The party took place right on the ground floor around the conference room, which Damian must have bought with all of his money just for the forum alone since there was absolutely no one in there other than the peoples that are a part of the forum and the waiters and waitresses. Even then, the waiters only pop up once in a while to bring in some of the food and they did nothing else.
The rest of the forum members wore all the typical formal clothing they could get. Perhaps the party could be a hell of a lot more interesting if they chose to wear something about as nasty as a caveman attires, but for what it is now it's quite eye-catching enough. The boys wear suits and ties looking about as classy as ever while the girls wear very colorful gowns, probably matching with the superhero costume that they wore during the job.
If that's the case, then Cissie probably should've considered wearing green. She loved green.
"Cissie!"
Wally said in the distance as she noticed her and ignored his three other friends that just popped up in the back. Wally marched in right towards her and gave her a welcoming party.
"Glad you came." Wally said. "Sorry if Mia is bringing you some troubles."
"Don't worry. She didn't bother me as much now." Cissie said.
"Try me." Mia said.
"So you have met Stephanie and Tim." Wally said.
"Your girlfriend is really nice, Wally." Stephanie said.
"He's not..."
"She's not..."
Apparently, both characters were starting to correlate with each other on their relationship. The moment they said those words, they gawked at each other as if one of them just farted or something.
Stephanie could only giggle. "Oh, you aren't? I thought you were."
"My real girl is in another universe. I can't believe that's going to be a daily phrase." Wally said. "As long as she's not going to cheat with anyone, I'm not going to cheat with her, even if it's another universe version of her."
"Shut up, Wally!" Stephanie said. "You're hurting her feelings!"
"Help me. I'm feeling oppressed. You sexist." Cissie said in the most nonchalant of ways.
Wally giggled, followed by Stephanie, Tim, and Mia in the back.
"Come on!" Wally said. "I'll show you around. You're going to meet other cooler peoples."
"You go ahead." Stephanie said. "I'm going to get some soda with Tim"
"I'll see you later, then!"
Wally brought her into a more crowded place of the party. It was a place where peoples were holding a glass of wine, undoubtedly expensive and probably must be only for the most privileged of classes. They were hanging around and talking like actual normal human beings would, a sight that couldn't be more surprising as she entered the forum herself.
From what she could see, there were four peoples hanging around the wine bottles and talking: One is a bulky Caucasian with dark hair. He's holding the shoulder of probably his girlfriend with the same dark hair except longer and a gown with glittering stars on it. One is a red-head female with a green gown. The other one is an even bulkier African-American man. Perhaps she should retract her thinking about the forum because these peoples look quite intimidating.
Wally approached the four like it was just a normal stroll in the evening. He gave some introductions to all of the names, which of course she won't have the memory to remember all of them, although she could remember some of their traits.
"Cissie, these are my friends and they're a part of the forum too." Wally said.
"I really couldn't tell." Cissie said.
A bit of formality and introductions later and she learned that the bulky man is named Conner. His girlfriend (glad she got that correct) is Donna. The red-head is Megan and the African-American man is Victor.
"We're glad to finally see you in person." Donna said. "Wally has talked quite a lot about you."
"He did." Megan said. "We were actually best friends and-"
"Uh, Megan?" Wally interrupted. "Let's not share any information from the other universe? I mean it's from another universe. How irrelevant could it be?"
"Right! I'm sorry." Megan said. "But anyway, we're glad to have you on the forum! We're going to have an amazing discussion."
"I honestly don't even know what you guys are even going to debate." Cissie said. "Does the forum have any sorts of um... terms and conditions before applying? It has to have one, right?"
"We do have a few, girl." Victor said. "First rule: Never drink a bottle of Brandy past twelve."
"Oh now you're screwing around." Conner replied, causing everyone to giggle for some reason. "What? It was an accident! I honestly think that I couldn't get drunk, but I don't know what kind of Brandy that is."
"Specialized mix from the 50s from your most evil New York Mafia." Victor said, causing an amused reaction from everyone.
"No wonder she had to be kept in STAR Labs for a few months." Megan said. "Poor thing. I miss her just strolling around the tower for a few months."
"She's going to be just fine." Donna said. "I checked up on him. If Conner does that again, I'll make sure I whip out his most sensitive parts."
"I'm sorry, okay?" Conner said. "It's my dog too. I feel guilty about it."
"Wait a second, Conner feeling guilty?" Megan said. "Are you sure? Is that even you?"
"Sorry to interrupt, but it sounds like you guys are talking about a sick dog." Cissie said.
"Yeah, that's kind of the thing." Victor said. "Conner here had a huge dog in his house and he accidentally pour a Brandy to his food bucket. I knew your kinds couldn't get intoxicated but damn. That was just stupid."
