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portusnovus_ooc2020-11-11 05:41 am
portusmod) wrote in portusnovus_ooc2020-11-11 05:41 am
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Test Drive
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ℋ The Knight Bus
Two weeks to the start of term, everyone is gathered up for a trip to Diagon Alley, a magical shopping district somewhere in London. Professor McGonagall is chaperoning the trip and she makes sure everyone is all grouped up and accounted for before she proceeds.
"Right, right, gather 'round," she says shortly, rolling up the parchment she'd been using to tic names off. "You might find this next part startling, but please refrain from screaming."
Professor McGonagall sticks out her wand arm, much like she's trying to hail an unseen taxi. What happens next is a blink-and-you-miss-it moment as a large, purple, triple decker bus seems to squeeze itself out of thin air at an incredible speed, screeching to a halt in front of the gathered group. "The Knight Bus," McGonagall says coolly, putting her wand away.
"Take it away, Ern!" booms a jovial voice, once everyone is seated. Upon further investigation, the voice belongs to a small, shrunken head hanging from the rear-view mirror, much like a macabre car decoration.
With a loud bang, the Knight Bus is off. It moves at impossible speeds, already seemingly hundreds of miles away from Hogwarts in the blink of an eye as it speeds down lone country roads, swerving to and fro to avoid obstacles.
"Hold on tight, it's about to get real bumpy, eh!" the shrunken head booms out, cackling as the bus speeds to a halt to avoid muggle traffic that seemingly appeared out of nowhere as you realize you're already in a city.
The force of the stop is jarring, if you aren't holding onto something it's quite possible you'll go flying out of your seat. No sooner than the bus stops does it start again, the interior of the bus shrinking as it starts to squeeze through a narrow opening in the city traffic. It expands again as the bus finally finishes squeezing through, and all of a sudden you're thrown back against your seat as the bus takes off with another bang.
"The bus usually be much more crowded dan dis," the shrunken head says to no one in particular as the bus zooms along. "But da headmaster be reserving the whole bus for dis trip!"
Another hard stop, a sharp turn, a badly timed school crossing and several agonizing minutes later, the bus slams to a stop for the final time. "Leaky Cauldron!" the shrunken head calls out.
Professor McGonagall leads everyone off of the bus, to the door of an old, dingy looking pub on the corner. "This way, if you please."
"Right, right, gather 'round," she says shortly, rolling up the parchment she'd been using to tic names off. "You might find this next part startling, but please refrain from screaming."
Professor McGonagall sticks out her wand arm, much like she's trying to hail an unseen taxi. What happens next is a blink-and-you-miss-it moment as a large, purple, triple decker bus seems to squeeze itself out of thin air at an incredible speed, screeching to a halt in front of the gathered group. "The Knight Bus," McGonagall says coolly, putting her wand away.
"Take it away, Ern!" booms a jovial voice, once everyone is seated. Upon further investigation, the voice belongs to a small, shrunken head hanging from the rear-view mirror, much like a macabre car decoration.
With a loud bang, the Knight Bus is off. It moves at impossible speeds, already seemingly hundreds of miles away from Hogwarts in the blink of an eye as it speeds down lone country roads, swerving to and fro to avoid obstacles.
"Hold on tight, it's about to get real bumpy, eh!" the shrunken head booms out, cackling as the bus speeds to a halt to avoid muggle traffic that seemingly appeared out of nowhere as you realize you're already in a city.
The force of the stop is jarring, if you aren't holding onto something it's quite possible you'll go flying out of your seat. No sooner than the bus stops does it start again, the interior of the bus shrinking as it starts to squeeze through a narrow opening in the city traffic. It expands again as the bus finally finishes squeezing through, and all of a sudden you're thrown back against your seat as the bus takes off with another bang.
"The bus usually be much more crowded dan dis," the shrunken head says to no one in particular as the bus zooms along. "But da headmaster be reserving the whole bus for dis trip!"
Another hard stop, a sharp turn, a badly timed school crossing and several agonizing minutes later, the bus slams to a stop for the final time. "Leaky Cauldron!" the shrunken head calls out.
