Life's Canvas

Kori's other side

Chapter 16: Kori's Other Side

Life's Canvas

Chapter 15: Kori's Other Side

Kori and Richard returned Wayne Manor, Richard practically vaulting off the bike so as turn around and scoop Kori up off of it and hold her bridal style before she could make much protest. Kori laughed as he set her back on the ground and he led her inside just in time to hear the phone begin to ring. "I got it, Alfred!" Richard barked, darting into the kitchen and snatching up one of the various phones.

"Hello?" came the inquiring voice from the other end. It was a man's voice, loud and booming even through the receiver, but it had kindly warmth about it.

Richard grinned as Kori walked in after him, hands clasped in front of her. She caught his attention and briefly pantomimed she was going to go work on a painting upstairs. He nodded and returned to the conversation at hand as Kori scurried from the kitchen. If the painting she was working on now ended up in the gallery it would be her third piece. She'd already put up Spring Robin and an intricately painted pot she'd made.

"Victor, ma man, what's up?" Dick chuckled. On the other end Victor joined in the friendly laughter.

"Nothing much, nothing much. But I was thinking, rather than wait to see you at the party on Wednesday, why don't you come meet me and Karen at the night club that just opened down town... it's called Starfire. I heard it's great out there," Victor proposed. Richard lifted a brow.

"You're coming to the party?" he asked. Victor snorted.

"Yeah. Karen's previous boss was one of Mr. Wilson's old buddies. That's how she met the guy, at one of the meetings she went to... Well, either way, Slade Wilson remembered her and invited her to come. Naturally, I'm her date," Victor laughed again.

"Um, yeah. She's your wife, man. But either way, night club sounds cool. I'll be bringing someone with me, though," Richard smirked. On the other end of the line, Victor met his wife's curious stare with a lifted eye-brow.

"Bringing someone with you? A little lady, perhaps?" he asked. Richard rolled his eyes.

"Yeah. Her name's Kori Anders," Richard replied evenly. Victor seemed to be thinking.

"Tell her to wear something good, she can enter the Miss Starfire competition they're having. It's just; you know... one those little things that have a cash prize. It's only 200 bucks tonight, but Karen thought it'd be fun. All the guys will be voting on which of the girls has the best club wear. Your Kori might have fun," Victor suggested. Richard coughed. He didn't see Kori as the type of girl to have clothes for clubbing, but whatever.

"My Kori? Never really had it put that way... but if it works for you. Anyways, I'll ask her if she wants to enter. It doesn't seem like her kind of thing, but who knows. So, I'll see you and Karen tonight... say, we meet out front at 9:30?" he inquired. Victor agreed and they hung up. Well, it was the truth. He really didn't know what Kori's "thing" was; she kept surprising him every time.

Richard put the cordless phone back on its charger and went out into the foyer, taking the right staircase up and turning down the corridor to Kori's room. He knocked lightly and she quickly let him in, prancing back to where her things were laid out. The picture was painted in subtle blues and grays and indigos. Black outlines etched the sketchy image of a woman's face, peering over something not seen in the painting, her hands up and cupped over whatever it was. The small streaks of rusted tangerine and sunset reds indicated that the unseen item was probably a light source; a candle perhaps.

It was beautiful. The two were quiet for a while, the only sound was the clicking of Kori's paint brushes as they swept against the edges of each little glass paint jar. Richard finally spoke. "Hey, my friend Victor and his wife are going to a night club down town. It's called Starfire. He invited me and I thought you might like to come with me. I can call him back if you don't feel like it. Kori grinned.

"Why wouldn't I want to?" she mused, laughter in her eyes.

"I dunno, didn't seem like your kind of thing..." he shrugged.

"Oh, contrary to popular belief, I love clubs. So many people to meet... and dancing, it makes me feel like I could just fly," she winked. "I'd love to come with you,"

"Alright, you got something to wear?" he asked, expecting another quick trip to the mall was in order. Much to his surprise, she nodded.

"Of course," she said.

"They're having a kind of competition thing there. Victor thought you could enter with his wife, Karen. It's for the Miss Starfire title and 200 dollars. The guys are going to be voting on who, uh... looks... best..." he trailed off, quite aware that the contest winner was likely to be which ever woman was most scantily clad.

"Sure, I'll enter. Just for fun, you know?" She shrugged. Richard nodded. Ookk...

At nine o'clock, Richard was waiting in the foyer for Kori again. He wasn't wearing anything special; actually his clothes were quite relaxed. Even if it ended up being less than dress code, it wasn't like they were going to deny entrance to Richard Grayson. He heard Kori's door open and looked up to see her trotting down the steps. His eyes became very, very wide. She laughed softly as she caught his stare.

"Didn't expect it, did you?" she grinned. Richard shook his head. My, my... he certainly hadn't expected it at all...

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SORRY FOR THE SLOW UPDATES I'VE BEEN PRETTY BUSY ! I HOPE YOU ENJOY !