The Throes Of Thought

<> Demiurge says "Daimon is upstairs and hogging Marath's computer. Azalea was reading her bible in her room, I think?"

Hitherby, in an elegant collection of insects picked up during the day, crawls through a ballroom dance pattern on the ceiling.

Hitherby is ladybugs and such, so hopefully Marath won't be upset.

Marath is not objecting, as long as Hitherby does not bother the customers - or get noticed by them - or get in/on the food.

Pat moseys into the restaurant, looking much like he did those weeks ago at the coffee circle. Must have gotten in touch with his inner gumshoe again.

The restaurant is busy with customers. Insects crawl spectacularly on the ceiling.

Hitherby whispers pleasedly with her wings as her distant host admires sea snakes. Although they would make bad Vessels.

Pat makes note of the insects, but nothing further as he has also taken note of the numerous customers. He takes a seat at the bar, letting his overcoat drape to cover the stool he sits on.

The dark-eyed bartender murmurs, "Your usual, sir?"

Pat says "Please."

Hitherby considers.

The bartender pours whiskey, and slides it across the counter. He murmurs, "Your partner and the Dreams-lady are upstairs, the others are out. Marath's in the kitchen."

Hitherby spirals out and bows to herself, ending the dance.

Pat nods to the bartender. "Thanks. Looks like you folks are doing a good bit of business tonight."

Hitherby crawls a ladybug out to directly above Pat.

The bartender murmurs, "Some days are good, some days are dry. Glad it's not Prohibition." He moves down to serve another customer.

Hitherby looks down. Looks up. Looks down. Looks up.

Pat's hat is broad and made soft by constant use. It also sits temptingly on the bar near him.

Hitherby's ladybug dives daringly, death-defyingly, dramatically for Pat's nose! Fluttering her wings slightly to soften her landing at the last possible moment.

<> Pat says "Mental note. Paint a bull's eye on the hat."

Pat pauses, glass halfway raised, to cross his eyes.

Hitherby flips down and lands on the hat.

Pat finishes the motion of drinking. "Evening"

Hitherby Sings, "..." in .0001-decibel pig-angelic.

Pat says "How eloquent."

In her bedroom, Azalea's celphone rings.

Hitherby fluffs and settles her wings smugly.

Azalea picks it up.

Aucune's voice says, "Azalea?"

Azalea answers, "Yes?"

Pat rattles the ice in his glass. "Do you have anyone near Daimon? Flutter once for yes, twice for no."

Aucune says, "I've got an address and photos of some guy called Harold Seth. I was told you had an assignment involving him. We've got them here to pick up when you've got the time.

Hitherby flutters twice.

Azalea says "I was supposed to meet up with some others tonight - " She pauses, looks down at her watch, "But I have a feeling that whatever plans they'd made fell through."

Hitherby walks a circle on the hat, faintly embarrassed.

Pat says "Hm. Then he isn't going to get much of a warning."

Pat drains his glass and reaches for his hat after leaving some cash on the bar. "Ready?"

Hitherby flutters once.

Pat picks up his hat and settles it carefully, then heads towards the stairs.

Aucune says, "Okay. Well, they're in an envelope here. Just drop by when you want to pick them up."

Hitherby looks around for a human host. This sounds serious.

There are plenty of human hosts nearby. A few are dining alone, male or female, old or young.

Hitherby goes for a young woman who does not remind her of Hell.

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

Azalea says "I'll be there in a short while."

Hitherby goes for an old woman with similar qualifications.

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

Azalea clicks off the phone, stands, and walks downstairs.

<> Demiurge says "The old woman is possessed."

Pat in all likelihood runs into Azalea about halfway along the stairs.

<> Demiurge says "I think Pat and Azalea meet on the stairs, yes."

Hitherby pulls herself upright, picks up her cane and purse, and jogs after Pat.

<> Pat tries to remember how well he knows Azalea.

Pat gives Azalea a brief nod, then.

Azalea nods to Pat on the way down.

Pat makes his way up the rest of the stairs to the rooms.

Hitherby catches up to Pat, withered legs pumping quickly, and says, rapidly, "Warning?"

Hitherby waves to Azalea as she passes, too.

Pat says "Hitherby?"

The kitchen downstairs is nice and quiet, broken by the bubbling of pots and the rattling of spoons.

Hitherby nods.

Hitherby says "I never get the nice ones. I feel all wrinkly."

Pat says "Warning. I haven't spoken to him since Heaven. Oh, and Phil is gone."

Pat says "He took my liquor."

Hitherby says "Oh dear. Was it a relic?"

Pat says "No. I thought you'd want to know."

Hitherby's face lights up. "Well, I knew he was okay."

Pat nods.

Elsewhere, outside, matters seem quiet. Nobody has attempted to run off with Azalea's car or anything like that.

Pat says "The next question, of course, is which door Daimon is hiding behind."

Hitherby says "Benefit of the job."

<> Daimon says "Door #3! Door #3!"

Hitherby thinks. "No idea. I haven't seen him since Heaven."

Pat hms, and attempts to listen for the clatter of manic keystrokes.

Hitherby says, "I should probably work on the one before that, though."

Hitherby says "You know. Mansion bullet guy."

Pat says "Pardon?"

Elsewhere, Azalea drives to the tether.

Hitherby waves her cane around, trying not to bump the walls. "Azalea shot some guy I was borrowing in the Focalor mansion and I didn't have the Essence to fix him."

Pat says "Ah. I don't remember that evening very clearly."

Pat starts down the hall, putting his ear to each door in turn.

Hitherby says "It was pretty dull."

Elsewhere, the people around the Tether are drifting away, as the hour is late. The evening is quiet, and a single groundskeeper wanders around picking up litter.

Elsewhere, Azalea looks around for Aucune, or any familiar face.

Elsewhere, nobody is immediately obvious outside the Tether. Over to one side is the entrance to the buildings used for Tether business, however.

Hitherby says "I'm thinking that maybe if I sent him a card?"

Elsewhere, Azalea moves to that door.

Hitherby says "Something thoughtful, with a picture of a leopard on it?"

Hitherby says "And something witty."

Pat moves to the next door. "Where is he now?"

Hitherby says "Jail, I guess."

Hitherby says "But fortunately, that part's not my responsibility"

Elsewhere, the door swings open. There's a strange man inside, who looks up sharply. He has brown hair in a fluffy mess, in a suit and tie. "Good evening, miss. Can I help you?"

Pat says "It should cheer him up, at least."

Hitherby says "I'll pick one up, then!"

Hitherby says "Would you like to sign it?"

Elsewhere, Azalea says "I was looking for Aucune."

Hitherby listens at a door, curiously.

Pat says "I don't think so."

Pat stops at the door he is listening at, stands back, and opens it without knocking.

