noitatnacni | 001 | Action/Accidental Video

001 | Action/Accidental Video

[So, being rained on in the woods makes it pretty clear she's not on the Watchtower anymore. There's a few possibilities: she remembers flying back with the force of Fate rejecting her spell, so maybe she hit her head. Or maybe it's some illusion caused by the rebound. A very real illusion, as she can feel her whole body ache as she sits up. But there's no way she's not hallucinating this.]

Toto, I've a feeling we're not in outer space anymore. [She mumbles the words to herself, unaware that anyone might be listening. The journal has gone beyond notice, though it's been silently broadcasting the scene since a minute or so before Zatana woke. Thankfully she's close enough to a tree that the rain falling on her is light enough to not be too much of a concern. Instead her eyes have wandered downward, taking in her change of clothing with a frown.]

Oh you've got to be kidding me. [Zatanna tugs at the collar of the dress she wears, clearly displeased by the slip.] Yeah, this has to go. Emit ot egnahc sehtolc!

[She lifts her hands over her head as she speaks the words, and seconds later a cloud of smoke flows up the same path to cover Zatanna completely. It doesn't last long, vanishing within moments to reveal the girl now wearing an outfit better suited for a magician. For some reason though, it makes the pain in her back worse, and her jacket feels far too tight. She shifts where she sits for a moment before shrugging off the outermost layer to reveal a pair of grey wings.]

What in the--?! [Zatanna gasps, eyes wide as she takes in the sight of the appendages now attached to her. Actually attached; they move when she thinks of moving them, and she feels it when she touches them.] Great. A fake world with bad taste in clothing and accessories. Just what I needed.

[She takes another look at the jacket, slowly shaking her head.] At least I've still got my magic. Dda seloh rof sgniw! [After another cloud puff, this only only around the jacket, she slides the coat back on--gingerly, since the wings still hurt.

She makes her way to her feet then, determined to find out what's going on. Hopefully exploring will give her the answers she needs to get back. If she's lucky, maybe she'd wake up and find out there could still be a chance to thwart Fate.

The only place she ends up, however, is in Luceti proper. With the advice of a few good samaritans in mind, Zatanna changes into something a little less battling-bad-guys ready using the same method as before. Not that the rain makes exploring easy, but there's not really much avoiding it. Luckily summoning an umbrella is easy enough to do, and gives her adequate cover as she wanders pretty much everywhere public, just trying to get some idea for where she is.]

{ooc: open action or voice to any; Zatanna will be looking around randomly, so feel free to catch her anywhere.}

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Completely different. [Artemis gives a faint nod, then shivering, because she's wet and it's chilly and she reaches out to catch Zatanna's wrist.] Come on. Let's get in out of the rain and I'll try to explain everything. That's Seventh heaven over there, Luceti's sole restaurant, unless you count the bar. We can get a table and dry off for a bit.

[She leads the way, getting them inside and seated at table before brushing her dripping hair back out of her face.]

So. Where were we? Different worlds. Umm. Yeah. They had no idea who I was, but they've both got a version of the team where they come from. There's some similarities. They still have Robin, obviously, and Kid Flash, and Aquaman. And Speedy. I'm guessing that's maybe why they don't know me where they're from. Or maybe I just don't exist there. Hard to tell. Plus they've got other members I've never heard of. And they call the team the Teen Titans there. [There's a hint of amusement in her voice at that, because she still thinks it sounds like a pretty ridiculous name. Not that 'the Team' is all that creative.]

[Yeah, the weather is pretty awful. Zatanna pauses long enough to grab the umbrella again, and although there's little point to the effort she tries to cover them both on the walk to the restaurant. Once they're settled at a table though, she can't help but smirk at Artemis.]

You know, there are faster ways of drying off. I haven't lost my magic. [Although changing clothes in the middle of a restaurant is a bit much, even using that method.

She leans forward a little as Artemis tries to clarify some of what she said earlier. It leaves her feeling less than whelmed, her gaze locked on the table top as Artemis goes down the list.]

That's just bizarre. [Right down to the name, and yeah, that does earn Artemis a laugh.] Wow, really? At least "The Team" just sounds a little dull.

Thank goodness for that. I certainly could have used my bow when I first got here. Where did you wake up, by the way? [Artemis glanced around the room curiously for a moment. There weren't a lot of people in here right now, but there were a few tables filled. Not that anyone was paying much mind to them.] Can you do anything without drawing too much attention? Or should we just dry the old fashioned way?

I know, right? Wait till you see their Robin outfits. [Artemis can't help but grin at that, relieved to hear Zatanna laugh. She gives the other girl a smile.] I know that being here isn't exactly ideal but... I'm really glad to see you, Zatanna.

