[In Nomine] The City of Pentagram IC

[JeenLeen]

Spoiler: for ease of play

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Let's say that Inian and Joakim have worked together sometime in the past, or at least knew each other in Heaven.

A response comes in a few minutes from Inian.
<Practicing at the circus. Found someone with a bad sense of humor, and trying to figure out if I should take them outside sooner or see what they're up to first.>

As Joakim walks around downtown, he sees fewer thuggish youths than he'd expected from the reports of the city. Yeah, the local gangs have gone down a fair bit between some laying low and infighting sending some to the hospital or morgue, but it seems even less than usual, especially for a Friday night. There's also a mix of cops and armed private security on most blocks.

He turns a corner and sees, down the street, the bail/bond and loan shop run by Astarieth, Seraph of Judgement. He is unlocking the front door. Before there's a chance to say anything, the Seraph opens the door. The relative quiet of the city evening is quickly replaced with the roar of an explosion as the fire, glass, and concrete are propelled out of the storefront. There's little chance Astarieth survived, and the lack of any celestial Noise implies a planned hit by human agents,
Several police officers and security converge on the scene, many -- but not all -- looking surprised and horrified at the scene.

[bramblefoot]

joakim curses internally, and texts inian "we just lost astariath. no noise, so it's probably a human hit. i'm gonna watch, see if anyone shows" he'll amble up, putting on his best "scared human" "ohmigod what was that? didja see that? it was an explosion! i haven't seen one like that since my time in Kandahar province!" he'll put on a big show, all the while watching to see who cares and who doesn't

[JeenLeen]

Spoiler: Roll

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(3d6)[6][1][5](12) for ???
(3d6)[3][4][5](12) for Joakim's overview of the crowd (Perception)

EDIT: both unsuccessful for what I was rolling for, but Perception 4 still gives some stuff most would miss

A small crowd of civilians is gathering to look on, and Joakim is able to mix with them easily enough. They are held from the immediate blast site by police officers. One officer and four of the private security have moved into the blast site and are looking around. There is some fire, but it seems the building's integrity is mostly held-together and the fire isn't currently spreading. Yet that they had protective masks with them is a bit suspicious.

Sirens denote the soon arrival of police cars and a fire truck. The other private security are starting to disband and are walking around the nearby blocks. Joakim can see that each of them is armed with a heavy-duty pistol and sees the tell-tale signs of body armor on underneath their clothes. Two of them are at one corner, and Joakim is barely able to overhear one say to the other, "Can't believe the boss wants us to search around for a survivor on the run. Like anyone could survive that and move afterwards." His companion responds in an angry and frustrated tone, but Joakim can't quite make out the words.

---

While sitting with Betty, Katriel receives a text. If she's able to see it, she sees it is from Jerechial.
<Astarieth attacked. Likely trauma. Be careful.>

At the bar, Madrizel checks her phone, then clenches and crushes it in her hand. Her barstaff look a mix of astonished and terrified, and she moves to entering one of the back rooms.

[bramblefoot]

joakim will stalk after them, quiet as a 250 pound malakim can be. he silences his phone after texting jerechial <private security are in on it. if im not at the tether in 30, consider starting some cars>

(3d6)[2][2][2](6)

[JeenLeen]

joakim will stalk after them, quiet as a 250 pound malakim can be. he silences his phone after texting jerechial <private security are in on it. if im not at the tether in 30, consider starting some cars>

Spoiler: rolls

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They technically have a chance to notice you stalking them. Mundanes have such low stats.
(3d6)[4][6][5](15)
(3d6)[4][5][4](13)

The duo seem not to notice the man following them. He can hear their conversation a little better now.

"I said shut up. You have no clue what these, heh, people are capable of. You've shown the right attitude for this work so far, but you also have to trust your superiors."

"Like you trust Fancy Flav?"

The apparent superior turns sharply and pistol-whips his fellow guard. The attacked one simply whimpers and clasps his jaw. The helmet absorbed most of it, but it still sounded like it was quite a blow.
"Don't disrespect him. He not only pays our bills, but he's doing good things for this city. So keep your eyes out and your gun ready."

[bramblefoot]

joakim continues to follow, eyes scanning. he has no doubt he could take these fools, but the noise would be annoying, and possibly give away his position

Spoiler: ooc

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do i know the name flav?

(3d6)[2][4][4](10)

[JeenLeen]

Spoiler

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Sounds like a nickname for Flavius, the demon of Theft that at least has his hands in the security if not outright owns them.
Also indirectly controlled the landlord who Astarieth rented the building from, and whose Soldier met Astarieth there.
And noting that the Soldier (sleazy lawyer Rickman) had time to ID Astarieth's mortal role to Flavius before the fight at the Gravel Pits...

