9862/Atlantis Found

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Atlantis Found
Date of Scene: 28 January 2022
Location: Shadowcrest Manor - Bristol Township
Synopsis: Patience finds her way to Shadowcrest where she meets Atrun-Rai, Charlie Gage and its owner. The three women discuss learning to wield magic.
Cast of Characters: Atrun Rai, Patience Alperen, Zatanna Zatara, Charlotte Gage-Radcliffe




Atrun Rai has posed:
    The library of Shadowcrest manor is a cavernous place in an already cavernous location - lined with books, filled with elegant furniture, and with an enormous fireplace in which a cheery blaze cooks away. Glorious, really, in the way of all wizarding families.

    Which, of course, begs the question of what sort of haven the man sitting in an overstuffed wingback chair might have. Sitting there, dressed in black clothes that recall strongly a priest's cassock and overrobe - but not /entirely/ so. In his hands he holds a large, hexagonal book, black covers curiously bound in silver, its cover etched with fluid, swirling glyphs. Like Hammurabi reviewing a new law to levy, he strokes his beard and considers the tome's contents.

Patience Alperen has posed:
    Patience finally found out about the house, after a while. She feels adrift, and unsure whether her decisions have been the right ones or not. She steps in, cautiously. Seeing light from the library, she'll start in there. "Hello?" she asks, looking over towards Atrun as he sits there. She sees his attire, and blinks. "Father?" She makes the wrong assessment.

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
The door opens for a house servant, liveried in tails and stiff fronted shirt from another century. He bears a silver tray resplendent with a full tea service, mulled wine, and the chef's lastest batch of Greek cookies and baklava.

"Ms. Zatara wishes you to enjoy yourself while she is out and told me to tell you that she will be returning soon sir," he offers in a modulated voice as he lays the service down on a low table not far from where Atrun is sitting. After a formal nod of his head, he leaves.

Prophetic. There is a faint pop as air displaces and a woman in a tailored black coat over a crisp white shirt and pants appears in a corner of the library.

"Oh, good, Atrun-Rai. Settled in then? I was just out to bring someone back with me. Do you know Charlie?" With a pleasant expression, "And who do we have here? Your guest?"

Charlotte Gage-Radcliffe has posed:
    Charlie, the one in question, isn't nearly as fancy dressed as Zatanna. She appeared by Zee when the other returned to the house and she has on a pair of black BDUs that look loose and surprisingly comfortable. Some stompy boots. A Hoodie of the Gotham Knights sports Team, and a pair of orange lens'd goggles pushed up onto her forehead.

    She glances at Atrun-Rai and then over at Patience and back again before looking to Zee and gives an easy going shrug before looking back to the others. "Hi, I'm Charlie." introducing herself with a friendly smile and chirp.

Atrun Rai has posed:
    Atrun-Rai looks up from his reading as the girl in the very casual costume addresses him as 'father'. "I'm afraid not," he says, his accent as vaguely Mediterranean as his appearance - where /is/ he from? "I am from a time long before Yeshua of Nazareth, but He has my utmost respect."

    Oh. Well then.

    "But I bid you welcome, as much as I may without this being my house. And you are...?" Oh, and then there's Zatanna, and Charlie to boot. "I have no idea who this young woman is, Miss Zatanna. But here she is, so I must assume her friendly, yes?" Charlie gets a nod as well, and a momentary broadening of a smile in greeting.

Patience Alperen has posed:
    Patience looks over, surprised, as the two ladies appear. "I don't think I'll ever get used to that." And then more surprises drop on her. "You are older than our Savior?" A faint sigh escapes her lips. Of course no one's told them of her. Why would they?

    "My name is Patience. I'm...well, I had assumed I was a new recruit, of sorts. Perhaps not. But I am honored to meet all of you."

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
"Hello," Zatanna says with rounded tones and a quiet, pleased smile. "Welcome to my house. This is Charlie Gage, another magician like myself though still honing her skills." She waves the young woman she just introduced to the center of the room, where two settees face each other around a low table set with the ornate tea service. "Help yourself, Charlie."

Turning to Patience, "You must tell us about yourself. We often welcome people new to their skills and offer our help." She grins suddenly, "That was not a royal we. But, of course, I mean the mages and witches affiliated with the Justice League. Sit down, and can I offer you tea?"

Charlotte Gage-Radcliffe has posed:
    "Patience... I'm told I need to work on that." amusement in her voice as she slinks towards the tea service and looks it all over. "Ah yisss... " at the whole help yourself.

