8192/Busy Day.

Busy Day.
Date of Scene:	10 October 2021
Location:	The Laughing Magician
Synopsis:	What he hopes is going to be a day spent drinking and reading at the bar for John turns into an offer for help in return for knowledge, meeting one of Nettie's Poppets and hiring a bouncer. It was a busy day and it hasn't even started yet.
Cast of Characters:	John Constantine, Ka'shira Raptorethi, Mairin Moran, Tara Tsabedze

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John Constantine has posed:
    It's right around 3 PM, between the small lunch crowd the pub sometimes sees and the dedicated drinkers that typically start filing in around 5ish. Of course there's one 'dedicated drinker' that's always here when he's not doing battle with things like Karen Infestations.

    John Constantine is at the end of the bar, sitting on that Pauper's Throne of a stool that no one else ever sits upon. He's surrounded by his typical fare of items; an ashtray, a pack of Silk Cuts, a bottle of scotch and a glass that's half empty - he's generally not a half full kind of bloke.

    The jukebox is pitched low, pelting out those same classic and punk rock songs as per the norm and Chas Chandler, the best mate and cabbie in Heaven and Hell and all the realms between is behind the bar polishing glasses. He doesn't look overly thrilled and the source of his annoyance is obviously John who's bearing the brunt of continued stinky side-eye.

    There's not another soul in the place for the moment.

Ka'shira Raptorethi has posed:
     And in walked a young woman that likely looked completely out of place. With her expensive couture and polished exterior, she almost looked to be stepping off the page of a fashion magazine. Instead, she stepped out of a cab that dropped her off at the curb. Ka'shira pulled down her dark sunglasses and headed for the bar.
     She glanced around for a moment, before spotting John. First though to Chas, "Mineral water, please? Thank you." She then walked towards John, her manner polite, and smiling. "Good afternoon."

John Constantine has posed:
    Just the corner of Chas's nose pulls up a tiny bit. It's not a sneer or anything so unpleasant as that and as it happens, his side-eye toward John turns more questioning than 'stinky'. It's almost easy to imagine him asking, 'Mineral Water?'

    John's response is a shrug that's clearly, 'Fuck if I know, mate'.

    "Uh, we have Aquafina and seltzer," Chas explains, the latter likely used as a drink mixer.

    "Is it afternoon already, luv?" John asks, pleasant enough and all, but the man looks exhausted with the pale pallor of his skin and the dark circles under those faded denim blue eyes. His hand goes to the top of the bar to palm a small book that's laying there so that he can tuck it away in a pocket.

    Not all books of magic need be gigantic tomes that weigh twenty stone. The one he just pocketed had no visible title, just a skull tooled into the leather cover that isn't leather made from any 'animal' skin at all.

    "I assume you're here for something other than Chas's lunch special, names John Constantine, what can I do for you?" he asks after the book's tucked away.

Ka'shira Raptorethi has posed:
     "Seltzer is fine." Shira responds to the bartender slash best bud slash chauffeur.
    She then turns her attention to John. "Yes, after noon by several hours at this point." She informs him with a continued smile. Brown eyes had briefly swept the book and title before it had been secured. She then motions to a bar stool. "May I?" Assuming she's given leave, the tall young woman takes a nearby stool.
     "Ka'shira Raptorethi, a pleasure Mr. Constetine." She spoke with a cultured, posh accent that fit her expensive attire. "And, no, I ate before I left. I was actually hoping to find you. To have a somewhat more formal introduction. I was at the mall last week, though neither of us had time for a proper introduction then."

John Constantine has posed:
    Chas serves up on seltzer water, smiling now, a big one that makes his eyes sparkle. It's genuine and warm.

    ...and the polar opposite of John's attitude. He nods toward the stool and offers, "Free country and all it, luv," before lighting a cigarette from that pack of Silk Cuts. "Bloody fuckin' *malls*." Still hating on those things, yes he is. "Is there something shorter I can call you?" he asks. "Like Shira or Rap? Because I'll *never* remember that."

    Of course that's an outright lie. He sells it well, not many sell a lie as well as John Constantine. It's purpose is a downplay of his own intellect, something he does often. It's better to be underestimated.

