The days following the attack on the parade brought answers to the forefront for the bat family. Anarky is less an individual and more the entire group attempting to help Abigail O'Shay achieve her goal. Lonnie Machin, the head of the group, seems quite attached to Abigail and found a supplier for the dog tags a state over. They kept a low profile by gathering as much stock as they could and storing it across Gotham U. He then took advantage of Riley's paranoia over Victor no longer being as well behaved as the families expected. The first few patches were untainted to keep from rousing suspicion. Once Lonnie was close with Riley a little sleight of hand allowed him multiple opportunities to swap out his cigarettes for ones laced with the fear toxin from Abigail's wings. He was more than willing to try and get rid of one head of the families regardless of how Abigail felt about her father.
The rising unrest around metahumans would be a cause to raise hell and disrupt the facade of peace in the city. If normal people were afraid of metahumans it would be the kind of fear that cripples them. Abigail just wanted to spread fear and take out her frustrations on an unsuspecting populace. Not investigating the college more presented a blind spot to the group. Many of the members of Anarky were students there and quite a few former members of activist groups. Some were pushed out for their extremist views and methods. In Damian and Victor's opinions the root of all this trouble was unresolved daddy issues. Once the damage and casualties are calculated their sentencing can begin.
The security forces around many areas of the city were beefed up. Oasis was closed only to receive an alarming turn out on Monday night. When Victor was called in on an emergency a crowd of metahumans and allies wanting to party was not what he was expecting. There were countless videos and testimonials of metahumans stopping in the chaos to help those around them, be it getting people to safety or trying to restrain someone going on a rampage. Whether this comradery and alliship will last is up for time to tell.
Red Hood and the Robins were tracking down the last of the dogtags, tainted or not. Messing with Venom invites a larger problem to touch down in Gotham. The Botanical Garden received multiple donations from high profile attendants that were kept safe during the chaos. There was a banner erected and social media tags reading "Thank You Pamela!"
School remained in session. The faculty of Gotham Academy reached stability with a few of the teachers involved reinstated once cleared of any guilt or involvement in grade tampering. Olivia's chemistry teacher makes his return though clearly uneasy about it. Arthur is having to jungle his classwork with sorting out a micro business in photography. Damian proves helpful in that regard. Of the Wayne siblings, numbers were far easier for Damian to wrestle with than Olivia.
Olivia and Melissa endured a burst in popularity. The pictures Olivia shared on her socials were beautifully shot by Arthur. Perhaps the few shots of Melissa using the shepherd's hook on Olivia spurred certain conversations around the best friends.
"Every other comment on these pictures is just 'step on me mommy' and it's getting old!" Melissa grumbled on Tuesday. The quartet changed their lunch location to a cafe across from the Academy's campus.
"Told you, some people just want to be dominated," Damian says before taking a bite of a brioche sandwich. Arthur is attempting to slide the mask Damian let him borrow for the party towards him and the young man pushes it back. "Keep it. Think of it as a thank you for using your abilities for good."
Olivia smiles with a bit of static crackling through her hair. "You really came through, Arthur."
"I'll say," Melissa chimed in. "Crowd crush is no joke. Accept the present and when you finally get the glasses that help in the same way you can keep that for the next costume party."
Arthur shrank a bit in his seat as he turned the narrow mask over in his hands. "Yeah, but it feels so expensive."
"Not to sound very self aware but it's only expensive to you," Damian explains. "But if it helps, it's also old. Consider it a hand-me-down."
Olivia chastised Damian.
Olivia puffed up her cheeks with static in her hair. "I'm sorry, Art, that was a bit insensitive of me to say."
"It's fine. Every day I'm more and more aware you three are from a completely different world than me. It just gets a little jarring." Arthur is scrolling through his camera reel to the more candid shots he managed to take of the party Melissa will be using for her next ambitious party. "If you really don't need it anymore then I accept the gift."
Damian stares Arthur down before looking at Olivia.
Damian's eye contact wavers for a second.
