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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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.

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	masterofmatter 2011-07-24 03:44 am UTC (link)
	Michael had enjoyed himself, he really did, but he knew that Ash wasn't that happy with what had happened. So Michael followed her afterwards. He knew their tickets were good ones, and he hoped that Ash would give the asshole a little chewing out. If only for the fact it would help her de-stress from the experience and be more comfortable about it. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	seasiren 2011-07-24 03:52 am UTC (link)
	It took her no time at all to find him. She took in a deep breath and let out out a few times. Then gave him a look. "What. Were. You. Thinking," she demanded slowly in a very careful tone of voice. She's actually pretty upset now. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	greatest_zatara 2011-07-24 03:58 am UTC (link)
	Zach was about to tell her what a good job she did again, when her tone stops him. He turns serious. "I wanted to thank you for your help by incorporating you into the opening scene. You did wonderfully. I didn't know there was some kind of problem." He turns his head slightly, ready for... well, something. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

seasiren
2011-07-24 04:08 am UTC (link)

"Zatara, I have anxiety problems. It is entirely possibly to have problems with magic when one becomes that worked up. Thank the Gods I have never had such problems. Did you even consider that I might faint, vomit, or worse if I became too panicked?"

She can see spots now. She's pretty angry. The King Arthur kind of angry.

"N-n-not only that but you knew I was a nervous person? D-d-did it o-o-occur to you throwin... throwing someone in-into the d-dd-deep end of the p-p-p-p-pool is a bad i-i-idea? Not everyone likes t-t-to be noticed. I have been nearly a-a-assassinated for bearing the Mark of Kordax by idiotic extremists who were upset that I'm also a mage. I d-d-don't like being singled out unless it's for duty Zatara."

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	greatest_zatara 2011-07-24 06:14 pm UTC (link)
	Zach just looks back at her calmly, taking in what she says. "I just thought you were shy. I had no idea how deep-seated it was, or what the cause was." He bows to her. "Asherah Curry of Atlantis, I owe you my most sincere apologies. As a fellow mage, I prostate myself before you, and foreswear a boon to you, that I may make amends." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

seasiren
2011-07-24 06:38 pm UTC (link)

She was working now on bottling up her emotions. Lashing out or saying something foolishly wasn't what she wanted to do.

"I will hold you to that. At this time I can't think of anything." Knowing her it will be something that Altantis may need. Duty comes first.

"I am not...One to hold grudges. I am s-s-sure you thought you were helping, Zatara. I just don't like .... p-people noticing me, as I said."

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	masterofmatter 2011-07-24 07:47 pm UTC (link)
	Michael looks on from where he was leaning on the wall. Michael was of the belief that letting it out would help her a bit, and he'd let her vent. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	greatest_zatara 2011-07-24 08:51 pm UTC (link)
	"I understand; and please, call me Zach." He stands up again. "Now, would you like to introduce me to your date?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	seasiren 2011-07-25 12:36 am UTC (link)
	She coughs and blushes veryyyy faintly. "He's just a friend. This is Michael." Because she might flail if anyone points out she is blushing. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	masterofmatter 2011-07-25 01:19 am UTC (link)
	Michael rolls his eyes again, but is happy that Ash is the one to correct him. "Hey. I think we've met before. At the demon guys house a few months back." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	greatest_zatara 2011-07-25 01:22 am UTC (link)
	"It happens. Zachary Zatara." He extends his hand. And Ash? He saw that blush. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	seasiren 2011-07-25 01:51 am UTC (link)
	If Zach pretends he didn't see that she won't flail. Because she doesn't need to have that pointed out. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	masterofmatter 2011-07-28 04:35 pm UTC (link)
	Michael sees none of this. Probably for the better. "Michael Choi. I'm the current-" Michael does a quick look around to make sure no one is near enough to overhear him. "I'm Firestorm." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	greatest_zatara 2011-07-28 09:47 pm UTC (link)
	"Charmed, I'm sure." Zach shakes his hand. "You kids hungry? I could just murder a steak right now." He looks to Ash. "Garden salad and bbq tofu plate for you." He smiles, remembering her vegetarian status. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	seasiren 2011-08-05 01:23 am UTC (link)
	"....Who would do that to the poor tofu," Ash inquired with a mildly disgusted look. Then she blinked slowly and shrugged. "I'm a vegetarian. Bit of an oddity for one of my people but... I have my reasons." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	masterofmatter 2011-08-05 03:54 am UTC (link)
	"I'm up for anything..." Michael snickers at the tofu joke. Or he thinks it's a joke. "I could go for anything grilled right now. Don't care if its a cheese sandwich." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	greatest_zatara 2011-08-05 08:45 am UTC (link)
	"Excellent. Give me about ten minutes to shower and make myself presentable again, and we'll be off." He turns to head back to his dressing room. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)