[CENTER][COLOR=GRAY][SUB][sub][h3][I]"Each time I fail to think about death, I have the impression of cheating, of deceiving someone in me.”[/I][/h3][/sub][/SUB][/COLOR]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/km81XDk.jpg?2[/img][/CENTER]
[COLOR=black][indent][sub][B]Location:[/B] [COLOR=#FF3B2D][I]Newtown[/I] - [I]Miagani Island, Gotham City[/I][/COLOR][/sub][sup][right][b]One Night to Kill the Bat #2.02:[/b] [COLOR=#FF3B2D][I]Full House[/I][/COLOR][/right][/sup][/indent][/color][sub][hr][/sub][INDENT][color=black][sub][B]Interaction(s):[/B] [COLOR=#FF3B2D][I]None[/I][/COLOR][/sub][SUP][RIGHT][b]Previously:[/b] [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4954042][COLOR=#FF3B2D][I]Two Pair[/I][/COLOR][/url][/right][/SUP][/color]
[INDENT][color=#808080]The colourful box was hoisted into the air before the open end was tilted towards the empty bowl. Sugary cereal bounced against the ceramic creating a rhythmic tinging noise, stopping only once the dish was over flowing onto the counter.

[color=#dd7e6b]“Mom,”[/color] The voice of Matthew McGinnis asked, [color=#dd7e6b]“Can you pass the milk?”[/color] 

Walking away from the oven, Mary opened the fridge before passing a carton across the island to her younger son. Quickly turning back to the stove, she continued to distract herself with the pan of sizzling bacon. 

[color=#dd7e6b]“You, uh, okay?”[/color] Matt asked between mouthfuls of cereal. 

[color=#f9cb9c]“I’m fine.”[/color] She answered. Then she shook her head, placing the spatula in her hand down on the stove. [color=#f9cb9c]“I’m just a little frustrated that your brother decided to bring home a girl on today of all days.”[/color]

[color=#dd7e6b]“Terr’s got a girl upstairs?” [/color]The younger teen exclaimed. [color=#dd7e6b]“Did he and Dana get back together?”[/color]

[color=#f9cb9c]“It’s not Dana, Matt.”[/color]

[color=#dd7e6b]“Oh [i]great[/i],”[/color] He swallowed before continuing. [color=#dd7e6b]“Terry brought home a rebound on Dad’s day?”[/color] Matt complained before shoving another spoonful of cereal into his mouth. [color=#dd7e6b]“Want me to get him up?”[/color]

[color=#f9cb9c]“I don’t think you need to worry about that,”[/color] Mary replied coldly.[color=#f9cb9c] “Just finish your breakfast, you’ve still got school.”[/color]

[color=#dd7e6b]“Take all my fun away.”[/color] The boy grumbled as he picked up the nearly empty bowl. Loudly slurping the remaining milk, he wiped his face on his sleeve and placed the empty dish in the sink. The stairs adjacent to the kitchen suddenly creaked. Matt and Mary both turned to look, each watching for Terry and his guest to make their descent.

[color=#dd7e6b]“Oh,”[/color] Matt muttered recognizing Melanie almost immediately. [color=#dd7e6b]“It’s [i]her[/i].”[/color]

[color=#f9cb9c]“Matthew!”[/color] Mary scolded. 

[color=#dd7e6b]“She’s literally a member of the Royal Flush Gang, Mom!”[/color] Matt retorted.

[color=#a64d79]“Former,” [/color]Melanie interjected. [color=#a64d79]“I haven’t been part of the ‘[i]family business[/i]’ for several years.”[/color] She explained before sitting down in Matt’s former seat. [color=#a64d79]“You leave any Fruity Pebbles?”[/color]

Matt scoffed before walking away with a roll of his eyes. Heavy steps echoed up the stairway as the younger boy left the room, leaving Terry and Melanie once again alone with Mary. 

[color=#ff3b2d]“He’s in a [i]pleasant[/i] mood today,”[/color] Terry muttered only to be silenced by a look from Mary. 

[color=#f9cb9c]“Given the date, I think we can excuse his attitude,”[/color] Mary stated placing a plate in front of her older son. [color=#f9cb9c]“You could at least be a bit more considerate of his feelings.”[/color]

[color=#a64d79]“Y’know,”[/color] Melanie spoke up, [color=#a64d79]“I think it’d be best if I leave. I have to get to work early to check in on the prep crew.”[/color] She explained before standing. Giving Terry a peck on the cheek, followed up with a squeeze to his shoulder.
 
