Friday: Adding Chlorine to the Gene-Pool

In the wake of the events of Tuesday past, once more reality returns to the level of normalcy that is expected. Which is to say that things were odd, but in an established sort of way. Besides it was Friday, and the Frat-Boys had been partying since Thursday night.

A wiry looking drifter waltzes into town. The wind to his rear, and SWT rising before him. If any cared to ask, his name was Jack Nance. But he would soon find that this would be his last dance.

In a flower shop, conveniently located on the square, a florist tends to her flowers. Her name is April, appropriate for an artist of all things floral. In the background a television is turned to one of the Austin area stations. The midday news is on, and she patiently awaits for the special report on Petunias. Just before the commercial break, they announce that they will go live at events unfolding on the SWT quad. Naturally, she ignores it for the moment.

Down in the city youth shelter, the TV is turned to the daily news report. Various residents also hear of the happenings on the campus. Including one Juan De LaCruz, one the shelter's volunteers and teachers.

In one of the Math Department's many campus facilities, one Associate Professor Emily Hargill is teaching her vast class of students the more delicate points of finite mathematics. Of her students, half of them are either drooling over the fact they are completely lost, or her (shall we say. . .) interesting physique. The other half are distracted by the angered shouts coming from the quad outside.

Having found himself dangerously close to the Campus, Jack senses a disturbance within the Symphony. Overly curious, he goes to find out just what caused it. . . You know what they say about curious cats.

With the end of her class, Emily decides to passively inspect the cluster of souls that spiral outward from the solitary individual standing in the center. Her interests are definitely peeked because he is also close to the point of origin of the Symphonic echoes.

In the nearby square, April fails to notice the interference emanating from the campus. She continues with her mystical herbal workings. Trimming a dead leaf here, adding nutrients to the soil there, playing Vivaldi for the sickly Rosebush.

At the retreat, Juan's attentions are suddenly drawn to the flickering images upon the infernal device. He momentarily considered dismantling the damned thing for a more creative use, however that was not what troubled him the most. . .

". . .And with Might, and Furious Anger, we shall strike at thee. In the glorious vision, the corrupt and immoral establishment shall be forcibly dismantled. All such corruption and fetid ideals shall be purged with the bludgeoning of our fists. . .," the Reverend shouts to the gathering. He clenches his fist, and raises the 'Mighty Squeaky Hammer of Smiting (TM)' high into the air.

Acting as the as the antithetical eye of the writhing tempest of humanity, the Reverend has enthralled the assembly with his divine words. Ah, but who is this mysterious prophet, upon which the eyes and ears of a multitude are drawn? For it -is- the human soul who perished a scant three days past. One cannot avoid the correlation between this miraculous event, and one that took place nearly two thousand years before. It is for this reason, if not for the near riot like proportions of the surrounding crowd, that the full attentions of the media turn their gaze in his blessed direction.

Curious Jack is drawn further into the chaos, a devious smile on his face. The glint in his eye betraying the more than passing interest in the Prophet's Mighty Squeaky Hammer of Smiting (TM). He weaves his way through the crowd, somehow knowing the right ways to step. Bringing him ever so close to the raised dais upon which the Prize awaits.

Oblivious to the happenings nearby, April continued to care for her wards. With a delightful smile, she waters a frail Orchid.

The reappearance of a once thought dead mortal being, has definitely perked the interests of one of the town's resident Angels. As such, Juan gave the appropriate excuses, and made with haste to the sight of the rally.

Emily watches with detached bemusement, unwilling to act unless she can find a way to improve her better interests. A girl has to look out for herself, after all.

"What about the People?," Jack, asks in his oil-slick tone.

The Reverend narrows his gaze upon Jack. "If the People are corrupt, than we shall smite them too!" With a swift motion, he lets the hammer fall upon the forehead of the non-believer.

SQUEAK!!!

Only momentarily dazed, Jack collects his icy demeanor together. "Honestly, you would even Smite the Poor?"

"If they are Immoral, Smite! Smite-Smite!"

SQUEAK!!!

