Log:A Rooftop in Georgetown

2021/06/23 	 Dreamgirl Victory Artemis  Sasha  Nohrbor

1

Artemis has been up on the roof ever since "Mrs. MacGregor" and others went for a nap. It's the closest thing she'll get to flying for a while. She leans with her arms folded and rested on the wall surrounding the rooftop, looking off toward the spires at Georgetown University.

Victory walks up onto the roof, coming from the stair well, looking for Artemis. "There you are. How are you doing?"

Sleep is about the one thing Dreamgirl still does need, but she rested before and so is wandering about. She, too, finds her way up to the roof.

Artemis sighs deeply and straigthens up, keeping her hand on the wall. The wind is stronger up here than on street level, leaving the rooftop breezy. "I...am most displeased with our current situation." She does a quarter turn, one hand sliding off the ledge as she looks to Victory. She smiles, a half measure from her usual. "How be thee?"

Victory waves to Dreamgirl as well, and looks back to Artemis. "I know this is challenging for you. All of it. I'm...holding up, reasonably well. I miss a lot of the amenities I'm used to, though."

Dreamgirl adjusts her veil, which she is trying to get used to wearing, making sure it stays on despite the wind. "We'll get back to them soon enough, hopefully."

Artemis nods softly. "I hath been on frontier planets with less than this. And yet this place feels like more of a prison than when I was enslaved by Duod Dalux." She chuckles in a small amusement. "Hoomans are so accustomed to not being themselves, this must seem an easy feat for thee all." She looks to Dreamgirl and nods. "My thoughts be more focused on getting back to someone. I...realize to do so, I must do as ye all have decided."

Victory nods, and looks to Artemis, "I saw how you were feeling about...names, earlier. I wanted to talk to you about it. Names are...just what you're called. If my name is Wade Woods here, I'm not lying, exactly. That's what I'm called here." He grins. "All names are 'made up'."

Dreamgirl says, "I think humans vary a lot in how easily they can act like someone other than themselves. I admit, I sometimes envy those who have a strong sense of self-identity - since my powers have taken that from me."

Artemis looks to Dreamgirl sympathetically. "Thou---hmm. You...must find your self identity anew if you can," she says, switching to speaking more in the local dialect. It still sounds...wrong. The intonation still sounds grand and shakespearean. "I am still uncertain of what and how your gifts work." She looks to Wade and smiles. "This is how I came to be called Artemis on this planet, though it is not my true name. If the name is given to me, used by others, you are...correct, Wade Woods," she tests out calling him by his current 'given' name. "It is not a lie."

Dreamgirl says, "Well - I have a sort of life in the form you see me in now. It's about the closest thing to a solid identity I have!"

Victory smiles. "If I was pretending to be someone I'm not...that's a lie. I guess it's a fine line, and intention matters."

Dreamgirl says, "Well - I have a sort of life in the form you see me in now. It's about the closest thing to a solid identity I have! (repeated for Victory)"

Victory nods to Dreamgirl, "If your power goes off though...connecting to someone...you won't be able to go back to this form though, can you?"

Dreamgirl says, "No. That needs Chris to be about - frankly, I was surprised to find myself in this form in the alternate timeline, since I didn't see Chris there!"

Victory nods. "Our memories link back to where we were before the timeline shift, so...it makes sense to me that your form would match the form you were in before the shift."

"Wade's words sound plausible. May...be...none have made an impression on you since," Artemis says with some struggle to remain sounding less anachronistic.

Dreamgirl says, "I have been trying not to shift unintentionally. It can complicated things. Of course, if the mission demands it that's another matter."

Victory smiles at Artemis's attempts to speak within the time frame. He then looks to Dreamgirl, "Especially if you end up targeting one of us by accident. I'm pretty sure you'd end up looking anachronistic.

Dreamgirl says, "Likely, yes. Mind, simply transforming in front of other people is likely to be a bigger issue!"

