Into The Darkness

<> Demiurge says "Shortly before this, first Hitherby, then Sephar just _vanished_ from among you. Sephar managed to gasp out something about an attack before vanishing."

Zebina blinks and looks around, eyes flicking ceaselessly from one spot to another.

<> Demiurge says "Then Aron said he'd received a Cel Tongues message from Sephar; that Terry was taking them into the Marches, in a truck."

Shannen walks slowly towards where Sephar once stood. "Seepphhaarr?"

The surroundings are grey and quiet. This domain seems empty sand dunes, curved with the occasional bent tree.

Zebina sighs.

<> Zebina says "Demi, do we know that it's 'just' Hitherby, Sephar, Sarah and Daimon being taken into the marches?"

Eduardo says "She's gone, Shannen."

<> Demiurge says "Yes; Sephar says those four names to Aron, who passes them on."

Zebina says "Okay, they're in the marches too."

Zebina says "Along with Aron's Balseraph."

Zebina says "I suppose it would be too much to ask for them to be together?"

Aron says, mildly, "Mine?"

Aron says, "Ah, Usha. Teraphim is not _mine_."

Zebina nods. "Usha."

Zebina says "I don't think any of us really want Terry. Other than as a trophy or something."

Shannen smiles "Well, she's not yours either, really, but..well, nevermind." She chews on her lip a little and looks out into the Marches worriedly. "How..can we find them - if they're not together?"

<> Daimon says "Head. On pike."

Eduardo says "Nor is Usha Aron's, save that he knows more of it than we do."

Aron nods to Eduardo.

Zebina sighs. "Well, let's get going. We won't find them here."

<> Shannen picks out a nice gold and diamond collar for him.

The grey dunes seem to curve to the horizon, dipping and rising. There are mountains a mile or so to the east, harsh and jagged against the sky.

<> Terry says, "Baby, I am SO not Redeemed."

Eduardo frowns, slightly, and straighens. "I agree. The mountains are our only landmark, unless we know where we are to search?"

Aron raises the hand which holds the compass, and points to an effective "North". "She lies there."

Eduardo starts off, setting a steady pace designed to allow one to travel for long periods rather than to cover time rapidly. His eyes are grim, fires banked back.

<> Demiurge says "Okay. Everyone, make Per rolls."

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

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

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

Shannen tilts her head a little, looking somewhat puzzled. "North?" but shrugs.

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

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

<> Demiurge says "Eduardo, over to the east you spot a quick flash of tattooed body, ducking between two of the dunes, running at speed. Perhaps a quarter to a half a mile away."

Eduardo stops, turning; staring. "We have a shadow. A Habbalite."

Eduardo starts moving again, leaving the pause brief enough that it might be missed. His voice is quiet. "SOme distance away. To the east, and running."

Aron turns slightly, glancing about, as Phineas and Azalea likewise scan the horizon as unobtrusively as they can.

Aron murmurs, "Follow her a short way, see if she is going anywhere? Azalea and myself - and Phineas? - will remain on this heading."

Zebina says "Oookay. Some of us follow or distract the Habby, the rest of us keep after Usha?"

Phineas nods.

Zebina says "Aron, how will we find you after?"

Shannen turns her head in the direction Eddie looked before shrugging and frowning somewhat. "Well..If..you'll all be okay?"

Aron points ahead. "We will continue in this direction, parallel to the mountains. As long as you return to find us. The heading towards Usha has not changed."

Eduardo laughs softly, still walking. "They have Aron. They will be fine. You will have me."

Zebina says "Fair enough. Take care of yourselves."

Zebina shakes her head faintly. Malakim.

Shannen looks at Eduardo and grins "The big, strong Malakim are going to take care of us."

Zebina says "C'mon, Shannen. If we need to question that Habby, your presence should keep things calm enough to actually get some talk done."

Zebina says "Before it gets sliced into habby jerky and roasted lightly over a bonfire or something."

Zebina doesn't look at Eddie or anything. That wouldn't be subtle, no.

Eduardo grins at Zebina, though it's not an expression calculated to make her words seem any less true.

Shannen nods to Zebina and moves along with Eddie, looking back at Aron et al "Call if you need anything!"

Aron nods, briskly.

