So, the world falls away, and everything spins, and universes blossom and die, and children run and laugh and grow, and thought is very very hard to find for a whole eternity that lasts maybe two and a half minutes. Then Jewel is back in reality, a harsh, bright, burning reality, a monastic room with a large window, a desk with scattered papers, a heavy door -- and everything is *bright* and *real* and *deep* and *beautiful*, even the withered rose that sits abandoned in a dried-up vase.
There is a small metal slot in the wall, with a label above it reading, "Mail."
Jewel doesn't recognize the place.
All Jewel can see through the window is sky, but, then, she's not very close to it and it's sort of high.
Jewel puts one hand to her belly to check whether Eli's Heart is still there. It is, in fact, there, and seems -- smug.
Jewel says, hesitantly, "Eli?"
No answer.
Jewel looks out the window, looks at the papers on the desk, etc.
Out the window, Jewel can see the beautiful crystalline spires of perfect buildings reaching for the sky, a hugely tall ladder that rises straight from the ground into infinity above, and a city made of purest orderly perfection set below. On the desk, there is a thin pile of folders reading "Reports", more of which seem to appear whenever one is taken away; a couple of folders without this property, set aside, reading "Jean," "Yuriel/Keiel," "Ohab," "Eli," and "Gabriel." There is also an amazingly detailed calendar pad on the desk, with far more organized writing on it than seems possible, and a goodly supply of writing paper, ink, quills, and envelopes.
The writing on the calendar is Dominican script.
Hm. Why, below, that must be ... the Eternal City.
Jewel, considering this, realizes that she is in celestial form.
Jewel says something in Helltongue that will not bear translating for any conceivable audience, and checks to see if she's smoking or catching fire anywhere!
Helltongue is oddly hard to phrase, but there is, at the least, no smoke.
Jewel looks very relieved!
Jewel gives in to curiosity and looks in the Eli folder.
Inside are a collection of notes, photographs, and an infinitely detailed map of the Earth, three feet by three feet unfolded and still readable, with red pins in it at various places. One of them seems to be inside Little Tokyo, Los Angeles; none of the other places are immediately recognizable.
The notes appear to be Dominican shorthand transcriptions of interviews with witnesses of Eli's "heresies" -- and, admittedly, some that seem to give evidence that he is still acting with God's grace.
The photographs are all of Eli, although it's hard to say how you can tell, given that he's not using the same Vessel in most of them.
Jewel has Mystic Eli Sense!
On the back side of each note is the celestial name of -- apparently -- the relevant agent, or the three relevant names of a Triad.
Jewel looks curiously for her own name on the back of the notes.
None of them seem to have Jewel's name on the back, although after a short search, Jewel finds a note about her escape in Session 1.
Jewel says "Keen! I'm famous!"
Jewel remembers ...
No one knows whether Dominic keeps backups of important evidence,
although most assume he does. There is a whole section of his tower
that only a tiny handful of angels are permitted to enter at all --
perhaps he stores copies there, or has personal quarters, or dungeons.
Jewel looks in the other files, especially Ohab's. ...and also Keiel & Yuriel's, since it might have cheesecake pictures.
Jewel is more than slightly dizzy, yes.
Ohab's file seems pretty straightforward. No mention of Jewel, just the assignment to find Shephi and an indication that, because a Servitor of Dominic may have been actively kidnapped, Ohab has been provided with a Dominic feather and instructions to use it if anything extremely strange transpired.
Jewel mutters to herself, "Well, I'm certainly strange!"
The Yuriel/Keiel file has a brief mission outline, their (rather unfortunate) record, summarized as a string of "grades" by obscure mission titles, a note indicating that a Malakite of Janus has been cleared of all charges due to extraordinary cooperation, and a string of completely cryptic communications with Jean which seem to involve Dominic requesting the use of a VTOL plane of some sort. How strange.
Jewel shakes her head sadly, and moves on to skim the other files, and then see if she has a file anywhere.
The Jean file skates carefully around committing anything to writing, but because the celestial tongue is remarkably expressive, you can gather that Jean is under some sort of suspicion, that it has to do with the movie "The Hollow Earth," and that a Superior may wind up changing sides as a result.
Gabriel's file has a map with pins, much like Eli's, and reports on conversations, et al.
Oddly enough, as soon as Jewel decides to look for her file, while looking in the pile (rather than the ones separate on the desk), the top file in the group morphs to display Jewel's Heavenly name.
In Jewel's file are records from her time as a Dominican, and a copy of a report -- by, apparently, one of the actresses Jewel had been helping. The report succinctly "confirms Eli's belief" that Jewel can be brought back under the wing, but suggests that "Creationer decadence" would inevitably lead her astray again. Recommendation is capture, debriefing, and a choice between soul-death and a return to the ranks. Dominic's occasionally recognizable hand scrawls out a "The Truth is unclear" atop the report."
Jewel mutters, "But I *like* being decadent!"
