Old Friends, New Problems
Zatanna: -I look around my empty room and sigh, so many memories. I reach for my purse ready to leave, for the last time. With another sigh I head towards my door- Artemis: -I reach for her door, lightly tapping as I bite my lip. I had been heavy in thought ever since the phone call from M'gann. Being so wrapped up in everything school related made me feel so out of touch with everyone, including Zee. I tap once again.- Zatanna? You there? Zatanna: -pauses with my hand on the keypad as someone knocks. The door slides open- Artemis? -a genuine smile spreads across my face, for the first time in what felt like days. I move forward enveloping you in a tight hug.-
Artemis: Hey Zee! -I'm smiling ear to ear.- Feels like I haven't seen you in forever. -I pull away surveying the boxes stacked up in the room.- I heard you're packing. Zatanna: Packed actually -looks away sheepishly my smile falling- Y-yeah I was going to tell you... Artemis: -I wave my hand away.- Pfftt...don't even worry about it. -I look at her mischieviously.- Got a minute? Zatanna: -looks back at my room- I don't know Artemis I...I really should head back to my new place. Artemis: -I sigh before nudging her in the direction of the door.- Well you really have no choice to begin with since I'm kidnapping you. Zatanna: -sighs, watching your face- I really don't have a choice, do I? Artemis: -I smirk.- Obviously not. Your options include you going to lunch with me. Objections? Zatanna: None...except egnahc ym tiftuo rof hcnul. -a cloud surrounds me as my yoga pants and baggy sweater combo are switched out for a cuter outfit- Artemis: Always ready for any occasion. -I grin before we're at the zeta tubes.- We'll go to your favorite place. Zatanna: Hmmm -taps my chin sarcastically- showing up and forcing me to go to /my/ favorite restraunt, who are you and what have you done with Artemis? Artemis: -I roll my eyes and place my hand on my hip.- Oh, don't you start or I'll reconsider my generous offering here. Zatanna: -smiles, but can't quite manage a laugh- Right -I say typing in the coordinates for the Zeta beam closest to my favorite restaurant in Gotham before typing in a different code for a zeta in New York- Artemis: -I hear the my designation blaring from the computer, light engulfing me before being transported. I move away from the telephone booth that it leaves me in, and I wait patiently for Zatanna.- Zatanna: -walks out hoping you didn't notice my sudden change of destination- The restaurant is this way. -I mutter as I start to walk out of the alley and onto the streets- Artemis: -I'm already walking beside her, concern written on my face.- You know I'm not dumb right? Why'd you change the coordinates? -And maybe I should have more tact, but the words are already out of my mouth before I can stop them.- Zatanna: I...-hesitates, my steps faltering for a moment as I try to come up with a lie- I just didn't want to go to that cafe is all. Artemis: -I sigh, deciding not to press the issue forward. I stuff my hands into the pockets of my jeans.- Favorite places change, right? Zatanna: Yeah...-I watch the sky as we walk, Gotham was his place. No matter what Barbara had said about him moving to Bludhaven. I couldn't-wouldn't let him hurt me again. And if that meant cutting off all contact...so be it.- It's just another block up this way. -I say, filling the silence.- Artemis: -I give you a look, knowing what your motives might be.- So, tell me about your new place. You have good taste, so I can only imagine it being everything perfect. Zatanna: -glad for the distraction and change of topic, gives you a smile; but it doesn't reach my eyes- Well the add promised high ceilings, great views, and almost my entire life's savings. Artemis: -I raise a brow.- Wow. Sounds amazing. High expectations though. Zatanna: -bumps into your shoulder with mine as we reach the restaurant- And it lived up to everyone....er it will once I unpack more than the living room -I retort with a small smirk.- Artemis: -I smirk back.- Come on. You know you wanted a break. Besides, I bet you haven't eaten anything all day if I know your habits well enough. Zatanna: I- -I'm cut off as my stomach grumples loudly- Okay so maybe I needed a break. Hostess: Hi welcome to Rebecca's, how many in your party? Artemis: Just two. -I answer casually.