Logfile from Brass&Steel.

It's after work and place is hopping. Most of the booths and tables are taken and
the bar is crowded. In a booth in back sits a solitary figure, beer in hand as he
watches a waitress wind her way though the crowd to depost his burger and fries
in front of him. He flashes her a charming smile and takes a bit of the burger.

Zach comes striding in through the door and looks around for a free seat.

Roger is mostly lost in the crowd as he eats and drinks his beer, but then crowd
swirls a bit revealing him to Zach

Since almost all seats are taken, he makes for the back of the place and breaks
into a smile upon spotting Roger. He navigates his tall self over toward his
friend. Zach grins to Roger. "Hey man! How's it hangin'?"

Roger looks up from his beer and his eye widden a bit as he sees Zach, still he
waves him over "Hey there, it's not bad. Have a seat."

Zach plops down in the booth across from Roger, and motions to a waitress to get
him a tap beer. "You just come off duty or what?"

Zach studies Roger more closely.

Roger nods "Yep, got off at a reasonable hour for once." He seems to be
conintrating on his food a bit too intently, then again he could just be really
hungry.

You paged Roger with 'resonateresonateresonate!'.
AutoJudge:  Zach rolls: 4 + 4 = 8 . Check die: 3 
You paged Roger with '<rude noise> :)'.
To (Roger, Zach), Goldie pages: Mind if I wander along and join you two?
Roger pages: fail?
You paged Roger with 'Yup:)'.
Roger pages: yey!
Roger pages: hehe
You paged Roger with 'If you're sill on in 3 hours I'm trying again! :)'.
From afar, Roger laughs

Zach is watching Roger quite closely and his eyes narrow in concern. "You sure
you're allright man? You seem tense.."

Roger slides his eyes away and shrugs "I'm fine."

Zach's frown deepens. "Roger. Please tell me if there is something wrong. Why
won't you look me in the eyes? What's happened?"

Goldie enters.

Roger and Zach are sitting in the back of the crowded bar and grill talking. You
may beable to tell that Roger is looking fairly tense.

Goldie steps in the door as it opens to let one particularly bulky patron out,
ducking around him and slipping inside quickly. Despite the recent sweltering
heat, she is still wearing her habitual fleece even thought she does look as
though she might be regretting it slightly...

Roger hand tightens around his beer bottle as he continues to stare at the table.

Zach leans forward, now looking very concerned indeed. "Roger, what's wrong? If
you don't tell me then I can't help you." His eyes are dark with worry, but mild
and loving at the same time." to Roger.

Zach leans foreward and says something to Roger.

Roger squirms in his seat looking uncomfortable as he scans the room looking for
a distraction.

Goldie wanders through the thin early evening crowd, it being a touch late for
those wanting to eat to still be here yet still too early for those how are
coming here to drink. A flicker of not quite recognition passes across her face
as she spots Roger, pausing while trying to place the vaguely familiar features.

Zach places a hand on Roger's forearm, gently. He keeps trying to have Roger's
eyes meet his.

Zach is so far completely oblivious to Goldie's precense.

Roger squints at the crowd "Hey it's Goldie. I should buy her dinner. Looks like
she's missed a few meals.

Goldie freezes for a moment at the call of her name, like a startled rabbit. For
that breif time she seems almost rigidly tense, before finally forcing herself to
relax, put her cocky grin back on and approach the table where Roger is sitting.

Zach flicks his eyes over in the direction Roger squints and spots Goldie. He
lifts the hand that was resting on Roger's forearm in a salute to her. Then he
straightens up. His hand does not return to Roger's arm.

Roger senses "Zach is clearly disappointed, but is unwilling to push things when
they're having company. He seems /very/ concerned, though."

Zach loks up at Goldie. "Hey there, hon. How's it going?" He makes room for her
next to him.

Goldie looks at the two as se stops by the table, glancing at Roger and saying,
"You called my name and your djinn shall appear, oh great one..." She gives a
shrug at the question, "Not too badly, though it been so damned hot recently."

Roger chuckles and seems to relax a bit as Goldie makes her way to the table
"Yeah it has been. It sucks."

Zach nods. "It's the kind of weather only mad dogs and Englishmen can deal with."

Roger chuckles at Zach's comment "Personaly I think that Englishmen would be
driven crazy by this weather.

Goldie grins abruptly, hoping onto a seat by the table and resting her hands on
the tabletop itself, "Ain't that a quote or something 'Only mad dogs and
Englishment will run in the noonday sun'?"

Zach grins. "Well the quote seems to imply that they already are quite loony."

Roger chuckles "Well I've never heard the quote before. Sorry."

You say, "And it's, as far as I can remember - "Only mad dogs and Englishmen go
out in the midday or noonday sun.""

