13446/Hell of a Witch

Hell of a Witch
Date of Scene:	26 November 2022
Location:	Candle, Booke and Belle
Synopsis:	Hellboy makes a stop at the Candle, Booke and Belle and meets The Greywitch. Nettie gives him tea and the two strike up and acquaintence. Corvax does not approve.
Cast of Characters:	Nettie Crowe, Hellboy

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Nettie Crowe has posed:
    The Greywitch was spoken of either fondly or cursed by those in the know in WWII metaphysical studies. To the Allies, over two World Wars she had served as dire messenger, as a warning to advancing troops, and as nurse to the dying.

    To Axis powers the Greywitch had been a fury that would come screaming out of the skies in the last few years of the second World War in order to enact revenge after the slaughtering of a village. They said she collected the heads of Nazis she had murdered.

    And those who were still in the know knew how to find her, to track her down in case her expertise was needed. There were ways of finding those who specialized in dark arts and darker purposes.

    The last lead came out of the late 80's, to a building in the East Village of NYC, where a metaphysic shop that served the new age and tea drinking communities called the Candle, Booke and Belle Shoppe had been open the last few years. Recently there had been a rise in magic activity in the neighborhood, and known members of the magical and mystic community went there for reagents, some which were hard to find.

    No one would have guessed that the gray-haired woman who looked no older than college age who was hanging from a rafter after accidentally kicking the ladder down was someone who collected the bones of her kills. Especially not while wearing a second-hand My Chemical Romance T-shirt and a pair of aging gray jeans with holes in the knees and a patch on one thigh. There is currently a panicked crow circling her as she hangs a good twelve feet in the air.

    The shop itself was mostly empty, there was a young girl who definitely wasn't looking up love potions of a questionable nature.

Hellboy has posed:
    Hellboy, meanwhile, is exactly who he appears to be. After the comic books, people know who he is, at least from looking at him, and he's not hiding jack. He hides, sometimes, but that's not the same thing.
    Stepping into the shop, he looks around. Noticing the woman hanging from the rafters, he walks over to her. Hands on his hips, he says, "I get the feeling you're not a part of the decor."

Nettie Crowe has posed:
    "A brilliant observation, really." The woman states in a dry tone in her North English accent, and she gives a slight grump, kicking her legs up as she attempts to swing herself up to the rafter, the crow still circling her all concerned as the poor lady with the gray hair gives a grunt.

    "I don't suppose I could convince you to stand the ladder back up, lad?"

Hellboy has posed:
    Hellboy shrugs and reaches up his right arm to full length. His Right Fingers of Doom spread out, Right Palm of Doom resting against the soles of her feet, lifting them enough that she could let go at this point. "Calm down, lady, I won't let you fall."

Nettie Crowe has posed:
    "I'd hate to get your hand dirty..." Nettie states a moment, but she puts her weight down on the Hand of Doom, and she purses her lips a moment before she fetches a pair of thin, silver-rimmed glasses from her shirt and peers down at Hellboy.

    "Goodness, you're a tall fellow, aren't you?" she asks. Not put out in the least by the fact that Hellboy is lending her a hand. Literally

    "I don't suppose you're here for a cuppa tea?"

Hellboy has posed:
    Hellboy holds up his other hand for something for her to grab onto if she needs as he lowers her down to the ground. Once she's on her own two feet on the floor again, he stands upright and arches his shoulders back. "Well, if you're offering, that sure was a workout," he says, a bit dryly sarcastic. That's evidenced by the smirk he can't hold back. He offers a Right Fistbump of Doom and says, "Just glad you didn't get yourself hurt."

Nettie Crowe has posed:
    "Oh I suppose lifting the ownder about is quite the work out--" the woman begins, and she points at the crow. "Not a word, bird."

    She smiles, and does indeed fistbump the doom fist with a gloved hand. She adjusts her glasses, for a moment just looking so much older than her appearance.

    "Hm. You're not one of my regular visitors. Do you have a name to go along with that fist?" she gives a wry smile as she goes to step over to the tea bar.

    The ancient counter used to be a pharmacy's soda fountain bar, and all the drawers behind it were full of tea ingredients, different leaves and strains.

    The crow comes and lands on her shoulder, all the while eyeballing Hellboy like he's The Enemy.

Hellboy has posed:
    Hellboy isn't entirely sure if she's joking or not, but it's kind of nice to talk to someone who doesn't know who he is, even a little bit. He walks to the customer side of the counter and says, "Hellboy," he informs her. He puts his hands on the counter and watches her...mostly her bird. "You're the Greywitch?" he asks, as if it was the most normal thing in the world to ask.

Nettie Crowe has posed:
    "Heh, that old title. You'd think I would have chosen another color..." the woman gives a smile as she chooses some items from her collection of reagents for tea.

