Session 23

Session took place on the 18th to 23rd of 2023.

Notes were taken by Respawn, Donna Troy, Alyssa, Polychrome.

## Respawn

### The Godkillers free Khyrtyq

Respawn is called in for a Godkillers mission to free Khyrtyq. Nøkk prevents him from failing completely, but he didn’t do too great. He didn’t kill anyone though! Nøkk promised not to tell Matías he sucked, but Ghost definitely tattled immediately.

RHYS MARKS INSECURE.

### Sisters fighting

Alyssa and Rose are having a knife fight at the Viper’s Den, and Rhys is called to watch by not only Rose, but also Alyssa. Rose draws first blood, carving a wound across Alyssa’s right eye, same eye that Rose is now missing (That looks recent, what happened with Deathstroke?.

Whisper offers information to Rhys (for an obligation marked!). Rose has Kryptonite behind her eyepatch, and is spending more time with Deathstroke, and Rhys is worried.

### Bar Date

Rhys tracks Ghost down in Glasgow, and the two proceed to have a lovely date where they hustle pool, pretend not to have hustled pool, and get in fights because they hustled pool.

Rhys also gifts Ghost a knitted cap and gloves with little ghosts on them, which sets Ghost off on a tirade of insisting they’re not a “thing” and he can’t be tied down. To which Rhys responds “Okidoki, I’m really not expecting anything from you other than what I’m getting right now to continue because it’s neat and you’re not weird like normal people, and do you not want the hat, because you don’t have to accept it?” Acoustic logic applied – Not-Boyfriend talked down from panic.

RHYS CLEARS INSECURE.

### Lucifer

Rhys contacts Lucifer at Lux, and pleads with him to please tell him what Matías admitted when he used his powers on him. Lucifer did not want to entertain him, and in no uncertain terms, told him to leave.

### Teaching

Training the Amazons goes a lot better. Maybe it’s because Rhys is a bonafide murder machine, but he’s doing a very good job at teaching his pupils the art of assassination.

### Rhys' Birthday

Friday comes, and Rhys has been asked to stay out of his and Rick’s place, because Rick will be having the lady over and is “going to put on the moves”. Rhys is fine with this, and has been chillin’ at the Oblivion. Until Alyssa asks him to meet her at Rick’s. This causes Rhys to ask if she and his father are having an intimate relationship, which Alyssa refuses to entertain, and tells him to just show the fuck up. Though the door.

Rhys knocks like a polite person, and is let in to discover his family and team in the living room, all dressed in colorful and patterned button ups shirts. Rhys is given an orange avocado shirt to match Rick’s black, and Diana’s white one. They’re here for an early birthday party!

After crouching and experiencing many emotions at once for a good minute, Rhys thanks everyone for coming and cries, and is hugged. There’s pizza, and people have brought gifts.

* Damian gifts him a knife he once stabbed Deathstroke with. It’s displayed on the wall in the living room, with a plaque under it reading “In case of Bad Parenting: Break glass.”
* Joey gifts him a cassette tape of himself as a child, singing Ave Maria.
* Jason gifts him the other half of the cliff bar he tried to eat before being sedated for a week.
* Donna gifts him an insignia pin decorated with stars.
* Iris, Nenet, and Anika gift him a sniper rifle forged by Hephaestus himself.
* Vee gifts him a spraypaint patterned sweat shirt with home-made rainbow embroidery along the hems.
* Diana gifts him a ridiculous outfit she bought at fashion week.
* Rick gifts him a home made coupon-book with things such as “Get apartment for yourself for 24 hours” and “Rick does your chores for three days” and so on.
* Alyssa gift him a Steam Deck with games she’s personally curated. (Presumably casual stuff like Stardew and .. Farming Simulator)
* Dick gifts him a taser, which Rhys has to be talked out of using on Damian immediately.
* Ricky gifts him a Monopoly “Get out of Jail Free” card without explanation, and leaves the party.

Next day Rhys hosts the party he planned himself, with only a few more guests, including Cassandra, and Kaldur’ahm.

