Third Time Is Enemy Action

<> Demiurge says "We left Pat and Maasiai sprinting through the snow-covered boughs of a blood-spattered forest, hearing behind them the sound of the Sword of Judgement."

Maasiai sprints, mouth showing just the traces of a leonine predator's grin.

Pat goes crunch crunch crunch through the snow, pacing Maasiai.

Maasiai . o O (Next time, we *don't* stop and play with the insane people, but report them when we get back...)

The screams and thudding noises die away in the distance, as they cross a boundary... and are abruptly running on grey sand, across wide grey dunes, under a grey sky. Dark mountains rear in the distance.

Maasiai continues loping, putting distance between the surviving insane angel and them, and covering the distance to Subject #1.

Pat thinks, yes, running away from crazed Malakim is wise.

Eventually, they are deep in the sand. No other sounds follow them. The only landmark is the outcrop of mountains.

Maasiai settles into a steady run, keeping an eye out for more crazed Malakim, or Attuned Subject #1.

Pat says "Past the mountains?"

<> Demiurge says "Try a Per roll, Maasiai."

Maasiai shrugs and points in the direction she's headed. "That way."

<> Maasiai rolls the d666 and gets 6 2 CHECK: 4.

<> Demiurge says "It's sort of parallel with the mountains, vaguely. Or thereabouts. You've just got the raw heading."

Maasiai waves her hand vaguely in that direction, then. "That way."

Pat nods. "Let's go."

The grey dunes stretch ahead, rolling and undulating. The mountains rise darkly to the left.

<> Demiurge says "Make a Per roll, guys."

<> Pat rolls the d666 and gets 2 3 CHECK: 6.

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

As he glances across the sands, Pat spies - footmarks. Tracks, even.

Pat gestures to Maasiai, and angles towards the tracks.

Maasiai blinks at the tracks and nods, altering to follow them.

The tracks might be those of three or four sets of feet. They lead towards a gully that runs towards the mountain.

Pat squats down to examine the tracks.

Maasiai pauses to wait for Pat to do this thing.

<> Demiurge says "Hm. Make an Int roll, Pat."

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

<> Demiurge says "Pat, you _think_ it looks like one barefoot person, followed by others in shoes, but you're not entirely sure."

Pat straightens. "Hm. Does this lead in the right direction?"

Maasiai squints.

<> Maasiai says "Does it?"

<> Demiurge says "Vaguely. Sort of. Within the same sort of compass bearing."

<> Demiurge says "Try another Per roll, if you want."

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

<> Demiurge says "Maasiai, it's kind of skewiff. You can tell where Daimon should be. You can see there's nothing but sand and empty air there. You can tell he's not in danger. And those tracks lead in the right sort of direction."

Maasiai squints at the horizon. "He should be ... there somewhere. There's nothing there. The tracks go in roughly the right direction -- a bit skew."

Pat nods. "We'll correct later then." And he starts walking again.

Maasiai nods. "We're following the tracks, then?" she asks quietly.

Pat says "For now."

The tracks lead into a long gully, that runs towards the mountains.

Maasiai nods again and follows along alertly.

At a few hundred yards from the mountains, there is a spot where the sand is mussed, as though three or four people had stood there for a discussion for a short while.

Pat pauses at the scuffed spot, and looks for the continuation of the tracks.

Maasiai halts behind Pat and keeps watch, taking care not to get in his way or step in the tracks he's following.

The tracks continue around the corner; first the barefoot pair (which didn't come back), then one pair which went round, then came back, then went back again with the other two.

Pat squints. "Hm. Still the proper direction?"

Maasiai nods.

Pat nods, and continues around the corner, then.

Maasiai paces as quietly as possible, behind him.

<> Demiurge says "How fast?"

<> Pat says "Not very."

<> Demiurge says "Or are you sneaking?"

<> Maasiai sneaks!

<> Pat is sneaking. It's a blind corner where one set of tracks disappeared. :)

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

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

As Pat glances around the corner, he sees ahead in the open a cave set into the side of the mountain - a cave that might hold a tunnel-mouth - and two human-formed guards lounging by it.

Pat finds himself something to duck behind.

Maasiai hunkers behind Pat, tapping his shoulder so she can sign, "?" at him.

Pat shrugs to Maasiai, turns back to the guards, and resonates on one at random.

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

<> Demiurge says "Alas."

