6068/White Prince meets Hell Princess.

White Prince meets Hell Princess.
Date of Scene:	29 December 2018
Location:	Manhattan, New York City
Synopsis:	Illyana is on the trail of a missing imp (). She finds him outside the Blue Lady with the help of Thomas Raith.
Cast of Characters:	Magik, Thomas Raith

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Magik has posed:
Illyana blamed Xavier's School. She wasn't sure who had been baking so many cookies over the holidays and hiding baggies all over the school but that person lived at the school. Thus, it was their fault she was at the Blue Lady looking for a missing imp. The imp had developed a taste for human food since then and kept wandering off to find more. She would track him and get him back to Limbo but this time, he had outdone himself. He had an item with him that was blocking her from teleporting directly to his location. It also blocked her from porting to him since she couldn't 'see' him with her powers.

She was carrying a small amulet that glowed a faint blue. When she was pointed in the right direction, the glow would get a bit brighter. It had helped her track him this far. Seemed he was somewhere near the building, maybe toward the back as she walked down the sidewalk out front to be sure of her bearings. Definitely in the back. She headed down an alley in search of her prey.

Thomas Raith has posed:
"I'm telling yah boss. Seen it with my own eyes. 'Bout the size of a small rat, drinking a bottle of Johnny Black like... I dunno, something that drinks something really fast."
Thomas pinched the bridge of his nose slightly. "A Demon?" he asked for clarification, again.
"Yeah," "About the size of a rat drinking whiskey?"

"Yeah! Yeah!"
Thomas sighed and slipped on his coat preparing to go look around outside, the direction his employee had said the beastie had fled. "Alright Smash, I'll go have a look around, but be warned if I don't find something, we're going to do a drug test and if you've been using again..."

The heavily tattooed man looked both nervous and a little hurt by that. "I ain't neither boss... I'm as sober as... I dunno..a priest or something."
Thomas headed outside, bracing agienst the winter air. "Smash," he muttered to himself though directing it inside, "YOu haven't known many priests. Still it was at that moment a young blonde girl came into the alley with him, carrying what to Thomas looked rather like a Wizard light. "Curiouser and curiouser. Nice night for a stroll, hmm?"

Magik has posed:
The young lady looked to be in her late teens. Maybe 18 or 19. She wore a pair of jeans with black boots, a red sweater and a black leather jacket over the top. The cord from the amulet was held in her left hand. As she panned her arm from side to side, it got brighter at one point in the arc.

As the light filled the alley from the opening door, she focused her glacier blue eyes on the man who spoke. With a flick of her hand, the amulet was palmed and the light disappeared from view as she regarded him warily. Despite her young age, her eyes were like windows to a much older soul. "Seemed a nice place for one. No crowds like the sidewalks out front," she said. She spoke with a Russian accent.

Thomas Raith has posed:
Thomas Raith tilts his head slightly and smiles. He's got a thing for accents, he'd be the first to admit it. Only problem is, way to many 15-16 year old girls looked 18-19. Cest la vie. He glanced about for a moment, and decided to take a chance. "Forgive my impudent question miss, but you haven't happened to see something about this size..." he makes a circle with his thumbs and middle fingers to show the approximate size of the imp Smash described. He's believing his bouncer quite a bit more now that someone with a magical device of some sort has shown up. Might even have to buy the poor fellow a steak by way of apology.

Magik has posed:
Instead of lighting up happily, Illyana narrows her eyes slightly. Does she trust this strange man who doesn't seem disturbed that there is a demon--albeit a little one--running around? That immediately makes her suspicious as she watches him a long moment. Longer than really is appropriate. Finally, she speaks. "Maybe."

Not really helpful of course. She does glance the direction where the light had been glowing the brightest in the arc. It led further down the alleyway. It would help to have two people looking though...

She glances back to Thomas. "Have you seen it?"

Thomas Raith has posed:
Thomas Raith shakes his head slowly, "A man who works for me did. I accused him of being high. Now I'll have to apologize for that." He blows lightly at a lock of silken brown hair that falls from his bangs down towards his crystal blue eyes. He follows her gaze slightly back towards his dumpster. "So I'm going to make an assumption that is either very brilliant, or very silly. Either way it saves us the dancing slash feeling each other out." He gives her a playful look over, and in a tone half teasing half seductive adds "As enjoyable of a pass time that might be..." He shakes his head. "You're a wizard, and you're looking for whatever it is that just ran out of my club after drinking $135 worth of whiskey?"

