tushanshu | ✦ 014 ✦ [VIDEO] ✦ (Open to ACTION) ✦

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✦ 014 ✦ [VIDEO] ✦ (Open to ACTION) ✦

[Another day, another morning of having to ration her tea and breakfast. Of residual smoke lingering in the air from the explosions that had gone off down the street. Of the near radio silence and informational uncertainty that came with it. Of having to stare at the ugly remodeled palace and remember that, whatever was inside it, it had been enough to scare certain people into staying as far away as possible.]

[There was something particularly special about this day, however...or, at least, there was supposed to be.]

[The good news was that Zatanna seemed to be feeling a lot better. You'd never know from her expression, though, as she stared dully into the camera for a fleeting moment, before calmly holding up a sign (in English):]

WORST
"SWEET" SIXTEEN
EVER

[It was the most trivial of teen trivial things, but she didn't care. Malicant wanted to listen in on everybody's conversations? Find out what they were talking about? Fine. She would rant and rave all she wanted, and he would have no choice but to listen.]

[Because #F*@kYouMalicant]

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[Kaldur does not blame Zatanna for being frustrated with how things have been recently. And even with what is transpiring, he knows that birthdays are very important on the surface world. He holds up a white sheet of paper with a neat simple scrawl.]

Congratulations.
You did seem taller last we met.

[Wow. With Robin gone, is she the resident height jokes recipient these days? Is that how this goes?]

I've been drinking my milk?

[He considered that it might help to lighten the mood, so yes. Pardon how awkward he is about it.]

Perhaps I should include a glass with your gift.

You bought me a gift?

Why Kaldur, you should have.

[All awkwardness is immediately forgiven.]

Birthdays are an occasion worth
celebrating. Or so I am told.

It is nothing extravagant.

Funny. I've heard that too. It must be true.

Whatever it is, I'm sure I'll love it. Did you want to bring it over to my place?

I had intended to, yes.
If you are not busy.
I could bring it by another time.

I've got time. Come on over. Just be careful when you knock.

[Because Wards]

I will keep that in mind.

[With that he cut their video, sign-based conversation off and moved to collect the simple wooden box her gift is in before leaving. It wouldn't take him that long to reach her suite, although the current state of the city at large did mean he was more cautious while traveling.

He looks around the door, then knocks, once, twice, before stepping back.]

[Since she was expecting his arrival, it didn't take long for her to answer the door. A smile greeted him--obviously, her brief rant on the Network had cheered her up considerably--and she stepped back to allow him entry.]

Hey.

Come on in.

[The verbal permission was necessary; Kaldur may or may not notice a faint shimmer over the door as he stepped through, the Ward letting him pass without incident.]

[Zatanna's magic is rather different in many ways from Atlantean sorcery, but he notices a change in the energy around the door when she tells him to enter. Strong protections are not surprising at all considering.]

Thank you.

[He walks into the apartment, somewhat awkwardly, if only because this is a different step in their friendship. He shifts the box in his hands.]

I do not mean to disrupt any plans you might have for today.

[They were better insurance than locks. Locks couldn't keep a Bat out. Magic could. And ever since the younger Robin had once threatened to kill her...]

[Well, given the current state of things, she saw even less reason to drop them now.]

Don't worry about it. There's plenty of me to go around, I promise.

And you are the only other person here from our world. That gives you special priority.

[He smiles, admiring her fortitude to maintain a positive attitude even though things have been rather...tense around the turtle.]

I do appreciate that consideration. [He holds the box out to her. It's simple polished wood with an eight-sided star etched into the lid and a plan bronze clasp holding it closed, nothing special.]

Here. I admit bought it during an auction believing it would be empty, considering the price, but was pleasantly surprised. I thought you may get better use of them than I would.

[And once she opens it, she'll find several pieces of copper and bronze hair accessories, bobby pins, hairclips, and combs and chains.]

[It was what she did best, after all. And there was nothing...absolutely nothing...that would ruin this day for her. She was determined.]

I had no idea they had auctions around here.

[She took a moment to admire the box. It was similar to the chest she kept at the foot of her bed upstairs. The one she had enchanted to keep safe her most precious items. Things Jack and Dick and Kyle had given to her over the last year and a half. Only this one was a bit smaller.]

It's lovely. [Although something told her the box alone wasn't meant to be the gift. So she opened it, smiling when she caught sight of the pieces inside. They were beautiful.] Oh, Kaldur...thank you.

[She reached up to give him a quick peck on the cheek in gratitude.]

It was some months ago, when we docked at Bresylik. There were several auction houses there. [Yes, he's been holding the box for around five months, but he's someone who likes to plan ahead. If his skin were lighter he would surely be blushing, but it is a good thing it's not.]

As I said, it is nothing extravagant. They looked...old, but I think it is part of their charm?

I like old.

[She reached in, picking up one of the hair pieces. The blue clip. Setting the box down on her coffee table, she reached up and brushed back some of her hair, pinning it in place.]

Well? What do you think?

[It certainly matched her favorite piece of jewelry.]

It suits you well. [And it does. She has what Wally once described to him as the "classic" look for a surface girl.] I am happy that you like them. Returning them would have been a difficult endeavor.

[Finding gifts for girls is so complicated on the surface. He was more concerned about it being appropriate than he would like to admit.]

Of course I like them.

These'll go great with my work costume. Just wait until my boss sees them; bet you anything she'll start trying to recreate the headpiece.

[He hums a bit in curiosity. He admittedly does not know much about Zatanna's work or the people she works with, but he has gotten a certain impression about them.]

Your employer's love of antiques extends beyond books then?

I'm not sure if it's antiques, specifically...but she's very fond of old-fashioned things, yeah. Kind of fits with the atmosphere of the job, I guess.

I will keep that in mind when I find things that are...I believe the term is "vintage."

[They don't look all that old fashioned to him, really, but then again, Atlantis is a few centuries behind in trends.] Are things well with you recently, Zatanna? You did seem rather displeased before.

[Vintage worked. Vintage was always in style. Even when it wasn't in style, it still worked for her. Because, as he put it, she had that "classic" look that worked with old fashioned things. Very well.]

A lot of things've happened since then, actually. Good things.

I guess the universe finally realized it owed me one.

[He smiles.] That is good to know. I am happy things have begun to turn out well for you.

[And he is. His habit of worrying is extensive and Zatanna gets particular worrying. She is the last one left from their world besides him and she does have a habit of getting into worrying situations.]

Should that change--although I hope it does not--you know that I will be there, should you need me to be. Do not hesitate to ask.

[She nodded back her appreciation for the sentiment. It was true. All of it. About Kaldur being the last remaining individual from her world. About him having a habit of worrying.]

[About her having a habit of getting herself into trouble.]

I'm fine, Kaldur. Really.

I mean, it's not exactly as if I'm alone here.

[She glanced to the far wall of her apartment as she said this. Here could have been referring to the city in general, sure. But it could just as easily refer to the housing complex.]

I know. You've made a lot of friends who seem to care a great deal about you.

[At least that is the way that Kaldur thought to take it. He knows Jack if no one else could be counted easily.]

It still felt like it could stand repeating. [And with that he backs away a little, attention shifting.] Now, I should probably be on my way.

✦ 014 ✦ [VIDEO] ✦ (Open to ACTION) ✦

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