Owner	Pose
Patience Alperen	Patience Alperen needed to get out. She'd been studying ancient manuscripts and texts for leads and insights for an assignment, a 'request', from The Church. A demon was preying on homeless veterans and it needed to stop. The lack of a solid pattern made finding it particularly difficult so she'd begun searching the past for clues. And now? Her eyes felt like they were going to fall out after reading for so long. Definitely time for a break. Why she picked the dive bar she did, well, there wasn't any conscious reason she could give. Fate? Providence? Divine guidance? Perhaps some of each. The bar wasn't quite as busy for a Saturday evening as she imagined it might be. That was.. welcome. A handful of barfly regulars, some lurking in booths. A thin wiry figure lingering at the jukebox. She made her way to the bar, settling on a stool and waited for the bartender to come her way.
Daniel Ketch	Meanwhile Daniel has been having bad dreams again. Because... well, there is a lot of reasons. But in this case it is because someone is trying to tell him something but said someone is not good at talking to people. It is pure chance he is here. He is not a regular. But his usual dive bar was closed due to a busted pipe; his second closest dive bar had some kind of birthday party thing going, with strippers. And after some aimless riding of his bike, this one looked promising. He has been here all five minutes when Patience steps in. The bourbon is still in the glass, and as he spotted her, he wonderer where he has seen the woman before. Maybe he is staring.
Patience Alperen	Patience Alperen had only picked the bar because it was within reasonable walking distance of her place. As the bartender makes his way down, "Welcome. Haven't seen you before. What can I get ya?" Patience offers a smile. "Hello. Thanks. Yes, just looking for a place to get a quiet drink. A Guiness would be perfect. Otherwise whatever stout or dark ale you may have on tap will do, thanks." She feels the eyes on her. Maybe it's because of Daniel's.. affiliation.. or maybe she's just lucky to notice she's being looked at. Her dark eyes meet his briefly and she can't help but smile curiously as she thinks on where she knows him from in the same manner.
Daniel Ketch	But where could have Daniel seen a woman like that in the last few months? It is not as if he has a social life anymore. On a good day he works at the mechanic shop, drives his bike, gets a few drinks, goes home to sleep properly numbed. On a bad day, anything can happen, up and including waking up in another dimension. Oh. There is only one place where Daniel can to meet beautiful women nowadays, and that is a Justice League Dark meeting. And Patience was at Nettie's shop. He sighs. This almost assuredly means trouble. But what can we do? He raises his glass towards the young woman as salute, and then chugs it down.
Patience Alperen	Patience Alperen's memory churned through places she'd know Daniel from as she waited on her drink About the time he raises his drink in acknowledgement, she smiles. A returned nod of acknowledgement is interrupted by the arrival of her own drink. Glancing to the bartender she smiles her thanks. Picking up her pint glass, she stands and walks over to Daniel. This, certainly draws curious glances from many in the bar. Some perhaps admiring her, other probably questioning her apparent tastes. Near the jukebox, the thin figure lifts his head, as if he too can sense something. He looks around though not, yet, at Daniel or Patience. "Hello. It's.. Daniel isn't it? You were at Nettie's maybe a month ago?"
Daniel Ketch	"Guilty as charged," confirms Daniel, giving Patience a lopsided grin. "I have been scarce ever since, though. I am really not much into the teamwork... neither is my partner." But now two of them are in the same place, and in a city of over ten million, this is not coincidence. It is magic. "So, are you here chasing ninjas? Or ghosts? Vampires? I hate ninjas."
Patience Alperen	Patience Alperen smiles happily as Daniel confirms her recollection was correct. "Oh good. I'd have been embarrassed to have misrememebered." She listens and nods. "That team is... I don't know. I have taken some time away. As it was before, I had trouble finding a place. Everyone already did what I can offer and seemingly better. I've stepped away to take care of some personal things. Now I'm not so certain they'd want or need me back even if I would ask." Then she laughs. "Currently I'm only chasing the bottom of this drink" she declares with mirth. "Otherwise, no. No current quarry in my sights, as it were. What about for you?"
