Post by adrini on May 27, 2014 17:22:52 GMT -5
Bop 6
October, 2010
Hector hall was relaxing in his living room when it began. It was subtle, elegant, much like the man behind it. First it was the mans portrait in the hallway, which wasn't unusual. The likeness always seemed a little self aware. On going to the kitchen it was the advertisement for the local furniture store, which Zatara was suddenly posing for. Guessing the point to all this Hector returned to the television and waited, but not for long.
The channels quickly flickered, changing. Looking for certain words or settings. Suddenly the screen stopped, settling on a middle aged man running down a crowded city street with a trio of younger cops behind him.
"She's this way!" The salt-and-pepper detective said to those behind him, but the voice had never been on a set before. "We may be too late already!"
The screen changed to a young black woman who was fighting a large number of attackers, she was quickly loosing. She was speaking backwards and quite adept at magic.
"I see. I can see about changing that." Hector smiled. "I've been meaning to manage introductions."
There was a sea of cackling behind her as she ran along the city streets of Haven. As per usual the citizenry went along their way, too concerned with their own well being to interfere. It was generally preferred that if you were going to be killed you not endanger anyone else in the process.
"Pots! Pots!" Zatana screamed in panic, but the word was pointless. One or two of the talons would stop but they were quickly replaced. There were too many. She was chased quickly into a courtyard, running and jumping over benches as the cackling continued to follow.
"Crap!" She missed a jump and felt herself hit the floor, the rough concrete leaving a scrape on her face she could feel. Struggling to pull herself to her feet she cried out in pain before she could stop herself, her ankle was shot.
"And we were about to think about getting winded." A voice said sarcastically. "Oh well. Girls, get her to the base."
She approached going blind with panic as the seven slowly circled her, two pulling out rope as they got closer. As a reflex she curled into a ball, it had come to the inevitable. Then the air rippled around her.
"How did they know!" The Talon screamed. Zatana heard the attackers scramble and shortly after the sounds of battle started. Reinforcements had arrived.
"I think we're in time." A voice said. "Canary, get her out of here!"
"Okay, lean on me." Zatana's eyesight was blurry but she saw a pale arm reach for her. "I'm winded to, that isn't isn't easy to do. I'm getting you to a friend, she'll patch you up. You don't look too badly hurt."
"Thanks." Her vision was clearing, she was being carried by a blonde in black gear, very pale. "Who?"
"We call her Whity, though we probably shouldn't. Don't worry, we have this." They had reached the portico. "Here you are, just rest. You'll be fine."
Zatana saw the young woman hurry back, joining her two comrades. She had meant who her rescuer had been but no longer needed to be told, only one hero wore those fishnets. These were the Birds of Prey that had everyone talking.
A woman was next to her and was hurrying to dress her cuts and inspect her wounds, about fifty and wearing a headscarf. After she was cleaned up the two settled into watching the fight.
The black and red one was Batwoman, she had been pulled away by the new Black Canary, and that meant the last one was Cheshire. They had come onto the scene some three months prior and were actually helping. Not a huge difference but she wasn't being kidnapped and brainwashed, and that was something.
White Canary was known in the Haven, and very feared. Prior to the birds it was unthinkable that she and her talons could be escaped. She was happy to see that the white clad villain was facing her match in her black clad counterpart.
White Canary had sent a number of her talons off, leaving the three to face her and four supporters. Cheshire and Canary were openly meta-human, something the talons cursed as they swiped at air and got hit from behind, and as masterly controlled sonic screams exploded their projectiles sooner then they had hoped. Batwoman fought with still more toys, pulled from her utility belt. It was very good team.
"You'd be just as good with some training." The woman said. "Like Canary, but more versatile. You can heal your own wounds, by the way. Your grandfather could."
"Wait, you knew Gramps?" The question spoke itself.
"Laeh, the focus gives it power but I've seen it do wonders. Try it, go on." The woman nodded. Indeed, what had been a slight break suddenly snapped into place, the pain gone.
