Owner	Pose
Daniel Ketch	It is pretty cold outside, with a persistent drizzle that sometimes becomes sleet, New Yorkers hurry up to their business and are in a particularly foul mood today. Business is slow in a certain famous (for some circles) shop, as most people are not in the mood of 'magic' during this particular morning. Ironically, Daniel Ketch is, but mostly because it is a rare day off. So he braved the foul weather to spend the morning doing some research with books he borrowed, mostly from the very shop. First time he does this since the burning of that creepy astral castle they had.
Patience Alperen	Patience Alperen quietly enters the sitting room of the Candle, a cup of tea in one hand. In the other she holds an old leather bound tome with moth eaten corners and that musty, dusty smell that can only come from being left on some forgotten shelf or another for many decades. While it isn't going to fall apart, she holds it with no less care. Seeing Danny, she smiles. "Hello Daniel. How are you today?" She seems no more worried about the man since their unplanned demon hunt a few weeks prior.
Daniel Ketch	Daniel was sprawled on a couch by the corner, a book on his hands and a dictionary Middle English-Modern English close by. He raises his head when Patience enters the room, frowning at first, then adjusting his slouching position when he realizes who is she. "Er... fine," he replies aster a moment consideration; and he loses some frowning, setting the book aside. There is a lamp at the side because the light outside is mostly dull grey, despite the wide windows. "Having fun on a rare day off, you see," he adds with a lopsided smile. "Yourself?"
Patience Alperen	Patience Alperen moves closer and picks one of the high backed chairs to settle into. Placing her teacup on the table beside her she cradles the book in her lap. "Days off are valuable. And spending them reading is a pleasant way to spend one I think" she replies and returns his smile. "I'm well. I spent my morning picking my way through a few curio shops in Harlem." She gestures to the old book in her lap. "I found a treasure hidden amongst the thorns and thistles." She smiles at her witty chose of working, "A book of botany from France, published in the 1680's." She seems particularly pleased with her find.
Daniel Ketch	Daniel might have been somewhat sarcastic about him having fun reading, really. He doesn't looks like the reader type. Apparently Patience is the reading type, since he can't imagine seventeenth century botany having anything to do with... wait, maybe she has a real job. "Botany? Are you going to read it or it is for restoration?" Reading that seems about as interesting as trying to decipher the ramblings of supposed experts in 'the occult' from the very same century, only in New England, which probably was a far less interesting place than France back then.
Patience Alperen	Patience Alperen laughs softly, "I have plans to skim through it for any knowledge that might be of use. There are sometimes lost recipes for poutlices, or even elixirs. I've even once found a ward for vampires." Making a face that would suggest that it was an unpleasant experience, she notes with caution. "Not everything is successful. Or pleasant to smell while hung around your neck..."
Daniel Ketch	"Ah, so it is for 'work'," confirms Daniel, maybe a little disappointed. "Although the book might be valuable since it is centuries old, you could ask Nettie," spoken like someone that is usually short of cash. "I mean... actually, I don't know what you do for a living. Or is it monster-hunting your daily job?"
Patience Alperen	Patience Alperen smiles. "I find old books of science interesting. Looking back with our understanding of the universe, now, to what they knew to be true at their time. It makes me wonder how our current understandings will be viewed in another four hundred years. Are we just as archaic? Did we, at least, get some of it right?" Sipping at her tea, she sets it down and looks back to Daniel, "Demon, and evil hunter, yes. It is what I was born into. My heritage. I have a stipend from the Church, though I do not answer to them any longer. It.. I suppose is more of a retainer fee. And on occasion, when I deal with a well established coven, their funds are truly blood money. I use it to further my work to end others like them. And to help those who were victims of their evil."
Daniel Ketch	Stipend from the Church? Daniel assumes it is the Catholic Church, since they have been around since forever. It would be nice if he got something for being possessed by an angry spirit, but the Rider is not a social person, or good at teamwork, much less following commands. Or managing money, for that matter. Yeah, a bad employee. "I see... so your life is research, hunting evil, fighting and... charities?" Which sounds slightly better than his own life, but not by much.
Patience Alperen	Patience Alperen nods. "I'd say you've covered it all. Though I have been less active with charity work than I should be." She considers that with a measure of regret in her voice. "I am frequently traveling to, well, resolve matters of delicate nature. Which, to The Church, usually means they don't want the demon or vampire-slash-witch coven I'm being asked to eliminate without much publicity when possible."
Daniel Ketch	"Hmm, really?" Daniel raises an eyebrow at that, as it seems to go against his cynical worldview. "Why wouldn't the church try to use you to gain adepts? I mean, I'd think revealing the existence of demons and that they have a champion slash super-hero who is directly related to their messiah would help them gain faithful." Of course then they would have to admit the possibility Jesus Christ was married and some of the Bible being 'slightly' incorrect. But... they have Thor and Hercules walking the streets of New York, doing 'miracles' left and right. It gotta be hard to compete with that.
Patience Alperen	Patience Alperen considers the question. "The situations I handle are not of the sort that the Church cares to have made public. Sometimes they are of the embarrassing sort. Someone claiming to be a part of the Church doing evil instead. The repurcussions are not ones the leadership would care to have exposed. Other times, the risk to the public is too great." "You make good points however."
Daniel Ketch	"Seems being secretive for the hell of it," considers Daniel, closing the old book and leaving it aside, then rubbing his eyes. "But they are, aren't they? There have been several big scandals lately about clumsy cover-ups lately. It feels old religions are not able to adapt to the current times. Well, lapsed Christian here, not really my business... just curious."
