Side Trip To London

<> Demiurge says "Okay. Pat is in his office?"

<> Mazpatiel says "Yes, but it's about to leave in search of records."

<> Demiurge says "Okay."

Mazpatiel squares the papers for the second Hell-jaunt report, slides them into the OUT box on its desk, and rises. Pushing its way through the beaded curtain, it starts heading to the records area.

The records area is as busy as ever, with several souls and relievers helping fetch and carry, and a number of angels sitting in the "Readers Area" checking over files that have been requisitioned from the Seraph on the Enquiries desk.

Mazpatiel orients on the Seraph, gliding smoothly in that direction to make its request.

The Seraph bends its six sapphirine eyes on Mazpatiel, folding onyx-and-sapphire wings. "What is your wish?"

Mazpatiel says "I am in search of those of Lilith's children who have come to the Light."

The Seraph nods slowly. "Those who abide yet in the grace of God, or those who have since Fallen or perished also?"

Mazpatiel says "Those who still reside in Heaven and would be available for interview."

The Seraph says, "A moment, please." He glides back to murmur to an attendant Cherub, who scurries off to check a set of books.

Mazpatiel waits patiently.

The Cherub returns, with a short list, which the Seraph examines, then turns to Mazpatiel.

Mazpatiel takes the list, scanning it quickly. "Thank you."

<> Mazpatiel says "That Dominic...he had a file on everyone...."

The list reads: "In Heaven, none at this moment. In Los Angeles, Mira, of Dream. In London, Stephanie, of Destiny. In Paris, Jezebel, of the Sword. In Amsterdam, Susannah, of Creation. In Johannesburg, Vitalis, of Animals. In Madrid, Maria, of Stone."

Mazpatiel . o O ( Well. LA is right out. )

Mazpatiel ponders going to London.

Mazpatiel nods to the Seraph again, and starts heading for the surface.

<> Mazpatiel says "Hm. Do we have a Tether in London?"

<> Demiurge says "Judgement? Certainly. The Old Bailey. ;)"

<> Mazpatiel says "Excellent."

Mazpatiel heads for the anchor point of Old Bailey.

It is a nice brisk journey to the tether-point for the Old Bailey; this is a major Tether, and is watched by a Cherub with a couple of relievers, manifesting as a white-walled room with Dominic's seal in the wall.

Mazpatiel presents itself to the Cherub. "Greetings, Guardian."

The Cherub folds bronzed wings against bear-flanks. "Greetings, Power."

Mazpatiel says "I require transit."

The Cherub nods. "Please step into the locus and will yourself downwards. Are you expected?"

Mazpatiel shakes its head. "I am not. I seek one of Destiny's in the city."

The Cherub nods. "Good fortune."

<> Daimon blinks and ponders and says, "Oh god let this be a Sister who does NOT know me." :)

Mazpatiel nods. "Walk in Justice."

Mazpatiel steps forward, willing itself downward into solidity and flesh.

There is a ripple of sound and light, as the world changes, and Pat is standing in an office, the walls covered with leverarch files and brown paper bundles. A young man looks up from his desk, then stands briskly.

The man says, "Josiah Stenforth, sir, Soldier at this Tether."

Pat nods. "Josiah. You may call me Patrick at this time."

Josiah says, "Yes, Patrick. May I be of assistance?"

Pat says "I require orientation and information. I have not been down to this area before, my normal assignment is America."

Josiah nods. "Well, first, we drive on the left hand side of the street. I'm not sure what else you need to know."

<> Daimon says "Beware the Underground!"

Pat says "I carry a weapon, licensed in America. I am unsure of the legalities involved here."

Josiah says, "You'll need a local permit. We can arrange that, sir. What are the gun specs?"

Pat extracts his pistol and hands it to Josiah. "Make the arrangements. I may not be here long enough for it to be an issue. Second, I'd like to know how accurate the records of celestials in London are."

Josiah takes the pistol. He says, "Do you mean the records we have here, sir, or the records in Heaven about who's currently here?"

Pat says "Either. I'm in search of one Stephanie of Destiny."

Josiah relaxes. "She's currently in London, sir, yes. Based at the British Museum Library, currently over working round the Universities on some stuff."

Pat says "Do you have information to contact her?"

<> Daimon ah has. Now I know who took all the good books out of their glass cases and HID THEM.

Josiah nods. He sits down again, and riffles briskly through a card-index. "I have her celphone number."