SQUEAK - SQUEAK!!!

The crowd explodes into a swirling storm of angered shouts.

Intending to make away with the Reverend's instrument of punishment, Jack formulates an intricate plan. Going through the subtle weaveries, the Celestial Song of Motion is sung.

The plan falls flatly on its face, and attracts the attentions of a pair of strangers. Who make a beeline directly to the inquisitive Jack.

A crisply ironed ivory shirt, black trousers, a power tie, immaculately polished Italian leather shoes, a pair of 'Beyond the Event Horizon®' sunglasses, the oppressive 'Trenchcoat of Holding (TM)', and the standard issue fedora. Uniform for the nefarious Men in Black©® (TM)FNORD.

Though the quieter half of the duo appears to be less than pristine. His shirt is cursed with several day-old wrinkles. Grease stains and dust, camouflage large portions of his trenchcoat. His fedora has seen better days, as has his shoes. His sunglasses are horribly scratched.

"I wouldn't do that, if I were you," says the taller of the two newcomers. There is the hint of an obsessive nature surrounding his deep shadowy gaze. "We can provide you with information, though. If you'd only come with us."

The silent one scowls darkly at Jack.

Giving the dorkly duo the biggest blow-off ever, Jack proceeds with a slightly modified variant of his plan. . .

"Let me go!" scowls the Reverend, as he is deftly grabbed by the spirited Jack.

The teeming masses, both devoted and opposed to the Prophet's ideals, react with in a thunderous cataclysm of uncaged anarchy.

A camera wielding lackey is momentarily deafened by the shouts exploding from his earpiece, "Are you getting all this? You better be. . ." Reacting quickly, he turns the volume down on the continuous feed he's getting from the on-site producer. Without doubt, envisioned to be shaking the Remote Satellite Broadcast van with wild enthusiasm.

Juan arrives on the scene. He doesn't seem terribly phased by the ruckus going on at this moment. It may indeed be a riot, but they are all acting in unison in a nigh-creative performance. Besides which, no-one's forced his hand yet.

April suddenly takes a desperate interest in the events unfolding. Not only is one of those who she is Attuned in possible danger, a violent encounter is erupting at the nearby campus, and the Mortal she personally saw perish is alive and well -- much like another mortal who lived two millennia ago. She drops a gardening shovel, and swiftly moves to reach the nexus of Campus ruckus.

Emily yawns, a bored expression as usual. She waits for the right opportunity to help.

The two strangers make their way up the walk, headed to a more suitable location somewhere up near Old Main.

Finding himself assaulted by a mass of frothy mouthed sapiens, Jack decides to drop the would be Messiah and make a desperate escape. Conveniently a path that would allow him to rendezvous with the MiB's.

"Smite the non-believer!" he points toward Jack, with hisMighty Squeaky Hammer of Smiting (TM).

None to pleased with being rough-housed, the Good Reverend calls down the power of the Celestial Song of Light. Jack fails miserably, and takes the hit to his Vessel's back.

April finally arrives on the scene, and prepares to end the ongoing mayhem with her Ethereal Song of Harmony. She is stopped, when the very Symphony around her resonates loudly at the appearance of a kindly old man.

He turns his gaze, and Emily is reflected on his crystalline lenses. Walking at an unimportant pace, from the direction of the Campus library, he makes his way over to the Associate Professor. His ever present smile, sending cold shivers down the Free-Daughter's spine.

"Yves," curses Emily. "Prince Kronos is not going to be pleased. . ." She mutters in an inaudible voice.

Temporarily dazzled by the Reverend's counter-attack, Jack stumbles quite literally into the deadly grasp of one of the dark strangers.

"I told you so," says the taller one, as he brings his prey into a tight embrace. "Perhaps now you will listen to what I and my associate have to say."

Sensing that the needs of the entrapped Celestial to be of a greater destiny than his own appearance, or that of his current object of inquiry, he points the two Angelic servitors toward Jack's current locale.

