[center][img]https://66.media.tumblr.com/10b8facf2e808615ad495bcc764f4b90/tumblr_p82adcx6HC1whbfi0o1_500.png[/img] [u][b]Jailbreak In Fairyland VI[/b][/u][/center] [sub]The Royal Palace, Hallways, Faerie CW: Some mild body horror towards the end, so if that ain't your thing you might want to skip this one.[/sub][sub][hr][/sub] [indent][indent][color=lightgray] “You seem troubled timoune.” Voodoo asked as he adjusted the collar of his guayabera again. “I’m fine,” Zatanna replied dismissively “a little nervous that’s all” Voodoo laughed “That’s fair,” He agreed “it isn’t everyday you dine with royalty.” “Yeah... that’s true” [i]Though I guess it isn’t everyday you try and stage a jailbreak either[/i] Zatanna thought to herself. Before Tefé and her parted ways in the bathhouse they had come up with a basic plan. Fae dinner according to Tefé wasn't, “Sittin’ around a table thanking Jesus or some shit”. Rather the dinner functioned more like what Zatanna might call a ball or gala in the Mundane world. A function where the “who’s who” of society could socialize amongst themselves. If everything went well, Zatanna wouldn't be subjugated to such torture. The plan itself calling to spend as little time in the ballroom as possible. Once she rendezvoused with Tefé, they would slip out on the pretense of trying to locate a restroom. From there Tefé would lead them towards where they would be keeping the Kingkiller. If all went well Zatanna would use her magic to contact Voodoo so that he could also make his exit. They would then sneak their way out of the castle and meet back up on the other side of the bridge. From there it was as simple as getting on the next train heading back to London. And yet Zatanna could not quite shake her own haunting anxiety as she prepared for the evening. If crime movies had taught her anything it was that no heist went according to plan. Though it wasn't even the chance of disaster that bothered the magician [i]that[/i] much. No, instead it was Voodoo's earlier remarks about balance. Her actions would remove a society’s ability to choose and she wasn't sure she had that right. No matter the realpolitik behind the Kingkiller, he was still a criminal. Did she have the right to decide what measure of guilt counted? She didn't know but she knew what she was going to do anyway, she made her choice. And yet, despite her resolve, she knew there was also a reason she was choosing not to inform Voodoo of the plan before hand. In an attempt to distract herself she looked at her reflection in a passing mirror. Deciding that her typical show outfit was too loud, she choose something more formal. She ended up going with a simple black dress. Along with the dress she wore a pair of white sneakers, not wanting to have to flee for her life in heels again. The outfit was more "student at fashion school" than "master thief" but a catsuit seemed a little much Soon they arrived at the ballroom. It hung over the twilight below as its own standalone wing. A large octagonal space with dining and buffet tables lining its perimeter. The floor in the center made out of thick glass that provided a stunning view of the endless twilight. The nobles chatted amongst themselves on the floor in small groups. The hum of conversation accompanied by musicians playing string instruments alien to Zatanna. "Jericho!" A voice called cutting through the noise. From the other side of the ballroom Titania approached them. She wore a long gown weaved of moonlight that surrounded her in an ethereal glow. Like moths entranced by the glow, a small entourage of courtiers surrounded her. Yet Titania give them no mind as she glided across the floor towards the two magic users. She seemed happy to see them, a broad smile on her face. "Queen Titania," Voodoo replied with a bow "you look as marvelous as always." "Always the charmer Jericho," Titania replied chuckling "best be careful or I'll keep you." "Oh you wouldn't want an old bore like me." "Nonsense! Come! Come! We have much to discuss after all! I'm oh so very curious about what is happening in the Mundane." As Titania took Voodoo by the arm Zatanna took the opportunity to slip away. The older magician glanced over his shoulder at her, Zatanna giving him a wave as he was dragged away. Zatanna slipped through the groups of people as she headed towards an empty table. As she made a way over, she plucked two flutes of alcohol from a waiter's tray. Setting the drinks down on the table she sat and observed the crowd. The way they moved about the room reminded Zatanna about bees and how they danced to communicate. The nobles moving between groups as if following some kind of predetermined mechanism. Up close it was unbearable but at a distance there was a beauty to it that Zatanna couldn't deny. She regarded one of the flutes of alcohol watching how the light caught the bubbles before she took a sip. As soon as the liquor hit the back of her throat, she had to fight the urge to cough. A hint of honey followed by a burning bitter burst that swelled in her neck like an open flame. As she tried to regain her composure someone called out to her. "Didn't anyone tell you not to drink on the Job Z'?" Tefé sauntered over to the table and pulled up a chair. Her look had transferred from The Clash to the Thin White Duke. She leaned against the edge of the table reminding Zatanna of a cat about to pounce. "That's a shame, because I have this other glass right here." Zatanna explained as she offered Tefé the other drink. "I never did say it was a bad thing did I?" Tefé explained as she took the other glass. Her fingers lingering for a moment as they brushed against the magician's. "Salute!" They tapped the rimms of their glasses before they each downed the contents of the flute. Zatanna let out a long exhale as the burn of the alcohol settled in her chest. She watched in amusement as Tefé titled the flute all the way back to ensure the last drops of the liquid came out. She wore a triumphant smile as she slammed the glass back on the table. "So," Zatanna questioned "we still doing this? " "[b]Fuck.