"What?" Dick asked, tensing as Marie dropped to the garage floor.
"It's beautiful!" She gasped, stroking the glossy red paint job with her fingers.
The car was truly a masterpiece. A cherry red 1968 Chevy Camaro with twin white stripes stretching from the hood over the top and dropping down the trunk. The sharp lines and beautiful curves froze Marie. The piece was truly incredible, the car sat heavy and ready to ride on a set of black Radial tires with chrome wheels. Chrome accents wrapping around the single round headlights and stretching across the bottom of the car were clean and polished. The fluorescent lights in the garage shone harshly on the car, highlighting every flaw the car would have had, but it didn't. Marie stroked the car fondly, seeing the body was straight and the gentle shape of the windows, unlike any modern car. It was a two door and from what she could tell a no post car, meaning if the windows had been rolled down, no solid pole would break the open space between the windows. Marie smiled at the thin bumpers on the trunk, seeing how beautiful they were and relieved at the simple wing bolted to the back. It rose the necessary few inches and no more, plain and elegant. The square headlights in between the bumper and wing were shaped by the chrome as well and as she traveled the other side, she acknowledged the car's second side view mirror, a rarity in older cars. She leaned down by the front fender, her fingers pressing delicately but firmly on the cursive writing of the model.
"Oh! Ya, you know cars?" Dick asked, again surprised by the heroine.
She was always so guarded and sarcastic, a jokester while in uniform and on the field. He had seen her in a wonderful dress and witnessed a softer and more vulnerable side. Now he was seeing a wild and excited side, her eyes lit up at the classic car, surprised and drawn to it. He had seen Moontail away from her superhero persona for less than a half hour and already discovered more about her.
"Know cars?" Marie laughed, "I love cars! It was one of the things my family and I did and didn't fight about! I'm assuming a 427? V8?"
"Wow," Dick was taken aback, "That's right on."
"Ya, it's a 68, an SS and I'm assuming a full restoration with no modern accents?"
"Damn," Dick breathed, she fingered underneath the lip of the wheel and took a look.
"You haven't driven this thing in years have you?"
"5 to be exact," Bruce interrupted the young girl, "Now if you'd like, Alfred can take you to the Gala in the limo. I'll be picking up my own date in the Lamborghini."
Dick saw Bruce's eyes narrow and guessed whoever he had found as a date, he didn't want to see. Still watching Marie's eyes sparkle at the shock of seeing the classic, Dick waved Alfred away.
"I think I've got a better idea."
Fifteen minutes, Marie was laughing joyously as the two threaded their way through the darkening evening in the Camaro. It was just like her car had been, white vinyl interior, a stick shift and separated round gauges. The wheel was a black circle with three points shooting from the middle in a T shape and Dick's grin grew wider as he shifted. The thunderous roar of the engine and rich smell of gasoline reminded Marie of home. She sighed, resting her arm on the window, traveling through the city. She was explaining to Dick that she used to have one and why she didn't anymore.
"Like I said, mine was a replicate, a tribute. Not a real SS. When you can teleport though, even the most amazing cars lose their use. I was low on money and had to decide an apartment over a car. I choose a roof, one that stayed in one place."
"Ya, but why sell it? I know you said your parents didn't give you a lot, but they did let you live at home."
"Not for long, after they found out I ditched college and used the money for karate, they kicked me out. I stayed with my friend for a while, but decided to be on my own."
"So you sold your car," Dick assumed.
"I did," Marie sighed, "And not a day goes by where I don't miss it."
She was exhilarated, Dick had been more amazing and generous then she had ever dreamed of. He had seen her almost break from her story about prom and light up at the almost exact replica of her car. She knew that the playboy act he held in Gotham was just an act, but she never dreamed he was as real as her. She discovered that he had built the Chevy himself, affectionately calling her Rhonda. She had snickered, like most men; they had grown to love a simple machine and named them, as ladies of course. He must have sensed how she missed her own car and extension her own realm and offered to drive them to the Gala in the classic. She hadn't hesitated, even joking with him about knowing manual.
Arriving at the gala in a limo is expected; arriving at a gala in a Lamborghini is expected, arriving in a thundering 1968 Camaro is… unexpected. Dick parked the car in front and ignored the stares of paparazzi and the numerous young bachelorettes. He had been worried that Marie didn't know how to behave around the flashing cameras and shouts of reporters, but she held her head up regal like and matched his pace, striding with purpose and a haughty attitude. The perfect imitation of the stuck up snobs of Gotham.
Dick was growing more impressed by the minute.
Inside they met with more socialites of Gotham and admired the art respectfully. He introduced his date to multiple businessmen and women, also stopping for photos for the news. Dick led Marie away however and into a larger room where an orchestra played and tables lined the wall draped in white cloth. Admiring her beauty, Dick decided to make the best of the night and give her a proper dance, even though he had two left feet.
Knock out a criminal and dodge bullets, he had no problem, waltzing across marble in his polished shoes and he was clumsy as hell.
Biting her lip in a smile, Marie agreed, sliding in effortlessly between dancing couples.
"This is beautiful," She sighed, staring up at the chandelier above them.
"It's whatever," Dick rolled his eyes; he had seen the ballroom a thousand times.
"Oh no Dick, I think it's amazing! The lights, the music, the room!" Marie sighed, content, "I've never been somewhere so incredible."
Dick allowed Marie to lay her head on his shoulder as they swayed back and forth. She had to cover her mouth earlier, discovering his lack in keeping to the beat. Once again, Dick marveled at how much he was learning about Moontail. Turns out she used to be a dancer. It had allowed her to freedom and control no other activity did. She could soar across the room or remain in the corner. She could perform tricks or perform intricate movements.
Marie was amazed at the warmth Dick had holding her hands and the strong assurance in defending her from the beautiful but pathetic women that challenged her story. She had always been intrigued by Dick Grayson in comic books. He was so different and unique from the Bat Family to the entire legion of heroes that protected Earth. He was kinder and more caring then she had ever seen. She had become accustomed to his sharp orders and brisk methods on the field. She was familiar with his laughter and casual demeanor out on the town. This however, the tenderness and soft nature of Dick Grayson had never been known to her. Marie sighed, she was incredibly happy with the way the night was turning out.
Hours had gone into the night and they had mostly avoided questioning people, preferring to stay to themselves. Eventually the conversation turned to her heritage and Dick found that she in fact knew Portuguese. Disbelieving he asked her to prove it and she did with a smile.
"Você permanecerá sempre em meu uracao. Você é incrível."
"What does that mean?" Dick asked, she looked up with tender warmth in her golden eyes.
"You will always remain in my heart. You are incredible."
So? Hope it was good or no? The car described is in fact a real car that my family in fact owns! It holds a special place in my heart and I promised myself to write in the Camaro somehow! I figured the bond between the two would grow if Dick had a Camaro and what if it was the same as Moontail's? It's more than a simple car as well; it's a testament to what used to be for Moontail, happiness and no powers, for Dick, a life at the manor beyond the Robin suit! It just shows you that though they come from different realms and are superheroes they are still people underneath!
