Friday evening the Waynes were alerted to the arrival of the elemental fae colony. The leader is reasonable and accepts they have been recognized as a security risk. They have requested entry for the purpose of rest, refueling and looking for their own kind on the planet. It is clear to anyone in the know they are simply looking for Olivia and her wayward grandmother.

As her stress spikes, Olivia spends the weekend at Victor's. She knows she can't be left alone but she needs time away from so many active minds. They've already proven they will bypass protocol. As a precaution she throws out her influence as far as it will reach. She won't be caught off guard again. Monday morning she returns to school with her brother and friends and there is quite the buzz around Olivia being seen in all white at a black tie party and disappearing with her bodyguard. The press have returned to waiting outside of school grounds but kept far from the gates.

The talk within the school was just about her hair and if she got extensions. If she cared to prove otherwise she'd offer someone to pull or look for tracks. No one is allowed to touch her in that way except Victor and her hair stylist. Throughout the day her dad informs her that the colony has requested to speak with her. She agrees but after she's made herself presentable after class. Bruce has no complaints on making them wait now that they are under a watchful eye.

Olivia's stylist is in awe of the length she has grown since the last time she's seen the girl. The dark skinned woman with streaks of grey in her chatted happily with her. She heard the little rumors of Olivia's boyfriend, saw the many gossip worthy looks, and politely asked if her butler was going to stop in for a moment. Alfred was quite popular at this salon. The Wayne charm clearly came from Alfred Pennyworth. For Olivia it was like watching her grandfather be flirted with. Cute but the youth in her also found it unpleasant to witness.

With her hair styled with Bantu knots in a crow like a tiara with her brown curls exploding out behind them she was ready to be driven home. She refuses the opportunity to change out of her school uniform. They will not have any idea of its significance anyway. Her support entourage consists of her father, Damian, Victor and Arthur. The concept that monarchs have courts consisting of strong and trusted fae, Arthur's presence is almost required. Damian and Victor were there for a protective air and silent intimidation. Bruce is simply a concerned father keeping an eye on his daughter.

The moment she stepped onto the station she felt every fae waiting on a ship she had not seen and the four separated from them. Two earth fae she now knows to be familiar with each other, the old woman and the extra fae she is calling to see her as soon as possible.

A bubbly fair skinned woman with vibrant green hair of soft curls approaches the group with a welcoming smile. She's considerably older than Olivia, perhaps the same age as Bruce but no one but Arthur and Olivia could really discern that from looking at her. "Sophie?" the woman asks, astonished as she looks over Olivia. "Oh...no OH!" The woman squealed, throwing off the whole group who looked to Olivia confused. She shrugged! She's never seen this woman before in her life. "You're Sophie's baby! Oh my gosh! You look just like her!" she cooed and cupped Olivia's cheeks. "And you're a monarch too! This is so exciting."

"I, take it you've met my mother," Olivia said while gently plucking the woman's hands from her face. "I'm Olivia Ferris Wayne. And you are?"

"My name is Jade!" she said with a smile. "I am an empathic fae and I am also here to mediate your talk with the other monarch!"

Olivia looks to Arthur and he has to scroll through his phone very quickly. "Empathic fae's deal with emotions," he explains. "But to what capacity, Miss Jade?"

"I steal them!" she announced as she led the way to their meeting room. "I can pick and choose which emotions from the people around me I want to hold on to. I can give you a demonstration if you like since my services will be needed. And given the nature of your abilities it will be required. We don't need a fight breaking out on a space station between two power houses. And may I make a suggestion?" she asked while turning to face Olivia. She nods for her to carry on. "Do not bring the demon gentleman into the room with us. That could spark hostility from the visiting monarch."

"That is the intention, Jade," Olivia states in a strangely sweet voice. Victor winked at the empath and smiled.

"Okay then!" Jade says while clasping her hands together. "Given the nature of your abilities your meeting room is actually a containment cell. You are of course free to go as you please. The elder fae is still under arrest along with her earth fae escort. Before we begin, do you have any questions for me, Monarch Wayne?"

"I...how do you know my mother?" Olivia asked as they waited to be let into a room with a high amount of security just to get past the door.

"I was her asylum caseworker when she arrived. I felt another fae on the station for the first time and had to be the one to help. She came to me with so many questions." Jade pauses while gripping at the collar of her uniform. "It pained me to learn what happened to her and her husband, but knowing you survived was a relief. And you thrived! Gosh you're practically a clone of her."

