Barbara Gordon (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
bodilesswarrior) wrote2023-08-15 05:50 am
bodilesswarrior) wrote2023-08-15 05:50 am
[ $5,000 is automatically deposited into her bank account, because he knows she'll never accept the check. ]
You mean the kid who can memorise a library in an hour?
You mean the kid who I named Impulse for a reason?
I mean - [There's the slightest hitch in her voice, in Bruce's voice, and it sounds wrong enough to stymie her before she forges onward.]
The kid who's grown up into an adult and died since then.
The kid who's grown up into an adult and died since then.
[ he's not ready to be emotionally blackmailed by himself. barbara has no idea the deaths he's seen since when she comes from. how many twisted universes. she can see it on his face that it makes him angry. a quiet anger that he doesn't voice at her, but one that she'll recognize clear enough on her own face. there's a distinct pause before he responds. ]
I'll handle this on my own, Barbara. Batman [ not bruce. ] out.
I'll handle this on my own, Barbara. Batman [ not bruce. ] out.
[She could claim that wasn't what it was - that it was just a reminder - but no, she could have found another way. A kinder way.
(Lashing out at him, throwing that kind of thing in his face, had become so easy back home. This one doesn't deserve it.)
She sighs, pinching the bridge of her nose again. It's fine, she'll fix this after she's had a shower.]
(Lashing out at him, throwing that kind of thing in his face, had become so easy back home. This one doesn't deserve it.)
She sighs, pinching the bridge of her nose again. It's fine, she'll fix this after she's had a shower.]
I like your style, miss.
Saw you on the network. Definite points or style.
Saw you on the network. Definite points or style.
[ Well this is interesting. Obviously, she immediately tries to figure out who sent this, but it's more curiosity than urgency. ]
Thanks, I try.
[ Speaking of the network, she's pretty sure she's seen that un before, so she's pulling up one of her spread sheets. ]
You make a habit of anonymous compliments, or am I just that special?
Thanks, I try.
[ Speaking of the network, she's pretty sure she's seen that un before, so she's pulling up one of her spread sheets. ]
You make a habit of anonymous compliments, or am I just that special?
[ H admires her codes and grins as he sets up backsteps and barriers leading to new and weird places on the web and darkweb and away from the place where he sat. ]
You're welcome.
[ And he had indeed commented under that name before. He was more having fun than trying to hide at the moment. ]
Anonymous---oh! No, sorry. That is actually one of my names. Not the one most people know me by, but it is rightfully mine. I earned it.
[ In sacrifice and blood, he had paid that price. ]
You're welcome.
[ And he had indeed commented under that name before. He was more having fun than trying to hide at the moment. ]
Anonymous---oh! No, sorry. That is actually one of my names. Not the one most people know me by, but it is rightfully mine. I earned it.
[ In sacrifice and blood, he had paid that price. ]
[ Oh, he's good. That could get very frustrating, depending on how this conversation goes, but for now it's fun. ]
It does sound like that kind of name. Bringing the dawn, metaphorically?
It does sound like that kind of name. Bringing the dawn, metaphorically?
Yes, silly destiny, prophecy, legacy, that sort of thing. Happens when you are time's bitch.
I don't envy you. Life is complicated enough without all of that crap.
Yeah. But I kind of miss the future part. Life in the 21st is less grim, but a lot more complicated.
Yes, but also... relationships are easy to form and get used to in war, and people either prove themselves worthy of trust or not, fast.
In peace, and in times with different rules, and social structures for nearly every person you meet? the whole thing of knowing who you can trust is a lot harder.
[ He drops the redirection wall and nods. His code leads to a small cafe in Nonah, currently. ]
You're pretty good at this.
In peace, and in times with different rules, and social structures for nearly every person you meet? the whole thing of knowing who you can trust is a lot harder.
[ He drops the redirection wall and nods. His code leads to a small cafe in Nonah, currently. ]
You're pretty good at this.
[ Ruby doesn't so much burst into Barbara's room as knock on the door frame excitedly. She knows better than to just enter someone's room without their permission. ]
Barbara! Barbara! I found something great today!
[ And oh does that excitement extend to her voice. ]
Barbara! Barbara! I found something great today!
[ And oh does that excitement extend to her voice. ]
[ Barbara's had a rough month, but Ruby's voice puts a smile on her face all the same. ]
Come in and tell me!
[ The cheer isn't even forced, not really; she can ride the wave of Ruby's enthusiasm, whatever the source. ]
Come in and tell me!
[ The cheer isn't even forced, not really; she can ride the wave of Ruby's enthusiasm, whatever the source. ]
[ The teen opens the door and enters, all smiles and excitement. She's practically bouncing. ]
I found out about consignment shops! You can buy all sorts of gently used goods there, so they don't go to the dump, and also you can save money! I walked in to one of them earlier today while exploring.
