384/Tall, Dark Stranger in Bludhaven

From United Heroes MUSH
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Tall, Dark Stranger in Bludhaven
Date of Scene: 12 May 2017
Location: The Magic Box
Synopsis: Harry makes his way to The Magic Box to check it out, and meets the local witches.
Cast of Characters: Willow Rosenberg, Harry Dresden, Tara Maclay




Willow Rosenberg has posed:
Always searching for more things to learn in regards to witchcraft, the Scoobies main wicca is over at the Magic Book. She's fairly certain that things here are a little overpriced, but she's still fairly new at this whole witch thing. She flips through one of the books in the front area of the store, wondering if she is ever going to really need a spell for turning one's skin green. This spell might explain the whole green skinned witch myth though.

Harry Dresden has posed:
Getting magical supplies when you are a wizard is difficult at the best of times. It isn't like there is a whole lot of stores that sell things like the sound of silence, A shadow, or a ray of moonshine. Finding one that even has anything 'authentic' is rare, since most occult bookshops sell mundane lore and knowledge.

So, when Harry Dresden hears about a magic shop in Blüdhaven that supposedly is legit, he makes a trip in his trusty Blue Beetle over from Gotham to take a gander.

He walks into the bookstore, all 6'9" of him, ducking slightly to clear the doorjamb. He is dressed as usual in his dark attire; jeans, shirt, and boots, all black as well as a large leather duster, complete with a mantle, that billows behind him as he walks. He also carries a staff in his right hand, carved with ancient symbols. "Hell's bells, this place might actually be legit."

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
Looking up from the book she cradles in her arms, Willow's eyes go wide. Other then the few that she has met here, most of the people that claim to be wicca are just pretending, at best. In fact, other then herself, Tara, Constantine and a few others, she doesn't know of anyone that is genuinely, authentically really really wiccan.

But this man, this very, very tall man, has an air about him. Mind you, that could just be the staff making her think that or just the fact that he has a presence about him that makes him seem not quite right.

Realizing she's staring, she quickly looks back down into the book in her arms.

Harry Dresden has posed:
Harry is used to people staring. His height usually makes people turn heads, but his typical attire causes more than a few lingering gazes...usually followed by a snort and a laugh. Still, he tends to notice.

Plastering a smile on his face as best he can, he takes a few steps inside the shop towards the redhead "Excuse me? Miss? Do you work here, or know who I might be able to talk to regarding getting ahold of some more exotic supplies? I've heard this place specializes in some 'rare' ingredients."

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
Blinks as the tall man walks over to her and addresses her directly. She seems relieved when he mistakes her from someone that works at the shop. That's much better then the alternative. Brushing a bit of hair over her ear and then giving the man a sweet, quirky smile, she gestures to the counter.

"She's the owner," she says, pointing ot a woman who looks like she's starting to reach the end of her tether. The place does indeed look legit enough. Sure there are the items for the weekend wicca, but they do carry what appears to be genuine eye of newt, even though salamander eyes work just as well and cost only half of those of newt.

"I come here fairly often. Maybe I could help you find what you are looking for?"

Harry Dresden has posed:
Glancing towards the woman at the counter, Harry turns his attention back to Willow and shrugs a shoulder, "Sure. Do you happen to know if they carry some more unique items, like moonlight or the sound of silence? I'm working on a couple of potions and seem to be out of some of the more selective ingredients."

The large man casts a glance down at the spell book that she has in her hand and chuckles lightly to himself, "Save your money. If you want a decent tome, I'd suggest something less 'glamour goth girl'. If you are interested, I might be able to help find something more substantial."

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
Willow has to think about that. Most of the spells she casts uses powders, herbs and crystals. She's heard of the ingredients the looming figure is asking for, but those tend to be used for spells far beyond what she can do. "Well, I know they keep a Hand of Glory in the basement," she tells him. Even though it's a statement, her shy nature makes the sentence lift at the end as if a question. "I think they keep the really rare things down there. And the dark stuff they keep upstairs." She gestures up to the loft.

Willow looks the man up and down again, trying to get a sense of him as well as cataloging all the details she can for Buffy and Constantine later. This guy might be up to no good on the Hellmouth and that would be.... well? No good.

She blushes over at the mention of the book, closing it and hugging it to her chest. "Oh! I just... I like to think that all books have something you can work with. I tend to make my own spells, based on others. I tinker."

Harry Dresden has posed:
Harry Dresden nods as he listens to Willow, his eyes casting up at the loft as she mentions 'dark' stuff as a not so subtle frown forms on his lips.

