Sept. 21, 1999, early a.m.
And where did we leave our angels. . . Ah yes. Rashi as Rashi-dog, Rook and sparrow-Rook, Arabis as raven. . . bless it, but we have a lot of animal vessels for a bunch of not-Jordians.
Arabis moves away from the murder site by a tree or two and is watching. The police arrive, discover the badge on the body, and get unhappy. Arabis has hidden the wallet in a tree already, but considers that ravens carrying wallets might be noticed by people, so she leaves it for later. An ambulance and plainclothes detective arrive; Arabis' resonance detects no cruelty or fleeing from justice. She decides instead to find Dinhabah and flies to his apartment. Yes, there he is. Arabis lurks on an unsuspecting branch as dawn arrives. . . the taps at the window. Ooooh -- Dinhabah pulls a gun and looks around all suspicious-like. And no, he is not feeling justice either. He looks round, spots the raven, and lets Arabis inside, looking resigned.
"I hate it when I am followed."
Arabis pins him with the Ofanite RavenEye of Peering. "Your behavior was odd last night."
Eyebrow. "My behavior, odd? Coming from you? Perhaps I am becoming an Ofanite."
Arabis fails her humor roll. "What happened last night?"
Ah, so that's how things are. "Did you see it?"
"Would you tell me if I hadn't?"
Yes, then. Dinhabah is Elohite-serene. "Not if this were the business of my Archangel. Which it is, and it isn't."
"Are you going to tell anyone else?"
Parry. "What do you think I did?"
"I know you killed a celestial after an argument. But the argument was not the reason for the killing. It was just the end of it. Demon or angel, I don't know. With whom such a person was working, don't know. That it should be last night, though, I found interesting."
"I was plugging a leak."
Man, these two are cold. Arabis does not even blink. "I was wondering if this had anything to do with our discussion. I guess it does. I heard some of what you said. I am a big believer in actions speaking louder than words. I am sorry that I followed you but then again, you also knew that we were trying to tick off the number of demons. You could have mentioned something."
Dinhabah looks unhappy. . . for an Elohite. "That crosses the business of my Archangel. I am going to tell you something for which I will be in large amounts of trouble when Dominic finds out. I don't want you to be suspicions and then go back to the rest." Eye contact. "I would ask you not to share this with anyone short of Gabriel herself, should She ever ask." Arabis nods. Good, then. "On occasion, Judgment will work with the other side in order to track Renegades and Outcasts. The Game. They have an extensive network, most of them invisible. I do not know how many are here. I know she was one and she knew me. We were hunting a Renegade who turned out to be an Elohite." And we all know who that was. . .
Arabis cocks her head. " Did the information leak to the Game or did Fate just happen to show up?"
"One would assume they have an alliance. That was news to me. I do not mind working with them on my Lord's orders. I mind them attempting to assassinate other angels and I do not think that my Lord intended that."
Arabis locks eyes with him. "You are not cruel." That's *Fire's* judgment on the matter.
An oh, does Dinhabah know it. " I would know if I were dissonant. . . ." He looks faintly sad. "There was a time when our Archangels worked together," he murmurs.
Arabis lets that one lie. "I think you should tell them."
"What would I say? I do not know if *she* was part of any larger plan. We have the word of a *Free Lilim* that there was a Game triad in town. " Frown. "I am disturbed that people are trusting Adrienne so readily. Lilim are not automatic candidates for Heaven. . . they are hellborn and selfish. They are no more or less likely to Redeem than anyone else from *that place*." Sigh. "I understand that it is Flower's job to Redeem everyone, so that at least explains his part."
Arabis will not be distracted. "I don't think I was alone to notice your behavior. You should be ready for others to ask questions."
Sigh again. Blessed determined Ofanim. "They may ask. I will not promise them an honest answer -- or any answer at all."
Fair enough. The conversation shifts a bit, to hit back on Arabis' pursuit of Jackson White.
