Raining Diamonds [OPEN]

[Kory Anders - Starfire]

Arriving on the dot of 8:00pm at the new night club 'Cascade', it was designed on the high end scale. One that you needed to be on that very special list, as the humans say. Kory just happened to be on that list, as a special guest, to help promote the club. Being a model. A hero, she was recognisable. Though she couldn’t claim she was really one in a limelight, she was generally more in the golden colours, save for her green eyes. Exited her transport, she would have flown, but the occasion called for a mobile kind of transport. Least so she didn’t lose any sparkles from her dress on the way. Golden feet stepped onto the velvety carpet, that led to the entrance. Kory’s feet strapped with simple sandal heels. Her dress was short, covered in sparkly sequins that made the purple colours shimmer as she walked and her long golden legs shine. Cut with one long sleeve. It was simple in its cut. Its design, but with all the carefully hand sewn sequins, it didn’t need to be too showy. The cascade of flowing sleek red hair, was enough to add life. She wore no jewellery than a simple pair of diamond stud earrings. One of which was a disguised ear piece, as was one of the sequins sewn in her dress was a discussed mic. All unnoticeable and completely wireless. Connecting all back to Arsenal. This was Gotham, a party could often mean target and they expected just that… Even more, not just for the party… But, for the diamonds. The owner had spent no expense, fitting in beautiful chandeliers that hung throughout the club. Particularly over the dane floor. They dripped with diamonds. If you asked Arsenal, it was after foolish to dangle diamonds so publicly in this city, but then the wealthy do what they want.

It was by chance Kory had been invited. They had a way in. Kory walked up the carpet, it wasn’t huge, but there was lights. The tiny cameras and the bigger cameras. At this rate she knew how to pose and to work the camera. It wasn’t like it was that hard, bonus being a model paid well, not that money was a draw for her. Nor was power, even if she was born to rule a planet… Here she was doing something a human would do, with maybe an extra lift in her smile. She wasn’t a tamaranean if her spirit wasn’t usually fitted with a dose of joy. Even despite being somewhat on the job, she could still enjoy self along the way. As the voices that knew her, called her Kory and others called her by her more popular name on this planet, Starfire. Kory happily smiled, she always liked people, even if they weren’t always so welcoming of her. Right now, they were most welcoming, but of course most of them were putting it on. Kory was sometimes to innocent to realise. Eventually after making her way down the carpet, with the last grin and wave, Kory arrived at the entrance into the club.

”I’m in!”

Sprang lightly from Kory’s lips. Moments as she walked in through the doors, up a couple stairs and she was in. The place already filling with Gotham’s fine elite and above there heads. There they were. Like sparkling diamonds in the sky! “Good. We’ll keep in touch, princess… Until then… Have fun!” Crackled silently in her eardrum. Koriand’r was happily to oblige. Fun was easy to be had and when things may turn a little rough… Well, she was warrior, she was ready for battle. Walking further into the club, wondering just where she should start a little fun if there were. The tamaranean princess was stopped. By a tray of drinks to choose from. Hmmm, she really should drink on the clock, but what was one drink. She could hold it generally a little better than a human and well there just so happened to be a drink with her name on it. Kindly thanking the waitress. Kory took the fancy drink her hand, it was light yellow in colour, a slight fluffy looking froth on top and in a curvy looking glass. Topped with some pineapple and a tiny umbrella. It smelled so sweet. Like a tropical paradise, with every sip. Picking up some shrimp on her way from another tray as she motioned for some stairs. Found a moment and enjoyed the view.

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Kory's Dress:

SPOILER: Click to show

[Deleted]

Groaning and rubbing her temples to avoid the belligerent headache, the effects of methamphetamine were beginning to wear off. Slow, but surely, her vision was coming to, and Carpenter’s crash was setting in. The normal high for meth would last anywhere from four to sixteen hours, but for Carpenter’s regenerative abilities, it only lasted mere minutes; this also meant that her crash wouldn’t last as long either. The vampire was constantly going up and down like a really horribly designed roller coaster—or good one, depending on who you asked—and while the rest of the room was still getting their first taste of the high, Carpenter felt like she had enough for now. Injecting only from her ankles it was the best way to keep it from someone like Dr. McNider—or any of the Justice Society—to realize she was shooting up in the first place.

She resided in a room upstairs, it was filled with colorful mixture of cool and warm incandescent lights to calm down those rich folk who enjoyed a few illegal drugs, but then again, the rich did what the rich wanted. Only having the chance to jump on board this fancy party of sorts was a chance she received because she was a public figure, not many vigilantes and heroes were into exposing their identity, but when they were, it was almost as if everyone wanted a piece of the action.

