12115/When You Mix Work with Work

When You Mix Work with Work
Date of Scene:	22 July 2022
Location:	Mercy's Garage
Synopsis:	Mercy gets some late night company as Patience gets to meet one of the JLDs newer members.
Cast of Characters:	Mercy Thompson, Patience Alperen, Gabby Kinney

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Mercy Thompson has posed:
    Friday night, the start of the weekend for most. The evening a lot of people can have fun, get hot dates, go dancing. Mercy isn't one of those people. She's in the garage doing some late night work, the 'closed' sign is on the door but she's expecting a few other people to show up, so a bay on the garage is left open. Plus to let in the warm summer night air. She's under a very new looking Mercedes working by one of the left tires as she waits.

Patience Alperen has posed:
Patience Alperen isn't a Car Girl. She has one. She understands that it is a more exotic car than most would tend to have at her age. Her excuse is that it was a spoil of war against the forces of darkness. And that exotic car is telling her it is time for an oil change. It seemed like as good an excuse as any to go see Mercy at her garage. A change to meet a fellow affiliate of the JLD team, and deal with an annoying car thing (she thinks!).

The dark green car pulls up slowly out front of the garage, its engine purring before shutting off. Patience gets out, looking curiously at the garage. She sees the 'closed' sign and smiles wryly. ".. well that's what I get for not making an appointment."

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Another engine can be heard approaching when Patience cuts her own out. It's a different kind of sound though: More rumbly, less smooth. More like a motorcycle... Which is exactly what it is.

Gabby had made a point to text Mercy before heading over with a promise to work on her sniffing practice. The fact that the shop was out a bit from the city was a rather nice change of pace as well. She comes riding up fully decked out in comfy clothes, boots, and a Rebel forces painted motorcycle helmet with a visor down to keep bugs out of her eyes. The motorcycle? It's a Honda Trail. A rather oddly shaped bike, small, but perfect for her.

Coasting up alongside the Maseratti she kills the throttle, and kicks down the stand once she comes to a complete halt. Grinning broadly at Patience she reaches up to take her helmet off. "Hey! Come to bug Mercy too?" The helmet is removed to shake her hair out along with a little 'pfft pfft' of blown breath to knock the errant hair out of her face.

"I brought some fried chicken, you're welcome to some too."

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    Mercy hears the car pulling up and start to finish the bolt she is working on. Perfect timing. She starts to wipe at her hands as she slides out from under the expensive car. She was expecting company, just not this much company either. She is coming out to the garage as the second one is pulling up.
    She leans against the door. "HI Gabby. You know I don't do bikes all that much right? What can I do for you ladies?" She will keep rubbing at her hands to keep them clean and lets her eyes and nose shift from person to person. "Take it you both know each other. You both in the same club then?"

Patience Alperen has posed:
Patience Alperen had not expected to see Gabby here and looks curious. "Gabby? well sort, of yes." She glances over at Mercy. "Oh, hello." She smiles to the mechanic and nods. "Well, I do believe we all know each other, or are at least peripherally affiliated from the same group?" She looks back questioningly to Gabby. "I've heard that you were a mechanic? I suppose I hoped I might be able to get an oil change. I should have probably called first, though" she wonders aloud.

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Gabby Kinney chuckles at the pair of them with a shake of her head. "Naw, the bike is good," she assures Mercy while swinging her leg over it to dismount. "My dad likes to tinker with bikes. I figure it's at least something to keep him busy so he feels like he's being a good dad. He's got a lot of years to make up for."

With that she turns back to the rack behind the seat to pull free a cooler that smelled heavily of fried chicken, and perhaps french fries? All the greasy, delicious fried food that likely wasn't good for anyone. But with some spice to it? A deliciously sweet smelling spiciness. "I wanted to pop by to visit. I got Korean fried chicken, some fries... I figured if you're anything like Robbie when at work you might have missed lunch."

