Do You Believe In Angels?

<> Demiurge says "Okay. It's midday, and you were all planning to return to the hotel about then."

<> Demiurge says "Kate-Lynn, re the reports you requested from your antisecretary:"

<> Justin is going to so miss his motorcycle boots, damnit.

<> Carlotta needs to return her bike, then head hotelwards, yes.

<> Demiurge says "(a) The only Blakeney property which is still in the family line (and which has just passed to the National Trust) is this place called Murron Hall, up in Scotland. Small country house."

<> Kate-Lynn listens to the reports.

<> Demiurge says "(b) Elizabeta is Elizabeta Grimm, and after finishing her day's work at the Library she went home to her flat near Kings Cross station. She then went out to help at a homeless centre."

<> Raquel . o O (Dear me, when does she sleep?)

<> Demiurge says "According to the detective's estimate she returned home at 5am, got approx two hours sleep, then went in for work at the Library again. He's conducting further inquiries."

<> Kate-Lynn raises an eyebrow at this.

<> Demiurge says "As yet the detective agency hasn't located anybody matching the description of the man you met at the Tower of London, though they're checking the place out unobtrusively."

<> Raquel says "Librarians On Speed!"

<> Kate-Lynn says "Flat is a Britishism, although I know it's a home. Is it an apartment or a house?"

<> Demiurge says "A "flat" is an apartment."

<> Demiurge says "A house is a house."

<> Raquel says "And a home is one's castle? Sorry, sorry..."

<> Demiurge grins.

<> Demiurge checks the logs. Were there any other enquiries that you had in progress?

<> Kate-Lynn says "I think I elected against having someone stake out the Tower of London."

<> Justin grins.

<> Raquel says "Awwww."

<> Demiurge says "That sounds correct."

Kate-Lynn covers the phone for a second, and asks Raquel, "Are apartment buildings good investments?"

Raquel ponders this, mildly startled.

<> Raquel says "Are they?"

<> Demiurge says "Can be, might not be, you wouldn't really know."

<> Demiurge says "Depends on a whole lot of factors."

Raquel says, "I don't really know. I suppose some people must think they are, or no one would build them. Why? Are you going to buy one?"

Kate-Lynn grins to Raquel.

Kate-Lynn says, to her antisecretary, "Look into the building's cost and value, will you? I'd like a legal excuse to snoop."

The antisecretary says, "Certainly, Ms Costello. Will there be anything else?"

Raquel covers her mouth, grinning.

Kate-Lynn says, "Not at present, thank you."

The antisecretary says, "Good morning then, Ms Costello." She rings off.

<> Raquel thought the antisecretary was male, at one point...

<> Kate-Lynn says "It depends on which body it's using."

<> Kate-Lynn ducks.

<> Raquel ducks with Kate-Lynn. Was thinking same thing.

<> Demiurge says "Okay. Everyone is now at or just getting into the hotel. There is a nice big restaurant, I note."

<> Demiurge says "You probably have several antisecretaries so they can man the phone 24 hours a day."

<> Kate-Lynn says "Good place to meet people. :)"

<> Kate-Lynn says "Er, restaurant, not antisecretary pool."

Kate-Lynn diverts into the restaurant, firmly equipped with a new hat.

Kate-Lynn says, to Raquel, "Have you ever been to Scotland?"

Raquel shakes her head. "Not that I remember..."

Kate-Lynn says, "Neither have I. I wonder if all the men look like Sean Connery."

Raquel chuckles.

<> Justin laughs!! "Hey! I don' look like any Shorn Connery!"

<> Raquel says "If we don't see them, we can call their rooms again!"

<> Demiurge says "Indeed. Carlotta and Justin, feel free to enter the restaurant, as you are doubtless hungry after the morning's exercise."

Kate-Lynn will seat herself, if the restaurant is mostly empty, or let a waiter do it, if it's sort of fullish.

<> Raquel probably has a new hat as well.

In the restaurant, there are not many people (the place being exclusive as well as expensive) and there is a cold buffet, or a menu.

Justin roars back to the hotel on the motor-bike with Carlotta on the back, unless she decided to ride the damned pedal-bike *all* the way *back*.

Vroom.

Raquel glances over the cold buffet as they go in, and then the menu. So many choices!

Carlotta hangs on, muttering the occasional comment in Spanish.

Justin gives Carlotta reason to mutter and only grins into the wind.

Carlotta does hang on, yes, although she takes advantages of any stops to stretch her legs. Doesn't want to cramp up.

Kate-Lynn goes with the menu, ordering some variety of steak and potatoes.

Justin pulls neatly into the hotel parking lot and park and offers Carlotta a hand in getting off.

Food is produced to the ladies' specifications in short order.

Carlotta can get off herself just fine, but she does thank Justin for the ride. Then she walks into the hotel, heading for her room and a shower.

As Carlotta passes the glass door leading to the restaurant, she can see Raquel and Kate-Lynn in the restaurant.

Justin nods and watches her go into the hotel before locking the bike up, locking the helmets to the seat and then strolls after her.

Carlotta looks at the restaurant, which is *awfully* nice for her to be parading in wearing a set of sweaty biking clothes.

Raquel digs into her order, which is something minimally expensive, and occasionally giggles to herself.

<> Raquel . o O ("But I cannot pay the rent!")

However, it looks as if Kate-Lynn and Raquel have only just started eating, so a quick showerer could probably be down before they've finished.

Carlotta heads up to her room then. (Carlotta's not shy, but in NYC, it's a bad idea to be Hispanic and not correctly dressed in among the rich white folks.)

Passing the glass door, Justin also sees the two other women tucking into good food. Steak. Mmmmm, steak.

