The GM says, "To recap: Blandine is arriving in a few days.  There has 
been a flood of outsider ethereals coming to Civis hoping to take 
advantage of the trip to get a word in with her outside of the Tower.  
You guys are dealing with one of a selection of issues, in this case a 
potential street fight between encampments of Navajo and Voodoun 
spirits."

The GM says, "Traveling with you is Anaba, someone from the Navajo camp 
who, according to his story, was accosted by a pair of minor loa and 
subjected to what appeared to be an attempted... something... which led 
to some bad feelings and at least one scuffle."

The GM says, "As we ended last time, you are approaching the loas' 
encampment near Factory to get their side of the story."

The GM says, "5 minutes, and if Jesdyn hasn't woken up we'll get 
started."

The GM says, "Well, let's fire it up.  Neil is with you, systematically 
Resonating everybody in sight and listening with a policeman's ear to 
what's going on."

Arc 3 (cont.): Men in Black, Angels in White

The GM says, "Ekur, you're back in charge."

The GM says, "The three of you drive up in the Judgmentmobile to the 
encampent of the loa in Civis: this is the scrapyard behind Factory, 
which is a bare stretch of land filled with piles of rusted metal and car 
parts."

The GM says, "Two of the piles have been slightly reorganized, and a pair 
of ethereals in the form of somewhat-scrawny African human males is 
standing in front of them, smoking."

The GM says, "They catch sight of the Judgmentmobile and one of them 
drops his jaw slightly, the cigar hanging loose.  He nudges his buddy, 
and they stare as you get out."

Thais climbs out of the car, and resonates both of the ethereals, 
absently tucking an errant ribbon back behind one ear again.

roll 3d6

On 3d6, you rolled 11.

roll 3d6

On 3d6, you rolled 12.

Ekur autorezes both.  Reaction if I bring up the kidnapping attempt 
directly.

William [to Thais]: Both of them exhibit a few honorable and dishonorable 
acts akin to those of grunt workers anywhere -- dedication to duty, 
occasionally slacking off for some entertainment or another.  The fellow 
on the right will bunk off a mission for a good gambling sometimes.

William [to Ekur]: They have been a bit bored but are now a bit amused.  
Their reaction would depend on the context in which you brought it up, 
but they would begin taking your visit more seriously.

The GM says, "The first guy removes the cigar and says, 'C'est une 
voiture intressante.  L'avez-vous obtenue d'Eli?'  The other laughs."

Ekur . o O ( Rats. )

Thais waits for one of the more socially-minded angels to approach, hands 
tucked behind her back.

The GM says, "Neil looks them over and waits for Ekur in turn."

Ekur smiles at both.  "Hi.  Could you direct us to somebody in charge 
around here?  We have important business, and we're in a hurry."

Jesdyn materializes out of thin air.

Jesdyn winces.

The GM says, "Hoi."

Jesdyn says, "Sorry."

Jesdyn has made Jesdyn's local name Neil

The first guy says again, with a heavy French accent, "Agau is the boss 
here.  He's near the Factory, head on in."

The GM says, "Hang on a sec, I'll bring Jesdyn up to speed.  Jesdyn, step 
outside for a second and I'll paste, it's only a couple of screens."

[ snip : this is done. ]

The GM says, "Allright, on with game."

Ekur says, "Neil, you're a cop, why don't you take the lead here?"

Neil says, "Sure."

Neil moves to the front and heads into the factory with Anaba.

The GM says, "You're not in the factory, you're in the scrapyard behind 
it."

Neil . o O ( Right, sorry. )

Ekur follows Neil, zapping everyone (if anyone) he sees on the way with 
his auto-resonance.

Neil heads on to see Agau.

The GM says, "Loa in human-looking icons and varying apparent levels of 
technology from 'Stone Age' to 'modern street rat' have set up little 
campsites among, atop, and in some cases below the piles of shaped metal 
scraps on the sandy dirt."

Neil . o O ( Does this imply a lack of dreamshaping skill, or is this the 
look they /want/? )

Ekur is especially looking for any reactions to Anaba's presence.

William [to Ekur]: Of the twenty or so loa present at the encampment, 
most don't seem to care about the Navajo spirit with you.  Three, 
however, react with distinct displeasure to his presence.  They keep 
quiet and watch you for the moment.  None of the three are in Agau's 
immediate circle.

Jesdyn [to William]: Assuming Ekur points them out to me, I'll resonante 
the three looking for links common to those three but unshared by others.


fadethecat [to William]: Similarly, if those are pointed out, will 
resonate 'em.

The GM says, "Agau is pretty obvious, in a certain sense -- he's the one 
on which the resonances fail.  Also, he's apparently giving directions to 
several spirits in front of him, talking in French with a booming voice 
you can hear from across the encampment.  He's fairly short -- just under 
Thais' height, in fact -- but almost cartoonishly well-muscled and with a 
few ripples of fat."

roll 6 3d6

On 0d6, you rolled 0.

Ekur makes a note of them, to mention/point out when he thinks various 
Ethereals won't notice.

The GM says, "Hm.  Is there a multiple-roll command?"

"Ah well.  At the moment Ekur hasn't pointed it out, so not to worry yet.


The GM says, "Ah well.  At the moment Ekur hasn't pointed it out, so not 
to worry yet."

Ekur is trying for subtle, and figures saying "Hey, resonate THOSE GUYS" 
might provoke a possibly-hostile reaction.

Agau looks up and notices the three angels and the Navajo spirit coming 
toward him.  He looks Anaba over carefully but maintains a neutral 
expression.  He stops talking to the young-looking spirits in front of 
him and waits for you.

Neil greets Agau. "Hello. I'm Neil, with the Civis police. There's been a 
disturbance, and I need to ask you a few questions."

Agau booms, "I should say there has been!  What is the meaning of the 
attack on my campsite this morning?"

Neil replies, "They were under the impression that you and yours were 
trying to kidnap Navajo spirits."

Neil [Agau]: "They won't do that again."

William [to Ekur]: Two of the three you spotted earlier are getting more 
nervous as this talk goes on.

Ekur hmms.  What languages do Thais and Neil speak?

fadethecat [to StevenE]: ...English, I think? She gets a default language 
for her first time on Earth, but she's never actually held a Role.

Neil glances at Anaba. Anything caught his attention?

Agau snorts, and there is an echo as of rumbling earth.  "Insult!  Why 
would we need to kidnap spirits?  They wanted to run us out of town 
because we've been able to secure an appointment with the Lady and no one 
else has."

