welcome to the justice lounge

Selina waits in the transport room, going through a large bag. The cat shards are in a box, wrapped and stuffed so they will make no noise. Also in the bag are small canisters of antidote— one for each League member going— that she had obtained when she met up with the lab techs earlier. Isis weaves around her ankles and hops up onto a console beside her. “It’s all right, girl,” Selina says, scratching her head. “I’ll be back safe with everyone else.”

Cass heads into the transport room, pulling on her gauntlets as she walks. She looks up to Selina, nodding, “You set?”

Selina smiles when she sees her and nods, one hand automatically going to her whip tied to her belt to make sure. “All ready. Here, the lab made them up.” She tosses one of the canisters to Cass. “Supposed to negate the effects of the cat’s stuff, but they said for it to work best, it pretty much needs to be spray for spray. If he takes two, we’ll need two to bring him down. Hopefully he hasn’t showered in it, otherwise we’re going to need an awful lot more.”
Cass turns the canister over in her hands, “Well. We’ll see how much he’s packing.” she looks to the cat, frowning when she remembers what little exposure could do, “He’s not going to be happy with that.”

Selina chuckles. “No, he’s not.” She pats the box, a little pleased at how well packed it is that she can’t hear movement inside. “I’m not much of a strategian, but I was thinking that this box might give the rest of you some time to prepare or get into position or whatever you need to. If he’s busy with me and checking out the cat, he might not be aware of you. That could help us, with any luck.”

( now exists space )

Steph comes bounding up the stairs and knocks loudly on Bai’s apartment door. “Bai? BAI?!” she calls out anxiously.

Bai is in the tub sculpting a city out of the water, stop-motion powered by the speed force, when she hears the rapping on her door and Steph’s panicked voice. Startled, she drops back into objective time and the grand city of sweeping spires and asymmetrical buildings collapses back into the tub with a huge splash, sloshing out over the side and even more as the speedster climbs out and wraps herself in a kimono robe, already speed-dried by the time the silken fabric slides against her skin.

She goes to the door and opens it, three seconds after hearing Steph’s entreaty, reaching out to press her thin fingers against the other girl’s shoulders. “Stephie? What’s wrong, did something happen?”

Steph reached out, took hold of Bai around the waist, picking her up and pressing her close, cheek to cheek. Steph could smell the vanilla of her shampoo. Eyes screwed shut, she didn’t answer Bai, just breathed in deeply, feeling her thrumming pulse.

Bai didn’t mind the closeness, not one teensy tinesy weensy bit, so she lifted one leg slightly to wrap around Steph as she was picked up. The other girl, normally so grounded and sturdy, felt indescribably … more fragile somehow. Not in terms of her corporeal body, that was as lush and strong as ever, but maybe in spirit? In confidence and demeanor. It was clear that whatever thing had driven Stephanie to come banging at Bai’s door, breathing in her scent as if it were oxygen, it had taken its toll on Steph.
"You can tell me," Bai said, quietly, rubbing her fingertips out in rays from Steph’s spine, along her back. "Whatever it is, you can tell me and we’ll get through it."

Steph kissed the space behind Bai’s ear softly, sighing at the soothing motions of Bai’s hands on her back. She walked them further into the apartment and kicked the door shut carefully behind her. “You’re going to think I’m crazy,” she admitted, not letting go of Bai. She had the irrational fear that Bai would dissolve like smoke if she stopped touching her, like this would turn out to be some beautiful dream she would unfortunately wake up from.

Walking them down the hall and into Bai’s bedroom, she laid them down atop the mess of soft sheets that smelled like her. She pressed their foreheads together and closed her eyes, holding Bai’s thigh to hitch it higher up her waist. She just wanted to hold her and enjoy the unbelievable relief of having her back. “It sounds crazy,” she tried again. “Most of the League was sucked into a pocket dimension for weeks and nobody had any powers and we were attacked by demons and each other and lots of drama happened. And apparently we were only gone for like, three hours real time.”

She peaked through her lashes at Bai and smiles sheepishly. She felt so warm and safe looking into those pretty brown eyes of hers. “I missed you, honey.” Tentatively, Steph kissed Bai’s forehead and lingered. Then she kissed her nose. The apples of her cheeks. Her lips.