Jewel checks for files on Cassia and Akriel.
Cassia's file notes only that her record is clean. Akriel's notes something similar, but adds, "Indications of Seraphic malfeasance in his current assignment. Advised response?" in a Dominican's hand. Below is written a Dominican checkmark (in Dominic's hand) for 'response sent.'
Both files are as easily found as Jewel's was.
Jewel remembers ...
"Seraphic Malfeasance" means a Seraph who abuses their position as Most
Holy, usually, although it could mean a Seraph who steals, thwaps an
Archangel's nose, or anything else heretical.
Jewel checks if the magic filing system will deliver information on immaterial ghosts, which it does not.
Jewel unzips her jacket, giving the spy cameras a really good view (fan service!), and fetches out the Heart, so that it can see all the open folders on the desk. She doesn't know if Eli can see through his Heart, but it's not implausible, and this way she can also ask it, "Now what?"
Eli's Heart jerks, slightly, towards the mail slot. Then it goes quiet.
Jewel kisses the Heart and goes over to investigate the mail slot.
The mail slot is just a mail slot. It opens on what looks to be
a chute of some kind, but ...
There is a sense that the slot or the chute is an artifact of some
kind.
Jewel says to the Heart, "You want me to mail you all this stuff?"
The Heart makes no indication.
Jewel gathers up the folders and takes them over to the mail slot. Any reaction of the Heart?
The Heart does not react.
The Heart jerks slightly, towards (as best as Jewel can figure out) the inkwell.
Jewel looks at the inkwell.
The inkwell is an ordinary inkwell, with quills and paper nearby.
Jewel packages up the folders and addresses them to Eli, experimentally.
The Heart does not react.
Jewel sighs and hugs the Heart to her bare breasts. "I'm sorry I'm so dim, sweetie, but you're going to have to be a bit more explicit. Do I need to address myself or something?"
The Heart pulses. There is the sense that Jewel's intentions are acceptable but nonoptimal.
Jewel says "Okay, hot-cold?"
Jewel walks slowly around the room, still hugging the heart to her bosom, pointing to things in turn.
The Heart warms slightly at the blank paper, quill, envelopes, ink, and gives a sort of pulse, different completely than the warmth, when Jewel points to the already-addressed files.
Jewel unwraps the files. Warmer?
The Heart does not warm when the files are unwrapped.
Jewel thinks out loud, "You want me to write something? Fake files? Letters to Yves about what a pitworm Dominic is? Steamy love letters?"
The Heart warms appreciably at all of these options.
Jewel looks at the Heart. "You just want me to be Creative?"
The Heart glows happily.
Jewel grins! "Oh, let me think! So many options!"
Jewel starts by addressing the archangelic files to their subjects and mailing them out, while she thinks of something better.
The Heart hums happily.
Jewel thoughtfully writes a steamy letter to Gabriel, about all the things Dominic would like to do with her if he had her as a bottom, expressing concepts that would make Andre blush, except they're in Celestial and thus innately poetic. She doubts Gabriel is very tolerant of S&M...
Jewel digs up files on the other archangels and their secretaries, and mails the out appropriately while thinking some more.
Eli's Heart pulses a few times, staccato. The happy red light turns momentarily blue.
Jewel stops what she's doing and looks at the Heart?
Jewel says "I know doing something twice isn't creative anymore, but what's wrong with doing something useful while I think?"
Jewel says "Oh!"
Jewel quickly writes "Dommie + Larry 4ever" in a big heart on the wall, and splits!
The world around Jewel falls away again.
Jewel squeaks and clutches the Heart!
Akriel and Cassia's Adventure
Meanwhile, back in the Lindel House ... Akriel, Ohab, and Cassia are in Akriel's room, with a Symphonic boom in the hallway, Jewel gone, Ohab pacing, and the other two talking.
Shephi, the ghost, has not further evidenced him/herself.
Cassia just holds onto the paper bag with her copy of the daily journal in it.
Akriel had just finished closing the door, having seen a cowled person walk out into the hall from a door at the top of the stairs.
Ohab says, uneasily, "That noise ..."
Akriel blinks.
Ohab frowns. "My Bright Lord does not normally make such an excessive entrance."
Cassia nods a bit, "Pretty big, that one was."
Cassia frowns just a touch and takes a position that's not easy to see from the doorway, if it opens, again.
Akriel looks lost.
Though locked, the door begins to open. Ohab's face shines happily as a cloaked man walks in. "Lord!" he says, and goes down on one knee.
Akriel studies the cloaked man.
Cassia just watches from her place, at a ready stance.
The cloaked man's eyes are shadowed by his hood, but his jaw-lines are strong, and his clothing beneath the gray cloak is a soft brown. His stature carries arrogant authority, and the set of his head indicates that he may be listening to something that you cannot hear.
Dominic (apparently) says, "Ohab." His voice is almost rusty, as if he spoke rarely. "You have called. I have come."
