Logfile from Brass & Steel. To (Zach, Ruby, Harriet), Fidelity pages: Well, what was your first planned destination for this? You paged (Fidelity, Harriet, Ruby) with 'Board of Trade, I believe.'. From afar, to (Zach, Fidelity, Ruby): Harriet nodnods. Ruby says, "We've assumed we've been in a safe-house a little while while you made arrangements, Zach" Harriet is very woken up. And has even showered, although she still looks rather disheveled. :p Ruby says, "Now that those arrangements have been made, we've been picked up and gone here ." Long distance to Fidelity: Zach heads, like previously stated, to the Board of Trade to have a message sent Upstairs with maximum haste. If it's quicker to deliver it himself, he will of course do so. the message is for Archangel Christopher. Fidelity pages: And the body of the message? You paged Fidelity with 'We have a Balseraph who wants to Redeem. She served FActions until a week ago, then switched to Greed and now wants to either redeem or die. She is of the Original Fallen. Not renegade, so we have very little time before the other side finds out. She has asked for You, as she wished to make up for her sins by serving children should she survive the cleansing. -respectfully, Arethas, Malakite of Creation IST the Wind.'. You paged Fidelity with 'starting with a Esteemed Archangel Christopher, naturally.'. You paged Fidelity with 'PS. Her intentions are honourable.'. Fidelity pages: I presume you include details like city and whatnot? You paged Fidelity with 'Yes.'. Fidelity pages: A reply comes back, after a long delay: "Lord Marc has asked that his Tether not be used for this purpose, as there have been regrettable incidents as of late. Bring your would-be-Seraph to the Liberty City Square. You will be guided from there." Zach returns to the safehouse after an hour and a half. "Hey ladies? Get ready, we're going to drive up to Liberty. We won't be meeting with the Archangel in Trade's Tether, so I'm guessing we'll be lead to Stone's." He looks tense and excited, eyes constantly darting around watchfully. Harriet stands up and gives Zach a quick hug. "I'm ready, you know?" she says, cheerfully. Although the perceptive might pick up the tension in her muscles, behind the smile. She adjusts her glasses and glances in Ruby's direction. Long distance to Fidelity: Zach acknowledged the message and said he'd bring them there right away. He can be reached at cell phone no 555-mumble. Ruby gets to her feet immediately and gets her jacket. "Okay. Let's not dally then. The -sooner- this is done the better. I can barely wait. Oh..and...Zach? I told Harriet while you were gone...but I want to say it to you too. I know a significant percentage those who want to repent don't survive the meeting with an archangel. If I don't make it, then thank you for all your help and your kindness.", she says and smiles, wanly. "But I want to make it. I want to go home. And with all the help you two have given me already...I know I -will- go home.". She has a strange kind of dignity to her as she straightens her back and puts on her coat. It's the same kind of dignity one might have expected of Mata Hari at Vincennes. She's ready. Come what may. Zach smiles warmly to her. "I'll hold you to that, Ruby." Then he leads the entourage out to his car, to take off for Liberty City. North Metro -- City of Liberty The heart of the small city of Liberty, Missouri is this town square, a compact group of 19th century buildings clustered around a central plot of land. The land itself is, for the most part, rich and lush and contoured, a series of hills which extend beyond the town square to the rest of the city. Though somewhat quiet, distant from the downtown bustle, the town has a pattern of motion and activity all its own, the result of the students from William Jewell College mingling by day with tourists who have come to see the historical sites and archives. By night, these students have the run of the small city, enjoying the shops and bars and restaurants on the town square and through the streets. Zach checks his driving skills for disasters? AutoJudge: Zach rolls: 5 + 2 = 7 . Check die: 5 Zach drives cleanly and steadily like an Ofanite out of the Far Marches. Somehow he manages to avoid any hold-ups, and most of the lights tend towards greenness whenever they come near. He manouvers the truck into the town square proper, and looks for a place to park. Ruby is very quiet the whole way. She's got her hands folded and her eyes on her knees, most of the way. She's a little pale, but...given what's about to happen that might not be any -real- surprise. Harriet is dignified, and does not encourage him to go faster, although she's tempted. Instead, she bounces in her seat as they drive, and looks somewhere between nervous and eager the entire