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in_nomine-digest       Sunday, October 22 2000       Volume 01 : Number 1864



In this digest:

   Re: IN> Michael's Challenges: Cloak and Axe
   Re: IN> Michael's Challenges: Cloak and Axe/ Eye of the Storm
   Re: IN> Michael's Challenges: Cloak and Axe/ Eye of the Storm
   Re: IN> Michael's Challenges: Cloak and Axe/ Eye of the Storm
   Re: IN> Michael's Challenges - Eye of the Storm
   Re: IN> Michael's Challenges: Cloak and Axe/ Eye of the Storm
   Re: IN> Michael's Challenges - Eye of the Storm
   Re: IN> Michael's Challenges - Eye of the Storm
   Re: IN> Michael's Challenges - Eye of the Storm
   IN> War and Dreams... Round One
   Re: IN> Michael's Challenges - Eye of the Storm
   Re: IN> Michael's Challenges - Eye of the Storm
   Re: IN> Michael's Challenges: Cloak and Axe
   Re: IN> Dominic's Confessions : Day the Latest
   Re: IN> Michael's Challenges - Eye of the Storm
   Re: IN> Michael's Challenges - Eye of the Storm
   Re: IN> War and Dreams... Round One
   Re: IN> Michael's Challenges - Eye of the Storm
   Re: IN> Dominic's Confessions : Day the Latest
   Re: IN> Michael's Challenges - Eye of the Storm
   Re: IN> War and Dreams... Round One
   Re: IN> Michael's Challenges: Cloak and Axe
   Re: IN> Michael's Challenges - Eye of the Storm
   Re: IN> Michael's Challenges - Eye of the Storm
   IN> We'll Be Right Back, After These Messages.
   Re: IN> Michael's Challenges - Eye of the Storm
   Re: IN> List "Contest"?
   IN> Michaels Challenges: David and Goliath

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Sat, 21 Oct 2000 23:57:46 -0400 (EDT)
From: "Rev. Pee Kitty" <pkitty@brainpuke.com>
Subject: Re: IN> Michael's Challenges: Cloak and Axe

On Sat, 21 Oct 2000, Elizabeth McCoy wrote:

> <BETH GRINS LOTS>
> 
> Thanks.  Glad it worked.

It worked, and it worked well. I'm always most impressed with stories
that obviously should have ended in some sort of glorious revalation or
moral statement, but it just didn't work for some reason. Those take guts
to write...

- -- 
Rev. Pee Kitty, of the order Malkavian-Dobbsian, Q4B4L!
								Meow!

Information is not knowledge. Knowledge is not wisdom. Wisdom is not
truth. Truth is not beauty. Beauty is not love. Love is not music.
Music is _the best_.
                        -- Frank Zappa, "Packard Goose"

------------------------------

Date: Sat, 21 Oct 2000 23:22:58 -0400
From: Whistling in the Dark <in-sabre@annotations.com>
Subject: Re: IN> Michael's Challenges: Cloak and Axe/ Eye of the Storm

At 11:57 PM -0400 10/21/00, Rev. Pee Kitty wrote:
>On Sat, 21 Oct 2000, Elizabeth McCoy wrote:
>
>>  <BETH GRINS LOTS>
>>
>>  Thanks.  Glad it worked.
>
>It worked, and it worked well. I'm always most impressed with stories
>that obviously should have ended in some sort of glorious revalation or
>moral statement, but it just didn't work for some reason. Those take guts
>to write...

Amen.

In a similar vein, the Janus story worked well, Reverend. Not for the 
same reason, but because you were willing to do Janus right, and 
that's seriously cool.

*Are* these things being collected somewhere? These stories and the 
Dominic ones?

And how crass is doing more than one?
- -- 
Eric Alfred Burns - <in-sabre@annotations.com>
<http://www.annotations.com/~innomine>
Habbalite of Belaboring the Point

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 22 Oct 2000 00:20:44 -0400 (EDT)
From: "Rev. Pee Kitty" <pkitty@brainpuke.com>
Subject: Re: IN> Michael's Challenges: Cloak and Axe/ Eye of the Storm

On Sat, 21 Oct 2000, Whistling in the Dark wrote:

> In a similar vein, the Janus story worked well, Reverend. Not for the 
> same reason, but because you were willing to do Janus right, and 
> that's seriously cool.

Thanks. I've always liked Janus, and always felt that he was willing to do
whatever he thought was right, regardless of whether others agreed with
him or not.
 
> *Are* these things being collected somewhere? These stories and the 
> Dominic ones?

I accidentally deleted my copies of the Confessions (dumb kitty me), but I
do have copies of all the Challenges if anyone missed any.

I REALLY think they should be put up on the INC when they're finished,
perhaps under Fan Fiction...

> And how crass is doing more than one?

If it's good enough, we'll forgive you. :)

- -- 
Rev. Pee Kitty, of the order Malkavian-Dobbsian, Q4B4L!
								Meow!
Any resemblance between the above views and those of
my employer, my terminal, or the view out my window are purely coincidental.
Any resemblance between the above and my own views is non-deterministic. The
question of the existence of views in the absence of anyone to hold them is
left as an exercise for the reader. The question of the existence of the
reader is left as an exercise for the 2nd god coefficient. A discussion of
non-orthogonal, non-integral polytheism is beyond the scope of this message.

------------------------------

Date: Sat, 21 Oct 2000 22:31:17 -0500
From: "Erich S. Arendall" <sprite@insync.net>
Subject: Re: IN> Michael's Challenges: Cloak and Axe/ Eye of the Storm

> And how crass is doing more than one?

We'll never complain of you being In Nomine prolific, Eric.
...And I thought I did demand an encore there. :)

Not that I'm of importance to the list (at least not in anyone's mind but my
own), but I say write away!

