NachtMusik -- Logs

Shateishael sounds faintly relieved, letting the wind from his rolled-down window run through his hair, "Well! That went okay, I think... and maybe he'll enjoy the fighter practices." He adds in a more heartfelt tone, "Thank goodness he didn't ask me any uhh... pressing questions! I had an answer ready, but that's still nerve-wracking."

Thessaloniki drives slowly through the very early morning, letting the cool air and quiet streets and easy driving relax him as he settles into his element, behind the wheel. He says, "Yep."

Rosenstern tilts his head to Slate and asks curiously, "What were you going to say if he asked about the festival night?"

Shateishael says, "The festival night? Oh, just that I'd heard Mitrah had explained things, and she'd doubtless know better than I. Nah, I was more worried what to say if he asked if I'd seen any demons in Austin." He gives a low, rumbling chuckle, then adds in that same rueful tone, "I... was gonna tell him that I wasn't the person to ask... 'cause not only had I only been here a week, but I'm really bad at recognizing stuff like that -- first time I met Nick I didn't realize he was celestial, after all! And then I'd have suggested he ask you or Nick."

Rosenstern blinks, then grins a little, nodding. "That would probably work." He looks outside the car's windows, at the streaming lines of light and concrete outside the car. "I was glad we went. He doesn't seem nearly in as bad shape as we've thought he is. I guess people just exaggerated a bit."

Shateishael nods at Rosenstern's commentary, "Yah. Thought he'd be half dead from what folks were saying, y'know? -but then I read on the Treaty Oak web pages that the old tree was germinating again, and had been since '99... so he may take a bit to recover, but I don't think we need to worry about him disappearing any time soon." He's silent a moment, then smiles, "Good." Rosenstern nods in silent agreement with Slate, smiling quietly.

Taygeta has spent a rather dull night watching Vilson, who seems to follow a clockwork schedule. He visits a warehouse, spends most of his time in the Physics building at the university, and has coffee at a cheap diner -- he leaves for his home at 6:30. By dawn, the Kyriotate decides that he can join the others for Dawn at Zara's, and leaves a minor part of himself as a dragonfly watching Vilson's place while the crow flies back to the Novalite's shop.

Zara's garden is a little more relaxed this week. Zara is there, of course, as is Nicole. Drew is there, huddled in his oversized leather jacket over a styrofoam cup of coffee. Next to him, laid-back and smiling, is a lean young man in his twenties wearing a dark blue silk shirt and black slacks, with longish brown hair and just sort of the hint of a goatee. The 'relaxed' part may come in part because Wrenchial is nowhere to be found and all the furniture is intact.

Shateishael strides in with his friends, but pauses in startlement, "Drew! You're back!" A moment later he adds on a slightly concerned, "How're you feeling?" Thessaloniki comes in and greets Zara cheerfully, then helps himself to a cup of coffee first thing. He lets Slate go and talk to Drew, curiously wondering who the new fellow is. Shateishael adds a polite tip of his hat at Zara and Nicole, then looks curiously back at Drew and the new person.

Rosenstern enters with the others, greeting Zara and Nicole, and giving a bit of a start of surprise at seeing Druiel. "Hello, Drew!" he says, smiling quietly and (hopefully) not too forwardly.

Drew blinks and jumps a little, then settles back down when he sees who it is. His friend just grins and shakes his head, sipping his coffee. "Gotta relax, Drew." Drew just nods quietly. "Yeah. I'm back. I'm feeling better, thanks..."

Taygeta-crow flies in and lands beside Slate and Nick, nodding and peering curiously at the new arrival. He waits to hear the introduction, if there is one. Shateishael nods to Drew, smiling faintly, then says to the new person (with his usual subtlety), "I'm Slate. Who're you?"

Rosenstern bobs his head, smiling. "That's good to hear! It's good to see you again." He grins, accidentally echoing Shateishael, "And your friend is...?"

Thessaloniki grins at Slate's usual straightforwardness, then moves to sit down next to Nicole, smiling and saying, "Hi, Nicole. Did you see the show?"

Nicole yawns a little and nods. "Wasn't planning on it, but the big guns made it pretty obvious something was going on."

Thessaloniki chuckles, and says, "You can say that again." He sips his coffee, and keeps an ear on what Slate is saying, glancing that way.

Drew just looks at his friend. The young man grins broadly. He looks very sharp. At Slate's introduction, he just offers his hand. "Hey, peacemaker. If you didn't come to party, don't bother knocking on my door."

Shateishael settles down at Drew and the stranger's table, and gives the stranger a curious look as he shakes hands with him. "Peacemaker?"

The young man sighs a little. "Sorry. Guess you're not a real music buff. I didn't think I'd be seeing you here... 'specially since you guys think I'm a dork."

Rosenstern blinks. "Tomas?"