    She at this point is pretty familiar with the finger sandwich options between Zatanna's chef and Alfred after all. She carefully fills a tiny plate up with a few of her favorite before heading over to flop down in one of the chairs.

Nom. Nom. Nom.

Atrun Rai has posed:
    "By forty thousand years," Atrun-Rai offers to Patience. "Yes. I am from the early days of Atlantis, when man still spoke to gods and angels alike." He smiles. "You're Catholic, I think. Do not worry, I betray nor mock your faith. I simply predate it."

    Then, to Zatanna and her charge. "This is Miss Gage, is it? Hello. I am pleased to meet you. I am Atrun-Rai."

Patience Alperen has posed:
    Forty. Thousand. Years. Patience stares. "I am in so over my head. And I am...formerly...of the Inquisition. I am the Magdalena." The title was recognizable to some she'd given it to before. "And I would dearly love some tea. And to sit." She moves to do just that, and has a bit of a thousand yard stare. Charlie's comment actually helps. It's hard to be too awed when someone's dropping an aw yiss.

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
"Perhaps a bit," delivered to Charlie with a pointed smile. Then to Atrun-Rai, "Yes, the one and only. I rather think there may be some points in common between you two, Atrun-Rai. As all of us, she could benefit from your knowledge."

Focusing on Patience, "Daunting, isn't it? He, fortunately, doesn't look his age. And, if I'm not mistaken, did not live out those years."

"The Magdalena," Zatanna blinks, covering her surprise with a nod. "An honor to meet you. What brings you to the United States? Are you settling in well?"

Charlotte Gage-Radcliffe has posed:
    Charlie is definitely not the formal imposing brooding ancient mage type. She looks like she is barely legally an adult and is nomming small sandwiches like a champion. "Things in common.. wif atlantis?" her mouth may be a bit full, she looks to Atrun-Rai curious now and then reaches to get herself a glass of juice.

    "Try the little ones on rye, they are totes fantastic." pointing out one to Patience. "What's does Magdalena mean?"

Atrun Rai has posed:
    "Magic is the business of revelation," says the self-described Atlantean; he gets to his feet, then, closing his book and tucking it under his arm. "It will shatter the faith of the most doughty of souls if they let it. But be cheered in these truths." Atrun-Rai bends slightly, and if she allows it lays a gloved hand upon Patience's shoulder. "God as you understand Him is real, Yeshua was his messenger, and Heaven is a place where the deserving live in peace, comfort, and beauty." A pat. "But everything else is far broader, and different, than one faith can contain. Draw peace from what I have told you, and you will be anchored."

    And with this, he lifts a hand in a curious gesture over his heart. "I must go. Be well, all of you - it is good to meet you, young sisters." Atrun-Rai takes his exit, nodding to Zatanna as he exits. Where does he go? Who can say?

Patience Alperen has posed:
    Patience looks rather stunned with Atrun-Rai's comments. "Thank you." Her voice is surprised, soft. A little stunned. "Thank you very much." She didn't need the boost to her faith. But this is the first person in the group she's met who hasn't more or less attacked her for her faith.

She smiles at Zatanna. "I had come because of the recent...divine issues. Things have not gone as I expected." She looks to Charlie after that. "It means I am...was...the Inquisition's champion; the descendant of Mary Magdalene and our Savior."

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
"Well," Zee says with a bemused look. In a soft, even voice, she observes, "He can't help it. He's still adapting to modern ways though I don't doubt for a moment that he speaks the truth as he knows it. And, I'm sorry that folks have felt it necessary to attack your beliefs even though I don't share them. Delicately, she adds, "I know something of the lore around the Church and the Magdalena. If I can be of help, let me know."

What she does not add is that her ancestors had suffered and hid from the rapacious violence of the Inquisition in previous centuries. She holds the young woman's eyes for a moment then pours herself a cup of tea.

"Charlie, what have you been up to recently? Have you seen Amy Winston? I've been wondering what we should be working on next."

Charlotte Gage-Radcliffe has posed:
    "Honestly at this point I kind of assume everything is real... elves.. check... faeries which are not elves check.. werewolves check.. angels check.. vampires check." pauses to take stock "You get the idea."

    She looks after the Atlantis guy and then back to Zee "Didn't Atlantis sink or blow up.... was he frozen in a block of ice in the ocean like Captain America?"

