DC Earth 2: Traditions and Legacy (WardenIce & Alias)
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		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Bondage, D/s, S&amp;M =&gt; Bondage: Exotic Solos =&gt; Topic started by: Diesel Heart on 10-11-2015, 15:05:09</h2>
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				Title: <strong>DC Earth 2: Traditions and Legacy (WardenIce &amp; Alias)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Diesel Heart</strong> on <strong>10-11-2015, 15:05:09</strong>
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				<div align="center">(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/f8/b2/cb/f8b2cb917a757f4c624bfd7abe831446.jpg)</div><br><div align="center"><strong><em>Hamilton Residence | Friday; March 14, 2015</em></strong></div><br><br><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt;" class="bbc_size">I</span></strong>t was two weeks ago that the events of one note marked the end and beginning of chapters for the young girl arriving any moment.&nbsp; A young woman who made the selfless sacrifices in the name of justice to put her own father, the Cluemaster, behind bars again.&nbsp; The level of dedication and her strength in not killing him had left the lasting impression and led to an offer.&nbsp; An offer that officially began today the moment Stephanie Brown stepped through the doors of Katherine 'Kate' Kane's apartment.&nbsp; With assistance from Maggie, they tidied the place up to be spotless and went the extra mile to prepare dinner.&nbsp; The poor girl lost her family afterall.<br><br><div class="floatleft">(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/7b/9d/75/7b9d757f5fedf5bc52000623e1f89296.jpg)</div>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<em>"Are you sure the table's set, Mags?"</em>&nbsp; Kate called out, glancing over her shoulder towards the kitchen.<br><br>Katherine wasn't much of a cook.&nbsp; She learned how to use a stove enough to pass her cooking off as edible at best, left with the impression it was wonderful due to her courteous father.&nbsp; However, when she discovered later that it was just her father being supportive she didn't invest much effort into it anymore.&nbsp; Considerably more so after becoming the heiress to the fortune her father married into but thankfully Maggie had her covered in that department.<br><br><div class="floatright">(http://media3.popsugar-assets.com/files/users/0/88/11_2007/57245151.xlarge.jpg)</div>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<em>"It is, Kate.&nbsp; Try to worry a little less, okay?"</em>&nbsp; Maggie replied in an amused voice, flaunting it through the jestful tone.<br><em>"You say that, but it doesn't make it any easier.&nbsp; You know how I feel about this,"</em>&nbsp; Kate replied, finally making her way back into the dining room to inspect things.<br><br>It was as luxurious as one could imagine.&nbsp; The sleek, marble-tiled floor was spotless and reflected the dim lighting from above.&nbsp; The only space in the dining room that wasn't bare was the posh, persian-like rug that the red mahagony table set on.&nbsp; The table matched, having unstained and unblemished glass fastened in the vacant surface.&nbsp; The centerpiece was an ornate vase holding a bouquet of roses and the table had been set for two.&nbsp; On each plate was a a full course meat of meat of vegetables while having a side bowl of salad with Italian dressing.<br><br>Maggie stealthily slipped up and slowly wrapped Kathering up in her arms, gently tugging her as snug as possible.&nbsp; She applied a delicate kiss to the neck before resting her chin on the shoulder, adding a gently oscillating motion to rock.&nbsp; Katherine welcome each movement, physically relaxing into the warmth of the embrace with a silent, nasally sigh.&nbsp; These were the moments that neither woman wanted to end.&nbsp; Both remained silent until Katherine finally turned around to return the embrace and press her lips against Maggie's.<br><br>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<em>"Ever since I lost Bette..."</em><br><em>"I know,"</em>&nbsp; Maggie interrupted, speaking in a softer, quieter tone.&nbsp; <em>"She chose her path and saw it through to the final end.&nbsp; Trust me, I wish you didn't go out there dressed in that suit every night too."</em><br>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<em>"You know I feel the same way about you in uniform.&nbsp; You know you don't have to work the force anymore."</em><br><em>"My uniform isn't skin-tight,"</em>&nbsp; Maggie teased, offering a small smirk.<br><br>Katherine couldn't help but close her eyes and smile at that.&nbsp; Every implication from that tease just amused her greatly.&nbsp; One had to enjoy the little things when you work the way she does;&nbsp; Maggie too, for that matter.&nbsp; They both always put their life on the line for a complete stranger so frequently it had become second nature to them now.<br><br>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<em>"Besides, me quitting the force is about as likely as you not being Batwoman anymore,"</em>&nbsp; Maggie added before lightly kissing Kate again, making this one lasting compared to the one moments ago.
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				Title: <strong>Re: DC Earth 2: Traditions and Legacy (WardenIce &amp; Alias)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Alias</strong> on <strong>10-11-2015, 18:52:54</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(http://i1288.photobucket.com/albums/b483/aliashappens/liars_zpse4sxieql.jpg)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Stephanie Brown<br><strong>Nom de Guerre:</strong> The Spoiler<br><strong>Affiliation:</strong> Currently, none.<br><strong>Time:</strong> Friday - the 14th of March 2015,<br><strong>Location:</strong> Hamilton Suites.<br><strong>Tagging:</strong> Katherine Kane and Maggie<br><br><hr>Stephanie had left her mother alone for the night. At one time in her life, doing that made her nervous. She was always afraid that the older woman would do something reckless while her daughter was away; some thing like mixing her wine with her pills again, or falling asleep with a cigarette lit, or jumping from the roof of the building. Steph had never actually caught her mom trying to commit suicide, but she had never met a more miserable person in her entire life. Even her father was easier to be around. He was more vicious and heartless, but he was ambitious, and driven. Crystal Brown, the drug addict in question, she was an energy suck, and an absolute drag. Stephanie was only eighteen years old, and she had lived three or four lives already, it felt like. She had played in large part in arresting her father for his third strike, and she had virtually sent him away for life. She had moved from one place to another over ten times. She had made and lost friends, she had survived all kinds of life altering obstacles. And, at night, she dressed up like a tiny gay batman to get in fights with dangerous strangers. Stephanie had never taken a life, she had come close on a number of occasions. But, there was still some kind of purity left in her there.<br><br>Over the last few months, she was more and more willing to leave the house. She had told her mom that she was working two jobs, and of course, that was mostly true. Steph worked retail at a local second hand clothing store, and at night, she was The Spoiler. The adolescent teenage crime fighter with a name to match her petite form. At first, she had called herself the Spoiler as a joke, but it had stuck with her, and she was starting to resent the name with every day. <em>'What am I? some rejected kitchen appliance?'</em> Stephanie was dressed in a pair of camouflage jeggings, black designer boots that were made to look like jenky combat gear and a black letterman jacket from her highschool. She left it unbuttoned to show off the most fantastic part of her ensemble, her lacey, opaque, sheer white top. It was an expensive top, and even though she looked like a bit of a hoodrat as she walked into the fancy establishment of the Hamilton, she felt classy enough with that top on to meet Batwoman.<br><br>She was getting nervous, she had been confident for the days leading up to this event, but her palms were starting to feel warm, and she couldn't quite decide what she was to do with her hands as she made her way through the halls.<br><br>This night was different than most, for Stephanie wasn't out of the house to go and dish out some bruises, or battle the scum in the city. No, tonight, she had been invited to a dinner by the batwoman. It was more than encouraging. Stephanie had looked up to the heroes in Gotham for most of her life. She often sat on her roof as a little girl waiting for batman to show up and take her away from her criminal home. When Batman died, and the invasion occurred, her hopes never died. She was more realistic now, but she still often thought about the vigilante's in the streets. Now, as she walked out of the elevator and into the hallway, she couldn't help but feel like her dream was coming true. Batwoman had been subtle when she had invited Stephanie to the Hamilton, but she couldn't think of many reasons as to why this was happening at all. <br><br>She was walking toward the door, a note of where to go and which door to knock on was in her hand. <br><br>She came upon the entrance, and thought deeply about what was happening moments before she knocked.<em> 'I'm about to change my life, I think.' </em>No matter what, she was walking into Batwoman's home. <em>'As soon as I knock on this door, I'm inner circle.'</em> Stephanie took a deep breathe. She was wearing her invisibility belt under her shirt, it was clearly visible black, as well as the sports bra that she had decided to wear.<em> 'This is it.' </em>Stephanie took a deep breathe and knocked against the door with seven rapid jabs at the center of the frame. <em>'Holy shit, I'm starting to panic.'</em> the anxiety was building, Stephanie had never been this nervous before. That was a fact. <em>'Just, don't fuck this up Steph.'</em> Her eyes were closed. <em>'Do not fuck this up.' </em>The door opened, and Stephanie's contemplative face flashed. She opened her eyes and put on a nervous smile for whomever happened to be on the other side.
