Editor At Work

<> Demiurge says "I think Aron was sitting in a park and doing some editing work?"

<> Aron nods. "He was, indeed."

<> Demiurge says "Does he carry a celphone?"

<> Aron shakes his head. "Unfortunately, no. However, his office has managed to pin a pager to him, so he can be reached in emergencies."

His pager beeps.

Aron keeps on writing, for a few minutes. When the pager beeps, he looks around, somewhat annoyed at whomever is making that annoy ... oh. He looks at his belt, sheepishly, and fuddles with the beeper. He checks to see who's calling him.

The phone number shows that his office is calling him.

Aron looks around and makes his way to a payphone. Once he figures out the quarter in the slot part, he dials his secretary's number. "Hello Mary."

Mary's voice says, "Mr Riel! I'm so glad you're wearing your pager today. How are you?"

Aron looks wry. "I think I left the pager on this pair of pants quite by accident, so you were lucky. I am well. What tokens the call?"

Mary says, over the phone, "We've had a call from one of your authors, sir. Miss d'Arco. She said that she was going to be in DC shortly, and was wondering if she could catch up with you for some talks."

<> Demiurge says "Miss d'Arco - Frances d'Arco. She writes excellent young adult historicals with suggestions of fantasy. Half a dozen so far. Early thirties."

<> Aron says "Aha, groovy."

Aron squints up at the sun, and then nods. "Excellent, Mary. I'll be in the office in thirty minutes. Thank you."

Mary says, "A pleasure, Mr Riel. Be seeing you."

Aron hangs up, makes for his car and, hopefully within those 30 minutes, makes it back to the office.

Indeed, the traffic is tolerable, and he reaches the office within 30 minutes. Mary smiles brightly from behind her desk. As usual, she's wearing too bright a nail varnish, but otherwise she's her usual self, in trouser-suit and short-cut blonde hair.

Aron sets down the manuscripts he was inspecting and offers Mary a nod. He doesn't smile - but Mary should be used to that. "Good afternoon, Mary. Did Miss D'Arco say when and where she'd be available?"

Mary picks up a note from the desk next to her. "She said that she'd be getting into the airport late this afternoon, Mr Riel, and should be around for a few days. I have a contact number."

Mary checks the note. "She suggested dinner tonight, or lunch or dinner some other night."

Aron nods. "Dinner tonight sounds good. Please make reservations for two at Jaleo's, Mary." He takes down Frances' number.

<> Demiurge says "What is Jaleo's? A classy restaurant?"

<> Aron says "It's a nice spanish restaurant - really good tapas bar and excellent sangria."

<> Aron says "Relatively classy joint."

<> Demiurge says "Right. (I have to ask - what is tapas?)"

Mary nods, and scribbles down the details. "What time in the evening would you like? Early or late?"

<> Aron says "Tapas are traditional spanish dishes - they're small, like appetizers, so you get a bunch of different ones and share and try them out, rather than getting an entree. Cheeses, chirizzo sausage, ham fritters, squid stew, all sorts of yummy stuff."

Aron says "Eight in the evening should do; it'll give her a chance to rest from the journey."

<> Demiurge says "Right. Neat. Thanks."

Mary nods. "Will do. Any instructions on the other new manuscripts?"

Aron nods. "I've added my revisions to Mr. Haddock's script. I'm half way through Ms. Mintz's new work; I'll have that to you by the day after tomorrow."

Mary nods, looking relieved. "That's great. I'll get the corrections typed up and sent on."

Aron settles down in his office to finish up some work and, when appropriate, to call Miss D'Arco and tell her about dinner.

There isn't actually that much work to be done. His recent application to the job has cleared up a lot of backlog. Soon enough, he's free to call Miss d'Arco.

Aron sets aside his papers neatly - his office is pristine in its organization - and dials the number. Brahms' 1st plays in the background; it's music he likes to work by.

The phone rings three times before it is answered. Frances d'Arco's precise alto voice, vaguely husky, says, "Good morning."

Aron says "Good morning, Miss d'Arco. This is Aron Riel."

<> Demiurge says "Aron, I think you've only corresponded in the past."

<> Aron nods. "Sounds reasonable."

There's a pause, then Frances d'Arco says, "Ah, thank you. I hadn't expected you to get back to me so soon. Is there any chance of that meeting?"

Aron nods, in reflex, then says, "I arranged a dinner at Jaleo's, if that's convenient. Eight o'clock tonight?'