Ekur hmms.  No subtly notifying his fellow angels in Sanskrit, then.  
Okay, something bold.

William is assuming English for Thais and Neil, neither of whom have 
additional langauges.

Jesdyn [to William]: Right.

Jesdyn [to William]: I spent a point on it, actually.

William checks... so you did.

Ekur turns and points to the two ethereals who were getting more nervous, 
and says, "Would you gentlemen please join us for a moment?  I'd like you 
to help with our inquiries."

Thais promptly resonates Agau and the two ethereals who Ekur pointed out.


Neil glances at Ekur in surprise, and resonates the two.

The two pointed to startle, but sigh and come over reluctantly.  Agau 
glances at them.

roll 3d6

On 3d6, you rolled 7.

roll 3d6

On 3d6, you rolled 11.

roll 3d6

On 3d6, you rolled 13.

roll 3d6

On 3d6, you rolled 9.

The GM says, "(typing)"

Neil [Agau]: "We had a report that two beings wearing Papa Legba's symbol 
assaulted a Navajo with a disorienting Song.

William [to Thais]: The first fellow is not a particularly ambitious one, 
as imprints on the Symphony go; his potential for honor and dishonor is 
limited more by his choices of superiors than anything else.  He, and the 
second ethereal, spring up to your resonance a pattern of honorable acts 
based most recently on obedience to a human sorcerer, as they believe loa 
have a holy duty to comply.  Dishonor has come from manipulating that 
relationship somewhat to help out in other jobs from the pantheon, 
although they feel it necessary.

William [to Neil]: These are fairly young loa who arose from ambient 
belief in the Crossroads, the Domain of the loa, both less than a hundred 
years old.  The first and second are respectively Jacques and Christophe, 
and they're fairly low on the totem pole as such things go among their 
pantheon.  The most important relationship Christophe is currently 
maintaining is one of an enforced duty.

The GM says, "(done)"

Neil nods slowly. "I don't think we'll take much of your time. We just 
need to take a few minutes and speak with anyone who could help us learn 
who might've been responsible.

The GM says, "Jacques says nothing.  Christophe shrugs."

Neil was speaking to Agau, sorry.

The GM says, "Ah, okay."

@emit Anaba says, "I think... I'm sorry, I can't tell if this is even 
them.  The memories are too hazy.  There's a ring of familiarity, but 
that, you know, it could be a mistake."

Ekur smiles slightly at the two.  "Gentlemen, is there any particular 
reason this topic of conversation made you nervous enough for me to 
notice it from across the room?"

Neil . o O ( Oh, /nice/ one. )

Christophe remains silent.

Jacques does too, for a moment... then he bursts out with, "Je ne 
comprends pas pourquoi les anges abritent un fugitif comme ceci!" and 
points at Anaba.

Agau roars at Jacques, "Parlez Anglais!"

Neil . o O ( Can Seraphs resonate languages they can't understand? )

William [to Neil]: <ooc> Beth suggests that they can but they get the 
response in the language spoken.  :^)

fadethecat [to William]: Hee. Evil.

Jacques shrinks back from Agau and says, "He shouldn't be with you.  He 
shouldn't be *here* at all.

Thais keeps her hands tucked behind her back, still listening quietly to 
what's being said. Pay no attention to the Malakite in the corner.

Jacques looks down at the ground, but flashes Anaba an angry look every 
now and then.  (Which Ekur's resonance confirms.)

StevenE [to William]: Res-question; how would Christophe react if I asked 
him if he were afraid of Anaba?

William [to StevenE]: In his current state of tension, he would probably 
attack Anaba.

Neil . o O ( Shoulda bought the taser. )

fadethecat [to Jesdyn]: ...I have a sword!

Neil [to Thais]: Killing him is contraindicated.

Neil snarls.

Jesdyn [to fadethecat]: Right.

William [to fadethecat]: Jesdyn and I were trying to work out ways to 
subdue an Ethereal opponent that wouldn't involve potentially-fatal Mind 
Hits.

Ekur [to Jacques] "Here like in this areas of Civis, or here as in Civis 
itself?"

Jacques withdraws a bit further.  "Here as in the Marches."

Christophe says, "Samedi gave us eyes to see.  Don't you know what you're 
traveling with?"

Anaba says, "I have every right to go where I wish, and be with the gods 
of my people."

Jacques says, "No.  You don't.  That's the point."

StevenE [to William]: Any reliable way to tell a dreamshade from an 
ethereal?

Neil is definitely going to wait for this discussion to play out.

William thinks.  Hang on, let me dig up the CPG.

The GM says, "No canonical word on whether they behave as a typical human 
for disturbance when attacked, etc.  They even regain Essence at midnight 
now."

The GM says, "There are clues that can be gained from resonances; for 
example, Neil knows that Anaba hails from New Mexico, not the Domain of 
the Navajo spirits, and Thais knows from previous resonance that he feels 
a duty to his fellow man."

Neil [to William]: Can I hit dreamshades?

William [to Neil]: No.  Unless, of course, it's just punishment.

fadethecat [to Jesdyn]: Dude, you can't hit anyone but demons.

fadethecat [to Jesdyn]: ...that aside, right.

The GM says, "Well, Neil can hit ethereals no problem."

Ekur looks over at Anaba.  "No, I fear my eyes cannot see.  Anaba, as a 
spirit, of what elements do you consist?"  [Is rezzing like mad to catch 
the reaction]

Neil [to William]: Which reminds me. What's the official law on 
dreamshades in Civis. No opinion or deport?

fadethecat [to William]: ...he can? But...Mercurian!

Anaba is quite calm, and says, "Humanity.  I was born in Santa Fe in 1924 
and died in action in Korea."

'fadethecat Ethereal is not the same as human.

William [to fadethecat]: Ethereal is not the same as human.

fadethecat [to William]: Yes, but Mercurians can't do violence to 
/anyone/, with demons being the exception. Not "no violence against 
humans." Er. Last I knew.

William [to fadethecat]: Nope, humans only.

fadethecat [to William]: Did they change that for the GURPS version, 
then?

William [to fadethecat]: I don't think so.  I'm pretty sure that's the 
way it is in the original too.

fadethecat [to William]: Because the IN version says "Violence generates 
dissonance, except against demons."

The GM says, "...er."

