Tugboat

     The rusty interior of the old tugboat has been cleaned and scrubbed
by someone. A couple of couches, not quite throw-a-way but probably
picked up from the Rescue Mission, are arranged at the edges of the
room, apparently as 'VIP seats'. A roped off area in the middle has been
matted beneath with the kind of padding seen in gyms and karate schools.
A few kegs are along one wall and a makeshift 'bar' is set up where
sleazy looking folks are selling beer to other folks who have gathered
to watch what is apparently going to be some kind of fight.

Contents:
Roger
Roxanne
Alyson
Fidelity
Obvious exits:
Back Room <BR>  Stairs Down <SD>

You enter the tugboat.

A big bouncer eyes Zach at the door.

Roger nods and whispers back

Zach stops by the bouncer and hands over a scrap of paper.

Roger mutters to Roxanne, "Could we... any... watching..."

You whisper "I was invited to come here." to Fidelity.

Alyson smirks at them and shakes her head speaking over towards Roger
and Roxanne. "These guys are a bunch of showboys. I'd like to see them
really fight."

Roxanne smiles and appears to nibble on Roger's ear. She says something
to him with a kind of seductive look.

Zach looks around the place, while the bouncer sorts him out.

Roger slips an arm around Roxanne's waist and nibbles her neck as he
whispers back

You paged Fidelity with 'The scrap of paper would be the place's adress
and desc. + Some sort of name. I'd expect he'd have to show some sort of
"invitation"? :)'.

Roger mutters to Roxanne, "... we... looking for someplace... the... so
to..."

The bouncer nods and motions Zach in.

Roxanne tilts her head to the side, stretching her neck a bit. She
smiles and leans against Roger, whispering back.

Roger whispers back

The guys in the ring continue pounding each other into paste for the
growing amusement of the crowd. The two men move into a final bout of
grappling, but it's clear this will be the last time their bodies crash
together before someone wins the contest.

Zach gives the bouncer a friendly grin and ambles on in. He stops to let
his eyes glide over the people, and his eyebrows rise upon seeing
familiar faces. Then he grins and heads for Roger and company.

Roger winks at Roxanne and keeps his arm around her waist as Zach walks
over.

Alyson continues cheering and yelling out profanies and encouragement
and just generally saying what ever comes into her mind at the time as
she waves her hands.

Roxanne laughs a bit, and smirks at Roger. She touches the tip of his
nose with a playful finger. "You better believe it, buddy."

Zach glances over toward the ring, and doesn't seem all too impressed so
far. But then he just walked in o the end of a fight. He picks his way
through the crowd to Roger and Roxanne. "Hey lovebirds! Fancy meeting
you two here. And Alyson too!"

Roger lets out a deep sigh and smiles at her "Ah well." He grins up at
Zach "Zach! What are you doing here?"

Alyson just looked at you.

Zach smiles. "I got handed an invite a while back. Thought I'd check it
out. What are you doing here?"

Roxanne welcomes Zach with a warm smile, and a mischievious glint in her
eyes. "Hey Zach. I had no idea you were a patron of the arts, so to
speak."

You whisper "Not working I hope?" to Roger.

Alyson pulls back and punches at Zach's stomach as hard as she can in
the excitement. "Hey man! Move so I can see!" She yells back at him as
she turns back to the fight.

Roxanne adds, with a shrug, "I live nearby... what can I say. I'm
curious."

Roger flicks his eyes around and shakes his head "No... I was over at
Roxanne when we heard the comotion." He grins at Alyson "Getting in to
it huh."

Zach grins to Roxanne. "I'll have you know I'm quite the arts buff!"

Zach oofs at Alyson and gets the hell out of her way. "Geez, woman! You
pack a mean punch!" He rubs his stomach and laughs.

Roxanne grins back, watching the energetic little woman display her
appreciation of the fighting arts. She glances back at Zach, smiling
casually. "Well, then. I suppose you'd know where a girl could go to
place a bet around here?"

Zach elbows hiself enought room to stand in next to Roger.

Alyson laughs at him, and continues to watch the fight as she it begins
to reach the end, still cheering and yelling and generally making
racket.

Zach shakes his head to Roxanne. "Couldn't say, doll. But the bouncer
and the bartender might very well be informed of such things." He grins
teasingly.

Roger slides over to make room for Zach and glances over at Roxanne "So,
what about our little idea?"

Roxanne pats Roger on the knee. "I'm working on it. I'll keep you
informed."

After another 10 or 15 seconds, one of the two men in the ring is
unconscious and the other slowly wobbles to his feet.

Zach watches the fighters. "Well... I suppose that's a victory there."

Alyson finally begins to calm down as she sits back and takes deep
breathes. "Them guys are a bunch of wimps.. im telling you." She smirks
and wipes some sweat from her forehead, acculated from the intense
cheering.

Roger raises an eyebrow at Roxanne and sighs "Yes, you do that." He
frowns at the sight of the man on the ground and mutters "I suppose I
should be happy it's not to the death."

Roxanne smirks at Zach. "Unfortunately, we had some trouble getting into
this place. No invite, you know. I guess this is supposed to be some
kind of private party."

Roger nods "I have to wonder who;s hosting it."

Roxanne whispers " As a result, we're kind of being watched... I'm
hesitant to do anything that might get us kicked out."

The man with the microphone steps into the ring as some other folks help
the loser up. "Well, folks, I guess it's safe to say that's over and
done. But wouldn't you know it, yet *another* quarrel between roadies
has escalated. We got two *more* boys who want to come out here and
settle their differences. What do you say, shall we let 'em?"

