Looking at lastvoyages in a month or so.

[imnotsure]

So it was between the police commissioner and I and I won huh?

I'm flattered. Really. [She's not.] There's a word you should look up; kleptomaniac. I think you might find it enlightening. Especially in regards to my film. The only reason I'm not complaining more is because if you actually get around to having me exist there. Having me stick? I'll be doing you some good.

You don't owe those people anything. The whole system that this...subculture has set up is a trap for people without the self confidence in themselves to lead full and productive lives. You give them everything and for what? So you can have [her teeth grit, her expression goes very very grim and she draws quotation marks in the air.] "Feels"

I think. It's time to get back to your roots. You always did like cats.

Comments

[impure_tale]

Clearly sound advice.

[imnotsure]

Returning to her roots or recognizing that this entire playing with anonymous faces on the internet is unhealthy?

[impure_tale]

Are you going to argue that everything you do would be viewed as healthy?

[imnotsure]

I know how to take care of myself. How to handle myself. Wrong comments don't make me burst into tears.

[impure_tale]

Perhaps I was not aware that shows of genuine emotion were a sign that one was not self-sufficient.

[imnotsure]

You're asking to be taken advantage of if you do.

[impure_tale]

Experience tells me that the only time anyone asks to be taken advantage of is when they explicitly ask for it. Beyond that, the only blame lies with the perpetrator.

[imnotsure]

The person taking the advantage.

[one step, two step, three step. And she is close.]

...You and your whole damn system.

I'm looking out for my writer. [She's not protecting herself, of course not.]

[impure_tale]

[He chuckles] My "whole damn system," is it? [He chuffs and waves her off] Go. Go, cheri. Amuse yourself by some other means. I'm like to injure myself from laughter if you stay.

[imnotsure]

...You're a warden aren't you?

You're working for them aren't you?

This tossed around concept of rehabilitation. See I live with a guy who "made it" and he's the unhappiest cop I have ever seen.

And I was born in Gotham.

[impure_tale]

I could not care less about the location of the velvet fissure from which you burst forth, my dear.

I'm a graduate. I do not follow a particular system and work for myself. I look after an Inmate as I choose to and allow no others to determine that. I do not assist the other Wardens or subject myself to any notion of rule or governance.

Call it what you will. What I choose to do is no different or less benevolent than your decision to "help" your mundane, but at the very least I am honest about my motivations. Can you say the same?

[imnotsure]

I'm honest about wanting to help her. There are some people who need that nudge.

[impure_tale]

To follow your example.

[imnotsure]

..Yes. exactly.

[No. not really. and it shows]

[impure_tale]

She has my best wishes, if that is the case.

[imnotsure]

...Thank you.

Also your writer keeps saying you're broke and you don't have anything.

You should say something. I think that's awfully rude.

[impure_tale]

I can't fault her for knowing me.

[pulvisetumbrasumus]

Miss Kyle. You'd think you weren't happy with the idea.

[imnotsure]

With going to jail? Not particularly.

Helping her out would be nice. I just don't want to go to jail to do it.

[pulvisetumbrasumus]

I understand it's a rehabilitation facility. Not Blackgate.

[Which they put you in, and that, Bruce would think if he knew, was an atrocity.]

[imnotsure]

Do you think I need rehabilitation Mr. Wayne?

[There is the slightest pout]

Do you think, I have problems?

[pulvisetumbrasumus]

Selina.

[I'm sorry.]

This place could help you like it can't help me. I know you have this in you.

[imnotsure]

[Her eyes look down. And there's sarcasm. But she's not meeting his gaze.]

...I really fail to see how taking care of yourself requires help.

[pulvisetumbrasumus]

I don't think anyone who knows you doubts you can take care of yourself.

[A ghost like a smile.]

This could be your fresh start. You could go anywhere if you graduate. Be anyone. And it doesn't cost you working with Bane.

[imnotsure]

[eyeroll, but in a softer tone] You don't know the first thing about me.

[And at that she laughs] You're new, so I'll spare you the details. Mr. Wayne.

you should be as afraid of that boat as I am. If he shows up? My writer seems to think he's redeemable.

