6494/A Meeting By The Bay

A Meeting By The Bay
Date of Scene:	13 February 2019
Location:	Amnesty Bay
Synopsis:	Jason Blood and Morrigan MacIntyre both end up in Amnesty Bay for reasons. They meet up with the local legend that is Arthur Curry, aka Aquaman.
Cast of Characters:	Aquaman, Etrigan (Jason Blood), Morrigan MacIntyre

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Aquaman has posed:
    A light, but unceasing snow has been falling for a fea days now, blanketed the small town with a light layer of white. The roads are salted and cleared, of course, and the hardy locals continue to head out on their boats for fish and similar. It's edging towards evening, and most folks are nestled safely in their homes by now. Still, Sybil's Diner is somewhat busy. A few stools are available at the counter, while most of the booths are taken. The Mainers drink and laugh over hearty, and surprisingly good food. It's a fairly standard diner, even if leaning into seafood a hint more then many, with a menu on a chalboard behind the counter, rotating specials, pie under glass, etcetera.

Etrigan (Jason Blood) has posed:
Jason Blood's antique car pulls up outside, a retro-styled thing more reminiscent of the thirties than today, although the engine beneath the hood is purely modern. His admiration for the aesthetic doesn't mean he's willing to accept something lesser in performance. The cold doesn't seem to touch him, the man lingering outside and finishing a cigarette before going in, finally snuffing the butt and tossing it into the trash on the way in.

He's well-dressed, with a grey pinstripe and tie, a long trenchcoat. His hair is trimmed at the sides and swept at the top, a streak of white running through the dark brown. He drums his fingers across the counter before selecting a stool, drawing a menu toward him and flicking through it idly, "In my experience, the fare at such waystations is usually much the same, regardless of geography. Coffee, water, a steak with some sort of gravy, potatoes of whatever preparation the chef deems his specialty. A piece of pie to follow. Cherry, if you have it."

Morrigan MacIntyre has posed:
Morrigan just happened to be driving through Amnesty Bay on her sporadic road trip. Her boss had told her to take a small vacation after last week and well, she wasn't arguing. Her car was parked and she headed inside the diner. The atmosphere makes her smile a bit and she heads for a seat at the counter. The violet eyed woman gives a smile and a quiet greeting, her accent says Irish, pegging her for not a local. She gives a look to Jason when he enters and then back to her menu as he's ordering. "Just coffee for now, thanks." she gives one waitress a smile.

Aquaman has posed:
    The woman behind the counter takes a look at Jason and shifts a bit uncomfortably, as if she can sense trouble blowing in. Or at least an antisocial mess. Still, she offers him a smile and nods, taking his menu before turning to put his order in. A burly, bearded man with a seafarer's tan glances over as he sips a local beer from a glass bottle. "The 'fare' at those other places don't have anything on Sybil's," he grunts, and a few of the other locals nod in agreement.

    The waitress takes the menu from Morrigan and nods. Soon enough a mug is set in front of each of them, and filled with coffee. A small saucer of half n half is idly between them. A moment later and a glass of water is set down beside Jason as well. The locals eye the two curiously, but not in a xenophobic way, like in some small towns.

Etrigan (Jason Blood) has posed:
Jason Blood has a hint of an accent himself, reminiscently British but long-faded, the tones of an expatriate. "Perhaps not," he says in response to the old salt. "I wouldn't dream of impugning the judgement of your no-doubt cosmopolitan palate, good sir," he says.

He nods to Morrigan, the woman's vivid hair catching his eye and something about her aura, perhaps, although he's hardly like to make a fuss about such things. His own aura can be quite a mess to those with the sight to see such things. He gives her a nod as well and takes a sip of water.

Morrigan MacIntyre has posed:
Morrigan doesn't look offended when Jason talks about the fare. Or his light British accent. She looks more curious as she looks to the man, a nod given to him, "Good evening." she states. Then there's a turn of her head when the waitress passes back by, "What do you suggest out of towners try?" she asks her with a smile.

Then she looks back to Jason, "You aren't from around here either I'm guessing." she states in a quiet tone. Not really wanting to draw attention, but also it's not a secretive whisper.

