What Happens When All The Cautious Sensible People Go On Vacation

Demiurge says "It's night."

Demiurge says "Do some people have plans to investigate the sewers?"

Liz does.

Sephar did.

Liz believes the others are, um, occupied.

Demiurge says "And perhaps to phone the local Malakite of Fire and get some muscular backup?"

Liz ahas. Excellent idea.

Liz dials the number of Detective Eduardo.

Sephar beams quietly. Had mentioned to Daimon and Sarah, but they hadn't wanted to go unarmed, so likely mentioned it would be interested to Liz.

Liz pats Sepharmouse and thanks him for an excellent suggestion.

Sephar perks and settles on Liz's shoulder.

Liz makes her way towards the sight of the metro station we're supposed to meet at.

Liz waits for Detective Eduardo to answer his phone.

Eduardo answers. "Detective Chaez."

Liz says "Detective, this is Elizabeth Bradley."

Liz says "I have some information for you, and something you might want to look at. I realize it's late, but can you meet me at the metro station?"

Liz reads the street address and station name of the rendezvous point.

Eduardo pauses a moment, then says "If you think it's important. I'm on my way."

Liz says "I think so."

Liz says "I'll meet you there. Goodbye."

Liz lets Sephar choose the music on the radio, and finishes her drive.

<> Sephar says "How does this line up with what's happening with Daimon?"

Eduardo clicks down his handset, and heads for his unit.

<> Demiurge says "It's probably about now that he heads off to play guitar with The Guy With Pot And Harmonica."

Sephar chooses a techno-rave happy bouncy kinda station.

Liz smiles at Sephar's choice of music.

Sepharmouse's tail waves to some of the beat.

You both arrive rapidly, given your natures.

Sephar says quietly to Liz, "Hrm. I don't think Daimon's going to make it here, tonight. No trouble or anything, but he just wandered off with Hitherby after a guy with Rasta hair, pot, and a Harmonica."

Liz blinks at Sephar. "You don't say."

Liz thinks about this. "Yes, that's Daimon..."

Liz says "What about Pat and Sarah?"

Sephar chuckles. "And Hitherby says that Pat and Sarah are being invited to listen, too."

Eduardo parks his car relatively neatly, and steps out, gathering his trenchcoat about him.

Liz says "Okay, *now* I'm surprised. Um... let me know if anything really... weird happens."

Sephar says "Sure."

Sephar says "He seems safe enough."

Liz grabs a bag out of the back of her car, and with ofanite speed, changes from her 'fancy, sexy' outfit into, no surprise, the 'black spandex jogging outfit' that works nicely for exploration. She drops her gun and cellphone into a black leather fanny pack, and straps it on.

Liz steps out of her car, walks over to meet Eduardo. "Detective. Thank you for coming on such short notice."

It is nearly midnight now, and the streetlamps lay bright puddles of radiance down the street: the shadows hang like black velvet.

Sephar hops into the fanny pack as that suit doesn't allow much room for roaming mice in pockets.

Eduardo shrugs a little. "Duty."

Liz nods.

Sephar possesses the zipper to unzip at the intro and peeks out to squeak, "Hi!" to Eduardo.

Liz says "Here's the information I have. Terethel, Friend of Stone, was attacked in his apartment about two days ago. No sign of his vessel."

Eduardo blinks once, looking down. Then he squints over at Liz. "Bad."

Liz says "His heart has been shattered, which is worse."

Eduardo says "Yes."

Liz says "The information on his computer corresponds to the sewers underneath this metro station."

Liz says "It also corresponds to a Symphonic disturbance some of us heard yesterday."

Eduardo says "Which information?"

Liz says "Maps of the local sewers taken from the web."

Liz presumably has had time to get printouts if Sephar's around.

<> Demiurge says "Indeed."

Sephar nods.

Eduardo rubs his jaw, fingers scraping over what seems to be an almost permanent 5 o'clock shadow. "Ah. So."

Eduardo says "We investigate."

Liz shows the maps to Eduardo.

Liz says "Yes. I had hoped Mazpatiel, Daimon, and Chephirah would join us, but they are indisposed."

Liz says "So it is just you, me, and Sephar here."

Eduardo steps closer to a streetlight, peering at them even as he asks "Indisposed?"

Sephar squeaks an affirmative.

Eduardo says "I've missed much."

Sephar says "Busy, actually, I think."

Liz says "Sephar assures me they're in no danger. Merely..indisposed. I thought it best not to ask for details."

Liz says "Fortunately, you're available. This is good, as searching things out is not my strong suit."

Sephar nodsqueaks, "And we may need protection as well."

Sephar peers up at the night sky and searches quietly for any sign of bats.

Eduardo nods again. "Sewers." He pauses. "Great. My poor suit."

There is, indeed, the occasional bat whirring past.

Sephar releases a few of the birds in the vicinity of Pat's house and possesses a bat.

Demiurge will assume Sephar succeeds.

Liz smiles and gives a little shrug of apology.

Sephar's bat whirs down as Sepharmouse squeaks, "My bat." and it perches, upsidedown near the other two.

Liz blinks at Sephar.

Liz will, for the moment, assume the pun was not on purpose.

Sephar grins. "Darkness recon easier with radar..." and the bat starts to wing for the sewer entry, flying as irradically as most bats do.

Liz says "Ah."

Liz says "Lead on, Detective."

Demiurge notes: the sewer entry is locked, as most public doors are, and will need opening.

Eduardo says "Un momento," and then steps over to his car, collecting the assorted tools of a detective's trade. Flashlight, spare clip, lockpick gun.

Sephar releases all three birds around Pat's and possesses the lock to try and turn it.

Liz just adores Sephar.

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

The door swings open. As it does, Sephar realises that this door has recently been opened, but from the _inside_. The alarm attached to it has already been broken, and therefore does not go off.

<> Liz says "Sephar Owns That Lock."

<> arcangel . o O (God moves furniture in mysterious ways.)

Demiurge says "In other words, someone came _out_ of the sewers via this door."

Sepharbat goes winging in, pinging as it flies just past the door.

Sepharmouse squeaks, "Can Eduardo find out who came out this way?"

Liz just checks around carefully.

Inside, there are standard faded fluorescent lights attached to the ceiling, and a staircase that winds downwards.

Eduardo flashes the bright vbeam from his mag-lite around the edges of the door and the lock, inspecting both carefully.

Sepharbat circles at the top of the stairway.

Demiurge says "Eduardo, you can see that someone opened the door on the inside, from the way the lines of rust are disturbed."

Demiurge says "Make a Per roll? Eduardo and Liz."

<> Liz rolls the d666 and gets 3 4 CHECK: 5.

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

Demiurge says "Sephar is too high off the ground to spot this."

Demiurge says "Eduardo, you see the traces of footmarks that came towards the door, and presumably went out through it."

Eduardo points the beam of light down towards the prints. "Proof."

Liz says "Ah."

Liz says "Hmm. Follow them back?"

To Eduardo's trained eye, cop that he is, there are four sets of footprints: one is heavier than the others, and scuffed more, suggesting that he might have been carrying something.

The stairs lead downwards, and the fluorescent lights grow dimmer: presumably they go down to the sewers proper, the channels of fluid that run beneath DC.

Sephar squeaks, "Let's."

Liz nods.

Sepharmouse peers at the prints, "I'd take it that it'd be hard to follow them out of here..."

Liz pulls a small flashlight out of her fanny pack.

Eduardo nods. "4. One laden."

Liz says "I'll make sure we don't get any rude surprises from the rear. You lead?"

Sepharbat drops a level down the staircase and pings for creatures.

Eduardo's nod suggests that he expected to. "They left."

Eduardo says "But caution is good," and then proceeds down the stairs, illuminating the footprints. "Hnh."

The main sewer tunnel that Sepharbat flies down to is empty of humans: rats scuttle, the odd creature moves in the river of sewage, but no humans walk this dimly lit tunnel.

Sephar squeaks quietly. "No humans down there, or none my bat can see..."

Liz nods to Sephar.

The footmarks are perceptible on the stairs from time to time, as is the odd bit of rust flaked away from the rail, presumably from where someone steadied themselves on it. It stinks, by the way. At least, to a human nose. A mouse might enjoy it.

Sepharbat circles at the tunnel entrance.

Sepharmouse snuffles softly, ears up and tail up.

Eduardo nods in turn, then proceeds, nose wrinkling and eyes squinting against the darkness.

Liz is reminded of the way rather a lot of ports smelled in the late 1800s.

Liz copes.

Eduardo comments. "Always hated damp."

Liz says "Mmm. Smells rather like Liverpool on a bad day."

The staircase opens out onto the wide, badly lit, odorous tunnel. The sewage ripples and glugs as it eddies past slowly. The tunnel leads to both right and left: the pathway is not particularly dry or clean. The tunnel is walled by new brick in some spots, old brick in others.

Liz walks almost carelessly, but still manages to put her feet on all the right spots.

<> Sephar loves Liz.