<> Demiurge says "Eduardo, try another Per check if you're trying to subtly spot movement in the Habbalite direction."

<> Shannen says "Smells like..victory."

Zebina paces lightly over the sand, letting Eddie lead the way. Hey, her specialty isn't stealth, and Eduardo's about as subtle as a sand truck, so.

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

Shannen keeps close to the center of the small group, looking about worriedly.

<> Eduardo says "And since when does anyone expect an Angel fo Gabriel to be very subtle?"

Zebina stays near Shannen. If nothing else, she can help the Mercurian dodge.

As Eduardo's keen fire-honed eyes scan the horizon, he notices the flash of movement again, pale limbs marked with darker scars and flashing in the faint light as their owner runs for the mountains.

Eduardo tilts his head in that direction and starts to accelerate after him. "I think we should stop him before he reaches cover."

Zebina uh oh.

Shannen "oh dears" softly and works to keep up with Eduardo "Is he going fast?"

<> Zebina says "Um, Demi, can I keep up with Eddie if I do the ofanite thing, and can I do it if I carry Shannen?"

Eduardo says "Yes."

Eduardo says "And I've never believed in letting one like that flee to cover."

<> Zebina does not particularly want to be a blazing ring of fire spinning coinlike across the 'desert' in order to keep up with Eduardo, but she'd like to get Shannen there at -roughly- the same time. Keep things peaceful.

<> Demiurge says "Actually, both Zebina and Shannen can move faster than Eduardo here in the Marches raw. Zebina is faster than Shannen."

<> Demiurge says "Therefore, Shannen and Zebina can overtake Eduardo."

<> Zebina then trots along annoyingly to keep up with Eduardo.

<> Shannen does as well :)

You are perhaps half a mile from the mountains, and the Habbalite a quarter of a mile from you, when she ducks - seen by all of you for the first time - into a narrow gully, still running.

<> Zebina says "Hmm. Has she seen us yet?"

<> Demiurge says "It's hard to tell, Zebina."

<> Demiurge says "She didn't do any obvious glance-over-shoulder-and-shriek-in-horror movements."

<> Demiurge says "Actually, Eduardo, make an Int roll."

<> Demiurge says "You too, Zebina."

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

<> Demiurge says "Zebina, that Habbalite reminds you of someone. Vaguely. Though you're not sure who."

<> Zebina says "Can I make out a gender?"

<> Demiurge says "Might be female. A very thin bony female."

<> Zebina says "Gotcha. (Yeah, the player knows who it is...)"

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

<> Demiurge says "Eduardo, you fail to recognise details of that Habbalite."

<> Eduardo is just not an ethereal thug.

<> Demiurge says "Anyhow, the Habbalite has just ducked into the gully, which winds towards the mountains. She's about quarter of a mile away from you, and another quarter-mile towards the mountains."

Eduardo heads up for the side of the gully, rather than charging straight down it into a potential ambush.

Eduardo also looks vaguely irritated at being so easily distanced by Zebina.

Shannen umms at Eduardo "She went that way.." and points towards the gulley, then looks to Zebina wonderingly.

The gully curves neatly upwards, forming a near-complete tunnel. It seems empty, with only the occasional foot-scuff in the sand showing signs of passage.

Eduardo heads along the edge of the gully, keeping an eye on any and all tracks below him. "I know which way it wnt."

Zebina stays near the other two. She's not getting too much out in front (although she can't quite help it).

There is, indeed, the odd track below - the half-mark of a bare thin foot here, a ripple in the sand there. The mountains grow closer.

Shannen nods to Eduardo and opens her mouth to say something, before just shrugging and nodding, staying near him.

Eduardo gives the impression he would like to curse but does not; rather his manner grows quieter, almost introspective until one catches site of his eyes.

<> Demiurge says "Everyone make a Per roll, please?"

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

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

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

You are perhaps a couple of hundred metres from the base of the mountains, when a faint noise drifts across the grey sand-dunes, barely audible to Eduardo and Zebina. It might even, to Zebina, sound like a guard shifting boredly at his post.

Zebina puts up a hand and stops where she is.

Shannen stops as well and opens her mouth slightly, looking at Zebina before whispering "What?"

Eduardo nods, also stopping. The 'I'd *really* like to curse look grows.

