<<Scene Start>>
<<OOC>> arcangel says "Last we left Jude, he was with Greg in the Mall (knowing that there was a Real Triad!! also in the Mall). Should we start there, or would Jude like to get into new trouble?"
<<OOC>> Judriel says "Either/or."
<<OOC>> arcangel says "Pick one or I'll roll the dice."
<<OOC>> arcangel stifles the image of Jude dragging Greg all over the Mall to try to watch the Real Triad <tm> from afar.
<<OOC>> Judriel says "Roll dice!"
<<OOC>> Judriel lives dangerously!
<<OOC>> arcangel will roll da dice!
<<GAME>> Arcangel rolls the d666 and gets 6 6 CHECK: 4.
<<OOC>> arcangel eyes this roll. So close.
<<OOC>> Tarot snickers.
<<OOC>> arcangel quickly refreshes her memory!
<<OOC>> arcangel rubs her hands. "Okay, you're still in the Mall. You caught up with Greg and have learned the mysteries of the Mall Drug Store where there are all sorts of strange things that aren't drugs, up to and including junk food, make up, and beanie babies."
<<OOC>> arcangel says "Feel free to resonate people and marvel if you wish, or we can fast forward to the ice cream."
Judriel wanders about the Mall, Greg in tow, randomly resonating on all the Cool Humans and checking out the earthly corporeal STUFF! Some of which is cool, most of which is confusing. In heaven, you just, you know, take stuff. It's all free. But here it has these weird little white tags on things so you can't just take stuff, you have to use this weird thing called money, which, as Greg pointed out, being a student "you don't have any." Jude has since then come to the conclusion that money is the work of demons.
Greg juggles his stuff (toothbrush, cough drops, etc.) and is towed around by Jude. "You lived in a small town before, huh?"
Judriel concludes that since in the Mall you need money, and being a student he can't have any, and it is clearly demonic, Jude is on the lookout for these demons who are pushing this "money" concept. Although it could be Marc's people, he had heard in a class once they were into that sort of thing.
<<OOC>> Aimee rar!
Judriel says "I lived in a great big city where there were lots of happy people and hardly _any_ heretics."
<<OOC>> Tarot | Jude . o 0 ( He's Amish? )
<<OOC>> Tarot says "Er, Greg."
Greg eyes Jude. "Um, how are we defining heretics?"
Judriel says "You know, people who commit heresies in the eyes of God."
Greg says, "Ah, right. What religion, though?"
Judriel says "All of 'em."
Judriel says "But Christianity, mostly."
Greg rolls his eyes and chuckles a little. "Yeah, but according to some religion somewhere, you can get *anything* to be heretical!"
Judriel says in a lofty tone. "But there are some things which are sinning in the eyes of God, and that's just _bad_. You know, lustin', gluttonin', avaricin', that sort of thing."
Greg says, with a tone of voice that is perhaps *too* innocent, "You mean it's bad to look at those girls over there in the spandex tights?"
Judriel looks at the girls over there in the spandex tights.
There are girls over there, in spandex tights all the colors of the rainbow only with the Vivid and Contrast turned up.
The girls are slim and long-legged.
The girls are also wearing midriff-baring halter-tops, in various styles.
Judriel hrms.
Judriel resonates on 'em.
<<GAME>> Judriel rolls the d666 and gets 2 4 CHECK: 5.
<<OOC>> arcangel opens up the handy dandy Mercurian Resonance Results Table.
<<OOC>> Judriel has a copy of that!
<<OOC>> arcangel says "Are you doing a Group Resonance, or resonating on one of them?"
<<OOC>> Judriel says "Group."
<<OOC>> Aimee says "d00m!"
<<OOC>> arcangel pauses a moment, sorry. Have to idle.
<<OOC>> arcangel says "Jude picks up that the four girls are part of their high-school clique. The one with the lemon-yellow tights is the lowest in the social group, because she is a little plump. (Not very, to Jude's eye, but hey. Maybe it's a human thing.) The one in the bright pink, with the white-blond hair, is the leader. The interconnections between them are fairly strong, save yellow-tights."
<<OOC>> Judriel resonates on the leader, then.
<<GAME>> Judriel rolls the d666 and gets 6 1 CHECK: 1.
<<OOC>> Judriel gets nearly nothing. :)
<<OOC>> arcangel says "Pink-Tights thinks that she's attractive and better than the rest of her clique."
<<OOC>> arcangel ponders her Worst Thing.
<<OOC>> arcangel says "Jude may, or may not, be shocked to know that the worst thing she did was get onto the internet and download Kinky Pictures, last night."
Judriel ponders for a moment.
<<OOC>> arcangel can supply details to Jude if Jude really wants to know. O;>
Judriel then says to Jude, "Well, they certainly sin a bit."
Greg grins at Jude pondering.
<<OOC>> Judriel says "To GREG."
<<OOC>> arcangel nods.
<<OOC>> Judriel talks to himself. Yah.
Greg says, "What, wearing tight clothing and uncovering their heads?"
<<OOC>> Aimee grins.
<<OOC>> arcangel notes that she has another prospective player for over here. "Just to throw some more confusion into the universe. Any objections to adding in a human?"
Judriel says "No... not that. I meant looking at dirty pictures."
<<OOC>> Tarot says "None from me."
<<OOC>> Judriel says "Go ahead."
Greg _looks_ at Jude. "How can you tell?"
<<OOC>> arcangel waits for Aimee, hugs Tarot and Jude.
Judriel says "Can't you?"
Greg says, "Well, no."
Judriel says "Oh."
Judriel says "Well, I can just tell."
Greg sighs. "Um, what if you're wrong?"
Judriel says "How could I be wrong?"
Judriel is actually confused.
Greg explains, "You might guess wrong. You have to be careful about accusing people of things, you know. It could make them upset, or hurt them."
Judriel says "I'm not guessing, though."
Greg says, "Do you know those girls at all?"
Judriel gives Greg this confused look.
Judriel says "Never met 'em. But I know that the tall one there is their leader, and the little roundish one over... there is the least popular, and that the leader has lusty thoughts."
Greg says, "Look, if you don't know them, there's no way you can know that stuff about them. Well, at least not what they're thinking."
Judriel says "I know the last bad act she committed."
Greg says, just a touch exasperated, "How? People don't know things like that about each other."
Judriel says "I do. That's how God made me."
<<OOC>> Aimee covers her face. God, please keep Jude away from me. I'll be good. Honest.
Greg says, "You hear voices telling you things?" He sounds a little... overly calm.
Judriel waves his arms around. "No, of course not! Don't be a goofball. I'm a Mercurian! Of COURSE I know how they all work together, and it's kinda cool and stuff."
Greg puts his hand over his eyes and shakes his head, muttering something.
<<GAME>> Arcangel rolls the d666 and gets 6 3 CHECK: 2.