"I'm sorry...did you just say they keep stuff for black magic upstairs?" There is an edge to his voice. It's not cold, but it certainly has lost a hint of the warmth it had just a moment earlier.

The wizard sighs, shaking his head and looking back to Willow, "That is all that spell craft is, really. Making things your own. I only consult the books if I am trying something really tricky, but I've also likely had much more experience. Have you been practicing long? Who is your master?"

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
There is something about the Tall Man in Black when he asks about the darker stuff that has Willow take a step back. "I.. I don't think any of it is for actual sale. I think it's just there to be kept an eye on. Maybe? Mostly?" She puts the book away that was in her arms and starts looking over at candles, chewing on the insides her her cheeks?

"Me? Oh, a little over a year now. Maybe closer to a year and a half." Her eyes dart from side to side at the mention of a master. "Umm... You mean my teacher? Cause I'm not into that kinky stuff."

Harry Dresden has posed:
"It shouldn't be out at all. To much temptation for someone to break one of the laws of magic if someone goes rummaging around where they don't belong." says Harry as he flicks his gaze back towards the loft. He takes a deep breath and mutters to himself. "Not your city, Harry. Let it go."

He looks back to Willow and lets out a little choked back laugh. "...Hell's bells! You're like what...15? You shouldn't even know about...that." He shakes his head as a bit of a flush comes to his face, "Yes, I meant your teacher."

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
The stranger makes a lot of sense on the point of the dark magics being more easily accessible then the rare ones. She had always thought it would be better to have them switched around; the rare stuff in the loft where you can get them quickly and still be in view of the shop and the dark items downstairs behind the locked door of the basement. But, not her shop. "Laws of Magic?" Wait, there are laws? "Like laws of gravity laws or laws 'handcuffs and jailtime' laws?"

She stands a little straighter when the man accuses her of being 15. "I'll have you know, I'm in university. Well... community college, but still! I haven't been 15 in years!" The sighs softly then and lifts a shoulder. "I don't have one. I taught myself out of the books a friend has. He's sort of taught me a thing or two, but mostly he just lets me look at his books and tells me how dangerous what I'm doing is and to be careful."

Harry Dresden has posed:
Harry Dresden frowns again, "I'll have to assume that your friend isn't part of the White Council then. The society I am a member of follows seven laws of magic. Breaking any of them is a capital offense. They are pretty self explanatory and common sense. You know, don't kill with magic, don't force people to do things with magic, don't travel in time, etcetera."

He glance back down at the redhead, chuckling as she reacts to his guess at her age "Ok..ok...sorry. My mistake. Still, sounds like your friend should exercise more caution." He reaches into his duster and pulls out a business card, offering it over to Willow. "I do try and help people with the talent, so if you are interested..."

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
Willow nods her head as she absorbs this information. White Council? Seven laws? None of that stuff was ever mentioned in any of the books she's read, and she's read a lot of books. The idea that there is knowledge out there that she doesn't already at least know the existance of piques Willow's curiosity. "So, you mean the handcuffs and jailtime sort of laws then. But for magic. Oh... that would have been nice to know. Ummm... do vampires count as people? You know, for the killing with magic?" she asks shyly. She then looks nervous, her words rushed. "Not that I have! You know, if it's not okay! I'm just curious. For a friend!" The copper haired college girl is a terrible liar.

Reaching for the card, Willow looks at it and blinks, then looks up. Her green eyes are full of awe. "You're Harry Dresden? Like *the* Harry Dresden? Because, you're tall enough, but still... here? In this town? Are you sure you're not trying to bluff me?"

Harry Dresden has posed:
"No." Harry says with a slight narrowing of his eyes, "Vampires certainly do not count as people. The laws are for mortals, mostly. It could be used to demons and the fae as well, so we try not to directly influence them..or at least good wizards don't. It's always about free will."

He blinks as you seem to recognize him, "Yeah...? You know who I am?" He snorts, "I can't think of a single reason why anyone would ever want to pretend to be me."

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
Willow sighs with relief when told that vampires don't count when it comes to that law about killing with magic. That would have been terribly awkward. Willow has never been wanted by the law before and the very idea that she might have been was threatening her good girl view of the world and of herself.

"I've never worked with demons or the fairy folk. I'm mostly what you would call a Hedge Witch, I guess. Asking for favours of the gods and goddesses. Herbs, candles, crystals."

