9023/Angels, Demons, and Death

Angels, Demons, and Death
Date of Scene:	10 December 2021
Location:	Lady Death's Sanctuary, Hell's Kitchen
Synopsis:	The Archivist and Zatanna ask Lady Death to murder an angel. It's a pretty easy ask.
Cast of Characters:	Hope Svelgate, Zatanna Zatara, Jonathan Sims

---

Hope Svelgate has posed:
In Hell's Kitchen, New York, where the urban decay eats away at even the illustrious island of Manhattan, there sits an old church, forgotten by all save the Earthbound spirits, even the religion that built it. It is this place where the veil between worlds thins that has become a beachhead of sorts for the one called Lady Death, a dark figure of much controversy even among the Lords of Hell.

Stray newspapers blow down the street cartwheeling end of end like urban tumbleweeds as the cold winds of winter blow through an area so blighted compared to the rest of the island as to earn the nickname Hell's Kitchen, for whatever horrors it might be cooking up next. The building creeks and beneath the chill wind, as a bright while half-moon looks down upon the empty streets without a soul to be seen.

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
The magician wears well-tailored black, fitting for a visit to Lady Death that she and Jon prepare to visit. Not that the clothes matter. Still, her stage background requires dressing the part.

In this case, a respectful suppliant supporting a friend (as much as he protests the friendship) she respects and loves. The polar opposite of Constantine, who she is sure would appear before the queen with a cigarette hanging from his lip and his shirttail trailing out of his pants.

A tiny pop announces their arrival before the great wooden door in a puff of crystalline flakes as the cold air freezes the warm air they bring with them.

Jonathan Sims has posed:
    Jon decides to come as the Archivist, because that's how he spoke to Lady Death before, and because he figures it's respectful to admit to his own power and not try to hide it from her. If she has an issue he can always turn it off. So he's wearing the beaded bodice and pleated skirt and trousers, the colorful pleated cape, the ibis mask and feather of ma'at.

    He looks the door up and down and sighs. "This always feels like a foolish proposition," he notes. But then he steps forward to knock, and announce their presence.

Hope Svelgate has posed:
The doors do not seem to be barred, but that could be a relative thing if the magic that normally seals them is simply not being enforced. Indeed, the way swings open revealing the interior coated in dust and cobwebs looking very much the part of the abandoned church that it is. In the distance at the other end of the main hall a beautiful set of stained glass windows glitter as the moonlight hits them. The windows are highly detailed, featuring in order of prominence, the Holy Mother and then the Trinity, with a smaller set below showing the Stations of the Cross. All seems quiet though. Maybe Lady Death isn't home? Maybe she's gone?

This sense of emptiness is allowed to hang in the air for a few minutes before a small mote of flame appears above the altar, floating there in the air. It slowly expands and contorts in shape becoming a portal of Hellfire, a window into another world, the other side of which looks like an opulent palace of gothic décor, and through this portal steps the White Witch herself, She Who Reaps, Lady Death.

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
The quiet before the storm, the magic in the empty sanctum is as deep as the dust and cobwebs that mask its old beauty. Zatanna's eyes are drawn first to the moonlit jewels of the stained glass as she advances down the aisle. First a glimmer, then the altar glows with her coming and magic swells in the church like the booming of a great pipe organ. The homo magi gives a short bow without speaking. It's Jon place to present his petition.

Jonathan Sims has posed:
    The Archivist isn't entirely comfortable in churches in general--they've never felt welcoming, and even less so now that he officially serves other gods entirely. They're lovely, though, peaceful, so he does not break the silence until Lady Death arrives.

    He steps forward and bows, one foot slightly forward, one hand held to his chest. "Lady Death," he says, "thank you for seeing us. I thought it would be polite to keep you informed of goings-on in Hell's Kitchen--events I'm certain you're aware of, through your friend Virgil Solomon, but I thought that it would behoove us to keep you informed. And to say that we may need your aid."

    He glances to Zatanna, briefly, then says, "Zatanna and myself come on behalf of the Justice League Dark, regarding the recent murders in Hell's Kitchen."

Hope Svelgate has posed:
Having stepped through the portal, Lady Death floats there in the air for a moment before descending slowly to the floor, hands resting on her hips. "Justice League Dark?" She turns over the unfamiliar name in her mind by repeating it aloud. "Is that what you're calling yourselves now?"

