capeandcowllogs | The rising moon is on the shine

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The rising moon is on the shine

WHO: Zatanna and Shade
WHERE: Some...where, near some old lady's place outside the City
WHEN: Wednesday!
WARNINGS: OH MY GOD THE WORST PEOPLE.
SUMMARY: Shade and Zee are about to swindle someone out of their millions when suddenly, children!
FORMAT: Idk Quick

[ There had been quite the plan, and while it had been going swimmingly, up to the point when they were approaching the elderly woman's house, something had changed. Something rather pertinent.

And that was how the Shade ended up standing next to Zatanna, their clothes quite out of place, even though Zatanna stood a foot higher than him. The normally calm and collected former villain and amateur botanist and gourmond wasn't sure what came over him, but there was the momentary, flash of jealousy that was...well, intellectually he knew it wasn't appropriate, but for the life of him, he couldn't really be bothered with caring about it.

Hm, odd. His clothes were also far bigger than they should have been. Shade often kept his clothes perfectly trimmed and tailored. Why they weren't wasn't going to make the gentleman very pleased. He cleared his throat in her direction. ]

Zatanna, my dear. Would you mind giving me something a bit more fitting? [ The polite words certainly slid out, higher than normal, but the calm reserve was hardly going to stay in place. ]

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[She feels different when she opens her eyes. Something is off. Where... was she? A hotel room? Right. She was here with... the Shade? A villain, right? Jay's. Wait. No, he was older. Much older than the boy beside her. What were they doing, again? It's a little hazy.

...and where is her dad?

But she snaps out of it when the boy talks in a voice that seems familiar, but not (except for the little worry about her father, her father, where is he, she's never been without him for very long, he's probably getting dinner or maybe he's doing superhero stuff, that has to be it...).]

Oh. [She looks down, almost shyly. The fishnets are too big and she wasn't allowed to wear high heels. The rest are a little big around her bust and just a touch on her shoulders and hips. She hasn't really filled out yet; she's only starting to now that she's hit the "real" teens. Her gloves still fit, but she picks on them with her fingers.] I will, but don't call me that. Egnahc fo sehtolc.

[This probably wasn't the sort he was looking to be changed into, but she thought it was funny. Plus, her dad would find it charming when he came back. Zee wipes her hands together a few times, satisfied with her work. It's a little off (her hair isn't quite so smoothly braided and the stripes are a little thin on her companion's shirt), but she was still working on the fine details with her magic.]

Better? [A beat.] Um. Richard? Shade? Right? I don't... [No, this isn't right. There was a reason the clothes didn't fit, but...]

Edited (ugh html :c) 2012-10-03 09:07 (UTC)

[ Richard, who was less confused but not so much that he knew what was going on, picked at the shoulder of the striped shirt with disgust. His lip even curled a little in disapproval for the change of clothes. Without his customary costuming, he looked downright normal. They could have even been early, very early, trick-or-treaters. ]

Yes, yes, do remember that it's the Shade. [ His normally only slight inflection if an accent thickening a little but in impatience and a lack of control. He looked back at Zatanna, only to find a much...well, much younger version of the magician in her place. Shade, who had been to many a show by the late Zatara could remember faintly a face, although it was more like déjà vu at this point. She's spoken the language of magic, though, and he doesn't like the implication that he's...shorter.]

Regardless, I do think there may be a dire issue.

[He was kind of adorable this way. She'd have to tuck this away and remind herself later to do it again. If there were a later where things weren't... whatever they were now.]

Whatever. [Her mannerisms are the same, for the most part. She gestures a lot when she talks, probably something she has picked up from her father. She puts a hand on her hip, although there's not nearly as much curve to it now, not by a long shot.]

Do you think it is? I'm missing a chunk of memory which I am pretty sure I only realize because I can't remember how I got here but I remember... [What did she remember? Being older. A house, a big one. Wonder Woman -- not Hippolyta. Diana, who was her friend. A kid... no, two. She sweeps a hand up to her face and places two fingers on the bridge of her nose, pinching it.] I don't like this at all. Think it's karma?

Perhaps, perhaps. [ The normally smooth baritone of his voice is replaced with the childish tones, it sounds almost adorable in the way he speaks, almost try-hard. ]

Or it could be something different altogether.

[ He lifts a small shoulder in a shrug. ] Now please, could you return me to something proper? I feel ridiculous in these clothes.

[Hers has always been a little girly, a little young sounding in some ways. It isn't too different than it sounds now and she seems more concerned about messing with her hair than anything else.]

I'll look into it, I guess. I'm not really sure where to start. The porter, probably. [She gets bored sometimes, right?

Zee shuffles closer and tilts her head to the side, shoulders falling as she heavily sighs.] You look precious, Pugsley. But if I have to... [She rolls her eyes and changes their clothing. Her costume's the usual jacket and fishnets ensemble, just without any sort of corset. The yellow vest is still present, but heels are out of the question. Just a pair of short, flat boots. It doesn't quite match. Shade's back to his old dapper self in less than a second, although the tie might be a little tight. Intentional? Hard to say....]

