<<Scene Start>>

A dark room, cold -- but not quite bitterly cold. Not the cold of the Lower Hells... quite. A table, and rows of flickering yellow candles that do not cast quite enough light nor quite enough warmth.

At the head of the table, in human seeming, a Prince wrapped in what might be black silk robes. Calling a meeting to order...

Saminga oozes in through the door, tendrils idly brushing things as it passes them.

A disturbing mass of eyes, mouths, and other random limbs, Saminga embodies its band's name of "The Fleshless" with disquieting perfection. Bits and pieces of anatomy constantly surface and submerge, and the smell of the charnelhouse hangs about it like the miasma of sweat from a bad dream.

Asmodeus gestures to a seat, silently.

A slim, Semitic-featured young man in a business suit calmly walks in and takes a seat near the middle of the table. Not so far up as to make a challenge, not so far down as to acknowledge weakness. He steeples his fingers in front of him and waits for the others to arrive.

A Demon Prince

Andrealphus strides in irrespective of the positions of other princes. Black velvet drapes over his body, wisps of it showing off a lithe, detailed form moving like a cat through a dog pound. He carries... something between his arms, something scaly and winged. His long, very scarlet, very sharp fingernails are drifting over the writhing, scaled thing... a Balseraph? as Andre stalks in. With the barest of nods and a hungry, almost little-boy smile that does not reach his eyes aimed at Asmodeus, Andrealphus slinks onto a chair and lounges aggressively, playing with his toy.

A tall, lithe, heartachingly beautiful man with a hungry little-boy smile that never reaches his eyes. There's hunger there, but no smile, no warmth. Cold and fire alike dance in his eyes, but no soft places in between. Long, almost feminine hair drapes over his shoulders, raven-dark and seeming to almost merge with the black velvet that barely covers his body, not preserving modesty but mocking it with emphasis and just-more-than-subtle teasing.

Carrying:

BalToy

Toybox

In a flash of static-sparks and theme music, Nybbas appears in the doorway, with a pair of cameraBals bamfing into place behind him. He gestures them into the room - "okay, boys, you know where I want 'em, right?" "got it, Boss!" - and strides in, Grinning.

Nybbas is a wiry, medium-sized young man with a shark-like Grin, wearing a shockingly tasteless suit and thick black-rimmed glasses showing nothing but static. A pair of short black horns poke out from under bright red hair that looks like it's been drenched in hairspray, and larger black leathery wings grow from his shoulderblades.

Valefor appears behind a seat near the head of the table and idly brushes a few flecks of imaginary dust off his jacket. He glances around. "Good day, gentlemen. I see I'm on time. Pity." With a smirk, he pulls his seat out and slides in.

A stylish gent, in a crisp white suit (that is showing, inexplicably, a bit of wear). His hair is slick and black and handsome, and two horns curve back from his forehead. His skin is a rich, blood-toned red

Asmodeus casts his dark gaze over the cameraBals.

The cameraBals make themselves very busy setting up cameras, and try not to draw the attention of the other Princes. Especially not the one at the head of the table.

Saminga flows into it, absorbing the eyes that are on the side of it that makes contact with the cold seat so that they might look out over the chamber. As Lust makes its entrance, they roll in opposite directions, then stabilise dubiously in the Media's direction (a second pair manifesting so as to keep watch over Theft.)

Asmodeus waits for the cameraBals to finish their work. Patient as a Djinn.

Nybbas drops into a seat by the Semitic young man.

Valefor ponders his fingernails thoughtfully, elbows on the table.

One of the cameraBals meeps and pokes its partner with a wing. They hurriedly finish and make for the exit.

Andrealphus does not deign to notice the camerabals- or at least, to acknowledge them. He does, however, stretch his toy-bal out, showing off its milky eyes- and playing a rhapsody down its scales with those scarlet fingernails.

In a corner, a small flame flickers to life, and a cigarette is lit. The smell of brimstone and charcoal permeates the room. The figure in the corner, hulking and massive, but dressed in the finest of clothing, allows the straps of a large propane tank to fall to the floor. In the shadowy light cast by the flame, his face can be seen. Belial, Prince of Fire, inhales deeply and lets the smell of destruction linger on his lips. He looks up grinning lazily, cigarette dangling from his lips. He waces idly to all in the room.

appears a a very large man, almost seven feet in height. He has short and stylish black hair, and his eyes are an intense ruby-red color. His skin is dark and smooth, and he looks rather hadsome. He wears a simple but stylish outfit, black and red in color. On his back is a huge steel tank of propane, hooked onto a large gun he wears at his side. He is constantly smoking, and is never without a small battered lighter.

Asmodeus slants a look at the Baltoy, ignoring Belial's appearance for the moment. "Deaf, too, I trust?" he says calmly.

Valefor nods to Andrealphus and Nybbas idly.

Saminga briefly manifests another set of eyes - five this time - which focus upon Fire with an appreciation that was not there for any of the other Princes as of yet.

Nybbas tosses Valefor a wave, and a Grin to Andrealphus and the Prince next to him.

Fleurity nods to the other Princes -- except Andrealphus.

Belial frowns at the Prince of Theft, and Andrealphus, but makes no comment. He flips open a lighter, and then flips it close. He repeats the action over and over, watching everyone in the room. He looks bored.

Andrealphus gives Asmodeus a tolerant look. "What does a notebook need with hearing?" he asks in a dry, soft-southern drawl. He manages a brief, wicked smile for Valefor and Nybbas before drifting further back into his chair, as though noting the rest of them is too much bother.

Asmodeus slants his gaze away from the toy-Bal with a barely-voiced, "Mm."

