ichoosefight | 100,38 - Two roads diverged and they both looked pretty nice actually

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100,38 - Two roads diverged and they both looked pretty nice actually

[ Video ]

[ Steph sits at her desk, as usual when she makes video posts. She's been affected by the flood, but she doesn't look particularly different. She's always been very good at hiding her scars, and although her clothes cover most of them she has makeup over one slash across her cheek. Dodged a bullet - literally. ]

You know what I don't understand? I mean, it's probably a human nature thing - sorry, sentient being nature. Whenever there's a flood we all climb on top of each other trying to figure out what it is. But either someone's affected and they know it and they can tell us flat out, or they don't know it and there's no way to figure out what's different until after. So, if there's no obvious danger, why bother? Now don't get me wrong, I'm the curious cat incarnate, it just seems kinda silly in the grand scheme of things, doesn't it?

[ She shrugs. Food for thought. Then she turns the video to private. ]

[ Private to Doyle ]

How goes it, inmate mine? Still in your own skin? [ Doyle's always been a bit dour, but Steph counters it with high spirits, good humor and a stern tone, even when he does something wrong. It seems to work better for her than sinking to his level of spookiness. ]

[ Private to Jon ]

Hey lover, I haven't seen you all day. What have you been up to?

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[Barbara sounds - different. Distant, and rather derisive.]

Taking a moment to calm down and observe the facts would solve so many problems before they start.

I knew you'd understand, Babs.

[ Private ]

What's wrong?

[Babs. No one has called her that, save her father, for a very long time. Certainly not Spoiler.

When she switches the feed, her tone is pensive.]

[Private]

I think one of is affected. [She can't be certain that it's not her.]

Based on your ominous tone I'm going to guess that it's you. What's up?

[She almost smiles.] That's my usual tone. And it's possible.

My best guess, as of now, is that people are being replaced by counterparts from alternate realities - or temporarily transforming into them.

I'm thinking you're right.

[ Which raises the very questions she was just calling irrelevant. But there is one relevant question left. ]

So, you're okay then? Because that's your 'life is miserable but I'm working through it because I'm Oracle' voice.

Edited 2013-04-19 23:20 (UTC)

[Very few things take her aback anymore. This - she wasn't expecting this.

It doesn't show in her voice.]

How well do you know me, Stephanie?

You've been training me for the last four years. [ More often after Batman fired her as Robin, but still. ] So I'd say I know you pretty well.

[Interesting.]

You don't work with Batman?

[She might indeed have recruited Spoiler, if he hadn't gotten involved first.]

[ Wow this is weird. Well, she'll just have to roll with it. ]

Well, yeah, technically. [ She rolls her eyes, a small smile playing at her lips. ] I am Batgirl. But you're the one who trained me, even when Bruce wouldn't give me the time of day.

[She's training Batgirl.

It takes her a moment to respond.]

We're not - adversaries, then.

[ She makes a strained sort of choking sound and actually falls right out of her chair. ]

Why would we be adversaries?

[Her tone doesn't change, but out of sight, her lips twitch.]

We aren't, not directly. But Batman and I...have our disagreements.

Everyone has disagreements with Batman. Not everyone thinks of themselves as an enemy.

Most people tow his lines.

And which line is it that you don't tow?

[Might as well cut to the chase.]</small. Is the Joker alive in your timeline?

Well, yeah. [ She thinks she probably knows where this is going. ]

Well. That's a significant difference.

So... was he the only one? Or just the first?

[Quietly.] He was the second.

Then...Sionis. Zsasz. Jane Doe. Less infamous killers.

[ She frowns. Babs always said they couldn't sink to that level, no matter how much they might want to. ]

Why?

[Tight and hard.] Because they weren't going to stop.

And every time we refused to stop them, it was more blood on our hands.

[ She's silent for a long time, thinking. Babs is like a mother to her. And hadn't she thought the same thing, on several occasions? Hadn't she wrestled with herself over the morality of murder? But going through with it, that was something else.

And she has to admit that it scares her, and maybe that's the only reason she doesn't like it. ]

Who else? Only the murderers? Serial killers? What's your criteria, when do you stop?

Murderers. Rapists. The people who cause the most damage - who can't be contained in the prison system, or who just cycle out over and over.

And what about when they're all gone?

[A low, harsh laugh.] You know that'll never happen, Stephanie.

Criminals come to Gotham because it's a good environment for them. Kill all the murderers and they'll find somewhere else. Somewhere less dangerous.

I never said I restricted myself to Gotham.

So this is your life now? You travel the world and kill criminals? At least our way we have a home.

Me? No. Huntress, sometimes. Other times, I can coordinate it all from Gotham.

[ That's comforting, just knowing that Babs will stay in Gotham, and that's enough for Steph to know she doesn't honestly give a shit if Barbara kills murderers. Some of them deserve it, even if Steph won't make that decision for herself. ]

Obviously, I mean, you had a falling out with Bruce I'm sure, but... it's not like it was with Jason, is it? [ Please tell her you're not attacking members of the family. ]

[...Long pause.]

