9123/The Librarian: London Calling

The Librarian: London Calling
Date of Scene:	09 September 2019
Location:	Noel and MacLeod Antiques, Vancouver
Synopsis:	Wonder of wonders, John calls on Kate for a favour - something in her wheelhouse, and not his. After explaining to her what he needs, and why, Kate agrees to help steal back the book John has been chasing down. For a price: a future favour. Oh, how those things can haunt a person.
Cast of Characters:	Constantine, Hawkeye (Bishop)
Tinyplot:	The Librarian

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Constantine has posed:
It'd been a bit since their chat and sitting at the same bar they'd been in before, John reached out to Kate, and for once it wasn't for the usual reasons. His message read:

John >> Katie. Need your help with something.

There's a pause while he considers his phone.

John >> Not a joke. I am aware of the irony.

He sets his phone down then and takes a long pull from his beer, he had a feeling he was going to need it.

Hawkeye (Bishop) has posed:
Kate was already having a bit of a bizzare experience of her own. Well, had was more rightly the word, but still, she still couldn't believe it. The douche.. er.. jerk.. apologized. Not John. Green Arrow. "Damn, Katie, you have too many jerks in your life," she told herself, pulling off her jacket and tossing it on the hotel room bed. "Even if some of them are pretty loveable."

John was just lucky Kate had taken her phone out of her pocket to set it to charge while she took a shower, or he'd have had a wait. As it was, it took her a few to consider if she were going to answer him. Or, more to the point, how she was going to answer him.

Hawkeye >> Ha. Ha. What. You need me to scare off some clingy female with horror stories? Or were you thinking I should pretend to be your date? What makes you think I care?

Yes, she knew it was churlish. The small burst of angry at him was unexpected, but by the time she'd typed that, and hit enter before she could regret it (newsflash: she regreted them anyway) Kate was back to sighing. Sitting on the edge of her bed, she texts again:

Hawkeye >> Sorry. Uncalled for. Just not really sure what I can do for you, John. Thought our worlds didn't collide?

She hits return, and waits.

Constantine has posed:
John checked his phone and rolled his eyes when he saw what came across the screen at first.

He had another swallow of beer and waved to the waitress to bring him another one as he furiously typed back:

John >> Wellll might have spoken too soon there. There's a bit of a situation would like your help on, wanna come down to that bar we were in before, I'll buy you a round or two while I tell you what's going on.

John didn't know what sort of crazy intrusive stuff the Canadians had going on with cellphones and whatnot, maybe there was nothing, but, John wasn't going to discuss a burglary over text.

Hawkeye (Bishop) has posed:
Kate's response was a simple one:

Hawkeye >> Look, if you wanted company, just say so. Not so rude I'll say no. Need a shower first.

Sure he'd said he needed help; sure he'd said he knew the irony.. Kate just wouldn't put it past John to come up with some face saving story to get her to come over and share a drink. Then again, if he'd led with that, would she have said yes? She wasn't sure.

Then again, she wasn't telling him no outright, even considering that was the most likely explanation of his texting her. It wasn't like she knew magic, right? The only thing she could do that he couldn't that he might find useful had to do with her private eye skills. That or use her father's influence and money. But he wouldn't stoop that low, would he?

Constantine has posed:
John totally would sink that low, it's just tonight he's not going there.

John >> Great, you'll know where to find me.

He sets down his phone and downs his drink in time for the next one to arrive. "Thanks, luv ," he says to the server wondering if Kate was going to be furious or pleased he wasn'ty reaching out for a booty call.

Hawkeye (Bishop) has posed:
Kate fully intended on lingering over her shower to make John wait, but in the end she didn't. For no reason she could discern except maybe a drink with a friend in this lonely city wasn't the worst thing she could imagine. Or maybe she wanted to prove to herself that their last conversation had settled it all for her.

There was a brief moment Kate considered dressing up for the occassion, but that idea was tossed aside quickly. Not only did it feel awkward, the bar she was meeting John at just wasn't that sort of place. And, if she packed some gear besides, she could take a liesurely prowl back to her hotel. That wasn't exactly dress and high heels activities.