Lucian enters.

Roger ,Zach and Goldie are sitting together at booth in the back of the
resturant.

Zach glances at Goldie with a smile in his eyes and says something to her.

Zach mutters to Goldie, "... kid?... gonna..."

You whisper "You hungry kid? I was just gonna try and get some food. You want
some too?" to Goldie.

Roger takes a sip of his beer and lets his eyes roam the resturant.

Goldie looks thoughtful for a moment, glancing up at the clock on the wall before
replying to Zach.

Goldie mutters to Zach, "... little.... now... if... are sure... free..."

Goldie whispers "Well... A little. I should've had something about now and if you
are sure your offering for free..."

Lucian strolls in the door, looking definitely out-of-place in the bar. As he
orders a coffee, his Slavic-accented speech makes the odd contrast even more
clear. He sits up at the bar, turning his stool to survey the whole of the crowd
with a careful eye.

Zach smiles and starts attracting attention from a busy waitress. She bustles
over to their booth ready to take their orders. Zach wants more beer and a
maximum sized t-bone steak with everything and then some. Then it's over to
Goldie.

Zach mutters to Goldie, "Order... want. I'm..."

You whisper "Order whatever you want. I'm buying." to Goldie.

Zach mutters to Roger, "... beer,..."

You whisper "Want another beer, man?" to Roger.

Roger offers his frys to both Goldie and Zach "So how's it going Goldie?" He nods
at Zach "Sure."

<OOC> Zach says, "Well /that/ was a nice mutter! Just the most important word!:)"

<OOC> Goldie nods... "Did anything realy need to be said?" ^_^

Zach glances around the room while the waitress waits for Goldie to figure out
what she wants. His eyes drift casually over the people, noting the newcomers,
then back to his company.

	Tall and thin, the gentleman at hand stands some six-foot-five inches,
but weighs likely no more than one hundred and sixty pounds. Vibrant,
sapphire-blue eyes gleam brightly against his otherwise pale complexion. Though
he otherwise seems no older than perhaps thirty-five, snow white hair falls down
to his shoulders, where it curls just a touch at the end, clearly the product of
either quality genetics or expert hairstylists. When he smiles, his teeth are
perfectly even, gleaming brightly - again, either genetics or dentistry, but
either way an exceptional result. His soft-skinned, long-fingered hands end in
perfect nails, with nary a speck of dirt or dust to be found on them.
	He is dressed simply, in black slacks, with a dark green button-down,
over which he wears a black suede vest. His silver belt buckle gleams with
polish. His shoes are polished to the point where they gleam almost as brightly
as his teeth. The faint, crisp aroma of an expensive aftershave, neatly applied,
can be detected by the discerning, or those who get very close to him.

Roger takes another bite of his burger and likewises scans the room, just an old
cop instinct. He raises an eyebrow as he spots Lucian sitting at the bar, looking
quite out of place and waves to him.

Goldie places an order with the waitress at Zach's previous prompting, ordering
water and a light meal but nothing else before using Roger's question as an
excuse to turn her attention away, "Oh, it ain't been bad. I've been getting on
fairly well though. Jst a couple of things buging me, but none that important."

Roger pops another fry in his mouth "Oh? Anythign I can help with>

The waitress whisks off from their booth.

A broad smile crosses Lucian's face as he is noticed. He raises his coffee cup to
return the greetings, and slides off the barstool, cutting through the crowd to
stand by the booth. "Good evening, Lieutenant," he says with a smile. "I trust I
am not interrupting?"

Roger looks up as he is addressed by Lucian "Professer, of course not. How are
you this evening?"

Zach looks up at the newcomer, raising an eyebrow at the accent. And the general
look also. He smiles.

Goldie looks dubious for a moment then partially unzips her fleece. Reaching one
hand into the volumous interior, she pulled out a small back book held shut by a
rubber band whcih she placed on the table. Giving an uncertain smile, she asked,
"You any good at maths?"

Roger blinks at Goldie "Err I'm ok, not great or anything."

Goldie sighs, looking down at the small black book glumly, "I won't bother you
about it then." She makes as though to begin putting the book away again.

"Doing passing fair, Lieutenant," Lucian replies smoothly. Raising an eyebrow, he
looks at Goldie, and her black book. "Mathematics? I may be able to provide some
insight..."

Roger quickly shakes his head "Hey I can take a look, no harm in that." As Lucian
speaks up he nods "Yeah, or you could let Lucian here take a look. He's a
univerity professer."

Zach kicks Roger lightly under the table. "Move over man, make some room for the
Professr at your side of the table!"

Roger chuckles "Oh sorry." He slides over allowing room for Lucian to sit if he
wants too.

Zach grins and then blinks. "University professor?"

