Logfile from brass. It is a fine day in KC, with a bright, shining sun warming the streets. Along the sidewalk, Zach ambles lazily. He seems lost in thought. Roger is also out and about today, well out at least. He's sitting one a bench reading the paper and shaking his head over the news of the recent murder in Swope Park. 18th and Oak - Downtown A downtown intersection undergoing a new renaissance, with newly renovated lofts, townhouses, and storefronts stretching a few blocks in every direction, as the current generation of downtown yuppies rush hither, thither, and yon. The upside of this is that the culture here is one of economics, not ethnicity, and no one race or religion dominates this little section of the downtown urban grid. Because this *is* downtown, and more to the point a slice of downtown where people live as well as work, it is highly active at all hours, and the fact that a Kansas City Police Deparment patrol car passes through here every 10 minutes or so should indicate just how seriously the city council takes the renovation of this area. Contents: Roger(#775PXcJn) Dexter Transit Bus Obvious exits: North on Oak South on Oak East on 18th Dexter is dressed to the nines, having just stepped out of one of those park-and-ride-type shuttles, clearly coming from some business meeting. He starts to walk down the block to the carlot. Zach is distracted to the point of not noticing Dexter until he nearly bumps into the man. "Ooops!" Sidestep. "Oh, hi Martin. Didn't see you there. How goes?" The dressed-to-the-threes one smiles warmly in greeting. Roger turns the page in his newspaper and reachs for his cup of coffee. He takes a sip and then folds the paper down and tucks it under his arm as he stands. Dexter says, "Oh, alright, I suppose," to the taller man. "Just heading home after a long day of sitting in on meetings in two counties and five cities. You?" Zach chuckles. "Me, I'm just off from a double shift of towing and fixing various vehicles. I needed to take a stroll to get some kinks outta my back." He scans the area, and does a double-take at seeing Roger. "Hey, ain't that Roger over there?" A hand comes up to wave in Roger's direction. Roger looks over as he catchs the wave and smiles. He wanders over to Zach and Dexter "Afternoon Zach." He glances at Dexter "Umm, Dexter right?" Dexter frowns at the coincidence, and nods. "Yes. It's been a while, Sergeant Freeman. I'm told things are slowly improving for you?" His tone is neutral, clearly deliberately so. Zach keeps quiet and lets the other men talk. Roger nods at Dexter "Oh it's going pretty well. I'm currently taking some classes at the U." If he's noticed Dexter's tone he's not letting on." Dexter nods. "Well, good for you," he adds. Then, back to Zach. "I'm sorry, were you two heading somewhere?" Roger shakes his head "I was just out reading the paper." He glances at Dexter's suit "Going out to a fancy dinner?" Zach shakes his head and shrugs. "I'm just taking a stroll is all. If you've got places to be and dinner to eat, don't lemme keep you," he offers smilingly. Dexter says, "No. I spent the day in city and county meetings." He shrugs. "I'm about to head home, actually." Roger nods "Well, hope you didn't get too bored in the meetings." He turns to Zach "Say, any word on what we talked about the other day at Harriets? Zach nods and stuffs his hands into his pockets, "Well, it was good seeing you again, Martin. Enjoy your dinner, be cool," he nods in parting. Dexter returns the inclination of the head. "Evenin' to you both." And with that, he turns on his way. Roger nods "Catch you around Dexter." Zach shakes his head at Roger, "No, sorry. I've been out of town for a stretch again, but I ought to be able to get to it some time this week." Dexter heads south on Oak. Dexter has left. Roger looks a little disapointed "Oh well, soon hopefuly. Zach nods and voices an agreement, "Yeay, soon. So -- what're you been up to lately? Still studying?" Roger nods "Yep, classes are going well. How about you? I hear Harriet's taken up metalwork." You say, "Yeah, she is. We're working on getting a new place - with room for bigger studios, a small smithy and workshops and stuff." Roger grins "I doubt you'll find anything like that in the city. Are you planing on taking it out to the burbs?" Zach shakes his head. "Nope, more like getting an old warehous and do some serious redecorations." Roger ah's "Well that makes sense. Anyways, what have you been up too lately?" "Been outta town, on business