Resting her eyes as she hung off a man in a black suit wearing his blonde hair short, she idly licked his exposed neck in long strokes, as everyone spoke of curious adventures they all endeavored in; as if she was some sort of call girl. The term never offended her, if she were to describe herself, the sensation she got was simply because she was a nymphomaniac. As her tongue dragged along the nameless man’s neck, she thought only for a brief moment to bite him; it was tempting, but he knew what he was getting himself into. Carpenter had to keep reminding herself not to start a panic, and not to give into such instincts. She didn’t need the blood, it was just so close, and she could taste it through the sweat on him. The vampire stood up, despite the blonde man’s beckoning to stay. Her frame slinked off, meandering to the door; unlocking it, and walking out. She needed some air.

Wandering about the halls and picking off drinks from servers here and there; knocking them back was like nothing compared to the party which she would return to shortly. The diamonds were gorgeous, and they were everywhere. Glistening against laser lights, you could almost make out your reflection in them. That is, if you weren’t a vampire. She recognized several people, here and there. She saw a few football players from the Gotham Wildcats and Knights, as well as several movie celebrities who were popping in Gotham on a connecting flight or whatever those movie stars do. Oliver Queen was briefly spotted, or at least she thought so, it was a very likely possibility that she was hallucinating.

It was only then, that she saw a figure leaning over the hand-rest that lead overlooked the downstairs, which caught Carpenter’s eye. An orange skinned, redhead seemed to be engulfed in the beauty of the business of the Cascade. The shaven headed woman recognized her as one of the Outsider’s more cheerful members: Starfire. “Hey Starfire,” Carpenter spoke up as she approached her and firmly slapped the alien’s backside, “what’re you doin’ in this shindig?” Carpenter asked leaning over the bars and acting like she knew her, after taking a quick sip of her martini. She asked with actual curiosity, someone as powerful as a Tamaranian just sitting around captured Carpenter’s interest.

[Kory Anders - Starfire]

'Give me everything tonight! For all we know we might not get tomorrow!’

Lights. Music. DJ. It more or less happened in that order down upon the stage below. Even around from the speakers, where Kory stood above from one of the upper floor railings. It was certainly in the dancing taste of music, it half begged Kory herself to dance, but then she could easily be given a reason to dance. If for nothing than simple joy. She had an arrange in taste of music ever since coming to this planet… Even Led Zepplin, but that was a given. Golden fingers playfully rattle silently against the railing. Mostly feeling and enjoying, but partially feeling a lone. She enjoyed more when she had company. Whether Dick or a friend. Well, suppose she least had one in her ear. Half smiling, as her eyes gazed over the floor below, not quite sure she spotted any other friend. Though maybe she half expected the slightly fast pair of feet or a slightly robotic vibe, but it was less likely they were in the city. Suppose anything could happen. Kory zipped then at the colourful and rather fruity punch of her drink. It had the nice playful buzz, but wasn’t in anyway going to have her escaping up the walls. Her eyes danced in between the many bodies below, shining extra from the glistening diamonds above. Kory was born in a world that was though advanced in technology was yet still very much surrounded by nature, but this… This was in quite in its own way of beauty… Joyfully, minding her own business, she had been a little surprised but the approaching company. Pleasantly mostly, Kory only really half jumped out of her skin as she hardly prepared for the slap to her behind. Let out a mindful, ‘oh’ as Kory turned to see and greet who was. Partially she could have thought Dick, but she couldn’t imagine that was something he’d do so publicly. Then again, he had surprised her before… Though it certainly wasn’t his voice and as she turned she realised it was a woman… Well, not entirely human… At the way she looked and approached Kory, she knew her. Knowing her name of course was also telling, but Kory wasn’t entirely sure she remembered meeting this woman. She would certainly think she’d recall, she was always open to new friends.

”Greetings! Have we met?”

Whilst unsure entirely who the woman was, as Kory openly questioned curiously, she was still openly kind to greet her. Offering a friendly, bubbly smile. Somewhere in her ear, Arsenal’s voice broke in. Throwing out words such as JSA… Well, suppose that made somewhat sense. It was understandable least how the woman knew Kory by name… Vampire… That Kory kinda already picked up. Not that Kory was entirely nervous about that. Kory didn’t exactly have human blood, if anything she closely made like a sun, one could only imagine what happens if a vampire bit her, which was unlikely Kory was going to be entirely open with. She didn’t exactly take kind to being eating. Figuratively or literally… Kory was sure the woman would enlighten her, if they had met and Kory hadn’t entirely recalled. Surprisingly as though Kory was somewhat well known, she didn’t exactly keep up with tv and everything that trailed with fame. So Kory wouldn’t have seen this woman on Tv or known about any possible books she may have written. Not that Kory wouldn’t be open, she just always preferred a more direct approach with people. That and she didn’t exactly have time with being a hero or the occasion Kory worked. In her past time, she rather spent direct time with friends. With Dick or sunbath. Kory could hardly get enough sun. Despite her what her skin might look like… At the question of why Kory was here, Arsenal was quite clear in her ear not to discuss the inner mission… Well, that is if something was going to happen. Arsenal was sure of it… Though as Kory looked around, everything seemed to be going smoothly and just a lot of dancing. Suppose she wouldn’t be too surprised if that were to change. It was Gotham after all.