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				Title: <strong>Re: DC Earth 2: Traditions and Legacy (WardenIce &amp; Alias)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Diesel Heart</strong> on <strong>11-11-2015, 17:28:27</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/7b/9d/75/7b9d757f5fedf5bc52000623e1f89296.jpg)</div><br><span style="font-size: 12pt;" class="bbc_size"><strong>T</strong></span>he loving embrace shared with Maggie was <em>always</em> something Kate did not want to end.&nbsp; It was, perhaps, the only moment in her day where everything else was ignored.&nbsp; There was no stress.&nbsp; There was no thought.&nbsp; There was just the proverbial dance floor in which their lips tangoed.&nbsp; There was just the radiating light from Maggie as if she were the sun and Kate were sunburnt.&nbsp; Each night and the subsequent morning made Kate smile and if she was any good judge of character, if she deserved her bones in psychology, Maggie felt the same way.&nbsp; However, Maggie's body language indicated the inevitable separation.&nbsp; The moment it started, Kate pressed herself closer and deepened the kiss, hungry and unwilling for it to end;&nbsp; it could last a lifetime and it wouldn't be enough.&nbsp; Maggie's stifled giggle forced the tip of Kate's lips to curl up and smile.&nbsp; That was reward enough and good excuse as any to break it off.<br><br>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<em>"As much as I'd love to stand around and keep doing that, I have to head out,"</em>&nbsp; Maggie said reluctantly, still clinging to Kate with their foreheads resting against one another.<br>"You sure you can't take the day off?&nbsp; I'm going to miss you,"&nbsp; Kate replied, closing her eyes to continue enjoying this moment.<br>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<em>"I wish I could but Bullock needs me to help him whip up the new recruits.&nbsp; I'll be home after my shift if nothing happens and by then,"</em> Maggie pulls her head away and gently takes Kate's chin with her hand so they'd make eye contact.&nbsp; <em>"This girl better know what she's getting into."</em><br><br>Both women turned their head towards the door following the seven raps.&nbsp; Kate took a quick glance at the clock and it seemed Stephanie was here ahead of schedule.&nbsp; That was a good sign.&nbsp; It meant she was eager and punctually ready for this.&nbsp; The real question was if she could endure it.&nbsp; The road ahead was going to be a long and tedious process on them both for exclusive reasons.&nbsp; When Maggie's head turned back to Kate's, she followed suit and smiled, giving one last quick peck to the lips before letting go.<br><br>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<em>"Speak of the devil,"</em> Kate said, before turning to walk for the door.<br><br>Unlatching the chain from the door and twisting the lock open,&nbsp; Kate opened the door and welcome Stephanie's smile with her own.&nbsp; It was at that moment that the young blonde would take into account she wasn't dressed inappropriately.&nbsp; Kate had not dressed up, wearing an ensemble that Stephanie would find on girls around her age.&nbsp; Her unusually pale face, arms and midriff were showing revealing an assortment of body piercings on the ears, left eyebrow and navel.&nbsp; She wore a thin-strapped, black crop top and designer jeans fashioned to have rips and discoloration around the knees.&nbsp; As the last addition to her apparel were black military boots.<br><br>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<em>"Hey, Stephanie.&nbsp; I'm glad you could make it,"</em> Kate said, moving the door and stepping to the side as it swung open.&nbsp; <em>"I absolutely love that top, by the way.&nbsp; If you wear things like that, we're going to have a lot more fun together than I thought.&nbsp; I think I hear shopping spree later, how about you?"</em><br><br>Maggie stepped out from around the corner while buckling her belt, adjusting it once applied so it was comfortable.&nbsp; She too gave Stephanie a smile and offered a nod.&nbsp; At Kate's words, Maggie silently chuckled, indicated only by the sound of rapidly oscillating breaths.<br><br>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<em>"Don't scare her away before she's even in the door, Kate,"</em> Maggie playfully scolded before setting her eyes on Stephanie.<br><em>"Hello, Miss Brown.&nbsp; I was on my way out so don't mind me.&nbsp; I trust you won't make Kate forget about me."</em><br><br>Maggie issued a wink to Stephanie before walking over to give Kate one last, departing embrace and kiss.&nbsp; As she walked through the door, she waved over her shoulder and then Stephanie and Katherine were alone.&nbsp; Kate sighed out, analyzing Stephanie's stance and general physique.&nbsp; She could afford it easier now that the uniform under the cloak of night was absent.&nbsp; There was work to be done but the girl had kept herself in shape well enough.<br><br>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<em>"Are you hungry?&nbsp; I've got the table set."</em>
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				Title: <strong>Re: DC Earth 2: Traditions and Legacy (WardenIce &amp; Alias)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Alias</strong> on <strong>12-11-2015, 05:52:17</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(http://i1288.photobucket.com/albums/b483/aliashappens/liars_zpse4sxieql.jpg)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Stephanie Brown<br><strong>Nom de Guerre:</strong> The Spoiler<br><strong>Affiliation:</strong> Currently, none.<br><strong>Time:</strong> Friday - the 14th of March 2015,<br><strong>Location:</strong> Hamilton Suites.<br><strong>Tagging:</strong> Katherine Kane and Maggie<br><br><hr><br>Stephanie could hear the footsteps approaching the door before she heard the locks start to come undone. She was super aware, which was due to her body's natural chemical make-up while she was anxious. Instinctively, she knew that she was going to have to be observant and quick witted. Her mind was cloudy, and it was hard for her to think straight. However, as the door opened, she couldn't help but feel more confident with every slow-moving moment. And the clouds in her mind started to clear. She was still nervous, but she was starting to think more clearly, giving her a keen ability to talk. She was taking deep breathes, and that must have helped her manage this moment. She was looking Batwoman directly in her eyes. She knew it for a fact. She remembered those eyes. She may have been able to pick this woman out of a line-up of one hundred different people before she had ever had this moment. <br><br>And, it was more than the eyes. She could see everything else. She could see Batwoman's cheek structure. She was surprised to see that the woman behind the mask actually had short hair, and it wasn't nearly as curly as she imagined it would have been. She could see her earings, and she could see Batwoman's fantasticly trimmed tummy. <em>'She has a inny button.' </em>The thoughts were wild. But, Stephanie managed to keep her chin up during the initial interaction for some time.<br><br>She had not expected to see anything that followed. The clothing came as a surprise, of course, anything besides the body armour of the heroe's costume would have likely shocked her, a black-slate business skirt and blouse would have been the least expected attire. But, a part of Stephanie would have been curious about those clothes as well. She had interacted with this person only one time. But the inflections in her voice, and the nature of her word choice was enough to hint Stephanie toward the truth. She was still surprised to see such a casual girl to own such a gorgeous place; the upscale nature of batwoman's flat took her breathe away.<br><br>As Kate moved to the side and opened the door. Stephanie took a few timid steps inside, She rolled her shoulders and played with the flaps of her jacket. "Thanks for having me," her knee-jerk reaction to being greeted into a home. <em>'fuck, fuck fuck, fuck fuck. This is batwoman's house. awe-oh fuck.'</em> She felt like she had been invited to a business meeting, a job interview, her boyfriends incredibly christian mother. She felt like she was going to the principal's office, and she felt like she was walking out of jail. "You have a really nice place." Stephanie had not really meant to say that. She bit her lower lip just enough to make her look concerned. When she was anxious, Stephanie often acted too polite. Intimidation was shaking her resolve on a series of different levels.<br><br>Kate mentioned her top, and Stephanie's face lit up. She only got blindsided softly by the idea of a shopping spree, and that the two of them were going to get along.<em> 'It sort of feel like I'm getting adopted.'</em> Stephanie's eyebrows creased, but her eyes showed wonder, and excitement, a smile was trying to fight it's way onto her face. "yeah, sure." She had done her best to sound excited, but she was obviously nervous. She knew enough about her own uncontrollable display to flash a large, toothy smile, apologizing for being nervous without actually bringing it up. "I could always use more clothes." Her eyebrows shot up in affirmation, "Always."<br><br><hr><br>Steph thought that she had been more focused, but she had no idea that there was another person in the apartment. She was taking her lettered jacket off and hanging on a hook near the door.<em> 'A hook near a door, god damned, that's handy.' </em>The Brown's households growing up had never had a coat-rack or even something as simple as a knob on the wall to hang a hat. She turned as Maggie walked in. Her lips wanted to talk, but her mind was at a loss for words. There was a body language circulating in the foyer, and Stephanie's instincts fired quickly. She could sense, deeply, that these two were lovers. <em>'Didn't see THAT one coming.'</em> Stephanie smiled with closed lips in order to cover up her dancing eyes. She was curious to see what was going to happen next between the red head and the blonde.<br><br><em>'Her name's Kate...'</em> Stephanie was in awe of her own reality. <em>'I know batwoman's name. This is awesome. This is actually awesome.'</em><br><br>"Hi." Stephanie did her best to be freindly through the anxiety. "Yeah." She wasn't going to mind. Her lungs filled with air as the two women kissed... "What?" <em>'me make batwoman do what?'</em> Steph was confused for one-point-three seconds. "...Oh!" <em>'She's making a joke about me being cute, I think.'</em> Stephanie was a bit of a wreck at the moment. "Yeah...I won't. I like boys. I - Like, aLOT." Stephanie smiled softly. She had covered for herself well, with a genuinely clueless, innocent, and comfortable voice. <br><br>She waved at Maggie as the woman left, closing the door behind her. Stephanie's knees started to dance slowly once the two of them were alone. She had her arms crossed under the subtle bumps of her petite chest. A shy smile was peaking in and out of her lips. <br><br>"Um..." She was about to say 'no' to the food, but she stopped. "Food...?" Her mouth was dry, and she was unsure if she would be able to eat. It was almost as if the girl had never heard of sitting down to dinner. She had only ever done it three times, and none of them were committed to memory. In Stephanie's world, sitting down to dinner was something that people did in movies and television. It wasn't something that real people were fashioned to do. She might have been too nervous to eat, and most of the time, when she was at one of her friends' houses, it was rude to ask for food, almost everyone was poor. But here, it slowly occurred to her that accepting the invitation to sit down at the dinner table was crucially important. She was not supposed to ignore that invitation and save Kate the trouble of feeding her. "Yeah." She said shaking her head and smiling at our own slowness. "Sorry. I- ...Yeah. I could eat." Stephanie walked deeper into the house toward the smell of the food and the obvious dining table. <em>'This is so weird,'</em> she thought as she walked to one of the two places that Kate had set for them. She sat down, suddenly as she looked over the table at all of the steaming food, her stomach rumbled, and she remembered that she had eaten little more than the contents of a lunchable food packet, and three mini muffins with her coffee. <br><br>"This smells really good." Her stomach was starting to ache for food, but she wasn't about to start eating before Kate had even sat down. She looked up to batwoman with unconditioned adoration. <em>'This is the life that I want. This is exactly what I want, besides the sleeping and having sex with another girl thing.'</em> Her mind was starting to relax. It felt good.
