The Chains That Bind

Shal-Mari throbs, as ever, with all the tasteful elegance and self-restraint of a cat attempting to climb a bauble-hung Christmas tree to reach a piece of kipper at the top.

Daimon slides on his sunglasses. It cuts down a little on the glare.

Sepharnique puts the sunglasses on as soon as they are handed to her.

Daimon also makes sure that the sunglasses are settled right on Sarah's nose.

Sepharnique then tries to remember how Daimon moved as Daimonique and to move as she had moved.

There is a sudden stillness in Daimon's head, and he feels the gush of incoming Essence - three measures - and the words of a Song of Celestial Tongues. Jordan's voice says, in his head, "Daimonique, we watch through your Heart. Mazpatiel, Maasiai, Eduardo in Archives, looking for you. False Heaven destroyed. If help can be sent, make sign and display. Attempting to arrange assistance. Jordan."

Daimon stops perfectly still, and then makes the Judgment sign for, "Send noone."

Daimon . o O ( My god do I love Jordan. )

Chephirah pauses, eyeing Daimon from behind her glasses.

Daimon stops still, and then makes a second sign for, "Pull them out."

Sepharnique stops and watches around them.

Sepharnique trusts Daimon enough tobelieve he knows what to do, but watches the chaos around them carefully for any followers or possible watchers, that aren't just gazing in shock at Chephirah.

There is a pause, then Jordan's voice says, with another point of Essence, "They will be informed. Trade and Lightning attempting bargaining. Hell currently troubled. Princes believed busy."

Nobody particularly seems to have noticed the three yet - at least, more than the normal gawpers.

Sepharnique still watches.

Daimon looks around to see if anyone is watching, and then leans to Sephar. "I have received messages from Judgment. Pat, Maasiai and Eddie are down here. Lightning and Trade know. Princes are busy. We have to haul ass."

Sepharnique murmurs, "Hai," softly, "Where?"

Daimon says "Archives. We need to find a store."

Sepharnique says "Can we meet up with the others down here?"

Sepharnique says "Or just an alleyway to rip collars off? I have enough essense to likely do Sarah's with one blow, if we can get mine off."

Daimon says "We need a tool and a place to hide. And I think we should just get the collars off and go."

Sepharnique says "Okay."

Daimon says "I can provide the place to hide. But we need to keep going."

Sepharnique says "Lead and I will follow."

Daimon nods, and leads them out onto the Strip.

Sepharnique follows, always checking the way that they've come, trusting the other two to know where they are going.

Daimon makes a mental note to do several very nice things for Jordan, a few of which he will likely not approve of.

The Strip is oh, so busy. Nearby, Vapula's Establishment flashes, promising the latest in virtual reality, the overhead sign sparking enthusiastically. The signs of other Princes hang further down the Strip.

Daimon looks for a store that would carry a pair of wire cutters.

People throng, crowd, shove, elbow, and generally mass. An occasional hand makes a grab for pockets. Shrieks from ahead suggest that one such pickpocket got caught.

Three stores down, some sort of hardware emporium offers all sorts of tools "for the discriminating user".

<> Pat says "Wrong kind of hardware."

<> Sepharnique grins and suspects luring.

Daimon gets sort of a strange look in his eyes, when he stops for a moment on the sidewalk. Shal-Mari throbs. Shal-Mari lives. Shal-Mari is HOME.

Daimon attempts to ignore this and heads for the hardware store.

A voice drifts down the street from a soapbox. "So, hey, this guy says, "Laurence? No, but you should have seen the shoeshine boy!" There is laughter.

Daimon glances in that general direction, but doesn't break stride.

Chephirah twitches a wing, and keeps her head down, glaring at anyone who comes near Daimon or Sephar. Anyone. Anyone at all.

The emporium is reached. It seems to be a Tools For DIY Bondage Gear shop, next to the Madam Jig-a-Jig Toot Suite All Same Matey Brothel For All Sexes.

<> arcangel giggles. "Kobal and Andre together. Fear."

Daimon figures they might have pliers at least, and ducks in.

<> Pat thinks of the sexual uses for pliers, and immediately wishes he didn't.

<> arcangel thinks of some and goes hmmm.

<> Chephirah just goes 'ow'. :)

Inside, a harried-looking Habbalite with D-clamps implanted down his arms and on his collar-bones looks up. "Hello? Business?" The shop is dark and pokey, with STUFF piled everywhere. Something wriggles in a corner.

