1147/Strange times at Lux

Strange times at Lux
Date of Scene:	25 June 2017
Location:	Unknown
Synopsis:	Doctor Strange visits Lux to meet it's new Sommelier, and Lucifer stops by to hold the place together.
Cast of Characters:	Ravenna Levesque, Doctor Strange, Lucifer

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Ravenna Levesque has posed:
There is a healthy crowd at Lux this evening. It's not soo busy enough to keep the money going, but slow enough that the staff is still able to give their full attention to their patrons. The rumor around town is that Lux has recently stole the Sommelier from a near by restaurant and she has been thriving in this envrioment. She has a knack for finding the right bottle for the right occasion, and for the right price, you can join her in the extensive wine cellar for a private tasting. However in less mundane circles, this Sommelier is also a local magical healer, that can be contacted through the Illusion, a local magic shop. Though she doesn't keep open hours there, it seems to be mostly on a case by case basis.

Tonight she's dressed in a black cocktail dress and her hair is pulled up in a french twist. She has a modest amount of make-up on and high heels that should be uncomfortable for the amount of time she's spending on her feet. She's coming up from the wine cellar, which his hidden behind a bookshelf and locked so no one can just walk into her domain. She moves behind the bar to restock a few shelves in the cooler before turning toward the patrons that are waiting for her attention.

Doctor Strange has posed:
A young man is sitting by himself in the corner of the club. He is a average looking man in a simple black t-shirt, jeans, sneakers. There is nothing overly exciting to him to the untrained eye. However, with the proper senses one might be able to see through his digust if they had the skill and the power to do so...or get a feeling about him that shows that his "averageness" is off.

As he crosses his legs, and folds his hands in his lap his eyes seem to be watching Ravenna as she is working, interacting and speaking to the other guests. The unknown man cocks his head to the side as he presses his lips into a fine line. He waits for her to come to his table to place an order.

Ravenna Levesque has posed:
Ravenna tilts her head at one of her coworkers who points to Stephen's table. With a nod she smiles that way and gives the gentleman a once over. Her eyes narrow for a moment as she notices that he isn't quite what it seems. That's not completely weird in this place, but it does cause her to straigthen her posture.

Her heels clack over the floor as she approaches Strange and folds her hands behind her back. "Welcome to Lux, I am the Sommelier. Is there something I can tempt you with this evening, or would you for me to guess your taste in wine. If you need something else I can assist you with that as well." She has on a professional smile that almost reaches her lips.

Doctor Strange has posed:
A soft smirk escapes his lips, with a deep Italian accent, "I am not here for Parlour tricks Ms. Levesque." As he uncrosses his legs, "I have been observing you for the last few weeks, and I decided it was time to meet you in person." As the unknown man stands, he clasps his hands together in front of him as his fingers begin to form in a pattern and suddenly glow. A green glow begins to form in the center of his chest as the very club begins to slow and come to a completely stand still. The music, the people, even the air seems to stop.

As his left hand glows green in a mystical rune, the unknown man snaps his fingers with his right hand and the illusion surrounding him melts away like a cover of ice cream to reveal the Defender of the Mystical Arts for the planet Earth, Dr. Stephen Strange. The blood red cloak unfolded around him in the most unnatural way as if seems to move like it has a mind of its own.

"I mean you no harm and merely wish to speak with you." The man just stopped time and does not even seem remotely phased.

Ravenna Levesque has posed:
"No that's not a creepy opening line in the least bit." Ravenna says dryly as the facade of customer service drops. When he starts doing the glowing green magic, she does her best to block it from the rest of the place and she shakes her head. "Ix nay on the agic may." Thankfully it disappates and he stands in front of her withthe bright red cloak. Furrowing her brows, he seems vaguely familiar with who he is, but at the moment she's a little worried about their non magical patrons. Clearing her throat, she puts on that plesant smile and nods her head. "Yes of course, you did have a private tasting booked this evening, if you would follow me this way we can get that started." Nothing to see here! Everything is normal!

It's really only her first week on the job and she's doing her best not to cause trouble. It only takes her a minute to get the cellar unlocked and gesture the red cloaked man inside. The room is pristine and perfectly temperature controlled and the rows and rows of bottles would make any wine lover jealous. "This is only my first week here please don't get me fired."

Ravenna Levesque has posed:
"No that's not a creepy opening line in the least bit." Ravenna says dryly as the facade of customer service drops. When he starts doing the glowing green magic, she does her best to block it from the rest of the place and she shakes her head. "Ix nay on the agic may." However as the room slows, the music goes quiet her eyes grow wide and she watches as someone knocks a glass over, but it doesn't reach the floor. When his illusion fades, she tilts her head to the side and furrows her brows. "I've.. heard of you, I think." She says, her Quebecer accent growing a little thick as she isn't actively trying to supress it. "My boss isn't going to love you using this sort of magic in here." She knows there is some level of magical suppression in here some where, just not sure how much. At least enough to keep the violence at bay.
R"Well, you have my attention... did you want to talk about?"

