Dawn Granger

★

“That is…a very heavy topic to digest over Chinese,” brows furrowed, Kory lowered her dumpling back to its container instead of taking a bite. It wasn’t as if this was the first time Dawn had made such proclamations. But it always left Kory’s generally optimistic mind reeling. Though she was gradually learning how to adapt. She knew she couldn’t possible endeavor to replicate the friendship she had with her Kory, but she could ensure Dawn knew she had a friend if she needed one. 

Keeping the semblance of a smile on her face, she reached for the near empty bottle of Merlot they’d been sharing between them. “More wine?”

“This is why you’re my favorite,” Dawn said holding out her wine glass. “Barbara Gordon thinks I’m being childish because I won’t tell her what happened on my Earth. She’s convinced she can save the world. What do you think? Should I tell a mere human the evil that’s coming that literal gods couldn’t stop,” Dawn asked ask popping one of her Bao Zu in her mouth.

“Who pissed in your coffee this morning?”

“If you keep frowning like that, you’ll wrinkle.”

“Fate. Took a big ole’ dump in it. Taste like whiskey though so there’s that.”

“You have to wonder what’s worse? Knowing how it’s all going to end or knowing that nothing you do will stop the end?”

Kyle: Well why don’t we try to chill on the trashed motif and you’ll be right as rain. Kyle: She may not but she does know a thing or two about death. Again, not siding with her but just trying to get you to see perspective.  Kyle: Always callin’ me out and shit. 

His nose scrunched up at the roughness of their playful banter. Dawn was very rough around the edges; it took the right kind of person to handle the sharp barbs that pointed to the fleshier parts. Kyle hiked his way up the stairs. He smiled at the older couple who passed him. They always seemed to be out and about with smiles that burned endlessly in their eyes. A love like that didn’t exactly come around often. Kyle didn’t dare knock before entering. She lost that entitlement with all of the damn sass.

“Listen, if your lady bits are out, put ‘em away.” Kyle muttered with two tightly squeezed eyes. 

Dawn: But I do it so well.  Dawn: I don’t need perspective, especially Golden-Girl Barbara Gordan’s perspective.  Dawn: It’s one of my better qualities. I would say I’m a nicer drunk, but we both know that’s a lie.

Dawn flipped him off sitting on her couch in her dance clothes from early morning practice. “You couldn’t handle my lady bits,” she snapped. Dawn tried everything to make him leave. She had been cold, hateful, mean, and Kyle just kept coming back. “You should really talk to a therapist about setting boundries and respecting yourself,” she said as she went back to her phone. 

“Is that the same as naïve,” Conner asked, “Are you jaded?”

“It sounds like you’ve been through a lot,” Conner said sympathetically. “I can get how that might tear you down eventually. Is this like a Groundhog Day thing? Is there a way to break it?”

“Sometimes, but naivety is not a bad thing, Conner. It gives you hope. It’s something I hope you never lose. And yeah, you could call me jaded. This whole thing has been worse than any nightmare I could dream up.”

“I always look so forward to our little chats, Dawn. But no, I brought you hear to get information from you. I want to know what went wrong in your world and how we can make sure it doesn’t happen here.”

“It’s too late. Too much has happen. The end is coming and there’s nothing you can do about it. Not even you Bats can stop it,” Dawn said anger in her voice.

Kyle: Does it? Last time, it’s what got your rocked up by Barbara Gordon.  Kyle: No shade. Peace and love.  Kyle: Why did you do that? I don’t know her personally on this earth but she seems pretty mild mannered on mine.  Kyle: I don’t care. Kyle: Buzz me up.

“Whenever you’re ready we can go for round 2,” Barbara snipped at Dawn. She couldn’t stand this self-pitying version of the woman. Life sucked all over, Dawn was no different. They all had buried people they loved. The problem was people wanted to give Dawn space, and Barbara knew she needs a swift kick in the ass. 

“Name the time and place, Red,” Dawn snapped, “Now if all you called me over was for a pissing contest I've better things to do,” Dawn said leaning back in her chair. She wouldn’t let Barbara control this conversation. She wouldn’t let her win.

ccfdawngranger·:

“Every says that. I don’t think it’ meant as a compliment any more.”

“So you’ve lived this all before? Or do you have the same power?” He wanted to make sure he understood. 

“It means we apricate your innocence. It’s hard to keep in this line of work. A lot of us are jaded. Some more then others,” Dawn said shrugging. 

Kyle: I’ll take that as a decent response. You may want to lay off the booze as not to puke your guts up on the first row. Kyle: What? Why?  Kyle: How badly? Kyle: Buzz me up. I’m out front.

"So what I'm hearing is that it goes to Barbara Gordon," Dawn deadpanned. She was tired, the rehearsal had been hell, and she was still off her game. @noevilshxllescapemysight

Kyle: You around?

Kyle: I'd like to know if you're okay.

ccfdawngranger·:

Round 2 || Barbara Gordon

“At least you’re not falling down drunk this time,” Barbara said, raising an eyebrow at Dawn, who sat in her living room. Barbara hadn’t planned on having this conversation tonight; she and Christina were supposed to go to dinner and then make an appearance at an art gallery. Luckily her fiancee was getting used to their evening plans suddenly changing.

“It’s the only reason you beat me last time,’ Dawn growled. She had no love for this Barbara Gordon. She was self-righteous and didn’t know when to stop. Dawn hadn’t asked for her help, or her friendship. She wanted to sit back and watch the world burn. How dare Barbara call her a coward for it. She had lost too much already.

“You’re the first one who said that. That it’s okay to walk away. Is that what you’re doing?”

“Cassandra? I don’t know that reference,” Conner admitted, “But I’ll listen.”

“You’re cute. Let me guess not from around here,” Dawn asked. This kid was sweet. He was scared and innocent. Screw the capes that got him involved in all of this.