From afar, Goldie waves back, "I was just talking about you..." ^_^

You paged Goldie with 'To Delia. Oh. Dear. :)'.

From afar, Goldie smirks, "Would it help to say that Goldie isn't too
clear about what was said between the two of us? She was rather upset at
the time..."

Long distance to Goldie: Zach grins. "'s Ok. I've met Delia. She didn't
tear my head off then, so I'll survuve." :)

You paged Fidelity with 'You here?'.

Goldie pages: Oh well, if she does you can always complain to Dominic and
ask for a new Vessel...

From afar, Fidelity could be. What's it worth to ya?

You paged Goldie with 'Er. Complain to Dominic. Yes. Definitely. I'll go
get my coat...'.

From afar, Goldie grins, "You do realise that it is Dissonant for Dominic
to stand by as someone is unfairly punished?"

Long distance to Fidelity: Zach :) "Just chekcking. Since you're
invisible, I assume you're really not available. I'll hold off the nagging
until you are available." :)

From afar, Fidelity is just trying to relax. Just got in from some
furniture moving. But is here.

You paged Goldie with 'Yeah, but he wanted to have my forces dispersed
some years ago. I ain't gonna trust him! No way!!'.

From afar, Goldie raises an eyebrow at that, "I'll keep that in mind
then."

You paged Goldie with 'Judgement were overreacting. They usully do. So now
they've sent their token sane person to KC, just as a PR stunt. But don't
quote me on that! :)'.

Goldie pages: I have an alt on here, whom I really should use again some
times soon, who makes a habit of specifically informing any Servitor of
Judgement she can find of -exactly- what she has been doing in the massive
ammounts of exact detail that only a Seraph can put up with. Prefacing it
with the statement that she would like to hear the opinion of the
Judgement Servitor on whether her behavior may indicate that she is close
to becoming unstable...

Goldie pages: She has only found one Servitor of Judgement handy so far,
but I really want her to encounter a Traid repeatedly if only for the
looks on their faces. ^_^

Long distance to Fidelity: Zach blinks. I'm not even gonna ask...:) And so
back to the real world: Are you up for a little bit of semi-offscreen
GMing? I need to either get hold of someone who works for Dream or to go
(via a Tether) to Blandine's marches...

Fidelity pages: Whuffo?

You paged Fidelity with 'Goldie...'.

From afar, Fidelity is listening.

Long distance to Goldie: Zach giggles. Hee, hee! Good thing Delia is
patient. :)

From afar, Goldie nods, "I do want to see the typical Triad's reactions
when they get told the exact reasoning behind why a certain rite of
Creation had to be used, with detail on before, after and during."

Long distance to Fidelity: Zach has found out that Goldie's had a visitor
in her head. I'm 99 percent certain it's a shedite. That would be all well
and good if it wasn't for Goldie later telling me IC that there was some
trouble in her dreams. OR more like she was/is scared of going to sleep.
And she dropped her notebook, which Roger took care of. We've had a look
and now I'm pretty certain there's iffy stuff going on with her in the
MArches. I cannot refuse to help an innocent, but I'm pretty much useless
in the MArches. So therefore I need to notify the properly skilled
folks...

Long distance to Goldie: Zach laughs! Oh, but that is so nasty!! What's
the reason for the angel to do that? Want to see Triad go all funny-faced
and tight-lipped? :)

From afar, Goldie hmms and logs in that character since Delia is being
rather... slow in her responces, "Actually, she is being very truthful.
She knows that Eli isn't available and that Judegement has been rather
'anti-Creation' since Eli went for his wander so is simply checking with
them about what might be concidered her most dubious actions." ^_^

You paged Fidelity with 'Logs describing this are: 'Don't mess with my
friends', 'Accusations, ghosts and guns' and 'The Notebook from Hell'. All
on http://www.pvv.org/~solas/innomine/arethas.html'.

You paged Goldie with 'Woo! Clarity! :) Hachilah told me about her:)'.

Fidelity pages: So how do you intend to get word through? Give me some of
your plans here. :)

Clarity pages: You guessed rightly to Goldie.

You paged Fidelity with 'Well the most obvious plan is to either a) Ask
Trade for permission to use the Tether or b) GO celestial and ascend (less
sublte, buuut...:) But first: Do I know of any nearby (relatively
speaking) Dream tethers or 'hotspots'? (No reason why I should, but
hey.:)'.

