| Logs |
2001 September 18
| NachtMusik |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
 |
| Realms: NachtMusik Logs |
"Rising"
- When last we left our heroes, they were still discussing their agenda. Rosenstern meanwhile was still trying to get over seeing Rei's breasts for the first time.
Shateishael is working away at the computer terminal, when he looks up at Nick suddenly, "Oh! Nick, I'm gonna see Ms. Zara later today... you want me to ask her if she wants that panel truck you were thinking about giving her, or d'you wanna ask her yourself?"
Thessaloniki considers, then says, "Be nice to ask her myself, I think. Not like I'm not going to be back in town sooner or later anyway."
Shateishael nods, "Gotcha. Also, I'm gonna try working out regularly with the local SCA folks... and I know you've got that old military truck out back." He grins sideways at Sax, then continues, "I know it's suddenly become a small money-maker for you, but d'you want me to see if I can scrounge up any connections to any world war recreationists through the SCA contacts?"
Thessaloniki gestures, adding, "I said I'd try and help Rei with her car. After that long, I don't know if it'll start -- it'd take a miracle -- and I can ask Zara then." He considers, then says, "If one of them really has a good reason for it, maybe."
Shateishael nods again, "You got it." He starts to turn back towards the computer screen, then pauses... then looks curiously back at Nick, "Hey, I gotta 'nother question... if Eli turned up, would you be more formal? -or what?"
Thessaloniki thinks of something, and asks, "Hey, Rei, Sax, do you guys have a place to stay arranged? You'd be welcome to stay here, if you'd like." He gives Slate a funny look, then grins, saying, "Probably not. Perhaps considerably less. How formal can one be while in a hot tub, or smoking a joint?"
Rei smiles, "Oh, well... we were gonna get a hotel or something, but sure, that'd be great, thanks."
Rosenstern has, by now, managed to stop fidgeting, and relaxed enough to not be a vocal disaster waiting to happen. The question from Slate does surprise him, a little, as does Nick's answer; he grins quietly at the reply. Shateishael stares at Nick for a moment... then sort of snorts stifledly... then just gives up and tosses his head back and laughs! A moment later, still chuckling, he grins at Rei, "Well, there ya go then!"
Taygeta caws, "Not a bad place to put the gadget, for that matter."
Thessaloniki says, "Hey, it's one of the main reasons I've got a big place, is so folks can work from here." He answers Tay with, "Two problems with that, that I see. One is that with as much heavenly attention as has been here lately, I don't know how many gremlins will be around. The other is that I'd rather not have it left on here, in case it does go awry."
Rosenstern nods quietly. "Well, we can make the afternoon something of an outing, then. We can rent a hotel room, put the trap in a bag in the closet, Nick can drop me off at Zara's, then get Rei's car started."
Shateishael turns back towards the computer screen yet again, still chuckling... then pauses and glances curiously at Rei and Sax, "Hey, y'all know how to go about getting ID papers nowadays?"
Sax turns a little. "The skulkers are running the local DPS. They churn out legit papers for angels in the area. They do something useful after all, I guess."
Shateishael says, "DPS? 'kay, I'll drop by there later today, I guess. Thanks, Sax." He nods at Rosen's words, adding, "Why not take the cat or the crow with you, so Tay can get right onto tailing Vilson?"
Taygeta-tom jumps onto the arm of Sax's chair and purrs. The crow adds, "The sooner the better."
Rosenstern grins to Slate. "I wasn't going to suggest we set the thing up for him; he's the one geased to take care of it. But after setting it up that'd be a good continuance."
Rei says, "Better take the crow... stands a better chance of bailing out if he's onto you; you guys don't wanna know what a Vapulite can do with a stray cat. You're obviously impressionable."
Shateishael nods, "Sounds good to me, Rosen. Also, I'm thinking of picking up a cell phone sometime soon, so we're all better connected." He grins dryly at Rei, but doesn't comment.
Thessaloniki snorts, then murmurs, "You've never seen what happens when starlings nest in the engine compartment of a Mini, have you?" He makes a face.
Rosenstern blinks to Rei then, a second later winces slightly. "Impressionable enough, at least for me," he says quietly. He nods to Slate.
Shateishael says, "Hey, Nick, sometime when you're not everyone's bestest pal starting their cars," he grins teasingly, "-can I borrow you for a bit? Want you to take a glance at my bike... and maybe we can put mikes into the helmets?"
Taygeta caws, "And the cat needs one in a collar, too."
Shateishael nods to Tay-Tom, "'kay, I'll pick up one for you too while I'm shopping today."
Thessaloniki considers, "Let me ponder that a bit, Slate. I might know a guy who'd know where we can get a rig to do that. The Gold Wing guys use them. The cat'll be harder."
Shateishael says, "Oh, you already know where to go, Nick? Even better." He nods, "Awright then, sounds like we've got a plan." He waves his arms, shooing everyone out, "G'wan, get out of here and make the pretty lady happy!"
Taygeta-crow flutters to the back of Rei's chair. "Okay!"
Thessaloniki says, "Not quite; I know someone who might know what we need. It'll take a phone call or two." He grins and says, "Yes, sir! Hey, Rei, let me get a few things and put 'em in the trunk and we can go, whenever you're ready. And I can show you a room."
Rei says, "Wow, all this attention, Saxon, all for us." Sax grins, curling his arm around her shoulders as they leave the room. "Knew I kept you around for somethin'..."
Shateishael laughs, low and rumbly as Sax and Rei leave, and reaches for the phone and the phone book to call DPS, "Rose, you want ID too?"
Rosenstern laughs quietly, finally catching the relationship between Rei and Sax and rather glad he didn't do anything embarrassing. His cheerfulness not faltering a bit, he nods to Slate. "I think I'm good, Slate. My driver's license hasn't expired just yet." He blinks and checks his wallet quickly. "At least I think it hasn't... no, it's still good for another couple of months. Thanks, though!"
Thessaloniki gives Slate the phone from his pocket and meanders off, showing Sax and Rei a room or rooms, whichever they prefer, and giving them keys to the place, not once commenting about, 'Don't do anything stupid.' He meanders outside, returning later and asking, "Okay, who's coming with me into town?" Rei is going, naturally, as is Sax, if only to pop in on the War tether while the car is being resurrected.
Shateishael nods to Rose, the phone cradled between shoulder and head as he dials, "Got it, man..."
Rosenstern waves as Slate dials, and nods to Nick. "I'd like to, if it's still okay, please."
Taygeta says, "Me, of course."
Shateishael waves goodbye to everyone, closing the front door behind them and wandering back into the living room. The Judgement angels at the Department of Public Safety are, as is to be expected, rather particular about procedure. Anyone wanting an ID is going to have to come down to the DPS building during office hours, if only to get a photo for the ID. Slate makes an appointment to have his picture taken, then goes back to doing more study on the computer.
Rosenstern comments to Tay-crow as they move towards the car, "Think you can fly and keep up? If not, you'll have to hide underneath the dash."
Thessaloniki sees that there's four people coming, and says, "We'll take the big Lincoln, then." He moves a couple of toolboxes and a dolly into its voluminous trunk, adding, "He can perch on the back of the bench seat if he's careful with the claws. Let's roll, mm?"
Taygeta caws. "The way Nick drives? I'll ride, thank you."
Thessaloniki murmurs, "I'll take that as a compliment." and chuckles quietly.