Shateishael straightens up startledly, "Tomas?!" He laughs, "Man, that Song Zara taught you is good!" then grins cheerfully, "Sure, I'm a music buff... but all my favorite songs are pretty old ones."

Tomas blinks a few times, "Wow. Warm reception. Color me surprised."

Shateishael grins wickedly, "Nah, don't worry. I'm still pissed at you for lying."

Rosenstern smiles quietly. "Well... you gotta admit, it was a pretty stressful time, for everyone involved..."

Taygeta-crow chuckles. "That is the understatement of the century."

Thessaloniki ahs and finally speaks up, saying, "Hey, Tomas. Looking sharp today. Nice to meet you as you, y'know?" and grins.

Tomas says, "Uh huh. I'm not gonna apologize, guys, sorry. On the other hand, you did my pal a big solid, so why don't you have a seat. Sun's coming up in a minute." He nods to Nick and grins again. "You know what they say about a sharp-dressed man. Pull up a chair."

Thessaloniki smiles and toasts the other Eliite with his coffee, and then turns back to Nicole, and smiles, shaking his head bemusedly. Rosenstern sighs a little, and settles himself into a chair, where he can face most everyone in the room but can see the rising of the sun. Shateishael chuckles, "Okay, then you're still a dork... but from what I've heard about you, you're not as big of one." He grins lazily at Tomas... then loses interest and looks to Drew, "So... how're things with you and Mitrah? I don't want to get in your way with her."

Drew mutters into his coffee, "What do you know about her?"

Shateishael thinks a bit, looking around the patio. He doesn't want to say something he shouldn't... so he finally just says, "The impression I've gotten is she's slightly more talkative with other Stone angels... and that she trusts you." He regards Drew thoughtfully for a moment, then adds, "If you want to be her hands, that's fine with me, Drew. I just want to know how things are."

Taygeta-crow turns toward the glow heralding dawn and finds a branch with an unobstructed view near Drew and Shateishael. Shateishael absently tosses a part of a donut to Tay-Crow, so he can have some too. He dunks a piece of the remainder in his coffee and nibbles it, watching Drew curiously. Taygeta caws thanks at Shateishael, and winks before tearing it apart. Drew says, "Things are fine with us. What are you getting at?"

Shateishael eyes Drew curiously again, wondering why the other seraph is being deliberately obscure. Finally he says carefully, "Look, I'm just trying to be polite, guy. I wouldn't want to uhh... cause any accidentally explosive reactions, y'know?" Sheesh, guy, how much more obvious do I have to be here?! he wonders. Then he abruptly decides here and now is not the best time for this, "Maybe we can talk about this later, eh?"

Drew says, "That's fine. I don't know what she wants out of you; all she said was to keep out of your way."

Shateishael gives Drew a surprised look, "She did? Man, does she think we're gonna be like cats and dogs or something? Weird." He muses for a moment, then smiles and shrugs, "Well, whatever. Maybe we can talk later."

Drew nods, not really making eye contact. "Sure, if you want."

Rosenstern blinks, glancing at Slate. Erm... well, it's pretty clear Drew and Tomas aren't going to like us much, not after that whole mess... but, blast, Druiel certainly makes it hard to get along with. He considers for a moment as the sunrise approaches. I wonder if I'd have any better luck getting the kid out of the lacquered shell he's in? Erf... maybe not. Zara's known him for much longer and she's surely tried before. And being in a city like this, with a Word like his... he ruminates a little more, then nods to himself, mentally filing away things for discussion with the others later, if there is a later for it.

Shateishael sips his coffee, glancing idly up towards the horizon to see how soon until sunrise... then glances at the crow, "You wanna drink of water after that donut?"

Tomas is humming a tune to himself, nodding his head to a beat in his head. "Annnnny minute now." Zara comes out of the shop and dusts her hands off. Nicole stretches, and scratches the back of her head. Thessaloniki thinks, A downer and a dandy, then looks back at Nicole again, quietly admiring her stretch.

Shateishael glances at Tomas curiously, "So, what song is 'peacemaker' from?"

The sun just then breaks the edge of the horizon, rising over a low forest of outlying buildings at the edge of the city. Shateishael's head comes up, feeling the sun rise, and a quiet, relaxed smile crosses his face as he watches. He sighs, still smiling, and softly murmurs, "Hail to thee, Sunna, Bright-Faced Lady, oh Glory-of-Elves!" Tomas mutters something about New Orleans. Thessaloniki smiles and remembers something, and hums his own tune; an older, slower, but no less popular song about the sun. It makes him smile, which is probably the point.

Taygeta stretches his wings out as the sun rises, letting the light soak into the feathers of his borrowed Vessel as he recharges. After a few minutes of enjoying the sunrise, he takes his donut piece down to Slate's table and caws, "How about some coffee to go with it?"

