Session Fifteen
Tony is covering the aftermath of last session (Bernard thinks he will have problems covering it without lying).
Case is still away. A new Malakim (Jonias) has appeared (he looks identical to Case) and explains he is temporarily taking his role while Case undergoes some re-training upstairs. After his first encounter with Lucas he decides to live over the Dojo.
Anita comes by Case's flat to report to him. Nathaniel is there and explains that case is currently upstairs "on sabbatical". He also explains the existence of Jonias and when asked says she could report to him. During the conversation Nathaniel prevents Lucas interrupting and Anita heads off.
Meanwhile Bernard's phone rings and he answers it. It is an angel called Liz who introduces herself and explains they have a mutual acquaintance who asked her to look into a certain matter. She identifies that the ownership of VILL Corp is split 75/25 between Old Songs Corp and Snowstock. These companies ultimately appear to be dead ends. Old Songs business appears to be the restoration of old musical instruments and Snowstock transport food. Neither appears to have any facilities in the UK. Bernard starts looking into these new names to find out any information from this end.
Martin has occasionally noticed a pigeon seeming to watch him. He takes control of another pigeon and starts watching this pigeon. While most of the time the suspect acts in a suitably pigeon fashion it does occasionally appear to fly over to Case's flat to spy on it. Co-opting a few more pigeons (to prevent the suspect noticing) he keeps up watch for a few days when he notices it flying out to see. Taking control of a seagull he continues to tail the pigeon. When it is a mile or so out to sea he decides to call Bernard and fill him in on the current situation. Bernard says he'll spread the word. Before he hangs up the pigeon dives for the surface and goes underwater. Martin detects something that could have been the spending of essence but sees no further sign of the pigeon.
Bernard then phones Nathaniel to fill him in on the latest developments and on doing so Nathaniel reminds him of the fact that the ethereals possessed at least one submarine. Bernard then hangs up, calls Martin's student host, says "Nathaniel reminded me about the submarine, Bye" and hangs up. Martin's gull looks for but fails to spot any sign of a submarine.
Bernard calls the dojo and after a bit of confusion (he was unaware of Jonias' existence) he gets informed about the strange pigeon. Bernard then phones Abdi-Bezek and fills him in about both the pigeon and of Jonias' presence in Southampton. He says he'll inform the rest and as a postscript informs him of Liz's findings.
Lucas is at university getting bothered by someone but a phonecall from Bernard solves the problem. He gets informed about the pigeon and fills Bernard in about his impressions on Jonias.
Bernard and Martin re-establish contact but Martin has nothing to report.
Lucille and Zebediah are discussing the various archangels with Zebediah trying to emphasise Laurence over the other archangels. This is the second of what Zebediah plans to be a regular visit to keep her on the right path. Lucille is paying close attention to what Zeb is saying and seems very interested in Zebediah as well although Zebediah is too innocent to realise this. After returning to the museum Zebediah gets a phonecall from Bernard filling him in on the pigeon situation (but not the Jonias situation).
In heaven Case has a visitor during one of the rare breaks in training. The visitor is Aucune, a cherub of dreams, and after confirming his identity she asks if he is still looking for Ruritania. She says she will be willing to guide Case and friends there. Case is interested but has to get permission first. She speaks to Shakiel who asks what she plans to do there. Case says he initially just wishes to have a look at the place. Shakiel says he has the authority to allow him to release him from his current assignment.
After returning to Earth via the Winchester tether Case picks up his bike (paying the parking ticket) and heads to the dojo. Timing his arrival to coincide with the end of classes, Case enters and after a brief discussion over the relative merits of whisky and filling him in on the pigeon situation Jonias tries to depart, fails to go celestial, looks at Case, then succeeds at going celestial.
Martin (having heard the disturbance of Jonias' departure) calls the dojo and tells him about the meeting tomorrow at the museum. After checking the dojo records Case heads back to the flat. In the flat Lucas is trying to tidy up the 74 bottles of whisky - he doesn't smash any but realises (just before Case opens the door) the door will probably smash them. (Lucas was playing with Case's everfull whisky bottle and produced a lot of whisky.) Diving for the door, Lucas stops Case opening the door and moves the bottle. Lucas opens the door and rushes to make Case a coffee.
Case checks the flat out and asks Lucas why Jonias felt the need to move out. Case speaks to Nathaniel about the pigeon and the meeting. In return Case lets them know he has found a guide to Ruritania. Case offers to share a bottle with Lucas and alcohol is consumed while Nathaniel goes stalking.
Bernard's research turns up the fact that Old Songs Corp has shares in a number of craft working groups (20-30% stake). They have a presence across most of Europe but none closer than Guernsey. Nothing has turned up with relation to Snowstock.
