capeandcowllogs | (no subject)

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WHO: James and Zee.
WHERE: James' place.
WHEN: Sometime after departing from Shade's company and not hearing back from James.
WARNINGS: Always.
SUMMARY: James Bond can't even reach his alcohol. :'|
FORMAT: No.

[She wasn't exactly sure how to deal with this. Perhaps she should have avoided seeing James now, even if he were also affected. She felt herself saying and doing things without a second thought now, things she had learned to stop with the self-restraint that (semi) responsible adults possessed. But she'd just said what was wrong, said she was coming over. That it was weird, but she needed to see him.

By now it felt natural to come to James with her problems. Though, as she stands outside his door, she decides to put off knocking on it by removing the bobby pins in her hair and pulling her hair back all over again. She usually acted on instinct, but this was beyond compulsive. It was the sort of thing she'd do at this age, as she could very easily recall. Her dad wasn't here. She had a make-shift family and seeking out comfort was natural.

She finishes meticulously pinning her hair to the side and raises her fist to the door, hesitating for a few seconds before knocking twice and entering. Her voice is more youthful, perhaps even sweeter.] James? It's Zee. You're here, aren't you?

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[He can't really remember how it happened or why he was there, but he remembers everything suddenly being different. New, interesting and ready to be touched and played with. Especially that big ass television and something that looked kind of like an Atari but way more sleeker. In fact, this whole apartment was pretty much amazing. His apartment. Except it wasn't his, he was only twelve. But somehow he knew it was his, he remembers living here alone.

Eventually he can only chalk this whole muddle down to a weird dream. He'd been having a lot of weird dreams lately, especially since he'd moved to England. Settling down to one house, to one bed, no more travelling, ~~no more parents,~~ just to sit and be home schooled by an auntie he barely knew. She was alright though. She made the best of a worst situation. Gave him food, water and shelter, even gave him affection, despite it still being drenched in pity.

Whatever, he's here now, which is cool. And then he can hear someone at the door and he puts a halt to his attempts at trying to reach that dumb cabinet, jumping down from the bar surface and staring over at the door.

Zee? Zee. He knows that name. A friend. A girlfriend? He doesn't even have one those. Especially not one as hot as he remembers her looking. Best dream ever. Except... as he shuffles around the bar to get a better look at her, she's not how he remembers. Considerably shorter, actually, even if there is something considerably Zee about her...]

James is out. [She just has to deal with a blondie kid who's voice isn't even close to breaking, but can still lie his little socks off.]

[Zatanna had some idea about James past, but most of it was foggy and now? Even foggier. She wasn't sure how this all worked, either, since Shade hadn't had his memory messed with. Hers... it was a little messy. Little blank spots between the time before the change and now. Being about fifteen now.

She wanders a little, looking around for him. The apartment seems empty save for the boy who had just answered her.] Right, and you're just someone else that he decided to let hang out at his place. Very James. [She's not entirely sure how she knows that. Zatanna moves takes a few steps closer and leans in from above, scrutinizing him.] What's your name? And when will he be back?

[Hey, she's not supposed to call him out on it, he hadn't expected to be questioned about it. And now he can't even use his own name. Wow, well thought out.

He hesitates briefly as she leans in, and counters with a totally masculine chest puff. See, he might not have hit puberty yet, but he's man of the house now! He has to be :c]

Andrew. James said he had to go do stuff, didn't say when he'd be back. But I was allowed to do whatever I wanted and help myself to food and drink-- Can you reach that cupboard? [Point.]

[She can also be a manipulative little shit. Growing up around carnival folk, you really can't expect her to not side-eye him.

Zee is intentionally condescending as she ruffles his hair.]

Well, whatever. I'm going to wait for him until he comes back, then. [She still struggles a little to reach the cupboard, when she makes her way to it and stands on the tips of her toes. Heels really would be helpful here, as would a few inches on her legs. She's still able to open it and when she gets a look at what is inside, she lets her hand fall to her side and turns her back to the cupboard.] Really? [The disappointment in her tone is set off nicely by an arm wrapping around her chest.] I'm not getting you alcohol.

