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Post by Deleted on Jun 26, 2015 6:37:26 GMT
Tag: Nightwing Date: November 15th, 2017
Time: 11:00 am Location: Bludhaven, Dick's Apartment
Artemis had only been to Dick's apartment a handful of times. And only ever with Wally. Barely remembering which door was his, she knocked. Afraid of seeing Dick again. It had been...how long? Weeks? Months? She couldn't remember and had no inkling as to when the last time she saw him was. It was hard...seeing the look in his eyes. His best friend was gone. Dead. He had left the Team because of that fact. Artemis couldn't stand seeing him that way, no matter how much she cared for him. It made her feel uncomfortable. A feeling she knew was because his dark eyes mirrored her own. When she looked in the mirror all she saw was a dark abyss in her eyes...something that she saw in Dick's after Wally was gone... But who knew. It had been a long time since then. Almost a year. Dick possibly was his old self again. Professional but still his good natured demeanor. Ready to come back to the Team and lead them the way he was always meant to. ...Then why was the hallow in her throat no going away at that thought? With a sigh, Artemis knocked again louder. Surely this was his door. She noticed the small dent just below the room number. The place were Wally fell one night on their way to Dick's apartment. He had gone in for a teasing kiss to embarrass her just as Dick would open the door. So Artemis pushed him and his head hit the wood. Making a surprised and slightly alarmed Dick open the door quicker than he usually did. Before her emotions could get the better of her, Artemis heard a shuffle behind the door. "Dick, open the door...please," she said with another knock, "It's...Artemis." Her voice shook. Would he see her? Or did he have the same reasons she did as to why he hadn't contacted her as well? Why he currently wasn't opening to door? |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2015 19:22:38 GMT
Since agreeing to come back to the Team, Dick had moved out of his apartment rather quickly. He wanted to be back, no matter how much he may have denied it to others. He wanted to see his friends again, he wanted to help them. But he also wanted to see Barbara. No matter what may happen in their relationship, he wanted to see her, and at least make a legitimate attempt at being with her. Time would tell if he’d even get his chance, but he had hope. Hope and Grayson charm.
He had moved back into his old apartment that he had lived in during his tenure as team leader. It was just as he remembered it, and he had made sure to set it up the same as before, because why change a good thing? Of course, before it served as a bachelor pad, and he had a number of women over. Now? Not so much. He wanted to change his ways at least, so he’d have his chance with Barbara.
So much of it came back to her.
When he heard some knocks he went to his door, unsure of who that could be. He had just finished moving in, but he doubted his neighbors would want to come over and see him and welcome him to the building or something. He opened the door and stood there, looking at the woman who stood before him, almost in disbelief.
“Artemis?” he asked in confusion. He swung the door open all the way and stepped aside, “Please come in.” Was something wrong? Something seemed like it might be wrong, and he didn’t want that. She’d been through enough in her life.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2015 19:13:39 GMT
As the door before her swung open, Artemis' eyes shot up to meet Dick's. Her face softened at the sight of him. It had been a long time. But she remembered him as clear as day. Not much at changed. Stepping into his apartment at his silent invitation, Artemis looked around and smiled a bit. "Just like I remember it..." she trailed off as she saw a picture of the original Team set up on his desk. Her eyes shot to the floor. She remembered that day. They had a celebratory late new years party, as per Wally's request. Dressed in civilian clothes, the Team took a whole night at the West family house to relax and spend time together. Wally's mother had insisted on a picture of all of them to keep as a keepsake. Mary had also taken a picture of her and Wally, ecstatic that the two had finally gotten together. Artemis had put the photo in a box in her closet along with everything else that reminded her of Wally. Turning away from the picture, Artemis looked back at Dick. "I heard you moved back here...and were coming back to-" she cut off as she glanced at the open door. "That you were coming back," she added, changing her words. OOC: ...I'm trying to get in the Artemis mood and its not working very well... |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2015 19:37:44 GMT
He was happy to see Artemis. He wasn't sure how she had been doing, and he felt like crap for not checking up on her. She needed her friends, and he'd bailed. Sure, she had others on the Team, other friends, but...but he'd just left. That couldn't have been a good feeling to have part of your support just gone.
"Yeah...I didn't feel like changing things," he told her. He liked how it had been, so why mess with that? Besides, it kept some normalcy. And when would he have time to redecorate? If he couldn't find something better the first time, then why bother looking a second time?
