First New Story | Video

[hellofist]

[She knows that it's a cruel trick to do this now, in the middle of the night in the middle of a flood where people may or may not have their original memories. Everyone is too busy dealing with their own things, and so that's why she does this now.

It's underhanded, but it's happening. She's broadcasting from inside her room, a cramped, run down little thing with cracked plaster and a beaten up dresser and a bed and nothing else. She sits on the bed, cup of tea balanced in her lap, and tries not to think about what she's saying as she says it.]

Figured, should... do this, officially. My name is Cassandra Cain. I was here, before. As a warden.

[Still hurts to admit that, but she charges on through as best she can.]

I'm not anymore. Don't remember everything, just that... I was here. Some things came back, memories of... some people. Some places. Mostly, it's new.

That's all. [Except maybe she'll inject something in there to make it seem like she's trying.] Good luck, with new bodies. Shouldn't last long, don't worry.

Comments

[bodilesswarrior]

Doesn't feel new, for me. [His voice is soft, and his gaze is tender, and if his body shouts father rather than mother, it's not such a big difference.]

...Is your room okay? We can change it, if you want. [Or you could stay with me, he doesn't say.]

[hellofist]

No, it's-

[She stops there, because this is a thing she's never thought of before. As far as she knows, Barbara doesn't know the specifics of what happened to her after she had left Gotham. She was never in contact, still angry, but it wouldn't surprise her if Barbara knew basics. Areas of town she lived in, maybe, but never what the inside of her places looked like.

She needs to think of this and only this because this kind of body language from a man does scream father and it makes her a little uncomfortable. At least when Barbara is mother, there was nothing to compare it to. With Byron as her father, it's too easy to think of Cain and how his body should have looked exactly like this and never did.]

I stayed here, when waiting... for my own cave. It's fine.

[bodilesswarrior]

[It's not, but he won't argue, not yet. He knows Cass can see his concern, and he knows that she needs his respect.

So he only nods.]

...Do you have enough tea?

[hellofist]

[It could be argued that there is no such thing as enough tea, but Cass just nods. Nodding is easiest, even if it does come with a bit of a distasteful look. The tea isn't very good.]

Got it from... the cafeteria. Not as good as Alfred's.

[And she misses him desperately. He knew exactly how to make good tea, not the hot leaf juice she's stuck with now.]

[bodilesswarrior]

I know how he makes it. [He tries for a smile.] I'm sure it's not quite as good, but...

[hellofist]

I don't have, uh... tea stuff. [It takes her a second.] No kettle. This is fine.

[bodilesswarrior]

[He's quiet, for a moment. He doesn't focus on any of the emotions running through his mind; he doesn't want her to see more than she has to. How worried he is, how guilty, how frustrated, how helpless.]

Alfred would want you to have it.

[Look, he's not above low blows.]

[hellofist]

[She huffs, half annoyed sigh and half defeat.]

Alfred would want... lots of things. I'm next door to Cassel.

[bodilesswarrior]

I now. [It just slips out, and his smile is sheepish.

He's not keeping tabs, really he isn't. No more than he does in general.]

I'll be there in a few minutes.

[hellofist]

[She turns the feed off first and gets up to unlock the door, leaving it open so Barbara... well, so he can just come inside. For all her feelings about what she shouldn't be allowed, keeping some people out is just going to be impossible.]

[bodilesswarrior]

[Damn right it is.

It doesn't take him long to brew the tea. He pours two big mugs, and then washes out the kettle to bring with him. He grabs a few different kinds of tea leaves.

Then he's on his way, steadying everything in his lap as he moves.

He barely hesitates at her door, smiling up at her with a father's warmth.]

Hey.