<
All is quiet. It clearly bodes something.
Chephirah examines Daimonique's collar.
Sepharnique snuggles with Daimonique quietly, would likely be pacing otherwise.
Sepharnique eyes the collar as well.
Daimonique snuggles Sephar, and just waits.
The collar that Daimonique wears is similar to the ones the others wear. Though Daimonique's
is silver and emeralds.
Chephirah attempts to locate a clasp or lock.
Daimonique lifts up her hair. Locate away.
There is no obvious clasp or lock.
Abruptly there is a simultaneous click from door and windows, firm and definite.
Daimonique looks up. "Oh man, what's happening now?"
Chephirah growls, low.
Daimonique gets up off the bed and goes over to the door. She checks the knob.
There is another click in the ceiling, and a dark green vapour begins to coil rapidly down into the
room through vents in the corners. The door knob just spins, refusing to turn.
Daimonique starts to panic, and starts banging on the door. "Hey! HEY! LET US OUT! LET US
OUT!"
The gas begins to thicken, getting lower in the room.
Sepharnique hrms and hits the door, hard.
<
<
<
<
<
<
Daimonique starts to cough and cough, and falls over on the floor. Haven't we done this
before?
<
<
<
The door holds firm. It seems to be wood, but there might be a metal backing or structure to it.
It's heavy.
<
Chephirah folds, struggling to wrap her wing over Daimon's body. Her expression, while she still
has one, is utter fury.
Sepharnique hrms and puts her shoulder down to smash through a window, instead.
<
<
The metal grille dents slightly, but holds firm. The glass behind it remains solid. The green vapour
thickens.
Sepharnique hits the wallboard next to the door, instead, hoping that the construction is like most
houses, between studs.
>From somewhere elsewhere in the building - or perhaps outside - comes a noise that might be
battle.
Sepharnique hrms and bangs muchly on the grille, then, given that it gives at all.
<
The metal dents further, and a very thin crack half-etches itself across the glass. Green vapour
swirls around her in thick tendrils.
And then - the world _shakes_, _trembles_, with the arrival of a Superior, somewhere close,
somewhere near.
Sepharnique bangs it hard, again.
<
A little gas seeps out through the crack, which widens, _very_ slightly.
<
<
Sepharnique hits the darned dent again.
Outside the window, a vast crack is beginning to rip through the green sunlit garden beyond, and
the sunlight is dimming, wavering. In the distance, buildings are beginning to topple.
Again, the dent widens a little, and more gas seeps out.
Chephirah lies still by the door.
Sepharnique growls and hits the crack again...
<
The shadows outside widen, like rips in the fabric of reality, spreading like entropic fractals
between buildings. A large tower opposite falls *sideways*, and is lost in the shadows, and there
is nothing in its place, a gap in the world.
Sepharnique singsongsnarls in frustration and slams the crack again, wanting to get the two with
her *out*.
<
The whole building is beginning to shake now, a slow rippling movement.
Sepharnique narrows her eyes at the rippling of the entire building.
A flake of glass comes loose from the window, tumbling out and down into the gulf of
nothingness that is beginning to widen outside the building. Beyond, a vast rippling light hangs
over the city, as harsh as steel or thunder.
The green gas begins to stream towards the gap, sucked towards it.
Again, the building ripples gently - then convulses like a living thing, the floor shaking as though
the entire Hospice were trying to tear itself free from moorings.
Sepharnique moves to the clearing areas, to breath the somewhat cleared air, now not at all sure
that going out into that would be better.
Sepharnique makes sure nothing falls on Daimonique and Chephirah.
With that last great tremor, the light beyond the windows pales, and dies - and the remnants of
the view of the City with it. Outside the window is darkness, deep and far, with the occasional
golden flicker of something in the distance.
Sepharnique sighs softly at the dying of the light, but hangs on to watch and wait and seeand
protect those she's with.
The green gas hisses, and then cuts off, and as the last remnants are sucked out through the
window, the room slowly clears, leaving thin but breathable air. Outside the dark shifts and ripples
in the distance, as though the room - or perhaps the building? - traced a long slow curve through
space, like some declining comet.
