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

[ichoosefight]

[ 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?

Comments

Voice

[bodilesswarrior]

[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.

Voice; Can edit if you want a shared barge history?

[ichoosefight]

I knew you'd understand, Babs.

[ Private ]

What's wrong?

Voice; Nah this is cool!

[bodilesswarrior]

[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.]

Private Voice; Sweeeet

[ichoosefight]

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

Private Voice

[bodilesswarrior]

[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.

Private Voice

[ichoosefight]

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.

Private Voice

[bodilesswarrior]

[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?

[Private]

[an_abomination]

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

[Private]

[ichoosefight]

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.

[Private]

[an_abomination]

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

[Private]

[ichoosefight]

[ She grins. ]

I never say no to conjugal visits.

[Private]

[an_abomination]

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

[Private]

[ichoosefight]

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

I'll see you in a bit.

[theonlyresponse]

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.]

[ichoosefight]

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. ]

[theonlyresponse]

What are the right questions in this case?

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

[ichoosefight]

Questions like, do you remember meeting me?

[theonlyresponse]

Yes.

[Beat.]

Do you remember me?

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

[ichoosefight]

Tall Dark and Gloomy? How could I not?

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

Video

[fuckingvisions]

[ 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.]

Video

[ichoosefight]

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. ]

Video

[fuckingvisions]

[ 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.]

video

[ichoosefight]

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. ]

video

[fuckingvisions]

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.]

video

[ichoosefight]

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.