Let Justice Be Done

<> Demiurge says "I believe Mazpatiel and Maasiai were heading out into the Marches."

<> Pat says "Indeed we were."

<> Maasiai follows Pat.

<> Maasiai leads Pat where the attunement draws, actually.

Pat, once in the Marches, coalesces into his normal deadbeat detective form.

Maasiai glances up at Pat, still a winged lioness. "Form matters?"

Pat says "If we're walking into a nest of demons, an angelic presence is less than wise."

Maasiai nods and morphs into her human form as well. A black woman, with typically Cherub build, in slacks.

The Marches are quiet and full of light, with dreamscapes floating past like bubbles of gems.

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

<> Maasiai makes Tweak The Attunement roll.

Pat lights a dreamed cigarette, looking over the multitude of dreamscapes. "Which way?"

Maasiai lifts her head in a predator's way, though she is still in human form. "That way, over towards Beleth's side and the Far Marches. He's unconscious."

Pat frowns. "Alright. Let's go."

Maasiai nods and moves out, pacing steadily.

Pat reaches into his overcoat and fingers the feather before moving after Maasiai.

Pat . o O ( Please God, let this thing work right. )

Maasiai looks about the Marches, echos of her celestial form in her movements, fading only slowly.

The Marches pass quickly around them, in the manner of dreams, as they approach the borders of the Far Marches.

Pat comments, randomly, "I've never been out this far before."

Maasiai says, "Me either."

Maasiai . o O (Or to Hell. But.)

There is a ripple in the air nearby, a gust of wind, as a Malakite comes drifting among the dreamscapes, dark feathers brushing against floating jewels.

The Malakite calls, "Halt! Who goes there!"

Maasiai looks back at Pat. This is his show, after all.

Pat looks the Malakite up and down.

The Malakite bears a half-dozen oath-chains. He slowly descends towards the earth, broadsword scabbarded at his side.

Maasiai waits for Pat to announce them.

<> Pat resonates on the Malakite.

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

The Malakite is mildly annoyed at having to break his regular patrol to intercept people/angels/whatever who are probably untrained and don't know about the dangers of the Far Marches. He's also worried about something.

Pat says "We are of Judgment, Virtue. We seek to retrieve one of our number who has been abducted by the Adversary."

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

The Malakite nods, hovering. "And you think that this one is in the Far Marches? You walk on their borders."

Maasiai nods.

Pat indicates Maasiai. "My counterpart is attuned to the one we seek."

<> Maasiai . o O (Yon is the Attuned Subject Of Investigation.)

The Malakite considers. "I would not prevent this, but the Far Marches are more dangerous than you may realise."

Pat says "We are regrettably inexperienced in these realms, Virtue. If you have advice, it will be heeded."

The Malakite's wings shiver, and for a moment a single drop of blood moves across his face - in Pat's eyes. "Beware false appearances. Avoid large groups. Travel warily. Be ready to flee a domain, if you must."

<> Pat says "Ooooh. Can I re-resonate to try to get more on the guilt?"

<> Demiurge says "Sure."

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

<> Demiurge says "Hm. You get that it's not exactly a personal guilt for something he's done, Pat. It's more... a sort of deep-seated regret about something."

Pat nods. "You have our thanks. Are there specific dangers?"

The Malakite begins to rise into the air again. He pauses. "What, beside the murderous Ethereals, roaming demons, and other things?"

Pat says "Something like that, yes."

Maasiai chuckles deep in her throat.

<> Pat says "Snarky Malakite. Tsk. :)"

The Malakite says, "Probably, but I'm not an encyclopaedia."

The Malakite says, "I can't tell what may cross your path. All that I can do is warn you to be careful."

Pat nods. "We will rely on caution, then. Again, Virtue, you have our thanks. Semper Vigilis."

Maasiai murmurs, "Semper Vigilis" as well.

The Malakite replies, "In aeternum," and spreads his wings fully, rising into the air and vanishing.

Pat looks to Maasiai to lead on.

Maasiai turns her head towards where the Attuned Subject is and walks again.

Maasiai keeps her eyes open for murderous Ethereals, roaming demons, and other things.

Pat follows along. Doobeedoo.

Maasiai pacepacepace.

All seems quiet. The area seems to be one of dry white sand. A line of stones lies directly ahead, and the air seems somewhat *different* above them.