Neither one to disobey the orders of Grandfather Destiny, Juan and April move to assist the bound Jack. Besides, seeing as the foci of all this mayhem, the Reverend, is nowhere to be seen, Juan thinks it would be more practical to tackle another problem instead.

Emily pretends to be real small, and quickly retreats into a nearby building.

Jack is held tightly by one, who shall henceforth be known as, 'Mr. Cuddles'.

"Your associate?" asks Jack.

"If you're real good, he'll let you call him Bob."

Bob growls menacingly in Jack's general direction.

Juan makes his way up the hill to do his part in manipulating Destiny. He also fully expects to start kicking some Diabolical hiney back to Hades.

April follows behind Juan, to make sure he doesn't get in too much trouble. Also, she expects Juan to negotiate in his usual, highly bloody, and violent manner. If anything, she'd like to hear what they have to say first.

Emily shrinks into a tight little consolidation of forces, as Yves follows her into the building she ducked into. They have a little chat. . .

With a smile, Yves spoke, "I want you to do me a favor." He produces a large, ornate, bracelet. The jewel encrusted surface sparkled brightly in the divine light of the sun.

The words smacked into Emily's being, like a mile long freight train running into a mid-sized compact. She saw the prismatic proliferations cast her mirror image into an immeasurable sphere.

When she was created, she made the choice to continue with her existence. Now she would pay the consequences of her action. The old man held one of the many Geases she still owed to Lilith. Her mother had made the necessary trade. Her loyalty to the elderly bastard, in exchange for a future favor from the ancient Archangel.

"You will help the others," he continued.

Emily found her voice, with but a touch of difficulty, "Wh. . . What sort of help do they need?"

His smile never wavers, damn him for it. "My child, the answer shall be clear to you when the time is right. Until then, help them to understand. You will know what to do. After all, it is Destiny."

Reaching toward the golden shackle, Emily places it upon her wrist. It fades away from the prying eyes of the mortal world, as would all other invoked Geases she holds. She has sacrificed a bit of her freedom, such that others may find theirs.

Meanwhile, the others rumble. . .

His vision finally clearing, Jack makes a critical move to escape his bonds.

Bob concentrates, and a vortex of unrefined entropy begins to take shape about his prey's arm.

Jack momentarily stumbles, but he manages to resist the unseen attack.

The entropic field ripples the fabric of reality until a nearby trashcan explodes into a numerous portions.

Unfortunately, Juan had been standing next to it at the time. Readying himself to vanquish the legions of Hell, he picks up the pockmarked remains of the can's lid. Flinging it toward Bob, his target is knocked back a few feet by the impact. The lid continues on its trajectory, only to come full circle back into Juan's steely grip.

Only stunned, Bob rises up to face his aggressor.

Juan narrows his gaze. The air crackles with Testosterone.

Arriving on the scene of the impending carnage, April acts swiftly by performing the Ethereal Song of Harmony.

And as the pair prepare to rip apart the other, the Symphony ripples with the tones of a peaceful harmony. "Stop!" calls April. Her voice ringing the final notes, her body tracing the last steps. "Now. Shall we try this again?"

"Yes," hisses Mr. Cuddles. He turns to Bob, "That's quite enough! We have our orders."

Bob growls in response, but otherwise takes no further action for the moment.

Juan mutters, "I didn't start this fight. . . But I'm going to finish it. . ."

April momentarily glares at Juan, and looks to Jack, "You all right?"

"Shaken, not stirred." Jack smiles.

After ample time to collect herself, Emily rushes up the hill to see what the other's have been doing in the meantime. She is obligated to help them, and there is no way out of it now.

Audibly clearing his throat, Mr. Cuddles continues, "We have information that can be of use to you. It concerns the Reverend."

"Why should we trust you?" both Juan and Jack ask in unison.

With a devious smile, comes the sinister answer, "Because, there is no one else you -CAN- trust."

Doing her part to help the forces of Good, Emily resonates on Bob with her Lilim of Fate Attunement. The Murderous/3 Discord he has makes her flinch.

Bob growls menacingly.

Mr. Cuddles turns his attentions to the recent newcomer, "This is none of your concern, Grey."

