Logfile from Brass&Steel. The current time in Kansas City is 09:47 AM, Thu Sep 26, 2002. It's a lovely autumn day in KC. The birds are happily stuffing themselves with fruit and berries off the trees and bushes, a few people are wandering about sunning themselves and just enjoying the day. A schoolclass is being noisily led toward the Burial Grounds by a harassed looking teacher. On a bench next to the duckpond a man is resting witha guitar in his lap. He is currently picking out a malody that sounds very South American. The ducks are content to ignore him in favour of an old man feeding them breadcrumbs. Lucian sits in the park, watching the ducks with cold blue eyes. A paperback book rests in his lap, unread, and a styrofoam cup of coffee sits next to him on the bench. Delia walks along quietly, alone; she glances at each person as she passes them with faint but warm curiousity. She is pale of complexion and colouring. Her eyes are a light blue, her hair ash-blonde, cut short to frame her face. Her features are high and broad, elven, and her mouth wide and narrow. She wears a plain business suit: a jacket and skirt of light grey wool, a white blouse beneath, and grey pumps; her appearance is neat, even fastidious. The guitarist keep on playing. He is quite skilled, and picks out the quietly intense melody without hesitation. Those passing close enough, can hear him hum along very softly. The man glances lazily around from time to time, noting people as they pass. You paged Lucian with 'How close are you?'. Lucian pages: Hmmm. If you're the man playing guitar by the duck pond, let's say I'm 15 feet away, down towards the other end of the pond? You paged Lucian with 'Ok. And yes I am:)'. Delia walks along past the guitarist, idly. You paged Delia with 'You apparent age?'. Zach notices the exotic-looking blonde walking along the path in front of him and nodes a warm smiles to her You say, "Beautiful day, isn't it ma'am?" Delia pages: 30ish. Delia glances at him, and nods; a smile graces her lips. "It is, rather; I do love autumn." Lucian sits a moment longer. Finally, he stands up and walks to the edge of the pond, watching the waterfowl with an odd, appraising gleam in his eye. "Good ducks," he declares finally, and begins making his way towards the guitarist, whistling off-key. Zach keeps playing, but quiets down the sound so it's easy to talk without raising their voices. "Yes, it's a lovely season. All of nature getting ready to rest, while giving off one last burst of color and flare..." The ducks paddle excitedly around in front of the old man with the breadcrumbs, and completely fail to notice and appreaciate the tall, thin man's appraisal of them. But that's ducks for you. Gluttons to a bird. From afar, Lucian was weighing them for throwing. ;p HE'S heard of the Kobalite Demolition Ducks. ;p Long distance to Lucian: Zach laughs! :) :) Now that would have been interesting. :) Delia says, "And such a relief, after the unrelenting heat of the summer." She offers him another smile. "Well, have a good day, sir."" Zach takes in the view of the blonde woman, noting the details in her features. He nods. "Yes it is. And a good day to you too, ma'am. I guess you have work to do.." There is a faint questionmakr hanging in the air, like he's loath to let her wander away again so soon. Delia shakes her head. "Not at the moment." Lucian comes closer, looking Delia and Zach over. A faint chuckle comes from his throat as he listens to their interaction. Zach raises an eyebrow in friendly curiosity and is about to ask her something, when he hears a familiar chuckle... A quick look confirms his suspicions and a frown slips over his normally so friendly face. *sigh* But he collects his good humour around him like an armor and beams back up on the woman. "Ah, so you have the day to yourself to enjoy. Fortuna's smiling." Delia glances at Lucian, curiously, and then continues her conversation with the guitarist. "A few hours in the morning only, I fear; but enough for a walk." Lucian raises his hands. "I beg pardon for the intrusion. I could not help but overhear. Please," he says, with an entirely too-humble-to-be-serious bow of his head, "Forgive me." Zach nods pleasantly as he lets the melody meander into