Home Again, Home Again

... and the world changes. And first Daimonique, then the stumbling Mazpatiel, then Chephirah, find themselves in an ivory courtyard before high ivory and gold towers, shining brilliant in the dawn light.

Chephirah takes a deep, deep breath.

Chephirah whispers, "That's a promising sign."

Daimonique blinks around. Ivory tower. Might be... normality.

Daimonique breathes in deeply.

Mazpatiel looks up, as he has fallen to the ground due to his bindings. He smiles.

<> Sabriel says "Then Jean passed by doing the cha-cha."

<> Demiurge says "Alas, Mazpatiel's bindings still operate."

Daimonique looks around and stretches. "Could be home."

A dark-robed figure comes out of an arched pair of doors in the foot of one spire. The build suggests a Seraph, though not one of Dominic's stature.

Chephirah helps Mazpatiel up, hesitant and careful. Gentle.

Mazpatiel says "This is a proper place."

Daimonique furrows her brow. Sword? "Hey!"

<> Demiurge says "Are you calling towards the Seraph, or talking to Chephirah/Mazpatiel?"

<> Daimonique says "The Seraph."

The Seraph turns its head in the direction of the Lilim, and undulates across the courtyard towards her.

Daimonique says "Hey, um, hi."

The Seraph tosses his head, and his black hood falls back to reveal the familiar tiger-eye scales and feathers of Jordan. "Daimonique."

Jordan casts an approving eye over Daimonique's suit. "I am pleased to see you appropriately dressed."

Daimonique wrinkles her brow. Jordan is a Dominican. "Um, hi Jordan. Yeah, this is my suit. I always wear a suit unless I'm doing something un-suit-related."

Daimonique . o ( Hell. )

Jordan inclines his head again. "Of course. It is appropriate to a servitor of Dominic." He turns to nod to Chephirah. "Librarian. Your assistance is always appreciated."

Mazpatiel narrows his eyes. Something's still wrong here.

Daimonique says "No, it's how I've been for.... Jordan, who do you work for?"

Chephirah turns her shaggy head a touch to one side, considering Jordan.

Jordan ripple-blinks. "Ah, ever the questioner. We serve our Archangel Dominic together, Daimonique." He turns his focus to Mazpatiel. "Is this a new witness?"

Jordan does not seem in the least disturbed by the fact that Mazpatiel is handcuffed and collared.

Daimonique says "Witness? Um, no.... this is just this guy."

Daimonique gives a _look_ to Chephirah.

Mazpatiel gives a /look/ to Daimonique.

Jordan slits a pair of eyes. "You said when last we spoke that you felt you had reliable evidence in the Faber matter. Is this a sidetrack?"

Daimonique ignores Mazpatiel's look.

Chephirah says, mildly, "Jordan, have you by any chance seen Mazpatiel lately?"

Daimonique says "Faber?"

Jordan turns to Chephirah, shaking his head. "Not since he last went down to Earth with you, no. Was he to report independently?"

Mazpatiel says "I beg your pardon?"

Daimonique just ums.

Daimonique says "Yeah, yeah he was."

Chephirah murmurs to Mazpatiel, "Not you, dear," and lifts her head to look toward Daimonique. "Faber?"

Daimonique shrugs. She has no clue.

Jordan says, to Chephirah, "Has he not informed you? Daimonique has been assigned this particular case, in acknowledgement of its importance. We have clear proof of the collusion between a Malakite of Creation and a demon."

Jordan's wings ripple under his robe, then fold back smooth against his body.

Daimonique says "Faber and a demon? I'm sure he knows what he's doing, if that's true."

Jordan peers, with all three pairs of eyes. "Then we have definite proof of the Archangel's collusion? Excellent! I had assumed that this," his head swings towards Mazpatiel, "was one of the accused's choirmates."

Daimonique just _blinks_.

Daimonique says "Jordan, I, um, sorry, can you just start over from the beginning? What is going on here?"

Jordan blinks, several times.

Jordan says, "As far as I know, nothing has changed since you were assigned the case..." He pauses. "Ah." He leans forward, to murmur, "You do not wish to discuss it in the hearing of the witness? Admirable."

Daimonique peers up at... the witness.

Jordan says, "Would you prefer to continue in your office?"

Chephirah murmurs, "I think we're in a very confusingly similar place, Daimon."

Daimonique says "Him? He's just violent and fanatical and a little over zealous."

Zebina spins across the square, arrowing towards

Jordan tilts his head. "An incidental find? I daresay the Mercurian Institute can handle him, then."

Zebina spins across the square, arrowing towards Jordan. "River of Judgment! I would like to speak to you!"

Daimonique suddenly wishes so badly that Sarah could understand Judgment handsigns.

Jordan flicks his head abruptly upright. "Speak, Zebina."

Zebina veerss off at the last moment, hovering just a bit higher than everyone else.

Chephirah whispers to Daimon, mildly distressed, "Mercurian Institute?"

Zebina says "I have a very unique and rare opportunity for you."

<> Demiurge rolls the d666 and gets 3 2 CHECK: 4.

Jordan appears interested. "Indeed?"

Zebina says "Just back from earthside, and I knew you and the Most Just would want first crack at it."

Daimonique whispers back, "Possibly. They're anti-Malakim."

Chephirah shakes her head, slow and slight.

Jordan says, "A representative of the Game?"

