Log:The Raven Societea

The Madness of David Flyte 2020/04/04 Radical|Connor Mari 1

After having checked that Connor was okay earlier, Mari offered to have him meet up with her at an event she already had paid to get into. "Fancy dress. Think Edgar Allen Poe type victorian vibe," she had texted. So at 10pm, things are in full swing in the dark parlor of the Mysteries of the Raven Societea, held at a bar with a goth victorian feel. Inside, most people are dressed in dark standard clothes, and some have gone all out Victorian costuming. While there are mentions of tea, there are are tea-inspired cocktails included.

Connor does have an appropriate jacket to use with long tails. But that's as close as he can manage. He ends up going with dark slacks and a black button down shirt.

Mari is dressed in a romanticized version of goth Victorian. She's seated on a brocade-upholstered bench with clawed wooden feet. She's wearing a long dress of dark red and black fabric, and a cinched corset. The cut of the fabric dress make her hips look bigger than they are. It has a high collar with lace trim, concealing her entire neck, while the dress ends just past her elbows with more lace. Fishnet sleeves cover the rest of her arm and her hands, with her fingers and thumbs free poking free.

She is sitting with surprising poise, talking to some friends, holding a cup of tea with a saucer.

A few of the guys in the bar are actually dressed as Edgar Allen Poe. Connor's outfit fits right in.

Connor smiles and walks over, giving Mari a wave. "Hey there."

This is one of those pop-up events being hosted at the venue. There's a side table where a woman dressed more elaborately than Mari is reading tea leaves. There's a small stage near the back, which is mostly clear of space. Perhaps for performances.

Mari looks up and smiles, setting her tea down. "Connor!" she rises up as she examines his outfit with approval. She even goes in for a hug. "You're looking good. And well, also."

Connor gives her a hug and he smiles. "I feel underdressed compared to you. You look...great. I'll need to up my game a bit." He nods, "Yeah, the injury I got has healed relatively quickly."

Mari gives a quaint Victorian-esque laugh to play the part. "Well, this is definitely a change up from the concerts. I'm so glad you're okay. That was crazy, wasn't it?" She lets him go and sits back down, then pats the spot next to her for him. "I thought you made it out with us. The crowd just swept us away."

Connor takes a seat next to her. "I got caught up and trapped briefly near the side. Yeah, it was crazy. Definitely." He smiles. "I'm hoping tonight will be a bit more...sedate, as these things go."

"What are the chances of that happening again?" Mari smiles. "Even in this city. Though that's what makes this city so interesting, don't you think?" she comments. "So what happened inside after? Was it scary?" she asks, both concerned and excited as she rests a hand on his knee.

Connor nods, "It...was. People transformed into...creatures. I ended up getting cut on something while I was scrambling out. But I did see a couple of local superhero types, mystic sorts, who started to fight them. I didn't see the end of the fight."

Mari listens with interest, still concerned, and then relieved. "You were lucky you didn't get hurt worse while stuck in there. It's a good thing some heroes showed up. That was fast!"

Connor nods and smiles slightly, "It does make me wonder how they showed up so quickly. Maybe they were at the show?"

Mari gasps at the thought and lets go of his knee, picking up her tea. "Ohhh, maybe! I didn't see any, though it was dark. They must've been in disguise. Or maybe they just sensed a disturbance in the...in the thingy."

Mari's drink looks very dark for a tea. Given that this is a bar, it's most likely just a cocktail served in a tea cup.

Connor laughs, "In the 'thingy'. Very techinical sounding." He grins.

Mari snaps her fingers. "The Force? The Ether? Maybe they smelled it. I don't know," she laughs.

Connor shrugs and smiles, "Both were magic types. I've come across their names in my research. So, maybe it was some kind of magic sense? I'm not sure."

"Have you ever talked to any of them for book research?" Mari smiles. "I figured you'd know more about how these types sense things from your research. So who were they? The news didn't say. They were gone before the cops went in."

Connor thinks about it, "The two that I saw were...a woman who goes by Grimm, who specializes in darkness-related magic, and a guy named Radical. His magic is, from what I've read, related to the Lords of Order.

Being an occult fan, Mari's eyes light up a bit. "I think I've heard about a Grimm. She's been in some articles where Starguard was involved, and some news stories about finding some missing kids a while back. And Radical? Oh wow! They say he was the Cartesian once. Before he was exiled over...something. I can't believe he was there too! Mind blown. I didn't think the two of them would show up."

Connor smiles as he realizes she knows a little bit about his alter ego. "I heard it was because he refused an order from his superiors."

"That's crazy. I mean...the guts! They could've wiped him out of existence for that, right?" Mari asks and sips her tea. Her dark red lipstick mark the edge of her cup. There's a few prior markings, too. She's even done her makeup more pale than before to fit the theme of the evening.

Connor thinks about it. "I'm...not sure. Maybe? But it does seem like it isn't wise to make an enemy of beings as powerful as the Lords of Order. Maybe they could have killed him right there. But they just removed his power. Which makes me wonder...how was he casting spells? I thought I saw him cast one."