Saminga shifts a few eyes in Drugs' direction, akes an indistinct noise, then reabsorbs them.

Valefor says "Well, old chap, any idea if the rest of us are going to show?"

Asmodeus ignores the interactions, even as he ignores the few seats remaining empty, and the question. He taps the table with one heavy-clawed hand, and lifts his voice in formality. "The matter is, of course, the defection."

Fleurity smiles shallowly at Saminga.

Belial begins pacing around the perimeter of the room, just out of the edge of the light, still clicking the lighter open and close. He eyes glow a very soft red in the darkness.

Valefor smirks. "As expected." He gestures and a decanter full of some amber liquid appears in front of him. "Refreshments, anyone? This is guaranteed to be a thirsty talk."

Saminga says "Bah."

Nybbas leans back in his chair, propping his feet up on the desk. His voice is jarringly nasal in the general quietness of the room, as he waves off Valefor's offer. "Nah, 'm'cool." He turns the Grin on Asmodeus. "Natch, that's the biggest scoop lately. So what's the new news, hmmmm?"

Asmodeus says, "A testing of this Renegade alliance."

Belial keeps pacing about the room, smiling to himself. He regularly tosses down spent smokes, and keeps producing new ones from his pocket.

Andrealphus looks over to Valefor and the drink for a moment. "If you're offering," he says with an arched eyebrow, and then turns back to listen to Asmodeus, continuing to strum his fingernails through his toy-bal's scales.

Fleurity looks at Asmodeus coolly. "A testing? That almost implies that you are not strong enough to destroy them decisively..."

Saminga's eyes glaze over ever-so-slightly, what little interest it was showing already beginning to wane.

Asmodeus says, unruffled by the Habbalite, "They are two Archangels. Their remaining power is unknown. Their kin would hone in on anyone wounded in dealing with them, as happened with Vephar. As happened with Oannes."

Belial laughs at the mention of that name, his voice deep and rough. "I don't see why we can't go burn the worms down. In and out. Who cares if we lose some weaker ones?"

Saminga perks up at the mention of Vephar and Oannes, a gurgling noise not entirely unlike the purring of a cat that has just swatted a mouse against a wall burbling up from its depths.

Nybbas's glasses-static flickersparks. "Testing, babe? Nice soundbyte, but c'mon, let's have details, let's see what we've got to /work/ with here..."

Andrealphus turns a "tolerant"- well not really /tolerant/ but at least something approaching it, if it weren't backed by contempt- look at Fleurity, "Yes, yes. Push push, grunt grunt, power struggle. There are so many more *interesting* things to do with those words." He turns to listen to Asmodeus, sounding almost attentive. "Mmm, and one run-away little girl."

Saminga says "Why did we let that monkey have a Word, again?"

Belial grins some more. "I always wondered how well the bitch would burn. She'd last a lot longer than the average human."

Asmodeus says, "It was not my choice. It was the Morning Star's."

The cameras whir quietly in the background.

Saminga harrumphs a bit. "Not right. Meant to be mortal," it says, in the same tone that Lust uses when pronouncing the word "naked."

Asmodeus says, "We will harry their Tethers. Soon, within some hours. Not enough to draw the Archangels -- yet. Their Marches-Tether will be attacked when they are overextended."

Belial says "Psssh. He only did it to get us out of here. She should of been flamed the moment we were free. She stopped be useful right after that."

Fleurity's nostrils flare in distaste. "A mere... /human/. And therefore weak, as we all now see. My concern, however, is in maintaning a steady suppy of her Daughters. Weak though they are, they have their uses."

Asmodeus slants a dark glance to Belial, noticing, but not commenting.

Andrealphus doesn't bother to hide his little smirk at that question. "Ah, well. Girls and their crushes, you know," he says, trying very hard not to let his teeth grind. "And such a boring choice." He shrugs languorously. "She's been, mmm... useful since. Very, very useful since- but broken toys have to be put away. And she's, well... Snapped."

Belial says "Who gives a burning shit about those little simps? Get the Good Doctor to make some new ones I say. Burn the rest."

Asmodeus remarks, "Her Daughters should be presumed Renegade, as has been mentioned. Turning them in to my... expert interrogators will winnow out the traitors. The loyalists will, of course, be returned."

Nybbas drops his feet off the table and leans forward, glasses-static thickening as he focuses on Asmodeus. "Marches? Mmmkay, Plans and Plots and, like, who's /runnin'/ this part of the show?"

A door opens with a deep thud like distant cannon fire.

Saminga says, "Not easy to rebuild them when they're broken, though..." Its voice trails off as it contemplates the latest attempt to make a Zombi from one of the Daughters. What a waste...

Belial flicks the lighter open and close a little more fast now, and a small wave of heat washes across the room. the candles rise for a bried second. "Damn em all. Burn them. Burn her little hide hole, burn her brood, and burn all those damn fluffwings. Problem solved." he turns to the door.

Asmodeus smiles, ever so slightly.

Valefor looks up from pouring Andrealphus a drink, smirking.

One of the cameras turns to face the door.

In the shadows of the door stands Baal, crisp and tall in pressed uniform, eyes bright and hard under his cap.

Nybbas .oO(Oh, that's who.)

Belial grins at Baal. "Ah. Someone with some sense."

Baal says, "Thank you all for attending this discussion of -- the situation. Your presence is noted and appreciated." His voice savours the words.

Saminga spares an eye or two for War's arrival, a smile spaced out over several of its mouths at the sight of him.

Belial claps Baal on the back like a fellow soldier, and goes back to pacing around the room.