Under a tree, which is definitely not what you expect to see when you were on the Watchtower just before you closed your eyes. [Zatanna takes another look around, trying to decide if the smoke will disrupt any meals beyond the point of being excusable. In the end though, she's had one too many admonitions about sitting around soaking wet and getting sick to not give it at least a token effort.]

Won't know until I try. Egnahc sehtolc otni yrd seno! [And hey, the smoke is self-contained and dissipates quickly, leaving both girls wearing new, not-dripping outfits.] There. Much better.

So their outfits are something to see, huh? Anything our Robin wouldn't be caught dead in? [God, it's so weird to phrase it like that. One of many strange things, and Zatanna tilts her head to the side as Artemis again expresses her relief at having another person there.]

Well, if we're both going to be here, it's better to be together, right? [She grin softens a bit.] Has it been tough?

[Artemis blinks a moment, trying to... Had she just...?] Wait. You were in the Watchtower? The Watchtower?

[She glances down as she's enveloped by smoke and it feels strange, goosebumps shivering over her skin and that would never not be weird. And cool. And hey, it worked! Artemis shot the other girl a grin.] Much better is right. Thanks.

Wait till you see it. I'm sure you'll be able to guess. [There's a hint of mischief in Artemis's grey gaze at that, laughter lurking in her tone, because she still had to do a doubletake each time she saw one of them in costume. Although she had to give them credit for managing to be stealthy in it all the same.]

I'm not sure I'd say tough. Luceti's a pretty decent place. Nice almost. And hey, everything's free, that's a strange enough thing to wrap your head around as it is. It's... different. There's some really nice people here though. Interesting. They come from a lot of strange places and some of them can do some pretty strange things. Although there are still some... less than pleasant aspects of it.

Well, yeah. [Zatanna looks to Artemis, clearly confused by the other girl's questioning.] So were you. I mean it's been two months for you, but I don't think that's the sort of thing you'd just forget.

[Which raises a few more questions, but Zatanna gets the impression that it might be Artemis asking them.]

No problem. [She's glad Artemis approves--and for the playfulness she can see in the other girl a moment later.] I'm definitely looking forward to it now.

[She listens carefully when Artemis talks about what she's experienced in Luceti. She tries to make it seem like it's not so bad, but Zatanna doesn't completely buy it. She's willing to believe there are good things and good people; after all, Zatanna's already run into a few of them herself. But Artemis isn't all joy and giggles either, and Zatanna nods when she admits there's more than just the upside.]

Less than pleasant, huh? Anything you want to talk about? [Because hey, they're both there now. Maybe Artemis will feel better opening up to someone she knows from home.]

[Artemis goes still, because she'd heard about this, of course she had. This was just the first time she had a chance to see proof. She gives a slow shake of her head.]

I've never been to the Watchtower, Zatanna.

[The rest of it can wait, for the moment. This seems important enough a difference in their own knowledge that she doesn't answer the other girl's questions just yet.]

What are you talking about? Of course you have.

[Zatanna's good with dropping everything else for the moment. Artemis's apparent memory loss has her worried, and she leans forward as she tries to jog the other girl's memory.]

Don't you remember? We infiltrated when we found out what Vandal Savage done to the League. We had gotten a cure for the Starro-Tech, and were putting it on all the adults.

Vandal Savage? [Artemis sounds skeptical a moment before she hakes her head again, denying that.] Stop. That... that hasn't happened to me yet. You're from... You must be from later. I woke up here after Santa Prisca. M'gann, Connor and I had lured out my dad and Luthor and Queen Bee and Bane and the rest of them. We captured them. Well, almost all of them. The last thing I remember is being in the bioship flying back to Mount Justice. The next thing I knew, I was waking up here.

Later? What do you mean? [Then Artemis explains, and Zatanna's jaw actually drops in shock as she sits back again, bracing herself against her chair.]

That was yesterday. [For Zatanna at least, and she tries to think about all the things she's learned since then--that they've learned, except that Artemis apparently hasn't.]

Wow. So I'm from the future for you? That's--that's nuts!

[Artemis gives her a wry smile at that exclamation and throws her hands in the air.] Welcome to Luceti.

Gee. Thanks. Do you end up saying that a lot? [Zatanna can't see how she wouldn't. Wings, alternate universes, now come to find out they're from different times? She's starting to wonder when the weirdness will end.]

Do you have any other surprises I should know about?

Most people have been saying it to me, actually. {Artemis can't help but laugh at that, grinning cheerfully despite everything.

That question has a loaded answer, but Artemis isn't sure she's ready to explain the whole Shift from the weekend before just yet. So she brushes it off with an easy grin and a shrug.] Probably. Better to pace them. Maybe. You hungry or anything?

