Long one. Haven't done this type of long chapter in awhile. But trust me, there's a valid reason why I made this chapter long.
Chapter 2: Source of comfort
October 10th
The sun slowly rose in a huge mansion that was located outside of Gotham City. Tree's, grass, and flowers itself weren't blooming as much as the weather was changing from the fall's to soon to be winter's time. However, they were still managed in proper conditions enough that they all still held their colors.
Inside the mansion, only two people were in it; in the bedroom, Cassandra, or Cass as some who are close to her call her, sat up drawing in her sketchbook of Peter sleeping soundly in front of her. Some of the bed sheets cover up her legs but not her completely nude body that both showed off her tone, small muscular body compared to Peter who was bigger in frame, more taller than her, and more muscular than her stature.
Unlike Peter, who was snoring away in the soft cushion the mansion provided for him and his partner, Cassandra never liked to sleep as much as him. She likes to be up, doing something, be active, stay ready and sharp. For anything and everything.
In particular, she's keeping her creative side sharp. She spend what seem like an hour sketching Peter; adding shadows and light to emphasize the sun coming from the window, getting the right shape of his head with the added amount of hair that kept moving because of him making himself comfortable, the muscular body parts that the sheats didn't cover, and the way his own perspective was more towards her.
Cassandra was fond of doing this, not just drawing Peter, but watching him sleep, 'Calm. He's calm today… Blissfully asleep. I wore him out. Still doesn't get as tired…' The thought of knowing one of Peter's many gifts was his increased stamina made her lips grin softly, 'He can keep up. Always could. Few things I love about him.'
She would stop sketching, looking momentarily out the window and seeing how sunny it was. She knew it was time to do other things for the day, putting the pencil inside her sketchbook, she left it aside by the nearby desk. Before getting up, she kissed Peter's cheeks, not caring how stubble his chin was with his growing beard.
She stretched once out of the bedroom; from her arms, back, and legs, she needed to have her body be mobile. Her basil eyes would catch herself in the mirror; besides how long her hair was without it being turned into a ponytail, reaching by her shoulders, she took notice of the scars litter throughout her body, arms, and legs. Each was from years of being the bat, and some goes back years before she was the only bat, 'Dangerous. Molded to be dangerous,' Her hand's travel to each spot, not reacting to any of those, and before she knew it, she felt herself taking a large breath in and out, 'So long as my body doesn't break.. I'll keep having scars.. To protect. To bring justice. To carry out his burden. Persevere through the pain, and bring hope, ' she declared to herself, grabbing what seemed like Peter's boxer that lay on the floor.
Simply because she didn't feel like finding her panties, and Peter's boxers were more comfortable to wear.
She almost forgot something, by the window was a red rose that not only needed watering but opened up the window to give it more sunlight. Once she was done with her minimal task, she trudged out of the bedroom and walked amongst the mansion. She passed by multiple rooms that were empty, multiple paintings, antiques, and all sorts of little stuff that made the mansion made for a rich family.
Going down the stairs, in front what was a fountain drizzling with water, again there were multiple rooms but more distinct for other purposes; one Cassandra saw to the right of her was the dining room that was supposed to be for a family having dinner time with one another, next to it would be the kitchen, but she move towards to the left side, this specific room held books, bunch of books. But not only books, couches that were for reading, fireplace that had no fire not letting any source of light come through besides outside of the room, statues of old armors from a bygone time, swords on display, more antiques, but of all else, frames of pictures by a clock that tick and tick.
A picture in front of her was a young boy with a mother and father; the boy was happy with his parents beside him in the picture, making Cassandra frown, 'Batman.. I wonder if you're happy now..? Now that… We're all scattered. Only Peter and Selina… Make's sure you're alright,' Left to the center of the painting was him older, but without his parents, and with an older man clad in a black and white suit, standing behind him who was proud that he graduated.
Yet Cassandra knew better, the batman smile here was only just to show, it wasn't genuine as it was when he was a child.
But, that changed to the right. The picture was taken from the now empty, cold dining room, but instead, in this format of the past, Cassandra felt it was warm and happy. Because the batman was surrounded by people he loved that made him genuinely smile, even if it was small.
The batman was much, much older, a man by now and in the center of the picture whiles being the tallest person in the room. Near him his arm was wrapped around a beautiful, slender woman who had greener eyes compared to Cassandra, and her head lay comfortably by his shoulder. He also had his other arm wrapped around the older man that replaced his parents in the other picture. There were also tears that were brimming in his elderly happy gaze. There were also two other people by the Batman's father figure; both had dark skin and both wore glasses, yet one of them was older and the other was younger. The younger one had his eyes on the oddity that came when the picture was taken.
That oddity actually involved a rather handsome man making two other people crouch in the picture just to be on the same level with the women who had red hair that sat in a wheelchair. The two that were crouching had different levels of expression, one was annoyed that his hood was taking off by someone else, and the other had to hold onto a blond-haired girl who suddenly jumped on his back.
This had gotten Cassandra to lightly giggle at remembering that spontaneous moment. Yet, by the back of the annoyed crouch man, was Peter taking off his hood, simultaneously holding Cassandra by his chest as his chin rested on her shoulder with his cheeky smile plastered on his face, and an elderly woman holding back a laughter at the events that were occurring the picture as she held Cassandra's hand, offering her own warm smile in between her trying not to laugh.
And again, Cassandra couldn't help but smile at the memory that day, touching the picture of that memory, the memory of how good that day was that made her smile so big and happy, "Family. I miss them all being here,' then the smile came and went, as reality told her those days seem so far in the past.
Things change, change so far that Cassandra didn't know why it had to come to that point. Till this day, she would've done anything to have all her family back again. But some of them aren't around to bring back to the living. Her eyes drifted back to the man, the tall man that was the former bat, smiling wide and happy as he chuckled with utter joy of his family, 'I don't know how to bring you back. To the days you were like that,' her hands glided to him, touching the picture, 'All I want to see is this.. But I know, you're no longer that person. That person I idolize.'
Letting her hand go from the picture, Cassandra shook her head, 'Can't focus on the past. Gotham needs me. Must be ready for anything,' she opened up the clock, turning it fully to twelve, then back around to six, and one more time to twelve. It was then a sudden click was heard, and the clock slid open that showcased an entrance. Cassandra clocks the clock glass, resetting it back to the time it was before she entered. The clock closed the entrance for herself and she went lower and lower to the cave that was under the mansion. She stopped at the metallic door, a blue hue lit over her partial nude body before it opened, "Scan complete."