Doctor Strange has posed:
With a sure amount of confidence, "I am not worried about your boss. In fact, it is one of the reasons why I am here." As he sees the glass fall but not too worry about Stephen begins to walk over towards it. "I am not here to harm you Ms. Levesque." He pauses to look at her with a raised eyebrow, "Your wild magic is what drew me. The spark of magic for life that I can sense in you has my attention." He bends down and gathers up the fluid and places the cup on the table.

Stephen turns with a florish as the cloak lifts his corner up and pushes the glass into the center of the table. "I am curious why you are not expanding your knowledge in it?"

Ravenna Levesque has posed:
It was a moderately busy night at Lux and Ravenna was called over to a table to make a wine suggestion. However she barely got through her speech when he pulled his mojo and time /stops/ in Lux. Ravenna is still recovering from the mild shock, but Strange's words have her on guard.

"The Bartender outed me?" Ravenna asks as her arms cross, taking on a defensive posture. He may not intend to harm her, but he definatly has something to say. "Wild magic? My magic is very contained and controlled, thank you very much. I didn't spend my youth taming it for nothing." She retains her posture as he scoops up the glass, and the cloak puts it back where it goes and shakes her head. "Who says I am not? Sadly it doesn't pay the bills so I also have to find a way to support myself."

Doctor Strange has posed:
Doctor Strange smiles and nods as he moves to stand in his original position, "If you wish to tell yourself that. I understand you think it is controlled but I sense something more than control. I could be wrong..." He grins like a Cheshire Cat, "However I am rarely wrong when it comes to magic." He looks down at his glowing green rune and his lips press to a fine line. He looks back at the girl, "And no one outted you. As the Socerere Supreme my senses are a bit more attuned than most. I knew of your existance for awhile...it is until you took a position here that caused me to become curious. A young woman like yourself should be surrounded by other mystical beings...but as a bartender?" He cocks an eyebrow, "Really?"

Lucifer has posed:
There is nothing, then there is the Bartender.

He simply /appears/ near Ravenna and Strange, and one fist clutches the air in front of him. Not the air-- reality itself. Light bends and ripples weirdly, protesting the force with which he is holding reality in one hand. A strain appears on his face, but he seems relatively composed, and his eyes flicker from Ravenna immediately to Strange.

"Sorceror Supreme," he remarks, politely. "I speak to you upon Neutral Ground, accorded by the compacts of the Fae realms and others. No quarrel is sought or offered, but management would /very/ much appreciate you refraining from fiddling with the flow of space and time," he says, with the sort of polite/cold tone only the most professional of service people can maintain. "You're causing no end of disturbance to latent magics that are complementary to the rest of the hotel. Do you mind, terribly?" he inquires, cocking a brow at Strange and the glowing pendant around his chest.

It is /time/ that the Bartender is clutching in his hand-- the timestream around Lux, keeping it locked in step-place with the rest of reality. A wagoneer holding a horse to rein before it can be spooked again.

Ravenna Levesque has posed:
Osti de tabarnak de calice! A Bartender?! You think I'm a bartender!?" Her curse probably makes little sense to anyone who isn't from where she is. It's almost as if she summoned the Bartender and when he appears and grabs what... well if it's time than she's really not sure /what/ the fuck is going on. Though she only has one thing to say to Lucifer when he arrives. "He thinks that I'm a Bartender!" Her voice has gotten a touch higher than she normally uses.

Doctor Strange has posed:
As Lucifer appears, Stephen's rune flickers at the ripples within the time flow are affected. His lips purse as the ripples seem to affect him for a moment as he takes a slight step to the left to steady himself. As he takes his free hand and places it on the runes he keeps them firmly in place focusing his powerful magic a bit harder as he turns to look upon the 'man'.

"If you could give me some warning next time..." He looks at the girl and then back at Lucifer, "Your kind does not usually have the stregth to do that. I don't wish to alarm the girl if she does not know." He cocks an eyebrow before pressing his lips to a fine line, "In addition, no pact was broken. I did not harm any or the girl. I merely wished a moment...unhinged or bothered by you. You must be one I do not know..." He shrugs, "I am mildly curious."

He turns back to Ravenna before catching a glimps of the visage and grumbles, "You are shifting this pocket in and out. THAT is clever...and dangerous." He suddenly drops the spell as the green glow fades to avoid any more harm to the Bartender who is shifting back and forth the dimensions. The world suddenly explodes back to life around them, and Stephen is standing as if he was coming back from a walk in the park. His hands drop to his side and he says, "I want the girl to come and train with me. You are a bad influence...at best. If you have not gotten your claws into her well enough."

"You are a healer. I...can make you a better one for the good of man...but it has to be your choice Ms. Levesque."

Lucifer has posed:
Strange and the Bartender both release their grip on reality, and the Bartender rubs his wrist with a rueful expression. "We've not had the particular pleasure, Doctor Strange," the Bartender acknowledges, shaking out his fingers as if working off a cramp. To the magical senses of the witch and sorceror, the Power leaking from behind his mortal form starts to reassemble itself. Whatever shell he holds in place to guard his visage seemed strained to the point of breaking by trying to hold Agamottos' Eye at bay.