<> Demiurge chuckles.

Pat says "Perfect. Do you have a telephone I could use? I'm afraid mine is a bit out of range."

Josiah removes a card, notes down a phone number, and offers it to Pat. "There's a phone over there if you want to use it, sir." He nods towards the phone in a corner of the office.

Pat nods. "Thank you." He walks to the corner, picks up the phone, deciphers the format of the number, and dials.

<> Daimon says "Wow, Pat, that's more then I can do with the phone numbers. :)"

<> Sephar says "All those oddly grouped numbers... multiple in number..."

<> Daimon writes it off to Pat's innate cool factor.

The phone rings, twice, then a female voice says, "Hello?" It has an English accent.

Pat says "Hello, is Stephanie available?"

The voice says, "Stephanie here. What can I do for you?"

Pat says "This is Patrick Murphy. I'm at Old Bailey at the moment, and was hoping for a moment of your time."

Stephanie says, over the phone, "I'm afraid I'm a bit busy at the moment. Is it urgent?"

Pat says "It's not urgent in terms of hours, no. But I was hoping to speak with you about one of your sisters."

<> Pat hms. Tries a phone-resonance.

Stephanie says, politely, "When would suit you? I'm booked up till nine this evening, but I'm free after that."

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

<> Pat fails. :)

Pat says "Hm. What time is it now?"

Josiah murmurs, "It's seven o'clock here, now."

Pat nods to Josiah. "Nine will suit. I'm afraid I don't know the area too well, could you recommend somewhere?"

Stephanie says, in tones of mild resignation, "I can just come to the Old Bailey, if you want."

Pat says "If it would be inconvenient, I would be willing to travel to a venue of your choice."

Stephanie says, "No, it's okay. I can get the Tube. This won't keep me too late, though, will it?"

Pat says "I don't believe so."

Stephanie says, "All right. I'll be there."

Pat says "Thank you, Stephanie."

Stephanie says, "Good luck with London." There's a click as she closes the phone, then a buzz.

Pat sets the phone down and looks over at Josiah.

Josiah looks up from his computer again. "Yes, sir?"

Pat says "How long have you been in service here, Josiah?"

Josiah says, "Five years, sir."

Pat nods. "You have a fair amount of familiarity with the local angels, then?"

Josiah says, "Some, sir. Some of them aren't that keen on hanging out with Judgement."

Pat says "Understandable. Do you know Stephanie at all?"

Josiah nods. "I've met her a few times."

Pat says "Can you tell me about her?"

Josiah thinks. "I don't know what to say. She acts very human. She works with the students a lot, sir. She's very good at finding out what they Need in order to finish their degree or reach their destinies or so on."

Pat nods. "Dedicated, then?"

Josiah says, "I've always thought so."

<> Daimon suspects that all Bright Lilim act very human. For the obvious reasons.

Pat says "I'm glad to hear it. I'd hate to make her uncomfortable."

Josiah nods.

Pat finds his cigarettes. "I'll be outside for a moment. I'd like to see the city, however little of it is visible from the door."

Josiah says, "If you go out of the door there, sir, there's a window with a view out over the nearby street."

Pat says "Ah. Thank you."

Pat exits through the door, and finds a place to smoke and watch London for a bit...

A couple of hours later, Josiah's phone rings. He answers it.

Josiah looks up. "Stephanie is downstairs, sir. Just take the stairs to your left, down two floors, out and to your left again, and it's the third room on your right, before the double doors."

Josiah says, "Here's the permit for your gun, in case you need it." He offers a neat docket of papers.

Pat takes the papers and collects his gun. "Thank you." He heads down to the indicated room.

There is a middle-aged woman sitting in the room, hair back in a french braid, strong-boned face thoughtful as she considers a notebook in her lap, wearing a trouser suit. She rises.

The woman says, "Are you Patrick Murphy?"

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

Pat nods. "Stephanie?"

The woman nods.

<> Demiurge says "What are Pat's level 4 needs?"

<> Pat says "Hm. Finish the Stone investigation, snap Daimon out of his funk, settle back into his comfortable routine, convince Stephanie to help with the aforementioned funk-snapping...hm..."

<> Aron says "Buy 300 of the new Taco Bell Zestita. oops!"

<> arcangel says "Save Your Place From Hitherby's Bum-host?"

<> Aron says "Pat, servitor of Gluttony."

Stephanie suddenly smiles, brilliantly. "What can I do for you?"