Zebina motions Eddie and Shannen to come close and stay quiet. "I -think- there's something up there. A guardpost or something."

Zebina doesn't quite whisper, but it's close.

Eduardo nods, once, and says nothing.

Zebina says "I'm not exactly stealthy. Can either one of you creep closer without getting caught and have a look?"

Shannen frowns, looking around for a few seconds before shrugging slightly "I can try..but.." she continues to frown.

Zebina says "But?"

Eduardo shakes his head, and then barely breathes. "What will she do when she gets there."

Zebina shrugs a bit. "If she was sneaking up, and it looks like she was, she might try to get in."

Zebina says "So maybe we can 'sneak up' the same path, but we'd better be really careful."

<> Zebina says "So someone explain to me why I'm telling the Malakite Cop what we should be doing in terms of B&E?"

<> Demiurge says "Trade, Thieves... ahem."

<> Eduardo says "'cos I keep getting work distracted and 'cos Eddie is *not* subtle?"

<> Zebina is not a fence! Well. Much.

<> arcangel says "Zebina is not a fence, she's a wheel..."

Zebina says "Okay, Shannen, creep up ahead a little bit, see if you can find our Habbie friend or the guards."

Eduardo nods, falling silent again.

Zebina says "Yell if you get caught--they probably won't hurt you right off and we can come help."

Shannen looks a bit worried "Well, I'll try. Should I scream loudly for help or couragously keep silent, if I get caught?"

Zebina hmms. "Yell if you get caught by the guards."

Zebina says "If you find the Habbie, only yell if she looks like she's going to hurt you or capture you."

Zebina mutters something about getting herself loaned out to Hazardous Retrievals so she can get proper training in this sort of thing.

Zebina says "We'll wait a couple of minutes, then I'll come up. If I don't come back, then Eddie comes in blazing on a rescue."

Zebina attempts to play to everyone's strengths here.

Shannen nods and gives Eduardo and Zebina quick hugs "Okay. Wish me luck!" and begins to try and stealthily move towards the guard station.

Zebina grabs for Shannen's foot.

Zebina says "Not right at the guard station."

Zebina says "Follow the Habbie trail."

Eduardo frowns a little, stepping away from the hug and standing; watching.

Zebina points off thataway.

Shannen ohs and nods "Okay." and follows after the trail, crossing her fingers.

Zebina wishes she had a gun. A nice, quiet, silenced, celestial gun.

<> Demiurge says "Okay, Shannen. Roll."

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

As she creeps down the gully, Shannen peers around a corner and sees a cave mouth, recessed into the side of the mountain. Two bulky figures lounge outside it, human-formed but with something sluggish and uncaring in their features. Both bear axes.

<> Shannen says "Can I peek into the cave from this angle?"

<> Demiurge says "Not quite, Shannen. It looks deep. Even like the entrance of a passage, perhaps."

<> Demiurge says "Also, Shannen, try a Per roll."

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

<> Demiurge says "No sign of that Habbalite."

Zebina waits (anxiously) for Shannen to come back.

Zebina orbits Eddie in that way that Ofanim do, although she's taking care to orbit in the path least-likely to make noise.

Shannen ponders the line between stupidity and bravery before deciding that discretion is the better way, and proceeds to try and sneak back to where she left everyone, looking behind periodically as well.

<> Demiurge says "You arrive back safely, Shannen."

<> Shannen is afraid.

Zebina looks relieved when she sees Shannen come back.

Zebina says "What did you see?"

Shannen frowns slightly "I didn't see the Habbalite anywhere - but there were guards. With axes. Outside a cave-tunnel-deep hole in the earth. She probably went into there."

Zebina nods.

Zebina says "Okay. Maybe we can sneak by it and see if there's anything beyond."

Zebina says "And if not, well."

Zebina motions significantly at Eddie.

Shannen says "Sneak by the cave or the guards?"

Zebina says "Both."

Zebina says "Then circle back if there's nothing more interesting beyond."

Shannen ohs and nods "Okay."

<> Zebina says "Okay, Demi, we'll all stick together and circle round the cave entrance to the other side."

<> Zebina says "Can we stay far enough away from it to not be seen easily?"

Eduardo's lips curve, showing teeth.

