Logfile from Brass&Steel.

[Outside the ex-Creation Tether]

Duke is moving quietly, in the post-dusk gloom, along the edge of the
park, across from the decaying buildings. He is clutching a bottle of
something in his hand.

Two forms - one small and slight, one tall and fit comes walking north
along the avenue. The tall guy keeps an eye out for trouble and seems a
bit wary...

The small one glides along, looking around with quiet curiousity.

The current time in Kansas City is 7:13 PM, Sun Sep 08, 2002.

Hachilah whispers "I don't come this way very often."

You whisper "Neither do I. This ain't a good place to be anymore..." to
Hachilah.

Duke takes a long drink from the bottle in his hand.

<OOC> Hachilah is going to roll to perceive Duke. :)

AutoJudge:  Hachilah rolls: 2 + 4 = 6 . Check die: 2 

Zach keeps walking aling the avenue leading the kid along with him.

<OOC> Zach too.

AutoJudge:  Zach rolls: 5 + 6 = 11 . Check die: 2 

<OOC> Zach snorts!

You whisper "Do you know what this place used to be?" to Hachilah.

Hachilah senses "Zach indicates the old appartment house."

Hachilah nods, regarding the apartment house solemnly.

Hachilah whispers "Yes. I got the short explanation from Mar... Duke.""

Hachilah pauses, then, as her peripheral vision snatches on something, it
seems, causing her mouth to fall open slightly. She observes Duke quietly
for a moment, then tugs gently on Zach's shirt.

Duke suddenly lets fly with with the bottle, lobbing it high overhead to
smash against the chainlink fence surrounding one particular old building.

Zach nods grimly.

<OOC> Duke says, "Yes, you may +roll for Disturbance detection. ;)"

AutoJudge:  Hachilah rolls: 1 + 3 = 4 . Check die: 2 

AutoJudge:  Zach rolls: 1 + 4 = 5 . Check die: 2 

<OOC> Duke says, "Gee, a ping."

<OOC> Hachilah :)

Zach stiffens and looks around, then following Hachilah's nudge he
understands...

Apparently, the two walking along are not the only ones who hear the
ruckus of the smashed bottle. Even though it looks like many people smash
things that way, this particular broken bottle garners attention. From
breaks in the boarded up windows of that house, eyes start to peer.

Zach swallows and starts walking towards Duke rather swiftly. "Shit.."

Hachilah's mouth falls open a bit more, and her eyebrows dip. She follows
closely after Zach, though her short legs keep her at a slowly increasing
distance.

Duke, as he stands beneath a street lamp, can be seen mouthing something,
barely more than a whisper, in the direction of at least one of those
pairs of eyes. Those who are particularly keen of hearing might hear
something similar to "...still here....come and get...."

Zach hurries along and moves up to the old jazzman, laying a hand on his
arm. "Duke..." he says in a soft, worried voice.

Duke turns a hard gaze on the younger man. "You and I are going to have
words in a little bit, boy, but not yet. First I got words for that
bastard in there."

Hachilah jogs up, but stops short of the pair, glancing at them, then
around at the apartment house, with concern.

Zach nods, knowing full well that he's in for a piece of Duke's mind.
Quietly he says: "Duke... Are you sure this is a good thing to do? You
made me promise not to storm the place, and..." He seems torn.

Duke says, "Ain't stormin', boy. Just remindin' 'em that I'm still here,
that they ain't got me yet."

Hachilah's head swivels back around. She glances at Zach with some
concern. "What's... wrong with him?" She inclines her head toward Duke.

Zach throws a glance at Hachilah before continuing to survey the
surroundings. "He's angry."

Hachilah raises an eyebrow and glances back at Duke, giving him a
thoroughly scrutinizing look-over.

Zach leans over to Duke. "They might get pissed enough to attack... This
is a rather big Tether, ain't it?" He sounds a mixture of concerned
and....hopeful..

Duke says, "They won't attack, boy. But if I'm right, one of 'em 'll come
out to bluster a little."

Hachilah raises the other eyebrow. She glances at Zach. "He's not behaving
rationally."

