11455/That Old Cat Magic

From Heroes Assemble MUSH
Jump to navigation Jump to search
That Old Cat Magic
Date of Scene: 04 June 2022
Location: Abandoned Amusement Park - Amusement Mile
Synopsis: Sorceress and Cat meet. He seeks help with a demon problem.
Cast of Characters: Zatanna Zatara, Thomas Blake




Zatanna Zatara has posed:
Punished by the tidal wave and time, the derelict park is one of Gotham's eyesores. A haven for the homeless and the lawless. Anyone frequenting the ragged remnants of the carnie pitches had better be well-armed or sure of themselves.

The raven-haired woman striding down the walkway between a row of gaming booths walks with the assurance of the well-armed. Hands in the pockets of her fashionable jacket from a recent trip to Harajuku, she radiates confidence as she keeps a sharp eye out for her contact who may not recognize her.

Of course, going to an iffy meeting with someone dealing in the demonic, wearing fishnets and high heels, would be asking for trouble. Trouble has its place as long as it is on her terms.

Thomas Blake has posed:
People come here fancying themselves explorers. That makes him laugh. You're not an explorer unless help is at least a few days away. What you are is vlogger, scaling walls with some small training in agility, and a need for attention. The man's keen eyes cut through the darkness. The uniform he wears is dead black and makes him merely another shadow as he moves along a row of shuttered and rotting buildings. Every move whispers predator. Then he drops down, only coming into view a moment before he reaches the spot, his cape blowing in a breeze.

"You have my respect. Fighting evil in fishnets and heels sounds like torture from what women have told me. Good evening."

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
Zee backs up a step neither startling or screaming to face the dark form of the man dropping out of the shadows. The swagger remains in her posture as she raises her chin. "So, I don't," she looks down at the over-sized white shirt bloused over the pegged ankle pants that skim the tops of her lace up shit-kickers and shrugs. "I wear that costume on stage. Good evening to you."

Thomas Blake has posed:
Thomas Blake relaxes a bit though he doesn't stop glancing skyward. "I apologize for lying. I have a demonic artifact... but it is not for sale. See I received a magical knife from a she demon when we were lovers... In love I thought. It can trouble nearly anyone but I am seeing problems with it and from what I understand, throwing it away will not stop them, so I need your help. I'm going to bring it out slowly. Don't turn me into a pile of whiffle balls." He flips his cape back and half turns revealing several knives sheathed at the small of his back. He slowly draws one, a wicked sort of combination of a Bowie knife and Khukri. He holds it in the plam of both hands, then sits down on the pavement.

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
Sapphire eyes glittering, Zee follows his glance upward cautiously. The lie shocks her not at all. Secret meetings dealing with demonic objects lend themselves to subterfuge and lies. Whether she can see through them depends on her.

"Perilous presents from lovers are in a class by themselves, as perilous as uncertainty in love," she replies softly. "I wouldprefer kittens in your case, I think," a faint smile glimmers at the edge of her lips.

When he flips his cape aside, Zee can't help but notice that he is well-made. There is strength in the vee of his back and the grace with which he sits, cradling the demonic knife.

"Tell me about it, would you?"

Thomas Blake has posed:
Thomas Blake smirks. "Tell me about it. I got it from my Ex who I will not name. I don't want her showing up. I think she had feelings for me, but stuff kept happening and I honestly couldn't tell you if she'd know me on sight. She got more demonic over time, more abusive, verbally and with soul fire. She kept feeding off my life force. Somehow I'm still here. I guess what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Anyway she gave me this, made with her own little hands. I think she wanted me to be her soldier in one of those demon wars. But I noticed, soul fire hurt me even worse after she gave it, she seemed to influence me more. I don't like that. Also she said a certain killing blow would drain a target of life force and send it her way."

He gives another look at the rooftops. "I think I fed that bitch enough. I want to tame this damned knife or be quit of it."

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
Zee remains silent, looking down at the man holding the dangerous knife. His glances upward pique her curiosity though she forces herself not to follow his gaze.

Again, there is no surprise when he mentions abusive and parasitic behavior in the same sentence as demon. Abuse from a lover touches on an old memory, she bites the inside of her lips, schooling her face to neutrality.

"Free yourself from it. No one should feed another, especially not soul fire," she allows, keeping her voice level.

She then focuses more on the object, still not offering to hold it. "Is that what you want from me? To help you lose this thing? I doubt I could render it harmless because it carries a part of her in it. I can feel its power."

Thomas Blake has posed:
Thomas Blake notes she is taking in his upward gaze. "Bats. I'm allergic. I do not need that glorified narc sticking his nose in my business and he would. As for the knife... it's a knife. Rendering it harmless kind of defeats the purpose. I want to be free of its influence. Can you do that? I mean it could be useful. I used it to deal with a demon and a guy insisting he was Pan. I think I got lucky with that. I'd appreciate any help you can give me on this. I can pay... whatever you want. I heard of you. You're one of the good ones. I understand what offering to pay anything means to your profession. I'll pay you back." He gets to his feet with almost frightening speed and ease to resheath the demon knife. He looks down at her and finds her very distracting. Yes women and laser pointers he likes to say.

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
The shadows accentuate the height of her cheeks bones and the curve of her lips as Zee looks up at him to examine his cowled face, making no comment until he has finished. She almost smiles at his mention of bats. "I would imagine there is no love lost then. You know he doesn't believe in magic but has no explanation for me." One shoulder lifts nonchalantly.

"I don't accept payment. You are right. Some things have no price. I would only deal with an object imbued with her spirit because it would leave the world a bit better."

Sapphire eyes study the ragged outline of the amusement park against the stars before coming back to his face. "Let me see if I understand what you want. You want to keep the knife which I don't recommend by the way. So you can have a keepsake of someone who used you badly? You want it neutralized in some manner or another? It might dissolve, you know if its life force is gone."

Thomas Blake has posed:
Thomas Blake shakes his head. "My opinion of superheroes is something I will gladly share with you over drinks if you want. Dinner even. I owe you that for your time. As for the knife, free me from its influence if you can. We can talk about what to do with it if it's still around. If you can't I'll have to ask Vorpal I guess. He's a good guy. Do you know him? A little shorter than you, cat-guy? Gets really upset if you call him fluffy." there's a little smile at that. Then he gives a shrug and pulls his cowl back revealing his features. Classic features if a bit harsh. fine healed scars mark his eyebrow and chin.

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
"And yet, here you are. We could talk about many more pleasant things than superheroes over drinks. Travel. Aliens. Faerie." At the last word, she presses her lips together, suppressing a smile.

"Of course, I know Vorpal. But don't tell him you asked me first. We can be a jealous lot us magic users. I'll have to remember fluffy." This time she lets the smile loose, her white teeth gleaming in the night glow from Gotham.

"I haven't said no. I'd like to consult something first. You do realize the knife might disappear if I remove what has its hold on you."

Thomas Blake has posed:
Thomas Blake nods. "I realize that. I want the hold gone. What happens after happens. You want to get some drinks?" He smiles at her. "Yeah. Vorpal hates to be called fluffy. He thinks he's scruffy but, I deal with large cats. Their coats are way more rugged and tough, so I'm a little biased."

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
"Drinks are fine. I can read the link between you and the knife more precisely maybe and what danger you might be in." Zee is like a doctor talking about a biopsy, unwilling to give bad news before it is confirmed.

"Name someplace you'd like to drink. Paris? Tokyo? Sydney? I can take us there."