Professor McGonagall leads everyone off of the bus, to the door of an old, dingy looking pub on the corner. "This way, if you please."
ℋ The Leaky Cauldron
Before heading off to Diagon Alley proper, your little field trip includes a stop at the infamous Leaky Cauldron. On the outside, it looks a bit worse for wear, you're not really sure if Professor McGonagall is fooling you as she leads you inside. It just seems so... ordinary. Perhaps it's because it's sitting right on the corner of what's clearly a very ordinary street.
Muggles- non-magic folk- are going about their business, seemingly oblivious to the fact you and your group all just got out of a triple decker bus moving at the speed of light.
Nevertheless, Professor McGonagall leads you into the shabby tavern, where a tired looking wizard stands behind the bar. All around him, dishes wipe themselves clean, chairs push themselves into place at their tables and trays of drinks float around lazily, dispensing themselves to various tables around the bar.
"We might as well have a spot of breakfast while we're here," Professor McGonagall says, situation herself at the bar as she begins to make small talk with the barkeeper, Tom.
She leaves everyone to go about their business for the time being. The bar is pretty quiet, a few witches and wizards sitting about reading the morning edition of the Daily Prophet, the wizarding newspaper.
Along with a menu of assorted wizarding treats such as cauldron cakes, pumpkin pasties and butterbeer, the Leaky Cauldron also has a smaller menu of normal foods such as meat pies, stews and the like.
Professor McGonagall doesn't appear to be in much of a hurry, so feel free to enjoy the calm, quiet atmosphere of the quaint street-side pub.
A chair pulls itself out for you, as a rag floats over and begins tidying up the table and Tom the barkeeper calls over, "Oi, what'll it be?"" as Professor McGonagall assures you the school will cover the expense.
Muggles- non-magic folk- are going about their business, seemingly oblivious to the fact you and your group all just got out of a triple decker bus moving at the speed of light.
Nevertheless, Professor McGonagall leads you into the shabby tavern, where a tired looking wizard stands behind the bar. All around him, dishes wipe themselves clean, chairs push themselves into place at their tables and trays of drinks float around lazily, dispensing themselves to various tables around the bar.
"We might as well have a spot of breakfast while we're here," Professor McGonagall says, situation herself at the bar as she begins to make small talk with the barkeeper, Tom.
She leaves everyone to go about their business for the time being. The bar is pretty quiet, a few witches and wizards sitting about reading the morning edition of the Daily Prophet, the wizarding newspaper.
Along with a menu of assorted wizarding treats such as cauldron cakes, pumpkin pasties and butterbeer, the Leaky Cauldron also has a smaller menu of normal foods such as meat pies, stews and the like.
Professor McGonagall doesn't appear to be in much of a hurry, so feel free to enjoy the calm, quiet atmosphere of the quaint street-side pub.
A chair pulls itself out for you, as a rag floats over and begins tidying up the table and Tom the barkeeper calls over, "Oi, what'll it be?"" as Professor McGonagall assures you the school will cover the expense.
ℋ Diagon Alley
Professor McGonagall leads everyone to a stone wall in the back of the Leaky Cauldron, before she proceeds to whip out her wand. She raps pointedly on a few specific stones and before you know it, the wall in front of you begins to rearrange itself, stone by stone, as it forms an opening.
Before you stretches a long, crowded street packed with wizards and witches and magical folk of all kind. On either side of you, shops and stalls of all kinds stretch along the cobblestone streets that lead along this wondrous settlement, seemingly tucked away in the middle of London.
"Welcome to Diagon Alley," Professor McGonagall says shortly, stepping through the opening in the wall and onto the cobblestone street. "You'll be able to find all the supplies you need for school. Do go on, I haven't got the time to babysit all of you. If you have any questions, I shall be around. Stay out of trouble, or I'll have you out of here faster than you can say 'transfiguration'."
And with that, Professor McGonagall wanders off, though she's sure to keep an eye in case anyone runs into trouble.