She laughs softly then and nods. "I've heard of you a couple times. We had an... a problem a little while back and I saw your name and I suggested we might ask you. But Giles says your a phony. No offense! He just says that real wizards don't advertise."

Harry Dresden has posed:
"Well, i'm real, and I advertise." snarks Harry, folding his arms over his chest, letting the staff rest in the crook of his arm. "This Giles guy your friend? The one that is helping you out?"

"As far as demons or the fae? My advice is just don't. Stay as far from them as possible. Both of them will try and trick you into bargains and deals, and next thing you know you will be dinner, or worse."

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
Wow, this guy is intimidatingly tall, especially when he crosses his arms like that and seems unhappy with what she said. Mind you, she can't blame him. She tries to give him a happy smile, trying to look not at all nervous. "If I say yes, is that going to get him in trouble?"

"I know enough to stay away from demons. We have to deal with them all the time. I've never even thought of actually working with one before. And the only fae I've seen are the ones I sort of created. Will O'Wisp and the like. Oh! Like once, I cast this spell to guide me to my friends! But, I wasn't very specific, so it sort of split into a lot of wisps and I lost control and they started chasing me." She started off rather excited about her accomplishment at first, but as she finishes the story it becomes less excited and more embarrassed. "Yeah... so there's that."

Harry Dresden has posed:
Harry Dresden shakes his head, "No. It's not like I am going to rain firey wizard wrath down on him for not believing I'm real. Hell's bells, if I did that most people would suffer my furious anger!" He pauses for effect, and then gives Willow a wink, breaking out into a grin.

The grin turns into a chuckle as she relays her story, "Constructs created from the NeverNever certainly need more focus to control. You're lucky all they did was chase you. If you want help with a simple tracking spell, I am sure I could help you out. They really aren't terribly difficult, as long as you have something to work with."

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
Willow wonders when Harry talks about raining fiery wrath on people if he is being literal. She worries he might be, but then that smile and wink causes her to relax. That's just plain silly. One would have to be a huge power to be able to juice that sort of spell.

"It turns out that it was actually a fear demon that made me lose control. Because that would be my biggest fear, I guess. Loosing control and my spell going wrong and turning against me." She smiles and bites her lower lip, shaking her head. As usual, she prefers to do things on her own. She's not needed a teacher before now and she's done just fine. "Oh, if I have the time to cast things properly and get them right, I do pretty well. It's the casting on the fly that tends to go wrong."

Harry Dresden has posed:
Harry Dresden lets out a small little chuckle, "Sounds like me. I kick ass at thaumaturgy, but evocation is certainly not my strong suit. I have the raw power, but no control. I tend to use foci like my staff or rod for casting magic on the fly like that. Otherwise I tend to cause mass property damage. Hell, I do that half the time anyway..."

Tara Maclay has posed:
Where did that girl come from? A little larger than Willow Tara makes up for it by being entirely too mousey and quiet for the good of anyone. "Well, you know. Focus crystals and, mmm, witch hazel? I know witch hazel helps me focus when I am trying to cast an evocation. I mean, you get it on your hands and your skin gets all tingly and then- I mean, I read that. About evocations. In a... Book..." Tara retreats a few steps and moves into place beside (behind) Willow, her eyes wide as she looks up- way up- at Harry. She srinks a little bit. "Which I got from her." She points at Willow with the solemn expression of one whose body language is clearly saying, 'It's you or me, love.'

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
Putting the candle down that has been held in her hands thoughtlessly for most of this conversation, Willow rubs at the back of her neck. It's hard looking up at someone as tall as Dresden. "I can start the fire in the fireplace, but not much beyond that. Evocation is pretty tricky. You need to balance the elements just right, or you could cause all sorts of problems." She's not entirely sure if she's trying to impress Harry with her knowledge or just just try to keep up with the 'big kid'.

When Tara shows up behind her, Willow smiles. A shy, sweet smile that could brighten a room. "Tara! You'll never guess who this is! Harry Dresden!" She shows off the business card. "This is almost as exciting as the time I got to meet Neil DeGrasse Tyson!"

Harry Dresden has posed:
Harry Dresden blinks at the arrival of the new person. Normally he is more on the ball than to let someone sneak up on him like that. "Stars and stones!" he exclaims, looking down at the other woman. He chuckles to himself, shaking his head and letting out another little laugh. "Where did you come from?"

He watches her move behind Willow, "Yeah, that could work, Anything really that helps you focus on what it is you are trying to do. I mean simple little spells like, oh for example 'Flickum Bicuss'..." the wizard says as he flicks a finger over towards the candle Willow just put back, whose wick flicks to life with a soft orange glow, "...becomes second hand after doing it a few thousand times. But larger things like columns of fire or gales of wind still require more than repetition."

