Owner	Pose
Hope Svelgate	In Hell's Kitchen, New York, there sits an old church, forgotten by the city, forgotten by the local community, forgotten by the religion that built it, forgotten even by its God it would seem. Though it is far from empty, far from abandoned. It may sit beyond the eyes of mortal men and women, but here dwell the Earthbound spirits of the city, those unable or unwilling to move on to their final rest. And dwelling among them is also Lady Death. For here the veil between worlds is thin, an ideal place to cross to Earth, and what better way to learn of its happenings than from the very spirits who once called it home. Within the Rectory sits Lady Death, surrounded by burning incense, meditating after a fashion as she listens to the voices of the deceased and tries to find some measure of peace for them, for herself, rest from the violence that endlessly dogs the footsteps of She Who Reaps. While the Sanctuary is protected from mortal eyes and protected from those the Earthbound spirits do not wish to enter, it is not actually so difficult to find in its forgotten corner of Hell's Kitchen for those with mystic senses. The reception one might receive from its inhabitants is another matter entirely, however.
Zatanna Zatara	Zatanna has had enough of the bright lights of New York. Her sold-out week at two of the top theatres in the city has left her yearning for Gotham and home. But, she has one stop to make before returning. Hell's Kitchen. And, Death. With a twist of her wrist, she whisks her way to the street, following the scent of magic. Uninvited, Zatanna stands on Death's threshold, wondering what reception she will receive. They have fought alongside each other. But, Zatanna is not so naive as to believe it will earn her a good reception. Even in her relatively short life, she has learned that Death can appear fickle. Zatanna tugs at her tailored black jacket, a tell to the people that know her. The black satin on the side of her pants and lapel shine faintly in the lamplights as she knocks on the great doors of the Church, unseen to all except those possessing magic. *boom boom* The Homo Mage steps back and waits.
Hope Svelgate	Somewhere within the ancient and crumbling edifice, which Zatana stands before, a pair of intense glowing white eyes lined in black open as the presence of the visitor is sensed from deep within the Sanctuary even as the echoing knocks resound moments later. Outside, "Excuse me miss." A voice calls to Zatanna from the sidewalk. There stands a middle-aged African American man with hair cut short and neat and a thick mustache, in a suit and trenchcoat, who looks like he's probably seen better days. "Beg your pardon, do you have business within?" He asks cordially enough. There is something off about the man though, a bit tattered, almost translucent at the edges, the mark of a lingering spirit invisible to most existing on the mortal plane.
Zatanna Zatara	A shiver thrills up Zatanna's spine despite the jacket on a warm summer evening. It's not fear. But, magical instincts tell her that the man addressing her so politely walks between two realms. So she turns sideways on the step, keeping the door in her field of vision and the man, well, the spirit, in it, as well. His manner invites courtesy. With a faint dip of her head, she assents, "I do or rather, I wish to. The Lady within and I have been colleagues of sorts recently." Zatanna stops herself from spilling out her story to the stranger, no matter how polite he is.
Hope Svelgate	The ghostly detective with the seen everything demeanor actually quirks a brow in a surprised at expression at Zatanna's answer, "You." Virgil gestures in her direction. "Worked with her?" He gestures towards the church. He looks over Zatanna again. "You don't seem to have any horrible sword wounds. She ah, doesn't always play very nice with others if you catch my drift. You're sure you want to go in and see her?"
Zatanna Zatara	His surprise, the raised eyebrow and look at the door Zatanna stands in front is a fair warning. "Not once but twice. If you'd believe it. Perhaps, I'm only saying perhaps, she treats magic users differently." She gives the door a tentative look, a faint smile playing on her lips, saying, "That is not to say I'd pretend to be in her good graces. But, I admire her and know her for being a power that few can match in this realm or the one you walk in, sir."
Hope Svelgate	Virgil gives a light shrug and steps up to the threshold to push open the doors. "Okay, I hope you're right. For your sake." Amazingly the physical doors actually respond to his ghostly touch revealing the interior of a church that doesn't look like it has seen mortal traffic in decades. "Lady D, you have a visitor!" He calls out stepping inside. For all the warnings he just gave apparently it is possible to become familiar enough to address her by a nickname, that or the friendly ghost is about to meet Oblivion. Then, as if on cue, down from the upper level Rectory through a collapsed hole in the ceiling lined with jagged pieces of wood flooring and beams, as if gravity simply doesn't apply to her, descends White Witch herself, She Who Reaps, Lady Death. "Virgil." She addresses the ghost who is apparently not blasted into Oblivion for that cute nickname. Her eyes flicker to Zatanna and back to Virgil. "Why did you let her in?" "Says she knows you Lady D." Virgil's familiar manner continues even in the face of Lady Death's possible displeasure. "Admires you it seems." Lady Death touches down in front of the altar, her gaze moving to Zatanna again to give her another once over like she hadn't actually really looked the first time. "Yes, I recall seeing you with the one who dresses like a bat chasing Faust." It's not go away and it's not a sword, really that's pretty positive all things considered.
Zatanna Zatara	Her imperious manner doesn't phase Zatanna who slowly crosses the threshold following Virgil. She stands with her chin slightly raised, the suggestion of a smile behind the calm manner. Lady Death may be royalty among the Mages, deserving respect, but Zatanna is no hedge witch flogging charms to earn her bread, either. "Thank you, Virgil," she murmurs softly before raising her voice to address Lady Death. "It was a good fight. One battle in an unending war." Biting her lip at Death's description of Bruce Wayne, "Yes, the very one. I'm sure he would wish me to give you his greetings as do I. Your aid was very welcome. Batman has no magical powers. Obviously."
