A groan passed from the magician's clenched teeth as he made his ways through the disgusting streets of Gotham city, cigarette held tightly between the stained enamel. The comforting scent of burning tobacco soothed his nerves, while he tucked the lighter back into one of the bags he'd been carrying. Flying was always such a hassle, and stressful as hell. Magick or no, security was never something he got used to, but neither were cities for that matter. While they were a testament to the spirit of man, there was also something distasteful that Albert could never shake. Big, grimy, and often so out of touch from the world outside them, cities like Gotham proved to be even worse. Aside from the ever present criminal element and costumed maniacs, there was a very... fatalistic aspect about the monolithic buildings and sheer vastness of the sprawling metropolis. Seemed like no matter how hard you tried it would swallow you up, it was yours the minute you were born in the midst of its filth. 
	
	The magician pushed such thoughts from his mind as he walked, bags clenched tightly in his hands. Incense, charms, fetishes, ritual attire, and all manner of things that would never be let through onto a plain were carefully cradled within their leather embrace. Everything he would need to set up shop in that trash heap of a city. His new employers with their impressive resources, had secured him and his soon to be coworkers with a small, unassuming place from which to conduct their work within Gotham. Small was certainly the key word there. Standing on the sidewalk, Albert's frown stretched into a full blown scowl as his eyes scanned over the rather pitiful millhouse which stood before him. It was old, and though in decent shape far from attractive what with its peeling paint, broken shutters, and filthy windows. A man of middle years sat on the porch, cigarette clasped between his fingers as he glared at Albert.
	
	"You Barton?" His voice was gruff, and his tone rather rude.
	
	"Yeah, what the hell have you been doing here this whole time, thought you were supposed to get the place furnished and ready for moving day. Place looks like shit, man." 
	
	The man frowned and stood with a groan, motioning for Albert to follow him inside. "Yeah, we were and we did. Didn't say nothing about touching up the outside of the damn house." 
	
	With a sigh Albert tossed what little remained of his cigarette, grinding it beneath his foot before walking in to join the rather unpleasant man. The interior was admittedly much more well kept, the furniture new if simple and sparse. Another man was sitting inside on a laptop, mumbling softly to himself and not giving the two of them a glance. 

	"You've got heat, air, water, all the essentials. Rich boy's package is in the garage along with some old junker. Should work fine for your purposes right? Anyways, he can set up his own little network when he gets here if he likes, but you've got the plain old internet as well if you prefer."

	"Thanks, now if you gentlemen will excuse me, I have work to do and little time to do it in. Jupiter is in a very delicate position that won't last another day or two at most, can't let that opportunity pass me up." He set his bags down and smiled at the two men, who simply looked at one another and shrugged before heading towards the door.

	"We'll be in touch." With that the two were gone from the small dwelling, and Albert could breathe easily at last. Wasting no time, the magician began unpacking his ritual materials. One of the two bedrooms (if they could be called such) had been set aside per his request. After years of careful practice the ritual space was prepared within minutes, Albert dressed in the full regalia of his ceremonial garb and all the necessary tools on a table within his reach. So began a series of rituals which would seal and ward the dwelling against prying eyes both mundane and supernatural, a barrier through which only those invited spirits could pass in the astral plane. The smell of sweet incense and earthy oils permeated the air in the millhouse as the magician continued his work, ensuring the security of himself and those who sought refuge within the small home.