A Call for a King

"Yes, Ameretat, I understand. I will inform Kalamiel as soon as possible, I'm sure that she will be most understanding of her new assignment."

Upon hanging up the phone, the older Seraph pondered Ameretat's instructions. His Resonance with the Symphony told him that while Ameretat didn't believe it necessarily himself, it was indeed Truth.

"God indeed does work in mysterious ways," he thought. "Kalamiel probably needs to see some action, it felt to him inappropriate for a Malakite to be working in the gardens and not the field. Ameretat's request seemed strange, for a King of Flowers to work with agents of Judgement. Creation or Animals perhaps, but Dominic?

[OOGM: FYI, Ameretat is a Master of Flowers, Cherub, well known among Servitors of Flowers for being not only from before the Fall, but also for being well versed in the art of diplomancy, exceedingly wise and for keeping company with angels of many words Novalis herself has problems dealing with.]

"Well, I suppose that all parties will benefit from this," thought Hasdiel. "This garden will benefit from the care of a more experienced angel, and both Jezreel and Kalamiel will benefit from her reassignment.

***

After a short drive, the Seraph arrives at the gardens where we find Kalamiel, tending to the plants in the night. As they both possess pass-keys to the place since his assignment to the gardens, this wouldn't really be all that unusual.

The angel inside heard the approaching footsteps, but continued to tend to the plant she was holding. She had just finished seating it in its new pot when her visitor came to her side.

"Kalamiel," hails Hasdiel, "How goes it here?"

[OOC: Oh, forgot to mention it, Hasdiel is a Friend of the Gardeners, and is also shares the Distinction, Angel of Charity with only two other angels, one named Achsah, and Zadkiel. While it is Achsah who is the Worded Angel of Charity, the Distinction was created to grant Hasdiel and Zadkiel to be the equivalent status, as they were as equally deserving. Well, except that Zadkiel's already an AA, but . . . its infalliable. Really.]

"Well, Most Holy, well. The area is quiet both corporeally and otherwise. The staff works well together and resolve their differences with little conflict. Plus," she said, a rare smile gracing her face, "this new magnolia hybrid is proving its worth. It should be ready to join its bretheren outside in another season."

"I have just spoken with Ameretat, it seems that she has received a request from a Friend of Judgement about a young seraph in Vancouver, British Columbia needing some personal defense. I inquired why he had not requested a Cherub, but he apparently requested you by name. Ameretat already spoke with Lady Novalis and she's approved of it."

Kalamiel digested this information. "A Friend... of Judgement? That seems most unusual, not that I doubt you are telling the truth. I wonder who this Friend is?"

"His name is Phalgus, all I recall about him is his fierce determination."

She took off her gloves and slapped them a few times against the edge of the table to get the dirt off of them. She looked across the mostly-darkened greenhouse gardens for a moment. "No matter--this place is in good hands. You will convey my resignation to the director, yes?"

[Hasdiel]
"Of course."

[Kalamiel]
"Excellent. Do you know how I might contact this Seraph?"

"Unfortunately, I do not aside from Celestial Tongues. Apparantly, Phalgus's request is quite urgent and there's practically no time. The young seraph is named Jezreel, owning the vessel of a young human female, blond hair, intelligent eyes; she's of Eli and serves Revelations."

[Kalamiel]
"Hmmmm... more difficult, though not impossible. If you'd met her before, I would ask you to use Tongues on my behalf."

[Hasdiel]
"Unfortuately, of course I haven't."

"Ameretat conveyed to me that this young seraph is currently working with Judgement's forces in Vancouver to crack a case and she needs some protection, urgently. My resonance informed me of little more of the entire Truth to the situation."

"Ah, much better!" she said, her face lightening. "I'm certain that one of Judgement can give me directions. I'll ascend and inquire there, either with them or a Revelationist. Due to the nature of both Words, no doubt the information will be readily available. Perhaps I'll be able to use a Tether near Vancouver to speed my journey."

"I'm afraid the situation may be rather serious, Kalamiel."

Hasdiel pulls over two nearby stools over to his side and sits down on one of them and motions for the Mal'akh to take the other.