Patience Alperen	Patience Alperen smiles. "More because of Hell than for Hell" she teases lightly. "You aren't wrong. But some of the things I have dealt with aren't the sorts of things any religion would care to have exposed to public knowledge." She looks to him, "I understand your view. Given your own .. work? It must seem silly to keep things in the shadows. For myself, I cannot see any real value in trying to expose these things to the general populous. Those who believe will already believe. THose who don't won't likely be swayed but such a revelation. It could possibly do more reputational damage than it would help." She shrugs. "I do what is needed because it is what my family lineage is capable of doing. If not one of us, then who?" And having the Spear in another's possession? Well it's already happened and it wasn't good in her view.
Daniel Ketch	"But now there seems to be a lot of people like you. I mean, people with supernatural powers that fight demons and monsters," notes Daniel. Not like -him-, because they do it willingly! He got drafted into the crazy 'work', instead. "And now I know there are several other Ghost Riders," he adds, standing up. "It doesn't make much sense. Have they always been around? There is some sketchy information. But it is hard to find," he gestures the book he was reading. "One would think flaming skeletons running around hunting monsters and criminals would make a greater impact in history, but it is as if nobody wants to talk or write about it."
Patience Alperen	Patience Alperen nods. "There are a lot of hunters. But there are equally a lot of evils that need hunted. I can't be everywhere at once. Though I'm not as certain about you" she says with a laugh. Nodding in agreement, she adds, "I would think you are right. I will have to check in the archives of the Church when I am next in Rome. Perhaps they have records of encounters or sightings with others like you in the past."
Daniel Ketch	Daniel was pacing when Patience mentions she can check the Catholic Church archives, which makes him glance at her. "That would be great. I bet they do keep track of those things." Contrarily to the rather decentralized Protestant Church and the myriad of sects that have popped up in the US the last four centuries. "Actually, I am looking for information on my 'partner'. He calls himself Noble Kale. And that was my mother surname," he comments, pacing again. "There were records in the Astral Castle, but they are gone. I should have been quicker with the reading."
Patience Alperen	Patience Alperen listens as Daniel shares details. "Noble Kale" she repeats to commit the name to memory. "I can't promise anything. But if I am able to find anything I will be pleased to share it with you." Even if the Church may not be. What they don't know.. Tilting her head, she frowns, "The Castle had.. an unsettlingly vast and powerful library."
Daniel Ketch	Daniel nods, then hesitates, "but I think many of the books weren't real, they were... like memories and beliefs of people, a lot of fairy tales and mythology. And those things are even more unreliable that normal history books." Like the one he was reading. Well, probably not much more unreliable. "Anyway... I guess I should talk to Johnny about this and get his story, but he creeps me out, or rather, I think his rider does."
Patience Alperen	Patience Alperen nods. "I.. didn't read a lot of books while I had access to the library. It didn't feel right in there. Something about it felt off." "Johnny?" she asks curiously. "I'm not sure I've met him?"
Daniel Ketch	"Ah... older guy, he was involved with the League, but it has been months since I saw him," comments Daniel, sighing. Then there is Robbie, but he is not sure Patience knows him, either. He looks outside, it is still grey and rainy. "Something always feels off in these magical places, hmm? Even here. I guess I have yet to get used to it. I need to get our, maybe grab a sandwich, you hungry?"
Patience Alperen	Patience Alperen considers as Daniel speaks of another rider. Guessing another demon-like skeleton guy such as his 'other half'. It wasn't something the Church had ever briefed her on. That was becoming more true the longer with the Dark team she spends. Learning more was always good, however. "Yes. It can be unsettling. Even for me, it is just a little off-putting here." For what fellowship can light have with darkness. Or so it is written. The truth is often more gray. Food. It was the first time in a while she had considered. "Yes, I could eat" she agrees with a smile. "Did you have a place in mind?"
Daniel Ketch	To say the truth, Daniel has no idea of where food is good in the East Village, he is from Brooklyn, which is like another country to Manhattan. "I... no? I guess we can explore," although no, it is raining. "Or we can go to the other side of East River, I know good places there." And cheap places, which is important if he has to pay. Danny is usually broke, or close.
Patience Alperen	Patience Alperen smiles. "There are a few places around here I know of. What sort of food are you in the mood for? Middle Eastern? Italian? Burgers? THere are a number within walking distance from the look of things." She holds up her smart phone having just done a quick web search. "We're not really that far from Katz's Deli for that matter. Maybe seven blocks?"
Daniel Ketch	"Either is fine, I just need some lunch," replies Daniel, standing up and waiting for the young woman before heading out. "I am not picky, so whatever you like the most." Seven blocks does warrant using the motorcycle, but that is not a big deal. As long no New Yorker decides to mug a neighbor or beat up a spouse. Danny really should move to some remote village in Canada if he really wanted to live in peace.
Patience Alperen	Patience Alperen smiles. "Let's try the Lebanese place? It's just around the corner. Since it's raining, that's an easy walk anyway?" She moves to grab her coat. "I'm ready when you are?" Offering him smile, she casts a quick glance around the room again to make sure she hadn't forgotten anything.
Daniel Ketch	Daniel nods. "Lebanese, uh? I don't think I have tried that yet. Would it be like Egyptian? There was an Egyptian restaurant couple blocks from where I grew up," okay, now he is babbling. Because talking about food is much better than talking about the JLD business (almost guaranteed to make you lose your appetite). With a bit of luck this time no demon will interrupt their off work time.