In Nomine: Los Angeles (IC)

[JeenLeen]

Harry had never been a fan of guns. Probably in part because he was awful at using them. He admitted there was an art to a skillful shot, and he could appreciate the skill of his allies in Greece had used with them, and even some of the demons. He would actually like to see someone like Jerechial use them with the skill and glory of the Sword. Still, he didn't like them, and he didn't like two riflemen being deposited on the other side of the battle field.

But it seems Khalil was wanting the honor of dispatching them. So be it. His friend deserved what glory he wished.

With his wild grin, Madman Harry jumps down towards the thug who took a shot at him, before slamming his foot into his face.
"Perhaps a hospital stay will give you time to repent!" he yells.

Afterwards, Harry grabs the edge of the car and twirls himself so that it gives some cover between him and the gunmen. But only some: he still wants to entice them towards shooting at him... just, doesn't want to make it too easy for them.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

I was going to have Harry run for the riflemen, and I realize that by initiative he'd trump Khalil, but for PbP it seems easier if he stays near the melee.
Also, Harry is assuming that the thugs, once downed, are probably staying down. This could be a bad assumption, but he's hoping survival instincts/cowardice overwhelm "boss said get that kid".

Dodging:
No acrobatics since guns.
Dodge TN for intervention: (2d6)[6]
Check: (1d6)[5]

Combat:
Fist/Kick
TN check for intervention: (2d6)[7]
Damage: (1d6+2)[5]


Also, is this roughly correct as a battlemap (not sure if it'll display right on phones, but I think using the CODE option should make it show up the same in most views.)
I'm kinda bad at visualizing battles via description, so trying to write it out.
EDIT: took a couple tries to get the CODE code to work. It seems you can't title it like you can spoilers or quotes. e.g., no CODE="Battle Map".

H=Haralambos, R=Ramiel, K=Khalil, S=Solomon, M=Malcolm
x = melee thug, r = rifle thug, p = pistol/revolver thug
                                                                                M (hiding in subway station)


                                                                         H, R, K (running to riflemen), 
                            m m m                                    p p p  S                                         
r                               (melee heading our way)
r

[Anyr]

Bethrezen was dealing out some top class psychological torture; Without even knowing it. 'Now that you've led your dearest love to his death, throw him on the pile of corpses. There are many more innocent souls waiting for you to doom them'. Sarah could imagine what this encouragement was doing to Selena. Once your conscience awakened, even casual Demonic banter could be grating. And this talk was far from casual. Sarah wanted to wrap herself around this poor suffering soul. She wanted to have a long, heartfelt discussion about their feelings.

But of course, she couldn't. She had to settle for just a few words, disguised as hazy rambling.

"Tomorrow, huh? So soooonnnn..."

Translation: Your nightmare is almost over. Just hang on a little longer. The Symphony is ready to embrace you. Sarah hoped that that meaning came across. She hoped that Selena would gain some comfort from it; Along with the warmth of a friend snuggled so very close to her.

[Erulasto]

SHEEP AMONG THE WOLVES
6:50 PM

Sarah

The torturous diatribe by Bethrezen was soon interrupted by the arrival of a veritable throng of individuals. It was a startling number; there were significantly more Demons in Los Angeles than the Host had been led to believe if Sarah’s count was accurate.

There was Colby, of course, and Castigen. The latter took a seat next to Sadat, while Colby slid effortlessly into a chair next to Sarah with a wry smile.

A young woman arrived; she was a pretty young thing, likely in high school if Sarah’s assessment was accurate. What struck Sarah as troublesome were the scars along her bare arms – ritualistic brands and other nasty, self-inflicted wounds that all bore openly diabolic interpretations. She sat at the table with a rictus grin to the others, and leaned back rather stiffly in her chair.

An older woman that Sarah recognized as the one called Sue from Thachael’s Loft when she went to find Jathiriel and Malchiel joined them moments later, and while she looked rather grumpy, it was hard to assess the reason behind her irritability. She already had a rather large martini in hand, and it was practically overflowing with olives.

Next came an older man in a beige overcoat with a slightly portly midriff. He wore a police badge on a chain around his neck, and smiled pleasantly despite the trio of scratches across one of his eyes. The wound looked fresh, but also seemed to be healing relatively quickly. He had a bottle of Corona cracked open with a lime wedge jammed into the neck of the bottle.

Two more youths joined them next; both looked to be in high school much like the young, scarred girl who came earlier. One was dressed in fashionable clothes, and was chewing on some bubblegum rather noisily. She had blonde hair and the carried herself with an air of authority. She was the kind of girl who screamed bully and prom queen to Sarah.

The other was a darker skinned young man with cornrows and a pair of thick-framed black glasses. He wore a colourful shirt depicting a nude anime girl and a dragon coiled about her to hide all the naughty bits.

A gangly man with a pink and black polka-dot bowtie and white dress shirt joined them after with a slush-like drink that smelled strongly of strawberries. He set a rather fancy looking laptop down on the table in front of him as he offered a curt nod to Bethrezen, who in turn, simply quirked a brow curiously.

The Djinn that tracked Jathiriel into the subway was next, and his mood seemed particularly foul. He looked significantly worse for wear; clothes rumpled and skin sallow as if he was malnourished. He slumped down in the chair, and barely looked up as he immediately lowered his head into his hands on the tabletop with a soft, barely audible groan.

A trio of large men in leather jackets and chaps that reminded Sarah of the biker-bouncers of the Howitzer arrived, each sporting tribal tattoo’s and other gangland symbolism. They could all have been brothers, sharing similar builds: heavily muscled like a bodybuilder, tanned skin and solidly built square jaws.

Finally, a gorgeous woman in snug leather pants and a loose-fitting white silk shirt that was held closed by a single button, revealing a bright red lacy bra underneath. Sarah recognized her from newspaper clippings and articles about the Rhapsody in Red. This was Madison Rourke.

She was accompanied by a man who was handsome in a very exotic way. His hair was long and black as night, with a complexion better suited to somewhere in the Mediterranian. Wide eyed, and wearing a checkered black and grey t-shirt under a black blazer and pair of slacks.

When the last two arrived, both giving Selena and Sarah curious glances, Bethrezen stood at the table.

”Welcome.” He spoke solemnly. ”I am pleased you all could make it, though we are missing a few. Lee, Zhangarmal and Justinia all fell to Angels earlier today as some of you may already be aware. It is one of the reasons I have called this meeting.” He sat back down, as the rest of the Demons at the table settled in.
Out of the corner of her eye, Sarah caught a flicker of orange and white fur. Somehow, Madison had gotten a hold of a rather adorable looking tabby cat that was curled up in her arms mewling sweetly.

”We have some new faces at the table.” Bethrezen gestured to the dark-haired man that arrived with Madison. ”This is Everett. He’s just passing through on a task of his own, and I asked him to sit in to get a feel for the layout of the city.” Bethrezen turned to the three massive bikers. ”I’ve called in a bit of support from back home and I’ve been granted the use of these three by Baal himself. They’re hunters, of a sort. They’ll be our safety net. With them here, watching, we should be able to have most of you rest easy knowing that the Angels won’t be knocking on your door any time soon.” The Demon smiles wickedly. ”They’ve got over fifty confirmed kills between the three of them….” He pauses for effect, ”And ten of those were final, celestial deaths.”

There is a moment of silence that spreads across the table at the news, and it brings a smile to the faces of both the young girl with the scars, Sadat and Castigen in his hideous visage.

”And last but not least…” Bethrezen turns to Sarah with a dark smile. ”Allow me to introduce Sarah. She’s here as Selena’s….plus one.” The entire table seems to turn to Sarah and Selena as one, to a dizzying array of reactions. Some simply look bored, while others – notably from Everett, Colby and Madison – all offer teasing smiles towards Selena.

---

BABYLON CLUB
6:50 PM

Katriel

Inanna stands from her throne, bare feet with painted toes shifting across the ground gracefully as she moves next to Katriel.

”Of course! I do so appreciate punctuality, darling. Please, join me?” She gestures towards a door behind the throne area clearly marked office. Out of the corner of Kat’s eye, she sees a rather motley mix of individuals all gathering around a large table tucked into the back of the room. The sheer differences of those gathered strikes Kat that his must be the group of Demons that Duke warned her about. Given the closeness that Duke and several of the other bouncers in the club were watching them, she was almost sure of it.

Someone in that crowd was an Angel, and the thought was enough to make Kat uncomfortable. Whomever was stuck at that meeting was not going to be having a very good time, to be sure.

