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.

[batmanschmatman]

And how's the good ship redemption been holding up?

[bodilesswarrior]

[Okay, now she's beaming. She'd hoped, a little, but she'd tried not to focus on the possibility, because it was just as likely he wouldn't answer.]

As well as you'd expect. Same quota of bloodshed and trauma. [Quickly] Everyone's fine, though. [Everyone in their family.]

How's home? [It might not be the same as hers, she's not sure, but she cares either way.]

[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?

[peektuttut]

Hey, Babs. How's the ship treating you?

[lifeuntamed]

[Well that's as good a network as any.]

Here I was thinking I caught a virus or something. Somehow a space prison ship seems a relief by comparison.

[And strangely believable. She's dealt with being brought back to life by a mystical cat. Not much is too out of the ordinary after that.]

[theonlyresponse]

You make it sound like a vacation spot.

[Dry, but warm. He's missed her.]

[batmanschmatman]

It's, you know. Gotham. [So.] But it's nice to be off the ship. I do miss you guys, though.

How're you holding up?

[bodilesswarrior]

We miss you too. [Warm and earnest and achingly sincere.]

I'm - doing pretty well, actually. I have an Inmate, now. [And also a girlfriend? but how does she even explain that.]

[bodilesswarrior]

[Smiling this much makes her face hurt.]

Not that well, but I'm used to it. How about Gotham?

[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?

[bodilesswarrior]

[She's wryly amused, not least because she'd probably react the same way.]

I'd prefer that, too. ...Not that I get viruses, really.

[bodilesswarrior]

[Bruce. Barbara just stares at him for a moment, smile faint and soft and a little bit painful.]

Well, considering what happens on my vacations... [She took vacations! ...When she was Batgirl.]

[peektuttut]

[Do some brooding later, it helps.]

Same old psychos doing the same old psychotic things. [More or less.] I'm used to it.

[theonlyresponse]

Mine too. [A pause.] Can you secure this connection?

[I'm worried about you.]

[bodilesswarrior]

I'd be worried if they weren't.

How about you? Are you making time for yourself?

Private

[bodilesswarrior]

Of course.

Private

[theonlyresponse]

How is everyone?

Private

[bodilesswarrior]

Okay. Well, okay as you can get, here.

[Softly.] It hasn't been long since you left, for us.

[peektuttut]

As much as usual. [So, no.]

Private

[theonlyresponse]

It's been longer, for us.

[A beat.]

Dent's aboard? Your world or mine?

[The anxiety is barely restrained.]

[bodilesswarrior]

[Sternly, but fondly.] Tim.

Do me a favour, and go out with your friends somewhere.

Private

[bodilesswarrior]

[She's about to ask how long, but then - ] Mine, as far as I can tell.

[Her expression is more sad, than anything.] He's not - he wasn't doing that well, when we spoke.

Private

[theonlyresponse]

[He nods, and for the briefest moment his expression falls. Harvey has a chance.]

Do what you can, and be careful.