Olivia smiled and felt a slight pain in her heart. "Thank you for everything. You're part of the reason I'm here and you gave my mother her name!" Her smile is cheerful but there are tears forming in her eyes.

Jade gasped and took out a tissue for Olivia's eyes and touched a hand to her cheek. "No, no tears. A monarch needs to be like steel when speaking to another. Do you want me to hold on to that sorrow for you?"

Olivia sniffed and dabbed at her eyes. "No, I will be fine. If he finds me crying repulsive he'll have to deal with it. My dad trained me to be better than to lash out when I'm overwhelmed with my emotions."

Jade leaned to one side to inspect Olivia's face. "Scared?"

"Terrified but my dad taught me how to manage that fear too."

The older fae smiles. "I will be remaining as impartial as possible but the higher ups on the station do understand that this is a bit of a drunken dance between powerful people with our own ways of doing things. Does anyone else have any questions for me? Mr. Wayne?"

"My daughter will be taking charge of this," he said in his most Bruce Wayne of voices with one arm behind his back. "I am afraid I'm out of my element and simply here to support my daughter." Jade nodded and opened the containment cell. A wide room with metal floors and two tables set up on opposite ends with two chairs each. There were devices in the ceilings and walls meant to suppress metahuman-like abilities. If they worked on fae will have to be seen to believe. Damian and Victor took to standing on either side of the table with Olivia and Bruce sitting and Arthur behind them. Damian and Victor were rather impressed at the stern look on Arthur's face. That may be the urge to protect his monarch kicking in. Bruce offered the hand of his uninjured arm to his daughter to hold and she took it without a moment's thought.

Once Olivia's group was settled the others were called in. A door on the opposite end opened and the monarchs and their entourage were escorted in by Watchtower security. The earth fae floated in the rock that has the elder fae still unconscious and contained. Olivia squeezed her father's hand tighter the moment she recognized the other earth fae. A young looking woman with long dark hair and dull eyes. The assassin. With the elder fae set beside the table a man entered after them. Tall with long black dreadlocks, dark skin and the same vivid golden eyes dressed in a similar zero suit to the elder fae. His eyes locked on Olivia as he took his seat.

"Thank you for being so patient with us. I introduce to you monarch Olivia Ferris Wayne. Our visitors are from a star faring colony. As you know, Miss Wayne, they have no names."

"If it will make this discussion easier to carry out, you may give me a name," the male monarch said. His voice was soothing, warm and with a slight rasp.

Jade looked to Olivia before returning her gaze to the male monarch. "For the time being your name will be Jerrith. Will the elder fae be joining us in this conversation?"

Jerrith looked over at the woman sealed away beside him. "In a limited capacity. She will remain contained. Allow me to wake her." A hand was held out and the woman was given a jolt. Her slumbering ended and she woke up with a groan.

"Ugh, my head," the woman grunts. The blindingly lit room comes into view and her eyes settle on where the familiar energy is coming from. Not the man beside her but Olivia across the room. "The masterpiece still continues to disappoint. You should have killed me."

"That's still an option," Damian said in a cold voice.

"Am I to assume this is going to be some kind of discussion between monarchs or a chat with our lessors?" she sneered.

"Please remain civil. For ease your designation will be Tonya," Jade points out.

"And what gives you the right to speak to me in such a way?"

"I do," Jerrith responds before Olivia can speak up. "Remain silent while I clean up the mess you made for us." The woman sighed but continued to glare at Olivia. "Let me begin by offering my sincerest apologies for any trouble my mother has caused given my lapse in command."

Olivia narrowed her eyes. "Trouble?" Bruce squeezed Olivia's hand. "She attacked me without warning, attacked my family and sent an assassin to kill my parents and attempt to kidnap me. That's more than just trouble!" Jerrith bowed his head briefly then raised it to maintain eye contact. "If you're really the one that was supposed to be in charge then did you send her to do all of that?!"

"I did not but I am responsible for her actions as monarch. When your mother left the colony I was devastated and," he begins to explain.

"She asked you to go with her!" Olivia said with her words shaking..

"She did," he replies as a forlorn expression takes to his features. "I explained that I had my responsibilities to the colony. They need me to lead and protect them. I failed at doing that when it became clear just how enamoured with your mother I was." Olivia sucked in her bottom lip and had to gather her energy along her spine to keep from hurting those around her. "I loved her and it killed a part of me to let her go."