Shateishael goes to the web for some research time again -- he wants to find out more about uranium and underground nuclear explosions. He discovers that Texas used to be an important source for high-grade uranium. It doesn't come out of the ground as weapons-grade, however. It has to be refined and enriched, since natural uranium is pretty low in the fissionable isotope -- which is what Mitrah is doing. Well, that explains where Frexin-whatever got it from -- and why Mitrah didn't just mine her own. There's none under the Rock, but there appears to be some under the Catacombs. He thinks he's got too many unknowns to do actual calculations, much though he'd like to -- he doesn't know how much uranium there is in the bomb, nor how deep the fault is, nor the underground layout yet... and that's what he wants to figure out mostly -- a very rough idea of what happens when you explode a bomb underground.
Shateishael finds some information on the underground nuclear tests, and scribbles notes for himself to tell the others later. Apparently the early tests are all still mostly classified information... but from what he can find out, the explosive charge vaporizes the rock around it until enough energy has been used up to drop the temperature. At that point, it pulverizes the rock and generates a shock wave, which is distinguishable from a natural earthquake by the patterns on a seismograph, but which is otherwise similar. The net result is a vaporized hole surrounded by glassed slag surrounded by pulverized rock. The size of the cavity depends on the size of the bomb, and a bomb in a cavern will tend to be less damaging to the surface -- but will spread through the cavern complex much farther, slagging down the walls of the caves.
Shateishael hms interestedly, continuing to read... he wonders if the rock is accordingly weakened all around that area, in the cave complex... apparently not. The pulverized area around a bomb is caused by the energy being unable to dissipate otherwise. If there's tunnels, the shock wave will travel through them instead. The sole exception is if the tunnels are at right angles to the primary propagation direction -- those tend to collapse rather than act as vents. Real underground nuclear tests are sealed, in fact, by drilling the entry tunnel in a spiral so that all of it but the very end is at right angles to the explosion's propagation direction. The tunnel is then back-filled, and the shock collapses the spiral rather than blowing it clear.
Shateishael takes some comfort in many of the things he's discovering. First, Mitrah said the bomb wasn't huge, so the explosion shouldn't be too horrendous. Second, from that he thinks it should be much like what Mitrah said, in regards to this being pretty similar to a small quake and not giving off injuring radiation. However, he is a little worried about the fault that Mitrah intends to put the bomb into... apparently a fault is a weak zone for propagation of the shock wave. From his reading it shouldn't be too bad for Austin -- there won't be bomb blast flaring out along it to the city, for example. Buildings along the fault line might take extra damage because the waves propagate more strongly along it, but that's about it.
Shateishael thinks, So... we'd have a big glass lined hole where the bomb was... and depending on how the fault runs, it would either collapse if it's at a right angle, or channel the shock-wave directly... uh oh... back to Mitrah. Ah. I understand now. How powerful a shock wave are we talking about here? Think I better dig up the US Army geologic maps and do some research into the underground catacombs beneath Enchanted Rock. After doing more research he unfortunately discovers the explosion stands a very good chance of disturbing Mitrah's foundations via the shock wave traveling up the fault -- and might even kill her.
Shateishael gets an unhappy look... he'd really like to find a way to help Mitrah make this happen the way she wants it to. Maybe if he plays with a computer simulation he can figure out a preferable bomb size and/or location in the fault, that will do what she wants but not potentially damage Enchanted Rock. One short, typed conversation with Tay-Tom later he sighs and shakes his head... looks like it'd take something on the order of a Cray to do that. Damn. Well, maybe if Mitrah somehow 'squeezed' the rock and collapsed the fault once the bomb's been dropped into it? -er, no... she'd have to possess the rock, and he'd guess that it's all been pretty thoroughly consecrated to Death by now, unfortunately.
Shateishael hms -- well, that leaves bomb size. He wonders how much uranium is necessary for a several megaton bomb -- ounces or pounds? If it's pounds, he won't be as worried, since Mitrah described her bomb as not being that large -- a tiny bomb, comparatively speaking. Unfortunately he discovers that particular precise information IS classified. However, he also finds a megaton bomb is... above 500 kilos -- and a minimum size bomb is about one-tenth the Hiroshima version in yield. The power of the shock wave depends on the size of the bomb, of course, but unless it's several megatons it'll not equate to anything more than a barely perceptible quake. He looks very relieved at that information.
Shateishael would belatedly look up information on radiation next, and discover to his pleasure that the below-grade tests hardly ever released anything. Apparently radiation is a bugaboo which in reality isn't very important. Still, he wonders, what about the aquifer? When it goes rushing through the new tunnels, including where the bomb itself exploded... what then? He checks the geologic maps... hm, the fault the bomb is going into is pretty deep -- there shouldn't be much more radiation than would bubble up from the core in the event of a deep seismic event. The bomb itself should seal most of the radiation into the glass bubble it makes. The water in the aquifer could boil from the heat, but there wouldn't be any neutrons left by that time -- and even if there were, water doesn't activate well, so there'd be no residual radiation.
Shateishael sighs. Well, Mitrah's plan seems just fine to him -- but for that one critical point concerning the fault channeling the shock wave right back into her. He sighs, rubbing his forehead. He needs to tell the rest of the group about this -- have them review his notes and see if he missed anything obvious. If he's not... then he's got the unpleasant job of telling one of David's most trusted servitors... that he won't help her potentially kill herself. Joy.
Thessaloniki drives into town, making pleasant small talk on the way. He drives smoothly enough that nobody quite realizes exactly how fast he was going to get there, until he has to slow down when he hits the outskirts of town. "I thought we'd stop and get this gadget of Tay's a room, and get it set up while we were all here; then we can introduce you two to Zara, drop Rosie off, and finally take care of your car? Sound like a plan?" He's already driving into the center of town, one of the reasonable middle-of-the-road hotels Zara mentioned to him before as his destination.
Rosenstern nods, "That sounds good. Thank you for the ride, Nick." He's been keeping an appropriately steady conversation going as well, to while away the ride, somewhat more banal than Slate's chat with Rei earlier which he wasn't privy to, but friendly and curious nonetheless.
This seems all right to Rei. Sax hmmms, looking out the window. "Yo, Nick, there, there! This one here. I've got a feeling about this one."
Rosenstern blinks, glancing back to Sax. "Lots of the little blighters in there?"
Taygeta-crow peers out the window of the limousine. "As good as any, as far as I can tell."
Sax nods. "Yeah. I got a hunch." Rei looks as well, leaning across Sax to do it. "Yeah. Some kind of convention or something going on? Lots of cars."
Rosenstern says, "A convention. Well, that's certain to attract Gremlins."
Thessaloniki slows the car, "Gotcha, Sax." He makes a theoretically impossible U-turn in a car as large as this one, then turns back to the hotel. He parks, gets out, and says, "I'll get a room. Right back." He goes into Registration and asks genially for a room for a few days, beaming cheerfully at the clerk.
The clerk's pleasant-enough seeming, and one of the few remaining rooms is available. She inquires as to whether Nick is with the... convention? There's a conspicuous pause there. Near to the entrance there are four or five haggard-looking guys doing what appears to be registration. Thessaloniki says, "Nope. Didn't realize there was a convention here. You must be busy. Anybody interesting?" as he hands her his credit card and other ID.
Sax and Rei pile out of the car after Nick; Saxon standing in the middle of the lobby looking bored, Rei breaking off to chat with one of the registration staff. The clerk hands Nick a plastic keycard in a little folder and says, "Well, most of these folks are pretty, um, interesting."
Thessaloniki looks even more intrigued, "My, my. That could be good, or could be bad. Can you tell me what the convention is?" He looks around for a sign or something.
Rosenstern has followed the others in as well, and is meandering through the lobby. Curiosity and interest would lead him to greet, or at least nod and smile, to anyone who walks his way. He keeps his wandering to the lobby for the time being, though, trying to keep the others in sight. Taygeta waits in the parking lot for one of the others to come out again. He watches the other birds, looking for a sparrow or some other small one who can spend a few days in a hotel room with some seeds and the Device.
