Raven loves waffles more than life itself (ofevilsfire) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2016-11-17 11:49:00 |
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To commemorate the momentous occasion that was the infamous eighteenth birthday, Raven didn’t want a party, and Zatanna had sort of expected that - likely it was just another day for her but her aunt hoped to make the beginnings of it at least a little special. Maybe put a smile, brief as it was, on the girl’s face. She had friends and family who cared about her and wanted to celebrate her existence on this planet - that wasn’t a bad thing, in Zee’s opinion, so she’d do her part to add to that.
Part of her had been worried that, since Raven was technically an adult, she would want to move out and be on her own - or, Gods forbid, return to her father. Zatanna and the Russian mobster did not get along, and she’d gladly mess him up for the rest of his days (she didn’t in good conscience think she could kill him, as much as she wished that were possible) if he ever crossed the line into her life - thus far, they’d managed to avoid each other and she’d worked her magic to get Raven away from him. She’d been only sixteen at the time; it was for the best. But there was still a nagging feeling that a small part of her niece resented her for it, for some reason - which was why she was afraid that Raven would take off as soon as she could.
But that was a concern brushed aside. Raven would be on her own when she was good and ready, and Zee would support her as she always did.
That morning, she’d gotten up extra early to feed the rabbits in their pens and the doves in their large heart-shaped cages (the backyard and porch of the house had basically been taken over by these animals, giving them space to roam) and let Constantine sleep before returning to the bedroom and spanking him as a wake-up call. Robe thrown on over her nightgown, she was fresh-faced and cheerful as she arranged the waffle bar in the kitchen - it’d be ready when Raven woke up.
She’d used cake mixes with no artificial colors, preservatives, or bleached flour, to make a smorgasbord - white cake mix was used along with chocolate, to make what would be sundae waffles. With vases filled with fresh flowers on the counter, there was also a line of clear bowls filled with addendums - fresh berries, strawberry and maple syrup in glass bottles, sprinkles, nuts, hot fudge sauce. The last addition would be homemade whipped cream, which she was just finishing up.
“Taste this,” she held the spoon out to John. “Does it pass the test?”
There were presents for Raven too, naturally. A rare book Zatanna discovered entitled The Ghost Finder, with its original red cloth, a collection of short occult detective stories. Also a key that opened a door, somewhere. But she’d explain that later.
It went without saying that Constantine wasn't much of a morning person and slept easily through the movement about while Zee began setting up the teen’s birthday breakfast. He replied in nothing more than a groan at the smack to his rump, sighing into the pillow and pushing himself out of the bed. It was a sweeter wake up call than an alarm clock and a class to get to.
While she busied herself with the breakfast John pulled on a very worn The Clash t-shirt, sweatpants, and splash some water on his face from the bathroom sink.
He'd bothered to shave the day before so as to not look a complete hobo, and that would do to move on into the kitchen, watching Zee flitter around like a bloody Snow White. She was only missing singing animals to help her.
Snapping to from his thoughts and still sleepy state, John took the spoon and put it in his mouth without a bother of inquiry to what it was. Pulling it back out, clean, he handed it back to her. “It tastes great, love.” The whole place smelled like a fresh bakery. Obviously, this was incredibly important to Zee and the love and effort she put into a breakfast of all things said a lot. “Is there anything I can to er, help?”
While not knowing her exceptionally well, John gathered the young girl to be one who kept to herself, the more silent type. And sincerely hoped his presence wasn't about to muck anything up.
To Raven, it really was just another day. Well no, once the dreams started up, there was also the prophecy issue. So even though there was nothing in this set of dreams about that or the markings, Raven had still checked to make sure. No markings of Trigon. That was a good start. At least there was going to be no party, those were awkward. Get togethers in general she could at least manage since having a book and going to a corner was always an option. One where she was the focus? Not so much. Way too uncomfortable. But breakfast with Zatanna? That was something she could handle and didn’t mind. Just because she wasn’t the most of expressive didn’t mean that she didn’t appreciate or even like these sorts of things. She was just better at the one-on-one type dynamics.
Rubbing her eyes tiredly, the teen shuffled into the kitchen in her striped pajama pants and black tank top, only to stop and stare at Constantine. It wasn’t that she was unaware of his relationship with Zatanna, but he was also one of her teachers. Where she said nothing (well okay, if someone said something ungodly stupid that it needed a reply) because they both knew of one another but still ignored it.
Okay.
Awkward. Very awkward.