Demiurge says "Which way are people going? Right or left?"

<> Pat says "You are in a 10'x10' stone corridor."

Sephar patters down Liz's leg to study the pathway each way...

Demiurge says "Try a Per roll, Sephar."

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

>From its low-to-the-ground perspective, Sephar becomes moderately certain that there has been recent disturbance of the path to the left, but not of the path to the right.

Sephar squeaks, "I think to the left..."

Liz nods.

Liz lets Sephar run back up her leg, then moves along to the left, keeping an eye beyind her.

Sephar runs back up.

Liz appears to be perfectly able to walks backwards in the dark on uneven surface and still pay attention to anything sneaking up 'behind'.

In the dim light, the tunnel seems to go on forever, curving slightly, intersecting once... and then, from somewhere ahead of you, a really _bad_ smell for a moment.

Sepharbat wings along towards the left and pings quietly as it goes, circling back to stay even with Liz.

The pinging of Sepharbat detects an irregularity in the wall ahead: it would appear to be some sort of cavity or small opening.

Sepharmouse squeaks to Liz, "There's a small opening or something in the wall just up ahead."

Liz nods, relays this to Eduardo.

Eduardo nods, placing his hand over the front of his flashlight; narrowing down the beam as he heads on ahead.

Sepharbat circles at the point of the opening.

The Really Foul Smell is definitely coming from that cavity, in odd fits and starts as the occasional breeze passes it.

Sepharbat stays a bit back from the opening, but is mostly just marking the place for the other two.

Liz says "Ugh."

The cavity is part of the older brick, and has clearly been forcibly broken in the wall. It is perhaps the size of a large man, or two smaller ones, and there is open space beyond it, dark and odorous.

Sepharmouse sneezes at the smell.

Liz digs her gun out of her fanny pack, flicks the safety off, and .

<> Eduardo says "As a homicide cop, is the smell familiar?"

<> Demiurge says "Vaguely. Something definitely decayed in there."

Eduardo glances back at Liz and nods, producing a hilt from the depths of his trenchcoat; swapping it and the flashlight and then shining the beam from the latter into the cavity. "Might not be pretty."

Sepharmouse shivers once and curls up in the pack.

Liz says "I've seen not pretty before, Detective. Let's just be done with it."

Liz 's hands are rock steady, as is the expression on her face.

The beam of the flashlight washes across a small nest-like huddle of blankets or cloths in a corner, various bits and pieces scattered on the floor, fragments of brick, and the edge of some sort of design on the wall.

Eduardo nods, stepping forward; tracking the beam from huddle to design and carefully marking all the corners.

In the distance, some way off, is a faint sound that might be feet. Or it might not. It's hard to tell, what with the gurgling of the sewer and the creaking of brickwork.

Sepharmouse peeks at the design as whatever light touches it.

<> Eduardo . o O ( I've seen Silence of the Lambs)

Sepharbat pings.

Demiurge says "Everyone there, make an Int roll?"

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

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

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

Demiurge says "None of you recognise the design, I'm afraid. Though it does look, to Liz and Sephar, somewhat like that Hellscript stuff."

Liz says "Detective, we should probably copy that for later reference."

Liz says "Sephar, you might not want to memorize it. I don't think it would be good for you."

Sephar eyes the design and makes a digital copy of the image for Sepharpigeon by Liz's machine to save in the computer?

Sephar nods at Liz. "Okay."

You paged Sephar with 'There is a group of people approaching. Four of them. They're a couple of turns of passage away.'.

Liz says "If you can transfer it to the computer, that'll work fine."

Sephar says "I won't, then."

You paged Sephar with 'Your bat pings this.'.

Liz is going to have to have her computer exorcised at some point, in all liklihood.

Sepharmouse squeaks, "There's four people coming."

Eduardo nods once, eying the symbol. "Can you?" he asks, and then. "Four left."

Liz nods.

Sepharmouse tries to copy the design to Liz's computer, then.

Demiurge says "You succeed, Sephar."

Liz says "Downtunnel."

Eduardo nods, and kills his flashlight; stepping back into the corner as he does so.

Liz moves quickly down the tunnel, in the opposite direction of the footsteps.

Sephar pages: They're coming from the way we were headed or back the way we came from?

Demiurge says "So, Eduardo is hiding in the cavity, Liz is retreating down the tunnel?"

Liz kills her flashlight a few steps down, and goes by touch.

You paged Sephar with 'From the way that you came from.'.

<> Eduardo says "Looks like it."

<> Liz rolls the d666 and gets 1 5 CHECK: 3.

Liz is very stealthy, despite not having stealth. ^_^

Sepharmouse squeaks softly to Liz "They're coming from where we came from."

Liz nods, and would have moved further down the tunnel.

Demiurge says "Liz, you manage to make it down the tunnel and to a distance, before the beams of light cut through the shadows as the group turns the corner."

Liz pulls a soft black cap from her fannypack, and slides it quickly over her red hair, tucking it back in, and then turning away from the light source.

Sepharbat perches on the tunnel ceiling a bit further down the tunnel as well.

There are four of them, and they all have heavy torches, and are carrying backpacks: the two at the back have some sort of electronic gadgets clipped to their belts, and one of them is wearing goggles.

Liz thinks, 'This is not good.'

They are all wearing fairly practical clothing, and heavy anoraks. One of the ones at the front is limber, the other is large and bulky, while the back two are both of medium build.

Sepharbat closes its eyes as they get closer.

Liz looks to her side, at the 'water' running by.

Eduardo flattens in the cavity.

The limber one at the front mutters, not particularly trying to keep his voice down, "Why the bloody hell they couldn't have brought it with them in the first place..."

Liz decides that would probably be ill advised just this second.

<> Eduardo says "Shit, yeah, Liz."

The one with glasses at the back snaps, "Shut it. At least we know he has to have left the cultures here. Where else?"

Sephar decides that possessing the equipment would likely be a bad idea, too.

Liz blinks. Cultures?

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

The limber man shrugs, shoulders rolling. "Okay, okay. So who gets to dig through the shit in there?" They're approaching the cavity.

<> Demiurge says "What was that roll for, Liz?"

<> Liz doesn't get it, unless the GM wishes to give Liz big bonuses for PC cluefulness.

<> Liz says "Cultures: biological research: really horribly bad stuff."

<> Demiurge says "You may think this if you wish, Liz. ;)"

The bulky man grunts. He says, helpfully, "I'll hold a torch."

The limber man mutters, again, "Shit." They're nearly at the cavity now.

Eduardo pages: Let me know if they get close enough to resonate?

You paged Eduardo with 'You can do it round-the-corner at a penalty, if you want. Or wait for them to come into line-of-sight, but then they might see you.'.

Eduardo is one with the wall. he's one with the wall. One. With. The. Wall.

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

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

Sepharbat opens its eyes, possesses the torches and turns them all off.

Eduardo pages: That would be a failure.

You paged Eduardo with 'That would.'.

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

All the torches go off, and the tunnel suddenly returns to the dimness of the fluorescent lights above. There are cries of shock, and swearwords. There is even a word or two in Helltongue.

There is the sound of torches being banged against the wall in an attempt to restore their functioning.

Sephar just holds them off as long as it can possess them. That's all.

Sephar loses the mouse with Daimon and possesses the overhead lights and turns them off, too.

<> Pat says "Which explains why Sephar wasn't with us. Aha!"

<> arcangel says "And now, by the light of his flaming sword..."

<> Sephar says "Yes, that had to happen sometime."

There is yet more swearing. One voice says, "Just a moment, let me see if I can get anywhere with the genera..."

<> Eduardo grins at arcangel. "Moi? I recognize the Helltongue, Demi?"

<> Demiurge pauses to allow for dramatic actions.

<> Demiurge says "Yes, Eduardo, you recognise it _as_ Helltongue, though you can't translate it."

<> Eduardo says "'s what I thought."

<> Sephar thanks Demi.

<> Pat says "There is evil here! Smite!"

>From afar, Eduardo rolls to make the sword work.

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

You paged Eduardo with 'It blazes into fiery life! Pose it?'.

<> Sephar says "Yay!"

Liz . o O (And if you thought the disturbance the other day was big...)

Eduardo steps out of the cavity, face lit from beneath as his sword flares alight. "No," he says, then grins; all teeth and pulled back lips. "I think that won't work either."

The faces of the four men are ghastly in the glow of the leaping flames. The two to the rear steps back, and the two in front look somewhat shaken. The limber one says, "Hold on a moment, you don't want to hurt us..."

<> Pat says "Wanna bet?"

Eduardo raises an eyebrow, still advancing; sword low and held like he knows exactly how to use it. "No?"

The limber one attempts to hold Eduardo's eyes. He says, "You want to jump in the sewage."

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

<> Demiurge says "And fails!"

Eduardo takes another step, and repeats "No," his voice implacable. "I don't."

Sephar uses the new Daimon trick and wedgies the slick one!