"That was-I had no idea- how did you?" She stammered.
"We could use you on the birds, my dear. Quite a few injuries, as you could expect. And the girls are always on the look out for new friends and allies." She smiled kindly, and Zatana felt a warmth her mother normally gave her. "You could meet them, there's a party tonight. I can see you having a very good time, and the talens wouldn't dare come close."
"By the hand of fate and the call of order." She said fondly, as the outline of a door quickly appeared and then began to fade. "Hector, let me in. We need to talk. No games."
The door formed fully and opened, the old man smiled from the other side.
"Can't blame me for trying, Di. Your magical dance always cracks me up." He grinned. "Come on in."
The room was formal, neat, the classic 1940's style it's owner had known as a young man. It still made Di feel like she was in her grandmothers house. Hector led her to a sitting room, looking concerned. It was fortuitous, it would make the conversation easier.
"I got your message. Zatana is safe and with the girls. I'm assuming there was a reason for that particular intersection?" She smiled as Hector nodded with a smirk. "Still checking up on me."
"Well I'm an old man now, old habits die hard. It went well." A tea set was suddenly on the table. "You said we needed to talk?"
"Yes, but Zatara needs to be here to." She shook her head at Dr. Fate. "Spare me the story, I know he's in hiding, I was the one that helped him sneak off."
"I actually forgot that." The man said and motioned to the life size portrait of the wall. "John?"
"I didn't." The painting came to life and stepped out of its frame. "Di, it's been too long, you don't look well."
"I'm not." She said simply. "Which is why I'm here. I have a trade to offer both of you, and I'm calling in a few favors."
"To claim a favor of fate-" Zatara shook his head and sat down at the table. "What can be so pressing?"
"You know you need only ask, my Canary. My hand is always gentle for you." Hector leaned forward.
"First my trade. You want Zatana trained and kept safe, I can see this is done, Zatara. More I can give her allies and a chance to fully become the hero you see in her. I helped her escape, and I've kept you secret all these years. When she is ready I can see she is returned to you." She looked the magician sternly in the eye. "That is worth something."
"A great deal, my friend. I am in your debt." He said softly.
"Hector I formed the society with you, held the line. Even now I hold the mantle at my base, for when the banner will be needed again. I have acted honorably. Would you agree?" He nodded in agreement.
"You are a true warrior, and truer friend. Tell us of your need."
"I'm dying. I have eighteen months on the outside. None of the treatments are doing more the Slowing the cancer down." The two gentlemen looked distraught. She sighed. "I haven't given up, but I must play with the hand I'm dealt."
"Perhaps you can contact our old allies, they might offer hope-" Hector said, mostly to himself. Zatara was still unable to speak.
"If you find something I've missed I'd be thrilled, but for now I must assume I'm not long for this world. The reality is I'll begin to fade soon, my strength isn't holding." She swallowed.
"Di I-" the elegantly dressed showman tried to speak.
"I'll be with Lance again, don't worry for me. It's been too long since he was taken. I want all my favors and loyalty transferred to my Little Bird. I'm likely to leave her at a precarious time, and I won't have her be unprotected." Fate nodded, not surprised, neither was Zatara. "She'll need support, the aunts and uncles she grew up with. People to watch, attacks will follow. If you can, Hector, a family of her own. She's spent so long looking. You said once it would be, the green eyes she sees so often might be real."
"They are, I will look into it. Your daughter will be protected, Di. I'll see to it myself." Hector sighed and took her hand gently. "Though it pains me to know we are loosing you, it is a deep cut to bear."
"Let us help, just say the word." Zatara tried to hide tears. "We're here till the last."
"I'll start a watch tonight, we'll do this now." Hector Hall began the magic only he could do.
"I'm looking for the Black Canary!" Zatana screamed at the woman in front of her, a dark haired girl. "I was told she'd be here!"
The girl pulled her into a quieter area of the room and looked worried.
"And you aren't the only one. How do you know she's even here?" Zatana hurried to pull out a slip if paper, it only said the name of the hero but it was enough to convince her host. "Right, that makes sense. Follow me."