Zebina takes a moment to let Jordan think about it, and inclines toward Daimon and Chephirah. "Daimon, Chephirah. Good to see you."

Chephirah says, weakly, "And you, dear."

Daimonique flashes Zebina a fake grin. "Hey, you too."

Zebina tsks faintly. "You're utterly no fun to bargain with. And that's former representative of the Game. Came to his senses, if you can believe that. Wants to do right for a change. Make up for past transgressions and the like."

Jordan's laugh is a dry whispery thing. "Excellent. We may bypass the normal Hospice arrangements, in that case, and have him released directly into our custody."

Zebina ponders the Malakite. "Doing a little moonlighting on the side, Daimon? Not your style at all."

Daimonique just slowly blinks.

Chephirah whispers, to Daimon, "Hospice? Moonlighting?"

Zebina mmms. "Bypassing the normal arrangements... well, you know, that means bypassing the normal, ah, transportation fees and the like, as well as other opportunities for competition. That comes with a not inconsiderable premium, you know.

Daimonique looks back over her shoulder at the portal. Considers pushing Mazpatiel of Froth through and hopping after him.

<> Chephirah laughs!

Mazpatiel is just glaring.

Zebina says "My Boss is always willing to make arrangements, of course, but we were expecting considerable interest in this one."

<> Chephirah says "Servitor of Froth!"

Daimonique lets him glare.

Jordan says, "I am sure that we can come to a satisfactory arrangement. Take it to the normal authorities, and do not try and bargain with me. I have a trial to arrange for this afternoon, and a probable execution."

Daimonique says "You don't, um, want him."

Chephirah blinks at Zebina, slowly.

Jordan turns to Daimonique. "That is, if you have the necessary evidence. We still have the jurisdictional dispute problems over the Punisher of the War, I fear."

Daimonique decides that yes, Mazpatiel is going to go through the portal if he likes it or not.

Daimonique says "I... dispute? Punisher?"

Zebina inclines the other way. "We're not talking about Justice here, Most Holy. We're talking Trade, and that falls under the purview of my Boss. Others do have a legitimate interest."

Shannen saunters into the square, beaming happily and carrying a large box filled with flowers, passing through at a nice pace.

Jordan clicks his tongue. "I did think that you would have read up on her case, Daimonique, given she was the demon interacting with Faber. Naturally, Michael is claiming personal rights of punishment, as she was originally one of his angels."

Zebina says "If you wish to speak for the Most Just on the matter, I'll take your word that any reasonable commission will be met, but my Boss will dictate what's reasonable here."

Chephirah's wingtips twitch mildly. She looks over to Shannen. Anything but this discussion between Jordan and Zebina. Look! Flowers!

Jordan peers up at Zebina again. "I believe that I can undertake to meet *reasonable* commissions. Assuming that this demon is of sufficient value to be worth our personal attention."

Shannen lets out a squeal of delight and angles towards the gathering, beaming brighter "Oh my! I can't believe it!"

Daimonique whispers up to Mazpatiel, "You don't trust me, but that's okay. Just step back toward the portal."

Zebina doesn't quite smile, but her rings quiver in fiery laughter. "Oh yes. Quite. I believe the name 'Focalor' might ring a bell."

Mazpatiel looks at Daimonique, and starts stepping back.

Jordan's six eyes all slit near-shut. "Indeed. Yes. We of Judgement have a strong interest in Focalor."

Zebina says "I thought as much."

Chephirah glances aside to Daimon, and makes a tiny gesture back toward the portal with her head.

Zebina says "As a token of good will, feel free to drop by processing after your trial. He'll be ready for release to your custody shortly thereafter."

Daimonique steps back toward the portal.

Chephirah steps back toward the portal as Daimonique does, tensed just in case someone tries to stop the Lilim.

Jordan is about to say something in answer to Zebina, when he glances towards Daimonique. "Daimonique? Sister Inquisitor? Is something the matter?"

Shannen beams at the group and shakes her head "h my. It's Daimonique. I simply cannot believe it." She gives him a mocking glare "You never come by anymore!" and giggles "Hey, ohh..good news. Three of the last four candidates have passed preliminary testing." She coughs "I supervised the tests myself."

Daimonique says "I, um, I just have to finish my analysis of this floating disk thing here."

Daimonique says "There's a report due, you know."

Zebina zips around, behind Daimon, inclined towards Shannen. "Shannen! I'd like to speak with you. I've got a very interesting possibility on some former servitors of Lust. Impudites the lot of them, one or two newly created. We caught wind of them only last week."

Jordan's wings flare in interest beneath his robe. "Indeed! Let me see." He moves liquidly through the air, towards the portal.

Daimonique jumps back a bit when Zebina passes behind her.

Chephirah warns, "Don't touch it!"

Shannen blinks and drops the box, reaching in to grab some papers and a pen from within "Lusties? This is too good to pass up. Give me details, and I'll get the ball rolling right away." She pauses "Virgin Lusties? That's almost funny. I mean it."

Jordan obeys Chephirah's warning, and does not touch the portal, but scrutinises it. "Fascinating. We must summon the Servitors of Lightning at once."

Daimonique says "Why don't we push this prisoner through and see what happens to him?"

Mazpatiel says "I /beg/ your pardon?"

Mazpatiel stares at Daimonique.

Jordan swivels his Seraphic head. "Really, Daimonique, I know your taste in jokes, but that is hardly in good taste. How would we ever know if that was an appropriate punishment?"