and since then I've been swamped in normal work. Those out-of-town stints leave me with a lot of catching-up," Zach admits wryly. Roger says, "Where do you go out of town if you don't mind me asking?"" You say, "Oh, hither, thither and yon. Depends on where I'm called. Usually it is to do repairs and tweaks and whatnots on my friends' vehicles." Roger nods "Don't you ever get tired of it? Or do you at least show them how to fix the problem? Zach laughs. "Of course I don't get tired of it, Roge. Fixing stuff is what I -do-. I'm a support guy, and besides, when these friends call on me, the work that needs be done is usually extensive." Roger grins "But what about the saying about teaching a man to fish...if you keep doing the work for them they'll never learn how to fix themselves." You say, "If everyone were expert mechanics, there'd be prescious few letf to do other work." Roger says, "Well true and if you enjoy doing it..." he shrugs and smiles, admiting "I'm not much of a car person honstly."" Zach smiles and nods, "And so it is with most people. There are far more who enjoy driving cars, than who enjoy tinkering with them. So, anyway - have you heard anything on the copper grapevine about what went down in Swope?" Roger shakes his head "Just what I read in the paper. I'll ask around." He glances around and says quietly "Do you think it was a celestial thing? Or just humans?" You say, "Probably human. Most things are." Roger nods "Well I hope they're caught. God those poor kids." Zach shrugs his shoulders to losen them up a bit. "No argument there, pal. It was a nasty piece of business. Downright assasination, if the papers are to be believed." Roger nods "Yeah, they said it was nastier then a normal killing...whatever a normal killing is/" Zach starts walking again, motioning for Roger to tag along. "Mhm. Well, KC'sa big city and as such, it will have the big city problems. *sigh* So, I hear you've been in contact with Ruby?" he says quietly. Roger follows along and nods "Yeah, we've been talking." He grins slightly "Expecialy as her appartment is practicly next to mine." Zach ahs and smiles, "I wasn't aware that's where you live. So, has she talked to you about her plans yet?" Roger nods "About the orphanage yes. I told her I was very interested in working with her. You say, "Excellent. She's going to need as much help as she can possibly get. I'll be volunteering some time too, to teach and tinker." Roger smiles "Glad to hear it. She also mentioned Cosmo was helping." Zach nods. "It's a great opportunity, though I'm concerned for ehr safety. Her old masters will not leave this alone, as soon as they find out." Roger makes a face "Yeah, I can just imanage. Is she getting a new vessel at least." Bazil emerges along 18th from the east. Bazil says, "Hey. Any chance I can join?" Zach nods to Roger. Roger says, "sure, but I'm taking off in 10 minutes." Zach sighs and shakes his head. "She wants to use her role for what it's worth. I'm not too happy about it, but it's all up to her Boss," he murmurs quietly. Roger nods and sighs softly "Well I can only hope we can keep her safe." Zach and Roger are strolling along the sidewalk at a lazy pace, chatting quietly. Bazil jogs down one side of the street, clearly sweating. He's not in the business suit of his desc; rather a sensible sweatsuit and sweatpants, although he still wears the belt and rings- and, of course, sneakers instead of dress shoes. You say, "Not to mention the kids. Those are the ones I worry the most about." Roger winces and nods "The words sitting targets come to mind." He looks at his watch and sighs "Well I need to take off I'm afraid. It was nice talking to you Zach." Zach smiles and gives Roger a manly hug in parting. "Was good seeing you again too, Roger. Be cool!" Bazil blinks as he heads down the road, and notices Zach. A smile comes over the tall architect's face, and he gives a wave of his own. "Zach!" he calls out, not too winded from his jogging. "Hello!" Zach turns to look for the caller, then grins as he sees Bazil. "Oh hey there, Baz! Training for the Olympics?" Bazil shakes his head. "No, just keeping in shape. At my age, it's a pressing concern! Zach snickers. "I bet. I suppose I should start concerning myself with healthy living, too. But there's just too much fun with -living- to really bother with the healthy part." Bazil chuckles and cracks his knuckles. "I remember those days." He looks around for a moment and says, calmly, but quietly, "Perhaps we should talk