Inanna led Kat out of the main area of the club and through the door into her office. It was a rather simply room, with uncovered brick walls and barble-tiled floors. All about the room various pieces of art sat or hung; some were cultural artifacts from ancient Mesopotamia, while others were a more modern blend of art-nouveau and ethnic influences. Inanna slipped into a chair that was substantially less ostentatious, and it seemed crafted more for comfort than anything else with soft, pliant leather cushions and down stuffing.

”So, Miss O’Brien. What are your first impressions of my establishment?” Inanna smiles slyly as she slips into the chair behind the desk, idly flicking her hand towards one of the other chairs in the room as an invitation for Kat to have a seat.

”Oh. Can I offer you a drink perhaps? On the house.”

---

RUMBLE IN THE BRONX (of LA)
8:07 PM

Haralambos and Khalil Dhali

Deftly avoiding the shot that the gunman took at the Seraph, Harry planted his foot firmly into his face just as the gunman took a step forward to try and shift his position into a more tactically advantageous one. The force of the blow likely broke something, but the most significant result was the clothesline-esque whiplash that ensued as the thugs head stopped abruptly on the heel of Harry’s boot while the rest of his body continued to move forward. In the end, he was left groaning on the pavement.

Solomon stepped around the pick-up and slammed his foot into the driver’s side door, causing it to swing closed and catch the thug who was still standing next to it and taking pot-shots. The thug shrieked as the force of the door’s impact cracked ribs and sent him to the ground, pistol scattering from his grip.

Khalil managed to avoid both the pistol shot aimed at him, and the van that sped towards the conflict as he moved down the street at break-neck speeds. A single blow to the side of one arm snapped the man’s elbow in twain, causing him to drop the rifle before going down himself with a blood-curdling scream.

Now that Khalil was so far out of the way of the main engagement, he caught the sounds of gunfire in the distance. The rat-tat-tat of automatic weapons, and the distant shouts of voices in anger and hatred. Taking a moment to glance down one of the side streets, he saw an active gunfight being had by what appeared to be more of the gang-members, and a number of Bikers; some of whom were recognizable from the Howitzer.

There are dozens of men fighting on both sides now, and the Malakim realizes at this point that there is open warfare on the streets. The sheer volume of violence that was spilling out now was unlike anything he had seen in his years serving Gabriel on Earth. Three more cars - beaters one and all - pulled into the parking lot of the gas station behind the conflict between the Angels and the gang-bangers. More men began to spill out.

Ramiel swung the haft of the axe at another gunman, cracking him across the head so hard the wooden haft splintering under the force of the impact. The gunman went down bonelessly.

Malcolm remained ducked out of sight just on the other side of the subway station doors.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

I can’t do it at the moment, but I could play around with whipping up a simple battle map if you guys are interested in having something to keep the perspective a bit clearer. If that’s something that’ll help you, I’m all for trying to get it set up.

On to the mechanical stuff!

All three pistol-wielding gunmen at the truck are down.

The three melee-wielding thugs are entering melee range soon.

One rifleman, still standing, takes a shot at Harry.
(2d6)[6][1](7)
CD (1d6)[1]

Next combat round, each of the melee-thugs will be able to attack any of the angels at the truck.

The rifleman nearest to Khalil still standing takes aim, and fires a shot down the street towards Harry, unaware of his comrades fall despite the loud scream of pain he made when he went down.

The bullet strikes the truck near where Harry stood only moments earlier, having quickly ducked behind partial cover and avoiding the shot.

Suddenly, each Angel felt the heat of molten metal in their veins. It was painful, and yet...not. The heat spread through them, and despite the burning, it felt like home and pleased acceptance. They felt essence bubble up from strange fiery reserves and flood their beings. They felt wounds close and scars fade.

And out of the corner of their eyes, the caught sight of a radiantly beautiful woman. Her hair was black as smoke and it coiled and moved about her pale face as if it were caught in a non-existent breeze. Her eyes practically burned with intensity, the sizzling ember of a cigarette reflecting in their depths. She wore a simple white sarong, and a pair of comfortable fire-engine red flip-flops.

She smiled crookedly, manically, at the Angels before flicking the lit cigarette away - towards the gas station and the encroaching army of thugs and gang-bangers.

For a moment, all was still.

Then the night was disrupted by a cataclysmic explosion as the gas station went up in a massive ball of fire that reached up, up, up into the sky. The three cars and the thugs within were consumed in the blast entirely. The force of the explosion knocked everyone but the Angels off their feet, shattering glass and mirrors from the force.
Even the van that sped towards them careened to a halt as the windshields exploded into the drivers.

And in the chaos and aftermath, the radiantly beautiful woman was gone....

[JeenLeen]

Gabriel?!?!?! thought the young Seraph, seeing the chaos ensue. He wasn't sure how or why Khalil had called his Superior, or why she had chosen this moment to appear, but he was thankful. These thugs were not a challenge in themselves, but that many could've easily gotten to Malcolm while he and his allies were occupied. And he knew even weak mortals could get lucky.

Hmm... perhaps Her intervention would make the Seraphim Council target him less. He at least only indirectly caused one of the three explosions today.

He sprints forward towards the three thugs holding melee weapons, falling into a skid as he nears them, then pushing up to deliver his foot into the thug's chest and propel him past the other two.

As he delivers the blow, Harry ponders if, after this night, the Ghostbloods will even exist as a gang. He should ask Gaspariel about their numbers. Madman Harry hums a vigorous battle tune as he continues to crunch bone and smash flesh.

Spoiler: Rolls

Show

Adding back in acrobatics, since in melee.

Dodging:
Acrobatics TN 10: (2d6)[5]
Check: (1d6)[1]
Dodge TN for intervention: (2d6)[5]
Check: (1d6)[3]

Combat:
Fist/Kick
TN check for intervention: (2d6)[10]
Damage: (1d6+2)[8]

EDIT: I forgot to roll Role in this thread, but rolled it OOC and made it. So, so far, no noise from Harry. Be... really cool if this fight produces almost no celestial noise, though I reckon Jerechial and some others are racking up kills off-scene.

[XIII]

Khalil let the man drop to the floor, screaming and clutching his shattered elbow. Time seemed to slow for a moment. This is it. This is battle. MY first, REAL battle. The sounds of combat were all around him now, a symphony of it's own, telling it's own story. It was a chaos that filled his fiery heart with a sense of right, with purity of purpose. He noticed the bikers and thought 3 angels is enough, the others may need help. Before he could neutralize the rifleman next to him, the sensation of molten metal in his veins made him stop cold in his tracks.

The Malakim looked at his hands, slow realization gradually showed on his face. He struggled with hope and improbability, knowing but not being able to rationalize what was happening. It couldn't be, why would she come now? He heard nothing in the symphony that heralded her coming... The last time he felt this sensation was during his birth, only a few years ago. A most welcome pain it was; It was her embrace. He looked up to see her beauty and radiance, he sobbed at the sight, stumbling a few steps closer to her before falling to his knees. In a temporary fit of rage he grabbed the remaining rifleman and slammed him into the concrete next to him, "BOW YOUR HEAD, SCUM!" Spittle flew from his mouth as he barked the words like a rabid dog.

He willed the hand holding onto the rifleman to burst into green flame and linger, the punishment for his indignity against Gabriel.

Khalil had hardly needed healing, but enjoyed and held on to the feeling of the molten essence flowing through him. More importantly, he dwelled on the pleasure and acceptance of his superior. He smiled back as hard as he could, his cheeks cramped with the effort as his face contorted, his vessel unable to express the range of emotion that he was experiencing. He yearned to shed his vessel and stand before her. His eyes followed the burning cherry of the cigarette as it twirled through the air, and then the ball of fire as it rose into the sky. He dropped the gangster. It was like art, a masterpiece. He wished he could immortalize the moment somehow, but he was not skilled with a brush. Of course, a simple picture would never capture the truth of this moment. This moment would have to simply live in the hearts and minds of those who were here to witness it. They who will remember the fireball's roar of righteous fury, it's powerful ascent into the heavens, the shockwave in their bones, the heat on their faces, and the blinding light at it's center were truly blessed this day. For they had witnessed Fire.

The Malakim shamed himself internally for ever being held in wonder by one of Belial's cheap imitations.

When it was all over, the old man stood with his shoulders hanging low. She was gone, as quickly as she had arrived. He pictured her in his mind, and spoke from his heart, "Thank you for coming to see me, I missed you."

