[19th January 2011]
[Mount Justice, Happy Harbour, Rhode Island, United States of America]
M'gann M'orzz found she loved cooking. It helped her relax, it made her friends happy when she made tasty treats...even though that part was still something of a...work in progress. Yes a work in progress she reminded herself opening the electric oven and taking out her very much not burnt apple pie; just like Megan had done on the show. Oh, the first few attempts hadn't quite been a success but with advice from John and Robin [which was strange, shouldn't girls like she and Artemis be better at cooking than boys? The show said that?] she was sure this one would impress everyone.
It was great, and also completely took her mind off all the stressful things that had been bothering her the last few weeks since other Martians had arrived and were in negotiations with Earth. Oh, and they were mad her because she was a White, and they were afraid she was going to do something silly because of that; all while being mad she was pretending to a Green. That was...a problem, even Uncle J'onn had communicated that too her but...
She gave her head a shake, pushing those thoughts down so no-one could hear them; instead immersing herself in happy thoughts like Megan should "Hey everybody! Yummy Apple Pie is all finished if anyone wants some!"
Technically there two, fairly large, pies because Kid Flash was here and she'd learned you really needed to make sure there was enough even with him sneaking extra slices. Apart from that Red Arrow was here...with other Red Arrow, and older Red Arrow...it was weird and bad what had happened to him, or, well, Speedy, and M'gann had no idea how to deal with it, and them. That and Red Arrow hadn't really been her friend before, and he'd been mean to Artemis while projecting his thoughts [not great ones] of M'gann's friends in general, sooo...that made it really hard to know how to talk to him, them, now.
So...she smiled and waved them to come over and share in her hopefully delicious cooking. After all it was very important to cheer everyone up because their moods were downcast and weary feeling to the touch of her mind. And if she could cheer them up, then that would hopefully cheer her up as well...if she needed cheering up, because Megan didn't need cheering because she was just naturally cheerful and kind like that, and that's what M'gann would be to. Connor coming into view made that a little easier as she smiled at him, and the fact John was here too and she'd get to Link with him later and that made her feel a little less stressed about all the things going on.
"Hey there beautiful, you're so kind it's amazing! Two whole pies, all for me?" Kid Flash said zipping from the couch to standing beside her with that amazing speed. He was tired, and he was projecting thoughts at her again without thinking; less than usual though and he felt at odds to the energetic and cheerful tone he used. Humans were so strange like that; their thoughts and words so often at odds. Still...he was trying to distract her, and her hand gently, but quickly, struck out and gave the human boys hand as smack as he seemed to reach to grab one entire pie.
"No Wally, you have to share! We have guests and I made them for everyone, so wait for me to cut you a slice...and anyway, it's really hot, you'd burn your hands grabbing the plate like that!"
"Heh, listen to the pretty lady and slow down Kid Stomach..." Robin happily interjected as Kid Flash 'Aww Babe!' at her with a pout, before turning to give a mock glare at unmasked, but sunglasses wearing, student of The Batman "...gotta let all of us slowpokes get our slices too ya know?"
Behind him she saw Artemis give John a weak punch in the side before whispering something to him. M'gann knew she was mad that...John had done something really crazy and dangerous, but not for the same reason M'gann was a bit shocked by it along with the rest of the Team. No, Artemis seemed mad because John hadn't brought her along with him when he'd attack...the human afterlife? Because apparently that was an actual physical place, with demons and other monsters that could come out and eat your soul. Earth was weird and scary like that sometimes M'gann found.
Even Robin was really, really, stressed she could tell; Black Canary had almost had to drag him here to rest for a day on orders from The Batman if what she'd felt from Uncle J'onn was right. Young Red Ar...Speedy's arm being healed tomorrow by John and his odd magic was the reason he was here of course, just like Kaldur and all the others. But all of them knew the League was using that as an excuse to get everyone to rest and take a momentary break from all the super-heroing in reality. In truth M'gann was glad of it, mostly, as she'd needed this simple moment of peace and quiet...even the fact she'd managed to attend school today with Connor and Artemis in Happy Harbour had been nice.
Kaldur brought his Atlantean friends forward, speaking well M'gann's skills and making her smile and blush slightly at the compliment. Tula and Garth were very nice, and the mage Ronal seemed very wise despite not looking that old for a human, though that made sense since he was supposed to be here to help John heal Speedy's missing hand tomorrow evening. Zatanna and them, and John too of course, had a really interesting talk about magic while M'gann had been cooking she found out as everyone began to crowd around and they began to indulge in Pie with ice-cream as she edged over to sit beside Connor...