Sepharnique contemplates the sleepers, remembering the agony of the other shackle, her eyes
narrow just a bit. This might be the best time.
Sepharnique takes the collar on Daimonique and attempts to pull it apart, having seen no lock or
catch.
<
The chain shifts slightly, under Sephar's hands, and seems to weaken a little - perhaps. Yes, there
definitely seems some more give to it now.
<
<
Sepharnique pulls again.
<
<
Again, the chain gives a little.
Sepharnique just keeps pulling, while she can.
<
Daimonique's eyes flare open and she screams out in pain.
Outside the window, there is a sparkle of light from something far below.
Sepharnique breaths deep at the scream, stops a moment, now, to stroke Daimonique. "I think
it's almost off. Shall I keep going?"
Through the room, there rings the sudden disturbance that signals a Superior nearby. It is quick.
It is deep.
Daimonique pants a little, and reaches up a hand around to feel Sepharnique's fingers. Then she
nods, and says, breathlessly, "Yes, yes, keep going."
Sepharnique *pulls*.
<
Chephirah snaps her head up - in her current condition, likely in slow-motion - and growls... then
stops as Daimon agrees, and simply holds Daimon in her wings.
Again, the chain is wrenched and stretched.
Daimonique screams in pain.
<
And with a final fracture - it comes apart, scattering into links of metal and jewels that go
clattering across the floor, leaving only a weal on Daimonique's neck.
Daimonique finishes with one final scream as it comes off, and collapses for a moment, out of
breath and exhausted and head full of fumes, in Chephirah's wings.
Sepharnique shakes quietly, but then bends to hold Daimonique tight.
The twinkling lights out of the window, should anybody glance outside, are definitely closer.
Chephirah cradles Daimon utterly protectively, letting Sephar into the circle of her wings only
after a long moment.
Sepharnique shiversighs.
Daimonique closes her eyes, head still swimmy. "Okay. Sarah next."
Sepharnique nods.
Daimonique says "Help me up."
Chephirah nuzzles Daimon's cheek, gentle.
The building begins to judder slightly. The door swings open a little at the motion.
Sepharnique helps Daimonique up, eyeing the door.
Daimonique staggers to the door, and screams out it, holding the wall, "IS ANYONE OUT
THERE?"
Sepharnique then looks outside.
Sepharnique says "Uhm... do we *want* to be..."
There is no answer. There is a clattering in the distance, but that might be an article of furniture
sliding as the building vibrates.
Daimonique says "I don't know. Let's get Sarah's collar off her."
There is nobody in the corridor. It is empty.
Sepharnique says "I think that there's people coming, Daimon."
Outside the window, it is still a vast darkness, but below lies outspread the lights of some great
city, bright and gaudy. And approaching. Fast.
Daimonique staggers over to Sarah, and gets on her knees. She puts one hand on Sarah's back,
and one hand on the collar. "Get the other side, Sephar, and pull."
Chephirah growls, "Sephar's and mine both, and quickly, then."
Sepharnique nods and pulls.
In the distance, bright streaks of light come flashing down. One impacts.
Daimonique pulls with all her strength.
Chephirah nods a touch to Daimonique, and braces.
<
<
The collar on Chephirah twists a little, but still stays firm. An agonising spike of pain rips through
her.
<
<
Chephirah yowls, and tries to pull away. "Enough!"
Chephirah says "Sephar's f-first."
Sepharnique nods.
<
<
Sepharnique bows her head for the two of you and pulls at it herself as well.
The vibrating of the building continues. Grows stronger.
Daimonique nods. "Sarah, then, Grab one side of Sephar's collar."
Daimonique grabs one side.
Chephirah takes Sephar's chain in her teeth, carefully.
Daimonique says "1... 2.... 3.... PULL!"
<
<
<
Outside, the lights below grow closer. One can even make out individual skyscrapers.
The collar shifts a little on Sepharnique, but doesn't come off.
Daimonique says "Sephar, can we try it again?"
Sepharnique jerks hard with the pain, but growl.
The wind whistles past the window outside, rising to a scream.
<
<
Sepharnique growls, "Again. 1... 2... 3...
<
<
The building shakes around them.
<
<
The collar loosens a little, but is still locked on.
