16728/Make up a title later using clever references to the log.

Make up a title later using clever references to the log.
Date of Scene:	31 December 2023
Location:	Club Highline
Synopsis:	No description
Cast of Characters:	Zachary Zatara, Douglas Ramsey

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Zachary Zatara has posed:
Zachary Zatara could book himself in at traditional venues for his shows. Indeed sometimes he does just that. But with the core of his 'brand' being online clips he can record them just about anywhere. Like today where, thanks to a little bit of networking, he's got free entry to a club on New Years Eve. He does some magic, records some clips, the club gets PR and he gets free drinks. Everyone's a winner.

Today's show has been his trademark mix of stage magic using props. Sleight of hand, misdirection and trickery. With a little bit of real magic in to really dazzle people. After all it's not like the nightclub wants any live doves getting loose.

The show itself is pretty much complete though. With Zach having retired to the booth they'd set aside. Where every now and again someone who saw the show pokes their head in, asking for an autograph or selfie, before ducking out for more drinks & dancing.

He's still in the top hat and tails. And seems to have his stage assistant sat beside him. Bunny was mostly recording clips during the show. Now she seems to be using a tablet to review footage, occasionally leaning over to ask an opinion on if a trick is good enough for the site, and occasionally getting sent on trips to the bar.

Douglas Ramsey has posed:
There's one guy, around Zach's age, sitting in a decent seat watching the show; he applauds enthusiastically at the best tricks, but really he just seems... keenly interested in everything, as if he's trying to learn something. Debunker, maybe? Trying to find the gimmick in Zach's stage magic?

At the end of the show, he comes over, with another round of whatever Zach's been drinking. He sets one on the table, and then says, "...Great show. And you do John Zatara's 'Heart's desire in my hat' trick perfectly. He was your grandfather, right?" He asks. "...I actually wanted to ask you a few questions. About Magick." Somehow he subtly enunciates that 'k' that indicates he's not talking about stage tricks. "My name is Doug. Doug Ramsey."

Zachary Zatara has posed:
The eb and flow of people to the booth makes it easy enough for people to approach. Fans or debunkers. Zach doesn't seem to mind. After all it's all social media engagement in the end. It doesn't matter why you watch in the end. The views all count up the same!

Got to feed that algorithm.

Another round is probably some of whatever the house champagne is. Good quality? Who can say. Expensive? Probably. Although they're probably not comping him the top shelf stuff. He's no Zatanna in popularity yet.

"Uncle actually. But I did train under him when I was growing up," he explains with a chuckle. "I'll try not to tell him people think he's a grandparent. His ego couldn't take it." There's a pause as he motions for Doug to sit down. "Questions about magic with a Capital M eh? Well I'm sure I can provide a few answers. Although it very much depends on the sort of questions you're asking Doug."

Douglas Ramsey has posed:
Doug has a seat, and laces his fingers together. "Well." He says, "As I understand it your family specialty is Linguomancy- magic formed based on language, enunciation and the spoken word." He drums his fingers on the table. "I happen to be gifted with languages - possibly the most gifted individuals I've ever heard of."

"It's a topic I'm interested in researching. Possibly even beginning to practice; I'm well-acquainted with magic, but my friend - my ex - Illyana Rasputina - she's..." He gestures. "As she put it, we have different cosmological alignments."

Zachary Zatara has posed:
Zachary raises an eyebrow at just how well informed Doug is. It's not like this is a deep dark secret in the mystical community, but it's not typical stage magic fan knowledge either. "Generally the application of magic is based around innate talents," he explains. "Not always. Some people might have a general 'knack' for it. But there are plenty of examples of types of casting which are passed on. Sometimes they're called 'Bloodline traits' in movies and TV shows."

There's a long, slightly awkward pause, while Zach seems to just stare blankly into the air.

"I don't pick up any innate magical energy from you," he says almost apologetically. "Which means... Well it's not impossible to learn magic..." There's another pause. Like he's trying to find a way to say 'but' without it sounding dismissive. "Being good with language will help a lot. But if you don't have any innate power and can't build any you'll never get anywhere with it."

Douglas Ramsey has posed:
Doug raises an eyebrow at that, and then he says, "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son, that sort of thing." He taps his fingers on the table, and then says, "I always viewed magic as reality hacking; glimpsing and adjusting lines of the universal programming code." He meets Zachary's gaze, and gives a grin. "Well, if I never so much as master a simple spell, I'll still have learned something."

"And I do..." He shrugs, "I'll still have learned something." He clears his throat. "I'm a Mutant." He says, as a quiet admission. "It's a dangerous world, for Mutants. My power isn't physical, per say; I'm looking for some things I can hold in reserve, to protect myself and other people."

Zachary Zatara has posed:
"It's as true any esoteric explanation," Zachary admits, hands out wide in a what can you do gesture. Laughing he adds "If it was merely a case of speaking backwards and the magic happened the world would look very different. Probably wouldn't have any technology at all. Just use magic for everything."

An interesting what if really. What would the world look like if everyone had magic? But Zach isn't the kind of scholar to figure that out. Or to open a dimensional rift and just go there without a very good reason...

