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In the far distance, something drips.
Shannen tries to stay in the middle of the group, peering ahead cautiously "Well, we had better
get along quickly, before they think something is wrong."
Zebina nods.
Zebina walks ahead with confidence tinged with appropriate caution.
<
Shannen follows after Zebina, trying to look more charming than confident. Lots of charm.
Eduardo stalks along, face especially baleful and anger evident in his motions. He's not stupid, but
he's not anger has left him less cautious than circumstances would suggest.
As the three angels approach the first torch, another becomes apparent in the distance to the left,
where the tunnel forks.
Shannen motions over to the left "Follow the torches.."
Zebina thinks about trying to be clever, but that's Hitherby's job. She nods and follows the
torches.
The torches are carefully spaced, so that from each one the next can be seen, and thus one can
find one's way through the twisting passageways.
Somewhere in the distance, there is a throb, as of a faint deep-voiced hymn.
Eduardo considers the side passages, but heads on forward.
<
Zebina sniffs. "Can't say much for the decor."
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Eventually, the lit torches come to an end at the foot of a stairway; light shines above, dimly
filtering down.
Zebina hmms.
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Shannen peers up the stairs and looks towards Eduardo and Zebina "Well, this is the end of the
caves and the beginning of something..brighter than the caves."
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Zebina leads the way up the stairs. No use staying here. But she doesn't emerge fully into the light
until she gets a good look at things outside.
Shannen follws after Zebina, trying to keep close enough so that she'll be able to see out as
well.
At the top of the stairs, visible when Zebina peers, is a largish room, walled in granite and with
an ivory door. A Mercurian sits at a desk, pale wings fretting as it fiddles with several stacks of
documents. The walls are covered with files. A computer terminal perches on a corner of the
desk.
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Zebina whispers to Shannen and Eddie, "That Mercurian does not look 'right'. Not sure what, but
if there are two djinn on the door and this place has demons reporting... Well, let me do the
talking, ok?"
<
Shannen peers at the Mercurian and then back at Zebina "Huh? There's nothing wrong with the
Mercurian. Just..what's going on?"
Zebina whispers quietly, "Shannen, what would a true Mercurian be doing here in a place guarded
by a couple of djinn that -obviously- is expecting demons to show up?"
<
Shannen shakes her head "I..don't know. It's all very very strange. But I don't see anything
wrong."
Zebina whispers, "Okay, but I do. Eddie, how about you?"
Eduardo nods to Zebina. "She's right. I do."
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Zebina whispers, 'Okay, so same thing as before. 'Meri', you and I are new assignees. 'Eddie' is
our escort.'
Shannen looks back at the Mercurian, then shakes her head and shrugs "I..well, nevermind. I'll
follow your lead, Liz."
Eduardo frowns at Zebina. "The same applies."
Zebina nods. "Okay. C'mon."
Zebina walks confidently into the room, towards the Mercurian.
Eduardo nods, and sets his face, hard lines cominating as he stalks behind Zebina and
Shannen.
Zebina says, friendly enough, "Hi."
The Mercurian looks up, and pushes hair back from his face. "Oh, hi. Okay, you're new?"
Shannen follows along with Zebina, doing her best to appear as charming as she can.
Zebina nods. "We're new. Just brought in off earth assignment."
The Mercurian says, "You a special dispatch from one of the Princes?" He rubs at his face again.
"Not the Game? We just _had_ the Game in."
Eduardo would have problems appearing charming if he was trying to. He's not.
>From afar, Eduardo resonates.
Zebina says "The Game is here? Oh, great."
Zebina says "No. Not the game."
You paged Eduardo with 'Roll away.'.
The Mercurian shakes his head. "Just left. Names and Princes?"
<
Eduardo pages: And, if I can, the Elohite thing?
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Zebina points at Shannen, "Merriden, Media." Points at herself, "Lannah, Media." Points at Eddie,
"Eddie, probably Media. Our 'escort' here. Not real talkative."
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Shannen smiles charmingly at the Mercurian.
Eduardo squints a little at the Mercurian, hand twitching at his side.
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The Mercurian snorts. He says, to Eduardo, "Got it wrong, hasn't she? You have to be
Nightmares or Fate, if you brought them here." He winks.
Zebina pales a bit. "Nightmares? Fate? Now waaaait just a second here..."