Artemis chuckles. "Or perhaps you would risk looking like a being not of this planet. But you are correct. Transforming before others would reveal us. The veil is useful for that. I should ensure my brother does not use his own abilities to reveal himself before the mortals of this time."

Dreamgirl says, "The veil is useful only if it doesn't itself transform with me. Which is unlikely. But we can hope!"

Victory nods. "Well, science fiction is a thing. So, it might make waves locally, but whatever happens might not make wider news.

Victory chuckles. "But...keeping as low a profile as possible is wise."

Dreamgirl nods. "I'm used to that."

"I am not used to remaining hidden. Perhaps this is why Dalux often recaptured me," Artemis chuckles ruefully. She motions over at the cityscape. "Another reason for my coming here was to observe this new landscape, since I cannot from the sky. Which way is Washington? That is where we must go, yes? Perhaps we can secure transport there."

Victory looks up at the sky, estimating the direction, based on where the sun is. He then points east southeast, "WE're inside the metro area for D.C., but the center of Washington is that direction."

Dreamgirl looks in the direction Victory is pointing.

Artemis looks as well. "Then, let us observe this time's Washington D.C. Hmm. Do the Nationals play in this time?"

Victory shakes his head. "No...the Nationals moved from Montreal. I think the Washington baseball team at the time was the Senators. The Senators eventually moved to Minnesota."

Artemis nods with a serious expression. "Ah. Exile."

Victory grins. "I...think they won the World Series this year? So they'll be pretty good."

Victory shakes his head, "It's not exile, exactly. The teams move because they think they'll get a better deal or make more money in different markets.

Victory rubs his chin, "Huh. The Black Sox scandal was only five years ago."

Artemis rubs her chin thoughtfully, then smiles. "Perhaps if there is time while we seek out this dastardly elf, we can at least obtain some merriment in attending a game of these Senators. Though I know not if this is the season for it."

Victory thinks about it. "It's likely a little early. Baseball doesn't usually start until early April? But we can certainly check. I'd love to go, if possible."

Sasha comes up onto the roof, a flame flaring as he light a cigarette in a holder as he steps out onto the roof. One might note he didn't light the cigarette with a match or ligther. He stays downwind of you all as he approaches. "What ho, brave hearts? Enjoying the air?"

Victory nods to Sasha, "Talking about baseball right now. But..yes, enjoying the air."

Artemis smiles. "If we are stuck here into the month of May, then we shall be here for the first games. I shall be sure that you will get to attend, and tell my brother that I refuse his offer."

Victory raises his brow. "Which offer is this?"

[To Sasha] Dreamgirl says, "Well, other than that the wind blows this veil about."

Sasha stays downwind as he smokes but does gaze at Dreamgirl. "Hmm, perhaps we should weight the edges down with, hmm, some pieces of jet. Or hmm, black opals. That way can show off your wealth in an understated, mournful way." This is all spoken in a chirper upbeat tone.

Dreamgirl says, "If you don't mind risking losing the opals if I shift form."

Artemis explains with an oddly calm demeanor, "To spare me from having to endure this time period's restrictions, he had offered to slay me and prevent my resurrection until the fiend was found."

Victory raises a brow at Artemis's alternate plan. "Umm...that sounds like a plan that involves avoiding a challenge."

Artemis is perturbed by Wade's observation. "It...does," she realizes and frowns at the revelation.

Sasha rolls his eyes at Artemis' words then says, "I happen to have asked the night clerk if he knew of any, hmm, entertainment around here. So, I now have the addresses and passwords to two speakeasies. Only cost a little cheddar. One's just a gin joint but the other has someone who plays a horn. Shall we hit that one?" He then inhales deeply and lets out a smoke ring. "Good tobacco here."

Dreamgirl says, "Doesn't sound like the sort of place for a respectable widow."

Sasha smiles widely. "Well, if that is your only objection, I can cover you with an illusion, my dear. It's really quite simple." He then thinks for a moment. "Well, actually, it's a complex bit of magick, but one I'm skilled at. Practice makes perfect after all."