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				Title: <strong>Re: DC Earth 2: Traditions and Legacy (WardenIce &amp; Alias)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Diesel Heart</strong> on <strong>13-11-2015, 17:33:35</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(http://keyassets-p2.timeincuk.net/wp/prod/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2011/04/00000a932-Evan_Rachel_Wood11.jpg)</div>&nbsp; <span style="font-size: 12pt;" class="bbc_size"><strong>I</strong></span>t was not surprising Stephanie was nervous.&nbsp; Why wouldn't she be?&nbsp; It didn't require the intuition of a savant to discern the pressure of Stephanie's position.&nbsp; The life she knew became a thing of the past the moment the knock to the door occured and the next chapter started here.&nbsp; Here with a woman that made a living of applying a fist to a face wearing a silly outfit with a bat motif.&nbsp; Here in that woman's home which seemed out of a fairy tale compared to the living conditions Stephanie is accustomed to.&nbsp; Understanding, Kate would be doing anything possible to take away the sense of anxiety without overstepping boundaries if possible.&nbsp; The last thing she'd want in this position would be coddled.<br><br>The offer of food should serve as a means to start.&nbsp; Eating is one of the most prominent fundamentals of human activity.&nbsp; The chemical compositions in food have impact on the mood but the sentimental quality of a changed pattern was the emphasis.&nbsp; Stephanie's most likely survived on generic-brand products in the poverty conditions implied.&nbsp; That meant 'special foods' were allocated to specific days, such as a birthday or Thanksgiving dinner.&nbsp; The frequency of 'comfort foods' would be scarce thus appreciated more.&nbsp; It would be farfetched to assume Stephanie was foreign to exquisite dining or quality products at the dinner table but the experience, in theory, would have a margin of success affecting the girl's mood.<br><br>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<em>"Wonderful,"</em>&nbsp; Kate replied to Stephanie's reluctant agreeance.<br><em>"I know Mags isn't a world class chef but she's better than me.&nbsp; I normally just go to a restaurant or a club.&nbsp; You're at least eighteen, right?"</em><br><br>A question to leave conceivable implications to Stephanie's discretion but without enough a hint in the prior statement.&nbsp; Kate was not Bruce by any measure.&nbsp; She led a bohemian lifestyle.&nbsp; It was dangerous, self-destructive and scandalous.&nbsp; It was the genuine Kate.&nbsp; Her disciplined, military trained came out as Batwoman.&nbsp; By extension, Stephanie would have the option to partake in certain liberties within confines of the law.<br><br>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<em>"It does.&nbsp; I've wanted to dig in since before the table was set,"</em> she said, agreeing that the food smelled appetizing.<br><br>Once she sat down, Kate looked across the table and grinned.&nbsp; Stephanie was a cute young woman who Katherine hoped to become a partner and long-term friend.&nbsp; She took notice of admiration in the eyes.&nbsp; Already the young woman was starting to lose the tension in her shoulders the nervous tics indicated by body language was reducing in frequency.&nbsp; Despite recent tragedy, Stephanie could still smile and warm up the room by presence alone.&nbsp; It was refreshing but carried a foreboding omen.&nbsp; The obligations necessary for the real reason for this meeting had a high probability of wiping that youthful vibrance away.<br><br>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<em>"So, as you heard, my real name is Kate.&nbsp; It's short for Katherine.&nbsp; I'm hoping this evening will let us get to know each other a lot more because, I don't know about you, but I'm excited,"</em> Kate said, starting to carve into steak with eating utensils.<br><br>The heavier questions would wait for later.&nbsp; For now, Kate continued to emphasize comfort and familiarity.&nbsp; Not to mention, the suspense of a question would undoubtedly make Stephanie squirm in anticipation.&nbsp; It fell on Stephanie to segue into Batwoman and Spoiler related questions.&nbsp; This way, dedication was shown.&nbsp; Eagerness and desire for it.&nbsp; Kate was not yet convinced it was the lifestyle Stephanie wanted.&nbsp; For all she knew, 'Spoiler' was a temporary facade in order to bring her father to justice.&nbsp; If the alternative presented itself, Kate would gain a new friend at the very least.&nbsp; She would also rest easier tonight.&nbsp; The lifestyle of a crime-fighter wasn't one you'd wish on anyone.&nbsp; It took sacrifice and a lot of it.<br><br>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<em>"You ever been in this part of Gotham before?&nbsp; I'd imagine it's pretty different.&nbsp; I remember when I first moved in here after my father re-married.&nbsp; Before then, I had moved all over the place from L.A to Brussels and even London.&nbsp; I guess it's true though.&nbsp; I was born here and ended back here in the end.&nbsp; Funny how that works isn't it?"</em>
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				Title: <strong>Re: DC Earth 2: Traditions and Legacy (WardenIce &amp; Alias)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Alias</strong> on <strong>17-11-2015, 04:35:11</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(http://images6.fanpop.com/image/photos/35800000/AnnaSophia-Robb-annasophia-robb-35897995-336-450.jpg)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Stephanie Brown<br><strong>Nom de Guerre:</strong> The Spoiler<br><strong>Affiliation:</strong> Currently, none.<br><strong>Time:</strong> Friday - the 14th of March 2015,<br><strong>Location:</strong> Hamilton Suites.<br><strong>Tagging:</strong> Katherine Kane and Maggie<br><br><hr>Stephanie was unnaturally calm in Kate's underwhelming presence. "I can do pasta and rice. I like crockpots." Stephanie was prepping her plate with salt, pepper, and various things from around the table, "I usually cook for my mom, she's sorta lazy." Steph used her fork to mix her salad. "I couldn't manage this though," She marveled at the meal before her. "I'aven't smelled something this good in a long time." She started to crunch into her salad as Kate asked about her age. She nodded emphatically, covering her mouth with the back of her free hand. She mumbled-grunted "Mh, huh." She swallowed with a smile on her face. A napkin came up, and she took a moment to put her thoughts together. "I turn nineteen in August."<br><br>Her expectations were wildly misplaced. This was a comfortable experience, and almost nothing had happened, they had spoken of little, and they had just taken a seat to eat. The atmosphere was perfect. There was even wine to drink, but no bottle was visible,<em> 'fuck. That is classy,'</em> she thought without restraint, somewhere in the back of her head. Steph was invested with the conversation that she was having with an apparently normal woman named Kate. The enthralling part of the conversation had nothing to do with Kate, it had everything to do with Batwoman. Stephanie's anxiety was morphing into excitement. Some effort was involved to control her behavior. she did <em>not</em> want to come off like a babbling idiot. Steph Brown was considerably under-educated. She had taken easy classes in school, and had never favored herself as an intellectual. She was a passionate person with a good understanding of emotions and the people around her. It was nice, Katherine Kane, <em>'Kate,'</em> was a joy. <br><br>She was starting to cut into her steak for the first time, Kate mentioned something about wanting to eat before she had arrived. "I bet." Steph was trying her hardest to be polite without putting on some kind of false voice, the effort alone caused her to be jovial and kind, even though she was struggling to maintain her sensibilities during this breath-taking dinner. For then came that juicy explosion of red meat, charred edges, and good steak sauce. <em>'oh-'</em> A shiver went down both of her arms and half of her back. Every time she chewed, her mouth watered, and went soar.<em> 'This is so good.'</em> It was easily the best steak she'd ever had. Unfortunately, as she enjoyed the flavours and sensations, Kate's voice mixed into the background. She forgot to listen to her host speak. It was only for a few seconds, and she hadn't missed much. <br><br>Stephanie had heard Kate say that she was excited to get to know Stephanie, but Stephanie was too amazed to let that first bite go without comment, her hand raised a few inches off of the table as if to set the main conversation off to the side. "That's -" She shook her head in disbelief, looking down at her plate as she sliced off another section of the steak. After swallowing, Steph finally pointed to the plate and made her point, "this is incredible." Steph prepared her next bite and Kate went into another round of questions. Stephanie decided to open her ears, and take it all in, so she kept herself from eating the steak until she had responded. She had a sip of water instead.<br><br>In some ways, this was a kind of job interview, and Stephanie had to take every opportunity to talk about herself, to give a sales-pitch, to make an impression. "I've lived all over Gotham, but not down here." She shrugged her shoulders, and her water returned to the table without a sound. "A couple times, I've come down here for a date or two, like dinner after the homecoming dance, last year. I ate in an Italian restaurant called..." Her eyes glanced up to the corner of the room. "Scalinni's." It was random knowledge, Stephanie's tone had suggested that it need not be commented upon. <br><br><em>'She was born in Gotham.'