Judriel looks confused. "Wha?"
<<OOC>> Tarot just covers her face.
Greg sighs. "Look, Jude, you're a cool guy. But you're going to have to face reality someday." He sighs again. "Don't worry about it..."
<<OOC>> Aimee huddles in hiding with Tarot.
Judriel says "Erm, I don't get it."
Greg sighs. "Don't worry, don't worry. So long as you don't go trying to kill people, you're fine."
<<OOC>> Tarot says "Only if they're heretics!"
Judriel says "Kill people? I can't kill normal people! I can only kill _bad_ people."
Greg says, patiently, "Unless you get a police license or go into the military, you're not allowed to kill *anybody*."
Greg . o O (He's a loon. Hopefully not a dangerous one.)
Judriel says "Unless they're heretics and committed crimes against Heaven."
Greg _eyes_ Jude. "Um. Am *I* a heretic?"
<<OOC>> Aimee says "God. Please let Tarot show up. Please!"
Judriel says "Nope!"
Greg says, "Are you _sure_?"
<<OOC>> Tarot says "Alas, I think I was hustling Angela back to her room, then going back to my office."
Judriel says "Positive."
Greg says, "What if I don't believe in God?"
Judriel says "Zokay. You will, eventually."
Greg says, "Maybe after I die, if I'm wrong."
<<OOC>> Aimee attempts to Invoke Tarot!
Judriel says "Well, you'll certainly _know_ after you die. No doubt about that. But you gotta talk to one of those Destiny people about that, they know all that good stuff about God and dyin'. I only know heresy."
Long distance to Blaine: arcangel apologizes for weird pages, if her friend's login name wasn't this one. *sigh*
Greg says, "So you're not going to decide, if we get to be roomies, that I'm a bad person and you should kill me?"
Judriel says "You're not a bad person. I already know."
Greg says, "And you're not going to change your mind?"
Judriel says "Not unless you do something really bad."
Greg finds an unattended bench nearby and sits down, putting down his bag of stuff. "Okay. LIke what?"
Judriel says "Like, um, running into a day care center and opening fire with an automatic weapon."
Greg makes a face. "Okay, that's pretty bad. Um. What's the least-bad thing that you'd think killing someone would be okay, if they did it?"
Judriel says "I don't know. I think I'd haveta ask."
Greg says, "Ah, ask who?"
<<OOC>> arcangel invites Jude to make an Int roll.
<<GAME>> Judriel rolls the d666 and gets 1 4 CHECK: 5.
<<OOC>> arcangel says "Jude recalls that he was telling Greg some of this stuff before, and a Celestial Tongues, of unknown origin, said for Jude to remember the rules about telling people about the Celestial Truth."
Judriel says "My father."
<<OOC>> arcangel fights with her trackball a second. Yarg.
<<OOC>> Judriel says "Who is Blaine?"
<<OOC>> arcangel says "Illumina on Pyramid."
<<OOC>> Judriel says "Ah ha."
<<OOC>> arcangel says "And a human here..."
<<OOC>> Blaine wavicles... ;>
<<OOC>> Judriel says "Someone to save me from myself? :)"
<<OOC>> Tarot grins.
<<OOC>> Tarot greets Blaine.
<<OOC>> arcangel wonders if *anyone* can save Jude from himself...
<<OOC>> Judriel says "I doubt it."
<<OOC>> Judriel says "My living room is ablaze with fire!"
Greg mutters something about wanting to talk to Jude's dad sometime too...
<<OOC>> Blaine will be right back. Baby needs attention
Judriel says "Well, I don't know if you wanna talk to him. He only calls once a week, and he's very very stern."
Greg says, "Well, it might be interesting to ask him some questions."
Judriel says "What should I ask him?"
Greg . o O (Is Wallace Senior as loopy as Jude?)
Greg says, "Oh, stuff about what you'd think you should kill people yourself for."
<<OOC>> arcangel says "These humans! Always dwelling upon death!"
Judriel says "I think I was sent here to learn that kinda stuff."
Greg says, "Oh." He looks perplexed.
<<OOC>> Tarot says "Why do I suspect that Greg will shortly be checking Judriel's luggage for offensive weapons?"
<<OOC>> arcangel says "Because that's the smart thing to do?"
<<OOC>> Judriel doesn't have any weapons! Except that small pistol, and those knives, and the nunchuckas....
<<OOC>> arcangel snickers. "Right. None."
<<OOC>> Aimee Needs weapons.
<<OOC>> Greg evaluates whether or not he should swap Da Wall for Jude as roomies.
Judriel nods! "I was sent to school to learn all about humans and how they work and what is really bad and what is okay and what is really good and hanging out with humans and doing things with humans and and and....."
Judriel is fixated on this Humans are Cool thing.
Greg says, "Ah, Jude... You're human."
Judriel says "Really?"
Greg makes a show of squinting closely at Jude. "One head, normal colored skin, five fingers on each hand... No slimey tentacles under the shirt... Look human to me!"
Judriel looks under his shirt for slimy tentacles.
Judriel says "Sometimes, ya know, the tentacles aren't that obvious. Not on me! On... others."
There are no slimy tentacles under Jude's shirt.
Greg says, "Uh, right. Like Cthulhu, right."
Judriel whoos in relief.
Judriel says "Well, smaller then cthulhu. But they get inside your skin."
Greg says, "Jude, that stuff only happens in the movies."
Judriel says "Happens in the Mall, too."
<<OOC>> Aimee covers her eyes "See no evil."
Greg says, "Ah, not where I come from."
Judriel says "Then you're totally lucky. You're evil-free!"
Greg just buries his head in his hands.
<<OOC>> arcangel breaks from Jude to Blaine in the Mall, perhaps, with intent to drag people together?
<<OOC>> arcangel says "Or not, if the characters refuse to cooperate. O;>"
<<OOC>> Judriel says "Oh sure."
<<OOC>> Judriel is happy to confuse more people.
<<OOC>> arcangel grins at Jude. Smirks, even.
<<OOC>> arcangel says "Okay, Cut to Blaine."
<<OOC>> Aimee will cooperate :)
<<OOC>> arcangel eyes Aimee. "Cooperate in doing what?"
<<OOC>> Judriel feels happy to have swapped Jude with a different MoJ for the character book.
<<OOC>> Judriel says "Because one on this plane of existance is enough."
<<OOC>> Tarot grins.
<<OOC>> arcangel nods!
<<OOC>> arcangel says "Blaine has, for whatever reasons she chooses, chosen to go to the Mall at this particular day, about 1 day before Classes Start."
<<OOC>> Aimee cooperates in bringing Jude to..umm..justice. Yeah.
<<OOC>> arcangel says "Blaine, give me that ever-wonderful Perception roll, and ask any questions required to understand this madness. O;>"
<<OOC>> Judriel looks guilty.