Arthur leaned towards Melissa while the siblings continued to argue in a language the rest of the party could not understand. "What are they saying?" he whispers.
Melissa shrugged. "Beats me. It's like Arabic or something. Probably about the big family secret they think they're so clever with hiding." The table grows quiet and the Wayne siblings are staring at Melissa. "Did you think I wouldn't catch on?" she snorts. "You all must think I'm dumb as fuck! Olivia is a terrible liar. Always has been. I'm happy you and your friends were there to help." She smirks before sipping at her tea.
"We don't know what you're talking about," both siblings say in unison.
"Right. We need to get back to campus before their new security gets squirrely."
The students gather their things and head across a busy street for their next set of classes.
"I take it Victor is part of all of this too, right?" Melissa asked and got her confirmation from the dead silence from Damian and the static from Olivia.
"Miss Mel, I think you're stressing them out," Arthur says while adjusting his bag.
"Oh, I know. And I hope they know I'm capable of keeping my mouth shut."
"For the sake of your well-being do not hesitate to reveal what you know," Damian quickly clarifies. "We can handle the fallout." Olivia reached out to squeeze Melissa's hand. The girls smile at one another and walk just as close as always.
As the day goes on Olivia feels an itch at the back of her mind. Is she forgetting something? Her portfolio was set to be reshot over fall break with Arthur. Did Dr. Sylvia give her another assignment? Flexing her influence was now something she did when in a crowd. Any new fae she met were cheerfully greeted and sent on their way. Her grades were stable, all projects on schedule. Victor's birthday isn't for another week and she already has his present being worked on. What was this itch?
Victor was waiting for the Wayne siblings. A meeting between the bat and the mask was insisted upon now that Bruce was finally back in town but the whole ride to the Belfry Olivia could not shake this feeling. What was she forgetting? Or was she uneasy? Maybe it was feedback from the other fae? Is that a thing that can happen? Maybe sending good vibes out will help ease someone's day? She had no intention of using a heavy hand as a monarch if she can help it. Even in that regard. The parade was an emergency.
Victor looks over to Olivia then gently nudges her. "You okay, Sunshine?" he asks her. "I'm supposed to be the nervous one today."
"Hm?" She blinked a few times then looked back out the window. "I'm fine. I've just had this gnawing feeling at the back of my mind all day."
"And here I thought you were going to criticize my driving," Damian said from the driver's seat. He was enjoying the power behind Victor's car and may start sneaking out for joy rides with one of the monsters they have back at the manor.
Victor felt a little strange being a passenger in his own ride but Damian asked and there was no harm in it. He rightfully assumes the Waynes dislike asking for something. "Anything you can tell us?" he asks.
"No it's like...I dunno. It just feels like something I need to be doing but what?" Olivia sighs and leaned over to rest against Victor. "I'll probably figure it out soon enough." As they passed into the last tunnel leading into the garage of the Belfry a bit of static rolled along her skin. It was strong enough to grab Victor's attention. Perhaps she still needed more time to decompress from the parade.
Within the Belfry's garage there were no new vehicles. Bruce must still be on his way. Victor's keys were quickly confiscated from Damian before he could take the car on a more thrilling joyride through the city. It was clear he was itching to do so on the drive over.
"No idea why he didn't want to do this in the cave," Damian grumbles as they rode up the elevator.
"You know how he can be when it comes to showing anyone the cave," Olivia says. "And I bet you didn't tell him you used the teleporter in it for the extra help, did you?" Her brother looks off. "I didn't think so."
"Better to ask for forgiveness than permission," Damian replies. At the top of the elevator shaft the gate opens and the three step out. No one else is around. Tim is still in class and Jason has his own base of operations on the south side. "I doubt he's going full cowl today. He's not that dramatic." Olivia paused to stare at her brother. "Mm, right... When was the last time you saw my father as the Bat?"
Victor had to think about it. It may have been two years or so. "It's been ages since anyone on the east end has seen him stomping around."