NNS arrives from his tomcating about - looking in fact for the very information that Sasha just provided.

In the span it takes to raise his eyebrow at the prematurely revealed revelations, he changes into a much more refined, yet perfectly period dress. "I was coming to suggest that very thing, Sorcerer." He says to Sasha.

Dreamgirl sighs. "It's still probably a bad idea. The more I'm out in public, the more likely I'll shapeshift accidentally."

Sasha smiles slightly. "Well, a good test then. Will your accidental shapeshifting overcome the illusion I've csat over you, Desiree? Yes, a fine test."

"And there are worse places to change shape than a dimly lit speakeasy filled with not-so-sober people," he adds after a beat. "Who'd believe them?"

Artemis looks intrigued by Sasha's offer. She smiles brightly. "Ah, so there be drink and merriment after all?"

Dreamgirl says, "I suppose that's true. Do you expect your illusion to be able to cover my change?"

"Fear not- if you are found out, I can cloud their minds otherwise with ease." NNS says confidently. "Let us free ourselves of these ramshackle lodgings and see how the hu-mans lived!" He implores. "Lest I am forced to let Artemis sleep through our adventure. None of you have seen a /bored/ Alth- Artemis. Woe be any Tauborn who does." He warns.

Dreamgirl says, "Certainly more interesting than sitting around here. And who knows, we might even hear some useful rumours! Not likely, I admit..."

Artemis looks about at the talk of testing. "Why not put your magic to the test now so we can be sure?" She casts a glance at Nohrbor warning the others of a bored Artemis. "It seems my sleep shall be delayed."

Sasha spreads his hands as he says, "I cannot know until it happens! But, why not take the chance? This is the 1920s! The Roaring Twenties! If what we're doing wasn't so imporrant, I'd be in New York or Paris hobnobbing with Cole Porter or Hemingway." His gaze turns to Artemis as he adds, "Of course there are, Artemis. Prohibition didn't stop vices, it just sent them a bit underground. And, sadly, caused organized crime to explode into existaence, but that is not /our/ problem. Leave that to the mystery men of this time."

Dreamgirl says, "Nothing increases crime more than making things illegal."

NNS floats to Artemis and claps her on her shoulder. "Ah- this does my hear good to hear, Sister. THese Roaring Twentiens will tremble before our glory!"

Artemis ponders this good news and smiles at her brother's declaration. "Aye, but we must be careful to preserve the time stream. I wish not to unmake things due to our wake." She looks to Sasha. "What else be there at these Speakeasies?"

Sasha looks over at Artemis as he takes a draw on the cigarette holder. As he slowly releases the smoke, he says, "Usually just booze and some entertainment. A piano player at the least, but sometimes up to full cabaret style shows. It sounds like the one I'd like to go to has someone who's good at playing the jazz trumpet. So, likely dancing is available there. Usually a two drink minimum plus any door fee. I've got that all covered." He pauses then says, "Let me think on it a moment. Most of what I knnow about this era is Soviet, not American, after all."

Nohrbor Nanuran Surryx takes the opportunity to speak up, using the vernacular of the time, "Well- a blind pig could have lots of stuff. Sounds like our Sorcerer knows more about this gin joint than me- but I came back as soon as I figured it was our best bet. With any luck a few flappers will be in the mood to dance and keep us company- it is the 'age of the liberated woman', y'kno."

He looks around and says, "So how are we gettin' around? Someone gonna get a bent car so we can make like lounge lizards?"

Sasha nods. "Yes, let's get a back, cousin Norbert," he says after he takes another long draw of his cigarette.

Artemis's eyes light up. "At least the mortals of this era have not forgotten how to dance, I hope." Wait until she sees what they call dancing in this era. "Yes, I must attend this Speakeasy," she smiles enthusiastically. What's worse than a bored Artemis? An excited one.