5919/Come Rain or Shine

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Come Rain or Shine
Date of Scene: 12 April 2021
Location: Lily Anne's Lounge - Hellfire Club
Synopsis: Motorcycles are the topic of the hour!
Cast of Characters: Zatanna Zatara, Koga Miura




Zatanna Zatara has posed:
Rain is such a curiously terrestrial experience. Mind that many planets probably lack running water or the atmospheres to sustain regular precipitation. Or if it rains, Venusian style, it's hydrochloric acid on an oven-hot terrain under some twenty atmospheres or something horrid. But the soft, tumbling rain sets the mood for a place aiming to be the 1920s all over again. A patina to silver the brassy notes of a horn dueting with a glamorous torch singer on a bench. No one tinkles the ivory; this is jazz with strings and trumpets, a waltz of loss and insight tarnished beautifully.

The sort of place for someone to saunter in and order a whiskey neat, and find a pulse of trouble. Where agents exchange hidden information, and every dame represents trouble. That's the feel, at least.

Zatanna is that dame, at least, but she also saunters. A drink in hand makes that a necessity, plumbing the velvety shadows for a spot that gives a decent view of the stage without putting herself in front of it. No need to steal anyone's thunder. She negotiates around a couple deep in thought over their menu, and gets two steps to a table before someone asides, "It's the Mistress of--"

"Shut it," she amiably offers. "I'm off-duty." A swivel heads her back to the bar. It might be safer, in the meantime.

Koga Miura has posed:
Koga had decided to take some time off from recent... activities. Including house hunting. He was currently setup in a modest apartment, but that didn't mean he didn't get told about certain places that he should check out. The Hellfire Club being one of them. And once he saw the rather... jazzy lounge? He had to come back, and in character, too. That had resulted in his being dressed in a pinstripe suit of a deep, deep, almost black purple with white lines and his hair being well combed.

What might stand out to Zatanna is two things. The first being mystic energies are rather 'off' around him. The other being that he's obviously new to the place, despite attempts to not look the part. And he's headed for the bar rather than a table at the moment.

The overall looking around he is doing at the same time just literally screams 'new guy' as well, as he looks at the menu and tries to decide what to order.

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
The Hellfire Club probably conjures up lots of images. Tacky tourist trap. Decadence and wicked acts. High price of entry? Maybe some of them are true. Legitimate business people, celebrities, and glitterati all might appear with reasonable frequency. Zee is proof of that, away from her well-viewed channel and online shows, certainly not in Metropolis or Gotham saving the world.

Her choice of drink is a reddened cocktail, floating with garnished orange peel on the rim. It probably has a fancy name, a breathtaking description and a $12 charge. Hardly a slosh as she sinks down onto a stool, facing outward, carefully crossing her legs at the knee. The sour-sweet zing of the liquid anoints her lips, forcing her eyes to narrow. It's intense, but not apparently outside her preferences. The crooked smile lifts as she sets the glass down, and if that isn't invitation for the world to have a conversation, what is? She looks over Koga -- discreetly rather than a blunt stare. That'd be rude, not keeping with the friendly secrecy of their Prohibition world. "You just land? I feel like I should ask you about the price of grain in Barcelona," she quips. It's amusement, not unkind.

"A hint; the Violet Hour packs a punch. Not the best choice if you have to walk far at the end of the night." Wisdom of a girl raised to such places, a performer through and through.

Koga Miura has posed:
An eyebrow is raised as Koga looks over, "Oh? Thank you. Ah, my apologies. I am new and just found this place just a day or two ago." He looks at the menu, looking thoughtful.

"As far as Barcelona, I have not been there in a while. The races are probably popular there, however." A smile is given towards her, what most would consider charming. Perhaps a bit natural. He does look back to his menu, however, mostly to keep from staring it looks like. He gives up after a moment to look at Zatanna carefully. "Do I know you from somewhere? I swear I have seen you on television or somewhere before, but I can not place it."

