mistconduct | Issue #12

Issue #12

[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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[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.

[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.

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.

Cass is badass. She doesn't need me.

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

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.

...I just.

What would it mean?

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.

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.

[Soft and immediate.] That's okay.

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

That makes it seem like more of a club than a family. Which I'm okay with, but I don't..

I've just had the one family that's been my whole world since I was born, Barb.

I'm sorry, I'm probably making this way more complicated but it's just...different for me.

I wouldn't want to separate you two.

[A strained smile.] No, Chris, I know. I...

My first family was gone, by the time I was thirteen. And suddenly I had a new one. I had to realise...that it wasn't about replacing one with the other, or forgetting who they taught me to be. It was about... [She shakes her head, draws a breath.]

It was about respecting the past but accepting the present. Loving both. Knowing my parents would want me to be happy, more than anything else.

I don't wan't to force this decision on you. I just want you to know the offer's there, if you want to take it.

...I'm, um.

I'm going to need a few days to think it over.

[Her smile is softly assuring.] Sure. Take your time.

I'm sorry. Thanks for...giving me time. I do want this, I just.

I have to...think it out first.

[Immediately.] Don't be. Okay? You're not doing anything wrong.

I - maybe I shouldn't have sprung it on you like that.

No, I mean. Fuck, it's me, I just. I don't know, shit's...pretty messed up and I don't always know what the fuck I want to do.

I think that's life, Chris. For most of us, anyway.

No, because I remember being alive and it was never this goddamn complicated.

You were still young. [There's something immeasurably sad in her expression, now.]

...Hey, seriously, come on. You're bumming me out.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Issue #12

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