College Students [Helena]

[Dick Grayson - Nightwing]

It was now late afternoon, and classes were still carrying on that day. Though on a day like today, it seemed a waste to be sitting around in a class room listening to a professor go on and on. At least that was how Dick felt that day. He had been cooped up for the last week, working assignments for classes and working at night on patrols undercover. He had been trying to step away from the Robin identity, but it was becoming hard to work without a vigilante identity.

Dick wasn't stupid enough to get to involved in fights. He had stayed on the low profile with everyone these days. The only person he had really been talking to from time t time was Babs. But while working undercover, he was able to work solo on things without anyone stepping in to help. It was a good thing he was skilled as a master in disguises. That's what got him by on these late night case work he had been doing. He had been working on getting the inside scoop on some of the main criminal groups in Gotham. So far, things seemed to be going quite well.

But at this time, he was just Dick Grayson, your average college student. Like he could ever be considered average. He led the life of a vigilante by night and Bruce Wayne's ward by day. In everything he did, there was some type of title to the job. He had gotten used to it, but tried to stay away from quite a bit lately.

Dick had still been lost in his thoughts lately. He seemed to do that a lot lately. But now, he was looking in to a possible new place to stay. Things just seemed to be getting too tense with the people around him. He'd even stayed away from the batcave to try and move on.

He had taken the time to enjoy what was left of the afternoon. He had finished with his last class and decided to go for a walk around campus. Walking along he caught sight of a book dropping to the ground as a young woman seemed to be in a rush for something.

Looking over at the book, he walked over to it and picked it up. He looked up at the woman and started to lightly jog after her. "Miss. Hey, miss. You dropped something," he said as he tried to get the young woman's attention. He didn't recognized the woman from any of his classes.

[Deleted]

'Stupid! stupid stupid!

Helena yelled at herself mentally. She was walking out rapidly from the main East building of Gotham University, entering the gardens that crossed the campus, towards the south parking lot.

How could she have slipped her cool so easily?
When class had ended, the girl sitting next to her had asked her if her parents had named her after some famous actress or other. At Helena's blank stare the girl had pronounced her odd for not knowing about her or her movies and started asking questions about where Helena was from.

The surprise of her name garnering any attention to herself sent her in a slight panic. She had began sweating cold and ended up excusing herself with a stammered "I'm sorry, I'm late for something", dashing out of the classroom.

She grew up in a farm in Sicily, for Christ's sake! She didn't keep up with actors and petty media entertainment. She had only chosen that surname [Bonham] because it didn't automatically label her 'Italian', but it wasn't obviously mundane so as to flare up the skeptics' flags. And the name came from the Latin for 'peasant farmer'. Which is what she wished she could be with Sal: farmer siblings and nothing more dramatic than that.

So how was she even supposed to know? She had been too preoccupied with getting herself a low profile, a new life in Gotham to bid her time, that she had forgotten to build herself a credible past.
But more importantly, why had she frozen up? She was supposed to be better at thinking on her feet. So what if she didn't have a ready back-story? She was a lawyer, merda!

A thousand possible responses coursed through her mind as she replayed the scene over and over. This wouldn't happen to her again. She was mortified with herself. She was the Huntress, not the darned hunted deer in headlights!

Helena had been so distracted that she didn't sense there was someone behind her until a second before she heard him.

"Miss. Hey, miss. You dropped something,"

A young man around her age was jogging behind her, right after her. She tensed as she swiveled around and it took her a second to process what he had said and why he held a book at her.

She relaxed enough so as to drop her right arm that had come up in defense. Looking jumpy would only make her more notorious.

"Oh. I didn't even realize I was holding it before. Thanks...-"

The Spring wind blew around her long hair to her face, tangling it and, combined with her colored cheeks from earlier embarrassment, highlighting her fazed state.

This was not her day. She was supposed to be an imposing figure. A Bertinelli of proud blood. But she guessed that now technically she had chosen to be a common 'peasant'.

