Demiurge says "It is the Groves. Another beautiful day in Heaven. What is Phineas up to? Admin duties? Trauma counselling? Weapons training for some eager young angels? Weapons practice? A duel?"
Phineas is most likely teaching young angels something. Training and intimidation.
Your entire class was observing, in awe, your demonstration of how to invade body space, when heavy footfalls broke the stillness. Striding through the trees comes Michael, in human form, his axe slung across his back.
Phineas stops what he was doing and gives his Archangel the proper greeting and appropriate level of submission and respect, "Greetings, Michael."
Michael's voice has the distant rumble of drums in it, the distant murmur of cannon. "Phineas. I hope your class can find another teacher. I need you elsewhere."
Phineas nods, "I am sure there are others more competent than I. I am at your disposal, as always."
Michael grunts.
Michael says, "There's something going on in Washington DC, and I need to find out what. Half the other Archangels already have a finger in the pie."
Michael stares at the rest of the class meaningfully, and they rapidly disperse.
Phineas nods and listens, paying absolutely no heed to the class.
Michael folds his arms. "You may have heard about the current business. Apparently Asmodeus has arrested Kobal. Half of Hell's in turmoil. We want to take the best advantage of this that we can."
Phineas nods, "Understood."
Michael grunts, again. "Given a choice between the two, Kobal does us less damage than Asmodeus. But they're both Demon Princes."
Phineas nods, "He probably just figured out what we've known forever .. Kobal is not funny."
Michael snorts, close to a chuckle. "Good point. But I want to know what's going on, and I want any appropriate action taken. I need a diplomat for the job, one who can handle demons and humans if he has to."
Michael says, "You're assigned, Phineas. Any questions?"
Phineas nods, "It has been some time. I will need the trappings of the humans. Clothes. Money."
Michael nods. "It's been fixed up. They'll be waiting for you at the other end."
Phineas says "Thank you. For your confidence."
Michael gives Phineas one of those slaps on the shoulder. "I need a competent man on the job, Phineas. I believe you can handle it."
Phineas nods, "I will do my best, as always."
Michael nods. "I expect no less, soldier. Good luck."
There is a ripple of motion and light, and then Michael is gone, leaving you alone.
Phineas Well .. ok .. I suppose I'll be going too.
Demiurge says "Phineas, you know where the Tether-feed-points are, where you'll have to go to get down to Earth."
Demiurge grins. Okay.
Phineas says "Ok, I'll bop down to the Marines tether thing, and poke about."
As Phineas moves down the Tether, he steps out into the dawn light of Washington DC, standing before the Marine Corps War Memorial. There is a squarely-built man watching from a few paces away, in jeans and shirt.
Phineas looks down at himself, inspecting his vessel and attire for a moment, not paying too much heed to his surroundings.
The man says, briskly, "Phineas, Mercurian of our Lord Michael?"
The vessel is standard issue, similar to his last one, the clothes smart casual.
Phineas looks up and nods to the man, "Yes, that's me." He looks satisfied with his vessel, toying with the fabric a moment and smiling slightly. He then gives the other man his full attention, "Forgive me, it has been a little while for me."
The man says, cheerfully, "No problem. My name's Ardon, Seneschal of this Tether." He offers a full wallet. "Documents, driving licence, credit cards, the standard package. They're all in the name you used last time."
Phineas smiles and takes the wallet, looking through it a moment, "Excellent, that makes things easier." He pulls out the driver's license .. Phineas Smythe, such a distinguished name, he was quite proud of it.
Ardon nods, and glances out at the city in the dawn light, then back again. "Special assignment, I got told?" His voice is curious.
Phineas nods and looks out at the city as well, speaking to the man while looking at the beauty of this nation's capital in all its marble and limestone splendor, "Yes. Seems there have been some goings on that he wants to know more about. Perhaps something to do with Kobal and Asmodeus. At the least, he knows that others of the Archangels have their fingers in this pie, as he put it."
Ardon looks thoughtful. "Well, I understand Jean and Vapula both manifested here last night. And there was something odd going on at the opera recently. Besides that, I've heard Judgement and Trade are involved."
Phineas frowns a little, "Judgement is always involved." He brightens a little as the sun catches off the Washington Monument, "It is a beautiful city, isn't it?" He pauses in his reflection to look at Ardon, "What happened at the opera?"
Ardon shrugs. "Wish I knew. I can't really leave the Tether, and the other Michaelites in the city tend to be more the seek-and-destroy type, if you know what I mean. Which is fine, but doesn't mean much current information."
Phineas nods, "Understood. Hmm." He considers a moment, "If I find anything interesting out, I'll be sure to tell you. Maybe you can send messages back to the Big Man for me. Easier than going back up there myself, takes so much out of me."
Ardon nods. "I'll be glad to. And better that we both know what's going on that any information gets lost."
Ardon pauses. "Actually, I do know someone who might have an idea of what's going on, if he's not involved himself."
Phineas nods, "Indeed." He puts the wallet in his inside jacket pocket, "I wonder how much has changed..." He starts to walk off towards the city, pausing after about ten paces to turn around and smile at Ardon, "I'll see you soon."
Ardon holds up a hand. "There's this Elohite of Judgement you should try. He's no worse than most of them, and he likes to keep tabs on what's going on, so he might know, even if he's not involved himself."
Phineas nods, "Do you know his name and where I can find him?"
Ardon says, "The name's Mazpatiel, cover identity Patrick Murphy, a private detective." He rattles off Pat's address.
Phineas smile and makes a mental note to buy a small notepad. He repeats the name a few times and the address so he doesn't forget it, "Thanks again, Ardon. Can I get you anything while I'm out there?"
Ardon pats the side of the monument. "Some information wouldn't hurt. But I suppose I don't have to tell _you_ about diplomacy."
Phineas grins and nods, "Aye. Want a magazine or some food? They have wonderful food here, all sorts of nations."
Ardon says, "Ah, no. I've got stalls or restaurants for most of them within eyeshot of here. But I appreciate the thought."
Phineas nods, "Alright. I should get to work. As soon as I find anything worthwhile, I'll come give you an earful." And with that, he starts to walk off towards the city, hands in the pockets of his stylish trenchcoat.
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