Bluejay: The Protégé of Black Canary

The Gala

Artemis and I stood outside of Barbra's apartment door, armed with our dresses and shoes. We were about to enter a war zone, and the stakes had even never been higher. I'd never admit it, but I was a little nervous. It was very apparent that Artemis and I were strangers to this world of glitz and glamor, so we were relieved when Barbra suggested we all get ready and arrive together from her place. After all, it wasn't like we could invite her to the Cave or roll up in the Bioship. 

I shot off a quick text to Dick saying, Entering the Lion's Den. Wish us luck!

I looked over at Artemis. Her blonde hair was tied back in its usual ponytail, and there were faint traces of purple bags underneath her eyes- a result from last night's mission. But even though Artemis looked a little tired, she was still as beautiful and as fearless as ever. 

"You up for this?" I asked.   

"Please, I fought a purple piece of evil beef jerky this weekend." Artemis blew a strand of hair from her face. "I'm ready for anything. What about you? It's not too late to back out." 

I snorted and adjusted the blue dress that was draped over my arm. 

"And be subjected to Barbra's raw wrath? Ha! I'd rather pick a fight with Killer Frost!" I exclaimed. 

Yeah. There was absolutely no getting out of this one. I'd know about the party for months, and I would be an awful friend for backing out last minute, no matter how uncomfortable I might feel. Besides, I'm pretty sure there were people who would kill to get an invitation to one of Wayne's parties. 

"True that. Soldiers to the end?" Artemis offered me her pinky. 

I hooked my own around hers and grinned.  

"To the end. Although, it's hard to feel like a soldier when the closest weapon you've got is a nasty pair of these." I said, brandishing the end of my shoe. "I feel naked!" 

Artemis smirked. "Yeah, but in a fun way?" 

"Definitely not." 

To avoid any questions, we decided to leave our weapons at home. Barbra might have freaked if she spotted a danger or a whole ass staff on my person, plus, I wasn't sure how easily they'd conceal. But now, I was starting to regret it. Artemis shrugged, tapping the pointy end of my high heel with her finger. 

"Worst case scenario, just jam it into someone's eye." She suggested casually before knocking sharply on the door. 

My phone chirped in my hand from Dick's response: Wishing luck!🍀 See you in tonight!  

I smothered the smile that fought to my lips, before realizing no one had come to answer the door. Artemis and I exchanged a glance, wondering where Barbra was. I was about to check my phone to make sure we'd gotten her address right, when there was the sound of pounding feet, and then the door was wrenched open. Barbra Gordon was revealed on the other side of the door, in a fuzzy robe with her face covered in green clay.

Both Artemis and I involuntary jumped at the sound, and a big grin broke into Barbra's face. With a squeal, she barreled into us with the energy of a squirrel on a sugar high. She locked us both into a hug, careful not to get her face mask on us.

"Took you guys long enough! We're behind schedule!" Barbra grabbed our elbows and herded us inside before we had the chance to exchange greetings. 

She kicked the door shut and pulled us down the hallway that lead to a beautiful living room. Unconsciously, I took in my surroundings. The apartment was a little cluttered, but was nice. Various newspaper clippings hung framed on the walls. Barbra was in many of them, for breaking some sort of academic record. There was a fire escape outside the windows, as well as a coffee table that was stained with multiple rings, probably from many late nights.