Logfile from Brass&Steel.

Huron Park

	Walkways lead through a large, well-manicured lawn of grass,
dotted with trees and small monuments. As if the huge, carved stone sign
labeling this 'Huron Indian Cemetary' didn't give a clue that this was
not the local pauper's graveyard, the fact that many markers have U.S.
Department of the Interior or Bureau of Indian Affairs plaques attached
might provide that hint.
	At one end of the park, near to the civic buildings, a rose
garden is beautifully maintained, with sufficient surfaces for purchasing
that many come here during the lunchtime hour to recuperate from the
hustle and bustle. A recent renovation, dated August of 2000, is a series
of plaques at the edge of the rose garden, detailing the entire history
of the park and burial grounds.


It is cold in Kaycee today, bitterly cold. The sun is shining, but the
wind sweeping leisurly down from the north and west seeps all of her
warmth away. What little warmth there is in the pale winter sun anyway.
Sitting alone on a bench by the duckpond is a man all in black. He seems
completely oblivious to the cold, much unlike the resident ducks and
swans who huddle on dry land, all poofed up like feathery balloons. The
man is sitting utterly still, not moving a muscle. The only thing that
speakes of him being still alive, is his frost breath.

Another man in black enters. Heavy leather coat pulled tight around him,
the hem of it flutters as he walks. The hint of a dark suit just above
his loafers. A fedora sits atop his head, tilted downward as if to shield
his face from the icey wind. His hands are in his pockets, though he
doesn't hunch forward as some might. He walks toward the man on the
bench. "I thought you might be here, brother."

	Not a particularly tall man, perhaps five and a half feet or so
in height. Dark hair cut neatly, going to grey at the sides and
indicating he is perhaps in his later thirties or early forties. Wrinkles
at the corners of his brown eyes also indicate his age. His thin, sharp
face gives him a serious demeanor. He is clean shaven, without a touch of
facial hair. There is a faint scar in the cleft of his chin.

	 He wears a suit. It is a simple, conservative cut. The suit is
black, white shirt and a black tie. The clothes fit well on his trim
form. Black wingtips complete the look. The cufflinks are silver with
obsidians.

Zach stirs and moves his head a couple of inches around, to glance up at
the newcomer. A perceptive eye might detect a faint shiver running
through him. Where his smile should have been, the thin line of his
closed mouth resides. Where the sparkle in his eyes should be, guarded
pain lurks. "Kosimeo," he acknowledges.

A slight frown forms. "I take it that Harriet did not give me the full
details of her initiation." It is clear to Cosmo that something is wrong.
He puts a hand on the other man's shoulder, and tilts his head to the
side. "What is wrong?"

Zach tenses and his jawmuscles work slowly like he's gnashing his teeth.
A new shiver run through him. "What /did/ she tell you?" he asks, voice
toneless.

Ada enters the park.

Removing his gloved hand from Zach's shoulder, Cosmo replies, "That you
managed to contact your father. And that some people attempted to shoot
him. And that Someone showed up, but that she did not find out who." He
stands talking with Zach near the duckpond, in very quite tones.

Ada saunters into the park through the main entrance, humming and dancing
a little.

Zach is sitting alone on a bench by the central duckpond. It's quite cold
in spite of the sunshine, and the wind is just making it worse. Next to
him, Cosmo stands. It seems he's trying to talk to the sitting pillar of
black salt more commonly known as Zach.

Ada dances herself toward the duckpond, the wind whisking at her
broomstick skirt.

Cosmo senses "Zach's frown deepens and he closes his eyes to hide the
pain. His hands tighten to fists, but remain resting in his lap. If such
a term as "resting" may be used. Probably not, considering the tenseness
of the man. "It was very nearly a complete disaster. The fact that it
ended well was not thanks to me. I nearly got them all killed.""

Cosmo takes a seat beside the younger man. He puts his hand on his
shoulder. He stays quiet for a moment, letting out a slow breath that
fogs the air. He catches sight of the young woman dancing her way toward
them. A bit cold for such attire. He leans over and whispers to Zach.

