[Outside the castle.]
[Strolling casually beside Kory on their slow, meandering walk back up to the castle after their 2nd 'not-date'. Restless hands jammed into his pockets. Small talk and comfortable, companionable silences abound.] Nice night.
[Pockets are such strange things. Useful and annoyingly secretive in one fell swoop. Dick will get a bit of an amused look for that.] Only that?
[Ah jeez, Kory, you know that's not what he meant. He grins over at her.] It's turning out alright so far.
[Ohohoho.] I'm sure our waitress would be pleased to hear it.
[Slight quizzical head tilt. Where's this going?] Our waitress?
[Sigh. She really shouldn't try the teasing route, should she? Don't worry, Dick, she's not jealous enough to go after her yet. :>] She liked you very much. She asked you to come back when you're next free, didn't she?
[Come on, he's a one guy girl... not to mention he's usually oblivious to these things.] Oh. [Eyes straight.] I guess. [He really couldn't care less. Oh, but hey, there's an opening there, an excuse to suggest going back... He looks back over to her, mischievous look in his eye. Can he push for a 3rd 'not-date' when the 2nd isn't even officially over yet?] You busy tomorrow?
[Heh.] That would depend on your definition.
[Preemptive internal wincing!!! Laughs it off] Washing your hair?
[Oh, cute. That earns you a vaguely amused look.] I thought I would take the Titans for another training run up to the North.
[Man, scratch the hair comment, your thing is way better. Anything involving Titans and training? He is so there.] Want a hand?
[Ohhh, no one's asked before. You get a grin for that.] Gladly. Perhaps with more than one of us they will be less obvious in their displeasure.
[He laughs and thinks of all the ways these teenage Titans compare to the original 5. The key word to remember here is 'teenage'.] Somehow I doubt that.
[It'll be so much fun.] No, but I should not be the sole bearer of such ill intent, don't you think?
[fff old cynical Titans founder is cynical. And old. Ish.] Ah, I'm sure it's nothing you couldn't handle. But sure, I'll be there. For backup. Just in case. [This? This is a teasing grin right here.]
[Psh. Kory needs no back-up for these youngsters, but the sentiment has her smiling.] I think you'll be more than back-up by the time it matters. [Think you can handle it, Batman?]
[You're on, sister.] After Damian? I fear nothing. [Laughs.]
[Is that a challenge?] We will teach you better.
[You have to ask?] I'm sure you will. [It's unsaid, but there's mental emphasis on the 'you' there, Kory. Lady who taught him so much in those...all important, formative years.]
[Like you didn't enjoy every lesson. She'll narrow her eyes just a bit. Challengees should fight it a little more.] Not even a cursory resistance?
[With all due respect, he's probably already dealt with the worst she can dish out, and as for the Titans? Been there, done that and then some. But thoughts like those? Man, what a buzz kill, so neatly side stepping that little well of memories, there. Still smiling faintly, he gives a small shrug of his shoulders.] Must be mellowing in my old age.
[Way to confuse her, mister.] Old? You aren't old. [Not even by human standards.]
[Chuckles and smiles fondly at her. He's about to open his mouth when he catches sight of something, evidently pleasant as his expression only brightens.] Look at that. [He stops in his tracks, trusting Kory to do the same. He takes a step towards her, aligning beside her, eyes dancing on the horizon.] It's a meteor shower.
[What can she do but stop and look up as well? Head canted to the side, curiously following his gaze.] X'Hal, it's beautiful. [And she hadn't thought that possible for a place like this.]
[The shower lasts only a few moments, but it IS beautiful. And sap inducing. Case and point:] Did you make a wish?
[She'll look at him and give him an old, soft smile.] I have long learned that my wishes will only ever be that, Dick.
[Oh Kory, you buzz kill. jk jk. He has a fairly good idea of what she's talking about. He speaks, even though his eyes haven't left the now still skies.] Yeah, but if you don't wish, then you'll never know what it is that you want. [Bat-Logic, don't argue with it.]
[Eyebrow quirk] I know what I want.
[Levels his eyes on the horizon.] Or-- okay. maybe I phrased that wrong. [Turns to her.] I guess what I'm trying to say is that, if you don't wish for anything, how will you know what it is that you've got, and when you've got it?
