Shard

Young Justice

Awkward dinner with the family.

Young Justice

Location
💀 The Sanctuary.
💀 Heading into the kitchen.

Interactions
💀 Whoever he runs into.

---

It wasn’t a complete disaster. He had managed to greet two people, which in itself cemented more social interaction than the phantasmal teenager had confronted in a period of weeks. It was true that Casper arrived at The Sanctuary with the other early aspiring heroes, but other than scarce and short interactions with Zach, or Zatara as he so fancied, the Wraithborn had not made his presence known to any notable degree.

In truth, the constant talk of heroism, the Justice League, and fighting the good fight felt somewhat alien to him. It was fair to claim that Casper’s attention had been primarily aimed at those beyond the veil of life. It was, after all, how he had made himself known to Zatanna and Constantine. A mysterious figure stalking the darkness of unlife, putting an end to hauntings and shielding innocent spirits from vicious beasts, and Necromantic spellcasters. Indeed, Casper certainly had an area of expertise. A point of focus. However, Zatanna made sure to inform the boy of his potential, how he could very well stand between the threshold of life and death, similar to a certain ’Deadman’ Casper had heard of more than once. They were still to meet, however.

Equally so, it was folly to assume that those of a darker nature were unwelcome amongst this most colorful gathering of exceptional individuals. A girl with a red jewel centered in her forehead arguably carried an even larger stigma than Casper. The daughter of a demon, Trigon. Speaking of demons, Batman himself was trained beneath a man calling himself the head of one. Dark roots ran deep, and it was short-sighted to believe that Casper’s situation was any different. Others didn’t view him with discomfort because of his abilities, or even his past, would they have known of it. Rather, this hailed entirely from his nature as an undead being, of which he did not fault them.

”I’ll..,” Casper began, turning his attention towards the corridor, ”...see you guys later..,” he finished, before weightless steps began distancing him from Zach and Jack. His destination was the kitchen, for Casper possessed a guilty pleasure. He did not require food, but the taste of soda had wrapped itself around him with an iron grip. The Wraithborn recalled how his mentor, Zatanna, had called it endearing. No matter what, young adults such as Casper would always find themselves drawn to sweets. Not even the grave could push for an exception.

“So, where are we going, chief?” Coal asked, hopping to the Wraithborn’s shoulder, “had your fill? Gonna’ find a coffin to hide in?”

”I need a drink..,” came a response, clawed hands slipping into the pockets of Casper’s oversized hoodie. Where Zatanna and Zach were both quite well known for their propensity towards flamboyant regalia, the undead entity felt far more comfortable in cargo pants, canvas shoes, and a simple shirt, cloth of which was clearly baggy upon his scrawny frame. This would further bleed into Casper’s refusal to wear a super suit. He claimed that nothing quite fit him, and of course, believed that only those considering themselves heroes would buy into the concept. The latter was something he had kept to himself, however. Needless to say, it was impossible for Casper to hide his identity. Suit or not, the boy’s appearance would not allow for a double life.

“You don’t need a drink, Zombie Boy, you’re just addicted,” the bird added.

”Whatever..,” a fittingly short response from the Wraithborn as he continued down a seemingly endless corridor on route to the kitchen.

“Like, when you drink that shit, someone who actually needs it can’t have it!” Coal put forth a notable argument. It was true that Casper’s indulgence in nourishment was a fruitless endeavor, and that every bite of food swallowed, every drink enjoyed was enveloped by irrelevance.

”Who the fuck needs a soda, Coal..?” Casper raised a brow, ghostly eyes turning towards the avian on his shoulder.

“Thirsty people. Cas’! Thirsty people!” It was the end of the argument, moments before Casper eventually stepped into the kitchen, and a headache struck. A piercing sensation, one which remained present for a split second before promptly vanishing. With an alarmed expression, the Wraithborn nearly fell to a knee, clawed hands rising to grasp at his temples. A single word echoed throughout the boy’s mind, something entirely divorced from the conversation he had endured, and the surrounding world. A whisper once there, and then gone.