Jesdyn [to fadethecat]: Page 104 corebook, "Mercurians cannot be violent 
towards humans."

fadethecat [to William]: "Violence generates dissonance in Mercurians. 
...except against demons, who deserve such attention."

fadethecat [to Jesdyn]: ...I take it they changed it from my printing. 
Huh. Guess it was one of those things changed between printings; this is 
the first printing, after all. 'cause I'm on page 104, and that's not 
what it says in this version. My bad!

fadethecat [to William]: Sorry for the interruption, then. That's what 
happens when I regularly refer to the first printing. Lots of errata.

William nods.  At any rate.  Humans, which include dreamshades and (much 
to the disappointment of some of them) undead.

Ekur looks across to the ethereals.  "See, I was certain you could assist 
us.  Now if you could explain why there would be an attempt to kidnap a 
dreamshade, rather than report him to the Civis authorities, I believe 
our inquiries into the actions of the Voodoun spirits of Civis would be 
complete."

Neil looks curiously at Christophe. "How could you tell he was a 
dreamshade?"

Christophe looks at Ekur with a raised eyebrow.  "It's our job.  We just 
messed up, that's all."

Christophe says to Neil, "Gift of Samedi.  I see someone, I know whether 
or not they be walking dead."

StevenE [to William]: I'm council-police liason.  Do I know of any vodoun 
spirits authorized to detain dreamshades in Civis?  Or is this guy 
applying a job that he has in the marches-in-general freelance in Civis?

William [to StevenE]: He's not licensed by Civis; what you know is that 
the loa will often take it upon themselves to deal with ghosts, 
dreamshades, undead and the like.  The nice explanation is that they're 
doing it for the good of the Symphony and the individuals involved.  The 
more cynical explanation bandied about is that they're protecting turf.

William [to StevenE]: There's no particular reason you can think of for 
him to be so sub-rosa about it, though.

Jesdyn [to William]: Does Civis have laws on the books if it's legal or 
not to "deal" with dreamshades? I recall the matter came up before the 
original vote.

William [to Jesdyn]: Yes and no.  The basic rule is, don't encourage them 
to stick around.  They're supposed to move on.

Neil [to William]: ??? What am I supposed to do with that? Do they have 
protection under the law? Can they own property? Can they /be/ property? 
Can they be harmed? Sent on? Soulkilled?

Neil [to William]: I'm just trying to figure out if these guys comitted a 
crime or not.

Neil [to William]: If it was them, of course.

William [to Jesdyn]: Yes, Anaba is fleeing justice.  The Navajo who were 
harboring him were doing so in violation of heavenly law.  Kidnapping is 
also a crime, though in this case it appears to have been some kind of 
attempt to get Anaba to his final reward.

William [to Jesdyn]: Your main problem involved is that none of the 
people involved generally acknowledge Heavenly law -- although they did 
come to Civis, which suggests acceptance of the ground rules there.

William [to Jesdyn]: Nobody's hands are entirely clean here, I'm afraid.

Jesdyn [to William]: Good. Last question -- is this law pre-Civis and 
unvisited since or post-Civis or otherwise reaffirmed?

William [to Jesdyn]: To your knowledge, which is professional on the 
matter, no dreamshades have been reliably identified in Civis until now.

Ekur says, "This is not the wild lands, this is a city under the laws of 
God.  Violations of said law should be reported to the authorities of the 
city.  If you wish to enforce them yourselves, the police forces do 
accept recruits.  Vigilantism cannot be tolerated, lest the city descend 
into anarchy."

William [to Jesdyn]: The law is on the books and all three of you are 
aware of it.

Neil . o O ( Alright. Best case is to take Anaba into custody pending -- 
uhm -- sendingoffication, with a long enough timeframe for Agau and 
Nayenezgani to have some chance to appeal. )

Neil says, "So who did you call for help, who never answered?"

Jacques winces.  "Can't say," he mutters.

William [to Neil]: You might, however, consider personally what is 
actually *required* to send a dreamshade off.

William <ooc> Do any of you guys have the CPG?

Jesdyn [to William]: I have no idea. I suppose I'm not going to like it?

fadethecat [to William]: Can't find my copy.

roll 3d6

On 3d6, you rolled 5.

roll 3d6

On 3d6, you rolled 8.

roll 3d6

On 3d6, you rolled 9.

Neil says, "Does it have to do with the sorcerer you're bound to serve?"

Jacques does not speak, but locks eyes with Neil.

Ekur has CPG.  Dream-shades can be exorcised by sorcerous ritual.

The GM says, "Re: the IQ rolls, Ekur remembers (from long experience) and 
Thais remembers (from recent training) that it basically takes a Sorcerer 
if you want to *force* a dreamshade to move on.  Not even Superiors can 
do it, but a Banishing can."

Thais . o O ( Dealing with sorcerers: unlikely to be something my Lord 
would approve of. Crud. )

Jesdyn [to William]: Well, the options are to either beat them up, hold 
them indefinitely -- I suppose it's not strictly speaking unjust -- kick 
them out, or just shrug and ignore them.

Neil says, "How many shades have you found before Anaba?"

Christophe actually blushes.  "This was our first.  That's why we sort of 
messed it up."

Ekur says, "Who is the sorcerer you are working with, and where is he?"

William [to Ekur]: Both exhibit conflicting motivations.  Frustration 
increases.

Neil turns to Anaba. "We've got a problem here. It's a longshot, but I 
suppose I have to ask -- would you like to voluntarily release your hold 
on the Ethereal plane and ascend to face judgement or reincarnation?"

Anaba looks at Neil.  "No.  I'm serving my gods and my people.  I'm happy 
with what I do."

Agau says to Ekur, rather more quietly than before, "They may be under 
some kind of order that prevents them from answering your question."

Anaba says, "The Navajo were screwed over just slightly less than most 
other tribes, mainly because our land wasn't quite so valuable.  And when 
they needed code-talkers, I was there.  I signed up then for the same 
reason I'm here now: my people are important to me."

Ekur nods.  He leans over the Neil, and whispers, "I suggest we take 
these two and Anaba down to the government center for further inquiries 
and a judgment of the case.  I don't think things can go on much further 
here, do you?"

Neil nods to Ekur. "Christophe, Jacques, Anaba, we're all going to have 
to go to the city center and sort this out."

Agau says, "My men were acting in support of a well-known Heavenly law.  
You call it vigilantism, but there wasn't even any harm done on either 
side.  If you're going to take care of this ghost," he indicates Anaba, 
"I can call our job done and keep an eye on them.  Or order them to 
return to the Crossroads, if you wish."