She tried to smile gratefully through the strands of hair, as she extended her hand to take the book back, but she could feel her lips tight. She hadn't been a 'smiler' in a long time.

[Dick Grayson - Nightwing]

"No problem," he replied as he handed the book back to her.

Just from standing there, he could tell she was tense. Dick did wonder what about. He wouldn't blame her for being so tense with having some guy trying to chase you down. But then again, he had called out to her to try and inform her that she had dropped something.

Then again, it wasn't any of Dick's business if she did not want to talk about it. Though, she looked more tense then most people when it came to other college students on this campus. The rushing around was nothing new. She came off as a bit jumpy to him at the moment.

He smiled back, seeing that she had wanted to smile thanking him. "Late for a class," he decided to ask to try and break the ice.

She looked like she had had a rough day. Dick could understand that feeling. He went through that almost everyday lately trying to figuring this out and work with other and not making them mad. "Dick Grayson, by the way," he introduced himself. He figured it was the only proper thing to do.

(ooc: sorry for the short response.)

[Deleted]

"Late for a class," she heard the guy ask her conversationally. In other circumstances she might have taken offense at the automatic assumption that she might be late for anything, but back in Palermo it had been a point that formed a sense of camaraderie and complicity between the students, and she figured it worked the same in this university, too.

Helena relaxed a bit further and her smile softened a little.

"No. Not this time, at least. I just walk fast when I'm stressed, and it's been one of those weeks."
Not entirely a lie, it had been a busy week, but then again there was no need to reveal the whole episode to someone she didn't know.
At first Helena just wanted to bolt, but she had been wound up too tightly these last weeks that she realized she really craved some normal interactions. The city pace in Gotham was infinitely faster than in Italy, let alone their farm in Sicily. She was exhausted and a friendly conversation was welcome.

"Dick Grayson, by the way," he introduced himself and she smiled in return. The named sounded familiar, but she couldn't place it at the moment.

"Helena Bonham. Nice to meet you" she replied, took his hand in hers and leaned swiftly forward to kiss his cheek in greeting. She realized her blunder when her face was already pressed against his. Helena flinched a little and pulled back, biting her lip self-consciously. She didn't go for the second cheek. Hel would have to brush it off as a cultural thing.

It wasn't like he wouldn't have figured out she was from out of town, anyway. Though her English pronunciation was fine, she had noticed recently that she did give a slight musical intonation to her vowels. Not a marked Italian accent, but still telling enough.

"Oh! Sorry, I forgot I'm not at home. I still do it automatically." She let got of his hand quickly and stepped back, apologetically.

It hadn't been a full kiss on the cheek. Many of her generation nowadays just leaned in for the motion, lips never touching skin. But it was still way into the personal bubble that the people in the U.S. were accustomed to. She might have been raised in a farm, but this had been ingrained to her all her life. Helena just hadn't really introduced herself to anyone that wasn't from the University faculty of staff since arriving to Gotham, and she wouldn't greet them that way in Italy, so there had been no confusion.

Today was just full of awkward social interactions for Helena. She figured she had to get used to this, at some point. She couldn't be all pricks and needles the whole time. A self-conscious half chuckle escaped her, and she tried to give in to the humor.

At least she'd had a bit more time to prepare a back-story during her walk, if need be. She didn't have to freeze every time, now.

Still...awkward silence for a moment there...


(ooc: legit mistake there, it happens irl kinda often XD she's not trying to put on the moves)

[Dick Grayson - Nightwing]

"It's understand able, college life around here seemed to be that way a lot," he replied to her walking fast because of stress. For Dick it wasn't the life of college that was really stressing him out lately. It was more of his life at home or better to say his vigilante life. Sometimes it seemed so hard to hide this life from the rest of the world. Living as two different people, but in one. And lately his life was being tore apart by himself trying to find a way to make things better for him.

Dick was surprised by her next act of kissing him on one check then stopping. He could tell from her slight accent, that she was not from around her. He didn't mind, he was used to the strangest things happening. As she apologized for her action, Dick waved it off. "It's not problem at all. I have many friends that forget at times," he smiled at her trying to make her feel even more comfortable.

