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

[routemistress]

EEEEEEEEEEE STEPH you're 'ome eeeeeee come 'ere so we can hug you. And tell me all about 'ow Other Babs is doing.

[private]

I think Mindy missed you, she cut Chris' throat yesterday.

Private;

[ichoosefight]

Oh, for the love of--

[ Give her a second she just went from excited to shocked and dismayed. ]

Somebody needs to teach that girl how to talk about her feelings.

Private;

[routemistress]

Right? You sure we can't just mail 'er to Bruce?

Anyway bugger Mindy, tell me about your year. 'Ow's Babs?

[codename_duchess]

Wait, you were gone?

[ichoosefight]

[ Not taking him the slightest bit seriously. ]

It's okay to admit you missed me, Archer. No one will think any less of you.

[codename_duchess]

Hi. Welcome back. Where were you again?

Private;

[ichoosefight]

I don't think they make sturdy enough boxes.

Babs is great. She and Cass are finally getting along again, so that's a relief.

[ichoosefight]

Gotham. You know, my home?

[codename_duchess]

Oh. How'd that go?

While you were gone I played a checkers marathon.

Private;

[routemistress]

I didn't know they even 'adn't been! And 'ow about you? What you been doing all year? Anyone I need to go and punch for you, or 'ave you got all that covered?

[ichoosefight]

Not too many people died, I got a new costume, my ex isn't my ex anymore and I stopped some jerk from Central City from killing his dad. All in all, pretty good. How was checkers?

[codename_duchess]

Sounds like a good trip.

It was intense. You should've been here.

Private;

[ichoosefight]

I've got the punching pretty much down, but thanks all the same.

I scheduled a test to get my GED. I figure with all the time I'll have here I'll be better prepared than anyone else in that room. And Mom says she wants to move out of Gotham, once we can afford to.

I didn't tell her my deal's to pay off all her debts. Oh! And Babs helped me design a new costume.

[ichoosefight]

It had its moments.

If I'd only known, I might've stayed a few more days.

[voice]

[walkingmeltdown]

[His first instinct is not to say anything, ignore the message, ignore her. She graduated, she's a warden now, she's on the side of the Batman; she's the enemy. Clearly. Why have anything more to do with her? She was annoying enough as it is.

He tells himself the reason he changes his mind, is because it would be worse somehow if she decided to contact him first.]


It's only been four days. [Mild irritation, 'No need for the hoopla' implied.]

[voice]

[ichoosefight]

[ Excuse you, she's on the side of the Birds of Prey. Way cooler (and nicer) than Batman. ]

Oh, wow. I made good time. That's great though! That means everyone is still here, right?

[voice]

[walkingmeltdown]

Far as I know. [Long pause.] Six-point-eight percent, by the way.

[voice]

[ichoosefight]

Come again?

[ She's been gone more than a year, she doesn't remember what they've talked about. ]

[voice]

[walkingmeltdown]

Six people from Gotham. Eighty-eight residents. Our population contribution is 6.8 percent.

[He's not surprised she's forgotten, timeline oddities or not. So it's a blithe statement of fact.]

[voice]

[ichoosefight]

Oh! Cool. We're a percentage.

You know, considering the environment I'm not really surprised. There are plenty of Gothamites who need redemption.

[voice]

[walkingmeltdown]

That we are.

[Guess who belatedly realized he's been grouping himself as part of a 'we' and an 'our'? Thiiis guy.]

I have to admit, I am getting so very sick of that word.

[voice]

[ichoosefight]

What, 'redemption'? It does sound a little pretentious, doesn't it.

[voice]

[walkingmeltdown]

Yes, certainly. That's one way of putting it. 'Redemption'. 'Rehabilitation'.

Something needs to be broken before it needs to be fixed.

[voice]

[ichoosefight]

And you don't think you're broken? Being dead isn't good enough?

[Text]

[mistconduct]

Hey, welcome back.