Neil says, "What I wish is for these people to speak to a Seraph of 
Judgement. It may accept your offer of exile or probationary release, or 
decide that they did nothing wrong."

Neil says, "But they will come with me."

Agau takes a deep breath.  Earth rumbles, and a bit of sandy dust shakes 
off the wall of Factory nearby.  "Very well.  I will send two men to 
accompany them."

Thais says, mildly, "We appreciate your cooperation in this."

Neil says, "That's fine. I will make sure you have every opportunity 
you're due."

Ekur says, "Thank you.  I will speak of your cooperation to My Lady when 
I see her next."

Agau waves a hand at two fellows in dreadlocks nearby; they stand and 
come up next to Jacques and Christophe.

Anaba says, "If they're getting counsel I think we should stop by my 
encampment and pick up a witness too."

Neil says, "Nayenezgani was next on my list, Anaba. "

Anaba nods.

Thais . o O ( We're going to need a bigger Judgmentmobile. )

Neil turns to the four loa. "If you'll go to the City Center, we'll 
arrive soon after you."

Neil . o O ( They can't run without /really/ hosing Agua's day, and I'm 
not splitting the party. Again. )

Anaba stands still for a moment and reshapes his icon, resolving into a 
tanned Navajo male that looks to be about in his thirties, wearing 
unremarkable U.S. Army olive drab.

The two ethereals with the dreds blink, look to Agau for confirmation, 
and receive it.  They nod, and head toward City Hall with Jacques and 
Christophe.

Neil says, "Thank you for your time, Agau."

Neil returns to the car and drives the party back to the Navajo 
encampment.

On the way, Neil turns to Anaba. "I'm not sure what will happen now, 
actually. We haven't learned of any dreamshades in Civis; our laws were 
fairly clear. Did the Navajo spirits need you here so very badly?"

Anaba looks over at Neil sourly.  "We actually thought it would be a 
bonus; figured you guys would be more likely to listen to a human if our 
first attempts didn't work.  And since there wasn't really anything 
angels could *do* about it..." he shrugs.  "Didn't expect some random loa 
to be in the mood to try to take me out."

Neil says, "First attempts at what?"

Anaba says, "Getting to speak with Blandine.  The Guardians never let us 
through to the Vale, and when we try to send word by angels there's never 
a response.  You guys don't particularly like us.  Hell doesn't either, 
but they send their reps around."

Neil says, "What are you looking for, from her? An arrangement similar to 
the loa's?"

Ekur leans over and whispers to Thais, "Hey, you never know.  Maybe we'll 
be ambushed by a Baalite when we leave the Navajo camp."

Jesdyn [to fadethecat]: Or you could play another character while Thais 
is busy. My vehicle is self-willed. My Malak The Car?

fadethecat [to Jesdyn]: Heh.

Anaba says, "They're not interested in that.  Treaties with people like 
you never seem to work out according to the original terms.  We were 
going to propose an embassy exchange.  Spider Woman isn't as powerful as 
she used to be, and Hell's pretty damned insistent.  Just a couple of 
angels on long-term assignment in the Web would make things a lot 
easier."

Neil nods. "Seems a logical extension of Civis."

Anaba says, "If I could hang around long enough to propose this... that'd 
be, you know, nice."

Neil says, "I don't think that will be a problem. My hunch is that 
nobody's going to like any of the logical consequences of the law as 
written. Between a number of distasteful options and Nayenezgani 
stretching this out, I think you'll have all the time you'll need for 
this."

Neil . o O ( Anyone have any comment? I've covered all my points, here. )


Thais says, "I don't believe any of us are working on a time limit to 
solve this problem, at that. So long as we're avoiding direct violence, 
the formal resolution can wait... quite a while, as needed."

Anaba looks surprised.  "Wow.  That's, uh... that's a lot more decent of 
you than I... I mean, that would be great."

The GM says, "You arrive back at the Navajo campsite in the sand garden."


The GM says, "Several uses of the Celestial Song of Tongues, at intervals 
of a few minutes, can be heard from back near the campsite of the loa."

Neil revisits the Navajo leader. "Ya'at'eeh, Nayenezgani."

Nayenezgani says, "Ya'at'eeh, angel.  Did you locate the culprits?"

Neil says, "Yes, all of them. The loa responsible for attempting to 
kidnap and banish a dreamshade are awaiting us at the City Center. "

Nayenezgani says, "Splendid.  Thank you for your assistance."

Neil says, "The dreamshade illegal in Civis will be visiting there 
shortly as well. Anaba requested counsel, though."

Nayanezgani pauses.

Neil says, "It would help if he was also able to answer questions about 
why you were harboring such a fugitive from Judgement."

Nayanezgani says, "We act under our own laws, angel, not yours.  He is 
not a fugitive.  He is one of our honored dead.  He is a diplomat 
representing our home, and as such it is right that he be judged by his 
own laws.  This is, after all, an international norm on Earth, is it 
not?"

Neil says, "The Ethereal plane is very big. I just enforce the laws in 
this small part of it. Now, it happens that we haven't actually found a 
dreamshade in Civis yet, so I'm not sure just how those laws are going to 
apply."

Nayanezgani says, "Then I suggest that the solution is simple.  Leave 
Anaba with us to be judged by his own law, as diplomats do.  Consult with 
your masters and return when you have an interpretation of the relevant 
municipal laws."

Neil says, "That's a suggestion that a Seraph of Judgement will be happy 
to consider. The /application/ of those laws may be under debate, the 
laws themselves are not. And they will be enforced. "

Neil says, "If you'd like, you might speak to Anaba for a moment, but 
then we will need to leave with him and whatever witness or counsel you'd 
like to accompany him."

Nayanezgani's inscrutable ethereal icon is blank for a few seconds.  Then 
he says, "Our own laws will be enforced as well."  He signals for a 
female spirit standing nearby to go with Anaba.

Nayanezgani says something in Navajo to Anaba, who responds quietly.

The spirit, whose icon is the outline of a woman in a long dress with 
cornsilk-blonde hair, steps forward to go with you.

William [to Ekur]: The general mood of the campsite is turning slightly 
hostile.

Neil says, "Thank you for your cooperation. One last item -- vigilantism 
in Civis is not tolerated. I haven't bothered to find out who was 
involved in the scuffle at the junkyard, since the loa will likely not 
press charges."

