Shard

Young Justice

Location
💀 Mt. Justice.
💀 The Lounge.

Interactions
💀 @Courtaud

---

Ghost hunting was an art brought forth by those with no knowledge of the undead. Humans wielding contraptions of charlatans attempting to pierce the veil of life and death. Viewing this display brought thoughts to mind, Casper’s attention fixed on their television. He was aware that the public’s knowledge of this most supernatural world was limited at best, and what had been presented upon screens and stories was the extent of information readily available. How would these mundane creatures react to the truth of spiritual existence? Perhaps there was a reason for obfuscation and subterfuge. One big, everlasting, eternal secret. Silence revealing itself to be a deafening roar following one’s death.

Slipping out of those blue canvas shoes, Casper planted his small, clawed feet against the sofa. With arms embracing his slender knees, the boy rested a pale chin against his kneecaps, sounds other than mindless entertainment now making themselves known within the lounge. It was Talon. A single look offered evidence of calm, fury mellowing into recent memory. This was likely a big shift for him, a killer now abandoning a once sole purpose for the role of ‘hero’. Hex could not help but chuckle at the title. ‘Hero’, how many of those present could truly consider themselves such? The rehabilitated Assassin? The Shadow Warrior? Perhaps the Necromancer, or the Soldier? They were all in for quite the journey before such lofty titles applied.

”It would have been..,” Casper responded, his spectral voice, soft and mellow, presenting itself as words overshadowed the television. The boy’s tail gently rose, before once more falling to the sofa, a slow but repeated sequence following through idle motions. ”Though, I am sure you already know that information could be acquired here, as well..,” he added, enjoying another sip of a half-empty soda bottle. However, Casper had come off as a ‘glass half full’ kind of Wraith, hadn’t he?

”You are bound to trust friends more so than strangers on the battlefield..,” a faint smile crossed Hex’s lips as he turned towards Talon. A clawed hand rose before indicating the seat at Casper’s side. ”If you were to join me, we could take a careful step in that direction..”

Coal remained quiet as Casper spoke, aware that his chattering might have been too much for the less socially inclined. If Hex was to make friends among the living, a silenced beak was bound to help. Relaxing upon the sofa, Hex lowered his feet to the floor, making way upon his lap for a feathered spirit to find home. Gently, claws combed their way across Coal’s shape, spectral eyes rising to the television. ”Do you play an instrument, Talon..?” Came a question, Hex’s calm words seemingly unchanging from that monotone luster of apathy entwined with ethereal grace. A short pause followed his statement, Casper’s claws carefully tapping Coal’s frame, one after the other. ”My mother taught me the piano..,” he continued, memories flowing forth. ”It is quite entrancing, I think..” Again, a small expression of joy exposed itself on those pale lips, a smile akin to that of longing desire. ”A specter’s last song.., fingers dancing upon dusty, forgotten keys..,” he paused, sharp teeth revealing themselves as he managed a fading grin. ”Apologies.., I have found that I ramble in your presence..,” Casper’s embrace of his crow tightened.

Young Justice

@iGeorge

I read your 'Return' post in 'Introductions', and I think it's very commendable of you to return to this interest after being gone for so long. You seem to be very dedicated, and that's always appreciated in any RP group.

Young Justice

Location
💀 Mt. Justice.
💀 The Lounge.

Interactions
💀 N/A.

---

“Has anyone told you that you think hella’ too much, Night Light?” Coal stretched his wings before the bird’s flight evened their distance, soon perching atop Casper’s shoulder where the avian belonged.

”Somebody’s got to do the bloody thinking..,” Hex responded, claws tapping the controller as channels zapped by, audio barely sustaining itself with every shift.

“Oi’! Your British is showing!” The spirit pointed out, “don’t get your knickers in a twist, love! I dinnae’ mean nothin’ by it!” Coal laughed, earning a small grin from his friend. It would be a lie to claim that the bird’s mock accent wasn’t entertaining, but his Casper’s dialect was somewhat hidden beneath that ghostly voice, despite its prevalence. Perhaps it was easy to forget that Hex was, in fact, English, considering his circumstances. Perhaps it was easy to forget that he was from anywhere. People tended to reserve nationalities for those who presented a human appearance. “Gods save the bloody queen.”