<> Demiurge says "Zebina, if you circle round to the other side, you're going to have to go over the open dunes, and can't use this convenient gully."

<> Demiurge says "Your chance of being spotted is liable to rise."

<> Zebina says "Drat. Okay, we'll use the gully, and then see if what it looks like."

<> Demiurge says "Okay. Everyone try Sneaking rolls."

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

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

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

By the time the three angels have reached the angle of gully that lets them see the cave mouth, there have been several little rattles of rock that _might_ have attracted attention - but have not.

Zebina hmms.

The two men lounge there, boredly. The sound of Helltongue drifts faintly in the air, in the dull cadences of two beings utterly uninterested in the world. Their axes lie by their feet.

Zebina whispers softly, "Okay, you two stay here for little bit, see if anyone comes in or goes out? I'm going to skip back down and see if Aron and company are still headed 'North'?

Zebina thinks the idea of a stakeout would drive her nuts.

Shannen nods to Zebina and watches the two very very carefully.

Zebina whispers, "Or should we try and take the guards?"

Eduardo says "Take them."

Eduardo says "Fast is almost as good as quiet."

Shannen whispers "I could... walk right up to them. That might confuse them for a bit..?"

Zebina suggests, quietly, that it would be just as good to subdue them quietly, possibly even confuse them.

Zebina smiles at Shannen. "We could all three walk up. Eddie keeps them from running for help, and we talk to them until we get information?"

Shannen nods to Zebina and looks to Eduardo "Well..should we? I mean it's really dangerous and stupid, since if they see three of us, they may just run away or call for help instead."

Zebina says "Bring them here instead?"

Eduardo frowns at that last. "I say we simply take them."

Zebina says "Eduardo, you can almost certainly take one."

Zebina says "I don't know that I can take the other without weapons."

Zebina says "I'd rather try to subdue them with a song."

Eduardo says "I will not just simply attack them. Even they deserve to be shown honour."

Eduardo says "Else we are no more than they are."

Zebina says "Shannen, how about singing them to sleep?"

Shannen nods to Zebina and peeks around the corner again "I'd rather no one attack.." she frowns and taps her fingernail against her teeth "I..well..could try and make them peaceful? With a song?"

Zebina nods. "Then tie them up and sneak in. Better."

Zebina says "And if that doesn't work, the Detective gets his chance."

Eduardo considers, eyes dark. "I can allow that. If there is no ... direct attack, and considering where we are."

Zebina says "Right. Well, the other thing is we try to BS our way through."

Zebina says "After all, we don't -look- like angels just this sec."

Shannen nods to Zebina and takes several deep breaths before peeking back around the corner again "I'm going to have to get..well..kinda close, though."

<> Eduardo says "What *do* we look like?"

<> Demiurge says "You can either look angelform or humanform at the moment."

<> Demiurge says "Those guys out there are humanform."

<> Shannen prefers looking like her vessel.

<> Eduardo ubs. Probably looks humanform.

<> Demiurge says "If you're humanform, you look like your Vessel."

Zebina nods. "Okay. Hmm. Shannen and I walk up and try to make them all harmonious so they'll let us through."

Zebina says "All of us. Our 'companion' is just behind us making sure we weren't followed."

Shannen nods.

Eduardo frowns a little, manner suggesting he is less than comfortable with the plan.

Zebina says "OK, let's do it. C'mon Shannen. Try and look, um, Impuditish."

Zebina has -such- a bad feeling about this.

The guards lounge.

Shannen looks at herself and then at Zebina "Umm. Okaayy." and thinks Impuditish. Impuditish.

Zebina picks herself up, brushes herself off and tries to look as stylish as possible under the circumstances.

Zebina figures she can do Impudite better than Calabite.

Zebina brushes a smudge off of Shannen's cheek and grins.

Shannen straightens her hair and takes a few deep breaths to try and relax, continually thinking 'Impudite..Impudite..Impudite' and nodding to Zebina "R-r-ready."

Eduardo doesn't laugh, nor do his brown eyes show humour. He simply draws himself up, imperious, and lets the fire show in his expression.

Zebina does not tell Eduardo 'calabite'. No.

Eduardo makes as if to move forward, showing little more patience than an Ofanite now that the plan is made.