The guards seem oblivious to Joakim's presence. Supernal dexterity of an angelic form definitely has its advantages.

And, rather by luck or Providence, Joakim happens to be passing under a large umbrella at a side-table when a disgusting mass of charred flesh and sinew passes overhead. It's hard to tell one shedite from another, but this one's many eyes appear not to notice the Malakite either as they enter the lesser of the guards.
The main guard tensed wide-eyed the moment the shedite came into view, relaxing only slightly once the form is gone.

The now-possessed clinches his jaw and gives a laugh. "Taught him a lesson, eh? Man, this coward wants to shoot you bad but hasn't the guts for it. You're lucky I already did my bad deed for the day. Anyway, to the job: I did some scouting, too. Tell Flavius I didn't see any of the angels looking around. I'm going to borrow this body for a while. If it doesn't show back up for work, he's dead. And tell Flavius that if he wants my arsonist to do another hit for him, price is triple. More if I'm busy."

The guard gives a frightful nod. With the rthymic hand motions and a grating version of Celestial Motion, the shedite and his new body vanish with a burst of Noise. The remaining guard gives a frustrated sigh and continues going forward, scouting the block with a much slowing pace.

Spoiler

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I had planned for the shedite to alert the guards, but his Perception was horrible and you made the roll to see him in celestial form. Between those, seemed fair that he didn't notice you. Guess he was scouting half-heartedly.

[bramblefoot]

joakim texts jerechial <shedite. not flavius. he celestial motioned to parts unknown. im gonna bug out. where you want me?>

[RossN]

Kat

For a moment Kat found herself wishing she was a Seraph. True she would be an awful stick in the mud with no fashion sense but being able to just know the truth through the Symphony would be terribly handy.

She took another sip of her drink, trying to think. On the one hand having Betty here would be potentially useful, on the other hand it would at a minimum stress her and possibly get her in danger. After a moment of hesitation the need to protect the human won out. Kat could back later on her on.

"Look Betty if you are feeling stressed we could leave and try somewhere else? Or go back to yours?"

[JeenLeen]

Joakim

<Call you soon> a respond comes.

A few minutes later -- more than enough time for Joakim to flee the scene -- Jerechial calls. He sounds frustrated, angry, and frantic.
"@*$#! They got Astarieth? I don't know if you knew, but Rezzial and Andreson have been keeping tabs on a safehouse of Flavius'. Bethrezen and some of his hit them just a few minutes ago: Rezzial's dead, and Andreson's being rushed to the hospital from blood loss and broken bones. Killed some of Andreson's friends, too, homeless who he's helped and who help him out. One of Andreson's friends lived to tell me." Jerechial growls in frustration. "Rezzial should be back by tomorrow -- he's same Choir as you -- but I'm sure he's sore to lose his vessel. But, to keep his cover as a human, Andreson can't really just get healed or jump up better all of a sudden. I'm hoping to convince him to sneak away after a day or two.

"So no real where clue where or what you should do now. Lawrence did tell me not to give you all too much oversight... but... Hmm... Ramiel's Attunement told him that the demon of Factions is planning some revenge against his parents. He was planning to get his attuned together and skip town tonight. Which, as a cherub, I can't really blame the kid for, but we don't need another angel effectively out of commission. I wish Frez was back in town already.
"I can text you the demon's address. He's habbalah and tricky, so dangerous to take out by yourself. I can't afford to leave my Tether undefended at the moment, but Ramiel or Inian might be able to help you if you want to take him out. If you want some Soldiers, I'm sure the Commune would provide some, but they might be more a liability than an asset with a habbalah."
"One pro is that the demon should be alone at his house. Demon's role is a teenager, had a single dad. Astarieth got the dad arrested on trumped-up charges to get him away from the demon. But no guarantee he won't have backup, or that he's even still at the house."

Katriel

Betty smiles and, giving a wierded-out look to where Madison Rourke went, says, "Yeeeeeeah, maybe it is better if we skip this scene."

The duo is able to leave the club without incident, but Kat notices the guards and bouncers are looking more nervous.
Betty's phone beeps. She looks shocked, then says, "Oh, wow. Jason just told me there's an explosion downtown. The same security the school's using is moving against the gangs or something. Look at this!"

She holds up her phone and shows a picture of a pencil drawing. Maybe a draft for a painting? It shows exaggeratedly-armed soldiers shooting through a city's downtown.

There's a strange flair of interest and hunger in Betty's tone. "It's not one of his best, but he gets such passion in response to things. Captures the violence of the situation, the horror. I-" She blushes and looks ashamed. "I gotta stop so invested in him, huh."