"It may be a lot to take in after all that then," Olivia warns. "Though what's taking him? It's not like he has actual work to do."
"A little harsh, don't ya think babe?" Victor chuckles.
"I mean it's true. The company almost runs itself and Damian is on his way to taking over all of that."
"Unfortunately!" the young man grumbles then takes to sitting at the super computer. He is going to go ahead and get to his usual work of monitoring the scanners. He's certain there's still trouble brewing out there somewhere. Victor joined him. Might as well keep busy while they waited. It wasn't long. Olivia alerted them first before the elevator began to move. She bounced excitedly. He hasn't been home in ages. It was going to be nice seeing him again. She wanted to grill him on where he's been with no word.
A bit of static crackled through her hair. Victor took note of her confident posture. Was Bruce walking into a lecture? As the elevator opened Bruce Wayne stepped onto the landing. A statuesque man as he ever was wearing one of his many suits, just not the cowl. He smiles and holds his arms out to Olivia. "Hello, sweetheart," he says.
Olivia walked away and Bruce looked crushed! "Oooo, she's mad!" Damian whispered then got back to work.
"You promised to let us know if you were going to be gone longer than you said. You lied!" Olivia explained then walked off to the kitchen.
Bruce sighs, rubbing at his forehead. "Olivia, I'll explain later."
"I know!" Such an adorable girl being so brutal with a smile was hard to watch. "No hug until then. The parade and party incident went well, by the way."
"So I've heard and then saw. Now down to business," Bruce said while approaching Victor. The young man stood tall with his hands jammed in his pockets. "Victor."
"Mr. Wayne," Victor says, bringing all the bravado of the enforcer he once was and clearly never fully shook being.
"Play nice!" Olivia called from the kitchen.
"Babe, come on. We've always been nothing but cordial," Victor explains, not once moving his eyes from Bruce.
"I was expecting you to take longer to piece everything together," Bruce says in a calm voice.
"We both know that's not true," Victor scoffs.
"I expected you to find out two weeks prior," Bruce explains. Is he disappointed? Olivia is watching the both of them with her hair crackling.
"I have a day job. My money doesn't accumulate on its own." Olivia scrunches up her nose. She expected this meeting to go poorly. It was like watching two feral dogs bark at each other. "Though I may have been a bit distracted."
"Don't make a habit of that," Bruce warns.
"Heh, yeah that's not gonna happen. I love her too much to neglect her in any way." Olivia's hair lit up causing the lights around her to grow brighter. Why did he have to say that to her dad like that?!
"How sweet. You must really intend to join the family in more ways than one," Bruce said and it was clearly an attempt to shake Victor's resolve, but also dad mode engaged. He'd like to know how far this relationship will go. They're both still kids in Bruce's eyes. Olivia's face was red and she was now hiding it behind her phone. Why are they like this?!
"I'd like to extend an apology," Bruce begins. Victor tilts his head to the right. "For letting you slip through the cracks."
"I had a feeling you've been tracking me. Then again who don't you keep tabs on?" Victor sighs while rubbing the back of his neck. "So how long?"
"From the night after Riley had your parents killed." Victor clenched his jaw. Olivia's eyes were wide. He never told her what happened to his parents. "I was too late. Your father was on his way out but he was running with information Riley did not want getting out."
"That he carries the metahuman gene." Damian stopped typing behind Victor. "The families are a bunch of purists. And I'm guessing the evidence my dad found out to be leverage was either another one of his bastards." He crossed his arms. "Or he saw what Peyton can do. The man sure has a weakness for his daughter. I imagine you can relate." Bruce grunts. "If only he paid attention to the rest of his kids like that."
"He seemed convinced you were going to seek revenge one day," Bruce states.
"I keep telling everyone it's ancient history. I already dealt with the problem when he showed up. No one expects their best friend to stab them in the back like that, much less try to kill his whole family in the process." Victor can practically hear Olivia's heart breaking for him.
