| Logs |
2001 October 02
| NachtMusik |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
 |
| Realms: NachtMusik Logs |
"Letters From Earth"
When last we left our fashion victims, they were discussing the possibilities of the mysterious brothers in the hospital. However, it is decided that the gremlin trap is the current worry du jour.
Taygeta-cat types, "Everything is still fine there. Let's get this thing wrapped up."
An uneventful drive later, the Ranch angels, with Rei and Sax in tow in their freshly resurrected car, arrive at the hotel. The stoplights are a little erratic this morning; some of them are still being serviced after the accident. The hotel is slowly starting to empty out, although Rosen's friend the cat-eared lady is still out front and as smiling and happy as she was before. Shateishael looks around curiously, staying somewhat in the back of the group, and wonders idly what's so dreadful about the 'furries.'
Taygeta-crow leaves off his surveillance of Vilson for a while to meet the others at the hotel -- he knows how long it will take Nick to drive the distance. He arrives at the hotel just as they enter and steers for the open window he left behind. The sparrow leaves as the crow enters.
Rosenstern helps Zara open up the shop, and takes care of the first few customers of the day. It goes well -- and the morning sunrise didn't bring any unpleasant surprises to the place -- and not long after, he lets Zara know that he'll be helping the others with Taygeta's little task. He sets out for the hotel on foot, enjoying the increasingly-warm, yet dry Austin summer morning, pausing only briefly at a little green-streets park at some intersection on the way, feeling a bit of good cheer and admiring the sight of the growing flowers and plants. Nothing wrong with stopping to smell the flowers; he makes it to the hotel just as the others are pulling up, and waves cheerfully to them. He doesn't immediately notice the cat-eared lady, but when he does he waves to her as well, smiling. "Hey, good morning!" he says to the angels. "Good timing!"
Thessaloniki greets the Mercurian with a cheerful, "Hiya, Rosie," then meanders over to the lift and presses the button, asking quietly, "You still have the room key, right?"
Rosenstern nods, pulling the key out of his pocket with a grin. "Still here." He drops his voice so that others besides the celestials can't hear, as he walks with them towards the hotel proper. "I asked Zara about the two, erm, guys. She said that they might be Menunim. You know, Blandine's people. This might not be the best time to talk about it, though."
Thessaloniki nods and says, "Maybe. Maybe not, hard to say." He glances over Rosie's head and says, "Hey, that white cowboy hat looked familiar. Where do I know a white hat?"
Shateishael has an empty backpack slung over one shoulder -- he remembers Darius and Marius having trouble with something from Jean glowing rather obviously, so he decided to be prepared. As the lift door closes, his head comes up sharply and he stares over the heads of the others in the lift... then nods at Nick's comment, murmuring, "The maybe-Menunim."
Thessaloniki looks up over the lift that has just closed, watching the lights to see where it stops. The lift is well on its way past the seventh floor when the lift that Nick summoned opens its doors. Rosenstern blinks to Nick. "White cowboy hat?" He glances around curiously, and nods at Slate's words. "Odd... yeah, now that you mention it, Slate, one -- the punk -- had a cowboy hat, I think..."
Shateishael murmurs to Nick, "Want to let this lift go, to see where theirs goes?"
Thessaloniki says, "Hold the lift, Slate."
Shateishael nods and quietly does so. If anyone seems impatient he just... stares impassively at them until Nick is ready. A crowd of increasingly impatient furries is starting to gather. Shateishael raises an eyebrow at Nick. He has the patience of age-old Stone... furries are nothing compared to an irritated David. Thessaloniki looks at Slate, and asks, "Should we follow them?" He heads into the lift and waits for what the others say before he pushes a button.
Shateishael rumbles quietly, "Might as well... the toy can wait."
Thessaloniki comments, "If we get a car full of people it'll take forever to get to the roof. Maybe we're better off ignoring it. Either that or we're going to have to commandeer the lift."
Shateishael says, "No, wait... were they alone in the lift? If so..." he pauses, listening to Nick, then nods, "Let's gather our stuff and folks first, yes. Collect the toy, then see if they're around."
Someone mutters something about 'fucking LARPers' and the crowd starts to thin out with groans of irritation. Shateishael bares his teeth in a sort-of smile at the mutterer... then grins more naturally to himself -- if Rei smiles at them it won't matter what they do with this lift. Thessaloniki concurs and presses the right button, cheerfully ignoring the mortals... and making a mental note of a few things to arrange for next time he does this sort of work. Rosenstern remains quietly nearby the others, and steps into the lift with them. He nods to Slate in agreement, and braces himself to be squished in the elevator. Rei yawns faintly and leans on Saxon, muttering about how much she hates early mornings. She follows into the elevator and leans back against Saxon in the corner, practically disappearing into his overcoat.
Thessaloniki works his way out of the lift, and heads to the room, letting Rosie open it. Shateishael holds the door open for his friends to exit the elevator, then follows them to the room the Jeanite object is in. He looks around curiously, wondering who's noticing them here... if anyone. Rosenstern slips through the crowd as their elevator reaches their floor, a mantra of, "Excuse me, pardon me, excuse me," eventually letting him get past and through the Golden Horde in miniature of con-goers. He grins and nods to Slate in thanks for the Davidian holding open the elevator, and fusses with the room key a bit. Once they get out, he heads down the hallway to the room, and unlocks it, waiting for the click-clack of Taygeta getting the door-chain before opening the door.
A few people give Slate a second, or third, look. Someone mentions to their friend in passing in the hallway, if the old guy in the loud sweater is on a panel. People just avoid Saxon. Rosenstern and Rei, however... a young man wearing a fake cat tail turns his head to look both of them over, and promptly walks into a door post. Shateishael stares dispassionately at anyone studying him, being quietly discouraging as he assesses their potential trouble-making capabilities. However, he grins quietly and shakes his head at the reaction Rei and Rosie get, then quietly follows everyone into the room.
Taygeta-crow croaks, "Who's there?" at the sound of the key in the lock. When Rosenstern identifies himself, he slips the chain loose to allow the door to open. "Glad you're all here. It's starting to hum." Shateishael carefully closes the door behind him, then shakes out the empty backpack and sets it on the bed for the Jeanites to use if they want.
Rosenstern smiles a bit to the fellow who turns to look, and manages to look away just as the poor guy clocks himself. Ack, poor guy... he should be all right, though, and going to see how he is would probably give the wrong impression. He blinks to the crow as he enters, frowning. "Humming? That's disconcerting..." He glances to Rei, then steps in all the way, looking at the device.
Rei mms? "It hums? You know there aren't any moving parts in that thing."
Thessaloniki makes to close the door, but Slate's already got it. He grins at the older angel, and then says, "Is that bad? How long has it been doing it?"
