Celebration

[uncommon-sensei.livejournal.com]

Most don't know the significance of the day - and of the few that do, fewer still see it as cause for celebration.

Shiva Wusan's birthday.

Richard Dragon's a little different than most people in that regard. There's an ornately carved wooden case tucked under his arm as he knocks on the door of the apartment that she sometimes occupies.

Comments

[uncommon-sensei.livejournal.com]

"Because I didn't stay around to help you. Ben was brainwashed by the League of Assassins, I became a hermit, and you're the most infamous woman in the world. Maybe I couldn't have prevented all that, but I damn sure could've tried a little harder."

[shiva-wusan.livejournal.com]

Closing her eyes, Shiva takes a moment.

When she speaks it might well seem a topic change.

"You should train my daughter."

[uncommon-sensei.livejournal.com]

".. come again? Your what?"

For once, she gets to catch him offguard in a verbal exchange.

[shiva-wusan.livejournal.com]

"Daughter."

[uncommon-sensei.livejournal.com]

"When did you have a daughter?"

[shiva-wusan.livejournal.com]

"About two decades ago."

[uncommon-sensei.livejournal.com]

"Who is she? Who's the father?" There's no jealousy in the words - even at their closest, they weren't that possessive of one another. Instead, Dragon is expressing genuine, unbridled curiosity.

[shiva-wusan.livejournal.com]

"Cain."

There is a pause, "She is magnificent." There is a degree of pride there even if she has had little to do with the girl's training or upbringing.

"Emotional and confused now." Meaning she baffles Shiva beyond belief.

[uncommon-sensei.livejournal.com]

"David Cain? That poor girl.. " This raises a lot of other questions he'd like to ask, and it takes him a moment to settle on one. "Why have a daughter with Cain?"

The choice of father is surprising, but not as surprising as Shiva taking the time out to have a daughter.

Of course, Dragon's already decided he'd train the girl.

[shiva-wusan.livejournal.com]

"To learn."

And she did. She learned everything he had to teach. She was not yet the dispassionate woman in front of Dragon now. The shell was still forming - some out of need, out of heartache, out of emotions long left behind.

[uncommon-sensei.livejournal.com]

"And he wanted an empty vessel to shape into a weapon. Quite the devil's bargain. Does she know?"

[shiva-wusan.livejournal.com]

"She does now."

A pause, "She has ended up with The Bat."

[uncommon-sensei.livejournal.com]

A few things click into place. "Ah. That Batgirl I ran into you who seemed upset when I mentioned your name. Moves a little like you, too."

[shiva-wusan.livejournal.com]

There is a soft sound of acknowledgement from Shiva as she moves away from him and toward the tea.

[uncommon-sensei.livejournal.com]

"And why do you want me to train her, rather than do it yourself?"

There's a pause, and he adds.. "Not that I'm saying no, I'm just curious. I'm absolutely willing to do it."

Dragon follows, to be close at hand when the tea is poured.

[shiva-wusan.livejournal.com]

"She hates me."

There is nothing attached to the words. A complete blankness.

[uncommon-sensei.livejournal.com]

"Like I said, a devil's bargain."

There's no use dwelling on the point, now.

"If she's willing to train with me, I will teach her everything I can."

[shiva-wusan.livejournal.com]

"Thank you."

And those two words with no emotion attached to them should convey how very much there really is beneath it all.

She prepares the tea, distinct motions avoiding ceremony simply in the fact that she is not enacting a specific one, avoiding the meanings in them.

[uncommon-sensei.livejournal.com]

Dragon smiles a little. "Happy birthday, Sandra."

[shiva-wusan.livejournal.com]

She turns and offers him a cup.

"Thank you Richard."

He, more than any one else, causes emotions to stir in her and it is hard to keep them quiet. The physical memory, the instinctual reactions and the emotions that follow are always in the waiting. Instead she sips at her tea.