A few places catch your eye immediately, Flourish and Blotts, a wizarding bookstore where you're sure to find all of the books you'll need for school. The Magical Menagerie has been alerted to the fact new students are visiting, so they've made sure to display the finest cats, rats, toads and owls to tempt anyone looking for a companion to accompany them to school.
Diagon Alley is also home to the famous wandmaker, Mr. Ollivander, whom you've had the pleasure of meeting already. His shop can be found here, where you may be lucky enough to witness new students going through the process of getting their own first wands, which is often time consuming and difficult, depending on the person. The shop itself is old and dusty, stacked high with boxes of wands and in a seemingly permanent state of dishevelment, though Mr. Ollivander navigates the space with decisive expertise.
Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor is also a popular destination for the younger crowd, offering an assortment of flavors, both magical and mundane to suit your sweet tooth. Today's special? Strawberry-Peanut butter! Have a seat outdoors and enjoy a nice cool treat while folk bustle about around you, shopping and chatting it up jovially.
Don't forget to swing by Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, where she'll see to it that you're fitted with school robes in your size, and of course you can't leave until you've tried on a pointed hat or two. After that, why not head over to Gringott's Bank at the very end of the street and open up an account? You still have some money leftover from what the Ministry of Magic gave you and you have no idea how long you'll be here. It would be a wise decision to ensure any money acquire is safely guarded- no place safer than Gringott's for that!
After a few hours of exploring and shopping, Professor McGonagall rounds everyone up for another quick trip through the Leaky Cauldron, outside where she once again summons the Knight Bus to take everyone back to Hogwarts.
Before you stretches a long, crowded street packed with wizards and witches and magical folk of all kind. On either side of you, shops and stalls of all kinds stretch along the cobblestone streets that lead along this wondrous settlement, seemingly tucked away in the middle of London.
"Welcome to Diagon Alley," Professor McGonagall says shortly, stepping through the opening in the wall and onto the cobblestone street. "You'll be able to find all the supplies you need for school. Do go on, I haven't got the time to babysit all of you. If you have any questions, I shall be around. Stay out of trouble, or I'll have you out of here faster than you can say 'transfiguration'."
And with that, Professor McGonagall wanders off, though she's sure to keep an eye in case anyone runs into trouble.
A few places catch your eye immediately, Flourish and Blotts, a wizarding bookstore where you're sure to find all of the books you'll need for school. The Magical Menagerie has been alerted to the fact new students are visiting, so they've made sure to display the finest cats, rats, toads and owls to tempt anyone looking for a companion to accompany them to school.
Diagon Alley is also home to the famous wandmaker, Mr. Ollivander, whom you've had the pleasure of meeting already. His shop can be found here, where you may be lucky enough to witness new students going through the process of getting their own first wands, which is often time consuming and difficult, depending on the person. The shop itself is old and dusty, stacked high with boxes of wands and in a seemingly permanent state of dishevelment, though Mr. Ollivander navigates the space with decisive expertise.
Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor is also a popular destination for the younger crowd, offering an assortment of flavors, both magical and mundane to suit your sweet tooth. Today's special? Strawberry-Peanut butter! Have a seat outdoors and enjoy a nice cool treat while folk bustle about around you, shopping and chatting it up jovially.
Don't forget to swing by Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, where she'll see to it that you're fitted with school robes in your size, and of course you can't leave until you've tried on a pointed hat or two. After that, why not head over to Gringott's Bank at the very end of the street and open up an account? You still have some money leftover from what the Ministry of Magic gave you and you have no idea how long you'll be here. It would be a wise decision to ensure any money acquire is safely guarded- no place safer than Gringott's for that!
After a few hours of exploring and shopping, Professor McGonagall rounds everyone up for another quick trip through the Leaky Cauldron, outside where she once again summons the Knight Bus to take everyone back to Hogwarts.
ℋ Flying 101
With only a week to the start of term, there's a tense atmosphere looming over the school and Hogsmeade village. No one is sure how the year is going to go, but the Ministry of Magic is breathing down everyone's neck as the date approaches.
