Morning Business

<> Demiurge says "Okay. It's morning. Tania went home. Azalea may still be in the Marches. You're all at Sistine's."

Aron rubs at his jaw. "Coffee?"

Sepharcrow gives a small chuckle and nods at the question.

Sepharcrow hops down to the table. Looks about to see if there are many people nearby.

Aron nods and heads down, presumably to meet Liz and enjoy some coffee.

Sepharcrow hops back to Aron's shoulder, a flutter of black wings, to ride downstairs, lazy bird, yes.

Downstairs, business is just starting up. A couple of students nurse coffee in corners, eyes shadowed and red.

Liz is downstairs, sipping tea and reading the paper.

Liz says "Good morning, Aron. How are you?"

Sepharcrow bobs a nod at Liz.

Liz smiles. "Hello, Sephar."

Sepharcrow flutters to Liz's table and hops on the smooth surface and croaks, "Sample to lab?"

Aron nods quietly. After he gets his mug of coffee he walks over to Liz's table. "Good morning."

Sepharcrow chuckle-bobs another bow with the smile.

Liz nods, and produces a small plastic bottle. "The pill's inside, wrapped in plastic and cushioned with cotton."

Liz says "Would you like to take it now?"

Sepharcrow chuckles and bobs a nod, peering out a window.

>From afar, Sepharcrow finds another bird and flies it to the roof?

You paged Sepharcrow with 'Sure.'.

Sepharcrow picks up the bottle, and flies out an open window.

>From afar, Sepharcrow will drop it off to the other bird, fly *that* bird to the lab and then...

Long distance to Sepharcrow: Demiurge nods. This all goes okay. ;)

A bird from the roof of the cafe arrows off into the pale morning.

Sepharcrow flutters back in through the open window.

Sepharcrow croaks, "Coffee." as it settles again on the table, hopping impatiently.

Aron looks wry. He sips his coffee. "Any more word on the dealers of this drug?"

Sepharcrow hesitates a moment, running a few black feathers through its beak.

Aron offers his mug to the crow.

Liz says "None."

Sepharcrow dips its beak into the mug, tips its head up to swallow.

Sepharcrow thoughtfully mutters, "One the phone, the woman that gave the pills to Tania spoke of books, bad books."

Aron says "Bad books?"

<> Pat says "Yay bad books!"

Sepharcrow says "Dee's De Heptarchia Mystia, and a Levi..."

<> Daimon says "YAY!!!"

<> Daimon knows Dr. Dee and Eliphas Levi!

Sepharcrow says "And someone called Dr. Matthews was her and someone else's relied on source."

Sepharcrow says "And some Thomas was Belle's backup for terms on the books. I'm not sure what this has to do with the dealers as a whole, but the book titles caught my attention."

Aron nods. "Indeed. These people could stand some watching, then."

Sepharcrow bobs a nod.

Sepharcrow then utters the phone number of whomever it was Belle was connected to for the conversation.

Sepharcrow says "The other end of Belle's connection."

Liz ponders.

Liz says "Okay. If nothing else, there has to be a place where they're manufacturing the product."

Liz says "It's worth tracking back to that. From there we can determine if the ingredients are somehow sinister, if the process is sinister, or if we're overreacting."

Sepharcrow nods at Liz.

Sepharrat at the Lab wrinkles brow and uses the phone number to find the address attached to it.

At the lab, Ithuriel takes the pills off for analysis - with Sepharrat's help - though warning that this may take a while, if they're an unusual substance.

At the lab, Sepharrat helps out happily after using the reverse lookup with the number, tries out Residential phone, then business phone, then business fax...

Sepharcrow pecks a few crumbs.

Hitherby slips in downstairs in a human body, cradling a pair of shoes in her hands, and politely asks Marath if any of the others are around? "I'm feeling a bit strange focusing down my concentration to just three people to protect."

After a little thought, the reverse lookup page comes up with the phone number for a Dr Matthews, a business number, _Fine Book Research And Acquisition_.

Marath passes Hitherby a fresh pot of coffee, and points her in the direction of the table where Liz and Aron and Sephar are.

Hitherby beams. "Thanks."

Hitherby bounds over, balancing both shoes in one hand. "Can I help you fine ladies and gentlemen and rats? Freshen your drink, perhaps? Or I could juggle."

Sepharcrow hrms softly at the same time Sepharrat in the Lab does, and the rat patters off to help with the analysis while the crow croaks, "The number is that of the Dr. Matthews, for Fine Book Research and Acquisition, I wonder if I should tell Sarah."

Hitherby blinks. "The Fate guy?"

Sepharcrow bounces in alarm as Hitherby bounds over and then blinks again at what she says. "Uhm... Hitherby?"

Sephar says "So that's why the name was familiar."

Hitherby sets down the pot of coffee neatly in the center of the table and spins around a chair to sit front-to-back in. (This is made easier by having slacks instead of a skirt in this particular host.)

Hitherby says "Yup! Hitherme."

Sepharcrow paces a bit, thinking, athen peers up at Hitherby, "You juggle?" and bobs uncertainly as Hitherby spins.

Hitherby says, "Well, you have to start somewhere!"