about other days, and other things elsewhere? Has Harriet told you about our meeting?" Zach shakes his head. "Nope, she hasn't. Haven't seen her since Sunday, actually. Where you wanna go?" Bazil shrugs a bit. "Park? A house? Just... a few things to say, and many to ask." Zach hms. "Well, Club Bluebird is down yonder way," he points with his thumb. "We cen get a private table there, I think." Zach pings too. AutoJudge: Zach rolls: 5 + 1 = 6 . Check die: 1 Bazil says, "And I should do the same, despite your Wall of Protection. :)" AutoJudge: Bazil rolls: 4 + 3 = 7 . Check die: 5 Bazil says, "Heh. I suppose you have a Role I need to beat as well?" Bazil pages: Most ignoble in the last week- not moving fast enough last night to protect humans from harm. AutoJudge: Bazil rolls: 2 + 2 = 4 . Check die: 2 Bazil chuckles. "Unless it's a 2 or less, all I get is mortal. Of course, I already know you're a celestial. :)" Bazil nods amiably. "Very well. Let us do so, Virtue," he says calmly as he begins to head in the direction Zach pointed. You paged Bazil with 'Level 3: Most people call him Zach or Ellis. He comes from Winner, SD. He is a consumate mechanic and loves to tinker with all sorts of machinery. Zach also loves music and people - ecpacially those wonderful people called women. Level 4: Through his job he maintains many relationships with truckers, bikers, pilots, garage owners, etc. He also keeps a number of females happy. All these people are spread all over North America. In KC he is currently in a serious relationship with Harriet Davis, a local artist. Level 5: Most of these relationships are quite superficial, but he does care a great deal about his girlfriends. Especially Harriet. A few of the other associates of his he meets semi-regularly around the country. He also feels strongly protective of a street waif in KC called Hachilah, and another one named Goldie. Cares a great deal for Duke (J. Marmaduke Escher) as he was an old, dear friend of his dad's.'. Zach raises his eyebrow slightly, and leads the way. And walks pretty close to Bazil, like side-by-side. Zach pings again, on their way to the Bluebird. :) AutoJudge: Zach rolls: 1 + 3 = 4 . Check die: 5 Zach says, "And that's a CD 6..." Bazil says, "Okay... DEFINITELY aspires to the height of spirit; there's a glowing radiance around him of it. His spiritual growth is not only personal, but supportive; he acts to help and bolster those around them in *their* spiritual growth as well. He has a tremendous potential for divinity; indeed, if it isn't fuzzed, you can sense he's close to a Word, if not quite Bound, yet. He could, potentially, be very evil- but it's a far off and distant thing." You step down into Club Bluebird. Club Bluebird - Downtown Though the current interior is all modernized neon and Nouveau Art Deco, with minimalist chrome skeleton furniture -- chairs and tables that look flimsy but are actually quite sturdy -- and frosted glass trim, there is clearly an ancient legacy of music here, as the displays of old photographs, ticket stubs, sheet music, and similar papers behind a pane of glass near the door might indicate. The neon, though bright, does not cast light very far, and there is plenty of shadow, and places to sit and watch and listen unmolested save for the occasional waitress asking to refill a drink order. The sound of jazz is constant, though the source and volume vary from soft recordings played during off-peak hours to the live and raucous stuff that plays from around 5pm until about 2 in the morning. During the high peaks, from 10pm to 2am, the place is packed with jazz fans, and wanna-be musicians, of all kinds, and it reeks of sweat and cigarettes and whiskey. Obvious exits: Out Zach smiles as they walk, and his green eyes twinkle happily. When they arrive in the Club, he has no problem getting them a private table, and drinks served. "So, pal. You seem to know a lot more about me, than I know about you...?" Bazil nods a bit and sips his Midori. "Yes," he says quietly. "I've spoken to- and become a friend of- Harriet, and Kosimeus," he continues. "I wish it were possible to have one of them here to vouch for me." Zach glugs a good mouthful of his beer. "Oh, I'll take your word for it pal. You seem a pretty decent sort so far," he smiles. Bazil extends a hand again, not knowing that you fully resonated him there. "I am willing to demonstrate my honesty, of course. I am Bezalel, Mercurian Friend of the Subterranean World, and Attuned Seneschal." Zach shakes Bazil's