Baal returns a quick nod to Beliel, and strides across the room to take a seat beside Asmodeus. He steeples his hands

Andrealphus 's nail slips a little on the toy-balseraph. So sad. Bad timing with the loud noise- and what an awful spot for it to happen in. He little-smiles at Baal and nods, "Of course- I'm always up for group planning."

Valefor gives him a vague jaunty wave and drops back into his seat.

Baal says, "Indeed."

Andrealphus wipes the blood off like white-out on the toy-bal's tail, and stretches back in his seat to listen.

Baal says, "Given your close association with the woman Lilith in the past, it is fortunate that we can rely upon your Loyalty, Prince of Lust."

Belial snorts at that comment, but says nothing.

Valefor smirks at that. Runs his fingernail over the side of the table as if etching writing in.

From afar, Valefor | A&L.

Asmodeus murmurs, "They were just about to... volunteer their aid in the harrying of the Renegades' Tethers."

Andrealphus does not... quite... hiss. "Oh, my. I was as surprised as anyone, of course. Mmm- there were some wonderful plans, and I'm as put out that she ran out on them. Didn't even bother to break our latest engagement. Very rude."

Belial walks over to his propane tank, and perches on it, lighting another smoke.

Baal says, "I am pleased to state that the Princess of Nightmares is conducting a preliminary survey of their -- defences. Naturally, as they have chosen to site their domain in her Realm, it is her right and priviledge to provide forces for a first assault."

Baal gives a curt nod to Asmodeus. "Excellent."

Valefor says "Mmm. Do you have any -" He waves a hand vaguely. "...*surveillance* or inside men?"

Fleurity smirks at Andrealphus. "I can't say that I'm surprised by this matter. I've suspected for quite some time that she was less than reliable. Of course, I had no notion of the details."

Belial says "I'm askin again. Why don't we just storm it now and burn it all down? The monkeywhore left. She's just fuel for the fire now."

Nybbas's glasses flicker. He leans back again in his seat, legs crossed. "/Natch/. So how's la Bel qu'est le Bete doin' on that end, Baal-babe?"

Baal says, to, Valefor, "Of course." To Belial, "Useful resources. What we can capture alive we can turn and use."

Belial hmmms, and shrugs. "Suppose."

Saminga says "The pieces looked interesting afterward, though."

Andrealphus sighs. "All the subtlety of a rhino in /heat/, as usual. Not _all_ of her toys are broken, and do you really want to be uncovered that badly?" He tsktsks piously, and "writes" more on the toybal, squeezing it between delicate fingers. "Such a waste."

Valefor takes a coin out of his pocket and flips it, thoughtful. Then puts it away.

The toybal hisses silently, shudders rippling the leather of its wings, even as it holds still and obedient to its Prince's touch.

Belial says "I'm all for suckering that maggot-brained brother of the Jester into trying his luck on them. Might give us a good idea of what to expect."

Baal says, "There are certain aspects of this which will doubtless have struck you as intriguing. If I may elaborate?"

Belial inhales deeply, turning the entire cigarette to ash. He lights another.

Asmodeus murmurs, "Beleth does not wish Gluttony in her realm." He quiets for Baal's words.

Valefor waves a hand, as if giving Baal permission. "Please do."

Fleurity smoothly slips in, "I believe that my organization could be of some use in 'turning' what resources we do capture. Allow me to offer my cooperation, Prince Baal."

Nybbas makes a 'go-ahead' gesture to Baal, Grinning.

Baal says, to Fleurity, "So noted."

Belial waits, clicking the lighter.

Andrealphus traces one finger up his cheek and curls the rest against his chin, not-quite-pouting. He rests his elbow against the chair and merely smiles at Fleurity's offer- the smile an offer in and of itself, but not a particularly pleasant one.

Baal interlaces his fingers. "Dispiriting as is the defection of the woman Lilith, it cannot be denied that she has caused the Archangels of Creation and Lightning to publicly break with Heaven, and to isolate themselves from Heaven's defences -- and, to a large extent, to remove or shift their support to Heavenly efforts on Earth."

Belial grins. He smells Fallen Archangel.

Baal says, "I am sure that each of us have notes on certain Tethers or enterprises which, if not solely supported by Lightning or Creation, rely to a large extent on forces from those Words -- which are now, as we can all see, committed elsewhere."

Saminga says "Easy to kill their staff, then."

Baal says, "Beleth's testing of the defences of this -- Shangri-La -- means that those forces currently there are committed and cannot easily leave."

Valefor tells Saminga, "Or *replace* them."

Andrealphus says "Mmm- which leaves the other tethers spread wide open, perhaps?"

Nybbas's Grin might have flickered for a moment. Or maybe that was just a yawn. "Mmmmm-hmmmmmmm, so, highlights, m'manBalPrincething? - ahh, details. Mmhm, mmhm, lay on, O Wise and Ancient One..."

Belial says "As much as I don't care for that whimpering Djinn, count in my men if you can when you go to light the place up."

Baal says, "Either has its possibilities. However, a jointly staged attack across the world would probably be the most effective, as they will simply not have the forces to defend. And the rest of Heaven may be a trifle slow to assist."

Saminga says "How they going to stop the replacement if they're dead?"

Baal says, "The assault on Shangri-La will come later. For the moment, we let Beleth keep them busy, and carve up their Tethers, and kill or enslave their terrestrial Servitors, and take full advantage."

Belial grins. The heat in the room rises even more. This will be destruction like he hasn't seen since he silenced Oannes.

Baal says, "Make no mistake -- if we continue this for too long, the other Archangels _will_ counterattack. So we must be swift and surgical in our strike, and not overextend for too long."

Valefor considers, then smirks, as if an idea's just occured to him.

Saminga says "Kill _and_ enslave. Scares the rest worse."