"Evidence at the scene pointed to your mother inflicting the killing blow." Bruce narrowed his eyes. "She tried hard to cover your trail in her last moments."
"Last thing she ever gave me." Victor watched as Olivia walked over and hugged Bruce without warning. He returns the hug and lets her slip off to Victor. "Ancient history, Sunshine. I'm fine."
"Well, I have you to thank for one thing. She would have spent all day being mad at me," Bruce laughs. It was the first one Victor heard that wasn't a scoff. It was light and the smile on his face was genuine. Bruce extends a hand to Victor. "Welcome to the team, Black Mask."
Victor takes the hand in a firm shake. "Glad to be here."
Damian turns in his chair. "Now that all of that is out of the way. Care to explain why you were MIA for so long?" he asks, seeming more annoyed than worried.
Bruce looked at Olivia then moved to the other supercomputer to pull up information. "I was called to the Watchtower when I finished my mission. An inmate that's been in a coma for the past 13 years has woken up." Olivia's grip on Victor tightened.
"What prisoner warrants your immediate attention?" Victor asks. The family around him is quiet. Olivia's eyes are wide as she stares blankly forward.
"The person who killed Olivia's parents," Bruce clarifies. "They were found in a catatonic state not far from where the family's car crashed. We were unsure on why that was at the time but thanks to Dr. Mars' research and the information from Professor Deupree I know why. They are fae." Olivia was rolling in static that got stronger. "In a moment of distress Olivia must have exerted her will over them and stopped them in their tracks. They remained in that state for days until they fell into a coma. Now that they're awake we can question them but they will not talk."
"I'm not going," came Olivia's small voice. She was trembling. Victor's eyes took on the faintest ring of red around his iris as he glared at Bruce. Was he really asking her to confront her parents' killer?
"Olivia, I know this isn't easy for you," Bruce begins.
"Then ask someone else!" she snaps with her voice cracking.
"I have tried every interrogation method and called on every telepath at our disposal. It's like they are a drone waiting for orders. If there was any other way, I would not be asking you this."
Olivia stepped away and Victor let her go where she wished. His eyes were still locked on Bruce burning a hole in his back. The least he could do was look at her while asking her to do this! "I can't send my influence that far out, at least I don't think I can so I can't be the reason they're awake!"
Bruce sighs and turns to face his distraught daughter. This is important and key to keeping her safe if only she'd understand that. "Father stop!" Damian snaps. Damian really does pick his sister over everyone else. Then again Victor doesn't fully understand the relationship he has with his father.
Olivia made for the elevator with her arms wrapped around herself and the lights beginning to dim along her path. Victor followed, not sparing a look to anyone else. She takes a breath, the lights stop fading and the elevator rumbles to life.
What happens after they make their leave means nothing to him. Bruce started this fire. He can't be surprised she would react this way. Olivia made it to Victor's car and waited to be let in. Once they were ready to go he drove in the direction of the east side through the various tunnels the family employed to get across the city fast. "Where do you want to go, Sunshine?" he asks in a gentle voice.
"Anywhere but home," she said with her voice cracking. His home it is. Olivia sniffs as she wipes at her eyes. She needs to control herself. She'll kill his battery and everything they pass along the way. Why? Why did he have to ask her to do something like that? She was done with that terrible chapter of her life! They got no answers and she moved on! How strong a hold could she have put on one person that not even a telepath could not break through to find the answers Bruce was looking for? Why did she have to go up there and face that...monster!? How well does he think that's going to go? She knows everything they took from her now! Her hands are shaking as she tries to reach for her phone then gives up.
Victor drives in silence but offers a hand to her. She takes it without hesitation. When was the last time he saw her this shaken up? When they parted after that first date? Is she heartbroken over this as well?
His garage door shuts and Olivia hurries upstairs to get away from all the expensive equipment in it. Victor lets her move on while he starts a group chat with Melissa and Damian but what is he going to ask them? This feels like he's not trying enough on his own but he doesn't want to fuck this up. A message comes from Damian. It appeared to be a shopping list of comfort food to pick over. He already knew her favorite ice cream. So food may be a good start. He'll place a delivery for a few things then set his phone on the counter.
