Ghosting Around

Just a Gotham RP blog <⁠(⁠￣⁠︶⁠￣⁠)⁠>

[theunbustedghost]

// An RP blog for Only in Gotham, alt of @plaguedbysanity \\

Hey there, I'm Aster. Aster Voss. (She/her) Fairly new to Gotham... I've been here for about a year. As AWFUL as this city is it's already home. A rat, roach, and psychopath infested home.

...About me? Uh, yeah. Sure. I'm a college student at Gotham Uni, majoring in linguistics and archaeology. I already have a few degrees under my belt, namely anthropology and philology. Yes, before you ask, I do not have a life outside of classes. Hate my classmate Dennis with the fury of a thousand suns, he is the WORST... My roommate Ro ( @greeneyeswhitedragon ) is alright though. Pretty much my best friend. I'm pretty aloof, but very into my actual interests. ...I do have an anger problem, but I'm working on it. Sort of. You might notice my accent. My grandad raised me, and he was very British, so you could say I picked it up.

Appearance? Weird that you'd ask, but sure. Most recognizable'd be my hair; It's a fluffy, curly shag that's currently dyed periwinkle. Greyish eyes, a few freckles here and there... My skin's brown, but a bit lighter than it should be due to the astounding lack of sun in this city. 5'8.

Likes? Being left alone. *Sigh,* fine. ...History, ancient languages, curses and myths... Music, cats... Long walks in the (hopefully not acidic) rain. Tea of every kind (or caffeine in general), and Rowan, my roommate. Also, memes. The dumber the better.

Dislikes? Dennis, one of my classmates. Riddler (still annoyed after being kidnapped). Scarecrow. I hate Scarecrow. People...usually. Being interrupted while researching... Rats, I had a bad experience discovering a rat cult a while ago which stuck with me... Oh, and fish. Not sure why. I just really hate fish. ...As food. Sharks are cool. Oh, and did I mention that I really hate Dennis?

Anyways, you might see me around. Or not. I've got a knack for disappearing.

[theunbustedghost]

The apartment is small and rather cluttered, obviously lived in. One door is open, leading towards an office? No, wait, that's a bedroom. With all of the papers strewn about, the mistake is easy to make. A scroll lies open on the desk, surrounded by various journals, photographs, scribbled-on napkins, and a laptop complete with twenty eight tabs.

The second–presumably bedroom–door is closed. Quiet snores are audible from within.

Over on the kitchen stove, a kettle whistles. Aster makes quick use of the water in terms of brewing tea for herself, and her unexpected visitor.

// @gothamitenightingale \\

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade blinked slowly at the environment. It was cozy, kind of... calm. Safe-ish feeling. The paper-covered bedroom made her think of Tim.

"'s nice 'ere. Tha's yours?"

She pointed at the open door, trying for a mildly curious expression.

[theunbustedghost]

“Ah, thanks. Most of the actual decor's my roommate's work,” Aster responded. “And yeah. That one's mine.”

Stirring her own mug, she glanced over at Jade, lifting an eyebrow. “Any fixings in yours? Cream, sugar?”

[gothamitenightingale]

"Makes me think of RR's. 'e's got a million things out all the time too."

She leaned against the wall and glanced over with a small shrug.

"Don' care too much, I don' 'ave tea tha' often. Cream's nice."

[theunbustedghost]

She tilted her head in a nod, added mixed in some creamer, and returned with two mugs in tow.

Aster snickered quietly. “Red Robin's got his own personal archive too, huh? Guess that makes sense.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade took her mug with lopsided grin.

"Ya. Most've us do, he's jus' messier about it."

She took a sip and her face lit up, midnight black eyes sparkling a little as she immediately swallowed another mouthful. It reminded her of the tea that her mother made. She hadn't found much like her mother's tea in years, that was why she didn't drink it much anymore.

"This's good! Where'd y' learn?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster tilted her head slightly, and found her own lips twitching into a smile as well. That glimmer didn't go unnoticed. For reasons unknown to herself, it made her feel sort of... Warm.

She blew out a chuckle, and took a sip from her own mug. “My grandad was very, very British. You could say I learned from the best.” Her grin grew a bit lopsided as well, and Aster found herself rolling her eyes. “Thanks. It's good to hear someone enjoy it, Ro's never been a fan of tea.”

Aster thumbed towards the closed door. As if out of subconscious pettiness, the snores grew louder. Aster snickered.

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade put a hand over her mouth to keep herself from laughing before she swallowed her current mouthful, which would probably result in one of those unfortunate situations where one would spray whatever liquid they are drinking out of their nose.

"'e sounds great. 've talked t'him once or twice."

She hummed thoughtfully, thinking back to what Aster had told her and a slow grin spread across her face.

"Y' said y've met one of us? Where?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster nodded along and leaned against her doorframe. “Outside of Gotham U. Said he was heading to a taco stand down the block.”

...She raised an eyebrow, narrowing her eyes in curious, almost playful suspicion. “...why?”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade managed to swallow her mouthful of tea just before wheezing.

"Y' caught Hood outside Gotham Uni goin' for tacos?"

She cackled abruptly.

"'m never lettin' 'im live tha' one down. He hates tacos when I make 'em."

She took another mouthful of tea and swallowed, thinking it over.

"Don' snitch- Did he know who y' were?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster wasn't so lucky, and almost choked on her tea.

“Oh, damn. Red Hood? He was real excited about those tacos too.” She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and laughed as she shook her head. “I won't. And, uh, nah. Don't think so at least. Seeing as he asked.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade snickered.

"'m totally gonna bug 'im about tha'. If y' answered honestly 'e prob'ly knows most've y' life's story by now, but now I know he jus' pretends t'hate tacos."

She leaned against the wall again, lopsided grin nearly splitting her face.

"If y' see 'im again make sure t'bug 'im about tha' for me."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster puffed out a laugh. “Will do. Promise.”

She paused for a second before letting out an annoyed sigh...which very quickly graduated to a groan. Aster tilted her head back to rest against the doorframe with a quiet thunk.

“...Bug him for me too. All his questions made me late,” she sneered. “I had to sit next to Dennis Collins again. God, I hate that guy.”

[gothamitenightingale]

"Oooffff."

Jade winced in sympathy.

"Looked into tha' kid, he sounds like he sucks."

She took another sip of her tea and her midnight eyes narrowed with mischief.

"....'s stuffin' 'is socks with glitter enough payback for y'?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster grew a slow, wicked grin, and turned her head back to Jade.

Grey eyes hidden behind comically fluffy hair sparked with a playful sort of danger.

“...Oh, I like the way you think.”

She took a sip of tea and swirled her mug around, as if mulling a few thoughts over. “...But I do wonder... Why stop at the socks?”

[gothamitenightingale]

Both her eyebrows shot up, eyes wide with interest.

"...Ya?"

[theunbustedghost]

“I mean...” Aster let out an almost evil chuckle. “...I know you're here to take a look at the scroll, but a little plotting never hurt anyone. Well- Actually it has. But this is more so...severe inconvenience plotting. Like, say...”

She waved her mug around, flashing a devilish grin. “Replace his toothpaste with glue. Sand in his shoes. Itching powder in his favorite hoodie.”

She winked and took a sip, eyes twinkling mischievously. “Get creative with it, ya know?”

[gothamitenightingale]

If Jade had looked mischevious before, now she looked downright devious.

"....Y'know anywhere tha's got cheap, nontoxic glue?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster took a slow sip and nodded. She glanced towards Rowan's door.

“Free, cheap, and owned by a guy that sleeps like a bear.” Her face split into a downright evil grin as she looked back at Jade. “...He also wouldn't mind. Probably.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade cackled abruptly.

"Commitin' a theft instead of stoppin' one? Y're a horrible influence an' y're not even my sister yet."

She leaned back and thought it over, still grinning.

"Could glue 'is door's hinges. Plus mix tha' an' some glitter in 'is toothpaste."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster paused for just a second. It was almost unnoticeable. Despite all that she'd joked, a family... A new family was still a novel concept to her. After all, she'd never known her parents, and her grandfather had passed years ago. It was almost scary how natural this role came to her.

She blinked the sudden dullness out of her eyes, and snickered before she continued. “At least, as far as bad influences go, I do like tacos.” Aster's eyes flashed with a playful variation of spite.

She waved a hand through the air and rolled her eyes, mocking a sense of disdain. “And besides, he owes me. He borrowed one of my books last week and returned it with a coffee stain. A small one, but a stain's a stain. Ooh...” An idea struck. Aster snapped her fingers “...Water damage to the notes Dennis copied off of me.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade snickered, completely oblivious to the split-second pause. She was used to this now, used to Steph teaching her the ways of Chaos and Babs erasing evidence. A sister was a foreign thing to her once. Not anymore.

"Ooh. I can help with tha'. Wha's 'is room?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster grinned. “For the first time ever, I'm actually happy to say that Dennis lives next door.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Another somewhat maniac-sounding cackle.

"Two minutes flat. Y' got a cup of water?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster pushed off of the doorframe and filled a glass with water. Seeing as it was Gotham tap, it had a sickly greenish-grey tint to it. Lovely.

“Here ya go, knock yourself out.” She winked and slid the glass forward. “I'll be waiting.”

Aster glanced into her wasteland of a bedroom and winced. “...I'll. Uh. Clear a path to my desk for when you're back.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade took the cup and flashed a grin, slipping out the window again in dead silence.

Less than a minute later she slipped back in and shut the window, immediately bursting into muffled cackles.

"How mad do y' think he's gonna be?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster snorted, breaking into a series of her own cackles as well. She didn't bother to muffle them, seeing as Rowan had slept through literal shootings before.

“Oh, absolutely livid,” she grinned, her eyes gleaming with mirth. She set a few more papers aside in her room and glanced over at Jade, mischief etched into her features. “But if he tries anything tomorrow, he'll be sorry he started bothering me in the first place.” Another wink.

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade picked up her tea and downed the rest of it with a grin.

"Lemme know if he gets unbearable an' I know a lotta ways t'cover a murder."

She joked.

[theunbustedghost]

Aster snickered. “Mm. Might have to take you up on that.” She headed back and leaned against her desk, tilting her head in a side nod as she finished her own mug of tea. “...Joking, obviously. Maybe. Possibly. ...Mostly.”

She sighed and cracked her neck. After brushing an unruly lock of dyed hair out of her face, Aster finally gestured to the open scroll on the desk.

“Aaanyways... Here's the scroll.” Aster picked up a pair of silver rimmed glasses, put them on, and adjusted them slightly before bending over the artifact.

She rested her hands on the desk, gesturing to various words and phrases. “Now, this one here that I've annotated in my journal's the one that...” She paused and tilted her head in thought. “Well... I wouldn't say killed, more so... Temporarily turned me into a spirit. So, be mindful of that one. At first I thought this entire scroll could be themed around death-based curses and spells, but the chant below it calls for a good harvest, so it's more likely some sort of almanac from ages ago.”

Aster grinned at Jade, causing her glasses to slip a bit down her nose. “Pretty cool, huh?”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade stared with wide-eyed interest, reaching out hesitantly to run her fingers over the writings.

"Huh..."

She mumbled.

"Ya.... where'd y' find this again?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster breathed out a quiet laugh.

“In a dusty cardboard box over at Gotham U's library. It should be in a museum.”

She adjusted her glasses and glanced to the side, her face splitting into a lopsided grin.

“And it will be. Aaaaas soon as I'm done taking a look at it...”

[gothamitenightingale]

"Strange."

Jade made a mental note to investigate the university later. Having something like this just... tucked away somewhere seemed strange and suspicious.

"What do y' think it is?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster took a breath and tilted her head back, leaning more of her weight onto the desk. Clearly thinking, she nodded to herself before settling on an answer.

“If I were to guess...” She leaned over the scroll, casting a studious gaze. “This was made by some sort of student, ages ago. Likely a devotee of some sort, learning spells and incantations from someone more experienced.”

She let out a quiet hum and narrowed her eyes, analyzing the script.

“See, here,” Aster picked up a pen to use as a pointer of sorts, and drew Jade's attention to some of the characters on the scroll. “The inking is a bit wobbly. The writer wasn't too sure of themselves yet. And judging from the blotting,” another gesture, “they had to pause once or twice for confirmation.”

She chuckled quietly, and a small smile twitched into existence on her face. “Not too different from students today, huh–”

Clink.

...The pen had fallen. Slipped right through Aster's hands, literally. She stared at it blankly for a second. That was... Strange. Certainly. But, granted, she had been awake for an absurd amount of time and had had an understandably wretched week. She had certainly just imagined that. ...Right?

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade tilted her head as Aster spoke - Birdlike, probably something she picked up from her siblings - and hummed softly.

"Hm. Good points- Any guesses at where it came from 'r-"

The clink of the pen stopped her mid-sentance, and she to stare directly at Aster now, scroll forgotten.

"...How long's it been since y' last slept...?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster remained silent for a few seconds, now working her fingers while watching them in tensed suspicion.

“Uhm...”

That was actually a good question. She nodded in thought, closing her eyes for a moment.

“About... Thirty seven hours, now. Probably. Class. Work. Studying.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade hummed thoughtfully. To be honest, she'd stayed up for a lot longer.

"'kay, tha's not too bad. Y' shoul' prob'ly sleep though."

She snickered.

"Y're remindin' me more an' more of RR at this point."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster burst into a cackle. “Is that why he's always zoning out in living rooms? And... Yeah,” she tilted her head to the side. “Probably.”

She paused for a moment, glancing back at her hand.

“...Usually it takes me longer to start seeing things,” Aster forced a chuckle. “Maybe I'm coming down with something.”

[gothamitenightingale]

"Ya- he's ridiculous."

Jade huffed, almost looking fondly annoyed.

She blinked at Aster's hand and her eyes narrowed a little.

"Hm- Hol' on, pick somethin' else up? Let's jus' double check this isn' somethin' funny."

[theunbustedghost]

...Reluctantly, Aster nodded. She reached down to lift her journal.

Her fingers grazed the surface, touching it solidly. Aster nodded to herself, reassured by this, and attempted to lift the journal...

...Only for her hands to pass right through it. She sucked in a sharp breath and took a step back. Her eyes, now widened, examined her shaking hands.

They certainly looked fine. She held them together and could feel the touch. Firm. Warm. Calloused. ...Static?

They phased straight through each other, taking on a translucent glow, like lightly frosted glass. Then, just as before, they were back to normal.

Aster shuddered, “The hell–”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade was dead silent now, and a shade or two paler than she had been.

"Tha's weird."

She hesitantly held out her hand.

"Jus'- Can y' still touch me?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster took a deep, albeit shaky breath, and reached out to touch Jade's hand. To her relief, it worked.

Sure, yes, it felt like she had to will herself in place, but it worked. She nodded slowly.

“Yes- Yeah. I,” she swallowed. “I just have to... Focus on it, I think.”

//Essentially, as a side effect of the spell from earlier, a part of her is technically still “dead.” She can utilize that part to function as a ghost of sorts.\\

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade relaxed, just a little. Okay? What-

"O- okay. Maybe 's a side effect from earlier?"

She squinted at the scrolls.

"...I think this's where I dunno where t'go."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster nodded slowly, piecing things together in her mind.

“You're probably right. It's the only... Logical answer, at least. The static feeling is similar.”

She took a step back, and glanced down at the scroll.

“...Well. I guess I have a new research project now.”

Despite the anxiety thrumming through her veins, a morbid sort of curiosity glinted in her eyes. Aster's gaze fell to her own hands once more.

“...Fascinating.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade poked the notes again gently and hummed

"I think when y' said y' codename woul' be Ghost y' jinxed somethin'."

She snickered.

[theunbustedghost]

Aster burst into a laugh and covered her mouth as it evolved into a cackle. She glanced over at Jade, grinning lopsidedly.

“Oh, god, you're right. I really did didn't I?”

She let out a quiet sigh and rubbed her neck.

“That's still an...” Aster paused, mulling over the thoughts in her head. “...An interesting thought, I guess.”

She looked back at Jade, her grey eyes sparkling dimly, as if the light inside was weighed down something internal.

“Life has a way of throwing wrenches in one's plans, doesn't it?”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade scrunched up her face and tilted it slightly. Her face looked a little sad now too.

"Ya.... Did y'know I came from Crime Alley? Thought Hood was gonna kill me over somethin'"

She shrugged. She looked like she was remembering something.

"He brought me home instead."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster's face softened, though her brow furrowed in... Concern? Curiosity? Or is that empathy?

“...Crime Alley, huh? I guessed, based on your accent.” She paused and let out a breath, before crossing her arms.

Aster turned and leaned against her desk, glancing over Jade observantly. Her tone softened slightly, and her voice fell quiet.

“Home, huh? I guess that makes sense. I've heard the Bats don't like leaving strays alone... That was kind of him.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade sighed.

"'s still tha' obvious? 've been tryna mask some."

She snickered abruptly.

"Oh nah, there was no way. B folded like a table when Hood asked 'im."

She said cheerfully.

[theunbustedghost]

Aster quirked an eyebrow and grinned.

“Word of advice,” her eyes glinted mischievously, “don't try to mask an accent around someone who's spent their life studying accents and dialects.”

She let out a quiet sigh before continuing.

“...And that does sound like Batman. Though,” Aster's grin sunk along with her demeanor. Though still there, the smile turned almost dejected.

“Our inside joke's come to a bit of an end. He also isn't a fan of metas, right? And technically...”

...She glanced down at her crossed arms and raised a hand to flex it, not bothering to finish her sentence.

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade blinked. Then laughed.

"PFT- No! Tha's not gonna change anythin', y've 'eard of Signal right?"

She hummed a little, before continuing with a frown.

"'s not tha' he hates metas- metas're at huge risk 'ere, there's a massive black market targeted for them. They're at risk 'f bein' trafficked. So... It might be safer not t'tell anyone about this, ya?"

[theunbustedghost]

Right... Signal. That rang a bell.

“Ah, right, Signal. That's... He's the day shift, right?”

It made sense. Aster nodded slowly, and adjusted her glasses. She had to concentrate to be sure they wouldn't fall through her fingers... She'd have to practice that.

“...Yeah. Probably a good idea.”

[gothamitenightingale]

"Bingo. He's a meta, got strange light-based powers I don' fully get but they're handy sometimes."

Jade relaxed a little, noting that at least Aster could still consistantly... do that. Whatever 'that' is. Touch things. Whatever.

"Don' worry though. We've torn down rings before, if y' get taken we'll find y' fast."

She promised.

[theunbustedghost]

Aster nodded. She met Jade's eyes and was genuinely thankful, but still, she couldn't help snickering slightly.

“At least I'm technically- Well.” She paused. “...Dead. Sort of. Partially?” She muttered to herself... “I'll have to figure that out.” Aster cleared her throat. “But yes, thank you!”

She tilted her head in almost owl-like fashion and smiled. “...It's appreciated. Everything is, and has been.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade grinned and gave a thumbs up.

"Always. We protect our own."

She glanced at the analogue clock on the wall and frowned.

"...I shoul' prob'ly touch base though, or Hood specifically's gonna have a PTSD episode. Last time I went missin' joker nearly killed me."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster chuckled and stood back up.

“Yeah, it's late. You head on back, don't want to scare the lot of 'em.”

She stretched, and glanced towards the kitchen before looking back at Jade.

“...Ro and I made cookies yesterday. You're welcome to take some to go. I'll try and figure out more of what's going on, and then probably crash.”

Aster winced, breaking into a dumb grin. “Exams tomorrow. A day I can't sleep through.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade gave a dramatic sigh.

"Exams. The bane of my existance."

She snickered.

"'m technically not s'posed t'eat food from people, but what Dad doesn' know won' hurt 'im, I guess. Doubt y'd poison me or somethin', so yes t'cookies."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster grinned.

“Help yourself. I mean, yes, Ro's a scientist and a little crazy. But he's fun crazy, not murder crazy. ...And he's got the science of baking down pat.”

She nodded towards the kitchen, where a cookie jar was waiting.

“I won't tell if you won't! Have a nice night. Or, as nice as it gets around here.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade didn't need more convincing. She helped herself to two cookies before moving to slip out the window, throwing a two fingered salute and lopsided grin in Aster's direction.

"See y'. Lemme know how long y' need Dad t'hold the adoption papers, I think he's got eyes on Ro too."

She laughed, and dropped out, firing her grapple so she swung instead of splattering in a red mess on the ground. New sisters were fun, apparently. She couldn't wait to see Aster again.

[theunbustedghost]

Aster returned the salute and grinned.

“Gotcha,” she snickered. “Catch you later.”

With a yawn, Aster sunk into her desk chair. It was time to figure a few things out. She'd have to remember to keep that cookie jar full for next time.

[theunbustedghost]

The apartment is small and rather cluttered, obviously lived in. One door is open, leading towards an office? No, wait, that's a bedroom. With all of the papers strewn about, the mistake is easy to make. A scroll lies open on the desk, surrounded by various journals, photographs, scribbled-on napkins, and a laptop complete with twenty eight tabs.

The second–presumably bedroom–door is closed. Quiet snores are audible from within.

Over on the kitchen stove, a kettle whistles. Aster makes quick use of the water in terms of brewing tea for herself, and her unexpected visitor.

// @gothamitenightingale \\

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade blinked slowly at the environment. It was cozy, kind of... calm. Safe-ish feeling. The paper-covered bedroom made her think of Tim.

"'s nice 'ere. Tha's yours?"

She pointed at the open door, trying for a mildly curious expression.

[theunbustedghost]

“Ah, thanks. Most of the actual decor's my roommate's work,” Aster responded. “And yeah. That one's mine.”

Stirring her own mug, she glanced over at Jade, lifting an eyebrow. “Any fixings in yours? Cream, sugar?”

[gothamitenightingale]

"Makes me think of RR's. 'e's got a million things out all the time too."

She leaned against the wall and glanced over with a small shrug.

"Don' care too much, I don' 'ave tea tha' often. Cream's nice."

[theunbustedghost]

She tilted her head in a nod, added mixed in some creamer, and returned with two mugs in tow.

Aster snickered quietly. “Red Robin's got his own personal archive too, huh? Guess that makes sense.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade took her mug with lopsided grin.

"Ya. Most've us do, he's jus' messier about it."

She took a sip and her face lit up, midnight black eyes sparkling a little as she immediately swallowed another mouthful. It reminded her of the tea that her mother made. She hadn't found much like her mother's tea in years, that was why she didn't drink it much anymore.

"This's good! Where'd y' learn?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster tilted her head slightly, and found her own lips twitching into a smile as well. That glimmer didn't go unnoticed. For reasons unknown to herself, it made her feel sort of... Warm.

She blew out a chuckle, and took a sip from her own mug. “My grandad was very, very British. You could say I learned from the best.” Her grin grew a bit lopsided as well, and Aster found herself rolling her eyes. “Thanks. It's good to hear someone enjoy it, Ro's never been a fan of tea.”

Aster thumbed towards the closed door. As if out of subconscious pettiness, the snores grew louder. Aster snickered.

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade put a hand over her mouth to keep herself from laughing before she swallowed her current mouthful, which would probably result in one of those unfortunate situations where one would spray whatever liquid they are drinking out of their nose.

"'e sounds great. 've talked t'him once or twice."

She hummed thoughtfully, thinking back to what Aster had told her and a slow grin spread across her face.

"Y' said y've met one of us? Where?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster nodded along and leaned against her doorframe. “Outside of Gotham U. Said he was heading to a taco stand down the block.”

...She raised an eyebrow, narrowing her eyes in curious, almost playful suspicion. “...why?”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade managed to swallow her mouthful of tea just before wheezing.

"Y' caught Hood outside Gotham Uni goin' for tacos?"

She cackled abruptly.

"'m never lettin' 'im live tha' one down. He hates tacos when I make 'em."

She took another mouthful of tea and swallowed, thinking it over.

"Don' snitch- Did he know who y' were?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster wasn't so lucky, and almost choked on her tea.

“Oh, damn. Red Hood? He was real excited about those tacos too.” She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and laughed as she shook her head. “I won't. And, uh, nah. Don't think so at least. Seeing as he asked.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade snickered.

"'m totally gonna bug 'im about tha'. If y' answered honestly 'e prob'ly knows most've y' life's story by now, but now I know he jus' pretends t'hate tacos."

She leaned against the wall again, lopsided grin nearly splitting her face.

"If y' see 'im again make sure t'bug 'im about tha' for me."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster puffed out a laugh. “Will do. Promise.”

She paused for a second before letting out an annoyed sigh...which very quickly graduated to a groan. Aster tilted her head back to rest against the doorframe with a quiet thunk.

“...Bug him for me too. All his questions made me late,” she sneered. “I had to sit next to Dennis Collins again. God, I hate that guy.”

[gothamitenightingale]

"Oooffff."

Jade winced in sympathy.

"Looked into tha' kid, he sounds like he sucks."

She took another sip of her tea and her midnight eyes narrowed with mischief.

"....'s stuffin' 'is socks with glitter enough payback for y'?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster grew a slow, wicked grin, and turned her head back to Jade.

Grey eyes hidden behind comically fluffy hair sparked with a playful sort of danger.

“...Oh, I like the way you think.”

She took a sip of tea and swirled her mug around, as if mulling a few thoughts over. “...But I do wonder... Why stop at the socks?”

[gothamitenightingale]

Both her eyebrows shot up, eyes wide with interest.

"...Ya?"

[theunbustedghost]

“I mean...” Aster let out an almost evil chuckle. “...I know you're here to take a look at the scroll, but a little plotting never hurt anyone. Well- Actually it has. But this is more so...severe inconvenience plotting. Like, say...”

She waved her mug around, flashing a devilish grin. “Replace his toothpaste with glue. Sand in his shoes. Itching powder in his favorite hoodie.”

She winked and took a sip, eyes twinkling mischievously. “Get creative with it, ya know?”

[gothamitenightingale]

If Jade had looked mischevious before, now she looked downright devious.

"....Y'know anywhere tha's got cheap, nontoxic glue?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster took a slow sip and nodded. She glanced towards Rowan's door.

“Free, cheap, and owned by a guy that sleeps like a bear.” Her face split into a downright evil grin as she looked back at Jade. “...He also wouldn't mind. Probably.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade cackled abruptly.

"Commitin' a theft instead of stoppin' one? Y're a horrible influence an' y're not even my sister yet."

She leaned back and thought it over, still grinning.

"Could glue 'is door's hinges. Plus mix tha' an' some glitter in 'is toothpaste."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster paused for just a second. It was almost unnoticeable. Despite all that she'd joked, a family... A new family was still a novel concept to her. After all, she'd never known her parents, and her grandfather had passed years ago. It was almost scary how natural this role came to her.

She blinked the sudden dullness out of her eyes, and snickered before she continued. “At least, as far as bad influences go, I do like tacos.” Aster's eyes flashed with a playful variation of spite.

She waved a hand through the air and rolled her eyes, mocking a sense of disdain. “And besides, he owes me. He borrowed one of my books last week and returned it with a coffee stain. A small one, but a stain's a stain. Ooh...” An idea struck. Aster snapped her fingers “...Water damage to the notes Dennis copied off of me.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade snickered, completely oblivious to the split-second pause. She was used to this now, used to Steph teaching her the ways of Chaos and Babs erasing evidence. A sister was a foreign thing to her once. Not anymore.

"Ooh. I can help with tha'. Wha's 'is room?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster grinned. “For the first time ever, I'm actually happy to say that Dennis lives next door.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Another somewhat maniac-sounding cackle.

"Two minutes flat. Y' got a cup of water?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster pushed off of the doorframe and filled a glass with water. Seeing as it was Gotham tap, it had a sickly greenish-grey tint to it. Lovely.

“Here ya go, knock yourself out.” She winked and slid the glass forward. “I'll be waiting.”

Aster glanced into her wasteland of a bedroom and winced. “...I'll. Uh. Clear a path to my desk for when you're back.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade took the cup and flashed a grin, slipping out the window again in dead silence.

Less than a minute later she slipped back in and shut the window, immediately bursting into muffled cackles.

