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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[She's been making her way through the village slowly, although by now Zatanna's gotten the impression that there's not much to it. It's not at all like either of the places she's lived back home, and the idea that she's stuck there isn't really settling well with her for reasons that go beyond the scenery.

Zatanna has just passed by the clinic, headed toward the next cluster of buildings when she catches sight of a figure moving towards her--or make that running towards her. Someone's definitely in a hurry, and even from a distance Zatanna doesn't think they have any sort of protection from the rain. It pricks her instincts, and she's trying to decide if she can stop the person to ask what's going on and maybe offer her help when she realizes it won't be necessary.

As it turns out, Zatanna recognizes the girl running frantically through the streets.]

Artemis? [There's a sense of relief at finding someone familiar, and Zatanna smiles brightly as she lifts her hand in a wave.] Artemis! Over here!

Zatanna! [There's relief evident in her voice when Artemis hears her name called and she changes direction - although she doesn't have to by much, since she'd at least been headed in the right direction. A grin breaks over her lips and she all but flings herself at the other girl, forgetting for a moment she's soaked from the rain.]

Oh my god, it really is you!

[Wow. So that's not really what Zatanna is expecting, especially not from Artemis. There's not much she can do though, other than let the umbrella fall to the ground and try to keep her balance.]

Of course it's me. Who else would I be? [There's humor in her voice as Zatanna gives the other girl a careful squeeze, but she's also concerned. As far as she knows, they just saw each other a few minutes ago--so why this reaction? And in the pouring rain no less.] Is everything okay?

[Realizing how odd that must have seemed to someone whose just arrived and possibly not gotten the rundown yet, Artemis tries to laugh it off, looking a little self-conscious as she gives the other girl a quick squeeze, then steps back, giving her a sheepish smile.]

Yes, fine. I just... I didn't expect to see you here. Hi.

[...Okay then. The withdrawal is a bit more like her friend, and Zatanna almost feels sympathetic enough towards the girl's awkwardness not to tease her.]

Hey.

[Almost.]

I can't really say I was expecting to show up here. Guess today's full of surprises for everyone.

I don't think anyone expects to show up here. That would require knowing here exists, I think. [Her tone turns a bit dry at that as she rocks back on her heels, trying to act normal. When really there was a tiny part of her tempted to hug the other girl again.]

Which reminds me, welcome to Luceti. Have you... did anyone give you the rundown yet?

I don't know. Batman could probably pull it off. [Yeah, Artemis really is acting strangely. Zatanna puts a hand on her hip, giving her friend a once over.]

Yeah, I've heard a bit. And it kind of sounds like you have too. [The way Artemis asks, it's almost as if she's familiar with the place.] It feels like I'm missing something here. What's going on, Artemis?

[Artemis makes a face at the look Zatanna gives her.] Uhh. Has anyone told you about the differing timelines yet?

Differing timelines? [Give her a second. Zatanna's had a lot of information to process today.] I think I heard something about that. But maybe I need to hear it again.

[Especially with that look. Now Zatanna's starting to get a little freaked.]

[She winced a little.] Okay this is going to sound weird, because I'm guessing you and I have seen each other recently. Which is probably true, back home, but time... I guess it passes differently here? Or it doesn't pass at all back home when we've been yanked out of it, or so I've been told. I've been here... [She squints, trying to figure out a number.] ...almost two months now.

[Yeah, so this whole conversation is going downhill fast. Zatanna's eyes widen as Artemis tells her something that's pretty impossible.]

Two months? Artemis... [She shakes her head slowly, trying to wrap her mind around what the other girl is saying.] You know how crazy that sounds, don't you?

[Artemis makes a face.] Trust me, I know. This place is full of crazy sometimes. That's the least of it. But it's still true. New arrivals seem to come in waves, every two months from what I've learned. I came in with the last batch. And I'm the only one here from the team. [She hesitates, because that's only partially true.] Sort of.

[As insane as it sounds, Zatanna knows Artemis wouldn't lie about this. The truth about her family she kept hidden for very personal reasons, but this? There's no point in not being honest. Even if it makes her sound a little nuts.]

So you've been here two months, completely on your own. [Sort of, per the girl's addendum, and that only makes Zatanna's frown deepen.] Sort of? What's that mean?

Yeah, something like that. [Zatanna's scowling now and Artemis really isn't explaining this well, is she? Maybe she should have dragged one of her floormates along to do it better.]

Uhh, well. Robin's here. There's actually... two Robins here. But neither one of them are the one we know. Their costumes are different, for one. And neither one of them knew me. And they're... not the same as themselves either. Apparently this place knows how to pull from alternate dimensions.

[For a split second, relief actually flashes in Zatanna's eyes at the mention of Robin, the one person on the team she trusts most to be able to handle a situation like this. But Artemis corrects the misconception, and Zatanna looks down, listening in silent disappointment.

She can't linger on it long, though. Not when there's still so much that doesn't make sense, and now Artemis is talking about different dimensions.] That doesn't sound like when Klarion split the world in two. You actually mean completely different worlds.

[Completely different versions that don't know Artemis--that won't know Zatanna either.]

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!

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