Baal says, "And, of course, if the other Archangels do _not_ respond, well."

Baal smiles.

Andrealphus chews on his pinky a little. Such a wonderful, wonderful, wonderful opportunity for a few new acquisitions.

Baal says, "I suggest that our strike takes place in one hour."

Saminga smiles. So many uses for killed vessels...

Baal says, "I take it we all have the usual number of strike teams on hand?"

Belial says "Who says Upstairs is going to help? They left. The damn fluffwing Archangel has been geating heat from the cowlsnake for long enough. Maybe they won't care."

Valefor says "Indeed. Ah, a question, my dear-"

Asmodeus murmurs, "I have already allocated my forces appropriately."

Baal's mouth tightens. "Would Michael miss the chance for carnage? Would Laurence fail to smite a demon?"

Valefor bows to Baal, "Lord tactician."

Belial grins ever more. "If it burns, I'll be lighting it up."

Baal's head pivots towards Valefor. "Speak."

Nybbas yawns again, leaning farther back, chair on its two back legs. "Mmmmmmmmhm. Natch, babe -" he Grins at Belial "- the 'damn fluffwing Archangel's easy enough to deal with, yo." He quirks a carrot-red eyebrow at Valefor.

Andrealphus sighs again. "So little time. Always rushed..."

Belial frowns some. "Yeah. True. Shit. Malakim want to kill evil, right? Who says they don't think they're evil now? They have to be pissed."

Valefor says "Which is our goal: To destroy Shangri-La and its angels and it's Lady Lilith or to turn it to *our* interests, if possible?"

Belial frowns. These people are not thinking right. Enslave? Wothless. Kill them. Burn it all down.

Valefor says "There is value -" he nods to Asmodeus "To a piece removed from the game, but more to one crowned in your colours."

Andrealphus runs his finger nails up under the chin of the toybal, pressing deeply as he stretches forward on the chair. So little time- and so much to want. To have.

Saminga says "Like Lilith was, Theft?"

Baal slides his fingers against each other. "Ultimately, destroying it removes two Archangels, and loses us merely one disobedient human servitor. It also prevents the possibilities of Ethereal alliances -- and certain other rumours which I have heard. However, what we can salvage from the ruins . . ."

Asmodeus tightly smiles at Valefor.

Baal says, "And, of course, the woman Lilith herself will ideally face charges of high treason to the Lord of Hell."

Saminga scowls. Hopped-up little monkey.

Valefor says "I am certain that I could integrate some of my people in and work from the *inside*. But only, of course, if it is tactically sound, O Lord Tactician."

Valefor bows again, a smile twisting the corner of his lips.

Baal says, "It is likely that we will need to undermine it from within, rather than merely sweeping over it by overwhelming force. Your assistance is appreciated."

Valefor says "May I make a suggestion then, Lord General?"

Baal says, "But, for the moment, our first targets lie on Earth. We all, I trust, spare a thought for Princess Beleth, in her tireless efforts to keep their forces busy . . . ah?"

Asmodeus considers Valefor levelly, with the air of someone remembering everything, and making mental notes for later questions.

Andrealphus curses inwardly, then looks over at Valefor. "I believe that I could assist with an insertion- and as for afterwards, well," he shrugs, "I've always had m- a way with Lilim."

Nybbas drawls to Baal, "Oh, /natch/'rally... so, like, are we goin' for an 'end in flames' - hi, Beli, that's your cue, sweetheart - or the big dramatic angsty Fall-scene, or what, yo? Lessee s'more of the script before we start the /filming/, hmmmm?"

Valefor says "My suggestion, my fellow Lords, is a triple-cross. The attack goes ahead as planned, but I 'subtly' send some of my agents to 'assist' them. Not for particularly important Tethers, of course, ones that they may believe that *I'd* believe could 'slip under your radar'. They believe thus that I secretly support them, while of course just undermining them from within..."

Valefor makes quotemarks in the air with his long nails at the appropriate places.

Asmodeus purrs to Valefor, "Your people can deceive Seraphim?"

Baal says, "An excellent thought. You have ways of making sure that your agents are proof against the Need-Reading of Lilim, I take it? Or the questioning of Seraphim?

Valefor says "Indeed! Because, of *course*, the Archangels would believe that I, as a someone who must be *secret* in what they believe to be my support of them, must take all precautions, and so the agents would be appropriately equipped."

Belial says "Damn. Wish we could just toast them here and now. But fine, we can be subtle. But I swear, if... if /she/ shows up, or anything, I'm going to light the whole damn place up."

Belial starts pacing again.

Baal says, "Very good. Kindly have your agents checked by appropriate minions of Prince Asmodeus within the next hour; if they can deceive agents of the Game, then I will believe that they can deceive these others."

Valefor says "As you wish, Lord General."

Andrealphus presses his pinkies together, over the knuckles of his middle and ring fingers, and his pointer fingers together against his lips with his thumbs under his chin. "It wouldn't be necessary to fool the Seraphim- or the Lilim- if you fool the pawn first," he says fastiduously. "There are ways of putting hooks into demons that have /nothing/ to do with Lilim, I assure you."

Valefor retakes his seat.

Andrealphus says "Mm. I mean, celestials."

Baal says, "Quite."

Valefor says "I assure you my agents will be most appropriately 'briefed'."

Asmodeus looks... smug, for a Djinn.

Andrealphus licks his lips- just for a moment- and sits back.

Fleurity taps his fingertips together. "One hour... a short time to set up a full assault. But then, it should suffice to cripple their supply lines for the moment. Take down the Tethers, and we shall see how long they can hold out with no more than the daily ration of Essence."