Sepharnique sobs hard with the pain, but still growls, "Again."
And the building *lands*. Or rather, impacts. Crashes. Slams.
Sepharnique bounces.
Chephirah tears, or tries to, but her teeth slide - not made for holding. And tries - except for
impact.
For some unspecified time, all is quiet and dark. Slowly, consciousness returns.
Daimonique lays there, unconscious.
Sepharnique whimpers softly, shakes off as consciousness returns.
<
The three angels seem to be lying on the floor of the room, which is now totally dark. From above
come the sounds of digging tools - both spades and mechanical drills - and voices. And noise.
NOISE. The throb of Shal-Mari.
<
Sepharnique shakes a bit, trying to get head clear.
Daimonique moans.
A voice calls down, "Anyone alive or trapped down that way!" Someone else mutters, "Don't be
stupid, that was impact city, baby."
Daimonique tries to call out weakly, "Us."
Sepharnique clears throat, looks at Daimonique and then calls out in Daimonique's voice, "We're
down here!!"
Chephirah flickers an eyelid. Then a wingtip, trying to reach Daimon.
There is a muffled yell, then the first voice calls, "Hang on, we're almost through your ceiling! Just
keep out of the way of debris, all right?"
Sepharnique says "All right."
Chephirah stretches toward the voice as well, dizzily.
Daimonique tries to get up, and ends up just moving slightly and moaning again.
Sepharnique growls softly and gets up shakily.
The sound of a mechanical drill being applied to the ceiling does nothing for anybody's senses of
safety or headaches.
Daimonique curls up in a ball around the screaming headache.
Sepharnique then half-drags Daimonique over to Chephirah and then tries to cover them with her
body as the drill starts to come through.
At your table, Demiurge says "Hm. This is probably someone else doing the rescue
effort, but they'll all be hanging round."
There is a *crack*, as a chunk of masonry falls to clatter on the ground, and light slants through
into the room. Neon light.
Daimonique shields her eyes.
An Impudite-horned head peers into the room, silhouetted against the light. "You all right in
there?"
Daimonique mutters into the floor, "No."
Chephirah keeps her head down, wings about Daimonique and Sephar.
>From afar, Chephirah also /attempts/ to attune to Sephar. Her player suspects this is going to fail
:)
The Impudite calls, "Just let us expand the hole! We'll have a ladder down there in a
moment."
You paged Chephirah with 'No, wait, it's automatic. My apologies. You are now attuned to
Sephar.'.
>From afar, Chephirah okays. :)
Chephirah does not even look up. Not at all. She nuzzles Daimon and Sephar gently.
Sepharnique strokes Chephirah's jawline thoughtfully.
Daimonique tries to get on her hands and knees, and tries to start shaking her head clear.
Sepharnique says "Daimonique, I need data. Orientation? Something we can tell them that they'll
believe from a... uhm... human or something?"
There is more thumping from above. Chunks of masonry fall, though not landing on anyone. More
light comes through.
Sepharnique keeps it very low.
Daimonique says, low, "I don't know. I think we're in Shal-Mari."
Daimonique yells up, in Helltongue, "Are we in Shal-Mari?"
Chephirah shudders quietly.
There's a pause, as the Impudite comes to the gap again to peer down. "Course you are. We just
had some kind of crazy meteorite shower. Don't worry, it's happened all over Hell."
Daimonique says in English, "Oh, thank God. There is a God." Then, in Helltongue, "Which
district?"
The Impudite calls down, "Half this _street_ got pulped. Don't worry, you can report to whoever
owns your House outside, or whatever."
The Impudite calls, "Street of the Five Moons."
<
Sepharnique whispers, "What does that mean?"
<
<
Daimonique says, in English, "Lust."
<
Sepharnique blinks a lot.
Daimonique calls up in Helltongue, "Who do you work for?"
The Impudite calls, "The Beautiful Prince. Were you working here, or buying some pleasure?"
Chephirah shudders again, quite, quite distastefully.
Chephirah keeps, however, her mouth /shut/.
<
There are more thuds, as the hole above gets widened.
Daimonique says, in Helltongue, "Neither."
