11045/The Call Takes All

The Call Takes All
Date of Scene:	02 May 2022
Location:	The Midnight Mission
Synopsis:	Cael and Jon pay a visit to Moon Knight to see if he is able to jar her memories of her time in Duat. Upon the revelation of her time and the warning Cael received, Mr. Steven Grant makes an appearance to assist in puzzling out the nature of the warning.
Cast of Characters:	Marc Spector, Cael Becker, Jonathan Sims

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Marc Spector has posed:
    As usual the Midnight Mission is a stark contrast in the unending noise of the outside street of Queens. The moment one enters the Mission the sounds of the street: cars, sirens, the roar of airplanes, and even occasionally chatter of crowds walking from one location to another, cease. Inside is tranquility and peace. Soft ambient music, a slow pulsing bell-led melody lingers on the air accompanied by the whisper of a cool breeze.

    The trio of statues, Bast, Ma'at, and Khonshu wait in silence, framing the great meeting hall of the Mission. A amost imperceptable haze of inscense smoke linger in the air; the scent a mix of flowers and herbs that would be oppressive if not for the vast open anture of the building. The establishment's proprietor and priest sits on one of three a comfortable looking chairs near the Goddess of Cats' statue, waiting for any who accept and respond to the Call of the protective moon god of ancient Egypt.

Cael Becker has posed:
    The tranquility is briefly altered by the appearance of a door in a wall where a door shouldn't be. Cael and Jon walk through together - Bear on Cael's heels, with his brightly colored vest, and affable expression on his features, tongue lolling out. The pair approach the three statues within the Temple, and Cael's steps falter momentarily as she murmurs with a bit of uncertainty, "Perhaps I should have brought... some sort of offering?" She's not one for worship - and really, only Ma'at would have been present in Duat - right? But she had just recently been to their afterlife and back again. Not bringing an offering might be seen as... ungrateful.
    Her attention shifts next to Mister Knight, sitting before Bast's statue, as she brushes aside her concerns to remark instead, "I'd hoped to speak to you - if that's alright."

Marc Spector has posed:
    Mr. Knight rises and peers at the door. "An interesting effect, that" he says softly before looking at Jon and then at Cael. His focus intensifies on the woman. "You've met them..." he says with a nod. "I see. Jon, if you could wait in my office or perhaps one of the quarters downstairs? I should speak with her privately at first."

    As Jon departs (with an acceptable measure of hesitation) Mr. Knight gestures to the chairs nearby. "Please. Have a seat. And... worry not about offerings. Your answer is offering enough when accepting the Call of Khonshu."

Cael Becker has posed:
    Cael - a bit puzzled by the request - sends Jon on their way with a squeeze of their hand, and a brief kiss. She watches Jon leave - then looks at the offered chairs, slipping into one and crossing her legs. Bear goes from snuffling at the floor, to sitting beside his person - tail thwapping a few times on the floor. He nudges at Cael's hand, then turns his attention towards the unfamiliar man his person has come to see.
    "'Accepting the Call of Khonshu'?" she repeats with bafflement. "What's that supposed to me? I just- I came to talk to you. I wondered if you had any ideas on how to remember things that happen in Duat. I- apparently I went there recently? When my heart stopped for a brief time."
    'A brief time,' a few minutes... What's the difference?

Marc Spector has posed:
    The tone in Mr. Knight's voice indicates he is smiling kindly. "Most don't even realize when the Call comes to them, but they are drawn here" he says, gesturing to the hall. "It's... subtle and sometimes it has reason; sometimes it does not. Your meeting with the gods of the Duat is reason enough." He settles down and focuses on her once more.

    "The memory of one's death is a tricky thing. I can try and help you... but, I must warn you... what you remember may not be pleasant. The path taken by those not labeled King is... difficult for most." There is a lingering understanding in his tone. As if it's something he knows all too well. "But if you insist. I can see what I can do to unlock the doors of your mind and free you to what you see there."

    "But before that... I must ask you a favor in return" he snorts softly. "I say favor, but in answering the Call it's more a formality than anything you can really reject."

