Wheels And Roundabouts

<> Liz says "Demi, may we assume that Daimon and I have finished getting, ah, reacquainted, and that I'm dressing for the party?"

<> Demiurge says "Sure, Liz."

<> Demiurge says "Azalea, we last saw you in Heaven."

<> Demiurge says "You can descend via the Dreams-Tether, or via the Creation-Tether to go directly to Sistine's if you want."

<> Azalea will probably go via the Creation-Tether, if she knows how.

<> Demiurge says "You go to the Halls of Creation, and get a Servitor of Creation or local soul or reliever to point you to the endpoint that goes down to the Sistine's Tether."

<> Demiurge says "It's a room in the Halls of Creation with blue mosaics."

<> Demiurge says "You then descend, and end up in a cupboard downstairs in Sistine's. :)"

Liz is in the bathroom, having taken a quick shower to look rather less, ah, tousled.

Liz 's hair is pulled back into a simpler style than she usually wears it, and she's putting on very light makeup, of the kind calculated to make her look like a college student, possibly a junior.

Daimon is not, in fact, in the bathroom. He's still laying on the bed, where the covers have been tossed on the floor, laying there in his boxers with the glow-in-the-dark smilies, smoking a cigarette with little imaginary bubble over his head. He'll pull on his pants as soon as he remembers where they are. Possibly on the lamp across the room.

<> Azalea goes via the Dream tether, then; I'm not sure if I've been to the Halls of Creation.

Liz says "Hey Daimon, which do you think looks more college-y?"

Daimon says "Between what and what?"

Liz says "The mini-dress, the blouse/kilt combination, or the comfy-sweater and long skirt."

<> Demiurge says "Okay, Azalea. You materialise at the Dream-Tether. I think your car is still there."

<> Demiurge says "You can phone Sistine's, or phone Liz, or drive across."

Daimon says "I'm tempted to say mini-dress for my own hormonal satisfaction, but when I was last lurking around Berkeley for some class in "God and Breakfast Cereal" or something, it was more of the comfy sweater and long skirt."

Daimon tries to remember. Or was it God and His relation to my oil leak in my car?

Liz says "Let me put it differently. Which do you think Tania would wear to a party where there's likely to be dancing."

Daimon says "Whatever shows off your butt the best. I suggest total nudity. It's the only way."

Liz says "Uh huh."

<> Liz says "Demi, what has Tania been wearing, when she's not dressed for the Opera?"

<> Azalea drives to Sistine's, then phones Liz.

Daimon says "Mini skirt?"

Liz says "Sure."

Daimon says "That'll work. Make sure you have cleavage."

<> Liz is at Sistine's. She'll answer from upstairs. ^_^

<> Demiurge says "Fairly average clothing. Jeans, tops, long skirts with slits and Doc Martens."

<> Sephar says "Mmmm... Docs."

<> Shannen mmmms...forbidden Doc Martens..

Liz says "I'll let Shannen go the comfy sweater/long skirt route, so we have some contrast."

<> Demiurge says "You get to Sistine's safely, Azalea. No lurking demons that you can spot. Marath is busy inside, it being early evening, but the kitchen is as ever available."

Daimon says "Fine with me."

Azalea phones from her room, oblivious to the presence of others.

Daimon looks around the room, and thinks that next time he shouldn't just rip off all his clothing, fling it about, and scream "Cowabunga". Or maybe he should. Hard to tell. He's still too stoned.

Liz says "I'm going to go check with Marath and see if Tania's called."

The celphone in Liz's pocket rings.

Daimon says "Okay. I'll make a good attempt at getting up off the bed."

Liz picks out her cellphone. "Hello, Elizabeth Bradley speaking."

Azalea says "It's Azalea."

Liz says "Good to hear from you."

Liz says "What's going on?"

Daimon makes a good, solid, vaguely stoned and drunken effort at getting out of bed. This takes a few tries. Somewhere in this room is his clothing. And not all in the same place.

Azalea says "You left a message."

Liz says "Yes. I may have some information you'd find interesting. Can you meet with me? I'm at Sistine's."

Azalea says "As am I."

Liz gives a small burst of laughter, and then knocks lightly on Azalea's door.

Azalea puts the phone down, and opens the door.