Daimon pokes around in the stuff, looking for tools. (mmmm POWER TOOLS)

A pile clatters and totters. There is a rusty pair of secateurs. There are several sizes of pliers. There are hacksaws. There is a pneumatic drill. There are a lot of knives. There are many sizes of leather and plastic straps.

Sepharnique sniffs softly and then just stays between Daimon and the door, eyes gradually getting wider and wider at the various, painful bits of metalwear.

The Habbalite grunts, "Looking for anything, kid?"

Daimon picks up a pair of needlenose pliers.

Daimon says "I need wire cutters."

Chephirah stays by Sephar, glowering. And tries to keep her twitches subdued.

Sepharnique leans quietly toward Daimon, whispers, "Maybe a gag?"

Daimon nods. "And a rubber ball gag."

Sepharnique shivers slightly and moves back away.

The Habbalite says, "Half a second." He begins to root through another pile, fishing out a pair of reasonable-looking wire cutters. "These the sort of thing? I could tell you they're brand new, but hey, kid, you're not stupid."

Sepharnique scritches Chephirah behind the ears, but then watches the door again.

Daimon looks at them and makes sure that the small blades are reasonably sharp - or will at least do the trick.

The cutters look functional enough, even if a bit rusty.

Daimon nods. "These will do. And the gag?"

The Habbalite starts hunting through one of the sets of leather straps. "How big you want the gag?"

The Habbalite says, "Human size or larger?"

Daimon says "Big enough for the Djinn."

A smallish, dainty Balseraph slinks in and leans her chin on the counter while the Habbalite looks for the gag.

Sepharnique eyes the Balseraph.

The Habbalite grunts. "Sure." He looks across. "With you in a moment, Zaza. Got some _paying_ customers."

Daimon ignores the Balseraph and lights a cigarette.

The Balseraph has pierced wings, with little copper hoops through them.

Zaza sniffs. "I pay," she pouts, the rings in her wings chiming sweetly. Another, larger, hoop pierces her tailtip.

The Habbalite says, "Yeah, when you don't have no choice about it." He fishes out a large green rubber ball and matching strap, and heads across to Chephirah. "Okay, kid, open that pretty mouth of yours and let's check this fits."

Daimon watches, unflinchingly, the eyes of a casual dom.

Zaza watches with interest, blinking one aqua eye at a time in her dark sapphire-scaled face.

Chephirah growls, low, and teeth clenched.

Daimon snaps, "Let him do it, sweety. That's an order."

The Habbalite shrugs, looks to Daimon, then back to Chephirah.

Daimon nods to the Habbie. It means, do what you need to do.

<> Daimon says "Or what you want to do."

Zaza eyes Daimon admiringly, sighing at him.

The Habbalite casually reaches up to jab a thumb into the corner of Chephirah's jaw, forcing her mouth open.

<> Demiurge says "Well, assuming she lets him. ;)"

Chephirah does not bite the Habbalite. Quite. She does claw the floor in deliberate warning, but she lets him get her mouth open.

Zaza removes her head from the counter and slinks around the shelves until she can get next to Daimon. And looks up at him with all eyes wide and trembly.

Daimon gazes down at Zaza with something approximating contempt. Balseraphim just aren't on his high list today for some reason. "Can I help you?"

The Habbalite professionally stuffs the rubber ball into Chephirah's mouth - it is large enough that it is nearly painful to get it in - and then checks the strap against it.

Sepharnique closes her eyes just a moment as the Habbalite reaches, but then tries to stand and watch as if fascinated... but a slightly worried frown appears with the claw marks on the floor.

The Habbalite says, "Yeah, that'll do." It tugs the ball out of Chephirah's mouth again.

Zaza shivers and lowers her chin to about Dai's ankle-height. "You're so... stern. Strict. Knowledgable."

<> Demiurge says "It's the Judgement-aura. ;)"

<> Zaza nods!

Daimon says "And in a hurry. Shopkeeper, how much is the damage?"

Zaza looks crestfallen. "I had hoped someone would test my purchase. On me."

The Habbalite says, "Three for the wirecutters, one for the gag."

Chephirah growls at Zaza. Entirely warning.

The Habbalite says, "Got anything else you need, or is that it?"

Zaza cringes from Chephirah, then bats all six eyes at the Cherub.

Daimon checks his brain. "How much are cuffs?"