</em> Stephanie had hardly heard the rest, the bits about London, and Los Angeles. It felt appropriate to turn the conversation in Stephanie's direction. "It's a good thing you came back. You <em>belong</em> here." Stephanie couldn't stop herself from saying that as if the two of them had been old friends. The corner of her lips turned to a smile for the smallest fraction of a second. "At least, it feels like you do. I've lived here my whole life." Steph looked toward the wide open window, and looked that direction as she spoke, eyeing her reflection in the visions of the glass. "I've sort of seen it all. I guess." That upturned lip returned, Stephanie was proud when she thought of her city, and that grin that had threatened before had gone to a full smile. Stephanie had wanted to tell Kate her life story, but she realized as she looked out onto the city that there wasn't a lot to tell. Gotham had a way of speaking for itself. "Most of it anyway." Stephanie had been a real vigilante for several months, and her father had been a costumed criminal for her whole life. But Kate had already known that.<br><br>Her eyes returned to the older woman at the other end of the table. "I owe a lot to you. More than just my life, but-" She hadn't put this into words before, "my, my way of life. My purpose. Stop me if its embarrassing for you, or-" Stephanie tried to laugh through that sentence to lighten the mood, but she failed. This was the greatest moment of her life, so far, and the gravitas of this moment was starting to settle in her mind. She stopped smiling.&nbsp; "When I was little, I used'ta-" She paused, trying to find the best place to start her story. "climb out onto my roof look at the stars. On one night, I- I saw batman's signal high in the air against the clouds. an-- I was on the roof a lot after that. For months. That signal. I always wanted batman to come n' get me, and help me. Seeing that signal in the air could have meant anything. It could have meant that he was coming for my dad." She took a breathe. "But back then, that was all it was. I just wanted help." Stephanie had gone and forgotten about dinner.She had both of her hands under the table, and she was leaning forward, as if it were a coffee table in a living room. "I never really put it together, but I don't think there would be a Spoiler if there wasn't a Batwoman first."<br><br>"You've been my idol for a long time." Stephanie tried to wrap it all into a smile. "and..." She had completely run out of words to say. "...and now you're just feeding me in your ...<em>dining</em> room." Stephanie looked down at her plate and her hands returned to a visible place above the table. Her palms turned upward, and she looked around to facilitate her point. "This is crazy." She rolled her shoulders and leaned back, trying to appear like she was less amazed than she happened to be. Steph returned to her salad, because it was the most comfortable thing to eat at the time, her steak was too good, and she she would have felt too much like her mother to reach for a glass of wine after a rampage of a rant like that one.
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				Title: <strong>Re: DC Earth 2: Traditions and Legacy (WardenIce &amp; Alias)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Diesel Heart</strong> on <strong>20-11-2015, 15:30:01</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/f4/35/da/f435da341f5edf32b0f474298978216f.jpg)</div><span style="font-size: 12pt;" class="bbc_size"><strong>K</strong></span>ate could only smile watching Stephanie slowly tunnel-vision in on the food.&nbsp; Her skepticisms quickly flew off into an inconsequential zone of existence as a result and whatever inkling of awkwardness there was now disappeared.&nbsp; The young woman even issued a gesture infrequently used in American culture to ask for a pause before giving opinion on the food.&nbsp; Kate took no offense to the gesture or her brief necessity to pause in speech.&nbsp; If the girl was enjoying it that much then it would be rude of her to put it aside.&nbsp; Another part had to deal with Stephanie's recent tribulations against her father.<br><br><em>'That's right',</em> Kate thought to herself.&nbsp; Even if Spoiler was the same as a phase all teenagers go through, she did know what sacrifice was.&nbsp; Many others would not be able to comfortably fight against their family as Stephanie did.&nbsp; There was an underlying strength exhibited by those actions.&nbsp; Immediately, she was reminded of her cousin, Bette, again.&nbsp; Her last sidekick who left the world in a way that brought Kate and Bruce one similarity closer.&nbsp; She began to let thoughts of doubt and guilty fester and by extension start to consider this entire meeting a mistake.&nbsp; What if something happened to Stephanie later?&nbsp; It would be her fault again.<br><br>However, Kate's personal quote of inspiration was 'Soldier On', so she did and gave a small speech and question.&nbsp; Something casual and targeting means of understanding Stephanie more.&nbsp; She received an answer but also got much more than she had anticipated this early.&nbsp; Suddenly, the food wasn't as important.&nbsp; Stephanie spoke of dates to a local Italian restaurant, agreed to Kate's statement of the inevitable return to Gotham and segued it into a brief confessional.&nbsp; Closing it out, Kate received a smile and another confession that spoke of how wild the end of the story seemed.&nbsp; Finally she returned to her salad and ate at a more leisurely pace.&nbsp; She was none the wiser to the reason of wine aversion, however.<br><br>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<em>"I see,"</em>&nbsp; Kate replied, pausing afterwards to consider her wording.<br><em>"I honestly don't know what to say.&nbsp; I understand it though.&nbsp; Kind of."</em><br><br>Kate considered revealing her own reasons for starting.&nbsp; There were similarities but immense differences between the factors that persuaded them to take up crime-fighting.&nbsp; Then again, there were obvious gaps in the story undisclosed.&nbsp; Gaps that Kate could theorize and speculate enough to fill in but the real product was the golden result.&nbsp; The heavier questions wouldn't be delayed in the end it seemed.&nbsp; Stephanie had turned a casual question into a confession that alluded to Spoiler.&nbsp; With that realization, Kate decided to reveal her own version and return the sentiment.<br><br>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<em>"My inspiration came from multiple people, multiple events too.&nbsp; I was still in college when it happened.&nbsp; I was a little tipsy - okay, I was drunk.&nbsp; Anyways, I was walking home and this mugger got the drop on me.&nbsp; I managed to fight him off because I already knew how to defend myself and just after, Batman showed up.&nbsp; He was every bit intimidating as you'd imagine.&nbsp; I don't know if you ever saw him in person or saw him literally ten feet away from you but it's ... yeah.&nbsp; I traveled all over the world twice and nothing ever sent a chill down my spine like he did.&nbsp; That's when it struck me and I had a dosage of reality.&nbsp; See, before I came back to Gotham, I entered West Point which is a military academy for the Marines.&nbsp; I always wanted to serve my country and defend others because I know what it feels like to lose someone.&nbsp; It's a very painful experience I wouldn't want to wish on anyone so I kept that... We'll call it anger and depression, and decided to turn it into something positive.&nbsp; I was discharged though.&nbsp; So, I came to Gotham to reunite with my dad, got into college and started using my new wealth to do whatever the hell I wanted.&nbsp; I partied, I got drunk, I got tattoos and I generally just gave up, I guess.&nbsp; The night I saw Batman, I had that reminder.&nbsp; I couldn't serve my country but I could do what he did and here I am."</em><br><br>She began with a gentle sigh and during the monologue, Kate accentuated her speech with pantomiming gestures and animated inflections.&nbsp; A small rotation of the wrist and horizontally oscillating finger-pointing here.&nbsp; The eyeroll there when she spoke of the more shameful moments of it and the wandering gaze that looked at everything but nothing simultaneously.&nbsp; Once she was done, Kate observed Stephanie, curious to the facial reaction and accompanying body language.&nbsp; It was only a brief pause from Kate however, since she quickly followed up with something else to say.<br><br>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<em>"It took me two years of training in various places around the world, learning everything I possibly could before I was ready.&nbsp; I fought in third world countries, helping a local insurgency combat a dictator's reign of terror.&nbsp; I've crawled through the most disgusting things you could think of in order to reach an objective and then some.&nbsp; It still wasn't enough though.&nbsp; All the training in the world don't amount to anything if you don't put it to practice and still, that doesn't remove risks,"</em>&nbsp; Kate paused once more before leaning on the table in a manner similar to Stephanie before.<br><em>"Stephanie, I want you to go over why.&nbsp; Why did you become Spoiler?&nbsp; Why do you want to continue it?&nbsp; Depending on your answer, I've got an offer for you but I don't make this offer lightly.&nbsp; I'm not going to lie to you because, if you answer the way I think you are, I'm going to be terrified for reasons I'll tell you later.&nbsp; You say that you wouldn't have become Spoiler if it wasn't for me and I honestly don't know how to feel about it because that means you've put your life on the line from my example."</em>