“Good morning! Happy birthday,” Zatanna smiled, going to give Raven a hug and a kiss on the cheek. It was only as awkward as they made it, and she certainly wasn’t going to - besides, those two couldn’t just go on forever never saying a word to each other, even if Zee knew that John could easily accomplish such a feat. He wasn’t the most social either - actually, he and Raven had a few things in common.
At his offer of help, she’d set the Laughing Magician up with the task of brewing a pot of coffee (which he’d want) and putting the kettle on for tea (which she and Raven would probably want), along with setting the table for three, with napkins and utensils and mugs - it was sort of small, in her vibrant kitchen with brightly-painted cabinets and organized spices, so that was why she’d put the waffle buffet at the counter. To load up before sitting down; plates were stacked to the side.
“I think everything’s about ready,” she said, right as the kettle whistled at them. She grinned charmingly at John. “Can you get that, my darling?”
It wasn't so much that John had a problem speaking or bullshitting his way through a social interaction if needed. He wasn't the most sociable and honestly, preferred to be alone most of the time with the exceptional company of very few.
But it was awkward, and as much was evident on Raven’s face when she saw him. He shouldn't have been there but the mage kept still while Zatanna made with the merriment and love and such. At the very least, John did offer Raven a smile and told her “Happy Birthday” before Zee had put him to work on the coffee and tea. What he really wanted was to go smoke himself into an oblivion or maybe something stronger in this coffee. Busting his hands would do for now.
“Sure thing, love. Everything's set.” With a fond shake of his head to her comment, Constantine obediently fetched the tea and coffee and ordered them out accordingly to fit the proper manner that Zatanna has laid out the buffet. He even went for the gentlemanly gesture to pouring the ladies some tea and coffee for himself. A lot of it.
Of course it was awkward. Raven had just expected it to be her and Zatanna. Now there was her professor there, who even if she knew what was going on didn’t mean she put thought into it because really, who wanted to? So now it was oh surprise, someone you weren’t expecting is here. So all she could do was nod slowly.
“Thanks….”
Well. Not like there was anything to do about it now. Just get through the breakfast which admittedly did look good. But of course it did since waffles. When in doubt, waffles would always win her over. So instead, she just made her way to the waffle bar and set up a plate because waffles with strawberries was sounding especially good at the moment. So plate set up, she went to the table and gave a slight nod of thanks for the tea.
Zatanna had her Turkish apple tea (her favorite, really, no need to add anything extraneous like honey or cream), plunking the bag into the hot water - and she gave John a pat-pat on his back where he was inked beneath his shirt, his shoulder squeezed in gratitude, before sitting down at the table. Her waffle was one of the ‘chocolate sundae’ ones, dressed up with whipped cream and berries and sprinkles, a bit of hot fudge sauce, because she never indulged in anything so sweet and decadent for breakfast - but this one time, she should.
Besides, she’d seen the recipe on Pinterest and it looked absolutely delicious. Sometimes she got sucked into that world too, wanting to add a little craftiness to her life.
“So, presents,” she started, picking up her tea to take a small sip, gaze shifting toward Raven. “Do you want to open them now or after breakfast?” They had been selected carefully, though she had assistance, of course. Apparently John knew where to find the best occult books, had a dealer or something. “I made him promise not to even hint what they were. Not that you would - “ That was directed to her scouser lover, with a chuckle.
While wanting to shoot a look at Zatanna that involved an inner turmoil of being set up, it wasn't the time or place. So obviously, poor dear Raven hadn't expected him to be there but Constantine kept his composure and his sigh on the inside. Instead he sat on the other end of the Mistress of Magic so at least Raven didn't have to be sandwiched in a case of discomfort. John kept his waffle toppings rather simple but did indulge in loading it with fruit at least. It stained the waffle with bitter citrus taste but he and bitter went together in most ways.
Now John couldn't even keep the sideways glance from Zatanna as she damn well knew he and Raven hardly had spoke much less a bloody conversation about presents. But the fond smile never left his face and he attempted to hide it poorly behind his coffee mug. “Let her eat, Zee. Poor thing hasn't even had her eyes open for more than a few moments. I'm sure she’ll enjoy it.”
As endearing and sweet as it was how enthusiastic and obviously excited Zatanna was about the girl’s birthday--possibly more than Raven herself, John figured maybe the shock of one thing right after the other may be better served slowly. He patted Zatanna’s knee gently, giving it a gentle squeeze.
“Um… after is good…” It definitely did feel as though her aunt were more excited about this whole birthday thing than Raven was. She appreciated it, she was not an expressive person to begin with, nevermind the whole abilities tied to emotions so having to keep those tightly wrapped and controlled. But she did appreciate it. Though it was also why she was content with just breakfast with her aunt (and apparently professor as well) than actual parties where she couldn’t escape to a corner to read because it was for her. Even this had her slightly uncomfortable with attention focused on her.