”Too have fun of course… And possibly to dance… What brings you here, tonight? ”

Not a very good natural liar, Kory’s response was still very truthfully, she just left out the mission part, besides it really wasn’t much of a mission until something happened. Kory happily grinned. Widely, but that shouldn’t course suspicion, Kory was always overly joyful. Expressive no less. As her green eyes half fluttered around the venue, there was certainly fun to be had here, even if she could find joy in much simpler things such as a flower petal. Just simply watching the many people below lost in the rhythm of the music, she couldn’t deny she’d be happy to dance. As her grin grew even more with an inch of two. Taking a sip of her delicious fruity drink, she offered to asked what brought this nice lady to the party. Whom, Kory really wish she knew the name of or remembered if she had met her. Golden hands rested upon the railing and more than ignored any other eyes or attention that maybe upon her. She always did. Whilst she had been born into a world where they had once loved and devoted to her as a future queen, Kory had long ago let that go. She was far from ever being a ruler. She was free to live.

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Music:Pitbull ft Neyo - Give me everything!

[Deleted]

Carpenter downed the rest of her martini glass and simply tossed it overboard into the sea of dancing people. Too busy to care and too loud to hear the crack of the glass hit the floor. It disappeared into the lights and sound, “Never in my life,” Carpenter said looking into the crowds for a moment then simply turned her head to take a peek at the “I didn’t think I’d actually get the chance to meet you if I’m being honest.” Starfire’s blank expression told her she didn’t fully understand what she was talking about. Now turning her body so her back was facing the railing and leaning her shoulder blades against it Carpenter cocked her head and squinted her eyes. It was her, wasn’t it? The vampire smiled, maybe she had made too much of a rash choice being so familiar with people she never met, still, it was possible that she was just blissfully unaware of how famous she was. Carpenter could recognize her from a mile away. “You’re Starfire. You’re one of the first super hero squads I reported on. I write for the Gotham Gazette, maybe you’ve heard of me, maybe you haven’t. That’s alright. I’m just saying it’s hard to save the world and stay anonymous. Trust me, when you throw on a cape and mask, everyone wants a piece. I was those guys finding out all they could.” She extended her hand to properly greet the Tamaranian, “Carpenter,” She smiled, “Noelle Carpenter.”

Now the bad thing about having heightened senses was that she didn’t mean to, but it was hard not to eavesdrop. She heard of a mission to stick to, and she heard not to speak of it. Carpenter acted as if she didn’t hear what the mysterious voice in her ear was speaking of. It was still difficult to hear because it was being jumbled with the other loud noises in the party, but there were key words that the shaven haired woman just happened to pick up on: words like, Justice Society, mission sensitive data, and of course, vampire. She was going to play it cool; she was going to play it stupid. Carpenter decided there was more of a reason to follow she was going to follow her other than she was naive alien, who was probably not introduced to the glories of crack cocaine. Though judging by her résumé, she wouldn’t appreciate the offer.

Carpenter gazed about before returning her attention back to Kory, she was so damn innocent, and it was hard to believe she would keep anything from anyone. The mission was curious to her, what could she possibly be looking to do here? “My agent, Ev.” she said looking for another drink to pick off a moving tray, “She thinks I should get out more. I mean spend my night life away from the streets every now and then. So she got me the hook up here. Might as well enjoy it, am I right?”

[Kory Anders - Starfire]

Golden fingers stirred the fluffy looking drink and Kory softly sipped at it. Pineapples. Sun. Beaches. Not exactly in that order made a gentle rush at Kory’s emotions, sure an extra kick in there somewhere. A raise of a red brow as her green eyes looked to catching the martini glass falling and ultimately shattered as it hit the floor. That was unexpected, then again despite being to clubs here and there. Kory knew broken glasses did happen… It certainly was the least on her mind as the lady had come up to her, almost like she knew Kory, which wasn’t exactly unusual, as many a wise friend once said expect the drunken crazies in the clubs. Though as the lady responded, it was least confirmation that Kory hadn’t met her, she was sure she would have remembered had she… Perhaps she was just friendly? A friendly vampire? Kory insincerely smiled at the thought… The words that followed, Kory didn’t expect, but felt a touch of flattery. Then a little bit, why her? Its not to say Kory is unaware of the status or attention being a hero and an alien can bring… She just didn’t feel what people called fame. Whilst she greatly enjoyed company, meeting and making friends… Being placed above others was not something she desired. She had fallen so below as a slave, she’d never wish to make another feel below her, especially not intentionally. So yes, a part of her was not so surprised, than curious and ultimately wanting to know more about who this lovely lady was… There was a slight realisation as the lady then began speaking more and calling Kory, Starfire. ‘Oh’ as Kory rather fully mindfully expressed. This lady may not know her personally, but she knew who Kory was. Kory’s hand ceased stirring her drink and listened.

