17748/The List

The List
Date of Scene:	23 April 2024
Location:	Shaw Studios
Synopsis:	Sara comes to Mike regarding the future of the JLD. If Stadler gets a sneezing fit tonight. We're not sorry.
Cast of Characters:	Michael Hannigan, Sara Pezzini

---

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Tuesday.

Something about that day just doesn't evoke much emotion. It is not part of the weekend, nor is it the horrifying start day of the traditional work week. It is not a midpoint or the start of the slide into the weekend.

Tuesday is just that.

Tuesday.

It is quiet. It is not fun. It is not horrible. It is just...

Tuesday.

There's not even the presence of a food truck to make it much better today.

But perhaps because there's really not that much else to do that Shaw Studios finds itself booked solid today. Each studio is accounted for with bookings. And with each booking involving solitary artists, there are pings upon one of the key pulls of Shaw Studios.

The List.

If you know. You know. And you know that for anyone in need of a last minute support musician - THAT list is gold.

And amongst the list of gold a certain musician is listed. Not by his more known stage name, but that of his legal name. Michael Hannigan.

Which brings us all to Shaw Studios where said Michael Hannigan is heading out of a session room, case in hand as he walks down the hall into lobby area.

Giving a nod to Larry, the downstairs security guard, he continues on his way towards the grand staircase that curves round.

Sara Pezzini has posed:
For reasons unknown to her, chaos had a way of hunting Sara down and throwing her into a whirlwind. She had agreed to help lead the Justice League Dark with Nettie and Gabby, then Gabby departed and Lydia stepped up. Now it was just her... alone... leading an international organization while trying to be an Avenger, Agent of SHIELD and hold down a nine to five job with the police department.

Something had to give.

She'd gone over the list of JLD members over and over again, and after a while they all started to blur together. She knew the answer, but she wasn't entirely certain on how to go about.

She had decided on a direct and blunt approach.

This is what brought her to the studio. A need to speak to Mike, and to see how things were after the windows she broke out. In the lobby she'd checked to see if he was around, and hearing he was recording decided to take a seat and wait.

Michael Hannigan has posed:
As Mike turns from Larry for the path towards the grand staircase, a brief glimpse causes for him to turn his head back. He doesn't look to Larry but more midway through to find a certain cop sitting in the lobby area.

Oh don't tell him someone from staff fucked up. Wade's busy enough as is.

Taking a bit of initiative, and banking on the fact he had a decent amount of break that could allow him time to still go upstairs to switch out instruments afterwards, he adjusts his steps. Mike makes his way over to the seats, coming to a pause to confirm that yes. It is indeed the Detective. "Sara? What brings you here?"

Sara Pezzini has posed:
As Mike approaches, Sara stands herself up and adjusts her jacket to ensure that her side arm remains concealed. "I need you," she states bluntly, with a completely serious expression on her face.

"Right here, right now..." she continues, still able to keep that straight face. How she was doing it was unknown, perhaps she makes a good straight man for jokes.

"To find a place to talk in private, because I have a /huge/ favor to ask of you," she finally ends, having paused just long enough to maybe start him being nervous. Only then does a broad grin spread across her face.

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Mike blinks to the short answer. "Well I'm r-"

When Sara continues, his brows raise in response, taking note of the oh so serious look upon the detective's face.

Larry, who is positioned to monitor the entrance and those waiting the lobby turns his head to observe. And...likely to ensure he can make a proper witness statement if need be.

When Sara continues to mention finding a place to talk in private, Mike's posture relaxes. "Oh thank God" He mutters, giving a sigh of relief, as he chuckles, "Had me going for a minute." He turns, lifting up his free hand to gesture to the grand staircase, "Yeah, just follow me. I'm heading upstairs anyways, we can snag an office or something."

Sara Pezzini has posed:
Sara raises a brow, then folds her arms across her chest with a look of indignation on her face. "What the hell do you mean by 'Oh thank God'," she asks with a serious tone. "Something wrong with me?"

