13879/Old New Faces

Old New Faces
Date of Scene:	19 January 2023
Location:	Third Floor Workspaces
Synopsis:	Gabby, Nettie, and Talia meet the Sorcerer Supreme who is doing some shopping. A few bad memories are brought up. Tea is had, all ends well.
Cast of Characters:	Gabby Kinney, Talia al Ghul, Nettie Crowe, Stephen Strange

---

Gabby Kinney has posed:
"I'm telling you this is going to help draw circles SO much. And the BEST thing--" Gabby's voice is easy to hear as she gushes with excitement over something. A thing which she holds in hand, all silvery and long. One hand grasps the rubberized end only to stretch out the other revealing a long, telescopic length that she brandishes like a staff swinging it out to the side.

Really, it was nothing special. It was just an extendable chalk holder used by some professors, artists, and the like. Not too common of an item but one that had garnered the attention of the youngest JLD leader.

The chalk-bearing tip is pointed to the floor as she sweeps it around, again, like a staff. Sometimes you just couldn't hide the martial arts training in a person.

"I mean how long did it take me to draw that dang thing last equinox? ... Solstice?" Pausing she furrows her brow trying to recall the proper term. "The... the Winter one. What is that again?" She looks to Nettie for an answer as she was the one bearing the brunt of the excited demonstration of her newest toy in the work area. It was a place used by the JLD members only, so it stood to reason that those who could enter here were safe to overhear such talk. Usually she tried to be a *little* cautious when in the shop on what she spoke about.

Okay. Maybe not cautious. It was a work in progress.

Talia al Ghul has posed:
Talia al Ghul is currently entering into the front of the shop, a book over in her hands that she was skimming through over. A few others underneath her other hand. Roylance's Guide to Secret Societs and Sects, Spate's Catalogue of Namless horrors and What to Do About Them, and Fredde's the Big Book of Occult Lore which was for some reason the smallest of them all. Going to glance about the shop, Talia would listen to anything going on while she would go to set her books down over on the nearest counter. Not bothering to ring a bell or anything even if no one was present out front.

If she was welcomed, then someone would come out to greet her, some portal would take ehr away, or just a trap door would open underneath her.

Nettie Crowe has posed:
    Nettie is sitting on her broomstick, sideways, wearing a gray sweater as she crosses her legs, old gray jeans with faded band patches on the hip pockets showing their age as she watches in the old, buzzing incandescent lights that light up the room, holding a cup of tea in her hands to keep them warm as she watches Gabby excitedly swing the extender around.

    "Aye, yes, that'd be a good thing to have about for the wider circles. Should probably add one to my bobs bag." she states.

    And she reaches up with her left hand, gives a muttered word in Old English, and gives a click of her fingers.

    A purple-and-black energy ring opens up under Talia, and deposits her neatly into the room, on a conviently placed floor cushion.

    "Hullo, Talia!" she greets the assassin, giving a bright smile. "Sorry, the main floor's closed for discovery day." she comments cheerily.

Stephen Strange has posed:
Speaking of energy rings...

In the left-hand corner of the room, where once was just empty space, sparks begin to appear. Yellowish sparks that quickly form a ring of their own, coalescing into what can only be ascertained as a portal, allowing a certain individual to step through. One that would be rather recognizable to certain individuals.

Flowing red cloak. Familiar blue ensemble. And a surprised expression as the male figure steps into full view...a rather unique expression for one that is supposedly the master of the mystic arts.

Yes, it is not often that Stephen Strange is surprised.

He pauses, turning to look back at his portal, a finger held up as he considers. "Hmm. Excuse me. It appears I may have overshot my destination. I was aiming for the Candle, Booke and Belle." The sorcerer turns around, back to the others in the vicinity, as he appears to do some calculations. "I...am above the shop, aren't I?"

The confusion gives way to recognition as he recognizes the proprietress of his intended destination. "Ah, Ms. Crowe. So I was on the right track...and it is merely domain shenanigans that has deposited me here." For yes, Strange is well aware of magical shenanigans.

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Gabby Kinney flashes a grin at Nettie's apparent agreement with her super important discovery. Sometimes it was the small things that could make someone happy after all, and she hadn't yet lost that enjoyment of such things. "I can get you one, too," she assures Nettie when mention of adding it to her kit comes up.

Then the gesture which opens a portal to deposit Talia draws her attention away. A quick breath is drawn as she scents the air out of newfound habit (it never hurt to practice!) so that she can confirm it is, indeed, Talia. Of course it was. "Evening!" She greets in turn. Right before the Next Shiny Thing pulls her attention away.