Pat frowns, communicating his blindness to Maasiai in a curt gesture.

Maasiai grimaces.

<> Demiurge says "Pat, both you and Maasiai try a Per roll at a penalty."

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

<> Pat rolls the d666 and gets 1 4 CHECK: 6.

As Pat and Maasiai watch, they both independently notice a niche in the rock, some way around and to the side from where they are. Though nobody is _visible_ there, both have a feeling that someone is concealed and watching.

Maasiai taps Pat on the shoulder and points at the niche.

<> Maasiai says "Discreetly."

Pat nods. Several quick gestures are made, including 'supposition' and 'Habbalah'

Maasiai lifts an eyebrow and gestures, "Known?"

<> Demiurge says "Pat knows so many Habbalah. :)"

<> Maasiai says "Bad Company."

Pat flips a few fingers out. 'likely'.

<> Pat has a pretty good idea who it is. :)

Maasiai gauges the distance and whether the niche could be snuck up upon.

<> Demiurge says "Not really without coming into view of the guards at the cave entrance."

Maasiai . o O (Hmm.)

Pat looks into the niche again, pointedly.

Maasiai gestures, "Watchers around corner?" to Pat.

Pat nods, indicating that there are two.

Maasiai looks for a rock and hands it to Pat (if one can be found). Gestures, "Distraction throw in there?"

Pat peers at the rock. Demonstrates his lack of muscle mass. Hands the rock back.

Maasiai contemplates her throwing skills.

Maasiai gestures to Pat, "I throw, Power?"

Pat nods.

Maasiai aims the rock carefully, trying to judge the least obvious trajectory. She doesn't want it to hurt, she wants it to make noise in the niche and make the guards investigate.

<> Demiurge says "Okay. Roll."

<> Maasiai asks if she can take extra time and low Risk?

<> Demiurge says "Okay."

<> Maasiai takes whatever bonuses the GM grants her and rolls.

<> Maasiai rolls the d666 and gets 4 6 CHECK: 5.

The rock curves across the open area, clattering into the niche.

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

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

The guards come alert, jerking upright, and glance around. They don't, however, seem to have been alert enough to work out quite where the noise came from.

Maasiai. o O (***)

One guard mutters to the other, low-toned. They begin to do a quick sweep around the area, moving in a circle with their backs toward the mountain and cave.

<> Demiurge says "Pooooossibly this might give you a chance to sneak past. Possibly."

Maasiai hisses to Pat, "Shall we?"

<> Pat says "Are they likely to get any farther away?"

<> Demiurge says "They're moving in an arc. You can gauge the "best" moment to run, you think."

Pat gauges the 'best' moment to run, and takes it.

Maasiai follows Pat, as silently as she is able.

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

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

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

The guards don't seem to notice, as Pat and Maasiai slip into the silence of the cave.

Inside, a long dark tunnel stretches out. A torch burns at the far end, dimly.

Maasiai doesn't stop till she's around a corner.

Pat whispers, softly, "Direction?"

Maasiai gets round the corner near the torch, then checks direction.

<> Maasiai needs to roll again?

<> Demiurge says "Hm. Yes, roll."

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

<> Demiurge says "Maasiai, you have an angle and distance for Daimon. It's upwards and at an angle, and not in any of the directions that the tunnels next to you go in."

As they reach the first torch, the tunnel forks multiply. Down one tunnel - and only one - a torch can be seen burning in the distance.

Maasiai grimaces and points. "That way." That way is solid rock. *sigh*

Maasiai looks to the Elohite for opinions. Wander in the darkness or follow the light?

Pat ponders this for a moment.

Maasiai waits for the brains of this operation to decide what to do.

Pat shrugs, looks for a quarter.

<> Pat says "Do I have a coin?"

<> Demiurge says "Sure."

Pat rolls a 2-sided die. << IC in Progress >> says "1"

Pat pockets the quarter after flipping it, and heads for the lit tunnel.

The tunnel leads to the torch at the end, then forks again; again, only one of the forking exits has a torch at _its_ far end.

Maasiai wonders if Pat is taking that "Be Objective" direction a bit overmuch, as she follows.

In the distance, deep groaning echoes stir with some far-off hymn or chant.

Pat looks at Maasiai at the next fork.

Maasiai wishes she had hackles to rise effectively at the chanting.

