Urfiel has been in the forge. He will be in there again, you know. Fire purifies and he will be throwing himself into some work. There is a cessation of the frown when he sees it's you and he nods a greeting. Apparently he holds you in very high regard. But to your question, there is a snort. It wasn't, apparently, a good night. "I'm fine," he remarks, all too smoothly. Ah, a malakim in a moment of dry humor. Take notes. A mug is taken and a beer is poured for Jonathan. "In fact, I'm very civil." That word...civil. It makes a cut of sound...like a sword.

     He's felt before he's seen. The perpetual motion engine that of it's own volition can create fire, heat, and energy. Soldekai suddenly appears from a swirl of flame, as if the forge itself had been moved into the pub. Apparently, he knew you were alone. From the orange and blue he steps, and for a flash, it's almost as if he was in sun-brilliant plate armor with sword beside him...it simmers into a pair of slacks and sweater, appropriate for the season. The Ofanim's Ofanim, he spends most of his time doing what his Superior Gabriel now neglects in doing. He speaks never harshly of her, remaining Brilliantly controlled where Gabriel has long lost such ability.
     "Either of you seen the boys?" Soldekai asks, the hint of his nature never departed. Red-blonde hair is cut close, but it is much too alive. Where Gabriel is the Primal Force, her Sol is the center of this universe, the Sun itself. "They seem to have...gotten away from me." The Firemen. Lost. As usual.

     Jonathan was starting to say something else to Urfiel when in a swirl of flame is train of thought is interrupted... "Aluriel and Mordekial?" asks, the names of the Firemen. "I would imagine they are grumbling someone where and chasing frantically after their Charge... They may not be able to loose track of her but she can certainly keep well ahead of them if she feels like it..."

     Soldekai grins, "Not Her, me. They've gotten away from me." He smiles at the thought, not too disturbed that he can't manage to keep up with a trio who move faster than thought. They move in Existence.

     Violet glances up, and the ...blacker tones of it are starting to fade. Not that the sword is losing its bite, mind you. Urfiel sets the beer down in front of Jonathan and wipes his hands off with a towel--more for something-to-do rather than out of necessity. His own essence is barely masked in this mortal guise of his. He's a malachim no matter what 'skin' he's in. Urfiel shakes his head and his expression is placid. "I haven't seen them. I've been entertaining Josander all night." Aha! The reason for his ...current mood. "But if they blow through to put a breeze up me, I'll be sure to shout your name for it." And still he manages to hold onto that Malakite sense of humor.

     "Oh, good," Sol says, striding closer, near Urfiel. He peers at the drinks, then between you both. "You drink that drivel?"

     Jonathan takes the Mug that Urfiel offered him and then nods, "Yes.... I drink this drivel...." the battered old Cherub says with a nod and takes a drink, "You were entertaining Josander all night then?" he says looking to Urfiel head tilts to the side, "He didn't try anything did he? I mean.. he couldn't possibly be that brazen."

     Soldekai cocks his head, "Josander?" Oh, he is slow today, and he shakes his head. Ofanite's Ofanim, to be sure, but he just reminded himself that he's a mere Malakite. How could he have forgotten. "What did he want?" he mutters, eyeing the beer once more as he takes a nearby seat.

     Urfiel gives Sol a look, almost incredulous. Can a malakim be incredulous, truly? "Guinness is not drivel..." But then the look fades, and the countenance sets once more. Much more like Urfiel, the Old Veteran...at the mention of Josander. And the eyes go black-violet all over again. "What could be more brazen than sitting in that chair," he points. "I had to serve him myself to spare the lives and souls of the girls I employ. And besides, it made him nervous. It was the only enjoyment I had all evening." Urfiel's words are very precisely spoken, each word cutting. His gaze shifts to Sol, "I didn't inquire of his needs." Both hands raise. "But I was....civil." A pause and he mutters, "...as much as it pained me."

     "He was here?" Soldekai blinks, something oddly distemperate Irish about him and that red hair. "In here? He actually set foot here?" Oh, he does not like that. His eyes seem to flare a bit, holding the fire of whom he serves. A few celestial tones are heard, the words of angels, "We may need to pay him a little visit. Or just some of his near and dear associates."

     Jonathan looks from Malakite to the other... He looks between two Malakites... Malakites wound so tightly they could use compress coal into diamonds between their butt cheeks. Well you have to expect these things, "He's usually quiet for months at a time but he'll occasional go out wander around and go out of his way to not do anything belligerent... They say he's a Habbalite.. which would seem appropriate.. he's nuts."

     "Well, his friends can pay for his lapse of sanity," Soldekai says, pulling at his slacks to loosen them around his thighs to make sitting comfortable. He looks at Urfiel, "You can come, of course, we'll have to decide who and where. Right now...there's a spot in Argentina that needs a reminder. It's as good as any."