He looks at Ravenna, and holds out a hand towards her without making contact. "And the good Doctor no doubt mistook your patience and calm for a bartender's resolve," he tells her, in as soothing a voice as he can manage. "Doctor Strange, this is Ravenna, our /sommeliere/-- a title rarely recognized and most wholeheartedly deserved," he says, lifting a brow pointedly. After all, no one would call him 'Mister' Strange.

"Lux is private property," he explains to Strange. "You know well the value of such ownership. And no, you may /not/ poach my brand new and shiny sommeliere," the Bartender says, lifting a brow at Strange as well. "She is doing splendid work, and I'll be very cross if you try to spirit her away somewhere."

Ravenna Levesque has posed:
Ravenna only gets a glismp of that cracked visage, and part of her brain lights up, wanting to ask, to learn about it, to remember every bit of it... but she's easily distracted back to the conversation. Perhaps it's the way she's being addressed, or maybe the other things going on outside of Lux, but even Lucifer's calm words only sooth her a bit. Some of that Wild Magic Strange has been sensing slowly flares to life and she quickly folds her hands behind her back, as one hand grips tightly on the other wrist.

"Talking about me as if I am not here does not endear me to your cause Doctor." After being called girl so many times she has to keep herself from retorting in a smiliar manor. "I know what happens to people with my abilities, because I am not the only one in my line whose had them. I've seen family members waste away as they give more and more of their lives to heal others. It's a double edged sword, that pain, that anguish I spare from others goes somewhere and if I do it enough, it'll kill me."

It's not clear where it comes from, but a black and white cat comes trotting over to the trio. He circles around Ravenna's feet before he plants himself between the two men and his master. His presence does calm Ravenna as that contained magic is taken down a notch.

Doctor Strange has posed:
As he hmmms softly, "You are right Mrs. Levesque. That was rude of me." He turns to look at Lucifer, "I made it clear to her that the choice MUST be hers." With a wave of his hands, a golden replica of the Eye appears next to Ravenna on the table. "I am not forcing anyone...I do not make my students sign contracts." He gives the girl a side glance, "I hope you did not sign any contracts my dear. It would be -hell- to get out of it. Trust me....I have been there." Does he mean literally? Most likely.

With a turn and the florish of his unnatural cloak, Stephen turns to face Lucifer, "I will learn of who you are soon enough. I am sure we will be speaking again soon. But...I can sense when I am not welcome...or needed any longer. I will take my leave." As he turns to moves to face Ravenna one final time, "What I can offer is more than this...I can see you were destined for more...yet you must be willing to take that leap of faith. If you decide you are...touch the stone and call my name. It is only attuned too." He turns his head to the side to give Lucifer a side look, "So...none may touch it but you. If they do...pain. -HOLY- pain." He turns to face the girl once again, "Any questions?"

Ravenna Levesque has posed:
Ravenna watches as the eye is presented to her, and manages to keep her face neutral as she looks it over. "If you're making the assumption that I got this position on anything but my own skills and talent, you are mistaken." Though whether or not she's signed anything is her own business. The emphases of Strange's words are not lost on her, but she keeps her thoughts to herself.

As Strange says his peace to Lucifer, she nods her head to strange. "I will take your offer into consideration." Though she has no idea what he's charmed the eye with, she slips it into the pocket of her apron and folds her hands behind her back again. Mostly she doesn't want someone else getting harmed by it, if his words are to be elieved. "I have no questions, if I do I know how to contact you." The facade of the Sommelier has returned with out bright smile she had earlier. "Good evening Doctor."

Lucifer has posed:
The Bartender is silent while Ravenna speaks-- but his cold expression curls into a small smile of approval at her smooth rejection of Strange's offer. Still, he watches the eye nervously until it's pocketed, and when Strange moves to leave, he gestures towards the door invitingly.

"Those who arrive with peace in mind are always welcome at Lux, Doctor Strange. I am /very/ sure we'll be seeing one another again," he says, -- and this time, when he smiles, there are no fangs but there's enough venom in the expression that Ravenna would feel her face singing at the periphery of it.

Strange, meanwhile, gets the full brunt of the dripping malice in the Bartender's expression, as unpleasant as a faceful of hot peppers.

Doctor Strange has posed:
The Doctor has never lacked confidence. In fact it is often taken as being cocky. As he looks over his shoulder his eyes narrow and he smiles softly, "I promise you. We will..." Stephen turns and brings his hands up in front of him as his left one begins to move in a circular motion and a swirling nimbus of sparks expand outward into a large circular portal.

The cold blast of artic air flows into the bar was the Aurora Borlis can be seen on the other side. Stephen steps through the portal and bows to Ravenna at the waist and as he comes up from the bow the gateway closes in a wink.

A single speck of light floating to the ground and a white lily grows from the essence of magic from the floor board.