<!-- Erich S. Arendall
<!-- Demon of Infernal Interventions
<!-- www.impudite.com
<!-- Touched by an Impudite
<!-- Version 2. Still charming and still touching.

------------------------------

Date: Sat, 21 Oct 2000 22:51:12 -0500
From: "Charles Glasgow" <cglasgow@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: IN> Michael's Challenges - Eye of the Storm

- ----- Original Message -----
From: "Rev. Pee Kitty" <pkitty@brainpuke.com>
To: "In Nomine Mailing List" <in_nomine-l@lists.io.com>
Sent: Saturday, October 21, 2000 10:47 PM
Subject: IN> Michael's Challenges - Eye of the Storm


I think that this is shaping up to be the best writing contest *ever*.

And Reverend, this was one was *so* good.   Remember what I said last week
about not being able to put a "voice" on some Superiors?

Janus now has a voice to me.  And a face.   And a soul.   I can *run* Janus
now, because now I know him as a person and not just a brief list of stuff
in a rulebook.

Thank you.

- --
Chuckg

------------------------------

Date: Sat, 21 Oct 2000 23:45:09 -0400
From: Whistling in the Dark <in-sabre@annotations.com>
Subject: Re: IN> Michael's Challenges: Cloak and Axe/ Eye of the Storm

At 10:31 PM -0500 10/21/00, Erich S. Arendall wrote:
>  > And how crass is doing more than one?
>
>We'll never complain of you being In Nomine prolific, Eric.
>...And I thought I did demand an encore there. :)
>
>Not that I'm of importance to the list (at least not in anyone's mind but my
>own), but I say write away!

Hey, I *like* Touched by an Impudite!
- -- 
Eric Alfred Burns - <in-sabre@annotations.com>
<http://www.annotations.com/~innomine>
Habbalite of Belaboring the Point

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 22 Oct 2000 01:06:33 -0400 (EDT)
From: "Rev. Pee Kitty" <pkitty@brainpuke.com>
Subject: Re: IN> Michael's Challenges - Eye of the Storm

On Sat, 21 Oct 2000, Charles Glasgow wrote:

> I think that this is shaping up to be the best writing contest *ever*.
> 
> And Reverend, this was one was *so* good.   Remember what I said last week
> about not being able to put a "voice" on some Superiors?
> 
> Janus now has a voice to me.  And a face.   And a soul.   I can *run* Janus
> now, because now I know him as a person and not just a brief list of stuff
> in a rulebook.
> 
> Thank you.

Wow. I think that's the best compliment I could have possibly been given. 

Thanks, Chuck, and you're welcome.

- -- 
Rev. Pee Kitty, of the order Malkavian-Dobbsian, Q4B4L!
								Meow!
If I had a shiny gun, / I could have a world of fun
Speeding bullets through the brains / Of the folk who give me pains;
Or had I some poison gas, / I could make the moments pass
Bumping off a number of / People whom I do not love.
But I have no lethal weapon; / Thus does Fate our pleasure step on!
So they still are quick and well / Who should be, by rights, in hell.
        -- Dorothy Parker, "Frustration"

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 22 Oct 2000 00:18:13 -0400
From: Whistling in the Dark <in-sabre@annotations.com>
Subject: Re: IN> Michael's Challenges - Eye of the Storm

At 10:51 PM -0500 10/21/00, Charles Glasgow wrote:
>I think that this is shaping up to be the best writing contest *ever*.

Is contest even the right word for this? We're not looking to win, 
just to have some fun, right?
- -- 
Eric Alfred Burns - <in-sabre@annotations.com>
<http://www.annotations.com/~innomine>
Habbalite of Belaboring the Point

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 22 Oct 2000 01:17:31 -0400 (EDT)
From: "Rev. Pee Kitty" <pkitty@brainpuke.com>
Subject: Re: IN> Michael's Challenges - Eye of the Storm

On Sun, 22 Oct 2000, Whistling in the Dark wrote:

> At 10:51 PM -0500 10/21/00, Charles Glasgow wrote:
> >I think that this is shaping up to be the best writing contest *ever*.
> 
> Is contest even the right word for this? We're not looking to win, 
> just to have some fun, right?

Speak for yourself, dammit... I have my eyes on that big cash prize.

...or maybe the all-expenses-paid trip to Sri Lanka....

:)

- -- 
Rev. Pee Kitty, of the order Malkavian-Dobbsian, Q4B4L!
								Meow!

"People love to be told what to do. They love not doing what they've been
told even more. They love it the most when they are made to do it anyway."

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 22 Oct 2000 00:28:18 -0400
From: Douglas Muir <douglas.muir@yale.edu>
Subject: IN> War and Dreams... Round One

A Seraph faced a Cherub across a small windowless room.  Each wore a simple
tunic; each carried a short silver baton.

A line on the floor between them divided the room into two equal halves.
At each end stood a slender pedestal, chest-high.  On each pedestal stood a
silver bell.

"The rules, then," said the Archangel Laurence, "are as follows.  Each
combatant  shall have one chance to take the 'aggressor' role.  The
aggressor shall step over the line into the opposing side.  Once there, he
or she has thirty seconds to strike the bell with the baton, while the
defender shall seek to prevent this.

"Songs and attunements may be freely used, but only after an aggressor has
stepped over the line.  No weapons, other than the batons themselves, are
allowed.

"Are there any questions, then?"

Michael shook his head.  Across the room, Blandine murmured, "I asked for
these rules, Host Commander.  I have no questions."

"Very well, then."  Laurence removed a small cloth from his pocket.  An
Archangel had no need of handkerchiefs -- or of pockets, for that matter --
but it was good to observe the formalities.

