Owner Pose
Chas Chandler     Chas has been starting to get feelings. Prods to go some place or be somewhere. Maybe it is a measure of investigative intuition; but Chas has a sneaking suspicion that it is something more 'divine' than just that. And he isn't sure how he feels on that front. Even so, after a while the pressure mounts to something unignorable and he has to go investigate the source.

    That is what has guided him to the hole in the wall pub that is O'Connel's Irish Pub. He goes down the steps to the door set below the street level and opens the small solid oak door that serves as the pub's entrance. Looking around it isn't exactly what he expected. The amount of wood inside was preposterous. Floor, columns, tables, chairs, the bar itself. All solid oak and maple. It was mostly empty at the moment, a pair of older looking men at a table in the back played chess, one other patron, and the bartender. He looked at the men for a moment, no scent of uniqueness about them so that ruled them out. The bartender was rather innocuous as well. So that left the other patron.

    Looking at her--for it was a woman--automatically brought a scent to his nose. Clean, clear water. Purity. Also the scent of ozone. Power. There was a lot of power in the woman. "I guess that settles it..." he says, his deep Liverpundian accent marking the words as he approached her location.
Patience Alperen Patience Alperen didn't have many friends in New York City. In fact, at this moment, she had a grand total of one. And she lived in Westchester. So other than taking time to continue various personal reserach projects, she had very little to do to pass the time. She'd found O'Connel's a few weeks ago. It was rarely busy, the regulars were all good souls, and the bar tender didn't try to pontificate life lessons without being asked. In short, it was a good place to hang out that was not her little apartment. The drinks and food were certainly better.

Tonight the brunette is seated at a table in the back corner of the room by herself. A small StarkOS ultra portable laptop on the table in front of her and a half finished pint beside it. Her gaze is presently on the screen of the laptop, reading intently.
Chas Chandler     Chas isn't one to beat around the bush when he felt providence was in play. He moves forward and stopps at the chair opposite Patience. "Is this seat taken?" he asks softly. He isn't trying to project a sense of divinity around her. Those who could feel what he is would feel it immediately. Those with senses tuned to the Grace of God would sense before them a being -made- of that Grace.

    The fact that the bartender and the men didn't is enough to tell that there was a level of providence in their meeting. He doesn't wait long before moving to take the seat, folding his hands before him and his legs placed under him. He's a big man; imposing even without the angel divinity suffusing his form and he knows that. He's doing his best to contain both at the moment. Overwhelming someone you've been preordained to meet wouldn't do well for a first impression.
Patience Alperen Patience Alperen blinked and looked up from the screen in front of her at the question. She studies the man and the look in her eyes, indeed, reflects that her sense have told her that all is not entirely as it seems with him. She is both curious and guarded. Things like this have happened before. Usually right before the building she was in exploded due to a demon infestation.

But this is on the other end of the spectrum.

Still cautious, Patience closes her laptop screen and takes a slow sip of her pint before responding, "It wasn't. But I think that is about to change?" She offers a slight smile. Her eyes reflect her guarded nature. Too many things that were Good, have shown themselves to be less than interested what is right and holy.

She offers quietly, showing she does at least somewhat grasp the situation, "It isn't often He sends a direct messenger."
Chas Chandler     Chas settles into the seat and chuckles softly. "It isn't often that I get sent directly..." he says before extending his hand. "My name is Chas Chandler and yes, I am an angel though likely unlike any you've ever met" he says politely. "I was a mortal, pure and simple until... December of last year."

    He pauses and then continues. "I don't think He, She, They, sent me for any particular purpose other than to meet you and invite you to join our cause." He allows that to settle in before elaborating on what 'cause' he is referring to.
Patience Alperen Patience Alperen listens and watches him. A soft nod. "Hello Mr. Chandler" she offers politely. Never piss off any sort of more-than-mortal being. Rule #1. A look of curiosity crosses her features. "December..." She thinks, "That was when.. the city was under attack wasn't it?" She was out of the country at that point. There was a vampire problem in Romania. Again.

"Well.. if that is the reason, I will listen. But you should now that I am not looking to be hired by anyone or any cause. I've already left one.. 'good' cause. But, she relents, I would not be against learning more. Or considering contract work." Well it wasn't a hard no. But she's certainly not going to just jump in feet first.
Chas Chandler     Chas smiles. "It was... I was... the catalyst for that invasion. It was my summoning that allowed the Archangel Michael to come down and put forth his... plan for the univsere." He sighs and there is a sadness there. A guilt. He continues "It was handled by the organization--" he pauses and makes a face, "I say organization in the loosest of terms. The group I represent."

