Fifth Unused Utility Belt | Video and Spam, backdated to late last night

[hellofist]

[It's late, it's been dark for hours and she's pretty sure everyone else is sleeping, but Cass can't. It's not really a new thing, since generally crime fighters are out all night anyway, but the events of the port haven't helped much.

She's in her room when she turns the feed on, dressed in her Batgirl costume except for the cowl and gloves. She feels more like herself, dressed this way.]

What are... tips, for sleeping? Or... to do, to make tired? Don't say reading.

Is anyone else... even up?



[He said she could visit when she wanted. She even told him it might be at night and he said it was okay. That's why Cass is at Merlin's door in the middle of the night, not knocking before she just goes right in. The door was unlocked, so maybe he remembered she said she'd visit. She doesn't look around before she closes the door behind her because she's not really sneaking, so getting caught isn't exactly on her mind.

It's dark inside, which is good. It means he's sleeping instead of staying up all night doing magic things, or whatever it is Merlins do in their spare time. She makes her way to his bed, then climbs onto it to sit beside him and poke him in the shoulder.]

Hi, Merlin.

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Private Video

[bodilesswarrior]

Friendship. Family. Fun things, like - seeing a movie, going dancing, eating out. [She knows she's stretching things, being a bit of a hypocrite - she doesn't do things like that nearly enough. But at least she knows the opportunity is there.]

And you're here because of what else you can offer. Because you can guide someone onto a better path. That's not Batgirl, that's Cassandra.

Private Video

[hellofist]

[She listens closely, but it's Barbara's body language that does more to encourage her than her words. She says all those things, but she's not just saying them. She honestly means them.

And Cass does have some of those things, she wants the rest, so she nods and sighs softly. Barbara is right. She usually is.]

Yeah. [And now, a tiny smile.] Will be Cassandra for you. And... me, too.

Private Video

[bodilesswarrior]

[Barbara's smile is warm and fond, and her body radiates it; how much she cares, how much she wants to help.]

I know it's not easy. But I'm always here for you.

And Bruce - I think he just needs time. He's just...he's closed his heart for so long. And -

[You can't help loving Cass, so of course he's pushing her away before
that can happen.]

You scare him a little, probably.

Private Video

[hellofist]

[Really, how much Barbara cares is the only thing keeping her from bursting into tears over this. As long as she has Barbara, she can get over Bruce wanting nothing to do with her.

But the part that she scares him, it's not surprising. She's used to that. She's spooky, Steph had said. She knows she scares people, but she'd hoped wearing real clothes more than the batsuit, trying to talk to people, would make her seem less like a freak. And it's hard, to just hang up the suit. It feels like taking off her skin, so maybe it's just time to give up on real clothes for awhile.]

Don't mean to... Can't help how... I am.

Private Video

[bodilesswarrior]

[Barbara leans forward, intent.]

And that's okay. There's nothing wrong with how you are.

The thing with Bruce - he's so closed off. [A wry smile pulls at her lips.] More than ours, and that's saying something.

It's hard for him to deal with someone who's just not, and - who can just see past all the wall he puts up, without even trying.

But I think...that could be really good for him, if he lets it. You could be really good for him. Just like you are back home.

Private Video

[hellofist]

[There's nothing wrong with how you are. And she means it. Those words, the way her body leaves no room for argument, it makes her feel a little stronger. She can do this. Barbara believes in her.]

Love you.

[It's more important to say that right now, to make sure Barbara knows, than to worry over Bruce. When she says it, Cass even smiles at her a little.]

What should... I do? About Bruce? Just... keep waiting?