You sense Cosmo keeps his voice quiet, "Do you honestly think there is
something you could have done differently? I was not there, so I do not
know."

Zach's nostrils flare and he stiffens reflexivly when the other man comes
so close to him. Then he forcibly relaxes, just a bit, and shifts a
little on the bench as if he's sitting uncomfortably. He hardly moves his
lips as he murmurs an emphatic answer to Cosmo.

Ada stops dancing and starts walking over, humming an indistinct tune
that doesn't really seem to have any formal structure. Clasping her hands
behind her back, she walks up behind the bench.

You whisper "Yes! I could have used my fucking brain! They wouldn't have
attacked if I hadn't blown all that Essence when I called for my
Archangel." to Cosmo.

AutoJudge:  Cosmo rolls: 6 + 2 = 8 . Check die: 2

<OOC> Cosmo was rollign to see if he would notice someone approaching
from behind.

Cosmo turns slightly on the bench, putting the conversation on hold for a
moment. He gets a better look at the young woman he happened to notice
earlier. "Hello. Can I help you?"

AutoJudge:  Zach rolls: 3 + 6 = 9 . Check die: 2

<OOC> Zach sensed nuffink!

Zach stills as Cosmo adresses a person behind the bench. He doesn't turn,
just continue staring at the duckless pond without really seeing it.

Ada smiles half-heartedly. "I wanted to talk to Zach. He wasn't at his
apartment, so I thought I'd try here."

Cosmo gives her another once over, then nods. "Well, here he is." He
folds his hands into his pockets and waits introductions.

Zach closes his eyes upon recognizing that voice. He inhales sofly and
makes a mighty effort to pull himself together, then turns to look at
her. He smiles weakly. "Hey there, hon. This is Cosmo Willingham, a
friend of mine. Cosmo, this is Ada Lovelace."

You say, "Whazzup?"

Ada smiles and presents her hand to Cosmo. "I've seen you about town, and
Zach's mentioned you. It's good to finally meet you."

Cosmo removes a gloved hand from his pocket and offers it to Ada. He
shakes, giving a firm squeeze. "A pleasure then, Ada. Would you care to
have a seat?"

Ada smiles. "Thank you. Zach... how art?"

Zach moves a little to make space for Ada. Unnecessarily, since there's
plenty of space already. "So-so," he answers with a shrug. "Still have
stuff to sort out. You?"

Cosmo wathes Ada take a seat. He isn't sure exactly what the relationship
is here, so he adopts a gentleman's smile that is as close to a neutral
expression as possible.

Ada says, "I'm... better." She ducks her head. "I ... talked to Father.""

Zach raises his eyebrows at that. "You did? Oh... And what.." He stops,
eyes flickering toward Cosmo. Wary. "How did that go, sweetie?"

Cosmo just raises a single brow at Zach, but says nothing else. A slight
shrug as if to say, 'you know us both'. He seems willing to trust the
other man's judgement.

Ada climbs up to sit on the back of the bench. "He ..." She blushes. "He
said that what I do is my own business. That he's not supposed to tell me
what to do, just... to tell Ojii-sama what I *did* do."

Zach's eyebrows climb even higher. "Oh." Again he glances from Ada to
Cosmo, giving a slight frown. He ponders, then his frown deepens as
things start getting clearer to him. "/Oh/...." he repeats, sucking in
his breath. The ruthless, sneaky, b.... Oops! Careful with those
thoughts, Zach. "And..uh.." He gives up the search for words and tries a
different route. "You know how Hachilah is my sister, Ada?" he asks.

Ada blinks quietly. "In a vague, twisty sort of way."

Zach nods in Cosmo's direction. "Cosmo here is my brother, in just about
the same way...."

Ada brightens considerably. "Well. In that case, it's doubly a pleasure,
sir."

Cosmo turns slightly toward Ada, looking up at her as she sits atop the
back of the bench. He gives her a faint smile. "Ahh, now I recall Zach
mentioning you. It is wonderful to meet you indeed. And please, call me
Cosmo." Despite the suit, he doesn't go for the 'sir' crap.

