tushanshu | 21 ❄ ( VIDEO )

[ Jack's been largely off network for about a month, other than replying to those whom he's closest with. But there's too much to do and too many people who needed him to not be uselessly hung up on his own issues. So he faces the console screen with something much closer to his usual good cheer and Baby Tooth is perched in her usual spot on his shoulder. ]

There's been a lot of new people lately so I thought I'd bring this up again. My name's Jack Frost, this is Baby Tooth and I'm... kind of in charge of the Welcome Center here in the city. For anyone who's arrived lately, the kedan who showed you where your suite was should have mentioned it to you.

[ There will be a location ping that shows a very centrally located address, one that if anyone else in the city has tried to procure a business of their own will know is normally unavailable. ]

If you need anything that the kedan weren't able to provide at your suite, let me know and I'll see if I can track it down. Don't worry about if it costs money you haven't got yet. I've collected information about the city that'll help you get settled in and they're in brochures, there's books you can borrow that aren't in kedanese if you want to borrow them, like a library. Just bring them back in one piece, 'cause there aren't that many and we only seem to get more when we visit a mainland. Oh, and I have a list of some kedan shopkeepers who are willing to take on Foreigner employees so they can start working.

If you want to volunteer some time, just let me know. You don't need any kind of experience, just be willing to answer questions and help people learn about the city.

[ He thinks for a moment but can't come up with anything he's forgotten. ]

Yup. I think that's everything.

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[ Jack smiled quietly, more to himself than in any kind of reassurance for him. ]

I miss a lot of people, Zatanna.

I know.

I do too.

[ Sensing that the conversation is taking a downturn, Jack "accidentally" bumps into her as they walk. ]

[She smiles faintly, realizing what he was doing and responding in kind.]

Hey...Jack?

Yeah?

Can you promise me something?

[ He glances over at her, an eyebrow raised curiously. ]

Promise you what?

[She paused in her step, even though they were almost to the shop. Taking a deep breath.]

I want you to promise me... [Lifting her chin to meet his gaze fully.] ...that you won't leave me, too.

[Everybody leaves.]

[That seemed to be the one recurring factor in her life. She made friends. Friends went away. Family, too. Her mother had left when she was almost too young to remember. Her father was about to leave her. Even here, people came and went. Almost like there was something wrong with her, that she couldn't get them to stay.]

[Having Robin...no, Dick leave hurt badly enough. She wasn't sure she could take any more people she cared about doing the same.]

[Even if she knew she had no right to ask.]

[ Jack held an unnecessary breath and then let it out slowly, weighing the heavy request. It wasn't for a moment that he considered his willingness to promise it, only his ability. But he also knew that she wouldn't ask something like that without a need to hear it so his steps slow and he turns to face her. ]

I won't leave you, Zatanna.

[ Not the city... but her. That much he would promise. ]

[He waited. He thought about it. He took his time. That was how she knew he meant it, and wasn't just saying words for her sake. That's what made it mean all the more. They both knew a promise like that was so far and above their control, there was almost no point in making it...yet, he made it anyway.]

Thanks, Jack.

[And she leaned forward, pressing her lips gently against his cheek in gratitude.]

[Once the moment had passed--though the warmth it brought lingered on--she pulled back looking more relieved than anything.]

Now, then. We'd better get to work. The last thing I need is to be late on my first day. Who knows what my boss'll think of me?

[ He smiled, savoring the fleeting kiss. ]

Let me know if he gives you any trouble about it, okay? I'll have a word with him.

I'd love to see the look on his face if that ever happened.

You would.

21 ❄ ( VIDEO )

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