Inflorescence • Poison Ivy's Daughter

chapter nine ~ guy-crush

The Wayne Manor was cold, large and menacing. Calla didn't care for it much.

But as Dicks chic polished car pulled into the gravel driveway, she couldn't help but admire the grand build of it with its elegant dark beauty. Dick opened the door for her, she swung her legs out of the car and followed him to the large oak door. Using his key he opened the door to the house, it was dimly lit and entirely silent asides from the whistling of the wind outside.

Calla as a kid disliked it immensely, it gave her the eeriest feeling that it was going to swallow her whole and never let her out again, Calla shivered at the memory. She had a knack for remembering exists and layouts but even she didn't trust herself to find her way out of this house if she was to wondered too deep. This was the kind of house that held secrets, the kind you'd be better off not knowing the answer too. With Dick next to her it was different, his always calm and composed demeanor was somehow comforting and she felt herself relax into the strange atmosphere.

They sat down around a coffee table in Dicks room, side by side. Calla begain unpacking her bags as Dick flicked on the TV across from them on the news. Calla gave him a questioning look at the TV, he just shrugged telling her he studies better with some background noise. They sat there for a while, pouring over notes, Calla didn't mind study especially if it was something she was interested but the company was appreciated, somehow making the whole thing more peaceful and enjoyable. Dick was like water, she thought, quick to change and unpredictable. He could be violent one moment then soothing the next, never at rest, moving from one thing to the other. He was the kind of person who when around, blurred the lines of necessity and want, and that made him dangerous.

Fingers snapped in front of her eyes pulling her out of her daze, she jerked back to met brilliant blue eyes. 'What?' she snapped, her voice coming out less harsh than she wanted it to be.

'Snacks.' Dick repeated, 'Do you want any?'

'Ah, sure thing.' She replied, blinking until the word cleared into focus, her eyes watering and stinging slightly from concentrating. Dick got up and left the room and Calla was suddenly more aware of the hollow feeling that grown in the bottom of her gut. Calla wasn't really the social type but she liked company, especially at a time when her mind wandered. It was safer for her and for others when she had to have someone to lean on, and now that her mother is gone she's lost that one bit of stability in her life. Dick couldn't ever know what thoughts haunted her, but just having him around helps to ease some of the damage.

Dick came into the room carrying a platter of food just as Calla's breath began to shallow out. He chucked an apple at Calla snapping her attention to him as she caught it in her hand and took a large bite from it. 'Cheers,' she murmured through the juicy flesh with dripped down her chin. Dick nodded in response and helped himself to some cheese and crackers displayed on the platter.

The news theme sounder from the TV drawing both of their attention a the newscaster who spoke with the standard monotone rhythm of presenters, 'In recent news, vigilante detectives, Batman and Robin, succeeded in taking notorious eco-terrorist Poison Ivy, into custody. However, the appearance of a new villain, Belladonna, is causing some concern amongst the authorities having escaped the scene supposedly unharmed.' A CCTV image of Bella appeared on the screen the resolution was poor but you could still make out the flash of her green and the green of her eyes. Freak.

The newscaster continued, 'She is reported by Batman to be highly dangerous and is to be treated with great caution. If you have any information on the criminal please do not hesitate to contact your local police...' Calla stopped listening, her eyes stuck on the small photo on the corner of the screen, a photo of her mother. Dressed in an orange jumpsuit, face bruised, hair dishevelled and eyes unfocus, she looked like a complete mess. Calla had never seen her mother look so defeated, burning fury began to well up inside her.

Dick misinterpreted her silence for fear, 'Don't stress about it,' Dick said in an all too cheerful tone, 'I'm sure Batman and Robin will take care of her soon.'

Calla smiled tightly not meting Dicks' eye, 'They always manage to show up don't they.'

'I know right!' Dick grinned, 'And that Robin, how cool is he!'

'I'm not putting up with you're weird guy-crush tonight, Dick.'

Dick laughed, 'Come on, Calla. Admit it, he's good looking.'

Calla scoffed, 'He wears a mask, Dick, you can't even tell.'

Dick considered this for a moment, taking a sip of his water, 'There must be something you like about him...'

Calla thought about this too, then her mouth twitched in a half laugh as a thought popped into her head and left her lips, 'His butt's pretty cute.'

Dick spluttered, his drink spilling all around him. Whatever didn't leave his mouth got caught at the back of his throat, he contiue to cough, face flushed as Calla cracked up laughing. 'What the heck was that reaction.' she wheezed.

Dick's face was still bright red as he caught his breath, 'I-ah' His eyes darted around the room, not facing Calla when suddenly they caught on something and his bashful face was replaced with serious concern.

Calla followed his line of sight back to the TV which had turned from the broadcast over to a live feed. The news helicopter was filming a scene from one of the Gotham banks where a robbery was taking place. Through the shattered windows, masked figures darted in an out of view, clearly heavily armed. Calla glanced back to Dick, his face a stony mask of concern. Calla was about to speak but cut off at the click of the door opening.

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