Cassia looks at Akriel as the man speaks.
Akriel continues watching the cloaked man.
Ohab says, in a rush, rising, "There was a woman who claimed to be a higher authority, Bright Lord. She seemed to be a Mercurian. And she said that Shephi was a ghost. I judged her suspicious enough to call, for she might have forged your handsigns -- and if she is correct, then I have no hope of finding a ghost myself."
Akriel murmurs to himself, distracted, "This room needs some plants."
Dominic (apparently) considers. Then he pulls back his hood, revealing brown hair and cataract-white eyes. "I see."
Dominic (apparently) reaches out a finger, and something begins to coalesce in the air. "Shephi. Come." A minute later, the coalescing shape explodes outwards, fills a human-sized space, and takes on flesh. A woman, in a white dress, collapses downwards to the ground. Then he looks towards Ohab. "The woman you saw earlier is called Coxotli. You will keep her under observation, if you can. You will not consider her your superior officer."
Akriel watches Shephi with interest.
Shephi blinks several times, rolls over on her side, and puts one hand to her head. "Oh."
Cassia peers at Shephi quietly.
Akriel asks Shephi "How are you?"
Shephi says, abstractedly, "I am -- I am not who I was. It will take me a moment --" Then, suddenly, her eyes widen, and she shoots a glance towards Dominic. It is full of appeal.
Dominic's eyes, blind, show no mercy or even kindness. He shakes his head, sharply, and then turns to the door. "Good day. Shephi, cooperate with Ohab, and with these others, unless it violates your oaths to Judgment."
Shephi's face falls. Then it schools itself. She stands, her legs trembling like branches in a heavy wind, and bows to the others. Dominic, behind her, leaves the room. Then she says, "I am at your disposal."
Akriel says "Perhaps someone should explain what's going on."
Akriel says "I am rather confused by now."
Shephi says, "If you could list your confusions, in order, I would have an easier time in addressing them."
Akriel contemplates.
Akriel says "What is your role in events?"
Cassia curls up to listen.
Shephi says, quietly, "I was a friend of Thummim's. Deeming the information she uncovered dangerous to angelic morale, I moved the file she compiled to the basement. Otherwise, I have been uninvolved; I have been confined to this building since my death."
Akriel opens his mouth, closes it, and then opens it again.
Cassia blinks quietly.
Akriel says "Is the file still there, and if it is should we go get it?"
Shephi bows her head. "It is in the casing where the motor that operates the incinerator is stored. For easier disposal in an emergency."
Akriel says "And would it explain Thummim's death?"
Cassia murmurs softly to Akriel, "Shall I go get it?"
Akriel says "If it's dangerous to angelic morale, I'm not sure that we should get it."
Cassia says "And if it's the truth anyway? Something we must prepare for?"
Akriel says "I don't know."
Cassia paces quietly, now, and would be jittering if confined to a single spot.
Shephi says, softly, "I do not know the contents precisely; fine motions like opening it without spilling the contents were difficult. However, Thummim was depressed thereafter, and murdered in short succession."
Cassia nods quietly, "Maybe she couldn't deal with it, but if she'd turned it over to her Superior?"
Akriel says "I don't *know*."
Akriel says "Perhaps we should go make sure it's safe."
Cassia nods.
Cassia nods at Akriel and grins a wry grin, "I was mostly asking Shephi."
Cassia says "But, yeah."
Akriel pats down his vest. "I have all the tools we should need."
Cassia opens the door and lets Akriel lead.
Akriel, in turn, lets Shephi lead.
Cassia orbits quietly about Akriel and whomever else is going...
Shephi paces out, steps controlled and calm, the perfect Elohite -- an odd antithesis of Jewel's general energetic nature. Ohab orbits, staying about 90 degrees from Cassia. Shephi leads downstairs to the basement, and taps a hollow-sounding section of metal attached to the furnace.
Akriel says "How does one extract it?"
Cassia peers quietly.
Shephi walks around to the other side of the section, and indicates where it seems that a piece of metal has been broken off. "I removed the wheel that opens the lock. However, I believe that the plate can be unbolted completely or that with some effort the reaining spike can be turned to release the lock.
Cassia hrms and grasps the spike and turns it in the way to release the lock (or tries to.)
Akriel lets Cassia do this, thoughtfully.
Without much effort, given Cassia's athleticness, the spike turns, and then she can pull the door of the motor section open. Underneath the motor, stained with oil, there lies a file. It reads "The Hollow Earth" on the cover, in the writing found in the day planner.
Cassia pulls the file out.
With a *whoosh*, and many special effects on Jewel's end, Jewel lands in the basement next to the rest of the group.
Michaeline Encounters
Cassia blinks at the wooshing Jewel.
Cassia contemplates the file and then tucks it into the paper bag with the copy of the daily planner.
Cassia does not open it.
Ohab nods his head with an odd mix of respect and suspicion. "Coxotli."
