[center][color=00746b][h1][b] T O X I N[/b][/h1][/color][/center]

[i]Toxin's Chemistry Lab,
The Justice League Watchtower[/i]

[indent]When not on a mission, she was Hannah. She would be found in her lab, away from everyone else usually. Tonight was no different. She had been finding it hard to shake the feelings of failure since she was scolded over her actions on the mission. She kept replaying the conversation in her mind, her confidence was damaged. She had always been one to excel in the field, to follow instruction to the letter, she didn't know why it had been so different on the last one. 

She sighed and ran her hands through her hair, her laptop playing a melancholy ballad softly in the background, her python, Amadeo curled up around her feet. She couldn't quite focus on the papers she was reading. Something about what they had found in Mexico. She was reading it, but it simply wasn't sinking in. The words were being read and then discarded before being processed. It was a strange feeling for her, normally she had such a strong understanding of anything she read. But now, there was a turmoil within her. Pangs of guilt. [i]Someone could have been hurt...[/i] she thought to herself, growing tense again. Amadeo sensed it, and raised his head, eyes glued to hers. 

"I'm alright..." She said to him, his tongue flickered out momentarily before he lowered his head once more. Even this was madness, she hadn't spoken to anyone since receiving the lashing - just Amadeo, and he couldn't exactly talk back. 

"What am I going to do?" she asked the Python. He didn't respond.

"I could just go and speak to Perseus himself... I just want to know that it's all okay now, you know?". Amadeo remained silent and unmoved.

"No. He's much too busy for me."

"I could go and see Therma. I know she was in trouble too... But I bet it would just become a pity party for the two of us, wouldn't it?"

"I mean... I wasn't even trying to be reckless on purpose. I just thought I was helping. Those people were in so much pain..."

She thought back to them - their faces. It was their eyes -- wide and horror struck. She had thought about them every day since returning. Finally, she inhaled deeply and let her focus drift to the window. Soft snow was gathering on the windowsill, it was peaceful outside, at least. Civilians were still on a high from the festivities. People were still full of joy and anticipation for the year to come, Hannah wished she could feel the same. 

"I suppose that all I can do is work. I can put this all behind me if I can work out these compounds and present something useful." She sat up, and gently uncoiled Amadeo from her feet. He was heavy, he had been given a generous feed for Christmas and New Year. Being moved elicited another movement from him, he booped at Hannah's arms with his nose playfully. "What would I do without you?" she asked, and once again, the Python did not respond. 

She made her way over to her desk. Ready to do [i]something[/i]. She placed the papers out in front of her, and got to work. 


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