Owner	Pose
Jonathan Sims	Jon has been looking around for potential meeting place for the Justice League Dark, and grabbed whomever would come with him to check out the Hat and Hare in Gotham. He's only been to the place once or twice, back when he was interning at Arkham, and has vague memories of it being upscale but intimate, and catering to a weird and magical sort of crowd. Which is why he avoided it and didn't come back, at the time.     Now, he quite casually invades the place, wearing a red sweater and blue jeans and heavy boots and not looking /remotely/ like he fits the vibe. There's hardly anyone here at this time on Christmas night, even those who don't celebrate Christmas having retreated home. But there's probably a few other patrons besides those joining Jon, and they might give the group some odd looks. Or maybe not. Magic bars tend to see all types.
Johnny Blaze	Well, if an invitation was sent out, there's at least one Rider who would appear. Johnny Blaze walks through the doors of the Hat and Hare, his hair long and allowed to descend to his shoulders without consequence. A bit of a beard is growing on his face, and his eyes shift until they find Jon, then he approaches. Magic bars, man. He's dressed rather simply, though not any different from normal. He's wearing a leather jacket with black jeans and some decent boots. His clothes look well-worn, even if he's wearing a 'black sabbath' T-shirt underneath said jacket. The usual. "Hey. Doin' alright?" He questions the man.
Cael Becker	Gotham's a bit far for a drive - and honestly, the faster way to reach it was the hyperloop. Riding it with her massive puppy in his 'service dog in training' vest was and interesting experience, but honestly - no one seemed to bat an eye. Same when she hopped an uber to their location. And so it is that she strides it with a massive great pyranees at her side, tongue lolling out happily, and tail wagging.     It probably surprises no one that she's wearing her usual sort of attire of leather jacket with boots, jeans, and a plain grey sweater to complete the fairly monochrome ensemble. She nods to Jon first - and then Johnny, as she turns slowly to study the place. "Huh," is her only comment.
Jonathan Sims	"Not really," Jon admits to Johnny as he stands with his hands in his pockets, surveying the room. "But one does one's best." Then he shrugs and heads over to the bar, to order some Christmas punch--the sort that gets lit aflame when it's served. Then he leans one elbow on the bar and looks around.     "So how've you two been? Happy Christmas, by the way." He says it respectfully--he knows Johnny believes, even if Cael doesn't. He flashes Cael a grin. "I actually wound up in church, after all that religious discussion we had."
Atrun-Rai	If one is paying attention, they might feel it...the sudden, subtle pressure on local reality that heralds entry from another plane. Thus does Atrun-Rai arrive, emerging from the restroom after having manifested in an empty cubicle. Pleasant as always - well, at least when not in Heaven - his smile vaguely beatific as he enters the bar proper. And of course, doing so, he sees that Sims and Johnny aer at the bar, as is Cael whom he does not know. Fate turns him on another path yet again, or so it seems.
Johnny Blaze	Johnny hums in response to Sims. "Fair. Guess its been a pretty wild couple of days, huh? Well, going to heaven does that to you, I would imagine." He orders himself a whiskey. Johnny always needs a drink. Its how he drowns his sorries and his pain. Either that, or melt his face off and turn in to the Rider. Both are wonderful stress relievers. "Been well. Merry Christmas to you too, Jon. Thanks." Johnny says then, though he tilts his head. "Didn't think you a church-going fellow, if you don't mind my saying. You learn anything?" He asks of him. Sometimes, going to church and just sitting down is an excellent way to initiate self-reflection. For better or for worse. Though Johnny senses the coming of Atrun-Rai, and gives the man a nod. Steady, and revealing nothing is Johnny's way. Or how he tries to be. Though Cael is something of a welcome sight. "Good to see you again, Cael."
Cael Becker	"Church?" Cael repeats, her eyebrows going up. "God, Jon. //Why//?" She rolls her eyes broadly, before leaning up against the bar to order herself a whiskey - indicating a bottle of Maker's 46. She picks it up when it arrives, taking a small sip and letting out a satisfied sigh, as Bear settles onto his haunches at her feet. He looks at both Johnny and Jon - though his tail wags a little more excitedly as her eyes are on darker-skinned of the pair.     "This place is.... nice. I mean, I suppose it's better than being cooped up at home." She doesn't sound entirely convinced, even as she says it.     She lets her gaze wander towards Atrun-Rai, but being unfamiliar with the man, she hardly remarks on his presence.