a new one, effortlessly. Still the passion and melancholy of the high plains in Chile are easy to hear. With a small smile to Lucian he replies calmly: "Forgivness comes to all those who truly repent. Have no fear, professor." Delia looks to Lucian. "Professor?" Inquisitive. Lucian inclines his head, smiling. "I have the privilege to be titled as such. Professor Lucian Szabo, of the University of Kansas City, Missouri." "Might I inquire your name?" Zach looks on quietly while providing the soundtrack. Long distance to Lucian: Zach is fightling the urge to start playing 'Tango Jealusie'. :) Lucian pages: And Nybbas shows up to award you an Attunement. ;p Delia says, "Delia Fell." Long distance to Lucian: Zach eeek!! The disHonour!! :) Augh! *snicker* Upon hearing that name, the guitarist stumbles in his playing. Zach's face gets a very funny look for a few seconds. The charitable might read it as an 'Ooops!' kind of expression, the less charitable might read it as an 'Oh Shit!!' kind of expression. He stares, swallows and then strives mightily to collect himself again. The music continues. Lucian glances towards Zach as he fumbles a note. The smile grows ever so slightly. "A pleasure to meet you, Miss Fell. What brings you to this lovely park on this morning?" Delia says, "A walk through the park, simply," She answers graciously, and then glances at Zach. "Is there a problem, sir?" You paged Delia with 'He's sweating blood that only you can see... Lots.'. Zach clears his throat with a small cough and smiles, looking cool, calm and collected once again. "No problem, ma'am. None at all. I just thought I recognized your name from somewhere. I must have been mistaken, though. I never forget a face and certainly not one as beautiful as yours." You paged Delia with 'Feel free to Detect Lies or something if you want.:)'. Delia eyes him, her expression dry but amused. "Really, sir, you mustn't flatter so." Lucian coughs, covering a definite laugh. He shakes his head to clear it and try to bring his urge to laugh under control. Zach shoots a glare Lucianways but tries to keep his cool as he faces Delia again. He flashes his most winning smile to her and states: "I don't flatter. I just say it like it is." he pauses a second, then adds sincerely: "But I appologise if I'm being too direct, ma'am." You paged Delia with 'More guilt.'. Delia pages: How do I detect lies? From afar, Delia has never done a roll. I have the skill. Delia pages: What's the syntax? You paged Delia with 'You type '+roll''. AutoJudge: Delia rolls: 3 + 5 = 8 . Check die: 3 From afar, Delia succeeds Long distance to Delia: Zach is not being truthful about the name-thing. He recognized it all right and now he's trying to cover it up. You paged Delia with 'But he seems to mean it when he claims not to flatter.'. Delia looks between Lucian and Zach, slowly. "It seems there is something going on that I do not understand, I fear. You two know each other?" Lucian nods his head. "Da, this is so. Mister Ellis and I have made each other's acquaintance on more than one occasion," he says. Zach nods glumly. "We don't jam particularly well.." Delia says, "Well, it has been a pleasure to meet you both." Zach has to go in 30 min. :( Delia doesn't know what else to say, so Lucian nods his head. "As you say," he agrees. "Tell me, Miss Fell, if I may be so bold as to inquire... what is it you do that allows you this leisure time? Are you also in education? Certainly, you are not in the sort of menial fields that Mister Ellis practices in." Delia says, "I am a psychologist, Professor; I happen to be free of appointments for a few hours this morning." Zach bristles a bit but holds his tongue. Instead he once again changes the melody. Now it sounds suspiciously like the theme from the late thirties movie "The third man". "Ah," Lucian replies. "That must be from whence your expert perception regarding the state of affairs regarding Mister Ellis and myself derives," he says. "Psychology can be quite a demanding field." Long distance to Lucian: Zach really, really wants to Smite. Oh what I wouldn't give for a Flaming Guitar! :) From afar, Lucian laughs. Save your XP and ask your Boss. ;) If ANYONE on your side could whip up a truly Hot Guitar, it'd be