In Nomine: Los Angeles (IC)

[RossN]

Katriel

Katriel almost bit her tongue to stop herself from yelping at the sudden hiss of pain in her ears. It wasn't just the suddenness, like a pair of headphones suddenly going dead (though that was unpleasant enough) it was losing track of the Symphony that was so unpleasant. Mercurians were the most human of the Angels but they were still Angels...

This was also a particularly bad time to bun out.

Luckily her awkwardness was probably hidden by the awkwardness she would have felt anyway at that 'virgin' remark. Kat smiled weakly at Madison, then took her seat. She smoothed out her red skirt, crossed her legs and finished in her handbag for her phone to record the interview.

'Well Miss Rourke you wanted me,' Kat blushed and continued. 'That is you wanted a student of journalism to talk to. What would you like to say to our student body?'

Kat couldn't help but notice that Madison had clearly finished three beers in close order and was now guzzling scotch without showing any signs of tipsiness. That wasn't proof (some humans just could handle their drink) but it did suggest...

[XIII]

Perfect. Barring any enthusiastic realtors, the house would be his for at least a few days. He could always easily jump out a window in the back or something if anyone showed up. Khalil drove off, not wanting his vehicle to be labeled as suspicious for creeping around the neighborhood. He'd wait until he was absolutely sure they were gone and hadn't come back for a phone charger or something. In the meantime, he called Mercy to ask her advice on who he could hit up about a hypothetical infernal weapon and stopped by the nearest sporting goods and pet store to buy some binoculars and a good bit of catnip.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Some rolls for whenever
Sneaking into the house
(3d6)[6][2][1](9)

[Erulasto]

The SUBWAY

Sarah

Jason grimaced as he thought about spending a lot of time at the Howitzer on his own, surrounded by soldiers and others with their judging stares.

”Maybe…um…Maybe back to Mercy’s place. It may not be as heavily armed, but I’d still put money on the notion I’d be safer there where she can keep her eyes on me.” The Balseraph laughed wearily, his discomfort at the thought of being surrounded by militant Angels barely hidden.

Once they had exited the subway station, they looked around – the sun still shining through the gloomy skies – and saw that they had pretty much beaten the rush of people getting off work in the area and heading home. Most of the streets held a few stragglers, but not much else.

There was a coffee shop nearby: a Starbucks and a small diner with a halogen doughnut display slowly flickering on the roof.

Jason looked around with a small scowl playing across his face.

”Pick your poison, I guess?”

* * * * *


RHAPSODY IN RED

Katriel

Madison Rourke smiled a predatory smile, and tried to mask it by taking another sip of her whiskey.

”Je te veux? Oh douce fille, tu n’as aucune idee!” She laughed, and set the drink aside.

”While I’m always looking for more people to join us here for the parties, the real reason that I’m interested in speaking to your student body is actually a bit more self-serving. We’re looking for some new staff, and we’ve got a few opportunities for up and coming musicians. I’d offer internships for business graduates, a job for stage and sound crews, and maybe…just maybe if there are some talented students looking for a shot at stardom?” The wicked smile doesn’t leave her face, though her eyes are twinkling with glee.

Madison pushes away from the desk, and turns to walk towards the door. ”Would you…care for a private tour of the establishment, Miss O’Brien? We can walk and…talk…..”

* * * * *


TO ERRAND OR NOT TO ERRAND

Khalil Dhali

Mercy was easy to reach on the phone, picking up after a single ring with a bright and cheerful greeting.

”Khalil! So good to hear from you! How can I help you today?” Khalil got the impression that had Mercy not been asked to stay at the Tether, she might have wanted to be out and about helping a bit more actively. But she’s stuck there for now, and seems to be trying very hard to remain positive when she can’t be overly helpful.

While they talked, Khalil was able to pick up both the catnip and the binoculars with no complications or issues.

By the time he was done with his errands, the house sat quiet and empty.

A quick glance at the clock in the car and Khalil saw it was approaching 6:00 pm and the vast majority of the neighborhood was already inside, settling down around the dinner table.

The back yard of the house he had his eye on was filled with trees, shrubs and a well-tended garden. The foliage provided an ample shield from prying eyes.

* * * * *


The DANCOURT RESIDENCE

Haralambos

A cursory examination of the area showed no sign of the Detective, nor any signs of others with hostile intentions.

It seemed all was in the clear, for the time being.

Gaspariel was still on hold, whistling a tune that Harry thought sounded like a horribly butchered rendition of COPS.

”Hey Harry. Baraghur, huh? Haven’t heard that name in a long time. Last time I saw him was during the Civil War. He’s been AWOL for quite a while. Habbalah in service to Kronos, the Prince of Fate. He was gunning for a Word last time we tangled. Tried to stir the flames of the war with hatred and bigotry. If he’s involved, you’ll want to keep your eyes open. He may not be the toughest fighter, but Baraghur is potent in his ability to influence others moods and minds. If you wounded him…rest assured, he won’t forget it. Insidious little bugger.” Gaspariel sighs heavily, and the sound of him scratching his chin is faintly heard through the phone.

”If he’s offering to leave Hanna alone, it means he has an ace up his sleeve as the humans say. I’m concerned that Fate has sent an agent after one of the Five. It would imply that there is a significant Fate – or Destiny – for these humans. There are some…troubling ramifications here, Harry. I’ll let the others know. Thanks.”

Harry can hear a door close someplace on the other side of the phone, and Gaspariel murmurs something to whomever entered.

”Sorry ‘bout that. Just sending a crew by to pick up that squad car, Hanna and her mom. We’ll get to the bottom of this. I’ll make sure they pick them up shortly. I know you’re busy.” He chuckles. ”Find out what you can. We’ll talk later.”

Elizabeth Dancourt was still unconscious on the floor, meanwhile Hanna’s breathing had begun to settle and while the glazed look still lingered in her eyes she didn’t seem to be on the verge of a violent rage any longer.

[Anyr]

"Mercy's it is. Let's be quick."

The pair hurried onwards. Despite the grim circumstances, Jason's disdain for the local marketing coaxed a small smile from Sarah. She had a different perspective on such things.

"Businesses aren't the enemy, Jason. Well, not all of them."

After a moment's hesitation, she headed towards the diner. There was less likely to be a queue in there. She'd head in, quickly order something (because Angels of Trade aren't freeloaders), and then seek out a secluded spot. She only needed a few seconds of privacy to whisk Jason away.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Do I need a Song roll here? I don't know whether Jason will volunteer to teleport himself.

[Erulasto]

STARBUCKS!

Sarah

The Bright Lilim’s defense of the businesses earned a wry snort from Jason, but he otherwise remained silent while they waited in line to order. The Balseraph didn’t order anything himself, just offering a curt shake of his head with his hands shoved into his pockets sullenly.

”I’ll take care of it, Sarah. Thanks for the help. I really appreciate it. I’ll…uh…I’ll see you later?” With a pensive glance around, Jathiriel worked through the motions of his Song, before slipping into the streams of the Symphony to carry him to the Tether to Flowers.

Now alone in the coffee shop, Sarah was left with the remaining burdens that had fallen on her shoulders – Bethany Caulfield and her battle to avoid a dark Fate, Selena and the crushing guilt of her actions and choices, and perhaps closest to home: Adele.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Save your essence. Jathiriel can take care of it himself.

[JeenLeen]

"Thanks... Hearing who he is, I'm sad he got away, but feel blessed he didn't mind-whammy me. Um, if he has a cop vessel, Sawyer, can you use that to track him? If you can find where he is, I could ambush him with my sword. Maybe knock him senseless enough to keep hitting 'til he's back in Hell.

Hey, for when you talk to the other Seneschals... Michael asked me to report if I get any info on Bethrezen being interested in stuff. I reckon Michael knows Thatch's report since he sent Ramiel here, but I'm feeling I should call him soon to make sure. Thinking of using the place I fought Cao Shen. Could you pass on I might be calling Michael to talk to him, too? Don't wanna worry folk with the noise. Um, and that I plan to be quiet at Oblivion, but if it gets noisy there, that might be me.