<> Demiurge says "Carlotta will learn that when you are in a place that reeks of money and with a person who reeks of money, you are not incorrectly dressed, you are charmingly eccentric. Or so I'm told. ;)"

Justin mmmmm, steak... he heads for the other two women and flops into a seat next to them cheerfully windblown and leatherclad.

A helpful waiter drifts up with a menu.

Kate-Lynn says, "Hey, Justin!"

<> Carlotta says "We'll see about that."

Justin waves off the menu, "Steak. Rare. Almost moo'in'. Potato and something green."

Raquel smiles at Justin cheerfully.

Carlotta, upstairs, showers quickly and does something with her hair.

Kate-Lynn says, "Feel up for a trip to Scotland?"

Justin says "Hi, Kate-Lynn." gives a smile that actually warms his face to Raquel, blinks at Kate-Lynn, "You want me to go home?""

Kate-Lynn says, "In a manner of speaking! The Blakeneys have an estate there."

Justin's features simply still at the thought that he really isn't wanted in this rich environment.

Justin says "Oh!"

Justin blinks, shakes off and actually listens, "You wanna check 'em oot?"

Kate-Lynn says, "I want to see a picture of Lord Blakeney."

Kate-Lynn says, "I figure, he's got to have a portrait."

Justin nods at that. "See if he hassa resemblance?"

Kate-Lynn says "Unless he's like that Elizabeth queen who was mostly painted with a plate for a face."

Kate-Lynn says, "Yeah."

Justin chuckles at that and relaxes.

Raquel giggles quietly.

Kate-Lynn says, "And who knows what else we might find there?"

Raquel murmurs, half joking, half dreamy, "Secret rooms..."

The waiter reappears, and places Justin's lunch in front of him; very rare steak, new potatoes, fresh broccoli.

Justin nods at that and sighs and sips his water, "Stored Skeletons."

Kate-Lynn says, "Secret rooms are a distinct possibility."

Raquel says "Cryptic crypts."

Justin mmmmmm, "Perfect, thanks mon." and tucks into his fodder cheerfully.

Kate-Lynn says, "Agent Steed."

The waiter vanishes again. The food is good.

Justin gives an unconscious sigh, "Mon, it'd be nice ta meet a Mrs. Peel."

<> Raquel eyes Kate-Lynn. "Do you have the leather jumpsuit, 'Mrs. Peel'?"

<> Justin hee.

Raquel, alas, looks blank.

Justin looks embarrassed for a moment and eats quietly for a bit.

<> Kate-Lynn has a closet full of leather! Although mostly she only uses the jackets.

<> Raquel says "Woo! Get Raquel to wear some!"

Kate-Lynn considers.

<> Justin looks completely flabbergasted at the thought.

<> Justin says "Flummoxed, floored, okay... drooling."

<> Raquel explains to Justin, "I'm pretending to be a secret Librarian agent!"

<> Justin admires, greatly.

<> Raquel beams.

<> Vermilion says "PVC, it's the way to go. I see Raquel in a PVC suit like on p. 148 of the main book. . ."

Kate-Lynn says, "We also need to visit Hollywood at some point."

Raquel blinks. "Why Hollywood?"

Kate-Lynn says, "That's where we'll find Joss Whedon."

Raquel gets that 'trying to place a name' expression...

<> Demiurge notes that BTVS has been on UK television. So Justin may have seen bits, if he wants.

Raquel gets the *ding* of successful name-placement and giggles. "Are you sure we should tip our hand?"

<> Justin grins at Demiurge.

Kate-Lynn says, "I'm sure he's not in the Inner Circle, but he obviously knows /something./"

Justin frowns at his steak a bit.

Raquel nods. "That's true." She explains to Justin, "It's the Librarians."

Justin says "Joss Whedon?"

Kate-Lynn says, thoughtfully, "Elizabeta's last name is Grimm."

Justin blinks at the hint... "Uhm... that pansy School Librarian?" blinks twice again, "Vamires?"

Raquel muses, "Brothers Grimm?"

Kate-Lynn says, "Which gives us a name to use besides 'Giles' and 'Guerson'.

<> Justin says "Vampires..."

Carlotta walks into the restaurant, her damp hair pulled back in a braid, wearing the same dress she wore yesterday since that seems to be the minimum standard of dress around here.

Justin runs his hand through his hair.

Raquel says, "Rachel Grimm? Hm. I could see that..."

Visible are the three others, tearing through a well-set lunch table.

Justin says "Ach."

Justin says "You two are *way* beyond,... where did you get that idea? Just 'cause we were talking with a librarian..."

Raquel waves to Carlotta as soon as she notices the other member of the little group of Odd People.

Kate-Lynn says, "And encountering zombies ..."

Justin stabs a potato and eats it as his brain catches up to what he's saying...

Kate-Lynn says, "And mysteriously developing powers ..."

Kate-Lynn says, "Well, okay, not powers."

Kate-Lynn says, "But mysteriously developing familiarity with the sword."

Justin says "Powers?"

Kate-Lynn says "That's sort of like a really lame superpower."

Justin says "You did that?"

Justin says "I didn't do *that*."

Raquel looks curiously at Justin. "Me either, actually."

Carlotta sits, orders a pitcher of water (not too cold) and a lot of carbs in a convenient format.

Carlotta gets a plate of fresh fruit, too.

A waiter brings said pitcher of water, and a rather nice pasta platter with plenty of carbs.

Justin looks minorly triumphant, "There. Maybe it's just that ye were fencin' as a little girrl or somethin' and ya just remembered?"

The waiter also brings the fresh fruit.

Kate-Lynn says, "I did. I mean, I didn't actually *cut* anything with it, but,..."

Carlotta says "What are you talking about?"

Justin mutters, "Powers."

Kate-Lynn says, "Oh, sure, ravens can talk but I can't mysteriously learn the sword."

Raquel tells Carlotta, straight-faced, "Librarians."