Aquaman has posed:
    The locals all have a rather thick Mainer accent. Pretty unmistakeable as anything else. The big man grunts at Jason's response and turns away to his previous conversation. The waitress, moving back and forth behind the counter, pauses when Morrigan addresses her. She offers her a friendly smile and considers for a moment. She is interrupted, however, by a man a few stools down.

    "The fish and chips is pretty fantastic. If that isn't your thing, Doug makes a mean bacon and eggs. I'd reccomend scrambled. He nails them." The man's voice is deep and pleasant, and his accent is local, if not as thick. Arthur glances up from his own empty plate, where he seems to have been in a friendly conversation with another local. The tall, muscled man is dressed in a pair of sturdy jeans and boots, along with a red and black flannel over a faded Smashing Pumpkins shirt, which looks pretty old. His blonde hair is pulled back into a simple ponytail, framing his handsome, tanned features.

    Aquaman is a bit harder to recognize outside of his famous scale mail, but someone really clued into the news or heroes might be able to place him.

Etrigan (Jason Blood) has posed:
Jason Blood isn't particularly clued in. He finds the sussurus of modern news media to be irritating, like shoving one's head into a hive of bees. He already has enough things in his head as it is.

He takes the coffee and nods at the observation, "I don't know that I'm from anywhere anymore. Something of a nomad's life, I'm afraid," he says. If he's uncomfortable at not fitting in, he doesn't show it, seemingly quite at ease in his more expensive garb. "You're Irish?" he says. "Been a minute since I've seen the Emerald Isle." Well, if a minute is sixty years or so.

Morrigan MacIntyre has posed:
Morrigan's head turns at the sound of the voice and there's a smile to the man, "Thank you for the information. I think I'll have the fish and chips." she tells the waitress. There's another look given to the large man down the way before she focuses on Jason and there's a smile, "Nothing wrong with moving around." she tells him. Then she nods to him, "Yes, but I haven't been there in a long time." she admits. "My mom moved us here when I was still just a baby." she states. "I'd like to go there sometime, but my vacation wasn't long enough to warrant an out of the country trip." she chuckles.

Aquaman has posed:
    The man nods with a small. "Good choice." The waitress flashes him a smile, acknowledging him as if he were a regular. "You folks have trouble getting in here through the snow?," Arthur asks, as he pushes his mug out for it to be refilled. Once it is he adds a bit of sugar and cream to it. He catches the two are having a conversation, however, so he quiets down for the moment.

    Meanwhile, Jason's order is set in front of him.

Etrigan (Jason Blood) has posed:
Jason Blood takes a bite of his steak, chewing thoughtfully before he replies, "That's a shame. Lovely country. And now the strife's settled down quite a bit, you can visit it without threat of being blown to pieces."

To Arthur's question, he turns his head. He can read the strength in the man's shoulders easily enough, but that's always a relative matter. Human or superhuman, it makes little difference to him regardless. "I'm adept enough at driving in adverse conditions. It does seem to be coming down, though. One hopes the roads will remain clear enough to continue on tonight. I suppose I should inquire about local inns, just in case?"

Morrigan MacIntyre has posed:
"I'm used to New York's snow so I didn't have a lot of trouble. I was getting hungry and well, if there's an Inn somewhere I'll probably wait till the morning to head back out." Morrigan tells Arthur. Then there's a look to Jason, "I'm sure it's lovely." she admits. Then she nods in agreement with Jason's words, "That doesn't sound like a bad question." she muses. Then she looks down to Arthur, "You're a local?" she asks him.

Aquaman has posed:
    "Well, if it gets too white out there for you, we really only have one motel. It's a nice place, though. The Motel 6 on the western edge of town. Cheap, too," the blonde man replies. One of the other locals chips in, there: "Well, don't forget Sally Hayes has that bed and breakfast over on Hawthorne, by the water!" A few others nod at that and Arthur chuckles. "Right. Must have opened that after my last visit. If you want a more local experience, they can get you that address, then."