hand and smiles muchly. "It's an honour, Friend. And I am Aretas of Creation and the Wind. Doer of random good deeds, tinkerer and support-guy." He keeps his voice low, amking sure noone can listen in. Bazil grins back at you. "I've heard much about you, Zach." He winks. "Most of it quite good." He grows a little serious. "I have two reasons to be here; first to discuss ongoing events of importance to us both, and second, to ask for your help." Zach blinks. "Well, that's interesting. Please go ahead. I'll of course offer any support I'm able to, without messing up my other engagements." Bazil frowns. "I suppose I'll have to start backwards, then. You haven't seen Harriet lately, you said- are you aware of the events of last night?" Zach frowns. "I'm not aware of any events containing her, if that's what you mean?" Bazil looks a bit grim. "She was attacked- along with Mei Qin, and a young man and woman- the man did not survive- in the park last night. She is healing- I was with her today until she got out of the hospital-" It seems someone was rather impressed by Harriet-"But the beasts that attacked her were... not... normal. I do not know *what* they are, though, but they were able to hold at bay the Kyriotate of Stone who was watching Mei Qin. It is to my shame that I was unable to reach them in time to give aid." Zach's jaws tighten and he sits up. "Harriet was hurt?" he asks in a clipped tone. The fear in his eyes is unmistakeable. Bazil nods. "A head injury- but not serious, or they would not have permitted her to leave. She was recuperating safely at home the last time I saw her." Zach mutters a few choice words of displeasure and sighs. "I haven't heard a word of this until now, damn... Right. So were these killers attacking her specificly, or was she caught in the crossfire, as it were?" Bazil says, "They appeared to be randomly attacking, and, well, she rose to defend the mundane mortals around her, from what I was able to determine. My brother, the Kyriotate, arrived in time to possess the woman's body and protect them all,though." You say, "Posess what woman's body?" Bazil says, "Not Harriet's; there were two bystanders in the park. A man and a woman." You say, "Ah, right. Hm. This is not good. Are you sure they weren't human, these murderers? Humans have been known to be able to out-stubborn the odd celestial before." Bazil says, "I don't know. I *thought* they made Disturbance, but it turns out that the Kyrio was misleading me OOCly. -_-;; I have to ask Wrath." Zach says, "Ah, okay." Bazil says, "I *would* know, if they were... Do you mind if we consider that question to be answered appropriately, and I'll @mail or page you with whatever it was?" Zach says, "Sure." Bazil says something specific ["They made no disturbance"], then generalizes, "Apparently, their corporeal forms were beast-like- not human, and they were 'chanting' something. The Kyriotate, Solu, believes it to be the Corporeal Song of Form, which he also used." Zach's frown deepens. "Beast-like, hm? You didn't see them for yourself?" Bazil shakes his head. "Unfortunately, no. I was too far away to get there in time- just close enough to help clean things up and try and nudge the police away from the conclusion. Solu apparently spent copious essence; the mortals were able to see the divine fire surround him." Zach sighs. "Oh dear. Well, they'll rationalize it away I hope." He takes another dring of beer and drums his fingers on the table. "Beastlike, hmm... So, either really ugly humans, ethereals of some sort or someone with masks?" Zach makes an introll. AutoJudge: Zach rolls: 4 + 1 = 5 . Check die: 5 Zach says, "Well! Oh dear." Bazil nods. "That was my assessment- although it might also have been a celestial with Discord and Numinous Corpus..." Chris enters from the street. Chris has arrived. Chris rar! Bazil is sitting, talking quietly, with Zach, at a private table. Chris says, "Is there seeeecretness going on? I'll leave if necessary...