Liz terminates the connection, looking amused.

Liz says "Perhaps I should have left word I'd be at Sistine's."

Liz looks rather different than she did before. For one thing, she appears to be in her early twenties rather than around thirty.

Liz is also wearing what humans would describe as 'party clothes'.

Azalea looks exactly the same.

Liz says "May I come in?"

Azalea opens the door, gestures for Liz to enter.

Liz walks in, sliding her phone away.

Liz says "I have some information about a new drug."

Liz says "Very little, but it may be important."

In the other room, Daimon discovers his clothing. And the shower. For a moment he's struck by this revelation that there would be a bathroom in a place like this. And then decides to get wet.

Liz says "She's a potential Soldier."

Liz says "Her name is Tania, and we discovered her at the opera."

<> Daimon hopes he remembers to take off his underwear. :)

Liz says "The drug she's only had once. It 'gave her good dreams'. No apparent harmful side effects."

Liz says "Normally this wouldn't bother me. Considering what's been happening, particularly with Nightmares, it caught my attention."

<> Daimon says "No side effects? It has to be an evil drug. :>"

Liz says "I'm waiting for Tania to tell Shannen and me if there's another party tonight where this drug is likely to be, in hopes of getting some samples."

Liz says "I thought you and Aron might be interested."

Liz says "It may be nothing. I hope it's nothing. But."

Azalea says "We would be interested, of course."

Liz says "You're welcome to accompany us, if there is a party."

Azalea says "I have another assignment, but it is dream-related, and it is possible I may work on both tasks at once."

Liz nods. "I'd like to help, if I can. I'm at somewhat loose ends just now, other than having instructions to look out for possible reprisals.

Azalea says "I have not yet begun it; I'm not certain what help I might need."

Liz nods. "Tania hasn't given us any information yet, so this may be premature. But I got ready, just in case." She indicates her current look. "Daimon is here, by the way. He's in the room down the hall, if you want to speak with him for any reason."

Azalea says "I can't think of any."

Liz nods. "Are you and Aron all right, by the way?"

Azalea says "Do I not look alright?"

In the other room, in the shower, Daimon breaks into a very offkey rendition of "Henry the Eighth." "Henry the Eighth I am I am...."

Liz says "You look fine. That says little about how you feel, and the false 'Heaven' was very nasty."

Azalea says, blandly, "I have seen worse things."

Liz says "No doubt."

Azalea says "It was an interesting experience."

Azalea says "I had never had use for our form, before."

Liz says "Oh?"

Daimon gets out the shower, all drippy, and starts shrugging his clothes on.

Azalea says "You can phone me here, if you discover that there is a function, and that I might attend."

Daimon pokes his head around as he zips up his fly. "Liz? Liz? Where the heck.."

Liz says "Excuse me a moment."

Liz sticks her head out into the hall, "Down here, Daimon. In Azalea's room."

Daimon stumbles out into the hallway, hair dripping. "Oh. Hey. Yeah."

Liz says "Daimon, you might want a towel. You're dripping on Marath's floor."

Daimon looks at the floor. "Ah." He disappears for a second, and returns, turbanized.

Liz says "I'll likely be around for a little while longer, unless Shannen needs an escort."

Liz says "My Superior suggested that we stay in groups as much as possible for the time being. It's...constraining, but the alternatives are worse."

Azalea says "Much of my work is to be done in the Marches."

Liz nods.

Daimon stands in the doorway, finishing putting himself together. Sort of.

Azalea says "And if this drug is also related to dreams, I can look into it there, also."

Liz says "I would appreciate that."

<> Liz says "Hey, for me to tell Azalea to 'be careful' would be unnecessay, and there's Aron for 'group' purposes."

<> Azalea says "Oh, how people assume."

<> Sephar grins.

Liz says "And if I may offer any assistance, you need only ask."

Azalea says "I was told that I would probably need the assistance of those here."

Azalea says "But I do not know yet how."

Liz nods. "Perhaps you might ask Chephirah. Destiny may have insight into the matter."

Liz says "Have you any Corporeal role you need or want to maintain?"

Daimon finishes buttoning himself up, and leans against the doorjam, arms crossed, looking passive.

Daimon says, suddenly, "Oy vey."