Partially out of habit, partially out of reflex, partially out of the fact that she had never chanced to see Doctor Strange portal before and so itw as unfamiliar... He would find himself at chalk-point as she'd swung the extendable pointer around to aim at him like a weapon. It could be in some cases, perhaps. It only takes the greeting and realization for her to drop it away with a little awkward clearing of her throat.

"Sorry about that." Her weight rocks back onto her heels and she tucks her hair behind an ear giving a wide grin. "Above the shop, in the shop, to the left of the shop, maybe upside down from it. You're in the right place though."

Talia al Ghul has posed:
There's a little bit of startledness over in Talia's eyes as she vanishes through a portal and onto the floor, landing cleanly on a cushion, books falling about on her lap that she'd been hauling, "Ah, hello. I just thought I would check in on how the werewolf situation was going as I hadn't followe dup on it." She would reply.. While then looking over at Stephen Strange. That's when the paranoia goes in full speed. She knows the man by reputation, if little else.

Well, never let it be said that the Daughter of the Demon did not lack for interesting company. "And it appears you have quite the eclectic gathering here as always." She would opine over to Nettie before going to slide her hands over to her lap. Not asking about tea yet. "So is there any particular reasoning for such a gathering? A greater purpose or merely an act of whimsy?" She'd learned very long ago not to ever use 'coincidence'.

But also not to overcomplicate matters. It was her father's game to make everything seem like it was moving from one sleight of hand to another, all lined up and perfectly played to oration. Going to fold her hands together as she goes to see what the occasion is.

Nettie Crowe has posed:
    Nettie gives a wry smile as she takes her besom a little bit higher, looking to Gabby with a smile as she raises her poison violet cup to her lips.

    "Do let me know the cost of it so I might repay my friend." she smiles, sipping whatever she has in her cup, looking up as Talia joins them.

    "Oh, no real occasion. Miss Kinney was just showing me a new item that she thought might be useful for casting larger circles faster with more efficientcy."

    And she looks up, her lips pursing a moment as she narrows her eyes, the golden sparks of a sling ring's portal catching her attention.

    "Ah, the Sorcerer Supreme, hello Doctor Strange." she greets him, giving a nod of her head in lieu of a proper bow. Hard to bow when you're sitting on a broom, you see.

    "Now we have a party."

Stephen Strange has posed:
"A party, indeed."

It is only then, after echoing the sentiment brought forth by Nettie, that Strange looks down...

...to find a piece of chalk on what appears to be a telescoping arm pointed at him. And that, for some reason, draws an amused smile from Stephen. "Well, forgive the intrusion. I wouldn't want to give you reason to use your weapon there." His head tilts downward, in almost a sort of a bow to Gabby. "Besides, chalk dust is murder to get out of certain types of fabric."

Strange takes a moment to actually take note of his location. "Ah...dynamic spacing. Similar to the Sanctum. I would imagine it has a mind of its own, as well." Obviously so, considering his current presence. "So, I take it that I just waltzed into the middle of the new home of the Justice League Dark? I would imagine it is a tab more accessible than the Astral realm, yes?"

Strange has never been to the astral headquarters, yet he knows it was there? Perks of being the Sorcerer Supreme, it seems.

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Gabby Kinney can only give a helpless little shrug as she starts to tuck the telescoping chalk holder back down to a much smaller, more compact size. "I usually get worse things on my clothes. Blood, dirt, glitter glue." Oh man glitter glue was theeee worst.

Tilting her head in Talia's direction she offers the older woman a grin. There were many here with reputations that preceeded them tonight, after all. "I haven't heard anything more about the werewolf issue yet. I still should reach out to my 'experts' on that, just in case. Though we'd have to meet Mercy outside of the shop, given her anti-magic thing. I admit I got a little swamped with the holidays."

"And let's not mention the old base. It was cool but out of the way to say the least. Plus people can actually *find* us if they need us here---I never did understand how we were supposed to work otherwise, honestly, but trouble always seemed to pop up anyway."

Talia al Ghul has posed:
Talia al Ghul would ah over at Nettie, "Very well then. So long as nothing is particularly the matter." Presuming that the istuation with the wolves has been resolved, she would turn her attention over to Doctor Strange. The mechanics of what exactly Gabby is using this as a workaround for is somewhat beyond her. But she could admit the practicality of it.
    "Efficient." Curiousity would have her ask what had brought Doctor Strange here, but courtesy kept it down. She was a guest here after al lthat wa sdropping in. It was rude to make such a statement without any sort of request.

