Rico sighed as leaned back and drank from the glass that had his wine. To his right was Artemis who was devouring a steak like it was her enemy. Sitting across from him was Zatanna of the Justice League.
Zatanna was not in her 'uniform' or in any of the outfits she uses for her show. Instead she was wearing a simple pair of worn jeans and a very goth style shirt that said 'eat me' with a pair of fangs on it.
She was currently looking through the grimoire. Unlike what he expected nothing happened after she opened it up. Right now she was taking a look to see what price would be worthy of such a book.
"Honestly… I do not think I can afford this. While you are right, it is a grimoire, it is also a historical text from a lost time." Zatanna answered as she looked closer. "I think that I can get the Justice League as a whole to buy it."
By that she means that Bruce Wayne will have to chip in for the actual cost. "You could pay in multiple parts." Rico pointed out as he swirled his wine. "But just out of curiosity what price are you thinking?"
"Roughly, half a billion." Zatanna responded quietly. Causing even Artemis to freeze and slowly look over at her friend. Zatanna noticed their silence and rolled her eyes. "Like I said, it is both a grimoire and historical text. Although it would be worth a lot more if the spells inside were not focused countering a single type of thing."
"What does it counter?" Rico asked with a sigh as he leaned forward slightly.
"I believe if this written account is correct…" Zatanna closed the book and looked at them. "Have you heard about that new, young hero that appeared in El Paso, Texas?"
"Yeah, I think they call him… Blue Beetle?" Artemis asked and then a stunned look crossed her face as she realized something, he could see it in her eyes. She looked over at Rico who winked at her. She bit her lip and refrained from saying anything else.
"Yeah, well… It seems like this grimoire was created a long time ago to counter the Blue Beetle. But now it seems that is not necessary. But this record… I can barely read it and I am sure it has valuable information. So… yes. I would say this is worth the half billion price tag." Zatanna answered. "Although, I would like to go and find where this came from."
Rico tapped the table for a few seconds before nodding. "You can pay in installments. I will give you an account to send it to." Rico pulled out his phone. "Keep in mind, if someone comes asking about that… we will send them your way."
"For a price?" Zatanna asked as she pulled out her own phone and set the book on the table.
"Correct. Now was that all or would you like to know anything else?" Rico asked as he showed her his phone. She nodded her head and began tapping away.
"Yes. But this will cost me enough so I think I will just have to figure out the rest on my own." Zatanna answered as she tapped her phone. Rico then heard a ding come from his phone and saw that fifty thousand dollars were transferred to his account. "I have a few more shows on my current tour. Although my transfers will continue, I might have to stop for a bit if money gets tight."
Rico nodded his head. "That is fine. Now can you tell your friends to back off. Being stared at by a Lord of Order, a kryptonian, and a galactic policeman does get annoying." Rico explained as he glanced upward through the window to the dark sky where he could faintly make out a green glow. Along with Hal, were Supergirl and Doctor Fate.
Zatanna frowned and looked where he was looking then she spoke, "Noisiv rieht kcolb."
A moment later an almost imperceptible black layer appeared in the sky. To anyone else it was invisible but to those three it probably blocked the view. "Now then, I suppose we should order dessert to finish the night off." Rico suggested as he set down his wine glass. He waved a waiter down and ordered dessert.
"You know… most of the people that get on the bad side of the Justice League are scared of them or hate them. But why does it feel like you do not fit into either category?" Zatanna asked.
"Because I have nothing to fear from them. I also have no reason to hate them. All I do is business, sometimes it will be with the 'good' guys and sometimes it will be with the 'bad' guys." Rico made air quotes when he said good and bad. "Honestly, I am just here to make a profit and spread the wealth to my company of mercenaries."
"Ha… then you could just work with one side." Zatanna pointed out. "I know a company that would probably gladly hire you for security." She was definitely talking about Wayne.
"Yeah… but… that would be picking a side. I do not like doing that." Rico shrugged. "I prefer making friends and enemies on both sides so there is no reason for either to truly hate me." Rico waved his hand. "Now how about you tell me a bit about yourself?"
Zatanna smirked and looked over at Artemis who had finished her steak and was sniffing the wine with a frown. "Well… I am a magician for one. Both stage and not a stage magician. I come from a long line of them. Actually part of the reason I was asked to join the Justice League was because-"
BOOM!
They all froze as they saw and heard an explosion in the distance. "Uh-oh… that sounds like something." Rico pointed out as he watched as something flew through the air right towards them. "Artemis…" Rico nodded out the window.
A moment later the thing blew up and was covered in fire. Artemis jumped up and moved just in time as the car went through the window and she caught it. She walked out to the street and set it down. She walked back in with a sigh. Looking at the destroyed restaurant and the cowering patrons. "I think we should get dessert to go."
"Agreed." Rico nodded and nodded at the Grimioire. "It was a pleasure meeting you, Zatanna." He stood up and reached out a hand.
She shook his hand and nodded, "it was a pleasure meeting you as well."