Olivia has taken to sitting on the mats in the corner of the living room. Her knees are pulled up to her chest and her head resting on them. She feels Victor moving beside her and lets out a trembling breath, trying to speak but chokes on the words. An arm comes around her and pulls her close. A calm comes over her and she just breathes. She raises her head and sniffs while wiping at her eyes. Victor pressed a kiss to her temple and said nothing. He'll wait all night for her to find her voice if he has to.
"I hate him," she squeaks.
"You don't hate him, Sunshine," he says in a low voice.
"Yes I do! How could he ask me to...to..." She takes a breath and calms herself after noticing the lights dimming. "He told me I'd never have to see them ever again. He lied!" He could not have predicted something like this happening. That wasn't fair but she moved on! She struggled with losing her parents for years and he helped her through that. For the longest time she wouldn't go anywhere near a car. He helped her there too. He gave her a new home, made her feel safe and loved and now...He can't expect her to look her parents' killer in the eyes and demand answers. She would probably insist on something terrible be done and she doesn't like knowing all this anger was hiding away inside her. She wished they would just wake up and tell them what Bruce wanted to know and leave her out of it.
"Knowing the one who killed my parents was fae just confirms what I always knew," she sighs. "They died because she left. I don't want to know more than that. That...that my mother may have been a fugitive on the run. A survivor? A war criminal? She was my mom and I needed her and they took her from me! My papa, whether he meant to or not, had me set to being just as smart as him. I could read about as soon as I could talk! I... I was going to be a big sister..." The memories of that day are pushing forward and she can't help all that she feels. Like a hole in her chest she spent a decade filling was opening up again.
Olivia curls in on herself again, holding the sides of her head and trying to focus. It hurts to hold all of this in. Why her? Why now? Why them? "The day my family died my papa learned my mom was pregnant. I'd known for about a week. Maybe longer. I could hear their little mind growing. I couldn't do anything when all their minds went quiet. First my mom, then my sibling...and last papa." she swallowed, trembled and wanted to scream. "He was so scared but he begged Bruce to help me first!"
"Bruce was there?!" Did the news leave that part out or did he simply forget a key detail?
"He's the only reason why I survived. I wish I'd died with them..."
Victor lifted Olivia into his lap and held her close. Bloodshot eyes crack open and lose focus as she listens to the steady rhythm of his heart. She pushes the face of that fae as far from her mind as possible. They don't matter. They can't hurt her. There's no comfort in knowing she was always monarch strong. Didn't change the fact she could do nothing to save her family.
Victor stared across the room trying not to grip Olivia too hard. He wanted to kill Bruce. He knows it's just him lashing out over her being upset but what are they going to gain from stressing her out like this? She's been through enough. He needs to take her from all of this. Somewhere safe where she can just be.
Food arrives and it's enough to lift her spirits, if only a little. She never once touched her phone. Her influence was reigned in as tight as possible. She didn't want to ruin someone's evening. It was clear she ruined Victor's. He slipped into his workout regime to keep himself busy. His phone buzzed across the counter but he did not bother picking up. Not until Olivia had made the decision to shower and turn in very early. She was drained from everything she felt today. That gnawing sense that she was forgetting something is growing. Sleep may give her the only break from her feelings.
His messages were what he expected. More tidbits of advice from Damian on what she might enjoy to get her mind off everything. One was talking to Melissa. Melissa's suggestions are violence, one possible reason why he got along with her, sex which she even admits is not even close to a bandage but ultimately all three came to the same conclusion. Give her space. She needs time on her own to make sense of her feelings about this whole affair. Does she want answers?
Victor had to leave her for the night. The club needed his heavy hand and he dressed in his best with the minimal mask stashed away. She slept through him leaving and a message was sent to let her know if she wakes while he's gone where she can find him. At Oasis Victor kept today's events on his mind. The anger and frustration shown on his face in a near constant displeased expression helped for intimidation when his mind was elsewhere. It was hard to get anything more than a grunt out of him.