    "Huh... I guess I shouldn't be surprised the Inquisition is also real or rather still around.... uh did they... do they burn mages and witches and ... " sort of gestures at Patience giving her look. It isn't sketchy just questioning. "Or isthat like.. fake news...and no Zee haven't met Amy yet?"

Patience Alperen has posed:
    Patience smiles as she hears Zatanna. "As the somewhat pithy saying goes, you don't have to believe in God. He believes in you." But that segues into a sigh at Charlie's question. "These days they tend more towards killing evil monsters. But some regrettable choices were made in the past. It's part of why I have separated myself from the Inquisition. I'll still work to protect people from evil...but on my terms. Not theirs. Where our goals align, we can work together. But I'll decide where that happens."

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
With a grin, Zatanna listens to Charlie rattle off a list of "mythological" creatures. She sets her cup down with a click, saying, "Pretty much. Include yourself in the list and it'll be complete, Ms. Gage. Some day, you'll be a power to be reckoned with and hardly believable."

Zee glances at the book ATrun-Rai has left behind. "He comes from the time before Atlantis, something on the lines of what the former British Empire is to Britain now. Everyone was magic in his time and like people everywhere got into trouble wielding its power. He was taken by the Old Ones. I should let him tell you. It's not a happy story but he is not the villain, by any means."

Listening to Patience, the homo magi nods several times as she explains her separation from the Inquisition. "Then we all have similar goals, no matter our core beliefs."

Charlotte Gage-Radcliffe has posed:
    "Well.. I'm just happy that we have the whole reputation of magic item theft cleared up.. stupid demons three..." she sips her juice. "I suppose some day I might have a fearsome reputation." then she deadpans "Rawr".

    "Oh I've been helping the WAND crew and Jon deal with archivist stuff... that has been a nice break from Gotham stuff." she should probably let her mentor know stuff like that after all right.

    "Old one sounds scary.... so what magic do you do Patience?" making assumptions that might be wrong.

Patience Alperen has posed:
    Patience listens interestedly to both. "I don't do magic. Normally, I am armed with the Spear of Destiny. But right now, it's out of my possession. So I am using a temporary replacement." she answers Charlie. "I thank you both for your information, though. And your acceptance. Things have not gone so well since I left the church, and I'm finding out how limited my education was."

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
"Intersting times with the Archivist, Charlie? Keep me posted, I do appreciate it.

Her sapphire eyes shift to Patience, "Well, of course. Mages should work together when their goals are to better people's lots and not selfish."

Her mouth tightens when Patience says she does not possess magic but the object she wields does. Leave it to Charlie to ask Patience what she was too polite to ask. As a mage whose very blood is magic, she thought she had recognized another in her.

"Out of your possession?" Zee puts down the cookie she was about to take a bite of. "Do you know where it is?"

Charlotte Gage-Radcliffe has posed:
    "And spears of destiny.. check." adding it to her list of things that sound like they are made up but are real after all.

    "Why wouldn't we accept you and your help... you protect people from evil monsters that want to hurt innocent people. I protect people too." a shrug and then a stretch for a pastry dessert, what with having had savory first. Manners and all. Right. "Also sorry about the angels being jerkfaces."

    "We rescued a girl from a mirror and a bad magician.. maybe his daughter though she is a bit of a pyro.. seems very complicated TBH."

    Nom. Pastry.

Patience Alperen has posed:
    "I do not." Patience signs. "My connection to it feels...fragmented. I can't tell more than that. I am using the Glacier Stone in its absence." Just another apocalyptic item. "Because some people hold me responsible for the actions of the Inquisition. I can understand it; people are angry and need a means of release for that. But I would be honored to learn whatever I can of magic from you. I'm afraid most of what I thought was truth was propaganda, and I spent my life in the church. I'm...badly misinformed."

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
Zatanna shares a look with Charlie. "If you feel that someone like myself and Charlie, under my supervision," her mouth quirks briefly at that before she continues, "then we could help you to be in harmony with the power that resides in you."

She nods once to confirm her words, "I don't think that it is just the object that contains the power, Patience. Does that surprise you?"

Charlotte Gage-Radcliffe has posed:
    "What is the Glacier stone.. I mean other than ice related... I assume it is ice related. Though knowing magic naming conventions it could be totally off base I guess."

    "Zee is the better teacher than me... which is why I am learning from her about it. Which is way better than a lot of the alternatives. Definitely do not take magic lessons from John." she shakes her head. "I'm happy to help too though."