    Arthur glances at Morrigan and chuckles. "Fair enough." He hesitates when she asks him that question, and he nods. "Raised here, yeah. Been away, off and on, for most of my adult life, though. Still visit whenever I get a chance." One of the locals walks by and pats him on the shoulder on the way out, and he spends a brief moment offering goodbyes with a smile, before he turns back.

Etrigan (Jason Blood) has posed:
"I prefer a bed and breakfast, when I can. Nothing like waking up in a real bedroom in a real house. Sleeping in a motel too often feels like sleeping in a cardboard box. At least it has cable, I suppose."

He continues to eat his steak, methodically cutting and chewing, "My profession lays in the realm of folklore. I don't suppose there are any interesting local legends or hauntings or...I don't know, sasquatches and the like?"

Morrigan MacIntyre has posed:
Morrigan takes a sip of her coffee as she listens to things. She was at least warming up from the cold. There's a look down to Arthur and a gentle nod, "I think a bed and breakfast sounds better than a motel, just for the night." she states. Then there's a smile, "It's a nice little town. Might try to retire to a place like this." she admits. Then there's a curious look to Jason, "Oh that would be neat to look into." she tells them. Maybe there's a bit of hope in her tone.

Aquaman has posed:
    "No, I get that," Arthur replies to Jason. He considers the question from Jason for a moment as he takes a long sip of his coffee. While he is busy, however, one of the locals (A slender older woman) turns to the man and says:

    "Well, this is the town where the Aquaman is from, if you mean that? Raised right here in Amnesty Bay. Fought off all kinds of big monsters and evil armies and whatnot to protect us, too." Aquaman is one of the founding members of the prestigious Justice League, and noted King of Atlantis. There's an embassy in Metropolis! It seems like a ridiculous statement, but a few others nod in agreement. Arthur, however, simply sips his coffee and casts the woman a brief glare.

    "But we don't have any...bigfoots or anything like that. Just an unusually large amount of ocean monsters and minions."

    

Etrigan (Jason Blood) has posed:
Jason Blood raises an eyebrow, "Is it now? Well. Fancy that," he says. "While I'm sure he's legendary in his own right, not precisely the sort of thing I had in mind. I guess he might qualify as a cryptid, but Atlantis is more...exotic than it is alien," he says.

He finishes his steak and sets the plate aside, "Ocean monsters, however, can be quite fun. And you seem a little young to be considering retirement, miss. I'm getting a little long in the tooth myself, but I'm not going anywhere."

Morrigan MacIntyre has posed:
Morrigan's hopes for encountering something spooky seem dashed for the moment. But the older woman gets her attention, "Oh, he's from here? Fascinating." she states. "I'm guessing the sharks aren't up for making appearances in this cold. Bigger Great Whites maybe." she sighs. "I'd not call him a cryptid. He might not like that." she comments to Jason. Then there's a soft chuckle, "I'm not that young." she tells him. "Oh, I'm Morrigan by the way. Nice to meet you guys." she comments. Then there's another look to Jason, "You like looking into the paranormal?" she asks him quietly.

Aquaman has posed:
    Arthur considers Jason's words but doesn't comment on it, instead just sipping his coffee. He glances between the two idly, seemingly content to be on the periphery. Morrigan's introduction seems directed at Jason, so he doesn't butt in. The waitress sweeps by, setting down Morrigan's fish and chips...which is super fresh and delicious. Coffees are also refilled.

Etrigan (Jason Blood) has posed:
Jason Blood gives the woman a look of slow regard, "I like it sometimes. Sometimes I don't. It's generally necessary, one way or the other. Anyone who can read a newspaper can see that the world is full of the impossible. Some of it's new things, aliens and mutants and mad scientists clad in armor. But some evils are old and know how to hide. Take a little digging. I'm good with a shovel, simple as that. And capable enough to handle myself if I find something live."

Morrigan MacIntyre has posed:
Mo's introduction was posed to both of them, but she realizes it might have went awkward for a moment. Though Jason gets her full attention with his cryptic talk, "I realize there's things out there...that aren't really normal. I just was in an incident last week like that." she admits "But I was told something and I'm not sure if I want to believe it or not." she frowns to her coffee. "Maybe you'd like to talk on a night time dweller sometime. I can give you my email address or phone number." she offers. Then she looks down the way to Arthur, "And your name, if I can ask?" she smiles to him.