Bai kissed back, turned her face up to receive Steph’s kisses, her leg wrapping more securely around Steph’s waist as they settled down into the bed (piled high with sheets and comforters and cushions; the speedster needed heat and a sense of confinement when she slept). “It would sound crazy to other people maybe,” she said after considering what Steph had related. “But you’re talking to somebody who feels like she’s been away from people for a week when it’s been an hour to the other person.”

She stroked and tickled her swift fingers down Steph’s temples, along her collarbones, over the sweet swell of Steph’s bottom, back up again. “At least you’re safe now,” Bai murmured, leg tucking Steph closer to her. “Safe and home and whatever happened to you there, with the, the demons, spleez, that sounds serious! — you can talk to me about it and I’ll be here and I’ll be here always.”

That was a big promise. It was a big promise for anybody, but for Bai, somebody accustomed to shifting scales of time and the prospect of always meaning fractured shares of never-ending non-speedster time alongside the rapid stream of the Speed Force, it was bigger than that. With Steph’s lips on her face, though, the throaty sound of her voice, it was a promise that Bai felt only the strangest contentment in making.

Steph’s face felt warm and she broke the kiss, bumping noses. She didn’t know what to say to that, understanding a certain gravity behind Bai’s words. It knocked the wind out of her to say the least and, for once, left her dumbstruck and speechless. She smiled, feeling herself start to cry gloppy tears that left hot streaks down her cheeks. But it wasn’t a sad crying. “Thank you,” she laughed, skimming her fingers over the sweet curve of Bai’s waist and settling on the small of her back through the silky robe.

"You’re a miracle, you know?" she said. "I’ll be here always, too." Closing the inch of dead air between them, Steph kissed her again, this time slowly, more reverently. It was a promise, a thank you, an I missed you, and I love you between tingling lips. Her other hand curved to rest in Bai’s soft, pixie-ish hair, running her nails along her scalp. Steph opened her eyes and laughed again joyfully.

"It was crazy. But I think it did us all some good. Put things in perspective," she admitted. "I’m just glad you weren’t there." Because as awful and alone she’d felt at times in Cachement, as much as she had missed Bai, there was no way she could have wished any of that on her. She couldn’t imagine the toll it would have taken on Bai to lose her powers, no matter how short the time. So when she said she was glad she wasn’t there, she meant it. She just wanted Bai safe and sound.

Bai speeds her way to the park that Steph suggested they meet at, her mochi ice cream balls carefully kept cool for the travel.

Steph swings idly on a swing and feels a an unnatural breeze. “Hey, Bai!" she says in greeting, standing to hug the girl around the waist. She eyes the new ice cream curiously. “You always know the best stuff to eat, huh?"

Bai hugs Steph back, hard, before sitting down on another swing. “When you eat as much as I do, you get to try a lot of things!" she says brightly, holding out the shallow box. “Have you had these before? They’re ice cream wrapped in this superthin chewy rice dough! All kinds of flavoursseematchanadstra​wberry and chocolateandvanilla and all kinds."

Steph smiles at how excited Bai is, finding it endearing. “Nu-uh, but they look really good," she said, sitting down beside Bai and taking two of the four ice cream balls for herself, chocolate and strawberry.

She tried a bite of one and bugged her eyes. “OHMYGOD," she all but moaned behind her mouthful. “Mmph.~ Seriously, Bai, we’ve got to have another lunch date soon. I’ve got to pay you back for this." Steph took another bite of the ice cream ball, swinging her feet happily.

Bai picks up a green tea mochi, then gingerly puts it back down, watching Steph eat hers. “That was so much fun," she says, although her tone is almost flat, even. “I rilly liked spending time with you, Steph. You’re funny and you like doing things all the time and your hair smells nice. And is pretty." Bai picks up the mochi and crams it in her mouth, followed by the other one, and then wraps her hands around the chains of the swing.

( romance in the park )

Steph rings Cass’s doorbell, on the phone with Bai to give her directions as to where to pick the two girls up. “Knock knock! Time to find you some new man candy!”

Cass smooths her hands over her dress, it’s shinier than she’s used to, but it’ll do for tonight, “C’mon in!” she welcomes Steph in as she opens the door with a wide smile.

Bai zips into the open doorway alongside Steph. “You two look smoking hawt!” she bawls.

Steph let’s herself in and gives a low whistle. “Someone certainly looks the part tonight!” she laughs, gesturing to her two friends, rocking black tights and a deep purple tank top dress. She wraps an arm around Bai’s waist for a hug. “How’ve you been, Miss Jam-Packed-Schedule?”