Rei wanders back over to Saxon and says something inaudible to him. Saxon just shrugs and shakes his head as he replies. The clerk says, "Uh, something called Lone Star FurCon. There's a convention of Shriners that ends today, too... I don't know what these folks do exactly, but the Shriners asked if these people would stay on their side of the hotel." Rosenstern is immediately engaged in conversation by a zaftig young woman wearing a leather corset and cat ears. Saxon is tall and scary enough to keep Rei from being immediately mobbed, although a few people forget to close their mouths while walking past.
Thessaloniki heads back over to Sax and Rei, and says, "Why don't we get settled into the room, and then maybe see what's going on here?" He meanders over to try and rescue Rosenstern.
Rosenstern is barely fazed. He cheerfully chats with the lady, asking her about the convention and, well, the deal with the cat ears. He doesn't really get much of a chance to hear the full definition of the premise of the con before he notices Nick approaching. "Ah, there's my friend. If you'll excuse me, please. It was good meeting you, Miss, thank you!"
Rei follows, Sax and cargo in tow. The Bright smiles unfailingly at everyone who makes eye contact, and one would think that she could collect a Geas on the effect that alone has on people. She just leans on Saxon a little. Sax, however, immediately switches on some kind of bad vibe field which seems to let him part through the crowd pretty easily. A portly man wearing a fake fox tail actually says, "Eep," before ducking out of the way. Rosenstern is cheerfully filled in on the details of the convention concept and is given several room numbers before Nick can rescue him. The cat ears lady doesn't conceal the fact that she's eyeing Rei and Sax. Thessaloniki follows along, commenting, "You kids have all the fun," and grinning at them.
Rei says, "Nick, what's this place about, anyway?"
Thessaloniki says, "Some sort of convention. I think Rosie got a better earful of it than I did. The hotel clerk seemed a little confused, and somewhat tired." Saxon is moving toward the elevators with singular resolve, as if trying to make people explode with his mind alone. Thessaloniki nudges Rosenstern, "Where have we found ourselves?"
Rosenstern coughs a little. "To be honest, I think I heard seven or eight or twenty-six different premises for this convention. And I only talked with one person..." He follows along with the group, glad that Saxon is having such a Moses-like effect on the crowd -- That wasn't blasphemy, was it? I don't think it was... -- and tries to answer Nick, "Mortal servitors of Jordi, except they don't know it. For the most part." He pauses for a second. "I'm joking, honest..." He adds deadpan, "Because I think Jordi would have a conniption if he heard me say that..."
Thessaloniki asks, "Why would they be that?"
Rei says, "Nah. He'd just play with you a little before he killed you."
Finally reaching the room, Nick, who has traveled quite a bit, has no problem with the electronic card-lock thing on the hotel room door. He opens the door and steps in, looking curiously and flipping on the first light he finds. Rosenstern says, "Now I know that wasn't supposed to be comforting, Rei." He shakes his head, grinning. "Seriously, they're one part emulating animals, one part cartoon fans, one part computer enthusiasts... and one part... I'm not really sure at all, actually." Rei and Saxon both stop when they hear that.
Rei looks at Sax.
Sax looks at Rei.
Thessaloniki says, coherently, "What?"
Rei and Sax say, in unison, "Pay dirt."
Thessaloniki shoos them into the room, saying, "C'mon, explain!" Rosenstern walks into the room, looking around appreciatively. It's comfortable, of course. Not enough flowers, though. Heck, it's a city; there're never enough. He blinks, turning to look at the two Jeanites as they make their exclamation.
Saxon walks into the room and sets the case down heavily, setting up the prototype on the table. Each switch clicks loudly, and there's a low hiss and a barely perceptible hum as the last one closes and the tiny green LEDs activate. Rei snickers loudly, explaining as her counterpart sets up, "Think about it, Nicky. Computer enthusiasts, cartoon fans, all playing pretend en masse in a hotel. This has got to be a magnet for Gremlins. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if Kobal had operatives here..." She glances at Sax when she says that, realizing what she's said, but Sax shakes his head and shrugs.
Thessaloniki says, "Then we'd better check the meter often, to see if it fills up quickly."
Sax says, "If the thing was going to get broken within 24 hours of right now, I'd know it. It's fine for now. If the situation's changed tomorrow morning, we'll come back and shut it down."
Thessaloniki says, "Hokay. I'd feel responsible if something bad happened to this hotel full of kids, you know?" He goes over to the little veranda and waves at the car, trying to signal to Tay where they are. He also writes a little note, saying, "DO NOT DISTURB. SCIENTIFIC EXPERIMENT IN PROGRESS. DELICATE EQUIPMENT. QUESTIONS? CALL" and then the ranch's phone number. He puts it on the table with the machine, just in case someone finds it.
Rosenstern makes a concerned sound, "Or some Impudites. Considering how many room numbers I've been... er, the looks that've been cast 'pon you, Rei, this place might be rife for their predations." He stifles a short flash of what is more frustration than anger at the thought of the Fallen Mercurians, then nods quietly. "Zara's shop is about a half-hour from here by foot. If need be I can be here fairly quickly."
Thessaloniki looks up from writing a note, and gives Rosenstern a look and says, "Have you forgotten what vessel you're in, Rosie? Might just be kids thinking, 'Ooh! Look at him!' y'know?" He leaves the actual placement to the Jeanites.
Rosenstern blinks to Nick and shifts his feet a little. "Erm... well, maybe I am getting a bit paranoid." He sighs and shakes his head, rubbing his forehead. "Austin," he says simply.
Saxon glances at Rosenstern. "Fuckin' A," he says, and goes back to what he was doing.
Taygeta flies up to the window from the parking lot, a sparrow accompanying the crow. The smaller bird flits into the room and looks around, noting the sign and then finding a perch out of the way. The crow caws, "Right out in the open? I'd think the closet would be fine."
Rei says, "That's up to you, Taygeta. You're ultimately responsible for this thing, don't forget. We're just supposed to bring it to you. We're making, um, concessions, since you don't seem to have any hands and your friends have been so helpful."
Taygeta says, "I know. But you're the ones who have the directions. Would it hurt to keep it covered and in a closet or drawer?"
Thessaloniki comments, "It certainly makes it look more suspicious." He goes and sits down, resisting the mild urge to go mingle in the convention.
Rei says, "Dunno about covered... I'm not sure about how well it handles heat exhaust when it gets full. I don't see why we can't closet it if you want, though."
Taygeta-crow flips his wings. "The suspicion factor is true. Leave it there, I guess. If need be, I can distract any humans, or even Dominate them if they're going to be a problem."
Rei says, "Sounds like a plan. I'm sure it'll be fine if you've got an eye on it. We'll leave the Do Not Disturb sign out for you."
Thessaloniki asks, "All right then, we done here?"
Taygeta-sparrow chirps and nods. Rosenstern nods, "I think so!"
Saxon says, "Unless you wanna go mingle. That's it for our obligation, for 48 hours at least." Sax's tone indicates he's probably not interested in doing so himself.
Taygeta says, "Mingle? What's going on in this hotel?"
Thessaloniki shuts the heat and A/C off, leaves the sliding glass door open a couple of inches and the heavy curtains only a couple inches open, the desk lamp on, and says, "Let us know if there's a problem, Tay."
Taygeta caws, "Will do."
Thessaloniki ohs, "Some sort of convention of animal-friendly folks." He hangs the DnD sign on the open door handle and comments, "If I go to mingle I'll probably be all night, and we've other things to do, don't we?" He waits to make sure everything is cool before he closes the door, to head on to Zara's.
