perfect. for a year.

babs never minded having company at the clock tower, even as she worked, it was a small reminder that she wasn’t alone up there. it was a small thing but it often kept her from entirely drowning herself in her work. cass, particularly, was a welcomed sight. she may not have been the most talkative of guests, but leave it to her former protege to still say the one thing that could catch barbara off guard. “you noticed that?” on second thought, that wasn’t really a surprise. cass was always observant. “uh, no, not really. i mean, it was cobblepot’s party so i think we were all expecting something to go wrong. but we didn’t know what was going to happen.” her lips pressed together a moment. “after bruce took him in when we were kids, we used to sneak away at parties like that a lot. i guess we were feeling kind of nostalgic for the old days.”

Cass didn’t reply to her question, because of course she’d been keeping tabs on her family and friends throughout the party. Her head tipped as she listened, wondering why it had surprised Babs so much when it was just a work question. “Oh.” Not work, then. Still, she smiled, because she always liked seeing the two of them together; they were funny to watch with their teasing and confused body language.Barbara’s posture right now said she wasn’t lying, but Cass had the feeling she was missing something. Finally she nodded. “That’s nice- like when Steph and I would sneak out.” That was probably far enough in the past they couldn’t get in trouble for it anymore. “I hope you had fun!” She said innocently, her mind insistently looping her back to a different question she wasn’t sure how to ask about. Cass fiddled with her sleeves. “How do you... date?”

Ever since the reality merge, Titans Tower was in Gotham. Which was, one, weird, and two, a little nice since he didn’t need to take a roadtrip to San Francisco. And it also made it easier to see people- although he missed San Francisco- it wouldn’t be his San Francisco. The Titans were back in action. That was all that mattered. He sent out another signal over the communication channels- as many as he could, hoping Roy or Donna woud pick up on it, when he heard Cass’s voice. She could still sneak up on him, “Hey,” he replied, shoving his phone back into his pocket, returning his sister’s smile, “Yeah- yeah, my team is happening again.” he leaned forward in his seat, “Not everyone here is from mine- some are from Tim’s, others are just staying because its safe. I can’t remember a time when the tower was so crowded.” he paused, “So, what have you been up to?” he asked, gently patting the spot on the couch beside him, inviting her to sit.

Cassandra nodded, glad for her brother to be doing something he liked again, then listened as he explained its makeup. “New people, then?” At the invitation, Cass sat next to her brother, crossing her legs and placing her elbows on her knees. She wondered about the new people, but knew Dick would have it under control. (Or maybe Dick and Barbara, because Babs was good at common sense and logistics) At his question she paused, then shrugged. “Normal stuff. Investigating, solo patrol, helping dad sometimes. Hanging... out with... friends." Cass trailed off, unsure of herself and what Alfred called social protocols. Sometimes those tripped her up, and she shook her head. With a renewed vigor, though, she sat up straighter as she remembered something that had been bothering her. “We let Penguin get away to get his things. Dad and I agreed, but- we have to sort through evidence and find him.”

Gwen sighed as she realised that she wasn’t alone on this rooftop. Back in her city, it was really just her that was alone this high up, but here it seemed that everyone had a penchant for frequenting tall buildings. The stance she was in looked ready for combat and Gwen couldn’t help but match it with her own fighting stance; navigating the good and bad guys was becoming difficult. “I’m new.” She agreed in response, “Not gonna lie- you’re looking scarier than me, so if you’re good, I’m good.”

Although the other girl shifted into her own combat stance, by watching her body language, Cassandra could tell that she didn’t actually want to fight, and that she wasn’t lying when she said when she was good. That didn’t drop all of Cassandra’s guard, but she relaxed a measure, and after a moment, extended her hand. Alfred said it was polite to introduce yourself. “I’m Black Bat. I like your cowl.”

All of Conner’s thoughts are about HER — deciding in that moment that hearing Cassandra giggle like that was music to his ears. This was definitely a moment that he wishes would never end, some playful laughter coming out of his lips too in a way of mirroring the sounds coming from her. It’s all a sign of the happiness radiating from him — always trying to be a beacon of hope, but this was one of the first moments where Conner starts to understand the whole point of wanting to take someone out on a date. He kisses her again, keeping they secure hold on her as the stars sparkle in the distance. The boy knows the blush on his cheeks was just growing while listening to the sound of her heartbeat. He pulls back after a moment. “WOW — can we do that again?”

