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Matt Walker ([info]this_fire_burns) wrote in [info]marvel_nextgen,
@ 2010-04-17 23:42:00


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Current location:Los Angeles
Entry tags:inactive - matt walker, marlow, sydney ashcroft, team - defenders

Dark Pact
Matt's most recent case was, on the surface, a simple one. A middle-age father of four skips out on his family to join some kind of New-Age Spiritual Club (read: cult) that offered to eternal peace and tranquility. The wife was understandably distraught, as her husband left in the company of a beautiful, young twenty-something who was saying all the things Victor Pabst wasn't hearing elsewhere.

Matt almost considered it an open-and-shut case until Mrs. Pabst showed him pictures of the symbols that her husband started drawing on the basement walls four months ago. Pentagrams, mostly in animal blood,  adorned the walls of their Queens home. Matt had already decided to take the case on that alone, as the symbols were the kind used to summon demons and other baddies from the Otherside.

But when the wife indicated that Pabst had been using their children's blood to make the symbols, something inside Matt snapped a little bit, and he'd offered her a reduced rate. He hoped that Pabst was really just a guy who was being manipulated by some rogue sorcerer and that he hadn't actually become one; otherwise, this would get ugly in a hurry. He should have gone to Lynch with this, but knowing her, she'd bring the cops into it and if he was dealing with a summoner, this would get a lot of unprepared cops killed.

So he made his way to Los Angeles himself, leaving Whisper in the company of Mrs. Emberstein.

Two days after his arrival, Matt finds himself inside a warehouse not far from the Staples Center, looking at the same symbols from the pictures on these walls. If these people are summoning a demon, he doesn't have a lot of time to find them and stop it.

Just about every summoning ritual he's ever heard of requires a sacrifice, and someone will die if he can't connect the dots.



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[info]marlow
2010-04-21 01:10 am UTC (link)
It smelled wonderful. She beamed a smile in Mark's direction and picked up the sandwich to take a bite. It was seasoned perfectly and melted wonderfully.

She took a second bite and chewed with a blissful expression before responding. "You're very strong. I felt you in the area and I'm sometimes more curious than I should be."

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[info]this_fire_burns
2010-04-21 01:16 am UTC (link)
"I have to say, I'm glad you were you and not one of the people I was looking for. I get paid to be overly curious, but it doesn't mean I like being outgunned." he says.

"I've got a lot of raw ability, all told, but my fine control is what's lacking. My mentor, Ian, has always said that once I get it together, I'll be ready for the big leagues, as it were." he tells her, taking another bite of his sandwich.

"So...you don't know anything about who you are or where you come from? Have you ever considered a bloodline spell of some kind, if you really want to know?" he asks.

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[info]marlow
2010-04-21 01:34 am UTC (link)
She picked up a french fry. "It's a double edged sword. I'd like to at least know my family name, but what if the reason I don't know is a very good one? I'd rather not know than find out I'm descended from dark wizards and the bloodline is under a death sentence."

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[info]this_fire_burns
2010-04-21 01:40 am UTC (link)
"I couldn't imagine what that would be like." he says simply. He's had to deal with a couple of people like that before, but he doesn't go into that.

He's glad he knew his parents and where he comes from. He wasn't lucky enough to avoid Anton, but being found by Ian makes up for the hell he endured.

"I do understand your reluctance, though. I got luckier than most people with real talent in a lot of ways. I didn't know my parents long, but they were good to me." he says.

"So...what else do you like to do, besides follow crazy wizards on damn-fool idealistic crusades and the like?" he grins.

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[info]marlow
2010-04-21 01:51 am UTC (link)
She tried the ale. Mark got another beaming smile.

"I follow crazy gods around on crusades and the like." She almost giggled. It was a close thing.

"I practice a lot, both magic and talking to people. I've learned you don't start out a conversation by explaining how you helped defeat an army of demons. But it being California, they assume I'm on drugs. Swim in the ocean and explore the supernatural hot spots when I find them. Winchester Mystery House really isn't much of a mystery."

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[info]this_fire_burns
2010-04-21 02:08 am UTC (link)
"Mentioning demons in most places will get people to think you're on drugs. Swimming in the ocean, on the other hand, is adventurous, if not outright dangerous. You are a braver soul than I." he says, taking a pull from the ale bottle.