Sepharcrow chuckles. "Right... that was the Fate guy that lured Sarah with the book job?"

Hitherby says "Oddly, what's sticking in mind is a phone call I translated for Phineas. Less adrenaline fogging memory. However, he *did* lure Sarah in with a books place. I mean, the guy who lured Sarah in."

Sephar says "Hm? What conversation?"

Hitherby says "With the old guy at the place we burned. In the wheelchair. With a young guy who we were visiting."

Sepharcrow blinks.

Sephar says "What was it about?"

Hitherby thinks. "Also something about a book."

Hitherby frowns. "In a foreign language, I mean, even after Phineas translated it back, or I'd remember the name."

Hitherby says "Something about rabbits."

<> Demiurge says "Elucidus Lapidarum. ;)"

<> Sephar giggles so much.

Sepharcrow says, dubiously, "Rabbits?"

Aron says "Ah yes, the clear rabbits. Of course."

Sepharcrow blinks up at Aron.

Hitherby leans in and whispers to Sephar, "They get pretty strange out in the Marches."

Aron murmurs, "I jest."

Hitherby says "There was something about elucidating them."

Sepharcrow hops and down a few times, thinking.

Hitherby says "Which I guess fits with 'clear'."

Hitherby says "If the title is important, we can get it from my diary at the Tether."

Aron says "So, Dr. Matthews, patron of the dream-dealers, is in Fate's employ?"

Hitherby says, "Dream-dealers?"

Aron says "Those who push the pill."

Hitherby looks blank. "Birth control?"

Hitherby says "Sorry. I'll pick it up from context."

Hitherby says "Go on."

Hitherby says "I mean, with what you were saying before I interrupted."

Sephar says "Uhm... business associate, it seems, a purveyor of rare tomes that they need for some reason. Yes, Hitherby, I think the title might be importnt."

Sephar says "Pill of dreams, Hitherby."

Sephar says "A drug that seems to give good dreams."

Hitherby says "I'll send a self to the Keepers of Memory, then. Have the title ready for you in an hour."

Sephar bobs a nod thoughtfully.

Hitherby says "Seems an odd thing for Fate to do. Although I suppose that maybe people who dream of greatness at night don't try as hard at achieving greatness in life? -- no offense, Aron; I can't pinpoint the distinction but I know it's there."

Liz says "Not just good dreams. Scripted dreams."

Liz says "Dreams that are 'better than real dreams'."

Sephar says "Oh."

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

Liz says "According to Azalea."

Hitherby frowns.

Liz says "Presumably if one can give 'good dreams', one can also give 'bad dreams'."

Aron says "What happens when a dream crafted for you by another is too exhilarating?"

Hitherby leans back and looks up at the ceiling.

Hitherby says "Maybe he's trying to steal human souls. Like, outright."

Sepharcrow cocks its head at Aron.

Hitherby says "Fall asleep. Get dragged into Hell via some ethereal's library via the Archives? after giving yourself over to the dream."

Aron looks thoughtful. "That seems direct."

Aron says "What if it is only that these people stop dreaming their own dreams?"

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

<> Pat says "A nation of people relying on George Lucas for their dreams. Perish the thought."

Hitherby says "That's also possible."

In the laboratory, Ithuriel looks up from the eyepiece of his favourite microscope. "There is something distinctly odd about this. It has some non-corporeal matter in its nature."

Hitherby says "The obvious thing to do is to tackle the supply chain."

Aron says "I concur."

<> Jo says "Isn't that the real world?"

Aron says "Azalea found the scripted dream profoundly disturbing."

Aron says "I agree with her."

In the laboratory, Sephar blinks at that, "Something more ethereal or even celestial?"

In the laboratory, Ithuriel frowns. "I am uncertain. This will require further analysis. I *think* ethereal, but this is by no means certain."

Sepharcrow bobs unhappily. "There is something non-corporeal in the pills, possibly ethereal, we have to do more tests."

Aron raises an eyebrow. "I will need to take a sample to my Lady, then, after testing."

Liz sighs. "Well, so much for that business opportunity."

Hitherby says "Perhaps our Dr. Matthews is an alchemist."

Liz says "I've given Azalea half of the original supply, Aron."

Liz says "I believe she intended to give some to your Superior."

Liz sips her tea.

Aron nods to Liz. "My employer," he corrects, gently. "I have a suspicion."

Liz smiles. "Your employer."

In the laboratory, Sepharrat nods, "A possibility, then, that we need pursue."

Liz says "And what is your suspicion?"

Hitherby looks curiously to Aron.

In the laboratory, Ithuriel says, "Indeed," and looks back into the eyepiece. Lights flash.

Hitherby says "Incidentally, I've decided that gorillas are unfashionable."

Hitherby then goes back to listening overtly.

Aron says "I suspect that Fate is offering sufficient information to these occultishly curious individuals in the hopes that they will unwittingly undermine the purpose of Dreaming."

In the laboratory, Sepharrat runs about getting test equipment for ethereal properties, "Some of Dreams' folks are likely looking at it as well."

Hitherby says "I think Phineas suggested that Dr. Matthews was offering the crippled pardon some form of rejuvenation and immortality."