Putting on a seductive pout, Emily answers, "On the contrary, I have no choice but to be concerned now."

Using his resonance on Emily, Juan discovers that she is essentially selfish in nature, though quite honorable. Turning it to the two strangers, they appear to be quite loyal, but stink of a darker sort of honor.

Jack says, "What is the story with the Prophetic guy?"

"He was a Soldier of Laurence before his death. As is the reward of dutiful Kyriotates of the sword, the Reverend survived his wounds. But something happened. He's not quite in his right mind, you could say. My associate and I are willing to help you handle the matter."

His gaze firmly locked into Bob's, Juan considers his options in vanquishing the spawn of the Lightbringer. If only he could move a few yards over -there-, then we'll finish this.

"That's quite all right," answers April. She reaches her arm out to Juan, to bring him to some semblance of sanity. "We'll handle the matter ourselves."

Sardonically, Mr Cuddles says, "Your loss, cutey."

The soothing voice that had been providing rationale, fades into the background.

Bob rushes forward, his eyes alight with the fires of the great cauldera that is Sheol.

Waiting for this moment, Juan raises the metal disc high into the air. Steadying himself, he will be make certain that his next blow will send Bob back to his infernal heart.

April, being a Cherub of Flowers, reacts by singing another Ethereal Song of Harmony.

Spreading her arms wide, April's voice rings true with the gathering. Order once more is established. Save for one determined demon, Bob.

With a powerful yank, he is pulled back from his assault.

"Bob! The boss would be quite displeased if we disobeyed his orders." Putting on his sinister smile, Mr. Cuddles turns to the others. "With my apologies."

Bob growls quite loudly, but stands down from his attack .

Taking a moment to bow in flourish, Mr. Cuddles and Bob both turn to leave.

Now that things have calmed down a bit, the Celestial quartet makes the appropriate introductions. That Emily is a one of the Band of Lilim makes the group wary, however they put their faith in the fact that the Lord does indeed work in mysterious ways.

Heading back to the Quad, the group locates and interrogates one of the Reverend's 'Followers' about his whereabouts. He reveals that the good Reverend should be attending a blow-out party tonight at a location near west-campus. A place he refers to as, 'The Love Shack.'

It comes as no surprise that this building is already suspected of being a Tether to the Infernal word of Lust.

As the party is not likely to be starting until closer to dusk, and that the time is just ten after one, the group decides to go and prepare for the events to come. They separate, and arrange to meet in front of the diabolical locale later in the eve.

Halfway between a color resembling pea soup, and the sparkling color of the Black Forest at dawn, the small one-and-a-half story building looks out onto the campus Physical Center's parking lot. The short, and steeply inclined, driveway sits off to one side of the structure. Directly in line with a small side-street that winds its way around this remote wing of learning.

An ugly brown building, and a upstanding white three story building act as bookends to this nexus of unrestrained inhibitions. That the humble shack appears several times larger on the interior, makes many suspicious of the true nature of its construction.

If indeed this place is a Tether to one of the more carnal aspects, it will be up to the Celestials of the moment to figure out why the would be Saint has decided to attend this eve's gathering. . .

. . .A gathering at a little old place. Where people can get together. At 'The Love Shack.'

At the required time, the somewhat loose association of Celestials collect just outside the suspect residence.

Jack is wearing the clothes on his back.

April has put on the a pretty blouse and skirt. The emerald floral and leaf pattern tastefully appropriate for her.

His hair slicked back, and wearing his tie-dye 'T, Juan looks ready to party.

As for Emily, she's wearing a slinky velvet one-piece. . . Not so tasteful, but definitely appropriate for her.

Emissaries of Heaven's glory (with perhaps a few exceptions. . .), take a step forth and enter into the heart of the Adversary's court.

Though it is difficult, they find strength to face their greatest challenge. Mingling with the type of people a party of this nature attracts. Woe onto the unwary. . . Woe I say.

In the Den of Villainy they meet with various people. They discover that if this place was a Tether, its not revealing itself so easily as of yet. And that the duo known as Zero and The Unremarkable J. consume alcohol almost as badly as the approximately gluttonous Bradly.

