TLV 5 - Video

[bodilesswarrior]

[Barbara is twirling a pen round her fingers with careless dexterity as she leans back in her wheelchair, gaze distant.]

I was going to talk about being a Warden and the responsibilities it entails and the sort of things we need to commit to when we agree to come on board this ship.

[She shakes her head, as the pen spins faster.]

But the truth is I'm not sure if I even have a right to be here. I barely address my own issues, half the time. I know they're there, of course, but there's always something more important.

And when it comes to other people... [A low, bitter laugh.] I ended my engagement over the phone. Didn't even tell him why.

I've used the people I love most. I've manipulated them. I've made them face near certain death, horrific trauma, brutal violence. All because of the mission. The greater good.

[The pen snaps, and she lets the pieces fall.]

Sometimes I think I'm a better vigilante than I am a person, and that's not what the Barge needs.

Comments

[mistconduct]

...This flood's stopped being fun now.

[bodilesswarrior]

[She smiles, faint but soft.] I'm pretty sure you're a better kid than you think you are.

[mistconduct]

Well we all know that's a fucking lie, but okay.

Seriously, get off this thing, it will fuck up your shit.

[bodilesswarrior]

It's not. You act tough, which is more endearing than anything, frankly, but once you've met someone like the Joker - well. I know what evil is and you're not it.

[mistconduct]

Okay, first, I never said I was fucking evil. Second, it's the fucking Joker. There are different levels of evil and I just. What. It's the Joker! Nobody compares.

And third, it's fucking embarrassing to be called endearing. I'm. No. God damn it, stop.

[bodilesswarrior]

Yeah, that's true. I probably should have used Penguin or something.

And...sorry. If it helps, I call Batman endearing.

[mistconduct]

You're seriously going to compare us. What. Why couldn't I have been someone cool?

It. I guess. Batman could kick my ass without even trying.

[bodilesswarrior]

Well, I'm saying you're not Penguin, here. I'm sure if you were you'd have a cooler theme.

Yeah, but I don't think he would.

[mistconduct]

Fucking right I would! I have a way better costume. Any asshole can wander around with a tux and an umbrella.

No, he would. He's pretty badass.

[bodilesswarrior]

Hey, it's still better than mustard.

Part of being badass is knowing when you don't have to fight.

[mistconduct]

Mustard. The fuck.

That's very zen.

[bodilesswarrior]

[Smirk.] The Condiment King.

Yeah, I guess that happens when you're trained by Richard Dragon. There's a reason he's one of the best fighters in the world, though.

[mistconduct]

I must have missed that one. Seriously, what the shit.

...Dude, shut up. It's not cool to go revealing secrets of other people.

[bodilesswarrior]

They just don't make 'em like that anymore.

What? That was one of my secrets. Apparently I'm just spilling them all over the place.

[mistconduct]

I will come find you and I will fucking take your communicator away.

Seriously. I'll fucking do it. You don't think I can take you but I've got the element of fucking surprise on my hands. You'll just be fucking sitting there and ten seconds later I kick in from the ceiling.

[bodilesswarrior]

Chris, you just told me your plan of action.

Besides, I'm in my control room. The ceiling's reinforced.

I figured I should do that after Huntress came in that way.

[mistconduct]

Or was that a way to alert you of which direction I'm coming from so that I could fucking tunnel under the floor? You don't know!

....Hah, shit. Yeah, that. I guess that must happen a lot where you work.