Daniel Ketch	Daniel hmms, looking at his own drink. "I was just... some drinking before going home, maybe some talking. And yeah... that group," that doesn't feel like a team, it is just a bunch of people with supernatural powers. Not that Daniel has any experience with real teams. "I suppose some times is better to have someone watching your back, but I don't know most of them even a little." Which is his fault, for being such an anti-social grumpy type person. "This is not my usual hangout, though." He adds. "Is it yours? I am growing distrustful of coincidences."
Patience Alperen	Patience Alperen smiles softly at Daniel's description of the team. "Yeah.. that is not so far from how I've felt. Kind of more like some kid under foot than well. who I am. I don't think any of them mean for it to be like that. It just happened. They've fought so many things together, they trust each other. It's hard to be new and have others accept or trust that I can really do the things I say I can." She shakes her head, "It really isn't. I live nearby but I really don't tend to come out to bars often on my own.." she smiles wryly. "Too many barflies see a single girl and well."
Daniel Ketch	Daniel smirks. He has done that when feeling lonely, but not often, he is more of the stoic type. "I can imagine. This is not the kind of place a woman should go if she doesn't want to deal with barflies." He looks at Patience again, this time more thoughtfully. "And yet, here we are," back to getting nervous about coincidences. He turns around, now looking at the patrons too. Most are ignoring him. Some were ignoring him, but not ignoring Patience. But probably because barfly-isms. "Are you armed?" He asks quietly.
Patience Alperen	Patience Alperen smiles knowingly and nods. "Yes. Here we are." She glances around as well, sensing the undertone to his words. She hasn't laid eyes on the thin man yet, but she agrees softly. ".. yes.. I am. Mystically." Meaning very few will find her to be a push-over or easy prey if they are so foolish as to try something.
Daniel Ketch	Daniel sighs are returns to his drink. "Maybe I am being overly paranoid," he mutters. "And not good company, I'm sorry," he adds finishing the bourbon and gesturing the bartender for a refill. "Well, I guess whatever has to happen here will happen," he comments. "I suppose I can keep the barflies off you for a bit meanwhile, make myself useful."
Patience Alperen	Patience Alperen looks back to Daniel and frowns, "I don't really need protecting. I appreciate the thought, however." She pauses, "Can I join you?" She's starting to feel a little silly standing beside him at the bar but doesn't want to just settle onto the barstool next to him without asking. "I would be happy to learn more about you. Our, mm, sides of the coin seem to be more opposite than not from what I can sense. But that doesn't mean we're not on the same side of things."
Daniel Ketch	"Oh, of course," there are barstools at hand. It is not as if this is the kind of place that gets full, or even half-full, and it is still early. "Buy you a drink?" He offers. "As for me, heh... my partner is a monster, if that is what you mean." Daniel frowns, and then shakes his head. "Well, looks like one. He is relentless and uncompromising, and about as friendly as a hand grenade. But he never hurts those undeserving and he very rarely kills normal humans, even if they are murderers or worse."
Patience Alperen	Patience Alperen smiles. "Thanks." Slipping onto a stool she turns toward Daniel to continue talking. She smiles, "I wouldn't mind one more. I'm not a heavy drinker though. I.. like to remember the things I get involved with" she admits with a laugh before falling silent to listen to his explanation. "I.. suppose that all makes sense. I can.. sense.. some of it. But I'm sure it isn't the whole picture as it were." She smiles some. "I.. well." She looks to the ceiling then back to Daniel, her voice falling just a little if only to avoid many of the barflies overhearing them for the hassle not for any sort of shame. "I am descended from the daughter of Mary Magdalene and Jesus of Nazareth." She offers a wry smile. "That causes no end of offense in certain circles I can tell you."
Daniel Ketch	Daniel is probably drinking more than he should. Which is typical. But most things he has lived recently, he rather forget. Looks like Patience has a better grip of her life as a hunter of supernatural monsters. Then again, most people do. Until she tells him she is descended from Jesus Christ, which startles him and makes him glance at her briefly. "Uh. That is a somehow harder to believe than... demons and ghouls and the usual godlings. And I am a very lapsed Christian."