Long distance to Clarity: Zach grins hugely. And being a seraph you don't
lie, so they know you tell Truth and have only the purest of intention.
And you're probably nice to them and all. How....annoying! :) :)

From afar, Clarity nods, "Someone once said that a truly earnest and
honest Seraph can be rather disconcerting..."

You paged Clarity with 'Reminds me of the new-redeemed cherub of Creation
nee djinn of Lust, who insisted on hugging Triads because he firmly
belived that they both Needed and Deserved Hugs(tm)!'.

You paged Fidelity with 'Hell, if I get desperate enough I'll go to sleep
and enter the Marches that way. But I don't wanna. Marches are Weird and
Alien and....you know, _strange_. I firmly belive that that's why we have
Blandine's finest. To take care of the Marches bit. :) :)'.

From afar, Fidelity considers.

Long distance to Fidelity: Zach nods.

Delia pages: Mind a visitor?

You paged Delia with 'Not at all! :)'.

From afar, Delia will be just a minute.

Long distance to Delia: Zach is in no hurry:)

Fidelity pages: The Trade tether *might* know of someone with some basic
Dream Walking capability, but would want a rough assessment of what you
know so far, so the risk can be gauged.

From afar, Clarity is trying to imagine the reaction of the Seraph of the
Traid to a cry of 'Group hug!'...

You paged Fidelity with 'OK. This is what Zach tells them: "I've become
aquainted with a street waif called Goldie. My sister in Creation
introduces us, you might say. The child was acting strange, so at one
point I resonated her. The Symphony told me she's fighting tooth and nail
to keep hold of her /self/ and to resist certain 'urges' to do bad stuff.
It also told me she's ran away from home to protect her family from 'the
evil ghost' she was plagued by. That in combination with what she at a
later date told me during a fit of utmost terror about having things done
to her head and the way she looked at me as if looking for something
entering or leaving, and then _this_" He carefully fishes Goldie's
notebook out from his pocket and shows them the drawings. "She's seen a
Corruptor. She's seen things - marches things that she shouldn't have been
able to see. Now I can handle a normal shedite - but the Marches has not
been part of my training."'.

Long distance to Fidelity: Zach assumes you have the descs of the drawings
from the Notebook-log or Goldie herself. :)

Long distance to Clarity: Zach grins. To be a fly on the wall for that
one...:)

Fidelity pages: The Trade folks inform you that they'll make inquiries,
but the closest person they know of would not be someone who could expect
to go toe-to-toe with a Corruptor so they may have to ask around.

Delia pages: How do I get there, again?

From afar, Clarity grins, "Bring a camera next time..."

Long distance to Fidelity: Zach is grateful for their help. "This is truly
an exceptional young girl with a massive potential. To have fought off the
Corruptor for so long... She has high moral values* and is highly
intelligent. Our side would benefit from having her under our wings. I
would be grateful if you can keep me posted about your inquiries. If worst
comes to worst I must find a way to fight it myself... but.." He is
clearly unhappy about not being able to do so, but he's wise enough to
know that specialists are needed.

You paged Delia with 'Er. w,w,nw hp I think.'.

You paged Clarity with 'Will do!'.

From afar, Fidelity | "Have you considered seeking tutelage in the Coda of
Dreams?"

You paged Fidelity with 'OOC: Curse you Ben Pollack!! That was NOT the
thing I wanted you to say!!! *sigh* Paranoia rules yet again... I knew
you'd say that... ;P'.

From afar, Clarity smiles at you, "Anyway, I think that I shall leave you
to Delia's tender mercies for now."

Delia enters the park.

Delia has arrived.

From afar, Fidelity . o o ( She digs me. )

Long distance to Fidelity: Zach frowns a bit. "Well... No, but these last
few days the thought has zipped past a few times. I am not familiar with
the theory about that suite, though. I don't know what they do. If
learning them will make it possible for me to help the girl, then I'm all
for it."

Long distance to Fidelity: Zach pttbbtts! And laughs. Hachilah will have
my hide for this... (See the last published log for the reason why...) :)

From afar, Fidelity hee hee hee.

Zach is sitting on a bench by the duckpond. He looks relaxed and
contemplative, occationally throwing bits of bread to the ever attentive
ducks.

From afar, Fidelity | "There are a few who might know the first and most
rudimentary of the three Songs, but learning it would clearly take you
several weeks. How dire is the situation?"

Delia strides with purpose into the park; no idle walk does this seem to
be, and she's looking from side to side in search of someone. She moves
directly to Zach as soon as she spots him, and sits down beside him on the
bench.