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    Mercy offers a friendly enough smile to Patience, "I'm Mercy. This is my garage. I can see if I got a filter to fit that. I work on German cars more then Italian but I can see if I can get the oil done. Pull her in real quick and pop the hood. I'll take a look." Mercy motions behind herself through the open garage door she stands in. "Though calling ahead does make it easier," admits Mercy gently.
Mercy laughs and says, "Who's Robbie? Did I meet him yet?" She's been meeting a lot of people. She sweeps an arm, "anyone who brings food is welcome. Come on in Gabby. Let's get inside and we can look and talk together." With that she offers to help Patience to guide her car into the proper spot.

Patience Alperen has posed:
Patience Alperen nods to Mercy. "Hello Mercy. I'm Patience. And if you can't? I really should have called first. I'll admit I kind of just used an oil change as a way to break the ice. But if you can do the oil change I'd feel a little better about just dropping in on you" she admits with a sheepish smile.

A nod. "Alright Thank you." She gets back into the car and starts it, carefully pulling forward into the repair bay as Mercy guides her in. Stopping when indicated she shuts the car off and gets back out.

"That chicken smells... really good I have to say."

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Gabby Kinney takes care to leave room for Patience to pull in all the while grinning. Mostly at Patience's remark of using it as a way to break the ice--After all, she was all about being social. Having been a bit awkward about it at first herself she knew it could be tough. Patience was trying at least.

"Robbie is one of the Ghost Rider's," she explains to Mercy as she heads inside the garage herself taking care to walk around any cars currently being worked on to head for a bench. One that was hopefully mostly-clean, or else she could just push some things aside to place the takeout on. "He's Rien's boyfriend, my ex-crush, it's complicated. By complicated I mean 'I'm a huge dummy and made an idiot out of myself.'"

"Oh yeah, the chicken is amazing! Sweet, spicy, super crispy. Regular fried chicken just isn't the same anymore."

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    Once everyone is inside, Mercy will go ahead and close the garage door so they have a bit more privacy and agrees with Patience, "That does smell nice. Let me take a fast look on the car and then I'll wash up. If you want we can eat upstairs or just hang out down here if it isn't too dirty for you both."
    She looks over at Gabby as they're all inside, "I don't think I met him or know exactly who a Ghost Rider is. I'm still playing catchup on some things." The mention of Rien has Mercy frown just for a moment but she lets it pass.
    Once the Maserati was inside and the hood up, Mercy goes to look at the filter as she gets a tool to measure the size of the filter. "So Gabby when do you want to get to work on those lessons together? And I take it you both have blue keys just to be totally clear?" Mercy assumes keys are a vague enough question that won't cause problems if Patience doesn't know.

Patience Alperen has posed:
Patience Alperen listens quietly to Gabby's explainations. She smiles reassuringly to the other when she says she was an idiot. Then she looks to Mercy and nods, "yes.." She reaches into her pocket to take her key out. Even if Gabby could vouch for her after they met in the VR's sitting room a few days before. Tucking the key away she laughs softly at Mercy's admission of playing catchup. "I know how /that/ goes. Chas introduced me to the Velvet Room a few months ago. My head is /still/ spinning if I'm honest."

She gets out of the way so Mercy can determine if the car can be worked on or not.

Gabby Kinney has posed:
"Fully keyed up and already unlocked some doors with the others," Gabby explains even as she pauses to tip her head back in thought. "Oh, well. Ghost Riders are apparently like... Some kind of spirits of vengeance? But apparently they're all *different* spirits tied to their host person. Uh. You see someone with a flaming skull, that's one of them. Also don't stare into their eyes. Bad juju." With that small explanation given she grins toward the other two, and takes up to leaning her back against the counter with arms crossed lightly.

"Oh I'm good for whenever. Riens' kind of pulled away due to current issues, and Robbie's apartment burned down so they're staying at one of Rien's safe houses. Uh. He's a mechanic too," she reasons trying to not babble too much. "But if you got any questions about the JLD or the Velvet Room, I might know?"