Sepharcrow watches the conversation quietly.

Aron says "So we must know more about this Dr. Matthews."

In the laboratory, Ithuriel nods to Sepharrat, and accepts the assistance.

Sepharcrow, "Giving them dreams too vivid to live up to, so supplanting their real dreams?"

Aron nods. "Removing their desire to dream and removing the personal impact of such."

Sepharcrow nods at Aron's directive.

Aron says "Even I do not manufacture dreams wholesale. I only edit."

<> Demiurge says "The Editor with the Flaming Sword."

Hitherby says "Ultimately, feeding them the dreams Hell wants them to have?"

<> Aron grins. "No, no, Eduardo has the flaming sword."

Liz says "Possibly, yes."

Liz says "Aron."

Aron listens.

Liz says "This dream that Tania experienced."

Liz says "It was a dream with, shall we say, a 'commercial product' attached to it."

Liz says "Not to get ahead of ourselves, but if one can package a dream, someone would have to provide content. And who do we know who love to provide the message along with the medium?"

Aron says "Terry."

Liz says "Got it in one."

Liz says "If not him then perhaps one of his compatriots."

Aron's eyes narrow ever so slightly, the blue of them becoming icy.

Liz says "As I doubt even Terry has his scales in that many pies."

Aron says "Unfortunate."

<> Daimon says "Terry, get your goddamn scales out of my pie! Sheesh."

Liz says "But it would make an excellent side project to the false 'Heaven' and the experiments on the demons who wished to Redeem."

<> Aron says "Balseraph pie."

<> Daimon says "Balseraphim. You can't train 'em, you can't house break 'em."

Hitherby dangles her head down to face the table. "Everyone in Hell is cooperating. It's no fair."

<> Demiurge makes no comment, baby!

Liz says "Perhaps their experience with the Prince of Dark Humor has given them reason to do so in the face of, ah, outside interference."

Liz says "Like, us."

Aron says "Dream has been embattled of late."

Aron says "It is beginning to ... irritate me."

Hitherby says "Light could be taking a more active role than he has in the past, I supose."

Liz narrows her eyes at Hitherby. "God forbid."

Sepharcrow flutters a bit with the euphamism and settles nearer Aron.

Aron looks thoughtful. "We push the bounds of speculation. We have one target - Dr. Matthews, and another point of pressure - Terry."

<> Pat says "Oh, let us pressure Terry. Please. :)"

Aron sips his coffee, and settles back. "I think I begin to understand my brother, Edward, better."

<> Demiurge says "Control yourself. ;)"

<> Pat is controlled. Objectively and justly, Terry needs to die painfully.

Sepharcrow blinks mildly at Aron.

Liz says "I'm inclined to bring more force to bear on Dr. Matthews."

Aron only takes another sip of his coffee.

Liz says "For one thing, he's likely to be less, ah, recalcitrant than Terry."

Liz says "He may also be open to bargaining, if he's human."

Sephar says "Two teams then? I'm sure Sarah would be interested in Dr. Matthews as well."

Liz nods at Sephar. "I'll leave Terry to Pat and Daimon."

<> Hitherby test curiously to see if she remembers the prophecy at all just then. It's important, since it's a prophesy, but she doesn't want to have supermemory :)

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

<> Demiurge says "Well, that's an Int fail."

<> Sephar mis-remembered Matthews, pretty much completely, but remembered just the name.

<> Hitherby nods.

Hitherby stands up and turns her chair right-way-around.

Hitherby slips into it and says, "Dr. Matthews can be reached through - um - whatever channel you found out about him from?"

Hitherby says "Or not?"

Sepharcrow nods, "I think I have his phone number and his business address."

Hitherby says "*Really*."

Aron says "Let us watch him first."

Sepharcrow gives Hitherby and Aron the phone number again and the address.

Aron pulls out a small pad and a black fountain pen. He writes.

Sephar says "It's his bookshop, I think, so far as the records show."

Hitherby nods. "Prepare carefully. Watch. Then show him how when you use your paws quickly enough there's hardly any pain."

Sepharcrow blinks mildly at Hitherby.

Sephar hops over to check that Aron wrote it down right, and then hops back to the table.

Liz says "Possibly better to buy him off than kill him, Hitherby."

Hitherby says "Isn't that, er, a less solid result for a higher price?"

Hitherby says "I mean, if you think you can save his soul, that's probably worthwhile. But it's looking like he's hook line and sinkered into Hell." She reflects. "We *could* even discover that he's an innocent. Good reason to watch first. But otherwise ...""

Aron says "We shall investigate him three times. Once for what he can offer on this question of drugged dreaming; once again to see what innocence is left in him; and once finally to see how it should be saved."

Sepharcrow pecks crumbs while people speak.

Hitherby says "How do we want to surveil him?"

Aron says "That is best left, perhaps, to the Dominions? Azalea and I can watch his dreams, if he is mortal."

Liz nods.

Liz says "My strengths are not suited to surveillance. I'll leave it to the experts."

Sepharcrow chuckles.

Liz says "Instead I'll work on figuring out how extensive their distribution network is."