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
"Apologies are hardly necessary here. We'll keep it under the table." Zatanna Zatara is many things, discreet being among them. Or teasingly so to fit their atmosphere. A shimmy of her bare shoulders later and she turns a little on the stool to face the young man. "By all means, help yourself to whatever they have. I wouldn't say anything here is bad, just shades of good and better."

The bartender gets a sidelong loon and she keeps a light hand on the stem of her glass just in case. "That's a good question. I'm an entertainer. Magic shows, performance art. Float the audience or make a rabbit disappear into my hat." It's a calm response out of her, eyes twinkling with unshed delight. "Or I keep company with Superman. That one tends to be more familiar for some people. How about you?"

Koga Miura has posed:
Koga considers, looking carefully again. "One of the League? I am honored. I apologize if I am not... star struck, I believe the term is? You get used to some of it after a while." He seems to consider as far as drinks, then asks for a Ward Eight. At least that isn't going to kill him or anything, but the idea of it being good and better is probably what at least has him ordering.

Her question towards him has him turning to get a better look at her, "Ah... well, I am just a racer and archaeologist. The latter is more of a past time these days, but I do still rank highly. Ancient civilizations mostly, but I am a bit rusty on that." He gives a small seated bow, "My name is Koga."

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
Zatanna doesn't verbally answer that question. The glass raised in a toast should speak enough to that. The zingy punch of orange and lemon silence her so she can better appreciate the drink. It's rather good, if a bit prone to making her pucker up. "As I said, a few of these gorgeous concoctions can be strong." Her fingers dangle the glass with ease, not even remotely threatening to spill it anywhere. "Starstruck's the right word for it, and no, I do not expect you to be. Life is full of people of varying fame and import. If we had our jaws on the ground all the time, we would never get anything done." An easy smile for an easy answer.

Koga's choice of drink earns a nod, though she raises an eyebrow. "Racing motorcycles, cars, yachts? If you ever did America's Cup or the one around Southern Australia, I have questions. Though if it's motorcycles, mutual company. Archaeology is one of those wonderfully exciting professions, though I imagine it's a great deal more work than it's made out to be. Not all rolling stone balls in ancient temples, more carefully extracting bits from the soil in gridded squares?" Indiana Jones, spoiler of all good things.

She touches her fingers to her throat, and dips forward a bit. "Zatanna. Though feel free to call me Zee, Koga. Most do."

Koga Miura has posed:
Koga rolls his eyes, "Extracting bits from soil usually. Sometimes you find Indiana Jones style traps here and there." An eyebrow is raised at the name. And he looks closely at her again, "A pleasure, Zatanna." Curiosity is definitely on his face at the name it seems.

"I do not think I came across in time to hit America's Cup. I need to see if I can get a sponsor for that one, I bet. The Southern Australian was a fun one, if I remember right. I need to see if I can catch that one sometime. I did it once before I took a year off. Motorcycles are more of what I do usually, but I do dabble a bit in cars. The excitement is often what draws me to the motorcycles."

After receiving his drink, he takes a sip of it. "Hm... not bad." He looks at her, "So... what made you come talk to me? Not that I mind the company."

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
"Extracting bits and pieces of cultural relevance. Has that brought you to New York? There are some great universities and museums, so I imagine the demand and competition would be pretty high." Curiosity is a shared trait, and she has no problem letting that feline quality have its moment. "Pleasure is all mine. It's far more interesting to hear about someone in a neat field like that than worrying about lighting or marketing, I promise you."

She taps the drink and lifts it up. "The world's a wide and varied place. I like good company and you looked like you might be amenable to it. You can tell me to leave you well enough alone, of course. The singer is worth it, and you might have every reason to want your thoughts to yourself." Open invitation, no harm done if he takes her up on it.