Aquaman has posed:
    "Arthur," he replies. He takes another small sip of his coffee as he considers the two. "I guess it depends on what you mean by normal. Simply because something is out of the purview of an average person doesn't make it wrong or unnatural. We're continually discovering new things in this world. Doesn't make any of them...bad. I mean, sure, some of them -are-..." He shrugs his muscled shoulders.

Etrigan (Jason Blood) has posed:
Jason Blood smiles, "Jason Blood," he says by way of introduction. "Tell me about this thing you've encountered. And I can likely tell you whether or not to believe it. Or, at least, make an educated guest. Does anyone mind if I smoke inside? The snow's coming down something fierce. Of course, if you insist, I'll oblige."

"And you're right, Arthur. Not everything different is wrong. Certainly not everything is evil. But I also know that evil is real, real as the air you breathe and just as common. You'd be surprised at the lurking things you see if you know how to look."

Morrigan MacIntyre has posed:
Morrigan gives a genuine smile to Arthur's words, "That's a very good way to look at things, Arthur." she admits. She then looks to Jason and there's a bit of an amused smile, "Blood. That's a strong name. Oddly, that's what I specialize in." she chuckles. Though when he tells her to tell him about things there's a hesitation, "It's not really something I feel comfortable speaking on in public. I don't want people to think I'm a loon." she states.

Aquaman has posed:
    Arthur sips his coffee and idly watches the two as they talk. He seems to be a naturally reserved person, or at least he is in situations like this. He brushes his fingers over his trimmed beard and considers something idly to himself. It's around that time that the door opens, and a family makes their way in out of the cold. A young mother and father, and two small children, all bundled up. One of the children spots Arthur and sprints up to him, and he grins and reaches down to ruffle her hair and give her a small hug. Her parents and brother wander over. "Arthur! They let you off that throne long enough to have a beer at the bar later?," the father asks. He chuckles and nods to the man.

    "Wouldn't miss it, Bill." The family takes a booth, leaving the big man in silence again.

Etrigan (Jason Blood) has posed:
Jason Blood gives Arthur a longer, measured look, "Well, well. It seems the King himself has been amongst us this whole time. How very Henry V. And with a snowstorm to boot. How very Shakespearian. Cheers to you, then, your majesty." he says, raising his coffee cup. "I admit, I've had mixed experience with kings named Arthur, but I'll try not to hold their sins against you."

He nods to Morrigan, "As you like. I'm more than happy to consult with you privately if you like. It seems as though we're both likely headed to that bed and breakfast soon enough, if you'd prefer confidence. If Aquaman walks amongst them, though, I'm sure these fine people aren't too astounded by the stranger side of the world. The King himself must know a few wizards. Atlantis has always had its share."

Morrigan MacIntyre has posed:
Morrigan's gaze drifts to the family that comes in and then back to Arthur. Oh that's an amused look on her face, "King Arthur?" she asks him. "That's pretty cool." she admits. "Probably goes over well with the ladies as well." she chuckles. Then there's a curious look to Jason, "There's not been a lot of King's named Arthur in a while. Unless my history is off." she states. "I don't want to impose on your evening, Mister Blood. It would be nice to talk to someone on things though." she tells him. Then there's an eyebrow quirk at the mention of 'Wizards', "I know a Wizard back in New York." she smiles to that.

Aquaman has posed:
    Arthur chuckles softly and shrugs. "I wasn't trying to fool you or anything. I just...come here when I want to get away from all of that." He nods a bit, then. "The Kingdom of Atlantis is heavily steeped in magic. I'm not a practitioner, myself, beyond basic hydromancy, but...we have many."

    He looks to Morrigan and chuckles softly. "Arthur Curry, yes. Or Aquaman." He shrugs.

Etrigan (Jason Blood) has posed:
Jason Blood refrains from the cigarette in the presence of the children. Not that he actually cares. People just tend to be sensitive about such things. "Your history seems accurate to me. A very long time, yes," he says. "And no imposition. I am, as you can see, very much at loose ends tonight."