"C̵̪͇̹͖̠̦͓̞̍̅ȁ̷̫̰̣̺̘̹̌s̷̫̋̐͋͋̆͊̕͝͝͝p̶̞̌̃̀̈̄͋̇̀͌̕e̷͓͉̥͆́̀̑̉̔̚͠͠r̸̞̟̯͕͖͈͊̈̌̄̄̄̈́̏̇.̶͉̒̊̈͝.̶̩͖̭̍̇͒͑.̶̮̋"

Young Justice

I am going to take Casper into the kitchen. Currently, most people are kind of just "somewhere".

Young Justice

It makes things more organized for sure, yeah.

Young Justice

I'll probably move Casper away from Zach and Jack in my next post, see where he ends up.

Young Justice

Location
💀 The Sanctuary.

Interactions
💀 @dreamingflowers
💀 @Courtaud
💀 @Crimson Flame

---

One introduction complete, several more to go. The thought was nauseating. How many hands was Casper required to shake? It wasn’t difficult to deduce that others were somewhat unnerved by the Wraithborn, a fully understandable reaction to a creature such as him, but it had the power to lower what little incentive was there.

Casper’s slender, dainty digits wrapped themselves around Daphne’s own, claws gently embracing fingers for a socially acceptable display. Despite his appearance, and likely presumed chill, Casper’s skin came off as quite lukewarm. Neither cold, nor humanly heated. It was safe to say that the Wraithborn barely had a temperature, yet again pointing towards his inhuman nature. Indeed, he was not the only non-human member of the team, but he was certainly the most blatantly different creature among them. “I ain’t rude!” Coal offered, “it’s positive reinforcement, and shit!” The crow turned to his closest friend, head tilting somewhat as he noted Casper’s focus shifting from Daphne to Talon. He had not commented on her phone call, and rather took a moment to acknowledge Jack’s interaction with Zach.

The silence managed to intrigue. Where Viktor walked off in annoyance, and Daphne attempted a polite approach, this peculiar individual had not uttered a single word.

Casper had previously heard of Nightwing, one of Batman’s associates. It was fair to claim that his knowledge of these American heroes was quite lacking in comparison to his allies, something which made itself known to the young Wraithborn as this was the first time Casper had ever seen Jack’s mentor. Had he made the same promises expressed by Zatanna? Had Nightwing also presented this team as a family? What awaited them throughout this journey was yet to be seen.

Following Talon’s movements, Casper took note of every silent motion, as if the creature was waiting for a peculiar spectacle. It had required an impressive level of discipline on the Owl’s end to withstand Zach’s impeccable charm, one the Wraithborn was spared due to his less than appealing features in regards to the magician’s preferences.

“Keep trying Zachy Boy, eventually, you’ll be able to pull a fine piece of meat outta’ your hat,” Coal stated, his wing rising to point at Zatara. “But hey, this one didn’t run away!”

”The other one left when you started talking, Coal..,” Casper finally uttered, his tail now gently swaying as it had done before.

“I am innocent of this crime that you are accusing me of,” the bird flapped his wings before landing atop Casper’s head, making itself comfortable amongst thick, messy hair. “Anyway, now it’s your turn to introduce yourself to Deadly Silence, over there,” the spirit continued. “Come on, Cassy, one more introduction on the agenda. Maybe you’ll scare this one away, too. Three for three!”

”Someone called her..,” Casper rolled his eyes, ”that one wasn’t my fault..”

“She was probably faking it!” A rebuttal from Coal.

”...I heard the ringtone..” The Wraithborn countered. He had a point.

“Her powers are obviously phone-related, and she used them to get away from you,” the bird insisted. “Now, go and say hello to the Sound of Silence.”

If Casper breathed, the boy would likely have managed a heavy sigh. As it was, however, his eerie presence maintained itself with the apathetic aura always presented by the grave walker. He had often been told that deducing his emotions was quite difficult, and phantasmal eyes did not make the process easier. ”He probably heard me when I talked with Daphne..,” the Wraithborn managed, forcing a groan from his avian friend.

“That’s not how introductions work!” Coal chirped. “Come on, he’s still here! He might actually not be creeped out by you.”

”Fine..,” the boy yielded. Raising a clawed hand, he offered Talon a timid, if pleasant wave. ”Hello..,” There was likely no need to repeat introductions. Jack had certainly heard Casper’s name the first time, and so far, the undead’s social competence had not improved.