The Mercurian glances back to Zebina. "Oh, don't worry. You'll be working with Servitors of all
Princes here. We're a cooperative little community, and you wouldn't have been seconded here
if they didn't figure you could cope."
Shannen looks over at Zebina, still smiling charmingly and then back at the Mercurian, before
nodding once.
Zebina ponders. "Well, beats covering whatever The War's up to this week, I suppose..."
Zebina says "All right, so what next?"
<
The Mercurian restacks his papers. "How much briefing have you had?"
Zebina says "Not a lot. Meri and I got pulled off of our assignments on like -no- notice, and I had
to get Eddie's name off of my 'Producer'."
Zebina glares at Eddie a bit.
Eduardo starts forward, slowly.
Zebina ahems and turns back towards the Mercurian, "So anything you can tell us would be
good."
The Mercurian nods. He begins to tap the keys on his computer. "Okay. I'll get your names in
here, you get your angel look on, then I'll send you up for orientation. That okay?" He seems
oblivious of the advancing Eduardo.
Zebina says "Angel look? Oh. *Oh*. Okay."
Zebina grins. "That explains it."
Shannen looks down at herself and giggles very softly, before returning her attention to the
Mercurian.
The Mercurian says, "Well, it's stock practice here. Can't be sure who might be watching. So you
look like an angel and you talk like an angel, all right?"
Zebina nods at the Mercurian. "Gotcha. C'mon Meri, I want to see you do the feathers."
Eduardo laughs, a hard, bright sound, all fire shattering glass. And then he lets himself change to
his 'angel look', black wings cupping as he shows his celestial form and eyes pools of flame fixed
on the false Mercurian.
<
The Mercurian laughs. He raises his hands from the keyboard to applaud.
Zebina yikes and skips back a few paces. "Aaack!"
The Mercurian says, "Oh, very nice. But it's not, you know, really _vicious_ enough. They'll be
able to give you more advice in there."
Shannen turns to Zebina, raising an eyebrow for a second before smiling and speaking softly "I'll
see what I can do." and turns her head towards Eduardo, wowing softly.
Zebina says "Oh, da--bless it, Eddie, you scared the hell out of me."
Zebina glares. "Nightmares, obviously. Right."
Eduardo turns his head. "They?" he asks, voice grating.
The Mercurian says, "Persona is in command. There are some people who have stock pictures,
though, for when you want to get the look right."
Eduardo says "Persona?"
The Mercurian nods. "Look, how much briefing _did_ you three have? What were you told?"
Zebina shrugs. She takes a step, starting a spin. By the time 'she' finishes there's a spinning disc
of fire in 'her' place.
The Mercurian glances to Zebina. "Impressive."
Zebina says, the same voice coming from the center of the wheel, "Enough to properly do this
sort of thing. I thought we were going to use it for trapping angels."
The Mercurian frowns.
The Mercurian says, "Someone has screwed up your briefing. I'll flag it." He taps the keyboard.
"Who briefed you?"
Shannen looks sheepishly at the other two and gives a small shrug, before closing her eyes and
reverting to an appearance like that of her celestial form.
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Eduardo stares down at the 'Mercurian', considering. Then he starts to reach behind him, grating
out. "Does this add verisimilitude?"
Shannen moves forward a bit, smiling again and looks over at Eduardo curiously.
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Zebina says "Larry."
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The Mercurian says, "Larry who?" He glances at Eduardo. "Okay, okay, so that's scary."
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Eduardo starts to produce his sword, then glowers at Shannen.
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Zebina says "Impudite of Media, Producer, and general records guy. Associate of Teraphim, big
time bad-ass Bal of the media. Look, no offense or anything, but he's not my usual Producer. I
do war correspondence."
Shannen skips a little bit back from the glower, before smiling brightly at him and quickly looking
towards the Mercurian.
The Mercurian says, "Right." He taps more into the computer. "Okay, okay, it'll get flagged to
him, and yeah, I know about Teraphim, we've got _that_ one sorted for the moment."
Eduardo turns hand still behind his back and black wings cupped tight about him.
Zebina nods. "Any chance of a better briefing now, before one of us puts their foot into it and
someone starts asking questions about who assigned these idiots without a proper briefing?"
The Mercurian finishes typing. "Okay. That's the basic details. If you go through that door," he
nods to the ivory door, "that'll take you to Orientation, where someone will take care of you.
Thank you for coming by. I hope you enjoy working here."
The Mercurian snorts. "Just let that Larry guy get whatever's coming to him, I say. This place is
high-clearance as is. He should have done a better job."