Magik has posed:
"It's drinking whiskey?!" The sharpness of that question may give a warning that this could be a 'bad thing' as they say. Illyana gives a quick nod of the head as she starts toward the dumpster. "Sorcerer but close enough. I always think of Dungeons and Dragons when someone says Wizard."

She allows the amulet to drop from her palm so it dangles below her hand. As she starts to approach the dumpster, it is glowing brighter.

"How much whiskey?" she asks suddenly, looking sharply over at Thomas. It's that moment the is the sound of something rattling around inside the dumpster followed by what sounds like an empty bottle clinking against something hard within the green bin.

Thomas Raith has posed:
Thomas Raith nods slightly, gravely. He's smart enough to know that when other people suddenly think an issue is "serious" maybe they know something he doesn't. "A full fifth of Johnny Walker Black Label. That's about one and three quarter liters." he tells her. He doesn't tell her that among the people /he/ knows, calling someone a sorcerer is about a big an insult as one can get. "Mind if I ask what it is we're dealing with?" he asks curiously, reaching behind his back and freeing a kukri knife, keeping an eye on the dumpster...

Magik has posed:
"A demon."

Illyana doesn't show the surprise when he draws the knife. It's there but she doesn't let him note it visibly. If he is sensitive to emotions, he might pick up on it though.

"If he's had that much liquor, he could be quite dangerous. Generally they will double in size, gain human level strength and the ability to breathe fire."

She approaches the dumpster as a glowing white sword appears in her left hand, silvery armor manifesting over her entire arm on that side. The amulet is pocketed.

"Are you ready?"

Thomas Raith has posed:
Thomas Raith nods slightly, making a annoyed face at that. "And the smell of burning garbage lingers for weeks." he says annoyed. He gives the same nod of respect when her sword and arm guard appears. "WEll then, since I am apparently differing to your expertise, how do you suggest we proceed... Oh, I'm Thomas by the way. Thomas Raith, I own that club and would prefer it not burned down.." Not that he doesn't carry ridicules amounts of fire insurance. I mean Dresden.

Magik has posed:
"Illyana Rasputin," she offers politely despite their circumstance. She takes up a spot on the opposite side of the dumpster from Thomas. "On the count of three..."

She puts her hand on the edge of the lid. "One...two...three!" The lid is flung upwards hard enough that it flips over out of the way.

There inside is their demon!

Only, he hasn't doubled in size. Nor does he look particularly dangerous. He is about eight inches tall with oversized feet and hands which only have three digits and a thumb. His head is football shaped with overly large eyes that match well with his giant bat-wing like ears sticking out on both sides. His teeth are all pointed. No nose to speak of. Tiny horns are on the top of his head.

He is laying atop the garbage pile, one hand on his overly swollen belly from the amount of alcohol he imbibed. There is a heavy golden chain with a teardrop shaped ruby hanging around it's skinny neck. As the top is thrown open, it doesn't even budge although it does let out an impressive burp considering its size.

Illyana peers in then looks at Thomas. "I may have been mistaken?"

Thomas Raith has posed:
Thomas Raith just...blinks. Then chuckles slightly at Illyana's reaction. He doesn't however lower his guard. He himself is living proof that just because something looks harmless... or attractive... does not make it not dangerous. "So what do we do now?" he asks, still pointing the hooked blade at the tiny things over swollen belly...

Magik has posed:
The inebriated imp reaches up a tiny hand and swats at the knife, like a cat with a ball of yarn.

"Perhaps it was rum instead of whiskey," Illyana murmurs half to herself as she watches the interplay. "Do? Oh!" She reaches out with her hand to take the necklace from around the imp's neck. It doesn't even try to resist as it giggles happily to itself.

She touches the necklace to the Soulsword. There is a flare of light then nothing. A moment later, her sword and armor disappear, leaving her as she was when she arrived in the alleyway. She does hold out the necklace with the ruby. "This should pay for the alcohol he consumed." Probably three times over to be honest. "I broke the spell on it so it's simply a necklace now." Always good to reassure people. "As for him, he'll get taken home. He and I will have a little chat when we get back there."

Thomas Raith has posed:
Thomas Raith takes the necklace, dropping it into his pocket. Again, he knows nothing about this girl and who knows if she has anything like Sidhe ideas of debt and gifts. "You're not going to send it back to wherever it came from?" he asks suspiciously, though he does pull the blade away from the impling to a less threatening distance..