I'd like to stay near Hanna, at least 'til she's really safe, and talk to her. I plan to look into demonic influence at Oblivion soon, but she's a priority, so I have some time. Um, I know I'm not a cherub, but I'm sorta her guardian right now, so maybe the cops would let her take me with her somehow..."

At the last sentence, Harry starts to fumble over the words. No matter what he is, he's not her pet, and he just can't bring himself to recommend that Hanna lie about having a pet pigeon, or Gaspariel lie to his people.

Whatever his answer, Harry, with phone in beak, flies back to Hanna. Assuming her mom is still unconscious, he tries to move her to a more comfortable position -- probably a comedic scene, though one he does fairly well given his strength and dexterity -- then flies up to Hanna.
"Hey... hey? Are you feeling better? That guy was really bad business, and I'm sorry he hurt you two. He's..." Harry pauses, looking around for celestial forms, making sure to avoid dissonance with his words. That fiend almost tricked him into breaking his word. "He should be gone for now. Some trusted cops are coming soon to get you and your mom, move you somewhere safe. At least go for now, and take me with you. They probably don't know about angels and all, so let's not talk around 'em."

If Hanna is responsive, Harry tries to attune his senses to her. If he succeeds, he starts to ask her questions, concern replacing the suspicion he earlier had. He also hands her his phone and asks her to hold on it to for now. (If she's unresponsive, he turns it off then puts it in her pocket.)

Spoiler: Questions

Show

I realize it'd be more organic to do this over a series of post, but figured this'd be better.

"Hanna, I know this is probably hard for, but we should talk while we can in private. You may have heard I'm a Seraph, and part of that means I can tell when somebody is lying, er, usually. Sometimes it means I can divine the truth, too, even if they don't know it. So answer as truthfully as you can, but if you aren't sure, just say something true or false. Try to avoid 'I think' or stuff like that, and use folks' names if you can remember to.

"Try to tell me again why you came to the apartment you met me at, and what you did after we parted 'til we met at Dunkin Donuts, and why you got sick. My guess is that cop-demon--he coulda been there in a different form--but it could've been something else.

"Tell me again what Louis, or that thing in him, said to you about Singing. Did anyone else talk to you about it?

"Can you tell me about any nightmares or strange dreams you've had? Any strange songs or music in them?"

[RossN]

Katriel

Katriel had to admit Madison put on a good show. Admitting to being a 'little' self serving was ingenious, covering up a big lie with a small truth.

If she was a demon and Kat strongly suspected she was. Oh, why had her resonance had to fail her now?

So long as she kept the probable Hellish nature of all this in mind she should be okay. At least unless Madison started dialing up the charm offensive even further.

'Thank you Ms Rourke a tour sounds neat. So are you really saying stardom is a possibility though?' Kat raised a sceptical eyebrow, an expression from her male days.

(She was a little worried it wouldn't have quite the same impact in her current form but beggars could not be choosers.)

[XIII]

"Hey Mercy. Hope you're doing well. I was just wondering if I could get your advice. I seem to have found myself in the possession of a fancy blade, it belonged to the other team and it looks like they put some of their... love... into it. I'm wondering how to go about handling it."

Khalil parked his car a few blocks away where it wouldn't bother anyone or get towed and walked. He didn't want to go through the front, so looked to see if it'd be possible to sneak in through the back. Perhaps he could enter through a connecting backyard from the house opposite it... If it had one.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Once inside, Khalil will start the long and exciting process of casing the place.

[Anyr]

Sarah accepted Jason's gratitude with a smile. That cynical shell of his had begun to crack. He was well on the path to Redemption: So long as the Demons didn't get a chance to drag him off it. Sarah wished she had time to know him better. But for the moment, she was like a relay runner. She played a brief role in safeguarding his life; Then passed the baton. Mercy would take it from here.

Soon, Sarah was alone again. She couldn't afford to be alone for long. Even pausing to pick up her coffee seemed like an indulgence. So many clocks were ticking. Earlier, she'd tried to pretend that a little spare time remained: That she could afford to take a cautious approach. Mere delusion. Adele had shown her that. Jason had shown her that. And there was someone who, if she didn't prevent it, would soon show her that again. Not wanting to waste another moment, she pulled out her phone; And sent a text to a certain escort.

[Hey again. Sorry to bother you so soon. Do you mind if I pay you another visit? Something important has come up.]

She'd really wanted to take things slow with Selena. It would have been so much safer to befriend and Redeem her gradually. But the new pace of this city wouldn't allow that. Every passing minute carried the potential for escalation. Selena needed a guardian Angel now. It was time for Sarah to properly introduce herself.

[Erulasto]

FREE WHEELIN’
3:30 PM

Sarah

Sarah didn’t have to wait long for a response to arrive on her phone, the chime sounding less than two or three minutes after it was initially sent.

<Hi. I’m free until later tonight. I’ll leave the door unlocked.>

So with that open invitation, Sarah headed in the direction of the Halo Suite Penthouses. The sun was finally out in force, though the dark gloom was still painted upon the sky like patchwork ink blots. At this point, some of the moisture from the constant rain had begun to evaporate and there was a growing humidity that brought with it a muggy heat in the sun.

It was the perfect weather to be driving with the windows down and the wind caressing the hair. The kind of day that Adele would have appreciated….

It didn’t take too long for her to arrive – maybe thirty minutes or so of driving – and she found herself handing her car keys to the valet once again. It was the same valet, and he side-eyed her curiously as he got into her car to take it to their private, underground parkade.

-

HALO SUITES PENTHOUSE
4:00 PM

True to form, the front door was unlocked, just as Selena had told Sarah. There was no music playing this time, though the scent of freshly fallen rain was carried on the breeze through the suite from balcony doors thrown wide open.

Selena stood on the balcony a glass of red wine held limply in her fingers and half-dangled over the railing as she basked in the growing sunlight and the fresh sea breeze that rolled off the ocean.

When the heavy front door closed with an audible clunk, Selena glanced over her shoulder with a small smile.

”Sarah. Good to see you again….” she said wryly, as if it had been longer than a few hours. ”What’s so important that you decide to pay me two visits in one day?”


* * * * *


RHAPSODY IN RED
4:00 PM

Katriel

Madison Rourke laughed, and carded her fingers through her wavy hair while wearing a wide grin.

”But of course, Miss O’Brien! On any given night we have music producers, talent scouts and all manner of professionals from the media present. They’re always on the look-out for up and coming talent, regardless of the form of multimedia it manifests as. In fact, we’ve got some agents from Blackwater Studios coming this evening to look for a new starlet for a few movies….” She offers a sly smile to Katriel as she moves to open the office door for her, before leading her back out into the hallway.

”You’re a cute little thing. If you ever want to leave journalism and be an actress, I’d be happy to give you a glowing recommendation.” The inflection in her words, and the prominence of what type of movies Blackwater Studios was known for left absolutely no doubt in Kat’s mind just as to what sort of actress Madison was implying.

She led them down the hall, ignoring most of the immediate doors in the hallway that flanked her own office. Each bore a sigh labelled Private and for most of them, they had small tags hanging from the door handles proudly proclaiming Do Not Disturb.

At the very end of the hall, near the stairs that Kat had ascended when she first arrived, Madison opened a door and revealed within a full recording studio filled with high-tech gadgets and tools, along with massive set of shelves and hangers on a wall that held all manner of musical instruments from acoustic or electric guitars, to saxophones, violins and countless others. The room was immaculately clean, save for a somewhat scruffy looking man in jeans and a green-and-black flannel shirt. His shaggy hair was stuffed beneath a black wool beanie, and a thick-rimmed pair of red glasses sat low on his nose as he worked at mixing a track that was displayed across a half-dozen monitors.

He glanced up as the two women entered, and gave them a cursory nod before refocusing on his work.

”This is Rupert. Don’t mind him…he doesn’t talk much, but he’s a legitimate wizard with mixing music. He’s working up a demo CD for the young singer you probably heard downstairs with her boyfriend on the piano. They’ve been working for me to pay off the cost of my offer to produce their demo. We’re hoping to have it ready and in the hands of one of my Producer friends by the end of the week. Isn’t that right, Rupert?” The man just grunted, his eyes glued to the screens as he fiddled with various dials and knobbs on the mixing board in front of him.