<<GAME>> Blaine rolls the d666 and gets 4 1 CHECK: 6.
<<OOC>> Judriel says "Terry has hidden nothing. Lately."
<<OOC>> Judriel says "That I know of."
<<OOC>> Judriel says "But he doesn't tell me everything."
<<OOC>> Judriel says "Hmm."
<<OOC>> arcangel says "Blaine... hears something. Sort of like some of that stuff from her, ah, past. It's coming from -- a candle store?"
<<OOC>> arcangel says "Someone just Did Something. But she's not sure what."
Blaine thinks, "Hmmm...?" and wanders toward the store cautiously.
Inside the store, there are a few browsers, a young woman behind the counter, the scent of candles in the air... And three Men In Black, even down to the sunglasses.
<<OOC>> Blaine read browsers and thought Netscape... ;>
<<OOC>> arcangel eeps! CyberIOU! Um, nonono.
<<OOC>> Zebina says "Feh. Timeouts."
<<OOC>> arcangel nods. Feh!
Blaine browses, keeping a discreet eye on the three MIBs.
<<OOC>> arcangel introduces Zebina, Lurking Ofanite, and Blaine, human.
<<OOC>> Blaine waves to Zebina, who was here when she connected, but not for long.
The three MIBs seem to be muttering to each other. One is tall, one is broad-shouldered, and another is generally stocky. The stocky one is patting his pockets and looking annoyed, like he lost something.
<<OOC>> Zebina says "Howdy Blaine."
<<OOC>> Aimee mocks the MIBs
Blaine looks around to see if there are any nifty black candles.
<<OOC>> Blaine (while keeping an eye on the MIBs, of course)
There are many nifty black candles. Also red ones, white ones, scented, unscented, beeswax... There are even some candles which are certified as being blessed.
<<OOC>> Aimee is suddenly afraid of Blaine.
<<OOC>> Tarot ponders the likelihood that Aimee is in the Mall at This Very Moment.
<<OOC>> arcangel cracks up.
The tallest MIB finally produces a small photograph from his inside coat pocket and shows it to the clerk.
<<OOC>> Aimee is most definitely in the Mall.
Blaine selects a couple of black candles and takes them to the register.
The other two MIBs glance sharply at Blaine as she approaches. The tall man seems to be saying, "...sure that you haven't seen him?"
The clerk is shaking her head and looking intimidated.
<<OOC>> Aimee brbs..need to salt the mouth.
Blaine smiles disarmingly and pauses to wait to pay... ;>
The clerk notices Blaine and says, with an air of relief, "Excuse me, sir, I have a customer."
The tall MIB also glances over at Blaine, and mutters, "True."
<<OOC>> Zebina says "Hah. Seraphim."
<<OOC>> Zebina says "OTOH, if you were gonna lift that candle..."
The tall MIB, and his fellows, move to one side, to allow Blaine to get to the register to pay.
Blaine slips past the MIBs, sets the candles on the counter, and gets her wallet out of her nice, matching grey purse to pay.
<<GAME>> Arcangel rolls the d666 and gets 3 6 CHECK: 4.
The broad-shoudered MIB look grumpy. The clerk takes her time ringing up the candles, fumbling with the cash-register and shooting nervous glances at the MIBs.
Blaine smiles sympathetically at the clerk.
The clerk says, "Did you find everything you needed, miss?"
Blaine says "I believe so. Oh! I almost forgot. Do you have any sandalwood incense here? I'm almost out."
The clerk says, "Yes, we do! Let me show you where it is..." She slips out from behind the counter and heads for a back corner of the shop. The MIBs look very annoyed.
Blaine follows after smiling nicely at the MIBs.
The clerk casts minor glances over her shoulder at the MIBs as she indicates the incense. Then she whispers, "Can I say you need something from the back? So I can call the manager? These guys are spooky."
Blaine whispers back, "Of course. Glad to help."
<<OOC>> Aimee returns.
<<OOC>> Tarot puts her head in her hands. Please, please, don't tell me that Blaine is one of the people registered on my course. ;)
The clerk whispers, "Thanks!" She straightens and says, "I'll have to look for that in the back. Just a moment!" Then she zips through the door at the back of the shop.
The tall MIB looks horribly affonted, he takes a step after the clerk, his mouth open and one hand half raised, then pauses. He snaps his jaw shut like a mousetrap and looks at Blaine.
<<OOC>> arcangel patpats Tarot. "You never know."
<<OOC>> Zebina says "That'd be a 'yes', I think."
<<OOC>> Blaine grins
Tarot pages: Well, Tarot is clearly paying off any Geases she owes the ArchDean by getting this group of students. ;)
Long distance to Tarot: arcangel whistles. "Hey, there was that little arrangement with the Helltrip..."
Tarot pages: Exactly. This is clearly payback. ;)
<<OOC>> Tarot chuckles.
Blaine looks innocent and shrugs at Tall MIB.
The tall MIB sets his jaw and approaches Blaine. The photograph is still in his left hand.
Blaine casts a nervous glance at the door to the back of the shop and then back at MIB.
Blaine pages: largely acting, of course.
The tall MIB (unless Blaine decides to run) stands over Blaine and holds out the photograph. "Excuse me, miss, but have you seen this person recently?"
The photograph is of a young man -- vivid red hair, freckles -- dressed in a neon-orange, baggy jumpsuit.
Blaine pages: And have I?
Long distance to Blaine: arcangel shakes her head. "Nope! Though he looks a little like one of your dad's cousins, from his old photobook."
You paged Blaine with 'Only lots younger.'.
Blaine studies the photograph ernestly and shakes her head. "I'm afraid not. Is he wanted for something?"
The tall MIB searches Blaine's face. He bites out, "Yes." Then he turns and goes back to the other two.
The clerk comes out from the back room, with a package of sandlewood incense cones. "I found them!" she announces, a little too brightly.
<<OOC>> Tarot says "He saw aliens! He must be stopped!"
The clerk shows the incense cones to Blaine, "Were these what you were thinking of?"
Blaine looks mystified at the MIB, then turns and smiles at the clerk. "Oh, yes. Those will do nicely. It's even my favourite brand."
The clerk smiles happily! She whispers, "Thanks. The manager says he'll be here in just a few minutes. Mind if I do this sale slow?"
Blaine whispers back. "Sure." More loudly. "Let's see... Oh, wait... I forgot my incense stand at home..." She considers the burners in the store.
The clerk all but swoons and helpfully points out burners. She actually seems to know her stock quite well.
Blaine says "So bothersome being so far from home. I'm sure I've forgotten half my stuff."
The clerk says, "Oh, that's awful." (Behind her, the MIBs consult!)
As the clerk shows off stock, the tallest MIB approaches again -- with photograph -- and asks the clerk, "You are quite sure you have not seen this person?"
