To Question Stone

It's early Thursday morning. Light slants through the curtains to touch the sofa where Daimon is huddled.

Daimon huddles, and sleeps. It's very warm and comfy, and the couch has become a Lilimhutch.

Pat is still awake, click click clicking on the computer, a small pile of notes and fax papers next to it on the desk.

Hitherby is scattered through the house in many 1-bug swarms, hunting herself and playing other such Kyriotate games.

Hitherby, near Daimon, suddenly leaps out from hiding and tags herself, and then scurries the tagger away.

Hitherby . o O ( You're too quick for me, Oboth, darn you! )

<> Liz says solemnly to Pat, "There's a roach football game going on in your kitchen. They're using an olive as the ball."

<> Pat says "Just as long as they don't cheat."

<> Hitherby says "The umpire somehow always knows."

<> Hitherby says "Pat's house is going to be the witness to the ultimate test of Kyrio fitness."

<> Demiurge says "This grips me more than would a mouldy old river or reclining Buddha!"

<> Azalea says "I get my kicks above the waistline, sunshine"

<> Demiurge says "Thank God I'm only watching the Game... controlling it..."

Hitherby hops up on Daimon's nose and chirps.

Daimon, mostly unconscious, makes a vague swatting motion, and huddles down further in the blankets, pulling one over his head.

Hitherby acrobatically dodges!

Pat looks over mildly at the tussle on the couch.

Daimon falls back to being completely asleep.

Hitherby rolls smoothly across Daimon's eye and makes a great Jet Li leap for the other side of the couch.

Hitherby decides morning calisthenics are over and starts reassembling.

Pat checks the time. Not quite start of business yet, but Daimon's stereotypically bad when it comes to waking up. He stands and walks over to the couch.

<> Hitherby wonders thoughtfully if a swarm voice is good enough to do the Army wake up tantara.

All is calm and peaceful.

<> Demiurge says "May depend how close to the ear you are, Hitherby."

Pat shakes Daimon's shoulder. Not entirely ungently.

Daimon makes a noise, and tries to shoo the hand away.

Pat's hand does not acrobatically dodge. In fact, it keeps shaking.

Daimon makes another, louder noise, and starts to sit up, blinking around tiredly.

Pat says "You slept through dawn."

Daimon says "I did?"

Hitherby successfully reassembles, and forms a globe.

Daimon looks at his watch.

Pat moves back to his desk, lights a cigarette, and tosses the pack at Daimon.

Hitherby says, "More precisely, there is sunlight coming in from outside. We may be naively mistaking the signs."

Hitherby says "Perhaps a giant fiery monster is hanging in the sky and sending us wordless Celestial Tongues."

Hitherby says "Actually, I guess that could be true every day."

Daimon scrambles into a sitting up position, and takes the smokes. A second later, he has a lit one. "Wow. I can't believe I slept through dawn."

Hitherby says "How would we know?"

<> Sephar says "Contemplates God sending every Angel a wordless Celestial Tongues message."

<> Sephar likes that.

Daimon just takes a drag. Giant fiery monsters sending wordless celestial tongues is too bizarre for him right at this _exact_ second.

<> Jo says "| Good morning, Angel 47891. This is your wake up call. Have a nice day."

Pat leans against the desk. "Sleep well?"

Daimon says "Just like a rock."

Hitherby says "Do rocks sleep?"

Pat says "Funny you should choose that metaphor."

Daimon says "Ah. That's the 'get your ass off the couch and into the shower' cue from the oh so subtle Elohite in the room."

Hitherby waves a bug at Pat. "Elohite sense of humor."

Hitherby says, "Rock! Funny! Collapse in laughter."

Hitherby says, "Sometimes I think my refined wit is wasted on 'em."

Daimon gets up off the couch, and doesn't trip over the pile of clothing that is on the floor.

Pat lifts an eyebrow. "Mm." He starts gathering up his notes from the evening previous into a manila folder, letting Daimon stagger into cleanliness.

Daimon staggers into the bathroom, as he begins his morning ritual.

The fax chirrs softly.

<> Daimon says "Ah, the soft sound of plot."

Pat sets the folder down, stepping over to the fax. "About time."

The fax is from Stephan at the Supreme Court. It is short and succinct. The man in the sarcophagus does not match any pictures on file as Outcasts. The two humans are definitely human, according to cross-checks with Lightning records. There's a scribbled note at the bottom that the woman, in fact, was an original researcher in the acquired immune deficiency field, with definite potential. Very certainly not a demon.

Hitherby swirls over to lok at the FAX.

Pat looks over the message, checks his watch, and leaves Eduardo a brief voice mail: "The scientists are human. Might have been kidnapped. Have fun with this one."

Hitherby says "Which scientists?"

Pat opens the manila folder, plucking two photographs (or copies thereof) out. "These two. They disappeared from the site of the explosion. Edward and I were considering the possibility that they were celestials. They're not."

Hitherby says "Ah."

Hitherby reflects. "So they were smuggled out before or after. Probably before."

Hitherby's swarm mass spits a bug at the ceiling, and it arcs up almost to said ceiling before falling back into the swarm.

Pat says "Possibly. At any rate, it's not connected to the current investigation."

Hitherby says "It's not?"

Pat says "No. It's not."

<> Sephar says "You wish."

<> Sephar says "Ahem."

<> Pat says "Let me dream!"

Hitherby says "Would you be offended if I commented on your linearity of thought?"

<> Pat isn't investigating Technology.

Pat says "Not at all."

<> Sephar grins.

Hitherby says "What's the obvious connection between Stone and the hospital?"

Hitherby says "Come on, it's not that hard."

Pat says "The timing."

Daimon staggers out of the shower, hair wet, in a towel. He stops on his way to his clothes in the bedroom, "So in the shower I had this thought. If you committed a thoughtcrime, how would anyone know?"

Hitherby says "Also, us."

Daimon disappears into the bedroom.

<> Pat says "Don't ask that question of Dominicans, Daimon. :)"

<> Daimon says "Too late."

Pat says "Us?"

<> arcangel says "Dominic knows when you go 'um' to him later."

Hitherby says "Precisely. I don't mean to say that either issue focuses on us. Rather, hm. Think holistically here? When you look out at a field, you see grass. And trees. And bugs. And the sky. And clouds. And the sun. And you can say, "These are all separate things.""

Pat says "And it is also a field."

Hitherby says "But the fact that you see them all in that moment proves that they're not separate things -- it's a place."

Hitherby says "You don't have to be there for the connection to exist, but your perspective provides proof of that connection."