Time to get back to work.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Grab and Smash
(3d6)[5][1][6](12)

If this roll doesn't work out I'll probably have to edit the post.

[RossN]

Katriel

Katriel felt a guilty tremor at leaving the Angel, whoever he was to the Demons but what could she do? Other than end up getting squished... or worse.

She followed Inanna dutifully and smiled, taking a chair. 'Thanks but I'm fine with water. Your...um... competitor Ms. Rourke saw to it I had a couple of glasses. Your place is nicer.'

Which wasn't the same as actually being nice.

[Anyr]

So many Demons. So many Demons. They just kept coming. These were the architects of L.A's misery. Sarah took her measure of each and every one. She wanted to learn as much about them as possible. Of course, she also wanted to leave this meeting alive. So her investigation was pretty much confined to casual glances and listening. Every time one of them looked at her, she resisted the urge to flinch. The dishevelled Djinn was a particular source of stress. What if he'd managed to see Sarah's face in that darkened subway tunnel? What if he was seconds away from remembering her? What if she was doomed?

In an (unsuccessful) effort to banish such thoughts, Sarah tried putting names to faces. The scarred, grinning student gave off a vile Shedim vibe. Maybe this was Garezar. If so, Sarah and Selena weren't the only ones in danger here. There was also whichever poor mortal had been donned like a suit. Then her mind turned to Everett: Evexiel? He seemed like the most likely candidate. This could well be the man who'd trapped dear sweet Adele in a nightmare o-No! Don't dwell on that. Keep the anger off your face. Just smile. Smile while Bethrezen introduces his personal Angel killing squad. Don't do anything to draw...

”And last but not least…” Bethrezen turns to Sarah with a dark smile. ”Allow me to introduce Sarah. She’s here as Selena’s….plus one.” The entire table seems to turn to Sarah and Selena as one, to a dizzying array of reactions. Some simply look bored, while others – notably from Everett, Colby and Madison – all offer teasing smiles towards Selena.

...attention. Okay, now Sarah stopped smiling. Most humans in her position would have done the same. Nervousness was the natural reaction at times like this. At least, she hoped so. She offered the assembled Demons a hesitant wave, with the hand that wasn't wrapped around Selena.

"Um, hiiiii. Pleased to meetcha."

Nothing to see here. Just another stupid human. Go about your diabolical business.

[Erulasto]

SHEEP AMONG THE WOLVES
7:00 PM

Sarah

Colby, Everett and Madison seem to be the only ones at the table who pay Sarah any real attention after her introduction. The Djinn – the one that could so easily out her to a table full of the most dangerous individuals in Los Angeles – doesn’t even look up from where he’s resting his head in his hands.

Now that Sarah thinks of it, the Djinn seems….sick. His skin is sallow and he looks rather clammy and sweaty. Like many humans do when they’re suffering from a flu of sorts.

But while Colby is watching Sarah with an amused smile, a strangely non-threatening expression considering Sarah’s knowledge of his Demonic origins, the one with the most malevolent attention is Madison. The gaze she has fixed on Sarah is positively hungry. Sarah can see lust, and envy and hatred in her eyes as the Bright Lilim catches a flicker of the Servant of Andrealphus’ gaze back and forth between Selena and Sarah.

Sarah realizes that Bethrezen has continued his conversation after Sarah’s brief introduction.

”Sadat mobilized as much of the gangs that he was able to on such short notice to catch the Price brat. He’s got the slippery Cherub with him, but given the manpower we’ve been promised, it shouldn’t be a significant problem. I’m going to be sending my friends out shortly to pay them a visit and make sure the situation goes according to plan.” Bethrezen gestures to the three massive biker-demons who have been hovering around him during his explanation. ”Once we have the kid, he will be delivered to Madison’s tender mercies. We know the Five have to be turned to our purpose for them to be of use, so Madison will make it her first priority to spoil the Price brat and ensure he’s on our side. The only other one we know of is Hanna. Baraghur has been working on her since Garezar wasn’t able to finish the job with Louis.” The scarred young girl scowls nastily to Bethrezen, but remains quiet. ”Remember…” Bethrezen says darkly. ”We need all five of them to turn in order for the Song of the Last Broken Heart to work. The Angels just need to keep them pure. The blasted kids….” The Demon spits in frustration. ”We WILL have them!” He slams his hand down on the tabletop for emphasis.

Selena tightens her hand on Sarah’s nervously, and the Bright Lilim can sense the desire – the Need – to get out of there building in the Impudite like nausea.

A cell-phone playing the Undertaker’s theme from the World Wrestling Federation breaks the awkward pause at the table. Sadat answers, and grunts in acknowledgement. He hangs up and nods to Bethrezen, who in turn makes an idle gesture to the Angel-killers. The trio grins wickedly, and begins to depart, chuckling and muttering something dark and loathsome between them.

---

BABYLON RISING
7:00 PM

Katriel

Inanna fetched a glass and a crystal decanter and set them on the desk in front of Katriel with a smile. The decanter was filled with water, ice cubes and thick slices of cucumber and aloe leaves. It seemed the Ethereal Goddess didn’t skimp on anything including water.

”You should be cautious of Madison, Miss O’Brien. She may be all smiles and sex appeal but she eats young girls like you for breakfast. Literally, in some cases.” Inanna smiles, an unusually soft expression on her face as she sits down across from Katriel.

”So, I’m going to cut to the chase. We’ve got a problem brewing in Los Angeles, and you are going to be part of the solution.” Inanna says slyly, but matter of factly. Katriel gets the impression she isn’t really being asked.

”The solution that is presented to us…” She gestures to Kat with a subtle arch of her graceful brow. ”Is twofold. In your role as a journalist, you’re going to write an expose on the Rhapsody that will….encourage the youth of the city to stay away. I don’t mean this as a method to push my competition out, you understand. It’s in everyone’s best interest if the corruption spreading like a cancer from that place is snuffed out before it infects the city even more than it already has.” She leans back, steepling her fingers together languidly.

”The second part of the solution is a bit more…sensitive.” Inanna pauses melodramatically, a slow smile spreading. It reminds Katriel of a cat playing with its food.

”Humour me, for a moment Miss O’Brien. But does the name Evexiel ring a bell to you?”

---

RUMBLE IN THE BRONX (of LA)
8:15 PM

Khalil Dhali and Haralambos

In the aftermath of divinely inspired intervention the Angels quickly mopped up the rest of the thugs and gang-bangers with ease. They were all rattled and somewhat broken already, and within minutes they had cleared the street of troublemakers. There were bodies strewn about the street – mostly unconscious – but others were simply incapacitated with broken bones and other significant bodily harm.

Solomon and Ramiel had taken grazing hits from various firearms, but all in all they seemed well enough.

Malcolm eventually slipped from the safety of the subway station, eyes wide and awestruck.

”Holy ****! That was….intense….and amazing!” He gawked. ”You guys kicked some serious ass!”

Solomon chuckled softly and turned to the other Angels, ignoring the gaping mortal for now.

”I’m going to track down Jerichael and see if the others are okay. Well fought, my friends!” The Cherub of Faith gave a deep, sweeping bow as he slid his blade back into its worn scabbard and slung it over his shoulder as he wandered away, whistling a soft tune as he moved.

Ramiel approached Malcolm to check the teen for injuries, and was pleased to see that he was untouched.

The deep, guttural roar of souped-up Harley Davidson choppers sputtered at the end of the street near where the van had originally arrived from.

Three bikes rolled to a stop at the end of the street and their riders stepped from the bikes slowly, methodically.

They were mountains of flesh, rippling muscles and the leathers one associates with a biker. One wore a spiked helmet, in the style of a skull-cap, while another wore a street racing style helmet that seemed entirely disjointed with the overall biker-chic style. The third wore no helmet, but had a waist-length mane of dreadlocks bound into a single braided length.

The man without the helmet stepped forward, and unslung a large duffel bag from across his bag. He reached in after unzipping it and pulled out a baseball bat wrapped in razor-wire and studded with bent, rusty nails. The bag was kicked to his colleagues, who each fetched another brutal looking weapon from within. The one with the racing helm pulled a pair of jagged-edged machetes and the other man pulled a sawed off shotgun and a cattle prod.

The man with dreadlocks grinned, the white of his teeth stark against the black of his skin.

”Looks like we arrived in time, my brothers!” He bellowed, the sound carrying down the street to the Angels and Malcolm while the sound of sirens had begun to replace the stuttering of gunfire from the battles that had been raging throughout the neighborhood between the gang and the Soldiers from the Howitzer.