The breezy mood carries right through as she languidly wraps her finger around her glass, tilting it this way and that. "My preferred bike is a Ducati, though maybe it's a love of speed that does it. Have a good ride? I /always/ appreciate someone who can manage on two wheels. It's an art."

Koga Miura has posed:
Koga shakes his head, "Ah, I can understand on that one. And a bit. I came to see what America has as far as racing, but I have been brought in to give my expertise from time to time. Mostly things that are well... not quite right, I guess you could say? It was also to get away a bit."

He swirls his drink a bit, looking at it. As if trying to judge what is in it. "A few racers in Japan were getting a bit jealous, among other things. I figured a new circuit might be fun. Ducati, huh? Versys 1000 here. Fell in love with it as one of my first, and I haven't stopped yet. Shipping it across oceans is a pain, I will note."

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
"It's a big country with a lot of races. You could probably find yourself occupied for a while, just seeing the difference between what they do in Florida and Texas or California." Zee glances over to the stage where the singer has exchanged microphone for a glass of water, and they're ambling into a groovy instrumental jazz section. Lamentations are gorgeous when a cello gets involved. "Versys 100, there's a slick look. I have never ceased to love a cherry-red Ducati 999. The 1299 is a gorgeous beast, don't get me wrong, but if I'm going for classic lines, I want the best. That sea green on the Kawasaki, though, that's just sunning Never mind what's underneath. I am absolutely judging a book by its cover." No shame in doing that, either, as she laughs sunnily. "It's easy to love what we first get good at, and have a hard time letting go. You're not wrong about cross-country or transoceanic ventures. I can't imagine how you got the paperwork done. It must have been a headache but sadly, we can't just buy a plane ticket for our bikes. Cellos are hard enough. Yo Yo Ma wouldn't put his baby in a crate, but sadly, we have to."

Imagine a motorcycle in row 31A to C. It works!

Koga Miura has posed:
Koga rolls his eyes, "Tell me about it. I wish ships were faster. You could honestly say they are safer usually, and you can at least check to make sure nothing happened to it." A small grin comes on his face, "The Ducati, though? I do admit it has some nice lines, and very much happens to be nice to ride. Versys I like for the speed and acceleration, however. I did have to repaint mine. That green just does not work easily.

"A sad fault of mine is a love for the speed, especially the wind in the hair feeling. You mentioned differences as far as the states? I will have to road trip sometime and see. The only problem with breaking into new circuits is well... breaking into new circuits. Sponsors and the like." He shrugs. "I did hear there was possible races coming up in the winter season that might be something for me to look into."

The image of a motorcycle inside the plane has him shaking his head, "... if I had the money, I would just buy a charter plane rather than put it inside. It works, but at the same time..." He laughs a little.

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
"Ducati kicks when you get her going, and out of the gate, almost nothing matches her. The ride isn't for everyone, being pushed fairly far forward, but it's a style that I complements me. Just a lot of control and contact with the road, and when you lean into it, the thing sings." Zatanna utters a sigh. "You know how it goes. Absolutely the freedom and the rush of the wind. I don't race, not like that, but I can absolutely see why the speed gets you. It's amazing." She answers the shrug with a grin, carrying on a moment. "You'll find it's a bit different here than Japan, I have to guess? You probably would know more about it than me. Sponsorship is a funny thing though. The name overseas breaking in here could be the hook that helps you."

The empty glass she sets on the coaster, pushing it to the bartender to take away whenever is convenient for him. The conversation matters more, listening.

Koga Miura has posed:
Koga raises an eyebrow at that one, then shakes his head, "A bit different, yes. I have considered playing that angle. The Versys definitely has a different song, I would say. Especially once you get going. It is pretty quiet otherwise, but that is modification on my part. Not everyone appreciated a loud motorcycle back in Japan."

"I do find myself wishing for a good place to ride these days, I admit. Do you own a Ducati by chance? You mentioned it as if you did, and well... not a lot that ride motorcycles among the more celebrity crowd, I have found." The question and statement is probably a bit true. Too many just enjoying it more than anything.