When the finished their tour of the studio, and re-entered the hallway, the sound of a scream filtered through one of the doors marked private. It was a woman, for sure, and it sounded like she was in pain – but there was a very distinct undertone to the scream that seemed, to Kat’s mind, to be begging for more.

* * * * *


The OLD HOUSE in PASADENA
6:15 PM

Khalil Dhali

”Well as can be cooped up at the Tether, Khalil.” She chuckled a little despondently.

Mercy hummed thoughtfully on the other end of the phone, and Khalil could hear the agitated clicking of a pen through the line as she pondered his question. There was a murmured voice from somewhere near her, and she grumbled softly.

”Sorry….” She apologized for being distracted. ”Jason just made it back from his outing with Malchiel. Which makes my initial suggestion a bit more difficult. Normally, I’d say let Malchiel take a look at the Infernal artifact. Being a Servant of Eli and all. But….it seems that Jason and Malchiel were ambushed at Thachael’s Loft by a pair of Demons. Malchiel’s vessel was slain. Jason got away with the help of Sarah. They found a few things that add some more mystery to our current situation. A skin-covered book, and a few documents.” Mercy hefted a deep sigh before continuing, ”I guess your best bet is to bring the blade to one of the Tethers – probably the Howitzer – where it’d be a bit harder to retrieve by a Demon. I can put a call or two out for some Servants of Eli I know and see if any of them can come and take a look. Other than that, I don’t really know what else to tell you. Carrying that thing will make you an even bigger target than you already are. Whoever lost it will want it back, rest assured.”

Meanwhile, Khalil’s investigation of the house provided some much needed information in the form of easy, invisible access to the house through the back door and lots of privacy in the back yard – though the front was conspicuously exposed.

The house itself was empty of all furniture, but white gauzy curtains hung in each of the windows. If there was a back light, Khalil’s silhouette would be visible through the window but otherwise it did a fantastic job of obscuring his movement throughout the house.

* * * * *


DANCOURT RESIDENCE
3:45 PM

Haralambos

”Yeah, I’ll take a look and see if I can figure out who he’s posing as these days. Thanks for the intel. I hate it when we have Demons in the force. So much harder to keep the streets clean when I’ve already got to deal with mortal cops being on the take.” Gaspariel grumbled.

”I’ll certainly pass the message along. Michael showing up will cause enough noise, but at this point considering all the collateral damage we’ve had, it might get overlooked even though its noticed. Regardless, I wouldn’t hang around overly much when you’re done chatting with him just in case someone does get nosey. Good luck at Oblivion, and dealing with the human girl.”

When Harry returns to the house, Elizabeth is stirring on the floor – though she’s still out cold. She’ll probably be waking up in the next little while, but she’s not going anywhere just yet. Harry manages to move her to the couch with little difficulty.

Hanna, however, seems to have regained a measure of her faculties and Harry finds her sitting on the floor in the kitchen with a glass of water half-finished next to her and a bottle of aspirin open on the counter. The young woman is cradling her head in her hands with the soft sounds of her crying filling the room.

When Harry begins speaking again, she jerks abruptly as if startled. She looks at the Pigeon with wide, bleary eyes and sniffles softly.

”Thanks Haralambos.” She murmurs, reaching out a shaky hand to pet the pigeons feathered wing a bit nervously. The Habbalah certainly did a number on the girls already precarious emotional and psychological state.

Hanna blinks owlishly at Harry for a couple long, drawn out moments as she takes the phone and tucks it into her pocket.

”O..Okay. I’ll do my best….” She says weakly, as if really not wanting to. ”I had a friend who…lived there….I heard the noise and I wanted to make sure he was…okay…but….I don’t know where he is. Oh God, I hope he’s okay….”

A haunted look crosses her features for a moment, and she rubs furiously at her red, bleary eyes.

”Uncle Louis said there was…..there was a Song. It wouldn’t make any sense…you know…like….I wouldn’t know what I was singing? Um…he said that if we….I don’t know who the we are supposed to be….if we tried to sing that Song…then…..well, then…he’d kill us all to make sure we couldn’t. But…he said that my…my voice had…power and that he wanted me to sing…just…just not that song. He said part of the Song was already…already known to some of the others? I don’t…I don’t know who they are….so long as we sang other songs…..he…he wouldn’t have to hurt me anymore. But…he tried to kill me….or that’s…that’s what everyone says. I’m….st…starting to think he just wanted…to hurt me? Like this…this last one you chased away? He wanted to hurt me.” Hanna was on the edge of tears again at this point, sniffling loudly between each pause and gasping deep breaths to try and steady herself enough to talk.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

I'm pretty sure you rolled for your resonance already, but I couldn't find the post the roll was on.
Every single thing she says rings true.

If you can remind me what the CD of your roll was, I can offer more information if necessary.
Sorry!

[RossN]

Katriel

Katriel didn't know whether to feel disturbed or flattered by Madison's unhidden interest in her. Some combination of both seemed to be winning. At being called cute she could only blush ferociously and reply: 'Thank you Ms Rourke but I don't think I'm exactly a Blackwater girl.'

She smiled pleasantly at Rupert, tried to ignore her Mercurian instinct to wrinkle her nose at his scruffiness and risked reaching out through the Symphony to see if she could get a feel through the Symphony:

Spoiler: Resonance on Rupert

Show

Perception: 7

(2d6)[6][5](11)
Check Digit: (1d6)[2]

As the tour continued she had pulled out a small notepad and pencil to take notes but as the scream came through Kat yelped girlishly and clutched at Madison's arm in startled fear.

'What was that?!'

The shock was real enough, the reaction slightly overdone but it did allow a moment of physical contact with Madison...

Spoiler: Resonance on Madison

Show

Perception: 7

(2d6)[2][2](4)
Check Digit: (1d6)[6]

[XIII]

"No kidding... I'm glad they got out of trouble in one piece at least. Damn shame we weren't there to help, Harry and I had our hands tied up with the scum that attacked Brighton House. Speaking of which, the owner of the blade shouldn't be an issue for a while, I sent her back home. Harry made sure she didn't go alone. I'll probably end up dropping it off somewhere more secure like you said until a permanent solution can be found. Thanks Mercy, take care."

Khalil decided to use the back to get close to the house before deciding how he was going to break in. First priority was searching for an alarm system and then defeating it.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Just in case rolls are needed for sneaking or finding/disabling alarm systems
(3d6)[1][4][4](9)

I understand when we get to the stakeout, it will be time intensive and basically Khalil just sitting there and staring. I get how this can mess up keeping everyone on the same timeline. I'm willing to wait it out.

[JeenLeen]

Haralambos tries to comfort the girl by nuzzling his head on her arm. ...he realizes some would find it creepy, but hopes the sincerity passes through via his animal vessel.

As he funnels the information -- fortunately, he'd always found it easier to remember things that his Seraphic senses bring to him that stuff folk simply say -- he nods. The stuff about Songs is especially interesting, probably the most important.

Harry ventures a suggestion.
"That cop-demon serves Fate, the... well, basically it's about sending people to hell, making sure they don't reach heaven. I think he was trying to make you and her hate each other, maybe make you kill her even, so you'd be so sad you'd go along with whatever they want. It's not your fault how you felt just now; it's disgusting what demons can do.

Um, I checked and your Uncle Ryan is trusted. He knows about angels and demons, and fights alongside us in the War. I don't know how much he does, but, just you can trust him and get in touch with us through him if ya need to.."

Harry wants to ask more about her family. How were the Dancourts related to the Piersces, and what's Ryan's relationship, but he can feel the strength of his connection being close to its end. Eh, Sarah can probably look that up in her legal stuff.

"I think I have just one more question. The scars he gave you, do they mean anything, or just him wounding you? Again, try to answer as best you can. You're doing really well, Hanna, considerin' this. Your strength through this shows a warrior's strength."

The last statement came out of Harry's beak almost to his surprise. But he meant it, and it rang true: for a human to endure these manipulations, lose her parents, almost be divided from her new mother -- that she still had the will to fight, to survive -- she had strength that showed him how humans can endure and help win the War.