”Give us the kid and you can walk away in one piece!”

[JeenLeen]

Haralambos enjoys his work, mopping up the rest of the Ghostbloods. Yeah, it'd a little hard not to hurt them too much, but worth it, and he hopes this gives at least some of them time to think on being good.

As Solomon departs, Harry notes, "Remind him about Jimmy, if anyone needs extra care."

He high-fives Khalil in the thrill of the fight as Ramiel checks his ward. Then the sound of bikes.
"Maybe it's their boss," Harry suggests, eagerly hoping for a challenging fight. He starts the motions and words of the Song of Tails, ending as the bikers disembark their rides.

As he watches them, his eyes gleam with the glory of War. This looks like it promises to be a real challenge, but he is ready. Lee, Cao Shen, these thugs -- they were disappointments. At least that Soldier of War showed some real spirit. These three, they looked like fun. And maybe one was Sadat, though he guessed not. Well, a touch of disappointment was okay.

Harry laughs, a short burst of mania, at their offer. To his Malakim friend and his fellow Michaelite, he simply smiles, hefting the new axe his Master had entrusted to him, ready to fight, while his other hand does the motion of Tails. Though that failed Song leads to more disappointing, which he tries to hide from his face.

Spoiler: Rolls

Show

Taking 2 rounds for an extra +1.
(2d6)[10] @ 7+1=8
(1d6)[3]

HP: 88/88
Essence: 7/9

[RossN]

Katriel

Katriel nodded along cheerfully to the first portion of Inanna's conversation. 'Pretty much what I was going to do anyway. I've only met Ms Rourke once and that is twice too many.'

The perky smile vanished from her face when Inanna brought up The Lilim. There was a long silence as Kat marshalled her thoughts, before letting out an exasperated sigh. 'You know it's dirty pool hiding behind your relic while you dig up info on the rest of us. What does Evexiel have to do with this?'

Kat was mortified to discover she couldn't keep the nervousness out of her voice even talking about The Lilim in the abstract.

[Anyr]

The Djinn seemed in no mood to pay attention. Sarah counted her blessings; Or in this case, curses. Being rebuked by the book had apparently left a mark. Hopefully Jason and Mercy were handling that ominous tome with more caution.

If only all the Demons could be so distracted. The worst scrutiny came from Selena's so-called allies in Lust. Colby continued to smirk at Sarah from right next to her. But he was nothing compared to Madison. The sheer intensity of her gaze took Sarah aback. She didn't need her Resonance to sense the Need in those eyes. Madison wanted her. She'd discovered a new prize, in the hands of someone else. And her selfish, twisted soul was telling her to take it. Sarah felt her panic rising again. Just pretending to be Selena's property had been hard on her. The thought of genuinely being seized by someone else made her ill. She couldn't take this much longer.

The increasingly desperate pressure of Selena's touch told a similar story. Both Celestials were reaching their limit. They had to get out of here, soon. Sarah listened with desperation as Bethrezen continued to rant. Come on, already! Wrap it up! When he slammed his fist on the table, it actually came as a relief. That was usually a sign that the speech about meddling kids (and the foiling thereof) would soon be over. She and Selena just needed to hold on a little. Bit. Longer.

[Erulasto]

SHEEP AMONG THE WOLVES
7:05 PM

Sarah

”We have…one last order of business to attend before we call it a night. I realize you’re all very busy, and we don’t really need that much time to go over the current events, but this one is important.” Bethrezen stands, and turns from the table for a moment – hands clasping in the small of his back. The Demons at the table all eye him expectantly.

”We think we have a lead on her.”

Those words were enough to cause a frenetic commotion among the Demons at the table. Many of them begin shouting at Bethrezen, demanding the where’s and the how’s. The Demonic Lord simply turns back to the table as they shout over one another. It’s a cacophony of noise that makes it hard to discern anything from those gathered other than outrage and fury.

Sarah feels Selena tense bodily at the news. Whomever this woman that Bethrezen is speaking of? It’s getting a rise out of even the soon-to-be renegade Impudite.

Bethrezen raises a hand to silence the table, and despite glares and other dark looks that flash across many of their faces, the table finally quiets down.

Sarah noticed that the outrage that spewed forth was enough to draw some attention to the gathering. A few random groups of patrons were all eyeing them curiously, and Sarah even caught a glimpse of Duke standing by the bar with his arms crossed and an intensely furrowed brow.

”Yes, yes. I know that this news is all well and good, but I remind you that finding the witch is not as important as the five humans. You all have your assignments to attend to. I shall be investigating the rumours of her hiding place personally. Rest assured, my brothers and sisters, that you will all be allowed to reap your vengeance upon her when she is found. No human can be allowed to bind us with impunity, and not suffer the consequences.”

Very abruptly, Selena stands – jostling the table and drawing a few Demonic eyes in her direction.

”Please…excuse me for a moment. My lovely Sarah here needs to use the washroom.” Selena takes Sarah’s hand in her own tightly – perhaps a bit too tightly – and tugs her insistently to follow her to the bathroom.

---

BABYLON CLUB
7:05 PM

Katriel

”I would caution against preaching about who is playing dirty pool, Miss O’Brien. That relic is one of the only things keeping me and my kin safe from either side of your silly little War. Let us not forget it was an Angel who hounded my kind into the depths of the Marches.” Inanna deadpans. ”It’s also the only thing keeping your Angel sister out there from being turned into a late dinner by the menagerie of Demons that have decided to have a POW-WOW in my club.”

Inanna leans forward, and smiles slyly.

”But, I didn’t ask you here to sling stones or recriminations. I asked you here because we have a serious problem, and you are uniquely suited to helping resolve it. I’m harbouring an Ofanim in my temple below the club. She’s a lovely thing. Very fond of the very Angel sitting out there surrounded by monsters. She also happens to be a fellow Servant of Wind, like yourself.”

The Ethereal Goddess stands, and walks across the room towards a painting hanging from her wall. The large canvas seems to be an artists rendition of a host of Angels, bearing arms and armour for war chasing down dragons, unicorns and other creatures straight out of a textbook on mythology.

”This Ofanim – Adele is her name – was beguiled and Geased by your old acquaintance Evexiel. They’re here, in town. In fact, I fear they may actually be in my club at this very moment. I was hoping I could put you in touch with Sarah – the Bright Lilim friend of Adele. She’s desperate for some help finding a way of thwarting whatever Geas, and by proxy, whatever plans Evexiel has for the Ofanim.” She turns back to Katriel with a much warmer expression on her face. ”I’m sure you wouldn’t mind a chance at sticking it to your old friend, and it has the bonus of saving a fellow servitor of Janus at the same time.”

---

Spoiler: Haralambos and Khalil Dhali

Show

I’m going to hold off the next post here until XIII gets a chance to post Khalil’s actions.

Sorry! I know you’re excited to beat the tar out of some more Demons!

[XIII]

Hardly worthy adversaries, but a battle was a battle and Khalil finally considered himself "blooded". It wasn't anything glorious, but Gabriel herself had approved and that was the only opinion that truly mattered to him. Every other superior could boom down and chew him out for his actions, and he wouldn't have cared. Gabriel smiled upon him.

Khalil heartily returned the high-five, "Did you see her? Did you!? Oh how glorious she was! That Freddy Kruger wannabe ain't got nothing on her."He took in his surroundings, "All in all, well done, I think. Glad to see nobody is badly hurt, especially our guest. I feel like this changes the entire game though, open war..." He pondered before turning to Malcom, "I suppose the boy is 'in the know', so no harm done in this little show..." He stopped abruptly at the sound of the choppers heading their way. At first he thought it might have been their own allies, but that idea was banished quickly. "I'm going to give him so much crap for leaving before the battle was truly over. Perhaps, like 'that was customary back in the Crusades' or something." It was extremely unfortunate that Solomon had left so soon. Harry was handy in a fight, but he wasn't sure about Ramiel. He was certain he'd go down protecting Malcom, Cherubs being Cherubs, but dying in any way wasn't helpful here. It was still basically 3 on 2, and Khalil had a hunch that these men who had sauntered up to them, amidst the bodies and fire, knew what they were dealing with. That made them stupid, soldiers, or demons. The nasty weapons were also a concern, especially if infernal in nature.

Here goes nothing, ball in your court Harry

Khalil put his hands up in defeat, "Sheesh, guys. We can't catch a break." He casually walked over to Malcom and put an arm around him, "I am truly, truly sorry for this, but you have to understand..." He sighed.


"You're not worth it, son."