Chephirah's eyes narrow.

Zaza shivers at Chephirah. "You... you really do look like an angel. So scary. So beautiful. Such deadly sensuality."

The Habbalite says, "Wristcuffs for a human, I'll do you for one Essence, two for a complete set for wrists and feet, three and I throw in neck-collar and belt and links. Two, four, and five for the same things for Djinn-weight."

Daimon finishes his smoke. "Forget it. I'll take just the wire cutters and the ball gag then."

Zaza starts to carefully eel her way a little closer to Chephirah.

The Habbalite says, "If it's for the Djinn, I'll throw in the whole set of cuffs with the gag and cutters, and call it, oh, seven for the set."

Sepharnique picks Zaza up by the scruff on the neck and sets her back by the counter, away from Chephirah.

Zaza makes eyes at Sepharnique. "Yours?" she flutes sweetly.

Daimon ponders. "Six. I'll give you six for the set."

Sepharnique blinks at that thought, "No."

The Habbalite considers. "Seven, and I throw in some stuff for her too?" He nods to Sepharnique.

Zaza bats her eyes at Sepharnique. "Need someone?"

Daimon says "What stuff are you throwing in?"

Sepharnique laughs, this time, and all this in English, "No, my Lord is plenty for me."

Sepharnique then blushes thoroughly.

Zaza pouts at Sepharnique. "But you're so pretty. You could do such nice things to me."

The Habbalite considers Sepharnique with a professional eye. "I could do you basic handcuffs and ankle-cuffs for her."

Zaza asks, "What does he do to you? Your lord?" She flicks an aqua gaze at Daimon.

Daimon shrugs. What the hell. "Yeah, I'll take the whole set."

Sepharnique just shakes her head and lets Zaza go, but does try to catch her again if she sidles towards Cherphirah again.

Zaza tries sidling against Sepharnique just a little.

The Habbalite nods. He roots under the counter, and begins to fish out quite well-kept ironwear.

Sepharnique doesn't worry too much about Bals, probably should but...

Daimon inspects it, piece by piece.

Zaza, not kicked away, starts wrapping her tailtip around Sepharnique's ankle, the ring piercing her scales cold and hard.

Sepharnique watches the Habbalite with just a bit of curiosity, and Daimon's examination.

The Habbalite drops metalwear on the counter with a clang. There's some stuff of a size that'd probably fit Chephirah. There's some very dark steel stuff that would definitely fit Sepharnique.

Sepharnique starts at the cold ring and sighs mildly at Zaza, looks at her foot and the tail, but being a properly brought up angel hasn't even thought about kicking her.

The Habbalite says, "Zaza, you ever see what happens to little Balseraphs who annoy big angry Lilim doms?"

Zaza nods enthusiastically. "Oh, *yes*!"

Daimon nods, and grins a little bit. "Okay, bag it up."

Zaza makes hopeful eyes at Daimon.

The Habbalite says, "They drop them in the Shedim Pit, Zaza." He tips the chosen ironwear into a heavyweight bag that seems to be made out of linoleum. "Sorry, kid, a nice bag'd cost you more."

Zaza shivers. "Shedim," she coos, eyes going dreamy.

Daimon says "No, this is fine."

Zaza sighs at Dai. To Sepharnique, she says, "Would he do that? Would he *watch*?"

Sepharnique looks at Zaza at that. Then to Daimon.

The Habbalite sighs. He mutters to Daimon, "I don't know. That bitch has never been the same since the Prince kinda looked in her direction three years ago."

Daimon mutters back, "It happens."

The Habbalite passes Daimon the bag, and holds out his hand for the Essence.

Daimon reaches out, and passes 7 out of his 9 points of essence.

The Habbalite nods, shuffles back behind the counter. He says, to Sepharnique, "Throw little Zazie over, kid. I'll see about chaining her down some more so she won't pester you."

Zaza coos delightedly.

Daimon hefts his purchases. Eek, heavy. "Okay kids, let's get this train a'movin'."

Zaza coils her tail around Sepharnique's leg, obviously hoping to be pried off forcefully.

Sepharnique hefts Zaza over towards the Habbalite, isn't adverse to a bit of force.

Zaza squeals happily.

Daimon peers down at the Balseraph.

The Habbalite grabs Zaza, slaps her down on the counter.

Zaza peers up, eyes wide. "Lord?" she asks.

Daimon says "Thank you."