"My tormenting is not going well. I have not seen him in over twenty-four hours."
Dinhabah absorbs that thoughtfully. "If the game had figured out Bob was here, Lust may have also. Be very careful. It would have been a race between the Princes to get him first. Lust cannot organize themselves and no one can out-organize the Game, even us. If you find Lust, approach with caution and stay a raven. Then again, there might be some servitors of that Prince who might not balk at seducing a bird."
Arabis rolls that thought around a minute, digests it, and moves on with her other Major Concern. "I am worried about Arashiel, Jael and the Tapestry. I want to take out the people who are after them."
"I assume Eli took care of the problem with Arashiel's visitors. Archangels are good at taking care of such things."
Arabis fluffs, raven-shrug. One does not assume anything with Eli. "We need help taking care of Death, Fate and the Game and such."
"Indeed."
Conversation over, and with two angels who do not engage in extraneous chit-chat -- time for one to go. Arabis exits via the window again, reminding herself that secrets are hard on Ofanim. It's off to the Library to touch base with whoever is there.
Now for Matt. . . he is, as ever, is Adrienne's garden when he hears the sirens. He elects to investigate, and goes to the scene, sees the body bags and the blood and a great many agitated police. There are clearly too many cops right now for him to go see what happened. Thus thwarted, he goes back to Adrienne's and knocks. She is on the phone, gets off quickly.
"I have other business to take care of. If they were looking for you they would have found you by now. I am still hereto help you out if you need it. Just let me know." Matt is *leaving Adrienne.* (GM falls over in shock.)
Adrienne does not, however. "I'm losing my 24 hour escort service?"
"Yes. If you want to talk, we can. If you want to help, let me know. If you have any information, let me know."
"Some information would be for a price. You willing to pay?"
"Depends on the information. I think that you should want to do things because you are helpful."
"You are an angel, Matt. Not me."
"I do things because I have good feelings."
"We have different definitions of good. Are you giving up on me?"
"No, but I have other things to do." And away goes Matt, back to the creek to resonate the local plant life. The trees noticed noise and unsettling anger. One tree in particular noted a raven which did not fly away when all the other birds did. Then people came. Matt rewards the tree with a genuine hug. Then on to the reeds along the creek: they saw more, and like all short-lived plants, talk a lot, as if that makes their words more important. They said a man shot a woman. So Matt does nice things for the reeds, and the cops come over and shoo the obviously loopy guy away.
Rook is still cross-town, getting ready to teach his first class of the day.
Arabis: brief detour on her way to the Tether. It's tormentin' time! She finds Jackson's bedroom and sings Ethereal Entropy on his sleeping self. He wakes up in a panic and falls out of bed, amusing Arabis very much. Then she positions herself *just so* and flies so as to cast a shadow of ominous raven darkness across his room in the rising sun. He is appropriately creeped out. Arabis *likes* her job.
And now: the Tether. Arashiel, ever a source of creativity, decides to use her Ethereal Song to make a pb&j sandwich. Telekinetically, of course. And yes, she is still a dog. The attendant Cherubim watch with fascination, albeit Giles' fascination better resembles resignation. Then Rashi takes her sammich out to the living room floor and eats it with much dogginess. But she licks up all the crumbs, so it's ok.
Giles only comment: "I think in all my years that is the most unique usage of that song that I have ever witnessed."
And Rashi waxes loquacious. "So, what should we do today?"
Is that rhetorical? We are angels, we smite evil -- "I need to go home at some point but have no screaming plans," Jael answers.
"I feel like I should do something but I have no ideas. I think the demons are gone." The morning is bright and happy. There can be no demons in the world on such a morning.
"For now, at least. Replacements may come." Jael, Cherub of Wet Blankets.
"Where might replacements come from? Where might we find some now? Who else would be cooperating with them?" Arashiel doesn't *whine* -- quite.
"I have no idea, Rashi."