[pulvisetumbrasumus]

[Redeemable. The word sets his teeth on edge. You have my permission to die, he said, in city hall--(I broke you, and maybe he had).]

If he shows up, I'll keep those people safe.

[imnotsure]

[There it is again] You're just like her. She wants to see people happy.

She's willing to sacrifice her own happiness for other people having a good time. What is wrong with all of you?

[pulvisetumbrasumus]

Do you ever think you protest too much?

[He's got your number, Selina.]

[imnotsure]

My voice is my weapon of choice.

[And yes, she did just quote emilie autumn. There is an uncomfortable silence.]

You're a self-confessed martyr.

[pulvisetumbrasumus]

[It goes right over Bruce's head. But he likes the lyricism of it.]

Right. So I don't see the issue. You want out, though. I thought you'd do anything for that.

[imnotsure]

...Have you read up about this place at all?

[pulvisetumbrasumus]

[There is. Perhaps. The tiniest fond smile.]

Are you accusing me of not doing my homework, Ms. Kyle?

[imnotsure]

Well sometimes the world's greatest detectives got F's. Einstein got an F in math.

[pulvisetumbrasumus]

I did nearly fail Princeton.

I understand the place you're going to. Listen to your Warden. Play the game. Get out.

[imnotsure]

What and deprive them of the pleasure of my company? What would you do?

[pulvisetumbrasumus]

[Why did you have to ask that?]

I--

[And then he's just...silent. Brooding.]

[imnotsure]

[Serious. hard even.]

Not doing this for me. Doing this for her. She needs to feel confident about playing these kids games again.

I don't need to be rehabilitated. Our world needs to be rehabilitated.

[pulvisetumbrasumus]

[He stays quiet. Then, softly:]

Selina, you're part of the world.

[imnotsure]

[Her eyes grow hard.]

Do you honestly expect that I'd come along and offer you an apology?

I'm not Michelle Phieffer. I don't need to be rescued and come and live in your castle like some princess in a fairy tale.

[pulvisetumbrasumus]

I know you don't need to be rescued.

[And that's why she's different. She's not Rachel or Miranda. She doesn't need him, never will. He doesn't look at her and feel the crushing horror of loss, because Selina is a survivor.]

That's not what I'm saying. I'm saying I believe you can do this. If anyone can, it's you. Be honest with me. Could she force you to do anything you didn't want?

[imnotsure]

Stop.. Just...Stop. I don't know if it's misplaced philanthropy or not but...

I want to go help the kid. That's it. I'd be easy to play. I've been with her for years.

[pulvisetumbrasumus]

[He can't stop. That's the problem. It never stops.]

Holly.

I've heard worse reasons.

[imnotsure]

[She flinches and leans against the wall, arms crossed over her chest.]

I guess we're both suckers in our own ways.

[pulvisetumbrasumus]

[Tiny mouth quirk.]

So you admit it. Finally.

[apianoteacher]

[Oh, hey Catwoman from a nebulous dimension. Have an equally nebulous Stephanie Brown, decked out in a full Batwoman costume.

No voice modifier, though. She never liked those.]

You get to fly around in space. There are worse fates.

Like walking around in those shoes. I mean. How? Not judging, just curious.

[Combat boots for life, thank you.]

[imnotsure]

[...Okay that's new. That's a bat-what. Girl? Person? Catwoman raises an eyebrow]

Trade secret. I had them custom made. [she danced for awhile] and honestly I always get sick on airplanes. I prefer cruises in actual water thank you.

[apianoteacher]

[A Batpresident. Or something. No, that sounds weird. Batwoman.]

Can they even get through customs?

[At the admission, Stephanie's eyes light up. She's more open than you might expect from someone in a mask.]

You do not. [Growing up, Catwoman was always one of those people that registered as too cool to exist, in Stephanie's mind. The suggestion that she gets plane sick is like suggesting that the Queen of England knows all the lyrics to "Baby Got Back." Possible, but not very probable.]