Owner	Pose
Angelo Tampambulos	And so, it was like many other days. ARMOR got wind of a potential incursion in Gotham. As one of the more recent ARMOR personnel, Angelo was given the task of investigating. It's not like he has powers that allow him to blast things, or knowledge of magic. But the fact is, he volunteers for many of the assignments. He likes to stay busy.     Upon arriving in Gotham, he picked up the rental car waiting for him, and drove out to the coordinates he was given. Apparently, the scanners showed that there might be a weakened dimensional barrier in that area soon.     And so, stakeout was the name of the game. But not a stakeout of a building, or a house. It's basically a parking lot. What? Coordinates aren't always convenient.     But after 36 hours on site, Angelo is wakened by the sound of an alarm. His little handheld scanner, plugged into the lighter to recharge... detected an anomaly. Everyone was so scared, and when he got out of the car... he found half of a frisbee that had been cut in half by the dimensional barrier. The barrier was weakened enough to allow crossover from an alternate universe, and all that came through was half of a frisbee.     The barrier opening however likely rippled with the energies of magic before it faded again.
Zatanna Zatara	Zatanna stands up in surprise, a feather from her droll cocktail hat bobbing comically over her forehead. The inter-dimensional house had moved on its foundations. An impossibility. There was a distinct flow of magic outside that faded as quickly as it arrived, leaving something smaller behind. In the library mirror, she catches a glimpse of herself and makes an abrupt gesture. The fascinator pinned at a jaunty angle on her raven-black hair and the Chanel cocktail dress are instantly traded for a tailored jacket and matching pants, black as is her wont. With a snap of her fingers, she portals outside, looking for the perpetrator.
Angelo Tampambulos	The perp, as it were, is kneeling and studying the half-frisbee. Scanner in hand, he inclines his head. Speaking into a bluetooth mic t record his observations, Angelo says, "Scans show the smallest traces of cross contamination on record. Whatever caused the breach was either only functional for a split second, or time there is very different than it is here. My guess is that it was a mechanism or effect that simply flickered..."     He's in the usual business suit. You know, government agent oozing from every pore in his body.
Zatanna Zatara	A few leaves skitter in the errant wind of her arrival behind the man in a suit. "Hrumph. What has you snooping on my grounds?" When he looks up from his investigation in a seemingly deserted suburban copse of trees, complete with tattered plastic bags and discarded beer cans, he will see the manicured grounds of a country estate rolling up to a circular driveway that swoops before immaculate white steps leading into a three-story stone house with steep slated roof studded with chimneys. The many-windowed house, the main wing of which was built in the late 16th Century, belongs in England or France not Gotham. Zatana Zatara taps an impatient foot, waiting for an answer.
Angelo Tampambulos	"Hm?" asks Angelo in his eloquent manner. Okay, so it's more of a confused manner.     His eyes flicker about, and he takes in the new sights that he had apparently missed before. His scanner warbles, and one blonde brow raises even as Angelo rises slowly to his feet. He does so specifically to -not- look like he is being aggressive.     He leans to look past Zatana and glances at the house. "Um. That's new." he states. But then he turns his gaze back to Zatana and the other brow raises to match the first one. "Your grounds?" he asks.     He glances down as he pulls a cellphone out of his pocket. He consults the screen and shrugs, "My records show that this property is not owned. If my records are mistaken, I would be happy to update them." he adds.     His face breaks in a smile nice and slow. A smile that is at least warm if not disarming.
Zatanna Zatara	"As they should," comes the acerbic reply. "It is hidden!" Zatanna continues, not deigning to tell him why it is. One finely booted foot raps punctuation to hidden. "I suggest strongly, that you explain why you are here /and/" unsmiling, she holds up an admonishing finger, "that you do not update any records."
Angelo Tampambulos	Eyes flickering to the house once again, Angelo states, "It doesn't look hidden right now."     But then he shrugs and says, "I am reaching for my wallet." And as he does so, he pulls it out to open it and flash his SHIELD / ARMOR badge.     "ARMOR stands for Altered-Reality Monitoring and Operational Response." And he shrugs once more. "As for whether or not to update records, it's... not exactly a good choice for me to ignore my duties."
Zatanna Zatara	"Believe me," the woman replies, her blue eyes darkening at his shrug, "it would be better for you NOT to update your records. Your superiors would agree with me. Yet another division in SHIELD, is it? I am the owner of this house. Zatana Zatara." She gestures at the mansion with a faint, proud smile that fades when she looks back at him again. "And you are?"