"If you loved her you would have gone with her!" Olivia said with her voice shaking. "You let a pregnant woman travel alone to who knows where and just assumed she'd be fine?!"

"Your mother was stronger than me."

"AND LOOK WHERE THAT GOT HER!" she snapped with her hands shaking and her eyes closing. After a deep breath the lights in the room dimmed back to their normal illuminance. "My mother had nothing but kind things to say about you except one thing. That you're a coward! Too scared to do what you really wanted to do. To say what you really mean."

"You stupid girl, our life is not black and white," Tonya laughed. "We sculpt worlds. Order keeps that machine running smoothly and your mother refused to be a part of it."

Olivia narrowed her eyes as they flashed. "You should have chosen better. Isn't that what you told me? Now be silent or I will make you keep your mouth shut. The real monarchs are talking." Her gaze turned back to Jerrith. "Did you know that she was responsible for my mother's death?"

Jerrith shook his head. "Up until I arrived at the station I had no idea she was dead. Nor did I know why my mother set us on this path through your system until it was too late. And it would seem that I am late yet again in keeping her from causing more problems."

"Do you even care that she's dead?" He paused, took a breath and dropped his eyes. "ANSWER ME!"

"I mourned your mother leaving and then I had to experience that all over again when I came here. She was a shining star to me. I attempted to keep that light from fading by letting her go and my neglect extinguished it anyway." He took another slow breath while the lights near him dimmed.

Tonya rolled her eyes and sneered. "Do you have something to add?" Jade asked after looking between Jerrith and Olivia.

"I'm sorry, I thought I wasn't allowed to speak in the presence of two monarch children that can't control their emotions."

"You are one to speak of control!" Jerrith snapped at his mother. "She would have stayed if not for you! She would be alive if not for you! My daughter would not look at me with such...disdain had you simply accepted that she was stronger and wanted nothing of it. I count myself lucky she will even speak to me!" He composed himself. "We are long over due for this discussion and I will have that with you once we are on our way. All of us."

Olivia's side of the room grew hostile and cold. "You and your fae thralls?" Olivia asked for clarity.

"And you as well," Jerrith says.

Olivia's eyes lit up. "No."

"Little sprite, this planet is too dangerous for you to be on your own! You're still growing into a proper monarch with no colony around you. There are Kryptonians on this planet! The Reach are here! We travel in the wake of planet conquerors not ahead!" His eyes landed on Victor and he glared. "There's a demon in this room as we speak. I owe it to your mother to keep you safe!"

Olivia got up on her feet. Arthur was on alert and Bruce took her hand again to keep her grounded. "You owe it to my mother to leave me alone! Me, my family, my friends, my boyfriend! If I could keep you from coming to Earth ever again I would. A small part of me was hoping that maybe I could learn more about being a fae and a monarch from you. I don't care anymore!" She turned to Tonya and glared. "I hate you. I don't hate anyone so congrats on that tremendous feat! I have been insulted to my face since I was a child, called slurs, had my academic career sabotaged and threatened with sexual violence and you soared ahead of all of those people to be the worst person I have ever known." She took a breath to calm her energy. Jade offered out her hand but she refused.

This needed to be said. Her attention turned to Jerrith. "I am safe here. The Kryptonians you're worried about are family friends! The demon has a name! It's Victor and I love him! I feel safe enough to know that I will never have to fight like I did with your mother ever again! I am confident in that. But do you want to know the one day I felt the least safe? When my parents died. The day I was stuck in a burning car screaming for anyone to help as I listened to my parents' minds fade! If not for this man beside me your perfect little monarch would be dead too!" Tears swelled in her eyes and broke away. "Whatever my mother loved in you enough to beg you to come along is clearly dead! You do not have the right to call me your daughter! I would sooner have my skin ripped off again then go anywhere with you. I do not need you in my life."

"Ungrateful little brat," Tonya hissed.

"I AM NOTHING BUT GRATEFUL YOU HORRIBLE WOMAN!" Olivia yelled, her body shaking and eyes glowing as she continued to cry. "You have only taken from me. My parents, my security, my confidence that I'm not a monster! I will make myself clear. If you come near me or my loved ones I will break you and no one will stop me. I have a father, his name is Bruce Wayne! My only grandparent is Alfred Pennyworth. My name is Olivia Ferris Wayne and I don't need you! Goodbye!" She turned on her heel and stormed out of the room with the lights growing in intensity as she passed. Victor nodded to Damian before following Olivia out.

