Who: Barbara & Darcy What: Random meeting at Speed dating. Where: After Speed Dating. When: Saturday [Backdated!] Warnings: Low. Status: Match up/Completed gdoc
There had been no reason for Barbara to sign up for speed dating. While she and Dick hadn’t put any labels on anything, she wasn’t interested in finding herself another guy. That didn’t mean she couldn’t come and watch the whole event take place. For the most part, it was to support the people who she knew signed up, hoping they had a good night with some fun dates. A smaller part of her would be lying if she said she wasn’t also watching for some drama. Hey, with some of the personalities, it was very possible there’d be some drama! If someone got slapped, it’d make for a very interesting night, and there was no way she’d miss an opportunity like that.
When the event was over, she rolled over to order herself a beer. Noticing the woman who organized the whole thing, Barbara took a sip of her beer before rolling herself over to Darcy. "Looks like tonight was a success from what I could see. And it seems like most people had a good time," she couldn’t say all, considering she saw a few who looked like they would rather murder their dates than go for a second one.
Darcy grinned at the woman who greeted her. “I’m pleased to say that I’ve done this maybe a dozen times now and we haven’t had any violence.” Of course, now that she’d said it, there would probably be something insane that happened at the next event. She’d deal with it if and when it happened. “There have been some real relationships started from speed dating too. Up to weddings and kids.” It was a point of pride for her.
“You weren’t participating though,” she said. “How come?”
That was definitely something worth bragging about cause she knew there were some people who had no problem choosing violence as an answer. The fact Darcy had done it that many times and no violence, it was a surprise in a good way. Unless you were looking for a little drama, which even with how she was hoping for a bit of entertainment of the drama type, she would choose people having fun rather than choosing violence. “Have there really?” Barbara asked with a slightly impressed look. “If I’m being honest, I didn’t really think speed dating worked for anything serious.”
Still, she knew she’d never attend one, especially back home unless she decided to make a journey out of Gotham for one. “I have a situationship?” Barbara was pretty sure that was the right word and her questioning tone gave away how she was questioning the word choice. “I think I’ve seen on the network, you’re getting married? Did you meet your husband-to-be through this event?”
If anyone understood situationships, it was Darcy. Her life was full of them before Haymitch and Steve. She was going to ask more questions until the other woman brought up her impending wedding, making Darcy grin. “Yes, just a few more weeks,” she said. “And, no, Steve and I are from the same universe… though we never met at home…” It was hard to explain how a previous version of him was one of her best friends, so much that she’d named her daughter after him. Falling in love with this version was an unexpected, yet completely welcome surprise.
“We’ve got a lot of friends in common,” she said. That seemed like a safe enough explanation. “I do hope you’ll come. Everyone is welcome. With as many people as we both know, it seemed silly to limit the guest list.”
The look that appeared at Barbara's mention of Darcy's wedding caused a smile to appear on her own face. It was cute and sweet to see someone happy and excited for their wedding, which should be the normal reaction, but she’d seen some surprising reactions from people or overheard some when people talked about marriage. "Are you nervous, excited, or a little bit of both?" Hearing about how she and Steve were from the same world but never met was different. Or at least, it was for her since she hadn’t been around as long as some. "Do you know if back in your world whether you two were close to the same point in time or not when brought here?" She asked, turning her chair slightly before taking a sip of her drink. "I’m happy you two were able to meet here, and that you had a lot of friends in common to make it possible."
Barbara knew better than anyone the task of trying to find safe explanations. It was something she’d done for most of her life and was quite good at it, if she did say so herself. "Are you sure? I’d hate to impose on your big day. But yeah, I’ve noticed it’s easy to end up knowing a lot of people the longer you’re around here." Even with people coming and going, Barbara saw how easily one could end up knowing a lot of people.
“Absolutely, we’re planning a huge bash,” Darcy assured her. They’d put an open invite on the network the week before to remind everyone and let any new arrivals know. It would be a fun time and a great opportunity to meet people.
She tilted her head to the side, thinking about Barbara’s question. “Pretty close to the same time,” she said. “At least memory wise. Sometimes people go home for a while and come back. Sometimes people wake up with a bunch of new memories. You never know what might happen around here.”
“Sounds like a great time,” Barbara told her, and it really did. People around here had no problem with finding an excuse to party and she figured a lot might show up whether it was because they knew the ones getting married or to party was up for debate. “Thank you for the invite, I’ll be sure to come by. I’ll even try to convince Dick to come along with me,” she didn’t think it’d be that hard to get him to go. “Are there any specific gifts you two were wanting? And,” she held up one hand as if to stop her, “just in case you were thinking of saying how none were wanted, it’s happening. Either you choose and give me some ideas or I’ll choose.” Trying to make her tone sound like that would be such a horrible decision on her part.
Barbara nodded, “Yeah, my best friend’s ward before being sent back home had been sent and returned with new memories. As for you two, who knows maybe there is a chance you guys could meet back home in your world?” Was it possible? Barbara had no idea, but hey, there was always a chance. “Either way you two have one another here, and I’m wishing you two the best of luck.”
Darcy chuckled when Barbara cut off her protest that they did not need presents. “Honestly, there’s nothing we need,” she said. “If you feel the need to do something, you can donate to a local charity in our names. Or if you really want to give us something, a dinner out some night would be useful.” With how long they’d been around, they had pretty much everything they could want or need.
“Ah, unfortunately I don’t think that’s likely,” she said. She wasn’t entirely sure what was going on with Steve back home, but she knew that he was out of the public eye and there were some crazy rumors about where he was. “But we’re here together and that’s what matters.”
Barbara had to give Darcy a lot of credit for the charity idea because she knew that could go a long way for any charity. It was a nice move, and that really had Barbara respect. “I think I could definitely donate to a local charity for you guys as a wedding gift. But any specific place for dinner out?” Barbara could see which way she felt like going, and decide as it got closer to see what she was feeling. Though she was thankful for the invite, and would definitely make an appearance.
A small frown appeared on hearing that it was unlikely for them back in their worlds. “That’s all that matters and I wish you two the very best. Though I should stop hogging all your time since I’m sure others would probably want to say something to you.” Barbara had enjoyed the conversation, and would make a note to reach out again at some point.
There were a few people that Darcy wanted to connect with to see how their dates went, particularly her son. “Anywhere but the casino,” she said with a chuckle. They ate enough meals there while working. Well, she did. Steve wasn’t there as often now that he had the daycare up and running.
“It was nice meeting you,” she said. “I hope we get to talk again soon.”