Roger winces and leans back in his seat and sighs, saying to no one in
patacular "I like baseball a lot more then boxing."

Alyson stands off the couch and begins to go over towards the bar to get
another cup of beer, standing around for a moment then taking it back to
the couch yelling towards the accouncer person. "These roadies are
wimps!" She sits back down on the couch and sips her beer.

Roxanne pats Roger's knee.

Zach grins at Alyson. "I see you're quite famliar with these events
then?" He grins.

Roger smiles and whispers to Roxanne "On the other hand I'm greatly
enjoying being with you."

The crowd is hooting and howling for more fights, more blood. They
definitely agree with the microphone man.

Alyson laughs again with Zach, and shakes her head. "I think this is the
first time they were out here. I just been in too many fights myself.
Must be the irish in me." Chuckles again and brushes her hand behind her
ears.

Roger flashes a grin at Alyson "I'll bet your able to hold your own.

Zach laughs at Alyson's statement. "Yeah, that might very well be it.
These guys tend to be into style as much as substance."

Roxanne smiles at Roger, still glancing around casually.

Zach mutters to Roxanne, "... much... ya... to..."

You whisper "So how much trouble did ya have getting in? Did Roge have
to flash his...er..thing?" to Roxanne.

Zach grins wickedly to Roxanne.

Roxanne chokes on a surprised laugh.

Roger raises an eyebrow and nudges Zach while keeping an eye on the
fights "What are you whispering to ROxanne here?

THe 'announcer' bends to the will of the crowd. "Alright, alright. So
give these next fellas your best kinda shouted props!" And two more guys
step into the ring, ready to go with some no-holds-barred action.

Roxanne pats Roger on the knee again, flashing him a grin. "Hush, now.
Zach and I were just discussing how much trouble we had getting in to
see the fights."

Zach grins to Roger. "What Roxie said."

Roger nods and eyes the curtian "I'll bet there's no one keeping an eye
on you Zach..."

Alyson sits back abit exhuasted from the franatic yelling. She glups on
her beer, and runs her hand back through her hair as she continues to
walk the fights.

Roxanne leans back against Roger and examines Zach. "Roger here gave a
good impression of a cop walking in on an Illegal Fight Club when we
first tried to come in." She grins. "It didn't go over well."

The crowd explodes once again into howling and cheering as the men step
into the ring. The ruckus is earsplitting and the odd plastic beerglass
is flying through the air, spilling contents all over the crowd.

Roger makes a face "Well for all I knew they were selling drugs here."
He ducks as an epmty beer cup comes flying over head

Roxanne ducks too!

Zach snorts a laugh. "I'll bet! Cops ain't too popular at these events."

Alyson smirks and looks over towards Roger, as she ducks herself. "I was
suprised their isnt drugs at this place.. All they got is beer, and bad
beer at that.." She looks down at the beer and makes a face.

Roxanne grins and shakes her head, raising her voice to overcome the
crowd. She leans over Roger to say something to Zach.

Zach he leans over to Roger. "And I'm here by invitation, so I'm
probably only watched because I seem to know you lot." HE grins again.

Roger grins "Well you could always bring your own I suppose." He lowers
his voice and adresses Zach and Roxanne "So, how do we get into the back
room. There's probably nothing but still...I'm curious."

Alyson smirks at Roger and shakes her head slowly. "If I brought my own
everyone would want some." She gives him a wink and chuckles lightly,
looking back towards the curtain. "Why you people want to get back there
anyway?"

<OOC> Fidelity says, "Okay, unless anyone does anything, assume that
this continues for about another hour. Everytime a fight ends, wouldnt
you know it, there's two more 'roadies with a quarrel'."

You paged Fidelity with 'Is the back room the place they keep the
fighters or do they come up the stairs?'.

Roger glances over at Alyson "Curiousty mostly. I'd like to find out
who's running this."

Fidelity pages: Mostly from the back room with the curtains, yes.

You paged Fidelity with 'Well then I have ze plan to satisfy Roger's
curiosity....'.

Zach leans over to Roger and mutters: "Well then.. Why don't you enter
into the *ahem* competition then? The back room is where most of the
fighters stay until it's ring-time."

Zach smiles hugely.

Roger raises an eyebrow and looks thoughtful "That is an idea..."

Alyson stands up and finishes her second cup of beer, dropping it on the
floor, and looking towards the curtain and begins to walk back towards
it, wondering herself what is going on back there.

One of the bouncers intercepts Alyson. "Sorry. No can do."

Roger looks over at Roxanne and asks "Just how curious are you about
that room."

Roxanne rolls her eyes and grins at Roger. "Now, now. Don't get all
macho. These guys are sort of professionals."

Roger shrugs "I'm a pretty good fighter. I could probably hold my own.

Zach chuckles to Roger. "Or you could enter me and Alyson. We're
probably more probable as wannabe ringfighters." He grins. "Hey! You
could be our manager!"

Roxanne laughs at Zach. "Hey, what about me?"

Zach waves Alyson back to them.

Roger looks alarmed "Oh no Roxanne, you wouldn;t

Alyson looks up at the bouncer and smirks at him, turning back to the
couch, and plopping down on it again. "Yea..?"

Roxanne flexes her bicep. It's actually pretty impressive. "Why not? I'm
buff and stuff."

Zach smiles at Roxie and point to Roger. "This is what's about you."

<OOC> Fidelity says, "At this point, I idle to let you all decide if
you're going to do anything. If so, I'll watch and intervene/judge as
needed. If not, assume another IC hour as noted, then most of the crowd
disperses."

You say, "I just suggested to Roge here that he enter the two of us into
the figths. That way he could be our manager and geet to see that back
room he's so curious about."