<
<
<
There's a pause, then the Impudite calls, "Don't worry, we need to get you out of there first, then
you can get yourself sorted out."
Daimonique nods, and flumps back on the floor.
A few thuds later, a rope ladder is tossed down through the crack. It dangles in the light,
invitingly.
Sepharnique looks at herself thoughtfully.
Daimonique says, in English, "Here we go, kids. Can everyone move?"
Sepharnique moves carefully and follows Daimon's example and answers in English, "Yes. I
think."
Sepharnique eyes Chephirah's form and the rope ladder.
Daimonique nods, and gets up waveringly. Then she eyes Chephirah. "Oh boy."
Sepharnique hrms.
Daimonique says "We have to get up there. Maybe we can boost her up there."
Chephirah rumbles, "I can manage pages. I can manage a ladder."
Sepharnique nods at that.
Daimonique nods. "Here goes nothing." She calls up in Helltongue, "Okay, I'm coming up."
Sepharnique murmurs in English, "I'll go last?"
Daimonique says in English, "I'll help you once I get up there."
The Impudite yells, "Okay, we're holding the ladder."
Daimonique says, in English, "We have to move." Then she starts climbing up the rope ladder.
Sepharnique helps stabilize the bottom of the rope ladder for Daimon and Chephirah.
Chephirah waits for Daimon; glances to Sephar. "Might be better if I went last," she murmurs.
The ladder is steady enough. At the top is a room that might once have been the reception room
of an expensive brothel, with much red silk and red decoration. The Impudite is there, as is a large
Calabite, a Habbalite with a drill. Several human souls, a few still in brothel finery, carry baskets
of rubble, or help brace the walls under direction.
Sepharnique nods to Chephirah at what she says, so climbs up the laddar.
The Impudite helps Daimon out at the top, then blinks at her.
The Impudite then blinks down at Sepharnique, but offers her a hand out also.
Daimonique climbs out of the hole, and looks around, and looks down at herself. Man oh man.
It's not a good day to be Daimon.
Sepharnique smiles cheerfully at the Impudite as she reaches the top and accepts the help to stand
by Damonique.
Daimonique then also leans down to offer help to Sarah.
The Impudite says, "Anyone else down there in the cellar?"
Sepharnique also helps from the other side.
Daimonique says, in Helltongue, "One more."
The Impudite blinks. "Oh. Duh." He helps haul on the ladder.
The Calabite -- female, bare-breasted, with gold-dust skin and an artfully ragged red suede skirt
-- eyes the pair of 'niques.
Chephirah attempts the ladder. This should be interesting. Failing the ladder, she struggles for
wings. Either way, it should be een more interesting when she gets /up/.
Between wings, hanging onto the ladder, and being pulled, Chephirah is got out into the room
above.
The Impudite's jaw just _drops_.
The Calabite stares.
Daimonique stands up slowly.
Chephirah narrows her eyes and stares back at each of them, in turn.
The Calabite says, "Ah, we do *not* have any of *those* on staff..."
The Impudite says, "Do you do it in triads or something?"
Daimon says "Oh man."
Sepharnique grins at the last line, but says nothing, simply standing by Chephirah.
Daimonique struggles to standing, and swaps vessels.
Chephirah growls. Deliberately.
Daimon sighs happily. Return to pants.
The Calabite's eyes narrow. "All right, what's going on?"
The Impudite licks his lips, absently. He's in what must be a painful outfit of leather straps and
rings.
Daimon says "We were filming."
Daimon says that in English, btw.
The Calabite frowns. "Filming *what*?"
Chephirah does not stare at outfits. She does her best to glower.
The Impudite says, "Filming what?" in unison.
Sepharnique lets out her breath just a bit with the English, and listens carefully.
Daimon continues in English, "I was working on a new script. I'm Daimon, of Dark Comedy.
These are my extras. I was working out something and a house fell on us."
The Calabite mutters to herself. Out loud, she says, "You have a Cherub as an extra?"
Sepharnique does look at all the outfits, somewhat carefully, stocking away details.
Daimon says in English, "Cosmetic Surgery. Better then makeup, you think? All the rage."
The Calabite straightens, showing off her nicely-formed chest and gold-dusted skin. "I think I can
do without that."
