8252/Sparks at Midnight

Sparks at Midnight
Date of Scene:	15 October 2021
Location:	The Midnight Mission
Synopsis:	Jubilee makes a visit to the Midnight Mission and comes across Mr. Knight who seems genuinely inclined to help her.
Cast of Characters:	Marc Spector, Jubilation Lee

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Marc Spector has posed:
    The Midnight Mission is a nondescript building. On the outside it looks like any regular brownstone in one of the less reputable districts of New York. Nothing marks it as a Egyptian Temple to a lesser known deity. But to those who have heard the call of Khonshu, or who have been directed to meet with Moon Knight or his agent, Mr. Knight, that is exactly what it is.

    The inner hall is decorated with fine carpets and art pieces that for all appearances seem authentically Ptolemaic. There are a number of potted ferns and dim lighting to heighten the atmosphere of mystique and reverence. To one side are a pair of what look to be office rooms, perhaps for the maintaining of the Mission. Nothing in America is done without a litany of paperwork after all.

    Further in is the temple proper which has been carefully crafted to look as if it truly is in the Egypt of old. Heiroglyphs line the walls and more ferns dot the open congregation area as do a number of simple, yet comfortable looking seats. The lighting here is even more subdued, the eerie silver glow over everything makes the room look like it is perpetually bathed in moonlight. The dominating figure of the room is the towering statue of the god Khonshu himself at the far end of the room. Easily twenty feet tall it has no defining characteristics aside from the crescent motif on its staff, chest, and forehead.

    The Mission again appears to be empty at the moment, there is a stillness and solemn peace hanging in the air, as usual when there are no other *clear* inhabitants.

Jubilation Lee has posed:
    Jubilation was told there was someone who could help her. Someone with experience with vampires such as herself. So far, all attempts to help her have made things much, much worse on some level, but it can't hurt to at least meet. She has been making some new friends recently, and it's important to put in the effort. Jubilee closes the door to the Midnight Mission behind her and takes in the opulence of the inner hall. She lets out a whistle, a garish display to show that she's impressed.

    Jubes was invited, or at least it was implied that she was invited, which is enough for the young vampire to come on in. "Hello?" she calls out, taking a few reluctant steps away from the entrance and further down the inner hall. She's dressed like someone who is absolutely not coming to worship. Instead of a more respectful outfit, she's wearing a bright pink hoodie with a black silhouette of a giraffe printed on the breast, and a pair of daisy dukes shorts and plain white sneakers.

    Jubilee's first glimpse of the temple room draws out an immediate gasp from the girl. She moves away from the doorway, as if to hide from the Khonshu statue. Is it a religious symbol? The young vampire is not sure, but she moves out of its sight just to be safe...

Marc Spector has posed:
    "You are in no danger of being judged by Khonshu, night walker" replies a resonant baritone coming from the office. The man who emerges is a striking figure. His athletic build and respectable height give him a measure of command but his outfit is what truly sets him apart. The bespoke white three piece suit; thin white tie; pristine white shirt; gloves, shoes, belt. It's all in marvelous resplendent white.

    He is also wearing a full mask that covers his entire face and head. It too is white and featureless, save for the two opaque holes for his vision and a crecent shape on the forehead. He approaches the woman. "What brings you to the Midnight Mission, young lady?" he asks. "Does the Moon call to you as it has so many others or is there something you need?"

    He stops a few feet from her and tilts his head. "Or is it that you bear a burden that you wish to lay at the feet of The Pathfinder Who Guards Those Who Walk at Night?" His tone carries a knowing hint in it.

Jubilation Lee has posed:
    Jubilee's brow lowers a touch. Night walker. That's a new one. Is it meant to be a slur? She's not sure, but she'll have to Google it when they're done. Jubilation's bright colors and exposed porcelain skin stand in stark contrast to the man's plain white suit and mask. She shifts her weight so it's all over one hip and places her hand at her waist. "Uhh... None of those reasons," she answers, drawing out her words with some vocal fry common to girls her age.

    The subtle hints are either lost on her or she's not willing to give up the masquerade so easily. But, if she's not here for any of those reasons, why /is/ she here? Is this even the person she's meant to see?