Roger shakes her head "You saw what it's like in that ring. Think about
Theo. Think about your job."

Zach grins to Alyson. "We could be a mixed tag-team."

Roxanne sits up a bit, giving Roger an annoyed look. "Hey, it's my life.
Don't get preachy."

Alyson grins to him, and her eyes light up abit. "I'd kick your ass
man.." She shrugs off her jacket, and works her arms abit to stretch out
slowly.

Roger throws up his hands "Hey I tried." He looks over at Zach "Well do
they allow tag teams?"

Zach laughs ans raises his hands in mock defence. "Hey! I said tag-team.
I have no desire to face off against you after that punch you threw me
when I walked in here!"

Zach turns to Roger. "Why don't you go and ask?" You say, "You're the
manager, remember?:)"

Roger nods and stands, walking up to the man with the microphone "Excuse
me. You allow tag teams?"

Roxanne watches Roger go with a sort of a surprised look on her face.

Roger frowns as he walks past Zach and shakes his head "Hey I'm getting
in there and taking my lumps justlike you

Alyson smirks at them and then shakes her head slowly. "You people are
crazy. Im telling you. Complete nutso."

The fellow, who is standing there watching the fight, himself, looks up
at Roger for a moment, and past him for a moment, then back to him.
"What?"

Zach smiles to Alyson. "Yeah, maybe. But hey, it livens up dontcha
think?"

Roger says, "Do you take tag teams for the fights. Some friends and I
would like to get into the ring."

Roxanne crosses her arms and watches with surprise and interest as Roger
arranges for a fight among friends, such as they are.

Alyson smirks at them and then rolls her eyes. "Hey.. I dont fight much
inless I got a good reason to ya know? Dont want to hurt anybody." She
winks again and laughs as she slaps Zach on the back.

Roxanne glances sharply at Alyson. "Hey, don't wuss out on us now."
Roxanne grins mischieviously.

Zach grins back at Alyson. "Ditto. Let's just knock 'em out good. In a
flashy, crowdpleasing way of course."

Alyson raises an eyebrow. "I dont do flashy." She grins back at him
turns to the fight for a moment.

Roxanne chuckles and says, to Zach, "Yes. The flashier the better. Oh,
and you'll need a ridiculous team name."

The announcer looks at Roger blankly. "Sir, I don't know what you mean.
You don't just 'sign up' or something. These men are settling
disagreements here."

Roger smiles pleasntly "I see. As it happens I have a disagreement with
these men. Namly their bad fighting. I'd be happy to tell them to their
faces that they're lousy fighters."

<OOC> Roxanne will be having to go soon, due to an inability to focus
and spell. :)

Zach smiles to Roxanne. "I don't think we do. We're just another pair of
roadies."

The man shakes his head. "Sir, I'm going to have to ask you to leave.
What you're implying would be the equivalent of an illegal public boxing
match. I can't allow that, especially since I have reason to believe
there is at least one officer of the law present here tonight."

Roger raises an eyebrow ands nods, wandering back to his seat "No go."
Roger says, "Hey Zach, who's your invite from?"

Roxanne smirks at Zach. "Right." She gives Roger a friendly jab in the
arm when he returns. "Well, it was worth a shot."

After a moment or two, if Roger does not go, two men do approach. "Sir,
we're going to have to escort you out now."

Zach quirks an eyebrow. "Huh? Oh, just this guy. Came up to me after
I...er...sorted out a scuffle in bar."

Alyson shakes her head slowly. "If you people want to be beat on you can
go ahead. I still dont think I should do it if I dont have a good
reason."

Roger nods "Well anyone else got an idea?"

The bouncers motion again to Roger. "Sir, we're going to ask one last
time."

Zach nods over to the two gorillas. "Seems you're not welcome anymore,
pal.."

Roger rolls his eyes and stands "Fine, fine, I'm leaving." He glances at
Roxanne, want to come?"

Alyson sighs and looks around her slowly. "Im stuck with idiots.. The
curse of my life." She chuckles again lightly and relaxes back.

Roxanne stands and nods, looking back to give Zach and Alyson a parting
smile and wave. "Yeah, why not. We still have a lasagna waiting for us
in the kitchen."

Roger chuckles and bends down to mutter something to Zach

Zach grins to Roger. "Lucky man."

Roger mutters to Zach, "... you... out what's inthe... who's hosting..."

Roger whispers "If you could find out what's inthe back room and who's
hosting this I'd really appreachate it.""

Fidelity pages: I remind you of the well known fact that demons love
lasagna. No no no. :)

Roxanne rolls her eyes and regards the two boys with a chastising
expression.

You paged Fidelity with 'I SMITE Roger! :) Er..'.

Roger holds out his arm to Roxanne "Shall we?:

Zach grins to Roxanne and Roger.

Alyson stands and begins to walk towards the entrance of the tugboat,
slowly with her hands in her pockets, without as much as a parting
geasture to the people she was sitting with.

Roger senses "Zach nods imperceptibly."

Roxanne takes the arm, and nods.

Roger and Roxanne heads out the door

Zach waves after the departees.

Zach continues to watch the fights. When it seems to be over, about an
hour later (?), he makes his way over to the Microphone Man.

Alyson has left.

Zach nods the the bloke. "Thank's for the invite guys. Interesting
concept." He grins.

The man nods. "Just ... be careful. That guy's a cop."

Zach frowns. "He's a cop?! Shit. Yeah, I'll be careful."

Fidelity pages: Let me know if you'll be doing any offscreen follow-up.
I'm heading tobed.

You say, "What the hell was a cop doing here anyway?"

