(no subject)

[teetheyes]

Downtime's never a great indicator.

Constantine, Yuuko, hell maybe even you Foster, got time to spare?

Private to the Bluebird//Action

It's a little late for breakfast.

Comments

//action//

[bitingnightmare.livejournal.com]

[Lighting his own cigarette, puff.]

The hell are you planning to do with it?

[After the stink remark, but he's more than willing to venture out anyway.]

//action//

[lullabyoflondon.livejournal.com]

[Heads out and downstairs.]

The fuck did you think I was planning to do with it? Lesson one about magic, mate.

Sooner or later, it comes down to fire.

//action//

[bitingnightmare.livejournal.com]

[Following John.]

I don't know, stick it in the middle of a chalk circle and consult Satan for an answer. I think he's a fan of yours.

Re: //action//

[lullabyoflondon.livejournal.com]

[Emerges outside and turns the corner into the obligatory narrow alleyway.]

Oh, is he? I wouldn't know. Think I killed him a few months back.

[He's doing that thing again. The one where he says something outrageous and unbelievable in a totally casual tone of voice, and half the time he's just making it up for a bit of fun, but the other half of the time it's true.]

Here we are, then.

[He crouches behind some boxes, takes a bit of chalk out of his pocket, draws a circle on the ground, and adds a few runes around it. Then he pulls something else out of his coat pocket--two somethings, actually. A battered-looking Tarot card--the Empress--and the even dingier-looking top of a baby's bottle. Best not to ask where he got it. He sets them down in the center of the circle.]

Ready?

//action//

[bitingnightmare.livejournal.com]

You must've missed it when he checked out of the City.

[A smirk as he follows the bad luck magician into the alley. Cori notes the tools of the trade, not too surprised to see the chalk and card, though he does wonder where the bottle topper came from.]

Yeah, do your thing, magic man.

[He smokes his cigarette down and tosses it.]

Re: //action//

[lullabyoflondon.livejournal.com]

[Finishes his own cigarette, tosses it, then shakes out the contents of the paper bag into the chalk circle. He settles back on his heels for a few moments, eyeing the magical setup.]

Right.

[Out comes his lighter, and he touches it to the strands of hair atop the used tests. An ugly smell filters up, and for a moment, nothing happens.

Then he leans forward a little, concentrating, and something changes almost imperceptibly. It's not just some weird bits of garbage burning inside some chalk markings on the pavement anymore; there's energy there.

The circle and its accompanying runes light up, and at the same moment the burning bits of debris inside flare up as the fire consumes them too fast, impossibly so. There's a sense of something snapping and then there's only ash flying out in a little cloud--

--and then there's a subdued sense of release, and the ash settles, scattered neatly inside the chalk circle. It forms no particular pattern; just a fine dusting over the contents of the circle. The bottle topper wobbles, then rolls a little bit away from the Tarot card.

John gets to his feet.]

Looks like a no, then.

Re: //action//

[bitingnightmare.livejournal.com]

[The Corinthian is wary around large open flames prone to flaring up, so he takes a step back but watches unfazed. Stylistic methods didn't seem to differ too much from one Constantine to the other; always street magic. He watches the bottle topper wobble and roll.]

That's it?

[Staring, anti-climactic answer for the shit he had to go through last night.]

Re: //action//

[lullabyoflondon.livejournal.com]

[Slants the Corinthian an irritable look as he takes out his cigarettes and shakes one out.]

I fucking warned you, didn't I? This sort of magic's not always the most helpful.

As much as any of it is.

[Doesn't sound particularly apologetic or regretful, though. The crash is worth the high, right?]

Re: //action//

[bitingnightmare.livejournal.com]

Christ what the fuck am I going to--

[A look at John, trying to decipher if he managed to pick up who owns that hair and isn't telling. Elle wouldn't like that at all.]

Re: //action//

[lullabyoflondon.livejournal.com]

[Lights the cigarette, apparently content to ignore the Corinthian. But when he's done he gives him a big grin:]

So whose hair and piss was that, mate? You can tell old John.

[With just the right tone of voice to suggest that maaaaybe he already knows, but isn't telling.]

Re: //action//

[bitingnightmare.livejournal.com]

Son of a bitch.

[Lighting his own, he needs it. And he's still unsure if John's put two and two together.]

What do I owe you?

Re: //action//

[lullabyoflondon.livejournal.com]

I'm not letting you pay it off that easy. You just owe me, that's all.

[Winning smile.]

Re: //action//

[bitingnightmare.livejournal.com]

[Puff on his cigarette.]

You're an asshole. Thanks.

[And while this doesn't work in Cori's favor his tone does seem just a touch impressed.]

Re: //action//

[lullabyoflondon.livejournal.com]

Don't mention it.

[Scuffs the chalk circle a bit with one booted foot.]

Now go and give your mysterious lady friend the happy news, eh?

Re: //action//

[bitingnightmare.livejournal.com]

I'm sure she'll be thrilled, but if it turns out your magic was full of shit, I'm getting a refund.