Sunae arrives at the apartment first, but goes out to get food. Shenmachel arrives next, Sunae comes back. Not long later Corat will arrive. So she's cooking, and Shenmachel is pondering Pepito's demise.

Sunae: "Shenmachel, I bought some juices and other healthier snacks. Would you like some?"

07/06/2009 01:49:15 ‹Shenmachel› "No, thank you, Soldier." *he seems lost in thought when he answers, not really focused*

Sunae knows better than to intrude on one's thoughts, so she continues to cut up an apple and put a dallop of peanut butter on the plate. She munches on this while the food cooks

At some point while cooking, Sunae will notice a lot of different mismatched salt and pepper shakers. Sunae can't help it. She tries to match them and as she does so, she giggles to herself at the thought that an Angel would collect such tchotkes.

Shenmachel leaves the room and enters the kitchen, greeting her with a polite nod, "I see that you bought stuff for more people than just you. That's friendly."

Sunae can't help it. She tries to match them and as she does so, she gigles to herself at the thought that an Angel would collect such tchotkes.

Sunae: "It would be bad form not to. Especially since it is not my kitchen. You never know. Someone may want to partake."

She looks at him after a bit, "Did you need something from me?"

Shenmachel: "Ah... Some of us do indeed eat habitually. - I must confess that I'm curious. Somebody sent you to meet us... Who was it? Do you already know it? I remember that you haven't been able to tell us who it was."

Shenmachel: "I'm afraid I do not. He never introduced himself and I didn't think it was proper to ask I believe Corat indicated that he knew. I only know that he is very familiar with the Blessed Gabriel"

Shenmachel: "How do you know that?"

Sunae: "He refered to her as Gabby and he said that she felt I would be a good choice for this group."

The Seraph stands rigidly erect in the kitchen, his fingertips pressed together in front of his Vessel's abdomen.

"He referred to an Archangel that informal?" Shenmachel looks into Sunae's eyes. "Is that common among Servitors of Fire?"

She shrugs, "I have no idea. That was the first time I even encountered one of you...bearing. I was going to ask you or Ash."

Shenmachel: "Well, I don't know about Fire's customs, but the Sword would never dare to call the Lord Commander of the Armies of Heaven anything else than with a respectful name.”

Sunae: "I was taught the same, so it really took me by surprise."

Shenmachel: "I know that you come from a family of Soldiers; did you always work independently, without knowing an angel who supervised or helped you?"

Sunae: "Yes. There aren't that many Angels that we know of and only my Grandfather knows who they are or how to contact them. Grandfather felt it was best to prevent us accidentally exposing an Angel to the Enemy. We were taught to serve Heaven's cause in a discrete manner and to do what we must to further the cause."

Shenmachel: "Then you seem to have originally operated deep in Enemy territory?"

Sunae: "Yes and no. Occasionally Grandfather would show up and send us to places where we were needed. How deep I was ever really in, I really don't know. He felt that accidents happen. The goal was to prevent as many accidents as possible”

Shenmachel: "I don't mean to be disrespectful, but what happens if your grandfather dies in battle and is not able to tell somebody of your family how to contact us? Until the angel he's in contact with notices that something's amiss, it could be too late."

Sunae: "He won't. He's been around for 800 years. He won't die that easily if at all"

That's an answer Shenmachel hasn't expected and looks at her unbelieving.

Sunae: "He's a Saint"

Shenmachel: “Wha...? How?”

She shrugs, "We only know that he made this great sacrifice to ensure that we will always honor our ancestor's pledge to service AND that we do it properly."

Shenmachel: "Ah... That...explains it. And to serve for that much time on Earth is impressive."

Sunae: "But we have so much to do."

Shenmachel: "You don't have to win the War alone," he smiles a little.

"No, not to win the War, but to help ensure you will," she smiles back

Sunae: "The elders of my family train those who would choose the path of the hunter, whether they share our blood or not. That is irrelevant. What is relevant is their desire."

Shenmachel: "Your dedication - yours and that of your family - is an adornment to Heaven. I wonder that your family seems not to be well known in the Sword's ranks, since our Lord Commander considers himself to be responsible for the Soldiers that are dedicated to our cause..."

Sunae shrugs, "We know very little, if anything, of what goes on in Heaven. We only do what we are told and trust in the Blessed Gabriel's wisdom and guidance."

He nods, but there seems to be a hint of sadness in his eyes

Sunae: "If any of the other Blessed Ones know of us we are not aware. We are sure they, at least, know of our Grandfather. But he prefers we remain clothed in secrecy. If you know of us then the Enemy may know of us and they would be watching for us. We can't get surprise them if they know about us."

Shenmachel: "Surprise is indeed an important tool if a human Soldier wants to reach victory over a demon."

Sunae looks at him questioningly, "Would it really make a difference if your Lord Commander knew?"

Shenmachel: "I don't know if he doesn't really know. But I do not know and I assume that many, if not most, other angels of the Sword don't know either. And that's a pity, since your family would deserve fame. Support would be easier if you were more known. - But maybe it's just me who is uninformed."

Sunae: "Fame and adulation can corrupt even the most pious of hearts and lead to rash judgement and action. We do not need, nor desire, such temptations.”

Shenmachel: "Well, even if you don't desire it, to be known wider could provide you with easier access to assistance."

Sunae: "We only want to assist your struggle. But I thank you for the concern and the thought. Besides," she smiles, "Grandfather wouldn't realy like that. We should be able to do this on our own without bothering you. You have more important things to tend to."

He looks at her. "This War is about you, in the end. We don't have "better things to do". If we fail, the demons will rule supreme and enslave the Corporeal Plane. We're there to avoid this - and to defeat them for their act of rebellion."