She sat with an untutored grace and leaned slightly toward the Seraph, awaiting what he would say next.

"The Truth of the matter is that it is Jezreel's own father whom she needs to question. Unfortunately, it seems her once-Most Holy father has gone Liar. On top of all that, there is the potential that the entire city of Vancouver may fall under Demonic control and that it somehow revolves around those close to her, Jezreel that is."

"The entire city? This is indeed a serious situation! And I must say that I'm worried that a Balseraph is involved; they, more than any of the infernal hordes, give me pause. They can be... convincing." She briefly winced as she recalled one particular Liar.

"I agree," said the Seraph humbly. "Ameretat told me that Phalgus had informed her of a Tether to Destiny in the city of Vancouver which would be at your disposal upon your ascension. Also, she said she would see to it that Lady Novalis send you your material possessions as soon as possible."

She shrugged eloquently, "When she deems it most convenient. It seems that maintenance of a Role will not be an immediate priority! At any rate, I should not need anything other than what I can carry with me for at least a week, possibly longer. Is there anything else you need to tell me, Most Holy?"

[Hasdiel]
"Only that Novalis remarked to Ameretat that perhaps you might find a place in Vancouver to call home, to perhaps cease your wanderings and nurture a single garden for a change."

"Occasionally I have thought the same. Maybe this is the time? Even the seeds of the thistle must eventually lose its down and come to root."

The older angel regarded Kalamiel's eyes, "It may be wise to listen to Her words, Kalamiel. Oh, after the impression the Symphony has left on me I decided that you may be of need of this, just in case."

From his pocket the old seraph produced a small vial containing a shimmering blue liquid, a liquid whose appearance alone spoke of its unnatural nature and whose ornate glass and jade container seemed out of place in the modern world.

"This vial was a gift from a dying friend," said the old angel, a tear welling in his eye briefly, only to be blinked out of existance a second later. "As her Forces fluttered off into the Far Marches, she gave me this, and I understood that her Wind nature had cost her dearly."

[Kalamiel, perception check 5, 3, CD2 - success, its a celestial artifact. meaning that its a reliquary or contains a song or version thereof, or the ilk.]

To Kalamiel's eyes there was the image of a second vial, overlaid on the first -- something purer, brighter. The blue substance inside the bottle sang the first note of an unknown Song... ready to burst free and complete itself when used.

OOGM: Yeah, its a Song, realllly . . .

OOC: Well, it's flavor text and as far as the character knows it's a Song (even if a weird one) Heh! =)

[g]

"It's from the Outer Marches, from the dreamlands along the edges of the Far Marches, perhaps even beyond them." Another vial, copper and opaque appeared in Hasdiel's other hand, and he poured a few drops of the unearthy shimmering blue liquid into it. "God only knows who or what created the stuff. What I do know is that but a single drop of it is enough to grant one wish, the irony being the neither she nor I knew what it did until after she has disappeared completely." The seraph cast his eyes to the side for a single moment, then looked back at the Mal'akh. "The stuff's potent and not to be wasted on things that can be accomplished through normal means, oh, and I've included a couple extra drops in case you need to unwish anything. And, it won't work for selfish wishes, dunno why. Just put a drop of it on your tongue before you speak the wish aloud. And don't use it unless you really, really mean it."

"I-I'm unworthy of this honor, Most Holy!" She closed her hand around the vial and his hand and looked him in the eye. "I swear on my name and my honor to use this only if there is no other way to serve Heaven's goals." Though not an Oath, this mattered little to Kalamiel... she considered her given vow to the angel to be as binding as any of those.

"Be careful with your words, Kalamiel, there is *always* another way to serve Heaven's goals," the seraph's voice became soft. "Adaliah's death was proof to that. Just be sure you use it to serve Heaven's goals best."

The Most Holy put a hand on the King's shoulder, "Go with God, Kalamiel. God goes with you."

Taking her leave of the angel, Kalamiel gathered a few things from her truck: some identification, a thin wallet and her cellular phone. Judging the rest to be more encumbering than useful, she closed the vehicle and made sure there were no witnesses.

