batwomans_gotham | (no subject)

Two figures appear in the Batcave beneath Wayne Manor. One should be very familiar to the occupants of this universe. Clad in blue and purple, she's as beautiful as Selena Kyle with all the confidence of Bruce Wayne. Helena Wayne, the Huntress, daughter of the Batman and Catwoman of Earth-Two.

The other is a man approaching forty, just starting to gray, but in the fantastic shape that comes from a lifetime of exercise. His costume is a combination reds, yellows, and green, bright colors that had followed him since childhood. Dick Grayson, Robin, one-time partner of the late Batman and ex-Boy Wonder. He's loosely holding a bag which contains a change of clothes for the two.

"You sure about this, Hel?"

She nods. "I am, Dick. I know she's married and all... but I worry about "Aunt" Brenda sometimes. She's got a lot on her plate and a full house. I'm sure she could use some company and cheering up."

He laughs, something that comes easily to the former sidekick. "Bruce as a woman. Scary thought."

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

She drops it on his plate as asked. "Well, I'm guessing you didn't bake these, since the kitchen doesn't seem burnt."

Yes, that was a raspberry in reply....

"Your mystique just took another blow, I think."

"What mystique?" Brenda sniffs.

"Of being the big, tough, scary Batwoman."

She shakes her head. "Batwoman's out doing her beat. I'm Brenda Wayne-Gordon. Wife of the Police Commissioner and mother of six."

"Batwoman's not a costume," Helena says, with all seriousness. "You created the identity. Batwoman's you. Anyone else is just playing dress-up."

Brenda smiles, her icy eyes clear. "Batwoman is a mantle that can be passed on or shared. And Dämmerung is actually better at it than I ever was. The woman has no temper to speak of, and never sleeps."

There's pride in her voice as she speaks. It's clear that the other woman shares a place in her heart with the six children that she acknowledges.

Helena shakes her head. "I choose to disagree."

Her alter-mother reaches for another slice of pickle. "So does Dämmerung."

"It's funny... I had this same kind of conversation with Dick, after Dad died. He wanted to take up being Batman... but I talked him out of it. We can do just as much good as Robin and the Huntress. Batman was Dad and anybody else would just be pretending."

Brenda shrugs, then offers her a chocolate truffle.

Helena takes it with a smile. "Thanks."

And here's Dick coming back. "I miss anything, ladies?"