No longer in the semi empty mansion, now she was low, deep under, where the bat's roam out, the bat cave. The cave that only she and Peter had been using, "Lights on," lights came on, causing some bat's to move away from the lights, "Computer on," computer lit on, playing the news of today. She would move herself to the area that was essentially her workout gymnasium.
She started with perfection her acrobatics, flipping around obstacles, keeping her composure without looking at where she lands, focusing on her equilibrium when she needs to, and all in all, making sure agility was honed as ever.
Then there was the shadow boxing she did. She grabbed nearby weights that latched on to her body, there was a small shiver with how cold they were since the cave would get air from the outside. She focuses on jabs, crosses, footwork, the occasional boxing techniques. She added kicks, knees, elbows, using the art of eight limb technique to further push herself.
Once done, she moved to some bag work; she made sure to wear proper material to not break her hand, and then she went full force to it. Constantly punching the heavy bag in front of her, kicking it with her shins, kneeing it, elbowing it, all to condition her body further than yesterday or the day before that. The heavy bag was created with materials that could take blow's from the likes of Peter, which is why Cassandra was fond of it.
After all, Peter was the one to create things since Batman, or anyone else that helped him on his journey, were no longer here.
Once she finished, she took the weights off and put them back where they belonged. Breathing through her nose, she let herself get a moment of rest before continuing her training, "Combat on," the combat area lit up behind her, "Set up Cain build," she spoke when proceeding to the combat area. A woman appeared, looking almost exactly like Cassandra, from height, to her features, and hair but much shorter, stood in front of her, not only that, but also a man who too shares the same features of Cassandra, all except for his gray hair and being much taller then Cassandra, "Time me," Cassandra got into her stance, facing down imagery version of her mother and father, "Start."
"Are you positive you want to fight without any armor on batwoman?" the system in the bat cave asked, knowing she wasn't wearing much of anything besides Peter's boxer.
"Yes, now start," Cassandra walked around her foe's, her father did the same as she, but not her mother. She kept her eyes locked for a moment, before she thrust forward. Cassandra was quick to react, throwing out a kick and back flipping away as the man pulled out his firearm to make it harder for Cassandra.
She needed it to be her fight, not there's.
Cassandra blocked, parried a good portion of her mother's attacks. She grunted at how strong they were, but she knew one thing, this wasn't the real version because the real version would almost feel like it was the fight to the death. Her mother was just as good as her, countering enough to hit Cassandra a few times, but not enough to stop her. She weaved, constantly moved so she can keep the manner of her fight on her own terms and not on theirs.
Cassandra would push the fight closer to her father, right before throwing a flying, backhanded spinning kick that her mother bent back to avoid, yet Cassandra wasn't aiming for her, she was now in front of her father. He first tried to shoot her, Cassandra saw the muscle in his finger tense allowing her to dodge before he could fire. Cassandra grab the gun and tried to disarm, but her mother didn't make it easy; grabbing her in a choke hold that she had to elbow her nose and then pounce off her.
With the pounce, she tried swiping at her father with a bunch of kicks, he made sure to avoiding, barrel rowing backwards, but Cassandra did the same to be in the same position as before. He would try to palm strike her body that Cassandra saw coming from what seemed like a mile away, deflecting for a quick elbow to his temple and then ducking for a one hand, semi black flip that had her own shin, coming down on to her mother's forehead.
She knew her mother would block it, one arm protecting the side of her skull while the other hand absorbed the blow. But that didn't stop her onslaught of attacks, constantly keeping the pressure, but also again dodging and flipping back to her father to quickly keep him on his toe's. In her small close quarter fight with her father, she hit him in the throat as she quickly found a way to dismantle his gun from his hand. She would've kept going, but by the side of her eyes, she noticed the AI version of her mother was coming at her with a sword, causing her to keep moving.
Now it was her mother being more on the pressure, swinging with precise angles that would be enough to kill. Cassandra knew where to dodge just from the way shoulder's contour in a direction. When one particular swing came her way, both hands clapped the sword, causing her to be on her knee's just for how strong she made sure the AI was. In doing so, she had to roll out of her father's way who now had a rifle in hand.
Eyeing her father, she moved left, rolled right, ran forward while sliding under her mother's attack and kicked him high with the ball of her feet impacting his chin, a moment to kick herself back up, she proceeded with a spinning back that knocked him out of the arena.
Of course, she didn't forget her mother. Turning around, she saw her sword disappear in front of her, going back to in her own stance just as Cassandra did. It was always odd for Cassandra to fight her mother in this state, it wasn't really her, it tried to be her, but it wasn't at all.
The mother she remembers fighting from time to time movement screamed of one thing, she wanted to die, die a warrior. Here, this AI had none of that, and so when Cassandra and her trade blows again, Cassandra soon out beats her; palm strike to the body, and triple kick she did in the air, two to the head, one to the body, having her stumble out of the area, "Combat completed. Personal best now is five minutes and 30 seconds."
Once again, she breathes through her nose, controlling her heart rate. She felt her eyebrow shoot up from the timer, 'Five minutes…? Too short,' she sat on her floor, pushing back her hair that she didn't bother tying before the fight, 'Yet these aren't the real things… No matter how much Peter twists and turns in his creation… These AI's aren't real. Not the real people I want to fight. To test myself.'
Weirdly, Cassandra sounded like she missed fighting her parent's. But it would mean she missed the idea of knowing that she was going to die in the fight, and that she had to make this one stand to live to see another day.
She doesn't want to admit to that, to come to terms to that, cause then she'll be like her mother. Always fighting, fighting whoever is the best, to be awarded with death if she loses.
But, the saddest thing is,she's been feeling this since taking up the mantle. Taking up the mantle that she couldn't let anyone else do it.
All to redeem what the symbols mean not just to her, but for Gotham.
A whole year of being Gotham's only bat, a year without fighting like her life depended on it. Sure, gangsters had guns, villains had powers, but she wasn't scared, she didn't find fear in those fights. Cause she'll know she would be fine, with or without Peter.
The last time she was fighting for her life involved a painful memory of seeing what happened to her family, her bat family. A craze clown who had a sick obsession for Batman, wanting to have his grand finale by driving in a deep wound in the family. And he did it, he made sure the bat family was scarred enough that some left the city, others went about their own way dealing with the trauma.
Yet she? Even when he craved a bat symbol on her back, making her scream, making Batman lash out in anger at him, doing something she can never forget. Her only source of trauma was knowing that symbol on the back of her, did the one thing Batman promised he would never do.
In doing so, it was up to her to make sure she never crosses that line as well, because she knows what it's like seeing someone dying by a person's hand; gasping for life, eyes balling back, body wanting to live, but can't.