The Habbalite says, "I'll see to her. You get out before she comes whimpering again, kid."

Zaza wriggles and whimpers.

Chephirah takes Sepharnique's sleeve in her teeth, and drags toward the door.

Daimon nods, and leaves the store, without a look back.

Sepharnique bows just a bit at the Habbalite and follows Daimon, oops, stumbles after Chephirah.

<> Daimon is big and mean!

<> Sepharnique seems to attract *all* the demons. Yeesh.

<> Demiurge laughs.

<> Daimon says "It might be the +3 Charisma on the vessel."

<> Daimon says "Maybe."

<> Arcangel says, "And you didn't kick her away."

<> Sepharnique says "Yeah, that's it."

Outside, the Strip is as hectic as it was before. Yells, screams, buy, buy, buy. A vendor of antique newspapers attempts to trade off copies of the Times from 1912.

Daimon sighs, and starts heading toward Jack's place, large bag of toys in tow.

Chephirah tells herself that the newspapers are almost certainly faked copies. Firmly.

Sepharnique eyes the backpath, still, watching for followers.

<> arcangel reassures Sarah, "The Library probably has a copy."

Sepharnique keeps one hand on Chephirah's back while looking around and back, to make sure she stays with them.

<> Chephirah says "Oh, certainly, but it's not the /Library/ that needs it. :)"

There is a shriek from further down the street. "No, I am fucking well not Virgin stock! Want me to prove it to you? Do I _look_ like one?"

Chephirah is, for some odd reason, much reassured by Sephar's touch. Imagine that.

Daimon mutters under his breath, "Hah-olam hab-bah; Ha-olam haz-zeh."

The intersection off towards the Dark Comedy apartments is the next on the right. From somewhere close ahead, through the crowd, comes a sound like fifteen cement mixers going at once, and wafts of zabaglione, masala, and ciabatta with olives.

<> Daimon translates, "The World to Come and the World That Is."

<> Shannen senses Bad Things.

Daimon starts pushing through the crowd, trying to get to the intersection.

A Djinn slouches through the crowd. His eyes fix on Daimon, Sephar, and Chephirah. "You three!"

Chephirah follows Daimon's lead, whether it's glowering back at said Djinn, snarling, or pretending not to hear and shouldering through crowd.

Daimon mutters, "Ignore the Djinn."

The Djinn, a creature with a serpentine mane and a badgerlike body, growls, "If you three ain't got a real important job, you have now. The Prince, he needs people to help bring him food. And you wanna make the Prince happy, don'tcha?"

Sepharnique ignores the Djinn and keeps following Daimon.

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

Daimon says, with the force of Truth, "No. We have to be moving. Sorry."

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

Chephirah has a real important job. Getting her charges the hell out of Hell. Thus: no attention other than bristling.

Daimon therefore keeps moving.

The Djinn considers, then slumps. "Yeah." He slouches off to harass a couple of Impudites.

The intersection is reached.

Daimon heads in the proper direction toward Jack's.

Chephirah follows Daimon. She /is/ attuned.

Sepharnique follows, still tracking the backpath to see if any come after them.

The crowd relaxes - very, very slightly - as Daimon enters the Dark Humor Housing District. Some of the yells and screams die away.

Daimon knows he's going to pass his OWN apartment on the way. Just... don't... think... about... it.

Still nobody seems close enough to be following, and there is nobody on their trail.

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

<> Demiurge says "But you could goooo in there, and you wouldn't have Keros there..."

<> Daimon says "Nope."

<> Daimon says "I'd rather beat Keros into submission."

<> Daimon says "Why do you think I bought all this Bondage Gear?"

<> Demiurge cracks up.

<> arcangel cracks up!

<> Daimon would NEVER use it on Sephar. :)

<> Sepharnique grins muchly.

<> Demiurge laughs.

Soon Daimon has reached the apartment block which holds Keros' flat. It is, as ever, grey and dingy. Someone is flying a pair of familiar tartan pants from the flagpole.

Daimon sighs, and starts walking up the steps into the apartment building.

The Djinn concierge is sitting at the head of the stairs. He grunts, "Who's the business with, kid?"

Daimon says "Keros."

The concierge turns aside to spit. "Good luck."

Sepharnique looks around curiously.

Daimon says "Thanks."

Daimon then enters the building.

Chephirah herds Sephar along.