Pat says "By extension, then, the 'field' is the War. Of course they'll be connected in that sense."

Daimon walks out of the bedroom, now in his corduroys, but no shirt. "So, I think it's needs. If they need to commit thoughtcrime or cover it up, then you know they have. Hrm."

Daimon disappears back into the bathroom.

Hitherby says "I don't think so. I think that events that present themselves to us - that we see, get involved in - must be linked, and not just by the big everything picture."

<> arcangel is impressed by Daimon.

<> Daimon says "Random acts of non-seqs."

Hitherby says "By the fact that they get filtered out by our perceptions."

Hitherby says "You see?"

Pat says "You're implying that meaning is granted by observation."

Hitherby says "Other way around."

Hitherby says "I'm implying that observations identify meaning."

Pat says "That nothing seen is insignificant?"

Hitherby says "That nothing noticed, at least."

Hitherby says "More to the point, disease is a fairly key link."

Hitherby says "But that's not as philosophically profound."

Pat says "Disease stands between Technology and Stone, yes."

Hitherby says "Anyway."

Pat says "The explosion in Baltimore was the result of the union with Technology. The incident at the Freer was the union with Stone."

Hitherby says "Certainly, you are the trained investigator."

Daimon walks out of the bathroom, now a bit more shaven and definitely more blow-dried. He says, "But if they have committed a thoughtcrime, you have two choices, either kill the instigator so they do not contaminate others, or discover the root of the unhappiness and attempt to change and reform. It's always easier to kill, though."

Daimon disappears into the bedroom.

Pat focuses on the nearest Hitherby. "The point that I am trying to make, Hitherby, is that the matter of the explosion is currently outside the radius of our assignment."

Hitherby says "Okay."

Hitherby says "My assignment is to 'continue to do well'. So I have to take the broad view. But I'm happy to just tag along with this self."

Pat nods. "I understand."

Daimon walks out of the bedroom, fully dressed and already figured out how to make himself look rumpled and distracted. "So, I think killing is right out. Is it right to kill someone because they are unhappy and therefore think unhappy thoughts? Anyone else want Cheerios?"

Daimon disappears into the kitchen.

Pat says "If that unhappiness could lead them to reprehensible acts? Yes. And no, thank you. I've had coffee. There's a pot on boil."

Pat wanders off to the bathroom himself.

Daimon says "Thanks."

Daimon performs the miracle almost all Lilim are capable of. And it is unclear if any other celestial being can do the same: Daimon prepares breakfast of cereal and coffee.

The coffee wafts its heavenly odour through the apartment.

Daimon drinks coffee, eats cereal, and watches morning cartoons.

Water runs in the bathroom.

Hitherby runs on the ceiling.

<> arcangel says "Ah, the simple life of Judgmenters. Coffee, cereal, cartoons."

<> Pat says "Daimon's just psyching himself up to be a hardass."

The Tick, on the tv screen, demonstrates the ultimate triumph of Good over Fashion Accessories of Evil.

Pat comes out of the bathroom, walks immodestly to the bedroom, and sets about selecting a tie.

Daimon cheers the Tick on. He _rules_.

Pat comes out of the bedroom, pulling on his holster and attaching it to his belt at the proper points. Another similar arrangement of leather and nylon is dropped into Daimon's lap.

Daimon puts his bowl aside, and looks at the holster. "What is this?"

<> Demiurge | Pat says, "Your Judgement codpiece."

<> Hitherby howls.

<> arcangel says "Judgment thong?"

<> Daimon thwaps Pat.

Pat walks over to his desk. "It's a shoulder holster. Take off your jacket and put it on. Make sure to snap the loop to your belt, or it'll bulge out and be too noticable." His voice is calm and serious as he opens a desk drawer.

Daimon looks in it for a, um, er, gun.

There is no gun in the holster. Yet.

Daimon slips on the holster. He looks none too happy about this.

<> Pat says "We're Judgment. Happy doesn't come into it."

Pat slides out one of his strongboxes, unlocking it and selecting a relatively heavy pistol for himself, setting a lighter one aside before replacing the box."

Inside the strongbox sits the Eli Waterpistol.

Pat blinks.

Pat says "Daimon?"

Daimon says "Hmm?"

Pat says "You had Eli's squirt gun with you when you were taken by Terry, yes?"

Daimon says "Yes I did."

Pat says "And he took it?"

Daimon says "I didn't have it later. I assume he did."

Pat says "Hm. That's unusual."

Daimon says "What is?"

Pat puts the box away, squirt gun and all. He picks up the second gun and walks back to Daimon. "Here."

<> Sabriel cues the Twilight Zone / Hallelujah Chorus music mix.

Daimon blinks at the gun. Then he blinks again.

Daimon doesn't look like he wants to touch it.

Hitherby says, "Perhaps Terry broke in and returned your stuff while we were busy?"

<> Sephar eyes the gun, expecting it to turn into the Squirt.

<> Sabriel ditto.

Hitherby says "Only with listening devices in it."

Pat says "Nothing was broken into."

Pat says "Just carry it, Daimon. You never know."

Daimon reaches out, then stops, then reaches out again and holds it like it's a three week old, very dead, very smelly fish. It disappears into the holster pretty quickly.

Pat nods, and helps Daimon adjust the holster and his jacket so the gun doesn't show.

Daimon lets Pat help him out.

Daimon clearly has no clue how to deal with this thing.

The television screen reflects Daimon and Pat looking stern and deadly with their holsters.

Pat steps back, examines the work. "Good. Just don't lift your arms all the way up unless you don't care if people see."

Daimon blinks at the reflection of himself. "Jesus. What have I become?"

Daimon nods. "Okay."

Pat picks up his own jacket, settling it into place over the gun with the smoothness of decades of practice. He picks up the folder, slips out the photo of John Doe, and shows it to Daimon. "Recognize this guy?"

<> Daimon says "Do I recognize the photo?"

<> Pat says "It's the sarcophacorpse."

Daimon says "No, other then what we already know."

Pat nods. "Alright. Then let's hope Sariel does."

Daimon nods. "Let's hit it."

Hitherby lands in a brooch on Daimon's shirt.

Pat scoops up the folder after acquiring his overcoat and hat, and it's out the door and to a cab.

<> Demiurge rolls the d666 and gets 3 3 CHECK: 1.

A cab is swiftly obtained. The morning is fresh and bright.

<> Daimon says "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we have a half a pack of cigarettes..."

<> Pat says "It's the middle of the night and we're wearing sunglasses. Let's hit it."

<> Daimon says "A full tank of gas, it's dark, and we're wearing sunglasses. Let's hit it."