It got her to get up, wanting to train more, but she saw that it was almost seven and she wanted to be around her source of comfort for the time being. The bad memories of how her family was shattered didn't help either.
Cassandra headed up back, back to the bed she found Peter still snoring on. A slight shift of his body indicated he was up, but he didn't want to get up from his half sleep. Her lips lifted up from her once allayed expression, 'Least you're aware I'm here,' she would snuggle into the bed, moving his arms around her still somewhat sweaty body, and cuddling herself into his neck. He groaned slightly, consciously getting more comfortable with her nearby again. Cassandra would get close to his ears, "Wake up," she whispered, nibbling on her ear lightly.
He again groaned, somehow he can be in a deep sleep but when she starts doing little stuff like this it would wake him up, but more out of annoyance than anything, "...No.." He lazily responded
She played with his hair that needs cutting badly, "You have work."
"..Bah.." With a response like that, she nuzzles his neck, cuddling more into his body so he can feel her sweat more, "...Ugh, stoppp…." he moaned on the pillow.
"No," she giggled, she added some kisses by chin, his neck, and his shoulders, "Not until you get up."
"...Fine," he turned to her, hazel eyes open at her she saw one part of his lip grinning, "You need to shower."
She kissed his lips, morning breath and all, she didn't care and neither did he, "Why don't you help me with that?"
"Obviously I would have too since I can't be smelling like Gotham sewers when going to work," he said in a jesting manner. His eyebrow raised, moving the sheats slightly to see her wearing his boxer, "...You really want me to walk around with my dingaling, dingalingaling huh?"
She again giggled, "No one's watching."
A slight redness appeared on his cheek, making Cassandra aw in his embarrassment, "Yes, a sweaty, beautiful girl is watching me. Gonna watch me butt naked" she then took off the boxer, "...I'm so glad Alfred isn't here to see us about to walk through the mansion naked and all."
Cassandra again would snicker but being reminded of wanting to show Peter something, "Oh!" Cassandra sits up to get her sketchbook, showing Peter what she drew, "What do you think?"
Peter sat up as well, holding the sketchbook in his hand as he saw himself sleeping, "Jeez, you probably can give Michelangelo a run for his money," he looks up at her, she noticing more of his brimming smile as he push past her strand of her hair to kisses her again, "Spectacular work as always Cass."
Cassandra would've loved to spend more time romancing with her men, but she had to make sure to prioritize everything; to Peter working and to her staying sharp before the night comes. She put aside her sketchbook once again, holding hands with Peter again as they headed into the nearby bathroom to take care of themselves.
They shower first, in a cold shower that got Peter to jump from the cold because Cass pushed him in first unexpectedly, "YOW! WHY DO YOU ALWAYS BATHE IN THE COLD?!"
"Because it's good for you!"
"Then how about you let the water hit you more than me?!" She shut him up by kissing him when joining in the shower, letting him suffer more in the cold. Somehow, he wasn't complaining anymore when having her body on him, her lips intertwined with his.
They definitely could've gone further, but then Peter would be even more late to work.
Peter would begin washing Cassandra's body as she did his. He also made sure to shampoo and condition her hair for her. She couldn't help but close her eyes, lean on Peter as he meticulously made sure to take proper care of her hair. When all said was done, Peter was gonna do the same for himself, but Cassandra snatched it quickly wanting to do her part. But Peter didn't object, instead lightly chuckling as she let her do the work, "Hair needs cutting," she mentioned, both playing and washing every strand of his brown hair that was a mix between being straight and having curls.
"I'll take care of it sometime soon," she pouted, seeing that it was a lie. He eyerolls, "I'll take careeeeeeee of it. Sometime soon."
She let out a small snort, letting Peter do what he pleases for the time being. But if he doesn't do anything with it then she will.
They were out of the shower, using their towels to dry their skin. Next was brushing their teeth, followed by actually now putting on some clothes. Peter would wear a jacket over a button up shirt with jeans and black and white sneakers. Contrast to Cass, who prefer a gray hood, gray pants, and a no lace shoes
Together they enjoy the silence of the mansion as Peter fiddles his watch in his arm while they go to make their breakfast together. Like Cassandra earlier, he played a radio program on the tv that talked about today's news. As Cassandra was accurate with cutting the vegetables with a knife, Peter articulated towards handling the eggs and sausage.
Once finished they sat and enjoyed their food together. Just the two of them, the bat and the spider as always, "Going to the clock tower," Cassandra spoke, eating rather fast compared to Peter who was taking his time with his food.
"Training?"
Cassandra nodded, "And see what Barbara has on the murder. We have to catch this…Killer."
"We will, like we always do."
News oddly shifted to a particular topic, "In other news, Bruce Wayne made a surprise announcement of holding a fundraiser on Halloween night near the Fashion district. Along with Wilison Fisk helping in this event. The former criminal once known as the kingpin plans to talk more about how being reformed is changing the ways he approaches helping Gotham."
This perks the two heroes at the suddenness's of Fisk making moves, "We also need to take the fat man down too," Peter pointed out, "He's gonna be going gung-ho with how desperate he's gotten to save his wife."
Cassandra found herself perplexed on the subject, "Hm.. He isn't reform.. Is he?" She questioned Peter.
He shook his head, but maul the thought if Fisk ever can be a reform criminal, "If tombstone can then anyone can, but then again, I always like to believe that it isn't too late to change your life for the better. Butttt he did go after Victor, you wouldn't believe the rampage he went on to get back his wife."
"Seems love does that to you," Cassandra eyes squinted, doubling back on the fundraiser, "Gazette would want you there."
Peter nodded at this fact, "I am an ace photographer after all. Gonna ask Barbs for help?"
"If not her, Selina."
Peter snorted, "It's unbelievable how well she has you wrapped around her fingers."
She giggled, "She's nice. Try talking to her more."
"You know I've always had bad luck with cats, Cass."
"That wouldn't stop you," she countered.
"Ok, but she loves to tease me endlessly! I can't go a second with her busting my chops."
"She isn't like Felicia."
Peter groaned at the mention of that particular cat, and the fact of how her basil eyes reflect the tone in her voice, "She's a different story."
Her eyebrow shrewd thinking about that person, always wanting Peter to herself, "I hate her."
"But she's nice, you should try getting to know her Casss," he bumped his shoulder with hers.
She frowned, looking upon Peter with the idea she displeased dramatically, "No. she would try stealing you from me. Again."
"No one will do that Cass," in return, he kissed her nose, wiping the frown off her face and getting her to lighten up.
