Cassia wonders aloud, "How does one become a stuntperson in movies?"
Jewel says "By demonstrating an immense tolerance for pain, I hear."
Shephi hesitates a moment, and then suggests, "Via a talent agency?"
Cassia says "Oh, Cool." to Jewel and hrms at Shephi. "That's something I could try."
Jewel senses ...
She can get mileage out of being a professional actress and out of
knowing people.
Shephi surveys the room, and says, "You will need to obtain a phone book, but I believe all of us could be placed that way, assuming sufficient skill."
Akriel contemplates the Thespian's Rock.
Akriel says "I believe that has been guaranteed."
Shephi kneels elegantly and picks up a Thespian's Rock, as Ohab paces.
Cassia turns the stone over in her hand.
Shephi rises. "True."
Jewel disdains the stones. "I can find people who know people in the technical crew, which includes stuntmen."
Cassia says "So that would make it easier to get in, probably?"
Jewel says "Stuntmen are usually considered part of the special effects group, not actors."
Jewel says "I think I can persuade them!"
Jewel winks.
Cassia grins.
Ohab scowls.
Ohab thinks, . o O ( Acting is beneath the dignity of Judgment. )
Akriel considers the stone. "Maybe I should try being an actor first. Who would have better access to information?"
Jewel says "You're certainly cute enough, but actually the technical crew gets to see all the nuts and bolts."
Jewel says "Michael said the angel of Monster Machines is involved, so we definitely want someone who can find out about that!"
Akriel says "OK."
Jewel says "Auditions aren't for a couple of days yet, but I can start on setting things up for nonactors. Can I use your phone?"
(I'm glad we caught you at home -- can we use your phone? We're both in a bit of a hurry.)
Jewel says "In the mean time, someone should go with Ohab to get fake ID so that he can look for Thummim's body."
Cassia says "Shall I?"
Akriel nods to Jewel.
Jewel says "Sure!"
Jewel says "Oh, what's your role name?"
Cassia nods at Ohab then.
Akriel says "Akriel. Akriel Jones."
Jewel nods, and looks at the others, especially Shephi.
Ohab says, "A Role was not a part of my mission. I am Ohab, an eye and a hand of Judgment."
Jewel says "I'm not sure that will fit on a union card!"
Cassia's last name becomes "Spice", as we cannot find the established name in the logs.
Jewel says "Getting work as an actor doesn't take any more paperwork than other jobs, but it does take that much, so you'll need a Role of some kind."
Shephi murmurs, "I am as much in the dark about this body's Role, if it has one, as you. However, in the interim, I can be called Stephanie Gillis."
Akriel says "Perhaps we need a number of forged identities."
Jewel says "I think so."
Cassia bounces on the balls of her feet, "My Role's name is Cassia Spice, and I'm playing for the LA Kickin' Angels, so I have my papers an' things."
Jewel says "In fact, I should probably get another one."
Jewel says "As should we all, since the local police know our current ones."
Ohab offers, hopefully, "Ohab Ardon?"
Jewel says "I'm not sure Ohab is an inconspicuous name."
Cassia says "I think we'll need like passport pictures for the ID's?"
Jewel nods. "Those are easy to get, though."
Akriel asks Jewel "Is Akriel?"
Ohab says, seriously, "How will the subjects of inquiry come to trust me if I present them initially with a false identification?"
Jewel shakes her head. "Not really, I'm afraid. Akriel sounds like an angel name."
Jewel says "They won't know it's fake, Ohab."
Shephi's lip curls momentarily in amusement, then returns to passivity.
Ohab considers that. "I could call myself," and he plunges deeply into his tiny treasure of Earth lore, "Captain Ahab?"
Jewel stifles a giggle. "I don't think that will work either."
Akriel says "That is unfortunate, as my name is Akriel."
Ohab frowns and paces.
Ohab tries, "Abraham Daniel?"
Jewel says "That's reasonable, Ohab. Use that."
Jewel regards Akriel thoughtfully.
Ohab considers. "I shall hope that we do not encounter any further Seraphim."
Jewel says "The usual trick is to say, 'They call me such and such', Abe."
Jewel says "Which of course is true, since that's how you'll have been introduced to most people."
Ohab blinks.
Cassia grins at Ohab, "Hi, Abraham Daniel!"
Cassia says "There. I've called you by it."
Cassia bounces about randomly.
Ohab smiles. "Good day, Ms. Cassia."
Cassia beams.
Jewel says "Actually, hm."
Akriel says, hopefully, "It does say Akriel Jones on these papers."
Jewel says "Cassia and Akriel and I don't necessarily need new identities if Kronos and the local police aren't involved in the movie or allied with Nybbas and his lot."
Yah, right. :)
Jewel says "But Abe and Stephie will definitely need papers."
Jewel says "Does anyone have a notepad so we can get this organized?"
Akriel says "I have not yet checked the desk. If you find anything interesting, let me know."
Jewel poked around the apartment earlier, so she'd know what's in the desk and whatnot.
Jewel digs up some paper and writes down what everyone needs as far as false papers, and hands the list to Cassia. "I think this covers it."
The list does indeed seem to be fairly complete and correct, at least assuming that Jewel, Akriel, and Cassia don't need new Roles.
Ohab slides over to where he can look at the paper from beside Cassia.
Cassia takes the list happily and shows it to Ohab.
Jewel scootches over out of the way, incidentally squishing up against Shephi.
Ohab scans it. "Will anyone be coming with me to obtain these?" he wonders.
Cassia says "I will."
Jewel says "While you two are working on that, I should make some phone calls to get things set up for Akriel and Cassia, and I also need someone to give me a ride up into the hills. There's something I need to do that shouldn't be done in the middle of Kronos' turf."
Akriel pats down his pockets, looking for papers.
Specifically, Akriel wants certificates of competence at mechanical things. These are not, in fact, in his pockets.
Cassia grins, "We can both figure out what's the most efficient way to do this."
Ohab smiles brilliantly. "Shall we?" he says, and offers his hand to Cassia.
Akriel says "I am not sure if I have any means of transportation."
Akriel extends the pocket-searching for, say, car keys.
Sean rolls the dice and gets 17.
This being the highest possible roll, Akriel receives ... Too Much.
There are indeed car keys.
They have the little Rolls-Royce emblem on them.
Cassia takes Ohab's hand.
Jewel stares at Akriel's car keys. "Wow!"