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

The guy with the glasses at the back slips the electronic gizmo from his belt, steadying it.

Liz aims and fires at the gizmo.

The slick one gives a sudden shriek of agony, and curls up on the ground, clutching at his groin.

Demiurge says "Roll, Liz."

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

<> Liz says "That hits."

<> Sephar says "Yay Liz!"

Eduardo tries to cut the front guy up, pushing him back into the rest and causing disarray.

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

Liz . o O (Oh great. In combat yet again. Marc's going to give up and trade me to Michael after this...)

The bullet slams into the Gizmo, ruining much expensive circuitry, and making it go up in a flare of sparks. Its holder drops it with a cry of pain, and it swings on a cord at his belt.

The slick one is defenceless before Eduardo's sword, and it slices deeply into him: he cries out again in pain as blood rushes forth.

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

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

Demiurge says "Eduardo, roll for Dodge."

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

The hefty guy, as Eduardo comes more or less level with him, throws himself towards him, knocking them both towards the swirling sewage.

<> Demiurge says "You may wrestle on the edge."

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

Liz points her gun and flashlight into the eyes of the rest of them.

<> Liz says "Resonance, Demi. I want to know what the shattered device meant to its owner."

Meanwhile, the two ones who had been at the rear have dropped to the ground, or back against the wall.

<> Demiurge rolls the d666 and gets 6 2 CHECK: 3.

Liz says, clearly and distinctly. "Nobody speaks. Nobody moves, not even a fingertip."

Although the heavily-built man collides with Eduardo, Eduardo is not quite forced over the edge and into the sewage. The two grapple, on the brink.

<> Pat thinks he and Liz have a running competition for hardass lines.

<> Sephar grins at Pat and agrees.

The two men to the rear attempt to press themselves back against the tunnel wall, away from Liz's torch-beam.

Eduardo lets the tip of his sword drop towards the sewage as he wrestles, the feral grin bright on his face. "My Lady likes fire," he says. "How about you?"

Sepharbat pings the two to the rear, just keeping them in 'sight'.

Liz keeps the flashlight beam pinned on the two 'men'. Just let her know when the resonance kicks in.

<> Demiurge says "The gadget is, to the guy who was using it, a dearly treasured thing, one of his favourite inventions. His First Electroblaster."

Liz grins. Vapulans.

<> Eduardo . o O ( First. And last... )

The bulky man has a single instant for horrified comprehension, before the sword touches the sewage, and the air just above it. Fire *blossoms*.

<> Pat says "PHWOOSH!"

<> Daimon says "FABOOSH!"

Liz grabs Sephar and dives for the cubbyhole.

<> arcangel does Indy Jones impressions. "Fire Malakim. Why'd it have to be Fire Malakim?"

<> Daimon, as Pat's partner, is obligated to help with the sound effects.

Liz does this Ofanim thing.

Sepharbat curls up close to the ceiling.

Fire opens like a deadly rose to spread round Eduardo, round the man by him, to flower between Liz and the Vapulans in a dreadful breath of motion, to lick upwards towards the ceiling.

Eduardo lets out an exultant scream, as sane as his Lady for a moment as the flame envelops both him and his erstwhile wrestling partner.

Liz says "Sephar, all of you, behind me!"

<> Demiurge rolls the d666 and gets 5 4 CHECK: 3.

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

Demiurge says "Eduardo, Liz, Sephar, Per rolls, please."

At your table, Demiurge says "He did. ;)"

<> Liz rolls the d666 and gets 4 2 CHECK: 5.

<> Pat looks at Daimon. "This is what comes of working for a madwoman, young Daimon. Take notes."

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

<> Daimon takes frantic notes!

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

<> Demiurge says "You three all heard what sounded like Songs of Shields going up, frantically."

<> Eduardo . o O ( Gabriel Malakite, something that burns, flaming sword. Whee! )

Sepharbat wings in behind Liz.

Flame laps along the surface of the river, making it alive and burning. The bulky man screams in Eduardo's grasp as the fires seize on him, trying to break free.

<> Demiurge rolls the d666 and gets 3 2 CHECK: 5.

Demiurge says "Str roll, Eduardo."

<> Pat says "Malakim go for simple pleasures. Fire, blood, demonic skulls crushing."

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

The bulky man remains caught in Eduardo's embrace, and the fire takes on his hair and clothing, limming him like a candle as he continues to scream.

Sepharbat in the crevice pings and Sepharmouse starts to search the crevice, squeaking, "They're coming for *something*."

Liz says "Right."

Through the scorching flames, Liz and Sephar can see the hazy blur of two shielded figures stumbling towards them.

Liz sings the corporeal song of Shields. 2 essence.

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

Demiurge says "Make a Per roll, Sephar."

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

<> Sephar says "Yes!"

Demiurge says "Liz's shields are up."

There is _something_ out of the ordinary in the far corner, Sephar, a bulk in the ground under the sign in the wall. Something is buried there.

Sephar squeaks, "Here Liz!!"

Liz's Shield's are a whirling motion that pulls tight around her, making her look an anthropomorphic tornado. Her black cap gets suckled off, freeing her red hair, and her whole body almost shines with a light of its own.

Sepharmouse scrabbles at the ground trying to get at the bulk.

Liz says "Understood."

Liz steps back, gun aimed towards the people stepping through, and pulls away at the covering earth.

Sepharmouse steps back.

Liz says "Sephar, yell if they jump me."

Sepharbat hangs as high as it can in the crevice.

Sepharmouse says, "Yes."

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

The two shielded figures are nearly at the entrance, and the second one is pulling his untouched Electronic Gizmo from its holder.

Liz digs like a madwoman.

<> Liz rolls the d666 and gets 2 3 CHECK: 6.

Liz does, too.

Sephar possesses the Gizmo and tries to make it fire early.

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

Under about six inches of soil is a small leaden box, with the same sigil as is on the wall embossed upon it. It's about six inches by four inches, and two inches deep.

<> Demiurge rolls the d666 and gets 5 3 CHECK: 2.

The Gizmo, still unaimed, blasts a streak of pure electrical force into the wall of the chamber, and produces a nasty rumbling sound.

Liz grabs the box.

Sepharmouse squeaks, "They're coming!!"

Liz doesn't even break a nail while digging. Gotta love the shields.

Sephar hops onto Liz.

The first figure howls as he manages to get into view. He shrieks something.

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

Sephargizmo shuts off and then tries to stay shut off...

Demiurge says "Will roll, Liz."

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

Liz says "No."

<> Sephar meep.

Eduardo jumps down into the sewage, heedless still of the flames. He reclaims his sword.

You paged Liz with 'You have just been Possessed.'.

Liz whispers "You jest. *possessed*?!"

<> Demiurge says "Sephar, Eduardo, Per rolls, please."

You paged Liz with 'Song of Possession.'.

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

You paged Liz with 'Your consciousness has been temporarily relocated to the Marches.'.

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

<> Sephar bounces cheerfully.

<> Daimon says "Sephar is In the Know."

The man who had been shouting suddenly collapses, limp at the knees, and folds to the ground, his Shields shutting off like the blinking of an eye. In the cavity, Liz suddenly goes rigid, and blinks.

Demiurge says "Eduardo, you realise someone just used a Song."

Demiurge says "Sephar, you realise that was a Song of Possession, and it was targeted at Liz, and it _worked_."

Sephar pulls all its Forces to possess Liz.

Demiurge says "Will roll, Sephar."

Sephar puts three Essence behind it, too.

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

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

Liz, in the Marches, Whirls *furiously*.

Demiurge says "Unfortunately, the current possessor makes _his_ will roll, and manages to hold onto Liz."

Liz slides a hand into her pocket, grabbing for the Mouse, her movements quick and fluid.

Sephar was out of everything.

Sephar is hanging celestial outside of Liz?

The remaining guy glances towards Eduardo. He yells, "Hey, Malakite, you know what they say about your Mistress? About her and Dominic and Andre?"

Demiurge says "You are, Sephar, yes."

<> Pat says "No! Never taunt the Malakite! NEVER"

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

Demiurge says "You can try and repossess the Mouse before Liz grabs it, if you want."

<> Demiurge says "Liz, you can't invoke Marc."

<> Liz cannot?

<> Demiurge says "You are currently Out Of It."

<> Liz says "Ah. Oh drat."

Sephar actually would almost think the mouse had more of a chance without Sephar in it.

<> Sephar says "Or is that true?"

<> Demiurge says "It's a tossup, Sephar."

Eduardo looks up, and his grin widens til it almost splits his face; vaulting from the sewage and charging. "I think you're mistaken."

The Impudite retreats, fast, down the corridor. He calls, over his shoulder, "Everyone knows she crawls to Judgement on her knees..."

Sephar possesses the bat to possess the Gizmo and turns it On again...

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

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

Sephar hopes to surprise the darned possessor enough it forgets about the Forceless mouse.

The Gizmo goes off in another burst of electricity, searing into the fleeing Impudite's leg. He screams, collapsing to one knee.

