16179/Atrun-Rai Returns

Atrun-Rai Returns
Date of Scene:	26 October 2023
Location:	Shadowcrest Manor - Bristol Township
Synopsis:	Atrun brings more black news regarding the 'grapes'.
Cast of Characters:	Atrun Rai, Zatanna Zatara

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Atrun Rai has posed:
    Conducted thus, Atrun-Rai arrives in the lady's study smiling in his expansive yet quiet way. No suit or caftan tonight, but a satin baseball jacket over t-shirt and jeans. All black, of course, the jacket shimmering like ink poured over him. The contours of his muscular body glimpsed beneath the fitted fabric of his shirt. His boots do not seem to properly terminate with contact with the floor, though. They seem to...fade into the matter of the carpet. Odd man.

    "Hello." A faint bow. The customary almost-mudra held over his heart in greeting. "Lovely to see you again, Magus Zatara."

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
It's a bit of a stereotype. The witch, or in more polite company, the sorceress, pours over arcane tomes to the crackle of a magic fire. Said fire sparkles with colors along with a symphony of pops and crackles. Behind her on a sturdy stand, flame-colored bird shifts moodily as she turns another page. Said sorceress is dressed in a soft white silk shirt under a black cashmere jacket.

"Are you trying to tell me something?" Zee looks over her shoulder at the bird then turns the page.

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
Zee rises from the settee near the fire to greet her guest. Not many can claim to know him or claim to be on a equal footing with him. It would never occur to her to compare their powers. They are diametrical opposites in the magic world. Almost anathema to each other, at the very least Atrun-Rai could destroy most sorcerers with a simple twist of his fingers.

"Welcome to the house," she replies with a dip of her head. He is old, very old and she was brought up to honor her seniors which she does if she feels they deserve it.

Atrun Rai has posed:
    Strong, yes, but the power of the man is more anchored in the unknown nature of primordial magic of his days than being able to stand pound for pound against someone like the Mistress of Magic. "Please," he says, "You need not rise. I am but the guest...and perhaps not always a welcome one." This is not meant for Zatara but the spirit of the house, to whom he also gives greeting by bowing to the hearth before returning his attention to her. "I thank you for your hospitality, though, as always. Are you well?"

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
"Please sit," Zee makes a graceful gesture to the settee opposite hers. "I would offer you tea but I've never seen you take food or drink and don't wish to impose on you." Touching the handle of a silver pot, "Do you mind if I pour myself a cup?"

As she awaits his answer, "I can speculate on what brings you here but I will leave the telling to you."

Atrun Rai has posed:
    "Like ashes in my mouth, I'm afraid." He shrugs faintly. "But please, do not trouble yourself for me." He gestures to the pot as if in invitation for her to go ahead. "I would invite you to my own sanctum. indeed, but I fear it's character would prove distressing."

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
At the word ashes, Zee politely hides a sigh. Her senses tell her more than she wishes to know at times about his powers. She appreciates his restraint.

"Perhaps some day with sufficient preparation. Thank you. I expect that you do not extend invitations lightly." The tea she pours steams in the cup.

"Have there been developments of some kind?" Zee traces a vague shape in the air, her eyes fixed steadily on his face.

Atrun Rai has posed:
     A smile of apology is his reply. "Perhaps someday. In the meantime, yes. More of the Black Grapes in Gotham. A small but dangerous cancer, spreading ever so slowly in unseen places. My patrons have not deigned to tell me from whence it comes, but it does not please them. Reality must be preserved."

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
"Yes, I would heartily second that notion,"she replies with a deadpan expression followed by a sip of tea. With a clink of china she returns the cup to the table in front of her.

"What do you suggest we do?"

Atrun Rai has posed:
    "I would suggest that we stage a cleanse of sorts in the city subway tunnels." Atrun-Rai looks skyward as he says it, considering. "A group of magi. tasked with seeking out the Grapes and purging them. Sniffing them back to their source. I can do the sniffing." He chuckles then, eyes widening a bit. "I'm a good sort of bloodhound."

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
The sorceress blinks at Atrun's bloodhound image and smiles to herself. "I can make suggestions. Phoebe, whom you've met and perhaps we can nab another person or two. John or Meggan Constantine come to mind. We would rely on you to find the 'Grapes'. Though they sound nasty enough to announce themselves to magic users. And I, for one, wouldn't be against any advice you'd like to give us."

Atrun Rai has posed:
    "I welcome any aid you feel appropriate, Magus," says the Atlantean with a chuckle. "And of course, you are correct that I need not be the only bloodhound. The Grapes are, of course, only a symptom. I seek the root of this budding vineyard so that it can be burned entire. My patrons are..." He considers. "Insistent on this point."

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
"Your patrons are wise, as I deem you to be, sir. I look forward to helping you." She lifts the cup, pausing half way to her lips to ask, "What would you suggest we do should we happen upon one of these 'grapes' alone?"

Atrun Rai has posed:
    Her words get her a tight look from him. "Perhaps the kindest thing one can say of them. And should you discover one? Burn it. Otherwise they tend to burst and spread, as the Hydra's heads of old."

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
After another swallow of tea, Zee nods deeply. "We can manage fire."