(The group spent several moments out of character surmising which room would be the most likely terminus if indeed this was a Tether of Lust. With the building's history such as it was, the possibilities were highly amusing. Everyone eventually agreed that the main bedroom would definitely have to be said nexus, if the Dark Overlord Storyteller decided it indeed was a one of Andrealphus' little party spots. That the ST and one of the Players were former residents of the 'Shack' in question made things even more bemusing.)

Jack tries his best to not offend every female in the place with his fragrance of extensive traveling.

April becomes enthralled by the overall atmosphere, and is lost in her wanderlust fugue of oblivion.

Juan looks around to see if he can find someone to help him fulfill one of his Superior's Rites (not that it would be difficult, all things considering).

Emily smiles, and collects a few more hooks upon which to draw upon in future.

Through a window Jack sees the Reverend, who is standing in the parking lot across the street. Naturally, he has a few groupies around him. Looking for the others, he subsequently finds Juan and drags him outside. They both move to intercept the preacher.

As Emily turns to follow the Malakim on out, she is stopped by a highly attractive gentleman. His features are very effeminate, and he drips with the aroma of raw sexual energy. Not one to turn down another source of owed favors, she acted in a quite cordial manner with her new 'best' friend.

If this place be a Tether, or not, no longer matters. What does matter, is that it definitely attracted the attentions of the Prince of Lust. He and Emily cuddle for a while, and have a little chat afterwards. . .

"Seduce the Malakite, and make him serve my cause."

With that, he produced a leather collar that would bind her to his desires. It was of comparable quality as the bracer she already kept on her right arm. Emily was being freely traded to both sides of the War. A pawn caught in the middle, and used oh so perfectly in the chessgame Lilith was playing against everyone. The choice of freedom, always comes with a price.

"How long?," she asked, as she tried to disguise the tremble in her voice.

"You have one month. Don't let me down."

"Ye. . . Yes sir!"

Her mission firmly confused by the active Geas, Emily spends a while at the party. Perhaps trying to drown her miseries with the burbling happiness that swirls around her.

Outside, Juan and Jack confront the Reverend. . . Though Jack hides somewhat behind his larger companion.

"Excuse me? But aren't you the one who was preaching down in the Quad earlier today?," asks Juan.

"And this effects me, how?"

"Well, I just wanted to ask you a few questions about it, is all."

"And I care, because?"

"I was interested in hearing more about who deserves to be smited, was all."

SQUEAK!!!

Jack is suddenly relieved that he was not the target of the Reverend's assault.

April, suddenly sensing that her charge is getting in trouble again, rushes outside to the small gathering about the Reverend.

Making a mental note that he did not start this fight, Juan glares at the Mighty Squeaky Hammer of Smiting (TM) wielding Reverend. Making a resonance check, he finds that the Reverend wants to punish those who break their oaths (needless to say, it was a low Check-Digit result)

Emily follows April this time, so she can let them all know she'll meet with them later. She smiles to Juan.

(Okay, she didn't remember it exactly. . . The ST was being nice and pointed her in the right direction. . . Which prompted him to make a print out of the game mechanics and descriptions for all the Resonance, Attunement and Songs she possessed. Since the character was pre-generated, meant that the ST being nice was not implying anything about the oblivious nature of the aforementioned player. . .)

Taking a moment to prepare, April performs the Ethereal song of Healing. With luck, it will cure the supposed Kyriotate of his afflictions.

Naturally, the Reverend gets a blissful look on his face and promptly collapses into unconsciousness.

The group decides what to do with the now unconscious Reverend. It is decided to take him back to the Youth shelter Juan works at.

Jack takes the opportunity to swipe the Reverend's Mighty Squeaky Hammer of Smiting (TM).

April decides to attune to his wallet, so they can find him again just in case the healing attempt didn't work at all.

Emily politely lets everyone know that she'll meet them at the shelter later, and that she's going to stay at the party for a little while. . . Girls just wanna have fun.

