| Logs |
2009 November 08
| When The Bough Breaks |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
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| Realms: Bough Logs |
Fifth Movement, Tenth Verse
Shortly, Tuwhaki and his entourage of kachinas depart for the tent prepared for them, leaving the mortal pack with some time to themselves before the dinner that evening.
Norris is attentive to his friend when the others leave, especially since Mikal is not around. "Yuh doin' okay, Cat? Yus was quieter than usual during that meetin', an ya seemed a lil outta sorts. What's got yer britches in a twidget?"
Jareth chuckles and moves to hug Norris, comforting himself as much as the larger man, "I seem to have been quiet a lot lately. I've been thinking more than usual, I suppose. And the angels... I probably knew some of them."
Norris brightens at hugs...he can provide hugs. He is a good hugger, especially now that he's getting over this uncomfortableness with intimacy. "Ya. I could see how much fightin' th' angels got to you." he rumbles, patting Jareth's back. "Not t' be prying at yer floorboard, but have yew been gettin' much in the way of communion wi' yer past self? Ah mean, yew kin tell that Innana's been havin' a big influence on our Rabbit. An me...well, there's good an bad been pokin holes through my brain, about who ah wuz, and what ah 'member. Has it been like that fer you?"
Jareth smirks a little and shakes his head, "Strangely, no. I'm getting little bits here and there. But nothing drastic. Well... not much. I get a cold feeling around my heart at the thought of Babylon, though."
Norris nods sagely. "Could tell. Aint no expert at readin' body language, but yers was screamin that sommat was wrong." His big eyes gaze into Jareth's. "And ah guess I's hoping that you could remember sommat, anything 'tall. Cause really, you're th' expert round here. Least ways, into things regarding El-Amon an his minions. Mebbe you should try pushin' back a little, huh? If it don't come easy, then try meditating, or sommat like that." He purses his lips. "Ah mean...well, not if you don't want to." he amends.
Jareth snorts a bit, "Meditation. It's an idea, but I've never been very good at being introspective. I've always known more about other people than about myself in some ways." He shrugs, "Still... it can't hurt to try."
Norris grins boyishly. "Hell's bells, it's not like I know more than you about how to get in touch with what's inside." He pauses. "Actually, I take that back. I do have an inkling. I felt it very strongly...I was more Hephaestus than I'd ever been before right after forging my new armor. Even the lady smith could tell. Could be that's because I was doing something that was the core of what I was. Maybe if you practice something that is central to Lilith, you'll tap into her as well?"
Jareth hugs Norris again and laughs, "Seems like I've been doing that all my life, actually. Or... maybe the healing..." His eyes gleam, "Maybe if I go thelp the wounded..."
Norris doesn't get his reference, at first. And then he does, and he blushes cutely. For a brief moment, he wonders if he can tap into Melzi enough to facilitate such...but at Jareth's suggestion, he brightens. "Yeah. I think you should definitely do that, Cat. Make ya feel better, for one, and you'll be doing some good. And maybe, just maybe, Lilith will speak to you."
Jareth nods and straightens up, brushing his hands down his front, "I nee to let Ravana know about the healing, I think. He's have known, after all, how injured Janiel was."
Norris squeezes Jareth's shoulder. "Yew shoul' absolutely do that, then. Me, ah've got a keen curiosity about Babylon, an' I don't think I'll get any work done till I try at least a little to find out more. So I gots me a date with the Bail."
Jareth says, "It's possible that if I do get a connection with Lilith, we can learn a lot more about Babylon. And I have a feeling we're going to need it. Are you sure you won't come with me?"
Mikal walks over with Raphael, "If you're going to talk to Ravana Lord, may I come along, Cat? I would like to hear how he and his brother are doing, narrowing down the list of possible suspects who aided the angels reach that poor gullible Mazikim."
Norris opens his mouth, and then closes it. He was assuming that the bard wanted space, and didn't want to intrude on that. "Well, yus, if ya want my company, I'll be happy to..." When Mikal comes up and makes her suggestion, he chuckles. "Well, looks like we got a bridge game, yup."