<OOC> Zach says, "Sitting arrangements: Zach and Goldie on one side, Rover and
Lucian on the other. :)"
<OOC> Zach says, "Roger. Not Rover. No ROvers here."
<OOC> Lucian ruffles "Rover's" fur. :p
<OOC> Roger laughs
<OOC> Zach snickers.
<OOC> Lucian says, "Good doggie. Have a donut! :p"
<OOC> Roger says, " Woof!"
<OOC> Zach gives Lucian a cookie:)

Goldie doesn't move, staring at Lucian without blinking for a long moment. She
doesn't seem to back away, but the rigid way in which she holds herself
definately indicates that something about the new arrival is rubbing her the
wrong way.

Roger frowns slightly at Goldie "You ok?"

Lucian slides neatly into the seat. "University professor," he replies with a
smile. "UMKC." He glances towards Goldie, one eyebrow twitching upwards
inquisitively.

Goldie nods and it is as though she had not been troubled the moment before, her
faintly sardonic grin in place again as she tugs off the band holding the book
closed, "It's just I read this eqauation in a book and I've been trying to prove
it without any luck at all." Keeping hol dof the badn, she offers the notebook to
Lucian.

Lucian accepts the notebook, and flips it open curiously. "An equation, hm? Not
my strongest point, but I can certainly attempt it..." He flips open the
notebook, taking a sip of coffee.

Zach grins amusedly to Goldie. "You read math books for fun?"

Roger absently offers Lucian some of his fries

Lucian reaches out to take them without even looking up, let alone a thank you,
and eats them with a careful deliberation and very small bites.

Roger leans back in his seat and sighs "Hows things going for you Zach"

Goldie gives a small shrug, flushing slightly, "Hey, I like maths. It always
makes sense if you can just see how it is done and adds up right in the end."

Zach looks back at Roger. "Oh I'm good. I get a lot of work what woth enigines
overheating and stuff like that." HE turns back to Golde. "Well goon on ya, kid.
I positively stink at math. Can't concentrate for long enough to make all the
little squigs and signs stay still on the page. Gimme a piece of machinery and a
toolbox an' I'm a happy camper." He chuckles sheepishly.

Roger grins "But surely fixing cars uses math.

Zach snorts. "Yeah, the engineers would like you to think so. But you can't fix
an engine by doodling on a piece of paper. You have to get your hands dirty. It
helps little to have read about stuff, you need to have the knowledge in your
hands."

Goldie watches Lucian carefully as he looks through the book, keeping her eyes
fixed on her notebook as he pages through it slowly.

Roger finishes off his burger "True. But don't let an mechanical eningeer hear
you say that.

Zach bahs. "I /am/ a mechanical engineer. But I'm kinda old school. I don't sit
around on my ass in an office dreaming up stuff on paper. I go out there and
/build/ it."

"A mechanic," Lucian says, glancing up. The disdain drips from his voice like
grease from a New York pizza. "I see." He flips the notebook closed abruptly, and
hands it back to Goldie. "Some interesting work there, particularly in the middle
bit. If you like, I can take it around campus and show it to some of the
professors in the theoretical mathematics department."

Roger raises an eyebrow at Lucian's tone "Yeah he's a mechanic. What's wrong with
that?

Goldie takes the book back, replacing the rubber band which holds it closed with
practiced ease then tucking it away inside her jacket once more, "I was just
asking about it, that's all. It's just what I do when I don... can't get to sleep
at night. When I've filled out this notebook, then I'll see if there's something
worth showing."

The waitress comes along with their food and beers, depositing it on the table.  
Goldie gets her light stuff, Zach's plate is huge and filled with steak and salad
and fries and relish and whatnot. He starts digging in at once, only pausing to
flash a brilliant smile and a wink at the Bringer of Yummy Food. She smiles back
and scoots off.

Lucian twitches his eyebrow upwards. "If you insist," he says with a shrug. "I
would think, however, that assistance may prove useful."

The current time in Kansas City is 7:45 PM, Wed Jul 31, 2002.

Roger is happy to steal Zach's fries. He nods at Goldie "Yeahm, why don't you let
Lucian here show it around." Then he pauses "You know, I've just relizied that I
haven;t made introductions. Lucian, this is Zach Ellis and Goldie." He looks at
Goldie "I'm sorry, I don't know your last name."

Goldie nods and helpfully replies, "That's right."

Zach nods to Lucian and mumbles through his food: "Howdy, Pro."

"Good evening, Mister Ellis. Goldie." He cocks his head to one side. "I do not
believe we have been formally introduced before, but have we not run into each
other at some prior instance?" He tilts his head to the side, quizzically.