From up above come shuffling noises, and sounds like claws on wood. Lady Death glances towards the stairs that lead to the rectory as a pair large wolf creatures, the Nameless Wolves, begin to descend from above. "It looks like you woke up my friends." She seems almost amused as the fierce looking creatures pad over to be scritched by their mistress.

"I have heard about the murders from Virgil." She continues, though apparently hasn't heard enough to be spurred to action. "Isn't this why you formed your little group, running around messing with the vale between worlds, to deal with situations like this?"

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
Zatanna exchanges a glance with Jon, her sapphire eyes returning to the white form above the altar. She steadfastly ignores the click of claws on the stone floor.

"Our little group," she can't ignore the faint sneer in Lady Death's description, "has fought beside you Lady and know your strength which is why we are here before you today. The atrocities need to be stopped. Something is out of balance."

Jonathan Sims has posed:
    The Archivist smirks, a thing easy enough to see; the mask doesn't hide the lower part of his face. "That is, indeed, what we're calling ourselves now. Official recognition from the Justice League proper, leadership... to be determined." He looks up and around at the wolves. Takes in a deep breath, lets it out slowly. It's easier, when he's like this, not to be rattled by mystical beasts.

    He nods to Zatanna's words, as well. "The murders are happening in your back yard, so to speak. And I know that Virgil would keep you informed, but I thought..." He sighs. "/We/ are in your back yard. Camped right in it, so it behooves us to be good neighbors. To be polite, and keep you abreast of what we know."

    He hesitates a moment, thinking of how to say this, then goes on, "I don't know if Virgil was aware, but... these murders are being committed by an angel. Not a demon, not a Fallen. An angel, operating /technically/ under its normal purview, but in a way that is, indeed, out of balance."

Hope Svelgate has posed:
Lady Death kneels down giving the massive wolf creatures scritches and pets as if they were family pets and not beasts that might tear an unwitting human limb from limb for their dinner. "So, Heaven has actually decided to stop being useless and actually enforce the rules they made for a change? Where was that four hundred years ago when innocents were being burned in their name?" There is a sense of indignation at perceived hypocrisy that is wholly personal for her.

"And you are sure none of you did anything to invite them? The Heavenly Host does not typically show up on a whim, they have long maintained a certain dispassionate disinterest in even the most terrible of plights." She straightens up again from her crouch. "Once upon a time, another me believed in Heaven, followed their rules, and was utterly let down. If they think they can waltz in here now, they can get fucked." The wolves bristle for a moment at her tone, but a hand on the back of each calms them again. "So, tell me what you know. I'm listening."

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
"No official invitation was sent to my knowledge, Lady," Zatanna replies, disingenuously.

More seriously, she comments, "It has been a concern that someone inadvertently called and was answered. The punishments meted out don't fit the crimes. Unless, Heaven sees fit to make hell on earth. I personally find it hard to believe that it is angelic but all evidence points to it being just that. Twisted into something hideous, by my lights." Though she pretends to not react, the cold winds of Lady Death's ire raises goosebumps on Zatanna's arms.

Jonathan Sims has posed:
    The Archivist nods to Zatanna. "Either the angels are here to deal with a new demonic threat, or someone summoned the thing. Potentially inadvertantly. I've been to nine crime scenes now. I've seen the last moments of each of the victims. It is an angel--quite possibly working through a mortal. We can't know how or why until we track the damn thing down."

    He looks firmly to Lady Death. "If it's not here because of us... it may be here because of /you/. An enemy, perhaps. Not that I'm blaming you--I find it just as likely that our group is somehow connected. Nearly every member of the Justice League Dark is on the suspect list, even if I think most of them, like Zatanna here, wouldn't be /stupid/ enough to let an angel loose without strictures. But... some people think angels an unmitigated good in the world. You and I know better." He has no more love of Heaven than Lady Death, apparently. Not anymore.

    He sighs. "If the pattern holds, the angel will attack someone else Friday night. It's threatened us--or, well, specifically, me and a few others, but the threat may hold for the larger group. We're trying to pull together a plan to lay someone out as bait so it doesn't go after any more civilians, but regardless of /that/, we have little direct experience fighting angels. And this thing needs to be stopped--it's out of bounds, as it were. Enforcing murders the same as shoplifting. Whatever Heaven or Hell may think, /other/ powers deem it to be out of balance." He glowers. "And besides, I don't like the meddlesome winged gits."

