tushanshu | ✦ 012 ✦ [VIDEO] ✦ Network Cafe ✦ (Encrypted from Jack)

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✦ 012 ✦ [VIDEO] ✦ Network Cafe ✦ (Encrypted from Jack)

[For once, Zatanna isn't broadcasting from her room. She doesn't even bother trying to hide the Guilt on her face as she appears on screen, the clear signs of a random cafe in the background. It would have been a stretch to say she hadn't really slept much since returning from the bottle, but she's certainly not taking any joy from the memories playing over and over in her mind.]

[Memories she needed to get away from, if only for a little while. And there was really only one way to do that:]

Does anybody have a place I can stay for a few days?

[By not being in her suite.]

PRIVATE - Korra

Hey.

Thanks for the chocolates. I really appreciate it.

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I think so. Korra offered. So did Diana. Kaldur offered Aquaman's wife's suite, too. So I have options.

Glad to hear it.

You're always welcome at my place. I miss your pasta.

[She was actually grateful for the texting, so that Kyle wouldn't see the instinctive wince that came. Not that she didn't want to see Kyle. Because, the more she thought about it, the more she kind of did. He would understand. But there was one problem....]

That might not be such a good idea right now.

Okay.

As long as you've got somewhere safe to crash.

...well, I did say Korra offered, so I guess that depends on your definition of 'safe'

[A joke. A lame joke, probably, considering, but it was all she could muster at the moment.]

That doesn't mean I wouldn't mind a friendly face too. I'm selfish like that.

[He's glad this is text, because that eyebrow is raised so high it nearly reaches his hair.]

Ok to be selfish sometimes. I did just ask for your cooking.

That's true. You did. If it's just you and me, I could come over for a bit and make you some. It wouldn't take long.

[FLAIL]

it's complicated but I'm 2 people at the moment

if you're cool with it

[Her mouth parted, then closed. Brows furrowing together. Was that some kind of code? Innuendo? He wasn't texting her while in the middle of having sex with Jim, was he?]

I...guess?

[It's extremely fortunate for all parties that he doesn't know that thought process.]

see you for lunch then?

[Probably]

See you then. I'll stop by the market on my way and bring the things I need. Did you want me to get you anything else?

some bread? Thanks.

bread it is. See you in an hour.

[An hour was roughly how long it took to finish her other conversations, pack up from the cafe, get all the supplies she needed, and head to Kyle and Jim's suite. Cooking for her favorite Big Brother was just the kind of distraction she needed right then. When she eventually did knock on his door, weariness aside, she was even smiling again.]

[An hour is roughly the time it takes for Kyle himself to get ready; clearing the kitchen, cleaning the living room, and making sure he looks a lot more like himself than like something out of science fiction. When she knocks, he's there at the door, smiling at her, an odd twinkle in his eye.]

Hey. Come on in.

[She opened her mouth to greet him back...and paused. Staring at him curiously for a moment. That voice... It was Kyle, but kind of not really? She couldn't describe it, and after a moment of trying to figure out how, she shrugged in defeat.]

Thanks.

Ready to get started?

Born ready. This way.

[He waves her over to it. The platform is sparkling, thanks, he cleaned with his hands instead of using the ring. It had felt rewarding.]

Who cleaned?

[The room was perfectly spotless. Not that she thought of Kyle as a slob, per say...but she definitely didn't remember his place being this spotless when she was staying with him.]

[Once in the kitchen area, she set down the bags on the table. She had been feeling extra ambitious that day. Rather than get the pre-made stuff, every ingredient indicated she was going for homemade pasta, not just sauce.]

I couldn't find one of those machines that makes spaghetti, but I think between the two of us, we could manage ravioli. What do you think?

[Kyle wouldn't describe himself as a slob per se but Jim liked to keep everything Spartan. It was a side effect of living in space: not many belongings, and even those were discardable.]

I did. You can't believe it, huh?

[He slides over to the bags and starts unloading, curious as to why she's not using a few shortcuts today. It's almost like she deliberately wants to spend as much time with him as possible.]

[Hey, he's not complaining. Just worried.]

Ravioli and then some. What do I do, boss?

Not for a second.

[She did believe him, actually, because he wouldn't lie to her. But sisterly teasing being an obligation of hers, she couldn't actually give him credit where credit was due. That would just be silly.]

I'll make the dough, if you can work on the filling. We're going with mostly eggs and cheese, and those herbs that I bought over in that bag there. [She indicated towards one of the plastic bags with green leaves sticking out the top. Fresh.] If you could ground those up into pieces, and then mix everything together, that'll save me a ton of time.

[Kyle gives her a Look which is more faraway than he intends, because so much of him is seeing the stars at the moment instead of what's really around at the time.]

[He waves a hand, vaguely.]

Y'know I can make more of me to help.

[It's not the point. If there's more of him he can't spend time with her, but he has to offer.]

Edited 2014-03-10 02:02 (UTC)

[She had ever confidence he could. Technically, she could too, but that wasn't the point.]

You know, on the subject of multiple 'you's...you never did explain what you meant about being two people. I'm still just seeing the one Kyle.

[He gesticulates, knowing the metaphor but also that Zatanna isn't going to like the parallel one bit.]

I kind of - put on the Helmet of Fate. There's someone else here sharing my body. It's voluntary and temporary don't worry.

["Isn't going to like it" would have been a gross understatement.]

[He made it as far as put on the Helmet of Fate when her instincts kicked in, reflexively pulling back so sharply, she dropped the bowl in her hands. Fortunately, it didn't break, but it did leave a giant mess everywhere. Not that she noticed, between gasping audibly and eyes widening in a mixture of genuine shock and fear. The Helmet . She'd almost forgotten that accursed thing was here too. The very place she would be returning back to if she ever left Keelai.]

[The very thing that would take her dad away from her forever.]

[She didn't even hear the rest of it, so focused on that single statement and completely oblivious to the obvious; that he clearly wasn't wearing it at that particular moment, or she would be looking at Doctor Fate, not him.]

[It didn't matter.]

You--WHAT?!

[Well done, genius, he thinks, holding up his hands defensively, palms facing her.]

Hey! Hey. Chill out, okay? I'm still here.

[She swallowed loudly, her heart still pounding in her chest as she took a few deep breaths.]

I'm going to assume that wasn't a joke. [He should know what that Helmet meant to her. The thought of it still being here...] Explain. Please?

✦ 012 ✦ [VIDEO] ✦ Network Cafe ✦ (Encrypted from Jack)

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