Belial paces a little faster. The heat rises even more. "I can deal with the prime fluffwing. And the monkeywhore. Even that damn alien. But if she has /anything/ to do with this, I'm going in and killing them all. ALL."

Saminga grins its appreciation of Belial. Such an admirable level of focus...

Baal says, "Good. In that case -- gentlemen, we have one hour till Strike Hour. Prince Asmodeus, please coordinate the list of Tethers to be attacked. Prince Nybbas, please prepare to have our victories televised across Hell, in the cases where they are suitably telegenic. And remember, gentlemen. Prisoners provide later spies or blackmail or exchanges."

Belial frowns, but nods.

Baal rises from his chair.

Baal says, "I will leave you to resolve any minor details that remain. For the greater glory of Lucifer, and for the triumph of Hell."

Nybbas tosses Baal a V-sign and a Grin cranked up to eleven. "Can-do will-do leavitame."

Baal strides to the door.

Belial pats Baal again as he leaves. "Give em Hell."

Baal smiles, a serpentine line of teeth. "We shall."

Valefor raises his glass to Baal as he leaves.

Belial rushes over to his gun, and puts it on. He's itching to see some shit burn.

Andrealphus looks disgusted at Belial, and rises smoothly, coiling the toy-bal and hooking it over his belt. "If there's nothing else, dear Djinn? I've already started my plans- but I believe Valefor and I have an appointment to discuss insertions?"

Valefor says "And who better to discuss them with?"

Asmodeus manifests a sheaf of parchment. "I am going to coordinate matters, am I not?"

Valefor smirks.

Haagenti eats the door to the meeting room and walks in. "I heard there was angel food going..where is it?"

Belial turns to those in the room, which in now literally sweltering hot. "I don't care if I hate you -- you want something toasted, you tell me, and it gets toasted. The monkeywhore is going to burn, no matter /how/ this ends."

Andrealphus pulls the toy-bal from his belt. It's covered in thin, almost artistic scars- except they're all hell-glyphs. "Here are /my/ plans, of course." Well. The above-board ones, anyway.

Saminga says "Bored now."

Valefor eyerolls at Haagenti. What a waste that one is.

The door closes behind Baal.

Belial looks at Haagenti hotly. He ingores him though.

Valefor tilts his glass towards Asmodeus. "In your hands, Lord Djinn."

Asmodeus places a sheaf of parchment upon the table, sliding it to curl in front of Andrealphus. "In more... readable form. Prince."

Nybbas yawns exaggeratedly, hopping to his feet. "Yeah, yeah, places to go, people to do, right, Andre-sweetheart?" He Grins. "S'anyway - hey Haagy, talk to the DiB over there - we got more to /do/, or shall we be off and about the Behind the Scenes of the Fall of Shangri-La?" The (tm) at the end of that is almost audible.

Andrealphus sniffs, and runs a finger along another spot on the Bal. It begins to bleed over the parchment, soaking the glyphs into it, quite readably. Then he offers an arm to Valefor. "Shall we?"

Asmodeus looks at Haagenti. "Andrealphus, a moment."

Valefor says "No hurry."

Andrealphus gives a shorter version of the long-suffering sigh and does grind his teeth. "Yes, Lord Asmodeus?"

Asmodeus indicates the Calabite Prince. "Please bring Prince Haagenti up to date on the matters discussed."

Belial grins. "Its gonna light up like a Roman Candle on the 4th of July." he dissapears, and the corner of the room he was in sets on fire. It's contained, however -- no danger. Just hot.

Saminga extends a psudopod, dragging its tip along the surface of the table and leaving a trace of ichor behind.

Asmodeus adds, "He is, after all, a Prince of Shal-Mari."

Haagenti smiles toothily at Belial and Valefor.

Valefor smiles toothily back, but with cleaner teeth.

Fleurity smiles, ever so slightly. "My organization will keep you informed of our plans, Prince Asmodeus."

Andrealphus looks faintly ill. "Of course." A brief moment, and there are suddenly two Andre's. The new one is female and wearing nothing but an Iron Chef's hat. "Come on," the second says. "We'll talk."

Asmodeus nods to Fleurity. "Good. I will send a liason."

Nybbas rummages in a pocket, then flips Asmodeus a Vaputech disc. The sparking is...probably ignorable. "Plans for the Wandering Merc and Company." He shrugs and Grins. "Gotta keep busy, after all."

Fleurity . o O (Ah, good. /Two/ layers of underlings -- his and mine -- to blame "miscommunications" on...)

Asmodeus catches the disc, far faster than his usual slow, studied movements would suggest he could. "Thank you, Prince Nybbas."

Saminga finishes, grows an eyeball on the end of the psuedopod, then looks over the area it was tracing over. It nods appreciatively, then pours out of the seat it was occupying.

Haagenti wanders over to Andrea and belches. "So what's cooking? Mmm.. cooking."

Nybbas sweeps a bow, emphasized by the wings.

Saminga then flows through the chamber, extending a hand as it passes the Game so that it might gesture back toward the hellglyphs faintly glowing on the end of the table where it had been sitting, and the back of the chair it had occupied. "Plans on there."

Valefor says "Well, Game Master, unless you need me for anything else right now, I have plans to make and Agents to inform and a strike team to prepare."

Andrea doesn't bother to hide her disgust, at all. "Three fat geese, at least," she tells the tub of teeth, pulling him over to one side. "Let's get this over with.

Asmodeus places some parchments on the table. One covers Saminga's written table-etchings.

Asmodeus murmurs, "Be gone, then, Prince of Thieves."

Valefor bows smoothly and sweeps out, presumably with Andre1.

Andrealphus waves to Asmodeus while Andrea stays with Haagenti, stalking off with Valefor.