<> Daimon gets it right. HAH.

Pat directs the cabbie to the Octagon house.

<> Daimon is cooler then Pat is. Nyah. :)

<> Pat hasn't seen it since he was SIX. Gimme a break. :)

The cabbie drives there relatively fast. As it's a weekday morning, the Octagon House is open, with the odd tourist going in to look round.

Pat pays the cabbie, slipping the folder into his newspaper pocket as he steps out of the cab.

Daimon gets out of the cab and lights up.

The cabbie grumbles about the size of the tip.

Hitherby hums, "You should be grateful that we do not report you to the Venusian secret police, citizen."

<> Pat says "Oh, that's going to make his day. :)"

The cabbie blinks, glances around. "What the hell? You some kind of ventriloquist?"

Daimon sings distractedly, "There's a silence surrounding me, I can't seem to think straight, I'll sit in a corner, no one can bother me."

Daimon gives the cabbie another few bucks.

Hitherby wiggles her wings helpfully.

The cabbie takes the money and decides to be elsewhere. He drives off fast.

<> Pat says "When in doubt, creep out the mortals."

<> Daimon says "And sing random Pink Floyd lyrics."

<> Aron says "Tch. Impolite."

Pat looks up at the House. "There will be people around. If there's a problem, it'll be sticky."

Daimon nods. "We'll deal with problems as they happen."

Pat nods. "Ready?"

Daimon says "As ready as I'm ever going to be, Pat."

Hitherby chrisks. "Ready."

Pat nods again. And walks up to the front door.

<> Demiurge sings, "You're in the Judgement now, oo-oo-oo, you're in the Judgement nooow..."

<> Hitherby says "That's the sound of the damned working in the chain gang."

The front door is opening as Pat approaches, and an elderly couple are leaving, the man slipping his camera back in his jacket.

Pat nods politely to the couple, waiting until they pass to head inside.

Daimon resonates on the man for Needs as he passes by.

<> Daimon rolls the d666 and gets 3 4 CHECK: 5.

The couple return the nod, and head out into the road.

The man needs to have a good vacation, to take care of his wife, to hear more from his son Ned at Kansas University, to get a car that doesn't drink so much damn petrol, to be without varicose veins, and to get better glasses.

<> Daimon says "AUGH! Kansas State!"

<> Daimon says "HERETIC!"

It can be sensed, however, that the man would not go to _illegal_ ends to achieve these ends.

<> Pat soothes Daimon. "We'll send the Malakim to pick him up."

Daimon blinks at the last bit. Suddenly, he has a rider on his resonance that wasn't there before.

<> Demiurge says "Yup. Daimon does."

<> Daimon says "Cool."

Pat heads into the House, looking about for the Malakite they spoke with earlier.

The Malakite is sitting at a desk near the entrance, fiddling with some plans and a set of compasses. He looks up, and blinks.

Hitherby flutters her wings pensively.

Pat says, simply, "Good morning."

Ernest grunts, "Morning. You're here to speak to Sariel?"

Pat nods. "We are."

Daimon stands next to Pat and looks stoic and something-other-then-Lilimish.

Ernest says, "Okay. I need to mind the desk, but if you just go down that corridor there, she's in her office." He nods down the corridor that they went down before.

Pat nods. "Thank you."

Daimon nods.

Pat moves down said corridor.

The door looks just the same as last time, with the nameplate ANNA SERRAR, ASST. CURATOR. It is standing slightly open. A regular click, click, click drifts softly out.

Pat knocks on the door. No reason to be impolite yet.

Daimon nods to Pat. You first.

The clicking stops. Sariel's voice calls, "Come in!"

Pat opens the door and goes in, looking about the office quickly.

Daimon trails just a step behind.

The office looks just the same as last time. Sariel has a half-knitted scarf coiled in her lap, knitting needles in her hands. There are several stacks of paper on her desk. "Do come in and sit down. Would you like some tea?"

Pat closes the door quietly. "Thank you, but no."

Daimon says "No thank you."

Daimon resonates on her.

<> Daimon rolls the d666 and gets 1 2 CHECK: 4.

Pat keeps an eye open for guilt, and resonates as well.

<> Daimon is a danger to heretics everywhere.

<> Pat rolls the d666 and gets 4 4 CHECK: 1.

Sariel needs to keep her Tether running smoothly and her Archangel's Word supported. She Needs to take care of her junior subordinates and Soldiers and humans she protects. Sariel also Needs to be sure that Christopher and Terethel were not involved in some sort of heresy or treason. The thought is ... disturbing.

Sariel is currently calm and placid - actually quite motherly towards you young men.

Though, Daimon senses, Sariel would not go to the point of Dissonance for any of her Needs - except perhaps to serve her Archangel.

Daimon pulls out a notebook. Makes a note.

Pat reaches into his newspaper pocket, fingers flickering into a quick 'no trouble' posture as he does so.

Sariel puts her knitting on her desk, holding down a pile of paper. "Where would you like to start, Mazpatiel?"

Pat says "Are you aware of the incident at the Freer, Sariel?"

Sariel blinks. "I was not aware that there was one relating to us, dear. Some sort of murder, that's all."

Pat says "There was a stele. Ancient stonework. The victim was in the process of destroying it."

Pat flips through the folder, finding John Doe's picture.

Sariel shudders in polite horror. "Dreadful."

Pat says "Quite."

Pat lays the photocopy down on the desk.

Sariel inspects it.

<> Demiurge rolls the d666 and gets 3 6 CHECK: 1.

Sariel shakes her head. "I'm sorry, dear, I don't recognise the face."

Pat says "He was not human."

Sariel says, "What was the stele about?"

Pat says "Two demons, and an imprisoned god. Such as it is. Babylonians were given to hyperbole."

Sariel purses her lips. "Gaudy. What period?"

Pat says "Eight hundred years or so before Christ."

<> Demiurge rolls the d666 and gets 4 3 CHECK: 3.

Sariel goes abruptly still. One finger toys with the knitting needles.

Sariel says, "You did say Babylonian, dear?"

Daimon listens, and takes notes.

Pat says "Babylonian, yes."

Pat says "One of Yves' is working on a more thorough restoration."

Sariel's lips purse, and her eyes have sharpened.

<> Demiurge rolls the d666 and gets 6 6 CHECK: 3.

Hitherby idly adds Sariel's reactions to her own mental picture.

Pat keeps his face neutral, but does another spot-check of Sariel's emotions.

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

<> Pat says "And blow it. Sigh."

Sariel says, crisply, "I would be extremely interested in hearing the results of that."

Pat says "Do you have any thoughts on the matter?"