Hachilah speaks in a low tone, though Duke could easily here her.

Zach's nosewings flare as if in anticipation. In an equally soft voice he
answers Hachilah: "I dunno about that..."

Duke takes a few steps forward as a young punk, dark of skin and ragged of
clothes, emerges from the house, along the front walkway.

Zach digs in his pockets and comes up with a few coins that he holds in
his hand. "I'll give 'em bluster..." he mutters darkly.

Zach takes a couple of steps after Duke, waiting.

Hachilah pales quite impressively, as she glances at the incoming punk,
then back at her two apparently bloodthirsty companions. "Uh... this isn't
rational. Zach?" She glances desperately at her companion. "This situation
is... very _bad_." Tsk, all those bigs words in the dictionary, and she
apparently can't do any better than 'very _bad_'.

Duke moves no further than the chainlink fence on this side, nor does the
punk on the other side. Separated by no more than 3 or 4 yards of empty
air and some chain links, they eye each other. "You got some threats to
make, boy, you just make 'em," Duke says to the punk.

You sense Hachilah gently puts a hand on your arm.

Hachilah glances at the punk, perhaps trying to gauge his apparent state
of agitation.

Zach glances quickly at Hachilah as he senses her touch. His jaw is set
and his expression is grim. He holds a coin between thumb and index
finger, clearly itching to throw it. He casts a glance around the area and
then focuses on the punk.

The kid just says "You know you're gonna get hurt if you keep signifyin'
like that, old man. We got enough firepower to take you out six or seven
times, if necessary."

Hachilah glances worriedly at Duke, then back at Zach. Her eyes fall to
the coin in his hands. She looks back up and shakes her head.

You sense Hachilah mouths a single word to you. "Wait."

Zach reaches out and gently but firmly tries to get Hachilah behind him,
giving her a short glance.

Hachilah senses Zach blinks a 'yes'.

Zach mumbles something to the old man.

Duke says to the kid, "Now, that may or may not be true, Nehemiah -- it
*is* you, you don't fool me for a second with that new body -- but I also
know that you have to come out here to do it. You come out here, and as
many of you join me in the hereafter as I have fingers and toes. You don't
believe me, take a step outside this fence. Just one step. 's'all it
takes." He doesn't sound so old anymore. "You know where my power lies."

You whisper "You sure about this? I'm with you all the way regardless..."
to Duke.

Hachilah takes Zach's direction rather uneasily, scowling all the way, and
ending up partially behind him. Hearing Duke's words, she glances back
that way, surprised.

'Nehemiah' backs away as Duke calls him by that name. Something makes him
take another step back. "Dammit, old man, we tried not to hurt her, don't
you think we tried? But .... Fuck it. You better skedaddle, I won't be
able to keep this peaceful much longer."

<OOC> Zach says, "int roll"

AutoJudge:  Zach rolls: 1 + 4 = 5 . Check die: 2 

<OOC> Zach phew.. Fail.

Hachilah looks to the punk, then at Duke. Her eyes take on a sympathetic
tinge.

Duke comes all the way up to the fence. "Nehemiah, you'd better pray I
find her Heart some day, because if I don't, I'll crush yours in my own
jaws. You got me? Now get the hell inside and tell your cockroach of a
master that I'm leaving. I just wanted him to know Jazz was still alive
and well this week."

Zach stands tensely and waits, one arm slightly out to cover Hachilah
better.

The kid considers things, and then slowly walks backwards, towards the
creaky porch. He disappears into the darkness of the half-open door, which
shuts behind him, and eyes slowly start disappearing from slits in the
boards.

Zach mutters to Duke.

You whisper "Are we leaving?" to Duke.

Duke says, "*I* am," to Zach. "You and I still got something to talk
about."

Zach nods and quietly says. "We can go to my place? Or you can chew me out
as we walk.."

Hachilah watches sadly. In the wake of the an apparently unrealized storm,
she breathes out gently. "Yes. Can we please go somewhere... else?" She
lifts her chin and speaks softly, though insistently.

