Post by Oracle on Nov 2, 2012 12:27:24 GMT -5
Barbara Gordon was a force not meant to be reckoned with. Anyone who worked with her or her alter ego The Oracle knew that her information brokerage skills were terrifyingly exceptional. Near and far, the world recognized the Oracle as the one source, the one entity that was impossible to hide from, impossible to shield yourself from and most importantly, impossible to keep secrets from. Even the Dark Knight found that the tables had been turned on him and the sense of privacy that he was so used to invading was being invoked upon him. Not that he expressed any discontent, but it was merely an unsettling realty of the young woman’s prowess. It was Batman and its family alone that understood the amazing feats she was capable of.
So why was she trying to hide from her?
The perplexing question had bothered her for a few days now, that was about all she was willing to allow in her patient anticipation of a formal hello. Instead, five days had passed now, and not so much had she even tried to make contact. Even Stephanie made contact with her and why the new wearer of her namesake was hiding this face was well beyond Barbara. She leaned forward onto her table; elbows propped against its cool, metal surface and looked across the street at a cheerful park that bustled with life on this Friday morning. Even with her mousey nature and tendency to stick her nose into unwanted places, Barbara Gordon knew when to step back.
When it came to Cassandra Cain she was more than aware of the privacy the young woman warranted. Still, it hurt deep down inside to think that the trust between them had somehow been severed. Cassandra was one of Barbara’s protégés if she dare say the term herself. And the two had shared a many things in their nurturing together. From their relationship there was an underlying bond that had formed that Barbara (who might have felt it herself) felt border-lined sibling-ship. All of the Bat Family members were like brothers and sisters, but the hardships that she had endured with Cassandra had created a bond that was different than what Barbara felt for Tim or Bruce.
So why? Why had Cassandra gone through all the trouble to not even stop by and say hello.
She was hiding something, there was no doubt in Barbara’s mind about that. That something was absolutely peeving her and after five days she could not wait any longer nor sit by and watch Cassandra take on Gotham by night. To hide from friends and family was ridiculous, she as always welcome back in Gotham by familiar names and faces, so why go through all the trouble?
It had occurred to Barbara that during their time apart Cassandra had regressed, perhaps she had went back to her extreme introvert personality and that scared Barbara more than anything. The patience and time it had taken to rehabilitate Cassandra to a semblance of normalcy was phenomenal and if she had indeed lost all or most of her people skills Barbara was worried it would be hard to retrieve again.
The autumn breeze suddenly picked up and lifted her thick, red hair up into the winds. She sighed slightly, holding her cup of tea and taking light sips as nature’s wispy fingers ran through the streams in her hair and allowed the hot tempered woman to simmer down in terms of bodily temperatures. She wasn’t upset, god knows she could never be upset at Cassandra, but it was her impatience and concern that was causing her infuriation. Anyone who worked with her was also aware of this behavior perk.
Her green eyes moved behind her rimmed glasses and she looked down from the corner of her eyes to check the time. Five minutes after twelve, five more minutes to go. She thought to herself as she turned, her attention being caught by the oncoming waitress.
“Would you like to see the menu now?” She asked, her voice lovely and like a serenade as she looked down at Barbara.
A quick shake of her head and gracious smile sent the young waitress away in understanding. Barbara was still waiting, and she didn’t want to dive into her meal (lest receive it) before the woman of the hour would arrive. It’s not like Cassandra didn’t know where to meet, despite the location of choice being relatively new to the young woman. Barbara had left her instructions and a rather upfront and moderately demanding note on a meeting time and place. Cassandra wasn’t dumb and if there was one thing she was really good at, it was following orders. If Barbara still meant anything to her, she would no doubt be here, on time and with a damn good reason for her negligence.
Another sip of tea and she turned back to park expectedly. Upon seeing a couple she flicked her eyes away and look back at the small wooden sign that hung over head. Argo Tea Café and Bar is what she read and in following the pole that held up the sign she turned to gaze into the café, its rustic décor calling out to her in sweet earthy colors. The establishment had popped up less than three weeks ago and it had become Barbara’s new oasis. Tea was her replacement for coffee, which she discovered had been consumed in massively gross quantities in the last few years. It was time for a change of pace, and Argo Tea popped up just in time. She was here just about every week if she could manage.