Rosenstern coughs a little and smiles to the crow. "Lots and lots of mortals. If you want I can drop by tomorrow morning, see how things are going. I think Zara will let me go for an hour or so to check up on you." He waves to Taygeta and steps outside with Nick and the others.
Thessaloniki gives Rosie the key and says, "You take this, then. If I need to get in quickly, I can get another."
Rosenstern nods, "Sure thing."
Rei follows Nick out. Sax pauses to instruct Taygeta, "If something totally out of control happens... smash that thing, you got me? The Other Side doesn't need to learn how to start Hoovering our Relievers, and for sure not on my watch." So saying, he turns to follow the others.
Taygeta-crow nods. "Meet you back at the car, then." Taygeta-sparrow settles in for a long watch. His crow self comes back for a moment and turns on the TV set and flips the security latch closed before flying back downstairs to meet the others at the car.
Sax adds to the crow, as they leave the hotel, "My attunement is gone now. It's your show from here out."
Thessaloniki leads the way back out of the hotel, Rosenstern and Rei politely refusing any offers, and him even refusing the quite surprising one he gets himself. He waits for everybody to pile back into the car, then starts it up. He says, "That was odd," and drives to Zara's.
Rei says, "What a nice bunch of people." Sax gives Rei the strangest look.
Rosenstern says, "Well, they're certainly interesting."
Sax shrugs, "Well, it'll make their weekend go smoother, regardless. Provided the thing does what it's supposed to."
Thessaloniki chuckles, "For the hotel staff's sake, I hope it does. They looked tired." He stops at Zara's, having fantastic parking karma and getting a space big enough for the old Lincoln right near her door, on the curb. He goes into the shop, looking around carefully to see if Zara or another person is on.
Rosenstern enters the shop after Nick parks, standing outside briefly and marveling: how could Nick get such a great parking space, when he himself had trouble finding any sort of parking spot for his jalopy? He turns and enters the shop, saving that mystery as one to be answered later. "Ms. Zara?" he asks as he enters, looking around the shop.
The desk is being manned by a sharp-dressed young man who looks quite disapprovingly at Saxon and Nick. Rosenstern, however, achieves recognition. "She's in the back, Rose, she's been waiting for you."
Thessaloniki says, "Let's go see her. C'mon, Sax, Rei, we'll introduce you to Zara. She's a friend."
Rosenstern blinks a little and nods slowly. "Oh! Thanks. Er, I have been away a bit... ah, Nick has something to ask Zara; can I bring them in back?"
The receptionist shrugs. "I don't see why not, she has been asking about you."
Rosenstern nods, smiling. "Thanks again..." He heads towards the back of the salon, through the door. "Ms. Zara? Hello, we're back...!"
Zara is tending some of the plants in back, and smiles, standing up and dusting off her hands, "Ah! Welcome back, child! I was starting to think you'd run off." Thessaloniki smiles quietly and lets Rosenstern do the talking. Taygeta-crow makes a flight around the building, checking for anything that seems wrong.
Rosenstern smiles quietly, feeling much more at ease. "No, not at all. I'm sorry, we just got back this morning, smack into the middle of the rain. Nick gave me a ride here. This is Rei, and Sax..." He makes brief but comprehensive introductions between the three celestials.
Sax nods, "Ma'am. Pleased to meet you." Rei just grins. "Hey Zara. How you been?" Zara beams, "Ah! Come here, girl, let me have a look at you!" She immediately moves closer to Rei, lifting the Lilim's chin a little toward the light and looking her over, "You look wonderful! Are you finally taking care of this face of yours?"
Saxon looks as confused as the others at that. Thessaloniki smiles, and says, "You two know each other?"
Rosenstern blinks a little in surprise, but then it passes -- mostly -- Zara's last comment confuses him a little, "I guess you two have met already..." he says, grinning quietly.
Rei grins, "Well, I did say I'd been here a few years back..." Zara smiles, "She came in here twice, the first time with a broken nose and the second time with a little Chinese man shot full of holes."
Thessaloniki says, "Oh, you've met? That's good." He tells Saxon, "Ms. Zara's a fine lady, Sax, and she knows a lot of folks hereabouts, so if you need to know something she might know someone who can help. Folks of all sorts." To Zara, he says, "I was wondering, would you be interested in a panel truck to use for deliveries or picking things up? I have one I'm sure you could borrow. It's in fine order and would serve you quite well, if it would help you."
Taygeta-crow finishes his patrol circuit and picks that moment to land on the edge of the patio. "You can say that again."
Sax nods. "Rei mentioned her name... didn't know this was her, though. Thanks, Zara, for putting Rei's face back together." He grins.
Zara thinks about it. "Mm. That's a wonderful, generous offer, Nick, but I don't think we have call for it at the moment." She smiles broadly, "But I'll remember how kind you've been in the future." At Saxon's comment she says, "Just you see she takes care of it, now."
Thessaloniki nods and says, "All rightie. You let me know if you need any sort of vehicle in the future, okay? If I haven't got one around, I expect I know someone who does."
Zara grins. "I expect you do."
Rosenstern nods and extends his hand to Nick. "Thank you for the ride, Nick, I appreciate it. And again, it's good to see you out from the Tribunal." He smiles to the Jeanites, likewise offering his hand. "And it was good meeting you both. We'll probably meet again before you guys leave for the 'Home Office'."
Saxon shakes Rosen's hand; he's got a very firm handshake. Rei grins and gives the Mercurian a little hug; she knows Mercurians can't resist them. "We'll seeya 'round, hippie."
With that, the two follow Nick out. As the other angels depart they can hear Rosen talking to Zara, "You might not believe what's going on in one of the hotels in town..."
Thessaloniki says, "Almost done, then!" He asks the crow, "Shall we swing a little closer to whathisname's address and let you out?"
Taygeta nods. "That'll be best. Not too close, of course, but close enough that I can get there quickly."
Thessaloniki says, "Ayup," and pulls out in the car, driving ably through a myriad of side streets.
Shateishael stands and stretches, slowly and thoroughly, once he's done working with the computer. He sighs... then shrugs. Well... he'll just have to see how things work out. For now, he's got places to go and things to do. He gets a beer, then goes and searches for his stored clothing. Eventually he finds his old chaps and spends a pleasant half-hour or so cleaning and saddle-soaping them and his jacket. He wonders idly as he does so as to how Lauren's doing -- has she fixed that nasty slash in her jacket yet? Hopefully so... and hopefully Luci- no... Slate frowns. That doesn't seem right somehow -- the entity he met certainly was no light-bringer. He muses -- how to refer to the guy then? Perhaps some other religion's name... ah, yes! Khalid, the Archangel of Faith has a good name for the Leader of Demons -- Shaitan. Slate nods -- that'll work. So... he hopes Shaitan actually kept the spirit of his promise to Lauren, and she's happier now.
Shateishael chuckles quietly as he works the saddle soap into the black leather chaps, remembering Sax' comment about "ride bitch." Somehow Slate suspects large, rather overwhelming folks like him don't have any troubles with that, whether they will it or no, and regardless of black leather chaps or not. After that he does a slow walk-through of the house, making sure everything's picked up, cleaned up, or put away... he doesn't want to be a mooch on his old friend's hospitality.
Shateishael will eventually head on into town, enjoying the comfortable pressure and tug of the wind against him as he rides. He purchases a cell phone at a local store, tucking it into his jacket, then heads out to his appointment at the Department of Public Safety. He has his picture taken for his new ID, and a short while later tucks into his wallet the license and other paperwork for Gunther Bearsun Slate. He thanks the Dominicans politely, then roars off towards Natural Beauty, happily singing to himself.