Yazmine gently tapped his shoulder and the glare she received made her hair ignite. Victor pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. "Sorry," he says and gives a weak smile. "Just thinking about killing someone. What can I do for you?"
The server held her drink platter to her chest as she calmed. The reaction she has was just like Olivia's. "I was just hoping everything is alright. You usually have such a relaxed energy about you and earlier today I felt a sudden, I don't know how to explain it. It was like Olivia needed my help. Is she okay?" Victor narrows his eyes while he thinks. "I'm sorry, it's none of my business. If a monarch wants me to know what's going on they'll tell me," she laughs nervously.
"Olivia is fine but were you at the club when you felt that?" he asked, giving her more of his divided attention.
"I was at home on the lower west side. It felt so different from when the parade was attacked." Just how far could Olivia's influence truly reach? That was clear across the whole city. "Is she okay?" she asks again. She didn't believe Victor the first time.
He sighs. "She's just stressed at the moment. Everything will be okay. No need to worry about our little monarch." The truth seemed to set Yazmine's mind at ease more than the soft lie. Everyone has bad days. It may have come as a relief that that is all it was. Work was smooth sailing from then on. At least for him. He sees getting to elbow someone in the face as a perk of the job. Maybe he'll slip back into the underground fighting scene when boredom truly strikes again. Especially now that the chance of supped up scrubs entering was lower.
With nothing more to worry about and the security team of Oasis well trained Victor was home by 3am instead of leaving the club at that hour. A package at his doorstep was scanned for the contents inside before being brought into his apartment. If he knew a different collection of people he would be more suspicious. It was a change of clothes for Olivia and a clean uniform for her to wear. That's right, she had class tomorrow. Her shoulder bag was collected from his car and set on the counter with the package's contents. A quick scan of the apartment had everything as it should be. He was exhibiting a level of caution he never bothered with before. He was slowly turning into a guard dog around Olivia.
Olivia was sound asleep. No twist of her countenance as she slept, just peace and her soft breathing. He scrawled a note explaining what he learned from talking with Yazmine then took a shower and climbed into bed with her. This may be the only time anyone could sneak up on her. For quite some time he simply lay beside her watching her sleep. The soft caress of his knuckles against her cheek has her stirring and she rolls closer. He can't help smiling as she curls into him. He could imagine getting to come home to her like this often. He drapes one arm over her and her eyes flutter open. "Hey, Sunshine." She smiles, closes her eyes then tucks her head beneath his chin. This was too good a feeling. He might actually steal her away. He holds her close and closes his eyes.
The Wayne siblings rise early every day. Given how far out of the city they live it is quite a drive to get to school on time. It's nothing they are not used to and sometimes prefer. Olivia lay awake at her usual time watching Victor as he slept. This was her first time getting to witness that absolute calm about him and it not be caused by him recovering from an injury. He'd rolled onto his stomach with one arm still over her practically pinning her down. Just a few moments longer and she slipped free to prepare for the day.
Yesterday still weighed on her mind but she wasn't going to let herself be defeated by one surprise from her dad. Her hair was lit up to burn away any dirt hiding within the curls and coils. In the kitchen she took notice of many things. Her school bag for one. The note Victor wrote out. His handwriting was far nicer than she could have imagined. Seems her reach went wider than expected. She drew a sheep with big eyes and a cute smile. The opened package had her curious but it was clearly her clothes inside. Did he collect these while she was asleep?
Once dressed for school she steps out to a nearby corner store for breakfast. Her messages were checked as she sat at the kitchen counter munching away. Concern from her friends and brother. She'll be fine and reassures them as much by sending a picture of her dressed for class. With her ride on the way she returns to Victor's bedside and gently wakes him. One brown eye cracks open. At some point while she was away he pulled the pillow she slept on under his face. He notices that she's in her uniform then rolls over to groan. "Right, you have class. I'll drive you," he says but once he attempts to get up she keeps him from going far with a hand to his chest.