[Your human wisdom-stuff can be so strange sometimes.] When I have what I want.
[Walking fortune cookie here. He tilts his head, curious. There was a time when he knew exactly what that was. Now? Now he's not so sure. He seems to consider her answer, and wonders if he's okay to push here a little.] Mind if I ask exactly what that would be?
[Oh dear. :(] A home.
[His face softens sympathetically.] Tamaran?
Tamaran is gone, Dick. I cannot call it my home anymore. [And it's kind of been replaced and renamed. :|]
Sorry, I didn't mean-- [She always spoke so fondly of it, that's all.] I shouldn't have asked. [Smiles lightly.] Come on, let's head back to the castle.
[She'll shake her head] Do not apologize. You didn't know. [She'll smile just a bit.] These past few months have been more difficult than I had thought they would be. [Another head-shake] I'll adapt to it soon enough.
[That he doesn't doubt.] But adapting doesn't necessarily mean that you'll be happy [he gets that now.] Is there anything I can do?
[Bemused] Do you have a spare home for me?
[oh, hello. Probably best to clarify that one... given that they did spend a week as a family unit not so long ago, and with... everything else.] I'm not... quite sure what it is that you're... asking.
[Head-cant, but she's smiling, not so happily, though.] Do not worry, I was making a joke. It is something I will have to find for myself.
[Breathes a small, shaky sigh of... relief, maybe.] Right. I-- [want to help you do that.] Kory... [Is now really the time for this conversation, especially with that distant... whooshing sound.]
[Yes.] You needn't worry, Dick. [She'll place a comforting hand on his shoulder] I have done it before.
[Instinctively that hand is soon covered with one of his own.] I know you have, and I don't doubt that you'll do it again. It's just that-- I was there for you before, so. If you'll let me, I'd really like to be-- [No, really, that is some ominous rumbling right there. He pulls his eyes from Kory just in time to see what looks like an asteroid crash land on the castle lawn, and... o-kay. It's bouncing. ...bouncing... this way. Crap.]
[Her expression shifts, confusion mingling with sadness. Shit isn't fair...] Dick, I don't think that's--[She'll stop, mid-sentence, since ominous rumbling is kind of hard to miss even on their worst day and she'll turn partially to see just what is going on.] What--?
[---BOOM.---]
[Pockets are such strange things. Useful and annoyingly secretive in one fell swoop. Dick will get a bit of an amused look for that.] Only that?
[Ah jeez, Kory, you know that's not what he meant. He grins over at her.] It's turning out alright so far.
[Ohohoho.] I'm sure our waitress would be pleased to hear it.
[Slight quizzical head tilt. Where's this going?] Our waitress?
[Sigh. She really shouldn't try the teasing route, should she? Don't worry, Dick, she's not jealous enough to go after her yet. :>] She liked you very much. She asked you to come back when you're next free, didn't she?
[Come on, he's a one guy girl... not to mention he's usually oblivious to these things.] Oh. [Eyes straight.] I guess. [He really couldn't care less. Oh, but hey, there's an opening there, an excuse to suggest going back... He looks back over to her, mischievous look in his eye. Can he push for a 3rd 'not-date' when the 2nd isn't even officially over yet?] You busy tomorrow?
[Heh.] That would depend on your definition.
[Preemptive internal wincing!!! Laughs it off] Washing your hair?
[Oh, cute. That earns you a vaguely amused look.] I thought I would take the Titans for another training run up to the North.
[Man, scratch the hair comment, your thing is way better. Anything involving Titans and training? He is so there.] Want a hand?
[Ohhh, no one's asked before. You get a grin for that.] Gladly. Perhaps with more than one of us they will be less obvious in their displeasure.
[He laughs and thinks of all the ways these teenage Titans compare to the original 5. The key word to remember here is 'teenage'.] Somehow I doubt that.
[It'll be so much fun.] No, but I should not be the sole bearer of such ill intent, don't you think?
[fff old cynical Titans founder is cynical. And old. Ish.] Ah, I'm sure it's nothing you couldn't handle. But sure, I'll be there. For backup. Just in case. [This? This is a teasing grin right here.]
[Psh. Kory needs no back-up for these youngsters, but the sentiment has her smiling.] I think you'll be more than back-up by the time it matters. [Think you can handle it, Batman?]
