Sunday, September 12

Sunday passes in blissful uneventfulness for the local angels in their own interests and pursuits. At the Board, Rook informs his administrative assistant, Sangeeta, that all new students are to be interviewed by him.
    Rook then retires to his room to try out his new vessel -- a little brown sparrow -- and cuts himself off from the world for awhile. (Why a sparrow? It's subtle. He's gonna be in Malakite Stealth Mode.)
    Matt frisks about Pearl Street, both ecstatic to be home and happy that his flowers are enjoying the unusually warm fall weather.
    The Painted Pot, abode of Cherubim, is solid against the world. . . just like said Cherubim.
    Arabis began the Official Ofanite On Foot Exploration Project, and decides to get to know her new town.

Monday morning, the 13th of September

Bright and early, Arashiel notices a computer on the front desk at the Painted Pot. This is a New Thing. The screen flashes "You've Got Mail!" rather benignly. Arashiel is intrigued. It's obviously from Somewhere. . . and is the mail for her? Rather than behave impetuously (this time), she runs upstairs to check this new development with Jael. Jael, still in pre-coffee mode, can only verify that a) the computer is not hers and b) that the mail is probably for Arashiel, given that she is in service to Lightning. Arashiel goes to play with this potential new toy.
    The mail, however, is not terribly funny. "I need to see you as soon as is convenient," reads the message. Hmm. Must be from Jean, since there's not a single extraneous pleasantry. Arashiel, being almost two millennia old, knows that 'as soon as is convenient' means NOW in Superior Speak. There's a quick shift and ascent. Off to the Halls of Progress! The Mercurian secretary seems unusually subdued. "He's expecting you."
    So in Rashi goes, and there's Jean as predicted, all pale and androgynous and surrounded by an immaculate office. There is a hardcopy report on the desk in front of him. His eyes are the grey of storms about to break.
    "Arashiel. I have reports on my desk. Look at these. Would you care to expound on your behavior?" Of course he's calm. He's an Elohite.
    Arashiel does not mince about for extraneous explanations. "Colorado Springs." Feeling semi-embarrassed, a little worried and perhaps a little surprised that everyone is making such a fuss, Arashiel explains. "We were at the Nightmare Tether, trying to retrieve Rook. Could not negotiate and did not want to fight, so we went to War, to the Tether there. We were talking with the Seneschal and talking and talking and then Michael shows up. He looked ...well, like Michael. I just let the thought out."
    Stillness. See the calm Elohite. "You said, 'Oh my, he's cute!' to the oldest Archangel! Did you think to apologize?"
    "Numerous times since, but at the time I was just too shocked."
    Jean studies the papers before him, as if temporarily forgetting that he is not alone. "Eli has chosen me. He has assigned you to me for some kind of torment. You are his idea of a practical joke." Poor Lightning.
    "I apologize. I didn't mean to bring you disgrace," Arashiel interjects.
    "I have here a request to transfer you in the service of Michael. Is this an abhorrent assignment to you? If it is, we will not force you to go." See the Elohite being fair and calm and restrained. It hurts.
    "No, it is not abhorrent to me. Nor is my service to you." (OOC, Rashi's player give the GM the *look* -- "Oh, is this what you meant when you said there'd be reprisals?")
    "I have no reason not to sign them, then?" Jean verifies. See the Elohite perking right up.
    "I don't believe you'd be able to find sufficient reason not to," Arashiel replies, a bit sheepishly. "What might I need to do for War?"
    "You'd have to talk to him on that, but I assume you would get to use your artifact more at the very least. Michael is not conventional or prudish in that respect." This means, Michael is rash. "He would let you bend some rules." This means, he won't make any. "Suffice it to say that you are not happy here, Arashiel." Pause, as the Superior recalls what it is this Cherub so loves about Lightning. "There will be video games with War. I believe that this . . . assignment was your creator's prank to confound us both."
