Queue Here

Daimon's phone rings.

Aron tucks the phone between shoulder and ear as he sands smooth a bit of carving.

Daimon stops unpacking groceries, and scrambles to his coat to grab his cellphone. He answers it, "Daimon Lightner's Cleaning Service. You dirty 'em, we explain them. What's your flavor of the month?"

Aron says "Vanilla."

Daimon says "We don't have any of that. All out."

Daimon starts putting away the groceries again, cradling the phone between his cheekbone and shoulder.

Aron says "I should have known. Good evening, Daimon."

Daimon says "Hallo. To whom am I speaking?"

Aron looks wry - for all the good that does during a phone call. "Aron."

Daimon says "Oh, hallo. What can I do you for?"

Aron says "I need your help. I was wondering if we could find a moment to talk."

Daimon says "Well, we're talking right now, and it's currently a free moment."

Daimon leans against the kitchen counter.

Aron says "I'd prefer speaking to your face."

Aron says "I find telephones are most often traitorous pieces of plastic and metal."

Daimon says "Can I ask why?"

<> Eduardo says "'cos you can't NOD into them!!"

Daimon . o O ( What the heck did I do NOW? )

Aron says "Why are they traitorous?"

<> Sephar says "Or frown into them and have it appear on the other side."

Daimon says "No, what is so important that I have to dig Pat and Sarah out of the office so that I can borrow the car to come and see you?"

Aron says, dryly, "I could come there."

Daimon says "You could. But could you at least give me a teaser?"

Aron seems bemused. "I need your help, Sister."

Daimon says "On what? A crossword puzzle? To pick out the cover up makeup to hide those blemishes? What?"

Aron says "Does it matter?"

Daimon says "I'd like to give a reason to the Cherub in the back room who is attuned to me why I suddenly have to drop everything and come see you, so yeah, it matters."

Daimon says "If it's an emergency, just tell me the emergency. We'll come see you immediately."

Aron says "It is not an emergency, though there is some amount of urgency. There is an individual who stands rescuing."

Daimon says "Who? Shannen? Hitherby?"

Aron says "No one you know."

Daimon says "Oh."

Daimon blinks.

Daimon says "Is it an angel that's trapped in a tether somewhere? Because if so, we're coming."

Aron says "Daimon."

Aron says "I do not wish to discuss the specifics over the telephone."

Daimon sighs.

Daimon says "I have no car, Aron."

Aron says "I do."

Daimon says "How hard is it for you to come over here?"

Aron says "That would depend, I imagine, on where you are."

Daimon says "I'm at Pat's place, seeing I live with him."

Aron says "Mm. I'll require directions."

Daimon gives directions from Sistine's (as a good marker) to Pat's place.

Aron says "I'm on my way."

Aron says "Good evening, Daimon."

Daimon sighs, and hangs up the phone.

Aron hangs up, picks up the phone again, calls Liz.

<> Demiurge says "Liz, your phone rings."

Liz flips open her phone, answers. "Elizabeth Bradley speaking."

Aron says "Good evening, Elizabeth. It's Aron."

Liz says "Aron. It's good to hear from you."

Liz says "How are you and Azalea doing?"

Aron says "Quite well. In fact, we have a task before us for which we might require your assistance."

Liz says "Really? All right. I have a little while before my appointment with Anselm."

Liz says "Where do you want to meet?"

Aron says "Pat's house."

Liz says "See you there."

Aron says "Good evening."

Aron hangs up, drives, arrives there after Liz he imagines.

<> Demiurge nods. Liz arrives first, being Ofanite, Aron gets there second.

Liz picks up her dry cleaning on the way there. She hates to wait.

Sepharmouse patters about cheerfully, checking out the cooking. It likes to learn about this Earthly stuff...

Aron presses the appropriate button on his keychain, creating the reassuring boo-boop of security. He rings the buzzer.

Daimon teaches SepharMouse some stuff about putting wine and brown sugar into a good sauce, and then stops to go open the door. "Hold on a sec."

Daimon wipes his hand off on a rag, and goes over to open the door.

Liz walks in with Aron.

Liz says "Hi Aron."

The smell of Good Cooking Food wafts past Daimon.

Sephar snuffs and watches and then its ears go up with folks at the door.

Daimon closes the door behind people. "Go on, sit down. Tell me what the emergency is."

Aron raises an eyebrow. "I believe I distinctly said this was not an emergency." He considers Daimon.

Aron nods to Liz.

Liz says "It's the drama thing, Aron."

Liz says "Daimon is nothing if not dramatic. Cute, but dramatic."