Cael Becker has posed:
    "I traveled the path once already - to bring Jon back. I remember all of that. I'm not afraid of remembering the path," Cael replies immediately and firmly. "My sister traveled the path with me this time - and she didn't come back with me. I need to know what happened to her. I don't think I'll- I don't know how to live with //not// knowing." She reaches out to Bear, scratching the pup's head for comfort, as she continues to watch the strange, masked man.
    "What is the favor?" she asks bluntly.

Marc Spector has posed:
    "I want you to take a position with us here at the Mission" Mr. Knight replies. "Nothing serious... and likely it won't change your usual activities." He sits back. "From time to time, I may call on you and others as allies in the fight to deliver the justice of Khonshu against those who have violated his tennants."

    He holds up a hand to forestall any objections. "Like I said, it will not interfere with your other duties. Either to the Dark League or the FBI or whatever other organizations you belong to. Jon one of the leaders of the Dark League -and- one of the seconds of my organization."

    "I think... given your lack of direct connection to a mystical element, you would provide a... balancing agent to the activities of the Heliopolitans" he says, tilting his head slightly. "A -vox populi- of sorts, if you will."

Cael Becker has posed:
    Cael looks uncertain, her gaze shifting to follow the direction that Jon had gone, and then returning to Mister Knight - studying him, and getting very little back, thanks to the faceless mask he wears. "I will not do anything that compromises my moral integrity," she replies flatly. "I know very little about your organization. Your goals, your methods. The fact that... Jon is involved reassures me to some degree, but- I don't give my word lightly, or blindly. I want to understand, precisely, what I'm agreeing to."
    She keeps her gaze on the man, as her hand continues moving over Bear's head rhythmically.

Marc Spector has posed:
    "I think I would lose a measure of respect for you if you had agreed without asking that very question" Mr. Knight says, standing and gesturing for the woman and her furry companion to follow. He makes his way before the statue of Khonshu. "I am more than just a priest..." he says passing under a skylight in the roof of the building. A thin stream of moonlight from the waxing crescent overhead washes over him and his suit changes.

    Leading her is no longer the form of Mr. Knight but the imposing and powerfully built figure of Moon Knight. The ceremonial armor of Khonshu (with some modern day modifications) fits him better than the suit does. The crecent on his chest and in the center of the hood veiling his face mark him for what he truly is. Not a priest at all, but an enforcer of laws that existed before the English language existed. He turns before the statue of his patron to face her directly.

    "The Fist of Khonshu" he places a hand over the crecent on his chest, "is sworn to fight the evil that lurks in the darkness. My enemies are vampires, werewolves, demons, ghosts, and creatures without name: predators that lurk away from the light of the Moon. It is my mission to hunt them down and ensure that they are face to face with his vengeance when they meet their end." He looks over his shoulder and up at the face of the statue he so clearly is modeled after. "But the evils that plague this world are many and so... in doing that I must seek others. Others who have by provenence have also come face to face with the myriad gods of Egypt. They may be forgotten by most, but they have not forgotten that it was they who helped shape this world to be what it is today."

Cael Becker has posed:
    "Com'on, Bear," Cael says needlessly, as she climbs to her feet to follow the man - the pup walking at her side, and occasionally sniffing at the ground. Where, the poor dog wonders, are all the cats?
    Cael studies the man and his new attire - a vague feeling of disorientation washing over her briefly. Tell Jon... Tell Jon what? Tell Jon... about the moon? She clenches her jaw to push that away for the moment, and focus on the hear and now, listening to the speech of the man in front of her.
    "Apparently... not all vampires are evil, and neither are all ghosts. Do you pursue them indescriminately?" she asks. "Because I can think of two... entities that meet those criteria that I wouldn't be willing to pursue."

Marc Spector has posed:
    "Lydia Dietrich, Acolyte of the Great Mother, Isis, is one of my colleages as well," Moon Knight replies with no small measure of pride in his tone. His voice is a bit deeper as Moon Knight than it is as Mr. Knight, but it's clear that the speaker is the same. "Predators and those that hide from the Moon's gaze are the true criteria. And you are right, not all ghosts are haunters and tormentors. But those that have gone mad must be given proper rights to return to the cycle."