Akriel blinks at Jewel's appearance.
Shephi looks thoughtfully at Jewel.
Jewel stumbles and clutches at a heating duct with her free hand. In the other hand, she's carrying a Heart.
Jewel's jacket flutters open with the immaterial wind of her passage.
Cassia peers at the Heart.
Cassia says mildly, "I didn't know they could exist on Earth."
Jewel looks around nervously. "Where are we?"
Akriel says "In the basement."
Jewel zips up her jacket, concealing the Heart, but spoiling the view. "Long story. How did it go with Dommie?"
Cassia says "It seems well."
Akriel says "He brought Shephi back and told Ohab some things and left."
Jewel looks at Shepi. "Who's this?"
Akriel says "That's Shephi."
Cassia says "The ghost you saw."
Akriel says "Cassia was just getting Thummim's file that Shephi hid in the basement."
Jewel says "Oh!"
Jewel senses ...
(GM rolls dice. 10.)
Shephi is a Looker. Though she holds herself like an Elohite.
Ohab says, seriously, "My primary mission was satisfied."
Cassia says "Good."
Shephi inclines her head to Jewel.
Cassia says "I think that my primary mission was to take the file to Michael..."
Akriel says "I think my primary mission is to find out who happened to Thummim."
Jewel stares at Shephi wide-eyed, not really paying attention to the others.
Akriel looks between Shephi and Jewel.
Akriel pauses.
Akriel says "Jewel?"
Jewel bats her lashes. "I'm glad you got your body back!"
Jewel starts!, but doesn't really look away from Shephi. "Yah?"
Akriel says "... Nothing."
Jewel says "No, what?"
Cassia summons Michael, spending a few Essence.
Cassia stands a little ways away from the rest of the folks and sings an invocation to Michael.
Jewel finally looks over at Akriel.
Akriel says "I was wondering why you were staring at her with wide eyes. I thought there might be something wrong."
Shephi says, "I was not in the room when she died, sir. However, I came as soon as I heard the gunshot. The landlady seems to have been correct that it was Leonardo diCaprio."
Jewel looks at Akriel as though he's completely out to lunch. "No, nothing wrong at all."
Akriel looks puzzled.
Akriel says "How did Mr DiCaprio make his escape?"
Jewel's eyes slide back to Shephi, and she murmurs, "Not a thing..."
Jewel slides up to Shephi, much closer than the usual distance between strangers. "Did you get a resonance on him?" She doesn't seem as interested in the question as in Shephi's eyes, though.
Shephi says, placidly, "He was not stopped by the police. Nor, by my impressions of the police who interviewed the landlady, was it believed by anyone that he was the culprit. His fingerprints were not found on the abandoned gun. Of course, some celestial Vessels lack fingerprints."
Shephi considers. "My resonance indicated, primarily, regret."
There is a building, distant but coming closer, thunder in the Symphony.
Akriel asks Cassia, interestedly, "Michael has heard you?"
Cassia poises on the balls of her feet at a stance of attention intent.
Cassia says "I think so."
Jewel looks away from Shephi as the sound builds toward a climax. "Michael? *Here?*"
Eli's Heart seems relatively calm.
Cassia says "Yeah."
Akriel says "Is there a problem with him fitting into the space?"
Ohab, incidentally, seems to be watching Jewel closely. He has been ever since her return.
Cassia says "Not really. He's able to manifest our size... and I wanted to get this to him as soon as possible."
Akriel nods, seeming reassured.
Jewel is not paying much attention to anyone except Shephi. Well, she wasn't, although she's now looking around rather nervously, one hand on her belly just below her breasts, where she stashed the Heart.
Akriel asks Jewel "Is something the matter?"
The sharp tip of an axe appears out of nowhere, attached to nothing, in the air by the basement stairs. Slowly, as if still attached to an invisible axe behind it, it cuts out a circle -- and in its wake it leaves a circle of fire, growing towards completion.
Jewel smiles brightly. "All depends on how you look at it!"
Jewel looks pretty nervous watching the axecircle, though.
Akriel watches with interest.
Shephi glances oddly at Jewel, eyes looking a bit confused, and then her face goes blank again.
Jewel glances sideways to meet Shephi's eyes for a smouldering instant.
When the circle is complete, the air inside it falls -- like a chunk of wood -- to the ground, and beyond is a tall man on a grassy field. In his hand is the axe, and there are rings of battle behind him; then he steps through and the ring collapses into nothingness.
Cassia salutes her Commander properly.
Jewel bows deeply, with a salutory effect on her neckline.
Michael gives Cassia and Jewel an intense smile, and then steps towards Cassia. "I do not sense danger. Have you, then, completed your mission?"
Akriel looks like he's trying to figure out what one does to salute Archangels in these Vessels. He settles for a "Sir."
Cassia then holds out the paper bag, and indicates Shephi, "Sir, she can probably tell you more about the contents and what warnings might be indicated for the contents. But, yes, sir, I believe this is the dossier you asked me to find."