Jonathan Sims	"For starters, because I know where they're going to land, as it were. The armies of the Host. St. Patrick's Cathedral, in Midtown." Jon turns to regard Atrun as he approaches. "I got the chance to have a ticket to the Midnight Mass on Christmas, so... I went. It's a beautiful cathedral, I'd never been inside before. Afterward, I yelled at God and had an... interesting conversation with the caretaker." He frowns slightly, shifts uncomfortably, then looks to Cael.     "I'm thinking of using the place for meetings of the Justice League Dark. I expect we'd have to rent it out to get privacy, but that's... doable." He shrugs. "We'll need somewhere that isn't in New York proper."
Atrun-Rai	Wordlessly, Atrun-Rai takes his seat at the bar down the way from the rest, nodding to the assembly without imposing himself uninvited. His long hair has been drawn back into a tight bun at the back of his head that makes him look a bit less Hammurabi (though the beard is still gloriously curled and arranged in rows.) "Good evening," he says in his equally pleasant way, his voice welling up deep and rich from his bearish chest with its vaguely Mediterranean accent. This is all he says, instead looking to the bartender and offering a cup of tea.
Johnny Blaze	Johnny looks at Cael with a raised brow. "Something wrong with going to church?" He questions her with a bit of a stern look, though he seems to look at 'Bear' as the dog settles onto his haunches at Cael's feet. He looks at the dog, and seems to return his attention to Jonathan Sims. "Really. You'd think they would pick a place where the ycould easily spread out. Buildings don't really help with that." Though granted, this is /Michael/ they are talking about. Makes sense they would go to where they could find strength and hell, even followers: holy ground. Though why St. Patricks? Strange. Though, its a good church. PLenty of people. "Could do that. Dunno where we'd go. Not the guy t talk real estate with, but...you seem to have good thinking about it."
Cael Becker	Cael meets Johnny's question with a flat look of her own. "That's a serious question you can ask with everything that's going on? //Yes//. Yes there's something wrong with that." There's tension in a posture, and detemined set to her jaw as she stares the man down, as if daring him to contradict her on this - leaving both Jon and Atrun ignored for the moment.     Bear, beside her, lets out a quiet whine, nudging Cael softly with his head, as if to remind her that he's there.
Jonathan Sims	Jon frowns at his friend and reaches out a hand to put it on her shoulder if she'll let him. "Hey, Cael, it's alright. I'm alright. It was good. Helpful. I got... a source. An informant." His voice is soft, soothing. "And I... I told you, I /used/ to believe. I... need to work some things out."     He sighs, and looks over, then gestures to Atrun to come on over and join them. "I think they're going to show up /outside/ the cathedral. In the air. I was tracking the energy I was getting off that new star in the sky. Stands to reason, right? The star as a guide?" He sighs.     Then his drink arrives and he turns to watch the bartender light the surface flame before it's handed over with an orange slice and cranberries added to the deep red drink. He picks it up and toasts the others. "Cheers," he says, with a smile.
Johnny Blaze	Johnny meets Cael's stare, no fear in his eyes. Even if something rests behind his eyes. "Yes. It is." A serious question anyway. Though he doesn't back down a moment, his eyes don't even shift to Bear as the animal nudges its master. Even as Jon attempts to diffuse the situation, Johnny remains seated where he is, though he looks to Sims a moment as he takes that deep breath. "Fair enough on all accounts. Either way, we should begin to prepare. Should get friends while we can."
Cael Becker	Cael keeps her gaze on Johnny for a few moments longer, before letting her attention be drawn to Jon. The tension doesn't ease out of her posture, though, as she offers the man a small nod. "Well. I'm glad you got something helpful out of it but- I had enough issues with church //before// all this shit started."     She runs a hand through her blonde hair in frustration, revealing the bright, rainbow colors dyed into the lower layers of her hair - then she drops her hand down to her side so it rests on Bear's head.