Ada is about 5 feet, 8 inches tall, with hair dyed all the colors of the
rainbow that hangs to her shoulders, and blue eyes. She looks to be in
her late teens or early twenties; her body is slender without being
skinny, her curves understated, her fingers long and tapered. Her skin is
pale, her lips a light pink, and her nose curves upward ever so slightly.

She is dressed in a white t-shirt, without a logo or brand, tucked into a
brown-and-black broomstick skirt. Her multicolored hair is caught up in a
short ponytail, and her wristwatch is matched by a silver bracelet on the
other wrist. She wears woven sandals, dyed the same color as the skirt.
Small round wire-rimmed glasses obscure her eyes.

Ada smiles. "Thank you. And I'll try to remember." She ruffles Zach's
hair.

Zach breathes out quietly and watches as Ada and Cosmo say hello. As Ada
touches him, he flinches and reflexivly tilts his head away.

Ada shrinks slightly. "I'm not going to hurt you."

Cosmo watches Zach pull away. His brow knitting a bit. "Perhaps you too
need some time alone?" He doesn't seem offended, though Zach's behavior
is definitely odd.

Ada shakes her head. "I'm sure Zach told you about what happened?"

Zach shrugs. "He knows most of it. Harriet told him."

"Zach, such things are always Noisey. Perhaps you did go a little
overboard, but none of ours was harmed." Cosmo pauses. That's ultimately
the important thing; the results. "Unless there is more to it then that."

"None of ours were harmed?" Zach echoes incredulously. "Several of the
kids were probably traumatized and I got my Archangel shot!"

"Oh come on, Archangels can't be killed by something that lame. That
would be like a pair of thirteen year olds coming at me with
butterknives. As for the kids seeing some fighting? So what?" Cosmo
sounds adamant. As only his kind can. "Trauma is what some of the
children went through in the second world war, when the Nazis were
putting them into gas chambers. And even those children, some of them
went on to lead incredibly bright lives. Not to sound like Stone, but
sometimes adversity /does/ make one better. Give them some credit for
God's sake."

Ada nods, Cosmo having beaten her to her point.

Zach takes a swift, hissing breath and is about to spit some answer back
at Cosmo, but his mind is just that little bit quicker and he shuts him
mouth with an audible snap. His eyes go dark and there's anger lurking in
them. Anger and ... what? Uncertainty? Pain? Withdrawal? Again there is a
tensing of his body, and then a shiver. "You are probably right, he
answers stiffly."

<OOC> Zach says, "Now let's see how he does on an Emote.."

AutoJudge:  Zach rolls: 6 + 6 = 12 . Check die: 1

<OOC> Zach says, "Not well...."

Cosmo stands up then. He takes off his hat and hands it to Ada. "Here.
Hold this for me." He undoes his coat as well and slips out of the
leather. He passes that toward Ada as well. Next comes the suit coat and
then the tie.

There are volumes left unspoken, that much is obvious from Zach's current
look.

Ada takes the hat and assorted clothing, with an odd look on her face.

<OOC> Ada argh. Is going to need to go soon.

<OOC> Zach says, "Aw.. *hug*"

<OOC> Ada snug!

"Come on, stand up. You're angry, at yourself obviously. But I don't have
time for mollycoddling. I need you to have your shit together. Harriet
needs you to have your shit together. So does Ada, and so does this city
and so does Eli. If you need to vent some frustration, let's go. I could
use the practice, so it seems like a fair deal to me." Cosmo is hoping
that maybe he can shock Zach out of it. That, or he's aggravated too.

Ada eep!

Ada is obviously troubled by this - as much is evident in her expression
- but she does nothing to intervene, and will watch with interest.

Zach is now making a full retreat to oysterhood. He is totally clamming
up and sits straight and stiff like a Preussian officer. The he rises
just as stiffly, standing in front of Cosmo. "You want to fight me. Well,
I guess practice is a good thing." He doesn't bother losing the jacket,
just shakes his shoulders a bit and measures Cosmo with his eyes.

<OOC> Ada waves! Good night! Sorry this was so short! :(

<OOC> Cosmo says, "Nice to meet you."