Her rooftop perch was no longer alone. Cassandra’s surveillance of the city skyline shifted quickly to another costumed figure instead, but she didn’t move immediately. After a moment she looked over, her blank black mask hiding the scrunching up of her face as she examined the multicolored suit with its webby design, and cowl that reminded her of Stephanie’s. Cass stuck to Gotham, but she stayed up to date with Bruce and Barbara’s research on all these new heroes and villains, and she couldn’t remember one like this. “You’re new.” She said simply, staying in her fighting crouch as she observed the other girl. “Are you good? If not, we’ll fight.”

She sat calmly in the Watchtower, cross-legged in an office chair and listening to the audio readings on various new criminals that had sprouted up in their time here. The Cave had the same capabilities, but here she got the added bonus of being around Barbara. Bruce had adopted her, but Oracle had as much a hand in mentoring and raising her when she was just starting out, and even working in the same city and seeing each other often, Cass sometimes missed her regular presence. After a few minutes, Cass drew her knees up to her chest and looked over to where Babs intently typed away at some code or something on her big computer. “You and Dick snuck away at that party. Mission stuff? Did you know...?”

Cassandra didn’t often come to the tower; for quite a while she’d been prohibited both from leaving Gotham and working with other teams, then even when she’d been deemed capable enough, she tended to work alone. Teams and large groups that weren’t her family made her even quieter than usual. But she wanted to visit her brother after the party, and had checked ahead of time to be sure it was okay she visited. She wandered through the halls with sharp, observant eyes, until she came to the living area and found Dick, her lips quirking into a small smile. “Hello. There are more people living here. Is your team... happening, again?”

It looks like both of them are blushing, they kept naturally drifting closer to each other. Conner likes being up here since there was nobody to interrupt them, surrounded by the stars shining bright for their moment. It makes him happy knowing Cass would like it too, getting together more often to escape the city’s chaos. “You’re more beautiful than any of the stars.” He decides to go for it — feeling his heart racing while making the decision to follow this FEELING. Conner kisses her softly, and suddenly it was like the rest of the world went silent.

Jason also thinks that leaving something open for THAT REASON might just mean that they’re not creative enough to figure out where the plot should go on their own. He has never written a piece of work, but that doesn’t mean anything since he would continue to hold onto these opinions regardless. “VERY SNEAKY.” He agrees with a smile, filling over to the next part of the story.

“I TRUST THAT YOUR JOURNEY FROM LONDON HAS BEEN A HAPPY ONE, AND THAT YOU WILL ENJOY YOUR STAY IN MY BEAUTIFUL LAND.

“YOUR FRIEND,

“DRACULA.”

4 MAY. — I FOUND THAT MY LANDLORD HAD GOT A LETTER FROM THE COUNT, DIRECTING HIM TO SECURE THE BEST PLACE ON THE COACH FOR ME; BUT ON MAKING INQUIRIES AS TO DETAILS HE SEEMED SOMEWHAT RETICENT, AND PRETENDED THAT HE COULD NOT UNDERSTAND MY GERMAN. THIS COULD NOT BE TRUE, BECAUSE UP TO THEN HE HAD UNDERSTOOD IT PERFECTLY; AT LEAST, HE ANSWERED MY QUESTIONS EXACTLY AS IF HE DID.”

After finishing those last few sentences Jason places a bookmark into the book so he could close it — focusing on the subject of investigating the gangs. They’ve gotten a good amount of reading done tonight so maybe a break to go on patrol wouldn’t be a bad thing. “They have been selling in CRIME ALLEY. I don’t usually care what those scumbags do, but after finding out their product got into the hands of CHILDREN that’s when I decided it’s time to put an end to their business.” He knows getting his little sister involved means that killing will be off the table, but that’s okay. Long as they’re off of the streets that makes him a happy man.

He leans back in his seat, liking this challenge of trying to prank multiple people in the family. It could be like their little tradition — a way for them to bond together by forming the little jokes on their loves ones. “Tim would be an excellent next target. What should we do with him — continue with the sticky notes or do something else? We could fill the entire room he’s asleep in with plastic cups. I think that would be genius actually.” It makes him laugh just thinking about it. “It’s all practice to successfully prank DAD.”

