TLV 1 - Video

[bodilesswarrior]

[Barbara is sitting in her wheelchair, hands folded in her lap as she smiles wryly at the camera.]

Hey there, Barge. You've got another Warden. My name is Barbara.

Nice to meet all of you.

[Her smile fades as she leans forward, just slightly.]

I know a lot of you aren't here by choice. If it were up to me – [she shakes her head] - but it's not. We're all working with what we have.

That's no reason not to take the chance now that you've got it. A lot of people don't. And I'm here to help with that, if you'll let me.

[She leans back again, arching her eyebrows.]

So – these headaches. Is this a normal thing around here?

((Hell yes she's affected.))

Comments

[doctor_j_crane]

Less often than you might expect. His primary input is warning us about floods and ports, which he may or may not have some level of control over.

[bodilesswarrior]

Gives credence to your theory, if he just wants to see how it all plays out.

[doctor_j_crane]

It's as valid a theory as any other. I like to think that my qualifications give me some insight into it.

[bodilesswarrior]

Oh? [A wry smile.] Did he get an actual psychologist?

[doctor_j_crane]

I'm a psychiatrist, specializing in psychopharmacology.

[Om nom, different universes. Crane has no idea who Babs is.]

[bodilesswarrior]

[And Babs doesn't recognise Crane.

Well. She didn't. But Dick told her he was here, and the realisation hits her like a ton of bricks.

It doesn't show on her face, save for a slight widening of her eyes.]

...Doctor Crane?

[doctor_j_crane]

My reputation precedes me?

[bodilesswarrior]

A bit. I'm from Gotham.

[doctor_j_crane]

My Gotham or the other Gotham? Whether or not you know who Edward Nygma is normally acts as a fairly effective way of distinguishing.

[bodilesswarrior]

I know of Nygma, yes.

[And...a slight wince. No, Barbara, you don't know of him, he has had intimate contact with your fists and the flood knows it.]

[doctor_j_crane]

You know him by reputation, but haven't met him personally?

[bodilesswarrior]

[Oh you bastard.

She'll have to phrase this carefully.]

I haven't socialised with him, no.

[doctor_j_crane]

I have. He's quite a colorful fellow.

[bodilesswarrior]

I can imagine. Do you know how long he's been here?

[doctor_j_crane]

I'm afraid that you'll have to ask him that yourself. I wouldn't want to put words in his mouth.

[bodilesswarrior]

[A faint smirk.] I'll look forward to it. [Nope, no wince. Barbara, what.]

How about you?

[doctor_j_crane]

I've been here for over two years. Most of that was as an inmate.

[bodilesswarrior]

[The surprised expression triggers another headache, but this one doesn't show.]

You're a success story, then? Congratulations. [A slight throb, because while part of her is sincere she really doesn't know how to feel about it.]

Can I ask why you came back, if you don't think the Admiral's intentions are that pure?

[doctor_j_crane]

You should be congratulating my previous warden rather than me.

It was the lesser of two evils. The Admiral can be very convincing.

[bodilesswarrior]

Pretty sure you get at least some of the credit.

[So very, very dry.] I'm sure his timing was a complete coincidence.

[doctor_j_crane]

Not quite as much as he does.

[Equally dry.] It was. A coincidence eight years in the making.

[bodilesswarrior]

...Well. We can't say he's not dedicated.

[doctor_j_crane]

He appears to be a very patient being.

I'm also interested in what brings you to the barge.

[bodilesswarrior]

I thought I could do some good, for one thing.

[She considers, for a moment, but Crane did offer more than he had to.]

You have the Joker in your Gotham?

[doctor_j_crane]

How idealistic.

[A pause.] We do. He's different to your Joker, though. Yours is worse, as far as I'm concerned.