catch me like a cold [oc/canon telltale batman fic]

part I - the return

She promised herself to not ever come back to Gotham. It's not like she had a grudge or anything – she just wasn't a fan of stepping into the same river twice. Sure, panta rhei and all that crap, but she read the news – even though she promised herself to not ever read Gotham Gazette. That city was unchanged in a good way and very changed in a bad way – Batman made its criminals hide underground like rats, most likely leading to truly astounding developments in the underworld. Also Penguin – the one person truly linking her to the city – was allegedly long gone. He never made it to jail or Arkham or wherever he should be; he just... Disappeared. Probably out of the city soon after. Gone with the wind.

Well, „linking" was a mighty big word for a one night stand. They chatted briefly; and then they fucked. It was a nice night, and that story guaranteed her free drinks in a certain bar somewhere around Winnipeg. Not every girl can say she once got bitten by a dangerous criminal.

And yet, Charlie returned – this time she wasn't looking for anything, as she already found what she was looking for. Her long, global adventure was over – it was time to take a breather, maybe stay in one place for longer than a week. Take some pictures. Make some friends. Evie – her bartender friend from Canada – got her in touch with her relative, a young woman around Charlie's age, named Misty – and Charlie was on her way to her first meeting with Misty.

They decided to meet in a well-hidden, high class bar Charlie visited on her previous visit. That's where she met the Penguin, back when he was still Oswald – he saved her from a very determined bouncer, who was presumably going to just straight up murder her. As you do in Gotham.

„I'll get you in.", Misty assured her during their brief call, laughing quietly. „I have a free pass there."

Paul – the bouncer – was nowhere to be seen, probably due to everything that went down in Gotham since she left. A crime boss was murdered, and Charlie could only guess that Paul was working for him. The interior design changed as well – the place got a bit darker and more crowded, looking more like a club than a luxurious restaurant it used to resemble.

Misty was waiting for her outside. She was short and plump and her pastel yellow dress beautifully contrasted with her dark skin. She quickly eyed Charlie up and down; and just before she got self-conscious about it nodded with approval.

„Lookin' good.", she said, shaking Charlie's hand. „Black suits you."

„Almost all my clothes are black.", she admitted, for now keeping to herself why is that. „Nice to meet you."

„I'm glad aunt Evie hooked us up. I could use a new face in my social circle."

They went inside, leaving their jackets in a – newly added – cloakroom. There was a young boy behind the counter; he greeted Misty by her name.

„Are you a regular here?", Charlie asked curiously, feeling slightly amused.

„Something like that, yeah.", Misty almost purred in response, winking at her.

As soon as they sat down the bartender instantly focused on them, much to the displeasure of few other people waiting to get their drinks.

„Good evening, Jacques.", Misty said without looking up from her phone. „Please, meet Charlie. Charlie, this is Jacques, the best bartender in Gotham."

„Go big or go home? Love the attitude of whoever's running this place right now."

Misty snorted.

„That's probably his motto. He should get a tattoo."

„I already like that guy."

They got their drinks – colorful and probably alcoholic enough to break even the most hardened veteran – and sat in silence for about a minute. Charlie kept glancing at Misty, with each second seeing more and more resemblance to Evie.