Taking another sip of his drink, he looks at it, then finishes it in a few gulps before setting it down on a coaster and pushing it over for the bartender as well.

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
Zatanna Zatara breaks into a grin. "Oh, for certain. No need to have a rattling muffler roaring all the way up the mountainside. I get more chance to ride outside Gotham than New York, though I won't lie. The Hudson Valley is definitely prettier than Delaware." No reason to hide that fact; anyone looking at the two can see they're not comparable landscapes, though one isn't without its charms of some kind or another. "I'll bet that's an appreciated modification. You enjoy tinkering with the bike, or was it necessity?"

With the singer coming back to croon, and a few more people trickling in, the lounge is cozy. "Oh, for certain. I bought one as soon as my contract gave me enough to live on. I had the worst apartment you could imagine, more like an overglorified closet! But I didn't care one bit. With my schedule, the apartment was less important than having a bike. I rode all the way out to the Hoover Dam. It was gorgeous and wild, and I learned the value of a really good pair of pants and boots then. But imagine a desert under the stars, and the road gliding ahead of you as dawn broke. That's what I wanted. That, and a chance to go entirely, stupidly, illegally fast. Nice even straightaway where I could open it up, probably screaming inside my helmet for a mile. But you know? It's a primal and wonderful thing. I love it. Some of my friends have souped up bikes -- one of them, her garage is to /die/ for. She's a damn sight better rider than I am. But my red's mine, and that's that."

Koga Miura has posed:
Koga gives a bit of a grin, "Oh, I enjoy it. Sometimes they work, sometimes not. Besides, if I didn't it wouldn't survive half of the stunt rides with the regular shocks and build. That, and modifying it to get the most if I'm in the front lines was probably the best fun I have had."

He shoots her a grin, "Whenever you can hit 100 kilometers in three seconds on a track with a straight away to start, most people tend to hate you as they try to catch up. Best thrill there is when you can open up and not get in trouble for it."

He considers, "Hoover Dam, huh?" He reaches into a pocket on his suit, pulling out a pen and paper before writing that one down. "Oh, pants and boots are a definite. Trying to ride in shorts or even a skirt is just asking for it."

Then he blinks as he looks at her, "You have a friend with a garage? I have been having trouble finding one that will not, ah..." He looks thoughtful, "... what is the word?" He sighs, "Forgive me, the word slips my mind with English being a second language."

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
Nodding, Zatanna combs her fingers through her wavy hair. "You can sometimes ride right over the dam. They changed a lot in the last few years, considering all that happened. No one wants the dam to be blown up and LA flooded, or the water supply gone so they get desperate. But the road around there is worth it, just like going through he Grand Canyon." Her eyes are full of stars, memory shot through with a grin to Koga. "The thrill is there; the freedom of it, the movement. When it's scary and remarkable all at once."

A soft buzz emanates from her pocket and she plucks it out of her pocket, giving the screen a brief look. "My time's about done. I have a call with my agent in a few minutes." Unfortunate timing but sadly that's how it rolls. "Oh, I'm not sure if she's taking on anyone but I understand finding someone trustworthy, who understands your baby. If it's your bike, you want it taken care of."

A flash of a smile simmers all the brighter, even so. "It's in Gotham, unfortunately. New York is a bit more mysterious for me, but I can recommend a few people to talk to."

Koga Miura has posed:
Koga sighs, "Security has to suck like that at times. Not to mention police pulling you over when you get a good straightaway going."

About that time, his own pocket gives a buzz. He glances at his own phone, then raises an eyebrow, "Huh... looks like I have a trial run to get ready for as well." He looks considerate, putting the phone away. "I will have to go look at the track. And I would gladly like some recommendations."

A small sad smile comes on his face, "Is your appointment here, or elsewhere? I would not mind playing a bit of escort if you wish. And the conversation has definitely lightened my mind considerably with all the news going around lately."