Shannen looks up and over at Mazpatiel "Prisoner?" She nods and grins "Ahh..I see. This is why I carry paperwork wherever I go."

Daimonique says "If he fries, then I bet it was appropriate."

Jordan says, "Let me call the guards, and I will have your prisoner taken to the interrogation cells."

Chephirah says, mildly, "I'm confident that it's appropriate."

Mazpatiel snarls at Shannen.

Daimonique says "And we'll learn valuabel facts! No no no, no need to call the guards."

Chephirah pauses, blinking a touch at Mazpatiel; sighs lightly. "Oh, dear."

Shannen grins at Mazpatiel. "Ohh...a feisty one."

<> Demiurge rolls the d666 and gets 3 4 CHECK: 3.

Jordan frowns, Seraphically. "Daimonique, you seem disturbed. What troubles you?"

Zebina chuckles, another firey laugh. "According to our source, they're setting up a child porn ring and needed 'appropriate subjects'. I guess they found it easier to whip up a couple of newly created Impudites with requisite vessels rather than kidnap a couple of real children and deal with the resulting investigation."

Daimonique says "Nothing. Nothing troubles me at all. I'm cool with the whole world."

Jordan leans closer to Daimonique. "That is not accurate. What is it?"

Zebina says "Anyways, I know you're looking for a few more subjects for your 'Innocence from Hell' research, and these might be available."

Shannen giggles "I like it. Lemme think. Yes, we -do- have enough caseworkers available."

Chephirah glances back. Who exactly is between herself, Mazpatiel, Daimonique, and the Portal at the moment? Or has Zebina swooped out of the way?

Zebina says "Though I shouldn't wait too long. We managed to scotch the delivery of their cameras and the like for a few days, but they won't be 'innocent' for very much longer, I think."

Shannen smiles at Zebina "Did I ever tell you how much I love you, Zeb? Did I?.. could you send them over to the Institute pronto. The people there are trustworthy. Honest."

At the moment, Zebina is more or less between Daimonique and the portal. Jordan is beside her, scrutinising the portal and talking to Daimonique. Mazpatiel and Chephirah are to the side.

Zebina nods. "Of course. I'll see what can be done. We'll need a few extra resources down on the ground, but I'm sure the Institute can cover that."

Mazpatiel looks at Chephirah. "Release me," he mutters.

Daimonique is just ummm-ing.

Shannen nods "I'll authorize it myself." She makes a few notes on the papers. "Lessee..Innocence from Hell is covered. Redemption Threshold is doing okay. think we're in good shape."

Chephirah murmurs to Mazpatiel, "No, dear. We're going to have to come back through here after I drop you off."

Mazpatiel mutters.

Jordan leans closer to Daimonique. "Is it because we are having to deal with Archangels? I assure you, Dominic will protect you, Sister. As he always has. If we have definite evidence against Eli, fear cannot be allowed to obscure that."

Shannen nods to Chephirah "Really? Don't forget to fill out the forms. Some fool dropped off a whole load the other day but disappeared. Not that we're complaining, but it's hell on the paperwork."

Zebina peers at Shannen. "Did they? So who got the credit?"

Zebina says "And the commission?"

Chephirah rubs her cheek against Mazpatiel's shoulder briefly. "I'm not likely to forget any paperwork, Shannen," she promises. "Speaking of which. Jordan, dear, would you mind? Daimonique and I still have a touch of work to do with this... thing."

Daimonique says "No, no, no, I just want to get the report out pronto."

Jordan says, firmly, "The work on the Faber trial is more important. I'll have some other Servitors assigned to look at this." He unfurls a hanging wing of cloak. "Back to your office, Daimonique. You do not want to disappoint our Archangel."

<> Daimonique says "We spend alot of time lying. :)"

Daimonique says "I, um... I really can't, Jordan."

Shannen smiles sweetly at Zebina "Well, since no one claimed to be the finder, we had to keep the commission. It's a shame, really. So, in lieu of paying someone, we all had a party. It was great."

Chephirah intercedes, "This is necessary for Daimonique to get back to work on the Faber trial, Jordan."

Jordan says, firmly, "You can and must, unless you wish to be reassigned to the Sword." He brings the wing round to usher Daimonique back towards the Council Spires.

<> Chephirah carefully tells truth to the Seraph!

Daimonique tasers Jordan.

Shannen snickers at the Sword comment.

Jordan shrieks, as streams of electricity shoot blue-white from Daimon's bracelet and crackle into him at point-blank range. Unfortunately, Daimonique is at point-blank range as the Seraph thrashes and falls.

You paged Daimonique with 'In other words, you've got to spend a pose wriggling out from under cloak and wings.'.

<> Mazpatiel says "Woo!"

<> Sephar says "Woo!"

Zebina hmmphs. "Sloppy work on someone's part."

Daimonique acks, and goes down under the cloak and the wings. She tries to struggle out from beneath them.

Zebina blinks. "What the hell...? Daimon, are you *mad*?"

Mazpatiel lowers his head and charges at Zebina.

Shannen looks up "Holy fuck!" and reaches into her box of flowers, pulling a box with an antenna attached out "Dude, Daimonique, I'll..erm..get your room reservation ready."

Zebina dodges!

Chephirah resists the urge to hide her eyes, and swats toward Shannen's antenna with a wing. "Please. My responsibility."