Jonathan Sims	"Good /lord/," Jon mutters, looking between the two of them. "And I thought I was on edge." He shakes his head. "Come on, get a drink, relax. I'm working on friends. Planning to go talk to a Hell Lord later." He grins. "No sweat, right?"     After a moment, more soberly, "I wasn't in the best of minds when we met, or when we went on that... trip, so if you've got any thoughts on what we should be doing to plan, I'm all ears." This to Johnny.
Johnny Blaze	Johnny keeps his focus on Cael. When the tension seems to ultimately lift away, Johnny's eyes shift from Cael to look at Sims. The mention of Hell Lord makes Johnny's skin sizzle with vengeance, but they don't have too many options right now. So Johnny seems to relax. "You are on edge." Johnny tells Jon with a light smirk. "Might have to send out a call myself. Vengeance is demanded, may be greater than my - or Zarathos's - ability to enact it." He hums a moment. "As for what we should be doing to plan, we should focus on chokepointing them. Mystic wards and barriers, lined with sulfure, brimstone, and ash. I doubt Michael will be the first one through, if he's smart. But if he is...we'll need to rely on a lot more than brawn and hellfire." They'll need a helluva lot of faith too. "In your talks with this...informant, did they give any useful information to Michael's weakpoints, or was it more akin to 'do it yourself', but more philosophical?"
Cael Becker	"The most concrete information I got out of my informant was 'get your head out of your ass,'" Cael remarks in a dry tone.     Well. That and some information on a matter she has subsequently been asked to keep private...     "Honestly, that's a big ask, for me. But I'm trying." She flashes Jon a brief smile, and scratches at Bear's head as she adds, "Nothing about Michael's weaknesses. Nothing we could use. I've been trying to read lore about angels, but... I'm far from an expert."
Jonathan Sims	"I don't have a lot," Jon admits. "I've been promised more before the meeting I called on the 29th. Mystic wards, barriers, sulfur... hmm. We'll need to get all of that, then, and... I'm hoping the evacuation starts well before the 6th, so we have time to set this up. I'm hoping to get a time nailed down better, too." He speaks like an evacuation is already being planned, which... is a lot. Evacuating Manhattan?     He leans back on the bar again and takes a long sip of his drink. "Who or what /is/ Zarathos, anyway? I feel like we should all get to know each other a little better. Well." He smiles at Cael. "/We/ know each other pretty well. I mean..." He makes a kind of general gesture to the air around them. "Like, hi, I'm Jon Sims, I'm a psychiatrist who woke up with magic powers one day and now I'm leading the defense of Manhattan against angels. I'm married, no pets, no children living at home." Oh, that was /precise/.
Johnny Blaze	"Makes sense. Most advice given by others tends to revolve around that, one way or the other." Johnny tells Cael, his voice becoming softer. "I should know." He rubs the back of his head. "Lore on angels is difficult to come by. I only know some tricks of the trade through friends of friends, rarely by experience. Hellfire works, as does magic in general, gut if you have bigger cannons, now would be a time to call on them." Johnny looks then To Jonathon. "And lots of it. The stronger the barrier we have, the more irritation we cause the angels while it gives our casters time to cast. I'm more of a...hands on guy myself. I can help set it and activate it, but once inside, it'll be difficult to get out." Unless Michael shows up and fucks everything up, which is probably going to happen 99.9 percent of the time with every plan they come up with. Whoever is on their side, make them the 0.1 percent chance that they fuck Michael up. "Loaded question. Zarathos is an ancient demon. How old, no clue. He hasn't decided to tell me. Probably at least 10,000 years old. He's a demon that was pressed into servitude by Mephisto and sealed onto my soul. He feeds on pain, guilt, and same. Together, we form a gestalt that makes up the Ghost Rider, essentially a personification of vengeance." Though Jon leads into that question by asking about Johnny and who he is. "I'm Johnny Blaze. Former stunt rider and knowledgeable-occultist. My wife, son, and daughter are dead, and I've been on the road alone for more than twenty years because I did something moronic." Johnny is deadpanned throughout that entire revelation. "Any specific questions for me?" He's not acting or speaking as if he were hostile, but its clear his past is a sore subject.