[Desperately trying to smooth his hair down again as she moves away. Ugh girls. Maybe he should just shave his hair really short. Genius idea.]

He said I could! [That's almost a whine, but he quickly corrects himself with a totally mature sounding;] I'm allowed to.

If he said that, he's really stupid. Stupid men are absolutely awful. [She says it like she knows that the boy she's talking to is James, but she gives no indication of being aware otherwise. She's probably just trying to get a rise out of him -- and to get him to relay the message to James. But she doesn't seem to be entirely aware that she and James are involved in the future. In general she seems a little lost.]

I'm older than you and I'm not allowed to. [She slams the cupboard shut, almost huffily.] I can make you iced tea, instead.

[He scoffs his reply, something within him telling him to fight back about that. But he doesn't hit girls, so how else is meant to fight back? That's just a stupid suggestion, brain.

Looks like he'll never get hold of that alcohol. Lame. He'll try again later if this girl ever leaves.]

Ugh, that sounds disgusting. Why would you want cold tea?

[No one likes being pushed around, certainly not by someone only a little older than themselves. But she doesn't care about that because she's the one that is older in this scenario.]

It's nice. Especially a fruit tea. But you're welcome to the tap water and whatever's in the fridge, I guess. [If there's beer in there, she'll take care of that. Her magic's acting up a little, but not enough that she can't turn alcohol into juice.] Did... he say when he'd be getting back?

[He'd be more pissed off if she weren't female and attractive (and really familiar). Puberty and mass hormones may not have kicked in just yet, but he still knows that girls are pretty and he was raised to be a gentleman. Sometimes.]

Could you get me a water, please? [Questioned as he vaults himself up onto the kitchen counter and kicks his little legs idly. Yup, he's just pushing his luck and seeing if she'll do stuff for him, but at least he asked nicely.]

I dunno. Depends what you want him for.

[She wishes things weren't so messy right now. She'd figure this all out, otherwise.]

Sure, one second. [She opens and closes a few cupboards; her intimate familiarity with where he keeps things seems to have vanished, although she feels like she should know where everything is here. But she finds the glasses and fills it up, carefully handing it to him.]

I... I'm not really sure, if I'm honest with you. I hadn't thought it over. I probably shouldn't be here, right? My memories are all jumbled and... I don't know. It would be strange, right? Being like this. I should have waited this out and called him when it was over.

[Oh, yay, a girl getting him drinks and stuff. Sweet. Except he forgets to say thank you but he's busy drinking.]

He probably won't mind. I'm sure he thinks you're pretty no matter what. [A broad smirk as he lowers his glass. Totally a smooth operator, hormones or not.]

Edited 2012-10-05 15:51 (UTC)

That's not how it works. [And she's not sure she'd be comfortable with that. The weird adult thoughts creeping in between the foggy memory and the compulsive acting of a fifteen year old. Ugh.

She smiles, slightly. It's a little forced.] But I do appreciate the attempt to cheer me up.

[He pauses for a moment, silent and thoughtful. This girl is good looking and totally nice, but... she's older than him. Probably doesn't have any interest in a squirt like him. She'd be missing out though, and it's that old Bond confidence that finally makes him chip in;]

I think you're pretty.

[If someone hadn't compulsively lied, his wooing attempts would probably be going more smoothly and taken a little more seriously.]

That's very sweet of you to say. [And because she just thinks he's some guy James knew de-aged or, perhaps a kid he knows or... well, something. Anything but what he really is. She turns toward him and holds out a hand to help him jump down from the counter, although he can probably do it himself.] Have you eaten?

[Sweet? Sweet. Oh God. She thinks he's sweet. That's almost worse than not being liked at all. He can't be taken seriously as a studly manmuffin if the girly he's try to charm thinks he's sweet. Sigh.]

No. [Said a little glumly as he ignores the hand and hops down on his own. He don't need no help from a girl.]