Patience Alperen	Patience Alperen smiles knowingly. "I understand. I assure you it is no idle claim, but the truth." She pauses. "I serve as The Magdalena, an agent of The Church sent to deal with its supernatural enemies. I had difficulty believing and accepting it myself until I learned that my own blood can repair the Spear of Destiny should it ever become damaged. Which has happened more times than the Church would care to admit over the centuries." A sad, almost apologetic smile is offered to Daniel. "I do not intend to offend or speak what may seem to be blasphemy. I can only assure you it's the truth. Of course, if we find any demons.. banishing them may serve as more tangible proof" she adds with a bit of irony.
Daniel Ketch	Daniel frowns for a few seconds. Then he relaxes. Maybe Patience is crazy, but that is per course in his life, so no big deal. "No worries. I don't know much about Christian mythology, to be honest. You don't need to prove anything to me and I am not offended at all. Just surprised. Funny, if you had claimed to be descendent of Thor I wouldn't have doubted or being surprised, I guess is a cultural thing for Americans."
Patience Alperen	As the two talk, the thin man looks around again. He sets his gaze on Daniel and Patience and narrows those dark eyes. After a moment, he programs a few songs into the jukebox and walks away slowly. In moments the first song begins; Ozzy's Hellraiser. Walking away, the man waits, then turns with a growl as his form shifts from wiry thin man to a huge, grotesquely obese demon with vile sores oozing everywhere. Large needle like yellow teeth and baleful yellow-green eyes. Patience starts to reply to Daniel with a wry smile. "I can under...stand.." she tenses as a chill runs down her spine just as the demon growls. In an instant she has rolled off her stool, grabbing a glass of ice water from the bar. Even as she does, the gemmed necklace she wears begins to glow a pale glacial blue and the water surges out of the glass to form a spear of solid ice.
Daniel Ketch	And that comes just when Daniel was starting to think maaaybe it would be just a normal conversation with a co-worker kind of thing. Silly Daniel, he will never be so lucky. His 'partner' starts poking when the song starts. It is just a song! But no, it isn't. Daniel groans a 'told you' as his eyes lit with fire. "Everyone out!" He manages to yell, and a second later, he explodes in flames. In his place a much larger entity stands, a fiery skeleton clad in black leather and steel chains. He glares at the fat demon, "RENEGADE. You should have come to this city." The Ghost Rider takes a step forward as metal spikes form around his knuckles. "Leave now, or face punishment."
Patience Alperen	Patience Alperen glances toward now-Ghost Rider. She's not seen this form before but the sense of evil is not going off. And she trusts him as an ally in the JLD. "I don't think it's gonig to walk away after deciding to reveal itself.." she murmurs. Shifting the ice spear in her grip, she keeps her gaze, now, on the demon. It gurgles out a laugh. <<This is my city! I feed off of the glutonous and fat! THEY make me strong. What can YOU do against their power?>> The demon draws back, making a gagging sound as it spits bile and phlegm toward the two demon hunters. Patience grimaces, "...demon of gluttony.. wonderful -- Look out!" She rolls away from the incoming blob of Pure Grossness coming their direction.
Daniel Ketch	"I am the Spirit of Vengeance," replies the Ghost Rider, as it was the right answer to all questions of the 'what can you do about me?' questions. Which it is, except for the rare few that have never done any wrong to anyone. Demons never qualify. The Rider left hand shots forward, the chains around the wrist unfolding and wrapping in fire to strike that incoming blob. Then, if he can, the flaming skeleton charges to attempt to tackle down the demon.
Patience Alperen	Rising up from her roll, Patience sees that chain launch out, its flames managing to engulf most of the vile attack that was aimed at them. In its place is a foul smelling sizzle of steam as the phlegm is consumed with fire. With a flourish of her ice-spear, Patience runs toward the demon without hesitation. Ghost Rider tackles the demon - but that isn't exactly a fun experience. At least his flaming-self will be some sort of barrier to the ick of the demon of gluttony. Large wobbly arms with clawed hands try to rip and tear at Ghost Rider's form as Patience seeks an opening to impale the demon with her spear.
Daniel Ketch	Fortunately, the Ghost Rider is anything but squeamish. He attacks the grotesque creature without hesitation, and when the demon responds tearing at the mystic fire that forms his body, he roars in defiance and begins punching at the monster's head with his spiked gloves. Even when the Gluttony fiend manages to tear leather and fire from his form, clearly injuring him, the Rider is relentless in his assault, trying to draw the full attention of the enemy to himself.