”Yes… When you say squad, you mean Titans? Gotham Gazette, I do know of that, unfortunately I haven’t really read it.”

Kory acknowledged her name being spoken, she wasn’t going to deny it, obviously… Although it wasn’t her real name, she had quite become attached to it. Adding a softly friendly smile, though a slight motion between her brows questioning if the squad mentioned, was meant to mean Titans? A squad wasn’t a usual name to describe them, but Kory clearly wasn’t an entire squad herself, despite she could quite confidently take out a squad of people with her strength… Not one to lie, Kory responded truthfully that she hadn’t read the Gotham Gazette. She may have flicked through on occasion, or spotted the front covers on stands. This is not to suggest Kory isn’t interested in the ‘news’ etc, but generally hasn’t always needed to read a news paper to get it… Her time was still divided between New York, Bludhaven and Gotham. So what downtime she did have, Kory didn’t exactly use it to read news papers. Although maybe she would now…

”I don’t have a cape nor a mask… Who you call Starfire, is who I am! I’ve never really hid that, though nor have I graved any amount of attention… I used to wear sunglasses when I was out of my suit for some sort of disguise… It didn’t always work… I do suppose it is difficult to find space some times… Oh, it is a pleasure to meet you Noelle Carpenter…”

Whilst Kory was certain Noelle meant heroes in general when mentioning capes and masks, but she was also speaking of heroes attempting to stay anonymous. With no mask or cape of her own, Kory or at least Starfire wasn’t someone trying to stay anonymous. Despite not being her true name, Starfire was still very much Koriand’r all but in name. Kory preferred being herself, as she couldn’t imagine she’d be very well at pretending to be someone else… Its not to say she had not tried some form of a disguise, as Kory mentioned wearing shades in everyday attire, but just hiding her green eyes; was probably not always going to work. Kory expressed a light friendly smile, as though the hero life wasn’t so easy going. Though why Kory mentioned sure the difficulties of finding space. She couldn’t be entirely sure she was much one that even wanted space, she didn’t like being alone, though she didn’t like the negative, sometimes rude attention she got from being an alien… But this was certainly more on the pleasant side, as Kory was more than happy to greet, Noelle Carpenter. It was just as pretty sounding from her tongue. Beautiful name, for a beautiful and for all Kory could tell, a very nice lady… And vampire… Then to be honest, Kory hadn’t met many vampires if ever, to really know if they’re suppose to be un-kind. She could kinda already imagine tv and movies aren’t always truthful depictions. As often they suggest she herself could very well abduct someone, seriously? After Arsenal had buzzed in and out. It did stop, though the lasting words he spoke certainly put a little guard in her words. Why she wasn’t much one for secrets, she could very keep them. Well, perhaps depending on the secret, but she was for sure loyal. Trustworthy, whilst sure she was honest. Positive. Kory sipped at the frothy drink again, fruity and fresh. Whilst her eyes most certainly took in the view and the crowd. Her eyes would focus on as would her attention upon Noelle. An extra buzz comes to Kory’s smile at Noelle’s reasonings for being here herself, more pointedly as spoke of joy. Was that not the reason for most things?

”Oh, Ev sounds like a wonderful agent… Of course, enjoy life… Do you ever enjoy the dance? That part I always enjoy the most, I mean apart from having friendly company to enjoy it with.”

Kory responded in a genuine delighted tone, she almost had to wonder if Ev as just an ‘agent’ or perhaps also a friend. It was certainly kind advice. As hard of life being a hero was, Kory was also adamant that a hero should fit in simply enjoying life. Living it… Of course right now she was most alert at the mission she had at hand, but she sure multitask very well. Besides, even Arsenal said to have fun! Dancing was certainly something Kory most enjoyed, as Kory asked Noelle, as her green eyes skimmed over the filled dance floor, before turning back with a friendly smile.

