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GOTHAM CITY
MARCH 5 13:48 EST
WE HONESTLY ASK OURSELVES WHICH PERSON IN OUR LIVES MEANS THE MOST TO US, WE OFTEN FIND THAT IT IS THOSE WHO GIVE ADVICE BUT CHOSE TO SHARE OUR PAIN AND TOUCH OUR WOUNDS WITH A WARM AND TENDER HAND. THE FRIEND WHO CAN BE SILENT WITH US IN A MOMENT OF DESPAIR OR CONFUSION OR STAY IN OUR HOUR OF GRIEF AND BEREAVEMENT, THE FRIEND WHO CAN TOLERATE NOT KNOWING AND THE ONE WHO FACES THE REALITY OF OUR POWERLESSNESS WHEN WE CANNOT HEAL. A TRUE FRIEND IN IT'S MEANING.
Wallace Rudolph West didn't know when Athena became one of his greatest friends. She had been a trusted confidant and girl-friend to Artemis. Something more than a friend to Dick and an overall lovable person—you know, for someone capable of killing you in the blink of an eye—she was quite oddly a likeable personality.
Maybe it was when they met in the desert in Bialya or perhaps when she gave him the breakfast bars on his birthday when he helped save a young queen from her evil uncle— he still didn't know where she had gotten those from. But, he knew it was during one of her first missions with the Team and one of his lasts. That fateful day, he wouldn't forget nor would he mention again since Shadow threatened to kill him if he did so.
So, naturally he'd sneak his way into her office in order to consult her about one of the most important decisions he's ever had to make. Which would also explain his current predicament. He should have expected it to be honest with the way he showed up unannounced in the office of one of the most paranoid people he'd known.
A sharp ink pen planted inches away from his head, embedded into the book shelf and he stared at it with wide eyes, thanking the fact that she'd never hit an intruder directly without a confrontation. A few years ago, that wouldn't have been the case.
"Perhaps a warning if you are to show up in my office, Wallace" Wally let out a terrified chuckle "Heh—sorry about that" Shadow gestured to the leather seat in front of her desk as she took her own and Wally sat down, tapping his sneakers repeatedly on the floor "How may I be of service?"
"Uh—I need to buy a ring?"
"Are you asking me or telling me? Either way, you won't be finding one here"
"No I need to buy a ring—the ring" Shadow raised a brow at his emphasised words and smirked "So you've decided?"
Wally nodded, an excited smile on his face at the prospect "Yeah. I wanna ask her to marry me"
"Well I wish you the very best on your future endeavours and all the blessings, but I do not understand. Why would you not buy the ring upon instinct?"
"Well I wanted a woman's opinion—I'll know when I see it but I want it to be perfect. I would have asked my mom or iris but they're busy. M'gann would probably suggest buying an engagement tiara instead like that movie she saw so here I am"
Shadow smirk remained "I see so I am the fourth choice?"
"You were my first but I was too afraid to pick up the phone" She rolled her eyes "Fine, but I have a matter we must attend to first before we get on with our search. I also need to consult Celia—she knows the best jewellers in all of Gotham"
"Remember this is on a college students budget so...ah screw it, go nuts, my girl deserves the best. I'll pay my dues later"
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WALLY WEST HAD BEEN THE FIRST PERSON SHADOW HAD TOLD ABOUT HER PARENTAL HERITAGE. IT WAS IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE MOMENT AND HE WAS SURE IF IT WERE ANY OTHER DAY, SHE'D STICK TO HER SILENT STANCE. But, somehow that moment had her be open to him a lot more and he realised all she needed was a friend.
Athena didn't tell many things to Richard Grayson as one may have believed. Often times due to believing that loving a person didn't always mean it was easy to open up to them; often due to being ashamed of herself. Though she'd never admit it out loud.
So when she learned of the existence of her grand father and that burden weighing on her chest, she talked to Wally and he simply listened, making a few ridiculous comments here and there but she supposed she was thankful for those.
They stood in front of some fancy Gotham building and entered a luxurious penthouse on the top floor. They were met with a sight of a bald, macabre butler who welcomed them inside and went off to inform his master.
"So you're like mega loaded rich now?" Wally questioned as he munched in one of the cookies laid out for them. Athena rolled her eyes "It's not mine and will you knock off with the incessant chewing?"
"I can't help it—these are great"
"The secret is a dash of demon blood" Wally immediately spat them out and cleared his throat. Shadow sent him a subtle glare and sighed to herself; she was already anxious enough as it is.
The dark skinned man gave a suspiciously gleeful chuckle "I kid, of course" Wally sent a wary smile back, goosebumps rose at the back of his neck. The place, it had a pretty dark vibe. One he was initially trying to ignore but now all he could taste on his tongue was actual metallic flavour and boy was he scared for his life.
"He wishes to speak with you alone" Shadow nodded, and walked inside the study down the hall.
Now one might argue about just how lavish the penthouse truly was. It had hues of wood, maroon and an overall darker theme than usual with the large ogival arched windows providing all the Gotham city sunlight. Gleaming chandeliers, large family portraits with gold frames of people who seemed like something the greeks had carved and Da Vinci had painted. Soft tunes of jazz played in the background as Wally observed the hall where Shadow went down.