Daimonique struggles out from underneath the wings and yells to Chephirah, "Get him into the portal!"

The Ofanite's sweeping dodge lets her evade the Malakite's lunge - at least for the moment.

Mazpatiel keeps charging, headlong for the portal.

Daimonique gets to her feet.

Shannen backs away from Chephirah "What the..they'll eat her up alive! And that's my job!" She yells out "Escape! Escape! Prisoner on the run." as loud as she can.

Some Cherubim and Elohim come running from the Council Spires, dark steel glinting on their sashes and at their waists.

Chephirah calls, "Daimonique! Go!"

Daimonique runs for the portal, behind the raving lunatic Malakite.

Chephirah turns and - as usual - tries both to reach the portal herself and cover Daimonique's escape. AND keep any other angels from reaching the portal.

Shannen rushes for Daimonique "Sorry, love, but you'd do the same for me."

Chephirah, thus, concentrates on intercepting Shannen, if that clears things up any.

The path to the portal is clear. Mazpatiel makes it through, with Daimonique a step behind - and then Shannen and Chephirah collide.

Shannen swears loudly and rather impurely, and grabs at Chephirah "You, too..Jesus.."

The Cherubim and Elohim are approaching fast.

Daimonique stops short at the portal, and spins.

Chephirah tussles with Shannen, protectively of Daimonique. "Language, dear," she gasps, while trying to push Shannen back with paws or wings.

Zebina curses and dives at Daimon, trying to knock her back. "Oh no, I got my 10th force from redeeming you. I'm not going to lose it!"

<> Demiurge says "Hm. In that case, Mazpatiel is partway through the portal, and can just about turn back if he tries."

Jordan just lies there, smoking gently.

Shannen is trying to grab Chephirah in a good, steady hold "I've taken worse than you in the padded rooms.."

Daimonique readies the taser and aims it at Zebina.

Mazpatiel sighs. Dammit. He turns back from the portal, screaming at Chephirah. "Release me!"

Daimonique's taser flashes. "PLEASE ALLOW FIVE SECOND RELOADING PERIOD. FOUR. THREE."

Zebina dodges again, thence to collide with Daimonique.

Zebina wraps up Daiminique in her rings.

Daimonique is pressing the button over and over again. Come on come on.... OOOF.

Chephirah readies her own taser; takes a deep breath, and prepares for the shock; does her best to hit Shannen, not herself.

<> Chephirah says "Lensman!"

Zebina 's 10th force is obviously celestial. *squeeeze*

Daimonique struggles in Zebina's rings. AUGH!

Chephirah's taser discharges into Shannen, knocking her back unconscious with a smell of charred feathers and charred Mercurian and charred flowers and charred white robe. She collapses.

Zebina mutters, "Knew we... uuunf... should have... uuunf... given you to... ooof! Laurence..."

Chephirah shudders, half-dismayed - for about a tenth of a second, before she realizes where her Attuned is.

Chephirah says "DAIMONIQUE!"

Shannen sizzles gently.

Daimonique coughs out, struggles, and tries to scream, but she doesn't have any air.

Chephirah lunges at Zebina's outer rings, Singing claws.

The lens on Daimonique's taser flashes, "TWO. ONE. READY TO FIRE. PLEASE DO NOT DISCHARGE WHILE IN PHYSICAL CONTACT WITH ENEMY, AS SHOCK MAY BE CONDUCTED."

Shannen smells vaguely like roasted flower petals.

Mazpatiel . o O ( Ah well. At least she can't hit the Harmony button. )

Zebina 's voice rises, starting the invocation of the Boss...

Mazpatiel charges into the fray, weilding a wicked Urielite headbutt.

<> Daimonique says "Is that your secret move?"

<> Demiurge says "Secret Urielite Fighting Tactics!"

Chephirah . o O ( Hell, no, I'm not releasing you. )

Mazpatiel . o O ( I could kill them all! )

Chephirah . o O ( Otherwise we'll NEVER get you back in Holy War universe. )

<> Daimonique says "Keep him outta my universe!"

The Claws that Chephirah Sings rip painfully into Zebina, as at the same time Daimonique triggers the taser. There is a violent electrical discharge.

<> Mazpatiel says "Hey! He could kick some ass in HW!"

You paged Mazpatiel with 'Which fuses your restraints. ;)'.

Mazpatiel pages: Fuses them shut?

You paged Mazpatiel with 'Overloads them. You're ... free.'.

Mazpatiel pages: Woo! Let the carnage begin!

The electrical charge goes mainly through Zebina, though there's enough to be painful to the other three as well.

Mazpatiel stops his running at the discharge, and straightens up as the cuffs and collar fall free. He smiles.

Zebina's song dissolves into a painful scream, her rings loosening, spinning askew.

Daimonique screams out.

The Cherubim and Elohim are nearly on them. One - clearly the leader, a female winged panther - snarls, "Strike to subdue, we can interrogate them later."

Mazpatiel faces the lead Cherub, flexing his wings and lowering his stance. "You can certainly try, abomination."

Chephirah dodges to try to catch Daimonique, so far as she can, shuddering from the aftereffects of the shock.

You paged Mazpatiel with 'The amateurs didn't even take your flaming sword off you!'.

Mazpatiel pages: They didn't? EXCELLENT.

Daimonique is shuddering and gasping for air.