The corridor leading into the flats is damp grey concrete, clearly cleaned recently by the application of a hose. Lank newspaper remnants are crumpled in the corners, with bits of rubber. An imp hunts through one pile. Television noises blare behind the ill-fitting doors as the three angels walk past.

Daimon trudges up the stairs to the third floor.

Sepharnique goes along with the herding.

The third floor is a little drier and cleaner, and there is less noise escaping from behind the doors.

Daimon goes to the second door on the right. "Now Sephar, if he's home, we need to subdue him quickly. If he's not, we need to break down the door. Okay?"

Chephirah rumbles softly, "Okay."

Daimon looks at the other two angels, puts down the bag, and pounds on the door. *WHAM* *WHAM* *WHAM* "Jack, you home?"

There is a pause, then a sleazy voice calls, "Who the fuck is that?"

Sepharnique says a bit more softly, "Okay."

Daimon says "It's Daimon, man! Open the door!"

>From other doors down the hall come yells of, "Keep it down, there are people working!" or "Shut the fuck up!"

Sepharnique readies to jump the guy when he comes to the door.

Another pause, then with a creak the door begins to swing slowly open, as a bleary eye peers outwards.

Daimon puts his hand flat against the door, and PUSHES.

The door crashes fully open, and the staggering Impudite behind it measures his length on the floor, wings flailing.

Daimon grabs his bag of loot.

Chephirah shoulders her way in through the opened door.

Sepharnique jumps on the Impudite as it hits the floor and kneels on the wings, body over the Impudite.

Sepharnique sits on him hard, hoping to knock the breath out of him.

The prone Impudite looks up at Sepharnique, then at Daimon. "Daimie, you've gone and done the amoeba thing."

Daimon just enters last, and closes the door. He shoots the bolt and hooks the chain. "Hi Jack."

Chephirah assists Sephar neatly, with the minor difference of unsheathed claws at throat.

Keros just lies there, trying to get his breath back.

Daimon says "What are you doing in Hell? Avoiding work?"

Daimon starts rooting around in the bag for human-sized cuffs.

Keros says, "I'm getting mugged by angels! Danger in our streets!"

The television prattles away mindlessly in the corner of the room.

Daimon says "Yes well, shit happens. Especially, it seems, to you. I don't know why this is - bad karma, I guess."

Sepharnique grins quietly at that, just sits on the still Impudite, waiting for Daimon.

Keros says, "Aw, Daimon, you're not gonna do something horrible to me, are you?"

Chephirah lifts her head, claws still at throat to discourage struggling, and glowers at the television. Baring teeth.

Daimon says "Just keep you prisoner until I'm done. I'm sure that Jaakobah or Elymius or your girlfriend will show up eventually to let you out."

Daimon says "Can you guys turn him over, please?"

The television flashes, "Breaking news! A number of virgin stock have run wild and are stalking the streets in a desperate urge for sensual abandon! If you come across a virgin, return it now - yes, now! to the Bordello, and get a reward!"

Daimon . o O ( ... )

Sepharnique turns over Jack, or tries to and blinks mildly at the TV, distracted just a moment.

A picture of Sephar in abbreviated suit and handcuffs, together with a snarling Chephirah, both line-drawn by someone with no sense of bodily proportion, flash up on the screen.

Jack struggles.

Daimon leans down to cuff Jack.

Sepharnique sits pretty hard on Jack's back, ooomph, and boogles at the picture.

Daimon says "Oooh kinky."

Chephirah scratches Jack's throat. Not hard; just a warning.

Jack gives up. "At least leave the telly on."

Chephirah mutters, "I'm acquiring a distinct distaste for the Media, actually."

Sepharnique says "Is that what I look like?"

Daimon says "Hey hey hey, don't hurt him."

The television declares, "A number have been spotted wandering round the bombsites! Yes, we can yet again blame Heaven for this danger from our skies! Three reporters have gone in to interview the Beautiful Prince, and we hope for an update soon!"

Sepharnique eyes herself, "No. I don't think so." Sighs and just sits on Jack while Daimon does the cuffs.

Daimon cuffs Jack's ankles. "Media needs a new set of hobbies, if you ask me."

Jack taps his heels together idly, unable to do much else. "Yeah, well, if they did something smart, kid, they might take the bread outa your mouth. Where would you be then?"

Daimon says "Looking for a new job. If we put you on the couch, will you be good?"

Chephirah leans her head against Sephar. "That is not what you look like. That is not, indeed, what either of us look like."

