And for my next trick...(Tag Zatanna)

[Doctor Stephen Strange]

For most, traveling from Greenwich Village New York to Hollywood California was a long grueling flight with several stops and long lay overs. Lucky for Stephen, he wasn't most. He was... well, Strange. After a few brief incantations he was gone from Sanctum Sanctorum in New York and was in they alley way next to the show he was going to catch in Hollywood. He straightened out his suit and smoothed back his hair, white streaks and all. He looked like one suave gentleman though. His suit was strange, but expensive looking, a sort of heathered purple and gold with a matching vest underneath and charcoal grey pants. His shoes where shiny black leather.

His head turned up to look at the dazzling sign with a very attractive brunette woman on it, smiling and tipping her hat. "Hm, time to see what sort of magic this new dimension has to offer." Stephen had been arduously exploring this new found realm for threats that could be made against his home world. The connection was too large to be blocked now, it had gone to far to be reversed. They were stuck, as it seemed so he needed to know what mystical threats lay in this world. His visits to Sanctum Sanctorum had been few at best recently as he traveled this realm.

He had been to show after show after show of charlatans. People pretending they were Houdini's or mystics. One thing had been heard at nearly every show he had been to, this name, Zatanna Zatara. Everyone seemed to think she was the real deal. She was beautiful, he had to admit that, but a magician? He wasn't so sure. Once more he ran his scarred hands through his hair as he took his ticket to the door and was allowed entrance in. He felt a surge suddenly, an influx of magical energy. He quirked a brow and moved inside and to his table, all alone. Stephen felt an inch at his chest, he wore the Eye of Agamotto against his skin, not wishing to draw attention to himself... well, anymore than a handsome man like himself would at least. The gold necklace was aware of the magic as well, wanting to see the magic, to feel the magic, to absorb the magic. He rested back in his seat, ordering a drink when the waitress sauntered past.

Maybe a slight wink was tossed to the attractive blonde at the table beside him, but it would take something very strange or visually appealing to draw his attention from the task at hand. He needed to find the source of this magical force and find out just how dangerous and strong it was. Maybe it was Zatanna, maybe it wasn't, but he had to find out and soon.

Suit-y suit
WC: 480 or so.

[Zatanna Zatara]

There wasn't any fanfare, no flickering stage lights or special effects to note of at first. The room was carrying on in conversation and ordering their drinks as the waitresses came. It all seemed more like a dinner hall than a theater, but suddenly, the room went dark, and with the light, went the voices as well.

A single floating lantern came into view, hovering in midair eeriely. The lantern was soon joined by two cousins at the center of the stage. They merely suspended there for a moment, a soft melody from a music box guiding them along. One of the lantern doors opened and a fire-emblazoned fish swam out, weaving through and around the other lanterns and finally back into the safety of another. The shy goldfish peeked its head out again, and once sensing it secure it made another swim around the stage, this time with a companion. The two twirled around each other, their flame tails burning behind them, bright against the near darkness. They finished their dance and disappeared inside the lantern once more.

No one could hear the magician whisper out incantations backwards as she worked the opening, subtle words as simple as reading a command, like "Erif, ecnad" and "Snretnal taolf."

The lanterns suddenly shook, and an entire school of fish fleed outside of the lantern in hot pursuit by a slithering fire worm. The pace of the unseen music box became erratic, spiraling faster and faster as the dragon soared after the fish. The chase entered the balcony, roaring over their heads and weaving through the aisles. The fire dragon charged behind the fish, his large, smoking jaws hanging open to catch its prey in is mouth, but the fish headed for the stage once more, desperate to get away. The dragon roared, breathing its steaming hot breath onto the backs of the heads of rows 5 and 6. The music box grated desperately, signaling the finale. The little fish flew to hide inside of their homes again, but instead, the fire creatures all crashed into other, exploding in one burst of fire.

The three lanterns crashed into the stage floor along with them in a bright, green fire and formed itself into the shape of the famous magician Zatanna Zatara, dressed in her signature fishnets and coattails, all topped off neatly with her father's hat.

She received a thunderous applause, and following a swift wave of her wand, she shot off fireworks into the air. The streams of light broke apart in the air and bounced along the edges of the room, lighting a small candle as it went until the entire theater was encircled in its light. She waved and winked at random sections of her audience, sizing them up before she continued, gaging the nonbelievers over those still eager to believe in her tricks. Though her eyes quirked in the direction of Dr. Stange's section of the audience, a streak of recognition running across her features for a moment. She couldn't quite place exactly where or who was the source of the magic present in the room quite yet, but Zee was determined to learn by the end of the night.

She just hoped they weren't here to start any trouble. She was sick of people ruining her shows. Rude.

It was a shame she was on stage already. Zatanna could have called for Bunny to investigate, but now she had to perform. After all, the show must go on and Zee worked her magic without intermission.