Ka'shira Raptorethi has posed:
     Returning Chas' smile, Ka'shira smiles just as warmly. She offers the same smile to Constantine, if perhaps just a touch, less. The question about shortening her name causes a small pause before she responds. "Ah, Ka'shira would be fine."
     Shira takes a sip of her seltzer, regarding the man beside her. "Yes, I don't disagree with you about Malls." She concedes with a slight smirk. "However, that wasn't the purpose of my visit. While I assisted the other shoppers and employees, I couldn't help but witness some strange things... Well, the entire episode was strange, if I am honest."

John Constantine has posed:
    "Aye, magic's messy," and strange. John still has that Silk Cut tucked between his lips, bobbing up and down as he speaks and to be drawn from. That changes when the next draw from it starts a tickle that turns into a cough and another that turn into a brief little fit of them. He plucks the thing from his lips to keep it from flying off right before that first cough hits.

    He's a little watery eyed and pale by the time it's over, but doesn't seem phased too terribly by it, as if it's commonplace. "So, you're here to what? Interview me for a book?"

Ka'shira Raptorethi has posed:
     There's a slight expression change at the word 'magic', perhaps too fast to identify it. Immediately she adopts a pleasant, polite meign once more. She doesn't comment on the magic, however, as John has already moved on. "Ah, a book?" She sounds genuinely surprised. "No, just personal curiosity. I've never seen anything like that. I'm quite dedicated to sating my personal curiosity."

John Constantine has posed:
    "And what sort of sating are you looking for? Read a few books? Take a few classes? Or maybe lend that strength and speed of yours to fighting the things that... are strange and dangerous to the human race?" Ahhhh, see, John doesn't forget things as easily as he claims to. He remembers Ka'Shira from that night.

    "Because I can offer any of the above, but what I *need* is more of that last. That saying, 'it's been a day', well mine's turned into 'it's been constant, non-stop bullshite of staggering proportions for *months*."

    That half glass of scotch vanishes with one quick bend of an elbow to bring glass to lips and he refills it from the bottle.

Ka'shira Raptorethi has posed:
     She continues to watch John, even after his coughing fit has stopped. "I suppose a little of all of the above," Ka'shira responds. "Though lending aid is likely something I would do as a last resort." She doesn't comment on her physical prowess, just letting John's observation go.
     Shira takes another sip of her water before lowering the glance. She regards John earnestly a moment before asking. "Are you sure you are fit enough to be in the field? I don't wish to be rude, but if you are ill, perhaps this is best left to someone else?"

John Constantine has posed:
    John barks out a little mirthless, almost bitter laugh. "There is no one else that can do the things I do, or well, I'm sure there *are* a few, but none of them care about the day to day crap down here in the trenches." He shifts those red rimmed blue eyes directly toward Ka'Shire for the first time really. "You see, they *all* lend aid as a 'last resort'."

    His gaze shifts away again, across the bar, past Chas. John waves a hand as if to dismiss the idea that he's not well enough. "I'm fine, luv. Just had a rough night."

Mairin Moran has posed:
     Mairin slides into the Laughing Magician with considerable more confidence then the last time she was here. After all, so much has happened since then. In fact, one could easily say her entire life has changed. And after a talk with a god... she's finally starting to get used to the idea.

    she still stops just a bit inside the door, her eyes scaning the bar in a pretty obvious attempt to find someone. She slumps a little when she doesn't see her, but takes a deep breath, plucks up her courage, and heads to a seat at the bar regardless.

    She's here, she might as well get a drink.

Ka'shira Raptorethi has posed:
     The tall young woman sits at the bar with John. Ka'shira's expression remains unchanged by John's words. Briefly, brown eyes lift to Mairin as the other woman's entrance snags her attention. She seems a little disinclined to speak as openly as they were a moment before. "I don't think self-preservation is something to be derided, Mr. Constantine. Nonetheless, I would like to extend an offer of aid if it secures an opportunity to learn more about this, magic." She keeps her voice pitched low, but doesn't whisper.

John Constantine has posed:
    "Name's John, Mister Constantine was a right bloody bastard," he points out before stubbing his spent Silk Cut out in the ashtray and lighting another. "I'm taking a trip to Egypt tonight to summon a God in an effort to save a child who's being hunted by her Necromancer cousin. You want to help? Learn? Be here by six thirty. Transportation will be provided at no cost."

    Did he really just say all that as if he might have been reading off dinner choices? Yes he did.

    His attention shifts to Mairin as she comes in. "Huh, well hello, luv," he says, obviously aimed at the newcomer. "One of ... Nettie's little Kittens." How does he *know* that? How does he know anything that he probably has no plausible way of knowing? It's a secret he'll take to the grave.

