4973/Stalking Is Illegal!

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Stalking Is Illegal!
Date of Scene: 23 July 2018
Location: Limbo
Synopsis: Illyana seeks help from a... dancer, who turns out to be Jennifer Kale. A trip to Limbo and Belasco's sword comes into the picture, and then Darkchilde appears!
Cast of Characters: Magik, Jennifer Kale




Magik has posed:
It is fairly late at night, with numerous restaurants and bars closing their doors to clean up and do it all again the next day. There are a few clubs in Sunnydale that stays open much later; rather than closing their doors to the public, they were opening up theirs or doing shift exchange. Sunny Side Up is that particular night club, where many of their dancers are leaving for the night. A tall, muscular guard stands at the front door of the club to make sure each of them make it to their cars safely.

In the darkness, hidden away from the sight of the guard or any passersby, Illyana Rasputin stands in waiting. She is waiting for the perfect opportunity to make herself seen, with someone in particular needing to appear for her to make that move. Clad in black leather, her typical costume as of late, Illyana looks like she belonged to a cult, a leather club, or is heading to work. A glance goes to her wrist watch, noting the time and mentally cataloging that many of the employees from the nightclub should be exiting soon.

There is one, in particular, that Illyana wants to speak with.

Jennifer Kale has posed:
It was a pretty typical night at the Sunny Side Up, which means Jennifer Kale's bag is about fifty dollars more towards the positive side of the ledger that it was when she arrived. All of it in small bills. She walks home, or at least she walks far enough to be out of sight of the ever-watchful bouncer. Then she usually teleports.

Tonight, however, as the blonde heads on her usual route away from the club there is something in the air that feels... different. It's not exactly a smell and not exactly a premonition, but definitely something supernatural. She continues the walk, the duffel bag slung over her shoulder with costume inside. Confident.

Magik has posed:
Just for pomp and circumstance - or maybe just a devious thrill - Illyana follows after Jennifer once she is out of sight of the guard. Her steps were slow, walking from the shadows and keeping a distance in between the dancer and herself. Illyana makes it obvious that she is following, a hood over her blonde hair and she increasing the speed in her pace.

A toothy grin can be seen on Illyana's face if anyone is around to see it.

Jennifer Kale has posed:
Yes, Jennifer can sense that she's being followed alright. Muttering a few words in Atlantean, she extends her physical senses and also adds a few layers of supernatural filters. Yep, a rather large ping hits her mystic radar. But rather than speeding up her pace, Jen stops completely.

Without looking back (there really isn't any need), she tilts her head a bit and speaks softly. "Whoever you are and whatever you want, I can promise that if you're looking for trouble tonight you really won't like what you've found."

Magik has posed:
A low fit of laughter erupts from Illyana's throat. The thought is simply amusing to her, dismissing the threat as she continues to walk forward. If Jennifer allows, Illyana walks close enough to the woman that her voice can be heard in a whisper in her ear. <<I do enjoy trouble,>> she says in Russian.

Jennifer Kale has posed:
Jennifer Kale doesn't try to flee, although she could certainly teleport out. Instead she slowly turns as the woman approaches, looking curiously at the black leather. At the whisper she offers a smile. A brief wave translates the words before they fade from her mind, and Jen chuckles. "So it's safe to say that you're not from the Jersey side." she offers softly.

Magik has posed:
With a thought, a pool of golden light appears underneath both Jennifer and Illyana. The Russian falls into the portal, leading herself to Limbo, hoping that the other woman will soon appear as well.

"And we're not in Kansas anymore," Illyana says.

Removing the hoodie from her head, Illyana takes in the sight of her domain. They appear to be in a massive castle, the throne room. What appears to be bats flittering on the ceiling, but their cries are reminiscent of demons - which, they were. One in particular descends from the ceiling and moves to Illyana's side. She pets the beast in waiting.

"Jennifer Kale, welcome to Limbo. I am in need of your assistance."

Jennifer Kale has posed:
Jennifer Kale has been to strange places before, so this isn't anything new to her. And she's got a bad habit of being more curious than careful. So Jen goes along for the ride. Knees bend a little when they land in Limbo, and Jen looks around.

"This is your domain." Jen offers, perhaps for clarification. "Limbo..." The blonde smiles wryly when she is named, and with a polite bow of her head she returns the favor. "You are Illyana Rasputin. Yes. I've heard of you." she replies. "What do you need?"