him. Somehow I doubt Gabby would be quite so artistic these days with 'em. :p Delia arches a brow at Lucian's comment. "I doubt it would take a psychologist to state the obvious, m'sieur; I was just trying to ascertain what the relationship was." Aside, to Zach, she smiles, "And I think anyone who spends his time creating music for the enjoyment of others must be far more than menial, but a bringer of joy." Long distance to Lucian: Zach grins. Problem with Eli is that he tends to make things edible as well... :) Lucian pages: New meaning to "candy-apple red," eh? Zach smiles then. "Why thank you for the kind words, ma'am. But I belive the professor meant the work I do to earn my wages. I am a mechanic." Long distance to Delia: Zach ouches.:) And you thought he looked guilty before... Upon hearing your kind words, even more blood pours across his face. Delia smiles; impishly, she offers, "Then you bring joy in all walks of life; there is nothing that brings greater happiness than having one's vehicle fixed." Lucian rolls his eyes, and says nothing. Zach now practically beams. Not just at Delia, but at the smarmy professor as well. "Ah, see here's a lady who Understands. I take it you own or have owned a car, ma'am?" Delia says, "I do not." Zach raises an eyebrow. "Well in that case you are definitely more perceptive than most who don't. People without vehicles seldom care about the joys of a smoothly running engine. And why should they." He smiles and stops playing, bowing to put his guitar into the case standing beside the bench. Lucian chuckles, shaking his head. "I suspect those with vehicles - myself, for instance - would greatly prefer if they knew they could trust their mechanics. It is a sad and lonely thing, to have to put so much trust into individuals, and depending purely on their own feedback, with minimal opportunity to confirm it." Delia says, "Are you finished your music for the day, Mr. Ellis?" Zach nods and smiles softly. "Unfortunately, yes I am. I have to get going ot the garage to start my shift soon. It was nice meeting you, miss Fell. Maybe well meet again someday.." He snaps the guitarcase shut and rises. "And Lucian - trust is never sad and lonely. Quite the opposite. The sooner you grasp that, the happier you will be." Delia says, "Goodbye, Mr. Ellis. Be well." Brooke enters the park. Toland enters the park. Zach makes a gesture resembling a half-bow to Delia and Lucian. "G'bye. Have a lovely day." He saunters off toward the gate, carrying his guitar case o his left hand. Lucian nods his head vaguely as Zach walks away. Zach has to go.. :( Hi B & T, bye B & T. :) Brooke says, "See ya later." Toland says, "Bye. :P" You head out of the park. Later that day, Zach makes a phonecall.... From afar, Delia returns, and answers the phone. "Good afternoon, Delia Fell's office." Long distance to Delia: Zach clears his throat. "Er. Hello, this is Zach Ellis. We met in the park earlier today?" From afar, Delia sounds surprised. "We did! Er, how can I help you?" Long distance to Delia: Zach sighs softly. "I wanted to thank you for the kind words and for defusing the...tention there. And.." He's quiet for a while. "And I think perhaps I should introduce myself properly. Um. But not over the phone. Could I come over to your office? It wont take long." He sounds vaguely hopeful, but it's unclear as to what hope exactly this is. Delia pages: Certainly, if you like; I'd be glad to see you. Long distance to Delia: Zach confirms that the adress in the phonebook is correct and ways he will be along shortly. He hangs up. [Vrooom!] On the east side of the street this 6-story building meshes well among a small community of low-rises. The brick facing is always scoured clean and the names of the offices within are listed on a long black and brass placard. East Side Offices This is the first floor hallway of the office building. Rather sparsely decorated, there's little in the way of 'friendly' and 'welcoming'. The walls are grey drywall in certain areas, little patches of white spackling making the space barer still. There might be some great offices within, but the feeling that one gets what one pays for persists. Obvious exits: Delia Fell, Psychologist Out Zach knocks on the door marked 'Delia