Patience Alperen has posed:
    Patience looks a little confused at Zatanna's statement. "I'm not surprised there's power in my blood, not given what it is. But I wouldn't know how to make use of it, not in that way. I had only intended to learn facts. But if there's more than that that can be learned..." She boggles a bit at even the concept, and comes out of it by answering Charlie. "The Glacier Stone controls primal ice and cold." She takes the artifact out of a pocket. The glistening white stone radiates power. "Having this makes me nervous. It takes a strong will to stop if from taking over."

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
"John," she chortles. "he can be surprising good at times but one never knows what is going to boil up from the depths. We only recently understood that so much of his erratic behavior was because he was possessed by a demon."

She exhales audibly, "But, as per usual, he managed to dupe the demon and is back with us for the most part when he is not with his wife in Faerie."

"It is an enormous step to accept that one has inherent powers and then bravery to explore them."

When Patience removes the object from her pocket, the whole house resonates in a low harmonic to its power. "It wasn't just that that I felt."

There is a moment of tense silence as Zatanna contemplates the powerful stone in the young woman's hand. "It is your decision whether you wish to explore your power. Not anyone could wield those objects. They must possess the will and the magic to wield them."

Charlotte Gage-Radcliffe has posed:
    "John is complicated. I mean .. I owe him deeply for helping get the demo out of me when it possessed me. Demons are absolutely the fricking worst..."

    Charlie absolutely headless of all of the danger doesn't look cautious she just leans in for a better look when the Glacier Stone is pulled out and displayed. I mean she doesn't touch it. When she leans in though there is another thrum in the room to those magically attuned, different harmonics. Chaos. The ambient light in the room takes on a slight ruby hue for a split moment before Charlie yanks her hand back startled "Yowch... crackers."

Patience Alperen has posed:
    Patience hesitates a long moment. "I have learned that there is good magic and evil magic. And I don't wish to offend at all. But I don't know what kind it is that you two use." She swallows. "But yes. I would learn what you would show me. I need to know more of...what being what I am means." She smiles to Charlie. "Careful. If you let it, it will try to take you." She seems confused at...something. The chaos. She has the ability to sense it, but not the training.

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
"Put the stone away, dear," Zatanna says.

"Thank you for showing us." Eyes narrowed, eyebrows raised, she gives Charlie an admonishing look as Chaos magic flares, hoping that the reaction Charlie solicited from the gem is enough to stop her from touching an occult object casually. Heedlessness can definitely lead to headlessness in the worst of cases.

"And grey magic. Sometimes life is not as clear cut as we would like it to be. If I can be of help, then I will. Charlie is learning from me." She does not explain that Chaos magic can inadvertently hurt people around it or the person possessing it.

Charlotte Gage-Radcliffe has posed:
    Charlie didn't even really reach for it dangit. She sucks on a fingertip then curls back in properly admonished. That didn't just tingle her hand it rang her bell and she can still hear the ringing echos in her head. "I didn't even touch it Zee.. ugn."

    Sulk muppet now as she curls into the chair. She is well versed in the dangers of chaos magic hurting those around her after all. No explanation is needed. "Zee is a good teacher, despite my sterling example."

Patience Alperen has posed:
    Patience nods, and pockets the gemstone. "I have no reason to doubt you ladies. So I simply say thank you. To both of you." She smiles to Charlie. "At least you won't be the newest student." And then, she looks to Zatanna. "Am I right in assuming that this is your home?" she changes the topic slightly.

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
Zatanna looks around the room, the fire flares as if acknowledging the pride in her nod. "It is. It has been been in this form since the 16th Century, the previous house was smaller. My father moved us to Gotham when I was a child. He was close to Batman. You are welcome to come here when you need to rest as is Charlie."

Shifting her attention back to Charlie. "We have some work to do, I think. Do you have the time?"

Charlotte Gage-Radcliffe has posed:
    Charlie nods "It's a very cool house. Far as I can tell it is a rule that magical people have cool houses. Though I don't live here I stay elsewhere... and just spend a lot of time here."

    She glances to Zee "I have a few hours before I need to go on patrol, and I've been working on the homework you gave me."

Patience Alperen has posed:
    "Thank you. Thank you both for everything you have offered. For what it is, may the Lord bless you." Patience offers. "I must get some things. But thank you for the offer. Right now I don't have a place of my own." She stands. "I'll hope to talk to you again soon." And with a nod, she'll step towards the exit.