In those few moments after she delivered her warning that might have passed as a fleeting breathe to the younger girl, a plethora of thoughts raced from one temple to the other. Her outward appearance not faltering from the serene apathy even a little. Once more, Kate was not accustomed to doubting her decisions, but even she had to admit this could easily go so very wrong. She consulted no one of her resolution to take on a partner – mostly because she knew what the reception would be and she hated being told what to do. Confidence was an essential tool to employ when proclaiming oneself a defender of justice, and Kate had worked diligently to cultivate strength of conviction within.
Purging within herself that which was born of fear, leaving but a sliver to keep her humble – to serve as a reminder of what she was fighting for. Letting it take up every aspect of who she was. And in this rawness, in this absolute vulnerability she was fearless. But regret, that was a different sentiment all together. As certain as she could confront any scenario, she was not immune to subsequent grief for bad judgement. Regret, she was well-versed in. It was a learning tool, she let it educate her and unfortunately, harden her. This tiny girl with a boundless spark of naïve eagerness behind her clear gaze projected a purity that Kate expected would not fare well amid the hardships of the vigilante lifestyle. But she did recognize the determination as well, which was a good start. Still, Kate believed that the more benign the image, the greater the danger underlying. If all went according to plan, Kate hoped to transform her weakness into a greater strength, a figurative weapon she could wield to her advantage.
Kate’s mouth curved in displeasure at the blatant dismissal of the limp, her brow rising as if to express her incredulity nonverbally. Not that she could really pass judgement, how many injuries had she downplayed in order to evade scrutiny. “Word of advice, before we go any further, don’t bullshit me,” she warned, leveling the young girl with the same look she gave Dick whenever he tried to keep secrets from her or Christian whenever he attempted to convince her the fried grease he favored so much was appetizing. “Take a seat, after we discuss a few things I’ll take a look at it” she was no medical profession by any means but she’d self-tended to enough injuries to suffice as a temporary nurse if needed.
As she tried to recall where she kept the nearest first aid kit, she watched Carrie remove her mask with gradually budding amusement. Not in mockery but in unexpected endearment. Kate understood that she was balancing her risk with one of her own, demonstrating to Kate that she, too, was putting her faith in her. A breathy chuckle escaped her. “I know who you are,” she acknowledged, not in the least ashamed to reveal she had done her research. She barely penetrated her attention the few times she’d encountered her in Luke’s office, very few did – even as often as she stopped by unexpected. Bruce wasn’t the only member of the family who relied on deductive reasoning.
It was Carrie’s vernacular that inevitably connected the dots for her. Kate wondered if the young girl had even noticed the day she was waiting impatiently for Luke to exit his meeting only to hear a familiar verbiage filter around the corner. “Pleasure to meet you, officially” she sank onto the bar stool opposite her and placed her folded hands on the counter. “I have an offer for you, Carrie Kelley. I’ll make my case and if you agree to the terms then we’ll be seeing a lot more of each other. If not, then we’ll just be two people with a secret”
carrie’s chin tucked against her chest in a primal display of discomfiture, the words jerking past her lips almost in a gruntle, “yes, ma’am.” carrie’s head careened to the indicated seat before she eased herself down on the cushion, straightening out her leg to diminish the strain of the gaping slash across her leg, poorly bandaged and leaking through the gauze, while her face contorted in barely concealed unease. still, there was an air of authority and a certain austerity that -- despite the kindness in kate’s offer -- carrie knew was a line establish that she shouldn’t, daren’t, cross. just like that a dynamic was established, even if carrie was not fully aware of it yet.
a passerby would have likened her expression to a dear caught in headlights when kate expression pre-established knowledge of her identity, it would have been almost offensive if the retaliating party had not been part of the hush hush community of vigilantes as well. after all, game recognize game, and the insult quickly turned to praise, or that was what carrie perceived it as as she finally relaxed the tight adherence of her chin and instead turned it up, taking it to her chest like she ought to. she had nothing to hide now and she would expect the same from kate.
“likewise.” she responded in akin approachability. carrie’s head bobbed slowly at the outline of the proposal before her - there would be no harm in hearing her out. there was no threat of exposure or anything that would sound any alarms. no sound reason probably to refuse kate’s offer, so she studiously clasped her hands together and nestled them over her lap. “okay. i’m listening.”