    "I don't know. Well, War and Creation are not always antagonists." Rashi is clearly not brooding.
    See the relieved Elohite. "Go find him, then. Perhaps that would be the most sincere form of apology."
    Arashiel leaves, bemused over this change in his situation. Michael is easily findable in the Groves, why, one would think he expected this somehow. . . As the greatest of Seraphim finishes with a thoroughly armed (in all senses) Kyriotate, he turns to the patiently waiting Rashi and smiles with obvious delight.
    "Gotcha! You came. I knew that you would. Come here, I'm not going to bite you. Too much paperwork."
    Arashiel comes forward, a mixture of meekness and pride, and said, "I offer my apologies. I can apologize to the Seneschal in Colorado Springs as well, if you would like."
    "He is an Elohite. They don't hold grudges." He considers Arashiel. "So, are you so gutsy all of the time or does it just slip out every now and then?"
    "It varies."
    "Well, you already know Rook. Good. Stay in Boulder. I am not ready to reassign you yet. Tell me about your Tapestry."
    Arashiel explains what she knows and some of her attempts at deciphering its nature.
    "And what do you think it is, Arashiel?"
    "I believe it is a place of protection for many of the creatures hunted 1200 years ago. Maybe the Garden of Eden."
    "And what are your intentions with it?" Michael probes.
    "Well, to keep it safe. Eli's orders."
    "You need to be prepared to use it, Arashiel. Go to the Library and research the thing, get on the Internet, whatever. Does it have a name? No?" Why, no, Michael is not getting the Truth of the thing right now. . .
    "Then how may I serve you in Boulder?" Arashiel asks.
    Seraphic smiles have teeth. "Do you know how to take orders at all?"
    "I am familiar with the *concept*."
    Michael smiles, good naturedly -- the teeth vanish. "Work with Rook. He, at least, is painfully clear on the subject. Just don't kill each other. I'll let you know when you are needed. Use the artifact if you need to and we'll worry about the clean-up later. It is more important that you get the job done than how you do it." Michael considers Arashiel for a few moments longer, then dismisses him.
    Arashiel, having survived a transfer and an interview with War himself, returns to Boulder and to the Painted Pot.
    Shortly after Arashiel passes through the Tether and says a quick hello to Giles, Matt arrives. The Flower Power presents Giles with a bubble pipe, which Giles accepts with his usual gravity. Then, mildly sarcastic, Giles comments, "I don't want to look like Tolkien."
    Sarcasm -- either ignored or missed entirely. Matt tilts his head. "Who?"
    Giles looks mildly pained, and puts the bubble pipe on a shelf beside a copy of _The Hobbit_ and turns back to Matt, anticipating questions.
    "So what's with this Big Bad Ugly in town?"
    "I'm not the one to talk to."
    "Fine then. Where do I find the Lilim?"
    "I'm not sure. She usually finds me if she needs me. Otherwise, she stays out of the way. That's the deal."
    "I want to get in touch with her."
    "You will have to try on your own and hope you run into her. In the meantime, I am having a meeting here at 4:00. Would you inform everyone so that they may attend?"
    "Ok then, fine." Happy Matt frisks away, leaving Giles to his new bubble pipe.
    Matt calls Jael on his cell phone as he leaves the library.
    Uh-oh. Meetings. "*Giles* is calling a meeting? Oh, that's not pleasant news. Meetings never are." Jael senses something unpleasant coming -- Giles never calls meetings unless he only wants to say something once.
    "Ah, don't worry. Boulder equals happy!"
    "Hmmm," Jael is non-committal. "Why did you go and see Giles anyway?" Thinking; Giles is inside, he only keeps geraniums. . . this is not Matt territory. . .
    "Secret flower information," Matt shoots back, now skipping along the sidewalk in full view of the populous of Boulder. Ah, subtle, our Matt.
    "Oh, the Lilim," Jael translates, being no fool.