Long distance to Fidelity: Zach silently points to the notebook. "It's
bad. And it's made worse by the fact that Goldie is fiercely protective of
people she cares about. She will try to protect them from her 'ghost' by
any means. So she runs from my sister, and now she runs from me."

Zach throws another breadcrumb, then looks at the person joining him on
the bench with a welcoming smile. The smile becomes even more pleasant
when he recognises Delia. "Miss Fell! What a pleasant surprise! How are
you today?"

From afar, Fidelity | "Then you should also inquire at the Limestone
Garden Grotto, to see if anyone is known of them."

Long distance to Fidelity: Zach blinks. "Pardon?" His brain does a
loop-de-loop and he hazards a guess: "Stone's place...?"

	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.


From afar, Fidelity | "Yes. The Tether of Stone."

Delia's expression is solemn, although not angry. "I am well, thank you; I
actually came to speak with you about a very particular matter, so I am
glad I was able to find you."

Long distance to Fidelity: Zach nods firmly. "I will do so. Thank you." He
takes the notebook and rises. "I'll let you know how it goes."

You paged Fidelity with 'OOC: Do I know where the Limestone Garden Grottos
are?'. Fidelity pages: Have you ever asked or RPed with the Stone folk?

Zach raises his eyebrows in some trepidation. "Then speak, Delia. What
matter is this?"

You paged Fidelity with 'Not as far as I know IC and OOC. :)'.

Delia says, "I am worried about a client of mine, and I hope you can help
me understand what is happening to her, for I find I am entirely
perplexed."

Delia says, "Her name is Goldie."

Fidelity pages: Then you do not yet have personal knowledge.

Long distance to Fidelity: Zach frowns slightly and asks his contact:
"Hrm. Where excactly /are/ the grottoes? Or if that's not kosher to tell -
do you have a number I can call?"

Zach's eyes widen in surprise. "Goldie is a client of yours? Oh!" And then
he smiles a slow, widening, relieved smile. Hope starts to sparkle in his
eyes. "That is damn good news! If you'll pardon my latin."

Delia says, "She says you told her something that upset her so much that
she hasn't been able to sleep since, but she would not tell me what it
was."

From afar, Fidelity | "I have only this contact information," a flicker of
wrist and fingertips produces a business card for 'The Underground
Paintball Arena, Martin Dexter, Proprietor'. "But it should suffice."

Zach looks around to check that noone is close enough to hear them before
the answers in a quiet voice. "I was trying to say something that would
bring her strenght and fresh hope to help her in her battle. If she's been
afraid to sleep since..." He sighs. "Then it misfired." He stops and
regards Delia solemnly. "Goldie has an uninvited guest tormenting her. A
Corruptor that she has so far been able to fight astonishingly well for a
human child."

Delia says, "How do we get rid of it?"

Long distance to Fidelity: Zach takes the card. "Thank you. I am grateful
for your help in this." He bows and takes his leave.

Fidelity pages: HE SLAYS YOU WHILE YOUR BACK IS --- oh, nevermind.

Zach sighs. "Normally that would be easy. Take her somewhere with no
people for miles and miles and make sure that she's unable to do bad
things. That'll make it heavily dissonant after a few days. Then put her
unconcious for an hour to force it out and rip it to pieces. Or at least
force it to flee back to Hell. But this case is special."

You paged Fidelity with 'Damn! This is the /last/ time I mix up the
tethers of Trade and Factions! Dammit!! :)'.

Delia says, "Why so?"

You paged Goldie with 'I'm about to show Delia your notebook. Wanna
come?'.

From afar, Goldie nods and will be in a moment or two.

You paged Dexter with 'Will you be on for long tonight? I think I need a
scene with you..:)'.

From afar, Dexter should be on for awhile, yes.

From afar, Goldie tries to recall the way to that park...

Zach hitches one leg over the other, shifting to sit slightly sideways
facing Delia. He looks very serious. "Because this case has a thick link
to the Marches. And if the corruptors is one of Nightmare's then it's
complicated. I have no experience with the Marches and am ill fit to fight
there."

You paged Goldie with '+ic, n, w, w, nw, hp'.

Goldie enters the park. Goldie has arrived.

<OOC> Goldie isn't here. Honest!

You paged Dexter with 'Good:) Thanks. I'll try not to take too long with
the scene I'm in now.:)'.

Dexter pages: Alright.

<OOC> Delia looks confused.