Eduardo heads for the Impudite, though he pauses to stab the downed figure the first of the demons abandoned.

Liz's attention is diverted, for a moment, and the mouse manages to flee down her leg, making a break for the door.

Liz folds her hands around the lead box a moment, then slips it into her windbreaker. Eyes flat, she starts for the entrance to the cavity.

The downed figure is easily stabbed, and gurgles his life away as the flaming sword pierces him.

The figure that cried out is lying unconscious on the ground.

Sephar possesses that, then.

Demiurge says "Roll, Sephar. ;)"

Sephar lets the bat go in the sewers.

<> Sephar rolls the d666 and gets 2 3 CHECK: 6.

Eduardo looks after the fleeing demon, then back at Liz.

Demiurge says "You're in."

Liz emerges from the cavity, and points at the figure just arising from the ground, and pulls her gun, backing away as she aims at it.

Sephar uses Celestial Song of Tongues to give Eduardo the message that Liz is possessed by a demon and the far figure is Sephar, spends one essance to do so.

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

Eduardo growls just. "Stop her. The other is mine." before trying to take the Impudite Running Away.

Liz aims her gun, icily, and fires at the Impudite's body's stomach.

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

Liz's bullet misses.

Sephar hrms, cannot possess anything as all its Forces are stuck Here.

<> Demiurge says "Possessor must be having difficulty with the reflexes or something. :)"

<> Sephar whews.

<> arcangel says "Or is only used to Vapulan blasters, and not these silly lowtech weapons!"

Liz begins to back away, gun still drawn.

<> Pat says "Whoa. It takes a hard demon to shoot its own Vessel."

Sephar yells, "Eduardo, get the box from her!"

The Impudite who Eduardo was chasing is down on one leg, the other one scorched and burned, and he is fumbling his Gizmo from his side. It's sparking in a nasty-looking way.

<> Eduardo can just imagine this. Sorry Liz. Killed your vessel. But it stopped the demon. Very ... Eduardo.

Eduardo stares down at the Impudite, then touches his sword to the sewage again; trying to cause another firestorm behind him before turning back to Liz.

>From afar, Eduardo vaguely wonders if one could use the song of Wings in here, and fly towards Liz?

You paged Eduardo with 'One could, yes.'.

>From afar, Eduardo will attempt to do this then.

<> Demiurge says "I need not mention that the Symphony is being Noisy."

<> Pat can't hear it, safely ensconced in Heaven. Mmmm...

Unfortunately, most of the free methane seems to have been burned off, for no new firestorm results.

<> Eduardo says "BURN, BAYBEE. BURN."

<> Daimon guilts. We shoulda been there. Guilt guilt.

<> Eduardo rolls the d666 and gets 6 6 CHECK: 6.

<> Pat says "NO!!!!!!!!"

<> Demiurge says "Oh dear."

<> arcangel says "AHHHHHH!!!!!!"

<> Eduardo says "Ruh. Roh."

As Eduardo turns away, and concentrates, the Impudite brings his Gizmo to bear, and a stream of electricity hammers squarely into Eduardo's back.

<> Liz says "Well, Marc was right about the 'Second Rate Cop Show' part. So I probably shouldn't have investigated with a Cop."

<> Eduardo coughs.

<> Eduardo also sparks, fitfully. He suspects.

<> Liz nods sagely.

<> Liz says "And, of course, our 'backup' is currently wandering around Heaven, shopping."

The stream of actinic fire crackles viciously around Eduardo, forcing all his muscles into spasm, throwing him spinning into the sewage. One hand clasps the bronze hilt, as a great shockwave of liquid goes *splat* and *sizzle*.

<> Demiurge says "It is theoretically possible that he might be saved, if someone dragged him out fast. However, Eduardo is in no condition to drag himself out. Or even to be conscious."

Liz backs away down the corridor, still smirking, gun pointed in Sephar's direction. The sewage steams where Eduardo went into it.

<> Demiurge says "Liz, make a Will roll."

<> Liz says "May God's Humble Angel use essence on this?"

<> Demiurge says "Yes."

<> Liz says "Three essence."

<> Demiurge says "Okay."

<> Liz says "And fervent prayers."

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

Liz YAHOO!

<> Demiurge says "Liz, you become conscious in the Marches, recovering from your disorientation. You are somewhere in the Bright Marches."

<> Demiurge says "You are in your spinning Ofanite form. You realise you must have been Possessed and forced out of your body somehow."

Liz orients herself, gasps, and *peels* for the Tower.

Meanwhile, Liz on earth backs away down the corridor, gun steady in her hands.

Liz needs to get down to earth, *now*, with or without a vessel.

Liz gasps about like you'd expect a spinning wheel of fire to gasp.

Sephar is moving slowly towards the steaming water. "I'm just going to pull him out..."

Liz's body, with a final smirk, disappears around the corner, and the sound of running feet drifts back.

Demiurge says "Sephar, you can see where Eduardo went in, and given the speed of the sewage, you can estimate where his body probably is now. But you're going to have to dive in to get him out."

<> Liz just *rockets* for the closest Tower and/or Volcano.

Sephar dives in to get him.

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

Demiurge says "Sephar, you have accurately estimated his position. In a truly awful bellyflop, you feel an ankle in the sewage."

Sephar whews and is completely splattered but does haul him out and clears his breathing passages and gives him mouth to mouth.

Sephar can't imagine a worse death for a Gabrielite than drowning... so makes sure.

Eduardo's chest heaves, and his breathing restarts. He's about to throw up.

Sephar puts Eduardo's head to the side.

Sewage dribbles from Eduardo's mouth, but at least his breathing is steady now. His hand is still locked on his sword hilt, in a rictus.

Eduardo does throw up, messily; the stench at least hidden.

Sephar sighs quietly.

Eduardo pages: Let me know how 'alive' I am?

Sephar shakes him gently, "Ed?"

You paged Eduardo with 'Dimly conscious but your muscles are practically refusing to obey you. Slur your words.'.

Eduardo's eyes flicker to at least half open, though his head doesn't move from the position in which it was set. "Where... are shay?"

Sephar says "They're running. I have to go get them. Do you have any essence you can spare?"

Sephar says "I'll get you help."

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

There is the Symphonic sound of a Song as the Impudite who shot Eduardo vanishes.

Demiurge says "Per roll, please."

Eduardo manages to shake his head, the motion minute and almost mistakable for a random twitch. G"et. Shem," he says. "Impor..."

<> Sephar rolls the d666 and gets 3 5 CHECK: 1.

Eduardo pages: Do I have a) essence to spare and b) the control to give it over?

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

You paged Eduardo with 'You have currently 5 Essence, and yes, you have control

to give it away.'.

<> Sephar says "Quite."

Demiurge says "You can both tell that was a Song, and guess it was probably one of Celestial Motion. It was making a run for it."

Eduardo pages: Okie. Then, yes, I'll give 3 points to Sephar.

Sephar nods, but it's not 'Liz'.

Sephar says "Okay."

Sephar sets its demonic Vessel on the side of the bank and lets it go, so that it falls in the sewage when Sephar dispossesses it.

Eduardo's lips pull into a frown. "Go. Duty."

Sephar then possesses the bat and flies after the fleeing 'Liz' steps.

The vessel tumbles limply into the sewage, and sinks without a sound.

Eduardo slumps back down to the side, eyes closing again.

Sephar flies up the stairwell, pinging to see if she's there...

She didn't go up that stairwell: she went along the passage in the other direction, though logic suggests there are probably other stairwells.

Sephar says "Ah."

Sephar flies along that passage, then.

You are moving fast, but so is Liz, and she has a few minutes lead on you. The sound of her footsteps changes from squishy concrete to a clanging on metal.

Sephar uses bat radar to try and get the position of the clang, so that it at least gets the right stairwell..

The direction is identifiable, and Sephar can make speed in that direction.

Sephar does so, then.

Demiurge says "Liz, you see Blandine's tower looming before you, groups of angels scattered near it, two guardian Cherubim at the door."

Demiurge says "Aron, you are just looking around for the Tether endpoint, when you notice a Wheel come screaming in from the Marches."

Liz zooms madly for the entrance, coming over the horizon in a mad tumble of light and urgency.

Demiurge says "Azalea, you are round at the Tower of Dreams, meeting people and so on. Aron is also round the place, though you may not have run into him."

Demiurge says "Liz has just come screaming in, in Wheel form, from the Marches."

Aron eyes the wheel and makes for the entrance, fading from view instinctively.

The two Cherubim at the door rise, unfolding their wings. One growls, "Who seeks passage?"

Liz cries out, "Zebina, Wheel of Trade. I seek urgent aid!"

<> Liz seems to become a rhyming angel under stress. Hmm.

Azalea moves toward the voice.

The other Cherub growls, "Who are you seeking here, Ofanite?"

Aron detaches himself from the shadow of a tree, black wings bringing the shade along with him. "Liz?"