<OOC> Zach says, "Good night! :)"

Ada has disconnected.

<OOC> Zach will let Cosmo start, regardless of Agility.

Cosmo shakes his head. "I don't /want/ to fight you. But if I have to
take a few punches to get you to relieve some stress, it seems a fair
price." He takes a step back then and drops into a loose posture and
starts to circle. You'd think some B-grade movie was being made. "But
there's a condition. I win...and you tell me what's eating you that you
don't want to tell me."

Zach follows Cosmo's every move, turning and stepping slowly to not lose
track and maintain his equilibrium. He moves with the grace of a seasoned
street fighter, much as you could expect from someone with his
background. "Deal."

Ada frowns and apparantly decides she's not up for this. She puts Cosmo's
clothes down on the bench and quietly and unassumingly slinks away.

Cosmo hesitates just a moment. Then he rushes toward Zach. Already
shorter, he lowers his shoulder aiming it for Zach's gut, head down to
ward off a knock-out blow. It's not exactly finesse, but if Cosmo can get
him down on the ground...

AutoJudge:  Cosmo rolls: 3 + 5 = 8 . Check die: 3

<OOC> Zach says, "Dodge + Agility"

<OOC> Cosmo failed the roll.

<OOC> Zach says, "?!?"

<OOC> Cosmo says, "my TN was only 6."

Zach sees him coming and calmly takes one step aside, allowing Cosmo to
barrel past him. He turns and waits for Cosmo's next trick.

<OOC> Zach says, "Mine is 14... <:)"

<OOC> Zach says, "But - if you've specialized in some agility-based budo
thing, I'm okay with you using Fight+Ag! :)"

Cosmo frowns slightly as he rushes passed. He does need the practice. He
wheels, almost slipping so he pauses to kick off the loafers. He eyes
Zach again, and rushes once more, coming to a halt short of him and
dropping down to try to sweep Zach's legs this time.

<OOC> Cosmo says, "Nah."

AutoJudge:  Cosmo rolls: 3 + 5 = 8 . Check die: 5

<OOC> Cosmo arghs. :P

Zach has bloody had enough of this, as he's in no mood to play. He jumps
up, tilts backwards and falls on top of Cosmo delivering an elbow smash.
It's wrasslin' time!

AutoJudge:  Zach rolls: 4 + 6 = 10 . Check die: 6

<OOC> Zach says, "That's a CD 8, you may Dodge. <:)"

AutoJudge:  Cosmo rolls: 2 + 3 = 5 . Check die: 4

Cosmo rolls in the dirt, just in time to avoid the elbow smash coming
down on his sternum and knocking the wind out of him. He stops halfway
through the roll, coming up on hands and knees. He pivots toward Zach and
launches forward, trying to get atop him and totally disregarding what he
does to his suit.

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

<OOC> Zach says, "Hrm... You avoid most of the smash, but take 3 subdual
body hits. (Dodge removes damage, unless I'm mistaken.)"

<OOC> Zach says, "My Dodge"

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

<OOC> Cosmo says, "Oopsie. That's right."

<OOC> Zach says, "TN 13 -> CD 6"

Zach is very, very quick and smoothly rolls away from Cosmo's onslaught.
Then, jumping to his feet, he launches a kick straight at Cosmo's
kidneys.

AutoJudge:  Zach rolls: 6 + 4 = 10 . Check die: 3

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

<OOC> Zach says, "Modified CD 5"

<OOC> Zach says, "You're clear! :)"

<OOC> Cosmo says, "No damage at all then?"

<OOC> Zach nods.

Sensing the kick just in time, Cosmo follows through with the lunge,
tumbling forward in a roll that brings him up into a crouch, turned
halfway from Zach. He grins and spins around launching upward to try to
grab Zach's shirt by the collar in a cross-armed grab.

AutoJudge:  Cosmo rolls: 2 + 4 = 6 . Check die: 1

<OOC> Cosmo says, "TN of 6."

Zach merely grimaces, sidesteps into a low crouch, swiping out with his
foot to kick the legs out from under Cosmo.