He glanced to his right at Michael... relaxed yet alert, muscles rippling
under his tunic.  Laurence knew that the old Seraph didn't think much of
this challenge.  "She'll likely throw some illusions at me,"  he had said
the day before.  "Perhaps some Ethereal tricks.... I think she has
forgotten how many battles I've fought in the Marches.  She does pretty
work, but she's no fighter."

Laurence turned towards his left, and Blandine.  She seemed, as ever,
perfectly calm and self possessed.  Laurence had never seen her dressed so
simply.  Somehow she looked smaller without her elaborate capes and
embroidery; it was almost impossible to imagine her standing against the
massive Angel of War. But... she had asked for this contest.  Laurence
shrugged internally; they would see soon enough.

"We begin at the count of three.  One... two..."  The cloth fell fluttering
to the ground.  "Begin!"

There was a pause while the two combatants stood motionless, gazes locked.
Then Michael stepped forward.  One long stride, another, a third... and his
foot came down over the line.  He tensed himself, lunging forward towards
the pedestal


and went crashing to the floor, the breath smashed out of him by a sudden
hammer-blow of unseen force.  His arm went out reflexively to break his
fall... and Michael heard, more than felt, the crackling *snap* as the
bones of his left forearm shattered like glass.

And then he was belly down on the ground, an impossible weight on his back,
his broken arm pinned agonizingly beneath him.  Four steps away, Blandine
stood beside her pedestal, baton held at port arms, her expression
impassive.

Michael writhed.  _What is this?  How did she do this?_  With a flick of
his mind he shut down the pain from his useless arm.  He calmed his
thoughts and let his resonance expand outwards, tasting the strange flavors
of the Symphony as it sang through Blandine's Tower.

_Gravity.  She just increased the gravity a hundredfold_.  Michael worked
his good arm under him, and pushed himself off the floor.  Slowly he drew
one knee up under his body, then another.  _That should not be possible.
Physical constants in Heaven are a matter of consensus.  Not even a
Superior can..._  He had hit his head on the floor; blood was running into
his eyes.

_Wait.  In Heaven.  But we're not just in Heaven.  This Tower is in the
Marches, too._  He slid one knee forward, then the other.  The skin tore
off them at once; again, he silenced the pain. _And it's one of her
Tethers.  So she can change... what?  Gravity?  Essence flow?  Radiation?_
Michael considered trying to stand, then decided against it.  On one hand
and his knees, damaged arm hanging uselessly, he began creeping towards the
pedestal.  _I'm carrying the whole weight of her Tower on my back_.

"No, Michael.  You're not."  Blandine said softly.  Michael grunted with
surprise; had he spoken out loud, or could she hear his thoughts somehow?
He turned his head: Blandine was down on one knee, just out of arm's reach
to his left.

"I discovered, some little while back, that I could use my resonance to
control the environment inside my Tower.  What's happening to you... think
of it as something like the Cherub of Stone attunement; I've just attracted
the floor to you, or vice versa."   Blandine's tone was calm, almost
conversational.  "But it's been quite difficult to explore this ability.
It could be another way to defend all those who take refuge here, but... my
control isn't perfect, and using it to hurt someone would be a perversion
of my Word and my Tower.

"It was quite a puzzle for me.  Until the toughest being in the universe
announced that he was challenging all comers."

Michael snarled, and clutched at his baton with blood-slippery fingers.
One quick lunge sideways... but Blandine had taken a single graceful step
back from him.

"By the way, Michael, you're carrying perhaps a hundredth of the weight of
the Tower.  I don't think I can put it all on you without endangering the
structure's integrity.  But I can double it --"

Michael gasped.

" -- and then double that again."

Michael's arm slid out from under him; the floor struck him like a
thunderclap.

"And then add a bit more, just to keep you there.  You're very strong,
Michael, and I don't care to take chances."

Michael's vision had gone red; there was a roaring in his ears.  _How much
time is left?_  He shifted his shape; for a moment, a great golden serpent
with a broken wing writhed on the floor of the chamber.  _No.  She has
turned this into a contest of will, rather than skill.  And her will is
strong, here_.  Michael shifted back to human form, gasped for a breath
that burned his lungs.

_I keep forgetting just how fierce even the gentlest Cherub can be_.  With
infinite care, Michael sheathed the baton in the belt of his tunic.  Then h
reached out one arm along the floor, groping for a tiny crack or
irregularity. _I won't forget that again_.  There!   Painfully, slowly, he
pulled himself forward by his fingers.

Was there time to use a Song and heal his arm?  No.  He had a sudden
suspicion that Songs might not work properly in this room.  His fingers
slipped; he blinked blood from his eyes and found his grip again.

_She built this Tower from the stones of the Mount of Revelation, that
shattered at the Fall.  *I* shattered them, when I cast Lucifer down._
Michael reached out again, pulled... reached, pulled.  _These stones did
not stand before me then, and they shall not now._  Reach, pull --

And then he was at the base of the pedestal.  Four feet above the ground,
the bell gleamed mockingly.  Vaguely he realized that he had been crawling
along a trail of his own blood.

_I must reach the bell.  I must stand_.  Michael closed his eyes, summoning
Essence.  _I will stand.  I *will*_.  One-handed, he pushed himself off the
ground, drew his knees under him.  Was there still enough time?  It didn't
matter.  He would stand.  Essence burned through him like a bonfire.
Somewhere, Blandine frowned.  The pressure on him increased.  Very faintly,
the floor shuddered beneath him.

_If I have to bear all Heaven on my shoulders, I will. I will stand._  He
pushed himself to one knee, then groped blindly for the baton.  _I am War._
A thousand gravities were pulling the blood from his head.  It didn't
matter.  He had Essence, and he had his unbreakable will.  He pushed
himself upwards.  _I am War.  I am War.  I will stand!_

He stood.