"Well, I hope that your dog can get better." Cissie said. "Maybe I should hang out with other members of the team."
"Oh sure." Donna said. "Again Cissie, we love to have you on the team."
"Just make sure you shoot straight and kick some bad guy's ass while you're doing it." Victor said.
"Thanks."
Cissie and Wally wondered off from the group and instead went to the other parts. There was a blonde guy who sat on a table just right near a girl with a pale skin and some seriously jaded, unimpressed expression on her behalf.
"So who are those two there?" Cissie asked.
"That's uh... Rachel." Wally said, pointing at the girl. "The one besides her is Garfield. They're still a proto-couple if you know what I mean."
"Like what we are right now?"
"Are you interested?"
"No!"
"Then let's not think like that." Wally said. "You want to know them?"
"What? I mean sure."
Wally and Cissie approached the two characters just in time as Rachel made her comment on the entire fiasco.
"This is a wonderful party." Rachel said in the most monotonous voice and the most jaded of expressions. "I'm very impressed."
"It's not as wonderful if Kory didn't show her face." Garfield said.
"I am so jealous."
"Really?" Garfield said. "You're... jealous of me going with Star?"
"I can't believe you're stupid enough not to notice sarcasm."
"No, you weren't being sarcastic Rachel!" Garfield said. "Admit it!"
Rachel groaned.
"Hey Rae." Wally said. "Just ignore Garfield. He's making things slightly worse."
"Hey!" Garfield shrieked.
Rachel giggled.
"Oh and this is Cissie Jones." Wally said. "I'm sure I've talked about her with my universe name version of her."
"Yeah, I know." Rachel offered her hand. "Pleasure."
"You too." Cissie said. "You're... you sound like that chick from the podcast."
"Oh wow, someone actually listened." Rachel said. "I appreciate that, but I'm just sharing my views."
"They're very interesting views and they're very true." Cissie said. "It's not pointless at all. Someone needs to have a voice against these prudes, and a voice from a significant forum member like you is important."
"Wait, what voice?" Wally asked.
"Voicing against total misinformation, propaganda against the forum, and sensible peoples, basically anything that you would consider Orwellian." Cissie said. "I've read 1984 for my English Class a few years ago and I had to re-read it again to make sure that I get the critique for the authoritarian government now going to be practiced by Lex Luthor. It was very compelling."
"I'm glad you like it. It was one of my favorites." Rachel said. "It was definitely at the top partly because the things that are happening there are surprisingly more relevant today. Peoples growing up have been fixated on identity politics and using their role as either a women or a minority as a shield to make free allegations of what the whole forum didn't really do. They're going to silence us for free speech, subsequently creating a world of communism and authoritarian practices."
"I think the lesson for today is let's not be someone that they're accusing us." Wally said. "In most cases, their judgment is true about themselves."
"That's a good lesson." Rachel said. "Except we aren't discriminating against anyone in the first place, probably criminals or mass murderers or anyone associated with the Brotherhood but still. Peoples were quite critical of the Gotham vigilantes when they popped up. Now, they practically made the GCPD better. They have considered hiring more idealistic rookies than experienced con artists."
"Also, if you're going to talk about bigotry and racism, you should check out To Kill a Mockingbird." Garfield said. "I read that as a kid once and I'm actually quite scared that the entire justice system would actually turn around on me not based on evidence, but based on biased judgment."
"Wow, Gar." Rachel said, this time in a genuine tone of surprise. "I never thought you actually read books."
"I've read books all my life, Rae." Garfield said. "Before all of this, I was an introverted bookworm from Gotham Academy who got bullied because peoples think that I got STD or something. Now I'm a superhero who can turn to animals, having all animal senses which for the record includes spider webs and goldfish's UV eyes, and I can lift any object fifty times heavier than me."
Oh, so this was the green giant werewolf that she encountered last time. From once a green man, now is a blonde guy with a normal Caucasian skin. What a significant difference.
Rachel smiled. "Yeah, keep bragging about yourself, Gar. That's going to make you look credible. Besides, we're in a forum. It would be appreciated if you're not disclosing your vital information to total strangers. We're need to be a lot less transparent."
"Oh um... I'm sorry. My bad." Garfield giggled. "So um... have you seen Damian?"
"Is that him with Kory?"
Rachel pointed out to the door entrance where Damian and this Kory chick came out. She was honestly going to punch whoever this chick is if she turned out to be a (subjectively) horrid looking person. The moment Kory got into her glance, she dropped whatever kind of pretext she had about bullying her.
She's not only a red-head - the type of girl that guy seems to really dig on the past few years - but she's also ridiculously hot. Her long hair stretched just a bit lower off her shoulder. Her vibrant green eyes were glimmering vibrantly perhaps more so than the actual lights around the room. Her dress was a pink gown all the way from the top to bottom fitting to her part of her body, not as bulky of a bodybuilder like Stephanie has shown to be but fit enough for a superhero role. Her skin was significantly darker than Damian, a bit Native American to her observation. Even then, her looks widened her eyes.
