Guest: No. Hippolyta and the Amazons are in some other dimension. I'm sticking with the Rebirth WW storyline that went on for many issues. None of the Trial of Amazons garbage.
Guest: What story do you mean? My other active stories? Or are you suggesting one to me?
Guest: There are other medias that can be used besides the DCAU. But it is the most common wonderbat source material.
Guest: She certainly will be like her father, but she is definitely her mother's daughter. I don't want to spoil anything as we are just two chapters away from some questions being answered. Hippolyta and the Amazons are lost to Diana due them being in another dimension, which was a plot story for much of WW during rebirth. This will be mentioned in future chapters. As far as Diana is aware she, Elissa, and Donna are the only Amazons left in the world. Please be patient a little bit longer.
Making the Best of It
Chapter 39
Hall of Justice
Elissa was filled with exhilarating anticipation as she stood next to her mother, clad in her Wonder Woman garb. Diana had decided to take Elissa to the Hall to introduce her to her coworkers, believing she was old enough to handle the flood of revelations regarding the identities of her parents' friends.
They traveled clear of the civilian tourists and employees as the Hall was much bigger and much more secretive than believed. What was a common glass window was actually a one-way window where the heroes could get a reprieve from the civilians. Elissa had even waved out the window when a child peered into the window seeing nothing.
Diana chuckled at her daughter's amusement. She was glad to see her have such a good time. She watched as Elissa bombarded Red Tornado with a ton of questions on his cape and his powers. She lifted Hawkgirl's mace with ease, staring at it as if it was some type of marvel. Green Lantern made a few constructs of zoo animals that Elissa found herself atop on. She cried out in excitement at what she was resting on.
She tried to give Flash a high-five. At first, she was hesitant. But with some encouragement from her mother, she tried to high-five him only for her to miss him, having found him superspeed his hand away. She tried again only to fail once more due to Flash's teasing. She pouted; her eyes narrowed. She steeled herself and concentrated. She watched Flash's arm and hand carefully. As she threw her hand at him, she witnessed in slow-motion Flash starting to move his hand, she moved faster. She grazed his red gloved hand, surprising not only the Scarlet Speedster but her mother as well.
The two adults shared a taken aback look and then to Elissa, who was staring at her hand intensely, deep in thought.
The adults had realized Elissa was starting to get faster now as well.
And then, she met Superman.
Instantly, Elissa was tongue-tied. Her mother was Wonder Woman. And she had started to meet other heroes, but this was Superman. The man who created the standard for superheroes.
She was in awe and intimidated.
"Hello, Elissa." Superman greeted her warmly with a comforting smile.
"Hello," she uttered guardedly.
"My name's Clark," he introduced himself. "Do you remember me? My wife and I were at the barbeque at your house last summer," he explained.
Elissa's brow furrowed. Her mind working to recall seeing him at the barbeque. She had trouble recalling because she spent most of her time in the pool with her Aunt Donna and her brothers Dick and Tim. And then she laid down in the living room because of a stomachache due to too many of Grandpa Alfred's brownies.
Eventually, she shook her head and grunted a resounding 'no.'
Diana placed her comforting hand on her daughter's shoulder. "You know Clark. He is Jon's father. The boy that was playing with your brother at the barbeque," she reminded her.
The little girl peered up to her mother. "I don't remember," she expressed regretfully.
"It's okay," Superman interjected with a reassuring smile. He held his hand out for a high-five. But a skeptical Elissa stood still.
"Flash already tricked me," she explained.
"But I just wanted to high-five you. I won't pull any tricks on you," he promised.
Elissa stared at him with suspicion, however, she still wanted to high-five Superman. She raised her hand and slapped his hand with a resounding clap that echoed in the trio's ears.
The dark-haired girl beamed at the accomplishment, her hand slightly stinging, but she had hit him with all she had even though her mother and father told her she needed to restrain her strength around people to prevent harming them.
She laughed as a rush of excitement ran through her at high-fiving Superman.
"Nice," the red and blue clad man complimented.