Jareth reaches his hand out for Mikal, eyes lighting up when he sees her, "Of course, my love." He takes a deep breath, "I'm a little scared, truth be told."
Mikal blinks at Norris, "A what, please?" She considers, then adds interestedly, "Is this a tactical war game?"
She smiles as she slides her arms about Jareth's waist, leaning against him. "Why scared, love?"
Norris huhs. "Doan think so? Ah 'member it's a game with cards, an it takes four players, but not much more'n that..."
Mikal thinks a bit, then nods to Norris, "Got it -- a card game."
Jareth slides his arm around Mikal's shoulders and smiles a bit, "Let's go talk with Ravana, then." He takes a moment to press his face against Mikal's hair, breathing in her scent.
Norris grins. He loves watching Jareth and Mikal together.
Jareth says, "Because, love, this is so far outside what I've ever been."
Mikal tilts her head, gazing curiously up at Jareth... then she smiles and hugs him, "All right. If it helps, I found having pack makes things much easier."
The group finds both Ravana and Vhibishana together in the raksasha lord's brother's private tent; the guard permits them to enter, noting they were to be admitted if they came by.
Inside, the Vhibishana's quarters are spartan and quite sparse, but neat and orderly as befits someone pursuing that particular ideal of enlightenment. The floor is made of simple woven reeds. There is a scroll rack, a sleeping mat, and a small shrine to one side, and that seems to be the extent of Vhibishana's possessions here; a low table has a pitcher of lhassa and cups for guests. His varja sits in a small stand before the shrine, and sage incense wafts gently up from the small holders set to either side of the shrine. Ravana is seated cross-legged to one side of Vhibishana, who is seated in a half-lotus upon a mat. A number of parchments are set before them both.
They look up at the entry of the mortals, and both look pleased. "Ah, good!" Ravana says. "I am rescued!"
Vhibishana rolls his eyes amusedly. "I have been going over how my spies have narrowed down the number of suspects to five, perhas even four. He insisted on going over it with me, so do not let his pleas for clemency fool you; he brought it upon himself."
Ravana smiles wryly. "In truth, I am glad to see that we are reasonably assured that none who are innocent are now under suspicion... but it does make my heart heavy to see that there is reason to suspect even less than half a dozen of my warriors in this."
Mikal laughs at Ravana's comment, her eyes dancing with mischief, "Should you be swept away, Ravana Lord, in defiance of all? Even if a great eagle comes to rescue you?" She refers teasingly to Ravana's greatest folly.
Norris's brow knits. "How exactly do you intend to deal with those in question, Ravana Lord? If I may be so bold."
Mikal pats Norris's arm reassuringly, "I will perform a ritual that will determine truth, so only the guilty are caught." She grins mischievously again.
Norris blinks. "You can do this?"
Ravana laughs, as Vhibishana starts to pour lhassa into the cups. "Would it were that easy, Rabbit! Would it were that easy. But no... in this case, it is something I cannot avoid, much as I would like, for it is I who will be ordering a raksasha to execution for treachery." He looks to Mikal arching a brow. "Ah, I had wondered what your plan for the trap was going to be. You can do this?"
Jareth says, "Why not just let me listen in to him? I can sometimes tell if there is treachery in someone's heart."
Mikal grins cheerfully at Ravana, "Indeed! That I can, with but a modicum of assistance from you all. Would you like to know how it works?"
Norris looks around at the others, stunned and fascinated. "You have my full attention, Rabbit."
Jareth says, "Lapin, why not let me speak with them first? It may be easier than a ritual and less tiring."
Mikal grins at Norris, her eyes dancing with mischief again, "It works like this: I will need a dark tent, a large cloth or towel, and a lot of ground up chalk. All the potentially guilty will be held in front of the very dark tent. I will perform a blessing over the cloth, then explain to the soldiers that it can detect untruths now -- it will clearly mark anyone who tells a lie to it. Then I will instruct the soldiers that I am going to hang the cloth in the dark tent, and one by one they are to step into the tent, take the cloth in their hands, hold it to their face and whisper their innocence to it, then step out the other side of the tent."