Spoiler: OOC Plus Potential IC for time-skip

Show

Base d6 was a 6, but with +2 due to touch for an 8, so full reveal. That's why I've been so eager for this
Based on the actual Resonance info given, I might have one or two clarifying questions -- hence Harry's "I think I have just one more question" -- but I reckon this is about all, especially given just a few minutes to talk before the effect ends.
One follow-up question, unless the Resonance shows she really didn't have a friend at the flophouse: "For your friend, you were looking for: what was the name, and were he and his folks human?" With hesitation -- the internal flux at potentially suggesting one lie -- "again, just say 'yes' if you really believe they are."
BUT if the Resonance reveals that she was under a suggestion or something, and didn't really have a friend where the cannibal imps were living, then he doesn't ask that.

I'll try to find the post later and put a link here to the original roll.

Spoiler: found it

Show

It was hiding in OOC.
http://www.giantitp.com/forums/shows...&postcount=300
for the 2d6, and the check digit at
http://www.giantitp.com/forums/shows...&postcount=301

For time-skip stuff, IC STUFF BELOW assuming nothing precludes it. Truncate as needed in your next post.

Since he and Hanna already talked, he doesn't feel the need to stay with her. He will ride in the car with her if allowed, but flies off after she is safety at the Tether of Stone (police station) -- I guess looking bad to the cops that her pet got away. If not allowed, or she shows hesitation at him riding along, he follows the cop car to the Tether.
Either way, he asks that she drop his phone outside the station and he picks it up. (Doesn't want cops to see a pigeon pick up a phone.)
Next plan is to fly home, stopping a few blocks from his house to shift to human, grab two longswords and a cello case. He goes back to Hanna's residence and puts a sword in the crawlspace/basement. (Most houses have a way to access it through the backyard.)
He stops by the Howlitzer to drop off the incriminating evidence he has on him (Lee's phone, wallet, keys), suggesting maybe Best Buy can use the phone to get some intel on demon allies. He also leaves his phone and picks up a burner phone, texting its number to Hanna, Sarah, van Graff, and Khalil, should they need to reach him. (I'm assuming some burner phones are on hand at the Howlitzer.) If anything happens to him, he doesn't want his phone taken by demons. He'd learned that lesson in Greece.
He then goes to Oblivion, to see about seeing the other Lebedev sister. About half a mile away, he stops and finds a secluded alley. Singing and motioning for the appointed time, he channels the essence of War to generate a new weapon, his tail.

Spoiler: Tailspin

Show

(3d6)[6][3][1](10) @ TN 7+3 (five minute) = 10
Edit: aww... I'm glad it worked, but just one hour. I was really hoping it'd last through Oblivion and maybe another fight .

An odd sight, the muscled man driving a moped with a cello case strapped to his back.

He's hoping they don't check his cello case. If the doorman does, he shows it and says, with a childlike grin, "Cops ask questions if I drive around with it out in the open, at least sometimes. I was told the Lebedevs wanted to hire me for being strong, and I figured I might should show my sword moves."
True statements -- he was asked to come for being hired, and he truly thinks he might need to kill a demon with his sword.

Oh, oh, does it feel good to have a sword again. He liked crushing bone with his fist, talon, or beak, but there was a beauty to the War reflected in the shimmer of light on a sturdy blade.

Part of him wonders if he should check in with Michael first... but his pride (like the pride of a little boy showing his daddy a nice painting he made) makes him want to chance Oblivion to hope he has a bit more info to report first. And maybe Turtleneck or a servant of Lust to add to his list of kills.
Besides, he wanted to get in and out before the older, definitely-human sister showed.

STATUS
HP: 88/88
Essence: 7/9

[Anyr]

True to form, the front door was unlocked, just as Selena had told Sarah. There was no music playing this time, though the scent of freshly fallen rain was carried on the breeze through the suite from balcony doors thrown wide open.

Selena stood on the balcony a glass of red wine held limply in her fingers and half-dangled over the railing as she basked in the growing sunlight and the fresh sea breeze that rolled off the ocean.

When the heavy front door closed with an audible clunk, Selena glanced over her shoulder with a small smile.

”Sarah. Good to see you again….” she said wryly, as if it had been longer than a few hours. ”What’s so important that you decide to pay me two visits in one day?”

Proper context is so important. The scene that greeted Sarah looked peaceful, on the surface. But she'd seen too much for its spell to distract her. No matter how picturesquely Selena silhouetted herself on that balcony, she couldn't hide the truth. This woman was in pain. Sarah could no longer resist the desperate Need in Selena's eyes. Slipping off her shoes, she crossed the threshold. The shy corporate lawyer from last time was gone. Now she entered as herself. No more disguises.

"The thing that's tearing you apart. I'm afraid I haven't introduced myself properly. My name is Sarah: Contract lawyer for Bethany Caulfield...and Angel of Trade, in service to Archangel Marc.

Maybe you already knew that. Maybe you saw through me from the beginning. Either way, it's time to take off our masks. Selenniah, I want us to truly know one another."

True to her word, Sarah's expression was an open book. She gazed upon Selena with of sympathy and worry; And the barest hint of anger. Before the healing could begin, the two of them had some issues to work through.

"I'll be honest: Your actions have hurt me deeply. Thatch was my friend. Your part in his end is hard to forgive...

...But I do forgive you. Because my friend loved you. And because you loved him. I have faith in the good that he awakened: The good I can still see in your eyes. So please, Selenniah, let me honour Thatch's final wish. Let me save you."

[Erulasto]

HALO SUITES PENTHOUSE

Sarah

There is a palpable silence that settles across the suite at Sarah’s admission; the Impudite turns her gaze away from Sarah to stare back out across the city towards the beach and the crashing waves beyond.

A shaky hand raises from the railing, still holding the wine glass in hand. Selena draws it to her lips, and drains it abruptly before a shuddered sigh ripples through her slender body.

”You knew…..” Selena begins in a soft voice, barely heard above the sounds of the city coming to life after the rain below. ”You knew about me when you first got here.” It was more a statement than a question. She scoffed. ”At least one of us knew…..” Was that the flavor of anger, of frustration in her voice?

The Demon of Lust turned fully after a moment to face Sarah, and stepped through the open balcony door – high heels held in hand as she padded across the dark tiles of the floor.

”I should be thankful, I suppose. I’m not as perceptive as I used to be these days……at least it was you and not someone send to put a fiery sword through my heart.” She offered Sarah a sardonic smile, and tossed her shoes haphazardly onto the floor near her couch.

Selena kept her distance from Sarah, keeping the coffee table, the couch, a chair…anything she could find….as a barrier between the Angel and the Demoness. As if that physical obstacle was a security blanket. Sarah could feel the nervousness and anguish rolling off her in waves. It was visible in the slump of her shoulders and in the depths of her eyes – once masked behind a perfectly coifed persona and now shattered and bared for the Bright Lilim to see. The Dissonance that clung to her like a weight seeking to keep her from being anything more than another cog in Hell’s Great Ambitions.

”My actions hurt everyone deeply!” She rasped, rubbing her free hand across her eyes as if to stave off tears that had begun to form through the cracks in her resolve. For now, all it managed to do was to smudge some of her mascara. Sarah could tell that Selena was trying to hold it all together – but all her tireless resolve to be the perfect Servant of Andrealphus was teetering on the edge; ready to come crashing down.

”I….I did, you know? Love him.” There was a sniffle. ”I loved him so much.....and…and now? Because of me and my selfishness….he’s….he’s F#CKING GONE!” As her voice wavered and volume rose, cracking with emotion, she turned and hurled the empty wine glass across the room. It shattered upon the tile floor, sending slivers and shards of glass tinkling in all directions while small notes of discordant sound rippled through the Symphony.

* * * * *


RHAPSODY IN RED

Katriel

It seemed that the Symphony didn’t feel like revealing any secrets on Rupert to the Mercurian as her Resonance fizzled and remained silent.