    "I would hope that you are familiar with the Justice League? Well, while they can handle a great many problems that face the world... they cannot handle some." He gestures to himself for emphasis. "We are the stopgap for those threats. Demons, Old Gods, ghosts, cryptids of a mystical bent. We are called The Justice League Dark, for what we handle is often shrouded in the dark or uses the dark as it's domain of influence."
Patience Alperen Well that gets her attention. This one was the lightning rod for the whole thing? She is immediately more alert, despite trying not to show it.

A slow nod as the details come out. She buys herself a moment to think on these things by reaching for her pint again. "I now of the Justice League. And.. peripherally, Justice League Dark." She offers a tired smile. "We do seem to travel along the same paths. Troubleshooting those sorts of issues." She sets her glass down and sits back. "I would be willing to learn more." A concession from a few minutes before.
Chas Chandler     "To that end, I would invite you to our base" Chas adds. "I can guarantee that you can continue your... current activities there." He smiles. "There is a fully servicable bar and excellent internet service despite it being in the skies of the astral realm." He pushes back slowly from the table as if making to stand.

    "Will you take my offer?" he asks, offering his hand once more to her to assist her own standing. "I assure you I mean no harm in this invitation." He is being truthful, honest, and open with his offer her own senses of his heart can tell her that much.
Patience Alperen Patience Alperen listens, her mind turning over the details just provided. Astral realm. Well that will be interesting. She looks to him as he stands and asks if she'll agree to go with him.

She sighs softly, leaning forward to take her glass one last time to finish off her pint. She moves to stand and gather her laptop, tucking it into a shoulder bag hanging off the back of her chair.

Looking back to him, she nods, "I will." To his assurances, she smiles thinly. "I mean no disrespect. But I do not believe any intent to harm me would go entirely well for you." Or anyone. Then a nod. "I believe you." And she is being truthful herself.
Chas Chandler     Chas smirks. "Perhaps another day we will test that" he replies. "We will have to see." He starts out of the pub and up the steps to the sidewalk outside the bar to wait for the woman. Once with her he turns and reapproaches the door, withdrawing a small blue key from the pocket of his jeans. "Perhaps, if you agree to join us, you will get one of these. They will work on any door that requires a key," he says inserting the key into the handle of the oak door "Just put it in, turn" there is a click from the door, "and open."

    The interior of the bar is no longer what is on the other side of the door. It's a room decorated in blues. A soft, floating tune comes from a piano. Chas walks in and down a curving staircase to the main level of the sitting room. To one side is a fully serviced bar, but no bartender. "Welcome," he says, up to the balcony where the entry door stands open, "to the Velvet Room."
Patience Alperen Patience Alperen wasn't trying to tempt the fates. But she was also young and perhaps more confident than she should have been. She observes, "If we are on the same side, there is no reason." Seems simple.

She turns to watch him use the key. She looks at it curiously but has little to comment on. At least until the door opens and it is a new interior all together. A curious blink. "That is a neat trick.." she offers appreciatively. She will follow him in, looking around. She nods to him, "Thank you. For the gesture." Trust is hard to earn and harder to show sometimes. It is not lost on her.
Chas Chandler     "There are plenty of reasons, especially if we are on the same side" Chas says as Patience comes in. "How can one hope to compensate for the gaps of an ally if you are unaware of what those gaps are." He gestures to one of the doors off from the main sitting area. "The Training Room can be anything from an obstable course to a 200 storey tower filled with monsters and everything in between."

    Sparring is something we do regularly to encourage group cohesion, trust, and to better understand each others abilities so that we can cover for our allies in combat." He gestures to another of the three doors. "The library is filled with any book read by any person who has inhabited the castle. That means every member of the Justice League Dark--JLD for short--as well as the original proprietor of this castle. I believe he is a Fae lord of some sort... maybe. I'm not sure. Regardless he is immortal and has since moved on to other adventures for himself. Leaving the castle, and his servitors, to us."
Patience Alperen Patience Alperen nods to the point of view. "From that perspective I understand your meaning" she accepts. Looking around the room she takes in the layout. Turning around in circles slowly, she muses, "It is quite impressive.." she looks over to him with a moment of concern, "So. every book I have ever read, were I to join.. is somehow replicated into the library here?" Oh that is cause for anxiety if ever there was one.
Chas Chandler     "Yes..." Chas replies plainly. "Don't worry... those that are dangerous are secured by the custodians of the castle. There are at least two of them... perhaps more..." He moves and opens a door that leads to a long hallway. There are a number of doors and two door sized stained glass windows in the hall. At the other end is an other door. "The rooms here are for guest accomodations and will conform to the shape and size you envision."