The Cherub sets its wings. "Surrender in the name of the Inquisition, traitors!"

Mazpatiel pulls his sword hilt from under his tunic, the air wavering with the heat of the flare as he activates it.

Mazpatiel says "Die in the name of Uriel!"

<> Daimonique says "And you can tell he LOVES this."

<> Mazpatiel says "Oh yeah, baby."

<> Mazpatiel says "Bring it on."

<> Sabriel hands out the marshmallows.

<> Sephar watches, open-mouthed, "Wow."

The dark-sashed Servitors of Judgement throw themselves on Mazpatiel. Mainly because Chephirah and Daimonique are clearly sitting targets and less important.

Daimonique struggles to stop shaking and peers upwards. More... sticky... food... substances...

<> Mazpatiel sings out "But remorse I felt and remorse I had, it clung to every thing. From the raven's hair upon my head, to the feathers on my wings."

Mazpatiel rushes forward to meet the oncoming angels, his sword streaking into arcs of flame as he attacks.

Indeed, Daimon hath the Power of Abracadabra.

Chephirah grooms Daimon nervously as a reflexive reaction, wrapping a wing about him. She stares at her taser, Mazpatiel, her taser.

Zebina's rings still spin, rather like the front wheel of a bicycle that's been in a massive cock-up involving a truck, two cub scouts and a Trabant.

Daimonique uses the power of Abracadabra to start a barrage of carmalization of those who are facing Mazpatiel.

Large dollops of hot brown sticky sweet goo descend on the heads of those fighting Mazpatiel. It gives him a chance to wade further into their ranks, dealing out Purity.

Mazpatiel deals out Purity in spades, the cleansing flame of his sword seeking arms and wings and throats.

<> Mazpatiel keeps singing "I am the man for which no God waits, but for which the whole world yearns. And I'm marked by darkness and by blood, and a thousand powder burns..."

A voice calls from above, as another Malakite descends on wings that are streaked with green flame. "Hold, brother! I have no love for Judgement, but you cannot slay them!"

<> Demiurge says "Yup, it's Eduardo."

<> Daimonique says "He said "brother"."

<> Daimonique says "Wait. He articulated."

<> Mazpatiel says "Dammit. We got along so well in a Pure heaven."

<> Demiurge says "One Malakite, two Malakite..."

Mazpatiel looks up at Edward, the reek of scorched blood rising from his sword. "They are impure."

For the moment, the dark-sashed Servitors of Judgement have been driven back from the portal disc, leaving access to it clear.

<> Chephirah says "Demi, are the restraints actually off? :)"

<> Demiurge says "Yes. Way off."

<> Mazpatiel says "Yes. :)"

<> Mazpatiel grins maniacally.

<> Chephirah says "Oh dear. :)"

<> Daimonique says "Run."

Daimonique tries to get up, struggling in the direction of the portal.

Eduardo sings, face blank and rapt with power, "You slay cruelly. You break the peace of Heaven. I cannot permit this." Green flame begins to crackle round his hands and eyes, viridian fires darkening.

The few remaining Servitors of Judgement eye each other, and fall back from Mazpatiel.

Chephirah beats her wings, once, twice, careful. "Mazpatiel, come on!"

Mazpatiel says "This place is cruel, brother. Join me and we will make it pure again."

Eduardo sings, "Your presence cannot be tolerated." Flame gathers around him like a thunderhead.

Mazpatiel nods. "Then it must be only one way." And he takes to the air, headed for Edward.

Eduardo swoops like a fire-winged hawk, and there is a thunder in the air as the two Malakim come together in conflagration.

Daimonique blinks. "Do we want to try to save him?"

And then... there is only the echo of flame, and drifting charred black feathers.

<> Sephar says "Woo, now *that* is a way to go."

Chephirah stares.

Chephirah simply stares at the air.

<> Mazpatiel says "Faboosh!"

Daimonique just stares.

The Servitors of Judgement begin to regroup, reassemble. The leading Elohim eyes Chephirah and Daimonique, then gives what is clearly a "get them" gesture to the others.

Chephirah whirls, to whatever extent her dazedness will let her. "Take the chance!" she calls to Daimonique. "Go!"

Daimonique struggles up, and as fast as her breathless, squeezed, tasered body can take her, she heads tot he portal.

The Lilim and Cherub make it to the portal about two steps in front of the pursuing Dominicans. And through.

And the world changes...

Chephirah does not actually care *what* is on the other side of the portal. When all she intends to do is slump to the ground on the far side, fold Daimonique in her wings, and pray not to be overrun by mad Dominicans.

Daimonique, mostly out of essence, will also slump into the ground.

And the two of them tumble into a brightly-lit laboratory - the very same one that they originally vanished from when Daimonique first jumped through the portal. There is a familiar Elohite of Judgement, and a familiar Kyriotate of Animals. There are a number of Servitors of Lightning adjusting portals. And there is a less-than-amused looking Archangel of Lightning.

<> Sephar says "YEEEEEHAW!"

<> Chephirah faints. :)

<> Daimonique says "Yay! Home!"

Mazpatiel sits in a corner, debating some point of the 'hacker ethic' with one of its Lightning-bound siblings.

<> Chephirah says "You hope. :)"

Daimonique curls up into a ball of Lilim on the clean laboratory floor.

Jean turns from the monitors he was surveying, and regards the Cherub and Lilim. There is an impression of an eyebrow being raised - even on an Elohite.