She followed the woman through a sea of people to a back door. It opened into a blue room, covered in sofas and pillows. Two young women were looking at a board on the floor. It wasn't possible.
"Monopoly? A Kane party and you're playing monopoly?" The two looked up.
"Renee?" The dark haired woman asked.
"She was asking for the canary, and had this." She saw the paper handed over.
"The rescue from earlier, we didn't know if you were going to show. We never got your name." The red head said. "But if she sent you that means you're special. Welcome aboard."
"Kate, she's confused. If Mrs. Lance gave you this you're a good guy. I'm Jade, that's Kate. We can get you trained. Join us, Di is taking forever to get snacks rounded up." They settled into the game again, Zatana stood back, she had been given exact instructions.
"I was told to speak to Black Canary, only her." She moved to the door. "I'll keep looking."
"Fine." Kate said as Jade rolled her eyes. "My love, you mind?"
"Sure. This way Miss Zatara, but unless she's in costume she's Di, not Canary. Keeping secrets and all that." She followed the woman out.
The room was as packed as ever, but Kane parties were famous. Anyone who could go did. Renee was jumping to get a view over heads to look for 'Di'. It was slow work.
"What does she look like?" It might be good to help.
"Tall, thin, blonde, I think she was wearing green tonight. A choker, a black choker." Renee said, hopping again. "Too many goddamn blondes."
Armed with the description she looked around the room before whispering "Kees", and feeling herself being pulled into a corner of the room grabbed Renee's hand.
She was there, talking to two men. A black man and a young man in a wheel chair. She was wearing green, and her updo showed off a choker. She was listening to the two. When she saw Renee waved she smiled and waved back.
"Renee, this is Jax and Mr. John Diggle, both of Queen Industries. They came all the way from Star City for the party." Di grinned. "I remember there being a lot more to do there."
"To be fair it wasn't our idea Miss Lance." John Diggle replied. "We're on watch."
"We're to find a girl no matter what, strict orders. Throw us a bone?" Jax asked.
"Like any girl? Take your pick." Renee asked, Zatana giggled.
"Black Canary. No other, you have any idea? Our boss's son is driving us crazy." Jax sighed dramatically.
"Heros tend not to hand out personal names, wish I had something for you." Di didn't miss a beat. "Tall blondes are half the room, including me. I'm so sorry."
"Don't be, the search goes on." The older man nodded before resuming his search of the room. Zatara noticed Jax look at the blond suspiciously and sneakily grab a picture on his phone.
"Sorry, got caught up, grabbed the chips. New client?" She asked looking at Zatana.
"New ally." Renee said, as they got to the back room again. "Zatara's granddaughter. Shares the gift. Your mom sent her over."
" Zatana Zatara. I heard about your act as of late but I wasn't sure. Good to have you with us." She smiled.
"So you're-" Zatana was cut off.
"In the flesh, just keeping up a cover like the others. You'll see how handy they are." She walked inside. "In the meantime how about some games, these parties can get fairly repetitive."
"Will not take a hint." Kate followed soon after, growling. "Good, there you are. Stay here."
"My stalker is here. Look, I'll talk to him. If he's coming to this many events he needs to be dealt with." The unmasked canary stood up, the earlier conversation made sense. "He isn't going away."
"It's a good idea, clear this up." Jade agreed. "He's by the bar." Zatara sat on a sofa, watching.
"No." Kate stood in front of the door. "He'll leave. We stay here. Monopoly. And Di needs to get Zatana here in the loop. Renee, hold the floor?"
The two shared a quick kiss, and Renee slipped onto the floor.
"She thinks Di is the only hero. She needs to keep thinking that, clear?" Zatana shrunk under Kate's gaze, but nodded. "Good, then let's get this started."
The treatments were becoming too much, the elder Dinah noted as she sat in the hotel lobby. She had gotten winded just getting this far and she was only half way to the elevators. A cane was becoming inevitable.