[/b] Yeah." Without another word needed the pair began to make their exit. They slipped out of a side service exit to avoid the guards stationed at the entrance. They slipped in through the door as a waiter carrying another platter of food stepped out. Ahead of them, Zatanna could hear the chaos of the kitchen as the shadows of chefs dance along the wall. Whispers and fast footsteps caused Tefé to pull Zatanna down another passage. This one-sided game of cat and mouse ending only as they exited through a door back into the upper halls. "This way." Tefé gestured as she gained her bearings leading Zatanna to the left. "How did you find out where they are keeping him anyway?" Zatanna whispered Tefé laughed. "I asked one of the guards?" Tefé explained with a grin. "Turns out they are as respective as anyone to questioning when their pants are down." "Hmph," Zatanna mused as shook her head "guess some things never change." "There are some things about nature that people can't fight Z' remember that." Tefé asserted with a wink. As they continued the quiet rumble of the ballroom continued to fade. Zatanna followed behind Tefé as she navigated the labyrinth hallways with a purpose. The other woman only having to stop at one or two intersections to consult her own mirror before heading on. At regular intervals Zatanna checked behind them to make sure that they didn't have a tail. Their gambit having so far been successful as not a soul stalked the halls this far away from the ballroom. As Zatanna was looking over one shoulder she almost collided into Tefé who had stopped at a corner. Before she could speak her companion raised a hand to her lips and gestured around the corner. Zatanna nodded in understanding before peeking around the corner to see the problem. At the far end of the hallway were three guards positioned around a large gated entranceway. Two of the guards sat on stools around a table playing cards, while the third watched the hallway. "Guessing that's where we need to go?" Zatanna whispered cocking her head in the direction of the guards. "Didn't say it was going to be easy did I?" "Wouldn't of been fun if it was," countered the magician "what's the plan?" A manic grin pulled the corners of Tefé's mouth tight. "Act shitfaced and follow my lead." With a wink Tefé wrapped a hand around Zatanna's waist and pulled her around the corner. Together they began to stagger down the hallway towards the entryway. Their erratic pattern drew the attention of the guard on watch who alerted the two playing cards. The card players readied themselves picking up their weapons and getting into position. The guard who had first spotted them took the initiative and step forward her spear raised. "Stop and identify yourself!" "D...do you know where the bath...bathroom is?" Tefé slurred as she closed the distance further "We reallllllly need to find one." The tension in the lead guards body relaxed her grip on her weapon loosening. Her two companions stepped forward on either side of her but did not raise their weapons. "Drunks." Explained the lead guard shaking her head "What should we do?" Asked the guard to her left "We'll try and send them back to the ballroom." Expoliting the guards confusion, Zatanna and Tefé closed the distance further. As they came within arm's length of the lead guards thrusted rward spear Tefé sprung into action. Dropping her hold on Zatanna, Tefé grasped the shaft of the spear and with great strength yanked it upward. The lead guard catapulted into the air could only shout in surprise before she went flying. Dropping the spear, Tefé outstretched a hand towards the guard on the right who was readying a thrust. Zatanna's eyes widened in surprise as the other woman's arm exploded into an expanded column of vines. The arm now turned battering ram slamming hard into the guard's chest sending him flying back. The force of the blow caving his armor inward as he crumpled to the ground in a heap. The last guard did not have a spear but instead a long sabre which he brought down towards Tefé. The young woman still dealing with the other guards leaving herself open. But before the blade could make impact Zatanna raised a finger towards him and shouted. "Tsur!" There was a slight distortion in the air around the guard as spots of brown began to appear on his armor. Yelling the guard dropped the sabre and tried to wipe at the spots but the damage was already done. The rust crept across his armor locking the joints as his shouting continued. Unable to move he toppled over encased in a thick coating of rust, his yelling now muffled. Feeling bad because the guard was only doing his job, Zatanna knelt down and whispered a command. "Peels." The panicked shouts dying out soon after. "Remind me not to piss you off" Tefé commented gesturing towards the guard. "I could say the same about you!" Zatanna replied standing up "You didn't tell me that you were a plant person!" Tefé chuckled at this comment as she sauntered over to orignal guard that she had tossed through the air. The impact was enough to knock her out but unlike the other two there was minimal damage to her armor. Tefé pulled off the guard's helmet revealing elfin features and red hair pulled up into a tight bun. "Oh I'm [i]so[/i] much more than a plant person." Tefé explained as she reached out and touched the guard's face. "A plant person couldn't do this." For a second nothing happened and Zatanna was about to tell the other woman to stop pulling her chain. And then Tefé's skin began to bubble, it was slow and first before growing to a rolling boil. Zatanna could only watch in horror as her skin ran off her body creating a waterfall of blood and flesh. Her bones screamed as they cracked shifting in size and position as her height increased an inch or more. A new layer of skin and hair was visible underneath all the blood, but instead of her own face Tefé now wore the guards. Bloody and naked, she began to strip the unconscious guard of her clothes. "What. The. Actual. [b]Fuck.[/b]" Zatnna spoke as fought the urge to vomit and failed. "Yeah that's the typical response," Tefé responded as she continued to loot the guard "if it makes you feel better I can always change back." "You... you stole her body!" "I [b]copied[/b] her body." Tefé stressed "And you trapped a man in a prison of rust. So neither of us are angels in this scenario darlin'. And how else did you think I got in here in the first place? I ain't fancy pants nobility or some spell-slinger." "Bu-Bu," Zatanna protested "that was very just... it was very visceral and you gave me like no warning!" "You could of turned away at any time. You weren't terrified, you were [b]curious[/b]. Now are you going to help me put this armor on or what?" "...Fine!" Zatanna relented as she began to pull at a boot.[/color][/indent][/indent]