Tomas and Drew both blink. Tomas lifts his coffee off the table, then glances at Slate. "Friend of yours?"

Rosenstern closes his eyes, briefly, letting the sun's warmth on his face brush away the shadows of morning twilight as it brushes away the doubts of midnight thoughts. His reaction, this time, is slightly more muted from their first day in Austin, probably from the tension in the room he's feeling, but the relief, the confirmation of purpose, renewal of nature, is all still there. He sighs, murmuring something in German, grinning softly at Slate's greeting of the sun. GLory-of-Elves... That's definitely one I'll have to remember! He opens his eyes as Drew and Tomas notice Tay.

Shateishael arghs, trying to catch the crow before it lands on the table flapping, and makes a mess, "Whoa, hold on, don't land on the table!"

Taygeta caws and diverts, landing on Slate's shoulder instead of the table. "Sorry. I wasn't going to knock anything over." After he's settled down, he winks at Tomas and Drew. "I was that other blond fellow last week. Taygeta."

Tomas says, "Oh, yeah. The guy with the really cool cell phone."

Shateishael looks relieved, rising, "S'okay, guy... just didn't want dust stirred up into our coffee, Tay. Let's get some water for you though... the raven my foster daughter had was real sensitive to things like ale, so I'm gonna guess you don't really want coffee just now." He'll get a cup of water for the crow.

Taygeta grumbles. "Water, with a donut? See if you can find some milk, at least!"

Shateishael snorts amusedly at the crow, "Man, you trying to make this crow sick?" He sets the water on the table, then sits back down. He carefully picks the crow up off his shoulder, setting it on the table with no wing flapping, so no dust is knocked up or cups knocked over. He'll brace the water cup so Tay can drink easily from it, idly sipping his coffee in the meantime with the other hand.

Taygeta chuckles again. "I don't think milk would be a problem." He drinks, taking a mouthful of water and tilting his head back, before going back to the donut.

Thessaloniki watches his friend and the crow and finishes off his cup of coffee. He looks at the empty, and then asks Nicole, "Hey, I've killed this one, and am going for a refill. You need one?"

Nicole shakes her head, "No thanks, handsome. I got plenty still." Thessaloniki smiles and nods, then ambles over to the coffee pot again.

Shateishael sets his cup down, then studies Drew thoughtfully again, "So... now we're not at loggerheads, maybe we can talk some. Was wondering how you got such an interesting Word?"

Drew blinks, a little confused, "How I... got it? I... I asked for it. I asked Christopher... and he wouldn't accept it; he made me go to Laurence for it."

Shateishael says interestedly, "Huh. Wonder why Christopher wouldn't take it... what made you chose that one?" It does occur to him that protecting children, not slaying them, is Christopher's purview.

Drew looks into his coffee for a long time. "I thought it would help people."

Shateishael is quiet, watching Drew thoughtfully. Finally he says (gently for him), "How do you use it to help people?" He's not being sarcastic at all... he's genuinely trying to understand.

Rosenstern slips himself out of his chair, and says quietly and gently, "Which is what we all do, each in our own way." He moves to the coffee table, looking for something along the lines of tea. Preferably orange-flavored -- that's always been a good choice. Thessaloniki returns, having created a cup of caffeinated masterpiece, and sits near Nicole again, smiling quietly. Nicole grins a little at the old-appearing angel and taps her coffee cup against his.

Drew says, "I have to admit... I don't know exactly why I asked for it. I... I had all these ideas, romantic thoughts about angst and flowers picked in their prime, you know? And... asked for Teenage Death. I thought that if I popularized the tragedy... if I made people really aware of how fragile they are... I could turn people to living for today, turn them toward their better destiny."

That gets Rosenstern's attention. Or at least more of it. Flowers. He turns slightly from the coffee service, then finishes pouring water into his cup and slipping back into his seat. He remains quiet, albeit alert, listening to Slate and Drew -- sometimes, attentively listening is the best thing to do. Shateishael draws a slow breath... he thinks he understands a bit better now. He rumbles quietly, "Whoa... that's a tough one..." and sets his chin on his fists, thinking.

Taygeta nods, interested in Drew's explanation. "Hard... but it does sound workable."

Drew sighs a little. "It's... not worked out exactly like I hoped."

Shateishael looks at Drew with some sympathy and nods. "Can understand that." He frowns, tracing patterns in the stone table with one finger... then looks up curiously, "How do you want it to work out?"

Drew says, "I just want people to realize how easy it is... you won't be here forever and there won't always be a tomorrow for you to do good in. It works for a little while... but they always forget eventually."

Shateishael nods, "Think that's just human nature, really... that old 'hope springs eternal' kinda thing."

Drew says, "I don't want people to despair. I just wish they wouldn't forget their lessons."

