Jezreel Meets with Litheroy

"Dear Mom," she pens in highly stylized almost gothic calligraphy script. "Went to the park to watch the sunrise. Be back before dinner. -- Love, Jezreel."

Jezreel has her hand on the knob when her mother's voice calls down, "Jezreel! Where are you going? It's still dark out for Heaven's sake..."

Jezreel sighs. 'You'd think by now Mom would realize I'm not the helpless child that my vessel appears to be.' But knowing better than to say that, Jezreel answers honestly, "To the park. I left a note," she adds, thinking that might smooth things over...

"To the park?" Dodai asks, starting down the stairs. "In the middle of the night?"

"It's not the middle of the night, Mom," Jezreel says with an exasperation she is too inexperienced to realize is common to human children her age. "It's only a few minutes before sunrise," she explains. "Can't you feel it?"

OOC: Since angels gain their Essence at sunrise, I'm guessing they can sense it....

[GM]
OOGM: Hrm... like a Vampire senses the Fall of Night, or the Rising Sun? OTOH, it might just be her Resonance kicking in. :) Passive use, gotta love it. :)

OOC: Yeah... It could be that... Or it might just be the build up of Essence you feel, before it pours in.... Or it could just be her imagination... :)

OOGM: Either way, it's cool. :)

[Jezreel]
IC: Before her mother can object, Jezreel opens the door. "I want to sketch the sunrise, today," she says stepping onto the cool pavement. The walk, slick with dew, is almost jarringly cold on her bare feet. "I have a feeling it's going to be spectacular."
Dodai sighs for a moment wondering if all Servitors of Creation are this flighty or if it is only *her* daughter. "Oh, all right..." she allows.
"Great! Love ya, Mom... See you later," Jezreel says hastily, hopping to make her escape before her mother comes up with reason to delay her further.
But, before Jezreel can make it to the end of the walk, Dodai steps into the doorway to see her daughter off. "Jezreel?" Dodai asks, forcing her Jezreel to stop and look back.
"Yeah, Mom?"
"Where are your shoes?"
"In my backpack," Jezreel says, happily. "Just in case I need them..." Then, dashing onto the sidewalk before her mother can object, "Gotta run, the sun won't wait for me, you know..."

OOC: I wasn't sure how much you wanted me to write... But here's a little starting vignette at least...

[GM]
OOGM: How about Jezreel is headed towards Stanley Park, where there's the Vancouver Aquarium and the Children's Zoo? Anyway, here's a little something in return.

OOC: Works for me... :)

[GM]
The air was cold, the grass damp with dew, the smell of the trees and the water from the Harbour filled Jezreel's lungs. Earth certainly was full of new sensations, each more amazing and capivating than the previous.

Jezreel walks along the Harbor towards the park, looking for the perfect place to sit and sketch the sunrise...

[GM]
Jezreel has discovered Stanley Park not very long ago. There was an Aquarium and a Children's Zoo, perfect for finding children without being too conspicuous. Large groups of children of all ages come through. Of course, so far as she knew, her attraction to children was most likely due to the Forces her mother had given her.

[OOGM: Stanley Part is HUGE. Like, a hundred acres. The Zoo and Aquarium are poorly equipped and small, but seem to entertain the children. Of course, judging by the small spaces provided for the animals, there *might* be some demonic influence here, either that or Jordi's servitors just haven't made much difference here.]

OOC: Gotcha...

As the first light of dawn broke the horizen, she felt her soul turn to face it, openly and honestly. Her vessel followed suit. The light of the sun flowed across her face and arms, over all her body. The warmth was beautiful and Resonated with the Truth of God. Creation was here to greet her and she was here to great it. In her joy, she felt the now familiar feeling of a bit of Essenc beginning to swell and bloom in her. It filled her with joy which she doubted any human could possibly truely find. Her completeness and connection with Heaven had been reaffirmed. The beauty of the moment filled Jezreel with such joy that a tear rolled down her cheek.

Lost for a moment in the beauty and ecstasy of the sensation, Jezreel completely forgets to pull out my sketch pad and pencils, at least for the moment...

The sensation was incredible. As she began to calm down a little and accept the Essence from within, she saw something in a nearby tree glint brightly in the dawn's light, catching her eye.

Coming to herself enough to realize that if she wants to sketch the sunrise, she'd better get started, Jezreel starts to reach into her backpack to get her things. Then she the gleam catches her eye and piques her curiosity. She skips over to the tree to get a closer look...

[GM]
And in a nook of the tree she finds a gleaming, shining penny. [clatter of dice] It isn't gleaming on its own, rather, the penny appears to be very polished, exceptionally so. Her keen Angelic eyes detect very small scratchings on the face of the coin. It looks like it might be writing.

[OOGM: I assume Jezreel tries to read the writing]

OOC: Feel free to assume away...