"I know," she said tenderly.
"Switching the topic, when are you gonna hash things out with Bruce?" He was curiously brought up. Cassandra's answer was a shrug of her own when finishing up her food, "Oh come on! Don't give me that!"
Cassandra gave a long sigh on this peculiar topic that her boyfriend unexpectedly wanted to dive into, "...Eventually. Still hard to.. Look at him Peter. Still hard to put away… What he had done for the…Symbol," she struggled out to say all that. It wasn't as easy to talk in such long sentences.
Till this day, Cassandra still struggles to properly talk without stopping. The cost of knowing how a body speaks but not knowing how to properly convey words from her own body, 'All thanks to her father she didn't know how to properly talk or read,' Peter thought to himself, 'Wanting to raise a child assassin and all. Thank god she now has an understanding to read and speak, but there's always room for improvement,' Peter could only nod, at the end of the day it was up to her to make things work with Bruce.
The timing was perfect when Peter got a notification on his phone. Cassandra saw it, reading the flying Grayson had sent something to him, "Ho! Looks like Dick is enjoying some time with Kori!"
Cassandra saw the same handsome men getting picked up by a much taller, orange skin, green eyes, outlandishly gorgeous woman with long red hair. Though, Dick looked to be more terrified since he was supposed to be taking a picture but it looked like the phone fell and Kori was flying to catch it, "Cute," she simply said.
"Each day he seems like he's moving like his old self," he complimented with the videos of him and Kori moving around, "Maybe one day we can have a vacation on another planet too."
Cassandra let her head drop by his shoulders. The thought of them doing something like that was rather nice, but she is needed here in Gotham more than taking a break from it, and so is he, "One day."
"Wonder what Tim and Steph are doing right about now?"
"Tim is still in school. Steph texted sometime ago. Doing well. She plans on visiting for.. Sparring."
Peter chuckles at the term sparring with Cassandra, "I'll get the camera ready," Cassandra pluck his cheek, "Fineeeeee. Although, Jason would do it if he ends up showing up."
"Because he's an ass."
"Oh yeah he is, but you love competing with him in batarang tossing," suddenly, Peter went silent, an apparent gloom became present on his feature. Cassandra noticed he still had food on the plate that he was outrageously eating slowly. Doesn't he know he has work to get too? "I miss them Cass," he planted his hands on his cheek, "I miss them all when they used to hang here while I had a crap apartment in Chinatown."
She touches his hand, locking together with hers, "Same. Don't go down that thought."
"Can't help it. If I didn't have to help the league out in an off world mission. Maybe I could've stopped the joker from tearing us apart."
She hates when he gets like this. Even getting a glimpse of him just screams of guilt. Cassandra hates when his body is just riddled with guilt, sometimes guilt he had no play in creating, "Maybe. Maybe not, the past is the past. Batman wanted you there." she would then take his plate and eat the leftover breakfast.
"Hey! I was gonna eat that!" She paused, looking at him, her eyebrow raised. He really did try for a split second to make it seem like he meant it, but Cassandra can see through it that gotten Peter to shake his head, grinning just lightly, "Go ahead eat. But you're cleaning up the plate.
"Then you're swinging me to Barabra."
"I hate swinging here Cass! There's only trees!"
"Too bad."
Peter groans, he can't win with her sometimes. But hey, it's part of her charm.
Peter swung into the bright morning of Gotham. He had to use his acrobatics and the little height he got from the trees to swing into the city, reaching the Robert Kane bridge to get him close to North Gotham. Even in the morning, some petty crimes still lurk getting his attention. Cassandra would help where she can, such as mostly throwing some objects to make Peter's life a bit easier.
There was almost nothing like that Cassandra can relate to when having her arms around Peter's neck as he swing her around Gotham; the wind passing by them as he goes at breakneck speed, the gleeful feeling she always feel in the momentum, how careful he was even when he made sure to use his so called stickem powers to keep her adjusted behind his back, and all the more, she can tell how much he enjoys it.
The feeling of just being free where there isn't a problem to worry about. Sure, she has been carried before, flying around, but something about the way Peter swings with this lush sense of freedom is always so gorgeous to experience.
But there is one problem, he was indeed running late to work, partially her to blame, but mostly his since he slept like a slog, 'I wonder why he stays in a job he grew to not like?' she asked herself. He made sure to drop her at the top of the five story building that was designated as the clock tower, or by Barbara's calling it the Oracle watchtower. It resided in the middle part of Gotham called Miginai island, one where more of Gotham's gothic skyscrapers occupy at.
Cassandra also didn't forget to pull up his mask and kiss him before he leaves. It did cause him to shout how late he is, but to her part, he was already late as is so why not grab a few more seconds with him. By the ledge, she had her arms on it, her chin letting on it as she watched him swing to his job.
Just as he came and went, Cassandra would always be mesmerized at his movement of swinging; he almost looked like a dancer with how he twisted, turned, flipped, and all the more controlling himself with the amount of speed he goes at when he has too. But of course, he would be out of her distance in a flash.
Cassandra would retreat back to the tip top of the clock tower where Peter placed her. She stomped at a distinct brick that slid open an entrance leading inside.
Landing without any trouble, Cassandra basked in how radiant the clock tower was with the big clock in front of her moving with time, but also embracing the sun to come through the room thanks to the clock's opening. In front of her were monitors, after monitors, after monitors, next to each other with each having their own set of PC's powering them, but more so, having one person regulating all that she's seeing, "Like I tell Bruce every time, don't you knock?" said the red-haired woman who turned her head to take in Cassandra. Like in the picture, Barbara was in a wheelchair, glasses and all, but it didn't stop her for what she had to do.
Helping protect Gotham. Cassandra smiled, shrugged, and put her hand in her pocket, "I did."
Barbara made a small crackle at her quick witted response, "Stomping my roof is not knocking," Cassandra leaned on her desk nearby, observing the recent murders that's been popping as of late, "Whoever this killer is doesn't hold back when it comes to the gruesome scale," she mentioned with both photos and videos she scoured for more detail on what she can find on the murder.
Each one was as dreadful as what Cassandra saw yesterday, and all looked to range from one mobster to another, "Think he enjoys it?"
"Possibly, who knows really till we get more info on him. We all noticed he's smart enough not to leave a single trace of DNA. The only thing we possibly got is height from the size of his shoot, but," she pulled multiple shoe prints, all look to be different in width and length, "They all seem to be different then the last one."
Cassandra rubs her chin, "Different people?"