"Are you alright, dear? You look pale." A dark haired woman was leaning over her. Before Di could could respond the woman sat down and grabbed her hands. "Oh goodness, you're shaking. Robert, a glass of water, quickly."
"Thank you." She said softly as a kind looking blonde man brought one over. "You really don't have to bother."
"Forgive my wife, she spotted you from across the room. She knows cancer when she sees it. Robert Queen, and this is my far better half Moira." He smiled and nodded introductions.
"I lost my mother to it a few years ago, and I saw what she went through. You needed help." Moira looked at her with rich green eyes, full of concern. "I do hope you don't mind.
"No, I'm just getting used to being limited." Di relaxed, getting the feeling that these were good people. "I appreciate the help I get. Thank you."
"What are you doing at a hotel?" Robert sat near his wife. "Shouldn't you be home?"
"Picking up my daughter, she works odd jobs all over town. Here." Di pulled out her phone for the age old tradition of showing off kid pictures. "That's my Little Bird, she works for Kate Kane. She should be doing more but she wants to stay close. She takes care of me most of the time."
"Of course she does." Moira said as Robert smiled at the picture. "After loosing Mr. Lance all those years ago you're all she has."
"We'll never forget. She's lovely, though you don't look so well." Robert frowned.
"Thank you, I didn't think you would remember all those years ago." Di was surprised. "I'm fighting, it's rough."
"It is." Robert said, understanding in his tone. "But since we're trading pictures. Oliver and Thea, all grown up now."
"They're beautiful, and so big. Time flies, doesn't it? He is quite handsome, and I'm sure he knows it." Moira laughed.
"Yes, he does." She agreed. "All too well."
"Sorry for the wait, Mum." Di looked up to see her little girl walk over. "Last minute stuff. Were you waiting long?"
"Not long at all." Robert said and stood to shake her hand. "Robert Queen. Moira and I were keeping her company."
"Thank you. Dinah Lance, the younger." She grinned. "A pleasure to meet you both."
"She's gorgeous, Mrs. Lance. Be careful, she's just our Ollie's type." Di grinned and her daughter looked confused.
"Can't say I'd mind, if it was real." She leaned on Moira's hand while she stood, and spoke softly. "I just want her to be happy. She's earned it."
"I'm here with snacks, girls. No whispering unless you want me to hear it." Di pushed the door open with her foot while balancing the tray of sweets. The door opened on its own and a smiling face appeared. "Thank you Thea."
"Here, let me help." The girl said, taking the pitcher. "Brownies!"
"With nuts for you and without for Beth." She set the food down. "Dare I ask what the giggling is about?"
"Finding you a boyfriend. We're down to my cousin or her brother." Beth gabbed the plate and put it on the floor next to her. "You'll need to be rich so you can take vacations and travel with us. Bruce would be more work, but I want you to be close."
"I get a playboy or a playboy?" Di said, smirking. "Why am I not liking my odds?"
"Ollie's more then a playboy. You'll see when you meet him." Thea was pouring drinks. "Plus I'll tell him to behave, and he always does what I tell him."
"Good to know whose in charge in the Queen Clan." Di laughed. "Is the game alright or do you need a new one?"
"This one is great, we're really getting to the good part." Beth smiled at her. "Thea, hurry. The nazis are killing us."
Di smiled and excused herself as the two settled back into the game. She had work to do for Kate while they played.
Kate mostly needed help ordering party supples and keeping up with her social calendar, the second involved Di going in her stead as a proxy. It allowed for more time with Renee and the girls weren't the only ones trying to set her up.
A smoke began to fill the room through the vents, a talon tactic she knew was sleeping gas. She made a dash to the closed door and saw the two teens nearing unconsciousness. Grabbing both made for a heavy load but she wasn't going to let them get hurt, this was her job.
The menacing laughter of the talons followed her into the back stairwell, where the vents didn't run. The girls were out cold, and when she saw the message on the wall a chill no less strong went down her spine.
Hello Miss Lance, our sweet Canary. Having a good day at work?