Frances d'Arco says, "That sounds wonderful. I've been considering some changes in my writing, and I wanted to discuss them with you first, naturally, before I tried anything."

Aron nods, again, smiling ruefully as he catches himself. "I'm glad you called me, then, Miss d'Arco. I look forward to our conversation. Will you need me to pick you up?"

Frances d'Arco says, "I shouldn't think so. I'll probably get a cab from my hotel to this place you mentioned. A cab-driver would know it?"

Aron says "Certainly; it's a relatively well known place. It's next to the Folger Theatre, if there's any confusion."

<> Aron says "There are reasons a'plenty for a Creationer to like this place, you see."

<> Demiurge says "Okay. Now you have to tell me what the Folger Theatre is. :)"

Sarah has connected.

<> Aron says "It's a stage theatre - they do plays and classical dance performances and things there."

Frances d'Arco says, "Thank you. I'll look forward to seeing you there, then."

<> Demiurge says "Right. Excellent."

Aron says "Good day, Miss d'Arco. And welcome to Washington."

Aron hangs up, as the conversation ends.

The Brahms plays quietly in the background. By now, it's about 1.30 pm in the afternoon or so.

<> Demiurge says "In that case, Aron is left to his own devices. Any plans?"

<> Aron says "Nothing terribly exciting till dinner, I think. He'll call Zebina and check in on the state of the investigation there but she's not here to reply."

<> Demiurge says "Zebina's answering machine would tell him that she's off on a flight to San Francisco."

<> Aron nods. "Aron would try to finish up more of the Mintz manuscript then, and then get to his apartment to dress for dinner and then head down."

The phone on Aron's desk rings.

Aron marks his place in the manuscript and picks up the phone. "Hello, Aron Riel here."

Mary's voice says, "Young lady to see you, Mr Riel. A Miss Tania Sheridan. Are you in for her, or should I tell her you're in a meeting?"

Aron looks surprised. "Please send her in, Mary."

A minute later, Tania enters. She's dressed a bit more conservatively than yesterday, in pale green top, dark blue slacks, and halfway decent dark blue jacket. Her bag is slung over her shoulder.

Tania hesitates as she closes the door. "I'm sorry to be bothering you, Mr Riel..."

Aron walks around the desk and offers his hand. "Not at all, Tania. And please, call me Aron."

Tania looks reassured, and takes the offered hand. "Thanks. I just, well, had lunch with Belle, and it was significantly weird. But Marath's busy and Liz is off flying and I wasn't sure who to tell about it."

Aron nods and motions to a seat. "Please, sit. I'm glad you came. Can I get you something - tea or coffee?"

Tania says, "Oh, coffee, please. White, if I could." She sits down, smoothing her trouser legs a little.

Aron nods. "Certainly." He goes to the back of the room to prepare the coffee. "Significantly weird, you say?"

Tania says, "She's into parapsychology."

Aron raises an eyebrow. "Kirlian auras and such things?" He returns with two mugs of coffee - one white and black. Tania's mug says 'Editors tell you how to do it better'.

Tania says, "And she wants me to get into it too. She says I have talent."

Tania takes the mug, and turns it to look at the slogan, and snickers.

Aron looks rueful. "A gift."

Aron settles down in his chair. "How did she describe parapsychology to you?"

Tania stops snickering, and takes a sip of the coffee, then says, "She says that a lot of what people call paranormal is just fanciful stuff made up to account for basic things that we exist but that we don't know about."

Tania stops to think a moment. "She also said that a lot of the fairytale stuff was created by us in the first place - by people, that is - who imagined it was real, so it became real."

Aron nods, thoughtfully, and sips his coffee. "May I tell you a truth, Tania? It's not *the* truth, mind, but it's a truth, nevertheless."

Tania perks up. "Sure!"

Aron says "The relation between dream and man is somewhat more intimate than mere creation. By dreaming, you lend reality to the existence of certain beings. And through their existence, they lend power to your dreaming."

Aron says "Like so many things, it is a cycle."

Tania nods thoughtfully.

Tania says, "That sort of agrees with what she was saying and what the notes said."

Aron nods. "I only mention it because it is important to remember that a creature of dream is more than simply a creation of man. I didn't mean to interrupt, however. Go on."

Tania's eyes shadow. "That bit doesn't agree with what she was saying. The way she said it, they were, well, just things. Like images at the cinema."

Aron nods. "I was afraid of that."