[GM] The writing is so small, it takes a moment of concentration to make out exactly what it says...

"Look behind you."

[IC]
Looking somewhat bewildered, Jezreel does so...

[GM]
... and sees an aged man. His dishelved grey hair is toused about; his clothes are torn and rumpled. He looks at Jezreel (you) in her eyes, the sun reflecting off of them in such a way as to give the illusion that they're giving on their own light.

[IC]
Jezreel meets his eyes, perhaps a bit too directly as she tries to study the odd phenomena of his glowing eyes... All thoughts of starting the sketch are now forgotten.

[GM]
"Ah!" he says excitely, coming towards Jezreel. "You have keen perceptions, excellent for an angel in my service.

[IC]
"Thank you," Jezreel says beaming, then adds, "My Lord Litheroy..." half a statement, half a question...

This is so cool! She had *known* this day was going to be a good one, and here she is proven right. First the incredible sunrise and now *finally* meeting the Archangel whom she is in service-- something she's wanted to do ever since Raziel had first visited her and described Litheroy to her.

For a brief moment, Jezreel feels a slight bit of guilt over her own impatience to meet the Archangel of Revelation. After all, her mother has already, on more than one occasion, pointed out that it is irreverent for a minor angel as young as Jezreel is to expect entities as busy and powerful as an Archangel to take time from his very important work just to drop in and say hello.

And examining her own feelings, Jezreel has to admit to herself that what she is feeling now is *not* reverence, not the awe that Dodai feels she *should* have towards Archangels. Rather, what she is feeling is partially the flush of excitement... But more than that even, what really overwhelms her is curiosity.

Giving in to her curiosity without really thinking about it, Jezreel blurts out, "What are you doing here?"

As soon as the words escape, Jezreel blushes. For all her nagging faults, Dodai is right about one thing. She did need to work on her social skills. Most of the time, Jezreel just can't bring herself to bother with them. After all, most social pleasantries border on outright lies. But even so, that last was really rude, even for her.

"I mean, to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit, Lord Litheroy," Jezreel corrects herself hastily, for once having no qualms about the Truthfulness of the social platitude. She *is* really pleased to see him...

[GM]
"To the Symphony, really," said Litheroy, apparently quite pleased. "For some reason I've found myself drawn to this city and I'm quite amazed at what there is here to see! Why, I've heard whisperings of quite a large library somewhere around here that has remained part of the labyrinth for centuries!"

[IC]
"I haven't been to the libraries yet," Jezreel admits a bit sheepishly. "The parks and the art galleries, yet. But not the libraries..."

[GM]
Pressing on, he said with some haste, "But that's not really why I thought it might be best to see you. Iopheil is off investigating a few things in the Atlantic and wouldn't be able to get your change of assignment to you a fair time,

[IC]
Jezreel's eyes widen as Litheroy mentions her change of Assignment, but she just barely manages to reign in her impulse to ask, figuring it would be best not to interrupt her Archangel...

[GM]
...and since I found myself in the area and I hadn't had the pleasure of meeting the famed Fledgling I thought it would probably be worth it. And besides, I've found angels of creation to be such wonderful artists."

[IC]
Jezreel beams with pride.

[GM]
"Tell me, how are you finding the corporeal realm?"

[IC]
"Oh, it's wonderful, Lord Litheroy," Jezreel says. "There's just so much to see, and so much to do, and it's all so beautiful..." She gestures expansively... "I mean, just look at that sunrise..."

Then, able to contain her curiosity no longer, Jezreel asks, "You mentioned something about a change of Assignment, Lord Litheroy?"

[GM]
"Yes, yes... of course." Litherory smiled knowingly. "Until this time I believe Revelation has asked you to merely experience the world and become used to the Corporeal Realm here on Earth, as these activities would aid your future pursuit of the word of Revelations in the future."

[IC]
Jezreel nods, not interrupting.

[GM]
"You are currently, aside from Revelation himself, our sole representative here in Vancouver."

[IC]
"I am?" she asks, surprised.

[GM]
"Yes. But, do not worry yourself with the pocket of the Labyrinth which is rumored to exist here. I will be personally investigating this."

[IC]
"Yes, milord Litheroy."

[GM]
"You, my dear, I ask only to recruit some help for yourself. A soldier would appropriate for you. Not only will it help you to more fully mature into a brighter and experienced angel, it will aid your understanding of the natural residents of this world."

[IC]
A Soldier?" she repeats, her eyes widening at the awesomeness of the responsibility. *This* was definitely going to be more interesting than babysitting for Dodai. Then, pushing aside her excitement for the moment, she focuses down and thinks. "Of course, milord Litheroy. A Soldier. Is there anything in particular I should be looking for in this Soldier, milord?"

[GM]
"Preferably a child of the age your vessel emulates. Someone capable, someone you can trust, and certainly someone with whom you feel a connection. They're lots of children in this city, God knows one of them with feel right to you."