Khalil suddenly tightened his grip on the boy, putting him in a headlock, "YOU SEE, I DON'T ****ING KNOW WHAT THESE KIDS ARE FOR, BUT THEY SURE SEEM ****ING MORE IMPORTANT TO YOUR TEAM!" With the innate insanity many expected from Gabriel and her followers, he continued, "Now, I'll need the FIVE of you to stay put and listen up. It's not even against the RULES for me to snap his neck, NOPE, NOT as long as I don't make him suffer. Not like your buddies we dropped in on earlier today, they suffered a WHOOOOOLE bunch. I bet you Freddy Kruger is spanking whats-his-face as we speak. We even destroyed their LITTLE infernal butterknife on the spot. NOW! While that was a 3 on 2, those guys were punks. I believe you GENTLEMEN deserve our full attention, a proper dance partner for each. Anyway, it's the torture that WE mind, for THE humans, not the killing so much. I'll probably get a PAT on the head for denying the EMOOO kids their prize. So yeah, while I'd really much rather not, being a goody-two-shoes and all, at least it'll free us up for a proper 3 on 3. Also, I'm fairly certain you guys will get chewed out. Probably literally, like with teeth, knowing your lot. Yeesh, come to think of it this'll be like, my third human today. Might get chewed out myself now that I think about it... QUIT moving kid, you realize your neck is literally like a wet toothpick to me? Hey, do you know those "I've fallen and I can't get up" commercials? Do your kind ever use that joke, maybe on renegades trying to back in good with us? I chuckle every time thinking instead of old people, they're all demons. So yeah, run along and try again next time, by the way the cops are almost here and you guys looks like you might have a few warrants, ooooor fail in your mission."

It was a haphazardly put together plan, it depended on mutual trust and the enemy being sort of stupid. Also, Harry was his friend and a mother-loving Seraph, so this could work out if he picks up on the absolutely massive lies he was telling, especially about the knife he threw in there. He worried about Ramiel's reaction.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Fast. Talk.
(3d6)[3][6][3](12)

[Anyr]

This nightmare of a meeting had taught Sarah many valuable things. But despite the wealth of information, she was desperate for it to end. The Demons were seeking revenge on some kind of Sorcerer? Great, useful, fascinating. Now could everyone please leave?!

Finally, Selena could contain herself no longer. She leapt up, and practically dragged her companion away. Sarah couldn't blame her. She was surprised that they'd managed to last this long. The poor penitent was too frazzled to even think up a good excuse. 'Use the washroom'? Nobody would buy that. Fortunately, they didn't have to. When a Servitor of Lust suddenly pulls their (supposed) lover into a washroom, the mind tends to reach one obvious conclusion. So as Sarah left, she gave a knowing grin to the assembled patrons.

"Yeah, sure. That's why we're leaving. And definitely not to make a certain someone even more jealous."

The previously general grin focused itself on Madison in particular. That woman's envious feelings were plain for all to see. Hopefully, the Demons would interpret this as a petty power play between two lustful Impudites. If Sarah was going to be the object of a stalker's creepy affections, then she might as well use it to her advantage.

[RossN]

Katriel

Katriel looked at Inanna in surprise, wondering if the Ethereal was really dense enough to think that she (Katriel) would jump at get involved with Evexiel again. Kat's spine turned to ice at the thought of meeting that gorgeous Lilim again and she doubted Janus would approve her going after a personal vendetta given what had happened before.

Also a Bright Lilim... Kat had to try and remember Brights were redeemed but dealing with any Daughter left her queasy.

Still there was Adele and no matter how much she wanted to (and how badly Inanna had misread Kat's feelings) she couldn't just walk away from this and abandon a friend and a fellow Windy.

Kat looked at the goddess angrily (though her vessel's intrinsic bubbliness hurt the 'death glare' aspect.) 'Why are you doing this? Aren't you like Switzerland or something? You know... not involved?'

[JeenLeen]

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Okay, sounds like a good plan, but I have no clue what Khalil is going for here. Part of it is being rushed to read & post today, but maybe it reflects well Harry's intellect/processing speed. He trusts Khalil, reckons it's some plan, or that some mind-mojo was done, but has no clue which.

(3d6)[5][4][1](10) @ I think 6 for Detect Lies
(3d6)[3][4][6](13) @ 8 for REsonance on Khalil

EDIT:
OH -- so Harry knjows the plan. Yay for a 6! I'm strike-through the 'no clue what is happening' text.
XIII, what is the plan?

Erulasto, I"ll let you roll attack (new axe) and dodge for Harry, if needed. He trusts his friend, as long as the plan doesn't include Malcolm dying or going to the enemy.

Harry is stunned, his joy at having his tail (still hidden, of course) overshadowed by the what is going on of Khalil... doing whatever that is. Harry hadn't felt any essence spent by the thugs, so probably no Song, and he didn't think a Habbalah could do that, and it's not like a shedim could take him over.

He listens, part-stunned, part ready to strike anyone. Michael said to secure the Five. But he had no reason to not trust Khalil. He hopes his senses, mundane or Seraphic, help him understand. And, thank God and MIchael, they do. He plans to act as best he can to follow the plan and not clue in his foes.

[Erulasto]

BABYLON CLUB
7:10 PM

Katriel

"Switzerland. I suppose that's appropriate for a modern analogy." Inanna said while shrugging lithe shoulders lazily.

"We maintain the neutrality because it helps keep us safe. You may not have a fond appreciation for my kind, Miss O'Brien, but I have lost brothers and sisters and husbands and wives to the Purity Crusade....and when we were chased into the Marches? Beleth and the other Demon Princes pressured and threatened and cajoled us to side with Hell. Lots of my kind did. After all, wouldn't you if the alternative was genocide?" She scoffed. "But...some of us....we loved humanity no less than the Angels. We loved the world as it was and as it is. There isn't much that would cause us to chance ruining that. But....Adele helped me once a long, long time ago. She hid me when Uriel's hunting parties came calling. I can't not help her...." The Ethereal Goddess would never see eye to eye with most Angels, but at least she seemed eager to repay a kindness done to her....regardless of personal safety.

---

SHEEP AMONG WOLVES
7:10 PM

Sarah

As Selea drags Sarah away from the table, the Bright Lilim can see Madison's hands clenching into fists on the table, and she could almost fancy the notion that perhaps she could even hear the Demonesses teeth grinding in agitation.

Regardless of the frustration Madrizel was feeling, no one tried to stop the two from leaving and heading towards the bathrooms in the back of the club. Sarah caught a few disgusted looks from Garezar and even Bethrezen seemed a bit exasperated...but still, their flight away from the gathering of fiends was uninterrupted.

Selena pulled Sarah towards the bathroom, and shoved the door open to reveal an ultra-modern affair with marble tiles, brushed nickel faucets and pot-lamps embedded in the ceiling.

Once inside, Selena released Sarah with an apologetic look and made her way to the sink. The Impudite shoved her hands under the tap and groaned softly as she let the cold water spill across her fingers. Selena seemed like she was torn between splashing water on her face for some relief, or to not do so and preserve the sanctity of her make-up.

"Oh God..." She half-whispered. "I'm so ****ed."

"It's...****" She cursed, and heedless of her styled hair, ran her wet fingers through the blonde mane.

"This was a bad idea. I'm so...SO sorry!" Selena turned to Sarah and clutched at her hands desperately. "Madison has her eye on you now. That's so bad! She's got everyone convinced she's an Impudite...." She shakes her head, eyes blown wide as she edges towards panic.

"Even Bethrezen doesn't realize how dangerous she is! She's a bloody Balseraph and she's got Andre's ear." Selena shakes her head furiously. "We can't stay here. We need to leave now. Before they finish up. If Madison catches us once we're outside.....I...I don't think I can protect you..." The Impudite sniffles softly.

---

CLASH OF TITANS
8:15 PM

Haralambos and Khalil Dhali

Spoiler: OOC

Show

By my count, Khalil failed his Fast Talk roll by one. Ouch. I'm posting under that assumption.

Feel free to let each other know OOC what the overall plan is. You can even PM it if you'd rather try and catch me off-guard. Hehe

Khalil Dhali was a true Servant of Gabriel it seemed, through and through, and though often if would be hidden behind the mask of a kindly old Private Eye....he was still a Malakim of Fire; and Fire was an unstable thing, these days.

Silence had fallen on the street as the three massive bikers simply stared impassively at Khalil, with Malcolm held so tightly within his grip.