In the end Kate just went with plain Jane Kate, with her more subtle gear tucked on her person.

She was later than she might have been, but still earlier than she'd first intended, Kate entering the bar and searching out John. When she finds him and his table, she heads his way and plunks herself down across from him. "Hey," she tells him. "Surprised you're still in town. Likely heading home for a stint myself, soon. Still haven't decided on future plans." Then she smirks at him. "So, where's this drink you wanted to share? I'll have you know, you're paying, even if this isn't a date."

Constantine has posed:
John's thoughts while he's waiting are on the mission. The bloody item was locked away and the bastard that owned the place that had it wouldn't let him even take a look.

Smart on his part, because John was planning to knick it, but, still, pain in his bloody ass.

Though as time went on his thoughts drifted back to Kate and how best to handle their reunion, figuring on being straightforward was going to do him more good than lying his ass off.

John grins when she appears, "How ya doin' luv?" he asks nodding about the drinks. "An' course I'm paying, being the gentleman that I am."

He waves the waitress back to take Kate's order, "An' getting gone soon enough myself, just have to deal with a little wrinkle with what I came to do."

Hawkeye (Bishop) has posed:
Kate laughs, "And since when were you a gentleman?" The waitress is given an order for beer, and a plate of wings. After all, if John is paying... besides, he's the one who invited her. "You know, you never did say what business it was you were out here for. Take it your apprentice is tucked in for the night? What is she, twelve?"

"Anyway, you'll never guess what happened to me. Remember that little side venture I was going on? I still haven't found his house, but I found him. And do you know what the jerk had the audacity to do?"

She doesn't wait for John's answer. "He apologized. I was right ready to show him exactly what I had in my quiver and he beat me to the punch and apologized." She just shakes her head. "Anyway, I guess I'm not angry at him anymore either. Probably just as well if we might end up sharing a city."

Constantine has posed:
"Since never but it seemed the thing to say," John offers with a grin before he looks up addig to the waitress. "Yeah, another order of those wings, luv, sound bloody good."

He rolls his eyes then, "Nineteen or there abouts, in college. An' she's studying or pre-studying..." he shakes his head.

John takes a sip of his beer, listening to Kate's story shaking his head at the resolution, "So, after he aplolgized did he show you what was in his quivver?" he asks waggling his brows.

Hawkeye (Bishop) has posed:
"Pre-studying? I don't follow?" Kate is truly perplexed. "Let me guess, though, she's a book nerd. I can't imagine you with someone like that, to be honest." She shrugs, though, because really, what does she know of magic. Though... "Why is she even your apprentice anyway? You're not really.. I mean, okay, but you? Teaching someone? And doesn't this go against your don't let anyone get close thing, or are apprentices some sacred category outside the normal?"

When he asks his question about Green Arrow's quiver, Kate kicks him hard under the table. "Really? Ugh. Men."

Constantine has posed:
"Studying before she has to study, reading ahead and all that," John explains. "Real keener our Willow," he says with fond amusement. "'riginally? An old mate stuck me with the job, then, became clear she needed someone with a bit more know how to show her the ropes, got no idea what I'm doing half the time but got to give the girl a fighting chance."

He shakes his head. "Special category, on account of having magic and all of that."

The kick has him flinch even as he laughs. "Take it as a no then. Still think you should TP his house."

Hawkeye (Bishop) has posed:
"Keener," Kate nods with a chuckle. "That's the word. I still can't picture you with an apprentice." She semi-pictured John's idea of apprenticing involved fetching and carrying beer from the fridge and emptying ashtrays. Kate also wasn't sure how being his student gave anyone a fighting change, but then again, she wasn't someone who used or understood magic, so it really wasn't imperative she got it. "Well, good luck with her. And no, I didn't TP his house. Told you, I have no clue where it is. I can't just go TP someone's house when they've apologized."

Well, she could, but Kate wouldn't feel right doing so.