[ His Victorian sensibilities tend to mitigate fastidious motions like adjusting his tie, or brushing his shoulders, or anything to that nature. However, for some reason, his normal restraint just doesn't win out, and he fidgets, before tugging at the tie with a small, frustrated sighe. ]

Now, I ask you this, my dear, where shall we start? [ And then he considers for a moment, lighting on a thought. ]

Ah, perhaps... I should first see if we shall be relying on your power, hm?

Um. Well, getting out of here is probably the smart way to go. To unattended... not adults might end badly. Like, social services badly.

[She pauses for a moment, pacing around the room. No real answer comes other than to go home and hope for the best. Or. His place. The City's the smart answer. Go where people can help you, potentially. She looks toward him.] And could you not with the "dear" stuff right now? Kinda creepy.

[She scratches her forehead a little, more a subconscious gesture than anything.] I could teleport at this age. I might be off by a few feet, so it might be better to do aim for the street rather than inside a house. I don't want to be embedded in a wall.

[ He laughed, and then lifted a hand experimentally. ] I can guarantee that I did not have my powers at this age. [ But with the thought and effort, Shade's shadow still lengthens like it is meant to. ]

And yet it seems that I also still have control over my power. I am also not experiencing any issues with my memory.

[ He steps toward the darkest wall, where the shadows keep getting darker. ] Perhaps we should take my route.

I suppose it would be the wiser way to go, but I'd rather see what I can do while I have someone around that can back me up, if needed. [Which is to say that she gets the feeling that this might not just be a temporary problem. Even a day of it could be difficult if she needed to teleport somewhere or something else were to happen.]

I won't complain, though. Just don't leave me behind. [She hadn't meant to say that, but it just came out. Zatanna shifts closer to him, gently looping an arm around his without giving a moment's notice for him to reject the motion.]

Why Zatanna! [ He laughed, wrapping his arm around her in response, but not before he pulls the too large top hat and cane from a procured shadow that reached out to hand it to him. ]

You would expect someone like me to simply abandon a hero in their time of need?

[The banter would be fine, but it sounded absurd out of the lips of a child. He gave it no mind, fitting the hat awkwardly on his head, tipped just a bit too far back, before he hoisted the raptor-headed cane. ]

Come, and don't worry about the dark. It will pass soon enough.

Any other time I'd find you very charming, but there's something disturbing about hearing it from a... twelve year old? [She kind of squints when she ventures the guess, hoping she's on the mark.]

And let me xif taht rof uoy. [Just for now, the hat's his size. She'll fix it again later on, when all of this is over.]

This isn't my first time walking shadows, you know. [Normally it would just sound like a statement of fact, but somehow it comes out almost as bragging, almost defensive. Maybe it was her first time all over again.] Guess we'll have to reschedule. She'll be a little more desperate, at least. I had my eye on that secretary desk in the study...

[Good to know she's still a pint-sized con, though. Zatanna carefully tugs his arm, eager to get a move on.] Oh. And I'm a magician, not a superhero.

Yes, yes, and I'm merely a retired old immortal, and not a supervillain. [ He laughs and steps forward, much more comfortable now that his hat was in place per normal. ]

Perhaps our target will pay us more when we return, hm? We'll let her know we were caught up with... [ he waves his hand holding his cane as he walked, before shrugging. ] Something.

[ And a few moments later, they were through the shadows and into Shade's dark, but cozy, den. There was no fire lit. ]

Ah, here we are.

Exactly. I'm glad you're so willing to be honest with me. [It's probably easier to see where you're going, too.]

An influx of paranormal activity, as the veil between worlds becomes thinner during the month of October. [She stops while traveling, more caught up in taking her first trip via shadow with him in. Stepping out and into his home, she has a little bounce to her step as she unhooks her arm from his.] --and her troubles just weren't as serious as some of them.

I like your place.

[ He laughs, lying his cane on a table, before moving to rest his hat on a stand, only to find that he's not tall enough to reach it. He grunts a little in frustration, before a small shadow gremlin grows out of the ceiling, reaching out to take his hat before obediently putting it on the rack as it should be. ]

Thank you. It is rare for me to find myself with a visitor, so if there's something I could tickle your fancy with, let me know.

[ Coming from a preteen's mouth, it sounds odd. ]

[Somehow what used to come off as very attractive (if not downright sexy) is now coming off creepy to her. Creepy or cute. A bit of both, sort of. Normally she'd be interested in watching those shadows move about and move in a little closer, but there are more important matters at hand.]

Oh, right. You do like your solitude, don't you. [She shuffles about, not really looking at anything even though her eyes dart around the room.] The only thing that I want right now is to fix this. And egnahc su kcab isn't working.

What a shame. I suppose you will need to flee home, then. Rally the troops, as it were. [ He waves his hand as if to enunciate the "troops" that were few and far between, and he knew it. ]

We may find that rather difficult.

The troops that could do any real damage to him are basically me and maybe you. If Boston were still here, he could fix it. [It's said in a far more whiny tone than she had intended it to be. Like a teenage girl that wants something she can't have.]

