sixwordstories verse : featuring <user site="livejournal.com" u

[moralambiguity]

Continued from here, wherein John asked Zee for some help in contacting the spirit medium looking for Jessica's soul, and/or doing some complicated magic.  Depending on how this all goes.  It also may or may not involve John being almost romantic, wut.

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Bloke goes by the title 'the Third Grey of Ithaca' if that rings any o' your bells.  Keeps shop in the back of a casino.  [Grins at her sideways]  Who knows, maybe he's caught yer show.

Comments

[the-hellblazer.livejournal.com]

Was that a threat?

[hexappeal]

If you want it to be. I can handle a whole crowd at this point, so figure out what you want to try. --and no. I will not make you look like a member of a boyband.

[the-hellblazer.livejournal.com]

Alright. I'll trust ye on that.

Just make me into somethin' that won't stick out.

[hexappeal]

Suoucipsnocni naidnI tsiruot elpuoc, it is! [And inconspicuous Indian tourist couple they are, draped in Hawaiian print and awkward hats.] Not bad, hm?

[the-hellblazer.livejournal.com]

[Pulls the hat off his head to examine it a minute before setting it ruefully back on his head] If anybody does recognize me this way, I'm gonna be severely disappointed in me-self.

[Gives a little half-cocked grin that looks strange on his new face, and throws his cigarette to the curb, as he heads in the front revolving doors]

[hexappeal]

I can hold it up as long as you need. Just give me the word and it's gone. [She fiddles with the disposable camera and takes a few pictures.]

[She follows closely, playing the good tourist and looking surprised at everything she sees.]

[the-hellblazer.livejournal.com]

[Glances around as they head through the tables and machines] Been some time since I've seen the inside of this place. [His attention seems to get drawn to one of the card tables] Y'know, while we're here, I could take care of that low-on-funds problem I've been havin'...

[hexappeal]

[She tugs on his arm. Though amused, she keeps her tone a little serious.] Business first, pleasure later - or else we'll never leave.

[the-hellblazer.livejournal.com]

Right, right. [He's still got one eye on the tables, even as he starts steering her in a weaving pattern towards the back of the casino.] We can just make a pit stop back here before dinner.

[hexappeal]

Alright, but only a little. We don't want to draw too much attention. [She keeps her eyes forward, scanning the area for any threats. Just security, thus far. Nothing a little magic can't handle.]

[the-hellblazer.livejournal.com]

Eyes forward, luv, and follow my lead. [Despite security looking on, he suddenly beelines straight for an unmarked door near the back. Immediately, two big beefy guard types exchange looks and start heading directly towards them both. Constantine opens the door and ushers her into the hallway, shutting it without another moment's hesitation]

You wanna do the honors, pet, or should I? Nice and tight. [Jerks a thumb at the door]

[hexappeal]

Of course. [She rushes forward, considering tugging him but knowing full-well that only would look more suspicious and... it is certainly not worthwhile to act upon it so soon.]

Evomer rood, ecalper htiw llaw. [The door molds into the wall, becoming one with it. Wallpaper unfurls over the bare area until it looks like there was never a door there to begin with.] To your satisfaction? Ah, almost forgot! Saremac, ecalper slausiv htiw gnihtemos... ton suoicipsus! That'll take care of the cameras.

[the-hellblazer.livejournal.com]

[Surveys the wall, looking amused] Not bad at all. Would love t'see their faces right about now.

[Zee having taken care of the finer points, as it were, so thoroughly, he immediately starts down the hallway, bypassing most of the doors, though he occasionally pauses as if listening to something. He does this at one juncture of hallways, then abruptly takes a left there, and gestures for her to follow]

Prob'ly should do this part in me own face.

[hexappeal]

It never gets old, does it?

[She stays far behind, disabling - or changing - things that need be along the way, making sure they've a safe pathway to work through. At a certain point, Zee stops and waits for him to gesture her forward. When he does, she follows.]

Got it. Nruter ruo secnaraeppa ot eht yaw yeht erew erofeb gnieb dnuoblleps. [No real glamor to the spell, it's done quickly.] You first.

[the-hellblazer.livejournal.com]

Really doesn't.

[Comfortably returned to his own self, he pats his pockets and comes up with a box of Silk Cuts, sliding one out and holding it in his teeth while he digs for his lighter]

Now, the old boy isn't exactly expecting me. So to speak.

[Finding his lighter, he takes a second to get his cig going, before finally pushing open the end door. A flood of incense immediately works its way into the hallway, and Constantine glances back at her and half grins.] Follow my lead.

[Pushes his way inside, to a far from opulent den decked out in a weird mix of casino paraphernalia, pillows and beads, and the sort of tacky decor you might see at a 'fun' diner. The Third Grey is seated on a pillow in the middle of the room, apparently engaging himself in a game of Guess Who. The travel edition. He looks like he could be about 40, but a rough 40 that's left him too stretched out. The 'grey' moniker could very well be a reference to his skin and beard tone. His eyes are hidden by big sunglasses complete with rhinos and he's wearing a long 'Elvis is dead' t-shirt with disturbing stains on it. Very classy. He speaks without turning his head.]

John Constantine. You've got a nerve and a half, don't you?

[Constantine casually takes a puff and nods a hello.]

Nerve and three quarters, some say. Zee, this is the Third Grey.

[The mystic looks up and gives her a rather yellow grin.]

Stan is fine.