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    Mercy will go to one of the few computers in the garage and type up some information to confirm what she suspects. The answer comes before she speaks, as the mechanic goes to a sink to start scrubbing up. Washing up and then peeling out of her coveralls down to some jeans and a tee shirt. "Sorry to say, Patience. I don't have a new filter. If you want I can change your oil, cheaper then the dealer. Just have to let me order the part and come by later next week."
    No work to do that means the three women can talk and enjoy Gabby's offering of chicken. "There are eyes in these burning skulls? That sounds pretty messed up, Gabby. If we're going to eat why don't we all go up to my home. It isn't much but we can get some plates and talk easier there. I can finish locking up and let your car out when you leave Patience." Mercy can lead them all to the upper half level to where she lives. Small area with simple furniture, and a cat. "I figure when we're inside we can relax and just chat together."

Patience Alperen has posed:
Patience Alperen lets the two talk and watches as Mercy looks up informaiton on her computer. A nod. "Oh, well if you would be willing to order it, then yes? I'd be pleased to give a friend more business." And she did kind of show up unnanounced. The least she can do is pay Mercy for her over all efforts. "Okay, thats fine if you're good with that, sure."

She lets the car talk end there and listens to the descriptions of a Ghost Rider. "There are a lot within the group I haven't met, yet. Clearly.." she admits with a soft laugh.

She lets Mercy lead the way to her place, letting Gabby go next. She has the food!

Gabby Kinney has posed:
"Kind of...? Ish? I mean it's Robbie's skull technically just *on fire*. So many levels of messed up," she has to agree with a solemn nod as she scoops up the takeout in hand again. "Sure! Upstairs works. I'm not a huge mechanic. I mean unless you want to know how to wire up a bomb or disarm one."

Let's not get into that further.

"Yeah there's a fair amount of folks in the JLD. Not all human... I mean even I'm not human. Ish?" Her nose crinkles thinking on the details of it. "I mean yeah, I'm a mutant, but I also wasn't *born* technically."

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    "I'll get you the price later Patience," promises Mercy. She will open the door for all the ladies to get inside for them. She will watch as her cat starts to come out to insist on food. Especially toward Gabby who has the chicken with her. "Well you can meet me now, Patience. I'm not the one they call to fight the bad things as much as to track them down or maybe get some information."
    She will get some food to put into a bowl for the cat and then some plates for them all to share with Gabby's chicken. She looks at Gabby, "What's wrong with not being human huh? I was raised by werewolves remember?" Her tone clearly warm and not upset in the slightest. She'll reach over for some chicken to take a bite, "I'll ask what you mean by that 'not born' sometime Gabby."

Patience Alperen has posed:
Patience Alperen nods about the price. "Of course. There's no real rush. I don't honestly drive a lot. Not within the city anyway."

She slips inside when offered, "Thank you." A look to the cat with a smile. "What is your cat's name?" she wonders, moving over to take a turn at getting some of the chicken. She doesn't take a lot to be polite.

A glance at the mention of not being born. And then at being raised by werewolves. She smiles. "I feel mundane. Everything that I imagine led the castle to grant me a key or for Chas to find me has to do with my family lineage more than anything else." She pauses to take a bite of the chicken.

Gabby Kinney has posed:
"Not much to explain, really," Gabby states as she pauses to crouch down and make kissy noises to the cat along with wiggling fingers. Kitty would get some pettings while everyone else helped themselves to the chicken.

"I don't have a mother. I was grown in a vat. I'm a clone. One of ten." There's no pain there about the topic: She was very open about it. No shame in how she got to become alive. " Dad would technically be my grandpa, kinda, but... that's weird so he's dad. And my sisters are all either clones as well or actual children of dad's." Her smile softens. "I'm really lucky. Not every cloned person out there has people willing to accept them as family."

Hopping back to her feet she dusts her hands off on her thighs. "Okay! Got any plates? For the chicken."