Liz says quickly, almost breathlessly, although she has no breath, "Taroniel or the recently redeemed Azalea if they are available. If not, anyone who might help..."

Zebina whirls urgently, "Taroniel!"

The first Cherub growls, "You would already seem to have the first. I will send a messenger for the second." He whistles, and a tiny reliever flutters down, who he mutters to urgently.

Azalea lifts her voice, amused, "You're assuming rather a lot, Liz; I'm glad to see you have such faith in me."

The Cherub mutters some more, and waves the reliever away. Both Cherubim settle back on their haunches, watching.

Zebina whirls over to Taroniel, "I have problems. We were investigating the sewers under DC, Eduardo, Sephar, and me."

Aron nods, the textures of his environment occasionally skirling across his skin, obscuring parts of him from view. He turns at Azalea's voice, then stares. He smiles, rather than speaking, and turns back to Zebina. "What sort of problems?"

Zebina says "We ran into Demons. Vapulans. Eduardo burned one but another got my vessel with a Song of Possession. Now it's 3 on 2, and I don't know if either of them knows I've been possessed."

Zebina says "I was shoved into the marches. Is there any way either of you can follow back to my Vessel, and help Sephar and Eduardo?"

Zebina says "Oh, I forgot... the Vapulans have something. I don't know what. An infernal relic or the like."

Zebina says "They were coming back for it."

Aron wrinkles his lip. He seems to have a particular dislike for Vapula's name. "Very well. I am with you." He turns to Azalea. "Sister, shall we?"

Azalea says "Yes."

Zebina orbits urgently around Aron, almost panicked at the need to get back and help.

Azalea says "We need to know where they are, and how to get there."

Zebina says "The sewers underneath a metro station in DC."

Zebina names the place, along with directions, at speed.

Zebina describes how she and Eduardo found the place, and says, "Look out for flames. Eduardo was in full burn when my vessel was taken."

Aron considers Zebina. "If we get there in minutes, I imagine it will be too late?"

Zebina says "As fast as you can. I don't know how long Eduardo and Sephar can hold them. Maybe that long."

Zebina says "They want the artefact, I think. It has a disturbing symbol on it."

Zebina says "I don't know the meaning. Sephar got a copy into my computer, though. We can decipher it later."

Zebina says "But we have to go now if we're to help them."

Aron comes to a decision. "Wait here." He turns toward the Cherubim who guard the Tower. "I'm going to the balcony.

Zebina blinks. Wait? AUGH.

Zebina pulls into tight spirals of fret.

The Cherubim both nod as Aron passes them, with the air that it's his choice and his problem.

Aron makes for the top of the tower.

As ever, Blandine is alone atop her balcony. She turns as Aron steps out there, her eyes blank questioning pools.

Azalea watches Liz.

Zebina looks at Azalea, and says, somewhat distracted, "You made it. I'm glad. I really am. I wish I were in better shape to tell how glad you are."

Zebina is nearly vibrating back and forth with the stress of needing to get moving, get back to her friends.

Aron bows, going to one knee. "I have a need, Bright Lady," he says without preamble.

Blandine says, "Speak." The wind tosses her hair, and her voice is distant.

Aron says "One of my brothers, bound to Fire, is in dire straits - attacked by servants of Vapula, the dreamkiller. He fights to take one of their demonic toys from them."

Aron says "Zebina of Trade asks my help, and that of Azalea. But if we cannot get there in time, our help is of no use."

Blandine gestures. Down below, near where Azalea and Zebina spin, a gap opens in the air like a dark whirlpool, gyring into a view of a sewer bank where a man lies sprawled unconscious.

Blandine says, "Take your sister and go." No emotion shows in her eyes.

Aron bows his head. "Lady," he says, and it is enough. He rises and wings down from the tower.

Aron moves towards Azalea and Zebina, positively unhurried when compared to the turbulence of the Wheel. "That way," he says and points to the gap.

The dark opening still spins, in a steady heartbeat.

Azalea says "Good."

Zebina says, "I can't. Not without a Vessel. Godspeed."

Aron nods. "Very well." With that, he leaps.

Azalea follows Aron.

For a moment, it feels like tumbling; when they land, they are both in their human Vessels, on the bank of a sewer, in a dimly-lit neon tunnel, amid the stench of sewage and recent fire and electricity. On the bank lies the sewage-soaked form of Eduardo, unconscious, right hand clamped round a bronze hilt. Near him, a charred skeleton, and another body who has been hacked to death, possibly by a sword. In the wall nearby is some sort of cavity, where the old brickwork has been broken away to expose a small cave/nook. There's a symbol painted on the wall in there.

<> Demiurge says "Sephar, is your mouse still there?"

Aron looks about. "If we are too late, I shall be upset."

<> Sephar says "Yes. Hidden in the wall just outside the cave/nook."

<> Demiurge says "You'd hear a Symphonic disturbance as these two arrive."

Sepharmouse pops from the wall and squeaks. "That way!!" pointing with it's tail... and "Can I have a ride?"

Meanwhile, Sepharbat can identify the staircase that Liz's body is running up, and hear the clanging as might be a trapdoor at the top.

Aron glances at the mouse. "Rat of Lightning?"

Sepharbat flies into the staircase... to be sure she's out of sight now...

Sepharmouse, "Yes! Sephar, Domination of Lightning!"

Liz's body can be seen wrestling with a door at the end of a short tunnel, at the head of the stairs.

<> Demiurge says "Azalea, Aron, if either of you are looking at the symbol, make an Int roll."

Sephar possesses Liz's underwear and wedgies her, possess her shoes to untie the laces.

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

Sephar also tries to possess the lock on the door to keep it locked.

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

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

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

The wedgie fails. With a hissed curse in Helltongue, Liz kicks off her shoes, and slams her shoulder against the door.

<> Aron rolls the d666 and gets 5 3 CHECK: 1.

<> Demiurge says "Nope, _nobody_ is recognising this here symbol."

<> Demiurge rolls the d666 and gets 3 4 CHECK: 2.

Aron fails, but does pick up the mouse. "Which way, Sephar?"

Sephar then possesses the fanny pack to unfasten it from her waist.

<> Demiurge says "Sephar, Str roll, please."

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

<> Sephar fails strength

<> Sephar rolls the d666 and gets 2 5 CHECK: 4.

<> Demiurge says "Unfortunately, you can't hold the door against Liz."

<> Sephar then tries to slip the fannypack off her.

Sepharmouse points in the direction of the fleeing Liz, "I'm trying to distract her."

Liz curses again, as the door comes loose. She reaches down to manually grab the fannypack, and runs out into the night air, shoeless.

Sephar points its tail.

Sepharbat flies out after her.

Azalea runs after Liz, a sudden sprint of Ofanite energy.

Aron turns to Azalea. "As fast as you are able, Sister, keep the demon busy and I follow." He casts about for, well, anything.

<> Demiurge says "Okay. Geography, guys."

Sepharmouse hops onto Azalea...

<> Demiurge says "To follow Liz, you need to run along the sewers, to the staircase, up the staircase, and out the door. Liz has a couple of minutes lead on Aron and Azalea, but has a part of Sephar chasing her."

<> Demiurge says "Aron, that bronze hilt which Eduardo is clinging to does look _sort_ of familiar. Very familiar, to a Malakite."

<> Daimon says "Heeheehee. Flame ON!"

Aron considers the hilt. "For you, brother." He take the hilt, if he can, and attempts to put Eduardo's vessel into a less conspicuous place - quickly.

<> Demiurge says "You can tumble him to one side, Aron, or into the cavity. Though the cavity stinks."

As Azalea pursues, she can see the signs of hurried passage, even in the dim light: the staircase leading upwards, when she comes to it, has footmarks on it that are still wet.

Sepharmouse squeaks, "Up up!"

Sepharmouse squeaks, "We're just outside the door up top."

In the street above, Liz casts from side to side, assessing, then turns to run towards the phone booths at the end on the right.

Sepharbat follows her.

Aron rolls Eduardo to one side, and sets off at a quick pace. Along the way, he hums a soft and misty tune - the Ethereal Song of Form.

Sepharbat possesses the zipper to her suit and does its level best to unzip her.

<> Sephar rolls the d666 and gets 6 4 CHECK: 1.

<> Aron rolls the d666 and gets 3 1 CHECK: 5.

Azalea follows the tracks, and the voice, relentless.

Sepharmouse squeaks, "She's casting about and going for some phone booths to the right at the top."

You paged Aron with 'The Song is Up. You are invisible.'.

Liz swears again, as she looks down at her unzipping tracksuit, and makes a grab for the box before it falls out.

Liz continues to run for the phone booths.

Sephar flies after, steadily.

Aron makes it to the base of the stairs and heads up, invisible now.

Demiurge says "Azalea, you reach the head of the stairs, and the door there, which has obviously just been forced open."

Azalea increases her speed, reckless.

Demiurge says "Aron is a minute or so behind you."

Sepharbat possesses all the phones in all the booths as 'Liz' reaches them and makes them all ring in synch...