"How outnumbered could we be? How can we change the balance?"
The word 'legion' comes to mind. "We could find out where they are and start vessel killing," Jael muses.
"We need to find something else important to them. The problem is that this Tapestry is probably of such important that they might be willing to give up anything else to get it."
"If they are under orders then they are not going to stop. Their Prince
might have given them orders. *I* would like to know what Irad is up to."
Blink. "I think his motives are his own." Profound Rashi!
Jael, Wet Blanket: "But he's Nightmares. We saw him in Hell in *her* tower. Arabis and I saw him. Arabis did not know him, but I sure did."
Rashi waxes philosophical. "It's difficult to know what to do next when you are a Cherub. You can't go and find pieces of the puzzle."
"We are *holding* the puzzle," Jael murmurs.
Rashi chooses not to hear. "You have to wait and react. We don't get to choose the battle ground."
"We could leave Boulder. Very abruptly. They'd have to track us."
"I do not have a role to maintain. This no problem for me. I think that apart from Arabis, it might be difficult on everyone else."
"I could take a vacation for a while, but not indefinitely."
"That would make matters worse when you got back."
Matt arrives and gives everyone a flower. . . again. Giles adds them to his overflowing vases. Matt tells everyone what he has seen since the brilliance of dawn.
[Meanwhile, lest she be accused of seriousness, Arashiel wanders upstairs. separates a pillow from its case, and returns with a purple pillow case in mouth. Giles sighs.]
Matt: ". . . So, no one heard any shootings, weird noises, guns going off? Well, that was no accident. That woman got shot in the head. It was deliberate. No struggle or screaming or anything. There was a raven there --" and one flies right in through the ever open window in a fine example of Ofanite timing -- "Oh, hi Arabis. Did you see anyone get shot?"
"No, but I saw a body. Found wallet and hid it in tree." She *lied.* (GM falls over again, and must be revived with rice krispie treats.)
[Arashiel acquires Jael's assistance, and with a safety pin, is transformed in Purple-Cloaked Dog. Purple-Cloaked Dog then races around the room, trying to make the cloak flutter out dramatically., Due to the nature of pillowcases, this fails. She mutters about using a song and flying as she wanders back upstairs.]
Matt is looking less than Mattly. Jael inquires after his well-being.
"I had a bizarre morning. -- Arabis, I can help you get the wallet later, after class." Then he is off, after a quick kiss from Jael. Matt resonates Arabis on his way out, suspicious of her -- but all he feels is her good mood and curiosity -- can Arashiel *really* fly down the stairs?
Yes, indeed. Arashiel can. The 'cloak' flaps appropriately. Jael and Arabis are highly amused, and Giles is bemused. Poor Cherub. (Rash's player OOC: "Rashi is working off a little stress." Indeed.)
Having 'practiced' her songs, Rashi realizes she lacks a bit of Essence.
To Giles: "Have I been entertaining?"
Ever the soul of manners: "You are always entertaining. You are the *least* boring person I know."
"Entertainer's gratuity?" Dogs are so *appealing* when they beg.
"Essence? Ok. . . three measures." Done.
The pillowcase is removed and returned to its rightful owner.
Arabis: "When is the Triad coming?"
"I don't think we should be here," Jael begins. "I don't want a visit
from Dominique. I don't think they're going to be very nice to this Tapestry -- I think they will try to take it."
Arabis looks shocked. "They can't take it. You under orders from Superior, they'd have to talk to him first."
"Is that some protocol?" Rashi, collector of protocol, if only to know when she is violating it.
"You could argue that. They might have to go back and reconsider." Arabis seems quite appalled that someone would ask an angel to violate its Superior's orders.
Ha. Then, in a totally unexpected response: "I feel like causing trouble."
No! Not Arashiel! Jael is helpful: "You could run up and down Pearl Street and scare kids and then lick them, and you could chase cats. You could find a church in session and bark incessantly through the service."