Elsewhere, the man blinks, then nods. "Just a moment, I'll buzz her." He taps out a number on the phone on his desk.

Daimon is in Marath's office, blissfully unaware of reality, and typing manically.

Elsewhere, a minute later, Aucune emerges from the side door, running her hand through her short hair distractedly. "Azalea, sorry. Ever have one of those days?"

Pat hms, and sees just how close he can get before Daimon notices.

Elsewhere, Azalea says "Yes."

Hitherby tiptoes in after Pat, although her cane, which is slung over her shoulder pointing up and back, bumps against the door frame.

Daimon is totally, completely, and utterly not paying attention to anything but the screen. He's to the mumbling incoherently and occasionally drinking a sip of whiskey from the conveniently placed glass stage. The room, and Daimon, has that combination sweat, alcohol, pot, and recent shower soap smell.

Elsewhere, Aucune laughs, a short noise. "Good, then you'll understand." She walks over to the man's desk. "Excuse me, Paul." She leans over and extracts a brown manilla envelope from one of the drawers."

Elsewhere, Aucune says, "Paul, Azalea. Azalea, Paul. Paul is one of our Soldiers here."

Pat scratches at his cheek, and reads the screen over Daimon's shoulder.

Elsewhere, Azalea inclines her head to Paul. "Hello."

"..... and he sat back in his chair as the main course was brought to the table before them: a human strapped to a platter, eyes filled with terror, and conveniently gagged for the continued pleasure of the patrons. The waiter smiled and asked, "A slice of the rump, sir? It was very tender in life."...."

Hitherby thonks the top of the monitor with her cane at significantly less than full strength.

Pat says "The sentence structure is a bit strained."

At the thonking, Daimon gives off a suddenly realized squack, screams something in Helltongue, and basically falls out of his chair.

Hitherby grins at Daimon, and then leaps at him for a hug. The cane gets dropped off on the floor somewhere along the way.

Pat says "I'm tempted to suggest washing your mouth out for that. Good evening."

Daimon blinks vaguely incoherently, and looks around, trying to figure out what the heck is going on.

Daimon says "Um, good evening. And uh, hi."

Elsewhere, Paul nods in return. "Good evening."

Elsewhere, Aucune says, "Paul, Azalea's one of us. She's on the cleared list for all areas of the Tether."

Elsewhere, Paul nods. "Will do."

Hitherby finishes the hug, hops back lightly, and sits on the edge of the desk.

Pat finds a chair, sits. "You've been busy, then?"

Elsewhere, Aucune turns back to Azalea. "Word came down that that information was to be passed on to you. Assignment?"

Hitherby leans forward and stretches way out and attempts to steal Pat's hat.

Daimon scrambles up off the floor to save the file and close things down. "Yeah. Yeah I guess I have."

Pat's hat is stolen without so much as a blinking of his eyes. "Good. We're getting busier. I'd like to have some progress made on Stone before this weekend. Otherwise I may feel guilty."

Hitherby dons Pat's hat jauntily.

Elsewhere, Azalea says "Yes."

Hitherby crosses her legs, and adds, "Hey."

Daimon pulls out the disk, once the file is safely saved, and slides it into a pocket. "Okay. Yeah. Sure."

Pat says "Yes?"

Elsewhere, Aucune asks, mildly, "Anything you want to talk about?"

Daimon says "Yes. I said yes. That's what we were sent here for, so that's what we do."

Pat says "I was asking Hitherby."

Daimon says "Oh. Sorry."

Pat says "It's alright."

Daimon looks for his glass of whiskey. Finds it. Becomes friends with it.

Hitherby says "It's a greeting, Pat. Derives from indutiae, Latin for a suspension of hostilities. Or possibly from Canadian. My source wasn't quite sure."

Pat blinks. Twice.

Pat says "Oh."

Hitherby says "As in, 'Hey, man, what's that bad shaking going down up at the mission?'"

Daimon eyes Hitherby.

Pat nods. "Mm." He turns back to Daimon. "How does your other assignment go?"

<> Eduardo is the only sane angel. And he's utterly psycho.

Daimon says "I talked to Sephar and Sarah for a while."

<> Pat is perfectly sane. Once he got over that little incident, that is.

Pat says "And did you find it worthy of reflection?"

<> Hitherby has been hanging out in bad parts of D.C. almost as long as there've been bad parts of D.C. Not that she *groks* any of it, but she's almost as good with human culture as a Laurentine Seraph!

Elsewhere, Azalea's lips curve. "I'm to introduce the fear of God into someone."

Daimon says "I ended up drinking alot. Don't ask me to walk a straight line or recite the alphabet backwards."

Pat says "Fair enough. I found what I was looking for, by the way."

Elsewhere, Aucune laughs. "You sound as though you're looking forward to it."

Hitherby says "Cool. I hope you were looking for something big."

Daimon says "I didn't know you were looking for something."

Elsewhere, Azalea says "Who wouldn't?"

Elsewhere, Azalea says "But there's a thin line between fearing God, and hating God, and I'm afraid of crossing it."

Pat says "I could swear I mentioned it. But we're going to London on Saturday. There's an angel there that we need to consult with."

Elsewhere, Aucune nods, and leans one hand on the desk, looking thoughtful."

Hitherby hums under her breath. "I should tell you, by the way, that rhinoceri just rock."

Daimon nods very slowly. "Sure. London. Very, uh, British. I lived there during World War II. I'm sure my hangover will have passed by then. I hope. Or maybe I just will never stop drinking again."

Hitherby says "Can't understand a word, but, you know, generally."

Pat says "Er. I'm sure they do, Hitherby."

Elsewhere, Aucune says, "Maybe that's part of the problem. That there is so thin a line."

Pat says "In their own way, of course."

Elsewhere, Azalea says "I've used the line myself. I've pushed people into hell with it."

Elsewhere, Aucune frowns. "Then you're better equipped to handle it than I am. I don't know it as well as you do."

Daimon finds a cigarette and lights it.

Hitherby's nostrils flare slightly.

Daimon says "Anyway."

Elsewhere, Azalea says "Let's hope."

Hitherby hops to her feet and paces.

Elsewhere, Aucune smiles, briefly. "Isn't that our business?"

Pat says "Anyway. I spoke with Sariel; she's willing to help us if needed. I'm still particularly fuzzy on what has gone before, so I'm going to need the details from someone who was there."

Daimon nods. Slowly. To minimize the world giggling around. "Okay, so, what now?"

Hitherby says "It's tempting to make a point to Technology."

Hitherby says "Actually, less tempting than it was a day or two ago."

Hitherby says "But still."

Elsewhere, Azalea murmurs, "As you say."