"Oh, stop it. Stop it!" she laughed, acting coquettishly bashful at all of the applause. When the sound died down she pouted, "Why ever did you stop?" this earned her a soft round of laughter from her audience, and Zatanna spotted a pair of eye-rollers just perfect for her first trick.

"For this first trick," Zatanna twirled her wand in her hands, pretending to search for volunteers but she already had them picked out already. "I'll need a volunteer. Come on, now! Don't be shy!" and without skipping a beat, the two men shot their hands up/ Challenge accepted, she thought to herself with a wry smile, and called them on stage.

Now for her wild card. Zatanna always liked to have surprises in her show, surprises she would make up along the way for herself. It kept the act fresh in her mind, so she called out for a third volunteer. "I'll need one more~" she purred out seductively, hoping to bait out someone interesting for this trick to keep her on her toes.

♉

Tag: DR. STRANGE <3 • Words: 700ish • Outfit: uniform • Notes: magicmagicmagicmagic

[Doctor Stephen Strange]

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Strange smiled broadly, showing a bit of his age as he watched the attractive brunette made her way onto the stage after quite the impressive display of fire and fish. His hands folded in his lap and he joined in the applause after a moment. His brow quirked as she selected the non believers to come up on the stage. He hadn't been selected, but he was standing and moving to the stage. As he moved no one else stood or even seemed as though they wanted to be on the stage. His dark green eyes met Zatanna's as he unbuttoned his jacket and hung it on the back of his chair. Once he seated himself, the clamor in the room seemed to start again.

He wasn't sure he wanted to be on the stage yet, but if she wanted him, he'd oblige. Oh my... would he ever. Stephen lifted his drink to his lips and took a sip of the smooth liquid. He sat quietly, waiting for her next trick. He felt the magic still in the room, could she be the real deal? Nah, his luck so far told him no. He'd been told by a lot of people that a lot of people are the 'real deal'. There's a lot of popularity surrounding the curvy caster and often... popularity means that the truth of the person is obscured.

Strange stretched up a little bit, not lifting his arms, only lifting his shoulders. A bit a smile touched his lips as he drew in a breath and blew it forward, extinguishing the flames of 1/4th of the candles. He lifted his drink and took another long sip, glancing at the short menu casually before bringing his eyes back up in hopes of meeting Zatanna's again. Magical or not, she was beautiful... a little too young though, but if she was actually magical... age could mean very little to her outward appearance. Eventually, he'd have to get closer and have to keep pretending he wasn't one of the best sorcerers in the world. He hated having to do that.

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[Zatanna Zatara]

The universe had strange ways of answering our wishes, manipulating circumstance into unseen twists upon intent. Zatanna, who was a champion of words, knew this fact quite well, but even she could fall prey into expectation. Fate smiles upon those who make plans after all- she smiles and rolls the dice.

Huh? Who is messing with my lights? The asymmetry of it all was bothering her. Zatanna scanned the room before landing on the eyes of one doctor. She quirked a brow at this last volunteer, wondering if she'd actually lured out the other magic in this room. She'd have to wait until he was closer to be sure, and ranking his ability would be a shot in the dark. The more powerful sorcerers all had a way of masking their true ability. It was like the safety on a gun.

Let him try another trick like that again... she flicked a wrist to set her candles all alight once more, this time in a keen, purple flame. Zatanna welcomed each of her victims- volunteers onto the stage. "My, my. Aren't I a lucky girl? Three men all to myself." and only two arms? Spare her the cheese. "I like to know the names of my guests- what're your names?" she reached out to shake each of the mens' hands, earning her the names Warren and Esteban in exchange.

"Zatanna, pleased to meet you ---?" last but certainly not least she extended her gloved hand to Stephen. When their hands met, hers seemed to fall off and disconnect, continuing the handshake without her. "Sorry, I can't seem to keep my hands to myself!"

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♉

[/size][/font]Tag: NXXX • Words: ### • Outfit: XXX • Notes: XXX. [/div]

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[Doctor Stephen Strange]

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Strange came up to the stage and smiled up to her. He wasn't really intending on coming up to the stage just yet, but when their eyes met he knew he had to. She might be a little onto him. He covered his magic up and covered it well. He seemed about as magical as a DVD of Harry Potter right now. He watched as she re-lit the candles, she was pretty good, but he wasn't sure if she was his calibur of magic yet. As she went down the row, getting the men to introduce themselves, his eyes shifted out to the audience. Had he just seen shadows moving? No, it must have just been the flickering of the candles.

When Zatanna arrived at him, he smiled up to her and appreciated her little parlor trick. "I have a way with making women come undone." Oh, he was a charmer, and not in the slick, slimy way. In that classic movie star way. He had a regal quality to him that men these days just seemed to lack. He tilted his head, "Doctor Stephen Strange." He decided to introduce himself finally. His dark green eyes moving over her face, trying to gauge her magic levels. He glanced to the other men, they seemed just about as magical as your average joe, but something else was here... Something strong, dark and sinister. Maybe Strange did pick the right night to take in dinner and a show.