Neil says, "If it recurs, you will be prosecuted -- and if my Lord wills, 
expelled from Civis at a minimum."

Nayanezgani stares impassively at Neil.  "We will wait to see what 
judgment is rendered upon those who would take Anaba from us."

Neil says, "So we will. "

Neil leaves with -- I hope the car seats six.

The GM says, "Err?  Five -- you three, Anaba, the woman?"

Neil [to William]: Oops, miscounted.

The GM says, "So, the Judgmentmobile can squeeze three in the back, no 
problem, and you get to City Hall soon enough.  The two ethereals with 
dreds are waiting out front with Jacques."

Neil says, "Thank you all for waiting. This way, please?"

Neil stops.

Neil says, "Where's Christophe?"

Jacques says, "He was summoned to Earth.  He had no choice but to go."

Jacques begins fading from sight.  He looks down and looks back up at 
you.  "Bye."  He vanishes.

Thais frowns for a moment, quietly. And makes a mental note to discuss 
the issue of sorcerers with the other angels at a later date.

Neil drums his fingers in frustration. This isn't a complication he 
foresaw.

There is the slightly puckered feel to the vicinity left after someone 
leaves one plane for another.

One of the Rastathereals looks at Neil and says in a deep voice, "Should 
we stay?  Or what?"

Neil glares at the two dread-locked loa. If they even look like they're 
going to laugh, he's going to bust them for Attempted Smiling.

Neil says, "I suppose not. But tell Agau I expect them here /as soon as 
possible/ and without delay."

Neil never had a collar go transplanar on him before, and did not enjoy 
it.

The two of them bow.  The one who spoke first turns to the other and 
says, "Vous allez aprs Jacques.  Je ferai rapport  Agau."

The second one nods.  The first turns to go back to the encampment of the 
loa, and the second one closes his eyes and concentrates.

roll 3d6

On 3d6, you rolled 12.

The GM says, "He vanishes from sight, following Jacques down to Earth."

Thais turns to Neil and Ekur. "Do we have a policy on dealing with 
sorcerers from here? I mean... the sorcerers aren't really /here/, but 
they're dragging out locals. I'm not sure if that falls under our 
jurisdiction or not."

Ekur pauses.  "Wait a second.  I know there's some cooperation with the 
loa, but they're still Ethereals.  And Ethereals are not supposed to be 
on Earth, even if they are chasing Jacques."

Neil says, "Road trip?"

Neil . o O ( It hadn't even occured to me until just now that we COULD 
chase them down. )

William [to StevenE]: Voodoun and Hindu ethereals are under suspension of 
the ban.

StevenE [to William]: Oh.  Okay.

William  <ooc> Not a setting element I made up, I swear.

The GM says, "You have about a minute to decide whether you want to head 
to Earth before the trail closes off."

Jesdyn [to William]: We can get there from /here/?

fadethecat [to Jesdyn]: Following someone, sure. Just like following 
someone from Heaven.

The GM says, "As fade says.  Just a Will roll, no Essence to go down.  
You'll appear... from the Marches, I think you'll appear in your Vessel, 
with the usual Disturbance equal to Forces."

Ekur says, "Let's follow; I'd like to talk to this sorcerer.  Anaba, we 
will be right back, so I strongly suggest you don't go anywhere."

Neil dashes a quick CelTongues to police admin at City Center telling 'em 
he's in hot pursuit.

Neil says, "Yes, let's go."

Anaba says mildly, "Allright."

Thais nods, eyes bright. "Earth," she says quietly. "How...different."

Jesdyn [to William]: If from the Marches you can go to Earth, what's the 
point of a Tether?

William [to Jesdyn]: Well... Essence... being able to go without someone 
being Summoned... status... 

The GM says, "All three of you go down?"

Neil [to William]: Okay, got it. Just wasn't sure.

fadethecat [to Jesdyn]: You can't just drop to Earth wherever you want, 
or at any time. You can only follow someone, or return to the last place 
where you ascended.

fadethecat [to William]: Presumably so.

roll 3d6

On 3d6, you rolled 9.

roll 3d6

On 3d6, you rolled 11.

roll 3d6

On 3d6, you rolled 7.

The GM says, "Ekur descends, and hears 19 notes of Disturbance."

The GM says, "Thais descends, and hears 28."

The GM says, "Neil descends to the clanging Symphonic racket of 37 notes 
of Disturbance."

Neil shakes his head from the racket and looks around.

Ekur mutters a bit.  "You'd think, in six thousand years, I could arrange 
to get a Vessel with a working leg and eyes put on standby."

The GM says, "Seven of you crowd a straw hut barely big enough to hold 
you.  Sun leaks in through holes in the roof, bright sun.  A hot wind 
blows in circles from the door, out of which you can see a dry savannah."


Neil says, "Where's your summoner?"

The GM says, "The dreadlocked ethereal is holding a vociferous argument 
in French with a wizened old human male, skin blacker than jet and hair 
whiter than ivory, with Jacques and Christophe standing by.  Christophe 
sees you and takes off running."

Neil dashes off after him.

Neil says, "Christophe! If you run you'll cause Agau trouble!"

Ekur stays here with the old man and Jacques, since he doesn't have a 
chance of catching up with Neil on his crippled leg.

Neil says, "Do you WANT to screw up his talks with the White Lady!"

Christophe looks back and sees Neil catching up pretty quickly -- it was 
hardly even a race -- and decides surrender is the better part of valor.  
He halts dejectedly.

Thais waits patiently back by Ekur, on the principle that she doesn't 
really want to go tackling confusing ethereals. And pings the old man 
while she's there.

Ekur performs the Corporeal Song of Tongues.

roll 3d6

On 3d6, you rolled 13.

Neil returns with Christophe in tow.

roll 3d6

On 3d6, you rolled 10.

Neil pings... everyone, the Rastathereals and the old man.

William [to Thais]: The old man's most recent dishonorable act was 
calling up a Petro spirit to curse a man who had been coming around 
looking for young girls to immigrate to America (he knew damn well what 
was going to happen to them).  Most recent honorable act, paying for the 
task he asked for by helping out with a request in exchange from the loa 
he had summoned.  Something involving a ghost.

William [to Ekur]: The Song works.

Back inside the hut, the old man pauses and looks at the three, then two, 
of you.  "Et qui tes-vous?!"  (Ekur: "And who are you?")