Hope Svelgate	"Good luck." The words almost whisper on the wind as Virgil fades away to do whatever it is he does, probably find more demons and cultists that need Lady Death's delicate touch. There is an intensity within those white eyes that seems to bore into whoever Lady Death has them fixed upon. "I was not there to help the Bat." She replies when Zatanna conveys what greetings he might give, in the process confirming Batman's suspisions that she was never really there to help them all along. Or so she would have Zatanna believe anyway. "For bringing trafficing with demons, and freeing them from Hell, Faust's life is forfeit and he will fall before my blade." She leaves out his other crimes like injuring children, she doesn't like to admit she cares about that as much as she does, and just generally pissing her off. A grave sin indeed.
Zatanna Zatara	The mild gaze that Zatanna returns to Lady Death sheaths steel and a kernel of amusement though not at Lady Death's expense. Who doesn't have things they would rather keep to themselves? She knows that Batman is under no illusions concerning the Lady's motives for fighting Faust, it doesn't mean she is not appreciated. "I've done Bruce's errand by sending you his greeting. Now, if you'll allow, I have a question for you, Lady." Her shoulders straighten subtly though she glances once to the right, remembering something before she asks, "What do you think of Strife meddling in the world of Mages?"
Hope Svelgate	"Strife?" Lady Death asks curiously. "The world is full of strife. Though the way you said that I am guessing you are reffering to Eris?" There is a light shrug of her shoulders. "Gods meddle in this world all the time." There is a dark note to the way she says this, Odin's own manipulations of her life bubbling to the surface of her mind. "What has Strife done?" She's still talking, even asking questions. That's a good sign. The air hangs heavy as the night wind whistles through the upper reaches of the church. That is until the mood is at least temporarily shattered by a sound from the open doors. "Oh hey, the doors are open! Weird!" It is the voice of a young woman with black chin length hair who can't possibly be out of her teens. "Lady D!" Again with that nickname. The girl enthusiastically waves at Lady Death whose expression undergoes some fascinating shifts. "I brought those snacks I told you about, potato chips!" Nothing destroys an air of menace faster than a cute friendly kid bearing junk food. "Sarah." Lady Death is doing her best, really. "I have a visitor right now." Sarah seems to only now notice Zatanna's presence blinking at her, a visitor in Lady Death's Sanctuary is not something she has ever encountered before, well other than herself and dead people. "Hi!" She gives Zatanna a friendly wave before catching the look Lady Death is giving her and while it doesn't send the girl running for the hills, she does seem to get the hint. "Oh right, okay, I'll uh put these upstairs for you!" And she scampers up the stairs to the level Lady Death originally descended from and out of sight. Though were one to look carefully, a pair of teenaged eyes occasionally peek around the corner from above. Lady Death's mental facepalm is almost palpable, of all the times for Sarah to show up. But her gaze returns to Zatanna, doing her damnedest to pretend none of that just happened as she awaits an answer to her question.
Zatanna Zatara	"I can eat a bag at one sitting if I let myself," Zatana says with a nearly visible halo hovering over her dark head and, to her credit, without cracking a smile. Sensing Lady Death's embarrassment, she makes no comment but is intrigued and pleased at getting a glimpse of a warmer side to the White Witch. When the young girl disappears from view, she continues, "Yes, Eris. I've come to ask your help. Strife wants the power that runs in my line or in other like it. I only know that because she nearly caught me recently and I very nearly didn't escape."
Hope Svelgate	A giggle is heard from above at Zatanna's comment, someone is definitely listening. Lady Death crosses her arms in front of her. "Potent souls indeed." Those eyes that seem to look through a person certainly see a lot. "And you want me to ..discourage Eris, is that it?" Even with the lingering sounds of Sarah from upstairs or perhaps because of them Lady Death's imperious demeanor has returned. The question is allowed to hang in the air, along with the unspoken one 'Why should I?'
Zatanna Zatara	On her way to the church, Zatanna had also asked herself why Lady Death would help. For the challenge? Another notch in a tombstone or whatever Lady Death would metaphorically notch. Perhaps. Preserving the sisterhood of Witches? The young Mage had chortled out loud at that thought but hadn't completely crossed it from the list. The final reason, the one that is nearest to what Zatanna had divined about Eris' intent, she puts voice to, "Once I'm taken she would take every other Mage of similar power or potential until no magic in the world was left that wasn't hers, Lady Death." She nods once, her eyes rising to the muffled giggle from upstairs then falling to stare into Lady Death's white gaze.
Hope Svelgate	Lady Death is quiet for awhile. The silence palpably hangs in the air. It seems like even their upstairs onlooker is holding her breath curious as to what Lady Death's answer will be. Lady Death for some reason actually glances upward in the direction that Sarah had run off and then back at Zatanna. Perhaps Zatanna had sensed it during their brief encounter, maybe she still senses it even now, Sarah, while still completely unaware of it, has powerful mystical potential. After that eternity of silence Lady Death finally nods. "Strife, I will teach her the true meaning of that word." And then the serious gives way to a small closed mouth laugh. "It's been awhile since I've fought a god." That first reason doesn't seem to have been too off base either, she is probably going to enjoy this.
Zatanna Zatara	If living with Bruce and her father had taught her but one thing, it was a good lesson: to wait and stand her ground. The Mage never drops her gaze from the White Lady. When she finishes speaking, Zatanna nods with satisfaction. "She needs a lesson. The first attack was in Gotham. She took a young sorcerer but he wasn't really suited to her ends. Through him, she tried to jump to me. Eris learned a lot from that venture. The next time may be the last if she is a quick student." Backing a step, "I have taken enough of your time, Lady. My thanks. I will call you, Lady Death when she tries again." With a dip of her head, Zatanna turns smartly and walks from the confines of the holy grounds back into the city.