    He points at the door at the far end. "At the end of the hall is the castle gardens. It's a good place to go when you need fresh air and perspective... just... I hope you're not afraid of heights." He turns back to her. "I know I was brief in a lot of the tour but it's better to just explore and see for yourself... though that requires your assent to join and assist us should trouble arise that requires our attendance."
Patience Alperen Patience Alperen does not find that completely reassuring. But it's something. She listens to the details that Chas provides, trying to keep track of it ll.

Following along with him, she conitnues to look around with wonder. It really is impressive. The mention of gardens catches her interest. Even with the forboding statement about heights.

She turns to face him. "If I agree. What does that make me obligated to, exactly?" Her mind wanders to the seemingly collaborative environment with the Church. And then they decided she was simply a tool that they owned and could use when and how they wished.
Chas Chandler     Chas looks to Patience and shrugs. "I mean... like I said organization is little heavy a term for us. We work together against threats to the greater world. We banded together against the angels--myself excluded for..." He pauses and frowns. "Well, when you're fused to the Gate of Heaven it tends to keep you rather immobile. Aside from that?" He shrugs.

    "We teach newer practicioners how to control and better access their power and support one another in mystical endeavors." He decides to give a bit of insight into his own work. "For instance, right now I am working for a mysterious contractor who has me chasing after mystical disappearances. The first ended up being the actions of some sort of blood-flesh golem thing... I burned it."

    He smiles. "But if I come up against something more dangerous... I'll put the word out to the JLD and get them involved. But it's really who can and who is willing. Nothing binding or imperative."
Patience Alperen Patience Alperen listens to him intently. As he describes his role in the fight against the angels she winces. She idly reaches up to run her fingers through her hair, brushing it back over her shoulder. "Alright." She sighs. "I've had encounters with things like that. Among many others" She looks back to him.

"I... don't do well with absolutes with regard to authority. My experiences with the Inquisition were. Well. Much less than favorable. If we're considered parts of a team or collective? As long as I am not viewed as a tool or simply a weapon to be used? I'm in. I won't be treated like that for anyone's sake again."

The look in her eyes is hard. Determined.
Chas Chandler     "I wouldn't expect you to be" Chas replies with an alarmed look on his face. "I mean... I'm facilitating an introductory role here but really Jon and Rien get the final say on things. They are the leaders of the group right now, but I think Rien is doing the heavy lifting. Since Jon's got... a thing he's dealing with..." He frowns slightly a cocnerned expression on his face.

    A shimmering light appears around the chandelier that rests above the coffee table. There is a flash and a small blue key hovers in midair. "And the castle... of course. Seems like it's made up it's mind about you at the very least." He gestures to the key. "Go ahead. Take it. It's not mine. I have one already?" he taps his pocket gently. "But you really should get in touch with Rien D'Arqness or Jonathan Sims if you can. I can brief her and get you her contact information at the very least. But again, it's just to get an idea of where you're best fitted for us. What your strengths are... what lower level practicioners you'd best be able to help. Or if you need the help yourself. That sort of thing."
Patience Alperen Patience Alperen relaxes when Chas looks alarmed at the idea that she might be less than human in anyone's eyes. That is a good part of what she needed to see and know. She listens to the names and nods. "I will speak with anyone you think I should. I'm the new one."

She looks around the room as the lights shimmer. Blinking, she looks at the key. "It does that sometimes?" she wonders. But she reaches out to take the key, turning it over in her hands. "I will keep it with me at all times." No toss it in the key dish by the door to her apartment.

A nod, "I will help where I can." SHe offers a smile.
Chas Chandler     Chas nods and draws a phone out of the opposite pocket that has the key. "It does that a lot... it's not sentient... not really but the custodians of the place... are silent unless necessary and they autoomate a lot of what goes on in here. You'll probably run into one of them... sometime. We've seen two. A tall man with a massive nose and a young woman with pale blonde hair and golden eyes wearing an elevator attendant's outfit. It's all very strange. I think they are fae adjacent but they're not malicious in any way."