Chephirah keeps glowering. She's seen some unamused Djinn lately. She's trying. Hard.
Daimon grins in a familiar way, and says, in English, "Why? Everyone is doing it. And I mean,
EVERYONE, baby. It'll be catching on here soon enough. I mean, you want a little tuck, maybe
your horns filed, your boobs lifted .... and we can do the whole PACKAGE now. Angels. It's the
THING. Don't you follow the TV ads?"
The Impudite strolls around, considering the bodies.
The Calabite sniffs. "I don't follow angelporn. I have better things to do. Look, was there anyone
else with you? Anyone else we need to dig out?"
The Impudite says, "I think I like yours best, honey." He leans over Sepharnique's shoulder.
"What are you supposed to be, hm?"
Sepharnique blinks with mild alarm. "Uhm...."
Sepharnique says "... a... uhm... girl?"
Daimon smiles at the Calabite and says in English, "No, just us."
The Impudite says, "No, no, what sort of _angel_. Innocent sort? Hey, is this one of those "Dark
Secrets Of Heaven" documentary things?"
Daimon bullshits like the WIND.
The Calabite nods. "Good." She looks over at the others. "Okay, do you need me anymore, or
should I take them out to Madam Alush to check off against the list of missing guests?"
The Impudite says, "I'll take them out, Itrisal. You just hang on in here and see if there's anyone
else." He's still hanging over Sephar's shoulder, dark leathery wings twitching.
Daimon tells the Calabite, in English, "We, um, weren't actually _guests_, per se. We were just
checking the pad out for future filming possibilities."
Sepharnique tries to keep just barely away from touching the Impudite and just looks kinda
confused and mildly blank.
Itrisal glowers at the Impudite. "You just want to get out of more hard work!"
Itrisal ignores Daimon -- probably didn't hear all that.
The Impudite smiles at her. "Well, hey, honey, I got told to get people calm and out of here,
right? Just doing my job. I swear by Kronos' balls, I'll be right back in here."
Itrisal stalks over to the Impudite and takes him by a wing. "You got a Lilim around to swear that,
sweetwings?"
Daimon blinks. Lilim? Lilim? No Lilim here.
Chephirah flicks her tail, irritably, and her attention focuses on that Impudite; then drifts
'carelessly' away as Itrisal snags him.
Sepharnique follows Chephirah, slowly.
The Impudite arches his wing as though Itrisal had just grabbed an erogenous zone. Which she
may well just have done. "Back in a moment, honey."
<
<
Daimon trails last, looking like it's simply not important. There's always PLENTY of time.
Itrisal strokes down the Impudite's wings gently.
Chephirah looks around. Way out. Ways out are good. Nevermind that it's out of a brothel, into
Shal-Mari.
Itrisal says "Welllll, all right. But you have to come *right* back, 'kay? I don't want to be deprived
of that cute body of yours.""
The Impudite purrs, and detaches himself hastily, heading after the three "filmmakers" - Sephar
in particular. "Sure, sure, sure."
Itrisal pats the Impudite on the rear, towards the others.
Daimon is hoping to herd the rest of the group out the front door, toward the street. Plan
time.
Outside, the street resembles Amsterdam at night, crossed with a disaster movie. There are a
number of huddled groups of demons, and the occasional skittering imp or trembling soul.
_Several_ large items of building have landed along this street. Rubble and noise and people are
everywhere.
Daimon whispers, so the group can hear, "Act like you belong here."
Chephirah, thus, tries not to shudder in horror. At least not noticeably.
The Impudite follows rapidly. "Okay, guys, I'll just get you to Madam Alush, let her check you
on her list so she knows you're out of there. 'Kay? Where's that bloody 'dab."
Daimon says in English, "We're not on her list."
Sepharnique slips into the noise and chaos, staying loosely around Chephirah, studying, looking,
almost lending a hand, but then remembering and closing her eyes a moment before moving on...
but if someone is trapped under something or it's a quick lift... she's likely to lend a hand with that
unthinking.
Several implings nearby are busy levering stones off the streetside stall of a Balseraph, and off the
Balseraph trapped beneath it, who is cursing that all her glass catheters are broken.