Jack says, "Yeah. Just leave the key somewhere people can get at it." He sounds amazingly resigned.

Daimon says "Okie dokie. Can someone help me haul him to the couch, please?"

The television shifts to a documentary about the "recent bomb raid by Heaven", showing a number of disaster sites across Hell where ivory-and-gold buildings appear to have impacted. Hard.

Photos come up of the Archives, Gehenna, Stygia, Shal-Mari, *THESE PHOTOGRAPHS CONFISCATED BY ORDER OF THE GAME*, Perdition, and Tartarus.

Sepharnique nods against Cherphirah's head and then hauls Jack over to the couch, setting him on it.

Sepharnique puts him face towards the TV.

Daimon looks for a piece of string.

Jack just lies there, watching the beloved television.

There is a piece of string findable, among all the rest of the junk in the room.

Sepharnique eyes the destruction quietly.

Daimon slides one end of the string through the hole in the top of the key, and then knots the ends to make a loop. He then walks over and hangs the key off of a lamp. Then he walks over and picks up the rest of his bag of stuff. "Okay, in the bedroom? Or in the living room where we can keep an eye on him?"

Jack says, "Hey, hey, if you're going to have kinky sex I want to see it!"

Daimon sighs. "Living room it is. Who first?"

Chephirah shivers. "Why don't I stay out here where I can watch -" She eyes Jack. Just eyes him.

Daimon says "Sarah, he's generally harmless. Mostly. In his own way."

Jack crosses his eyes, on cue.

Sepharnique says "Uhm. Me?"

Daimon nods. "Okay."

Daimon fishes out the wire cutters. "This is going to hurt like hell, so you might want to make yourself comfortable."

Sepharnique shivers once, remembering the pain of the other pull but settles by Daimon quietly enough. "Is there something I can at least put in my mouth to chew on while trying not to scream?"

Daimon fishes around, since he only bought one ball gag. "Jack, are you packing bondage gear?"

Sepharnique says "A strap will likely do."

Daimon waves a hand. "Forget it." And then he fishes out one of the many leather straps in the bag and hands it over to Sephar.

Sepharnique takes the strap and before putting it between her teeth laughs softly, "Nice that I only have to worry about one mouth."

Daimon leans over and kisses Sephar tenderly on the forehead.

Chephirah touches Sephar with a wingtip, and backs away, shivering.

Sepharnique sets the leather between her teeth and then grins up at Daimon.

Jack wriggles round on the sofa, watching.

Daimon positions himself and the wire cutters, and attempts to snip the clasp holding on the collar.

There does not seem to be any particular clasp or lock on the collar.

Sepharnique breaths deeply, twice, relaxing a bit, and trying not to tense at the pain.

Daimon starts snipping links, then.

<> Demiurge says "Sephar, make a Will roll."

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

<> Demiurge says "Sephar, you just make the will roll, but this _hurts_. You've probably never felt anything this bad."

A strand of metal gives way under the wire cutters, as the collar weakens.

Sepharnique's body involuntarily tenses, whipping just a bit, as a scream keens its way around the strap, nails bite into hands until just a trace of blood seeps through.

Daimon reaches out and strokes the hair off of Sephar's face. "It's okay, it's okay, it's almost over. It's almost over." And then he clips another link.

Sepharnique shakes, shivering, leaning close against Daimon, whimpering softly around the strap and nods at Daimon's words.

The collar gives way. All the links seem to come apart at the same moment, gems rattling loose, and Sephar's form *dissolves*, as the human shape falls away to leave it free Kyriotate.

Jack gapes.

Jack says, "Fuck. That's for real."

Sephar drops the strap, gasping hard, breathing, hard from all its mouths, still shivering a bit against Daimon.

Daimon says "Yes, it's for real."

Chephirah sinks to the floor in her own relief - then bounds over lightly, rubbing her head against Sephar's fringes.

Jack says, "You're... angels."

Sephar rubs against Chephirah still shivering and hugs the Cherub solidly.

Daimon says "Sarah, we're going to have to bind you, you know, so you don't hurt me. I will let you out as soon as the collar is off."

Jack's eyes grow thoughtful.

Daimon says "Sephar, run."

Sephar says "No."

Chephirah takes a shaking breath. "Yes. Please, Sephar. Home, where you're safe."

Sephar takes a strap, holds Jack's nose until his mouth opens and puts the strap in.