It figured John's apprentice got her own category - having magic and all.

"So, what's this all about anyway?" Kate wanted to hear him say it, that he was lonely and wanted company. "Inviting me for a drink, I mean."

Constantine has posed:
"Neither could I until I got one," John says with a shake of his head. "Anyhow she's alright, got a scary amount of power though," he doesn't comment on the fighting chance remark but the line of consternation on his face and how he swallows his beer speaks loud enough. He shared the same concerns.

"True 'nuff, but you totally can, I would do it," he grins about TPing the man's house.

"Like I said, need your help, but before we get into the details, how are you at getting into places you're not supposed to be?"

Hawkeye (Bishop) has posed:
"Scary amount of power?" John is given a long look. "Are you sure you're the best person to be.." Kate stops herself there. It wasn't that John didn't have power - she'd been there and experience it, though she could argue she had no clue how powerful or not his spells had been - but John's ethics were rather.. questionable. Something about the way he said it all made her wonder. Then again, maybe keeners did whatever black magic voodoo hoodoo John did, too. Kate could suppose that warlocks and those who dealt in exorcisms needed teachers. Maybe he was a great teacher for that sort of thing.

A pang of guilt twinges at Kate. "Sorry. I shouldn't be judging." After all, she'd been taught by a circus freak who was totally a there by the grace of god go I sort; if he hadn't fallen in with a better crowd, Clint totally could have stumbled over that fine line and letter of the law.

When John asks about getting into places, Kate smirks, "Why John, breaking into places is illegal. You know that." Something in that smirk says volumes, though. "Wait, you're serious about needing help? Like that wasn't just a cover story?"

Constantine has posed:
John doesn't flinch outwardly at the long look but inwardly it stings and he has to take a drink. He knew he was the last sort of person to be teaching magic to someone like Willow, but he'd started now and he wasn't going to turn his back on her now. Though he wished Zee was around more often, she might be a good balance to his teaching, the angel to John's devil.

"'s aright," John says. "Judging a bit myself."

"Really, didn't know, best to call the whole thing off," John grins. "An' yeah, really want your help, an' not with Little John," he says with a laugh. "Game for it?"

Hawkeye (Bishop) has posed:
"There's a song about that," Kate muses. "And I know you better than that, you have no intentions of calling it off. Seriously, that's what you want?"

He gets a mock frown and a stuck out tongue for his efforts to joke about Little John. "Darn skippy you're not getting help with him. Not with that kind of lead in. Besides, much fun as that is, is that what you really wanted from me?" It wasn't that she couldn't accept friends with benefits, but the longer she knew John, the more she suspected what he really needed was a friend without benefits. At least until he figured out what a friend meant. He thought emotions were clouding all his issues; Kate was beginning to suspect maybe it was the sex thing. At any rate he could sleep with anyone. Friends? Much smaller fishing hole to choose from.

Constantine has posed:
John chuckles. "True 'nuff," he admits about the song before dipping his finger into his beer and drawing a quick glyph on the table between them. He grins over at Kate for a moment, before he holds his hand flat above the glyph and utters a quick phrase in some indecipherable tonuge.

"There we go, people are going to have a bollux of a time hearin' what we're sayin' now," he confides of the spell. "Anyhow, yeah, that's what I called you for, need some help knicking this book me an' the apprentice are after, bloke who's got it won't let me see it," he offers a smile. "Thinks I don't look trustworthy," he adds as commentary before getting back on track, "Not sure if he's working with the bad guys, or if he's just an innocent, either way, he's either down for the end of the world, or, he's going to loose a lot more than some inventory if the other side comes calling before we do."

He looks across the table then, "Know it's a big ask, but figured if you've got the skills, I could really use some back up."

Hawkeye (Bishop) has posed:
Kate is confused what John is doing until he makes it clear he's scrambling the signal so to speak. "Nice trick. I have a gadget or two at home do the same thing. Didn't think I'd need them out here."

That should be clue one to John that Kate, indeed, might know a thing or three about breaking and entering, and the greyer side of the law.