Hitherby hovers meekly, very out of her element.

Chephirah leaves her wing draped over Daimonique's body, and looks quietly exhausted.

Daimonique unballs after a few minutes, and looks around.

Jean says, voice absolutely uninflected, "I am waiting for some sort of explanation."

Mazpatiel holds up a pausing hand to its debate opponent, and looks over at the two arrivals.

Daimonique sits up, and sits there, indian style.

Chephirah murmurs, "This is one thing I'm not going to protect you from, dear."

Daimonique says "Well....."

Hitherby focuses most of her eyes on the disc, almost ignoring the arrivals. Although certainly a few point their way.

Daimonique says "It was an Adventure wrought with Peril!"

Jean regards Daimonique with eyes like a thousand miles of deep grey sea. "Did you encounter Sephar, Domination of Lightning, while in passage?"

<> Sabriel says "Starring Daimon as Peril! :)"

Daimonique says "Erm, various versions of Sephar, but not our Sephar, no."

Chephirah blinks her eyes, slow. "... /Our/ ... Sephar?"

<> Daimonique says "All adventures require peril!"

Jean says, "In that case, Sephar is presumably at least one world behind you in sequence, assuming that it is still alive. Certain variables incline me to presuppose it likely."

<> Sephar wows, my Boss really does believe in me.

<> Demiurge pats Sephar. Of course he does.

Daimonique gets a look of, "Oh NO!"

<> Sephar just boggles happily.

Daimonique says "There are some really bad worlds in there. And this one really cool tech world."

Mazpatiel says "In what sequence?"

Hitherby redirects several eyes towards Jean. Then back towards the portal. Then to Jean. Then to the portal. This continues.

Jean turns away. "You will, of course, both supply me with a full report. You are also barred from visiting these laboratories again. Your status as visitors to the Halls of Progress in any capacity is being assessed."

Jean's words are clearly for Daimonique and Chephirah.

Chephirah says, quietly, toward Jean, "Thank you."

<> Mazpatiel says "And you will never get mecha, either!"

Daimonique sags, disappoined. "Yes sir."

<> Demiurge says "Nor state-of-the-art battle-cubicles!"

<> Daimonique sniffles!!!!

<> Sephar hee's, hopes the Boss likes the Mecha report.

<> Mazpatiel says "Boss - We need these!!! - Sephar."

Jean lifts one hand. There is a crackle of distant lightning. "You are permitted to wait for a reasonable span of time, until the probability state field renders your remaining here inefficient."

<> Hitherby says "Mecha are very important."

Jean says, "You may compose your reports and speak with your colleagues while you are waiting." He turns away.

<> Hitherby says "Except that Yves' chariot sometimes crushes them. Then they are not so important."

Daimonique says "Yes sir."

Daimonique visibly sags.

Chephirah says meekly, "Thank you, sir." She blinks toward Mazpatiel, worriedly.

Jean's entire attitude is that of, "If you act like a child, you must expect to be treated like one," as he moves around the laboratory, inspecting a set of keyboards and monitors.

Daimonique goes over to a computer and starts typing up a report. She's still sort of smoking from the taser.

Mazpatiel, assured that the two are not permanently damaged, returns to his debate.

Hitherby says, consolingly, "It's not like it's the Sa-" The shifting eyes point to Jean again, Hitherby has some sort of realization, and goes quiet.

<> Demiurge | It's not like it's the Sacred Flame, hm? :)

Daimonique types. Tick tick tick tick tickticktick tick tick tickticktick tick tick.

Chephirah curls in at a keyboard beside Daimonique, and tries not to get singed-fur smell on the computers.

Chephirah type type type. First universe, Dominic Fallen, Prince of Corruption; Marc dead; Laurence Discordant; Michael fighting David.

Chephirah eyes what she just typed.

<> Hitherby says "...vannah you're being barred from :)"

Chephirah covers her eyes with a wingtip.

<> Demiurge grins at Hitherby.

Daimonique embellishes in the report. People were all very heroic.

<> Demiurge says "Even Mazpatiel the Malakite?"

<> Daimonique nods. He dies very heroically.

<> Mazpatiel says "Faboosh!"

Chephirah pauses.

Chephirah looks over her shoulder at Hitherby, worriedly.

Chephirah checks for sunglasses.

Hitherby has no obvious sunglasses, although she does have this cloud of golden light.

Daimonique writes about good universes and bad universes and fun universes and scary universes.

Chephirah is not too worried about clouds of golden light. If Hitherby is in service to Animals, she's happy.

Eventually, all reports come to an end.

Hitherby does not appear to have shifted her allegiance to David during the interregnum.

Chephirah is relieved about this.

Daimonique finishes her report, and spins in the chair to face Mazpatiel and says "Hi."

Chephirah also attempts to keep her reports relatively factual, and indicate where there is even the smallest amount of supposition involved.

Daimonique does not, in fact, keep the report factual, but she's not a seraph, now is she?

Mazpatiel looks up. "Hello."

Daimonique says "Um, what's up?"

Hitherby turns her eyes to the disc and waits for Sephar.

Daimonique . o ( A place to stay / enough to eat / somewhere old heres shuffle safely down the street.... )

Chephirah shakes her head, slowly.

Daimonique gets a funny look and looks at Chephirah.

Chephirah pats Daimonique's hand with a wingtip.