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    "She's Medae, sort of a stray I picked up that settled into my life. She's a great roommate mostly." Mercy may not know Patience story but is not usually one to hear people talk down on themselves. "I am not impressive. My mother needed help to raise me and so I got sent somewhere to be raised. Nothing that special. Also pretty sure that those keys don't go out as participation trophies. I wouldn't be too hard on myself."
    Mercy looks over at Gabby as she asks for a plate and reaches out to tap the one she brought out, "Medae has that power. I understand." Plus it's the first time Gabby's been into the home. So it's possible senses and things can make one less aware of other fact. "Here I thought my family with like three fathers and two mothers was a bit odd." She looks to the two women, "So is there anything either of you was looking to know? Mind you I'm always happy for company and I got some brownies I can share for dessert if either of you is interested."

Patience Alperen has posed:
Patience Alperen listens to Gabby explain the overview of her family history. "Having family /is/ special.." There's a hint of, well, not envy as much as understanding what it is like to be on the other end of that spectrum. She nibbles more chicken, commenting, "This is /really/ good Gabby. Thank you for sharing."

She nods to Mercy, "I do agree Mercy. It isn't that. Just.." she shrugs. "Well. Sometimes the pressure of living up to expectations is harder than just -doing- what we do best. You know?" She pauses a moment, "I'm directly descended from Jesus of Nazareth and Mary Magdaline. The Roman Catholic Church has sought to wield the women in my family tree as weapons against evil." She does not sound ashamed or embarrassed by that admission as she adds, "Right now, we're having something of a difference of opinion on what is in my own best interest and how I should go about performing my obligations."

Switching to a more casual topic she offers, "Medae. She's really pretty."

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Gabby Kinney blinks at the tapped plate a moment as her brain kicks into gear again. "Yeah, sorry, got cat on the brain. The only other cat I get to be around regularly is Mr. Murder Mittens." Judging by the name one could guess that 'adorable pettable cat' is not in the list of terms to describe him.

She takes some of the chicken herself to load onto her plate, only to grin at Patience's thanks. "No problem! I love food. I mean, I guess that's not a special thing, but there's still so much I haven't gotten to try. It's part of the fun."

Even as she explains this her phone goes off. A quick lick of her fingers to remove the sticky sauce allows her to sneak it out of her pocket to squint at. "Ah. I think I need to go for a bit. Robbie's brother needs some help with something and I'm trying to help out since they're kind of... Out of sorts right now." An apologetic smile is given as she puts the plate down again. "You guys can enjoy the chicken. I'll catch up with you later, Mercy. And good to get to spend more time with you too, Patience!"

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    Mercy is about to tear into some more chicken, letting maybe her coyote eagerness showing as she doesn't leave much on the bone at all as she is eating. That pauses as Patience claims her family history. "I...." She didn't hear the woman's heart going faster or anything. Nor does it sound or smell like a lie. Mind you Mercy's nose is more interested in that chicken she's bene gnawing on some. "I'm told Medae is a manx. I thought her tail had got broken off but apparently that's normal for her breed." Going back to what Patience said about her family, "That's must lead to some interesting family reunions I guess." Yeah she's processing it a bit.
    Mercy stands and goes to get a small glass container with a sealed rubber lid and sets it down by the chicken, the aforementioned brownies she baked. "Medae loves just about everybody so don't worry Gabby. I'm sure she'd let you pet her til your arms fell off." She frowns at Gabby's fast exit and says, "Be careful out there and we do need to work on your senses later." Since the bike is in the parking lot she doesn't have to leave with Gabby really other then to politely see her to the door and close it behind her.

Patience Alperen has posed:
For any that can tell, Patience does indeed believe the story that she is sharing. There is no question or doubt in the woman. She laughs quietly, "I was raised as an orphan in a Catholic orphanage. They still haven't told me anything substantial about my mother. That's a part of our difference of opinion you could say." She shrugs and lets it go. She was only trying to open up and share a little of herself, not dominate the topic of conversation. Gratefully she follows the shift to discussing Medae again. "Oh yes, I can see how that would be the case. I'd sort of wondered that before you explained. It does give her a sassy sort of attitude or look doesn't it?" The shorter tail.

