12883/Lessons Learned

Lessons Learned
Date of Scene:	25 September 2022
Location:	Star City Coffee
Synopsis:	No description
Cast of Characters:	Phoebe Beacon, Zatanna Zatara

---

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    It started with a text from Phoebe. I need help. Can we talk?

    It had come earlier in the day after some supernatural issues upstate in New York, and Phoebe's sudden exit from Gotham (accompanied by Tim, Connor and Laura).
R    I need help. Can we talk?

    Phoebe was now with her head down, her arms over the back of it as if she had been crying. She had an open notebook on the table, taking up a booth in the back where ordinarily she would have watched the door. She wore a gray jacket over a pale pink skirt, a pleated skirt and wool tights. Her hair was windblown and cottony and she smelled of mixed campfire, sulphur and roses and black pepper. She almost seemed like she was asleep, her breath coming in little, measured portions. Her fingers curled. Two of her nails were broken -- thankfully they were typically kept short. Even the air felt exhausted around her.

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
It's one of the first glorious days of autumn. Blue skies reign for once over Gotham and the mansion of Shadowcrest. The light has changed enough to promise the coming of winter. Leaves blush in the first reds and golds, promising rich colors and the breeze has begun to pluck them from their trees.

The mistress of magic abandoned the indoors to walk in the special forest that surrounds the mansion. Phone in her pocket, she kicks leaves from the newly covered paths as she meanders under the trees.

        *****PING*****

Zatanna convulsively grabs the phone, eyebrows pinching together in a frown when one of her favorite pictures of Phoebe pops up on the screen. The one of her in an orange jacket, hood folded back, her abundant curls wrapped in a scarf. It's her unabashed smile that Zee likes.

A second to read the text. Another to write back: WHERE ARE YOU? I'LL BE RIGHT THERE.

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    Phoebe always knows how to ruin a good time. It's a talent.

    Her phone gave a magic-wand sound effect, and she picked it up. Phoebe draws the people she likes to have on her phone. Zatanna's image is a little cartoon of Zatanana wearing a hooded rabbit onesie beneath her blue coat.

    Phoebe took a look at the image, lifting her head, and she types in '@Star Coffee' -- and hits send. It checks her in with the local mapping service, pinging the location. And she follows up with:

    'Am safe now.'

    She would have much rather been walking the paths of Shadowcrest, but no. She was stubborn, and she had to learn on her own.

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
"Right!" she mutters to herself, sometimes wishing that she cursed naturally like a Constantine. After a moment of consideration, the mage traces a purple line in the air, gestures it larger and disappears.

A faint draft of air blows a leaf down the street followed by a black booted foot and, of course, the rest of Zatanna. The large glass windows reflect the image of a dark haired woman dressed in a tailored black jacket over an icy white stiff silk gauze shirt and matching pants.

Without hesitation she strides into the shop, head on a swivel looking for Phoebe. Her serene expression covers the fact that her heart is beating faster than normal.

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    Luckily, Phoebe's easy to find. Just follow the smell of 'college student' and 'DESPAIR' -- which coincidentally the former smells like 'cheap black coffee in large quantities' and the latter of woodsmoke and sulfur.

    Phoebe lifts her head as Zee walks in, and she takes a deep breath, closing her eyes and pushing herself up.

    Everything hurt. She pushed too much for a quick escape earleir in the day, and she raises her dark eyes to the dark haired woman (who one of the barristas was *insisting* must be *SOMEONE*).

    Closer Zee gets, she might also pick up on the smell of blood. Just lightly, though. Nothing CURRENT.

    -Hello Z- Phoebe signs to the mage, and she takes a deep breath, and then rubs at her eyes with both palms.

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
Zee takes a quick deep breath when she catches sight of Phoebe, complete with dark smudges under her eyes and the haggard look of someone who has seen the devil. Within a few steps of the young woman, the sharp tang of sulphur assaults her andZee involuntarily touches the tip of her nose. Another breath brings her the musty smell of dried blood.

Inwardly, Zee groans but manages to keep it from showing, only one quick wince and her face smoothes into impassivity. She ignores the murmurs of the baristas and sits across from Phoebe.

"Well...Who was it, Phoebe? Was anyone hurt?"

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    Phoebe closes her eyes, and she gives a small nod.

    She brings her hand up to her left temple, and sweeps outwards towards Zee.

    Her dark eyes open again.

    <She's breaking through the binding. She took my friend Nick from his grandparents' farm.> she explains, and she shakes. Her fingers knit, and knot, and goodness did she want one of those cigarettes that she had stashed in her pack.

     <She was going to try to kill Tim and Conner.> she states, and she bows her head.

    <I can't handle her on my own. I can't do this on my own. I was wrong. I need help to get everything out and fixed.> she adds, her mental voice in a whisper, and when she looks up to Zee, her eyes ar eheavy with tears. <I'm tired of hearing their voices.>

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
Zatanna's eyes close when Phoebe's thoughts break into hers. She swallows hard but calms her thinking, tuned into the anguish sitting across from her. She doesn't need to open her eyes to see Phoebe bow her head.

<Are they alright? Has Connor returned?>

Bright with unshed tears, Zee's eyes flicker open and she gives Phoebe several small quick nods meant to reassure her. <I wouldn't do it alone. I will want help, too. Volroxach is another order of demon.>

How much of Zatanna's relief at Phoebe's realization comes through her next thought? <I think Constantine would back me. I know he would, if you are alright with the idea. He is -very- strong. One of the best demon quellers I know.>

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    It hurt. It still hurt. Her hands were still tingling. Her eyes opened, and she looked to Zatanna and just felt... so tired.

    <I know.> Phoebe replies, and feels so very small. When you need to call on the best...

    She folds her hands in front of her, and she breathes out quietly before she reaches for her coffee. <I can bring you to where I messed up if it would help. Or if I should stay away, or if I ... I don't know. I don't know anymore. I thought I had it until I didn't.> she replies, and she puts her head forward onto her palms.

    <I'm sorry, Zatanna, that I kept you out so long.>

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
<Water long gone under the bridge. Though I would be fibbing if I didn't say I'm glad you came to your senses. You needed to find out for yourself when you thought you had it figured out.> She taps her chin thoughtfully before answering her question.

<I'd rather you weren't. But you could be, if you really need to be. You -would- be a distraction, a tempting target to throw John and I off.> She inhales deeply and shrugs, looking doubtful at the thought of her being in the demon's vicinity again.

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    Phoebe just looks up to Zee at that, and her eyes lose focus. She gives a nod, and then she pulls a piece of paper from her notebook.

    There are some skills that she retained from last summer's painful adventure. She draws a circle, the summoning name of the demon in question.

    Along with the circle array Phoebe had concocted and used. Information about the locale she had performed the business in, and slides it over.

    And then she stands, grabbing her backpack, and makes her exit.