I really don't want to go through teenagehood all over again. There is absolutely nothing that can stop me from fixing this. [Also she really likes being an adult and doing whatever she wants and having cheekbone definition.] So if I end up needing you, you're going to step out of that grey area for this, otherwise so help me! I'll strike you.

[ He laughs. ]

If it will return me to myself, Zatanna, I think that would be well justified for me to remain well planted here in the shadows, and be of assistance. There are simply some missteps that cannot be ignored.

[ It does not sound as intimidating as he wishes it to be. ]

Edited 2012-10-05 07:53 (UTC)

I'm aware that he's a difficult child and could probably use a very violent lesson taught to him, but I shudder to think what he may grow up into if someone doesn't step up and try to teach him what's right from wrong and why some things are wrong.

[Which is to say that she talks a big game, but she's a softie when it comes to him.]

Honestly, I don't know what will fix this right now. [She makes herself at home and flops into a chair, slumping.]

Does he need a character lesson? [ He asks, beginning to trounce around his apartment just as if he were older, a few shadow wraiths assisting him where needed, reaching things, pouring things, he lit a fire, but the candles remained unlit. ]

Perhaps the fire of youth could be directed toward something far more of use. Purpose, I find, makes others forget about their predispositions, with time.

I'm not sure if that will help anything, Shade. [She doesn't sound so certain about it, but she does sound a little as if she's given up already. Not exactly like her, being a quitter. At least not on the outside, anyway.]

I don't disagree with that, but we'd have to get him to change us back first. And doing that would mean admitting he's wrong on some level. [So what she's saying is that he's stubborn.]

I really, really don't want to go through the past thirty years all over again. Really.

Zatanna, [ He had finally moved into a rather comfortable looking antique chair with a high back, waiting for the shadows moving about in the kitchen to finish with refreshments. Yes, like he would be so rude as to deny her refreshments. ] I won't be aging.

If there is no way to solve this, we will force him. I am hardly willing to remain alive for an eternity in this form, if I'm unable to return to my Opal.

[ He pauses, his hand held to his hand in mid-thought, and his mouth drops open. ]

Or even worse, I return to Opal in this form.

[She brings a hand to the side of her face and presses it against an eye while rubbing it hard enough that she might leave a bruise. With conviction, she clears her throat and answers him.] I'll fix this. And if for some reason you were to return, I'd find someone to fix it there. I'll kick Tannarak's ass up and down the Bay Area, if I have to.

[Her hand slides to her chin and gently cups it. She's had enough of this shit.] I really, really hate this.

As do I. [ He huffs a little, crossing his arms petulantly while he waited. There was a clatter in the kitchen, wraiths moving a little faster. ]

I hope you enjoy tea, by the way. I would suggest some fine liquor, but I believe we may need to keep a clear head about ourselves.

I think that would be best. I don't always hold my alcohol well and while my mind seems to mostly remain as it should, my body isn't... well. [It's pretty obvious she isn't forty anymore.]

Tea's fine. I tend to gravitate towards the herbal sort, but an Earl Grey will do.

Good, good. [ He doesn't even have to do anything, since his Gremlins are getting to it on their own. Thank god for Shadow powers. There's a little pop in the kitchen from the kettle, being set into the stove, and then it being lit, before a slight hiss as the shadows move away from the head of the fire from the stove's jets. ]

What is your expert suggestion at this stage?

[She has a very strong compulsion to get up and watch them work, but thankfully being a little older than he is, she's able to stave that off. If she were a few years younger, she would already be gone, setting up on the floor to watch them move about and do as he orders them to.]

For now? Wait. It sounds very passive, but considering most things in this place pass within 24 hours, it may be all we can do. I'll look into things for the moment, but I'm not going to drive myself made searching for a way to fix it. [At hour 25 is when you'll want to strangle her.]

Perhaps, perhaps. I do hope this is merely temporary. I don't wish to be in this form any longer than I must! [ He gestures at himself at the same moment a small gremlin slides from the shadows with the tea. As well as scones. And finger foods. Look the Shade just has this shit lying about, it's a part of being a gourmand. ]

Ah, good. Refreshments.

I can assure you that you aren't alone in that sentiment. [Zatanna smiles and nods at it in thanks, like it will make any sort of a difference.

Wealthy motherfuckers.]

Thank you. [Even though she's pretty sure that even mild food will leave her feeling a touch queasy.]

Indeed not. If you wish for anything for your tea, please, let me know. [ He takes the milk, himself, but only a small dab. He leans back in his chair, small hands clasped around the hot, delicate teacup. ]

The point is, I want this to be solved. Quickly, for the obvious reasons. If we wait the years it takes for him to come to his senses, you will be done with puberty, and I will... be just like this.

[She shakes her head and takes a sip as it is. It isn't quite as pleasant a flavor as it had been while she was older. Strange how that works out.]

As much as I would like it to be solved for myself, I'm aware of your unique condition. I'll make sure that it's fixed. [A coy little smile into her cup.] If only so flirting with you isn't awkward.

Goodness, yes. It's painful right now, isn't it? [ He really dislikes it. ]

I suppose abstaining would be a good measure for the moment, although I will admit that I enjoy our conversations.

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The rising moon is on the shine

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