13 - Video

[bodilesswarrior]

[Barbara's smiling. It's a cautious, calculated sort of smile, but it's real enough. The bags under her eyes have faded, but they're still apparent. Those looking keenly enough might notice she's holding herself a bit stiffly.]

Hello, multiverse.

You've tapped into the Barge's network. We're an interdimensional prison ship meant for rehabilitation. [The smile thins, sharpens.] Meant being the key word, here.

If anyone recognises me, feel free to say hello.

Or, heck, if you just want to shoot the breeze with someone from a different world. I'm Barbara.

Comments

[video]

[hackingyoursensors]

[Dick was sleeping face down in a pile of pre-calc homework. And then his Skype client opened up and suddenly-- bam-- familiarly unfamiliar voice coming out of nowhere. He sits up, blinks, pulls off a piece of paper stuck to his face, and stares at the screen blearily.]

What?

[Very intelligent, Dick.]

[video]

[bodilesswarrior]

[Her eyes go wide, and then the smile becomes a grin.]

Hey there, Boy Dreamer.

[video]

[hackingyoursensors]

[He still looks sleepy and puzzled, though he's looking more closely at her. He knows that face, but from where?

Because weird message from space is much more likely than, you know, time travel.]

Hi. So can you run that [he gestures] whole thing by me again?

[video]

[bodilesswarrior]

[Obviously.]

I'm on an intergalactic prison ship and you've tapped into our communications system.

[A shrug!] Can you honestly say that's the strangest thing that's happened to you this month?

[video]

[hackingyoursensors]

I live in Gotham.

[As if that explains everything.

He's also completely unaware that the mysterious redheaded woman is Babs and knows about Robin.]

[video]

[bodilesswarrior]

[detective]

A new crisis every week? If you're lucky.

[video]

[hackingyoursensors]

Every other day, more like.

[Pause] You know me, don't you?

[video]

[bodilesswarrior]

Well, see, we weren't really lucky. [Except for when they were.

A slow, sly smile.] I knew you'd catch on.

[video]

[hackingyoursensors]

[He looks wary. Just because someone doesn't seem dangerous doesn't mean they aren't.]

Mind cluing me in?

[video]

[bodilesswarrior]

[She'd do the bat ears, but he looks a bit young to know Batgirl. They've probably just met casually.

Instead, she reaches back for one of the pictures on her desk - her as a teenager, with her dad's arm draped over her shoulders.]

Does this help?

[video]

[hackingyoursensors]

[Squints.

No.

No way.

How]

[He just opens his mouth and closes it again.]

[video]

[bodilesswarrior]

[She's grinning so hard.]

Did I mention I'm transmitting through time and space?

[video]

[hackingyoursensors]

[Not cool, Babs.]

Yeah, I... got that now. Good to see you still like messing with me.

So, uh, how's adulthood, Babs?

[video]

[bodilesswarrior]

You're adorable when you're confused. [Utterly shameless.]

It's not bad. I like not having a curfew. [...Small, knowing smirk.]

[video]

[hackingyoursensors]

[You're going to make him blush. :{]

[A look of comprehension dawns on him.]

Oh no. You figured it out, didn't you?

[It was only a matter of time, really.]

[video]

[bodilesswarrior]

[Barbara taps her temple.] Genius, remember?

[video]

[hackingyoursensors]

[He rubs his temple]

For reference, how mad are you going to be?

[video]

[bodilesswarrior]

Well, I couldn't be that mad. It's not like I told you everything, either.

[video]

[hackingyoursensors]

Is it on the level of "surprise I'm a vigilante"?

[video]

[bodilesswarrior]

[Should she? It's - well, it is her secret to tell, really. And Dick knowing sooner...it could help.]

Exactly that level, yes.

[video]

[hackingyoursensors]

[Frysquint.]

There aren't other vigilantes in Gotham.

[video]

[bodilesswarrior]

Yet.

How old are we, exactly?

[video]

[hackingyoursensors]

[The expression on his face says that that's not good news.]

Thirteen.

Please tell me you're not serious.