What?

[As far she know, Jason is dead.]

[ She misses that connotation, mistakes it for something else. ]

I mean, you know, he kinda sorta tried to kill Tim?

[What?]

When the hell did he do that?

I don't know, a few years ago?

Decided to take a break from the network today. I've heard enough blathering to do me a lifetime.

I know the feeling. [ She is, however, addicted to human interaction. ]

I'm so glad you decided I grace me with the last of your patience.

Edited (I swear I can type) 2013-04-20 13:56 (UTC)

You're welcome. I can even grace you in person, if you want.

[ She grins. ]

I never say no to conjugal visits.

I would be worried if you did. I am on my way.

God forbid. It might mean I'm pregnant or something.

I'll see you in a bit.

[Shows up at her door a short time later.]

Hey, it's me. [Knocknock]

Coming!

[ She throws the door open and pops a quick kiss on his cheek. ]

[Smiles at her briefly.]

What are your plans for the rest of the day?

[ She shrugs. ]

Check on Doyle, maybe have some lemonade. It's getting to be that time of year.

[ In other words: she has none. ]

So much do see and do. How do you contain your excitement?

Years of experience. What did you have in mind?

That's a loaded question. [The grin on his face becomes suggestive.]

[ She raises her eyebrows, leans forward. ]

Does that mean there's a loaded answer?

[Wraps his arms around her, grinning from ear to ear.]

I'm starting to think you've picked up telepathic powers.

Maybe it's just our minds speaking the same language. [ She hooks both index fingers in his pants pockets. ]

Edited 2013-04-27 00:47 (UTC)

What's your mind saying right now?

It's saying... those clothes don't look very comfortable. [ She uses her hold on his pockets to tug him even closer. ]

[Steps closer to her, pressing their bodies together.] Funny, I was just thinking the same thing about your clothes. Our minds really are in sync.

Imagine that.

[ She tilts her head to kiss him. ]

[Returns the kiss while keeping one of his arms around her waist and bringing the other hand up to her face.]

It never hurts to ask questions when in doubt.

[He is peering at her curiously - she looks quite a lot older than the Steph he knows, who has just started as Spoiler.]

You're the one who always told me to ask as many questions as possible - but only if they're the right questions.

[ 'Are we there yet' and 'when can we eat' are not included in this category. She raises an eyebrow questioningly at him. He sounds kind of the same way that Barbara did. ]

What are the right questions in this case?

[Please still be a vigilante this is awkward :|]

Questions like, do you remember meeting me?

Yes.

[Beat.]

Do you remember me?

[He hopes she will, but she probably doesn't.]

Tall Dark and Gloomy? How could I not?

[ She smiles more easily now. Maybe it was a false alarm. ]

[Okay this is weird. That's Barbara, not him.]

I think you're affected by the flood.

What makes you think that? Everyone else seems to think I'm the same as ever.

Tall, Dark, and Broody. I know someone who fits that description, but it's not me. Hence, you're different.

Not - [ She snorts. She can't help herself. Bruce Wayne, anything other than Tall Dark and Broody? Couldn't be. ]

Oh man. You are so affected. When you first got here you were an inmate, remember? Didn't hardly talk to anyone?

[But here he is, Steph. Cheery, mild-mannered Dr. Wayne. He smiles even. But now he's just frowning.]

No, I've always been a warden.

[ But that is so weird! ]

Unless everyone else I know is affected, I'm pretty sure you're the one who's changed.

But [He looks disappointed.] What happened to him?

I don't think I can really answer that unless you tell me what happened to you.

First - who is Spoiler?

[Please still be her :(]

Edited 2013-04-22 14:08 (UTC)

Nobody. Not for a long time. [ Only a year or two, but it seems like longer. ] Not since I became Batgirl.

[He sighs and looks down, at his feet.]

I see. My world doesn't have this... Batgirl.

[ What but no she was pretty sure it did and also why? At least she knows Cass isn't around in his world already. ]

What about Babs?

She's there.

[He's not outing her, though.]

There's vigilantes, mostly women.

Okay, but she's like, she's okay? You're scaring me here. [ Of all the things that could have changed, please tell her Babs is okay. ]

Of course she's all right. [Almost indignant, and protective. He treats her, for crying out loud.] Why?

Because! [ Babs looked after her when Bruce refused to. They got very, very close. ] She's like a second mother to me. After what happened with the Joker I think I'm allowed to be worried about changing histories.

The Joker? [He frowns, and his expression becomes black as thunder.] The Laughing Man, you mean? What did he do?

[This alt universe stuff is... worrying now.]

You don't know? [ Forgive her lack of tact, she's really been thrown for a loop. ]

He... attacked her. Crippled her.

[Both hands cover his mouth in shock.]

When?