Aron nods. "Mm."

Daimon stands in the living room, blinking, then goes into the kitchen to stir his sauce.

Aron says "Well, no need for preamble. I need to rescue a Balseraph of Gluttony from Nightmares."

Things bang in the kitchen.

Sepharmouse chirps, "Cool."

Liz says "Oh. Well."

Daimon walks out of the kitchen, blinking.

Liz smiles at Daimon, and tries to keep from grinning at Aron.

Aron looks mild.

Sepharmouse patters out behind Daimon, "Where or when do you need help?"

Liz says "Well, count me in."

Daimon says "Where is this Balseraph?"

Liz says "Although, just for the record, I'd like to ask if we're not exceeding our Balseraph quota for the year."

Aron offers Liz a grateful smile. "I imagine this Balseraph is in the Marches."

Aron says "This one could redeem. She was one of the victims."

Liz says "One of the brainwashing victims?"

Aron nods.

Liz says "And she's a true candidate for Redemption?"

Aron says "She has that potential. Her intentions were, surprisingly, pure."

Daimon says "Um."

Aron says "I cannot do this thing alone."

Sarah emerges as she hears the conversation, nodding to Aron.

Aron's eyes twinkle ever so briefly. "I have been reminded of this fact."

Aron says "So, I am asking for help."

Aron looks mild.

Daimon hrms, standing in the doorway, not too sure what to say.

Aron adjusts the creases of his clothing. "It is not a small thing I ask."

Liz says "The Marches, huh? Do you know where in the Marches?"

Daimon says "Um."

Sepharmouse has trottted into the room after Daimon.

Aron says "The bad parts."

Aron says "We have a compass; that should help."

Sephar climbs up a bit of furniture to listen, "I'll help. My Boss said that I should help you out if you needed it."

Daimon looks vaguely embarrassed. "I don't know if I can go."

Aron nods, gratefully, to Sephar. He considers Daimon. "What would keep you?"

Daimon says "Orders. I don't think I'm cleared to go trotting around in the Marches at all."

Aron says "Trotting."

Daimon bites his lip.

Liz tosses Daimon a phone.

Liz says "Call. Ask. Then let's go."

Aron waits.

Daimon catches the phone, and starts dialing the Supreme Court. "This is really something you should be asking Pat about. I'm about as junior as you can get here."

The Supreme Court is reached. Etecius answers the phone.

Daimon says "Etecius? Hi, this is Daimon."

Etecius says, "Good evening, Daimonique. Why are you calling?"

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

Daimon says "I have a living room full of angels, sir. Er, Aron is requesting my assistance on joining him on entering Beleth's side of the Marches, and I am unclear about what I can and cannot do. I was hoping you could shed a little light on the subject."

Etecius says, "I understood that you were currently investigating the Terethel case, and the Makatiel box problem, as well as any fallout from Bellmans."

Daimon says "Yes sir, we are."

Etecius says, "If he is understaffed, then you may consider joining his expedition. If he already has several comrades, then you are perhaps more useful where you are."

Daimon says "Yes, sir."

Etecius says, "If he is indeed understaffed and requires assistance from Judgement, then I will be glad to see him to hear about the matter."

Daimon says "Yes, sir. I'll inform him of that, sir."

Etecius says, "Is there anything else?"

Daimon says "No sir, that was all."

Etecius says, "Walk in justice, Daimonique."

Etecius rings off.

Daimon hangs up the phone, and knows that he now gets to face an angry Malakite. "I'm really sorry, Aron..."

Aron waits.

Daimon says "Unless you're severely undermanned, we've been denied access to help you on this. If you still request our presence, then you have to go talk to Etecius at the Supreme Court - that's who Pat and I answer to."

Sepharmouse watches quietly.

Aron is quiet for a time.

Daimon stares at the floor, then goes to stir his sauce,.

Aron watches Daimon recede, and waits for the man to come back.

Daimon comes back after a minute or two.

Aron rises. "I am sad, Sister," he says, finally.

Daimon says "I'm very sorry, Aron."

Aron says "I wanted to work with you."

Aron nods. "Judgement demands your time, and my need is not yours."

Daimon says "There will be plenty of other times."

Aron's smile is sad, but he says nothing.

Daimon looks fairly upset, mostly at upsetting someone else.

Aron shakes his head. "You have been given your duty, Daimon; no shame." To the others, he says, "I will not mislead you - this mission is dangerous."

Aron says "The Dark Lady has a personal interest here."

Sepharmouse simply listens.

Daimon disappears back into the kitchen.

Liz, too, looks rather more serious than usual.