Jewel's cheeks pinken a little at Michael's regard, but only a little.
Cassia says "Along with a copy of the Seraph's daily planner."
Jewel notes that Michael -- looked. But it seems like he had more effect on her than vice versa.
Michael claims the bag, and then looks with some amusement at -- Jewel's stomach, for some reason.
Jewel's hand is still there, protectively.
Cassia peers at Jewel.
Akriel's gaze ping-pongs back and forth.
Jewel looks nervous, but meets Michael's eyes.
Cassia then shrugs a bit and puts her attention back on Michael. "That's Jewel, she's cool, I think."
Michael looks up, and at Jewel's eyes. "It is information, more often than anything, that decides a war." Then, turning to Cassia, he adds, "For this reason, you have done well." Cassia feels the Essence she spent on the summoning returning.
Jewel realizes that she sent Michael's file out before leaving.
Cassia beams quietly.
Cassia says "Sir, I'd feel just a touch more comfortable if you'd ask the servant of Judgement her opinion of the file's problems."
Michael considers. "I will return in one hour, Earth-time. Cassia, you will remain in the building. The others of you may do as you choose." He glances to Shephi. "She may venture her opinion then; I will also expect any additional comments you have, Cassia, at that time."
Cassia nods at the order. "Yes, sir."
Michael rests his axe against his shoulder and turns and walks into nonexistence.
Jewel lets out her breath, quietly.
Cassia sighs quietly as well.
Akriel sighs. "Does anyone know how to investigate a murder?"
Akriel looks around the basement.
Akriel says "I suggest that we return to something with sunlight."
Cassia says "Usually there are clues..."
Cassia says "Okay."
Cassia bounds back up out of the basement.
Jewel says "If the police left any clues."
Akriel follows Cassia, probably to his room.
Shephi follows.
Jewel smiles dazzlingly at Shephi and follows her up the stairs, watching her walk.
Ohab stays with Jewel.
Jewel doesn't really pay much attention to Ohab.
Shephi, for those who care, is rather exceptionally pretty in this Vessel; of course, it's just a Vessel.
Shephi says, quietly, "Thummim was dating Leonardo."
Cassia orbits the rest of the group after there's more room.
Jewel says "She *was*? The real Leonardo? There are apparently at least two, since one was seen quite a ways away at the time you saw one shooting Thummim."
Shephi adds, "I had always considered it unwise. She serves Litheroy; she could avoid detection, but could not actually conceal it --" Her eyes narrow. "Indeed? I had not known this."
Cassia hrms, "I thought he strangled her."
Jewel nods. "It was in all the papers. That's why he's not in a cell."
Jewel takes the opportunity to admire Shephi's eyes some more. And anything else that catches her attention.
Akriel says "So clearly not a Shedite."
Jewel says "No, probably just the Song of Form."
Shephi considers. "An alibi, where a Media demon or Soldier of high rank is concerned, is meaningless. That she was strangled, however, is more interesting."
Shephi hesitates. "Hypothesis: she was killed before the gunshot. Which may absolve her boyfriend."
Akriel says "Is Mr. diCaprio someone's Vessel?"
Jewel says "Cassia, Akriel, did either of you see any bullet holes anywhere in the apartment?"
Akriel looks thoughtful.
Cassia thinks a bit.
Jewel says "If Thummim's (defunct) Vessel was shot, they would have mentioned it in the reports, and a random shot would have left holes."
Jewel says "So perhaps *someone* *else* was shot."
Shephi says, "He is not an angelic Vessel. Approximately half of all major movie stars are believed to be normal humans, a quarter Soldiers of Hell, and a quarter demonic or very rarely angelic Vessels. There are only a few stars, and the Media prefers to own them."
Akriel asks Shephi "How did you come to be discorporate?"
Jewel says "Hm. Thummim is soul-dead, right?"
Neither Akriel or Cassia saw any bullet holes.
Cassia says "Okay. I don't think I saw any bullet holes."
Jewel says "If your Vessel croaks, you just end up in front of your Heart, right?"
Jewel says "What if you bail while someone is strangling it?"
Jewel says "Or otherwise killing it slowly?"
Akriel adds "Nor did I notice any bullet marks."
Cassia says "Then the body goes with it, i.e. the Vessel disappears when you go celestial."
Shephi says, "I have no way of knowing whether she was soul-killed. I had assumed not --" She reflects. "Do I take it that there is reason to believe she did not appear by her Heart?"
Jewel says "If she hadn't, surely someone could ask her what happened?"
GM expounds:
Vessel-death poofs you to your Heart. Going celestial removes the body.
Four possibilities exist: 1) Thummim was soul-killed in the Marches
while her body *slept*. 2) Thummim was bound into her Vessel somehow,
so she did not leave when it died. 3) She is in Trauma and people are
worried more than they should be. 4) Unknown.
