ladyofgotham | 1

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[The smile she gives the camera is the sort she's practiced a thousand times; friendly and soft and completely unthreatening.]

Hello. My name is Barbara Gordon, and I think there's been some sort of mistake.

[Her voice, too, is a gentle one, though edged with confusion.]

I have no idea why I'm here. I'm nothing but a novelist, an activist – I'm pretty sure my worst crime is a few boring lectures.

[She runs a hand through her hair, lets the fingers tremble just slightly.]

I really would like to go home. The Waynes – my family will be worried.

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[She doesn't answer him, at first; when she does her expression is very carefully composed, her voice straining at calm.]

Poison Ivy just told me something you didn't.

[Then it's just a whisper.]

I'm starting to remember, now.

[Aaaaagh fuck you Ivy. :C]

What?

[It's not a smile, really.]

Who knocked at our door.

[Dick's expression gets more tightly composed, but really, it's a huge front for the oh god no no no :c going on right now, because that is just not fair.]

Who?

I suppose your Gotham has a Joker. [The bastard would be a constant.]

We do. [And his voice is cracking a little maybe. :c] God, I'm sorry, Babs.

[A harsh laugh tears from her throat, leaving it raw.]

Yeah, me too.

[She swallows hard.]

Couldn't have figured it out by himself. Luthor, probably.

[She takes a deep, steadying, aching breath.]

Dick, what happens if I don't get out of here? What happens to my family?

[He went straight for her, after knocking Bruce aside, but that doesn't mean he left it at that.]

[Nope, not something he wants to consider ever. Ever. :|]

Don't talk like that. You're getting out of here.

Oh, yes, if I graduate. [She spits the word out contemptuously.] If I adhere to this Admiral's specific set of morals.

Say I can't do that? Will it condemn them, too? The rest of Gotham?

No, it won't. And I know it's terrible to get here and be told you were doing everything wrong, but no one's going to make you stop being Batgirl or defending the city. You just might need to... tweak your methods a little.

[Her voice is a low growl, now. She can't keep herself separated any more.] My methods have clawed Gotham kicking and screaming out of the dirt.

[That's... frankly, really weird to hear coming out of Babs'- A Barbara's mouth, and Dick frowns a little in response, the rest of his expression composed and tight.]

I'm not planning on arguing with you about this right now. I'm just trying to explain what his logic was in bringing you here.

[Her lips part for just that - more arguments, more useless, furious shouting - but then she stops, raises a hand to her temple, takes a breath.

When she speaks again her voice is Barbara's, not Batgirl's - but it's heavy, tired.]

You can justify a lot with logic.

[That's why she's here, after all, isn't it?]

...They're my family, Dick. [Her voice is softer, now, than it ever would be, ever should be, with anyone but them.]
They're all I have and I left them with him.

And you're going to go home, and you'll know what to expect, and I know you'll kick his ass. It'll be okay.

[Barbara just stares at him for a moment, before a wry, strained smile curves her lips.]

You've got a lot of faith for someone who's just met me.

[Except he hasn't, in some ways. How similar is she, to his Barbara? What would she be like, if...]

I - appreciate it.

[Even if she doesn't believe it, not really. The idea of cooperating with this, of giving in, makes her feel sick inside.]

Don't mention it. [They're different enough that it's weird, and they're similar enough that it's... really weird, and Dick doesn't really know how to cope with it just yet.]

If you have any other questions for me, don't hesitate to ask.

[She nods, offering a slight smile.]

I might take you up on that.

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[Private - Video] gah sorry lost this tag

[Private - Video] it's okay! clearly i lost track too

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