Jewel says "Looks like they set you up in style!"
Akriel looks at Jewel puzzledly, then examines the keys.
Akriel says "Oh."
Akriel considers. "Should Ohab obtain papers for me to indicate my competence at technical tasks?"
Jewel says "Cassia, wait!"
Jewel quickly adds whatever Akriel needs to the list.
Cassia holds.
Akriel says "They might be more willing to hire me for such with them."
Jewel says "Good idea, although I think I could get you in anyway. The important thing is a union card, which is already on the list."
Akriel says "Oh. Ah."
Ohab and Cassia Get Carded
Ohab glances at Jewel's amendations, beams, and then drags Cassia out. Of course, an Ofanite requires very little dragging.
(Unless it's in the wrong direction :)
Cassia zooms!
Ohab says, as Cassia and Ohab bound down the stairs four steps at a time, "You have a car?"
Cassia says "Better..."
Ohab tilts his head to the side as the building is left behind. "Oh?"
Cassia bounces to a stop before a low-slung, snarling, powerful poem in steel and glass and fire.
It's a car *and* a lyric masterpiece! (Hot car #1 of 2)
Cassia clicks the locks open. "You wanna drive?"
Ohab smiles ravenously. "Oh, yes."
Cassia tosses Ohab the keys.
Cassia hops into the passanger seat.
Ohab swirls around the car to open the door for Cassia, and is in the driver's seat approximately three seconds later.
Cassia puts her safety belt on.
Cassia approves of his timing.
Ohab clicks on his belt, because it's not just a good idea, it's the law.
Ohab attempts to resonate his way to a place where he can get fake IDs.
Sean rolls the dice and gets 2.
Ohab may need directions from Cassia.
Cassia resonates as well, then.
Cassia rolls the dice and gets 9.
Cassia directs handily, with plenty of instructions in time for the turns...
Ohab and Cassia pull up outside a dingy building which does not, in fact, read "Fake ID Whil-U-Wait," but hey.
Cassia grins and actually does wait for him to open the door this time before hopping out. Then strides for the right door...
Ohab tags along. At Cassia's knock, a slot slides open and a pair of eyes study the two. No immediate vocal response. Ohab fidgets.
After what an Ofanite might consider 'too long,' the guy with the eyes says, "Yah?"
Cassia says, "I'm looking for some fake ID's," to the eyes.
Cassia is Ofanite direct as usual....
The eyes consider that. "Who 'ya work for?"
Cassia hrms and answers, "Michael."
A hesitation from the eyes, and then the slot slams shut and the door opens. The heavyset guy behind the door grumbles, "I'm supposed to get some warning, you know. Come on in."
9 is a pretty good resonance roll to find something.
Cassia grins and walks in. "Sorry. We just realized ourselves that we needed some help."
Cassia hands the guy the list.
The eyes-guy nods his head, and then skims the list. "Child's play," he says, turns to an empty room full of equipment behind him, and roars, "Start it up! Stat!" He begins listing off obscure machine-title-type names, while waving the two over towards a set of cameras focusing on a corner. Oddly enough, one or two machines start humming.
Cassia says "Cool."
He adds, "Nicholas Graeme. You are?"
Ohab says, "Oh-- er, Abraham Daniel."
Cassia grins, "Cassia Spice."
Cassia says "Keen setup you have. Do you work for Jean?"
Nicholas bobs his head, with shooing and beckoning motions positioning Cassia in front of the cameras. *Click!* *Flash!* *Click!* *Flash!*
Nicholas says, "Yves."
Nicholas grins, and admits, "*Eventually*."
Nicholas does something similar for Ohab. *click* *flash!* *click* *flash!*
Cassia beams with the pictures.
Cassia watches Ohab and chuckles.
Nicholas explains, "It's not super-tech; it's just a nice crew of Relievers. Although sometimes I *think* of it as super-tech. Can't see them none too well."
Cassia nods at Nicholas, "Very nice setup."
Cassia politely says, "Thank you." to the Relievers as well.
Nicholas thumbs the list. "Akriel Jones. Did him a few days ago. And -- hm. Will have to fake it for this Stephanie character, 'less'n -- 'Wayhelm, you got any data her?" Turning back to Cassia, he says, "We'll fuzz it out, but you'll have to describe her."
Nicholas wanders over to another bank of machinery, and wonders, "I don't suppose you'd like to be a Juillard graduate or a certified physical therapist or anything, while I'm at it?"
Cassia describes the vessel of Shephi with her eyes closed to remember.
Cassia says reluctantly, "No, I don't think so. Uhm... what is a Julliard graduate?"
Nicholas says, "A well-trained musician. Abraham, would you like to be an official shark-tamer?"
Ohab thinks about this.
Cassia giggles.
Cassia says "Cool. Shark tamer..."
Ohab nods his head sharply. "Definitely!"
Ohab explains to Cassia, "You never know what might come up in the filming."
Cassia nods solemnly.
Nicholas polishes off the job, returning to Ohab and Cassia with a several-inch thick pile of cards, papers, and IDs -- including Ohab's official shark-tamer's card. "There ya go! Hope L.A. works out for you."
Cassia says "Cool. Thanks, Nicholas!"
Cassia admires the shiny new card.
Nicholas smiles. "Be well!"
Cassia beams at him, "Godspeed!"
Ohab admires the cards as well, shifting from foot to foot, and then races for the car.
Cassia races!
Cassia remembers to pick up all the papers and cards, though, so might be a bit slower...
Ohab spins around for a fifth-second to balance having started first, but unfairly doesn't account for the wind resistance of the cards Cassia is carrying.
Ohab and Cassia arrive at Cassia's door at almost the same moment, and Ohab whirls around and opens it, acknowledging Cassia's tie or victory with a rueful smile.
Nicholas closes his door.
Cassia beams quietly and slips into the car.
Ohab says, as he heads for the driver's seat, "Straight for the police station, or back to the apartment?"
Cassia says "I think back, first, they'll need these no matter what happens at the station..."
Ohab nods, waits just long enough for seatbelts to slip on, and floors it.
Sean rolls the dice and gets 5.
Ohab makes good time.
Cassia wheeee's!
Somehow, Ohab is always dawdling around just under the speed limit when a cop crosses his path, and always at a right angle.
The rest of the time, zoom!
Cassia says "Nice work, Ohab."
Ohab pulls up outside.