"How is that place, anyway? I wanted to check it out, but meeting you is actually part of my first time in California." he tells her.

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[info]marlow
2010-04-21 02:20 am UTC (link)
"It's much smaller than you think. There's some energy, but thousands of people have been through it. A couple of spirits clinging to the corners but mostly out of habit, I think." She gave a small shrug. "I went in after hours to see it through an illusion. I can hold up to three for as long as I need them."

"The compound has a private beach and I've always loved the water. You should try it."

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[info]this_fire_burns
2010-04-21 02:26 am UTC (link)
There are times when Matt's mouth takes off before he's aware of it; many of these times, he is standing before a demon of some kind, or a powerful sorcerer or spirit and goading them into attacking him. Those are the times he can handle.

Today is another of those times.

"Only if you'll join me." he fires back at Marlow's suggestion to get out on the water. One second goes by, then two, then three...

At about five seconds on, Matt realizes what he just said and takes a long pull of his ale, then a bite of his sandwich while he looks for a way to recover.

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[info]marlow
2010-04-21 02:31 am UTC (link)
Marlow blinked at the outburst. Was he that scared of swimming in the ocean?

"How about for the first adventure, you join me? If you like it, I'll join you for the second."

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[info]this_fire_burns
2010-04-21 02:41 am UTC (link)
Matt expected to be picking up his jaw (and maybe even some teeth) up from the floor in this moment. Or maybe she'd just get up and leave, which would be a pain in the ass, but he wouldn't blame her. But when she offers to take him swimming, then go with him for the second time, Matt can only blink in response, for a moment.

Did I just fail into success or succeed in failing?

"Sure, why not? The ocean's a dangerous place. I could use the back up." he says, his tone only semi-serious. Granted, he'd never BEEN to the ocean, as water can be an issue for wizards, but he assumed it was nice place.

"How's the food?" he asks.

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[info]marlow
2010-04-21 02:51 am UTC (link)
"The food is so much better than I expected." Her eyes widened at her own words. That really didn't sound right, and she hurried on to clarify. "I mean, it's really good. Now that I know where to find it, I can come back any time."

Having never been picked, she didn't recognize a line, good or bad. Living with Hal and Argo only taught her that she was below the normal radar and it was a comfortable place to be.

"It's safe enough in the cove but I will take precautions." A teasing smile curved her mouth. "I'll work on my levitation to get you out of the water quickly."

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[info]this_fire_burns
2010-04-21 03:01 am UTC (link)
It's a terrible thing when a man can't tell if a woman is flirting with him or simply teasing him.

"Hey, make sure you do. I don't want to be eaten by a squid, or a shark. Or a school of man-eating goldfish. Those guys give me nightmares." he smirks.

"I'm glad you like the food. Mark's place is always open at all hours of the day and night. I've come in here at 3am sometimes, he's always got the grill ready and ale waiting." Matt says.

"So...is anyone waiting for you back at home? I don't want to keep you if you've got to get back." he says.

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[info]marlow
2010-04-21 03:20 am UTC (link)
She shook her head and took a drink of the ale. Too many of these and she would be transmuting those man-eating goldfish from pennies in her dreams.

The operating hours were good to know as well. There were plenty of 24 hour places in Los Angeles, but none that she'd found that catered to their sort of people.

"No one is waiting. I just let them know if I'm not going to be back for the night so they don't worry if they don't see me at breakfast. The team is in down time now." She smiled a bit wistfully. "I shared a cottage with one of the godling, but she joined the Avengers. She would be the only one to miss me and that's because I make us hot chocolate in the evenings. Was there another place you wanted to go?"

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[info]this_fire_burns
2010-04-21 03:29 am UTC (link)
"No, not tonight. I figure wherever these guys are, they've got to get prepared for this ritual, and while you can summon a demon anytime, some nights are more conducive than others. If anything, they won't do it tonight.

That'll give us time to rest and hunt down leads, I hope. However, I'm not using you as the free transport system. After this,we'll head wherever necessary and call it a night, then get started again in the morning." he says.

"Unless...you want to go somewhere else?" he asks.

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[info]marlow
2010-04-21 03:41 am UTC (link)
"I'm at loose ends," she admitted. "You said you relied on potions. Is there anything you need to collect before we get down to business?"