Zebina ambles along the gulley towards the Guards, looking not particularly friendly or unfriendly. More a bit dragged out.

The guards look across, and both reach to pick up their axes - though not overly quickly.

Shannen ambles along as well, trying her best to look absolutely charming. Like everyone's friends.

Eduardo waits, as planned.

The guard to the left says, in a bored English drawl, "Names and Princes."

Zebina says "Lannach and Meribore, Media. Newly assigned."

Zebina looks a bit annoyed, like someone who got pulled off a juicy earth assignment for -this- pit.

The guard nods. "Okay. Why weren't you with the earlier convoy?"

Shannen smiles at the second name and casually looks over the guards, somewhat thoughtfully.

Zebina sighs. "Different origin. We came in the hard way from earth. Transferred through the Marches.."

<> Shannen says "How close did we manage to get?"

The guard sighs, utterly bored. "Course you came through the Marches. Only way here."

<> Demiurge says "You're right up close to them now, if you want to be."

<> Demiurge says "Planning to resonate, Shannen?"

Eduardo waits, foot tapping.

<> Shannen hrms and will try to Resonate for group dynamics - see who is in charge of this lil operation. Well, which of the two guards is boss :) 'Course, if I can't get the check digit, I'll settle for what I have. :)

<> Demiurge says "Okay. You can resonate for intergroup dynamics, then on them separately if you want."

Zebina says "Yeah, but we started on Earth, and I'd like to get back there before my producer starts looking at some of the other eligible candidates for the job, but no, I'm here instead. But hey, it's not your problem."

<> Demiurge says "Roll, then."

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

<> Demiurge says "Fail."

The guard smirks faintly, for some reason. "Yeah, sure, you're the star, whatever. Okay, go on in, follow the torches, head up the stairs when you get to them, report to Staffing, let them handle your bitching." He waves towards the cave mouth.

Eduardo comes around, at that stage, following along behind. He says nothing, but keeps his head down in a vague hope of hiding the arrogance in his face and his eyes.

Shannen smiles sweetly at one of the guards, just for a second before returning to looking charming.

Zebina says "OK. There should be another guy a couple of mins behind us."

Zebina says "Our 'escort'. Really scary guy."

Zebina says "He's making sure we weren't followed."

Shannen nods to Zebina.

Zebina looks at the guards speculatively, then says, "You go ahead, Meri."

The guard snorts. "Nobody comes out here, kid." He glances across at the arriving Eduardo, bored. "What's his name? Media too?"

Zebina says "Eddie. Probably Media. He didn't say."

Zebina says "Not really outgoing though."

The guard looks faintly curious. But only faintly. "Yeah. Well, get on in." He waves to the cave again.

Eduardo stalks forward. He can't keep that out of his step, despite his appearance as a somewhat run down hispanic detective. His head stays down, but his back is notaby straight.

Zebina says "Oh, there you are. Okay, that's everyone. C'mon."

Zebina turns on her heel and starts to walk in.

<> Eduardo resonates.

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

<> Demiurge says "Eduardo: as you get close enough to use your Elohite attunement, you perceive that neither of these two are actually actively cruel. Callous, yes. Lazy, yes. But not actively cruel."

Shannen looks to Zebina and then nods, moving forward and silently repeating to herself, 'Impudite. Impudite. Impudite.'

Eduardo stalks between them, utterly silent, and careful not to touch either.

<> Demiurge says "When you resonate on the first guard, you perceive that his three most noble acts in the last year were to actually get moving and chase someone to save a friend from an angel; to cover for a Balseraph caught in a lie; to stand watch without dozing."

Zebina pats Shannen. "C'mon, Meri. It's not -that- bad. I can get back to the foreign correspondent thing and you can go back to those yuppie tea supplement commercial things you were doing. Or whatever it was."

Neither of the guards pays any real attention to the angels. They resume horizon-staring, limply.

<> Eduardo decides it's not worth blowing whatever for these guys. Theyre just ... not actively evil enough.

Zebina pays no attention to the 'escort' behind them.

The cave mouth does open into a long tunnel. It is dark. The floor is smoothed stone. In the distance, a torch burns.

Shannen smiles brighter at Zebina and snickers softly, taking a quick look behind her.

Behind, the guards are lounging again.

---

Fiat Justitia