Liz says "And, more importantly, how fast they're expanding. There's apparently some dispute over giving the product away for free and selling it. If the 'official' policy is the former, we should probably worry. A lot."

Sephar says "Uhm. What do you want to know? His business habits or his personal life or where do you wish him watched?"

Aron finishes his coffee. "I shall let Liz offer suggestions on surveillance. I have some things to prepare, and will tell Azalea of our conversation." He rises.

Hitherby smiles to Aron.

Hitherby says "Be well!"

Sepharcrow bobs a nod to Aron and flips it wings back neatly on its back.

Hitherby reflects. "It would be nice if Shannen could get a look at him. Or Phineas, I suppose."

Aron goes upstairs, there to tell Azalea so that she may wander down at her leisure.

Liz says "Actually, I'd rather like to have a look at him with one of these pills nearby."

Liz says "If circumstances allow."

Hitherby says "You can do that trick? Keen."

Hitherby mulls.

Sepharcrow hops and peers at Hitherby, then at Liz.

Liz looks over her newspaper for any interesting tidbits.

Liz says "I think I'll recommend to Tania that she not take any more of the drug until we have more information."

Hitherby says, "Fate being different from Destiny, there's no chance that just because it's a bookstore it's a Tether to the Archives?"

Hitherby says "That would be a complicating factor."

Hitherby says "Dr. Matthews might not even be human."

Hitherby says "To which you'll probably say 'duh', but."

Sepharcrow nibbles crumbs thinking.

Hitherby says "Sephar, if you can get us his licence plate, I can try clinging to his car again."

Liz pours herself more tea and skims the paper, taking in as much as she can. (Mostly ads, alas.)

Sephar says "If we watch his business, I imagine we'll be able to see when he drives up."

Hitherby nods. "But we won't be able to see where he goes tonight."

Hitherby says "Because his car will be somewhere around and probably many other cars, too."

Sephar says "Ah."

Sephar hrms. "Uhm. If we find him today, sneak onto his car in the daylight, then we'll be able to see where he goes at night?"

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

<> Sephar just peers at Demi-rolling.

Liz says "Unless, of course, he doesn't go anywhere at night, and only provides enough information to those manufacturing the drug to make it."

Hitherby says "If we find his car, I can cling as a bug, and I guess you can sneak in as a rat or just move from place to place in it, right? Then we'll know his nightly routine one day sooner."

In the laboratory, Ithuriel scrutinises the sample. He frowns, wrinkles showing between his brows. "Sephar, I am coming to the conclusion that this substance has _raw_ Ethereal forces composing part of its makeup."

Liz says "We'd perhaps be better off talking to Sarah first, to get her opinion."

In the laboratory, Ithuriel says, "Though you will understand that this is by no means certain."

Hitherby says "This isn't the end-all be-all of all plans, just an attempt to, you know, cover all bases."

Hitherby says "About what, Liz?"

In the lab, Sepharrat nods at that and peers at the results, and then shivers, "Does that mean... someone's Ethereal Forces went into making this?"

<> Hitherby says "So *that's* what happened to Mark Hamill."

In the Lab, Ithuriel says, tapping one of the tables of spectral analyses, "It is entirely possible."

Sepharcrow shivers suddenly, for no apparent reason, but listens politely to the interchange.

<> Demiurge _chokes_.

Liz says "Is something wrong, Sephar?"

In the lab, Sepharrat busies its paws thoughtfully.

Sepharcrow sighs, "It's still somewhat uncertain, but it appears that the pills have raw Ethereal Forces as part of their makeup."

Liz blinks. "Raw? As in taken from someone?"

In the lab, Sepharrat sighs, "We have to get folks to look into how this is being composed then, from whom or what, and either stop them or..." it just shakes its head.

Sepharcrow whispers, "Maybe. Yes."

Sepharcrow clears its throat. "It's possible, but we don't know, yet."

Sepharcrow shivers again anyway and smoothes its feathers.

Liz looks disturbed.

In the lab, Ithuriel says, firmly, "We do. I will expect a full report when you have more information."

Liz says "I think Azalea or Aron should get a sample to Dreams sooner rather than later."

In the Lab, Sepharrat tells Ithuriel about the connections it has uncovered so far with the others, and nods at that, "Yes. I will report as we find out more."

>From outside comes the purring of a car whose engine is boasting, in a quiet and refined way, that it would have had a career as a VTOL jet if such a thing hadn't been too lower-class.

Sephar says "Yes. It would be a good thing."

Hitherby sighs.

<> Hitherby says "Outside the lab or outside Sistine's?"

<> Demiurge says "Outside Sistine's."

Sepharcrow peer at the sound, eyes narrowing a bit in enjoyment.

<> Sephar is so tempted to try a possession by sound. No no...

Hitherby stands up, lightly.

Sepharcrow cocks its head at Hitherby.

The engine stsops. A few moments later, a dark-haired man enters the room. There are elegant streaks of silver at his temples, and his suit puts to shame the most desperate of Balseraphic attempts to claim style. The man looks towards the corner table where the angels sit, and Liz knows - in that moment - her Superior.

Sepharcrow peeks at the man.