Goldie gives small shrug, the action not as bonelessly irritating as it might
have been, "That happens a lot. I meet people, with people, and I just lurk in
the background without being mentioned. It's amazing what you see that way
though."

Roger grins at Goldie "Ever see anything interesting?

From afar, Duke sighs. "My deepest apologies. I got physically stuck at my
cousin's home and couldn't leave."

Zach keeps shovelling in food.

Goldie grins and says, "Well, I got forgot about once to the point that when
almost anybody else had left the only other two with me started getting invoved,
thinking that they had privacy..."

You paged Duke with 'Dat's okay, man.:) It happens to the best of us:)'.

Roger squints at Zach "Man you're hungry tonight." He glances over at Goldie and
chuckles "Did you say anything?"

You paged Duke with 'Cousins will do this from time to time.'.

From afar, Duke can be around this evening if you want to slip away from Roger
for a few. Or we can just say I taught you offscreen and I'll pass that info
along so you can spend the XP.

Lucian continues to poach fries from Roger, slowly and methodically, saying
nothing in addition.

Goldie picks absently at the food in front of her with a fork, not yet starting
to eat but making a vague wave in that direction. When Roger questions her, she
finally takes a mouthful of food and nods.

Roger smiles "That was nice of you." He looks over at Lucian "Enjoying the
summer?

Zach grins to Roger. "Yeah I was kinda starved. And they have a wicked t-bone
here!"

You paged Duke with 'Zach will have given you his cellphone number. You might
phone him up? I'll emit the sound effects here:)'.

"Quiet," Lucian answers. "Without students, I have no job. Thusly, I can relax.
Some of the time. I still try to remain busy."

Goldie mutters to Roger, "'Seven... for... two... observation... I'll... fail...
of..."

From afar, Duke laughs.

Roger turns to blink at Goldie and then blushes deeply, clearly embarrased.

Roger leans over to Goldie to whisper back

Roger mutters to Goldie, "Who did... with?""

Zach slows down a bit, seemingly having satisfied his worst hunger. He settles
back to enjoy the rest of his meal more carefully. He glances over at Lucian.
"Say Professor. Have you nudged bumbers with a street kid named Hachilah? Lil'
girlie?"

Zach quirks an eyebrow at Roger and Goldie whispering across the table.

Lucian glances at Roger and Goldie, and smiles, oddly. With a shrug, he looks at
Zach. "Why do you ask, Mister Ellis?"

Goldie blinks slightly then laughs, finally calming down enough to say to Roger,
"You asked me what I said to -them-, not about you..."

Zach shrugs at Lucian. "She told me she'd been in a row with a univeristy
professor, of all beings, and I was wonderin' if it was you." He grins, obviously
amused by the notion.

"A row, hm? Quite interesting," Lucian replies. "What ever would a street-child
have to argue with a university professor?"

Roger blinks at Goldie and then relaxs join in Goldie's laughter "Ok ok, little
mix up there. I hope that they were able to take the constrive critisim fairly.

Something starts emitting a godawful noise around Zach. It cannot be called a
melody be even the most liberal of listeners. Polish free-jazz might come close
to describing the ululations. Zach jumps and digs into his pocket hauling out the
offending cellphone.

Zach says to Lucian: "Something about a misplaces bucket, I belive."

Zach stops the noise and goes "yeah?" into the phone.

Goldie gives a shrug accompanied by a smirk, "Well, it weren't my belongings that
got thrown against the wall as I made myself scarce..."

Lucian replies, "A bucket? How odd. How absolutely..." He grimaces then, as the
Polish Free-Jazz Ensemble sounds off. "Indeed," he murmurs, and turns back
towards the other pair. "Enjoying your little secrets?"

Roger jumps slightly at the sound and then relaxes as he relizes that it's only
Zach's cell phone "Sheesh, get a better ring why don't you." He looks over at
Lucian and grins "Not really secreats persay.

Zach nods quite uselessly into the phone and goes "Yeah" a couple of more times,
grinning apologetically to the others.

You paged Duke with 'Okay, where do you want to meet up?'.

Duke pages: The Country Club Plaza.

Roger shamlesses steals more fries from Zach's plate as he talks on the phone.

Goldie smiles at Lucian in a not so sweet manner, "Well, if you want to hear the
details about a session of 'sexual intercourse' that almost happened right in
front of m then I'll be happy to provide them." She puts a stress on the words
'sexual intercourse' as though it had some other meaning.

Lucian absently reaches towards Roger's plate, only to find that his efforts to
deplete it have succeeded. With barely a passing glance, he shifts to Zach's
plate, beginning to work his way through it with the same methodical
determination. "You can spare me. It is not suitable fare for the dinner table...
My appetite," he adds, perhaps by way of some form of explanation.

Roger grins at Lucian "Shall I order you a plate of fries?"