"How mad do y' think he's gonna be?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster snorted, breaking into a series of her own cackles as well. She didn't bother to muffle them, seeing as Rowan had slept through literal shootings before.

“Oh, absolutely livid,” she grinned, her eyes gleaming with mirth. She set a few more papers aside in her room and glanced over at Jade, mischief etched into her features. “But if he tries anything tomorrow, he'll be sorry he started bothering me in the first place.” Another wink.

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade picked up her tea and downed the rest of it with a grin.

"Lemme know if he gets unbearable an' I know a lotta ways t'cover a murder."

She joked.

[theunbustedghost]

Aster snickered. “Mm. Might have to take you up on that.” She headed back and leaned against her desk, tilting her head in a side nod as she finished her own mug of tea. “...Joking, obviously. Maybe. Possibly. ...Mostly.”

She sighed and cracked her neck. After brushing an unruly lock of dyed hair out of her face, Aster finally gestured to the open scroll on the desk.

“Aaanyways... Here's the scroll.” Aster picked up a pair of silver rimmed glasses, put them on, and adjusted them slightly before bending over the artifact.

She rested her hands on the desk, gesturing to various words and phrases. “Now, this one here that I've annotated in my journal's the one that...” She paused and tilted her head in thought. “Well... I wouldn't say killed, more so... Temporarily turned me into a spirit. So, be mindful of that one. At first I thought this entire scroll could be themed around death-based curses and spells, but the chant below it calls for a good harvest, so it's more likely some sort of almanac from ages ago.”

Aster grinned at Jade, causing her glasses to slip a bit down her nose. “Pretty cool, huh?”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade stared with wide-eyed interest, reaching out hesitantly to run her fingers over the writings.

"Huh..."

She mumbled.

"Ya.... where'd y' find this again?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster breathed out a quiet laugh.

“In a dusty cardboard box over at Gotham U's library. It should be in a museum.”

She adjusted her glasses and glanced to the side, her face splitting into a lopsided grin.

“And it will be. Aaaaas soon as I'm done taking a look at it...”

[gothamitenightingale]

"Strange."

Jade made a mental note to investigate the university later. Having something like this just... tucked away somewhere seemed strange and suspicious.

"What do y' think it is?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster took a breath and tilted her head back, leaning more of her weight onto the desk. Clearly thinking, she nodded to herself before settling on an answer.

“If I were to guess...” She leaned over the scroll, casting a studious gaze. “This was made by some sort of student, ages ago. Likely a devotee of some sort, learning spells and incantations from someone more experienced.”

She let out a quiet hum and narrowed her eyes, analyzing the script.

“See, here,” Aster picked up a pen to use as a pointer of sorts, and drew Jade's attention to some of the characters on the scroll. “The inking is a bit wobbly. The writer wasn't too sure of themselves yet. And judging from the blotting,” another gesture, “they had to pause once or twice for confirmation.”

She chuckled quietly, and a small smile twitched into existence on her face. “Not too different from students today, huh–”

Clink.

...The pen had fallen. Slipped right through Aster's hands, literally. She stared at it blankly for a second. That was... Strange. Certainly. But, granted, she had been awake for an absurd amount of time and had had an understandably wretched week. She had certainly just imagined that. ...Right?

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade tilted her head as Aster spoke - Birdlike, probably something she picked up from her siblings - and hummed softly.

"Hm. Good points- Any guesses at where it came from 'r-"

The clink of the pen stopped her mid-sentance, and she to stare directly at Aster now, scroll forgotten.

"...How long's it been since y' last slept...?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster remained silent for a few seconds, now working her fingers while watching them in tensed suspicion.

“Uhm...”

That was actually a good question. She nodded in thought, closing her eyes for a moment.

“About... Thirty seven hours, now. Probably. Class. Work. Studying.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade hummed thoughtfully. To be honest, she'd stayed up for a lot longer.

"'kay, tha's not too bad. Y' shoul' prob'ly sleep though."

She snickered.

"Y're remindin' me more an' more of RR at this point."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster burst into a cackle. “Is that why he's always zoning out in living rooms? And... Yeah,” she tilted her head to the side. “Probably.”

She paused for a moment, glancing back at her hand.

“...Usually it takes me longer to start seeing things,” Aster forced a chuckle. “Maybe I'm coming down with something.”

[gothamitenightingale]

"Ya- he's ridiculous."

Jade huffed, almost looking fondly annoyed.

She blinked at Aster's hand and her eyes narrowed a little.

"Hm- Hol' on, pick somethin' else up? Let's jus' double check this isn' somethin' funny."

[theunbustedghost]

...Reluctantly, Aster nodded. She reached down to lift her journal.

Her fingers grazed the surface, touching it solidly. Aster nodded to herself, reassured by this, and attempted to lift the journal...

...Only for her hands to pass right through it. She sucked in a sharp breath and took a step back. Her eyes, now widened, examined her shaking hands.

They certainly looked fine. She held them together and could feel the touch. Firm. Warm. Calloused. ...Static?

They phased straight through each other, taking on a translucent glow, like lightly frosted glass. Then, just as before, they were back to normal.

Aster shuddered, “The hell–”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade was dead silent now, and a shade or two paler than she had been.

"Tha's weird."

She hesitantly held out her hand.

"Jus'- Can y' still touch me?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster took a deep, albeit shaky breath, and reached out to touch Jade's hand. To her relief, it worked.

Sure, yes, it felt like she had to will herself in place, but it worked. She nodded slowly.

“Yes- Yeah. I,” she swallowed. “I just have to... Focus on it, I think.”

//Essentially, as a side effect of the spell from earlier, a part of her is technically still “dead.” She can utilize that part to function as a ghost of sorts.\\

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade relaxed, just a little. Okay? What-

"O- okay. Maybe 's a side effect from earlier?"

She squinted at the scrolls.

"...I think this's where I dunno where t'go."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster nodded slowly, piecing things together in her mind.

“You're probably right. It's the only... Logical answer, at least. The static feeling is similar.”

She took a step back, and glanced down at the scroll.

“...Well. I guess I have a new research project now.”

Despite the anxiety thrumming through her veins, a morbid sort of curiosity glinted in her eyes. Aster's gaze fell to her own hands once more.

“...Fascinating.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade poked the notes again gently and hummed

"I think when y' said y' codename woul' be Ghost y' jinxed somethin'."

She snickered.

[theunbustedghost]

Aster burst into a laugh and covered her mouth as it evolved into a cackle. She glanced over at Jade, grinning lopsidedly.

“Oh, god, you're right. I really did didn't I?”

She let out a quiet sigh and rubbed her neck.

“That's still an...” Aster paused, mulling over the thoughts in her head. “...An interesting thought, I guess.”

She looked back at Jade, her grey eyes sparkling dimly, as if the light inside was weighed down something internal.

“Life has a way of throwing wrenches in one's plans, doesn't it?”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade scrunched up her face and tilted it slightly. Her face looked a little sad now too.

"Ya.... Did y'know I came from Crime Alley? Thought Hood was gonna kill me over somethin'"

She shrugged. She looked like she was remembering something.

"He brought me home instead."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster's face softened, though her brow furrowed in... Concern? Curiosity? Or is that empathy?

“...Crime Alley, huh? I guessed, based on your accent.” She paused and let out a breath, before crossing her arms.

Aster turned and leaned against her desk, glancing over Jade observantly. Her tone softened slightly, and her voice fell quiet.

“Home, huh? I guess that makes sense. I've heard the Bats don't like leaving strays alone... That was kind of him.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade sighed.

"'s still tha' obvious? 've been tryna mask some."

She snickered abruptly.

"Oh nah, there was no way. B folded like a table when Hood asked 'im."

She said cheerfully.

[theunbustedghost]

Aster quirked an eyebrow and grinned.

“Word of advice,” her eyes glinted mischievously, “don't try to mask an accent around someone who's spent their life studying accents and dialects.”

She let out a quiet sigh before continuing.

“...And that does sound like Batman. Though,” Aster's grin sunk along with her demeanor. Though still there, the smile turned almost dejected.

“Our inside joke's come to a bit of an end. He also isn't a fan of metas, right? And technically...”

...She glanced down at her crossed arms and raised a hand to flex it, not bothering to finish her sentence.

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade blinked. Then laughed.

"PFT- No! Tha's not gonna change anythin', y've 'eard of Signal right?"

She hummed a little, before continuing with a frown.

"'s not tha' he hates metas- metas're at huge risk 'ere, there's a massive black market targeted for them. They're at risk 'f bein' trafficked. So... It might be safer not t'tell anyone about this, ya?"

[theunbustedghost]

Right... Signal. That rang a bell.

“Ah, right, Signal. That's... He's the day shift, right?”

It made sense. Aster nodded slowly, and adjusted her glasses. She had to concentrate to be sure they wouldn't fall through her fingers... She'd have to practice that.

“...Yeah. Probably a good idea.”

[gothamitenightingale]

"Bingo. He's a meta, got strange light-based powers I don' fully get but they're handy sometimes."

Jade relaxed a little, noting that at least Aster could still consistantly... do that. Whatever 'that' is. Touch things. Whatever.

"Don' worry though. We've torn down rings before, if y' get taken we'll find y' fast."

She promised.

[theunbustedghost]

Aster nodded. She met Jade's eyes and was genuinely thankful, but still, she couldn't help snickering slightly.

“At least I'm technically- Well.” She paused. “...Dead. Sort of. Partially?” She muttered to herself... “I'll have to figure that out.” Aster cleared her throat. “But yes, thank you!”

She tilted her head in almost owl-like fashion and smiled. “...It's appreciated. Everything is, and has been.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade grinned and gave a thumbs up.

"Always. We protect our own."

She glanced at the analogue clock on the wall and frowned.

"...I shoul' prob'ly touch base though, or Hood specifically's gonna have a PTSD episode. Last time I went missin' joker nearly killed me."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster chuckled and stood back up.

“Yeah, it's late. You head on back, don't want to scare the lot of 'em.”

She stretched, and glanced towards the kitchen before looking back at Jade.

“...Ro and I made cookies yesterday. You're welcome to take some to go. I'll try and figure out more of what's going on, and then probably crash.”

Aster winced, breaking into a dumb grin. “Exams tomorrow. A day I can't sleep through.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade gave a dramatic sigh.

"Exams. The bane of my existance."

She snickered.

"'m technically not s'posed t'eat food from people, but what Dad doesn' know won' hurt 'im, I guess. Doubt y'd poison me or somethin', so yes t'cookies."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster grinned.

“Help yourself. I mean, yes, Ro's a scientist and a little crazy. But he's fun crazy, not murder crazy. ...And he's got the science of baking down pat.”

She nodded towards the kitchen, where a cookie jar was waiting.

“I won't tell if you won't! Have a nice night. Or, as nice as it gets around here.”

[theunbustedghost]

The apartment is small and rather cluttered, obviously lived in. One door is open, leading towards an office? No, wait, that's a bedroom. With all of the papers strewn about, the mistake is easy to make. A scroll lies open on the desk, surrounded by various journals, photographs, scribbled-on napkins, and a laptop complete with twenty eight tabs.

The second–presumably bedroom–door is closed. Quiet snores are audible from within.

Over on the kitchen stove, a kettle whistles. Aster makes quick use of the water in terms of brewing tea for herself, and her unexpected visitor.

// @gothamitenightingale \\

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade blinked slowly at the environment. It was cozy, kind of... calm. Safe-ish feeling. The paper-covered bedroom made her think of Tim.

"'s nice 'ere. Tha's yours?"

She pointed at the open door, trying for a mildly curious expression.

[theunbustedghost]

“Ah, thanks. Most of the actual decor's my roommate's work,” Aster responded. “And yeah. That one's mine.”

Stirring her own mug, she glanced over at Jade, lifting an eyebrow. “Any fixings in yours? Cream, sugar?”

[gothamitenightingale]

"Makes me think of RR's. 'e's got a million things out all the time too."

She leaned against the wall and glanced over with a small shrug.

"Don' care too much, I don' 'ave tea tha' often. Cream's nice."

[theunbustedghost]

She tilted her head in a nod, added mixed in some creamer, and returned with two mugs in tow.

Aster snickered quietly. “Red Robin's got his own personal archive too, huh? Guess that makes sense.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade took her mug with lopsided grin.

"Ya. Most've us do, he's jus' messier about it."

She took a sip and her face lit up, midnight black eyes sparkling a little as she immediately swallowed another mouthful. It reminded her of the tea that her mother made. She hadn't found much like her mother's tea in years, that was why she didn't drink it much anymore.

"This's good! Where'd y' learn?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster tilted her head slightly, and found her own lips twitching into a smile as well. That glimmer didn't go unnoticed. For reasons unknown to herself, it made her feel sort of... Warm.

She blew out a chuckle, and took a sip from her own mug. “My grandad was very, very British. You could say I learned from the best.” Her grin grew a bit lopsided as well, and Aster found herself rolling her eyes. “Thanks. It's good to hear someone enjoy it, Ro's never been a fan of tea.”

Aster thumbed towards the closed door. As if out of subconscious pettiness, the snores grew louder. Aster snickered.

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade put a hand over her mouth to keep herself from laughing before she swallowed her current mouthful, which would probably result in one of those unfortunate situations where one would spray whatever liquid they are drinking out of their nose.

"'e sounds great. 've talked t'him once or twice."

She hummed thoughtfully, thinking back to what Aster had told her and a slow grin spread across her face.

"Y' said y've met one of us? Where?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster nodded along and leaned against her doorframe. “Outside of Gotham U. Said he was heading to a taco stand down the block.”

...She raised an eyebrow, narrowing her eyes in curious, almost playful suspicion. “...why?”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade managed to swallow her mouthful of tea just before wheezing.

"Y' caught Hood outside Gotham Uni goin' for tacos?"

She cackled abruptly.

"'m never lettin' 'im live tha' one down. He hates tacos when I make 'em."

She took another mouthful of tea and swallowed, thinking it over.

"Don' snitch- Did he know who y' were?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster wasn't so lucky, and almost choked on her tea.

“Oh, damn. Red Hood? He was real excited about those tacos too.” She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and laughed as she shook her head. “I won't. And, uh, nah. Don't think so at least. Seeing as he asked.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade snickered.

"'m totally gonna bug 'im about tha'. If y' answered honestly 'e prob'ly knows most've y' life's story by now, but now I know he jus' pretends t'hate tacos."

She leaned against the wall again, lopsided grin nearly splitting her face.

"If y' see 'im again make sure t'bug 'im about tha' for me."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster puffed out a laugh. “Will do. Promise.”

She paused for a second before letting out an annoyed sigh...which very quickly graduated to a groan. Aster tilted her head back to rest against the doorframe with a quiet thunk.

“...Bug him for me too. All his questions made me late,” she sneered. “I had to sit next to Dennis Collins again. God, I hate that guy.”

[gothamitenightingale]

"Oooffff."

Jade winced in sympathy.

"Looked into tha' kid, he sounds like he sucks."

She took another sip of her tea and her midnight eyes narrowed with mischief.

"....'s stuffin' 'is socks with glitter enough payback for y'?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster grew a slow, wicked grin, and turned her head back to Jade.

Grey eyes hidden behind comically fluffy hair sparked with a playful sort of danger.

“...Oh, I like the way you think.”

She took a sip of tea and swirled her mug around, as if mulling a few thoughts over. “...But I do wonder... Why stop at the socks?”

[gothamitenightingale]

Both her eyebrows shot up, eyes wide with interest.

"...Ya?"

[theunbustedghost]

“I mean...” Aster let out an almost evil chuckle. “...I know you're here to take a look at the scroll, but a little plotting never hurt anyone. Well- Actually it has. But this is more so...severe inconvenience plotting. Like, say...”

She waved her mug around, flashing a devilish grin. “Replace his toothpaste with glue. Sand in his shoes. Itching powder in his favorite hoodie.”

She winked and took a sip, eyes twinkling mischievously. “Get creative with it, ya know?”

[gothamitenightingale]

If Jade had looked mischevious before, now she looked downright devious.

"....Y'know anywhere tha's got cheap, nontoxic glue?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster took a slow sip and nodded. She glanced towards Rowan's door.

“Free, cheap, and owned by a guy that sleeps like a bear.” Her face split into a downright evil grin as she looked back at Jade. “...He also wouldn't mind. Probably.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade cackled abruptly.

"Commitin' a theft instead of stoppin' one? Y're a horrible influence an' y're not even my sister yet."

She leaned back and thought it over, still grinning.

"Could glue 'is door's hinges. Plus mix tha' an' some glitter in 'is toothpaste."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster paused for just a second. It was almost unnoticeable. Despite all that she'd joked, a family... A new family was still a novel concept to her. After all, she'd never known her parents, and her grandfather had passed years ago. It was almost scary how natural this role came to her.

She blinked the sudden dullness out of her eyes, and snickered before she continued. “At least, as far as bad influences go, I do like tacos.” Aster's eyes flashed with a playful variation of spite.

She waved a hand through the air and rolled her eyes, mocking a sense of disdain. “And besides, he owes me. He borrowed one of my books last week and returned it with a coffee stain. A small one, but a stain's a stain. Ooh...” An idea struck. Aster snapped her fingers “...Water damage to the notes Dennis copied off of me.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade snickered, completely oblivious to the split-second pause. She was used to this now, used to Steph teaching her the ways of Chaos and Babs erasing evidence. A sister was a foreign thing to her once. Not anymore.

"Ooh. I can help with tha'. Wha's 'is room?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster grinned. “For the first time ever, I'm actually happy to say that Dennis lives next door.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Another somewhat maniac-sounding cackle.

"Two minutes flat. Y' got a cup of water?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster pushed off of the doorframe and filled a glass with water. Seeing as it was Gotham tap, it had a sickly greenish-grey tint to it. Lovely.

“Here ya go, knock yourself out.” She winked and slid the glass forward. “I'll be waiting.”

Aster glanced into her wasteland of a bedroom and winced. “...I'll. Uh. Clear a path to my desk for when you're back.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade took the cup and flashed a grin, slipping out the window again in dead silence.

Less than a minute later she slipped back in and shut the window, immediately bursting into muffled cackles.

"How mad do y' think he's gonna be?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster snorted, breaking into a series of her own cackles as well. She didn't bother to muffle them, seeing as Rowan had slept through literal shootings before.

“Oh, absolutely livid,” she grinned, her eyes gleaming with mirth. She set a few more papers aside in her room and glanced over at Jade, mischief etched into her features. “But if he tries anything tomorrow, he'll be sorry he started bothering me in the first place.” Another wink.

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade picked up her tea and downed the rest of it with a grin.

"Lemme know if he gets unbearable an' I know a lotta ways t'cover a murder."

She joked.

[theunbustedghost]

Aster snickered. “Mm. Might have to take you up on that.” She headed back and leaned against her desk, tilting her head in a side nod as she finished her own mug of tea. “...Joking, obviously. Maybe. Possibly. ...Mostly.”

She sighed and cracked her neck. After brushing an unruly lock of dyed hair out of her face, Aster finally gestured to the open scroll on the desk.

“Aaanyways... Here's the scroll.” Aster picked up a pair of silver rimmed glasses, put them on, and adjusted them slightly before bending over the artifact.

She rested her hands on the desk, gesturing to various words and phrases. “Now, this one here that I've annotated in my journal's the one that...” She paused and tilted her head in thought. “Well... I wouldn't say killed, more so... Temporarily turned me into a spirit. So, be mindful of that one. At first I thought this entire scroll could be themed around death-based curses and spells, but the chant below it calls for a good harvest, so it's more likely some sort of almanac from ages ago.”

Aster grinned at Jade, causing her glasses to slip a bit down her nose. “Pretty cool, huh?”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade stared with wide-eyed interest, reaching out hesitantly to run her fingers over the writings.

"Huh..."

She mumbled.

"Ya.... where'd y' find this again?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster breathed out a quiet laugh.

“In a dusty cardboard box over at Gotham U's library. It should be in a museum.”

She adjusted her glasses and glanced to the side, her face splitting into a lopsided grin.

“And it will be. Aaaaas soon as I'm done taking a look at it...”

[gothamitenightingale]

"Strange."

Jade made a mental note to investigate the university later. Having something like this just... tucked away somewhere seemed strange and suspicious.

"What do y' think it is?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster took a breath and tilted her head back, leaning more of her weight onto the desk. Clearly thinking, she nodded to herself before settling on an answer.

“If I were to guess...” She leaned over the scroll, casting a studious gaze. “This was made by some sort of student, ages ago. Likely a devotee of some sort, learning spells and incantations from someone more experienced.”

She let out a quiet hum and narrowed her eyes, analyzing the script.

“See, here,” Aster picked up a pen to use as a pointer of sorts, and drew Jade's attention to some of the characters on the scroll. “The inking is a bit wobbly. The writer wasn't too sure of themselves yet. And judging from the blotting,” another gesture, “they had to pause once or twice for confirmation.”

She chuckled quietly, and a small smile twitched into existence on her face. “Not too different from students today, huh–”

Clink.

...The pen had fallen. Slipped right through Aster's hands, literally. She stared at it blankly for a second. That was... Strange. Certainly. But, granted, she had been awake for an absurd amount of time and had had an understandably wretched week. She had certainly just imagined that. ...Right?

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade tilted her head as Aster spoke - Birdlike, probably something she picked up from her siblings - and hummed softly.

"Hm. Good points- Any guesses at where it came from 'r-"

The clink of the pen stopped her mid-sentance, and she to stare directly at Aster now, scroll forgotten.

"...How long's it been since y' last slept...?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster remained silent for a few seconds, now working her fingers while watching them in tensed suspicion.

“Uhm...”

That was actually a good question. She nodded in thought, closing her eyes for a moment.

“About... Thirty seven hours, now. Probably. Class. Work. Studying.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade hummed thoughtfully. To be honest, she'd stayed up for a lot longer.

"'kay, tha's not too bad. Y' shoul' prob'ly sleep though."

She snickered.

"Y're remindin' me more an' more of RR at this point."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster burst into a cackle. “Is that why he's always zoning out in living rooms? And... Yeah,” she tilted her head to the side. “Probably.”

She paused for a moment, glancing back at her hand.

“...Usually it takes me longer to start seeing things,” Aster forced a chuckle. “Maybe I'm coming down with something.”

[gothamitenightingale]

"Ya- he's ridiculous."

Jade huffed, almost looking fondly annoyed.

She blinked at Aster's hand and her eyes narrowed a little.

"Hm- Hol' on, pick somethin' else up? Let's jus' double check this isn' somethin' funny."

[theunbustedghost]

...Reluctantly, Aster nodded. She reached down to lift her journal.

Her fingers grazed the surface, touching it solidly. Aster nodded to herself, reassured by this, and attempted to lift the journal...

...Only for her hands to pass right through it. She sucked in a sharp breath and took a step back. Her eyes, now widened, examined her shaking hands.

They certainly looked fine. She held them together and could feel the touch. Firm. Warm. Calloused. ...Static?

They phased straight through each other, taking on a translucent glow, like lightly frosted glass. Then, just as before, they were back to normal.

Aster shuddered, “The hell–”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade was dead silent now, and a shade or two paler than she had been.

"Tha's weird."

She hesitantly held out her hand.

"Jus'- Can y' still touch me?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster took a deep, albeit shaky breath, and reached out to touch Jade's hand. To her relief, it worked.

Sure, yes, it felt like she had to will herself in place, but it worked. She nodded slowly.

“Yes- Yeah. I,” she swallowed. “I just have to... Focus on it, I think.”

//Essentially, as a side effect of the spell from earlier, a part of her is technically still “dead.” She can utilize that part to function as a ghost of sorts.\\

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade relaxed, just a little. Okay? What-

"O- okay. Maybe 's a side effect from earlier?"

She squinted at the scrolls.

"...I think this's where I dunno where t'go."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster nodded slowly, piecing things together in her mind.

“You're probably right. It's the only... Logical answer, at least. The static feeling is similar.”

She took a step back, and glanced down at the scroll.

“...Well. I guess I have a new research project now.”

Despite the anxiety thrumming through her veins, a morbid sort of curiosity glinted in her eyes. Aster's gaze fell to her own hands once more.

“...Fascinating.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade poked the notes again gently and hummed

"I think when y' said y' codename woul' be Ghost y' jinxed somethin'."

She snickered.

[theunbustedghost]

Aster burst into a laugh and covered her mouth as it evolved into a cackle. She glanced over at Jade, grinning lopsidedly.

“Oh, god, you're right. I really did didn't I?”

She let out a quiet sigh and rubbed her neck.

“That's still an...” Aster paused, mulling over the thoughts in her head. “...An interesting thought, I guess.”

She looked back at Jade, her grey eyes sparkling dimly, as if the light inside was weighed down something internal.

“Life has a way of throwing wrenches in one's plans, doesn't it?”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade scrunched up her face and tilted it slightly. Her face looked a little sad now too.

"Ya.... Did y'know I came from Crime Alley? Thought Hood was gonna kill me over somethin'"

She shrugged. She looked like she was remembering something.

"He brought me home instead."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster's face softened, though her brow furrowed in... Concern? Curiosity? Or is that empathy?

“...Crime Alley, huh? I guessed, based on your accent.” She paused and let out a breath, before crossing her arms.

Aster turned and leaned against her desk, glancing over Jade observantly. Her tone softened slightly, and her voice fell quiet.

“Home, huh? I guess that makes sense. I've heard the Bats don't like leaving strays alone... That was kind of him.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade sighed.

"'s still tha' obvious? 've been tryna mask some."

She snickered abruptly.

"Oh nah, there was no way. B folded like a table when Hood asked 'im."

She said cheerfully.

[theunbustedghost]

Aster quirked an eyebrow and grinned.

“Word of advice,” her eyes glinted mischievously, “don't try to mask an accent around someone who's spent their life studying accents and dialects.”

She let out a quiet sigh before continuing.

“...And that does sound like Batman. Though,” Aster's grin sunk along with her demeanor. Though still there, the smile turned almost dejected.

“Our inside joke's come to a bit of an end. He also isn't a fan of metas, right? And technically...”

...She glanced down at her crossed arms and raised a hand to flex it, not bothering to finish her sentence.

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade blinked. Then laughed.

"PFT- No! Tha's not gonna change anythin', y've 'eard of Signal right?"

She hummed a little, before continuing with a frown.

"'s not tha' he hates metas- metas're at huge risk 'ere, there's a massive black market targeted for them. They're at risk 'f bein' trafficked. So... It might be safer not t'tell anyone about this, ya?"

[theunbustedghost]

Right... Signal. That rang a bell.

“Ah, right, Signal. That's... He's the day shift, right?”

It made sense. Aster nodded slowly, and adjusted her glasses. She had to concentrate to be sure they wouldn't fall through her fingers... She'd have to practice that.

“...Yeah. Probably a good idea.”

[gothamitenightingale]

"Bingo. He's a meta, got strange light-based powers I don' fully get but they're handy sometimes."

Jade relaxed a little, noting that at least Aster could still consistantly... do that. Whatever 'that' is. Touch things. Whatever.

"Don' worry though. We've torn down rings before, if y' get taken we'll find y' fast."

She promised.

[theunbustedghost]

Aster nodded. She met Jade's eyes and was genuinely thankful, but still, she couldn't help snickering slightly.

“At least I'm technically- Well.” She paused. “...Dead. Sort of. Partially?” She muttered to herself... “I'll have to figure that out.” Aster cleared her throat. “But yes, thank you!”

She tilted her head in almost owl-like fashion and smiled. “...It's appreciated. Everything is, and has been.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade grinned and gave a thumbs up.

"Always. We protect our own."

She glanced at the analogue clock on the wall and frowned.

"...I shoul' prob'ly touch base though, or Hood specifically's gonna have a PTSD episode. Last time I went missin' joker nearly killed me."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster chuckled and stood back up.

“Yeah, it's late. You head on back, don't want to scare the lot of 'em.”

She stretched, and glanced towards the kitchen before looking back at Jade.