Rashi's eyes light up. "I know just the one. I don't know if that is useful at this point, however. If we are going to go anywhere we need to roll the thing up and put it in a pack if I am going to carry it."
"No, I will carry it. I am attuned to it, you to me."
"One big happy ball of attunements. So let's go to Pearl Street. With Arabis along, I will be able to find all the potential fun there is."
And Arabis agrees to go along in a rare display of good humor. Creationers are catching. The trio goes not to Pearl Street, but rather to the creek, where Rashi sniffs around the crime scene, posing as a mere dog. That accomplished, they wander on. . .
And finally, to the Board. Rook and his faithful assistant, Todd, are teaching -- no Sangeeta to mind the desk. Matt mentions in passing that things are weird in his life, but there is not time for chat. . . During class, an unidentified person arrives, sits down to observe, and remains even after Todd goes over to talk to him. Rook is unconcerned. The man will wait -- and he does, until Rook makes time to see what he is about. Good looking guy, blond, not super tall.
Rook turns on his Role's French accent: "Can I help you?"
"Our mutual employer sent me. Can we talk privately?"
Privacy is acquired. . . .
"Alaric. Vassal of War." Handshakes occur.
Rook is stoically polite. "What can I do for you, Alaric?"
"It's more of how I can assist you. Michael says you are not happy. I am a
Mercurian. A diplomat. " Yes, indeed, Alaric is a Friend of Man. Just what every Malakite wants in his office. "I can help you with interacting with the locals. You have some plan for how to deal with them, perhaps?"
"Yes. I will leave it in their hands and fight when any battle happens."
Frown. "That's not an optimal approach. . . you've been stressed." Silence. Murmur: "If this is your usual communicative state I can see why you are having problems. Can you explain to me what is going on, Rook?"
"One of my current associates has an artifact and until she decides what
to do with it, I can do nothing."
"Rook, that's not an answer."
"I have decided to wait for her. That's an answer."
"Do you feel underutilized?"
"Yes, I do."
"And are you still carrying a geas?"
"My geas is gone. It was obtained by someone else."
Both eyebrows. "Do you feel guilty for that?"
"Of course, but I can do nothing about it."
"Then what will you *do*?"
"I will kill demons in Boulder." Hmm.
In the meanwhile, the Trio of Trouble arrives at the Board with every intention of acquiring Rook. . . .the back gate is breached through clever use of Jael's key. The back door follows suit.
But in the office, the Mercurian is trying to facilitate communication with an uncooperative Malakite.
"Do you pity yourself, Rook?"
"No, I don't pity myself."
The resonance shows martyrdom, however. "No, sort of," Alaric attempts clarification. "You're giving up. The process is as important as the solution."
"I want the demons to die," Rook answers.
Alaric is beginning to see that this assignment isn't as fun as it looked Heavenside. "Ah, Rook. . . you're getting bogged down. Our Lord has given you this role and this situation. Michael wants you to do something with it."
"The Tapestry? It's Arashiel's decision, not mine. "
"And what if I told you it's your problem, Rook?"
"It's Arashiel's decision."
Sigh. "You are dealing with it badly, this situation. You are miserable."
"That's fine. This situation will not last forever."
Well, tie me to a stake and set me on fire, and there would not be a bigger martyr round here. . .
"How else can I explain this to you? What other language can I use?" Alaric begins. But there is the noise of angelic approach, as the Trio ascertain there is no Malakite in his apartments and begin the trek downstairs.
As they enter the room, Alaric resonates. Introductions are made.
"Did you check him?" Rashi whispers conspiratorially to Rook.
"For what?" Rook shoots back.
"Is he really an angel?"
Alaric hates to be left out -- asks what they are on about.
"I was asking if he resonated you but Rook prefers not to look."
Alaric looks as if it never occurred to him. "That doesn't sound like Rook."
"It fits within his code of honor." Rashi seems convinced.