Zach ends the rather one-sided conversation and stuffs the phone back into his
pocket, cursing mildly. "I'm sorry guys but I gotta vanish off. Got a job call.
Roge, feel free to put the rest of my fries out of their misery. Goldie - good
luck with your mathematical mystery, I'm glad your arm looks fine. Professor,
nice to have met you and you're welcome!" He grins wickedly. "Roge, you have my
number. Call me if you need my services. Later, all!"

Zach stands and slides out from the booth and makes his way toward the door after
depositing money on the table to pay for the food and drinks.

Roger nods and waves "See ya Zach!"

Goldie nods, "See you some other time then Zach."

Roger eye's flicker "I'll give you a call tonight and we can talk ok.

Roger senses "Zach nods imperceptibly."


You head south along Grand, arc towards Main, and soon find yourself at the
Country Plaza

Duke sits on a bench, near a statue of Bachcus.

Zach comes walking down the street briskly after having parked his yellow
tow-truck somewhere convenient. He seems to be looking for someone, and perks up
upon spotting Duke.

Zach navigates his way over to Duke's bench. "Evenin', Duke. How are you?"

Duke puffs on a cigar. "Alright, I suppose. Have a seat."

Zach plops down onto the bench. "Thanks.." He seems eager and cheerful, but also
slightly nervous. Excited is perhaps a better word.

Duke says, "So, we can do this one of two ways."

You say, "Okay. Lay it on me."

Duke says, "First way: I can walk you through the whole deal. A few dry runs. Et
cetera."

Duke lowers his voice: "Second way: I can take you into the back room of Bo
Ling's. We go through to the Other Side of the Sky. ANd I just give you the
knowledge on the Other Side. I'm powerful enough to do that."

Zach's eyebrows tries to grab his hairline at this. Soflty he says: "You are?
Wow... I.. I haven't been Upstairs in...a few years. I um... If we can do that,
I'd love to catch a glimpse of the Light again." His eyes shine. "I need all the
strenght I can get these days."

Duke says, "Come on, then."

Zach smiles brightly and rises. He lets Duke lead the way.

Duke steps into the Board of Trade building.

Duke steps inside Bo Ling's Chinese Restaurant.

You enter Bo Ling's.

Duke says, "Follow me this way."

Duke is invited into the private back parlor by the management.

You convince the crowd of Chinese families to let you through them, and to the
beaded curtain, and slip beyond it.

Mah Jongg Parlor

	There is the constant light rattling of the multiple beaded curtains in
the faint breeze of a fan, an underscore which strikes between the louder sounds
of small ceramic and dense plastic tiles as old Chinese folks play Mah Jongg in
games ranging from penny ante to high stakes, sipping tea and nibbling on dim sum
as they do. The room is filled with smoke, though there are pockets of cleaner
air as one passes through particular areas, and between the smoke, the dim
lighting with the occasional glint of a stray light beam off a coin or bead, and
the constant subtle patterns of tile clacking, is it easy to get hypnotized,
lulled into a calm state. Far in the back room, way into the gloom, almost in
darkness, a few men -- even more rarely, women -- sit and discuss at a private
table that is never occupied by anyone else.

Duke starts weaving his way through the crowd, and as he does, as he gets closer
and closer to the back of the room, he ceases moving with his slow, ambling gait,
and then the wings sprout from his shoulders.

Zach looks around curiously and then follows Duke eagerly. He stops when Duke
stops, and wathces the Angel of Jazz unfold his wings. He smiles joyfully and
closes his eyes, letting his vessel fall away, revealing the shadowy, dark angel
that he is.

Duke continues to move forward, until the human form melts entirely away. He
arches forward, falling to all fours, and soon it is as a winged lion that the
light enfolds the ANgel of Jazz, and he leaps upwards and forwards into the
light, ascending.

Zach smiles widely as he follows the lion into the Light and upwards, basking in
the divine glory.

Standing on the edge of Commerce Park, the winged lion that is Marmesh rumbles
out a gentle roar. "Come. There is a pavilion for such things."

Zach can't help himself. He lets out a whoop of joy and flaps his wings
excitedly, then takes off with Marmesh. The malakite is dressed in the gear he
used when training newfledged angels in the Groves: city camo trousers and an
armless, black t-shirt.

Duke lands at the appropriate pavilion. "Come inside."

Zach drinks in the sights and the light as they fly, doing the occational loop de
loop. He pads silently after Marmesh into the pavillion. Excited and reverent at
the same time.

Duke, after a moment, pads around to face the Malakite. "Come here. Look at me."

Arethas turns to face the old cherub. He stands tall and proud, nightsky-black
wings folded respectfully. His eyes meet Marmesh' steadily.