With an arm that weighed tons, he raised the baton.

He struck the bell.

The Tower groaned from deep in its foundations.  Dust fell from cracks in
the ceiling.  There came a distant chiming of angelic voices crying out in
surprise and concern.

"Time," said Laurence softly.


* * * *

Round Two in a day or so.


Doug M.

------------------------------

Date: Sat, 21 Oct 2000 23:31:41 -0500
From: "Erich S. Arendall" <sprite@insync.net>
Subject: Re: IN> Michael's Challenges - Eye of the Storm

> At 10:51 PM -0500 10/21/00, Charles Glasgow wrote:
> >I think that this is shaping up to be the best writing contest *ever*.
>
> Is contest even the right word for this? We're not looking to win,
> just to have some fun, right?

I agree with Eric here.

Although I haven't turned anything in, I take offense at the term "contest".
Everyone who has woven us a tale has done a fantastic job and I don't see
any reason to grade or put them against eachother.

Why don't we just say that this "event" has turned out some of the most
varied and intreguing posts and leave it at that? :)

I think I /will/ try my hand for this event, though. Be prepared. :)

<!-- Erich S. Arendall
<!-- Demon of Infernal Interventions
<!-- www.impudite.com
<!-- Touched by an Impudite
<!-- Version 2. Still charming and still touching.

------------------------------

Date: Sat, 21 Oct 2000 21:08:57 -0700
From: Charles E Smith <edenesque@juno.com>
Subject: Re: IN> Michael's Challenges - Eye of the Storm

Really excellent perspective on Janus in this one, Rev. :) I'd always
thought The Wind to be impulsive, capricious, and not too strong on
foresight, but you really brought out his personality and described
Michael's feelings of defeat well. :)

Charles Smith.
________________________________________________________________
YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET!
Juno now offers FREE Internet Access!
Try it today - there's no risk!  For your FREE software, visit:
http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj.

------------------------------

Date: Sat, 21 Oct 2000 21:17:52 -0700
From: Charles E Smith <edenesque@juno.com>
Subject: Re: IN> Michael's Challenges: Cloak and Axe

Nice story Beth. :) I like how Dominic seemed to be well...not as cold as
usually described. If I didn't know better, I'd think he actually cared
for Michael's well-being... :P

*goes to dunk his head in cold water and remove the effects of not enough
sleep now...*
________________________________________________________________
YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET!
Juno now offers FREE Internet Access!
Try it today - there's no risk!  For your FREE software, visit:
http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj.

------------------------------

Date: Sat, 21 Oct 2000 21:15:18 -0700
From: Charles E Smith <edenesque@juno.com>
Subject: Re: IN> Dominic's Confessions : Day the Latest

"Soulbay?" Dominic queried mournfully, already dreading the worst.

"It's really simple." There was a tinkle, as of a mobile phone being
unfolded. "I'm buying people's souls on the Internet."<<<

Soulbay?! LOL! This was hilarious! :D Just don't let Dominic find out if
Nybbas discovers this little gem. The Internet does fall under The Media
after all and if he and Vapula really got working on it, it could blow up
in Marc's face. I can see it now:

Marc: "But Dominic, how was *I* to know that Nybbas had got Vapula to
create a tracking device that located the physical location of souls that
use the Soulbay, and then went and gave the information to Kronos? It was
a perfectly good idea at the time..."

Dominic: *cold, cold stare*

Marc: "Eep....." 
________________________________________________________________
YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET!
Juno now offers FREE Internet Access!
Try it today - there's no risk!  For your FREE software, visit:
http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj.

------------------------------

Date: Sat, 21 Oct 2000 23:40:46 -0500
From: "Charles Glasgow" <cglasgow@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: IN> Michael's Challenges - Eye of the Storm

- ----- Original Message -----
From: "Rev. Pee Kitty" <pkitty@brainpuke.com>
To: <in_nomine-l@lists.io.com>
Sent: Sunday, October 22, 2000 12:17 AM
Subject: Re: IN> Michael's Challenges - Eye of the Storm


>
>
> On Sun, 22 Oct 2000, Whistling in the Dark wrote:
>
> > At 10:51 PM -0500 10/21/00, Charles Glasgow wrote:
> > >I think that this is shaping up to be the best writing contest *ever*.
> >
> > Is contest even the right word for this? We're not looking to win,
> > just to have some fun, right?
>
> Speak for yourself, dammit... I have my eyes on that big cash prize.
>
> ...or maybe the all-expenses-paid trip to Sri Lanka....

There is a reason that Michael is my favorite Archangel.  *g*

Yes, it is a contest.  A friendly one, where the losers walk away as happy
as the winners, but it's still a contest.

After all, *somebody's* gotta write the best story...

- --
Chuckg

(And I know it ain't gonna be me.  The only Superiors I was thinking about
doing (Novalis, and then Dominic) were already covered, with way better
ideas than the ones I had.  Heck, my Novalis idea was only half-formed by
the time it were rendered moot.

David, OTOH... I don't have enough of a 'sense' of David to be able to write
him fully.  Anybody else planning on doing David?  I can just *feel* the
potential there, but I don't have the character knowledge to fully tap into
it...)

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 22 Oct 2000 00:50:59 -0400
From: Whistling in the Dark <in-sabre@annotations.com>
Subject: Re: IN> Michael's Challenges - Eye of the Storm

At 11:40 PM -0500 10/21/00, Charles Glasgow wrote:
>After all, *somebody's* gotta write the best story...

So, we're marking time for Jo. Cool. <wg>

>David, OTOH... I don't have enough of a 'sense' of David to be able to write
>him fully.  Anybody else planning on doing David?  I can just *feel* the
>potential there, but I don't have the character knowledge to fully tap into
>it...)

