A/N: In case you didn't know some characters have been genderbendered.
Drum Roll:
Something for Later
-+-
The mountains rose like teeth trying to bite through the soft underbelly of passing clouds. Powdered peaks like sugared icing turned dark purple and hazy orange as they reflected the sun sinking into the vast ocean. The curtain of dying light covered and retreated from the city that lay nestled between the bases of the mountain range. As if trying to cover up a bad mistake the surrounding basin looked as if it were trying to swallow the town and disappear in an upheaval of earth and water. When night came, it came fast.
Once upon a time electrical lights would have illuminated the sprawling mass of carefully laid concrete. Lights upon lights upon lights upon lights upon lights with some glowsticks thrown in for good measure. Dim lights, bright lights, small lights, patterned lights, flashing lights, white, yellow, red, blue, green, purple as if trying to become the very model of the light spectrum. The city was made even brighter by the reflection of glass that seemed to compose all of its skyscrapers. There were buildings that rose from the ground to kiss the sky, of designs that rivalled Renaissance Europe, of such technological and architectural intricacy to prove mind-boggling. There were neighbourhoods, schools, hospitals, factories, workshops, a theme park, harbours, an airport, highways, bridges, a dam, a reservoir and farms. If anything it could have been self-sustaining had it not been the cause of the shit hitting the fan.
People once lived carefree in the city. They were blissful because they were ignorant. They worked hard (others play hard), building up an incredible industrial infrastructure to make it one of the most important economies in the country, rivalling other traditional big time cities like Metropolis and Gotham. The citizens were for the most part friendly, always smiling and thankful to be in such bright town. Even those who were of little means and possessions were proud of a welfare system that actually worked and they gave as much back to the city as they could.
During the day, people shopped, played and danced. They went to the malls that were always filled with other shoppers and bargain hunters and it was a common thing to bump into someone you either knew personally or through a friend of a friend of a friend. They ate at five-star restaurants and fast-food joints, from atop rotating towers to back alley cafés. The sidewalks that laced the city were never devoid of pedestrians and always empty of litter. The green parks often had a group of people having friendly sporting events and if the wind was just right one could look up anywhere into the sky and see a flying kite. There was always laughter because even at night the city teemed with life. They dined, they partied and they loved.
Indeed Jump City was a nice place to live.
But once upon a time is once upon a time.
Like a delicate popsicle stick model that was shaken too hard the city had become nothing but desolation, jagged silhouettes and lost effort. Though the Jump City Nuclear Power Facility was a small one in comparison to others, a meltdown would have been enough to atomize five hundred square miles. By some small favour of fate, the power plant's automatic contingency program activated to prevent a meltdown. There are some who believe that that was no saving grace but an act of punishment. Maybe it would have been better if everything had been eradicated. Maybe life would have been a great hit if there was not a sequel.
All that the city once was became opposite of everything it held dear. It was not just neighbour fighting neighbour but also family selling family. Mercy is for those who do not wish to survive. For some, one comforting fact is that they were not alone but that the rest of the world accompanied Jump City on it reduction to shit. To recall the city during the days following the Breaking is to fall into madness. To describe the years after is to descend into debauchery.
Because only now have people begun to regain some semblance of sanity and the desire to forget past sins is strong. The city realized that no federal assistance, no God, no cavalry is going to pull their asses out of the fire. So the denizens fallen to depravity once again sought to become citizens of a not so psychotic sort. They worked together to grow food. They built shelters together. They mated because they would not let humanity fade out. Now the only light to emit in the city comes from rationed power generators and any sputtering torches people cared to have lit. Far from the neon spectacle of past years but still, any light is bright in the darkness. So people began to smile a little bit more. What was once a nice place to live was a hellhole to dig out of.
But just because the past is behind them does not mean that it cannot catch up. As Jump City ever so slowly assembled a bit of order day by day it could never shake itself free of its ghosts.
-
-----+----
-
The Jump City docks, for the most part remained intact. As in it did not sink beneath the waves and instead only suffered neglect and broken walls. Still the lack of trade coming into the city left the warehouse dock area barren as supplies were intensely scavenged for during the first few months after the Breaking. Only the waterfront area is used daily now by fishermen and other related trades. Few, if any, people came to these buildings now as they had been plucked clean, all though the occasional visitor is not unheard of.