Taygeta-crow caws, "That's as may be, but it's still humming. Started just a little while ago. Time is almost up on the cycle -- it's probably full." He flies over to perch on it, and pecks the keys in the shutoff sequence. Shateishael stands quietly with his back to the door, arms folded and watching.
Thessaloniki says, "How little? Fifteen minutes, or more?"
Once extricated from beneath the blanket that was thrown over it... the lower transparent portion of the device appears to be glowing. Every once in a while a little face forms out of the light and then is sucked back in. Taygeta says, "About the last hour. Since you left... I just got here myself, the sparrow wasn't strong enough to hit the keys."
Rei blinks. "Wow. It's not supposed to do that." Shateishael raises an eyebrow, watching... impressive.
Thessaloniki says, "Okay. Nothing related to our being here then." He asks Rei and Sax, "So, is it safe? Did it work? Should we duck and cover?"
Rosenstern blinks at the device, and draws back a bit at the appearance of the face. "Uhm. Gremlins, I presume. I guess it... works..." He blinks to Rei. After a moment, he opens his mouth to say something like That's not good, is it? but decides he's not going to tempt fate. "Get it to a Tether right away and send it to Jean? Does Jean even have a Tether here in Austin?"
Saxon yawns widely, then sets the heavy case up on the table. "Someone has to hand the device back to me to end the Geas."
Shateishael nods, "Rosie, do that for Tay, would you please?"
Sax says, "I'm not allowed to just take it."
Rosenstern nods to Slate, and moves to the device. He pauses for just a moment, then shakes his head. Silly Rosie... he thinks, then reaches down and very gingerly lifts up the device, mindful of what Rei said about it not supposed to do... whatever it was that made her say that. "Ah... Rei, out of curiosity, just what is it that this isn't supposed to do...? Besides the humming and... little-face-thing..."
Shateishael says, "Give him the toy first, Rosie. Explanations after it's safely tucked away."
Rosenstern nods to Slate, and turns to Sax, offering it to him with a wan grin. "Your humming and glowing object, kind sir." Shateishael snorts amusedly.
Rei says, "Radiating light wasn't in the specs. I'm impressed. This thing must be jammed to capacity. Jean'll be pleased."
Taygeta caws worriedly. "Not if it fails, he won't. Better get it drained off as soon as you can."
Sax nods, "Duly noted." He sets it back in its cutout and closes the case. After sealing each of the locks, he handcuffs it to his wrist again. Rei takes off one of her earrings, the one studded with a tiny shard of golden crystal. She flicks it at the crow. "You're hereby released, Taygeta." The ring vanishes before it strikes the bird.
Taygeta spreads his wings and sketches a bird-bow. "Gracias, Rei. It's all yours."
Thessaloniki looks quietly relieved to have one thing taken care of without major catastrophe. Nice to work with reasonable people. Shateishael studies the case thoughtfully, checking to see if any glow escapes. The case doesn't emit any light. He nods, satisfied that the case obscures the toy sufficiently, and silently gathers up the empty and unneeded backpack. "Okay... let's get out of here and get Rei and Sax to the closest Tether. Or wait... you have your car here, right, Rei? You guys want backup or no?"
Rosenstern blinks at the glittering path of Rei's earring, briefly fascinated by the dance of light, and its equally quick disappearance. Well, that's not seen too often! He lets out half a breath, and looks to see what the two Jeanites' response is.
Rei says, "Jean will be expecting a report... and I'll be submitting one of my own." Sax says, "We're going up to San Anton' to take this up via the Alamo. Hey, uh, Nick... when we get back down, um... you mind if we leave the car at the Ranch? I dunno how much longer my associates are gonna want to baby-sit that car."
Taygeta-crow nods. "I'm already typing it up."
Shateishael grins quietly, knowing full well the car will be lovingly cared for at the Ranch, even if Rei never returns. Thessaloniki says, "Not a problem. Got plenty of space for you."
Rei grins, "Thanks, Nick. That's a relief. I feel bad enough parking it at the Alamo just for a few days."
Shateishael nods, "Okay then. So, now the maybe-Menunim. We want to check them out once Rei and Sax are off? -or no?"
Taygeta says, "Menunim? You've seen some of them?"
Thessaloniki says, "They could be anywhere by now, Slate. We'll see 'em again, or we won't."
Shateishael says, "Maybe, Tay." He nods to Nick, "Gotcha. Let's rumble, then."
Thessaloniki says, "Maybe. We don't really know."
Taygeta says, "Details, please?"
Shateishael says, "Tay, you were there. Let's go." He opens the door, checks both ways out of habit, and heads for the elevators. Thessaloniki collects the key from Rosenstern, makes sure nobody left anything in the room out of long habit, and leads the way back down to the lobby, where he checks out of the room, politely thanking the front desk for their help.
Rosenstern lets Taygeta know the two oddly dressed folk they had seen the previous day might -- at least, this was Zara's theory -- might have been Menunim. He follows along after the others, unable to not feel a bit nervous about the device Sax is carrying. It may not be Taygeta's responsibility any more, but the sudden release of an angry bunch of gremlins wouldn't be something he'd wish on anyone. Taygeta-crow leaves by the window, flying down to the cars. He keeps a watch out for the two maybe-Menunim now.
Rei and Sax are taking a separate elevator now, and bid the other angels, Nick in particular, a fond farewell. Rei says they'll bring the car in a couple of days -- maybe less. Their lift arrives first, leaving the other three alone in the hallway to await theirs. A few opportunistic passersby hear the ding, and slip onto the lift as well. Among them is a skinny man with a white cowboy hat tilted down over his eyes.
Shateishael slaps one hand across the door as the cowboy hat slips onto the lift. He looks at Sax and Rei, then tilts his head at the guy in the hat. "You guys might want to go with us."
Rosenstern smiles quietly to them both, and finds he's already missing Rei. Oh, for the sake of the Garden, stop it, Rosie. You shouldn't be so- He blinks in surprise at the cowboy hat, and opens his mouth -- but Slate is quicker, and he looks quickly, albeit discretely, at the cowboy-hatted man.
The man in the hat, clotheslined, topples to the floor. His hat lands on his chest. He blinks up in surprised indignation, "The fuck- ? 'Scuse me, man, but what the fuck is your problem?"
Shateishael murmurs, "'Scuse me," to the guy on the floor, then looks back at the two angels in the lift.
Rei blinks, "Uh... no thanks, guys, we're gonna get going..." She looks quite puzzled as the door closes behind her. Saxon just snorts and mutters something about nice technique. The guy on the floor is definitely the younger brother from before, and is scraping himself up off the floor, dusting himself off, and starting to walk away, muttering exasperatedly to himself.
Shateishael reaches down and lifts the guy up easily, dusting him off a bit, "Sorry about that. You a Menunim?"