Magik has posed:
"Her name proceeds her," Illyana replies with a nod. She is specific when the word 'her' is said, illustrating that it is not a reputation that she claims for herself. That Illyana is dead. "And yes, this is my domain."

She continues to pet the demon at her side, stepping forward to lead a path to a massive throne before them. Illyana sits on it, crossing one leg over the other, and then analyzes the woman before her as she offers assistance.

"There is a spell that I cannot find in the depths of my library. Dark, black magic, focusing on soul lifting and trapping. It was used against me - her - years ago, and something was taken from me. I need to find it but it seems the process is more than what it seems."

A podium rises from the flooring holding a thick book. The book opens and the pages turn and then stops on several pages that are ripped from it.

"I know /he/ has it, but he has been evading me at every turn, hiding, taunting me with my own possessions. I will kill him when I find him."

Jennifer Kale has posed:
Jennifer Kale regards both the woman and the demon with casual curiosity. It's not the first demon she's ever seen, but that doesn't make it any less interesting. She follows up to the dais, pausing on the level just above the floor.

Of course. Another book of magic to deal with.

"Soul lifting and trapping? I can't really say as I blame you for wanting to kill him. Whoever that is. But how about we start there? Who is 'He'?"

Magik has posed:
Illyana finds it interesting that Jennifer knows of her but not of Belasco. Her merit, it seems, is more than what her former master offers. But in the ultimate game, he is winning because her soul is all that Illyana cares for. To be trapped in a shell is infuriating enough!

"His name is Belasco," Illyana begins. "He was my master once, and I his apprentice, until I surpassed him." A soft chuckle erupts from the back of her throat, an evil expression placid against her features at the thought. "He once ruled this dimension, but the Elder Gods chose me. So, I banished him. /She/ banished him. And now, I am left with nothing!"

The demons above screech and howl at their master's emotions. She ignores them, placing an elbow against the arm of the throne and dropping her chin into the palm of her hands. "I have searched high and low for those missing pages. Met with several... adequate mystics, but no one has been able to discern the missing text. So, here we are."

Jennifer Kale has posed:
Jennifer Kale does nod slowly at the mention of Belasco. Of course it could have been any number of people who wronged Illyana. The blonde listens, cocking her hip to one side and folding arms over her crop-top. The demons are ignored, their novelty having worn off by now, and she listens.

"Okay, this is making more sense now that you mention Belasco. Your situation, too. Some people don't have much sense of humor about being banished, so he retaliated."

Jennifer looks from the book to Illyana, then back. "So you need my help to find the missing text or to figure it out?"

Magik has posed:
"Let's start with the text," Illyana responds, her interest peaking slightly. "If I am able to retrieve the missing pages and decipher the different elements involved, I can, most assuringly, figure out what to do next."

"The problem lies in the consequences. If I make a mistake in casting, it would be suicide, I fear." Hence, why she wants other mystics to help.

Jennifer Kale has posed:
Jennifer Kale shifts her weight again, unfolding her arms with a nod. "When we find the text I shouldn't have too much trouble with the casting." she replies. "So let's start there. Any ideas where this asshole might have stashed it?"

Magik has posed:
Illyana shakes her head in her palm. "I have tried locator spells, traveled into the past, broke a few mystic laws, and have come up with nothing."

Lifting from the throne with a thought, Illyana stands back to her full height and walks down a corridor. She assumes the other woman is following behind her. The podium melts back into the floor. As they travel through the castle, the windows show a hellish dimension, not bound by the contracts of time or physics. Red mounds of mountain pieces float over volcanic lava.

As she enters another room, torches light with fire as if turned on with a light switch. The podium from the throne room is to the side, the book still open to the torn pages. This room is vast and has books from all walks of life and dimensions inside. This was Belasco's study and now it is Illyana's.

"I will not stop until I find out a way to return my soul."

Jennifer Kale has posed:
Jennifer Kale doesn't seem bothered by the idea of breaking magical laws, but the girl in leather definitely has her attention now. She follows where Illyana goes, looking through the windows to the scenery outside. "I'm gonna guess you don't have much of a tourism industry." she offers.

Then they enter the study, and Jen moves immediately towards the open book. She's careful not to touch it directly, however. At least not yet. "You said you've tried locator spells. Are you trying to find Belasco or the missing pages? There should be a sympathetic connection between the book and the lost pages. Otherwise we'll have to find him directly."