Saminga makes what could be either a very rude gesture in Andrea's direction, or merely more of its random production of body parts, as it passes her.

Haagenti nods and licks his lips. "Good. I'm Hungry."

Nybbas flips a hand in Val's general direction, looking at Asmodeus. "Same sitch, G-M; gottagetplanning, casting, di/rect/ing, you know. Can I get crackin', or do we need to keep talkin'?" He Grins.

Asmodeus tells Nybbas, "You may go. I will send some of my people to your Principality soon. To coordinate."

Nybbas's glasses flicker. "Natch. By way o'Tartarus or Shal-Mari, so I know where the red carpet goes?" [Grin]

Andrea sighs, flipping a wing out of the way. "There's going to be some co-or-din-ate-ed attacks on Tethers of the Ren-a-gade Princes." (She enunciates the Big Words carefully.)

Asmodeus murmurs, "Tartarus."

Fleurity bows stiffly to Asmodeus. "If you will excuse me, Prince, I have plans to ready."

Nybbas says "Cool, gotcha. Old man know what's goin' on yet, or do I add that to the To-Do List of Doom?"

Asmodeus nods to Fleurity. "Of course. You may depart."

Asmodeus tells Nybbas, "Lord Vapula is aware of the plans in motion. He has his own... projects, that he works on to contribute to the effort."

Haagenti nods. "So we're going after Lilith. Who else? I haven't heard about any other Prince going Renegade. I take it you're bestiring yourself from your orgy for this."

Nybbas drawls, "Righty-o, Mister A. I'll get to my boys'n'girls'n'Others, then, and leave the old man to his toys." He tosses a wave to Asmodeus, a nod and Grin to Andrea and Fleurity, and starts for the door.

Andrea smiles through sharp, gritted teeth. "I showed up at the... invitation of Prince Asmodeus. On time. Hasn't your 'brother' mentioned the news to you?"

From afar, Nybbas isn't stopping by the cameras. Yet.

Fleurity smiles at Nybbas, and walks out the door calmly after him.

Asmodeus eyes the Princess and Prince remaining. He leaves two pages of parchment on the table, and fades out of the room after the others... though the door does not seem to open for him, as the darkness swallows him up too quickly.

Haagenti waves a paw at Nybbas before speaking to Andrea. "One of my brothers flunkies did mention it, but not until the meeting had already started. Great shame that. Tasty Bal, but a bit chewy..."

Andrea purrs, "Of... course. Well, it's simple. We are to... submit to the leadership of our Prince of the War. He wants the... Oh, right. Renegades. You know, of course, that... sweet Lilith left Hell. Riiiight? Hole in the ground where the Guildhall used to be?"

Haagenti smiles. "Ahh.. I thought that would be up one of your streets. So Baal wants the Renegades, fine." Then he belches again and claws at something between his teeth. "That's annoying.. rather like some of her Daughters. Always getting stuck between my teeth."

Andrea purrs, "Yes, of course." She takes a breath -- through that sharp, white smile. "Well, it so happens that she took a couple of Archangels as her harem." Her voice indicates no jealousy. Of course not. "We're supposed to be attacking their Tethers. Harrying them. A bit of foreplay to distract them, really, for the main thrust to their unprotected nether parts -- by Beleth, bless her soul."

Haagenti chuckles. "Not that you're jealous she has a couple of Archangels to toy with, of course. I take it you'll be trying for Creations Tethers?"

Haagenti isn't smirking. Honest.

Andrea shrugs her shoulders, slowly, relishing the movement and what it does to her wings and breasts. "A few of them... A little teasing here, a tickle there..."

Haagenti rolls his eyes at the demonstration. Typical. "Then perhaps you should tell me which ones you're going to /tease/ so 'unfortunate' accidents don't happen. After all, we Shal-Mari Princes must stick together in these dangerous times."

Andrea scowls. "Yes, of course. It is the ... power of our Principality." She moves her fingers through her hair, brushing her thumbs over her horns and smiling. "Very well, I'll pick out a few and let you know when I'm done."

Andrea adds, "And I'm sure your 'brother' will be happy to help as well."

Haagenti nods. "And the power of our Principality has been damaged by this.. I dare say that Asmodeus is plotting to expand upon the damage done to our Principality..extra Game patrols and so forth." He takes a bit out of the meeting table before answering. "That would be most generous of you Princess Andrea. My Brother gave me his vote for this meeting, so no doubt he will be joining us."

Andrea pets her own hair, wrapping her wings under her arms and pressing the leather against her body. "I see. Well, let's _do_ go somewhere _else,_ if you please? Somewhere with... softer chairs, at the least?"

Haagenti nods and devours the rest of the table in one, then the chairs. "That would be advisable, if we are to talk of this in suitable surroundings."

Andrea rubs herself within her wings, baring her teeth in a smile. "My place, I suppose. I'll meet you there."

She fades away, leaving nothing but the smile...

Haagenti devours another chair before fading out and away, leaving the afterimage of his maw, aftersound of a loud belch and aftersmell of a particularly nasty gas explosion.

And then there were, thankfully, none...

<<Scene Stop>>

Exerpts:

<<OOC>> arcangel cues appearances. Instantiate at will.

From afar, Ryukage eyes the cast list and contemplates. Too risky a position to come in manic, with a pair of cameraBals trailing behind, and shoo them out after they set up? [grin]

You paged Nybbas with 'Hey, baby! Risk is what it's ALL ABOUT!'.

From afar, Nybbas giggles! True, that. ^^

Andrealphus pages: o/" Black velvet in that little boy smile/Black velvet in that suave southern style/A new religion/That'll bring you to your knees/Black velvet if you please... o/"

Long distance to Andrealphus: arcangel heard that on the radio today and was thinking Andrethoughts! Oooo!