<OOC> Zach says, "Dodge, then attack"

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

AutoJudge:  Zach rolls: 1 + 3 = 4 . Check die: 4

AutoJudge:  Cosmo rolls: 4 + 3 = 7 . Check die: 2

<OOC> Zach says, "There's a -2 Power on Kicks, and -3 Power on punches.
+1 Power for Strenght 9+, +1 Power for Fighting 5+."

<OOC> Cosmo says, "Hms. TN is 9. so..."

<OOC> Zach says, "I think you fall? Or?"

<OOC> Zach says, "Dang! Mod. CD 6!! Sorry :("

Cosmo tries to sidestep, but the kick catches him on the knee and his
legs fold up, throwing him onto the ground. He immediately rolls onto his
back though, ready for the next attack. His shirt is a mass of dirt and
grass stains and the knees are already out of his suit pants.

Zach descends upon the seemingly prone Cosmo with every intention of
wrestling him to a defeat. He goes for full body contact, trying to get a
grip on Cosmo and roll him over.

<OOC> Zach says, "Not going to damage."

AutoJudge:  Zach rolls: 6 + 6 = 12 . Check die: 4

<OOC> Zach says, "Mod. CD6 again."

AutoJudge:  Cosmo rolls: 1 + 6 = 7 . Check die: 3

Cosmo manages to pull his legs and arms up into the guard position, his
knees nearly against his chest. Zach still gets atop him of course, but
it's difficult to get a good grip with the compact target Cosmo presents.
"I have you where I want you." He grunts out as he feels hands gripping
him.

Zach just grunts in response, now hell-bent on getting Cosmo rolled over.
He grabs a leg and a shoulder and hauls... Or tries to anyway.

AutoJudge:  Zach rolls: 3 + 2 = 5 . Check die: 5

<OOC> Zach says, "CD7"

AutoJudge:  Cosmo rolls: 2 + 3 = 5 . Check die: 4

Cosmo fights, keeping balled up and pushing back with his legs to keep
from being rolled. At the same time, he's struggling to try to get his
hands on Zach's collar, his arms crossed into an 'x' at the forearm.
AutoJudge:  Cosmo rolls: 3 + 6 = 9 . Check die: 1

<OOC> Cosmo can't get a grip, dammit. :) Zach's gonna whoop me.

Zach just shrugs the attempt off and tries to secure his grip on Cosmo.
He slides over him, grabs him by his right knee and left arm, then rise
to throw his dear brother into the duckpond in one swift movement.

<OOC> Zach says, "Here goes...."

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

<OOC> Zach says, "CD 7 again. :)"

<OOC> Zach says, "And I'm strong enough to lift you, Str. 9"

Cosmo eyes widen a bit as he is lifted into the air. He knows this isn't
his forte'. Knew it going in. Doesn't make it any less embarassing when
he hears the splash of the duckpond and feels himself crash intot he
water.

Zach stands up straight, watching as Cosmo flies through the air and
then...gets wet. He sighs heavily as the resident ducks object loudly to
having their pond disturbed. Even if they aren't actually in it just now.
He glances around, noting that there are people staring. And one's got a
cell phone... "Hot damn! That's all we need. Get outta the pond bro, I
think someone's about to call the cops! I won."

Cosmo stands up out of the water. He looks like, well, a business man
who's just been mugged and dumped in the water. He runs a hand down his
face and doesn't bother shaking off. "Grab my coat, will you? I don't
want to ruin it." He climbs out of the water and points toward the
entrance, "My car is over there."

Zach grabs Cosmo's coat, suitcoat, tie and hat and legs it in the pointed
direction.

"Keys!" Cosmo hollers, starting to grin like a maniac as he dashes toward
the car. "Left coat pocket." He informs his brother.

Zach flashes a smile at a stunned bystander as he zips past with a load
of clothes in his arms and a hollering, wet and dirty business man after
him. As he nears the car, he fishes for keys. Gets keys, unlocks door,
slides in, curses as Cosmo's seat is WAY too close to pedals, starts the
ignition while trying to move the blasted seat.