In the cell Arthur took Olivia's seat. "I am part of Monarch Olivia's court and I will carry on any further discussions in her absence," he announces. Jerrith looked distraught. He wanted to follow her but knew it was best not to press his luck. He got to see her, hear her, feel how strong she is. It will have to be enough. Damian came to stand beside Arthur for further support. The kid was scared but hiding it well.

"Is this acceptable, Monarch Jerrith?" Jade asked.

He clasped his hands together over the table with his head hung. "Yes," he said as that once strong voice cracked. "To ensure the continued prosperity of my daughter I will divulge all that we know of monarchdom. And what is to become of my mother and her thralls. Please, let's continue."

Grief, anger, confusion and regret were all Olivia could feel from the other true monarch. He's not her father. Simply a donor of genetic material like Melissa said. Her path through the station was blindly set. She felt herself being gently spun about and brought into a familiar chest. A subtle cologne brushed past her nose and she brought her arms around Victor. "You'll walk right off the station at the pace you're going, Sunshine," he teased. He felt her tremble with a mild static bouncing through her hair. "Angry?"

Olivia nods before leaning back just enough to wipe her eyes. "The only blood relatives I have in this universe and I hate them," she sniffles. "And how dare they say I'm not safe here! And around you, John and his family! If he really loved my mother he'd offer to stay here with me! Why does it have to be what he wants and not what I want?" Her eyes shut and she tried to catch her breath. "Why do I still want them to love me?" she cried. "I don't understand why I'm like this! I have everything but not having them is making me feel so alone."

Victor cupped her cheek with one hand to bring her eyes to his own. The red around brown was vivid. How dare they make her cry. They'll be lucky if they leave this station in one piece. "They had their chance and they blew it," he said in a low, soothing voice. "Nothing more to do except move on. You have a big family that is way cooler than some planet remodelers or whatever. You've got me. Dangerous demon that I am!" The smile on Olivia's face was weak as a tear rolled down her cheek. Victor brushed his thumb over to wipe it away. "They suck which is really on them. You already know you don't need blood relatives to feel loved. That sperm donor of a dad never got over your mom and now he'll never get over losing you. Fuck em!"

Olivis reached up to touch the hand cradling her face. Her eyes closed and she let off mild static. "Thank you, Victor," she choked out.

"It was nothing," he said with a low voice. "I'm sure your dad would have said something way more profound." She sputters into a laugh. "I don't think I've ever heard you yell like that before. Angry crying too."

"Yeah," she croaked. "Tim said they're tears of frustration. I'd love it if I could stop being such a cry baby."

"Nothing wrong with feeling what you're feeling, Sunshine. I think the last sign someone has really fucked up will be when those tears stop," he theorized. "Exploding marshmallow at that point."

"I don't want to get to that point ever. I scare myself when I yell... And stop telling me to use you. You're not a weapon to send out. You're my boyfriend. I don't want to treat you like they treat their colony."

Victor hugged her close. "Yeah, but I'm really really good at being a weapon!" he stressed. Another laugh out of her. "Even if you don't call on me I'm going to be there to rip out someone's throat for making you cry." Olivia sighs before lifting her eyes to his. "Jail doesn't suit you so why don't we go tour the station? They got anything to eat up here?"

"Of course they do," she laughed while tugging him along.

Victor narrowed his eyes. "Is it astronaut food?"

She shook her head and laughed more. "No, now come on!"

After what felt like ages, talks with Jerrith's colony came to a close. Olivia and her support network would return to the manor to discuss all that happened while she was and was not present in the room. The discussion was brought to Bruce's office upstairs. Arthur was still not allowed to linger in the cave for very long which he did not take offense to. The more he knew of how the family operated the more he understood their precautions and eccentricities.

Olivia took to sitting like a proper lady, ankles crossed and back straight, across from Bruce. Arthur sat beside her in the remaining chair while Victor leaned over the back of Olivia's and Damian milled about. "Did you get to touch on all the questions you wanted answered," she asked Arthur.

The boy nodded and took his phone out for his notes. "He was remarkably willing to provide answers," he replies. "There are still some things we won't know just yet so I made a request for video recordings."