<OOC> Goldie says, "Zach said that you are about to be looking at Goldies
note book so I wandered here so that you can OOCly bounce any questions
about the contents off of me quickly and easily."

Delia says, "Do you know of anyone who might be able to help?"

Zach fishes a small wrapped up packet from his pocket. He carefully and
gently unwraps what appeares to be a worn, old notebook. "This is Goldie's
notebook. Have a look at the drawings here, here, here and here..." He
shows her the relevant pages and nods to her question. "I'm looking into
that."

<OOC> Zach says, "Now for Goldie to provide the disturbing images.."

<OOC> Goldie digs for the appropriate file...

Before Delia looks at it, she asks, "Is there some reason she can't keep
the notebook? She's very afraid of - something happening, if it is out of
her reach."

Goldie's notebook seems surprisingly fragile, the book having shown signs
of overuse even before it's cover was broken. A few pages no longer fit
properly inside it, barely still attached to the bindings.

Zach shakes his head. "I've made photocopies of the pages. I just haven't
seen her since she lost it, so I haven't been able to give it back to her
yet."

Delia says, "I can give it to her; I think I will see her soonish." She
turns the page with great care. "What is the significance of this, to
you?"

Zach looks uncertain about what Delia means. "Pardon?"

As Delia turns from one page to the next, the series of neat and complex
algebra gives way to a sketch. It is roughly done but vivid, evidently by
someone with little skill but strong feeling about it's subject, and shows
a dark tower looming over the viewer with half suggested shapes flitting
about its base.

Delia says, "The pictures. How are you looking into them?"

From afar, Goldie blinks, "That went down about as well as a lead
ballon..."

Zach gently looks at Delia. "Have you ever entered Dream's realm? That
tower there..." He points at the picture, "You can just about make it out
when you gaze across the Vale from Dream's tower." And have a look at this
one. He leafs over to another drawing.

You paged Goldie with 'Hm yes. Cue the Volcano!'.

You paged Goldie with 'She did warn me earier this week that she's a
little bit out of things. She's been away for a long time. :/'.

Much further through the notebook, in the midst of an equation, is a
picture showing a distant smoking mountain. Between the viewer and the
volcano drift what seem to be either soap bubbles of points of light, it
being hard to determine which they are due to the poor quality.

From afar, Goldie nods, "I had to remind her how you roll things in IN
earlier on."

You paged Goldie with 'Dittol. Even had to tell her what her
Word-resonance was. :) We'll just have to reprogram her carefully. >:)'.

From afar, Goldie has already done that for Essence use, and the Ethereal
Songs of Healing and Harmony. ^_^

Delia rubs her face, unhappily. "I don't know what to say; I just want her
to get better. I don't even understand why she was so upset with what you
said."

Long distance to Goldie: Zach grins. Well you're at least finally getting
somewhere:)

From afar, Goldie shrugs, "One small step at a time..."

Zach shakes his head and sighs. "I don't know either. But the kid is
deeply and truly terrified. She doesn't understand what's going on and she
wants to keep it a secret. Only reason the spilled the ghost-thing to me
was the she was beyond herself at the time. Either she's afraid to
endanger me, or she's afraid that I'm co-operating with the bastard. I
dunno, but I'll do everything I can to help her. I have spoken with Trade,
and they will ask around for Dreamers to help. But that may take some
time. I'm also going to contact Stone to hear if they know of anyone with
the expertice necessary."

Delia says, "The - 'ghost thing'? that is the creature that is possessing
her, then?"

Zach nods. "She thinks it's some kind of ghost. She doesn't know any other
name for it. But /this/ ain't no ghost!" He opens the last page of the
notebook: Inside the back cover is another illustration, this one of worse
quality than the others and jagged. What is shows looks to be a
collaberation of H G Gieger and Escher, a single jagged limb sketched in
as though reaching from the page into the viewers eye. There are a few
dried water marks on this page, smudging the pencil work slightly.

You paged Delia with 'It's a shedite, also known as the Corruptors.'.

You paged Delia with 'Or rather, it looks suspiciously like one'.

Delia lowers her gaze, distressed. "We must help her."

From afar, Goldie grins, "You seem to have the log of the viewing of that
notebook handy. So -that- is why you put it up on your site..."

Zach nods firmly. "Indeed. You shouldn't by any chance know any of
Blandine's people?"

Delia shakes her head. "Not to my knowledge."