"I already took care of it, Wolfy," she says, then leaned over to kiss his lips. "Thank you for letting me stay."
He smiles as his eyes close again. The hand on his chest is brought up to his lips for a kiss. "Need me to get you after class?" he asks.
"Yes please. I...I'm still not sure if I want to see my dad. Real messed up with how excited I was when he finally came home."
"Okay. Remind me before class gets out. I tend to get a little swept up in training."
Olivia beams then kisses his lips. "Okay! I love you." He rumbles in a pleased manner and pulls her in for a deeper kiss. With a giggle she pushes away. "We do not have time for all of that!" she laughs.
"I just really like hearing that. Love you, Sunshine." Victor smirks as the light scent of ozone leaves his room.
Another day at the academy with nothing of note. That same itch at the back of her mind returned. She had all of her assignments finished. She didn't forget anything she needed at Victor's place. What was she forgetting? The information she was giving about how far her influence can reach was shared with Arthur and Dr. Sylvia. What good knowing these things will do her has yet to be seen. She is fidgeting in her one class with Arthur and the boy can't help taking notice. He feels nothing overwhelming from her but he's never seen her so agitated before.
"Miss, Olivia," he whispers to her during a lecture. "Are you okay?"
She tops her incessant tapping of her notepad that would normally be full of sketches in the margins. "Yeah, I just...feel like there's something I'm forgetting," she whispers back.
"Miss Wayne, Mister Deupree. Am I boring you?" their teacher asked while tapping at the board.
"No sir," they speak in unison then settle back in...and resort to sending texts instead. Olivia explains this strange itch to Arthur as well as she can but as she gets the words out it just seems confusing. It's like there was something out there that needed her attention. She explains that there's a fae at The WatchTower her dad wants her to talk to but not the crucial details of who this fae was. It was clear that was the source of the feeling of distress he felt yesterday.
Melissa's offer yesterday to fight her dad still stands. With the knowledge that she knows exactly who that is now makes Mel seem pretty scrappy. It is still not something Olivia is okay with. She needs to fight her own battles, but still. It comes as no surprise that Damian is more silent than usual. He may know exactly what their father is trying to do and struggling with if it will be of any benefit to Olivia. It's the most frustrating thing about Bruce. How often he was right. He could have more tact when it came to dealing with his own children or at the very least Olivia who does not live the life the rest of the family does. At the end of the school day Olivia does send her brother home with a message for their father. She will speak with him this weekend if he can sit still for a few days. To Damian that was enough to keep Bruce from wandering far.
At Victor's apartment Olivia got treated to watching him in action though admittedly fighting one of her brothers, Jason. Seeing him move like the brawler he grew into was exhilarating to behold. Her eyes were glued to Victor instead of her studies. A slight bit of static kept crackling through her hair as she beheld the way he moved and just how strong he is. The wild and determined look in his eyes. Her eyes were wide as she watched her brother be flipped, slammed on his stomach and a wooden blade pushed to the back of his neck.
Victor finally got a win on him! Finally! "WOOO!" He yells as he bounces around. "Fuck yeah!" Olivia giggles and he jogs to hop over the counter and kiss her.
"Oh, ew! You're all sweaty!" she squeals!
"Mm, you have a change of clothes," he says while still holding onto her. They watch as Jason gets on his feet and grumbles. "Oh, here it is. Where he tells me he let me win because you're here."
"Do you think I want my baby sister to see me lose to you?" Jason explained then looked over his arms and shirt. There were shallow cuts but deeper ones noted by how darker the chalk left behind was on more vital spots. The man did know his way around a blade.
"Fuck yeah!" Victor laughs. "Now to move on to your other brothers! Ah!" Olivia flicked his nose. "Only joking...slightly. I feel like I'll reach peak me if I can take down Damian."
"Damian has been trained to be an assassin since he was born," Jason explains then comes over to the fridge to grab a drink.
