in his defense he was DISTRACTED BY A CAT. normally he was much more alert and far more graceful, but the little fluffy thing was sitting perched in a window. pretty as a painting! good thing his reflexes were quick enough to divert damage AWAY from his body ( who knew sword training would be handy in an accidental coffee duel? ). though truly he hadn’t been upset, he was almost glad by the happenstance when he looked at the young fellow. a most curious AURA of shimmering light weaved with gold clung to him. king smiled, shaking excess coffee off the hand it had spilled over and swooped down to pick up the dropped cup. ❝  oh there’s no need, if anything it was my fault. in fact, i was JUST thinking how i would much rather have some cocoa. why don’t you join me? ❞  then he turned and tilted his head, as though it wasn’t really up for debate.

“Can’t reach him–” His head snaps forward, eyes still glowing a fluorescent green, the struggle between man and spirit seemingly forgotten. “What the hell do you mean ‘can’t reach him?’ He’s in there, isn’t he? Where the hell else could he be?” He can’t let this happen. Khalid trusted him not to let this happen. Kent trusted him not to let this happen. Luckily for them both, there were things Wrath could do that Fate just couldn’t:

Break the rules, break the order, and get what it goddamn wants.

“You’re not letting go of a damn thing. We’re getting him back. Just tell me what you need me to do and I’ll do it.”

“So how the heck do we beat this thing then?”

“Okay,” He thought for a few moments about it, before pulling using his ring to make a duplicate. “I want you to put this on and see if you can fly with it,” they would see if it was a balance issue, or just a problem of magical control that way.

                Dinah looked towards the kitchen her face was full of sorrow and she did regret being the one to bring the news. She didn’t want any of the others to come and explain it as they probably wouldn’t have handled it at all tactfully. or have known what to say. She heard the questions about the Hall of Justice and Mount Justice. The memory of the young heroes came to her mind and her mouth thinned just slightly. She did miss them but they were safe for the moment with Captain Marvel and Red Tornado watching them. “Nabu mentioned Mount Justice?” She questioned wondering why Nabu would choose to mention the former base of operations. “They aren’t. Mount Justice is where our covert operations team live. They tend to be protogés of heroes like Batman,  Flash…The Hall of Justice is for full League members.” She explained. She felt that he would perhaps benefit from working with the team as she handled their training and care. She wouldn’t force that decision just yet. “Did Nabu say why he mentioned Mount Justice?”” She asked him with curiosity. She wasn’t sure why he would do.

Dinah had half a mind to take the helmet and burn it for all the trouble it had caused but she knew it wouldn’t ever happen. She glanced at the kitchen again and she could hear the quiet murmur of conversation as well as crying. Dinah didn’t want to interrupt them right now. Dinah put her arm around Khalid’s shoulder in a gesture of comfort. She knew losing someone was tough and she knew it would take some time for the family to heal. “I’m sorry all this has landed on you. Being Doctor Fate wasn’t easy for Kent and I can only imagine what it’s doing to you.” Dinah spoke her voice was gentle and calm. “You should come to Mount Justice when you want to talk to me.or even the team…” She said as a way to reassure him. She wanted to give him a place to come if it ever got too much for him. She had helped Dick and Wally an she was confident she could help Khalid if he needed. She felt protective of Khalid she had to admit.

Khalid took a second to understand her explanation,   he felt like a sidekick:   wasn’t as strong,   wasn’t as able to control his abilities   and   at any moment he felt he could have a mental break.   Perhaps Nabu felt he could learn about being a sidekick before he became something more, “    i’m not a strong as you are,   with my “ gift ”,    ”   he whispered trying not to alert anyone in the kitchen of their conversation.   “    Nabu mentioned it might help me to stick around with people my age,   something about learning from my peers?    ”   Khalid feared being around others who were superpowered,   he feared they’d laugh at him for not being as strong   or   as agile   or   as strong willed, he felt weak and not in control.   A lot of things came to mind though he didn’t know how to address most of them,   he didn’t know if Dinah would believe him.   so he’d choose to remain silent and allow her to go on. 

