Their walk was…nice.
Besides Blue Beetle, she was the next person he sought out, although he wasn't too sure why. She was of his kind, sure, but his encounters with White Martians on Mars were infrequent at best. Not to mention she could be from a vastly different sector of the planet with its own set of cultural traditions and norms. Still, the Miss Martian was the closest he would come to home for quite some time, and for someone who had not been himself for over two years, her presence was rather welcoming.
It was a bit surprising, however, when she was the one to ask for him first. Their last talk had been over two months ago and he had lied and stolen her trust. Soon after, she'd been kidnapped and left her team to his merciless hands. Had she come to berate him? To scold him for misleading her comrades and preparing them for slaughter? He wouldn't mind; it would be justified, regardless.
"This Bludhaven is fascinating at night," he said, hands grabbing at his artificial jean pockets, "Don't you think?"
The Miss Martian turned and nodded, though he could tell the smile that came soon after was strained, "Yes, it is. It's more lowkey than Gotham or Metropolis, but I always thought the lights reflected well off the water."
"Taos is much smaller than this city," B'arzz said, trying to keep in pace with her slow, quiet steps, "There is no water and the city lights are far and few between, but…it is peaceful. I enjoy my home there."
She nodded again but did not reply, opting to take in the waterfront beside them. B'arzz averted his gaze, unsure of how to discuss what had occurred over the last few months, or how to apologize…
"You know, we can use telepathy if you like," she suggested, "I don't mind any more."
His eyes locked with hers, stare soft and inconspicuous. That was odd…she was asking for his permission yet again, despite his previous betrayal. Although tempted at the offer, he shook his head, grinning, "Honestly, it has been far too long since my voice has been my own. I would like to use it for the time being."
This time her smile, while small, was sincere and B'arzz couldn't help but feel his own widen in return. He decided that he quite liked her smile, "Okay then. Whatever you say."
"But speaking of telepathy," he shifted away from her, trailing his fingers across the metal railing, "I apologize for my violation of your trust and misleading you with the information I gave you. It - "
"I know it wasn't you," she finished his sentence, folding her hands into her waist, eyes glued to the concrete beneath them, "Nightwing explained what happened, to both you and Blue. You weren't yourself; the Reach controlled you, manipulated you to do their bidding. How could I be mad at you for that?"
"Still…" B'arzz said, feeling an uncharacteristic chill rush across his spine, "I cannot help but feel guilty, especially when it comes to you. The Reach took advantage of your internal struggle and conflict, and for that I must apologize…at least on behalf of them."
The giggle that escaped her was delayed by a few seconds, making the action seem awkward and out of place, but B'arzz decided he enjoyed that as well, "While I doubt the Reach will be apologizing to me anytime soon, I do forgive you, if that's what you need."
He tilted his head, confusion etched in his brows, "Then, if that is not what you wished to discuss, may I ask why you asked for my company tonight?"
Now it was her turn to step away from him, biting at the corner of her lips, "I…wanted to talk to someone, but not anyone on the team. A lot has happened over the last few weeks and…walking with a fellow Martian seemed like the perfect opportunity to clear my head. Before you showed up, I was in a real pickle."
Another pause thickened between as he mulled over her last words. Stress and hardship were breaking her, he could tell that much. Perhaps it would be wise to distract her…
"Not to take away from your troubles," B'arzz lifted a hand, his face further puzzled, "but what does that mean? To be in 'a real pickle?'"
"Oh, I'm sorry," M'gann sheepishly replied, "I forgot you're not familiar with the standard metaphors here. It means to be in a difficult situation, or when you're struggling with two opposing forces. It's like another phrase, 'between a rock and a hard place.' It comes from baseball."
"Ah, baseball," he smiled at the familiar term, "I recall watching a game or two on the transmissions a few years back. Most entertaining. I would like to watch a game live….when everything is handled with the Reach, that is. I believe it would be a worthy reward."
"Sounds fun," she nodded, leaning in closer than she had before, "Could I tag along? I find baseball games are more entertaining when you have someone to share it with."
While surprised by her proposal, it was welcomed, and he didn't even question the warmth that spread across his shoulders and neck at her gentle words, "I would like that…very much."
"Then it's a d - day," she stuttered, clearing her throat before continuing on about other phrases common in America. He listened thoroughly, taking in everything she said and making a note to write it all down later. If he were to better fit in with the humans here, if he was to stay, this information would prove useful. And who better to tell him of such small and interesting wonders than a fellow Martian already acquainted?
He soon decided, as the night passed on, he much preferred the sound of her voice spoken than thought. It was a quite a joy to listen to.