greatest_zatara (greatest_zatara) wrote in dc_nextgen,
@ 2013-08-26 22:45:00

Entry tags:

mike blood, mina larson, team - shadowpact, victoria craft, zachary zatara

Calling For Backup (open to Shadowpact)
It's late into the evening on the east coast when flashes of light appear to the members of Shadowpact. A distorted projection of Zachary Zatara's face appears, apparently in a state of mild panic.

"...i-- --ou ca-- ear me, I nee- -elp right away! --ake m-- -hand!" The vision shifts from his face to his left hand, outstretched. Even through the greenish glow of the projection's appearance, blotches of wet unnatural color can be seen marring his skin.

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just_a_stranger
2013-08-27 10:22 pm UTC (link)

Victoria, meanwhile, was looking over the introduction papers she'd had her students write during part of the first day of school. It had been a rather tiring experience, even for one who was not quite human.

All she'd wanted was a quiet evening to review her lesson plans for tomorrow, and perhaps a little light reading. The supernatural menaces were supposed to be all at bay for once.

"Damnation," she muttered. But even Zachary would not be so stupid as to send a false alarm...

She placed her papers down carefully, then took the hand.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	demonborn 2013-08-27 10:32 pm UTC (link)
	Mike was actually doing a little bit of reading. It was a book of occult stuff that his dad had basically assigned him to read when he saw the apparition. "Wow this can't be good," Mike says to himself not really wanting to grab his hand for this but not seeing a way out of it if he wanted to help. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	greatest_zatara 2013-08-29 05:58 pm UTC (link)
	They'll find Zach on the floor of his dressing room, jacket missing, and one sleeve rolled up, with red streaks going up and down an arm. "Oh, thank goodness you all came..." He surveys them, getting to his feet and pushing his hair back with his other hand. "I had hoped Sally would be here especially, but this should still work..." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	just_a_stranger 2013-08-29 09:10 pm UTC (link)
	Once Victoria ascertained that Zachary was not dead, she was down to business. "You sounded desperate, Zachary. What is going on?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	sparkofmagic 2013-09-03 01:30 pm UTC (link)
	"Yeah, Boss. This was my night off." Mina glances around the room for anything out of place. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	demonborn 2013-09-04 11:13 pm UTC (link)
	"Yeah if there isn't trouble going on here. There probably will be." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	greatest_zatara 2013-09-04 11:19 pm UTC (link)
	Zach looks directly at Mina and Victoria. "How fast can you take off your clothes?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	sparkofmagic 2013-09-04 11:35 pm UTC (link)
	"Zach!" The rare moment in which she uses his first name. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	just_a_stranger 2013-09-04 11:40 pm UTC (link)
	Like a blur, Victoria's hand shot out and slapped him across the face. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	demonborn 2013-09-04 11:44 pm UTC (link)
	"Oh snap," Mike says laughing at what Victoria did. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

greatest_zatara
2013-09-04 11:49 pm UTC (link)

Zach takes half a step back at the yell. "What? Oh... oh! No, not like that!" Before he can explain further, Victoria's hand catches him squarely across one cheek and he staggers to the side.

"Oww!! I'm sorry. There was a car accident on the way here. Bunny and one of my other assistants, along with a stagehand, got injured. I'd heal them myself, but I'm contractually bound not to use magic on myself or anyone in my employ during a performance or within three hours before. I'm down to doing paint retouching on my own sets with this interruption!" He gestures to the paint stains on one arm.

I can get by for the most part, but I need another lady for the quick-change routine. And maybe another set of hands to push things and pull ropes." He glances at the ladies, and at Mike.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	just_a_stranger 2013-09-05 12:05 am UTC (link)
	"You mean you dragged us here to help with your little... stage show?!" Victoria demanded. "I thought you were in actual danger, Zachary!" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	sparkofmagic 2013-09-05 12:12 am UTC (link)
	"Boss. You could have called." She wants to hit him just a bit. "I coulda figured out how to get everything set up quicker." She rubs a hand over her face. "Is Bunny going to be okay?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	demonborn 2013-09-05 01:04 am UTC (link)
	"Yeah I'm just going to get out of here," Mike says a little annoyed before walking into a shadow and disappearing. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

greatest_zatara
2013-09-05 01:27 am UTC (link)

"I'm sorry. Let me at least give you-- a free ticket, or not." Zach tries to apologize to Mike, before turning back to the ladies.

"I never said I was in danger!" He scowls. "I tried poaching help from the other acts in town, but nobody could spare any assistance. Yes, Bunny and the others will be fine. If I didn't think so, I'd have broken the contract myself anyway." He sighs and scratches the back of his head.

"I just... didn't have anyone else to ask. Trade secrets and all that. I needed people I already trust."

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	just_a_stranger 2013-09-05 09:59 pm UTC (link)
	"You deliberately let us infer that you were in mortal peril, Zachary," Victoria said, crossing her arms. "If you think for a minute I'm going to make myself apart of your little show..." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

greatest_zatara
2013-09-06 03:46 pm UTC (link)

"Not my intention, and you know it, Victoria." Zach takes a step to her, jaw tightened.

"I don't have anyone else to ask, and I can vamp like the greats, but even at my best that leaves me fifteen minutes short on the whole show. Even if some of the audience doesn't know, the critics will, and so will the property managers, and I'm up shit creek. Sorry to the young ears." He nods to Mina. "She knows the spots and tech enough to fill in for stagehand duties, but I still need at least one more beautiful warm body on stage with me.

