A little... mistaken identity. Really.

Vicky is, unsurprisingly, in a library.

The group of a dozen men who come filing through the door might be FBI, but
if so, they're very bad FBI. Their trenchcoats stretch over bulky shoulders,
and their dark glasses cover their eyes. They peer around.

Vicky oh-dears to herself, and waves the other librarian toward the back.
Hopefully she'll have some sense and call the police if there's actually
trouble.

The other librarian heads off to go through the boxes of new purchases that
just arrived today, serenely confident in Vicky's ability to handle any and
all problems.

Vicky narrows her eyes a little, assessing the group, and if they're likely
to be . . . trouble-makers.

The impression she gets is that they may well be trouble-makers. They're
muttering in a hushed way. Several of them are walking with oddly stiff
legs. They're up to Something.

One of them -- the leader, it might appear -- pulls a piece of paper out of
his pocket and scrutinises it. His eyes flick to Vicky in what is meant to
be an unobvious way, then back to the paper again.

Vicky sighs, and readies a few... mental states, in the back of her mind.
Something to help her be speedy, perhaps. "Excuse me, gentlemen," she says
in Crisp Librarian Mode. "Can I help you find anything?"

The leader folds up the piece of paper (was that a sketch on it?) and slides
it into his trenchcoat pocket. He approaches, with the others falling into a
somewhat regimental step behind him. "Are you ... Victoria?" he asks, his
voice betraying some sort of foreign accent. Maybe Romanian.

Vicky frowns slightly. "Victoria who? There are at least, oh, fifty
Victorias in the city, you know." She looks thoughtful -- while shifting
position into something that can dodge backwards. And then, hm, perhaps out
_that_ ground-floor window, so the books aren't in danger.

The leader reaches inside his trenchcoat -- and pulls out a longsword. "You
will come with us," he says, heavy brows drawn together, every bit the
Menacing Thug.

The Subsidiary Thugs are reaching into their trenchcoats, too.

Vicky shrieks bloody murder -- and heads for the window at top speed. [I.e.,
augmented to the best of her abilities -- she may not be Akabane, but...]

The thugs are taken by surprise by her speed. Most of them run after her,
yelling stuff like, "Grab her!" and "Shut her up!" while a couple break from
the pack and head for the door, maybe intending to circle round to the
window from outside.

Vicky yanks the window up and open -- losing a few moments, but avoiding
nasty glass cuts -- and then jumps through, heading for... somewhere with
few people, because either she doesn't want bystanders in trouble -- or she
doesn't want any witnesses.

Fortunately there's a small public park just over to the left there -- and
since it's currently school hours and not particularly good weather, it's
currently empty.

Better than nothing -- Vicky sprints for that, her feet (even in dress
heels!) pattering on the pavement at More Than Mortal speeds.

There are yells behind her as the pack of thugs follows, but they're not
catching up -- they're falling behind, if anything. A couple of others have
drawn swords now as well, which isn't helping their running speed, and one's
carrying a net, and another's got chains.

Vicky keeps her glances over her shoulders to a minimum, and heads for an
area where she can... spread her wings a little. Let them try throwing that
net up a two or three story tree, say.

There's a nice open area with several high trees, a swingset, and a couple
of roundabouts, just off there.

Vicky cuts behind one of the trees, jumps for the swingset, and
concentrates. Wings. She likes wings. Wings feel like _that_ and they catch
the air like _that_ and you pump them in a swirl like _that_...

Huge feathered wings rise from her back and carry her upwards, letting her
easily perch atop the swingset. There are cries of fury and frustration from
the Thugs as they enter the clearing.

Vicky readies herself to jump if they start tossing nets around, and scowls.
"Why can't anyone ask _politely_ anymore?! You think I'm going to let people
stalk around the library with _weapons_ that could _damage the books_? Where
are your _manners!_" She does not, quite, say, ``In the name of Librarians,
I'll punish you'', but the thought crosses her mind.

Leader Thug points his sword at Vicky. "Surrender now, Victoria Barimen, and
you won't be harmed!"

Her great mental gifts tell her that he's lying in his teeth.

Vicky sniffs. "It's very rude to demand someone's surrender when you haven't
even introduced yourself, your organization, and-or your employer."

One of the thugs says helpfully, "My name is Yoshitaka, and I'm working
for..." before the leader backhands him in the mouth. "Shut up!"

Vicky says, "See? It's rudeness like that which will get you in trouble.
Now, we can discuss this in a civilized manner -- or you can face the wrath
of Heaven. Pick one."