October, 2010
Hector hall was relaxing in his living room when it began. It was subtle, elegant, much like the man behind it. First it was the mans portrait in the hallway, which wasn't unusual. The likeness always seemed a little self aware. On going to the kitchen it was the advertisement for the local furniture store, which Zatara was suddenly posing for. Guessing the point to all this Hector returned to the television and waited, but not for long.
The channels quickly flickered, changing. Looking for certain words or settings. Suddenly the screen stopped, settling on a middle aged man running down a crowded city street with a trio of younger cops behind him.
"She's this way!" The salt-and-pepper detective said to those behind him, but the voice had never been on a set before. "We may be too late already!"
The screen changed to a young black woman who was fighting a large number of attackers, she was quickly loosing. She was speaking backwards and quite adept at magic.
"I see. I can see about changing that." Hector smiled. "I've been meaning to manage introductions."
-
There was a sea of cackling behind her as she ran along the city streets of Haven. As per usual the citizenry went along their way, too concerned with their own well being to interfere. It was generally preferred that if you were going to be killed you not endanger anyone else in the process.
"Pots! Pots!" Zatana screamed in panic, but the word was pointless. One or two of the talons would stop but they were quickly replaced. There were too many. She was chased quickly into a courtyard, running and jumping over benches as the cackling continued to follow.
"Crap!" She missed a jump and felt herself hit the floor, the rough concrete leaving a scrape on her face she could feel. Struggling to pull herself to her feet she cried out in pain before she could stop herself, her ankle was shot.
"And we were about to think about getting winded." A voice said sarcastically. "Oh well. Girls, get her to the base."
She approached going blind with panic as the seven slowly circled her, two pulling out rope as they got closer. As a reflex she curled into a ball, it had come to the inevitable. Then the air rippled around her.
"How did they know!" The Talon screamed. Zatana heard the attackers scramble and shortly after the sounds of battle started. Reinforcements had arrived.
"I think we're in time." A voice said. "Canary, get her out of here!"
"Okay, lean on me." Zatana's eyesight was blurry but she saw a pale arm reach for her. "I'm winded to, that isn't isn't easy to do. I'm getting you to a friend, she'll patch you up. You don't look too badly hurt."
"Thanks." Her vision was clearing, she was being carried by a blonde in black gear, very pale. "Who?"
"We call her Whity, though we probably shouldn't. Don't worry, we have this." They had reached the portico. "Here you are, just rest. You'll be fine."
Zatana saw the young woman hurry back, joining her two comrades. She had meant who her rescuer had been but no longer needed to be told, only one hero wore those fishnets. These were the Birds of Prey that had everyone talking.
A woman was next to her and was hurrying to dress her cuts and inspect her wounds, about fifty and wearing a headscarf. After she was cleaned up the two settled into watching the fight.
The black and red one was Batwoman, she had been pulled away by the new Black Canary, and that meant the last one was Cheshire. They had come onto the scene some three months prior and were actually helping. Not a huge difference but she wasn't being kidnapped and brainwashed, and that was something.
White Canary was known in the Haven, and very feared. Prior to the birds it was unthinkable that she and her talons could be escaped. She was happy to see that the white clad villain was facing her match in her black clad counterpart.
White Canary had sent a number of her talons off, leaving the three to face her and four supporters. Cheshire and Canary were openly meta-human, something the talons cursed as they swiped at air and got hit from behind, and as masterly controlled sonic screams exploded their projectiles sooner then they had hoped. Batwoman fought with still more toys, pulled from her utility belt. It was very good team.
"You'd be just as good with some training." The woman said. "Like Canary, but more versatile. You can heal your own wounds, by the way. Your grandfather could."
"Wait, you knew Gramps?" The question spoke itself.
"Laeh, the focus gives it power but I've seen it do wonders. Try it, go on." The woman nodded. Indeed, what had been a slight break suddenly snapped into place, the pain gone.
"That was-I had no idea- how did you?" She stammered.