“...Ro and I made cookies yesterday. You're welcome to take some to go. I'll try and figure out more of what's going on, and then probably crash.”

Aster winced, breaking into a dumb grin. “Exams tomorrow. A day I can't sleep through.”

[theunbustedghost]

The apartment is small and rather cluttered, obviously lived in. One door is open, leading towards an office? No, wait, that's a bedroom. With all of the papers strewn about, the mistake is easy to make. A scroll lies open on the desk, surrounded by various journals, photographs, scribbled-on napkins, and a laptop complete with twenty eight tabs.

The second–presumably bedroom–door is closed. Quiet snores are audible from within.

Over on the kitchen stove, a kettle whistles. Aster makes quick use of the water in terms of brewing tea for herself, and her unexpected visitor.

// @gothamitenightingale \\

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade blinked slowly at the environment. It was cozy, kind of... calm. Safe-ish feeling. The paper-covered bedroom made her think of Tim.

"'s nice 'ere. Tha's yours?"

She pointed at the open door, trying for a mildly curious expression.

[theunbustedghost]

“Ah, thanks. Most of the actual decor's my roommate's work,” Aster responded. “And yeah. That one's mine.”

Stirring her own mug, she glanced over at Jade, lifting an eyebrow. “Any fixings in yours? Cream, sugar?”

[gothamitenightingale]

"Makes me think of RR's. 'e's got a million things out all the time too."

She leaned against the wall and glanced over with a small shrug.

"Don' care too much, I don' 'ave tea tha' often. Cream's nice."

[theunbustedghost]

She tilted her head in a nod, added mixed in some creamer, and returned with two mugs in tow.

Aster snickered quietly. “Red Robin's got his own personal archive too, huh? Guess that makes sense.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade took her mug with lopsided grin.

"Ya. Most've us do, he's jus' messier about it."

She took a sip and her face lit up, midnight black eyes sparkling a little as she immediately swallowed another mouthful. It reminded her of the tea that her mother made. She hadn't found much like her mother's tea in years, that was why she didn't drink it much anymore.

"This's good! Where'd y' learn?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster tilted her head slightly, and found her own lips twitching into a smile as well. That glimmer didn't go unnoticed. For reasons unknown to herself, it made her feel sort of... Warm.

She blew out a chuckle, and took a sip from her own mug. “My grandad was very, very British. You could say I learned from the best.” Her grin grew a bit lopsided as well, and Aster found herself rolling her eyes. “Thanks. It's good to hear someone enjoy it, Ro's never been a fan of tea.”

Aster thumbed towards the closed door. As if out of subconscious pettiness, the snores grew louder. Aster snickered.

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade put a hand over her mouth to keep herself from laughing before she swallowed her current mouthful, which would probably result in one of those unfortunate situations where one would spray whatever liquid they are drinking out of their nose.

"'e sounds great. 've talked t'him once or twice."

She hummed thoughtfully, thinking back to what Aster had told her and a slow grin spread across her face.

"Y' said y've met one of us? Where?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster nodded along and leaned against her doorframe. “Outside of Gotham U. Said he was heading to a taco stand down the block.”

...She raised an eyebrow, narrowing her eyes in curious, almost playful suspicion. “...why?”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade managed to swallow her mouthful of tea just before wheezing.

"Y' caught Hood outside Gotham Uni goin' for tacos?"

She cackled abruptly.

"'m never lettin' 'im live tha' one down. He hates tacos when I make 'em."

She took another mouthful of tea and swallowed, thinking it over.

"Don' snitch- Did he know who y' were?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster wasn't so lucky, and almost choked on her tea.

“Oh, damn. Red Hood? He was real excited about those tacos too.” She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and laughed as she shook her head. “I won't. And, uh, nah. Don't think so at least. Seeing as he asked.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade snickered.

"'m totally gonna bug 'im about tha'. If y' answered honestly 'e prob'ly knows most've y' life's story by now, but now I know he jus' pretends t'hate tacos."

She leaned against the wall again, lopsided grin nearly splitting her face.

"If y' see 'im again make sure t'bug 'im about tha' for me."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster puffed out a laugh. “Will do. Promise.”

She paused for a second before letting out an annoyed sigh...which very quickly graduated to a groan. Aster tilted her head back to rest against the doorframe with a quiet thunk.

“...Bug him for me too. All his questions made me late,” she sneered. “I had to sit next to Dennis Collins again. God, I hate that guy.”

[gothamitenightingale]

"Oooffff."

Jade winced in sympathy.

"Looked into tha' kid, he sounds like he sucks."

She took another sip of her tea and her midnight eyes narrowed with mischief.

"....'s stuffin' 'is socks with glitter enough payback for y'?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster grew a slow, wicked grin, and turned her head back to Jade.

Grey eyes hidden behind comically fluffy hair sparked with a playful sort of danger.

“...Oh, I like the way you think.”

She took a sip of tea and swirled her mug around, as if mulling a few thoughts over. “...But I do wonder... Why stop at the socks?”

[gothamitenightingale]

Both her eyebrows shot up, eyes wide with interest.

"...Ya?"

[theunbustedghost]

“I mean...” Aster let out an almost evil chuckle. “...I know you're here to take a look at the scroll, but a little plotting never hurt anyone. Well- Actually it has. But this is more so...severe inconvenience plotting. Like, say...”

She waved her mug around, flashing a devilish grin. “Replace his toothpaste with glue. Sand in his shoes. Itching powder in his favorite hoodie.”

She winked and took a sip, eyes twinkling mischievously. “Get creative with it, ya know?”

[gothamitenightingale]

If Jade had looked mischevious before, now she looked downright devious.

"....Y'know anywhere tha's got cheap, nontoxic glue?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster took a slow sip and nodded. She glanced towards Rowan's door.

“Free, cheap, and owned by a guy that sleeps like a bear.” Her face split into a downright evil grin as she looked back at Jade. “...He also wouldn't mind. Probably.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade cackled abruptly.

"Commitin' a theft instead of stoppin' one? Y're a horrible influence an' y're not even my sister yet."

She leaned back and thought it over, still grinning.

"Could glue 'is door's hinges. Plus mix tha' an' some glitter in 'is toothpaste."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster paused for just a second. It was almost unnoticeable. Despite all that she'd joked, a family... A new family was still a novel concept to her. After all, she'd never known her parents, and her grandfather had passed years ago. It was almost scary how natural this role came to her.

She blinked the sudden dullness out of her eyes, and snickered before she continued. “At least, as far as bad influences go, I do like tacos.” Aster's eyes flashed with a playful variation of spite.

She waved a hand through the air and rolled her eyes, mocking a sense of disdain. “And besides, he owes me. He borrowed one of my books last week and returned it with a coffee stain. A small one, but a stain's a stain. Ooh...” An idea struck. Aster snapped her fingers “...Water damage to the notes Dennis copied off of me.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade snickered, completely oblivious to the split-second pause. She was used to this now, used to Steph teaching her the ways of Chaos and Babs erasing evidence. A sister was a foreign thing to her once. Not anymore.

"Ooh. I can help with tha'. Wha's 'is room?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster grinned. “For the first time ever, I'm actually happy to say that Dennis lives next door.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Another somewhat maniac-sounding cackle.

"Two minutes flat. Y' got a cup of water?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster pushed off of the doorframe and filled a glass with water. Seeing as it was Gotham tap, it had a sickly greenish-grey tint to it. Lovely.

“Here ya go, knock yourself out.” She winked and slid the glass forward. “I'll be waiting.”

Aster glanced into her wasteland of a bedroom and winced. “...I'll. Uh. Clear a path to my desk for when you're back.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade took the cup and flashed a grin, slipping out the window again in dead silence.

Less than a minute later she slipped back in and shut the window, immediately bursting into muffled cackles.

"How mad do y' think he's gonna be?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster snorted, breaking into a series of her own cackles as well. She didn't bother to muffle them, seeing as Rowan had slept through literal shootings before.

“Oh, absolutely livid,” she grinned, her eyes gleaming with mirth. She set a few more papers aside in her room and glanced over at Jade, mischief etched into her features. “But if he tries anything tomorrow, he'll be sorry he started bothering me in the first place.” Another wink.

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade picked up her tea and downed the rest of it with a grin.

"Lemme know if he gets unbearable an' I know a lotta ways t'cover a murder."

She joked.

[theunbustedghost]

Aster snickered. “Mm. Might have to take you up on that.” She headed back and leaned against her desk, tilting her head in a side nod as she finished her own mug of tea. “...Joking, obviously. Maybe. Possibly. ...Mostly.”

She sighed and cracked her neck. After brushing an unruly lock of dyed hair out of her face, Aster finally gestured to the open scroll on the desk.

“Aaanyways... Here's the scroll.” Aster picked up a pair of silver rimmed glasses, put them on, and adjusted them slightly before bending over the artifact.

She rested her hands on the desk, gesturing to various words and phrases. “Now, this one here that I've annotated in my journal's the one that...” She paused and tilted her head in thought. “Well... I wouldn't say killed, more so... Temporarily turned me into a spirit. So, be mindful of that one. At first I thought this entire scroll could be themed around death-based curses and spells, but the chant below it calls for a good harvest, so it's more likely some sort of almanac from ages ago.”

Aster grinned at Jade, causing her glasses to slip a bit down her nose. “Pretty cool, huh?”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade stared with wide-eyed interest, reaching out hesitantly to run her fingers over the writings.

"Huh..."

She mumbled.

"Ya.... where'd y' find this again?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster breathed out a quiet laugh.

“In a dusty cardboard box over at Gotham U's library. It should be in a museum.”

She adjusted her glasses and glanced to the side, her face splitting into a lopsided grin.

“And it will be. Aaaaas soon as I'm done taking a look at it...”

[gothamitenightingale]

"Strange."

Jade made a mental note to investigate the university later. Having something like this just... tucked away somewhere seemed strange and suspicious.

"What do y' think it is?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster took a breath and tilted her head back, leaning more of her weight onto the desk. Clearly thinking, she nodded to herself before settling on an answer.

“If I were to guess...” She leaned over the scroll, casting a studious gaze. “This was made by some sort of student, ages ago. Likely a devotee of some sort, learning spells and incantations from someone more experienced.”

She let out a quiet hum and narrowed her eyes, analyzing the script.

“See, here,” Aster picked up a pen to use as a pointer of sorts, and drew Jade's attention to some of the characters on the scroll. “The inking is a bit wobbly. The writer wasn't too sure of themselves yet. And judging from the blotting,” another gesture, “they had to pause once or twice for confirmation.”

She chuckled quietly, and a small smile twitched into existence on her face. “Not too different from students today, huh–”

Clink.

...The pen had fallen. Slipped right through Aster's hands, literally. She stared at it blankly for a second. That was... Strange. Certainly. But, granted, she had been awake for an absurd amount of time and had had an understandably wretched week. She had certainly just imagined that. ...Right?

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade tilted her head as Aster spoke - Birdlike, probably something she picked up from her siblings - and hummed softly.

"Hm. Good points- Any guesses at where it came from 'r-"

The clink of the pen stopped her mid-sentance, and she to stare directly at Aster now, scroll forgotten.

"...How long's it been since y' last slept...?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster remained silent for a few seconds, now working her fingers while watching them in tensed suspicion.

“Uhm...”

That was actually a good question. She nodded in thought, closing her eyes for a moment.

“About... Thirty seven hours, now. Probably. Class. Work. Studying.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade hummed thoughtfully. To be honest, she'd stayed up for a lot longer.

"'kay, tha's not too bad. Y' shoul' prob'ly sleep though."

She snickered.

"Y're remindin' me more an' more of RR at this point."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster burst into a cackle. “Is that why he's always zoning out in living rooms? And... Yeah,” she tilted her head to the side. “Probably.”

She paused for a moment, glancing back at her hand.

“...Usually it takes me longer to start seeing things,” Aster forced a chuckle. “Maybe I'm coming down with something.”

[gothamitenightingale]

"Ya- he's ridiculous."

Jade huffed, almost looking fondly annoyed.

She blinked at Aster's hand and her eyes narrowed a little.

"Hm- Hol' on, pick somethin' else up? Let's jus' double check this isn' somethin' funny."

[theunbustedghost]

...Reluctantly, Aster nodded. She reached down to lift her journal.

Her fingers grazed the surface, touching it solidly. Aster nodded to herself, reassured by this, and attempted to lift the journal...

...Only for her hands to pass right through it. She sucked in a sharp breath and took a step back. Her eyes, now widened, examined her shaking hands.

They certainly looked fine. She held them together and could feel the touch. Firm. Warm. Calloused. ...Static?

They phased straight through each other, taking on a translucent glow, like lightly frosted glass. Then, just as before, they were back to normal.

Aster shuddered, “The hell–”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade was dead silent now, and a shade or two paler than she had been.

"Tha's weird."

She hesitantly held out her hand.

"Jus'- Can y' still touch me?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster took a deep, albeit shaky breath, and reached out to touch Jade's hand. To her relief, it worked.

Sure, yes, it felt like she had to will herself in place, but it worked. She nodded slowly.

“Yes- Yeah. I,” she swallowed. “I just have to... Focus on it, I think.”

//Essentially, as a side effect of the spell from earlier, a part of her is technically still “dead.” She can utilize that part to function as a ghost of sorts.\\

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade relaxed, just a little. Okay? What-

"O- okay. Maybe 's a side effect from earlier?"

She squinted at the scrolls.

"...I think this's where I dunno where t'go."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster nodded slowly, piecing things together in her mind.

“You're probably right. It's the only... Logical answer, at least. The static feeling is similar.”

She took a step back, and glanced down at the scroll.

“...Well. I guess I have a new research project now.”

Despite the anxiety thrumming through her veins, a morbid sort of curiosity glinted in her eyes. Aster's gaze fell to her own hands once more.

“...Fascinating.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade poked the notes again gently and hummed

"I think when y' said y' codename woul' be Ghost y' jinxed somethin'."

She snickered.

[theunbustedghost]

Aster burst into a laugh and covered her mouth as it evolved into a cackle. She glanced over at Jade, grinning lopsidedly.

“Oh, god, you're right. I really did didn't I?”

She let out a quiet sigh and rubbed her neck.

“That's still an...” Aster paused, mulling over the thoughts in her head. “...An interesting thought, I guess.”

She looked back at Jade, her grey eyes sparkling dimly, as if the light inside was weighed down something internal.

“Life has a way of throwing wrenches in one's plans, doesn't it?”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade scrunched up her face and tilted it slightly. Her face looked a little sad now too.

"Ya.... Did y'know I came from Crime Alley? Thought Hood was gonna kill me over somethin'"

She shrugged. She looked like she was remembering something.

"He brought me home instead."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster's face softened, though her brow furrowed in... Concern? Curiosity? Or is that empathy?

“...Crime Alley, huh? I guessed, based on your accent.” She paused and let out a breath, before crossing her arms.

Aster turned and leaned against her desk, glancing over Jade observantly. Her tone softened slightly, and her voice fell quiet.

“Home, huh? I guess that makes sense. I've heard the Bats don't like leaving strays alone... That was kind of him.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade sighed.

"'s still tha' obvious? 've been tryna mask some."

She snickered abruptly.

"Oh nah, there was no way. B folded like a table when Hood asked 'im."

She said cheerfully.

[theunbustedghost]

Aster quirked an eyebrow and grinned.

“Word of advice,” her eyes glinted mischievously, “don't try to mask an accent around someone who's spent their life studying accents and dialects.”

She let out a quiet sigh before continuing.

“...And that does sound like Batman. Though,” Aster's grin sunk along with her demeanor. Though still there, the smile turned almost dejected.

“Our inside joke's come to a bit of an end. He also isn't a fan of metas, right? And technically...”

...She glanced down at her crossed arms and raised a hand to flex it, not bothering to finish her sentence.

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade blinked. Then laughed.

"PFT- No! Tha's not gonna change anythin', y've 'eard of Signal right?"

She hummed a little, before continuing with a frown.

"'s not tha' he hates metas- metas're at huge risk 'ere, there's a massive black market targeted for them. They're at risk 'f bein' trafficked. So... It might be safer not t'tell anyone about this, ya?"

[theunbustedghost]

Right... Signal. That rang a bell.

“Ah, right, Signal. That's... He's the day shift, right?”

It made sense. Aster nodded slowly, and adjusted her glasses. She had to concentrate to be sure they wouldn't fall through her fingers... She'd have to practice that.

“...Yeah. Probably a good idea.”

[gothamitenightingale]

"Bingo. He's a meta, got strange light-based powers I don' fully get but they're handy sometimes."

Jade relaxed a little, noting that at least Aster could still consistantly... do that. Whatever 'that' is. Touch things. Whatever.

"Don' worry though. We've torn down rings before, if y' get taken we'll find y' fast."

She promised.

[theunbustedghost]

Aster nodded. She met Jade's eyes and was genuinely thankful, but still, she couldn't help snickering slightly.

“At least I'm technically- Well.” She paused. “...Dead. Sort of. Partially?” She muttered to herself... “I'll have to figure that out.” Aster cleared her throat. “But yes, thank you!”

She tilted her head in almost owl-like fashion and smiled. “...It's appreciated. Everything is, and has been.”

[theunbustedghost]

The apartment is small and rather cluttered, obviously lived in. One door is open, leading towards an office? No, wait, that's a bedroom. With all of the papers strewn about, the mistake is easy to make. A scroll lies open on the desk, surrounded by various journals, photographs, scribbled-on napkins, and a laptop complete with twenty eight tabs.

The second–presumably bedroom–door is closed. Quiet snores are audible from within.

Over on the kitchen stove, a kettle whistles. Aster makes quick use of the water in terms of brewing tea for herself, and her unexpected visitor.

// @gothamitenightingale \\

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade blinked slowly at the environment. It was cozy, kind of... calm. Safe-ish feeling. The paper-covered bedroom made her think of Tim.

"'s nice 'ere. Tha's yours?"

She pointed at the open door, trying for a mildly curious expression.

[theunbustedghost]

“Ah, thanks. Most of the actual decor's my roommate's work,” Aster responded. “And yeah. That one's mine.”

Stirring her own mug, she glanced over at Jade, lifting an eyebrow. “Any fixings in yours? Cream, sugar?”

[gothamitenightingale]

"Makes me think of RR's. 'e's got a million things out all the time too."

She leaned against the wall and glanced over with a small shrug.

"Don' care too much, I don' 'ave tea tha' often. Cream's nice."

[theunbustedghost]

She tilted her head in a nod, added mixed in some creamer, and returned with two mugs in tow.

Aster snickered quietly. “Red Robin's got his own personal archive too, huh? Guess that makes sense.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade took her mug with lopsided grin.

"Ya. Most've us do, he's jus' messier about it."

She took a sip and her face lit up, midnight black eyes sparkling a little as she immediately swallowed another mouthful. It reminded her of the tea that her mother made. She hadn't found much like her mother's tea in years, that was why she didn't drink it much anymore.

"This's good! Where'd y' learn?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster tilted her head slightly, and found her own lips twitching into a smile as well. That glimmer didn't go unnoticed. For reasons unknown to herself, it made her feel sort of... Warm.

She blew out a chuckle, and took a sip from her own mug. “My grandad was very, very British. You could say I learned from the best.” Her grin grew a bit lopsided as well, and Aster found herself rolling her eyes. “Thanks. It's good to hear someone enjoy it, Ro's never been a fan of tea.”

Aster thumbed towards the closed door. As if out of subconscious pettiness, the snores grew louder. Aster snickered.

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade put a hand over her mouth to keep herself from laughing before she swallowed her current mouthful, which would probably result in one of those unfortunate situations where one would spray whatever liquid they are drinking out of their nose.

"'e sounds great. 've talked t'him once or twice."

She hummed thoughtfully, thinking back to what Aster had told her and a slow grin spread across her face.

"Y' said y've met one of us? Where?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster nodded along and leaned against her doorframe. “Outside of Gotham U. Said he was heading to a taco stand down the block.”

...She raised an eyebrow, narrowing her eyes in curious, almost playful suspicion. “...why?”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade managed to swallow her mouthful of tea just before wheezing.

"Y' caught Hood outside Gotham Uni goin' for tacos?"

She cackled abruptly.

"'m never lettin' 'im live tha' one down. He hates tacos when I make 'em."

She took another mouthful of tea and swallowed, thinking it over.

"Don' snitch- Did he know who y' were?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster wasn't so lucky, and almost choked on her tea.

“Oh, damn. Red Hood? He was real excited about those tacos too.” She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and laughed as she shook her head. “I won't. And, uh, nah. Don't think so at least. Seeing as he asked.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade snickered.

"'m totally gonna bug 'im about tha'. If y' answered honestly 'e prob'ly knows most've y' life's story by now, but now I know he jus' pretends t'hate tacos."

She leaned against the wall again, lopsided grin nearly splitting her face.

"If y' see 'im again make sure t'bug 'im about tha' for me."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster puffed out a laugh. “Will do. Promise.”

She paused for a second before letting out an annoyed sigh...which very quickly graduated to a groan. Aster tilted her head back to rest against the doorframe with a quiet thunk.

“...Bug him for me too. All his questions made me late,” she sneered. “I had to sit next to Dennis Collins again. God, I hate that guy.”

[gothamitenightingale]

"Oooffff."

Jade winced in sympathy.

"Looked into tha' kid, he sounds like he sucks."

She took another sip of her tea and her midnight eyes narrowed with mischief.

"....'s stuffin' 'is socks with glitter enough payback for y'?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster grew a slow, wicked grin, and turned her head back to Jade.

Grey eyes hidden behind comically fluffy hair sparked with a playful sort of danger.

“...Oh, I like the way you think.”

She took a sip of tea and swirled her mug around, as if mulling a few thoughts over. “...But I do wonder... Why stop at the socks?”

[gothamitenightingale]

Both her eyebrows shot up, eyes wide with interest.

"...Ya?"

[theunbustedghost]

“I mean...” Aster let out an almost evil chuckle. “...I know you're here to take a look at the scroll, but a little plotting never hurt anyone. Well- Actually it has. But this is more so...severe inconvenience plotting. Like, say...”

She waved her mug around, flashing a devilish grin. “Replace his toothpaste with glue. Sand in his shoes. Itching powder in his favorite hoodie.”

She winked and took a sip, eyes twinkling mischievously. “Get creative with it, ya know?”

[gothamitenightingale]

If Jade had looked mischevious before, now she looked downright devious.

"....Y'know anywhere tha's got cheap, nontoxic glue?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster took a slow sip and nodded. She glanced towards Rowan's door.

“Free, cheap, and owned by a guy that sleeps like a bear.” Her face split into a downright evil grin as she looked back at Jade. “...He also wouldn't mind. Probably.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade cackled abruptly.

"Commitin' a theft instead of stoppin' one? Y're a horrible influence an' y're not even my sister yet."

She leaned back and thought it over, still grinning.

"Could glue 'is door's hinges. Plus mix tha' an' some glitter in 'is toothpaste."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster paused for just a second. It was almost unnoticeable. Despite all that she'd joked, a family... A new family was still a novel concept to her. After all, she'd never known her parents, and her grandfather had passed years ago. It was almost scary how natural this role came to her.

She blinked the sudden dullness out of her eyes, and snickered before she continued. “At least, as far as bad influences go, I do like tacos.” Aster's eyes flashed with a playful variation of spite.

She waved a hand through the air and rolled her eyes, mocking a sense of disdain. “And besides, he owes me. He borrowed one of my books last week and returned it with a coffee stain. A small one, but a stain's a stain. Ooh...” An idea struck. Aster snapped her fingers “...Water damage to the notes Dennis copied off of me.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade snickered, completely oblivious to the split-second pause. She was used to this now, used to Steph teaching her the ways of Chaos and Babs erasing evidence. A sister was a foreign thing to her once. Not anymore.

"Ooh. I can help with tha'. Wha's 'is room?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster grinned. “For the first time ever, I'm actually happy to say that Dennis lives next door.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Another somewhat maniac-sounding cackle.

"Two minutes flat. Y' got a cup of water?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster pushed off of the doorframe and filled a glass with water. Seeing as it was Gotham tap, it had a sickly greenish-grey tint to it. Lovely.

“Here ya go, knock yourself out.” She winked and slid the glass forward. “I'll be waiting.”

Aster glanced into her wasteland of a bedroom and winced. “...I'll. Uh. Clear a path to my desk for when you're back.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade took the cup and flashed a grin, slipping out the window again in dead silence.

Less than a minute later she slipped back in and shut the window, immediately bursting into muffled cackles.

"How mad do y' think he's gonna be?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster snorted, breaking into a series of her own cackles as well. She didn't bother to muffle them, seeing as Rowan had slept through literal shootings before.

“Oh, absolutely livid,” she grinned, her eyes gleaming with mirth. She set a few more papers aside in her room and glanced over at Jade, mischief etched into her features. “But if he tries anything tomorrow, he'll be sorry he started bothering me in the first place.” Another wink.

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade picked up her tea and downed the rest of it with a grin.

"Lemme know if he gets unbearable an' I know a lotta ways t'cover a murder."

She joked.

[theunbustedghost]

Aster snickered. “Mm. Might have to take you up on that.” She headed back and leaned against her desk, tilting her head in a side nod as she finished her own mug of tea. “...Joking, obviously. Maybe. Possibly. ...Mostly.”

She sighed and cracked her neck. After brushing an unruly lock of dyed hair out of her face, Aster finally gestured to the open scroll on the desk.

“Aaanyways... Here's the scroll.” Aster picked up a pair of silver rimmed glasses, put them on, and adjusted them slightly before bending over the artifact.

She rested her hands on the desk, gesturing to various words and phrases. “Now, this one here that I've annotated in my journal's the one that...” She paused and tilted her head in thought. “Well... I wouldn't say killed, more so... Temporarily turned me into a spirit. So, be mindful of that one. At first I thought this entire scroll could be themed around death-based curses and spells, but the chant below it calls for a good harvest, so it's more likely some sort of almanac from ages ago.”

Aster grinned at Jade, causing her glasses to slip a bit down her nose. “Pretty cool, huh?”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade stared with wide-eyed interest, reaching out hesitantly to run her fingers over the writings.

"Huh..."

She mumbled.

"Ya.... where'd y' find this again?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster breathed out a quiet laugh.

“In a dusty cardboard box over at Gotham U's library. It should be in a museum.”

She adjusted her glasses and glanced to the side, her face splitting into a lopsided grin.

“And it will be. Aaaaas soon as I'm done taking a look at it...”

[gothamitenightingale]

"Strange."

Jade made a mental note to investigate the university later. Having something like this just... tucked away somewhere seemed strange and suspicious.

"What do y' think it is?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster took a breath and tilted her head back, leaning more of her weight onto the desk. Clearly thinking, she nodded to herself before settling on an answer.

“If I were to guess...” She leaned over the scroll, casting a studious gaze. “This was made by some sort of student, ages ago. Likely a devotee of some sort, learning spells and incantations from someone more experienced.”

She let out a quiet hum and narrowed her eyes, analyzing the script.

“See, here,” Aster picked up a pen to use as a pointer of sorts, and drew Jade's attention to some of the characters on the scroll. “The inking is a bit wobbly. The writer wasn't too sure of themselves yet. And judging from the blotting,” another gesture, “they had to pause once or twice for confirmation.”

She chuckled quietly, and a small smile twitched into existence on her face. “Not too different from students today, huh–”

Clink.

...The pen had fallen. Slipped right through Aster's hands, literally. She stared at it blankly for a second. That was... Strange. Certainly. But, granted, she had been awake for an absurd amount of time and had had an understandably wretched week. She had certainly just imagined that. ...Right?

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade tilted her head as Aster spoke - Birdlike, probably something she picked up from her siblings - and hummed softly.

"Hm. Good points- Any guesses at where it came from 'r-"

The clink of the pen stopped her mid-sentance, and she to stare directly at Aster now, scroll forgotten.

"...How long's it been since y' last slept...?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster remained silent for a few seconds, now working her fingers while watching them in tensed suspicion.

“Uhm...”