Diana patted her daughter's back. "Go to Ferdinand and ask him for something to eat," she told her.
A hungry Elissa nodded her head. Yet, before she left, she waved goodbye to Superman. "Bye!" She said before she ran off while the two adults watched her go.
They were quiet for a moment, eyes still locked on the little girl approaching the mythical creature/chef of the Justice League. "How's your hand?" Diana inquired, her arms crossed along her chest, a hand holding her elbow.
"Stings a bit," the kryptonian admitted with a mild wince. He rubbed his hand a bit. "You were right to ask for a second opinion," he conceded. "She's strong for her age," he noted.
"I appreciate you checking into it for me," the Amazon expressed graciously. "I needed an unbiased assessment of Elissa's abilities."
"They're getting stronger," Superman surmised. "Obvious given that she's getting older. Same with me as well as with Jon," he reasoned.
"Yes," a sullen Diana uttered.
"How's Bruce handling it?"
The raven-haired woman took a breath, "He's helping where he can," she answered. "But he really has no idea what it's like with powers at her age like we do," she said knowingly.
She saw the man nod in agreement.
"Her powers are ruining her childhood," the woman stated bitterly. Part of her blamed herself for passing on such abilities to her child. But her daughter still persevered, and it was inspiring to see such a thing in someone so young.
She flinched upon feeling Clark's comforting hand on her bare shoulder. He was sympathetic to her family's situation. He and Lois shared the same concerns about Jon when he was growing up.
"She's a good kid, Diana. You and Bruce are doing everything right. It's just going to take some time before it gets better," he reassured her.
She placed her hand on his, smiling gratefully at him.
"Thanks, Clark."
"Anytime."
Later, after Elissa had finished her lunch. Mera and Arthur had arrived with their toddler daughter Andy.
The family wanted to introduce their daughter to Elissa. Andy instantly reached out to Elissa with a smile.
A frightened Elissa quickly hid behind her mother's leg, surprising her.
Her mother placed a hand on the back of her head trying to soothe her.
She knew what this was about.
A few weeks ago, a classmate of Elissa's was injured in gym class. An incident that involved Elissa as she had lost her footing and crashed into her classmate causing her classmate to fall and hurt their shoulder. Elissa was alright physically, but the sight of hurting someone even by accident left her haunted. She cried, apologizing profusely. She was near inconsolable when she came home from school.
It was a few days later when her classmate returned to school their arm in a brace. Elissa had been dejected for days and the visit to the Hall was a way to cheer her up.
Bruce didn't yell at her, neither did her mother. They comforted her until the tears ran out. She had been so careful with her powers lately to the point where they were proud of her. And resolved to increase her training and control.
Since then, Elissa refused to have any contact with other children. She was fine with adults especially superheroes from the Justice League but… that memory of her injured classmate haunted her mind's eye. It wouldn't go away. No matter how hard Elissa tried to forget about it.
She looked up at her mother with blue pleading eyes. "I want to go home," she whimpered, clutching her mother's leg like her life depended on it.
The Amazon's heart wrenched at how small and defeated her daughter had become in an instant. Before she was cheerful and bold and now… not so much.
She brushed her daughter's hair with her hand. "Okay," she whispered. She flashed the couple an apologetic look and picked her own daughter up. Little arms locked around her neck and a face buried itself into her chest obscuring it from sight.
The woman swore she felt tears touch her skin before sliding down her breastplate.
The little girl felt humiliated. She was supposed to be a big girl. And here she was being picked up by her mother and carried home like she was still a baby. This was supposed to be a fun day and she had to go and ruin it because she got scared. She figured her mother would be telling her how disappointed she was with her causing such a scene at her workplace.
She would apologize when she they got home. She didn't think she would be able to find her voice with the large lump in her throat.
As soon as they got home, Elissa tore herself away from her mother and ran straight to her room, ignoring her mother's worried calls.