[Deleted]

It wasn’t that Carpenter had recently been keeping up on Starfire’s exploits, but she nodded and smiled. “Yeah, it was a few years ago I did it!” She pointed at her in agreement. “The Teen Titans. Must have been about five years ago, now that I think about it.” She said looking down now and scratching the back of her head, reminiscing about the time she had been written the piece. She was actually following a very young Dick Grayson as Robin who must have been sixteen at the time, and his departure with Batman. He had formed the Titans with several other teenaged sidekicks and fought off the advances way out in the West Coast. She wasn’t exactly sure what she was doing way here in Gotham, it had been a while since she reported on any of the former Titans.

“Yeah, well we’re just a small-time paper company that’s slowly going out of business because of the popularity of the smart phones.” The vampire mused on the mention of not reading the Gotham Gazette. “We use to have big names on our paper, but they all moved on to do their own thing. Ryder, Gleeson, and even Vale all started on the Gotham Gazette. I just do a super hero piece every other Sunday now. Usually on Batman… I mean if he even exists.” Carpenter thought back to a few weeks back when he saw a bat like creature eating several penguins alive in the Gotham Zoo, but chose not to think that’s who Gotham always looked up to. There hasn’t been a sighting in a while, and for a brief moment, Carpenter was getting lost in her own thoughts, trailing off into something that didn’t relate to the alien being in front of her. She almost forgot she was at a party.

“Hey, it’s fine the way you are. I’m actually-…” Noelle moved her head away from Starfire quickly and let out a loud belch, her eyes widening and then returned back to her thought, “Sorry. I’m actually working with the JSA as a public entity. No mask or cape either. So we’re like… the same!”

It was a stretch, but Carpenter’s fangirl was coming out, and she just wanted to connect with her. She couldn’t help it, the vampire was getting drunk again; the illegal drugs were beginning to wear off. Whatever drink she had recently tossed into the crowd it was a slow burner, and it was beginning to hit her harder and harder with each beat of Pitbull song. Kory’s voice began droning out in the music and headache, but one bit she heard come out of her mouth that got her excited. The smile she was giving Carpenter warmed her heart, and she reflected a smile back at the alien.

“Oh my god… let’s do it!” She giddily barked and grabbed both of Starfire’s hands and tugged her downstairs toward the dance floor.

[Kory Anders - Starfire]

Where there had been any hesitation as to whom had exactly started talking to Kory, it was certainly fading fast into Kory feeling incredibly comfortable by it and Noelle, the woman Kory had just met. Whilst she could attest to having a lot of experiences meeting a vampire, well none really, it didn’t make her uncomfortable. She wasn’t entirely sure if it was meant to, but it didn’t. As Noelle answered in relation to Kory asking had she meant Titans or more prominently Teen Titans. Her response certainly caused Kory to see her even more friendly. The wideness of her tamaranean eyes were a gentle response to Noelle, mentioning years. Five years to be exact. It was half decade, in ways it really was a long time ago and yet sometimes it hardly felt time had left them. Certainly not when they ever had a reason to come back together. They were family. They were unlike any other hero team, because they grew up with each other. Didn’t just fight together. They lived together and figured out the world together. Which perhaps Kory still wasn’t complete A-plus on, but really what human was.

”My, that really is a long time ago… Most of us were barely teenagers… They were wonderful times, memories… I mean, between the struggles and loses.”

Kory commented so freely, maybe not so detailed in words, but the motion of her eyes. As the bright green escaped over Noelle. The crowd below, as if she was looking past it all, to sweet moments. Memories that had past them by. She wasn’t from a world that lived in the past and more encouraged living in the here now, but it didn’t mean they. Nor, herself. Didn’t appreciate what had become. Especially when titans had been such a prominent place in her life. She had literally escaped death. Escaped to Earth, having no idea what she was going to find. Face. She had literally ran into her new life. Who the world may call Titans, but Kory knew them first hand as her friends. Her family. She’d come so far from the vega system, but found a home. Of course in her reflection now, it wasn’t like Titans so far. She was still very apart of it, there was a whole new generation to help guide and in some way titans never really die. They never really end, they will always be Titans. Kory smiled happily as she didn’t want to let her thoughts completely take her away. Her eyes very much returned to the friendly vampire. Who was a writer to a newspaper no less. As she’d often hear Dick proclaim, this world was small. Although she never really knew if that was true. She’d flown around it many of times, it really wasn’t that small compared to other planets…

”I suppose there are many ways to get the news now… If you ask me, knowing technology past earth. They’re really not that smart… Do you know how many times that little speaker thing doesn’t understand my language? Suppose I’m doing it wrong… Batman? What do you mean if he exists?”