Aron says "We are searching out Usha, a Balseraph of Gluttony."

Liz says "She's being held in the Marches, rather than in Hell?"

Aron says "When last I saw her, she was in Beleth's grip."

Aron looks wry. "Ironically enough, I do not mean that metaphorically."

Liz says "Ah."

Liz digests this. "You do have the most interesting adventures."

Liz says "And she hasn't been discorporated?"

Sepharmouse asks, "I have no skills in the Ethereal plane, is there a way we can actually help there?"

Aron says "Beleth was subsequently enraged by someone who was not Usha."

Sephar says "Ah."

Liz says "You?"

Aron says "My Lady directs me to find this Balseraph - I must believe that she exists, still."

Aron looks entirely abashed at Liz's question.

Liz smiles a bit. "Is Azalea around?"

Aron nods. "The task is given equally to us."

Sepharmouse chuckles quietly.

Liz hmmms.

Liz always did wonder if the Ofanite resonance worked in the marches.

Aron rubs his thumb along the line of his jaw. "Honor demands I point out that Beleth has indubitably attuned to Azalea and myself."

Sephar says "Ow."

Liz says "You don't do things by half, do you, Aron?"

Aron's lips imply a smile. "It does not seem to be in me to do so, no."

Sephar mutters mildly about honorable Malakim.

Liz nods, and is mildly surprised that there's not more crashing noises from the kitchen. She peeks in at Daimon, just in case.

Daimon is patiently cutting up vegetables for a salad.

Sephar says "I need to keep a few Forces on Earth, if it's at all possible, for some of my other duties, they can be pulled if we run into an emergency, Aron, but just so you know I might start slow."

Liz smiles at Sephar.

Liz says "Don't spread yourself too thin, Sephar."

Aron nods. "Perhaps you could help us communicate?"

Sephar nods at Liz, and chirps at Aron, "Sure, that would be perfect."

Aron says "As to the Marches and skill - all that is required is a certain amount of lyricism of the soul."

Aron says "And enough passion to give that lyricism form."

Liz mmms.

Liz says "Well, we'll see, then."

Sepharmouse blinks dubiously at that.

<> Aron says "When Servitors of Dream explain the Marches to Servitors of Lightning."

Liz ponders 'flying' in the Marches. This could be entertaining.

<> Sephar says "Like trying to explain a celphone to Aron... hmm?"

<> Aron grins. "Yup."

Aron says "To enter a Dreamscape, however, you will require help."

Sepharmouse nods at that.

Liz smiles. "Particularly if it involves... sleep."

Liz says the word with a certain abstract distaste.

Aron says "Sleep is only a journey."

Liz says "Oh, well if it's a _journey_, I'm all for it."

Liz says "Anything I should bring along?"

Aron says "Do you have anything that will follow you into the Marches?"

Sepharmouse shakes its head.

Liz says "Hmm."

Liz says "Possibly this reliquary. Other than that, no."

Aron nods. "Then bring only that. The rest will be left behind, after all."

Liz merely checks to see if her 'watch' is still attached, and finds a chair with definite fidget possibilities. "All right, I'm ready."

Sepharmouse sighs. "This will be a learning experience, certainly."

Aron nods. "For us all, brave one. We journey into Nightmares, at all."

Aron checks his pocketwatch. "Settle your affairs on this plane now. Come to Sistine's as soon as you are ready."

Sepharmouse nods. "I'll send a host with Liz."

Aron nods. "Hitherby, Azalea, Phineas and Shannen accompany us."

Aron says "We are a Host."

Aron seems pleased.

Liz smiles. "Very good."

Sepharmouse chuckles.

Liz acquires a Sepharhost, bids farewell to Daimon (with a kiss), and heads forAnselm's.

Aron stands. "Thank you both. I shall see you soon." He nods and makes for the kitchen.

Daimon turns as Aron enters, putting his knife down.

Aron says "Thank you for your hospitality, Sister, and your honest consideration."

Daimon says "You're welcome, Aron. And, um, I have a name."

Aron nods, thoughtfully. "Indeed you do."

Daimon says "No offense, really. I just don't feel comfortable with you calling me that."

Sepharmouse patters back to Daimon and climbs back up into his pocket.

<> Liz says "It's that formality thing."

<> arcangel . o O ("Sister" = "Fellow Lilim"?)

<> Daimon wasn't even called that by Demon Princes. It's really disconcerting.

Aron nods. "Good evening, then." He pads quietly out of the apartment, letting himself out and driving back to Sistine's.

Daimon sighs heavily. "Good evening, Aron."

