Chapter 12

-[Dante]-

After dinner, they had traveled to New York via Zeta Tube and were now on their way to where the show was going to happen.

The large tent he could see in the short distance in front of him told him that they had reached their destination. He sighted a poster on a wall as they neared the tent, the image on the poster being that of a well dressed Italian man with a black top hat.

"Here we are." Dinah said as Dante recognized the man in the poster as Zatara.

"So he's a real magician and also a stage magician. He's hiding in plain sight." Dante noted, wondering how not even one of the man's performances hadn't been attacked by a villain who had a grudge against him.

"Everyone has to pay bills somehow." Dinah defended.

"And right you are." A voice came from behind them.

Turning around, they were faced with the Homo Magi himself, Giovanni Zatara. "I was afraid you wouldn't make it."

"There were some issues to deal with but we made it. I hope you don't mind that I brought Dante along." Dinah said only for Zatara to shake his head.

As the adults began talking, Dante's eyes moved to the small figure behind the man. She had medium length black hair and bright cyan colored eyes that promised mischief in them.

Unlike her father, she was dressed in what looked like a school uniform. Upon making eye contact with him, she waved with a smile.

Just as he was about to return the greeting, he heard a cough. Looking up he saw Zatara giving him a stern look, causing him to arch a brow.

Apparently the man had noticed the interaction. "I believe it's time for the performance. If you'll excuse me." The man said as he walked away, gesturing for Zatanna to follow him.

Dinah only looked amused, knowing the reason for the man's behavior. Dante reached forward with his telepathy, connecting their minds for a moment.

[Is he always like this?] he asked, noticing the girl jump just a bit before looking back to face him as she walked.

He gave a wink, signifying that he was responsible for the voice in her head. As usual Zatara didn't appreciate the male species interacting with his daughter, giving him a light glare and pulled her forward.

[Sorry about my dad. He gets like this a lot.] she responded, her voice sounding apologetic.

[It's fine. He's just worried.] he waved off as Dinah led him into the tent.

[I'm not a baby. I can take care of myself.] she defended as he and Dinah moved to their seats. The seats were right at the center, giving them a good view of the entire stage.

[And I'm sure you can.] he agreed, assuaging her complaints as a puff of smoke clouded the stage, quickly settling to reveal Zatara.

"Greetings Ladies and gentl…" His eyes saw Zatara speak but his attention was elsewhere as he and Zatanna from wherever she was communicated through the mental link.

Zatara's tricks ranged from sleight of hand to using actual magic. The crowd was stunned but Dante was more curious than impressed.

[Hey, do you want to see some real magic?] she asked in the middle of the show.

[Just like that?] he asked, admittedly surprised at her openness.

[Yep.]

[Your dad's going to kill you. More specifically, he's going to kill me if he thinks I made you do it.] he said dryly.

[That's if he finds out. Besides, it'll take hours for him to finish up. We'll just slip out for a while to have fun.] she countered, making him actually consider it.

[You make a convincing argument.] he said, turning his eyes to Zatara who was performing another trick, remembering the look the man gave him earlier. [Alright, I'm game.]

[Awesome! Meet me outside.] she said in victory.

Dante then turned to Dinah. "I have to go use the bathroom." He said, not even trying hard to convince her.

The smirk she gave told him that she already guessed where he was going. "Have fun with Zatanna." She added, proving that point.

With a laugh, he got off the seat and exited the tent. As he got outside, he saw the magician's daughter waiting for him.

"Well you sure took your time." She teased, her voice not in his head this time.

"I assumed girls were familiar with the term 'fashionably late'." He countered, earning a smile from her.

"Touché. I'm Zatanna." She introduced.

"Dante, nice to meet you." Her smile stretched into a grin as she put her hands together.

"So, wanna see some real magic?" She asked.

"I believe that's why we're here." He said as Zatanna chanted under her breath, a wisp of smoke surrounding her for a moment as her school uniform changed into more casual clothes.

"See anything you like?" She teased with a sly smirk as the smoke cleared.

He returned her smirk. "A lot actually." While talking to M'gann was fun, it was nice interacting with a female who wasn't basically his cousin. The fact that she was hot only made it better.

"I try my best. So what do you want to do first?" She asked, giving Dante an idea.

"Have you ever flown before?" He asked, a confused look appearing on Zatanna's face.

Before she could answer, she felt her body get lifted into the air by an invisible force. "Woah!" She exclaimed, a laugh following it as Dante flew up beside her.

She'd levitated herself above the ground before but it was different from actual flight. "This is so cool!" She laughed as Dante's telekinesis maneuvered her around in the air.

"You haven't seen anything yet." Dante said with a smirk as they rose higher into the air. They rose until New York was but a flurry of lights moving around.

"Wow, this is so amazing." She said excitedly as they drifted above the city. "Do you do this often?"

"Almost everyday. The view is amazing, isn't it?" He asked.

"It sure is."

-[Later]-

They'd spent most of the time flying above the city, occasionally stopping on top of some buildings before eventually continuing their 'tour'.

They would've lost track of time had it not been for Dinah who sent him a text that the show would soon end.

"I told you we'd have fun." She said smugly as they landed around the same area they had left.

"I didn't doubt you. It's the first time I've flown that high with someone else." He admitted, getting a genuine smile from the girl.

"Best day ever. Too bad it's over." She said with a sad sigh.

"It doesn't have to be." His words got her attention. "We can still do it again later. That is if you're up for it."

Realizing what he was implying, a happy smile emerged on her face. "Then it's a date." She teased, getting a laugh from him.