She didn't care. She didn't want to talk about it. She just wanted to hide herself in her room for the rest of the day. And was surprised that her mother and grandpa had done just that. Shame drowned her, like she had wet the bed again. Hot tears ran down her cheeks as she buried her face into her pillow.
She hated her powers. And she never hated anything. Just disliked things—like spinach.
Her heart raced when she heard the knock on her bedroom door and the sound of her father's voice. "Elissa?"
She just knew her mother told him what happened. Her shame returned like running water drowning her out.
She didn't hear his footsteps as he approached her bed as she rested on her stomach, she never could.
Her stomach sank when she felt her bed shift as her father took a seat at the foot of the bed. Then the silence flowed, her father and her sitting in silence.
The dark-haired girl hoped that he would just leave. That she didn't want to talk or be consoled. She just… wanted to be left alone.
However, that all changed when dexterous fingers lightly tickled the purple sock clad soles of her feet. Instantly, Elissa reacted. Feet followed by legs twitching and squirming to get away. Her sweet laughter muffled by her pillow.
Eventually, she lost her stubborn battle and had to sit up, evading her father's tender assault. She sat on her legs, glaring at her father that would have made him proud.
"That was a dirty trick," she accused him, deeply unhappy with her father.
"It got you out of your pillow," he countered with a grin. "What's going on, pipsqueak?"
The question hurt her more than she already was.
Her voice cracking, she explained. "I got scared," a lump started to well up in her throat, eyes teary. "I don't want to hurt anyone," she said with sadness that dwarfed her age.
"I know you don't," Bruce uttered sympathetically.
"You're a good girl," he assured her. "What happened at school was an accident. And you're getting better," he reminded her of how much progress she made since the incident at school.
His daughter shot her hands at him, palms up to the ceiling. "I don't want these powers," she sorrowfully put. "Take them away!" She cried. Her face red from all the crying.
Taken aback, Bruce struggled to respond quickly. "Elissa… I can't do that," he replied sullenly. He would give her anything, do anything for her but this was the one thing that was impossible even for him. And he hated himself for it.
"I don't want them! I wanna be like you!" she yelled so emphatically that she stunned him. She wanted to be normal. The tears in her blue eyes and her pleading broke his heart.
The man's blue eyes softened in understanding and compassion. "Elissa… you are like me," he pulled her into a hug and held her tight. Slowly, she reciprocated, her little arms wrapped around his midsection. It was bad enough that her fluctuating powers were detrimental to her childhood, but now Elissa felt like a freak. That she wasn't like her father or grandfather. That was untrue. She was a sweet and caring young girl with her whole life ahead of her.
He rubbed her back comfortingly, uttering soft and encouraging words. "You are normal, Elissa. You're just a little different than everyone else. You have a good heart and are a nice person. This will get better," he promised her.
"When?!" she exasperated in frustration.
"I don't know," the man ashamedly responded. These were uncharted waters for everyone, and he thought hollow promises were more an insult than an asset, however, it didn't stop him from trying to help.
She started to break down in tears at her unfair fate. And all Bruce could do was hold her in this moment.
After a while and the tears dried up, she pulled away, her head bowed, her eyes on her knees.
"You hugged me," her father pointed out. Which caused her to look at him in shock. "And I'm not hurt," he flashed her a smile to cheer her up, unfortunately it did little.
It was hollow but this was the best he could do for her until her powers finally stabilized and maybe she would stop being so unhappy and worried about the people around her.
Wayne Enterprises
It was a bit rare for Bruce to talk Elissa to the office with him. But with Alfred feeling a bit under the weather and Diana occupied with the Wayne Foundation, the billionaire was the one to pick Elissa up from school and let her sit in his office while he had some work to do.
Stacy, his secretary, was kind enough to get her a few snacks from the vending machines in the lounge. Content with her snacks, Elissa quietly completed her homework, her legs kicking back and forth from her seated position across the room.
"I have to step out for a minute, Elissa." Her father suddenly said, standing up from behind his desk.
"Okay," she replied understandingly.
"I need to speak to Lucius. Stacy will be just outside if you need anything," he explained to her.
