ᴘʀɪɴᴄᴇss ᴏғ ᴘʀᴇsᴛɪᴅɪɢɪᴛᴀᴛɪᴏɴ (cigam) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2016-09-06 11:28:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, !partner thread, presto, zatanna zatara |
Who: Zatanna & Presto
What: Meeting after a stage show
When: Like last week, probably
Where: Venue where Zee had her show, then a late-night cafe
Rating/Warnings: Runaway cards?
Status: Complete
Zatanna liked this particular venue, and she’d definitely mention to Lina (nice to have your own personal ‘booker of gigs’) that she’d want to come back one day - it was an indoor carnival, of sorts, a circus that reminded her of her youth. Dancers kicking and shuffling, lounging on swings during downtime, acrobats flipping and tumbling, fake cobwebs and steampunk fashion, lace fans and everything themed darkly for maximum effect. She’d finished her magic act on stage, which was where she was convinced she belonged - the lights warming her skin was what she was made for. Once she was up there, those lights drowned out faces - she couldn’t tell who exactly was in the audience tonight, but judging by audible reactions (as she always did when she performed), it had been a hit. She’d gone with silk scarves and slight of hand tricks, rabbits from the hat, and a disappearing act using an old, tattered, antique-looking cabinet. That had been with a volunteer from the audience, but she’d been thinking more and more that she’d like to take on an assistant. Zee performed a lot, most every night of the week these days, and the act (simply named Zatanna!) might just be more fun with extra spirit pumped into it. Something to ponder. The Mistress of Magic had taken her bows to applause, flowers tossed into the smoky air, and then went back to what had been dubbed her small, temporary dressing room to change out of the tophat and tails (but left the fishnets on, of course) and slip into something more comfortable. Just a short wine-colored skirt that showcased those fishnet-clad, mile-long legs, with a short black sweater and broken in, dangerous black boots. Her stage makeup washed off, she reapplied only the basics and left inky hair spilling around her shoulders. Grabbing her purse, she made her way to the back door. Late nights when she had a show, she’d usually stop for takeout on the way home - it seemed like that would be happening again, thanks to her growling stomach. *** Presto was walking down the alley behind the show theater, a bounce in his step. He had decided to walk a ways, at least to the next normal stop of Uber, or maybe farther. He had dismissed his driver, and grumped at him. Which he felt bad for, but… still. He didn’t need a driver, darn it! He was rich, but who needed to be chauffeured around? It was embarrassing! Anyway, he just wanted a nice night to cool of as he walked. When he heard the door open as he passed the lamp headed for the next street, he turned, stumbled, and faceplanted on the ground, right in front of the person who had come out. And all the cards he had been shuffling in his hands all came down… in a pattern that spelled out her name. Not that he saw it. He was busy yelping, and rolling away, clutching his head. *** What on earth...? The fact that someone had nearly gotten a door-to-the-face made Zee feel a little guilty, but her attention also quickly zoned in on the way the cards spelled out her name. They had, hadn’t they? There was no imagining that, which only added to the intrigue. In her haste, she did a double take for confirmation, blinked out of surprise, and then stooped to help the boy up. “Are you alright? I’m so sorry about that,” the husky apology was sincere, as she then stretched out a little to collect some of the scattered cards. There was a story behind this, and Zatanna wished to know what it was. Why was he shuffling as he walked anyway? Certainly, she carried her own cards with her - the tarot, a deck that was very personal to her. In fact, the velvet drawstring bag was in her purse now. But she would never risk letting them slip from her grasp. *** “I’m okay. Yes. Sorry.” He levered himself over to stare up at her, and slowly sat up. Wow. She was even better looking close up. He shook his head. Shush Presto. He slowly pushed up to his feet and smiled, picking up whatever cards she didn’t already get, and held out his hand for the rest, eyes curious. “Thanks. Those things keep wandering off.” Sometimes, he wondered if they had a mind of their own. “Didn’t mean to startle you.” *** The cards that Zee had gathered were stacked gently in her hands, and she took what he said to be literal - cards that were sentient and wandered off, not the oddest thing around here. “They’re very nice,” she said, peeking at them once more before handing them back over to their owner. “I have my own with me as well, but I’d be upset if they wandered off. Make sure to take good care of them - they’ll shuffle better after a bit of cleaning, and a little incense or crystal work should take care of clearing negative energy.” But right, introductions. It was perhaps polite to give your name to someone you nearly bowled over, she thought. “Zatanna,” and with that, a sleek hand offered for a shake, “Were you at the show tonight?” *** “Thank you. My first present from the dreams; cards that feel alive, and move, and tend to try to wander off.” He took a chance, having seen her on the network, that she also dreamed. “I have no idea how to do any of what you just said. Is there like a guide book somewhere?” He was utterly confused, staring. When she introduced herself, he smiled, flushing. “Yes! Hi! I am a total fan! Your show rocks!” He bounced, grinning. He shook her hand, then smiled again. “I’m Presto, very amateur stage magician, and computer engineer. And now, dream wizard.” Presto possessed an immense potential, but had not had any training in his dreams. *** “Oh?” Her eyebrows lifted a little, with interest. The chance taken paid off - because Zatanna certainly was a dreamer, and had been for quite some time. Almost two years now. How quickly their lives seemed to pass here, entangled in the various messes thrown at them by what seemed like a very sentient county. “The dreams are interesting, aren’t they? I am on my third set of them.” She had not met any other dream wizards that she could recall - or at least, none by that exact title. Many magic users resided in Orange County; she would have to introduce this young one to a few of them. “Thank you,” she smiled, with a glimmer meant for the bright lights and applause. “Perhaps you could show me your own tricks sometime? I have not met any fellow stage magicians yet.” And everyone’s magic was different, but first coming into your own - it could be a little overwhelming. She would help if possible. *** “So far, yeah. Being abducted into another realm by a magic being who calls himself the dungeon master and uses a magical amusement ride to do it, and actually having magic… which I am terrible at, in that world.” Presto shook his head. “It’s a little maddening.” He chuckled. “I dunno if I could deal with three sets.” “Sure. I mean, I’m not great, but I learned a lot… I think. Your tricks and performance were awesome!” He was enthusiastic, okay? “Sorry about the startle. I was headed for a walk to an Uber pick up point. Maybe by way of the all night cafe.” *** Dungeon master. What a name - and Zatanna heard some odd ones in her day. Gotham wasn’t exactly filled with titles for villains that could be filed under ‘clever.’ But still, this one here was definitely up there for odd. “I’ll walk with you, if you don’t mind,” she offered, because she thought that sticking together during this late hour was ideal - and she wanted to make sure Presto got to his destination okay, and into an Uber with no complications. “Here in Orange County, I have started a Magic Guild. I could even take you to the place, if you wished to give me a demonstration there.” It was out of the way. And well-fortified. A safe haven, first and foremost. For citizens of all ages who were dealing with an onslaught of magic and power. *** “Sure, I mean, yeah, of course.” He flushed red, and nodded, glancing at her sideways, then moved forward down the alley with her. He was definitely flustered still, and felt off-kilter. Wow. He smiled at her, a little, nodding. “A magic guild? Uhm… sure? If you want? I don’t know if I can do anything deliberately yet. But I definitely need to know better what the heck I am doing.” he rubbed his chin, thinking. “Mostly, I just have these dreams, and these cards.” He hesitated, but nodded. “I’d love to see it through, sure.” *** The all-night cafe was just up ahead, and Zatanna decided that she’d order some takeout here to bring home with her - just a sandwich, maybe fries to go with that if she was feeling particularly indulgent. Maybe she’d even bring home waffles for Raven - in fact, Zee was pretty sure she’d been to this cafe before, and those waffles were particularly fluffy. “You will learn,” she smiled warmly, her voice confident and sure - and the look in her eye reflecting both a love of mischief, and a wisdom beyond her years. Perhaps it was due to the old magic which ran through her veins, the Homo Magi going back for many generations. Slender hands slipped into the pockets of her sweater as she walked. “There is no rush either, mind you. It is important that you do not push yourself too hard. But I assure you that you’re not alone, and you will be fine.” *** Presto tended to order more. He loved waffles, and… food. And he had the metabolism to eat a lot of it. Especially after pratfalling. “Thanks. I hope so. I feel a little overwhelmed by it all now. Dreams sniping at my memories like mental sharks, and another me who has a magic hat and who somehow makes magic sparks.” And his fingers flicked and there were, yes, sparks. Small purple ones, but yes. He stared at them and sighed “And I need to remember not to rhyme at all.” He shook his head. “Thank you.” He glanced at her, suddenly feeling rather young. “Did you have a moment like this?” *** Aw. Perhaps his magic was reliant on the spoken word too? So much in common they had. Though Zatanna didn’t necessarily rhyme, at least not very often. Just the backward-speak, but if she couldn’t talk, that was quite a hindrance. “Many moments,” her smile turned enigmatic. “I have performed on the stage most all my life - only recently, within the past year and half, was the magic actually real. Even those who have mastered their talents in another world have to relearn in this one.” At the cafe, she plucked a menu from the holder up front. It wasn’t very busy - everything felt sleepy here, probably due to the late hour. “If you would like to get something to go, feel free. It’s on me.” And she would wait until that Uber arrived too, as promised. *** “Oh yeah? Cool! That is amazing!” Presto grinned. “I would love to learn more about your process!” Both about magic and stage magic, really. He wanted to know it all. “My dream self seems hopeless at magic, but I want to learn all I can.” He shook his head. “But I also love your show, and I’m a huge fan.” And he was holding a small fan in his hand. He stared at it, then swore in orcish, and held it out to her. “Here. Maybe you can use this? Apparently sometimes when i rhyme magic comes out faster.” But not necessarily how he wanted it to. “You know, you don’t have to do that. But thank you.” He’d buy something for her, sometime. After all, he was pretty damn wealthy, despite himself. He eyed the menus and the listings, and his stomach rumbled, and he realized that he had missed lunch. Oops. As he perused the menu, he took out his phone to dial Uber and order a ride, then nodded and put it away. *** “Oh, wow - “ Zatanna’s laugh was smooth and jazzy-cool, as she took the fan that had suddenly been conjured. “That’s rather interesting, Presto, thank you. We will have much to talk about, I imagine. Whenever you would like to come by the Magic Guild, let me know.” The cafe was quiet at this time of night but efficient, so it didn’t take long for her to-go order of a veggie wrap and cheese fries (such a contradiction on the healthfulness scale, but she was really craving cheese fries for some reason), plus another container of waffles for Raven, to be handed over to her in a doggie bag. “My card is in your pocket,” she added to her newfound magician friend here, with a wink. A slight of hand trick. One of her favorites. But that card had all her info on it, in case he wished to get in touch. *** “Interesting, yes. Also frustrating.” He scrubbed his face. And he nodded, listening to her. “Really? Thank you.” He smiled wide at her, feeling like a weight lifted from his shoulders. “It’s nice… it’s nice not to be alone.” This place always made him feel better, and with her here, somehow, it felt even more right. When his order came, he smiled, and took his, and then blinked at her words. He reached in his pocket, and laughed as he felt her card. “Now that is awesome. Thank you Zatanna. You really are magic.” He felt a thousand times better, and he wasn’t even sure why. |