The guy in the hat murmurs softly, "No, forget about it... it's fine." He looks up, "A menu-huh?"
Rosenstern glances to Slate, then looks to the guy with a wan, uncomfortable look. "Sorry about that, guy," he says, offering his hand to help the guy up... and blinks as there seems to be no need for him to do that. He lets his hand drop, and stands by, casually and without intimidation, letting the Seraph do the interview.
Shateishael nods to the guy, handing him his hat, "Where's your brother?"
The hat man looks perplexed. He leans back a little bit. "Why do you want to know?"
Shateishael rumbles amiably, "Nosy. Been seeing you both around a bunch, y'know?" Thessaloniki steps back a little and moves across the hall, trying to look non-threatening but still listening.
The hat man frowns. "I live here."
Shateishael says, "Huh. 'Zat so?" He offers his hand, "Slate. What's your name?"
Rosenstern's attention perks. Well, that was a bit unexpected. If I ever need to get answers from someone, I'll know who to talk to... duh, he's a Seraph of Stone, what did I expect. He coughs a little. "Sorry, we'd just seen you earlier, the other morning..."
The hat guy very slowly shakes the offered hand. His hand is very small by comparison; it doesn't look like there's any subcutaneous fat on his body anywhere. "Ian. Ian McKay."
Shateishael nods, "Nice to meet you. Enjoying the con? Your brother here too?"
McKay says, "Look, are you a cop or what?"
Rosenstern shakes his head. "We're not cops, guy, don't worry. We just saw you around where we were the other day, and kinda were wondering, you know?"
Shateishael says, "Nope. Just curious, and tryin' to make up for whacking you in the head... by being friendly." His mouth quirks slightly at the sides... it could be a smile. Thessaloniki smiles reassuringly, but caves in to temptation and fiddles with his car keys.
McKay stands perfectly still. It's hard to read his body language. He doesn't smile. "Well, forget about it; I'm sorry I tried to jump your elevator."
Shateishael nods silently. He's good... hasn't answered a single question. He looks at the others, "Meet you in the lobby. I'm gonna take the stairs." He'll really charge down the stairs. He wants to see Sax and Rei leave safely... without the other brother getting in their way.
Rosenstern says, "No problem at all. Hey, what brings you to the con? Oh, I'm Rosen, by the way, glad to meet you, Ian..." As much as he'd like to go down as see that the Jeanites are all right, he tries to occupy Ian for as long as possible.
Thessaloniki says, "Gotcha, Slate." He looks at the thin fellow and says, "Hi. I'm Nick. Yeah, I bet things have been a little nuts with this convention in the hotel, mm?"
McKay just stands there watching, a little perplexed. After the footsteps go thundering down the stairs, he fixes Rosen with a stare that would break ice. "Uh huh." He perches his hat back on his head.
Rosenstern remains unflustered and cheerful. Come on, guy, if I can smile and offer a conciliatory glass of wine to a drunk, screaming, sword-waving Prussian with a spike on his hat... "We didn't stay for most of the con, but I heard it was a heck of a party."
McKay says, "It's not my scene exactly. I'm just here to help some friends with moving some equipment."
Rosenstern says, "Hey, cool! This is probably as much a new thing as it was for us the first time we came to someplace like this." About two days ago, he silently adds. "What're you guys moving? If it's sound equipment, we've actually done a bit of work with that ourselves, if you need any help..."
McKay shakes his head. "No thanks... we're nearly finished. I should get back to them." He turns to go. The back of his jacket, though partially obscured by the hood, very clearly reads a circle with an ideogram of an arching cat and the letters "AFI," along with "EAST BAY HARDCORE."
Rosenstern wonders if it's time enough to let the guy go, then the guy makes the decision for him. He keeps his voice under control, though. "Sure thing, Ian... good meeting you!" Oh, by the Garden... Hardcore. I wonder if he's got anything to do with Furfur? -or if it's just a club of some sort. "Hey! East Bay Hardcore?" he calls out to the departing Ian.
McKay calls over his shoulder, "It's a band. Look it up; there's an Internet room on the fourteenth floor..."
Rosenstern grins, "Cool; thanks, man, we'll do that!" Then his grin fades only a little as Ian gets out of earshot, and he looks back to Nick. "Well-l-l..." he murmurs. "That was unexpected."
Thessaloniki shrugs and says, "I guess." He finally takes the lift downstairs, to check out.
Rosenstern says, "Should we head downstairs? If Rei and Sax made it out all right, we should catch up with Slate..." He nods, and heads down the elevator with Nick.
Taygeta spots Sax and Rei walking out into the parking lot. Sax looks up and gives the crow a snap-and-point gesture. They get into the Escort and safely merge with traffic. Out in the lobby, the crowd has thinned considerably, much to the relief of the tired-looking front desk staff. Slate sees no indication of Brylcreme hair or Buddy Holly glasses anywhere. Taygeta-crow perches on a lamppost as his fellow Jeanites get away. His sparrow-self follows them as they drive off, at least until they outrun the little bird. Considering traffic, that won't happen until they hit the highway, however. Shateishael watches silently (and with much relief) from the lobby as Rei and Sax successfully leave... then steps out and waves to the crow. "Want a lift?"
Taygeta-crow nods and flies down to land beside Nick's car. He's not going to talk in public, though... Shateishael carefully picks up the crow, murmuring, "Hold real still and look stuffed," as he places Tay-Crow on his shoulder. He heads back into the lobby, looking around to see if his friends have arrived there yet from the elevators. Taygeta-crow does his best to look stuffed. If I lose my balance, I can always pretend I'm a robot... Shateishael settles quietly someplace out of sight of the front desk but by the elevators, as he said he would, waiting with arms folded and Tay-crow on his shoulder for the others to arrive.
Shateishael nods to the other two angels as they emerge, "Hey. They got off okay." He grins wickedly, "Like my stuffed crow?"
Thessaloniki chuckles and says, "Very nice. Be careful or someone will want to know where you got it."
Rosenstern blinks to Slate and Taygeta-crow, then grins. "A big ol' raven might suit you better, Slate, but he works well." He glances around. "And it seems to fit the theme of the con, as well." He looks back to the big Davidian. "I'm glad Rei and Sax made it out okay. I just hope nothing goes awry before they get to the Tether. Where to now?"
Shateishael chuckles rumblingly, then murmurs, "How 'bout your guy?" He glances around, then starts heading for the exit -- unless someone else seems to have some other destination in mind. Thessaloniki mentions to Slate what they noticed about the guy from the lift. Shateishael nods, listening thoughtfully as they get into the car. He'll leave the window down for Tay to leave, if he wants, and comment, "Sounds like new Hardcore servitors then, maybe?" Rosenstern nods in agreement as Nick relates what happened back upstairs. Shateishael adds curiously, "Wonder why they don't talk? Well... talk much."