As Gabby leaves, Patience waves, "Yes, it was! Hopefully we an do it again soon. Have a good evening Gabby." She stands as well, "I can leave, too, if you'd like, Mercy? I didn't intend to invade your evening - just say hi and hopefully open up some opportunities to get to know each other going forward."

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    Mercy waves off the attempt to leave, "You're fine to stay Patience. Just hearing that Jesus has direct descendants is a bit of a surprise. Like people from the half sibling line I could believe easier." She finishes her first chicken piece and has stripped the bone down to nothing and reminds herself not to chew on it more. "I admit chicken can be a weakness for me, and who am I to throw shade about family history." Glancing over at the other woman, "I'm not exactly 'human' or 'normal' myself. Nor is your statement going to shake my faith that I have."

Patience Alperen has posed:
Patience Alperen nods knowingly. "Yes, I fully understand. It was, well, a bit to take in and understand when I was finally told myself" she says wryly. "If I had not seen and experienced the proof, I would have thought it crazy." She sighs. "But. As they say, we do not get to pick our parents or family."

A smile, "If I may ask, are you Catholic? Protestant? Regardless, I do not intend to shake your faith. I still believe and practice Catholocism. I just, well, no longer work directy for the Church." She seems curious about the not quite human or normal comments but she doesn't pry. Instead she goes for another bit. It really is good chicken.

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    "Isn't the point of faith to have exist without proof? Either way it seems you come to terms and like who you are and take pride in your family past. That's a good thing and more then some get," Mercy says before picking up her second victim piece of chicken.
    "I don't put labels on my faith," answer Mercy. "I am 'Christian' in that I am a believer and follower of Christ who was the son of God." Mercy reaches into her shirt collar and pulls out a simple silver chain with a little lump shape hanging from it. After it settles down from spinning it shows to be a silver metal lamb, "See?"

Patience Alperen has posed:
Patience Alperen listens and nods. "It is yes. '.. faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen'" she quotes softly. "With regard to my belief in Christ. I could not agree more with you. It /is/ a thing that we must each choose to believe in without physical proof. Or we don't. A lack of belief does not make it any less true. I have seen enough to know that bears out for other religions as well."

She arches a brow as she glances away, "However.. being informed that someone is directly descended..? When that goes against a cornerstone of Christianity.." She shrugs, "It wasn't something I was willing to accept on faith. Without proof it would have been too easy for those in power to manipulate me -or others- for their own gains and not to further the message of Christ."

Looking at the necklace, she smiles. "I do. And I am glad to know that you have your own beliefs established. I would not seek to interfere or change that." She falls silent, seeking out her final bite of the chicken.

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    "Really not sure if it goes 'against' anything. I mean they didn't talk about it, but women in the bible don't get the best representation as a whole. Jesus was in his thirties when he died, and that's an old age to be unwed at in that time as far as I know." Mercy is not a biblical scholar so she's just doing her best to guess.
    While she is tucking the necklace away she admits, "I don't do crosses. Don't like them. They creep me out and it seems so odd to use the symbol of torture and execution as a sign of faith to me." She takes another slower bite. "That and I had a bad experience when I was rather young. I like my lamb."

Patience Alperen has posed:
Patience Alperen nods to Mercy's comments. "No, you're right Mercy." She sighs, "And still the church, as a whole whatever the denomination of Christianity, however, has largely held that Christ did not give in to the pleasures of the flesh and marry. There are splinter groups to say otherwise. It is what I was taught in Catholic School. It is, well, why Catholic Priests are not allowed to marry. The Church, and service to it, are to be their bride." She shrugs, "So to find otherwise, and that the knowledge is within the self-same organization was no simple thing for me to face. But it's who I am. It's what I am."