"Your guess is as good as mine. A whole group of people wanting to kill any gangsters is still no good here. We could be looking at another gang war erupting from the inside," Barbara hypothesis.
"Hm. Kingpin. He's here."
"Peter brought me up to speed after he helped out Victor Fries," another monitor pulled up Willson's record, "He hasn't made any public appearances for a good three years yet now all of sudden he wants to go to Bruce's fundraiser."
"Fishy," Cassandra commented.
"Exactly what Peter said," Cassandra simply grinned at Barbara noticing, causing her to shake her head, "Don't start becoming a jester like he is."
"And if I do?" One eyebrow was raised when questioning it to Barbara.
"It doesn't suit you, trust me. Vengeance is supposed to be your shtick then being a comedical vengeance type," Cassandra couldn't help but snicker at the thought of screaming that she is vengeance like a roar in one of those movies she watched in the past.
She placed both of her fingers on each side of her head, replicating the look of her bat mask,"I. AM. VENGEANCEEEEEEEEEEEEE! FFFFFFFFFFFFFFEAR MEEEEEEEEEEE!"
Now Barbara joined in the laughter, "Ok! Ok! I get it, people would fear a jester batwoman more than a spooky one. Back on topic though, Bruce told me he tried to decline Fisk wanting to help out in the fundraiser, but the broads of Wayne enterprise didn't follow suit when he brought up his very sick wife."
Cassandra was back into serious mode, thinking how Wilson in some way can be connected to all this. Her eyes slightly widened at the thought, "Think he could be next?" She queried.
"Hmm.. I wouldn't be surprised. He, she, or they, probably want to hit big soon. From the past murders all following on a holiday and each kill ranges from the likes of Falcone's, Russians, Japanese's, and the Hispanics? This would be it," Barbara felt her hand rub the base of her skill at the possibilities that could happen, "On Halloween of all times."
"..Think I can get an invitation?"
Barbara shook her head, "I won't be in town at that time since I'm gonna spend time with my dad outside of Gotham," Cassandra frowned, with Barbara noticing quickly, "But not for long of course. Should be back in the beginning of November."
Cassandra nodded rather solemnly, "Plan B, ask Selina."
"Or, could ask Bruce," Cassandra's expression became a little more grim, having Barbara raise up her hand, "Hey just a thought since it would be much easier for him to get you in, get to know the people, but… You don't want that," Cassandra moved away from the computer, going to where she had the space to begin her training, "Sometime soon, you'll have to talk to him, Cassandra. And also learn to get out of your comfort zone when socializing. All this beating around the bush won't help regulate how you feel about him or how to be better at communicating."
A small computer was brought up from the wooden floor, a few taps on the screen established the training she wanted to do today, "I'll talk to Selina," a device was brought up along with intricate wiring that looked to be applicable on the body from the ground. This allows Cassandra to put each of them on and then suddenly was put in a different environment that she set up for herself, "After I'm done with training."
"Just don't break anything again."
"Bomb training."
"That's not what my chandelier said last time!"
Cassandra only grinned before starting her training, 'Can't forget, take a break for lunch, and to check on Peter.'
Gotham gazette, located in the up north island of Gotham by Bowery. It was and still is, the top leading newspaper organization that Gotham had. With the likes of Peter working there, they were able to stay up afloat by anchoring their media through the internet instead of just regular old newspapers, radios, or tv itself.
Peter was found by his own desk; it was small, the monitor taking up most of his space, he had some sticky notes as a reminder to do certain tasks when he gets to the point, there was also a picture frame by his desk that had him and an elderly woman smiling at a place called feast. But all the more, Peter was focused on keeping the site up to date, making sure people who post their articles were edited clearly for people to read, and he shifted from tab to tab to organize more of the gazette media.
For what seems like the hundredth time today, Peter let out a sigh as he pressed onto his work, a work he feels has no meaning besides paying him. Then again, he doesn't have to worry about too much since he's living in a mansion with Cassandra, all there is to worry about is food mostly. He felt his pants vibrating, checking to see who messaged him, it was the one and only Cassandra checking in on him.
This little distraction brought a smile to his face as the conversation went on.
BalletCass: Hey :)
Peter: Hey you ;)
BalletCass: Everything alright?
Peter: Alright as it can be, just doing the usual stuff in the gazette. Preventing site crashing, handling people's work, all the jazz and rooze of the gazette!
BalletCass: :/ Did you make it to work extra late again?
Peter: Even way more late with the bit of crime happening in the morning. Apparently one of those crime's I dealt with involved an escape attempt while surfing the train
BalletCass: :( Ever thought of working somewhere else? Somewhere you don't avoid it?
Peter: Most jobs I want requires me to finish college, and even then, I gotta keep Gotham safe in the daytime as well
BalletCass: And you don't want to go back to college. Why?
Peter: Waste of time, I'm right here where I should be. In the action, knowing what's going on, and being of use to people who needs it
BalletCass: I just want you to be happy at what you do v.v
Peter: I'm happy with you 3
BalletCass: Beyond just me, I want you to always be happy
Peter: I am happy where I'm at. I've always done real good here and I don't want to stop.
BalletCass: At the expense of you having no joy in it? I don't have to always be there to know you don't feel invested being there more so obligated.
Peter couldn't help but sigh at the honest to god truth behind Cassandra messages. It does get annoying with how pushy she can be in certain cases, but she does at the expense of care and speaks truth through her words, 'I started here to make some money for May," his eyes drifted to elderly women in the picture, 'And while I move up in the world and more people counted on me both in and out of costume, it isn't the same as it use to be…. What do I do May? Do I choose to stay and keep up the work I'm doing, or do I be selfish to focus on what I want, what I need? God… I wish you were here.."
BalletCass: You there?
Peter: Yeah sorry, just thinking to myself is all
BalletCass: Don't think to hard :‑P
Peter: I'm not. With you, I'm not.
BalletCass: I'm here if you need to talk to me i'll stop training to make time for you
Peter: Cassandra putting aside training for me? Who are you and what've you done with my girlfriend! Is that you chameleon?! How'd you get my number?!
BalletCass: xD Mwhahahah I am vengeance! Fear me!
Peter: Oh god! The monster I fear for so long, it can't be! The travesty!
"Hey Peterrr!" Peter looked up in the midst of laughing at the conversation to find a dazzling woman with fine lipstick that was red as her hair, a touch of makeup on, one earbud in, casual gray and yellow business suit she wore, and the oh so curious gaze she found herself staring at Peter, "Something more interesting on your phone? I wanna know the joke too," She probes while leaning by the edge of his cabinet desk.