The man shrugs. "Hell if I know."

<OOC> Zach says, "Ok. Basically Zach wants in. He'd like to help Roger,
and he'd like a chance for a good fight to keep in shape."

<OOC> Fidelity says, "Alrighty. We can fade here, then, and at some
point if you want to do some snooping during the week, that'll work.
'Leave' will take you out."

<OOC> Zach says, "There is also the need to make sure that they aren't
_too_ dishounorable here...;)"

The End. ...for now..

***********
<Zach gets in his car and drives to the Bluebird>

You step down into Club Bluebird.

You sit down at the bar. The bartender lets you know he'll be right with
you.

Long distance to Roger: Zach dials your cellphone number.

From afar, Roger answers :)

You paged Roger with 'Hey man! It's Zach. I think I might have an in
with the fightfellas. I'll see if I can get a piece of the action next
time.'.

From afar, Roger sounds pleased "Hey cool. I'm just about to leave
Roxanne's. Do you want to meet up?

Ada enters from the street.
Ada has arrived.

You paged Roger with 'Yeah, why don't you come over to the 'bird? Oh...
*pause* Ada just walked in. Gotta go. See you when you get here."
*click*'.

Roger enters from the street.
Roger has arrived.

Roger walks in and easily spots Zach. He heads over and plops down at
the table.

Zach closes his cellphone and turns to see Ada and Roger. He grins. "Ada
baby!"

<OOC> Zach is sitting by the bar.

Ada waves to Zach and Roger.

Roger smiles at Ada "Hey there Ada. Hows it going?

Zach rises and moves toward Ada while waving to Roger. He hugs Ada.

Ada says, "Not badly. I'm just swinging in to say good night to people."

Roger grins "Well good night then."

Ada laughs a little.
Ada hugs Zach tightly.

Zach kisses Ada on the tip of her nosie. "Good to see you, sweetie. You
okay? Not overworking?"

Roger leans against the bar and orders a scotch on the rocks

Ada beeps quietly. "I'm well. Not overworking. You?"

Zach scoops Ada over toward the bar. "I'm good. Just came from a bit of
entertainment. Roge was there too." He grins and offers Ada the stool he
just arose from.

Ada shakes her head. "I really do have to be going, love."

Roger sighs "Well I don;t know how entertaining it was. I didn't really
find the sight of grown men beating the crap out of each other very
fun."

Zach looks disappointed. "Awww... You heading home?"

Ada nods.

Zach nods to Roger. "I've seen better fights.."

Ada says, "I'll be up for a little bit, but I have a long day
tomorrow..."

Zach leans down and whispers something to Ada.

You whisper "Mind if I come over in a bit? I just have to talk to Roger
a few minutes first." to Ada.

Ada whispers "Not at all... I'm happy to have company."

Zach smiles warmly to Ada and kisses her again, gently.

Roger sips his scotch and listens to the music, quitely humming along.
It's clear that he's far more comfortable here then in the mass of
people screaming for blood.

Ada kisses back and hugs Zach again for good measure, then waves to
Roger. "Good night, all!"

Roger waves to Ada "Night Ada, see you around!"

You say, "Good night, doll. I'll se you around."

Ada beams and exits with flair.

Zach turns to Roger. "Let's get a table, eh?" Roger nods and
straightens, "Lead the way." He seems somewhat down and slightly upset
at something."

Zach takes his beer with him and plops down at a table for two, that's
conveniently free. "What's with the long face?"

At your table, Zach says "Was the fightnight that bad?"

Roger shrugs and looks at his scotch "Oh, after all that Roxanne didn't
have time to have dinner with me. I'm just disapointed."

Zach smiles softly in sympathy. "Oh.. I see. This was supposed to be
your dinnerdate, yes?"

Roger nods and makes a face "Yeah, and now she's says she'll be to busy
for a while to see me."

You say, "Aww.."

Zach sighs. "Women... Was it your idea to check out the ruckus?"

Roger sighs and downs the rest of his drink "Anyways, tell me what you
have."

Roger nods "Yep it was."

You say, "Not the best idea on a date... But I guess it kinda goes with
the job. What I have now.."

Roger nods and leans back in his chair

Zach drinks some beer and consideres. "Not very much at the moment. I
have been duly warned against you, 'cause you're a cop. They didn't know
that I knew." He flashes a grin.

You say, "I didn't get to sign up right away, but a got a coupla names
and a number to call. I'll try to get set up during the next week."

Roger laughs softly "Yeah, I probably should't have been so obvious. Oh
the boucer's name was Jose Tyler, if you care."

Roger grins "Cool."

Zach smiles and nods. "I dunno when the next event will be, though. So
we'll just have to wait and see."

Roger nods "Hey it's not really my problem, I'm just curious I admit."

Zach looks Roger into his eyes. "Good. As you might have figurd I'm not
the most law and order fixated bloke around town. I seriously dislike
deathmatches and real gladiator fights, cause that's like slavery and
pretty sick. But ordinary fight clubs can be quite good for the people
involved. Let's 'em blow some steam.

You paged Roger with 'I will now resonate:)'.
AutoJudge:  Zach rolls: 5 + 1 = 6 . Check die: 4 
Roger pages: go ahead

Roger leans back and shrugs "They are legal...sort of. Notice that no
one was charging for anything. Even the beer was free."

You paged Roger with 'Made it, CD 4. Three most noble _and_ ignoble
things you did during the last year according to your own standards.'.

Zach nods to Roger. "Yeah, but they were a bit jumpy all the same.
Anyway - I like you, and Duke seems to like you. So I'll try an' help
you get some info on these folks."

