seasiren (seasiren) wrote in dc_nextgen,
@ 2011-07-19 20:21:00

Entry tags:

Break the cutie (Zach, Michael)
All Ash knew was this is something she had never done before. She had never seen a show of any kind that hadn't been televised on the surface world. So the idea of going to one of Zach's shows was something that appealed to her after she had given it some thought.

She didn't want to go by herself either. So after working herself up into a near panic she had asked Michael to go with her. She had been quite pleased when he had agreed to go with her. She had been afraid that she would end up going alone. They found themselves seated towards the front of the place and she gave a sheepish smile.

".... We fought monsters in Ciaro. Then we talked. I-I guess he thought m-m-.... mages should stick together," Ash said as she settled into her chair and watched the stage. "But it was nice of him. I've never actually gone to anything."

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	masterofmatter 2011-07-20 02:44 am UTC (link)
	"I just have really strong opinions about things. And I don't stand for anyone who does that kind of stuff maliciously. Never have liked it. Hell, I've been called Napoleon for it." Well now, this is odd. He's never shared that story with anyone before. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	seasiren 2011-07-20 02:47 am UTC (link)
	"Napoleon?" Ash blinked over at him. That was a strange thing to bring up. She was all kinds of curious now. "Whose that?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	masterofmatter 2011-07-20 03:08 am UTC (link)
	Hoo boy. That's what he gets. "Napoleon was a general in Europe during the late 1700s. He was said to be really short. Not really true, but it was popular propaganda. Nowadays someone who's short and 'angry' is called Napoleon." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	seasiren 2011-07-20 03:15 am UTC (link)
	"But you're not short," Ash pointed out looking confused. People are SO weird. "Surface dwellers have such strange ideas. You're not short. Everyone else is just freakishly tall." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	masterofmatter 2011-07-20 03:31 am UTC (link)
	Michael started to laugh at that one. "Everyone has strange ideas. And no, he's not. But the people fighting him thought if they made him laughable, they'd fight him better. Propaganda. And nope. I'm not short. Not at all." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

greatest_zatara
2011-07-22 11:07 pm UTC (link)

The lights go out abruptly, followed by an explosion of light from onstage, as Zachary Zatara starts. No opening act for this show. The stage, which was empty just moments ago, now has Zach atop a daius with a tiger reclining at the base of it. The audience erupts into laughter.

"Thank you and good evening, ladies and gentlemen!" Zach raises both arms in thanks for their welcome.

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	seasiren 2011-07-22 11:16 pm UTC (link)
	She blinked then gave a small clap. She was going to sit back and enjoy this. Oddly she thought the tiger was the neat part. She had never seen one so closely before. It caused her to decide that a trip to the zoo one day would be a good idea. Maybe she should ask Pippi to go. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	masterofmatter 2011-07-23 03:25 am UTC (link)
	Okay, he never was one for theatrics and whatnot, but this was pretty entertaining. It's not everyday that magic shows just start. Michael may have to rethink his opinion of the guy. Very straightforward, even if it is attention-seeking. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

greatest_zatara
2011-07-23 03:36 am UTC (link)

Zach lets the opening applause as the tiger lets out a lazy roar that might have been a yawn. "Those of you that I've been fortunate enough to have in my audience before will know that I always like to incorporate a theme into my shows. Tonight we have two of them, and our first theme:--"

He snaps his fingers and a giant top-hat falls over the tiger. Zach hops off the daius and lands on top of it. He taps a foot, and there is a burst of smoke and an audible thud as Zach falls the last few feet to the stage. When the smoke clears, he is holding an adorable kitten.

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	seasiren 2011-07-23 03:43 am UTC (link)
	Aw. That was an adorable kitten. Also a pretty good truck. She wasn't sure if it was magic or not since she was making it a point to Not Look. She was trying to have fun. She just wished that Michael was here as more than a friend. But if wishes were horses, as the sying goes. She doesn't want to even think about this odd crush right ow anyways. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	masterofmatter 2011-07-23 04:12 am UTC (link)
	Themes? The hell was he talking about? Michael was a little confused, although the kitten thing was a nice touch. He is also very unaware of any attention or thoughts of himself from his fellow theater goer. After everything that had happened to him, he's just not in the right place to think about romance in any sense. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

greatest_zatara
2011-07-23 04:23 am UTC (link)

"--is rescuing others. This right here is Peanut Butter. He and a lot of other little guys like him need forever homes, so please stop by the Metropolis Humane Society. Donations or adoptions are always valued." Zach gives the kitten another cuddle, then passes him off to an assistant.

And now, his act, and his questionably aligned plan, truly kick off.

"Now, for my first real trick of the evening, and to kick off tonight's other theme, I'm going to need to get someone from the audience." Zach strides back and forth across the stage, apparently scrutinizing the forest of hands that have shot up. As he goes back and forth, a set is being assembled behind him as a giant statue of a dragon is being wheeled onto the stage on tracks, brief puffs of flame emitting from its mouth now and then.