Damian had an amazing taste for women, and she's so jealous that she couldn't fit with his criteria.
"Here we are, love." Damian said. "Everyone is having a good time so far."
"This is glorious! Simply magnificent!" Kory said with her voice, about as innocent as a kindergarten girl. She was clapping her hands too like a fangirl near a boyband concert. "I cannot wait for this party to begin! We should definitely begin the celebration!"
Cissie and Wally walked in closer to him. As Damian noticed her coming in closer, Damian retracted his intentions to begin the show as soon as possible and instead focus more on the newest member.
"I think you should meet up with the newest member in the forum." Damian said. "Kory, this is Cissie Jones."
"By the Tamarans, you look wonderful!" Kory said... whatever that means. "And you are well-acquainted with Wally, yes?"
"Yes, but not as well as you think." Cissie said. "We're just friends."
"That's a shame." Kory said. "I do not intend to force you and Wally to be acquainted more than what you are. I just wished that you can meet that special kind of person."
"It's a bit too soon to ask for someone who just met each, don't you think?" Cissie said.
"Forgive me. I am not accustomed to introductions." Kory said. "I am not very familiar on greeting new individuals. It took me a lot of time to acclimatize with it."
"Yeah... sure." Cissie said, again confused of whatever that phrase means. "Anyway, maybe you should begin the party."
"Right." Damian said. "Now perhaps you would have the honor to lead us to the podium, love?"
"I will!" Kory said. "Right this way!"
##
"So uh... welcome everyone in another celebration party." Damian said. "Like I said, I'm really hoping that this party would be just as good if not better than the last. This party is being held in celebration to our newest recruits in the forums. First is Wally West, a speedster from another universe. Then there's his um..."
"Nephew." Wally shouted.
"Nephew, Bart Allen." Damian said. "He's also a speedster from another universe and I'm really hoping that with the addition of the two speedsters, we're going to create a more flexible team in the future. We already have lots of members and lots of honorary ones, some who will be coming a bit late this evening, so I'm hoping that this group that we have is going to make a better future for Earth and mankind."
That got a standing ovation from the entire group. Cissie followed in as well.
"Now before I start, let's be a bit serious on the news here." Damian said. "Since Luthor took steps on the presidency, he will use his power to basically cause more damage to the Titans' reputation. Last week, I have sent Rachel to represent us with a podcast to give her views to the voiceless and I think she did a spectacular job at it. Well done, Rachel. Give some applause."
And a spectacular job that was. Cissie clapped in for Rachel, who could only giggle and have a bit of blush on her.
"Like what she said, our reputation, which are painted with false accusations, will not condone us from doing what we do best." Damian said. "And that is helping those who need us the most. Whatever kind of move President Luthor is going to make, we simply won't give up at that point. We're going to rise up, cock our weapons, and be ready for another battle. To quote Victor: That's how we roll, bitch."
Another standing ovation, with the addition of some giggles and laughter.
"For Wally's information, our formidable foe Inertia is where he belongs." Damian said. "He's now being detained and under the watch of several guards. Thanks to the serum once made by Doctor Palmer, he's not going to be running a lot through at least the next few years. The last assignment, despite some issues, was quite the success, and it's what drove Cissie Jones to join us in the forums. Let's not forget Garfield who is brave enough to take down his own mentor, Mia and Rachel for some assistances, and Bart who took down the big bad wolf himself. Give them applause."
Another round of applause, this time directed towards her and the rest of the team involved on the mall, which couldn't make her blush more.
"Now, does anyone want to give some announcements before we get our late night barbeques?" Damian asked.
Of course, Stephanie raised her hand, with her other hand grabbing very tight on her lovely fiancé.
"Stephanie?" Damian said.
"I'm going to need to announce one good news and one bad news." Stephanie said. "The bad news is that... Tim and I are planning for a retirement around probably after the next big mission happens or probably next year."
Lots of peoples expressed their disappointment either through groaning or a bit of a whine.
"I know, I know. That's really disappointing." Stephanie said. "But it's for something good, at least for me and Tim. We all had to take a break from saving the world. We need to hand it over to the youngsters. So the good news is that Tim just proposed to me and we're going to be married!"
And a whole lot more expressed their surprise. Bulging eyes with unrealistic proportions, jaws hanging from the top of their lungs, and cheers of joy and claps from everyone after all of that. Soon enough, every single member of the forums congratulate the fellow member about her revelation. They were all just like normal everyday peoples. That's what Cissie would've done if she had been married.
Now if only things can be as good as this in the future.