What he had said was true. He had met so many new heroes that some of the superheroes had really strange customs of greeting. You got used to it after working with so many new people from around the world or even from other universes in some cases.

Dick broke the silence by asking a question, "So, how long have you been in Gotham now?" He wondered since he had not seen her around campus all that much. And it was late in semester, wondering if she had transferred in or not.

For all he knew she might very well have been in one of his classes and he had not noticed. But it would have been hard not to notice her, the classes were not all that large. For him, everything seemed to be slipping by him without him noticing at times, at least in the college life.

[Deleted]

She was pleased to see that he was being so gracious about her little cultural faux pas. She didn't relax entirely mentally, lest she let something slip, but this was still allowing her to rest a little.

"I have only been here for a little less than a month. But I only started out here a couple of weeks ago. The Registrar's office at GSU is working out how to get me into the certification program I want, since I already have a degree. In the meantime they are letting me sit in classes to get more familiar with the place, since it's too late to really get any credits." She explained with a shrug and a smile, much more composed than before.
Hel found herself glad for the conversation. She had kept to herself since she got to Gotham...or rather, since she got back from Palermo, back in Italy...

It really was a pleasant day, and she didn't have to go scouting until later on. She had tabs on two of Angelo's croonies, and they hadn't shown much activity lately during the day. She believed they knew where Omerta might be, but there was nothing for her to do about it at the moment.

[Dick Grayson - Nightwing]

"I see," he said. "So, what major are you going for now?" He was just a bit curious as to the reason to come to Gotham. Sure the education was great, but at times the city was not. It seemed that Gotham City was known world wide for it's weirdos in costumes. Then again, it was happening more and more in other countries as well.

"Sorry for all the questions," he said with a half smile as he rubbed the back of his head with his right hand. Just an old habit of his when he was a bit nervous or embarrassed. He felt bad for asking her so many questions. He was sure that was the last thing she wanted on top of the other stress she was facing. Dick did understand a bit of how different things could be when you moved and just how difficult things could get.

"What do you think of Gotham so far," he asked. He long asked because most of the people he knew tried to get indoor before it got to late. Some people around in that town let the darkness rule their lives and others didn't. Dick couldn't blame them at all, but he was one to go out and do something about it.

[Deleted]

Helena smiled wryly at her career change as she replied,
"I'm trying to get a teaching certificate. Maybe for elementary or- what's it called here, middle school? Yeah."

They kept on walking on for a little while, not really going anywhere, in comfortable silence for a bit.

"Sorry for all the questions," It was his turn to look a little self-conscious and she smiled his worry away.

"It's ok. I haven't really had a chance to talk with anyone, so this makes for a nice change."

Since he seemed to be the curious kind, she decided to feed him a bit more. She just had to be careful.

"It's funny. Back in Europe I could be a practicing lawyer by now. The degree is there. But I come here and go for education instead...Heh"
The wry smile returned and she kicked a small rock on the ground. How could she justify giving up on Law for teaching?

She looked up when he spoke again, asking her opinion on Gotham. She bit her lip for a second, thinking of how to phrase it... or even what it was she wanted to phrase...
Helena turned to her left a little, where she had a view of the Gotham skyline.
What did she think of the city?

"Gotham is.... " Full of corrupted miserable people? Bears doom to its inhabitants? "-sobering. It doesn't sell an illusion of the world and quickly disenchants people into facing reality. But I also think that gives the potential to grow some of the strongest individuals... I've been walking around the city. I've...seen things. Things that most people outside can't even imagine, and here they are all facing it everyday. Everyone has probably experienced horrible things- kids, and even the rich elite. Gotham's darkness doesn't discriminate. I think that's why I'm changing profession here. Sure, I could take the NY or Washington Bar exam. Or I could go and be a consultant. I have particular skills to sell to the profession without a U.S.A. JD. I could go into politics-" Helena broke off and shook her head lightly, negating those possibilities "But truth is, there is no more honor in those worlds. Very little for me to salvage right now. But education.... if I can protect a child... if we could ensure at least one place where they can have guidance and comfort... if we can teach them how to garner strength and warmth from their lives here, then I think we can raise good, exceptional generations. There are things in Gotham no child should ever have to see, so the least we can do is help them deal with it correctly. I think." Her voice had turned quiet, but no less passionate by the end of her explanation.