"We could use you on the birds, my dear. Quite a few injuries, as you could expect. And the girls are always on the look out for new friends and allies." She smiled kindly, and Zatana felt a warmth her mother normally gave her. "You could meet them, there's a party tonight. I can see you having a very good time, and the talens wouldn't dare come close."
--
"By the hand of fate and the call of order." She said fondly, as the outline of a door quickly appeared and then began to fade. "Hector, let me in. We need to talk. No games."
The door formed fully and opened, the old man smiled from the other side.
"Can't blame me for trying, Di. Your magical dance always cracks me up." He grinned. "Come on in."
The room was formal, neat, the classic 1940's style it's owner had known as a young man. It still made Di feel like she was in her grandmothers house. Hector led her to a sitting room, looking concerned. It was fortuitous, it would make the conversation easier.
"I got your message. Zatana is safe and with the girls. I'm assuming there was a reason for that particular intersection?" She smiled as Hector nodded with a smirk. "Still checking up on me."
"Well I'm an old man now, old habits die hard. It went well." A tea set was suddenly on the table. "You said we needed to talk?"
"Yes, but Zatara needs to be here to." She shook her head at Dr. Fate. "Spare me the story, I know he's in hiding, I was the one that helped him sneak off."
"I actually forgot that." The man said and motioned to the life size portrait of the wall. "John?"
"I didn't." The painting came to life and stepped out of its frame. "Di, it's been too long, you don't look well."
"I'm not." She said simply. "Which is why I'm here. I have a trade to offer both of you, and I'm calling in a few favors."
"To claim a favor of fate-" Zatara shook his head and sat down at the table. "What can be so pressing?"
"You know you need only ask, my Canary. My hand is always gentle for you." Hector leaned forward.
"First my trade. You want Zatana trained and kept safe, I can see this is done, Zatara. More I can give her allies and a chance to fully become the hero you see in her. I helped her escape, and I've kept you secret all these years. When she is ready I can see she is returned to you." She looked the magician sternly in the eye. "That is worth something."
"A great deal, my friend. I am in your debt." He said softly.
"Hector I formed the society with you, held the line. Even now I hold the mantle at my base, for when the banner will be needed again. I have acted honorably. Would you agree?" He nodded in agreement.
"You are a true warrior, and truer friend. Tell us of your need."
"I'm dying. I have eighteen months on the outside. None of the treatments are doing more the Slowing the cancer down." The two gentlemen looked distraught. She sighed. "I haven't given up, but I must play with the hand I'm dealt."
"Perhaps you can contact our old allies, they might offer hope-" Hector said, mostly to himself. Zatara was still unable to speak.
"If you find something I've missed I'd be thrilled, but for now I must assume I'm not long for this world. The reality is I'll begin to fade soon, my strength isn't holding." She swallowed.
"Di I-" the elegantly dressed showman tried to speak.
"I'll be with Lance again, don't worry for me. It's been too long since he was taken. I want all my favors and loyalty transferred to my Little Bird. I'm likely to leave her at a precarious time, and I won't have her be unprotected." Fate nodded, not surprised, neither was Zatara. "She'll need support, the aunts and uncles she grew up with. People to watch, attacks will follow. If you can, Hector, a family of her own. She's spent so long looking. You said once it would be, the green eyes she sees so often might be real."
"They are, I will look into it. Your daughter will be protected, Di. I'll see to it myself." Hector sighed and took her hand gently. "Though it pains me to know we are loosing you, it is a deep cut to bear."
"Let us help, just say the word." Zatara tried to hide tears. "We're here till the last."
"I'll start a watch tonight, we'll do this now." Hector Hall began the magic only he could do.
--
"I'm looking for the Black Canary!" Zatana screamed at the woman in front of her, a dark haired girl. "I was told she'd be here!"
The girl pulled her into a quieter area of the room and looked worried.
"And you aren't the only one. How do you know she's even here?" Zatana hurried to pull out a slip if paper, it only said the name of the hero but it was enough to convince her host. "Right, that makes sense. Follow me."