Nodding to Gabby, she would listen, "And old base?"

Nettie Crowe has posed:
    "That and there were fuckin' Old Ones making their displeasure known." Nettie adds quietly, drawing her hands up a moment to breathe out and shakes her head.

    "I opened my home and sanctum up during the bad business last year, an' it's been open mostly ever since. And I like having the company around. Makes it feel like a home and less like a house. An' sides, you young duckies keep me young." The young-appearing woman gives a bright grin, and she gives a nod to Gabby.

    "Miss Kinney's got the right of it. We can be found here if we're needed for tasks big or small, at any level of lethality. Since some things you cannot put in a cell." Nettie comments, and she gives a soft 'hm'.

    "The group had a base in the Astral realm. I never went there, had a bit of a disagreement with some policies or another." she gives a soft 'hrm'.

    "I purposefully changed my sanctum, my home, so that the Justice League -- which includes you, Talia -- would have a place to..."

    She rolls her hand inthe air a moment, thinking of how to put it "hang their hats and put up their feet, but also was accessable to the everyman. After all, if I didn't have people stumbling into my shop, I wouldn't have half me friends, would I?" she gives a bright smile at that, and with another wave of her hand, the old witch summons a low, round, three-legged table and a teaset for three.

Stephen Strange has posed:
If Talia is expecting an explanation as to why Strange suddenly appeared, it doesn't seem as if Stephen is completely inclined to offer one. At least, not immediately. Though, it does seem as if Strange was meaning to go to the shop itself, from the sounds of things.

And...as far as the old base..."I never felt the need to visit the Astral base myself. I knew it was there, of course. It was rather hard to not notice. However...I had other events that kept me away." There is a pause as Strange considers his words. "And I was of the same mind as Ms. Crowe. I had a minor quibble with certain aspects. Like building a rather obvious and large headquarters in the middle of such a chaotic and fluid realm as the Astral in the first place." The magic needed to anchor the base alone...

Gabby Kinney has posed:
"Oh, they didn't *build* it," Gabby points out with a little shake of her head as she turns to crouch in front of a small duffel bag. It wasn't super fancy, but it held at least a change of clothes and some other items she might find useful. The chalk-stick-thingie is slipped inside to be safely put away though she does pause to pop the peice of chalk out of it first as she recalls Strange's remark about getting chalk out of cloth. Good to keep in mind.

"They found it after defeating something in the astral plane and ... From what little detail I was told, managed to cross the chasm surrounding it, and claimed it as their own. So!"

A little breath is taken after that rambling explanation. She hadn't even told Nettie that before. "Not sure who *did* build it there. Or why. And it had a mind of it's own in a way... Yeah, it was stupid. As for the Old Ones."

Usually she would pause to take a breath before rambling again. Instead she just. Stops. Still crouching there by her bag with nothing more to say on that topic. Just suddenly silent. Remembering.

Just as suddenly as she'd grown quiet she moves again to scrub a hand over her face vigorously. "Thanks for letting us use your space, Nettie."

Talia al Ghul has posed:
Talia al Ghul would just look over at Gabby, "That sounds positively destitute. I can't fathom as to why that would have been used as a primary operating area in the first place. A fallback position or safehouse certainly. But as a primary base of operations? At such a risk of it being in ether space where you could lose access to it and coordination at any point?" Sure, a fancy headquarters ina nother dimension -sounded- nice, but had horrible maintenance..
    Looking over at Gabby's sudden change in displayed emotions, her watching the younger girl thoughtfully. Then smiling over at Nettie, "And thank you for the inclusion and permission to be here, Ms. Crowe. I do owe you a boon for your assistance and I shall do my utmost to repay it."

Nettie Crowe has posed:
    "Oh please, I'm three times your age and hardly your equal, it's Nettie." the witch interjects, hopping off her broom (which obediently hangs out mid-air, drifting slowly behind her) as she approaches the table to start pouring tea.

    "And yes, it was a not great idea, so we closed it off and now we're here in some sort of deconstructed chicken soup for the darkened soul organization that does what the more marketable Justice League cannot do." she pours for everyone else in the room, her violet cup set to the side. It has some black-as-tar liquid in it.

    "No thanks is needed." Nettie states quietly. "I'm old, you're young. Many of you lot are either starting on your journeys, or have encountered a different path." she states, sitting down cross-legged on the floor in front of the table, and she motions everyone to come in and join her for tea.