Justin near-chokes. "Oh. Hm."

Kate-Lynn says, "Hi Carlotta!"

Kate-Lynn says, "Raquel and I had an evil plan."

Raquel nods, enthusiastically.

Carlotta blinks.

Justin purposely forgot about that.

Carlotta says "I do not think I'm going to like this plan."

Raquel wilts slightly.

Carlotta says "Does it involve zombies?"

Kate-Lynn says, "We're going to pretend to be in the conspiracy and use the code phrase that we're 'new down here'."

<> Justin dies laughing.

<> Justin just *dies* laughing.

<> Demiurge just giggles.

Carlotta whispers, "Madre di Dios. You want to impersonate being an *angel*?"

<> Raquel says "They both asked us! It must be a code phrase!"

<> Justin says "It must! *still* dies laughing, though."

Raquel mutters, "They're pretending to be human. If they are angels."

Justin says "Angels?"

Kate-Lynn points at Raquel. "Rachel Grimm, librarian." She points at herself. "Kate-Lynn Guerson, object liberator par excellence."

Kate-Lynn says, "Angels?"

Carlotta says "Angels."

Justin says "I thought it was just you low-landers."

Carlotta says this matter of fact-ly. "What else could they be?"

Justin says "And they thought I was one of them high-landers... or somethin'"

Carlotta says "The dead are walking, and there are places marked with crosses and signs of the devil."

Kate-Lynn says, "Occultists?"

Carlotta says "And they talk about being 'down here'."

Justin buries his head in his hand at all this wild talk.

Justin says "Down south."

Kate-Lynn says, "Arctic occultists?"

Justin says "Down altitude."

Carlotta says "Angels. You're fools if you don't belive. My grandmother will have a fit."

Raquel thinks. "Or they might just have those code-phrases as part of the organization. Like, secret passwords."

Justin says "Down in this God-forsaken, crazy city with insane things happenin'."

Kate-Lynn says, "Your grandmother will have a fit if I don't believe that Elizabeta is an angel?"

Kate-Lynn says, "I mean, she's sweet and all."

Carlotta says "My grandmother will have a fit that I met one and didn't tell her about it."

Justin says "I could believe in the password, but dos it have to be angels?"

<> Demiurge says "Use the phone? :)"

<> Justin hee.

Kate-Lynn says, "But, like, I missed the harp and the wings."

Raquel mutters, "Aliens?" into her next bite of food.

Kate-Lynn inhales a piece of steak. Erk.

Carlotta says "Estupida... What *else* could make a raven talk, unless it was the Devil."

Kate-Lynn cough. Cough.

Raquel chews politely.

Justin says "No wings, no harp, no halos. Can't be angels. No celestial choir in the background wailing halleluyas.."

Justin says "Hey. Ravens were good Norse critters, too."

Kate-Lynn coughs. Hack. Okay. Ahem. Swallow. "I bet Penn & Teller could."

Carlotta says "Then call them servants of the Virgin, I don't care. I don't want to pretend to be one."

Raquel thinks. "If they're angels, why would they have to _ask_ if we were 'new down here'?"

Justin says "Wouldn't they know?"

Carlotta thinks about this.

Carlotta says "The Virgin conceived Jesus without knowing it."

Carlotta says "So why wouldn't an angel not know something it wasn't supposed to."

Carlotta says "They're messengers and servants of God, not God."

Raquel says, "She was told she was pregnant, by an angel, though."

Carlotta says "So God sent a messenger to tell her. So why shouldn't he send messages to tell other Angels?"

Justin sighs and works at the last of his steak, frowning as he thinks.

Raquel asks, "Would angels appear as such... fleshy beings? Without some mission? A _librarian_?"

Kate-Lynn says, "It seems too simple. The guy said we had to figure out what was going on before he could help us. If he's an angel, then all we have to figure out is 'okay, they're angels, the pentagrams are the other guys, and the zombies and the assassin are tests to try our faith.'"

Kate-Lynn says, "Poorly conceived tests, at that."

Raquel adds, "Or the zombies and assassin are works of the devil."

Carlotta says "The Vatican has the biggest library in the world. Well, maybe except for New York City."

Kate-Lynn nods. "Books they didn't want the rest of the world seeing."

<> Demiurge says "Actually, Carlotta, you have a second cousin once removed who went into the priesthood, even."

Kate-Lynn says "A policy curiously unlike that of the British Library."

Carlotta says "People shouldn't be reading books of the Devil."

Kate-Lynn frowns.

Kate-Lynn says, "I can think of an acid test."

Raquel, frowning thoughtfully at her plate, looks up.

Kate-Lynn says "If they can't tell we're not part of their group when we attempt this masquerade, they're not angels."

Carlotta stares at Kate-Lynn again. "You don't test God. God tests you."

Carlotta says "And I don't *want* to be a pillar of salt."

Raquel shakes her head fretfully. "It just seems... If they are angels, we should either be sure that they are, or we should never have even thought they were other than they seemed. Angels are... more perfect."

Kate-Lynn says, "If you're not allowed to test something that might be holy, to see if it *is* holy, then you're very easy to deceive by the Devil."

Carlotta says "It's not test. It's *faith*."

Kate-Lynn says "The Devil, after all, can look quite holy. And so can human beings."

Raquel folds her hands under her chin. "We could outright ask one."

The waiter brings the dessert trolley across, full of cakes and cheeses and fruits and so on.

Carlotta mutters something under her breath.

Justin snags a hunk of chocolate cake.

Justin adds strawberries.

Kate-Lynn says, "Hm."

Carlotta says "Why do you want to do this? Why do you want to test God?"

Kate-Lynn picks a dessert at random.

Kate-Lynn says, "The man at the Tower told us it was our job to figure out what was going on."

Justin says "I don't want to test God, I want to find out what's going on."

