6153/Knock Knock

Knock Knock
Date of Scene:	10 January 2019
Location:	Unknown
Synopsis:	Summary needed
Cast of Characters:	Batman, Zatanna Zatara

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Batman has posed:
Batman doesn't usually call ahead, even when he visits friendly territory. Zatanna hasn't been to recent meetings of the Justice League. Not a particular problem - even Bruce himself has taken leaves of absence. But with no notice and the recent spout of supernatural terror through the world, Bruce decides that he'd better check in on the magician.

And, since he doesn't know what to expect, he does so in full gear. He lands on the fence just inside the grounds, keeping his cape wrapped close to him and approaching slowly, stealthily. Possibly her magical defenses already know he's arrived, so he remains on guard. He understands the importance of a good booby trap.

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
New rules have been put into place at Shadowcrest. Namely, as one would like to say, 'Call ahead.'

Booby-traps be damned. Shadowcrest was a magical fortress almost likened to whatever Constantine had, but her's had a little bit of style touched with a hint of paranoia and lacking the niche that dark magic could bring. And that style comes in a retro-ish version of herself, full fishnet and tophat donned, magic wand twirled and footfalls click and clack upon the cobble-stoned path. A low whistle is heard from the lips of Phantom-Z, as eyes reflect once they move along the courtyard as if she were bred with cat.

"Come out.. come out.. where ever you areeee..."

Batman has posed:
Batman drops a simple flare, announcing himself with light rather than sound, the quick burst of heat outlining the silhouette of the Bat. While he trusts Zatanna generally, he understands that she deals in the occult and the macabre - and that he cannot always trust his eyes or his instincts in regards to such things.

"Zatanna. You've been keeping to yourself. Consider this a friendly housecheck. I would've brought flowers, but they clash with the suit."

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
It seemed to be a bit of commotion behind the Figment-Z as soon as the flair drops, hurried bare feet, immediately charging out into the fray with arms flailing as she shouts out, "Esrepsip!" That small command calls away the booby-traps, all mystical guns aimed at the 'intruder' lifting themselves for a time as Zatara, stands there in.. well. Not fishnets, nor top hat nor wand. Just a regular woman, dressed in black.

"What else could it be if it weren't but a friendly housecheck?" She muses aloud, gesturing him towards the house as she quickly turns. "Come in. Everything resets itself in two minutes, and I can't keep screaming out disperse because well.." It's boring. And tedious.

"Did you bring something else other than yourself?"

Batman has posed:
Batman cocks his head, "Should I have? If you were expecting a package from Wayne Prime, I'm afraid I don't do delivieres personally." he says. He closes the distance between them and moves to walk alongside, letting her lead the way, "I wasn't sure what I would find. I tend to err on the side of caution." Of course, for him, caution means recklessly breaking in instead of knocking.

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
"Wayne Prime?" Zatara asks, glancing back towards him as she steps through the open entrance, waiting for him to follow suit so that she could close the door behind him. No invitation necessary, but waiting at least, was key. Yet, it was clear that something was off, but she keeps moving with a slight grunt. Stepping over a book here, another book there. An upturned vase there.. and a pile of dirt.

"The only thing you're going to find is a huge fucking mess." She manages to snap out, mainly directed at the state of the house. "I can't find what I'm looking for so I'm resorting to trashing the place."

Batman has posed:
Batman takes it all in with his detective's eye, noting all the little elements out of place. He makes sure not to disturb anything himself, knowing that anything could possibly have mystic side effects in a place this enchanted. He would only eat or drink here as a sign of trust to Zatanna, but, even then, he wouldn't do so without hesitation.

"I happen to be an excellent finder," he says. "What is it you're looking for? Did you misplace it yourself or did it belong to one of the previous inhabitants?"

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
"Good." Zatanna says, still keeping to the path and pushing herself into the library. It was a lot cozier here, it felt warm and inviting, even though there were dangerous works of art littered about the place. When it comes to this particular mess, however? Books were stacked to her height yet kept to the shelf that they came from. Papers were strewn about, but with crude drawings and writings that made no sense what so ever.

She flops upon the touch, her elbow touching the arm rest as fingers rub along her brow. "Myself." She states. "You ever have those fleeting moments where you forget what you're doing and why you're there?" She asks, then glances up. "It's like that. On a massive scale. I'm lucky you had a huge impact or I'm sure I would have forgotten you too." Her brows wrinkle just a touch, as if she were searching for something old.. "Or.. maybe.. I did but I just instinctively know who you are?" She shakes her head. "I don't know."

Batman has posed:
Batman seems strangely comfortable in spite of his costume, as if this were totally normal for him to walk around a stately mansion dressed as a giant bat. And, to be fair, it was.

"I don't forget things, but I understand it's a common experience," he says. "Perhaps it's a side effect of some sort? Or maybe some kind of attack? Do you remember anything that happened before you started to experience these lapses...or is that part of the problem?"

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
"You're not normal." Zatanna kids, but she does relax a little bit more now that she has someone to speak to. She does try to think back.. nothing seemed right a few months ago, but she passed it off as nothing. But as time progressed, everything nearly became echoes before she caught on, fixed the problem and..

"Possibly all of the above." She comments. "But I really can't be too sure." She expresses her thoughts as she thought them a moment prior, standing to pace and gesture. "Maybe I cast a spell and it backfired? Maybe it happened at a show. Maybe I was siphoned. Whatever happened, I caught it just in time before a complete mind wipe, so there is that, I suppose." She smiles, though it was a little false. "Just.. don't tell anyone, alright? I'm not sure it's permanent and I don't think anyone would trust someone who's quite possibly working at half capacity. Hence the extended absence."

Batman has posed:
Batman frowns and nods, "I can understand. I do have other mystic contacts, if you think bringing in an outside consultant would be any help. Admittedly, the one I'm thinking of is a bit young, but sometimes young is good. Different perspectives. That's how my proteges have always kept me on my toes."

"If you've been keeping your Justice League communicator on or around, I can at least get a satellite GPS location on your movements for the last few months - see if you've been anywhere exotic or unexpected."

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
"We'll see." Zatanna states. "I want to keep this as low key as possible. I'm not worried about a reputation or anything but.. it's all sort of embarrasing. I liken it to forgetting where I misplaced my keys and unable to afford a new set." She flops down into her chair again, then bobs her head. "I'm sure I've kept it on me. I hardly ever leave home without it, that much I do know."

Batman has posed:
Batman nods, "Better humiliated and finding a solution than ignorant but proud," he says. "Perhaps we could have J'onn or another telepath see if they can find buried memories in your mind. At least, they should be able to tell if they're just supressed or erased entirely. I can arrange most anything you like discreetly. If you think it's the house itself, I have properties you could use."

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
"Enn." She sounds out, her eyes closing and her head shaking. "I don't know who that is. J'onn." She admits, and then stands. "See? That's my problem. People are just.." She makes a little gesture, creating a little spark with her fingertips to show or mimic how her mind is. "I'm willing to try the properties at this point. Maybe something safe. But I highly doubt it happened here at Shadowcrest. This place is like a shield of me." She glances around. "I'll probably take a bit to pack once I find where everything is again, and make a true effort at it. How soon should I need to arrive?"

Batman has posed:
Batman considers, "Whenever you like. I have no shortage of resources, especially when it comes to empty rooms," he says. "Just let me know your preferences and I'll make the necessary arrangements. Discretely, of course." he says. "If you end up in Gotham itself, just be wary. It isn't an easy place for the uninitiated - and under no circumstances are you to teach my son any magic, no matter how he might beg."