Cassia vaarrrom!
Cassia bounces out of the car and races back towards the apartment, giggling.
Ohab races alongside, although not competitively unless Cassia feels like it.
Cassia is happy just to have someone that isn't slowing her down.
Ohab breezes in through the door, unless it was locked, in which case *rapraprap*.
Cassia knocks on the door of Akriel's apartment...
Jewel Lines Up Jobs
Akriel sedately searches his luggage in the room to determine if it contains any particular surprises.
Jewel says "Can I use your phone, Akriel?"
Akriel says "Yes, Jewel."
Akriel finds no particular surprises in the luggage. Clothes, including two fairly nice suits, sunglasses, sundries, a pocket CD-player, a legal pad, and basic documentation including birth certificate, Soc. Sec. card, report of GED passing, etc.
Akriel puts the contents of his luggage away, which will neatly serve to find out if there are any surprises in the closet, the chest of drawers, etc.
Jewel dials a number. "Hi, Jack? Jack! Can't complain. How about you, sweetie? Congratulations! That's wonderful! Give her my best! Oh, yah, I was just wondering if you knew who's tech coordinator on that new movie they're starting up, Hollow Earth? Oh, excellent! Thanks a million! Don't forget to invite me! Bye!" She hangs up and dials another number. "Could I speak to Teri Shawmac, please? Tell her it's Jewel." Time passes. "Yes, I'm holding for Teri Shawmac. Could you find her please? Thanks, honey!" More time passes. "TERI! You're doing well! Don't be modest; you deserve it!" She lowers her voice and heats it up about a hundred degrees. "What, you want me to prove my sincerity *again*?"
Akriel finds, oddly enough, a puzzle box, the scene depicted being a
garden, with about 1000 modest-sized pieces -- in a drawer. Otherwise,
nothing interesting.
The puzzle is some sort of relic, albeit of limited strength.
Akriel mms and sets it [the puzzle] aside for the moment.
Jewel giggles into the phone. "Okay, it's a date! Anyway, I *do* have a favor to ask, but I don't think you'll mind too much; you're always complaining how hard it is to get good techs. Yah, another friend of mine. Akriel Jones. He's good, and he's *really* cute. Oh, come on! I know how hot and sweaty it gets climbing around up by the lights. Would tomorrow morning be good?" More giggles. "Sure, I'll give you a full report if I get anywhere! I bet he prefers girls with brains, though. No, of course I'm not saying I don't love you for your body too! Okay, see you tomorrow!"
Jewel hangs up. "Okay, Akriel, you've got a job, if you can pass the interview. Don't wear too much."
Shephi studies Jewel.
Akriel looks down at himself.
Akriel says "Is this sufficient?"
Jewel winks at Shephi.
Shephi resonates Jewel and fails. How many hours until she can try
again, the GM wonders, since the IN/FOS rules don't cover that yet ...
oh, well, I'll just roll.
Sean rolls the dice and gets Divine Intervention.
... so, okay, Shephi resonated Eli's Heart, and is impressed.
Jewel looks Akriel speculatively up and down. "Tighter jeans, and maybe a tank top?"
Shephi's eyes go very wide.
Akriel says "I am not sure I have tighter jeans. If the intention is to show off my legs, I believe I have shorts."
Jewel says "Tight shorts?"
Akriel examines the contents of a drawer.
Akriel says "I am not sure. I would have to try them on."
Jewel says "Well, let's see!"
Akriel holds the shorts up for Jewel to see.
Jewel says "I mean, let's see how they look on you!"
Akriel says "Oh."
Akriel disappears into another room, to emerge shortly wearing the shorts and a dubious expression.
Jewel looks Akriel up and down again!
Shephi chews on her lip, watching Jewel speculatively.
Shephi shakes her head, and firmly assumes her traditional blank expression.
Akriel's shorts appear to be comfortably but not uncomfortably tight.
Jewel says "Not bad! Turn around?"
Akriel obediently does so.
Jewel's widen. "*I'd* hire you! What do you think, Stephie?"
Shephi glances at Akriel and murmurs, "Oh, certainly."
Akriel retreats back into the other room to change back into his previous garb.
Akriel emerges, and asks Jewel "Do you have further telephone calls to make?"
Jewel beams at Shephi while Akriel is changing.
Jewel says "Oh, yah, I should call someone to set up a stunt position for Cassia."
Jewel says "Ohab was going to be an actor, right?"
Akriel tells Jewel "I believe so."
Jewel says "Okay!"
Jewel makes another phone call, much like the previous one, except with not quite so much emphasis on Cassia's sex appeal and more on her willingness to leap headfirst into anything, including a meatgrinder.
The voice on the other end hesitates. "I don't know," he says. "L.A.'s got a glut of stuntmen this year. But send her by in the morning."
Jewel says, "Okay! I'll bring her by! See you then!" and hangs up.
Jewel says "Okay, that's all taken care of."
Jewel says "Cassia has a job interview in the morning too, and I'm sure she'll do fine. She's a *Wheel*."
Akriel says "She is impressive."
Shephi says, "You had wanted a place safely away from here?" in Jewel's direction. "It has occurred to me that I know of one."
Jewel says "I had a particular place in mind, but I don't know if it's accessible now. Where were you thinking of taking me?"
Cassia grins.
Jewel warms up her voice and lowers her lashes for the last sentence.
Shephi says, faintly embarrassed, "The hills near Scenario Lane. Lightly under Jordi's influence, on account of the coyotes."
Jewel says thoughtfully, "That might work. And it's not too far from my first choice, either. Hm. Do *you* have a car? Someone should stay here to man the phone, and it's Akriel's place."
Shephi says, "I had a car."
Jewel says "Do you still have the keys?"
Shephi says, "I suspect that it has been --" She reflects. "I have no idea. But it seems likely that Stephanie Baker has been declared dead."
Shephi shakes her head. "I was discorporated."
Jewel says "Oh, good point. Well, Akriel, can we borrow your Rolls?"
Akriel gives Jewel a look.
Akriel says "I would prefer to drive it."
Jewel says "Well, we could leave Stephie here to hold down the fort..."
Jewel looks distinctly unhappy at the prospect, though.
Akriel says "Do you expect anyone to call you back at this number?"
Jewel says "Not about the jobs, but the Wheels might call in."
Akriel says "Unless it is urgent, we could wait until they return."
