Zanzibar The Magician - Uncovered

9 || UNCHARACTERISTIC

ZANZIBAR eagerly sought details of the Sorceress' whereabouts.  She plagued Yarko with questions, all of which The Great seemed either reluctant or unable to answer. Irritation was rising rapidly in the transmuted magician.

"You said you could help!" Zanzibar challenged. "I think perhaps it is even beyond your capabilities!"

Yarko cocked an eyebrow, perplexed. "My friend, your impatience is uncharacteristic."

"You have no concept of how this mutation makes me feel!" Zanzibar's frustration surfaced, resulting in a forceful slamming of cup and saucer on the low table. The china shattered, dregs of liquid and tea leaves trickling over the wooden surface.  Shocked by her off-base behaviour, she flicked her fingers and uttered a short, low incantation. The broken cup and spilt contents vanished. 

Silence ensued until finally, she looked her fellow sorcerer in the eye. "I'm sorry! That was - very uncharacteristic of me." The apology, although sincere, was tinged with a hint of sarcasm.

She glanced at Jim, who stared back, wide-eyed; a mouthful of food still plumping out his cheek. 

Zanzibar lowered her eyes, a flush of shame colouring her cheeks. She swallowed, both embarrassed and irritated at her unpardonable solecism. She took a deep breath to steady her voice. "You must understand my concerns over my situation, Yarko," she began.

The turbaned host nodded, but his eyes glowed with repressed admonition.           

"This curse is - unbearable. I cannot live like this."

Yarko did not respond, he simply reclined, steepling his fingers, waiting for Zanzibar to continue.

"You know what people are like, Yarko - their opinions are narrow-minded, but their bias is great. Even your eyes betrayed judgement when we arrived."

Yarko's brow furrowed, and he sat forward again. "It was nawt judgement but an assessment of your frame of mind."

Zanzibar fell silent. The Great continued, sparing no punches. "Ah appreciate your transformation is a priority for you, and ah will help as ah promised. But, you're gonna hafta accept there are bigger things goin' on at the moment."

Zanzibar's full lips tightened, reigning in her anger but she remained silent as Yarko pressed on.

"Up until two days ago, the States was neutral in this war,  but once Pearl Harbor happened, everything changed. Thanks to the Japs, we've been drawn into the conflict. Roosevelt has declared war on Japan, and in so doing has galvanised the nation into action."

"I am well aware of events in the world, Yarko," Zanzibar said between gritted teeth.

"Good! Then you will understand ma misgivings on your priorities. Takin' into consideration this war and the roles the Syndicate may have to play in it, venturing into another dimension or world, may not be wise to pursue at this given time. Ah will help you find out where the Sorceress is, yes, but you hafta realise your services may be required in other matters meantime."

"It will be hard to carry out any tasks in this guise," Zanzibar persisted. "I can think of one or two even within the Syndicate who will prefer not to work with me as a result."

"Ah for one, will vouch for you, my friend. Ah know what you're capable of, rega'dless of what gender you carry. Now, ah take it your abilities have not been altered or depleted?"

Zanzibar shook her head. "The ones I have tested at least all seem intact."

"Well, that's somethin'. Ah will speak with young Davy and the Nimbus for some pointers to the Sorceress' location, assuming they know exactly where they have banished her."

"Thank you," Zanzibar said. She knew Yarko would honour his word.

"The thing is..." Jim butted in, "...when you do find her, what then?"

Zanzibar's eyes fixed on him. "I haven't thought that far ahead, but any help would be appreciated."

Jim coughed, polite but also to make a point. "No offence, but look how well that turned out last time, and we had an army at our disposal."

"Dynamo has a point," Yarko injected. "And unfortunately, ah cannot command an assault on the Sorceress simply in defence of your pride, Zanzibar."

"I wasn't asking you to!" replied the lady magician, curt. "Just find out where the bitch is, and I'll do the rest."

Yarko reclined back in his chair, his eyes examining his friend. He sensed not only Zanzibar's gender was altered; there was a keener edge to his/her personality - a hint of recklessness, an echo perhaps, of something else. "Ah will do as promised, but what if your plan doan work?"

He was answered only by a dense, menacing silence and a flare of amber flashing through Zanzibar's eyes.

Lunch, it seemed, was over.

*****

A/N: I have taken on board Jason's advice that Yarko has a New England/Bostonian accent. So, after doing a little research, I have attempted to carry it off and also amended his dialogue in the previous chapter to reflect this. I must confess though, it was an uncomfortable ride and I'm not convinced I've executed it well enough; seems a bit clunky in places. It sounds different in my head but as the written word...? Well, you decide.

Any tips/advice would be appreciated - but I don't intend to have Yarko spouting long speeches from here on in.

Also, as Zanzibar's education was based in the UK, I'm sticking with his more British accent (plus it's a hell of a lot easier to do, lol).