Pat says "It's entirely possible they're still a valid culprit. But claiming that Technology did something wrong is like claiming that New Mexico can be dry at times."

Elsewhere, Aucune shrugs. "Isn't it? You can disagree, you know."

Pat says "I'm more interested in Stone's link to it."

Elsewhere, Paul attempts to look busy with paper-shuffling."

Elsewhere, Azalea says "Haven't been doing it long enough to know what our business is."

Daimon says "I'm so lost."

Hitherby says, "Oh, Daimon, by the way. I think I'm a day or two behind. Look over here a moment?"

Daimon says "You're behind? I have no idea what you guys are talking about."

Hitherby waits until he does so, if he does so, and then does two very careful hops.

Daimon says "But that's okay. It's the story of my life."

Hitherby says, "Flea legend."

Hitherby says "One of the greatest of their stories, actually."

Daimon says "I-uh, go ahead."

Hitherby says "They're very, um, somatic?"

Pat lifts an eyebrow, but says nothing.

Elsewhere, Aucune's brows crease. "I guess the answer to that is Dreams. And they usually involve hope, so..." She shrugs. "I guess I'm used to the stock answer."

Daimon lifts an eyebrow at Hitherby.

Hitherby says "Roughly translated, the first hop is the story about how an evil flea wizard came along and kidnapped a princess, and the second hop is where the wizard got hungry and forgot about the princess and she escaped. There's a third hop, but it's kind of depressing, so I don't do it."

Elsewhere, Azalea says "What I think I'm to bring to this, is fear."

Hitherby says "I just figured, hey, I promised."

Hitherby says "Sorry to interrupt."

Hitherby says "I'm still a bit on edge."

Daimon just sits back down in the chair. Life is easier that way.

Elsewhere, Aucune says, "That's interesting. Can you be afraid of something without hoping that it won't happen, or vice versa?"

Hitherby thinks. "Sephar did a sweep on Terethel's connections to the sewers waybackwhen it all started, I think."

Pat says "What did he come up with?"

Hitherby says "No connection. At least, none obvious."

Pat says "Except for the fact that he was studying them."

Pat says "Terethel, that is."

Hitherby says "There are differing opinions on this."

Pat says "I'm sure there are."

Hitherby says "However, all are agreed that there is a connection. But, I mean, it's not recorded."

Pat nods. "Then we'll need to dig further. There is also the matter of the stele."

Hitherby turns sharply around before she paces into a wall and walks the other way.

Pat says "Did Sarah mention how far along she had gotten in the restoration?"

Elsewhere, Azalea says "We'll find out soon enough, I hope."

Hitherby says "Not really. She was done, though."

Hitherby says "So as far as she could go personally."

Pat nods. "Alright. We'll need to speak with her about that, then. I want to know if there is any connection."

Hitherby says, "Y'know."

Pat says "Hm?"

Hitherby says, "Anyone checked really old records to see about Makatiel Tethers hereabouts?"

Hitherby says "They'd be dead or reclaimed, but."

Daimon just hmms.

Elsewhere, Aucune nods. "Sorry. I chatter too much."

Pat nods. "It can't hurt to look into it."

Elsewhere, Aucune pauses, and raps the side of her head. "Oh, I almost forgot. We need to set you up a role. Any preferences?"

Hitherby stops and stares at a wall.

Daimon says "You ever feel like you've walked into the middle of a conversation, and you know that you should know what the hell is going on but you don't? That's my entire life. Right there. In a nutshell."

Elsewhere, Azalea says "What are my options?"

Hitherby says "How did Makatiel die again?"

Pat says "Painfully."

Hitherby says "No chance he made it to the Marches and hid?"

Elsewhere, Aucune considers. "Pretty much anything you want, in the civilian identity line. It gets fiddly if you want a lot of history or power, though."

Hitherby says "You know as much as I do, I think, Daimon. You're just drunk."

Daimon says "Ah ha. That's the secret."

Elsewhere, Azalea says "I don't."

Hitherby says "I had some rum once. I knew a lot less, which is why I got eaten."

Pat looks at Hitherby. "Dominic saw him destroyed during the Plague."

Elsewhere, Aucune nods, and sits on the edge of the desk. "So what sort of cover identity do you want?"

Elsewhere, Azalea says "I really haven't given it any thought."

Daimon eyes Hitherby.

Hitherby says, "I have no intention of moving against Stone, you understand. I mean, I don't think they've done anything wrong, and I do think they're keeping secrets, which means that if we did we would know more and they wouldn't be hurt, but I still won't."

Pat says "I do not believe any punishment is involved in this matter, Hitherby. But investigation most certainly is."

Elsewhere, Aucune says, "Well, we don't have to fix it up right this minute. You're bound to need one sometime, though."

Elsewhere, Azalea says "Have you any suggestions? I need something that will leave my nights free."

Elsewhere, Aucune says, "Teacher? Author? It'd probably be easier if it didn't have regular duties. Musician?"

Hitherby nods, still facing the wall. "I know."

Elsewhere, Azalea says "Teacher. I like that."

Pat says "If you are uncomfortable with the prospect, you are under no obligation to assist. It won't reflect poorly."

Daimon humms under his breath. "I wish there was something real, I wish there was something true...." Then he blinks. "So are you starting to dig that Stone is really behind all of... this? Or some of it?"

Elsewhere, Aucune says, "Freelance tutor, or someone giving regular classes?"

Pat says "The matter of Christopher and the Free is still not clarified, Daimon. We have definitive links between Terethel and the incident in the sewers. We must know more. It is imperative."

Elsewhere, Azalea says "I suppose it would have to be the former. Or a lecturer, someone who came in to a college or university from time to time."

Elsewhere, Aucune thinks. "We may be able to swing something with one of the local universities or colleges. Any particular subject?"

Elsewhere, Azalea says "History, religion."

Elsewhere, Azalea says "Philosophy, even."

Daimon says "It's also our orders. So what is our next move, oh great planner? Do we go back to the Stone Tether and accost them there? Or do we pry into their computers? Or do we just track Stonies down and give them the business? Or what?"

Elsewhere, Aucune nods. "We can get an identity made up for that, no problem. Want a driving licence and so on in that name? And credit cards, the usual?"

Hitherby says, "The Catacombs have an interesting symbolism."

Elsewhere, Azalea says "Please. If I might."

Pat says "We don't accost anyone. There is nowhere near enough information for an accusation. I would like to explore our other sources before calling upon Sariel again, so that we can have some sense of what questions we need answered. The chance that she is personally involved is minimal, and I do not wish to strain her good will."

Elsewhere, Aucune says, "No problem." She turns. "Paul, I know you're listening. Can we get that fixed up by the morning?"

Elsewhere, Paul looks thoughtful. "The basic stuff, sure. Ties with a university are going to take a little longer, but the basic freelance tutor id and cards and licence and whatnot is all standard."