Despite all her progress, reading was difficult. For the first decade of her life, for a few years longer than that, even, Cassandra simply hadn’t been able to process language, any of them, written or spoken. And she was quick, and dedicated, but that still left her scrambling years behind her peers that hadn’t been confined and trained the way she was. She often had to stop to ask for clarification- inquiries and reticent were unfamiliar, and she didn’t know the new meaning of count- but where her lack of knowledge often made her flustered around others, she knew Jason wouldn’t judge her. 

Blinking as she withdrew from her focused stare at the words. Cass focused on her brother again, nodded, a furrow forming between her eyebrows. Drug rings were a normal and ever-rotating problem in Gotham, especially in the seedier parts of town, so Jason mentioning they were hurting kids cleared up why they were targeting this one specifically, now. When she’d lived on the streets, no one had dared approach her after witnessing her potentially deadly fighting skill, but Cass had witnessed enough to know children were often far more vulnerable. She found herself antsy to get started. “Can we help the kids too? Find them... shelter, safety. Way off drugs, and streets.”

Cass leaned forward on both her hands, her eyes alight with a mischievous spark. “We should get him after he spends all night on a project. Easier to sneak up on. The cups should have water!” A look of consideration flashed across her face. “We’d help clean after.” The point wasn’t to make trouble for Alfred, but to catch their brother off guard in a funny way. Cass nodded emphatically, a bright grin overtaking her features. “It must be the best prank ever for dad. We need practice first. Lots.”

Conner felt honored to share this experience with HIS CRUSH — seeing the look on her face when the stars came into view made this all worth it. He has to admit the more beautiful sight was HER not the stars up there looking down on them, but he’s biased. “You’re welcome, you don’t have to thank me — we can come up here whenever you want. It can be like OUR SPOT. The one problem with being in the city all the time — we miss out on all of this.” He says leaning in a little, but smiling wiser when their eyes meet.  

Jason would always be proud of the progress his sister has made. Anyone in their family could tackle reading with her, but he has to admit to enjoying that the two of them could BOND together like this. It has brought them closer, feeling himself being that much softer when his sister was in the room. “I wonder sometimes, at least with modern books if authors keep the ending open so they can get ideas from the readers for the sequel.” He admits, eyes looking away from the first page of the old book to look Cassandra in the eye as they talk. “I always prefer a real ending though personally.” He was too stubborn otherwise, but at least then there’s no arguing about how it ends — unless it was an awful ending.

“I like the way you’re thinking. I’ve been trying to track down the leader of a new gang in town, but he’s been difficult to find.” Jason is annoyed at that, not liking the way they’ve been distributing their products through Gotham. It could get in the wrong hands, and he wouldn’t have any of the KIDS put at risk like that. “He won’t be able to hide from both of us — ANY of them.” Jason smiles though, a special kind of grin. He sees how excited Cass got at the mention of investigating.

They slowly work through the book, glad to confirm it being a good choice for the next few weeks. “You could be right, long as they aren’t harming anyone then I don’t really care what they do.” He laughs, something contagious about hearing her laughter. It was adorable quite frankly. “Perfect, you can hide in my room until he’s asleep on the couch. It’ll be CLASSIC — I’ll film him when he wakes up. I can’t wait to see his reaction.” He’s just laughing more at the thought. “Stick with me and you’ll be a prank master.”

“Sneaky.” Cassandra commented with a slight squint. She didn’t know if she liked the idea of that, but she was generally opposed to manipulation attempts at all, even subtle ones like that which didn’t matter very much. After a moment of consideration, she nodded. It wasn’t like she’d read all that many books yet, and most with the help of either Alfred, Steph, or Jason, but she didn’t like things open like that. Books were hard enough to wrap her head around sometimes, she didn’t need them to also purposefully not specifically mean what they meant. 

Cass leaned forward, brain already sidetracking to investigating these gangs. “Do we know any drop points? Members? I could tail them. Follow to who they report to, follow who they report to, all the way up.” Her costume was the darkest, and she was one of the, if not the most, sneaky in their family, even including Bruce himself. It’d take time and patience, but once she committed to something, she threw herself into it. 