Duke holds the gaze for a moment, and what is reflected in his eyes are lifetimes
of human effort. The rise and fall of great artists, military engineers, poets
.... all attuned to the Symphony by a sacrifice and a symbol. That's all -- a
token of their service, a sacrifice of blood, sweat, tears, or flesh. And there
is a burning, and .... then the pain is wiped away by the slow and joyous pulse
of the Symphony.

Arethas lets the reflections wash over him, humbled by the knowldge of the
sacrifices made, and sacrifices yet to be made.

Duke says, "Now you are prepared."

The malakite bows to Marmesh. "I thank you, Marmesh. I will use this knowledge to
further Heaven's cause and to bring the Divine Love into the hearts and minds of
the fledging Soldiers I meet."

Duke says, "Excellent. Go in peace. Or stay and bide awhile, as you like."

Duke spreads his wings and flies.

Zach looks around longingly, but makes for the tether point and decends back to
Earth.

[Zach makes his way back to Kathy's Bar and Grill]

Roger is still sitting in the same booth, now surrounded by a few empty plates
and glasses

Zach comes walking into the place for the second time that night. He looks toward
the booth and seems absolutely delighted to see Roger there still. His long legs
take him over there quickly and he slides down onto a seat. "Hey, still here?"

Zach's eyes are shinig with an inner light much stronger than you have ever seen
before. He is clearly very, very happy about something.

Roger looks suprised to see Zach walk back into the resturant but waves him over
"Heya, where'd you run off too?"

Zach smiles warmly to Roger. "I went to see an old friend who called me."

Roger chuckles "And I guess you had a good time huh." He winks at him "What's her
name"

Zach twinkles a merry grin at Roger. "/His/ name is Duke. And yes I had a very
good time, but not the way you imply."

Roger raises an eyebrow "Duke? The jazz man. Huh, cool. What did you do?"

Zach chuckles. "We went to Heaven. Literally." His eyes shine even brighter.

Zach keeps his voice down, though.

Roger stares at him "Heaven??" He looks a bit awed "Wow, I mean...do you do that
often?"

Zach shakes his head. "No. I haven't been upstairs in 14 years. Almost forgot
what it's like to have wings... Some angels come and go more often, but those
that, like me are stationed on Earth more permanently seldom ascend. Unless we
/have/ to, that is."

Roger eye's drift to Zach's shoulders "Wings huh. I just can't picture you with
wings. Anyways why do you have too?"

Zach makes a show of looking offended, but can't stop his eyes from shining so
it's not very convincing. "If we get killed, we instantly ascend. If an angel
gets outnumbered and outgunned in a fight, it can be prudent to ascend. Live to
smoke the bastards another day, y'know. We can also be called upstairs by our
superiors, or need to go to find some information, etc." Shifts a bit and leans
forward. "Duke took me up to teach me some neat stuff."

Roger raises an eyebrow "Oh? What stuff is that?

Zach smiles. "I have learned how to Awaken a potential Soldier of God to the
Symphony. From what you told me earlier, you haven't been able to hear it yet,
right?"

<OOC> Roger does a little dance "F-ing finaly!

Roger sits up looking interesting "Yeah, thats true, I haven't heard anything.

<OOC> Zach laughs. Took it's bloody time, eh? :)
<OOC> Roger says, "yeah a about 2 months"
<OOC> Zach  8-o
<OOC> Roger says, "I know :PP"

Roger pauses suddenly "Wait, you don;t work for the Archangel Laurance, how can
you err awaken me."

Zach nods. "Right. I told Duke about you, and he didn't know you had entered into
service. When I mentioned that you hadn't heard the Great Big Tune yet, he told
me that you weren't a full Soldier then. And what with all the swordies buggered
off, I'd have to Awaken you myself. Which I didn't know how to do. So he taught
me."

Roger blinks "Wait, err you told Dulke about me. Err is Duke an angel too?"

Roger laughs suddenly "Well you did you just tell me you and he went to Heaven so
I guess he is.

Zach grins. "Ayup, that he most certainly is. Part from Archangel Laurence, he is
the most powerful Angel you have met so far. He is the Angel of Jazz."

Roger says, "Angel of Jazz...wait does he have one of those Words you were
talking about."

Zach nods again. "Yes, and a quite powerful one at that. He's been around for a
very, very long time."

Roger nods "Wow, impressive. What can he do as the Angel of Jazz?

You say, "Dunno. I never asked him what his powers and rites are."

Roger looks confused "Rites?'

Zach smiles. "A rite in this context is a special way of strenghtening a concept
by doing something that ties strongly with it. For us creationers it's making
love and doing artistic stuff, for instance.

Roger chuckles "Making love huh, pretty nice one." He finishes off the beer and
sighs as if suddenly reminded of something."