Akriel says "I imagine that is currently impossible for some reason, or there would have been no need to send me to investigate this."
Cassia asks the two Dominicans, "Is there anyone you can call that can tell you the state of Thummim's Heart? Or if she's in Trauma?"
Jewel says "If she was just in Trauma, I think we would have been told, and this wouldn't be so urgent. She might have been bound to Corporeal form while she was killed; the hy -- *cough* -- Servitors of Judgement can do that."
Jewel says "And I don't know what that would do, but I don't think it would be good."
Akriel says "Perhaps it would discorporate her?"
Jewel looks faintly embarrassed.
Jewel says "Maybe. Shephi, what *did* happen to you?"
Jewel hangs on Shepi's every word.
Shephi answers Akriel, after an odd look at Jewel. "I was engaged in soul-battle with a Balseraph. I was not aware that he was a Captain in Kronos' service, and overestimated my ability to handle him."
Cassia says "Ow."
Akriel says "I think we've met him."
Shephi says, quietly, "If she was bound into her body -- then she might be in it still, stuck inside a corpse --" Her expression, which had almost animated, goes dead-blank again.
Jewel looks sympathetic.
Jewel looks appalled.
Jewel says "Do we know where the body was taken?"
Shephi says, "It was removed by the police."
Cassia paces nervously.
Akriel says "Would the Balseraph recognize you if he saw you again?"
Jewel says "There weren't arrangements for someone to claim it?"
Shephi reminds Jewel gently, "I could not venture far from my place of death."
Akriel says "But now you can, so you can claim it!"
Jewel turns slightly pink again. "I know you don't know directly; I was wondering if you had been told, or knew standard procedures."
Shephi looks thoughtful. "He would not recognize this Vessel. My Bright Lord has given me -- a rather different and unusual one."
Shephi looks down at herself with something that might almost be distaste.
Cassia says "And why did that body that looked exactly like hers reappear in the kitchen when I was there?"
Jewel says "Or knew if Thummim's role had included family of any kind."
Akriel says "What is your usual Vessel?"
Shephi looks faintly embarrassed.
Jewel blinks. "You don't like your current Vessel?"
Jewel says "I think it's perfectly lovely."
Cassia blinks as well and looks at Shephi.
Jewel's eyes show exactly what she wants to do about it, too.
Shephi says, to Cassia, "That was my fault, I am afraid. I was attempting to remove -- the investigators, to prevent --" She sighs. "My Bright Lord has indicated that I was wrong in this. And my normal Vessel, milady, is short, brunette, and nondescript. I find it fits in better under most circumstances."
Jewel says "Please, call me Jewel. And I agree that being nondescript fits in better, but beauty definitely has it's place."
Jewel smiles at Shephi some more.
Cassia says "Oh. Okay."
Shephi says, "I do not believe her Role included family, no, Jewel. Nor do I know police procedure; my Bright Lord has not chosen to grant me perfect knowledge of mortal law."
Shephi says, almost nervously, to Jewel, "You are not a Cherub who has attuned to me for some bizarre reason, are you?"
Jewel says "If we could fake documentation, we could send someone in pretending to be a relative."
Jewel stifles a giggle. "No, I'm not a Cherub! I just think you're interesting."
Cassia laughs quietly as well.
Akriel says nothing, but perhaps his expression speaks volumes.
Ohab, pacing, wonders, "Where would one get equipment to forge such identification?"
Jewel says "Normally, I believe one hires it done."
Jewel looks at Ohab when she's talking to him this time, but her eyes keep cutting back toward Shephi.
Ohab considers. "Then," he says, "I or Cassia may be able to find such a place. It is in a Wheel's nature to Know the Way."
Cassia says wistfully,"I have to stay here. Orders."
Jewel says "We can wait for Michael to come back. He said an hour, right?"
Cassia says "True."
Akriel says "I think we can all wait that long."
Cassia smiles brightly.
Ohab nods. "Anything else would be impolite," he admits.
Cassia says "Okay."
Cassia says "Thank you."
Shephi considers. "You say that you may have met this Balseraph?"
Akriel says "We met a Balseraph of Kronos; he was a police captain."
Jewel says "We got busted for poking around the crime site."
Jewel says "And- what Akriel said."
Shephi hesitates. "Do any of you draw? I could describe the man I met, before he went celestial ..."
Ohab frowns. "He was a police captain?"
Jewel says "Only a little, I'm afraid."
Ohab points out, "The police took Thummim's body."
Jewel says "Yes, the police around here belong to Kronos."
Cassia ew's softly.
Jewel says "I know, Ohab, but they may not have broken Role to do anything strange with a dead body."
Jewel shudders slightly, for no apparently reason.
Akriel says "Why don't you describe him?"
Shephi carefully describes her assailant. About five minutes in, it's fairly clear that this is, in fact, Captain Martin Fill.
Akriel says "That's him."