That was actually a good question. She nodded in thought, closing her eyes for a moment.

“About... Thirty seven hours, now. Probably. Class. Work. Studying.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade hummed thoughtfully. To be honest, she'd stayed up for a lot longer.

"'kay, tha's not too bad. Y' shoul' prob'ly sleep though."

She snickered.

"Y're remindin' me more an' more of RR at this point."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster burst into a cackle. “Is that why he's always zoning out in living rooms? And... Yeah,” she tilted her head to the side. “Probably.”

She paused for a moment, glancing back at her hand.

“...Usually it takes me longer to start seeing things,” Aster forced a chuckle. “Maybe I'm coming down with something.”

[gothamitenightingale]

"Ya- he's ridiculous."

Jade huffed, almost looking fondly annoyed.

She blinked at Aster's hand and her eyes narrowed a little.

"Hm- Hol' on, pick somethin' else up? Let's jus' double check this isn' somethin' funny."

[theunbustedghost]

...Reluctantly, Aster nodded. She reached down to lift her journal.

Her fingers grazed the surface, touching it solidly. Aster nodded to herself, reassured by this, and attempted to lift the journal...

...Only for her hands to pass right through it. She sucked in a sharp breath and took a step back. Her eyes, now widened, examined her shaking hands.

They certainly looked fine. She held them together and could feel the touch. Firm. Warm. Calloused. ...Static?

They phased straight through each other, taking on a translucent glow, like lightly frosted glass. Then, just as before, they were back to normal.

Aster shuddered, “The hell–”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade was dead silent now, and a shade or two paler than she had been.

"Tha's weird."

She hesitantly held out her hand.

"Jus'- Can y' still touch me?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster took a deep, albeit shaky breath, and reached out to touch Jade's hand. To her relief, it worked.

Sure, yes, it felt like she had to will herself in place, but it worked. She nodded slowly.

“Yes- Yeah. I,” she swallowed. “I just have to... Focus on it, I think.”

//Essentially, as a side effect of the spell from earlier, a part of her is technically still “dead.” She can utilize that part to function as a ghost of sorts.\\

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade relaxed, just a little. Okay? What-

"O- okay. Maybe 's a side effect from earlier?"

She squinted at the scrolls.

"...I think this's where I dunno where t'go."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster nodded slowly, piecing things together in her mind.

“You're probably right. It's the only... Logical answer, at least. The static feeling is similar.”

She took a step back, and glanced down at the scroll.

“...Well. I guess I have a new research project now.”

Despite the anxiety thrumming through her veins, a morbid sort of curiosity glinted in her eyes. Aster's gaze fell to her own hands once more.

“...Fascinating.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade poked the notes again gently and hummed

"I think when y' said y' codename woul' be Ghost y' jinxed somethin'."

She snickered.

[theunbustedghost]

Aster burst into a laugh and covered her mouth as it evolved into a cackle. She glanced over at Jade, grinning lopsidedly.

“Oh, god, you're right. I really did didn't I?”

She let out a quiet sigh and rubbed her neck.

“That's still an...” Aster paused, mulling over the thoughts in her head. “...An interesting thought, I guess.”

She looked back at Jade, her grey eyes sparkling dimly, as if the light inside was weighed down something internal.

“Life has a way of throwing wrenches in one's plans, doesn't it?”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade scrunched up her face and tilted it slightly. Her face looked a little sad now too.

"Ya.... Did y'know I came from Crime Alley? Thought Hood was gonna kill me over somethin'"

She shrugged. She looked like she was remembering something.

"He brought me home instead."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster's face softened, though her brow furrowed in... Concern? Curiosity? Or is that empathy?

“...Crime Alley, huh? I guessed, based on your accent.” She paused and let out a breath, before crossing her arms.

Aster turned and leaned against her desk, glancing over Jade observantly. Her tone softened slightly, and her voice fell quiet.

“Home, huh? I guess that makes sense. I've heard the Bats don't like leaving strays alone... That was kind of him.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade sighed.

"'s still tha' obvious? 've been tryna mask some."

She snickered abruptly.

"Oh nah, there was no way. B folded like a table when Hood asked 'im."

She said cheerfully.

[theunbustedghost]

Aster quirked an eyebrow and grinned.

“Word of advice,” her eyes glinted mischievously, “don't try to mask an accent around someone who's spent their life studying accents and dialects.”

She let out a quiet sigh before continuing.

“...And that does sound like Batman. Though,” Aster's grin sunk along with her demeanor. Though still there, the smile turned almost dejected.

“Our inside joke's come to a bit of an end. He also isn't a fan of metas, right? And technically...”

...She glanced down at her crossed arms and raised a hand to flex it, not bothering to finish her sentence.

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade blinked. Then laughed.

"PFT- No! Tha's not gonna change anythin', y've 'eard of Signal right?"

She hummed a little, before continuing with a frown.

"'s not tha' he hates metas- metas're at huge risk 'ere, there's a massive black market targeted for them. They're at risk 'f bein' trafficked. So... It might be safer not t'tell anyone about this, ya?"

[theunbustedghost]

Right... Signal. That rang a bell.

“Ah, right, Signal. That's... He's the day shift, right?”

It made sense. Aster nodded slowly, and adjusted her glasses. She had to concentrate to be sure they wouldn't fall through her fingers... She'd have to practice that.

“...Yeah. Probably a good idea.”

[theunbustedghost]

The apartment is small and rather cluttered, obviously lived in. One door is open, leading towards an office? No, wait, that's a bedroom. With all of the papers strewn about, the mistake is easy to make. A scroll lies open on the desk, surrounded by various journals, photographs, scribbled-on napkins, and a laptop complete with twenty eight tabs.

The second–presumably bedroom–door is closed. Quiet snores are audible from within.

Over on the kitchen stove, a kettle whistles. Aster makes quick use of the water in terms of brewing tea for herself, and her unexpected visitor.

// @gothamitenightingale \\

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade blinked slowly at the environment. It was cozy, kind of... calm. Safe-ish feeling. The paper-covered bedroom made her think of Tim.

"'s nice 'ere. Tha's yours?"

She pointed at the open door, trying for a mildly curious expression.

[theunbustedghost]

“Ah, thanks. Most of the actual decor's my roommate's work,” Aster responded. “And yeah. That one's mine.”

Stirring her own mug, she glanced over at Jade, lifting an eyebrow. “Any fixings in yours? Cream, sugar?”

[gothamitenightingale]

"Makes me think of RR's. 'e's got a million things out all the time too."

She leaned against the wall and glanced over with a small shrug.

"Don' care too much, I don' 'ave tea tha' often. Cream's nice."

[theunbustedghost]

She tilted her head in a nod, added mixed in some creamer, and returned with two mugs in tow.

Aster snickered quietly. “Red Robin's got his own personal archive too, huh? Guess that makes sense.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade took her mug with lopsided grin.

"Ya. Most've us do, he's jus' messier about it."

She took a sip and her face lit up, midnight black eyes sparkling a little as she immediately swallowed another mouthful. It reminded her of the tea that her mother made. She hadn't found much like her mother's tea in years, that was why she didn't drink it much anymore.

"This's good! Where'd y' learn?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster tilted her head slightly, and found her own lips twitching into a smile as well. That glimmer didn't go unnoticed. For reasons unknown to herself, it made her feel sort of... Warm.

She blew out a chuckle, and took a sip from her own mug. “My grandad was very, very British. You could say I learned from the best.” Her grin grew a bit lopsided as well, and Aster found herself rolling her eyes. “Thanks. It's good to hear someone enjoy it, Ro's never been a fan of tea.”

Aster thumbed towards the closed door. As if out of subconscious pettiness, the snores grew louder. Aster snickered.

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade put a hand over her mouth to keep herself from laughing before she swallowed her current mouthful, which would probably result in one of those unfortunate situations where one would spray whatever liquid they are drinking out of their nose.

"'e sounds great. 've talked t'him once or twice."

She hummed thoughtfully, thinking back to what Aster had told her and a slow grin spread across her face.

"Y' said y've met one of us? Where?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster nodded along and leaned against her doorframe. “Outside of Gotham U. Said he was heading to a taco stand down the block.”

...She raised an eyebrow, narrowing her eyes in curious, almost playful suspicion. “...why?”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade managed to swallow her mouthful of tea just before wheezing.

"Y' caught Hood outside Gotham Uni goin' for tacos?"

She cackled abruptly.

"'m never lettin' 'im live tha' one down. He hates tacos when I make 'em."

She took another mouthful of tea and swallowed, thinking it over.

"Don' snitch- Did he know who y' were?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster wasn't so lucky, and almost choked on her tea.

“Oh, damn. Red Hood? He was real excited about those tacos too.” She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and laughed as she shook her head. “I won't. And, uh, nah. Don't think so at least. Seeing as he asked.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade snickered.

"'m totally gonna bug 'im about tha'. If y' answered honestly 'e prob'ly knows most've y' life's story by now, but now I know he jus' pretends t'hate tacos."

She leaned against the wall again, lopsided grin nearly splitting her face.

"If y' see 'im again make sure t'bug 'im about tha' for me."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster puffed out a laugh. “Will do. Promise.”

She paused for a second before letting out an annoyed sigh...which very quickly graduated to a groan. Aster tilted her head back to rest against the doorframe with a quiet thunk.

“...Bug him for me too. All his questions made me late,” she sneered. “I had to sit next to Dennis Collins again. God, I hate that guy.”

[gothamitenightingale]

"Oooffff."

Jade winced in sympathy.

"Looked into tha' kid, he sounds like he sucks."

She took another sip of her tea and her midnight eyes narrowed with mischief.

"....'s stuffin' 'is socks with glitter enough payback for y'?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster grew a slow, wicked grin, and turned her head back to Jade.

Grey eyes hidden behind comically fluffy hair sparked with a playful sort of danger.

“...Oh, I like the way you think.”

She took a sip of tea and swirled her mug around, as if mulling a few thoughts over. “...But I do wonder... Why stop at the socks?”

[gothamitenightingale]

Both her eyebrows shot up, eyes wide with interest.

"...Ya?"

[theunbustedghost]

“I mean...” Aster let out an almost evil chuckle. “...I know you're here to take a look at the scroll, but a little plotting never hurt anyone. Well- Actually it has. But this is more so...severe inconvenience plotting. Like, say...”

She waved her mug around, flashing a devilish grin. “Replace his toothpaste with glue. Sand in his shoes. Itching powder in his favorite hoodie.”

She winked and took a sip, eyes twinkling mischievously. “Get creative with it, ya know?”

[gothamitenightingale]

If Jade had looked mischevious before, now she looked downright devious.

"....Y'know anywhere tha's got cheap, nontoxic glue?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster took a slow sip and nodded. She glanced towards Rowan's door.

“Free, cheap, and owned by a guy that sleeps like a bear.” Her face split into a downright evil grin as she looked back at Jade. “...He also wouldn't mind. Probably.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade cackled abruptly.

"Commitin' a theft instead of stoppin' one? Y're a horrible influence an' y're not even my sister yet."

She leaned back and thought it over, still grinning.

"Could glue 'is door's hinges. Plus mix tha' an' some glitter in 'is toothpaste."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster paused for just a second. It was almost unnoticeable. Despite all that she'd joked, a family... A new family was still a novel concept to her. After all, she'd never known her parents, and her grandfather had passed years ago. It was almost scary how natural this role came to her.

She blinked the sudden dullness out of her eyes, and snickered before she continued. “At least, as far as bad influences go, I do like tacos.” Aster's eyes flashed with a playful variation of spite.

She waved a hand through the air and rolled her eyes, mocking a sense of disdain. “And besides, he owes me. He borrowed one of my books last week and returned it with a coffee stain. A small one, but a stain's a stain. Ooh...” An idea struck. Aster snapped her fingers “...Water damage to the notes Dennis copied off of me.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade snickered, completely oblivious to the split-second pause. She was used to this now, used to Steph teaching her the ways of Chaos and Babs erasing evidence. A sister was a foreign thing to her once. Not anymore.

"Ooh. I can help with tha'. Wha's 'is room?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster grinned. “For the first time ever, I'm actually happy to say that Dennis lives next door.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Another somewhat maniac-sounding cackle.

"Two minutes flat. Y' got a cup of water?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster pushed off of the doorframe and filled a glass with water. Seeing as it was Gotham tap, it had a sickly greenish-grey tint to it. Lovely.

“Here ya go, knock yourself out.” She winked and slid the glass forward. “I'll be waiting.”

Aster glanced into her wasteland of a bedroom and winced. “...I'll. Uh. Clear a path to my desk for when you're back.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade took the cup and flashed a grin, slipping out the window again in dead silence.

Less than a minute later she slipped back in and shut the window, immediately bursting into muffled cackles.

"How mad do y' think he's gonna be?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster snorted, breaking into a series of her own cackles as well. She didn't bother to muffle them, seeing as Rowan had slept through literal shootings before.

“Oh, absolutely livid,” she grinned, her eyes gleaming with mirth. She set a few more papers aside in her room and glanced over at Jade, mischief etched into her features. “But if he tries anything tomorrow, he'll be sorry he started bothering me in the first place.” Another wink.

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade picked up her tea and downed the rest of it with a grin.

"Lemme know if he gets unbearable an' I know a lotta ways t'cover a murder."

She joked.

[theunbustedghost]

Aster snickered. “Mm. Might have to take you up on that.” She headed back and leaned against her desk, tilting her head in a side nod as she finished her own mug of tea. “...Joking, obviously. Maybe. Possibly. ...Mostly.”

She sighed and cracked her neck. After brushing an unruly lock of dyed hair out of her face, Aster finally gestured to the open scroll on the desk.

“Aaanyways... Here's the scroll.” Aster picked up a pair of silver rimmed glasses, put them on, and adjusted them slightly before bending over the artifact.

She rested her hands on the desk, gesturing to various words and phrases. “Now, this one here that I've annotated in my journal's the one that...” She paused and tilted her head in thought. “Well... I wouldn't say killed, more so... Temporarily turned me into a spirit. So, be mindful of that one. At first I thought this entire scroll could be themed around death-based curses and spells, but the chant below it calls for a good harvest, so it's more likely some sort of almanac from ages ago.”

Aster grinned at Jade, causing her glasses to slip a bit down her nose. “Pretty cool, huh?”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade stared with wide-eyed interest, reaching out hesitantly to run her fingers over the writings.

"Huh..."

She mumbled.

"Ya.... where'd y' find this again?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster breathed out a quiet laugh.

“In a dusty cardboard box over at Gotham U's library. It should be in a museum.”

She adjusted her glasses and glanced to the side, her face splitting into a lopsided grin.

“And it will be. Aaaaas soon as I'm done taking a look at it...”

[gothamitenightingale]

"Strange."

Jade made a mental note to investigate the university later. Having something like this just... tucked away somewhere seemed strange and suspicious.

"What do y' think it is?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster took a breath and tilted her head back, leaning more of her weight onto the desk. Clearly thinking, she nodded to herself before settling on an answer.

“If I were to guess...” She leaned over the scroll, casting a studious gaze. “This was made by some sort of student, ages ago. Likely a devotee of some sort, learning spells and incantations from someone more experienced.”

She let out a quiet hum and narrowed her eyes, analyzing the script.

“See, here,” Aster picked up a pen to use as a pointer of sorts, and drew Jade's attention to some of the characters on the scroll. “The inking is a bit wobbly. The writer wasn't too sure of themselves yet. And judging from the blotting,” another gesture, “they had to pause once or twice for confirmation.”

She chuckled quietly, and a small smile twitched into existence on her face. “Not too different from students today, huh–”

Clink.

...The pen had fallen. Slipped right through Aster's hands, literally. She stared at it blankly for a second. That was... Strange. Certainly. But, granted, she had been awake for an absurd amount of time and had had an understandably wretched week. She had certainly just imagined that. ...Right?

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade tilted her head as Aster spoke - Birdlike, probably something she picked up from her siblings - and hummed softly.

"Hm. Good points- Any guesses at where it came from 'r-"

The clink of the pen stopped her mid-sentance, and she to stare directly at Aster now, scroll forgotten.

"...How long's it been since y' last slept...?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster remained silent for a few seconds, now working her fingers while watching them in tensed suspicion.

“Uhm...”

That was actually a good question. She nodded in thought, closing her eyes for a moment.

“About... Thirty seven hours, now. Probably. Class. Work. Studying.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade hummed thoughtfully. To be honest, she'd stayed up for a lot longer.

"'kay, tha's not too bad. Y' shoul' prob'ly sleep though."

She snickered.

"Y're remindin' me more an' more of RR at this point."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster burst into a cackle. “Is that why he's always zoning out in living rooms? And... Yeah,” she tilted her head to the side. “Probably.”

She paused for a moment, glancing back at her hand.

“...Usually it takes me longer to start seeing things,” Aster forced a chuckle. “Maybe I'm coming down with something.”

[gothamitenightingale]

"Ya- he's ridiculous."

Jade huffed, almost looking fondly annoyed.

She blinked at Aster's hand and her eyes narrowed a little.

"Hm- Hol' on, pick somethin' else up? Let's jus' double check this isn' somethin' funny."

[theunbustedghost]

...Reluctantly, Aster nodded. She reached down to lift her journal.

Her fingers grazed the surface, touching it solidly. Aster nodded to herself, reassured by this, and attempted to lift the journal...

...Only for her hands to pass right through it. She sucked in a sharp breath and took a step back. Her eyes, now widened, examined her shaking hands.

They certainly looked fine. She held them together and could feel the touch. Firm. Warm. Calloused. ...Static?

They phased straight through each other, taking on a translucent glow, like lightly frosted glass. Then, just as before, they were back to normal.

Aster shuddered, “The hell–”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade was dead silent now, and a shade or two paler than she had been.

"Tha's weird."

She hesitantly held out her hand.

"Jus'- Can y' still touch me?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster took a deep, albeit shaky breath, and reached out to touch Jade's hand. To her relief, it worked.

Sure, yes, it felt like she had to will herself in place, but it worked. She nodded slowly.

“Yes- Yeah. I,” she swallowed. “I just have to... Focus on it, I think.”

//Essentially, as a side effect of the spell from earlier, a part of her is technically still “dead.” She can utilize that part to function as a ghost of sorts.\\

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade relaxed, just a little. Okay? What-

"O- okay. Maybe 's a side effect from earlier?"

She squinted at the scrolls.

"...I think this's where I dunno where t'go."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster nodded slowly, piecing things together in her mind.

“You're probably right. It's the only... Logical answer, at least. The static feeling is similar.”

She took a step back, and glanced down at the scroll.

“...Well. I guess I have a new research project now.”

Despite the anxiety thrumming through her veins, a morbid sort of curiosity glinted in her eyes. Aster's gaze fell to her own hands once more.

“...Fascinating.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade poked the notes again gently and hummed

"I think when y' said y' codename woul' be Ghost y' jinxed somethin'."

She snickered.

[theunbustedghost]

Aster burst into a laugh and covered her mouth as it evolved into a cackle. She glanced over at Jade, grinning lopsidedly.

“Oh, god, you're right. I really did didn't I?”

She let out a quiet sigh and rubbed her neck.

“That's still an...” Aster paused, mulling over the thoughts in her head. “...An interesting thought, I guess.”

She looked back at Jade, her grey eyes sparkling dimly, as if the light inside was weighed down something internal.

“Life has a way of throwing wrenches in one's plans, doesn't it?”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade scrunched up her face and tilted it slightly. Her face looked a little sad now too.

"Ya.... Did y'know I came from Crime Alley? Thought Hood was gonna kill me over somethin'"

She shrugged. She looked like she was remembering something.

"He brought me home instead."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster's face softened, though her brow furrowed in... Concern? Curiosity? Or is that empathy?

“...Crime Alley, huh? I guessed, based on your accent.” She paused and let out a breath, before crossing her arms.

Aster turned and leaned against her desk, glancing over Jade observantly. Her tone softened slightly, and her voice fell quiet.

“Home, huh? I guess that makes sense. I've heard the Bats don't like leaving strays alone... That was kind of him.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade sighed.

"'s still tha' obvious? 've been tryna mask some."

She snickered abruptly.

"Oh nah, there was no way. B folded like a table when Hood asked 'im."

She said cheerfully.

[theunbustedghost]

Aster quirked an eyebrow and grinned.

“Word of advice,” her eyes glinted mischievously, “don't try to mask an accent around someone who's spent their life studying accents and dialects.”

She let out a quiet sigh before continuing.

“...And that does sound like Batman. Though,” Aster's grin sunk along with her demeanor. Though still there, the smile turned almost dejected.

“Our inside joke's come to a bit of an end. He also isn't a fan of metas, right? And technically...”

...She glanced down at her crossed arms and raised a hand to flex it, not bothering to finish her sentence.

[theunbustedghost]

The apartment is small and rather cluttered, obviously lived in. One door is open, leading towards an office? No, wait, that's a bedroom. With all of the papers strewn about, the mistake is easy to make. A scroll lies open on the desk, surrounded by various journals, photographs, scribbled-on napkins, and a laptop complete with twenty eight tabs.

The second–presumably bedroom–door is closed. Quiet snores are audible from within.

Over on the kitchen stove, a kettle whistles. Aster makes quick use of the water in terms of brewing tea for herself, and her unexpected visitor.

// @gothamitenightingale \\

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade blinked slowly at the environment. It was cozy, kind of... calm. Safe-ish feeling. The paper-covered bedroom made her think of Tim.

"'s nice 'ere. Tha's yours?"

She pointed at the open door, trying for a mildly curious expression.

[theunbustedghost]

“Ah, thanks. Most of the actual decor's my roommate's work,” Aster responded. “And yeah. That one's mine.”

Stirring her own mug, she glanced over at Jade, lifting an eyebrow. “Any fixings in yours? Cream, sugar?”

[gothamitenightingale]

"Makes me think of RR's. 'e's got a million things out all the time too."

She leaned against the wall and glanced over with a small shrug.

"Don' care too much, I don' 'ave tea tha' often. Cream's nice."

[theunbustedghost]

She tilted her head in a nod, added mixed in some creamer, and returned with two mugs in tow.

Aster snickered quietly. “Red Robin's got his own personal archive too, huh? Guess that makes sense.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade took her mug with lopsided grin.

"Ya. Most've us do, he's jus' messier about it."

She took a sip and her face lit up, midnight black eyes sparkling a little as she immediately swallowed another mouthful. It reminded her of the tea that her mother made. She hadn't found much like her mother's tea in years, that was why she didn't drink it much anymore.

"This's good! Where'd y' learn?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster tilted her head slightly, and found her own lips twitching into a smile as well. That glimmer didn't go unnoticed. For reasons unknown to herself, it made her feel sort of... Warm.

She blew out a chuckle, and took a sip from her own mug. “My grandad was very, very British. You could say I learned from the best.” Her grin grew a bit lopsided as well, and Aster found herself rolling her eyes. “Thanks. It's good to hear someone enjoy it, Ro's never been a fan of tea.”

Aster thumbed towards the closed door. As if out of subconscious pettiness, the snores grew louder. Aster snickered.

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade put a hand over her mouth to keep herself from laughing before she swallowed her current mouthful, which would probably result in one of those unfortunate situations where one would spray whatever liquid they are drinking out of their nose.

"'e sounds great. 've talked t'him once or twice."

She hummed thoughtfully, thinking back to what Aster had told her and a slow grin spread across her face.

"Y' said y've met one of us? Where?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster nodded along and leaned against her doorframe. “Outside of Gotham U. Said he was heading to a taco stand down the block.”

...She raised an eyebrow, narrowing her eyes in curious, almost playful suspicion. “...why?”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade managed to swallow her mouthful of tea just before wheezing.

"Y' caught Hood outside Gotham Uni goin' for tacos?"

She cackled abruptly.

"'m never lettin' 'im live tha' one down. He hates tacos when I make 'em."

She took another mouthful of tea and swallowed, thinking it over.

"Don' snitch- Did he know who y' were?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster wasn't so lucky, and almost choked on her tea.

“Oh, damn. Red Hood? He was real excited about those tacos too.” She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and laughed as she shook her head. “I won't. And, uh, nah. Don't think so at least. Seeing as he asked.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade snickered.

"'m totally gonna bug 'im about tha'. If y' answered honestly 'e prob'ly knows most've y' life's story by now, but now I know he jus' pretends t'hate tacos."

She leaned against the wall again, lopsided grin nearly splitting her face.

"If y' see 'im again make sure t'bug 'im about tha' for me."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster puffed out a laugh. “Will do. Promise.”

She paused for a second before letting out an annoyed sigh...which very quickly graduated to a groan. Aster tilted her head back to rest against the doorframe with a quiet thunk.

“...Bug him for me too. All his questions made me late,” she sneered. “I had to sit next to Dennis Collins again. God, I hate that guy.”

[gothamitenightingale]

"Oooffff."

Jade winced in sympathy.

"Looked into tha' kid, he sounds like he sucks."

She took another sip of her tea and her midnight eyes narrowed with mischief.

"....'s stuffin' 'is socks with glitter enough payback for y'?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster grew a slow, wicked grin, and turned her head back to Jade.

Grey eyes hidden behind comically fluffy hair sparked with a playful sort of danger.

“...Oh, I like the way you think.”

She took a sip of tea and swirled her mug around, as if mulling a few thoughts over. “...But I do wonder... Why stop at the socks?”

[gothamitenightingale]

Both her eyebrows shot up, eyes wide with interest.

"...Ya?"

[theunbustedghost]

“I mean...” Aster let out an almost evil chuckle. “...I know you're here to take a look at the scroll, but a little plotting never hurt anyone. Well- Actually it has. But this is more so...severe inconvenience plotting. Like, say...”

She waved her mug around, flashing a devilish grin. “Replace his toothpaste with glue. Sand in his shoes. Itching powder in his favorite hoodie.”

She winked and took a sip, eyes twinkling mischievously. “Get creative with it, ya know?”

[gothamitenightingale]

If Jade had looked mischevious before, now she looked downright devious.

"....Y'know anywhere tha's got cheap, nontoxic glue?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster took a slow sip and nodded. She glanced towards Rowan's door.

“Free, cheap, and owned by a guy that sleeps like a bear.” Her face split into a downright evil grin as she looked back at Jade. “...He also wouldn't mind. Probably.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade cackled abruptly.

"Commitin' a theft instead of stoppin' one? Y're a horrible influence an' y're not even my sister yet."

She leaned back and thought it over, still grinning.

"Could glue 'is door's hinges. Plus mix tha' an' some glitter in 'is toothpaste."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster paused for just a second. It was almost unnoticeable. Despite all that she'd joked, a family... A new family was still a novel concept to her. After all, she'd never known her parents, and her grandfather had passed years ago. It was almost scary how natural this role came to her.

She blinked the sudden dullness out of her eyes, and snickered before she continued. “At least, as far as bad influences go, I do like tacos.” Aster's eyes flashed with a playful variation of spite.

She waved a hand through the air and rolled her eyes, mocking a sense of disdain. “And besides, he owes me. He borrowed one of my books last week and returned it with a coffee stain. A small one, but a stain's a stain. Ooh...” An idea struck. Aster snapped her fingers “...Water damage to the notes Dennis copied off of me.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade snickered, completely oblivious to the split-second pause. She was used to this now, used to Steph teaching her the ways of Chaos and Babs erasing evidence. A sister was a foreign thing to her once. Not anymore.

"Ooh. I can help with tha'. Wha's 'is room?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster grinned. “For the first time ever, I'm actually happy to say that Dennis lives next door.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Another somewhat maniac-sounding cackle.

"Two minutes flat. Y' got a cup of water?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster pushed off of the doorframe and filled a glass with water. Seeing as it was Gotham tap, it had a sickly greenish-grey tint to it. Lovely.

“Here ya go, knock yourself out.” She winked and slid the glass forward. “I'll be waiting.”

Aster glanced into her wasteland of a bedroom and winced. “...I'll. Uh. Clear a path to my desk for when you're back.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade took the cup and flashed a grin, slipping out the window again in dead silence.