Magik has posed:
"I have tried both," Illyana says, releasing a breath of frustrated air. "Something or someone is protecting him and blocking our connection. The pages... other than a binding spell, I don't know..." Illyana balls her hands into fists and punches a nearby bookshelf, leaving imprints of her knuckles into the wood. "Forgive me. The more I fail, the angrier I get."

"No one likes me when I'm angry." The Darkchilde loves it though.

Jennifer Kale has posed:
Something that Illyana says catches Jen's attention, and she lifts an index finger with a bit of a wry smile. "Sounds like THAT may be what he wants as well." Jennifer offers thoughtfully. She mulls it over a bit more before speaking. "Something is blocking him and your connection. YOUR connection. Not mine." Yeah, she's getting excited now.

"This was his place before, right? Did he leave behind any personal items? A toothbrush, maybe? Razor? Hairbrush? Even clothes."

Magik has posed:
Turning around, Illyana wonders. She shuffles passed the various bookshelves and stops at a wall. With a wave of her hand, the wall begins to remold, stretching open to reveal a sword locked in a glass case. It is an ancient relic, used by Belasco himself against warriors that have long died.

Stepping closer, she can feel its magical properties. "This is his sword," Illyana says, willing the glass case from the wall. "I have never touched it. I've never had to. But I've seen it in use." Illyana is entranced by the sword, developing a growing admiration for it. "It's beautiful."

Like a kid marveling over a toy in a window display, Illyana is trapped.

Jennifer Kale has posed:
Jennifer Kale's attention is fixed on the sword as well, although probably not for the same reasons as Illyana. The blonde turns towards it directly, hands together and then spreading slowly with palms outward. "I will need to touch it." she offers softly, extending magical senses like invisible probes towards the mystical weapon.

"If I can establish a link to Belasco through the sword, then I can follow the link right to him."

Magik has posed:
Illyana doesn't hear Jennifer speak, as her enthrall with the sword continues. Believing it more important, she stares over the marksmanship of the weapon. Belasco's sword. Grip on the sword tightens, finally hearing the last of what the woman nearby her is saying. Touch it? Never!

Horns start to form at her temples, her olive skin growing darker, and her blue eyes starts to burn bright red. Turning swiftly, a prehensile tail with a spade tip knocks over some books in disagreement. "You will not touch this sword. This is mine!"

Without a second's notice, Darkchilde is leaning in and swipes the sword across parchment and wood, slicing through the items cleanly. Her next victim is Jennifer, aiming to slice clean through her as well.

Jennifer Kale has posed:
Jennifer Kale feels... something... building in the room. Something elusive. Sinister. And in the time it takes her to realize that, Illyana's voice becomes more harsh. The other woman's appearance darkens as well, both physically and metaphorically.

Jennifer turns, half-ducking and raising her wards just in time. Strong as her wards are, the magic is actually blunted by the enchanted blade. "Oh this is NOT happening..." she offers dryly. Responding out of instinct, the blonde aims a double-fisted magical blast at Illyana.

Magik has posed:
With an agility far greater than the human body, Darkchilde lunges forward, jumping onto a desk, and aims the sword right at Jennifer's neck. The demon is too late though, as the other mystics' hands are already in a double-fisted lock. All Darchilde can feel is a sharp pain, as mystic force rips through her shoulder, tearing her flesh.

The recoil of the force causes the hidden voice deep inside the demon to lash out, and Illyana is able to take control for a split second. Her mind is focusing on her brother, Piotr, thinking of how he would feel about her in this state. He would hate her. Is that possible?

A golden pool of light appears upright and the demon flies through, closing immediately afterwards. The room is consumed in silence now.

Jennifer Kale has posed:
Jennifer Kale is braced and ready, now that she has the demon-girl off balance. Her mind is focusing on an attack spell with more horsepower behind it, working the mystical numbers in her head before Illyana recovers too many of her faculties.

The golden pool appears, then, but before Jennifer can so much as take a step closer it is already changing. "No!" she cries out, the sound fading rapidly as the gate closes.

"Well, shit." the Atlantean sorceress mutters. Exhaling slowly, she takes a good look around in case she needs to return to this place again. Then she teleports back to Sunnydale, where she fully expects to dream about this tonight. Some would call the dreams 'philosophical encounters'. Jen calls them nightmares.