Cael Becker	"Cael Becker - SHIELD and FBI. And I'm the FBI Liaison to the Avengers." Looking towards Jon, Cael adds, "Sara and I'll brief the Avengers on what we know about the situation - because if we're looking for big guns..." Well, the Scarlet Witch might be the most helpful, in this case, out of the lot.     Her gaze shifts to Johnny specifically as she adds, "The fuckin' sucks. I mean, we've all of us had some heavy losses..." she nods to include Jon in this. "But that sounds like a particularly rough deal. I'm sorry." 'Playing nice' is thirsty work, and this message delivered, she takes another slow sip from the glass of whiskey she holds.
Jonathan Sims	"Negative energy works," Jon says with a frown, "but that's hard to access. It /does/ work, though."     He sighs. "I'm... sorry to hear that. I won't press further, save to say I understand loss. I think we all do--I've met few people in this line of work who haven't. I think it's part of what drives people into the life."     He looks over at Cael and... /sighs/. She's just... /saying/ that, huh? "I warned the Chief," he says. Which could be for a couple of different things. "She knows who to talk to in the government. But telling the Avengers will be good, too. And we could use the public heroes, to rally people, bolster morale."     He frowns. "Besides... several of them have been through this kind of thing before."
Johnny Blaze	Johnny seems happy that they haven't tried to delve deeper than that. He's iffy on his personal life, but that's how all lone riders are when they join a new pack. 'Negative energy does work, yeah. Believe me, the terror that this is even happening will be nearly overwhelming negative energy to pool from. We may have to tap into that reserve. That nice lady, Nettie, might know how." Zarathos could probably pull it off, but that requires the pair working together - and they become one when in the Rider Gestalt, in a sense. Not ideal. Though he nods softly. Hearing Cael is SHIELD though makes a little bit of sense, but he shrugs. "The Sorcerer Supreme would be useful in this." Johnny advises. Knowledgeable of the existence of the Sorcerer Supreme, but Johnny has no way of communicating, short of just going to the Sanctum. He nods softly to Cael though at her apology for his losses. "just more in a river of souls." Johnny's way of saying 'everyone has dead people. I'm no different.' Though he takes a deep breath. "Its a long shot, but I could take a trip to hell." Johnny clearly doesn't like the idea he's proposing.
Cael Becker	"I thought the general consensus was to avoid bringing Hell into this, actually - though I do have Luci's business card tucked away for good measure, and I feel fairly certain he would take my call," Cael remarks in a wry tone. Her life is just so fucking strange sometimes... "The Sorcerer Supreme, though, I don't exactly have on speed dial.     Looking to Jon, she simple offers a nod of agreement and confirmation before remarking, "We'll take care of it. Cap'll listen to me - and hopefully that's all it takes to convince the others."
Jonathan Sims	Jon smirks at Johnny. "I know /quite/ well how to draw on negative energy. I have connections to Nullspace. I've already channeled it before--and I hate it. But if it's what we have to do..." He shrugs. "As for Strange, he's aware, and I'm trying to keep him involved."     Then Jon shakes his head. "I am fairly well convinced, now, that 'Luci' used me to get in a shot on an angel without taking the heat himself. And if he didn't? If his demons really do keep running about not following his rules, and he's 'on vacation?' Well, then he's not terribly competent. Regardless, I have no trust left in me for anything that didn't start out mortal, or isn't tied to a mortal soul in some way. The Hell Lord I'm going to speak to, she was born a human. She works for her own agenda, but at least she's clear on what that is, for the most part. I don't think we want Hell itself dragged into this or it becomes the End Times for true."     If he stopped to think, it might occur to him how /odd/ it is that he just talks about the Sorceror Supreme and Hell Lords and /Lucifer/ so casually.
Johnny Blaze	Johnny nods softly to Jon. "Good. Then I don't have to." Johnny swiftly moves on then, since they have those bases already covered. Though he turns his eyes to Cael. "Then we avoid Hell. Best to keep it that way, lest we end up pitting Hell against Heaven and give Michael exactly what he wants. He'd view us resorting to demons to be a confirmation of his twisted beliefs, and I have no desire to give that dipshit the satisfaction." ...even though Johnny was practically piggybacking a demon. The little things. "Not even going to pretend to know what Nullspace is. I wouldn't trust this Hell Lord anyway, human originally or no. A Hell Lord is a Hell Lord, and often do they prefer their own ambitions or want a steep price in return. But you already know that." Yes, Johnny is extremely untrusting. The devil is in the details. Either way, he takes a long chug of his drink then puts the money down for it. "I'll catch you both later. I have my own preparations to make. Keep me posted." and just like that, Johnny is headed for the door.