Roger pages: ok most ignoble, sleep with a willing 15 year old girl
repeadly. Turn a blind eye to some of his fellow cops getting freebies
from prositutes. Clear a parking ticket for a friend. Most Noble, Sign
up to be a Solider of God, hook up with Roxanne. Help mick feel better
about himself..

Zach nods slowly at Roger and his face splits into a bright, happy smile
as he leans back on his chair.

Roger grins "That's really good of you man."

At your table, Zach says "Oh, I'm happy to help where I can. And I
/would/ like to check that the fights aren't over the top sorta."

At your table, Zach eyes Roger and twinkles a knowing smile at him.
"Might I ask who you answer to upstairs, Roger?"

At your table, Roger nods "They didn't seem to be...well sort of, I
don't really like peopleing being beat up for sport.

At your table, Roger blinks "I beg your pardon, who you who's my
captian?"

At your table, Zach shakes his head and smiles. "No, not that.
/Upstairs/." His eyes sweep upward toward the ceiling before meeting
Roger's again. "I notice you're a Soldier.." he adds softly so that
noone other that ROger can hear.

At your table, Roger glances around and leans in "How do you know? Are
you like Abner?"

At your table, Zach leans forward so that they can talk without anyone
litstening in. He smiles. "I might be. I don't think I know this Abner,
though." He pauses. "And how I know... Well that's a trick of my trade,
as it were."

At your table, Roger nods "Abner had to head off for some reason, got
called away by his boss...his Archangel." Roger still looks a bit
stunned when he mentions an Archangel"

At your table, Zach quirks an eyebrow. "Does this mean that you don't
have anyone to report to now?"

At your table, Roger nods "Yeah, I'm not really sure what to do...Abner
said that I'd be able to hear...err what did he call it, oh yes, the
Symphony. But I haven't heard anythign different yet."

At your table, Zach frowns. "Hm.. This ain't too good. Soldiers
shouldn't be left to themselves like this. Especially new ones..."
Pause. "Which Archangel does Abner serve?"

At your table, Roger looks a bit awed "He called him Lawarence."

At your table, Roger swollows "I saw him..just for a second."

At your table, Zach whistles softly. "Ayay.. The Lord Commander himself.
Yes, he is...one of our brightest." Zach's eyes shines. "But that makes
it very odd that you have been left by yourself with no angel to guide
you. The Sword does not leave his Soldiers alone like that. Likely Abner
will return shortly, or you will hear from a new contact."

At your table, Roger nods "Well I hope so. It's all very confusing." He
peers at Zach "So, you're an angel huh."

At your table, Zach smiles. "Yes, I am. So if you need anything,
anything at all from our side, just call me. It's my duty and privilege
to help."

At your table, Roger smiles "I apprecate that. So, who do you work for?"

At your table, Zach grins and chuckles. "I work for the Archangel of the
Wind these days." He glugs some beer. "So when your angel show up again,
things might get a bit awkward. The Wind and the Sword tend to do
things...er...differently. Not to mention that my /real/ boss is the
Archangel of Creation.."

At your table, Roger looks confused "How can you serve two Archangels.
And err don't all the angels get along. I mean they're *angels*" He
looks shocked at the idea of angels aruging"

At your table, Zach smiles and chuckles. "Angels are people too, Roger.
The Archangels serve God first, but their Word comes in as a good
second. And serving a Word is being part of it's idea, it's concept.
Thus we can get into differences of opinion as to how things should be
done. But we do /not/ resort to backstabbing and stuff like that. Seeing
as we /are/ angels, we /do/ co-coperate when we need to. And we try to
be professional about it. But the bosses are a lot better at it then us
servitors." He shrugs.

At your table, Zach says "Some Words just don't fit together as well as
others."

At your table, Roger nods slowly "I think I need another drink. I guess
I can get used to the idea of angels not being perfect beings. But it's
hard." He shakes his head "Abner mentioned that there were diffrent
types of angels. What type are you?"

At your table, Zach says "Hold on a sec. I'll get ut new drinks."

At your table, Roger nods

Zach rises and goes to the bar to get new drinks. A double whiskey for
both of them. Roger's get rocks in it, Zach's does not.

Roger grins and lifts his glass in a toast. "To Heaven"

At your table, Zach lifts his glass and smiles. "To Heaven." *glug*
"Types of angels... Did Abner tell you about the different choirs?"

At your table, Roger takes a long swollow and shakes his head "Nope."

At your table, Zach frowns again. "How much /did/ he tell you?"

At your table, Roger thinks back "He told me a bit about the Archangels
and Heaven and the Demon Princes. He said that I wouldn't be personaly
fighting demons but acting more like back up for angels."

At your table, Roger says "And he told me about the Symphony.""

At your table, Zach nods. "If all goes well, you'll never have to fight
a demon. But there are no guarantees for that, unfortunately..."

At your table, Zach muses a bit. Where to start...

At your table, Roger looks slightly alarmed "Really? I mean I'm no
coward, but I think I'd have to have some sort of training before taking
on a demon."

At your table, Zach pats Roger's arm. "Yes, you will have training.
That's what Abner started before he got called away. And you will never
be asked to fight demons, Roger. However, a situation /might/ occur that
leaves you with no choice. Hopefully that will never happen, but it
would be a lie to tell you that it /can't/ happen."

At your table, Zach smiles warmly. "We do not abuse our soldiers so."

At your table, Roger takes another swollow of his drink and nods "Yeah.
Thats good to know." He finishs off his drink and sets the glass down "I
kinda miss Abner, he could he uptight about things, like even little
white lies and kinda shrill about being percise about stuff, but he was
a good guy. Ran the William Jewel fencing club.

