[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/210420/7161bf858c241d15cf7be40b1adcab9d.png[/img] and [img] https://txt.1001fonts.net/img/txt/dHRmLjcyLmFiODgwYS5TMmxzWVcxaGJtcGhjbTgsLjA,/wild-river.regular.png[/img] At some time during the two week skip[/center] Zach had decided to make another trip to the mall. Nothing felt better after training than a little retail therapy. After browsing his usual favorite places, he decided to stop by the music store. Granted, Zach didn’t actually play any instruments himself. He just sang and danced. Still, there was nothing wrong with browsing the selection. They had various instruments set up for people to try out, which meant you could occasionally catch a show here if somebody who knew what they were doing happened to stop in. Inside, he was met with a melody that was played on a piano. However, there wasn’t anyone sitting in the pianist’s chair. Instead, the musician in question was sitting on a high stool on the opposing side of the grand piano. The top cover of the instrument was removed for the time being, allowing for the unorthodox musician to see and play the strings themselves. It was a soulful song that he was playing, but his expression seemed rather intense. He didn’t want to mess it up again. It was always about the time of the second verse that he lost his footing so to speak. Zach saw a familiar face examining the pianos strings, and playing a song without touching the keys, but the strings inside the piano themselves. It was a beautiful song, for sure. Although he wasn’t expecting to see the musician playing it. He had expected to spend a day at the mall by himself today. Should he even say anything? Ja was adorable, but it was clear to the magician that Kila didn’t like Zach very much… Eh, can’t hurt to try and be his charming self! He approached his teammate. [color=darkviolet]“Hey Kitty Cat. Wasn’t expecting to see you here. I didn’t take you as the musical type… Did you even get permission to open the piano?”[/color] Hearing the damned nickname made Kila retract his hands from the strings. As though caught in a moment of vulnerability, he eyed the Zatara from behind the shadow his mane cast. [color=goldenrod]”So long as the instrument isn’t damaged and I knew what I was doing…”[/color] The young veteran was willing to explain. [color=goldenrod]”The great Speech Devil has decided to commute with the common people it seems…?”[/color] Kila broke eye contact, resting his hands on the legs he had crossed in his seat. Zach narrowed his eyes at the nickname, but shrugged it off. [color=darkviolet] “Well of course! I love communing with my fans!”[/color] He said with a flourish of his hand. [color=darkviolet] “Anyway… What brings you to the mall?”[/color] Kila gestured with one hand to the device before him. [color=goldenrod]”I am intrigued by this instrument. Casper’s playing from before inspired me to return to it. I would buy this, though there is no space in my room currently…”[/color] He explained. Without much more to say though, his fingers went back to the strings to try again: CGBE, g b e g b e g b e g b e g… Kila went back to playing, and suddenly an idea popped into Zach’s head. [color=darkviolet]“emutsoc otni egnahc.”[/color] The magician was enveloped in smoke for a second, and was left standing in his signature tuxedo. He then grabbed a microphone that happened to be on display, and sat down at the edge of the piano with his legs crossed. [color=darkviolet]“If you're going to put on a show, then do it right. Hit it Kila!”[/color] He raised the microphone to his mouth, and started to sing. [color=darkviolet]Some people live for the fortune Some people live just for the fame Some people live for the power, yeah Some people live just to play the game Some people think That the physical things Define what's within And I've been there before That life's a bore So full of the superficial[/color] A crowd started to gather around the duo. Kila all the while took all his willpower to keep from walking off. His music was often just for his own entertainment, sometimes for family. Zatara’s theatrics, while entertaining to some, were just a means to show off in reality. What was worse, he actually picked up a microphone and started singing along. Every opportunity to get attention…Regardless, Kila decided against making a scene. What was more, as he played along, it seemed to actually sound good. Though, there was a reason why he didn’t play this song in front of…wait, the part he usually struggled with had already passed…? The crowd still cheered and Zatara was still singing. He looked down at his fingers still gently nipping at piano strings. The transition from the intro to the verse was in private circumstances where he discoordinated. He had been struggling for weeks with it. He caught himself almost smiling in triumph, but it didn’t last long when a notion crossed his mind…Kila’s eyes turned to Zach singing along for a moment. The song had a mirrored transition into the outro that he equally struggled with in the past…The young lion kept playing, as an experiment came to him. Zach continued singing as Kila played on the piano, people gathered around, and started cheering. This was what Zach lived for. The applause and attention of people. Kila was actually pretty good at this. This was one of the better live performances he had put on. Zach started to sing louder, and put more passion into it. [color=darkviolet]Some people want it all But I don't want nothing at all If it ain't you, baby If I ain't got you, baby Some people want diamond rings Some just want everything But everything means nothing If I ain't got you, yeah Some people search for a fountain Promises forever young Some people need three dozen roses And that's the only way to prove you love them Hand me the world on a silver platter And what good would it be With no one to share, with no one who truly cares for me Some people want it all But I don't want nothing at all If it ain't you, baby If I ain't got you, baby Some people want diamond rings Some just want everything But everything means nothing If I ain't got you, you, you Some people want it all But I don't want nothing at all If it ain't you, baby If I ain't got you, baby Some people want diamond rings Some just want everything But everything means nothing If I ain't got you, yeah If I ain't got you with me, baby, oh, ooh Said nothing in this whole wide world don't mean a thing If I ain't got you with me, baby[/color] When it was over, Zach stood up, and took a bow, as people applauded. Kila abruptly pulled his fingers from the strings. Walking away from the piano, Kila barely acknowledged the crowd with a nod. He still eyed the instrument, then one of the hands he used to play it. Just before exiting the store entirely, he looked over his shoulder one last time at Zach. With the results of his experiment confirmed, Kila wasn’t sure what they meant. Without a word to say, the Meta let the magician bask in the ambiance. Meanwhile, Zach stood there accepting bows and compliments from the audience. [color=darkviolet]“Thank you, you have been a wonderful audience.”[/color] He was going to say something congratulating his partner in all this, but he left. It was unfortunate, because he deserved praise for this performance as well. Guess he didn’t like the spotlight as he much as he did… [center] [img]https://i.imgur.com/7OimHzr.png[/img] [img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/210420/7161bf858c241d15cf7be40b1adcab9d.png[/img] Location: Communications Complex Interactions: The Team [@Courtaud][/center] It had been two weeks, and finally they had been given their mission. In that time, he had worked on some new spells and magic tricks. Viktor did his best to teach Zach some nonmagic combat skills, but he just couldn’t get a handle on the manly tough guy fighting thing… Or maybe he was just distracted by Vik. Who knows… He also got to know some of his teammates better, although he still little interest in Casper. He just tolerated him more than anything. After Batman explained the mission, it was an observe and report situation, he had chosen Talon to lead. After which, Talon divided the squads and gave them their roles in the group. It was the most he had heard Talon speak in the entire time he knew him. He never even removed that damn mask in that entire time. He probably had beautiful eyes underneath it. Since it was supposed to be cold, and he needed to be stealthy, Zach had to make adjustments to his costume. [color=darkviolet]“emutsoc egnahc”[/color] After being enveloped in smoke, he emerged in a more wintery magician costune, which included a fur lined coat, and a more muted color scheme. He then approached Talon, and gave him a salute. [color=darkviolet]“Good luck captain.”[/color]