Ravana blinks at the explaination. "A ruse?"
Mikal grins again, "What none of them will know -- and what Ravana Lord will know, where he waits outside the back of the tent -- is that I will have covered the cloth with the ground chalk inside the tent. So... whoever comes out the back and is not chalky white around the hands and muzzle... is guilty!"
Jareth is surprised into a laugh.
Mikal adds cheerfully to Jareth, "But if you'd like to talk to them first, that is fine also. Good tactics are good tactics, regardless of how they're performed!"
Norris blinks. It clearly takes him a moment to follow this into its natural conclusion, and his brow knits thoughtfully. "There is a flaw in your logic, Mikal. Rakshasa are born tricksters. What if they think they can fool a simple magicked cloth and speak a lie into it?"
Mikal gives Norris a curious look, "Why do you say rakshasa are born tricksters? Further, you speak as someone who does not believe in deities. The rakshasa are bound by oath to theirs."
Mikal says, "If I ask them to swear by their heads and by their oath to Vishnu Lord that they are innocent, into the towel... I doubt any of them will lie."
Norris shrugs. "Well, I was speaking of their powers as shapeshifters and masters of illusions, so it's true that it's not a direct connection. But...on the other hand, if they already managed to work around their oath enough to do what they did, can we be certain that their oath is enough to insure your plan will work?"
Ravana's smile broadens. "Ahh, Rabbit, that is a ruse worthy of the Vedas! I can see why you wish it to be done with as few suspects as possible.
"Bear, we raksasha are cunning warriors, yes. But few of us are more than cunning warriors. We have a touch of the trickster within us, but we are warriors first and foremost. While some of the most powerful of us could work sorcery and perhaps even hope to foil the magics of even a demigoddess...." He puts a hand on the parchment. "None of those we suspect are such. They are cunning warriors but they are not tricksters." He picks up the parchment, eyeing it. "A few have been scouts, which would explain how they contacted the angels, and there is a certain level of cunning and deception which is required for such work, but I think the display Rabbit presented some time ago is still fresh in their minds, and they will be reluctant to to think they can deceive her 'magics.'"
Mikal says promptly, "Then I rescind my offer, Ravana Lord, for whatever Norris has in mind." She looks inquiringly at Norris.
Norris looks taken aback. "I had nothing specific in mind, Rabbit. I was only expressing concern, in the hope that we can iron out any wrinkles in your plan."
Jareth rubs his chin thoughtfully, "Let me be the one that tells them about the cloth, my love?"
Mikal raises an amused eyebrow at Norris, then looks at Ravana, "It would appear the plan is sound, then." She nods to Jareth, "Certainly, if you wish."
Ravana and Vhibishana exchange a wordless look, then Vhibishana says, "It is settled, then. In a few hours we have the dinner with Tuwhaki, to welcome him properly and to celebrate the potential... if not 'alliance' then at least 'unity of purpose.' When do you feel would be the ideal time to conduct this?"
Mikal says, "I would suggest after the dinner, if you are allowing drinking, which would likely make them a bit more suggestible, honored rakshasa. However, before we are concluded here, I do have a few questions myself, if I may?"
Jareth says, "First, love, I want to let the brothers know something. Before I get swept up again. They should probably speak with Janiel at some point before this dinner."
Mikal grins at Jareth, "That was one of my queries, actually!" She looks back at the two rakshasa, adding, "Yes, what did you plan to do with Janiel? Also, has the list of angelic prisoners been completed yet?"
Vhibishana nods. "Yes, we have finished the list of angelic prisoners." He draws a rolled parchment from the pile. "The chief guard asked me to pass this on to you, I believe she mentioned you had spoken with her. It's rather long, but it is complete, and we are eager to find a disposition for them quickly. It does no-one any good to leave them in a limbo of some kind for very long." He adds, "We have not yet decided what to do with Janiel, though it seems only fair to let him be the decider of that. Without his warning, we would not have been prepared, and moreover he provided interesting intelligence after he was captured this second time. We could do worse than simply letting him go free, though my concern is retribution from his former allies."