Duke says, "No, what I got to say should be in a private place. Meet me
out front of the Bluebird in 10."

Zach sighs. "Will do. Come, Hachilah. Let's leave this cursed place."

Zach makes an effort to stay between Hahcilah and the old house as they
walk.

Duke stalks off in a direction of his own.

Hachilah nods with solemn dismay and obvious relief. She hurries along
side Zach, glancing back once to give the old aprtment hous one last look.

Downtown -- 18th and Vine
	
Hachilah gently slips her hand into Zach's as they walk.

You sense Hachilah squeezes your hand softly.

Zach accepts her hand and squeezes it back. He puts the coins back in his
pocket as they leave the bad neighbourhood behind and starts to relax
slowly.

"Shit... That was intense," he mutters.

The current time in Kansas City is 8:28 PM, Sun Sep 08, 2002.

Hachilah says, "You showed...remarkable restraint."

Hachilah glances up at Zach, more sympathy in her eyes.

Zach looks down at her and actually smiles a bit. "I have made a promise
about that place. Upon my honour."

Hachilah returns the tiny smile with a tiny smile of her own. After a
moment she looks away, turning her attention to their current path. "Shall
I leave you two alone?"

Duke cuts west from 18th and Woodland.

Hachilah senses "Zach sighs. "I'm in for a lecture on subtility and my
lack of it. And how I screwed up with not telling Roger a few things...""

Zach ruffles her hair gently and smiles. "Why don't you wait around for
me? Unless he says differently..."

Hachilah nods, regarding Zach sympathetically. She slips an arm around his
waist, hugging him gently.

Duke does not slow as he passes the two. "This way," and makes his way for
the abandoned storefront a few doors down, casually tugging the stuck door
open and making his way inside.

Duke enters the vacant building a few doors down from the Cafe Bluebird.

Zach looks somewhat apprehensive...

Hachilah glances about in a similar manner.

Duke turns around to face Zach. "You know what I have to say. What do you
have to say for yourself?"

Hachilah regards Duke with a slowly-rising eyebrow.

Zach looks sheepish and shameful. "Nothing relevant, except that I am
sorry and I will not make that mistake again. It was very thoughtless of
me."

Duke says, "It was, yes. If you realize that, then I don't have anything
to add."

Hachilah regards Duke quizzically. "What is this about?"

Zach nods slowly. "I... This whole situation is new to me. It... Neah was
the one who did the thinking." He closees his eyes briefly. "Now I'm
trying to learn to do it myself."

You say, "Responsibility was never one of my great virtues... I guess that
is now changing."

From afar, Hachilah squeezes your hand again, reassuringly.

Duke grunts. "Don't make excuses. Just don't do it again." He looks
towards Hachilah. "The Virtue over here decided to blab about me to some
Soldier he recruited. I'm all for Soldiers. Love 'em to death. But it's
not anyone's place but mine to blow my cover. You rememeber that yourself,
little missy."

Zach nods.

Hachilah starts to take on a rather indignant posture, raising her chin
and opening her mouth to speak. Perhaps past experience does her well, for
she quickly shuts her trap and glowers ever so delicately.

Duke says, "It's a warning, not an accusation."

Zach puts a hand on Hachilah's shoulder and squeezes a little. His eyes
regard her fondly, then he looks back at Duke. "Thank you," he says
simply.

Hachilah nods politely, though her cheeks remain somewhat pinkish with
unspent irritation.

Duke nods. "A death in the family made me reflect some. A week ago, I was
ready to put a hurt on you so bad you'd have *wished* you could undergo
Trauma. And I mean that."

Zach nods again, cringing juuust a little bit.

Duke says, "That said, I think I've made my point."

"I will not forget it," Zach confirms.

Hachilah's expression shifts a bit, revealing apprehension. "Who died?"

Duke says, "One of my best and most beloved human friends. A man so great
that presidents of this country wept at the funeral. Lionel was his name,
and once, after listening to him with me in a little cafe in 1955, Gabriel
herself agreed he was worthy to blow a Trump or two on her horn at
Judgement day."