”Bitch is alive because she hired us to prolong her life to like.., a million..,” Casper stated in a manner most casual, his eyes glued to the television. ‘Ghost Hunters’, a rather fitting program, to be sure. However, the unimpressed expression on Casper’s face confessed to its fake nature. He saw no phantasms on screen, no ghosts, or apparitions. All he witnessed were people making fools of themselves by shouting questions into empty darkness.

“Wait, what!?” Coal replied, clearly shocked, “the fuck was that!?” He blinked. “You’re serious!?”

”She’s older than she looks..,” came a shrug, Casper’s drink meeting his lips for another sip.

“She looks a thousand!” The bird countered, earning a playful smirk, in turn. Was this true? Was any of this true? Perhaps. A certainty came in the form of Hex’s behavior, however. He was not typically this carefree or laid back, but would anyone observe the boy’s interactions with Coal, surprise was imminent. With Coal, Casper felt comfortable. The surrounding world tended to vanish, leaving place for a boy and his bird, and little else. It was where no expectations found themselves expressed, and where friendship replaced insecurity and obligation.

”Think they’ll realize that they’re talking to air..?” Hex motioned a claw at the television.

“Hey, don’t change the subject!” Coal protested, only moments before the bird was swept from Casper’s shoulder and held on the teen’s lap. “Cuddles won’t get you out of this!” The spirit exclaimed, unable to stifle his laughter as a result of Casper’s claws rubbing befeathered sides. Despite taking the shape of a crow, Coal was quite large and easily mistaken for a raven, something he was all too eager to correct. “And no, they won’t, because that’s not what makes a show!”

Releasing his feathery friend from tickled torture, Casper leaned back, arms still circling the bird. ”Coal, that voice I keep hearing..,” Hex’s demeanor mellowed into a more serious approach. ”It’s daunting..”

Craning his neck, beady black eyes met Casper’s ghostly spheres, “should we tell the others?”

A pause lingered, Hex’s shark-like teeth clenching as his embrace of Coal tightened. What were the others going to do? Red Tornado couldn’t begin to understand the spiritual world, and neither Arrow nor the Canary were versed in mystical arts. Perhaps Casper was able to confide in his mother, but she had enough responsibilities without interference. The same held true for Zatanna. ”I need to figure out what it is first..,” the boy offered, ”we are all getting used to each other, and this..-”

“Isn’t what they signed up for?” Coal suggested, finishing Hex’s statement. He earned a small nod, in response. “That’s bullshit, though. You all signed up for the same thing. Being there for each other.”

”Right now, we’re all just getting used to being in the same room..,” the Wraithborn stood, holding his bird as a frown bridged across his lips. Only time would tell where this journey was bound to take them. ”What comes first, Coal? My teammates, or the voice in my head..?”

“One should give you the strength to deal with the other.” Talons gripped Hex’s forearm as Coal stood, their focus lining up. “So put on that corny-ass plague doctor mask you’ve hidden in your room, and represent the dark side in this fucking rainbow squad.”

With his lips parting for a faint grin, Casper shook his head. ”Bloody tosser..”

Young Justice

Location
💀 Happy Harbour.

Interactions
💀 N/A.

---

Had he made a mistake? Another one? Casper remained seated where he was, watching Talon stand and leave at Black Canary’s behest. Training had reached its conclusion, and what a catastrophic end it was. Anger likely melded with anxiety, and perhaps even sorrow, all of which centered itself within Talon’s chest. The boy’s domino mask had managed to obfuscate his expression, and Casper was not an empath. He was merely empathetic. Dancing between the layers of life and death had, in a way, given him perspective. That much was certainly true. Spirits tended towards a less joyous approach, and perhaps Hex’s role of shepherd for the lost had armed him with the capabilities of being a shoulder to try on, as the phrase went.

