(no subject)

[amazon-diana.livejournal.com]

The visit from Selena had been a surprise, not unpleasant but not expected either. Diana hoped things had gone well since she left.

Dick had left a message that he was looking for her. Since she was out and about anyway and wanted to get back to John she told him she'd meet him on the way in Bludhaven.

The snow is beautiful when you fly, as long as you don't get cold, and when she lands her hair is wreathed in snowflakes. She did wear clothes over her costume, it disturbs most people when she is out in the cold without something warm looking for some reason.

"It is good to see you." Diana shakes the moisture out of her hair with a smile.

Comments

[-nightwing-.livejournal.com]

He offers her a crooked smile as he slides effortlessly down the promontory and onto the roof proper. A soft -whump- of snow is the only sound his boots make.

For now. How're you doing?

Small talk, while he retrieves a small package from where he stashed it at the beginning of patrol.

[amazon-diana.livejournal.com]

"I am good, it is a good time of year. We were able to fill almost all of the wishlists this year." She tips her head back and lets a snowflake fall on her tongue but then makes a face.

"At least they are cleaning the pollution from the air." A small shudder at the taste of smog on the back of her tongue.

"I assume Mary was spoiled rotten by everyone this year?"

[-nightwing-.livejournal.com]

Glad to hear it.

The smile turns into a distinctly parental grin.

She made out like a bandit. Of course, she spent most of her time playing with the boxes and paper everything came in.

He approaches, and offers her a small gift bag.

I wanted to give you your Christmas present from us.

Inside the bag, there's a small photo album - more photos of Mary from the last year, of course - and a delicate-looking Christmas tree ornament that is an exact replica of a Faberge egg in miniature (Barbara's idea). Inside the card, there's also a sizeable check for Diana's foundation.

[amazon-diana.livejournal.com]

"Oh thank you! There was no need but these are beautiful." She has to stop and look through the photos of Mary.

Donations to the Wonder Woman foundation are always welcome, they have stretched the finances with the holidays and winter needs.

Dick and Barbara already received notice she'd made donations in their name but she has a package in her pocket for Mary.

Its a small Lyre made of brass with metal strings. Very hardy and unbreakable for small hands.

[-nightwing-.livejournal.com]

He turns the small thing over in his hands carefully, regardless.

It sure beats a recorder. Thankyou.

[amazon-diana.livejournal.com]

She chuckles at his care.

"It is very strong, you cannot hurt it. And I hope it will allow her to explore the sounds without being as loud as most modern instruments." Diana plucks a string with one finger and it gives a soft tone, much lower than even a guitar.

[-nightwing-.livejournal.com]

Definitely better than a recorder, he asserts with a smile as the note drifts lazily into the air.

Now how to broach the other, less cheerful subject. You'd think after talking to Superman, this part would be easy.

He brushes a gloved thumb over the small lyre's raised decoration.

[amazon-diana.livejournal.com]

"I take it that there was more to meeting me than exchanging gifts?" She has everything back in the bag, each was tucked away with a small smile.

[-nightwing-.livejournal.com]

At least he isn't putting oatmeal in the coffee machine right now like when he talked to Superman.

Yeah, there is.

Only now, there's that truth thing to deal with. He takes a breath, looking out over the city while he tries to find the right words.

I didn't really get a chance to talk to you after... that mess at S.T.A.R. labs.

[amazon-diana.livejournal.com]

"It was a rather busy time with the events happening all one after the other." She takes a few steps to sit on the balustade of the building.

"But we should have made time. I have been remiss in that."

[-nightwing-.livejournal.com]

A twist of his lips into something close to a grimace.

Well, I have to admit I was... kind of avoiding everyone for a while.

[amazon-diana.livejournal.com]

"I think many of us were." She tilts her head slightly looking away at the sky.

[-nightwing-.livejournal.com]

I shouldn't have. I'm not supposed to shirk my responsibilities like I did.

I'm also not supposed to lose it and have to be pulled off a perp, he doesn't add.

[amazon-diana.livejournal.com]

"It is not shirking your responsibilities to care for the hurts to yourself. I am confident that you would have made the approach earlier had it been necessary." She smiles slightly.

"You are still making the approach even with the time that has gone by, I do not think you would have let it slide."

[-nightwing-.livejournal.com]

Conscience wouldn't let me.

It's sort of an attempt at humor.

I know that we were mentally nudged to do what we did. But I led the team there, and mind-control or not, I'm responsible for what happened that day, whether I like it or not.

[amazon-diana.livejournal.com]

"And that is what makes you a good leader." She appreciates the attempt at humor, its the main difference between him and Bruce that there is still levity at times like this.

"As I am responsible for the League and their actions as well. It is always hard when comraderie can be turned to anger so easily by one outside, it makes you feel like you do not know your team as well as you should."

[-nightwing-.livejournal.com]

There's a pause as her words linger in the air.

Or yourself.

There are few sounds more sickening to him than the sounds of his parents' fall. What happened at S.T.A.R. ranks at #2 on that really short list.

[amazon-diana.livejournal.com]

"That too." She has been affected, turned against friends by manipulation and magic. It always leaves a foul feel behind.

"You wonder if this is within you all the time." it's not clear if she's speaking of Nightwing or herself.

[-nightwing-.livejournal.com]

It's not the first time for him, either. But he's aware that his anger can take him over the edge. He's let it happen twice, and there was no mind control going on then. Once with Joker, then with Shimmer barely an hour or so after the S.T.A.R. labs showdown with the League. He doesn't wonder. He knows.

Everyone has a limit. Everyone has a breaking point.

It's not an excuse. It sure as hell doesn't make him feel any better.