Maasiai shrugs, then whispers, "At least we can see what's happening with the torches?"

Pat nods. "And possibly find a way to the surface."

Pat heads torchwards.

Maasiai follows, occasionally raising her head to scent the air as if it would help.

Perhaps half a dozen or so torches later, they come to the foot of a stairway leading upwards.

Pat looks up. Looks at Maasiai. Ascends the stairs.

The stairs open, at the top, into a well-lit room.

Maasiai follows Pat. Quietquet.

At the top of the stairs is a large granite room, with an ivory door. A Mercurian sits at a desk, fiddling with several sheaves of documents, a computer terminal beside it. The walls are lined with files.

<> Demiurge says "Perception rolls. And are you two just peeking, or walking up nervelessly?"

Maasiai is following Pat -- peeking, preferably!

<> Pat says "Peeking."

<> Maasiai rolls the d666 and gets 2 3 CHECK: 6.

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

<> Demiurge says "You both perceive that there is something "wrong" about the Mercurian. She doesn't look quite _right_."

Maasiai's lip lifts in a silent snarl. Bad Things Here.

Pat frowns, stepping (hopefully) out of earshot and flickering rapid signs at Maasiai. 'Tactic or cover suggestions?'

Maasiai ponders tactics.

<> Maasiai rolls the d666 and gets 2 5 CHECK: 4.

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

The "Mercurian" begins to tap on her computer keyboard, busily.

Maasiai shrugs at Pat. Gestures back, "Your witness, Power," and smiles. Wryly.

Pat smiles thinly, and heads back up the stairs, seven different kinds of arrogant.

<> Daimon counts the different kinds of arrogant.

Maasiai _eyes_ Pat's back, and follows, three different kinds of looming and apathetic.

The Mercurian looks up from her work, and blinks.

The Mercurian looks faintly martyred. "Names and Princes, please."

Pat fixes the Mercurian with a stare. "Please keep your hands where we can see them. Your cooperation will be noted in our report."

Maasiai looms nicely.

The Mercurian blinks, wide-eyed. The right side of her body tenses. "I beg your pardon?"

<> Pat is doing this way too often.

Maasiai glides over to get behind the Mercurian and make sure that both hands are in sight.

<> Demiurge says "Pat, Maasiai, make an Int roll."

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

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

<> Demiurge says "Clearly nothing to worry about. She's cooperating."

The Mercurian keeps her hands on the desk. "Game, I take it?"

Maasiai follows Pat's lead, thinking of how much she wants to pat this person down.

Pat smiles, perhaps cruelly. "You're presuming. Presumption is not your place. Your place is to remain calm and allow us to determine what we need, and to hope sincerely that we have no reason to include you as more than a footnote in our report. Is that clear?"

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

The Mercurian blinks, regarding Pat big-eyed.

<> Demiurge says "Pat, Will roll, please."

<> Pat rolls the d666 and gets 2 6 CHECK: 3.

Maasiai slides to behind the Mercurian.

<> Demiurge says "Gee, Pat, this "Mercurian" is just so nice and friendly. You like her. You really like her. She's a pal."

<> Pat says "Duly noted."

The Mercurian says, "I'll be glad to help in any way that I can. Who do I have the honour of addressing?"

<> Pat is working on getting his objectivity back in order.

Maasiai considers. She could use some Essence.

There is a knock on the ivory door.

Maasiai gets in *behind* the Mercurian, signs at Pat, "WELL, Power?"

The Mercurian glances towards the door, then to Pat, inquiringly.

Pat steps to the side of the desk opposite the door, and nods to the 'Mercurian'.

The Mercurian calls, calmly, "Who is it?"

A sexless voice replies, "Hemnun. I have those files you wanted. May I come in?"

The Mercurian glances to Pat, again, with flattering deference.

Pat flicks a gesture to Maasiai 'kill her if you must' and then nods to the faux whitewing.

The Mercurian calls, "Come in."

Maasiai smiles faintly and gathers herself to wrap her hands around that fluffwing's throat.

<> Maasiai loom loom loom

The door comes smashing open, as two heavy-shouldered "Malakim" come crashing through, with a paler Elohite behind them. At the same moment, the Mercurian attempts to throw herself forward across the desk, away from Maasiai.

Maasiai grabs for the Mercurian's wings, hoping to get them and put a knee into her back *HARD*.