Professor Dumbledore doesn't want to start off the year on any sort of negative note, so he's decided to throw together an unofficial first lesson on the grounds of Hogwarts, where attendance is optional but highly encouraged and advertised. He sends out notices to everyone, though just what this lesson will be is kept secret.
On the day of the lesson, you're lead onto and across the Hogwarts grounds, until you reach a large, oval shaped structure with towers built around it, all decorated with different house banners. You're lead through the structure, out onto a large field with three large hoops at both ends, rising high into the sky much like flag poles.
All across the field, broomsticks are lined up ground.
"Welcome!" Dumbledore's voice booms from a podium set up to the side, his wand pressed to his throat, which you realize he's using to amplify his voice so that it can be heard clearly, "to your first flying lesson!"
A witch with close-cropped gray hair and a whistle in her mouth steps forward. "My name is Madam Hooch and I will be your flying instructor. Everyone, find a broom and position yourself next to it!"
Each broom appears to be old and well-used, their twigs bent askew and their wood worn by years of handling, some even have initials carved into them by students gone by. It's clear that these haven't been new for some time.
"Once you've found a broom, at the sound of my whistle I want you to hold your hand out above it and, with feeling, command it up. Nice and loud. Never mind if they're a little stubborn at first, just show the broom that you're boss."
Not every broom responds the same, some are tired and simply appear to want to lay there. Others shoot up with enthusiasm into your hand, while others roll about tiredly. For most, it depends on your fervor. If you really want and mean it, the broom responds in kind.
"Next, you'll mount it and then you'll kick off from the ground. Hover a moment, then touch back down. From there, we'll see how you feel and then perhaps you can try the obstacle course." she gives a wave of her wand and additional hoops and various obstacles appear around the field.
"Three, two, one..."
After practicing the basics for a while, Madam Hooch allows everyone time to free fly and to go through the obstacle course. After a while, when all the initial buzz dies down, she'll wander off and supervise from the side while everyone goes about flying.
Aside from flying, those who are more ground oriented are free to simply watch, or sit in the shade and take a moment to enjoy the scenery. Perhaps they'll wander away from the flying lesson and over to the great lake surrounding Hogwarts castle, where the tentacle of a giant squid can be seen occasionally poking out from below the surface, trying to swipe at any bird that makes the mistake of flying too low.
Professor Dumbledore doesn't want to start off the year on any sort of negative note, so he's decided to throw together an unofficial first lesson on the grounds of Hogwarts, where attendance is optional but highly encouraged and advertised. He sends out notices to everyone, though just what this lesson will be is kept secret.
On the day of the lesson, you're lead onto and across the Hogwarts grounds, until you reach a large, oval shaped structure with towers built around it, all decorated with different house banners. You're lead through the structure, out onto a large field with three large hoops at both ends, rising high into the sky much like flag poles.
All across the field, broomsticks are lined up ground.
"Welcome!" Dumbledore's voice booms from a podium set up to the side, his wand pressed to his throat, which you realize he's using to amplify his voice so that it can be heard clearly, "to your first flying lesson!"
A witch with close-cropped gray hair and a whistle in her mouth steps forward. "My name is Madam Hooch and I will be your flying instructor. Everyone, find a broom and position yourself next to it!"
Each broom appears to be old and well-used, their twigs bent askew and their wood worn by years of handling, some even have initials carved into them by students gone by. It's clear that these haven't been new for some time.
"Once you've found a broom, at the sound of my whistle I want you to hold your hand out above it and, with feeling, command it up. Nice and loud. Never mind if they're a little stubborn at first, just show the broom that you're boss."
Not every broom responds the same, some are tired and simply appear to want to lay there. Others shoot up with enthusiasm into your hand, while others roll about tiredly. For most, it depends on your fervor. If you really want and mean it, the broom responds in kind.
"Next, you'll mount it and then you'll kick off from the ground. Hover a moment, then touch back down. From there, we'll see how you feel and then perhaps you can try the obstacle course." she gives a wave of her wand and additional hoops and various obstacles appear around the field.
"Three, two, one..."