She followed the woman through a sea of people to a back door. It opened into a blue room, covered in sofas and pillows. Two young women were looking at a board on the floor. It wasn't possible.
"Monopoly? A Kane party and you're playing monopoly?" The two looked up.
"Renee?" The dark haired woman asked.
"She was asking for the canary, and had this." She saw the paper handed over.
"The rescue from earlier, we didn't know if you were going to show. We never got your name." The red head said. "But if she sent you that means you're special. Welcome aboard."
"Kate, she's confused. If Mrs. Lance gave you this you're a good guy. I'm Jade, that's Kate. We can get you trained. Join us, Di is taking forever to get snacks rounded up." They settled into the game again, Zatana stood back, she had been given exact instructions.
"I was told to speak to Black Canary, only her." She moved to the door. "I'll keep looking."
"Fine." Kate said as Jade rolled her eyes. "My love, you mind?"
"Sure. This way Miss Zatara, but unless she's in costume she's Di, not Canary. Keeping secrets and all that." She followed the woman out.
The room was as packed as ever, but Kane parties were famous. Anyone who could go did. Renee was jumping to get a view over heads to look for 'Di'. It was slow work.
"What does she look like?" It might be good to help.
"Tall, thin, blonde, I think she was wearing green tonight. A choker, a black choker." Renee said, hopping again. "Too many goddamn blondes."
Armed with the description she looked around the room before whispering "Kees", and feeling herself being pulled into a corner of the room grabbed Renee's hand.
She was there, talking to two men. A black man and a young man in a wheel chair. She was wearing green, and her updo showed off a choker. She was listening to the two. When she saw Renee waved she smiled and waved back.
"Renee, this is Jax and Mr. John Diggle, both of Queen Industries. They came all the way from Star City for the party." Di grinned. "I remember there being a lot more to do there."
"To be fair it wasn't our idea Miss Lance." John Diggle replied. "We're on watch."
"We're to find a girl no matter what, strict orders. Throw us a bone?" Jax asked.
"Like any girl? Take your pick." Renee asked, Zatana giggled.
"Black Canary. No other, you have any idea? Our boss's son is driving us crazy." Jax sighed dramatically.
"Heros tend not to hand out personal names, wish I had something for you." Di didn't miss a beat. "Tall blondes are half the room, including me. I'm so sorry."
"Don't be, the search goes on." The older man nodded before resuming his search of the room. Zatara noticed Jax look at the blond suspiciously and sneakily grab a picture on his phone.
"Sorry, got caught up, grabbed the chips. New client?" She asked looking at Zatana.
"New ally." Renee said, as they got to the back room again. "Zatara's granddaughter. Shares the gift. Your mom sent her over."
" Zatana Zatara. I heard about your act as of late but I wasn't sure. Good to have you with us." She smiled.
"So you're-" Zatana was cut off.
"In the flesh, just keeping up a cover like the others. You'll see how handy they are." She walked inside. "In the meantime how about some games, these parties can get fairly repetitive."
"Will not take a hint." Kate followed soon after, growling. "Good, there you are. Stay here."
"My stalker is here. Look, I'll talk to him. If he's coming to this many events he needs to be dealt with." The unmasked canary stood up, the earlier conversation made sense. "He isn't going away."
"It's a good idea, clear this up." Jade agreed. "He's by the bar." Zatara sat on a sofa, watching.
"No." Kate stood in front of the door. "He'll leave. We stay here. Monopoly. And Di needs to get Zatana here in the loop. Renee, hold the floor?"
The two shared a quick kiss, and Renee slipped onto the floor.
"She thinks Di is the only hero. She needs to keep thinking that, clear?" Zatana shrunk under Kate's gaze, but nodded. "Good, then let's get this started."
---
The treatments were becoming too much, the elder Dinah noted as she sat in the hotel lobby. She had gotten winded just getting this far and she was only half way to the elevators. A cane was becoming inevitable.