Hachilah looks vaguely confused. "Did he die before his time...?" She
tilts her head thoughtfully.

Duke says, "No, like Professor James, he was just very old."

Zach emits a sharp intake of breath, but realises that it's too late. He
just /looks/ at the girl.

Zach relaxes and smiles gently to Hachilah. "Even if we know a friend's
come Home we still miss him. It's a profound emotion - the joy that comes
from knowing that a friend gets his or her reward, and the sorrow that
comes from knowing that you may never see that friend again."

Hachilah tilts her head slightly to the other side. After a thoughtful
pause, she nods. "I see." She regards Duke sympathetically.

Duke says, "More the sorrow that he will no longer make music here on
Earth, where it's needed."

Zach nods to Duke. "If you wish to be left alone, we'll depart now. If you
wish to share some memories of Lionel Hampton, then we will be honoured to
partake."

Hachilah pauses thoughtfully, considering Duke's words carefully. She
looks at Zach, then back at Duke, nodding her agreement with Zach's offer.

The current time in Kansas City is 9:10 PM, Sun Sep 08, 2002.

Duke stays silent for now.

Hachilah glances at Zach with a raised eyebrow.

Zach shifts and tries to interpret the silence. "You are welcome to my
lil' pad anytime, Duke. 789 Minnesota. We'll....get out of your hair now.
May your beat never cease." He glances at Hachilah and starts moving
slowly toward the door.

Duke nods. "Good night to you both."

Hachilah glances back at Duke. She doesn't follow Zach. Actually, she
takes a step toward Duke.

Zach bows slightly in respect and takes his leave.

You exit the building.

Time passes

Upstairs Flat -- 789 Minnesota -- Downtown -- KCK(#321Rhng)

There is a knocking upon the door, coming from the direction of KCK --
Downtown.
 
Zach shouts, "Come in!"

Hachilah enters from the outside landing.

Zach is relaxing on the sofa, a glass of lemonade on the table. "Hey hon..
You ok?" He sits up.

Hachilah wanders in and gives Zach a small smile. She nods and takes a
seat, regarding Zach warmly, though residual confusion and concern show
through in her eyes. "You need not worry about me. Not when Marmesh is
behaving so..." Her expression grows more concerned.

Zach scoops her up into his arms and hugs her a bit. "Behaving so...what?
Angry? Edgy?"

The current time in Kansas City is 9:59 PM, Sun Sep 08, 2002.

Hachilah ponders while she nestles happily against Zach. "It's apparent
that he... isolates himself. Emotionally." She looks up at Zach, smiles
softly, and caresses his cheek gently. "He's one of _us_. It's unusual."
She grimaces. "And his scene tonight outside the old apartment house. Was
very unsettling."

Zach nods. "Yes, but... He is very old and he's a /cherub/. The Creation
tether was very, very dear to him and.... Well. The Seneschal and him were
very close. He's had a hard few days since ol' Hampton passed away. I
guess it just all came to a boil tonight."

Hachilah nods slowly, conceding the argument to Zach. "What about you?"
She pauses. "You've had... an eventful week." She hugs gently.

Zach smiles and strokes her hair. "Yes, I have. But I'm ok." He pauses. "I
met Goldie today.."

Hachilah perks up. "Oh? How is she doing? Has her arm healed?"

Zach nods. "Yes it has. We had the most interesting conversation."

Hachilah snuggles absently. She seems somewhat surprised. "What did you
talk about?"

You say, "About you. She's quite protective of you in her own way."

Hachilah's mouth falls open in an expression of complete surprise. "How
odd." Her eyes flicker back up to Zach's face. "I've been convinced that
she couldn't stand my very presence... She doesn't like to chat, or...
hang..." She shakes her head quizzically.

Hachilah adds, "...and she invariably ends up running from me when we do
interact... and she _has_ threatened to attack me..."

Zach shakes his head and purses his lips. "She cares a great deal about
you. Thet's why she's trying to stay away from you. Goldie is trying to
protect you from herself. Kinda."