A sort of easiness fell over Barbara, but it suddenly diminished as the chair opposite to her slid across the floor, metal grating concrete in an orchestra of unpleasant sounds. Her eyes raised and from her seat she felt the small shadow fall upon her.
“You look well.”
Was all she could muster in an effort to hide the venom in her voice.
So why was she trying to hide from her?
The perplexing question had bothered her for a few days now, that was about all she was willing to allow in her patient anticipation of a formal hello. Instead, five days had passed now, and not so much had she even tried to make contact. Even Stephanie made contact with her and why the new wearer of her namesake was hiding this face was well beyond Barbara. She leaned forward onto her table; elbows propped against its cool, metal surface and looked across the street at a cheerful park that bustled with life on this Friday morning. Even with her mousey nature and tendency to stick her nose into unwanted places, Barbara Gordon knew when to step back.
When it came to Cassandra Cain she was more than aware of the privacy the young woman warranted. Still, it hurt deep down inside to think that the trust between them had somehow been severed. Cassandra was one of Barbara’s protégés if she dare say the term herself. And the two had shared a many things in their nurturing together. From their relationship there was an underlying bond that had formed that Barbara (who might have felt it herself) felt border-lined sibling-ship. All of the Bat Family members were like brothers and sisters, but the hardships that she had endured with Cassandra had created a bond that was different than what Barbara felt for Tim or Bruce.
So why? Why had Cassandra gone through all the trouble to not even stop by and say hello.
She was hiding something, there was no doubt in Barbara’s mind about that. That something was absolutely peeving her and after five days she could not wait any longer nor sit by and watch Cassandra take on Gotham by night. To hide from friends and family was ridiculous, she as always welcome back in Gotham by familiar names and faces, so why go through all the trouble?
It had occurred to Barbara that during their time apart Cassandra had regressed, perhaps she had went back to her extreme introvert personality and that scared Barbara more than anything. The patience and time it had taken to rehabilitate Cassandra to a semblance of normalcy was phenomenal and if she had indeed lost all or most of her people skills Barbara was worried it would be hard to retrieve again.
The autumn breeze suddenly picked up and lifted her thick, red hair up into the winds. She sighed slightly, holding her cup of tea and taking light sips as nature’s wispy fingers ran through the streams in her hair and allowed the hot tempered woman to simmer down in terms of bodily temperatures. She wasn’t upset, god knows she could never be upset at Cassandra, but it was her impatience and concern that was causing her infuriation. Anyone who worked with her was also aware of this behavior perk.
Her green eyes moved behind her rimmed glasses and she looked down from the corner of her eyes to check the time. Five minutes after twelve, five more minutes to go. She thought to herself as she turned, her attention being caught by the oncoming waitress.
“Would you like to see the menu now?” She asked, her voice lovely and like a serenade as she looked down at Barbara.
A quick shake of her head and gracious smile sent the young waitress away in understanding. Barbara was still waiting, and she didn’t want to dive into her meal (lest receive it) before the woman of the hour would arrive. It’s not like Cassandra didn’t know where to meet, despite the location of choice being relatively new to the young woman. Barbara had left her instructions and a rather upfront and moderately demanding note on a meeting time and place. Cassandra wasn’t dumb and if there was one thing she was really good at, it was following orders. If Barbara still meant anything to her, she would no doubt be here, on time and with a damn good reason for her negligence.
Another sip of tea and she turned back to park expectedly. Upon seeing a couple she flicked her eyes away and look back at the small wooden sign that hung over head. Argo Tea Café and Bar is what she read and in following the pole that held up the sign she turned to gaze into the café, its rustic décor calling out to her in sweet earthy colors. The establishment had popped up less than three weeks ago and it had become Barbara’s new oasis. Tea was her replacement for coffee, which she discovered had been consumed in massively gross quantities in the last few years. It was time for a change of pace, and Argo Tea popped up just in time. She was here just about every week if she could manage.
A sort of easiness fell over Barbara, but it suddenly diminished as the chair opposite to her slid across the floor, metal grating concrete in an orchestra of unpleasant sounds. Her eyes raised and from her seat she felt the small shadow fall upon her.
“You look well.”
Was all she could muster in an effort to hide the venom in her voice.
