Life's Canvas

Colors of the past

Chapter 9: Colors of the Past

Life's Canvas

Chapter 9: Colors of the Past

Richard looked at the man holding Kori stiffly. "Hi..." he mumbled. Roy nodded.

"Hi. Thanks for taking care of Kori last night," Roy responded, equally wary. Kori laughed.

"Oh come on boys, be nice! Roy, thank goodness you came. I swear the only reason I got any sleep last night is because I knew you were coming..." she snuggled into Roy's chest and Richard lifted a brow. Was that really the only reason she fell asleep? Roy kissed her lightly on the head.

Richard came and sat in one of the empty seats at the table and Roy sat across from him. Kori smiled and sat between them. She winked at Richard and he offered a thankful grin in return. At least she didn't expect him to like Roy. "So you two are...?" Richard asked. Roy smirked.

"Kori's my little star. Aren't you, sweetheart?" he said. Kori flushed.

"Roy and I are dating." She clarified. Richard nodded, skillfully ignoring the gnawing sensation that festered in his gut. A waitress came up and took their orders, Richard and Roy both asking for straight black coffee; much to the annoyance of each other. Kori ordered a cup of water and a muffin.

Richard found, to his distress, that he could hardly function at the moment. His eyes were painfully latched onto Roy's hand, which was resting on Kori's leg. Roy seemed to notice, and he tilted his head to the side and watched Richard through narrowed gaze; his mop of red-orange hair falling over the top of his sunglasses.

"Kori, what happened to your shoulder?" Roy asked. Kori tensed, and Richard watched as her slim fingers came to rest on the bandages.

"Nothing, really." She muttered. Roy frowned.

"Kori, don't keep stuff from me. If she hurt you I'm gonna..."

"No! I mean, I'm fine. We don't even know if she was responsible," she cut in. Richard frowned. Who was 'she' and what did 'she' want with Kori?

"Don't be dumb. You know it was her!" Roy growled. Kori pulled back as if bitten.

"Hey! Don't call her dumb. She's not," Richard snapped, agitated. Roy scowled.

"This isn't your problem, Rich Boy," Roy retorted. Richard clenched his fists, but Kori touched his arm lightly. He looked up at her, remotely surprised.

"It's fine. Roy, please try to be cordial..."

"But for all I know, he's working with her!" Roy spat. Kori shook her head furiously.

"Don't even consider such a thing! Richard would never hurt me. I know it," she said. Roy threw back his head.

"God, Kori, you don't even know this guy. You met him... what... 24 hours ago?" he rubbed his temples. Richard rolled his eyes. He was sitting at the same table, you know... "Look, even if he's fine that's not the point. Your sister tried to..."

"Don't talk about her, Roy. I don't want to hate her. I really don't." Kori murmured. "Besides! Madame Logan sent me here hoping I could get my mind off of things. I'll just be careful and I'm sure everything will be fine. I have the gallery to attend to," she said. Roy shook his head.

"No. You know that's not why she sent you here. Rae thought it'd be safer. And I think she figured it best you didn't see her loose her composure and beat the crap out of the little weasel..."

"Terra was my best friend. Just because she went with my sister doesn't mean she's a weasel." Kori sighed.

"She betrayed you, Kori. She betrayed all of us. We thought you were safe in Jump City, but obviously not. So now Rae's got you in Gotham. Either way, Carmen's going to hunt you down and Terra's going to help her." Roy replied. Kori bit her lip.