Blaine watches clerk's face.
The clerk looks at the photo nervously. "I'm quite sure I haven't seen him in this store," she says firmly.
The MIB glares at her, then pivots on his heel and stalks out of the store. The other two follow, falling into flanking positions with military precision.
<<OOC>> Aimee says "Scary."
<<OOC>> Aimee eyes MIBs warily.
Blaine quietly notes the avoidance...
<<OOC>> Tarot says "Whereupon they run into Jude and Greg? :)"
<<OOC>> arcangel hushes Tarot.
<<OOC>> Tarot just assumes the worst as standard procedure. ;)
<<OOC>> arcangel also asks Blaine, "Going to follow the MIBs?"
<<OOC>> Aimee | The leading MIB runs into a woman as he's exiting the store *oof* After ascertaining the situation, Aimee mutters a soft, but heart-felt "Oh shit."
<<OOC>> arcangel smirks at Aimee. "I thought you were leaving the area."
<<OOC>> Blaine says "Sure. Quietly and from a distance."
<<OOC>> Aimee says "True :)"
Any further business at the candle store is accomplished quickly (the clerk will hold merchendise for Blaine if she wants, even). Blaine follows the three as they head towards the ground level via escalator.
<<OOC>> arcangel says "Jude, gimme Perception."
<<GAME>> Judriel rolls the d666 and gets 3 3 CHECK: 6.
<<OOC>> arcangel says "Jude! There are three Men In Black coming down the escalator where you can see them. They look like . . . a Real Triad <tm>!"
<<OOC>> arcangel says "And there's this young woman following them."
<<OOC>> arcangel . o O (Check 6 is good for that...)
Judriel goes "Woooooooah" at the sight of the Triad. How totally COOL. Here, he can show Greg the good guys in action!
<<GAME>> Arcangel rolls the d666 and gets 1 3 CHECK: 2.
Greg notices them too. He starts looking around at the walls and ceilings.
Judriel waves at them.
<<OOC>> arcangel says "Blaine notices that there's a young man waving at someone on the escalators."
The thick-set MIB looks up, and tilts his head at Jude. The other two seem to be searching the crowds for something and are ignoring Jude.
Greg says to Jude, "You know these guys?"
Judriel says "Dude! They're a TRIAD. They're here catchin' bad guys, putting wrongs to rights, and putting the smack down on heretics!"
Greg says to Jude, "They look like Men in Black to me, not asian Mafia."
<<OOC>> Aimee rolls around laughing.
Judriel says "They are Men In Black! Although, sometimes they're chicks."
Greg says to Jude, "Okay, so they're MIBs. Do you think they're filming on location?"
Judriel says "Filming?"
Greg says to Jude, "You know, the sequal."
<<OOC>> Tarot giggles.
Judriel says "Sequal?"
Judriel clearly doesn't parse.
Greg says to Jude, patiently, "The sequal to the movie. Men in Black."
<<OOC>> Aimee makes a note to kick Jude's ass if she ever catches him
<<OOC>> Tarot says "Okay, clearly Jude was reared in a Catholic-slanted Asian commune cut off from the real world, where the Triads kept the law and hacked off bits of bad people."
<<OOC>> arcangel tsks at Jude. "Now, now, you already met him once and he was a nice boy. For a Dominican."
<<OOC>> arcangel tsks at AIMEE.
Judriel says "Oh, no. They're not actors. They're _real_."
Greg . o O (Funny, he doesn't *look* Asian.)
Greg says, "Ah. Right." He sounds dubious.
Judriel says "Really! They're real."
Meanwhile, the three MIBs have gotten to the bottom of the escalator. Blaine is, if she followed them onto it, about halfway down. The MIBs are heading towards that young man who was waving.
<<OOC>> Aimee whaps "Do not talk about Heaven." Whaps again "Or God." Whaps yet again "Triads are REALLY out of the question."
Greg sighs. "Yeah, right."
Judriel says "Here, you can ask 'em."
Greg sees the very close MIBs. He goes urk!
The three MIBs pause, with the tallest one looking down at Jude.
<<GAME>> Arcangel rolls the d666 and gets 3 6 CHECK: 3.
Judriel looks up at him with eyes full of worship. Wow. A real triad. On duty!
The broad-shouldered man looks grumpy.
<<GAME>> Arcangel rolls the d666 and gets 2 1 CHECK: 4.
The tall MIB says, "Were you waving at us?"
Judriel says "Um, yeah."
The tall MIB asks, "Why?"
Judriel says "Um, overexcited?"
<<OOC>> arcangel says "And Jude, I want a TRUTH about why Jude was waving."
<<OOC>> arcangel wants to know how much the Tall Guy is going to scold Jude for fibbing to him, if at all. O;>
<<OOC>> Blaine says "Well, obviously if you didn't have me get off the escalator, I will when it gets to the bottom. And... casually wander over in that direction..."
<<OOC>> arcangel will assume that Blaine can position herself in some place where she has a chance to eavesdrop!
<<OOC>> Blaine says "Cool"
<<OOC>> Judriel says "Jude was waving because he believes these guys are a real Triad and that they're SO COOL and that they can explain to his friend Greg about heresy and stuff."
<<OOC>> Aimee says "Doh."
The tall MIB's expression goes long-suffering. "Ah. You are correct in your assumption. Is your friend, ah, Aware of matters?"
<<OOC>> Blaine says "Heresy. THat's, like, some sort of game, right?... ;>"
Judriel says "Well, kinda."
The tall MIB says, "'Kinda.'"
Judriel says "I haven't told him TOO much because a voice in my head told me not to."
The tall MIB says, "That voice was wise." He sighs. "Child, come over here."
From afar, Aimee needs to get some Fast Talk, for getting past Triads :) "Why were you avoiding us?" "Because you're the kind of people I avoid."
Long distance to Aimee: arcangel cracks up.
Judriel assumes that 'child' can only mean him 'cause this is his first time on Earth and stuff. He walks over.
Blaine :, overhearing, thinks this kid must be a little... 'touched' as Grandpa used to say
(Unless resisted, he'll steer Jude over a few paces. To the other side of the support pillar where Blaine is, coincidentally...)
The other two MIBs follow, and keep an eye out.
<<GAME>> Arcangel rolls the d666 and gets 6 2 CHECK: 2.
<<GAME>> Arcangel rolls the d666 and gets 5 2 CHECK: 5.
The broad-shouldered guy gives Blaine a funny look, but ignores her after a moment, in favor of eying Greg.
The tall man says to Jude, "Is or is not your friend someone you intend to recruit as a servant or Soldier?"
<<OOC>> arcangel says "Blaine, gimme a Perception roll, at a slight but undefined bonus."
<<GAME>> Blaine rolls the d666 and gets 2 5 CHECK: 4.