Elsewhere, Paul turns to Azalea. "We have a standing arrangement with Trade's people for the credit cards."

Daimon says "So what leads do we have? Humor me, and enumerate the list. And, um, can someone get me some coffee?"

Pat says "Terethel. The stele. Christopher."

Elsewhere, Azalea nods to Paul.

Hitherby turns around, eyes thoughtful.

Hitherby leans against the wall she has been staring at.

Daimon says "Is that it?"

Pat says "For the moment, yes."

Pat says "None of those, I'll note, have been fully explored."

Elsewhere, Aucune asks, "Will you be wanting a room here, or are you arranging your own housing?"

Daimon says "Those are some fairly shitty leads, Pat."

Pat says "I know."

Pat says "This is why we're investigating them."

Daimon says "Two are dead, and is a pile of broken rock. I mean, it's not exactly anything to start from."

Elsewhere, Azalea says "I've been staying at Sistine's."

Pat quirks an eyebrow. "Daimon, all good mysteries start with a corpse."

Elsewhere, Aucune nods. "Want to keep on doing that, or have you any plans?"

Daimon says "I know. I would think Terethel is the easiest to start with. Where did he work, what friends did he have, who did he hang around with, who saw him last. Other then his murderers of course."

Elsewhere, Azalea says "I haven't any plans."

Hitherby says, thoughtfully, "The symbolism of the Catacombs is secrets and walls."

Pat says "How likely is it that the Lilim could be pressured?"

Elsewhere, Aucune says, "Well, you're always welcome to stay here if you want to."

Hitherby says, "Consider the possibility that Stone was *given* this secret to keep, and to guard." She thinks. "And not by God. And not by the Council, or the Archangels as a group, because then Dominic would know. Possibly by David."

Hitherby says "Or not. I'm probably rambling."

Pat looks at Hitherby. "If the evidence points in that direction, then it goes beyond our grasp. It is far from our place to accuse an Archangel."

Daimon says "Lilim can be pressured. Lilim can be geased."

Pat says "What was her name again?"

Daimon says "Ashley, I think."

Pat nods. "Can you pursue that thread, then?"

Hitherby says, distracted, "It's not an accusation."

Hitherby says "I'm wondering who would have it in the first place? Who was supposed to know about old Makatiel stuff? Who was officially responsible for it? I mean, someone had to be."

Daimon says "Can I go looking into Lilim? Only if I want to die messily right now. I'm not on great terms with anyone at the moment. Maybe after the newness wears off in a decade or so."

Elsewhere, Azalea inclines her head.

Pat nods to Daimon. "Alright."

Daimon says "When Malik shows, I'll ask, though."

Pat says "Your sister?"

Daimon says "If she's still talking to me after we talk. I keep shedding friends like a bird sheds feathers when moulting."

Pat says "She's coming here?"

Daimon says "Yes."

Daimon says "

Elsewhere, Aucune sighs. "And now it sounds as if I'm pressuring you. Damn. I'm no good at this touchy-feely stuff."

Daimon says "Not to you here. To me here. To away from all of you and the swords and the blood and the screaming and the yelling here."

Daimon says "I might be swiping Sarah's car and just driving away from here for the day."

Pat gives Daimon a /look/.

Hitherby says, "There are the sewers. I've never seen the place, but I hear we didn't look too carefully the last time we were down there."

Hitherby says "I mean, I've seen sewers."

Hitherby says "But you know."

Elsewhere, Azalea says "I hadn't noticed, honestly."

Elsewhere, Aucune laughs."

Elsewhere, Aucune says, "Thank you."

Daimon gives Pat a /look/ on back.

Elsewhere, Aucune says, "Is there anything else we can sort out for you this end, or that you need information on?"

Hitherby says, thoughtfully, "No chance Christopher could have discovered the false Heaven? He was found by the Far Marches."

Elsewhere, Azalea says "I'll know once I look at the file, I think."

Hitherby says "It doesn't seem to click, mind."

Elsewhere, Aucune nods. "Okay. In that case, I probably need to be getting back to my caseload. Paul, can you assist Azalea if there's anything else she needs?"

Pat blinks. To Daimon, "We'll discuss this later." To Hitherby, after turning in her direction, "That's very possible. Complicating, mind you, but possible."

Elsewhere, Paul nods. "No problem, ma'am."

Daimon crosses his arms. Clearly. "That's entirely possible."

Hitherby says "If so ..."

Hitherby thinks deeply.

Daimon says "Then it's a dead end. That place is gone until they rebuild it again."

Pat says "If so, we need to have all the connections drawn as clearly as possible, as soon as possible."

Pat pulls out his phone and dials good old Eddie.

Hitherby says "One thing, about that false Heaven place."

Hitherby says "Technology was setting up something there."

Daimon says "Everyone was setting something up there."

Elsewhere, Azalea says "Thank you, Paul, Aucune."

Hitherby says "Not that I noticed."

Elsewhere, Aucune says, "A pleasure," and leaves, already running her hand through her hair again.

Elsewhere, Paul nods, and looks blithely helpful.

Hitherby says "I mean, everyone *had set up* something there, but that's different."

Hitherby says "This was 'hey, we're Technology, let's build a big nasty device outside the Halls of Progress right around now.'"

Hitherby says "Which is making me think -- what if Terethel wasn't upset because the telescope place was a *Technology Tether*, but because the *telescope place* was a Technology Tether."

Elsewhere, Azalea departs.

Pat says "Can you elaborate on that?"

Daimon says "He wanted the telescope?"

Hitherby waves her hands around. "This is so out of my field. I just mean -- it looks up into space, right? So it could shoot something out there and ... maybe have disease rain all over the Earth or something? Or drugs for mind control?"

Elsewhere, outside, all is dark and peaceful. Moonlight falls across the area in long streaks of light, and in the distance the city hums.

Pat says "I'm afraid not, Hitherby. It's the control station for a satellite that's already in orbit."

Hitherby says, "Oh."

Hitherby thinks.

Hitherby says, in a small voice, "I think that could be even worse but I'm having trouble converting the words of those English thoughts into images."

Elsewhere, Azalea drives back to Sistine's, and goes to her room.

<> Sephar loves Hitherby. Utterly.

Pat says "A small moon in space, that looks out to the stars."

Elsewhere, Azalea hears the sound of conversation from Marath's office, and sees a light on there. She continues to her room.

Pat says "The building receives the messages."

Hitherby thinks.

Daimon says "It could be a satellite that has been placed there by aliens and has been orbitting since the time of Christ, and is just now beginning to beam its unholy exogesis into the minds of receptive humans to bring about a new Messiah."

Hitherby says, "Okay."