Shannen smiles softly and nods to the Mercurian "Thanks."
Eduardo flexes his hands at his sides, expression suggesting that what he'd truly enjoy is to burn
the Mercurian down.
The Mercurian returns a smile to Shannen. "Any chance of catching you later, honey?"
Zebina's rings spin faster, and she dips. "Right. Okay, come on Meri."
Zebina says "Thanks and, uh, Godspeed or whatever it is."
The Mercurian chuckles. "That's the idea."
Zebina wheels out the door, barely missing clipping the doorframe. As her voice fades, there's a
'Bless it, this is going to take getting used to...'
Shannen erms "Well, we'll see." and smiles charmingly before beginning to move along with
Zebina, thinking 'Nonono date the demon.'
Eduardo stalks after them. "A false reflection," he chants.
<
Through the door, an ivory-walled passageway curves upwards, slowly bending to the right.
Shannen looks back as the group moves along, checking for followers or suitors, before returning
her gaze to the front and whispering softly "This is so very strange."
Eduardo says "We are to impersonate angels."
Eduardo says "For some purpose."
Shannen says "We should do a good job..."
Eduardo laughs again. "We will." It's apparent he means something totally different to
Shannen.
The corridor comes, after a few minutes walk, to another ivory door with a sign on it saying,
"Knock First."
Zebina wheels along the hallway, looking at things.
The hallway is otherwise blank and bare.
Zebina orbits to the side, letting Shannen or Eddie have the first knock.
Shannen holds up her hand to the door "I guess.. this is it." and gently raps on it, looking as
charming as she can again.
A deeper voice from inside calls, "Come in!"
Eduardo walks in, moving even before the answer. he's not looking amused.
Zebina orbits on in last. (Unusual, for an Ofanite.)
Shannen whinces as Eduardo moves ahead of her, and moves forward, smiling.
Inside is another desk, with an Elohite sitting at it, skin pale, eyes a flat brown. On the desk in
front of her are several folders, and she balances a notepad between her hands.
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Eduardo's frown darkens.
There is, in the far wall, a crystal-paned window that looks out on a golden city.
The Elohite says, calmly, "Good afternoon."
Zebina looks (without appearing to look) at Eddie, then at the Elohite. Right, it might be a true
Elohite, but Shannen couldn't tell that anything was wrong with the Mercuian, and Eddie's looking
even nastier than usual...
Shannen keeps her smile up "Hello."
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Zebina resonates the Elohite about the packets.
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Zebina dips courteously in the air.
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the Elohite intends to show you to help with your images."
Eduardo gestures to Shannen. "Out." It's a single word, and indubiably a command.
Eduardo says "I need to speak to the ... Elohite. In private."
The Elohite says, "Nonsense. This briefing is for all of you. Unless you have something to
report?"
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Shannen turns her head to look at Eduardo, her eyes narrowing somewhat "Wha--why?"
Zebina spins, sounding amused, "Yeah, -someone- is trying to get into their role too much."
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Eduardo says "I do."
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The Elohite says, "Can it wait till after orientation, or is it urgent?"
<
The Elohite's eyes narrow sharply. She sets the pad down on the table neatly.
Eduardo bites out. "It. Can. Wait." It's evident even that isn't easy.
The Elohite says, "Very well. I have been told your briefing was deficient. Please report what you
were told when you were assigned here."
Eduardo falls silent again, hands working at his sides.
Zebina says "I couldn't tell you about Eddie. Meri and I were told out to imitate angels and
handed over to Eddie to be escorted through the marches to here. That's about it. 'Top secret,
hush hush, don't tell a soul or we'll give yours to the Shedim' warning on top of it, but not a whole
lot more."
The Elohite glances between the three angels.
Shannen watches Eduardo quietly for a few seconds, before looking over at the flaming
wheel.
Zebina says "Course Larry had a human girl on either arm at the time and I get the feeling he just
wanted to get down to some serious essence draining, but..."
The Elohite says, to Eduardo, "Who is your Prince, Nightmares or Fate? And what were _you_
told?"
Zebina dips here, or there, or there, trying to get the Ofanite shrug down.
Eduardo says "I was told to escort these people to this ... reflection."
Eduardo says "And then to act appropriately."
The Elohite nods. "And you were all informed that you would be remaining here until further
notice?"
Eduardo bites out even those words, voice burning with suppressed emotion.