    He nods to her. "The young man who killed you. He was a predator as well--even if not supernatural in origin. I assisted the Archivist in seeing that he met judgement."

    Another snort escapes the man and he gestures to himself as he speaks. "Khonshu is not as volatile as his ceremonial armor would suggest. He, like visible embodiment, has many faces and as such can view things from many angles. We know not all vampires are villains and not all ghosts are poltereists and not all werewolves are bloodthirsty consumers. But those that have fallen out of his light... will meet their end under his Fist."

Cael Becker has posed:
    "...I didn't think Jon would agree to anything that could lead to him hunting Lydia," Cael admits - a wry smile ghosting across her features for a moment. She falls silent to listen to the rest that the man has to say, then looks down at the dog seated beside her. "What do you think, Bear?" The pup responds by letting out a single bark, and wagging his tail excitedly.
    "...yeah, that's what you always say."
    With her gaze on Mr. Knight once more, she offers a small, hesitant nod of her head. "I... will assist you. But won't act against my conscience. I hope that's acceptable." At the back of her mind, she can't help but wonder - was she being tricked? Was Jon not here because he would have had things to say to give this man's game away?
    She certainly hoped not.

Marc Spector has posed:
    Moon Knight nods. "Wonderful" he says. "I wouldn't expect anything less from the voice of reason." He moves forward and places a hand on the stature's frame. There is whisper of power, a rustle of wind that should not be, that even the woman with no mystical senses can feel in this holy place. After a moment Moon Knight nods. "I believe we can unlock the barriers to your memory." He says stepping away and moving toward the center of the room under the skylight.

    "The Moon, is attached to the mind in ways that defy conventional psychology" he says gesturing for the woman to come forward. "There is a reason that madness was called lunacy in antiquity. That which can imbalance can also assist in guiding balance. Stand here... and, which his permission, your dog and I will stand before my patron and I believe, by his grace if you look up and give your attention to Khonshu's smile, you will find some the answers you seek."

Cael Becker has posed:
    As Moon Knight's hand rests on the statue, and the whisper of wind rustles around them, Cael finds herself fighting against the urge to step back. She succeeds, but barely, as she shifts subtly away from the statue. "I'm... glad we could come to an accord." Is she, though?
    As she's invited to stand under the moonlight, she turns her attention to her dog for a moment, ordering in a firm voice, "Bear, stay." She then begins to shift her position so she stands directly under the light of the sliver of a moon that shows. She takes a deep breath in, her fingers reaching up to touch the gear that hangs on a chain at her throat. After standing there for a long moment, she exhales, and tilts her head back so she's staring up towards the moon.
    This is the ridiculous. This was the sort of thing she would have laughed at just months before.

Marc Spector has posed:
    The sliver of silver light that beams down from the barest crescent of the moon overhead brightens as Cael looks upon it. There is a sensation of cool water flowing though no dampness shows in clothes or body as she stares at the light. Then with a roaring sound in her ears the barriers in her mind that cover up the incidents surrounding her death fall under the weight of that silver light.

    She remembers it all. The light of the world fading as her heart and lungs stopped working. The feeling of leaving her body and reappearing as a shade next to the scene unfolding around her demise. The words of Alya, Jon's friend as the Priestess and Avatar of Sekhmet offered her and her sister to take the trip to Duat. All of the discussion as they walked the path already tread, this time without its perils. The discourse in the Hall of Judgement. Anubis' irritation and Thoth's glib legalese. She remembers Alis' confession to the 42 Assassors of Ma'at and her sister's Weighing.

    She also remembers the words Alya relayed to give to Jon 'Tell Jon that there's something wrong with the sun. Tell him that it's trying to darken the light of the moon.' And then Alis' departure, her Weighing sufficient to give her peace in the beyond until her soul is woven out again on the cycle of death and rebirth as all souls naturally go.