Shateishael grins dryly, looking away, "Oh, man... me too..."

Rosenstern says quietly, "Mortals forget. And those that don't... they eventually aren't here anymore, and those that come after need to learn..."

Taygeta nods. "And so the lessons must be repeated, over and over, for each generation."

Drew says, "I guess that's what I'm here for."

Shateishael studies Drew thoughtfully, then says, "How long've you been Teen Death, Drew?"

Drew says, "Um... about fifteen years, I guess."

Shateishael says, "Ah... were the Plano suicides yours? That was nice work... got the whole nation stirred up!"

Drew says, "No... no, I didn't do that... it's not what I do. I don't... I don't try to cause despair. I wish I'd been able to make that kind of impact, though... if people would remember, I wouldn't have to work so hard."

Shateishael nods slowly, "So... that sort of impact, but without despair? Hm. That is a tough one." He falls silent, considering... he'll have to think about this a bit more. He'd thought Drew would really like that suggestion -- teen suicide had been on everyone's mind then.

Taygeta says, "But people don't, Drew. They're very good at ignoring and forgetting and just plain not learning. That's why it's a constant struggle."

Drew says, "I don't... make people so miserable they want to die. That's... a little too close to the Other Side's territory. I take the brightest, and the happiest ones... to make an example."

Shateishael looks a bit bemused, trying to understand, "Uh... who's the example for, please?"

Rosenstern speaks, finally, asking softly from his seat, "The ones who'll find a place in Heaven?"

Drew says to Rosenstern, "I hope so." To Slate, "For the ones left behind. To remind them to live for today... to do right while they're still here." Shateishael nods, then falls silent again, thinking hard again. Nicole makes idle conversation with Nick in the off time. Tomas just listens quietly, sipping his coffee.

Shateishael sighs quietly, sipping his coffee. This is going to take some heavy thought, obviously... but for later. For now... what do they need to do now? Ahh... the Tokamak, yes. He looks up at the others, "So... y'all wanna find someplace to chat about Tay's recent work?"

Taygeta nods, spearing the last bit of donut and sipping some more water. "Might be a good idea, before I have to go back to my post."

Rosenstern urfs, and finishes his tea. "And before I need to go to work," he provides, grinning quietly. He feels better now. The conversation was... depressing, but it lent insight into how Drew sees his Word... and it was a benign and amicable chat. He stands and nods to Drew and Tomas. "It was good seeing you both again," he says pleasantly. "See you tomorrow morning?"

Shateishael nods gravely, "Yah, I'd like to chat with you a bit more later too, Drew, if you've got some time. Oh!" He grins, brightening, "Hey, Drew... the Old Guy's said he's willing to train me... you wanna come along sometime?"

Drew says, "Um... I'll think about it. Thanks." He follows quickly after Tomas.

Tomas grins, "Nah, I'll see you next week. I gotta go scout some talent." He stands up and claps the Novalite on the shoulder. "Nice seeing you. Drew, you comin'?" Drew nods, "Oh, uh... yeah, yeah. Later, you guys." He follows Tomas out.

Rosenstern smiles and nods to Tomas. Lord forgive me, but for a moment I thought and hoped he had said get some talent. He's affable and friendly, and follows his Word well -- too bad he doesn't let it follow him -- but he really, really can't play drums. Shateishael watches Drew hastily slip out after Tomas, then turns back to his coffee, shaking his head amusedly. He glances at his companions, then tilts his head inquiringly, "We got someplace to chat?"

Taygeta looks around. "I think here might do if we're the last ones left."

Thessaloniki says goodbye to Nicole and stands, heading back to Slate. He says, "Worst case, there's the car."

Nicole says, "Please, speak freely."

Zara smiles, "I don't think you've anything to fear from us."

Thessaloniki shrugs noncommittally at Slate. He's sure Slate will read that as, I'll follow your lead. as he doesn't have much feeling on talk. Shateishael glances at the crow with one eyebrow raised... it's his mission, after all. Taygeta cocks his head, looking at Zara briefly and at Nicole for longer. Finally he nods. "Ah, why not?" He paces on the table before turning to look at them again. "Jean has sent me to locate and shut down one of Vapula's projects -- we believe he's installed a working fusion reactor somewhere beneath the University."

Shateishael looks at the crow, "So... what'd you find out? Any idea what building it might be under?" Thessaloniki sips his coffee, and nods.

Taygeta shrugs. "I've been watching Vilson -- nothing much going on. Darius has his schedule mapped out, and he doesn't seem to go anywhere else or do anything else. Unless I can possess a flea and actually ride along with him, I'm not sure how much I'll be able to find out that way. On the other hand, that means that the Tokamak is either under the Physics building or under that warehouse he visits..."