Maybe that's why you look way too happy to get to say it for once yourself. [But Zatanna can't really begrudge Artemis that, all things considered. She's been there longer and had to deal with so much more. Things that she hints at but doesn't explain, and Zatanna just raises an eyebrow at the non-answer before looking down at her menu.]

Starving, actually. And you mentioned everything was free, right? [Which means she doesn't have to worry about price when it comes to picking her meal.] I'm guessing you eat here a lot. Any recommendations?

What can I say? It's nice not to be the one staring like a lunatic for once. [Artemis props her chin in her hand and grins at the other girl unrepentantly.]

And yeah, now and then, when I don't feel like cooking. Which... is more often than it should be, probably. Most of it's good, at least all of what I've tried so far. Get whatever you're hungry for. Cuz yeah, the free thing is completely true and completely awesome.

Yeah, I've been told I have that "new arrival" glaze over my eyes. [Okay, so not really in those words, but close enough. Artemis doesn't look the least bit sorry about it, so Zatanna very maturely responds by sticking her tongue out at the other girl.]

Hey, I can't blame you. Who wants to cook every day when they can just walk some place and not have to pay anything? [Zatanna gets the feeling they'll be taking advantage of Seventh Heaven pretty frequently, though there are other basic needs to talk about.]

So I'm guess you've got a place to live, too. Are you staying with anyone?

{Artemis just laughs when Zatanna sticks her tongue out at her, her manner playful and easy, much more than it had been in the weeks she'd been here alone so far. Having a familiar face really did make a difference.]

I have an apartment in one of the big community buildings, yeah. There are houses you can live in, but I didn't want one of those all to myself. The apartment's are plenty big, though, so you're welcome to come crash with me if you want, or nab one of the empty ones on our floor if you'd rather. I actually share a floor with the two Robins that are here. You'll meet them soon enough, they're... around quite a bit. And there are other superheroes in training I've met here too. Not from our world, though. Or even the alternate one.

You don't mind a roommate? [Zatanna hopes not; the idea of being completely on her own, even on the same floor as Artemis, doesn't really sit well with her. The transition after what happened to her father had been hard, but this is an entirely new world. Being in an otherwise empty apartment day after day? Not appealing.]

Around quite a bit--what, are they stalking you? [She says it in jest...mostly. Their Robin does enjoy watching from the shadows a bit. Whose to say about alternate versions of him? But hearing the number of superheroes goes beyond even their bunch is interesting, and makes Zatanna think back to an earlier conversation.]

One of them wouldn't happened to be named Billy?

Of course I don't mind a roommate![Artemis scoffs at the idea, looking a little surprised by it.] The place is pretty big, all the same. It's got three bedrooms and a bathroom and a living room. I took one of the bedrooms and I'm afraid I might've turned a second one into a workroom, but there's still a free one. The whole floor shares the kitchen area, but the boys don't seem to use it much.

[She snorts at the question, even if Zatanna meant it in jest.] Yes. Well. Robin does. The main Robin. Jason - he's the other one - he doesn't. Robin's suspicious though. He'll randomly follow me around if he thinks I'm up to something. Or maybe just because he's bored. Not a lot of crime to fight in Luceti.

[She peered upwards a moment, half expecting to find him lurking in the rafters above them. He had a habit of doing that.

Zatanna's question draws her attention back to the other girl however and she breaks into a grin.] You met the Witch-boy already? Why am I not surprised? Yes, he's one of them. Him and Teddy - maybe you didn't meet Teddy yet, but he's fun too - they actually live on the floor above us, with a bunch of others. They're in a group called the Young Avengers. From what they've said, in their world, they have a group of superheroes called the Avengers that are kind of like our League. Completely different people though. Not sure our worlds have anything else in common, other than... well. Fighting bad guys.

[Zatanna smiles as Artemis confirms it's okay for the girl to move in, and even gives a brief description of the apartment.] Hey, I don't mind a communal kitchen. I've been sharing with M'gann and Connor for awhile now.

[She can't help but laugh when Artemis confirms that at least one of the Robins has some stalking tendencies, but she raises an eyebrow when it comes to motivation.] Bored, huh? [Zatanna follows Artemis's gaze, looking upward too.] Is that a problem here? Being bored?

[When Artemis confirms that Billy's a superhero, it definitely draws Zatanna's attention back to the topic at hand--although she grimaces a little at the nickname.] You know that's what Fate called Klarion, right? [And Zatanna had drawn one too many parallels to the Lord of Chaos to be comfortable with that, at least for the moment.]

This is all too weird.