Thats what Kory alluded from what Noelle had said about her business going out of style. Particularly the news, Kory really didn’t need any of it to keep in the ‘loop’, not in the position that she was in between The Outsiders and the Teen Titans. She was well covered, not just Gotham. Its not to suggest she didn’t occasionally flicked on the news on her tv, but lets not assume she’s a complete tv buff. She was tamaranean that certainly seemed an active life, let as much in as possible as she could let it. Even smart phones. Though as remarked and potentially gestured at the issues they sometimes had… At least with her. They weren’t terribly bad by any means, just quite ancient technology. With something so small and delicate, in her line of work. Breaking them, was frequent… The mentioning of Batman, certainly caught her a little bit off guard. She was in and out of this city, that maybe she hadn’t kept such close attention, but she was sure he was still very much active. Of course she may not exactly be his favourite person, so its unlikely he would call her if there was a problem, but Dick certainly would have. Swirling the rim of her fancy glass, Kory delightfully sipped at it again. Sweetness beaded at her tongue. As the music beaded at her ears. Noelle’s complimentary words that followed, were certainly most sweet. Kind to hear.

”X’hal, thank-you… You are most wonderfully charming, Noelle… Justice Society, that is certainly impressive… I suppose you’re right, I think its safe to say we are definitely on our way to being friends… You’re not exactly human, either, are you? I guess its true, you do sparkle like diamonds!”

The joy and kindness that ever bit as natural was beaming from the red headed tamaranean. Feeling more and more comfortable with the new company. She’d almost forgotten why she was here, suppose the slight chuckles, grunts and groans were evident in her ear. Although she could have almost sworn she heard cheering, suggesting Roy potentially watching the game. It didn’t sway greatly as she was accepting Noelle more as a friend. With her warm smile, she perhaps could read entirely that Noelle was looking at Kory from a fan point of view, but she certainly could sense admiration. Kory very much wished to return the favour. If anything she could see what similarities they had, despite perhaps very clear differences in appearances and perhaps experiences. Of course that one other thing, not being from this planet, but as Kory questioned the certainty of Noelle as a vampire. Kory was pretty sure that meant she wasn’t entirely human either or well, that at least what the movies always said. Vampires was certainly not a Tamaranean thing. As Kory commented and looked at Noelle now, as the reflections of the diamonds and lights from above danced upon her porcelain skin. Kory was feeling this was settling something she’d always wondered. Her attempts in searching for the sparkles on Dick, had clearly failed, but suppose it good every now and then. Make sure he hadn’t suddenly gotten himself killed.

”X’hal… Take me away, girlfriend!”

Kory giggled in response to Noelle’s sudden burst and grabbing Kory as they motioned down the stairs. Half quoting Donna, it somehow seemed fitting. Of course, Kory was totally open to it. She knew true joy when she saw it and she would be a fool not to take it. Even more so to avoid the dance. Kory loved dancing. Thank X’hal, she was stealth enough she didn’t entirely trip down the stairs. Meeting at the floor level. The large number of people now before them. Though there was breaks in between. Enough space to carefully and swiftly weave through. Kory happily following Noelle’s heals. To meet somewhere in the midst of the many people. Already in the joyful spirit of dancing. Although maybe it could be said for the guy to Kory’s left who was dancing so intensely she could have sworn he was frowning. Hmmm. Her eyes then moved to the roof at the diamonds, that swirled and glittered around them. It was so pretty. So perfect. The music then had changed. Beats were certainly still engaging and Kory instantly felt her hips naturally starting to sway. Her joy radiating from the gold of her skin and steady smile upon her lips. She hadn’t bothered retreating her hand from Noelle, whether or not intentionally, it just just felt natural.

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Music:Jesse J - Price Tag!!

[Deleted]

“Yeah,” Carpenter said in agreement; possibly for the sake of agreement, as she wasn’t sure what tragedies nor memories she was talking about; rather, she thought of her own five years, “five years doesn’t seem like too long ago, doesn’t it? Yet so much changes.” Five years ago, Carpenter went by just Noelle. Five years ago, she wasn’t a vampire; she didn’t know Dr. Mid-Nite, or the Justice Society. She was engaged. She was fresh. New. New to the world. New and naïve.

She looked over to Starfire, she was sure that the world of news was as alien to her as … well the world itself. Maybe she had a bit of explaining to do. “Well in the news room, we’ve never been able to get a clear shot of the Batman. In the ten years that he’s been active, he’s done a great job at the cover-up, so much so we don’t really know if he’s real. I mean… all the eye-witness accounts say they saw … something. But each account is different.” Carpenter shook her head, she even thought she saw Batman once. Eating a penguin in the Gotham City Zoo. It was weird. “And people say the reason Robin wears those bright colors is to keep your eyes off Batman.” The vampire was beginning to sound like a conspiracy theorist, might even have a board with pictures linking who the Batman is or something like in the movies. “Even the people I work with at the JSA who say they’ve worked with Batman…? I mean… I dunno, kinda shady. I’ve never seen him.” In the back of her mind, she had always thought if Batman was real, he too was a vampire, impossible to take a photograph of because they can’t be seen in mirrors. It would make sense.