<> Daimon now feels OFFICIALLY guilty.

<> Aron beams.

<> Daimon feels so very guilty, man.

<> Aron says "These are the true weapons of the Malakite, you know."

<> Daimon says "Apparently."

<> Sephar giggles at Aron.

<> arcangel says "Guilt, Aron? How cruel!"

<> Aron says "Kindness, understanding, grace - all of which combine to create really huge guilt."

<> arcangel thinks Flowers-Malakim are probably *experts* in the Guilt Trip.

<> Daimon is also not used to not being able to do whatever he wants, too.

<> Daimon determines that using guilt on brand new Bright Lilim is pretty damn effective.

<> Aron grins. "And, you know, a Lilim feeling guilt is one of the signs of Redemption."

<> Aron says "It's a good acid test."

<> Daimon definitely feels it, yeah.

<> Demiurge says "Okay. Aron has just left the Pathouse. Eduardo is at the police station."

Aron will drive back to Sistine's, and check to see if he has any phone number for Eduardo at all.

Marath can give him a phone number for Eduardo.

Aron smiles his thanks to Marath and takes the phone number upstairs. He dials.

The phone rings on Eduardo's desk.

Eduardo answers, it, tucking it under his chin while continuing to skim his paperwork. "Detective Chavez."

Aron says "Good evening, Detective. It's Aron Riel."

Eduardo ahs, some of the irritation leaving his voice. "What can I do for you, Aron?"

Aron says "I've need of some assistance. I was wondering if we could get together."

Eduardo raises an eyebrow. There is a long pause. And then he says "Of course. When?"

Aron says "At your earliest convenience."

Eduardo hms. "There's a coffee place. Near the station." He adopts a quizzical expression and waits.

Aron says "Give me the address?"

Eduardo rattles off an address, and then asks "How long?"

Aron considers. "I'll be there in thirty minutes."

Eduardo says "I'll see you there."

Aron says "Thank you, Edward."

Aron hangs up, and drives.

Eduardo waits until almost the last minute, and then heads over to the same coffee shop where he was sitting.

Aron is sitting at a quiet table, a cup of black coffee on the table before him.

Eduardo joins Aron, setting down a sheaf of papers before gesturing to the waitstaff, who clearly know him. He, too, is served a cup of black coffee.

Aron offers his hand, in greeting.

Aron says "I am on a hunt."

Eduardo takes the hand, shakes, and raises an eyebrow again. Funnily enough, this is rather more effective face-to-face than over one of those telephone things.

Aron's lips quirk. "Azalea and I are set to rescue a ravenous serpent."

Aron hums, "Balseraph of Gluttony."

Eduardo blinks once, and then says "Ah."

Eduardo says "Aron."

Eduardo says "Did I just hear you say what I think?"

Aron says "Just so."

Aron says "She was one of Bellmans' victims."

Eduardo says "If I wasn't Oathbound to politeness ...."

Eduardo shakes his head slowly. "And ...?"

Aron says "Her intention to Redeem was true."

Aron pauses. "Let me rephrase."

Aron says "It was True."

Eduardo squints slightly. "This is a Balseraph."

Aron says "Whose most honorable act was to wish to Redeem."

Eduardo ahs, pausing. "Then you are correct."

Eduardo says "There is no choice."

Eduardo says "Where is it?"

Aron says "In Nightmare's realm."

Aron says "Most probably deep in Nightmare's realm."

Eduardo's voice is level as he says "Of course," but the fire shows in his eyes. "An example."

Aron nods. "The Dark Lady has a personal interest here."

Aron says "She is, if I guess correctly, attuned to Azalea and myself. Proximity will be dangerous."

Eduardo's response is a quiet "And? I am Malakim." The rest is left unspoken, the 'it is a matter of honour' in tone and stance, not words.

Aron nods. "Good."

Aron says "We will cut Beleth again."

Eduardo squints a little more, not voicing the obvious.

Aron says, only, "She is attuned to me, now."

Aron says "We are meeting in Sistine's."

Eduardo says "It will make her easier to find. She will come to us."

Eduardo says "And I will be there."

Aron smiles.

Aron says "Settle your affairs, then, burning Edward."

Aron puts some money on the table, his coffee only half finished.

Eduardo says "I will. And even get lunch."

Eduardo offers a smile, and pushes the money away. "Allow me."

Aron resists, as appropriate, and then accedes. "Thank you."

Eduardo says "Of course."

Aron smiles, clasps Eduardo's arm, and departs.

<> Aron says "Mmm, Malakim bonded in suicidal tendencies."

---

Fiat Justitia