"Are you alright, dear? You look pale." A dark haired woman was leaning over her. Before Di could could respond the woman sat down and grabbed her hands. "Oh goodness, you're shaking. Robert, a glass of water, quickly."
"Thank you." She said softly as a kind looking blonde man brought one over. "You really don't have to bother."
"Forgive my wife, she spotted you from across the room. She knows cancer when she sees it. Robert Queen, and this is my far better half Moira." He smiled and nodded introductions.
"I lost my mother to it a few years ago, and I saw what she went through. You needed help." Moira looked at her with rich green eyes, full of concern. "I do hope you don't mind.
"No, I'm just getting used to being limited." Di relaxed, getting the feeling that these were good people. "I appreciate the help I get. Thank you."
"What are you doing at a hotel?" Robert sat near his wife. "Shouldn't you be home?"
"Picking up my daughter, she works odd jobs all over town. Here." Di pulled out her phone for the age old tradition of showing off kid pictures. "That's my Little Bird, she works for Kate Kane. She should be doing more but she wants to stay close. She takes care of me most of the time."
"Of course she does." Moira said as Robert smiled at the picture. "After loosing Mr. Lance all those years ago you're all she has."
"We'll never forget. She's lovely, though you don't look so well." Robert frowned.
"Thank you, I didn't think you would remember all those years ago." Di was surprised. "I'm fighting, it's rough."
"It is." Robert said, understanding in his tone. "But since we're trading pictures. Oliver and Thea, all grown up now."
"They're beautiful, and so big. Time flies, doesn't it? He is quite handsome, and I'm sure he knows it." Moira laughed.
"Yes, he does." She agreed. "All too well."
"Sorry for the wait, Mum." Di looked up to see her little girl walk over. "Last minute stuff. Were you waiting long?"
"Not long at all." Robert said and stood to shake her hand. "Robert Queen. Moira and I were keeping her company."
"Thank you. Dinah Lance, the younger." She grinned. "A pleasure to meet you both."
"She's gorgeous, Mrs. Lance. Be careful, she's just our Ollie's type." Di grinned and her daughter looked confused.
"Can't say I'd mind, if it was real." She leaned on Moira's hand while she stood, and spoke softly. "I just want her to be happy. She's earned it."
--
"I'm here with snacks, girls. No whispering unless you want me to hear it." Di pushed the door open with her foot while balancing the tray of sweets. The door opened on its own and a smiling face appeared. "Thank you Thea."
"Here, let me help." The girl said, taking the pitcher. "Brownies!"
"With nuts for you and without for Beth." She set the food down. "Dare I ask what the giggling is about?"
"Finding you a boyfriend. We're down to my cousin or her brother." Beth gabbed the plate and put it on the floor next to her. "You'll need to be rich so you can take vacations and travel with us. Bruce would be more work, but I want you to be close."
"I get a playboy or a playboy?" Di said, smirking. "Why am I not liking my odds?"
"Ollie's more then a playboy. You'll see when you meet him." Thea was pouring drinks. "Plus I'll tell him to behave, and he always does what I tell him."
"Good to know whose in charge in the Queen Clan." Di laughed. "Is the game alright or do you need a new one?"
"This one is great, we're really getting to the good part." Beth smiled at her. "Thea, hurry. The nazis are killing us."
Di smiled and excused herself as the two settled back into the game. She had work to do for Kate while they played.
Kate mostly needed help ordering party supples and keeping up with her social calendar, the second involved Di going in her stead as a proxy. It allowed for more time with Renee and the girls weren't the only ones trying to set her up.
A smoke began to fill the room through the vents, a talon tactic she knew was sleeping gas. She made a dash to the closed door and saw the two teens nearing unconsciousness. Grabbing both made for a heavy load but she wasn't going to let them get hurt, this was her job.
The menacing laughter of the talons followed her into the back stairwell, where the vents didn't run. The girls were out cold, and when she saw the message on the wall a chill no less strong went down her spine.
Hello Miss Lance, our sweet Canary. Having a good day at work?