[CONSOLE] VIDEO

[backwordscompatible]

[If it hadn't been for the urgency of what she'd discovered, Zatanna might have stayed away from the Network for a few days.  Granted, those jerks had snuck up on her, attacking from behind before she could ever get a decent look, but she was the daughter of Giovanni Zatara, and a trained fighter in her own right.  With magic.  She should've been able to take a couple of street thugs without breaking a sweat.]

[Well, not only had sweat been broken, but there was a bruise on her forehead where she'd hit the ground, and the wrist that normally carried her bracelet--which had been moved to the opposite arm--was pressed firmly against her chest.  Wrapped tightly in bandages.  As if even the slightest movement caused her pain.]

[Needless to say, she didn't look particularly happy.]

[Worried, yes.  Her weight occasionally shifting in her seat, lips pressed together in between sentences.  Face slightly pale.]

[This was about more than just getting ambushed.  Much, much more.]

Something's wrong.

[Stating the obvious, or what she thought was the obvious.  From the furrow in her brow, even Zatanna wasn't quite sure.  A glance down at her unsprained wrist, where the glimmer of her soul jewel could just barely be seen on the console screen.]
 

My--I was attacked too.  They caught me by surprise--don't ask.  [That part, she really didn't want to talk about]  But the weirdest part was that, I went back this afternoon and found my bracelet again.  Right where they'd gotten me.

Only...I can't explain it...I didn't even notice at first, but the longer I've had it on...

[She didn't even know how to explain it to people who didn't carry a natural affinity for magic.  Who couldn't sense what she was sensing.  Part of her still wasn't even sure she wasn't being paranoid.  Reacting to the attack.  Maybe it was nothing.  She couldn't be sure.  And she couldn't just sit by and do nothing.  What if she was right?]

Anybody who's been attacked in the last few days?  Check your soul gems.  If you don't know how, find somebody who does.  Especially if they were out of your sight for more than a minute.

Comments

[confirmationbias]

...Check them for what?

[backwordscompatible]

[She knew that people would have asked...and yet, still not entirely prepared for how to respond.]

Umm...I don't suppose you can sense magic or spiritual auras, can you?

[confirmationbias]

...not as such, no.

[backwordscompatible]

Yeah, I kind of figured as much.

[She sighed, leaned back a little in her seat...and promptly winced as the movement agitated her wrist. Oh, if she ever found the brats who did this--]

The short version is that the aura around my gem is off. Like it's...I don't know, tainted or something.

What I don't know is what's causing it, if this is because it was missing for a day, or if whoever took it did something.

[solo_patria]

[Enjolras looked at the console screen and Zatanna, who he recalled, of course, from many events in the past, and frowned to see her injuries.]

So far, I have been lucky to avoid attack. But I would help those who've been affected if I can. I learned to heal some minor injuries the last landfall we made before the war. If I might offer you my services now, I would be glad to attempt helping.

[backwordscompatible]

[Shh, no, you see nothing. No juries here, nope. Just talking 'bout some souls and stuff. >.>]

I'm fine.

[The response came out probably a little quicker than normal.]

Does this mean you've been working down at the medical center?

[solo_patria]

[It's getting her an eyebrow, a sort of suspicious Leader Of Men Who Tried To Hide Things Like This And Failed look on his face.]

I do hope so. And alas, not these days. I am not experienced enough to do anything miraculous. I can step in at emergencies now, but that IS about the extent of it all.

[redlightgreenlight]

[Valdis normally avoided posting to the network, wary of who might be paying attention, but it was the mention of the soul gems that got her attention.]

What exactly are you feeling?

[backwordscompatible]

[Precisely the reason Zatanna, even after slowly sorting through her thoughts via other conversations, was purposely remaining vague...ish.]

Like I'm not myself. I mean, I still feel like me, just...me having a really, really off day.

[redlightgreenlight]

[Curious, but worth investigating...in person since the network couldn't be trusted.]

I might be able to help, perhaps we should meet in person.

[skeletonenigma]

[Skulduggery might have needed to ask, but he's met Zatanna a few times before and has an idea of what she's capable of. It sounds as though her gem still works, even if there's something wrong with it.]

You found it right where they stole it?

[Hm.]

Are you sure it's the same one?