    Chas, the man behind the bar and the best mate and cabbie in Heaven, Hell and all the realms between asks, "What can I getcha, kid?"

Mairin Moran has posed:
    "One of... What?" Mairin stammers, stumbling a little at John's greeting and catching herself on the bar in a 'I never did that' shuffle while her face starts to redden. Her mouth moves a little as she tries to form a repsonce.. but then Chas saves her and she just turns to him. "A ginger ale?"

    She awkwardly slides onto the stool and her gaze gradually sliiiides back to John. "Are you... A friend of Netties?" She finally seems to notice The woman with him just then and gives a small smile and a timid, "Hello."

Tara Tsabedze has posed:
Flyer in hand, Tara slips quietly into the bar. Today she wears a marigold colored tank tap and black jeans over her fur covered form, a spot in the jeans created to allow her tail to slip through. On her feet she sports a pair of black leather sandals, and she carries with her one of those tiny backpacks that was so popular in the 80s, but is starting to make a come back.

Scanning the room, she takes note of where everyone is located before moving toward the bar, her movements fluid and graceful like the feline she is. She offers a nod and broad smile to those already there, the extended canines revealed in the process.

"Greetings," she offers, her voice touched by an east African accent. "I am looking for Mister Constantine."

Ka'shira Raptorethi has posed:
     Ka'Shira listened impassively as John spoke. Still, thoughts bubbled beneath the surface of her composed features. Gods? Perhaps he meant Asgardians? But no, Egypt was the wrong part of the world for that. If she recalled enough of Earth geography, the Asgardian seat of power had been Northern Europe. Not Africa.
     Ka'Shira nodded succinctly at John. "Well then, John, I'll be here at 6:30."
    As he addressed the nearby other woman, Ka'shira's attention shifted back to Mairin. She eyed the woman and her nervous demeanor, but her smile remained warm. "Hello." She replied. The pair seemed almost polar opposites at first glance. But then a third woman entered, and this one stole Shira's complete attention. A feathered eyebrow lifted as Tara addressed John as 'Mister Constantine.' For some reason, this seemed mildly amusing.

John Constantine has posed:
    "Name's John," he replies to Mairin. "Constantine. But just John works." He won't be surprised if he's not been mentioned. Who in their *right mind* would mention John Constantine to their mystical *students*. Make no mistake, he's good. He knows a lot about a lot. There isn't much he can't accomplish with magic given the time. But he's also the perfect case study in 'what not to do'. King of shortcuts. ...and magic's messy enough when one takes the long route.

    "Aye, we go back a bit," he adds.

    "One ginger ale, coming up..." And a moment or two later, it's there. A Bottle, a glass of ice.

    John's glass is halfway to his lips before it just stutters and stalls there. His attention turns toward Tara. "John," he states, the word clipped and snipped. "Just... call me John." He tosses back half the scotch in the glass before, "What can I do for you?"

    "Don't be late, I don't like to wait..." He asides to Ka'Shira.

Mairin Moran has posed:
    Mairin's expression shifts, the pink leaving her face as her brow furrows. Has Nettie mentioned a John Constantine?? No... She doens't think so. But then, Nettie hasn't talked a lot about her friends or her past. She's been rather.. mysterious about all that. Which makes Mairin smile a little bit, even if she doesn't know it. She's about to ask a followup question when Tara enters and all eyes turn that way.

    She blinks a few times at the... woman? Cat-woman? SHe has no idea. But it isn't the strangest thing she's seen in the last few weeks and she's grabbed John's attention... so Mairin just turns to her drink.

    "Thank you, Chas." She's never met him, but Nettie *has* mentioned Chas.

Tara Tsabedze has posed:
The feline woman offers John a nod, before sliding the flyer regarding jobs toward him.

"John it is," she offers with that same broad smile. "I am K'tara Tsebedze, Tara is acceptable. I am interested in speaking to you, when you have the time of course, regarding employment. I do not seek to interrupt you now, merely seeking a time that would be acceptable to you."

Settling herself onto one of the stool, her tail start flicking behind her with a mind of its own as she looks to Chas. "A soda if you would please, it does not matter which kind."