"Oh you know, just texting someone so I won't have to worry about the site wanting to crash again," Peter stated while moving his shoulder to block the view of his phone, getting her to pout with how secretive he is. He quickly texts Cassandra before dealing with his coworker.
Peter: Vickie is here!
BalletCass: Good luck soldier :E
Peter: o7
As soon as he mentioned it, he checked to see if the site crashed, "Ok we're still good for the time being. Is Jameson gonna give us equipment to update the server?"
"He said by next week," Peter groaned, letting both hand smack his face, "Hey you know how he rolls and he hates having to deal with this sort of stuff."
Peter leaned his head back on his chair, "I knowwwwwww. That's why he hired me in the first place."
"Technically you came in with pictures of spider-man that I couldn't get. And look how you turned out."
"An adult who finds misery in work?" he said with his wisecrack coming out on the fly.
"That, and you learn how to be an investigative reporter that helps while also being on the," Vickie looked around before giving out Peter's signature two fingers pressed down to the palm action when shooting out his webs, "Field."
Peter blink, not even reacting at the also whipping sound she made before facepalming, "Kill me now because that was terr. I. Ble."
"Ugh whatever, anyhow Jameson wants you in the office for one of those meetings he's having."
"Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy. Yelled about my photos of spider-man and I can't wait to hear him yell again," he said sarcastically, "Lead the way ole Vicki Vale."
She snorted, "Never a dull moment with you Peter. Don't change."
Both coworkers maneuver past other employees when reaching the office of one J Jonah Jameson, the boss and overseer of Gotham Gazette who happens to have sides of his hair gray and the other part of his that was almost becoming gray. There also was bushy mustache that Peter can't help but compare to Hitler anytime he stares at it, and as soon as the thought came back in his, he put his hand to his mouth to hold back his small cracker, 'Jameson really needs to shave it off."
It also wasn't just him and Vickie in the office, a few other important members of the gazette were here too, "Everyone here? Good, close the door Leeds," Leeds did as he was told, "Alright, Vickie, what's the latest on this murderer popping about in Gotham?"
"So far GCPD still haven't gotten a proper ID on the killer. Most of the bodies that were ID are all tied to a gang in Gotham," she pulled a notepad that include research on the crimes involving the recent murder, "Commissioner Dewolf has been very tight lip on the situation, but what I have gather was that these killings are starting to occur on holidays instead of random days; first one that started on a holiday was Feast on St Roch, next one was on labor day, and the most recent one was yesterday on Columbus day."
"I heard rumors that it could be Julian Day back again," an African American who's age was shown by the known wrinkles on his face, "But you and I both know Jonah that Julian hasn't escaped from Arkham when he could've in the last riot."
Jameson sighed, having to be sitting on his table and lighting up his cigar, "Sounds all too familiar Robbie. Murders on specific days let alone on holidays? Almost like its gonna be another long Halloween for that matter."
"I've seen some of those reports Jonah," the African American that was Robbie, who had his arm crossed by Jonah mentioned, "Way more vicious and personal then the one before."
"A vendetta and agenda?"
"Spot on as always Ms Vale," a simple wink was her response to his admiration.
Jonah both eyes roll and groan when taking a drag from his cigar, "Just what we need, another loose cannon in the streets dispensing his own sense of justice. Vickie, I want you to run the news channel again later since Ms Brant called in sick today. We have to make sure that people know to get off the streets no matter if this killer is only going after mobsters and gangsters," Vickie nodded, "Parker!" The aforementioned hero quickly turned his head when he was pouring water in a cup from a dispenser nearby, "How's our site looking today?"
He took a sip before answering, "Hits after hits as usual ever since we converted more to social media. But the servers still are crashing and we need to update them, Jonah."
"I got someone who's gonna handle it in a few days' time. You're gonna handle the camera again today involving our late night broadcasting."
"But Jonah-"
"I don't wanna hear it!" He quickly interrupted with a shout, "This is what you get when you show up late!"
"My train was held by a lunatic's surf riding it!" He semi shouted back to the half truth, excluding that he had to handle them himself since the officers were having trouble even catching them.
"Another day of the Parker luck," he threw his hands in the air, irritated of hearing Peter's excuses, "Nothing's change with you and I don't expect you too," Peter became tight lipped, wanting to say more but instead took a drink out of his water, "Moving on, your also gonna be partner up with Vickie for that Halloween costume fundraiser. And you better dress to impress."
Vickie put her hand to her mouth, snickering enough that Peter noticed and gave her a stink eye for it.
"Ben! I know you got something on Fisk so lay it on us!"
The man that was Ben rubs his brown beard while then adjusting his glasses before speaking, "For one, he's back in Gotham. I know from the boy's in blue back in New York mention that the daredevil had been kicking his tush for some time. And then, he disappeared, leaving no trace of anything left behind. Now suddenly, he's back. I hear some whispers that the reason for his disappearing was because of his wife being sick, but nothing has been confirmed and I doubt I'll get anything out of him since.. Shouldn't I be at the fundraiser?" Ben queried with his eyebrow raised.
"No I'm giving you a break," Jonah coughed a little bit from the cigar, seeing as how he didn't realize that he's pulling the dirt. He put out the smoke of in his ashtray where a few more cigars lay there, "You've been chasing him around the world that not even a book could stop him. No, I'm gonna have you stick around Gotham. Go around the neighborhood, get words from folks about this killer running about, or also people's opinion on this dynamic duo of batwoman and spider-man. I wanna make sure they are the hard truth; whether they're good for nothing people that only make things worse, or somehow they're making our city better than it ever was."
"Jonah.."
Jonah put his hands up at Robbie, "I don't wanna hear it this time Robbie. Doesn't matter if most people think they are good. I want people to know from the streets of Gotham that they also don't promote the good of this city," he stood up from his desk as he moved to the window with his forearms on the window. His gaze took upon the city he lived in for years and years, the reporting he has done for years and years, and to always making sure every single voice is heard in this city.
Not just one group, but every group, "I mean… We're known as the one city to really rely on people with masks because of Batman. Not the fireman, not the police because god knows they still have cleaning to do on the inside, no, we had to rely on people in costume to save us. He started all this, and it's like we're never gonna have Gotham be free of vigilantism," He then turns to the people he worked with for years, all listening to his voice that had become the bridge between sorrowfulness and sincerity, "We're not gonna have Gotham as our own to save, and I'm not sure if it's a good thing or bad thing."