Long distance to Goldie: Zach grins. "My brain is like a sieve without
logs.:) That and the thing here about all celestials having to report to
their Supers. Well, my Supers don't go in for that, so... I told Fidelity
I You paged Goldie with 'I'd publish the logs instead.:)'.

Zach shifts and sits upright. "Too bad. How bout the Dream Songs?"

From afar, Goldie smiles, "Which is definately handy in other regards."

Delia says, "I do not."

You paged Goldie with 'Yes, well. If staff reads them, then they get to
find out about inter-pc plots and stuff:)'.

Zach nods. "Right. Well, I'm going to go see someone that hopefully has
strong connections with Stone now. Would you like to join me? I know them
and you have a fairly good relationship.."

Delia closes the book, carefully. "We do?" She seems surprised.

You paged Dexter with 'I think we're just about ready to head your way
now. 'Your way' being the paintball place. :)'.

Dexter pages: WHich is funny, cuz I'm not there. But okay.

Zach smiles slightly. "Better that Judgement and Creation anyway."

You paged Dexter with 'Do you have a cellphone?'.

Dexter pages: Yes.

You paged Dexter with 'If we can't find you at the adress I was given,
then Phonecalls Will Be Made. :)'.

Delia says wryly, "I am not an archetype; I do not consider /my/
interpersonal relationships to be dictated by those of my superiors."

Zach smiles. "Well that's good to know, ma'am. So does that mean that you
have a poor relationship with the local stonies and that it would be a bad
idea for you to come with me? Or was it just general information?"

Delia says, "It was just general information."

Delia says, "I do not have any particular relationship with Stone or any
of their representatives."

Zach hands Delia the thin scarf that he used to wrap the notebook in. "Oh,
right. Well I'm gonna go look for one now, unless there is more you want
to discuss with me?"

Delia wraps up the notebook. "Well, I admit, I'm still bewildered; what
/did/ you say to her?"

You say, "Look that whole scene was totally confused. It started out with
a balseraph telling stuff, then Goldie demanded to know the truth of it
from me - which I gave her - including the bits the bal had carefully left
out. Then she ran off, I ran after, she fell and hust her arm, I begged
and pleaded with her to talk to me instead of fleeing, I made sure to be a
coupla armlengths away at all times to make her feel a bit safer. Then she
ranted about the ghost and whether I had one or not, and if Lucian had
said the truth then I lied, but I seemed nice, but the others seemed to
have believed him and that must mean that someone was doing things to her
again. Then I said that there were no lies, that I had no ghost and I
wouldn't touch her..."

You say, "..or hurt her. I also said that ghosts can't hurt /me/. I don't
know if she even heard that. If she did, I don't think she believed me."

Delia says, "I should probably get back to her, rather than joining you."

You say, "I offerd her help to fight the 'ghost'. To tell her what I knew
about them and how to fight. But she didn't even want to think about it.
She said it was bad enough when she slept..."

Zach nods. "Ok. Take the book. And I don't have to tell you to be careful
about what you tell her about me. If you tell her anything at all. " He
smiles. "I am glad she has chosen you for a doc. That brings me hope. I
hope I'll see you soon, Delia Fell." He rises.

Delia stands next, holding the book carefully, "I'll be roaming around
here, to find you and find out what happens."

Zach smiles. "Ok. See you later, then." He takes off.

You head out of the park.


Underground Drive Paintball Arena -- Parking Lot

	Dirt and small stones kick up underfoot or underwheel constantly
in this only-partially-paved parking lot outside the Underground Drive
Paintball Arena. There are cars here most hours of the day and night, save
only in the most wee hours of the morning when the place enjoys a short
shut-down for the night. The cars range from the pick-up-trucks of good
ol' boys and gals to the SUVs and sporty compacts of the weekend warriors.
Many of these individuals are emerging from the bunker-style entrance to
the Arena, wiping their heads, whooping their war cries of victory, or
toeing stones in defeat.


You step into the bunker.

Underground Drive Paintball Arena -- Bunker

	Corrugated steel, all around, broken with accents of military
webbing, splotched paint, corkboards, and pegboards. The industrial grade
steel shelving contains much equipment and accessories for sale, and some
for rent as well -- black, urban camo, or woodland camo fatigues, for
instance, as well as boots and other paramilitary clothing items are just
as common on the shelves as paintball guns and ammo and protective gear.
	Personal notices, challenges, and simple invitations, as well as
the business cards of regular patrons, are tacked up on the corkboard.
Apparently, a bunch of downtown bankers come in twice a week at 5:30am for
a pre-dawn match, just to keep their juices flowing, according to one
notice. Another notice informs a fellow named 'Dex' that he's gonna get
his butt whipped 'next time'.
	There is, when the place is open for regular business, always at
least two clerks, or a clerk and a manager-type, on hand to conduct
business. Often, patrons who aren't yet ready for matches, or are still
coming down of an adrenalin high, sit in the corner, around a folding camp
table, sipping coffee brewed fresh from a huge percolator and chewing on
protein bars.


