✦ 002 ✦ [video]

[backwordscompatible]

[Zatanna is seen sitting at the desk in her room, looking contemplative about something. She has a pencil in one hand, idly chewing on the eraser in between moments of inspiration. Whatever she was drawing seems to have her mystified, though the actual drawing was just beyond the view of the camera.]

[Behind her, the open window lets in a faint breeze that stirs her hair. She starts to say something multiple times before the words finally make it out, unusually cautious and deliberate.]

Okay, by now, I'm pretty sure we all know the mainland does something to those of us with powers. But I was wondering...does anybody's feel...I don't know...different since coming here? On the turtle, I mean. Like...[another pause]...like maybe it's coming from a different place? Or works a little different than it used to?

[And, because she knows people will ask, she ends with a very nonchalant shrug.]

Just curious, is all.

Comments

[Video]

[plains_hunter]

It wouldn't surprise me. I've never had powers, so I can't say I feel that much different. Not quite sure how magic works, but if it follows any laws of energy, it has to come from somewhere.

[Video]

[alpha_squad_leader]

Other than how messed up I felt when I first got here, my powers have been feeling pretty normal.

[video]

[littlecousin]

I haven't noticed anything? But my powers are pretty straightforward, I guess.

[She flies and hits things. And she doesn't consider any of her Atlantean attributes to be "powers," since they're normal for Atlanteans.]

video;

[notdreaming]

I haven't had my powers long enough to tell. Do you feel different?

video;

[zerotoawesome]

My powers are pretty much who I am, and I don't really feel any different from usual...

video;

[zerotoawesome]

[a second later.]

Oh! I felt itchy the other day! That was kind of weird.

video;

[backwordscompatible]

"Itchy" doesn't sound that weird. People get itches all the time.

[Video]

[backwordscompatible]

So regular humans aren't affected.

[Interesting to know]

[Video]

[backwordscompatible]

You mean like how we all felt pretty drained?

Do you have any idea why that could be?

[video]

[backwordscompatible]

What can you do?

video;

[backwordscompatible]

Not when I'm on the turtle, I don't think.

How long've you had them?

[Video]

[alpha_squad_leader]

Well yeah. I couldn't move and my whole body hurt. I was even having some trouble breathing right. It was like a slightly less worse version of the last time my powers got messed with.

How everyone feels drained? I'm not sure. Maybe it's because of the nearly drowning thing or a side effect of being pulled into another dimension.

video;

[notdreaming]

A few weeks. Just since I woke up on Earth.

[Video]

[backwordscompatible]

[She visibly winced at the description; even when her powers were nerfed, the worst that usually happened was a headache. And that was only when she pushed herself.]

What happened the last time? [Maybe there was a clue there.] What caused the messing?

video;

[backwordscompatible]

But you still have them here, right?

What caused them in the first place?

video;

[notdreaming]

Radiation from a yellow sun. Rao is red, but I think the sun here is yellow like Earth's.

[Video]

[alpha_squad_leader]

Well last time it was everything I mentioned plus a fever, runny nose, sore throat, coughing, and sneezing. [He shifts slightly.] An insane supervillain infected us all with nanobots that negated our powers and simulated a really bad flu. I was one of the ones that got the worst of it because...well...my powers sort of are me. [Gesturing at the green and spikiness.]

video;

[backwordscompatible]

[She spares a glance out the window]

It is.

So was the sun on the mainland, wasn't it? I'll admit, I wasn't really paying that much attention, but it seemed the same out there as it does up here.

video;

[notdreaming]

I don't see any reason to think otherwise, but I never went out onto the mainland. I'm having enough trouble getting used to the turtle.

[Video]

[backwordscompatible]

[Arms folding across her chest, she leaned back into her chair a little further as she listened to the description. Ouch.]

Well...I'm pretty sure we weren't infected by any nanobots this time, so we can at least rule that out.

[She nodded once in response to his explanation of his powers being him.]

It almost sounds like you wouldn't survive without them. [Making it all the more important to find out how and why they really worked here.] How long did you last on the mainland before you started to feel sick?

video;

[backwordscompatible]

[Zatanna pressed her lips together in slight frustration. That would've been pretty important to learn, whether or not Kara's powers were affected as well, considering they had a pretty definitive outside source. At the same time, however, she could understand the girl's hesitation to leave.]

Anything I can do to help?

[Video]

[alpha_squad_leader]

Yeah. [He manages a smile.] I'm pretty sure nanites can be rules out too. Thankfully.

I have no idea but I'd really rather not find out. Oh um. [He shifts in his seat, rubbing the back of his neck a moment.] I haven't gone onto the mainland. I only just arrived recently and after hearing about the power draining and the monsters, I don't plan on going.

[Video]

[backwordscompatible]

[Probably a smart move, considering.]

Don't worry. You weren't missing much.

video;

[notdreaming]

Thank you for offering, but I just need time to adjust. It's all so strange.

[Video]

[alpha_squad_leader]

I do hate to miss out on the fun. [He smiles again.] My name's Victor, by the way.

I'm guessing you had a less than pleasant trip out there then?