"On what exactly?" And why was he being so helpful? Did he actually want to be some kind of father and look out for her in different ways?

"I wanted to further understand the nature of monarchs but also the molting process you went through as well. And given the level of expertise their fae have in manipulating their own elements it felt worth getting that information as well. We could help fae that are on Earth better understand themselves."

"Your mom and Sylvia will be happy about that, that is if we want to give any of this to Sylvia?" she asked while looking at her dad. Arthur sits straight up. Has something happened with the doctor?

"Sylvia has always withheld information from us regarding Olivia's development," Bruce points out. "Nothing stays hidden from us for long but knowing she is leaving it up to us asking the right questions has us concerned. She may do the same with the information on the fae. It is not up to her to determine who gets to know what."

Arthur bowed his head. "I see. My mom has given everything she's had and lets me look through her research but I guess because she's more focused on sharing what she learns makes her different from Dr. Mars."

"We can drip feed her things, right?" Olivia asks. "Sylvia knows there are other fae in the city but I don't think they've approached her for any kind of help. Unless that's something else she was not telling us."

"Not that we've seen. She's not fond of taking analog notes so when another fae arrives at her door we will know," Bruce explains. "We'll keep everything at hand for you and Arthur to reference whenever you like. Professor Deupree can have free reign of whatever you and your court deem acceptable for her to know." Arthur and Olivia looked at one another then back to Bruce. "There are no wrong answers here and you have time to figure it out."

Olivia sucked in her bottom lip. "I still don't want to be a monarch but I don't have much of a choice anymore. And I don't want to hear or see them ever again. I'll just get the notes from the monarch videos. When will they be leaving?"

"They're projected to take a month to gather all the information we've requested." Bruce watched the cold look in his daughter's eyes grow. "In that time the courts will determine the punishment for your parents' deaths. After which they will carry on their journey."

"She should be in jail," Olivia states. "But I'd rather they never come back. Something tells me I'm not allowed to really have a say in that, huh?" Bruce nods. She sighed. "I don't care what their colony does but if either of them get within my influence I am going to deal with them. If he cares he'll leave me alone. I'll entertain giving him another chance when I'm done being mad at him. Probably when I'm 30." Bruce lightly chuckled. "I should thank the fae that showed up."

"And also make sure they can keep their mouths shut about what they saw," Damian adds. "But are you going to be okay, 'ukht?"

"In general? Maybe?!" she shrugged. "Have to find a new normal but it is nice that it includes more fae for me to know and friends I don't have to lie to now."

Bruce looked at the young faces before him. "I'd like the room to speak with Olivia," he says while taking a more relaxed posture. Victor leaned down to kiss the top of Olivia's head then made for the door. Arthur rose from his seat, gave a bow and a nod to Bruce before hurrying behind him as well. Damian rolled his shoulder and vacated last, closing the doors behind him. After a moment of insuring they could have a private conversation he sits up to lean on his desk. "How are you, sweetheart?"

Olivia gives a weak smile. "Tired. Happy this is all over. Ready to go back to being just a seamstress," she laughs. "I'm still pretty angry but mostly at myself. Is it bad that I still want them to love me?"

"No, it's not," he says in a soft voice. "It's quite normal wanting people you have a blood connection with in your life. You already know family is more than that but I understand and I'm sure your brother understands better than me." Olivia sucked in her bottom lip and nodded. "I'm sorry this couldn't have a better conclusion for you."

"It's still pretty good. I mean if it turned out someone else killed my parents I'd just be hunting them for the rest of my life," she theorizes. "I don't know if I would have run out and joined the other monarchs in hunting that person down or if I would have been brave enough to even think about it." She sighed, rubbed her face and slumped in her chair. "It's so heavy. I don't think my parents would want me to be hung up on any of this. Papa would want me to be happy and free to focus on my art. Mama would have probably told me to forget about people that want to hold me down and make me be what they want me to be." She gripped the front of her shirt and tried to maintain her composure. "Thank you, for everything by the way. You're the best dad a girl could ask for." She hopped up from her chair and stepped around to hug around his neck tight with her cheek squished against his own.

"Coming from my favorite daughter, that means the world to me," he said with a smile.

"I'm your only daughter," she laughs.

"See, favorite." He squeezed her. "I do need you to slow down on growing up so much this year. My poor heart can't keep up."