[backwordscompatible]

[Excellent questions, the both of them.]

Yes and no.

[She wasn't being cute--okay maybe she was trying to be a little cute, but he had asked two separate questions, each with a separate answer.]

It wasn't the exact same spot, but it was probably a few yards down the sidewalk. Stuck in a crack just inside this alleyway. Really obvious hiding place, if you ask me.

And yeah, I'm sure. Mostly. Like, 90% sure.

[skeletonenigma]

[Badly hidden, indeed. That usually means whoever hid it wanted it found.]

You haven't been feeling the symptoms of separation, have you?

[Presumably not, if she's feeling well enough to describe what happened. That means it either is the same soul gem changed somehow, or it's an entirely new soul gem someone's managed to link to Zatanna specifically.

Skulduggery isn't sure which option worries him more.]

[Video] Forward dated? Probably around the 23rd or so if possible

[pushtheboundaries]

Skulduggery helped me recover mine. Is there something I should look for in particular?

[Video] Forward dated is fine

[backwordscompatible]

[The reply had come several days later, and as such, it took time for her to respond. She didn't seem any worse for the wear. Maybe a little tense, but that could be easily explained by any number of reasons.]

I'm not sure if anybody else can sense it.

So far, it seems like I'm the only one. Lucky me.

[Video] Alrighty then!

[pushtheboundaries]

Hm. [other than the fact he's already encountered strange things here, Zatanna's never given him a reason to doubt her. so as much as the logical side of him balks at the idea of 'sensing'-

he instead pulls his out. it's a deep red-brown, and is missing its setting]

Other than a bit of dirt on it, it didn't seem worse for the wear, but did you want to take a look at it and see if it was just yours that was affected by this...whatever it was?

audio;

[inkulcation]

Can you be any more specific?

['Something's wrong' is hardly particularly useful information. A brief pause.]

I've been told there are skilled healers here. Masochism or paranoia?

[Not wholly unkind, just prodding.]

audio;

[backwordscompatible]

[Yeah, she's just going to...ignore that latter question. Possibly a little of both?]

It's like...

[She sighed. It had been a while since she'd used her magical sense. The only reasons she had immediately picked up on it was because it was her soul. Maybe...maybe it didn't even take magic to understand, after all?]

Have you ever had one of those really off days, where you're not entirely comfortable in your own skin? Or when something's not quite right, but you just can't put your finger on it and it keeps bothering you until you do?

Something like that.

audio;

[inkulcation]

[Well, it's not her business if Zatanna really prefers to have a nonfunctional arm. China lets that rest.]

Not for years.

[Said with supreme confidence. By years she means centuries.]

All the same, I believe I take your meaning. A nameless magical upset.

[There's a frown in her voice. That can by no stretch of the imagination be considered a good thing.]

[video]

[strokeofgenis]

Great. This makes me just want to hide in the Hotel under a bunch of blankets and never set foot outside ever again.

[Ugh.]

Is there something wrong with your soul gem?

[video]

[backwordscompatible]

[Truthfully? That doesn't sound like the worst idea ever.]

In a manner of speaking.

The aura around the stone feels off. Like it's been tainted or de-purified.

[video]

[strokeofgenis]

Not that I don't trust you on that one, since you've got some good magic, but I could give you a second opinion on it if you wanted.

action;

[wintershepherd]

[ He doesn't even bother replying to the console message, but goes straight to her instead. Standing in the doorway, blue eyes flashing equal parts worry for her and anger at whoever dared do this. ]

action;

[backwordscompatible]

[She knew he would show up the moment he saw. And yet...when she turned around in her chair and saw the look on his face...that blend of both anger and worry, knowing fully well that only the latter was meant for her...her resolve weakened. Slightly. She still managed the smile she promised herself she would out on for him, but it came out sheepish.]

[Subconsciously, the injured arm was pulled closer to her chest as she reached to touch the base of her choker pendant with her good hand. Reliving one moment of the incident in particular.]

...if I said it's not as bad as it looks, would you believe me?

Re: action;

[wintershepherd]

[ He doesn't answer verbally yet, but crosses the room and puts his arms around her. It's a little different than their normal hugs; this is protective, not affectionate, a promise and apology all wrapped into one. ]

I always believe you.