<> Demiurge says "One might suspect a domain-border."

Pat purses his lips. "Past the demarcation?"

Maasiai nods and continues, pausing at the line to glance at Pat.

Pat nods. "Alright. We enter, then."

Maasiai steps over the stones.

Pat follows along, doom or no.

The world changes. They are approaching a winter wood, and snow lies on the ground. Above the stars spangle the night sky, and a brisk wind carries a distant salty scent.

Maasiai sniffs at the air, then settles back to pacing. As quietly as she can.

<> Demiurge says "Blooooood."

Pat pulls his coat a bit closer around him. "Hm."

Maasiai glances back at Pat. Quietly, she grunts, "Hm?"

There is a distant thin whimpering, coming through the trees.

Pat cocks an ear to the whimpering, then looks at Maasiai. "Is that...?"

Maasiai frowns. "No."

Maasiai says "Not Daimonique."

Pat nods.

Pat says "Lead onward, then."

<> Pat says "Compassion? What's that?"

Maasiai does so.

<> Maasiai shrugs!

The trail of Daimon's presence leads into the woods, among the high dark trees. Pine needles are soft underfoot, and the heavy scent of pine is in the air, mingled with a stronger odour of blood.

Maasiai wrinkles her nose and continues to follow her attunement, though she walks softly and carefully.

Pat notes the bloodscent casually, and follows the Cherub, since he has no idea where they're going.

<> Maasiai says "Into Danger."

The sound of a single horse's hoofbeats can be heard, approaching through the trees. The horse is galloping.

Maasiai pauses and glances back at Pat, forming the handsign for, "We hide, Power?"

Pat nods, and steps off anything resembling a path.

Maasiai seeks out a good hiding spot too.

The hoofbeats draw closer - and then the horse comes into sight, a great black beast with rolling red eyes and foam-flecked mouth. A pale young woman clings to its back, face fixed in panic, white silks blowing in the wind.

The woman does not seem to notice Pat or Maasiai, simply concentrating on clinging to the horse as it gallops.

Pat shoots a glance at Maasiai, and continues to stay off the path.

Maasiai does as well, hunkering further to remain unseen.

The woman gallops by, and disappears into the woods.

Pat waves Maasiai out of hiding, and proceeds Onwards.

Maasiai proceeds Onwards.

The track through the forest leads onwards - and the scent of blood abruptly becomes stronger. Much stronger. Probably involving something in the clearing ahead stronger.

Pat holds up a hand to signal Maasiai to slow down, and takes a much slower and more cautious approach as he begins moving forward again.

Maasiai lets Pat take the lead, stalking behind carefully.

Pat comes right up to the edge of the clearing, looking in carefully.

In the clearing lie bodies, sprawled on the patch of snow; half a dozen of them, once elegantly clad in silks, now pierced with blades or torn with hands, speckling the snow with blood. Also in the clearing stand three Malakim.

<> Pat says "Any of them look like a leader type?"

The Malakim all have swords girded at their belts, and are smeared with blood. One cleans his dagger, while the other two chuckle at something. Their armour and chains have an archaic air to them.

<> Demiurge says "Perhaps the one with the dagger."

<> Pat says "Resonate!"

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

<> Pat says "Hm. What would happen if I announced myself?"

<> Demiurge says "Current emotional state; satisfaction. Strongest emotions; desire for purity and bloodthirst and weariness. Reaction; he'd want to question you, and would react badly if he didn't think you "pure"."

<> Pat says "You are a thoroughly evil person."

<> Demiurge says "Yes, and?"

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

Maasiai hovers a couple of paces behind Pat.

Pat glances to Maasiai, making a quick gesture asking the way.

Maasiai shrugs, points towards the other side of the clearing and onwards.

Pat nods, and decides on the better part of valor, beginning to move /around/ the clearing.

<> Demiurge says "Try a Move Silently roll, Pat."

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

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

Pat's movements are quiet enough - but then a twig cracks under Maasiai's foot as she follows him.

There is an instant silence in the clearing, as all three Malakim swivel towards the sound.

Pat gives Maasiai a very sharp glance before turning to face the Malakim.

The first Malakite says, "What."

The second says, "Ahhh. Spies of the Unseelie."

The third says, "Impure."

Pat says "No."