<<OOC>> arcangel says "Blaine hears, "recruit...servant or Soldier?""
Judriel says "Of course!"
The tall man says, "And have you cleared this with the Most Just?"
Judriel says "Well, not yet. But I'll ask when my briefing comes up."
<<OOC>> arcangel says "Blain hears, "cleared ... most jus...""
The tall man suggests, "Then might it be more appropriate not to enlighten him as to the Truth of the situation until you have permission from the Most Just?"
<<OOC>> arcangel says "And Blaine gets, "appropriate...Truth...permission from the Most Just?""
Judriel says "Erm... is it?"
Long distance to Judriel: arcangel | The tall man says, "It is indeed standard procedure before informing any mortals about the Truth, child."
The tall man says, "....indeed ...informing any mortals... child."
<<OOC>> arcangel will use Pages, then!
Judriel says, "Oh."
Judriel says "I'll take it under advisement, sir."
The tall man sighs. "Do so." In a more normal tone of voice, he says, "In any case -- have you perhaps seen this person?" He fishes a photograph out of his coat pocket and shows it to Jude.
You paged Judriel with 'Why, it's that guy who was Running Away from someone! The one he confronted in the Mall just 15 minutes ago or so!'.
Judriel says "Oh yeah! I've seen him!"
Judriel recounts the encounter to the man.
The tall man instantly perks up. "Indeed!" He quickly takes a notepad out of his pocket and makes notes in that familiar way.
<<OOC>> arcangel says "Blaine gets to hear all of it, I suspect, unless Jude is keeping his voice down."
<<OOC>> arcangel says "It's the stuff in Session, um, 5 in the logs."
<<OOC>> Blaine says "Doesn't strike me that Jude is that subtle..."
Judriel woahs, and yays, and shows the tall man _his own notepad_!
<<OOC>> Aimee says "Subtle as a chainsaw."
The tall man looks at the notepad critically, then nods approvingly. "A good start. Now, you say the Subject claimed false things about your contact with him...?"
Judriel nods, and explains more details of the encounter to the man.
The tall man takes notes happily. When he's done, he claps Jude on the shoulder. "Well done. I will make note of your assistance in my report. We must continue our mission now."
Judriel totally beams. Man. How awesome.
<<OOC>> Aimee says "Jude just earned some mad props."
With a glance, the tall man gathers the other two MIBs. They head out of the Mall. Except the broad-shouldered one pauses next to Blaine and says, "Okay, you can come out now" out of the corner of his mouth.
<<OOC>> Tarot sighs at Danny. ;)
<<OOC>> Danny grins at Tarot.
<<OOC>> Aimee says "Spankin' time!"
The broad-shouldered man moves on, while Blaine blinks in confusion.
<<Scene Stop>>
**** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** ****
Nutshell II(#1666RFJ)
The groovy place where all the hep angels hang. Any cyborg weasels sent back in time by Bill Cosby's disembodied brain will be summarily executed.
Contents:
Tarot chuckles.
arcangel cracks her knuckles.
You say "Blaine may be lurking."
Tarot nods.
Blaine has connected.
Tarot greets.
arcangel hugs Blaine.
arcangel is scanning her logs...
Tarot is soooo glad that she's on university turf.
Blaine ;>
arcangel cracks her knuckles again. Okay.
arcangel realizes she is still logging. My. That saves trouble.
Tarot laughs.
<<Scene Start>>
<<OOC>> Tarot assumes she's in her study? Or her apartment? What time of day?
<<OOC>> arcangel says "Okay, it's been some 2-3 hours since Tarot rescued Angela/Mellor from the Triad of Doom."
<<OOC>> Blaine Settles back to watch
<<OOC>> Tarot says "Study, then, and working."
<<OOC>> arcangel says "Study = campus office? Or at her apartment?"
<<OOC>> Tarot says "I imagine campus office, as in the situation of expecting more panic calls to pull students out of trouble."
<<OOC>> arcangel nods.
Tarot's computer bleeps cheerfully.
Tarot looks aside from the list she was annotating, and clicks on the email window.
The email is from the departmental secretary, Debbie. It says, "MIBs!!!" as the subject.
You paged Tarot with 'Yes, *that* 'Debbie'. She had to get *some* kind of job.'.
Tarot's brows rise. She moves reluctantly down to the message area.
Tarot pages: Oh... dear. I hope someone explained to her Why You Do Not Collect Geasa For Doing Your Job. ;)
You paged Tarot with 'One hopes... O;>'.
The email reads, "Three MIBs to see you -- they're wandering. ETA 2 minutes."
Tarot rubs between her brows, and sighs. Absently she collects a certain amount of dubious reading material from the desk surface, and tucks it into a lower drawer.
<<OOC>> Tarot says "Stuff like her notes on Hell, course packets about the students, recent meeting minutes..."
<<OOC>> arcangel says "Of course!"
Two minutes and fifteen seconds later, there is a knock on Tarot's office door.
Tarot calls, "Come in," rising from her seat. She has pulled her gloves back on.
The door is opened by Danny, the broad-shouldered man from the trio. He looks in, looks around, and then enters, standing aside so that the tall man and the thick-set one can follow. Danny closes the door after them.
Tarot says "I am afraid that there is only one spare chair here, beside my own."
Tarot says "Please feel free to perch on the desk."
Tarot resumes her seat. "How may I help you gentlemen?"
The tall man sits down in the one chair. The other two flank him. The tall man coughs, places a picture on Tarot's desk, and says, "I believe you saw this photo earlier." (Tarot has. It's That Picture.)
Tarot inclines her head. "As you know, sir."
The tall man nods. "And you did not recognize him then. Perhaps this has changed?"
You paged Tarot with 'Nope.'.
Tarot says "No, sir, it has not. I do not recognise him."
The tall man sighs. "That is a pity. However, he is in the area. He confronted . . . one of ours." He pulls out a business card and lays it on the desk. It has only a phone number printed on it. "We would consider it within your duties as a Soldier if you called this number, should you happen upon the person in this photograph."
Tarot says "Might I ask who this person is, and what hazards are liable to be involved in approaching him, and if anybody else will be looking for him?"
Tarot's tone is businesslike.
The tall man says, "You may so ask, and to save time, I will answer as I may now. He is believed to be only moderately dangerous if cornered, though usually more inclined to flee. He is a fugitive. The opposition... may be looking for him, if he has drawn their attention since his escape from observation."
Tarot says "From which side is he a fugitive, sir?"
<<OOC>> Blaine ;>
<<OOC>> Tarot says "Awkward questions!"
The tall man says, "He was under the observation of Heaven's forces."
Tarot raises an eyebrow mildly.
Tarot says "With respect, sir, that does not answer my question."
The tall man matches Tarot's eyebrow, blandly.
The tall man says, "Does it not?"