Taygeta says, "And what they were doing with an accident victim. Strange..."
Thessaloniki says, "We still don't know enough to say. Maybe he's just a twitchy kid."
Rosenstern says, "Possibly, or maybe they're just a bunch of guys who got inspired by Stool." But that doesn't explain what I saw at the Hospital. Unless they were being Dominated at the time and won't remember that. Down, Rosie, don't get excited and leap to conclusions. "I'll check them out on the Internet; he said that we'd find them online. Though the Tokamak might be of more concern right now."
Taygeta caws, "I'll agree with that. We still need to find where the silly thing is being hidden, after all."
Shateishael nods slowly, "Yeah... listen, guys, I wanted to talk to y'all about underground nuclear explosions some, when we have access to a computer and some time alone, too. So... we want to find the Tokamak now?"
Thessaloniki blinks slowly at Slate, then says, "Uh. That's a larger topic jump than even you usually make. But yes, let's think about the Tokamak. I think that's next on the list of crises."
Taygeta just blinks and opens his beak before shutting it again. "Underground nuclear explosions? Where?"
Rosenstern blinks to Slate. "Underground nuclear explosions...? Uhm, sure, Slate, as disturbing an idea as that is..."
Shateishael snorts amusedly, "C'mon, guys, I already told you about Mitrah's plans, after you all promised not to tell anyone else about it." He sighs, "Well... I did some research, and it looks like it'll work just fine... except it might kill her too... but she promised to wait a few weeks, so we can deal with the Tokamak first."
Rosenstern grins sheepishly, "Sorry... almost forgot about them. I'm still surprised about it." He blinks. "Good grief. Does she know that it could kill her?"
Shateishael growls, "Yes. But... one emergency at a time, please. First let's get this stupid Tokamak dealt with... then I can try making sure she doesn't kill herself in order to get David's test completed."
Taygeta says, "Good thought. A large ground shock could break something with unpleasant side effects. Did you ... and she still wants to? Caramba. She must really want to deal with Frex."
Rosenstern blinks, and shakes his head slowly, unwittingly echoing Taygeta, "She must really want to get rid of Frex."
Thessaloniki nods, "One thing at a time, yes." Shateishael just nods once, a bit grimly, at other folks' comments re Frex.
Rosenstern nods quietly, "Gotcha. As you said, we've got a couple of weeks before... well, before. So, what do we do now? Nick and I were going to be going to the university?"
Shateishael says, "Okay... so Nick 'n Rosie are gonna check out the physics building, right? Tay, you have any luck with rats or anything?"
Thessaloniki says, "Yep. I brought along appropriate absent-minded-professor clothes, and a soft-sided satchel full of papers."
Taygeta says, "Now that we're almost rid of the gremlin trap, I can switch to one. Needed to keep an eye on the silly thing over the weekend -- and to be honest, Vilson hasn't stirred from his pad. So there wouldn't have been anyone to follow anyway."
Rosenstern says, "I'd like to ask Marius and Darius what text second-year physics students are carting around, so I can at least look the part..."
Nick drives over to the University. En route he suggests Rose use Slate's phone to call Marius or Darius and ask for the title of the textbook needed. He parks near the bookstore, and also offers Rosenstern several spiral binders, which have been rather beaten up. His comment about, "There's not physics inside; they're notes on how to machine a Dodge carburetor into one that'll work on an old International Harvester, but they look the part," seems completely in character for the Ofanite.
Shateishael obligingly hands his cell to Rosie to make his calls... and when they park he grins at Nick's commentary. "I'm gonna just wander around some, guys, 'kay? I'll be back at the car in uh... an hour, how's that."
Rosenstern accepts the cell from Slate gratefully, and makes the quick call to Marius and Darius. Then he accepts the binders cheerfully and listens to Nick curiously, nodding slowly. "Thanks, Nick. Ahh... right. Guess... I just gotta hope I don't run into someone from the engineering building..."
Thessaloniki has also set himself up with a brown corduroy jacket with leather patches at the elbows, which turns his regular shirt and pants into a much more conservative set of clothes. He picks up a soft-sided brown leather briefcase, which has obviously seen long usage, and rummages around in it through many sheets of different kinds of paper, producing several pens, which he tucks in his shirt pocket. A set of thick-framed glasses also gives him that professorial look.
The campus is clean and well groomed, and like many campuses in warm weather there is no shortage of pulchritudinous specimens of either gender, headed to and from classes. It's a lovely day as usual, and no sign of the local celestial clique. Shateishael will just wander around, idly observing folks. If he finds a pond or a stone building or something similar he'll laze around there for a bit. Taygeta finds a nice meal for the sparrow and quietly vacates the bird after Rei and Saxon get on the freeway to San Antonio. He caws at Slate. "Let me know if you see a rat." Until then, he moves around the campus as a crow. Shateishael nods to the crow quietly.
The Physics building squats off to one side of the campus, among the other science halls. It's a thick, slab-sided old building. A few students congregate on the steps to smoke between classes. Rosenstern heads quickly to the campus bookstore, and purchases the text. Then it's off to the physics building, sleeves rolled up and vest slung over his shoulder, books tucked under his arm. Not quite like the old Hochschule in Berlin... gosh, how long ago was it? He smiles and nods to a small grouping of co-eds on his way towards the steps of the physics building. Ah... maybe not nearly as long ago as it seems...
The Physics building is relatively old inside; the doors are wooden and still retain their old frames, with small windows atop. Parts of the ceiling are missing tiles, and wiring is exposed... some of the building must be under maintenance. Thessaloniki meanders into the building and looks around, reading numbers off of doors. Eventually he rummages in his bag and pulls out some bits of paper covered with his crabbed and unintelligible handwriting. He consults these, then begins looking for the stairs down, appearing to wander not quite absently but not very stridently through the building's halls.
No one seems to notice the "professor" wandering the hallway. A class lets out to one end of the hallway. A few of the students pass through a set of double-doors; there's a stairwell there. Thessaloniki looks up from his papers, smiles affably and nods noncommittally at the students, and drifts to one side of the hallway as the main crush leaves the class. He waits a moment, then heads to the double doors and downstairs.
The bottom floor stairwell leads out into another long hallway, this one considerably less pretty than the last. The floor is made of ancient and cracked-looking tiles, the walls concrete. Pipes and wires and cabling line the ceiling, and the hallway is lit by fluorescent fixtures. The doors are all steel, some of them bearing the Hazardous Materials diamond and such ominous warnings as "LASER RADIATION" and "HIGH-TEMPERATURE PLASMA LAB, NO ADMITTANCE."
Thessaloniki walks down the hallway, apparently checking his notes and looking perplexed. Keeping in mind the layout of the building and where there could be extra spaces or a large room, he finally tries one of the doors. He semi-randomly chooses, "HIGH-TEMPERATURE PLASMA LAB" and hopes for admittance despite the sign.