Tara Maclay has posed:
"I was, um." Tara points at the nearby booth where she'd been standing. The part where she crept up while Harry was glowering forcefully at Willow is left to the imagination. She fidgets slightly and twists, screwing up her lips as wide eyes cast between Willow and harry. She blinks and then nods slowly a few times. "Wow," is the response the redhead gets, though whether it is about Dresden or Tyson is difficult to say. People who know Tara might bet money on the latter.

"Flickum bicuss?" Tara mouths then, hardly even making a sound. Then she takes a deep breath and gestures once, sharply. Nothing happens. The girl gets a briefly panicked expression and shakes her head. "Aahmm. I mean..." She gestures a couple times hurriedly and squeaks out, "Go out. Please?" The candle complies. She licks her lips and runs her fingers through her hair, smiling weakly. Then Tara retreats a bit more determinedly. Yep. She's completely invisible behind Willow. Totally.

Great hiding place.

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
Watching her friend point to the candle, she watches with eager anticipation. She knows that Tara has way more actual knowledge, both practical and theoretical, then Willow does. When the spell doesn't work as it should, the redhead frowns. She doesn't let Tara hide behind her. "Are you alright? You've done that before without the words. It's just a different way of casting it." Willow slips her hand into Tara's, linking fingers. "Try again," she encourages.

When their hands link, the feeling of their power changes. Usually a coven needs a certain amount of people to make raise enough power for the big spells. These two, whether they are aware of it or not, only seem to need each other.

Harry Dresden has posed:
Harry Dresden glances between the pair, arches a brow slightly as he can 'feel' the shift in their energies. "Huh." he mutters to himself, a slight quirk to the corner of his lip as he watches them.

"The words don't mean anything to you...Tara, is it? Neither would the words I use to cast anything else, as they are all nonsensical pseudo Latin that I made up. Proably why it didn't work for you since being meaningless they probably didn't focus your intention....that, and the spell is to light candles, not to put them out."

He grins.

Tara Maclay has posed:
"I...Wasn't using your words to cast," Tara finally manages. "I- um... I was just..." She looks over at Willow and favours the other girl with a shy smile before taking a deep breath. Then the girl looks at the candle. It lights easily. Then the flame spouts upward and forms into a ball that circles over the middle of the table, perhaps ten candles bright.

Tara is staring at it intensely, grip tightening on Willow's hand while she does so. The girl starts to calm slightly, emerging from her place behind her redheaded companion. She shrugs her shoulders slowly.

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
Willow nods to the only slightly taller blonde, believing in her abilities, even when Tara is too nervous to believe in herself. She gives Tara's hand a squeeze and watches the candle as it lights and the flame moves to the table, hovering there like a small ping pong ball of light. Willow takes this opportunity to take control of the ball then, smiling as she does, splitting the ball into smaller flames that each land on a seperate candle.

"Hey! Are you going to pay for those?" calls out the frazzled shop owner. "No one is going to buy pre-lit candles, you know!"

Harry Dresden has posed:
Tara's display causes a look of surprise on his face. "Hell's bells...that is some damn fine control, and without a focus?" he glances between the girls and more specifically their shared grip. "Or...with a focus. Even so, impressive. Most impressive. I'm not sure I could have that level of control even on my best day. Molly on the other hand, she is all finesse."

He glances back at the shop owner "Sorry...sorry. Add them to my bill. I'll also need some shadow, moonlight, and sound of silence if you have them? I haven't had a chance to look at your stocks yet."

Tara Maclay has posed:
Tara actually smiles when the compliments begin and then nods a couple times, quickly. She reaches up with her free hand to draw it through her hair to pull it back from her face. "I'm the one with the, um. Finesse. Willow has all the power. She- never believes me when I say that." She flashes the woman beside her a quiet grin before her expression fades to one of calm.

"So, um. My name is Tara," the girl finally offers, biking once as she does. "You're- a, um. A real wizard. With magical art... i... facts and. Things." A beat follows. "Thank you," the girl concludes solemnly. She whispers quietly enough that divided attention would probably mean missing her words, but at least the sentences are finished.

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
There is a look of pride on Willow`s face when her friend and she finish the spell. And something more, a warmth, tender like a new bud of a rose not yet ready to bloom. She realizes that she and Tara are still holding hands and pulls her hand free shyly, looking at the floor, walls and ceiling as she draws her hair back over an ear.