After practicing the basics for a while, Madam Hooch allows everyone time to free fly and to go through the obstacle course. After a while, when all the initial buzz dies down, she'll wander off and supervise from the side while everyone goes about flying.
Aside from flying, those who are more ground oriented are free to simply watch, or sit in the shade and take a moment to enjoy the scenery. Perhaps they'll wander away from the flying lesson and over to the great lake surrounding Hogwarts castle, where the tentacle of a giant squid can be seen occasionally poking out from below the surface, trying to swipe at any bird that makes the mistake of flying too low.
Pomeline Fritch | Gotham Academy (DC Comics)
[For the most part, Pomeline Fritch seems wildly unfazed by everything going on around her. The giant purple bus appearing seemingly out of nowhere doesn’t get much of a reaction from her either, except for maybe a slight glimmer in her eyes, but even that’s hidden by the hood that she almost constantly wears over her black and brown ombre hair.
She’s sitting patiently by the window, looking out at London, calm, cool, collected, and maybe a little haughty. That changes the second the bus shifts gears, though, and she lets out a mild gasp of shock.
Unfortunately, she’s not holding on to anything to stop her from jostling about, so she reaches out to the nearest thing to hold onto – you!]
The Leaky Cauldron
[She’s turning her nose up at the pumpkin pasties on the menu. Are they real pumpkin? Are they just stuffed with some pumpkin spice filling? Either way, they’re basic, and Pomeline doesn’t do basic. Butterbeer sounds wildly unhealthy and just like the sort of thing that her friend Maps would like to drink, so she’s definitely not ordering that either. She contents herself with fish and chips and a ginger ale. They’re familiar food, at least, even if they don’t seem breakfast-y.
If she’s at all surprised by the rag floating in front of her and cleaning her table for her, she doesn’t show it. She’s not that kinda girl.]
Can someone actually explain butterbeer to me? Is it like that whole bulletproof coffee thing where you add yak butter to beer or something? Because if so…gross.
Diagon Alley
[Pomeline has never really been one of those girls who cares much for shopping, but put her down anywhere near a bookstore, and she’s ready to drop major money. She’s already picked up the books she needs for her classes, as well as some lighter reading, but she notices that there’s a distinct lack of books on the heavier, darker side of magic.
She walks past Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlour but doesn’t dare venture inside – the line is long, and she’s never really been much for ice cream anyway. People seem so happy and jovial, though, that it takes everything in Pomeline’s power not to snark when a fellow classmate drops a scoop of their icy, creamy concoction.]
It’s like we’re at the magical equivalent of Sesame Street.
[That is, of course, until she chances upon the entrance to Knockturn Alley.]
…Wait. What’s this?
Flying 101
[It took Pomeline a moment longer to get her broom into her hand than she would have liked. She’d actually had to show some bright enthusiasm when she used the spell to bring the broom to her, and god she hopes that’s not going to be a continuous thing there. Being that bright and peppy is just so draining and goody-goody. Not that she’s a villain or anything, but she’s very much not an Elle Woods-type either.
Soon she’s floating in the air on the broom, sitting side-saddle, the way she’d seen that witch on tv do it in those reruns of that one old show, watching everyone. She’s not in the mood to do an obstacle course or compete, but she is scoping out everyone around her, watching some of them flying really well, while others go crashing into things. Honestly, being in the air like this is kinda nice, but there is one thing that’s bothering her.]
All of this magic, and they haven’t found a way to make broomsticks comfortable for sitting? Really?
Leaky Cauldron
[A high pitched voice. A pale face with a big grin. Harley Quinn is having the time of her life in this weird clash of mundane and magical. She takes a seat next to Pomeline and holds up the mug inspecting it.]
It's sweet I'll start there, and there's kinda a Butterscotch flavor? It'd probably taste even better nice and hot on a cold winter day...or with some booze in it!
no subject
Wait, so it's not alcoholic?
[Okay, so maybe it's more of a root beer thing. That explains why there are like twelve-year-olds drinking giant steins of them. She'd just wondered if the magical community here was more lax about their drinking rules.]
They really need to add descriptions to the menu. Not everyone is in the know.