“Not really our thing. Maybe there are vampire hunters in the city.” She nodded in agreement, looking thoughtful as she considered that for a brief moment before brightening up. “Yes! We can have it on video forever... then we could prank Tim next!” There’s something hilarious and intriguing about planning a prank. It’s the sort of silly mischievous thing she’d never have been allowed before, or even had the time and motivation to want to. But now, with her family, it’s funny to imagine using their skills to tease each other in harmless but creative ways. “Eventually... we’ll prank dad.”

“Much better.” Steph replied easily. Although Cass wasn’t much of a wordsmith - which was fine, considering Stephanie could talk enough for three people - she always found it quite relaxing and easy having a conversation with her. And it was true that there was a select few people she’d want to hang out with at a creepy Halloween party slash mandatory work event, Cass included.

Her smile lit up bright at Cass’ compliment. “I do try. Somebody has to brighten things up around Gotham. Plus hanging around with, like, exclusively goths really makes my blonde and colorful wardrobe stand out.” She did laugh at her comment about the heroes. “I didn’t know, either! I just thought I was being clever, since I thought I could bear a passing resemblance to the Supergirl herself. But, did you see Tim?? That Discowing costume is just amazing, he looks so funny.” 

Her gushing at everyone else’s costumes was stopped up a bit at her realization that Cass had said she was her favorite. Steph smiled at the blank ghostly face. “You would look good in eggplant. But don’t let the Big Batman know he’s not your favorite. I don’t think his ego could take it.”

Stephanie nodded along with Cass’ analysis, they easily shifted between light banter and work talk here just as well as running roofs along the Narrows at ‘work’. “I agree, I think hostages are likely. Just wanting to rob the fat cats seems too cliche, even for him.” She pondered a bit more before adding, “Hmm. A power display…he must know most of us would show up to this. It could be him showing off - pretending like he’s not scared of the Bats? But that would mean pulling off something pretty elaborate.” 

Steph shifted sunshine bright, so sweet and with her own impossible radiance. Cassandra was surprised not everyone at the whole party was admiring her. Even when Stephanie spoke quickly and with words Cass needed an extra second to process, she could fill in the gaps by reading her body language, and laughed quietly. “Sunshine isn’t good for sneaking. But you’ve gotten better at it anyway.” She teased gently before nodding. “Tim made it. Wouldn’t let me peak before the party. He looks... very silly. And Barbara is Black Canary!”

Her head ducked slightly; not uncertain about her own statement, but the joking compliment. She didn’t tend to wear colors other than the black and tiny hints yellow that tied into her costume; Cassandra thought she’d feel weird drawing attention with anything brighter or more colorful. “He’d live. He’s my favorite father. That should be enough?” Bruce knew how much she appreciated him, and how committed she was to the ideal. But Steph was Steph, and Cassandra couldn’t help but admire how she’d forged herself into Spoiler and the sheer tenacity it took.

Cass crossed her arms under the sheet, drawing into herself as she glanced around again, feeling herself more and more on edge as the party dragged on. It was nearing midnight; something would happen soon, she was certain of it. Maybe they should sneak out now? Get ahead? She dipped her head in a small nod. “He doesn’t need more money. Wouldn’t go through all this for that. Yes- he must want to prove something. Or use the... el-aborate plot to do something else... While everyone is busy?”

Conner couldn’t think of anything better than the friendly competition. He would have to signal out the best prize in the whole place to put his skills to the test with — all for the chance of seeing Cassandra SMILE. She was beautiful, and while these feelings are new he doesn’t regret making a move. Her arms wrapped around his neck makes him a bit flustered in the best way. “Of course, the best view of the stars coming right up, babe.” Conner flies higher, going through a cloud which makes him laugh a little before getting above the smog — and the sky opens up to show all the stars shining above them. “What do you think?” His focus more on HER than the sky he’ll have to admit.

      he gave a quiet sigh before nodding. he knew she was right, hell he’d even suggested as such even to himself about it. but it burned him to his core that he had to let the penguin go - not knowing what was happening to the rest of his family within the iceberg lounge. he was only relieved of the fact that cassandra was with him, at least he could keep an eye on her safety. not that she’d really need his help. “alright, so when we get what we need, you and i will make our way out through the roof system - we’ll see if we can track him from there.”