     Suffer not an evil thing to live. It is written in the hard edge of his eyes. His expression. He looks to Jonathan and nods. "He sat there, took a waitress' phone number, ordered a drink and sat about. Course...I did ...have a chat with him. About the girl. But ...his presence alone was enough for me to want to rain fury." And he couldn't. Violet eyes shift askance to Sol. "But not here. And well he likely knows it. If not before, certainly now. But...when I get a break," Urfiel mentions, his words relaxing the swords held in them at the edges, "..I will be going forth to find a handful of minions." When he gets a break? From the tether. He could sent malachim out to do it....but some things...he just likes to do himself. As Sol speaks again, he looks to him and nods.

     The mug is raised again and Jonathan takes another drink, "Well I'm afraid Argentina is a bit out of the question for me.... I have many I've been told to look after here." the mug is set down on a near by table and he leans back against it. "Though I do here it's nice there this time of year..." actually he's never been to Argentina in all his years, but still he's heard

     Soldekai nods, "You should see it in summer." He grins, sighing, "Well, your duties are essential here. Be grateful. You do not have to roam or have to have yourself delivered on the spot." Sol glances between you both, but speaks charmingly to Jonathan, "We will handle it elsewhere. In doing so, we try to make things easier for you here. Josander has to be reminded, or else he will complicate matters in this place. Another battlefield for the lesson."

     "He will learn it," the other malachim smoothly offers, his own celestial visage only barely contained. Eyes are more like fire, color too brilliant for humankind. Urfiel's countenance is set in his own determination and unwavering Honor. Unwavering faith. He believes it...and so it shall be. "But my duty is here, and I will squeeze him here. Any way..." A beer is poured, and Urfiel slimly smiles, "...that I can." He looks to you both, and then to Jonathan. "How are things...in your area, Jonathan?" Yes, Josander has just been dispensed with.

     Beer is finished and the mug sat down, "Well enough, at the very least less problems than we usually have down on the river front......." he doesn't comment on Urfiel's fixations on the eventually 'title bout' as it were with Josander, "Seeing alot more kids around the Purple Heart which worries me..." After a few seconds he adds. "and well.. the little nubs always beat me at Tekken."

     "The Purple Heart?" Sol asks, quirking a brow. "What is this? And what is by the waterfront?" Unfortunately, roaming means you often do not know what's going on.

     There is a nod to that, and then ...odd sight though it is...the malakim grins. Urfiel takes the mug. Another is not poured lest the cherub ask for it. "Perhaps you should teach me to do this...Tekken...thing." He's still not sure he has the concept. But point and shoot and kill...this is the Malakim's life. How could he not take to it? Urfiel glances to Sol. "It's the place Jonathan runs. Good bar. They serve a lot of drivel there." And Urfiel almost laughs.

     "The official refuge for the downtrodden... My Boss asked that I maintain it here to give the homeless, the unappreciated, the shell shocked and just the lonely can come and escape for a few hours..." He's not joking either.. you walk in the place and you would swear Billy Joel's "Piano Man" is playing in the background

     Soldekai ahs and nods, thinking upon it a moment. "More children there?" he asks, getting information. "Why is that? You should see who is responsible for them." This Malakim...punishes the cruel. Even angelic ones. "If someone is not doing their part, they need a short talk."

     "I frequent it quite often," Urfiel adds quietly. Though he does not mention which of the above list of Jonathan's applies to him. He glances to the door to the forge. The heat radiates from it. But as Sol speaks, he looks back between the two celestials. A dark brow lifts in a quirk of an arch.

     This is a discussion he's had before.... Jonathan just nods, "Well some of them are homeless, They come in to the bar and we usually scrounge up some food for them and something to drink... not spirits though." he makes sure to point out, "I also think some of the like to come by because I often cave in and let them play the video games for free whenever they do the 'big eye thing.'" For millennia the Achilles' heal of the Cherub's have been dissected and discussed by Divine scholars... some twenty five years ago it was coined as the 'big eye thing' Few if any Cherub's can resist it.. especially if it comes form one of their charges.

     To Urfiel, the big eye thing is wholly different. Usually done out of extreme terror and fear. And so Jonathan is given a slightly quizzical look. "So..you...surrender...?" He's doing Malakite math...you can see the additions and subtractions going on in those violet eyes.

     "Maybe you need some assistance," Soldekai says, a half offer. More soldiers of fire to Clearwater...a thought many do not relish. "If their reasons for coming to you are what they appear, then a few need discussions." Whether mortal, angelic...or demonic. "I will see about it," and so he shall. Sol looks up at Urfiel, then smiles, shaking his head, "It is different for them. Surrender to their needs and to improve their feelings."

     Jonathan looks at a loss for words then smiles, he takes a deep breath, thankful that Soldekai put it into eloquent 'Malakim' terms. He was worried he could not, "Yes... what he said..."

     The meaning is taken and sorted with his prior knowledge, but Urfiel still cannot conceive of doing such. He would look at a kitten and say, Why?...rather than How Cute. It is just his way. "Yes, I know," comes the quiet reply, "but....the big eyes part...lost me for a moment." His ...mortal throat is cleared. His honor is saved, along with his "face." Arms are then folded against his chest. "And what is the word on the Marches, Sol..." Urfiel moves from one battle to the next with a sword's cutting grace.