Daimonique says "Um..."

Daimonique peers at Hitherby again.

Hitherby pokes a hand out of her golden glow and waves to Daimonique.

Daimonique says "Um, Hitherby? Who do you work for again?"

<> Hitherby says "Has the nature of their trip been explained to us?"

<> Demiurge says "Yes."

Jean and his Servitors remain busy calibrating machinery and dials.

Hitherby closes several eyes and struggles with temptation for a moment. Then she sighs and says, "The Great One, Daimonique, as ever."

Daimonique says "And that IS?"

Hitherby sings, "Jordi," with the inflection in her voice for "his name be praised a thousand times."

<> Demiurge just laughs. "Is it the right world? Is it? Is it?"

<> Sephar grins, "Evil."

Daimonique says "And who do I work for?"

Chephirah gives Hitherby a look of simple and utter relief.

<> Hitherby was *so* tempted to play with Daimon's mind. But then she realized that Daimon might bolt for the disc.

<> Daimonique says "My mind is a toy for everyone!"

Hitherby chords, "Eli" and "Dominic" in one word.

Mazpatiel says "Hm."

Daimonique sags in more or less relief.

Daimonique is still suspicious of almost-friendly almost-chatting Mazpatiel.

Chephirah rubs the side of her head against Daimonique's hand.

Daimonique leans down and _hugs_ Chephirah.

Chephirah purrs, if softly. Optimal not to disturb the Lightning-servitors.

<> Demiurge says "Go on. Tell them all about their alternate selves. You know you want to. :)"

Chephirah takes a moment to sneak a look at Jean and bask in the awareness of a /sane/ Archangel.

Daimonique says "We had a total adventure."

Mazpatiel says "I see."

Daimonique says "We met Malakite Pat!"

Daimonique says "He was totally insane."

Mazpatiel says "I beg your pardon?"

Daimonique nods. "Yup. Servitor of Purity. He screamed things like 'I will purify you all' and 'stand still let me kill you' alot.

Chephirah looks considerably embarrassed.

Jean looks entirely sane.

Daimonique says "We didn't stand still."

Mazpatiel says "Mm."

<> Sephar says "Remember the Fallen Pat? "

<> Chephirah says "I'm trying not to."

Daimonique says "We went to a world where Dominic had fallen and it was in the middle of Armageddon, and technoheaven and Chinese Action Theater heaven and this one where Kronos almost got us..."

Hitherby says, softly, "I had rather you not profane Heaven with that last name."

Daimonique says "And of course where Hitherby served the Media, but that's okay because Nybbas wasn't evil... you know, there were several Heavens in which Nybbas wasn't evil."

Chephirah sighs. Deeply.

Daimonique says "And a World where there were Bright Malakim and, um, Lilim don't Fall. Maybe that was the same as the MediaHitherby universe."

Chephirah says "Yes, Daimon."

Daimonique wrinkles her forehead. "That was where all the DPs and AAs were swapped."

Daimonique says "And of course, where Jordi was the Archangel of Lightning!"

Hitherby rolls in place, like a car wheel in the mud, startledly.

Daimonique says "Was that the one where Jordan had the Hug a Judge t-shirt?"

Daimonique says "There was one where Eli and Dominic were swapped."

Chephirah says, "Yes, dear," resigned. "That was."

Mazpatiel decides to just listen placidly.

Chephirah looks across to Mazpatiel, rueful.

Hitherby says, seriously, "I'm sure I was simply infiltrating the Media in the Great One's name."

Daimonique says "And there was another one another one that was at war, and people were dying."

<> Demiurge chuckles. "Must be an evil mean GM to put you through that lot." :)

Chephirah says meekly, apologetically, "You were wearing sunglasses and a Mickey Mouse watch, Hitherby."

<> Sephar dies laughing.

Hitherby twitches here and there.

Chephirah pads over to Hitherby and nuzzles at her fringe.

Hitherby says, hopefully, "All part of the plan?"

Daimonique says "There are versions of me out there that are much braver then I am now."

Daimonique says "I'm kind of a weenie."

<> Demiurge says "There are also versions that are much, much nastier!"

Daimonique says "And there was Purity, and then there was a version of that awful Mirror Heaven universe that was out in the Marches."

<> Sephar shows Daimonique the bullet-hole it got from a version of her.

Mazpatiel says "You realize, Daimonique, that you're verging on heresy."

Daimonique says "And of course the wacky Heaven where Pat was bad and nasty where we were almost killed, and the Chinese Action Theater Heaven."

Daimonique nods! "Heresy is part of my daily job."

Mazpatiel just /looks/ at Daimonique.

Daimonique just /looks/ back at Mazpatiel.

Mazpatiel says "That's not something to take pride in."

Daimonique goes thhhpt.

Chephirah says, mildly, "I think I much prefer /this/ Pat. Objectively."

Jean glances over his shoulder. "The subjective experiences which Daimonique and Chephirah have undergone may be freely discussed here. Outside these walls they are under priority seal."

Jean goes back to his work.

Mazpatiel, of course, trusts Jean's objective assessment, and nods.

Daimonique sniffs. No great fun exposes, not television scripts, no comic book series.

<> Demiurge says "Like hell, bubeleh."

<> Daimonique says "Not even a short comic book series?"

Daimonique droops a little, her wings sagging, and then she perks up again.

<> Demiurge says "Not even if you grind Terry's scales to mix the ink."

