Who: Iris What: Life choices (Narrative) Where: Passages and Anton's home When: Today Warnings/Rating: It's Iris, so some angst
The second time Iris got pulled back through to Las Vegas, she looked around the hotel hallway and took stock of things. The Manor's condition had deteriorated drastically while she'd kept Alfred on the Vegas side of the door, and even with the two full days he'd spent in Gotham, things still weren't back to the way they should be. More than simply that, the people on his side obviously needed him, moreso than anyone had been willing to tell her. Moreso, in fact, than anyone needed her on her own side of the door at this point. The guilt of that weighed heavy in her stomach and joined the wrenching feelings already in residence due to her other recent actions. Key in hand, she glanced back at the heavy door to Wayne Manor and made up her mind. But there were things that needed doing first.
She returned to Anton's home and winced at the condition of the room she'd been staying in, ashamed of it. Slowly, she began to tidy, to pick things up and replace them properly, tossing her bedding in the laundry as she did so. While she was waiting for it to run its cycles, she showered, made herself as presentable as possible even though no one would be seeing much of her. The routine of getting ready was soothing in its own way, as was putting on one of her favorite dresses. The bed was remade once the laundry was done, and when everything was complete, the room barely looked like she'd been spending the past weeks without leaving it. In fact, it barely looked like anyone had been staying there at all.
The taxi she'd called for was simply that - a taxi. Not one of the cars that she could have requested that would have ferried her to the hotel in a luxurious back seat and tinted windows. But simply a city cab with a driver that overcharged her. She didn't complain as she handed over the bills, letting the man think he'd gotten away with something. She'd thought about having him stop at a pet store, to pick up something for Damian's new kitten, but with a firm resolve she reminded herself that she was no longer pretending to be part of the lives on the other side of the door. If the kitten received toys, they would be from someone in Gotham.
Once she reached the hotel, she found a chair in the lobby and sat down to send a note. That done, she headed up the stairs and back through the door to Wayne Manor.