Cael Becker	Cael nods to Johnny as the man departs, remaining silent then, after letting out a snort, the lingering tension in her shoulders finally eases. "Ass," she mutters under her breath.     She takes another sip of her whiskey, as Bear finally lies down at her feet, resting his head on his paws. Her attention returns to Jon before asking a simple question that, really, is anything but. "So - how are you holding up? Really?"
Jonathan Sims	"Like I said," Jon replies drolly, "not well. I think things are going to start becoming public tomorrow. They wanted to wait until after Christmas, but..."     He sighs and stares around the room, at the opulence. "I keep trying not to think about it, but everything comes back to it. Walking through Gotham to get here, I just kept thinking... how many refugees will there be? As if this city isn't already stretched to the limit." He shakes his head. "I helped save a man from death earlier, and when I found out he knew the Fantastic Four all I could think was 'oh maybe he can pass them a message.' He'd nearly /died/!"     He frowns. "I hate this, Cael," he says softly. "Being at the... center of it all. I hate it."
Cael Becker	"I know," Cael agrees quietly. "I mean, in a way - I think it'll be better once it's public. When there are concrete actions taking place to keep people safe - when there are things to actuallly //do// instead of just //plan//." She smiles wryly as she adds, "Though maybe that's just me, since I'm... so useless at planning something like this. I hate to say it - but it's still hard to see what role I fill in all of this."     She takes another sip of her whiskey, staring down at her cup for a moment, then looking back towards Jon. "I have a meeting with a new therapist on Monday. We'll see how that goes - and if I like her, well. I'll try to fit in as many appointments as I can over the next two weeks. It's weird having a concrete count-down to when I'll go insane again. And knowing that that's exactly when things will start getting hot - doesn't make it any better."
Jonathan Sims	Jon reaches out to wrap an arm around Cael's shoulders and pull her close for a kind of side-hug. He smiles. "Your role in all this is to fill Michael with bale water bullets. Which I'm working on, starting tomorrow."     A pause, and then, more seriously, "Your role's probably something active, you're right. We'll figure it out as we go. I'm glad to hear you have a new therapist." He frowns. "You... might not want to think about it as definitively 'going insane.' Think of it, maybe, as a pain blocker wearing off. If you can work on some of the source of the pain, or on coping mechanisms, before it does, you can handle it better."
Cael Becker	"That I can do," Cael agrees, as she leans into that hug. "But that's two weeks from now." She hates saying it. 'Two weeks from now' is an idea filled with dread for her.     A hint of amusement quirks the corners of her lips as she adds, "Quipping is one of my coping mechanisms, Jon. Surely you know //that// about me? I know that 'going insane' isn't a fair or accurate way to describe it." She shifts a bit uncomfortably before adding, "Though - looking back on how I behaved after the exorcism with a clearer mind... It did feel a little insane. But mostly just... out of control. Out of balance."
Jonathan Sims	Jon squeezes her briefly and then lets go, unwrapping his arm from around her to wrap his hand around his mug instead, sipping the Christmas punch. "That's a fair assessment, yes." He frowns. "Maybe that's why I reacted so badly to it. I'll keep that in mind, if... it becomes that way again."     'Two weeks from now' is just as terrifying for Jon, but for different reasons.     "I... I've been thinking, maybe... well. We mentioned maybe I could take your statement, to... know what's coming. I think it might help. To know, to prepare, and... to plan what I might be able to do, to... hold out." He takes a long drink of his punch. Not a fun topic.
Cael Becker	"Sure, Jon," Cael agrees. "Whatever you need." She studies the man beside her for a few moments in silence before adding, "I do want to be there for you, afterwards. I mean - for the obvious reason that you'll need the support of your friends. But also so- well. To show that however dark things may feel, they can get better. Even if I have resorted to cheating a little. I... the one thing I want to change about my thinking, over the next two weeks, is that we can get through this together. You know? That's my goal - my only priority, right now."