A sudden gust of wind fluttered the hair of the lone figure perched upon one largely undamaged building by the bay upon its roof's ledge. She was not worried about being noticed nor did it matter if she was. The building is old and had been abandoned long before anybody was left to abandon it anyways. Letting the wind whip the black locks about her face she gazed silently upon the bay and its kaleidoscope of black, purple and orange shades. She is crouched and perfectly still and if it were not for the colour of her blue and black uniform would have been easily taken as one of the thousands of statues still intact around the city.
A soft mewling broke the tranquillity of the scene. Only if one were closely observing the figure would notice the ever so slight twitch of her left ear as acknowledgement of the sound. She moved her head only ever so slightly downwards. Despite the pitch blackness of the alley below her she furrowed her eyebrows ever so slightly on one location, as if she could see in the dark. Some say that she can. The alley floor was cracked and at one end of the alleyway was a wider split in the ground where a light smoke seemed to drift up from.
On one side lying against the opposite wall was the rusted frame of what used to be an Oldfolksvagan Beetle. Its new occupation as a not so mobile home became apparent by the slight movement from inside. A tabby can be seen lazing on its side as a full litter of fuzzy kittens scrambled, swatted, gently pushed and softly crooned for a hit on their mother's teat.
An entire litter of cats surviving in the city was a rare occurrence indeed, perhaps marking a good omen of some kind.
Or maybe it is just a full family of cats to feed a full family of people.
The bird shaped mask upon her face hid the colour of her eyes but could not deny the beauty of her face. Yet the first people notice is not her graceful feature but the always present raw determination especially prevalently set in her mouth. As she had for the past few weeks her focus remained upon the setting sun dip into the waves. At first glance it would seem as if she were there to enjoy the view (because honestly who does not enjoy sunsets?) but to those who know her understand that she was not there to really take in the wonder of mother nature's light show.
She was waiting for the damn thing to stop shining the sky.
When the last of the sun's rays streaked beyond the horizon Nightwing tilted her head upwards towards the stars.
No other movement, no sound, no sigh, no uplifting the corners of her mouth. Other than her short wind-whipped hair her presence remained motionless.
Thump. Thump.
Stillness.
Thump. Thump.
Stillness.
The heart beat a little louder.
-
----+----
-
The monuments and tourist attractions that made up the face of Jump City were all reduced to ruin. They seemed fit to be seen as if they were rediscovered archaeological structures instead of surviving end of the world events. Except one. At least barely. On a small protrusion on the northern part of the bay rose an odd T-shaped tower. Before in all its shiny splendour it would have made quite an impression both for its formation and its purpose. Now the glamour is dimmed by the construction evident at the towers cross section.
Someone once made the comment that the large section that caved in looked to have a butt imprint. A rather large ass.
Frankly there has been general agreement that Trigon was indeed a really big asshole.
The Tower for the most part remained intact and so they chose to strengthen that symbolism. It took time and precious resources but bit by bit, Titans Tower recovered to achieve all its former glory. A memorial for ideals past. A bastion against crime. A Gibraltar to lawlessness.
"All right, who's the summbitch that left the toilet seat up?"
And a home to heroes.
-
----+----
-
Garden Logan was not a happy green elf. No sir, not at all. A great wrong has been done to her. Once again the sanctified and sacred room that holds a porcelain throne had been defiled. The toilet seat was not in its standard position of readily accepting any incoming posterior. Normally this would not have irritated her had it not been her favourite bathroom. The one with the yellow-blue tiles.
"There's gonna be a reckoning," muttered the irate female.
She stalked her way through the dimly lit halls in search of the one most likely responsible. While the corridors of the tower would certainly be classified as slightly gloomy due to the weakness of the lights, compared to four years ago they are a significant improvement. Beastgirl certainly decided she was not going to be the first one to complain about a little light when there could have been no lights. Seems there are benefits to having a generator that runs infinitely on Cyborg's spare batteries.
'course it'd be nice if Fixit could finally get to work on my PlayCube Box.
If there's one thing that cemented Beastgirl's belief in miracles it is the complete survival of the Titans common room, more specifically the jumboscreen television. Too bad the same could not be said of cable.
When Beastgirl stalked into the room here eyes took on a predatory look, literally turning into a green eagle for a moment, as she zoned in on the lone figure sitting on the couch. The girl with shoulder-length red hair remained totally oblivious to Beastgirl's presence, as she seemed totally immersed in a book.
"Ahem," humphed Beastgirl.
No reaction from the other girl. A page flips.