<> Hitherby rolls the d666 and gets 5 4 CHECK: 3.

Sariel considers. She says, distantly, "It cannot be denied that certain matters in that period were quite important to the Word of my Archangel."

Daimon says "Oh?"

<> Demiurge says "If at this point people want to try an Int roll, reduced, to think if there's anything particularly relevant to Stone round then... go ahead."

<> Hitherby says "Sure. Settle the matter of whether Hitherby would know what I think I do :)"

<> Hitherby rolls the d666 and gets 4 3 CHECK: 5.

<> Hitherby says "Nope!"

<> Pat rolls the d666 and gets 3 2 CHECK: 6.

<> Demiurge says "I don't think it's really in Hitherby's sphere of interest, so she might not be that well informed."

<> Demiurge says "Pat... you're recalling a really, _really_ spectacular Fall around that period. Magog, an angel of David's, Angel of Fortitude, who Fell to be Demon Prince of Cruelty, and was locked away for all time."

<> Pat says "Bingo."

Pat says "Magog."

<> Demiurge says "Which, strangely enough, occurred in the general area of Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, etc."

Pat lets it drop. No tact, these Elohim.

<> arcangel says "What does Judgment need tact for? They're concerned with right and wrong..."

Sariel says, simply, "Yes. Right period. I had rather be proven wrong."

<> Daimon rolls the d666 and gets 1 6 CHECK: 3.

<> Demiurge says "Daimon... you're recalling something about some angel of David's Falling about then to become DP of Cruelty, and getting locked away somehow for all time by David and helpers."

<> Daimon says "Do I know anything about demonic rumors?"

<> Demiurge says "Demonic rumours are that he was a Shedite Prince, that he really lived up to the Word of Cruelty, and that... it might kinda be a good thing for a large chunk of Hell that he _did_ get shut away."

Pat purses his lips for a moment.

Sariel says, bluntly, "I think that I need to know what your friend finds out, dear."

Daimon gets a vaguely ill look for a moment.

<> Demiurge says "Hitherby, you probably _do_ recognise the name Magog when Pat says it."

Pat says "There were two destroying it. One fled. The other," he gestures to the photograph, "Was not an infernal."

Hitherby mutters, "None of them lay quietly in their graves."

Sariel says, "An Outcast or Renegade, then. Or an Ethereal."

Pat says "Renegades are still Infernal."

Sariel says, "Hrm." She looks less than happy.

Pat asks bluntly. "Would David have an interest in keeping this information secret?"

Sariel takes a deep breath. "Of course he would, dear. Do you think any of us would want it to be known where *that one* is sealed away?"

Daimon ponders a theory. "So what would he be willing to do to keep that a secret, do you think? In your own opinion."

Sariel turns a grandmotherly glance on Daimon. "In my opinion, dear, he would be prepared to have large publicly displayed stones that held such information destroyed."

Pat says "To the extent of bringing in...external assistance?"

Sariel says, "I wouldn't think that he'd need it."

Pat says "One wouldn't think Christopher would have needed it either."

<> Hitherby thinks. "And what politician has been prominently displaying his stones lately? My God, we have to get to the White House!"

<> Demiurge chokes.

<> Pat sputters.

Sariel says, "You think they're connected?"

<> arcangel cracks up.

Daimon . o O ( At this rate, we'll be able to bring in the Templars. )

Daimon blinks, and just takes notes.

Pat says "A Word-bound hires a demon to protect one of his fellows from unspecified threats. Non-human individuals later destroy a piece of information that could best be described as delicate. Pertaining to the same Archangel."

Hitherby says, "The box," smugly.

Sariel leans forward a little. The posture looks incongruous on the grandmotherly old woman. "According to what you said earlier, though, dear, Terethel was interested in the sewers, which was where the Makatiel box was found."

Sariel turns to Hitherby. "As you say, dear."

Hitherby says "I was hypothesizing the other day that maybe Vapula wanted to learn box-breaking, not what was inside."

Daimon says "Sounds like someone is trying to bring back a whole horde of the Old Ones."

Daimon says "How very Lovecraftian."

Sariel says, "Please don't go pulling out that Hillside Thickets nonsense, dear. It's bad enough when Ernest starts playing it."

Sariel says, "I do take your point, though."

Pat says "There are tentative connections on the side of the Adversary. What remains vague, though, are the ties on our end."

Daimon says "We have two out of - how many? Five or Six? How do we know someone on another continent isn't trying to resurrect Leviathan?"

Pat says "Vephar? Oannes destroyed it."

Daimon says "Any others that we've missed who are still just lying around somewhere?"

Hitherby says, "There was some guy before Theft."

Sariel says, "Well, according to the Liber Principium Aeris, Aballam was destroyed in the Fall, Vephar by Oannes, and so forth. The *other one* was later."

Pat says "Gebunath. Rapine."

<> Daimon says "Ah ha! The Aballam references!"

<> Daimon peeers at Demiurge.

<> Hitherby says "Maybe someone wants to stomach pump Haagenti and get Meserach back!"

<> Pat says "What a disgusting concept. :)"

Pat says "Legacies."

Sariel nods to Pat. "Indeed, dear. Apparently Valefor stole *him*. And then there was Makatiel. And Legion."

Sariel says, "Unpleasant."

Hitherby says "Okay."

Daimon says "So we have two. If I see another reference to a dead Demon Prince, I'm likely to call this a trend."

Pat says "Distinctly. And their Words continue quite well without a Princehood above them."

Hitherby says "I vote we take this problem sideways, forget about the resurrection attempts, and try and get Oannes back."

Daimon . o O ( Um... oh hell. )

Sariel blinks.

Sariel says, "My dear, that is a lovely notion, but there might be a few practical difficulties."

Daimon marks his theory down in his notebook.

Sariel sighs.

Sariel says, "And this started off as such a nice day, too."

Daimon says "We apologize."

Pat says "Did Christopher have any angels serving him directly?"

Hitherby says, helpfully, "For what it's worth, I am personally certain that Terethel's actions will be revealed as completely honorable; I am here only because I am nosy."

Sariel says, "Oh, my dear, it's not _your_ fault! You're just doing your job."

Daimon just frowns.

Daimon is a Lilim. Pissing people off is mildly counter to his nature, although he does it anyway.

Pat begins to pace the office. "I detest speculation," he comments to a stray air molecule.

Hitherby stays quiet. As much as she can.

Daimon just stays back and out of Pat's pacing range.