When I idly mentioned doing a second, it was with a David story in 
mind. However, I'm neck-deep in... well, pay copy and broken fingers, 
so I planned to leave it lie and see if someone else did it first 
over the next few days.

But Moe must be rubbing off on me. I did a serious Novalis battle, 
and thought of a humorous David one.
- -- 
Eric Alfred Burns - <in-sabre@annotations.com>
<http://www.annotations.com/~innomine>
Habbalite of Belaboring the Point

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 22 Oct 2000 01:39:33 -0400 (EDT)
From: "Rev. Pee Kitty" <pkitty@brainpuke.com>
Subject: Re: IN> War and Dreams... Round One

Damn... I never thought of Dreams as being THAT aggressive, even towards
War. She always struck me as calm and waify....

Well done.

- -- 
Rev. Pee Kitty, of the order Malkavian-Dobbsian, Q4B4L!
								Meow!
STEP 21. Frost the nuts.
    Big bag of nut in grocery store, why are they there? There for buying,
and then to frost. Much like cake frosting, nut frosting sweet and smooth.
Spread much like butter, but without  grease and bubble. Allow nut to dry,
then place on very best noodle tray. While allow for nuts to dry, think
about new form of punishment. No frost for nut go bad, so take away and
replace.        ("How To Become A Famous Rock Star", LMNOP)

------------------------------

Date: Sat, 21 Oct 2000 23:57:07 -0500
From: "Charles Glasgow" <cglasgow@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: IN> Michael's Challenges - Eye of the Storm

- ----- Original Message -----
From: "Whistling in the Dark" <in-sabre@annotations.com>
To: <in_nomine-l@lists.io.com>
Sent: Saturday, October 21, 2000 11:50 PM
Subject: Re: IN> Michael's Challenges - Eye of the Storm


> At 11:40 PM -0500 10/21/00, Charles Glasgow wrote:
> >After all, *somebody's* gotta write the best story...
>
> So, we're marking time for Jo. Cool. <wg>
>
> >David, OTOH... I don't have enough of a 'sense' of David to be able to
write
> >him fully.  Anybody else planning on doing David?  I can just *feel* the
> >potential there, but I don't have the character knowledge to fully tap
into
> >it...)
>
> When I idly mentioned doing a second, it was with a David story in
> mind. However, I'm neck-deep in... well, pay copy and broken fingers,
> so I planned to leave it lie and see if someone else did it first
> over the next few days.
>
> But Moe must be rubbing off on me. I did a serious Novalis battle,
> and thought of a humorous David one.

I think that we could use a brief change of pace after all the serious and
touching drama that's been in this contest.  (And besides, Blandine Round 1
has already put Michael through a mighty raw strength and endurance
challenge...)

Humorous David, by all means!

- --
Chuckg

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 22 Oct 2000 00:57:07 EDT
From: BillionSix@aol.com
Subject: Re: IN> Dominic's Confessions : Day the Latest

In a message dated 10/21/00 11:37:18 PM Central Daylight Time, 
edenesque@juno.com writes:

<< Soulbay?! LOL! This was hilarious! :D Just don't let Dominic find out if
 Nybbas discovers this little gem. The Internet does fall under The Media
 after all and if he and Vapula really got working on it, it could blow up
 in Marc's face. I can see it now: >>

Actually, the internet does not fall under The Media, as much as Nybbas would 
like it to. Nybbas defines The Media as "all forms of mass communication 
UNDER MY CONTROL." The internet is too uncontrolled to fall under his domain. 
I think this was mentioned in Superiors 2.

Reverend Brian A. Rogers
BillionSix@aol.com
ICQ# 22544590

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 22 Oct 2000 00:59:13 EDT
From: BillionSix@aol.com
Subject: Re: IN> Michael's Challenges - Eye of the Storm

Re: All these cool stories....

Man, I wish I had the talent to run with you guys!!!

Reverend Brian A. Rogers
BillionSix@aol.com
ICQ# 22544590

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 22 Oct 2000 00:00:46 -0500
From: "Charles Glasgow" <cglasgow@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: IN> War and Dreams... Round One

- ----- Original Message -----
From: "Rev. Pee Kitty" <pkitty@brainpuke.com>
To: <in_nomine-l@lists.io.com>
Sent: Sunday, October 22, 2000 12:39 AM
Subject: Re: IN> War and Dreams... Round One



> Damn... I never thought of Dreams as being THAT aggressive, even towards
> War. She always struck me as calm and waify....

Yeah, I was surprised at how ruthless Dreams was in this writeup.  Not
disapproving, just surprised.

Then again, I suppose that playing staredown with Beleth for 22,000
uninterrupted years could put a really thick layer of armor over your more
delicate sensibilities... 'cause you wouldn't survive without it.

- --
Chuckg

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 22 Oct 2000 00:30:21 -0500
From: "Charles Glasgow" <cglasgow@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: IN> Michael's Challenges: Cloak and Axe

- ----- Original Message -----
From: "Elizabeth McCoy" <emccoy@nh.ultranet.com>
To: <in_nomine-l@lists.io.com>
Sent: Saturday, October 21, 2000 10:31 AM
Subject: IN> Michael's Challenges: Cloak and Axe


> Hah. Fiction. Even with a wiggly baby!

The only thing I didn't like about this story is that my personal preference
re: the Michael/Dominic grudge is an explanation where they both share the
blame for it.  In this one, it looked like all the bad feeling and
responsibility for such was on Michael's side alone.

Outside of that quirk of mine, however, this was a *very* well-written
story.