    "Um, Jon said I should come," she explains, watching the opaque mask for any possible reaction to that. "I'm Jubilation Lee." She says her name as though it should explain everything. She hopes, at least. "He said I should meet...uh, Mr. Knight..."

Marc Spector has posed:
    The man's demeanor changes. The air of authority slides off of him and is replaced with one of open compassion. "Ah. I have heard of you, yes." He gestures for the young woman to follow him. "Come, young lady. My office should be fine for us to talk privately."

    He makes his way down the hall of the foyer to one of the side rooms and flicks a light switch. The inside of the room is decorated with the same Egyptian motif and fern slash comfortable chair combination that makes for an inviting atmosphere.

    The lighting in here is more conventional. A number of standing lamps provide ample artificial luminescence. There is also a large wooden desk with a computer and a number of closed manilla folders, (files perhaps,) on the top of it.
    Mr. Knight turns and rests against the edge of the desk. "Plese, have a seat?" he says, gesturing to one of the comforable looking chairs before the desk.

Jubilation Lee has posed:
    As soon as that air of authority fades, Jubilation's own demeanor relaxes, too. She smiles widely, which happens to expose her fangs. She used to be able to retract them, but it was an accident and she forgot how she did it that one time. "Oh, good!" she says eagerly, happy to hear that he heard of her and she, apparently, found the right guy. She isn't entirely sure why she was directed here, only that it was beneficial to come.

    As soon as they head into the office, Jubilation practically flops onto one of the offered seats, hooking one leg over an arm rest as she makes a point to be demonstratively comfortable. "So, is this, like, some kind of church? It seems like a church but... It doesn't, you know, feel like one..." She shrugs her shoulders and leans into the padded seat.

    "Jon told me you would be good to talk to about, you know..." Jubilee sticks her jaw out to the side so her mouth opens and puts one of her fangs on prominent display. "...Stuff."

Marc Spector has posed:
    Mr. Knight clasps his hands together and rests them on his lap. "It's a temple. Not a church. Dedicated to Khonshu, Egyptian god of the Moon. Khonshu is known by many names. The Traveler. The Pathfinder. The Defender. The Embracer. He is the light of the night. And a protector of those who walk it." He gestures to the young woman seated before him. "That includes vampires who are not beholden to their baser instincts."

    "Speaking of. When was the last time you fed?" he asks. "I know it's a personal question, but it would help if I knew what state your Hunger was in. Do not misunderstand. I do not fear you. But I have found that when speaking of 'stuff' as you so put it, the Hunger has a tendency to grow in strength and if I can pacify it here and now, it might aid in our discourse."

Jubilation Lee has posed:
    The subject of when she last fed draws some discomfort out of Jubilation. A slight squirm, an adjustment of her posture. The man's immediate point about it being a personal question, though, immediately puts her at ease. She looks up at him carefully, as though inspecting him for any signs that she shouldn't trust him at his word. "I, uh... I'm fine," Jubilation answers quietly, eyes darting away as she does. The mutant vampire frowns, apparently at herself, for her own reticence. Immediately, Jubilee's gaze returns to Mr. Knight.

    "I had some at the Laughing Magician," she explains. "Chas microwaved some. I, uh, don't like showing up to places...you know, hungry. Seems rude." Dangerous is perhaps the better word but she doesn't say it.

    Jubilation's mind circles back to Mr. Knight's earlier point. "Is there really a god that looks after vampires?" she asks with great interest, eyebrows hiked up. "Like, really really?"

Marc Spector has posed:
    Mr. Knight nods. "Yes. Night walkers. Those who can only walk under the light of the moon are his responsibility. Vampires are almost implicitly implied by that very definition." He gestures to himself. "I am the High Priest of Khonshu in this city. As such, I have a great deal of understanding of the dogma--his teachings. As long as you do your best to keep your Hunger under control and do not turn into a predator of the night, he will look over you and protect you as he would anyone else who walks the dark paths."

    His tone turns serious. "But should you fail. Should you succumb to the baser desires of your Hunger. He will be there to ensure that your fall does not harm others for too long. The end will be swift and merciless for His Fist, His Knight will be upon you and nothing you can do will stay his vengence."

    He lets that warning sink in, the only sound in the room is the slow ticking of a wall clock.