Fell, Psychologist '. A woman shouts from nearby, "Come in." You enter a small office. Psychologist's Office A well appointed office: oak bookshelves behind an antique desk; a long brown leather couch and a comfortable recliner in dark wool. The floor is covered in a persian rug, woven in intricate designs; the only decoration is a framed copy of her degree. No pictures clutter the desk; there is only a blotter, some pens, and a few small, leather-bound notebooks. Zach enters the office quietly and smiles to Delia. "Good afternoon, ma'am. Thanks for seeing me." Delia says, "It's no problem at all, Mr. Ellis," she gestures to a seat. "How can I help you?" Zach looks slightly uncomfortable and tense as he sits down. He regards her closely, while trying to figure out what to say. In the end he damns the torpedoes and jumps into deep water: "I am Arethas, Virtue of Creation. I thought I'd better have this done with since... Well, since we've met." Delia frowns. "And odd way to look at it. 'Have this done'." Zach sighs. "Er." He looks more uncomfortable. And plainly guilty, yes. Delia says, "What is wrong, Arethas, virtue of Creation?" Zach fidgets a bit, then says: "I appologise for being rude, Power. It's just that I don't have the best of records with Judgement. I was sorta surprised when I heard your name today." Delia says softly, "I understand that many of us are seen as 'police officers' of a sort, but that is not how I see myself; I prefer to think of myself as a counsellor, someone who would help a troubled soul, not condemn him." Zach hrms and smiles quietly. In an equally soft voice he responds: "Yes, I rather thought so after your words in the park. I was determined to avoid you, unless I really, really needed to call on Judgement. But perhaps I have been too predjudiced." Zach says, "I hope I spelt that right... :)" Delia says, "My role, at least, is to help those who feel their faith slipping, who wish to find hope once more in our cause." Zach nods and smiles, his reen eyes warm with approval. "That's good. There are enough forces at work trying to tear down out faith and connection with the divine love." Delia smiles back, warmly. "So, if you ever feel uncomfortable, or think there might be someone who needs help; please - let me know. Or let them know that I'm here." Zach looks delighted. "Thank you, Power. On that note.. Er. I did sorta spill the beans on your existance to a Soldier I'm training. But I made him promise to not seek you out unless he was desperate for support and no other angel was available. Maybe this was unnecessary?" Lucian pages: Oh, to be a fly on the wall over where you're at. :p Long distance to Lucian: Zach ptbbpptts! Go visit your own Securitate! :) Delia says, "I certainly hope it was unnecessary; I should be delighted to meet him. Who is he? And who was the professor, by the way?" From afar, Lucian cackles madly. "I've never given MINE a reason to come visit..." ;p You paged Lucian with 'Oh go fish!! :)'. Delia has about 15 minutes. Zach smiles brightly, his eyes shine. "The soldier is Roger Freeman, he is a police officer. Originally recruited by the Sword, but his angel disapeared before he was initiated. I came upon him by fortunate accident. The professor..." Zach darkens visibly and blood starts seeping over his face again. "Lucian Szabo is a balseraph, probably Factions." Zach nods. Let's wrap up for now. :) Delia looks saddened by this. "I am very sorry for him, then." She glances at his face; making a circle of her own with her fingers, she asks, "What is that?" You say, "What is what?" Zach says, "Oh. The blood you see is his guilty feelings. It's your Elohite of Judgement attunement. :)" Delia says, "ah" Zach sighs and drags a hand over his face, remembering... She's a Power of Judgement. "Um.. I have failed to kill it, so far. It will not redeem, so.." He stands up. "Look, thanks for taking the time. I'll see you 'round Del..ma'am. I gotta split." Delia says, "God be with you, Arethas; I am glad to have properly met you, as I hope you are me." Zach smiles sincerely. "I am. Walk with clarity, Delia Fell." He bows slightly and takes his leave. You leave the office. Delia pages: Thanks for the scene! You paged Delia with 'Thanks for the rp again!:)'.