^^ Slade Wilson / Deathstroke ^^

— Erin —

Zatanna apparently knew a nice little cafe, not too far away, so I borrowed a truck from Conner, driving us according to her directions into the town of Happy Harbor. It wasn't exactly a sleepy little town, but it wasn't a major city by any method of measure. It likely only existed because of the military base, like many towns across America, which sprouted around the bases and eventually gained their own autonomy.

I parked on the side of the street, like most people apparently did, and climbed out, giving Zatanna a hand out of the middle seat. "So, 'Quaint Cafe', huh? They have food, though... right? Also, I eat a lot, and I don't have any money, so we'll have to steal some of Bart's protein bars to keep me fed." I hummed.

"Don't worry about that. I can pay for it, and this business is owned by a friend. She could use the money, and she won't accept it if I give it to her straight-up." She grinned.

"Ahh, ulterior motives, I respect that." I laughed, following her inside.

Diana sat next to us at the bar, and looked around at the small cafe, with only three tables and a long bar. "It is certainly quaint, Zatanna, you did not mislead us..."

A tall woman wearing all black exited the back room, and smiled at Zatanna, rushing around the counter and hugging her. "Z!!! Oh it's been a while!!! How are you?" She asked, after releasing Zatanna from the pleasant confines of her voluptuous chest.

"I'm fine, Kyra, thanks for asking. I brought some friends today, Diana and Erin, and they are very hungry. I'll just have my usual, coffee with cream, no sugar." She smiled, and the woman examined us individually while walking back behind the bar.

I smiled and winked when her gaze lingered on me, and she grinned, speaking in lightly-accented Greek. "Ooh, I like them... is the pretty one available?"

"You're Greek?!? Ahh, my grandmother can finally die happy, knowing I found myself another Greek woman to feed me in this country..." I chuckled when she flinched slightly, then poured Zatanna's coffee.

Diana laughed. "Oh, do we all know Greek? Wonderful... and how did you know she didn't mean me? I'm pretty."

"Instincts, my dear, instincts." I smirked.

Zatanna accepted her coffee, and smiled at her friend. "Sorry, I should've warned you they were both Greek."

She chuckled. "No, it's my own fault for trying to talk behind their backs. Very rude of me, you have my apologies... and my mother and sister are the ones who cook, actually. I'm just the barista." She corrected me simply.

"Mm, and how pleased am I that you chose to be the store's front-woman... but I'm quite sure that you are not 'just' anything, my dear." I smiled and accepted the coffee she handed me, tasting it. "An Italian Blend with a triple-shot of espresso, my favorite... how'd you know?" I asked, honestly curious.

"Your Aura... and thank you." She smirked, and set a potent-smelling cup in front of Diana. "And for you, my hardest blend, no sugar or cream, with a single shot of espresso."

"You have good instincts, and my thanks." Diana nodded, then moved her cup as a woman who seemed an older, much daintier, (and blonde) version of the barista exited the back room, carrying a platter of food we hadn't ordered. "Ah, and a platter of my favorite breakfast foods, how wonderful! How did you make rack of lamb so quickly?"

The blonde woman smiled, a near-exact match to the younger barista's smile. "I started cooking it an hour ago, actually, though I wasn't sure why. Now I know! And for you, I've got an array of sausage, potato soup... and blackened chorizo...?" She asked, sounding confused as she placed a second platter in front of me.

I hummed, examining the food. "My mother always burned my breakfast. How curious that that's what I was craving today... though I suppose it makes sense, in a way. Thank you." I shook my head and tucked into the food.

I did my best to mind my manners, until my stomach growled so loud that the blonde woman, -who had already returned to the kitchen,- slowly leaned into the room, looking sincerely concerned. I blushed and kept my head down, eating quickly.

"That's a powerful stomach you got there! You're still hungry, though... Selena, another round of sausage, and some baked potatoes, that should do her stomach good... say twelve of each, to start with, and a 6oz steak, too." Kyra nodded.

Another woman, clearly the mother of the two women, stepped out of the kitchen swiftly. "Twelve of Each?!? That's... oh, no, you're right, she's still hungry! Oh I love a girl who can eat!!!" She rushed over and hugged me tightly, then disappeared into the kitchen, laughing happily as the sounds and smells of cooking food increased.

I smiled and finished what was on my plate, downing even the burned chorizo, and then accepted the new cup of coffee from the barista. "Thank you. And thank you, Zatanna... I needed a little bit of home, today."

She nodded. "I know. I don't have quite the same Third Eye as they do, but I knew you'd be missing home, after everything that's happened. So, my ulterior motives had ulterior motives!"

I laughed, accepting the massive platter of food from the older woman. "I appreciate that, Zatanna, I do! You sure you're not going to eat anything? Everything's been sublime so far!" I asked, and cut into one of the baked potatoes, which was already stuffed with all the fixings one would expect in a Greek house; goat cheese, sour cream, shredded lamb, and mushrooms, all of my favorites.

She shook her head. "No... they know what to make, but everything they make here reminds me of my... well, it's a lot, is all. The coffee is enough."