way. Zach reaches out and gives Ruby's hand a quick squeeze. Then he spots a vacancy starting to open up, and readies to zip in and park as soon as the other car has left. He hopes that any guides around will make themselves know quickly. Ruby nods once, once the car comes to a halt. Then she gets out of the car and looks around. Fidelity says, "+rolls from all?" AutoJudge: Harriet rolls: 2 + 1 = 3 . Check die: 6 AutoJudge: Zach rolls: 4 + 3 = 7 . Check die: 4 AutoJudge: Ruby rolls: 2 + 4 = 6 . Check die: 3 A Reliever can be seen flittering overhead. As if looking for people. Harriet also climbs out, closing the door behind her. She offers Ruby a quick, one-armed hug and a bright smile, then looks around. And, eventually, up. She blinks. Nudges whoever's closer, and looks up again. "Wow..." Zach spots the wee one, and whistles a signal to it -one much used in the Treetops. He hopes this one has been that far up... He flits lower down, beckoning them to follow. Ruby follows Zach. He's the man with the plan in this specific instant...and nervous though she might be...she also knows her entire existance is in his hands at this point. His hands first...then resting with her own convictions. Harriet watches the Reliever with a delighted smile, and falls in behind Zach as it beckons. Baby Angel! How cute! Zach makes a discreet gesture to the car and raises his eyebrows to the little one. Are they following on foot or are they going far? Ruby watches...but uncertain about what exactly is going to happen as she is, she knows better than to say anything at this point. She knows what she's going to say -later-...or so she thinks. Somehow, there's something nagging at her...something saying that no preparation...no thoughts about to handle this...will be of any use. Harriet reaches out and lightly touches Ruby's arm. She gives the woman a slow, reassuring smile, and does slow orbits around both her friends. Getting all her nervousness out through movement, and keeping an eye on the Reliever. 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. Zach says, "We difinitely followed by car... :)" Ruby follows. Her knees are sorta wobbly by now. It's difficult to face the possible end of thousands of years of existance and it's a testament to her sincerity that she still keeps quiet. She doesn't even whimper though she's obviously nervous in the extreme. Zach drives up on the parking lot and kills the engine. He hops out and gentlemanly waits to assist the ladies out. That would be Ruby. Because Harriet is probably bouncing all over the place by now... Harriet is, indeed. She looks around with curiosity as she scrambles out onto the pavement, and does more circles and loops around. And keeps an eye out for that little Reliever person. The reliever points to the bunker, and flitters off. Zach takes Ruby by the hand and smiles to her. "Let's go." He holds out and arm for Harriet, in case she wants to tug at it or something. Then he heads swiftly for the entrance and into the bunker. Harriet tugs, and in fact takes Zach's arm and makes an effort to calm down and look dignified. As dignified as she gets, anyway. Ruby looks between the angel and the soldier. There is something surreal to it all. She called Harriet, sitting in a park only two nights ago. Scared. Alone. Knowing that she had no choice left to her. No more places to run. No more lies to tell. No more deceptions to weave. No more. No -more-. She was at the end of her line. There were to ways to go. Into final oblivion, or -home-...where she really longed to be. Where she -wanted- to be. With all the pain...all the losses that would come with it. And now she's here. She's quiet. But calm and collected. Noone has to lead her. Noone has to make her do anything. She's choosing her own path. For the first time in centuries...in -millenia-...she's where she knows she belongs. Or at least...going there. A treacherous tear rolls down her left cheek as she looks towards the skies. Not a word is uttered as she follows Zach... 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. Zach enters with Harriet and Ruby, looking around to see if he can spot Martin. It's been a while, but he thinks he remembers what the man looked like. Dexter is sitting behind the counter, in fact, sipping on some coffee. Ruby sees there's someone new here and swallows, looking at Zach and Harriet in turn, nervously. Not sure what it's all about by now. Dexter says, "Afternoon, folks." Harriet swoops around to the other side of Ruby, and gives her another reassuring smile. She looks over towards the bench and waves at Martin, then looks at Zach. Deep breaths. Right. Zach beelines for Mart and greets. "Hey there Mr. Dexter. You've been informed, I assume? This is Harriet, I think you have met her before? and this here is Ruby, our special