<<OOC>> Valefor notes to Nybbas that Somebody's clearly seen X-2.

<<OOC>> Nybbas buffs his nails on his shirt. "Natch, babe. Who hasn't?"

<<OOC>> arcangel has her little puppet.

<<OOC>> Asmodeus has his little puppet.

You paged Nybbas with 'You know that Terry's gotten a feed, and there's some kind of new realm there, and you _haven't_ lost a certain Bal after all. Maybe. Maybe she's undercover. Who knows. Balseraphs, eh!'.

<<OOC>> Fleurity wahs! "People are complaining about my desc!"

<<OOC>> Belial snickers.

<<OOC>> arcangel patpats the poor ickle Habbie.

Asmodeus remarks, "Her Daughters should be presumed Renegade, as has been mentioned. Turning them in to my... expert interrogators will winnow out the traitors. The loyalists will, of course, be returned."

At your table, Demiurge says "Yes, _sure_ they will be returned eventually. They may even be able to walk and chew gum at the same time."

At your table, arcangel whistles.

At your table, arcangel says "Mind, Beleth's been horribly annoying about not letting any TRAINED people in HER Marches -- but hey, let her take the brunt in the first wave, right? She'll learn."

At your table, Demiurge says "My minions. ;)"

At your table, Demiurge says "Absolutely."

At your table, arcangel says "Mmmmm, minions. O;D"

At your table, Demiurge says "Baal's not going to give her the title of Princess any longer."

At your table, arcangel grins!

From afar, Valefor | A&L.

Long distance to Valefor: arcangel snickers. || Asmodeus hotly denies it! "Litheroy and I have nothing to do with each other!"

Valefor pages: Then how do you explain these pictures?!

Long distance to Valefor: arcangel | Asmodeus: Lies! All lies! Forgeries! Nybbas' fault.

Valefor pages: Methinks the Djinn dost protest too much!

Long distance to Valefor: arcangel | Asmodeus... innocents!

Nybbas's glasses flicker. He leans back again in his seat, legs crossed. "/Natch/. So how's la Belle qu'est le Bete doin' on that end, Baal-babe?"

<<OOC>> Valefor politely applauds Nybbas' alliterative skill.

<<OOC>> Nybbas bows.

<<OOC>> Nybbas does, however, drop the last 'le' from 'Belle'.

<<OOC>> Andrealphus says "Haagenti moment- "Mmm. Broken.""

You sense Nybbas would like to flip Soundtrack on, assuming it wasn't already running, to see what extra hints he can get.

Long distance to Nybbas: arcangel nods. Sure -- runs all the time, likely. Warrior themes, mostly -- the personal themes of all the Princes here. Tension in the air.

Belial grins. He smells Fallen Archangel.

<<OOC>> Valefor asks Belial "You love the smell of Fallen Archangel in the morning, because it reminds you of Napalm?"

<<OOC>> Belial nods. Why yes, yes it does.

Andrealphus chews on his pinky a little. Such a wonderful, wonderful, wonderful opportunity for a few new acquisitions.

<<OOC>> Valefor says "Andre, my man, you are an Impudite of such exquisite taste."

<<OOC>> Andrealphus says "Mmm. I'm always up for a snatch, dear Valefor."

<<OOC>> Fleurity snrks.

At your table, Demiurge says "Baal spares a single kind thought towards Lilith, for giving him this chance to seize a bit more command."

[After some disconnects...]

<<OOC>> Belial grumbles. That's what you get for Associating with Vapula he supposes.

<<OOC>> arcangel heehee!

<<OOC>> Nybbas thbbts at Belial. "The old man ain't /that/ bad."

Asmodeus purrs to Valefor, "Your people can deceive Seraphim?"

<<OOC>> Saminga | Valefor: "And I will, of course, need sharks with "lasers" strapped to their heads."

<<OOC>> Nybbas /snickers/ at Saminga.

Belial says "Damn. Wish we could just toast them here and now. But fine, we can be subtle. But I swear, if... if /she/ shows up, or anything, I'm going to light the whole damn place up."

<<OOC>> Valefor says "Hell hath no fury as Belial scorned?"

You paged Nybbas with 'BTW, feel free to think about the Hell-wide War that could erupt if Jean _did_ Fall -- and didn't go Vapula-fannish.'.

Nybbas pages: ...Heh. [snickers] [nods] .oO(Great /film/, baby! Tech-toys throughout, SFX to /die/ for - literally - ...it'd be all Matrixy and stuff. Though, yeah, the old man'd be pissed.)

Valefor says "I assure you my agents will be most appropriately 'briefed'."

<<OOC>> Valefor says "As opposed to Andre's, who tend to not be wearing briefs."

Nybbas pages: (Of course, Nybbas has been working on /Eli/ for a while now, so player is imagining he'd be peeved to lose his pet project to a Belial flamefest...)

[Some waving... mentioning of Gming]

From afar, Bluejeans can tell by the Demon Princes, yes.

From afar, Nybbas is also peeved that Beleth's got the Marches stuff locked down. Blessit, is she drawing off /his/ Ethereals, too?

<<OOC>> Andrealphus says "Dear Djinn -> to Asmodeus."

Asmodeus places a sheaf of parchment upon the table, sliding it to curl in front of Andrealphus. "In more... readable form. Prince."

From afar, Valefor is sick. Continued that line with "We're tired of having to check the cloaca for your *secret* notes."

<<OOC>> Valefor is resisting the urge to call Asmodeus 'Black Queen'.

<<OOC>> Nybbas gets to call Azzie the GM. Ha!