“The others?” She worried. They were all competent, of course, but this plot seemed elaborate, and they had no idea what was going on with them. Cassandra knew catching the Penguin was important, for justice, to stop him from hurting others, because it was right, but she couldn’t imagine leaving while the fate of her family stayed unresolved. “We need to know they’ll make it. No communications, yet, no word. They might need help.”

Jason was more of an ACT NOW kind of guy. Now, that doesn’t mean he was impulsive — he just doesn’t like putting things off that could be handled sooner. You put together a plan on the spot or for the following day. Jason is also detail oriented, a perfectionist sometimes, but these haven’t been his downfall yet. SO if Jason had to wait for chapters of a book like that he might have just snuck into wherever the author lives to try getting a peak at what comes next. Luckily it’s not the world they live in anymore. He stops thinking about his own mannerisms, focusing on his sister as she tries to think of the word. Jason smiles softly, proud of her ALWAYS. “Exactly! You’re right, that’s just what it is. It’s interesting to see how everyone interprets an ending. Which also shows how one interspersed the story too, since everyone becomes attached to different characters and aspects of the book.”

Sometimes Jason likes not having an ending, but it depends on the book of course. It doesn’t work for each one with an ambiguous ending. “I’ve been trying to get the gangs under control. These new faces come from the other cities thinking they’ll be something special here. Not on my watch. I have a lead we can look into later if you’re interested.” He opens the book though to the first page.

CHAPTER ONE.

JONATHAN HARKER’S JOURNAL.  

3 MAY. BISTRITZ. — LEFT MUNICH AT 8:35 P.M., ON 1 MAY, ARRIVING AT VIENNA EARLY NEXT MORNING; SHOULD HABE ARRIVED AT 6:46, BUT TRAIN WAS AN HOUR LATE.

Jason remembers how much he loves the book even after only reading a few sentences of it. He looks back over at Cass though. “I wonder what it would be like to meet one. You’d think living in a place like Gotham we would.” Considering the gothic aesthetic with the buildings. It was probably for the best while Jason thinks about it. Besides pranking their brother would be more fun than talking to a vampire. 

“I like that idea. He can be covered in blue sticky notes when he wakes up, and everywhere around him — PERFECT.”

Huffing out a sigh of relief at getting the word right, Cassandra grinned at Jason. It was strange to think of before, scrounging on the streets unable to read anything, or even earlier, when her only focus had been surviving her father’s training. And now she could read and speak and had a family and this brother that would bring her books he thought she’d like and help her muddle through them. And in this whole new universe, she still had that, so she knew things would be alright. “Does the author... want to know how people think? When it’s ambiguous, they could still mean something. If people got it wrong- not being understood is frustrating.”

Or maybe that’s just how she thought of it since she had spent so long being unable to communicate. She liked clarity, but often had to make do with muddled words and clearer but non-specific body language. Cass perked up at the mention of an investigation, always wanting to put her learning to work and, more importantly, help everyone she could. “I want to help investigate. And keep them contained. Or out. Or get them in jail. Gotham is... full.” And theirs to protect.

Luckily, with help, they make it through the beginning, and Cass was already sinking into the story and wondering why this man was traveling, what would happen to him now. She shrugged. “Maybe we have and didn’t know. See a lot of strange people while on patrol.” Cass didn’t grow up with fairy tales or horror stories; vampires may as well just be a specific type of meta-human. Laughter bubbled out of her, and she nodded with eagerness. “I can hide with the notes, then you signal when he’s asleep- and we go!”

“I’m glad you UNDERSTAND! Ugh, I could care less about stocks and what makes more money.” Conner rolls his eyes a bit at the thought of how many phone calls he listened to Lex have. There was nowhere to go when they’re stuck in a car — and Mercy wasn’t always entertaining either. He pushes the thought out of mind, instead on the excitement flowing through his veins. Conner wants to impress Cassandra, knowing that she could easily win anything from the prizes at those sort of booths — but then the clone has an idea. “How about we win each other something? I think that sounds sweet.” His arms pick the girl up, making sure that she was secure before taking off. Before they know it they were surrounded by clouds, but being mindful not to go too high. “I got you.”