Raven's New Friend (SFW) by RisingAaron

Transcript

Hey. You okay? It just seems like the thing to ask when you see someone standing alone in the corner of a crowded room.

Besides, standing alone in the corner is usually my shtick. Are you enjoying this little spellcaster gathering? This is the first year for it, right? I came to see if any real practitioners would show up.

So far it seems like a lot of fans, frauds, and hopefuls. I'm surprised Constantine's not here trying to bilk people. Honestly, I'm shocked he wasn't behind it all.

You don't know him? Good. Me? Let's just say I know some magic words.

I normally hate public places. Too many people. Too many distractions.

Magic requires utter focus and control. Especially the kind I use. But a friend of mine insisted I get out for a night.

Said this would be the perfect place. That I might actually find someone I have something in common with. So far? Well, you and I share a fondness for a dark corner, and that is about it.

There's too much gawking going on. Not enough serious discussion. Or reverence.

Power, even magic power, doesn't come from nowhere. It comes from places like the earth, or gods, or extra-dimensional forces. No matter the source, the power needs to be respected.

This place feels like a powder keg of arrogance and bravado. Where does mine come from? It's bloodline magic.

It requires a lot of control. So, which one are you? Fan? Fraud or hopeful? And that would be the other reason I came to make sure someone didn't accidentally open a hill gate.

Excuse me. Azarath Metreon Zinthos. Everybody stay calm and get clear.

Make for the exits. Hey, help some of these people get out of here, would you? I'll hold off the demons.

This is starting to feel like a day on the job. You're still here? Are you gifted at all? If you've got any kind of power, I'd appreciate some assistance.

The gate is still open. We have to close it or these things will just keep coming through. I can do it, but I can't fight these things at the same time.

Look out! If you can close the gate, I'll keep them off you. Find some chalk or paint, something you can draw a circle with.

I'll cover you. Got it? Good.

Hurry and draw the circle around the gate. All right, now focus with your mind. Think about light coming through a hole in a cloth, like torn drapes, and imagine sewing up the hole.

If you've got magic words, now's the time to use them. Chant them, help you focus. That's it.

Keep going. There, you did it. Good job.

Are you hurt? Good. You can go now if you want.

I should stay and catch emergency services up on what happened. I mean, you can stay if you want to. I just, I mean, I wouldn't mind the company.

What's your name? I'm Rachel, but you can call me Raven. Yeah, I'm a member of the Titans.

Just in case one of them shows up, there's no need to freak out. Unless it's Garfield. He might freak out.

What? No, he and I are not a thing, despite what everyone says. I mean, we've been on and off for a long time.

I got tired of it. So, yeah. My powers? A mix.

Telekinesis, force manipulation, translocation, shadow constructs, a little telepathy, and some other mind stuff. Kind of necessary. Thank you.

I guess it is kind of cool. I've lived with it all so long, it sort of loses meaning. It came from my father.

He's not a good guy. We don't talk unless it's an emergency. And he is usually the emergency.

He's like, evil, you know? Like, take over the universe evil. Last I checked, he was locked away in a dimensional prison, but every time someone opens up a portal, I worry.

Anyway, yeah. So, back to you. You're hopeful, right? You certainly weren't pretending you knew what you were doing back there, but you understood the importance of following instructions.

That's good for learning magic, if you aren't born with it. Anyone can do magic. Anyone.

You just need to learn how to channel it. For people without gifts, that usually means memorizing formula and symbols, using the right words and gestures, all in tandem with proper focus and intent, depending on where you're drawing your power from. Some people are connected to deities and get power through devotion, daily prayer, adherence to tenets, holy phrases, stuff like that.

They try to act as servants. And other people do the same for primal forces, like the earth or storms or the sea. Rather than trying to act upon someone's will, they make themselves a conduit for the magic.

The magic itself provides the intent. And, you know, then there are the folks who buy magical power, bind themselves to a force or a being with a contract. And just like doing anything the quick and easy way, it usually doesn't go well.

I'm sorry. I'm not very good at talking to people. I just know a lot about magic.

Conversation? Not so much. So, do you have anything to say? Well, I'm glad you like the sound of my voice.

That's sweet. I don't talk to people much, even my friends. On top of everything else, I'm an empath, and if I don't focus, it's hard to keep other people's emotions out of my head.

Which can be a bad thing, because I'm one of the other types of magic users, the kind whose power comes from our blood. For most people with magical lineage, the power is a constantial, inactivated by emotion. But for me, it's a little more extreme.

My feelings can consume me if I let them, and that tends to make bad things happen. When's the last time you were overwhelmed by a positive feeling? Exactly.

It's few and far between, so I keep a tight lid on my emotions. It's safer that way. I just, I guess I don't want to be like my father, you know? It would be so easy to just let go.

Too easy. So I isolate myself. I avoid distractions.

I focus on my studies and meditations, and I keep control. Not because I don't care about other people. It's because I do.

Yeah, it can be really lonely. But the alternative? The alternative terrifies me.

No, I didn't mean being in a crowded room, but you know, that's also terrifying. Looks like the authorities are finally here. I should probably talk to them.

Do you maybe want to get some coffee after? That's what people do, right? Although coffee wouldn't be a good idea after a stressful situation.

Maybe some food? There's a place nearby with really good vegetarian pizza. Cool.

I guess I'll see you later then.