But when Katriel gripped Madison’s arm, the Symphony unfurled in all its splendor before her and suddenly, with stark clarity, Kat realized just how far into the spider-web she had inadvertently wandered.

For all the sudden shock that Katriel had shown at the sudden scream that pierced the hall, Madison seemed rather unperturbed by the sound.

”That, my dear, is Janet.” There was a sly smile on her beautiful lips. ”Oh, not to worry. She’s in no danger and she isn’t being harmed….well…any more than she wants, anyhow. I rent the private rooms sometimes to patrons of the club if they want to indulge themselves in something a bit more….exotic. I can show you, if you’d like to see? Janet has never minded an audience before.” The sly smile was unnerving now that Kat knew the truth.

To write an article that promoted more people coming to this place and the hidden dangers that lurked here caused a roiling disquiet in the Angel’s gut. It would almost be as bad as handing new souls over to their Fates.

* * * * *


DANCOURT RESIDENCE

Haralambos

Hanna simply sniffles and nods slowly as Haralambos explains the nature of the Habbalah of Fate to her, and rubs her sleeve across her nose.

She looks up finally at his last question about the wounds, and blinks owlishly.

”He…he said that….that he needed a violation of the body before…before the spirit could be…be ruined.” Harry can hear the weight of her tears threatening to spill over again as she speaks.

His assessment of her strength brings a small, tired smile to her face – the first real sign that she felt anything but crushing sorrow and, perhaps, resentment for the situation she found herself in.

”I wish…I wish it would all just stop, you know? I didn’t ask to be part of this…whatever this is.” Hanna gesticulates slowly as she speaks, as if referring to everything around her as some sort of explanation for what she’s talking about.

”My friends name is Karl Teoh. His folks have been out of town a lot, but Karl goes to Brighton House. We don’t hang out too much but he’s a good guy. Um…kinda cute….and….I think….I mean…yes, he’s human. As far as I know.” Hanna continues.

It isn’t too much longer when there is a solid knocking on the door. A glance through the window reveals a police cruiser having pulled up in front of the house.

At the door is Ryan Dancourt and a second officer, a brown-haired woman with broad shoulders and a stern gaze.

The woman remains at the door, one hand on her service pistol as she surveys the room calmly. Ryan however, rouses Elizabeth just enough to help her to the car before wrapping Hanna in a blanket and ushering her outside.
As he passes, Ryan glances to the Pigeon and gives Harry an imperceptible nod of acknowledgement.

Then, the house is empty and silent.

Spoiler: Resonance in Greater Detail

Show

Based on a CD of 6, you’d know what the Truth really is in this given situation.
I’ll break it down.

She did have a friend who lives at the flop-house. His name was Karl Teoh. His folks travel a lot for work (they’re sales representatives for Big Pharma and yes, they’re all human and unaffiliated with either side of the equation. Which begs to question how their residence became a flop house for Demons of Gluttony.

Her explanation about what Louis said to her is true. Whatever was controlling Louis was terrified of what she and the others can do with the right Song. He was under orders to ruin and break her in body and spirit so that she would be unwilling, or unable, to sing the aforementioned Song. It also reveals that the Song he wants her to sing can only be sung by someone whose soul has already met its Fate.

Also, there is the revelation that there was an underlying current of anger in the Demon that it had to go through this process via a third party (Louis Dancourt) instead of handling it personally. Apparently it can’t enter Hanna through resonance or Song. Implication being that the Five are immune to Possession.

If I missed anything, let me know and I’ll elaborate.

----------

The OBLIVION CLUB
6:15 PM

While the club isn’t in full swing, there are already a couple stragglers milling about near their cars in the parking lot beside it and the two massive doormen.

When Haralambos approached, they eyed him curiously with the cello case, and Harry could see one of them resting his hand lightly on a conspicuous bulge under his jacket.

”What are you? Some Renaissance Festival reject?” One chuckles, the other simply stares for a moment before pulling out a small walkie-talkie and calling in.

”I got some clown out here with a sword saying the boss wanted to give him a job being muscle.” There is a pause for a moment, and a feminine voice with a thick Russian accent crackles over.

”Let him in Ivan. Anya told me he was coming.”

The man named Ivan simply tucks the radio away and jerks his thumb towards the door.

”You heard the boss lady.”

* * * * *


HOUSE HUNTERS

Khalil Dhali

It only took Khalil a few minutes before he found the alarm system in the house, the external control panel tucked behind a shrub.
It was, fortunately, disconnected. With the home currently on the market, the family it seemed, opted to switch their security services to their new property.

Entrance would be extraordinarily easy.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

It’s pretty straight forward to get into the house now that Khalil has confirmed there is no alarm system. Unless you’ve got something in particular that you’d like him to do while getting set up for his stake-out, I’m going to assume he’s pretty much just going to camp out and watch, no?

[XIII]

Khalil was thankful for the easy going so far, but remained vigilant. It only took a second of misfortune to turn something so simple into a catastrophe.

After breaking in he found the best vantage point and established escape routes and hiding spots.

[RossN]

Katriel

For a moment Katriel wondered whether she was actually going to be physically ill all over Madison's shoes. A tiny part of welcome causing this... this monster even a flicker of discomfort.

Mercifully she managed to hold it in and force a smile.

'Thank you Ms Rourke I think I've seen rnough.' She took a few steps away, pretending to study the artwork so it wasn't quite so obvious she was staying out of physical contact. 'I have to go now.
Y'kow, deadlines.'

[JeenLeen]

Dancourt Residence

As the waves of information pour into him from the Symphony through Hanna's words, Harry feels a mixture of relief, sadness, and horror.
The Five are immune to a lot. That's good. ...he guesses the rest is pretty much what all he expected already.

He adds, "Your friend and his parents are human, and not involved in the War. I'm... not sure how that demon got use of their home. Ask Ryan to look into what happened to him, and give him the details in private if you can. I'm not great at investigating stuff, but others in town are, but I'm willing to help bash heads if it'd help find your friend."

He gave a friendly coo to Ryan in response to the nod. Harry does follow the cop car to make sure it reaches the its destination, and feels relieved at Hanna's new location.

In transition
When at the Howlitzer, Harry also relays to the Seneschal what he learned about Hanna, the Five (including immunity), and a Good Song and a Bad Song, asking it be passed on to the others.

Oblivion

Harry was annoyed when they asked to check his cello case, but relieved that they actually let him keep it. He figured he could could bash Turtleneck's head in, or even the other Lebedev if needed, but a sword was easier and faster.

He asks one of the guards/doormen, "I heard Anya was probably busy working 'til later. She still out? She said I might be able to, um, meet Sveta in the meantime."

Once inside, he looks around the club with a disdaining sneer. He's heard bad things about this place. The fact that angels of Flowers used it sometimes didn't make it seem any better.
As he walks, he looks around the crowd for any sign of Turtleneck or anyone else particularly suspicious, but heads wherever he is directed. If Turtleneck is there but doesn't seem to notice Harry, Harry just notes where he is and plans to talk to him on his way out.

Well, time to see what Sveta is, he hopes.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

I think that's everything for Resonance. Harry was hoping to get more insight on if Baraghur was manipulating Hanna at her house or the Dunkin Donuts, but I don't think anything was said or asked that would explicitly yield that info... so I think, yeah, you told me what he should know.
Hmm... would Harry get any sense of who was really doing the talking instead of Louis (e.g., Garezar), or if he meant it when he said he'd kill her if it came down to that.

For meeting Sveta: from what he's heard of her, it seems physical touch is likely, so he tries for a handshake to hug to get the bonus before activating Resonance.
If Sveta isn't there but he's led to Anya, he tries for a handshake but activates Resonance on her if brushed off and they just talk.
I'll go ahead and roll, so apply this for whichever sister he gets to meet. (If he's told Anya is there but he could see Sveta first, he opts for Sveta.)

(2d6)[9] @ 8
(1d6)[3] +2 if touching
edit: blargh! It feels like almost every time this roll fails, it's on a 9. (Which, statistically, makes sense, but still frustrating.)
If there's someone else talking in the room with Sveta, or Anya is there as well, he tries his Resonance on that person next, hoping to at least get some insight about Sveta. I'll roll OOC. Again, does a simple touch if able to without looking odd.