Pat says "Fact: Christopher hired a demon to protect Terethel. Fact. Terethel was either destroyed or corrupted in the sewers. Fact. In those same sewers were a party of Vapulans and an artifact of Matakiel. Fact. Unidentified beings attempted to destroy information about Magog. They were not demons, but the one slain deserved his death."

Sariel says, "This demon was a Lilim? I believe they do have their own standards of honour."

Daimon clears his throat. "Yes."

Hitherby says, "Wait."

Hitherby says "Insight."

Hitherby says "Maybe an old insight."

Pat says "Go on."

Hitherby says "If Christopher hired a Lilim, he felt he couldn't trust angels with the information. Since we know he wasn't absolutely nuts, and we know that the information wasn't too sensitive for *anybody* ..."

Hitherby says "There must be some reason he wanted angels to stay out of it."

Hitherby says "I know, probably you had this a long time ago."

Pat says "Which, Hitherby, is the reason we are here."

Sariel says, "You mean he suspected somebody in particular, dear? Or that he just didn't want other people to know for their own safety?"

Daimon says "Hypothesis: We all know exactly who he didn't want to find out facts."

Daimon says "But this has failed. We are here."

Hitherby says "Well, what crossed my mind is that somewhere involved in this was something that could corrupt someone, in the specific towards-Falling way."

<> Pat gives Daimon a cookie.

Hitherby says "Which is not a danger with demons, honor or no."

Pat nods. "Yes. And we are here. This makes further concealment problematical."

Sariel is still and thoughtful.

<> Demiurge rolls the d666 and gets 4 2 CHECK: 1.

Daimon says "If there are any hidden secrets, protecting them will not help anyone. We will get them, eventually."

<> Daimon says "Why? Because we have incredibly nosy resonances."

Sariel smiles maternally at Daimon.

Pat says "My counterpart is speaking in the general, of course. You have been exceedingly helpful in the specific, Sariel."

Sariel says, "I'm glad to hear it, dear. What else would you like to ask about?"

Pat says "Christopher's servitors."

Hitherby says "Hypothesis: Christopher thought that involved people might come to the direct attention of a Demon Prince. Say, someone starting with Ma. And he didn't want many angels there when it hapened."

Sariel says, "Christopher had some angels working under him. They've been reassigned in the meantime. Actually, Terethel was never one of the people _directly_ working for him, but he had been involved in some projects of his a few times."

Sariel says, "You wouldn't _believe_ the number of people who'd try and do shoddy work on a building designed for children."

Pat says "Did he have anything in the way of a lieutenant? And frankly, I would believe quite a bit."

Pat . o O ( Man. Humans suck. )

Sariel thinks. "Derdekea, I think. She was an Elohite."

Pat says "Does she reside in Heaven?"

Sariel says, "Just a moment." She leans forward, picks up the telephone receiver, and begins to dial a phone number. The phone number seems to be somewhere out of the country, from the number of digits.

There are clearly several rings on the other end, then a voice answers in Italian. "Si?"

Sariel says, also in Italian, "Petri? Is Derdekea with you today?"

Daimon just listens. He's perfectly fluent in Italian.

Petri's voice mumbles something, ending in, "I will fetch her, sorore."

Sariel looks up, and smiles. "Just a moment."

Pat knows no Italian beyond 'lasagna', so remains clueless.

A female voice on the other end of the line says, "Sariel, sorore? What is it you bother me for now?"

Sariel says, "A matter of our brother Christopher, sorore, may he rest in the arms of God. There are some people here who wish to speak to you." She offers the phone towards Daimon and Pat.

Sariel says, "Don't worry, Derdekea speaks English too."

Daimon says "I speak Italian."

Pat nods to Daimon. "See if you can arrange a meeting, then."

Daimon takes the phone, "Hello."

A strong alto voice says, "Hello. What is the problem?"

Daimon moves easily to Italian. "My name is Daimon Lightner, and my partner is Patrick Murphy. We are investigating the death of the angels Christopher and Terethel, and we were hoping you could shed some light."

Derdekea says, "Ah, my friend, I only wish I knew more of it myself. What do you wish to know?"

Daimon says "We need to know the nature of Christopher's work right up to the point that he died."

Derdekea pauses, thinking. "Until the day before, he was working with me on an organisation here to promote famine relief. He left me for a while to see to some matters."

Derdekea says, "Then he returned in haste. He looked troubled. He said that, as he put it, "There's shit going on and I hope I've got it wrong.""

Daimon arranges the phone so he can take notes. "Can you detail the project about famine relief for me? Where you were working, your target areas, that sort of thing."

Derdekea says, "Certainly." She gives the central location of Pisa, certain minor towns round it being used as staging areas, and the like.

Daimon says "And to where were you delivering food?"

Derdekea lists a number of villages scattered round the area.

Derdekea says, "I don't think that Christopher's death was to do with that, though."

Daimon says "I'm just checking some background. Please tell me about the day he died."

Derdekea says, "The day before, he'd left, after that phone call and coming to speak to me."

Hitherby muses.

Derdekea's voice grows a shade hoarse. "He told me that this shouldn't take long, that he just needed to talk with some people and check that things weren't the way he'd been told they were."

Hitherby flutters up by Pat's ear.

Hitherby whispers, "How's this."

Derdekea says, "And the next day, they told me he was dead."

Pat hms at Hitherby?

Daimon says "Where did he go?"

Hitherby whispers, "They're using the Space Telescope somehow to pinpoint centers of celestial power. Which is why they're now interested simultaneously in Disease and Cruelty."

Hitherby whispers, "Because they can find them. Or come closer than before, to them and their sources of power."

Pat says "Power as a physical place?"

Derdekea says, "He ascended. I don't know where he went from there."

Daimon says "Did he often make trips like these in the last few weeks you knew him?"

Hitherby whispers, "Yes. For example, the box. Or an area in Babylon."

Derdekea says, "Sometimes he got calls and had to rush off to sort things out. It went with his Word. Often people overstated the situation, so he'd be hoping that it wasn't as bad as he said."

Pat says "That's a disconcerting train of thought."

Derdekea says, "His old friends all had his phone number, too. He got a lot of phone calls." She sounds rueful.

Daimon says "It's understandable, but was he, in your opinion, making more trips, especially to Heaven, in the last few weeks then normal?"

Derdekea hesitates, then says, "No. No, I don't think so. I got the impression this call came out of the blue."

Hitherby whispers, "There's an easy way to check."

Pat says "Go on."

Daimon says "Ah. How complete are your records of your activities in the Pisa area?"

Derdekea says, "He spent a while trying to call someone else - I suppose that he was wanting to check up on things - and then he left. That was it."