Helena's sight was lost in the city's skyline, and she didn't realize she was almost hugging herself as she spoke. Why had she said all that? She barely had registered her words before speaking them. The lies and her cover were just flowing from her automatically. But were they really lies? True, she had thought Education would be a good enough nondescript occupation for her new persona. But there were many others equally mundane.
And what would happen when she eventually had her revenge? (there was no 'if' about it) The meaning to her life so far was centered on something selfish. Important to her. But to her only.
Maybe she needed to feel she was not being entirely selfish somewhere else. Even if it was to not let one child grow up like her. Strong, yes. But not bitter.

The breeze kept blowing, and she let her thoughts stray with it.....

[Dick Grayson - Nightwing]

"That's for sure," Dick agreed with her. Gotham was not place for any one lately. The police leave most of the work to the vigilantes in the town. And more creeps just seemed to be popping up now a days. There just hadn't been much of a break for anyone lately.

"Gotham has away of giving people a new life style. It's just weird how many end up the way they do," he said. "Everyone just seems to be pointing the finger of blame at everyone else around here." That blame usually seemed to sit with the police and Batman most of the time now a days.

"That's pretty cool that you'd give up law to educate," Dick said. "All people need is someone that believes in them. And for the kids around here, they just need that chance to maybe turn them in the right direction." Boy, for a second there he almost sounded like Bruce, with the 'kids are the future' bit. He knew first hand what that was like. Dick often wondered what his life would have been like without what had happened to his parents. Or even what it would have been like had not Bruce taken him in when he was a kid.

Just seeing what happened to so many other kids that may have had a similar experience, Dick sometimes shivered at the thought that that could have been how he might have ended up. Even with how things were going, Dick would not give up his life for anything else in the world. "So, I take it you might be done with your classes for the day," he asked.

[Deleted]

Helena suppressed a bitter smile at the irony of his statements.

New lifestyle indeed...And is it really so weird how people turn out? With this kind of environment?

Then again, Helena wasn't one to fully blame circumstances for people's bad actions. Traumatized children was one thing. But there came a time in an adult person's life when you couldn't blame your past for your present wrongdoings. People had to take responsibility of their actions. She had faith in the young ones, but not in the rest.
There were those who were scum, evil, and held no regard for human life. For those, Helena felt no obligation to respect their life either. The Huntress' justice was harsh, but she believed it was fair.

Helena smiled tightly and shrugged off Grayson's commending of her career change. He wouldn't think it was that cool if he knew her true motivations for coming to Gotham. For starting anew. She couldn't be a lawyer, because she'd never get to defeat the mob's organized crime by attacking them from the front through legal means. The only way to end them was hitting them on their blindside, from the behind, and from inside. That was where the Huntress came in.

"Yes, it's all about the children..." Helena mumbled, showing agreement with her companion, trying to compensate for her darker trains of thought.

Helena had studied Law only to educate herself about the mafia objectively and learn the loopholes. The Huntress would be the one to bring them down. After she had her vengeance.

She suspected Grayson wouldn't be so agreeable if he knew how many she was willing to kill (and already had) in order to enact justice.

Helena was brought back from her grim reverie by the young man's voice. She looked around and saw that they were near the end of the gardens already. She hadn't even noticed they'd been walking after her little epiphany monologue.

"Yes, I'm done for the day. At least for a while. Later on I wanted to see more of the city, and they told me there was a place where I could do some...um volunteer work in the evening." She commented nonchalantly, every part of her oozing innocence and piety.
Ha. She mentally snorted at such an image of herself.

