✦ 001 ✦ [video]

[backwordscompatible]

[As the feed turns on, one may notice the camera pointed directly at an open window, where some might recognize a familiar face, and others, a slightly less familiar (and noticeably younger) face. Sitting on a large tree branch just outside her room. Because why not?]

[14-year-old Zatanna looks oddly at peace for the moment, back leans against the rough bark, a few pieces peppering the shoulders of her black jacket blazer. One leg dangles off the edge, the other bent at the knee. She has a half smile on her face, and her eyes continue to casually take in her surroundings, even as she addresses the Network.]

I'll admit...definitely not what I was expecting.

[Implying that she's somehow unsurprised by her current limbo status. Like she knew something like this would happen, even if there was no way she could've predicted exactly what. Knew and accepted it. For now.]

Can't really complain, though.  I'd take a giant tree house over an eternity in empty helmet space any day.

Name's Zatanna, by the way. Zatanna Zatara.

Comments

[Video]

[plains_hunter]

[Well, this was odd.]

Zatanna? You seem a lot younger than I remember. What did you do, mess up a spell? I know getting older is no picnic, but you had quite a few years before you had to start turning to magic.

[Video]

[backwordscompatible]

[Talk about your first impressions; Zatanna just kinda...stares for a moment. Trying to make sense of what she just heard.]

...huh?

Re: [Video]

[plains_hunter]

[He's still a little sore over him and his friends getting mass-curb-stomped by the League.]

What, the Bat doesn't talk about me? If I had any pride left, I'd almost be insulted.

video;

[crotcharrow]

...Eternity in empty helmet space? Do I even want to know?

video;

[backwordscompatible]

Probably not. It's sort of a long story.

video;

[crotcharrow]

Right. Well, welcome to the giant turtle party.

[ video ]

[sciencewhizard]

[ Up comes his part of the feed, and well, boy is he glad to see another familiar face. But- what was that about eternity in an empty helmet? Crud, is she from back then too? And that means she doesn't-

Double crud. Internal sigh. He just has to keep smiling. And maybe a faux-flirt or two. ]

Oh really, Zatanna Zatara? I think I know someone with that name. You can't be her, though. You're much prettier.

[ video ]

[backwordscompatible]

[Wallace West, control your hormo--]

[...]

[...wait...]

Wally?!

[ video ]

[sciencewhizard]

In the flesh.

[ And that smile was growing into a grin. ]

So they have you in the Wood Sector too?

[video]

[wallcrawler]

Wow, and here I thought 'Peter Parker' was pushing the alliteration envelope.

[Whoops, that sure did get said out loud. Best to just move on ASANow]

Did the kedan already tell you about what this place is?

[video]

[backwordscompatible]

I'm guessing that's your name, then.

[Very smooth, not-so-mysterious stranger.]

Yeah, they gave me the abridged version. Something about life, death, dreams, and an Emperor.

[video]

[wallcrawler]

Yeah. Sorry. Just not used to seeing it happen to someone else. Hopefully the Z thing keeps anyone from using it to pick on you, though.

[How would they, even? The only thing that came to mind for Z was "Zebra," and despite the black and white wardrobe that still didn't make a whole lot of sense...]

As for everything they told you about this place...that's about as much as any of us know, too. Any time one of us asks a more complicated question, they just tell us "That's the Emperor's business" and refuse to explain.

action

[hackingyoursensors]

["Robin"... technically doesn't exist on the network. He can, in the internet cafes with encryption and anonymous logins.

But she's right next door, not that she knows it. More importantly, she's from about the same time he was and... that's not good.]

[All the more reason to go see her in person. But, you know, knocking on the door is so last year. He'll be sitting on the branches outside her window, making himself known by knocking on the window once she's turned the video off.]

action

[backwordscompatible]

[Zatanna gives a small jump when the knocking comes from her window, instinctively turning towards the source. Curious, she gets up and unlatches it, pushing it up all the way so she can greet her mysterious visitor.]

[When she gets a good look at who it is, however, her eyes go wide]

No way!

action

[hackingyoursensors]

[He just grins.]

Hey. I know, I should've used the front door, right?

video;

[trainwrecked]

[One more from the Wood sector!]

What's a helmet space?

[Hey. He's not disbelieving, this place has kind of burned that out of him (he thinks.) He just wants to understand.]

video;

[backwordscompatible]

[Obviously, this is just where all the cool kids are]

Space inside a helmet. [Duh] Only, instead of just your head, it's where your whole soul ends up.

video;

[trainwrecked]

[Clearly!]

... why would somebody make something like that? And why would you - I mean, you in particular - be sucked into it?

[So, so confused. Even Zola and Schmidt didn't come up with something like that!]

text; anonymous

[demon_brat]

[What?

Damian just. Stares at the screen.]

You probably will get this a lot, but you're supposed to be older.

This place brings in people from different versions of reality.

text

[backwordscompatible]

[...o...kay...]

So I've been hearing.

And, for the record, where I come from? I'm supposed to be fourteen.

text; anonymous (no, Damian, stop talking...)

[demon_brat]

Is that old enough to make sure you navigate to putting the shoes on the correct foot?

[wherethestoryis]

[Lois decides to skip the 'wait why are you so young?!' phase.]

Already worrying about eternity in empty helmet space. You're certainly precocious. [Beat.] Though I'd love to know the story behind that one.

[She's not sure if this Zatanna will know who she is, either by sight or by professional reputation.]

[backwordscompatible]

[Zatanna appreciates it. Also, the woman on the other end does look vaguely familiar. After everything she's recently been through, however, she can't quite place the where or why. Yet]

That's what my teachers used to say.

It's kind of a long one. Filled with lots of action, magic, and a couple of parallel worlds.

[wholenewstory]

[Cass gives her an assuring smile.] Not what I expected, either. Nice, though. ...Mostly.

[backwordscompatible]

[A smile which she'll happily return.]

Let me guess: there's a catch, right? There's always a catch.