    :I am fortunate to have had many paths to wander in my life. The least I can do is put a roof over someone's head as they try to figure themselves and this whole magic thing out." she gives a wry smile.

    "But I gather you wanted some reagents an not just the natterings of an old lady, Doctor. What can we do for you?"

Stephen Strange has posed:
Stephen being instructed to be less formal is such a joy to watch. The actual mental workings going on in that head of his is practically visible as the sorcerer pauses, mulls over the concept, and adjusts to the new paradigm. "Forgive me...Nettie." It sounds slightly hesitant when he uses the first name. Yet, Nettie is older...and as such does have a sway with Stephen, as much as any younger individual would give to their respected elders. So Nettie wishes, so Strange shall do.

Well, within reason. And a name preference is reasonable.

"Ah, so that is how the astral sanctum was acquired. Yes, I probably would have left it alone, myself. It is as much of a beacon as it could be considered a stronghold. Less conspicuous environs tend to lead to a much more...shall we say...relaxed existence. Free of attentions from various entities both young and Old." As Strange finishes his comment, a flicker of his eyes betrays the fact that he stole a glance towards Gabby, with the faintest of smiles just barely apparent on his features. Yes, he was teasing ever so slightly about the Old Ones.

Oh, but Nettie has asked of Stephen's actual purpose for his visit. "Oh, yes. You are certainly correct, Nettie. I was in the market for some components that I found myself short of within the Sanctum itself. And, rather than set to gather the items on my own, I thought it prudent to first check amongst your wares. At least, that was the intent, before I found myself here with the slight detour." Strange pauses on that for just a moment or two, as he recalls the list that brought him here to begin with. "Black Pearls, mandrake root, blood moss, sulphurous ash. It isn't needed immediately, but at some point. My coffers are running a touch low at the moment."

Ah...so Stephen is shopping. Or, was, at least.

Nettie Crowe has posed:
    "Dr. Strange, a number of Justice League Dark members past have lasting scars, both mental and physical, from their trials. Some cannot return to the organization for those scars and how they are affected. Those who have in spite of what they were inflicted with deserve your respect." Nettie states.

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Gabby Kinney swivels her head toward Strange to regard him quietly with eyes that were not her own. Yet were her own. Some haunted memory of another life peeking out from behind her gaze, judging him. Weighing his worth.

She looks away again to inhale deeply of the scent of tea that Nettie had summoned up. Once. Twice. It was enough to focus on that she pushes to her feet only to walk those precious few steps to the table where she sinks down again cross legged. "It's fine, Nettie. Let's just change the topic." And she wraps her hands around the peacock colored teacup that Nettie had set aside as 'hers' to draw up for a quick sip of the tea not caring how hot it may be. It helped to ease the chill in her at least, so she can attempt another smile.

"Sorry. I haven't thought about that in awhile. I try not to. It was... A lot. Enough that every single one of the prior JLD leaders decided to fuck off to another dimension. Including one of my sisters." To Talia she explains only a bit further, "It was a rather nice castle actually, but yeah it was a bad idea all around. The tea is better here."

Talia al Ghul has posed:
And at the sheer -upsetedness- coming from Gabby, Talia Al Ghul shoots Stephen Strange a glare along the lines of 'you made the girl cry' with as much fury as she could muster given the circumstances given the company. Then she would go to take her hand up and over to rub at Gabby's shoulder reassuringly. Smoothly. Gently going to let her hand rest over there so long as it was accepted and if it gave the girl some sense of comfort for those few moments until her smile returned.

Nettie Crowe has posed:
    "As you wish, Miss Kinney." Nettie replies mildly. Which may mean she's being agreeable or she's thinking up a way to turn all of Dr. Strange's clothes into an awful shade of mucous green.

    "Freshwater or saltwater pearls? That makes a difference, I've got a few differing qualities of saltwater blacks, but Freshies are a bit more expensive and largely dependant on what you're doing with them. Great for getting rid of awful lovers." she pauses a moment. "Mandrake root I have in dried, powdered, and flash-frozen, but I can get fresh within a twenty hour period of purchase... Blood moss..." she purses her lips a moment "Dried and frozen, sourced from a grower in Spain on the dried and in Ukraine on the frozen, though that latter's at a premium at the moment. Sulphurous ash, I popped over to Hawai'i and left a decent bottle of whiskey for Madam Pele and have about ten ounces from the volcano, I have some from a deep sea vent that also has some angler fish scales burnt into it and has a bit of a bite." she considers and rubs at her left eye as she removes her glasses.

