The Chili Party continues

[lanternslight]

Hal leads Arisia onto the dancefloor, taking a brief look around the crowded bar.

The room is full of heroes. Friends. Allies.

So many people. Superman showed. Wonder Woman showed. Jay and Joan are here. Booker and Plaz have crashed it.

Oh, yeah, he thinks as he pulls Arisia in close for a dance, it's good to be alive.

Comments

[martian_manhunt]

J'onn approaches John Stewart. "John, do you have a moment?"

[martian_manhunt]

"You will not," J'onn tells him firmly. "Cynril is consumed with vengeance. She does not do her people justice... she shames their memory."

Anger brushes his features. "You did not wait for me. You thought you could handle it yourself. It was a mistake most of us have made at some point or another... we have all been overconfident at some time or another, and we learn from our mistakes. The stakes were higher than they every should have to be.

"If it was your fault for going ahead, then it was my fault for not catching up to you on time. But even more than that, John, it was the fault of the Anti-Life. You struggled against it, and you failed. And you have learned from that. You will never let that happen again.

"I cannot say that the sacrifice was worth it... but neither can I say it was not. Because it happened. It is in the past now, and if either of us could change it, we would."

[theotherlantern]

Can't say he'd ever thought he'd hear this strident a defense from J'onn, but he lets the words sink in.

He won't argue with the man. Just gives him a solemn nod.

"You know what sticks in my gut the most about this, recently?" he finally asks, sadly. "I actually COULD have done something, but I just didn't know it. That's what hit me about the whole Parallax revelation. We were TOLD we couldn't do jack against yellow, and so we never TRIED. Now, we can. We just have to focus through it."

"Guess that's always a lament, the older you get... 'if I'd known then what I know now.'"

[martian_manhunt]

"We learn. We grow. We improve."

He offers a hand to John. "I haven't treated you as a friend, John. And I apologize for that."

[theotherlantern]

John takes the offered hand firmly.

"Apology appreciated and accepted, but not necessary. I trust you'll still call me on this if I ever get anywhere near that overconfident again."

[martian_manhunt]

"Of course," J'onn nods. "But I doubt you ever will. You have learned your lesson." He looks somewhat shame-faced. "As have I."

[theotherlantern]

Just too bad billions of families had to die to teach one half-assed space cop a lesson.

He doesn't say it, trying to keep things right, but there's a good chance J'onn'll hear it anyway.

"As have we all."

[martian_manhunt]

"May we both make sure neither of us ever forgets." He looks around, uncomfortable. "Perhaps I should go..." His eyes flash to the exit.

[theotherlantern]

John takes a deep breath, and shakes his head, managing a smile.

"J'onn, if you only came here to rehash the worst parts of our lives, then you're missing the point entirely."

[martian_manhunt]

"I came to apologize to you, John. That's all. I'm... not certain I belong here."

[theotherlantern]

"Are you friends with any of these people? Have you had rough times lately? Yes and YES. As a result, this party's for you, too."

He smirks a bit.

"And hey, I've got word that Kilowog's whipping up a bit of Oreo chili just for you."

[martian_manhunt]

J'onn smiles. "Well... perhaps for a while."