This door is open. It opens onto a large lab mostly cramped by a very large piece of machinery on one side. It doesn't resemble the Tokamak, or at least not the ones the angels have researched, but it is very large and very impressive-seeming. There is someone in the room; a small, greasy-looking man with a pinched face. He turns when he hears the door opening, and squints. "Sorry, but this lab's off-limits." From the photos in the file Marius and Darius gave them, this person definitely resembles Vilson.
Thessaloniki says, "Oh, I see. I'm sorry. I'm new at the university." He smiles and explains how he was looking for a particular room, and gives a possible-sounding-but-absent room number, then asks, "Would you know where that is?"
The lab assistant thinks about it for a second, then says, "Uh, no, I think you got the wrong building. Basement numbers in this hall only go up to 12A."
Thessaloniki hmms, then says, "Well, darn. I'll have to go badger them about it." He thanks the fellow for his time, and leaves. Glancing behind him in the hallway, he checks to see if anyone watches him go. The lab assistant shrugs and goes back to his notes. The hallway remains empty. Thessaloniki looks diligently at his notes, frowns, and then looks at the numbers on the door. Meandering some more, he makes his way to the other interestingly labeled door, and tries it.
This door is also open. However, it's also deserted. The lights are out at the moment, and the room is mostly taken up by a large laser array that someone has laid out a curious arrangement of mirrors in front of. Thessaloniki looks at this a little oddly, and doesn't take the time to actually draw a picture, but he does stop and look at it long enough to remember the general arrangement of mirrors, before he steps back out into the hallway frowning, and looking quite irritated.
Thessaloniki notices an unmarked steel door with a knob in the darkened end of the hallway. He glances back and forth in the hallway, seeing no one, and goes over to look more closely at this steel door. He tries the simple knob, realizing it's locked. He looks at the door again, seeing a relatively straightforward lock without a bar or deadbolt or anything. He frowns at it. Deciding that cowardice is the better part of discretion which is the better part of valor, Nick valiantly gives up and heads back out to hook up with his friends, to share what he found -- a door that isn't on the floor plan, near an off limits room.
Rosenstern keeps his eyes open, even as he looks like a student looking for class, or a professor's office, or an open computer terminal. He's looking for anything that seems deliberately blocked off, particularly on the ground floor; any particular doors blocked or labeled with big 'Maintenance' signs. If he sees Nick he tries to steer clear without looking like he is. And he'll stay especially clear of anyone with an 'East Bay Hardcore' jacket, again without looking like he is.
He glances a bit closely at some of the exposed wiring. Oh, a Calabite would have merry fun here! Wonder if Wrench has ever been here? He moves on down the hall, continuing to look for anything out of place, particularly in the less-traveled corners of the floor. Nah... nothing against him, but the building wouldn't be here if he'd ever been here!
Once he asks one of the guys who looks like he does maintenance there, how he's doing, damn but is it hot out, and hey, I'm kinda new here, how long has the building been worked on, is it gonna screw with classes or make the maintenance guys' work miserable? The electrician shrugs, "Eh. 'S just lighting repair. Do this every summer, getting ready for fall classes."
Rosenstern nods, "Gotcha. Hey, thanks!" He waves and wanders off, for the moment purposely-seeming, then starts to wander again, trying to gauge the ebb and flow of the students, seeing which directions they go in, and more importantly what directions they don't go. The students flow seemingly at random through the building, although it's been said that even mobs obey certain principles. Most students flow from one room to the next, usually crossing floors as they do so, and a certain percentage, of course, exits the premises entirely. Only a few students seem to head down to the basement, perhaps unsurprisingly.
Rosenstern wonders if he should head down there himself; Nick was going to check the basement, and he doesn't want to cover ground the Ofanite already has. At the same time, though, they know that any additions, in order to be unnoticed, would have to be on the first floor or basement, and since he hasn't seen anything outside of the plans on the first floor... he heads down into the basement; if he sees Nick, he'll avoid doing anything to reveal any sort of link between them.
Rosenstern sees Nick departing the basement, and nods a bit to himself. He's already started down the stairs, so finishes the trip down; surely another student wandering downstairs won't be too arousing of suspicions. He takes a look around as he steps out of the stairwell, just long enough to seem like he's getting his bearings and to see what's there, then heads back upstairs, glancing at a clock to see if it's time to meet up with Slate yet. Since it is, he makes his way from the physics building to the meeting point -- though he pauses at a bed of roses, very briefly. He doesn't dally much more than that, and makes his way quickly albeit casually to where Slate said they'd meet.
Thessaloniki also returns to his car, losing the glasses, satchel, and dull jacket on the way; his air of daffy-professor fades away to return to his usual genial gentleman. Taygeta has been flitting around the campus, watching for Vilson -- and watching for any likely small animal he can Borrow to check out the basements. He flits down to meet with the others as Rose and Nick emerge from the building.
Shateishael spends a pleasant 45 minutes or so wandering around campus idly, keeping an eye out for sewer manholes, finding a pleasant place to sit, maybe work on his tan some, watch people go by... and wonder idly what the hell he's doing in Austin. He's really bemused as to why he's here -- people either need help but don't want to accept it, or seem to have utterly forgotten what side they're supposedly on.
Shateishael will head back to the car a little early, so no one has to wait on him. He thinks for just half-a-second, as he's wandering around and a flash of blue and white catches his eye, that he sees the other maybe-Menunim. Unfortunately a car zips past between them, and when it's passed the possible 'other brother' is vanished. Once in the car, Slate waits until Nick's driven someplace quiet where they can talk freely. Once everyone's been updated on what occurred, and the curious door is marked on the building map, Slate says, "So... now what?"
Nick rummages on the plans and finds the door he couldn't identify; it's labeled "STEAM TUNNEL ACCESS" there. He comments, "I can see why it'd be unmarked -- to keep the curious out."
Shateishael hms, reading, "According to this floorplan map, this door leads to steam tunnel access. Well, that's par for the course according to Rei."
Taygeta nods. "They usually leave those unmarked."
Shateishael nods and sighs, "All right. So... what other access points are there to wherever this steam tunnel leads to?" He pulls out the steam tunnel map to compare. The tunnels can be accessed from the basements of every academic hall on campus, as well as from the FA office and the head administration building. He looks up and asks curiously, "By the way... are we sure the Tokamak isn't the big machine Nick saw?"
Thessaloniki takes a moment to sketch out the odd mirrors and laser he found in the other room, answering, "I couldn't say that, myself. Here's a picture of the mirrors I found. Mean anything to any of you?" Taygeta-crow peers at the picture, cocking his head curiously.