    "Yes, I'm looking for her now. And you don't need to call Rook ...I'll be seeing him myself." (Jael . o O Uh-oh. ) Matt continues skipping along toward the Board.
    The eventual objective of Matt's excruciatingly slow means of locomotion is, at that moment, on the phone conducting some secret business of his own. Having only recently been pleased to leave Colorado Springs, he has since concluded that there he left one (GM: Only *one*??) piece of unfinished business. Rook calls Laban-Lael. The following conversation ensues.
    "Whatever he may have been before is lost, taken from him by the unwanted intrusion of an agent of hell. We can not simply label him a possible future liability and let him go at that, ending up where events would take him. The days of his free will were stolen by that Shedite. If an infernal took it from him, then it is our place and our duty to guide him toward Heaven. We cannot abandon him. To help him would be the honorable thing. I know that you are busy and understaffed but if you would take up his care on my behalf I would be most grateful. If you can not, or need additional assistance, then I will be there. Whatever it takes, I will see his soul in Heaven."
    Rook is uncertain how Laban-Lael felt ...he cannot see his face and Laban-Lael's voice remains fairly expressionless. "Very well. I will see to helping him."
    "I thank you. I will be in contact with you again soon." That guilt is assuaged. As Rook was finishes his conversation, Matt arrives and arranges with Sangeeta to begin classes at the Board. ("Yeah, I'll do the six month thing.") Then Sangeeta does as Rook has asked, and sends Matt in to meet the master.
    See the Malakite's jaw drop. . . figuratively.
    "Hi there, Lier." Matt is cheery, careful to use the name of Rook's role. "I was thinking that maybe we could exchange services ...I get some lessons and in return I take care of your courtyard garden."
    Blink. See the Malakite quite at a loss. Finally, Rook says mildly, "You already take care of that garden, Matt."
    "Yeah, well ...I think class will be a way to work out my excessive aggression. I'll go buy my gi now. Oh, by the way ...Giles has called a meeting for four today. See you there!" A chipper to-the-point-of-radiating-his-own-light Matt leaves a staring, brow-knotted Rook behind.
    (Jael, when told, says "Are you trying to drive Rook crazy?" to which Mad Matt laughs.)
    Having shocked the Malakite and a Cherub, the Mad Elohite continues off to harass. . . erm, visit Bob and pass on the meeting news. He arrives at José Muldoon's to discover that Bob is not on shift yet, so he charms and wheedles the current barkeep for info on Bob's whereabouts, and suckers the guy into calling Bob for him. Bob is duly informed of the meeting. Matt is off once more, an angel with the mission of fun.
    Still earthbound, Arabis continues to map the extent and layout of the city. She encounters Mad Matt dancing along the creek path, spreading joy and lunacy. Information is exchanged. Mad Matt dances on, and Arabis begins searching for the way to the Tether from her terrestrial position. She also begins the Search for a Flame, so she can get on with searching for cruel fleers from justice.
    Arashiel reaches the Board, narrowly avoiding an encounter with Mad Matt. Rook has by now recovered from the Elohite Experience, and is being overseer again. As Arashiel prepares for some work-outs on her own, Rook informs her of the meeting in the afternoon and Matt's strange desire to take lessons at the Board.
    Rook takes a moment to share some ideas with Arashiel, the first about the possibility of using vibrating pagers to lend early warning to the attunements of the two Cherubim. In addition, Rook urges Arashiel to research the Tapestry very soon. Rashi shares her new Superior info with Rook, and listens carefully. Then, conversation concluded, she formally shakes his hand.
    Twink.
    Their interchange done, Rook retreats to the courtyard garden to play sparrow, and Arashiel begins her sword forms inside, smiling in some private satisfaction. Of course she just attuned to Rook and, naturally, she does not plan on telling him anytime soon.