Shephi schools her face carefully. "I see."
Jewel plops down on the bed, and makes motions to indicate that Shephi should sit next to her while she describes.
Jewel says "So if we send in anyone, it would have to be not any of us. Maybe Ohab."
Cassia says "With a way to contact us if he gets into trouble?"
Akriel says "But Shephi said he wouldn't recognize her."
Akriel sits down in the one of his chairs nearest the window.
Shephi sits down next to Jewel.
Cassia says "It wouldn't be good to send them in without some wya to back them up."
Cassia paces quietly.
Jewel says "He wouldn't recognize her Vessel, but he might pick up on mannerisms."
Shephi says, "Mannerisms are optional."
Jewel sits with the curve of her hip not quite touching Shephi's but close enough for sparks to jump.
Jewel says "Or lack of mannerisms, you being a Power."
Jewel says "Ohab is probably the best bet, since he hasn't met this captain at all, right?"
Ohab nods. "I have, in fact, not had the displeasure."
Jewel grins. "Well, it would be unfair to leave you out."
Jewel's smile fades. "Just remember that he *is* a Bal."
Ohab makes a face. "Yah."
Ohab says, hesitantly, "I am expected to keep you under observation."
Jewel says "I wish we could send Akriel; he's good at seeing through that sort of thing."
Jewel says "Shephi can keep an eye on us for you."
Ohab glances to Shephi, and then nods. "Very well. I will go and make this attempt?"
Jewel gives Shephi another brilliant smile.
Jewel says "Can you get the fake ID okay?"
Shephi tries not to be affected.
Ohab nods. "Between my resonance and my native cunning, it cannot go wrong."
Cassia grins.
Akriel gives Ohab a dubious look.
Jewel also looks dubious.
Cassia says "I'd feel better if there was a way to make sure that you're okay, Ohab..."
Jewel says "Just be careful, okay? Or wait until after Michael comes back, so you can take someone with you for the first part, at least."
Cassia says "True."
Akriel opens his mouth, pauses, and closes it again.
Jewel looks over at Akriel.
Cassia says "Though the ID might not be that dangerous to do."
Jewel says "Police and criminals have a close relationship, and we know the police are from the Basement."
Cassia grumbles softly. "True."
Ohab says, pacing, "It is not impossible to detect Ofanim, even for a properly briefed mortal; this is true."
Akriel says "All you have to do is see how still they can sit for how long?"
Ohab grins. "Something like that."
Jewel giggles.
Jewel consults her watch.
Jewel has a pyschedelic titanium-cased pocketwatch, with a matching chain.
Jewel says "Okay, what do we want to ask Michael when he shows up? Besides his phone number, I mean."
Cassia blnks, "Phone number?"
Jewel puts on an innocent expression.
Akriel says nothing. Very carefully he says nothing.
Cassia is just kinda confused.
Cassia says "I think he wanted us to report to him, not... uhm... the otehr way around."
Jewel says "Anyway, we want to find out if Thummim is in Trauma or completely gone. Anything else?"
Jewel says "We can't investigate this properly without information!"
Jewel says "He said it himself."
Cassia says "But isn't that better learned from Judgement or Dominic or one of Dominic's Tethers?"
Jewel says "Probably, but Michael is coming right to us in... 12 minutes."
Cassia Sighs quietly.
Jewel says "You don't think we should ask him?"
Akriel removes something from his vest and fiddles with it.
Akriel says "I don't think there's much harm in Cassia asking him."
Cassia says "Uhm... I don't think you'll likely get a good answer."
Cassia says "But, yeah, it shouldn't hurt to ask."
Jewel says "Then we aren't any worse off than we are now."
Ohab glances at the thing Akriel is fiddling with.
Cassia peers as well.
Akriel's thing is ... well, a thing. It appears to be mechanical.
Jewel turns to Shephi. "Do you have any other ideas?"
Cassia paces quietly.
Shephi shrugs. "Whether diCaprio is in fact a demon, perhaps?"
Shephi admits, "It is not my inclination to ask Michael questions unless he invites it, but invite it he may."
There is a distant rumble in the Symphony, again.
Cassia says "Michael said that diCaprio himself wasn't a demon."
Jewel hears the rumble, and quickly stands up.
Cassia bounces a bit on the balls of her feet.
Jewel thoughtfully adjusts the zipper of her jacket down a few inches.
Akriel puts the thingy away and stands up.
Shephi looks startled. "I did not hear this."
Jewel says "Did he say anything about him being a Soldier, though?"
Cassia says "Nope."
A ball of blinding light appears in the center of the room, flashes into a line of brilliance, and then condenses into Michael, as all of the other angels blink.
Michael does not look pleased.
Cassia does blink.
Jewel bows again, but stops any flirtation dead when she sees Michael's expression.
Cassia salutes as usual and stands a bit more at attention than usual.
Cassia is a bit more still, that is.
Akriel blinks his eyes clear. "Sir."