Akriel says "They are Wheels. They are likely to return rapidly."
Jewel says "In fact, that sounds like them now."
Jewel grins.
Together Again!
(As you may remember, there was some rapping at doors ...)
Akriel opens the door for them.
Cassia beams and shows the pile of papers and cards, shiney-new.
Cassia goes in...
Ohab says, cheerfully, "I'm a shark-tamer."
Jewel says "Cassia! Good work! You have a job interview tomorrow morning!"
Jewel blinks at Ohab. "You're a what?"
Cassia says "Keen!"
Akriel closes the door behind Ohab and, bereft of comments, collects his set of papers.
Ohab selects a card from Cassia's pile. "I tame sharks."
Ohab shows it to Jewel.
Jewel laughs delightedly! "Great!"
Jewel kisses Ohab!
Cassia says "A shark tamer sounded so cool."
Ohab goes "mmph" and looks involuntarily at Cassia.
Jewel is looking sideways at Shephi for a reaction.
Cassia doesn't seem to mind one bit.
Shephi shows no obvious reaction.
Jewel senses ...
No jealousy. Shephi does seem to be somewhat romantically-inclined, as
well as a bit awed. Awed, Jewel decides, of Jewel's beauty.
Ohab, after a moment, disengages.
Jewel only gave Ohab a quick kiss. (What other kind do you give an Ofanite?)
Ohab says, "We should move on. What is the next step?"
Cassia grins.
Jewel says "I need to go out away from places known to be haunted by demons to do something. It might take a while. If I can get someone to drive me, and then pick me up later, I can do that tonight."
Akriel says "I would like to drive this ... car, to see what it is like."
Jewel says "Abe, with his new role, needs to go ask after Thummim's body."
Jewel looks to make sure the documentation for that scheme is there too.
The documentation is in fact there.
Abraham Daniel is Angela Hopkins' cousin, apparently.
Shephi says, "I must accompany you, then, Jewel, on his behalf."
Cassia says "Yeah. But it might be useful to have someone less uhm... suseptable to that Captain than me to go with Ohab."
Cassia says ruefully, "I believed everyting he said, last time."
Cassia says "Wow... that Nicholas does fine work."
Cassia says "I could drive Jewel and Shephi..."
Cassia says "If Akriel wants to take Ohab?"
Jewel says "That would get us there fast!"
Cassia says "Sure!"
Akriel looks lost. "Who is taking who where?"
Jewel says "Akriel would be good, since he seems to have a sturdy mind."
Cassia nods.
Jewel says "You're taking Abe to the cop chop to check on the body."
Jewel says "Cassia is taking Stephie and I out to the hills."
Jewel says "But I still want a ride in the Rolls sometime!"
Akriel says "Ok."
Jewel undulates and flutters her lashes steamily at Akriel.
Jewel beams!
Jewel says "Cool!"
Jewel says "Okay, should we spring into action?"
Eli
Jewel is going with Cassia in her car, though. Also Shephi.
Cassia beams at Jewel and leads her to the sports car...
Cassia's car has a 'pretend' backseat that Shephi can probably fit in, sideways...
Shephi follows Jewel and Cassia at a measured pace, and slips into the pretend backseat without complaint.
Jewel gets the front seat, since she has to navigate, but looks back longingly at the back seat.
Cassia gets into the driver's seat, starts up and asks Jewel a) where they're going and if she doesn't know where that is b) the first three turns.
Cassia warns both passangers, "I'd put on your safety belts if possible" (and the back seat does have a central belt that can work for a sideways person)
Jewel gives directions to a place out in the hills above the city, where rich people live in huge houses that have to be rebuilt after every heavy rain.
Cassia grins and nods and goes...
Jewel definitely buckles in! She's ridden with Ofanim before!
Shephi buckles without complaint.
Jewel is directing to the house where Eli converted her.
Although not as fast as she *might*, as an Ofanite, Cassia gets there pretty fast, to a gorgeous and rather eccentric-looking house.
(Cassia must be slowed by knowing she's leaving Ohab behind. :)
Jewel looks to see if there's a car in the driveway or any other sign of recent habitation.
There is an abstract sculpture in the driveway that might have been a car once.
Jewel says "That looks promising. Let me go see if he's here."
Cassia blinks quietly and parks on the curb and opens doors for the ladies.
Jewel extricates herself from the car in such a way as to give Shephi the best view, and goes up to the door and knocks.
Cassia locks up the car after Shephi is out and follows Jewel quietly.
There is no answer to Jewel's knock.
Jewel tries the door.
The door opens easily for Jewel.
Jewel looks about for any sign of habitation.
Cassia blinks quietly at the open door, having, it seems, been in LA long enough to know that that is odd.
There are faint crackles from (where Jewel knows there is) the living room, as if from a fire.
Jewel turns back and yells out to the car, "I'll phone Akriel's place when I'm done! Thanks for the lift!"
Cassia is right behind Jewel when she turns around.
Shephi doesn't turn around and leave, or even back away from the door, although it is up to Lirali whether Cassia does so.
Cassia thinks...
Shephi says, softly, "I would like to see him."
Cassia does not back up. "Uhm... You sure you don't want some help, that sounds like fire."
Cassia peers in quiet non-comprehension at Shephi.
Jewel turns faintly pink. "All right, come in!"
Cassia follows Jewel quietly, padding towards the sound of fire when she can to make sure that it's not an out-of-control kind of fire...
Jewel leads the way into the livingroom.
As Jewel, Cassia, and Shephi enter the living room, they can see a white mock-bearskin rug in front of a hearthfire, with a mocha figure sprawled on it, on his back, hands behind his head. A bottle of wine is in ice nearby, with several glasses. The man seems to be sketching things in the air with his finger.
Jewel senses ...
Mystic Eli sense brrrring!
Jewel leaps on the person lying on the rug, clinging to him limpet-like and smooching him passionately!
Shephi bites her lip.
The mocha figure kisses back for a minute, and then he is giggling too hard to maintain the kiss.
Jewel peels herself off, because among other things the Heart is awfully uncomfortable to lie on!
Cassia grins, "Cool. The fire's contained."
Cassia peers at the mocha one and Jewel with a grin.
Jewel sits up and straightens her clothes a bit. "Let me make introductions. This is Cassia, Wheel of War, and Shephi, Power of Judgement."
Cassia bows gently.