He watched her nod her head again, her eyes back to the worksheet before her.
A few minutes later he came back to his office, "Hold on, Lucius. I'm sure that report is—" he stopped mid-sentence as he found his daughter sitting behind his desk with a broad smile on her face.
"We have a lot of business to do! I want those papers by end of the day!" she pretended that she was the boss of the company.
She didn't realize that he was in the room and continued. She mimicked what she had heard her parents say whenever she was in their office.
"Shut it down or your gone!"
She froze when she realized her father was watching her, suddenly sheepish, she tucked her chin into her chest.
He chuckled, walking in he sat in one of the chairs in front of his desk.
"So, boss. How is the company doing?" He said coyly, playing along with her fantasy.
"The company is doing okay," she said meekly.
His features softened. "You seem like a formidable businesswoman, Miss Wayne. Are you interested in running the company someday, Elissa?" He inquired cautiously testing the waters to see if she wanted to be a part of Wayne Enterprises when she grew up.
"I don't know," she shrugged. She hadn't given it much thought. It seemed like a lot. She had seen her father working diligently at the company, she heard a tone she had never heard him use. She wasn't sure it was for her.
Maybe someday…
This was something that could wait. Of that, Bruce was certain.
Later at home, Diana had come home from work and was sitting in her office, whilst Elissa was sitting in a chair drawing in a notebook in her lap.
The room was silent aside from the occupational tapping of keys on a keyboard and the scribbling on paper.
However, suddenly, the calm silence ended by a surprising question.
"Mommy?"
"Yes?" Diana responded her eyes glued to her computer.
"Where do you babies come from?" she asked innocently.
Her mother froze, her nimble fingers crashing onto the keys creating multiple errors. She was not expecting this conversation. At least not for a few more years.
Naturally, she had no qualms discussing the responsibilities of being a woman to her daughter, but it seemed her daughter had some questions. Now all she had to do was remember what tales parents tell their innocent children to satisfy their curiosity until they were older. Something about a stork or cabbage patch?
"What—Why do you ask?" the woman replied nervously.
"I saw a lady with a baby at school when daddy picked me up," she told her, her hand erasing something on the paper.
Diana swallowed. "Why didn't you ask daddy this question when he picked you up?" She desperately tried to change the subject.
"I forgot," she said simply. Finally, she looked up from her artwork, staring at her mother innocently and expectantly.
Damn.
The Amazon carefully folded her hands, an uneasy expression on her face. She turned her head, avoiding her daughter's gaze before turning back.
"Well…" she trailed off stalling.
Until a thought came to her.
With a wicked grin, she leaned forward in her desk. "Why don't you ask daddy?"
"Okay!" Elissa chirped. Leaving her notepad in her chair before she ran out of the room.
As soon as the dark-haired girl left the room, Diana breathed a sigh of relief. Thank the gods! She certainly dodged a bullet there.
She needed a little more time before she had the talk with Elissa. But Bruce could take the brunt of their daughter's inquisitive mind.
Unfortunately, her relief was short-lived as her daughter came skipping back into her office.
"Daddy said to ask you," she grinned broadly stopping in front of her desk.
A wide-eyed Diana was frozen solid until she found herself in the hotseat once more.
Oh, you little…
She thought angrily.
Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring except the bats in the caverns beneath the manor.
Gentle snow rained down upon the manor, white powder blanketed the area, temperatures in the twenties.
While people were snug in their warm comfy beds, children awaited Christmas morning with childlike anticipation to see the presents Santa had brought them. One man was braving the cold elements of Gotham City.
Batman stalked the streets for even on Christmas crime never took a break.
Even so, the residents of Wayne Manor were silent and peaceful. Fast asleep patiently awaiting the morning light.
Within her bedroom, Diana rolled over in her sleep, barely awake. Fading back in the sweet embrace of slumber only for her eyes to snap open wide awake caused by someone poking her arm.
Through sleep addled eyes, the raven-haired woman slowly identified her daughter standing tentatively beside her bed.