## Donna - To be Better

Donna's "performance" at the Paris Fashion Week event reflected poorly on her in more ways than she realized. Nubia gave her a stern talking-to following what had happened with Muse. She did not represent Themyscira's best. She allowed a woman like Muse to take advantage of her in a patently dishonorable way. The worst part of this? Her Mother was disappointed in her. How could she measure up to the role she had assumed for herself? Maybe Rebecca was right...

In spite of this daunting pressure, Donna was not going to miss the defense of her honor for anything. It was time for Furtim to duel Ravager as a follow-up to Donna's own defeat at the hands of that bitter rogue. Donna came with her to the Fight Club (it surely had a different name, but Fight Club had been burned into Donna's mind). It was close. So close... and Furtim lost. Ravager was once again smug in her victory. Donna had no kind words for her, though she did have her respect. She was a truly skilled warrior. One more nail in the coffin for the hero that Donna was not.

Donna loses herself in her emotions, again. She needs time alone, again. Only when she is deep within her well does she hear from Kaldur'ahm, of all people. He was interested in making amends between them. Having nothing better to do - and perhaps, goaded on by her lingering feelings on the matter - she tells him to meet her at Pedro's in Halcyon. They do so. It is... cathartic, in some ways. Hearing him reconciling his decisions that hurt Donna and others was comforting, as was his sincerity. He was perhaps one of the only people who could understand. That pressure of being this impossible thing, more and less than what you can ever hope to be, all at once. To feel - sometimes even know - that you will never be what is expected of you, with no place to escape this cruelty arranged by Destiny. She was so stupid for thinking that this could work. How could she move forward?

...

How couldn't she? Donna Troy had come very far from the hapless, reckless warrior that had emerged from that cold tube. She was Wonder Girl. She was a Renegade. She was the daughter of Wonder Woman. One of many, even. She was not alone in any aspect of her life. And she most certainly was not alone now. This was the reassurance, the comfort, that Kaldur'a- Kaldur offered to her. Donna accepted this comfort, gladly. Neither of thme knew much of relationships, but they could start small. Perhaps... no. Do not start with "the literature". Her sister's advice on that topic was sound.

This reverie continued. Donna was not much of a planner herself, but she was eager to help prepare the surprise party for Rhys however she could. She chose her gift carefully, something that would stay with both of them: a pin of stars, representing both of their journeys into legacies beyond whence they had come. Donna could not have chosen anything more fitting. The party itself was a warm and welcome affair. Already Donna's doubts were far from her mind... except one.

Who was her father?

## Alyssa

`Calculating...`

`Calculating...`

`Calculating...`

`File Found.`

`Playing Recording 9.18.2023`

*Sound of tapping on a mic*

"There we go! I thought this little guy wasn't going to work for a moment. Glad she came through. Alright! This message should be short, sweet and to the point! Not much has happened over the weekend, however, I did reach out to the group and we're going to celebrate Rhys' birthday  on Friday! He has zero idea about it and Rick even agreed to host it at his house!"

"Oh, he's going to be so fucking happy. I even managed to convince Jay to give me Joey's number and Joey agreed to come along! I'm so excited for all of it!!! I just got off patrol, but I need to head over to Rick's to help him out with the birthday chains. This is going to be amazing. I know just what to get him too."

"College Student Out"

`Ending Recording.`

`Playing Recording 9.20.23`

*A deep sigh*

"Today was possibly the longest day of my life. I would give you just the highlights but the highlights need highlights. It started out sweet enough. Dick finally took me out on that date and we got to go to the circus. We talked about so many things and yet it almost feels like nothing at all. Could easily get stuck talking to him for eternity."

*Sound of rustling clothes and a yawn*

"Then, there was Damian. My sweet little Goblin. Tried to blackmail me into ditching his newest sister in the depths of the Sahara with my Kid Flash hoodie. It didn't work and he fucking dropped in on me. Apparently, he's been hiding out in my room for days now and, honestly, he's welcomed to stay as long as he wants. The big cheese isn't making him feel loved and that pisses me off."

"I invited him to Rhys' birthday and convinced him to wear this cute little cat button up. Anything for the OP, ya know?"