Demiurge says "Roll, Sephar. There are five."

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

<> Sephar rolls the d666 and gets 3 6 CHECK: 2.

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

<> Sephar rolls the d666 and gets 1 4 CHECK: 3.

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

Liz screams, furious, "CURSE YOU!" as the phones all start ringing. Her eyes are wild, now. She pivots, looking for options, as Azalea bursts through the door down the street.

Sepharbat circle the air above 'Liz'.

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

Liz's eyes go unfocused for a moment, then clear again.

Aron works, meanwhile, on catching up to two Ofanim.

Azalea speeds toward the phone booths.

Sepharmouse squeaks, "That's her..." as they burst through.

Liz cannot help but see the woman racing towards her. She turns, the gun coming up to point at Azalea, and snarls, "Stay back!"

Sepharbat possesses the gun and flicks the safety on.

<> Sephar rolls the d666 and gets 3 5 CHECK: 4.

>From the distance drifts the sound of a car cornering at speed. It could, of course, be entirely unconnected.

Sepharmouse squeaks, "I have the safety off."

Sepharbat flies further up to get first look at the car.

Sepharmouse squeaks, "On. Sorry..."

<> Demiurge says "The car is not yet in sight, Sephar. It's a few corners/streets away. It's just that it's quiet enough at this hour of night that you can hear it."

Aron slips out of the door, unseen for the most part, and takes stock of the situation.

Sepharbat keeps spiralling quietly up.

>From afar, Azalea will Sing Ethereal Entropy, and should probably resonate to increase agility rolls, as well.

You paged Azalea with 'Okay.'.

Sepharmouse does squeak that the safety on the gun is on to Azalea, though.

>From afar, Azalea will spend 3 Essence, then, if you don't think that's excessive, for her song.

>From afar, Aron sees the gun-pointing tableau?

You paged Azalea with 'Entirely reasonable. Go ahead and roll. ;)'.

You paged Aron with 'Yup.'.

Aron edges along the street, in an attempt to get behind the gun-toting Lizbot.

Azalea sings, quietly, her eyes on this false Liz.

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

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

<> Demiurge says "Azalea, you made it."

<> Sephar says "Yay!!"

<> Demiurge says "Thanks to those extra points of Essence you spent."

<> Azalea says "woo"

Liz staggers, the gun swinging off line, and shrieks at something that she sees, scrabbling frantically at the air for a few seconds. Blood trickles from her ears.

Demiurge says "Sephar, Aron, Perception rolls, please."

Sepharmouse squeaks, "There is a car coming fast." to Azalea.

<> Sephar rolls the d666 and gets 3 2 CHECK: 4.

Demiurge says "(Azalea already knows what she did.)"

<> Aron rolls the d666 and gets 4 2 CHECK: 5.

Demiurge says "You can both tell that Azalea just let off a Song of Entropy. And it hit."

>From afar, Azalea rolls for resonance.

You paged Azalea with 'Sure.'.

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

Sepharmouse blinks, "Wow."

<> Azalea says "Man, I suck."

<> Demiurge says "Alas, Azalea's Ofanite resonance fails to give her any uncanny bonuses. She is just her usual really fast self."

<> Demiurge says "Okay. Liz is distracted. What are people doing?"

<> Demiurge says "And the car sounds closer, though not yet on top of you or in your street."

Aron will take advantage of the entropic distraction to get behind Liz - btween her and this supposed car.

Azalea takes the last few strides as quickly as she may, seeking to swoop down and throw her over.

Sepharmouse squeaks, "Get the box."

Sepharmouse squeaks, "That's what they came for..."

Sepharbat looks around for birds or other bats.

Demiurge says "Roll for your attack, Azalea. (Target 7.)"

<> Azalea rolls the d666 and gets 4 2 CHECK: 6.

<> Sephar says "YES!"

Demiurge says "Sephar, there are some roosting birds on the roofs of nearby buildings."

<> Demiurge rolls the d666 and gets 2 6 CHECK: 4.

Aron pages: Do I have enough time to devote a minute to a song before the car arrives - in Aron's estimation.

Sepharbat possesses two of them, sends on in the direction of the car sounds, the other towards Pat's house.

Caught entirely unaware, Liz goes down under Azalea's assault, landing beneath her with an oof as the wind gets knocked out of her. Intelligence begins to return to her eyes as she tries to get her breath back.

You paged Aron with 'If it is coming your way, no. If it isn't, yes. You can't be sure.'.

>From afar, Aron will get as much prep as he can, then, and prepare to blow three essence.

Aron pages: If the car comes here, the driver gets a celestial song of light.

You paged Aron with 'Okay.'.

Demiurge says "Sepharbat, the car is definitely heading your way, and will be with you in less than a minute, you estimate. It's a large black sedan with tinted windows."

Sepharbird1 possesses the rearview mirror of the sedan to look at the driver.

Sepharbird2 tries to find patrolling Hitherbird.

Hitherby has no birds on patrol near Pat's house, although she does have two insect swarms, cohesive, circling it at a measured pace.

Sephar says "Do I recognize the driver?"

Demiurge says "Sephar, roll."

Sepharbird2 flies in the completely non-flock way it did before, hoping Hitherby recognizes it.

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

Azalea hunts around for the box, first giving the demon Liz a smack to the head.

There is a moment of pause, and then Sephar feels itself being drawn _into_ something, into the body of the car. It is a single long inhalation of Forces, as the Kyriotate is sucked in...

Demiurge says "Sephar, make a Will roll at a -6 penalty."

<> Sephar rolls the d666 and gets 2 5 CHECK: 3.

<> Sephar misses, just.

Sepharmouse squeaks, "The *car* is sucking me in!" To Azalea.

Demiurge says "Sephar, you have been sucked out of your bird and mouse hosts. You are entirely trapped. You are also out of it, for the moment."

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

Demiurge says "Azalea, Liz is still too confused to make a decent fight, and your wallop to her head knocks her yet further spinning. You can feel a box, perhaps six by four by two inches, of metal, zipped into the breast of her tracksuit."

Azalea unzips the tracksuit with furious and ungentle haste, and grabs for the box.

You paged Sephar with 'I'm sorry, I'm afraid you're trapped for the moment. You can tell you're still somewhere on the Corporeal plane, but you can't sense the world outside.'.

As Azalea snatches the box - it's of old lead, with the same symbol embossed into it as was in the cavity - Liz groans, struggling faintly.

The car turns the far corner, cornering at speed, and its headlights lie along the street in bright white halogen.

You paged Aron with 'Want to fire off your Song?'.

Azalea slaps Liz again, and pushes her out of the way of the car.

Aron pages: Sure thing!

<> Aron rolls the d666 and gets 2 5 CHECK: 3.

Demiurge says "Perception roll, Azalea."

<> Azalea rolls the d666 and gets 5 4 CHECK: 2.

<> Demiurge rolls the d666 and gets 3 5 CHECK: 1.

There is a sudden shriek as light - from some source - flares on the windscreen of the car, and the turn overshoots. The wheels screech as the rear of the car goes spinning, slamming with a crash into the wall on the far side.

Liz goes rolling against the side of the pavement as Azalea tosses her aside. She is still clearly trying to get her senses back together.

Aron pages: If I flare the sword, am I visible?

You paged Aron with 'You're still invisible, but if you hit someone with the sword, they're going to notice you.'.

>From afar, Aron nods. "Flame on then."

There is a brief pause, then a voice from the car calls, "Let's make a deal."

The voice is coming from behind the dark window, and is in Azalea's direction. "Look, lady, we don't want any more of a fight. You don't want a fight either, do you?"

>From afar, Aron circles around to the non-driver side of the car.

Azalea smiles, slow. "Try me. What's your deal?"

The voice says, smoothness oozing into it, "You give us the box, we let your friend get her body back. You know it makes sense."

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

Demiurge says "Azalea, Will roll?"

You paged Aron with 'You can see two people inside. The driver, a bulky man, is rubbing at his eyes and looking blankly furious. The other man is better-dressed, leaning forward as he focuses on Azalea through the window.'.

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

Demiurge says "Gee, Azalea, this guy is admittedly your enemy, and probably a demon, but what he says does make sense."

>From afar, Aron will stealthily slash the tires.

You paged Aron with 'Oh, and there's a large flashing crystal on the dashboard, which is definitely not part of usual car technology.'.

The mouse in Azalea's pocket squeaks, and runs away in a random fashion, clearly terrified by the noise and lights.

Azalea pages: Can I make song of entropy the voice in the car? 3 Essence.

You paged Azalea with 'You can try, sure.'.

Azalea sings, quietly.

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

There is a hissing sound, faint but pervasive, as the tyres on one side develop long slits in them.

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

The hissing is, however, drowned by a shriek from inside the car. The headlights flicker on and off, as though someone were banging the dashboard, and the car jolts into sudden motion, as though someone had in a sudden fit of insanity stood on or hit or wrenched every control in sight.