[Does she sound irritated? Maybe a little bit. Back at Gotham Academy, she was the one who knew about all things magical and mystical and occult-y, but over on this side of the world, she was a fish in a much different pond, and it was rankling her just a little bit.]
no subject
[She even holds out her mug for Pom to try.]
Go ahead have a sip! I promise no backwash!
[She laughs a little and glances at the menu on the counter.]
Even if ya don't know what you're ordering the school is paying for it right? Might as well try a little of everything!
no subject
[Pom hesitates for a second before accepting the mug. She sniffs it first - not because she thinks Harley's drugged it or anything, but eating and drinking is all about all of one's senses, not just taste. It does smell quite a bit of butterscotch, and that's not unpleasant. She takes a small sip and her shoulders - which she hadn't realized were hunched up a bit - visibly relax.]
Cognac. I'd add cognac to this, if you were taking it to a cocktail territory. Maybe rum if you wanted to take it to a hot butterbeered rum place.
[She's a teenager at a boarding school, okay? She's experimented a little.]
I'm definitely curious about the cauldron cakes, even if that sounds a little distinctly too Halloween for cupcake, but I'm drawing the line at pumpkin pasties. Pumpkin anything is so...bleh. Also, they sound like something Elvira would stick on her boobs at a Vegas show.
no subject
Classy lady! I was actually thinking of Rum but you've got a good point!
[She spins on her stool even though it's not the kind of stool that is supposed to rotate and when she comes back around to the bar she scans the menu. The comment about Elvira makes her burst out laughing again]
An Elvira joke? Wow and I thought I was getting old. I guess the classics never go outta style huh kid?
You could go with the standard Fish and Chips. I mean we are in England...I think. Honestly after that Bus Ride we could be on alternate universe Themyscira for all I know.
no subject
Elvira is a classic and we should all worship her. I admit, I prefer Vampira and Morticia Addams a little more - valley ghoul isn't really my personal thing - but the woman's an empire unto herself. Respect, you know?
[She gives Harley something of a knowing smile as the plate of fish and chips and her ginger ale appear in front of her.]
Honestly, it was the safest option to order. You can't really go with battered, fried fish, wherever you are.
[Okay, maybe at Amusement Mile in Gotham. You never know when the fried fish are gonna be made from some of Joker's laughing fish or whatever, but she's always been smart enough to steal food from the Academy's kitchen before ever venturing out there. Pomeline knows too well how unsafe Gotham is. This is a completely different ball game, though.]
I wouldn't mind an alternate universe Themyscira, though. Think of all the occult knowledge they'd have to learn from.
no subject
[Harley was getting excited now going into her humble brag. Her own meal arrived stacked high with mini pies that smelled savory. Taking one and sniffing it she gave it a nibble, and then a big chomp revealing a brown gravy sauce and what appeared to be mushrooms and leeks?]
Sounds like you're already a good candidate for this witch stuff huh?
no subject
[Even Pomeline has to admit that it's kind of nice having someone from Gotham to talk to. Everyone here is so different, and with Harley she feels a little less out of place.
She dips a piece of the fried fish into the brown, malty, vinegary sauce and takes a bite, closing her eyes. It's good. It's REALLY good. The fish definitely isn't the catfish that Pomeline is used to having back home. It tastes like...haddock? Regardless, it's incredible. Not that you can tell - she's not as visually excited as Harley seems to be about these things.]
My mom thinks its just a phase, but honestly, my family's ties to Gotham's supernatural weirdness goes way back to the town's founding, and the legend of Amity Arkham and the diaries of Millie Jane Cobblepot. Nothing I've ever done has been anything like this but I'm here for it. I may not ever be a Zatanna, but I'd like to see what I can be.
What about you? No offense or anything, but you're kind of the last person I'd expect to be in a place like this.
no subject
[She laughed and shoved the rest of her pie into her mouth devouring it like she was starving. It seemed like eating might be the best way to keep her from interrupting or dominating the conversation. She did perk up as Pom explained her connections to Gotham.]