The entire thing took less than an hour, all she had done was give a few files but to Wally it felt like centuries.
There was an uncomfortable silence when the butler returned and simply stood almost like some sort of strange solider and Wally being...Wally had the itching need to make a conversation "So uh...do you use your own blood or is there some demon blood bank—uh convenience store?" He let out a nervous chuckle that died halfway down when he noted his blank stare.
After a few beats he spoke up and Wally swore he jumped out of his skin "It seems my little limerick has frightened you so, I apologise. Would you like something else, Mister West?" The red head gulped, shaking his head "Nope. Nah" He returned his gaze back to the hall. His thoughts raced faster than his feet and he couldn't help but wonder out loud "It's been a while. What do you think they're talking about?"
"Nothing one can change." He ominously expressed and Wally was now completely alert. Was Shadow in danger, were her apparent, newly found, half demon family going to kill her? He didn't think they'd come close but he worried.
When she finally came out of the hallway, thankfully, an older gentleman followed and Wally deduced that he was Hermes Pearson. He looked a lot like her. Handsome in his ways and a swagger in his step. All the old people would aspire to be him. Hell, Wally wanted to be him if that meant he could get the shiny new pocket watch.
"Thank you for coming on such short notice, my dear. I hope my words have not offended you." Shadow simply shook her head and picked up her coat "I believe it is time for us to leave. Wally?"
Wally, who kept staring back and forth between the two other men in the room with his most intimidating stare snapped out of his own and nodded "Yeah. We should—uh go"
Once the two had left, the old man smirked to himself, pulled out a cigar and lit it, walking back inside the study as the butler kept his stare on the front doors and slowly muttered to himself before taking his leave
"Poor, unfortunate souls"
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"UGLY, UGLY, HORRIBLE—UGH" Wally groaned in frustration, loudly mumbling to himself as his eyes scanned over the countless selection of rings one could choose from. Someone on his side cleared their throat and he turned to look at them, seeing a sales person give him the judgy side eye and he let out an strained laugh "A lovely variety you've got here" The man rolled his eyes and walked away.
Shadow turned to him "This is the fifth store we have been to, why are you so confused?"
"I don't know—I don't know" Shadow sighed "Love, if you strive for perfection, you'll find nothing" Wally's shoulders slumped and Shadow pulled him to another counter "It should be on instinct"
"Oh look a pocket a watch" He pointed out
"Yes. I see" She gestured to the salesman and he immediately came up and gave Wally a tired stare and smiled at Shadow "How may I help you today?" Wally finished scanning the many rings and pointed to one without conscious thought like she suggested "Hi—I'd like to see this ring?"
"Certainly" He carefully pulled it out of the case "From the 1960's. This is an emerald cut, Indian emerald gemstone with diamonds on either side in a gold band"
Wally's eyes lit up at the sight of the ring and Athena gave a warm smile "It's perfect. It actually reminds you of her" Wally nodded in agreement "Yeah...um sir?" The man looked at him with an inquisitive look "Could you hold it up to me and ask me to marry you?" Athena's smile immediately dropped to a dry look. The man hesitated before nodding and dryly asked Wally to marry him.
"This is it. This is the ring" He spoke in a tearful manner, moved. "How much is it?"
"You're in luck...everything is currently on sale so it's only six thousand dollars" He nodded excitedly "Ok. Ok. I have my card. We'll pay through a card" He gave her a smile "I got it"
"You did" She softly smiled. He then smiled to himself as he stared down at the velvet box in his hand
"I'm gonna marry her"
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SAT IN AN AMBIENT CAFE, THEY BOTH WAITED FOR ARTEMIS TO ARRIVE FOR LUNCH AS WALLY RAMBLED ON ABOUT THE TIME HE GOT DRUNK IN COLLEGE "This was my thought process as I drunkenly ran home: Whoa! I'm going so fast! Why dont I run Everywhere! All The Time! Then I peed in a bush and passed out on the ground
Her nose scrunched in disgust "So basically you were a dog." Wally rolled his eyes "Exactly what Artemis commented" He sighed "You okay?"
Shadow raised a brow "Why wouldn't I be?"
Wally shrugged "I don't know, seeing your grandfather whose seemingly perfect, charming with his nice penthouse and creepy butler—just checking"
"I'm fine. He is as far as I am concerned, only my employer. Nothing more, nothing less." Wally nodded in understanding as Artemis walked through the door "Hey. Sorry I'm late" She kissed her beloved's cheek "The last class was awful"
'LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT
OF HERMES PEARSON'
DECLARATIONS
A. I am of sound mind and of legal age to make this Last Will.
B. This Last Will expresses my wishes without undue influence or duress.
C. At the time of executing this Last Will...
...I appoint ATHENA PEARSON
to be the executor of this Last Will and leave all my eartly possessions to her
Shadow, though she payed mind to the conversation at part, couldn't help but let her mind wander as she thought over the conversation she had with the old man...though it was his choice and she did not care much, she couldn't help but find it all oddly suspicious.
Only time would tell how it all panned out.
Author's note: Sort of a filler chapter that builds into a very important plot-line for later. Hope you like it though. Please vote and comment.