Shateishael traces with a finger, then murmurs, "Well... according to this there's lots of ways to get to this place..." He glances at the mirror layout, then shakes his head, "Uh... lasers aren't really my thing, man, sorry."
Rosenstern thinks quietly for a moment. "I don't know," he says finally, "I would, myself, say that the Tokamak is probably in that room that Vilson was in. Vapula might have altered it significantly." He nods to Slate and lets out a breath. "Now the trick is to find some way of disabling it, then permanently taking it out of commission." He glances over, looking at the plans. "If those tunnels go everywhere... well, the entrance to the Vapulan caul or cell might be in the tunnels after all..." He blinks and looks at the drawing, frowning and seeing if he recognizes the pattern. He's been to a Laser Floyd show or two.
Thessaloniki makes a point to show the lines and his notes to the crow, considering. He finally says, "I dunno, Tay. Looks like a big commercial unit to me, but I don't know what they're doing with it."
Taygeta-crow caws, "That's what it looks like to me, too. Possibly a perfectly legit experiment, but I'd like to see the setup myself. This part..." he pecks at one side of the drawing, "-appears to be a photometer setup."
Thessaloniki nods. "So. We don't know much more than we did before. If that was the Tokamak, then we've found it. How can we tell?"
Taygeta says, "We need to get in some night and take a look around when Vilson's somewhere else."
Thessaloniki says, "Either that, or we need to get Marius or Darius in with us, and if they think that's it, let 'em shut it down, and worry about Vilson if he's there."
Taygeta says, "Vilson does usually leave every day at the same time..."
Shateishael says, "Night is when I'd expect an attack... and universities are pretty nicely busy during the day, which would camouflage us well. Can we somehow lure Vilson out, then let Marius or Darius in? Or do we need to get Tay in first to confirm it is the Tokamak?"
Rosenstern nods to Nick. "They said that they'd be able to finish off the job if the reactor was shut down by us. Hmm... maybe we can get Vilson out..." He considers for a moment, then nods again, "You're right, we should confirm that it's the Tokamak."
Thessaloniki shrugs, "Rosie could play the lost person, or I could do it again and be a professor with a student along. M or D could confirm or deny, then do the shutdown. If Vilson is there, well... we'll deal with him. If there's a lot of others there, that's the hard part, I'd say. I'd worry about others in the building."
Shateishael says, "Well, we need to do this without alarming anyone, right? So... first sneak Tay in as a rat or something small for the verification?"
Thessaloniki says, "That might work, true."
Taygeta says, "This would work..."
Shateishael says, "How long would it take you to know for sure, Tay?"
Taygeta says, "Shouldn't be too long. I ought to be able to recognize the basic control systems in a few minutes if it's the Tokamak."
Shateishael nods slowly, "Okay... so let's brainstorm a bit. If a student came to Vilson and said he had a phone call in the office... did you see a phone in there at all, Nick? -and if that student was Tay, or had something small with Tay in it riding him... think that'd work, guys?"
Taygeta says, "It has possibilities..."
Thessaloniki says, "Maybe. Or something to sign for? Or a fire drill?" He considers, "He'd probably ignore that."
Shateishael grins suddenly, "When's his birthday? Stripper-gram?"
Thessaloniki snickers, "Never, if he's demonic."
Shateishael thinks a bit more, then nods, "All right. Tay, if it is the Tokamak, can you start the shut-down process?"
Taygeta shrugs -- well, on a crow it's a wing flip. "Depends what I'm riding. In this body I could."
Shateishael says, "Okay, good. Then how's this sound, guys? Line up our folks someplace nearby with some sort of agreed-upon signal. Have one of us go in and tell Vilson he's needed somewhere else -- a message, a phone call, whatever. Let Tay verify or not on the machine... if it isn't it, we'll have to figure a way to get him out smoothly -- Nick, were there any windows up high in the room at all? -and if it is it, then Tay can give our agreed-upon signal and the others can come in right away to continue the shut-down, and whomever is with Vilson can quietly knock him out or something?" He gets a suddenly thoughtful look, "Anyone here know how to pick pockets?"
Rosenstern nods slowly. "I think that's a good idea, Slate.
Taygeta says, "Should work."
Thessaloniki shakes his head, "I don't know that one."
Rosenstern blinks. "Picking pockets? That... I never developed that particular trade. Though there were times when I wish I had it..."
Shateishael thinks about that a bit, and then the corners of his mouth quirk up slightly, "No matter. It's easy enough to pick the pockets of an unconscious man." Thessaloniki grins.
Rosenstern starts to get a nervous feeling. He glances towards Slate but says nothing. It's not nearly time to start complaining about violence, and Vapula doing something horrible with that Tokamak might very well be even worse than someone being clobbered over the head and taking a nap for several minutes. While he doesn't quite match Nick's and Slate's grins, he isn't being disapproving at all; he nods thoughtfully.
Shateishael says, "So... let's have Taygeta watch how Vilson enters and leaves the room a few times. Vilson heads out to the diner around noon, as I recall, and I'd be curious both to know if he locks up, leaves someone else there, and what pocket any keys go into. Once we know that we can refine our plan a bit more, on how to get Taygeta in. Anything else y'all can think of?"
Thessaloniki says, "Maybe see how the janitorial staff is handled in that part of the building, and go in with or as cleaners."
Shateishael nods, "Okay... then we can leave Tay-Crow here to find something smaller, like a mouse or something, and get a report back from him later. Good.
Thessaloniki says, "Sounds good to me."
Rosenstern nods to Slate. "That should give us a target of, say, Friday to do something. That way we'll have the crowds of students to mingle with and be inconspicuous with."
Shateishael nods again, "Excellent. Let's do it, then."
Shateishael lets his hand hang out the open window, enjoying the pressure of speed against it, and the night wind fingering through his long hair. Nick is driving towards the Ranch in one of his characteristically wonderful, huge, sleek, fast cars, and Slate always enjoys that. He's thoughtfully silent tonight, although that's not unusual for him... but eventually he turns to speak to the Ofanite, "Hey... Nick. Can I ask a favor? Next time you call Eli... can you take me along? I'd... like to ask him a question...?"
Thessaloniki says, "Sure, Slate. I don't think that'd be a problem. I don't know when I'll try again, but I'll try to have you around."
Shateishael looks relieved, "Thanks." He falls silent for several minutes, then adds quietly, "I wasn't there when it happened, but I heard that when David found out Eli'd left Heaven he said something like yet another of his old friends had disappeared. I... thought that was one of the saddest things I'd ever heard, and I know how nice it was to see you again... so, uhh... I thought I'd ask Eli if he'd be willing to hang out a bit, let me call David... and maybe the two of them could just chat a bit, y'know?" He turns to glance at Nick again, "D'you think Eli'd mind that?"