Shenmachel: "It's not just about us, it's about all of Humanity. We are only a small speck in the sea of colors. This War is about Humanity but you are the real fighters. My ancestor made a pledge a long time ago to aid the fighters."

After a brief pause.

"Look at this...All these salt shakers. It's really funny to see them here."

"Why?" He seems to take notice of them for the first time.

Sunae: "Of all the things I expected to find here, I certainly did not expect to see a collection of salt and pepper shakers. Especially in the kitchen? I would have thought that they would remain in their proper pairs and in someplace that can protect them better."

He seems to be a little bit confused. "Why don't they belong there? Aren't salt and pepper spices or something like that?"

Sunae: "Let me explain it this way..."

He nods and listens.

Sujnae: "You need something to write with, so you get a pen. Why would you carry 20 different pens when one will do the job adequately? That's pretty much what I am seeing. Why does he have so many shakers when he only really needs one? And some of these are pretty valuable. It would be best to keep them someplace where they won't fall and break or get scratched."

Shenmachel: “I don't believe that the Friend of the Unseen cares much about valuables... Maybe it's more the act of...‘collecting’...he's interested in.”

Sunae: "Now I am wondering why. Perhaps I shouldn't change them around."

Shenmachel: “Maybe he'll notice, but I don't believe he'll care much about it.”

In the act of changing them around Sunae notices one lone pepper, a giant flower shape. Sunae looks at the flower for a moment. Then she reaches out to pick it up and examine it. It's clean--not dusty like most of the rest of them. It was broken once and repaired. I wouldn't try actually using it for pepper anymore.

Sunae: "Hmm" She carefully turns it around and examines it

Shenmachel: "What's with that lone pepper?"

Sunae: "That's what I'm trying to figure out."

He takes a step closer to her and looks at it, too.

Sunae: "Oh. This must have some sentimental value. I should put it back."

Sunae puts it back in its proper spot and she tries to put the others back.

Shenmachel: "Probably... But can you read where it has been made?"

Sunae looks for any writing. "A typical shaker with no special features. It may have been given to him by someone special or owned by someone special."

Shenmachel: "Thank you..."

Sunae can't help it. She picks up the flower again and examines it. It is broken, and lovingly repaired. No sign of its salt anywhere. Sunae carefully opens the stopper where you pour salt in the type of stopper suggests that it's vintage--well, early 1980's anyway. But there's nothing inside. Sunae then looks inside.

Shenmachel: "Anything interesting in it?"

After a little shake, an old dried rose petal rattles inside

Sunae: "A dried rose petal! Hmm. I wonder what that's about?" Sunae is feeling uneasy because Corat is a friend and, because of that, she really shouldn't be snooping around. For the second time she replaces the stopper and the flower. Then she looks to Shanmachel

Sunae: So...Did you have any other questions for me?"

He tries to take a look at the petal.

Shenmachel: "A few others. Since we work together, it would be good to know what you're capable of. Where do your strengths lie, where your weaknesses? Which weapons do you prefer, which you don't use, if you are a front-line fighter, a skirmisher or reconnaissance."

He’s seen the same color petals on a "Crown of Joy", a fairly unique breed of rose

Sunae: "My primary weakness is my youth and inexperience. But, that will be remedied in time. As for my strengths, I really don't know how to answer that. I prefer to let my actions speak. I already have a weapon. And I prefer to be a front line fighter but I am more than capable of filling other necessary roles."

She looks at the petal again, "Lost love maybe?"

Shenmachel: Good. That opens up some tactical alternatives. - Which weapon do you use? A ranged one or one for 'melee'?"

07/06/2009 03:33:12 ‹Shenmachel› "Hm, I rather think that it's from a certain Vassal of Flowers we both know..."

07/06/2009 03:33:14 ‹Anna› Sunae smiles and touches the back of her neck

07/06/2009 03:33:50 ‹Anna› She lifts her hand and a sword appears from out of nowhere. When she draws draws it out, she reveals a beautiful katana

Sunae offers the hilt to Shenmachel to take it and examine it. He takes the sword respectfully with both hands and looks at the blade from all four sides, then he smiles. It looks old, but it is still in excellent shape. The wrappings are red and orange and the entire sword looks to have been very well cared for. The edge is very sharp and it is obvious it has been sharpened quite a few times but it is still a weapon to be reckoned with

Shenmachel: "A very fine blade. Good for fast cuts. And beautiful."

Sunae: "Thank you" She says as she takes it from Shenmachel. She flips it expertly and leans her head forward. She places the sword at the base of her neck and it disappears and she pushes her hand down.

Shenmachel: "And I have no doubt that you're well trained in its use." Again he looks at the blade, before it disappears.

Sunae: "Yes. And at the most opportune times, I can engulf the blade in flames."

Shenmachel: "A powerful relic. But I assume that using it puts a strain on you...?"

Sunae: "It can be tiring but I have become accustomed to it. I try to avoid igniting its flames."

He nods. "Is it a family heirloom?"

Sunae: “Yes. From generation to generation. No one knows how the next wielder is chosen but we never asked.”

Shenmachel: "As long as its wielder is worthy, asking seems unnecessary."

Sunae: "Yes, but curiosity can be a very powerful force."

Shenmachel: "I assume that you're trained in avoiding it." He smiles.

Sunae smiles, "Curiosity? I wouldn't be so sure." Sunae says as she glances at the flower shaker

Shenmachel: "Well", he points to her neck, "you seem to know when you may be curious and when not."

Sunae: "Practical learning has it's advantages."