Chephirah repeats, deeply and thoroughly grateful, "/Thank/ you, sir."

<> Chephirah laughs!

Daimonique says "Not even if I changed some of the details?"

Mazpatiel says "No."

Daimonique says "What the fun is it to go on Adventures with Peril and all that if I can't write about them afterwards?"

Daimonique says "No one stopped Hemingway from running with the bulls! And... and... and fishing! Although I think that was Steinbeck."

<> Daimonique says "I'm in such a goofball mood."

Jean does not even look at Daimonique. His back, however, in the eloquent manner of Elohim, conveys that Daimonique is extremely lucky to not currently be on charges for messing with highly classified scientific equipment.

Daimonique sighs. She's such a troublemaker.

Chephirah murmurs, quite gently, "Daimon. You might still be in Purity Heaven."

Daimonique says "Ohbad."

<> Demiurge says "In a white robe, getting scrubbed."

Hitherby says, helpfully, "I understand that it's perfectly licit to retell the stories in the Good Book."

Chephirah says "Yes. Take what reassurance you can."

Daimonique grumps. She has a special talent in peeving Elohim.

Daimonique says "Were you waiting long, Pat?"

Mazpatiel says "Not unreasonably long."

Daimonique says "Did you arrest any heretics?"

<> Demiurge says "A few days."

Mazpatiel says "No."

Daimonique says "Did you persecute the nonbelievers? Annoy any hackers?"

Mazpatiel says "No. I've been waiting for you."

Daimonique says "Oh. Sorry. There's not much peril to be had in this lab. Unless you decide to jump through the portal, that is... you know...."

Daimonique blinks.

Daimonique eyes Pat.

Daimonique says "Are you the REAL Pat?"

Mazpatiel says "Yes."

Daimonique says "How can you be sure?"

Hitherby says, "And camel population growth statistics. Even if you embroider them."

Daimonique says "We did bump the Pats along. You might be extradimensional Pat."

Chephirah says, to Hitherby, "Camel population growth?"

Chephirah pauses even as she says that, and just purrs slightly. They /must/ be home.

Hitherby bobs to Chephirah. "You know. Stories one is allowed to tell."

Chephirah laughs, warmly.

Hitherby says "Very wholesome, camel population growth statistics are."

Hitherby says "Fun for the whole family."

Chephirah says "Oh, of course."

Hitherby says, thoughtfully, "If this is not our Pat, someone has performed a substitution while I was not watching."

Hitherby says "Considering that I am a Kyriotate, however unvigilant I may be, this seems unlikely."

Daimonique says "All Elohim look the same. You could exchange Pat for a clone and you'd never notice."

Hitherby says, "I would immediately detect the absence of his razor-sharp wit."

Chephirah says "Besides, he'd be on Earth."

Daimonique eyes Pat for signs of this so-called razor-sharp wit.

Hitherby stage-whispers, "He can convey endless depths of sarcasm with a single lifted eyebrow."

Hitherby blinks innocuously in the direction of Pat's Elohite-head.

Hitherby adds, "All the more difficult, considering."

Chephirah purrs, soft and warm. "That's true."

Daimonique says "Considering he doesn't have eyebrows."

Chephirah says "Ah, yes."

Daimonique looks at Chephirah. "Maybe some paint?"

Mazpatiel says "Paint?"

Daimonique says "For eyebrows."

Mazpatiel says "Ah"

Daimonique looks helpful.

Hitherby says, "This would in fact address the problem of physical similarity among Elohim."

Hitherby says "Or we could teach Mazpatiel a signature skill."

Chephirah asks, "Was that a problem?"

Hitherby says "If he learned, say, to track caribou, he would be difficult to confuse with alternate versions of himself."

Mazpatiel says "I will note, Hitherby, that the desire to distinguish one's self through markings is a signature trait of the Habbalah."

Daimonique leans back, satisfied. Yup, our Pat.

Chephirah nods to Pat, contentedly. "Precisely."

Hitherby smiles with several mouths.

Hitherby says, happily, "And the desire to tease Elohim is a signature trait of the Oboth."

Hitherby looks at Daimon thoughtfully.

Mazpatiel says "Indeed."

Hitherby says "Well, perhaps 'noteworthy' instead of 'signature'."

Daimonique nods.

Daimonique hugs Oboth!

Daimonique says "I'm happy to be in the right universe."

Hitherby wraps completely around Daimonique, all soft golden glow, for a moment.

Daimonique yays.

Hitherby then disengages and returns to the delicate task of maneuvering all her eyes this way and that.

Daimonique says "Some of the universes were pretty scary, like the last one. Some of them were pretty cool. But none of them were home."

Chephirah finds a corner that does not put her in the way of anyone doing actual work, and stretches in it, contentedly.

Daimonique says "Even if home means getting into all kinds of trouble."

Hitherby says "Gosh! Trouble? Here?"

Daimonique grins.

Daimonique says "Trouble follows me whereever I am."

Hitherby says "Terribly sad."

Daimonique says "It is terribly sad. But at least people are never bored."

Chephirah says, "Daimon, you /are/ a Trouble."

Daimonique says "I know."

Daimonique grins, mostly happily, not too droopy.

Chephirah purrs, softly.

Daimonique settles back, content, and home. She'd prefer to get into trouble in her own universe then in dozens of others.

---

Fiat Justitia