    "This is a business visit then?" she asks, setting a kettle on as she reaches down to her cups and saucers.

    She pulls out a teacup for Hellboy. It is white, and decorated with scribbly-looking cats. It's matched with a saucer that has equally scribbly fishes and mice on it.

    The crow keeps its crimson eyes on Hellboy. The crow is definitely Magic AF.

    "You may call me Nettie, though."

Hellboy has posed:
    "Yeah," Hellboy says, making intense eye contact with the Magic AF crow. "Alright," he concludes. He looks away long enough to see the pattern on the cup. He bends down to get a closer look at it before standing upright again. "I like knowing where all the magic shit is," he finally explains. "Figured I'd say hi." He raises his right hand and wiggles his fingers in a simple wave. He looks around the shop. "You got a bit of a reputation in some circles."

Nettie Crowe has posed:
    "Quite understandable; why I keep a low profile. That and with what happened a few years back at the Laughing Magician, that business with exorcists moving around in odd circles... I do try to help everyone who may have no where else to go." she gives a smile as she sets tea in a strainer, and sets it in a pot.

    "And you, Hellboy, still working with large organizations who try to keep tabs on all us magical sorts in case we step too far out of line?" she asks, sounding amused at the prospect.

Hellboy has posed:
    "Not really what we do," he says. He then explains, "When something goes bump in the night, we're the ones that bump back. That's what Father says." He punches the Right Hand of Doom into his left palm. "I'm good at bumping back," he concludes.

Nettie Crowe has posed:
    "Ah, so then knowing all the 'magical shit' is a self-appointed perogative." Nettie gives a smile, and pours the tea.

    "Well. You'll be happy to know that we're allies. I've taken over a branch of the Justice League that helps in such situations and dire needs."

    She gives a pleasant smile, it's quite real. "Nice to know some of the classier things to come out of that dreadful business are keeping on. Nice to know that people remember." she adds quietly, touching her left ring finger, hidden beneath a glove.

    "You do seem like the sort who takes pleasure in the 'bumping back'. I do too, on occasion. For little bumps." she gives a smile, satisfied that she can let down her guard with Hellboy.

    "This is my familiar, Corvax. Introduce yourself to the gentleman, Cor."

    "... of course it'd be Another Fecking Demon that walks into the Candle and she just serves tea to!" the bird rudely states, "Listen here, the last one who came waltzin' in was wearin' at least a decent face. You look like someone carved you right outta the rocks of Hell, mate, so let's get something square in the first: No misbehavin'!" the Pirate-voiced crow states, feathers ruffled.

    "... aaand this is why you're not allowed to talk to the customers, Corvax." Nettie sets her face in a very stern expression.

Hellboy has posed:
    Hellboy's brow furrows and his jaw tightens. "Hey!" he barks at the crow. He doesn't lash out, however, since he already knows it's Nettie's familiar. He calmly commands the crow. "Watch your language. There's a lady present."
    Returning his gaze to meet Nettie, he says, "Hey, you bump; I bump; we bump...you got anything like peach tree wood, iron coins, pure silver, garlic grown from a plant watered only with holy water...stuff like that?"

Nettie Crowe has posed:
    "I keep three-foot-by-two-inch sections of peach tree wood, old iron coins I separate by the country or empire of origin -- Pure Silver..." she scratches at her shoulder a moment as she considers, pouring hot water into the teapot.

    "I have some from Spain, I could get some from silver mines in Dukat but it'd come via the black market." she considers a moment.

    "The garlic though, I can make it happen but it'll take a wee bit."

Hellboy has posed:
    "That's just for vampires," Hellboy says with a shrug. "There's other things for other supernatural--" He furrows his brow and scoffs a bit at himself. "--you know all that," he proclaims out loud. He watches as she pours the water. He seems to appreciate how she does things a bit the old fashioned way. "You got a menu or a catalogue of stuff you sell against various supernatural things with prices? You know, in case my bosses want to stock up." Or buy out her inventory was a logical step, too, at least of rarer things. The BPRD might not have infinite money, but they always seem to have enough to inconvenience somebody like that in their war on bad things.

Nettie Crowe has posed:
    "No, because my stock changes from day to day. I have contacts 'round the world so I can source out some rarer materials, depending on how cost-effective it is. I also host journeys to obtain materials if needed. Mostly I have small amounts of hard-to-find items for the magi in a pinch. Like one time the Sorcerer Supreme 'imself barged in asking for fertilised red mantis eggs. And I happened to have some in the freezer, bought my entire stock. Still has a tab open." she gives a wry little grin to Hellboy.