Less than a minute later she slipped back in and shut the window, immediately bursting into muffled cackles.

"How mad do y' think he's gonna be?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster snorted, breaking into a series of her own cackles as well. She didn't bother to muffle them, seeing as Rowan had slept through literal shootings before.

“Oh, absolutely livid,” she grinned, her eyes gleaming with mirth. She set a few more papers aside in her room and glanced over at Jade, mischief etched into her features. “But if he tries anything tomorrow, he'll be sorry he started bothering me in the first place.” Another wink.

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade picked up her tea and downed the rest of it with a grin.

"Lemme know if he gets unbearable an' I know a lotta ways t'cover a murder."

She joked.

[theunbustedghost]

Aster snickered. “Mm. Might have to take you up on that.” She headed back and leaned against her desk, tilting her head in a side nod as she finished her own mug of tea. “...Joking, obviously. Maybe. Possibly. ...Mostly.”

She sighed and cracked her neck. After brushing an unruly lock of dyed hair out of her face, Aster finally gestured to the open scroll on the desk.

“Aaanyways... Here's the scroll.” Aster picked up a pair of silver rimmed glasses, put them on, and adjusted them slightly before bending over the artifact.

She rested her hands on the desk, gesturing to various words and phrases. “Now, this one here that I've annotated in my journal's the one that...” She paused and tilted her head in thought. “Well... I wouldn't say killed, more so... Temporarily turned me into a spirit. So, be mindful of that one. At first I thought this entire scroll could be themed around death-based curses and spells, but the chant below it calls for a good harvest, so it's more likely some sort of almanac from ages ago.”

Aster grinned at Jade, causing her glasses to slip a bit down her nose. “Pretty cool, huh?”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade stared with wide-eyed interest, reaching out hesitantly to run her fingers over the writings.

"Huh..."

She mumbled.

"Ya.... where'd y' find this again?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster breathed out a quiet laugh.

“In a dusty cardboard box over at Gotham U's library. It should be in a museum.”

She adjusted her glasses and glanced to the side, her face splitting into a lopsided grin.

“And it will be. Aaaaas soon as I'm done taking a look at it...”

[gothamitenightingale]

"Strange."

Jade made a mental note to investigate the university later. Having something like this just... tucked away somewhere seemed strange and suspicious.

"What do y' think it is?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster took a breath and tilted her head back, leaning more of her weight onto the desk. Clearly thinking, she nodded to herself before settling on an answer.

“If I were to guess...” She leaned over the scroll, casting a studious gaze. “This was made by some sort of student, ages ago. Likely a devotee of some sort, learning spells and incantations from someone more experienced.”

She let out a quiet hum and narrowed her eyes, analyzing the script.

“See, here,” Aster picked up a pen to use as a pointer of sorts, and drew Jade's attention to some of the characters on the scroll. “The inking is a bit wobbly. The writer wasn't too sure of themselves yet. And judging from the blotting,” another gesture, “they had to pause once or twice for confirmation.”

She chuckled quietly, and a small smile twitched into existence on her face. “Not too different from students today, huh–”

Clink.

...The pen had fallen. Slipped right through Aster's hands, literally. She stared at it blankly for a second. That was... Strange. Certainly. But, granted, she had been awake for an absurd amount of time and had had an understandably wretched week. She had certainly just imagined that. ...Right?

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade tilted her head as Aster spoke - Birdlike, probably something she picked up from her siblings - and hummed softly.

"Hm. Good points- Any guesses at where it came from 'r-"

The clink of the pen stopped her mid-sentance, and she to stare directly at Aster now, scroll forgotten.

"...How long's it been since y' last slept...?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster remained silent for a few seconds, now working her fingers while watching them in tensed suspicion.

“Uhm...”

That was actually a good question. She nodded in thought, closing her eyes for a moment.

“About... Thirty seven hours, now. Probably. Class. Work. Studying.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade hummed thoughtfully. To be honest, she'd stayed up for a lot longer.

"'kay, tha's not too bad. Y' shoul' prob'ly sleep though."

She snickered.

"Y're remindin' me more an' more of RR at this point."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster burst into a cackle. “Is that why he's always zoning out in living rooms? And... Yeah,” she tilted her head to the side. “Probably.”

She paused for a moment, glancing back at her hand.

“...Usually it takes me longer to start seeing things,” Aster forced a chuckle. “Maybe I'm coming down with something.”

[gothamitenightingale]

"Ya- he's ridiculous."

Jade huffed, almost looking fondly annoyed.

She blinked at Aster's hand and her eyes narrowed a little.

"Hm- Hol' on, pick somethin' else up? Let's jus' double check this isn' somethin' funny."

[theunbustedghost]

...Reluctantly, Aster nodded. She reached down to lift her journal.

Her fingers grazed the surface, touching it solidly. Aster nodded to herself, reassured by this, and attempted to lift the journal...

...Only for her hands to pass right through it. She sucked in a sharp breath and took a step back. Her eyes, now widened, examined her shaking hands.

They certainly looked fine. She held them together and could feel the touch. Firm. Warm. Calloused. ...Static?

They phased straight through each other, taking on a translucent glow, like lightly frosted glass. Then, just as before, they were back to normal.

Aster shuddered, “The hell–”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade was dead silent now, and a shade or two paler than she had been.

"Tha's weird."

She hesitantly held out her hand.

"Jus'- Can y' still touch me?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster took a deep, albeit shaky breath, and reached out to touch Jade's hand. To her relief, it worked.

Sure, yes, it felt like she had to will herself in place, but it worked. She nodded slowly.

“Yes- Yeah. I,” she swallowed. “I just have to... Focus on it, I think.”

//Essentially, as a side effect of the spell from earlier, a part of her is technically still “dead.” She can utilize that part to function as a ghost of sorts.\\

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade relaxed, just a little. Okay? What-

"O- okay. Maybe 's a side effect from earlier?"

She squinted at the scrolls.

"...I think this's where I dunno where t'go."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster nodded slowly, piecing things together in her mind.

“You're probably right. It's the only... Logical answer, at least. The static feeling is similar.”

She took a step back, and glanced down at the scroll.

“...Well. I guess I have a new research project now.”

Despite the anxiety thrumming through her veins, a morbid sort of curiosity glinted in her eyes. Aster's gaze fell to her own hands once more.

“...Fascinating.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade poked the notes again gently and hummed

"I think when y' said y' codename woul' be Ghost y' jinxed somethin'."

She snickered.

[theunbustedghost]

Aster burst into a laugh and covered her mouth as it evolved into a cackle. She glanced over at Jade, grinning lopsidedly.

“Oh, god, you're right. I really did didn't I?”

She let out a quiet sigh and rubbed her neck.

“That's still an...” Aster paused, mulling over the thoughts in her head. “...An interesting thought, I guess.”

She looked back at Jade, her grey eyes sparkling dimly, as if the light inside was weighed down something internal.

“Life has a way of throwing wrenches in one's plans, doesn't it?”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade scrunched up her face and tilted it slightly. Her face looked a little sad now too.

"Ya.... Did y'know I came from Crime Alley? Thought Hood was gonna kill me over somethin'"

She shrugged. She looked like she was remembering something.

"He brought me home instead."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster's face softened, though her brow furrowed in... Concern? Curiosity? Or is that empathy?

“...Crime Alley, huh? I guessed, based on your accent.” She paused and let out a breath, before crossing her arms.

Aster turned and leaned against her desk, glancing over Jade observantly. Her tone softened slightly, and her voice fell quiet.

“Home, huh? I guess that makes sense. I've heard the Bats don't like leaving strays alone... That was kind of him.”

[theunbustedghost]

The apartment is small and rather cluttered, obviously lived in. One door is open, leading towards an office? No, wait, that's a bedroom. With all of the papers strewn about, the mistake is easy to make. A scroll lies open on the desk, surrounded by various journals, photographs, scribbled-on napkins, and a laptop complete with twenty eight tabs.

The second–presumably bedroom–door is closed. Quiet snores are audible from within.

Over on the kitchen stove, a kettle whistles. Aster makes quick use of the water in terms of brewing tea for herself, and her unexpected visitor.

// @gothamitenightingale \\

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade blinked slowly at the environment. It was cozy, kind of... calm. Safe-ish feeling. The paper-covered bedroom made her think of Tim.

"'s nice 'ere. Tha's yours?"

She pointed at the open door, trying for a mildly curious expression.

[theunbustedghost]

“Ah, thanks. Most of the actual decor's my roommate's work,” Aster responded. “And yeah. That one's mine.”

Stirring her own mug, she glanced over at Jade, lifting an eyebrow. “Any fixings in yours? Cream, sugar?”

[gothamitenightingale]

"Makes me think of RR's. 'e's got a million things out all the time too."

She leaned against the wall and glanced over with a small shrug.

"Don' care too much, I don' 'ave tea tha' often. Cream's nice."

[theunbustedghost]

She tilted her head in a nod, added mixed in some creamer, and returned with two mugs in tow.

Aster snickered quietly. “Red Robin's got his own personal archive too, huh? Guess that makes sense.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade took her mug with lopsided grin.

"Ya. Most've us do, he's jus' messier about it."

She took a sip and her face lit up, midnight black eyes sparkling a little as she immediately swallowed another mouthful. It reminded her of the tea that her mother made. She hadn't found much like her mother's tea in years, that was why she didn't drink it much anymore.

"This's good! Where'd y' learn?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster tilted her head slightly, and found her own lips twitching into a smile as well. That glimmer didn't go unnoticed. For reasons unknown to herself, it made her feel sort of... Warm.

She blew out a chuckle, and took a sip from her own mug. “My grandad was very, very British. You could say I learned from the best.” Her grin grew a bit lopsided as well, and Aster found herself rolling her eyes. “Thanks. It's good to hear someone enjoy it, Ro's never been a fan of tea.”

Aster thumbed towards the closed door. As if out of subconscious pettiness, the snores grew louder. Aster snickered.

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade put a hand over her mouth to keep herself from laughing before she swallowed her current mouthful, which would probably result in one of those unfortunate situations where one would spray whatever liquid they are drinking out of their nose.

"'e sounds great. 've talked t'him once or twice."

She hummed thoughtfully, thinking back to what Aster had told her and a slow grin spread across her face.

"Y' said y've met one of us? Where?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster nodded along and leaned against her doorframe. “Outside of Gotham U. Said he was heading to a taco stand down the block.”

...She raised an eyebrow, narrowing her eyes in curious, almost playful suspicion. “...why?”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade managed to swallow her mouthful of tea just before wheezing.

"Y' caught Hood outside Gotham Uni goin' for tacos?"

She cackled abruptly.

"'m never lettin' 'im live tha' one down. He hates tacos when I make 'em."

She took another mouthful of tea and swallowed, thinking it over.

"Don' snitch- Did he know who y' were?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster wasn't so lucky, and almost choked on her tea.

“Oh, damn. Red Hood? He was real excited about those tacos too.” She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and laughed as she shook her head. “I won't. And, uh, nah. Don't think so at least. Seeing as he asked.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade snickered.

"'m totally gonna bug 'im about tha'. If y' answered honestly 'e prob'ly knows most've y' life's story by now, but now I know he jus' pretends t'hate tacos."

She leaned against the wall again, lopsided grin nearly splitting her face.

"If y' see 'im again make sure t'bug 'im about tha' for me."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster puffed out a laugh. “Will do. Promise.”

She paused for a second before letting out an annoyed sigh...which very quickly graduated to a groan. Aster tilted her head back to rest against the doorframe with a quiet thunk.

“...Bug him for me too. All his questions made me late,” she sneered. “I had to sit next to Dennis Collins again. God, I hate that guy.”

[gothamitenightingale]

"Oooffff."

Jade winced in sympathy.

"Looked into tha' kid, he sounds like he sucks."

She took another sip of her tea and her midnight eyes narrowed with mischief.

"....'s stuffin' 'is socks with glitter enough payback for y'?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster grew a slow, wicked grin, and turned her head back to Jade.

Grey eyes hidden behind comically fluffy hair sparked with a playful sort of danger.

“...Oh, I like the way you think.”

She took a sip of tea and swirled her mug around, as if mulling a few thoughts over. “...But I do wonder... Why stop at the socks?”

[gothamitenightingale]

Both her eyebrows shot up, eyes wide with interest.

"...Ya?"

[theunbustedghost]

“I mean...” Aster let out an almost evil chuckle. “...I know you're here to take a look at the scroll, but a little plotting never hurt anyone. Well- Actually it has. But this is more so...severe inconvenience plotting. Like, say...”

She waved her mug around, flashing a devilish grin. “Replace his toothpaste with glue. Sand in his shoes. Itching powder in his favorite hoodie.”

She winked and took a sip, eyes twinkling mischievously. “Get creative with it, ya know?”

[gothamitenightingale]

If Jade had looked mischevious before, now she looked downright devious.

"....Y'know anywhere tha's got cheap, nontoxic glue?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster took a slow sip and nodded. She glanced towards Rowan's door.

“Free, cheap, and owned by a guy that sleeps like a bear.” Her face split into a downright evil grin as she looked back at Jade. “...He also wouldn't mind. Probably.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade cackled abruptly.

"Commitin' a theft instead of stoppin' one? Y're a horrible influence an' y're not even my sister yet."

She leaned back and thought it over, still grinning.

"Could glue 'is door's hinges. Plus mix tha' an' some glitter in 'is toothpaste."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster paused for just a second. It was almost unnoticeable. Despite all that she'd joked, a family... A new family was still a novel concept to her. After all, she'd never known her parents, and her grandfather had passed years ago. It was almost scary how natural this role came to her.

She blinked the sudden dullness out of her eyes, and snickered before she continued. “At least, as far as bad influences go, I do like tacos.” Aster's eyes flashed with a playful variation of spite.

She waved a hand through the air and rolled her eyes, mocking a sense of disdain. “And besides, he owes me. He borrowed one of my books last week and returned it with a coffee stain. A small one, but a stain's a stain. Ooh...” An idea struck. Aster snapped her fingers “...Water damage to the notes Dennis copied off of me.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade snickered, completely oblivious to the split-second pause. She was used to this now, used to Steph teaching her the ways of Chaos and Babs erasing evidence. A sister was a foreign thing to her once. Not anymore.

"Ooh. I can help with tha'. Wha's 'is room?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster grinned. “For the first time ever, I'm actually happy to say that Dennis lives next door.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Another somewhat maniac-sounding cackle.

"Two minutes flat. Y' got a cup of water?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster pushed off of the doorframe and filled a glass with water. Seeing as it was Gotham tap, it had a sickly greenish-grey tint to it. Lovely.

“Here ya go, knock yourself out.” She winked and slid the glass forward. “I'll be waiting.”

Aster glanced into her wasteland of a bedroom and winced. “...I'll. Uh. Clear a path to my desk for when you're back.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade took the cup and flashed a grin, slipping out the window again in dead silence.

Less than a minute later she slipped back in and shut the window, immediately bursting into muffled cackles.

"How mad do y' think he's gonna be?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster snorted, breaking into a series of her own cackles as well. She didn't bother to muffle them, seeing as Rowan had slept through literal shootings before.

“Oh, absolutely livid,” she grinned, her eyes gleaming with mirth. She set a few more papers aside in her room and glanced over at Jade, mischief etched into her features. “But if he tries anything tomorrow, he'll be sorry he started bothering me in the first place.” Another wink.

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade picked up her tea and downed the rest of it with a grin.

"Lemme know if he gets unbearable an' I know a lotta ways t'cover a murder."

She joked.

[theunbustedghost]

Aster snickered. “Mm. Might have to take you up on that.” She headed back and leaned against her desk, tilting her head in a side nod as she finished her own mug of tea. “...Joking, obviously. Maybe. Possibly. ...Mostly.”

She sighed and cracked her neck. After brushing an unruly lock of dyed hair out of her face, Aster finally gestured to the open scroll on the desk.

“Aaanyways... Here's the scroll.” Aster picked up a pair of silver rimmed glasses, put them on, and adjusted them slightly before bending over the artifact.

She rested her hands on the desk, gesturing to various words and phrases. “Now, this one here that I've annotated in my journal's the one that...” She paused and tilted her head in thought. “Well... I wouldn't say killed, more so... Temporarily turned me into a spirit. So, be mindful of that one. At first I thought this entire scroll could be themed around death-based curses and spells, but the chant below it calls for a good harvest, so it's more likely some sort of almanac from ages ago.”

Aster grinned at Jade, causing her glasses to slip a bit down her nose. “Pretty cool, huh?”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade stared with wide-eyed interest, reaching out hesitantly to run her fingers over the writings.

"Huh..."

She mumbled.

"Ya.... where'd y' find this again?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster breathed out a quiet laugh.

“In a dusty cardboard box over at Gotham U's library. It should be in a museum.”

She adjusted her glasses and glanced to the side, her face splitting into a lopsided grin.

“And it will be. Aaaaas soon as I'm done taking a look at it...”

[gothamitenightingale]

"Strange."

Jade made a mental note to investigate the university later. Having something like this just... tucked away somewhere seemed strange and suspicious.

"What do y' think it is?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster took a breath and tilted her head back, leaning more of her weight onto the desk. Clearly thinking, she nodded to herself before settling on an answer.

“If I were to guess...” She leaned over the scroll, casting a studious gaze. “This was made by some sort of student, ages ago. Likely a devotee of some sort, learning spells and incantations from someone more experienced.”

She let out a quiet hum and narrowed her eyes, analyzing the script.

“See, here,” Aster picked up a pen to use as a pointer of sorts, and drew Jade's attention to some of the characters on the scroll. “The inking is a bit wobbly. The writer wasn't too sure of themselves yet. And judging from the blotting,” another gesture, “they had to pause once or twice for confirmation.”

She chuckled quietly, and a small smile twitched into existence on her face. “Not too different from students today, huh–”

Clink.

...The pen had fallen. Slipped right through Aster's hands, literally. She stared at it blankly for a second. That was... Strange. Certainly. But, granted, she had been awake for an absurd amount of time and had had an understandably wretched week. She had certainly just imagined that. ...Right?

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade tilted her head as Aster spoke - Birdlike, probably something she picked up from her siblings - and hummed softly.

"Hm. Good points- Any guesses at where it came from 'r-"

The clink of the pen stopped her mid-sentance, and she to stare directly at Aster now, scroll forgotten.

"...How long's it been since y' last slept...?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster remained silent for a few seconds, now working her fingers while watching them in tensed suspicion.

“Uhm...”

That was actually a good question. She nodded in thought, closing her eyes for a moment.

“About... Thirty seven hours, now. Probably. Class. Work. Studying.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade hummed thoughtfully. To be honest, she'd stayed up for a lot longer.

"'kay, tha's not too bad. Y' shoul' prob'ly sleep though."

She snickered.

"Y're remindin' me more an' more of RR at this point."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster burst into a cackle. “Is that why he's always zoning out in living rooms? And... Yeah,” she tilted her head to the side. “Probably.”

She paused for a moment, glancing back at her hand.

“...Usually it takes me longer to start seeing things,” Aster forced a chuckle. “Maybe I'm coming down with something.”

[gothamitenightingale]

"Ya- he's ridiculous."

Jade huffed, almost looking fondly annoyed.

She blinked at Aster's hand and her eyes narrowed a little.

"Hm- Hol' on, pick somethin' else up? Let's jus' double check this isn' somethin' funny."

[theunbustedghost]

...Reluctantly, Aster nodded. She reached down to lift her journal.

Her fingers grazed the surface, touching it solidly. Aster nodded to herself, reassured by this, and attempted to lift the journal...

...Only for her hands to pass right through it. She sucked in a sharp breath and took a step back. Her eyes, now widened, examined her shaking hands.

They certainly looked fine. She held them together and could feel the touch. Firm. Warm. Calloused. ...Static?

They phased straight through each other, taking on a translucent glow, like lightly frosted glass. Then, just as before, they were back to normal.

Aster shuddered, “The hell–”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade was dead silent now, and a shade or two paler than she had been.

"Tha's weird."

She hesitantly held out her hand.

"Jus'- Can y' still touch me?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster took a deep, albeit shaky breath, and reached out to touch Jade's hand. To her relief, it worked.

Sure, yes, it felt like she had to will herself in place, but it worked. She nodded slowly.

“Yes- Yeah. I,” she swallowed. “I just have to... Focus on it, I think.”

//Essentially, as a side effect of the spell from earlier, a part of her is technically still “dead.” She can utilize that part to function as a ghost of sorts.\\

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade relaxed, just a little. Okay? What-

"O- okay. Maybe 's a side effect from earlier?"

She squinted at the scrolls.

"...I think this's where I dunno where t'go."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster nodded slowly, piecing things together in her mind.

“You're probably right. It's the only... Logical answer, at least. The static feeling is similar.”

She took a step back, and glanced down at the scroll.

“...Well. I guess I have a new research project now.”

Despite the anxiety thrumming through her veins, a morbid sort of curiosity glinted in her eyes. Aster's gaze fell to her own hands once more.

“...Fascinating.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade poked the notes again gently and hummed

"I think when y' said y' codename woul' be Ghost y' jinxed somethin'."

She snickered.

[theunbustedghost]

Aster burst into a laugh and covered her mouth as it evolved into a cackle. She glanced over at Jade, grinning lopsidedly.

“Oh, god, you're right. I really did didn't I?”

She let out a quiet sigh and rubbed her neck.

“That's still an...” Aster paused, mulling over the thoughts in her head. “...An interesting thought, I guess.”

She looked back at Jade, her grey eyes sparkling dimly, as if the light inside was weighed down something internal.

“Life has a way of throwing wrenches in one's plans, doesn't it?”

[theunbustedghost]

The apartment is small and rather cluttered, obviously lived in. One door is open, leading towards an office? No, wait, that's a bedroom. With all of the papers strewn about, the mistake is easy to make. A scroll lies open on the desk, surrounded by various journals, photographs, scribbled-on napkins, and a laptop complete with twenty eight tabs.

The second–presumably bedroom–door is closed. Quiet snores are audible from within.

Over on the kitchen stove, a kettle whistles. Aster makes quick use of the water in terms of brewing tea for herself, and her unexpected visitor.

// @gothamitenightingale \\

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade blinked slowly at the environment. It was cozy, kind of... calm. Safe-ish feeling. The paper-covered bedroom made her think of Tim.

"'s nice 'ere. Tha's yours?"

She pointed at the open door, trying for a mildly curious expression.

[theunbustedghost]

“Ah, thanks. Most of the actual decor's my roommate's work,” Aster responded. “And yeah. That one's mine.”

Stirring her own mug, she glanced over at Jade, lifting an eyebrow. “Any fixings in yours? Cream, sugar?”

[gothamitenightingale]

"Makes me think of RR's. 'e's got a million things out all the time too."

She leaned against the wall and glanced over with a small shrug.

"Don' care too much, I don' 'ave tea tha' often. Cream's nice."

[theunbustedghost]

She tilted her head in a nod, added mixed in some creamer, and returned with two mugs in tow.

Aster snickered quietly. “Red Robin's got his own personal archive too, huh? Guess that makes sense.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade took her mug with lopsided grin.

"Ya. Most've us do, he's jus' messier about it."

She took a sip and her face lit up, midnight black eyes sparkling a little as she immediately swallowed another mouthful. It reminded her of the tea that her mother made. She hadn't found much like her mother's tea in years, that was why she didn't drink it much anymore.

"This's good! Where'd y' learn?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster tilted her head slightly, and found her own lips twitching into a smile as well. That glimmer didn't go unnoticed. For reasons unknown to herself, it made her feel sort of... Warm.

She blew out a chuckle, and took a sip from her own mug. “My grandad was very, very British. You could say I learned from the best.” Her grin grew a bit lopsided as well, and Aster found herself rolling her eyes. “Thanks. It's good to hear someone enjoy it, Ro's never been a fan of tea.”

Aster thumbed towards the closed door. As if out of subconscious pettiness, the snores grew louder. Aster snickered.

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade put a hand over her mouth to keep herself from laughing before she swallowed her current mouthful, which would probably result in one of those unfortunate situations where one would spray whatever liquid they are drinking out of their nose.

"'e sounds great. 've talked t'him once or twice."

She hummed thoughtfully, thinking back to what Aster had told her and a slow grin spread across her face.

"Y' said y've met one of us? Where?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster nodded along and leaned against her doorframe. “Outside of Gotham U. Said he was heading to a taco stand down the block.”

...She raised an eyebrow, narrowing her eyes in curious, almost playful suspicion. “...why?”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade managed to swallow her mouthful of tea just before wheezing.

"Y' caught Hood outside Gotham Uni goin' for tacos?"

She cackled abruptly.

"'m never lettin' 'im live tha' one down. He hates tacos when I make 'em."

She took another mouthful of tea and swallowed, thinking it over.

"Don' snitch- Did he know who y' were?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster wasn't so lucky, and almost choked on her tea.

“Oh, damn. Red Hood? He was real excited about those tacos too.” She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and laughed as she shook her head. “I won't. And, uh, nah. Don't think so at least. Seeing as he asked.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade snickered.

"'m totally gonna bug 'im about tha'. If y' answered honestly 'e prob'ly knows most've y' life's story by now, but now I know he jus' pretends t'hate tacos."

She leaned against the wall again, lopsided grin nearly splitting her face.

"If y' see 'im again make sure t'bug 'im about tha' for me."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster puffed out a laugh. “Will do. Promise.”

She paused for a second before letting out an annoyed sigh...which very quickly graduated to a groan. Aster tilted her head back to rest against the doorframe with a quiet thunk.

“...Bug him for me too. All his questions made me late,” she sneered. “I had to sit next to Dennis Collins again. God, I hate that guy.”

[gothamitenightingale]

"Oooffff."

Jade winced in sympathy.

"Looked into tha' kid, he sounds like he sucks."

She took another sip of her tea and her midnight eyes narrowed with mischief.

"....'s stuffin' 'is socks with glitter enough payback for y'?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster grew a slow, wicked grin, and turned her head back to Jade.

Grey eyes hidden behind comically fluffy hair sparked with a playful sort of danger.

“...Oh, I like the way you think.”

She took a sip of tea and swirled her mug around, as if mulling a few thoughts over. “...But I do wonder... Why stop at the socks?”

[gothamitenightingale]

Both her eyebrows shot up, eyes wide with interest.

"...Ya?"

[theunbustedghost]

“I mean...” Aster let out an almost evil chuckle. “...I know you're here to take a look at the scroll, but a little plotting never hurt anyone. Well- Actually it has. But this is more so...severe inconvenience plotting. Like, say...”

She waved her mug around, flashing a devilish grin. “Replace his toothpaste with glue. Sand in his shoes. Itching powder in his favorite hoodie.”

She winked and took a sip, eyes twinkling mischievously. “Get creative with it, ya know?”

[gothamitenightingale]

If Jade had looked mischevious before, now she looked downright devious.

"....Y'know anywhere tha's got cheap, nontoxic glue?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster took a slow sip and nodded. She glanced towards Rowan's door.

“Free, cheap, and owned by a guy that sleeps like a bear.” Her face split into a downright evil grin as she looked back at Jade. “...He also wouldn't mind. Probably.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade cackled abruptly.

"Commitin' a theft instead of stoppin' one? Y're a horrible influence an' y're not even my sister yet."

She leaned back and thought it over, still grinning.

"Could glue 'is door's hinges. Plus mix tha' an' some glitter in 'is toothpaste."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster paused for just a second. It was almost unnoticeable. Despite all that she'd joked, a family... A new family was still a novel concept to her. After all, she'd never known her parents, and her grandfather had passed years ago. It was almost scary how natural this role came to her.

She blinked the sudden dullness out of her eyes, and snickered before she continued. “At least, as far as bad influences go, I do like tacos.” Aster's eyes flashed with a playful variation of spite.