^^;" Zach wavies. "We're whispering, yes. But you can ogle!" :) Chris can never pass up an opportunity to ogle Zach! At your table, Bazil blinks as Chris comes in. He quietly tells you, "She was there, too." At your table, Zach abruptly stops drumming his fingers and thinks very carefully before he speaks. His leand over the table, and his voice is barely audible through the music. "There is one other critter... If there wasn't any screaming in the Symphony from the killings, and they're ugly, violent and able to use Songe." His face grows dark. "Nephallim and Gorgons. But those are too rare for it to make sense." Zach stiffens, and then leans over the table to mutter something to Bazil. He doesn't look happy. At your table, Bazil twitches at the mentions of the Dark Children. "Yes..." he says quietly, his voice almost hissing. "Yes, that would make /sense/." His eyes darken. "And I didn't even think of it. If Solu couldn't track them, that would explain why, too." He clenches his hand slowly into a fist. Bazil frowns as Zach talks to him. He talks quietly back, obviously look ing disturbed. At your table, Zach says "But like I said, they're extremely rare. I've never even heard talk of them save in old stories. Same applies to Gorgons." Zach scratches his head and his shoulders rise and fall in a sigh, as he says something more to his friend. At your table, Bazil nods in reply. "Best to keep it in mind, though, as we hunt- especially for one such as me," he says with a wry grin. Bazil seems to be relaxing, somewhat. At your table, Zach nods firmly. "Absolutely. They count as human, from what I've been told." Chris arrives for work and makes for the kitchen. Before long, she emerges again, and soon falls into the rhythm of her job; she slips easily through the clusters of people, chatting and laughing with patrons while she takes orders and delivers food and drinks. At your table, Bazil nods. "That's the way I've heard it... In either case- as I said, Mei Qin, and Chris there, have been exposed to the War, if... peripherally doesn't seem the *right* word, now does it?" Zach tilts his head to Bazil and seems to consider something before he speaks again. At your table, Zach says "Well, yes and no. They've been exposed to a violent crime. Mind you, Chris has heard things we'd rather she forgot. She managed to listen in on some serious shit, without the speakers noticing her until it was way too late." Bazil shrugs quietly, and notes... At your table, Zach says "Be careful around her." At your table, Bazil says "I'm not sure about Chris, but I know Mei Qin saw something- she was talking about the 'Dove with the Tongue of Flame'. It's precisely on this that I need your advice- among other things- How should we go about moving them away from the War- or do either of them have the Potential for more?" At your table, Bazil grins lopsidedly. "From what Harriet tells me, the tried and true methods I have- distracting them with their own curiousities and habits- won't work on Chris, at least." Zach smiles and straightens up, glancing around idly before speaking. At your table, Zach chuckles. "With Chris, you lie through your teeth if you must. And you be very, very careful. She is sweet and wonderful, and extremely curious. She is also keping a damnably open mind, so she does less of the rationalizations than most folks do. With MeiQin I dunno. I don't know anything about her yet. The general rule of thumb is to be extremely cautious with recruiting." Bazil laughs a bit and nods. He grins at Zach and shakes his head. At your table, Bazil chuckles, shaking his head. "I see. So- ah, right- I forgot. Do you know the name of the local Cherub of Stone Harriet said she'd been working with? I'm trying to find my Bretheren." Chris eventually finds her way over to Zach and Bazil's table. She smiles at both of them. "Well, good evening to you, gentlemen. Can I get you anything?" Bazil smiles up at Chris. "Hello, Chris. I think I'm running low on my Midori Sour. How're you holding up?" he asks with concern. Zach smiles to Chris. "Hey babe! How's it going?" He looks at his watch and drats. "Damn, I gotta be going. I have an appointment in an hour, and I need to go home first." He starts to rise. Bazil chuckles and waves. "So, I'll bring the car by tomorrow, Zach?" he asks. Chris pouts. "Oh, damn. Well, it was good to see you again, dear, even if only for the most fleeting of moments." She grins up at Zach and steps forward to give him a hug, then turns to Bazil and smiles. "I'm doing passably well, thank you--you're such a sweetheart." She scribbles down the order on her little notepad. "A Midori Sour...good choice." Bazil smiles at Chris. "Thank you, and I'm glad to hear you're doing alright. Yes- and I should probably have something to eat with it. What's today's special?" Zach hugs Chris and gives Bazil a pat on the shoulder in parting. "I'll seeya tomorrow, Baz. And your wheels. Seeya, hon!" he winks to Chris and then heads out. Zach says, "Thanks for the RP! :)" Bazil hugs! Zach skitters off to bed!