Well, that was comforting to hear. Though, not human was something she was still trying to get a hang of. She nodded and kind of laughed to herself; perceptive, she nearly forgot the voice in her ear. Starfire didn’t say it out of spite, or even as an insult, she said it with a smile, and actual joyfulness caked her words. Just hearing her talk made Carpenter smile. Especially when she said they were becoming friends. Five years ago, she wouldn’t have thought this would be happening.

“A vampire. Yeah, I’m a vampire. You know, like Nosferatu and Dracula?” She asked, wishing she hadn’t had her drink so fast. “I don’t… you think? Like friend friends? That’d be awesome…” There sure were a lot of diamonds. The beats were making them shake from the ceiling, and clash together, securely so; yet no one was perturbed by it, as they were focused on dancing, having a good time, and drinks.

"Whoooo!"

On the dance floor, Carpenter gets more than friendly with those she’s with, regardless of gender. The hand that was clasped in hers rose in the air and moved with the waves of sound, like a bottle in the ocean. Carpenter’s hips bumped into Kory’s and bounced off in rhythmic succession; she was glad that she wasn’t the only one who felt like she was being engrossed in the energy and lights. Her other hand made its way around the Tamaranian’s hip riding with beats of the bass drum.

[Kory Anders - Starfire]

There was the slight brief shift with Kory eyes to the side, glimpsing. Seeing. Noelle, in her own brief agreement in the 5 years plus years. Titans history, as Kory realised that wouldn’t be something Noelle would know first hand. It was a be there. Titans thing, but it didn’t rule out. Just how incredibly important that time had been. Too all of them… To Kory. Being Tamaranean she didn’t reflect on the past as humans did, but she could in her own way… Knowing that when she had first arrived on this place, when she’d ran into the Titans. She’d literally ran into something that would be become her new home. Something she had lacked for an incredible amount of time. On top of that, she had greatly found peace, as cliche as that may sound coming from an alien, but it was true. Suppose there was something for everyone in titans to find something, to find themselves… There was brief moment in thought… Perhaps for both, as Kory looked to Noelle as she spoke then, as if by her own experiences… Not the same, but similar. As Kory looked and could sense. The fullness in Noelle’s own past. Perhaps that was tragedy, but Kory could possibly sense a lot of joy. Causing a more than hinted beam to Kory’s lips.

”Its that odd feeling, it feels a long time and yet there are moments. Fleeting moments it felt like only a day has passed… Sometimes, in those moments, I miss them… I would imagine, you would have your own memories and moments with the JSA…”

As Kory spoke, expressing the feelings that often came, suppose they were also human feelings. Perhaps a little bitter, but mostly sweet… That did very much make Kory miss them, miss those times and perhaps even at times wished they could be still in that tower. Making more memories. Even if if was just relaxing on the couch talking about every day things or even voting on what movie to watch, not just saving lives, but living them as well. Together… But of course in growing together, they grew apart. Though there was always something that could bring them back together… Even if it was a once in blue moon or someones special day… Kory could only imagine the lives Noelle had lived with the JSA. Did they just fight together? Or did they live together as well? Not that Kory was digging at all in any nosy way, but she was always one to be open… Perhaps… As the subject changed. To Batman, he was possibly less likely to be open, least not as open as she was… Though it had never struck her, to think people didn’t believe he was real, but suppose that was down to particularly knowing the man. Although she couldn’t say she had all that many face to face conversations, but of course in her time with Dick. Past and present, she’d greatly came to know not just Batman, but Bruce… In listening to Noelle, it does somewhat make sense, why one who doesn’t know him, could potentially come to that conclusion

”Really? No, shots. I guess, I shouldn’t be surprised. I can understand why you would be doubting his existence… Like a bat, I guess he prefers being in the dark…”

There was some genuine surprise if there was no to very little photo evidence of Batman, Kory didn’t pay a whole lot of attention to news, but she would have assumed there would have been some trail. Maybe she just knew him to personal to think otherwise… Which she knew to certain degrees she couldn’t talk about. Otherwise she could potentially blow his cover and she wouldn’t do that. Though she could certainly advocate the Batman least was real, or express it. As Kory played at his persona as a bat. A creature most often hidden in caves, although could really be quite friendly, if you knew what angle to approach from. Least experiences she had with real bats. Particularly fruit bats there were so cute. Hmmm, she half wondered if Bruce had a softness for fruit. She couldn’t entirely say one way or the other. Though she’d certainly pondered if he did model off a particular species of bats or just in general, mostly in playful thoughts of course, greatly helped by Dick, which often ironically led to the vampiric kind of bats… There is tweaking at Kory’s smiles at the mentioning of Robin, given her own very personal connection, particularly with the original Robin and knew the suit very well. She did after all have several of them in her procession. The original version anyway not so much Tim’s. He certainly altered and made the suit all his own, but it definitely was still Robin.