Cass smiles as Bai arrives, “You two look great too”

Bai hugs Steph back enthusiastically, her shimmery silver slipdress scrunching up. “Good! Lots of school and running around, the usual, you know.” She hugs Cass too and claps. “Where we going tonight? Somewhere with lots of disco ball action I hope!!”

Steph laughs, pulling out her phone to show Bai. “It’s downtown in this renovated aquarium. You get to dance in a huge room full of even bigger fish in their tanks. And yes, I’m pretty sure it’s got a disco ball or two. Think you can run us in and through the front door? The line will be killer.”

Bai salutes. “Aye aye, Batgirl! Well, Batgirl Squared,” she grins at Cass. Scooping the girls up one by one, Bai runs them into the club and they all find themselves standing next to a tank with an enormous plated fish inside, staring at them with its glassy eyes. “Waugh!!” Bai squeaks, jumping back and laughing.

Cass pokes a finger against the glass with a laugh, “Big fish, meet little fish.”

The club was packed and in full swing, illuminated only by the overhead black lights, glowing fish tanks containing various exotic sea creatures, and yes, of course a disco ball. Steph laughed, snapping a picture of the two by the glass.

( ain't no shame 'cause i gotta get mine )

Bai: ONCE I MADE ALL THE TITANS BROWNIE VALENTINES HEARTS WITH SPECIAL FROSTING MESSAGES BUT I EATED IT

Steph: GAH WHY DID I NOT KNOW YOU THEN? *Clings to Bai so she doesn’t fall and her stomach rumbles.* Brownies = legit love. True facts. Ooh, want to go catch some lunch now, actually? I’m starving!

“Yah yah yah!” Bai stopped rushing them around and waited as Steph scraped her hair out of her mouth and eyes and back into order after being speedstered. “What you wanna eat? I could go for anything. Likeliterally. If you don’t feel like eating at a place and you want ohIdunno pizza from Naples or something, I could go get it and we could eat inthepark although I’m good with going somewhere to eat too!”

Righting herself, Steph grinned excitedly at Bai, grabbing her hands and asking seriously, “Really? Could you run us to London for fish and chips? We could have chocolate truffles for dessert!” She locked her arms around Bai’s neck, not sure what the protocol was after never having been ran anywhere before. “If that’s okay, I mean. We could check out all of the cheesy touristy stuff while the Olympics are going on.”

“You never gone Speedster Express?” Bai widened her eyes and started hopping up and down, jogging in place, building speed. “You’re infora treat, Steph! As long as you don’t get like motion sickness or anything because thathappenedonce and it was super disgusting and I don’t wanna repeat that again.”

By this point there were little silver-blue sparks and lightnings crackling around Bai’s shins, and she impulsively kissed Steph on the cheek before jerking a thumb over her shoulder. “Climb on my back!” she directed, “and keep your armsandlegs tucked inside my speed envelope, that’s the MOST IMPORTANT thing!!”

( speedster express )

STEPH: Brownies = legit love. True facts. Ooh, want to go catch some lunch now, actually? I’m starving!

“Yah yah yah!” Bai stopped rushing them around and waited as Steph scraped her hair out of her mouth and eyes and back into order after being speedstered. “What you wanna eat? I could go for anything. Likeliterally. If you don’t feel like eating at a place and you want ohIdunno pizza from Naples or something, I could go get it and we could eat inthepark although I’m good with going somewhere to eat too!”

Righting herself, Steph grinned excitedly at Bai, grabbing her hands and asking seriously, “Really? Could you run us to London for fish and chips? We could have chocolate truffles for dessert!” She locked her arms around Bai’s neck, not sure what the protocol was after never having been ran anywhere before. “If that’s okay, I mean. We could check out all of the cheesy touristy stuff while the Olympics are going on.”

“You never gone Speedster Express?” Bai widened her eyes and started hopping up and down, jogging in place, building speed. “You’re infora treat, Steph! As long as you don’t get like motion sickness or anything because thathappenedonce and it was super disgusting and I don’t wanna repeat that again.”

By this point there were little silver-blue sparks and lightnings crackling around Bai’s shins, and she impulsively kissed Steph on the cheek before jerking a thumb over her shoulder. “Climb on my back!” she directed, “and keep your armsandlegs tucked inside my speed envelope, that’s the MOST IMPORTANT thing!!”