I hummed, and finished off the third potato in three large bites, hiding my mouth while I chewed. "Well, if you change your mind, I've got an extra baked potato here, if you like." I set one aside for her, then placed a sausage link into the slice in one potato, like a breakfast hotdog, eating that in three more big bites.

My stomach rumbled again, softer, as I finished the plate, and I sighed. "Really? You're still not satisfied? I just ate enough to feed a family of six! A Greek family of six!!!" I hissed at my stomach, and sighed when the mother placed a smaller platter of lamb chops in front of me, patting my back gently.

"Don't worry, darling, I'm sure you'll grow out of that appetite soon enough." She murmured, and returned to the kitchen.

"No, I won't. It's an unfortunate side-effect of my... situation." I retorted, glaring at my stomach, which barely looked distended, despite the huge amount of food inside of it. "I'll need to get a very good job to pay for my meals, that's for sure... or I'll just get the recipe from Bart for those ultra-carb protein bars of his... two of those filled me up for an entire day and a half!" I grinned at the thought.

"Yeah, those are expensive to make too, but much quicker to eat... or you can just eat here every day? I'll foot the bill, as I've taken responsibility for you, you'll get to eat home-cooked food instead of nasty protein bars, and they'll get to cook for you, so everyone wins!" Zatanna nodded sagely, sipping her coffee to hide her face.

The barista narrowed her eyes, and both women in the kitchen leaned out, glaring at her. "We do not accept charity, Zatanna Zatarra!" She growled, her voice deepening magically.

"Who said anything about charity? She needs food, and you need money; you feed her, and you get paid: Everyone Wins! It's not charity if you work for it, is it?" Zatanna shrugged.

Kyra hummed slowly. "I suppose you're correct... and mother will enjoy cooking for her, it's like cooking for an entire family again, every day, I bet..."

I blushed, ducking my head and chewing on my last piece of sausage morosely.

Diana patted my head gently. "It is alright, Erin, you cannot control your appetite any more than I can mine. It is natural for an Amazon to need to eat enough for ten men! After all, how else could you have the strength of ten men?!?" She chuckled softly.

"I didn't mean-... sorry, that came out a hair cattier than I intended." Kyra sighed, touching the back of my hand in apology.

"It's alright." I shrugged, and stood, cracking my back. "Well... I suppose I'll be back tomorrow, then? One meal like that a day should keep me going, hopefully. Next I need to find a place that makes some average-to-nice lace... my wardrobe is woefully empty of pretty lingerie, at the moment, and that's the one girly thing I allow myself."

The barista raised eyebrow slowly. "Lost your entire wardrobe? Ouch, that's gotta suck... There's a nice little shop on Main and Bakers Street, they can take care of you."

"Thanks, but I just need my measurements taken again, actually. I've gotten a little smaller, very recently, but I have the ability to make my own clothes, I just need them to fit properly." I grinned sheepishly, and looked up as the bell over the door dinged.

A beautiful silver-haired man stepped in, wearing Kevlar laced casual clothes and an eyepatch over his right eye, and sat down at the bar, next to me. "Hello, I'd like-"

"An Asian Red tea, bitter, but not acrid... I might have something for you..." she began routing around in her cupboards, and pulled out a small box of tea leaves. "Aha!"

He hummed. "Curious instincts, but I approve, thank you."

I sat down slowly, and hummed. "So, Slade Wilson... what would you like to talk about? You sought me out, despite your associate's promise not to reveal my identity. I thought better of her."

"She didn't break her promise at all, of course, and she doesn't know I'm here. The other members of her squad were wearing body-cameras, they always are. Ah, thank you!" He assured me, and accepted the cup of tea politely.

I sipped my coffee, thinking about that. "But to think you tracked me down after only my first name... I should be more careful with that information."

He hummed calmly. "Yes, you should indeed, the Name of a person is incredibly valuable information. But for you, it didn't lead me to you, it didn't lead me anywhere, in fact, something I was quite surprised about... no, I got my lead from one of your associates, one I recognized."

"Truly?" I raised an eyebrow, surprised.

"Of course. I have competed with him several times before, after all, so he is no stranger to me... I actually tracked his movements, not yours, as challenging as that is. From there it wasn't difficult to narrow down a search area, and you have to admit that your profile is rather-"

My knife tapped his throat gently, while I sipped my coffee. "Speak one word about my figure, Slade Wilson, and I will remove your vocal cords."

He nodded. "Ah Yes, that was rude of me; I meant no disrespect, of course."

The knife returned to its sheath, and I placed both hands on my coffee cup. "So, what do you want?"

"Well, your friends liberated a substantial amount of cargo from a friend of mine. I'd like it back." He shrugged.

"Mm... I don't like the assistants on that job, anyway... very rude, thuggish little toads, the lot of them. Have at them. I already gave back the one thing I took, the League demanded I return it to the Impound, and the Star City Branch of InterGang has the rest, unless they've sold it in less than a day... in which case it is all marked with a nanotracking mist, which you can negotiate with our mutual friend, the one you recognized, for the frequency to. Does that square us?" I asked, accepting a new cup of steaming coffee from Kyra.