guest." Ruby smiles insecurely and extends a hand, in an attempt to be polite, "How do you do, sir?", she asks, timidly. Dexter looks a little confused. "I was told someone was requesting for you to have one-time meeting access, yes." Eyes Ruby. "Miss. You might want to put a pair of coveralls on over that. Going down in the caves that way, you're asking to kill yourself." Ruby: This woman is quite a sight really. She pulls off the model look so well she just -has- to be one. Isn't it annoying? She's 5'8'' or so in height, very slender and quite pale. Her raven hair is straight, falling to the small of her back, usually kept loose and brushed behind her ears. Hair like taken out of a shampoo commercial. Not fair. Not by a longshot. Her face is elegant and aristocratic and quite astoundingly beautiful really. She has high swung, perfect eyebrows. Over deep, -deep- brown eyes. With looong lashes. Her nose is straight...aristocratic...elegant. Leading to a pair of lips that just -ache- to be kissed. Full, red...sensual. All this leads down to a slender neck, and further down to a body to die for. Fairly simple. She's wearing the most outrageous skirt and top combination in history. It is made up of a teeny, tiny little bright red crop-top with some very, very small print on it. It's got a string back, crisscrossed back and forth several times to show off her back completely. The other item is a matching, bright red x-skirt. Which basically means that the skirt is made up of a long strip of cloth, crossed over her but leaving her backside entirely exposed. Since the skirt includes a very minimal G-string, she is legal in the same way she'd be legal in the worlds smallest bikini. It's not decent, and on most people it'd look outrageous but she does, as opposed to most others, have the looks, the self confidence and the natural grace to pull it off and make it look incredible. On her feet she wears a pair of red slingback pumps with 5 inches of heel under them. The print on the T-shirt, in case one gets close enough to actually read itwhich would mean very, very close indeedsays "If you're up this close, and able to read this, you're in severe danger of needing major dental work when my SO sees you.". URL : http://www.wickedtemptations.com/x1-230aj.html Ruby nods, "I know.", she says ,"It's...what I wore when I called Harriet. I haven't been home since. I can't go there anymore. I have to...go -really- home. The right place. Where everything isn't evil anymore. D...do you have something? Something I can put over it? I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset anyone." Harriet blinks, and glances at Ruby's outfit. She murmurs, "I seem to recall they rent coveralls here," she says, with a glance back at Martin. "Right?" she asks, with a raised eyebrow. Dexter says, "Where everything isn't ....?" More confusion. "Yeah, we should have something that'll fit. We don't get many thin, female players, but sure, there should be ... well, maybe." You whisper "He's a front man here. Don't confuse him too much, dear." to Ruby. Zach smiles and murmurs something in Ruby's ear. Then grins to Dexter. "See what you can find, eh? It doesn't matter if it's baggy. Doesn't matter at all." Dexter hops down from the seat, rummages about on the racks. "Uh, try this, I guess." And then a proverbial light clicks on over his head. "Oh." And he gives Ruby a more appraising glance as he hands her the coverals. Ruby shakes her head, "It doesn't matter I promise. It's the last time in my life I'm wearing this. I would've changed if I had had anything to change into.", she says and takes the overalls, looking at Zach and Harriet again. She didn't know there'd be others here and she's visibly afraid. Who wouldn't be in her situation. Harriet waits for Ruby to take the coveralls before asking, "Do you need any help with anything, you know? Zipping up, or whatever?" She smiles again at Ruby, and reaches out to touch her on the arm. "All will be well." Zach hovers protectivly around and waits. "Are we cleared to enter?" he asks Dexter excitedly. "And where do we go?" Ruby smiles softly, "I'll be fine. Can..you take my shoes though? Somehow it doesn't feel right to do this in high heels. I know it's idiotic but..." Harriet grins. "S'probably a good idea just on general principles. High heels, semi-darkness...rarely a good combination, you know?" She winks, and takes the shoes, once Ruby has them off, tucking them under one arm. Dexter says, "Uh, we'll need to find boots or something for you, then. Can't let you down without shows. First of all, you'll never get over the rocks. But okay, let's get you some boots and get you down there." Zach hover hover hover. He reaches out to give Ruby a comforting pat on the soulder as well. "You're not alone. Just hold on to that, ok?" Ruby