001.

[anewlanguage]

[Cain has no interest in vlogging, but his video feed was switched on accidentally as he got settled into his room. So for a long while there's no sound, and the only picture is of the side of his leg. Then he notices that it's not cooperating, and he's not such a stoic prisoner that he'll just turn it off and pretend it hadn't happened.]

This is some kind of reality show, huh? 'True Lives of the Deadliest Inmates'?

Comments

[anewlanguage]

'Temporal adventuress'? Well now you've got me nine kinds of curious. You from before or after 2003?

[routemistress]

Oh, both, lovey, there's fun to be 'ad all ends of the timeline. 'Ow about you? I take it that's your present? Earth, is it?

[anewlanguage]

It's close enough. Last I saw I was in Gotham--you know where that is? Does it still exist in the future? [He sounds like he doubts it. That poor city has been in its death throes for decades.]

[routemistress]

Never been there meself, love, Gotham's one o' them continuities my sort stay out of, on the whole. I've 'eard of it, though. You've got a few compatriots 'ere already.

[anewlanguage]

Oh really? Shouldn't be surprised a prison's overrun with Gothamites. I heard from one of them. Who are the others?

[routemistress]

There's a whole crew of batty types, I know that much. I've 'ad a real brief look at a fictional version, an' I can't be sure quite 'ow the real people 'ere fit in with that, to be honest. I got the impression they're from several different continuities an' all.

They going to know you by sight, are they, love?

Private;

[anewlanguage]

[Batty types. He smiles, or tries to.] Any Batgirls? Cute little thing who don't talk much, maybe? Her suit doesn't have a mouth I don't think.

Re: Private;

[routemistress]

If we're thinkin' of the same girl, I've not seen 'er in costume.

Why'd you ask, pet?

Private;

[anewlanguage]

Depends, is her name Cassandra?

Re: Private;

[routemistress]

...And she's important. Not just to you, pet, so spill. What gives, mister?

Private;

[anewlanguage]

She's my kid.

[He thinks about telling her more, and then doesn't.]

Re: Private;

[routemistress]

Well now. I'm not 'er, but I can still read between lines a little. No, you don't 'ave to tell me; not my business. But she is my friend and she's 'ad a rough time lately. Go careful, eh?

Private;

[anewlanguage]

I don't plan on talking to her, don't fret your pretty head, darlin'.

Who's been giving her a rough time?

Re: Private;

[routemistress]

You don't, eh?

[That's not disbelief so much as pure curiosity.]

No one, lovey, not on purpose. People disappear and it's 'ard on anyone that's got attached. This boat's 'ard on us sometimes. I don't reckon there's anyone on board wouldn't bend over backwards to make 'er life better, but it's still not always sunshine an' roses.

Private;

[anewlanguage]

She's doing pretty well most of the time then, eh? She's a tough kid. She'll be okay.

[He's sure of it. He's also trying to convince himself of it.]

Did Batman make it aboard?

Re: Private;

[routemistress]

She's well thought of.

Aye, one of 'em. Might not be the one you know, mind.

Private;

[anewlanguage]

Doesn't matter. Unless he runs around in pink tights they're probably close enough to be the same pain in my ass. [He means exactly none of his whining. The reality is that he's glad Bruce is there for Cass.]

So Iris, how long's your stay been?

Re: Private;

[routemistress]

Two days short o' three months.

[She doesn't have to think about the answer, any more than she would if you wanted it in seconds, hours, rells or nanospans.]

Not long, really, but I've made some good friends. I like it 'ere, meself.

[She does usually, anyway.]

There's some of us that do.

Private;

[anewlanguage]

Yeah...turns out 'home' is anywhere you can park yourself and get cozy. But I guess nostalgic people are always gonna leave their memories in a place instead of in their heads, huh?

Re: Private;

[routemistress]

[And this is the moment when Iris decides she likes this man; you can tell because her face blazes up into a dazzling grin of approval.]

Aye, exactly. Wildthyme's Law, Rule Number One, lovey: if you can't carry it with you it's not worth 'aving. Only make yourself miserable else.

Private;

[anewlanguage]

[Well, isn't that infectious? As miserable as Cain feels right now it's always nice to chat with someone who doesn't immediately want him dead or worse.]

And what's your Rule Number Two?

Re: Private;

[routemistress]

Oh, I've only got one, lovey, I can't be doin' with a lot of rules. I change it up to suit the circumstances. Flexible, that's me.

Private;

[anewlanguage]

Yeah well now you've got me all curious. What circumstances do you aim to change up by bein' here?

Re: Private;

[routemistress]

[She doesn't have an immediate, pat answer for this one; not so much because she doesn't know as because her reasons are multiple and shifting. Not that she considers very long before speaking.]

Well. Partly I just liked the sound o' the place, you know? Suited me to be somewhere like this for a while. I never thought too 'ard about the 'ole redemption thing before I actually got 'ere, but I've seen it working already. Living 'ere changes you, you can't 'elp it - and I've always been a fan of second chances, lovey.

[She's making some effort not to give him a significant look to go with that sentence, but not entirely successfully.]

And there's the deal, of course - I can always find a use for a stable wormhole nexus. That's if I don't change me mind before I'm done, any road. I've got a feeling getting my bloke sorted out might be a bit on the longterm side - plenty of time to think it over, eh?

Private;

[anewlanguage]

[She's an altruistic woman, then. That's not really a surprise even after a mere ten minutes of conversation.]

Two questions for you, then: one, who's your inmate and how big a pain in the ass is he? and two, run that 'stable wormhole nexus' by me again.