After being given some sunglasses and drinking some water and coffee (Lucas being informed afterwards that coffee would be a bad idea) Lucas gets on Case's bike for a lift to the museum.
The meeting convenes with Case warning everyone about Lucas' delicate state and Nathaniel informs everyone that Case is indeed Case and not Jonias. This confuses Zeb slightly because he still hadn't been told about Jonias. After a briefing by Bernard Case reminds people that the bearded gentleman from the fort was feeding the birds. Bernard then fills everyone into what has been discovered about the ownership of the VILL Corp. Case then informs everyone about the offer to guide him and friends to Ruritania. Case states he will keep that appointment and asks if anyone else wishes to come along. Martin volunteers and Nathaniel asks Case how many he thinks are needed. Case is also informed (indirectly) about Lucille's presence at the tether and its then agreed that everyone will meet at the library tether that evening. Nathaniel also suggests that some people can do some research into the Old Songs/Snowstock matter from other angels.
Nathaniel makes the request to leave his post temporarily to enter the marches. Nathaniel receives the permission and the others try research. Not much is found beyond lists of various pagan gods. Both Case and Zeb arrive at the tether early to speak to Lucille.
Case and Lucille meet and Lucille flinches slightly initially. He then starts giving her the Michaelite perspective. Zeb then turns up and lets Lucille know he might be away for a while and thus miss their next meeting. She asks him to be careful and gives him a chaste hug as he leaves.
The group head upstairs and proceed towards the Tower of Blandine. Reaching the base of the tower (which is actually in the Marches) they emerge into the dreamscape. At the foot of the tower they meet the cherub who had previously spoken to Case. She asks them to follow and leads them all into the Marches. As we walk she briefs the party on Ruritania. They also change out of angelic form, to something similar to their corporeal forms.
Reaching a rockface with a crack in it, Aucune indicates this is the place. Heading through, they emerge in bright sunlight. The Cherub changes her form into that of a young woman in a simple grey dress. She heads off for business of her own after telling them how to contact her (leave a message at an inn in town) and after a short bit of discussion they headed towards town. Getting closer, they notice that their outfits are no more or less strange than others. A couple of Impudites are spotted at one tavern. Zeb resonates them and realises they have both left their former masters. After a quick check that Bernard can call Nathaniel's mobile they split up into two separate groups - Martin, Case & Bernard in one and Zeb, Lucas and Nathaniel in the other. Martin and co investigate the pubs and the others head for the harbour.
The harbour contains 3 ships, all with skull and crossbones flags, and obviously pirate ships. Two ships are quiet whilst the third has its crew working on general maintenance. The captain of one of the ships is playing bowls on the quay. After winning the game he turns to the angels and asks if they seek employment with the Brotherhood. After a short conversation with Nathaniel he turns to Zeb and asks if that is a sword he's carrying and whether he can use it. Zeb declines the offer to test skills there and then and they move down the quay. As the angels move off, Nathaniel informs the others that the captain is an ex-servitor of Baal.
The others explore the town, starting out to find out where the Gray Duck is (where a message can be left if we need to contact the Cherub). They find an exile from Arcadia who fills them in on the town, informing them about the pirate ships. They find out the names of the ships and some details about the captains. Heading for the higher class taverns they find out where the local leader (Rupert of Hentzau) and his paramour (one of the captains) hang out. While looking out one of the windows they see an arm-wrestling contest and Martin recognises one of the contestants as one of the people from the fort whilst his opponent matches the description of one of the other captains' lieutenants.
Heading into the pub where the contest is taking place the three claim a table as the man from the fort wins and offers drinks for all. He and his opponent speak briefly and then a knife fight breaks out. The opponent heads in that direction and breaks the fight up telling them the master wouldn't want them fighting. Suddenly the door is thrown open and another of the captains (a Lilim) appears and tell the opponent (called Firebeard) to get ready for sea as they'll be leaving in the morning. She also tells the man from the fort he'll be going with them. Bernard calls Nathaniel to let him know what they have found out.
The man from the fort looks at their table and asks them what they are doing. Case offers to buy him a drink and they invites them over. He gives his name as Lem (Bernard resonates successfully and he is telling the truth). He gets told he's getting transport with the pirates. The others arrive while they are talking. Bernard makes the connection to Finnish lore and the story of Lemminkainen. The angels all head for a separate table. Lem heads out looking slightly the worse for ware.
Heading to a better pub, the angels get together and compare notes. Bernard fills the rest of them in on the details he has on Finnish mythology.
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Feather And Bone