Alaric demurs. "I do not know his oaths."
Then Rashi and Rook go upstairs so Rook can continue instructing her in the learning of a Song, and the rest are left alone with Alaric.
The first and most obvious question: "Why are you here?"
Enigmatically: "I got assigned."
Jael's eyebrows fly up, but she refrains from comment. Why are her attunements always the neurotic ones?
Matt decides he wants to know who's in the office, so he leaves class and goes round the back. Yes, Jael did leave the doors unlocked. She's funny that way. Rook is quite surprised to see Matt, who does not have a key to the apartment, wandering blithely through on his way down to the office. Rashi goes after Matt, Rook goes to lock all his doors.
Matt's first words to the assembly: "This is strangest day of my life,"
"Tell me about it." And Alaric means it, and in a nice way.
"Killing and Lilim that are not getting attacked by triads and Rook is upstairs singing to a dog, which I assume is Arashiel, and *she* was running around Giles' place in a purple cape, eating a peanut-butter and jelly sandwich, and besides all that the day is going fairly well. Would you like a flower?"
Alaric graciously accepts, and resonates: Matt, it seems, believes himself quite low on the angelic totem pole, confused, and has a poor self-esteem.
Rook returns to his office long enough to tell everyone: "I have another class. I am sure that you have much to talk about. I will be done at five." He leaves with Alaric and Jael staring worriedly after him.
Rashi resonates and discovers the New Angel is a decent fighter. Go fig.
Then Alaric gets down to the business of playing psychologist.
Rashi launches right in. "I do not like the fact that I can not do anything but wait for the demons to come for the Tapestry,"
"Who says you can't do anything but wait?"
"I do not have the abilities to find the parties interested in acquiring it. All I can do is know that it is the object of someone's interest."
"Who do you suspect?" Alaric is secretly relieved not all the angels here are Strong Silent Types.
"There is the word bound Demon of Dismemberment in town. I do not think
that he is interested in the Tapestry, though. . . " Not an answer, is it?
"Oh, *Arnu.* Yuk," Alaric says feelingly.
"Nightmares was interested in it but Millicent was gracious enough to overlook its presence within her tether. I believe because she exists in
the shadow of War she chooses to walk a fine line."
Faint, knowing smile. "Thenaire does not have a sense of humor. Besides, wasn't she the one who was partially responsible for nabbing Rook?"
"And partially responsible for his recovery. I believe that she was working, not that she does not have her own motivations, that she was in the middle in that transaction."
"So who is primary seeker?"
"Fate, I would guess. The Game is involved because of Adrienne. She is a Lilim, purportedly a redemption candidate. I believe that Rook verified that she was honorable in this."
"So, we have Fate and maybe the Game."
"*And* we were recently involved with Factions in Colorado Springs."
Sigh. "Sounds like you are up to your necks in it. Just because you are carrying the bait does not mean that you can't make a trap to go with it."
"The thought had crossed our minds. It is the art of constructing a trap. Can you make a trap, Alaric?"
"Can I make a trap? It depends on the kind of trap."
"What *are* you doing here?" Matt's curiosity is finally piqued.
"I got an assignment and here I am. To give Rook a little hand."
Ooooh. "I bet he's thrilled." Sarcastic Elohite.
Wry smile. "I am just glad I am not an Elohite because my resonance would be *blistered*. I am also glad I am not a Seraph because my resonance would be bent."
"So, what kind of trap would you set?" Matt decides to battle Arashiel for the position of spokesangel.
Alaric gets a strategist's expression on his face. "To trap and hold them so you can talk or to kill them?"
"I think we need to find the consequences of what their having the Tapestry would be. What could they achieve? How can we redirect or misdirect them?"
Intently: "Do you know *why* the Tapestry is valuable?"
"Not entirely."
"I know *some* of what it does." Helpful Mercurian. That's all anyone knows.
Matt: "I know that if we do anything reasonable with it we would be breaking all the laws of Heaven."