Back at the Youth shelter, the Angels make further introductions and plan their course of action. Angels seem to like planning a lot.

Dragging herself in at a very ungodly hour (teeheehee), Emily rejoins the plotting Celestials.

The Reverend, it should be noted, is resting peaceably in the back room.

Being very fidgety, Jack decides to take a walk. . .

"Where is the Reverend?"

"Excuse me?," Jack is taken by surprise.

"The Reverend. Take us to him."

Before Jack is a trio of smartly dressed individuals. White shirts, ties, trousers, trenchcoats, expensive leather footwear, and fedoras. In fact, the only thing not pristinely white, is the pair of mirrorshades each member of this triad wears. They are mysterious Men in White, and you cannot handle the Truth (TM).

Tall, and with a hint of a regal spirit about her, it is the middle of the three that seems to not only be doing all the talking, but also acting as their ringleader.

To her left is a short gentleman that seems to be looking for something, or perhaps someone.

To her right is a very powerfully built man, who looks ready to break anything, or anyone for that matter, that tries to cross his path.

Jack tries to fast-talk the Divine inquisition with some yarn about that he does not see the Reverend, in this room.

Meanwhile, the other three have a philosophical discussion about the nature of Lilim, Geas and other general musings. How quickly they all fall prey to the Lilim's hooks. . .

"Juan, darling. Can you do me a favor, and get me a Coke?" Emily flutters her eyelashes seductively in his direction.

Never try to fast-talk a Seraph. . .

. . .So Jack leads the trio into room where the other three chat. Only to find Juan missing, and Emily and April quite displeased that they are being scrutinized so.

"I am Zedekiah, Seraph of Judgment. You will tell me where the Reverend is!"

Momentarily distracted by the Seraphs inquisitorial rhetoric, the group doesn't notice the stocky one of the Triad slip into the back room where the Reverend rests.

The tougher of the three waits patiently at the doorway, not letting anyone out until this is resolved. He does not smile.

Biting her lip, Emily asks, "Why do you want him for?"

"You are too unimportant to know at this time."

Trying to not attract too much attention, April pipes in with, "So, just what is he, anyway? I mean the two Demons said he was a Kyriotate of Laurence. . ."

Giving the servitor of Flowers a stare that would make even on of Beleth's minions fear, the Seraph responds. "Do not trust the Lies of the agents of The Game." She snarls, "You act to delay us, stop it and tell me where the Reverend is!?!"

Emily leans over to April and quietly invokes one of the hooks she holds on the Cherub, "Take me out of here, now!"

Feeling compelled to do as the Lilim asks, April prepares to do whatever it takes to protect Emily from the Triad. She does not get the chance though. . .

"He's gone," responds the smaller of the Triad.

April's, Emily's and Jack's jaws drops at that.

With a narrowing of her gaze, Zedekiah commands, "Come, we must find him." She turns to the others, "Do not go far, we will wish to speak with you later."

The trio leaves, and just as quickly the other three rush into the back room. Whereupon they find the Reverend indeed is missing, and that the window has been broken. Oddly it did not make a sound, both mortal or celestial in origin.

Without wasting a moment April and Emily leave, and set out to find where the Reverend has gotten off too.

Not wishing to face the wrath of the Divine Inquisition, Jack high-tails it out of town. . .

Returning well after all the dramatics have ended, Juan comes back in with his Coke. "I brought your coke, dea. . ." He sighs, seeing that they have abandoned him.

Headlights scatter oddly off the scourge of rainfall, alas there is no rainbow from these artificial suns.

A solitary figure, wrapped tightly up in his coat, cares not that God's weapon is not present. His thoughts were only on the Prize, held in a hidden compartment within his cloak, as he slowly made his way southbound on Interstate 35.

"Janus will definitely be pleased. . ." He mused, as he made his way closer to the his master's hidden Tether at Fiesta Texas.

A flash of light flickered in the distant sky. Expecting the rumbling crash to come, a thunderous voice answers instead. "Let Justice be Done!" it booms, and the world fades to black. . .