looks at Dexter, "In ages past...it was considered a mark of faith to walk over dangerous terrain in bare feet and meet your maker with bloodied soles. I will do no less.", she says and straightens her back and lifts her chin and begins walking. Pain? It can't possibly be worse than what she has endured for so long. Comfort, to quote a certain TV-show...is irrellevant. Dexter says, "Yeah, but pardon me for saying so ... weren't you just trying to tell me that the whole point of this little exercise was *escaping* your ages past?" He shrugs. "Anyway, no skin off my nose. Follow me." Underground Drive Paintball Arena -- Caves There is a smell like wet crushed velvet, here in these caves of limestone and calcium, a damp smell caused by the proximity of the river, not even a mile distant. With the daylight completely cut off here, and the only light by which to see coming from electric lanterns set into carved niches in the walls, the sense of smell is forced to confront this odor, as if a thing from H.P. Lovecraft's fever dreams might come flying around the bend. This adrenalin rush, this natural human fear of the darkness, causes the rest of the senses to flare into hyperacuity in a moment, as well; the gears from the lift, the footfalls in the distance, the clicks and pops of paintball guns firing, these are the heartbeat of the world, or at least this small part of it. There is a safe zone, right by the lift. Beyond that, one can step into the general game area, and be fair game for all comers, or into a quieter, semi-private area, roped off and reservable for small groups who wish to make their own little wars. These caves seem to go on forever, and frequent signs remind one to stick to the well lit areas rather than careening off into the unknown. Ruby doesn't say anything more. She just follows. Quietly and with as much dignity as she can muster. Harriet follows, hovering at Ruby's elbow. She clearly doesn't like this barefoot idea, and keeps her hands out to steady the woman if she should stumble, frowning slightly in the gloom. Dexter 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 grey t-shirt bearing the silkscreened logo of some or another local martial arts school, blousy black fatigue pants, and black leather combat boots. 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. Deep Limestone Caves Here, clearly, are the caverns measureless to man and the sunless sea of which the poet wrote. The walls are a pale green-white, which one can see when ones eyes adjust to the very dim light given off by the phosphorescent fungus which grows in patches on stalactites and stalagmites. Filtered by mineral deposits, a milky water, presumably very basic in alkalinity, gathers in catchpockets. There is the distinct presence of otherworldliness, as if one could reach out here, and touch the very faces of elemental power that were old when the world was new. Through the dank, murky air, by the gloom, one can make out, if one tries, a cache in the corner, of presumably rustproofed metal lock-boxes. Supplies, of some kind, for some kind of War. Dexter leads you all down the impossible labyrinth of shifting tunnels -- how does he *remember* this? This is *insane*! -- and into the greater chamber of the Tether. At which point, he withdraws to the exit tunnel. "I'm sure someone will either show you out, or send for me." Zach nods and grins to Dexter. "Thanks man. Pray for her, willya?" He nods towards Ruby. Ruby does, at this time, suffer from bleeding feet. Once the tether room is reached though, she looks down immediately. This is it at last. No more running. No more fear or pain. This is the end of the road for her. Harriet gives Dexter a grateful smile, once she realizes that she's never going to memorize the way out on her own, and seconds Zach's comment, "Thank you, you know?" Her hands wring together, and she turns back to scowl at Ruby's feet. Dexter laughs a bit. "God and I have a deal about prayer," he says, simply. "I give Him my unremitting service, to the end and beyond, without hesitation, whatever may come, no matter how the winds may blow, and He agrees to guess at what I want rather than wait for me to ask. It works out well for both of us." Wow, a mild taste of humor in a Stonie. Who'd'a thunk it. And then, of couse, he's gone. Dexter heads back out through the tunnels to the surface. Ruby keeps her eyes on the ground. There's plenty of reason to be scared but she works hard to keep a straight face. Zach steadies his breath and tries to calm his mounting excitement. He takes a measured step away from Ruby, signalling that he will stand by her but this next test of strength is for her to face on her own two feet. He resistes the urge to shift from foot to foot. Smiles to Harriet. Fidgets. This is something he's never been