    A bit unsure of travel times while landbound, Arabis makes her way to the Norlin Tether early. Jael arrives soon thereafter, and then the rest of the angels gradually trickle in -- except Mad Matt. Never fear -- Giles has anticipated Flower-time, and really has the meeting set for 4:30, so Matt arrives just in time. Just as he finishes passing out flowers to everyone present, a familiar angel appears in the doorway from Heaven. It is: Dinhabah, the Elohite of the Triad that had interrogated Arabis in Colorado Springs. Oh, yeah, and verily, the angels erupt with joy at a Dominican in their presence. Not. Only Matt and Arashiel, who had not been there for the inquisition, seem unfazed. Everyone else looks vaguely queasy. Giles merely looks pensive, since he *expected* this reaction.
    Dinhabah explains the purpose of the meeting. "I thought it would be polite to inform you that I had been assigned a role here."
    The group, knowing that an Elohite of Judgment was never just "assigned," nevertheless returns his polite regards. Rook, acting as spokesangel in a situation in which most of the party did not want to speak, said that they were grateful for his presence and would keep him informed. Rook is obviously no Seraph.
    While the Dominican is surrounded, Rook conducts his own little inquisition. "I am trying to keep informed on the situation with the possible tether to Death in Littleton. Have you learned anything else about it?"
    "No, I'm afraid I haven't."
    "I was just thinking that as you had been assigned to query Arabis on the subject you might have been given some background information." Poke, poke.
    See the totally impassive Elohite who is inwardly squirming. "No, if there's something important I need to know my Archangel tells me." He turns that calm gaze to the rest of the angels. "I know some of you -- that is some of that background information you were asking about, Rook. But I do not know not all," he murmured, narrowing his gaze on Bob. "You are unfamiliar to me, sir. What are your origins? Whom do you serve?"
    Bob, looking decidedly uncomfortable under this unwanted scrutiny, is saved from answering by Rook's cool: "If that information were important I am sure that your Archangel would inform you."
    (The GM sees the strife, the distrust, and smiles. . . )
    Silence reigns. Finally, Arabis goes over, takes Dinhabah's hand, says, "I wish you the best."
    "And you. And Arabis, I hope you would let me know if Arnu contacts you again."
    "So long as it won't result in an automatic Inquisition."
    "No, of course not. Arabis, you are an angel. You're on our side."
    Pointed stare. "And you're on ours."
    Exit Elohite, stage left.
    But since everyone is here. . . Rook decides to share his new plans for everything. Plainly excited, even for him, he starts in; the pagers on the attunements, first. Rashi already knows; Jael agrees to do so only if the attunements are ok with it. Rook then announces that Arashiel will be doing more research on the Tapestry and that she has been reassigned to War. Jael is surprised. Rook then shares his new vessel. He lists a few ideas for upgrading security at the Board (fine) and the Painted Pot (not fine). And finally, the end to PC accord for the evening. . . Rook wants everyone to tell him what Songs and attunements they have with each other to maximize their capabilities against intrusion.
    Although Rook receives some positive response, he is opposed by the contemplative Arabis and the angry Jael. Arabis fears that this information could be used against the angels were another member of the group to be captured and tortured for it. Jael resents Rook's apparent assumption that he has the right to know everything, that a person's abilities were merely aspects he could manage. Arabis mentions that she knew some hellspeak, when Rook asks. When Rook very pointedly asks Bob, the latter only responds that he knew it to be painful to the ears and knows "some." Clearly, he is dodging the question.
    Though flustered by this point, Rook nevertheless keeps on going and reminds everyone of the existence of his geas, and of his plans to have it removed in the Far Marches. Explosion number two.
    Jael: "You tell us that we have to work together as a group and now you're going to go off to the borders of hell all by yourself!"
    "No, I will be taking Arashiel with me, if she is willing. Arashiel is quite capable in the Ethereal realm," Rook answered, coolly.
    Ouch. The air in the room freezes another degree, and Rook stands, announces his intention to speak with Giles, that he has said everything he intends to, and exits.
