15250/Cup of Tea, Theft of Item, Jolly Good!

Cup of Tea, Theft of Item, Jolly Good!
Date of Scene:	28 June 2023
Location:	Sanctum Sanctorum
Synopsis:	Catching up!
Cast of Characters:	Illyana Rasputina, Gabby Kinney

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Illyana Rasputina has posed:
Mystics far and wide actually tied into the occult community probably know the Sanctum Santorum exists. Three in fact, scattered across the northern hemisphere because Sydney and Jo'burg lost a bet. Either way, New York boasts the key one because the guy with a snappy, opinionated cloak lives here, and since he's the big boss, he makes the decision on the most VIP sanctum.

Lo and behold, he's not the only Sorcerer Supreme in residence. Not because previous ones occupy mummified heads or something to offer sage advice, though they would, if a sanctum existed in the Oceania region. Maybe if the colonizers considered the rich traditions of Polynesia, you know?

Illyana wears a silk robe that can only be called a smoking jacket, and sashays across the landing of the second floor, a cup of tea in hand. This is not an unusual sight. The book shouting at her, sticking out its frayed red bookmark is, and she casually slaps the flapping scrap of leather. "Just because the last one let you say whatever you want, you spiteful harridan, doesn't mean /I/ will." Pages ruffle. Behind glass, a pot clatters its lid in mocking laughter....

Until the book turns and slaps its open pages against the panes, in an open threat of something or other. Papercuts?

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Gabby Kinney was the last sort one might expect to become a leader of a group meant to deal with mystical, supernatural, and other threats, yet... That's exactly what she'd become. The youngest, the unmagical one, who would potentially live quite a long life due to her mutation had in a way inherited the group. Where she was lacking she found others to fill the gap so that they could be a proper, functioning group. One that didn't just respond to the call of help when needed, but would seek out things which required aid or might cause problems in the future if left in the hands of the unwary.

Precisely why she's out and about today.

Old bookstores and antique shops, even the occasional 'occult' store that didn't know better were all places worth checking out. Estate sales as well. It's this that leads her down the row of brownstones in the city heading for one such estate sale to do the drugdery of footwork that she didn't feel the need to put on those who had *actual* powers of the mystical sort. She's dressed casually for the Summer weather in simple gery leggings, high-top sneakers, and one of those oh-so-fashionable 'boyfriend shirt dresses' that just looked like an oversized button up shirt with a tie around the waist. Not her usual attire other than the leggings and shoes. It was an attempt to fit in with the area so people wouldn't look too hard at the young woman carrying a pendant in her palm that she glances at on occasion to see if it were glowing to alert her to the presence of magic.

It was glowing a LOT right now. She'd passed this particular door three times trying to figure out what was setting it off, until finally she just goes up to the door itself staring at it and the fact that the pendant was going crazy bright. With a shrug she reaches up to clasp the knocker and strike it a total of seven times in a quick rythym that sounded suspiciously like 'Shave and a Haircut.'

Illyana Rasputina has posed:
The Sanctum bears strong wards and subtler ones, hard to read and even harder to detect. Generations of masters of magical arts have gone a long way to try and protect what they own, with good reason. Artifacts and books exist here that shouldn't be in mortal hands. Plenty of threats from people with flaming pumpkin-heads down to foolish cultists might target the place and its occupants, some of whom could be vulnerable indeed.

Illyana fits exactly none of these descriptions, except 'young.' Now, for Gabby's side, she is the mystical, supernatural, and other threat bundled into one. Especially for coffee drinkers of the world, for whom no cups shall be shared. Jealous Russians and their darn coffee.

So cue her taking a sip of that black, bitter tea with its earthen swirl, and comparatively calmly reaching out to snatch at the grumpy book. It wheels away from the glass case and /clearly/ decides to take umbrage to being touched by flying back at her. A book at someone's face usually impels them to react out of instinct. Dodge away, retreat. Hard to do that with a hot beverage and a rail, but the sister of a guy who invented the Fastball Special isn't going to just fall backwards over a rail. She's going to slap that book stupid first, and /then/ back bend dizzyingly over the rail. Which is the position she's in as something pings off the wards, not that she needs their warning. Her eyes get that awful blueish silver fire to them, and the portal snapped open is for the teacup to be safely stowed on a counter before she really does get that paper cut.