"I know a little Atlantean magick, but it's not very useful for those not of the proper bloodlines. More likely to cause problems than solve any. Still, a fascinating systemology."

Morrigan MacIntyre has posed:
Morrigan's overly intelligent gaze turns to study Jason for a moment and there's a soft 'oh' from the woman. "I'm not going to be rude and ask how old you are." she whispers to him. Then she smiles, "I'd love to chat then after rooms are settled." she nods to him. "Magic seems like something a bit out of reach for me." she chuckles to that. "Though I do seem to be running into those that can wield it easily." she admits.

Etrigan (Jason Blood) has posed:
Jason Blood shakes his head, 'Nothing rude about it. But I would probably lie, just to be on the safe side," he says with a bit of a devilish crook at the corner of his mouth. "I keep late hours. Feel free to knock on my door at your leisure. What wizard, might I ask, have you met in New York? Might be a mutual acquaintance. I keep a house there myself."

Morrigan MacIntyre has posed:
"I don't tend to be that worried about age. And I'm guessing you've got a wealth of knowledge that comes with the territory." Morrigan states with a bit of a smile. "I'm allergic to sunlight. So I tend to be a nightowl myself." she admits as she doctors her refilled coffee. "So I'll come over and talk." she nods to that. Then there's a look to him, "His name is Harry Dresden. He's doing an analysis of my blood at the moment. To confirm something." she admits quietly. "I live in New York and work at Mount Sinai." she adds.

Etrigan (Jason Blood) has posed:
Jason Blood smiles, "I've heard the name," he says, not letting on much more than that. "We haven't met, but magickal circles tend to be a little incestuous. Gossip and innuendo and cross-pollination abound," he says. "None of us have clean hands."

In his head, a rhyme pops through his thoughts in a familiar voice:
/Silly Jason, playing nice
A word of demonly advice?
You're no knight, no oath you swore
You'll only taint this silly who--/

"Enough." he says aloud and the demon in his head cackles. "Apologies. My mind went astray. Perils of the profession, I"m afraid."

Morrigan MacIntyre has posed:
"He's a pretty nice guy, I think you'd get along with him...just from what I've seen." Morrigan admits. "Or I could be completely wrong and you'll hate each other." she shrugs. "So there's a big community then? I think that's neat." she smiles to that. Though she blinks when he says 'enough' outloud and she blushes a touch, "It's alright." she tells him. "Mine has been going astray, so I needed a break." she nods to that. "Are you trying to get away from things?" she asks as she looks to him.

Etrigan (Jason Blood) has posed:
Jason Blood smiles, "If he's a very nice guy, he probably wouldn't like me very much. Not to say I'm the worst there is, I just have...history," he says. "I'm always trying to escape a little bit. Part of the problem of being trapped, isn't it? But I manage to find ways to keep myself amused, even if I do carry my cell along with me wherever I go. The view's pretty good, at least."

Morrigan MacIntyre has posed:
Morrigan gives him a bit of a curious look, "We all have history, Mister Blood." she chuckles to that. "Though if you're half as bad as some of the men in New York currently then that would be a sight." she admits. "We have one man that's gunning down fifteen to twenty people at a time right now." she shakes her head. Then there's a smile, "The views are nice, yes. Maybe you could go look into one of those sea monsters tomorrow?" she offers.

Etrigan (Jason Blood) has posed:
Jason Blood flicks his teeth over his tongue, "Well, there's bad and then there's bad. Although mostly that just sounds quite sloppy, to be honest. Just purposeless mayhem. Murder for murder's sake. I know of those pleased by such things, but I don't count myself among them."

Anymore, he leaves unsaid.

"I think I'd like that. There are a lot of old settlements hidden amidst the rocks and coves of New England. This place is old and hallowed. It was no coincidence the witches settled here."

Morrigan MacIntyre has posed:
Morrigan looks to Jason as he speaks and there's a soft nod, "Yes, that's actually a fair point on the murder." she admits. Then there's a smile, "Witches seem to have a good taste in places, Salem is a nice little place as well." she states. "If you'd like company tomorrow, just let me know. I wasn't going anywhere in particular and looking around this place some more sounds almost like fun." she smiles to that.