involved in before. Man! Harriet gives Ruby one last squeeze on the shoulder, and then moves over to stand by Zach. The statue catches her attention, and she stares fixedly at it, studying it with narrow-eyed curiousity. Her hand reaches out for Zach's. A stone statue of granite, shaped in the form of a robustly built man with closely cropped hair. There's a few pit marks and weathering in parts of the statue, making it seem like it's been around for a long time, but the hair style and general look of the statue appears to be contemporary. There is the quiet, steady dripping of the milky water. And then, the scuffing noise. It grows louder, until finally, a stocky little fellow in tricked out cave-diving gear, like someone working for a merit badge, comes down the side of the cavern. Scrtch. Scrtch. Scrtch. He unclamps from the rocks. It's very clear that there's no earthly tunnel from where he came. He detaches the pitons from his shoes. Sits down on a rock. Breaks out an oatmeal-apple nutrition bar. He's built a lot like Dexter, in fact, but clearly a more jolly kind of guy. He smiles in the gloom. "Been a while since I've been back here," says the Archangel Christopher. "I've forgotten what a wild adventure it is. I really should thank David for letting the kids play in the tunnels above. It's .... fantastic." Ruby swallows and tries to make her mind stop -swimming-. Most of all, she wants to kneel. Somehow, it feels fake and wrong, however. What's worse...she's not sure if she can keep her balance. She looks like she's about to keel over...-soon-. Harriet pages: He's so cute! Almost as cute as Eli. But not quite. Zach lighst up in a delighted beam. "Archangel!" he exclaims happily, before he remembers proper protocol and bows. "Thank you for coming so quickly, Bright Lord. This is Harriet Davis, Soldier of Creation. And this...is Rubicante, Balseraph formerly of Factions and soon to be ex-Greed." He stealthily edges a little closer to Ruby, in case she really does keel over. He's feeling a powerful need to protect. Harriet beams at the Archangel, and also bows. A curtsey would look silly in this outfit. "A great honor, sir," she murmurs, and gives Ruby another quick, worried look. Her bottom lip is worried nervously between her teeth. Ruby bows...and keeps bowing until she does loose her balance and ends up on her knees. It's more than overwhelming. An archangel. Last time she saw an archangel was Lucifer...the very second he stopped being an archangel and became the lord of all demons. She doesn't know what to say. Except..."I'm so sorry..." Christopher frowns. "Remorse isn't the point now. I'm told you want to come in from the cold and serve the Children, yes? You know you'll have to give up the late night parties, the sex and drugs and the high life? I ... don't want there to be misunderstandings. Folks think I'm more like Eli," this with a nod to Zach and Harriet, "than I really am. I'm the balance between him and Flowers on the one hand, and Stone and the Sword on the other. I am the firm voice of a parent, giving a child love, but also correction. Can you bear that?" Zach keeps still. This is all between Ruby and the Archangel now. Harriet glances at Zach, and then follows his lead, a silent, although clearly hopeful, observer. Ruby nods, "I want...I -hope-...to start an orphanage. Harriet and Zach...have already told me they'd help in teaching the children. I was sitting on the park bench...after just such a party. I saw children in the park. With no hope. No futures. With dead eyes. I can't take any more lies. I can't take any more pain and evil. It's not who I am. It's not who I should be. I want...nothing more...than to give kids like those a decent chance. I've taken so much from so many. I've ruined lives. Destroyed hope. Made people do the most horrible things. I've laughed when people died. I've cheered as others killed. And I've hated myself. I ask only one thing...let me -love- someone -else-? Let me prove I'm not -like- that.", she says, hoarsely. The archangel *laughs*. "Silly serpent. Come here." Ruby gets back on her feet, somehow -willing- her feet and much more importantly, her -knees-, to support her. She stands before the archangel and looks down. Not -at- him...but at her own feet. Her mind is roiling with all manner of things. Zach watches and listens quietly. He's stopped fidgeting, and is more or less solemn now. Harriet moves a little closer to Zach, her eyes wide and fixed on the scene. She's not holding her breath, yet, but her breathing is slow and shallow. The archangel repeats, "Silly Serpent. An Angel *is* love." And then, with a *shove*, he pushes Ruby backwards into one of the impossibly deep catchpockets of milky water. The last thing she might hear before going under is, "If you survive this rebirth from