Please. Victoria. I need this."

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	just_a_stranger 2013-09-07 05:51 pm UTC (link)
	Victoria owed Zachary nothing. They were coworkers, and he had, whether he realized it or not, been quite duplicitous in his dealings here. And it certainly made no matter to her whether or not his career was even remotely successful. "If word of this reaches anyone, Zachary, I will see you suffer for the rest of my possibly unnatural life." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	sparkofmagic 2013-09-07 09:06 pm UTC (link)
	Mina pinches the brow of her nose. "I cam handle the tech side of things. It's what I would be doing if I was on schedule for today." She had better get a move on to set it all up. "I want time and a half for this. And a pizza. I was going to go out and have fun for once." She just doesn't get to do that much. Work, studying, and magic eat her time. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

greatest_zatara
2013-09-07 10:59 pm UTC (link)

"Victoria, I could kiss you." Zach gives her a chaste hug by way of holding her upper arms, doing the same to Mina a moment later.

"I wouldn't dream of paying you any less kiddo. Plus, remind me to give you the keys to my place in Maui for a weekend." He gives her a sympathetic look. He remembers working on his degrees in engineering while still trying to get his career off the ground.

"Mina, you know all the usual stage managers to talk to. Victoria, we need to go over the choreography for the costume changes."

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	just_a_stranger 2013-09-08 12:37 am UTC (link)
	Victoria simply rolled her eyes. "I just know I am going to regret this." She closed her eyes and released a breath. "All right, Zachary. What do I need to know?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	sparkofmagic 2013-09-08 07:31 pm UTC (link)
	"I'll just go get started on that," the younger magic user agrees. "Won't take long. Do you know how much longer we actually have...? Just to be sure." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	greatest_zatara 2013-09-10 07:57 pm UTC (link)
	"One hour. You'll do fine, kiddo." Zach reaches out for Victoria's shoulders and turns her around. "You, Miss Craft, need to meet your wardrobe selections for the evening." He starts marching her out the door of his dressing room and headed for racks of costumes. Very... evocative, costumes. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	just_a_stranger 2013-09-10 09:51 pm UTC (link)
	"Zachary Zatara, I am quite possibly going to murder you when this is over," Victoria said, her eyes narrowing. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

greatest_zatara
2013-09-10 09:57 pm UTC (link)

"Don't worry. I know Bunny's got a little more... accentuation in some areas, but I can have them altered in a jiffy. You'll look stunning. No loose waists or unsightly bunching." Zach says, without missing a beat.

"Now, these are going to be worn in layers, that detach at certain points in the routine to show the next one underneath. There'll be some longer concealed moments where you switch out the bottom layer for another multi-tier. Disposing of the old layers without them being spotted is actually the bigger challenge than the time constraints."

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	just_a_stranger 2013-09-10 10:40 pm UTC (link)
	"I will confess, Zachary, your penchant for actual prestidigitation is impressive," Victoria told him. "But I believe I am up to this task." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	greatest_zatara 2013-09-10 10:42 pm UTC (link)
	"Lady, there might be some wizards, sorcerers, enchanters, conjurers, and necromancers far beyond my weight class... but World's. Greatest. Magician." Zach smiles. "So, you know your measurements, up to date, or should I get the tape measure?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	just_a_stranger 2013-09-10 11:37 pm UTC (link)
	"Fortunately, I just had a dress fitting," she said. "So I am conversant with my measurements." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

greatest_zatara
2013-09-10 11:48 pm UTC (link)

"Alright then. Off with them." He gestures to her clothes. "Need to get you into the base layers for a practice run.

Bra too. I'll send a gopher out to get the appropriate, ahem, other attire in your size, along with tights."

Credit to his professionalism, however, he's not so much as smirking; unlike any other time he might have made allusions to Victoria in any state other than full dress.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	just_a_stranger 2013-09-11 10:04 pm UTC (link)
	"Avert your eyes," Victoria said. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	greatest_zatara 2013-09-13 12:11 pm UTC (link)
	"No," Zach replies calmly but firmly, folding his arms. "You can keep your underwear on for now, but I'm going to see more than enough of you while the act is in progress, so you may as well get any nervousness about revealing yourself to me out of the way now. I promise not to leer. It's just like a model in art class." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	just_a_stranger 2013-09-13 10:24 pm UTC (link)
	Victoria crossed her arms. "Exactly how tawdry is this act of yours, Zachary?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	greatest_zatara 2013-09-15 12:24 am UTC (link)
	"Not terribly, but that's not what I'm getting at." Zach explains. "I'm the one holding your 'cover' for a number of the changes, and I need to be able to visually confirm that you're ready." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	just_a_stranger 2013-09-15 02:02 am UTC (link)
	She might have relaxed a microscopic fraction. Internally, more so, but she would hardly give him the satisfaction. "Very well," she said. "And perhaps slightly fair. I certainly saw more than my share of you the first time we met." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	greatest_zatara 2013-09-16 03:37 pm UTC (link)
	"At least I'm going to buy you dinner afterwards." Zach responds with a smile, before gesturing to the costumes again. "Come on, let's confirm the fit so I can get these altered in time." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	just_a_stranger 2013-09-16 09:55 pm UTC (link)
	"Very well," Victoria said, starting to unbutton her shirt. (Reply to this)(Parent)

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