Cael Becker has posed:
    A shiver runs over Cael's form as the light washes over her - and as the walls holding back the memory crumble and fall, she lets out a gasp, and sinks to her knees. She can remember the taste of the blood in her mouth. She can remember those final moments of rising panic in the face of Jon's own fears, and her inability to breathe. She remembers the despair of finding herself standing beside her own body, behind Jon, with only Alis looking truly real.
    And she remembers with a welling of love, and gratitude, and grief Alis' courage in going first, to give her a chance to live. This chance to live. "Oh Alis.." Tears streak down her cheeks, and Bear lets out an anxious whine, standing so he can take a step towards Cael, before remembering his order to 'stay' - and sitting with a discontended sound.
    "Thank you," she manages to gasp out, as she wipes at her eyes. "Fuck. ...thank you."

Marc Spector has posed:
    Moon Knight kneels down to usher the dog forward a bit. "It is done. You may go forth and help her as is your duty" he says to the animal before rising and nodding. "Khonshu has smiled on you and sees you as one he must protect and so gave you the gift of insight in this matter." He glancs at Ma'at. "I can only assume some bargain he has made with the gods of the Underworld, their dealings with each other so... tied together as they are."

    He shrugs. "Is there anything I can get you? Water? Jon? Something else?" he asks. "Or is there anything else you wish to speak to me about? We can return to the chairs if you would like to speak further."

Cael Becker has posed:
    At Moon Knight's urging - the dog takes a few more hesitant steps forward, before Cael finally adds her own command. "Bear, come." He's there in an instant, licking her, and nuzzling here - before Cael wraps her arm around the pup, and buries her face in his side.
    "Jon," Cael answers. "Definitely Jon." There is nothing else she wants more, in this moment, than to hug them and be hugged in returned.
    Before he can move far, though, she adds, "Alya told me-" She takes a deep breath in, letting it out slowly as she forces her voice to steady itself. "She told me to give a message to Jon. But I think it was for you." She lifts her gaze from Bear's neck, looking towards Moon Knight. "She said there was something wrong with the sun. That it was- it would- It's fucking with the light of the moon - trying to dim it. This have something to do with the asshole that was using Agnes' blood?" she asks bluntly, still having to fight consciously to keep her breath even and calm, with her arms still wrapped around her dog.

Marc Spector has posed:
    Moon Knight frowns at Cael's words for a moment, the drawing of his brows inward giving enough affectation to his expression. "Bushman's dead. His brood is scattered to the winds... I... do not know." He shakes his head before moving forward and passing the pair. "Please. Have a seat. I will get Jon. While my own knowledge of such things is not small, Jon is a better judge of cryptic clues."

    He passes out of the main hall with quick purposeful strides. When Moon Knight goes after a person, friendly or not, it is with haste that offers no diversion or obstacle. A few moments pass and he returns with the Archivist in tow.

Jonathan Sims has posed:
    Jon comes back with incense in his hands; blinking at Cael, down on the floor, he shoves it onto the altar of Khonshu unceremoniously and goes to kneel down next to her. "What happened? What did you say to her?" He looks up at Moon Knight, almost accusingly, as he wraps his arms around Cael.

    Then he sighs. "Sorry. That's not... I know you wouldn't deliberately upset someone who's answered the Call. But what... happened?" he repeats.

Cael Becker has posed:
    Cael's grip around Bear's neck shifts, so that she's hugging both her dog and her boyfriend, her weight shifting towards Jon and her face burying itself in their shoulder. She takes a few shuddering breaths before she's able to explain - albeit a little cryptically.
    "We owe Alis and Alya so much. God, Jon. So much. They love us... Both of them."

Marc Spector has posed:
    Moon Knight rights the insence on the alter to his patron and turns back to the trio. "I said nothing beyond explaining to her what my organization does." He points up at the skylight. "Khonshu released the barriers in her mind concerning what transpired while she was in the Duat."

    He lights the insence and allows the smoke to curl around his own features for a moment before turning back. "Grim tidines are on the horizon. Ones that I would hope you could puzzle out with greater ease than I."

Jonathan Sims has posed:
    Jon reaches out to stroke Cael's hair gently, sighing. "Alya?" he says, and then blinks at Moon Knight. "You mentioned her the other night, too. Does... does she just... escort everyone to Duat, now?" He has to blink back tears from his eyes.

    A sniffle, and then they say, "Umm, maybe start from the beginning? Or, well, you can tell me whatever you think... you need to say. So I can know what this... 'puzzle' is."

