Tenth Unused Utility Belt | Video

[hellofist]

People keep showing up, with memories... that don't match up. Happening a lot, lately. Guess it happens... all the time, but... seems like more, now.

[Cass stops a second, not looking into the feed but at something past the comm, jaw clenching and relaxing as she thinks.]

Know I did... something. Or... something happened, to me. Made me... someone people don't like? Or are scared of. Don't know.

[It's a little terrifying, to talk to Tim and see him be relieved she's not whatever she becomes in his future.]

I guess, want advice. Want to know... if you did something... bad, or wrong, would you... want to know? Want someone... to tell you, so you could stop? Or just... let it happen, hope you... do right things?

Comments

[Video, private] - I know this is obscenely late, I'm so sorry

[hellofist]

[It's good to see Anya again after so long, to know she's still here and looking well. And her points are something Cass hadn't really thought of. It's true that whatever she might do in the future, that isn't her right now. It helps, thinking of it that way.]

So I could... avoid it. Know what to... not do?

[Video, private] - no worries at all! I have done the same.

[fridgetothefire]

Basically. Or, I mean, you at least know more about your options, and...the likely consequences. So you can avoid, or decide that it's worth it, if it comes to that. But it's better to know more about what you're deciding than to go in blind and just hope it works out, right?

[Video, private] - <333

[hellofist]

[She nods, because that makes more sense than it doesn't.]

Still... kind of afraid, to know. People are saying, can change future. Others say, can't. No one knows. Leaves it to me, to pick.

[This is feeling very one-sided, so Cass gives Anya a quick smile and tries to change the subject.]

Haven't seen you, lately. You okay?

[Video, private]

[fridgetothefire]

Well, it's an empirical question. We've got people here who've made deals to change their pasts, right? So it can be done.

The next question is how hard it is, whether it's worth it, that stuff. We've got plenty of impossible things in our lives already. May as well go for one more, if it matters to you.

Yeah, I'm alright. [Since this thread is early in the flood for her.] I keep to myself a lot, that's all.

[Video, private]

[hellofist]

To change futures, too.

[Man Anya, you're filled with good points. Cass is just gonna come straight to you for answers on this kind of stuff from now on.]

Me too, before barge. Still like it, here?

[Video, private]

[fridgetothefire]

[She's a very pragmatic, strategic thinker.]

I do.

[It's easy, confident. She's starting to trust that the things she values most about it won't evaporate, even if the affirmation is restrained in it's way; she's taken a few heavy emotional knocks from floods so far, but still, it's worth it.]

[Video, private]

[hellofist]

[It's like looking into a mirror when Cass reads Anya's feelings about the barge. For as bad as it is sometimes, it's endlessly better than any kind of alternative she could go back to.]

Have a friend, here. She thinks... me wanting to stay? Is hiding. Is... avoiding. Doesn't understand why here... could ever be best place, to stay forever.

It's good, knowing other people... like it here, too. Like it better... than where they're from.

[Video, private]

[fridgetothefire]

It's not avoidance if there's nothing worth going back for.

[Anyone not Cass would probably say Anya spoke firmly, while philosophically calm. She's actually furious - that hit way closer to home that she wants to admit. She draws in a small breath through her nose, forcing herself to respond more rationally.]

Yeah. It is good. I'm not used to sympathizing with people, or being understood but - it's good.

[Video, private]

[hellofist]

[It almost feels like validation when she sees Anya's reaction. Cass had never questioned her own feelings about wanting or not wanting to stay, it was never a thing she wasn't sure about. She knows the only thing waiting for her in Gotham is probably a painful death and she doesn't want to die, not anymore. She wants to help people. The barge will let her do that.

She isn't sure what's cowardly or wrong with that. Anya's reaction tells her. There's nothing wrong with it.]

Glad you're here, then. Glad I... got to meet you. Be your friend.

[Video, private]

[fridgetothefire]

You think we're friends?

[All nervous smiles, unsure but delighted.]

[Video, private]

[hellofist]

[When Cass smiles back and nods, there's nothing unsure about it at all.]

Definitely.

[Video, private]

[fridgetothefire]

Where's your room? I have to make you cookies or something.

[Video, private]

[hellofist]

Level seven, room twenty. But, making together... would be more fun.

[She can't read recipes but she can chop and pour ingredients in bowls like a boss.]

[Video, private]

[fridgetothefire]

I guess it would. And I wouldn't have to keep barging into my warden's room to use her kitchen. I can send you some ingredient lists to ask the admiral for, if you want?