Mikal eagerly accepts the list, tucking it carefully away in one sleeve for later examination and comparison with the scrolls of known True Names of angels.
Jareth nods, "He is feeling much better since last you spoke with him, I believe. In fact, I think you'll find him nearly healed..."
Mikal smiles at Vibhashana, "Asking him seems like a good idea to me too. I wonder, though... if he were offered resources such as food and shelter when he needed it, would he be willing to fly free... and work at persuading some of his brethren to turn aside from the Host, just like is already happening?"
Ravana arches a brow. "Mmm. I would not be against that. He would certainly be doing a service for others like him."
Mikal grins with a touch of mischief again as she adds, "You might even let him go back to the other angels, to talk with them as well and see which are amenable to a change in leadership. The other prisoner angels, I mean."
Vhibishana says carefully, "Some of the prisoner angels would very much tear him apart. Not every angel we captured is contemplating turning their coat. We would need to monitor them carefully while he was amongst them."
Mikal nods calmly, "Of course. I would suggest breaking them into small groups, but you know them better than I." She curiously adds, "How is Marchorius, by the way?"
Norris has been quiet this whole time. But he has been listening. And during this talk of sending Janiel in to feel out the other angels, he speaks up. "You think I should watch his back, if he's gonna do this? Or would my presence make things more difficult?"
Mikal thinks about that... then shakes her head, "My guess is more difficult. He's going to have to feel his people out, after all. Having a mortal trailing after him -- one recognizable as being present with the rakshasa -- would likely get him into trouble, no?"
Norris nods agreeably. "Jus don't want th' fella t' get into wrestling matches, is all."
Mikal nods thoughtfully, "Maybe... maybe one of Vibhishana's scouts could be assigned to help him? Although that'll be up to them, of course."
Vhibishana answers, "Marchorius has been sullen and has not answered questions or responded to normal interrogation. He's sulking, I suspect. Lord Asmodeus has offered to speak to him to try and get him to talk, and I am tempted --" He breaks off, and smiles wryly a bit. "An apt choice of words. I am considering allowing him to talk to Marchorius. Asmodeus knows him better than we do, after all." He nods to Mikal. "I can have my scouts and spies trail him and assist where needed, if necessary."
Norris looks almost relieved, to be honest. He's not sure how he'd do, in a one on one contest with an angel. But more importantly...he's also not sure how he's react if he got into one. Especially while he's still working out the passion that Mikal spoke so eloquently on, earlier.
Mikal thinks about that a bit, then grins at Jareth, "Maybe we should try talking to him, if there are particular questions that should be asked of him?"
Jareth nods, smiling to Mikal, "And maybe I can help more of the wounded after we've spoken with him. I'm curious to see just how far I can push the new healing..."
Mikal gives Jareth an amused grin and a shake of the head, "Don't hurt yourself while doing it, mon chat!"
Mikal glances back at the rakshasa, adding, "Well, if you'd like us to talk to Marchorius for you, let us know what questions you want asked, and we'll try our best! Let's see... you're going to handle dealing with Janiel, right... the truth testing of the suspected rakshasa is after the dinner with the new envoys... what el- oh!" She brightens, pulling her short, scabbarded sword from her belt and laying it across her hands. She holds her hands out towards Ravana, inquiring with great interest, "Your offering was greatly appreciated, rakshasa lord... but what pray tell does the blessed sword actually do?"
Ravanna beams, taking Mikal's hands. "I am pleased you appreciate it, Rabbit. It is a defensive weapon, not much more, I fear. It will seek the weapons of those attacking you, to parry against them and thus leave you unharmed."
He adds, as he looks to Norris, "i have also been told that you are crafting armor for yourself. I have had some materiel delivered to the forge. I hope you find them acceptable; the chief blacksmith has expressed admiration of the quality of your work."
And to Jareth, "And as for you, Cat, it will take some time, but please do see myself of Vhibishana before you depart the redoubt."