Cael Becker has posed:
    "She... She brought Alis so- so she could go first," Cael explains. "She asked her if she'd go first to- to give Sara more time. So I could go back to you." Her arm tightens around Jon as she speaks - but after offering these words, she begins forcing herself to breathe more slowly and deeply - trying to calm herself. That wasn't what she was //asked.//
    "Alya, ummm... She told me to tell you there was something wrong with the sun. It's going to... fuck with the moon. Dim the moon's light. That's what- what I was supposed to tell you."

Marc Spector has posed:
    Moon Knight, still in his armor, pauses and allows Cael explain the process of what transpired during her time in Duat. "I... will be right back" he says as he moves away toward the statue of Khonshu. "I believe I know someone who has a better handle on puzzles and riddles than I do."

    He looks at one of his hands and makes a fist. "I'm more suited to the... direct approach when it comes to obstacles like that." He looks up at the statue before moving behind it. "I won't be long" he calls as he seems to move somehow -down- behind the statue. "Please... both of you, make yourselves comfortable."

Jonathan Sims has posed:
    Jon looks up at Moon Knight, raises his eyebrows, then sighs. He has some idea what Marc's getting at. Focusing back on Cael, he says, "I don't... quite understand that. Dim the moon's light? The sun gives the moon its light..." He frowns, and shakes his head. "I know it must be important if she told you and tried to get you to bring it back, but..."

    He sniffles again and brushes a bit of hair from Cael's face. "Alright. You delivered your message. Now... what happened with Alis? Alya asked her to go first...?" He blinks. "To go first... in the /judgement/? There aren't really supposed to be more than one person at a time in there. You remember how pissed Anubis was when you all showed up?"

Cael Becker has posed:
    "She wouldn't clarify. I asked, but-" Cael shakes her head, still holding tightly to both Jon and Bear, and seemingly completely unaware of Mister Knight, for the moment.
    "Anubis is a fuckin' prick," she mutters. Maybe not the //best// thing to say in a temple to the Egyptian Gods...? "He wasn't happy," she confirms, "about Alya breaking the rules." She frees a hand to wipe at her eyes, only to have the tears reappear immediately.
    "I, umm... I found myself standing sorta... just behind you, and to one side. Next to... my body. And Alis looked more real than anyone. And then Alya was there and- and asked us both to come. And when we got there... Anubis was angry. But the other Gods thought it- me... dying like that was unfair. So Alya asked Alis if she'd be willing to go first, to give Sara more time, and the Gods all agreed, and- and just before Alis went into the Field of Reeds... It was like something was pulling me? And I don't remember anything else.
    "But Alya-" What happened to Alya, after she left? What could they do to her?

Jonathan Sims has posed:
    Jon listens quietly, stroking Cael's hair while she speaks. After a moment he looks up toward the altar and snaps his fingers. The incense on the altar of Khonshu starts to smoke, sending out a soft scent Cael might find vaguely familiar, since Agnes burns it regularly. Citrus and honey, wine and subtle spiciness, bright and fresh.

    "Alya knew what she was doing," Jon says softly when Cael's done. "She was never... I won't say she wouldn't be willing to risk her life for someone else, because she would. But she wasn't entirely the self-sacrificing type." He frowns. "While we were on the barque, she told me that she's serving for a certain period of time before she moves on to the Field of Reeds, and that there's few enough people who come down that way now that she has other duties and time to herself. They may extend her term of service, or remove privileges... or they might punish her..."

    They bite their lip. "I mean, they're gods, and gods of the ancient world. They may punish her 'physically,' at least with pain. But surely Alya thought that was worth what she did. And Alis, too. Alya took a chance, taking Alis down there... Alis decided to step up and be judged... and Alis passed?" They smile. "That's good. In a way... Alya helped you, too. Making sure Alis will be where you're going, so when we all die we can be reunited."

    A pause, then, "Was Thoth there with you? To be your advocate?"

