The Right Side of Wrong

Big Pasta Dinner: Part 1

Veronica's POV:

For the last few days, I've had these nightmares about glimpses of a skull-like figure, which causes me to wake up earlier than usual. Granted, I have three babies, so I'm usually up pretty early, but these days, I'm getting up at least two hours earlier than usual. It turns out that Harley's been having them, too, so maybe this has something to do with a forgotten memory or something else outside our subconscious.

So, having gotten up super early again, I'm making a second batch of coffee for when Riddler wakes up while keeping a close watch on the baby monitor when Harley calls me.

Me: *over the phone* "'Sup, sis?"

Harley: *over the phone* "Hey, so two things. One: King Shark's busy with under-the-sea king stuff, so we're babysitting Shaun again. Feel free to bring the triplets over for another playdate. Two: Did you get a party invite from Bruce recently?"

Me: *over the phone* "Oh, yeah! I almost forgot. Wait, did he say I didn't RSVP? 'Cause if so, I can call him now and fix it. Mom brain, y'know?"

Harley: *over the phone* "Nope, he says you did, so you're good."

Me: *sighs over the phone* "So I haven't completely lost my mind."

Harley: *over the phone* "No more than I have. However, have you been having the nightmares again?"

Me: *over the phone* "Yes, but they're becoming less frequent, and they're not as bad as the Scarecrow ones, so I'm fine, Harls. Really. How about you?"

Harley: *over the phone* "Yeah, except mine always end with me waking up covered in piss."

Me: *over the phone* "Yeah, that one's all you, sis. Hold on. The invite said it was a meet-and-greet for the tenants, but I'm not a tenant."

Harley: *over the phone* "Yeah, but you're my sister, and he probably thought I'd be more likely to come if you were invited, too. Plus, we did help him through some dark PTSD shit, so he owes us."

Me: *over the phone* "True. I'll talk to Riddler if he has anything planned for tonight, but if not, I'll be there. Good luck with the little dude. Love you!"

Harley: *over the phone* "Love you more!" *blows kiss & hangs up*

{Time skip}

Riddler was free to stay home with the kids tonight, so I'm meeting Harley, Ivy, Frank, & Shaun outside their apartment. Shaun is now wearing a leash.

Shaun: "I love my new necklace!"

Harley: "It's not a necklace. It is a leash to make sure you don't eat anything you're not supposed to. No shower heads, sinks, toilets--"

Frank: "Elderly plants living out their last of days. Mm, mm, mm."

When the elevator door opens on Bruce's floor, we find that Lois Lane is here, as is Damian and our host, Bruce.

Me: "Uh, where is everyone?"

Bruce: "This is everyone. The other condos are owned by Saudi businessmen who don't actually live here."

Ivy: "Lois, you have a condo here?"

Lois: "Bruce, uh, gifted it to Superman for his birthday."

Bruce: "I only let people I trust live here."

Then, Joker and his stepdaughter, Sophia, enter the room.