Tarot says "I can think of conditions under which a potential Renegade from Hell might be watched by the forces of Heaven, and also ones under which an Outcast might also be watched."
Tarot's mouth quirks. "I will omit the possibility that he is an Ethereal fleeing from the Marches, an you wish it."
The tall man says, "You may omit it or not, as you wish." He leans back, elbows on the chair arms, tapping his forefingers together.
<<GAME>> Arcangel rolls the d666 and gets 5 3 CHECK: 4.
Tarot inclines her head. "If I do not know his capabilities or affiliations, sir, I will be less efficient should I encounter him. It is logical."
Long distance to Tarot: arcangel ponders the results a moment. "Tarot, let's have six deeds from the last year -- 3 nobles, 3 ignobles."
Tarot pages: Hm. Let me think.
The tall man says, "You do not need to know his affiliations. His capabilities... He is perceptive, and he may know some Songs. It is unclear which ones."
Tarot pages: Noble: pulling Deborah out of Hell, assisting two young friends (Tania and Artos) to get married, helping a student exhaustively beyond the call of duty with a study program to get through exams.
Tarot nods, mildly.
The tall man says, "Your records suggest that you would not be unduly discomfited by him."
Tarot pages: Ignoble: getting obsessed by her own studies and omitting to spend time with acquaintances who she knew would appreciate a call, not avenging a friend's death because she'd been ordered not to, deleting a tax firm's records as a distraction.
Tarot says "I will do my best to remain calm, then."
Danny blinks at Tarot, and studies her a bit more closely.
The tall man says, "Indeed. Will you also call the number upon that card? Apprehending him is not required."
Tarot picks up the card, examines the number, and opens her handbag to slip it in.
Tarot says "I will do what I can, sir, though it may be somewhat situational."
Tarot pages: Hm, Tarot's file may or may not have on it that she makes a personal point of never lying.
You paged Tarot with 'He's a Seraph... He'll know.'.
The tall man nods, though his eyes narrow. "Indeed." His lips thin. "He must be taken into custody by Heaven's forces. We believe this to be more important than the... sanctuary... that your employer maintains."
Tarot tilts her head slightly. "Given the importance of this matter, sir, should I check with - as you put it - my employer, to see if she can be of any further assistance?"
The tall man looks a bit sour. "If you wish. That is not a matter that we are authorized to deal with." He stands, then leans forward and taps the picture. "Does he *remind* you of anyone, Ms. di Ordo?"
Tarot leans forward slightly to examine it again.
<<OOC>> Tarot says "Does it?"
<<OOC>> arcangel thinks. "Gimme an Int roll."
<<GAME>> Tarot rolls the d666 and gets 6 4 CHECK: 1.
<<OOC>> Tarot says "Nope."
<<OOC>> arcangel grins.
<<OOC>> Blaine Dat's a no...
Tarot shakes her head. "I fear not, sir. If you were to tell me of whom it was supposed to remind me, that might help."
The tall man sighs. Danny coughs politely for attention.
<<OOC>> Blaine Ooo! English nitpicky...
Tarot glances across to Danny.
Danny says, "That depends on what your, ah, recent rescue mission entailed."
<<OOC>> Tarot says "Language is one of Tarot's pet obsessions. :)"
Tarot's brows rise. "Ah. I perceive. No, I fear that he does not remind me of anybody, though I thank you for the reference."
<<OOC>> Blaine It shows.
<<OOC>> Tarot says "She's from a historical-type background."
<<OOC>> Blaine says "I see"
Danny says, "Well, if you don't know any red-heads from that area, it's reasonable enough."
Tarot's mouth quirks.
Tarot says "I did not precisely stop to make friends."
<<OOC>> arcangel notes that Tarot may make an Int roll with a *very big* bonus, if the player hasn't caught Danny's hints.
<<OOC>> Tarot says "Well, she's figuring demonic/Hell."
<<OOC>> Tarot tries another Int roll to see if that clicks.
Danny nods approvingly. "And some people, you don't want to talk to. They tend to *make* friends."
<<GAME>> Tarot rolls the d666 and gets 3 1 CHECK: 1.
<<OOC>> Blaine says "Oh, much better..."
<<OOC>> Blaine says "Still only a check of one, though"
<<OOC>> Tarot says "Figuring Impudite now, too."
<<OOC>> arcangel says "Tarot, how many red-haired Impudites would you say a triad might expect even a mere Soldier to have heard of?"
<<OOC>> Tarot says "Oh.... heck. *Him*. The guy with the teleprompter glasses?"
<<OOC>> arcangel whistles the theme to Jeapordy.
<<OOC>> Blaine ;>
Tarot goes absolutely still for a moment.
The tall man quirks his eyebrows upwards. Danny rocks back on his heels and looks as innocent as a Malakite of Judgment can. (Not very.)
Tarot says, carefully, "Fascinating. No, I cannot say that I have ever encountered the gentleman in question."
<<OOC>> Blaine says "LOL"
The tall man nods. "That is probably for the best."
Tarot says, again, "Fascinating." There is a definite touch of interest to her eyes, now, and they are flecked copper.
The tall man collects the photograph. "Indeed," he says dryly.
Tarot says "Will you be on campus in the near future, gentlemen?"
The tall man shrugs. "If it is needful." He eyes Danny. "Or possibly if off-duty."
<<OOC>> Tarot says "Oh god, the image of an offduty Malakite of Judgement roaming campus... worrying."
Tarot nods.
<<OOC>> Blaine says "Hehe"
Tarot says "I hope that my students will not cause you any further inconvenience."
The tall man shrugs. "I suspect it was one of your students who was... quite helpful, actually." He smiles smugly. "And one of ours."
<<OOC>> Blaine says "Hehe. Nah, us students would NEVER cause problems..."
Tarot says "Ah, yes."
Tarot says "I am glad to hear that he is adjusting to the corporeal world."
<<OOC>> Blaine sings, "Hey, Jude... don't be afraid... to take a sad song... and make it be-e-etter..."
The tall man all but smirks. "He seems to be doing well, and remembers his duties, despite his youth."
<<OOC>> arcangel tsks at the Seraph. Judgment loyalty.
Tarot says, mildly, "Excellent. I hope that rash enthusiasm does not lead him into any encounters with the gentleman in question."
The tall man sighs. "Too late," he mutters.
Tarot raises an eyebrow curiously.
A touch caustically, the tall man says, "Who do you think encountered the subject?"
Tarot says "Ah."
Tarot's eyes darken to brown. "I trust that he did not come to harm?"
The tall man sighs. "No. It was merely a verbal altercation, for the most part. He is yet young." He pauses and blinks at Tarot, then glances at Danny.
Danny shrugs.
Tarot blinks, very briefly. Her eyes return to a normal gold. Surely they were never anything else.