You head outside. Underground Drive Paintball Arena -- Parking Lot

	
Long distance to Dexter: Zach | *ring, ring*

From afar, Dexter | >click of a phone being picked up< "It's your 35
cents."

You paged Dexter with 'Hey, I'm Zach Ellis. You don't know me, but I need
to see ya kinda urgent. I'm at the Paintball place, but you obviously
ain't...'.

From afar, Dexter | "I'm about to sit down to a dinner date. What's the
urgency?"

Long distance to Dexter: Zach coughs softly. "Not something I'm gonna
discuss via phone. And definitely not via cellphone. It ain't so urgent it
can't wait 'till after your date though. But I gotta see you /soon/."

From afar, Dexter | "Fine. But unless it's life-or-death urgent, this does
not endear total strangers to me."

Long distance to Dexter: Zach dryly answers: "Noted. Just name a time and
place, and I'll be there."

The current time in Kansas City is 5:12 PM, Sun Sep 29, 2002.

From afar, Dexter | A long sigh. "Country Club Plaza. 2 Hours."

Long distance to Fidelity: Zach grumbles. "First I get to be a quasi
sorcerer with rituals and shit to make Soldiers. Then you start talking
crazy shit about Dream Songs... What's the next thing you an' my stupid
player'll get up to? Kick me into service with Dommie or Larry? Eh?"
*megasulk* "Now she's making me smart. Ain't no fair!"

Fidelity pages: She's sexy when she's devious. :)

You paged Dexter with 'Appreciate it, bud. I'll be there.'.

Dexter pages: OOCly, we can fast forward if you give me about 10 minutes
to finish dinner.

Long distance to Fidelity: Zach hmph! "She's /using/ me, man! Setting me
up!"

You paged Dexter with 'No probs! Go eat! :)'.


Plaza/Westport -- Country Club Plaza

	There is a very European feel to this huge shopping district,
which gives it a small and homey charm despite its size and the fact that
the boulevards are clearly wide enough for automobiles rather than being
restricted to pedestrians. The place is scattered liberally with towers,
fountains, statues, and mosaics, creating an old-world ambiance in the
heart of such buildings as the Board of Trade, the Cheesecake Factory, the
Sheraton Suites, and more than one church or temple.
	More specifically, some highlights include the tallest tower in
the park, near 47th Street and J.C. Nichols Parkway, which has a Spanish
look to it; the fin-de-siecle Edwardian British statue of the wine god
Bacchus, which forms a fountain next to the Cheesecake Factory's side
entrance; a bullfighting mural at the plaza's far east side ... there are
more, too many to enumerate, and this place is constantly busy with a wide
variety of people ranging likewise to an extreme degree, from business men
heading back and forth to the Board of Trade to tourists wandering in awe
through the plaza itself. Obvious exits: Board of Trade <BT> North on Main
<N> Northwest on Roanoke <NW> East on 47th <E> Southeast on Ward <SE>


Dexter arrives along Main.

Dexter has arrived.

You paged Fidelity with 'I think Delia's been sorely missed around here.
She shows her face for more than 5 min. and at least three PC's decend
upon her like....something decending. Hope she apreciates the
attention:)'.

	Short and stocky -- the kind of stocky that maybe once was chubby
before recent exercise turned it from mostly fat to fat-over-muscle -- are
the words for this guy. He's maybe 5'8", looks to mass about 180 lbs, and
has a broad face and pleasant, smiling features. His hair is curly and
dark, and his eyes are green and rich, behind round, silver-wire-framed,
tinted glasses that make him look rather lively and intelligent while
contrasting with the rest of his attire -- a three-piece suit in black and
charcoal and silver, clearly custom-tailored.

	He usually is seen with a book-sized leather carrying case in one
hand, the kind of thing that doubles as a wallet and a case for a Palm or
PocketPC device. Occasionally, a cigarette or cigar is found in his other
hand, and when it is, he favors blowing smoke rings while idling in
thought.

From afar, Fidelity laughs.