She waved a hand through the air and rolled her eyes, mocking a sense of disdain. “And besides, he owes me. He borrowed one of my books last week and returned it with a coffee stain. A small one, but a stain's a stain. Ooh...” An idea struck. Aster snapped her fingers “...Water damage to the notes Dennis copied off of me.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade snickered, completely oblivious to the split-second pause. She was used to this now, used to Steph teaching her the ways of Chaos and Babs erasing evidence. A sister was a foreign thing to her once. Not anymore.

"Ooh. I can help with tha'. Wha's 'is room?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster grinned. “For the first time ever, I'm actually happy to say that Dennis lives next door.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Another somewhat maniac-sounding cackle.

"Two minutes flat. Y' got a cup of water?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster pushed off of the doorframe and filled a glass with water. Seeing as it was Gotham tap, it had a sickly greenish-grey tint to it. Lovely.

“Here ya go, knock yourself out.” She winked and slid the glass forward. “I'll be waiting.”

Aster glanced into her wasteland of a bedroom and winced. “...I'll. Uh. Clear a path to my desk for when you're back.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade took the cup and flashed a grin, slipping out the window again in dead silence.

Less than a minute later she slipped back in and shut the window, immediately bursting into muffled cackles.

"How mad do y' think he's gonna be?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster snorted, breaking into a series of her own cackles as well. She didn't bother to muffle them, seeing as Rowan had slept through literal shootings before.

“Oh, absolutely livid,” she grinned, her eyes gleaming with mirth. She set a few more papers aside in her room and glanced over at Jade, mischief etched into her features. “But if he tries anything tomorrow, he'll be sorry he started bothering me in the first place.” Another wink.

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade picked up her tea and downed the rest of it with a grin.

"Lemme know if he gets unbearable an' I know a lotta ways t'cover a murder."

She joked.

[theunbustedghost]

Aster snickered. “Mm. Might have to take you up on that.” She headed back and leaned against her desk, tilting her head in a side nod as she finished her own mug of tea. “...Joking, obviously. Maybe. Possibly. ...Mostly.”

She sighed and cracked her neck. After brushing an unruly lock of dyed hair out of her face, Aster finally gestured to the open scroll on the desk.

“Aaanyways... Here's the scroll.” Aster picked up a pair of silver rimmed glasses, put them on, and adjusted them slightly before bending over the artifact.

She rested her hands on the desk, gesturing to various words and phrases. “Now, this one here that I've annotated in my journal's the one that...” She paused and tilted her head in thought. “Well... I wouldn't say killed, more so... Temporarily turned me into a spirit. So, be mindful of that one. At first I thought this entire scroll could be themed around death-based curses and spells, but the chant below it calls for a good harvest, so it's more likely some sort of almanac from ages ago.”

Aster grinned at Jade, causing her glasses to slip a bit down her nose. “Pretty cool, huh?”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade stared with wide-eyed interest, reaching out hesitantly to run her fingers over the writings.

"Huh..."

She mumbled.

"Ya.... where'd y' find this again?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster breathed out a quiet laugh.

“In a dusty cardboard box over at Gotham U's library. It should be in a museum.”

She adjusted her glasses and glanced to the side, her face splitting into a lopsided grin.

“And it will be. Aaaaas soon as I'm done taking a look at it...”

[gothamitenightingale]

"Strange."

Jade made a mental note to investigate the university later. Having something like this just... tucked away somewhere seemed strange and suspicious.

"What do y' think it is?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster took a breath and tilted her head back, leaning more of her weight onto the desk. Clearly thinking, she nodded to herself before settling on an answer.

“If I were to guess...” She leaned over the scroll, casting a studious gaze. “This was made by some sort of student, ages ago. Likely a devotee of some sort, learning spells and incantations from someone more experienced.”

She let out a quiet hum and narrowed her eyes, analyzing the script.

“See, here,” Aster picked up a pen to use as a pointer of sorts, and drew Jade's attention to some of the characters on the scroll. “The inking is a bit wobbly. The writer wasn't too sure of themselves yet. And judging from the blotting,” another gesture, “they had to pause once or twice for confirmation.”

She chuckled quietly, and a small smile twitched into existence on her face. “Not too different from students today, huh–”

Clink.

...The pen had fallen. Slipped right through Aster's hands, literally. She stared at it blankly for a second. That was... Strange. Certainly. But, granted, she had been awake for an absurd amount of time and had had an understandably wretched week. She had certainly just imagined that. ...Right?

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade tilted her head as Aster spoke - Birdlike, probably something she picked up from her siblings - and hummed softly.

"Hm. Good points- Any guesses at where it came from 'r-"

The clink of the pen stopped her mid-sentance, and she to stare directly at Aster now, scroll forgotten.

"...How long's it been since y' last slept...?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster remained silent for a few seconds, now working her fingers while watching them in tensed suspicion.

“Uhm...”

That was actually a good question. She nodded in thought, closing her eyes for a moment.

“About... Thirty seven hours, now. Probably. Class. Work. Studying.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade hummed thoughtfully. To be honest, she'd stayed up for a lot longer.

"'kay, tha's not too bad. Y' shoul' prob'ly sleep though."

She snickered.

"Y're remindin' me more an' more of RR at this point."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster burst into a cackle. “Is that why he's always zoning out in living rooms? And... Yeah,” she tilted her head to the side. “Probably.”

She paused for a moment, glancing back at her hand.

“...Usually it takes me longer to start seeing things,” Aster forced a chuckle. “Maybe I'm coming down with something.”

[gothamitenightingale]

"Ya- he's ridiculous."

Jade huffed, almost looking fondly annoyed.

She blinked at Aster's hand and her eyes narrowed a little.

"Hm- Hol' on, pick somethin' else up? Let's jus' double check this isn' somethin' funny."

[theunbustedghost]

...Reluctantly, Aster nodded. She reached down to lift her journal.

Her fingers grazed the surface, touching it solidly. Aster nodded to herself, reassured by this, and attempted to lift the journal...

...Only for her hands to pass right through it. She sucked in a sharp breath and took a step back. Her eyes, now widened, examined her shaking hands.

They certainly looked fine. She held them together and could feel the touch. Firm. Warm. Calloused. ...Static?

They phased straight through each other, taking on a translucent glow, like lightly frosted glass. Then, just as before, they were back to normal.

Aster shuddered, “The hell–”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade was dead silent now, and a shade or two paler than she had been.

"Tha's weird."

She hesitantly held out her hand.

"Jus'- Can y' still touch me?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster took a deep, albeit shaky breath, and reached out to touch Jade's hand. To her relief, it worked.

Sure, yes, it felt like she had to will herself in place, but it worked. She nodded slowly.

“Yes- Yeah. I,” she swallowed. “I just have to... Focus on it, I think.”

//Essentially, as a side effect of the spell from earlier, a part of her is technically still “dead.” She can utilize that part to function as a ghost of sorts.\\

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade relaxed, just a little. Okay? What-

"O- okay. Maybe 's a side effect from earlier?"

She squinted at the scrolls.

"...I think this's where I dunno where t'go."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster nodded slowly, piecing things together in her mind.

“You're probably right. It's the only... Logical answer, at least. The static feeling is similar.”

She took a step back, and glanced down at the scroll.

“...Well. I guess I have a new research project now.”

Despite the anxiety thrumming through her veins, a morbid sort of curiosity glinted in her eyes. Aster's gaze fell to her own hands once more.

“...Fascinating.”

[theunbustedghost]

The apartment is small and rather cluttered, obviously lived in. One door is open, leading towards an office? No, wait, that's a bedroom. With all of the papers strewn about, the mistake is easy to make. A scroll lies open on the desk, surrounded by various journals, photographs, scribbled-on napkins, and a laptop complete with twenty eight tabs.

The second–presumably bedroom–door is closed. Quiet snores are audible from within.

Over on the kitchen stove, a kettle whistles. Aster makes quick use of the water in terms of brewing tea for herself, and her unexpected visitor.

// @gothamitenightingale \\

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade blinked slowly at the environment. It was cozy, kind of... calm. Safe-ish feeling. The paper-covered bedroom made her think of Tim.

"'s nice 'ere. Tha's yours?"

She pointed at the open door, trying for a mildly curious expression.

[theunbustedghost]

“Ah, thanks. Most of the actual decor's my roommate's work,” Aster responded. “And yeah. That one's mine.”

Stirring her own mug, she glanced over at Jade, lifting an eyebrow. “Any fixings in yours? Cream, sugar?”

[gothamitenightingale]

"Makes me think of RR's. 'e's got a million things out all the time too."

She leaned against the wall and glanced over with a small shrug.

"Don' care too much, I don' 'ave tea tha' often. Cream's nice."

[theunbustedghost]

She tilted her head in a nod, added mixed in some creamer, and returned with two mugs in tow.

Aster snickered quietly. “Red Robin's got his own personal archive too, huh? Guess that makes sense.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade took her mug with lopsided grin.

"Ya. Most've us do, he's jus' messier about it."

She took a sip and her face lit up, midnight black eyes sparkling a little as she immediately swallowed another mouthful. It reminded her of the tea that her mother made. She hadn't found much like her mother's tea in years, that was why she didn't drink it much anymore.

"This's good! Where'd y' learn?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster tilted her head slightly, and found her own lips twitching into a smile as well. That glimmer didn't go unnoticed. For reasons unknown to herself, it made her feel sort of... Warm.

She blew out a chuckle, and took a sip from her own mug. “My grandad was very, very British. You could say I learned from the best.” Her grin grew a bit lopsided as well, and Aster found herself rolling her eyes. “Thanks. It's good to hear someone enjoy it, Ro's never been a fan of tea.”

Aster thumbed towards the closed door. As if out of subconscious pettiness, the snores grew louder. Aster snickered.

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade put a hand over her mouth to keep herself from laughing before she swallowed her current mouthful, which would probably result in one of those unfortunate situations where one would spray whatever liquid they are drinking out of their nose.

"'e sounds great. 've talked t'him once or twice."

She hummed thoughtfully, thinking back to what Aster had told her and a slow grin spread across her face.

"Y' said y've met one of us? Where?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster nodded along and leaned against her doorframe. “Outside of Gotham U. Said he was heading to a taco stand down the block.”

...She raised an eyebrow, narrowing her eyes in curious, almost playful suspicion. “...why?”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade managed to swallow her mouthful of tea just before wheezing.

"Y' caught Hood outside Gotham Uni goin' for tacos?"

She cackled abruptly.

"'m never lettin' 'im live tha' one down. He hates tacos when I make 'em."

She took another mouthful of tea and swallowed, thinking it over.

"Don' snitch- Did he know who y' were?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster wasn't so lucky, and almost choked on her tea.

“Oh, damn. Red Hood? He was real excited about those tacos too.” She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and laughed as she shook her head. “I won't. And, uh, nah. Don't think so at least. Seeing as he asked.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade snickered.

"'m totally gonna bug 'im about tha'. If y' answered honestly 'e prob'ly knows most've y' life's story by now, but now I know he jus' pretends t'hate tacos."

She leaned against the wall again, lopsided grin nearly splitting her face.

"If y' see 'im again make sure t'bug 'im about tha' for me."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster puffed out a laugh. “Will do. Promise.”

She paused for a second before letting out an annoyed sigh...which very quickly graduated to a groan. Aster tilted her head back to rest against the doorframe with a quiet thunk.

“...Bug him for me too. All his questions made me late,” she sneered. “I had to sit next to Dennis Collins again. God, I hate that guy.”

[gothamitenightingale]

"Oooffff."

Jade winced in sympathy.

"Looked into tha' kid, he sounds like he sucks."

She took another sip of her tea and her midnight eyes narrowed with mischief.

"....'s stuffin' 'is socks with glitter enough payback for y'?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster grew a slow, wicked grin, and turned her head back to Jade.

Grey eyes hidden behind comically fluffy hair sparked with a playful sort of danger.

“...Oh, I like the way you think.”

She took a sip of tea and swirled her mug around, as if mulling a few thoughts over. “...But I do wonder... Why stop at the socks?”

[gothamitenightingale]

Both her eyebrows shot up, eyes wide with interest.

"...Ya?"

[theunbustedghost]

“I mean...” Aster let out an almost evil chuckle. “...I know you're here to take a look at the scroll, but a little plotting never hurt anyone. Well- Actually it has. But this is more so...severe inconvenience plotting. Like, say...”

She waved her mug around, flashing a devilish grin. “Replace his toothpaste with glue. Sand in his shoes. Itching powder in his favorite hoodie.”

She winked and took a sip, eyes twinkling mischievously. “Get creative with it, ya know?”

[gothamitenightingale]

If Jade had looked mischevious before, now she looked downright devious.

"....Y'know anywhere tha's got cheap, nontoxic glue?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster took a slow sip and nodded. She glanced towards Rowan's door.

“Free, cheap, and owned by a guy that sleeps like a bear.” Her face split into a downright evil grin as she looked back at Jade. “...He also wouldn't mind. Probably.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade cackled abruptly.

"Commitin' a theft instead of stoppin' one? Y're a horrible influence an' y're not even my sister yet."

She leaned back and thought it over, still grinning.

"Could glue 'is door's hinges. Plus mix tha' an' some glitter in 'is toothpaste."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster paused for just a second. It was almost unnoticeable. Despite all that she'd joked, a family... A new family was still a novel concept to her. After all, she'd never known her parents, and her grandfather had passed years ago. It was almost scary how natural this role came to her.

She blinked the sudden dullness out of her eyes, and snickered before she continued. “At least, as far as bad influences go, I do like tacos.” Aster's eyes flashed with a playful variation of spite.

She waved a hand through the air and rolled her eyes, mocking a sense of disdain. “And besides, he owes me. He borrowed one of my books last week and returned it with a coffee stain. A small one, but a stain's a stain. Ooh...” An idea struck. Aster snapped her fingers “...Water damage to the notes Dennis copied off of me.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade snickered, completely oblivious to the split-second pause. She was used to this now, used to Steph teaching her the ways of Chaos and Babs erasing evidence. A sister was a foreign thing to her once. Not anymore.

"Ooh. I can help with tha'. Wha's 'is room?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster grinned. “For the first time ever, I'm actually happy to say that Dennis lives next door.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Another somewhat maniac-sounding cackle.

"Two minutes flat. Y' got a cup of water?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster pushed off of the doorframe and filled a glass with water. Seeing as it was Gotham tap, it had a sickly greenish-grey tint to it. Lovely.

“Here ya go, knock yourself out.” She winked and slid the glass forward. “I'll be waiting.”

Aster glanced into her wasteland of a bedroom and winced. “...I'll. Uh. Clear a path to my desk for when you're back.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade took the cup and flashed a grin, slipping out the window again in dead silence.

Less than a minute later she slipped back in and shut the window, immediately bursting into muffled cackles.

"How mad do y' think he's gonna be?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster snorted, breaking into a series of her own cackles as well. She didn't bother to muffle them, seeing as Rowan had slept through literal shootings before.

“Oh, absolutely livid,” she grinned, her eyes gleaming with mirth. She set a few more papers aside in her room and glanced over at Jade, mischief etched into her features. “But if he tries anything tomorrow, he'll be sorry he started bothering me in the first place.” Another wink.

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade picked up her tea and downed the rest of it with a grin.

"Lemme know if he gets unbearable an' I know a lotta ways t'cover a murder."

She joked.

[theunbustedghost]

Aster snickered. “Mm. Might have to take you up on that.” She headed back and leaned against her desk, tilting her head in a side nod as she finished her own mug of tea. “...Joking, obviously. Maybe. Possibly. ...Mostly.”

She sighed and cracked her neck. After brushing an unruly lock of dyed hair out of her face, Aster finally gestured to the open scroll on the desk.

“Aaanyways... Here's the scroll.” Aster picked up a pair of silver rimmed glasses, put them on, and adjusted them slightly before bending over the artifact.

She rested her hands on the desk, gesturing to various words and phrases. “Now, this one here that I've annotated in my journal's the one that...” She paused and tilted her head in thought. “Well... I wouldn't say killed, more so... Temporarily turned me into a spirit. So, be mindful of that one. At first I thought this entire scroll could be themed around death-based curses and spells, but the chant below it calls for a good harvest, so it's more likely some sort of almanac from ages ago.”

Aster grinned at Jade, causing her glasses to slip a bit down her nose. “Pretty cool, huh?”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade stared with wide-eyed interest, reaching out hesitantly to run her fingers over the writings.

"Huh..."

She mumbled.

"Ya.... where'd y' find this again?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster breathed out a quiet laugh.

“In a dusty cardboard box over at Gotham U's library. It should be in a museum.”

She adjusted her glasses and glanced to the side, her face splitting into a lopsided grin.

“And it will be. Aaaaas soon as I'm done taking a look at it...”

[gothamitenightingale]

"Strange."

Jade made a mental note to investigate the university later. Having something like this just... tucked away somewhere seemed strange and suspicious.

"What do y' think it is?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster took a breath and tilted her head back, leaning more of her weight onto the desk. Clearly thinking, she nodded to herself before settling on an answer.

“If I were to guess...” She leaned over the scroll, casting a studious gaze. “This was made by some sort of student, ages ago. Likely a devotee of some sort, learning spells and incantations from someone more experienced.”

She let out a quiet hum and narrowed her eyes, analyzing the script.

“See, here,” Aster picked up a pen to use as a pointer of sorts, and drew Jade's attention to some of the characters on the scroll. “The inking is a bit wobbly. The writer wasn't too sure of themselves yet. And judging from the blotting,” another gesture, “they had to pause once or twice for confirmation.”

She chuckled quietly, and a small smile twitched into existence on her face. “Not too different from students today, huh–”

Clink.

...The pen had fallen. Slipped right through Aster's hands, literally. She stared at it blankly for a second. That was... Strange. Certainly. But, granted, she had been awake for an absurd amount of time and had had an understandably wretched week. She had certainly just imagined that. ...Right?

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade tilted her head as Aster spoke - Birdlike, probably something she picked up from her siblings - and hummed softly.

"Hm. Good points- Any guesses at where it came from 'r-"

The clink of the pen stopped her mid-sentance, and she to stare directly at Aster now, scroll forgotten.

"...How long's it been since y' last slept...?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster remained silent for a few seconds, now working her fingers while watching them in tensed suspicion.

“Uhm...”

That was actually a good question. She nodded in thought, closing her eyes for a moment.

“About... Thirty seven hours, now. Probably. Class. Work. Studying.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade hummed thoughtfully. To be honest, she'd stayed up for a lot longer.

"'kay, tha's not too bad. Y' shoul' prob'ly sleep though."

She snickered.

"Y're remindin' me more an' more of RR at this point."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster burst into a cackle. “Is that why he's always zoning out in living rooms? And... Yeah,” she tilted her head to the side. “Probably.”

She paused for a moment, glancing back at her hand.

“...Usually it takes me longer to start seeing things,” Aster forced a chuckle. “Maybe I'm coming down with something.”

[gothamitenightingale]

"Ya- he's ridiculous."

Jade huffed, almost looking fondly annoyed.

She blinked at Aster's hand and her eyes narrowed a little.

"Hm- Hol' on, pick somethin' else up? Let's jus' double check this isn' somethin' funny."

[theunbustedghost]

...Reluctantly, Aster nodded. She reached down to lift her journal.

Her fingers grazed the surface, touching it solidly. Aster nodded to herself, reassured by this, and attempted to lift the journal...

...Only for her hands to pass right through it. She sucked in a sharp breath and took a step back. Her eyes, now widened, examined her shaking hands.

They certainly looked fine. She held them together and could feel the touch. Firm. Warm. Calloused. ...Static?

They phased straight through each other, taking on a translucent glow, like lightly frosted glass. Then, just as before, they were back to normal.

Aster shuddered, “The hell–”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade was dead silent now, and a shade or two paler than she had been.

"Tha's weird."

She hesitantly held out her hand.

"Jus'- Can y' still touch me?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster took a deep, albeit shaky breath, and reached out to touch Jade's hand. To her relief, it worked.

Sure, yes, it felt like she had to will herself in place, but it worked. She nodded slowly.

“Yes- Yeah. I,” she swallowed. “I just have to... Focus on it, I think.”

//Essentially, as a side effect of the spell from earlier, a part of her is technically still “dead.” She can utilize that part to function as a ghost of sorts.\\

[theunbustedghost]

The apartment is small and rather cluttered, obviously lived in. One door is open, leading towards an office? No, wait, that's a bedroom. With all of the papers strewn about, the mistake is easy to make. A scroll lies open on the desk, surrounded by various journals, photographs, scribbled-on napkins, and a laptop complete with twenty eight tabs.

The second–presumably bedroom–door is closed. Quiet snores are audible from within.

Over on the kitchen stove, a kettle whistles. Aster makes quick use of the water in terms of brewing tea for herself, and her unexpected visitor.

// @gothamitenightingale \\

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade blinked slowly at the environment. It was cozy, kind of... calm. Safe-ish feeling. The paper-covered bedroom made her think of Tim.

"'s nice 'ere. Tha's yours?"

She pointed at the open door, trying for a mildly curious expression.

[theunbustedghost]

“Ah, thanks. Most of the actual decor's my roommate's work,” Aster responded. “And yeah. That one's mine.”

Stirring her own mug, she glanced over at Jade, lifting an eyebrow. “Any fixings in yours? Cream, sugar?”

[gothamitenightingale]

"Makes me think of RR's. 'e's got a million things out all the time too."

She leaned against the wall and glanced over with a small shrug.

"Don' care too much, I don' 'ave tea tha' often. Cream's nice."

[theunbustedghost]

She tilted her head in a nod, added mixed in some creamer, and returned with two mugs in tow.

Aster snickered quietly. “Red Robin's got his own personal archive too, huh? Guess that makes sense.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade took her mug with lopsided grin.

"Ya. Most've us do, he's jus' messier about it."

She took a sip and her face lit up, midnight black eyes sparkling a little as she immediately swallowed another mouthful. It reminded her of the tea that her mother made. She hadn't found much like her mother's tea in years, that was why she didn't drink it much anymore.

"This's good! Where'd y' learn?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster tilted her head slightly, and found her own lips twitching into a smile as well. That glimmer didn't go unnoticed. For reasons unknown to herself, it made her feel sort of... Warm.

She blew out a chuckle, and took a sip from her own mug. “My grandad was very, very British. You could say I learned from the best.” Her grin grew a bit lopsided as well, and Aster found herself rolling her eyes. “Thanks. It's good to hear someone enjoy it, Ro's never been a fan of tea.”

Aster thumbed towards the closed door. As if out of subconscious pettiness, the snores grew louder. Aster snickered.

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade put a hand over her mouth to keep herself from laughing before she swallowed her current mouthful, which would probably result in one of those unfortunate situations where one would spray whatever liquid they are drinking out of their nose.

"'e sounds great. 've talked t'him once or twice."

She hummed thoughtfully, thinking back to what Aster had told her and a slow grin spread across her face.

"Y' said y've met one of us? Where?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster nodded along and leaned against her doorframe. “Outside of Gotham U. Said he was heading to a taco stand down the block.”

...She raised an eyebrow, narrowing her eyes in curious, almost playful suspicion. “...why?”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade managed to swallow her mouthful of tea just before wheezing.

"Y' caught Hood outside Gotham Uni goin' for tacos?"

She cackled abruptly.

"'m never lettin' 'im live tha' one down. He hates tacos when I make 'em."

She took another mouthful of tea and swallowed, thinking it over.

"Don' snitch- Did he know who y' were?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster wasn't so lucky, and almost choked on her tea.

“Oh, damn. Red Hood? He was real excited about those tacos too.” She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and laughed as she shook her head. “I won't. And, uh, nah. Don't think so at least. Seeing as he asked.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade snickered.

"'m totally gonna bug 'im about tha'. If y' answered honestly 'e prob'ly knows most've y' life's story by now, but now I know he jus' pretends t'hate tacos."

She leaned against the wall again, lopsided grin nearly splitting her face.

"If y' see 'im again make sure t'bug 'im about tha' for me."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster puffed out a laugh. “Will do. Promise.”

She paused for a second before letting out an annoyed sigh...which very quickly graduated to a groan. Aster tilted her head back to rest against the doorframe with a quiet thunk.

“...Bug him for me too. All his questions made me late,” she sneered. “I had to sit next to Dennis Collins again. God, I hate that guy.”

[gothamitenightingale]

"Oooffff."

Jade winced in sympathy.

"Looked into tha' kid, he sounds like he sucks."

She took another sip of her tea and her midnight eyes narrowed with mischief.

"....'s stuffin' 'is socks with glitter enough payback for y'?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster grew a slow, wicked grin, and turned her head back to Jade.

Grey eyes hidden behind comically fluffy hair sparked with a playful sort of danger.

“...Oh, I like the way you think.”

She took a sip of tea and swirled her mug around, as if mulling a few thoughts over. “...But I do wonder... Why stop at the socks?”

[gothamitenightingale]

Both her eyebrows shot up, eyes wide with interest.

"...Ya?"

[theunbustedghost]

“I mean...” Aster let out an almost evil chuckle. “...I know you're here to take a look at the scroll, but a little plotting never hurt anyone. Well- Actually it has. But this is more so...severe inconvenience plotting. Like, say...”

She waved her mug around, flashing a devilish grin. “Replace his toothpaste with glue. Sand in his shoes. Itching powder in his favorite hoodie.”

She winked and took a sip, eyes twinkling mischievously. “Get creative with it, ya know?”

[gothamitenightingale]

If Jade had looked mischevious before, now she looked downright devious.

"....Y'know anywhere tha's got cheap, nontoxic glue?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster took a slow sip and nodded. She glanced towards Rowan's door.

“Free, cheap, and owned by a guy that sleeps like a bear.” Her face split into a downright evil grin as she looked back at Jade. “...He also wouldn't mind. Probably.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade cackled abruptly.

"Commitin' a theft instead of stoppin' one? Y're a horrible influence an' y're not even my sister yet."

She leaned back and thought it over, still grinning.

"Could glue 'is door's hinges. Plus mix tha' an' some glitter in 'is toothpaste."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster paused for just a second. It was almost unnoticeable. Despite all that she'd joked, a family... A new family was still a novel concept to her. After all, she'd never known her parents, and her grandfather had passed years ago. It was almost scary how natural this role came to her.

She blinked the sudden dullness out of her eyes, and snickered before she continued. “At least, as far as bad influences go, I do like tacos.” Aster's eyes flashed with a playful variation of spite.

She waved a hand through the air and rolled her eyes, mocking a sense of disdain. “And besides, he owes me. He borrowed one of my books last week and returned it with a coffee stain. A small one, but a stain's a stain. Ooh...” An idea struck. Aster snapped her fingers “...Water damage to the notes Dennis copied off of me.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade snickered, completely oblivious to the split-second pause. She was used to this now, used to Steph teaching her the ways of Chaos and Babs erasing evidence. A sister was a foreign thing to her once. Not anymore.

"Ooh. I can help with tha'. Wha's 'is room?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster grinned. “For the first time ever, I'm actually happy to say that Dennis lives next door.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Another somewhat maniac-sounding cackle.

"Two minutes flat. Y' got a cup of water?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster pushed off of the doorframe and filled a glass with water. Seeing as it was Gotham tap, it had a sickly greenish-grey tint to it. Lovely.

“Here ya go, knock yourself out.” She winked and slid the glass forward. “I'll be waiting.”

Aster glanced into her wasteland of a bedroom and winced. “...I'll. Uh. Clear a path to my desk for when you're back.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade took the cup and flashed a grin, slipping out the window again in dead silence.

Less than a minute later she slipped back in and shut the window, immediately bursting into muffled cackles.

"How mad do y' think he's gonna be?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster snorted, breaking into a series of her own cackles as well. She didn't bother to muffle them, seeing as Rowan had slept through literal shootings before.

“Oh, absolutely livid,” she grinned, her eyes gleaming with mirth. She set a few more papers aside in her room and glanced over at Jade, mischief etched into her features. “But if he tries anything tomorrow, he'll be sorry he started bothering me in the first place.” Another wink.

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade picked up her tea and downed the rest of it with a grin.

"Lemme know if he gets unbearable an' I know a lotta ways t'cover a murder."

She joked.