Ka'shira Raptorethi has posed:
     Ka'shira pulled her purse into her lap, and pulled out some money to pay off her tab. Once Chas was free from helping the other, she slid him the bills. "Thank you."
    Kashira's attention then returned to John. "I'm rarely late." She assured him with a smile that remained faintly amused. I'll leave you to your other business." She offered, gestureing faintly to Tara and Mairin. "John. Ladies." She tipped her brow to the others and slipped off herstool.

John Constantine has posed:
    "You're hired, pays twenty an hour if you bounce, ten plus tips if you tend bar or wait tables and fifteen if you cook. Just remember, you can be fired just as easily. I don't tolerate lateness, theft or damage to my property and there's a high probability you'll quit within two weeks after... seeing the things that can go on around here." Around him... is more to the point. "There are perks to the job, or ... additional services that can be rendered, that we can discuss at a later time." John's voice is just flat, kinda droll through it all, almost as if he's been rehearsing it. Maybe he has been, he's not the best spontaneous people person.

    ...and just like that, Tara, welcome to the Nightmare of John Constantine's orbit.

    Chas serves up that soda with an almost apologetic, "Welcome aboard?"

    The man looks like his 'other business' right now should be with a pillow, a blanket and his favorite stuffy. Seriously, John looks *exhausted*. He quirks a little half smile and fingerguns a point in Ka'Shira's direction. "Bring your sunscreen, it's hot in the desert."

Mairin Moran has posed:
    Blue eyes flit from Tara, to Ka'shira, to John, and back to Tara, taking the entire exchange in and adding it to the quickly growing list of interesting facts surrounding Nettie and this whole magic business.

    And yet, still, she doesn't say anything more. Even though Tara sits right next to her at the bar. After all... what is she going to say? Hi I love robots, would you like to see some really cool quantum power reactions? But this is why she's here. Too... acclimate. Like slowly submerging into a hot bath. If she never steps out of her lab... she's never really going to understand the things that Nettie is trying to teach her.

Tara Tsabedze has posed:
There is a slight cant to Tara's head, the swish of her tail slowing as she studies John. That was probably the fastest interview to hire in history, and she was no expert on the matter to begin with.

Accepting the soda she offers a polite, "Thank you." to Chas, but her amber eyes shift back to John.

"I do not think I would make a good waitress," she holds up her hand to reveal the permanent claws she deals with daily. "I may be able to tend bar, but have no experience. I think perhaps being a bouncer, a protector, would be best."

John Constantine has posed:
    "So, Nettie have you slinging fireballs yet?" John shoots off in Mairin's direction before his attention drifts to Tara, sorta. He's not so much focusing well on anyone at this point. ...and he's not even drunk yet.

    "Chas can teach you all you need to know to fill in here if needed, but bouncer... aye, works." In his mind, however, he's probably thinking 'you poor thing'. Seriously, he has more staff turnover than Amazon.

Mairin Moran has posed:
    John catches her in the middle of a drink and she finishes it before answering. "No. Nothing like that. She's just been working on helping me focus my will." It sounds pretty lame when she says it. But she knows Nettie is just looking out for her and not pushing her too hard. And she appreciates that.

    "How long have you known her?" She slids the question in while she has a chance.

Tara Tsabedze has posed:
Another nod is offered as Tara takes a sip of her soda. "I am more than willing to help out where needed, but I will let you get back to your conversation with..." she sort of nods toward Mairin as she continues with, "... your friend."

Taking her tiny pack off long enough to get one of her cards, she lays it on the bar. Name, address, phone number, the important information needed by an employer. "When would you like me to start?" She then asks, the last question she intends to ask.

John Constantine has posed:
    "I think I was... sixteen or so when we met," John replies readily enough. "We didn't shag until years later though." Did he really just *say that*? Oh but he did. He lifts his glass in Mairin's direction and gives a cocky little wink.

    "John," Chas snaps, the 'be nice' implied though not spoken.

    "Soon as you can, luv," John replies to Tara before standing himself. "I... have a trip to make tonight that needs preparation." Clearly it's a mystical preparation event, it's obvious in his tone.

    "Give Nets my love, aye? Careful though, if she's still mad about last night, she might turn you into a toad at the mention of my name." With that? Well, he's heading for the backroom and then to the House of Mystery to make preparations to summon a God. Another day ending in Y, innit?

Mairin Moran has posed:
    Mairin very nearly chokes on her drink at John's... history lesson. And launches into a coughing fit that has nearly the whole bar turning to see if she's alright.