Eduardo answers the phone, a vague fumbling heard as if he hit the wrong buttons a couple of times before realising it was connected. "Detective Chavez."

Pat says "Er."

Pat says "Ah. Eduardo. It's Pat."

Elsewhere, she finds that her room is peaceful and undisturbed.

Eduardo pauses a moment, as if making some unseen gesture.

Elsewhere, Azalea reads through the file.

Hitherby says, "Scenario. Christopher and Terethel discover something nasty about a new Technology device. Something that would be bad on Earth or in the broken Heaven, and I can describe what it would look like. Terethel follows the trail to the telescope -- maybe from the sewers. Christopher follows the trail to the false Heaven."

Pat takes that pause as a nod of acknowledgement, and goes on. "There should be a body in the morgue. Likely John Doe, possibly not. Found in a casket in the museum. Blunt force trauma, shattered rib cage, at least one bullet wound."

Elsewhere, the file holds a couple of photographs of this Harold Seth, one of him in front of an average brownstone, one of him getting into a car, in business suit both times.

<> Pat says "It's easy to describe your own victims."

<> Demiurge says "Eduardo, yes, there is such a body in the morgue, product of some hysterical SATANIC RITE MURDER IN MUSEUM headlines earlier today."

<> Hitherby says "What did the machine I saw them setting up look like, btw?"

Elsewhere, the file also gives his name, an address (in central DC), the name of a firm where he works (Cassamon Drycleaning).

<> Demiurge says "Weird. Some sort of ray projector."

<> Pat says "Vapulans? With a ray projector?"

<> Pat may faint.

Daimon says "Hitherby, I think you shouldn't be folding the Fake Heaven into this quite yet."

<> Sephar giggles at Pat.

Elsewhere, in the file, there's also a brief typed note saying, "Fate uncertain, but believed to be unpleasant. Intervention authorised. Query - money problems?"

Hitherby says "It looked like a giant supergun."

Hitherby says "Maybe the satellite is scheduled to come to the Tether sometime soon and pick one up? Then it could shoot the Earth."

<> Demiurge says "I frequently like Hitherby's ideas even better than my own. ;)"

<> Sephar grins.

<> arcangel grins too.

<> Hitherby beams.

Daimon says "Maybe it's a mind control ray to force people to consume more brand products. Buy Levi! Buy Green Giant! Don't buy I Can't Believe it's not Butter, because no one will believe it! Buy buy buy buy! And of course, people swarm the malls."

Hitherby says "That would be bad."

Daimon says "Entirely plausible."

Hitherby says "I think it's something to spread disease, though. Or something like disease."

Daimon says "That's no fun."

Hitherby says "Not necessarily an illness. But something Makatiel-stuff would help learn about."

<> Pat says "The Big Book of Makatiel."

<> Shannen gives everyone aluminum hats to ward off the Mind Control Rays.

<> Daimon wears an aluminum hat.

<> Pat already has one. 'Standard Issue."

Daimon says "Maybe it's a mind control ray to force people to listen to crappy Top 40 stations, where they play the same 10 songs on the set over and over. I mean, there has to be something unnatural and satanic to get people to listen to that all day and _like it_."

Hitherby says "I'd want to look at Makatiel stuff if I were developing anything intended to be transmissable, even if it wasn't disease."

<> Pat says "Yeah. Nybbas."

Pat covers the microphone. "I thought that was Terry, Daimon."

Daimon says "Oh. Yeah."

Daimon pauses.

Daimon says "But he doesn't have orbital mind control lasers. Just a big mouth and a lot of slime."

Eduardo speaks again. "Sorry. Someone at my desk." He pauses, and you can hear a grim smile in his voice. "Seems I've been assigned to investigate some 'satanic rite murder."

<> Azalea hopes she was responsible.

<> Pat was. :)

There is a sound of ruffling paper, and then "The autopsy looks awfully familiar."

Pat says "Familiar in what sense?"

Eduardo laughs, a short, harsh, sound. "Found in a casket in a museum. Blunt force trauma, shattered rib cage. And a bullet wound."

Pat says "Fancy that. Any name for him?"

You paged Eduardo with 'The corpse was found stuffed into a sarcophagus in one of the Egyptian rooms. The criminals had also smashed a stele on the wall, and broken a window, and knocked out a security guard.'.

You paged Eduardo with 'No name.'.

Daimon says "How about..... mind control lasers that force people to donate to people like Jimmy Swaggart. I mean, have you ever watched those shows?"

Eduardo shakes his head - another of those futile, anachronistic gestures. "No name." There is the sound of further paper riffling. "It sounds like you know more than I do."

Pat says "I think he was Heartless. Not from downstairs, and he deserved what he got."

Pat says "What can you get for me?"

Hitherby says, calmly, "No, I have not."

Eduardo purses his lips. "So this one is unsolved?"

Hitherby says "Do you have some unusual attachment to Terethel, Daimon? You seem to be unusually derisive whensoever we discuss the matter."

Pat says "Unless we can find his partner."

Daimon says "Me? Nope."

There is the sound of a folder being closed, then Eduardo tapping his fingers on the cover. "Hnh."

Eduardo says "It is a start."

Pat says "Can you get me pictures of Mr. Doe? I'd like to see if I can find someone who would recognize him."

<> Demiurge says "You can get photos, yes."

Daimon fishes around Marath's desk until he comes up with a pad of paper and a pen, and he starts writing down some ideas on some random stuff.

Eduardo nods into the phone once more. This time however, he adds a grunt that is probably affirmative, and then 'It's my case."

Eduardo says "You know who killed him?"

Pat says "Yes. I'll tell you when you bring the photos by."

Eduardo nods into the phone again, and then there is the sound of papers being gathered. "It'll be a little while."

Pat says "No problem. You know how to reach me."

Eduardo says "Yup."

Pat says "Thank you, Edward."

Daimon says "Anything?"

Eduardo says "Godspeed, Pat."

Pat hangs up. "Apparently, I'm a satanic ritual killer."

Pat smiles drier than the Gobi.

Daimon says "Really? Are you going to add that to your resume?"

Daimon says "Sounds to me like Terry is going to fight back."

Pat says "I don't think so."

Pat says "Eddie is bringing me pictures of the corpse. I'm going to see if it a known Vessel."

Daimon stands up wobbly. "Wouldn't be the first time. Using Media to advantage, you know. It's a good ally. It's a suck enemy."

Daimon nods. "Logical."

Pat says "Hitherby, do you think you can remember what the other man at the museum looked like?"

Hitherby thinks.

Hitherby says "The one who got away? Pretty well, although he had my coat over his head some."

Hitherby says "But you don't put a guy's heart back together without getting to know him at least a little."

Pat nods. "Good. I want to be able to give Edward someone to chase."