She smiles softly and nods, "It is a personal preference, how you choose to represent or demonstrate your faith. And it should be." There is no disagreement or disapproval from her because it is entirely up to Mercy.

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    Mercy is steadily working through her piece of the bird while Patience speaks, the food helping to provide her with a chance to think on what is being said as well. Taking a napkin to wipe at her lips she says, "really I don't see sex as a sin. Maybe I'm biased or something, but between consenting adults it's between those adults. The idea that Jesus, who was suppose to live as a human and do so without sin could therefor not marry is dumb now that I think on it. That would imply that all marriage is on some level sinful. Which again, is dumb. SO if he got married and someone chose to not write about his wife or the fact he was a good husband, that's on the old long dead guys from back then."
    Mercy grins a bit wider and says, "I know for a fact the lamb works on vampires as well. It's not the shape, but the faith. Least that's been my experience." She shrugs and goes to the kitchen realizing she never offered drinks. "So I got water, some lemonade and a few soda options." She'll grab a glass of the lemonade herself. "Besides I'm pretty sure most Catholic priests would try to exorcise me or murder me just for how I was born."

Patience Alperen has posed:
Patience Alperen laughs quietly. "I cannot help but to agree with you Mercy." And she lets Mercy's views on Jesus and marriage stand. No need to belabor the point.

Her smile fades a little from mirthful to focused as Mercy relates that the lamb necklace has effectiveness. She nods. "That is a valuable aspect of faith to understand. You might be amazed to realize how many spend their whole lives not understanding that simple truth."

Then the topic of drinks is brought up. "Oh, thank you. Just a small glass. of the lemonade if I may?"

She frowns at Mercy's last comment. As curious as she may be she does not push that topic. If Mercy is comfortable talking about it she will. It isn't her place to try and push let alone pry. She wants to be a friend and ally, not a meddling pain in the ass.

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    "I grew up in the world of the weird. Born to it. So vampires and other things were as much a fact for me as most kids had for homework from school." Mercy will get a glass for Patience and will warn, "It is a lot tarter then anything mass made." But the drink is set down as Mercy returns to the seat.
    "I'd feel guilty about eating all of Gabby's chicken but it won't keep. Also if she ran out fast enough to ignore brownies I doubt she'll mind." Of course by now Medae is wondering where her chicken is at, and Mercy will tear off a little skin and offer it to the cat. "That's all you get. Don't need you going at a bone."

Patience Alperen has posed:
Patience Alperen grins at Medae, laughing softly. "Well, it /is/ fair that she get a little nibble too.." her eyes sparkle with amusement. She'll lean down and hold her hand out for the cat to sniff if she so chooses. If so, Medae will be given a few pets and scritches. Either way Patince sits back up and takes the glass with a thankful not. "Proper lemonade should leave a person's lips puckered until next Christmas, I'd say." She sips it and considers. "It's good. And tart!" she declares with a grin. "Thank you. It's perfect."

A serious nod is offered to the first topic. "What we grow up with is hard to recognize as anything different than what others grow up with till we get a chance to compare. It still doesn't make it bad or wrong inherently. It sounds like maybe at least you've been able to benefit from a more open minded perspective from that upbringing?" It is a question mixed with a bit of speculation.

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    Medae is not above licking fingers as Patience will learn. Especially fingers that taste like chicken, as the stub tailed cat purrs away. She is a good feline and doesn't use her teeth however. "Glad you approve," since Mercy tends to make more of her stuff when she can.
    She considers the comment on her upbringing and shakes her head. "Not sure how open minded it was. It wasn't like 'we are a family that believes in werewolves and the supernatural' or anything like that. I knew about the pack that was helping to raise me and that my foster parents had ties to. Naturally it isn't something I talk about normally." But Patience is in the Justice League Dark after all. "It has definitely given me skills most don't have and helped me stay alive up until today."

Patience Alperen has posed:
Patience Alperen nods and falls silent to listen, sparing a fond smile toward Medae. After a sip of the lemonade and she looks back to Mercy.