<> Demiurge says "Roll, Maasiai."

<> Maasiai rolls the d666 and gets 4 5 CHECK: 3.

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

Indeed, the Mercurian does not move fast enough, and the Mercurian is pinned on the desk, wings painfully grasped.

Pat looks over the desk for a letter opener.

One of the two "Malakim" heads for Pat, the other for Maasiai. The "Elohite" flicks a quick gaze across the office, and orients on Pat.

Maasiai plays 'see if the wings or spine go first' and snarls, "Hold it!" to the 'Malakim.'

There is indeed a letter-opener on the desk.

The "Mercurian" screams, struggling. Feathers are strewn across the desk.

<> Shannen says "With friends like Pat, who needs enemies? :)"

<> Daimon says "You guys have been 'outed', so to speak."

Pat picks up the letter opener, casually. "You have precisely ten seconds to cease your movements."

<> Demiurge says "Oh, and Per rolls, those who want to try and spot weirdness about the "Elohite" and "Malakim"."

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

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

<> Demiurge says "Maasiai misses. Pat realises that all these three look _wrong_. Maybe it's the way the Malakim have wings of solid bladed obsidian and spikes on their oath-chains."

<> Maasiai nods sagely. Maybe. Obviously all these feathers are getting in her face.

<> Pat says "Oooh. Do I remember tales of BalProp?"

<> Demiurge says "Could well do."

The Elohite regards Pat. She says, simply, "Grief."

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

<> Demiurge says "And blows her resonance roll."

<> Pat scoffs!

<> Maasiai cheers!

The "Malakim" hold back a few paces, though circling. One barks, "And who are you supposed to be?"

Maasiai just continues to try to break the 'Mercurian's' spine, slowly, keeping it between her and the advancing people.

The Mercurian shrieks again, wriggling.

<> Demiurge says "Maasiai, Will roll, please."

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

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

Pat turns the letter opener in his fingers. "You have attracted far too much attention. There is a great clamouring for inquiry. We would /hate/ to have to give a poor report."

The Mercurian's spine snaps. She goes limp. Maasiai feels a rush of Essence.

Maasiai smiles, holding the corpse. "Foolish demon," she purrs softly, softly.

The Elohite eyes Maasiai. She murmurs, "Fear."

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

<> Demiurge says "Will roll, Maasiai?"

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

Maasiai smirks.

The Elohite's face twists, in a surprisingly Habbalite expression.

Maasiai hisses back, "Yes. Fear."

The first Malakite says, "Okay. If you're from the Game, are you with the previous group?"

Maasiai edges over to Pat to deliver the Essence she just got.

>From the other side of the ivory door, there are faint noises that might be approaching footsteps.

Pat says "If we were with the previous group, there could be collusion. You know the rules better than that. We were told of six pairs. How many Asmodeus actually sent, I leave as an exercise for those with time on their hands."

Pat says "Now. I hope you realize the value of cooperation."

The Malakite nods. "Give us the countersign, then."

>From afar, Maasiai is transferring 3 measures of Essence to Pat.

Long distance to Maasiai: Demiurge nods. You can.

Pat just /glares/ at the Malakite.

The Malakite nods. "Okay. You have clearance. What can we get for you?"

The Elohite steps backwards to the ivory door, reaching for the handle.

Maasiai points at the Elohite. "Stop."

Pat says "Listen to her."

The Elohite smiles at Pat. "Why don't you listen to her, if you like her so much?"

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

<> Demiurge says "Ah. Will roll, Pat."

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

<> Demiurge says "Pat, you have been inflicted with intense Love for Maasiai."

<> Pat says "Right. Love. Duly noted."

<> Demiurge says "For the next day. You want to be close to her. You want to be with her. She is Maasiai the Gorgeous."

<> Maasiai preens! Um, no.

Pat sighs wistfully. It's a shame that we're working when we could be getting down to some serious cuddles.

The Elohite rapidly slips through the door.

Pat turns back to the Malakim. "You know how the Bright Sisters are to be handled."

The Malakite blinks. "What do you mean?"

Maasiai edges into a better spot to prop up the wall and incidentally have a good angle of attack on one of these 'Malakim.'

Maasiai . o O (I am surrounded by packages of Essence. Drat, only 1 per day.)

Pat says "Don't play games, /Virtue/ (said with all due sarcasm). We have confirmation that you are holding one here. That Media lizard spilled it all."