Mari thinks about it for a moment. "I have no idea. I hear there's a magic school in town now. Maybe he went there? Or maybe he was forgiven and is the Cartesian again? He's only been in the news when something big's happened. That must've been worse than we thought!"

Connor shakes his head, "I...don't think he's the Cartesian again. The new one is a woman. And...pretty muscular. But maybe they don't hate him as much as we think they might?"

"So not so much an exile?" Mari theorizes with a smile. "All this stuff is so fascinating. Oh! We should get you a drink!"

Connor smiles. "Sure, that sounds good." He looks at her drink, "I'm guessing that isn't actually tea."

Mari smiles at his observation. "Of course not. It's a sweet tea vodka cocktail. Want to try?" she offers up a side of her cup without lipstick marking it. "They have other themed drinks, too."

Connor takes the cup and tries a sip of it. "Mmm...it's pretty good."

"Would you like one? They also have an earl grey and brandy cocktail, black tea and rum...some hibiscus one," Mari tries to recall.

Connor thinks about it. "The Earl Grey one sounds interesting. I'll give that one a try."

"Alright," Mari smiles. She finishes her drink so she can get herself a new one. From her overbust corset, she produces a folded fan. With a flick of her wrist, it snaps open and she fans herself with a flirtatious smile. "Be right back," she says as she rises up and moves gracefully in that long dress, it almost looks like she's floating gracefully toward the bar.

Connor smiles and watches her while she walks. Only then does he bother to turn on his magic sight to look around. Just in case.

At the tea leaf table, there's some very weak divination magic at work by the lady reading fortunes.

Connor furrows his brow at that, but that's not...really that out of the ordinary. So...good enough.

Mari returns with two new tea cups. She extends the cup of earl gray and brandy, with a touch of honey simple syrup. Her own cup has a dark red brew. She sits down next to him, closer than she was before. Her fan has since been returned into her corset to free up her hands.

Connor smiles, "Thank you." He takes a sip of the drink, "How did you find out about this particular theme night?"

"From Friendbook. It was suggested to me. There's all sorts of little events going on in the city if you know where to find out about it," Mari smiles and sips.

"There's even more authentic, darker events if you're connected to the right people. You might even have some of those connections through your research," Mari suggests.

Connor chuckles. "I'm not sure darker and more authentic is a good idea, after the way the show went."

Mari chuckles. "Not something -that- authentic. I hope. This city has history, though. There's some ghost stories about some of the historic buildings being haunted. Rumors of black mass being held in mausoleums. But nothing like what happened at the show."

Connor nods. "That's true. Most cities have a history like that, if you know where to look. Though the ones on the east coast are older, so more stories to dig up."

Mari smiles as she leans a little closer to Connor. "Have you come across any interesting occult hot spots in your research?"

Connor thinks about it. "I have. Dwarven magic in the park. Fae influences all over the city, from Undermoon. Some dark cultist types out at the asylum. But...if you're looking for a place that has a natual magical aspect to it, the Harrisburg battlefield is pretty strong from what I've heard.

"I'm more interested in...hmm, yes, I suppose you'd call it natural magic. Stuff from this realm, but not quite of it. But not that foreign stuff," Mari tries to put her finger on it. "Cultists at the asylum, you say?" she asks curiously. "I've heard all sorts of witchy tails about the battlefield. Some of my friends are thinking of doing a midnight picnic out there sometime."

Connor nods. "There was a necromancer out there a few years ago. He raised a bunch of Civil War soldiers from the grave."

Mari shivers with excitement and fear. "I think I read about that. The article lacked too many specifics, though," she bemoans. She glances behind them a bit. "Ohhh. I want to get my fortune read in the tea leaves," she smiles. "Are you interested?"

Connor notices that it's the fortune teller using some real magic. "Hmm." He smiles, "Sure, let's give it a go."

Smiling, Mari steps up and leads Connor over, happy to lead the charge.

The young woman sitting at the table is a scrappy-dressed sort. More gypsy from that time than classic Victorian, but really it's more a modern boho look that she has. It just fits in with the event theme. "Have yuir fortunes read? Get a glimpse of yuir futures for a fee." There's a card on the table that says $5 for a reading.

The fortune teller speaks with an irish lilt.

Connor is happy to pay for both of them. "Both of us, I think." He smiles, "Mari, you're welcome to go first."

"Thank you," Mari laughs happily and takes a seat.

The fortune teller smiles and grabs a fresh cup from a cart and pours some tea. Loose leaves fall into the cup. Then she takes a pinch of dry leaves to add to it and stirs with a spoon before pushing the cup to Mari. "Drink up, and leave just a little tea at the bottom. Don't be drinkin' all the leaves up!"

Mari drinks the tea as instructed and sets it down.

"Now, swirl the cup a few times, set the saucer on top, then flip it over with the handle facing ya. Then turn tha cup, 'n just tha cup, three times widdershins."

"Widdershins?" asks Mari uncertaintly.

"Counterclockwise," the fortune teller explains with a smile, and Mari does so. The fortune teller takes the saucer and pulls it over to her, then flips the cup over to read the leaves. "Now...let's see..."