"You don't have to talk further about it if you'd rather not. I won't be any less interested getting to know you better over time. Or just other things you'd be more comfortable talking about."

If anything Patience is probably trying a little too hard to be understanding or empathetic, as if she isn't quite certain how to be a a friend. New or otherwise.

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    "Oh believe me, I'm fine with what I'm saying. I like to think I mostly know when to shut my mouth." Mercy waves off the concern with a striped down chicken bone before it gets added to the plate with the others. "You're allowed to ask questions, if I don't want to answer them I won't. Or I'll be direct and simply tell you something like 'I cannot tell you that' to your face." Mercy does not have a problem in being direct. Maybe that makes her rude a times but it's just how she is, part of her nature.

Patience Alperen has posed:
Patience Alperen doesn't seem to find Mercy's perspective rude from her body language. A nod. "Okay. I just, well." She stops and just smiles. "Alright. And the same for myself. If you'd like to know something." She sips again at her drink then does ask something she seems curious about.

"How did you get interested in working on cars?"

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    Seems she chose a good question given Mercy's grin that rapidly appears. "Well I went to college and even got a degree in history. I was going to be a teacher I thought. But the first interview didn't go well." She drinks some more lemonade before continuing, "I didn't want to just go home and admit failure. I had a part time job ever so briefly flipping burgers when I met someone who offered me a chance to work at his garage. His name was Zee, and I always liked cars and had some experience with them. I fell in love with the work and learned a lot from Zee. The man had a magic touch with stuff. I mostly work on German cars, and when Zee retired I bought his shop and now it's mine."
    Since the subject of work has come up Mercy asks, "So what's your day job then? Not too many drive around in Maseratis these days."

Patience Alperen has posed:
Patience Alperen cannot help but smile as Mercy seems to light up talking about her garage. She listens with interest. "Well any of those choices would be good if they made you happy. It looks like this is your calling though, at least as far as day job, if your grin is any indication." Then she sips again at her glass.

"Well... my day job is also kind of my night time job. Side job. Way of life? I guess you could say." She smiles a little. "I am the current Magdalena. A female descendent of Mary Magdaline, chosen in every generation to take on the role. The Church would keep me under its thumb as a.. problem solver. By which they mean a monster hunter. Vampires. Even some werewolves" she admits with a hesitation out of consideration for Mercy, "Demons... if it is evil and opposes the Church, the Magdalena is sent to kill it." She sighs a little. "As I said, we had a falling out over things they will or won't tell me. So now? I'm something of an independent contractor." She laughs, "It osounds absurd I suppose. They still pay me a stipend. I think they feel it sort of makes me still work for them. I just pick more carefully from the assignments they try to give me. And I fight where needed on my own. Or, now, to help Justice League Dark when asked."

She gestures toward the floor and the car below. "The car was, well, confenscated after killing a vampire coven in Massachusetts a little over a year ago. I suppose it's mercenary. But they aren't going to be using their possessions any longer."

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    "I like my independence and if needs be I can work more or less hours. Lets me get away on some weekends if I feel the need." Mercy's expression does shift when she hears about how Patience is a monster hunter of sorts. She is careful for a bit and asks, "So are all werewolves 'evil' then to you and the church?" She does her best to ask what the CHURCE thinks over what Patience does in her job as Magdalena.
    Mercy glances down as she thinks about the car. "As long as it is legally yours now. I don't mind. Like I said I can order that part and do the oil change I think. Shouldn't be too hard. I've got a fair bit to do this weekend already so it will have to be next week for me to get to it."

Patience Alperen has posed:
Patience Alperen listened carefully as Mercy led to her question. An important question. She sets her glass down and leans forward, elbows on her knees, fingers laced together as she looks to Mercy. "The Church? Can be welcoming and understanding. Even tolerant. When it wishes to be. We only have to look to the Crusades for how it has behaved when it is not feeling tolerant.." She seems genuinely against and regretful for that era of history. "The official answer of the Church would probably be that Werewolves are an abomination of nature as God created it. Therefore they fall underneath the umbrella of things to be killed."