Shateishael will eventually find a parking space for his big old BMW bike a block or two away from Natural Beauty, although he does swear under his breath and wish Nick were here... does everyone around here park like an insane person? Eventually he strides towards the salon, running a hand through his hair to get rid of the helmet hair. He can't miss Nick's car, though, and changes his direction to head over their way. Saxon pauses on the curb, perching a cigarette in his mouth. He spots the bike first, murmuring, "Vikings ho."
Shateishael laughs at Sax' comment, then lazily corrects, "Nah, Norse, man! Going a-viking is what we did, not who we were!" He grins, cheerfully throwing his arms around Nick in a hug, then leaning back against the huge Lincoln Continental, "Didn't expect to find y'all here... whatcha up to now?"
Sax just nods. He doesn't bother to light the cigarette. It doesn't seem like anything perturbs him. Rei just grins, like always, and leans on him. Taygeta looks around for mortals before cawing, "About to drop me off at Vilson's."
Thessaloniki says, "Going to swing by whateshisname's and let Tay off a little closer, then back to the Alamo to try and perform a miracle with Rei's car."
Shateishael nods, glancing at Nick with a grin, "Got room for one more, or you full up?"
Thessaloniki chuckles, "Plenty of room; we dropped Rosie here."
Shateishael says, "S'cool. Lemme park my bike here then, and swap out some stuff." He moves his bike, leaves the (hot!) chaps in the locked saddle bag, and comes back with his backpack, "All right, let's hit it."
Thessaloniki drives through a myriad of side streets, then stops, vaguely pulling off to one side at a quiet intersection. He hits a button and the front passenger window rolls down. He says to Taygeta, "Two blocks east, then one north should be the address they had for whatshisname in the folder. Be careful, eh?"
Taygeta nods. "I'll keep in touch back at the ranch. Let the cat type for you until you get that collar built, okay?" He spreads his wings and heads off to wait for Vilson. Shateishael silently watches the crow fly off, his expression slightly concerned.
Thessaloniki flicks the blinker on, glances in the mirrors, over his shoulder and down the long, chrome-tipped wing of the old car, and pulls back out into the street and its nearly absent traffic. One hand is easily palming the steering wheel, and he's holding the "up" button on the passenger window with the other hand until the chrome-surrounded tempered glass has stopped again. He says, "Next stop, the Alamo!"
Shateishael comments to Nick as he drives, "Got a new cell phone. Remind me to give you the number later. Gotta new ID too... finally. First time I've ever needed one. Kinda weird." He grins quietly.
Rei smiles. "I appreciate all the trouble you're going to for this old clunker of mine." Saxon asks Slate, "How long have you been driving a bike?"
Shateishael says, "Uhh... less than a century. Why?"
Thessaloniki comments to his old friend, "Has its pluses and its minuses, my friend." Accelerating through a yellow light with an easy goose of the big car's bigger engine, he says, "Hey, it's no trouble. If you stay at the Ranch long enough I expect it'll make me itch, and it won't be an old clunker much longer." He grins at her in the mirror.
Sax uhs, "Then how did you get and keep one with no identification for so long?"
Shateishael chuckles quietly at Nick's comment to Rei, "No kidding. That, and he'll get y'all into the hot tub." He grins, leaning away from the expected poke. Rei and Sax glance at each other, unsure how to take that.
Thessaloniki harrumphs at his friend, saying, "Now, Slate, you know I'd never want to do something that would make someone uncomfortable." He adds, "Hot tubs are terribly relaxing. Don't listen to him."
Shateishael turns and grins at Sax over his shoulder, "Stayed away from cops... was out in the country." Saxon hmms dubiously at that answer, but doesn't say anything further. He leans back and looks out the window. Shateishael adds, "Nick taught me how to be a white man. I borrowed his bike for a while, and he did most of the driving anyway. Picked the name 'Slate' too. Good choice."
Saxon mms. "Sounds stony. Makes sense." Shateishael chuckles and hushes up. He's not sure why the two in the back tensed up somewhat... but he knows when to keep his mouth shut and let Nick smooth things over.
It's not long before Nick pulls the big two-tone car into the parking lot of the Alamo, parking it easily in one of the few spaces that isn't marked "COMPACT" or "HANDICAPPED," saying, "So, you folks want to go in and pay your respects to Dominic? I've just seen him this morning, myself."
Shateishael looks up at Nick, "Oh, that reminds me. We should find someone that can give us an introduction to the Old Guy, so we can go pay our respects to him too."
Thessaloniki nods, "That'd be swell. Be nice to bring him some coffee and sit and chat." He asks Rei, "Do you see your car here?" He looks for an old Ford that's been parked too long.
Saxon says, "He's likely not here. This is War's territory, unless he's doing something important, Michael will chase him out before long." Shateishael chuckles dryly. Sax leans over and kisses Rei briefly. "I'm gonna go inside and check in with Upstairs. I'll be back in a minute; yell if you need me." He wanders off toward the building.
Rei meanwhile scans the lot. "Let's see. Yeah, there she is." She walks off to the right; she indicates a late-model Escort that may have been red at one time but currently seems to be covered almost entirely in a thin layer of dust. It sits a little toward the ground as well, the tires seeming rather low. The Bright sighs. "I can't believe it's still here. Then again," she muses, "Who'd be stupid enough to try to rip something off of War's turf?" She frowns a little. "Or want to put up the effort to swipe my shitty car."
Shateishael observes the car with a critical eye, standing behind Rei with his arms folded, "Y'ask me, this'll be a snap for Nick."
Thessaloniki says, "If you'd told them not to tow it inside, then they probably wouldn't." He walks around the car, "Hmm. Tires." He asks her, "May I have the keys, please?"
Rei fishes around in her backpack for a second. "Keys. Keys. Keys... yeah. Here you go." She tosses Nick a ring of just three keys, with a little super-deformed character attached to the ring. "The big one."
Thessaloniki opens the door and nothing happens -- no dome light. He puts the key in the ignition and unlocks the steering column. No buzzer. He concentrates for a moment, and exhales slowly. The car shifts a little, the tires subtly changing and the door-buzzer starts up. Nick starts the car and guns it once or twice to listen to it. He stands up and says, "Needs some air in the tires, and could use the timing adjusted. And washing." He smiles and puts his hands in his pockets, looking humble.
Shateishael grins as the car starts up, "Killer."
Rei just stares. "Jesus Christ on a strike-out throw-out double play, he brought it back to life!"
Shateishael chuckles quietly, "Of course. Didn't he promise you a miracle?"
Thessaloniki points down the block, "There's a gas station there where we can top off the tank and the tires, and wash the worst of the crud off the windows. The rest we can do later at the Ranch."
Saxon nearly walks past the car on his return because, hey, this one runs, obviously that's not the one he's looking for. The cigarette falls out of his mouth. "No way. That's amazing." Shateishael grins. Sax kneels and picks up his cigarette. "Wow. I'm impressed. Never seen anyone do that before."
Thessaloniki just shrugs a half shrug at Saxon, "I admit, I thought I'd have to open the hood."
Sax says, "I thought you'd have to call a wrecker."
Shateishael grins at Nick, "Nah. He's the best."
Thessaloniki pumps the brakes a couple of times and makes sure they're at least passable, saying to Sax, "Yeah, when I saw the tires I thought that too. Otherwise, there's a dolly in the trunk of the Lincoln. But she started just fine." He pats the steering wheel cheerfully and asks Rei, "You want to drive down there and we'll follow along?"
Rei grins, "Yeah! This is great, I've been meaning to collect a bunch of the stuff in this car... I didn't expect to get it to move too!"
Saxon hmms, circling to the passenger side. "Better not push her till we get back to the Ranch. Don't wanna waste a perfectly good miracle..."