I'm guessing Harry doesn't see Turtleneck. Kinda hoping not for simplicity sake, but another fight would be fun to Harry's mind.

[Anyr]

Thus the floodgates opened. The grief so long suppressed finally found its voice. Sarah resisted the urge to rush forward and hug Selena. She respected the distance that had been put between them. Closing it should be Selena's choice. Remaining where she was, Sarah empathised with the desperate woman's plight.

"It's agony, isn't it? The knowledge that your mistakes can't be undone. By the time you fully understand, it's too late. The guilt grows and grows and grows; Until you'd do anything t-to be free of it. And then you think back to all the other people you've hurt in your life. All t-the harm you've...you've..."

A droplet of salty water fell onto the penthouse floor. Sarah was crying. She dried her newly wet eyes on the sleeve of her jacket.

"S-Sorry. Bad memories. I've been where you are now. So I know that running from this pain doesn't work. You can't erase your past. The best you can do is atone for it: To promise 'never again'."

[Erulasto]

RHAPSODY IN RED
4:30 PM

Katriel

Madison Rourke simply quirked her brow in amusement, and crossed her arms lazily over her chest.

"So skittish! That's so cute."

The Demon smirked, a wicked expression flashed on her face for a moment before she settled a mask of amused indifference back into place. Madison gestured towards the stairs and shrugged.

"Very well. I do hope I can count on you to write a glowing review? We'd love an influx of new talent here at the Rhapsody and I can guarantee it'll change their lives."

The brunette turned, glancing over her shoulder for a moment. "Stop by the bar on the way out and Isaac will get you my card. In case you ever need to reach me for something?" And with those parting words Madison Rourke returned to her office, the door clicking shut behind her.

Katriel was alone in the hall, only a flight of stairs and a quick dash to the front door between her and relative safety.

When she returned to the main room of the club, she saw the bartender - Isaac - waving at her with a charming smile.

He called to her, "Hello again, doll. How'd you find your first visit to the Rhapsody?" The business card was already sitting on the top of the bar, underneat another freshly made Manhatten.

The singer and the pianist had taken a break from playing their duet, and were sitting a couple seats down from where Isaac stood. The woman was eyeing Kat curiously, exotic amber eyes making no secret of who they were locked on to.

The pianist, however, was busy folding a small piece of pale green paper into origami. It looked like a swan.

* * * * *


RUSTY HALO
4:10 PM

Sarah

The Impudite stood across the room from Sarah, back rigid and shoulders tensed. Her expression was heart-breaking; a thing born of between visceral despair and mind-numbing confusion.

She watches the first tears fall down Sarah's face, and a sympathetic tear threatens to fall - Selena blinking rapidly to try and break down even further.
"You....you were..like me? A Demon?" There is a whisper of awe in her voice, of hope. If Sarah could find forgiveness and redemption, perhaps....perhaps she could to.

"How?" She asks, voice but a whisper. "Who would accept me?"

Slowly, the Demon rounded the couch and slid down into the leather cushions before burying her hands in her face. The tears began finally, the sorrow finally bubbling over.

"Th...Thatch!" Selena wailed, "I...I'm so....SO sorry!"

* * * * *


OBLIVION
6:20 PM

Haralambos

The club was empty, for the most part. The far stage with the DJ booth was crawling with men in black t-shirts emblazoned with the word STAFF in big white letters and a pair of jeans. They were busy hauling speakers and running cables to the various kits of sound equipment arrayed across the stage.

There were three young men and women behind the bar in similar dress and they were busy stocking the bar shelves with alcohol.

A few patrons - VIP's most likely - were already inside and claiming small swathes of the dance floor to mill about until the club opened properly.

It was only a moment before a strikingly pretty young blonde woman walked over, flanked by two large men. She was the exact mirror of Anya, though everything from her clothing to body language screamed party girl unlike the ruthless drive of her sister. She wore a slinky black cocktail dress bedecked in sequins and gauzy lace and just barely covered enough to be decent. Her shoulders were covered in a boa of white fox fur and swan feathers, and blonde was worn up into two low pigtails. She was quite short, and had to look up to meet Harry's gaze.

One of the men was in a tight black wife-beater under a black wool suit. His hair was cropped somewhat short and gelled into small messy spikes. A silver hoop was pierced through his nose, and he walked with an elegantly curved cane; a peculiarly distinctive item for his particular style of fashion.
The other was a massive beast of a man, easily as twice as wide as the young blonde. His head was bald except for a cluster of cornrows down the center. His skin was deep coffee black and his eyes were large and steely. The suit he wore barely fit him, muscles straining at the shoulders and arms. He wore an obvious clip-on bow tie as no regular tie would comfortably fit around his massive, corded neck.

The woman flashes a wild grin to Harry and offers her hand to shake.

"Well Hello there, big guy! You're Harry? Sveta. My sister told me to expect you. Please, join me in my office. Can I offer you a drink?"

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Harry's best guess would be that it was Garezar talking, as it's well known to be able to subjugate most of his hosts own personality.

* * * * *


HOUSE HUNTERS, episode TWO
7:00 PM

Khalil Dhali

Just under an hour into Khalil's stake-out, his phone rings. While the volume was muted, the vibrations upon the floor next to him hum out in the otherwise silent house.

The call display reveals that it is from Solomon.

When the line connects, the first thing Khalil hears is a dreadful sigh. "Khalil my friend. I apologize for calling so late. I have a...favour to ask of you. Jerichael received a call from Ramiel - the Cherub sent by Michael to watch the first of the Five, Malcolm Price. They're being hunted by some of the Bloodhounds. He suspects they're hunting them for a Demon, but he's got no proof yet. Can you meet him at eight pm? I'll send you the GPS coordinates of where they're going to meet. I'm asking for all hands on deck for this."

[RossN]

Katriel

"It was an experience," Katriel murmured. She sat down and smiled perkily at Isaac, accepting her drink (which she seriously needed after her jaunt with Madison) and the card. "Thank you Isaac."

Even though she was really anxious to flee with the demoness out of touch range Kat felt marginally safer. She probably shouldn't just run out without making some effort to run into the night. After a moment to collect her thoughts she stood up and walked over towards the singer and pianist. "Hello I'm Kat O'Brien," she said, smiling and offering her slender to hand to the singer, though it was meant to include the pianist as well.

Spoiler: Resonance

Show

Perception 7

(2d6)[3][6](9)
TD (1d6)[5]

[JeenLeen]

Harry's eyes glance over the crowd, taking in that most of them seem to be unimportant. At least, for his current mission. Of course, their souls mattered like other humans, but this was a scouting for War.

At the appearance of Sveta, his mind does the usual jump of unease it does at a really pretty girl. He's just... not sure how to respond to his corporeal vessel's reactions to such, even after decades of feeling it from time to time. His eyes glance over the bodyguards with much more ease, assessing their fighting ability. Not that looks mattered much for most demons, but certainly did for humans. Tough, but takable, was his overall assessment.

At the handshake, disappointment fills him as he feels his Resonance fail miserably. He tries to hide it from his face as he responds simply, "Yeah, that'll do. I don't drink much -- can dull the senses, they say -- but I feel it'd be a shame to reject ya hospitality."

As they walk, he touches the shoulder of the bodyguard with the cane, activating his Resonance and speaking in a playful, rapid and excited, childlike tone, "Ooh... nice cane. Sword-cane? I thought of trying that, but I prefer a broader blade. Still, nice way to avoid cops, right? So, what sort of boss is Sveta and Anya? And do they usually employ diabolic brutes like that dude I killed? Petey, Billy, whatever his name was." Smiling at Sveta, he adds sweetly and sheepishly, putting his hand to his forehead in an embarrassed expression, "No offense, miss, but I find sometimes it's the tough brutes whose opinion matters a bit more to me than the pretty face... though I do get the feeling you're more probably the more dangerous one in this case."
The embarrassed expression may draw attention that he is holding a whole cello case, within which is a weighty sword, solely with his other hand.