The room was silent, not one had anything remotely to respond back to all that he just said. Like everyone, Peter knows those words come from a place he's only ever mentioned rarely if anytime at all, 'But its not his fault Jameson. When the people of Gotham needed saving they couldn't turn to their own neighbors or the people that were supposed to protect this city. If it wasn't for Bruce then Gotham would be in ruin. At least now, people have a chance to breathe in the city that's being cleaned. When will you realize people need heroes in masks? Not because they have something to hide, but they have people to protect above all else.'
Noticing everyone in their own head, Jonah grew impatient of it, "Well what are you all standing there for?! You got work to do today! The Gotham Gazette stops for nothing!"
So he says, and so shall the employee's do.
Cassandra looks upon the east end side of Gotham. The streets had various people walking amongst one another, some joyful, some spewing hate to one another for competition reasons, and ladies lollygagging in the street causing traffic to be… Well traffic. But this is what her eyes saw, something everyone see's on a daily basis. But her other senses tell her a different story; the smell that grazes her nose, stench and alcohol that pointed to some homeless people in the street, then there was her hearing actually picking up the words people use.
Hate
Fucking
Bitch
Death
Kill you
God
Hell
All those words made her irk, close her eyes, and tighten her fist. Fist she felt was still giving her a numbing feeling of hitting something hard, her knuckles being red while having the stain of blood, and the taste? Yeah, she tasted the little cut of blood on her bottom lip. Even if it was healing, she scowled at knowing why she got it, 'Slow. I shouldn't be slow. Even out of costume,' she chastised, putting down herself in the process.
This was the east end of Gotham, residing in North Gotham, the one that represented the part of Gotham that needs saving. If Peter wasn't here to do it, then she'll do it with or without the costume. The costume had more use in the night, striking fear when it was needed. It makes the criminals breathe easier when the sun rises. But even then, they still had to worry about Peter, or better yet her.
Because Cassandra never takes a day off. Because this city needs to be kept safe for those who can't defend themselves. No matter how different it had become over the years.
Suddenly, she heard the door opening up, eyes drifting to the woman she was meeting; slender in form, chin held high showcases her strong cheekbone, short dark coal hair, yet long enough to touch her eyebrow, greener eyes with a touch of eyeliner, lipstick on, and not to mention, she walked with utter confidence in who she is, no shame in showing her skin, belly out that showed the toneness, arms and even legs out showing her beauty, and all the more ravish being who she is then not.
Cassandra's eyes quickly went back to look at the street of the east end. She also noticed a few things from the older women; one, her face was passive, but with a tint of a curveness in her lip, two, she had bags in her hands and one of them smelled of food, three, the way she was walking her, taking her time, suggested the only thing she can think of.
Selina wanted to extend however minutes she can have with Cassandra. From the sound, and the shadow present right by her, she was standing right above the ledge she was crouch on, "Let me see your lip," Cassandra didn't oblige, her stone face still keeping it straight down the streets over the balcony they stand on, "Cassy," she would do so. Selina would lower herself, move to be in front of her, and then raise her chin. She was inspecting anywhere else beyond the small swollen lip of hers, "Hold this," Cassandra held one bag, the bag that was light and had food. Selina placed the other bag on the floor, taking out alcohol and gauze. In doing so, she was gonna take care of the little bat since Peter wasn't here.
Something that Cassandra like seeing in Selina was the control she had over her body, total balance, and having faith in her balance to stand on the tip of the edge right in front of her. Acting as if she couldn't just fall to the street below her, but she knows she won't. After all, this was Selina, she would always land on her feet like a cat.
When she dabbed a bit of alcohol in the gauze and placed it on Cassandra lip, she didn't react nor flinch, she was strong enough not to react to something as simple as this, "Hungry?" She asked.
"No."
"Your mouth is quivering."
"It's not," quickly, Selina placed her ear on Cassandra's belly, hearing a small grumble that only meant she was lying.
In doing so, Cassandra looked away letting her long hair hide her embarrassment while Selina giggled, "You can't lie with me Cassy," she pulled her chin back to the same position as before, wanting to still take care of the cut just a bit more with the gauze, "How are you and Peter?" She pocketed the gauze and put back the alcohol in the bag.
Cassandra would take out the food, wrapped in foil paper for Selina, and a platter of tons of food for Cassandra. Now she was done playing medic, Selina sat on the edge of the building like Cassandra to eat, letting their feet dangle to the streets below the, "Good."
"Just… good?" Her eyebrow was raised, she knows Cassandra is always short and straight to the point, but Selina wouldn't let her be short.
Like some of the people in her life, Selina want's Cassandra to say more than less. With the fork in her hand, Cassandra stuffs some food in her mouth before answering, "What else is there to say? We're good."
Selina eye roll, "Good lord you're terrible at this. Things like this? Is why you and Peter work well with one another; you keep it short while he feels there's not much to say what goes on with his life. Let's not forget you don't text or call, yet drop by the place under us that I work at," the place she mentioned was an apartment building with the title "East end children's home." It bask in neon light with cat's running along the wording, a creative input that was on the nose if Cassandra had anything to say about it, "Good thing I develop patience otherwise I wouldn't be dealing with kids a lot these days."
"..Would call but-"
"I'm just fucking with you," she ruffled her hair, getting her to pout, "I know part of it is because your busy, and the other part involves not wanting to potentially deal with Bruce," Cassandra pout was removed with a frown, something Selina noticed quite easily with how her shoulder slump when eating, "God knows I tried to have you two talk and it kind of did made you stop calling me in the process. But your not here to talk about Bruce or what we do under the sheets," Cassandra almost cough out her food if she didn't caught herself, "No indeed, but your here for something."
Cassandra took this time to stop eating, drinking some water, "Fundraiser."
"The one on Halloween? It's because of Fisk isn't it?" Cassandra nods, "That's all?"
The tone of Selina's voice sounded disappointed, and even when she mentioned Cassandra got into contact with her just for this specific thing, it made Cassandra feel a shame that she wasn't at the very least talking to Selina beyond her work, "..How are you?"
This got a small smile out of Selina, 'Now that wasn't hard was it?' She thought to herself at hearing Cassandra wanting to prolong their time together, although she had to nudge her to go along with it but she'll accept it nonetheless, "Good. Work is going good. Again, I never thought I would be happy taking care of rotting kids, but I am. Beats them being in the streets and beats them having to fend for themselves. Though," now it was Selina's turn to frown, "I know I can't save all of them, or keep most of them, but hey! One thing I learned from your boyfriend is to be positive with what life gives you so.. This is me being positive!" She held her food out to the sky, as a way of toasting.
In an odd response, Cassandra put her platter up to touch Selina's food, "...That wasn't supposed to be toast Cassy."