Angelo Tampambulos	Turning his badge towards himself, and turning his head to look upon the badge with his own green eyes, Angelo grins. "As it says on the badge, I am Angelo Tampambulos. Special Agent Angelo Tampambulos of ARMOR. As for my superiors, I do not think we are talking about the same superiors."     He offers a hand however and smiles. "So perhaps you could explain why I shouldn't be updating my records?" he asks. He had already decided -not- to update said records. But he is too curious about the situation to not at least bluff and try to learn more about it.
Zatanna Zatara	A brief expression of admiration dances in her eyes, almost ruining her towering ire at the intruder. Not many people have the guts to face her when she is angry. Zatanna looks at his hand like he has offered her a wet fish, one eyebrow rising. "SHIELD and the Justice League both know about the whereabouts of my house but it is not something of public record." She deigns to take his hand, offering her slender hand, surprising warm and strong, in a firm grasp. "We will be on better footing once you explain why you are here."
Angelo Tampambulos	"Well, the records I was going to update -are- SHIELD's. If they did not think that I needed to know something that they already have on file, then who am I to tell them otherwise?" asks Angelo.     The man has faced down armies, gods, monsters, and children. That last one can be the most scary. "As for why I am here..." he gestures to the half-frisbee. "This item is from an alternate universe. Apparently it passed through a breach before it closed. I do not know at this time if the breach was achieved by technological or magical means. I've no magical talent to speak of, but I have seen... many things in my time Ms. Zatara."
Zatanna Zatara	The magician gives him a look of complete disbelief. He is saturated with magic even if he does not wield it. It sings to her. She then studies the frisbee evidently bitten in half by the temporal dislocation that had rocked her house. With an arc of her hand, "Likely magic, a lot is going on in the world." The man is more interesting than the frisbee, the homo magi fixes him under her gaze. "Do you not have magical talent? That's odd, though I've seen people like you before, I think. Won't you come in? It's cold out."
Angelo Tampambulos	"No talent at all. Just some experience dealing with the aftereffects of those who -do- have such talent." offers the Greek. "And your hospitality is refreshing. I would be happy to accept your invitation."     He grins though and adds, "Lady's first? Or would you prefer to have me precede you?" And let us not forget the concentration of Hephaestus-forged bracers focusing godly weapon power into those two bands. That may stand out just a bit.
Zatanna Zatara	"Please," Zatanna says with a courtly sweep of her hand for him to proceed her. They climb the steps. The tall double front doors with their heavy brass knockers in the shape of dolphins open of their own accord onto a broad entrance hall of white and black stone floors. The hall smells of flowers from the large vases standing reflected in tall mirrors lining the walls, underpinned by the aroma of lemon polish and the wood fire burning in the library fireplace seen through a set of doors to their right. She leads him into the large room lined with books where there is a sitting area with two settees facing each other and several armed chairs at angles to them. "Please have a seat. Can I offer you anything to drink? Tea, coffee or something stronger?"
Angelo Tampambulos	"As the guest, I would be happy with whatever you deign fit to serve." offers Angelo as his eyes roam about the place. He is taking it all in. He gives the impression of someone who is not just glossing over things, but -studying- them in brief.     "Quite an amazing structure to be there and not be there at the same time. Is this illusion magic, or more like a TARDIS? Controlling space and time and whatnot?" he asks as he sits where indicated.
Zatanna Zatara	The lady of the house pulls an embroidered sash next to the doorway and a bell tinkles in a distant part of the house. "I was just about to have tea." She smiles enigmatically at Tardis. "Well, perhaps. The house, known by your organization," she emphasizes known, "is interdimenional. It has been in my family in this form, more or less, for fourteen generations." Zee seats herself opposite him, facing the fire that crackles in the old Tudor fireplace, large enough for a person to stand in. Sitting with straight backed ease, she unabashedly studies the handsome man who sizzles with old magic.
Angelo Tampambulos	Old magic. Such an understatement. "Fourteen Generations. That is quite some time." he admits. "And I do enjoy a good cup'a." he states. Yeah, he still has just that last vestige of eight centuries of living in England in his voice.     "Interdimensional. Perhaps that is why the breach happened so close to here. But it might also explain why it shut off so quickly. Perhaps it was overpowered by the raw power of a place such as this, and was unable to maintain cohesion."     For a blunt instrument, he has the ability to at least sound somewhat intelligent. "So, I suppose that if you are a known quantity to SHIELD... and I presume to WAND, then I should get to know you on behalf of my particular subdivision of SHIELD. They do love their Acronyms in this day and age, do they not?"