Hitherby whispers, "Find out if an unusual number of previously-hidden Tethers have been hit or spied on by demons recently."

Derdekea says, "Oh, fairly complete. We need to be able to withstand scrutiny."

Pat says "Hm. Michael."

Daimon says "Yes, indeed you will. I'm feeling that we may need to drop by and look at your records, if this is acceptable."

Derdekea says, stoically, "If you wish. Though I don't see how it would relate to Christopher's death."

Hitherby murmurs, "That is indeed one channel."

Pat says "Phineas?"

Sariel checks through some papers.

Hitherby murmurs, "I'll look him up."

Daimon says "We simply need to cover all of the bases. It seems to me that, as his lieutenant, you would personally be closest to his works. And it surprises me that he would simply get a call and disappear without his lieutenant knowing his whereabouts. Since I am merely curious, I am recommending, some time in the future, to have an open face to face conversation. Nothing more."

Hitherby, elsewhere, looks Phineas up. :)

Derdekea says, "I'm not trying to be defensive. I want to know what happened just as much as you do." She pauses. "You've just given me an idea. Wait a moment."

Derdekea says, "Some of the outgoing stuff gets logged automatically. Let me see if any of his calls out did. Can you hold there for five minutes?"

Daimon says "Certainly."

Hitherby whispers, quietly, "I am hesitant to break into the Vapulan Tether, with or without Sephar. A pity, as this would resolve many questions, should I actually leave again."

Pat says "We are hardly equipped for a raiding party."

Hitherby bobs. "I meant me," she notes.

The phone makes rustling noises and little squeaks and stuff, as of someone on the other end going through things.

Pat says "You are hardly equipped for a raiding party, as well."

Hitherby murmurs, "But it is moot."

Hitherby asks Sariel, still soft but no longer whispery, "Sariel, what was Terethel's assignment again?"

Sariel says, "He was working on improving standards of public building safety, dear."

Derdekea's voice comes on the phone again. "I've got something."

Daimon makes a Judgment sign to Pat for "Paydirt" and says, "Go ahead."

Pat nods to Daimon.

<> Pat says "And yes, 'Paydirt' /is/ a hand signal. :)"

Derdekea says, "Okay. I've cut about six different calls before this. They were to several countries. He got through four times, asked for Ashley each time, got told no."

Derdekea says, "Here it comes." There's the click of a switch, then the hiss of a tape.

A male voice recognisable as Christopher says, "Ashley?" There's a grumbled reply. "Well, get her for me, then..." Another grumble. A female voice says, sharply, identifiable as Ashley's, "Who is it?" Christopher's voice says, "Chris." A pause. Ashley says, cautiously, "What is it?" Christopher's voice says, "I'm calling in that favour you once promised me." Ashley says, "You *what*? Do you have any idea about the shit that's starting to go on round here?" Christopher's voice says, "Ashley, I need your help. I need you to bodyguard a friend of mine." He gives Terethel's name and address. Ashley says, when he's finished, "Okay. I accept, because I know you're not going to backstab me. Give me a couple of hours to get there." Christopher breaths a sigh. "All right." Ashley says, "But why can't you get one of your own people to watch him?" There's another pause, then Christopher says, "I've got certainty problems this end, Ashley. You once told me that one, remember? Right now I need to talk to someone else, and I can't watch Terethel at the same time. I'm counting on you." Another pause. Ashley says, "Okay. I accept." The phone clicks off.

Daimon says "Can you please FedEx that tape to the Supreme Court, courtesy of myself, Daimon Lightner, at your soonest possible convenience?"

Derdekea says, "I will. I'll keep a copy, of course."

Daimon says "Of course. But it is imperative that tape gets flown overnight service."

Derdekea says, "I will see to it. Do you know who this Ashley is?"

Daimon says "Yes, I do."

Derdekea asks, "Who is she?" Her tone is all Elohite calm.

Daimon says "Ashley is a Free Lilim."

Derdekea says, simply, "Ah. I will Fedex the tape."

Daimon says "Indeed. Thank you very much for your cooperation."

Daimon makes a gesture at Pat in Judgment hand signals, meaning, "We're done here."

Derdekea says, "No problem. Is that it?"

Daimon says "If you find out anything, can you please call this number?"

Daimon names his cellphone.

Pat nods to Daimon, and collects the folder.

Derdekea says, "Will do. Walk in unity." The phone goes click.

Daimon hands the dead phone back to the Seneschal, and says in English, "Thank you."

Sariel says, "No problem, dear. That was *extremely* interesting." There's granite in her voice.

Pat tucks the folder away. "Thank you for your time, Sariel. We'll be in touch."

Daimon says "Indeed it was. Yes, and thank you."

Hitherby flutters up and murmurs, "I appreciate your not objecting to my presence."

Hitherby then resumes her place as Daimon's brooch.

Daimon says "Good day."

Sariel blinks. "Why should I object, dear? I assume that the Servitors of Judgement know what they're doing."

Sariel rises. "Walk in unity, you three."

Pat nods to Sariel. "Good day."

Daimon . o O ( I haven't a clue what I'm doing, actually. )

Daimon turns, and goes.

Pat follows along.

Daimon waits until they are out of earshot.

Ernest nods to them on their way out.

Pat nods to Ernest, then turns to Daimon once they reach the sidewalk. "Coffee?"

Daimon says "Definitely."

Pat nods. Walks the 20 feet necessary to find a Starbuck's in DC and gets coffee. And a small saucer to pour sugar into.

Hitherby says, "I don't read sign, but I take it from the fact that you waved your hand around and Pat got ready to go that you found something?"

Daimon settles in a chair. "So."

Pat says "I believe we did, yes. Go ahead, Daimon."

Daimon lights a cigarette. Coffee, cigarette, gun. He's very, well, NYPD Blue.

Daimon says "She played for me a tape of Christopher talking to Ashley on the phone. He was calling in a favor from her to protect Terethel directly. So at one point in time, he had done a favor for her, one large enough to be pulled at an instant's notice to protect an angel. I have asked the tape be Federal Expressed to the Supreme Court under my name."

Pat says "Next day, I hope?"

Hitherby says "Anything on why he chose her?"

Pat says "If she owed him, it'd be an obvious choice."

Hitherby says "If a Lilim owed me a favor, she still wouldn't be the obvious choice if I needed a favor."

Daimon says "Exactly. It's not every angel who has an outstanding on a Free Lilim."

Pat says "If you needed to be absolutely certain it would be done?"

Hitherby says, "I might ask, y'know, Sarah. Or Liz."

Hitherby says, deadpan, "One of that crowd."