     "The Marches?" Soldekai asks, a spot he rarely frequents, "I do not know. Blandine is said to be of some concern about a few things here..." he motions at Jonathan, "I suspect she may have insight on the rising agitation." Sol beams, no less radiant than his namesake, and he puts on his best Blandine voice, an almost dead-ringer really, "From the grey comes all sorts of information," his voice chiming female for the instant, "...hopes and dreams...." He leaves out nightmares and fears. There's a sad little smile for it, unintending to bring up the there. But there is where the real story might lie. "I will speak to him anon on it," changing gender as Blandine can.

     Jonathan shrinks back.. though he /almost/ keeps that unnoticeable, "Well that's cryptic....." he says blinking once. "But any incite is good incite..."

     Urfiel doesn't shrink back, though the change of voices is ...mildly disturbing. It makes his left ear buzz, and his other eyebrow lift. Arms yet folded against his chest, Urfiel eyes the other Malakim. You do that almost too well, you know. The look says it all -- more matter, less art. But he is...well...Urfiel.

     Soldekai shrugs, "It's a talent," noticing the odd looks. "But regardless, I will check on this also." Another item to his list of universal tasks.

     "Does it come in handy?" Urfiel's tone is almost dry.

     "Sometimes," Sol nods, hair shimmering like flame.

     Jonathan nods slowly, "I can imagine it has it's uses... though I'd be afraid of it happening at in opportune times...."

     Soldekai smiles, "It is controlled. Just...a long time of practice." He grins wickedly, lips twisting, then he says in a stunning voice that bespeaks of Novalis, "You would be surprised, dears," female chimes of angelic tones, "...at what observation does...."

     From nowhere, a short breeze of cool sweeps across the floor, an almost calming wind. And then Soldekai smiles again, wiggling red brows.

     There is a brief sigh. But it is not a lamenting sound. Only a purposeful release of this mortal's air. "I have to head back to the other ...area. My break's over." And female voices coming out of Sol's mouth is almost more than this malachim can bear. It makes his ears buzz with that something's-not-right tone. Urfiel steps out from behind the bar.

     Soldekai chuckles, waving a hand, "Okay, I'll stop." He sits back, and then glances askance. Judging time.

     Jonathan nods once to Soldekai, "Thank you Soldekai... after all we all can't do spiffy stuff....." he smiles though and shrugs, "So where will you go after Clearwater? Is Argentina the next stop or are there other places upon the itinerary?"

     Soldekai smiles, "You do...spiffy...things. That..." he shrugs, "...was nothing but smoke and mirrors." He rises, saying to Jonathan, eyes slipping to Urfiel, "You do what's real. And that's what's important." And almost exactly where he was before, suddenly stands a flaming gate. His ride. "I am to home...must find the boys first. Then..." he grins, Argentina."

     Urfiel has moved to the entrance of the Mucky Duck and finished locking up. There is, of course, another exit. And now you'll have to go through that way. Well, at least Jonathan will. Soldekai will go out as he came in, most like. "Kill a few for me," Urfiel clips, his words blade-precise yet again as he moves back toward the bar. "That way, I will be there in spirit."

     "We are all together in spirit," Sol offers, dark loafers taking him towards the gate, "...that is the beauty of us...of the Symphony." He has been talking to Yves apparently. A turn about and he smiles at you both, "Take care of yourselves. We always miss you at home."

     Urfiel smiles yet again. Having punned by mistake. What a night. Feeding demons and making jokes. It's been a hell of an evening. And time to make a sword. Or two.

     The last time he was home he was pretty much vegetable... "Well It will be a while before I can visit again.. but I look forward to going home again."

     Urfiel moves toward the door to the Forge. The large, metal door with the burning, bronze sword. That one. He glances back, a look and a nod given to the malakim. And another to Jonathan. "I go home....once in a while..Not often..." When he loses a battle and his vessel is killed. But Urfiel doesn't talk about that. Though, he's not call the Old Veteran for nothing.

     "It will be a joyous moment," Sol says to you both. "So I look to it then. Be assured..." now arranging eyes slipping between you both, "I will check on Blandine's words. Expect those of our Choir to join you soon here in your endeavors. Until then..." and his final greeting of 'goodbye' is spoken in the Old Tongue, even as he steps back into the fire, clothing changing to the sunlight plate armor again....the flame closing about him.
     The orange blossom quickly disappears, as if nothing had occurred.

     "Do they all have to do that jumping out of fire thing.." Jonathan says with a grump as he slips down from the table he sits upon, "Well.. You look like you need to work of some steam Urfiel... would you like me to leave you in peace?"

     The look is intense, but not in an unfriendly way. Just in an Urfiel way. You know it well enough by now. He nods, "I do indeed, Jonathan. But..." His countenance sets, as if he hates to admit it. "The...visit...did good." That's about as much of a thank-you as anyone ever gets from a malakim of the sword. He gestures for you to follow him.

Posted by rowan at May 01, 2003 03:44 PM