"Elissa?" Diana uttered softly. Her brain sluggishly processing her daughter's presence. "What's wrong?"
"I can't sleep," the child whined, standing on her tiptoes before standing back on the heels of her feet.
"Why not?" her mother patiently inquired.
"I'm too excited!" Elissa answered enthusiastically. Childlike anticipation swelled inside her body as the long night seemed even longer than normal.
Diana narrowed her eyes in suspicion, wide awake now. "You didn't go downstairs to see if Santa came, did you?"
Elissa shook her head no with a resounding 'Nuh uh'.
Satisfied with her child's response, Diana lifted the bedsheet opening a spot for her. She chuckled lightly at the giddy expression on Elissa's face as she slipped in beside her.
The cold air hit them before the warm blanket encompassed them as they cuddled for further warmth. A rush of adrenalize ran through the child at the notion of sleeping with her mother. She always had the most restful sleep when she slept in her mother's bed.
"Comfy?" an amused Diana asked, seeing the expression on her daughter's face.
"Yep," the girl chirped, burying her face into the pillow.
Her mother laughed a bit at her daughter's reaction. Unaware of the mischievous idea that popped into her daughter's head.
Her mother's sleeping pants had ridden up her leg revealing her toned calf and shin, inching her bare feet closer until she struck.
"Oh!" her mother yelped in surprise at the sudden sensation of cold on her leg.
"Ice cubes!" the little girl giggled.
"Elissa Martha Wayne where are your socks?" the woman chastised lightly, a chuckle leaving her.
"I got hot," her child answered easily.
Sighing in resignation, the mother simply wrapped the blankets around her daughter tighter, which made her happier as she nestled into her for further warmth.
Automatically, Diana wrapped her arms around her. Their faces pressed against one another. Lovingly, the raven-haired woman kissed her daughter's cheek. "Bed," she commanded.
She watched as her little girl shut her eyes, a smile on her face. The mother lay there watching her sleep for a bit before she decided to join her. As soon as she shut her eyes, her child's voice was heard.
"Mommy?"
Opening her azure eyes, the mother replied patiently. "Yes?"
"How come you and daddy don't sleep in the same bed?" She inquired innocently and curious.
To say the woman was taken aback was an understatement. She never imagined her daughter inquiring about the sleeping arrangements between her and Bruce. She hesitated to answer uncertain on how to approach the subject of her relationship with her father. Sure, they were both in on pursuing a relationship, yet they never made it to occupying the same bedroom. Both preferred having their own room—their own space for themselves and occasionally sleeping in the same bed, cherishing the warmth and comfort provided by sleeping next to someone that you held so dearly.
But how do you address that to a child?
"Where did you learn this from?" she couldn't help but ask.
The dark-haired girl shrugged. "TV," she answered simply. "Grandpa was watching his… soaps?" She was a bit confused on the proper term for Alfred's shows. "And the mommy and the daddy were in the same bed reading books."
It was true Alfred did love his soap operas. Really gets lost in the drama and story.
Diana had made a note to talk to Alfred about being careful about what he has on around Elissa.
"Tell me, Mommy." Elissa pestered her mother for an answer, having grown impatient.
"Well…" the woman trailed off. Finding it difficult to come up with an acceptable answer for her daughter. Until a thought came to her. A thought that was true.
The woman leaned in close, her head whipped side to side checking for any intruders in the bedroom and then whispered her response. "Daddy snores."
"Really?" Elissa uttered in a hushed tone. Surprised at what her mother had told her.
Diana nodded. "He snores so loud he shakes the whole room," she explained. She imitated Bruce's snoring causing her daughter to giggle in amusement. She felt relieved as Elissa's curiosity seemed to be satisfied by her answer. "It's impossible for me to sleep with that blasting in my ear," she chuckled at her mild exaggeration.
Which wasn't a total lie. Bruce did snore. And there were times that he woke her up from a pleasant sleep due to his snoring. It was too loud and obnoxious that it irritated the woman preventing her from falling asleep quickly.