<<OOC>> arcangel . o O (Tiny Judgment signals here and there? Why, whatever makes you think I'd use that particular trick?)
Danny gives Tarot a look, then twitches a hand at the tall man, who nods.
Tarot's mouth quirks, briefly.
Tarot says "My first class is tomorrow, gentlemen. I do expect him to keep up to his class schedule, as part of his assigned duties."
The tall man nods. "Of course." He tucks the picture back in his pocket. "I believe that is all our business. However, our Virtue would like to ask you some questions on other topics, if you would permit."
<<OOC>> Tarot notes that a remorselessly polite and old-fashioned manner can let you get away with a lot more when handling Seraphim or Judgement. (Darn.)
Tarot inclines her head, and turns towards Danny.
The tall man and thick-set one head for the door. Danny rocks on his heels until they've left, leaving the door ajar. Then he holds up a hand, two fingers extended. "One, can you explain why the department secretary was asking me to pose for her? And two, can I have the room number of that *fascenating* young lady in the white lace we met earlier?" He grins engagingly.
<<OOC>> Blaine ;>
Tarot says, blandly, "The department secretary writes erotica."
Danny blinks and swallows. "She *what*?"
Tarot pauses, and adds, "In her spare time, of course."
<<OOC>> Tarot says "Now _that_ was worth it."
<<OOC>> arcangel says "Sadist. O;>"
Danny coughs into his fist, turning, yes, a definite shade of pink. "Ah, what sort of *poses* did she have in mind?" (He sounds, strangely, a bit panicked.)
Tarot says "I really would not know, sir. I have always declined invitations to model."
Danny coughs again. "Oh. Ah. Right." He clears his throat. "And the young woman in the white lace?"
Tarot's voice is neutral. "As I am somewhat in loco parentis as a tutor, sir, I am afraid I would have to ask your intentions before giving out personal information on students."
Danny clasps his hands behind his back. "I wouldn't do anything she didn't agree to," he smiles brightly.
Tarot says, dryly, "Please do not take me for an innocent."
Danny's grin gets more wry. "Well, I would ask her first."
Tarot says "The poor girl has probably never considered spanking as erotica."
Danny sighs. "Probably not."
<<OOC>> Blaine says "Danny's got a few kinks, I see... ;> vap.alt.sex.dominic.handcuffs..."
<<OOC>> Tarot says "But would Deborah consider spanking as erotica, I wonder. ;)"
<<OOC>> arcangel nods. Deborah *would*!
Tarot says "However, our department secretary would."
Tarot's voice is clinical.
Danny looks mildly alarmed. "Ah. Right." He coughs again. "By the way, congratulations for the rescue you did a while back."
Tarot colors slightly. "Thank you, sir. I felt it an obligation."
Danny says, seriously, "That is a very honorable thing to do. And getting away with it is even better."
<<OOC>> Tarot . o 0 ( and I expect it will be hitting my File shortly, alas )
Tarot does smile at that, briefly.
Tarot says "Believe me, sir, I was delighted to get away with it, and I have been watching my back since."
<<OOC>> arcangel eyes Danny. "Danny, are you flirting?" Danny smiles at the GM.
Danny smiles wryly. "Well, that is the problem. If you're ever on my home turf, look me up."
<<OOC>> Blaine says "Malakim flirt like Klingons... 'That was a very honourable thing...'"
<<OOC>> Blaine says "I'll show you my honour if you show me yours... ;>"
<<OOC>> arcangel thinks it all started when Danny said he'd been bitten by a Balseraph, and he bit back.
Tarot's eyes shadow. "It seems unlikely, sir, but I thank you for the offer."
<<OOC>> Blaine says "U-huh. Gotta watch that..."
<<OOC>> Tarot just laughs. "When you're dead, come and find me."
<<OOC>> Tarot _laughs_.
<<OOC>> arcangel grins. "Yup, exactly."
<<OOC>> arcangel says "He'd put in a good word for you with his Archangel!"
Tarot says "I hope you will understand if I try to put that off for a while yet."
<<OOC>> Tarot says "Which is very kind of him, but is not going to stop Dominic one iota if Dominic figures I need grilling. ;)"
Danny grins. "It does seem to be something that bugs people. I've never quite understood why, but..." He shrugs. "Believe it or not, I know where there's good coffee in the Spires."
<<OOC>> Blaine says "The Klingon similarity makes on wonder what Malakim consider loveplay with each other..."
<<OOC>> arcangel says "Sparing, obviously."
<<OOC>> arcangel grins.
Tarot says "I am a great appreciator of good coffee. Thank you."
<<OOC>> Blaine says "'Ow! Oh... ohhhhhh... hit me again....'"
Danny says, "You're most welcome, fair lady." He bows. "Perhaps we'll run into each other again, on campus sometime."
<<OOC>> Blaine refrains from thinking about the 'sparring' match between Laurence and Michael...
Tarot rises, and inclines her head politely. "Perhaps we will, sir. I hope you will understand if I am required to do my duty by my pupils."
<<OOC>> arcangel says "Michelle?"
<<OOC>> Tarot thinks about her Shal-Mari movies, and snickers.
<<OOC>> Blaine says "Well, it was known that Michael took Laurence down..."
<<OOC>> arcangel says "How far... how far..."
Danny says, "Of course. Duty is everything. May your works be even."
Tarot says "And may you walk in justice."
Danny grins muchly, and heads out the door, closing it gently behind him. Tarot is left alone.
<<OOC>> Blaine says "Actually, I ain't gotta problem with Michael being Michael and Laurence being Laurence, but, hey..."
Tarot turns to her computer, and begins composing an email to the ArchDean giving the basic details of the interview - and including the Nybbas factor.
The computer bloops.
Tarot pauses to check the bloop.
There is a notation of a class addition. Three cancelations of mundane students for her "Earth 101" class, and two additions.
Tarot checks the additions.
Long distance to Blaine: arcangel grins.
<<OOC>> Tarot makes a guess. Blaine. And Greg.
The additions are one Raven Darkchyld and Blaine Hamilton.
<<OOC>> arcangel says "Half-right."
You paged Blaine with 'This is either Raven talking Blaine into it, or a 'computer error.''.
Tarot dispatches the email to the ArchDean, then checks any records on those two names.
You paged Blaine with 'One of those 'was that a 2 or a 3 on the course number? whatever' things...'.
Blaine pages: Cool.
Raven Darkchyld's student ID is of a unnaturally-black-haired young woman, with innocent blue eyes, pale makeup, and black lipstick. She's wearing black, with lots of silver jewelry. She's an Art Major and Religious Studies minor.
There is a note that her real name is Edna Crumb.
Blaine pages: Oh, I can see Blaine signing up just because she gets a kick out of 'Raven's' ravin'
<<OOC>> Tarot laughs.
Long distance to Blaine: arcangel goes with that. Hee.