Daimon says "If you don't want Judgment to know or Stone to know that you have put someone in mortal peril, and you have no interest in telling the Infernals, then a Free Lilim is a natural choice."

Daimon says "Especially if you are already, say, dissonant."

Daimon says "A Lilim under geas is absolutely trustworthy, Hitherby."

Pat sips coffee. "Derdekea had no information on his last project?"

Daimon says "His last project was to work on famine relief in the area of Pisa. I am still of the opinion that someone should be sent to go through their files."

Daimon says "Audit check, as it may be. Even Trade."

Pat says "Hm. Yes. It doesn't seem like something immediately connected."

Daimon says "But it gave him an excuse to travel often, even outside of maintaining his Word, alone. Of course, there is no reason to presuppose he was up to anything, except for the rather obvious facts."

Pat nods. "I don't want to go digging into every little thing as a possible connection. We'll never accomplish anything that way."

Daimon says "If it's just us investigating, then we'll have to let it go. We are only two people, and I don't know what the hell I'm doing. We are exactly one half of a Triad. If we have other people, maybe someone can be sent."

Pat says "When we have enough solid information to present to Dominic, we can have Triads dispatched to the appropriate places."

Daimon says "We have no reason to have his famine project under suspicion right now. But I think it should be mentioned in passing."

Pat says "Of course. Hm. I have a question."

Daimon says "Shoot."

Pat says "How likely do you think Ashley would be to respond to a request to bargain for information?"

Daimon says "It depends on what you are bargaining with."

Pat says "If that was left open?"

Hitherby says, "I'm not experienced with this, but my understanding was that procedure isn't 'pick which threads to follow', but 'pick which thread to follow next'.

Daimon says "She'll steal you blind, Pat. She will screw you fifteen ways to Tuesday."

Pat smiles at Daimon. "It sounds like an excellent draw, then."

Hitherby says "So don't worry about letting stuff go; just keep busy."

Daimon says "I was a little disturbed when I resonated on the Seneschal. She had an unhealthy preoccupation with Christopher and Terethel, and she would allow her archangel to push her dissonant. I don't know about you, but I would not allow anyone to push me dissonant."

<> Demiurge admires Daimon's conviction. ;)

Pat says "The Davidians are noted for their devotion, Daimon. Remember that she is also a Cherub."

<> Daimon says "Dude, I've been to Hell."

Pat says "And, given the revelations we have handed her of late, I can understand concern."

Hitherby says, calmly, "I would be willing to become dissonant in Jordi's name."

Hitherby says, "Or Discordant. Or extinguished."

Daimon sighs. "I just... don't mind me. I don't know jack from shit."

Hitherby says "Mind, I leave out one of the Four Unpleasant Fates."

Pat shakes his head. "It's alright, Daimon." He considers.

Daimon says "It all points to Ashley."

Pat nods. "Muse amongst yourselves. I'll contact her."

Daimon says "Where to next, Pat?"

Pat holds up a hand as a melody, just past sub-audible, issues from his throat.

<> Pat takes a good five minutes of warm-up singing for Celestial Tongues.

<> Pat says "The message: Need Information. Will Owe You. 202-555-6213"

<> Demiurge says "Okie, Pat."

<> Demiurge says "Try for the roll."

<> Pat rolls the d666 and gets 6 5 CHECK: 4.

<> Pat says "Dammit. :)"

Daimon peers at Pat. "You need more essence?"

<> Demiurge says "The Song fails to go off. Sorry."

Pat sighs.

Pat says "No, I need to learn to use this Song."

Daimon says "Oh."

Daimon drinks his coffee.

<> Pat tries again. Same message, same time.

Pat takes a deep breath and begins the melody once more.

Hitherby says, mulling, "I still don't see it. I mean, it's not like -- some random angel putting a friend on the line, not that we've been scolded for it. This is Stone. They're *expected* to call on each other, because that's their Word. It's like if I gave up animal hosts because talking in them was just too hard."

Pat hums. Hum hum hum.

Daimon says "Dissonant, Hitherby. That is my theory."

Hitherby says "Or if Sephar said, I dunno, 'Look, I'm doing this by hand because you just can't trust modern technology. Computers -- they *crash*.'"

Daimon says "Or he was doing something very counter to David."

Hitherby says "Hm."

Hitherby says "*Very* dissonant?"

Daimon says "Very dissonant or very afraid of his Superior."

Hitherby says "I don't feel all that, um, like, wrong-headed."

Hitherby says "I mean."

Daimon says "A demon will pull this stunt if they are on the run."

Hitherby fluffs her wings.

Hitherby thinks.

Hitherby says "It would have to be Terethel who was doing something anti-David. Or both, of course."

Hitherby says "But there's *no way* he would have been trying to free Cruelty."

<> Pat says "They were conspiring to shoot people first?"

Daimon raises a single eyebrow. "I don't think they were freeing Cruelty, Hitherby."

<> Pat tries the roll now.

<> Pat rolls the d666 and gets 5 3 CHECK: 5.

<> Pat says "Much better. :)"

Hitherby says "I'm trying to think of amazingly anti-Stone things. There aren't many."

And ... the Song goes off.

Hitherby says "Unless -- maybe destabilizing the society where he was feeding the hungry?"

Hitherby says "Tearing down social structure isn't Stone-like, but it can be angelic."

Daimon drags deeply on his cigarette, and gazes on the window. "I think they were trying to prevent it."

Pat exhales. "There."

Hitherby says "For some reason, I think David would approve of that."

Pat says "Pre-emptive strike."

Hitherby flutters up and swirls for a moment before landing.

Hitherby says "Free and kill?"

Hitherby says "That's interesting."

Pat says "Davidians are defenders. They do not strike first. If Christopher and Terethel were planning such a thing, David would certainly disapprove."

Daimon says "And they had to strike first."

Pat says "And felt asking forgiveness was better than asking permission."

In his pocket, Pat's celphone buzzes.

Daimon says "Excuse me."

Hitherby says, slowly, "But if they were willing to go against their Superior, wouldn't telling War, 'Hey, you might want to strike first here?' be better?"

Daimon answers the phone. "Daimon Lightner."

<> Pat says "Don't answer my phone ever again, Daimon. :)"

<> Pat says "I remember what happened the last time."

Ashley's voice says, "Funny, Daimonique, it didn't sound like you that I heard just now."

<> Hitherby | Daimon says, "I'm professional at being Funny."

Daimon says "One moment," and passes the phone to Pat. "It's for you, Pat."

Pat says "Thank you."

Pat takes the telephone.

Pat says "Ashley."

Ashley says, "The same. You want to deal?"