    Behind him, an angry and injured silence reigns supreme.
    "Every time I think that I understand him he reminds me that he is an alien," Jael mutters, seething. "I am just a *statistic*."
    "I feel like a character sheet," Arashiel adds.
    "I saw my superior in that tower," Jael says after a long moment. "Irad."
    Rashi's eyebrows rise. "Dragons? He serves Nightmares now?"
    "The tattooed Habbalite who let Arabis and I past the Djinn. Irad."
    Rashi suggests that Irad must still care, at least a little, but Jael doubts. "It might be a kindness, on his part, it might be manipulation. He might be able to call on old loyalties and make me hesitate." She looks at Arashiel at that moment. "Just stay away from Nightmares. And NO, I will NOT detune from you."
    Arashiel, deciding to change the subject, inquires about learning a new Song. Does anyone in the group know it?
    "Rook has that one. If it's optimal I'm sure he'll teach it to you," Jael answers bitterly. "Tell me to put security on MY house and then fly into the Marches! He can bloody well stay here and play Malakite, if demons come."
    On that note, the angels go their separate ways for the evening. Bob and Matt head for Bob's workplace, Arabis flies out to continue her efforts with those fleeing justice, Arashiel ascends (Rook has already, by this point), and Jael follows Rashi.
    Meanwhile, in Heaven, Rook seeks out Michael.
    "Ah Rook, back so soon. What are you so pissed about?" Michael asks, beaming good-humoredly.
    "I do not get pissed, my Lord."
    Michael merely raises an eyebrow. Clearly, this is a lie. And he knows the Truth.
    "I am here because I am asking for a new Force."
    Michael displays his wisdom, and leaves the sore spot alone. A new Force is granted. Finally done, Michael changes the tack of their conversation.
    "Where are you off to?"
    "I am going to enter the Far Marches in an effort to remove this geas from my being."
    One Seraphic eyebrow later, Michael says nothing more and so Rook leaves.
    Surprise, surprise, he encounters the Cherubim in the Library. No words are exchanged, and he moves to the tetherpoint to descend.
    "You go ahead and research, Arashiel. I'll be back," Jael whispers flatly.
    "Where are you going?" Arashiel asks, knowing full well.
    "I'm going to descend and talk to Rook. I can't shout or use the kind of language I want here in Heaven."
    A few minutes later, after a tense, unbroken silence, Jael and Rook are in his car on their way to the Board.
    "I can't believe what you tried to pull in there today, Rook. That stuff is not your business. We are not pieces for you to move around on some chessboard. We are not War ...perhaps you haven't noticed that we don't work the way that you do."
    "I have," Rook answers, eyes narrowing.
    "Then what's with the attitude? You can't order us around. And that security stuff ...are you a Cherub? Do you think you know how to do my job better than I do?"
    "I would hardly presume to tell someone who's age has given them so much more experience how to do their job," Rook replies. knives are out.
    Jael's face turns white.
    "Do you want me to drop you off at the Painted Pot?" Rook asks, the tone not nearly as polite as the words.
    "No, I don't. I'm going to stay right here and annoy you."
    "Fine," Rook spits, slams the car into park in front of the Board. He heads inside and, calming himself, speaks to Sangeeta, requesting as much information off the Internet as possible on Miramar Castle, where he had been kept by nightmares while in Manitou Springs, and that he would be gone for about a day.
    Then: back to the car and the angry Cherub. "You talk to us about being cohesive and working together and then you go running off on some personal and dangerous mission into the Marches. You have no right to do that."
    "Perhaps you're right then, Jael. I was wrong to try and make us into a functional group that could stand against an organized horde of demons. Let's just do our own things and act as individuals. And as far as the Marches go, that's just what I'm going to do."
    The remainder of the trip passed in silence. As the two fuming figures pass through his office, Giles wisely says nothing.