Shannen nods, smiling charmingly again.
Zebina dips again. (Aha, got the nod!) "Yeah. Well, Bosnia was getting boring..."
The Elohite says, "Very well." She glances between the three. "Your images are sufficient for the
moment. You are unlikely to be assigned any high-priority subjects for a while."
The Elohite says, "Our function here is to aid in the programming of subjects who are sent here.
You will be briefed in scripted scenes, which you will then play through with them."
<
Zebina blinks. "Waitasec, I'm supposed to be an *actress*?"
Eduardo doesn't say a word. Not a word.
The Elohite says, "That is why you were assigned here, unless you have spectacular talents in
scripting or preparation work. Which, to be frank, I doubt." Her tone is dry.
Shannen nods "Okay."
Zebina wheels on over to the Elohite. "I mean, not that I'm complaing, but Meri's much more the
actress sort, and Eddie... well I think Eddie could probably scare the fear of God into someone,
sure. But me, I go and get the story, write it up, and send it back. Don't you all have a media team
here? You know, report the 'true story' back to the home country and all that? I'd be ever so much
better at that."
The Elohite looks at Zebina for a long moment.
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Zebina is a mix between nervous and 'aha, opportunity!'.
The Elohite says, "The medium is the message." The phrase appears to amuse her, for some
reason. "I will put an application on your behalf to scripting, if you like."
Zebina says "Great! I'll remember that."
The Elohite nods. "Do you wish to be assigned rooms next to each other?"
<
Shannen nods "Yes, I would like that."
Zebina says "Next to Meri, sure. Next to Eddie.... um... No offense or anything but don't they
have a Malakite pen or something?"
The Elohite says, "You are unlikely to be spending that much time in your quarters as it is."
<
The Elohite says, "However, I can assign you temporary quarters separately, for the moment. You
will remain there, please, or in the rec room on your level."
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The Elohite says, "As soon as you are needed for a scene, you will be fetched and briefed."
Zebina dips again (hey, she's got the nod down pat!).
Shannen nods.
The Elohite reaches into the drawer of her desk, and fishes around, removing three plastic tags.
They have the numbers F32, F33, and F64. "Six floors up. Will there be anything else?"
Eduardo remains silent, though the briefing.
Zebina resonates on the tags, just in case.
Outside the crystal window, a couple of bright-winged specks move against the sky... like
angels.
<
Zebina asks, "Can I take a set of the pictures? I'd like some reference material just in case that
scripting assignment comes through."
The Elohite says, "Which Choir?"
Shannen turns her gaze outside the window, leaning forward slightly to watch.
The Elohite says, "Or a mixed set?"
Zebina says "Mixed set, please."
The Elohite chooses a folder, and offers it to Zebina. "There you are."
Zebina's tone has become noticeably more polite since someone mentioned 'scripting
assignment'.
Zebina moves to surround the folder, moves back and forth over it once or twice, then sighs and
manifests enough of an arm to carry the folder. "Don't suppose there's a tip book for 'Ofanim',
huh?"
The Elohite shrugs to Zebina. "Just follow the script you're given. We normally stick with the
basics - move fast, don't think too much, prejudiced, burn things, the usual."
Shannen smiles a bit more at the Elohite.
Zebina dips. "Sure, I can do that."
The Elohite nods to the door in the opposite wall to the one that they came through. "Just follow
the stairs. Do not try exploring on your own, in case you adversely affect a subject. You can
recognise subjects by the necklaces that they wear."
The Elohite says, "We will be scanning your records and assigning you where you can be most
efficient."
Zebina says "All right. If I need help, who should I ask for?"
The Elohite says, "Just ask someone else on your floor. They'll be able to tell you where to go.
And remember, stay in angelic form."
Zebina says "Right, thanks. Sorry to take so much of your time. C'mon, Meri."
Zebina wheels on out the door, one human arm incongruously clutching a folder in the center of
her discs.
Zebina makes a note, after this is all over, to apologize at length to Eduardo.
Shannen follows Zebina, in a flutter of pale wings.
Outside the door is a spiralling stair leading upwards, with landings off it as it rises.
Eduardo waits, and then says. "I need to report."
The Elohite waits till the door has shut behind Zebina and Shannen, then says, "Do so."
Eduardo says "To Persona."
Eduardo . o O ( If this guy is bad, and I can come and find him later, let's go for the snake's
head.)