Jonathan Sims	Jon nods. "It's not... I mean, look, it's not /cheating/. It's just... evening the playing field a little." He smiles. "But... that's a good attitude, generally, I think. And we /will/ get through this together."     His eyes twinkle a little as he looks at her. "Which... I /do/ keep trying to tell you. But I understand why you couldn't hear me. But, ahh, what'd Raphael say again? I'm on the right track, you should get your head out of your ass and listen to me more? Hmm... I suppose I like /that/ particular archangel. Has the right idea." He gives her a cheeky sort of grin.
Cael Becker	Cael reaches up with one hand to brush her cheek against a suspicious trace of witness there. "We will," she agrees quietly - before she can offer him a wry smile.     "I couldn't hear much of anything. It was like... like standing next to a jet engine.. You don't hear anything, except for that roar."     After another sip of her dangerously emptying whiskey she adds, "And I intend to keep Martin safe, as needed. Well - Marten and that house guest we were talking about. Yeah?"     Then under her breath she adds, "Next time I'll tell Raphael not to inflate your ego any further - it's large ennough as is."
Jonathan Sims	Jon gasps, puts a hand to his chest "/My/ ego? Inflated? I am the /soul/ of humility."     He /can/ be awfully sure of himself. But... he also puts up with a lot. It's hard to tell which is true, sometimes.     "Really, though," he says, dropping his hand. "Thank you for that. It's... good to know. To keep in the back of my mind. It'll help."     He looks around with a frown. "Hmm. Bit posh, maybe." He sighs. "But it'll do if I can't find anything else."
Cael Becker	In a dry tone Cael remarks, "And I'm the very soul of sobriety. Ya ass." A moment later, though, she flashes the man a brief smile that hopefully takes any percieved sting out of the words.     "Don't worry. I'll be right there beside you, screaming in your ear until you can hear me over the roar. Or so I hope, anyway."     She smiles sadly as she adds, "You know, I did doubt for a while if I'd get better or not. And I really did think there might only be one way out of all of that pain. I think the only thing that stopped me was knowing what that would do to my friends. If you come back feeling that way... I mean, you know all this shit. But if for some reason you can't tell me, tell someone. Tell Martin, tell Sam, tell Sara... Yeah?"
Jonathan Sims	Jon smirks at the dry tone. He seems... /comfortable/ with the banter. But, then, he's English. Trading banter and insults in a drinking establishment is his normal mode of friendship. And he and Martin went from 'bickering like enemies' to 'bickering like lovers' with only a change in tone and not much change in words.     But then it gets serious again and he drains the rest of his punch. "Yeah," he says. "Yeah, I will. And... I'm glad you didn't..." His expression crumples, like he's trying not to cry.     He swallows. Frowns. "Don't... please, don't... when it gets bad again, just... just remember we care about you, okay? And that it /will/ get better."     He shakes his head. "Well. Nice, but small, and sort of upscale. Think I'm going to keep looking." He reaches over to pay for his drink, overtipping the bartender.
Cael Becker	"I know that," Cael answers Jon, giving him a light bump with her shoulder. "Right now... I know that, and I'll try to keep that in mind. I really do think I'm out of the woods, though, when it comes to drastic action. I don't see how I can go back to how I was before, without at least remembering how it was when things weren't as dark. We'll get through this.     "Besides," she adds, her voice turning a little dry. "Now I have //Bear// to sit on me until I feel better."
Jonathan Sims	Jon laughs. "He /is/ a good boy." He avoids petting the dog, as he's on-duty, but gives him a smile and a wink. Then he lets out a huff and turns to start walking out of the bar.     "So I have an idea for where we could starting having meetings... and you're going to hate it, but bear with me. There's this place that only magical sorts can reach without an invitation, in a pocket dimension..."     Yeah. Cael's gonna hate the idea.
Cael Becker	Cael lets out a load groan, and after shooting back the last of her whiskey, lets her head fall down onto her arm on the surface off the bar. "Seriously, Jon?" comes her muffled reply.     ...yeah. She hates it.