TLV 8 - video

[bodilesswarrior]

[Private to Iris]

[It's a rare thing, for Barbara to look shy. Rarer still for her to make false starts, even if they're barely perceptible. Finally, she settles on something completely off the topic at hand.]

Think you could teach me that hypnotism trick?

[Private separately to Steph, Chris, and Rex]

How are you doing?

[Private to Cass]

[There would be absolutely no point in hiding the excitement in her smile.]

Could you come see me?

Comments

[hellofist]

[She snatches the pen up and motions for Barbara to put the papers down.]

Show me where.

[bodilesswarrior]

[Barbara lays them on the desk, and trails her finger down to the bottom of the page.]

There, right on the line.

[hellofist]

[She writes out a quick, shaky Cass and even starts on the next A, but then she starts to frown. This shouldn't really be this hard, she should know what comes next, but she just... can't remember. Finally she looks to Barbara.]

What's... after this A?

[bodilesswarrior]

[Her smile is gently understanding, and no less delighted.]

S. [She draws it in front of Cass, finger curving slowly in the air.]

[hellofist]

[And this, this right here? This is why Barbara is the only person Cass could ever want as her mother.

Together they get through the rest of her name with Cass growing more and more confident and then finally, it's time to turn the pen over to Barbara.]

Your turn.

[bodilesswarrior]

[Barbara takes it, beaming proudly as she gives Cass's shoulder a quick, gentle squeeze with her other hand.

She almost rushes through it, gets it done as quickly as she can, but no - she wants to savour this moment. So she writes slowly, carefully; just as she did the last time she signed papers like this.

And when she's done, her eyes are burning.]

There.

[hellofist]

[Once her hand isn't on the pen anymore, Cass throws her arms around Barbara again and hugs her tightly.

She can talk about having a mother without having to be ashamed, now. The little piece of paper doesn't really mean much in the grand scheme of things, Cass doesn't even really know what it says, but she knows symbols. She knows it stands for something she'll never be able to replicate, something she'll never be able to replace.

She has a mother, now. A real one. She turns her face into Barbara's neck and tries to blink back her own tears.]

I love you.