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				Title: <strong>Re: DC Earth 2: Traditions and Legacy (WardenIce &amp; Alias)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Alias</strong> on <strong>22-11-2015, 07:51:11</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/q5uXnMZA0fE/hqdefault.jpg)</div>There was a tension in the room. Stephanie had spent her whole life trying to figure out what the people in her house were going to do next. People were, as a rule, unpredictable. But, Steph had worked hard at watching the way that human's internalized their intentions. Feelings were tangible to her, a person with a rage in their eyes was easy to spot, even by the speed of their walk, or the muscle groups that were deciding to use whilst standing. Here, it felt like Kate had been caught a bit off-guard. Stephanie's reacrion was almost entirely a feeling of concern. The young blonde looked up from her plate with her entire body. Her feet slipped across the floor, she scooted forward in her chair an inch or two, her head tilted, her eyes changed expression. The crease in her brows gave away the anxiety of her emotional woes. Still chewing the leafs and raw vegetables in her mouth, Steph did her best to swallow quickly. Her lips were pressed together, she felt pensive.<em> 'I left her speechless, that can't be good.' </em><br><br>Stephanie started to rifle through the files of her mind to try and figure out how Kate might understand what she was talking about. She only knew who Batwoman was, really. Kate was a stranger, for the most part. The files turned up blank, but Kate quickly did the hard-work, filling every line with notes and deep description.<br><br>the redhead went into her own aside about inspiration. Stephanie picked up her wine. Actively listening, both of her hands were used to drink the wine. She sipped at the bitter bite of the liquid, a calm expression on her delightfully young face. She looked to be a few years older when she drank, it was obvious that she was no rookie when it came to socializing and drinking at the same time. Stephanie's mother had let her have a glass of wine with dinner once or twice a month for years. Being fucked up on pain-pills had made it easy for her to be a lenient authority figure in Stephanie Brown's life.<em> 'Tipsy.'</em> Steph smiled at that part of the story.<em> 'I like that word.' </em>As the story continued, Stephanie did her best to focus on every sentence, but there were amazing sections of the tale, and her mind kept filling up her concentration with excitingly novel thoughts,<em> 'I can't believe batwoman and I have so much in common. I was almost raped, she was almost mugged. She came across Batman by accident, I came across Jason by accident.' </em>Sipping at her wine, she was able to follow along easily, even with her distracting new thoughts. <em>'I wonder what west point is...oh ok.'</em> Her undivided attention leaned into the rest of Kate's aside with obvious appreciation in her eyes. <em>'Wow. I wonder how long it took her to put on the costume and go out after that encounter with Batman.' </em> There were a few missing parts of the story, but that didn't bother Steph at the moment.<br><br>She was astonished, she was hiding that look in her eye though, she could have had sparkling little spots in her gaze if she wasn't careful. She looked like Kate might have been reading her a scary bed-time story, though. <br><br>Kate went into her travels. More shock and awe may have crept into Stephanie's expression. Her wine glass tipped two or three more times as she listened intently.&nbsp; Stephanie's mind filled with vivid images of Kate's various adventures.<em> '...Kate was covered in mud, the heat of a tropical forest bearing down on her, locked in combat with two unnaturally well shaped Asian men, closed in a small straw hut, lit by a television made in 1994, Kate was kicking ass, wiping the floor with her combatants' faces...'</em> One of Stephanie's many visions. Another, <em>'...Kate was crawling through a rancid stream above a rotten city, to sneak into some kind of horrible death-camp, a knife in her mouth, two grenades strapped to her belt, and her staff in one of her hands. The cries and wails of the village's most able men coming from the dungeons below her feet. She could hear them the closer and closer she got to the entrance of a cave in the center of the camp, surrounded by guards with guns, and bombs, and gasmasks, with tubes. They were unable to detect her stealthy night-time ninja moves...'</em>&nbsp; Steph set her wine glass down, returning to the table and she leaned forward with Kate,<em> 'it feels so secret!' </em>Stephanie thought, <em>'it almost felt like the two of us are flirting. cool-weird.'</em> Steph couldn't help but be slightly attracted to the woman. For the most part, Ms. Brown always played it <em>straight</em> when it came to the love-game. But, this was the most fantastic woman she had ever met. And, since the woman in context was an obvious lesbian, Steph's mind went to places it had never really gone before. She didn't hate it.<br><br>The secret that the two of them were about to discuss wasn't sexy at all, so that had a calming effect on Steph, given the vibes that she was feeling, and maggie's comment as she was leaving from before, it was relieving to know that her and Kate's arrangement didn't have any kind of perversion or sensuality involved. It would have spoiled the image of the Batwoman in the young blonde's mind forever.<br><br>"Mm." Stephanie could only manage to hum at first with a short disregarding sound. Her head shook from side to side slowly. "Not exactly. You were more of a... bylaw, you were like a hall pass! I needed to go the bathroom anyway, you just gave me permission to be out of class." This conversation was starting to feel grounded. It felt like each of them were starting to grasp the other, and the topic at hand was getting closer and closer to becoming a spoken word. "I was fighting crime, in one way or another since... highschool." Stephanie's little smiles were constant. It was exciting to be having this conversation with the Batwoman herself. She had asked Stephanie about something that the young woman had spent a lot of time thinking about the last year or so. She was only a regular person, and putting her life on the line nearly every night was something that put a lot of undue stress and doubt in her mind. She had to talk herself into putting on that hood every time she left the house. She had a well thought out answer all prepared for her mentor, and she hadn't even done it on purpose. "Before that even, I've always hated my dad. All criminals, And," It was mostly prepared, anyway. "-Well, I really hated the situation that I was in because of him. I didn't have a dad. - He -The rush that he got from being chased by the law," She was speaking slowly. She scoffed slightly, "it mattered more to him than I ever could have." This was an emotional topic, but Stephanie was handling it with a stiff upper lip and strong sense of self. The thoughts didn't seem to torture her, innocence had been retained, somehow.&nbsp; She was making her way to the center of her point, "I was..." She bit her lip, just barely, rape was too strong of a word to use right away with Kate, "-assaulted by an older man. He didn't get what he wanted from me. But it scared the fuck out of me. So, I... started to learn how to defend myself. I was thirteen." She spoke as if that was a long time ago. To her, it was. "I started to get angry a lot. I was starting to realize how dark the world was, how evil people could be. People besides my dad." Her speech pattern was speeding up, she was growing more comfortable in her explanation. "So instead of defending myself. I started to defend people that didn't know how to do it themselves." <br><br>Stephanie took a moment. She lifted her wine, and took a sip. Her chair scooted forward even further. "I wanted to fight crime because other people didn't deserve the life that I lived. People deserve better than that." the hatred for her own existence crept through, a dark moment of desperation that quickly faded into the ether of emotional display. "The hero's of Gotham have always inspired me to feel like my life wasn't trash. At first, it was just The Batman. And to me, his name meant protection. He was a figure of..." Stephanie didn't often put these ideas forward to form words. "...of...justice, I guess... Yeah. Justice. When I was scared, most of my life, I just wanted protection. I didn't know that I could help the people around me. With you, Batwoman, you helped me realize that a girl could give people protection too."A thought sparked in her head, and she put it together for the both of them to see. "My life turned me into The Spoiler, my father, my sense of justice, my empathy for other people's problems. If it wasn't for you, I would just be some, pregnant idiot with an abusive boyfriend, a black eye and nothing but self-hatred. My life isn't on the line when I'm out on the streets. My life was over a long time ago. I do this for other people. I don't do it to give myself any form of gratification."<br><br>It was a long answer, but Stephanie hadn't felt the time go by at all.