Ekur looks to the old man.  "We are angels of the Lord, who were watching 
over these spirits when they disappeared.  We followed to recover them, 
and to meet their summoner."

Ekur resonates the old man.

William [to Neil]: The Rastathereals are loa from the Crossroads of 
middling status, experienced and authoritative over the younger elements 
of the pantheon.  The old man is Philippe Charboneaux, who was born here 
in Cote d'Ivoire and has lived here all his life.  He's respected, albeit 
a bit feared, in the community for his magical prowess.

roll 3d6

On 3d6, you rolled 11.

William [to Ekur]: The man is confused about who all these extra spirits 
are.  They called him for help and he got all these spirits he didn't 
summon.  He's a little frightened but trying to put a brave face on it, 
he's not going to be pushed around by the loa, especially if some of them 
turn out to be evil.

William [to Ekur]: He's eyeing your crippled leg with some noticeable 
suspicion, for that matter.

Thais smiles politely at the old man, but doesn't speak French, so she's 
going to have to let someone else handle the talking.

Philippe says, in French, "Angels of the Lord?  Which Lord?  God?  What 
do you mean, watching over them?"

William <ooc>Ping?

Neil says, "I'm here but silent."

fadethecat [to William]: I...can't do French. Waiting for Ekur to speak.

Ekur says, "The Lord God, Who delivered Moses out of Egypt a few thousand 
years or so after my leg was crippled by a demon in Babylon.  And, 
specifically, we were watching them because there had been a scuffle in a 
city of angels in the land of spirits.""

Philippe visibly thinks this over and accepts it with a firm nod.  "That 
makes sense."

Philippe says, "So, are you friends of these two then?"

The Rastathereal chuckles.

Neil . o O ( We're their best friends ever, because if these clowns make 
any trouble before the conference with Blandine Agau's going to use their 
corporeal forces for toilet seat liners. )

Ekur says, "Let me introduce them.  This is Thais, an angel of the Sword 
of Honor.  This is Neil, an angel of Judgement and Friend of Man.  I am 
Ekur, an angel of Dreams.  These other two are spirits who were assisting 
us for the spirit Agau."

William <ooc> There's only one Rastathereal there, the other went back to 
report to Agau.

Ekur . o O ( "This other one is a spirit who was  . . . )

Philippe takes all this in stride.  "Agau is a powerful loa, but angels 
of God are greater, this we know.  Very well then.  Why did you come when 
I called them?  What business do you have with me?"

Ekur says, "First we wished to see where the spirits we were watching had 
gone.  Second, we were concerned about you, for many of the men able to 
command the spirits learned that power from the enemies of God."

Philippe straightens up an inch or so, which still isn't very much.  "I 
am no witch!  I learned my craft from the priest before me, and him 
before him!"

Ekur says, "Certainly.  And we know that now, where we did not know that 
before."

Philippe pauses in mid-outrage, and deflates.  "Good then."

Philippe thinks of something.  "Why did Christophe run from you?  Has he 
done something wrong?"

Ekur says, "Not truly wrong, but something that caused trouble 
nontheless.  A scuffle among the spirits in the city of angels happened 
because a ghost living with one group of spirits was accosted by him.  
While it is a good thing to convince the ghosts to move on, in this case 
it upset some spirits."

Philippe ahs.  "That's what they wanted me to help with.  Except the 
ritual I tried didn't work."

Neil . o O ( ... ... ... /uh-oh/. )

Philippe brightens.  "I think I figured it out though.  Although it's 
really hard.  I have to work the call while I'm dreaming, otherwise it 
doesn't reach the dream-ghost, you see."

Ekur brings Thais and Neil up to date on the discussion so far.

Thais nods, and says, "Perhaps we can ask him to wait on this task? If 
only so that we can let that man present his petition before anything 
else happens, as we said we could."

Neil . o O ( I don't like dreaming Sorcerers! "Civis now votes on the 
Neil Amendment, to wit: Being a human or a dreamshade that Neil hit is a 
crime punishable by being hit by Neil." )

Neil says, "Surely he can delay a little while."

Ekur smiles to the man.  "There is, at the moment, some unresolved 
business between the dream-ghots spirits and an Archangel, and we would 
appreciate your delaying sending him on for a month or so.  Could you 
wait that long for us?"

William [to Neil]: Dominic would *so* slap you with a point of Dissonance 
for suggesting that and order you to study the history of open 
Judgment-Game cooperation during the Legion incident to learn the 
difference between rules-lawyering and the rule of law. ;^)

@emit Philippe says, "Eh?  Sure, I can wait.  If you two don't mind the 
delay," and he turns to Jacques and Christophe.  Both declare their 
acceptance of the situation.

Philippe says, "Eh?  Sure, I can wait.  If you two don't mind the delay," 
and he turns to Jacques and Christophe.  Both declare their acceptance of 
the situation.

Ekur says, "I believe that concludes our business here.  Does anyone have 
any issues he'd like to raise?"

Neil . o O ( Is leaving going to cause the same racket? )

William [to Neil]: You *can't* leave the same way, actually.  Everyone 
involved will need to sleep, or use a Tether.  In the case of the 
Ethereals, they can be banished.

Jesdyn [to William]: Would it be faster to go CelForm and take a fast 
transport to Civis from Heaven?

StevenE [to William]: If we go to sleep, our vessels are left on the 
Corporeal, right?

William [to Jesdyn]: It would still take the better part of a night's 
travel, depending on intervening travel conditions (i.e., how well you 
roll).  And Steven, yes but an angel in the Marches can choose to 
discorporealize his Vessel, IIRC.  Doublechecking...

William [to StevenE]: ...hmm, possibly not.  Tether or ascend to Heart, 
then.

The GM says, "For the Ethereals, it's a Marches-Tether (vanishingly 
rare), banishment, or corporeal death."

William checks EPG.  Oh wait, no.  They can ascend with an Essence and a 
Will roll.  (So Christophe and Jacques had been willfully staying behind 
until they were caught.)

The GM says, "However, doing so would send them to their anchor at the 
Crossroads."

Ekur . o O ( Okay.  And if I take CelForm, I get Dissonance.  So my 
choices are sleeping or finding a tether . . . hmm. )

Neil . o O ( Can I get away with using a Heavenly tether for prisoner 
transport? )

The GM says, "And, ah-ha, EPG p. 89, I knew I was right.  You can sleep 
and de-manifest your Vessel."

William [to Jesdyn]: Ethereals can't ascend a Heavenly Tether anyway.