He feels his unmanifested tail itch to draw blood. Well, maybe... maybe I'll find a demon in time.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

I edited the above to go on and try to use that 6 I rolled OOC for Resonance, to get it out of the way. I reckon it'd a tad bit annoying to have to remember a good roll in reserve, and Harry is an impatient person. So spend that 6 on a guard. Also added a bit more text for some humor.
If Harry got the name wrong, so did I. I don't quite recall (though I think it was Pete), so I figured Harry likely didn't either.

Also, last note on Hanna: did she say anything about her dreams/Singing in said dreams? That was one of the things Harry asked, but I don't recall an answer, or at least anything in the Resonance readout about her dreams.

[Anyr]

Selena's every action now screamed with dissonance. She'd completely betrayed the ideals of her Prince and Band. This was a good thing. Sarah knew the feeling well. Your elaborate web of delusions began to collapse. And yeah, that hurt. But as each lie got burnt away in the light of Truth, you realised that you'd always been in pain. Now came the next step: Wondering whether you deserved to suffer. Still resisting the urge to move closer, Sarah helped guide Selena beyond her doubts.

"We will accept you. There's a place in Heaven for anyone with the courage to truly repent. You know how I know that? Because I'm a Lilim.

No Lilim has ever been born an Angel. All the other Bands are Fallen reflections of something Divine. Not us. We were never even part of the plan. And yet..."

Sarah's sleeve was soaked by now. The tears just kept coming.

"...There's a place for us. Selennia, your future has yet to be written. You have free will. You have more strength than you realise. And you have an Angel who really really wants to give you a hug."

[Erulasto]

RUSTED HALO

Sarah

Bleary eyes finally peeked up from the hands that had been craddling her head, as if that would have been enough to stop the flow of tears. More likely Selena was simply having trouble bearing the weight of her past.

"A...Bright Lilim?" She choked out a soft laugh, and shook her head slowly. "It figures you'd find service with Marc. Will I owe you one for this attempt at redeeming me?" There was still anger inside the Impudite - it was a given, of course - a confusing mix of emotions all jumbled and tangled inside her. How would someone even start to untangle that mess?

Selena stood on unsteady feet and shuffled nervously towards Sarah. It was a skittish thing, like an animal used to being beaten finally learning to trust again. When she was close enough, she stood there awkwardly and opened her arms in invitation for the hug the Angel had offered.

"I...promise I wont try and eat a bit of your soul...." She offered with a watery chuckle; just a bit of Demon humour there. Damn Infernal coping mechanisms.

* * * * *


OBLIVION

Haralambos

Svetlana Lebedev leads Harry across the main dance floor of the club towards a set of metal stairs that lead up to a secure office overlooking the dancefloor from high above the stage. It's easily a thirty feet up.

As they make their way towards the stairs, the bodyguard offers Harry a tight lipped smile.

"Sword-cane." Is a simple acknowledgement. "Sveta and Anya are like two sides of the same coin. Anya's all business. Sveta's the fun one. They pay really well, so there's that...." He shrugs slightly, before leaning in to whisper to Harry. "Whatever you do...don't get into bed with Sveta. Rule number one. Never stick your d*ck in crazy."

Sveta abruptly stops dead in her tracks, one hand on the railing of the stairs as she prepares to lead them up. She turns venemous eyes to the bodyguard and Harry, and bares her teeth in a savage looking smile.

"Ignore this one, Harry. He wouldn't know a good lay if it did all the work for him!" She laughs, and begins to ascend the steps. "No offense taken. Best you talk to the help since that's what I'll be paying you for too, no?"

When they enter the office, it is apparent that it's built for functionality. The entire wall that faces the club is one-sided glass to maintain a level of privacy within. The opposite wall of the office is all televisions of varying sizes and computer monitors. Some are running the news across various channels, some are showing stock trends and other market data, some are live feeds from the CCTV security system and at least one is showing an old cartoon called Happy Tree Friends. The cute and cuddly little animals are getting disembowled and eviscerated on a regular basis.

There is a small desk in the room and a few comfortable looking leather couches. Sveta takes a seat in a high-backed chair behind the desk, which is ordained with a simply white Apple MacBook.

The guard with the cane takes a seat on one of the couches, while the massive beast of a man stays next to the door.

"So, Harry. I'll cut to the chase. I need a messenger. I tell you who to deliver it to, and you go and deliver the message. You do this for me and I'll give you five grand, in cash, after each delivery. Ain't got health benefits or dental, but it's tax free!" She grins, and reaches into drawer on the desk before pulling out a bottle of Stolichnaya vodka and a couple shot glasses. She unscrews the cap and fills the shot glasses. She downs one, and refills it before gesturing for Harry to take the other.

"What do you say?"

Spoiler: Resonance

Show

So if you're using the Resonance on the bodyguard with the cane, if I'm understanding correctly, then everything he's said is true. Especially the part about not getting jiggy with Sveta. That chick is CRAZY. But she does pay really, really well. Or, more accurately, Anya does. She doesn't let Sveta handle the finances - she just gives her a rather exorbitant allowance to spend as she see's fit. Sveta is the more dangerous one from a raw brutality stand point, but Anya is the mastermind.

Also, I may or may not have missed the part about asking Hanna about the dreams. Aside from PTSD-style nightmares, she is not having unusual dreams. That phenomenon seems to be limited (so far) to Malcolm Price. Hope that answers the question sufficiently.

* * * * *


RHAPSODY IN RED

Katriel

The singer smiled as Kat approached, and she gently nudged the pianist to draw his attention away from the little paper swan.

When Kat took her hand to shake, the warmth of the woman's hand was borderline feverish. Up close, Kat could make out a fogginess in her eyes that indicated some sort of intoxication.

When she spoke, it carried a thick accent from somewhere in the Middle East, though it didn't seem to manifest when she sang.

"A pleasure to meet you, Kat O'Brien." She said, "I'm Zahrah Brar and this is my boyfriend Simeon." The pianist - a handsome Hispanic man with an unruly mop of black hair smiled at Kat, the expression all teeth and hard eyes.

"What brings you to the Rhapsody today, Kat O'Brien? Come to talk about performing on stage?"

Spoiler: Resonance

Show

Bad luck on those Resonance rolls.

[RossN]

Katriel

Katriel winced as her Resonance falter. It hurt and though the pain wasn't physical exactly she always had to fight the urge to waggle her fingers in her vessel's ears.

Still she managed to smile breezily at Zahrah, though the poor girl was probably too out of it to notice and Simeon, who was possibly just a regulation jerk but given this place more likely a Soldier or an outright Demon. Kat didn't need to be a Seraph to read the expression in his eyes.

'Me perform? Hah, I'm not a singer, just a reporter. Well student reporter. I'm doing a story on this place. Anything you'd like to say Ms Brar?' She turned to Simeon and smiled encouragingly. 'Either of you?'

[Anyr]

The question about favours was no surprise. Most Celestials thought of Lilim this way. When a Tempter offered you something, you checked for the price tag. That's why Sarah had taken a page from Thatch's book: Total honesty. Just tell Selena you're a Lilim. Throw away the so-called advantage of surprise. Because with Redemption, secrets were a liability.

"No charge, I swear. Saving you is its own reward; Along with the gold star I'll get for my s-sticker book."

Then it was Sarah's turn to confront stereotypes. She'd just offered to hug an Impudite of Lust. Common sense told her that this was a terrible idea. Selena could do so much with a touch. But that was the point. Trust is a two way street. And Sarah really did trust this woman. Finally stepping forward, she wrapped her arms around Selena. Their masks were long gone. No more corporate jargon, or confident façades. Now there were just two tear-stained, vulnerable people, taking comfort in one another. Sarah would stay close for as long as Selena wanted. They both needed this.

[XIII]

Of course Khalil returns Solomons sigh with his own exasperated sigh, "But of course, my friend. I'm in Pasadena, just got started on a lead but I guess it'll be here when I get back. I'll head there straight away. All hands? Harry gonna be there too? He's good to have in a fight and this sounds like it could be a fight."

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Can Khalil make it in time? He doesn't wanna risk celestial travel this close to the tether.