Well now ain't that a neat bit of lore? You're well on your way to being a legend yourself if you keep digging around in Gotham's past long enough. I'm no expert but I've been around long enough to know the past never stays buried for long in Gotham.
[A long drink from her mug and she sighed happily waving down the bartender for another.]
I'm pretty surprised myself! I mean I've been around a bit you know? I've boxed with Superman on another planet, helped my BFF Power Girl save the galaxy. I even went to an alternate history and gave Hitler a piece of my mind! But this is new even for me.
[She tilted back in her chair balancing a pie on one finger as she mulled it over.]
Maybe it's a reboot, maybe it's a rewrite or a fresh start. All I can say for sure is I'm glad I'm not the only tough cookie from our world to end up here. Someone's gotta show these stuffed shirts how to really play the game huh?
no subject
[Pomeline sighs softly and takes a sip of her ginger ale before dribbling some malt vinegar onto her
frieschips.]Oh believe me, I know. I tried summoning the ghost of Millie Jane Cobblepot, and that didn't really work, but my friend Olive did get possessed by the ghost of Amity Arkham, who it turns out she was descended from. There was fire and injuries and...honestly, it was kind of a fun night. Scary, but everything turned out alright in the end.
[As alright as anything could in Gotham, really.]
Honestly, I'm not sure what the game is yet, but I'm glad to be a part of it. All my life, all I've wanted is...well, not power. Power can be dangerous. But answers. Maybe I'll get those here.
[She lowers her hood, then, and gives Harley something resembling a half-smile.]
You know, so far, you're not really proving yourself to be the person that people in Gotham say you are. In a good way, I mean.
no subject
Well that's rumors for ya! I guess I should confess though I've made a lot of big changes since I left Gotham. A couple of years ago after a particularly bad blow up with the Joker literally [She winks] I went back to my old stomping grounds in Coney Island, New York.
Got myself a rundown old block of apartments and shops by a stroke of luck, and started figuring out what I wanted to do. Who I wanted to be. I mean they say most people who go into psychiatry are just trying to understand their own baggage. Turns out I learned a lot more through trying to be a hero then I did back in college.
[She took up a fork and twirled it gracefully in her fingers.]
Don't think I've gone soft though. Anybody messes with me or my friends? WHAM!
[She brought the fork down so hard on one of her mini pies the pastry exploded and the tines of the fork pierced through the plate sticking into the countertop. There was much shouting and looks of irritation. Harley laughed sheepishly.]
Of course, I could use a little more work on my impulse control I suppose.
no subject
Joker's not one guy I'd ever like to run into. In that way, I guess it's good that my mom placed me at GA. Sure, we've had Killer Croc and Clayface stop by, and some of our teachers are a little evil - But honestly, isn't that kinda what high school teachers are anyway? - but...you know. I've faced off against supernatural weirdness already, but there's something about the Joker that seems worse. I get the allure of the dark side, I mean, hi, but something about the Joker just hits differently and way more unpleasantly.
[Yeah, she realizes she's talking to someone who left the Joker behind a long time ago, but she's just being honest about him. If there's one thing Pomeline's never believed in, it's beating around the bush. She'd rather just lob a buzzing chainsaw into the middle of one and let everything come running out.]
I kinda feel like the magic stuff is going to force you to work on your impulse control. Otherwise, you know. Boom. Because magic can be unpredictable and wild like that.
no subject
[It's hard not to be a little fuzzy on the details when so much of your continuity is spread out across so much of the universe. She grins ruefully.]
Sounds like you've got a good head on your shoulders. Better then mine. Looking back on it when I was younger I was always pretty pent up but I'd have these little bursts of madness that let the pressure out. I think he saw that part of me and just...took the pressure valve off. But I got off lucky because you're right. He may not be super natural but he's on another level sometimes.
[She makes a disgusted face and takes another drink to wash the taste out of her mouth.]
That being said I totally kicked his ass last time I saw him. Had to let him know he couldn't mess with me anymore. A gal's gotta have her boundaries respected. And I'm hopin' we get to keep our wands and magic if when we go home. I'd like to turn him into fish or something.