[color=#a64d79]“Catch ya later, Stud,”[/color]

[color=#ff3b2d]“Bye, Babe,”[/color] Terry called between mouthfuls. The second the door closed, Mary turned to address her son.

[color=#f9cb9c]“I’m glad you’re moving on, Terry,”[/color] She started,[color=#f9cb9c] “But did she have to spend the night on today of all days? You can’t tell me you’ve forgotten-”[/color]

[color=#ff3b2d]“I know it’s Dad’s Day.”[/color] Terry answered coldly. [color=#ff3b2d]“I don’t see how this justifies you and Matt running Mel out of here.”[/color]

[color=#f9cb9c]“Today is about family, Melanie’s not family, she’s-”[/color]

[color=#ff3b2d]“A reformed criminal?”[/color] Terry asked, [color=#ff3b2d]“Guess what Mom, so am I! People deserve second chances!”[/color]

[color=#f9cb9c]“The Royal Flush Gang, the Sons of Batman, the [i]Jokerz[/i],”[/color] Marry stated, a venomous emphasis on the last word. [color=#f9cb9c]“We’ve already had so many negative influences in Matt’s life, and without his father around, I just don’t want to keep exposing him to that world.”[/color]

[color=#ff3b2d]“I mean, it is Gotham, Mom,”[/color] Terry replied flatly, motioning towards the city outside.

[color=#f9cb9c]“Then maybe it’s time to leave Gotham behind,”[/color] Mary replied, crossing her arms. 

[color=#ff3b2d]“Mom, you can’t be serious.”[/color] 

[color=#f9cb9c]“I am, Terry. I’m sick of this city taking from us. I’ve had one son in jail and lost my husband; I won’t stay here and see that darkness envelop Matt as well.”[/color] 

[color=#ff3b2d]“Mom, don’t make a rash decision--”[/color]

[color=#f9cb9c]“You mean like dating the first former criminal that comes in your life, Terry?”[/color] She challenged, [color=#f9cb9c]“Dana was a good girl. Whatever happened between you two?” [/color]

Terry shot a glare towards his mother before carefully choosing his next words. 

[color=#ff3b2d]“Dana always needed to be my first priority, but between working for Mr. Wayne and school, it simply wasn’t possible,”[/color] Terry explained. [color=#ff3b2d]“She couldn’t move past the fact that I wasn’t at her beck and call every waking minute.”[/color]

[color=#f9cb9c]“Sometimes I forget just how much like your father you really are,”[/color] His mother replied. A small smile crept across her lips as she spoke, but Terry could see the pain and sadness behind her eyes. Terry opened his mouth to respond only to be saved by the ringing of his cellphone. 

[color=#f9cb9c]“You can answer it,”[/color] Mary stated gesturing towards Terry’s pocket. Slowly nodding, Terry pulled the device out his pocket and looked down at the display. Dana’s ears must have been burning.  

[color=#ff3b2d]“Hey what’s u--”[/color] Terry answered, Dana almost immediately talking over him. 

[color=#add8e6]“Are you busy?”[/color]

[color=#ff3b2d]“Not at this moment.” [/color]

[color=#add8e6]“Good,”[/color] Dana replied.[color=#add8e6] “Do you have one of Mr. Wayne’s cars?”[/color]

[color=#ff3b2d]“Yeah,”[/color] Terry responded with a tone of confusion.[color=#ff3b2d] “I think I have the Jag at the apartment.”[/color]

[color=#add8e6]“Duke is busy, would you be able to pick up Chelsea and me from the hospital?”[/color] Dana asked, though her tone left Terry wondering if he had a choice. 

[color=#ff3b2d]“I’ll be there in fifteen.”[/color][/COLOR][/INDENT][/INDENT][sub][hr][/sub][INDENT][COLOR=BLACK][sub][COLOR=#2c2c2c]Placeholder[/color][/sub][SUP][RIGHT][b]Next Issue:[/b] [COLOR=#FF3B2D][I]Burned Hand[/I][/COLOR][/right][/SUP][/color][/INDENT]