[bramblefoot]

"i'll check it sir." joakim says simply. "i will take inian, though i suggest we leave the cherub outta this, although if he wants in, i wont say no to another warm body"

[RossN]

Katriel

Katriel can't help but shudder at the drawing. "Very... intense," she said carefully, her large brown eyes looking at the teacher with sympathy. "Look Betty, just be careful with this okay? I'm not going to rat on you or anything but I also don't want you to get hurt."

Pulling out her own phone she checked it, just in case she had any messages of her own.

[JeenLeen]

"i'll check it sir." joakim says simply. "i will take inian, though i suggest we leave the cherub outta this, although if he wants in, i wont say no to another warm body"

Jerechial agrees. Inian is able to meet up. Inian mentions that he, Rezzial, and Astarieth had scoped out the place earlier, but Astarieth got mind-whammied and they fell back. Inian did manage to steal the demon's computer and bug-out bag, but he'd need Lightning back in town to break into it.

As the two of you approach the house, you hear heavy metal music blaring from an upstairs window. There's also some lights on downstairs. A car in the driveway. It looks like the demon is home.

Katriel

Katriel can't help but shudder at the drawing. "Very... intense," she said carefully, her large brown eyes looking at the teacher with sympathy. "Look Betty, just be careful with this okay? I'm not going to rat on you or anything but I also don't want you to get hurt."

Pulling out her own phone she checked it, just in case she had any messages of her own.

Betty blushes again, though this time more abashed than other emotions.
"Y-you're right. And be careful getting home. Sounds like downtown is worse than usual."

As Katriel checks her phone, she doesn't see any messages, but there's a sudden strong gust of air. With it, a voice. His Voice.
"My Servitor, harsh winds are blowing, a tempest of death. Hell's forces have moved, splintering Judgement, squelching Revelation. War is strong, but The War grows bold.
The winds tell me that Theft is stealing Fire's flames... perhaps we should let it be so. If you raise a tempest, do it not near the Tether to Fire. But blow strong, my daughter. Hell should not claim more Tethers. As sometimes the best part of nature is the raging hurricane, perhaps sometimes the chaos of Noise is our tool to stop Hell's growth.

You hear a pause, a touch of uncertainty in the breeze, "I hesitate to speak this, but... trust not those left of Judgement in your plans. The winds tell me much, but sometimes it is unclear, uncertain. They whisper some wariness. But Yves said you should follow your own currents, not mine. Use wisdom, my daughter."

[RossN]

Katriel

Betty blushes again, though this time more abashed than other emotions.
"Y-you're right. And be careful getting home. Sounds like downtown is worse than usual."

As Katriel checks her phone, she doesn't see any messages, but there's a sudden strong gust of air. With it, a voice. His Voice.
"My Servitor, harsh winds are blowing, a tempest of death. Hell's forces have moved, splintering Judgement, squelching Revelation. War is strong, but The War grows bold.
The winds tell me that Theft is stealing Fire's flames... perhaps we should let it be so. If you raise a tempest, do it not near the Tether to Fire. But blow strong, my daughter. Hell should not claim more Tethers. As sometimes the best part of nature is the raging hurricane, perhaps sometimes the chaos of Noise is our tool to stop Hell's growth.

You hear a pause, a touch of uncertainty in the breeze, "I hesitate to speak this, but... trust not those left of Judgement in your plans. The winds tell me much, but sometimes it is unclear, uncertain. They whisper some wariness. But Yves said you should follow your own currents, not mine. Use wisdom, my daughter."

The message from Janus left Katriel both comforted and perplexed. It was at moments like this she almost regretted being a Mercurian. The least divine Choir were so close to humans it was sometimes hard to get back in touch with a Heavenly perspective. Still it was an important message.

"Come on Betty, let's get you home," Kat said to her friend. She'd help this woman, then do a little reconnection with other members of the Host in the city.

[bramblefoot]

"lets move" joakim mutters and stalks over to the door. he will test it to see if its locked and if it is, he'll just kick it in and move through, attempting to minimize casualties, but not caring too much. after all, the demon is a habbalah

(3d6)[6][4][4](14)

[JeenLeen]

Katriel

Katriel is able to escort Betty back to their cars. Betty safely reaches home, giving thanks. The two of you had to take a round-about path, as police had cordoned off routes towards the bad side of downtown.

There's a lot of sounds of police cars and other emergency vehicles from the sectioned-off part, with occassional sounds of gunfire. From a bit on the radio, it sounds like a coordinated effort of police and the security firm to imprison (or, more likely given what you know of infernal machinations, exteriminate) the remains of the Burnt.

Joakim

Spoiler: Rolls in OOC

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Successful perception to see trap

As Joakim and Inian near the door, Joakim sees a fine, almost invisible wire linked from the doorknob to the edges of the door: a tripwire linked to some sort of trap or explosive, set to go off if the door is opened or broken into.