Daimon decides not to argue with this, and says, "Then help me with Sarah." He starts pulling out bondage gear out of the bag.

Chephirah glances at Daimon - shivers again, and starts to back unsteadily away.

Jack lets Sephar open his mouth and insert the strap.

Sephar secures the strap on Jack (maybe?) and then helps Daimon with Chephirah, working quickly and precisely.

Daimon says "Sarah, you have to trust me here. Please. You have to let me do this so I can get the collar off."

<> Demiurge says "Sephar, check an Int roll."

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

<> Sephar eyes the dice.

<> Demiurge says "Oops. Well, you _think_ you got those straps right, Sephar..."

<> Daimon thwaps Sephar's meanie dice.

Chephirah tries to draw a deep breath, and can't even manage that. "I can't. I can't."

<> Sephar grins.

Daimon keeps putting on straps, and rubs a hand down Sarah's back. "Please, Sarah. Please. 1 minute, and it will all be over."

Sephar does the abbreviated hand-sigh with Daimon of "Tackle her?"

Daimon nods once.

Sephar tackles Chephirah, all limbs grasping her.

Chephirah closes her eyes, leaning against Daimon. "I can't. I -- Sephar!"

<> Demiurge says "Hm. Will rolls for those fighting."

Daimon prepares to bind Sarah quickly and deftly.

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

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

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

<> Demiurge says "Chephirah is quickly overpowered. Oof."

Daimon slips on the cuffs and buckles them securely.

Jack, across the room, works the side of his head against the sofa quietly.

Chephirah struggles, desperate (but quite likely ineffective).

Chephirah says "Daimon, please, I can't!"

Daimon whips out the last piece, which is the ball gag.

Sephar murmurs softly in a furry ear, "You cannot, but we must."

Daimon says "Sarah, don't make me force this on you."

Chephirah closes her eyes, tightly. Tightly. Then takes a deep breath. "Yes. Yes. Don't want either of you hurt..."

Sephar hugs the held Chephirah close.

Daimon slips the gag into Sarah's mouth, and binds it into place.

Chephirah tries not to chew on it nervously. Also tries not to cry.

Jack, across the room, keeps on working the side of his head against the furniture. The gag is coming loose.

Daimon kisses Sarah on the forehead between the eyes. "This is going to be quick. I promise."

>From afar, Chephirah giggles. Can I notice that?

You paged Chephirah with 'Sure. As you're probably the only one facing that way. :)'.

Daimon gets behind Sarah, wielding wire cutters. Time to do the deed.

Chephirah's eyes flare wider, and she makes a little strangled sound, jerking her head.

<> Demiurge says "Will roll, Chephirah."

Jack wrenches his head hard, and the leather strap finally slips off his mouth, and up over his nose.

<> Demiurge says "Sephar clearly needs more practice applying bondage gags. :)"

<> Daimon says "They teach classes in the Halls of Creation...."

<> Sephar blushes deeply.

<> Sephar has had no practice! So it makes sense.

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

<> Demiurge says "Chephirah - real, agonising pain, leaving you not really conscious of what else is going on."

One strand of the necklace parts.

Jack takes a deep breath, filling his lungs, eyes focusing in concentration.

<> Daimon says "Do I notice Jack summoning his Boss?"

Chephirah's intent struggles and muffled sounds turn into one stifled squeal - all that gets through - and a single feline arc of agony.

<> Demiurge says "You certainly notice him concentrating and focusing to do something that might well be summoning Kobal, yes. If you look away from Chephirah."

<> Daimon assumes not, as is concentrating on Sarah.

Daimon snips another link in the collar.

<> Demiurge will give you and Sephar a Perception roll at a penalty.

<> Chephirah tried to warn you! :)

<> Demiurge says "For out-of-the-corner-of-your-eye."

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

Chephirah writhes, that high, thin, pathetic sound constant.

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

<> Demiurge says "I'm afraid you both miss that, if it's penalised."

<> Daimon just works on Sarah's collar, then.

Daimon snips another link.

With a click, the collar snaps, and links of chain and gems go bouncing across the floor - and Chephirah is _free_.

Jack focuses, and yells in desperation, "BOSS!"

Sephar snaps, "Heaven."

Daimon says "ASCEND!"

Sephar lifts Chephirah and goes for Heaven.

Daimon waits behind.

<> Demiurge says "But, of course, it takes two rounds to invoke..."

Daimon waits for Sephar and Sarah to be gone.