<<Vicious little harpy,>> her Russian retort comes with hissing, "Open!" to trigger the doors opening. There's a book trying to bite off her face, and ultimately her arm, though how a book HSA a tongue and no teeth...

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Gabby Kinney stiffens abruptly when the doors creak open without anyone visibly in sight behind them to have done that. It only confirms the suspicion (and perhaps evidence) she'd gained of this not being just an ordinary home. Especially since, as she ducks inside without fear, the expansive SPACE that didn't seem to fit the exterior comes into view.

Along with an all too familiar blonde leaning partially over a railing while fending off a book seeking to eat her face sans teeth.

It's all taken in stride as much as she can. Gabby was already bracing herself to deal with the unusual, unexpected, and such. The fact that a familiar face was here only made it all the easier to just accept instead of trying to figure it out. That would just give her a headache.

"Bad time, Illyana?" She calls out by way of greeting as well as informing the Russian Limbo Queen who had just arrived. Even as she does so she reaches back to pull the pendant overhead to free up both hands once more.

Illyana Rasputina has posed:
Self-opening doors without a pneumatic wheeze or those hungry slaps of a pair of glass panes parting can be unsettling. The Victorian mansion is entirely the wrong era to have sliding doors or revolving ones, so the heavy portals slipping open have to go inward, rather than outward, to reveal a very respectable interior to the largest mansion -- one of only two -- in Greenwich Village. Handsome wood panel walls, polished floors, and impressively breakable things abound, as well as a host of fresh summer flowers in a glorious spray that most people would find to be reasonably attractive. The glowing orbs that mark the position of the planets belie the magical nature of the place, which tends to be downplayed some to avoid blinding any Mystic in the area.

Though technically Illyana is blinded by gnashing pages and battering covers. "--st fi--"

A bold proclamation to make with Gabby standing right there, though claws shan't quite be necessary. Not yet, since she tears the benighted book stinking of dark magic and quite willingly yanks it up. That simply threatens to topple them both over the edge, but with a flopping roll, she's in a better position to smack the spine repeatedly against the banister. "Bad book. We have guests. I. don't. like. rude!" Her emphasis on the latter is met with papery smacks. All in a day's work! Very clear her kind of upbringing, right?

"Do you need the Doctor? He is fighting a team of condor-sized mosquitoes," that would be annoying, "targeting children in--" Well, that's a book on her face again. Or was on her face before it's hurled contemptuously over her shoulder and a curtain flutters to wrap its prize up. "What brings you out? The bauble is so very bright and problematic!"

Gabby Kinney has posed:
"You should try a belt," Gabby suggests in an attempt to be helpful as she watches the interaction without getting in the way. It seemed as if it were already a precarious situation with her in that particular fight. One hand ifts from her pocket to circle a finger in the air explaining, "You can cinch it around the book to hold it shut and the trailing end makes a good handle to give it a toss if you need. I think they actually made book belts at one point but a regular belt works too. We've had a few tough ones that I did that to." Like that sparkle-fied demon summoning book they'd gotten off of a grade schooler who had a lot of glue and glitter at her disposal.

The question of needing the Doctor, as well as mention of giant mosquitos earns a scrunch of her nose. "Eeew okay glad we didn't get called on that one. Mosquitos are nasty." She chuckles a bit as she strides in further with her head shaking slightly. "No, just by chance I found this place. I was out checking out some estate sales in the area for any errant magical items that might need to not be there. Though," she reasons glancing around this portion of the sanctum with curiousity and awe. "Might not need to be so concerned in this neighborhood it seems. How are you doing? It's been ages."

Illyana Rasputina has posed:
Illyana smirks, though not with the harshness of someone about to lose their temper. "I have one." A slim finger covered in a few red marks points directly to the sash holding the smoking robe closed. The reminder to tug on the hem and smoothe out the sleeves takes her a moment, while the rustling in the curtains grows more frantic, like a fly suspended in netting. "Ah, for the book. That one would try and burn it. Wyrms, da?"

Her eyebrows rise slightly, though not by much, and pushing her bangs away from her face gives a clear glimpse of things. "Nyet, mosquitoes are no good. Better to stay away, mm? So, then." Descending the stairs takes little time at all, since she doesn't need to levitate her way down or something like that. "Errant items do not walk out of here often. When they do, it is a short time before they come back." The way she says that doesn't imply a good outcome, shaded just subtly, for all she displays a good mood. "You are well, otherwise? Did you find anything especially interesting, or was it merely to dance up to the door? Come, look around, if you want. Not everything is off-limits. Would you like anything to eat?"