    Heavenside, Rook bears down on Arashiel like a fury. "You're time would be better spent in research, Arashiel. I will not be needing your assistance. Thank you."
    Rook stalks off, leaving Arashiel surprised and Jael alternating between anger and worry. Arashiel follows, Jael behind her. There is more argument -- Arashiel believes herself assigned to watch over Rook, and Jael is terrified that Irad will get hold of them and demand an exchange of some kind.
    They keep their words low so Rook will not hear, though he's aware that they follow him.
    "If Rook runs into Irad he'll attack him and die, I know it. Irad is powerful."
    "But I can't let him go in there alone. I'm attuned to him!" "I am too old for this. I know better," Jael mutters. Ain't love a b*tch?
    They follow Rook back down the Tether (yes, Destiny's Tetherpoint Guardian is more than a little entertained by this drama). Rook finally ditches the Cherubim -- he gets into his car, unlocking only his door, and drives away.
    Arashiel mutters grimly, "He can't lose me! Still, he's going to be pissed."
    Much muttering ensues. Eventually, Rook goes back Up, just ahead of the Cherubim, who are determined to track him.
    Soon Rook goes to the Bazaar, looking for an item that contained two Ethereal Songs of Direction, which would prevent him from getting lost.
    Arabis, summoned as a 'sensible person' remained with Arashiel and Jael while they waited for Rook to finish his business.
    "Apparently he's decided to go on his own," Jael informs the Ofanite. "He makes me so angry!"
    "You two had an argument and so now he is going alone," Arabis corrects.
    "We tried to get him to change his mind but he would not listen."
    "He did not want to be persuaded out of it. He feels that this is necessary for him. This could be an untenable position for him, all the more so because he accepted the help of the enemy. Even if that acceptance was not by choice. This may be the only way he can regain self-respect. He can not say these things because he has not been living with it for hundred of years, as we have." Jael and Arabis exchange meaningful looks for a moment.
    "Ooops, Rook is leaving," Arashiel interjects, eyes somewhat distant. "I can't take the Tapestry with me. Here, Jael. Take it."
    "So, two of my attunements go on a fool's mission," Jael mutters. "Please don't let Irad kill you or Rook. I will not trade the Tapestry for you, just so you know that." Then as her attunements wander away after Rook, Jael returns to the Tether to wait.
    The trip across the intervening distance between Heaven and the Far Marches was relatively quick and painless, abetted by Rook's Song and Rashi's attunement. They briefly encounter Malakim guards but are allowed to pass, though with the admonition that none of them should be going.
    As they fly, Arabis and Arashiel discuss the matter.
    "How far should we let him get before it's too far?"
    "Our being here might provide the opportunity to effect some outcome," Arabis points out. "It's not that he doesn't want to know about us. He simply needs to do it on his own."
    "But I am attuned to him."
    "I gathered," Arabis observed sardonically, "since we are following him unerringly. I hold him in high regard and don't want to see anything happen to him. My opinion is that we need to let him do this on his own."
    "Jael disagrees."
    "Whatever happens, he needs to be able to live with it. I am not concerned."
    Abruptly, they came to a green land. Rook encounters a naked boy who, upon seeing his approach, dives into a nearby river and becomes a horse.
    Rook lands.
    "I require information."
    An equine nose appears above the level of the water. "Since when do Malakim need 'information'?"
    "I need to have a geas removed."
    After no answer is forthcoming, Rook continues, flying high above the sylvan woods below. Soon he heard a hunting horn and came upon a group of Sidhe in a clearing, talking to the same horse he had just encountered.
    He lands and politely states, "I require information."
    "So I've heard," replies one of the Sidhe. "Look for Wayland on the roads north of here." The rest watch him with cold eyes.
    "Thank you, sir." Rook is very polite to strange Ethereals.
    On to the road, then. As the sky grows dark and clouds over, Rook spots a huge forge ahead. The sun finally drops, and the rains begin. Rook goes to the forge, finds a huge man inside.