The carrot-and-starfruit cake ends up on Kate-Lynn's plate.

Justin grins at Kate-Lynn.

Kate-Lynn says, "If he was an angel, then it's our holy duty to do so."

Raquel points at something with a lot of fruit, hopefully.

Carlotta blinks. She hadn't been thinking about it that way.

Kate-Lynn eats carrot and starfright cake.

The fruit salad ends up in front of Raquel.

Raquel smiles winningly at the waiter.

Carlotta looks like she's thinking it over. Well, okay, actually, she looks like she's praying for guidance under her breath.

The waiter smiles back politely, places jugs of cream on the table, and vanishes again.

You paged Carlotta with 'You feel, actually feel, the *urge* to risk it, to investigate, to take the chance, to accept the challenge.'.

Carlotta looks up, and gives a sigh. "Fine, we go do something stupid and hope the angels don't get too mad at us. God forgive me."

Raquel eats a few bites of fruit salad.

Justin absentmindedly pours a good measure of cream over his strawberries, still thinking and nods at bit at Carlotta.

Kate-Lynn beams.

In her pocket, Kate-Lynn's phone buzzes.

Raquel says, "I suppose the question is whether we just ask one forthrightly, or if we see if the 'code phrase' works. Or... Hm." She eats some more fruit.

Kate-Lynn fetches her phone, flips it open. "'Stello."

Her antisecretary says, "Ms Costello, I have Ivan Pearson for you. Shall I put him through?"

<> Demiurge says "He's one of the Board of Directors."

Kate-Lynn says, "Sure."

There's a brief buzz, then a plump-sounding voice says, "Ms Costello. I do hope you're well."

Kate-Lynn says, "So do I! What's up?"

On the phone, Mr Pearson says, "I've had a request from a representative of another firm to organise a meeting with you. He wanted to know if I could arrange something today." He coughs. "Normally I wouldn't bother you, but..."

Kate-Lynn blinks.

Kate-Lynn says, "Well, sure. If he's worth meeting."

On the phone, Mr Pearson sounds relieved. "He represents Pennaflam Productions, a multibusiness chain. He's based in London. Would some time today or tomorrow be too early?"

Kate-Lynn says, "Not at all. What's his name?"

<> Carlotta says "If it's L. Cipher, I'm outta here."

<> Demiurge says "Not even Lew Siffer."

<> Justin says "Hee."

On the phone, Mr Pearson says, "Mauger. Rupert Mauger."

<> Demiurge says "And yes, I have seen that Chick Publications tract. ;)"

Kate-Lynn's eyebrows shoot up.

Kate-Lynn says, "Rupert. Indeed."

On the phone, Mr Pearson sounds surprised. "You know the gentleman?"

Justin cocks an eyebrow.

Raquel mutters, "Sounds like a Librarian" under her breath.

Justin just shakes his head and eats his dessert muttering about daft Yankee chicks.

Kate-Lynn says, "No. Minor incident of synchronicity, is all. You, or he, or my antisec can set something up for whenever works today."

On the phone, Mr Pearson says, "Certainly. Will five o'clock do?"

Kate-Lynn says, "Sure. Any idea what it's about?"

On the phone, Mr Pearson says, "I'm afraid I'm not privy to that. I suspect he wants to make some kind of end run around the Board and go for a merger. Naturally, I'm sure you wouldn't lend yourself to any such behaviour, but if you can find out..."

<> Demiurge says "Kate-Lynn, give me a dice roll a moment."

Kate-Lynn says, "The Board has no need to worry; I'd want to go get an MBA first."

<> Kate-Lynn rolls the d666 and gets 5 3 CHECK: 3.

<> Demiurge says "Okay, it's an odd thing to happen, but it's not totally implausible. Other businessmen have been known to see you as the soft squishy little key to the Cloud Trust before."

On the phone, Mr Pearson says, "Thank you very much, Ms Costello. I'll call you back as soon as I have the details. Have a good day."

Kate-Lynn says, "Catch you later."

Kate-Lynn hangs up, pockets the phone.

Kate-Lynn says, "Someone named Rupert Mauger wants a meeting with me." She frowns. "That's just too weird."

Carlotta says "Who?"

Raquel asks, "Is that a Librarian name?"

Justin says "Rupert."

Kate-Lynn says, "I dunno. Some megacorp guy. But Rupert's definitely a Council of Librarians-type name, and Mauger does have a G in it. But not at the beginning."

Justin squints, "Wasn't that the name of the bad Brit? With the Janus fix?"

Kate-Lynn says, "Bad Brit with a Janus fix?"

<> Justin thought Willow was very cut in that episode.

<> Demiurge just giggles helplessly at Justin.

Justin says "The Halloween episode."

Kate-Lynn thinks. "Oh. Possibly!"

Kate-Lynn frowns.

Justin says "Willow was very cute in that one."

Kate-Lynn says, "It doesn't *necessarily* mean he's on the other side."

Justin frowns thoughtfully, "Well, it has as much basis as everything else you've come up with."

Kate-Lynn says, "But I'd best be careful."

Kate-Lynn says, "Maybe I'll take a sword."

Kate-Lynn says, "It's a great way to make a first impression on a suit, I bet."

Raquel ponders this.

Justin laughs!

Justin says "Probably."

Carlotta just sort of looks at you all like you're crazed.

Raquel says, "If... If they aren't just humans in some kind of religious-themed organization, would their names mean something?"

Kate-Lynn says, "Justin, Carlotta, do you want to be Guersons or Grimms?"

A waiter silently brings around a jug of coffee, and appropriate condiments.

Justin says "To *be*?"

Justin says "Or to go?"

Kate-Lynn smiles brilliantly at the waiter. "Thanks."

The waiter returns a polite smile, vanishes again.

