Dick didn't really believe in corporal punishment, especially in regards to his daughter, but Xaviere figured he had to have considered it after he came home that night. The cellphone was taken away and Alfred was given explicit orders to not let her outside of the mansion without his permission. He was extra frustrated after she gave him the disabled bomb she'd taken with her, and seemed to recognize it instantly. But he never told her who the person behind it was. Two fuck ups in one day never went over well, and though he ended up dropping her punishment two days later, it didn't mean the yelling hadn't hurt any less. It seemed like it was all he did anymore.
That, on top of the quietness in both her school life and hero affairs the last few days made them absolutely miserable, plus her father was on "speedster watch" since those two always had trouble follow them, and he didn't want to pay for any more damage to pizza parlors. So hanging out with Nathan was out of the question. Karen had pissed her off, so she was, too. Her and Clarence had a... touchy sibling relationship, if you'd even consider it one at all. And Ranger was... nice but... distant. Other young heroes she'd made acquaintances with were either unapproved by Dick, or he simply had to keep them on the down low. So she'd occupied her time with trying to discover this secret person, and who they were. Why had he known them? Who was he? More importantly, why did her father seem hesitant? Too many questions, too many files, not nearly enough time. But she'd find it out eventually, even if it did kill her.
Christmas morning was boring. Dick wasn't even there, all he did was leave her a dress and a few small pieces of jewelry in the living room, which had to have been expensive no matter the size. "Some Christmas..." She sighed. He always had hero work on days like this, it made them seem extra lonely. Not like they weren't lonely before. She had roamed the big empty mansion, nibbling on some of the food he'd had prepared for the night and insisting to the house maids she'd help clean up, there was nothing better to do. After it begun to get a bit later, she asked one of the maids to do her hair and help her into her dress, which felt uncomfortable, but Dick was all about appearances.
So that's why she scolded him when he returned minutes before they let the guests in, and stood quietly beside him, not speaking, most of the time he was chatting away with house guests. Every once in a while she glanced to the door, hoping someone from the league or one of her friends would show, so she'd be less alone. A rich man who owned a large number of companies had caught her father's attention, and insisted her and his son talk, which Dick happily agreed to (much to Xaviere's dismay). He pulled her away and they began talking in the corner, each of them with a drink in their hand. Even the ones for children were in fancy glasses... It looked rather like wine. She wished it was. Maybe if she drank enough, she'd die.
"You know, my father just signed another contract. 500 new stores... Impressive, huh? You know, I think our father's two companies would be lovely together, he could create new items to sell at my father's stores. We'd be top of the market." Was he implying something?
This fucking sucks.When someone spoke French behind her, she recognized his voice almost instantly, and turned, lifting an eyebrow at her brother. "Un peu lent aujourd'hui, Clarence?*" Xaviere asked with a smirk, glad someone had rescued her from this awful situation. "I'll see you later." She brushed the other boy off, and quickly pulled Clarence away. "Thank fuck, I thought he was going to like, try to marry me or something. I hate these rich person parties."
(*Translation: A bit slow today, Clarence?)