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Location: Happy Harbor Mall
 
Zach’s solitary shopping adventure was interrupted when Kassy came in to ask about the Unicorn plushie he was holding on to. He was amazed she had the nerve to approach him again after everything that happened. Zach raised an eyebrow. [color=darkviolet]“You… haven’t seen a unicorn before? Oh… right you’re from Atlantis. You probably grew up with Kelpies and stuff…[/color] He sighed. [color=darkviolet] “Um… anyway, it’s called a unicorn. A mythical horse that’s as fabulous and magical as I am! Their magic comes from their horn. There’s a lot more to them than that, but I don’t think you’re here for a history lesson.”[/color]

[color=orange] “I see.” [/color] Kassy was actually listening with attention, though she wouldn’t quite meet Zach’s eyes. She wasn’t sure what to say to him, but she didn’t want to leave things as they were. [color=orange] “It’s very pretty. I’m sure it will make good company.”[/color]  After a moment, she held out her stuffed shark. 

[color=orange] “This one is coming with me. I’m not sure what to name it yet.”[/color]  Kass had an odd predilection for naming inanimate objects, like her staff. For some reason, it just made her feel better.

Stepping closer, she lowered her voice.[color=orange] “About… earlier. I really am sorry. If you need to take your vengeance, I’d prefer it at home. But I also don’t like waiting for the other wave to crest.”[/color]  She looked around the store, noting it mostly empty. The only other patron besides the store’s clerk was a harried looking mother with 2 children.[color=orange]  “Go ahead. Hit me.” [/color] 

Kassy had picked up a plush shark for herself. It was cute, although Zach didn’t understand why anyone would want to cuddle up with a carnivorous sea creature, but Zach wasn’t in a position to judge.

What she said next made Zach’s eyes go wide with shock. Did she really just ask that? [color=darkviolet]“What?! No! I’m not going to hit you. It would reflect poorly on me if I just casually punched a woman with no context. My career would be ruined. Even with context that’s really bad. I don’t know how things are done in where you come from, but we don’t go around inflicting violence on everyone who upsets us… As much as we may want to.”[/color]

Zach sighed and shook his head. [color=darkviolet]“I do suppose we have to talk about my reaction don’t we?”[/color] He put his purchases in front of the cashier for them to be rung up. The man listening to this was probably confused about what the heck was going on.

[color=orange] “Oh. Well, it’s not so much Atlantis as it is…”[/color]  Just happening inside her house. The words stuck in her throat.[color=orange]  “A long story. It’s a long story.”[/color]  She did not have the energy to open that box. [color=orange] “And yes, we do have to talk about that. Though I’m not sure if here is the best place.” [/color] 

Once Zach’s unicorn was paid for, she put up her shark on the counter to be purchased.[color=orange]  “Would it be better to walk and talk?” [/color] 

[color=darkviolet]“Yes, it would be better to walk and talk. Mine is also a long story.”[/color]

Kassy nodded, and paid for the shark. She gestured for Zach to follow as she exited and joined the milling mall crowd.[color=orange] “If you didn’t want to…”[/color]  She gestured a little punch in the face. [color=orange] “Then what did you want to talk to me about?”[/color]  Her voice dropped to a bit of a mumble. [color=orange] “I’m used to that phrase meaning bad things, unfortunately.”  [/color] 

[color=darkviolet]“I mean… I’m the one who ran off crying after a sparring session. I’m sure everyone that watched thinks oh Zach cried because he lost. He’s a sore loser. Boo-hoo! While, yes I’m not exactly happy about that. It’s a little more complicated than just getting beaten.”[/color] Zach sighed, and rubbed the back of his head.[color=darkviolet]“Before I had access to magic, I often felt helpless… And that whole situation brought me back to those times…[/color] Zach bit his lip, and looked away from Kassy. He really hated talking about this stuff. He just wanted to be a world class magician and superhero. Why did this have to rear its ugly head again.

Kassy was surprised to see the usually confident Zach looking so downtrodden. Even more of a surprise was not having powers his whole life. The way he wielded them, he seemed to be born with them.[color=orange] “You couldn’t always use magic? That… must have been really hard.” [/color] She fidgeted with her hair, one curl being tweaked over and over. [color=orange] “I’ve always had magic, but… not very many people like what I can do, back home. So they’d…”[/color]  She inhaled, and exhaled. If they were being honest, she’d have to at least comply.[color=orange] “Call me things. Do things to me.”[/color]  He would probably have to drag the detail out of her if he even wanted to know. Hopefully he would not.

Zach nodded. It was clear that Kassy didn’t want to talk about what happened to her. It made sense. He barely wanted to talk about what happened to him. [color=darkviolet]“Right, some people can be cruel for the most petty of reasons. It’s the same above the surface… I can’t imagine why anybody wouldn’t like what you can do. They’re awesome.”[/color]

Kassy actually flashed him a bit of a smile. It was there one moment, but gone the next.[color=orange] “Thank you.” [/color] Her hair was becoming a bit of a mess, as she had nervous hands.[color=orange] “But if I could give up my power, all of it, I would do it. It’s really caused me nothing but trouble most of my life.” [/color]  She shook her head, curls bouncing.[color=orange] “I don’t expect you to understand that part, though.”[/color] 

Zach shrugged his shoulders. She had a point. He only had his powers for two years, and he would never give them up for anything. [color=darkviolet] “I mean… yeah… I wouldn’t. My mother bound my powers hoping to give me a normal life…For all the good that did.[/color] He chuckled a little. [color=darkviolet]“I would never go back to that…”[/color]

[color=orange]“Well, you don’t have to.”[/color]  Kassy nodded firmly.[color=orange] “And, seas willing, neither do I.” [/color] A hesitant smile slipped onto her face.[color=orange] “We’re going toward a new life. A better one. Hopefully.”[/color] 

Zach nodded and grinned in return. [color=darkviolet]“I hope so.”[/color]