Inian whispers, "I guess he's been on guard since his 'dad' got detained and what happened with me and Astarieth earlier."

Listening closely, Joakim can hear someone walking around inside. Although you can't make out exact words, it sounds like he's speaking on the phone with someone; at least, it's just one voice with pauses between statements. Inian notes that he recognizes the voice as the habbalah's. Sounds like he's downstairs but doesn't know the angels are there.

[RossN]

Katriel

Katriel escorted Betty to her front door. The whole situation felt bad and she was feeling lost so it felt a relief to be able to protect this one human and make sure was okay.

"Maybe you should consider a vacation for a while. Get yourself out of the city, clear your head," Kat suggested to her friend, shooting her a sympathetic smile. "Sometimes we just have to go wherever the wind takes us."

[JeenLeen]

Katriel

Katriel escorted Betty to her front door. The whole situation felt bad and she was feeling lost so it felt a relief to be able to protect this one human and make sure was okay.

"Maybe you should consider a vacation for a while. Get yourself out of the city, clear your head," Kat suggested to her friend, shooting her a sympathetic smile. "Sometimes we just have to go wherever the wind takes us."

Betty gives a far-off look towards the sounds of gunfire as "security" forces fight the gangs. There's a lot of scared looks from other windows in the neighborhood. She pauses, then nods. "Yeah, maybe... maybe I should. A lot of teachers are leaving or taking breaks in response to the... administrative changes... Some time to clear my head, get some physical distance from him..."

She gives a heavy sigh, but Katriel's senses tell a weight has lifted. Even without using her Resonance, she senses the relationships that bind Betty to others at the school, including a certain troubled artist, loosening.
Betty gives a smile, "Maybe I'll even spend some time packing tonight, go visit an old friend living in LA. Be careful at the school, okay?"

Joakim

Spoiler: OOC

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I hope you don't mind me continuing this scene. It would amount to a lot of time and dice-rolling, but likely be fine, so...

Inian and Joakim take a different route, in order to avoid the explosive. They find a similar tripwire near his open bedroom window, but the father's bedroom window is accessible and safe.

As the angelic duo heads downstairs, he demon shouts a "FINE!" as his phone conversation ends, and there's a slight ribble of Noise as the phone shatters against the floor. Inian and Joakim are able to strike him from behind, distracted as he is, and get the momentum in the fight. He snarls at taking the blows, but his Resonance fails against the Seraph of War's will. He then proceeds to fight back, quite skillfully, but not quite on par with the martial angels.
When his teenage form is bloodied, he shifts to a different vessel -- that of a tattooed skinhead, one the angels knew he wore when he accosted Stone decades ago -- but it eventually also falls. Although both Joakim and Inian suffer some injury, the demon lays dead.

Searching his house uncovers some phones with perhaps info that Frez, Ofanite of Lightning, could gleam once he's back in town, but nothing of true use.
Of interest: during the fight, at one point the demon shouted, "Who sent you? Bethrezen?"

Spoiler

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Damage to each angel
Joakim (2d6)[7]
Inian (2d6)[6]

[bramblefoot]

"lets get the tech and get out" mutters joakim, hands clenched around the sledgehammer. "id prefer to avoid any entaglements with the law"

[JeenLeen]

Joakim

Inian nods, helps gather the items, and the duo is able to quietly exit the way they entered.
After some distance, Inian recommends using one of his burner phones to call in a tip to the police, including about the explosives. No need to harm innocents who might open a door, avoids Noise if the demon set the bombs himself, and that vessel being found in the house... well, it'd cause questions, but the questions would at least lead to that vessel being declared dead and fully destroying the demon's Role. If no objection, Inian does so and then destroys the phone.

---

Jerechial sends congratulations upon hearing about the death of the demon. He also offers to store the tech until Frez arrives, but leaves the decision up to Joakim.

Soon after, Inian gets a call. It's one of his contacts from the Gravel Pits. Apparently someone calling himself Neal has surfaced and is asking for a rematch. It's written off as a somewhat-tacky stunt for publicity, as obviously Neal was killed about a week ago... but some of the wealthier spectators want to see the rematch, so it's being called for. Anyway, there's good money if Inian is willing to fight.
Perhaps a new target for Joakim as well?

Katriel

As the Mecurian of Wind heads home, traffic and cop closures divert her path.
Perhaps coincidence, perhaps providence, but she finds herself near the drive-thru restaurant with a line of hungry people waiting for free food in its "walk-thru" line. Poppy's Diner, Tether to Gluttony. Last scouted some week ago by the long-recalled Kyriotate of Stone.