Cael Becker has posed:
    "They shackled her," Cael confides quietly, tears still streaking down her cheeks - and her breaths occasionally uneven from the emotions stirred up by the memories.
    "He was there," she confirms. "He- he advocated for Alis. He spoke of you. He, and Ma'at both. That- that you'd been treated unfairly, put through too much. That if- if my life could be saved..." Her arms tighten around Jon. The Gods Themselves had wanted to give them a chance.
    "And- and Alya cares for you. I mean- She- she did it for you. ...but they all want us to be happy." Except for Anubis.
    "I didn't- I never thought they'd really let me- go to Duat, to the Field of Reeds. I don't worship them..."

Jonathan Sims has posed:
    Jon frowns thoughtfully. "You said you wanted to go. And I mean... you saved the universe. You convinced me to join with Ma'at instead of Osiris. You are dear to me. The gods look kindly upon those who help them, usually. At least, mine do. It's not a Christian sort of thing where you worship God and get nothing back except maybe some kind of warm and fuzzy good feeling. It's a reciprocal relationship. Think of it like... you're my girlfriend, and they're my family, and so you're part of the family now."

    He smiles, and ruffles Cael's hair a bit. "But really, love? You asked. Some of the Coffin Texts have pictures of foreigners down in Duat, among the blessed dead... my ancestors believed everyone went to generally the same place, and embraced people who came to Egypt and... well... became Egyptian. You came down to Duat before, you participated in funeral rites for one who walked the Road of Kings. You rode on the solar barque, including a period of time that /no one/ rides there except for Ra. You /asked/ to go to Duat. In their mind, to some degree, you're Egyptian now. Or, well, Kemetic. It doesn't matter that you don't 'worship' them per se. You've honored them, in your own way, and you're attached to me. Where else would you go?"

    He sighs. "Glad to hear Thoth showed up for you. And I'm glad... I'm glad they all pulled through to... to bring you back to us." His arms tighten around her. "Alya and Alis, they sacrificed for us, so we can be happy. Let's honor that, yeah? Let's... I'll pack and we'll head out in the morning, by portal. Austria, I mean. There's a thing Saturday but we can come back by portal again that... afternoon, really, in Austria. Five days, and... and I promise, it won't be the only time. We'll have other family vacations. We'll... go on dates, go to roller derby or you can teach me how to ride bikes or..." He sighs and rests his head against Cael's. "We'll make it count."

Cael Becker has posed:
    Where else would she go? "...I dunno," Cael admits quietly. "I always thought- I'd go no where. I just- wouldn't be, anymore. But then- Alis was there, and-" She wipes at her eyes again, and this time they don't refill quite so quickly.
    "I could have stayed. Refused to- to go to Duat, and stayed with you, but I- I didn't think you'd want me to... be that way. And I, uh- Alya made it sound like- if I refused the Gods' gift, it wouldn't ever be offered again. So I- I thought... The Field of Reeds would be best. I didn't want to leave you, though. I didn't want to go. I- I wanted to stay with you - so badly."
    She sniffles, then nods her head eagerly. "Good. I, uh- good. I need the break. I need- something to do. A way to get out."

Marc Spector has posed:
    The front door of the mission opens and a man comes in. He's dressed in a business suit and has an air of quiet confidence in his steps. He looks around and sees the pair nearby. "Oh... I hope I'm not interupting anything..." he says. His voice is a reedy tenor that nonethless carries that same surety of purpose in the cadence. "M--Mr. Knight called me. Said there was a riddle that had to do with Egypt involved?"

    He looks around. "I don't see him here though..." he frowns. "Is that something to do with you two?" He seems to recognize one of the individuals finally. "Dr. Sims? It's been a while... how have you been?" he asks with a small but polite smile as he approaches the pair.

Jonathan Sims has posed:
    Jon sighs and kisses Cael's hair. "You came back," he whispers. "That's all that matters, in the end. You came back." He sniffles again, and then squeezes her and pulls away a bit as the man walks in.

    "You can call me Jon, Steven," he says with a smile as he stands. "I've been fine, if 'fighting a war and dying and coming back' is fine. Actually, I was going to send you a message through Mr. Knight anyway." He knows the truth about Steven Grant, after all--and yet, despite what most people would likely think of the situation, he actually sees Steven and Marc and Jake as entirely separate people who happen to share a body. "Mr. Knight had to step out, but honestly since when is /he/ any good at puzzles?"