The Malakite shows teeth. "She's in line for due streaming. It's been cleared at the highest level."

<> Maasiai pings resonance.

<> Maasiai rolls the d666 and gets 4 2 CHECK: 5.

<> Demiurge says "Daimon is thataway, through the wall and up a bit and perhaps half a mile off."

Pat wrinkles his nose. "Whose highest level? She's our property."

<> Demiurge says "And not in immediate mortal danger."

The Malakite says, "By what right?"

Maasiai grins ferally.

Pat says "By the rules of the Game, as it has always been."

Pat says "Are you intending to be difficult, Virtue?"

There is a rustle at the door, then it begins to open again.

The Malakite says, squaring shoulders, "If you're here to collect her formally, then you'll have due clearance."

Maasiai wants a Malakite to be between her and the door. Shield.

Pat reaches into his overcoat. "Of course."

The Elohite enters first, then a brilliant-scaled Seraph, wings glittering with rainbow gems, eyes as silver as mercury.

The Seraph murmurs, "Perhaps I can be of some assistance here.

<> Maasiai wants to be in a corner where this 'Seraph' can't see her properly. With a Malakite between her and it.

<> Maasiai rolls the d666 and gets 4 6 CHECK: 5.

<> Maasiai still can't tell it's anything but a Seraph -- but she got Essence from the Mercurian!

<> Demiurge says "Unfortunately, there is not such a corner in the room, but you can maneuver a Malakite between you."

<> Demiurge says "Pat, Per roll."

Pat slips the feather out of his pocket, twirling it much as he did the letter opener.

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

<> Demiurge says "Ah, alas, tis a Seraph. Clearly. Obviously."

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

The Seraph flicks a glance across the room, eyes moving to the Feather. Then his wings swell in a rainbow of colour, and he Sings.

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

<> Demiurge says "You have just both been hit by Celestial Charm."

<> Pat drools.

<> Demiurge says "However, it was at a penalty for distance and multiple, despite Essence spent, so it's only a CD of 4."

<> Maasiai does her, um, little best to kick the Malakite into the Seraph.

<> Pat says "So, I have a Will of 1?"

<> Demiurge says "Yes."

<> Pat says "Can I still break the feather, or whatever is needed to activate it?"

The Malakim stagger, also. The one near Maasiai just sits down and plays with his fingers.

<> Demiurge says "Hm. I think you can snap it, sure."

<> Pat says "I don't remember if I was told how to activate it. :)"

<> Demiurge thinks you were told to break it. But it was noted it wouldn't work in an area shielded by a Prince.

<> Pat prays, then.

Pat blinks several times with great rapidity. Peers at the Seraph. Blinks again. Snaps the feather almost as an afterthought.

Nothing happens.

<> Pat says "Bummer."

Maasiai decides the Hell with it, and tries to pick up the Malakite nearest her and swing it at the Seraph.

Maasiai . o O (And then I run like Hell out that door behind it I hope.)

<> Demiurge says "Try a Will roll to heft him, Maasiai."

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

The Malakite is just too heavy for convenient missile use, though he makes a pleasant-sounding thud on the ground.

Pat says "Oooh."

The Seraph laughs, the sound a growing melody of harps as his wings fully unfurl, and he Sings Thunder.

<> Demiurge rolls the d666 and gets 4 2 CHECK: 5.

Pat peers at the Malakite.

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

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

<> Demiurge says "Will roll, people. Gee. Maasiai stays standing. Pat is out of it."

The two Malakim lie like sacks of potatoes.

Maasiai runs for the Seraph, trying to get out the door behind it.

Pat gets thrown to the wall, eyes unfocusing as he slumps down.

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

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

Perhaps shaken by the Thunder, Maasiai misses the door and runs into the wall. The Seraph swings his tail, bringing it round into her like a club.

Maasiai tries to dodge!

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

Maasiai ducks the tailstrike and tries for the door *again*.

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

<> Demiurge rolls the d666 and gets 4 3 CHECK: 2.

Again, the "Seraph" Sings Thunder, the sound rattling in her bones.

<> Demiurge says "Will roll."

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

Maasiai goes thud, her nose on the doorsill.

And the darkness closes over the Cherub of Judgement.

<> Demiurge says "And you are both happily asleep."

---

Fiat Justitia