12 - Return of the twice prodigal daughter

[ichoosefight]

Heya Barge! Miss me?

[ Steph hasn't been gone that long, but at her age the time shows more easily. She's 18 now, about to turn 19, her hair a mite shorter and neater than it was when she left. Her expression is cautiously optimistic. She has no idea how much time has passed on the barge yet. ]

It's been a little over a year for me. Everybody I told about the barge says hi. Babs too, even though I told her that was gonna be weird. I guess I'm now officially your newest warden.

Soo... what's the damage? Do I need to reintroduce myself?

Comments

oh

[ichoosefight]

I'm talking about the Spoiler getup. Though the haircut is also new.

I fail sometimes.

[neverfeltbetter]

So, how does the new on compare? What's it look like?

as do we all.

[ichoosefight]

It's darker, and the mask doesn't cover my eyes. Want to see?

Case in point

[neverfeltbetter]

Yeah! Lemme see it!

/pets gently

[ichoosefight]

[ SURPRISE she was wearing it this whole time! She only turns away for a moment to throw the hooded cape on and pull the mask up over her nose before posing for the camera. ]

What do you think?

[neverfeltbetter]

Ooh, very nice. It looks dangerous.

[ichoosefight]

It sure isn't for Sunday school.

[neverfeltbetter]

So, besides looking badass and volunteering, what else have you been doing the past year?

[ichoosefight]

I joined up with the Birds of Prey. Volunteering has taken up most of my time.

[neverfeltbetter]

What's Birds of Prey?

[ichoosefight]

It's Oracle's team, with her, Black Canary and Huntress.

[neverfeltbetter]

Ah, girl power huh?

[ichoosefight]

More like, "vigilantes Batman doesn't necessarily approve of, unite".

[neverfeltbetter]

Is there still some friction between you an' him?

[ichoosefight]

A bit, yeah. He's stubborn like that. Funny how it turns out to be mostly girls though, right? The only other Gothamite he's not overly fond of is Jason, and he's as bad as Helena is when it comes to lethal force.

[neverfeltbetter]

Could be something to that.

Lethal force, as in he's a fan of using it?

[ichoosefight]

He has very strong feelings about shooting people before they kill or cripple people he cares about.

[neverfeltbetter]

Can't say I disagree with him on that.

[ichoosefight]

In general, I'd have to agree. I do see his point about... certain people, though.

[ Let's all go kill the Joker, it'll be fun ]

[neverfeltbetter]

Look, Steph, I've done a lot more killing than I'm comfortable with for those same reasons. When people threaten my family, or me, this gun is all I got to put between them. Doesn't make it right; I know that. But, that's why I'd never make a good super hero...

I'd still do it every time.

[ichoosefight]

And what if the guy had killed thousands, maimed hundreds of thousands, and blew you up after beating you half to death with a crowbar?

[neverfeltbetter]

Is that what happened to you?

[ichoosefight]

That's what happened to him.

[ Hell no she's not defending killing Black Mask. ]

[neverfeltbetter]

If I knew he was going to do that to me, my family, or hell just some innocent stranger on the street? If I had no other choice? I'd shoot him.

[That doesn't make him proud. But it is the truth.]

[ichoosefight]

Yeah. I think I probably would too.