    He offers Cael a hand to get to her feet. "This is Cael Becker, my girlfriend, and... a new associate of Mr. Knight's, I presume?" He looks down at Cael, then adds, "Cael, this is Steven Grant. Yes, /that/ Steven Grant. He's less like Bruce Wayne than the tabloids make him out to be."

Cael Becker has posed:
    At the sound of someone unknown arriving, Cael's frame stiffens immediately, and she begins to pull away - just as Jon does. Of course, Bear uses this as an opportunity to lick at her face. "Bear! Seriously... You're the worst," she mutters, wiping at her face with her back turned to Steven.
    Of course, the dog licking her gives her an excuse to wipe at her face other than crying. Maybe he's not the worst.
    She accepts Jon's hand, and climbs to her feet, her features taking on a shuttered, cautious look as she studies the man. "Mister Grant. Hello." She shifts her attention to Jon as she offers a simple nod of her head in confirmation to his question.

Marc Spector has posed:
    Steven Grant sighs. "Just like him to run out on 'business' just when I arrive" he says with a roll of his eyes. The slight empahsis on 'business' is enough to show he knows of Mr. Knight's vigilante work. He draws closer and offers a hand to Cael for a shake. "Please, Steven is fine. Any friend of Jon's is a friend of mine."

    He turns his attention to Jon. "He's terrible at puzzle and riddles. Probably why he left. Doesn't want to hurt his head thinking too hard. You'd think with all the trauma he takes he'd be used to those sorts of aches by now?" There is a grin and he gestures to the chairs nearby. "Shall we sit? And you can maybe be more... specific about this riddle than he was?"

Jonathan Sims has posed:
    Jon smirks. "Well, I think that's why he was glad to have me around now that I'm not his therapist anymore. Speaking of 'business' though, I have a commission for you, if you don't mind. We can discuss the particulars later, but I need my own... I need a suit. I have a design in mind, but that's..." He waves a hand. "Later. Like I said."

    He goes to sit down and looks at Cael. "Umm, what was the... the sun is going to fuck with the moon? Dim the moon's light?" He looks to Steven. "Cael, ahh, got a message from an avatar of Sekhmet recently. A message for me, but I suspect she meant it for Moon Knight."

Cael Becker has posed:
    Cael hesitates a moment, then reaches out with her hand to shake the one offered her. "Steven it is, I suppose," she agrees. After all, she's not one to be star struck. She looks between Jon and the unfamiliar man at the mention of suits - but decides she really doesn't need to know. Instead, she focuses on what's important.
    "There's something wrong with the sun. It's going to fuck with the moon - or the moon's light or- I had a lot on my mind, it's hard to remember the exact wording. But basically, something's wrong with the sun. It's trying to dim the light of the moon. Or it's going to?" Was there much difference between those two sentiments?

Marc Spector has posed:
    Steven blinks at Jon for a few moments but at the insistence of later he nods and focuses instead on Cael. "Hmm. Going to be tricky without the exact wording. Avatar of Sekhmet..." He purses his lips. "Anything to do with the sun in Egypt has to do with either Horus of Ra. More often than not it's Ra. And the moon... in this case..." he looks to the large statue of Khonshu looming over the room.

    "So... a conflict between Ra and Khonshu? That's... not good." He looks rather worried. "Nevermind the fact that sometimes Khonshu is a child of Ra in myths. If anyone could do harm to Khonshu it would be one of the Great Kings: Ra, Horus, Osiris." He looks to Jon. "Thoughts? Is there an avatar of Ra running about that you or Mr. Knight have encountered recently?" he asks.

Jonathan Sims has posed:
    "There's that bloody wanker who somehow had my daughter's blood and called me a /pretender/." Jon's tone is angry and bitter; he glowers over at the statue of Ma'at for a moment, taking deep breaths. Letting the anger flow through and away. He's not angry at /them/ about this. It's neither Steven's fault nor Cael's, in any way.

    "I don't know if Mr. Knight told you about the Uraean Brood. Vampires, umm... led by Bushman, actually. They had my daughter, who is also an avatar of Sekhmet. Inherited that from her mother. They drained her blood, and we tracked that and... destroyed the vampires. And there was a man there who claimed to be 'the Sun King,' Amon-Ra. Called me 'pretender.'"