    "You let your bosses know that my group comes first when it comes to supplies. I'm responsible for the lives of all my little duckies."

Hellboy has posed:
    Hellboy shrugs. "Eh," he says, almost dismissively. "I had to ask," he says. He furrows his brow a bit as he continues. He then looks more seriously at her. "So, what exactly does it take to get in with your little group?" He then feigns disinterest. "You know, just to make conversation."

Nettie Crowe has posed:
    "Mostly 'the desire to fight against supernatural threats' and the occasional potluck dinner offering." Nettie gives a bright grin, her too-blue-to-be-real eyes getting a bit of a glimmer.

    "We've all manner of lads and lasses who've decided to lend a --" she pauses, and looks down to the Right Hand of Doom " -- bit of help to the cause. Sometimes it's little things, ghosts and goblins. Generally I send the puppies to cut their teeth on that, but on occasion we've worked on some larger items. Recently had an incident with a Nucklevee harassing a wee old churchyard in Scotland and someone had trapped the Church Grim in a puddle of myrrh."

Hellboy has posed:
    Hellboy nods. "As long as it doesn't interfere with work, I know I've got the skills to deal with that stuff," he says. His Right Hand of Doom moves like a cage over the teacup and saucer, sliding it delicately over the surface. He then leans forward on his elbow and continues, "Not going up against Superman's ghost, but I wouldn't mind tagging along once in a while."

Nettie Crowe has posed:
    "Ugh. I would just let Zatanna and the Constantines handle that without me." Nettie makes a flat face. "Nice fellow from what I hear, little bit too much boyscout for my taste." she gives a thoughtful sound, and then she leans forward.

    "Well. If you wanted to join in, there's no forms. No nonsense. Sort of just an agreement to help when you can." she states, and she pours the first cup of tea into the cat cup.

    The tea is warm-smelling, with notes of cinnamon and campfire smoke. It has sweet floral undertones, and a sweet finish without adding any sugar to it.

    "I'd be more worried about what killed Superman to be honest."

Hellboy has posed:
    "Darkseid's evil twin brother?" Hellboy speculates. He shrugs. "Maybe he'll get Supercancer." Hellboy's eyes go wide. "God, I hope I don't have to fight Superman's disembodied tumors!"

Nettie Crowe has posed:
    ". . . that is such a horrifying thought. Darkseid having an evil twin." she murmurs, and she brings a cup up from below the counter. It's plain and grey, and she sips from the clear liquid in it.

    It's gin.

    There is not enough Gin to consider fighting Superman's disembodied tumors.

Hellboy has posed:
    The Right Fingers of Doom delicately take the teacup's handle. The Right Pinky of Doom extends as Hellboy lifts the teacup to sip at it. "Mmm," he says. "Not bad."

Nettie Crowe has posed:
    "'Not bad' he says. He's served tea by a century-and-half-old witch and it's not bad." Corvax grumps.

    "Not everyone enjoys tea, Corvax. Some are coffee drinkers. Some drink beer by the gallon. Others drink weird fizzie waters with french names like Pampelmouuse." she shrugs. "He's not a tea-drinker, that's all."

    She continues to sip at her teacup full of gin.

    "So. If you want an in to the Justice League dark, take a day or two to think it over."

Hellboy has posed:
    Hellboy nods. "As long as your little buddy doesn't give me orders," he says. He picks up the teacup again and chugs down the rest of the tea within. Setting it down, the handle breaks, because he's not being quite so careful. "Aw, crap," he says.

Nettie Crowe has posed:
    "Corvax knows whose hand he eats from. He may be bossy but unless he tells you to 'run', or passes a message on from me specfically, no he does not issue any orders."

    "Ugh. The indignity." Corvax grumps, and then flies off Nettie's shoulder.

    Nettie looks at the gentleman in red, and she holds her hand out for the teacup.

    "Don't worry. Not a cup in the place I haven't fixed before."

Hellboy has posed:
    Hellboy hands the handle over carefully. "I should go," he says. "I'll think things over, sure. If I can't commit to that, guess I don't belong, right?" He tries a smile, but his face really doesn't take to smiling very well.

Nettie Crowe has posed:
    It's still a charming smile, because it's real.

    Nettie gives a smile back, and in Old English she whispers 'Fix yourself' in a command to the cup. The cat cup repairs itself, rejoining its handle to the teacup.

    "It's a pleasure to finally meet your acquaintence, Hellboy. I hope you consider the offer. It'd be nice to have an additional heavy hitter and one of the Old Guard." she jokes.

Hellboy has posed:
    "Heh," Hellboy huffs out. "Yeah," he attempts. He rubs the back of his neck with his left hand. "Anyway, I should get moving. I'll talk to you soon, I'm sure." He starts toward the door.