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...she waited for the mental pulse back before going intangible and slipping through the walls, and the momentary shiver that went through her body at whatever energy place there that normally kept her out altogether. John was...well, she'd found John was a bit on the paranoid side when it came to putting protective spells even on his room, which he only occasionally stayed in anyway, when in the Mountain. Robin was like that too, except with technology and traps instead of magic, so maybe it was something certain types of human males did? Was it this Man Cave she heard the television shows speak of?
Hi John!* she telepathically projected at him with a wave as came through the wall and saw him sitting up on his bed, a large book in his hands. Linking up with John was a bit odd unlike the others; his mind was surrounded by unfriendly barriers and uncomfortable magic in general, and when he initiated telepathic contact it always had that harsh taste of his magic on it. Yet...he was the only one outside a fellow Martian she could truly Link with, a Full Link, because of whatever way he used his magic; M'gann hoped Zatanna might be able to do too and then she could Link with her too!*Sorry about being late*
Hey M'gann, no it's fine. I was with Artemis apologising, bribing for forgiveness maybe I'm not fully sure, till now anyway*
M'gann frowned a little at his silent communication *Oh, is she still mad at you? She seemed happy earlier, and you were mean leaving us out of missions!*
John gave a chuckle *Sorry, it was good natured teasing more than her being mad being honest. As to leaving you all out...well, as I said earlier, and Black Canary agreed, the League aren't too enamoured of such loose canon-ness apparently. That and I work for SHIELD, and that was the job for the day. Now, what about you M'gann, things have been hard on you eh?" he frowned, placing the book aside as he stood up, giving her a look up and down "...and we're alone, wards are up so no others popping in without warning, so you can relax*
M'gann puffed up her cheeks, hovering an inch off the ground in her green skinned human girl form *It's not relaxing you know, I'm perfectly comfortable in any form*
Hmmm, of course you are, and it's your choice M'gann I won't tell you what to do in that regards* John replied shaking his head as he motioned at the floor at the end of his bed where a series of circles with dozens of odd little symbols were scribbled and extending back under said bed. The faintest aura was there, but as a White she'd never gotten more than the barest of knowledge on Sorcery *Beyond, sit with me in the circle and I'll indulge your request and we can form a circle*
Still...she didn't have to worry much about the others judging here, and she could almost taste the sarcasm in his reply. It was the same every time she reminded herself allowing her form to shift back to its natural state; towering over John, who just sat down on side of the circle and motioned at her to do the same. It was a bit cramped in this form, and she felt weird looking down on him as she found herself giggling a little at their adjusting them both into position in a funny dance of sorts *See! I'm too big and clumsy in this form*
No you're not, see look we're perfectly comfortable now* John replied back resting his hands on his knees with her front limbs resting upon his tiny hands *And...isn't this part of what you want to deal with? You've talked about telling the others before and well...didn't*
She shivered despite herself, going silent a moment as she squeezed his hands and knees a little *I...Uncle J'onn has been meeting with the others from Mars, and...he's tried to hide is thoughts, but he allowed some to leak through because he's so tired. There not very happy about me...being me, and...well, you know. I, need to tell everyone soon, or...it might get told for me and they'll all be mad. I'm...very ugly and scary in this form. Even Wally might hate me...what if Connor hates me?*
We've been over this M'gann, it'll be a shock but they won't be like that and you know it too*
You don't find me attractive in this form you know.* she pointed out calmly and he sighed allowing her to manhandle him as she 'posed' as best she could sitting cross legged *If I was in my human form I'd be in a bikini right now*
M'gann, sure but I'm a human male so I'm natural predisposed to find certain things as attractive; namely human, or human-like, females generally speaking. Maybe it's shallow, I don't know, so yes honestly your human form is more sexually attractive to me because primal urges and the like. Also, why are you in a bikini for this?*
M'gann rolled her eyes, an amusing human gestures she'd picked up *Because I'd be naked otherwise silly, and I can't be naked with a boy like you! Uncle J'onn would be mad about that! And its normal back at home, and you always say I should be more relaxed and at home*
Ah, yes, the nudist cosplayers thing of your people, I forgot* he thought back and she feel the amusement despite the 'muted' and 'sorcerous' feel of their current weak Link *And true I did say that didn't I? Well, then, back to the matter at hand; so what do you want to do?*
Not tell anyone anything and hope it goes away?*
He laughed softly as did she, thought she could his tinge of sadness along with her own beneath it all *Don't we all, but I don't think that'll work in this case*
No, it won't* she admitted *I want to Dream with you and Link like we did fighting the Demons*
Yes, you asked and I okay with that, I'm sleeping in tomorrow before starting the healing process with Mister Harper anyway, but there's something more isn't there?*