Kate-Lynn says, "When we pretend to be members."

Justin says "Grimm, then, if that's the only choice."

Kate-Lynn says, "Rachel Grimm, Kate-Lynn Guerson, Justin X, Carlotta X. We're new down here."

Kate-Lynn says, "We don't know any other names yet."

Kate-Lynn grins.

<> Demiurge says "Of course, this is where you all find out I'm running this with the INS/MV background. ;)"

<> Raquel says "Urk."

<> Justin giggles.

Kate-Lynn says, "I guess you could try being Mauger but that might be bad."

Raquel says, "If they don't necessarily talk with _each other_ -- and Elizabeta didn't seem to have been warned by the person at the Tower -- we could always ask one forthrightly if they're angels, and if they didn't answer, have a chance of pretending to be members elsewhere."

Raquel adds, "Or the reverse."

Kate-Lynn says, "It's a thought."

Justin nods.

Kate-Lynn says, "In fact, we could call Elizabeta, now that we have her last name. I mean, she doesn't have any *less* reason to answer a forthright question because she's met us."

Carlotta sighs.

Kate-Lynn pulls out the phone, looks thoughtful. "Would one of you like to make the call? I hate to bogart the investigation."

Raquel murmurs, "Or we could go back to the Library, and ask her in person."

Carlotta says "Politely."

Raquel looks at Carlotta.

Raquel nods.

Kate-Lynn says, "Sure."

Carlotta says "Let's go back then."

Justin shrugs, slurps his coffee.

Raquel finishes off her fruit salad, content with that idea.

Raquel . o (Then we can see her expression, too.)

Kate-Lynn says, "You guys finish up; I'll take care of the bill and get the limo around front. Or, well, if you're finished, you can come with."

Kate-Lynn heads off to do this.

The bill is easily sorted out.

Justin trails after the women.

Raquel opens her mouth, and then sighs, faintly embarassed that Kate-Lynn is paying for so much, but, well... Raquel couldn't afford this on her own.

Carlotta goes to get the documents from the hotel safe.

Kate-Lynn adds, to Justin, "You could also be a Dominican."

Raquel trails along after Justin, or next to him if he insists on "following."

Justin says, "What's a Dominican?"

Kate-Lynn says, "A kind of priest."

The person in charge of the hotel safe hands the documents over once Carlotta shows her room key.

Carlotta walks back, briefcase in hand.

Justin grunts a laugh. "Heh... no sort of priest, not me, less they come in biker leathers."

Kate-Lynn says, "You could be a leatherpriest."

Raquel compares Justin's hair-color with priestly vestments and smiles.

Justin says, "A what?"

Carlotta says "Don't blaspheme, Kate-Lynn. Bad enough we're going to bother angels."

Kate-Lynn says, "We'll see."

Raquel . o O (Librarians are there to be bothered, though...)

Carlotta gets primly into the back of the limo, holding on tight to the briefcase.

Kate-Lynn instructs the driver, "Off to the British Library, and don't spare the horses!"

Raquel muses, "What if she says 'no' when we ask her?"

Justin piles into the back of the car.

The driver takes off, though within the speed limit, once all are in the car.

Kate-Lynn says, "Then we proceed with phase 2."

Kate-Lynn says "At a different cross."

Raquel keeps an eye on Carlotta to see if she winces too much at this.

Carlotta's knuckles tighten a bit on the briefcase handle.

Kate-Lynn says, "Unless the manner of her answer contraindicates it."

Carlotta nods slightly, and stays quiet until the limo arrives. Perhaps she's praying again.

Raquel fingers her cross-necklace as well, trying to decide what she thinks about all this.

Raquel . o O (Angels... shouldn't just be _librarians_ -- should they?)

The limo speeds through afternoon London.

Not long after, the limo draws up in front of the British Library. Again.

Raquel piles out when appropriate.

Kate-Lynn steps out into the afternoon sunlight, tossing her new hat into the back of the car and donning her shades.

Kate-Lynn strides in once everyone's out, making her way briskly towards Elizabeta's niche.

Justin slumps out, running his hands through his hair to straighten out the purple spikes.

Raquel belatedly leaves her new hat in the car as well.

Carlotta looks caught somewhere between eagerness (angels!) and trepidation (angels!)

Justin takes the rear.

Raquel takes next-to-rear. "Carlotta, you'll be asking her, right?"

Several flights of stairs later, they're at Elizabeta's room. The door is shut.

Carlotta says "Si..."

Carlotta summons her courage, and knocks on the door.

Raquel lets Carlotta knock.

Elizabeta's voice calls, "Come in!"

Kate-Lynn pushes her hair back.

Kate-Lynn defers to Carlotta on door-opening.

Carlotta opens the door, and carefully walks in. "Senora Grimm?"

Raquel's hand tightens on her cross-necklace unconsciously, and she thinks a prayer of her own as she hovers, prepared to wait outside or follow as seems appropriate.

Elizabeta is inside, tapping away at her computer, seated at her desk. She looks human. Really, really human, all the way down to the faint scent of peppermints in the air and the scrap of paper guiltily peeking out above the top of one folder.

Kate-Lynn follows, one hand holding the other behind her back.

Justin slouches against a wall, just waiting outside, sees Raquel tense and just gives her a tight grin and a thumbs up.

Raquel decides to hover in the doorway and not crowd the poor woman/angel. She grins back at Justin, relaxing a little.

Carlotta walks over, until she's about a body-length away from the woman. She looks extremely sheepish, but somehow determined. "We...I need to ask a question."

Elizabeta says, "Certainly. What can I help you with?"

Justin nods approvingly and stays relaxed, listening to what goes on inside.

Carlotta says "Are you an angel? A messenger of God?"

Kate-Lynn looks faintly apologetic.

Elizabeta frowns. She stares at Carlotta very thoughtfully, eyes narrowing.