Zebina notices Eduardo is -not- following them. "Oh no..."
Zebina makes a decision. Go back and 'save' the Elohite, or get out of the blast radius.
The Elohite nods. "He's busy at the moment. Recent delivery. He should be able to see you in an
hour. Anything that I should mention?"
Zebina decides that unless she chains Shannen to Eddie's side, he's going to go Malakite on them
sooner or later. Best to be disassociated with him as soon as possible. Sorry Eddie.
Zebina thinks she's going to be spending a long, long time atoning for this one, but we need more
info.
Eduardo shakes his head, baring teeth. "I have some information for him. On Gabriel and her ...
followers."
Zebina guides Shannen up to their rooms.
Eduardo's lips curve into a smile that is more rictus than anything else.
The Elohite frowns. "Very well. Tell me, are you Fate or Nightmares?"
Eduardo says "I am a Nightmare," and then lets his voice due away, the unspoken "...for all of
you' only implicit to one who knows him."
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The Elohite nods. "I'll inform Persona. If you'd go to your quarters, please, he'll be in touch as
soon as possible." There is a new note of respect to her voice.
Eduardo nods, face grim as he turns away.
The door opens, letting him onto the staircase.
Eduardo turns back, half way. "You will be there?" he inquires. "This will bear on you, but I
would like to say it only once."
Eduardo's voice has dropped to almost a purr, now.
The Elohite frowns slightly. "I will request it, though if it is high-priority then Persona might wish
to debrief you personally."
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Eduardo turns back, nods, and stalks out of the office and up ther stairs.
<
Eduardo also heads up the stairs.
The two angels in the lead - Zebina and Shannen - arrive on the sixth floor perhaps a minute
before Eduardo does. The rooms are laid out down the hallway, and are numbered; they look as
if they'd be fairly large, from the spacing of the doors.
Shannen looks at the door to her room quietly, before saying "I guess I'll see you later, unless you
two want to come in and talk or something? We might also want to check out the rec room."
Zebina nods. "Let's check out the rec room. I want to meet the neighbors."
Eduardo nods, face still bitter.
Shannen smiles at Eduardo and nods to Zebina "That's a good idea." She looks around "Well...
better find the way."
<
There is a largish room further down the corridor, from which the sounds of conversation are
drifting.
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Shannen pauses in midstep and turns around to face the others, grinning amusedly, and leans
towards the others to whisper to them "I don't suppose either of you have fake records handy for
them to look up?"
A Seraph emerges from the door of what might be the rec room, and turns, spreading its wings.
Surprised, it whistles, "New? You lot new?"
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The Seraph is copper-scaled, and has a blue-and-grey sash of some sort.
Zebina inclines her discs. "Greetings, Most Holy."
The Seraph laughs, musically. "Very good, very good. Hey, you got any news? Last we heard,
Kobal was on trial for treason."
Zebina says "He got off."
The Seraph blinks. "No shit. Really?"
Shannen nods.
The Seraph pokes his head back into the room, and yells, "Kanniel! You owe me three measures!"
There is a mutter from someone else, then he calls again, "Well, you made the bet and I have
witnesses!"
Shannen grins faintly.
Zebina gives a musical laugh. "So, heavy betting going on?"
The Seraph's expression is definitely a smirk. "Of course. It's not as if there was much else to do
here, apart from the subjects."
Zebina dips. "Yeah, I've heard about them. They have no idea what's going on, do they?"
The Seraph triple-blinks. "Don't be stupid. They believe it's Heaven just like they're supposed
to."
Zebina gives that Ofanite-shrug. "Well, I heard there were members of the _Game_ around, so
you never know..."
Shannen giggles softly and grins at Zebina, before frowning for a second.
The Seraph shakes his head. "Been and gone, apart from the usual staff. Killed Rozi. Shouldn't
have been keeping pets, should he?"
Zebina says "Guess not. I'll have to remember that."
Zebina inclines again. "Anyways, I'm Lannah, Most Holy, and this is Merriden. If there's any other
good betting going on, I'd appreciate a pointer."
The Seraph nods, serious for a moment. "Just don't get attached to them." He shakes his head.
"Not at the moment. Look, I'm sorry, but I need to get down to the Halls. We've got a scene
coming up."
Shannen bows her head to the Seraph "Thank you."
Zebina says "See you later."
<
Zebina orbits out of the way, then along to her room.
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The Seraph flips off down the corridor.
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