She follows up with a laugh. "What, someone didn't think you looked trustworthy? So now you want to know if I'll help you steal a book? Do you even read, John?" That last teasing.

"So, first, what makes you think I can do what you want. And second, what's in it for me if I do?"

Constantine has posed:
"Yeah, comes in handy for this sort of thing," John says with a glance at the glyph, the spell would work as long as the beer was still on the table, wipe it out or it dries up, poof no more spell, but they had a little while yet.

John notes the hint that Kate may have had the odd brush with the other side of the law, which just confirmed what he already suspected.

"Hey, how do you think I got so smart if I don't read?" he asks with a grin.

"First, you're a vigilante and a PI, both professions require a bit of skill at sneaking around. As for the second, what would you want?" he asks settling back against the faux leather of the booth.

Hawkeye (Bishop) has posed:
"Favour to be granted at a time of my chosing. No questions asked."

Kate's return on what she'd want is quick and decisive. Sure, she could have asked for any number of things, including something more to her personal benefit with him, but ultimately this had more street value. Plus, she didn't really want much of anything at this very moment, and what, she was going to say 'next bar tab is on you'? No.

She waits for his answer before even contemplating addressing what she could or couldn't actually do.

Constantine has posed:
John doesn't even try to weasel down the terms. "Done," he declares firmly and sticks out his hand across the table.

There's no hesitation in the look he gives her while he waits for her response.

Hawkeye (Bishop) has posed:
"Depending on the system, I can knock out security before it triggers the alarms. As for locks, not a problem. Most people count on the alarms to do their business. If it's not got a lockbox with a key code on it, like hot knife through butter."

Kate smiles like they were discussing the flavour of the wings, or contemplating their mutual enjoyment of beer.

"Don't get your knickers in a knot, I can do lock boxes too. Windows up to 12 by 18 are accessible with ease. Heights? I'm your girl. Haven't met a bug that makes me scream yet. And just where are we talking about, John?"

Like how much trouble can she expect if she's caught. Not that she was technically worried about that. She'd tossed around the idea of breaking into local constabulary more than once. She was actually quite sure she could do it, too. She just hadn't encountered a price to make it worth it.

Constantine has posed:
John takes in Kate's speel attentively nodding as it goes on, until the ball is back in his court with her question.

"Antique shop, private, owner's not connected as far as I know," meaning he's not got the mob watching his back, "Security's decent but not Fort Knox by any stretch of the imagination. Likely need to disable the alarms, get in the back and get to their safe, the item isn't big, standard largish book size from what I know, and shouldn't be a problem carrying out."

He looks over to gauge her reaction, "Anyhow, shouldn't have too much to worry about from the shop owner, our main concern is the opposition, nasty undead bloke and his minions, some just people, some very much not. My plan is we get in and out before any of them manage to show up and crash the party."

Hawkeye (Bishop) has posed:
Kate listens to the rundown on the place, and even though he's intimated that this is all and well for the side of good, she's got to ask outright.

"So, this book.. we're getting it.. why? Because if I'm knicking it for shits and giggles for you, or to settle some score, I've got to say I'd have to sleep on it and decide."

An antiques shop. For shits and giggles. Could she? Would she?

It occurred to Kate that she really did know nothing about John's world. That despite all they'd shared, the pair hadn't actually shared much of themselves. The thought leaves Kate frowning.

Constantine has posed:
"Want the long answer or the short luv?" John asks before launching into the long anyhow. "This is a book that along with some mystical knicknacks can do some serious damage magically speaking, gate of hell, all that stuff," he says with the casualness of a man who dealt with such things often.

"Flip side of these things is they can also put a this undead bastard that wants to use the book for all that end of the world business back in his box an' keep him there. Tha's why we want it, to put the bastard down and save the wolrd, even if we have to break a few laws to do it."

Which might as well be John's mission statement.

Hawkeye (Bishop) has posed:
"Sounds good to me," Kate grins over her beer. "And the long version."