Thessaloniki says, "He goes in that building. Do we know he stays there? They are all connected."

Shateishael reviews quietly, "So... we need to find out what building it's under, then get down there completely by surprise, so Vapula's not summoned, and so that either Marius or Darius can run through the procedure to shut it down... and that's sufficient to cause it to do something that'll eliminate the threat it represents, right?"

Taygeta says, "Shut it down and steal or break some critical components once it is shut down. If at all possible, it'd be best not to have it explode." He nods to Thessaloniki. "That is the problem. I'm not sure what I can possess to track him through the tunnels."

Rosenstern nods quietly to Slate, his tea finally finished and sitting back down. "That sounds like what needs to be done, Slate." He taps his chin quietly. "He goes to that building for a reason. He might not stay exactly there, but if he goes there all the time, and is actually going somewhere else, then the path to wherever he goes is found in that building. Otherwise, he sounds like the type who would find an even shorter path to where he wants to go. Ditto for the warehouse." Thessaloniki raises an eyebrow at that last assertion, but just sips his coffee.

Shateishael says, "Rats?"

Taygeta says, "Maybe, maybe not. Those are buildings he's expected to frequent, and if he can go through the tunnels to other places, it's good cover. Heck, for all we know the Tokamak's in that little coffee shop he visits."

Rosenstern winces a little at the mention of the rodents, but nods. "Rats would hardly be anything that's out of place down there." He sighs and smiles wanly to Taygeta. "You're right. Sorry."

Shateishael says, "Okay, first step find out where it is." He looks at the others, then nods, "Rosie, you and Nick both could pass as either student or prof on the campus. Think one of you could wander through the physics building and see if there's a downstairs below ground?"

Thessaloniki says, "Sure, Slate. We know what should be there, though."

Shateishael says, "What's that? Oh, you mean what a real Tokamak looks like?"

Thessaloniki says, "No, what the floor plan of the building is."

Rosenstern thinks for a moment, then nods. "I'll find a book bag and what physics texts the seniors are using -- Marius should have that information -- and that should cover me." He nods in wry agreement with Nick. "Anything different from that, and we know that someone's been making changes."

Shateishael says, "Well, might as well see if the plan diverges from reality, y'know? So... when can we do this? Right... what Rosie said."

Thessaloniki says, "Mid afternoon or midmorning on any weekday, I suspect. I'll want a change of clothes, and a soft-sided briefcase. I can wander around, lost. If anyone asks, I'm a new professor, and looking for some storage room or something, hence, poking around the basement."

Taygeta says, "Hmm. I'd just as soon wait until we're done with the gremlin trap. I can send that sparrow back and borrow a rat to explore the tunnels, then."

Shateishael says, "Okay, we can wait, Tay... and that'd give Rosie and Nick time to prepare and get time off, too."

Thessaloniki nods, "Everything quiet at the hotel?"

Taygeta says, "So far. Or at least, nothing has bothered our room. The convention has produced some rather... intriguing noises."

Shateishael grins, "This that... furry thing y'all were telling me about?"

Taygeta says, "I assume so. I've heard Shriners before and they don't make that kind of noises."

Rosenstern nods, grinning sheepishly to Slate. "I'll ask Zara for the time when we decide what day." He looks to Taygeta, blinking a little. "Well... at least we know the con-goers are... having a good time."

Shateishael chuckles quietly, then finishes his coffee. He rises, "Well, let's head on out then, guys. Might as well let Rei and Sax know the Old Guy didn't eat us." He grins, heading on out.

Rosenstern nods, and stands, chuckling quietly. "I have a little time before I need to be back here... I'll at least walk you to the car."

Thessaloniki finishes cup number four, then says, "Well, then. I guess I'll head back to my place and find the things I need and get caught up, having been gone. You going to come with me, Slate?"

Shateishael nods over his shoulder to Nick, "Yah, gotta take my bike back. Was thinking about setting up the forge too, if you don't mind." He nods politely to the ladies as he leaves.

Taygeta says, "I'll be there when you arrive. This one of me is going back, just in case Vilson actually does something this weekend."

Thessaloniki says, "Right, Tay," -then, "Nope, Slate," and heads back out to his car. He pauses to thank Zara for the coffee, tell her he'll be by another day, and that she should telephone if he can do anything for her. He waves to Nicole as well, and she grins at the codger on his way out. Taygeta spreads his wings and takes off, making his usual pass around the building before heading back in the direction of the University.

Rosenstern lets Zara know that he'll be back well before opening, and thanks her again for hosting the morning gathering. He smiles and takes leave of Nicole as well, though he didn't spend much time at all talking with her this morning. She's people. He likes people.

