz kisses Daimon one last time.

Daimon nods, and kisses back. Mmmm... happy Ofanite.

Liz says "Okay, *sigh* Now that you're not freaking out, and I'm not freaking out, let's get some things done, so we can have our little mutual freak out session as soon as possible tonight."

Daimon says "Mmmm... something to look forward to."

Liz says "With any luck, the idea of making love, as opposed to lust, will seem a lot more attractive by then."

Daimon says "I hope so."

Liz reaches around, squeezes Daimon's rear. "Mmm, pretty good chance of that."

Liz says "Okay, let's go."

Daimon nods. "Now I'll be spending the rest of the day thinking about you and your garters."

Liz laughs.

Liz kisses. "Lucky you, I happen to be wearing some."

Liz says "But c'mon. We need to get moving."

Daimon nods. "I'm moving."

Liz hauls Daimon off of Pat's bed.

Daimon allows himself to be hauled.

Liz opens the door to the bedroom, looks out.

Liz says "Sarah? Pat?"

Daimon says "Are you guys okay?"

Pat says "No."

Liz says "I can understand that."

Liz walks out into the room, leading Daimon.

Daimon comes out of the bedroom.

Liz paces across from Pat. "Pat, Sarah, this probably seems rushed, but we're losing time."

Daimon walks over to kneel in front of Pat. "Pat, is there _anything_ I can do for you?"

Daimon resonates again, if he can.

Liz lets Daimon go first.

Daimon finds out if there IS anything he can do.

Sarah keeps Pat in her arms, held tight. "I know," she says softly, to Liz. "I know."

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

<> Pat resonates back.

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

<> Daimon says "Huzzah. Much better. Level 5's."

<> Pat says "Huzzah!"

Liz orbits quietly while Pat and Daimon cope.

<> Pat asks for emotional state, two strongest emotions and their motivations, while he types need.

<> Daimon says "Emotional state: Driven, more then a bit horny. Emotional State - Driven to get things into motion, high duty quotient, motivated to help Prince Kobal and the Impudites any way he can, also extremely concerned for Pat - because of duty to friendship. Also doesn't want to fuck up, in general."

<> Pat Needs to know Sarah cares, to make sure that the new information gets to the Seneschal, still needs to get a grip on himself, and could use another cigarette.

Daimon gets up and grabs his coat. He shrugs it on and fishes around for his smokes. He pulls out one, lights it, and hands it to Pat.

Daimon says "Pat, we can stop at the Judgment Tether, if you tell me where it is."

Liz says "I need to report in. Daimon needs to report in. Then we need to go talk to the Seneschal of Comedy."

Pat takes the cigarette. "You need to meet Etecius, still."

Daimon says "And I need to make a phone call. Again."

Liz thinks poor Azalea is probably going crazy with curiosity, and makes a note to give her a full description.

Daimon says "Pat, so I'll meet him. I'll cope. It's okay."

Sarah says softly, "There's a shorthand transcript on Pat's desk. You can take one copy to the Tether; that might make things quicker."

Daimon nods. "I'll do that. I just need to know where it's at.

Pat feels slightly relieved that Daimon cares.

Liz picks up the transcript.

Liz uses Pat's copier, makes two copies, one for Daimon, one for herself.

Daimon waits for Pat to cough up the location of the Tether. He calls out to Liz, "Can you grab my phone? I have to call Baron von Terence."

Liz hands Daimon his copy.

Liz says "Gotcha."

<> Pat says "Can I check Sarah again?"

<> Demiurge says "Sure, Pat."

Liz carefully picks up the phone, like it might bite her.

Daimon says "I think sending him alone to go talk to Fate is sort of poor taste on my part."

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

Liz hands it to Daimon.

<> Pat says "WOO!"

<> Pat knows it all!

Daimon stuffs it into a pocket.

Daimon waits, starting to shift like an Ofanite. Too much hanging around Liz.

Liz takes one last look-round, says, "Hitherby, coming?"

Hitherby whispers atonally, "I am still in the car."

Liz says "OK."

Liz is so gone.

Daimon sighs. He needs to know where the Judgment tether is at.

Hitherby makes an amused noise. "One of the rare opportunities in which it is safe to say to a Wheel, 'Race you.'"

<> Sarah says "Current emotional state - concerned. Strongest emotion, devotion, attunement-prompted for Daimon, attachment-prompted for Pat. Second strongest, a desperate worry over Pat, that the Prince's manipulations might have tainted him for more than a few hours. Any actions? :)"

<> Pat says "What would she do if he told her he loved her?"

<> Sarah says "Kiss him, and probably forget that anyone else was in the room."

Pat straightens a little, and looks into Sarah's eyes. "I love you."

Daimon shifts his weight from foot to foot, waiting in the middle of the living room.

Liz sighs.

Liz pads over into Pat's office, starts rifling through his address book looking for the Tether address.

Liz checks under 'E' first.

Pat has a very interesting address book. Including more than a few notes in Enochian on certain cards.

Liz almost certainly reads Enochian.

Liz checks out the ones in Enochian, looking for phone numbers, addresses.

<> Pat says "Under Etecius' mortal name and office number is noted his True name and position, but not that he's the Seneschal. However, Supreme Court is listed on the card."

Hitherby comments, to the Animals Seneschal, "My friends are uncertain where to find the Judgement Tether."

Liz picks out that card.

Liz says "Daimon, come over here?"

Daimon walks over to Liz. "Yeah?"

Daimon looks around Pat's office.