"Okay. No more delays. Bed." she commanded.
In response, the little girl turned over, her back to her mother. However, just before she shut her eyes, a little mischief came over her. Her still cold feet assaulted her mother's bare skin.
"Oh!" her mother shirked in surprise at the sudden coldness once more.
"Ice cubes!" Elissa declared humorously.
In retaliation, the mother's dexterous fingers tickled her daughter's sides persistently.
"Haha!" the girl's body squirmed about the soft linen. Twisting to escape her mother's grasp.
"Okay! Okay!" she exclaimed in between giggles. "I'm sorry."
"Enough. No more delays. No more questions or antics. Go to sleep,' her mother urged her gently. Delivering a parting kiss to her cheek before they both shut their eyes once more for the night.
"Love you," Elissa told her mother readily.
"Love you too," Diana replied lovingly.
Christmas Day gifts were unwrapped, appreciations were uttered, meals were eaten and play time had gone by. As Bruce was reading a new first edition book gifted to him by Diana, Elissa plopped onto the couch next to him.
"Hey, Daddy." She greeted her father.
"Merry Christmas, baby girl." The man responded warmly.
"Merry Christmas!" The little girl exclaimed proudly with raised arms.
"Did you have a good Christmas?"
"Yep!" She chirped. "What about you?" she wondered.
"It's been a good day," he readily. "Your brothers are leaving later. Wouldn't you like to go spend time with them before they do?"
"I had a question though," the dark-haired girl stated earnestly.
"Oh?" Curious, the billionaire shut his book, his eyes now focused on his little girl.
"Do you really snore so loud you shake the room?" she questioned with curiosity that equated her age.
His face furrowed, "Where did you hear that?"
"Mommy said that was why you and she don't sleep in the same bed like other mommies and daddies," Elissa explained innocently. "But that sounds weird," she mentioned with a perplexed expression.
Bruce's eyes narrowed in suspicion. He didn't want to get too focused on Elissa asking questions about his and Diana's sleeping arrangements. He liked how things were, and should the time come when someone wanted more, he was certain Diana would be the first one to broach the subject. He chalked it all up to Elissa innocently wondering about her parents differing from other couples.
So that's what she said, hmm?
Well two could play this game.
With a hint of mischief, Bruce decided to elaborate on the mother of his child's explanation.
He beckoned the girl closer to him with a finger. Automatically, she leaned in close to him. "Not only do I snore. But your mother hogs the blankets. I wake up cold because she took all the blankets," he explained glibly.
"No way," Elissa expressed doubt in her father's words.
The man nodded his head. "It's true. She's a blanket thief," he said seriously. "Be careful," he warned her of her possible cold fate should she fall asleep with her mother.
"Go play," he beckoned her, and she ran off in search of her brothers.
As soon as she was out of the room, the man returned to his book. Unfortunately, he would not be able to enjoy it as he had another guest in the parlor.
"I do not hog the blankets," Diana denied strongly.
He snorted. "Show's what you know," he turned the page in his book.
"I don't," she insisted, taking a seat next to him on the couch.
"I don't snore loudly enough to shake a room," the man cooly expressed.
"Okay. I exaggerated," she confessed. "But I was caught off guard by her question."
The man paused in his reading. He looked into her eyes and saw uneasiness. "Do you want us to share a bedroom? Is what we have not enough?" he questioned rationally.
"I like waking up next to you," she admitted truthfully. She nervously tucked some hair behind her ear.
"That doesn't answer the question," he countered.
"Do you want to?" She turned the topic to him.
"I wouldn't mind," he confessed to her surprise. He reached over, taking her hand in his. "I like waking up and you being the first thing I see," he spoke softly and with an open heart. Something he wasn't used to doing, but he was trying to change.
Satisfied with his response. The raven-haired woman quickly accepted the new change to their dynamic.
Squeezing his hand gently, "I would like to share a room with you. But there is a problem," she noted.
"Oh?"