The leader turns back to point his sword at Vicky again, looking somewhat
harrassed. "I warn you, madam, if you attempt to go against us, you will
regret it! We have been trained to capture you! Your face has haunted our
nights! We are prepared to die if necessary!"

Vicky says, in a tone used by librarians for crying children who've lost
their parents, "_Why_ have you been trained to capture me?"

One of the thugs pipes up, "Because you are the Queen of Evil, who has
opposed the Rightful Lord for uncounted years! The Unicorn demands your
blood!"

Vicky says, "I think you've got the wrong Victoria, then. I'm the one on the
side of the angels. See the wings?" She flutters them helpfully,
pondering... Oh, a very forceful lullaby, maybe.

The other thugs begin to unobtrusively -- or at least, it's meant to be
unobtrusive -- circle round the swingset. One of them pulls a small crossbow
from inside his trenchcoat.

Vicky gets ready to dodge, and sing out some sleepy-time tunes.

Thug number Three calls out, "Those are the Wings of Iniquity! They show you
are descended from the Serpent Hung upon the Tree of Matter!" He fondles his
sword meaningfully.

Thug With Crossbow takes aim.

Vicky dodges, and starts the Lullabye of GO TO SLEEP NOW.

Half the thugs stagger, sag, and hit the ground snoring. Of the remaining
six, four are using all their concentration to stay upright, and are in no
condition to attack, swaying backwards and forwards. Only two (the Leader
and one other) seem still fairly conscious and active. With a yell they
charge the swingset.

Vicky backwings, continuing to Sing in hopes that the four "fence-sitters"
will head to dreamland. She doesn't want to have to throw her shoes at the
last ones as a diversion, they're _new_ shoes...

The four swaying ones collapse into the mud (the weather really hasn't been
very nice lately), and Vicky sails into the air as the remaining two
demolish the swingset, hacking apart harmless plastic and smashing down the
central pole and chains.

The leader yells, frenzied, "Come down here and fight!"

Vicky mutters something about "name of childhood, punish you." Meanwhile,
she heads for a tree, and tries to think of something else to do. Illusions
for them to chase? Invisibility for herself? Did she ever figure out how to
hypnotize someone quickly, and could she knock out the other one first?

[[OOC]] Demiurge says "You can effectively hypnotise someone, but it takes
at least a few seconds and requires eye contact or physical contact, and
depends on their strength of will. (Idiots can be annoyingly strong-willed.)
You can certainly cast illusions or make yourself invisible, but it'll take
a few seconds to perform the Song."

The nearby pine trees offer plenty of convenient branches, and even some
shelter from the drizzle.

Vicky perches in a tree. "Who sent you after me? I should at least know
their name before I die, right?"

The leader pauses. Poses. "Know, Victoria Barimen, that you have offended He
Who Must Not Be Named!"

The Second Thug pipes up, "Right! Your ancient enemy has returned!"

The Leader declaims, "And he shall have a righteous vengeance upon you!"

Vicky gives the Look Of Non-Comprehension. She adds, "That's not very
informative, you know."

The Leader states, "It is not for us to know whether he shall have you
racked limb from limb, or slay you mercifully, or make you his bride! Our
duty is to bring you to him in chains!"

Vicky says, still looking baffled, "If he wants to propose, you need to tell
him that chains are _not_ my kink."

The Leader shakes his sword at Vicky. "Come down and fight! Or have the
Barimen turned coward?"

Vicky points out, "I'm unarmed and outnumbered. You expect me to be
_stupid_?"

The Leader laughs. "You are of the blood of Barimen. We know what that
means!"

Vicky says, "Are you positive you haven't got the wrong person? Totally
positive?" And begins to ponder a couple of Songs... One to cause an
illusion or three of her, heading off. Another to make her invisible. Then
maybe she can get that so-helpful Yoshitaka and question him on top of a
building somewhere.

The Leader snorts. "How many could grow wings and fly, or sing a dozen men
to sleep?"

Vicky says, a bit absently, "I might have an evil twin somewhere."

Thug Two says thoughtfully, "It could be her shadow, boss..."

The Leader snarls, "Shut up, fool!"

Vicky metaphorically pricks up her ears. Shadow. She's seen that term tossed
around on that journal-group...

Vicky chirps, "What's a shadow?"

The Leader snarls at Vicky, "None of your business. Now will you surrender,
or must we subdue you by force?"