"If your heart can't handle all of that then maybe it's time for you to take a vacation. Like you promised," Olivia said and did not pull away. Bruce grunts. "You promised, dad!"

Bruce sighs. "Okay, sweetheart. 48 hours...starting tomorrow."

"Starting now!" she said while her eyes narrowed. "You've taken care of us, now take care of yourself. You're the only dad I have and I want you to last as long as possible." She let him go and stood straight. "Do it!"

Bruce held up one hand. "Starting now. Think that birth-father of yours lucked out. I doubt he'd survive being bossed around like this." Olivia stuck her tongue out at him and he laughed. "I love you, Olivia."

"I love you too, dad."

Gotham City under snowfall is a strangely beautiful sight. An urban skyline lit up with neon refracting off snowflakes as they begin to blanket the metropolis. Damian leaned against the railing on the roof of Oasis. He can feel the loud music of the club just below his feet. A party to ring in the new year. A room of his friends and family and their friends. Somewhere downstairs Raven and Melissa are dancing with Olivia enjoying their night.

A man in white tactical gear crafted to lean more into a suit landed on the lower roof. What gunpowder or blood was easily brushed off or washed away by the snow melting on him. The sleek black mask was removed and Victor exhaled. A bit of steam rose from his head as he wiped sweat from his brow. "You're late," Damian points out, then holds out a duffle bag.

"Oh fuck off, you know what it's like," he snickers while pulling off his coat and dipping into the building with Damian. The stairwell would be good enough for getting changed without being seen. The security cameras near them were easily jammed. "He is so fucking mad, it's hilarious," Victor laughs. His weapons were tucked away save a knife holstered under his arm. He is still working tonight in a sense.

Damian shook his head. "I guess you were right, he is disappointing," he said while looking down the stairwell to ensure the coast was still clear for them. "Get him tangled up with Falcone and we may have two hotheads willing to step on each other's toes more than anyone else's."

Victor nods then grunts as he swaps out of his boots as fast as possible. He still hasn't mastered the quick-change the Robins have but he's getting there. Needing to wear winter clothes doesn't help. "Hoping for that! Iggy thinks he's better than what he's got. He'll be moving out from beneath Oswald before long and hopefully in a big, flashy way." Finally dressed for a night of fun and instead of an evening of getting shot at he looks himself over. "How do I look?"

"Like yourself, so unfortunate we can't do anything about that," Damian razzes with a smirk. The loaded down bag was taken up. "She's already picked up on you getting here. I'll stash the bag in your car."

"I have to stop letting you borrow it," Victor said with a shake of his head. The two young men went in separate directions. A heavy metal door opens and a wave of hot air and music rush over him. Security minding the door would give him a nod as he passed. On the third floor mezzanine he searched the dancefloor for Olivia. This was the party he promised her and while he was late everything was put in place to ensure it would start without him. A far younger crowd than Oasis is used to entertaining so the bar was limited and strictly watched. Branagh is showing off behind one counter wowing the young party goers.

There is something in the air that Victor is growing more and more familiar with. The scent of fae. Two dozen members of Olivia's own colony accepted the invitation and enjoyed the festivities. Looking up and across he spotted her in the VIP section surrounded by her closest friends. He came to lean on the railing smiling as she laughed with her hair lighting up. Beautiful. She didn't let his absence ruin the night. He's very lucky to have run into a girl that already understands he'll be pulled away at a moment's notice. Honey colored eyes rose and met his own. The light in them increased and she excitedly waved. Effortlessly he weaves through the crowd to make it to her.

Olivia's entourage consisted of Melissa, Rae, Arthur, Tim and his boyfriend Bernard, Yazmine lit up and excited, and the ice and siren fae from the scuffle with the monarchs. One Zara and Rashid respectively. "Look who finally decided to show up!" Melissa shouts over the music. A bit of sound dampening technology made it so she didn't have to shriek to be heard.

Victor flips off Melissa before leaning down to kiss the woman he's been looking forward to seeing, Olivia. She cupped his cheeks and giggled. "Not too busy out there?" she asked while Rae slipped over to give Victor space to sit next to his girlfriend.

"Nothing that couldn't be solved with time to spare," he replied and kissed her again. Not a whiff of alcohol on her. Was she waiting for him before drinking? His attention pulls towards Rae and he gives a nod. "Hey, cousin."

Rae smirks. "Hey. I met your brother," she announced. "That family resemblance is strong."