The truth of the matter was that Casper knew nothing of Talon’s past, however a person’s soul expressed far more than one’s bright energy initially conveyed. It was a lesson he had been taught by his mother, as Hex’s passive ability to see souls could be actively accomplished by Necromancers through the use of spells.

There was death coating Talon’s essence, and where Casper refrained from judging the boy, he could draw an obvious conclusion. Talon had been a killer, a murderer, an assassin, and now he was here, among the rest. It spoke volumes in itself. Like Hex, the reformed soldier had been used by others, a weapon to be wielded. Words needed not be uttered for such revelations.

Perhaps this was what drew Casper to the mysterious individual. The selective mute, the one who treaded in silence, a person whose soul spoke the loudest. Hex’s mother would consider this a poetic turn of events. “Was this also the wrong thing to do?” Coal asked, descending to Casper’s shoulder, before a beak likely pecked at the boy’s cheek.

A soft shake of Casper’s head segwayed into his response, ”No, I think I did the right thing..,” he offered, ghostly eyes remaining fixed on the assassin as he made himself scarce.

“Am I sensing a crush!?” Coal exclaimed as the teen stood, his reaction leaving much to be desired. Rather, Casper’s gaze fell to the grass, his clawed digits finding home within the comfort of a leather jacket.

”You’re sensing compassion..,” the Wraithborn commented, playfully flicking his friend before weightless steps carried him back to their headquarters. It had been a rather eventful day to be sure, and it felt relaxing to finally find himself freed from the sun, that black aura surrounding Casper dissipating as he stepped beyond heavy, metal doors.

“So, whaddya’ make of the team, Zombie Boy?” The crow continued, stretching his wings as Casper started towards the lounge.

”There’s an imbalance..,” Hex’s spectral voice trickled past his lips, ”How will some of them react to the field..?” Casper uttered, pausing after he arrived at the lounge. It was empty, with everyone else either taking a breather, remaining outside, or having a shower. Lacking the features required for the latter to serve its purpose, Casper discarded the notion, and if that’s where Talon currently resided, circumstances would likely grow awkward. ‘Cooling off’ was a concept Casper was all too familiar with.

“Oh come on, you think everything will end up in blood and gore?” Coal laughed, flying onto the kitchen faucet as he watched his dearest, and closest friend opening the fridge. “This isn’t our world, Casper. I am sure we won’t run into ghosts, zombies, and bodies hanging from hooks.”

It was true that Hex’s usual venues were far darker, and certainly more morbid than streets patrolled by superheroes. Haunted houses were not only filled with dust and cobwebs. Equally so, Casper’s ventures before becoming a Wraithborn placed him in scenarios others would consider horrific nightmares. ”People will die..,” claws wrapped around a soda bottle, the sound of Casper’s ebony digits clicking against the glass.

“Oh, look at this ray of sunshine,” the crow shook his head. “Cassy’, those unused to the harshness of reality and all that shit will learn, stop being so fucking edgy, and give me some of that!” A wing pointed at the flask in Hex’s hand.

Reaching for a glass, Casper poured his feathery friend a serving before talons gripped its fragile edge, a beak occasionally dipped into the sweet liquid. ”You’re right..,” the Wraithborn took a sip and fell to a sofa, ”do you think I pissed off Talon..?”

“Guy almost got the noose, I think he was pissed off long before the Reaper came,” Coal cawed, “just give him some space, kid will be alright.”

Sinking into his seat, Casper managed a slight frown. Was Talon going to hate Daphne? This could end badly.

Young Justice

Location
💀 Happy Harbour.

Interactions
💀 @Courtaud

---

The situation had come to a simmering conclusion. Wounds were being licked, and scenarios were being regretted. With an overview of the scene, Casper took a moment to analyze the stage, which locked his gaze onto Viktor. The tough guy. The one who likely desired to lead them. If Casper’s truth was to be heard, he did not mind Viktor in such a position. However, where Daphne lacked skill, Rain lacked heart. One led with her emotions, the other with cold calculations. Hex was not a leader, and he had no experience in this field, but he had heard that a combination of both was required for efficiency. Equally so, the boy did not possess any notably audible capabilities, but the look on Viktor’s face spoke volumes. He was not satisfied, and most certainly appeared annoyed.