- --
Chuckg

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 22 Oct 2000 00:57:34 -0500
From: David Edelstein <amadan@amadan.org>
Subject: Re: IN> Michael's Challenges - Eye of the Storm

Charles Glasgow wrote:
> Yes, it is a contest.  A friendly one, where the losers walk away as happy> as the winners, but it's still a contest.

Really? When were the rules posted? Who's judging?


> After all, *somebody's* gotta write the best story...

Who decides which story is the best?

You are free to choose your personal favorite, but don't take it upon
yourself to declare that everyone is "competing" just because you are
judging them on a competitive basis.

- -David

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 22 Oct 2000 00:52:27 -0500
From: "Charles Glasgow" <cglasgow@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: IN> Michael's Challenges - Eye of the Storm

- ----- Original Message -----
From: "David Edelstein" <amadan@amadan.org>
To: <in_nomine-l@lists.io.com>
Sent: Sunday, October 22, 2000 12:57 AM
Subject: Re: IN> Michael's Challenges - Eye of the Storm


> > After all, *somebody's* gotta write the best story...
>
> Who decides which story is the best?

Well, how it's usually worked here before is that the story that got the
most applause was usually 'the best'.  Of course, some people use other
judging criteria. *shrug*

> You are free to choose your personal favorite, but don't take it upon
> yourself to declare that everyone is "competing" just because you are
> judging them on a competitive basis.

David, seeing as how we apparently are as compatible a set of personalities
as Michael and Dominic, how's about you just take this kind of stuff to
e-mail next time?

G'night.

- --
Chuckg

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 22 Oct 2000 02:05:41 -0400
From: Jason Schneiderman <jadasc@ma.ultranet.com>
Subject: IN> We'll Be Right Back, After These Messages.

The panoramic vista of Heaven shrank to a dot no more than an inch across,
then vanished, leaving a green-scaled Serpent displayed against the black
monitor like a butterfly pinned in a collector's box.

"These serials are the hottest thing. 'Confessions.' 'Trials.' They love
them. They've got legs. We need to do one before the buzz fades. Picture
this: The Story of A. The Beautiful Prince working his way through the
Celestial Realm. Seducing the Game. Satisfying the Glutton. I've given the
first three episodes to your secretary - there's one called 'Three-Way at
the Tower' that's gonna..."

"You know what this shows me?"

"What's that, Sir?"

The Impudite steepled his fingers.

"How much they need us up there. Think about it. How bored do you have to
get before the idea of taking on the Archangel of War sounds good? How
starved for entertainment? Do you think there's a single Prince who has the
*time* for something like that?

No. We're all busy, busy bees. Trying to implement our visionary paradigm
on the whole tri-plane scene. We don't have the luxury of indulging whims
like that. Even if the ratings would be blockbuster. You savvy, kid?"

The serpent's shoulders sagged. "I savvy."

"Don't lose Heart, babe. It's a good idea. And it shows you've got something."

"You mean it, Boss?"

"Sure. That Michael/Janus scene? You'd be a natural for the Word of
Artificial Sweetener. Lemme get one of Haagenti's boys on the line..."

* * * * *
Jason Schneiderman
jadasc@ma.ultranet.com

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 22 Oct 2000 01:24:27 -0500
From: David Edelstein <amadan@amadan.org>
Subject: Re: IN> Michael's Challenges - Eye of the Storm

Charles Glasgow wrote:
> Well, how it's usually worked here before is that the story that got the> most applause was usually 'the best'.

I haven't noticed any such common standard singling out one story in a
series of postings as "best." I've noticed different people declaring
different stories their favorite.


> David, seeing as how we apparently are as compatible a set of personalities> as Michael and Dominic, how's about you just take this kind of stuff to> e-mail next time?

Because I didn't want to see this evolve into a competition based on
your declaring it to be one. If the participants WANT to "compete," or
if Elizabeth wishes to declare a contest, so be it, but otherwise it
should be made clear that this is in no way a contest, except inasmuch
as each member of the audience will probably choose a favorite.


If you have any more comments to make about our personalities, yes,
those should be confined to private e-mail.

- -David

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 22 Oct 2000 01:12:26 -0500
From: "Erich S. Arendall" <sprite@insync.net>
Subject: Re: IN> List "Contest"?

I don't think that this should be taken off the list at all.

> Well, how it's usually worked here before is that the story that got the
> most applause was usually 'the best'.  Of course, some people use other
> judging criteria. *shrug*

"How it's worked here before" is a bullshit method. It's not neccessary and
it's improper to base what's best based on applause - especially when in an
e-mail list. I have not time to "clap" when I receive any messages at work,
and nor do many other people.

Also it's belittling to everyone else who contributed stories that made the
list such a great thing in the first place. A person can only take so much
before they say "screw it" and stop writing for the list. Which will turn
the list back into a straight question & answer/debate list.  /That's/ why I
adamantly refuse to go along with the terminology; in fun or not it still
makes other people losers. And let's face it, everyone who contributes is a
winner.

And because everyone /is/ a winner, they need to know it, and what better
way than posting this to the list?

<!-- Erich S. Arendall
<!-- Demon of Infernal Interventions
<!-- www.impudite.com
<!-- Touched by an Impudite
<!-- Version 2. Still charming and still touching.

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 22 Oct 2000 17:48:46 +1000
From: "Azrael/Demigouge" <angelofdarkness@dingoblue.net.au>
Subject: IN> Michaels Challenges: David and Goliath

 He was a nameless Infernal Spirit.  Not important enough for a name, nor
even a distinction between Imp, Gremlin nor the countless other Spirits that
spontaneously appeared in Hell, He was merely a collection of forces.
Though while he had no status in Hell, he did have a job, he was a
messenger.  His kind were used to deliver messages to Heaven, on the rare
occasions that it was required, inevitably resulting in their death.