the watery womb, you'll remember that again." Zach reaches out and grabs Harriet to stop her from doing something she shouldn't. He pulls her close and breathes a word to her, "Easy." Christopher looks up to the others as the water claims Ruby. "You two can go. I sense noone at your home who would feel the Disturbance, so I'm going to send you in a moment. Arethas, if she survives her first Century, I will owe you a debt. Good afternoon." Ruby passes out. Pure and simple. Going under as Christopher put it. She sinks. Lets the water swallow her. It'd be so easy ... to just sink. To let it take her. No more anguish and pain and uncertainty. Her tears mix with the water around her. It doesn't matter anymore. The water...the pain...none of it matters. She folds her hands again...and remembers the words of the lords prayer. Her lips move, under the water. Quietly. "At least, I'll die with my eyes on heaven...", she says. But she can't see heaven from underground. And then...she can. Heaven isn't in the skies. It's everywhere. God...is everywhere... Zach bows. "Farewell, Archangel." Harriet's jaw drops and she can't help the instinctive start of a jump to Ruby's aid. Luckily, Zach's there to stop her from doing something seriously silly. She blushes, and her mouth works, before she swallows, hard. And nods to the Archangel's words. Fidelity says, "Bamf. You can both 'home'. :) Ruby, here's what happens now...." Terrace Lofts -- Number 4B(#388RhJng) A large, bright loft on the fourth floor of the building. To the right of the door is a small kitchen area, and a shiny, new oaken table. The table has inserts, and elaborate carvings on the sides and legs. Four oak chairs sit around it. Nearby is the closet, and the door to the bathroom. The living area lacks typical furniture, instead holding a multitude of huge pillows in a variety of jewel-like colors, and stools of all shapes and sizes. Art supplies, and sculptures in various states of completion dominate the area. The sleeping area is a a small alcove at the far end of the apartment, holding a queen-sized sleigh bed of cherry, a CD player, and a Macintosh personal computer. A nearby bookcase has on shelf of books, one of CDs, and the top shelf is cluttered with framed photos. There's a large wall mirror near the bed, and posters for musicals plastered all over the walls. Overall, the apartment is in a state of clean disarray. The bed is unmade, and CD cases are in the oddest places, but there's no trash. The only thing in the room that could be said to be scrupulously neat, though, are the art supplies. Their tidy order makes them unusual in the decor. The room smells of flowers, from the numerous filled vases on the table, windowsills, and kitchen counter. (OOC: +views are set. To see them, type '+view here'.) Zach blinks as he suddenly looks upon Harriet's kitchen counter. He is still holding onto Harriet. "Woah!" he eloquently states. Harriet eeps! And leans very firmly against Zach. "That...was weird. And he pushed her!" Harriet fret. Fretfretfret. "I hope she'll be okay, you know? Oh dear, oh dear..." Zach smiles and hugs Harriet tightly. "I hope so too. It is all up to her now, and the Archangel. Redemtion is naver easy and never painless. It's the hardest thing a celestial can ever to." Harriet squirms around and hugs Zach just as tightly. "She wants it so much, Zach...she just has to be okay, you know? She just has to." She sniffles a little, the high-stress of the past couple of days finally getting to her. You say, "I'll inquire upstairs about her, if we don't hear from her within a day or two. Redemtion is a shock, I've been told. She's gonna need time to recover, if she makes it. I am so proud of you, baby. And of her."" Harriet is crying, now, although she doesn't seem to be able to figure out if they're happy tears, sad ones, or just a human who is too darned tired to do anything else. She shakes her head, her face buried against his chest. "She was the one who did it, you know? She came to me...all I did was hook her up with you." Zach cuddles Harriet and starts covering her face with kisses. He's pretty buzzed too, and has an idea of how to give all these emotions a proper outlet. Well, proper for Creationers at least. He manouvers himself and Hariet towards her bed, while fumbling with various items of clothing. Harriet has no objection to this particular form of destressing, and eagerly helps with getting the clothes off, and the two into bed. She's still crying, but definitely seems to have settled on Happy Tears, now. And other things... Zach lets Harriet sleep afterwards, and ponders nipping up to see her in the Marches. Zach lies watching Harriet as she sinks deeper and deeper into sleep. He hums softly to himself, and after an hour he finishes the Song that will take him to her.