The first says, "Oh?" They are spreading out slightly, wings rippling.

Pat steps forward into the clearing, hands spread wide.

The first regards him, sharply.

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

Maasiai might mutter something, but it is lost in the crunch of her footstep as she moves to stand beside Pat.

The first says, voice tasting the word, "Angel. Judgement. Inquisition." There is an intake of breath from the other two.

Pat says "Judgment. We do not come to Inquire, Virtues. We seek justice on the Infernal, who would enslave those who Heaven holds dear."

The second says, "Confession. Master, may we confess? It has been so long since last we made confession."

Pat glances to Maasiai. "We will deliver what absolution we may."

The Malakim glance at each other, then nod. The first steps forward. "I give you thanks. It has been too long since last we made petition to Uriel through the purity of Judgement."

<> Zebina says "Yike."

<> Pat says "EVIL!"

<> Demiurge says "There are reasons why border guards warn people not to go into the Far Marches!"

<> Zebina says "And we just missed these yahoos, didn't we?"

Pat steps forward to meet the first Malakite. "I will hear your confession then, Virtue. And you have my assurance that it will reach the sight of the Most Just himself."

Maasiai frowns a bit, moving slightly aside from Mazpatiel. Her hand flicks in a casual gesture.

<> Demiurge says "Maasiai indicates, "Deadly danger.""

<> Demiurge says "Yes, Zebina. :)"

The Malakite nods. He goes down on one knee, unsheathing his sword and holding it point-down in the bloody snow before him.

Pat watches the Malakite, staying out of immediate sword range.

<> Pat gets the feeling he is going to be choosing words very very carefully.

<> Zebina says "Could be worse. Imagine if Aron was along, and they recognized him..."

<> Pat says "ACK!"

The Malakite says, "Through the pure and to the pure do I make my confession. Cleansing have we brought to this realm of the unseelie, and before that to the unnamed lands. Souls have risen to meet the Pure One."

The Malakite says, head bowed, "Three Seraphim have ascended before his gaze, and two Malakim."

<> Pat fights the urge to run away.

The Malakite says, "May Purity come once more to Heaven, and may we be his hands and his Mercy."

The Malakite falls silent.

<> Zebina says "Hmmmm."

Pat makes a gesture of blessing over the Malakite. "May thine eyes be clear, brother, and thy hands even. May thy works be blessed in the sight of God, and thy heart remain as pure as the Light."

<> Chephirah is so. glad. she's not attuned to Pat right now. :)

<> Pat is glad too. :)

<> Zebina says "Aw, c'mon. Convert 'em to your side and sic 'em on the false mirror."

<> Pat says "That's tempting."

<> Pat says "That's very tempting."

The Malakite appears comfortable with this. He resheathes his sword, rising, and the second Malakite moves to take his place.

Pat nods to the second Malakite, and listens.

The second Malakite's confession is much the same as the first's, and the third is similar also.

Maasiai listens, face held flatly concentrated, poised on the balls of her feet.

Pat repeats the blessing for each of them, then steps back. "Honored Tsayadim, I assure you your deeds will not be forgotten in Heaven, nor will your Purity fall to the obscurity of time."

The Malakim exchange glances.

The first Malakite says, "Surely you will bear our message to the Pure One himself."

Maasiai's hand flips, in the signal for, "MORTAL DANGER."

<> Pat says "Eeek"

Pat says "My duties do not permit me that honor, I'm afraid."

The second Malakite says, beginning to pace round behind Pat and Chephirah, "There is no greater honour. You will be made pure to live again."

Pat lowers a hand to his side, as if holding a sword. "I cannot neglect my duty, Virtue. There is a band of Infernals near, that must be brought to justice."

<> Chephirah eeeee!

<> Zebina says "Incoming!"

<> Pat is pretty sure they're guilty of murder, yes. :)

The third Malakite snaps, "Where are they!"

Pat says "My counterpart bears that knowledge. She leads the way."

Maasiai nods, flatly and intelligently. Her hand moves, in the standard sign for "Feed me information".

<> Zebina says "Merrily we trot into battle, among pit bulls with edged weapons."

<> Demiurge thinks Pat has forgotten one teeny little detail.

<> Pat says "Er. That being?"

<> Demiurge says "Well, if Maasiai is the one who knows where they are, then Pat isn't exactly _necessary_..."