Even Malcolm himself seemed stunned, and tried to go limp in Khalil's grip at the threat of how easy it would be to snap his neck.
Ramiel, however, had his eyes narrowed dangerously and his hands were tightening into fists at his side. If Malcolm were to die, Ramiel would feel the Dissonance spread through his being. Let not your charge suffer while in your care. That is what Michael had told him.
At length, the lead biker cracked his neck with a simple shift to the left, and then the right, causing the braided dreadlocks to sway to and fro down his back.

"You're bluffing." He said with a deep, baritone chuckle.

"Shax, maybe...maybe he's not? He's gotta be the Gabrielite Bethrezen warned us about." One of the others spoke up, earning a glower from the leader.

"So....what? You want us to let you walk away with the kid? Maybe make us try and come after him another time? Is that it?" He tapped the brutally-modified baseball bat upon one shoulder thoughtfully.

"How's this. We let the brat go. Here and now. He runs along like a good little monkey...and then we kill you? We even promise not to go after the kid until...oh...tomorrow? Whaddaya say, cousin? Feel like a compromise?"

[JeenLeen]

Haralambos has a sour, angry look on his face at his friend's apparent betrayal. The Truth behind his words glows clearly, and they brought great relief, but hearing so many lies still grates on a Seraph, even if for a good purpose. Er, goodish purpose? Some of this was still fuzzy. Well, he trusts his friend, but didn't quite understand why he didn't want to kill the three demons. Though the tinges of fear he was hearing through the Symphony made sense, Harry supposed.
Well, perhaps the disgust at lies would look like simple disgust at action.

And Ramiel... seemed not to see the truth. That could be bad.

And the demons bicker.
...and at least one saw through the lies. (How do they do that so easily without being a Seraph? Harry wonders.)
He shifts his gaze towards Ramiel, thinking over his words. Duplicity was not Harry's strong point in any sense, but he had heard a few Seraphs being near-lying jerks. Ramiel knew he was a Seraph. The demons probably did not, but even if they did, these words should be safe. Maybe it'd even help.

Haralambos edges towards Malcolm, slowly, trying to put some fear-of-Khalil in his steps, saying, "My friend, stay calm."

To Ramiel: "Come closer, comrade. Some of what my friend said was a bluff. He does not plan to kill Malcolm if we approach, though I'm not saying the same about the demons."

Towards the demons, he states with vehemence, "Demons, if I could trust your words, I would like your offer. But I get the feeling one of you might chase the human while we're occupied. I'm under orders, too, and from a higher authority than yours." He ends with a spit towards the ground, not sure himself whether its to Bethrezen or Baal.
"I have certain senses. Shax, just you approach. Allow us to shake hands, then make your offer again. I'll even let you try to run back to your thugs before you die."

To Ramiel, he adds, "C'mon. I don't want our Firery friend being the only one near Malcolm if this scum bashes my head in."

Harry holds out his free hand towards the demon, ready to call forth the Song of Shields from his lips.

Spoiler: The Plan v2

Show

Harry plans to put up Song of Shields, to contain just Shaz, the angels, and Malcolm. Once Shaz is in melee range, Harry does the Song, and whacks him with his tail, if allowed (since it's an extra attack, I'm hoping I can do Song + Tail, like I could do Axe + Tail.)

Harry avoided lying by 1) just telling Shaz to allow us to shake hands, not saying Harry would shake hands. Also, Shaz is very free to try to run back to his thugs. He'll just fail due to the Song being in the way, and Harry reckons his tail will wound him, not kill him.
Or, if the Song fails, I reckon a fight breaks out in reaction to the Song, so hoping all three angels pile up on Shaz.

(2d6)[7] @ 9 for Song of Shields
(1d6)[3] -- check digit = # of rounds we are shielded is check digit + my Corporeal Forces

(2d6)[5] for Tail
(1d6+3)[8] damage

(2d6)[9] Dodge
(1d6)[6]

Also, I'm assuming this is a crowded fight, being inside the Shield, so using Acrobatics isn't really valid. Let me know if I'm wrong.

If Shax doesn't approach... I guess Harry gets impatient, yells, "Stay together. Take Shotgun!" and hopes his buddies follow suit. Put both axe and tail to shotgun-dude.
Though Harry would accept if Shaz sends one of his people to make the deal instead of himself. Goal is to kill at least 1 demon to make the odds better.

HP: 88/88
Essence (after Song of Shields): 5/9

[RossN]

Katriel

'You aren't helping her. You are asking someone else to take the risks in helping her,' Katriel objected, not in the mood to flatter this posturing and preening has-been. Kat frowned. She did not like this situation even one little bit and she did not like or trust Inanna who might have been less evil and blindly arrogant as Madison but seemed to have the same cat that got the cream mentality.

However it didn't seem like she had much choice.

'How is Adele now? You said she might be in the club? Does she still have her?' Kat could not bring herself to name Evexiel by, well, name.

[XIII]

Khalil was still worried about Ramiel, but glad that Harry had gotten the hint. Now it was a waiting game...

"Wow, you guys hear that? THE Gabrielite." Khalil willed the hand not holding Malcom to burst into green flame, "I haven't even washed my hands since burning out the skull of that demon b!tch. Terribly unsanitary, now that I think about it. Sorry, Malcom. You know, it's not fair that I'm getting all the recognition when I didn't even do half the work. Didn't get a chance, Harry here is a bonifide killing machine. Well, technically the killing machine was that lame bike... You guys get it, right? Anyway at least we're dealing with big boys now, that brat of Belial's was a pest. Suicide vest? Really? Lot of good it did him."

Khalil had sown doubt, though he had hoped to get them to turn tail and then get the back of their skulls bashed in. Now he was just trying to keep them off-balance with his banter. The more attention they paid to what they were saying, especially the ranting, the less they would to what they were doing. Khalil waited for whatever Harry was going to do and waited for the right moment to drop Malcom and start swinging. He loosened his grip and let the demons hear the first few words he spoke to Malcom before he whispered the rest into his ear. The old man bent at the waist to speak to the teen, "IF you. don't. stop. squirming.... Get ready. Stay close, stay safe..."

Spoiler: OOC

Show

When Harry does his thing, or the jig is up, Malcom gets released and Khalil closes on Shax with his furious flaming fists of fiery fury.
Activate other fist
Attack
(3d6)[6][5][4](15)

[Anyr]

Sarah and Selena were finally alone. Only now did they feel free to separate from their constant embrace. But this isolation did nothing to banish their fear. It only allowed that fear to show itself. From across the room, Sarah watched her companion disintegrate. She took a moment to check that the coast truly was clear; Then allowed herself a ragged, gasping breath. Both of them were falling apart. This is what she'd been worried about from the beginning. This is why, back in the apartment, she'd offered Selena the chance to just run: "You don't have to stay here another minute".

But they had stayed. And they were still paying the price for that decision. Selena spoke the truth: It was time to go. The duo's hands found themselves entwined once again. Their separation hadn't lasted long. Sarah looked deep into the Impudite's drowning eyes. So much guilt. So much concern for Sarah's well-being. Those feelings spoke of a really strong chance for Redemption: If, that is, they didn't get her captured first. Sarah needed to give some reassurance. Otherwise, even making it to the entrance might be too difficult.

"Hey, hey. It's okay. We're okay. You know why? Because we don't need to run. I know the Celestial Song of Motion really well. As soon as we leave this field of static, I can send both of us miles away. We just have to make it outside. So take a deep breath; Dry those tears; And keep telling yourself 'it's almost over'. We're almost free, Selena. No heroic sacrifices. No pain of losing one another. Just a few short steps can free us both."

...Hopefully. Sarah would give Selena some time to compose herself again. Then, arm in arm once more, the pair would depart. Please let this nightmare be over. Please let there be no more Demons ahead. Please let Madison still be at the table; Instead of lying in wait with a large sack...

[Erulasto]

BABLYON CLUB
7:15 PM

Katriel

Inanna snorts derissively and places her hands, palm down, on the desk. "I'm taking more than enough risk sheltering her here when there are Demons after her. Besides, there are some things even I can't do: like break a Geas."

She sighs, waving a hand dismissively. "Adele is holed up in the basement at the moment. I've placed her into a sort of forced hibernation. She's dreaming in the Marches, for all intents and purposes. It's keeping her from accruing dissonance from being stuck in the same locale for too long. It's the only thing I could do on such short notice."