Thessaloniki makes sure the brake is set and the transmission is still in Park before he stands up and says, "Your wish is my command, fair lady. At least as far as cars." He grins, "Let's get the tires refilled and windows washed, and then she'll be good to go to the Ranch, at least. Probably wants an oil change, at least."
Rei smiles happily, climbing into the driver's seat, "I owe you one." Coming from a Lilim, Bright or no, that should mean something.
Shateishael slaps Nick cheerfully on the back, then heads for the Lincoln Continental, "We'll see you two at the gas station then, eh?"
Thessaloniki nods, and heads back to the Lincoln, starting the big car with only the gentlest touch of its starter and littlest blue cloud of unburned fuel. He waits for the little Ford to pull out of the Alamo and follows it to the station. Once there he takes care of those details, not quite fretting like a mother hen, but close. It's a car. Its starting made someone happy. He's happy. Shateishael smiles, folding his arms and leaning back against the finned back end of the Lincoln. Unless he's needed he stays out of folks' way as they tidy up the car at the gas station. He always likes seeing friends happy... he hopes he can figure out a way for the Old Guy to be a happy and accepted part of the community too.
Thessaloniki asks Rei and Sax, "We've got to go back to Zara's to pick up Slate's bike at the least. You going to follow along, or have you other plans?"
Shateishael adds, "And if Ms. Zara can recommend someone, we'd like to meet the Old Guy too. Y'all met him yet?"
Rei says, "I think I'm going to take this thing back to the Ranch, if that's okay... don't wanna push our luck too much. We'll check in with Taygeta while we're there." She smiles sheepishly, "I haven't met him, but I know him by reputation... I think it might be kinda awkward explaining myself to him. We're gonna head back."
Shateishael looks curious, "He's never met a Bright? Okay."
Rei says, "He's a Malakite, big guy. We know better than to hang around."
Thessaloniki says, "Okay. Myself, I hope he'd be thrilled that someone can come back to Light, but I can see how it might worry you. We'll be back later." He makes sure they have keys and Slate's cell phone number before they leave.
Shateishael nods slowly, not commenting. It still seems curious to him... surely Malachites have more sense than to attack someone on their side? He glances at Nick, then nods, sliding into the passenger seat of the Continental, "Okay, let's roll then, ja?"
Thessaloniki nods, "See you kids back at the Ranch." He climbs into the big Lincoln, fires it up, and heads back to Zara's again.
Once at Natural Beauty, Slate heads in to find the proprietor, "Heya. Ms. Zara around?"
Zara happens to be in the front of the salon at the time. "Ah, hello again! Something I can do for you?"
Shateishael nods politely, "Wanted to say thanks, Ms. Zara, for your help with the band... and..." he looks casually at his boots, "-er... to say sorry for snapping at you... ahh..." he looks up again, a little sheepishly, "-so... was wondering if you knew anyone that could introduce us to the Old Guy, so's we can go pay our respects? Oh! And was wondering how Ms. Lauren was doing. Did she actually get away from that guy she was scared of?" He pauses a moment, then curiously adds, "What's her Word, Ms. Zara, d'you know?"
Zara folds her arms. "Well... this is a surprise. Forget it, child, that was a stressful week for everyone." She smiles. "The Old Guy... well, he doesn't need any introductions, he's just glad for the company. Right down there at the Oak, I'm sure you know the way." She arches one eyebrow. "Lauren? Her Word is Strippers. Why do you ask?"
Shateishael nods, getting a faintly puzzled look as he thinks. Then he smiles a little self-consciously at the Novalite, "Um... still sorry, ma'am... I uh kinda lost my temper when I realized I was being lied to." He takes a deep breath, changing mental tracks, and continues, "Well, I asked 'cause Shaitan said he 'forced his favor on her last time' and I was wondering what that meant... I was chatting with Rei and she told me he's the man when it comes to Words there. So... she wasn't afraid of him like she is of... Andrealphus? -whoever she wants away from, so it couldn't have been something like rape he forced on her... so I guessed it was a Word, and I've heard he can stick folks with a really awful one... but..." he looks a bit confused, "-'strippers' is a great Word, I'd think? I mean... she could do a lot of wonderful stuff with that, don't you think?" He muses thoughtfully, "Maybe she didn't ask for that one, and that's why he said it was forced on her?"
Zara says, "It is a powerful Word, and she could do a lot with it, yes. So could a lot of others, child. Why do you think she's always looking over her shoulder?"
Thessaloniki, who has been standing quietly by the whole time, says, "We forget how demons work, Slate."
Shateishael thinks about that for a long moment... then nods slowly at Nick's comment, adding, "Guess she already is trying for a better boyfriend... here I thought she was just careless." He sighs softly, shaking his head, "Shame you can't get her to change sides, ma'am... bet lotsa folks'd be happy to keep a friendly eye out for her then." He glances at Nick, then at Zara, "By the way, ma'am, can you advise us as to whether we should think up a favor quick for Wrench, or is he the type not to forget?" He grins a bit lopsidedly at a passing thought, "Guess I won't pester her to fix her jacket then, if I ever see her again."
Zara smiles, "I'll be here when Lauren comes back. A little at a time, child. You of all people should understand that. As for Wrenchial... well, you did keep Druiel from hurting Tomas, and Tomas and Wrenchial are fairly tight. I don't think Tomas will let his boy forget so easily."
Shateishael blinks slowly, "Tomas? Tomas won't let Wrench forget?!"
Zara quirks that eyebrow again. "You did keep him from being killed by his own friend."
Shateishael shakes his head slowly again, "Man, this is my afternoon for surprises... I told him he was a dork for lying to us about Marty." His grin quirks slightly, "Okaaay... I'll have to behave nicer next time."
Zara grins a little. "You do learn, don't you, child?"
Shateishael grins faintly sheepishly again. Thessaloniki says quietly, "Yes, he definitely does. However, it is very difficult to get work done where the people who should be your allies do their best to confound everything you are trying to do."
Shateishael says, "So! Umm..." he nods at Nick quietly, then adds, "-oh, last question -- is the Old Guy likely to have noticed all the heavies thundering through the Symphony during the festival, and if so will someone have already reassured him about it?" He adds thoughtfully, "And... can we borrow Rosen long enough to have him meet the Old Guy too?"
Zara smiles and says, "I wonder if Tomas doesn't feel exactly that way." She nods, "Yes, he noticed... Mitrah sent someone to talk to him. If there's nothing else, I need to start closing up. You can have him when we're done, in about an hour."
Shateishael nods, "Works, thanks, ma'am." He looks at Nick, "Wanna kill an hour with a snack or a cup of coffee or something on the patio while we wait?" He looks relieved that Mitrah's dealt with the Malachite, although he does wonder curiously who Tomas is having trouble dealing with... Drew maybe? He knows the young Angel of Teen Death drove him pretty close to strangling the silly little git.
Thessaloniki says, "Sure." Shateishael heads out to the back patio with Nick, staying out of Zara's and her people's way, and quietly having a cup of coffee with the Ofanite until Rose is available to go visit the old Malachite.
The Mercurian finishes his work in closing up 'Natural Beauty,' and in an hour emerges from the darkened shop, bundling his vest up a little; the night air isn't cold, but the wind adds a little nip. He looks around for the other angels, then jogs up to them, smiling sheepishly. "Sorry if it took longer than expected." He looks around and says with audible disappointment, "Rei... oh, and Sax, they couldn't make it?"
Shateishael grins cheerfully at the pretty Novalite, "Ehhh, she's at the Ranch, you'll see her again!"
Rosenstern chuckles softly, "Ah, okay." He's quiet for a moment, then says into the still twilight, "So... the Old Guy, huh?"
Thessaloniki nods, and says, "I think we should, yes."