Daimon says "Just what every Malakite needs. Something to chase. And I mean that in a good way."

Pat says "He's going to be upset when I told him who his murderer is."

Daimon says "Likely. Were you cruel?"

Pat says "Not intentionally. Perhaps accidentally."

Daimon says "Ah."

Daimon says "So what now?"

Hitherby says, "You could come down and watch monkeys with me."

Daimon says "We can either try to pursue things all night, or we can go home and declare this day done."

Pat says "I can't see a reason to disturb anyone else at this hour."

Daimon says "Home, Pat? Try to deal with stuff in the morning?"

Hitherby shrugs expressively. "No home. No real desire to pursue things. I can go be things for a while, though."

Daimon says "Errrum, do you want to come be things _with_ us, Hitherby?"

Hitherby says, philosophically, "I am not very good at being things today, but if you promise not to laugh, then company is always welcome."

Pat says "You're more than welcome. I'll likely be poring over records all night."

Daimon says "And I'll just go back to my little psychotic fugue."

Pat says "Unless you feel you have something to share with Hitherby."

Hitherby says, "I am not adept at singing psychotic fugues, but we could share a biscuit."

Daimon blinks.

Daimon says "Either that, or I could solipsize and bitch about my life. But I'm so not in the mood."

Hitherby says, "I will rain onto Pat's hat as you leave, then."

Pat says "You're still wearing it."

Hitherby says, "I know, and I look extremely jaunty."

Pat chuckles. "May I have it back?"

Daimon says "My life is becoming too surreal even for me."

Hitherby pops it off, spins it on a finger, and tosses it in Pat's direction, the ladybug clinging with all its might.

Pat snatches the hat out of the air and returns it to his head. "Drop your host off, Hitherby, and we'll head out."

Hitherby says "Gotcha!"

Hitherby heads for the stairs and slides down them before slipping the cane into her hand, sitting down, and dropping the host.

The host blinks, then evidently decides she must clearly have just been visiting the restroom, and goes to a table.

Daimon settles, with some of the whiskey really kicking in, into his normal obsessive vague pointless sulk. It's late.

Pat guides the Sulking One out the door.

Daimon waves to Marath on the way out.

Hitherby rains onto Pat's hat.

Pat doesn't let it get him down. Just gets outside and hails a cab back home, one drunken depressive in tow and numerous Kyriotate on his chapeau.

Marath waves to the two men (and the insect). "Take care now!"

Hitherby hums thoughtfully, having rained most of the Sistineswarm to the hat, "If I'm wrong, what *else* did they need a giant gun thingie in that place for?"

Hitherby says "I suppose it could have been in case of angelic attack."

Hitherby says "Except, well, angels attacked."

Pat says "They're Vapulan, Hitherby. They have yet to not find an excuse for a giant gun thingie."

<> Hitherby says "When Angels Attack! 9pm on FOX."

<> Sephar giggles.

Hitherby says "Then it would have been old."

Hitherby says "But okay."

Hitherby paces around on the hat.

Hitherby says "Marath said once that she didn't get the timing."

Hitherby says "Disturbance number one. Probably the guardian getting killed."

Hitherby says "Then the Vapulans came back. Like, a day later."

Hitherby paces around.

Pat says "They could have been waiting for the coast to be clear."

Hitherby says "Or *Terethel* took out the guardian."

Hitherby says "And the disturbance followed him out, which put Vapula on his trail."

Pat says "The disturbance wasn't one of destruction."

Hitherby says "It was martial Songs."

Pat says "And abandonment of the flesh."

Hitherby says "Okay."

Hitherby says "Let's suppose that Vapula had some people in the area. Maybe they were *generally* alerted by the same thing Terethel was, but he found the precise location first."

Daimon leans his head against Pat's shoulder in the back of the taxi.

Pat says "Go on."

Hitherby says "He goes in and kills the guardian, but has to leave for some reason. Like, it's mortally wounded but still dangerous. Or he's mortally wounded and needs healing. Or, he realizes what a big noise he's made."

Hitherby says "On his way out, Vapulans trace the disturbance -- well, his half -- to him."

Hitherby says "He spots their car or something. It's got Hubble written on it."

Hitherby says "He loses them. Thinks about what to do. Makes a phone call to find out who Hubble is."

Hitherby says "They look up his description in their big Vapulan computer."

<> Sephar falls over laughing.

Hitherby says "They go to his apartment."

Hitherby says "They use Ethereal Attraction, or a resonance, or something, to get around his stubbornness so he'll show them the precise location."

Hitherby says "They take him away."

Hitherby says "They don't trust the information yet. Or something odd is up."

Pat says "Paranoia is always a possibility."

Hitherby says "But around the time that our people arrive, some higher-up -- maybe spots Liz and stuff going into the sewers. Doesn't warn his people -- dunno why. Maybe it's just coincidence, the timing."

Hitherby says "They go in, fight Liz, etcetera."

Pat nods.

Hitherby says "We know the rest."

Hitherby says "Given a paucity of evidence, it has awfully few holes, which makes it a could be."

Daimon closes his eyes.

Hitherby says "Corroborating evidence:"

Pat says "We still can't be sure he's dead."

Hitherby says "If Stone knew about something icky, they wouldn't leave a demonic guardian watching it."

Hitherby says "They wouldn't say, 'Oh, that Makatiel, he's a kick and a half, bet his guardian will really mess up anyone trying to steal that, yes sir!'"

Hitherby says "They would say, 'Okay. We know the enemy. We know the target. Go!'"

Pat says "Unless they didn't know."

Hitherby says "Right."

Hitherby says "So he was looking into it when things went down. Or acting on it."

Hitherby says "It wasn't a secret sitting around for centuries, even if I did like that theory."

Pat says "The city isn't that old."

Hitherby says "Well, yah. But I suspect that part of the sewers might be."

Pat says "Why is that?"

Hitherby says "Makatiel died a long time ago. We know the Archangelic response to the box -- destroy it. We know the Demon Prince response, too -- use it! Even if we don't have direct evidence to that effect."

Hitherby says "So I'm thinking the guardian's been there a while."

Pat says "Makatiel died in the fourteenth century. In Europe."

Hitherby says "'Zackly."

Pat says "How much do we know about the guardian?"

Hitherby says "You'd have to ask someone who was there. He was dirty, I think. Lived in squalor. But I may be misremembering."

Pat says "I'll ask."

Daimon says "Djinn."

Hitherby says "The thing is, even if the humans here back then were fairly low population density and all, the Princes still knew America existed."

Hitherby says "Kind of a good place to hide something."

Hitherby bounces slightly on the hat.

Hitherby says "If you do all your work in Europe, I mean."

Daimon says "There were plenty of people here before the Europeans came."