"Ah-hem."
"...," Another page flips.
"Her-umph."
"...,"
"AH- HEMH!"
"...," Flip.
Beastgirl hung her head down in dejection and made to turn away.
"...,"
Flip.
"RROOAOAOAORRR, DUDE!" bellowed a lion that pounced atop the coffee table in front of the redhead.
A split second before the startled girl was going to scream Beastgirl thought Oops.
"YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-AAAAHHHHHHH!"
Normally a regular cry of fright would hardly have any sort of effect on Beastgirl in the form of a lion. Unfortunately Siryn's voice is best known for other things besides winning a karaoke contest.
SHHHHWWWWW-PLAP!
In a tribute to comedy it seems Beastgirl was blasted clear across the room to plaster herself face first into the opposite wall. Complete with a slight body flattening end product.
"Oh geez, Garden! Geez, geez, geez, geez, are yeh OK?" Siryn's face a picture of concern as she ran up to the green elf that was slowly peeling backwards from the wall.
Siryn helped Beastgirl up and led her towards one of the couches that was not turned over by concussive scream. Laying Beastgirl down across the couch, Siryn quickly went to the kitchen, wetted a towel and placed it atop the green girl's forehead where imaginary blue birds where circling it.
"Uuuhh... don't thank me citizens... that Tazmanian Devil didn't stand a chance!"
"Huh?" a puzzled look gracing Siryn's features.
"Ah boogle lahe sshplutz!"
Sighing, Siryn was nonetheless relieved to see clarity replacing Beastgirl's dazed eyes. Sitting herself back down on the couch Siryn picked up the book that she dropped, voicing her displeasure at Beastgirl's antics, "Geez, what were yeh thinkin' yeh crazy green airhead. I could've popped yuir ears out like a spite bubble. What're yeh doin' scaring me like that?"
Shaking her head clear Beastgirl remained reclined while sounding indignant, "What'd you mean I'm the crazy airhead? Dude, you're the one lost in some whacked out la-la land trying to smoosh innocent little green girls into avocado juice just for trying to grab your attention. I mean what just happened was just totally unprovoked. Seriously un-cool."
Siryn rolled her blue eyes, "OK, first off if yeh want to count yuirself as an 'innocent' green gal, yeh might want to try dressin' the part."
Frowning, Beastgirl spread her arms wide while looking down at herself, "What the heck is that supposed to mean?"
Cocking her eyebrow Siryn appraised her friend's current attire. The changeling's uniform was a tight black and purple two piece outfit. The sleeveless top piece covered her entire chest area, revealing her smooth shoulders and arms, ending just below her ribs where it pointed out into thin black strip to connect with the low riding fang patterned spandex looking shorts, leaving her hips and stomach area bare in all their green glory, leaving a teasing hint of her pelvic region. The pants stopped above mid thigh and on her feet were black and purple skater shoes. No shoe laces though, just velcro.
"Aw, c'mon, you know this is the only stuff I can wear that'll morph with me."
"And the fact that it doesnae cover yuir entire body?" Siryn said trailing off suggestively.
Beastgirl put her right hand in front of her, as if examining her fingernails poking through fingerless black and purple gloves, responded, "There wasn't enough material."
"Uh-huh," though the redhead did not sound convinced at all.
"Really, there wasn't."
"Of course. What about the spiked choker?"
"What, am I not allowed some jewellery?"
"Oh, that's fine after all I'm partial to them meself. Then what about those two pony tails atop yuir head that yeh did yuir hair in? Nothing says 'innocent' more ironically than..."
"All right, all right!" Beastgirl interrupted, "I get the point, just do NOT diss the hair, Terry, cuz that's just trudging on dangerous territory. C'mon, y'know I'm so short that I gotta flash at least a little skin to grab a guy's attention. They are such pigs but what's a girl supposed to do?"
Theresa Cassidy snorted, "Garden, I'm only an inch taller than yeh and I've heard enough perverted comments out on the streets about 'wut me fine arse could do fer others,' and I go outside revealin' only the skin o' me face!" indicating her own outfit consisting of a dark green leather long-sleeved top and pants that flared out at the bottom. Over top she wore a bottle green bomber jacket and had on black high heeled boots.
"Yea, but you're an inch taller."
Before Siryn could retort, Beastgirl continued, "Anyways that's not the point, cuz the point is that you plastered me against the wall like a booger when you're the one who won't answer for your crimes!"