Chephirah is, perhaps unkindly, not exactly tempted to aid a Balseraph.
Daimon decides to totally ignore the Impudite, and start walking down the street.
The Impudite calls, "Hey, wait a moment! We need to make sure you're checked off the list. And
I want to talk to you about cosmetic surgery!"
Daimon just keeps going, heading toward the Dark Comedy district, and hoping like hell that
Sephar and Sarah are following.
A Lilim -- male, dressed in tight rust suede pants and a silken vest, detours out of the crowd
towards Sepharnique. "Sister?" he asks.
Sepharnique notes the number of stones, not a quick bit, and follows Daimon and Chephirah.
Chephirah follows Daimon. If necessary, she pads over to Sephar, takes Sephar by the collar in
her teeth, and carries/drags.
<
Sepharnique stumbles after Chephirah, not unhappily.
Daimon stops and turns, slightly surprised.
Ahinadab goes to catch up with Sepharnique. "Daimonique, is that you? What's with the
Cherub?"
Sepharnique does not look at Ahinadab's eyes after catching sight of green skin, points, instead
at Daimon.
<
Daimon looks mildly amused.
The Impudite catches up with Ahinadab. "Hey, 'dab, these guys were in your basement. Check
them with Madam Alush, okay?"
Ahinadab looks between Daimon and Sepharnique, as he comes up to the Kyriotate, starting to
put a hand on her shoulder. "Huh?"
Daimon says, "I _told_ you, we never checked in."
Chephirah glowers at Ahinadab. She takes a quick glance at that trapped Bal to inspire this.
Chephirah does not say /one word/.
Ahinadab pauses, holding up both hands, "Woah, woah, woah, what's going on here, and who is
who?"
Daimon crosses his arms, and continues to look amused.
The Impudite says, a bit sulkily, "They're film-makers. That one," he points to Daimonique," is
from Dark Humor. They were in your basement."
Ahinadab puts both hands on his chest. "*My* basement?"
The Impudite shrugs. "Red Silks' basement, then."
Sepharnique is cheerfully dangling from Chephirah's jaws, but doesn't say a thing, either.
Ahinadab nods. "That's better. The basement is Zaza and Rahab's."
Ahinadab eyes Daimon. "Why is my... sister?" he looks at Sepharnique for a moment, "pointing
at you?"
Daimon says "Because, Ahinadab, after all these years, I'm STILL a lesbian."
Ahinadab blinks. Several times, then laughs. "Daimonique?! When did *you* go male?"
Daimon says "Eight decades ago."
Ahinadab smacks his forehead, narrowly missing throwing some horn-rings off. "Great. Of course.
Just a little jaunt and people change on me."
Sepharnique sighs very softly as attention is taken away and settles, tentatively back onto her feet
by Chephirah's furry bulk.
Ahinadab adds, pointing to Sephar, "So, why are you with someone who has your old vessel and
needs to get laid?"
Daimon says (still in English), "Me? I never change. I'm solid like a rock. You can set your watch
by me."
Chephirah lets go the collar once Sephar is standing, but keeps as ominous a watch as she can
manage over Daimon and Sephar. And tries not to twitch.
Daimon says "We were scouting out someplace for filming."
Ahinadab says "With somebody who *NEEDS* to get laid? Why haven't you fixed this, you old
'lesbian' you?"
The Impudite lounges against a stray bit of rubble, settling himself artistically to show off
maximum musculature.
Daimon says "Because masturbation with two people just isn't the same."
Ahinadab rolls his eyes, then turns to Sephar. "So introduce me, sister! I'll take care of your
friend." He gives Sephar a very charming grin.
Ahinadab . o O (That is _not_ a Cherub there. That is just impossible.)
Sepharnique ahems muchly and looks at the ground a lot, but has blushed pretty solidly with the
NEED bit.
The Impudite says, still posing, "Perhaps the Need bit's for the filming or something. I don't know,
what are you lot working on again?"
Daimon says "Luckily for my friend, we have a schedule to keep - which has been interrupted by
a house falling on us, so we don't have the time for you to sit on your pretty green rear and pick
up hooks. Maybe later."
