noitatnacni | 003 | Action + Voice

[It's pretty easy to spot the differences. The apartment Zatanna shares with Artemis suddenly goes from full to half-empty overnight. Everything, from clothing to weaponry to the tools she'd left in a pile on the table are just gone.

She's heard about it happening before. But like they say, hearing about it and going through it? Two completely different things.

Zatanna tries to find her: message over the journal, a locator spell she's been working on, just walking around and looking around the village. Things don't get any better, however. It's even worse by mid-day, when Zatanna pulls out her journal again.]

Uh, hey. [Zatanna's trying to smile--or rather, she's trying not to cry. There's a reason she's not using video for this, but all that emotion is still pretty evident in her voice.] I know some of you know Artemis and Static. They went home, but it's a good thing. They've got to help save the world and all. Teenage superheroes. The job's never done, right?

[She hesitates, wondering if she should say anything else. In the end though, there's only more silence before she closes the journal. She's going to answer the people who reply, eventually. For now, with the book set aside, Zatanna draws her knees up to her chest and just hides. She probably won't be that hard to find if people know where to look: the rooftop of Community Housing 5. But since she's alone--really alone--she lets some of those tears fall. She just can't keep it in anymore.]

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Uh, yeah. Thanks. [Zatanna has her own memories too, of Helios trying to step in where he wasn't wanted. It hadn't been his fault, not by any means, and Zatanna knows that. That fantasy life had just hit a serious nerve, and maybe she hasn't done all that good a job of shaking it just yet.

But he's trying, and Zatanna had thought Helios was pretty cool before everything that had happened. Besides--she's already lost two friends today. She doesn't want to push anyone away.]

Are you busy right now? I can come to wherever you are, if you want.

[ He is rather glad that she does want to speak to him. He knows how strange and personal and otherwise intrusive it was in all their lives. ]

Oh! Ah. N-No I'm not busy at all. Do you mind stopping by the house?I-I mean house 44? [ Perhaps he could make some tea, that was always soothing he thought. ] I could...make us some tea if you'd like as well?

I don’t mind. [Although she’s going to walk, so it will take a bit. But then Helios comes up with something to occupy his time, and Zatanna nods.] Sure. I like tea.

[In the end it doesn’t take her too long to get there. The place kind of stands out, and Zatanna’s more than a little awed when she realizes Helios lives in a castle. It kind of makes it seem silly to knock on the door, but that’s what Zatanna does, hoping someone will be able to hear her in there.

[ Helios might not hear here knock but the dragons, dog, and cat do. They have a lot of pets don't mind them. The chirping and barking alerts Helios to a visitor and he'll settle the three of them down before opening the door. He'll answer it with a smile and a nod, ushering for Zatanna to step inside. ] Come in, come in! You have impeccable timing. I just made some fresh sweets to go with our tea. Everything should be ready in a few moments.

[ He will nod towards the kitchen as he closes the door. ]

[It’s quite the cacophony on the other side of the door, but soon enough Helios emerges. Zatanna manages a small smile, but seeing him doesn’t really help how awkward she’s feeling. She’s already there, though, and not about to run away. So she just wraps her arms around herself, stepping into the castle when Helios gestures.]

Really? You didn’t have to do all that. [It sounds like a lot of trouble for her visit. But considering the castle, maybe he goes for extravagant. Zatanna doesn’t spend too long looking around, instead falling into step after Helios to head toward the kitchen.]

[ The kitchen is brimming with smells of brewing tea and freshly made cookies. It's homely and inviting if nothing else. ]

Ah, well, it's the least I could do. Besides cookies and tea always make me feel better. Especially with these sorts of-of things.

[Yeah, it is pretty homely. Zatanna’s not really sure if that makes her feel better or worse though. Things that remind her of home remind her of her father—and that’s a wound that’s way too close to the surface right now.]

Yeah? [She wanders in, though it’s probably clear she still feels a little awkward. Arms crossed in front of her, Zatanna just tries to find some place to stand that looks like it won’t be in the way.] Have a lot of people gone home that you’ve known?

[ He notices all the signs of awkwardness and uncertainty. He's been in that situation for far too long when he was younger, it's something that's never quite left his memory. In his own home he'd try to be as inconspicuous as possible, but the reasons were different. He gives her a sad nod a small smile on his face. ]

Oh, yes, a good few people have. But...it never gets any easier I don't think. You grow so accustomed to a person's presence here and when they're gone...it just lingers a little bit more. I'm sorry that you had to experience it too. But-but the support people offer here has made it easier in the past.

[ He'll set out two plates and a tray of nice freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. The heat from the oven still wafting off them as he puts them on the table. The teapot will whistle then and he'll move to go and set up the tea. ]

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