Was that not a theme for this group? Those with combat experience lacked empathy, and those with empathy lacked skill. How ironic. Had his short time as an undead entity given Casper perspective, or had it simply dulled his emotional spectrum? Was he quite this apathetic while still drawing breath? He could not recall. Something as simple as the sensation of warmth had faded from the boy’s memories, and in a desperate attempt to conjure forth what he had last felt as a human would reveal a single emotion; fear.

Shaking the thoughts from his head, ghostly eyes landed on Talon. He was by himself, alone. Would he appreciate an ally’s presence, now that he was out of earshot from the rest? Lowering his gaze, Casper felt lost, unable to proceed with the best course of action. Perhaps making an attempt was the right thing to do, even if it did backfire. With a slight frown, the boy rose to his feet, attention now fixed on the human who had experienced such a devastating blow to his pride. To his usefulness. In a world with magic, gods, and powers, those without were left with a desire to prove themselves, and failure was a painful outcome.

Indeed, the need to prove oneself. Did Casper share this obligation? He had felt anxious when fighting Black Canary, but was it because of pride, his reputation, or something else entirely? His feet began to move, weightless steps pushing down the grass beneath Casper’s blue canvas shoes. Certainly, the boy was not dressed for physical endeavors of any notable scale, but it was safe to claim that for Hex, it mattered little. ”My.., mother once told me..,” came a spectral voice following Casper’s arrival, his phantasmal spheres peering at Talon. ”..that the master has failed more times than the beginner has even tried.” Hex explained, claws scratching the back of his head, ”I think she stole it from an author..” the Wraith managed a quiet, mellow smile as he sat at Talon’s side.

Looking to the clouds, Casper leaned back, his slender legs stretching out before him. ”I had summoned spirits a thousand times, when I was alive..,” Hex began. If recent memory served, this was the most he had spoken in a while. ”Dying made it easier..,” a motion was made to indicate the Wraithborn’s self, accompanied by a slight chuckle, ”..but I accidentally nabbed a phantasm that almost killed me..” Unable to stifle his quiet, ghostly laughter, Casper looked down at the bright, green grass. ”I was supposed to conjure my grandmother. She always liked to talk..,” he illuminated.

”A fucking Wraithborn failing at the easiest thing a Necromancer can do. Talking to the dead..,” there was a shake of Hex’s head, his tail gently thumping against the earth. A short moment passed before the creature decided to share his thoughts, again. ”We are no longer bound to our shackles, Talon. We’re allowed to laugh at our mistakes..,” there was another small smile expressing itself across the Wraith’s lips, ”and our past ‘owners’ can go fuck themselves..,” sharp teeth offered a reveal alongside Hex’s grin.

Enjoying the comfort of a branch, Coal tilted his head as he observed Casper's interaction. The boy was making strides in being a team player. No one could deny him that.

Young Justice

Location
💀 Happy Harbour.

Interactions
💀 No one in particular.

---

What else had he expected? Since arriving at mount justice, the boy repeatedly stepped outside his comfort zone but nothing quite like this. It was a reminder, an indicator. Casper was not a helping hand, it quite blatantly opposed his very biology. Those clawed digits were not designed to aid another, and no strength followed their movements. They were weavers of necromancy, and nothing else. Needled threading the weave. A Wraithborn seeking to assist a friend by physical means seemed almost unnatural, but Casper was willing to try. It was a mistake. Though the boy’s heart was in the right place, hindsight sang another song.

Casper’s inclusion had added to Daphne’s panic, which in turn pushed the scenario into chaos. Indeed, Hex had needlessly put himself at a disadvantage. How his father would have scowled. ’We are warlocks, getting our hands dirty is beneath us.’ Clenching his teeth, Casper retreated a short distance from the scene as it was playing out. Kassandra, Kila, Daphne, Alisa, far too many people involved themselves in this. Tactics were discarded the moment Casper was first to respond, his attempt at living up to the team spirit backfiring. Had he actually managed to grab hold of Talon more effectively, what then? The Wraithborn most certainly wouldn’t have been able to pull him up.