The residential street Zara's home is on is empty right now. It's very quiet, almost silent, except for a few birds and the distant sounds of traffic. However... there are two people standing in the street, facing east, watching the sun. Two young men of the same general height and build. One of them seems older, with raven-black hair that's been slicked back into a smooth wave, wearing thick black plastic-framed glasses, Buddy Holly-style, and a blue and white high school letter jacket with what appears to be an Indian's head on the breast. The other, the younger-seeming, is strangely pallid in the morning light, wearing a long-sleeved black sweatshirt over a T-shirt blazoned with a leering skull and the word "MISFITS." His head is shaved down to a half-inch; you can see his scalp from the right angle. In his hand, at his side, he holds a white cowboy hat. As the angels file out of Zara's, the pair turn their heads smoothly and in unison to regard them. They don't say anything.

Shateishael regards the two curiously... then pauses by his bike and looks back to Nick. "See you at the house?" Taygeta perches on Zara's roof and watches the pair. Now what is this all about?

Thessaloniki looks over at the two unusual fellows, then comments to Slate, "There's something you don't see every day." He nods at Slate's question, "Sure." Shateishael grins at Nick, then nods once in return. He starts pulling out his riding gear and putting it on.

Rosenstern nods pleasantly to the two, murmuring audibly, "'Morning..." He looks back to Slate and Nick. "If either of you need me for anything, I'll be here all day." He tries not to let himself be visibly disquieted by the actions of the two, but does frown a little. "In fact," he drops his voice, "I'd like to... request it. Just in case. Maybe I'm being paranoid, but..."

The two look at each other, then the younger nods, and they begin to walk away toward the Drag. The younger shoots a parting look over his shoulder before replacing his hat and turning away. Shateishael says, "Request what, Rose?"

Rosenstern doesn't really fidget. He glances back towards the two departing, really poorly dressed early-risers... and shakes his head. "I guess... no, nothing. Just being paranoid, sorry. Just nerves. And those two... erm, brothers? -close comrades? ...them showing up here just sort of unnerved me, that's all." He frowns slightly. "Odd, they don't look anything like each other... ach!" He shakes his head, grinning wanly, then chuckles, "Austin... and I know, that's an excuse that'll wear out quickly."

Shateishael mutters grimly, "No it won't..." as he zips up the final leg of his chaps. He sighs, yanking on his helmet.

Thessaloniki says, "Not remotely. What did I miss this time?"

Rosenstern indicates the departing pair with a slight motion of his head. "I... got a little nervous and paranoid, and reflected upon their notes in the Symphony. Er... they're brothers, or very close, some sort of family, that's all, but... well, like I said, they don't look at all like each other." He shakes his head again and gives a slight shrug. "Anyway..."

Shateishael sighs and shrugs, "Austin." He pulls on his gloves, snaps down the visor, and starts up the bike with a low, growling roar. "I'll ride in your slipstream if you don't mind, Nick?" Rosenstern nods and waves to the two, backstepping a bit towards Zara's place.

Thessaloniki hmms, then says, "Okay. Take care, Rosie. See you later." He ambles back to his car, climbs in, starts it, lets it warm up, revs it a couple of times, and then pulls out slowly, controlled, until Slate catches up with him. Shateishael rides in the slipstream of the Ofanite's big car, knowing full well that'll be far faster and smoother than he could take the bike anyway.

Taygeta watches the other angels depart, then flies ahead of the two people to sit and watch where they go. The two head for the Drag and rapidly lose themselves in the crowds there. Taygeta shrugs to himself and flies back to hang around Vilson's home some more.

Back at the Ranch... it's coming up to be a fine day, and the two temporary residents are making use of it. Rei is sitting on the hood of her car, with a sleek little black laptop on her lap, wearing one of Sax's unforgivably loud Hawaiian shirts. Sax is sitting on the trunk, playing with a little silver video game unit. As the car and bike roll up, Rei waves. Sax hops up off the car and nods.

Thessaloniki parks in the garage, as a matter of course, and comes out to greet his guests. He says, "Hey, kids. You know, you're welcome to make yourselves at home, don'tcha?" He grins and adds, "The deck in the back's much more comfortable."

Shateishael waves once, then steers the bike off to one side and parks. He strips off all the leather riding gear, woofing in relief as the hotter stuff comes off, and tucks it all neatly away. Then he heads on over, "Hey, y'all... anything exciting happen while we were gone?" Taygeta-cat meows from the porch and comes out to meet the new arrivals. He looks calm, so apparently nothing interesting has happened to his other selves.

Rei grins. "We didn't want to poke around too much." Sax nods. "Nothing interesting, really, but some dude in a wrecker drove past eyeing the place a few times. Gave us the hairy eyeball. Haven't seen 'em in a few hours though."

Shateishael glances at Nick sideways, then murmurs, "Glad someone was here then."

Rei shrugs. "Peckerwoods are about as easy to find as dirt out here in the sticks."