StevenE [to William]: Oh, good.  Okay.

Jesdyn [to William]: I suppose Celestials can't use a Marches Tether?

William [to Jesdyn]: Matter of fact, they can.  You're *better* than 
them.  :^)

Ekur says, "Phillipe, could you assist us by sending these spirits back 
to the other side?"

Neil . o O ( We'll load him up on Essence if we need to. )

Jacques speaks up hastily: "Ah, that's a little uncomfortable and won't 
be necessary; I can head back myself.  Well, sort of.  There's no way for 
me to get back to Nod immediately."

Christophe says, "We'll have to head back to the Crossroads."

Ekur pings Jacques.

roll 3d6

On 3d6, you rolled 12.

William [to Ekur]: He's currently motivated by trying to avoid 
discomfort, and is in a mood of tension currently flavored by haste.

Neil . o O ( I think it may be objectively necessary to beat them about 
the head and shoulders until they promise to come straight home. )

Philippe murmurs to the Rastathereal, "This is fascinating.  Never seen 
anything like it in all my life.  Papa Bernard never talked about 
anything like this happening..."

StevenE [to William]: Does banishment take them back to Civis, or the 
crossroads?

William [to StevenE]: Doesn't strictly say, but I think it makes 
mechanical sense to send them back to the Crossroads that way as well.

Ekur looks over to Neil.  "I can't see any practical way of getting them 
back to Civis directly, and while they caused trouble, it was apparently 
just a case of overzealousness.  Let them off with a warning not to go 
freelance-banishing dreamshades in Civis, and tell them to check in with 
the city officials when they next visit Civis?"

Neil says, "That sounds fair enough."

Neil says, "I have some rocks that need breaking."

Christophe says, "Sweet!"

Neil says, "And some dreamstuff that needs being formed into rocks."

Jacques says, "In that case, can we just stay here?  We already know 
Philippe."

fadethecat [to Jesdyn]: ...hee.

Neil says, "... everyone else but the one actually innocent guy is going 
to get away with this caper."

Neil says, "Sure. Fine. Stay with Phillipe. "

Ekur smiles to Phillipe.  "Keep an eye on those two.  Lots of enthusiasm, 
not quite enough good sense."

William [to Neil]: If you honestly believe that guilty parties are 
gettting away with a crime, it's not *technically* Dissonant, but the 
Word of Judgment is gnawing on your gut!

William [to Neil]: If it's the best you can think of, though...

Neil says, "Jacques. You can stay here, because what it would take to get 
you back to Civis would probably be an unjust demand. But as God and 
Dominic as my witness, if you cause any trouble to man or Heaven I'm 
going to take it extremely personally."

Neil . o O ( There, problem solved. )

Jacques says to Neil, "Understood."

Ekur sotto voice, to Neil.  "If you're really bothered, we could go back 
to asking Phillipe to banish them.  That'll be discomfort imposed for the 
discomfort they did to Anaba."

Jacques and Christophe appear to be quite happy with the way things are 
turning out.

Neil replies, "Nah. I'm not going to punish just to punish, and I don't 
have any way to impose a Divine Contract or Geas so that they can get 
some useful task done."

The Rastathereal raises his eyebrows and says in English, "You want to 
give an ethereal an order?"  He jerks his thumb at Philippe.

Neil says, "Saaaaaaay. That would work, wouldn't it."

Philippe looks at the Rastathereal, then you, blankly.

Neil . o O ( But what to suggest? )

Neil says, "Ekur, that might be worth doing. I think Jacques and 
Christophe are yearning for the chance to do good works."

Ekur nods.  "Any good works in particular you have in mind?"

Thais keeps her mouth firmly shut. Her own opinions on good works and 
free will and honor fray a little when dealing with a not-really-evil 
sorcerer and a set of ethereals on Earth, approved or otherwise.

Neil says, "Philippe seems an honest man, who wouldn't use the power of 
the spirits for personal, petty causes. Maybe he deserves a reward."

Neil says, "A newly thatched roof, for starters."

Neil says, "Of course, someone will have to mat the straw."

Neil says, "After someone cuts it, to be sure."

Neil says, "And... ah. I think I've got it."

Neil says, "Yes. That would do nicely."

[ snip msg'ing ]

Thais clears her throat. "Ekur, Neil, just a moment?"

Neil smiles kindly at Christophe and Jacques. "One moment, please."

fadethecat [to William]: ...actually, I'm not sure how Thais /would/ look 
on her readings about what he's been doing with spirits lately. I'm a 
little fuzzy on the Heavenly law in these matters.

William [to fadethecat]: Well, one the one hand, he was definitely doing 
it more out of personal vengeance and wrath than inflicting just 
punishment.  Also, he did it summoning a spirit (Christophe) to hex the 
dickens out of him with a Luck affinity.  Technically, no laws of Heaven 
were broken.  And not really any laws of man.  It wasn't a *nice* thing 
to do, but it was, from another point of view, justified.  Thais will 
have to make up her own mind how she feels about all that.

fadethecat [to William]: She's all for the righteous smiting of the evil. 
She's iffy about the summoning ethereals issue, but sees nothing wrong 
with what he had them do.

William [to fadethecat]: In that case, no worries.

Neil [to William]: How much authority do I have in Civis? Would I be able 
to get away for a week or so if I thought I had a really good reason? The 
idea that ethereals can get summoned away from /me/ is one I'd like to 
nip in the bud, and I've got a cunning plan.

William [to Neil]: You're pretty independent, especially if whatever 
you've got in mind would later assist your duties there.  'Triads-of-one' 
tend to have a fair sweep of latitude.

Thais quietly passes on the reading she got, with the caveat that /she/ 
doesn't have any problem with how this was handled, but leaves it to 
their more expert opinions on such things.

Neil listens, and smirks. "That's good to know."

-Neil As long as you have a solid justification when it comes time for 
your weekly visit, no one else is likely to gainsay whatever Dominic 
decides.

William [to Neil]: As long as you have a solid justification when it 
comes time for your weekly visit, no one else is likely to gainsay 
whatever Dominic decides.

Ekur nods to Thais.  "I agree with you."

Neil . o O ( I'm not sure that Dominic is going to go for this, but I'll 
accept a reprimand if it comes to it; this is important. )

[ msg'ing snipped ]

Your message has been sent.