Liz translates the card. "It's at the Supreme Court. Shall I make the call?"

Daimon says "You know, I'm starting to pick up your jitters. Uh, yes. We should go there, probably, in person, but a warning will work."

Hitherby, at the Jordi Tether, listens to the distance for a moment, and then says, "Ah. They found it."

Liz says "OK."

Liz dials the number.

Hitherby adopts a cheerful configuration, there, momentarily.

Liz grins. "I'll get you an appointment, if this is right."

Daimon walks into the living room, crosses his arms, and regards Pat and Sarah with the critical eye of an old Lilim.

Daimon calls back in, "Sure, I think."

Sarah kisses Pat. Is still kissing Pat. Is, indeed, beginning to undress Pat there on the couch.

Liz waits impatiently for an answer, tapping back and forth on her feet.

On the phone, a voice says, "Hello. Mr Vorson's office. Can I help you?"

Liz thinks, says, "I need to speak to someone about an urgent manner of Judgement. Please connect me to the appropriate party."

There are a couple of clicks, then a voice says, "Mr Vorson speaking. Please identify yourself."

Liz says "Zebina, Wheel of Trade."

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

Pat is not paying attention to the phone conversation. He's being reassured.

Liz says "I'm calling from Mazpatiel's house."

<> Hitherby says "Zebina speaks truth!"

The voice replies, "Etecius, Seraph of Judgement, Seneschal. Do you require assistance?"

Liz says "Not as such. However, Mazpatiel, Daimonique, Oboth and I just underwent a situation which should be Reported immediately. Mazpatiel is in no shape to report. Daimonique is currently in Service to Judgement, and would like to talk with you as soon as possible. I would like to bring him by."

Daimon decides that Pat is probably in good hands.

Liz says "Mazpatiel will, I think, be all right and wish to report later, but I do not think he should be moved just now. Daimonique can explain why."

Sarah reassures Pat. Avidly. It's distinctly fortunate that there are no children (or more easily shocked adults) in the vicinity.

Daimon . o O ( I report to Dominic and Andrealphus. At the same time. The Boss will be rolling around wetting himself if he knew. )

There is a brief pause, then the voice says, "Very well. I have been briefed as to his status. He may come in to report, and you may accompany him if you wish."Liz says "Thank you, Most Holy. We will be there as promptly as possible."

Liz says "Good bye."

Liz says "Oh."

Liz says "Preferred entrance to your location?"

Liz is *such* an Ofanite sometimes.

The voice says, drily, "Come in through the side entrance where the law clerks enter, and request directions to my office."

Liz says "Thank you. Godspeed."

Liz thinks that's Ofanite for, 'I'm being polite and not hanging up until you acknowledge but will you *please* say good bye so I can get off the phone and moving.'

The voice says, "And you." The phone goes down.

Liz hangs up, sticks Pat's card back where it should be, grabs Daimon, says, "We're gone," and, shortly, she is.

Daimon walks over to the, er, coupling Pat and Sarah, and kneels.

Daimon says "Um... I'm going. With Liz."

Pat pauses, and looks at Daimon. He nods.

Daimon doesn't think he's going to be heard among the removing of clothing.

Daimon stands up, and puts his hands on Pat's shoulders. Then hoping that Judgment doesn't have something against blatant homosexuality, he leans down and kisses Pat fully on the lips, as only a Lilim can.

Pat, who is a light-based androgyne in his natural form, accepts the kiss.

<> Pat says "Ofanim kisses are urgent. Elohim kisses are /significant/."

Daimon whispers, "You let Sarah take care of you. I'm very sorry you had to deal with... Andre. I know how it is."

Pat nods.

Daimon whispers. "Trust me, I /know/. But it's going to be okay. It is all going to be okay. Besides, only one of us is allowed to freak out at a time."

Pat nods again. "Speak with Etecius."

Daimon says "No one I care about gets hurt without me doing... something. So I will take care of the report."

Daimon says "Don't worry about anything. We'll talk later."

Pat nods, again.

Daimon leans forward, and kisses Pat again.

<> Daimon says "Ah ha! Things that NEED TO BE DONE. The great Lilim motivator!"

<> Daimon says "Nothing moves a Lilim faster then needing to take care of business."

<> Demiurge grins.

Sarah notices Daimon, and blinks at him with a brief smile, a kiss on his cheek.

<> Daimon says "That's what it is, you know. Andre said, 'We need to you to do THIS for all of us.' Blammo. I'm on da moooooooove."

<> Demiurge laughs.

<> Demiurge says "Just out of curiosity, what colour _are_ Sarah's eyes?"

Daimon straightens from his kiss from Pat, and leans over to kiss Sarah on the forehead. "Your job is to exhaust him."

<> Sarah says "Brown. :)"

<> Demiurge makes a note for future reference. :)

Sarah blushes. Rather farther down than merely her cheeks. She does not, however, object to this.

Daimon gives Sarah a quick kiss on the lips, and then he's gone in a swish of black leather.

Liz ponders, while she waits impatiently, the fact that she mentioned Vapula to Andre, and Andre took pause. Ergo, she may have warned a Demon Prince about something he hadn't been thinking about... which means he may think he owes her one.

Daimon seems much happier to have a purpose.

Liz really, *really* does not want to have the Demon Prince of Lust 'owe her one'.

Daimon zips out to Liz. Just being in her presence is starting to rub off on him.

Liz zooms off into the night with Daimon.

---

Fiat Justitia