    He shrugs. "Here..." he says swiping through a few menus on his phone and approaching Patience to offer her to see his own phone number. "Give me a text or a call so I have your number and from there I can brief Rien and get you two in touch with each other."

    He looks around. "Other than that... I'm not sure there is much else for me to do for you. I'm happy that you're willing to work for us. I have an feeling I know what you are," he says, "but I'll keep it to myself since it's not mine to tell" he adds with a smile.
Patience Alperen Patience Alperen listens to the details on the custodians. It certainly sounds like an odd sort of fairy tale. She nods. "I suppose it will be a fun adventure, exploring a castle. For once." She smiles wryly, "Usually my experiences in castles involves hunting down a vampire coven or some sort of demon.." The risks of the job.

She looks curious, then understands, "Oh. yeah. sure. Hang on." She pulls out her smart phone and tap tap taps in a text. "There... is my number. And the current email address I'm using."

She looks to him and nods as he suggests the tour has come almost to an end. She frowns, though, at the way he chooses to word his final comments.

"Chas? I'm just a woman. I was born to a single mother I never got to meet. Raised under the thumb of the Church so they could control me. Pressured into becoming a Nun to repay my .. debt.. to the Church. I was finally told a part of my true history when I was 19."

She looks at him. "I am the most recent in a line of women whose lineage traces back two thousand years to the daugher of Mary Magdalene." Her gaze watches his reaction, considering the following statement usually gets her accused of sacrilege or heresy. "A daughter she conceived with Jesus of Nazareth." So there it is. "I am the current Magdalena. One time tool of the Inquisition. Now? I guess I am a freelance monster and demon hunter."

She falls silent, waiting for his reaction.
Chas Chandler     Chas takes in her words for a moment in silence. "When I was in Heaven, I was given leave to look into the whole of human history. Look back and see all the great mysteries that haunt the world today... some have faded, but some remain. I saw the child that Magdalene gave birth to. I saw that the Rabbi of Nazareth was there and treated the birth not as a doctor, but as a father. I could see it in his eyes... because it's the same look I had when I saw my daughter for the first time."

    He smirks. "I can feel the power that was in that child, in you. What the church has done to your line has been cruel and unfair and... I am happy that you managed to break free from the shackles they placed on you and those who came before you."

    He looks at her, his own blue eyes direct and intense in their scrutiny. "I can't promise that you won't have to fight... but you will be more than simply a tool among us. You will be more than a weapon against the darkness for us to point. You will -have- the autonomy to choose your own battles and to use the gifts granted to you as you see fit." He nods. "This I promise."
Patience Alperen Patience Alperen is tense. But not timid. It's a sore subject for her for many reasons that Chas, himself has just relayed. And more. The revelation that he observed the birth of the first of the bloodline is a surprise and it shows in her eyes. It was not an unpleasant one.

As she meets his gaze, unwavering, there is a hunger there. She knows almost nothing about herself. Her family. This? This was a gift of unspeakable value.To have another validate her very existence in the face of the few she has told that called her a liar or a heretic. It is why she doesn't usually speak of it. It is a gift that brings a tear to her eyes. It wont fall. Because she's determined not to get lost in that moment just now. But later? There will be many tears just from this seemingly simple comment.

Focusing her attention again, she replies clearly. "I am not afraid to fight. It is my blood. I was born to fight evil in any form that I am able. I will not shy from standing with everyone here if called to do so. I give you my word on that." She has never been more certain of a decision as she is of her agreement to become a part of this League. It shows in her eyes and he'll see it in her spirit. She is resolved.
Chas Chandler     Chas smiles and reaches out to place a strong but gentle hand on Patience's shoulder. "Then I look forward to standing beside you Patience. Be it on the field of battle or in the exploration of who and what you are." He smiles. "It's not as official from me as it is from the leadership, but welcome to the Justice League Dark." He drops his hand back to his side and relaxes.

    "Now come on..." he says, turning toward the bar, "let's have a drink together since I so rudely interupted your time at the pub. I was a bartender for a time... I sort of destroyed the place after St. Michael took swapped places with my physical form." He seems to be full of stories like most bartenders, though his tend to lean toward more terror and less self-relfection.