ichoosefight | 90,27 - Fourth Wall Day Strikes Back

[ S'up, Steph.

You recognize this golden, whiskered face, don'tcha? ]

Aslan! [ It's her favorite lion buddy how could she not recognize him? ]

How's Narnia?

[ Well good, because he likes you too. c: ]

It fairs well. Caspian has come into his own.

What of you?

I'm doing alright. On my third inmate. [ Recovering from a halberd to the stomach. ]

It's good to know some things in this place are constant.

[Interesting. He's never met Spoiler but he remembers hearing about her while he was training under Talia and preparing for his return to Gotham. Then he learned about her becoming Robin and everything that followed shortly before he actually returned to Gotham.]

First you wear the Robin costume just like me, then you come back from the dead just like me. Does someone have a crush?

[ Oh hey it's Jason. Suddenly she has not-quite fond memories of playing Mafia and hoping that nobody actually killed anyone else. ]

If crushing was responsible for all of my decisions I'd be questioning my sexuality. [ Not that she doesn't love Babs and Cass, just... not like that. ]

And technically I was never really dead.

Oh yeah? Then what were you, "technically"?

Technically I was in Africa with Leslie. I needed some time away.

You pretend to die and take a trip to Africa? Damn, people must have been pissed at you.

That's putting it lightly. You'd think you of all people would get what I was going through, but I guess temporary insanity doesn't come with a sense of empathy.

Who said I wasn't? I died for real and didn't exactly get a warm welcome when I returned.

You're not exactly the most supportive person I know, even on the barge.

Only in passing. [And he smiles, knowingly.]

Passing, nothing! [ She likes seeing Alfred, even if they had a rocky start. He was utterly welcoming when she came back to Gotham. ]

It's great to see you Alfred, it feels like it's been ages.

Likewise, miss. [Damian was supposed to be with you... this is weird.] You're well, I trust?

I'm, uh... recovering? I've been [ Dead ] sick.

Oh, it's sort of complicated, I'm probably still in Gotham right now even though I'm here on the barge. It's a space-time thing. [ You should be used to that by now, right? ]

[MAMA BEAR MODE:] Hot soup and at least eight hours bed rest before any parties.

I've had about a hundred and twenty hours of bed rest, Alfred. But some hot soup doesn't sound too bad. [ Her stomach is feeling better now, but she bets Alfred makes the best soup. ]

So hey, how's stuff at home?

[Pfft they all say that and then one finds the beds vacated and the costumes gone.] Everyone retires to bed quite early, as usual.

[ But six days Alfred! One can only death toll for so long. ]

You know what they say. Early to bed, early to rise... something. Though I don't think they meant early in the morning when they made that saying.

I'm quite certain they didn't consider our particular vocation. Do get well soon, miss.

Thanks, Alfred. I will.

Glad I won't be there to watch you lame out my gym.

[Winks.]

I would never! I only badass-ify the gym.

How's things?

[Shrugs and looks off screen, out an unseen window.] Going. Not nearly as chaotic as life on the Barge, of course, but still busy. Sometimes I wish I could visit or that you guys would make Port here, but only because I miss some of you so much. You missed the election, it was pretty intense.

What about you, still hanging in I see.

I miss you too. Things have been kind of rocky, honestly. [ Not that she would admit that to pretty much anyone else. ] I'm about ready to get out of here, but I have to help Doyle graduate first. [ She's eager to go home, get on with her life, start doing something she's actually good at. ]

[Gasps.] Really? You're really going to finally leave? You better come visit me!!

Just as soon as things work out. And duh I'm going to come visit. We had an agreement didn't we?

Yes. Yes, we did.

Are you close? Your Inmate and you? You were partnered wiiith Wanda, right? I think?

Edited (*sighs* I only have so many stupid icons. -_-) 2012-11-10 01:55 (UTC)

We are, but it's not Wanda anymore. I got shuffled again. Guy named Doyle, he's from the same world as Buffy.

Doyle...Doyle...that name almost sounds familiar, like he's been there before...I dunno, but hey, long as it's working out. Are you still dating Superboy?

If he has, he doesn't remember. He hasn't been here long at all.

Yeah, actually things are getting kind of serious. [ She fiddles with a piece of shoelace tied around her finger, a small smile on her face. ]

[Claire spots the makeshift ring, now that attention has been draw towards it, and she gives a gaspy-squeaky noise.] Stephanie! Is that...define serious, Miss Batgirl.

[ She blushes, her smile growing. ]

He may have hinted about asking a certain question on our anniversary.

[ And by hinted she means he straight up told her, because they were playing truth or dare on Wonderland-drugs. ]

STEPHANIIIEEE!!! OhMyGod, that's, like, that's huge.

DETAILS!