<> Pat tries another resonance. Ahh, face to face.

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

<> Demiurge says "She's mildly nervous, but her mood has just risen, because she's just read your Needs, and is (a) delighted to hear about another Redeemed Sister, (b) glad you aren't here for some kind of spotcheck."

Pat smiles back. "For the moment, just a brief conversation. Perhaps more later, if it goes well. Shall we sit?"

Stephanie says, "No problem," and takes a seat. She folds her hands in her lap, waiting cheerfully.

Pat sits down. "I do apologize for the abruptness of the visit, Stephanie, but I found myself with the time and the motivation concurrently. My partner, you see, is one of your Sisters."

Stephanie says, "That's wonderful. Are you having any problems that I can help with?"

Pat says "Myself?" He chuckles. "Only in dealing with her sense of fashion. But she is a bit unsettled by the transition, still."

Stephanie nods. "That's quite understandable. It took me a while."

Pat says "Do you mind if I inquire as to the circumstances of your Redemption?"

Stephanie is silent a moment, then says, "I do mind, but inquire anyway."

Pat shakes his head. "It's not important. Might I ask how long it took to acclimatize, though?"

Stephanie says, "It took me a few months to actually get used to the idea that I was an angel and in Heaven. It's a difficult concept."

Pat nods. "I expect so. Daimonique is still...doubtful."

Stephanie shrugs. "What exactly does she doubt? That any of it's true?"

Pat says "That she should even be in the position she is. Which is why I sought you.'"

Stephanie fiddles with her notebook, considering.

Stephanie says, "Feel free to quote me as an example of someone else who survived Redemption, if you think it'd help."

Pat says "Daimonique is not the sort to value words over experience. I was hoping it would be possible for the two of you to meet."

Pat . o O ( Memo to myself. She doesn't want to talk about her Redemption. Pull her files. )

Stephanie frowns. "I'm rather busy here. Could it wait till the weekend? We're in the runup to winter exams at the moment."

Pat says "The weekend is fine. Currently, she's in Heaven, so I can ask her to come down at your convenience."

<> Shannen baps Pat. "Be nice."

<> Eduardo says "He's a Justicar. If he was nice I'd barf."

Stephanie nods. "I'll be glad to speak with her."

<> Pat is reasonable and fair. Not nice.

Pat smiles. "Thank you."

Stephanie says, "Give her my love. What's her name?"

Pat says "Daimonique. Most recently of Dark Humour, before coming to us."

Stephanie thinks, then shakes her head. "Sorry, don't remember her."

Pat nods. "It's alright. I'll send word up to her, and we'll meet this weekend, then?"

Stephanie nods. "Sure. You can reach me through this Tether, or through the Destiny one - it's at the Library here."

Pat nods. "I have your telephone number as well." He offers his hand. "Thank you."

Stephanie returns the handclasp. "Walk in justice."

Pat nods.

Stephanie slips her notebook into a shoulder-bag. "Do you know the way out, or can I show you?"

Pat chuckles. "I've been in London for three hours, and have yet to leave the building. I would very much appreciate it."

Stephanie pauses. "Ah, right. I meant the way back up to the Tether-locus. Unless you really want a night on the town."

Pat says "Mm. I was thinking of a hotel, actually. I can find my way to the locus."

Stephanie nods. "There are a load of cheap hotels up off Baker Street. The Pavilion Hotel there's not bad, if you're looking for something temporary. If you want something more long-term, you might want to consider renting a flat or something."

<> Sephar hides head as Fiat angels bring chaos to London... a flat. keen...

<> Shannen stays in her cafe'.

<> Demiurge laughs.

<> Demiurge says "Ah, but you have to finish your investigations in DC first."

<> Pat says "True."

Pat nods. "Thank you."

Stephanie says, "No problem," and leaves the room.

Pat considers for a time, then heads back up to the locus room and Josiah.

Josiah has a fresh cup of coffee, but the room is otherwise unchanged. He stands up smartly.

Pat says "Evening, Josiah."

Josiah says, "Good evening, sir. Anything else?"

Pat says "That will do for now. I'll be returning in a few days with another."

Josiah nods. "Walk in justice, sir."

Pat says "And you, Josiah."

Pat closes his eyes, letting his body fall away and leave behind only its luminous celestial form.

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

Josiah blinks, and evidently Pat has vanished from his sight.

---

Fiat Justitia