Connor does keep his eyes on what's happening with his magic sight. Just in case. He's curious...and perhaps a bit cautious.

Turning the cup a few ways to read the shapes. Connor senses a bit of divination magic at work from the fortune teller. Low level stuff. She frowns faintly. "Ah see danger from outside influences in the near future."

Mari looks amused. "Danger? You sure that isn't my past?"

"Ach, no, definitely your future," the tea leaf reader explains. "This shape like a flag in this position is your near future."

Connor nods slowly as he listens, not wanting to interrupt.

The fortune teller turns the tea cup. "An' this is further in yuir future. Hmmm. A stranger...and tha mousey shape indicates somethin' missin'." She turns the cup again. "Ohhh, well looky. After tha is good luck."

Mari is kindly receptive of the fortune, but she looks puzzled. "Alright, so what does that all mean?"

The fortune teller smiles gently to Mari. "I think things are goin' ya be a wee bit rocky for ya for a while before they get better."

Connor smiles, "Hopefully not too dangerous."

"It'll change her life for sure." She smiles to Mari. "Yuir gonna have to figure out what those dangers may be for ya. Then maybe ya can avert yuir future."

Mari smiles. "Well, that was fun. I'll have to think on it." She rises up and allow Connor a seat. "Bad news, I guess love isn't in the cards between us," she winks.

"Tea leaves, dear," the young Fortune Teller corrects as she fetches a clean cup.

Connor chuckles, "I guess we'll have to see about that?" He takes a seat to have his future read.

Mari laughs at Connor's response. "Well, we may see by the end of the night."

The fortune teller pours a cup, drops some extra loose leaves in, stirs, and then pushes the cup and saucer towards Connor, giving him the same instructions.

Connor follows the instructions, swirling the cup...putting the saucer on top, and flipping it over. Then he turns the cup three times counter-clockwise.

The fortune teller takes the cup and reads the tea leaves nearest the handle. "A basket? Hmmm. Ya have a new addition to yuir family?"

Connor raises a brow, "Of sorts, I guess? No kids, though. Not yet."

"There's some dangerous speculations around it," the Fortune teller says with some confusion.

Connor tilts his head, watching the fortune teller while she works. "I'm not sure what that means, exactly. Speculations?"

"It means there's some uncertainty about whether this new arrival is for weal or for woe," she explains.

Connor nods. "Ah, I see."

The fortune teller smiles. "Does that make more sense to ya?"

Connor nods. "I think so." He smiles, "Anything more?"

The fortune teller tracers her finger along the cup, divination magic still present. "I see clouds and a cat in your not too distance future. Misfortune and treacherous enemies are these."

Connor raises a brow, "Clouds...and a cat." He blinks a few times as he thinks about it.

The fortune teller chuckles. "Tha shape of the leaves. The cloud-like shapes indicate misfortune, an the cat looking shape indicates treachery and enemies."

Connor chuckles. "Ah. Gotcha." He looks back to Mari and smiles slightly, "Sounds like your danger, if you stick around me."

"My danger? I'm pretty sure I'm -your- danger after the show," Mari retorts playfully.

Connor chuckles quietly and turns back to the fortune teller, "Is there more? Or does that sum it up?"

The fortune teller turns the cup. "Hmm, further in your future...that looks like a...horse? A fulfillment of ambitions. Or success in work. A project, perhaps." She turns the cup again. "Ah, unlike your lovely lady, there are some leaves in your far future. Hmm, success and good luck. Or perhaps a happy relationship." She sets down the cup. "Odd, though...it seems like there's a symbol in all of your predictions now that I've looked closer. Ladder shapes. They represent travel. Do you travel a lot?"

Connor nods. "Quite often, yes." Of course that travel is often to other times or dimensions, but it's still travel.

The fortune teller chuckles. "Maybe that's why there's luck in your future."

Mari smiles. "Ohh? What countries have you been to?"

Connor chuckles, "Perhaps." He looks back to Mari, "Several. Mostly European countries, but I'm also been to Japan once." It was for a math conference, but...well, no need to go into details.

"Ah, the old country? That's pretty awesome. Best way to expand your horizons," Mari comments pleasantly. "Well, I'll be left pondering what more fortune means until it happens."

Connor tips the fortune teller as well, "Thank you. That was very interesting."

"Thank you so much. I hope it helped," the fortune teller smiles and clears away Connor's tea cup.

Connor gets up and joins Mari, "Interesting stuff. What would you like to do now?" He smiles.

"Well, this corset is killing me. Perhaps we can go back to my place for coffee?" Mari says suggestively. The old 'come up for some coffee' line.

Connor smirks, "THIS must be the dangerous part." He chuckles and thinks about it. "Sure, that sounds good."

"Oh? Did she tell you I bite?" Mari teases with a smile.

Connor shakes his head, "No, she didnt' mention that at all." He chuckles.

Mari smiles and reaches to take his hand to lead the way out. "Good. She didn't spoil any surprises then."

Connor follows Mari out of the place.

Next: Log: Wards and Paint