Tania says, "But anyhow, she was saying that she thought I had the talent to be able to control that sort of thing - and I suppose she was right, because Gavin taught me that Song before - and she wanted me to join them."

Tania adds hastily, "Though I didn't tell her about you or the Song or anything like that."

Aron smiles. "Thank you."

Aron says "Who is Gavin?"

Tania says, "Gavin is Gavin Julianson. He's a violinist at the Opera, and he's my teacher, and he used to be an angel of Destiny, but then he was badly hurt and became a Remnant." Her voice shows a fierce protectiveness.

Aron says "Oh, my dear. I am so very sorry."

Tania takes another sip of coffee before she speaks again. "He says it happened about ten years ago, before we met."

Aron nods. "Does he remember, now?"

Aron says "Most forget, after a wound so terrible."

Tania says, "I don't know. I don't think he did remember till all the stuff happened at the opera, and other people told him about it. He always just said it had been a bad accident, and he'd had amnesia."

Aron nods. "If he ever needs help - well, it's not my specialty but I could soothe his dreams, at least."

Tania says, "Thanks." She looks grateful. "I've never, well, known how to ask."

Aron says "Asking for help is one of those things that is so very easy that no one ever knows how to do it. You are quite welcome, Tania."

Aron says "So, what Song did Mr. Julianson teach you?"

Tania says, "People say it's called the Song of Thunder."

Aron says "Positively Wagnerian, that one."

Tania grins. "I like Wagner! I'd love to be able to sing some of the big solo parts, some day."

In the background, the cd player whirrs and Shostokovich's 3rd slots itself into the carousel tray. It begins to play.

Aron smiles. "And I should love to hear you do it."

<> Demiurge says "Clearly Tania came to the right person to get soothed. ;)"

<> Aron grins.

<> Aron says "Normally everyone thinks Aron is a meanie, but that's because they never hit him at the right time."

<> Aron says "Or the right way."

Tania seems muchly cheered. "Oh, good. If I ever do, I'll send you tickets." She pauses. "I've got way off the subject, haven't I."

Aron nods. "But subjects have a way of drawing us back, in time. Never fear."

Aron says "I have nowhere else to be. But I do have a question."

Tania nods. "Sure. What is it?"

Aron says "Does Belle think to explain away dreams with the science of parapsychology?"

Tania shifts in her chair. "Well, I'm not sure. You see, she said parapsychology is important, but that there are," she frowns, "rituals that can be used to channel understanding and achieve results until we understand the underlying principles."

Aron nods. "There is in man a natural desire to know. But that brings up another question."

Tania nods, listening.

Aron says "Are we better served by understanding everything that underlies dreaming?"

Tania winces. "I don't know. Are we?"

Aron sips his coffee. "I know my answer to that question. Yours doesn't have to be the same."

Aron says "It's not entirely a trick question, really - it's only something for you to think about."

Tania nods again, and drinks some more coffee.

Tania says, "But, well, she says that they're just rituals that give shape to desires and they're not really real, but the notes she gave me talk about summoning _demons_."

Tania says, "And I know that angels and demons are real."

Aron leans back, pausing to listen as the second movement - doleful and ominous - begins. "There's a man whose dreams were at once dark and beautiful," he murmurs. He listens to Tania, then nods. A slight frown creases his brow.

Aron says "They are. And, I have heard tell - rumours - that there are rituals to summon demons. This has suddenly become elevated in priority, Tania."

Tania rubs a foot unconsciously against her bag. "She gave me some notes to study to think about it that she printed off her computer."

Aron says "May I see them?"

Tania picks up her bag, and roots in it till she finds a set of dot-matrix-printed pages. She passes them across.

Tania says, "Belle said she was copying out some texts onto her computer."

Aron thumbs through them, taking a quick scan. Leaning back, he asks, "What do you think of Belle?"

<> Demiurge says "Yup. Sorcerers have been known from a wide variety of traditions."

The first paragraph of text reads, "First is accounted the Morning Star, Lucifer, mighty among the princes of the demons, who with his own hand and voice did defy God. And yet is he not also named lord of this world? Authority to tempt him who was named the son of God was given unto him, as can be seen in the creeds of the Manichees, who spoke of Ormazd and Ahriman. Therefore can it be seen that a man who has the skill to remain within the boundaries of this world and the wisdom to salute He within whose lordship it doth rest may verily reign as a Prince himself, with such powers and prizes are are pleasing to the great and delightful to the senses. "

Tania doesn't look him in the eye. "We were really good friends. But if she believes this, she is being *stupid*."