[With Zatanna, the Friend Zone is simply a myth. Of course, he's twelve and she's currently fifteen so it certainly doesn't even cross her mind at the moment.]

Why am I not shocked? [She slides the hand back to her hip, trying not to look dorky.] There's probably not much in the fridge, knowing him. [Or, just a bunch of things he shouldn't have left in a house alone with a kid.] I can leave a note for him and we can go out and get something, if you want.

[There is pretty much nothing in the fridge, just like she guessed, except maybe some milk. It's not like James ever really plans his food in advance. Eating out or buying fresh on the day tends to be his usual approach. There might be some dried noodles and tins of stuff in the cupboards for emergencies, but that's about it. What a loser.]

Uh. Okay. I got some money! [Because he has magically got hold of his own wallet. His adult self is loaded, man. He even withdraws it from a pocket to shot her how awesome it is to have a wallet full of notes and cards.]

[It's a good thing that he has such a thoughtful girlfriend! Zatanna usually plans ahead a little, if only because she enjoys cooking and more complicated meals. The whole living with a group of people and cooking for them thing also factors into it.]

You do? [She gives it a quick look-over, and notices who happens to be the card holder. She might also recognize the wallet, but she doesn't want to say that. It's such a silly little detail that it's embarrassing that she's so familiar with it.] That's James' wallet, as are those cards. I can't imagine him leaving that with you.

[No matter who he was. Zee's thinking the kid swiped it, but he did seem almost surprised that he had it. What is going on here... :|a]

[Having girlfriends like Zee who cook and stuff is pretty awesome, but little James can't be quite as appreciative of it considering he doesn't remember the finer points.]

I guess he's just a really generous sort of guy. [Hah, he totally knows that's bullshit, but it amuses him. As does rifling through the cards, especially the ID cards. Wow, older self looks like a total dork. Or actually kind of cool he supposes. And... kind of like a serial killer in this driving licence. Uh. Well he guesses photo IDs are never flattering.]

I could totally drive us. I know how. [Still vaguely distracted by the shiny plastic stuff.]

[Even with a foggy memory, even at fifteen, Zee makes a face. She ducks her head and narrows an eyebrow. James can be generous, but. It's a very specific sort, the kind that has plans in mind. Give and take, not give without receiving.]

I'm pretty sure we'd get pulled over. And teleporting, walking, and the subway will get us around faster. [Again, she holds out her hand.] Come on. I'll take us to... wherever. Maybe. I guess it depends on where you want to go.

[The wallet gets awkwardly stuffed back into a pocket, thankfully a small size wallet despite the nice amount of money it contains. Then he's eyeing up that hand with some hesitation while his brain thinks it all through.

Good and bad points to taking that hand. Cooties are a risk, sure, but then girls are actually kind of okay... Ugh, okay fine, grasping for that hand even if it's only for a short time. He's still got to try and work out the whole thing of house keys and whatever else.]

Hey, so. What if you couldn't seem James for a while...

[Relatively cootie-free, it would seem! She laces her fingers with his and gives his arm a lengthy swing back and forth. Playful, but not patronizing. She'd do this were she older, as well. It just seems awkward like this. Awkward and dorky.]

I'm... not surprised he's avoiding me. [That isn't an answer to his question and she's so very aware of it.] I just wish that he would have told me. That's just... how he operates, though. [She sounds far-off and a little sad, but fond.] I don't even know if I'll be able to go back to the way I'm meant to be. I can't blame him.

I don't think he's avoiding you. Maybe he's just got problems of his own. [He doesn't want her to be sad. :c That's a pretty lame ~~date~~ meal out if she's going to be sad about being avoided by a guy who actually isn't avoiding her.]

Maybe. [And she musters a smile. Maybe he does. He wouldn't just leave a kid here, alone, after all. He wasn't really a kid person (which still left her wondering who he was and why James left him here and why he had James' wallet; her mind can't connect it like it should right now...).] Anyway, what are you in the mood for?

[Well, at least that's kind of got her smiling again. Sort of. He will make her happy!]

I dunno. You pick! I don't really know what American restaurants are like.