He nodded, "Yeah, I'm coming back," he said, moving to close the door behind her. It was then that he glanced to the picture, but he looked away quickly and looked back at Artemis, "I needed to come back. I couldn't be out solo anymore."
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2015 20:07:47 GMT
Artemis felt her chest tighten. That's exactly what she had been doing the past few months. Mostly solo missions. Granted she was still with the Team. Aqualad gave her those missions, but it was her request to carry them out alone. She missed working as a team and a part of her loved it when Aqualad would put her on a squad...but that was rare. She was afraid of what would happen if she failed them. So night as well be alone and worry about only yourself.
But she couldn't bare leaving the Team. It was all she had left.
"Kicking some bad guy butt with friends always helps," she said with a smile that didn't reach her eyes, "But M'gann told me and I just wanted to come see you once you moved in. See how things were..."
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2015 20:25:22 GMT
Dick was used to fighting supervillains and Metahumans and things like that, but in Bludhaven a lot of what he dealt with was more along the lines of police corruption and gangs. It was a far cry from the old, but it helped him separate himself from the Team, and their missions. It helped him live a separate life.
"I've worked a little with some of the others," he told her. Although he kind of screwed up with Tim, but he didn't want to think about that, "It was...nice to be with them. To be solo, but still know people were there, and that we were still good. Things are good for me, but...what about you?"
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Post by Deleted on Jun 30, 2015 5:44:44 GMT
Artemis felt her heart lurch as he redirected the question back to her. She was here to talk about him. Not herself. And she knew the tone to his voice. The slight hesitation before asking his question. The softness in his voice like he was talking to a child. The blonde squared her jaw a bit and sighed quietly. Crossing her arms over her black jacket. "I'm fine, Dick," she snapped, turning and walking a few steps from him. Further into his apartment. "Why does everyone keep asking me that?" It had been over a year since Wally's death and ever since then people kept asking her if she was okay. Or if she needed anything. Yes, she needed something! She needed Wally back. Alive and well. But that was never going to happen. She had gotten over him now. She was functioning and had put countless criminals behind bars. Including her father from time to time. Granted he would always bail himself out somehow...but the fact was that she was okay. She wasn't some wailing widow to be saved since her lover was now gone. Artemis was Tigress now. And Tigress didn't need Kid Flash. OOC: By the way just letting you know, I wasn't trying to god mod how Dick said that. Artemis just perceived that he said it that way. Even if he didn't, she thought she heard a hidden meaning behind it. |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 30, 2015 15:26:21 GMT
Why did everyone keep asking her that? It was obvious, and he felt she knew it was obvious. Still, he didn't say anything to her. She had to understand why, and he wasn't going to make her angry by saying it. "Sorry," he told her in an even tone, not giving her any emotion. Too much emotion, sorrow, sadness, she'd probably think the 'sorry' was for Wally's death. He had to be even.
He looked at her as she moved farther into his apartment. He walked after her a little, "Ok then...so, how's the Team?" Was she even still operating with them? He honestly had no real idea what was going on. Had she disconnected herself entirely? Or was she still around, fighting through it?
He had to hope for the best for her. He had to hope she was holding it together, but he suspected she wasn't.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 30, 2015 19:22:14 GMT
The Team. In all honesty she wasn't entirely sure. They were doing well. All healthy and alive. But beyond that she wasn't sure.
Artemis was silent for a few moments longer than dhe should have been. "They're...alright," she said, trying her best to let him think she knew. But deep down she absolutely knew he could tell.
For one: he was Nightwing, formally Robin...formally Batman's apprentice. He was a detective. And two: he was Dick Grayson. Artemis Crock's dear friend. Ever since their encounter with Red Inferno and Red Torpedo six years ago...Artemis had felt a connection torwards Dick. Plus he kept her family a secret until she was ready. He had her respect and her friendship.
"The Team is working well together...Aqualad is doing a good job leading..."
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Post by Deleted on Jun 30, 2015 20:03:05 GMT
The way she answered his question told him that she was still somewhat separated, just like he had figured she would be. With his return, maybe he could help her out. He owed it to her, as a friend. Of course, even if she didn't want his help, he had to do something. She was going to be stubborn, but he had to help. Or try.
"I was told Aqualad was in charge again," Dick told her. He knew Aqualad would do a good job, although a small smile formed on his lips, "Have to wonder if he's ever going to change that name to 'Aqua'...well, 'Man' is taken, but something else. He's not exactly a 'lad' anymore."
