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[bodilesswarrior]

She panics, at first, when she wakes in a strange room. It's been months since the Hatter took her - almost a year - but she'll never forget what it was like.

But she knew, back then, she had to think like a cop. And cops don't panic. (Or the good ones, anyway. The ones like her dad.) So she slows her breathing down, and examines the place. She moves like her sensei taught her, smooth and silent, ready to strike at a moment's notice.

Only there's nothing to hit. No grumbling henchman, no cackling madmen. No fellow captors to help, either. Just empty rooms, full but neat, brimming with a life she doesn't know. Somehow, it all makes her feel comfortable - safe - but she doesn't trust the emotion.

She's ready to backtrack, see if she missed anything conspicuous, when she hears a curious meow. So she turns, brow furrowing, towards the couch -

"Jonesy?" No, it's not, it can't be, except the little grey cat leaps over and into her arms, purring like a freight train.

Alice all over again, she thinks as she nuzzles a lost hope, but this Wonderland is much better so far.


[Filtered to Kids]

[She's stalked on the network some - enough to know she's not the only kid here, and most of the adults are at least acting friendly. Some she trusts immediately, for reasons she can't comprehend.

But that doesn't mean there's no danger here. Cabin 219 is her next stop, to see if it really is safe (and also play with robots) - but first, she needs to do this.

She smiles, and it doesn't show nearly as much nerves as she thought it might.]

Hey, everyone, my name's Barbara. I wish I could tell you what's going on, but I'm...still working on that. [She'll get it, though. There are computers in her room!] But either way - I think we all need to be careful. We need to look out for each other.

So - try not to go anywhere alone. I thought maybe we could set up...like a buddy system. Younger kids with older ones.

((Barbara is fourteen years old! Her responses will come from flawedgem.))

Comments

[ Filter ]

[surfaceshine]

That's a damn good idea. I'm in.

Re: [ Filter ]

[flawedgem]

Yeah? [She's grinning, a little shyly. She knows she's good planner - tactician, Dad would say - but most of her peers don't exactly appreciate it.] Thanks. ...It'd probably help if we had a headcount, though. How many kids have you talked to?

[ Filter ]

[surfaceshine]

[Dean is not most peers. Dean is someone used to having someone barking orders at him and having a plan ready to hand, if one can be ready to hand.

Not his strong suit, although the corner of his mouth quirks in reply to her grin.]

Half a dozen at least - almost that many older'n me that think they know what's going on but can't answer any questions straight.

[bornonthefourth]

I've got a buddy already, miss.

[flawedgem]

[First compliments, now Miss. She's not blushing, you're blushing!!] Maybe you could take a third, some time? If you both already trust each other.

[andidomeanrun]

We can do just fine on our own.

[bornonthefourth]

Uh, maybe, yeah. [Let him work on Bucky a little, Steve can be pretty convincing.]

[runslikethewind]

That's a brilliant idea, ma'am.

[Yes, "ma'am" because she's taking charge. Sylvanas respects a good plan.]

[flawedgem]

[Not blushing!!]

Thanks. I just - I want to keep everyone safe. It what my dad would do.

[Filter]

[clockworkflower]

[Lilith approves of this girl.]

You're smart. My dogs and me'll help. Last time I was here the big man with tentacles tried to pinch me and Victor with his big lobster claws but we beat him up.

Victor's not here this time. But I've got big dogs.

[Filter]

[flawedgem]

[Her eyes light up. Dogs! She's never had dogs.] Do they like cats? 'Cause -

[Jonesy pops her head up, whiskers brushing the screen.] She's small, but she's got mean claws. And she listens pretty well. ...I mean, when she wants to.

[...Wait, hold up.] Tentacles?

[venturemistborn]

I don't need one.

[flawedgem]

...You sure? [She sounds sceptical - mostly because she's said the same thing and she was wrong - but then, who really knows.]

Could you protect someone else?

[Filter]

[maced_eggs]

Bugger off. I ain't watching any kids.

[Filter]

[flawedgem]

[Finally, someone combative! It's kind of comforting.

Mind you, she's scowling anyway.]

Then you can fend for yourself. In the space ship prison.

filter

[andidomeanrun]

Steve Rogers is with me.

[Which he's maybe saying a tiny bit like "if anyone's got a problem with that, I'll sock you", which is probably unnecessary. But.]

filter

[flawedgem]

[Lightning connections is what her mind does, so - ] Tiny blond kid?

[brothermayi]

I don't need a buddy. [>:[!!]

[flawedgem]

[Okay, no benefit of the doubt this time, tiny child.

But she knows better than to just say yes you do.]

I don't know, wouldn't it be nice to have someone taller around?

[ichoosefight]

Barbara?

[ Okay, this is a little weird, because how many redheads named Barbara have that tone? But she's seen enough of the other kids to know better than to try and convince her of... well, anything. ]

I'm Steph. You sound like you're from Gotham.

[ And if she's mistaken, well, it's not like she's lying about the accent. ]

[flawedgem]

[Her eyes go wide, and she grins.] Yeah? I've been working on that. [She clung to her Ohio accent for a while, but it made her stand out in ways she didn't like. And anyway - she wants to sound like her parents.]

You're - suburbs, right?

[kids filter]

[notagirlygirl]

[Allison frowns a little, looking distressed.]

I can't pick a buddy, Miss Barbara! I have so many! What's gonna happen to the rest of my friends if I just pick one! Then they won't be safe!

[These are Very Serious Concerns.]

[kids filter]

[flawedgem]

[Oh no, she's adorable.

Barbara's smile is wide and warm.]

You've just gotta trust other people to protect them. And if they don't, they answer to you. [Clearly the fiercest of them all.]

[mukashimukashi]

[She's read plenty of books about kidnapped orphans and street urchins: there's always a teenager who takes over, for good or ill, and they overcome the bad guys. Even if Touko didn't wake up tied up or gagged and hasn't seen or heard from a single "bad guy" yet, she has to play along so this can end like all those other stories. Everyone will find better parents this way.]

Are they trying to make us think we're safe by making it fun? Is that what you think?

[flawedgem]

Maybe, yeah. [A slight shrug. She hates to say she doesn't know, but...well, she doesn't.] Maybe they're all just nice, but...maybe they're all just sneaky.

Or - it could be a mix. Either way, we don't know who we can trust.