She snorts softly, once again appearing completely serious about this as she heads toward the grand stair case after Mike.

"I mean, there are guys out there who would sell their mother's for a night with me," she continues, making sure Larry can still hear her. "You've seen me in my bikini armor, what are you gay?"

Once they are part way up the stairs, and the only way for Larry to hear would be for her to yell she chuckles and adds, "Man I love fucking with you."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Mike turns his head, to the complaint, smile still present as he sets a hand upon the railing while walking up. The case in hand sways with each step. "Oh there's nothing wrong with you, Sara. You are very beautiful. It's just... think of poor Larry's heart if you were to do something right there. Or the poor people looking through the window"

As he reaches the top of the steps, he glances to Sara. "And no I'm not." Mike adds, volume a bit lower. He steps forward, turning down the hall "Bi is more appropriate anyways."

Mike takes a moment to glance through one doorway before he shifts to the next one to glance in. "...Looks like we'll borrow Wade's office."

Stepping inside, Mike shifts to the side, allowing Sara entrance. For a New York office, there's a sufficient amount of space for a finely shaped desk that is positioned to take up the half of the office closest to the window. To the side closest to the door is a futon in sofa position. The desk itself appears clean. No stray paperwork set out for prying eyes. Nothing save for a phone and a photograph depicting a younger looking Wade, a same looking Mike, Two other guys of similar ages, and an older manager type standing next to them.

"He won't mind."

Sara Pezzini has posed:
Chuckling as they walk to Wade's offer, Sara offers Mike another large smile, "Heeeey, so am I!"

Once to the office, she peers inside as Mike steps to the side, getting a feel for whether it is invasion of privacy or not, then finally enters the room. "I hope he won't mind," she comments, taking a singular moment to note the exits before turning back around to look at Mike.

"I didn't realize you were the shy type," she chortles with a brow wiggle, then changes the subject to get to the point.

"Nettie and Lydia are gone," she begins. "That leaves me standing alone as the leader of the JLD. I can't do it alone. Admitting that is a huge step for me, but it's the truth. I'm drowning."

Pulling in a deep breath she just dives in. "Mike, I need you to take the secondary leadership position of the JLD, are you willing?"

Michael Hannigan has posed:
The office only has the one exit. But based from Mike moving further in to occupy the space on the other side of the desk, he has granted Sara the right for immediate access to the exit. "He shouldn't." Mike assures. "He lets me use the office when he's not needing it or when I'm standing in for him."

He doesn't offer a further description to the situation where he would be doing such a thing. But instead just gives a shrug.

"And Less the shy type, just more aware of paparazzi and the implication it can have on non-celebs caught in the lens."

Seeing Sara not take a seat, Mike remains standing... ish. He leans against a nearby wall as Sara brings up Nettie and Lydia leaving. Giving a nod. "Bit of a loss." He agrees, giving a sympathetic look as Sara follows up with it being a bit much for one person.

The nod pauses as the question gets asked.

...

"...If this is another joke I think the innuendos were funnier."

"...Wait. Is this serious?"

Sara Pezzini has posed:
Letting a sigh escape, Sara runs the fingers of her right hand through her hair to push it back off her face.

"It was a major loss," she corrects, shaking her head before pulling herself back together.

"This is no joke Mike, this is one hundred percent serious," she continues, then finally moves to lean against the desk so she doesn't start pacing.

"I've been trying to wrap my head around all the things that need to be done, that should be done, and the things that might be done... I'm just one person. This organization was designed around the idea of a triad of leadership."

She sighs again and starts pacing along the front of the desk. "In the past my part was the military outlook, tactics, preparation for infiltration, because honestly," she pauses and looks at him. "I don't know shit about magic, and I don't /do/ magic. Witchblade is a magical entity born from Gods, but me? I'm just a human trying not to get myself killed."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Mike tilts his head forward as Sara confirms the seriousness of the statement. He remains quiet as she explains the triad of leadership. The musician takes a deep breath before releasing it slowly.