[hexappeal]

I wouldn't have guessed. [She waits for him to take a puff before following close behind, taking in the area with quick glances, just in case the need for a quick escape comes along. No strong magic artifacts in sight, she assumes that at least for the moment, it's all peachy keen. When the man's voice comes, it's clear they are on neutral - if not somewhat begrudgingly friendly - ground. A relief, but only a small one. There was a reason other than Constantine's gambling that they had to be careful and there was certainly a reason he the man was back here, rather than some tawdry little shop.]

Zatanna Zatara. [Never hurts to throw the name around, considering her father was rather well-liked. But then again, it tends to give way to "I saw you on the tv when you were little, so cute!" so she keeps it brief and polite, with a slight bow and the removal of her top hat.] Pleasure to make your acquaintance, er, Stan. I hope you can excuse me for barging in like this, but we could use a favor.

[She glances to her companion, hoping this is going to go smoothly.] If you will.

[the-hellblazer.livejournal.com]

Never known ol' John not to barge. I'd be a little more worried if he hadn't. Nice of him to bring some eye candy along though.

[Constantine tries to repress a smirk at that, but glances over apologetically at Zee, with a little shrug.]

Not quite, mate.

We won't eat up too much of your time, and I'll make it worth your while. Need to get a hold of a ghost, but she's been a little difficult to pin down, yeah?

[The Grey surveys them both.]

Seems straightforward enough. But in return, I'm gonna want a favor. To be named later.

[hexappeal]

[She just smiles and nods, playing the good girl. It may be her town, but this is Constantine's show. After all, no good would come out of breaking their ghost-finder's jaw. At least not yet.]

Mind you, finding the spirit might just save your ass from damnation, as well. [She looks over to John. It's his choice, but it's clear in the way she narrows her eyes that if the favor is to be done by her, that it better be magic and not... otherwise.]

[the-hellblazer.livejournal.com]

Oh? [He crooks a eyebrow at Zatanna] I think my ass is planted firmly there already. [He lets out a raucous laugh that descends into a cough. Constantine, meanwhile, starts helping himself to some candles on the wall.]

Favor it is, squire. [Glances over at Zee, and catches her look, giving her a 'trust me' smirk] Looks like we've got some drawing to do.

[Tosses a piece of chalk in Zee's direction, and the Grey gestures to the bookshelf]

Third from the left. Page 76.

[hexappeal]

[Ugh. The sound makes her skin crawl. Just an itty bit. Thankfully, she has had years of practice of covering up this sort of thing. It's just another sort of illusion, after all.]

So you say. [She moves the the shelf and grabs the tome, flipping through it until she spots the picture.] I've never been much of an artist, you know. Wall or floor? [She takes off her gloves, though it could easily be cleaned with a spell. Zee's decided to wing it and pull out the big guns (and the smaller ones, too) only if they become necessary.]

[the-hellblazer.livejournal.com]

I'll do th' walls. [Nods towards the floor] Should be simple enough.

[It's obvious he at least has done this hundreds of time as he starts in. 'Stan' simply pours the contents out of a small pouch beside him, that contains a strange colored sand, and starts rifling through it on the floor.]

Did you bring a focus, John?

[Constantine flips something out of his pocket towards the Grey, who catches it and turns it in the light.]

Second rate for a focus.

[Constantine sneers a bit] He wasn't exactly all up for supplyin'.

Her name's Jessica Moore. Got killed by a demon named Azazel; soul's floatin' somewhere in between. Get me a line to her, an' I can handle the rest.

That's her boyfriend's. Should be the strongest link she had down here.

['Stan' nods, letting them finish, as he muses over the tiny item, which looks something like a coin. He closes his eyes as he flips it and inhales sharply]

And do either of you know the deceased, or this ... Samuel?

[hexappeal]

Alright. [She moves away from the book shelf and crouches, shifting so one knee is against the floor. She slowly begins to work at it, knowing far too well what a mistake or two could do when it comes to this sort of thing. After a few lines are drawn she puts the chalk in her other hand and rubs her fingers together, removing some of the pasty feel of it before she continues.]

All John on this one. [Zee looks up a moment and tilts her head toward him. She's too focused on the task at hand to really have a conversation. She continues, though, her tone turning more humorous.] I'm just here for moral support.

[the-hellblazer.livejournal.com]

[That sets Stan cackling again.]

Not much that's moral here, sweetheart.

[John conveniently keeps his back to her, finishing up the symbols. He takes her to the nicest places.]

[Once everything's in place, the Grey orders them to sit inside the circle. John stubs out his cigarette and joins him cross legged on the floor]

It's all join hands and sing kum-ba-yah time, luv.

[hexappeal]

[She appreciates it oh so much. Once finished, she tugs a prop kerchief out of her breast pocket out just long enough that she can wipe her hands a few times, then pushes it back in, yellow and green and red and all.

With her features set in neutral She, Zee makes herself as comfortable as she can be next to Constantine and the guy that looks like he belongs at a UFO convention and gazes over at him.] Let's just keep the hand-holding part platonic. [And hopefully without spontaneous combustion.]

Sleep for me, but I re-contacted our ghost's mun, so hopefully we'll hear back tomorrow!

[the-hellblazer.livejournal.com]

[He gives her a jagged smile at that, while Constantine just works on suppressing a laugh.]

Alright, mate, Latin, Sumerian, what's the game plan?

[The Grey chuckles]

Esperanto, if you feel the need. Some of us can work without mumbo jumbo and showmanship, John.

[Constantine grimaces a bit, and Stan casually slips a knife out of his sleeve, slitting his palm and grasping the coin]

Just focus and attune your energies, and I'll do the rest.