Daimon says "We're filming Redemption Porn Parodies."
Ahinadab applauds. "I like it! Can I help?"
Sepharnique did her best to *not* meet the guy's eyes... and is furiously thinking about how the
heck could he know? and is that true? And... ooh... it's Hell, isn't it? Oops...
Daimon says "Go apply at the front desk at Kobal's Main Casino, and if you blow the right people,
they might let you be an extra on the project."
The Impudite says, "I bet I could do a good Mercurian with a few feathers."
Ahinadab sniffs. "Hey, who *wouldn't* want a Knight of Lust? I know how angels act..."
Daimon fishes around in his pockets for a cigarette. An amazingly common habit and sight. "Yes,
but the question is, can _you_, oh my Brother?"
Chephirah stifles her growl as well as she can.
Sepharnique edges as much behind Chephirah as she can.
The Impudite says, cattishly, "Yeah, sure. We all know how they _act_. Ever got them going
genuinely, o Green Studmeister?"
Ahinadab laughs. "Who would be acting? I guess the question is whether I could be Funny enough
for you." He tries to tip Sephar's chin up delicately, smiling.
Daimon says "Okay, enough. We gotta get moving."
Chephirah, at Ahinadab's attempt, does /not/ restrain her growl. At all.
Ahinadab says, "Right, right," as he tries to touch Sepharnique.
Sepharnique dodges.
The Impudite frowns, suddenly.
Daimon says "Ahinadab, are you trying to cut in on my piece of ass?"
The Impudite says, "Wait, wait. Is this kid Virgin Stock or something? I've heard about that."
Ahinadab misses Sephar as Sepharnique moves away. To Daimon, he says, "Well, yes."
Daimon says "Well, it ends, okay?"
Ahinadab sighs. "Sis, you're going to ruin my reputation if I let her leave without *one* kiss. I
can't afford that."
Sepharnique ends up behind Daimon.
Daimon says "I can't let you do that. I'm sorry."
Chephirah shows fangs in the least pleasant smile she can manage.
Sepharnique carefully looks at Chephirah.
Ahinadab frowns, then looks at the Impudite. "You think she would be?"
Daimon says, "She is. And she's not yours. Maybe later."
The Impudite shrugs. "You're the one who's saying she's a virgin. And _here_? And with a Djinn
to guard her?"
Ahinadab sighs. "True. Oh, well." He looks back to Dai. "Anything I can do for you,
sister-mine?"
Daimon lights up his smoke, thoughtfully. Ah.... blessed King Marlboro, how I have missed you
so.
Chephirah stifles the twitch. Hard.
Daimon says "Nope. Nice seeing you though, Ahinadab."
<
Ahinadab nods.
<
The Impudite sulks.
<
<
<
<
<
Daimon just grins, and takes a nice deep drag.
Ahinadab says, "Hey, you should come over more often, sister. It's been a while, but it was fun."
He reaches out to give Dai a friendly "guy to guy" shoulder-clasp.
Sepharnique backs just half a step as he reaches forward.
Daimon says, "Well, I'm off to cause mayhem. Okay everyone, grab a buddy and make sure you
didn't leave any of your luggage behind." Oddly, he had that attunement until less then two weeks
ago himself, and decides to side step it.
Daimon says "Now that's just rude."
Ahinadab snorts. "You're paranoid! Whatcha hiding?"
Daimon says "Everything and anything. I'm a Mystery Man, and I like myself FREE of hooks,
thank you very much."
Ahinadab holds both hands up. "What say I promise no hooks, official, and you gimme a goodbye
kiss?"
Daimon says "Nope, sorry. I worked for Him too, you know."
Daimon says "I like my secrets my secrets."
Ahinadab says "Promise no Need-reading, official?"
Daimon raises an eyebrow.
Chephirah keeps an eye on Sephar, 'boredly'. Really.
Ahinadab shrugs. "You'll break my perfect record otherwise!"
Daimon says "You lose, Brother of Mine. See you around for drinks sometime."
Ahinadab gives Dai a wave, with a mock-annoyed expression. "Bah. I'll hold you to that one,
sister!"
Daimon says "See you Topside, someday."