Despite a less than preferable outcome, the scenario had mellowed into something reminiscent of success. However, some damage would likely remain. Talon’s pride had certainly taken a massive blow, Kila abandoned his otherwise mission-oriented goals, and Daphne was having a breakdown. Shifting his gaze towards Kassandra, the boy took note of her assertive approach, something that may very well come back to haunt her insecurities later. Was this a learning experience, or something that would end up leaving scars?

Taking a moment to look at Aleen’a and Zach, it was clear who could have helped Talon in the blink of an eye. Casper was not so narrow-minded as to expect Black Canary and Green Arrow to retain their unconventional rules considering the circumstances, and the team, those who attempted to help, would likely get a pat on the back. ‘Congratulations for abandoning whatever regulations had been put forth to save an ally in distress.’ Even so, had Casper taken a moment to consider the outcome, he would have done this differently. The boy would not extend his claws, but rather, he would have called out for Zach. With hands free and attention now on Daphne, Hex would further have been able to calm her down, or at the very least make an attempt.

This was, however, what people referred to when claiming that in the heat of conflict, one cannot sit back and slowly consider options. Mistakes were going to be made, and they certainly were.

Shade, it was what Casper wanted. A reclusive moment away from an unyielding sun. Luckily, they were in a forest, and finding a good tree to sit beneath was a task far easier than previous experiences. Spectral eyes lowered to the dirt covering Casper’s claws, a swift wave of darkness passing over them causing remnants of life to flake away and disappear. “Well, that was a shitshow,” Coal spoke, remaining on Casper’s shoulder.

”Yeah..,” came a response, Hex’s gaze lingering upon Daphne where he sat, beneath a large, comfortable tree. Was she still crying? Alisa was with her. In this case, three very much was a crowd, recalling Coal’s earlier question.

“Ah, well, you did the right thing.” The bird stretched, nudging Casper with his beak.

”No, I thought the right thing..,” a correction, ”I did it wrong..”

There was a shrug before Coal motioned at the others with a wing. “It’s whatever, Cassy’,” he began. “Shouldn’t you try to console the Plant?”

A short pause lingered before Hex leaned back against the tree trunk. ”I think she’d feel crowded..,” his eyes shifted to Talon. ”And I don’t think he’d appreciate being consoled in front of the others..,” claws rose to casually motion at Jack, in the distance.

“The living are difficult,” Coal chuckled, “say, remember what it was like being alive? It was only.., a few months ago, wasn’t it?”

Hex took a moment to consider his close friend’s question, a frown bridging itself across his features. Mere months had passed, and yet.., ”no..”

Young Justice

Location
💀 Happy Harbour.

Interactions
💀 @dreamingflowers
💀 @Courtaud

---

Standing, patiently waiting for his team, Casper turned his gaze skyward, if only for a moment, to frown at the clear blue sky. Had it not been for his aura of dark magic, the boy would have perished long ago, his body dematerializing into nothingness. It was beyond him how vampires were able to deal with this, considering their inability to shield themselves from the celestial sphere. In opposition, the girl at his side, Daphne, she blossomed beneath the very same light that would spell Hex’s end. True opposites, in every regard. Life and death, as it was.

Casper recalled his initial moments as a Wraithborn, the unending trauma which followed a grotesque transformation. He recalled his father’s control, and he most certainly remembered the orders placed upon him. The inability to move at his own behest, the shackles attached to every fiber of his being.

Was it the same for Talon? Magical dominance over his very being wasn’t required for another’s control. While Casper wasn’t a therapist, or well versed in body language, his eyes told him enough. Talon’s hands were stained in blood, death surrounding them like gloves. Something else they shared, a past different and yet the same. They were both making attempts at a somewhat normal life, if this was what one would consider normality. The life of heroes, some may have called it, a title neither Talon nor Hex were soon to adopt, surely.

