✦ 014 ✦ [VIDEO] ✦ (Open to ACTION) ✦

[backwordscompatible]

[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]

Comments

[iguanasolution]

[Frank's handwriting is pretty neat, thanks to practicing calligraphy... probably far too often. But it does give him something to do.]

Could be worse. You could be turning 18 in literal hell.

But happy turtle-birthday anyway.

[backwordscompatible]

[What pretty handwriting!]

Please tell me that's an over-exaggerated hyperbole.

[iguanasolution]

[He gives her a grin (without thinking it might get frozen and turn creepy, but that's Frank for you) before writing back.]

I could tell you if you want but I'd be lying. It wasn't me though, I'm not even 17.

[backwordscompatible]

[Actually...she didn't find it creepy at all. He was kind of cute when he grinned like that. Awkwardly cute, but still cute.]

Good to know.

So I guess that makes us about the same age, huh?

[iguanasolution]

['Awkwardly cute' is his best weapon. True story.]

I guess it does. How are you planning on celebrating? Might steal some ideas.

[backwordscompatible]

That depends on my friends, really.

Although I'm pretty sure I can hear a certain next-door neighbor of mine scheming over there right now.

[A hunch which will inevitably be proven when he ~magically~ appears right behind her not too long after.]

[iguanasolution]

That just means you have good friends then. Are you neighbors with your best friend or something?

[backwordscompatible]

Something like that.

[iguanasolution]

Cool. My own suite has felt pretty lonely lately

[backwordscompatible]

[Her expression softened into something close to pity sympathy.]

People being sent home?

[iguanasolution]

[He'll pretend there is no pity, better for his self-esteem.]

Yeah. Both from home and from other worlds. But it's better to focus on the ones who stay, right?

[backwordscompatible]

[She could genuinely empathize with that feeling.]

Sounds like the best plan I've heard so far.

[iguanasolution]

[Another smile. This one along with a little :) drawing.]

I've met so many cool people in this place, and I'm sure I'll meet more.

[backwordscompatible]

That is the best thing about this whole place.

I've met people here I would have never back home. People I'll actually really miss when we leave.

[iguanasolution]

Speaking of meeting new people, I'm Frank. Frank Zhang.

[backwordscompatible]

Zatanna Zatara.

A pleasure.

[iguanasolution]

Pleasure is all mine.

Is there anything you need, since it's your birthday? Not that I can do much but it's the thought that counts et cetera.

[backwordscompatible]

It does count.

And the fact that you're thinking of me when we've only just met counts for extra.

[iguanasolution]

It is your birthday, even if I didn't know before you told us.

Enjoy time with your mystery neighbor. [He just hopes it's not alone, he had enough of that with Annabeth and Percy...]

[backwordscompatible]

I will, thanks.

See you around?

[iguanasolution]

I hope so.