Mikal brightens, tucking the sword away and rising to stand before Ravana -- which puts the much shorter woman at eye level with the sitting rakshasa as she gives him an impulsive hug about the neck, "Thank you! That's a truly wonderful gift, and very gracious of you to be so generous and kind!"
Norris is both pleased and rueful at Ravanna's words...he still feels guilty for having made the chief smith uncomfortable. "I am most grateful, Ravanna Lord."
Jareth nods to Favana, smiling slightly.
Ravana looks surprsied at the hug, but has absolutely no reluctance in returning the embrace. looking a touch like a very happy cat. "Ah! It as the least I could do for you -- for all of you! I know you will be leaving us soon, and it is only naural that I would wish to see you again, and thus seek to provide what help to protect you that I can."
Mikal grins and gives the big rakshasa a quick kiss on the cheek, then goes to sit back down by Jareth again, "You've been very kind to us all, both of you. Thank you from all of us."
Mikal adds thoughtfully, "I've been thinking about what Janiel said today too, about the door with seven seals on it, in Babylon. I feel like I've heard of that before... if I could just remember..." She falls silent, thinking hard.
Vhibishana makes a quiet sound. "I have never heard of such a thing, to be honest, though I'll admit the scriptures of Zion aren't my specialty. Perhaps Asmodeus or Amaros might know something of it."
Mikal sits up suddenly, with a startled look, "Oh! I r-remember! The seven seals -- I remember where I'd heard that before!"
Mikal says, "It's in their holy book -- they only have one, so they constantly squabbled over how to interpret it. But there's a section in it towards the end, after their Yeshua Son of Man appeared, that is sort of mystical. It's the recounting of a dream that's full of symbolism, so of course it can be interpreted all kinds of different ways. But anyway, the seven seals appear in it." She thinks a bit, then adds in a touch of confusion, "Of course, the seals were on a book, not a door, then. But opening those seals released the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, and the beginning of the christian End Times.""
Mikal falls silent a moment, thinking hard... then she straightens, taking a deep breath and speaking in a slow, careful voice: "And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof."
Mikal falters then, looking a bit confused... then sighs and smiles ruefully, "I g-guess one of my, um, previous lives was... a bit of a scholar."
Norris blinks at Mikal's monologue. "That's, uh...fascinating. What does it mean, zactly?"
Vhibishana makes a quiet sound. "It fits. But I certainly do not like the sound of 'four horsemen of the apocalypse' coming out of that cavern. The question is, would the Architect be willing to visit such an apocalypse upon the Dreamtime for this one defeat?"
Mikal blushes faintly as she looks down at her hands, admitting in a small voice, "I -- I don't know? It's, er, it's what one of the prophets said woud happen, you know? A mystic dream, full of icons that are probably specific to that time and place -- who can interpret that accurately?" She looks up at Vibhishana, "Again, I d-don't really know. But before that bit I know there's a verse that says, 'Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.'" She looks a bit anxious, "M-maybe that's what Uriel meant when he said if they didn't return?"
Norris rubs his forehead, musing as Vhibishana suggests that undonig the seals unleashes the Four Horsemen. "Well...the End times they'se speaking of was of th' mortal world. Iff'n the Horsemen really do exist, who knows what they would or could do to the Dreamtime." His brow knits. "On the other hand...if most o' the Dreamtime is obliterated by apocalypse, save for a few faithful, El-Amon could consider that a win? Ah mean, he jsut wants to rule over all. Not sure he cares about quantity o' worshippers."
Mikal says, "I m-mean, we all saw him coming, and I pierced him, and he sure does cause a lot of w-w-wailing...?"
Norris says, "Yeah, but Uriel done said to siege Babylon iffn he didn't return. And he did. He just lost, too." He smiles ruefully. "Let's not help the Architect fulfill his own prophecies, annat."
Mikal shakes her head slowly at Norris, "Uriel has not yet returned to Mount Zion."
Mikal says, "He is still wounded, and he still travels there, with the Host being harried on all sides as they go. Remember?"