Young Justice

Casper isn't shy, he's just a social mess XD

Young Justice

Location
💀 The Sanctuary.

Interactions
💀 @Crimson Flame
💀 @Courtaud
💀 @dreamingflowers

---

“Listen to Zachy Boy! You’re scaring all the nice alive folk, Casper!” Coal’s voice made sure to make itself heard by the young Wraithborn. A pause lingered, ghostly eyes scanning those who had arrived. This would be Casper’s team, his new family, in Zatanna’s words. This was where he’d find close friends, rivals, and perhaps even the one thing Coal kept pestering him over, however unlikely that may have been. It was where his powers would develop alongside other extraordinary beings, some of whom pierced the veil of mundane reality with supernatural abilities. It was a rather exciting prospect, but it would have been a lie to claim that the Wraithborn wasn’t somewhat anxious. Would these people find comfort in his presence or disgust? Would they consider him an ally or an untrustworthy entity from beyond the grave? Zatanna had likely told the Justice League about the boy, informing them of his nature, one born through sacrifice, blood, and death. ’How many people had to die, so you could exist?’ It was a question posed more than once by many a magician aware of Casper’s nature. He could not recall the answer, which was far more painful than the query.

”Could it be the talking chicken..?” Came a response echoed by spectral whispers, before Casper’s eyes landed on Talon, or rather, Jack. Two swirling, white spheres within an infinite black abyss.

A mask, even among those he would come to consider allies? A mystery in and of itself draped in endless silence. How long would it take for these young, aspiring heroes to earn each other’s trust? How long before Zatanna’s promises came true? Indeed, some heroes; if that’s what they considered themselves, were far more outgoing than others. It had been readily displayed when Zach approached a newer member, Viktor. A flashy entrance, a memorable execution, but acknowledged by a tough crowd. Yes, heroes, nothing Casper had agreed to lable himself.

“Who are you calling a chicken, ‘My Immortal’!?” Coal returned, the bird hopping in place. It wasn’t a new nickname, but one even Casper had chuckled at in the past. The boy was self-aware and clearly didn’t care enough to be offended. “Alright, fine, why don’t you try talking to them? Take Mr. Houdini’s advice.” The spirit continued, a wing rising to motion at Zach. “Go ahead and introduce yourself. These people will have to deal with your haunting ass, after all!” Coal was right. Casper would need to introduce himself, and if Red Tornado was there, this suggestion would likely echo from two fronts.

What was he going to say? Shifting his attention from that mouthy bird to the team, Casper clenched his teeth. ‘Hello, I work the graveyard shift’? No, jokes weren’t the Wraithborn’s forté. He wasn’t funny, and any attempts at that were out of the question.

It did not require notable inspection to notice a vague, dim energy coating Casper’s frame. A black shroud, with tendrils of white sweeping across ever so softly, albeit a discreet presentation. Those who were aware of this boy, mainly Zach, probably understood that this energy guarded Casper against sunshine, its rays incredibly deadly, and creeping through every window. The Wraithborn’s hair, confessing to his supernatural existence gently flowed in tune with this magic, reminding an onlooker of underwater sights. ”I..,” Casper tried, his eyes turning to Daphne, the girl Zach had so kindly staged. ”I’m Casper..,” an introduction, one holding itself at the opposite end of Zatara’s explosive presence with the Wraithborn's tail drooping behind him, embarrassingly exposing his insecurities.

It was difficult, talking to others, a difficulty the deathly creature did not come across when communing with Coal. The bird followed a different set of rules. If truth made itself to the surface, one would see that Casper couldn’t imagine his life without the crow. Despite everything.

“Well done!” Coal exclaimed, “you’ll be able to hold full conversations with people in no time!”

Young Justice

Hi! Before I join, is there ERP? I looked at the important notes and saw "Mature themes"
I don't mind the dark stuff. :D

@Snownado

ERP is not allowed in public RPs on this site, so you won’t find that anywhere here. As for this RP, it’s full.

Young Justice

Zach is a bad influence. Don’t trust that chiseled chin. He can cut rock with that.