At your table, Zach says "What name did he go by in his earthly life?"

Roger shrugs "Abner Smith.""

At your table, Zach smiles. "Right." He chuckles. "Ok, let's talk about
choirs. There are seven of them." Pause. "They are ranged from 'closest
to God' to 'closest to humanity'."

At your table, Roger leans back in his chair and puts his feet up "Ok,
I'm listening,"

At your table, Zach says "The highest choir are the seraphim. Also known
as The Most Holy. Theirs is the knowledge of the Symphony and the Truth.
They are our brightest. And they can tell if you lie, they can hear the
falsehood ring though the Symphony as you tell it."

At your table, Roger blinks "Was Abner one of those, he did seem to know
when people were lieing."

At your table, Zach says "They tend to obsess about Truth a lot, and get
miffed when you evade. Yes, it does sound like your Abner was a seraph."

At your table, Roger chuckles "Ok, go on"

At your table, Zach grins. "They often come across as arrogant, but
that's just them. Now the next choir are the cherubim. They are the
Guradians. They are loyal and steadfast like no others and defenders par
exellence. And they most certainly /do not/ look like fat little babies
with wings." He laughs.

At your table, Roger nods "Well that's good know." He grins "I never
thought they did"

At your table, Zach smiles and continues. "Good. They can get a bit
annoyed about that image sometimes. A cherub may focus on something or
someone that needs protection, it's called 'to attune'. This lets the
guardian know if the person, thing or place is in danger. And if it is,
they deal with it. Permanently.

At your table, Zach says "Third choir are the ofanim, also known as the
Wheels."

At your table, Roger sloches down in his chair and nods "Ok"

At your table, Zach stretches a bit. "They are the heavenly messengers,
trailblazers and general troublemakers." He grins. "Their gift is speed
and motion. An ofanite can't and won't be still. They stay active
/always/. Fastest beings in all of creation."

At your table, Roger grins "Sounds fun."

At your table, Zach downs a bit of scothch. "Next up are the elohim. The
Powers. They are...strange. At least I think so. But they are perhaps
the most valued advisors in all of Heaven. Their gift is for
objectivity. They cannot let their emotions get in the way when deciding
things. They can also percieve the emotions of the ones they are with.
If you're miserable but putting on a brave face, an elohite will know."

At your table, Roger raises an eyebrow "Heaven has Mr Spock working for
them?"

At your table, Zach laughs out loud. "Indeed we do!"

At your table, Roger grins "Interesting. Ok, go on."

At your table, Zach says "Although your average elohite is not quite as
stiff as him. They know their way around humans."

At your table, Zach nods. "Right. Next up are the malakim. Virtues of
Heaven. The malakim's gift is for honour above all else." He pauses. "I
belong to that choir, as does Archangel Laurence."

At your table, Roger shakes his head "Still, not allowing their emotions
to show, wierd."

At your table, Roger looks intererested "Honor? There's a concept that
doesn't get much play these days."

At your table, Zach says "We are Heaven's frontline fighters and we
cannot Fall. Ever. We swear oaths that bind us in service, and we fight
Hell and it's minions constantly. Our honour is symbolized and shown by
our oaths. But it goes much deeper that that."

At your table, Zach grins a bit. "And here the differences between
individual angels and Words come into play..."

At your table, Roger nods and gestures for him to continue "What are you
Oaths?

At your table, Zach hesitates. "My oaths? Well - all malakim have two
oaths in common. First, we can never allow an evil to live, if we have a
choice in the matter. Second, we can never surrender in a fight or allow
ourselves to be captured by the forces of Lucifer." He pauses again for
a drink. "Next all malakim take at least two individual oaths. Mine are
to never deny help to an innocent and to always protect my allies in
combat." HE grins again. "I get the occational cherub joke thrown after
me, so don't you start."

At your table, Zach says "I wouldn't have lasted a day in Laurense's
service. His malakim are the original knights in shining armour. Their
codes of conduct are the strictest there are."

At your table, Roger chuckles "Well from what you discribed about Cherub
protecting your allies does seem up their alleys. Why those two oaths?"

At your table, Roger nods "I on the other hand, think that I'd fit in
pretty well"

At your table, Roger suddenly shifts in his chair looking uncomfortable
"Well maybe."

At your table, Zach smiles. "The oaths felt proper at the time. And now
they are a vital part of what I am." He pauses. "Yes, I imagine you
would. Given a bit of a heads up." He clears his throat. "If you ever
meet a malakite of the Sword, he will have a few things to say about
that girl.." He looks serious.

At your table, Roger drops his eyes to the table, swollowing convusively
and says nothing."

At your table, Zach, soft, kindly voice says: "I don't judge. I rarely
point fingers. But you yourself belives it to be Wrong. So you might
want to stop. You see, going against you personal beliefs, your moral
code - that's gonna get you in trouble. Eventually it might even kill
off those codes and change you for the worse."

At your table, Roger winces and sighs "Yeah I know...it's just...I
dunno. If you haden't called I probably would have gone over to Traci's.
I was feeling frustraited and horny after leaving Roxanne's. I did try
to drop her for a while, but then I saw her again and I coulnd't help
myself...I mean I didn't even know you could do some of thoses things in
bed."

At your table, Zach frowns a bit. "You need to stop that. I'm serious.
Going against your own honour like that ain't good at all. But that does
not mean that you can never see the girl again. She likely needs looking
after. You just can't allow youself to give in to temptation like that."
He smiles a bit. "And besides - going around being all virtous and nice
gives you bigtime chickmagnet fu! It's so rare, see."