Magik has posed:
Now the imp manages to find it's own toes, pulling them up toward it's head as it stares at them in boozy wonder.

"Where it comes from is home is Limbo, a realm very like Hell itself." Illayana explains. Which means she intends to go to this hell realm to have the chat, from what she said before. "The necklace was keeping me from teleporting him back. Now, he can be sent home with a thought." With that, a disc of white light appears below the little demon and moves upwards around it, the imp disappearing as the disc moved. Another flare of light and the imp is gone along with the stepping disc. "Like so. I appreciate your help."

Thomas Raith has posed:
Thomas Raith nods as he watches her open, what he could only describe as a "Way" and drop the Imp into it. One of the fastest and most elegant Way's he's ever seen to be frank. He shakes his head with utter astonishment and then says in a casual voice, "So that thing pretty much tanked my liquer costs for the day anyway. Can I offer you a drink and maybe something to eat?" he asks in a friendly tone..

Magik has posed:
"I shouldn't..." Illyana starts to speak then stops herself. What could it hurt really? When she got home, she would have to have a little chat with the imp and that wouldn't be pleasant for anyone.

She also needed to find a source of regular cookies to provide it so it would stop escaping.

"But I am hungry so why not?"

Thomas Raith has posed:
Thomas Raith leads he back inside through the kitchen entrance. He stops in front of a heavily tattooed man with a split tongue and says "Smash, I apologize. It's taken care of." The large man nods, obviously relieved as his boss leads the blonde into the man room. A very...buxom..blonde comes over smiling at them both as Thomas leads Illyana to his private table. "Here you go, what can I getcha?" she asks cheerfully handing only Illy a menu, apparently already knowing her employer's order. Once Illyana has placed her own order Thomas would say in a low whisper, "Don't do any magic in here... it wouldn't go over well.

Magik has posed:
When the server arrives, Illyana orders a rare steak with whatever veggie they have on the side. She passes over the menu back to the woman then looks to Thomas as he gives the warning. "You don't like magic I take it?" she asks curiously as she picks up her glass of cola. She didn't even try to order something alcoholic although she probably would've gotten away with it. Her friends would be proud of her for taking the good path.

Thomas Raith has posed:
The waitress smiles amused at Illy, asking "You want it rare, or still mooing like this guy?" she asks pointing to her boss, but moving away to let the pair talk. Thomas shrugs, "I have nothing agienst magic per say, I just respect it enough to know the damage it can do in an in closed space." He points to a series of lightbulbs over the head of the bartender. "Do magic in here, and those start popping. If all ten of them go off, it turns on the sprinkler system. Clean and effective, but hell on dry cleaning.

Magik has posed:
Illyana almost asks why her boss would moo. Almost. She manages not to.

A glance is given toward the sprinklers over head as she frowns a little bit. "I guess it might be annoying enough to stop some." For her, the concept of water stopping magic seems strange. Her magic is from a different place with different rules from others. Not that she intends to use it. It's not something she likes to rely on in this realm. Stupid imp. Stupid cookies. "Magic can also do good." Just not really in her hands very much. He's probably smart to have such precautions. "But what has happened in your past to give you such a healthy respect for it, Mr. Raith?"

Thomas Raith has posed:
Thomas Raith shrugs a bit, "Running water is supposed to ground out most forms of magic. It's not a panacea but I'll take any advantage I can." He leans back as "DiDi", the waitress returns with another can of pop for her, and a crystal decanter with a light brown liquid in it. Thomas pours a judicious amount of this into a highball glass and adds, "My mother was a wizard. I suppose if she'd been a thief I'd have extra security devices. As it is, I protect myself agienst magical threats. Most of my staff has had some brush with the supernatural as well."

Magik has posed:
"There are some forms of magic that is true for," Illyana says as she takes a sip of her drink before placing it back down on the table. At the mention of his mother being a wizard, she tilts her head slightly to the side. "So you knew what she could do, thus you want to keep your club safe from them. There are other things you could do /with/ magic on the outside, wards and the like. They would help with your desire to keep magical types outdoors."

Thomas Raith has posed:
Thomas Raith head shakes, "I don't want them to stay out my dear. I want them to behave themselves that's all." he shrugs slightly, taking a sip of his drink. "Start throwing magic around in here, you'll get a bath. Use my club as a hunting ground, deal with me personally. I don't care for poachers. But if you want to relax, have a drink, listen to some good music..." he gestures to the stage where a curvy black woman in a skin tight dress croons about love lost in the big city. "This is the place."