Neil breaks and returns to the group. "Jacques, Christophe, in exchange 
for you basically getting to walk over this matter, I have a small task 
for you. Philippe is very concerned about a man recruiting girls into 
rape and slavery, and I think this village could use some measure of 
protection against him and any allies he might have.

Neil grins like a shark. "How's your hand-to-hand?"

Christophe and Philippe look at each other, and Christophe looks back at 
Neil.  "'S okay... can usually fight off something if I'm walking between 
Domains."

Neil says, "Hmm. No formal training?"

Christophe says, "Not really.  Just surviving in the Marches.  That's the 
way it goes."

Neil says, "Well. I can help you out gentlemen out. "

Neil says, "Ekur, please ask Philippe to bind Christophe and Jacques here 
for a week or so; I'll be staying behind to train them in Judo. 
Christophe's endurance and form are shameful, I think some angelic 
training would do both of them a world of good."

Neil says, "And since we're in vessels without the need for sleep, they 
should have a definite grounding in the basics before I have to return."

Ekur passes the request on to Phillipe.

Neil says, "A week or so of constant sparring -- and running, I think, 
Christophe, that was pitiful -- should be just what you need."

Philippe blinks and says, "Okay, I can do that.  Pretty easy if they 
agree."

Neil . o O ( And then nobody will pull this stunt EVER AGAIN, because 
this was only the WARNING, and now I know a sorcerer. (: )

Thais smiles sweetly at everyone present, and admires Neil's approach to 
the problem. Training in self-defense is always a good idea!

Jacques and Christophe look at each other quizzically but aren't really 
complaining.  They go through the motions of a Will-War with Philippe, 
surrender, and are bound to his orders, which he gives as requested.  
This doesn't even make any Disturbance, and by the time the orders are 
done the racket from earlier has faded away.

Philippe asks, "I do not quite understand.  You are giving them training 
in fighting?  This is a punishment?"

Neil assumes Ekur translated. "It will be in a week."

Philippe accepts this bemusedly.

Neil . o O ( Alright. Ten laps around Africa. Go! Go! Go! )

Ekur looks over to neil.  "Okay.  If you're going to stay here, well, 
Thais and I should head on back to Civis to deal with the Anaba matter."

Thais nods. "The corporeal plane isn't a place I'm much used to." And she 
has been looking around curiously, if discreetly. It's much like the 
ethereal plane, but so...solid.

Neil says, "Right. I don't think there's much left for us to do, just 
file a report and leave it to higher-up to settle. We aren't needed for 
city security, and the worst of the problems in the city are now under 
control. I'll make my way back to Civis through Heaven in a week -- 
anything I need to pick up or messages to send?"

Ekur says, "I don't think so.  Everybody I knew on this plane is dead six 
thousand years or so."

Neil meant in Heaven.

The Rastathereal scratches his ear.  "Indeed.  If everything is done 
here, I shall head back home myself and report to my superiors as well.  
They will no doubt want to know what is going on, and probably let Agau 
know as well."

Neil says, "Please do. Thank you for being so quick to follow your 
charges."

Neil says, "I appreciate it."

Ekur nods, and sits down to make his Lucid Dreaming roll to return to the 
Marches.

Thais waves to Neil, and follows Ekur's example.

Philippe looks at Ekur and Thais queryingly, and the Rastathereal 
explains that the angels will get back to the dream-city by dreaming, 
they will vanish once they fall asleep.

roll 3d6

On 3d6, you rolled 9.

roll 3d6

On 3d6, you rolled 14.

The GM says, "Within a few minutes, Ekur and Thais are both in the Vale 
near the foot of Blandine's Tower."

Thais stretches, and smiles. "Back home, then. You know, some time I 
ought to find a chance to take a vacation and visit the corporeal plane 
for a little longer. See what it's really like."

Ekur says, "I shouldn't have told Anaba I'd be right back.  It's going to 
take us some time to get back to Civis."

Neil sends a CelTongues song home and tells the same admin contact he'll 
be back in week, and that the others will return in a day. Then he tells 
Jacques to stop retching, he'd already puked up everything he ate.

Thais says, "Would you like me to message him and let him know it'll be 
longer than we expected?"

StevenE [to fadethecat]: Yeah, that would be a good idea.

Ekur [to Thais]: Yeah, that would be a good idea.

William <ooc> Ekur may be forgetting since he's only recently had 
practice with the Song.  But you did spend a point on Celestial Tongues 
during that hiatus of a few years.  :^)

Ekur actually was about to use it to call him, but Thais offered, and 
Ekur politely accepted, given that he'd already done a Song today.

William *nod*

Thais composes a brief "Have to return to Civis, we'll be a bit longer 
than expected" message for Anaba, and sends it on its way with a bit of 
Essence.

A Friend of Dreams pauses you on your way out of the Vale, with 
congratulations for Ekur on his pending promotion tomorrow and 
confirmation that the city's in good shape for her arrival.

Ekur thinks him, says they've just resolved one issue that was coming up, 
and they're headed back to solve any last-minute crises.

Splendid, splendid.  She's due to arrive next local dawn, a little under 
a full day.

The GM says, "And off to Civis."

roll 3d6

On 3d6, you rolled 14.

The GM says, "The trip takes until noon; no flares erupt over the Marches 
at this particular time, though a subtle ripple tends to wash over the 
Vale as humans asleep at a particular time regain Essence and use it for 
one reason or another."

The GM says, "You reach the Bounding Mountains, and as you step across 
the border you are approached by a pair of angels on patrol.  Several 
more are visible at short intervals away, more than are usually on during 
a normal day."

The patrol approaches.  "Civis is closed to nonresidents for the--" He 
recognizes Ekur.  "Oh, Vassal, pardon."  He salutes.

Ekur says, "Have there been any unusual disturbances that need 
attention?"

The patrolman says, "I'm afraid so, sir.  There's a group of Navajo 
spirits outside City Hall demanding that one of their citizens be let out 
of confinement.  I haven't gotten all the details, but they say Heaven 
let someone attack him and go free."

The patrolman says, "They're under arms but the Kyriotates have more 
arms, if you know what I mean, so they haven't done anything really 
stupid yet.  There are a bunch of fairies trying to get a riot started, 
though."

Ekur nods, and heads striaght for city hall.

Thais sighs, and follows Ekur. "Why can't people be polite and 
reasonable? Is that so much to ask? ...and why are fairies trying to 
riot, anyway?"

William <ooc> And it's 11pm here, so I'll need to hang us off this cliff 
for the night.