Roger gives a pained chuckles "Well yeah I can see that." He smiles
slightly "I think that's what attacted Roxanne in the first place." He
shakes his head "I admit, I do wonder where Traci picked up all that
experance. She was a virgin when we first...err you know."

At your table, Zach's eyebrows lift. "Well... That's a bit unusual in
one so young. How long have you been 'seeing' her? And how do you feel
about her?" Zach taps a finger thoughtfully on the table.

Roger thinks about "About a year, a little less maybe. How do I feel
about her?" His face twists slightly "I care about her." He shivers
slightly "I get to induldge in a few fantises that I woulnd't normaly
even think about doing. I guess that's why I feel kinda drained after
seeing her sometimes."

At your table, Zach starts to frown deeply and stiffens a bit. "Oh,
/really/..? So you indulge in fantasies with a girl that's hardly
sexually mature. Indulge in things you /would not normally do/? And
/why/ would you not do these things, Roger? Are they harmful? Or are
they just things old aunt wouldn't approve of?"

At your table, Zach says "And one more thing - has this Traci showed
such experience the whole time? From day one?"

Roger nods thoughtfuly "Yeah she has." He looks sharply at Zach "I've
never hurt her, or done anything she doesn't want too, I swear."

Zach nods and his frown deepens into a scowl. "Yes, you do belive her to
be willing. And I trust that you care about this 'girl'. And all these
things you have told me, leads me to suspect foul play. Not so much from
you, part from what we already have discussed, but from /her/.... Hmmm."

You say, "You mentioned that you sometimes feel drained after seein her.
Drained like how?"

Roger looks confused "Foul play from her? What do you mean?" He pauses
and thinks back "Just...drained, less engergetic, a bit hard to focus on
things."

Zach keeps frowning. "Teenage girls can be quite eager to please when
they first get sexually active. And they have no trouble getting hold of
porn magazines and films to find out what their partner might want, and
then proceed to give ot to him. But they do not become experts after
reading and watching. Unless, and I'm sorry if this sounds very harsh,
you were so exited and nervous the first few times that you didn't
notice the fumbling."

<OOC> Zach says, "Yes, Zach is hinting at possible lack of experience on
Roger's part.:)"

Roger stiffens and glares at him "I was certanly no virgin when I first
met Traci, I've had a good number of girlfriends over the years,
starting in high school. I think I know what an experanced woman feels
like thank you very much."  He sits back in a huff and crosses his arm

<OOC> Roger says, "Roger is in early 30's btw :)"

Zach nods. "That's what I thought. And in that case my suspicion of foul
play on her part deepens. I'm guessing that your feeling of being
drained is quite different with her, than with other women? Not the
nice, slow, cozy afterglow thing, but rather a feeling of being burned
out?"

Roger nods, coming out of his huff slighly "Yeah, burned out, that's a
good way to discribe it."

Roger says, "It's not every time that I'm with her, only a few times,
but it was different the normal afterglow, lets cuddle feeling.""

Zach grits his teeth, anger burning in his eyes. "It sounds disturbingly
much like a trick that some demons use. Particularly demons of Lust."

Roger eye's open wide "Oh no you must be wrong." He laughs a little
shakily "I mean she's only a girl. She goes to a private Christian
school for goodness sake."

Zach scowls deeply. "That is a great cover for them, and a quite popular
one as a matter in fact. Fantasies about schoolgirls in nice little
uniforms are quite common, and the Lusties are experts in accomodating
these...fantasies... I'd have to see her and look deep into her heart to
be sure, though."

You say, "And agewise, she might be anything from less than ten to
several hundred years old if she's a demon."

Roger looks at him, his shock growing. Suddenly he brings his fist down
onto the table with crash, rattling the empty glasses as he shouts
"You're wrong, you must be wrong." Finaly noticing the other patron's
staring at him he lowers his voice, but his anger and saddness come
though "What sort of proof do you have? You haven't even met her."

Zach is completely calm. "You are quite right. I do not have any proof
beyond what you have told me, Roger. But these things you have said -
they concern me greatly." He softens his voice and sympathy is showing
in his eyes. "I need to see her, I need to look into her heart to find
more proof one way or the other. If she is a demon, then I have to slay
her. Unless she is willing to redeem, to turn to the Light. If she is
just a teenager who happens to be well advanced in sexual stuff, then
she probably needs help and care. Sex is tricky stuff with humans,
especially the young ones because you don't see the effects until they
grow older."

Roger runs his hands over his face, taking a deep breath "Yeah, you
should meet her." He lowers his hands, clasping them in front of him and
it can be seen that they tremble very slightly "What would give her
away?"

Zach sighs. "This seems to have become a bit more of a brutal initiation
into the life of a Soldier of God than I'd have hoped. I'm sorry. But
the truth is often brutal. Especially when it deals with the War between
Heaven and Hell." He leans forward and looks Roger straight in the eye.
"I will not harm her unless I am /sure/ that she is a demon or a
Hellsworn, Roger. You can trust me on this."

You say, "The thing that really makes me suspiscious now is tha draining
thing you described."

Roger looks down at the table, anger slowly fading into dispare and
shock as he mumbles "What about the draining?"

Zach stops scowling, but still looks serious and conserned. "There is a
band of demons who drain the very life-energy out of people. This energy
we call Essence. They more or less feed on it. Essence gets renewed, so
even if a person; human, angel or demon, gets drained empty, he will not
die or anything.  You just end up feeling like a wet, washed-out, limp
sock." You say, "All flat and dead inside."

Roger nods slowly, his eyes coming up to meet Zach "I never felt that
bad, just kinda burned out."