Zach looks over at Roger. "What is it?"

Roger drums his fingers on the table as he looks away "I don't know...if I tell
you you may not want to make me a Solider."

Zach inclines his head and gazes steadily at Roger. "And if you do not, then it
will eventually come out anyway and you stand the risk of facing the questioning
of one of the Sword's angels. Or even the Inquisition it it's reaaly bad. Why
don't you try me, Roger. I'm here to help. It's my job."

Roger sighs and closes his eyes briefly. He opens them and says slowly "I slept
with Traci"

Zach sighs. "Again? When?"

Roger squirms "Yesterday."

You say, "Aw fuck... How?"

You say, "You need not be graphical, just how did you meet? Did you go to her?"

Roger slides his eyes around the place and shakes his head "No, I was just eating
dinner here when she sat down next to me."

Zach sighs again. "Shit. I saw her yesterday at the Bluebird, but I couldn't do
anything then."

Roger nods slowly "Yeah. Too bad."

You say, "Did she drain you again?"

Roger shrugs "I don't think so. I didn't feel tired...well no more then normal
after a good fuck.

Zach frowns. "We seriously need to get moving with this thing. She's going to far
and it has to stop. One thing you need to remember: Her charm does not give her
control over your mind. All you wanna do is be real nice to her. You can /always/
choose to walk away, unless she's hit you over the head with a nasty Song of some
sort."

Zach doesn't bother pretending to think she's human. He feels pretty damn sure
Traci is anything but.

Roger sighs and shakes his head "I don't think so...well I wouldn't know of
course but I'm pretty sure I did this screwed up thing all of my own free will. I
did try to agrue with her, tell her that this is wrong, that I'm taking advanage
of her."

You say, "And what did she have to say about that?"

Roger shrugs "She didn't care. Pointed out that the age of consent next state
over was 14.

Zach sighs. "She's right in one way. Age of consent is an artificial thing
invented by humans, and it varies around the world. But it does help to protect
the young ones when they are at their most vulnerable age."

Roger nods "Well I don't know about such an artificial thing, but I think there
in place for a reason."

You whisper "And more importantly in this case: You belive - you /feel/ strongly
that what you're doing is Wrong. And by going against that feeling, by going
against your own honor you are hurting yourself. You have got to stop doing that,
Roger." to Roger.

Roger looks down at the table and nods "Yes, I know it's wrong." He sighs,
"Really I need to stay away from her if I can't control myself."

Zach puts a comforting hand on Roger's arm and squeezes, as he says something.

You whisper "Yes, you do. And I belive firmly that you will make it, Roger. The
Sword would not have accepted you, if he didn't know you had the strenght in you.
When we do the rite that will bring you Awareness, you will get that extra
strenght youo need from God itself." to Roger.

Roger bites his lip staring to Zach's eye "Promise?"

Zach gazes steadily into Roger's eyes. "Yes. You will hear and feel the Symphony.
You will Know."

Roger nods stiffly "Ok, how do we do this?"

Zach considers. "We go to the outskirts of town, and I do a ritual with you as
the recipient. It will take a few hours to complete it. If all goes well, your
Awareness will be awakened at the completion of the ritual. It can be..."

You say, "...disturbing for you at first. Even sending you into shock for a few
hours. But if you are lucky and I do things well, it will just be beautiful all
the way."

Roger blinks "Outside of town, not in a church or anything?"

Zach nods. "I am not familiar enough with this town to know where it's safe
enough.  The ritual makes rather a lot of Symphonic noise. Other angels and
demons may notice and come looking. Angels I don't mind, but demons we'd best
avoid."

Roger nods nervously and stands, tossing some money down on the table as he takes
a breath "Well lets do this."

Zach slides out of his seat and stands next to Roger, placing a hand on his
shoulder. "Ok, lets go. I'll drive."

Roger nods and follows after him looking slightly nervous

[Zach drives them to Hodge Park]

Roger enters the park.

Zach leads Roger into the park and over to a secluded spot behind some well
cared-for bushes. "This is a good spot."

Roger looks around and nods "Not many people out here, this time of night."

You say, "Yes. Hopefully we won't be spotted and disturbed. Are you ready?"

Zach takes Roger by the shoulders and looks him in the eyes.

You paged Roger with 'resonate..'.
AutoJudge:  Zach rolls: 5 + 5 = 10 . Check die: 6 
You paged Roger with 'fail again>:)'.
<OOC> Roger says, "darn"

Roger takes a breath and nods firmly "Yes, yes I am." He crosses himself and
whispers a short prayer.

Zach flinches ever so slightly as he feels the Symphony shutting down his
resonance, but shrugs it off. "I should note that this ritual is very draining
for me, so i might very well be totally bummed by the end of it. In that case,
/you/ get to drive."