Thessaloniki glances over at Slate, a little longer a look than he might usually take at speed. He says, "When you put it like that, no. Best to ask, though. I don't know how things wound up between them. I'd hate to open a can of worms."
Shateishael nods slowly, "I will." He falls silent again, considering... he'll need some relatively sure way to call David, if Eli gives consent. Hm... short of being able to carry a gang of fifty or more thugs without guns, in his back pocket -- definitely not a given -- he'd do best to find a stone carving or statuette that's over 1500 years old. He considers that for a long moment... where to put it so it's always with him? Well... what's always with me? ...uhmm... the hammer pendant I made for my Norse wife... odd clothing... the swords, really, would be the best place. If the carving is small enough, I could weave it into where a menuki would go.
Thessaloniki smiles and asks, "Think Tomas knows I called Eli that night at the hotel? Wonder what he'd say?"
Shateishael looks up at Nick's comment, then grins, "Bet he doesn't... or he'd have asked about it, y'know?" He laughs, saying, "He insisted he'd done nothing to apologize for... I hope he finds out! If we'd known he was an angel, he might've gotten to see Eli again." He adds with amused disdain, "Dork."
Thessaloniki nods, grinning. He says, "And I might have been able to get better advice. I wish I'd have known everything that was going down and asked if what we did was the best thing to do. I think so, but it's hard to know what Eli thinks." He sounds a little worried, which is clarified when he adds, "I'd hate to have let him down, y'know?"
Shateishael glances at Nick, his blonde hair whipping past his face, and grins. His teeth are but a flash of white in the darkness of the car, "You didn't, Nick. You were cool."
Thessaloniki says, "Dominic didn't think so. David didn't sound pleased. I think I did what I had to do, and that we did okay, but I still worry a little."
Shateishael's grin gets, if anything, a little wider, "C'mon, man... have you ever heard David sound pleased?" He turns to look forwards again, adding calmly, "And David said he knew our actions were done in good faith, to get what we believed was the best result. That's good enough for me. Dominic can go tie his tail in a knot, as far as I'm concerned."
Thessaloniki shrugs and says, "Not really, but I haven't heard him that often." He nods, "Yeah, I know. It still made a lot of people uncomfortable." About Dominic he adds, "I don't envy Dominic his job, no."
Shateishael rumbles quietly, "If it were easy and comfortable... we wouldn't be angels, Nicky."
Thessaloniki says, "Yeah, true." He thinks a long time, then says, "I dunno. The whole thing made me think a lot. Heaven attacks Lucifer pretty badly, and the philosophy behind that gets really confusing. Not to say I'd change what I did or change sides, mind you. I don't like hurting people. But..." He shrugs then.
Shateishael gives Nick a curious look, "What? You lost me there, guy... way I heard it, Shaitan attacked the Heavenly forces first. I'd think hitting back really hard would be just good self-preservation, y'know?"
Thessaloniki says, "Before that. God is all knowing, all powerful and ineffable, right? If so, then God is as responsible for the Dark as he is for the Light, and Lucifer is just as much doing his bidding as is David or Dominic or any of them. Perhaps, if Lucifer was indeed God's 'right hand man' he's got this role because he was the only one God could trust to go off and take the responsibility for all the unpleasantness and evil, and to do all the awful things. Maybe he hates it, and does it because it's his duty and responsibility. But he does it anyway, because it must be done."
Shateishael is silent for a long moment, considering that thought. Thessaloniki asks, "Would that make it God's will that Vapula and Baal and all the others do the things they do, because they need to be there for there to be contrast; dark to show the light?"
Finally Slate says slowly, "I... don't know, Nick. I've thought about it, late at night when it's really quiet... so quiet the silence rings in your ears and you're afraid to make a sound for fear the silence will visibly shatter around you..." He falls silent again, still thinking, then rumbles quietly, "...for me... for me, it's about free will, I think. We know there's going to be an end of times because our deity has told us so. We know humans have free will... and I think we do too. Be hard to fool one of the Seraphs about that, after all. That, I guess, is the part -- the reason behind why there's darkness -- so there's a Light for us to chose to turn to. Us... and the humans too -- and our deity's giving us all a chance -- all the time possible granted to us, so we can bring as many as possible to the Light, so as many as possible can chose the Light... because once the War happens... there's no turning back. No second chances. That's the end-game, and there's no more switching sides, y'know?"
Shateishael looks at Nick in the darkness again, "Be a damn shame not to have tried our best to bring as many as possible to Heaven, at that point -- 'cause they don't get any more chances, then. I don't want to feel like someone's out there in hell then, just 'cause I didn't try hard enough."
Thessaloniki considers. He says, "Yeah. That's kind of the same conclusion I'd come to, but from a different angle. If we're all basically on the same team, working for God, we still have different roles and responsibilities. Mine are to Light, and to make people see Light and be better and happier. Sometimes this puts me against Dark. And, yeah, you're right. It'd be a terrible burden to know that maybe... maybe there were souls in eternal torment, because you weren't there." He adds after a moment, "And... I just don't like destroying and killing. I'd much rather create. It boils down to that, I think. That's what I want to do."
Shateishael nods, "Me too, Nick. I've spent most of my life working on building strong communities... it's... it's heart-breaking to see them come apart, even though I know they're as mortal as the mortals that create them." He settles back against the front seat again, falling silent. Finally he murmurs quietly, out of the darkness, "Thanks, Nick. Was wondering what I was doing in Austin... I remember now."
Thessaloniki nods, "Yeah. Austin's both good and bad. Even more important, I guess, for us to be there to help people see the good." He shakes his head and adds, "I feel bad for the Old Guy."
Shateishael sighs softly, "Yah... me too. I wish... I wish I could figure out how to convince David and maybe Michael to talk to Laurence about the Old Guy... find him a good, new tenure as a Tether -- someplace where his skills and his strength are needed again." A long moment later he quietly adds, "Druiel too."
Thessaloniki shakes his head and says, "I dunno. I've still got mixed feelings for Druiel and Tomas both, because of their, in my mind, questionable decisions. Even Zara a little. But I don't feel bad for them. They know where they are. The Old Guy doesn't. He's been lied to. Worst, a place he's been for a hugely long time is likely to be taken away from him, either to move him to a place he won't be lied to, or by expending himself uselessly against forces more than he. I wish I thought he could live with the situation as it now stands."
Shateishael nods quietly again, "Yah... he's been lied to..." His voice is tight as he adds, "I wish... no. But I'll continue doing the best I can to extend the community of angels to him too. He deserves no less..." bitterly he adds, "-and certainly a lot more."
Thessaloniki nods, "I agree. It is, as far as I'm concerned, the worst situation here." Shateishael shivers slightly in the night wind. Lying just... grates on him. Thessaloniki sighs, continuing, "It's worse now having met him, too. I like him. I want to show him respect, and be respected by him, and that'll be hard when I know I've got to lie to him. Not only that, about something important to him."