    "Or I have some in-house made for about a fifteenth the price, depends on what you're doing with it it'll work just as nice in most spells unless you're doing something Big." she remarks. THe lady knows her wares well.

    The tea is a nice, smokey tea, red in color with depth and sweetness and just a hint of earthiness. Everyone's cup is different in this set.

    "/Are/ you doing something Big?"

Stephen Strange has posed:
At the reprimand, Stephen has the common sense to at least look admonished. It truly seemed to have caught him off guard. When he does speak, it is appropriately soft, without any bluster or bravado or jest of any kind.

"I understand. I apologize."

Four simple words, yet, for how he conveys them, it truly does seem that he understands and sympathizes. As well as Stephen should. If there is anyone that has the unique experiences to imagine what sort of situation the normally boisterous Gabby has suffered through, it is the Sorcerer Supreme himself.

Yet, that is all he says. There was a request to not talk about it anymore and Stephen sees no need to continue that line. He is more than willing to grant the request. All the better to not put his foot into his mouth. Surgeon or no, podiatric extraction from the oral cavity would be rather difficult if the injury is self-inflicted.

Still...if Stephen seemed uncomfortable, he doesn't appear it. Instead, he answers Nettie calmly in regards to the items on his honey-do list. "Saltwater will be fine for my purposes in regards to the pearls. Fresh mandrake would be preferred, but flash-frozen will do if it is too much trouble otherwise. I do fear that the frozen blood moss would be the necessary variant I would need, but of course money is of no object. And as for the ash, I do believe that two ounces of the volcanic ash will suffice. For what I need, I would prefer to eliminate any potential variables...such as the fish scales." With the pause for a breath, Stephen casts a glance over towards Gabby. For the briefest of moments, the sorcerer's expression softens, showing concern for the young woman, before he continues with his business. It was short...but it was there.

"As for what I am doing, I am not fully at liberty to say. I wouldn't consider it big, with the capital B, but you are well aware as I am that the smallest of actions can sometimes have the largest of impacts." A comment about his social faux pas? Perhaps. "There isn't a pressing deadline, so we can take our time in procurement. And, as always, your time and efforts will be fairly compensated." Does that mean another bag of gold coins? Or perhaps something a little bit easier to exchange in the modern economy.

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Gabby Kinney leans her head forward to practically rest her face over the teacup held in her hands. She wasn't crying at least, so much as shaking off her mind going to darker places. It had been awhile since she'd had a moment like this. It was likely part of why she bounced around so much to keep busy with various things even if she didn't realize it. The touch from Talia actually causes some of the tension in her to ease away. "Thank you. Sorry. Just need to focus and ..." What was the term? "Ground myself. Can't use pain like some people for it." Like her family probably did. A comforting hand was something that helped.

A moment later she quietly slrrrrps from the teacup still held up to her face. It's likely a good thing she wasn't showing her face because frankly she was'nt being polite or well mannered right now. Just slurping tea while listening.

Her head lifts a little to flash a grin. "I know someone that could use some of those freshwater pearls then." With the little joke given she turns her attention back toward Stephen at his apology. A simple nod of acceptance is given while she listens to the explanation of what it is he needs precisely.

"If you can't tell us what, at least let us know when you're doing it so we can try to keep an eye out for things going wonky," she requests/suggests. It wasn't much, but a heads up was always prefered to something out of the blue.

The teacup is placed down again, now empty, and she reaches back to give the hand on her shoulder a little squeeze. "I'm going to get some fresh air. I'm doing better now, honest. Just want to move around a bit."

Nettie Crowe has posed:
    Nettie would take favors from the Sorcerer Supreme any time, but her look to Gabby is one of gentle understanding, though the old witch can't do the touching comfort, but she does turn back to the good Doctor Strange.

    "You'll have your materials delivered to your place by sunup by my familiar. Payment can be discussed at a later time; your credit's good here for workings which must be kept secret and in the dark, though I'd like for you to come by for a proper tea sometime. Had Batman by. That was a hoot." Nettie gives a bright smile.

Stephen Strange has posed:
Favors from Stephen for anyone not a deity are few and far between. They tend to be given in times of need only. However...a request for tea? That Strange is certainly willing to entertain.

"Thank you very much, Nettie. And yes, perhaps I will stop by again in the future for that tea. It is the least that I could do." And maybe then he will be more cautious of what he says.

Some bedside manner the good Doctor had this evening.

"If you would excuse me, I do have other manners to attend to. But, yes, I will make it a point to stop by sooner than later. And intentionally, too."