Tarot's mouth quirks. She checks Blaine Hamilton.
Blaine Hamilton is a petite young woman, rather less than athletic. Blond hair, gray eyes, a bit pale -- very bookish sort. There is a note in her files that says, "Special Scholarship --AD."
Tarot raises an eyebrow.
<<OOC>> Blaine says "Don't forget major!"
<<OOC>> Blaine ;>
Majoring in Law.
<<OOC>> arcangel thinks she remembered that one right...
<<OOC>> Blaine says "Yup"
Tarot nods slightly. She closes the records window, then starts amending her class notes.
<<OOC>> arcangel says "Out of curiosity, what *is* Tarot saying about the Nybbas factor?"
Tarot pauses to dash off a quick email to the Departmental Secretary. "Deborah - I think it unlikely the Malakite of Judgement will be posing for you. He seems shy. - Tarot."
(A while later, the email comes back, "DARN!")
Blaine pages: Obviously, a perception roll is required... ;>
<<OOC>> Tarot says "Tarot is saying that the Malakite (who of course is not bound to the truth) hinted strongly that the redhead was an important Impudite fresh from Hell, and that her suggestions in the Nybbas direction weren't judged wrong."
<<OOC>> arcangel nods, and grins.
<<OOC>> Tarot says "She's also mentioning the Seraph's comment that he's been under observation from Heaven for a while."
<<OOC>> arcangel grins more.
<<OOC>> arcangel says "Anything else?"
<<OOC>> Blaine ;>
Blaine pages: You'll have to tell me what this course is that Raven talked me into... ;>
You paged Blaine with 'An Introductory Course In Living On Earth.'.
Blaine pages: Hehe. Yeah, Raven needs that one all right... ;>
You paged Blaine with 'Raven thought it was a great sounding course, probably easy credits.'.
Blaine pages: Whereas Blaine thought it would be potentially useful for Raven to buy some clues about how to do that... ;>
Long distance to Blaine: arcangel giggles. "Raven is someone who *needs* a clue."
Blaine pages: Or four. Of course, might be interesting to see what non-Terrans are in the class...
Long distance to Blaine: arcangel whistles innocently.
<<OOC>> Tarot says "Oh, give the contact phone number, the fact that apparently Jude ran into him, and the fact that the Seraph talked about "Songs" and perception, but not direct threats."
<<OOC>> arcangel nods.
<<OOC>> Tarot says "Also mention that the Malakite picked up on the Helltrip, so that'll probably be hitting her Judgement file in short order, unfortunately."
<<OOC>> arcangel nods. "Anything else?"
<<OOC>> Tarot thinks.
<<OOC>> Tarot says "The possibility that the Triad may be prowling Campus, a note about Mellor's run-in with them, a queried correlation to the rumored increased number of Triads, a request if there's any confirming rumors recently from Hell."
<<OOC>> arcangel nods. Okay. That wrap things up?
<<OOC>> arcangel says "For Tarot's email, that is..."
<<OOC>> arcangel thinks Tarot will get a reply, for some reason. O;>
<<OOC>> Blaine ;>
<<OOC>> Tarot says "I think that's all."
<<OOC>> Tarot chuckles.
Approximately 10 minutes after Tarot sends the email, her phone rings.
Tarot picks up the phone. "Di Ordo here."
The voice on the other end is very familiar. "Tarot. You're right, there are more triads around, and have been for the past couple of weeks at least. But there's no confirming rumors. The opposite, according to my sources."
<<OOC>> arcangel says "Tarot's nominal boss at the University!"
<<OOC>> Tarot chuckles.
Tarot says "Curious. The Malakite was not bound to truth, of course, but I cannot see why he should have wanted me to believe such a thing falsely."
The ArchDean asks, "Are you sure he was hinting that this *was* a certain Impudite Prince?"
Tarot pauses a moment. "He implied Impudite, and familiar from Hell - indeed, the Seraph asked if the photo reminded me of anybody." She pauses again. "Of course, if there were some sort of Impudite duplicate of that Prince running around *loose*..."
The ArchDean rolls her eyes. This is clearly understood, even over the phone. "That would complicate things, no kidding. All right. This is useful. If you run into that Malakite again, perhaps you could get him drunk and confiding in you somehow?"
<<OOC>> Blaine says "LOL"
Tarot says, vaguely, "I could try, but he seems substantially more worldly than many of Judgement. To put it mildly."
<<OOC>> Blaine says "Oh, Danny boy..."
<<OOC>> Blaine says "Go 'way, Tomas!"
The ArchDean sighs. "Well, that increases the chances that he'd actually *drink*... All right. More information is useful, as always. I don't suppose they left a photocopy of this 'fugitive' of theirs?"
Tarot says, into the phone, "I am afraid not. I could sketch and fax across, but it would only be approximate."
The ArchDean says, "All right. If you get a chance, that would be good. Oh, by the way -- you'll have seen you've got two new students in your class. Keep the triads away from them, if you can."
Tarot says "Any problems of which I should be aware?"
The ArchDean says, "I don't think so, really, but you know how they over-react sometimes. After all, one's a prospective Satanist, and the other's her room-mate."
Tarot takes a breath, then says, "I take it I should attempt to keep the prospective Satanist away from the Fleshless of the Game?"
The ArchDean says, "Just keep the Fleshless kid from doing anything corrupting, as usual. It's not serious."
Tarot says, dryly, "So far it has only managed to knock down a Triad, after all.2
The ArchDean laughs. "Well, that's something for the files! Thanks. I can hold that over Judgment's head when I ask some pointed questions about why *his* triads are trying to give orders to *my* staff."
Tarot says "I should note that the Triad did not attempt to order me, lady. They merely requested me, "as within my duties as a Soldier.""
The ArchDean says, "That's close to an order, and if I don't take a bit of offense, the next group *will* be giving orders. Oh, right. If you catch up with this person, notify me before you call. He gets sanctuary, same as anyone else here, unless he does something to violate the sanctuary himself."
Tarot says "I will do what I can, lady."
The ArchDean says, "That's all I ask. Thank you, Tarot. I'll let you get back to coursework now."
Tarot says, "Thank you, lady," and puts the phone down.
And all is normal and quiet, once again.
Tarot rubs between her eyebrows with a knuckle again.
Tarot gets back to work while the peace lasts.
<<OOC>> arcangel grins. "Anything further to do in-scene, or should we end off here?"
<<OOC>> Tarot says "Tarot's not going to bend Deborah's ear about this, so I think close here. (I assume Deborah's had Standard Debriefing?)"
<<OOC>> Tarot says "That is, it's unlikely Deborah might know anything novel relating to Nybbas or lookalikes that hadn't been mentioned in her debrief."
<<OOC>> arcangel nods. "I suspect that's the case, yes."
<<OOC>> arcangel says "So it must be something new..."