Issue #12

[mistconduct]

[Locked to Friends; one friendly conversation rule, etc.]

Guess who got their filters back, bitches?

[Locked to Enemies; one unfriendly conversation rule, etc.]

You all suck.

Man, it feels awesome to say that in private again.

[Locked to Cass Cain and Cassel Sharpe]

Lunch today? All three of us? Let me know.

[Locked to Rorschach, forwarded to Iris and Lisbeth]

See, now with my filters, I am a much happier inmate and your life just got marginally easier. Congratulations.

Comments

Filter

[bodilesswarrior]

[There's a sudden hint of bashfulness in her smile.] You think?

Filter

[mistconduct]

Are you kidding me? Holy shit, what kid wouldn't want you for a mom? Cass won the parent lottery.

Filter

[bodilesswarrior]

[Barbara just kind of stares at him, for a moment, and then she realises she's beaming, and she might even be blushing a little.]

You know, it's funny. I never thought I could be - but now, well. It's not just Cass.

Filter

[mistconduct]

Yeah, I mean. You might just have the mom genes all locked in.

We should get you a new code name. Bat-Mom or something.

Filter

[bodilesswarrior]

[Lightly.] Would that make you Bat-Boy?

Filter

[mistconduct]

[Chris opens his mouth to immediately smack down the embarrassing nickname, before color floods his face. He frowns, and looks down at his hands]

...No, it's different. Don't...You don't need to do..


My mom's still alive.

Filter

[bodilesswarrior]

[A slight shrug.]

So is Stephanie's. Doesn't mean I'm trying to replace her.

[A slight, sad smile.] I mean, I've had three. Not at the same time, but...

Filter

[mistconduct]

Yeah, but, I mean. You don't want me. You think you do, but you don't. I'm mob spawn, I'm an inmate.

Just be Cass' mom, she needs all the attention right now.

Filter

[bodilesswarrior]

[Her voice is firm and intent, and her face is a mask of resolve.] Yes. I do.

I'm Oracle. I can multitask.

Filter

[mistconduct]

[The importance of this is just now hitting him. Chris looks...stressed, and uncertain]


...Look, I was...I mean, I tried to be, but my dad..


I'm not the son he wanted.

And I don't...fucking want to disappoint you too, so I don't. We shouldn't do this.

Filter

[bodilesswarrior]

[Her voice turns gentle.] The boat has kind of sailed, Chris. You're - I... I care about you, a lot.

And I won't care any less if you screw up, or do something stupid, or do something cruel. That's what people do. And parents - they should accept that. They should love their kids no matter what. No matter who they turn out to be.

Hell, if you never graduate, I'll still - it won't matter.

Filter

[mistconduct]

[Still looking both small and sad, Chris swallows anxiously, frowning. Instinct wants him to immediate shout yes, but is this a betrayal of his own family?]

Cass needs a mom. I'm. I'm good. I came from a good home.

Filter

[bodilesswarrior]

I know you did, Chris. [She may think his father fucked up, but she has no reason to doubt the man loved him.] But they can't be here for you right now, and I can.

Cass could use another brother, too.

Filter

[mistconduct]

Cass is badass. She doesn't need me.

I. My warden takes care of shit, he's. I don't...I can manage.

Filter

[bodilesswarrior]

Sure she does. Cass needs friends, family, more than most people do. And you - you make her smile, Chris.

I don't want you to manage, Chris. I want you to be happy. I want you to be safe. I - [She looks down, for a second, and she's struggling for the words.]

We can lose people. At any moment, they're just gone, forever. [It means something different, back home and on the Barge, but it's true either way.] I don't want to waste the chance we have.

Filter

[mistconduct]

...I just.

What would it mean?

Filter

[bodilesswarrior]

It would mean - you're not alone. Never again. You've got a guardian, someone who isn't responsible for you because of the rules, just because... [A deep breath.] Just because she loves you.

[A warm, slightly shaky smile.] And if you ever wanted to visit Gotham, you'd know where to stay.

Filter

[mistconduct]

I....



Fuck, I really...want this.



...There's too many..things I have to, I'm tied to. I can't..


Cassel and me are a team, I don't want to..do anything without him. I don't know if you even know who he is, but he's my best friend and I have to ask him and...


Fuck, Lark too.

Filter

[bodilesswarrior]

[Soft and immediate.] That's okay.

And yeah, I know Cassel. He's welcome to come too, if he wants.

[since this is on the filter/tiny threadjack]

[routemistress]

what Babs said

[since this is on the filter/tiny threadjack]

[mistconduct]

...Oh fuck everyone and their fucking mother can see this.

Re: [since this is on the filter/tiny threadjack]

[routemistress]

LUKE CHRIS WE ARE ALL YOUR MOTHER

<3 <3

[since this is on the filter/tiny threadjack]

[mistconduct]

God, stop, this is fucking embarrassing.

Re: [since this is on the filter/tiny threadjack]

[routemistress]

DEAL WITH IT BB <3 <3

[since this is on the filter/tiny threadjack]

[mistconduct]

[Nope, hanging up for once in his life!]