Jezreel nods. "I understand," she says, her mind reeling at the possibilities. 'Where to start?' she begins speculating. 'Maybe the arcade? Maybe the school? Well, first off, I've *got* to tell Mom... And Dad too,' she amends to herself mentally after only a moment's hesitation. Filled with excitement at the prospect of a *real* Assignment, she begins shifting her weight from foot to foot, anxious to get started, but not wanting to offend Lord Litheroy by asking to be excused from his presence.

[GM]
"Also, Yves informs me that he's assigned an angel of his to look after you. His name is Laban, Vassal of Destiny. His Role's name is Lake."

[IC]
Surprised by this, Jezreel stops her antsy fidgeting. "He has?" she asked, half curious, half worried. "Did he happen to say *why*, Lord Litheroy?" She hesitates for a second, half afraid to ask, then decides it's better to know. "Is it because of Cozbi?"

[GM]
Litheroy cocked his head in thought. "That might very well be it. It's hard to say. The Old One is awefully enigmatic. Wouldn't surprise me. Nothing like consorting with Demons to really get Judgement on your back." He smiled a bit, half-heartly. "Especially when you already serve creation."

[IC]
Jezreel sighs, biting her lip and blinking back tears. "I know," she admits. "I've already spoken with one of the Servitors of Judgement about it... Now Yves is interested too," she says looking devastated. "What's next, an appearance before the Seraphim Council..."

[GM]
"Of course, not, Jezreel. You'd have to do so much more to be brought before the Seraphim council. Be careful, Jezreel. Cozbi is dangerous, even if he was your father once."

[IC]
"I know," she admits. "But he loves me still," she says. "And I think that's his best hope for Redemption. I can't just abandon him..."

"He is yet freshly fallen, your hopes that he might be redeemed are not unfounded, but he has fallen in with a group of tightly-knit demons. He will be difficult to convince him to return; the Balseraphim are perpetually deluded by their own lies."

[IC]
"I know, milord Litheroy," Jezreel says solemnly. "I'll be careful. I promise." Then, still with all solemnity, she pantomimes a child's most unbreakable oath, crossing her heart and raising her right hand, palm facing forward.

[GM]
The Archangel's smile is broad and happy. "Of course. Jezreel, is there anything else I can help you before I leave you? Laban is most likely instructed to find you. You will know it is him if he carries the hilt of an ancient flaming sword with him. The child you will know when you meet him or her. Is there is anything else?"

[IC]
"No, milord Litheroy," I say, for once understanding an Ofanim's desire to just get going. "Thank you," I say, remembering Dodai's lessons on courtesy.

[GM]
With a short bow, Litheroy smiles. "If you ever need us, just invoke. Iopheil should hopefully be wrapping up his business soon, no need to worry. I need to go visit some people in South America. The Andes are just incredible."

"Take care, Jezreel. I've got a plane to catch." [ 1,6, CD6] Jezreel hears a distinct Song of Motion from Litheroy as his human form lifts slightly in the air and then fades immediately into invisibility. The ripples from the Song flow over her, the note hanging in the Symphony around her for a few minutes before fading away.

[OOGM]
That feels wrapped up to me. What next? We HAVE to bring Jezreel and Adrian's character together ASAP. OTOH, the same could be said just as easily of Jezreel and Knop's character.

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[OOC: Jezreel has NOT yet met Litheroy. In my version of In Nomine, most angels work under another angel who in turn is under another angel or the Archangel directly. Of course, any angel can summon their archangel with the proper ritual, and their direct superior with a bonus. :)

OOC: Yeah, you had mentioned the intermediary thing before...

[GM]
Let us say that Jezreel has been put under command of a Seraph of Litherory, the Angel of the Beauty of God, named Iopheil. Iophiel is gentle, but entirely focused on revealing to others the beauty of the Symphony, on all three planes of existance. Personality-wise, he is a bit effiminate, easy-going, and happy. He also has a lot of inner strength, determination and faith. He's also _very busy_...

OOC: Oh, I *like* that... That fits really well... :)

OOGM: Why, thank you. :)

[GM]
So, my question is, to the player, would Jezreel immediately recognize Litheroy?]

OOC: No, not immediately... But it would be pretty easy for her to deduce from his comment. I mean, how many people (angels?) would refer to her as "an angel in my service"? Eli? She knows him quite well... Iophiel? She knows him too... That would leave Litheroy as the only one who would refer to her that way whom she has not met...

OOC2: BTW-- you never did answer my OOC question about the writing on the penny... Was it in Celestial? Or English? or French? or what?

OOGM: Oh, sorry... The writing is in Angelic Script.

OOC: Okay, thanks... Sorry for nagging, I just like to get the details straight...

OOGM: It's hardly nagging; I missed your question the first time. :)