14 - Plot twist: things CAN get worse

[ichoosefight]

[ Voice ]

Mom?

[ Yeah this is probably going to get her shot at some more, but when has a silly thing like imminent death every stopped her? Steph sounds pretty calm, considering the uncertainty evident and the content of the 'voicemail'. Actually, she sounds mostly sad. Like maybe she was scared but the pieces are starting to come together. ]

Your answering machine stopped working. And you never picked me up. And I just almost got turned into swiss cheese. And I'm kind of starting to wonder if maybe your phone is tapped, because I'm pretty sure it was me they were looking for. And now I don't even know where I am, so I'm kind of also starting to wonder if I wasn't drugged or something.

Just thought I'd give you an update, since you haven't answered any of my calls after the first one.

[ooc | Steph is now from New52 canon, and her replies will come from spoilsplans ]

Comments

[sickjoke]

Stephanie?

[ ah, hell. this is getting to the point where he's going to spent the whole flood giggling due to nerves, isn't it? ]

[spoilsplans]

[ This is a little alarming but okay Steph, deep breaths. ]

Yes? Hello?

[sickjoke]

Hello, there, Stephanie. You're-- ah. You're not at home. Your mom's not going to answer.

I'm Jack.

[ And if she's reverted he's going to be the least comforting thing ever. ]

I can't come help you out, but I know a lady who might.

[ IF she's herself. He hasn't seen her. Crap. ]

[spoilsplans]

Yeah, I kinda noticed that.

Jack, are you with the police?

[ She tries to sound casual, but if he's a cop she needs to run. ]

[sickjoke]

No.

I'm-- one of those nuts who puts on costumes and fights crime because cops are on the take a lot in Gotham.

[ Well, he's honest at least. ]

[spoilsplans]

You're with Batman? [ Sudden intensity, hope. ] Can you prove it?

[sickjoke]

No. Solo operator, sorry. Met the guy once, but he's not real chatty.

[spoilsplans]

Right.

[ So she really can't trust him. The excitement leaks from her voice. ]

Who's this person you wanted me to meet?

[sickjoke]

Iris. She's -- well, she's honestly hard to describe.

But she can help you. Doesn't matter what your problem, she probably has a fix.

[spoilsplans]

Nobody can fix this. Except maybe Batman. Just maybe.

[ If she can survive long enough to find him, convince him she's not crazy, and get him to get everyone he can trust in on stopping it. And even then, it won't undo her father putting a gun to her head. ]

[sickjoke]

Look. I want to help you. But you're not where you were, and you're not talking to who you expected to.

I need you to find the nearest door and find the hallway. Trust me. It'll be there. Somewhere. And then find the stairs or the elevator at the end of the hall, and go up to the top deck.

OK?

I won't be there. I'll give you space to do that. I don't know what floor you're on or anything.

[spoilsplans]

Uh huh. Look, I'm sure you mean well - I hope you do, anyway - but I'm not exactly in a position to be trusting anyone right now, stranger or not. And since you obviously know who I am and I don't know who told you, I think I'm gonna play it safe with the locked door for a bit longer.

[sickjoke]

Alright. Well, the mess is on the first floor if you need anything to eat. You'll be home in three days or so. If you need anything, you can contact me at, uh-- on your phone.

[spoilsplans]

Home. Awesome. [ At least here she hasn't been shot at yet. ]

Well, thanks. If nobody tries to kill me I may even do that.

[sickjoke]

Right. Just-- ring me up if you need anything.

[ being the last sane warden is hard ]

[andyougoleft]

[The voice that comes back is no one's mother, but neither is he particularly unkind.

Very even, in fact, the kind that it would be easy to trust but for no easily discernible reason other than the lack of sharp edges. Reasonable, certainly, and intent.]

I believe the name for this phenomenon is "wrong number," my dear.

The question now becomes whether or not that was intentional.

[spoilsplans]

Oh, I'm sorry.

[ Definitely not Mom, but he has such a pleasant voice it's hard to conceive that he might be one of the guys her dad has sent after her. ]

It wasn't on purpose, I could swear I had it right... I'll try again.

[ She hangs up, dials a number that means absolutely nothing to her device, and listens for a dial tone. ]

Hello?

[adelphoktonos]

I don't think your mom's hearing this.

[spoilsplans]

I'm not sure she heard the last few, either.

[andyougoleft]

Of course.

[He continues to be reasonable, even as he suspects what's coming next. Sure enough, he's there to answer again when she questions the void once more.]

My apologies, but I would posit that you are operating on outdated information.

[spoilsplans]

Damn.

You want to update mu information for me?

[adelphoktonos]

She... probably didn't. Do you know where you are yet? Has someone explained?

[spoilsplans]

Yeah... sort of. I guess I get a break from hiding for a while. Assuming that what I've heard is true.

[adelphoktonos]

Well, what have you heard?

[spoilsplans]

That I've got a couple of days in some weird boat-spaceship before I'm dumped right back where I was.

[adelphoktonos]

Unless you're meant to be here and the Admiral just chose a crappy time to pick you up.

[spoilsplans]

Wait, that's an option?

[ Strangely this doesn't seem as upsetting as it probably should be. ]

[adelphoktonos]

A possibility. He does have a vicious sense of humor sometimes.

It doesn't sound like it bothers you much, though.

[spoilsplans]

Considering the folks back home are trying to kill me? I'm not in a rush to go back.

[adelphoktonos]

[Knowing how this place works, Helena wonders if they didn't manage to kill her after all. She doesn't say that though.]

Why are they trying to kill you?

[spoilsplans]

I know some things I probably shouldn't.

[ Like, say, their entire plan to take over the city. ]

[andyougoleft]

Would that I could, in this regard.

Although I am marginally better equipped to answer questions of a slightly different bent.

How may I be of service?

[spoilsplans]

Depends. What sort of questions are you better at answering?

[adelphoktonos]

Well, you'd be the first short-term arrival I've seen this flood if you're not supposed to be here. So take comfort in the fact you could very easily be safe here for a lot longer than three days.

[spoilsplans]

Thanks. Here's hoping I last.

[adelphoktonos]

Here's hoping.