"I'm still something of a.. I think they'd call it a journeyman? I'm not going to classes any more but I still have to prove I've mastered the art before I can find students of my own.." he points out. "I can probably help you with books intended to teach children. Simple things just to see if you have a knack for it. Anything more complex you'd want an experienced mage."

He reaches for his glass of fizz and takes a long drink. "Damn I make it sound like some sort of guild house, don't I? Spend fifteen years hauling coal and one day you can pick up a hammer." He shrugs at the mention of mutant powers. "Magical power tends to come with it's own set of complications and threats. It's like how gun owners are more likely to die from gunshots. You learn magic you'll attract magical things good and bad."

Douglas Ramsey has posed:
Doug shrugs once, and says, "There's something to be said for approachability. I could have looked up Doctor Strange, or any number of other magicians I've come into contact with during the past." He leans back where he's sitting, and laces his fingers together over one knee as he contemplates what Zach has to say. "There's a train of thought that says just *being* a mutant increases your potential to become a sorcerer; that's the idea of "Mutant Magic" from the writings of En Sabah Nur, though I'm looking for sources more reliable than the writings of an ancient mutant tyrant."

He gives a slow grin, and says, "Well, that just means you have to keep your magic unloaded and secured in a... magic safe unelss you need it, right?" He looks down at Zach's top hat on the table. "It's not loaded, right?"

Zachary Zatara has posed:
"Tyrants do tend to be rather unreliable sources," Zachary agrees, nodding. "After all they aren't really looking for other people to obtain knowledge. Makes rivals. Too messy. I'm sure you can pick out some threads of truth though. Worst case it's good to know what the 'other side' is thinking. Means it doesn't quite as quick as big a shock when they try take over the world."

He picks up the top hat. Doing a little sleight of hand to flick it up onto his head. All part of the act. "One of the rules of stage magic? Never tell anyone how the trick is done. No matter how badly they think they want to know. It always spoils it in the end." Of course. That's magic without the M. So probably it's just a perfectly regular hat. "Binding magic into objects and keeping them in a safe place is very much a thing."

Meanwhile poor Bunny has been hard at work editing the whole time. And, only now, seems to look up and give Doug a friendly wave. Before turning her attention back to video editing.

Douglas Ramsey has posed:
Doug considers, and then he says "Well, let's just say that my power gives me the ability to do a lot of different things. So I'm wondering if I can spin it into some magical ability, even if I'm just casting spells out of a book." He takes out a quarter, and peforms a classic Coin Drop trick, and does it quite flawlessly, even though he's doing it in front of a trained stage magician who probably learned the Coin Drop before he could walk.

"The other critical component of language is communication; I thought your act was interesting." He flashes a grin, "So, I wanted to talk to you. I have multiple reasons for doing the things I do." He exhales, and says, "The third reason?" He gestures. "...I think it might be fun to try."

Zachary Zatara has posed:
Zachary Zatara flips the hat back off. Because even he doesn't want to be the only guy wearing a hat in a nightclub. It's bad optics.

"Creative thinking can make the most of most talents," he notes. "I don't see why mutant abilities should be any different. And there are ways to set up rote casting triggers. Get someone or something to provide a source of power. Bind it in the form of a phrase. Release with logomancy."

Probably far less efficient than just learning logomancy itself. But at least it's potentially an option. Who can say!

Probably Doctor Strange could. But then it's rather his job to know.

"He's always happy when people like the act," She says brightly. She's being helpful! Communication /is/ important after all. "I heard one of the promotors say he's 'a shameless narcissist'."

Zach sighs. "Thanks Bunny."

He turns back to Doug. "Supposedly when people teach they get a better understanding of whatever they're teaching," he muses. "On the other hand they do say those who can do. Those who can't teach." A shrug. "I'd be willing to show you a few Magic tricks. See if you have the potential. I'd have to get permission from my Cousin before I could show you any of the family secrets though."

Douglas Ramsey has posed:
"Well, if I looked that good in a top-hat and tails and sequin bow tie, I'd be a shameless narcissist too," Doug replies to Bunny. "As it is, i just have to settle for having great hair."

Doug considers that, and then rests his elbows on the table. "Deal. Now, since I know one of the rules of magic is 'everything has a price', what can I do for you in exchange? Got any spellbooks in a language you can't read you need translated?" He laces his fingers together. "I'm good for that. I've read the Voynich Manuscript. It's *filthy*."

Zachary Zatara has posed:
Bunny just smiles and shrugs. It's hard to say if this is some dynamic like an old married couple bickering to pass the time.. Another mystery for another time.

"You'll be disappointed to know I own pretty much zero in the way of ancient books or tomes," Zachary says with a chuckle. "The only language service I could possibly need is... Subtitling content for other regions. Whenever /I/ need books I just borrow them from the family library."

And a lot of the books in there. Well some have ways of making themselves understood. And the rest have translations... Or are generally kept from people with Zach's level of experience.

"I'm pretty sure everything has a price is just how life is though. It's not unique to magic. Besides for now we're just talking the smallest of magics." Probably worth less than the alcohol Doug brought over in practical terms. It's the sort of thing magicians teach their kids to see if they have potential. When they're not getting power levels read out to them by orb shaped plot macguffins anyway.