<<OOC>> Valefor did too. And did it first. And, uh, better. Or something.

<<OOC>> Nybbas thbbts at Valefor. "/You/ didn't use the /initials/."

<<OOC>> Valefor thbbts back, cheerily.

<<OOC>> Saminga says "Fat lot of good jockeying for the position of who calls the GM that In-character will do you when I have your remnant doing janitorial work! Ha!"

<<OOC>> Nybbas thbbts at Saminga.

<<OOC>> Valefor would thbbt at Saminga, but doesn't want to get his tongue that close.

<<OOC>> Caleb waves out, abandoning his shell personality and role to Arcangel. He needs to prepare for school, and take a NICE LONG ACID BATH TO GET THE DIRT OFF.

<<OOC>> Valefor hugs Caleb! Or his player does, anyway. Thanks!

<<OOC>> Saminga snugs Caleb. Hey, what's a little more slime, if you're already going to shower?

<<OOC>> Caleb says "Eeuuuuww. Oh well, at least it's not Andre-dirt. @_0"

Asmodeus tells Nybbas, "Lord Vapula is aware of the plans in motion. He has his own... projects, that he works on to contribute to the effort."

<<OOC>> Vapula .oO(I always did want to see what nuclear fallout was like on Superiors...)

Andrea> Dropped.

<<OOC>> BounceJIGGLE.

<<OOC>> Nybbas ...films.

<<OOC>> Andrea bouncejiggles _more_

<<OOC>> Haagenti says "MMM FOOOD!!!!"

<<OOC>> Valefor | Andrea .oO(My breasts could SO have their own TV show.)

<<OOC>> Andrea says "Hell, they could EACH have a TV-show! Right and left!"

<<OOC>> Nybbas says "They /do/."

<<OOC>> Valefor asks Nybbas what channel and timeslot? ^^

<<OOC>> Keri sorries about not being very expressive. See, Fleurity kept having these /ideas/ that would be a bad idea to actually say in front of Asmodeus...

<<OOC>> Valefor understands completely.

<<OOC>> arcangel cackles. Oh dear.

<<OOC>> Nybbas tosses Valefor the NTV Guide. It weighs at least eight pounds.

<<OOC>> Nybbas grins and patpats Keri, and nods.

<<OOC>> Valefor makes a note to have an instantiation put aside for, uh, for observation of, er. Potential hiding spaces in... oh, whatever. For naughty smut time with Andre-show.

<<OOC>> Haagenti sorries that he didn't arrive earlier. Any meeting goes better with Belching and Food.

<<OOC>> arcangel patpats.

<<OOC>> Nybbas's player giggles at Valefor, and pats Haagenti.

<<OOC>> Keri looks in Sups 4, and notes that Fleurity has a much higher opinion of Eli than he does of Asmodeus...

<<OOC>> arcangel giggles!!

<<OOC>> Valefor grins and hi-5s Fleurity.

<<OOC>> arcangel says "Fleurity's an Archangel too!"

<<OOC>> Valefor should probably de-nick.

<<OOC>> Nybbas /snickers/. And hi5s Fleurity too. .oO(Blessit, Eli's /my/ project, not /theirs/! [hmph])

<<OOC>> Nybbas says "Game off for all but Andrea and Haagenti, then?"

Andrea purrs, "Yes, of course." She takes a breath -- through that sharp, white smile. "Well, it so happens that she took a couple of Archangels as her harem." Her voice indicates no jealousy. Of course not. "We're supposed to be attacking their Tethers. Harrying them. A bit of foreplay to distract them, really, for the main thrust to their unprotected nether parts -- by Beleth, bless her soul."

<<OOC>> Harukami says "...which makes, what, Shal-Mari's Malakim the Chastity Belt?"

<<OOC>> Ryukage .../snickers/.

<<OOC>> Keri repeats, "That's an oath-chain, not a chastity belt."

<<OOC>> Andrea hates chastity belts _almost_ as much as Malakim...

<<OOC>> Harukami says "What about Malakim IN chastity belts? Is that hatred or just a challenge?"

<<OOC>> Andrea purrs, "A challenge."

<<OOC>> Keri says "Really, Andre? So you hate chastity belts enough to leave Hell for one named Kathriel?"

<<OOC>> Andrea tells Keri, "None of your beeswax, kid."

<<OOC>> Keri awws. "Does that mean this is a bad time to ask for a Body By Andre? 'Cause I really wanted one in the 10-to-14 year range..."

<<OOC>> Andrea says, "Depends on what you're going to pay for it, ma petit..."

<<OOC>> Demiurge says "In a sailor suit?"

<<OOC>> Keri says "Is that your kink, Demi?"

<<OOC>> Demiurge says "Andre has more than enough kinks. :)"

<<OOC>> Moonshadow already has that as a backup vessel, Demi.

From afar, Harukami is so amused at how we were ALL like "Oh, YES, Asmodeus, Baal! Whatever you say! (not!)"

Long distance to Harukami: arcangel snickers!

Haagenti nods and devours the rest of the table in one, then the chairs. "That would be advisable, if we are to talk of this in suitable surroundings."

<<OOC>> Keri says "Haagenti just ate Saminga's plans?"

<<OOC>> arcangel says "Oops. Hope Azzie made a backup..."

<<OOC>> Demiurge laughs.

<<OOC>> Haagenti whoopsies!

<<OOC>> Ryukage giggles.

<<OOC>> Haagenti belches and holds out bits of plan. "You wanted these?"

<<OOC>> Asmodeus eyes them. "..."

<<OOC>> Ryukage says "...and now I have 'I Shot the Shedite' running through my head. ...GODDAMMIT, Nybbas! ...ahem. ^^"