milliways_bar | (no subject)

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If you'd been thinking that Renee has been avoiding the bar to stay in her room and heal, you'd be absolutely right.

Right now, though, there's an ex-cop out on the training grounds, standing on one had on a railing, her legs bent back over her head. There's just not enough space in her room for her usual style of meditation.

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"Not since Ash Wednesday, I think. She has a way of being..." Mysterious? "...A recluse. At least back then. It's good to know she mellows." Though not enough to make her easy to deal with in his meetings with her in life.

That's enough to make Renee frown, thoughtfully. "She wasn't acting strange, as she?"

It was a long time ago, and by Renee's reckoning, not long after that cold conversation that had her quitting the bar. She hopes she's just gone home without telling anyone.

"No stranger than usual, for someone who refuses to let anyone know her real name here and who was nearly killed by someone she trusted and who is the last child of an entire family."

Well, he has that. Renee smirks a little, and thinks of the weirdness that was Helena from her time.

And how weird this conversation is about to get, considering.

"I like her."

"You like her...ah." He pauses. "You do know I liked her as well." He figures that Renee means that very specific kind of like.

Well, she could have used more specific words, but she's sure Charlie will forgive her for keeping it vague.

"Yeah," Renee replies.

"Which makes it even more awkward than it already is." She's had lots of straight male friends, but their interests have never overlapped like this.

"Yeah. Awkward, I guess." Pause. "But what we had was long ago and very short, and if you and she are interested in each other, that's fine." And unlike many straight men, the idea of an ex being involved with another woman is neither a blow to his ego nor a source of immature titillation.

"Thanks."

That's a relief, because Renee might have gone for it anyway. "If she's interested, which is a whol new question."

"Ah. You don't know if she's into you, or if she's into women?" Charlie heard a lot of rumor about Helena. And ignored it all. Except for the stuff about Nightwing, who acted like a first class clod in her presence. "And with her, you never know when to be subtle and when to be blunt." Charlie thought he had that figured out. That was not the case.

Renee sighs. And shrugs. "Something like that. Just need to clear stuff with her."

With permission given, it's not Charlie's business any more.

Which he accepts from Renee. And almost no one else.

"I hope it works out." He knows about the heartbreak in Renee's life. It would be nice if at least one of them found something more.

"Thanks." It's sincere. She appreciates his well wishes.

She drops her leg, sits for a few seconds more.

"So I saw Cris."

"Here?" Where else would she see him, since Cris Allen was murdered?

"That'd be nice."

Ruefully, Renee shakes her head.

"At home. He's flying about in a green cape with divine backing these days."

"Oh." That stings. Another person back from the dead. Not even someone who was super to start with. "Divine backing...he's the Spectre now?" Wasn't it that dead cop from the 40s? Or maybe, according to some rumors, a Green Lantern?

"Yeah," Renee confirms. "Can't say I envy him."

"How did that happen?" For once, Charlie is very surprised by something. And shows it. "And, yes, that is not a job I want. The Spectre is scary but also a bit...sad."

"I didn't ask," Renee admits. "We had other things to do.

"As far as I know, the Spectre showed up and offered him the choice. He took it."

"So you were in battle with the Spectre? Did that help or hinder?" Fighting alongside Black Adam was not a joy.

Renee inhales through her teeth. "Both.

"When it came down to it, we were running resuce on him."

He just raises an eyebrow at that. And waits for Renee to explain. Or not.

"Cain," Renee explains. "Separated them. Enslaved the Spectre. You know anything about anti-life?"

"The Darkseid conspiracy sites claim it's the key to total conquest. The ultimate brainwashing tool." He's never believed in it. "It's real? And can slow down the wrath of God?"

"You want to think about what would happen if the wrath of God spoke it?"

"No. No, I don't." Though the idea that something could take control of an aspect of God poses some rather difficult theological questions. Which are not for now. "How did you and Huntress help him?"