[You're on, sister.] After Damian? I fear nothing. [Laughs.]
[Is that a challenge?] We will teach you better.
[You have to ask?] I'm sure you will. [It's unsaid, but there's mental emphasis on the 'you' there, Kory. Lady who taught him so much in those...all important, formative years.]
[Like you didn't enjoy every lesson. She'll narrow her eyes just a bit. Challengees should fight it a little more.] Not even a cursory resistance?
[With all due respect, he's probably already dealt with the worst she can dish out, and as for the Titans? Been there, done that and then some. But thoughts like those? Man, what a buzz kill, so neatly side stepping that little well of memories, there. Still smiling faintly, he gives a small shrug of his shoulders.] Must be mellowing in my old age.
[Way to confuse her, mister.] Old? You aren't old. [Not even by human standards.]
[Chuckles and smiles fondly at her. He's about to open his mouth when he catches sight of something, evidently pleasant as his expression only brightens.] Look at that. [He stops in his tracks, trusting Kory to do the same. He takes a step towards her, aligning beside her, eyes dancing on the horizon.] It's a meteor shower.
[What can she do but stop and look up as well? Head canted to the side, curiously following his gaze.] X'Hal, it's beautiful. [And she hadn't thought that possible for a place like this.]
[The shower lasts only a few moments, but it IS beautiful. And sap inducing. Case and point:] Did you make a wish?
[She'll look at him and give him an old, soft smile.] I have long learned that my wishes will only ever be that, Dick.
[Oh Kory, you buzz kill. jk jk. He has a fairly good idea of what she's talking about. He speaks, even though his eyes haven't left the now still skies.] Yeah, but if you don't wish, then you'll never know what it is that you want. [Bat-Logic, don't argue with it.]
[Eyebrow quirk] I know what I want.
[Levels his eyes on the horizon.] Or-- okay. maybe I phrased that wrong. [Turns to her.] I guess what I'm trying to say is that, if you don't wish for anything, how will you know what it is that you've got, and when you've got it?
[Your human wisdom-stuff can be so strange sometimes.] When I have what I want.
[Walking fortune cookie here. He tilts his head, curious. There was a time when he knew exactly what that was. Now? Now he's not so sure. He seems to consider her answer, and wonders if he's okay to push here a little.] Mind if I ask exactly what that would be?
[Oh dear. :(] A home.
[His face softens sympathetically.] Tamaran?
Tamaran is gone, Dick. I cannot call it my home anymore. [And it's kind of been replaced and renamed. :|]
Sorry, I didn't mean-- [She always spoke so fondly of it, that's all.] I shouldn't have asked. [Smiles lightly.] Come on, let's head back to the castle.
[She'll shake her head] Do not apologize. You didn't know. [She'll smile just a bit.] These past few months have been more difficult than I had thought they would be. [Another head-shake] I'll adapt to it soon enough.
[That he doesn't doubt.] But adapting doesn't necessarily mean that you'll be happy [he gets that now.] Is there anything I can do?
[Bemused] Do you have a spare home for me?
[oh, hello. Probably best to clarify that one... given that they did spend a week as a family unit not so long ago, and with... everything else.] I'm not... quite sure what it is that you're... asking.
[Head-cant, but she's smiling, not so happily, though.] Do not worry, I was making a joke. It is something I will have to find for myself.
[Breathes a small, shaky sigh of... relief, maybe.] Right. I-- [want to help you do that.] Kory... [Is now really the time for this conversation, especially with that distant... whooshing sound.]
[Yes.] You needn't worry, Dick. [She'll place a comforting hand on his shoulder] I have done it before.
[Instinctively that hand is soon covered with one of his own.] I know you have, and I don't doubt that you'll do it again. It's just that-- I was there for you before, so. If you'll let me, I'd really like to be-- [No, really, that is some ominous rumbling right there. He pulls his eyes from Kory just in time to see what looks like an asteroid crash land on the castle lawn, and... o-kay. It's bouncing. ...bouncing... this way. Crap.]
[Her expression shifts, confusion mingling with sadness. Shit isn't fair...] Dick, I don't think that's--[She'll stop, mid-sentence, since ominous rumbling is kind of hard to miss even on their worst day and she'll turn partially to see just what is going on.] What--?
[---BOOM.---]