“Because clearly we talk to one another all the time?” Someone had to say it so she just made the comment with a quirk of a brow. It was nothing inherently against him. It was just… he was her professor so if they ever would talk it undoubtedly would be about class. Then there was the fact that Raven was, well, Raven and didn’t talk to many people in general.
“I’m sure I’ll be surprised.” That was what Zatanna wanted and well, she did have sources and knew Raven well enough in the near two years she’d been living with her to know what she’d like, so the comment was said with a flicker of a smile before she went back to her waffle.
“Of course - please, enjoy the waffles first,” Zatanna laughed a little, sheepishly, because alright - maybe she was excited, but she’d never had much of a ‘traditional’ celebration for her eighteenth birthday (or any birthday) so it was all new to her and she wanted to actually do it right. The circus family was extended family, but their lives were so busy. She remembered what was considered ‘normal’ was being a child and falling asleep on a pile of coats and costume props, behind the speakers, while the show was unfolding on the stage. Or watching fondly, having lunch, sipping Coke from a can and watching her mother and father put on stage makeup before going on. Growing up in a traveling circus was not without its interesting quirks.
She returned the knee squeeze, on John, hooking her foot around his chair before she focused attention on her chocolate creation. Mostly, she was glad that she saw a bit of a smile on Raven. That was what she was going for. But right, they didn’t talk much, did they? They were her non-talkative loves, these two. “Perhaps after the semester’s over you can find other things to talk about,” she said. “Though you must be enjoying the class? I wish I could sit in on more, but free tuition never seems to go over well.”
Hm, she supposed she could always make herself be invisible. That might be fun.
“Well I actually do most of the talking, given it's all lectures and the sort but,” John shrugged mildly, unable to really dispute Raven’s response. Though again, it was something Zatanna wanted, something that would make her happy. A real drive to make him stomach the awkward down with his coffee, munching thoughtfully on his fruity waffle. “I'm open to talking all about whatever you'd like, love.” That sounded so sodding awful, so bloody lame but it wasn't a lie.
John just rightfully had no more an idea of what or how to strike up a conversation with Raven than she did him. The offer was there one way or another. He'd made the effort. The awkward, most likely unwanted effort.
“You could always just borrow my books.” Constantine said with a fond shake of his head at the idea of Zatanna “auditing” more of his classes when she had all the information she could ever want by merely asking him. If she didn't know it herself of course.
Just as Constantine had no idea how to strike up a conversation, neither did Raven. She communicated through very subtle facial expressions and annoyed looks. She supposed she had to give him credit though that he was willing to be ungodly awkward for the sake of Zatanna though. That was something since it meant she didn’t need to keep an active wary eye on him. He wasn’t one of her people but Zatanna clearly was. One less thing to actively worry about in the litany of things she kept tabs on at least.
So instead she just gave a slight nod at the comment. It was noted even if she didn’t quite know what to make about it.
Of course, now she really couldn’t think of much else to say. She didn’t do small talk. It was uncomfortable. What was the point of it really?
“Borrow your books? You mean you’d let me? I’m flattered,” the Mistress of Magic teased. Mostly Zatanna just liked listening to John lecture - he was passionate about what he did, and sometimes she still couldn’t believe he was actually a professor. As in, out there educating the next generation and being an influence on them - given how much of a shit he was, in any dreamspace (and in her most recent one, he’d been a talking bunny with a penchant for Silk Cuts), no doubt the stable career choice surprised him as well.
But she took his advice and indeed let Raven finish her breakfast. A waffle coma was a good way to start the day, and she promised to take care of the dishes. Maybe cheat a little and use that naelc trick, before she left for work.
First, however, she retrieved the birthday presents from where she’d stashed them. The book she’d found with John’s help was wrapped in parchment, tied with string which had been looped through the top of the key she had as the second part of the gift - everything went together.
John wouldn't and couldn't fault the girl. This was her home and her space--while he may have been important to Zatanna, blood was thicker than water, and the young were the priority. He could only do what was in his power.
Nursing his second cup of coffee because it was not only helping to keep him awake but also staving the stark need to go smoke at least three cigarettes from the hubbub of this morning, he mused over Zee’s presentation of the gifts.
Again, he was left with the awkward silence and felt the obligation to speak. Obviously magic was in the family and the craft was something they all shared an interest in. Right? “You may have to keep some of these a secret,” he teased mildly, “They may or may not be completely legal artifacts.” Was magic ever?