Michael says, softly, "I am commandeering all of you. Including Jewel. In the absense of specific protest from your Archangels, whom you may consult as you see fit." His voice is no more pleased than his expression.
Eli's Heart beats in its normal way.
Michael lowers his axe from his shoulder so that the point rests against the floor. "I will begin with the good news."
Jewel remains silent and attentive.
Akriel blinks repeatedly.
Cassia watches her Commander gravely.
Michael says, "The Accursed Nybbas has for a long time believed that art makes life. 'The Hollow Earth', apparently, is an attempt to make this literal; a movie that, as it is shot, reshapes the course of human events. This, as I say, is the good news. Or, rather, the best I have to offer."
Michael continues, "If Thummim's conclusions are correct, and I agree with her reasoning, and Nybbas has not suddenly grown three extra brains to manipulate her with, then Jean is helping him."
Cassia's breath draws in softly at the last.
Jewel turns white as paper.
Jewel says "Do we know why?"
Akriel turns white too.
Michael says, "I could call all of you to Heaven and conceal you, where your knowing about the file and Thummim and so forth would do no harm. However, ..." He glances at Jewel. "That would be impractical. It would also waste resources; I do not have many angels in this city who I would like to have any information about this at all."
Jewel doesn't flinch, quite.
Michael says, "There will be auditions for the movie starting in a few days." An empty hand makes a motion, as if to throw something, and black stones with a glow like a star at their hearts scatter across the floor. "These are talismans for theatrical skill, for those who may need them." He glances to Jewel again. "I do not know Jean's reasoning. However, he is in constant communication with the Angel of Monster Machines -- given this Word at his direct request, for no clear reason and in contradiction to established policy -- and that angel, in turn, is working directly with Nybbas."
Cassia picks one of the stones up.
Akriel opens his mouth, closes it, and just picks up a stone.
Cassia says "So we are to audition for the movie and do wht we can to prevent it's making? Or just gather tactical information?"
Michael says, quietly, "Although I cannot spare the time, I will answer any further questions you have; there is no one I had rather you ask them of."
Cassia says "Did Thummim get soul-killed or is she in Trauma? And is diCaprio a demon or merely mortal?"
Jewel says "Do we have any more idea of Nybbas' plan? Or should we just be keeping our eyes open for large machines?"
Akriel says "I am not sure if I'll make a good actor, even with this. Perhaps I should apply for a job making and maintaining the machines they will use."
Michael says, "First: gather information. Second: disrupt things as you can. It would amuse me if the movie's amendations to reality proved beneficial. Third: Thummim is a Seraph of Litheroy, yes?" His eyes go distant a moment. Then come back into focus. "I do not see any angels of Litheroy's at their Hearts. Fourth: diCaprio? I do not know. In fact, it would be best if you investigated that; he may know, if he is a demon, of the file and something of its contents. Fifth: Coxotli, no; I know no more of his plans. I will be hunting them. Sixth: Akriel, that is acceptable."
Jewel says "Will we have backup available if we need a lot of demons removed?"
Michael glances at Jewel's stomach, and then up at her eyes. After a moment, he says, "If necessary, yes. And you, Coxotli, may be able to call on backup that Nybbas would never expect."
Jewel nods.
Michael says, "Call my name three times, any of you. I will come. It would be unwise to abuse this, however; I can obtain other angels."
Jewel nods.
Akriel gulps and nods.
Michael frowns. "One final note."
Michael says, "The Dirty Triad is currently in Los Angeles. This means that nothing, not Nybbas' plans, not mine, not the whole bloody Hollywood, is safe. Keep that in mind."
Jewel turns slightly paler.
Akriel says "Sir ..."
Shephi and Ohab match Jewel in their expression.
Akriel looks as if he doesn't know who the Dirty Triad are and is thus ignoring it.
Michael glances to Akriel. "Yes?"
Akriel says "Will you be speaking with Novalis to explain my new status? If there are things about this you believe Novalis should not yet know..."
Akriel trails off into uncomfortable silence.
Michael considers this.
Michael says, quietly, "I find your Mistress' methods incomprehensible and appalling. But I have never known her to betray a trust. I will speak with her."
Cassia pales a bit at the Dirty Triad mention, but stays mostly quiet and listening through the rest.
Akriel nods.
Akriel does not even bristle at Michael's remarks about Novalis. But then he's an Archangel. A big Archangel.
Michael smiles faintly, salutes with the hand that's not holding the axe, and goes out like a candle.
Cassia salutes as well and sighs.
Jewel collapses back onto the bed.
Akriel sits back down with a decided thump.
Akriel asks, absently, "Who are the Dirty Triad?"
Jewel says "They work for Judgement. They blow things up. Lots of things. Not even things related to their mission."
Akriel says "Oh."
Jewel says "God alone knows why Dominic keeps the around. Maybe he thinks they're cute."
Akriel falls back into silence.