The bird and the cat (conversation)

Chapter 6:home fires

The team has always hated fighting Lobo, and for good reason. He's a bounty hunter with super alien everything. Artemis and Dick have learned how to hold off their injuries until they get home, and the second they did Artemis fainted onto the couch, but woke up in 5 seconds, it was one of those faints where your body just needed a quick reboot. Obviously her and Dick had helped each other with band aids and Artemis most certainly needed an ice pack.

The next day, Dick had to take violet to train without Artemis because she had a stupid test because of stupid college and she didn't study so now she must fuel the few remaining brain cells she has left! But like, obviously, later in the day when Dick and violet had come back Artemis had studied and probably had study overload but THAT'S OKAY!The 3 decided to have ice cream as Artemis was getting ready to put violet in school. Cause obviously Artemis wanted more school. Because she just loves school. "Okay, Violet. It is long past time we enroll you in high school. So, let's start with your name." Artemis says, typing. "Ooh, Violet!" She happily says, putting brucely down, who she was petting. "Right, but you'll need a last name too." Artemis smiled. "Hmm. Uhm," violet paused, looking at her strawberry ice cream, "Violet... Ice cream?" She said. "Violet... Ice cream? I don't think that'll fly," Artemis sighed, "what about... Doe? I mean, after all, it was—" but violet began shaking her head immediately. "No. Doe was Gabrielle's last name, not mine," Violet insisted, "Halo, maybe? No, that's my mission name it must stay secret.", she began fiddling with the spoon in her ice cream bowl. "Well, there's... Crock?" Artemis tried, but violet shook her head and groaned. "Yeah I always hated that name too," Artemis sighed, "okay, so if violet crock is out then uhm... man, I'm stumped." Artemis put her head on her hand that she'd just propped out on its elbow."You can use Grayson if you want." Dick jumper in, holding up his spoon. "Violet... Grayson. I like it." Violet agreed. "Okay then. Violet Grayson, it's nice to meet you." Artemis smiled. "It is very nice to be met!" Violet excitedly responded.

Scenes in show, skip if not interested: The next day, Artemis and violet arrived at happy harbor and violet flew over, twirling as she excitedly said, "It's the first day of school!" Artemis had immediately walked over. "Uh-uh! No flying at school please!" Artemis scolded, as violet came down. "Forager! Zatanna creates this just for you. Your very own glamour charm." Artemis said, pulling the charm out of her jacket pocket. Generally Artemis... wasn't a fan of glamour charms, mostly because she had negative experiences with them, but nonetheless, she pretended not to hate the small rock. Forager has bowed down, Artemis rather confused as she looked at Brion who just smiled and shrugged. She put it on around his neck and was confused. "So... is forager glamorous now?" He asked, confused. "You look more human. And considerably less naked." Violet smiled. "Is violet sure? Forager still looks like forager to me. And forager still feels naked." He insisted, looking at his still big like arms."Violet is sure. And it's violet Harper now! I have a new last name!" Violet happily corrected. "Forager is still forager!" Forager said, Artemis quickly corrected him, "Not today.". "You needed a human name for school. I helped Artemis fill out the forms, and picked out a name I thought you would like. Fred Bugg. WTH 2 G's." Violet explained. Fred put his fingers on his chin. "Hmm. Forager is Fred Bugg with 2 G's. Forager understands. No! Wait! Fred Bugg with 2 G's understands!" Fred smiled. "I'm sure you'll fit right in." Brion sarcastically told them. "Isn't this wonderful Brion? Fred and I will meet so many new boys and girls!" Violet excitedly wondered. "Just be careful of the boys. They only have one thing in their mind." Brion grimly said. "What one thing? Violet asked, confused. Artemis turned her head to avoid the awkward situation and Brion rubbed his neck. "Uh, we can talk about that on the way to school. And if we don't hurry, we're going to be late." M'gann added in as she and Lucas had made their way to the car."Oh, this is perfect! When we drive up with the guidance counselor and the principal, all the other kids will HAVE to like us!" Violet excitedly Insisted, flying up into the air. "NO FLYING AT SCHOOL!" Artemis annoyingly yelled.

Just as Dick was arriving to go talk to Brion, he got a notification from the zeta tube that Brion was locked out. As he teleported to the home, he saw Brion running off. "Looking for something?" He asked, making Brion turn around. "Actually yes, because you won't tell me anything." Brion growled. "There was nothing to tell until now, that's why I'm here," Dick explained, trying to keep this from escalating, "Your sister Tara WAS on Santa Prisca, but has since been shipped elsewhere. We're trying to track her now." Brion looked down. "So she was there. And your delays cost us the chance to rescue her!" Brion yelled, assuming the situation. "It's more complicated than that, Brion! I need you to be patient." Dick calmly said, putting a hand on Brion's shoulder, before walking off. "DO NOT WALK AWAY FROM ME!" Brion's groans before he yells, before tackling Dick, who used his legs to push him off.Dick jumped up and dodged one of Brion's punches, countering to the stomach and pushing the boy back, both panting for air. He disintegrated his clothes, revealing his uniform, and sending an ashy scent into the air. "So, what's your next move? Roast me alive for suggesting you exercise patience?" Dick panted. "Patience, Patience, Patience'," Brion repeated, "What is the magic of Patience? You preach patience, my brother preaches patience, once upon a time, my parents sang the same song of Patience! Where did all that patience get any of us?!" Dick suddenly widened his eyes in realization. "Huh. Okay, yeah, now I get it. See, I think you know we're doing everything we can to find Tara. So, is this really about her, or about Markovia?" Dick suggested. "What?" Brion gasped, trying to hide his realization aswell. "You've been on your phone, every day, every hour, obsessively following your brothers every move." Dick explained."You-You hacked my phone?!" Brion scoffed. "Stay focused, Brion. Because right now, you have a decision to make. Are you a man perpetually looking back at what he's lost? Or a man looking forward to what he might become?" Dick questioned. Brion looked down and all Dick did was walk away to let him make the decision.

Back to the fan fiction: Artemis was exhausted due to her lovely school work that she just loves doing and was in bed, not really doing anything when Dick arrived home. "Hey." He greeted. "Hey." She returned. "You seem tired." Dick commented, putting his blue jacket on a chair, walking over to her bed and sitting on it, now facing her. "You know, the usual. Annoying schoolwork, tons of studying,"Artemis tiredly said, "How was talking to Brion? Not too rough I hope." Dick chuckled a little at this. "Yeah, well, y'know, tougher than it needed to be." He shrugged. He proceeded to explain to her what had happened, she sighed at the end. "Sounds like you left him on a... bad note. Maybe you should go talk to him?" She suggested. He sighed, "You're probably right." He got up and put a hand on her shoulder. "Hope you have a good rest of your day." He smiled. "Same." She laughed.After he left she'd passed out from exhaustion, waking up due to a call, not entirely sure what time it was. "Hello?" She said, trying to hold back the rasp that's wanted to come out. "We need to talk about something that happened at school with Violet." M'gann explained, suddenly Artemis sat up completely, more awake than she was 2 seconds ago. "What happened?" She frowned. "Nothing bad, but... Violet discovered another color at school. Nobody was there to see it but... you need to head over." M'gann continued her explanation as Artemis got up and was putting on her blue jeans as fast as she could. "On my way." Artemis said trying to find her shirt. Once she was completely ready in about 10 minutes, she walked out the door.