Zatanna Zatara	Zatanna nods, surprised at his astute analysis. So many non-magical users are afraid of it. He not only doesn't appear to be afraid of it but seems to grasp some of its principles. Her mouth purses at the idea of him getting to know her on behalf of a government agency. Not that she is anti-government per se. Just so much of her life is out of their purview or view for that matter, and she likes it that way. "They know about me. They with all their acronyms." He is talking to her as though she is as old as the family house or perhaps he is. "About my family. As much as they know about any member of the Justice League. I think it is classified need-to-know.
Angelo Tampambulos	There is a pause as he considers her words. Not someone to just blurt out words without thinking about them first. At least not usually. "So, if you are the owner of an inherited interdimensional house... I presume that -my- lack of skills in the magical arts makes me the only one in the room who lacks such skills." he states with a bit of a grin.     "Please forgive me if I seem overly inquisitive or curious... it has been a -long- time since I've experienced something for the first time. A magical TARDIS house is definitely not something I have come upon in the past."     He leans back in his seat and adds, "Though... to be honest, I am unsure how much need to know I have. Want to know? Sure."
Zatanna Zatara	What a charmer. Charm she would normally be suspicious of but nothing about him raises any alarms. Is he that good at fooling people? Too many seemingly good people with odd bits of darkness had crossed her path for her not to remain on guard. "Yes, this is my house. Yes, it is magic." She speaks matter-of-factly as if it is routine for her to threaten her guests with mind wipes. "And if I deem you untrustworthy, I will wipe your memory of its existence and mine. Do you know about the homo magi?"
Angelo Tampambulos	Listening closely, Angelo also has a strange habit. Well it seems strange in the modern era of red blooded American males... he only let his eyes roam over her form and shape that one time at the start because.. let's be honest, a body like Zatana possesses makes people take notice.     But once he did that, he spent no time leering. He is focused on her words, and her eyes. I mean come on. They are lovely eyes.     "So, what do I do to avoid such a dark fate?" He asks, seeming less scared than amused. Or more to the point, more like someone who's seen everything more than once.     "I can accept your judgement. It wouldn't be the first time I had my memory wiped, if that's the way it goes." And he pauses as you mention homo magi, and his brows lift just a little bit, "Ah." he says. "Yes. I've come across them once or twice. My mother had access to magic. Albeit from a blood source that was more divine than arcane.... to risk using D&D terms."
Zatanna Zatara	So that's what she had sensed. Divine magic. Despite herself, she smiles at his seeming nonchalance in the face of a very real threat. The gods walked among the mortal races and that is perhaps why the magic feels so ancient to her. "Wise man. Now, since we are trading confidences who was your mother?"
Angelo Tampambulos	Well, a mage. Odds are this being will suss out whatever it is Angelo is keeping close to his chest. There are times to play it tight, and times to get down to brass tacks. "Her name is Thetis." he states. "Shall I tell you more about her? Or is her name enough to give you the information you desire about her.. and as such, about me?" he asks.     Now he is just curious how much this mage might know about his background. And if she knows how much is myth and how much is fact. So he's parsing out facts in little dribs and drabs. I mean sure, according to the myths, Thetis only had the one child.
Zatanna Zatara	"Thetis. That Thetis? Daughter of the ocean?" Pleased and bemused, Zatanna smiles at the blonde man across from her. A low knock on the door stops further questions and tea arrives in the hands of another liveried man carrying a large silver tray laden with an urn of hot water, a ceramic tea pot, sugar, milk, cups and a plate of kourabiedes and baklava which happen to be her favorite sweets. Fitting for her Greek guest. After everything has been laid out,"How do you take your tea? Milk or lemon?" Talk about the gods is only suspended for a moment while she pours. "So you are her son?"
Angelo Tampambulos	Nodding his head, Angelo confirms 'the' Thetis. "The same. She who succored Hephaestus." Which explains why he was so willing to outfit her son so well.     "As for tea... I generally don't add to it except with perhaps the smallest bit of honey. However, it has been some time since I had baklava made the old way."     He says that as he reaches for one of the tasty treats. "And yes. I am her son." he remarks, "I await your next question.... and am looking forward to the completion of the verbal jigsaw puzzle. Please forgive my amusement at your ordeal."