[JeenLeen]

Harry smiles at the bodyguard's answers, and stays mirthful at Sveta's response. Nothing definite, but it seemed the two of them were human. Sveta wouldn't exactly be 'the other side of the coin' if she were secretly a demonic master of the other sister.
Good. Harry felt like he liked this guy. Kinda felt sad for him, using his efforts not for good. He'd make a good Soldier of Heaven, Harry reckoned.
Super-beefy guy... hmm... well, maybe he'd find out later.

As he look over the office, his face blanches at seeing the cartoon, showing a look of disgust. Such... perversion of what should be simple things to bring joy to children. Reeks of Nybbas and Kobal. He tries to find a spot where it's out of his view.

At Sveta's words, Harry at first is confused. That sounds like Ofanim work, not something for a warrior. His mind goes to Adele.
"Um... not that that doesn't sound good, but if you just need a message delivered, I know a good, discrete girl who's better than me at that stuff... or--OH. Is that like a meta-phor? Sometimes the 'message' would be a threat or a beating?

Well, that I could do. But how often would I need to just intimidate, just hurt, or kill? I don't kill folk who don't work for demons, at least intentionally.
Also, could I turn down a job if I don't like the target, or this is an all-or-nothing sorta deal? I don't want to have to beat up your guys if you get mad I turn down a job.
And, um... I guess last thing... I got some friends who get into trouble sometimes, need a bruiser. If I get a call when I'm on a job, what's the penalty for being late at delivery? I'd be okay getting half pay or even none, if I deliver the message but it's a tad late.
OOH--maybe really the last thing: if it's an intimidation message, but I wind up killin' the guy, does that count as a delivery?"

Harry takes the shot, gasps a touch -- he really doesn't drink much, been over two years since he had liquor -- and laughs, glancing towards sword-cane: "Speaking of demon-folk, I know you all probably think I'm crazy, but they really are around a lot. Nefarious jerks, hiding, skulkin'. You seem cool, sword-cane. No reason I'd want or need to rustle with you, is there?"
His last statement is friendly, but probably disconcerting. Harry speaks with no fear at all of failing at fighting whoever the mob sends him to or sends at him; he hopes that sincerity adds to his apparent madness.
Harry's thinking, C'mon dude, be cool. I hope you're not a Soldier I need to put down.

After the response, if any, Madman Harry looks back at Sveta, a happy grin on his face. Well, if he can avoid seeing that cartoon. Otherwise, he starts one and looks a bit ascrew at her, trying to avoid seeing as much of it as he can.

Spoiler: one if-then

Show

To maybe get more out of the next post, let me state that IF Sveta turns Harry down because of his caveats, THEN he does offer this:

"I don't want any ill feelings, so how about this. If the job you had for tonight isn't one I'd reject, I'll go ahead and deliver it for half-pay. As, like, a one-time compactor. If I deliver it late for some reason, no charge at all. So, you get a little use out of me for your time."
(The typo of 'compactor' instead of 'contractor' is intentional on my part, but not on Harry's. Though maybe he winds up compacting someone into a small substance. Also, I figure misusing a word doesn't count as a lie for dissonance. Please be merciful if I'm mistaken.)

[Erulasto]

RHAPSODY IN RED

Katriel

”Oh!” Zahrah beams, and wiggles physically in anticipation. ”A reporter? Wow! This place is great! You get to meet so many interesting people, and a lot of them have connections in one of the industries. Music, film, you know?”

She glances at Simeon, who flashes her a tight-lipped smile to which Zahrah leans in and gives him a small kiss on the lips. ”And Miss Rourke is wonderful! She was willing to pay for us to have a demo CD put together and all we need to do is sing here! Which is doing something we love already, right?”

”If you stick around,” Simeon finally speaks up, his demeanor seeming to have defrosted a bit since Zahrah’s kiss, ”We’re expecting a few talent agents to be here tonight. Maybe you could get a quote from one of them?”

Out of the corner of Kat’s eye, she caught sight of Madison Rourke come out of the stairwell that led up to her office. She was on the phone, and her expression was twisted into a furious snarl. Whomever she was talking to was putting her into an exceptionally bad mood.

* * * * *


RUSTED HALO

Sarah

The half-sarcastic, emotionally vulnerable banter seemed to be doing the trick with Selena. She offered Sarah another watery laugh.

”Got…got a lot of gold stars, do you?” She buried her face into Sarah’s shoulder, her beautiful blonde hair spilling across her and tickling her chin. Selena murmured something incomprehensible into her shoulder and sniffled a little bit. But she held on still, arms tight about the Lilim.

After what seemed to be forever – a comfortable, cathartic forever – Selena pulled away slowly and wiped at her red, puffy eyes. Her mascara had run and stained her cheeks and eye-sockets.

”Thank you, Sarah….and…and I’m sorry about your shirt.” The mascara had indeed run in collaboration with her tears and left some spots on Sarah’s shirt. The Impudite looked sufficiently sheepish and chastened.

”So…what…what do we do now?” She asked, running her hands through her hair lethargically. ”I don’t….I don’t know where to go from here….Do I stay and pretend like nothing is wrong? Feed you information? But Andre will figure it out if he sees me. He always knows…..” The Impudite shudders bodily as her imagination ruminates on the consequences of her being caught by her Superior and his….unorthodox punishments.

* * * * *


OBLIVION

Haralambos

Sveta watches Harry with obvious amusement as he seems to fumble through a rant about her intentions behind the idea of delivering a message. Even the tall bodyguard with the sword offers Harry a sort of wry smile – his first real expression since they arrived in the office.

”Don’t hurt yourself, Harry.” Sveta says, and leans back in her chair – propping her heeled feet up on the desk and, whether intentional or not, giving the whole office a rather clear view up that tight little black dress she was wearing. It seems that might have been the extent of all she was wearing as well….

”It doesn’t need to be so complicated. I’ll pay you to go and deliver my message. Unless I tell you it’s time sensitive, you can do it when you get the time. I’ll give you a burner phone to reach me on when it’s done….and, if you end up killing someone instead of just roughing him up? The message is still delivered. I’d really rather you don’t turn down a job, Harry. But if you need to be….selective…then so be it. I’m not putting you on full-time payroll or anything. Consider yourself a….um…contractor. Yeah. So how’s it sound?”

At the talk of Demons, both the bodyguard with the sword-cane and Sveta share a rather befuddled look. ”Uh, sure Harry. Demons. Right.” The guy with the sword-cane answers, before shaking his head slowly. He really did seem a bit put off by the now obvious craziness Harry displayed.

Sveta smiled after a minute, and offered him a tittering giggle. ”I’m sure we’ve all got a Demon or two inside us Harry. They say there’s a bit of angel in us too. I dunno. But if it makes you feel better, the messages I want delivered are to some really, really bad men.”

* * * * *


PROPERTY VIGRINS (NO TIME TO RENOVATE!)

Khalil Dhali

Solomon hums thoughtfully for a moment. ”That is the plan, Khalil. We’re even asking some of the others – the non-combatants – to help keep an eye out and search the area to make sure we get to them first. We’ll see you soon.”

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Yeah, you’ll be able to make it in time. Pasadena isn’t too far a drive from where they’re meeting. This is the set up to bring everyone back into synch with the timeline. Just need to wrap up the individual threads. Thanks for your patience!

[XIII]

Khalil's 1947 VW Beetle chugged along the highway. The poor thing had been restored and re-restored, fitted with cannibalized parts, torn apart, reassembled, and so on in a vicious cycle of breakdowns and impromptu repair. But that was before he bought it off an old gypsy man as his grandchildren attempted to pick-pocket the angel. Khalil decided then that he did not enjoy interacting with gypsies. The more work and money he put into the car, the more he grew attached to it. He spoke and sang to it on long drives and dumped more and more time and money into her true, proper restoration. It was difficult to find places that would have the parts or be willing to work on the vehicle for anything less than a small fortune.

Khalil sang loud and proud to the Beetle on his drive:

"...They’re the guard of the Holy See
They’re the guards of Christianity
Their path to history is paved with salvation
Dying for salvation with dedication
No Capitulation, annihilation
Papal commendation, reincarnation
Heaven is your destination..."