Jubilation Lee has posed:
    And that would be the only sound, that of the ticking clock, for a few long moments. Jubilee shifts in her seat again, her leg bouncing up and down from her knee still draped over the armrest. It's a carefree, though perhaps disrespectful, way to sit in someone's office. But, she's a teenager and will forever be one. Finally, she speaks.

    "That's what I'm trying to do," Jubilee answers, staring up at the man. "I don't want to hurt anyone... And, and I think I've been doing, like, okay... I accidentally glamoured some kids at school, but that's about it." She shrugs. "Got six weeks of detention for that, which, I might add, seems totally unfair! It was an accident!" Jubilation shakes her head, apparently unable to see the scope of what they're talking about here. Khonshu surely has no interest in the day-to-day affairs at her school.

    "They say I'm special," Jubilee adds. "...That I could be a 'queen among my kind.' I don't know... John says I was cursed, not bitten... And he's never seen that before." Constantine has never seen it before. THAT's spooky!

Marc Spector has posed:
    Mr. Knight seems to find that surprising as well if his sudden start is any indication. "That *is* intersting. I believe the first ones were cursed as well. That you are of that particular line would make you rather formidable indeed."

    His tone turns from speculative to considerate. "That is a rather hefty sentence for one who made a simple mistake. The current model of discipline is not one I approve of or adhere to, I assure you." He pauses. "Glamouring a small group to do something that did not harm them is hardly cause for concern. No. Any punishment from Khonshu would come only if you lose your ability to control that which is inside you." He adds. "Do not think Khonshu's request too daunting. I am not asking you to not feed. After all, starvation only leads to an easier fall as the Hunger within would seek to preserve itself. No. I simply ask that you seek alternative methods to sate your thirst."

    A slight tug at the corners of the mask might indicate a smile underneath the nearly featureless fabric. "It seems that you have found one such place in the bar John Constantine operates from. I will extend my own offer, as well. Should you find your Hunger too great. I can provide you a source of nourishment. I have a rather ample supply of blood set aside and kept fresh here at the Mission for the wayward and needing."

    He regards her for a moment and then ask. "I do apologize for the personal questions. But I must ask, do you have a safe place to stay during the day? One that would protect you from the harmful light of the sun?"

Jubilation Lee has posed:
    Jubilation's own lineage does not give her much amusement, it seems. "Yeah, well, it would be nice to have had someone who came before me, you know?" she admits. "I mean, aren't we, you know, vampires... Aren't we supposed to be, like, really into genealogy? You know..." Jubilation pendulums her head left and right as she starts reciting.

    "God cursed Caine, who sired Enoch, who sired Arikel, who sired Amarantha..." She stops right there, figuring Mr. Knight gets her point. It looks like she's been doing some homework... Interesting! She shrugs her shoulders and lets out a demonstrative sigh. It's just an effect, as she was holding no breath since she, well, doesn't breathe. "As far as I can tell...Jubilation was cursed. That's it," she explains, shrugging her shoulders.

    Mr. Knight's point about glamouring gets a frown and an enthusiastic nod. "Yeah, right! I didn't /mean/ to do it! And, I mean, they just ended up doing my hair and nails, so... It's not like anything /bad/ happened..." She sounds frustrated. Logan gave her a lot of detention for that little accident and she is STILL sore about it.

    "I've been, um, going for animals..." Jubilee admits, eyes lowering. It's a cause of shame for vampires, it seems, as there's nothing lower than drinking the blood of animals. "...And, well, I'm guessing you /know/ what happened with /that/...." Constantine's amulet. The one powered by his life force, gifted to Jubilation without an explanation for what it was doing. Still, the young vampire smiles up at Mr. Knight -- a big, wide smile just full of energy and happiness. He was asking her questions! And he seems to even care about her answers! Respect!

    "Oh, yeah, I... Well, I don't know. They moved me into my own apartment... I covered up all the windows... But, I don't know if it's, you know, safe..." Jubilation squirms again. Anyone with even the smallest intuition would see she's clearly withholding some details. She's telling the truth but is holding some of it back...