<> Demiurge says "Just think, Sephar, you could have tried to possess Marc's personal limo. ;)"

<> Sephar woooo!!

<> Sephar is glad it didn't succumb to temptation, then!

Hitherby murmurs quietly, "Be prepared to dive."

The man smiles in a friendly way at the other angels as he comes across. His eyes have the weight of an Archangel's, and an atmosphere of communication, of give and take, of the quickness of bargaining, flows round him like water.

Sepharcrow bobs a bow to the oncoming gentleman.

<> Jo says "(Quick, yell 'Everybody out!' and go on strike!)"

<> Pat says "Sit in!"

<> Demiurge sputters on her coffee.

<> Hitherby | "We seem to have come down with the halo flu."

<> Sephar falls over laughing.

Hitherby, chewing on her lip, slowly relaxes and sits back down.

Hitherby . o O ( So Lilith *does* have male Vessels. )

Liz looks, well, faintly dumbstruck.

Liz very quickly stands, and bows. 'S-sir. I wasn't expecting you.'

Marc smiles reassuringly. "Not to worry, Zebina. This is just a flying visit." He takes a seat at the table - well, there wasn't a chair there before, but there is now.

Liz says "Ah. May I introduce Sephar, of Lightning, and Hitherby, of Animals."

Hitherby makes an amused face and finishes relaxing. Then she goes reasonably still, for proper respect.

Sepharcrow bobs its bow again and settles quietly to listen and watch.

Liz says "Marath, of Creation, and Azalea, of Dreams, are also around. Shall I go get them?"

Hitherby shows her throat, momentarily, similarly for proper respect. "Charmed."

Liz <-- ofanite's nervous reaction: go somewhere, do something.

Marc smiles at Liz again. "Some coffee would be wonderful, and I'd be delighted to meet your friends, but there's no urgency."

Marc turns his smile on Hitherby and Sephar. "Oboth and Sephar? I've heard such a lot about you. Delighted to meet you. May your water always be pure and your data uncorrupt."

Liz nods. "I'll get a fresh pot."

Liz says "I'll get some coffee."

Liz disappears into the kitchen, to find Marath and coffee.

Sephar hops happily at the wish.

Hitherby says, thoughtfully, "Your reputation has also preceded you." She smiles, in such a way as to indicate that despite technical hostility, she wasn't being snide.

Marath looks up from a tray of fresh hot almond croissants. "Azalea? What is it? Your _Archangel_?"

Liz grins. "Liz, not Azalea. And, well, yes. Would you like to meet him?"

Sepharcrow croaks, "Thank you, sir."

Marath slaps her head. "I'll forget my own name next. I'd be honoured. Does he want anything to eat or drink?"

Liz says "Coffee."

Marath pauses. She fetches out a hidden jug from what is clearly a concealed coffee-maker.

Liz says "I'm going to fetch Azalea."

Marath comes out, coffee jug and some fresh cups in hand.

Liz smiles and zips upstairs.

Marc smiles at Marath - odd, his smile doesn't grow gaudy in the way that the Balseraph Gleam does - and accepts a cup of the coffee. He pronounces it good.

Marc says, "I hope my credit is good here?"

Liz knocks lightly on Azalea's door. "Azalea? Are you about?"

Marath looks a touch flustered. "Oh, I have a special account for Archangels, my lord."

Marc blinks. "So I have to pay for Eli's drinks too? Plus ca change, plus de meme chose... no, no, my dear Marath, it's just a joke. Please. Sit down."

<> Jo just dies.

<> Sephar laughs!!!

Sepharcrow chuckle-hops.

Liz knocks again, a bit more urgently, "Azalea?"

<> Sephar imagines Aron might hear the knocking, too.

Marath, looking a shade uncertain, sits down. She fills her cup. She looks from Sephar to Hitherby, clearly hoping one of them will make conversation.

<> Demiurge says "Probably, yes."

Hitherby says, in an attempt to be social, "The emphelic spiders of New Zealand survive by trading fertilized eggs after said fertilization."

Marc nods, seriously. "I have some videos of them in my stock. I've always felt that my people should look for examples in every area of life, not just the human."

Liz calls softly, "The Archangel of Trade is downstairs, if you'd like to meet him, Azalea."

Liz leaves it at that, and zips back downstairs.

Azalea comes out of her room, putting a hand through her hair, and wanders down.

Liz looks back. "Oh, good. You are there."

Sepharcrow blinks at the exchange mildly.

Marc looks up as the two women come down the stairs, and smiles at them. There's something of what Esthan had in him, that charm and personal interest, but more, more emphatic.

Hitherby says, "I'm pleased that you feel that way, sir. Naturally, most animals avoid 'trade' per se, it being a human abstraction, but they have ecology - almost the same thing."

Liz says "Sir, I'd like to introduce Azalea, of Dreams."

Marc says, "My dear Alia, it's good to meet you in person."

Perhaps out of some desire for charity, Marc doesn't reply to Hitherby's comment.

Hitherby goes quiet and folds her hands in her lap with her shoes atop.

Aron steps out of his room, some moments later, and, hearing noises downstairs, heads that way.

Marc gestures Azalea and Liz to two of the free chairs, and picks up the coffee jug. "Coffee?"

