Tomas points you to Highland Mall, a rather large mall in the northeast of Austin. It's got a couple of movie theaters, and some stores you don't get in NYC, like Dillard's, a mid-level department store. While you're admiring clothes, Tomas excuses himself and says he has a few errands to run elsewhere in the mall. "I'll catch up with you at the Teriyaki Temple," he calls back over his shoulder. "They have some killer tempura."
You try on a few things, because even a Mercurian can appreciate a bargain. Some of their stuff is kind of cute, and you can't complain about the dressing rooms -- they've got enough room to bring a friend, if you need a second opinion, and the light is very flattering. Full-length mirror on the wall, plenty of hooks, and as clean as you could want. Looks like they've even replaced the carpet recently.
Right as you're zipping up a rather pretty red Rimini gown, you catch a movement out of the corner of your eye and hear a small dry cough.
"Very nice," says Dominic, seated on the tiny bench. "Red suits you. Your report?"
"Ah, greetings Most Just. You like the suit? Doesn't it make me look fat...? Don't answer that, it's a trick question.
"As you no doubt are aware, Asiel gave us an assignment to go to Austin and discover why the Balseraph Rumah had in his possession a plane ticket to Austin and a flyer for the South by Southwest festival. Except for a relationship, perhaps even not a close one, between Rumah and one Seneschal of Drugs named Mackie, we have not discovered much yet. We hope to learn more during the festival itself, which starts in three days. At this point I would have to say that the most likely scenario is that Rumah just wanted to flee here to avoid the wrath of both our triad and his Superior.
"While we have been here, we have noticed some other things that need to be reported. First is the sometimes close working relationship between our corporeal host, Tomas, the Angel of Catchy Tunes, and Wrenchial, the Demon of Amps. I am not comfortable with how much Tomas helps Wrenchial in corrupting human youths. Of course, Tomas will argue that Wrenchial also helps him in furthering his word...
"However, as both an agent of the Divine Inquisition and aa a Mercurian, I am deeply disturbed by the actions of Druiel, Angel of Teenage Death. He seems to feel that his Word requires him to kill young humans. I know he has killed a young woman just yesterday, I was there. I have good reason to believe he has killed at least one more. All of what makes me what I am knows that this is wrong. The Seraph Gaudior has detected possible infernal influance. I am officially asking that the Inquisition investigate, and that Druiel be recalled to Heaven for the interim.
"Finally, I am not comfortable with this truce. I believe that it provides too much cover for Hell's plans on Earth. My views are shared by some, but not all, of our group."