Liz blinks at Daimon. "What?"

Daimon says "I'll talk to you about it later. Like, after I'm more stoned, later. I'm coming off it right now."

Liz looks slightly impatient, but nods.

Daimon says "It's um, not such a good time."

Azalea says "I - no."

Azalea says "I have yet to be given a Role of any sort, and I could not return to what I had before."

Daimon says "Hmmm?"

Liz says "All right. I have some few corporeal contacts, if you would like assistance there, either by necessity or desire."

Azalea says "I do not know. Have I need? Is there time, to live in this world, and in dreams?"

Daimon says "There is always time to live in the world. Without the world, what are we?"

Liz says "I think you'll find there's a remarkable amount of time."

Azalea looks at Daimon. "Celestial beings, with duties of our own."

Daimon says "No, we're celestial beings with duties which pertain, in a roundabout matter, directly to the survival and happiness of human beings. Well, in my opinion. I'm done having a job for job's sake."

Azalea says "The work I do is not roundabout at all."

Daimon says "I would hope that it would directly or indirectly pertain to human dreams."

Azalea squints at Daimon.

Daimon shrugs. "What the hell do I know. Nothing."

Azalea turns back to Liz. "If I find that my dreamer sleeps at times that will not interfere with a Role, I will come to you."

Liz nods.

Liz says "Now, if you'll excuse me, I should probably go check on Shannen."

Azalea turns back to Daimon. "Of course I work with human dreams. What else is there? I did not become - this - because of my great love of heaven, or of the angels."

Liz kisses Daimon, and heads off down the stairs to look for Shannen.

Daimon cocks his head slightly, which starts to unroll the turbanized towel a little. "There is, in essence, nothing else. I merely believe that to be able to interact with humans you should know them well enough in their waking state to understand them while they sleep. Nothing more, nothing less."

Daimon kisses Liz on the way out.... misses. Man. Ofanim.

Azalea says "And I believe that to know them while they sleep is to know them while they wake, only more so."

Azalea says "There is little that is hidden, in the Marches."

Daimon mulls. "I don't know. You are likely right; I am likely right, it probably makes little difference. I believe in one sort of interaction, you believe in another, it's a different view on life from two completely different beings with different backgrounds, and they are probably equally valid on all levels. I see humans through a rictus of Needs and wants and desires, living breathing beings who are motivated by their primal natures and forced to overcome them in sheer terror that they will fall back into some animalistic nature. You see them through their dreams and fears and hopes and the realities as they see themselves."

Daimon says "It both works out in the end."

Azalea says "One would hope."

Daimon says "One usually does - hope, that is."

Daimon shrugs, and shakes his head. "I don't know. I'm new at this. Maybe in a century or so I'll be more enlightened and I'll have a whole pack of answers and I'll know how it all works. Today, though, I just make educated guesses."

Azalea says "Where I do not even ask the questions. I do not believe there are answers."

Daimon says "My theory, and I have a whole pile of 'em, is that it's like an onion. On the outside of the onion is the rind, and you can peel it away, and beneath, huzzah!, is more onion. And then the outer layer becomes the rind, and you can peel that away with your fingers, and over, and over, and over, until the onion is in thin sheets around you on the floor and you are left with nothing but... air. That's what the questions are like. Every time you get around to asking one, and you receive an answer, you peel away a layer from the mystery. But all it gives you is more questions beneath. I'm merely curious to know if there's really something in the middle or not, like a treat from a candied popcorn box. Or if it's all just a big old joke, and in the center there is nothing but air and mist and knowledge long since forgotten. I've got to know. I haven't come this far to just let it all drop."

<> Sephar says "Oh, man, Daimon's thinking."

Azalea just looks at Daimon.

<> arcangel warns Azalea to do the Ofanite thing and run off. Tell Marath the Lilim is thinking.

<> Daimon puts his brain away.

Daimon says "My theory. On the universe. Or at least until the pot wears off."

Azalea says "Good night, Daimon."

Daimon just grins.

Daimon says "Yeah, okay. Good night."

Daimon wanders off to get the damn towel off of his head. His hair is going to be sticking up everywhere.

Azalea goes back to her desk. There is a Bible there; she sits down, and begins to read.

---

Fiat Justitia