Patience would meet Mercy's gaze as she continues, her answer honest and sincere, "That is also a part of why I broke from taking orders from The Inquisition." She shakes her head, "Nothing is ever as black and white as they would have me accept. There are vampires that are not evil. Werewolves. The only thing I have yet to encounter that has only and always been evil are demons."


She'd continue to look to Mercy, "If you were to tell me you had family that were.. /anything/ ... if I had to investigate? I would approach it with an open mind and heart. I do not wish to blindly accept an answer as fact when other's lives are at risk. I.. have the means.. through my bloodline to look into the hearts of those I am facing, to sense if they are truly good or evil. I do not carelessly engage would be "monsters" without knowing their heart first." She falls silent.

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    "Rogue werewolves are monsters. They get a taste for killing and need to be stopped. But any blanket statement, save for Demons, that 'X is evil' I don't care fore. Nor tolerate. We can agree on one point at least it seems." Mercy can't help but feel her emotions getting hotter and protective as she thinks of those she knows about and cares that aren't quiet so human now.
    She can't help but give a small unkind smile. "Any group that went to where I was raised to try and kill the werewolves that helped raise me would never be heard from again. Nor would I loose a wink of sleep over it." She isn't sure what to believe about this woman's power about looking into someone's heart. Nor is Mercy sure she wants to find out or test it. "Do me a favor and don't tell your church friends about me just the same." She's not sure about the whole 'killing a priest' thing but Mercy would fight to survive and is almost positive if the Catholic Church knew what she was, they'd try to kill her.

Patience Alperen has posed:
Patience Alperen does not make any move. She seems to understand the gravity of the situation. She is calm, if cautious. She'll meet Mercy's gaze as long as the other woman would return it.

"I believe we are in agreement Mercy. The Church deals in absolutes in every situation. I.. can't and I won't." She sighs softly, "I have no desire to place you or your family in danger. That you will kill for your family? That is a /good/ thing I my view. I'd be more concerned if you wouldn't."

She nods genuinely. "You have my word. As Magdalena. On any of the rare occasions I speak with the Church, the Inquisition, I will never speak of you or any family to them. It is none of their business. And. I believe we are allies. I would like for us to be. If that is to be true, I have to be a friend and trustworthy ally myself. As you said, the Velvet Room does not give out keys frivolously. That we both have keys. I will accept entirely as proof that you are no threat that I would ever need to face. That is enough for me."

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    "They're as good as family," admits Mercy. "Even if it isn't by blood. Both my foster parents are dead, my biological father as well." She won't mention her mother however or details on where and who the pack that raised her may be. She tries to shake off that more serious tone and says firmly, "We need chocolate." The chicken is pretty much dead and eaten already anyway. She opens up the contain of her home baked brownies to offer one over.
    "Let's shift to a safer topic. And to be honest I am about as harmless as you can get. Unless you're an old engine part maybe." Mercy will stand after offering the brownies to clean up the chicken and plates so Medae can't get to it. "I'll get us some milk for the brownies. Though if you want to drive your car home tonight, we should see about doing that soon."

Patience Alperen has posed:
Patience Alperen smiles. "Family doesn't have to exclusively by blood. It's good that you protect them. I will do whatever I am able to do the same." She sits up and nods. "Chocolate sounds good. Although, could I maybe have one to take home rather than force you to play host any longer tonight?" She would offer a smile. "And when it comes to interactions between you and I? I would like to be harmless to you as well. Part of that is getting out of the way for now."

Standing she waits where she is for the moment.

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    Mercy nods her head and will instead of letting Patience take a browning will get one and a plastic bag to put it into. Keeping it safe for the trip home. "There you go. Enjoy it and I'll let you know about that part and if I can do the oil change for you next week." Pleasantries done, Mercy can help show Patience out of her home and then back down to the garage so she can back her car out. That will Mercy to lock up for the night.