[She refuses to let her jealousy show, because Steph deserves this, and she's genuinely happy to hear about it. It makes her miss Jesse more, but she was ready for that sad when this day finally came anyway.]

Okay, okay! [ She laughs, but it's contained. She's heard Jesse's side of things, and she still hasn't asked Claire about it yet. But well. That can come after she gives her details. ]

So Kon's having some trouble with his genetics being unstable, and we're working on it, so we've been talking about the future a lot. And we just took port in Wonderland to pick up some escapees, and the whole place had this weird effect on people. Like, it drove them crazy. So we got kinda goofy and were just messing around, and I asked what would make our anniversary perfect for him, and he said it would be perfect if I said yes.

Eeee, OhMyGodOhMyGod! I claim Maid of Honor! If that's what he means, he could mean going home together or something, so...you can't tell me, but maybe in person? You can? Because you'll be leaving soon and everything sooo...gah, I hate having to wait!

Oh, we'd already agreed on that, we're going to my world. And duh you're going to be Maid of Honor! I'll have to borrow you from your new world for the wedding, but we're going to find a way to do that anyway. And you know it'll seem like no time at all if we time it right.

Well, then. [Claire winks and hasn't stopped smiling so wide it hurts.] And yes, true enough. I'll just be waiting by the mailbox every day now.

Great, that's where I'll pick you up then.

Anyway it's too early to be talking about this stuff. Tell me about how you've been?

[She rolls one shoulder.] Busy with classes and the dogs, who say hi, by the way. [To which, she moves the laptop to show the pets before coming back on the screen.]

Oh, and Mohinder recently found someone with a power we've never seen before, so that was kinda cool. He can turn people into animals, it's crazy.

Can he turn them back? Because I have to tell you, being an otter was kinda fun.

We don't know yet, but it doesn't seem to be permanent. Usually, it wore off within the hour.

Why, was there another animal flood, then, I take it?

Yeah, there was. A couple of people got bit but other than that it was pretty fun.

I wouldn't expect anything less, heh.

[Private]

Hey, um...can I bug you about something?

Of course. Anything.

How are Ror and Jesse doing? I'd be lying if I didn't say I worry about them at least once a day. I really wish there was some way I could still talk to you, too, even if it was by...hell, paper crane.

Rorschach is, well. Himself. He hasn't caused any trouble at least. Jesse... isn't doing so good. I think he fell off the wagon for a bit there.

[Her face falls and she almost folds in on herself.] Oh. He...he didn't tell me that. [Lip licks.] Do I want to know what happened?

Only if you want to tell me. He said that you broke up with him.

[Claire blinks and then shifts uncomfortably.]

Well. Which conversation do you want to have first?

I just want to know if I need to kick his ass or not.

[She chuckles. It's pathetic and sad, but an attempt nonetheless.] No, it wasn't a bad break, it was a mutual agreement. Sorta. I mean, I just...look, I know it sounds selfish, but I didn't want him to go back. It's complicated and I'll probably ramble here, but it's like, I wanted him to go back and help Cat, he needed that and I understood. I stayed for so long just to make sure certain Inmates got out, and I wanted to stay longer, for you, for Crane, for Rorschach, but my list kept growing and it started to become a crutch. Excuses. Just one more Inmate, after him, after this, you know? And that place, it just seemed...I was afraid it would do more harm than good. He just got his second chance, I wanted him to enjoy it. Not that he left straight away, but I was hoping he'd stay with me longer. It's not that I didn't want him to go, but I didn't want him to leave. Does that make sense? I wanted him to feel the satisfaction I felt when I helped others, especially when I was able to help Bobby and Pink graduate, but...I just...

[Here, she loses what composure she's kept, her voice breaking and eyes quickly welling up.] I thought we'd get married. He was always talking about kids and...[Claire shakes her head, unable to continue from crying.]

Oh, Claire.... [ Steph doesn't know what else to say for a moment. She just wishes she could hug her friend. ]

You don't think he's ever coming back?

[She holds up a finger to excuse herself off screen, where she can blow her nose. Coming back, she sniffles but seems to have regained control.]

I do, eventually. But we just thought it'd be easier to separate. I don't know, just in case or whatever, I guess. He told me not to wait around...that's why his cabin looks like our garage; he "moved out". Today, I was trying to be cute when I told him he has to come back inside the house, when he's home, but it just brought back the whole 'go find some awesome superhero boyfriend' and 'don't wait for me'. It's not that I'm waiting, I'm not, like, refusing to talk to other guys, but I miss Jesse. So much. I planned on being with him...now I have to consider that that plan might not happen now, and it just...sucks. Or what if he finds someone else on the Barge?

[She shakes her head.] I'm sorry, I didn't mean to...

You have nothing to apologize for, this stuff is what friends are for.