Totally being a jerk knowing he'd given her the mostly long version.

She looks thoughtful and serious then. "When were we thinking of doing this? And you know I'm going to be bossy, right?" Because if he were calling on her, breaking and entering wasn't his world. She wouldn't tell him how to banish a demon, or call into question stepping outside a salt circle; he couldn't call into question what she might ask of him or tell him to do on this job.

Fine.. she'd totally step outside the circle, but only if it looked like he needed help. Kate might be a little bit the sort to think with her heart first and her head second. Then again, that was why she was in the business she was.

Constantine has posed:
John snorts into his beer, sending the foam washing across the surface.

"Well, in the beginning God created..." he begins as if telling the story from creation until now. The reallllly long version but he stops and chuckles. "Too long?"

"Figured, an' while this isn't the first time I've broken into a place, willing to let you lead. This securtiy stuff is getting complex.'

John was a decent theif but had little patience for the technical side of the profession, fortunately one of his powers was having a rollodex of people to call to help him out when he needed a more skilled hand.

As for when? "Tomorrow too soon?" he asks her, not knowing what kit she'd need and how much scouting she'd want to do.

Hawkeye (Bishop) has posed:
"Such a jerk," Kate laughs when he launches into 'in the beginning'. She doesn't kick him under the table this time, though.

"I have most of the stuff I need on me." She looks thoughtful. "How much risk is there of the book disappearing between now and tomorrow night?"

Because while waiting, and being able to make a check on the place first would be helpful, in the long run, it would save them all headaches if they did the deed sooner than later and risking that someone else got to it first.

It was infinitely easier to break into a place you knew where a thing was, and steal it, than hunt some ambiguous someone down and figure out what they'd done with the thing.

Constantine has posed:
John flashes a cheeky grin when Kate calls him a jerk, then pauses to let the waitress bring the next round and their food, making sure the glyph goes unmolested by baskets of fried chicken bits.

As he tucks into a wing, John considers the question, "Well got to sit on the place until we go to make sure they don't knick it first, so sooner works better than later, if you're game to go tonight, just say the word."

Hawkeye (Bishop) has posed:
Kate waits until the waitress has put their things on the table and walked away, even if John's glyph should hold true for her, too.

"Tonight it is," Kate says with a smirk, reaching for a wing. "Be kind of fun to show you what I can do."

Constantine has posed:
"Thanks, luv," John says to the waitress before she wanders off.

"'right then," John says of the plan to hit up the place tonight. "Shall we finish this round or just take our wings for the road?" he asks not like there'd be much time to eat with the shop being so close to the bar.

Hawkeye (Bishop) has posed:
"For the road? Just where am I putting these wings while I do my business, John? You really haven't broken into many places, have you?" Kate is oh so amused by this. Her answer is to snap up another wing and dig in. "Besides, if we time it for bar closing, the cops are busier. The lead time on an alarm call increases. In a pinch it could buy us a couple minutes to cget the hell out of dodge."

Sure, there were more police out and about, but they were also focused on the very obvious threats of drunken drivers, and rowdy pedestrians who invariably jaywalked, harassed strangers on the street (albeit in very friendly ways), and quite unintentionally setting off security alarms. Their little job would just be another down the list.

Not that Kate had any intentions of setting off any alarms or getting caught.

Devilishly, she asks, "You do know how to get out of zip ties, right?"

Constantine has posed:
"Figured we'd eat on the way," John says before he adds, "An' I've broken into my share." Though the thing about closing time gets a nod, "Right, knew you were the person to talk to on this."

John lifts his drink to his lips as he smiles at Kate's question, "Please, luv, there's not a bond I /can't/ get out of."

Hawkeye (Bishop) has posed:
"Don't make promises you can't keep Johnny Boy. I might take you up on that offer."

No, Kate wasn't sure if there was a bond he couldn't get out of, but she might be willing to try. Completely non-sexually, of course. She might totally be into smug contest winning; she wasn't so much into the bondange kink when it came to the bedroom. Call her old fashioned or something.