Magik has posed:
Illyana gives a shake of her head. "Not my sort of music. It seems a nice enough place though. Is it a bar or a restaurant? Since bar is something I can't get into legally." Not can't get into. At least she's honest about it.

Thomas Raith has posed:
Thomas Raith looks around, "Something in between I would say, and since I'm not plying you with intoxicating substances, I think we will be okay." He says mildly amused as Didi comes back with their steaks, hers rare, his barely cooked. He shrugs a little bit, "I market to a certain clientel. Do you know what a Speak-easy is? That was sort of my model for this place. Give people the feeling they are getting away with something as it were.

Magik has posed:
"Wasn't that one of those places during Prohibition?" And the Professor thought she didn't pay attention in class. She just felt it was useless information most of the time. Yet, here Illyana was, actually remembering something. "Illegal alcohol. Coded knocks or words to get in. That sort of thing?" She picks up her knife and fork, spearing the steak to hold it in place and cutting off a bit as she watched the liquid ooze out onto the plate. Perfect. "Do people enjoy that? Feeling like they are getting away with something?"

Thomas Raith has posed:
Thomas Raith nods slightly and leans back as he picks up his own knife and fork, "Almost universally. Think of it like this, take a man who needs $5. Offer him twenty. He'll as often as not refuse because he doesn't want charity. But let that same $20 bill fall out of your coat pocket as you're walking past that same man he'll scoop it up and never offer more then a token call to you to return it." He shrugs, "Here, people know they are allowed to drink, but that atmosphere gives them a sense of indulgence. And when you are feeling indulged, you tend to be more liberal with your money...or whatever."

Magik has posed:
After chewing and swallowing that bite of steak, Illyana considers his story a moment. "But there are many people who would pick up that money and call the person, saying they had dropped it. You have a jaded view on humanity. I think there are more good than bad in the world." After all, to her humans aren't nearly as bad as the demons of Limbo. She does tilt her head again as her brow furrows a bit in confusion. "Whatever?"

Thomas Raith has posed:
Thomas Raith offers her a smile that is both beautiful and predatory in it's own way, "Tell you what, when you have your 21st birthday, come back here to celebrate and I'll be happy to show you." His tone playful and yet full of promise.

Magik has posed:
Her pale eyes remain on his face for long moments. Illyana has seen the predatory portion too many times to count. It has led to many nightmares when she was younger. These days, she didn't really have bad dreams anymore. It was strange. One would think they would plague her. The only time she did, they were fears of losing her brother. Not the darkness of a demon realm. "I think I might pass on that, though you are lovely to look at. I'm not interested in being the sheep for the wolf."

Thomas Raith has posed:
Thomas Raith shrugs a bit, "Oh I don't see myself as a wolf amongst the sheep." he says calmly, sipping his drink. "I'm more like...that bad decision that you know from the /onset/ is a bad decision... but looks like too much damn fun to pass up." He says considering, "Like a Roller Coaster, or a hit of marijuana. A bad choice you'll remember fondly, not regret in the morning.

Magik has posed:
"Still look like a wolf to me," Illyana says as she gives a little shrug, going to back to working on her steak. She's at least being polite and friendly. "You can't really blame a wolf for being what it is. For its need to seek out something to devour. For you, it seems to be enjoyment of some sort?" She makes that more like a question. "You do seem rather confident of yourself. Why is that? You did mention your mother having magic so is that part of your deal as well?"

Thomas Raith has posed:
Thomas Raith shakes his head slightly, still amused. "I can do something like a basic tracking spell if given 20 minutes to prepare and there isn't anything to distract me. Useful for when my car keys are damn good and lost, that's about it. Most of what I am comes from my father's part of the family you might say. Do I enjoy it? Certainly. What's not to enjoy. I'm careful, no one is hurt. To use your analogy, it's as though the sheep not only enjoy's being eaten, but will often come back to see if the wolf wants seconds.

Magik has posed:
Since he doesn't explain what he is, Illyana doesn't press further. Some people have secrets and prefer to keep them. She can respect that. After all, she wouldn't share too much information herself in his shoes. She's already given quite enough while they were outside looking for the imp. She takes a bit of grilled zucchini then glances to him again. "I see." She's filed him away under hedonist and those who he spends time will likely fall in the same category. "You truly are beautiful though. It's a bit unearthly. You would put many of the models of this world to shame." It might seem strange for a man to be called beautiful but the way she says it is more that he is a work of art than someone to be desired.