Zach nods. "All of us, celestials or corporeal beings, have a limit to
how much essence we can hold. The fact that you can leech essence out of
people does not change that. If, and I do stress /if/ Traci is such a
demon, she would only be able to drain enough to fill up her 'battery'."

Roger leans back in his chair and tilts his head up to the ceiling "This
night is sucking quite a bit, first my date says she won't be able to
see me for weeks and now I find out that I may have been sleeping with a
demon. I really, really, need a drink."

Zach smiles a bit. "Yeah. They say ignorance is bliss. I guess that's
true sometimes. But you have chosen to not be ignorant. You have chosen
to become a Soldier of God, one of those exceprional human beings who
takes a direct interest in the War. That makes for the odd revelation of
the not-so-pleasant kind. You have definitely earned a drink, my
friend."

Zach gets up and gets a whole bottle from the bartender.

Roger silently holds out his glass to be filled.

Zach fills up Roger's glass and then his own. "Here's to Revelations.
May you never meet one of Litheroy's lot."

Roger blinks at him, coming out his own thoughts "Who?

Zach grins. "The Archangel of Revelations. His lot just do not have
people skills /at all/. They are all into revealing secrets and bringing
said secrets into light for all to see."

You say, "He's a seraph.."

Roger snorts slightly "I'm not suprised." He takes a long drink and sets
it down, staring grimly at Zach "So tell me about these demons that
drain essence."

Zach considers. "They are called impudites. They have a mirror choir in
Heaven called mercurians. The friends of Man. The mercurians are the
seventh choir and closest to mankind. When a mercurian Falls, he turns
into a Taker, an impudite. Still all in love with mankind and all
facinated with it. Still unable to kill humans. But instead of being a
friend and helper, he now is a leech. A parasite."

Roger frowns Roger says, "Unable to kill humans? Why?"

You say, "It's incorporated into their being. Just like my oaths and my
honour is into my being. If a mercurian so much as commits violent
actions agains a human, he betrays his very nature. The very thing that
makes him angel. If he betrays his nature he may Fall. The 'not killing'
part stick with him even if he gets all twisted and broken into an
impudite."

You say, "Betraying one's nature is a very, very serious thing for an
angel."

Roger nods "I see. You said earlier that your Oaths were bound to you.
What would happen if you say, failed to help an ally?"

Zach takes a sip of his drink. "It would hurt me greately. It would
leave a mark upon my soul and it would be visible for all to see if I
took on my true form. I would normally have to report myself to my
Superior or my Superor's representative immediately."

Roger nods "I see." He finishes off his drink and pours himself another
one "What about this Prince of Lust that you mentioned?

Zach inclines his head. "What do you want to know?"

Roger frowns "Tell me about him. Is he targeting me specialy or just
random chance that I fell into the arms of one of his servents." He
takes a long drink."

You say, "Oh, I don't think he is targeting you directly. If that was
the case you'd be in /much/ worse trouble. He is a Prince so he has his
demons promote his Word, Lust, all over the place."

Roger mutters "How nice." He takes another drink "So, now what?

Zach smiles to Roger. "Now we take things nice and slow, so you get a
chance to let your head and heart catch up with you. You've had a bit of
a shitty night and had a /lot/ of information dumped on ya. Are you on
duty tomorrow?"

Roger nods "Yeah, I am for the morning at least."

Zach hmms. "Then it is probably not a good idea to get plastered. That
was what I was gonna suggest. Oh well.." He sighs. "You are aware of the
rules about the War? That is is to remain secret and hidden to mankind?
This means that you cannot talk to anyone about all this stuff that you
have and will learn. Not unless you are sure that this other person is
in the know too." You say, "This can be one of the hardest burdens to
bear for Soldiers."

Roger nods slowly "Yeah, I guessed that. Abner did ask about my family.
Was I close to them, where did they live and stuff." He sighs "It's
going to be hard not to tell them that Heaven exists and that I've
talked with Angels."

Zach sighs and shifts on his chair. He runs his fingers through his
hair. "It is important that you keep your silence on this. Even
Revelation's angels are forbidden to reveal the secret of their natures
to humans. We are only allowed to reveal ourselves when we recruit
Soldiers. And it might be interesting to note that the same rules apply
to the Other Side."

Roger nods "Yeah, I can see why. You don't really need a hot war of
angels and demons raging over earth.

You say, "Precicely. Not to mention the reactions one would get. The
paranoia. Not good at all."

Roger nods mumbling "Makes sence." He looks up at Zach "So, what it's
like being an Angel?"

Zach sips his whiskey. "So you're alone, buddy. Alone knowing stuff that
most humans don't. That will be pretty lonely. Anytime you need to talk
or ask about stuff, just call me.

Zach smiles at his question. "What's it like being human?" You say, "I
do mean to be a smart-ass." Zach grins mischiveously.

Roger nods "Are there any other Soliders in the city." His lips twich
slightly "A smart ass angel, I'msure the Pope would be shocked."

Zach chuckles. "There are plenty of smart-ass angels. But seeing as the
Pope works for Laurence, I don't think he gets confronted with many of
us."

You say, "Look, it's getting real late. Why don't we continue this chat
later. You need to sleep."

Roger chuckles and finishes his drink and stand "Well Zach, it's good
knowing that there's an angel in town. Of course it sucks to find out
that there's demons in town."

Zach stands too and deposits some money on the table to pay for the
drinks. "There are several of both, we'll get to that later. Can I give
you a lift home? One of the perks of being an angel is that I don't get
pissed unless I really, really try." HE grins.

Roger nods "Please."

And our heroes mosies out to Zach's tow truck.

The End.