Jewel clings to Eli's arm in a way that says very plainly, 'my boyfriend'. "This is the Creator."
The mocha man stops giggling, gently sits up, and says, "Eli, Mercurian of -- oh, damn, I can never remember."
Jewel whispers something in Eli's ear, and giggles.
Eli peers at Jewel. "No, I would *remember* if it was 'sex'."
Eli grins.
Eli says, "Hey, sit down, y'all. What's up?"
Jewel turns pinker. "You're multitalented!"
Cassia laughs quietly.
Jewel scootches over to make room on the rug.
Cassia looks up at the two, "So is Jewel working for you, Eli?"
Jewel unbuckles her boots and tosses them off the rug so she can run her toes through the fur.
Shephi sits in the floor and studies Eli raptly.
Eli considers. "There was some note about some conscription thing from Michael, I think."
Cassia blinks. "Conscription?"
Jewel says "I'm still Eli's though!"
Jewel says "Remember when he requisitioned us, Cass?"
Eli nods. "Well, he *was* the first angel created. I was only the fifth. But yah, she pretty much works for me."
Cassia says "Oh! Yeah."
Cassia says "Cool. I wondered what a demon was doing on what seemed the right side."
Shephi starts.
Jewel winces, squeezing closer to Eli.
Jewel says "Hey, even God improves with practice!"
Eli murmurs, "The PC term is 'spiritually confused celestial.'"
Eli grins brilliantly.
Jewel says "I'm not confused anymore!"
Jewel says "Much."
Jewel says "Okay, I'm confused. But not about who to love."
Jewel shines her smile around the room.
Cassia grins at Eli.
Cassia says "Well, if anyone could that you could."
Cassia strokes Jewel's hair gently once.
Jewel hugs Cassia with her free arm.
Jewel senses ...
Shephi seems to be feeling generally good. And still romantically
inclined.
Eli says, "It takes a while. She's almost ready, though."
Jewel runs her toes up Shephi's calf.
Jewel says "I'm always ready!"
Jewel grins.
Shephi shifts uncomfortably.
Cassia nods at Eli and laughs at Jewel.
Jewel leans her head adoring on Eli's shoulder, sapphire hair spilling bright over his dark skin.
Eli says, "So, Jewel babe, what brings you?"
Jewel looks mock-sternly at Eli. "Did you *read* the note from Michael? I know how you are about mail."
Eli grins. "Hey, I fixed that problem."
Jewel says "You did?"
Eli says, "I made a little spatial tunnel between my mailbox and yours. Now, correspondence goes in -- zoop!"
Jewel says "Hey!"
Jewel says "What makes you think I'm any good with mail?"
Jewel says "Anyway, there's this big ugly thing going down with Nybbas and Jean..."
Jewel lays out for Eli what she learned from Michael.
Jewel says "And I was wondering if you have any more information."
Eli listens to Jewel. Then he says, softly, "It doesn't seem to be in Jean's character." He stands up and paces, dressed in tight jeans and shirtless. "I'll have to talk to him."
Jewel says "Okay. Um. You remember those file folders?"
Jewel looks quite embarrassed.
Eli says, "I heard something about that. Good work." He grins at Jewel.
Jewel says "Yah, but I got to Jean before you swept me away, because I didn't know he was up to anything then."
Jewel blushes more.
Jewel says "So if he has gone bad, he'll know someone is on to him."
Jewel looks up at Eli, eyes full of concern. "Be careful when you talk to him, okay?"
Eli grins. "I'm always careful."
(Oh, he *lies*.)
Cassia blinks at Eli.
Jewel says "Good! You should be!"
Jewel unzips her jacket all the way and fetchs out the Heart, holding it up to the firelight. "Do you want this back now?"
Cassia peers at the Heart.
Eli considers. "Nah." he says. "Better to keep it in circulation."
Jewel says "Okay, if you're sure it's safe."
Jewel flips her jacket open, letting the light and warmth of the fire shine on her bare breasts, and leans against the couch.
Jewel says "Will you write me after you talk to Jean?"
(The GM didn't mean to not answer this, so assume 'yes.')
Cassia looks at the Heart as if wanting to touch, but not even knowing if it's polite to ask.
Eli grins at Cassia. "Go ahead."
Jewel holds out the Heart.
Jewel looks up at Eli, sapphire eyes wide.
Cassia gives Eli a briliant smile and touches the glowing orb gently, lightly caressing it with wind-light fingers.
The Heart feels glorious to the touch, rich with the pulse of the universe itself, an endless song of art and being.
Eli reaches out a finger and touches Jewel's nose. "Not tonight," he says, softly. "I believe you had best get to the police station, in fact."
Cassia purrrs softly and closes her eyes to feel that and the Symphony about it.
Cassia blinks her eyes open at what Eli says. "They're in trouble?"
Jewel nips at Eli's finger, then stops. "I knew we should have sent someone with a clue with them."
Jewel sighs and grabs hold of Eli to pull herself to her feet. "I'll be right with you guys."
Cassia nods quietly. "Thanks, Sir," she says to Eli and then strides to the car to get it open and started.
Eli says, sadly, "Only Rafe would know for sure. But they may be."
Shephi rises, touches the Heart once -- longingly -- and glances at Jewel's open jacket and Eli's shirtless form. Then she turns and mechanically walks away.
Jewel wraps her arms around Eli, pressing her bare chest against his, and kisses him just as fervently as before!
Jewel then draws back. "Okay, not tonight, but soon?"
Eli smiles. "Sooner than you think."
Jewel beams and kisses Eli once more before reluctantly letting go. "I better go."
Jewel says "Oh! What did you think of Shephi?"
Eli considers. "She has potential. I think she likes you." He grins.
Jewel brightens! "You think so?"
Eli nods gravely.
Jewel says "She was acting kind of weird just now, though..."
Jewel says "Elohim hate to admit they like anyone, though."
Eli smiles. "Go figure."
Jewel blushes rose-pink.
Jewel says "Anyway, I'm going now! Really!"
Jewel smooches Eli once more, pinches his butt, and splits for the car, gathering up her boots as she goes.
Eli touches Jewel's forehead with a finger. There is a burst of glorious light and warmth and color and spinning and dancing and wine and roses and music and beauty and then ... she splits.
Eli waves, then flops back down on the rug.
Jewel splits in a daze!
Jewel piles into the car, all dreamy-eyed and not looking particularly aware of her surroundings.