Vicky says, "Why does it have to be force? Why can't it be reasoned
discourse, or an elegant dinner?"

[[OOC]] Vicky <- supposes she sort of enjoys a battle of wits with an
unarmed person.

Thug Two says, "Because you're the Mother of Lies."

Vicky starts edging back around the tree, heading to slightly out of sight.
"That's the problem with kids. Then never call, they never write..."

Then she starts singing. Some illusions would be good about now.

[[OOC]] Vicky would rather, right now, be the Mother of Confusion.

With curses, the two thugs dodge round the tree to try to keep sight of
her - but she was out of view just long enough to produce an illusion of
herself which will hold from a distance. Such as, from the ground.

Leaving her illusion to mutter and shift at them, Vicky works on Song Number
Two -- Invisibility.

That's done easily enough, leaving the thugs staring up at the illusion.
Leader threatens it some more, clearly having problems working out how to
get to it. In the distance, police sirens wail.

When she's cloaked in shadows, Vicky heads down for the hopefully snoozing
Yoshitaka. Stretching the melody as best she can to keep him invisible as
well, she grabs him under the arms and heaves. Her wings flap a little, as
she tries to see if she can fly with his weight.

Vicky . o O (I hope they don't hear wingbeats . . .)

She can indeed fly while carrying him, though it's a bit cumbersome.
Probably couldn't manage anyone else, though.

The two conscious thugs continue to threaten the winged illusion in the
tree.

Vicky gives Yoshitaka some nice flying dreams, then. Or flying while he
dreams. There ought *oof* to be a *ugh* flat roof around here *gah, he's
heavy* somewhere.

There's a reasonable five-stories-up nice flat roof just over there, and
even an overhang roof-shelter that'll help keep her out of the drizzle a
bit.

As she makes her getaway, Yoshitaka in tow, police cars make their
appearance down below.

With much oofing, ughing, and muttering about people who should LOSE WEIGHT,
Vicky flies up. And hopes the police don't get too roughed up by the
thugs.

Vicky deposits the unconscious henchman upon the chosen roof, out of sight
from the ground, and pokes at him till he wakes up. Carefully.

Yoshitaka wakes up with a jolt. He sits up, staring around, reaching inside
his jacket for what is no doubt a weapon.

Vicky smacks his wrist. "Stop that."

The blow to his wrist numbs it, and the gun he's grabbing for clatters to
the roof. He flinches away and back, eyes big and frightened.

Vicky sighs. "Look, I'm a reasonable angel. I don't intend to hurt you
unless you make it necessary. So, let's discuss this like civilized people,
hmmmm?"

Yoshitaka hisses, "You're not an angel! You're the Mother of Darkness! Your
wings are..." He hesitates. "An illusion!"

Vicky flicks a wing out to brush his face. "Indeed. I think you've got the
wrong angel, seriously. Why do you think I'm this Mother of Darkness -- more
like a nice tan, I'd say -- anyway?"

He flinches away as the feathers trail across his face. Sulkily, he says,
"The Master has trained us, and given us eyes to penetrate your disguise. He
has shown us the 109 prophecies which have been fulfilled by your coming,
Antichrist! By slaying you we shall advance the Rapture and cause God to
save all mankind!"

[[OOC]] Demiurge gives in to temptation and brainwashes them with the Left
Behind books.
[[OOC]] arcangel laughs!!
[[OOC]] Liriel howls happily!

Vicky tries not to face-palm. "Okay... Name three, and explain how a simple
librarian... No, no, sidetracking. Who's the Master?"

Yoshitaka's face takes on an awed, enraptured, cowlike look. "He is the
Evangelist, the Witness of God, who has interpreted the sacred writings so
that all can understand at last. We, the Tribulation Force, have been
charged with preventing Armageddon!"

Vicky says, "Does he have a name? A face? A bar code?"

Yoshitaka says, "We know all your plans. Becoming president. Seizing power
in the UN. Controlling the world."

Vicky says, "But I don't _want_ to be president, hold power in the UN, or
control the world. It would be a lot of work."

Vicky says, "Look, does this guy have a name? A face? A bar code? An email
address?"

Yoshitaka looks smug. "He speaks only to his faithful. Our leader held the
sacred means for us to travel to his lands, but he at least is safe!"

Vicky blinks. "That would be... shadows?" she guesses.

Yoshitaka blinks. "What?"