Sephar says "Daimon. GO!"

Sephar says "She won't follow unless you go."

Daimon looks at Jack. "Tell him I'm sorry, Jack."

Daimon ascends.

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

Sephar follows.

Sephar helps Chephirah if she's at all disoriented.

Chephirah follows, presuming that she's able in Hell-tainted bondage gear.

As they climb towards their Hearts, and feel the dirty dark-drenched atmosphere of Hell fall away, there is something behind them, something dry and bitter and oh so dark, reaching up towards them, seeming for a moment to draw them down...

... and then they are free of it. The three angels tumble into the light of Heaven, falling in a heap before Daimon's Heart, where a tiger-eye Seraph coils around it, tail flickering.

Sephar heaps. Ooof.

Daimon heaps. Ooof.

Jordan sings, "FREE!" His wings beat rapidly, before he calms.

Daimon just lays there.

Daimon says "Is everyone here?"

Jordan says, "All three of you are."

Sephar sighs and then sings Song of Tongues, Celestial to Aron and Pat, "We are in Heaven."

Sephar does that before even answering any of the others.

Chephirah heaps, promptly nuzzling her cheek against Sephar and Daimon in turn; she attempts to sing - something. And then acquires an extraordinarily amusing indignant expression.

Jordan coils around Daimon for a moment, in brief embrace, before releasing him.

Sephar blinks mildly at Chephirah and then reaches out to take the ball gag from her mouth.

Daimon lays next to his heart like a lump.

Daimon then turns over and starts unstrapping poor Sarah.

Chephirah promptly licks whatever appendage Sephar used to do that, and sighs, heartfelt, "/Thank/ you."

Daimon finishes removing the bondage straps, and then lays back on his back.

Sephar beams softly, strokes Chephirah over the ears, and helps Daimon with the other bindings and then gradually starts to shake... a bit harder, then a bit harder, until it just quits trying to help with the bindings and curls up a bit on itself, curling close to both Chephirah and Daimon.

Chephirah wraps her wings around both, stroking and nuzzling gently. "Home and safe," she murmurs. "Home and safe, my darlings."

Sephar cries a bit that way, close to the two of you, and gradually gets its breathing back, first fast, then slowing gradually, bit by bit, breath by breath.

Daimon sits up, and just holds Sephar.

Daimon seems pretty calm and collected.

Sephar shudder-sighs, "Ahhh..." and then nods a bit of cloud against Chephirah and hugs both of you quietly.

Daimon says "Everyone is okay? Everyone has all their requisite parts?"

Sephar says "Y-yyes. I think... uhm... so."

Daimon just continues to hold poor Sephar, and leans against Sarah. And looks preoccupied.

Chephirah continues to stroke Sephar, gently, and plays backrest for Daimon.

Sephar snuggles in and sighs softly, the cloud gradually relaxing, roiling less and less.

Sephar says "You... okay too, Daimon?"

Daimon says "I'm just fine."

Chephirah sings softly, crooning, half a lullaby.

Daimon sounds flat and distant.

Sephar listens to the tone with a few ears, "You... you don't sound okay," but relaxes a bit more with Chephirah's song.

Daimon says "Mmmmm."

Daimon says "We're all okay, and that's all that is important."

Sephar says "Yes."

Daimon says "And it's been a long, wild ride."

Chephirah leans over, and nuzzles Daimon's cheek, gentle.

Chephirah says softly, "I'm sorry."

Sephar's voice firms up a bit with that and it shifts just a bit to hug the both of you as well.

Daimon blinks, thinking of something. "What happened to Hitherby?"

Daimon says "We didn't leave Hitherby in that... place, did we?"

Chephirah says "Hitherby wasn't shackled, love."

Daimon says "Oh. Good. Because if Hitherby couldn't get away, I would head right back into Hell after her."

Sephar says "She was free, so could go at any time, but we could check on how she is."

Daimon says "Soon. Let's just... sit for a few minutes. Kay?"

Sephar looks to be in no desire to move, "Uhm. Okay. I told Aron and Pat that we're safe, now..."

Chephirah says quietly, "If Hitherby couldn't get away, we wouldn't have left, Daimon." She brushes her cheek against Daimon. "Watch your Heart, dearest. You need it."

Daimon settles in and watches his Heart - since there are some emotional problems to work out.

Sephar curls up about Daimon with Chephirah.

---

Fiat Justitia