With a near-silent exhalation, she let Essence flow through her vessel and into the Symphony. It vanished as if it had never been, leaving a dark-on-dark figure hovering in the shadow of the vehicle. The Malakite spread its ebony wings and, with a look upward, vanished.

[Kalamiel, Will check, 1, 4, CD2 - success]

****

"Holy Moly, Bill, you see that!" Chuck lowered his beer unconsciously, jaw dropped, eyes to the night sky.
"See what, Chuck?"
"Like a giant bat or something, man, it was . . ."
"Shut up Chuck, you always seeing things when you drink."

[OOC: In one of my campaigns, a celestial sighting is an important part of the backstory. Very fun stuff, that!]

[OOGM: Me, humor amuses me, this is just fluff.]

****

Arriving in Heaven was always a thrill for her. Though she dearly loved her work on Earth, it was only here, for a time, she could put her duties momentarily aside. Sparing a glance at her Heart, shining before her, and a more longing one at the Glades, she shot into the air toward the realm of Revelation.

She made the journey in a time that would have surprised an Ofanite and entered without fanfare. Kalamiel landed lightly near a Cherub that awaited visitors inside. "Greetings Guardian! I'm on a mission to assist one of your own, Jezreel, in the name of Flowers and Judgement. Could you direct me to one who can give me information on her whereabouts?"

The winged Aardwark eyed the Malakite with keen interest. "Ah, yes!" It said, its tongue flittering about as it spoke. "*Allow* me to take you to her *Heart*." This Cherub had definitely spent a fair amout of time with the Yiddish population in New York, even its Angelic Tongue has been affected with the accent.

Gesturing to a glittery globe on its pedestal (sp?) clearly labeled Jezreel of Eli serving Revelations, which moved closer to them as though it came when called, the winged beast spake, "Here she is, in Canada if *memory* serves me correctly. Last I heard *Litheroy* was there as *well*, though its quite *possible* that He's moved on in search of *other* bits of the Labyrinth that *must* be uncovered."

[OOC: pedestal. =) I keep a dictionary and Elements of Style next to every computer I use. Both books are ragged and well-worn!]

OOGM Thanx

"Oh, *have* you heard," it coninued without pause, "its quite the buzz up here in Heaven, at least among *Lightning's* servitors, not that I would know. Jean didn't *approve* of Jezreel's creation and *Outcast* her Father, and it was his *anger* against Jean and therefore *Heaven* that led to his *Fall*, poor Devil."

"*Needless* to say," continued the aardwark sans cesse, its tongue tickling Kalamiel's ear, "Jean is *less* than pleased about it all. Of course," it said, drawing back a bit, "its not like he'll *act* on his displeasure, no, he'll find a 'rational' reason to act on it." The stocky Cherub grunted with pleasure at the thought.

"What was her father's name before he Fell? Perhaps within him the seeds of Redemption might be placed." Kalamiel always found talking with Revelationists enjoyable, if a bit disconcerting at times. If one could direct the conversation, though, you could learn many important things.

"Ahhh . . . lemme see now," the aardwark escaped a moment in thought. "Cosam, I *believe*, yes, *definitely* Cosam. Not sure *what* he's calling himself now, its not likely he'd be coming to *visit* anyways. You could probably just as well ask Jezreel, or her mother for that matter."

[OOGM: Note, IMC, time in Heaven does not reflect time on Earth too well, which means that while an hour rolls by in Heaven mere minutes my have passed on earth, or half a day.]

"Thank you for the information. I must fly now lest matters on earth overtake my duties. Vaya con Dios, Guardian." She placed her hands on the Heart and wrapped her wings around it like a cloak. After a moment, she was gone.

[OOGM: And . . . I assume she's chosen to manifest corporally where Jezreel is, right?]

OOC: Didn't I say that. Oops, I didn't! Yes, that's what she wants to do (hoping that she's not in the middle of something revealing and/or in a place to small to manifest).

OOGM: tee hee hee . . .

The Aardwark turned away from Jezreel's heart, waving the pedestal back to its proper place, and readied him greet the next visiter.