Crack plurk discussions. lastvoyages. SOMEDAY.

[savedbatman]

You don't even know if it's going to happen.

And what, you want me there to babysit who? To help with what exactly? Weren't you the one who said that's it? Weren't you the one who said No more? I remember that. I remember there being the words no more there.

And if you did, what you're...what you're considering...

I'm not some kind of therapist. Not the kind that could really help people. I'm just an old war horse. I'm an old work horse. Not to mention didn't you just have a problem with this? People will come at you. You need to more confident with what you have instead of thinking of adding more... [sigh. sigh sigh. frown]

If you're going to do this don't rush anything.

Passion outs. Passion shows through. And I don't think any of them have any cause to doubt your devotion just-take it slow? Please? [NONE OF THEM LISTEN. EVER. THEY JUST LOOK AT SHINY THINGS. IT'S LIKE A BOX FULL OF JOKERS. :| these muns.]

[long suffering sigh] ...Hotter heads work in Gotham. Not where you're sitting.

Comments

[hungover]

Trust me, you don't always get a choice on whether you play therapist or prisoner.

Prefer the former over the latter, myself...

[savedbatman]

I'm not one for therapy. I know I'd do more harm then good if given the opportunity.

These muns keep dangling carrots in front of me though.

[hungover]

Must be some damn good carrots if you're smart enough to know that you could seriously screw some people up and you're still willing to give it a go.

[orphan_blake]

Hot head? Want me to cool down?

[savedbatman]

[He visibly flinches at that]

...I'm still deciding. [okay? Jesus. He's still deciding. It's not that bad. It's not. No one will end up like Harvey.]

[hungover]

Seems to me we don't often get the choice in the matter.

[But you can choose to just sort of passively lay there instead of cooperating, right?]

[savedbatman]

...Nobody is cruel enough to deny someone choice like that.

[hungover]

[Oh, such ugly laughter.]

You're pretty optimistic for someone who looks like they might be older than me, fellow.

[savedbatman]

[He adjusts his glasses]

Let's just say I've seen the power of belief. And it'll see me through.

[hungover]

Just don't let belief keep you from acting on your own if you have the chance.

[ladyofgotham]

[It's not often that Barbara Gordon can't speak, but here she is, just staring.]

[savedbatman]

[And it's not often that Jim Gordon is confused.] Can I help you ma'am?

[there's something about her eyes-the shape of her face...but he's imagining things.]

/Stalks your post. DX

[hungryanhorny]

...Tell me you're kidding./

[ladyofgotham]

No. [Her voice is soft and sad.]

Not now. [It's been so long. Is this really how he would have looked?]

I'm not...

[She smiles, then. It's a strained, shaking thing.]

I'm not your little girl any more.

[savedbatman]

[There's Barbara and Jim junior. when he last left them they were stranded on a rooftop in Gotham City and he agreed because he could save Harvey and-]

[His mouth opens and closes and it's just instinct and those words. He wraps his arms around her and clutches her to him.]

You will always be my little girl.

[savedbatman]

I don't think so.

[hungryanhorny]

[Fuck.] Can't be much worse than the rest.

[ladyofgotham]

[She expects to tense; she almost always does, at a person's touch. It's just instinct, after years of fighting, years of pulling away from everyone.

But she doesn't. She relaxes into the embrace, rests her head against his shoulder.]

Dad.

[It's an awed, aching sort of whisper. She hasn't said that word in so many years.]

I've missed you so much.

[savedbatman]

[The admiral told him time did not move in a straight line on the barge. Would that he had listen. He doesn't pull away.

Jim Gordon is a good father.]

Admiral told me to expect surprises.

...Didn't honestly expect this. [There's a weak laugh] You're so grown up kiddo. And your hair-god you look just like your mother.

[he pulls back slightly, utterly oblivious to anything being wrong]

Look at my Babs Bunny all grown up. [And he holds her close once more] ...How are you holding up? Are you okay?

[ladyofgotham]

You get that on the Barge.

[Her mother. For a moment it's hard to breathe. But she smiles, because it's one of the few times someone's said that with real love behind it, and not trite sympathy.

She chuckles at the nickname. It comes out a bit choked.]

I'm - I'm doing fine. Better than a lot of people, right now.

[She pulls back, suddenly, staring at him intently.]

It's dangerous. Even for you.

[savedbatman]

I bet. [another surprised laugh] ...Better how? What's happened?

[And at that his mouth sets. He leans back.] Barbara-sometimes...sometimes even if it's dangerous a person has to do it. [he doesn't know you. You were just a baby. Reach back and find as many experiences as you can...

Nothing. Just Jim. Jim and his love of the batman] ...I mean if i can help my friend...I could help you too.

[savedbatman]

The other wardens?

[hungryanhorny]

Not exactly like we're drowning in qualifications over here.

[ladyofgotham]

[Her laughter is softer, this time.] Should have known you'd say that. That's where I learned it.

[Her expressions hardens, though, and her voice turns firm.] But I want you to know the risks going in. Some of the inmates aren't just lost souls - they're downright bloodthirsty. I swear, the murder rate is higher than Gotham's used to be.

[savedbatman]

I may not have a lot of experience with therapy persay, but I do know criminals.

[savedbatman]

...I said it to Jim-I'll be honest I didn't know I...I said it to you a lot. Back home you're just a..just a baby really. [What would Barbara make of this.]

[And he listens] Arkham all over again?

[hungryanhorny]

Yeah? That what you're gonna think of hem as on the barge?

[ladyofgotham]

[Barbara frowns, before her eyes widen.] I - have a brother?

It - yes, if Arkham didn't have any cells. We've got Ivy, Crane, and Nygma there to make it feel more like home.

[savedbatman]

...Well...It's a facility for prison rehabilitation.

[That means Criminals]

[hungryanhorny]

It's a place for fucked up people to get better; wanna tell me the last time you saw prison do that?

[savedbatman]

...You don't remem-

[He doesn't withdraw but there is a pause. She's not his daughter. Made of his flesh and blood but one of the copies of him somewhere across the universe.

If anything he looks a little sadder] Yes. His name's James. James and Barbara. Your mom and I...we're the most original parents.

[And his expression hardens] I see. And they have wardens?

[ladyofgotham]

[She looks sad, too. She'd known, of course, that it wasn't him, exactly, couldn't have been, and her voice is quiet when she responds.] Maybe if they'd had more time.

[A slight snort.] Some. [She is so severely unimpressed with the Barge's management.]

[savedbatman]

[He frowns] More time.

[And another deeper frown] You're helping them out with that aren't you?

I mean I always assumed...you and James might follow your mom and I into..

[Maybe no. He deflates slightly] Where do you stand?

[ladyofgotham]

Yes.

[Her smile's a bit wistful.] I did follow you. In a way.

[Her voice takes a bitter turn.] The Admiral sees me as a lost soul, I suppose. [Something changes about it, before she realises; it's harsher, lower, almost guttural.] I should be in Gotham, I should be protecting my city.