Thomas Raith has posed:
Thomas Raith seems to take it that way as well, not seeming the least bit offended the way other men might at the word. He tips his glass respectfully in her direction and smiles. Oh well, what the hell, you don't fight demons with someone and not share personal secrets. "I'm what is known by some as a White Court. You can, and if I'm any judge of character you will, look it up later. But the short version is that I feed on lust. It nourishes me and gives me my strength...which I then in turn use to gather more... we'll call them prey to maintain your analogy..."

Magik has posed:
"White Court?" Illyana's first thoughts go to the Hellfire Club and the Inner Circle with their white and black pieces assigned to various members. But as he continues to talk, there is recognition in her eyes. Not for the name. For what he is. She's familiar with demons. All types of demons. There is a kind that is like what he is describing. Her gaze turns assessing as she takes a sip of her drink, watching him over the rim of the can as she does so. The can is placed back on the table. "So you're an incubus. From Limbo or some other Hell realm?"

Thomas Raith has posed:
Thomas Raith head tilts and says, "Yes," holding up one finger to indicate her first point, "No." he says to her second point, shrugging. "I was born this way. Came into my Hunger in late puberty. When I was about your age I'd guess." he says, taking another bite of his bright red steak and adding a bit of mashed potatoes to the end. "For most intents and purposes, I'm human. It's just when I am well fed, I am stronger. Faster. Better. And of course prettier." he adds with a smirk. "I don't abuse it, if I can help it of course, and this place gives me ample opportunity to prowl as it were.

Magik has posed:
There might be all sorts of reactions to what he is but for Illyana, it is more a clinical analysis as opposed to fear or even fascination. He's another type of demon. But no, not a demon. "Mother used magic. Father was more like you. So you are like a mutant? Or another species of some type? I have heard of a White and Black Gourt, but they are nothing like what you are describing." Thinking back to some of their attire, maybe they were moreso than she knew. "So you have a club, where you can be around people who are often feeling lust for one another. Or for you personally. That's quite fascinating."

Thomas Raith has posed:
Thomas Raith shrugs a bit, "Both." he says honestly, "I can sip at the ambient lust in this place, which is usually pretty high. It's dimly lit and the sort of place discreet hookups happen all the time.. but also... well I can give you a small demonstration. Nothing too invasive I promise." His eyes challenging as he lays his hand on the table palm up.

Magik has posed:
"It had better not be or you may learn about my dark side," Illyana warns. It doesn't sound like one of those silly playful threats. She seems to mean it. The question is, a woman who has admitted she is going to a Hell realm to chastise a demon later, what sort of dark side might she have? She isn't one to be afraid of things yet she hesitates a moment, hand above his. Then she lowers her hand.

Thomas Raith has posed:
Thomas Raith nods slightly and closes his hand around hers, rubbing the back of her hand with his thumb lightly. And it feels good. Not in a super sexualized way, but definately an intimate one. Other guys can not kiss half as well as Thomas can simply just hold her hand. It's definitely pleasurable, complete with tingles running up and down her spine.

Magik has posed:
It isn't invasive yet, it is. It feels like she is being kissed yet all he is doing is holding her hand. Illyana blinks in surprise. She had expected it would be something to do with his powers but she hadn't expected for there to be a physical sensation involved. Maybe the emotion but not the actual feelings of pressure and tingles. Suddenly she snatches her hand away, pushing back from the table in the same motion. "I...That was ...unexpected." Her hand is shaking and she quickly shoves it down into her lap so it isn't visible. It's intimacy and that is something she's not comfortable with at all. It's to be expected when one spent their formulative years in Hell, more or less. "I...I should go. Thank you. For the food. And the help."

An instant later, there is a flash of light above her head as a white disc appears. It isn't directly magic since it is her mutant ability to summon the rifts from Limbo, but there is no telling how the triggers on his security might respond to it. The glowing disc starts at her head and lowers over her. As it passes, she is disappearing bit by bit. An instant and she's gone, leaving her empty chair behind.

Thomas Raith has posed:
Thomas Raith stands there blinking with everyone else as the girl vanishes into the portal.. A moment later the ambient magic pouring out of limbo through the portal causes the lightbulbs over the bar to pop in rapid secession, and the sprinklers to come on, dousing everyone and everything. For a moment Thomas looks around as people run in panic like chickens with their noodles cut off. Finally he throws his head back and just laughs.