Ravana and Vhibishana are contemplative, each in their own way: Ravana in rubbing his jaw with his brow furrowed, Vhibishana with a finger to his mouth. And yet they look so remarkably alike in this way, even though one is clearly a raksasha tiger-man and the other more human. "This is... troubling," Vhibishana says at last. "If El-Amon-Re truly wishes to unleash an apocalypse upon the Dreamtime... to scour it clean, perhaps.... But, no god has ever managed such a feat in all the kalpas of history. I do not think it even possible, to do so would, literally, require all the power there is in the Dreamtime."
"But," Ravana adds, "that does not mean he might be crazed enough to try. "I do not like where this is going. It may be nothing, but it may mean something more. It may be that some quickness may be called for in traveling to Babylon after all.”
Norris says, "Yuh. I remember. But th' order Janiel overheard, as ah 'member it, was for Michael to lay siege to Babylon if the assault failed, and Uriel did not return. As in, was killed in the battle. He's not kilt. And he is returning to Zion, just onna slow coach. Leastways, that's th' way it sounded to me. Which kinda makes sense. If they done lost a battle, that's one thing. If they done lost and kilt an archangel, that's a whole nother!" He nods to Ravana. "Haveta say, gonna float my stick along side yours on that score, yeah."
Mikal studies Norris for a moment, then smiles faintly, "All right. I don't want to rain on your sunshine, packbrother." It's clear, however, as she turns her gaze to the rakshasa brothers, that she shares their concerns.
Vhibishana considers, pursing his lips. "If getting to Babylon is important -- and I believe that it is, no matter what may come when the seven seals are broken -- then I think I shall entreat Tuwhaki for the use of his skyship. It appears to be a commercial model that nominally sails out of the region around Uluru. I think it will draw little notice, considering the proximity of Zion to Uluru; there must surely be airship traffic in that region, with some Uluru airshipping." He considers, then nods. "Yes, That will be an excellent way to transport you discretely to Babylon."
Ravana arches a brow to his brother. "And you're going to convince Tuwhaki and the kachinas to... lend the use of their airship?"
Vhibishana glances to Cat. "I was going to ask for some help in that, brother...."
Norris blinks at the idea, and he looks at Mikal. "Hey. You're gonna get to sail the skies, Rabbit. All yew need are Alpaca, and you're set!"
Mikal's eyes widen at the rakshasa, "Wait -- when the seals are broken? You know this will occur?!"
Vhibishana shakes his head. "No, I apologize. I meant 'if' they are broken. They may not ever be. But I am quite certain that if nothing is done, they almost certainly will be, at some point. I do not know what will happen then, but if it is something that Uriel wants to do, then it strikes me as something to prevent happening, if for no other reason that to hinder his plans and those of Metatron and the Architect."
Mikal thinks a moment, then says slowly, "If... if we're that sure it will eventually happen... then wouldn't it make more sense for us to sneak in now and find the seven seals -- and do something about them?"
Norris says, "Hnh. How does one open seals? Iffn we can figure that out, then mebbe we can figure out how to jam th' lock."
Mikal says, "Well, aren't they usually wax or lead? You can pry them up carefully, or just break then."
Norris says, "How do that work, though? If the seals are what keep a door closed, don't that mean that any force that could remove it would also open the door? Unless they're magic. In which case, then yea, removing the seals and, like tossing them into the Wyld might work."
Mikal smiles and shrugs at Norris, "Don't know! We'd have to examine them to know for sure."
Norris nods. "Sommat to keep in mind, sure."
Vhibishana considers, then nods, "Yes. I agree that somehow stymieing any present or future attempt to break the seals is called for, sooner rather than later. I also believe that while time is a concern, rushing out right now will not do anything except make your arrival in Babylon more noticable. I would rather you arrive there inconspicuously, and to accomplish this some cunning and caution should guide you rather than charging there. The angels, after all, will not be able to charge in to the city with impunity, either."
Mikal says, "Makes sense." She smiles at Jareth, adding, "We might even potentially have allies there."
Norris hmms. "Rabbit, yer gonna have to teach me how to be inconspicuous." he suggests.
Mikal grins at Norris, "I can try! Understand, though, my specialty is being out in the forest -- not cities."
Norris hums. "Good point, that."
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