Marath would clearly far rather be in the kitchen.

Liz says "I usually take tea these days, Sir."

Marc says, "Certainly. Milk or sugar or lemon?"

Liz says "Sugar and a bit of lemon, please."

Marc tilts the coffeepot, and lo, it pours tea with sugar and a bit of lemon into Liz's cup.

Liz smiles brilliantly.

Marc glances up, still holding the coffeepot, to where Aron is entering, and smiles at him.

Azalea bows, silent.

You paged Aron with 'Well, it's a man in a business suit with an overpowering air of charm. Either it's Marc or the entire tableful of angels have just got conned by Andre. You suspect the former. ;)'.

Liz sips. "Mmm. Wonderful." She's reminded of a few of the better shipments that she brought over from India, lo these many decades ago.

>From afar, Aron laughs!

Aron pauses. He bows, quietly. "Sir."

<> Demiurge says "Azalea, strong as your personality is, defined as you are, it's awfully .. hard .. to maintain your usual edge and dignity with Marc. You can almost feel the urge to communicate, share ideas."

Marc says, "Taroniel. It's been far too long since my people handled some of those products that your authors bring out. Do join us."

Aron nods, politely and heads towards the table. "Thank you."

Marc waits till people are seated, and lets the coffee pot circulate.

Hitherby, not liking coffee or tea much but wanting to participate in the pseudo-mealish atmosphere, peels a packet of sugar open and taps the contents into her palm.

Liz waits until the coffee pot is in circulation, and then carefully reaches into her purse. She takes out a small medicine bottle, the kind you keep pills in, and sets it on the table top. It's a mirror of the one she gave Sephar earlier.

Liz says "I think, Sir, that you should see this."

Sepharcrow uses a claw to pull over a saucer and tips a bit of liquid from the pot into the saucer, curious to see if Jolt comes out.

Liz slides it across the table.

Marc says, "Indeed? A new acquisition?"

Jolt spills out of the coffeepot into Sephar's saucer.

Marc raises the pill-bottle to his eyes, thoughtfully.

Sepharcrow chuckles and passes the pot on and dips its beak happily.

Liz says "At first I'd hoped so. Now... I doubt it."

Liz says "It gives humans dreams. Scripted, set dreams."

Liz says "And it has an ethereal component."

Marc frowns.

Liz says "Sephar would know more than I. Or Azalea."

Sepharcrow caws softly, "Raw Ethereal Forces as a component, possibly."

Hitherby picks up the sugar a pinch at a time with her free hand and licks it off her fingers.

Sepharcrow mutters, "Not sure, yet, but proceeding with tests to be more sure."

Aron listens, and sips.

The coffee in Aron's mug has come out to his personal taste.

Marc rotates the pill between his fingers. He removes a pair of half-glasses from one pocket, places them on his nose, and inspects the pill through them.

Marc says, "My dear Sephar, you are absolutely correct. I would commission my own report, but I have faith in the capabilities of Lightning. Could you forward a copy my way, perhaps?"

Sepharcrow bobs, "Certainly."

Marc passes the small bottle back towards Liz, and returns his spectacles to a pocket.

Liz tucks the bottle away.

In the Lab, Sepharrat blinks and informs the Senechal that an archangel has confirmed his theory.

Liz says "We have, I believe, a direct lead towards the source."

In the Lab, Ithuriel mutters something about microscopic analysis being more provable than Archangelic intuition.

Liz says "I'll forward anything else we get on the subject to you immediately."

Marc says, "Thank you, Zebina."

Liz takes another sip of tea. "My pleasure, always."

Marc says, "In the meantime, I was passing by and I thought I'd update you on the status of Focals and Bellmans."

In the Lab, Sepharrat chuckles and nods, "Marc would like a report on our findings, as well, though."

Liz says "Please."

In the Lab, Ithuriel says, "We can print out two as easily as one."

Hitherby looks more attentive, which puts her awful close to her attentiveness limit.

Marc takes a sip of his coffee. "Bankruptcy." He pronounces the word in the same way that a Malakite would say, "Execution."

Marc's mouth curves in what is *not* a smile. "Their assets are seized, their goods are seized, and they are currently undergoing severe criminal investigations."

Aron smiles.

Sepharcrow chuckles.

Liz's smile almost matches her Archangel's. Almost. "And their personnel?"

<> Pat gives Marc a Judgement Cookie.

Marc frowns a shade. "A number are under arrest or have been freed through bail. Some escaped. I think that we can safely say that those roles will be somewhat encumbered now, though."

Sephar pages: In the Lab, Sepharrat also prints out reports for the Judgement folk and for Sarah.... or at least faxes/emails/ sends copies out to those folks.

Long distance to Sephar: Demiurge nods.

Liz nods. "And the human employees?"

Liz says "Were any... retrainable?"

Marc says, "A number were quite innocent of what's going on. Some others may need a spell in prison to think things over. That side of the matter we're largely going to have to leave to the police."

Liz nods in acknowledgement.

Liz says "Thank you."

Liz . o O (Now if I can just get that damn impudite into a Tether...)