Roger manages a small chuckle "Deal."

Zach nods solemnly and arranges Roger to stand facing in the direction the sun
will rise. He places himself facing Roger and breathes deeply.

Roger crosses himself once again but remains silent, watching Zach.

You say, "Roger Freeman. You are coming into the Light of God out of your own
free will. You have chosen to follow the calling in you soul, the yearning to
further the cause of Good. By this Holy Rite you will be brought into the full
Light and Love that is God. You will become Aware of the Divine Symphony and you
will walk in the Divine Love until your days on Earth are ended and God takes you
home to dwell in the Heavens Above."

You say, "You are choosing a life of danger and of great sacrifice. You will be
set apart from your peers, and you will have knowledge and experience beyond that
of your brothers and sisters. But even though it may seem lonely, you are never
truly alone in the Divine Symphony, walking with God's Love in your heart, God's
Song in your head and the knowledge that you are Truly Blessed among humans."

Roger closes his eyes "Amen"

Zach pauses. "At this point you may choose to walk away and refuse the initiation
into God's service. After this there is no turning back."

Zach pauses.

Roger eyes snap open and he shakes his head, his voice firm and strong "No,
never. I go into this with my eyes open and choose to accept the Light of God."

You say, "Very well. Roger Freeman, please kneel down and pray with me so that I
may have the honor of revealing the Divine Symphony to you. I will also require a
drop of your blood."

Zach kneels down with Roger and flicks out a small knife. He takes Roger's hand
and turns it palm up. Then he cuts a small cut in it and lets it bleed, while he
starts chanting a long, complicated prayer softly.

Before lowering himself to his knees Roger pulls out a small penknife and hands
it to Zach. Once on his knees he folds his hands in front of him and raises eyes
to the sky.

Roger doesn't even seem to notice the small cut as his lips move in silent
prayer.

<OOC> Zach says, "Next roll it for how many hours this takes, then for the ritual
itself. Zach is spending essence!" AutoJudge:  Zach rolls: 4 + 1 = 5 . Check die:3

The chanting goes on for a long time. Rising and falling, drawinr ROger deeper
and deeper into the mysteries.

Roger sways slowly back and forth lost in the prayer and chanting, his eyes still
locked on the sky

AutoJudge:  Zach rolls: 5 + 4 = 9 . Check die: 6 

After three hours of continuous prayers the ritual is completed. You feel like
the sun rises in your very soul. Warmth and love courses through your entire
being and you can hear a mighty multi-layered symphony roaring in your head. It
fills your every fibre. So pure, so complex. Love, strenght, mercy, /Life/. It's
an epiphany. It's an extacy. You can feel the precence of the Holy.
 
Roger throws out his arms, his face tilted skyward, sheer extacy as he hears the
song of the Symphony for the first time rushing though him "Dear Lord in Heaven."
is all he manages to gasp out.

AutoJudge:  Roger spends 1 essence.

AutoJudge:  Zach spends 5 essence.

Roger suddenly claps his hands to his hear as the Sympony wiggles around him,
ringing like a gong "What was that?

Zach, tears in his eyes, smiles to Roger. "Roger Freeman, I welcome you into the
Love, the Light and the Mercy. May your Service be long and bountiful. May your
heart be strong and joyful, and may your honor never fail you. May you know the
Divine Love and bask in its Glory forever more. That which you now hear is the
Symphony Divine, and the impact we make upon it."

Roger remains on his knees, trembling in reaction to the sudden opening of his
soul to the Truth. He gasps out "Oh man, this is just amazing.

Zach takes Roger's head in his hands. "I am honored and humbled to know you. I am
proud to be your guide." He leans forward and kisses Roger on his brow, tenderly.

Roger chuckles a bit as he accepts the kiss "Well I'm honored to know you too
Angel."

Zach beams happily at Roger. "Let's go watch the sunrise. It's amazing."

Roger nods and staggers to his feet "Yeah it is." He whipes his brow and staggers
a few feet before getting his legs under him "Wow."

Zach grins and supports the awed policeman. "Let's go find a good spot. You'll
find that the sunrise had changed for you." He claps Roger on his back. "Welcome
to the Good Guys, pal!"

Roger chuckles and starts to stroll towards a small hill, pausing once or twice
to just listen to the Symphony "So, now what?"

Zach follows Roger up the hill where they can sit and await the sunrise together.
This morning Roger gets to hear the Symphony trumpeting in triumph as the sun
rises yet another time, and he gets to experience for the very first time the
sweet feeling of morning essence.

From afar, Roger nods

Our two heroes sit quietly and very, very happily on the small hill waitng for
the sunrise.

The End....