It would be a lie to claim that this silent mystery had not caught Casper’s attention with an iron grip. Quite unlike Zach’s interest in the physical pursuits of romance, Hex’s attention rather fell on the spiritual side of this interaction. Despite being stained with blood, Talon’s soul shone brightly, a young man with much to offer his team, his new family. Casper had laid eyes on souls so vile they were nearly rotten, with John Constantine reaching the peak of that list. The man was fully aware, as well. He had flayed his own spirit to the point of disfigurement, but it would be a foolish conclusion to claim that despite all of Constantine’s decisions, he wasn’t seeking to do the right thing.

Was there guilt in Talon’s heart? Did he remember the names of his victims? Their faces? Did he ever regard his time as a weapon pointed at an enemy with distaste and disgust? Irrelevant of Casper’s nature as a creature of death, it was impossible to recall the people who had died at the touch of his spells. Their names, their faces, their lives all erased at the behest of a man who once called himself the boy’s father.

Closing his eyes for a brief moment, Hex was caught off guard by the snap of a branch. He had witnessed Talon’s dextrous motions, his mastery over gadgets Casper was unable to even operate. However, the tree Talon had latched onto was not on the same page, faltering beneath the sequence of launching and grappling.

Falling to a knee, Casper extended a hand, seeing how his ally, his friend was holding onto the edge of the pit. Though muscles were severely lacking, Casper would at the very least attempt to aid the other boy, his expression offering Talon a faint, somber smile. With claws helpfully offered, Hex dug his free hand into the grass, feeling how sharp digits burrowed into soft earth. He was the weakest member across all of them, clearly, but there was no hesitation.

Young Justice

Location
💀 Happy Harbour.

Interactions
💀 @dreamingflowers
💀 @Courtaud
💀 @FunnyGuy
💀 @canaryrose

---

The absence of life, Casper’s magic had strangled the breath of nature from every straw of grass. What remained was little more than remnants of the past, particles floating upon an incoming breeze. It was different from scorched earth, different from a withered plant. Rather, as Talon’s fingers traced the aftermath of Hex’s magic, his digits found themselves shrouded in dust, a cold and deathly echo lingering within the dirt, as if the very air had been replaced by emptiness. A poetic individual might have asked themselves if this was how Casper felt on the daily, if the infinite void left by his magic was a reflection of the boy himself. Would vegetation ever return to the spot he had defiled, the small area now negating nature's beauty? A resounding no. However, of this, Casper was aware. Perhaps with enough care and a shovel, one could amputate the dead earth, giving way for new life. Yes, it was an option.

However, the Wraithborn’s attention could not linger on what had been. On his mistake. Rather, attention had shifted towards Daphne, Alisa, Talon, and Viktor. They had moved on, and so would Hex, and there was indeed pride involved in this development. Daphne, their leader, was performing admirably. It was quite clear that the young woman had been struggling, her instructions appearing somewhat unsure, and her actions confessing to insecurity. She did not let this deter her. No, like a blooming flower she persisted, pushing through adversity with the help of her team, brawn taking center stage.

It was a display Casper would never be able to echo, a feat of strength he admired. The scrawny creature left much to be desired, his altered biology robbing the boy of what a young man like himself would otherwise possess. It was akin to someone combating an illness, a constant barrier between himself and physical prowess. Lowering his gaze to those tires, memories of earlier shone bright. Kila’s eyes drilling into the Wraith at his question, Victor’s inevitable disappointment in what Casper had to offer, and Talon’s physical mastery demanding a somewhat daunting prospect. How ironic, then, that something so physically inept possessed such deadly power. Even so, no matter Casper’s Necromantic aptitude, he found himself useless in this particular sequence. Again, irony struck. A boy, a creature, an entity with the power of death coursing through him wasn’t able to move a tire. The thought caused an inner chuckle, a mellow smile crossing Casper’s lips as he watched Alisa and Victor. The more he witnessed interaction with the world around them using strength and limbs, the more Casper was reminded that he wasn’t of this realm, that his strength didn’t come in the shape of muscles.