Hitherby says "They were not this crowded."

Hitherby says "But true!"

Daimon says "They did not have huge disease, but they had some."

Hitherby says "Yup."

Hitherby says "So Makatiel could have had a presence here."

Hitherby says "Even while going to town on the Europeans."

Hitherby mulls.

Hitherby says "We come to Christopher's involvement."

Daimon says "All he needed was a few servitors here, and that explains how things got into the sewers."

Daimon goes back to being quiet.

Hitherby says "Now, the scariest possible idea is that Terethel actually got away with something important, passed it to Christopher, Christopher started studying it, and it killed him."

Hitherby says "I think that's inconsistent with the facts, but I don't remember clearly enough."

Pat says "But there were no sewers in the fourteenth century. This area was all swampland."

Hitherby says "Hm."

Hitherby says "It *is* hard to have caverns under a swamp, isn't it."

Pat says "It wasn't developed until the early nineteenth century. This city is younger than I am."

Hitherby says "Maybe the Djinn lived under the swamp's surface and didn't bother moving even when they built the city on top of him and sewers around him?"

Hitherby says "Being able to live in a swamp seems sort of like a Disease thing."

Hitherby says "Mind, I'm convinced. Just thinking randomly."

Pat says "We're deep into speculation."

Hitherby bounces slightly. "Yes."

Hitherby says, "Okay. So it was stashed there after D.C.. I guess the Djinn could have moved it, or it was moved by a Prince."

Hitherby reflects. "Well, there's one reason an Archangel *could* keep it around, I suppose."

Daimon says "Or an Archangel hid it."

Hitherby says "Which is as bait."

Hitherby says "But otherwise, I figure they'd just zap it."

Hitherby says "Like Jean."

<> Sephar loves its Boss.

Daimon says "Maybe one of David's servitors had it until recently, and then buried it in the sewers... I dunno. Maybe he fell and walled himself up."

Pat says "Hm."

Pat says "There's a thought."

Hitherby says "I dunno."

Hitherby says "It really doesn't seem, bait or not, like an angel would keep it."

<> Pat says "Daimon is thinking that any angel can fall! It's so sweet!"

<> Pat gives Daimon a cookie.

Daimon says "He would if he was ordered. Or attuned."

<> Daimon munches the cookie, and continues to keep his head on Pat's shoulder.

Hitherby says, "I include Archangels in the angel category."

Hitherby says "I mean, for that statement."

Hitherby says "Obviously, sometimes I will say 'angel' and mean 'Servitor angel'."

Hitherby says "But not then."

Pat hms, watching out the window as he thinks.

Daimon says "Who knows."

Pat says "Not us. Not yet."

Hitherby reflects.

Hitherby says "If something *did* just tip off Terethel and Tech, or Tech, or Terethel -- what would it have been?"

Hitherby says "Do you remember anything that would have called attention to disease or something in the sewers *before* that first disturbance?"

Hitherby says "Oh wow."

Hitherby chrisks.

Daimon just closes his eyes again.

Hitherby says "Suppose that he didn't actually want the disease?"

Hitherby says "Suppose he wanted the box?"

Pat says "It's still supposition."

Hitherby thinks. "Suppose that David takes nasty things and puts them in special boxes, and after that, he doesn't have to worry as much about them? And Vapula wants to know how to open them? Or possibly just how to open Makatiel's stuff."

Hitherby sighs, cleverly using her wings. "I'll be quiet now."

Pat says "I just would like more solid evidence to act on."

Hitherby moves down to the rim of the hat.

Hitherby leans one self over to look at Pat's face.

Pat peers at the insect.

Hitherby says, "We seem to acquire solid evidence of a terrorist five minutes before the bomb."

Hitherby says "I would work on stretching this out to ten minutes before attempting to jump to days."

Daimon slips a bit when Pat leans to peer, and sits upright, blinking.

Pat says "I'm not entirely certain the hospital was related."

Hitherby says "I was speaking similishly."

Pat says "Ah."

Hitherby says "I am willing to believe that the hospital was unrelated. Demons have a long and unpleasant tradition for doing bad things."

Pat says "Since their first days, in fact"

Daimon tries to find a different bit of Pat which will sit still to lean against.

Hitherby says "Well, it might not have been the first days. Possibly the original division was more along the lines of a soccer match and it wasn't until the second week and a series of bad umpire calls that the demons got all reversed-resonancy."

Hitherby says "But you're probably right."

The taxi pulls up outside Pat's.

Pat does a spot check for Calabim, pays the driver, and heads for the house.

<> Demiurge says "No Calabim. Not at this time of night. :)"

<> Hitherby says, "Um, Pat, we forgot Daimon." <-- just kidding.

<> Demiurge | The taxi speeds off into the night, carrying the sleeping Daimon with it.

<> Hitherby nods!

<> Daimon giggles.

<> Hitherby | "Excellent ride, my good man. I'm afraid I have no money with which to tip you, but here is this fine Redeemed Lilim."

Pat helps Daimon into the house. "At least you won't be drinking tonight, Daimon."

<> Daimon | The taxi drier says "He's broke."

Hitherby says, helpfully, "I took care of that in advance."

Daimon sighs at Pat. "No more?"

Hitherby says "Another example of my keen Kyriotate foresight."

Pat says "Phil took it all, Daimon."

Daimon says "Oh."

Hitherby says "However, we do have an excellent vintage of water. I believe it first passed through the D.C. water system in 1978, and has been circulating ever since."

Daimon decides that the couch is a lovely place, though.

Hitherby says, cleverly, "I will go and practice my jumps now, and think about gorillas."

Hitherby hops off the hat and scurries to a counter, where she practices jumping and thinks about gorillas.

Daimon climbs onto the couch in the living room. Couch soft. Couch not spinning.

Pat settles down in front of his computer, and starts the record digging.

Daimon says "Are you gonna use the computer all night?"

Pat says "It depends on what I find or do not find."

Daimon says "Can you find me a new brain?"

Pat says "I'll look. Why do you want one?"

Daimon says "Because I'm tired of mine."

Pat says "Ah. I'd think you'd be used to it by now."

Daimon says "I've never really gotten used to it. Tonight, I was thinking how nice it would be if someone came along and say, removed a certain force or two so I didn't have to _remember_ anything."

Pat says "You wouldn't be yourself then, now would you?"

Daimon says "I'd be someone else, who had an easier time of things."

Pat says "You can't be sure of that."

Daimon says "But if I was, say, rearranged, I wouldn't be able to tell the difference."

Pat says "The rest of us would."

Daimon says "True. You know that Sephar yelled at me?"

Pat says "Yelled at you?"

Pat says "For?"

Daimon says "Being a conceited idiot. How dare I be presumptious to think what I thought. And of course, Sephar was right."