But, if you guys have talked this out already and you're still this unhappy... has he said he wants to come back? [ She's a little concerned Jesse might be using this as an 'out'. ]

He did before, yeah. I haven't really asked him again. I'm probably too afraid, and I don't want to ruin what little time we'll have together.

If you're this uncertain then your time together can't be that great.

It's been good and bad, up and down. I mean, what would you have me do?

I want you to be happy. If he's not doing that for you then he's doing a crap job.

It's him not being here that's the shitty thing, though. I can't ask him to abandon his Inmate, too many Wardens do that as it is. I just have to hope that it'll be enough, once he's helped Tommy and Cat.

[She bites her lip.]

No good will come from asking this, I know it, but it's called morbid curiosity for a reason; has...has he been with anyone else? Barge shenanigans aside.

[ Oh god, she just had to ask, didn't she? It's not like Steph doesn't have plenty of experience lying for her own reasons, but to Claire? When it's something important like this? ]

Are you sure you really want to know?

[She blinks a little too rapidly again.] O-oh. Well, that's kind of my answer, then, isn't it? I mean, whatever, we...we're separated anyway, it doesn't matter. And it's realistic, right? I can't very well...I can't expect...it's good. I guess. Healthy or something.

[Claire has not been waiting for him, true, but she hasn't actively sought out another boyfriend, either. Again, marriage. Kind of hard to want someone else when you thought you found the final one.]

It's not healthy if you both want different things from the relationship.

[She nods, albeit too many. She asks only one more thing, because it'd make their interactions mean something entirely different now.]

He's not with her still, is he?

No. [ That's easy enough to answer. Only, the reason they aren't together... ] She's not here anymore.

Okay.

.....

Okay, thanks, Stephanie.

[And then she changes the subject.]

What do you want your wedding theme to be? What colors?

Yeah, sure. [ Well she feels horrible. Which is silly because clearly Jesse is the horrible one. ]

Would purple be too cheesy?

Depends; which shade?

Eggplant, of course.

I think it'd be gorgeous, if coupled with the right color. Maybe gold or a pale yellow...I already have so many ideas. [Giggles.]

Batgirl colors. I like the way you think.

Heh, yeah, well, they also happen to be complimentary. You know, opposites on the color wheel?

So are red and green, but they don't make good wedding colors.

[She pretends to become suspicious and squints at her BFF.] Are you trying to start an argument?

Are you planning a Christmas themed wedding? Because then I might be.

[She stands, continuing the display of false anger.] I totally am! With a Twelve Things of Christmas cake, complete with twelve tiers! And cocoa for the toasts and we'll ride off in a sleigh, not a car.

[ Steph laughs. ]

Okay, that does sound like a pretty amazing cake.

[Act dropped, Claire snorts.] Jesse would never go for that anyway. [A quick lift and fall of one shoulder.] Not that it matters.

So. Do we want to end this on our own terms or just keep talking until we're cut off?

Our own terms, for sure. Who knows when we'll get the chance again.

[ Like when she left the first time. It's hard to say goodbye, but it's a whole lot better than not saying goodbye. ]

Keep an eye out for that pandimensional portal I'm working on.

[True facts.

Claire nods, biting her lip to try and not sound so sad.]

Is this it, then? Are we saying goodbye now?

I guess so.

I'll see you later, Claire.

Yeah. You will.

[She blows two kisses and waves goodbye. And then the feed cuts off.]

[Steps into the room just as he hears all the squealing. He can pick up Claire's voice and fragments of the conversation, but not the whole thing.]

Hey, sounds like the two of you are having fun.

Oh, hey Kon! [ Steph glances briefly in his direction, a huge smile on her face. ]

It's Claire. Wanna say hi?

Sure! [Wraps his arms around her shoulders once he's next to her and kisses her on the temple.]

By the way, what's a maid of honor?

[ Oh, so he heard that part then. Oops. ]

It's a wedding thing. Bridesmaids take care of the bride and the maid of honor is the one in charge.

Why do you need bridesmaids and a maid of honor? [Keeps his arms around her and looks increasingly confused.]

I thought when people got married, they just went to the courthouse and got the license signed?

For, you know. [ She flushes, both slightly confused and mildly alarmed by his ignorance. ] A wedding?

I thought you'd been reading up about this stuff.

I have! I've read some stuff on the actual marriage ceremony, but a lot of it has been on what it means to be married and the responsibilities that came with promising to share your life with someone. What helps make a marriage successful and what doesn't.

Oh boy. Baby you've got a whole lot more studying to do.

...But I studied the important things, right?

Half of the important things. I can't be expected to organize an entire wedding on my own!

Okay, I'll start researching it this week! And you know, next week is our six month anniversary. We should do some planning for that too.