"What're yeh talkin' about?" Siryn said confused.
"Oh ho, don't you try to deny that you've committed sacrilege."
"Once again, what the hell are yeh jabberin' about?"
"The bathroom on the 8th floor with the yellow-blue tiles! That wonderful place that is both woman's sanctuary and room of relief! My comfort zone! My holy relic has been dishonoured! The toilet seat has been left up!" Beastgirl stated triumphantly as if expecting Siryn to break down and confess her crimes.
"...,"
"Well?"
"Grr..." Siryn grumbled softly in exasperation at her friends bewildering obliviousness.
"What? It's OK, take your time admitting your guilt."
In a patient, though slightly strained voice Siryn answered, "Garden, sweetie, I'm a lady just like yeh."
"Uh-huh, so?" Beastgirl said, still not getting it.
"I've been a lady since birth."
"Meaning...?"
"Meaning that I, too, would only do anything of a lady's private nature if the toilet seat is left down."
"...,"
"...,"
"Oh... yeah," a faint purple blush appearing on a thoroughly embarrassed cheeks, "Heheh, my bad," Beastgirl said, one hand behind her head, her other in the peace sign and a big bashful grin on her face.
Siryn merely shook her head, "Yeh crazy green airhead."
"Yes, she is," a voice manifested itself near the entrance to the common room, both young women turning towards the newcomer, "And also annoying."
Grinning cheekily, Beastgirl spoke to the person emerging into the light of the room, "Ooh, c'mon Raven, I know you're just teasing. You love being around me."
The pale sorcerer cocked one eyebrow up, "Of course, just as much as I enjoy the constant buzzing of mosquitoes in my ear. Both of them. All day. All night."
"Aw, ya big meanie!" Beastgirl pouted, her pointy ears drooping down comically while Siryn chuckled in the background.
"Heheh, that was probably the gurl turnin' into one from before. Speakin' from experience now, are we, Raven?"
He gave a slight smirk in Siryn's direction while Beastgirl stuck her tongue out at her friend's comment.
Choosing to ignore Beastgirl's facial antics, Siryn looked at Raven said, "Yeh all right there, fella? Yeh kinda look like shite."
Instantly switching from playful to concerned Beastgirl, who's ears instantly perked up, peered more closely at the dark young man, particularly the evident bags under his eyes. Even his skin, while normally a pale grey was now near downright shady pale, "She's right Raven, are you having trouble sleeping again?"
Raven replied to the girl's worried question in a reflexive tone, "Don't worry, it's nothing I cannot handle."
In truth, he had been having trouble sleeping for the past week, the disturbing dreams having reappeared. He could never recall what they were about or conjure up any images but they always left him with a feeling of finality and apprehension. They never left on a good note. In fact, he is glad that he cannot remember what they were about because deep down he knew that would be a mistake to his sanity. Even though the lack of sleep was tiring him, he knew that soon enough the dreams would stop occurring and he would be free from them for another month or so, just as it has happened every single time for the past two years.
"Are you sure?" Beastgirl insisted.
"Yes, I told you so stop worrying," came the touchy reply.
Raven sighed inwardly when Beastgirl's ears drooped slightly. Logically he could not fault her for her concern. It was amazing that he pulled through after the Breaking despite his emotional state and he has only begun truly recovering over a year ago. Those first few months were hell for his teammates to see what he was going through and he swore never to put them through that again.
When Beastgirl tentatively reached up to touch his arm, he gently grasped her hand with his own.
Never again.
Raven spoke quietly and firmly while still holding Beastgirl's hand, "Trust me, it's nothing like before. It'll be OK."
Though she still felt a bit of a reservation, Beastgirl nodded slightly, accepting his response for the time being. Raven, seeing the determination in the elf's eyes, said, "You're still going to tell Nightwing, aren't you?"
"Duh, of course, dude."
Raven gave a small nod, knowing that the Titans leader would have eventually noticed his slightly fatigued appearance sooner or later. Beastgirl gave a small smile at Siryn who also looked as if the matter was far from being finalized.
Suddenly turning about to face Raven who had let go of her hand, Beastgirl narrowed her bright green eyes in thought.
"Yes?" Raven asked, looking back with his own passive violet gaze.
"You... you male!" accused Beastgirl while Siryn covered her mouth to smother her own laughter.
Raven's face remained neutral when he replied, "Yes, thank you for clearing that up for me."
"You pee standing up! Blasphemer!"