<> Demiurge says "Can everyone just give me a dice roll, please?"

Carlotta's eyes twitch down for a moment, but then look back up.

<> Kate-Lynn rolls the d666 and gets 6 4 CHECK: 3.

<> Carlotta rolls the d666 and gets 6 3 CHECK: 4.

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

<> Justin rolls the d666 and gets 2 1 CHECK: 5.

<> Demiurge says "Justin, Raquel, you both hear a sort of odd ... noise. Like a faint whisper of metal on metal, a bell-note, a xylophone-tone, a ripple that's gone."

Elizabeta says, "Yes."

Raquel twitches and looks around wildly.

Justin starts, looking for the source of the tone, frowning.

Carlotta breathes out a long, slow sigh, and then kneels on the ground.

Elizabeta gets up from her chair hastily. "No, no, don't do that! We are servants, no more."

Justin then looks at Raquel, mouths, silently, "You heard that?"

Raquel nods to Justin, still a bit wildly. She stares around the doorway, trying to reconcile such a ... _physical_ person with her notions of angels.

Carlotta looks up, blinking in confusion.

<> Justin says "Any directional on the sound, Demi?"

Kate-Lynn brings her arms in front of her, right elbow supported by her left hand to aid in nibbling at her right knuckle.

Elizabeta reaches down to take Carlotta's wrists and raise her. "I'm here to do a job. I don't *deserve* any veneration."

Carlotta gasps slightly, and gets to her feet, though she wobbles. Lots.

<> Demiurge says "Hm. Okay. Justin, it *might* have been a bit from Elizabeta's direction, but it was very faint and shortly over."

Carlotta says "I... I am so sorry... but we had to know... I ..."

Carlotta falls silent.

Elizabeta sighs, leads Carlotta round to her chair, and waves at it. "Sit down. Look, it's all right. I'm not going to hurt you."

Raquel just leans in the doorway, alternately wanting to believe and to disbelieve.

Carlotta sits heavily.

Justin looks into the room, looks at Elizabeth, frowns at her.

Elizabeta says, "There are different orders of angels, all right? Some of us are told to go and announce the births of messiahs. Others of us just get sent to take care of libraries and the good people who work there."

Carlotta says, somewhat hollowly, "Oh."

Raquel reaches out, if she can, to tap Kate-Lynn on the shoulder. And then mouths, "Librarians??" at her, with a rather confused expression.

Kate-Lynn glances at Raquel. One corner of her mouth, and one shoulder, twitch upward; she makes no other immediate reaction.

Justin just looks at Elizabeta, "And make odd sounds sometimes?" He also frowns just a bit at Raquel's confusion.

Elizabeta frowns at Justin abruptly. "You heard something? Just now?"

Raquel nods faintly herself at Elizabeta's question.

Justin lightly sets a hand on Raquel's shoulder at her confusion, frowns back at Elizabeta and nods abruptly.

Raquel unconsciously leans into Justin's touch.

Elizabeta says, "Hm."

Elizabeta says, "This is getting complicated. We're not supposed to casually reveal ourselves, but I think in this case I have to."

Justin cocks an eyebrow at that.

Raquel shivers, still caught between wanting to believe, and her assumption that this is not an era of angels...

Elizabeta begins to pace around the room nervously. "Ever since the Fall -- yes, that happened -- there have been angels on Earth. Trying to help humans. Trying to prevent some of the actions of demons."

Kate-Lynn waits patiently. No way she's interrupting this.

Elizabeta says, "We're not going to appear in public with flaming wings. Actually, most of us don't have flaming wings anyhow, but the point holds. That's not our job. We're here to watch, to guard, to protect, to inspire ..." She shrugs.

Elizabeta says, "Those of us who have received orders to go to Earth are given fleshly bodies." She points at herself. "Like this one."

Raquel just listens, quietly.

Elizabeta says, "There are different orders of angels -- different grades, levels, whatever. I'm a very minor angel. I'm good with computers and genealogies, but as for bigger things..." She shrugs. "I hope that God never asks me to save the world."

Justin lightly strokes Raquel's shivering shoulder and squints a bit as he follows this raving woman's words.

Raquel leans into Justin more, shifting enough so that she could be tucked under an arm.

Elizabeta sighs, keeps orbiting around the room. "I don't know what you want to ask."

Raquel whispers, "Why the zombies, why attack us?"

Justin feels Raquel's response and tucks her under his arm with her words.

Elizabeta says, "That I don't know."

Justin says "Are the zombies one of the things you're set here to help fight?"

Raquel relaxes against Justin's nice, scary, comforting side. He helped make the zombies go away, after all.

Elizabeta nods to him in a quick motion. "Yes! That, and whoever's behind them."

Kate-Lynn says, "I have no questions of substance. A mild curiosity whether the name Rupert Mauger is familiar."

She frowns for a moment. "Not offhand. I can ask around."

Kate-Lynn says, "No need. I thought perhaps it was an angelic name, like Guerson."

Elizabeta chuckles for a moment. "Some people just can't leave a concept behind when they're picking an alias, can they?"

Raquel quirks a smile, remembering her own proposed alias.

Justin is solid by Raquel and he just shakes his head at the last, "How can we know? Know that you are what you say you are? And not some raving woman who believes she's an angel without wings, halo, or harp?

Kate-Lynn says, quietly, "*We* asked *her*, Justin. Otherwise I would be letting my own raging skepticism out to play."

Elizabeta looks thoughtful. "That's an interesting question, isn't it? I could try and make you see something, but you'd never be sure that I hadn't drugged you or hypnotised you."

Raquel murmurs, "All of us?"

Justin nods at Raquel and just watches Elizabeta.

Elizabeta shrugs. "It could be done." She keeps on wandering round the room.