Pat says "We need information. If we need to deal for it, then we need to deal."

Ashley says, "Okay. Where do you want to meet to talk?"

Pat says "Are you still near Washington?"

Ashley says, "I can be. But don't suggest the Supreme Court, or I'll laugh myself sick."

Pat says "I wouldn't think of it. The Capitol's pool?"

<> Hitherby can summon sharks!

<> Hitherby says "Sharks ... to meeee!"

<> Pat says "Carp, maybe. :)"

<> Hitherby says "Fierce attack carp?"

Ashley considers. "All right. But don't try anything stupid, and I mean that very sincerely."

<> Pat says "Hey. They're Washington carp. You bet that's fierce."

Pat says "I have no intention of it. I assure you. Say, in an hour?"

Ashley says, "It'll take me a little longer than that. How about at one o'clock?"

<> Demiurge says "It's now about eleven."

Pat says "One will work."

Ashley says, "Be seeing you," and rings off.

Pat sets the phone down.

Daimon says "One?"

Pat says "I expect you to keep her from screwing us."

Daimon reaches out for his cellphone.

Daimon says "I'll try."

Daimon says "We have two hours. Plans? Thoughts?"

Pat says "Strip down what we need from her to the bare minimum. I don't want to pay anything more than necessary."

Pat says "I want to know what Christopher did for her."

Hitherby says "You realize it could be unrelated."

Daimon says "And what she what her geas was. In specific. What was it he called in."

Hitherby swirls up thoughtfully into a cloud.

Pat says "I understand that, Hitherby, but it is still information we need. Dealings with demons are supposed to be carefully watched."

Daimon drags deeply on his smoke, and gazes out the window as people walk by.

Hitherby says, "Okay."

Pat says "If nothing else, David may be concerned at the dealings his people have had. Malakim are like that."

Hitherby says, "Do we know what he asked her to protect Terethel from? I mean, he could have said 'protect him', but usually it's polite to tell a bodyguard what to expect."

Hitherby says "Like, 'be careful of Malakim' or 'watch out for Calabim' or 'you know, Lust might show, so be ready to run.'"

Pat says "How much would we expect to pay for knowledge of the details behind that tape?"

Daimon simply repeats, in English, word for word the message on the tape.

Daimon is a machine like that.

Hitherby falls to the table.

Pat says "Certainty problems."

Hitherby says, "Certainty problems."

Pat says "He does suspect an angel."

Daimon says "And when Ashley got to Terethel's, he was dead."

Pat says "Or gone."

Daimon says "Our small amount of time might be best spent poking either around his ex-apartment or his place of business. The question is, what did Terethel know?"

Pat says "His home."

Pat says "His office hadn't seen him in days. Whatever he was doing, he was doing from home."

Hitherby says,"I am willing to accept a Geas to find out anything she knows about those certainty problems. It sounds like she might have pointed them out."

Daimon says "We only searched his computer. We didn't search his entire home."

Pat nods.

Daimon just stops and stares at Hitherby.

Pat says "I consider a Geas to be a last resort for bargaining."

Hitherby orients herself towards Daimon, and says, calmly, "It would be inappropriate for a Servitor of Judgment to accept one."

Daimon says "It would be inappropriate for you to accept one, too."

Hitherby flutters up, and makes a chitter-giggle. "Well, true."

Daimon says "And you will not."

Hitherby says, mildly, "I leave that to Pat."

Hitherby says "That determination, I mean."

Pat says "We have information, we have Essence, and if need be, we have a promise not to kill her."

Daimon says "Hitherby, you will not, under any circumstances, ever accept a geas willingly and with full knowledge."

Hitherby says, calmly, "If Mazpatiel determines that the information gained, regarding the possible escape of a Demon Prince and treason within angelic ranks, warrants it -- then I will do what I must."

Daimon says "There is never a time, ever, when you should accept a geas."

Daimon says "Hitherby, have you ever been under a strong geas?"

Daimon says "The best way to put it is 'Ghost in a Machine'. A Lilim takes your geas, and for something else worth more, she gives it away."

Hitherby says, gravely, "I have been influenced by Habballah and Balseraphim, in the past when my mind was weaker. I expect it would feel similar to the first and have effects like the last."

Daimon says "And now, suddenly, for her gain, someone else you don't even know and doesn't care, has your soul. For this information, you've basically sold yourself to all of Shal-Mari."

Daimon says "Hitherby, _this doesn't wear off_."

Pat says "Until it's finished."

Daimon says "It doesn't go away. It hangs around. For years. Your whole life. It's a death sentence waiting to happen because of this one piece of information."

Hitherby says, "You're under one."

Hitherby says "Or were."

Daimon says "I'm under several."

Hitherby shrugs. "We live. We die. I don't see how a delayed effect makes it worse."

Daimon says "Hitherby, this is worse. This is someone else taking over your soul and using you as a puppet for their own whims. And yes, they can make you dissonant, and yes, they can make you Fall."

Daimon says "And yes, they can make you hurt other people."

Hitherby says, "They cannot make me Fall. Nothing can 'make' an angel Fall. God would not permit it. They cannot make me hurt someone else. If they do, it is they who hurt that person. Dissonant, well, yes."

Hitherby bobs.

<> Demiurge wonders if Pat remembers his own Outcasting.

Daimon says "They will then make you outcast and destroy your entire life."

<> Pat says "This is why Pat is being very quiet."

<> Demiurge says "Ah."

Daimon narrows his eyes. "I live on a timer. Every second that ticks by is the time between now and when another one of my Geasa will be invoked. And when it is invoked, and when I start hurting people, I pray to god Pat will put a bullet between my eyes."

<> Pat says "Of course, Pat also /chose/ to lash out."

Hitherby says, "Daimon, this is why I trust Pat, and not you, or I, to make this decision." She shrugs. "There is information worth more than my entire life. There is information worth less. Who better than an Elohite to judge?"

Daimon says "No geasa."

<> Demiurge says "Who better to choose?"

Pat says "Geasa are a last resort."

Daimon says "No geasa."

Hitherby sighs, a chrisky-rustly noise.

Hitherby says "Consider the subject dropped. We do not have time for argument."

Daimon says "Fine."

Pat nods. "We need to get to Terethel's apartment." He drains the rest of his coffee.

Daimon says "Let's move."

Pat stands. Cue theme music.

Hitherby borrows a bird to head that way. Early warning might save the others.

Hitherby lands the bugs on Daimon's shirt.

Daimon stands, and somewhere in the back of his mind, he can hear the jingle of bracelets hitting each other on his celestial form.

---

Fiat Justitia