Jewel looks at Shephi in the rearview mirror to see if Shephi is looking at her in the rearview mirror. Her jacket is still undone. Shephi is, so Jewel catches her eyes in the mirror.
The Symphony Explodes.
Back with Akriel and Ohab ...
It occurs to the GM to mention that there seems to be a little compass-like device on Akriel's keychain that does not, in fact, point north.
Akriel says "There is nothing else I need to do at the moment."
Akriel considers the compass-like device. If the world is convenient, this will lead him to his car.
Ohab says, "Then let us go, good angel!" He slips to the door.
Akriel leads on -- or more likely trails Ohab -- out of the Linden House, and then attempts to see where the compass leads him.
After a minute of following the compass-like device, Akriel discovers a small parking lot in which is parked the sweetest machine he has ever seen. Perfection in every line and curve, breathing comfort and power, with a license plate that reads, simply, "JEAN".
(Hot Car #2 of 2)
Akriel says "Oh *wow*."
The compass appears to point right to it.
Akriel says "It's almost perfect."
Akriel goes to the vehicle, and checks to see if the key works in the lock.
Ohab orbits, studying the car. He makes a small noise, sort of like, "Meep."
Ohab says, finally, "I suppose we'd better get in."
Akriel, provided that the key works, opens the passenger door to let Ohab in, and then studies the controls.
The doors slide open as Akriel approaches, both front and side passenger. As he gets in, a key-slot blinks with an orange light, and a sweet but mostly masculine voice asks, "Destination?"
There are an amazing number of controls in the dashboard of Akriel's car, but no actual wheel.
Akriel puts the key into the keyslot, not missing the obvious cue, and waits for Ohab to get in, and then pauses. "Ohab, where exactly do we want to go?"
Ohab thinks. "The local police station, I suppose."
Akriel also puts his hand on the dashboard (on a spot without a control) and concentrates briefly.
Akriel ... Attunes!
The car does not respond immediately to Ohab's words.
Akriel tells the car "The local police station."
A holographic display spins into view in the car, showing what appears to be the map of the city, seen in 3D from above. Orange lines flicker through the streets, tracing out from what may be this parking lot to what is presumably the local police station. There are three different traced-out routes, repeated slowly. "Preferred route?"
Akriel contemplates the routes and then picks the middle one.
Seatbelt-meshes extend organically from the doors to lock into place around Akriel and Ohab. Then the car lifts itself a fraction of an inch and slips out along one such route. There are no bumps or rattles from cracks or bumps into the road.
Akriel seems very approving of this car.
It seems like mere moments before Akriel's car pulls up outside the police station.
The seatbelt-meshes disengage.
Akriel approvingly says "Very nice" to the car, and then "After you" to Ohab.
Akriel's door opens, and then Ohab's, at Akriel's words. There is a click, and the key is pushed out so it is just barely in the slot. Ohab says, "Will you be accompanying me inside, then?" as he steps out and the door shuts behind him.
Akriel takes the key and steps outside. "I thought that was the plan, so I could serve as a ward against the Captain's blandishments. Am I incorrect?"
Ohab bobs his head to Akriel. "That makes sense. I was confused."
Ohab enters the station.
Akriel says "I am not sure that I am not confused."
Akriel trails Ohab (and puts the keys away).
Ohab strides up to the desk, and says, "I have come to claim the body of my cousin."
The cop behind the desk doesn't seem to be anyone Akriel recognizes. He takes a note, and says, "Name?"
Ohab answers, "Angela Hopkins."
Akriel attempts to look discreet, or at least inconspicuous, or failing that bored.
The cop behind the desk rummages around, and pulls out a form. "Fill this out. If she's not still in the station, you'll have to go to the city morgue, though. Bring it and proof of identity down that hall, to the right, and into the third door. If it was recent enough to still be here."
Ohab takes the form and fills it out rapidly, and leads the way to the in-station morgue.
Cassia strides over to settle crosslegged on the rug, hand stroking the fur gently.
Akriel follows.
Akriel eyes passing policemen with interest.
There is nothing obviously interesting about the cops.
In the morgue, the staff checks the papers, nods his head, and opens up a morgue-box. A black-haired Asian man rests thereon. "There," the morgue technician says, turning back to his work. "Angela Hopkins."
Akriel studies the Asian man. Then he looks at the technician.
The technician doubletakes, suddenly.
Akriel asks "Do people often change sex after death?"
The technician turns back, and swears. "There must be some confusion. That's Jeremy Li." He paces over to another morgue-box and opens it. It's empty.
The technician sighs. "Perhaps you could come back tomorrow? I'll try and sort this out."
A harsh bell rings in the police station.
Ohab looks around warily.
Akriel appears willing to come back tomorrow, or at least get out of the morgue.
Ohab says, "Let's go."
Akriel says "Yes."
Akriel follows Ohab.
Ohab glides out the door.
Down the hall. Around the corner. There's an elderly man of small stature, fingernails sharpened into points, listening to Captain Martin Fill babble at him. Captain Fill's face is dead-white.
(This is a traditional appearance for Kronos.)
Lies, Damned Lies, and Statistics
(In what follows, keep in mind that Kronos is the dark side of God, the most powerful celestial being besides Yves and God proper, only obedient to Lucifer because his existence depends on Lucifer's rebellion. Also remember that he's a Balseraph. /Everything/ around him is going to twist itself to make things come out the way he'd want it to, whether consciously or not -- although Superior Intervention might *ameliorate* this effect.)
Akriel blinks, and attempts to backpedal around the nearest corner. Possibly Ohab will push him back around the nearest corner.
Ohab goes around the corner at the same time as Akriel, and peers out. "This isn't good."
Akriel murmurs as quietly as he can "I think this is bad. Should we leave discreetly?"
Ohab whispers, "Definitely."
Akriel tiptoes back with Ohab, and lets Ohab lead an alternate way out.
Ohab races down the hall.
Akriel has a 'I should have known' expression as he follows Ohab.
Ohab dashes through a door and into an unused equipment room, pauses, and looks exceptionally puzzled. There appear to be no other exits.
Akriel follows Ohab, and then looks unnerved, and then steps out of the equipment room.
Ohab frowns. "I was sure that was out ..."
Ohab says, "Celestial form, out through the walls?"
Akriel says "That is what I am worried about. Let us try another way."