[ This is the real reason they don't give spoilers. She tries desperately to repair the damage. ] It was years ago, before I even got started. She's fine now. Just, you know, in a wheelchair.

Oh. I -- I see.

[Trying to recover, nbd.]

[ Oh god. This is not going according to plan. ]

I'm sorry. This is really weird. Like, weirder than normal.

It certainly did.

[A beat.]

I'll go check on her, if you don't mind.

Um, go ahead, but... I think she's affected by the flood too.

All the more reason. Take care, Stephanie.

Yeah, you too.

[ Not quite the Doyle people normally see this one has been decked in black since the week he lost the people he cared the most about, that was when he forgot how to smile and became more like the friend who sacrificed himself for a noble cause and caused the world to come to its knees. The world went to hell after Angel died, and Doyle was stuck in those moments. Much like he changed for the worst when his demon form woke, he proved he could be much worse by shutting down and simply killing the demons that got in his way opposed to trying to help the helpless and figure out what was really going on. He lost his chance to be a hero when the victims started to just seem an obstcale in the way to killing the demons and lawyers of Wolfram and Hart so he started just taking them out if it meant getting the job done faster.

Looking at the girl in the video he looked somber and bored an was decked in black.] Where else would I be? This boat ain't made me anything else this week.

[ No how are you, no fun joking just a bit of sarcasm. Spooky they can do together.]

Cool, glad to hear it! It looks like a lot of my friends have changed, but I'm still me too. [ So she'll still be bothering him every bit as often as she usually does. ]

[ He certainly doesn't see much of a change at all. he simply nodded to her words.]

Kon and Dean still accounted for as well I take it? [ He cared more about others then himself. The friends he counted were the ones that mattered and that was Steph, Aya, Kon and Dean.]

Yeah, they're both the same. [ Unfortunately she remembers Dean being the way he is now as though he had always been this way. She's not terribly close to the guy. ]

Good to know. [ He spoke in response looking to the pile of books near by him, unlike normally these were not heart breaking biographys or referance books these were old world tales of war and destruction. He's not reading the happiest things but it fills the time when he doesn't want to be social.]

Is there anything else you need Ms. Brown? [ Cutting into brooding time, here.]

Actually I was hoping we could talk again today. Since it's been a few days since the last time and neither of us are affected.

The door'll be unlocked when you arrive.

[ And he went on and cut the feed he figured nothing else needed to be said. The door would indeed be unlocked. By the time she arrived he would be found sitting in one of the chairs one leg crossed over the other instead of kicked up on the table reading an old poetry book that has clearly seen better days. Its one he's read many times he knows it cover by cover but he keeps rereading it. He stole it off Angel's desk when the office was bought from under him by Wolfram and Hart.]

[ Steph knows better than to try to engage him after he's ended the conversation. Instead she heads straight to his room with her notebook and psychology textbook. It's a thin textbook, one she got from the library just for him. She knocks before opening the door. He's expecting her, so it's not like she has to wait for him to let her in.

She takes the seat across from him and opens up her notebook. It contains notes from their last meeting. ]

So. How have you been this week? Any progress?

[ He reached down taking up a random folded sheet of paper marking his place in the book as he sat it down and looked to her. He wasn't exactly excited by the idea of being psychoanalyzed but he also didn't exactly care to spend all of his time alone. He used to love being a social butterfly but deaths and the world kind of killed that for him. Now he simply enjoys the company in his own somber way.]

I haven't felt the need to kill anyone. [ Floods and such, if they became a threat he would not hessiate. A much colder version of the other who wouldn't hurt anyone if he could avvoid it. You know demon aside.] And I'm still sober and alive. So I suppose that'd be points for your positive list.

[ Hard work or not, the page has plenty of doodles on it. Mostly she's used a scale system, little marks for progress, notes on things she wants to remember in case there's a flood that wipes her memory. (Little does she know that the whole thing is a fabrication of the flood.) She marks off her progress bars and the date. ]

Good, excellent. Sober and alive are both very good things. Talk to anyone new and exciting lately? [ She also keeps notes on his friends and what she thinks of them. It's a short list. ]

Not killing seems to be the goal here. Even if half o' these people could do with with being taken out. [ he grumbled a bit running a hand through his hair before shifting in the chair a bit more watching her a moment as if thinking of what to say.]

No, I've not really felt the need to be social. Unless you count the card game Dean drug me too. And then yes I met two new people who are friends of Deans. I don't rank that as high. [ He replied. He was always curious about her scales but he didn't understand why she did them. He pretty much figures he's a lost cause just holding her back.] So what about you, how's things?

There are a lot of goals, but yeah, not killing is on the list.

[ She makes a note to ask Dean about the friends, then sets her pen down. ]

I've been alright. Keeping myself busy when I'm not focusing on your case. Which I am, in case you were worried. [ She takes this job very seriously. ]

Tell me more about this card game. Did you win?

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100,38 - Two roads diverged and they both looked pretty nice actually

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