*Quiet sigh*

"Jay messaged that he's disappearing for a little while and I would be a liar if I said I wasn't worried. I appreciate he told me though. I'll know not to go looking for him even though it is all I want to do. Not sure when he became so important to me, but he is. I decided to blow up his phone with silly little photos. Starting with my training with Papi. Just sent him a selfie of my proud grin despite my loss."

"Aly Out."

`Ending Recording`

`Playing Recording 9.21.23`

"Oh my god! I just need tell someone what just happened. Arse and I finally did it. With a quick talk and bribe to Barbara, we managed to break into and completely fuck the cave. Painted that shit green and decorated every inch we could reach in toilet paper! I'm pretty sure I saw Alfred peek into the room and immediately turn around."

"It was really good getting to spend time with Arse like that and he even admitted to not having this kind of pointless, silly fun in a while. I fully plan on dragging him out more with me. I can't let someone like him just sit and rot away. Speaking of sitting! Prior to the attack, I had managed to visit Vee and talk her to sleep. Poor thing really misses Jay, though she hardly seems willing to say it much."

"Sent him some photos of her as well."

"TBC"

`Image Inserted.`

`3 pizza boxes from the slice with Earth visible in the background.`

"Finally finished up my work with Cyborg. I won't lie. I was fucking petrified as he put me under the knife. It's not that I don't trust him. I really do. He's my best nerd buddie. It's just....scary. Thankfully, I didn't have much time to worry about it as Damian needed his daily enrichment. I took him out on patrol with me in town. It was mostly petty crime, but I was happy to just hang out with him like that."

"We ended up catching food up on a rooftop, just watching the city below us. I caught a picture of it for Jay along with an audio clip of Damian explaining how to tell a criminal from a regular person by their walk. I love him."

"Trying not to think too much about the fight later."

"Furtim Out"

`Ending Recording`

`Calculating....`

`Hidden Passage Found.`

`Decoding...`

`Playing Recording Bites`

*Sounds of the city and a soft, defeated voice*

"I lost. Worse, I proved to Rhys and Donna that I am still not strong enough. The cut through my eyebrow and under my eye does not ache as much as my pride does. Matias...I ran to him for help and he helped me. I don't know how my new powers will manifest, but I am not afraid. I need this. I need to be able to stand on their level. I can't protect them directly, but I refuse to be left behind."

"Suicidal tendencies."

"Do *not* push. Do not take on dangerous missions."

"Will **kill** or damage self in situations where not needed."

"Does not consider other options. **Will impede the OP**."

"I don't want to be known as only that anymore. I want to be the one they turn to for *help*."

*Almost impossible to hear sobbing*

`Ending Recording`

`Playing Recording 9.22.23`

Satisfied chuckle

"The birthday went off without a hitch. I choked up when Rhys just started crying, squatting down as he tried to process everything. I think Damian is still a little sour that I pulled him into that group hug. It was so good to watch Rhys being held by his mother. It made that whole fucking day so much easier to bear."

"For the most part, I managed to dodge questions about the pieces of my bandages that peaked out from under my collar. I managed to keep under the radar so my brother could have his day and what a fucking day. So many gifts and smiles and hugs and we just drowned him in the love he has deserved every single moment of his life. I really hope it helped. I hope he knows how much all of us adore him."

A wet laughs and sigh

"He's got good family. Joey's really great and I am so happy I got to meet him. Communication was a bit hard because I don't know much ASL. Thankfully, he took pity on me and we sat next to each other texting during the few calm moments there were. I got to tell him about the Arrow Event. Fuck, watching him grin and act out his reactions was so much fun."

"Oh, and Jay. That asshole. He finally came back and immediately set to teasing Vee. I got wrapped up in their conversation by sheer luck of proximity. Got my hand slapped for it though. Ended up leaving the party early though. While I pretended it was because I wanted to hack Vee's computer for more of her experimental music (which I had already sent to Jason), I was just really tired."

"I am really, very tired. I don't think Damian's come back yet or maybe he's here listening to all of this. I'm not sure. I don't want to, but I might need his help with changing the bandages this time. I just don't have the energy."