Flapping feathery wings, Coal flew to the other side of the pit, beady eyes peering into the hole. The darkness within, it looked almost comfortable, especially as Casper had spent an entire morning in the sun. It was difficult to explain exactly how he registered darkness, those spectral eyes allowing full sight in even magical blackness. It was different, and yet the same. It was like seeing during daylight, if the sun was the moon. An odd explanation, to say the least.

However, speaking of oddities. Who had dug this pit, and when? Let it never be said that Black Canary and her compatriot weren’t effective. Green Arrow may have come off as a whimsical relief, but tales of his exploits stretched far and wide. Additionally, the man was an original member of the Justice League, something speaking volumes in itself.

Turning back to Daphne, Hex nodded his head. Being thrown wasn’t the most appealing idea, nor a glamorous sight, but it was effective. Luckily, Casper did not hold onto pride. He left that for the living to fight one another in pursuit of. As such, it did not take long before the Wraith took to the air, Viktor’s strength coming into play once more.

Only moments following this peculiar development, Casper’s shape vanished in a cloak of Necrotic energy, all before manifesting once more on the other side of the obstacle, his dark magic reshaping Hex into a physical state. Adjusting his scarf, the boy felt how Coal’s talons landed on his shoulder, again. Soon, they would meet with the remaining crew, with the extended family.

A simple turn of his head revealed them crossing the monkey bars, another obstacle where Casper’s abilities offered no synergy with his group. It was almost awkward, but as eyes met the incoming team, phantasmal orbs narrowed their attention on Zach. How had he been getting along with his half? Casper was aware of how difficult it could be for the magician to make friends, and while he had himself to blame, few people ever allowed themselves to see past the facade. Weights were placed upon Zach’s shoulders, but getting them acknowledged was an issue in itself. Hex pitied the boy, but knew all too well that his presence was less than preferred if choices were presented.

Clawed hands slid into the young Wraith’s pockets, his focus replacing one team with the other, now aiming sights at his own.

Young Justice

Location
💀 Happy Harbour.

Interactions
💀 @dreamingflowers
💀 @Courtaud
💀 @FunnyGuy
💀 @canaryrose

---

Take control. Yes, retain stability. Closing his eyes, Casper allowed a moment to pass, an attempt at regaining calm. The deathly creature was known for it, after all, for his immovable sense of apathetic balance. It had been momentarily shaken, insecurity confiscating what had once been a sense of confidence. Lowering his gaze to the proof of his lapse in stability, Hex was reminded of a chilling fact. This was the result of his failure to remain calm. Death. ”It won’t happen again..,” Casper stated quietly, his body tensing at Black Canary’s words. Quietly, the boy followed as they had started towards the obstacle course. Good, he required a distraction.

It was a fair limitation placed on him, one he could appreciate. Casper’s ability to teleport required situational awareness. He needed to have view of where he was manifesting, or an understanding of the surrounding area. This would not always be the case, which limited his ability to teleport, forcing short-distance movements. However, another aspect that had been placed upon the group caused the Wraith to shift his gaze, eyes landing on Daphne. An interesting contrast from what one would have suspected. She was the leader, now. She was the only one with a voice.

Were Talon and Viktor going to be okay with this development? Indeed, it did not require an assassin’s training in body language to see Daphne’s nerves at play. She was scared, anxious, and insecure. If something went wrong, she as the leader was the blame. Her instructions were going to push them forward, and she had never asked for this responsibility. Never, throughout his life, had Casper taken on the role of caretaker, or older brother, but if memory served, Daphne was amongst the youngest in their group. Sixteen, if he wasn’t mistaken.

A clawed hand extended, gently landing atop the girl’s shoulder. Though an otherwise mellow expression constantly remained upon Hex’s features, the boy had set aside his own demons to instead focus on his friend. Their leader.

’Not every issue can be solved with a spell, Casper.'
’Sometimes, you just need to believe in your friends.’

While Zatanna’s words had appeared distant, almost alien at the time, they were now applying in ways Hex could never anticipate. He did care. He did have friends, albeit a slowly growing development, and he did have what amounted to a circus of a family.