Thessaloniki frowns a bit at that, and says, "Odd. I'm glad someone was around too. I'm sure the county has rules against having so many cars on one property without being a dealer. Last thing I need is to have to argue with them." He sighs, then says, "But, no, y'all're welcome to poke around all you'd like. The decks, the kitchen, the office, the fridge, the pool; make yourselves at home. If you need anything, ask, and we'll see if I can turn something close enough up." He smiles at Sax, then Rei, and his gaze then drifts to the rescued car.

Shateishael adds suddenly, "Hey. Y'all spent some time here before, right? Okay... either of you ever seen, uh..." he pauses, then describes the unusual twosome outside Zara's place.

Rei thinks about it. "Mmm... I knew a Habbalite who liked to dress up all retro, but the last I saw of him, he was getting chewed up by a Malakite with a submachine gun. That was up in the Northwest, though. And he never worked with a partner."

Sax nods. "The other guy sounds like just about every halfhearted wannabe punk in town."

Shateishael nods, not really expecting they'd know. "S'cool, thanks anyway, Rei." He glances at Sax, "Hey, the Old Guy says he's willing to train me some. You wanna come along sometime, ask him if he'd be willing to train you too?"

Sax grins. "Thanks, but nah, better not. He's a Sword. Professional competition, y'know?"

Shateishael gives Sax a slightly puzzled look, then just shrugs with a faint smile, "Sure. Suit yourself."

Thessaloniki asks Rei, "You said you had clothes in the car? After three years in the sun they'll be musty, at best. Why don't we get 'em out and run 'em through the laundry?" He is still obviously considering the car.

Shateishael waves to the others, and pulls off his shirt, heading over to set up the forge. Taygeta-cat follows Slate, partly out of interest in the old technology, and partly because forges tend to be nice warm places for cats to sleep in. Sax huhs, watching Slate, "Blacksmith? Huh. Might have to go check that out." He wanders off after the Seraph. Shateishael heads into the open-sided shed, tossing his shirt on a stump, and turns to the anvil... then blinks a little startledly at the small parade following him! He grins -- he sure doesn't mind company -- and starts cleaning up the forge.

Shateishael finishes sweeping out the shed, then taps an ancient radio hung on the wall, with a glance at the cat, so Tay knows he can talk if he wants to. After that he'll carefully sweep out any old ash in the actual forge. That debris gets tossed also, and then he starts checking tools, making sure everything is clean and rust-free. As he works, moving quietly and with the ease of long practice, he'll chat idly with the other two angels, if they want. He doesn't ask for help... he likes doing it himself, enjoying the pleasure of working within his vessel.

Taygeta nods to Slate as he points out the radio, but otherwise the cat stays on a windowsill and watches the proceedings with interest. Sax, in the shed, leans against one wall and watches approvingly. He mentions a few blacksmiths he knows, and asks a few questions about technique. Not surprisingly, Sax's line of knowledge in that field tends toward axes rather than horseshoes.

Shateishael grins lazily at Sax' comments, and chats about axes with him... and also hinges, gates, shields, simple jewelry, nails, pots and pans, swords... in short, anything a community might need. His work experience had breadth rather than depth -- he didn't specialize so much as make sure his people had the tools they needed to survive. Sax's knowledge is cursory at best; he only knows how to take care of extant weapons, not make new ones. But he listens interestedly; he likes a good story.

Shateishael will finally finish cleaning up the shed's interior, then lay a few coals into the forge and light them, so they can smolder. After that he fetches a bucket of clean water from Nick's backyard well (the one he doesn't use any more now he's got indoor plumbing), and a stick of incense from a tiny stash. He carefully works the heavy anvil around until it's in the exact spot he wants. Then he scrubs it clean with the water, rinsing it lightly and getting a fresh bucket when he's done. After that he stops talking with the other two for a bit, as he re-dedicates his forge to David and the four elements, using his hammer pendant, a bit of the smoldering coals, the incense, some of the water, and a bit of earth from the well-swept floor.

Rei grins at Nick, "You're trying to get alone with my car again. Sure, Nick, I can clean all the crap out of there."

Thessaloniki grins, "Okay, you caught me. But I've got an afternoon, and she could use a good detailing."

Rei smirks. "Okay. Tell you what. At least let me do something for you guys."

Thessaloniki smiles, "Sure, Rei. As this is something I can do, I'm pleased to. What did you have in mind?"

Rei shrugs, "Got anything that needs done around the Ranch? We're pretty much free until we gotta take the gadget back."

Thessaloniki smiles, "Well, I'm sure there's a few things that need to be done, but mostly y'all should just take it easy." He does name a thing or three, and then asks, "Oh, can you cook? New and interesting food is always welcome."

Rei grins. "You just said the magic words. Consider it done, Nick."