Hope Svelgate has posed:
Lady Death actually laughs at the distinction made between angels and demons. "Stray from the commandments and there is no punishment too terrible for the heavenly host to inflict. Red hot pikes, boiled in molten fire, incineration in holy light. The light stands for Order, it is only your friend so long as you obey and bow your head. The opposite is also true, Hell is full of atrocities but it is also a place of freedom in its own way, shaped by Lucifer's rebellion. Free to be tortured, free to suffer horribly, but free. Heaven and Hell are extremes of a spectrum but not the spectrum that most people think."

When the Archivist suggests the angel might be here for her, Lady Death just gives a little shrug. "It wouldn't surprise me. I am a threat to there Order, however, if they were here for me it would not be at the behest of a mortal."

She regards Jon coolly for a long moment with those glowing white pits that pass for her eyes. "I don't give a fuck what what Other Powers or /Any/ Powers think. If they have so many opinions they're welcome to fight it themselves. But I'll destroy your angel, not for anyone else, but because like I said, if they think they can just waltz in here now, they can get fucked."

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
"Lady, you know the history and lived through the persecutions inflicted in Heaven's name while the angels looked on indifferently." Will she disagree aloud with her over the question of freedom? She allows herself a question, "Is anyone but the most powerful ever free to leave Heaven or Hell?"

"Whatever the reason for this being walking among us, we count ourselves among the fortunate with your presence."

Jonathan Sims has posed:
    The Archivist nods. He agrees with her assessment of both Heaven and Hell. There's only /one/ afterlife for his people--either you get in or you don't. If you don't, all you face is oblivion. The concept of eternal punishment seems... /extra/ to him, in all honesty.

    He smiles, though. "The powers in question /are/ fighting the angel. Through me. But, yes, I figured you'd... well. This /is/ your territory, after all." He shifts uncomfortably. He doesn't like that they're... there, but he's not certain how to get them out of Hell's Kitchen now.

Hope Svelgate has posed:
Lady Death glances at Zatanna for a moment and shrugs, "Are they free to leave Earth or any world? In Heaven the rules are everything, set in stone, immutable. In Hell there are no rules save for the ever changing ones that the powerful choose to enforce according to their whims. The weak have no say in anything. They are crushed beneath the boots of both sides."

Her hands return to her hips as she studies the Archivist again. It is a very appraising look with 'Oh really?' clearly written across her face. "I see, then I look forward to seeing you on the Battlefield." Her lips twitch into a wicked grin.

Jonathan Sims has posed:
    The Archivist reaches out a hand to twitch the edge of his cape, irritably. Or nervously. Maybe both. "Yes, well," he mutters. "Wasn't /my/ bloody idea, but evidently it's in the job description. Judge those who do not die in the normal course of life. I suppose when you serve Balance and Harmony you're the one that gets called in when people start getting out of line."

    He takes in a long breath. Lets it out. "We're going to try to bait it out. Failing that, we'll just have to track it down. I'll give you a ring if we find it--and if /you/ find it and take care of it first, please just let us know?" No business of 'don't go after it on your own' this time. If he knows anyone he figures could handle an angel, it's Lady Death.

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
The homo magi has nothing to add aloud. A long pent up breath leaves her feeling tired, but then she nearly always is in Death's presence. Chao's personified. She will figure in the trap that closes on the bait they will lay out to capture the angelic monster.

After a final bow to Lady Death, she turns and gestures for Jon to lead the way.

Hope Svelgate has posed:
Lady Death cants her head to one side curiously. "Those who do not die in the normal course of life? Careful." Her tone is teasing but there is a definite warning there.

The Archivist's request elicits laugh, even more full throated than her reaction to the notion of Angels being otherwise good. "If I fight one of the Heavenly Host in Hell's Kitchen, I don't think there will be many in this city who do not know." She may have a high opinion of herself but she doesn't underestimate Heaven's elite either.

Jonathan Sims has posed:
    The Archivist smirks. "So noted." A pause, then he adds, "I'll try to avoid asking you for a statement. I don't really want to tangle with /you./"

    He bows, then. "Thank you for your time." He seems more sure of himself than he did when she'd first met him, though not puffed up. Growing into the role, maybe. He turns to go, alongside Zatanna.