Patience Alperen	The demon roars, more bile spilling from his maw as he tries to snap and bite at Ghost Rider. An infernal howl soon follows as Patience impales it's side with her spear. She drives it in deeply, teeth gritted as she puts all her weight into it. With a rough jerk, she snaps off the spear's tip and almost a foot of the shaft inside. The demon before it lashes out and kicks Patience, sending her tumbling away just as Ghost Rider begins punching it's head and face. This attack is more than the demon can truly withstand, its own attacks starting to weaken.
Daniel Ketch	The acid and the bites are starting to cause some serious damage on the Ghost Rider, quenching his fire and damaging the leather, metal and bone of his body. To stop him, the vengeful skeleton forces his left fist into the demon's mouth, and keeps punching it with his right. Feeling the demon weakening, the Rider speaks again in his hollow bass voice, "begone and never return, you will never escape punishment in this land."
Patience Alperen	Patience Alperen steps back as her primary weapon is now largely deployed and imbedded into the demon. As the Ghost Rider begins to both take damage, and inflict still more damage in kind to the demon, she doesn't take her eyes off of the two but there is little she can do directly without risk of being burned by either the acid or the flames. Instead, she looks to the bartender who is both terrified and hiding behind the bar. "I'm sorry. May I have another glass of water, please?" Somehow the bar tender manages to get the requested glass and slides it down the bar before going back to hiding and peering out. "Thank you." Taking the glass in hand she begins to pray over it, lips moving silently as she recites the prayer to purify and bless the liquid so that it becomes Holy water. As she does so, the demon is finally unable to resist as Ghost Rider seeks to banish it with finality. Or kill it, given that fist down its revolting throat. The demons form begins to break down, losing this battle against Ghost Rider's fire. Vile gurgling and choking noises come from the demon's throat as the struggle continues in vain.
Daniel Ketch	The presence of humans around is the main reason why the Rider went to grapple with the creature, when destroying it at range with fire and chains would have been smarter. The bar is still going to need some serious repairs, though, as his fists are driving the demon's head into the floor, the bile is clearly much more corrosive than it should be and... there is fire, but it is not setting anything else on fire. The jukebox is toast, though.
Patience Alperen	As Ghost Rider succeeds in destroying, consume with fire really, the demon, Patience watches as she finishes her silent prayer over the water. Stepping forward as the foul shriek of the demon is the last act of defiance before fully burning into ash, Patience looks to Ghost Rider, "Are you okay? I.. don't imagine using Holy water to help neutralize the demon's bile would be healthy for you." At least she thought about it before just tossing the water on him?
Daniel Ketch	The Ghost Rider stands on the remains of the demon for a few seconds, making sure it is truly gone and no shade or shred of flesh is slithering away. He doesn't look okay, with the outfit half-melted and his left arm is missing at the wrist. But he is regenerating, Patience can see the bone regrowing and the leather is also getting repaired. "I will survive and persevere," he responds, turning to the woman, "blessed implements do not impair me, and the renegade is gone and his works will fade soon. But vengeance is due elsewhere. I must depart
Patience Alperen	Patience Alperen watches and nods carefully. "I understand. I will.. make arrangements for the purification of this space and speak with those present." She offers a smile, "It was.. nice to work with you. And to visit earlier. I'll see you another time?" Probably somewhere or somewhen regarding Justice League Dark mission or gathering. She steps back to give him space to leave.
Daniel Ketch	"It is very likely, farewell," the Rider heads for the door, but then pauses, as if he remembered something. From a previous life. He half turns, "you should have the spear," he states. He glances at Pat, then shakes his head and keeps moving. Out.
Patience Alperen	Patience Alperen smiles as and watches him leave. As he turns to address her she grins, "I have it, friend. But I do not carry it with me when I am out socially." A weak shrug. Having the Glacier Stone has given her another tool, weapon, to use when without the Spear of Destiny in hand. As she finds herself left alone with the terrified bar tender and the damage to the bar, she sighs. To begin the process of purifying the space from the demon's influence she starts to pray softly aloud while sprinkling the Holy water over the space on the floor where the demon lay before it was consumed. After that much is done, she takes out her smart phone and taps a number. "Yes. It's me. I need a Purification team at.." she pauses to check the address and continues the phone call....