"No. You wounded Lady Shiva, in Single Combat. And you wounded the Pride of the League of Shadows." He frowned.

"Whatever you're thinking of doing, we will not tear up this little diner; they do not have the money to repair it." I addressed him sternly, and stood up, walking to the door.

"Of course, I agree. Family-run restaurants and small businesses need to be protected, after all." I watched the reflection in the glass as he placed a stack of money on the counter, and then drew a pistol, aiming at me.

"I'd like to warn you, before you waste those bullets, that I am mostly bulletproof, as I'm a quarter-Kryptonian. Or, that's the current theory, at least; they haven't finished analyzing my DNA, yet. So unless those are kryptonite bullets... you coming?" I raised and eyebrow, looking over my shoulder, then opened the door, walking out with my cup of coffee still in my hand.

He holstered the gun, and followed, drawing a short staff from his jacket, which sprouted blades on either end. "So, Quarter Kryptonian, what powers come with that?"

"Not much. Bullet-resistant skin, strong bones, and not much else. I don't even have super-hearing." I laughed and sipped my coffee.

"So how'd you beat Lady Shiva?" He asked suspiciously.

"Just Skill. My abilities may be only two days old, Slade, but I have always been a Badass!" I grinned, and swung the coffee cup, spreading the boiling liquid in a burning arc, then pegged the ceramic cup at the bottom of the arch, where he'd have to dodge through to get through it without being burned.

Instead, he surprised me by taking the boiling liquid with little to no reaction, before groaning and placing his hands on his knees, as the cup shattered on his groin.

I waited a moment, watching as he slowly straightened his back, and raised an eyebrow. "That was meant for your face... you good to continue?"

He nodded stiffly. "I am... movement will help stretch it out a bit."

"Alright then... whenever you're ready." I hummed, and drew my knife again.

"Erin! You are not-... in costume!" Zatanna hissed, having stepped up to the door.

"I don't have a costume, Zatanna. Just make sure we don't harm any public or private property, Alright?" I chuckled, and leaned back as Deathstroke took a swipe at my throat. He struck with the reverse end, and I ducked, blocking his raised knee with my forearms, then skipping backwards, brushing off the small explosive he'd planted on my collar. "Stop playing games, Deathstroke. You know that I more than held my own against Lady Shiva; I'm not some punk you can knock around with parlor tricks."

He bowed his head, taking a different stance. "You're right, I apologize. I recall you berating her for arrogance, as well, and I will not make the same mistake as her." He reached into a pocket for something, and I stepped into him at full speed.

He flinched, twisting out of the way as I went for his wrist, intent on crushing it before he pulled out whatever he'd been reaching for.

I dodged his reflexive kick, tsk'ing at the missed opportunity to wound him, and then caught his weapon, ripping it out of his hand and snapping it over my knee. "Clearly you aren't underestimating me, but you're still not challenging me... why? Pride is such a stupid reason to attack someone, and the League of Shadows is many things, but Stupid isn't one of them..."

He grinned, drawing a machete from under his suit jacket. "You are correct."

"So it's a matter of reputation? Your masters, the Light, don't like the competition, and they sent you to end me? I thought Lady Shiva was the Enforcer?" I grinned at his look of shock, and laughed. "Oh, I see, did she not tell you? I know lots of things I shouldn't... Ah! Is it that they know she lost, and so they sent you, instead?"

He leapt forward silently, the sword flashing out a number of times in a short period of time, almost as fast as Lady Shiva had been, though more varied. She had mastered a few martial forms and sword arts, whereas he had dabbled in a little of everything, managing to merge it all into something new entirely, something unpredictable, and honestly downright interesting.

I smiled and continued to dodge, aware of my surroundings as we entered an alley, slightly more out of sight than the street in broad daylight. "Ahh, an ambush? Cute." I leapt straight upwards, landing on the lip of the buildings on either side of the alley, and laid into the four ninja on that rooftop with me as he made his way up with a number of well-executed leaps.

I gathered all four of their swords, and threw them at the general area he would exit the alley onto the rooftops, just as he came into view, and he twisted in a beautiful display of flexibility and acrobatics, dodging all four, before my boot connected with his stomach, launching him across the gap to skid along the gravel floor of the other rooftop.

"Pretty acrobatics, very impressive. I don't think I could have done that, even if I were as thin as you... but that can't really be all you brought to fight me? I'm insulted." I sighed, feigning boredom and examining the nearby rooftops and the sky above me casually. No buildings were close enough or high enough for snipers, in this little city, and I didn't see any low-flying planes...

"Well, we wouldn't want that, would we?" He coughed softly, and a massive beast of a man with cracked grey skin landed on the rooftop next to him, then roared savagely in my direction, while a woman with a figure somewhat reminiscent of mine and rose tattoos landed on the one directly behind me, each followed by a number of ninja wielding guns and swords.

"Awwwwe, you do respect me!!!" I blew him a kiss, laughing.