Azalea mutters, "It does make sense - if you're not writhing in agony." And launches herself at the car.

You paged Aron with 'You just watched the smooth guy develop a sudden fit of the screams and jerks.'.

<> Sephar cheers on Azalea!

The car jolts in a burst of motion towards Azalea, the rims on one side screeching as bare metal rubs against the road.

Demiurge says "Okay, Azalea, what part of the car are you jumping at? Bonnet? Windscreen? Trying to force a door open?"

Aron pages: Any chance I can hop on the back as it accelertes?

You paged Aron with 'Sure, try an Agility roll.'.

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

<> Azalea says "The window."

<> Demiurge says "Alas, the Invisible Aron fails his jump at the back of the car."

<> Demiurge says "Okay, Azalea. Try for a resonance roll, to see if you can use it as a bonus, then try an Agility roll."

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

<> Demiurge says "Okay, failed the resonance. Try a straight Agility."

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

<> Demiurge says "With a slight bonus, due to situation factors."

<> Demiurge says "Aha!"

<> Demiurge says "Oh, btw, Azalea, what did you do with The Box?"

<> Azalea shoved it somewhere immovable, probably the waistband of her pants.

Liz manages to roll out of the way of the jolting car just in time: Azalea, in a display of agility, dives across the bonnet and smashes through the windscreen.

<> Demiurge rolls to see whose lap Azalea ends up in.

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

Demiurge says "Azalea, you go through the windscreen in a spatter of glass, and land up on the passenger's side, in the lap of a sleek guy who you just _know_ has to be the guy you were talking to, and who is currently shrieking and waving his arms around."

Demiurge says "On the driver's side, a large thuggish guy is trying to control the wheel, and avoid going into yet another wall."

Demiurge says "The dashboard has many interesting controls on it, and a large flashing crystal."

Aron charges after the car, praying collision slows it down enough for him to make the leap.

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

Azalea hits out at the large thuggish guy. A lot.

Demiurge says "Roll, Azalea."

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

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

Demiurge says "Aron, make an Agility roll."

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

Demiurge says "Azalea, you hit the big guy squarely, slamming into him: he grunts, but manages to keep the car just under control, though it veers and slows. Meanwhile, at the back, Aron manages to leap onto the rear of the car. Flaming sword in hand."

Azalea tries to knock the slimy one out while the thug is working to keep the car under control.

Aron wants through this window, and so attempts to shear through the glass. He evinces neither glee nor excitement - only a hard and focused precision.

Demiurge says "Roll, Azalea."

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

Demiurge says "Aron, as you hang on in the rising speed, your flaming sword slices through the glass. Azalea perceives that someone is slicing through the back window."

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

Zebina, way far away up in heaven, spins around madly, urgently waiting for the spell to wear off. She considers a quick flicker by the Volcano.

Zebina . o O (Great, first time Upstairs since 1960 or so, and all I can think of is to get back to earth.)

Aron's lips peel back against the rushing air. Teeth clenched, he attempts to crawl into the car.

The slimy one begins to return to sensibility, and manages to jerk his head away from Azalea's blow before it connects. The speed of the car picks up as the stocky guy stamps on the accelerator, and it jerks down the street, metal rims screaming.

Liz is left behind at the side of the road, still looking dazed.

The crystal in the dashboard pulses manically.

Demiurge says "Aron, you are beginning to crawl in, but it cannot be denied that it is a fiddly job, cutting a hole in the back window of a speeding car with a flaming sword, and then crawling through."

<> arcangel just chortles.

Aron imagines it's one heck of a situation, yes.

Azalea tries more violence, in all directions.

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

<> Zebina says "That's a lot of violence, yup."

<> Sephar says "Woo!"

<> Demiurge says "Azalea: at the dashboard, the driver, or the slick guy?"

<> Demiurge says "Or just thrashing round? :)"

<> Azalea says "Just thrashing around, ofanitely."

<> Zebina grins. That's my choir sister!

<> Sephar likes hanging with the speedy sisters.

Just as Aron manages to get most of him - bar the lower legs - into the car, Azalea slams a blow into the dashboard. Sparks fly everywhere, the crystal shatters, oil and gas go spraying, and the car goes into a screaming skid and spin.

You paged Sephar with 'You're free. It hurt, but you're free.'.

<> Zebina says "Eek. Hope we don't wind up with Malakite Sashimi."

Sephar boils from the crystal.

<> Eduardo chuckles. Slice and dice all the Malakites.

The bulky guy curses, and tries to stamp on the brakes. Outside, the lights spin and whirl as the car goes wrenching across the street.

Sephar possesses the car and does its best to ease up on the brakes and put the wheels in the alignment of the skid...

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

Aron does his level best to fall *into* the car. With corporeal death such a necessity of life, he devotes more time to slashing the Balseraph than bracing himself.

<> Demiurge says "Roll, Aron."

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

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

Out of nowhere in particular, though possibly it has to do with the hole in the back window, a fiery sword comes slashing down, cleaving through the slick guy's shoulder and down into his chest. He chokes on blood, and goes limp.

<> Eduardo says "See! There's a *reason* I like that sword."

The bulky guy gives up on the car controls, and instead grabs for Azalea, big hands reaching for her.

<> Demiurge rolls the d666 and gets 2 4 CHECK: 6.

Demiurge says "Agility roll, Azalea."

Aron looks mortified, if invisible, but sets about seeing if Azalea is well.

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

Sephar possesses the Bulky Guy's shorts and wedgies him, viciously.

<> Sephar rolls the d666 and gets 4 1 CHECK: 6.

The car slows and comes to a stop.

<> Zebina says "Oh, man, that's a vicious wedgie."

The bulky guy's hands tighten on Azalea: he's got an arm wrapped round her torso. He wheezes, in a surprisingly high-pitched voice, "let me go or i break her neck and stop that now"

Sephar unpossesses his shorts.

Aron says "Release her."

<> Demiurge says "Sephar has been spending too much time with Daimon."

<> Sephar says "Entirely. "

<> Sarah dies laughing.

The bulky guy wriggles to get his back to the door. He says, voice slightly lower, "I get out, I let her go, we both walk away."

<> Eduardo says "Far, far, far."

Azalea sings, a low growl.

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

Aron says "Sephar, open the passenger door on my side please."

<> Sephar says "Yes!"

<> Azalea says "Damn good thing, too, 'cause I wasn't spending any essence this time."

Sephar boils about and then opens the passanger door on Aron's side.

<> Demiurge rolls the d666 and gets 4 5 CHECK: 3.

His eyes go wide, and with a terrified shriek, he throws Azalea away from him, a brutal shove. He struggles with the door, trying to get out.

<> Demiurge thinks Azalea loves her Song of Entropy, mm?

<> Azalea says "Oh *yes*"

<> Zebina laughs softly.

Azalea pounds at him, furiously.

Aron steps out of the car and around to the driver's side, sword levelled. "Out."

He takes the blows, unresisting, as Azalea's fists slam into him, and he forces his way out of the door, still staggering. His eyes are utterly panicked, as he opens his mouth to scream something.

Sephar boils out of the car as the demon gets out.

The demon falls to his knees, hands pressed together as though in prayer. His whole body trembles.

Aron looks at the demon in disgust.

Azalea says, thoughtfully, "It's been a long time since I help create carnage that made sense to me."

The demon mutters, "Please.. help.. I beg.."

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

Aron makes the flame of the sword disappear. "Sephar, he is yours."

Sephar blinks.

There is a crash, as of Symphonic disturbance at a _high_ level.

Aron says "I will not drty Eduardo's fire with such as this."

There is a man in a white lab coat standing at the far end of the street, and walking towards you.

<> Zebina says "Oh, man. It's Vapula."

<> arcangel says "Autograph time?"

He has a metal gun of some sort holstered at his side.

Aron says "I believe it is time to effect a retreat."

He looks kind, and scientific, and concerned.

Sephar says "Yes."

He is unholstering the raygun to point it in your direction.

Aron says "Now."

Azalea slides out of the car, and prepares to bolt.

Aron says "Go. I'll cover your rear."

Sephar says, "Run."

The demon is huddling on the ground, cowering.

Sephar looks up for a bird or anything.

<> Azalea says "Is it possible for me to pick up Sephar?"

<> Demiurge says "No, he's in Celestial form."

There are no nearby birds or bats: they've all been scared off.

<> Sephar says "Does possessing Azalea's coat do anything?"

Vapula - who else is it going to be? - points the raygun directly at Azalea. He says, his voice carrying, "Don't go," and there is warmth to it, and charm, and dedication.

<> Demiurge says "Sure, you can possess it."

<> Sephar says "I mean can she carry me that way?"

<> Demiurge says "Yup."

Sephar possesses Azalea's coat, then, disappearing into it.

Aron growls. "GO." He places himself between Vapula and Azalea. Foolish Malakite.

>From afar, Sephar invokes Jean.

Azalea begins to run.