Marc smiles more openly this time, to Liz, and then to the group. "A pleasure. I'm glad to have had the chance to clear out such a poisonous pair of abscesses. I won't forget what you all did."

Liz says "With any luck more reputable companies will replace them. Perhaps the Opera would consider a different investment company now..."

Liz trails off, as these sort of speculations don't really need public mention.

Marc says, "I think I'll leave that to the local agents."

Sepharcrow bobs a quiet nod.

Liz says "Is there anything else I can do?"

Hitherby inclines her head the proper amount at Marc's 'a pleasure' bit.

Marc rises. "I don't believe I need to take up any more of your time. I'll hope for a report as normal, my dear Zebina. In the meantime..."

Marc puts his hands on Liz's shoulders, raising her from her chair.

Liz blinks.

Liz stands, of course.

Marc says, eyes serious, "Your intentions are good, your results are excellent, and I'm sure that we can work on accidental little errors along the way. You are my Servitor, Zebina. Promote my Word."

Marc leans forward, and kisses Zebina once lightly on the forehead.

Sepharcrow watches curiously.

Aron sips his coffee and watches, intent.

It's not easily describable. It's been *centuries* since she last felt this way. But to have a Force added, to feel that _redimensioning_ of herself, that growth, that expansion, that newness... like being born again.

Marc sits Liz back down again, before her knees give way.

Liz makes a not quite inaudiable sound of... something. For a moment she's paused as she readjusts her personal reality, and then... "My."

Liz looks up, eyes shining. "Thank you."

Marc smiles at the other angels, and again there's that sense of personal interest, of charm, and of the ebb and flow of communication and goods and the pulse of life.

Marc smiles once more at Liz, a private thing, then says, briskly, "Have a nice day," and walks towards the exit.

Liz glances around the room, an absoluately unstoppable smile on her face.

Marc disappears through the door. Shortly afterwards comes the expensive growl of a top-of-the-line car leaving.

Azalea watches gravely.

Sepharcrow peers at Liz, eyes slitting softly again at the sound of the car.

Liz looks back at Sephar, as if she's noticing him for the first time.

Liz says "That was...amazing. I hadn't realized..."

Sepharcrow hops once and listens. "What?"

Liz just smiles at Sephar. "That I had done something to warrant that."

Liz says "I think this will prove useful."

Sepharcrow peers mildly.

Sepharcrow says, "Good, then."

Azalea finds a cup of coffee and wanders back to her room.

Liz just sort of stays seated, her glance darting around, looking from thing to thing to thing.

Marath smiles, and wanders back to the kitchen.

Aron cups his coffee in his hands and sits, quietly.

Sepharcrow sips Jolt and thinks quietly.

Hitherby admits, "I still think that looking up the man's license plate like Sephar does all the time with things like that doesn't require checking with Sarah first."

Hitherby says "I mean, I have no trouble with talking to Sarah, that just seemed weird."

Sepharcrow blinks mildly.

Sephar says "Uhm. I can look it up without checking with Sarah first."

Hitherby says "I *thought* so. But Liz said --" She shrugs. "No doubt I misunderstood."

Hitherby fidgets slightly.

Sephar says "But I don't do it all the time, and I'm not sure if I even can without getting into the DMV records... thought it would be easier if we just went to the house and got into his car, rather than looking it all up..."

Sephar says "... sorry. Not house, business place, bookstore."

Hitherby says "Do we know where his house is or what car he has?"

Hitherby says "I'm just seeing us getting to the bookstore and looking at fifty cars on the street nearby."

Hitherby says "Is all."

Sephar says "Ah."

Sephar says "Hokay."

Hitherby says "If it's risky, or something - I dunno. To me, it's magic."

Hitherby grins.

In the Lab, when Ithuriel is done with Sephar's help, Sepharrat will try and look up the plates for Dr. Matthews.

Sepharcrow hrms, "Not risky, might just be time and effort and imagination, which might equate to magic for some..."

Sepharcrow mutters mildly to itself.

In the Lab, Ithuriel can spare Sephar for a while for him to go and check up on registered number plates. Ah, yes, Dr Matthews does indeed have a car, a nice dark Fiat.

<> Hitherby giggles!

<> Sephar grins.

Sepharcrow clicks its beak happily.

Sepharcrow gives Hitherby the plates and the description in physical terms.

Hitherby beams.

Hitherby says "Okay."

Sephar says "Would you like me to fly with a part of you to be the normal communication backup?"

Hitherby says "You're more than a communication backup! You're more of a general-purpose sideby."

Hitherby says "But yup."

Sepharcrow chuckles and bobs a gentle bow. "Good."

Sepharcrow mutters softly, "Nobody alone."

Hitherby looks around thoughtfully. "This is sort of embarrassing, but does anyone have two Essence to spare?"

Hitherby says "I know, these days giving some to me is like pouring it into a pit. But it's come in handy!"

Hitherby says "I can ask Daimon. He doesn't Sing very often, I think."

Sepharcrow chuckles.

Sephar says "You could."

Sepharcrow hrms, "I'm sometimes Pit-like, too."

Hitherby says "I will. Okay. Seph, shall we go? Liz, do you need a bug for your researches, or are they going to be non-dangerous?"