Her gaze flickers over the hallway and then she raises her shoulders slightly. "Always busy but that is good. I do not like to be idle. Stephen and I make much work on the outer reaches keeping the boundaries here secure. Here - this world, the dimension around it. The usual otherwise, helping when the team has things to do. I was away looking for my soul when things happened with the Brood. Probably for the better. And you?"

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Gabby Kinney waits for Illyana to descend the stairs, listening intently to what she says. As well as to the flapping of noise behind those curtains. That book certainly was putting up a fight it seemed. "Ah, yeah that would make it a bit more difficult then. For keeping the book secure," she reasons with a nod of apparent understanding as she smiles back toward her old friend.

"I didn't find anything today. I just try to get out and check around when I can. I've found a few books in the past, but nothing too dangerous. The most 'dangerous' thing I've found is a haunted doll and I got *that* off of Ebay." She shrugs a bit, adding, "Honestly the poor thing was just bored to death from living in a closet. I've had her binging Netflix for awhile and she's quite happy now." A slight shrug comes as she explains further, "I'm not exactly a magic user myself so I try to do the leg work and boring things to help out." The necklace is fished out around her neck to display the small stone wrapped skillfully in silver wire. "This is how I can tell if something is magical or not. Friend made it for me."

The offer of food earns a shake of her head. "No, but if you have any more of that coffee I smelled I'd be up for a cup." A small chuckle comes before she finally just grows quiet, and then steps forward to try and give Illyana a quick hug if she allows it.

"It really is good to see you again, Illyana. Don't be such a stranger, yeah? Even if you're married to 'Strange'." Oh man she would have a field day making fun of his name if they worked together often. "You haven't missed much otherwise. We dealt with a giant demonic goose awhile back. Last Winter we found a few Yule Cat kittens that had been imported by accident, and got them back where they should be before they caused too much trouble."

Illyana Rasputina has posed:
The blonde doesn't take long to reach the main floor, looking perfectly comfortable as she is. The book isn't going to go down quietly but the curtain must be enchanted or covering a ghost.

"Ebay? It sells haunted things? How exciting." The flash of amusement crackles across the sharp, avian contours of her face. "Animated creatures need stimulation, like animals, da? It is not fair to think they would enjoy themselves. Just like a dog that does not go outside and run around. I feel bad for such things. The demons have their choirs for a reason, and cooking night, game night..." She trails off at a distant hissing laugh, and then waves her hand warningly at a tank. "I should let them have a rope-knotting night."

In that aquarium is a snake wearing a hat, one with its eyes just about bugging out at the idea of a rope or knot. Its ophidian partner snickers and eyes the newcomer with interest, but opts not to opine about her. It has an idea of how to keep its neck attached to its tail. Danger noodles don't want to be dead.

"Da, one second. Do you want cream or sugar?" It doesn't take long for her to teleport either of them to the side table nearby so that Gabby can help herself and indulge in whatever poisons and pleasures she prefers. It's not exactly as cool as a coffee shop, but then, it's not like she can't request something because magic. "A giant demonic goose?" This causes her eyes to widen, speculative. "We need to find those. Da, I won't be a stranger. You have been very busy!"

Gabby Kinney has posed:
A snake? With a hat? Gabby's attention is thoroughly stolen even though she could smell the arrival of the coffee along with that little tingle of magic that set the hairs on the back of her neck to rising. It was a sensation she was growing very accustomed to. "Oh, exactly! Hanako's just a little girl too so... And yeah sometimes you can find listings for supposedly haunted or cursed items on Ebay from people trying to get rid of them. Not all are real, of course. I lucked out when I got her." So too did the doll because Gabby certainly got her to calm down and took care of her. Or tried to do her best at least.

Absently she utters, "Oh just cream is fine with it..." She responds, still distracted as she stakes a step over toward the snakes to grin broadly at them. "Hello! I like your hat. Would you like another? I made a few tri-corns awhile ago for a crow friend of mine but they look like they'd be about your size, too, and I have extras I could bring. If you want."

Distraction aside she does finally step over to the table to get the coffee that had been brought forth to raise it up for a quick gulp. Even if caffiene didn't affect her much it was always nice to have a warm drink. The bitter/sweet/nutty brew was always good one way or another.