"...It is a lot for just one person." He agrees, "But if it's any consolation I think every leader was in some way just winging it. There's no such thing as a perfect match."

Pale eyes consider the detective upon the desk. "So...secondary leadership huh? How many people turned you down before you got to me?"

Sara Pezzini has posed:
Sara returns to pacing, listening to Witchblade ramble about just walking away, don't need anyone else, blah, blah, blah.

"Honestly? You're the first person I've asked," she admits, stopping again to look at him. "I've looked over the membership roster a thousand times, and there just isn't anyone else with a broad spectrum of knowledge who could help out."

Seeming to finally be relaxing a little, she leans against the side of the desk once more. "Most people, like myself, are very specific in what they know and can do, you at least have /some/ knowledge of other types of magic out there. That's what we're missing you know... someone who knows all the types of magic."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Mike tilts his head. "ALL the types of magic?" The musician shakes his head. "You are giving me much more credit than I'm due that's for sure. But...I do have a knack for running into weird shit so...I'll give you that."

There's a pause that becomes so pregnant that it comes full term. Gets transported to the hospital and yells at the poor unfortunate soul holding their hand about it being all their fault.

"Alright." Mike replies, "...At least until you find someone better. Who is the third?"

Sara Pezzini has posed:
During the long silence, Sara almost held her breath. If he said no, she was screwed, but it was his right to say no. It just meant she would have to consider other possibilities that were unpleasant to think about.

When he finally said yes she let her breath out quickly and looked extremely relieved for all of ten seconds, then busts up laughing. "Third? I just got a second, no idea who the third is yet!"

So much stress and tension to be released, she laughs for a little longer before gathering herself up. "Woo, okay... no, I don't have a third in mind yet. I have to look hard for someone to fill that spot, and honestly, I don't see one on the roster... but I'll keep looking and evaluating."

Standing herself back up, she steps over and offers her hand toward Mike with a profound, "Thank you."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
"No third?" Mike asks. "Hmm...We are in a lot. of. trouble." His voice drawls off... "What's the barebones criteria for leadership? Is there a minimal amount of time with the group?"

Sara Pezzini has posed:
"There's no specific criteria, no rules or regulations, no requirements," Sara explains with a sigh. "I just know from experience that someone with knowledge in magic is a really, really good idea."

Returning to the desk to lean, she continues, "I was in a lot of trouble by myself, it's only right you be in trouble with me," she snorts. "I think I now someone who might make a good Third, but I just met him and he just joined, so we need to give it a little time. For now, it's you and me."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
"Magic is not the only factor." Mike responds, "If time with the group isn't a factor I'd suggest Stadler." He lets that suggestion sink in for a moment. "I know he doesn't have magic. But...I've found those who go full out magic can get lost in it. Having someone fully on the other end of the spectrum could be a good balance. Also he's very good at telling people 'No'."

Sara Pezzini has posed:
Folding her arms across her chest, Sara lifts a brow. "Stadler?" She sounded surprised. Truth was she didn't know much about the man. Had worked with him a couple of times, but he kept to himself. Her knowledge of him was teacher at Happy Harbor, clearly hiding something, and capable.

"I don't know much about him," she admits with a slight shrug. "And you really don't want to hear what Witchblade thinks of the man."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Mike tilts his head. "...I will admit I've had an off start with him. But once we talked that got resolved alright. He doesn't scare easy. He adapts. And he's got the basic sense we need..." He pauses, "Despite not having magic capabilities, he didn't think twice about voluntarily going into a hell dimension to help rescue Nettie. That takes a lot more stuff than someone who already has powers."

The musician folds his arms, "But...If third position's a bit of a reach. What about an assistant or an advisorial position? He could be-"

There's a pause before Mike lets out a deliciously impish grin. "A liaison of sorts."