You paged Dexter with 'Since we dunno what we look like, cellphones should
probably be used to make contact:)'.

Dexter pages: Up to you.

You paged Dexter with '| SMS message: I'm on the bench beneath Bacchus.
-Z.'.

Beneath the cheerful visage of the wine god Bacchus stands a bench. On the
bench sits a man in plain denim clothes, long legs stretched out in front
of him. He's relaxing and seems to be studying one of the fountains. From
time to time his gaze wander around the plaza as if he's looking for
someone.

Dexter makes his way over, keeping one eye on the display of his cellphone
and the other on the terrain.

Zach searches the area with his eyes again, and spots a gentleman heading
in his direction. He tries to get eye contact as he spirits his own
cellphone into a pocket.

<OOC> Zach says, "Still here? :)"

<OOC> Dexter says, "Sorry. Missed your pose."

Dexter clears his throat as he approaches, but is otherwise silent.

<OOC> Zach says, "Ah. :)"

Zach rises effortlessly as the gentleman approaches and smiles in a
friendly way. "Mr. Martin Dexter?" He starts to offer a handshake.

Dexter just looked at you.

Dexter withholds his hand for now. "Yeah. You'd be Ellis?"

Zach nods. "Yes I am. Thank you for seeing me on such short notice, Mr.
Dexter."

Dexter says, "What's this about?"

Zach lowers his hand and gestures to the bench, indicating that maybe they
should sit. "It's about a matter beyond life and death, Mr. Dexter. I've
been informed that you might know how to contact the Limestone Garden
Caverns," he says in a low and quiet voice, for only Dexter to hear. His
eyes meet Dexter's confidently and unwaiveringly.

Dexter corrects: "Grotto." And then adds, "And you've got ten seconds to
explain why you want to know."

Zach tilts his head, still holding Dexters gaze. "I need help. There is a
human child in desperate trouble, and my honour demands I get in touch
with someone who can help her better than I. The Masons might not be it,
but someone might know someone. The Merchants didn't."

Dexter frowns severely. "I'm listening."

Zach continues in a soft voice: "The child is fighting a Fleshless.
Normally they have weaknesses that allow us to get rid of them. This one,
however, seems to be one of Nightmare's. I have no experience or abilities
in the Marches, so I'm trying to locate someone who has." His face is
deadly serious.

Dexter says, "And someone sent you to me?"

Zach fishes out a small card. One of Dexter's own, it seems. "I went to
the Merchants first since I knew where they were. They'll be asking around
for me, but it might take time. So I got this contact information to talk
to the Masons, in case they have someone or know of someone with the
skills to handle this."

[Public] Harriet says, "Greetings, all. Or few, as the case may be. :)"

Dexter says, "I see." He frowns. "Which begs the question as to how they
knew."

[Public] Zach waves!

You paged Harriet with 'I would ask you over, but this is a private
scene..<:|'.

Harriet pages: Is okay! :)

Zach shrugs. "I don't know. I assume the Seneschal has his sources."

Dexter says, "Really good fucking sources to know *that*."

Dexter casts a brief glance around.

Zach softly says: "Should we go somewhere else, Mr. Dexter?"

Dexter shakes his head. "No, but ... frankly, this does not instill me
with a wondrous sense of trust of the folks on their payroll." He gestures
at the BoT building. "How'd they manage?"

Zach quirks an eyebrow upwards. "Like I said - I don't know. I'm not on
their payroll, so they don't tell me stuff like that. And frankly - I
don't much care."

Dexter says, "Yeah, well *I* have to."

Zach nods and a small smile flits over his face. "I am honoured to meet
you then, Mr. Dexter." His eyes glitter briefly.

Dexter nods absently, still clearly focussing on the not-entirely-clear
mystery at hand. "Yeah."

Zach lets him ponder a while, then politely clears his throat.

Dexter says, "Yeah?"

Zach shifts his stance and smiles. "Do you know of anyone who might be
able to help this child? Any of Blandine's lot, or a Dream Singer who can
also go toe to toe with a Corruptor? I can tell you this much about the
kid - she's sorth the effort. The strenght in her is...incredible."

Zach still keeps his voice down to avoid funny looks.

Dexter now looks confused. "You just said the Trade boys pointed you to
me. Or am I missing something?"

It's Zach's turn to look confused. "Er. I've been unclear here. Lessee.. I
went to them first to report and ask for assistance. I belive this matter
is dire and urgent, so they suggested I ask Stone as well /in case/ any of
you should happen to have or know someone who's available /soon/. Because
they don't. If you don't know anyone, then I'll have to try and get hold
of a Song of Dream and learn as I go. Even if it means going Upstairs and
trying to find Janus."