Hachilah pauses. "Baffling", she concludes with a shake of her head.

Zach turns very, very serious indeed. "Goldie... Is in dire need of our
help."

Hachilah regards Zach quietly. After a moment, she offers, "Goldie is
difficult to reach. She doesn't want to be helped."

Zach nods solemnly. "And I belive I may have found the reason why. This is
going to be very difficult, but it's /important/ that we do what we can to
help her. Rescuing Goldie is way more important than redeeming demons. She
is a human and she is in need."

Hachilah grimaces softly. "I really don't... understand Goldie." She
stiffens slightly. "Goldie often speaks and acts in a contradictory
manner. Her words are often misleading, and she does it on purpose... and
she _chooses_ to be alone. How can I help her when she will not let me???"
She shakes her head in quiet frustration.

You say, "She is constantly fighting down urges to act against her own
virtue. Her sense of personal honour is strong, but she has repeatedly
clashed with it through her acts and her feelings. The girl has fled from
her family in order to save them from 'the evil ghost' that she has taken
with her. Either she's being plagued by a restless spirit or more
likely.... a Corruptor."

Zach looks at Hachilah. "That's probably why she flees from you. She
doesn't want it to attack you."

Hachilah still seems a wee bit confused. "You believe that she has been
forced to act against her will?" She regards Zach with searching eyes. "Do
you think the corrupter is still... around?"

Zach nods. "I resonated her and found out stuff. Her behaviour makes a lot
more sense now. And whether it's still around.. I don't know. I might very
well be, and if so it's not the only problem she has. The little Lust
bitch seems to target Goldie relentlessly. So far, the child's been able
to resist. But who knows for how long..."

Hachilah gets a look of gloomy apprehension. So many Bad Things (tm) to
deal with. "I will watch for her, Zach. I will _try_. Given this
information, perhaps... I can find a way to reach her."

Hachilah looks doubtful, though.

You say, "Look, you have to be /really/ careful with what you say to her.
If you mention any of this she'll probably be off like greased lightning.
She is a fighter, a warrior soul. What we gotta do, is give her a fighting
chance. She was quite displeased when I told her there had been people
picking on you and giving you a hard time. She and I have concocted a plan
to punish Traci a bit. I will work hard to earn her trust, but not get so
close to her that she feels the need to run away. You should get books on
exorcism, read them and make sure she sees you reading them."

Hachilah blinks. She pauses thoughtfully. She looks at Zach. "I will take
care not to indicate that we have spoken. I will not mention... Traci. I
can easily obtain books on exorcism, and I am fully capable of reading
them in her presence." She pauses and smiles softly at Zach. "It is good
to know that she is a friend, Zach. Very good to know."

Zach nods and smiles. "Don't mention the 'evil ghost' thing either. You
need to get /her/ to ask the quiestions. However - you might get some
response from her if you mention /your/ problems with Traci and the
professor." He pauses and then adds: "But be careful around her
nonetheless. If she is the host of a Corruptor, she might try to hurt you
- against her own will."

Hachilah's smile widens. "You need not worry about me. I can take care of
myself." She grins and pats Zach's cheek affectionately. "_You_, on the
other hand. Taking Celestial form, and leaving yourself vulnerable as
such!" She seems to have gone into stern Seraphic mode, and quite
naturally too. Her grin fades. "It leaves me utterly weak when I think
about it." She regards Zach with increasing seriousness.

Zach doesn't quite know what to say except stating the obvious: "I'm a
malakite."

Hachilah looks away. She grips Zach tightly. "I've never had to suffer...
the loss of a loved one. Please. I've just never really considered that it
could _happen_."

Hachilah snuggles, possibly permanently, unless otherwise diverted. :)

Zach's eyes soften and he pulls her close and tight. "I know, child. I
know... Do you want to stay for the night?"

Hachilah glances upward and smiles. She tickles Zach playfully. "I
certainly do!"

The current time in Kansas City is 11:23 PM, Sun Sep 08, 2002.

Zach snugs her and proceeds to make them both comfortable for the next few
hours.