    He glances at Cael, and adds, with a smirk, "I, ahh, embodied Ra down in the underworld recently. Traveled on the solar barque. Had a chance to merge with Osiris, actually, but..." He gestures toward the statue of Ma'at.

Cael Becker has posed:
    "//That's// the one I meant, the one I thought of. That- there was a guy who had Agnes' blood who was saying he's Ra," Cael says firmly. "I assumed the message was a warning that he meant to harm Mister Knight - or... his God? But-" Can you harm Gods? Hadn't they harmed angels?
    "But I'm far from an expert in all this Egypt stuff. I'm in over my head."
    As Jon talks about their time in Duat she adds with a smirk. "I wouldn't let him. Went down there and told him to get his ass back to the land of the living - or else."
    Suuuure, //that's// how the conversation went.

Marc Spector has posed:
    Steven blinks at Jon for a moment. Claiming to embody Ra is not something that is usually said in such a casual manner. "Umm... right... I see." He lets out a slow breath. "Umm... possibly. Hurting the Egyptian gods is not a simple matter but some of the higher powers could interfere or disrupt the flow of power... maybe. I'm not sure how given that Moon Knight is the embodiment of that power..."

    He frowns and puts a hand to his chin. "It's going to require some research on my part. I have a library dedicated to his abilities and how he came to be." He looks a bit sheepish and explains. "I like to keep a handle on investments and I've put quite a bit of money into Mr. Knight and Moon Knight's exploits." He scratches his hair briefly and sighs. "If... if you have anything more on this Sun King... please, let me know. Mr. Knight can get things directly to me without having it end up in the mail queue at Spector Corp."

Jonathan Sims has posed:
    Jon regards Steven quietly for a long moment, then just nods. "Right," he says. There's concern in his tone, but he's not going to broach his worries now, in front of Cael. "Thank you... and keep in touch? I get the feeling whatever's going on is important, or Alya wouldn't have given Cael the message."

    He looks to Cael. "You may have to start learning about 'this Egypt stuff,' love. I mean, you've been to Duat /twice/ now." He grins. "But, umm... do you need anything else? To talk to Mr. Knight again? Or should we be going ourselves?"

Cael Becker has posed:
    "I have been learning!" Cael protests. "I know all about the damned lippodile, and weighing the heart, and the forty two assesors, and Ma'at's feather, and Thoth being your- uhh... lawyer. And Anubis being a complete //bellend//." There's a momentary pause. "Did I use that word right?" Heat enters her voice as she attempts to mimic the God's voice. "'Your heart is heavy, Alis Swain.' What an //ass.// Who does that to a //kid// facing the possibility of being eaten? At least Ma'at gave him a piece of her mind."
    See? She knows plenty.
    "...uhh. That was possibly more than you needed to know, Steven. The last few days have been... trying. For all of us. But- yeah. No. We can- we should probably be going." She gives Jon a slightly sheepish smile.

Marc Spector has posed:
    Steven just stares at Cael for a moment. He clears his throat as she apologizes and nods. "No. I understand. It seems that you've all been... quite busy." He turns to Jon. "I will. Be in touch, that is. If I find anything about what could be done to dim the light of the moon I'll text you..." He rises and blows out a breath. "If you see Moon Knight or Mr. Knight..." he waves a hand absently. "Whatever guise he goes for... give him my regards and let him know I gave you my input about the riddle."

    He looks at the pair. "I will leave you to whatever it is you are up to." He starts for the exit, but turns before he gets too far away. "Again, Jon, email me your ideas about this suit... I'll see what I can come up with. R&D have a few new ideas they've wanted to try out and I've kept them at bay since none of them fit Moon Knight's... general asthetic."

Jonathan Sims has posed:
    Laughter bubbles up from Jon as Cael asks whether she used 'bellend' right, and he leans over to kiss her on the cheek. "You used it /perfectly/, love. Anubis is, indeed, a complete bellend."

    He stands, and nods to Steven. "I'll be in touch, about the suit, and the rest of it. thanks for your help."