tushanshu | [003 Vacation? What vacation.]

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[003 Vacation? What vacation.]

It's funny. I'm usually so busy at home with various projects, I think I've forgotten what it's like to have a vacation. [Vacation's over. Tim's getting bored.] I guess I'm just too used to being busy. So on that note... I have a lot of time on my hands these days. [He's been running errands for various kedan, and making enough for food and rent, but he's bored.] I'm a great gopher, and I have some experience in a few other areas. I've taken and could probably teach some self defense. I could do some tutoring in subjects covered by 21st century American schools... I don't know. Ask? Like I said, I'm not used to vacations, and I'd really like to be useful as more than an errand-guy.

[Private to Zatanna.]

Um. I think I need some help. I'm having a problem.

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[On the off chance that this was actually something serious--and, given recent events in the city, the possibility was likely--she refrained from cracking jokes and, instead, got straight to the point:]

What's wrong?

I seem to have developed some form of telekinesis, and it's not going away.

[Don't sound distressed. Don't sound distressed.]

It's getting worse.

You seem to have developed...

[She almost would have preferred if he had sound distressed, because his tone made it seem like this was something he either expected to happen or wasn't that surprised by...for...whatever reason.]

Are you sure you're not actually a metahuman, Tim, because I'm thinking you've been holding out on me.

I feel like this is something I might have noticed before now if it were the case.

...

....

.....

Zatanna, I'm moving stuff with my mind, and I honestly can't recall any time this has happened to me before, and I thought it was... I don't know, a turtle-quake at first? Or I was imagining it? But It keeps happening, and my aim is getting better, which is really gratifying, but I think it's part of this whole thing, and oh shit, I'm rambling.

Help.

[Oh, Tim.]

[To her credit, Zatanna did look away and muffled the sound of laughter at his admission of rambling. She knew that he was freaking out, and had a pretty good reason to be freaking out, but...well...laughing was a lot easier than joining in the freaking out.]

For starters, try taking a couple deep breaths. The kind where words don't come out with every exhale.

And once you're done with that...how did this happen?

[He actually paused in his hyperventilation and word vomit to do what she said, and took a few breaths. And then a few more. This whole situation had been building a while, and frankly it had made meditation... pretty much impossible, but this was helping. A little.

And now he was ready to answer question with more than just slightly panicked babble.]

I'm not sure. It's been building for a while--like I said, I wasn't sure it was anything at first. Things shifting when I thought about them, but I couldn't be sure it had anything to do with me, but it's kind of... kept happening. Which makes it a little harder to deny.

...huh.

[In hindsight, she was thankful he accepted her advice at face value, rather than think she was mocking him. Just because she chose laughter over freaking didn't mean she wasn't still taking all this seriously.]

How long ago did this start? Have you tried retracing your steps? Just in case you accidentally activated a magic amulet or something and didn't notice at the time.

[Also not a joke; it was the first thing that came to mind when surprise telepathic powers were brought up.]

[His home BFFs are Bart and Kon. Laughter in the face of Serious Stuff was pretty much par for the course. It actually helped with getting him to relax a little.]

It's been... [He frowned slightly.] Well, that's embarrassing. It's hard to really be sure. It started small enough that I didn't really notice anything at all at first. I suppose the first time I noticed would have been... a month ago, give or take?

[Definitely not connecting this to the 'disturbance in the Force' stuff, because... oh come on.]

This is terrible. I'm usually much more observant. [But, well. He'd been giving himself a little vacation, and just enjoying relaxing for once.] I don't recall any amulets, but it's probably not completely out of the question.

[Unfortunately, she wasn't quite making the connection yet, either. Because it had been more than a month, she's had a lot of other things on her mind--including a particularly huge secret that she was keeping from even Tim (and did feel guilty about)--and that whole Force business hadn't affected her, personally. So she thought.]

Everyone has their off days, I suppose.

What about trips to the market? The magic shop isn't here anymore, but I've still seen them trying to peddle some stuff around. Most of it's snake oil, as I'm sure you've guessed, but once in a while, I've managed to stumble on something a little too close to real for comfort.

[He gave her a sour look. And then pulled out a Bruce imitation.:]

We don't get 'off days.'

[And back to himself again.]

I've seen the snake oil and 'magic' crystals. But the most exciting thing I've come into contact with from the market lately is fruit.

[...oh, don't you play the Bat card on her. She hates that card.]

Okay, so that's out.

What about people? Met any fun, new faces that might be in a prankster mood?

[Sorry. Bruce's voice kind of lives in his head.

He considered that for a moment.]

Hard saying? I mean, I've been kind of keeping to myself, and I haven't really pissed anyone off aside from the odd mugger, but I mean, what are the chances that a random mugger who doesn't know who I am would be able to manage this kind of thing?

[Pause. Tim, did you really just say that out loud?]

Forget I asked that. It's totally possible.

[You have her pity. Right then, for more than one reason.]

So there's no way for certain at the moment. Great.

Tell you what: why don't you stop over? I mean, mind reading isn't exactly a part of my usual skill set, but maybe if I get a better idea of what exactly you're capable of right now, I could figure out a way to help you. Or get in touch with someone who can.

Thanks. Sorry, I just... have no idea where to even start with this. When's good for you?

[That depends. How bad are you actually freaking out?]

Well, I'm out right now. [Using one of the public consoles to check her messages.] But with a little magic, I can be just about anywhere you need in no time.

[A lot. Which is why they're even having this conversation. But.]

It can wait a bit. I don't think I'm about to go full-on poltergeist right now, and if you're in the middle of stuff, I don't want to bother you.

Nah, it's not big, really. Actually, I was just in the middle of some training. I've learned the hard way that experimental magic and ceilings don't mesh well.

Park work for you? I mean, I know it's kind of public and all, but it's pretty quiet this time of day if you know the right areas to head to.

I'd hate to have been around while you were still working that one out. Park is fine. I can meet you there?

Believe me, I hated being around for that one too.

Yeah, stop by whenever. We can go out for a late lunch for something afterwards. If you want. I haven't eaten since nearly dawn.

[Blink. You. What. Zatanna. What.]

I could also, you know. Bring some fruit or something. Something like a sandwich.

[Oh, relax. She just lost track of time while training. It happens.]

If it's not too much trouble, that would be great.

Just no meat. Otherwise, I'm up for anything.

[Oh. Well. That happens all the time.]

No meat. Got it. I'll meet you there in an hour or so? I doubt I can get in any more trouble over the next hour than I've been in the past few weeks.

Don't jinx yourself. You know the universe would just take that as a challenge.

I'll be here.

...Point. Something will definitely happen. I'll see you in an hour with some crazy story or three.

[Spaaaaaam?

And about an hour later, Tim turns up with food (he went the bread, cheese, and fruit route), drink, and nothing eventful to report.]

I survived a trip to the market, and as far as I can tell, no one's any worse for wear. Including me. [He gives her a wry grin.] So how's your morning going?

[Her hero!]

[By the time he found her, she would be laying on the soft, grassy ground. Eyes closed, hair splayed out all around her, knees slightly bend, hands on her stomach. Either taking a nap or practicing her breathing. When his footsteps approached, of course, she peeked and eye open and glanced upward. Making him appear upside-down from her point of view.]

That depends.

Nothing caught on fire while you were making your way here, did it?

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