Marc Spector has posed:
     Mr. Knight isn't one to pry but this is a matter of the young woman's safety. He leans forward ever so slightly. "That might be dangerous. Your condition is very suceptible to the sunlight as I am certain you are aware. Should one of these converings fail, it could very well spell your death."

    He pauses for moment and then, "Are you certain there is nothing else you wish to say to me about your living accomodations?" He looks around the office. "I understand that speaking to a man you just met about the particulars of your life can be... daunting. I simply want you to know that what you say here will stay between you and I. No one else needs to know about any of it."

    Even with the mask in place it's clear there is a concerned smile on his face as he adds. "I only wish to help, you Miss Lee."

Jubilation Lee has posed:
    "Jubilation. Or Jubilee, if you prefer," she offers. Jubilation closes her eyes and takes a deep, pointless, demonstrative breath. It's used as a communication tool, a non-verbal clue that she's giving the moment as much importance as she should. What else can she say about her living situation? Other students might have been excited to get moved into the college housing. After all, they get apartments.

    "So, uh, I go to this...private school," Jubes explains, hesitating again. That's as far as she goes. This isn't just about her. It's about everyone at that school and their safety. "I was the RA in the dorm, but they took my keys away. They moved me into my own apartment when they found out what happened. Said I was a danger to the other kids. They moved me away from Nori..." Jubilee's eyes close and she unhooks her leg from the arm rest, choosing now to sit like a normal person. The facade of her gregarious personality, perhaps, is fading away. "And all the kids know. They're afraid of me. Guys are daring their friends to sneak up on me and get a selfie. One of the teachers has been patrolling around at night... I think because of me."

    Jubilee looks up at Mr. Knight, a thin red line accumulating on each of her lower eyelids. It seems that she has very real issues with her living situation, yeah. "...Kids are saying how if they go into a dark bathroom and stare at the mirror, I'll show up and kill them if they chant my name," she adds softly. Like the Bloody Mary dare.

    What is she getting at? Well. "...My living situation sucks," she summarizes. Jubilation manages to crack a small smile as a single tear of blood falls from her eyelid and goes down her cheek. "No pun intended, though."

Marc Spector has posed:
    Mr. Knight nods in consolation and produces a handkerchief that he offers to her. It is of course white like everything else on him. "I understand. People fear that which they don't fully comprehend and that forces them to take action *against* that object of fear." He sighs. "Should you need a more secure, safe, and hidden place to stay, there are a number of rooms beneath the Mission. They are windowless. Sealed. And protected from intrusion and the sun. These I also offer to you should your dormatory lodgings become untennable."

    He pushes off from the desk and walks around behind it. Opening a drawer, he produces a pair of keys on a small ring. "I will provide you with a key to the downstairs facilities that will work on one of the sleeping quarters below. They are not much. But they are safe, comfortable, and free from prying eyes and cruel children. That much I can assure you." He hands the pair of keys out to woman as well.

Jubilation Lee has posed:
    Jubilation waves her hand at the pristine white handkerchief. She doesn't dare ruin it with her tears, which she takes care of with the back of her hand. The same one that receives the keys. "Thank you..." is all Jubilee can say as she stares down at the pieces of metal in the palm of her porcelain hand. She curls her fingers around them and smiles, a wrinkle forming at the bridge of her nose.

    Finally, Jubilee stands up and shoves the keys into one of her pockets. "Thank you, Mr. Knight," she says again, making a vague motion like she might be moving to the door soon. "I better get going. I don't like to leave it to chance..." She's referring, of course, to getting back to Westchester before the sun decides to come up.

Marc Spector has posed:
    "Of course. Please, come back to see me again, Jubilation. I look forward to ensuring your progress" Mr. Knight replies beginning to move with her.

    "Take care of yourself and do not forget my offers. They are open and free to all vampires who wish to contain their more predatory urges. So, please, spread the word amongst the others of your kind and disposition, if you come across any." There is a somber tone there. "I know it is rare to find those who wish to better themselves even through this change, however it is bestowed upon them."

    He smiles to the young woman. "And should you need anything else at all, do not hesitate to seek me out. The Mission is always open to those who seek Khonshu's protection." He produces a simple white card with the name of the Mission on it and a single phone number. "Direct line," he says, patting his inside coat pocket.