Aron is silent for a time, his only motion the tap-tap-tap of his finger against the paper. He looks up, finally, and nods. "My instinct is to think that your friend is being gulled."

Aron says "But I want you to think, carefully and honestly. Is she ambitious, in this fashion, or is she only curious?"

Tania says, very quietly, "Wouldn't anyone want power if they thought they could get it?" It sounds as though she's quoting someone else.

Aron says "Would you?"

Tania says, "It depends on the power." Her eyes are still downcast.

Aron says, gently, "Tania. I am not seeking to chastise you."

<> Demiurge says "Is that an Aron Joke to some extent? :)"

<> Aron says "Mildly, yeah."

<> Aron grins.

Tania looks up, and she's blinking fast. She takes a gulp of coffee to compose herself.

Tania says, "She's my friend. I can't *believe* she'd do stuff like the stuff in there. But she doesn't think it's real, she just thinks it's all symbolic."

Aron sips his coffee and then sets it aside. He walks around to the other side of the desk and sits on the desktop. He looks at Tania, and then nods. "I believe you."

Tania takes a deep breath, and relaxes a bit.

Aron says "These must be difficult times for you, Tania. I'm sorry."

Tania shakes her head. "It's my fault. They did *say* that being a Soldier wasn't going to be easy."

Aron looks wry. "It is not your fault that it isn't easy, Tania. But yes, it isn't easy. So, I will not say sorry, but rather, thank you."

Tania nods. "Thanks." She swallows some more coffee.

Aron says "Do one thing, if you can. Talk to Belle. If you say she does this innocently, I believe, but I also fear for her."

Tania says, "I'm supposed to see her for lunch tomorrow anyhow to talk about it some more. Would that do?"

Aron nods. "It should. This is dangerous business, Tania, as true as any danger has been."

Aron says "If, Heaven help us, they ever succeed in one of these rituals..."

Tania says, "That stuff wouldn't *work*, would it?"

Aron says "It could."

Aron says "You understand my fear, now?"

Tania nods. She's lost some of her colour.

Tania says, "I'll do whatever I have to."

Aron nods. "If you think it might help for one of us to speak with Belle, let me know. None of us want to see her hurt."

Tania nods. "I will. I don't want her to think I've turned against her, though."

Aron says "And Tania, tread carefully. Never fear to call us. I treasure you more for you and your talents, than your service in this matter."

Tania takes a couple of breaths, then says, "Thanks. I mean, I appreciate that. I just don't want things to get worse."

Aron nods. "Nor do I, Tania."

Aron says "An additional note: your friend, Belle, and her friend, Thomas, are being encouraged and mentored by a man named Dr. Matthews."

Tania blinks. "I don't know the name."

Aron says "He is in the service of Fate, and by this I do not mean the lyrical or allusory face of destiny but rather the cold hand of inexorable decline."

Aron says "He is not a good man."

Tania shivers. "Fate like Kronos in those papers?"

Aron says "The papers you gave me?"

Tania nods.

Aron says "Yes."

Aron says "You know Sarah, don't you?"

Tania says, "I think I've met her. She was the one with the glasses?"

Aron nods. "She is. She is directly opposed to Fate, for she is in the service of Destiny."

Tania looks relieved. "Right."

Aron smiles.

Tania says, tentatively, "Does Fate often do this sort of thing? Try and get people studying demon summoning?"

Aron says "What faster road to doom than the hungry quest for illicit power?"

Aron says "It is classic Fate's fare, I'm afraid."

Tania grins, fleetingly. "I can tell you spend a lot of time reading fantasy stuff. "The hungry quest for illicit power..." That's really cool."

Aron looks a bit abashed. "It rubs off on me, I'm afraid." He glances at the wall clock. "Look, I have to run. I do a bit of storytelling at the children's hospital. Would you like to come?"

Tania hesitates. "I need to practice today. I've only done an hour so far, and I'm chorus tonight, so I need to get it done this afternoon. I'm sorry."

Aron nods. "Certainly." He offers his hand. "Thank you for coming, Tania. I do appreciate it. And be careful, please. I'll be expecting to hear from you soon."

Tania squeezes the hand more warmly than earlier. "Thanks. Marath told me to come to you if I needed to report stuff - she said you'd understand. She was right."

Aron smiles, at that, and covers her hand with his before releasing. "I'm glad you feel that way, Tania. Now off to practice with you."

Tania grins, and picks up her bag, then heads out.

---

Fiat Justitia