- Hostess: -looks down and checks the available seats. Flashes a smile- Right this way please. -collects two menu's and leads the two women to a cozy booth in the corner- Jess will be your server this afternoon, have a good lunch. -flashes another smile before walking back to the front of the restaurant- Zatanna: -attempts to smile back, but I can't quite manage it- Thanks. - I mutter as I sit down, knowing she can't hear me- Artemis: -I take a menu in my hand, eyes set on a few items.- So. Ready to talk? Zatanna: -my grip on my own menu tightens as I try and force my tone to remain light- Talk about what? Artemis: -I raise my eyes above the menu in my hand, peering directly at her clenched fists.- I guess about whatever it is has you clutching your menu so tightly that we might be charged to replace it? Zatanna: -swallows as I set the menu down, my eyes on the table- I-....-hesitates before giving in, my voice soft and vulnerable- Dick and I....we broke up Artemis: -It all starts making a lot of sense in an instant. I feel angry with myself for not realizing it sooner.- I'm really sorry Zee. What happened? Why would you guys break up? I just don't get it. Zatanna: -my eyes fixed on the table I tell myself that I won't cry- I don't know. We hadn't spoken much since...Jason and then he called asking me to meet him and -swallows, my throat tight- then he broke up me, I left, end of the story. Artemis: -I find it hard to find words at first. I let her story sink in for a minute.- Did he even give a reason? He's not the type of person who would just hurt someone like that. Zatanna: -shakes my head- He said he was moving...and that he'd gotten a new perspective. Artemis: -I set my menu down, eyeing you incredulously.- Moving doesn't mean he's breaking up...did he actually say it? Like did he really say he wanted to break up with you? Zatanna: -my hands ball up into fists on my lap and I can't look at you- He said he couldn't do this anymore. It was clear what he meant. Artemis: Zee...-I lower my head, eyes closing shut for a moment. I feel horrible for prying in the first place, but seeing the hurt look on your face makes my heart clench a bit.- You can't honestly tell me that you're going to let this break up eat away at you. Yeah, I get it. I probably don't understand exactly what you're going through, but seriously Zee. Look at you. You're getting your own apartment with a view, you're a great person to begin with and I can't imagine you letting this keep you down for long. Zatanna: -takes a deep breath and looks up- Thank you, but....-struggles to keep back the tears- I-I don't think you know how much he means to me, Artemis. I love him, and I can't get him out of my head, I see him everywhere I go. And there's this pain in my chest that won't go away and-and I feel like I can't breath and -my words break down into quiet sobs and the tears start to fall- Artemis: -My brain nearly goes into panic mode at the sight of the tears. I realize my tactics won't work, so I offer her one of the napkins on the table.- Zee, I know it doesn't seem like it will...but it will get better. Geez, I wish I knew the right thing to say. -I bite my lip nearly cursing.- Men are really stupid. Zatanna: -dabbs my eyes lightly, with the napkin, trying to stop the tears as I laugh slightly at your comment- Maybe not /all/ men. Artemis: Are you sure? Because I have a redhead at home who think whining will get food in his stomach faster. -I chuckle before crossing my arms.- And if you still can't agree, we can at least say that Dick is pretty dumb for even thinking of dumping you. And by pretty I mean really. Zatanna: -manages a smile as I force the tears back, swallowing my feelings not wanting to burden you any more than I already have- Speaking of a certain redhead, how's the whole moving in with Wally thing going? Artemis: Well, you know how Wally can be. He's super excited about everything. I'm warming up to the whole moving thing though. Though I will say being further from the cave does make me feel homesick sometimes. -I say while thinking very fondly over a few memories.- Zatanna: -my smile falters as I relive a few of my own memories- Yeah...homesick -I mutter mostly to myself as I push down any stray emotions; I rarely got to see Artemis anymore, I wasn't going to bury her in my problems.