               Dinah listened when Khalid explained that he was losing track of time and the glimpses he had seen of the Tower. It was just as she feared, Nabu was starting to take over the young man just like he had done Kent. Dinah felt the grip on her hand. When she heard his words she gave him a sympathetic look and gave a nod. “I promise I won’t say a word about you or the helmet. I will keep this between us.” Dinah spoke gently giving his hand a comforting a squeeze. When Elizabeth and her husband came in she quickly let go of Khalid’s hand and gave his shoulder a comforting squeeze.  Elizabeth eyed Dinah with an odd look on her face. Muhammed looked at Dinah and Khalid a small frown marring his face for a moment. Before anything could be said Dinah stepped forward. “I’m Dinah Lance…I was a close friend of Kent Nelson.” She began. Elizabeth looked shocked to hear the name and then upset.

Dinah then went on to explain Kent’s death in a way that hopefully wouldn’t make them realise Khalid had taken over from Kent. “I understand it’s a lot to take in…” Dinah spoke. Elizabeth seemed to be in shock for the moment and didn’t speak. Muhammed did the best to comfort his wife. Dinah was feeling nothing but a sinking feeling for the moment. Her eyes then flickered to Khalid before returning to Elizabeth “I am a therapist and I would be happy to help you and your family through this time,” Dinah offered. “I appreciate that Miss Lance. I just need to…” Elizabeth began and pointed towards the kitchen. She and her husband left to go to the kitchen and Dinah could hear the kettle and cups being moved. She looked at Khalid once more. “I think maybe you should come to the Hall of Justice, I want to help you get better control,” She spoke gently. “ “Nabu’s a real jerk. and I don’t doubt he’ll take advantage,” Dinah spoke quietly so no one but Khalid could hear.

Khalid felt a sudden feeling of acceptance,   maybe it was the tone of DInah’s voice or how warm she felt about him being Kent’s relative.   He took a few seconds to accept all of this because for himself,   he couldn’t grasp the idea.   Being Fate had been a taxing experience   and   maybe having someone around who knew what that was like,   who knew what Nabu was like,   might come as great help.   The shoulder squeeze managed to snap him back to reality and it all hit him too fast.   His parents stepped through and Khalid nearly lost it.   With a quick head shake he managed to fight back some tears,   he’d been lying for far too long   and   things couldn’t be messier now.

“I think now would be as good a time as ever, yes.”

J’onn swept out his hand in an encouraging gesture. “Go ahead, Fate.”

“I fuckin’– can’t talk to you right now.” Too much magic, too much of what he’s trying to resist. “I wanna talk to the kid. Lemme talk to the kid.”

“It’s always just come naturally, it’s willpower,” pretty much the second he got his ring he’d been flying through the air. “I’m not sure how magic works, but I do have a degree in aeronautical engineering from the Air Force Academy, I guess we could see how keeping planes up could apply to people.”

           like this post for a       starter from Khalid.     

“You’re nervous. It’s understandable. Everyone is, their first time here.” J’onn wasn’t, but Khalid doesn’t need to know that.

          Dinah looked carefully at Khalid for a moment and then she realised that he was now Doctor Fate. It was clear that Nabu had chosen to stay with Kent’s family which surprised her somewhat. Dinah gave him a long stare for a moment and then shook her head. “I can explain it to her…Kent was my friend as well as a trusted member of the team,” Dinah said slowly. She then moved to place a hand on Khalid’s shoulder. “I take it she doesn’t know you’ve taken over from Kent?” She asked delicately. She then gave Khalid another hard stare, Kent had always struggled to remain himself with Nabu. “How are you coping with being Doctor Fate?” She asked him. She would always help and she owed this to Kent “I can help you if you ever need it.” She promised him. She knew that Fate wasn’t exactly on good terms with her or Ollie but she would help Khalid if she could do. “I should also give you this.” She spoke gently and then went into her pocket and brought out Kent’s pocket watch. He had thankfully left it with Ollie before things had gone south. “It belonged to Kent. You should have it. You can keep it or give it to your mother if you like,” She told him. Her attention was drawn away as she heard the sound of movement near the door.

           Dinah was surprised that it was a young man who had opened the door. She had hoped that Elizabeth would be home but she supposed she could speak to her son. She was thankful that Kent had mentioned his niece a few times and Bruce had managed to track Elizabeth down along with her husband and son.  “I’m Dinah Lance, I was hoping to speak to Elizabeth Nassour. You must her son?” Dinah asked her tone was curious for a moment but then the reason why she came weighed heavily on her heart. “Is she available to speak to? It’s about Kent Nelson. I think she needs to hear this,” She spoke her voice was heavy with regret. She felt a little shakey and upset now. Dinah shifted her weight a little and recalled the moment she had been told Kent had died. “Maybe you should hear this too. Do you mind if I come in?” Dinah asked.