    "I am looking to have a geas removed."
    "Let me see it."
    Rook very obediently holds out his arm.
    "What is your name?"
    "I am Rook."
    "I can remove it."
    "What is your price?"
    "Price after service."
    "I cannot do that. May I ask the price before the service?"
    "Price after service."
    "Then I cannot stay. Thank you."
    Rook leaves and continues, all the while unaware of Arabis and Arashiel following him far behind. When they reach the forge, Wayland greets them. "More travelers!"
    "Was there a blackwing here?" Arashiel asks.
    "Yes. He went up the road." Pausing a moment with eyes on Arashiel: "We haven't seen your kind in a long time. You'll fit right in where he's headed. He won't pay the price so he will find no help," the man warns.
    "Is it possible to remove such a thing?"
    "Yes."
    Then they leave.
    The rain turns to snow for Rook but he continues, unfazed, on foot.
    When the weather clears he takes wing again and soon finds a battlefield of the old style. Above it, a solitary figure watches.
    Rook approaches.
    "I apologize for bothering your reverie, sir. I am looking for someone to remove this geas upon me."
    "What gain is there for me?"
    "I could give you essence," Rook offers.
    The one-eyed man considers this and then asks Rook to follow him. As they made their way through the snow the man asks Rook, "What do you know about Uriel?"
    "I was not yet created when those events happened. Other than the name, nothing."
    A short while later they reach a lodge and the man instructs Rook to give him his arm. "I'm going to take some of your blood."
    "That was not the agreed upon price. Essence was my trade."
    "I never said that I would accept Essence."
    "Then I must look elsewhere."
    Lucky Rook -- the Ethereal lets him go.
    A little while later Arabis and Arashiel find the man.
    "It was predicted that he would not be willing to pay the price. Was that true with you?" Arashiel asks.
    "Yes," the man answers, not taking his eyes off whatever held his attention.
    Wise angels; they leave.
    Eventually, Rook finds a red-haired man in a tree. The usual pleasantries ensue, and then the man offers, "I'll trade you. Now, what can we offer a brave, black-winged angel?" His voice, lilting and gentle, is filled with mockery. His eyes take on a bitter edge. "I'm extinct on the earth, you know. It was your kind that did it. I'll tell you what. I will take your geas and you can have this necklace." Produces necklace. Pretty.
    "What does it do?"
    "Why, nothing at all."
    Rook is wisely not inclined to trust this individual.
    Onward, then, until times up and he must return.
    "He doesn't know who these people are," Arashiel whispers frantically to Arabis. "Not all of these deals would be bad ones. I can't let him leave without making him see that he should accept."
    "If you go and talk to him he will be very mad." Understatement.
    "He'll get over it." Arashiel decides, her mind made up. She flies up to Rook. Rook's face is, for an instant, the expression of his feelings (RAGERAGERAGE) then a blank mask. He continues flying in silence.
    "How much is this worth to you?" Arashiel begins, only to be met by continued silence. "I want you to be successful."
    "How did you find me here?" As if he doesn't know. . .
    "Listen, I want to help you!" Arashiel insists.
    They fly in perfect silence for several minutes more.
    "There are worse people with whom you could negotiate a trade to dispose of the thing," Arashiel concludes and peels off when it becomes clear that Rook will not listen to her.
    Eventually, Rook returned to Heaven and descends. He makes no comment to the patiently waiting Jael, who also says nothing. Exit really angry Malakite.
    Arabis, finding nothing more to say, also descends to the earth plane.
    Arashiel and Jael make their way to the library to research.
    "Well?" "He did not get it removed. He would not bargain with them unless he knew what he would have to pay."
    "I do not understand him."
    Rashi: "He exceeds Michael himself in singleness of purpose."
    Jael: "I would say that he exceeds Purity himself."
    Then on to research. . .

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