It is, and I'm gonna be well enough to do whatever we want for it. [ She grins wickedly. Oh how she's missed physical activity. ]

What did you want to do?

[Takes a seat next to her and lowers his arms so they are around her waist instead now.]

When I was first started working at the cafeteria, one of the incentives for working there was being able to use the kitchen to make a special meal. I've been holding onto that reward and I want to cash it in now. What would you like for dinner?

Dinner, huh? [ She covers his arms with her own. ] I dunno. My favorites aren't really complete meals. Maybe... steak?

Steak it is, I'll throw in some surprises for you.

[Kisses her cheek and then he kisses her on the corner of her mouth.]

Let's do that camping trip we always talk about doing in the CES room. It might only be for a night or two but it'll still be nice.

Is this before or after the steak dinner? [ They so aren't taking a steak dinner out on a picnic. ]

After the steak dinner. I'll get Dean to let me into the CES room before I start making dinner and get everything set up.

It's your anniversary too, you know. You don't have to do everything yourself.

[Kon's voice grows softer and he pulls her in for a proper hug.]

If you're back in good health and feeling up for doing all of those things, then I couldn't ask for a better anniversary gift.

I am. [ She gives him a squeeze and then a quick kiss. ] And it's going to be great.

It is. [Releases one of his arms and reaches over for her device, setting it aside for a moment. Then he brings that hand up to her face and leans in for a deep, loving kiss.]

[ She moves her hands up his back to grip his shoulders and kisses back, slowly and passionately. ]

[Hums happily into the kiss and cautiously increases the temp of their kiss. He wants the kiss to escalate into other things, but he knows it's best to wait until she's feeling better. Plus, it might be several more months before she can speak to Claire again.

Pulls back with a small sigh and smiles at her.]

Didn't you say something about me saying hi to Claire?

[ She snaps out of her reverie. ] Yes! You should say hi, while you have the chance. [ And she should get back to her conversation with her friend. ]

Pool party, huh? Sounds like you've got a pretty good set up going on there.

We do alright for ourselves, between disasters. Doesn't really make up for the disasters, but what would?

Hey, the disasters are what makes life more fun. Without those, things would be so boring.

True, true. I guess if I really hated disasters I would find a new hobby.

Or a new place to live, at least. I'm Artemis, by the way.

As if trouble doesn't follow me like a lost puppy.

I'm Stephanie. Are you from Gotham too?

Yeah, I grew up there.

[And there's respect there, now. It takes a lot to get out of Gotham without getting completely messed up, but it looks like Steph's done it. It kind of gives Artemis hope.]

It can be a tough place, but I like the birds and the bats. They keep things interesting.

[ For a certain definition of 'out' and 'not completely messed up', sure. ]

I'd say they keep things liveable, but maybe that's just me.

[ Stephhh. If only he remembered you and remembered how post-60s technology works. ]

Shit, man, how are you talkin' to me right now?

It's some sort of- [ Holy crap no wait a second ] Dally? [ No wait he doesn't know who she is. :( ]

It's, um. Let's go with magic.

[ No wait, he heard his name. ]

It ain't magic. What did you call me?

It's basically magic. These things run on rubber bands and paper clips. [ She wishes she was kidding. ]

Dally? Sorry, I may have you confused with someone else.

Ain't no one who don't know me that calls me 'Dally'.

Then I guess I must know you. Who'da thunk? [ Okay no but seriously. ]

Have you ever heard about the idea of parallel worlds?

[Her wry amusement is quite apparent behind the cowl.]

We don't do a lot of partying around here.

That you, Spoiler?

I haven't been Spoiler in a while now, but yeah. Is that... Huntress? [ Dude what's with the cowl. ]

[A faint smirk.] Among other things. [She sees the confusion. It's - well, understandable.] Gotham needed a Bat, so I gave it one.

Oh. Fair enough. [ That happens a lot, so. ]

I'm Batgirl these days. Talk about a promotion, right?

[The easy acceptance is - nice, and her grin is genuine.

So is her surprise.]

Wow. Haven't seen one of those in ages. [She wondered what had happened, sometimes.] Batman finally accepted you into the club, huh? [Her tone is rueful, with the slightest hint of old resentment - but approving. It's about time.]

He did. After I established myself as Batgirl. [ She sounds both haughty and proud of that fact. Batman doesn't dictate her life or her decisions. ]

[And now she just looks proud. You go, girl.]

Good for you.

[A deeper smirk.] He might have been a little shocked to see me wearing his symbol, when he got back.

I can just picture the look on his face. It's like he thinks he owns the stupid thing.

90,27 - Fourth Wall Day Strikes Back

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Assuming she can see it, if not, can edit. ^_~

perfecto ;3

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If I wasn't so busy, I'd just post my icons in the tag! xD

pish posh, I can pretend x3

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