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				Title: <strong>Re: DC Earth 2: Traditions and Legacy (WardenIce &amp; Alias)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Diesel Heart</strong> on <strong>27-11-2015, 13:31:35</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/43/76/e1/4376e1af5d54653978f91031184782f0.jpg)</div>&nbsp; <span style="font-size: 12pt;" class="bbc_size"><strong>A</strong></span>fter asking her questions, Kate set down the eating utensils and gently slid the plate of food aside.&nbsp; It wasn't that her appetite was gone, but simply became a matter of afterthought.&nbsp; More than likely, the food will reach her digestive system after her and Stephanie reach a conclusion to this conversation.&nbsp; Additionally, she needs to listen and read the way Stephanie moves and speaks.&nbsp; She has no misconception of the young girl's amenable openness to tell the truth.&nbsp; However, often body language conveys a message words do not.&nbsp; Most of these are subtle, such as lowering one's chin.&nbsp; In social context, it can be a submissive gesture and often indicates timidness or flirtation.&nbsp; Another is the the position of one's eyebrows.&nbsp; When they are raised, it is a small signal to indicate surprise or interest as opposed to when they are lowered to indicate confusion or to hide the eyes to indicate potential deceit.&nbsp; The most important of these tiny, often-overlooked gestures was the way one's smile displayed.<br><br>In Stephanie's case, all of these occurred, conveying an emotional response to accompany words or in reaction to something Kate said.&nbsp; The first of many was the hint of anxiety after Kate paused.&nbsp; She watched a crease in Stephanie's browline form and her lips shift into a smaller tightness.&nbsp; As Kate went into another monologue about how she became Batwoman, Stephanie's eyes held a long gaze.&nbsp; It was explicitly clear by that gesture that she listened intently as possible.&nbsp; Something in the monologue had given Stephanie reason to curl upwards with the hint of amusement.&nbsp; There was no further reason to read to such meticulous detail after the questions were asked and in return, Kate would begin to use body language as she listened.<br><br>The first thing Stephanie said carried intent to alleviate Kate of some anxiety about this arrangement.&nbsp; The anxiety brought up through the loss of Bette, whom was only a year older than the young blonde is currently.&nbsp; She blames herself for that loss.&nbsp; Kate's browline slightly push together as part of her mental activity lingers on the thought while she holds a steady gaze.&nbsp; Stephanie had no way of knowing how frightening the yet unspoken question was for her.&nbsp; Nevertheless, Kate faced this fear and worry with militant conviction.&nbsp; The only thing remaining to cause delay was Stephanie to convince her it's a lifestyle she truly wanted. -- And she did.<br><br>Quickly, the thought of Bette faded into obscurity.&nbsp; Replacing it was a vacant vacuum to absorb and reflect upon Stephanie's story.&nbsp; Kate came to terms a long time ago that her life, for the most part, was good.&nbsp; She had a loving family up until she was a preadolescent with the only complication being the father's often away status.&nbsp; Once she lost her mother and sister to the attack in Brussels, she only grew to appreciate the value of family more and tailored the future towards following her parent's path, both career military.&nbsp; Stephanie had both parents but neither of them were truly what one would call the term traditionally.&nbsp; Kate could not imagine what it must feel like to live with people that may as well be strangers or, at the very least, distant caretakers.&nbsp; It was like living the facade of a family while being truly alone, forced to turn to other means of social stimulation.<br><br>Perhaps Kate exaggerated it but that was one cost to her lifestyle.&nbsp; She truly did not have a connection to those born of lesser privilege despite everything happened to her.&nbsp; Though, she questioned if it mattered this time.&nbsp; Even if it was an exaggeration, it was clear through the brief history she shared with Stephanie that it had enough impact to drive her into openly admitted that her 'life was over'.&nbsp; Kate remembered having thoughts like that after she lost her family.&nbsp; Hell, she felt like that each time she broke up with someone.&nbsp; It was undoubtedly <em>not</em> the same though.<br><br>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<em>"Don't say that,"</em>&nbsp; Kate snapped out before her brain to stay her tongue.&nbsp; Immediately, she chided herself but pushed her reasoning out.&nbsp; <em>"You're way too young to start believing your life is over.&nbsp; It's fine to care about people and want to protect them but you're not going to help anybody if you can't help yourself."</em><br><br>Kate paused and lowered her gaze, staring off into the vacantness of space between her eyes and the table.&nbsp; The question had to be asked for what seemed the umpteenth time.&nbsp; <em>'Am I really ready for this?'</em>&nbsp; If she wasn't, there was no questioning whether or not Stephanie would stop.&nbsp; The girl's experiences was petty street crime and taking out her own father, given near-immediate access to intelligence to help her efforts.&nbsp; If she came across the grittiest, notorious criminals in Gotham that gave her pause like Killer Croc,&nbsp; she'd be done for.&nbsp; <em>'Fuck!'</em><br><br>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<em>"I'm probably not going to convince you to stop being Spoiler.&nbsp; I know better.&nbsp; Maggie has tried to get me to stop being Batwoman for months but there's a reason I can't.&nbsp; Surely, you have your own but I mean it when I say, you <strong>don't</strong> know what you're getting into, Stephanie."</em>&nbsp; Kate raised her gaze again to meet the young blonde's.&nbsp; Her lips flattened.&nbsp; Her browline pressed even tighter together giving her forehead subtle crinkles and her nostrils flared.&nbsp; She needed to convey severity in her words and remain confident in her stance.&nbsp; <em>"I'm going to be blunt and harsh.&nbsp; Taking out your father pales in comparison to things Batman and I have faced out there.&nbsp; I know you've heard the news and read reports.&nbsp; There are things out there that <strong>killed</strong> Superman, that <strong>killed</strong> Batman.&nbsp; Like you, they fought for the same reasons.&nbsp; Since you know about me, you probably heard about Hawkfire.&nbsp; She was as young as you are.&nbsp; She didn't really have it hard though.&nbsp; She started fighting crime because she enjoyed it.&nbsp; She wanted to protect people and she thought her life was over because she didn't live up to some unrealistic expectation she put into her own head.&nbsp; You know where she is now? -- Dead.&nbsp; My cousin is dead because she thought she had what it took."</em><br><br>Another pause heralded a slow, audible exhale.&nbsp; Kate could feel her blood starting to boil.&nbsp; She was getting angry, most at herself.&nbsp; Cutting eye contact and leaving the point of saying all of that to however Stephanie interpreted it, Kate pushed the chair back and stood.&nbsp; Her arms folded after she stood and she migrated towards a picture on the wall of Bette next to a picture of her family.&nbsp; It all happened before she even realized.<br><br>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<em>"I'm offering you a chance to prove me wrong.&nbsp; I'm terrified that you'll just end up like her.&nbsp; She started to follow my example.&nbsp; Not just my example, but the example all of us heroes set.&nbsp; I can't help but wonder how many other kids decided to do that too not knowing what they're doing."</em>&nbsp; One last sigh signified Kate's resignation to fate and she turned to lay a leveled gaze on Stephanie.&nbsp; <em>"Let me train you.&nbsp; Let me make <strong>sure</strong> you're ready for this, Stephanie.&nbsp; That's why I called you here."</em>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: DC Earth 2: Traditions and Legacy (WardenIce &amp; Alias)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Alias</strong> on <strong>29-11-2015, 09:37:16</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/q5uXnMZA0fE/hqdefault.jpg)</div>Steph couldn't stop herself from cocking her head for a moment to register the fact that Kate had just stood up from her plate.<em> 'She's so intense. Oh god. I feel so out of place.'</em> The young blonde watched as the batwoman paced around the room; short, exactly one fancy batwoman costume.<em> 'wonder what she's driving at, here. This is freaky'</em> Stephanie had expressed some pretty serious things over the dinner table, and she couldn't help but feel guilty with what she had done to the atmosphere of the evening. <em>'I guess she asked the questions, but still. I overwhelmed batwoman just by saying that my life was over. I need to get better at talking.' </em><br><br>As Kate worked her way through the steps and side-steps of her point, Stephanie could feel her emotions being dragged all over the room. At first she felt like she had gone and played the victim card on accident. She hated being the victim, even though she had put herself in that place more than once before this. This was a horrible feeling, but it was nothing compared to the next bit of confusion that she experienced. Kate transitioned, and she said something about wanting to convince Stephanie to stop being the Spoiler. <em>'Why does everyone want me to put the costume away? This is so frustrating!'</em> Stephanie was getting worked up, but she knew better than to interrupt Kate with a wild interjection like that. Steph set her knife and fork down on the table, she wiped her hands with her napkin, and set her hands down in her lap. <br><br>Her eyebrows danced upward, and stayed there in a pose. Her face said,<em> 'Are you saying what I <strong>think </strong>your saying?' </em>Kate had told her that she didn't know what she was getting herself into, Stephanie sucked at her tooth for a moment as a way to respond to Kate without saying a word. Her face was mostly stone, if not for her lower jaw, danceing as she chewed on the inside of her lip. Suddenly, Steph had flashbacks to the night that Tigress had basically told her the same thing that Kate was driving toward now. <em>'Well, at least she gave me dinner and told me who she was before she told me to live a normal life, and stay out of her way.' </em><br><br>Even though she was mistaken, Stephanie was incredibly disappointed. The night had turned in a viscous direction. Suddenly, she was starting to consider herself foolish for ever thinking that Batwoman was going to take her on as a student. <em>'What was I thinking, that I was gonna go around dressed as robin saying funny things to distract the bad guy? So stupid Steph.' </em>She couldn't hide her pain, everything expressed it, she kept back the tears like a big girl, but her eyes were glassy.