"I can't have *all* the power. Otherwise you wouldn't be able to cast anything without me. I just wish I had your control, other then when we... touch. If I tried that on my own, I'd have more likely set the place on fire."

At that comment, the shop owner frowns, having come up to talk with Dresden about her stock. "Shadow and Moonlight we have. Silence is harder to come by, but I can have it here in about a week."

Harry Dresden has posed:
Letting out a little snort, Harry looks over to the shop owner, "You have no idea. What I wouldn't give for just a moment of silence." He grins at the shop keeper, "A week will likely be fine. I'll take the rest today."

He looks to Willow and Tara, "Yes, I'm a real wizard...unlike what your friend Giles apparently claims." He winks at Willow before continuing, "Facts and things are my specialty, as are finding lost items, paranormal investigations, etcetera... It's all on the card."

Tara Maclay has posed:
Tara nods once at that explanation, with less overt criticism than Willow. When the redhead yanks her hand away Tara looks down at her own for a second before quickly dropping it to her side once more.

"So, um. Paranormal investigations. Like finding a specific demon or something?" Tara bllinks once at that and then gives her head a quick shake. "I mean, that sort of, um. Magical things. Right?" Tara slowly looks over at Willow again and watches her for a second before casting her gaze... Anywhere. Oh, look. A candle. That's a lovely candle.

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
The shop owner nods, waving her hand at the lit candles to put them all out. She looks at the two girls who lit them all with their display of talent(showboating is more like it). Grabbing the candles, she starts to tally up the bill, giving Dresden a price that is a little high, but not outside of what is considered the normal range.

Willow holds up the card that Harry gave her, smiling to Tara. "I can't wait to show this to Giles. He's not going to believe it." Willow notices that something is up with Tara but isn't sure what it is, so just chalks it up to meeting the witch equivalent of a rock star.

Harry Dresden has posed:
"Sometimes." Harry says as he nods to Tara, "Or excessing a ghost, or tracking down a rogue werewolf, or dealing with black magic practitioners or vampires...it encompasses a lot of different things. I also do consulting for the Gotham PD...when they aren't on strike that is. That is really going to put a crimp in my pocketbook."

He looks over to the shop owner, opening his mouth to say something, but thinking better of it and just closing it again. He sighs and fishes his wallet out of his jeans, turning back to Willow and Tara. "As I was telling your friend Willow here, I also try to teach and help those that show talent in the art, which obviously you two have. So feel free to give me a call if you like."

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
At the mention of tracking werewolves, Willow looks to Dresden with anewed interest. "Could you track one anywhere?" she asks, before blushing and giving Tara a nervous glance and then looking away. "I mean... we had a friend and ... he went to find a cure. I was just worried about him, is all." Well, that was awkward. Oh look! It's a differnt really nice candle!

Tara Maclay has posed:
Tara's really nice candle goes out. SHe rowns briefly and then nods once, looking from the candle to willow, Harry, and then back like she is watching a game of pong. Eventually she settles on a point between them that is almos like looking at both. Or neither. Perspective, really.

"Oh. A friend? He's, um. Right. Being worried about him is understandable-" Tara meets Willow's nervous glance and now both girls ablushing and glancing about awkwardly once more. To Harry Tara mumbles, "I have a lot of, um, instruction down but you know.. .Practical experience. Is good, I mean." She briefly bites her bottom lip.

Harry Dresden has posed:
"You have a friend that is a werewolf?" Harry says as he looks between Tara and Willow as his tone suddenly becomes very serious. "What kind? Hexenwolf? Lupe Garou? Therianthropy? Wait...you said cure. That would have to mean Lupe Garou, since if someone used transmongrification on him. he wouldn't be 'human'." He whistles, "Lupe Garou's are nasty business. Tell me he is smart enough to lock himself away on the nights of the full moon."

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
Willow looks up to Harry when he starts peppering the two of them with questions about her ex-boyfriend. Of course, she doesn't actually mention that the werewolf in question is her ex-boyfriend. One, that would be outting him and two, she doesn't quite have the heart to let Tara know that her ex was more then just a regular person. Because that might make what she and Tara share less special and she doesn't want that. Not for either of them.

Willow looks confused at all the questions though. "Hexen wolf? Lupe Garou? I... He's just a werewolf. He changes on the three days of the full moon, and yes, he always locked himself up." The more she talks about the subject, the less she is finding she wants to as it opens up wounds that had only just started to truly heal.