M'gann nodded *I want to...tell one of the others on the Team and include them in the Link*
John nodded, frowning faintly in thought before replying *Good, that's progress, but after what happen with the Simulation will they be okay with it? And who do think best...*
Not Connor* she reminded firmly, then huffed slightly in amusement, projecting it as best she could over the weak bond *Or Kid Flash either, but for different reasons*
Yeah, okay that I can gather. Robin? I'm almost certain he knows anyway, or in general, as I told you before; mini Batman that he is. Maybe, Kaldur?*
M'gann shook her head, she always been afraid to test Robin's knowledge. Though his mind was...different...when she brushed off it before and it had become just another reason to stay out of it *I...don't think Robin would go under another simulation after, well...everything that happened. Artemis, I think...I think Artemis would Link up with us if you asked, and I...trust her to keep it secret even if she kissed Connor and looked at his ass all the time. But she's over that now, and I think she'll be honest when seeing my form* she paused, reaching out with her senses to familiar minds nearby *...and because she's still awake right now*
John sighed tiredly, hanging his head down *You're trying to get me in trouble, more trouble I mean, aren't you?*
'She shouldn't have kissed my Connor and now I'll tell her I've been sharing dreams with John and that'll learn her now won't it?' M'gann nearly thought at him but held it back firmly, even from herself as she smiled happily as she shifted back into her green 'human' form in her regular Miss Martian clothes *A little maybe...but she'll trust me if you trust me, and would demand to be included if we were to Link up and Dream without her*
And the fact it's one of the few I'd allow in either, well played M'gann, well played* he projected back in agreement as she stood up with a nervous smile. Zatanna would have been the other choice, in the hopes John would teach her how to Link with magic like he did, but her Father wouldn't like that and M'gann didn't know the magican girl as well as Artemis, or trust her enough to test it with her *Okay, then I'll wait here I suppose...way to spring surprises on me*
She gave him a grin, holding back the nervousness and fear that Artemis would see her as a monster as she allowed herself to hover a bit once again and move towards the wall. Reaching out with her mind she sought out Artemis, projecting her thoughts towards her *Artemis? Can we talk for a minute?*
GAH! M'gann? What?* came a startled response from her friend before it calmed down *Sorry, was just getting into shower and you startled me. Is everything okay?*
Yes, sort of...I want to ask you something* she thought back feeling that weird 'tingle' as she was allowed through John's magic wall-protection-sorcery and fly forward intangible and invisible though the hallway and towards the female bathing area *okay if I come in?*
Uh...okay? GAH!* came back as M'gann emerged through the wall a little to the right of Artemis, who'd startled backwards as she saw her appear, water splashing around her before the blonde human archer growled, steading herself, and gesturing at M'gann in irritation "Stop doing that!"
"Heh heh, Hello Megan! You forgot about not surprising friends without warning" she reminded herself bonking her own head with her right hand. Artemis meanwhile was wiping shampoo from off her face, then pulling her wet hair back behind her head, seemingly so she could give M'gann a glare despite standing under the shower.
"M'gann it's late..." she muttered before clicking into their telepathic link seemingly annoyed at trying to wash herself and talk *This better be important M'gann, you nearly made me jump out of my own skin there*
Um...it is important, but it might be better if we waited and...*
Artemis glared again *I was planning on going to bed after this M'gann, what's the problem?*
M'gann bite her lip, landing on the tilled floor and shifting her clothing away to match Artemis who was getting defensive on her and that was bad. This...hadn't been the plan, and she'd just rushed in and now Artemis was getting mad at her...
'Calm down Megan, just be brave' she reminded herself motioning at Artemis in a 'I surrender' or 'wait, wait' motion *I need to show you something. Promise you won't get scared? Please?*
Artemis didn't even bother looking at her, instead shaking her head under the water stream and giving the feel of irritation *Yes, yes, M'gann not scared. Promise. Now what do you want to tell me?*
You know how I'm a Martian...* she began to explain shifting into her natural form, even leaving off the red X of her clothing as she telepathically communicated with Artemis. It wasn't ideal, as the human girl starred at her wide eyed, silently reaching out to turn off the shower and stare up at M'gann. Just starting fearfully and silently as M'gann finished and fell silent, just the drip of water from the showerhead and Artemis filling the uncomfortable silence; at least till Artemis gave herself a shake, resting back against the wall behind her.
Natural form?*
M'gann nodded and Artemis looked M'gann up and down slowly, before pushing herself back up and motioning at towels nearby *Okay, should have guessed, and Skulls knows and you want to us all to link up and do a mini simulation...right, okay, towel please...*
She did as asked, shifting back into her green 'human' form as she summon the towel, slippers, and bathrobe from behind her and into Artemis's waiting arms *Thank you. Now, we're going to have a nice long chat, you, and me, and Skulls, mostly about why Martians are apparently racist jerks and other, little, things like that...*
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