Pat says "Ah. You've been reflecting."

Daimon says "This sucks shit through a straw. I just thought you should know that."

Pat says "Good."

Daimon says "I would rather have been beaten, I think. At least I wouldn't have to think about it later."

Pat says "And you'd forget it, in time."

Daimon says "Probably."

Daimon sits up, finds a pillow, snags it, and shoves it under his head. He flops back on the couch.

Pat types. Type type type.

Daimon says "I'm writing a book."

Pat says "I noticed."

Daimon says "It's sort of obsessive. But I just started. I've got about the first few dozen pages."

Pat says "Well, I look forward to reading it, then."

Daimon says "I don't know what the hell I'm trying to do."

Pat says "But do you know what you're doing?"

Daimon says "Not 'I don't know what I'm writing'. I have half a dozen other story ideas now written on this pad I swiped from Marath."

Daimon says "I know what I'm doing. It's the why that is bothering me."

Pat says "What are you doing?"

Daimon says "I'm writing about Hell."

Pat says "Alright. And why is it bothering you?"

<> Pat has secretly been replaced with ELIZA

<> Daimon has noticed. :)

<> Daimon says "I live with my therapist."

<> Pat says "Yep."

<> Daimon says "I'm on the couch and everything."

Daimon says "It's not healthy to obsess about Hell. I feel like, I dunno, I gotta prove that I'm still _me_."

Pat says "Have you considered that maybe you need precisely this? To express everything at once?"

Daimon says "To tell everyone exactly how I feel about the place and the people in it?"

Pat says "Yes."

Daimon says "Granted, how I feel is not real positive."

Pat says "It shouldn't be. Hell is not a real positive place."

Daimon says "Not really. And it's just starting to really sink into me what happened. I mean, I can see it not bugging you, you have no emotions. You just deal. But it's gonna be bothering me hard for a while."

Pat nods. "I know. And for what it's worth, it bugs me quite a bit." Type type.

Daimon says "I sort of feel like my life, up to the point of Redemption, was a waste of forces. This should be a positive thing, and it is, but it's sad at the same time."

Pat says "Understandable. You're questioning whether you had any worth at all before that point."

Daimon says "I don't think I did. Except as an employee who got work done when he wasn't locking himself in bathrooms, shooting up, or attempting various forms of suicide in new and interesting ways."

Pat says "What, then, do you feel brought you to the point of Redemption? If you had no worth, why were you not executed that night at the opera house?"

Daimon says "I'm not entirely sure. I thought, at that moment, that was it, you know. Game over. Time up. That time I was going to die. No more dodging people through traffic. No more slipping out of buildings trying to avoid confrontations. And it was so damned ironic, because it was one of the times I really didn't _want_ to die. I was, for once, working and doing okay and going along with my life."

Pat says "And you didn't die."

Daimon says "No, I didn't. Nearly wet my pants, but no, no death. Although I would have just accepted it as the way of the universe. If there is a top ten list for people who really hate the War, I'm probably on there somewhere. But I've always figured there are just things I cannot control, and part of it was being born me and you born you. But I got out. It's still got it's grip on my soul in a really unpleasant way, but I got out."

Pat nods.

Daimon says "I should be happy. Mostly, I'm not happy. Just relieved."

Pat says "Happiness comes later."

Daimon says "What comes now? Just the relief and the anger?"

Pat says "For a time, yes."

Daimon says "Deep down inside, I feel righteously pissed off."

Pat says "At?"

Daimon says "Hell, mostly. Me for buying all that crap. Them for telling it to me. The whole system."

Pat says "And thus the book?"

Daimon says "And thus, I guess I'm writing it because I have to."

Pat says "There's nothing shameful in that."

Daimon says "I feel used and dirty, Pat."

Pat says "Then you require absolution, Daimon."

Daimon says "Then I don't know what I need. I haven't felt like this - well, at least not this badly - in years."

Pat says "It's a transitional phase, Daimon. Do you remember what I said about thinking to hard about it?"

Daimon says "Yeah. And I'm thinking again."

Pat says "You are."

Daimon says "It's a bad habit. Therefore, I should watch TV and let my brain turn to cheese wizz."

Pat says "Finish your book. It will be good for you. Complete your penance. You need it. But not now. Now, you take whatever's left in my refrigerator, grab the remote control, and try not to think."

Daimon gets up off the couch - slowly, very slowly, because lots of whiskey is fun for everyone - and trundles off to the kitchen. Some rattling and swearing later, he returns with an old piece of pizza. The TV controller yields up mindless sitcoms.

Pat types. Type type type.

<> Sabriel switches the channel to 'Touched By An Angel'.

Daimon says "Tell me if you find anything, 'kay?"

Pat says "I'm starting with the maps Terethel was looking at last."

Daimon has a pillow. And now a blanket. "Okay. Sewer maps."

Pat says "I'm trying to see what he saw."

Pat says "It may take time."

Daimon nods, and becomes a living heap on the couch. "Okay."

Pat says "He had an architect's eyes. I do not."

Daimon says "Me neither. I'm just a mild mannered lunatic."

Pat says "Quite."

Pat considers. "I think I'll be going to Paris while you're in London."

Daimon says "Really? Why?"

Pat says "Ashley."

Daimon says "What is she doing in Paris, other then taking in the sights and sleeping with smell French men?"

Pat says "I don't think she is. But Jezebel is."

<> Pat has this list of Lilim, see. :)

Daimon says "Who?"

Pat says "Jezebel. One of your Sisters."

Daimon says "I love having relatives I've never met."

Pat says "Unfortunately, I don't know when she entered Laurence's service, or I might be able to give you a time you would know her from."

Daimon blinks.

Daimon says "Whose?"

Pat says "Laurence."

Daimon says "You shit me not."

Pat says "No shit."

<> Shannen says "Yes, she gets to look at Laurence-butt."

Daimon blinks several times.

<> Pat says "The real reason she follows him into battle. To get the view from behind."

Daimon says "That's so wacky."

Pat says "Oh, quite."

Daimon says "Of course, I'm sure she'd say the same about me. 'Why did you agree to work for Tall, Dark, and Gloomy?' 'Because.' 'Well, same reason here, chester.'"

Pat says "Either that, or she really likes leather. Either way, I should speak with her."

Daimon says "Leather is a fine thing."

Daimon says "Maybe she just likes authority."

Daimon says "Me, I like warm blankets. Good thing I have one."

Pat says "Indeed."

Daimon says "A man of simple tastes am I. I want the War to end, my life to make sense, and a warm blanket. Luckily, I consider one out of three to be doing pretty good."

Pat says "And work towards two."

Daimon is rapidly getting overtaken by alcohol, warm food, and comfortable spot on the couch. ---

Fiat Justitia