&nbsp; <br><br>As Kate continued, she brought up hawkfire and it became difficult for Stephanie to stay strong in front of her hero. Stephanie had heard of hawkfire, and she knew that the the girl had died. But she didn't know much more than that. And, there was a lot more to know that Kate had mentioned for her. Stephanie cleared her throat and straightened out her shoulders, waiting for the big finale. She only assumed that Kate was going to give her some kind of ultimatum. <em>'give up the spoiler, or get out of gotham.' - 'give me your mask, or I'll put you in jail'</em>&nbsp; Something to that effect. She had been mostly concerned with how she was going to keep herself from crying, or screaming out of frustration. <em>'God, she can't even look at me. This sucks.' </em><br><br><em><span style="font-size: 8pt;" class="bbc_size">"I'm offering you a chance to prove me wrong." </span></em><br><br><strong>"Wait what?"</strong> Stephanie couldn't stop herself from responding right away. Her entire mood had shifted, she blinked nineteen times in four seconds. Kate explained herself further and Stephanie almost laughed as she took a few breathes to relieve the tension in her chest. Then Kate said the magic words <em><span style="font-size: 8pt;" class="bbc_size">"Let Me (Batwoman) Train You (Stephanie Brown)...That's why I called you here"</span></em><br><br>Stephanie exploded with delight, but she contained it with as much control as possible. She couldn't talk for a moment. The rollercoaster ride was almost finished, and she was about to pass out from the vertigo. She took a few breathes, nodded, gestured toward her mouth to signify that she would be able to talk in a few moments. <strong>"Ok."</strong> She took one more deep breathe.<strong> "First, Yes." </strong>She nodded emphatically. <strong>"I will most definitely take you up on that offer of training, and preparedness, and stuff."</strong> She had said 'stuff' as if it might have been the most important part of the sentence. Stephanie paused there after. <em>'You're too excited Steph! Ca-a-a-alm down, now.' </em>She took one more quick breathe, almost falling out of her socks with joy. <br><br><strong>"I want you to know," </strong>Stephanie had pulled it all back to the center, she was almost talking normally now, but there were gravity in her words. She was steady, pointed, well-pronounced and full of confidence.<strong> "I take this really seriously. I'm gonna kick ass." </strong>She was nodding again. <strong>"I've been waiting for this moment for a long time, and, I-"</strong> She had to make sure she didn't cry when she said this. <strong>"-I'm not gonna take this for granted."</strong>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: DC Earth 2: Traditions and Legacy (WardenIce &amp; Alias)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Diesel Heart</strong> on <strong>07-12-2015, 15:08:00</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(http://pre11.deviantart.net/4a15/th/pre/i/2012/331/d/9/kate_kane_unmasked_by_violetmercury-d5menld.jpg)</div><br>&nbsp; <span style="font-size: 12pt;" class="bbc_size"><strong>A</strong></span>s expected, Kate saw Stephanie was upset.&nbsp; Everything she said carried implications delivered with a scolding inflection.&nbsp; Stephanie was young too, within the area of defiance custom to her age group.&nbsp; The age group that thought they knew everything because they were about to be an adult by legal dictation.&nbsp; Granted, some in the age group <em>were</em> beyond their peers in terms of wisdom and strength and Stephanie very well may be one.&nbsp; This did not excuse fact however. The fact was Kate spoke each word with genuine truth, leaving no room to draw misinterpreted conclusions.&nbsp; Kate would not stop Stephanie from behind Spoiler.&nbsp; Kate did lose her cousin, Bette.&nbsp; There were enemies that Stephanie would never stand her ground against in present day.<br><br>There was little merit gained through observing Stephanie's body language or listening meticulously to her tone of speech.&nbsp; That segment of their discussion was over now and they moved on to the metaphorical elephant in the room.&nbsp; Once Kate gave her concluding statements, she observed Stephanie go quiet and seem dumbfounded.&nbsp; Naturally, the young blonde spoke in reassuring statements with the addendum of what one would expect to hear in these situations.&nbsp; Yet, there was sincerity in Stephanie's words.<br><br>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<em>"Okay,"</em> Kate replied in a soft, punctual manner.<br><br>The verbal contract was signed and Kate now stood in a discomforting state of mind.&nbsp; Stephanie would be her new protege, trained and given the tools necessary to protect the streets of Gotham as she and the other Bats did.&nbsp; She began to consider what would be an appropriate amount of time before giving her the chance to run with the boys.&nbsp; The thoughts were invaded by flashing images.&nbsp; Images of Bette lying on the ground, nearly covered in snow with her stomach eviscerated, dead.<br><br>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<em>"We won't start tonight though,"</em>&nbsp; she added, finally breaking the tension in her face with a delicate smile.<br><em>"Tonight, I was planning on taking you out shopping.&nbsp; As a... I guess, a thank you for protecting the city by arresting your father.&nbsp; You deserve it, I think.&nbsp; Of course, you know, you can say no.&nbsp; If you do, then we'll just hang out here until you want to go and chill.&nbsp; Sound good?"</em>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: DC Earth 2: Traditions and Legacy (WardenIce &amp; Alias)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Alias</strong> on <strong>09-12-2015, 06:38:00</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(http://images6.fanpop.com/image/photos/35800000/AnnaSophia-Robb-annasophia-robb-35897995-336-450.jpg)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Stephanie Brown<br><strong>Nom de Guerre:</strong> The Spoiler<br><strong>Affiliation:</strong> Bat Family<br><strong>Time:</strong> Thursday - the 20th of March 2015, 18:45<br><strong>Location:</strong> Hamilton Suites.<br><strong>Tagging:</strong> Katherine Kane | Batwoman<br><br><hr><br>Stephanie Brown was more confident than she had ever been. Whether that confidence lasted or not while being trained by <em>'Thee'</em> Batwoman was still to be seen. She had taken the B-line and the 490 to get into the fancy part of town. It was a four minute walk from the bus stop to the Hamilton Suites. Steph was dressed in a pair of designer jeans that Kate had bought her. Her well shaped buttocks had never bounced so happily under denim before. Loose around the ankles, exposing a pair of black booties that had also been purchased by Kate the week before. The t-shirt and the black hooded sweatshirt were from her private collection. Steph had made a conscious effort to not be wearing an entire ensemble made of things that Kate had purchased for her.<em> 'That would have been asking for too much attention.'</em> And she especially didn't want to gussy herself up pretty like she had last time she was here. <br><br>This wasn't a dinner invitation. This was the official beginning of her training. Excitement had turned into something much more useful; determination. She had a sureness in her step, and her high chin. Carrying a mid-sized gym bag over her shoulders. Stephanie was able to fit her batons, her workout clothes, an extra set of panties, her shower essentials and a towel inside. With a gymnast and karate background, Steph didn't require much more than a flat surface to get a good workout in. Then again, she had no idea what Kate had in mind for her to do this evening. As the two of them split up on Friday, Stephanie had been given instructions to meet. She was more than fifteen minutes early as the Hamilton came into view.<br><br>The sun had been setting for the last hour or so. As the year grew older and older, the days and the sunsets had gotten progressively longer. Kate had gotten in contact with her off and on for the last few days. It was bizarre when Steph looked down to see that number on her cell phone. She had been told not to save it at all, not under a different name, nothing, not under any circumstance. <em>'Unknown caller'.</em> It had sent shivers up the blonde's spine every time she had seen it, without fail. <em>'I know who it is. The rest of the world doesn't.'</em> Steph had never realized how powerful a real secret could make her feel. <em>'I know who Batwoman is.'</em> She walked passed random folk in the street,<em> 'She doesn't know who batwoman is. Neither does he, or this old man.'</em> She almost became bewildered with the knowledge of her privilege.<em> 'Not only do I know her identity. I'm joining her ranks. She'll teach me, trust me if I do well. I might even fight by her side one day. I wonder if she'll give me a new moniker, is she gonna make me Robin?' </em><br><br>The thoughts in Steph's mind didn't have a lot of weight to them, and they had slipped through the cracks of her memory as she made her way into the Hamilton Suites. <br><br><hr><br>Steph was staring out into Gotham, the window was so clear that she almost felt like she was outside. It was a fascinating view, a city with the skyline that could drive a vigilante to madness. Steph couldn't help but feel a sense of pride as she stood alone in the dining room, only seven feet away from where she had sat for dinner last week. She had taken a long moment with this window during dinner. It was more impressive than she had remembered. <br><br>Maggie had let Steph into the suite this time. It was the second time that she had met either of these women, but Kate had been nowhere in sight when Stephanie arrived. <em>'She's nice,' </em>Steph thought as she recieved a briefing on the situation with a casual expression and a pleasant face from Mags before she had quickly disappeared into the back of the home as well. Left to her own devices, the young blonde had meandered into the part of the house that she was most familiar with; the walkway into the dining room, and the dining room. <em>'I figured she would be ready by now,' </em>Steph wondered<em> 'Well, I am fifteen minutes early,'</em> Steph had checked the clock on her phone. <em>'She could be doing anything, showering, shaving, getting changed, having sex- Uh oh. I hope I didn't interrupt something private between them.'</em> Steph thought, still staring down into the newly born night.<br><br>Her bag was still slung over her shoulders. She was breathing slowly, very much in control of her mind and her faculties. She smiled.<em> 'I'm gonna get my ass kicked.' </em>Her head shook from side to side as it occurred to her. Somehow, the idea pleased her.<em> 'Nothing new I guess. Been a while though.' </em>Stephanie had her arms crossed under her breasts with all of her weight on her left leg. Her right leg&nbsp; was crooked, and danced freely as she contemplated in wait for her master to receive her arrival.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: DC Earth 2: Traditions and Legacy (WardenIce &amp; Alias)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Diesel Heart</strong> on <strong>12-12-2015, 14:43:15</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://www.cowshell.com/uploads/other/batwoman.jpg)</div><br>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<em>"She's here, babe,"</em> Maggie said, entering the bedroom while closing the door behind her.&nbsp; <em>"In good spirits too.&nbsp; She's almost glowing, I tell you."</em><br><br>Katherine had already slipped into the suit everyone identified as Batwoman but with the cowl hanging off the back of the neck.&nbsp; Her eyes lifted from the computer screen, reflecting the provided light which highlighted the green irises.