Raquel murmurs, "And hearing things?"

Elizabeta says, "Let me be even more frank. The angels like me -- the lower-order ones -- work for Archangels, and the Archangels all have different things that they take care of. Like patron saints."

Justin looks down at Raquel and looks less settled.

Elizabeta says, "This means that we don't always know what an angel who works for a different Archangel might be doing. Some of us work in libraries. Some of us hang around in," she makes a face, "cycle gangs."

Justin blinks at that.

Raquel wraps her arm around Justin's back absently.

Kate-Lynn glances at Carlotta, hoping to catch her reaction.

Justin suddenly grins a bit.

Carlotta looks to be in shock.

Kate-Lynn considers.

<> Kate-Lynn says "Was there stuff about the Hellfire club in the papers or was that just in the Gabriel scene?"

<> Demiurge says "There was, yes."

<> Demiurge says "In the papers."

Raquel says, quietly, "So... you wouldn't know why a Guerson thought we were important... Or why he was killed."

Kate-Lynn says, "We have determined the meaning of the map, then. Remaining, the Plantagenets, Templars, Hellfire Club, and the source of the zombies."

Elizabeta taps her fingers against a shelf. "Guerson -- guerre-son, son of war, he was probably working for ... a group I don't have much to do with. But I can try and find out."

Kate-Lynn says, "And, of course, the Blakeneys." mostly to herself.

Elizabeta says, sharply, "_Don't_ go near the Hellfire Club."

Justin says "Why?"

Raquel blinks. "They're _really_...?" she blurts.

Justin looks down at Raquel, listening.

Elizabeta says, "Yes, it still exists, and I've heard the people behind it are, shall we say, not nice."

Justin mutters something about comicbooks coming to life, too.

Elizabeta raises an eyebrow, looking at Justin's biking leathers.

Kate-Lynn says, "I suspect that we will have to resolve issues pertaining to not nice people at some point."

Raquel mutters, mostly to Justin, "If they're not supposed to reveal -- why the raven?"

Justin shrugs quietly, "Maybe they didn't think they were?"

Elizabeta shrugs. "We suspect demons."

Kate-Lynn says, "Where would zombies come from, Ms. Grimm? I would like to shut down the opposition's supply."

Raquel twitches slightly at 'demons.'

Raquel murmurs back to Justin, "Angels always go around... looking like tour groups?"

Kate-Lynn says, "It's the hair."

Justin laughs softly at both. "Must be," sings, "Punk angel... punk angel..." to the tune of Teen Angel...

Raquel bites her lip, trying not to giggle. (Both from the amusing notion, and a bit of nervousness.)

Kate-Lynn says "He *did* say you were obviously one of them, Justin." She grins. "What else could have given you away?"

Elizabeta says, dryly, "You have a demon, or a sorcerer, and he takes a dead body which he finds somewhere, and horrible things go on which I've never really wanted to investigate."

Elizabeta says, "Who was "he"?"

Kate-Lynn says "No favored cemetaries? No Zombie-Maker Headquarters?"

Justin says "He may well just have been a nutter."

Justin says "With a fixation on punks or somethin'."

Justin says "Not as if he looked any better'n me."

Kate-Lynn says "The man at the Tower of London, Ms. Elizabeta."

Raquel points out, quietly, "She asked us the same thing, about newness."

Raquel pauses, and strongly considers asking, 'Why _did_ you ask if we were new down here?'

Elizabeta says, "About the zombies, no headquarters, no, though some demons are better at it than others. About the man at the Tower..." She pauses. "Hm." She looks at Justin. "He spoke to you in particular, right?"

Justin nods at Elizabeta.

Elizabeta says, "The group of angels who have a, call it an outpost, at the Tower -- they're very into brotherhood, mutual assistance, self-defence, strength, endurance."

Raquel mutters, "Riddles."

Kate-Lynn makes a wry face.

Justin frowns with thought at the list.

Justin says "So he thought I was into that?"

Elizabeta says, "You don't have any "brothers in arms" who you'd help out if they got into trouble?"

Justin thinks and then sighs and nods, "I do."

Elizabeta nods, smiling oddly. "Some of the orders of angels can see that sort of thing just by looking at a person."

Justin frowns quietly, "But bikers usually gang up, so might just be good at spotting human nature?"

Elizabeta shrugs. "It's possible."

<> Demiurge says "And don't some biker gangs _need_ guardian angels? :)"

<> Justin says "So true."

Justin gives a sigh, as he's no happier with that answer. Too many weird things, now, for him to comfortably ignore.

Raquel asks, hesitantly, "Ah, ma'am... Why did you ask us, yesterday, if we might be 'new down here'?"

Carlotta finally stirs. "They don't always know who's where working for who, remember?"

Carlotta says "Like the Church."

Elizabeta sighs. She runs her hand across her forehead. "Well. When an angel is sent to Earth to serve God there, they won't necessarily know much about the mortal world. When I saw a rather, forgive me, strange group coming in here..."

Elizabeta nods to Carlotta. "Yes. Very much like the Church. Think of us as like different orders of monks or nuns, serving God in different ways."

Raquel says, some of her divided thoughts a bit evident, "But... We were right here. Can't... can't an angel know another? When they're right there?"

Carlotta says "You don't look much like my cousin Paolo."

Carlotta thinks. "Demons."

Carlotta says "You said you don't fight, right? So if Demons could see you... if the Fallen could see you..."

Carlotta turns an interesting shade of pale.

Raquel thinks that it's Simply Not Right that angels can't see other angels. Or see demons, for that matter.

Kate-Lynn says, "I appreciate your time and candor, Ms. Grimm."

Elizabeta says, "There are ... ways of identification."

Elizabeta says, "Trust me, if I ran into a demon, I _would_ fight. I'd just rather serve God in other ways."

