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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

[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.

[runslikethewind]

Your father must be a very wise man. You're smart to follow his example, as I think everyone would be to follow yours. Do you think we should take a head count?

[flawedgem]

[Her voice softens, a little bit.] He is.

And - yeah, definitely. We've gotta keep track of everyone.

[runslikethewind]

Alright then. We should probably make a list of names with ages and perhaps a general description. We could ask that everyone report in, but there's a chance not all the children will want to talk on this.

[She kind of wiggles her device.]

[flawedgem]

Yeah, you're right. Maybe we should - make teams to check around the ship?

[runslikethewind]

That's a good idea. We can cover lots of ground, and set an example.

[flawedgem]

Yeah! [She hasn't felt this excited since she started mapping out her vigilante future.]

We should take the comms, too - record things.

[runslikethewind]

[Uh-oh, we've strayed into unknown territory. This is why Babs gets to be in charge.]

Comms?

[flawedgem]

[Babs wiggles her own device.] These things. I - figure that's what they are. Communicators.

[runslikethewind]

Oh. Appropriate. How do they record? Is there a way to write on them?

[Teach her all the things.]