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

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

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

<> Eduardo says "Ruh roh"

<> Azalea makes her resonance roll *finally*

A leaping stream of green light spins towards Aron from Vapula's gun, and for a moment he can feel the fringes of dissolution, of absolute entropy, of total destruction as it reaches for him.

Aron . o O ( Oh Father who art in Heaven. )

Then in a sudden _tearing_ of the Symphony lightning leaps from Azalea's coat as she flings herself into motion, spreading outwards from where Sephar was nested in it, and spins into a living shield of actinic light that crackles in front of Aron.

The lightning coalesces into the form of a man: blond, soberly dressed, grey-eyed, utterly unimpassioned. In a voice that has the weight of storms, he says to the angels, "Run."

Above, in the sky, thunder rolls.

Aron spares a nod, and beats feet. Shameful sobs of relief will come later.

Azalea grabs for Aron before she takes off, carrying him like a sack of potatoes as she bursts into a slightly subdued version of lightening speed.

The streets simply whizz by as Azalea sprints with the full speed of an Ofanite.

Demiurge says "Where are you heading, Azalea?"

Demiurge says "A Tether?"

<> Zebina pales. "This is probably going to be the loudest night in the history of D.C."

<> arcangel says "Vapula, Vapula's weapon. Jean. Collateral damage..."

<> Azalea says "Sistine's, probably."

In the distance, behind Azalea, comes the sound of thunder and lightning.

Demiurge says "Zebina, suddenly you feel your Vessel become vacant again! You feel yourself being pulled down to reoccupy it."

Liz wakes up... where?

As Liz opens her eyes, she finds herself lying on a square iron-frame bed, on a rough mattress, in a bland windowless room. Her wrists are handcuffed, and there's a chain attaching them to the top of the bed-frame. Her feet are also strapped together, and have been attached to the bottom of the bed-frame. There's some sort of collar around her throat.

<> Eduardo says "Kinky."

Her body appears more or less undamaged, though she can feel several new bruises. There is a single door to the room, but it appears to be shut.

<> Liz says "Can I sing?"

<> Demiurge says "Something seems to be blocking you from using Essence."

<> Liz says "No shock there."

The sound of footsteps comes from outside, someone walking down a corridor to the door.

Liz tries to go as stock still as possible, putting all her motion, all of her being into wild thoughts of what's happening, and maybe how to get out.

A key turns in the lock, and a woman enters: she turns to close and lock the door again, before looking down at Liz. It is the woman who introduced herself as Cecilia at the destroyed Kobalite Tether. The woman's face is entirely calm.

Liz blinks. 'Y-you?'

The woman says, "It will be a great deal easier for you to escape if you cooperate, and do not try anything stupid like attacking me." She walks across to the bed, slipping a knife from somewhere in her left sleeve.

Liz says, quietly, "All right. Eduardo didn't attack you, that's good enough for me."

The woman's lips move, curling into a slightly self-mocking smile. "Good. I imagine you know that you were possessed?" She sits on the edge of the bed, and begins to neatly slit the bindings on Liz's ankles.

Liz says "Yes. Shedite, I assume."

Liz icks. "I hope it was too busy to do too much harm in this Vessel."

The woman looks, if anything, more dryly amused. "Impudite of Vapula. As he couldn't do anything else, he left you here to be debriefed."

The woman's motions are economical: she partly slits the cloth, and then carefully rips it, leaving it as though it had been burst open by main force.

Liz says, a tad ironically, "Well, that's an improvement. I hope his other vessel got dropped down a well."

Liz is being quiet, not talking louder than the other woman, and almost vibrating with the need to be free and out of these bonds.

The woman says, "I have no idea."

The woman says, "Fortunately, he left you insecurely bound, and you escaped." She slides the knife away, then removes a key from her pocket, and moves up the bed to unlock the handcuffs.

Liz says "Ah. Fortunate me. I hadn't realized I was a Windy. My superior will be even more surprised than I. And, irony aside, thank you."

The woman shakes her head slightly, letting the words slide away. She says, as though continuing her earlier words, "Let me make one thing clear. You are walking out of here blindfolded."

Liz says "Just so long as I'm walking out."

She nods, and unlocks one cuff, then the other. She says, "The collar comes off once you are outside."

Liz sits up, rubs her wrists, more at relief in being able to move than anything else.

Liz says "Right. Blindfold?"

The woman nods, and removes two pieces of cloth from a pocket of her jacket, slipping the key away as she does so.

Liz says "And do you have my weapon? It can be traced to me. I'll have to report it stolen immediately if it's gone."

Liz leaves her hands down by her sides.

Liz imagines Cecilia will want to fasten it herself. Instead she stays on the bed, tapping her toes in a soft staccato against the floor.

She pauses. "It was placed with some other stuff. I can fetch it, but it will take time. You will have to report it stolen." She carefully places the smaller bit of cloth directly over Liz's eyes, then uses the other to wrap it in place so that Liz's vision is entirely obscured.

Liz says "So long as it's not used in crimes. That's fine."

She says, "I cannot promise that. You had better report it stolen."

Liz says "I'd like the cellphone and the Carry Permit back too, although I'll report them all as stolen."

Liz thinks herself fortunate that she's not the note taking kind, really.

She makes a dry sound in her throat for a moment, then says, "Watch your mail."

She places a hand under Liz's elbow, pushing her upwards. "Now, stand, and follow me."

Liz says "Brings the idea of 'Junk Mail' to new lows, yes."

Liz stands, holds her hand out at elbow height.

Her hand closes neatly over Liz's wrist. She moves forward, then pauses at what is probably the door. There is the dry click of a key being turned.

Liz walks along, trusting her guide and her agility to keep her from stumbling too much.

She guides Liz out of the room, then pauses to lock the door again. Then there is a short corridor, another door, a longer corridor, and a flight of stairs upwards.

Liz pays attention, just in case she ever has to do this again.

She says, very quietly, "Hold still, and don't remove the blindfold."

Liz does so, with only the minimum weight shifting back and forth, like a very large metronome.

There is the click of the door, and a breath of air as she moves away and through the door without pulling you behind her.

There is a whisper of movement from behind the door, and a single long gasp, then the sound of something settling.

There is a sharp, coppery scent on the air.

Liz swallows. Hard. Right. Habbalite of War. She gets more still.

Another whisper of movement, and the woman murmurs, "I'm back. I'm about to take your wrist again. Follow me."

Liz follows along obediently.

The coppery smell recedes, and then another door is passed, and you are in the open air.

Liz is just going to hope she isn't being lied to, and that she's not being 'broken out of' a Divine Tether.

Demiurge says "BTW, Liz, you heard the Symphony being disturbed then."

Demiurge says "As of killing-of-human magnitude."

Liz vows she's going to make a very very long, and repentant, report when all of this is done.

The woman leads Liz across, and moves her hand down till Liz is touching what feels like the side of a car. She mutters, "We're taking a quick ride. Keep the blindfold on."

Liz nods, opens the door, gets in.

There is the clunk of a car door opening, and then the woman pushes Liz downwards and in, into what feels like a medium-quality car seat.

Liz leaves her hands away from the blindfold, and concentrates on directions. How to get back here if she had to.

The door is closed. There is the quick sound of footsteps, then the clunk of the door on the other side, and the sound of a car seat settling under someone's weight.

The woman doesn't waste time. She drives, at speed. There are several turns, and a short passage, and then there is a roundabout.

Liz likes roundabouts. Lots. Sometimes she can even spend whole minutes in them.

The woman spends about five minutes going round the roundabout. Round and round and round.

After some circling, it has grown rather difficult for Liz to be sure which road they originally came from.

<> arcangel says "Obnoxious Cecelia."

<> Liz says "Careful Cecilia."

<> Liz says "Int roll to keep my bearings?"

<> Demiurge says "Okay."

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

<> Liz says "That'd be a no."

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

The woman seems to have come to a decision, for she finally turns off the roundabout, and begins to take a more sensible route, or at least one that seems to be going somewhere.

Some ten minutes later, the car pulls to a stop. The woman says, voice still quiet, "Stay still, now, while I get that collar off."

Liz says "Right."

Liz leaves her hands down where they were.

There is a shift of movement from her seat, and then you feel the brush of her fingers against your neck, as she neatly unlocks the collar, sliding it away.

She says, "Now open the door and get out."

Liz nods. "Thank you."

Liz opens the door, gets out.

Liz carefully turns away from the car, towards the side of the road.

She says, voice dry, "Don't get caught again. This sort of luck does not happen to an angel twice in one life."

Liz smiles. "Right. Godspeed."

There is a pause, then she says, "Be stronger next time." Her engine coughs into motion, and you can hear her car driving away.

Liz waits a bit, then pulls the blindfold from her eyes.

Demiurge says "You're standing by the destroyed Kobalite Tether, Liz. It's somewhere in the early AM."

Liz sighs.

<> Pat says "Mmm....feel the irony."

Liz says "And such a lovely place to be dropped."

---

Fiat Justitia