"I hope this week goes easier."

"Aly Out"

`Ending Recording...`

## Polychrome

ROLLED A FIVE ON MY LEGACY, GONNA GET MEDDLED. Evelyn is upset about me almost killing people, Herja’s upset that I DIDN’T kill them.

Rolled a 9 on going to therapy, it goes well. Asked Superman about things, had a session with Black Canary. BOXING WHILE WE TALK therapy. No major breakthroughs, feel uplifted.

Rolled a 9 on Patrol/Investigation. Investigating the Paragons - Cosma is an Alien, her powers are: flight, toughness (extra str, durability, speed), telepathy & mind blasts, considered ridiculously beautiful (starfire tier). Don’t learn about her “human” side. Considered the fan favorite. Byte is the leader.

C thinks they’re pretty cool, has run into them a couple times. Suckerpunch, Anger Issues. Salem, Super Funny. Byte, hasn’t run into, always in a high-tech vehicle. Damballah is WICKED powerful, holds himself away from the rest, not an engage the public type.

Rolled a 6 on Mask, working on Polychrome stuff :’( Everything I write feels contrite and pedestrian, quite honestly not feeling connected to Polychrome right now.

Experiments with hardbass. It’s BAD.

### Thursday Night

Evelyn texts Vee to COME OVER NOW PLEASE I HAVE TO TELL YOU SOMETHING. Vee comes over, she whispers “Veronica, he knows.” Vee is like, “How do you know he knows?” Asks Evelyn to pretend Vee’s Batman, and Evelyn immediately SCREAMS. To which Vee says, “Of course he knows!!!”

Vee makes her turn on the lights because Batman can hide in the dark, surprise he’s there. Evelyn screams. Vee clamps a hand over her mouth and calms her down enough that she's at least not screaming. Vee walks over and tries to put a hand on Batman’s shoulder, he catches her by the wrist. “Not a hologram, then. Hey.”

He tells them to sit, Evelyn immediately sits on the coffee table. Vee goes over and sits there too, and Batman asks how they know. Vee eventually admits it’s because she knows Tim and Jason’s identities - confirms that Tim told her himself and she met RH as Jason first, put it together at the gala. (Batman confirms he knows about their connection at the gala)

Evelyn put it together after knowing their names because of Dream Daddy (it was also because of, you know, the whole wayne family being slightly famous, but it’s Evelyn so Dream Daddy is what’s communicated). Bruce is satisfied with that.

His other order of business: Vee needs to apologize to Tim. It’s affecting his studies (Vee got pissy that THAT’S what BM cares about). Also knows her name is Veronica. He tries Tim on the phone, Vee quickly panickedly whispers sorta what happened to Evelyn, that she fucked up big time and slept with someone else - even though they weren’t exclusive, it was shitty of her to not communicate. EVELYN SAID SHE RAISED HER TO TREAT PEOPLE BETTER THAN THAT. Tim doesn’t answer the first phone, so BM pulls out a second.

The first thing Tim hears after answering “Boss” is

Evelyn saying “I am VERY disappointed in you!”

".... Boss?"

Bruce chimes in that "Veronica has something to tell you." Vee complains that he keeps saying it, and mouths “Okay, Bruce.” Starting to feel immune to the eyes narrowing. She and Tim have awkward apology and forced emotion stuff, it is… cathartic enough. Vee turns DEEP blue by the end. Batman calls it closure. Vee knows nothing she said could ever really be closure or make up for things, it will just take time. At least she’s actually apologized now, and Tim got to yell at her a bit. Vee asks Batman before he leaves how to feel like a real person outside of the Mask. He tells her you don’t. The only time he’s himself is IN the Mask.

Evelyn lectures her for the rest of the night.

Jason's been out of commission, and Vee's been focusing on school and work to make things up to Ev and Herja. She hangs out with Julie and Aly a few times. Embroiders and bleach-dyes a sweatshirt for Rhys - all she can manage are X's in a rainbow pattern. The parties go really well, she tries not to happy cry or acknowledge how bad the music from her Story was.