"And you? It would suck if I just made you late for yours... I'd hate for that to happen. Sorry." She added as an afterthought. It belatedly occurred to her that they had been talking for a while and that she had been monopolizing someone else's time with mindless rants. But then again he hadn't seemed to be in much hurry to rid himself of her. Right? Or maybe that last comment had been her cue to shut up and leave?

Sigh

She really needed to get out more....

[Dick Grayson - Nightwing]

"No, I'm good. Just got out of my last class for the day," Dick smiled. "I'm in no rush." He was trying to let her know that he was being honest and had nothing else to do. He was enjoying her company any ways. Otherwise he might have just wandered off some where of gone back to Wayne Manor and work out some more before he would go patrolling that night. Or maybe just hang around and look over some cases until later that night.

Dick had picked up on that she wanted to see the city. Gotham was like many other places, but when you worked as a vigilante you knew more about the city than more people did that had been living there. Sure, Dick had been born in Gotham City, but he had traveled with the circus for about half his life before he stayed.

He looked up at her. "So, you say you want to see more of the city," he asked. He wasn't sure if she was the type to take someone up on an offer. Especially in this town. She had been a bit jumpy earlier when he had first caught up with her.

"I could take you around a bit. If you're interested," he offered. "I know this town like the back of my hand." He better know this town. He knew it wouldn't be any fun for any newbies to get lost on the streets of Gotham at night. That was about the worst thing that could happen on someone's first day in the town.

[Deleted]

Helena was glad to hear that she wasn't interfering with his classes. However she felt herself tense a little when Grayson offered to show her around the city. The guy sounded sincere and didn't seem to be putting the moves on her; and yet Helena needed to question everyone's motives. There were very few true altruistic souls out there, and she was sure she had not just stumbled upon the one shinning beacon of Gotham city.

But more than anything, her pride had bristled: Helena Bertinelli was no charity case. She was not a damsel in distress, helpless and in need of a knight to help her fend off the big bad city. She needed no help. It wasn't as if Pretty Boy were going to take her around her key areas of town. No one would give a tour of the East side, that's for sure. And all that mattered was there.

"Thanks, b-" She was about to refuse his offer when a sudden thought struck her. She really didn't know any of Gotham, other than the places she scouted at night; which mostly focused on the East side, the docks, and the West side one time.
If she was going to fight well, she needed to get a feel of ALL of Gotham. Who was she kidding? at night she had no time to go sight-seeing. And she might as well do it now.

Helena cursed mentally, swallowed her pride and turned to face Grayson with a smile.

"You know what? That sounds like a great idea. But I don't even know where to start." She tried to be amicable and even simpered -Simper? oh God kill me now. - a little. She was clenching her fist behind her back, her nails against her palm as a tension outlet.

The girl forced herself to relax, inside and out, taking a steading breath.
Relax time, remember? You were fine earlier. AND you get to gather some intel in the process. This doesn't have to be that bad.

"Soooo, your car or mine?"

[Dick Grayson - Nightwing]

Dick didn't blame her for Helena for being hesitant at all. She had the right to all reasons. For all she knew he could be up to no good. But Dick was just being polite and trying to help someone out. It was good to meet new people. Allies were always good, even if they don't fight on the streets of Gotham. Though he didn't know anything about her as far as what she has told him.

"We could start toward central Gotham," he said. "Then we could work our way through the south end of town." He decided on whether or not that he really wanted to go through the east end of Gotham. That was still no place to be traveling through in the middle of the day.

It wasn't that easy taking someone new through that part of town. The thugs on the street seem to know the new people in town compared to the usual people they see. But when she said about how they should get there, he wasn't so sure his motorcycle was all that good of an idea for going through the rougher parts of town.

"Actually, I only have my motorcycle here," he said. "Maybe we should just go in your car?" He would leave it up to her. He had nothing against just taking people out on his motorcycle, but he wasn't sure how she would feel about it.