If something did rear its big, ugly, shadowy head tonight, he'd be here to stop it and that was important. Even if he did have to show her who he was sooner than he'd like to. His eyes moved to her, wondering if she felt that chill come into the room. Not a normal chill, like a sudden cold breeze, it was intense and subtle... not of the waking world. Something was here and Strange wasn't sure exactly what it was, but he knew one thing: It wasn't supposed to be here.

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[Zatanna Zatara]

Strange came up to the stage and smiled up to her. He wasn't really intending on coming up to the stage just yet, but when their eyes met he knew he had to. She might be a little onto him. He covered his magic up and covered it well. He seemed about as magical as a DVD of Harry Potter right now. He watched as she re-lit the candles, she was pretty good, but he wasn't sure if she was his calibur of magic yet. As she went down the row, getting the men to introduce themselves, his eyes shifted out to the audience. Had he just seen shadows moving? No, it must have just been the flickering of the candles.

When Zatanna arrived at him, he smiled up to her and appreciated her little parlor trick. "I have a way with making women come undone." Oh, he was a charmer, and not in the slick, slimy way. In that classic movie star way. He had a regal quality to him that men these days just seemed to lack. He tilted his head, "Doctor Stephen Strange." He decided to introduce himself finally. His dark green eyes moving over her face, trying to gauge her magic levels. He glanced to the other men, they seemed just about as magical as your average joe, but something else was here... Something strong, dark and sinister. Maybe Strange did pick the right night to take in dinner and a show.

If something did rear its big, ugly, shadowy head tonight, he'd be here to stop it and that was important. Even if he did have to show her who he was sooner than he'd like to. His eyes moved to her, wondering if she felt that chill come into the room. Not a normal chill, like a sudden cold breeze, it was intense and subtle... not of the waking world. Something was here and Strange wasn't sure exactly what it was, but he knew one thing: It wasn't supposed to be here.

Before her idle hand could scamper up the length of his arm, Zatanna snatched it back and screwed it back into place at her wrist. "A doctor? Well, I bet you do, McDreamy." so, she watched a few soaps in the breakroom, who didn't? Her DVR was full of old episodes of E.R. and Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares for when she had a break here and there, but who had the time to watch TV anymore?

Warren and Esteban were less than amused at the two's exchange, but seemed confident they would disprove whatever Zatanna's next trick was. She had three things on her plate now: teaching the tweedledees a lesson, finding out whoever was messing with her show, and flirting with the handsome doctor. If there was a dead body in the room it would have been just like any other ordinary Saturday night in her life. Hopefully she could bank on something a little more strange this evening.

Cross your fingers, Zatanna, she thought hopefully. The last thing she wanted was for one of those dead bodies to damage the reputation of her show, and with the world nearly doubled that meant an entire new population of people to entertain.

Now that introductions were out of the way, she moved into the next sequence of her act, leaving her curiosities behind for the moment. After all if there was any mischief to be wrought in this theater, Zatanna had the home field advantage.

"Now if you could all just indulge me in a little card trick." she started shuffling away at a deck to segway into a 'pick a card, any card' sort of routine. It came standard issue with all magicians, but Zee as always, had a trick up her sleeves.

"Pick a card, any card. Now Stephen you'll act as our third eye for this trick." she challenged them, allowing the pair of men to inspect her materials before continuing the act. She even allowed one of them, the more insistent of the two to pat her down, which earned a few whistles from the audeince. His ginger touch made her quirk an eyebrow. She hated it when men were all talk and no action."Well you're no fun." she laughed, but pressed onward nonetheless. Zatanna circled them, like a ringleader conducting a circus, letting them each pick a card from the deck and place it back in the pile. She casually pulled a card out, "Is this your card?" she held up the Jack of Diamonds for everyone to see. One of the men swallowed at his throat, mildly upset that she had in fact chosen the correct card. It was one of those signals Zatanna could always count on, the face of a liar. "Oh?" her painted lips pursed at this new development, feigning surprise at his answer. The man shuffled nervously, his friend eying him curiously.

With a graceful wave of her arm, Zatanna tossed the deck into the air. An innumerable amount of cards rained down on stage, definitely more than the usual fifty-two, and obscured them for a moment. When the deluge seemed to clear a cloud of purple smoke shot out into the air, earning gasps of surprise, and the two men had disappeared. In their place, stood two life-sized cards, the Jack of Diamonds and the Fool, mysteriously painted with the two men's likeness. Both of their expressions had been ones of frozen surprise as their eyes helplessly scanned the audience. She took a moment to pose next to them, basking in the momentary applause from her audience.

Zatanna strutted past the pair and gave them each a spin, each cardman spinning faster and faster until out appeared their dizzied human forms again. She couldn't help but laugh as they stumbled clumsily offstage to return to their seats.

"Now Dr. Strange, what's your card?"