Daimon starts walking in the direction of the Dark Comedy district.
Ahinadab says, "It's a date. Watch out for falling houses!"
Ahinadab goes off to flirt with the Impudite.
Sepharnique follows, with a few backwards glances, to see who is and isn't following.
The Impudite casts a wistful eye after Sepharnique, then busies himself with Ahinadab.
Chephirah paces after Daimon. When the scrutiny is off, she lets herself tremble a little.
At the moment, nobody seems to be following, as the three angels blend into the crowd of the
Shal-Mari street. Though Chephirah is attracting stares and murmurs.
<
<
Daimon looks intent. And bugged. And thinking about something.
<
<
Daimon is walking with some intent toward the district which has the Dark Comedy housing.
<
Sepharnique murmurs softly to Daimon in English, "I think Ahinadab may be reporting meeting
up with us. To a place with folks in red silk gathered about it."
The quickest way to that district is across the Strip from here.
Chephirah pads, and once she recovers from trembling, repays stares with glares and murmurs
with growls. Which also helps cover the murmuring.
Daimon says "I'm sure he is. Which is why we're going across the Strip, to the Housing, breaking
into Jack's apartment, and finding something to pry the collars off with."
Sepharnique nods.
Daimon says "Just look like you belong here."
Sepharnique chuckles softly, "I'd ask 'how' but it might take a while..." so she just bends her had
a bit, as if always watched as that's what she's gotten from Daimon's descriptions.
Daimon says "We'd take the subway, but that would just make us stand out like pigs."
Chephirah mutters, "So we walk?"
Daimon says "We walk. It's a haul. Just look like you belong here and no one in their right mind
will tell you differently."
Chephirah mutters, "I hope this works."
A Habbalite calls, "Sunglasses! Gitcha sunglasses here! Can't keep the Lilim off without
sunglasses!"
Daimon thinks about it, and pats his pockets, looking for the UnnnoticableMan glasses.
Sepharnique murmurs, "It would likely be easier for me with sunglasses... and I can give you
essence after we get my collar off, I think."
Daimon nods. "Okay," and swings to the Habbalite.
<
The Habbalite has interestingly textured skin, patterned in undulating blues and purples. She
murmurs, "Sunglasses? Best quality. Only two essence each."
Daimon sizes the Habbalite up and down very slowly. "Two pairs."
The Habbalite nods. She shoves her tray forward from where it bounces below her breasts, and
offers her free hand. "Payment first."
Daimon slowly eyes the tray. "These are cheaply made and will hardly protect your eyes from the
Lilim gaze. Two measures is ridiculous. I can get two pairs for one measure up the street."
Sepharnique watches feet and sticks by Chephirah.
The Habbalite shrugs. "Okay, as you're so friendly about it, three measures for two pairs."
Chephirah plays guard cat.
Daimon says "Two for two."
The Habbalite sighs. "Okay."
Daimon passes on two measures of essence, and takes two pairs of glasses.
The glasses are standard enough quality.
Daimon passes a pair to Sephar and slides the other onto Sarah's liony face.
Chephirah blinks. Two or three times.
Sepharnique takes the pair, puts them on, and smiles slow and solidly.
Chephirah mutters, very quietly, "How do you see in these things?"
Sepharnique sighs happily and grins at Chephirah.
Daimon says "Very carefully."
Sepharnique kneels down to make sure the sunglasses are in the right place and adjusts a bit.
A couple of Shedim of the War shoulder their way past, muscles flexing and coils and organs
sliding, as they undulate towards the Strip.
Chephirah blinks three or four times more. "They're dark."
Daimon says "It's a dark place. You don't want to see it anyway."
Someone calls in the distance, "Raaaaare books! Get your rare and exotic volumes here!"
Chephirah murmurs, "Reasonable enough."
Daimon says "We set?"
Sepharnique blinks mildly at the Shedim, then nods at Daimon.
Chephirah twitches an ear, but turns her attention grimly to Daimon and Sephar. "I believe
so."
Daimon says "Let's motor."
Daimon starts walking again, across the Strip.
Chephirah pads after. Carefully.
Sepharnique walks along after, watching their back and sides with careful, quick looks.
---