Affording the girl a soft smile, Casper’s claws gently squeezed her shoulder. There was pride in his approach, a smile that indicated more than words ever could. ’You’ve done good.’ It was soon followed by a nod, Hex’s attention moving towards Alisa and Viktor, the first two with assignments to complete.

Young Justice

Location
💀 Happy Harbour.

Interactions
💀 @dreamingflowers
💀 @Courtaud
💀 @FunnyGuy
💀 @canaryrose

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Pulling one's punches, a concept Casper was somewhat unaware of. Magic functioned along another set of rules than physical combat. Zatanna had taught the boy how to focus his dark spells into less lethal effects, but taking it further than that was still an impossibility. How would it go if he fought his teammates? One that wasn’t Alisa. What would they do if struck by the Necrotic forces running through Hex? Learned paralysis was imminent, which was a better outcome than death, naturally. If truth was to be told, he did not particularly enjoy sparring. Perhaps a ridiculous point to present, but equally so, Casper was quite afraid of his magic coming in contact with Black Canary. Necromancy wasn’t a whimsical force, it wasn’t flashy magic causing superficial injuries and prompting quips in return. It was death magic, the darkest spellcraft yet presented. Following his recruitment by Zatanna, Hex had deliberately chosen to avoid delving into the physical side of Necromancy. Blood, flesh, decay, and bones. Where Casper was able to alter his soul magic into less fatal results, the same could not be said of the other aspect. Pulling his punches, as Viktor and Talon had stated, was not an option.

In a way, Casper was going against his nature every single time he denied himself the deadly touch of Necromantic chaos. A sword swung and still sheathed. Yet, the boy’s mother congratulated him for this.

’Your powers are your own. Wield Death as you see fit.’

Clenching his teeth, Casper averted that phantasmal gaze. How long until this argument was aimed at him? If the Wraith’s father witnessed this, a boy suppressing his magic, extreme disappointment would soon follow. However, that begged the question. Why on earth would Hex care? His father had plunged a dagger into the Wraithborn’s heart, robbed him of life, and replaced every fiber of Casper being with the element of death. Hex recalled once coming across a peculiar title in regards to his species. An elemental. A Death Elemental.

.̷̨̙̠̫͇͛.̷̫͇͔͝͠.̸̜͕̲̀̀̌̈́.̴̤̠̅͋̚.̴̡̳͕̞͕̿̌͝.̵̧͗́͆.̸̲͈͚͉͕̌͗.̶̦͕̃͗̒

A brief moment passed alongside a flinch, the grass beneath Casper’s feet withering to dust, wind soon sweeping faded particles into the air. He was lost in thought again, darkness penetrating his mind with results seeping onto the surface. ”S-sorry..,” the ghostly boy stuttered, fumbling back somewhat as large, spectral orbs swept across his teammates.

“Dude, you messed up the grass!” Coal exclaimed, flying atop Casper’s head, beady eyes narrowed at the small patch of dead vegetation beneath the Wraith.

”I didn’t mean to..,” Hex returned, a mellow expression presenting itself upon his face.

“You’ve been off your game for a while now, something’s up.” The crow challenged, its beak lightly hitting Casper on the forehead.

A momentary slip-up, a brief second of losing control. ’What if that was a teammate?’ Hex clenched his fist, the boy’s claws nearly digging into his flesh. Talon had hurt Daphne because he lost control. Viktor was present enough to maintain it. Was Casper? Turning his attention towards the other group, Hex hoped for this sparring session to reach its conclusion. Something was in his head, and while ignoring it was far better than chasing after the spectral chimes ringing within, he was starting to feel himself grow more susceptible to insecurity. Something was attempting to push him in the direction he had so vehemently opposed. ”I’m just tired..,” a lie, and a bad one, but Coal knew better than to make a scene in front of the others. Very specific circumstances were required for Casper to grow fatigued, mainly attempting to reach beyond his current capabilities, and that certainly had not transpired, yet.