Ohab takes off like a rocket down another maze of halls. He brakes half a second after rounding a corner, slips back, and says, "The main desk." in a soft tone.
Akriel says "Is that good or bad?"
Ohab shakes his head. "He's still there. Talking. Oh God, he's a Balseraph."
Akriel eyes Ohab, opens his mouth, and closes his mouth.
Akriel settles for: "I don't know what to do."
A policeman, gun drawn but not ready, walks out into the hall, and unless interrupted, past Ohab and Akriel, more or less ignoring them.
He doesn't come from the main desk-side.
Akriel does not interrupt the man with the gun. He watches.
Kronos seems to be saying, his words just barely audible, "Jean can't possibly be here, Martin. Calm down. Send two of your men to move the body out of Evidence Room C and sneak it out the back; I've got people on diCaprio already. I would advise that you stop sniveling and show the spine suitable for a Balseraph." Martin mutters something, and a couple of police start walking towards Akriel/Ohab.
There's something strange about Kronos' words; as if they weren't carried on the air but go straight to the soul.
(The Truth: the thing in Evidence Room C is *not* Angela Hopkins' body. It's just the right Infernal Artifact/Monster for a pair of angels to take out back and set free.)
Akriel taps Ohab on the shoulder and murmurs "Perhaps we want to check out Evidence Room C. Or perhaps not."
Ohab frowns. "At least, we could follow them out."
Akriel nods.
The police round the corner, hands on their guns. One nods to Akriel and says, "Hey, Ben."
Akriel nods back, looking disoriented.
Akriel blinks suddenly, and seems to be less lost and more confident.
Akriel theorizes:
While carrying the Thespian's Rocks, naturally he and Ohab fit in.
Ohab starts to follow the policemen.
Akriel taps Ohab on the shoulder. "Come on," he says confidently, and falls in with the policemen.
Ohab looks happier to follow, now that he has moral support.
One of the police says, in a faintly disturbed tone of voice, "I dunno if I want to go *near* it. It's not natural, that it's not decaying. And those *marks*."
His partner shrugs. "Orders."
A ways down the hall, the two police open the door of Evidence Room C.
Akriel is following the police rather closely; more like walking with them, really.
The police don't seem to mind Akriel's presence.
Akriel appears to be acting as if he and Ohab were sent to help the policemen out.
Inside the room, on a table off to the side, there is what looks like a woman's body. Livid red marks wrap around her neck, and there is a chunk of her arm missing. Strange symbols are etched into the wood of the table. The police hesitate.
Akriel clears his throat and sounds officious. "We'll take it from here; wait outside. Orders."
The policemen hesitate, then one grins. "Hey, thanks, Ben."
They step outside the room.
Akriel nods; closes the door behind Ohab.
Akriel walks over to the table and studies things.
Akriel looks for, say, if the table is moveable, or if there are things to put the body on. And if he recognizes the symbols etched in the table.
The symbols appear to be in unreadable Helltongue. Some pieces may derive from true celestial, however, indicating something about containment. The table does, in fact, roll.
Akriel looks for a sheet.
No sheet.
Akriel frowns, looking for anything in the room that could cover the body.
There is nothing obviously available to cover the body with, although it is dressed.
Akriel looks to Ohab. "We can either remove the body from the table, which may be noisy, or we can take it out on the table and remove it from there outside."
Ohab says, "I am hesitant to trust myself at this point, but it seems that rolling the table would *have* to be faster."
Akriel nods.
Akriel rolls the table over to where Ohab can hold it, and then opens the door to tell the two policemen outside -- if they are still there -- "We're ready. Go in front, to make sure everything's clear for this."
The policemen nod, and head outwards.
Akriel eyes the policemen, and then gestures Ohab to wheel the table after them with him.
Meanwhile, Cassia chuckles, starts up the car with a roar and heads for the police station.
Akriel mutters "Hopefully this really *is* the way to the back exit, too."
Down the hall. Down the hall. Then, hallelujah, Ohab, Akriel, the cops, and the body are outside! In what looks to be the back parking lot.
Akriel checks his keys discreetly. If he is very very lucky, there will be a little button on the compass, which if pressed will summon the car.
Akriel is sure that the button is there. It would be the intelligent thing to have for a smart car, and Jean is nothing if not intelligent.
The button clicks! Cassia's car races towards the station! There is a hiss in the distance, and then Akriel's car roars by on the street and around a corner at the end. Fifteen seconds later, it races back the other way. It seems somehow confused.
Akriel waves the keychain in its direction, helpfully.
Akriel tells the police, absently, "We'll handle it from here; you can go back in."
A policeman looks up. "Oh, sure," he says to the air, and the two of them walk back into the station.
Akriel eyes the policemen, perhaps faintly nervous. Then he eyes the air.
(Maybe it would be good if a few *more* angels fell into the trap ...)
As Cassia approaches the police station's main entrance, a Rolls Royce screams by heading vaguely towards its back. Its license plate reads simply "JEAN".
Sean rolls the dice and gets Divine Intervention.
(And *that* changes everything completely.)
Cassia blinks quietly at the license plate.
Cassia follows the Rolls, slowly.
Cassia says "I'm gonna follow the Rolls, Jewel, if it says 'Jean' it's likely to be good... how does that sound?"
Akriel's car pulls up neatly in back, in front of Akriel and Ohab
Jewel says "Either good or bad, but certainly important!"
Jewel stops breathing and looking in the rearview mirror, zips up her jacket, pulls on her boots, and checks her gun.
Akriel opens the back door, and tells Ohab: "I will get in the front and get ready. Then you will shift the body into the back, leaving the table behind, close that door, zip around to your front door as fast as possible, and we will get a long way from here as fast as this car can manage."
Akriel beams at the car. "And I have confidence that that will be quite fast."
Cassia creeps her car by as she watches to be sure Akriel and Ohab get in, without police trouble.
Akriel suits action to words, and gets in the front, sticks the key in, and tells the car "I would like to go somewhere a reasonable distance away from here, but still within Los Angeles, in a way that we cannot be traced from here to there."
Akriel adds "When Ohab and Thummin are in the car."
There is a sense of warmth and presence, and the sound of a Superior manifesting or several humans dying, and a nasty-looking, hobbled man appears by the body on a cart.
(The Divine Intervention has manifested! Novalis has appeared to save her angel Akriel from the trap!)
Ohab blinks and starts away.
