Ella & Vlad at the end

# 5 - new realization

Following the unfamiliar female bat over to the dead tree Vlad's suspicious of both; the tree was just an acorn when they were born.

Intrigued with possible prospects Vladimir prudently plays along. Picking a high stable branch Vlad grasps it to hang from.

Circling once more to look him over, Batwoman compliments, "for an old bat you're in decent shape." Immediately regretting the poor adulation she curses herself and prays that it's not returned.

"Thanks," Vlad finds her attractive, for an over sizrd vampire bat. Small holes in the wings give her an edgy appeal, "you're quite a cutie yourself."

Almost annoyed by the compliment she lands close, "cute?"

Moving closer extends her thumb-nailed tipped, wing to touch Vladimir, "you should see me as a woman." Observing him almost pull back from the initial touch knows she's dealing with a guarded being. In better days she wouldn't pursue that type, as this is Vladimir she stays cool.

Being gently touched is nice but he's cautious of her intentions. Never knowing another alike he's elated a female bat is right beside him. Not wanting to be taken advantage of Vladimir attempts to play it cool and careful, "who are you? Really? Have you been around as long as me?"

"I don't know to the day or minute. But very close otherwise." Folding in the wing she repeats the title, "I'm Batwoman." Giggling she winks a black bat eye. Her mind's congested with queries wanting to conduct a serious conversation with him. His presence makes her feel like a teen trying to talk to an older crush and sunrise is nearing.

Annoyed but almost laughing at the title Vladimir actually calms, "come on now. It's Batgirl, right? Am I supposed to be your Batman?" He feels stupid saying it. Hated the movies however he enjoyed the silly sixties TV series. His mind is picturing the comic book fight words used on screen, 'Zowie! Kapow!'

Of all the ways envisioned for this meeting she never expected it going like this. Amused by the response she can't help but play along, "maybe, is Val Kilmer the actor really you? Vladimir in real form?" She is aware of an afflicted that ended up as an entertainer.

"What?" The reply was unexpected especially knowing his name. Unable to recall the names of actresses who played Batgirl he rattles off, "no. Are you Alicia Silverstone? How do you know my name?" Studying her bat body language he wants to ask if its' Ella in there.

Ever since the television series she's had an allure to the character, "no, no. Yvonne Craig was close to me in body for sure. But actually my face is more like Danielle Judovits." Worried she's getting way off track wonders how to get back on it. She's serious questions to ask before sun-up and is squandering this moment with barroom banter.

Not knowing the second name he definitely recollects the first and truly wants to find out more about this being, "you don't say? How do you know me? Did the same bat bite us centuries ago?" He's wondering if she's going somewhere with this or up to something.

Again she winks at him, "I've picked up your scent over the years. Here and there. From Asia to South Africa and back to Germany. After the nineteen thirties your scent was no longer found." Uttering one of many things wanted to she's internally grateful.

Fascinated she's known so long Vladimir's also confounded, "I'm surprised we've never crossed paths. Some fine tracking you've done. I guess you know too, sooner or later we have to move on. Circled Europe in the eighteen hundreds and settled in Germany. Before that Hitler guy got going I left Germany. Ended up taking a merchant ship to South America, with a bunch of German military and scientists."

Which answers one of her prior theories that they relocated by ship. "Last decade I was driven here by the plague. It's killing anything with a pulse so I crossed Russia into Alaska. Do you know there's almost no wildlife in Africa or Europe? Starving people have turned cannibalistic. Eating the freshly dead, even if diseased."