Zatanna Zatara	"So you didn't die in battle? Patroclus died but not you." She stops herself aware that she is talking about real people who died and not myths. Concerned she may have been too blunt, she nods without saying more. ".yenoH." A jar of dark Greek honey complete with a honey dipper appears on the tray. "Achilles. Does anyone call you that now?"
Angelo Tampambulos	The mention of his cousin still... after all this time, makes his eyes twitch just a little bit. The old saying that time heals all wounds isn't always accurate. Sometimes it just dulls the pain. Pain that -can- be remembered even after so long.     He takes a slow breath, lets it out and then replies, "Yes. After his.. and so many others' deaths... I was weary of that conflict. I realized that I was not fighting for principle. Not to overcome some evil tyrant. I was fighting to make my name remembered, and for no reason beyond that."     He turns his eyes away for a moment, before adding. "How many lives did I take in ten years of constant war?" One more pause and he adds, "I wanted nothing to do with it any longer. So I allowed the superstitious people to believe that being shot in the foot was my weakness, that it could somehow kill me.... and then I fled into obscurity."     "As for the name.... a few know the name, but they allow me the modern pseudonym."
Zatanna Zatara	Zatanna listens to the pain behind the words, perhaps with more insight than he might imagine. "War inflicts so much pain on soldiers and non-combatants. So tired of it that you no longer worried about the glory of your name? I hope you don't think it is out of place of me to commend you on your courage and to say how sorry I am that you came to that point." Lowering her eyes, she silently drinks tea and eating one of the powdered sugar covered cookies. A decision is reached, "I have met someone that knew your mother, I think. Knows your cousin and others from that long-ago battle."
Angelo Tampambulos	"It was far more terrifying to walk away from it all than it was to wade into battle. A man who cannot die... does not truly show courage in battle." offers Angelo softly. "There are many things that I wish I could undo in my past, but... I am not alone in that. I have heard it said that our regrets are what truly make us the people we are. And... after so long, I am actually coming to understand that I -do- like the man I have become. I -did- have help in that regard however."     A pause, and a sip of tea before he inclines his head, "And whom might that be?" he asks.
Zatanna Zatara	It is not a question that Zatanna answers easily. She even questions herself on whether she has a right to bring her name into the conversation. Some names have power and in the magician's estimation, this name does. It's not like she is mundanely name dropping or using it to be self-important. "Persephone." To Zatanna's ears it rings like a bell on the warm air of the room.
Angelo Tampambulos	Again, it's not like Angelo is entirely unphased by the namedrop. But he does not go bug-eyed or whatnot. His mouth twitches like it is threatening to smile for just a moment before he bobs his head in a nod, "Ah yes. The reluctant bride of Hades. Nasty situation that, if the stories all hold true. I have to admit, that was well before even -my- time. But even so... I did have the honor of meeting her once. Just once..."     "I suppose she and I are -very- distantly related. I mean... she married my Great Great Uncle...." He shakes his head, "Uncle Hades was -not- happy when he found out that I'd never be in the Underworld, let me tell you."     Yes, he is rambling and trying to change the subject just a little bit. "How is it that -you- know her?" he adds.
Zatanna Zatara	With a tight smile, "It's a long story. Suffice it to say, she decided that I was needed and was in the right place at the right time, as the Fates would have it." The smile softens as she remarks, "That, now, that is so Greek of you to be able to trace your family like that." "Of late, there has been a lot of unrest in the Underworld. I wonder what they would make of you. They are often jealous of their...long-term guests.
Angelo Tampambulos	"I wager Uncle Hades would drool at the prospect of getting me down there. You know... we all want the one thing we cannot have." offers Angelo.     "And yeah... the fates do tend to do things like that. Testing people... arranging it so that they are where they need to be, when they need to be there. It's all so complicated and yet... straightforward."     But he hesitates, thinks.. and gives a soft bark of laughter. "When you say it's a long story... trust me, I think most of -my- stories are long stories like ... well like most people who aren't magi wouldn't believe."
Zatanna Zatara	Her face lightens at his laughter, "Sometimes, some stories are not mine to be told. But the Lady has been kind to me and I'm glad to have been of service to her. The Gods are active in the World these days. I've met another one." Zee gazes at him speculatively then busies herself with pouring more tea. She holds up the plate of baklava to him. "Here, have more. They are not like pomegranate seeds which will keep you here forever and the chef is flattered when people appreciate how authentic they are. My mother gave him the recipe, she was from Turkey. I know someone who would find you intriguing though she is not a socializer, by any means.