<> Pat says "Erp."

<> Pat swallows.

<> Demiurge says "However, there is always Fast Talk!"

<> Pat talks like the wind, baby!

<> Chephirah rrr! My Pat! :)

Pat says "They have taken one of ours, to taint her with the stain of the Pit. I bear her identification, and my counterpart helps me seek her. If you would prove your names to Heaven and be good in His sight, we would have your assistance."

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

The first Malakite considers. "Who is this poor comrade of yours, that languishes in darkness?"

<> Zebina says "Not one. Four! Four comrades languishing in... well, one of them escaped but, three! Three comrades..."

Pat says "She has been made pure in the sight of God, and the Adversary seeks to undo that purity. Her companions also, of Destiny and others, all in the hands of the Divine, are held with her."

The first Malakite says, his voice like grating iron, "This will not be permitted. The Pure One will redeem them all."

Pat says "They remain pure yet, brother. They have the strength of God in their hearts. But the strength of the Adversary is in perseverance, and we must make haste if they are to be saved."

<> Pat breaks out the hip waders.

<> Zebina says "Y'know, don't ever, *ever* let Daimon within 100m of these jokers."

<> Zebina says "The combination would be, ah, explosive."

<> Pat says "Yes, I know."

The second Malakite says, "And your comrade can lead us there?"

Pat says "My comrade can seek, but knows not what she is to find."

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

The second Malakite says, in cold tones, "You lie. Your words are an offence against purity."

The third's eyes narrow. "He is not pure."

The first repeats, with the air of ritual, "He is not pure. He will be made pure and given to the Pure One."

<> Pat says "Dammit. :)"

Pat says "You seek to judge outside your realm."

Maasiai twitches a hand, in the "distraction coming," signal.

The first says, "We are the appointed Pure Ones. Purity speaks through us. We are his Sword and his Mercy."

<> Zebina says "Y'know, Shannen's resonance would just kill these guys."

Pat says "But you are not his Judgment."

Maasiai takes a half-step back towards the Malakite behind them, as though nervous.

The first Malakite says, "We are." His voice has a chilling certainty to it.

Pat raises his hand forwards, gripping an (as yet) nonexistent sword. "Do you wish justice done, brothers?"

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

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

Maasiai spins as Pat speaks, bringing her foot round in a high circling kick that takes the Malakite beneath the chin. There is the sound of something breaking, as he collapses backwards.

The first Malakite opens his mouth to say something, then snarls as Maasiai moves and the other Malakite goes sprawling. His hand goes to his side.

Pat says "Hold, or the wages of sin will be on your heads."

Maasiai snap-kicks the sprawling Malakite in the side of the head, and he stops moving. She moves to Pat's side, stalking like a great cat.

The Malakite says, with utter surety, "We are the pure. You must be purified. Surrender and admit your sin." He draws his sword.

Pat says "We are the hands of Judgment, Virtue. Absolution is ours, as is condemnation. Do you think that we do not know sin? Stand down and give the aid we seek, or face the punishment due."

The Malakite says nothing more. He advances.

Pat shakes his head. "Then let justice be done, and may God show mercy."

<> Pat says "poof."

There is a cold ripple of air, of light - and a sensation that Pat has only known before in the Spires and in the presence of Dominic, an absolute light, a wind that shakes the soul. A sword that glows like living sunlight forms in his hand.

A voice that shivers the trees and makes the bones tremble speaks. "LET JUSTICE BE DONE."

<> Pat says "Bow before my phallic symbol, cultists!"

<> Zebina says "Oh man."

Pat locks eyes with the lead Malakite, letting his expression fade to complete neutrality.

And the sword flies from Pat's hand, and it strikes the first Malakite, and blood flows.

The Malakite screams, bringing up his own blade in parry, but it shatters against the glowing sword, fracturing into steel shards.

Pat steps back, hands spread wide and eyes hard as he watches.

The third Malakite - the only one still standing - dives towards the first, and attempts to ward the sword off.

Maasiai mutters, very quiet, "Get out while they're busy?"

Pat nods to Maasiai. "We go."

Maasiai nods, looking relieved. For a moment, she grasps Pat's wrist, and he can feel the surge of four measures of Essence being transferred.

Maasiai then runs, briskly.

Pat follows. Briskly.

---

Fiat Justitia