”A little birdie did once tell me, the name means ‘famed.’ ‘Bright.’ However, if you ask me. Taken from experience. Robin is a reflection of himself, not so much to deflect from Batman. Robin is truly bright and incredibly warm… A light in the dark!”

Kory shared with Noelle, perhaps a fleeting jesting moment with names and meanings. Which most likely meant differently on this Earth than even in the Vega System… It was known public enough that Starfire had worked with Robin, they were both titans. Of course, Kory could see it all differently given she knew the insights and the moment she had met Dick all dressed in his Robin gear. She most certainly saw through the mask, as she always did, so to her he was always much more than a symbol. He was real. Though perhaps he was intended to deflect the attention from Batman, whatever the intention was, Bruce most certainly didn’t intend Robin to find his wings and leave the nest. As Kory attested to knowing Robin to be every bit as bright. As warm. Even though she mostly took from Dick’s time Robin. Tim whilst he maybe craftier, he still very much had his own light. Perhaps something Bruce didn’t entirely knew he needed… Kory had to laugh a little at Noelle’s words of shady. Perhaps, Batman could be quite shady as times. He certainly wasn’t much of a talker. Least not for a heart to heart.

”You find him, when he wants to find you… He isn’t much one for conversation, but with the few times he’s teamed up with Titans… I can attest to seeing him in the flesh… Although, you can at times mistake him for gargoyle… He carries that stoic look, incredibly well!”

Kory played to what she felt she could say and as usual was in ways very much still the truth. With a warm giving smile. Of course, there was no telling whether that would at all aid in Noelle’s belief in Batman. Sometimes, you do just need to see something with your own two eyes to believe. Batman was such a specimen. Unique. Yet, Kory could still see a man, more or less. Perhaps in ways lost. Still troubled by his past. It no doubt a human thing, tamaraneans didn’t live in the past and maybe that was one of the reasons Bruce didn’t always warm up to her. Because she far more open to letting in joy… Of course in suffering as she had suffered in ways that neither a human nor a tamaranean should go through. It really left her with nothing than to soak up the freedom. A freedom she very much saw like an horizon on a ocean line, endless. She’d be foolish not to chase it, no matter the waves that would be in her way.

”Wow, a vampire… Dracula…? Wasn’t he into spears?”

Spoken with very much delight when Noelle confirmed what Kory had assumed. Never meeting one, Kory hadn’t entirely sure what she expected, but she was open as she’d always been. After all, she’d seen and met, so many shapes. Colours. Sizes. They really only amounted so much, that more often it was what was inside that truly counted, Kory should know, many on this planet just saw an orange alien. A freak… Though the mentioning of Dracula certainly retracted some thoughts, on what kind of vampire Noelle be. Suggesting that Kory may not so much know about the fictional Dracula than Dracula the Impaler, thanks to a documentary a titan had insisted they watch. Hmmm, Kory was sure Noelle didn’t give her that kind of vibe… Maybe more Anne Rice vibe.

”You do have beautiful skin… Indeed, unless you had in mind another form of friendship?”

Whilst, maybe there were not actual sparkles, Kory was very still in conclusion that Noelle did have very beautiful skin. Incredibly so. It somehow seemed almost fragile, like porcelain, but somehow she doubted it would ever chip. Kory questioned at Noelle’s words of friend friends, if there was another kind, maybe. Otherwise, Kory was very adamant that could very much be friends. Suppose even good friends given a little time, but Kory certainly couldn’t see a reason why they would be any less than friends. Especially if they both enjoyed the dance. Kory of course didn’t hesitate to follow Noelle’s lead and eventually end up somewhere in the midst of the dance floor. With shimmering diamonds and even streaks of gold over above there heads.

”X’hal!”

Kory expressed herself in her shear innocent and true delight. She had most missed the dance floor. She had most missed having company. Although there was potentially a familiar voice in her ear, suggesting she was getting a little too carried away, but she didn’t entirely grasp it. There didn’t feel any need, as it didn’t appear anyone was doing anything off the cuff yet. Not diamonds falling. Only, champagne. As Kory half giggled at the loose bubbles someone had sprayed over head, that may or may not have prompted security, but it hardly called for even Starbolt. With gentle graze of her thumb from her cheek to her lips, the bubbles traced lightly upon her tongue. Little more than every a tickle, but still very much in the thrill of the music. The dance, as Kory felt Noelle’s hand on her hip. Causing Kory merely to move all the more with it. Maybe a spin, as her red hair bounced and curled around her! Feeling pure joy! What could possibly go wrong?