"I kind of like that you're wearing your charm, Adela."said Helena.

Usually, on such an occasion, any cat who went with Helena would wear no charms. After all, no one could help but make noise when they wore them, even if they'd learned to walk so as to make the lease noise as possible. But the charm might prove helpful on this occasion.

"I wonder if your charm will make any difference, Adela. I feel it may bring us very good luck."

As on any night there was a full moon out, Helena stepped outside, and climbed down from the window, cat like. Adela went after her.

Terry still had hoped that she wouldn't have. He noticed that Adela was still wearing her collar. How could Helena have forgotten to take the cat's collar off this time?

Helena was far more likely to forget to remove her own jewelry than any of her cats', especially that of her favorite cat. If she'd forgotten, it could only mean she was very preoccupied with something else. Something more important to her than her cats, and he knew her well enough to know that list was very narrow.

"I thought you told the Lady to talk to her. It doesn't look like she did. Or if she did, Helena paid no attention."Terry spoke into his com link.

But then who paid attention to their parents? And Helena least of all.

This time should be different, Helena thought to herself. This time must be different.

She dared not voice her thoughts out loud. Fortunately, the one she was 'speaking' to did not need words to know what was being communicated to it. The cat made a soft mewing sound, as though trying to assure her. Helena nodded.

She should still do a better job to not let anything escape. Nothing. If Adela could tell, so could anyone! She should portray nothing but absolute confidence. Just one little slip, and…oh, well, she didn't want to think about it. She'd just have to go home with nothing to show for it. Upset, and frustrated, maybe to wait for who only knew how long, before she could try again, or have to come up with something completely new. And that could take a while! That's why this one had to work!

"To which should we go first?"she asked Adela in a low voice.

She also had to keep the right tone of voice. One slip in the tone could be just as bad. It was like an…act!Helena thought. An act she'd rehearsed several times. Because she had rehearsed. And so far it was going just as planned.

Helena couldn't help herself, and thought I wonder if Mai ever rehearsed? Did she see it like this, as well?

Terry saw Helena speak to the cat. Asking it where they should go first. That meant she wanted more than one thing. Helena had stopped and turned her head up towards the full moon, and her hand went up to where the black cat was stretched across her shoulders, and stroked it. She must be thinking of Lady Selina, he knew.

Of course, there was very little left of the old Gotham, so there was no way she could be retracing Lady Selina's steps, but maybe she wondered if her mother had perhaps walked these same steps?he thought, as her gaze went from the moon to the ground before her. She turned her attention to the cat, and continued, a more determined look on her face.

Helena thought she kind of liked this. I think I know just why Mai did it, she thought to herself.

Helena would most likely have her mother's interests, and would be looking for something similar. Jewels, mostly. And any cat themed artwork.

Don't act so eager, Adela! Or don't make it so obvious! Helena thought.

Yet, how could she ask the cat to control her emotions, when she herself was having very little success doing so?

But she may still change her mind!Terry thought.

However, Helena gave no indication that she would turn and leave. Simply went on, stopping only to look at the cat wrapped around her shoulders. Though, finally, she stopped, looking a bit unsure of where to go. She'd changed her mind at last minute, and decided to turn back instead?he hoped.

Helena looked at Adela. This was just the same dilemma that had kept her from just coming out and doing it before! Should she go ahead? Turn back? She had to decide quickly, as every second she stood there, standing uncertainly was…! It was surprising she'd made it this far. She honestly didn't really think she could have.

But the cat would be the one who would 'tell' her whether or not she should go ahead, or just go back. Adela would give her answer, Helena knew. She would have to rely on the cat's much keener senses to tell her what she needed to know.

If there was no one around, then…

It could only have been a couple of seconds, maybe not even a minute, but it seemed much longer as Terry watched Helena standing there. She did look as though she were fighting with herself. She looked at her cat. The same black cat whom, she said, was descended from her mother's favorite cat. Unable to solve the dilemma on her own, it seemed, Helena turned to the cat, and their gazes met.