With waffles done, it now seemed it was present time before getting ready to head to campus. If one was to guess by shape, clearly it was books which were always a safe bet with Raven given she was a voracious reader. It also brought back the conversation she’d had with Ed on the nature of gifts since he’d been confused, as if she really understood what someone was supposed to ask for when it came to gifts. But given Constantine was involved in the gift getting, it also stood to reason magic.
Really. Two things that were always safe bets, along with incense and candles and things to help with meditation.
And obligatory speaking was happening again. Blinking some, the teen looked to Constantine and nodded slowly.
“Well. There goes my plan to broadcast to the world what I got.” The comment was spoken in her typical deadpan delivery. There were very few, if any, people who would be remotely interested in whatever it was she got. At least that was her interpretation and it was well established she kept to herself.
Zee caught the tail end of that comment, and she couldn’t help but laugh a little - deadpan humor was definitely Raven’s specialty. She had a feeling John would appreciate it, at least. Not everyone did. “The book’s very old,” she stated, but that much was probably obvious - it had that comforting musty smell to it; you could just tell it was one of a kind.
A good gift for her niece, who was also one of a kind.
Now to explain the key - where it went, for one thing. “We traveled in the circus, when I was younger,” she began. “Though for two or three months out of the year we’d return to the same place. It’s in Brighton Beach, in New York - but it was the closest thing Kat and I had to a childhood home and with everyone gone now, I hadn’t wanted to return. But now I want you to have it - your mother would have, too.”
The house, which couldn’t quite compare to the newer mansions in the neighborhood but still stood the test of time, had windows that faced the water. You’d take a breath and inhale air that was tangy, because of the salt. Zee had fond memories of the place, there with her sister - looking outside and seeing nothing but colorful blankets covering sand, on the more crowded summer days. The boardwalk with the knish stands and pizza, the restaurants and stage shows with feathers and sequins. It was a very eclectic kind of neighborhood.
She glanced at John, then back at Raven. “Not too silly, I hope?”
Of course John would appreciate the deadpan comment. It was a language he spoke himself and well, it made him smirk just a bit from behind his mug.
Two very quite different gifts and yet mature in their own right. Magical artifacts were only to be passed through trusted and talented fingers and yet a house with a deeply nostalgic and saddening backstory was something in of its own. He could only return a supportive glance to Zatanna, one that indicated no, not silly, but this wasn't for him to remark on. He was interested in what the quiet teen had to say about it.
Raven ran her fingers over the book, picking up on what was inside but not in the sense where she would absorb the knowledge from books (which really came in use when it was in a language she couldn’t understand), but just enough to know what to expect. It was definitely of interest though and something to go more into when she had the proper time to set aside - meaning once she had a lull in assignments.
The key was more peculiar and she picked it up. There was a heavy emotional aura around it, remnants of a time since past. Which… basically fitted into what her aunt was explaining. Beyond some rapid blinking to get her emotions under control at the mention of the mother she never met, the teen examined it closely as if that were what it had been about. She wasn’t quite sure what to make of it. Raven ended up in New York a lot as it were when she ended up doing portal roulette, she sometimes even just went there to escape the insanity of Orange County. To have part of her history there?
So she just shook her head at the question about if it wasn’t too silly. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” Zatanna smiled, a quiet serenity in the expression - she was glad that Raven seemed to like her gifts. The house was old too, but now maybe something could be done with it - it was Raven’s, for her to do up as she liked. All the ‘official’ paperwork had been handled too, not like there’d been much of it. “And now off to class with you, I suppose? I’ll do the dishes, as promised.”
She stood to begin collecting the plates, though stooped to drop a kiss in the dirty blonde mess of Constantine’s hair. “Though if you want to assist, my love, I would not say no.”
That looked like it was thankfulness and love. Maybe. John kept his distance from the moment and left it to the ladies until Zatanna deemed it time for school. Before he could be guilted into helping her with the dishes, he did note to her book, making one last attempt at conversing. “If you need help translating the text, let me know.” And as casually as he could make it, the mage gave a small shrug before leaving her be, olive branch extended and whatnot.
“I was going to offer, love,” Constantine leaned into Zee’s affections before moving to the kitchen that undoubtedly would be a bloody mess to clean but he didn't really mind.
Olive branch acknowledged. Would she take him up on it, that was the question as Raven could absorb the knowledge but there was something about reading it as well so she nodded. “I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks.”
But right. School. So Raven gathered the two gifts and quickly hugged Zatanna in a brief moment of physical affection before she headed to her room to get ready for the day.