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[info]this_fire_burns
2010-04-21 04:10 am UTC (link)
"I've got a couple of ready-made ones on me at the moment. I don't think I'm in need of much else, so I'm good to go after I pay the tab." he says, finishing up his sandwich. He then finishes his ale and is glad he had only one; buzzed Wizard is not a good thing.

"Do you want to get something to go?" he asks.

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[info]marlow
2010-04-21 05:32 am UTC (link)
She was done and content. Later there would be Sarah's baked goods and tea if she was still hungry. "I'm good, thanks." Through the pleasant warmth of the ale, she realized he was also nice to look at. If she had Aridis' easy way of speaking to men and telling them what she wanted, she might have been able to tell him that.

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[info]this_fire_burns
2010-04-21 07:43 am UTC (link)
Matt paid the bill and Mark gruned something about being careful, before Matt started to escort Marlow out of the grill.

"Where to now, Marlow?" he asks with a dramatic flourish and sweep of his arm.

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[info]marlow
2010-04-21 01:35 pm UTC (link)
"If you truly have nothing to collect, we can go back to Los Angeles. We can begin preparing to hunt your summoners." She hesitated a moment before taking his arm. It was not a gesture she was offered on a regular basis.

She turned a bright smile to him. "Let's get you settled so you have a base to operate out of while you're in LA, and introduced to the adviser on site. Gods can take a little getting used to if you're not accustomed to it."

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[info]this_fire_burns
2010-04-21 01:48 pm UTC (link)
He had his staff and blasting rod, and the potions inside his coat, along with his charms and shield bracelet. He wasn't going to get much more ready than that.

Her taking his arm was a nice surprise and he offered her a smile.

"So, meeting Gods and hunting Summoners with a pretty woman as company. All I need now is theme music." he says as they step into the night.

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[info]marlow
2010-04-21 02:27 pm UTC (link)
"With Hollywood close by, a theme song wouldn't be amiss. I'll work on an auditory illusion spell for your next hunt." Another attempt at a joke. She was on a roll! "Something along the lines of Indiana Jones?"

She teleported them directly into the living room of the bungalow she now occupied alone.

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[info]this_fire_burns
2010-04-21 02:35 pm UTC (link)
"Indiana Jones? Come on, I was thinking more the A-Team, but Indy could be a good fit. I've had to hunt down relics a time or two...and I'm not fond of snakes." he grins. "But I'd like to see a few of your illusion spells sometime...if you don't mind."

They appeared in the living room of her bungalow and Matt was suddenly struck by a feeling of nostalgia. He felt like he'd been here before, though he knew he hadn't.

"This is a nice place, Marlow. It feels like a home." he says genuinely.

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[info]marlow
2010-04-21 02:48 pm UTC (link)
"I don't mind," a voice said from behind him as an illusion Marlow entered the room. It was a perfect image in every detail, but without substance.

"The compound was previously occupied by the West Coast Avengers. There is a main house and five bungalows," the real Marlow said. "It seemed like a good idea in the beginning to move the gods out into their own spaces. A bungalow is much easier to replace than a mansion."

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[info]this_fire_burns
2010-04-21 03:01 pm UTC (link)
"Hm. Found the only thing better than one Marlow. Two." he grins at the illusion. He begins taking off his coat, and some of his other armaments.

"Where should I hang this up?" he asks. When he mentions there a five bungalows, and still a main house and puts THAT together with her mention of a private beach, Matt's head spins a little. This place would have to have it's own zip code with that kind of land.

"So, you were rooming with one of the gods, you said? Did you need more space or did she?" he asks.

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[info]marlow
2010-04-21 03:15 pm UTC (link)
The illusionary Marlow grinned and disappeared without the showy light swirls.

"The coat closet is by the front door." She gestured for him to follow her through the small but neat house. "Svalin went to New York to back up the Avengers. I don't know the details, but she may not return for some time. We have an empty bungalow on the other side of the pool available as Argo moved to New Orleans. If you'd like to have your own space. If you are comfortable sharing, the top floor here is empty now." She smiled a bit. "The gods will not bother you here."

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(no subject) - [info]this_fire_burns, 2010-04-21 03:35 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]marlow, 2010-04-21 03:55 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]this_fire_burns, 2010-04-21 04:04 pm UTC

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