"And who made the laws? Judgment?" Oooh, we know where Alaric stands on *them*, don't we?
"Do you think that Michael is for species reintroduction?"
"If Michael had wanted to destroy it he would have by now," Alaric says flatly.
And you, gentle reader, see where this is going -- the angels have had this argument oh, a hundred times already. Arashiel will not unweave, Matt nad Arabis think she should. However -- they do make a few new observances. . . like they could go to heaven and argue their case before the Seraphim council. Alaric thinks it'd be stupid to take it Heavenside right now, and seems to be interested in what side the Ethereals might choose, were they unwoven. . . .
And Alaric point out: "You could make many arguments. I bet these guys have relatives. Far Marches, or Beleth's side."
Hmmm. Matt: "Might the others come back if they see their relatives released and unhunted?"
Shrug. "It would be a goodwill gesture. Not having seen the demons against you I can't say how far they would be willing to go. I am a negotiator. I can talk to whomever you want. . . Anyway, we should wait until Rook is finished with his role maintenance. He is already none too pleased to see me. I am here to aid and abet, help where I can."
"Why?" Arabis , ever the suspicious, paranoid angel. We love her.
"You would have to ask Rook."
"I am asking *you*. I think he is none too happy with your presence."
"I will give you a clue. He is none too *happy*."
Matt breaks in: "Rook is not available till five? What if I call the Lilim and tell her I have to be out of town to the south. Something like 'Be prepared, the world is about to change.' If she understood what the Tapestry was, we
could see who went running out of Boulder really fast." Devious Elohite.
It is agreed that Matt will call, and Arabis will go wait outside her apartment and spy, since Adrienne has never seen her.
So Alaric, Matt, and Arabis pile into Alaric's very nice car. Matt tries to call Adrienne, gets no answer. Upon arrival at Adrienne's, Matt can also get no answer at the door. Hmm. Send in the Ofanite! So Arabis flies around, peeks in a window. . . and spies Dinhabah, wearing gloves, examining things wit a scowl on his face. Tap, tap, pecks the Ofanite. My, the scowl *can* get deeper.
Open window, let raven in, close window. "What are you doing here?"
"Looking for Adrienne. I don't know where she's gone, do you? Should I let Matt know you are here?"
Sigh. "If you think it would help. Why are you looking for her?"
"We were going to leak some information to her. Why are *you* looking for her?"
"To plug a leak." Ominous. . . the last leak he plugged is dead, of course.
OfanRaven glares at him. "I think we should let Matt know what you are doing."
Sigh again. "She's a Game agent and she is known to us. That is what Dominic saw in her. She is not bound, but she *is* contracted. I don't know the specifics. I came here to ask her questions."
"I think we should talk to the boys. We should go downstairs after you are finished."
And so they do. . . and Dinhabah sees Alaric, and sighs yet again. "Your redemption candidate serves the Game. You should do your research, Flowers."
Matt doesn't even blink -- good Elohite. "That does not mean she is not a redemption candidate."
"The fact that you are still breathing in this vessel lends credence to your claim."
"Does she know a lot?" Inquiring Ofanim want to know.
"We talk a lot but nothing dangerous or sensitive. I don't think she has geased me."
"You should check." Scold, scold.
"We can go back to Tether to check for geasa. Or we could go to the Board. Giles may have some information on how to track her down. Was Adrienne her true name or her role name?" Enough dallying! Arabis wants to move on.
"I don't know. It's in my nature to be trusting of demons. I trust people, too." Matt is still calm, if a hair defensive.
"It is the nature of Flowers to trust everyone they meet automatically," Dinhabah concedes, not unkindly.
"This is perhaps the weirdest day of my life. Yes, let's go to the Tether."
"If you have geasa it would be best if I did not know. If I find her I will let you know." Dinhabah promises.
Arabis agrees to tell him, too. Then they separate.