That's true. And the boys don't seem to use it a whole lot. Not that I've seen, anyway. [Satisfied that Robin doesn't seem to be lurking in the ceiling somewhere above them, Artemis rolls her eyes.] Yeah, it can be. Granted, I haven't been here long - two months is really short compared to how long some people have been here. Years, I've heard. Although people come and go, pretty randomly, from what I have seen.

There are some things that break up the time though. Usually once or twice a month. They have... some people call them Shifts, some people call them experiments. Things... happen. The village changes or we change or... they're all random. I've heard lots of different stories about different ones. And then there's Drafts, which pop up now and then. That's almost always fighting, from what I've heard.

Is it? [Artemis looked a little surprised by that, then shakes her head and shrugs.] Nah. Fate kinda freaked me out, to be honest. No offense. And Billy's no Klarion. He's nice. Although I think he might be pretty powerful. I've seen him cast magic without having to say anything.

If we're feeling nice, we can make a few extra portions for them when we use it. [Although most of the recipes Zatanna knows are for two, they're pretty easy to double. Plus she helped M'gann cook for Wally, so she can manage a few meals for twenty too.]

[It's hard to decide if she'd prefer the boredom (although don't get her wrong, Zatanna's not really happy to hear about the downtime or how long people could be stuck there). She crosses her arms over her chest as she leans back, watching Artemis for a moment.]

You've heard--but you've been here two months. Have you--gone through anything yourself? [Experiments or Drafts, neither of which has a good connotation in Zatanna's mind.

She forces a hint of a grin when Artemis admits she doesn't really like Nabu.] I'm pretty sure I'm going to be the last person offended by that. [Because Fate isn't her dad, but an entity possessing him, keeping him trapped within his own body--

No, no. Zatanna can't think about that now. She closes her eyes, her hands tightening on her own arms as she very purposely shifts her thoughts back to Billy.] You're right. He called himself a reality warper, although he said his powers weren't quite that strong. But he pulled out an umbrella without saying a word, and he said he could teleport if he chants, which is something I can't do at all.

I do that now. [Artemis admits this a little sheepishly, because she often cooks with plenty leftover, tucking the rest away in the fridge for whoever gets hungry, even if she usually does eat her share on her own. Occasionally she catches one of them, though. Mostly Jason.]

I... yeah. [She averts her gaze for a moment, searching for the right words.] I was in the last Draft. There was... there was a lot of fighting. it was pretty intense. They transported us out of the village to this place called TERRACE. It was this huge ancient city that actually floated in the sky. It looked like something out of one of Wally or Robin's video games, you know?

It was supposed to be only an overnight stay before they shipped us off to our real destination in the jungle somewhere to fight off these Cultists that always give the Malnosso trouble. Not everyone from Luceti was drafted, but there was a really big group sent. All ages, all types of fighters and powers - some that weren't even fighters at all.

Anyway, we never got to the jungle. The Cultists attacked TERRACE overnight. Dropped in out of the sky from these huge flying ships - actual ships - and there were just... they seemed endless. We fought for days, trying to hold onto parts of the city, retaking other parts back. There were rumors of spies and traitors in the Malnosso forces and just... it was insane. It felt like being in an actual war. I've never... It was never like that back home. [She trailed off, obviously still a little shaken from the experience itself, although she'd been better equipped for it than most.

She reaches out in sympathy when Zatanna closes her eyes, understanding all too well, and gives the other girl's hand a light squeeze.] He can do some pretty nifty things. I think you'll like him. And Teddy. I'll take you up and introduce you, if you like. Or if they don't find you first.

[Zatanna grins at the girl across from her.] You do? Well, don't worry. I won't tell anyone your secret. [That behind all the sarcasm and the smart remarks is really a girl who cares about people a lot.

The humor fades quickly though, when Artemis details her experience with the draft. It sounds horrible, and by the end of it, Zatanna's jaw has actually dropped a bit.] Oh man. I--I'm really sorry they put you through that. [And not just Artemis, but civilians too. Zatanna shakes her head, not really sure what else to say after hearing something so terrible.]

He seems like a good guy. [Billy's easier to talk about, and in truth Zatanna had walked away with an okay impression of him.] It's just a little freaky meeting someone with that sort of potential who says he's still in training. I may not have given him a good impression, honestly. Maybe a reintroduction can help fix that.

Good. It'd totally ruin my reputation. [Artemis snickered at that, looking amused, and it was a lighter topic to dwell on than the other.

She shrugged in response to Zatanna's apology, trying to dismiss it.] Yeah, well. I survived it. Most of us did, actually. Technically, it could have gone much worse, but it was certainly no picnic.

I think he is. And sure, I'll drag you up one night soon, once you get settled.

001 | Action/Accidental Video

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