 The message had been delivered to Hell concerning Michael's challenge, and
it has caused a stir, even the nameless pile of critters to which He
belonged was abuzz with speculation.  Everybody knew, that Baal was
desperately trying to devise a way in which to enter Heaven, or issue a
challenge to Michael that would allow him to participate.  The little spirit
had upon occasion seen each of the Demon Princes, as they came to inpect his
fellow nameless ones.  Each of them impressed him in some manner, Kronos'
quiet authority and power, Andrelaphus' pure attractiveness, Nybass' dynamic
excitability.  However, none had impressed Him as much as Baal, his pride,
his power, everything about Baal intrigued him, desperately he wanted to
serve Baal.  Usually, He never wished to be picked to deliver the message,
but to die for Baal would be an honour, for He could never amount to
anything, He could never serve Baal as a true servitor.

 Finally, His chance came, Baal had a plan for his challenge of Michael, he
stalked upto the edge of the pit, glaring into the depths, examining all the
demonlings, searching for a fast and active spirit.  Our nameless spirit
tried his hardest to look strong and sure, Baal's gaze wavered over Him a
moment, before his huge and powerful hand quick as lightning snatched a
spirit near the top of the pit.  Imediately the spirit began to wail, a
terrible sound.  Baal's disgust was obvious, immediately the pitiful
creature was flung away, "Can any of you do anything right?  You snivelling
wretches?"  his voice boomed around the walls.

His chance was now "Please sir, I would be honoured to serve you" He piped,
His voice small and quiet compared to Baal's greatness.
"You will suffice" snapped Baal impatiently, he was very angry about the
challenges, his pride really was his weakness.

 He was briefed, "You will be transported to the Marches, from here you must
enter Blandine's side, you will no doubt then be met with one of her guards,
as they patrol its entirity.  You must then explain that you bring a message
from Master Baal.  You will be interogated before being allowed into Heaven
with the protection of an Archangel, the Light of God will not rip you
apart...immediately" the Demon explaining the operation ot him seemed to
take pleasure in saying this. Baal strode in, "Upon your admitance to
Heaven, you are to sing this song, do not make a mistake, only to an
Archangel may you sing it, to no one else.  My message will then be
delivered, and the protection from the Light of Heaven will withdraw, we
cannot allow anything to fall into our enemies' hands.", as Baal spoke, He
could feel himself learning the song. At about this time, the Demonling
realised that He didn't want to die, not even for Baal, especially not if
Baal would forget Him within a few minutes of his departure.  "Do you
understand?" Baal demanded.
"Y-yes S-ir," He stammered "but first, I r-r-request, would you n-n-name me
before, I...I go?"
"I must depart to prepare, now be off" Baal snapped, pretending not to hear.

 Disheartened, He was taken to the Marches, he travelled his way to
Blandine's side, ensuring He travelled with all the speed he could muster,
although He would dearly have liked to explore, Blandine's Marches, were
completely unlike anything He had ever seen before, bright colours, happy
scenes, no longer was He scared, unlike He had been in Beleth's black
terrifying abode.  The terror of his mission departed as the dreamscapes
comforted Him.  He couldn't help himself and stopped to examine an
especially attractive dreamscape, a boy and his puppy were playing,
wide-eyed He began to approach. "What are you doing, Demonspawn?" a voice
demended, a black figure appeared before Him, the silver chains of oathes,
bound around it. A Malakite!  Full of awe, the demonling only stared, "This
is what they are like, they are terrible..yet so...wonderful!" He thought to
himself.  "You are trespasing in our Lady's Marches, you will answer now, or
be terminated immediately!"
"I-I bring a message from Baal, for Micheal" He dropped his head dismayed,
He didn't want such a beautiful being hating him, as obviously this Malakite
did.
"Come" the Malakite commanded.

 After interrogation by a number of Seraphim, and a quick viewing by
Blandine, He was escorted to the Room of Challenge by a Reliever, where He
was to await the entrance of Micheal, and the Archangels and other Angels of
note.  The appearence and musical voice of the Reliever ashamed him,
compared to His gross visage, and a voice like gravel in a gearbox.

 Time passed, the Reliever asked question about Hell, and Himself, when it
asked His name, He was silent, before becoming enthralled in Janus and
Micheal's combat.  The Reliever soon lost interest in Him, which He
regretted, but His lack of name, had become a source of shame in the last
few hours.  From this distance He thought that it was Baal and an Ofanite in
combat, but He quickly dismissed the thought, it wasn't possible.

 Finally, after what seemed an eternity, made no easier by the torture of
His inadequicies and the surround perfection, a mental and emotion torture
he loathed to endure.  Angel's began to populate the room.  Glories
surrounded Him , the beauty of the Celestial form of the Heavenly amazed
him.  He was admiring everyone around Him, when Micheal and Laurence
appeared.

 He could not decide which was more amazing, the *perfection* of the smaller
Malakite, or the greatness of the Large Seraph, his power, his strength, his
pride, his righteousness.  He immdediately saw that Baal as a lesser
imitation of Micheal, Micheal had all of Baal's strength's but moreso, and
seemingly none of his weakness'.  It came as quite a suprise that Baal, was
attempting to mirror Micheal in every respect, their celestial forms , were
the same colour, the same size and almost the same shape.  But where Baal
was dark and menacing, Micheal was great and good, he radiated kindness and
compassion (compared to Baal at least)...as well as great strength and
glory, but most of all no jealousy (a quality he recognised in retrospect
that was present in Baal, and He knew of who now), something the Demonling
had become an expert upon in His stay in Heaven.

 Micheal was smiling, as the reliever spoke to him, explaining the Infernal
Spirit and his presence.  The great Archangel turned to Him, and asked,
still smiling, and not unkindly"You have a challenge?" then he commanded
"Deliver it".