Shateishael rumbles quietly, "So do your best not to lie... that's the best gesture of respect I know of." He sighs quietly, drumming his fingers against the car's window edge... then finally changes the subject, "Nick... you know anyone in Austin that might know where to find a really old, small bit of stone statuary?"
Thessaloniki drives along, thinking deep thoughts. He finally says, "Uhm. I don't know anybody off the top of my head. Yves' local guy might know someone though. He's been around here forever -- well, forever on the mortal scale -- and has access to a huge library and store of information. I think I've got his number someplace."
Shateishael says, "Cool, thanks. Yeah, I'd appreciate it."
Thessaloniki shrugs, "Either that or we knock over a museum. Why?"
Shateishael laughs! "No, no, don't think I wanna do that." He grins, "Well, I figure if I'm gonna ask Eli to let me call David, I'd look right stupid if he said yes -- and then I couldn't do it! So I wanted to get something that'll help attract Stone's attention... and the best thing I can think of is a stone carving or statuette that's at least 1500 years old."
Thessaloniki laughs, then says, "Good point, good point. I need to check and see that I still have the useful things on hand to call Eli, too."
Shateishael chuckles quietly, remembering his startlement the first time he unguardedly opened the glove compartment of one of Nick's cars... and a long string of condoms had fallen out, "Ehhh... I'm sure you're fine still..."
Thessaloniki chuckles, and says, "I'm much better set up to do it out at the Ranch, but yeah, I try to be prepared."
Dr. Miles Foreman's office is quite small, being situated in an upper floor of the administrative building. Rei's notes for Taygeta indicate that Miles is a Mercurian of Knowledge. As such... his office is packed, floor to ceiling, with floppy disks, CDs, and books. Lots and lots of books. Miles himself is an aged old professor, wearing a conservative brown suit and tie, with a neatly trimmed little pointed beard and round spectacles. He greets the newcomer pleasantly enough, and quickly inquires what it is he can do for Slate.
Shateishael looks a little greedily wide-eyed at the filled office, then pulls himself together and politely greets the ancient Mercurian. "I was wondering, sir, if you knew where in Austin I might find a small stone statue or carving that's over 1500 years old... that I could maybe buy or trade for?"
Dr. Foreman hmms quietly and looks at the ceiling, tapping his chin absently. "That would be of some anthropological value... not too difficult to locate, though within certain specifications might be harder to lay hands upon... may I ask what you need, exactly? Exact dimensions, some sort of exact style or origin of carving or artistry?"
Shateishael says, "That's really it, sir. Stone, carved, over 1500 years old." He slides his backpack off, unzipping it enough to let the handle of his katana protrude, and indicates as he speaks, "I'd like, if possible, to find something small enough to weave in where the menuki would go."
Miles ahhhs and leans forward interestedly. "May I?"
Shateishael nods, politely and correctly offering the scabbarded sword to the professor. Since he's not Japanese, and the professor definitely outranks him, he considers it a bit of an honor that his katana is of interest to such a knowledgeable individual. He adds quietly, "There's a matching wakizashi also, sir. Well... relatively matching. I don't think they were made together."
The professor nods, mmhmming to himself. "This is excellent craftsmanship, just excellent. Lovely ripple-patterns, lovely, yes. Now, I hardly think that you would be risking damage to such a fine piece of smithing lightly, nor with such exacting specifications... what is it you'd like this stone for?"
Shateishael says, "I'd like to place it here, see? It's so I can, if necessary, more easily call my Superior, David." He pauses, giving the Knowledge angel a troubled look, "Uhm... why would this risk damage, sir?"
Miles says, "Oh, well, securing the menuki to the weapon, as well as wrapping it again, are by no means simple operations. I can recommend several excellent books in that regard though. Now, let me think... ah, yes. I do know of some small item that might work for your purposes... however, I would like to know what it is you're offering in return?"
Shateishael smiles quietly, "Ah. Actually I was taught how to properly wrap the tsuka-ito, sir. What you're looking at there, in fact, is wrapped by..." He pauses as the professor speaks, then thinks for a moment at that last question. Finally he says slowly, "I... don't know, sir... but I'm certainly willing to work out a trade of some sort with another angel or a mortal." He thinks a bit, then says, "I've spent some time with both the ancient Norse and the Comanche. Maybe some of that information would be useful to someone?"
Miles mms, "Why, yes, I might be interested in that... perhaps we could arrange some interview; I might record some of your experiences for posterity."
Shateishael looks both pleased and slightly relieved. A moment later he says slowly, "Do you... ever collect um... things, sir? -like, y'know... actual artifacts? Would any of those interest you?"
Miles grins a little. "I am interested in all manner of artifacts, my boy. I never turn away anything that might be of value to history."
Shateishael says, "Okay... I might have some of the Comanche clothing or weaponry around still, maybe? Or um... lemme think. I still remember how to forge things that the Norse communities used, and it's a little different than how it's done today." Okay, a lot different, in some ways... "Would that be interesting? I've actually still got my anvil. I don't want to swap that, 'cause it's... well, it wouldn't be respectful, but maybe I could show you..."
Miles mmms... "Well... actually I might know of a qualified museum that could be interested in such artifacts. Perhaps we can work out a trade, then?"
Shateishael pauses, listening, then grins, "Hey, that'd be great, thank you!"
Miles nods, "Well, my time here might be coming to an end soon, and I'd like to leave those institutions that have been good to me with as much good as I can while I'm still able. I'm sure you understand."
Shateishael nods, then says slowly, "Is that... something you'd care to forestall, sir? I know some Eliites can sort of roll the clock back on objects, including vessels. Have you considered trying that for your vessel?"
Miles smiles a little. "Ah, yes. I could acquire an application of our Song of Entropy. That would adequately turn the clock back for me... but then I'd resemble a graduate student, and then I'd have to leave Austin. I couldn't be Miles Foreman any longer. And I really do like it here... I must admit that I've grown fond of this city. Unfortunately, I can think of nothing else thus far. However, if you come up with a better solution, I would be most interested in hearing it."
Shateishael nods again quietly, thinking, then adds, "Well... maybe just a few years at a time, would be my suggestion... but yes, sir, I'll consider other solutions as well." He grins, adding, "And thank you, sir, for your help. I really appreciate it -- this is hopefully going to be something that'll please my Superior quite a bit. So... if there's anything else I can do to help you, let me know, okay?"
Miles nods, "My pleasure. It's grown quite late, and I am sure you have things you need to be attending to. So, I shall arrange to acquire something which I think will serve your purposes quite well, and we shall review those items to bring to the museum. How's that?"
Shateishael says, "That'd be just fine, thank you, sir."
Miles nods, "Excellent."
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