"Ah... now look at this sweet couple here, folks." He stops right in front of Ash and her date, grinning as a spotlight falls on them. "Miss, would you mind joining me on stage, please?" Floor lights show the way to the stairs.

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seasiren
2011-07-23 04:28 am UTC (link)

"It's not a date," Ash said quietly loud enough to be heard though. Then she blinked as what he said caught up with the rest of her mind.

What.

What.

What?!

"Y-Y-y-y-you... Y-y-y-you're k-k-k-kkidding right," Ash managed to squeak out. A look of growing horror and Do Not Want passes over her face.

Oh Gods he's serious isn't he? The color begins to drain away from Ash's face at a cartoonishly fast rate.

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	masterofmatter 2011-07-23 04:32 am UTC (link)
	Michael rolls his eyes at the "sweet young couple" assertion, but as soon as he hears that he's asking her this, he immediately goes into support mode. "I don't think he's kidding, but you got this in the bag. Relax, Ash. You can do this." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	greatest_zatara 2011-07-23 04:35 am UTC (link)
	Zach gives her a very pointed but discrete smile and nod as well. "Folks, can we give the young lady some encouragement?" Applause ensues. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	seasiren 2011-07-23 04:39 am UTC (link)
	She hates everyone inn this room. Everyone. No exceptions for cute boys when she suddenly realizes that it's getting so bad she can't talk. She doesn't bother and her mouth presses into a very firm line as she gets up. She just hopes she doesn't puke or anything after this. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	masterofmatter 2011-07-23 04:40 am UTC (link)
	Michael is applauding, but he is torn between some pride in the fact Ash is getting up there, concern over her well being, and annoyance at the assclown on stage who should know better. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

greatest_zatara
2011-07-23 04:52 am UTC (link)

Zach takes her by the hand when she makes it up the stairs and escorts her across the stage.

"Now, I'm sure we've all heard stories about the beautiful damsel being rescued from a dragon by a brave hero, but I kind of prefer the versions where the damsel can rescue themselves." He guides her to a spot where the dragon's jaws point down at her. He then reaches into his jacket and somehow pulls out a longsword.

"Miss, just hold this sword up, and this thing won't stand a chance." He hands the sword to her and leads her to raise it defiantly.

He steps away, gestures, and a line of flame spews forth from the dragon. However, just as it approaches the sword, it parts, leaving Ash barely even warmed. A low groan emits from the dragon, and it 'retreats' off stage.

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seasiren
2011-07-23 04:58 am UTC (link)

Ash hadn't made a sound the entire time.

She had stared up at the dragon and for a moment that wasn't a dragon with it's jaw;'s pointed at her. It's the horrible monster that took her away from her home. Her knees shake nearly knocking together.

And even though she is safe and she has the sword a few people might notice Ash isn't holding it very steadily and she is breathing shallowly. There's just way too many people here even though the stage lights make it hard to see anyone.

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	masterofmatter 2011-07-23 02:15 pm UTC (link)
	Michael sees this, and he's worried. But he is someone who ascribes to the idea that the best way to face fears is to confront them head-on. So he waits in his seat, anxious at what was happening. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	greatest_zatara 2011-07-23 04:00 pm UTC (link)
	The audience applauds, and Zach gently places a hand on Ash's shoulder as he waves to the crowd on her behalf. "You did great, kid." He whispers to her. "I'll catch you after curtain call." He begins to escort her back to the stairs. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	seasiren 2011-07-23 04:08 pm UTC (link)
	Ash is visibly shaken still. And then when she can see the people there all she wants to do is crawl under a table and hide. She doesn't hide though. Not under the table. She just gives Zach a jerky nod before hiding behind her hair at her seat and gripping the table before her while trying to control her breathing. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	masterofmatter 2011-07-24 03:09 am UTC (link)
	Michael claps, too. She looks nervous as hell, but she's standing up there. He's proud of her. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	greatest_zatara 2011-07-24 03:30 am UTC (link)
	"And so ladies and gents, there goes our second theme of the night. Saving yourself." The show rolls on, with almost every trick involving taking someone from the audience. Two hours later, and the curtain finally falls, to a standing ovation. ~~ Zach waits backstage to see if Ash and her date make it. The tickets give them full access. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

seasiren
2011-07-24 03:35 am UTC (link)

Ash had to fight to not puke once she was sitting. For the rest of the show she had been a bundle of very upset tightly wound nerves.

She hadn't had fun at all. She didn't like being put on the spot like that.

And she wanted to give him a piece of her mind. But talking had become really difficult. She hadn't been able to calm down so she had conjured up a note book and pen once she was sure she and Michael couldn't be seen, just in case she couldn't verbally give him a piece of her mind.