&nbsp; Kate offered a smile that was quick to fade before her eyes drifted back onto the screen.&nbsp; Before her were various pictures of the Hamilton-Kane family.&nbsp; The primary focus was Bette.&nbsp; Maggie already knew what thoughts festered in Katherine's mind and came to sit beside her and do the same.&nbsp; Hair, platinum blonde and kept as pristine as one could imagine complimenting a delicately soft, wonderstruck expression.&nbsp; Nearly a direct contrast to the rest of the Kane family who were all hardened by military service and years of emotional duress.<br><br>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<em>"She was beautiful, Kate.&nbsp; You did what you could."</em><br><em>"Except save her,"</em>&nbsp; Kate immediately argued, angling her head to rest atop Maggie's shoulder and feeling the arm wrap around the waist.&nbsp; <em>"I'm scared."</em><br>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<em>"And you have every right to be but you know as well as I do if you don't do this, she's more likely to end up that way."</em><br><br>It didn't help Katherine put to rest her increasing in volume concerns.&nbsp; Though, even she had to admit it was a broken record now.&nbsp; Maggie's seen and heard the replay button over a dozen times and then some over the past week.&nbsp; It was a wonder how she continued to be supportive and tolerate repeating things.&nbsp; Out of all the varying relationships Katherine had, Maggie was the sweetest on her.&nbsp; It's why she was the 'main fling', so to speak and shared a residence.&nbsp; Hell, even the thoughts of marriage were beginning to bud but their shared fear of the inevitable managed to successfully keep that conversation from happening.&nbsp; At least, so far.&nbsp; With a defeated huff and pout,&nbsp; Katherine lifted her gaze towards Maggie, offering pleading and pitiful eyes.&nbsp; As if eyes were on the side of the head, Maggie shook her head but failed at staving away the amused smirk.&nbsp; Moving in a manner to nudge her head against Maggie's,&nbsp; she whined and playfully pawed at the woman's face.&nbsp; This proved to have better results though, making Maggie make eye contact with a pivot of the neck.<br><br>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<em>"What?"</em> Maggie asked, barely able to contain a chuckle.<br><hr><br>Ten minutes later,&nbsp; Batwoman stepped into the dining room where Stephanie had been waiting, immediately taking note of what Maggie had said.&nbsp; There was nothing but confidence and enthusiasm permeating from the young woman and it was contagious.&nbsp; Heralding her arrival was the audible snicker as she passed into the room.&nbsp; The cowl was still hanging from the neck so when Stephanie turned, she'd be greeted with the smiling visage of Katherine's face, pressed against the doorframe with an elevated foot and folded arms.<br><br>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<em>"You look beautiful today, girl so I won't bother asking if you're okay, because you obviously are if that precious smile has anything to say about it."</em>&nbsp; Kate teased, but was sincere in her words.&nbsp; <em>"Good thinking with the bag too, though, it might be better if we just buy you a set of clothes to keep here.&nbsp; Hell, I've even got a spare bed if you ever felt like staying over from being exhausted.&nbsp; Up to you."</em><br><br>Kate pushed off the wall and set foot down to make for the refrigerator.&nbsp; As Stephanie spoke, she opened it to reveal a fully-loaded stock of groceries and reached for the six pack of water bottles kept together by a flimsy plastic around the bottlenecks.&nbsp; She held them out for Stephanie, letting the small space meant to carry them dangle from a finger while she reached for a pack of protein bars before closing the refrigeration with a foot.&nbsp; After the bottled water was taken from her,&nbsp; she turned and began leading Stephanie to a door that led to an empty bedroom barren of any personal touches.&nbsp; At first, it may be to exhibit the offered spare bedroom to Stephanie and honestly, it was, but it had the added secret.<br><br>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<em>"Alright, so, before I do this I need you to fill out a dozen confidentiality sheets and provide me evidence of a social security card and proof of birth. Uh, maybe throw in a small donation of two hundred and fifty, zero cents, and that'll cover all the upfront technicalities about this thing."</em> Kate stated, turning to face Stephanie with a forced expression of calm.&nbsp; <em>"I'm joking, by the way.&nbsp; The real reason I brought you in here is..."</em><br><br>Katherine reached for the closet-door, sliding it to the side to reveal a door in the back.&nbsp; With a gesturing wave, she allowed Stephanie the honors of opening it to reveal a flat platform elevator that only ascended a few storeys.&nbsp; Once Stephanie was on and detected the interface panel built into the left hand wall adjacent the doorframe,&nbsp; Katherine stepped on as well.&nbsp; It seemed spacious enough for both of them, but barely.&nbsp; For this reason,&nbsp; Katherine kept to a corner of the lift and settled her eyes on Stephanie again.<br><br><em>"My headquarters is at the top of the building.&nbsp; It might seem a little farfetched at first but trust me when I say you can't see inside.&nbsp; You'll like it.&nbsp; You though the view outside my window was great?&nbsp; You're in for a pleasant surprise."</em>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: DC Earth 2: Traditions and Legacy (WardenIce &amp; Alias)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Alias</strong> on <strong>16-12-2015, 06:01:02</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Steph was delighted to have finally started, but she was restrained, collected, and she had a level-like head going into this encounter.<br><br>Seeing Kate for the first time that night, dressed as The Batwoman, but unmasked; It gave Steph a rush of emotions that she hadn't expected to feel. They were mild, but her mind was still taxed to deal with them. She felt like she had forgotten something.<em> 'Was I suppose to bring all of my gear?'</em> She couldn't exactly figure out why Kate was adorned in her costume. But she figured it would all make sense in due time. Steph smiled for Kate as a<em> 'thank you'</em>, it was fun when anyone complimented her appearance, and she had tried to be subtle that night, so the initial encounter had been a complete success.<strong> "I feel great. More limber than ever."</strong> That was one of Stephanie's quiet mantras that rarely slipped out among company. She stretched daily, and typically for an hour or two when she was feeling particularly spry. Her workout regimen for years had been strictly cardio, flexibility, and functional hand eye coordination. <br><br>In response to the room here at the Hamilton in Kate's private home, Steph couldn't help but wear a face of surprise. <strong>"Here?"</strong> She said, as if that hadn't been made completely obvious.<strong> "I mean, yeah."</strong> she sounded excited, it hadn't sounded like she was trying to correct or clear herself up at all. <strong>"That sounds like a good plan, if you and maggie don't mind having me over."</strong> <br><br>She followed Kate to the fridge. <em>'That's a big fridge... I could fit in that fridge for sure. No problem at all. Would barely have to move the food.'</em> She was still young, and her mind wandered easily.<em> 'I bet both of us could fit in that fridge if you took the food out...'</em> Steph took the water-bottles freely as her thoughts went in every which way. She rearranged the bag on her shoulder to free her hand. Hoisting the water with her, Steph continued to shadow Kate as the two of them moved deeper into the apartment. <br><br>The idea of signing papers, proving identity and handing money over to Batwoman was absurd on a number of confusing levels. But, Kate had been convincing, and her joke had sunk deep into Steph.<strong> "But... I just thought that-"</strong> She had no idea what to say. A slight bit of panic had set in. Her mentor had not let her suffer for too long though. <strong>"Oh god..."</strong> She exhaled in relief.<br><br><strong>"Nice, Spare bedroom with a secret closet elevator."</strong> It was the kind of sneaky architecture that Steph had heard about the bat-family through third or forth hand accounts. But, to be in front of an entrance to any bat cave was exhilarating. Having first heard the term 'batcave' used by a cohort of her father's when she was a small girl; Stephanie had always imagined it to be a wonderful place. The batcave, to her, implied safety. A place that belonged to the hero of Gotham was exactly where she wanted to be. Even if the place was known for being dingy. Steph didn't imagine that the lift went <em>up</em> and into a <em>cave</em> at the top of a <em>building</em>. But she was finally walking into one, through the secret doors next to the woman that wore the cowl. <em>'This is where I belong' - 'If only daddy could see me now.' - 'Batwoman's batcave is probably better than Batman's cave anyway,'</em> Steph thought as she entered into the elevator. <br><br>Just as Kate had, she pushed herself against the side of the lift as well, and gave the other woman some space.<br><br><strong>"I bet."</strong> This tower was monstrous from the outside.<strong> "I climb a lot in the city, I like watching Gotham like that. but I would never mess around with a building this tall."</strong> Stephanie's equipment was too low tech for her to imagine herself on top of the Hamilton. But, she would be able to play in the clouds soon enough. Her skills and her gear would be improved in a matter of months. She could feel her own potential boiling up, but she'd no idea what was making her so racked with tension. It was a lot like stagefright, or that feeling of falling in love with some one new. With the water and her bag still, Steph flexed her back muscles to stretch them out, and warm them up. It had been an unconscious action. <br><br>She was trying to think of something to say to Kate, and it was obvious. Excitement was starting to make a run on her mental sharpness. Her heartbeat had picked up. Her palms were starting to feel warm. Her ankles and her knees were getting antsy. She was almost dancing in place, unable to stop the reflexes from going off. Her mind finally settled on a topic worth covering; <strong>"Wh-What's the fabric in your suit made of? Does it get sticky or anything?" </strong>Steph was a seamstress in her own right, and she had never seen such flawless work. <strong>"It looks <em>way</em> different than mine."</strong> Steph had obviously emphasized the fact that Kate's suit was far superior to hers. She was proud of her work, but she couldn't afford the best materials. She had used what was available, but she hadn't really thought of the implications of her question. <strong>"Mine rips easy..."</strong><br><br>She didn't realize that Kate had a new Spoiler suit in the works for her, even though it had sounded a lot like she was hinting at her doing just that. Kate had learned all of her measurements the week before while they were shopping. Steph was clueless. Training, strategics, fighting crime together, that had all been obvious. But being taken care of, being properly equipped. That was too good to be true. It was too good for Steph to have ever even imagined. 
			</dd>
		</dl>
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