Cosmo jumps in the backseat. "Go, go!" He says already pealing out of his
wet clothes. He keeps a spare suit in the car for 'emergencies'. He's
starting to chuckle a little at the absurdity of it all. The
bystanders...well, they aren't sure /what/ to think.

Zach slams the door shut and guns the engine that roars to life, then
manouvres the car out of there and toward his place. Or rather, to a back
alley in the vincinity of his place.

VRRROOOOOOOOM!

<OOC> Cosmo chuckles. Want to just skip to your place?

<OOC> Zach nods. Let's go. :)

You head out of the park.

Upstairs Flat -- 789 Minnesota -- Downtown -- KCK(#321Rhng)
	
You see a tiny flat laid out before you. It's a cosy little place painted
in bright and lively colors; yellow and green being prominent. On one
wall hangs a tie-dye poster of Che Guevarra looking his usual heroic
self. Underneath the poster stands the combined bed and couch. It is far
from new, but covered in a bright red blanket. A small coffee table
stands in fromt of it. In the corner to the left of the couch rests a
guitar case, covered with stickers from all over the world. In the other
corner stands a big toolbox.
	Next to the window stands a small warderobe freshly painted like
a rainbow, and a fridge. To the right of the entrance a door leads into a
closet sized bathroom. Next to the bathroom there's a small nook with a
3' working bench with a sink and cupboards above and below and a cooking
stove. The window has five pots of healthy-looking plantlife residing in
it.

In the place of honour, between the happy, green plants in the window
there is a certain statuette; a sculpture of a phoenix, half wreathed in
flames, it's head tilted back in a wild song. It's glazed in all the
colors of fire, and the lower half of the bird is almost obscured in
flame.


Zach ushers Cosmo inside and drop the clothes on one of the chairs. He
slams the door shut and leans on it, eyeing Cosmo. "There will be no
silly buggers in here, is that clear?" he asks with a raised eyebrow.

Cosmo looks at Zach straight faced, adjusting his tie now that he is
dressed again. "Silly buggers? And whatever you say." He grabs his
suitcoat and slides back into it. Except for the wet hair, he looks like
he's just gotten ready for work. "Might I have some water? The duck pond
didn't taste very good."

Zach stalks over to his fridge and gets out a bottle of water, handing it
over to Cosmo. "Here you go. Want a proper drink as well? It's better for
exorcising the taste of duckpond.."

Cosmo grins wryly. He takes a long drink of the clean water. "No, no.
This is fine. Mind if I have a seat?" He gestures toward the couch.

"Make yourself at home," Zach says quietly and remains standing. He
studies Cosmo closely. When his guest had seated himself, he crosses his
arms over his chest and goes stern. "What you just did was very
dangerous, mostly to your role, brother. I am grateful and appreciative
for the consern that prompted it, but don't do that again. It's quite
enough with one idiot malakite in town." He pauses. "Want anything to
eat? I have cake."

"Cake will be fine." Cosmo replies. He accepts the stern judgement. "I'm
worried about you. I'm worried about Brynn. I'm worried over Roger.
Harriet is practically the only person I'm not presently concerned over."
He drinks more water, then lets out a sign.

Zach reopened the fridge and brings out half a chocholate cake. Well,
actually... As he serves a big piece of it to Cosmo on a plate, it turns
out to be chockolate with a little bit of cake in it. Rich is just the
first letter to describe this bomb. "Well, /you're/ the only one /I'm/
not presently concerned over. But I hope Eli at least managed to make
Fleurity's worms back off a bit and calm down. For a while anyway."

Zach sits down and takes a good look at his own piece of cake, noting
that it isn't looking back at him. Nor does it respond to being prodded
by a fork. Good. And then, a faint shiver goes through him again and he
looks pained.

Cosmo takes his fork and spears a bite of cake. He chews it thoughtfuly.
"Ahhh...Fleurity's worms?" He inquires while taking another drink of
water. He sounds curious, not questionining. Giving Zach time to tell
what he can.

Zach nods glumly. "The ones who attacked us came from..." He pauses to
compose himself, eyes blazing angrily. "They came from the Langell
House... Drugs' Tether. Creation's lost sanctuary..."