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[Pomeline raises a dubious eyebrow at that. Sure, there are your odd couples - god only knows what Black Canary sees in Green Arrow, and there's Harley sitting right in front of her - but Croc and the Enchantress?]
I'm uncertain, actually. It never really came up. But hey, kudos to you for standing up for yourself. I think every person has to draw a firm boundary at some point. It would be nice to keep the wand, though, once we graduate. Think of what all this power and knowledge could do back home.
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[She beams always happy to soak up praise especially for something that was so hard for her.]
Exactly! I could finally join a real Superhero club instead of just getting to come to their parties as Power Girl's plus one! Not that I mind, but I hear the magic users have this whole secret night club and stuff?
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[But hey, if Croc could find love with someone like the Enchantress, hope was clearly out there for everyone. Pomeline didn't know where she had Heathcliff stood, but she'd also decided that she wasn't going to concentrate on romance. Not yet. There was too much magical exploration to do first.]
I know about the Oblivion Bar - that retired rock star owns it. But are there others? I've never been to any - can't find someone who is definitively part of the super-magical community to take me. Or befriend me.
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But hey look at you now? The only way you wouldn't find someone magical to be your friend here is if you were some kinda shut in. In fact I'll be your first! Harley Quinn, recently magical!
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Diagon Alley
[ Crowley's offhand remark is slightly muffled as he's trying to speak around a mouthful of icecream he'd gotten at Fortescue's.
Behind his dark glasses, his eyes wander to the gloomy side-street, and one brow creeps its way to his hairline. ]
You reckon that's where all the magical nightclubs and drugdealers are...?
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[She eyes the ice cream nonjudgmentally. At least he's enjoying himself.]
I feel as though it's our duty to find out, isn't it?
[Despite how she may present herself, Pomeline wasn't really one for drugs, but gaining knowledge was one thing that gave her quite the high.]
After all, we're here to learn about magic - might as well learn about all aspects of it's society.
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[ Unclaimed souls just mucking about willy-nilly. Crowley is very curious about the implications. ]
Couldn't hurt to have a look around anyway. The best things are always off the beaten path, right?
[ This is not, by and large, necessarily true in all circumstances. While very interesting things could be down that alley, Crowley is sure it's just as likely some very terrible things could be as well. But nothing ventured, nothing gained. ]
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Fun times.
[She really means it, too. It was terrifying, of course, but also fun.
Pomeline looks down the alley, the pun of the name not at all lost on her, and she smiles a dark little smile. She reaches up and pulls the hood over head just a smidge lower and takes a step forward.]
The worst things. The best things. Never the mediocre things. At the very least, I hope to find something interesting and spooky in there.
[She bet that's where the books on dark and interesting magic were, after all.]
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[ It's a grumbling aside, brought on by all too many personal experiences of being ripped from a nice hot bath to the middle of a pentagram to the scandalized expressions of spotty teens trying a bit of occultism for a fun and games at a sleepover. ]
Do love a bit of spooky though.
[ Crowley is already sauntering down the shady alley like a tourist eager for some authenticity. ]
You run up against angry ghostly ancestors often then?
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[She'd have said the same thing about Bloody Mary, but there actually WAS a villain in Gotham City called Bloody Mary, and she seemed to be related to the myth.]
The spookier the better. But no, not a lot. This was a special case. An ancestor of mine was very close to an ancestor of hers, and said latter ancestor possessed members of her family, causing all kinds of calamity. We finally got it under control, though. I think. I hope.
How about you?
[Pomeline eyes him a little warily.]
You seem like you might have had a supernatural adventure or two.
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Might've done. Got at least one under my belt with all this, eh?
[ He gestures vaguely to the surrounding buildings, with their aged brickwork and crooked signs and shop windows full of shrunken heads and dusty old tomes.
He pauses, glancing up at one shop's sign, and the corners of his mouth curl into a thin smile. ]
Borgin and Burke's, hm? Reckon they're both a pair of berks with that display window. Lookit that, a hand of glory all out in the open where anyone can see.