He should cut back on the jokes and try to be serious. But he wasn't sure if serious Dick was what she wanted or not. "How's Tigress treating you?"
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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2015 4:21:41 GMT
Artemis couldn't help but smile a bit as Dick made the joke about Aqualad. He had a point. When was the man going to finally not be a "lad" anymore? He had to be at least twenty-two. Definitely not a lad. But as Dick's smile faded, Artemis missed it instantly. She wanted to forget and be happy and make jokes. But she also couldn't. It was impossible. At some point something would take her back.
"How's Tigress treating you?"
"Good," Artemis replied with genuine content, "I got used to Tigress during my uncover mission and it almost felt odd going back to being Artemis. Plus Artemis was..." She trailed off and bit her lip. She had to say it. In the past year Artemis had not gotten the chance to explain to Dick why she had not gone back to her bow and arrows. It was like ripping open a would and pouring salt on it for both of them, but it needed to be said.
"Artemis was Kid Flash's partner. I couldn't...can't go back to that." Her dark eyes lifted to meet his blue ones. They hadn't talked about his death. Not together. It was always too fresh. Too raw. Now? ...it was opening a closed wound that had healed wrong. At least for her it had.
But had it healed right for Dick?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2015 4:31:20 GMT
He knew she'd bring up Wally eventually. He just wasn't sure how, or when, and he hadn't wanted to talk about it either. But it had to be discussed at some point, in some way. There was no way she was just here for a social visit. No; she had been his girlfriend. He had been Wally's best friend. Something was going to happen.
"Sometimes a new face is what we need. A new name, a new story, a new...everything." Well, not everything, not new friends, not new people. He'd tried that by moving to Bludhaven, but it hadn't worked. Maybe it would work better for someone else, maybe for Artemis, but it hadn't for him.
He looked at her, "You have a new slate in front of you. You can probably think that it will never be as good as the old one...and you might be right. But take advantage of it Artemis, please. It should do you a lot of good."
Was that horrible advice? It felt like horrible advice...
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Post by Deleted on Jul 3, 2015 1:04:20 GMT
Artemis let out a sigh and crossed her arms over her torso, a subconscious motion of needed comfort for her. He was right. Dick was always right. But the thought of moving on. Starting a new life. A life without Wally...it broke her heart to pieces.
"I've tried you know," she murmured, clutching her elbows tighter with her hands, "I've tried moving on from him. Went on a date a few months ago. But halfway through, I realized that he looked just like Wally. And after I realized that...I left. He wasn't Wally. He was serious and just...not Wally." Biting her lip harder, Artemis walked over and sank into the couch. Standing felt taxing. Heck...breathing felt taxing. She was done. The life she thought she was going to live was gone.
"I've cleaned my slate before, Dick," she said again, a harsh snap to her tone, "How many times am I going to have to do it?"
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Post by Deleted on Jul 3, 2015 16:54:52 GMT
He felt for her, he really did. He didn't want life to be hard for his friends, and losing someone like this? He couldn't speak much of it. Sure, he'd lost his parents, but he was young and found Bruce Wayne as a father figure. He lost Wally as well, but theirs was just a friendship, not romantic.
He approached and sat down beside her, "Moving forward is never easy. I lost myself in a lot of sex after I went to Bludhaven. I just needed something physical, something to take my mind off of Wally and my failures. It didn't work. I'm still not past it."
Wow, great advice Dick, just keep talking about how you can't figure it out either...
"You don't need to wipe the slate clean. You don't need to forget. You just need a way to cope. I don't know what that way is. I'm still looking for it myself."
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Post by Deleted on Jul 7, 2015 0:47:44 GMT
Artemis glanced up at Dick as he sat next to her. Her brows furrowed as he went on, a part of her felt...lucky that she had reverted to how Dick had coped. Instead of being anti-social, he had been too social. Trying everything he could to forget Wally. While she had tried her best to do the same thing, she knew deep down that she had stayed in the past. Heck, she still had all of Wally's things hidden throughout the apartment. His clothes still in their dresser...his souvenirs still in a box in her closet. No matter how much she wanted to let go, she couldn't.
But like hell she'd tell anyone that. Even Dick.
"You'll figure it out, Dick," she said, subconsciously trying to revert the conversation to him instead of her, "You always do." The corner of her mouth turned up in a slight smile.
"You think you've failed when really you haven't," she went on, "You know, the Team would be better with you around...I know some people are practically waiting for you." Artemis smiled a bit more. Like Batgirl.
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