Liz chuckles.

Sepharcrow also asks, "Should I keep a part of myself here? Or just go with Hitherby?"

Liz smiles.

Sephar says "I think one of us should leave a part here."

Liz says "I recommended checking with Sarah to find out if we should concentrate on his residence or his movements, Hitherby."

Hitherby says "Ahh!"

Hitherby says "Point."

Liz says "But do be careful running around after him. I don't want either of you to be sucked into any traps like before."

Hitherby says "Sarah's also the logical person to go into the bookstore and just, you know, look around."

Liz says "Unless they're specifically on the look out for her, yes."

Hitherby says "I should do something about those traps. And I think I know what."

Liz says "I gather one doesn't normally leave true relics on the shelves for ordinary browsers."

Sepharcrow bobs a nod at what Hitherby said as well as what Liz said, "I think we should watch it and not get sucked in for a while, before seeing what Sarah wants to do."

Liz nods at Hitherby.

Liz nods at Sephar, too.

Sepharcrow mutters, "Even the two of us couldn't keep Daimon safe, so I'm unsure about hazarding Sarah."

Hitherby says "Agreed. But Sarah can probably learn a lot from observing a bookstore."

Liz says "I'll work on tracing out his distribution chain."

Liz says "Sarah might be able to provide suggestions to the stakeout, Sephar."

Hitherby says "I mean, I'd know what to look for in a demonic anthill, even if they kept all the demonic ants busy elsewhere."

Sepharcrow bobs a nod, "True, I'll ask her about that, then."

Liz smiles at Hitherby.

Sepharcrow hrms, "I have a mouse with her, now."

Liz says "All right. I'll be moving along."

Sepharcrow waves a wing at Liz!

Liz says "I have some role maintenance to take care of, and then I'll get started on the distribution chain. I very much doubt any of them are up yet."

Liz says "Sephar, please call Tania and tell her that she should not, under any circumstances, take any more of those pills until we find out more about them."

Sephar blinks at Liz.

Sepharcrow, "Uhm. Do I have her number? Or should I have Daimon call her?"

Liz smiles. "I have her number... here..."

Sepharcrow flutter-hops to Liz's shoulder.

Hitherby says "Okay. Liz, you want me with you, there's almost always a swarm on the outside roof here. Sephar, I'm grabbing a bird outside; it'll also be on the roof until you're ready to travel."

In the Lab, Sepharrat starts a folder/report for all this dream stuff and adds Tania's number to it, along with all the other data pertaining to this.

Liz says "Thanks Sephar. I apologize for treating you as a secretary, but I figure you're the best person to make absolutely sure Tania gets an electronic message."

<> Liz <-- knows her shipping methods.

Liz says "A bug or two would be useful, yes, Hitherby."

Liz says "Thank you."

Liz says "Or a mouse, if you'd like, Sephar."

Sepharcrow hrms and peers about the establishment. "No mice here... probably a good thing. Uhm. I think I'll go out, get two birds, one to go with Hitherby, one with Liz and I'll stay here with Aron and the the others."

Hitherby says "Okay. Then I'll send a minimal swarm with you, Liz?"

Sepharcrow flaps outside again, having let go of the bird that flew to the Tether... and tries to get two birds.

Hitherby says "That gives fairly even coverage of all o' us, I think."

Hitherby says "If I split the one on the roof, I'll be able to whisper to you and to anyone who comes by before I rebuild it."

<> Demiurge says "Roll, Sephar."

<> Sephar rolls the d666 and gets 6 3 CHECK: 5.

Liz nods to Hitherby. "Of course."

<> Hitherby checks, herself, to see how long it takes her to get the bird she is sending with Sephar. :)

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

Liz ponders a Cherub of Trade she knows who might enjoy running a pet shop...

<> Demiurge says "Okay. Hitherby and Sephar both have their birds."

Liz busses the dishes and whatnot on the tables, thanks Marath for the coffee, and heads out.

Sepharthreebirds come arrowing in, the crow perching on Aron's shoulder, a song bird hops onto Liz's shoulder and then another perches on Hitherlady's shoulder.

Sepharbird sings softly to Liz, "I cannot possess any humans this way, just so you know."

Sepharbird warbles, "Much less demons."

Hitherby smiles and pets the songbird with a finger. "I'm the sparrow on the roof, Sephar. This body is being returned to its owner."

Liz smiles at Sephar. "I'll keep it in mind. I'm rather hoping we don't run into any, frankly."

Sepharsongbird flips its wings and arrows back out ot the roof to see the sparrow.

Sepharbird bobs at Liz and chirrrups.

Sepharcrow tucks up against Aron's shoulder and mostly just looks like its napping.

Liz hops into her car, and heads airportwards for role maintenance.

Hitherby pats the table with one hand. "Okay. I would like an extremely clever plan, and don't have one, but I think we have enough to start, and if anyone has an idea, it can be relayed. Let's go."

Hitherby slips her demon-clothing - er, her heels - back on, walks outside, and depossesses.

Hitherbird launches.

The human blinks, as is usual.

Sepharbird launches with Hitherbird and flies with her.

---

Fiat Justitia