Shateishael nods, heading for the big car, "Ayup. Seems only right to pay our respects."
Rosenstern nods, slipping into the car. "Yeah... it'll be good to do that. We hear about him every so often..."
Shateishael lets Rose in first, then slides into the passenger seat by the door. "According to my map it's between 5th and 6th streets, Nick. I figure we can hum Celestial at him, maybe."
Thessaloniki okays and drives there, the Oak being relatively easy to spot when they get close. He parks the car, "That should work. Let's go meet him and let him know we're okay before someone tells him otherwise."
Shateishael says, "Good to let him know who we are, yup. Park stays open 'til 10pm." He's silent as the car drives for a bit, then adds quietly, "Did some research on the Treaty Oak while I was looking up Enchanted Rock too. Hard to believe the Treaty Grove I remember from the mid 1800's Gregorian is just one tree now. Glad to hear it's germinating again..." He glances at Rosen, "Did Ms. Zara tell you anything about it?" He looks up, realizing they're there, and murmurs quietly to Rosen, "Tell ya later... interesting history." He shoulders his backpack, heading out towards the oak but looking around curiously to see if there's anyone visible that might be the semi-legendary Old Guy.
Rosenstern makes a small sound, shaking his head. "No, she didn't, except that the Old Guy is out and about more often of late. She thinks it's because he knows he's..." He falls silent and nods quietly to Slate, following after him and Nick.
Shateishael's face gets an odd expression at Rosen's words -- a little tight and unhappy for just a second -- then it relaxes into quiet as he looks around. "Either of y'all good hummers?" Rosenstern just arches an eyebrow, and grins to Slate. Shateishael chuckles quietly, still glancing around.
Someone appears to be leaning against the Oak on the far side, wearing a bright Southwestern shirt and a broad-brimmed cowboy hat. This is a big man. And one can feel the power around; it may be damaged, but this is still a Tether, and the Seneschal isn't dead just yet.
Thessaloniki smiles, and waves, saying, "Hello there! Nice night, isn't it?" Shateishael hesitates... this guy was frighteningly OLD and powerful when Slate was still riding with the Comanche! -then he takes a deep breath and follows Nick.
The big man stands up, straightening, and touches the brim of his hat. "Sure 'nuff is. Howdy, there." Broad shoulders, short white beard and moustache, bright blue eyes... from all descriptions the angels have heard, this must be the Old Guy.
Rosenstern follows along with Nick and Slate. Nick's attitude and hail of the Old Guy seems perfectly fine to him. It's respectful without being obsequious, and it might be just the thing to just have a nice conversation with him, to pay respects to him and talk for a time. Shateishael nods politely, pushing his cowboy hat back slightly, then smiles, "Evening, sir. Nice to actually speak with you. We thought we'd come pay our respects."
Thessaloniki walks in and looks around, smiling cheerfully, and says, "A pleasure to meet you, indeed," and offers his hand, in the human custom.
Rosenstern bobs his head as well in greeting, smiling warmly. "Good evening!" He isn't blind to the power of the place, or the power of the Seneschal. Not even whatever damage to that power there might be mitigates it. It's hard for him to not be the way he normally is, though. Shateishael will offer his hand after Nick. He gives a firm handshake, meeting the Old Guy's eyes directly, but then can't resist studying his face with fascinated curiosity as he steps back. Here was sacred for the Comanche, like Enchanted Rock, and he's still got a faintly reverent feeling about both locations.
The Old Guy laughs, it's a deep sound that rumbles up from his chest. "Hah, shucks... y'all didn't need to do that, but I'm right glad you did, it gets lonesome out here at night! I'm pleased to meet ya... heh, I guess y'all know me already..." The Old Guy shakes every offered hand... and he's got a grip like a vice!
Rosenstern offers his hand to shake the Old Guy's hand as well... and though he tries to hide it, the faint crossing of his eyes reveals that the Old Guy, no matter what else, still has a really, REALLY strong grip. When he gets his hand back he folds both quietly behind him, trying to massage feeling back into his hand while he lets Slate speak.
Shateishael murmurs quietly, "Name's Slate, sir, now, and that's my friend Nick, and Rosen there... pleasure to speak with you." He quirks a small smile, "I kinda had to, actually. Been long time -- for me -- since I was here, and I never got to speak to you then."
Thessaloniki isn't afraid of the Old Guy. If he's not afraid of Dominic, and he wasn't afraid of Lucifer, he's not likely to be afraid here. The Old Guy is a force of good. He lets the others shake hands. He smiles, "How could I not come so little out of my way to meet someone like you, sir? It's not often that I get a chance to talk to someone who's outlived some of the Archangels, and spent the time in an interesting place, to boot. It's not something I was required to do, but I'm pleased to do." Shateishael nods in quiet agreement.
The Old Guy tilts his hat back a little. "Aw, hell, y'all are gonna make me outgrow my hat. So, how long ya been here, then... ain't been anyone here but the Comanche since the city come in."
Shateishael grins, "Yessir... d'you use the Gregorian calendar now? You remember the treaty between the Comanche and John Meusebach's folks, in about 1847, I think?"
The Old Guy grins hugely. "Sure do... 's when the Sword got aholda this here place." He smiles, "But... heh, don't tell no one, but I been around a sight longer'n that."
Shateishael nods, then grins a bit more quietly, "Okay... did you see Santa Anna, the Comanche war leader? and one of his braves didn't have the usual dark buffalo hair dreadlocked into his hair... he had white buffalo hair instead, and pale gold hair?" He grins a bit sheepishly, "I was so impressed to actually be here... I remember thinking then if you turned up I was likely to stutter or something." Thessaloniki grins at his Stone friend.
The Old Guy hmmms, "Well, I dunno about all that, son, it's been a long time, but I'm right pleased to see someone who knows the place as well's I do."
Shateishael chuckles quietly, "Nice to be back, sir, and thank you... but I doubt I could know it as well as you."
Thessaloniki says, "It was a few years after that -- ten, twenty, hard to keep track exactly -- that I first spent time out here, and where I met Slate. Remember the stir among the Comanche when the railroads came in? They hated those surveyors, because hordes of thoughtless white men followed. I was one of those surveyors." He grins, adding, "Most people never ask why so many cities are around a Tether. Several of the surveyors were hopping from Tether to Tether. I preferred to be a little further out, myself."
Shateishael grins at Nick, "Yep... wasn't for you, I might still be known as Bear of the Sun!" He looks at the Old Guy, adding fascinatedly, "So... if you don't mind my asking, how long have you been here? You must remember a huge amount of stuff?" A little hopefully he adds, "...and... have some amazing stories?" Rosenstern smiles quietly to himself. Almost spoken like a Mercurian, Slate, he thinks warmly. He turns his attention to the Old Guy, admitting that, above and beyond how good the Old Guy might feel to tell those stories... he wants to hear them as well.
The Old Guy nods and tips his hat. "I remember a little... y'know, it's funny whatcha never get outta no storybooks, what they never write down. Like you an' yer surveyors."
Shateishael nods, "Or that the surveyors were the precursors to the Texas Rangers, yeah..." He smiles, remembering.
The Old Guy grins, "Can't get nothin' past you, eh, boy? Heh. I seen some stuff you just can't find in no storybook... like... dinosaurs. Ain't no diggin' in the dirt gonna tell you about some things I seen."
Thessaloniki grins, and listens, enraptured. Shateishael blinks slowly, his eyes widening. He breaths, "You've seen dinosaurs?! Oh, man, I love the dinosaurs!" He grins widely, "Can I bring a notebook next time we come?!"
The Old Guy snickers. "Yeah, boy. Dinosaurs... and lightning."