( girlfest )

Alone.

He was always alone.

Of course he was always alone. It wasn’t like he helped matters, hiding away in his apartment.
Feeling sick hadn’t helped- some kind of food poisoning, perhaps? He’d kept hydrated. Kept alone.

He was going to die alone.

Why would anyone want to stay with him? Why would anyone risk being with him? He was a freak.
How many nineteen year olds did he know that didn’t… Didn’t want...

He was never going to fall in love because no one would let him. He was going to be alone for the rest of his life, watching Steph, Babs, Dick, and even Jason and Damian fall in love and get married and whatever they wanted and he’d be alone.

He’d be alone.

( not alone )

MSG:

Help Kate, Hal. I’ll get Mia.

Mia stay where you are, I’m sure the Titans Tower is safe but I’d feel better if we were together. I’ll see you in a little.

MSG:

Okayy I’ll be here.

It didn’t take Connor long to arrive at the Titans Tower. He was sure it was safe, but he was also sure it was an obvious place to be staying for Mia. And if the Watchtower was compromised how long would it take for the Titans Tower, which was on the ground, standing like a giant T shaped target in the middle of San Francisco, take before that was compromised as well.

He sent a message up to Mia simply saying to meet him outside so they could head out to the place he felt would be safe. Well, as much as he could manage for the both of them at least.

Mia been in the Titans Tower for a while and while it wasn’t exactly up to it’s usual security standards no one really knew she was there so she figured she’d be safe. Once Etrigan had appeared she thought… maybe not. Thankfully Connor said he was going to come get her because he’d feel better if they were together.

Honestly so would she. Being around anyone in her family would probably have made her feel better. But Connor always made her feel calmer, and like… everything was totally going to be ok. Even if it wasn’t. He just had that sort of way about him.

She got his message and headed out hopping on her bike and tearing from the garage out to where Connor was. Mia stopped in front of him. “Hop on.” She said really hoping he wasn’t expecting to walk. Because that was ridiculous. He couldn’t drive, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t. “Where are we heading?”

( convergence )

"I’m the son of the Batman and his one true heir. The others can entertain whatever delusions comfort them at night, but I’m the only one who shares Father’s blood.

…Also, I can roll my tongue three times."

"Whatyoumean like make that cloverleaf shape with your tongue? That is SO COOL." Bai considers for a moment. "If Jason was a vampire he could share your father’s blood, the amount he talks about clawingoutofacoffin I keep thinking he might be one."

Damian nods in confirmation and favors the young woman with a subdued smile. “Maybe I’ll show you some time. And pay no mind to Todd. He’ll say anything for attention.”

“That’s the truth. But I don’tmind so much. Lots of people want attention and arejust not so. Obvious. About it.” Bai cocks her head, eyeing Damian curiously. “Hey, you ever wonder if your father has other kids out there? That seemstobe kind of a thing. Not mentioning any names of Arrows or anything.”

Bai rolls her eyes. She likes Roy and Mia well enough, and their family, but in regards to the clan attitude as a whole, her impression’s closer to that of her Grampa Barry (disdain) and less like Wally’s (delight).

Damian’s intriguing and Jason’s fun and, well, *Tim*, and Dick’s always been cool, and Steph is a hoot, so maybe if there’s allegiances to be made, Bai wouldn’t mind throwing in with the Batfam.

( there can be only one )

“Hi there,” Bai stopped about two feet away from the lawyer Kate Spencer Manhunter, putting her hands behind her back and rocking. “I noticedyouhere in the arboretum and I thought I’d come talk to you. Unlessyou don’t. Want to talk? I have trouble with reading people’s social cues sometimes soyou’llhaveto tell me if you do or don’t.”

She swept her winged cowl off, revealing an angular, long-mouthed face with eyes that tended to stare and a pointed, jutting chin, hair dark and cropped short enough to make her look androgynous. The long, whippet runner’s build added to it. Bai buzzed and blurred every few seconds, watching Kate intently.

Kate had been desperately trying to edit one of her clerks’ latest briefs on her (WayneTech, sorry Ollie) tablet, but the truth was that she’d become rather restless in the process. She’d thought, from what she’d heard around, that the arboretum would be relaxing and help her concentrate, but it was only serving to make her itchy.

Not literally, just mentally. She couldn’t seem to focus; her thoughts kept wandering to some very pleasant yet not-very-work-friendly places.

( you just got speedstered! )