Carlotta nods. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean..."

Justin says "How would we be able to identify a... demon?"

Kate-Lynn says, to the others, "I'll be outside."

Elizabeta waves a hand. "No need to apologise."

Justin says "If there are ways."

Justin waves to Kate-Lynn.

Raquel moves aside for Kate-Lynn, but gives her a questioning look.

Kate-Lynn smiles to Elizabeta briefly, nods to the others, and heads out to the steps.

Elizabeta thinks. "If they took their full form, trust me, you'd know it. If not -- be careful about someone who offers to explain everything for free, or someone who makes it all make sense." She smiles dryly.

Raquel raises her eyebrows.

Elizabeta says, "Demons can be a lot of things, but they are almost always selfish to some degree -- usually a high one -- and they are often good liars. They work for different Princes of Hell. Each has his own task."

Justin blinks at Elizabeth.

Carlotta says "But God makes it all make sense...eventually."

Justin says "So the fact that you've made nearly no sense is a good thing? Hm."

Elizabeta smiles at Carlotta. "Yes."

Raquel giggles again, under her breath.

Carlotta says "Oh."

<> Kate-Lynn says "But which Prince does God work for?"

Elizabeta says, "Do you expect a world with zombies in it to make sense, without a leap of faith _somewhere_?"

<> Demiurge says "God isn't a demon!"

<> Raquel says "Promise?"

Outside, the steps are quiet.

<> Demiurge says "Cross my heart."

<> Raquel says "Hmmmm. But which Prince does _Demi_ work for?"

<> Demiurge says "That's a different question."

Justin sighs. "I hate leaping."

Justin says "Walking, running, maybe. Leaping..."

<> Demiurge | Elizabeta says, "Angels of Stone do." :)

<> Justin grins really *is* setting himself up, isn't he?

Elizabeta says, "You could try and step out of this, if you want. Forget your involvement. Stop investigating. Go back to normal lives and hope that nobody finds you."

Raquel leans into Justin a bit more, still torn between Faith and Disbelief.

Justin thinks about that. Hugs Raquel gently and then grins a little crookedly, "I don't think I really could, actually."

Raquel whispers, "Me either..."

Carlotta says "Si... I think my Grandmother would never forgive me if I tried to avoid service to God..."

Justin chuckles, "I always thought the Original Sin was Ignorance. Learnin's the only grace. Even when I don' like what I learn."

Elizabeta smiles briefly, then starts pacing again. "You probably need to think. I can try and find out more for you. Have you a phone number?"

Justin says "I think I need proof, then I'll actually know more of what to think; but I'll understand if you canna give it right now."

Raquel peers out to see if Kate-Lynn is around, as she's the one with the phone.

Elizabeta nods. "Go in the grace of God, then."

Justin gives Elizabeta the name of the hotel in lieu of Kate-Lynn's celphone number and gives a small nod at the farewell.

Elizabeta nods, with the air of one who is committing it to memory.

Kate-Lynn is on the building steps, alas.

Raquel doesn't lean too far out anyway. It's much nicer and safer right next to Justin.

Elizabeta starts pacing again. "Now, if you'd excuse me..."

Raquel nods and moves a little further to offer Carlotta a hand (from a bit far away, but to see if she needs it).

Justin nods and waits for the women and follows them out.

<> Justin says "Ofanite. Pacing..."

Carlotta forces herself up, curtseys formally to Elizabeta, and walks out.

The door of the room closes behind them with a firm *click*.

Raquel sticks close to Justin. Who is very solid and there and will pound any zombies who show up while she's trying to figure out what she thinks.

Justin gets his head out of all the confusion and just does the simple job of watching for anyone around them.

As they make their way through the British Library and outside, everyone and everything seems normal. Human. Real. Ordinary. Kate-Lynn is on the steps outside.

Kate-Lynn looks up and waves.

Raquel gives Kate-Lynn a little wave back.

Kate-Lynn says, "The car should be around again in a minute or two, if I'm timing it right."

Carlotta says, quietly, "Good. Is there a Church nearby? I need to go there."

Raquel says to Carlotta, quietly, "At least she didn't get mad."

Carlotta is having a severe need to find a catholic church (in the middle of London? Oh dear), and have a good pray and perhaps a Confession.

<> Demiurge says "Carlotta, there are _plenty_ of Catholic churches in London."

Kate-Lynn says, "I dunno."

Kate-Lynn says, "Probably!"

<> Demiurge says "Trust me. It's been there long enough. :)"

<> Justin grins.

<> Carlotta says "Oh good. Strangely enough, there are fairly few good ones in Dublin."

Raquel is rather tempted by a church as well. She murmurs, "Ah... not the one with the cross...?"

<> Demiurge says "London's bigger."

<> Carlotta says "Well, yes."

On cue, the limo edges into view.

Kate-Lynn waves to the limo to halt it and heads out to meet it.

Kate-Lynn says, "I think we can avoid the one marked with the cross."

Kate-Lynn says, "And any marked with pentacles."

Raquel trails after, sticking close to Justin, at least half-unconscious that she's doing so. "Right."

Justin nods at that.

The limo halts, to allow people to enter.

Kate-Lynn says, "And if there is one marked with a funny face and 'Kiley was here', we can skip that one too."

Justin gives Raquel his hand and walks with her down, trailing the other two. He feels... better being last.

<> Justin falls over giggling at Kate-Lynn.

<> Raquel too.

<> Demiurge snickers.

The limo starts again once everyone is inside, and the little in-limo bar is accessible to those who might want a stiff drink.

Justin goes toward the Scotch and pours a slug into a glass and just swallows it.

Justin then leaves the rest there and slouches in the seat, brooding.

Kate-Lynn says, to the driver, "A Church, please."

Raquel is having a quiet crisis of faith, biting her knuckles.

---

The League