She nodded her head. "Which bedroom do we take?"
"Huh," he uttered duly. He hadn't thought about that. He supposed the master bedroom would be the most logical option. But he had a more fun idea.
"What if we had a contest? To decide whom moves in with whom," he suggested.
Suddenly, a sultry and knowing look began to form on the Amazon's face. "Oh, I think I get your meaning." She inched closer, a sultry grin on her lips. "I suggest we try my room first. You know to make certain the bedframe isn't broken," she whispered against his lips.
"We wouldn't want you having trouble sleeping," Bruce uttered smoothly, kissing her passionately.
New Years Eve at Wayne Manor meant one thing other than the end of the old year. It meant Bruce had to throw the annual party at the manor to keep up appearances. In the past, Elissa was left upstairs to either play or depending on how late it was sleep with either Damian or Dick babysitting.
But now that she was older, Elissa was given the option of attending the New Year's Eve party or if she preferred to stay upstairs.
Alfred had let it slip about keeping up appearances, to which Elissa asked about what that meant. A startled Alfred gave an excuse as Bruce fulfilling the tradition of the parties he threw at the manor every New Year's Eve.
Her father assured her that she could do whatever she wanted. He didn't want to pressure her knowing she disliked crowds.
However, she surprised him by saying she wanted to go. She had known her father to be a kind and loving man to her. A man who would always love and support her. She felt it was her turn to support him for a night. Besides, she figured that the reason she was placed upstairs was due to her being too young. She refused to be treated like a baby.
When she told her mother she would be attending the party, the woman assisted her in finding a dress. They settled on a red and black striped dress, with white tights and polished black shoes. Her long black hair straight with a headband keeping it in place.
She was a bit embarrassed when her family complimented her dress.
The ballroom was deafening in a cacophony of dozens of conversations that were going on at once. It hurt Elissa's ears a bit but soon adapted to it.
Instantly, she felt eyes on her as this was her first official appearance in the socialite world. Bruce had wanted to keep her away from such things for as long as possible, however, his daughter was a proud girl and as strong willed as her mother.
She quickly felt her mother's hand on her shoulder in support as the two ladies entered the ballroom. Her father was a few minutes behind and would be joining them soon.
She could hear their whispers. And she didn't like it.
"Is that her?"
"My, she certainly looks like her mother?"
"I wonder where they've been hiding her?"
Her eyes went down to her shoes, desperately trying to ignore them. She suddenly felt like she was at school and her classmates were whispering about her within earshot.
She put on a brave face and withstood their murmurs.
She was here for her father not anyone else. Plus, these parties had a bit of mystique to her as she had never attended one. And her curiosity got the better of her.
As the party went on, she started to enjoy herself. Enjoying the music, the food, and answering some questions from a few of her father's friends. Of course, one of her parents was next to her. There were times when she got extremely shy when an old lady gushed about how cute she was. Even went as far as pinching her cheek, which made her wince. But she didn't want to be rude. So, she grinned and bared it until it was over.
She had seen her mother speaking with an older lady named Regina. She faintly heard them talking about work. Her mother had an annoyed look on her face after speaking with the old lady. Diana sensed that her daughter was watching her. Giving her an assured look that put her at ease. And walked over to ask how she was doing. She answered positively and went around the ballroom looking for her father.
It was just after the ball dropped and the new year rang in with merry cheers and a kiss from Diana when Bruce went in search of Elissa. He hadn't seen her for some time and got worried. He began to get a bad feeling as she found her bedroom empty as well as the kitchen. Certain areas of the manor were off-limits to his guests which wasn't unheard of. Namely the upstairs bedrooms were forbidden from entry.
He was starting to let the Bat out, quickly going through all the scenarios that could have happened on his watch, in his own home.
Eventually, he breathed a sigh of relief having found his daughter fast asleep in his study curled up on one of the love seats. He bent down next to the slumbering girl, a gentle smile on his face as his worry evaporated at the sight of her. It seemed she couldn't stay up long enough to witness the ball drop.