Vicky says, "How did you get here?"
Vicky . o O (Next time, kidnap the one who knows things. Though it might
involve more breaking bones.)\

Yoshitaka brags, "The Evangelist gave to our leader a mighty token which
opened the path to where we came upon you. See, Antichrist, the power that
we can command! Tremble before the might of the holy one!"

Vicky feigns a cower (not very convincingly). "Oh, how terrible. The details
would slay me entirely!"

Yoshitaka scowls. Evidently he is not quite that stupid. "You mock. I should
have expected no less."

Vicky offers, "Well, I might be more impressed if you give me more details.
Seriously. Tokens and paths -- I'm on mailing lists with weirder stuff than
that."

Yoshitaka snarls, then smooths it out. Trying to look innocent, he says,
"Let me reach inside my coat, and I shall find the letter of instruction we
were given."

Vicky purrs, "You dissemble. I expected better. Here, I promise not to do
worse than tickle if you hold still." She reaches out to see if he'll hold
still for it.

He holds still till she gets within reasonable distance, then makes a grab
for her throat.

Vicky makes a grab for his wrist(s), holding them tightly and alert for
kicking. "I'd hoped you'd be more polite," she frowns.

Her superior strength and speed pin him, and he can only squirm and mutter
rude things about mother of harlots and corrupt Babylon and the like.

Vicky says, sadly, "Oh, I wish I had a boyfriend... Now..." She attempts to
get him in a proper lock so that she can fish into his coat and get out the
weapon he's so intent on grabbing.

He's quickly pinned on his front, hands behind his back, and you're able to
fish out his knife and wallet.

Vicky flips open the wallet, to see if anything looks interesting, while
hanging onto her prisoner.

There's the usual identity documents, though some of them look a little ...
odd. There's a photo of him with a graduation class, with one of them making
bunny ears with his fingers behind someone else's head (there's always one).
There's a playing card with a landscape illustration on it that feels cool
to the touch. There's a bundle of totally new, unused money.

Vicky hmmmms. "So -- who's the current President I'm supposed to be running
against?"

Yoshitaka snarls, "Oprah, of course!"

[[OOC]] arcangel thinks that Oprah is not president in Vicky's shadow?

[[OOC]] Demiurge says "No, I don't think so. :)"

Vicky says, "Oooookay, that ought to be a cakewalk. I thought she was
getting married to overseas royalty... Look, you've got the wrong angel. You
want my evil twin."

Yoshitaka says, "Your what?"

Vicky says, "My evil twin. For every Mother of Darkness, there's a shadow of
Light, didn't you know that? We look alike, but I'm humble and relatively
weak. You're looking for the _mean_ one, who'd have killed you and trapped
your soul in a gemstone to question you, not the one who sits you on a
roof."

[[OOC]] Vicky talks fast!
[[OOC]] Demiurge says "Doing anything to make him more susceptible to
this?"
[[OOC]] Vicky would be quite amenable to singing something to lower his
resistances to fast-talk!
[[OOC]] Demiurge is sure you have a "Song" that works that way.

As Vicky works on his mind, Yoshitaka's eyes glaze over, till he's nodding
in enthusiastic agreement, and apologising for having been duped by the
_real_ Antichrist.

Vicky thanks him for his understanding, and hands him back his wallet --
without the cool-feeling landscape card. Hopefully he won't notice.
Politely, she offers him a ride back down, too...

He thanks her, big-eyed and grateful for her merciful understanding. (Low
Will score, clearly.)

Vicky explains how he can get to the police station, too -- since his
fellows are likely to need assistance.

(And as soon as she can get rid of him politely, she'll be off to a secluded
area to examine her new card...)

He trots off happily, leaving her in peace.

The card shows a picture of a pleasant green pastoral landscape. On the back
of the card is a black serpent with a single purple eye, against a golden
shield. It feels cool to the touch.

Vicky ponders this. Mmmm-hm. Is it any symbol she's ever found in her
readings?

[[OOC]] Demiurge says "Not that you recall."

As she studies the landscape, it starts to seem ... more real. More
definite. She almost feels as if she could step through.

Vicky blinks more, and then flips the card over, decisively. Riiiiight. Not
after she's just bought a new computer.

[[OOC]] Vicky has been reading the forum posts! This sort of a bridge thing
is not coming as a surprise! Uh-huh!

Vicky starts trekking back toward the library, to see if she can tell her
co-worker that she's alive and heading home, and grab her purse, and get
away before the cops catch up with her. Then she'll wrap up the card in
something heavy, put it in a lead-lined case when she gets home, and get
onto the computer...