"Oh."
She shook her head, again giggling, 'How can this girl kick seven people's asses without looking, yet be innocent all at the same time?' A question she asks herself, but a question she will never get an answer for.
"..And Batman? How is he?"
If Selina was gonna be honest, she was waiting for that particular topic. She drank her orange juice before speaking, "Doing extremely well as all things could be. Sometimes I find him awake at night, staring at the bat symbol. But so far," Cassandra noticed Selina playing with her diamond ring in her fingers when talking about Bruce, "He's doing well, almost too well."
"Think he's faking?" Cassandra genuinely wondered.
Selina shrugs, "When Bruce fake's, he fake's. That was always the problem when he was out of that costume. Sometimes it's hard to read between the line's of him expressing real emotion or bringing about some utterly plastic for the sake of saving face. And it's something you and him have in common for that matter," Selina caught Cassandra puzzled face, "Out everyone else, the costume is who you are, and without it, it's hard to express who you can be without it. You have your moments compared to Bruce, but he's much more complicated in that area. He tries, tries really hard to be the real Bruce that he wants Gotham to see. But how can you be that person when all you knew for your whole life was to be someone who could save anyone from losing their parent's."
Selina would stop for a bit, wanting to take more bites out of her food. The sun was getting lower and she knew their time together was slowly coming to an end, "He tries, but you Cassy? You're uncomfortable, uncomfortable sitting still here."
She blinked, again getting confused at what Selina meant, "I am?"
"Oh yeah. Come on, you can't tell me you rather go back into finding someone who's about to get mug or rape down at the east end so you can beat the fuck out of them right?" She lightly elbowed her shoulder, something that Cassandra quietly acknowledged at the point she was making. And something Selina knew from the unanswered look in her eyes when peering away back to the streets, "When the night doesn't come, you ache for it to come back so you can wear the costume. The only few times you aren't as uncomfortable is when you're around Peter and the whole bat family if we ever get back together, drawing, training, and dancing. Without us and those things, you're uncomfortable to be like this."
Selina hit all the right buttons, buttons that Cassandra didn't want to be aware of. Because regardless of what, Cassandra was a nobody in this city. But the bat? The bat itself was something that mattered more than Cassandra Cain.
The child of two assassin's and the above-else, the batwoman, "And you think that's bad?"
The slight shift of Selina's lip and eyebrow had her thinking just a bit on that notion, "...Can be, at the same time, can't be. Gotham has the bat, but what about you? What does Cassandra want besides being the symbol of Gotham?" Cassandra put aside her food that she hadn't touched in some minutes, questioning the meaning of what she wanted.
'What do I want..? Beyond this, batwoman… What do I want?' She felt Selina hand wrap around her neck to pull her closer, "Don't answer that, not yet. I'm just being a mother in training."
Cassandra's eyes widened when she looked up at Selina, "PREGNANT?!"
A laughter came out of her average size lips, "No! Not now though. But I wouldn't be surprise with how active Bruce and I have been since giving up our individual costume," the thought of thinking those things made Selina bit her lip just a bit, and enough where Cassandra looked at her disgusted, jerking away from her, "Oh don't give me that look!" She pointed, "You and Peter are probably just as active as us!"
Cassandra's face was red, embarrassed once again that she covered it up by going back to eating, "..Don't know what you mean….Either way, he's loving.."
Selina couldn't help herself gently smile with how soft spoken Cassandra was towards her boyfriend. But she also couldn't help but poke and prod at the relationship. After all, she doesn't always have days like this teasing her, "AH HA! So don't judge what Bruce and I do!"
Now it was both of them, the cat and bat sharing a laughter amongst the rooftop. When the laughter died out, the sun was almost gone letting night come through slowly and steadily, "I love him," Cassandra mentioned, her own smaller lips curved happily at thinking of the man she loves, "Loved him..From the beginning. Before he noticed.. I loved him."
Selina snorted, "Obviously."
"Yet… I don't know how to… Make him happy Selina… How do I do that?" She looked upon the mother figure beside her.
"He isn't happy? Or he isn't happy with you?"
"He's happy with me, I can tell. But outside of me… He's not," thinking of how much Peter was unhappy dwindled her smile, "He's troubled.. Has been for sometime, even before… What Joker did to us.."
Consciously and instinctively, Selina's hand rubs along her throat. She still feels it, the somewhat linear scar that starts from the tip of her chin, down to her neck, and almost by both sides of her jugular. She herself was dealt a bad hand when Joker had her ways with her just like the rest of the bat family, "Cassy.."
"I know. It hasn't been… Easy."
Selina moved herself closer to Cassandra, both finishing their food that allowed Selina to hold on to her by her shoulder. Just as she said, Cassandra was uncomfortable, and Selina was one of those people to help cope with being uncomfortable, "Trust that he'll confide in you when things get rough, don't push his boundaries. From what I learn from the years of running in circles with Bruce, he had to want happiness, and hopefully, you want it too. Do you want that Cassy?" She nodded under her, "At the expense of Gotham?"
This got Cassandra to pause, she knew the answer she wanted to say, but was it right? "No one else can be the bat, but me" she said with an unclear answer.
"Then it'll be harder for you to be happy with that burden you have on your shoulders. Not saying it isn't possible, but you might have to choose one day; happiness, or Gotham."
"...I can't choose both?"
Selina shrug her shoulders, "Then you'll be moving in the same footstep as Bruce before what Joker did to him, did to us," Selina raised Cassandra head, having her shamrock green eyes look into the other basil eyes while touching up her already ruffle hair, "I just hope it doesn't all come crashing down on you like it did to him."
They heard police cars from a distance, something that made Cassandra flinch and get out of Selina's grasp. She crouched on the balcony, studying where the car's going, "I know, you have to go."
Cassandra turns to Selina, giving an apologetic expression, "Sorry..I.. enjoy the food and talk.."
She waved her off, "Don't sweat it. I got my time with you which made my day."
Cassandra smiled. She stood up from the balcony and ran along it in the opposite direction to jump to the next building. Selina sat idly on the balcony, watching Cassandra readying herself on the war on crime for another night, 'Like father like daughter I always say.'
So one thing I'll mention, almost everyone of the bat family isn't dead from Joker's big hoorah. Yet, out of all the times each and everyone fought him, this battle had the deepest cut on everyone, some more than others. Selina was about the lucky one to get out without as much damage as the rest, and same as Peter since he was away from the event.
I won't always dive deep on that subject, but there will be times I will touch upon it, either through conversation or a bit of a flashback. And so, I shall see ya guys whenever.