"I'm not sure if there are more of the geese... Probably somewhere. That one kind of, uh," her hand makes a gesture in the air as her face scrunches. "Blew up."

Illyana Rasputina has posed:
A snake with a Panama hat, wrapped in cloth. Very stylishly tilted, as one should be, when you don't have arms and legs. He has to work with what he's got, dark green scales sparkling like emeralds and his eyes bright as glowing embers in the firelight. He grins, as snakes must.

"Da, a girl in there? She will be very happy to hear all these interesting shows that you have put out for her. I will approach Stephen about setting up crawlers or something to scrape through eBay. Kitty would be helpful for extra pointers. If she is interested." She chews on her lip, thoughtful. Something for another day.

Cream goes dancing across a table and then the pretty red lacquer cup with its full to the brim Guatemalan coffee. It's bold on the tongue. "Careful with Seamus, he's a bit of an arrogant prat." Seamus cocks his head at Gabby and laughs softly while the knot-rope threatened snake glares at him. He nods with an ambly beam.
<<Yes, I'd like several.>> He speaks English, but ophidian, every 's' stretching out in exaggerated turns.

"I might go look for the geese. Strange the X-Men are so quiet."

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Gabby Kinney regards the little container of cream with amusement as it dances it's way out. It really was an interesting sight to behold as it mixes up her coffee in the cup she holds. She waits, staring a moment for it to complete before looking back to the snake. "Well he's a very handsome fellow, I imagine he has reason to be proud. Just look at those scales," she gushes with perhaps a bit more gusto than really necessary as she flashes a grin. "I'll be sure to bring a selection next time, then." She always did enjoy making clothes for animals. An odd little hobby that seemed to pay off with familiars these days.

Eyebrows rise a bit at mention of the XMen which just causes Gabby to regard Illyana quietly as she takes another sip of the coffee. "Mm. I couldn't say. I'm not an X-Man myself. I do work with X-Factor on occasion." She tries not to but it does sound as if she's repressing a bit of anger, or disapointment, in her words. She merely glances back to the cup in hand.

"I left the school awhile back to focus on some teams that actually wanted my help. Got my GED rather than graduating. I tried," she explains giving a shrug. "Just showing up for tests at least. It was too difficult to spread my attention all over the place, so it made sense to just get the GED. After that I..." She trails off again.

"Yes, I suppose it has been a bit quiet lately."

Illyana Rasputina has posed:
The snake is interested as long as there are hats it in it for him. Never mind he's about ready to overthrow a country with a paramilitary and himself in a fine hat, exchanging hisses in the streets. The preening gets him a hissing snap and Illyana tilting her head. "Stop flirting. She knows better. You would not like to see what happens when you ask to be worn as a bowtie." Because that would be too silly to endure, and Strange might want to know why a dangerous magical creature no longer resides in the one place he's deemed safe enough to have the snake. On display no less!

She isn't entirely the quickest on catching moods, but Gabby's tone is a bit clearer than Russians express irritation, so that helps some. "X-Factor would be good. I heard Cable is more active. Interesting to see where that goes. I hope Jean and Scott can keep us focused." A hint of a grin rises, though her eyes are terribly icy. "Da, I understand. You want to do something, not sit? Stopping arms smugglers or villains, take down AIM, so much to be done. Some are very active. Some... I cannot tell. The world si Strange that way. I am thinking it may be time to go deal with demons, make clear they are not forgotten. But that's hardly something to occupy anyone for long."

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Gabby Kinney cracks a smile with a little chuckle as Illyana scolds the snake for flirting. "Ah yes, sorry, I'm taken twice over. Hats I can do though." Hopefully without any paramilitary joining in. She does shift her attention back to Illyana fully though to give a dip of her head in agreement with what's said.

"Yes, exactly. I'm busy enough lately though. There's three of us that run the JLD, though one is usually absent. If the prior leadership hadn't run off... My eldest sister with them," she mutters with a little roll of her eyes. "I probably wouldn't have that responsibility. SOMEONE needs to keep them from constantly running off thinking they have to handle everything by themselves, though." That task was hers. She wasn't half bad at it, keeping everyone anchored to 'reality' when needed.

"Oh? Back in Limbo, you mean? Yeah I imagine it wouldn't hurt to remind them now and then. Right now we're trying to deal with a necromancer that keeps hopping bodies, but we've lost his trail at the moment."