Inanna taps her chin idly with a manicured nail, and allows a small smile to grace her beautiful countenance. "Evexiel doens't know where she is. We've got that going for us at least. Look..." The Goddess frowns, shaking her head slowly. "I realize this isn't an easy thing to ask. If you need some incentive beyond helping your Sister, then consider this a favour that I'll owe you in the future." She holds up a finger in warning. "But I won't jeapordize my family by drawing battle lines. I hope you can accept that."

---

SHEEP AMONG THE WOLVES
7:15 PM

Sarah

Selena nods vigorously to Sarah's pep-talk, sniffling softly. She takes a moment to freshen up in the mirror, wiping away the tears and touching up her mascara and eye-shadow as quickly as she can.

When the Impudite had finished, she turned to Sarah with a brief - but determined nod - and seemed to steel herself for that last, mad dash to the door and freedom.

When the two women finally were ready, Selena tightened her grip on Sarah and followed her out into the hallway.

They had barely made it a single step past the door when they ran bodily into a massive body who was blocking the exit of the bathroom.

It was Duke.

Behind him, flanking the entrance was the tall, bald bouncer with the long beard, and another woman with fiery red hair and coppery skin. She was almost as scantily clad as Inanna had been, but the woman had black eyes that were positively creepy and wore a fine black leather choker about her slender neck. The claps was a burnished gold skull.

Now that it was noticed, the woman bore skull and bone motifs across much of her outfit. Belt buckle. Bracelets seeming to be linked bones. Skull pasties that hid anything indecent, though it was all barely covered by a gauzy black shift-like tunic.

Duke positively glared at Sarah and Selena when he stopped their escape.

"I don't think I want to know what you're up to, Sarah, but I hope you know what your doing hanging out with her." He said, jabbing a thick finger at Selena, who had the presence of mind to look down abashedly and shamefully.

"We're giving you an easy out, if you want it. Through the staff entrance out back behind the kitchen." He jerked his thumb to a large door next to them that bore the words Staff Only in thick brass letters.

"Your new friends are getting antsy. Seems like you've attracted some dangerous paramours. Present company included."

---

CLASH OF THE TITANS
8:17 PM

Khalil Dhali and Haralambos

The big, black skinned Demon maintains his grin as Haralambos voices his own counter-offer to the compromise.

"Certain senses, eh?" The Demon laughs, and begins to slowly walk towards Harry and the other Angels.

"You're just a little Seraph b!tch, ain't ya?" He rolls his broad shoulders, but keeps approaching. "Fine, we'll do it your way." The Demon stops right before Harry and extends the hand not holding his vicious looking bat.

"I'm going to enjoy crushing that skull of yours."

Whether he truly understood what was going on, Ramiel had slowly inched his way closer to the other Angels - and by proxy - Malcolm. But a fellow Servant of War had asked for his help, and he wasn't going to walk away. Much as he'd rather snatch the Price kid and get out of dodge.

The other two Demons seem content to hang back, though they seem ready to strike - muscles bunching under their thick skin. The cattle prod crackles and pops as the Demon tabs the trigger and the double-barrelled shotgun is held at the ready in his other hand. They're not at range for it to be an effective weapon, but the blast from the gun would seriously hurt anyone up close and personal.

Spoiler: Roung One; FIGHT!

Show

Initiative:
Corporeal Celestial
Harry 9 - Racer, Harry 8
Shax 8 - Spike, Khalil, Ramiel 6
Spike, Ramiel 6 - Shax 4
Racer, Khalil 4 -

Shax Dodge vs Tail
(2d6)[1][4](5)
CD (1d6)[6]

Brutal Bat Beatdown!
(2d6)[5][5](10)
CD (1d6)[2]

Racing Helmet Resonance on Harry!
(2d6)[5][3](8)
CD (1d6)[5]

Spikey-Helmet Corporeal Song of Charm (Target Strength, 3 targets for -3 TN)
(2d6)[3][3](6)
CD (1d6)[2]

Ramiel Axe-to-the-Face (TN 13)
(2d6)[5][3](8)
CD (1d6)[3] +4 Power

The Song of Shields manifested suddenly as a swirling, detrius filled dome of intense wind and dust and debris. Shax reacted immediately, snarling while his grip tightened on Harry's own hand as he made to swing the bat at Harry's head - even as the Seraph's tail lashed out to strike Shax. The Demon twisted bodily, faster than one his size should be able to do.

Shax' bat seemed to flow towards Harry with unnatural accuracy, and though the Seraph managed to turn himself to avoid the blow it was very close.

The Demon with the racing helmet howled in anger and rage at the deception and Harry could feel invisible blades of entropy and destruction licking at him. But through intense strength of mind and perseverance, they didn't seem to do much to the Seraph. Instead, a sign post across the street suddenly rent itself into several pieces while the Demon continued to howl and snarl and gnash it's teeth.

The Demon with the spiked helmet intoned a potent invocation that came with a gloriously infernal flare of essence, manifesting the Corporeal Song of Charm. As the Song rolled through the Symphony to coil about the three Angels within the shielded area, they could feel their strength slowly leeching away.

Spoiler: Song of Charm

Show

Ramiel, Haralambos and Khalil count their strengths as 2 less than normal for 3 minutes.

Khalil's burning fist struck Shax hard and he recoiled, skin smoldering from the divine flames.

"You little piece of trash! I'm going to enjoy ripping out your entrails and making you watch!" He spat with a voice laced with nothing but vile hatred.

He barely finished his words when Ramiel's axe struck, sinking deep into his shoulder from behind.

[XIII]

Although he felt his flame diminish slightly from the infernal invocaion, Khalil fists continued to rain down punishment onto Shax as he shouted Gabriel's praise. He imagined the flames, hungry for demon flesh to purify, urging him to kill faster...

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Beat-Down
(3d6)[3][1][3](7)

[JeenLeen]

Harry laughs out loud as the bat nearly smashes into his skull, not even flinching as the barbed wire passes a mere inch from his eyes.

"And you're a Lying scumbag, I take it? It'd feel good to send you back to Baal."

He barely notices the Calabim Resonance hit him, enjoying the thrill of War, but feels a sickness in the pit of his stomach as the Song of Charm hits him. That was the strength Michael himself had entrusted to Haralambos. Killing Shax and the Calabim would be fun. Hard, maybe even bloody his vessel, maybe even badly, but it's the job he loves. But killing that coward who sits back with his shotgun and Song of Weakness--that would be a personal triumph. Perhaps his helmet would make a good trophy, in line with Michael's teachings.

Still, even weakened, Haralambos was not weak. With a howl of rage, replacing his earlier manic laughter, he swings his axe towards Shax's gut while his tail makes a whipping motion towards his eyes.

Spoiler: Round 2! Fight!

Show

Mortal Kombat music seems appropriate.

EDIT: I'm redoing this math again, since I thought it was -3 strength for some reason.
So now Strength 9.
Axe is still auto-hit (Str 9 + CorpForce 5 + LWeap 1 = 15).
Tail is TN (Str 9 + CorpForce 5 - Accuracy 3) 11 now. Power is +2 from rank 2 Song.

Dodging:
Dodge: (2d6)[5]
Check: (1d6)[4]

Tail, weakened
TN 11: (2d6)[7]
Damage: (1d6)[5] +2 Power

Axe
(3d6)[2][2][4](8)

...oh... I just realized that Song of Charm combined with Calabim Resonance lowers our immunity to it. That's a good combo! My confidence from the OOC post is lessened.

[RossN]

Katriel

Katriel nodded with uncharacteristic solemnity. 'I understand, and I accept. And... thanks for looking out for Adele. I should see her.' She shivered, an expression of pure horror crossing her face. 'It sounds horrible. I didn't know her well, but I liked her. Like her. God, I'm already sounding like she's a casualty.'

She looked at her hands, trying to control the bad feeling this entire situation was giving off. She'd been more frightened being within reach of Madison but this was still pretty bad. Evexiel! Kat honestly didn't know if she was ready to face that old flame fatale but it looked like she'd have to.

'You better fill me in on Evexiel and what else she is up to these days and introduce me to this Bright Lilim dame.' Kat tried very hard to say the words 'Bright Lilim' politely.

[Anyr]

The first step is often the hardest. In this case, that aphorism was more literal than usual. Sarah stared up (and up and up) at the wall of flesh blocking her way. Duke looked a lot less friendly than he had during their first meeting. She couldn't blame him. This whole situation must have looked very suspect from his perspective. But as before, she didn't have time to explain everything to him. She'd just have to be brief. Duke probably wouldn't buy a plea to sentiment alone. So Sarah mixed it with some logical, pragmatic reasoning.