[theunbustedghost]

Aster snickered. “Mm. Might have to take you up on that.” She headed back and leaned against her desk, tilting her head in a side nod as she finished her own mug of tea. “...Joking, obviously. Maybe. Possibly. ...Mostly.”

She sighed and cracked her neck. After brushing an unruly lock of dyed hair out of her face, Aster finally gestured to the open scroll on the desk.

“Aaanyways... Here's the scroll.” Aster picked up a pair of silver rimmed glasses, put them on, and adjusted them slightly before bending over the artifact.

She rested her hands on the desk, gesturing to various words and phrases. “Now, this one here that I've annotated in my journal's the one that...” She paused and tilted her head in thought. “Well... I wouldn't say killed, more so... Temporarily turned me into a spirit. So, be mindful of that one. At first I thought this entire scroll could be themed around death-based curses and spells, but the chant below it calls for a good harvest, so it's more likely some sort of almanac from ages ago.”

Aster grinned at Jade, causing her glasses to slip a bit down her nose. “Pretty cool, huh?”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade stared with wide-eyed interest, reaching out hesitantly to run her fingers over the writings.

"Huh..."

She mumbled.

"Ya.... where'd y' find this again?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster breathed out a quiet laugh.

“In a dusty cardboard box over at Gotham U's library. It should be in a museum.”

She adjusted her glasses and glanced to the side, her face splitting into a lopsided grin.

“And it will be. Aaaaas soon as I'm done taking a look at it...”

[gothamitenightingale]

"Strange."

Jade made a mental note to investigate the university later. Having something like this just... tucked away somewhere seemed strange and suspicious.

"What do y' think it is?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster took a breath and tilted her head back, leaning more of her weight onto the desk. Clearly thinking, she nodded to herself before settling on an answer.

“If I were to guess...” She leaned over the scroll, casting a studious gaze. “This was made by some sort of student, ages ago. Likely a devotee of some sort, learning spells and incantations from someone more experienced.”

She let out a quiet hum and narrowed her eyes, analyzing the script.

“See, here,” Aster picked up a pen to use as a pointer of sorts, and drew Jade's attention to some of the characters on the scroll. “The inking is a bit wobbly. The writer wasn't too sure of themselves yet. And judging from the blotting,” another gesture, “they had to pause once or twice for confirmation.”

She chuckled quietly, and a small smile twitched into existence on her face. “Not too different from students today, huh–”

Clink.

...The pen had fallen. Slipped right through Aster's hands, literally. She stared at it blankly for a second. That was... Strange. Certainly. But, granted, she had been awake for an absurd amount of time and had had an understandably wretched week. She had certainly just imagined that. ...Right?

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade tilted her head as Aster spoke - Birdlike, probably something she picked up from her siblings - and hummed softly.

"Hm. Good points- Any guesses at where it came from 'r-"

The clink of the pen stopped her mid-sentance, and she to stare directly at Aster now, scroll forgotten.

"...How long's it been since y' last slept...?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster remained silent for a few seconds, now working her fingers while watching them in tensed suspicion.

“Uhm...”

That was actually a good question. She nodded in thought, closing her eyes for a moment.

“About... Thirty seven hours, now. Probably. Class. Work. Studying.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade hummed thoughtfully. To be honest, she'd stayed up for a lot longer.

"'kay, tha's not too bad. Y' shoul' prob'ly sleep though."

She snickered.

"Y're remindin' me more an' more of RR at this point."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster burst into a cackle. “Is that why he's always zoning out in living rooms? And... Yeah,” she tilted her head to the side. “Probably.”

She paused for a moment, glancing back at her hand.

“...Usually it takes me longer to start seeing things,” Aster forced a chuckle. “Maybe I'm coming down with something.”

[gothamitenightingale]

"Ya- he's ridiculous."

Jade huffed, almost looking fondly annoyed.

She blinked at Aster's hand and her eyes narrowed a little.

"Hm- Hol' on, pick somethin' else up? Let's jus' double check this isn' somethin' funny."

[theunbustedghost]

...Reluctantly, Aster nodded. She reached down to lift her journal.

Her fingers grazed the surface, touching it solidly. Aster nodded to herself, reassured by this, and attempted to lift the journal...

...Only for her hands to pass right through it. She sucked in a sharp breath and took a step back. Her eyes, now widened, examined her shaking hands.

They certainly looked fine. She held them together and could feel the touch. Firm. Warm. Calloused. ...Static?

They phased straight through each other, taking on a translucent glow, like lightly frosted glass. Then, just as before, they were back to normal.

Aster shuddered, “The hell–”

[theunbustedghost]

The apartment is small and rather cluttered, obviously lived in. One door is open, leading towards an office? No, wait, that's a bedroom. With all of the papers strewn about, the mistake is easy to make. A scroll lies open on the desk, surrounded by various journals, photographs, scribbled-on napkins, and a laptop complete with twenty eight tabs.

The second–presumably bedroom–door is closed. Quiet snores are audible from within.

Over on the kitchen stove, a kettle whistles. Aster makes quick use of the water in terms of brewing tea for herself, and her unexpected visitor.

// @gothamitenightingale \\

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade blinked slowly at the environment. It was cozy, kind of... calm. Safe-ish feeling. The paper-covered bedroom made her think of Tim.

"'s nice 'ere. Tha's yours?"

She pointed at the open door, trying for a mildly curious expression.

[theunbustedghost]

“Ah, thanks. Most of the actual decor's my roommate's work,” Aster responded. “And yeah. That one's mine.”

Stirring her own mug, she glanced over at Jade, lifting an eyebrow. “Any fixings in yours? Cream, sugar?”

[gothamitenightingale]

"Makes me think of RR's. 'e's got a million things out all the time too."

She leaned against the wall and glanced over with a small shrug.

"Don' care too much, I don' 'ave tea tha' often. Cream's nice."

[theunbustedghost]

She tilted her head in a nod, added mixed in some creamer, and returned with two mugs in tow.

Aster snickered quietly. “Red Robin's got his own personal archive too, huh? Guess that makes sense.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade took her mug with lopsided grin.

"Ya. Most've us do, he's jus' messier about it."

She took a sip and her face lit up, midnight black eyes sparkling a little as she immediately swallowed another mouthful. It reminded her of the tea that her mother made. She hadn't found much like her mother's tea in years, that was why she didn't drink it much anymore.

"This's good! Where'd y' learn?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster tilted her head slightly, and found her own lips twitching into a smile as well. That glimmer didn't go unnoticed. For reasons unknown to herself, it made her feel sort of... Warm.

She blew out a chuckle, and took a sip from her own mug. “My grandad was very, very British. You could say I learned from the best.” Her grin grew a bit lopsided as well, and Aster found herself rolling her eyes. “Thanks. It's good to hear someone enjoy it, Ro's never been a fan of tea.”

Aster thumbed towards the closed door. As if out of subconscious pettiness, the snores grew louder. Aster snickered.

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade put a hand over her mouth to keep herself from laughing before she swallowed her current mouthful, which would probably result in one of those unfortunate situations where one would spray whatever liquid they are drinking out of their nose.

"'e sounds great. 've talked t'him once or twice."

She hummed thoughtfully, thinking back to what Aster had told her and a slow grin spread across her face.

"Y' said y've met one of us? Where?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster nodded along and leaned against her doorframe. “Outside of Gotham U. Said he was heading to a taco stand down the block.”

...She raised an eyebrow, narrowing her eyes in curious, almost playful suspicion. “...why?”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade managed to swallow her mouthful of tea just before wheezing.

"Y' caught Hood outside Gotham Uni goin' for tacos?"

She cackled abruptly.

"'m never lettin' 'im live tha' one down. He hates tacos when I make 'em."

She took another mouthful of tea and swallowed, thinking it over.

"Don' snitch- Did he know who y' were?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster wasn't so lucky, and almost choked on her tea.

“Oh, damn. Red Hood? He was real excited about those tacos too.” She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and laughed as she shook her head. “I won't. And, uh, nah. Don't think so at least. Seeing as he asked.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade snickered.

"'m totally gonna bug 'im about tha'. If y' answered honestly 'e prob'ly knows most've y' life's story by now, but now I know he jus' pretends t'hate tacos."

She leaned against the wall again, lopsided grin nearly splitting her face.

"If y' see 'im again make sure t'bug 'im about tha' for me."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster puffed out a laugh. “Will do. Promise.”

She paused for a second before letting out an annoyed sigh...which very quickly graduated to a groan. Aster tilted her head back to rest against the doorframe with a quiet thunk.

“...Bug him for me too. All his questions made me late,” she sneered. “I had to sit next to Dennis Collins again. God, I hate that guy.”

[gothamitenightingale]

"Oooffff."

Jade winced in sympathy.

"Looked into tha' kid, he sounds like he sucks."

She took another sip of her tea and her midnight eyes narrowed with mischief.

"....'s stuffin' 'is socks with glitter enough payback for y'?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster grew a slow, wicked grin, and turned her head back to Jade.

Grey eyes hidden behind comically fluffy hair sparked with a playful sort of danger.

“...Oh, I like the way you think.”

She took a sip of tea and swirled her mug around, as if mulling a few thoughts over. “...But I do wonder... Why stop at the socks?”

[gothamitenightingale]

Both her eyebrows shot up, eyes wide with interest.

"...Ya?"

[theunbustedghost]

“I mean...” Aster let out an almost evil chuckle. “...I know you're here to take a look at the scroll, but a little plotting never hurt anyone. Well- Actually it has. But this is more so...severe inconvenience plotting. Like, say...”

She waved her mug around, flashing a devilish grin. “Replace his toothpaste with glue. Sand in his shoes. Itching powder in his favorite hoodie.”

She winked and took a sip, eyes twinkling mischievously. “Get creative with it, ya know?”

[gothamitenightingale]

If Jade had looked mischevious before, now she looked downright devious.

"....Y'know anywhere tha's got cheap, nontoxic glue?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster took a slow sip and nodded. She glanced towards Rowan's door.

“Free, cheap, and owned by a guy that sleeps like a bear.” Her face split into a downright evil grin as she looked back at Jade. “...He also wouldn't mind. Probably.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade cackled abruptly.

"Commitin' a theft instead of stoppin' one? Y're a horrible influence an' y're not even my sister yet."

She leaned back and thought it over, still grinning.

"Could glue 'is door's hinges. Plus mix tha' an' some glitter in 'is toothpaste."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster paused for just a second. It was almost unnoticeable. Despite all that she'd joked, a family... A new family was still a novel concept to her. After all, she'd never known her parents, and her grandfather had passed years ago. It was almost scary how natural this role came to her.

She blinked the sudden dullness out of her eyes, and snickered before she continued. “At least, as far as bad influences go, I do like tacos.” Aster's eyes flashed with a playful variation of spite.

She waved a hand through the air and rolled her eyes, mocking a sense of disdain. “And besides, he owes me. He borrowed one of my books last week and returned it with a coffee stain. A small one, but a stain's a stain. Ooh...” An idea struck. Aster snapped her fingers “...Water damage to the notes Dennis copied off of me.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade snickered, completely oblivious to the split-second pause. She was used to this now, used to Steph teaching her the ways of Chaos and Babs erasing evidence. A sister was a foreign thing to her once. Not anymore.

"Ooh. I can help with tha'. Wha's 'is room?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster grinned. “For the first time ever, I'm actually happy to say that Dennis lives next door.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Another somewhat maniac-sounding cackle.

"Two minutes flat. Y' got a cup of water?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster pushed off of the doorframe and filled a glass with water. Seeing as it was Gotham tap, it had a sickly greenish-grey tint to it. Lovely.

“Here ya go, knock yourself out.” She winked and slid the glass forward. “I'll be waiting.”

Aster glanced into her wasteland of a bedroom and winced. “...I'll. Uh. Clear a path to my desk for when you're back.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade took the cup and flashed a grin, slipping out the window again in dead silence.

Less than a minute later she slipped back in and shut the window, immediately bursting into muffled cackles.

"How mad do y' think he's gonna be?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster snorted, breaking into a series of her own cackles as well. She didn't bother to muffle them, seeing as Rowan had slept through literal shootings before.

“Oh, absolutely livid,” she grinned, her eyes gleaming with mirth. She set a few more papers aside in her room and glanced over at Jade, mischief etched into her features. “But if he tries anything tomorrow, he'll be sorry he started bothering me in the first place.” Another wink.

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade picked up her tea and downed the rest of it with a grin.

"Lemme know if he gets unbearable an' I know a lotta ways t'cover a murder."

She joked.

[theunbustedghost]

Aster snickered. “Mm. Might have to take you up on that.” She headed back and leaned against her desk, tilting her head in a side nod as she finished her own mug of tea. “...Joking, obviously. Maybe. Possibly. ...Mostly.”

She sighed and cracked her neck. After brushing an unruly lock of dyed hair out of her face, Aster finally gestured to the open scroll on the desk.

“Aaanyways... Here's the scroll.” Aster picked up a pair of silver rimmed glasses, put them on, and adjusted them slightly before bending over the artifact.

She rested her hands on the desk, gesturing to various words and phrases. “Now, this one here that I've annotated in my journal's the one that...” She paused and tilted her head in thought. “Well... I wouldn't say killed, more so... Temporarily turned me into a spirit. So, be mindful of that one. At first I thought this entire scroll could be themed around death-based curses and spells, but the chant below it calls for a good harvest, so it's more likely some sort of almanac from ages ago.”

Aster grinned at Jade, causing her glasses to slip a bit down her nose. “Pretty cool, huh?”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade stared with wide-eyed interest, reaching out hesitantly to run her fingers over the writings.

"Huh..."

She mumbled.

"Ya.... where'd y' find this again?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster breathed out a quiet laugh.

“In a dusty cardboard box over at Gotham U's library. It should be in a museum.”

She adjusted her glasses and glanced to the side, her face splitting into a lopsided grin.

“And it will be. Aaaaas soon as I'm done taking a look at it...”

[gothamitenightingale]

"Strange."

Jade made a mental note to investigate the university later. Having something like this just... tucked away somewhere seemed strange and suspicious.

"What do y' think it is?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster took a breath and tilted her head back, leaning more of her weight onto the desk. Clearly thinking, she nodded to herself before settling on an answer.

“If I were to guess...” She leaned over the scroll, casting a studious gaze. “This was made by some sort of student, ages ago. Likely a devotee of some sort, learning spells and incantations from someone more experienced.”

She let out a quiet hum and narrowed her eyes, analyzing the script.

“See, here,” Aster picked up a pen to use as a pointer of sorts, and drew Jade's attention to some of the characters on the scroll. “The inking is a bit wobbly. The writer wasn't too sure of themselves yet. And judging from the blotting,” another gesture, “they had to pause once or twice for confirmation.”

She chuckled quietly, and a small smile twitched into existence on her face. “Not too different from students today, huh–”

Clink.

...The pen had fallen. Slipped right through Aster's hands, literally. She stared at it blankly for a second. That was... Strange. Certainly. But, granted, she had been awake for an absurd amount of time and had had an understandably wretched week. She had certainly just imagined that. ...Right?

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade tilted her head as Aster spoke - Birdlike, probably something she picked up from her siblings - and hummed softly.

"Hm. Good points- Any guesses at where it came from 'r-"

The clink of the pen stopped her mid-sentance, and she to stare directly at Aster now, scroll forgotten.

"...How long's it been since y' last slept...?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster remained silent for a few seconds, now working her fingers while watching them in tensed suspicion.

“Uhm...”

That was actually a good question. She nodded in thought, closing her eyes for a moment.

“About... Thirty seven hours, now. Probably. Class. Work. Studying.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade hummed thoughtfully. To be honest, she'd stayed up for a lot longer.

"'kay, tha's not too bad. Y' shoul' prob'ly sleep though."

She snickered.

"Y're remindin' me more an' more of RR at this point."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster burst into a cackle. “Is that why he's always zoning out in living rooms? And... Yeah,” she tilted her head to the side. “Probably.”

She paused for a moment, glancing back at her hand.

“...Usually it takes me longer to start seeing things,” Aster forced a chuckle. “Maybe I'm coming down with something.”

[theunbustedghost]

The apartment is small and rather cluttered, obviously lived in. One door is open, leading towards an office? No, wait, that's a bedroom. With all of the papers strewn about, the mistake is easy to make. A scroll lies open on the desk, surrounded by various journals, photographs, scribbled-on napkins, and a laptop complete with twenty eight tabs.

The second–presumably bedroom–door is closed. Quiet snores are audible from within.

Over on the kitchen stove, a kettle whistles. Aster makes quick use of the water in terms of brewing tea for herself, and her unexpected visitor.

// @gothamitenightingale \\

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade blinked slowly at the environment. It was cozy, kind of... calm. Safe-ish feeling. The paper-covered bedroom made her think of Tim.

"'s nice 'ere. Tha's yours?"

She pointed at the open door, trying for a mildly curious expression.

[theunbustedghost]

“Ah, thanks. Most of the actual decor's my roommate's work,” Aster responded. “And yeah. That one's mine.”

Stirring her own mug, she glanced over at Jade, lifting an eyebrow. “Any fixings in yours? Cream, sugar?”

[gothamitenightingale]

"Makes me think of RR's. 'e's got a million things out all the time too."

She leaned against the wall and glanced over with a small shrug.

"Don' care too much, I don' 'ave tea tha' often. Cream's nice."

[theunbustedghost]

She tilted her head in a nod, added mixed in some creamer, and returned with two mugs in tow.

Aster snickered quietly. “Red Robin's got his own personal archive too, huh? Guess that makes sense.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade took her mug with lopsided grin.

"Ya. Most've us do, he's jus' messier about it."

She took a sip and her face lit up, midnight black eyes sparkling a little as she immediately swallowed another mouthful. It reminded her of the tea that her mother made. She hadn't found much like her mother's tea in years, that was why she didn't drink it much anymore.

"This's good! Where'd y' learn?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster tilted her head slightly, and found her own lips twitching into a smile as well. That glimmer didn't go unnoticed. For reasons unknown to herself, it made her feel sort of... Warm.

She blew out a chuckle, and took a sip from her own mug. “My grandad was very, very British. You could say I learned from the best.” Her grin grew a bit lopsided as well, and Aster found herself rolling her eyes. “Thanks. It's good to hear someone enjoy it, Ro's never been a fan of tea.”

Aster thumbed towards the closed door. As if out of subconscious pettiness, the snores grew louder. Aster snickered.

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade put a hand over her mouth to keep herself from laughing before she swallowed her current mouthful, which would probably result in one of those unfortunate situations where one would spray whatever liquid they are drinking out of their nose.

"'e sounds great. 've talked t'him once or twice."

She hummed thoughtfully, thinking back to what Aster had told her and a slow grin spread across her face.

"Y' said y've met one of us? Where?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster nodded along and leaned against her doorframe. “Outside of Gotham U. Said he was heading to a taco stand down the block.”

...She raised an eyebrow, narrowing her eyes in curious, almost playful suspicion. “...why?”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade managed to swallow her mouthful of tea just before wheezing.

"Y' caught Hood outside Gotham Uni goin' for tacos?"

She cackled abruptly.

"'m never lettin' 'im live tha' one down. He hates tacos when I make 'em."

She took another mouthful of tea and swallowed, thinking it over.

"Don' snitch- Did he know who y' were?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster wasn't so lucky, and almost choked on her tea.

“Oh, damn. Red Hood? He was real excited about those tacos too.” She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and laughed as she shook her head. “I won't. And, uh, nah. Don't think so at least. Seeing as he asked.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade snickered.

"'m totally gonna bug 'im about tha'. If y' answered honestly 'e prob'ly knows most've y' life's story by now, but now I know he jus' pretends t'hate tacos."

She leaned against the wall again, lopsided grin nearly splitting her face.

"If y' see 'im again make sure t'bug 'im about tha' for me."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster puffed out a laugh. “Will do. Promise.”

She paused for a second before letting out an annoyed sigh...which very quickly graduated to a groan. Aster tilted her head back to rest against the doorframe with a quiet thunk.

“...Bug him for me too. All his questions made me late,” she sneered. “I had to sit next to Dennis Collins again. God, I hate that guy.”

[gothamitenightingale]

"Oooffff."

Jade winced in sympathy.

"Looked into tha' kid, he sounds like he sucks."

She took another sip of her tea and her midnight eyes narrowed with mischief.

"....'s stuffin' 'is socks with glitter enough payback for y'?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster grew a slow, wicked grin, and turned her head back to Jade.

Grey eyes hidden behind comically fluffy hair sparked with a playful sort of danger.

“...Oh, I like the way you think.”

She took a sip of tea and swirled her mug around, as if mulling a few thoughts over. “...But I do wonder... Why stop at the socks?”

[gothamitenightingale]

Both her eyebrows shot up, eyes wide with interest.

"...Ya?"

[theunbustedghost]

“I mean...” Aster let out an almost evil chuckle. “...I know you're here to take a look at the scroll, but a little plotting never hurt anyone. Well- Actually it has. But this is more so...severe inconvenience plotting. Like, say...”

She waved her mug around, flashing a devilish grin. “Replace his toothpaste with glue. Sand in his shoes. Itching powder in his favorite hoodie.”

She winked and took a sip, eyes twinkling mischievously. “Get creative with it, ya know?”

[gothamitenightingale]

If Jade had looked mischevious before, now she looked downright devious.

"....Y'know anywhere tha's got cheap, nontoxic glue?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster took a slow sip and nodded. She glanced towards Rowan's door.

“Free, cheap, and owned by a guy that sleeps like a bear.” Her face split into a downright evil grin as she looked back at Jade. “...He also wouldn't mind. Probably.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade cackled abruptly.

"Commitin' a theft instead of stoppin' one? Y're a horrible influence an' y're not even my sister yet."

She leaned back and thought it over, still grinning.

"Could glue 'is door's hinges. Plus mix tha' an' some glitter in 'is toothpaste."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster paused for just a second. It was almost unnoticeable. Despite all that she'd joked, a family... A new family was still a novel concept to her. After all, she'd never known her parents, and her grandfather had passed years ago. It was almost scary how natural this role came to her.

She blinked the sudden dullness out of her eyes, and snickered before she continued. “At least, as far as bad influences go, I do like tacos.” Aster's eyes flashed with a playful variation of spite.

She waved a hand through the air and rolled her eyes, mocking a sense of disdain. “And besides, he owes me. He borrowed one of my books last week and returned it with a coffee stain. A small one, but a stain's a stain. Ooh...” An idea struck. Aster snapped her fingers “...Water damage to the notes Dennis copied off of me.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade snickered, completely oblivious to the split-second pause. She was used to this now, used to Steph teaching her the ways of Chaos and Babs erasing evidence. A sister was a foreign thing to her once. Not anymore.

"Ooh. I can help with tha'. Wha's 'is room?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster grinned. “For the first time ever, I'm actually happy to say that Dennis lives next door.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Another somewhat maniac-sounding cackle.

"Two minutes flat. Y' got a cup of water?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster pushed off of the doorframe and filled a glass with water. Seeing as it was Gotham tap, it had a sickly greenish-grey tint to it. Lovely.

“Here ya go, knock yourself out.” She winked and slid the glass forward. “I'll be waiting.”

Aster glanced into her wasteland of a bedroom and winced. “...I'll. Uh. Clear a path to my desk for when you're back.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade took the cup and flashed a grin, slipping out the window again in dead silence.

Less than a minute later she slipped back in and shut the window, immediately bursting into muffled cackles.

"How mad do y' think he's gonna be?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster snorted, breaking into a series of her own cackles as well. She didn't bother to muffle them, seeing as Rowan had slept through literal shootings before.

“Oh, absolutely livid,” she grinned, her eyes gleaming with mirth. She set a few more papers aside in her room and glanced over at Jade, mischief etched into her features. “But if he tries anything tomorrow, he'll be sorry he started bothering me in the first place.” Another wink.

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade picked up her tea and downed the rest of it with a grin.

"Lemme know if he gets unbearable an' I know a lotta ways t'cover a murder."

She joked.

[theunbustedghost]

Aster snickered. “Mm. Might have to take you up on that.” She headed back and leaned against her desk, tilting her head in a side nod as she finished her own mug of tea. “...Joking, obviously. Maybe. Possibly. ...Mostly.”

She sighed and cracked her neck. After brushing an unruly lock of dyed hair out of her face, Aster finally gestured to the open scroll on the desk.

“Aaanyways... Here's the scroll.” Aster picked up a pair of silver rimmed glasses, put them on, and adjusted them slightly before bending over the artifact.

She rested her hands on the desk, gesturing to various words and phrases. “Now, this one here that I've annotated in my journal's the one that...” She paused and tilted her head in thought. “Well... I wouldn't say killed, more so... Temporarily turned me into a spirit. So, be mindful of that one. At first I thought this entire scroll could be themed around death-based curses and spells, but the chant below it calls for a good harvest, so it's more likely some sort of almanac from ages ago.”

Aster grinned at Jade, causing her glasses to slip a bit down her nose. “Pretty cool, huh?”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade stared with wide-eyed interest, reaching out hesitantly to run her fingers over the writings.

"Huh..."

She mumbled.

"Ya.... where'd y' find this again?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster breathed out a quiet laugh.

“In a dusty cardboard box over at Gotham U's library. It should be in a museum.”

She adjusted her glasses and glanced to the side, her face splitting into a lopsided grin.

“And it will be. Aaaaas soon as I'm done taking a look at it...”

[gothamitenightingale]

"Strange."

Jade made a mental note to investigate the university later. Having something like this just... tucked away somewhere seemed strange and suspicious.

"What do y' think it is?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster took a breath and tilted her head back, leaning more of her weight onto the desk. Clearly thinking, she nodded to herself before settling on an answer.

“If I were to guess...” She leaned over the scroll, casting a studious gaze. “This was made by some sort of student, ages ago. Likely a devotee of some sort, learning spells and incantations from someone more experienced.”

She let out a quiet hum and narrowed her eyes, analyzing the script.

“See, here,” Aster picked up a pen to use as a pointer of sorts, and drew Jade's attention to some of the characters on the scroll. “The inking is a bit wobbly. The writer wasn't too sure of themselves yet. And judging from the blotting,” another gesture, “they had to pause once or twice for confirmation.”

She chuckled quietly, and a small smile twitched into existence on her face. “Not too different from students today, huh–”

Clink.

...The pen had fallen. Slipped right through Aster's hands, literally. She stared at it blankly for a second. That was... Strange. Certainly. But, granted, she had been awake for an absurd amount of time and had had an understandably wretched week. She had certainly just imagined that. ...Right?

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade tilted her head as Aster spoke - Birdlike, probably something she picked up from her siblings - and hummed softly.

"Hm. Good points- Any guesses at where it came from 'r-"

The clink of the pen stopped her mid-sentance, and she to stare directly at Aster now, scroll forgotten.

"...How long's it been since y' last slept...?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster remained silent for a few seconds, now working her fingers while watching them in tensed suspicion.

“Uhm...”

That was actually a good question. She nodded in thought, closing her eyes for a moment.

“About... Thirty seven hours, now. Probably. Class. Work. Studying.”

[theunbustedghost]

The apartment is small and rather cluttered, obviously lived in. One door is open, leading towards an office? No, wait, that's a bedroom. With all of the papers strewn about, the mistake is easy to make. A scroll lies open on the desk, surrounded by various journals, photographs, scribbled-on napkins, and a laptop complete with twenty eight tabs.

The second–presumably bedroom–door is closed. Quiet snores are audible from within.

Over on the kitchen stove, a kettle whistles. Aster makes quick use of the water in terms of brewing tea for herself, and her unexpected visitor.

// @gothamitenightingale \\

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade blinked slowly at the environment. It was cozy, kind of... calm. Safe-ish feeling. The paper-covered bedroom made her think of Tim.

"'s nice 'ere. Tha's yours?"

She pointed at the open door, trying for a mildly curious expression.

[theunbustedghost]

“Ah, thanks. Most of the actual decor's my roommate's work,” Aster responded. “And yeah. That one's mine.”

