backwordscompatible | IC Contact

Hey, M'gann.

Yeah, sure, I've got some time. You want me to meet you somewhere, or do you want to come up here? No one else is around right now, so it's just me in the room.

[Of course, she forgets to specify which room, seeing as how she and the boys were already accustomed to the (unofficial) switch.]

[ there's a bit of silence on m'gann's end for a minute or two, before her voice filters back in over the phone, uncertain: ]

I didn't know you were staying with Wally and Robin.

[ yep, she totally mind-GPS'd you, z. ]

Oh, sorry about that. I should've mentioned which room.

It's not far. Just down the hall.

I know. [ just don't ask how she knows... it's a little creepy if you think about it too much.

BUT WHAT DO YOU KNOW within a matter of minutes, zatanna will be hearing a little knock on her door. OPEN UP, GURL, WE GOTS TA TALK. ]

[Well, there's also the part where they've all met here before. But, yes, not thinking about it too much always helps.]

It's open!

[The doors were rarely locked, just in case one of the other occupants needed to get in. Once she enters, M'gann will find her sitting on the bed, brushing her hair.]

What's up?

[ m'gann glances around with a funny look on her face. ]

Were you waiting for Robin or Wally to come back...?

[ that had to be the only reason the girl was in the room, right? ]

[You would think that, but...]

No. I sleep here, too.

It was just the three of us when we first got here, and Wally pretty much insisted on moving in straight away. I figured it would be easier if we all stayed together.

[ oh... well that actually makes a lot of sense! ]

You're right, we all should stay together... [ but as soon as she starts to get excited about it — she realizes it could never be.

almost immediately she looks a little uncomfortable. ]

I.. don't think it'll be possible for Conner and me, though.

[Her initial suspicions was that, as M'gann was from an earlier time, maybe they hadn't gotten together yet...but then she remembered that Conner was from a later time, and that theory was blown away. If he'd given her the slightest inkling that they had, in fact, become a couple, she would've jumped on it faster than Wally on a pile of Nachos.]

I know we're already experiencing a bed shortage in here at the moment, but...we could still find a way for you guys, I'm sure. Maybe find another room for all of us to fit in?

If you guys want, that is. It's up to you.

...he might not want to.

[ she tries to laugh it off, as if it weren't such a big deal. but it is, despite how much she wishes it wasn't. there were more important things to worry about, after all. but considering how close she and conner were before they came here...

it's hard not to let it get to her. then there's the fact that some of it (most of it?) is her fault... ]

[Ouch.]

[She gets up, leaving the brush on the pillow, and crosses the room to her brosis. Placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. Comfort wasn't exactly her strong suit, but M'gann had been there for her in the past. Future. Whatever. How could she not return the favor?]

Is this what you wanted to talk about?

You and Conner...something happened, right? You two... [broke up]

[ m'gann doesn't shy away from the physical contact at all. if anything, she seems to melt into it a little, sag her shoulders and let out those puppy eyes.

but then she's looking embarrassed. ]

Um — no, actually, I. I wanted to talk about.. something else. [ like her lack of confidence in her powers lately. but now she seems to have lost all will to even voice it.

but now that it's already out in the open... ]

..yeah. That's what he said.

[She nodded her understanding, silently offering the girl her sympathies. Those two had been together since before she even knew them. It was almost impossible to imagine them no longer being an item.]

[Whatever happened, it must've been bad.]

Here, come sit on the bed. We can talk about whatever you like, alright?

[And she gently guides her back to the soft mattress, until they're sitting on the edge. Side-by-side.]

[ m'gann moves to the bed with a soft sigh, shoulders slumping as if in defeat. ]

It was my fault. [ she starts to go into detail, but she stops herself before she can say anything further. she's still so ashamed at the idea that she can't even bear to have zatanna suddenly questioning her control, too... ]

I lost his trust.

['Did she cheat?']

[The first thought that came to her mind. Because she couldn't think of a single other thing that M'gann could do that would cause Conner to leave her.]

Not yet, you haven't.

Whatever it is that goes on between you two...it hasn't happened yet. Not for you. Not for me. He has to understand that.

—does that make it okay? [ she lifts her head, looking to zatanna almost desperately. ] It's happened for him. It definitely has. What am I supposed to do with that?

[She shrugged helplessly, not quite sure what to say.]

I don't know.

I mean, if he thinks it's over, there's not much you can do. Unless you...how can I put this?...try to set things right. Make up for whatever it is he thinks you did, even if you didn't do it yet.

[ she nibbles on her lower lip a little, debating whether or not she should say...

in the end, she just has to. if only so she has something to talk about it with. ]

He says I abuse my powers in the future...

[...well, that didn't sound good.]

Abuse them...how?

[ she bites her lip again, not wanting to get into the messier details. she's afraid zatanna, too, will start doubting her... ]

I don't know! But it's crazy, right? I mean... I'm a superhero, I'm one of you guys, why would I—? He must be from.. from an alternate timeline or, or something!

[She thinks about this carefully. M'gann seems more scared than guilty. And it wouldn't be the first time they'd encountered an Alternate Timeline.]

Could be.

[This was not the face of someone ready to turn on them all. Not willingly.]

Like that situation with the "other" Zatanna I told you about. We know it's possible, at least.

[ she sighs a little, leaning forward to rest her elbows on her knees, and pillow her chin in her hands. without really giving it much thought, she comments: ]

You're so lucky you and Robin are from the same time. It must be a headache trying to keep track of everybody else.

[She smiled weakly, nodding even if M'gann couldn't see from her current position.]

I try not to think about it too much.

But you're right; the fact that we don't have to start all over again helps. A lot.

Probably for the best...

[ the smile she turns to zatanna is small and sheepish. ]

...sorry to dump this all on you, Zatanna... I didn't know who else to go to.

[She shakes her head]

It's fine.

You probably don't remember, but there was a point when you were there for me when I needed a shoulder to cry on. Think of it like me preemtively returning the favor.

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( action ) apologies for the wait ;;

( action ) np~

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