Cosmo ahhs and nods at that. He takes another bite of the cake. It is
very good after all. "I see. That explains a great deal. Or a portion of
things anyway." He studies the cake for a moment. Pondering silently.
"There is so much to be done."

Zach puts his plate with cake on the table. He doesn't want it, he just
realized. Getting up, he starts to pace on what little floor there is to
pace on, hands clenching and unclenching. He rubs his upper arms with his
hands at one point, then stops by the windowsill with the plants on.
Tense. Untense. Shiver. "Kosimeo..." he says quietly.

Cosmo stands up, leaving his cake where it is. He walks up and puts both
hands on Zach's shoulders. "What is Zach?" He stands there quietly.
Waiting.

You say, "I've a hurt on my Soul..."

Cosmo is quiet for a long time. Just absorbing it. "What happened?" He
asks patiently.

Zach stands straight, shouldering his shame and squaring his jaw. "Prime
Oath. I suffered and Evil to live. By my own choice."

You say, "I let him go unchallenged."

Cosmo winces, sucking in a breath. "Tell me about the situation, Zach.
What happened specifically?" Part of him is repulsed. But he knows
intellectually there are times when any decision is a bad one. "This can
be fixed, healed."

Zach tenses, and shuts his eyes as he remembers. Not that it's hard to
recall the images. And the Voice. It's been inside his head, snickering,
mocking softly ever since that night, after all. "The Evil in question
was the Prince of Lies himself."

Cosmo works his jaw silently, up and down. That's...well, that's
something else, isn't it? "I..." He doesn't know what to say. He has no
idea how he would react in that situation. He hopes he would go out
swinging, but... Finally, he regains some composure. "We may not be able
to kill him to rectify the situation, but I can talk to the Seneschal at
Bo Lings, you can work this off."

Zach nods slowly. "That may be a solution. I will be taking up new Oaths
too, but not to get rid of this hurt. They're to remind me of a few
things I forgot that night." He sighs then and turns around. "Brynn was
there too, but I don't think she got hurt. I didn't give her a choice
when I literally carried her away at top speed, kicking and hissing."

"Good. I know it it stung like a dagger, but you did the right thing,
Zach. If the two of you had faced him down, I'd be alone with two
soldiers and a city full of demons to deal with. /That/ would have been a
greater evil." Cosmo is gathering himself. He doesn't know what he would
have done. But he pushes that aside. "I am certain the Seneschal will
understand in this matter, and he'll be glad for the help."

"I had to protect her. I'm bound to it, and there's the other Prime Oath
where we don't get to be caught by Lucifer and his forces... I have
never, ever been so mortally afraid before in my entire existence." His
face is dark with unhappiness. "The chain's grown barbs and razorblades,
I feel it constantly cutting and tearing in my soul. But I will
persevere. I've been hurt worse before and managed to work my way out of
it." Another pause, then, "I need a favour, and it might not be yours to
give. But - there's an impudite named Nathaniel working out of the
Langell House. Eli ordered me not to touch him, as he wants him back in
the fold. If you meet him, will you go easy on him, brother?"

"I have felt the pain before, Zach. I've been in similar situations, so I
do understand how it hurts your soul." Cosmo can sympathize with being
torn between two oaths. He has been there. "As for this impudite...if Eli
believes he is a candidate to redeem, then I have standing orders to
facilitate that. I will go easy on him. I trust this protection does not
extend to Sarah and Cristobal, however."

"He didn't mention 'em," Zach answers wryly. "Nathaniel was one of ours,
Eli still has hope and issued an order before he left. I had to pry Brynn
off Nathe afterwards, and that's when ..../he/... came. I guess he
enjoyed watching two malakim fight over a demon, one wanting to kill it
the other trying to protect it..."

Zach sighs and meets Cosmo's eyes. "Look, I have some things to take care
of. I will come by the Tether this weekend, ok?"

Cosmo gives a nod, then gives Zach a pat on his shoulder. "I understand.
I'll call the Seneschal ahead of time."

<OOC> Cosmo says, "You're welcome. Thank you. :)"

Cosmo vanishes to the ooc areas.

Cosmo has left