You say, "They didn't say that /you/ are a March-trekker."

Dexter says, "Oh." His furrowed brow lessens some. "That's a bit
different. I *am*, in a sense. I've been learning, that is."

Zach's eyebrows rocket upwards. "You are? You have? Well fuck me sideways
and call me a mungoose! How's that for luck, eh?" He grins. "You might be
just the guy I'm looking for then."

Dexter says, "I might be, but I doubt I'll get permission to do this. They
don't like risking me."

Zach nods. "I can see that. Why don't I fill you in on the details on
this, then you mull it over eh?"

Dexter says, "Yeah, maybe."

Dexter sits, still eyeing the area.

Zach sits down next to him. "The kid in question is a girl named Goldie.
You might even have seen her - she wanders all over town. Trying to flee
the corruptor and avoid getting friends. Small, skinny, blonde. Wears a
thick fleece shirt at all times. Intense eyes. She ran away from her
parents to free them from the 'evil ghost' she carried. It's urged her to
do things she doesn't want to, but she's mostly been able to resist. She's
a warrior soul if I ever saw one. I have, of course, resonated her."

Dexter says, "Right. I guess I should clear something up right-quick,
then."

Zach nods quietly. "She seems to have some kind of ability to remember
stuff from /outside/ her dreams, if you know what I mean. I've seen her
notebook - she's drawn something that looks like Nightmare's tower,
dreambubbles and the Volcano. Humans ain't supposed to see those things,
are they?"

Dexter says, "I never have, at any rate."

Dexter lets that hang there, for a moment.

Zach raises an eyebrow but keeps his trap shut for now.

Dexter says, "And that's rather the point I wanted to make. 'Zach Ellis'
may not be your real name, but Marty Dexter is mine. I was born, and I
will die. I'm not quite human *anymore*, but I bleed and I weep and I do
all the things we messy humans do. I also happen to handle a great deal of
administrative stuff for the Grotto."

Zach ahs. "I see. I would not recommend that you try to go into battle
with a demon, but you might be able to scout out stuff on the Marches side
of things if you're learning Dream Songs." He sighs. "But that would be
for your bosses to decide. All I'm doing here is asking for help." After a
small pause he adds, "And angels do bleed and weep. Anyone telling you
different is a big, fat liar."

Dexter says, "Not like we do. And as for going toe-to-toe with a demon,
I've whacked one or two before, actually. She was a secretary, named
Maggie Gilman. She worked for Lust."

Zach grimaces in disgust. "Yich! Damn Lusties... Good riddance to her.
That was well done, Mr. Dexter. But the kind of toe-to-toe business I'm
talking 'bout here would be either ethereal or celestial battle. Are you
equipped for battle in the Marches?"

Dexter says, "Frankly, I *barely* know how to get there. So likely not."

Zach nods. "I see. But you have a teacher?"

Dexter says, "The Bright Lord taught me. I asked."

Zach can't help but smile. "Oh, right. Well there goes that plan then.
Bothering /him/ with this is a bit beyond what I had in mind, yes. Could
you take these news back to your Senescal, please? And with it my request
for help, such as it is?"

Dexter nods. "Sure. It may take awhile. We don't normally do stuff like
that. But I've ... been attacked that way before, and felt it important to
learn some of the tricks, myself."

Zach nods in agreement. "It's okay - like I said this is me sending out a
general distress call. If there ain't noone to find, then I'll take more
desperate measures to help the kid. It is my simple duty. My name here is
Zach Ellis, but the one my Boss gave me is Arethas." He offers a handshake
again with an earnest smile. "And I am pleased to making your aquaintance
Martin Dexter."

Dexter extends a hand this time. "Likewise." And, yeah, his grip *is* much
stronger than it should be, by the look of him.

Zach rises with a smile twinkling in his eyes. Apparently he can't stay
all gloomy and serious for long. "I won't take up any more of your
valuable time now, Mr. Dexter. You have my phone number in your cell's
memory I belive?"

Dexter says, "Yeah. Enjoy your night."

You say, "If I don't hear from you within a week or two, I'll start
nagging. Patience isn't one of my favourite virtues."

Zach chuckles.

Zach takes off with a friendly nod to Dexter and saunters away.

You take Main street until it arcs a bit, further North, crossing over
another major street or two.
j