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[backwordscompatible]

[From the moment the feed began, Zatanna's surroundings were a little more visible than usual.  The Welcome Center, with her leaning slightly back.  Clearly prepared to get comfortable if necessary.  As if she planned on sitting there for a while.]

Hey, everyone.

[And to start, she waved at the camera.  Master of showmanship, this one.]

Okay, so, most of you probably at least recognize my face by now.  Because if not, I'm so not doing my job properly. 

I'm Zatanna.  I run the Welcome Center, and...well, let's just say there's a reason for that.  I've kind of been here a while.  Like, a really long while.  Including that year we all spent in the Dreaming Realm...probably more than five years by now.  Man, time sure does fly when you adjust to your kidnapping, huh?

[Jokes aside...]

A lot's happened in that time.  I mean, we're talking everything from zombies to ghost possessions to baby turtles dream-hopping to people's powers getting all messed up.  We used to have Emperors, you know.  Like an actual monarchy.  Oh, and that whole thing with the shell starting to glow?  Yeah, that's definitely not new, though I haven't seen it since Ast--I mean, the Great Turtle was busy not being in a coma.

So, yeah, I guess if anybody has any questions on that sort of thing, I'm here to answer them as best as I can.  I mean, I figured, share the wealth, you know?  Since you all deserve to know what kind of place you were brought to, and how this whole thing all started in the first place.


((ooc: As I mentioned here, I did recently put together a basic list of plot-relevant events of the past for newcomers to check out.  But here's a chance for your characters to get in on the story IC.  Not ALL of it, of course, and these stories will be told from Zatanna's IC perspective, which can sometimes be a bit misleading or even missing information...but fellow Turtle Veterans are also welcome to join in on conversations.  Mix and mingle and possibly threadjack at will!))

Comments

[wrathfulkhan]

Good idea, Zatanna. I haven't been here as long, but I'd be happy to help, too.

[Four-year veteran of turtle hell here, if you count the Dreaming Year.]

[backwordscompatible]

[She lets out no small sigh of relief at that. Being the Center of Attention for show was one thing, but when it came to actual responsibilities and others depending upon her...she was more than happy to share the spotlight.]

Thanks. I appreciate it.

You have been around for a while, though, so you probably still remember most of the 'good' stuff. [...if one interpreted the term good ironically.]

[ten_zero]

I think I can peice together most of it, but...

The turtle hatchlings. The Kedan don't like to talk about them at all, and I don't understand why.

[backwordscompatible]

[She understood instantly. Zatanna...had never been one of the Turtle parents, herself, but she had known others who were. Saw the bond between those who shared such responsibilities. And memories. And that fateful day had hurt her heart almost as much as those who'd suffered a great, personal loss.]

Probably because...it's not exactly the most pleasant memory.

A lot of us knew those little guys since before they hatched. Seeing what Malicant did to them... [She actually visibly shuddered.] ...I can get why not many would want to talk about it.

[ten_zero]

He killed them, right?

I guess they were very important? If the turtle is seen as a god, I suppose they were gods as well.

[gotabadfeelingaboutthis]

Emperors? I'm not happy with the sound of that one...might be better I showed up after they were gone. The Empire I dealt with wasn't exactly the greatest place. Were they evil emperors or no?

[backwordscompatible]

Only one of them.

[...Zatanna...]

[Though, after a moment's pause, she heaved a sigh. That little voice in the back of her head telling her to be honest sounded a little too suspiciously like Jack--who'd always been one to defend Eshai against her--for her to ignore.]

Okay, so maybe she wasn't evil evil. Just a piece of work with a bad attitude.

[...close enough.]

Evandau was never all that bad. Could've smiled more, but you can't have everything.

[aprettyflyboy]

Ey, Zatanna. Nice to see you again.

Somehow people failed to mention zombies and ghost possessions when I arrived here.

What kind of Emperors?

[backwordscompatible]

The high and mighty kind, mostly.

[She had...less than stellar opinions about at least one of them.]

And most people probably wouldn't remember that part. It was a long time ago. Back when we'd dived to the bottom of the ocean floor. I'd been here for maybe a few months at that point.

voice;

[denyamenti]

I haven't been as long, but I can add to some of it.

voice;

[backwordscompatible]

[Hi, Bakura.]

Anything you can would be a big help, thanks.

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[starspangled]

I'm Steve, I don't believe we've met. After being here that long, I can imagine that you have seen a thing or two.

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[backwordscompatible]

Or twelve.

[She agreed with a smile...not quite as bright as usual. Not that Steve would notice, given this was their first time meeting.]

Yeah, I don't think so either. You new?

(Text)

[hallowedhorcrux]

How kind of you.

Now tell me of Magic native to the Great Turtle.

(Text)

[backwordscompatible]

You forgot to say 'please'

[Just saying. Although, funny enough, if it was magic he wanted to talk about...]

As far as I know, none of the current locals have any magic of their own. The last person I knew who did died a couple of years back. Any remaining magic here comes from those of us who were born with the power in our own worlds.

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[purrns]

Now isn't that a handy little idea.

Okay, I want to know more about this Malicant dude. What was his deal? Why did he want to control the turtle in the first place?

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[backwordscompatible]

[...well, then. There was a sight she hadn't seen for a while: a masked face.]

Why does any immortal, genuinely evil bad guy do what they do? Ultimate power, if I were to guess.

Some people around here consider creatures like the turtle to be a god. They might even be right. Control a god, and you control all the power at their...er...flippers.

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[pompous_today]

I'm sorry- you said zombies?

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[backwordscompatible]

As a matter of fact, I did.

[Video]

[mrsarcastic003]

I think I'll sit back and watch to catch up on the stuff I missed.

[Though, really, he's been filled in on a lot of it by this point.]

By the way, I sent a skeptic your way. Pipsqueak, doesn't believe in magic. Figured I'd give you fair warning, because if you think 'dad' can be pig-headed... Heh.

[Video]

[backwordscompatible]

[It was impossible not to grin at that.]

How 'pip' are we talking here? Just so I know if I need to behave myself or not.

[Spoilers: she probably won't anyway.]

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[inkulcation]

[China with a raised eyebrow, thoughtful.]

The bardic tradition's all well and good, my dear, but this world's arrangement is hardly conducive to it. Have you considered setting any of this down?

video;

[backwordscompatible]

[She resisted the urge to roll her eyes, knowing that China meant well. It wasn't the first time someone had suggested she write all this down, really, and she had a strong feeling it wouldn't be the last.]

Are you kidding? My wrist hurts just thinking about it.

Besides, this way, I only have to talk about the parts that people want to hear. Saves me time and parchment.

awk I'm so late to this! how did I forgot I hadn't responded yet

[no_light]

There's a great number of questions I have. I barely know where to start. To be fair, most of my interest regards Malicant, and those who followed... him?

Too busy protecting the ashes of your fallen enemies?

[backwordscompatible]

If that was a question as to whether he was a guy or girl, then yes. We'll go with "him".

As for the rest, it's a bit of a long story. I hope you're comfortable where you are.

[She is]