Stirring her own mug, she glanced over at Jade, lifting an eyebrow. “Any fixings in yours? Cream, sugar?”

[gothamitenightingale]

"Makes me think of RR's. 'e's got a million things out all the time too."

She leaned against the wall and glanced over with a small shrug.

"Don' care too much, I don' 'ave tea tha' often. Cream's nice."

[theunbustedghost]

She tilted her head in a nod, added mixed in some creamer, and returned with two mugs in tow.

Aster snickered quietly. “Red Robin's got his own personal archive too, huh? Guess that makes sense.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade took her mug with lopsided grin.

"Ya. Most've us do, he's jus' messier about it."

She took a sip and her face lit up, midnight black eyes sparkling a little as she immediately swallowed another mouthful. It reminded her of the tea that her mother made. She hadn't found much like her mother's tea in years, that was why she didn't drink it much anymore.

"This's good! Where'd y' learn?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster tilted her head slightly, and found her own lips twitching into a smile as well. That glimmer didn't go unnoticed. For reasons unknown to herself, it made her feel sort of... Warm.

She blew out a chuckle, and took a sip from her own mug. “My grandad was very, very British. You could say I learned from the best.” Her grin grew a bit lopsided as well, and Aster found herself rolling her eyes. “Thanks. It's good to hear someone enjoy it, Ro's never been a fan of tea.”

Aster thumbed towards the closed door. As if out of subconscious pettiness, the snores grew louder. Aster snickered.

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade put a hand over her mouth to keep herself from laughing before she swallowed her current mouthful, which would probably result in one of those unfortunate situations where one would spray whatever liquid they are drinking out of their nose.

"'e sounds great. 've talked t'him once or twice."

She hummed thoughtfully, thinking back to what Aster had told her and a slow grin spread across her face.

"Y' said y've met one of us? Where?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster nodded along and leaned against her doorframe. “Outside of Gotham U. Said he was heading to a taco stand down the block.”

...She raised an eyebrow, narrowing her eyes in curious, almost playful suspicion. “...why?”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade managed to swallow her mouthful of tea just before wheezing.

"Y' caught Hood outside Gotham Uni goin' for tacos?"

She cackled abruptly.

"'m never lettin' 'im live tha' one down. He hates tacos when I make 'em."

She took another mouthful of tea and swallowed, thinking it over.

"Don' snitch- Did he know who y' were?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster wasn't so lucky, and almost choked on her tea.

“Oh, damn. Red Hood? He was real excited about those tacos too.” She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and laughed as she shook her head. “I won't. And, uh, nah. Don't think so at least. Seeing as he asked.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade snickered.

"'m totally gonna bug 'im about tha'. If y' answered honestly 'e prob'ly knows most've y' life's story by now, but now I know he jus' pretends t'hate tacos."

She leaned against the wall again, lopsided grin nearly splitting her face.

"If y' see 'im again make sure t'bug 'im about tha' for me."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster puffed out a laugh. “Will do. Promise.”

She paused for a second before letting out an annoyed sigh...which very quickly graduated to a groan. Aster tilted her head back to rest against the doorframe with a quiet thunk.

“...Bug him for me too. All his questions made me late,” she sneered. “I had to sit next to Dennis Collins again. God, I hate that guy.”

[gothamitenightingale]

"Oooffff."

Jade winced in sympathy.

"Looked into tha' kid, he sounds like he sucks."

She took another sip of her tea and her midnight eyes narrowed with mischief.

"....'s stuffin' 'is socks with glitter enough payback for y'?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster grew a slow, wicked grin, and turned her head back to Jade.

Grey eyes hidden behind comically fluffy hair sparked with a playful sort of danger.

“...Oh, I like the way you think.”

She took a sip of tea and swirled her mug around, as if mulling a few thoughts over. “...But I do wonder... Why stop at the socks?”

[gothamitenightingale]

Both her eyebrows shot up, eyes wide with interest.

"...Ya?"

[theunbustedghost]

“I mean...” Aster let out an almost evil chuckle. “...I know you're here to take a look at the scroll, but a little plotting never hurt anyone. Well- Actually it has. But this is more so...severe inconvenience plotting. Like, say...”

She waved her mug around, flashing a devilish grin. “Replace his toothpaste with glue. Sand in his shoes. Itching powder in his favorite hoodie.”

She winked and took a sip, eyes twinkling mischievously. “Get creative with it, ya know?”

[gothamitenightingale]

If Jade had looked mischevious before, now she looked downright devious.

"....Y'know anywhere tha's got cheap, nontoxic glue?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster took a slow sip and nodded. She glanced towards Rowan's door.

“Free, cheap, and owned by a guy that sleeps like a bear.” Her face split into a downright evil grin as she looked back at Jade. “...He also wouldn't mind. Probably.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade cackled abruptly.

"Commitin' a theft instead of stoppin' one? Y're a horrible influence an' y're not even my sister yet."

She leaned back and thought it over, still grinning.

"Could glue 'is door's hinges. Plus mix tha' an' some glitter in 'is toothpaste."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster paused for just a second. It was almost unnoticeable. Despite all that she'd joked, a family... A new family was still a novel concept to her. After all, she'd never known her parents, and her grandfather had passed years ago. It was almost scary how natural this role came to her.

She blinked the sudden dullness out of her eyes, and snickered before she continued. “At least, as far as bad influences go, I do like tacos.” Aster's eyes flashed with a playful variation of spite.

She waved a hand through the air and rolled her eyes, mocking a sense of disdain. “And besides, he owes me. He borrowed one of my books last week and returned it with a coffee stain. A small one, but a stain's a stain. Ooh...” An idea struck. Aster snapped her fingers “...Water damage to the notes Dennis copied off of me.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade snickered, completely oblivious to the split-second pause. She was used to this now, used to Steph teaching her the ways of Chaos and Babs erasing evidence. A sister was a foreign thing to her once. Not anymore.

"Ooh. I can help with tha'. Wha's 'is room?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster grinned. “For the first time ever, I'm actually happy to say that Dennis lives next door.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Another somewhat maniac-sounding cackle.

"Two minutes flat. Y' got a cup of water?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster pushed off of the doorframe and filled a glass with water. Seeing as it was Gotham tap, it had a sickly greenish-grey tint to it. Lovely.

“Here ya go, knock yourself out.” She winked and slid the glass forward. “I'll be waiting.”

Aster glanced into her wasteland of a bedroom and winced. “...I'll. Uh. Clear a path to my desk for when you're back.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade took the cup and flashed a grin, slipping out the window again in dead silence.

Less than a minute later she slipped back in and shut the window, immediately bursting into muffled cackles.

"How mad do y' think he's gonna be?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster snorted, breaking into a series of her own cackles as well. She didn't bother to muffle them, seeing as Rowan had slept through literal shootings before.

“Oh, absolutely livid,” she grinned, her eyes gleaming with mirth. She set a few more papers aside in her room and glanced over at Jade, mischief etched into her features. “But if he tries anything tomorrow, he'll be sorry he started bothering me in the first place.” Another wink.

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade picked up her tea and downed the rest of it with a grin.

"Lemme know if he gets unbearable an' I know a lotta ways t'cover a murder."

She joked.

[theunbustedghost]

Aster snickered. “Mm. Might have to take you up on that.” She headed back and leaned against her desk, tilting her head in a side nod as she finished her own mug of tea. “...Joking, obviously. Maybe. Possibly. ...Mostly.”

She sighed and cracked her neck. After brushing an unruly lock of dyed hair out of her face, Aster finally gestured to the open scroll on the desk.

“Aaanyways... Here's the scroll.” Aster picked up a pair of silver rimmed glasses, put them on, and adjusted them slightly before bending over the artifact.

She rested her hands on the desk, gesturing to various words and phrases. “Now, this one here that I've annotated in my journal's the one that...” She paused and tilted her head in thought. “Well... I wouldn't say killed, more so... Temporarily turned me into a spirit. So, be mindful of that one. At first I thought this entire scroll could be themed around death-based curses and spells, but the chant below it calls for a good harvest, so it's more likely some sort of almanac from ages ago.”

Aster grinned at Jade, causing her glasses to slip a bit down her nose. “Pretty cool, huh?”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade stared with wide-eyed interest, reaching out hesitantly to run her fingers over the writings.

"Huh..."

She mumbled.

"Ya.... where'd y' find this again?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster breathed out a quiet laugh.

“In a dusty cardboard box over at Gotham U's library. It should be in a museum.”

She adjusted her glasses and glanced to the side, her face splitting into a lopsided grin.

“And it will be. Aaaaas soon as I'm done taking a look at it...”

[gothamitenightingale]

"Strange."

Jade made a mental note to investigate the university later. Having something like this just... tucked away somewhere seemed strange and suspicious.

"What do y' think it is?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster took a breath and tilted her head back, leaning more of her weight onto the desk. Clearly thinking, she nodded to herself before settling on an answer.

“If I were to guess...” She leaned over the scroll, casting a studious gaze. “This was made by some sort of student, ages ago. Likely a devotee of some sort, learning spells and incantations from someone more experienced.”

She let out a quiet hum and narrowed her eyes, analyzing the script.

“See, here,” Aster picked up a pen to use as a pointer of sorts, and drew Jade's attention to some of the characters on the scroll. “The inking is a bit wobbly. The writer wasn't too sure of themselves yet. And judging from the blotting,” another gesture, “they had to pause once or twice for confirmation.”

She chuckled quietly, and a small smile twitched into existence on her face. “Not too different from students today, huh–”

Clink.

...The pen had fallen. Slipped right through Aster's hands, literally. She stared at it blankly for a second. That was... Strange. Certainly. But, granted, she had been awake for an absurd amount of time and had had an understandably wretched week. She had certainly just imagined that. ...Right?

[theunbustedghost]

The apartment is small and rather cluttered, obviously lived in. One door is open, leading towards an office? No, wait, that's a bedroom. With all of the papers strewn about, the mistake is easy to make. A scroll lies open on the desk, surrounded by various journals, photographs, scribbled-on napkins, and a laptop complete with twenty eight tabs.

The second–presumably bedroom–door is closed. Quiet snores are audible from within.

Over on the kitchen stove, a kettle whistles. Aster makes quick use of the water in terms of brewing tea for herself, and her unexpected visitor.

// @gothamitenightingale \\

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade blinked slowly at the environment. It was cozy, kind of... calm. Safe-ish feeling. The paper-covered bedroom made her think of Tim.

"'s nice 'ere. Tha's yours?"

She pointed at the open door, trying for a mildly curious expression.

[theunbustedghost]

“Ah, thanks. Most of the actual decor's my roommate's work,” Aster responded. “And yeah. That one's mine.”

Stirring her own mug, she glanced over at Jade, lifting an eyebrow. “Any fixings in yours? Cream, sugar?”

[gothamitenightingale]

"Makes me think of RR's. 'e's got a million things out all the time too."

She leaned against the wall and glanced over with a small shrug.

"Don' care too much, I don' 'ave tea tha' often. Cream's nice."

[theunbustedghost]

She tilted her head in a nod, added mixed in some creamer, and returned with two mugs in tow.

Aster snickered quietly. “Red Robin's got his own personal archive too, huh? Guess that makes sense.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade took her mug with lopsided grin.

"Ya. Most've us do, he's jus' messier about it."

She took a sip and her face lit up, midnight black eyes sparkling a little as she immediately swallowed another mouthful. It reminded her of the tea that her mother made. She hadn't found much like her mother's tea in years, that was why she didn't drink it much anymore.

"This's good! Where'd y' learn?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster tilted her head slightly, and found her own lips twitching into a smile as well. That glimmer didn't go unnoticed. For reasons unknown to herself, it made her feel sort of... Warm.

She blew out a chuckle, and took a sip from her own mug. “My grandad was very, very British. You could say I learned from the best.” Her grin grew a bit lopsided as well, and Aster found herself rolling her eyes. “Thanks. It's good to hear someone enjoy it, Ro's never been a fan of tea.”

Aster thumbed towards the closed door. As if out of subconscious pettiness, the snores grew louder. Aster snickered.

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade put a hand over her mouth to keep herself from laughing before she swallowed her current mouthful, which would probably result in one of those unfortunate situations where one would spray whatever liquid they are drinking out of their nose.

"'e sounds great. 've talked t'him once or twice."

She hummed thoughtfully, thinking back to what Aster had told her and a slow grin spread across her face.

"Y' said y've met one of us? Where?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster nodded along and leaned against her doorframe. “Outside of Gotham U. Said he was heading to a taco stand down the block.”

...She raised an eyebrow, narrowing her eyes in curious, almost playful suspicion. “...why?”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade managed to swallow her mouthful of tea just before wheezing.

"Y' caught Hood outside Gotham Uni goin' for tacos?"

She cackled abruptly.

"'m never lettin' 'im live tha' one down. He hates tacos when I make 'em."

She took another mouthful of tea and swallowed, thinking it over.

"Don' snitch- Did he know who y' were?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster wasn't so lucky, and almost choked on her tea.

“Oh, damn. Red Hood? He was real excited about those tacos too.” She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and laughed as she shook her head. “I won't. And, uh, nah. Don't think so at least. Seeing as he asked.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade snickered.

"'m totally gonna bug 'im about tha'. If y' answered honestly 'e prob'ly knows most've y' life's story by now, but now I know he jus' pretends t'hate tacos."

She leaned against the wall again, lopsided grin nearly splitting her face.

"If y' see 'im again make sure t'bug 'im about tha' for me."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster puffed out a laugh. “Will do. Promise.”

She paused for a second before letting out an annoyed sigh...which very quickly graduated to a groan. Aster tilted her head back to rest against the doorframe with a quiet thunk.

“...Bug him for me too. All his questions made me late,” she sneered. “I had to sit next to Dennis Collins again. God, I hate that guy.”

[gothamitenightingale]

"Oooffff."

Jade winced in sympathy.

"Looked into tha' kid, he sounds like he sucks."

She took another sip of her tea and her midnight eyes narrowed with mischief.

"....'s stuffin' 'is socks with glitter enough payback for y'?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster grew a slow, wicked grin, and turned her head back to Jade.

Grey eyes hidden behind comically fluffy hair sparked with a playful sort of danger.

“...Oh, I like the way you think.”

She took a sip of tea and swirled her mug around, as if mulling a few thoughts over. “...But I do wonder... Why stop at the socks?”

[gothamitenightingale]

Both her eyebrows shot up, eyes wide with interest.

"...Ya?"

[theunbustedghost]

“I mean...” Aster let out an almost evil chuckle. “...I know you're here to take a look at the scroll, but a little plotting never hurt anyone. Well- Actually it has. But this is more so...severe inconvenience plotting. Like, say...”

She waved her mug around, flashing a devilish grin. “Replace his toothpaste with glue. Sand in his shoes. Itching powder in his favorite hoodie.”

She winked and took a sip, eyes twinkling mischievously. “Get creative with it, ya know?”

[gothamitenightingale]

If Jade had looked mischevious before, now she looked downright devious.

"....Y'know anywhere tha's got cheap, nontoxic glue?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster took a slow sip and nodded. She glanced towards Rowan's door.

“Free, cheap, and owned by a guy that sleeps like a bear.” Her face split into a downright evil grin as she looked back at Jade. “...He also wouldn't mind. Probably.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade cackled abruptly.

"Commitin' a theft instead of stoppin' one? Y're a horrible influence an' y're not even my sister yet."

She leaned back and thought it over, still grinning.

"Could glue 'is door's hinges. Plus mix tha' an' some glitter in 'is toothpaste."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster paused for just a second. It was almost unnoticeable. Despite all that she'd joked, a family... A new family was still a novel concept to her. After all, she'd never known her parents, and her grandfather had passed years ago. It was almost scary how natural this role came to her.

She blinked the sudden dullness out of her eyes, and snickered before she continued. “At least, as far as bad influences go, I do like tacos.” Aster's eyes flashed with a playful variation of spite.

She waved a hand through the air and rolled her eyes, mocking a sense of disdain. “And besides, he owes me. He borrowed one of my books last week and returned it with a coffee stain. A small one, but a stain's a stain. Ooh...” An idea struck. Aster snapped her fingers “...Water damage to the notes Dennis copied off of me.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade snickered, completely oblivious to the split-second pause. She was used to this now, used to Steph teaching her the ways of Chaos and Babs erasing evidence. A sister was a foreign thing to her once. Not anymore.

"Ooh. I can help with tha'. Wha's 'is room?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster grinned. “For the first time ever, I'm actually happy to say that Dennis lives next door.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Another somewhat maniac-sounding cackle.

"Two minutes flat. Y' got a cup of water?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster pushed off of the doorframe and filled a glass with water. Seeing as it was Gotham tap, it had a sickly greenish-grey tint to it. Lovely.

“Here ya go, knock yourself out.” She winked and slid the glass forward. “I'll be waiting.”

Aster glanced into her wasteland of a bedroom and winced. “...I'll. Uh. Clear a path to my desk for when you're back.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade took the cup and flashed a grin, slipping out the window again in dead silence.

Less than a minute later she slipped back in and shut the window, immediately bursting into muffled cackles.

"How mad do y' think he's gonna be?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster snorted, breaking into a series of her own cackles as well. She didn't bother to muffle them, seeing as Rowan had slept through literal shootings before.

“Oh, absolutely livid,” she grinned, her eyes gleaming with mirth. She set a few more papers aside in her room and glanced over at Jade, mischief etched into her features. “But if he tries anything tomorrow, he'll be sorry he started bothering me in the first place.” Another wink.

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade picked up her tea and downed the rest of it with a grin.

"Lemme know if he gets unbearable an' I know a lotta ways t'cover a murder."

She joked.

[theunbustedghost]

Aster snickered. “Mm. Might have to take you up on that.” She headed back and leaned against her desk, tilting her head in a side nod as she finished her own mug of tea. “...Joking, obviously. Maybe. Possibly. ...Mostly.”

She sighed and cracked her neck. After brushing an unruly lock of dyed hair out of her face, Aster finally gestured to the open scroll on the desk.

“Aaanyways... Here's the scroll.” Aster picked up a pair of silver rimmed glasses, put them on, and adjusted them slightly before bending over the artifact.

She rested her hands on the desk, gesturing to various words and phrases. “Now, this one here that I've annotated in my journal's the one that...” She paused and tilted her head in thought. “Well... I wouldn't say killed, more so... Temporarily turned me into a spirit. So, be mindful of that one. At first I thought this entire scroll could be themed around death-based curses and spells, but the chant below it calls for a good harvest, so it's more likely some sort of almanac from ages ago.”

Aster grinned at Jade, causing her glasses to slip a bit down her nose. “Pretty cool, huh?”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade stared with wide-eyed interest, reaching out hesitantly to run her fingers over the writings.

"Huh..."

She mumbled.

"Ya.... where'd y' find this again?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster breathed out a quiet laugh.

“In a dusty cardboard box over at Gotham U's library. It should be in a museum.”

She adjusted her glasses and glanced to the side, her face splitting into a lopsided grin.

“And it will be. Aaaaas soon as I'm done taking a look at it...”

[theunbustedghost]

The apartment is small and rather cluttered, obviously lived in. One door is open, leading towards an office? No, wait, that's a bedroom. With all of the papers strewn about, the mistake is easy to make. A scroll lies open on the desk, surrounded by various journals, photographs, scribbled-on napkins, and a laptop complete with twenty eight tabs.

The second–presumably bedroom–door is closed. Quiet snores are audible from within.

Over on the kitchen stove, a kettle whistles. Aster makes quick use of the water in terms of brewing tea for herself, and her unexpected visitor.

// @gothamitenightingale \\

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade blinked slowly at the environment. It was cozy, kind of... calm. Safe-ish feeling. The paper-covered bedroom made her think of Tim.

"'s nice 'ere. Tha's yours?"

She pointed at the open door, trying for a mildly curious expression.

[theunbustedghost]

“Ah, thanks. Most of the actual decor's my roommate's work,” Aster responded. “And yeah. That one's mine.”

Stirring her own mug, she glanced over at Jade, lifting an eyebrow. “Any fixings in yours? Cream, sugar?”

[gothamitenightingale]

"Makes me think of RR's. 'e's got a million things out all the time too."

She leaned against the wall and glanced over with a small shrug.

"Don' care too much, I don' 'ave tea tha' often. Cream's nice."

[theunbustedghost]

She tilted her head in a nod, added mixed in some creamer, and returned with two mugs in tow.

Aster snickered quietly. “Red Robin's got his own personal archive too, huh? Guess that makes sense.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade took her mug with lopsided grin.

"Ya. Most've us do, he's jus' messier about it."

She took a sip and her face lit up, midnight black eyes sparkling a little as she immediately swallowed another mouthful. It reminded her of the tea that her mother made. She hadn't found much like her mother's tea in years, that was why she didn't drink it much anymore.

"This's good! Where'd y' learn?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster tilted her head slightly, and found her own lips twitching into a smile as well. That glimmer didn't go unnoticed. For reasons unknown to herself, it made her feel sort of... Warm.

She blew out a chuckle, and took a sip from her own mug. “My grandad was very, very British. You could say I learned from the best.” Her grin grew a bit lopsided as well, and Aster found herself rolling her eyes. “Thanks. It's good to hear someone enjoy it, Ro's never been a fan of tea.”

Aster thumbed towards the closed door. As if out of subconscious pettiness, the snores grew louder. Aster snickered.

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade put a hand over her mouth to keep herself from laughing before she swallowed her current mouthful, which would probably result in one of those unfortunate situations where one would spray whatever liquid they are drinking out of their nose.

"'e sounds great. 've talked t'him once or twice."

She hummed thoughtfully, thinking back to what Aster had told her and a slow grin spread across her face.

"Y' said y've met one of us? Where?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster nodded along and leaned against her doorframe. “Outside of Gotham U. Said he was heading to a taco stand down the block.”

...She raised an eyebrow, narrowing her eyes in curious, almost playful suspicion. “...why?”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade managed to swallow her mouthful of tea just before wheezing.

"Y' caught Hood outside Gotham Uni goin' for tacos?"

She cackled abruptly.

"'m never lettin' 'im live tha' one down. He hates tacos when I make 'em."

She took another mouthful of tea and swallowed, thinking it over.

"Don' snitch- Did he know who y' were?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster wasn't so lucky, and almost choked on her tea.

“Oh, damn. Red Hood? He was real excited about those tacos too.” She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and laughed as she shook her head. “I won't. And, uh, nah. Don't think so at least. Seeing as he asked.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade snickered.

"'m totally gonna bug 'im about tha'. If y' answered honestly 'e prob'ly knows most've y' life's story by now, but now I know he jus' pretends t'hate tacos."

She leaned against the wall again, lopsided grin nearly splitting her face.

"If y' see 'im again make sure t'bug 'im about tha' for me."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster puffed out a laugh. “Will do. Promise.”

She paused for a second before letting out an annoyed sigh...which very quickly graduated to a groan. Aster tilted her head back to rest against the doorframe with a quiet thunk.

“...Bug him for me too. All his questions made me late,” she sneered. “I had to sit next to Dennis Collins again. God, I hate that guy.”

[gothamitenightingale]

"Oooffff."

Jade winced in sympathy.

"Looked into tha' kid, he sounds like he sucks."

She took another sip of her tea and her midnight eyes narrowed with mischief.

"....'s stuffin' 'is socks with glitter enough payback for y'?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster grew a slow, wicked grin, and turned her head back to Jade.

Grey eyes hidden behind comically fluffy hair sparked with a playful sort of danger.

“...Oh, I like the way you think.”

She took a sip of tea and swirled her mug around, as if mulling a few thoughts over. “...But I do wonder... Why stop at the socks?”

[gothamitenightingale]

Both her eyebrows shot up, eyes wide with interest.

"...Ya?"

[theunbustedghost]

“I mean...” Aster let out an almost evil chuckle. “...I know you're here to take a look at the scroll, but a little plotting never hurt anyone. Well- Actually it has. But this is more so...severe inconvenience plotting. Like, say...”

She waved her mug around, flashing a devilish grin. “Replace his toothpaste with glue. Sand in his shoes. Itching powder in his favorite hoodie.”

She winked and took a sip, eyes twinkling mischievously. “Get creative with it, ya know?”

[gothamitenightingale]

If Jade had looked mischevious before, now she looked downright devious.

"....Y'know anywhere tha's got cheap, nontoxic glue?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster took a slow sip and nodded. She glanced towards Rowan's door.

“Free, cheap, and owned by a guy that sleeps like a bear.” Her face split into a downright evil grin as she looked back at Jade. “...He also wouldn't mind. Probably.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade cackled abruptly.

"Commitin' a theft instead of stoppin' one? Y're a horrible influence an' y're not even my sister yet."

She leaned back and thought it over, still grinning.

"Could glue 'is door's hinges. Plus mix tha' an' some glitter in 'is toothpaste."

[theunbustedghost]

Aster paused for just a second. It was almost unnoticeable. Despite all that she'd joked, a family... A new family was still a novel concept to her. After all, she'd never known her parents, and her grandfather had passed years ago. It was almost scary how natural this role came to her.

She blinked the sudden dullness out of her eyes, and snickered before she continued. “At least, as far as bad influences go, I do like tacos.” Aster's eyes flashed with a playful variation of spite.

She waved a hand through the air and rolled her eyes, mocking a sense of disdain. “And besides, he owes me. He borrowed one of my books last week and returned it with a coffee stain. A small one, but a stain's a stain. Ooh...” An idea struck. Aster snapped her fingers “...Water damage to the notes Dennis copied off of me.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade snickered, completely oblivious to the split-second pause. She was used to this now, used to Steph teaching her the ways of Chaos and Babs erasing evidence. A sister was a foreign thing to her once. Not anymore.

"Ooh. I can help with tha'. Wha's 'is room?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster grinned. “For the first time ever, I'm actually happy to say that Dennis lives next door.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Another somewhat maniac-sounding cackle.

"Two minutes flat. Y' got a cup of water?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster pushed off of the doorframe and filled a glass with water. Seeing as it was Gotham tap, it had a sickly greenish-grey tint to it. Lovely.

“Here ya go, knock yourself out.” She winked and slid the glass forward. “I'll be waiting.”

Aster glanced into her wasteland of a bedroom and winced. “...I'll. Uh. Clear a path to my desk for when you're back.”

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade took the cup and flashed a grin, slipping out the window again in dead silence.

Less than a minute later she slipped back in and shut the window, immediately bursting into muffled cackles.

"How mad do y' think he's gonna be?"

[theunbustedghost]

Aster snorted, breaking into a series of her own cackles as well. She didn't bother to muffle them, seeing as Rowan had slept through literal shootings before.

“Oh, absolutely livid,” she grinned, her eyes gleaming with mirth. She set a few more papers aside in her room and glanced over at Jade, mischief etched into her features. “But if he tries anything tomorrow, he'll be sorry he started bothering me in the first place.” Another wink.

[gothamitenightingale]

Jade picked up her tea and downed the rest of it with a grin.

"Lemme know if he gets unbearable an' I know a lotta ways t'cover a murder."

She joked.

[theunbustedghost]

Aster snickered. “Mm. Might have to take you up on that.” She headed back and leaned against her desk, tilting her head in a side nod as she finished her own mug of tea. “...Joking, obviously. Maybe. Possibly. ...Mostly.”

She sighed and cracked her neck. After brushing an unruly lock of dyed hair out of her face, Aster finally gestured to the open scroll on the desk.

“Aaanyways... Here's the scroll.” Aster picked up a pair of silver rimmed glasses, put them on, and adjusted them slightly before bending over the artifact.

She rested her hands on the desk, gesturing to various words and phrases. “Now, this one here that I've annotated in my journal's the one that...” She paused and tilted her head in thought. “Well... I wouldn't say killed, more so... Temporarily turned me into a spirit. So, be mindful of that one. At first I thought this entire scroll could be themed around death-based curses and spells, but the chant below it calls for a good harvest, so it's more likely some sort of almanac from ages ago.”

Aster grinned at Jade, causing her glasses to slip a bit down her nose. “Pretty cool, huh?”