Thessaloniki smiles and says, "Wonderful. If there's anything you can't find, holler, and I'll be able to turn up something."

Rei grins, "On it. Don't worry, I got it exactly." She folds up her little computer and starts pulling a bunch of old clothing out of the back seat of the car.

Thessaloniki helps the Bright get her things out of his way, and then moves the car to a particular place. He has a whole cart full of cleaning tools, which he begins to ply in a thorough detailing. He even manages to pop out one dent, and to touch up a couple of scratches. When he's done, it's been seven hours, but the car is clean, as if it were poised to roll out of the showroom. He's also got a better idea of what else might ail the engine, and will probably tune it up and change the belts, hoses, and fluids when he has a chance. Rei, on the other hand, darts inside the Ranch with an armful of clothing and a broad grin.

Some time passes. Sax watches the forging and so on, and Rei's car isn't too terribly badly off despite its long internment in an Austin parking lot, though of course all the better for Nick's attentions. Rei, for her part, did not disappoint. She made lasagna. Lasagna of the gods. There's a rumor about demons and Italian food; and Rei was a demon at one time... Thessaloniki comes in from outside as the sun works on setting, smelling slightly of lemon and wax. He inhales, then says, "Mmm, Rei, you can stay as long as you want." The meal is as good as it smelled, and he is a very pleased codger.

Shateishael sniffs inquiringly when he re-enters the house to clean up. When he spots it, he gives the lasagna, then Rei, a definitely worshipful look! Taygeta-cat follows the scent to the kitchen and meows, asking for some lasagna as well. Rei just grins. "It's a gift." Sax smiles, following the others in. "She's a temptress. She's deadly like that, man." Shateishael chuckles quietly at Sax' comment.

Taygeta purrs and rubs against Rei's ankles. Rei smiles and rubs Taygeta's ears. "Yeah, you can have some too. Well, go on, guys, have at it."

Taygeta jumps onto a chair and then stands on his back legs with his front paws on the edge of the table. "Meow?"

Shateishael says, "Feet off the table, guy!" He pushes over a plate for Tay-Tom though, taking a moment to cut the pieces into more cat-sized-bites. Taygeta meows again, but moves back and sits on the chair with his chin resting on the edge of the table. He purrs happily when Slate offers him a cat-sized portion...

The evening passes uneventfully. Rei and Sax do the dishes, then hang out for a while with the other angels, before retiring relatively early. Angels don't need to sleep, exactly, but Rei seems to have made a habit of it when she's able. Morning comes, and our heroes head back toward town, newcomers in tow; the device is due to be collected today.

Rosenstern has been busy. For most of the day, he's been working at Zara's place, doing the odd little jobs that she has him do, talking and chatting and listening, meeting people -- being very Mercurian, in short. An odd little item comes up, however. There was an accident downtown; a bad one. A truck ran a red light and plowed into another, and when the dust settled there were four cars totaled, and three people had died. Others were brought to the hospital, and by evening a couple were in critical condition.

When Zara closes the place, Rosenstern thinks briefly, then calls the Ranch to let the others know what's happened, and that he'll be at the hospital. He flits there Celestially. It's a bit of an impulse decision, but one that's rather hard for him to resist. It's one of the least pleasant experiences to share, to be sure, but he is Mercurian, Friend of Mortal. Maybe he can help make someone's transition to their life-after a little easier, or bring comfort in some way to bereaved friends or family. A Mercurian doesn't always deal with happiness and light; sometimes there's the twilight...

Of course, nothing is quite as it appears. Lying on a bed in one room is the man who drove the truck which ran the light, judging by the talk of the orderlies. On either side of the bed, however, are the two mismatched brethren Rosenstern and the other angels had spotted that morning.

The driver dies that night.

Rosenstern returns an hour or so before dawn to the little home that Zara's lent him, and not long after, chancing that at least the Ofanite might be awake, he calls the ranch to let Nick know about what he'd seen in the hospital. Thessaloniki is, as usual, awake. He receives the news quietly, thanks Rosie for letting him know, tells him he'll pass on the news, and can he come pick up the gremlin tank later? Oh, good.

Rosenstern will indeed see the others at the hotel later, and says good-bye to Nick. He hangs up the phone thoughtfully, and when he sees Zara that morning at the dawn gathering he asks her privately about what he'd seen at the hospital, with the two mismatched-brother-types flanking the driver in such a... rather inexplicably mortifying manner. Zara doesn't know them, but given that they never speak, perhaps they're a pair of the mysterious Menunim.

[Previous Log] [Index] [Next Log]

Last modified: 2002-Mar-30 13:54:51

All material on this site is
Copyright © 2001-2024 Reality Fault
unless specifically indicated on each document.
All Rights Reserved.
Administrated by Reality Fault Webmaster