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After breakfast, the group decides to split up in order to get as much information as possible.
Reziphel, with some help from both Appoggees, says they are trying to find any information they can on Rumah, or Gottlieb, the name Rumah used on the plane ticket. Darius asks Marius if he can take care of this, as he has an "appointment". Marius agrees, and Darius scoots off. Once he has gone, Marius stiffly relates that Darius is in love with one of the humans on campus, hence his "appointment". He's a little jealous, he says, though of course he wouldn't let it interfere with his work. While he searches the network, Zenaniel leaves to buy new clothing for himself and Reziphel. Marius is able to find that Gottlieb's ticket was bought after he was chased out of his home base, on February 17th. The ticket itself, of course, was never used. He doesn't find any real estate or rental vehicles in Gottlieb's name, but says that if Gottlieb/Rumah was coming here to visit someone in particular, he may have been planning to stay with them. He also suggests that they speak to Miles, a Mercurian of Yves in the Physics Department; he tries to keep track of Celestial movements in the area. While waiting for Zenaniel, Marius, Rez, and Appoggee/squirrel chat a bit about the goings on on campus. Marius tells them about the campus Tokamak reactor that he and Darius are trying to get shut down; the recent memo war between departments has not led to anything yet.
As they leave to walk to the Physics Building to see Miles, Appoggee/squirrel rides on Rez's shoulder. The building is more crowded now with students on their way to classes, and several women stop to coo over the squirrel. However, they back away after Zenaniel assures them that it bites. At the Physics Department, Zenaniel waits in the hall while Reziphel and Appoggee/squirrel ask about Rumah. Miles says that while he keeps track of most of the Celestials in the area, it is very difficult to keeps tabs on transients, especially now when so many people are showing up for the South by Southwest festival. But he promises to let them know if he finds anything. He suggests talking to Hugo, a Servitor of Drugs on loan to Saminga, since Rumah seems most likely to have been involved with Fleurity. He suggests that they not talk to Mackie, who, while also a Servitor of Drugs, is not a very friendly demon. Meanwhile, Shilom, Gaudior, and Appoggee/Diego drive to Zilker Park. On the way, Gaudior switches vessels to Angela. As it is still quite early, there are only a few people about, mostly joggers and people walking their dogs. After a short time, they spot Moses Austin, gesturing in the air and talking to himself. He's in his late 40's, and dressed in rugged clothing: boots, denims, faded shirt and hat. When they walk up to him, he mistakes them for tourists, and cheerfully spends the next few minutes telling them about Austin and what a beautiful place it is. Angela eventually gets his attention by celestially humming "Blandine Serves the Will of God". At that point, the conversation turns to more pressing business.
Shilom, Gaudior, and Appoggee are somewhat comforted to hear from someone who doesn't like the truce in Austin. Moses gives them some information about the city, including Saminga's underground tether and the entrance from Barton Springs, right here in the park. Afterwards, Shilom picks up the others on campus, and they go back to Rosie's Place for lunch. |
Darius
drives Reziphel, Zenaniel, and Appoggee/squirrel to campus. They enter
Taylor Hall, which is almost empty as it is still quite early.
Darius takes them back to the building's machine room, where
they meet Marius, an Elohite of Jean. Darius explains that he and Marius
fledged together about hundred years ago; they've only been on Earth for
the last 10.
Moses doesn't know about
Rumah, but assures them that he doesn't care to have demons in his parks,
and doesn't care who knows it. He makes sure the kids are safe whenever
he's around. This truce is all nonsense, in his opinion. He also confides
to them his big dream: to have Texas break away from the U.S. and become a
separate country, with Austin as the capital. Not an easy task, but he
feels that it can be done, if he can only convince enough people.
Although unconvinced, the angels agree that it is a bold plan.
Rez and company arrive at
Delta Upsilon at about 3:30 pm. Mark Assousa and his roommate, Michael,
are in their room. The conversation goes well at first, and they are
invited to a big party that the fraternity is having on Saturday night.
Then Zenaniel resonates on Mark and finds out that he helped kill a
freshman during rush. There is a tense confrontation, but finally the
angels leave. A student on the street tells them that the fraternity has
been on probation for a few years because of an accidental death during a
rush a few years ago. They just started having parties again last
semester.