At the Tether, Matt indeed discovers he has two tiny geasa on his celestial person. Hmm. The angels call Rashi and Jael at the Board and announce Adrienne's disappearance. Then they drive on over. Tap, tap, on the locked back door. Jael lets them in, and soon the office is once again party central.
Matt's Mantra begins again: "I am having a bad day. An unusual day. The weirdest day I have had,"
"He has an anklet." Arabis is succinct.
"I will ignore them," Matt insists.
Jael, mutter, mutter: "We can have a support group."
It is decided that Jael will go back to the Painted Pot and check on things, and that Rashi and Arabis will go along as escort. As they draw near, Jael experiences the 'loomy' feeling. Hmm. The Cherubim go on in, while Arabis circles.
A-ha! OfanRaven spots Irad sitting on a bench halfway down the street, and proceeds to circle over him. He notices. . . and the Cherubim notice. Jael: "I don't know whether to be worried or touched."
Arashiel goes over to find out. . . recall, she *is* a dog right now. She trots up, sniffs the bench, murmurs, "Hanging out in Boulder lately, are you?"
Irad smiles coolly. "Either you are one annoying Kyrio, are there are several of you wearing animal vessels -- I assume that very attentive raven is one of you."
"Yep. Want to see Jael?" Pant pant.
Smirk. "She wants to see me about as much as she wants to see plague. I do not blame her. Beside -- we need not tempt the Malakite. They get so silly about smiting evil."
Change direction, Arashiel style: "Where has Adrienne gone?"
"I don't know her."
"There is a Lilim playing the role of a redemption candidate."
"Lilim are not to be trusted. Who is her Prince?"
"It is not clear. It was suggested that she is serving the Game. Who were those three that attacked me the other day?"
"Fate. Those that endangered our tether, the three fools that chose one angel out of six and got the blackwing."
"One was involved in Rook's abduction?"
"All three of them were. You knew this, certainly." He sounds annoyed.
"Do you know where they are now?" Arashiel: curiosity incarnate.
"I do not know, although I would assume Eli has taken care of them."
"We have to go on a trip. We have to go to Wyoming. . . Would you like to go? I don't know how we can get there." Rashi trails off.
Irad looks intrigued. . . what *is* the angel up to? "It's not that long a drive."
"We released a roc."
"Did you? Good for you."
"I have mixed feelings. An eagle of that size might find it difficult to remain hidden. Much as would many of the other creatures in the Tapestry."
"Bright unicorns and big lizards, perhaps?"
"Many would not care, perhaps, and would not choose to remain anonymous or hidden. . . "
"Why do you need to talk to the roc?"
"To see if it is possible to negotiate with them, with it, about its presence on earth. And to find out what it might think the responses of the others would be to being released in today's environment."
"Put them in the Marches." Irad is firm.
"What would they do?"
"What Ethereals have always done! *Be. * They would have to find a Tether to get out of the Marches, to earth."
"There is a concern that they might not choose to remain inactive. They might not choose just to *be*."
"Then you must prove to them that that is the only way and show them there is no choice."
"Then going to find the roc is the right choice right now. If we cannot convince one we can not convince many."
"You must take precautions if you value your Malakite. For *her* sake I
will not start the fight." Irad looks both annoyed and resolved.
Arashiel bounds back to Jael. "He can join us on the drive to Wyoming. It is not that long a drive."
A Cherub's jaw drops. Eyes bug out. There is shock. "Is that *wise*?" Of course not, and Jael knows it.
"If we take a couple of separate cars then Rook would not have to know that Irad was with us until we got there."
Half-serious: "You are devious and should be whacked with a rolled up newspaper. Anyway, this is true. The Tapestry stays with me if you ride in *his* car."
"Then you ride with Rook."
Then Jael returns to the Board to get Rook and send Matt to the Pot, and Arabis perches on the bench beside Irad. . . on the far end, mind. . . to keep an eye on him.