Akriel tells Ohab, frantically, "NOW!"
The hobbled man says, his voice kind and compassionate, "You must get away from the body now."
<
Jewel remembers ...
Akriel tells the car, with complete calmness, "I changed my mind.
Please sideswipe the table so that it falls over and the body falls off
it."
Cassia says tightly to Jewel and Stephanie, "I'm ramming the hobbling
guy.. hold on..."
Jewel sits up straight and sings in the speech of angels, "Michael,
Warrior of Heaven, General of the Host, here is your foe!"
Jewel sings *loud*.
Jewel pumps in, um, three points of Essence.
The hobbled man, looking to be in complete disbelief, dives out of the
way as Akriel's car slams into the table. The body goes flying and
clings viscously to the police station wall before scurrying up it
sideways. (Not clear how it's doing this.) Cassia's car misses the
hobbled man by the skin of its fender. There is a flare and the sound
of sulfur and another Superior appearing. The light that takes shape is
rapidly wobbling between shapes, between the handsome Michaeline form
and some sort of sinister mantis-like creature.
(Michael is too powerful to *fool*, at least not with a decent
roll. On the other hand, he's having some trouble keeping his
appearance from fooling others ...)
Akriel tells the car "Thank you!" with great feeling.
Jewel watches the manifesting Superior nervously.
The hobbled man and the Michaeline shape exchange an odd glance as the
body disappears over the police station's roof. The Symphony rocks and
shivers viciously with the aftershocks.
Akriel calls out to Ohab "Get in quick!"
Jewel remembers ...
Cassia takes off, trusting Michael to do what has to be done, if
something has to be done...
Ohab scurries into the car, its door opening for him automatically.
Jewel says, appalled, "That's Baal!"
Akriel tells the car "Please get us somewhere away from here, where we
can't be followed by the forces of Hell."
The shape of the creature settles in as a mantis like form, which
shoulders its way into the building, leaving a hole in the back door
(Michael decides, the Hell with convincing Novalis and the little
Servitors that he's not Baal. He's going to go in and kill Kronos.)
Jewel says "Cassia, drive!"
The hobbled man grabs at the back of Akriel's car as it roars away,
clinging with preternatural strength.
(Novalis realizes, "Hey, that's Jean's car! And Michael was worried
that Jean would Fall -- and it's being piloted by demons! ... What
happened to my angel?" Of course, being Novalis, she doesn't do anything
really violent.)
Akriel starts to sound panicked. "And lose that man! If you can't, just
take us to the nearest Tether to Heaven." He sounds satisfied. "That
should get rid of him."
The sportscar, with Cassia driving, also peels away from the station.
At a good clip.
Claws strike upwards from the ground and hook into the Jean-car's
underbelly, slowing it.
(Well, okay, not claws. Plants. Entangling plants: the weapon of
peace!)
Akriel asks Ohab "Can't you do something?"
Akriel concentrates.
Akriel cleverly attempts to use his Songs to help the
Jeancar be the very best and fleetest and slipperiest Jeancar it
possibly can be.
Cassia does, however, look in shock at Jewel when she says "Baal." and
sings, when there're away from the station, "Michael, Michael,
Michael." as she watches the claws strike.
(Michael is already here.)
Jewel pulls out her gun and takes careful aim. As careful as she can
from a speeding car, at least.
Jewel rolls the dice and gets 1.
There is the sound of human death from the station behind them.
Much human death.
(Unfortunately, Michael is having trouble killing the right
*person*.)
Jewel shoots an innocent fire hydrant!
Cassia then does what a good Michaelite would do and tries to use her
car to run into the clawed creature...
Jewel squeaks and pulls herself inside the car!
Cassia's car rips through the claws like fronds and sideswipes the
hobbled man, who rolls on the ground. The Jeancar takes off like
lightning as soon as it is freed, climbing into the sky.
Michael doesn't appear to be answering Cassia's invocation.
The hobbled man screeches with absolute indignation.
(For some reason, the deceptive aura did not hide from Novalis the
fact that she's just been rammed by a Wheel of War in a sportscar.)
Cassia sighs and zooms past the hobbled man and then as soon as she's
able, she U-turns back for the police station.
Jewel shrieks when she sees where Cassia is going! "What in Perdition
are you doing?"
Cassia stops before she reaches teh station to let Jewel and Stephanie
out if they want, "But there were people dying. I have to go back to
try and help them."
Jewel says "Can you stop Baal?"
Cassia doesn't U-turn precisely, but tries to turn it so that she can
go back, without going back past the hobbled man...
The Jeancar roars into the Eternal City.
Cassia says "I can't."
Jewel says "Then what are we going to do?"
Jewel says "Michael didn't answer."
Cassia says "But I can at least taunt him away, for a bit from the
humans, and if you can call for real help, that would help a lot."
Cassia is now shaking a bit.
Jewel puts her hand under her jacket, on Eli's Heart, and prays for
help and/or inspiration!
Cassia says "I'm not sure what's real anymore, other than the death
that's happening because we ran away from there..."
Eli's Heart feels like a Shedite's mind, writhing under Jewel's
jacket.
Jewel screams and yanks the Heart out, staring at it aghast!
Cassia starts at the scream.
Cassia automatically floors it...
The Heart is writhing, dripping with slime, and radiating Andrealphan
*Lust*.
The sportscar roars back to the front of the police station, staggering
with Symphonic disruption, although it could go further ...
Cassia does go further, this time, as Cassia realizes that what Jewel
has said was true...
The Jeancar pulls nicely to a halt in the glorious Eternal City in
Heaven, full of light and hope and angels and blessed souls, and we
will halt Akriel there for tonight.
Cassia has to figure out what's true, now.
Akriel is *home*. His first day on Earth is clearly not yet a total
loss.
Cassia goes for a Tether of War.
Cassia rolls the dice and gets 4.
About a mile and a half away from the station, the Heart snaps back to
being -- well. Eli's Heart, radiating creativity and warmth and
love.
Jewel dropped the Heart onto the floorboards and stared at it as if at
a poisonous snake until suddenly it turns back.
Jewel carefully picks up the Heart, holding it at arm's length until
she's sure it's Eli.
Shephi says, mildly, "Let us not go back."
That's the kind of body Malphas likes to borrow.
Baal has Vessels like that mantis-thing ...
Akriel rolls the dice and gets 1.
Akriel is not as clever as he might be, it seems.