Angelo Tampambulos	"Turkey. So, your mother may have been descended from the Trojans." remarks Angelo as he unhesitatingly selects a slice of baklava and closes his eyes in pleasure as he bites into it.     "AS for the gods, yes.. they are all over these days it seems. And... given a choice, I'd rather not interact with them. Or at least I'd prefer to avoid it as much as possible." he adds before leaning back in his seat and saying, "It's.. let's just say that even the most simple concepts become overly complicated when the gods poke their divine noses in. That's why I am just operating as a mortal agent of a law enforcement agency. I think two of my superiors know my true history, but.. the rest of them seem to just understand that I am well trained and experienced."
Zatanna Zatara	Zatanna snorts a light laugh at the possibility of them being related. "Well, it's not impossible. I do have Atlantean ancestors so that's another connection to the sea. The gods were a profligate lot. She lowers her eyes thoughtfully before raising them to gauge his reaction, "Is that wearing? I mean to be undercover while being undercover or is it liberating to not have people's expectations weighing on you?" She snags a powdered cookie from the plate which she bites into with a hand cupped under her chin to catch the crumbs. "Oh, and I quite agree about the god's. What does Tolkien say about wizard's which unfortunately applies to them. "Do not meddle in the affairs of wizards, for they are subtle and quick to anger."
Angelo Tampambulos	"It -is- freedom. The only freedom I have experienced over the centuries. I get to be someone normal. Someone who people aren't looking to in order to solve all of their problems. I get to just -be-. And I don't have to be the egomaniacal prick I was in my youth." offers Angelo.     He takes a sip of his tea before going on, "And yeah, there are always those who will judge me for what I did three thousand years ago. When I was a different man."
Zatanna Zatara	She nods once, her eyes darkening, "The curse of Cain. But /who/ hasn't done things they regret? We will be on good terms if you tell them that you discovered the House following a space time anomaly. Which now, I wonder about."
Angelo Tampambulos	Snorting, Angelo shakes his head. "Cain huh?" he asks with a smirk, "I do love a good pantheonistic crossover."     He sips his tea once more and thinks on it. "Are you sure that's what you want me to tell them? Perhaps I could just tell them that the anomaly I was investigating was so short lived that I was not able to get any real data on it. I mean, it's the least I can do for a friend of Persephone."
Zatanna Zatara	"Yes, well," she replies with a smile and a shrug. "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone, etc. I /am/ being rather Biblical today. Don't mistake me, I'm not a Christian. I just read a lot. As for SHIELD, we have an understanding. Justice League members, no matter how loosely affiliated are not under scrutiny or if we are they are careful we don't notice." She lifts an eyebrow at him, "I am trusting your story and that it is not a cover for SHIELD to be looking into my affairs. They will find nothing of note that they don't already know about."
Angelo Tampambulos	"I do not have any idea what you are talking about. I just bumped into a very nice young lady after running into a dead end. We ended up having tea and pastries at a local coffee shop. The Coffee Perks, if memory serves... and I had quite a nice conversation."     He finishes his tea and lifts his brows, "Unless you would prefer to revise my report."
Zatanna Zatara	She lifts her finely made hand and twinkles her fingers at him with a smile, "Carry on." After a pause, she adds, "If you are in Gotham, you will be able to find it again. If you don't mind a wee bit of magic, I will set a ward on you that acts as GPS. As much Greek food as you like, baklava, too. The door is open when I am in and taking visitors."
Angelo Tampambulos	"If I distrusted magic... I would be in quite a bit of trouble, would I not?" asks Angelo as he lifts a hand and uses the other hand to pull back the cuff of his shirt sleeve. This reveals the celestial bronze bracer on that wrist, and his brows waggle a lot like Tom Selleck's used to. Though his are blonde, not brown.     Anyway, he stands and bows formally, "Regardless, it was quite a pleasure to meet you my lady. I welcome you to put such spells as you see fit upon my brow."
Zatanna Zatara	Her sapphire eyes sparkle with amusement at his expression, she nods admiringly at the bracers. "So, that is what I felt on you. You have as much magic in you as Hestephas graced those bracers with. I was only being polite, asking. You caught me on a good day, sir." She inclines her head regally accepting the homage of his bow as only natural then rises to show him out.