"What?!"
Olivia waved a hand. "Long story we might get into during a family party."
"You Waynes are so strange."
"Guess that's why you fit in," Jason adds. "A bunch of fuckin' weirdoes." He walks by tapping at Olivia's homework and the girl huffs but does get back to work. She spares a moment to drag her nail down Victor's spine before he walks away. It was like a jolt he could feel in his toes.
"You should leave, Red," Victor announces.
"Keep it in your pants, we've got work to sort out," Jason says while approaching the armory door. Victor grumbles and follows after him but quickly dips over to kiss Olivia. "Do I need to get a spray bottle?!" Jason yells from the armory. Olivia and Victor smile at one another before he heads off to talk shop.
"Putting such a damper on the mood in the room, Red," he laughs then saddles up to his computer. Jason put his minimal mask on so they can trade information. "Tracked down two other mistresses of Riley. Only one of them has a child by him and yup, metahuman. So long as no one gets a hold of these pictures Ibane had they shouldn't have any trouble coming their way."
"Are you sure someone in one of the families hasn't already pieced together Riley's little secret?" Jason asked while examining the evidence they had.
"Unless he frequented someone else's brothels like the sex addict he is it's not likely."
"How is he recovering?"
"Don't know and don't care. He's out of the running now after going nuts and turning into a mole. Peyton already wiggled her way into his chair and the boys seemed willing to follow her. Did you find Anarky's supplier?"
Jason grunts. "They cleared out and not soon after the riot hit the news it seemed. Unrelated, you got time for a job?"
"Depends. How far out this time? And obviously the nature."
"You might need a passport."
"Ooo."
"Don't get too excited, you'll probably be bored with this one. Bodyguard duty for some Korean popstar. He makes a habit of slipping away from his security detail the night before a big concert to go on a bender. His agency is finally fed up with it and needs him kept in line."
Victor laughs. "What kind of fucking amateurs let some pretty boy get away from them?" Several images of the popstar are shown to him and Victor tilts his head. "I've seen his face before. This adorable Korean woman has a bunch of K-pop posters for sale in her grocery store. He's been up there for a while. This feels like an investigation kind of deal. Missed two concerts? Sure this shit isn't just nerves?"
"That's what you need to find out, on top of making him stay put. The pay is pretty good too."
Victor snorts. "Is that in won? Ooo it is not! For that price I'll fuck him if it keeps him from running off." Jason raises a brow. "They're clearly expecting results. A two day job shadowing him and I get out of the country and it not involve getting shipped to Italy?"
"What?"
"Falcone's thinly veiled threat was sending me off to his home country to get some sense beaten into me. He clearly didn't want to risk doing that. I might take over for all he knew."
"Right. The agency is taking care of your accommodations. Flying private of course so bring what you need. Maybe brush up on some Korean while you're on your way."
he says. A translation pops up on Jason's overlay and the man smirks. "I should get Olivia something while I'm out there."
"Just don't make it fabric. Everyone gives her fabric!" Jason was the most guilty of it. He spent more time in places with vibrant textiles to pick over.
The gears are turning. "...would she want to go to his concert?"
"Good luck getting Bruce to agree to that."
"That man is in no position after what he asked her to do."
Jason pulled his mask down and narrowed his eyes. "What exactly was that?" Jason peered at Olivia who had on her earbuds humming away to music while she completed her assignments.
"Asked her to help interrogate her parents' killer." Jason grit his teeth. "She said no but something tells me she's figuring out if she wants to hold to that decision or not."
"So long as it's her decision and not his."
After Jason left Victor did ask if she wanted to go to a concert in South Korea. She seemed excited until she found out who the artist was and her exact words were "I don't want to watch that fuckboi, hard pass." On top of that she needed to speak with her dad this weekend. As for a gift she claimed she would like anything he brought back if he had time to look. It would be quite the busy weekend for the couple it would seem. He offers her his place to crash if talks with her dad don't go well. She's optimistic.