Naturally, I replaced the clock radio in the kitchen after the... Incident.
I found out about consignment shops! You can buy all sorts of gently used goods there, so they don't go to the dump, and also you can save money! I walked in to one of them earlier today while exploring.
Naturally, I replaced the clock radio in the kitchen after the... Incident.
[ Her grin deepens, and turns a little nostalgic. ] They're fun to explore, aren't they? Bit like treasure hunting.
[ She spent so much time in them, as a kid, and she still considers them a resource. You never know what you might find.
Especially in Gotham, but De Chima isn't exactly mundane either. ]
...Is this radio tougher, do you think?
[ She spent so much time in them, as a kid, and she still considers them a resource. You never know what you might find.
Especially in Gotham, but De Chima isn't exactly mundane either. ]
...Is this radio tougher, do you think?
[ Ruby nods enthusiastically ] I bet I can find things there for things like get-togethers! Sure it means having a stupidly large number of cups to run through the dish washer, but in the end it'll still save resources. I'm pretty sure I saw a bunch of things that will be useful with camping with a large number of people, too.
[ There is a good chance that she never thought to actually mention to Barbara the fact that she's been planning events for young imPorts, and anyone willing to pretend to be a chaperone, so they can hang out and chill.
This is absolutely her plot to make friends and maybe find a way to feel less soul-crushingly alone - not that she's mentioned that either. ]
I certainly hope so, or at least better at resisting fluids! I'm still convinced it was the fluids that screwed it up the worst. ... Not that there was much to confirm this with by the time it was all said and done.
[ There is a good chance that she never thought to actually mention to Barbara the fact that she's been planning events for young imPorts, and anyone willing to pretend to be a chaperone, so they can hang out and chill.
This is absolutely her plot to make friends and maybe find a way to feel less soul-crushingly alone - not that she's mentioned that either. ]
I certainly hope so, or at least better at resisting fluids! I'm still convinced it was the fluids that screwed it up the worst. ... Not that there was much to confirm this with by the time it was all said and done.
[ She has not, and Barbara's brow furrows. But first - ]
You could always ask Harry for some reinsurance. [ She's teasing, but only mostly. ]
Who were you planning on camping with?
You could always ask Harry for some reinsurance. [ She's teasing, but only mostly. ]
Who were you planning on camping with?
[ Teasing or not, her face lights up. ] That's a good point! I bet he knows how to work magic on electronics like a professional!
As for camping, pretty much anyone who wants to come. [ Pause. ] Did I fail to mention that the reason I save my money so much is I want to make semi-regular get togethers for young imPorts so we can just, mingle? It's really easy to get isolated here, and even easier for a kid, teen, or young adult.
As for camping, pretty much anyone who wants to come. [ Pause. ] Did I fail to mention that the reason I save my money so much is I want to make semi-regular get togethers for young imPorts so we can just, mingle? It's really easy to get isolated here, and even easier for a kid, teen, or young adult.
It's not like they haven't spent time together since Barbara's return - Iris was especially limpetlike after the Mirror thing - but it hasn't been particularly conversational.
Today Iris comes in and folds herself onto the floor, resting her head in Barbara's lap.
"What's this about you and Dracula?"
Today Iris comes in and folds herself onto the floor, resting her head in Barbara's lap.
"What's this about you and Dracula?"
Barbara's smile is ruefully proud as her hand drifts down to stroke Iris's hair.
"I've bagged myself a teacher. You've met him?" Her voice is brimming with tender excitement.
"I've bagged myself a teacher. You've met him?" Her voice is brimming with tender excitement.
Iris hasn't felt this cherished in what feels like forever - cherished without debt or strings, a quiet place of trust and safety. She breathes it in for a moment before she speaks.
"Not yet, no. I saw 'im on the network and I knew I'd wind 'im up if I tried. So I didn't try. I'm still a bit weird about vampires, for one, and I can't say I'm much better with old immortal dictators."
She doesn't allude to it aloud, but she's quietly pleased about that. Seven years of Barge have taught Iris a lot about when to sit down and shut up. She slants a glance up at Babs.
"I s'pose I'll 'ave to, now. What's 'e teaching you, anyway? What's 'e like?"
"Not yet, no. I saw 'im on the network and I knew I'd wind 'im up if I tried. So I didn't try. I'm still a bit weird about vampires, for one, and I can't say I'm much better with old immortal dictators."
She doesn't allude to it aloud, but she's quietly pleased about that. Seven years of Barge have taught Iris a lot about when to sit down and shut up. She slants a glance up at Babs.
"I s'pose I'll 'ave to, now. What's 'e teaching you, anyway? What's 'e like?"
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