Shateishael thinks furiously, then asks quickly, "Warm blooded? Were they really warm-blooded like they're thinking now, or- er... lightning?"
The Old Guy grins, leaning back against the Oak again, and nods, "Dinosaurs and lightnin'. Yeah, boy. You know them dinosaurs, they were the tallest damn things around. Long tall necks towerin' over all the trees, connected to them big old sacks o' water sloshin' around on the land."
Shateishael stares at the Old Guy... then can't help himself -- he tosses his head back, laughing! When he gets control of himself again he comments, still chuckling, "Oh, man that must've been a MESS!"
Thessaloniki also laughs, finally saying, "Yep, that's one they're not going to think of down at the University."
The old Virtue starts to laugh, and the sound rumbles up slowly from his chest. "Hah! Yeah, an' you know, one good storm comes through, an' crack crack crack! Whole damn place covered in dinosaur meat." He laughs until his eyes water. "That's why them dinosaurs are extinct. Too damn tall!"
Shateishael wrinkles his nose, grinning, "Eeeeurgh... must've stunk too!" He'll gladly pepper the Malachite with fascinated, excited questions about dinosaurs for as long as the Old Guy is interested -- he's always wished he could have been around to see the leviathans of the land.
Thessaloniki laughs some more, then says merely, "Wow. I'd have never thought it."
Rosenstern blinks, then it slowly comes to him, and he laughs, comfortably and unrestrainedly. Oh, my... that really is great! "The first lightning rods..."
The Old Guy laughs, "Got that right, boy! Straight up to high Heaven." Despite the recent reports of his injury in '89 and the somewhat pitying tone of the descriptions given of him, the Old Guy seems as alive and vibrant as any of the younger angels. The Oak itself, having seen something of a turnaround in recent years and going so far as to drop acorns again, more than likely has something to do with that.
Shateishael smiles, studying the huge, spreading old tree. It may be only a third of its former size... but he bets it's going to continue to grow and thrive, and even, if the Austinites have their way, to slowly grow more oaks around it. He'd hope so... he'd like to see the place become the Treaty Grove again, instead of just Treaty Oak. Rosenstern quickly finds himself forgetting Zara's hushed words as to why the Old Guy has been around more and more, and just becomes at ease with being here, talking with him, listening to his tales and his words of wisdom hidden amongst his anecdotes like the seeds of the new oaks within the acorns that Treaty Oak will occasionally drop.
Thessaloniki says, "So you've been out here a long time, keeping this place safe. You must have seen some amazing battles across all the years. What has been the hardest fight you've had here?" Shateishael looks up curiously at Nick's words -- then goes still as a sudden thought occurs to him -- a good one! He'll have to ask the Old Guy about it later.
The Old Guy folds his arms, thinking about that. "You know... long time ago, a big mess o' them, ah... Tonkawa. They come through just a-tearin' up all through here, raisin' all kindsa hell. Screamin' about the Voice in the Hills an' blood an' all sorts o' crazy."
Shateishael nods quietly, remembering his discussion with the Kyriotate of Enchanted Rock, "Ms. Mitrah said they were Saminga's folks... cannibals."
The Old Guy continues, "Yep. Damn flesh-eaters. Came through here just raisin' hell. And one night some of 'em come a-screamin' up here, got it in their heads the Voice in the Hills wants 'em to burn my trees."
Shateishael frowns, listening... doesn't surprise him that Frex might try to get rid of all the other Tethers in the area. "What'd you do?" Rosenstern blink, and can only make a small 'erk!' sound.
The Old Guy says, "Well, I walked on up to those boys, an' I told their head honcho, 'If yer voice wants my trees, then he's gonna have to get his ass up outta them hills an' come get 'em.' Else, they were gonna have to come through me. Well, a couple of 'em decided to try it the hard way. After that, they done decided to try it my way, an' I don't reckon what they saw put 'em in the mood for eatin' no flesh neither." The old Seneschal snickers. "So, they send one 'a their boys back to go ask their Voice to come up. An' I said that's just fine, and I sat down... right about where you're sittin', boy," he gestures to Rosenstern, "And put my back to one o' those trees, and we sat down to wait."
Thessaloniki nods, listening quietly, closely. Shateishael grins at the Old Guy's laconic story-telling style -- it reminds him of a lot of cowboys he's heard! The Old Guy grins, "An' a whole day went by, and that boy never did come back. And we waited. They sent another one back... an' he didn't come back neither. No damn Voice either."
The Old Guy laughs. "They sent out five men to get their Voice, an' not a one of 'em come back. Well, 'bout four days had gone by... an' I hadn't moved an inch from that spot, and none 'a my trees burned. Finally them Tonkawa decided that the Voice musta finally changed his mind, and rode off sayin' they'd be back when he done told 'em what he wanted." He grins broadly. "Ain't been a Tonkawa here since."
Shateishael laughs! Thessaloniki chuckles quietly. Shateishael grins to himself -- if that's the worst fight the Old Guy's had, he's doing a fantastic job! Then he frowns thoughtfully again, adding, "Hey... you ever seen something that looked like a legless human torso, sir, covered with... uh... what did that stuff look like to you, Nick? Some kinda goo?"
Thessaloniki says, "Some sort of organic shellac. Stank to high heaven." Shateishael nods to Nick, then looks hopefully at the Old Guy.
The Old Guy sits up a little. "No... can't say's I have... now, where'd you see somethin' like that?"
Shateishael says, "Uh... drat, what was that place called... it was under that bridge. Nick, you remember its name?"
Thessaloniki says, "Uh. With all the bats. Under the Congress Street Bridge, that was it." He adds, "Big nasty claws, but a hit from my .45'd take one down. Dangerous, but not unstoppable."
Shateishael nods, "Mitrah says out in the catacombs outside the city there's one of Saminga's named... Frexi- um... Frex-something, sorry. We figured it had to be something drifting away from it towards the city. Gonna have to clean it up. Uh... Frexindetious? Er, I meant we figured the critters had to be something drifting away from Frex."
The Old Guy hmmms. "Well, haven't ever seen anything like that... but it sounds like somethin' them old Tonkawa used to do with their dead, come to think of it. Guess that'd explain a whole lot. Knew I shoulda gone lookin' up there more. So there really is a demon here. After all these years... damn, but I wish I could get my hands on one inside the city."
Shateishael nods to the old Malachite, "It's been a real thorn in Mitrah's side for a while, I think... and it's why the catacombs are Saminga's, not David's." He glowers slightly at the thought -- doesn't seem right! -then consoles himself. Soon. He'll figure out something with Mitrah.
Thessaloniki says, "This sounds like it could be something unpleasant bleeding in from outside, if it's coming through the Catacombs. Worst part is, if that's true, the demon might not even be in the city -- just these results."
Shateishael sighs, then looks at the Old Guy hopefully, "Hey... I was wondering... um, I know you're probably kinda busy and all, but... well, Austin's kinda peaceful, and I don't want to get out of shape. So, uh... well, I was wondering if you, y'know, just if you had time sometime... umm... if you'd give me some fighting lessons?"
The Old Guy nods. "Yeah, ain't surprised then... she's a tough old gal, Mitrah is. Don't talk much about her an' hers. Still, she coulda' asked for my help! Damnation... " He sighs a little, "Well, hell. If she's on it, then I ain't got nothin' to worry about... she never had any problems she couldn't take care of. She needs help, she knows where to find me." He grins a little. "I tell you what, boy, yer one o' David's too... I bet she's got you in on this. So I'll cut you a deal. I whip you into shape, and you go out there an' kill some Diabolicals for me."
Shateishael brightens, straightening up, "Yessir! I'd love that, thank you!"
The Old Guy smiles, "Well, then. We got ourselves a deal."
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