"They're not my friends. Selena is my friend. She wants to atone for her sins. And I know for a fact that that Need is sincere.

Think about it, Duke. If she was going to betray me, she'd have already done it. Luring a Bright into Demon central would have earned her a huge reward. Look at her: Look at how scared she is. Helping her is the right thing to do."

She could linger no longer. With a last, grateful glance at the giant bouncer, Sarah and Selena headed for the staff exit. If they managed to make it beyond the static, they'd head for the nearest private spot. Then Sarah would warp first her desperate companion, then herself, to Mercy's flower shop.

[Erulasto]

SHEEP AMONG THE WOLVES
7:20 PM

Sarah

Duke listened to Sarah’s brief explanation impassively, but when she was done he turned his eyes to Selena and peered at her intensely for a few hard moments.

At length, he glanced back to Sarah with a softening expression.

”You’re playing a dangerous game, Sarah. You’re going to make some enemies from this, I’m sure. I hope you know what you’re doing.” He sighs, and after a moment a grin begins to split his handsome face.

”You like doing things the hard way, hmm? Good luck, Sarah. Let me know if I can be of any help somehow. Even if it’s just running interference. But…uh…maybe don’t let Inanna know I’m offering, okay?” He chuckles, and waves them through the staff exit.

Once outside, Sarah and Selena find themselves in a walled off alcove that contains a couple dumpsters and recycling bins, along with an exquisitely expensive looking Ferrari. Adele would love that car, Sarah realized. It was probably Inanna’s.

But aside from the breath of fresh, ocean air that filled their noses, the most poignant different was the distinct lack of Celestial static that impeded their ability to touch the Celestial realm.

Selena took a deep breath of the fresh air and a hesitant smile rose on her broken features. Even as she did so, a tear slipped down her cheek.

”We…we did it….we’re free!”

Sarah opened herself to the beauty of the Symphony, and sang the words that would carry her new friend and finally herself to the Flower Shop.

They arrived just outside the back door as Mercy herself was carrying a small bag of garbage out to the dumpster.

She blinked owlishly at the new arrivals, and for a moment her lips moved as if she were trying to find the words.

At length, she sighed heavily.

”Oh Sarah.” She said, a small but bemused smile on her face.

”What did you do?”

---

BABYLON CLUB
7:20 PM

Katriel

”She may as well be a casualty already, Miss O’Brien. At least, if we’re not able to figure out any way to help her.” Inanna said with a sigh, as delicate fingertips massaged her temples in frustration.

”What troubles me the most is that we don’t actually know what Evexiel is up to. Adele didn’t even give me all the details on how she got ensnared in the Geas. From what little I’ve been able to gather, Evexiel is here for a reason and I thoroughly suspect it has something to do with Adele specifically. I am loathe to say it, but I am beginning to suspect that the end goal is to have Adele…fall.”

Inanna’s cellphone suddenly rings, and she turns an apologetic gaze to Kat for a moment.

”Please, excuse me. I have to take this.” Answering the phone before Kat can even give a response, the Goddess simply hums a greeting to whomever is on the line and a small smile breaks out upon her face.

A moment later she hangs up and sets the cell aside.

”Well, we have at least a little good news. Sarah – the Bright Lilim in question – managed to slip out the back of the club with, apparently a Demoness who’se looking for redemption.” Inanna leans back into her chair and kicks her bare feet up onto the desk lazily.

”That will prevent me from introducing you to her directly…but…I do have her phone number. I snatched it from Adele’s phone when I used it to call her in the first place and let her know about her friends….situation.”

---

CLASH OF THE TITANS
8:17ish PM

Haralambos and Khalil Dhali

The Demon with the spiked-helmet closed his eyes for a moment and the Angels could feel a sudden flare of Essence burning its way into the Symphony as the Demon’s flesh melted away. They could sense it’s presence still, hovering on the periphery of their corporeal senses and it was moving closer – towards them and Shax.

The other Demon – the one with the racing helm – seemed to be reeling from the backlash of the entropic forces he tried to unleash on Harry.

Shax managed to avoid - barely - the lashing tail of Haralambos, but the avoidance moved him into the path of the battle axe. It struck the Demon square in the chest, lodging itself into the hard bones of his ribs. Shax snarled in rage as his vessel took the solid hit - and Harry saw the flesh searing and cooking where the blade of the axe was in contact.

In retaliation, Shax swung the horrid baseball bat at Harry once again. This time, the blow was a bit more accurate, and smashed into the meaty flesh between Harry's collarbone and shoulder. He felt bent nails and razors dig painfully into the flesh of his corporeal vessel, and when the bat was withdrawn with a jerky movement, bits of skin and torn muscle came with it.

Khalil pounds his burning fist into the side of Shax’ head, kindling the dreadlocks with flashing embers and searing more of the Demons further blackening flesh. This blow was close to an eye, which seems to be swiftly becoming bloodshot from the blow.

Ramiel struck at Shax again with his axe, ignored for the moment, and the axe bit deep into the back of a thigh.

There was a moment of horror on Shax' face as the slow realization dawned that this fight would not be going according to plan.

Meanwhile, Malcolm had pushed himself as far away from the conflict as he could, bodily wedged against the buffeting air and debris that composed the Song of Shields.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Shax Dodge vs Tail
(2d6)[4][5](9)
CD (1d6)[3]

Batters Up?
(2d6)[3][2](5)
CD (1d6)[4]

EDIT: Harry takes 4 damage.

Ramiel Judo Chop, now with real battle axe action!
(2d6)[6][3](9) vs TN 11
CD (1d6)[5] +4 Power

[Anyr]

"Thanks so much, Duke. I hope that I'll get the chance to help you as well."

Then Sarah was gone. Less than a minute later, she and Selena had dissolved into the Symphony itself. They re-emerged miles away from the meeting that had caused them so much pain. As Sarah took in her new surroundings, relief flooded her features. The familiar flower shop had never looked so inviting. As it happened, Mercy herself was there to greet the pair. But she'd have to wait a while to be greeted in return. Sarah was too busy enveloping Selena in a heartfelt hug. The two of them were finally free to be themselves again. They could let loose the torrent of feelings they'd been forced to hide.

"We're free! It's over. I'm so proud of you for getting through that!"

The pair were quite a sight: Two crying, embracing women, clad in very expensive dresses. No wonder Mercy was confused. Eventually, Sarah recovered enough to explain herself to the Seneschal.

"S-Sorry about that. It's been...quite a trip. Mercy, this is Selennia: An Impudite of Lust. She's here to Redeem herself. I can personally vouch for her good intentions. May we come in? We've got quite a tale to tell you."

Sarah would indeed tell the whole story. She didn't try to hide the less palatable parts: Like Selena's role in the death of Thatch. Mercy deserved to know exactly who she was being asked to help.

[JeenLeen]

Haralambos grunts in pain as the nails rend his flesh. It's been a while since he felt pain like that, but he also feels vigor in knowing that such a blow would fell most humans but barely harms the vessel Michael gave him. The look of fear in the Balseraph's eyes is worth the price. He hopes they can do more before the now-celestial one joins -- at least his Shield was buying some time and costing them some essence.

In a spinning motion, he whips with his tail and strikes one-handed with the axe. The demon-searing is a nice feature, but Harry doesn't take time to ponder it right now. With his other hand, he grabs his knife, usually kept just for utility, and tosses it towards Malcolm.
"You can be a warrior of God, too. Besides, almost sure they're under orders not to kill you.", he ends with a grin, before ducking to dodge the next swing of Shax's bat.
He doesn't really expect the kid to join the fray, or do much good if he does, but who knows. Teaching others the merit of the War is worthwhile.

Spoiler: Rolls

Show

Axe
(3d6)[5][3][4](12)

Tail
TN 10: (2d6)[7]
(1d6+2)[7]

Dodge
(3d6)[2][6][1](9)

HP: 84/88
Essence: 5/9

EDIT: I'm guessing so (since it equaled the check digit), but is the damage taking my kevlar protection and TN adjustment? I think it's 2/2 for non-firearms.

[XIII]

"Is it AFRAID!?" Khalil said mockingly as he continued to beat down the heretic. "How many?! HOW MANY?!?!"

How many did you look down at, broken and bloody before you destroyed their vessel or tore apart their forces. In that moment, he wanted nothing more than the capability to tear their souls asunder.

He was aware of the other demon's presence creeping in on them, but decided he'd worry about it when he could do something about it.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

His face keeps running into my fist
(3d6)[3][2][5](10)