Sara Pezzini has posed:
Canting her head slightly, Sara hmms softly with just a hint of a raise to her left brow. "I didn't realize he was a normal human," she admitted, then chewed a little at her bottom lip while she was thinking.

"Advisory position would work," she finally says after taking time to mull it over. "So would a liaison position, though what is he liaising?"

Michael Hannigan has posed:
"Oh you know." Mike replies, "ALL the things us magic folks don't think about. That'd be his problem now. Also we can rely on him to tell us when we're about to do something batshit insane."

Sara Pezzini has posed:
Sara blinks a few times, then starts laughing again. "Batshit insane... that's what Witchblade /always/ does, Mike!"

She runs her fingers through her hair again, this time as she does so there is a swirling of red mist in the red stone on the bracelet. Witchblade is looking at Mike, anyone who has seen that before knows what it means.

"I do like the idea of him keeping his eye on the others however, because sometimes, some of them forget that this world belongs to the humans, we're just quests... so let's go for Liaison."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
As there is movement coming from around where Sara's bracelet is, Mike glances to it. "Either way. It might help lighten the load while searching for the third. Every little bit helps. If we can get someone actively Jiminy Cricketing in our group. All the better probably."

Sara Pezzini has posed:
"So we're settled on Stadler being offered to Liaison for us," Sara reiterates with a nod.

"That will help a great deal while we are looking for a third to finish the triad. I guess we are doing a triad like the Justice League so no one leader is overwhelmed... Like I am... right now... though you took some of that just by saying yes."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Mike pauses, "I know at one point there was a single leader but that was before me. I'm not sure, but I think it's more of a checks and balances thing. So not one person had too much power. One person can do a lot of stupid shit. Three people can do stupid shit too. But some of them cancel out."

Sara Pezzini has posed:
"I was there when the group was formed," Sara offers, only then noticing the swirling red mist. "It started with three, and was a shit show in the beginning... he's looking at you."

She holds up her right hand to show the bracelet's swirling stone. "He wants you to know, he accepts you. That is as close to him saying 'he likes you' as you're going to get."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
"Oh." Mike frowns, "..Well then I stand corrected." He takes note of his posture and straightens up, arms uncrossing. "Ok now I stand corrected." When the bracelet is lifted to show the movement a bit more clearly, Mike looks back towards it. He glances up to Pez once more as she explains what Witchblade is doing.

"Oh really?" He turns his attention back to the bracelet, "Well thank you. "

Always nice to know you're not on the witchblade's shit list.

A curious look is given. "Think he knows of the Dreaming or Wonderland?"

Sara Pezzini has posed:
Closing her eyes for a moment, Sara listens to the voice in her head then her eyes open again and she snorts.

"His exact reply, you ready... yes I know," she laughs. "That's it. As if that is all that's needed, he rarely shares that kind of thing unless he has to."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
"Alright. To the point and in few words." Mike sums up. "...I'm surprised he doesn't like Rick."

Sara Pezzini has posed:
After blinking a few times, Sara snerks softly to stop herself from laughing. "He doesn't like Rick at all. We both believe he's hiding something, and with Witchblade... that's a bad thing. But there's no sense of evil, so he just leaves it at 'doesn't like'."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
"But doesn't that pretty much describe everybody?" Mike wonders aloud, "I might end up forming an opinion on someone but I might not share it. That's kind of hiding."

Sara Pezzini has posed:
Lifting her left wrist to look at her watch, Sara sighs again. "He doesn't share anything about anything, perfect examples the Dreaming. I have no idea what that is, and he's not sharing... but anyway."

Adjusting her jacket, she partly zips it up. "You have my number. Speak with Stadler, arrange a meeting that works for him, and we'll tag team him into a Liaison position. For now, I have to get back to Bushwick."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Mike nods. "I think I can manage that. I'll let you know when it is set." He turns his head, looking over to a clock. "Annnd I should probably switch out instruments and go to my next recording session. We're incredibly booked today. Heck of a Tuesday."