Chili party

[lanternslight]

Guy and Ollie have certainly thrown together quite the shindig here. Warrior's reopening, celebrating several people's return from the dead -- including myself -- and the defeat of Ra's al-Ghul's plague... this party somehow manages to meet all those needs. Major Disaster rubbing elbows with Jay Garrick... Superman singing Karaoke with Detective Chimp... it all reminds me how good it is to be alive.

But even more than that, the woman on my arm reminds me what's good about being alive.

My history with Arisia is... long. And complicated.

When I met her, she was a teenager with a crush. I rejected her... but then she altered herself. Made herself into my "perfect woman" through the ring. And, yes, her body certainly was... well, I've always had a weakness for busty blondes. But she was still that teenager with a crush inside.

But... she changed. And grew. And I changed. And somewhere in there, I ended up falling for her after all. I fell in love with her.

We lived together. Arisia and me, John and Katma. Two couples sharing an apartment.

Until things changed again. Katma died... Arisia and I... drifted apart. Parallax was in me by then. Some of what happened was probably him. Some of it probably wasn't. Hard to sever my motives and Parallax's.

But it doesn't matter anyway. I have a second chance at life. And, even better, I've been given a second chance with Arisia, too. Somehow, marvelously.

We've both been dancing. We've both been drinking a little.

She's a little tipsy. She's a little warm. So we step out for a bit of fresh air, just the two of us.

Comments

[lanternslight.livejournal.com]

"Don't jump into anything," he tells her. "When you're ready, I'll be here. Ari... our relationship has always been more than a physical one. And I never want you to feel pressured into anything."

[elfinlantern.livejournal.com]

Arisia steps forward and leans against Hal, breathing in. "I missed you so much."

[lanternslight.livejournal.com]

He holds her close. "And I missed you."

[elfinlantern.livejournal.com]

Arisia makes a soft sound in the back of her throat and stays there with her for a few moments. She slides her hand into Hal's and tugs on him a bit. "I think... Well. Back to the party? For a bit at least?"

[lanternslight.livejournal.com]

"Sounds good to me." He starts to lead her back, then stops. "But I'm going to keep pursuing you. It's my turn this time," he offers with a grin.

[elfinlantern.livejournal.com]

Arisia looks at Hal at that comment and pauses for a few moments. "Well, you'll have to go away to top me aging myself." She winks at him, showing that she's just teasing.

[lanternslight.livejournal.com]

"Nah," he replies. "I'm having too much fun to go away."

[elfinlantern.livejournal.com]

Arisia laughs and shakes her head. Her English needs some work still. "A distance. A.... You'll have to do something really impressive." She squeezes his hand and starts to head back toward the door.

[lanternslight.livejournal.com]

"Alright, then. I'll think of something."

[elfinlantern.livejournal.com]

"Of course you will." Arisia tugs on his hand, placing a kiss in his palm, before opening the door.