 Baal's song was forgotten, all admiration of Baal dissappeared, a love of
Micheal's greatness emerged, and with it came a plan, a chance.  More
nervous than ever before, words came from His mouth, though He was not ready
to utter them "I challenge you, great Archangel".

 The gasps were loud, and went on for some time, before everyone in the room
began to speak at once, some laughed, other astounded and some enraged.
Micheal's face was serious, and after Micheal gave the signal, Laurence
demanded silence.  "You are but a Demonling, even though I would be trying
no to destroy you, my power is far greater than yours, your death would be
swift, yet accidental."

"I challenge you, to restrict your power, restrict your strength to no
greater than mine, in any respect, for the duration of this challenge.  As
if you too had only 3 forces."  He hoped against hope that His ploy would
work.  "I see no problem in the challenge" Laurence declared "What do you
offer?  Dejected, he could only answer "I have nothing to offer, that you
would have any use for, but I try, I offer anything I can grant, just as
Micheal does",  Micheal smiled a wide grin "I agree, Little One."

 It was then that everything became unravelled, "But didn't you bring a
message from Hell?" the Reliever chimed in, its perfect voice jarring His
mind and His will "...yes" and he sang his Song.. and as the Song ran its
course, Baal's voice and message booming in the chamber, He felt the
protection from the Symphony withdraw, He felt the Symphony, the true
Symphony, and it hurt, it burnt, but what hurt most was not a physical pain,
but the regret that He would not ever see Micheal, nor Heaven again, He
would never be as good, as glorious as those around Him.  He was going to
cease to exist, as his body wracked with pain, and in His heart, He felt the
greater sorrow, everything seemed to slow down, and He looked around
regretfully, He saw David, seemingly hewn of Onyx, a truely a Malakite, and
truely of Stone.  Then He saw the Cherub, she looked at Him, and smiled, as
she did so, she stepped forward and changed into a beautiful woman, dressed
in a Hawaiin shirt.  Novalis picked him up, and He felt the pain reside,
"You haven't fought your challenge yet" she said soothingly "We did not wish
to withdraw or protection, but Baal's song blinds us from your presence and
I could not protect you, I am sorry"

 The day of the challenge arrived much faster than He would have liked, His
recouperation was pleasent, He could have stayed locked in the Infirmary for
eternity and been content.  The Reliever came to visit Him occasionly and
ensure He was alright, its name was Hathiniel.  But no longer could He dwell
on what had passed in His stay in Heaven, His challenge was at hand, and
then after Michae defeated Him, He would either be destroyed by Heaven, or
be sent back to Hell, where Baal would no doubt destroy Him as he had tried
before.  The rules of the challenge was simple, it was straight unarmed
combat, the first restrict the other's movement for ten seconds was the
victor, Michae could only act as if he had three forces.  And so the
competion began.

 It was Micheal that struck first, charging forward, in the form of a
Reliever, he grabbed Him around the waist bearing Hm to the ground.  As
Micheal pinned Hm down, H thrilled at his touch, but realised that H didn'
have the luxury to enjoy the sensation.  Though Micheal was experienced in
battle, He was not experienced in fighting with one of equal strength, this
and the Demonlings greater experience at being weak, forced Micheal to lose
his hold.  The He slipped out, and grabbed one of Micheal's legs as He went,
Micheal tumbled to the ground.  Micheal was no longer taking this lightly,
this would be a great challenge, he would need all of his skill, his might
was useless in this situation.  And so they fought, for quite some time,
Micheal skill in battle counterpointed by the Infernal Spirits experience in
fighting His own kind, living in a pit of Demonlings was not without
conflict.

 Though the Demonling had the greater experience at this level of combat,
Micheal's technique was flawless, there was no doubt that Micheal would win
eventually.  It was by complete coincedence, that as Micheal launched
himself towards Him, that the Demonling tripped, falling backwards, as
Michael sailed over His head.  As Micheal landed, the Demonling heard a
snap, Micheal had broken his arm.  As shock and dismay went through the
Demonling's mind, the most wonderful being in existance had been hurt, and
He was responsible, it occured to Him, that this might allow him to win, and
stay in Heaven, but He could not bring Himself to act against Michael
anymore than He had done. As He slumped to the ground, Micheal hauled
himself up, before restraining Him easily for the count of ten.

After the contest, Micheal was restored to his Archangelic form, he removed
the songs that bound him, and repaired his leg, before approaching the
Demonling, who was sitting alone away from the crowd, sobbing.  "Why do you
cry?"
"I hurt you...a..a..and now, I must leave Heaven, either through Destruction
or Returning to Hell..."
Micheal's hearty laugh boomed "You think that I would surrender my prize so
easily?  I fought hard to win what you offered, and I claim you as my
servitor, I ask that as my boon."

Elated, the demonling began to Glow, a pure light came from Hs body, His
very wish had been granted, He felt Love, and Admiration, and all the
feelings that the Selfish life of the Infernal denied.  As a most
outstanding thing He Redeemed *Himself*, His newfound love for Heaven and
all its inhabitants replacing the small yet dark theme that was until
recently his existance.  He had as much love as any Cherub, for all that
surrounded Him, and was for the time in his many years of existence truely
happy.  Best of all Micheal gave Him a name, a name to be proud of, to make
great, a name that could become Glorious. From then on He was Zotiel (Little
One Of God), the name of Little One, beginning from Michael's Acceptance of
His challenge, had become His name, and He would have loved no name more
than this.

Azrael, who feels like a Demonling among Archangels after the greatness of
everyone wlse's contributions, compared to his own.

------------------------------

End of in_nomine-digest V1 #1864
********************************

The material here is (C) 2000 Steve Jackson Games, Incorporated.
All rights reserved.