He knew she was doing this for him, not fully understanding what it meant to maintain his cover to dismiss any inquiries into his nightlife. Sure, being a family man was reasonable to believe he was out of the dating game and done with swimsuit models and celebrities. But every now and then he had to demonstrate he could still throw a party just to meet his quota of the press seeing him.
"Thanks, baby girl," he murmured, kissing her cheek. He carefully picked her up, stifling a grunt. Her unconscious form snuggled into him instinctively. Certain she was safe in the familiar warmth that enclosed her.
Either she was getting heavier, or he was getting older. He didn't like to think about the latter. He carried up to her room for the night grateful for her presence and yet another year had passed, and his little girl was growing up so fast.
Gotham Park
That spring Bruce had taken his daughter to the park. He wanted her to get out of the house for a bit and play. Her brothers weren't around much, busy with their own lives and duties. Her Aunt Donna was also busy, leaving Elissa alone, having no friends from school. Too frightened to be too close to kids her own age due to her fluctuating powers. She needed convincing, but she eventually relented and agreed to go.
Bruce sat on the park bench overlooking the playground. "Go play, princess," he told her taking a seat. He had to usher her forward as she was frozen in place, nervous at all the happy kids playing with one another laughing and screaming in exuberance.
It took one foot after the other wandering the playground navigating around other kids racing by her. Her face was written in anxiety. Her palms were sweaty, her nerves surging with nervousness. She swallowed her suddenly parched throat and moved towards the large blue slide on the playground. The idea of going down the formidable slide caused excitement to rush through her small body. She waited her turn before climbing up the metal ladder and slid down the slide to the bottom, exhilaration flowing through her provoking a smile on her face, her ponytail batting back and forth as she moved.
Inescapable delight loomed over the once pensive child as she played. She whipped sharply around the jungle gym, her small hand grabbed the metal bar to keep herself from tripping, she didn't realize she unintentionally squeezed the bar too hard leaving an impression of her grip.
Feeling nervous she looked behind to see if anyone saw her. She paled seeing a dark-skinned girl around her age with curly dark hair.
She panicked and worried that her parents would be very angry at her for her carelessness. She feared of what would happen if this girl pointed out what she did. The girls were just staring at one another. The dark girl took a step forward that made Elissa's stomach lurch, leaning in close she stared at the impression that Elissa had made.
Elissa had taken a step back to get out of her way, while the other girl was staring at the metal bar, Elissa's eyes unconsciously darted to where her father was sitting, whom was chatting with another parent.
"Cool!" the dark-skinned girl chirped, causing Elissa to look at her in bemusement. The girl smiled brightly at her. "How'd you do that?"
"Um…" Elissa contemplated answering. "Don't tell anybody," She pleaded.
Wordlessly, the dark-skinned girl held out her pinky finger. Elissa swallowed nervously, gingerly raised her own and used as little strength as possible and they shook on it—a pinky promise was a solemn vow between children.
"I promise," the girl swore. "I'm Cleo," the now dubbed Cleo introduced herself.
"Elissa."
The separated their hands starring at one another until Cleo spoke up again. "How'd you do that?" she asked again.
"I'm—I'm really strong," Elissa bashfully explained.
"Cool!" Cleo chirped with enthusiasm. Slowly, Elissa's nerves began to fade by Cleo's accepting personality. She hoped that they could wind up being friends. She didn't have any friends at school, they all left her alone by her own actions. Some even went as far as to make fun of her behind her back. But she heard them in their hushed whispers.
Weirdo Wayne.
That's what they called her. And it belittled her every time she heard it.
"Wanna go on the swings?" Cleo asked excitedly.
"Yeah," Elissa instantly agreed. Eager to play with a friend.
They raced to the swings set, Elissa quickly sitting in the seat, Cleo automatically pushing her with a laugh, Elissa soon joining her.
Arcing her legs, Elissa went higher and higher laughing in utter joy as the wind tenderly caressed her face with each push.
And they have been best friends ever since.
NEXT: Days Gone