17683/A spot of tea and conversation

A spot of tea and conversation
Date of Scene:	18 April 2024
Location:	Fourth Floor: Lounge and Sitting Room
Synopsis:	Talia Zatanna and Patience meet at the Candle. They reflect on the departure of Nettie and share a bit of conversation.
Cast of Characters:	Patience Alperen, Talia al Ghul, Zatanna Zatara

---

Patience Alperen has posed:
Time marches on, so the saying goes. It is also said that the only thing that stays the same is that everything changes. In the case of the Justice League Dark, change has come upon the team as leadership has changed with the departure of Nettie Crowe among others. The new leaders will do very well at their roles of course, but any time the situation changes there is a level of uncertainty, right?

In the lounge of the Candle, Patience sits with a pot of water and the tea cup that Nettie chose for her on that first night she visited the Candle to learn more about the team before deciding to join. She sips from the cup and stares silently into the softly crackling fireplace, lost in thought and reflection.

Talia al Ghul has posed:
Everything is the same, everything is different. The previous leader of the latest incarnation of the Justice League Dark had moved on to another plane of existence along the sort of pursuit that likely would not be settled within a human lifetime. Or even several.

But even with that, Talia Al Ghul might be there when said person returned. Not in the same state she was. And even elss of herself than she is now. But she could still be there.

"You seem distracted, Wielder of the Spear."

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
A tall woman in black stands outside the shop. Hesitating, if the truth were known. Black suits the grief that has become an old friend who pops in without announcing itself, a weight that colors her days. Not that she would share that with anyone. Zatanna comes from a long line of sorcerers and stage magicians; the show must go on is in her blood. Visiting her old friend's shop is a way of ripping the bandage off of the hidden grief. Besides she can hear Nettie's voice tearing into her for moping even if she doesn't do it publicly. The old biddie would have known.

After a deep breath, she opens the door and puts a pleasant expression on her face for the two inside.

"Oh, that's lovely Patience. Tea will hit the spot."

Patience Alperen has posed:
Patience Alperen tears her eyes away from the flickering flames to look up at Talia. "Talia. Hello. Yes.. Just thinking about thinks. Friends." She offers a melancholy smile. "It's too, mmn, quiet around here. Nettie and her crows. As ornery as they were, they did bring a certain life and levity to the shop and the meetings we've held here."

As Zatanna enters, Patience's gaze follows the movement. "Zatanna." She offers the other woman her own sad smile. Seeing the sorceress' demeanor she nods. "Yes. It felt like a proper tribute. At least Nettie left her vast stash of tea leaves for us to remember her."

Talia al Ghul has posed:
Talia al Ghul would glance over at Zatanna, folding her hands together. "There is always time for retrospection. But best to not succumb fully to it. It leads to looking inwards extensively and becoming lost. Consumed by regrets. Something to always take caution of." She would shrug.

"I do not have much of a fondness for tea. But I'm sure that she will be quite happy to find it appreciated."

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
A wry smile flashes across her face as she looks about the shop. "Not that I miss the Bird that much." In a slightly louder voice, she adds, "Let's hope he can hear those sentiments on the other side." She takes a few steps around the shop, blinking, head tilted to one side as if expecting Nettie to join them at any moment then turns to face the two women.

"What brew have you concocted from her stash today?"

Patience Alperen has posed:
Patience Alperen looks to Talia and nods. "It can, yes. But it is also natural and healthy to take some time to grieve the departure of a friend and peer. One day we all hope that Nettie will succeed in her search and return. But we all also realize the gravity of her search. It will be greatly difficult. I pray for her daily."

Looking to Zatanna, she grins, "Corvax is something, isn't he?" She moves to pour a cup of hot water for Zatanna then slides over the little caddy that holds the last curated selection of teas Nettie had assembled before leaving.

Talia al Ghul has posed:
Talia al Ghul would shrug, "Then do as you wish and as you see necessary." She is hardly one to judge. But Talia's perspective is rather jaundiced in the matter. "She will succeed and will return on her own timespan. If not to this reality then to another." Merely another plane of existence, another dimension.. She would accomplish what she set out to do.

Talia had faith in Nettie.

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
Lips pressed tightly together, eyes narrowed slightly as she listens to Talia, Zatanna nods slightly and then more emphatically. "The old biddie might surprise us all, and in this lifetime if we are fortunate. Some might disagree about the fortunate, but not everyone has good sense or good taste."

She pulls a chair closer to the counter where the tea is steeping. "So let's see what she left us. Probably knowing full well that we'd be in here drinking and gossiping about her as well as other things."

Patience Alperen has posed:
Patience Alperen smiles, "I think each of us does that in our own ways. I think it makes the team stronger, doing as we see is necessary. With consideration of course." Another nod, "I don't doubt Nettie will find her sister. But I'm under no delusion that it will be a leisurely experience."

Looking to Zatanna, she laughs softly. "That seems like something Nettie would do. For all of her attempts to come across as prickly and curmudgeonly, she cared about each of us. I'm sure she planned ahead before she left. That definitely seems like her."

Looking between the two women, Patience asks, "How are you both doing?" A pause as she frowns in thought. "Zatanna have you met Talia? I have a hard time keeping track of who knows each other."

Talia al Ghul has posed:
Talia al Ghul would just smile over, "By reputation, perhaps." Zatanna being one of the most dangerous people on the planet. Talia.. Nowhere near on the list. but weren't the most skilled and creative magic users always that way? "My.. Life has mostly lead me in different directions." OF Zatanna? OF mos tof the members of the Justice League Dark? Of Gotham?

Yes to so many things. "And she settled her affairs."

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
A faint line incises itself between her dark brows as she considers Talia. "Once, a few years ago, a few of us were here together. But, I couldn't say we /know/ one another, except by reputation. Bruce has mentioned you with respect." She dips her head in greeting, "So shall we make it official? Nice to meet you, Talia al Ghul."

Patience Alperen has posed:
Patience Alperen isn't certain who Bruce is, for her part, but that is the way of Need To Know when it comes to identities. Still, it is good that they at least know of each other.

She offers a smile. "The Dark team has a very diverse member list. Given the unpredictable nature of the things we get asked to resolve it makes sense. But it also means it is difficult to keep up with who is currently active with the team or not."

Talia al Ghul has posed:
Talia al Ghul would offer her hand over, "A pleasure to meet you, Lady Zatara." She would bow her head over to Zatana. At the mention of 'respect' there was an almost imperceptible tremor in her features that would pass, smoothed over almost supernaturally fast.

"We work with whatever resources are on hand."

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
That fleeting expression is not lost on Zatanna; she lowers her eyes, then fixes her attention on tea.

"It never hurts to broaden one's network, so to speak." China clinks as she takes a cup and saucer. "As you say," she smiles enigmatically, " we work with the resources at hand."

Patience Alperen has posed:
Patience Alperen may not know the subject of conversation, one Mr. Wayne, but she can sense a little.. is it tension? Something else? Whatever, it seems to pass quickly and so she doesn't dwell on it.

Pausing to sip at her tea, she lets a moment pass then looks at Talia and Zatanna, "You're right" of the need to make the best use of active members, "and I have a sense that we may be each called on in our own ways in the not so distant future. Nothing certain, of course, just a feeling I get occasionally. I've learned not to disregard it however."

With a shrug, she offers, "But it could just be the uncertainty that comes with a change in the team. Regardless, it is good to have you both around. I'm sure we're stronger for it."