"Oh shit, Doug actually came," he said genuinely surprised. "Still have to tell him he's part demon but it shouldn't be a problem if he never knows right?" The shrug he receives is not reassuring. "Yeah, I'll tell him before the year is up."

"That's in like four hours," Olivia laughs. As Damian returns to their little group her attention stays on Victor. There is a glow about her as she hugs him with her head resting on his shoulder. "Are you hurt?"

"Nothing I can't walk off, Sunshine," he assures then placed a kiss on her forehead. She never cut her hair and he's grown to appreciate the length and the fun ways she's come up with to control the excess. "Wanna head downstairs?"

Those honied eyes stare him down. "Are you sure you're okay?" she asked and reached over to gently press at his ribs. He grimaced. "See!"

"Nothing a shot or two can't help me ignore," he laughs. Rae and Damian are gone, followed by Melissa tugging Arthur along. She wants his help in finding a certain metahuman she noticed was present tonight.

"Oh, I got you!" Yazmine said and reached into the locked cabinet that was one of the coffee tables in this section. A bottle of amber colored, spiced rum was sat on the table along with a crystal tumbler. "Livia wanted to try this one with you," she pointed out and poured a double shot.

Victor accepts the glass and smiles. "Thank you Yazzy." He drained the glass and Yazmine filled it once more so he could share with Olivia. As she gingerly sips and shudders from the kick of it Victor pulls his attention to the rest of the court. Rashid seems happy to sit between the two elemental fae. He may have a thing for powerful women. Victor can relate. "So who all showed up?" Victor asks his shuddering girlfriend.

The rum is a bit strong for Olivia but she's enjoying the sweetness and the warm feeling down her throat. "Jonathan is here. So is Jaime. Jason was here for a little bit if you can believe that," she tells while taking her time sipping her drink.

"I can't imagine Red having any kind of fun that isn't punching someone," he scoffs. When Olivia finished her single shot he had another, thanks Yazmine and whisked his girlfriend off to the dance floor.

"Are you sure you'll be okay?" Olivia asked as they went along floor after floor. She is spun around making her giggle and then pulled close. "Okay, but I'll ask again tomorrow." He wasn't bleeding or wincing as they moved. He smiled and watched her like they were the only ones in the room. Her heart is light and body practically glowing. The red ring of light around his eyes is soft and now something she notices in Raven's eyes and Doug's as well. They're perfect.

The night carries on around them and Victor gets to see many new things. Jonathan Kent got too excited throughout and as a result Branagh had to bring down the hammer on anyone that could fly. Damian dancing was wild to witness. The guy had moves but loved sticking close to Rae and would match the energy she brought. Arthur cutting loose was a delight for Victor and Olivia. Not needing a mask really helped him open up though it seems his unique eyes grabbed him more attention than he could manage.

Melissa found her metahuman she'd been fixated on for months it seemed. A senior member of Doug's baseball team. Metahumans hide in plain sight. Tim and his boyfriend seemed content to be more of chaperones for their younger siblings. There were a few faces he recognized from the game, some he saw at the banquet. Jordan! The man was drunk, loud and had an energy that seemed infectious. Did he know a metahuman and that's how he got in? No matter. Nothing really mattered beyond Olivia and Victor.

Victor paced her through drinks and kept an eye on if her energy got out of hand. So long as she stayed in high spirits all was well and how could she not be? Surrounded by friends and family, the love of her life. In a sea of people like her. Welcomed and appreciated. He feels the same and wants to feel like this as often and as long as possible.

Approaching the final minutes of the year Victor and Olivia's entourage stumble up onto the empty roof. Damian holding Rae. Melissa, this new player and Arthur. Doug holding hands with who is clearly his date. Perhaps when they're more sober he'll get a better introduction. Olivia's court. Jonathan, Jaime, Tim and Bernard. A few extras are swept up by the energy of the group or simply following the alluring pull of their enraptured monarch. Nearby they hear counting down and join in, shouting at the top of their lungs into the crisp night air.

Across Gotham fireworks shoot off. A ball drops in downtown and revelers everywhere celebrate making through another year and hopeful for the next. Olivia finds herself lifted into Victor's arms. Her eyes are wide, cheeks dark and hair sparking. His smile was warm before he kissed her long and deep. What better way to start a new year than with the girl he loves surrounded by friends and family.