dualismail | (no subject)

Unoffically, what are you doing tomorrow, Stephanie?

[ She's surprised to be hearing from him on what she doesn't consider a secure line, but it's a somewhat pleasant surprise. ]

Unofficially? Camping out at the coffee shop. Definitely not doing anything illegal or disruptive.

[ It was on purpose, his paranoia screaming he needed to leave some footprints to not look suspect. He had a secured line to. ]

Believable, really. I trust that. Anyway, which one? I'll join you. We are friends no? So we should hang out, as the hip kids say.

yes that's definitely what hip kids sound like Coffee With Attitude usually. I've got hella frequent flier miles

Sounds like a place you would like. I will see you at 10 am, if that is agreeable.

[ He'd be sharply on time... wearing that douche bag fedora. ]

10 works. See you there!

[ Steph isn't sure what to expect, so she arrives early with her Batgirl gear in a backpack and downs an entire coffee before he gets there. She waves when she spots him and stands to get back in line for another cup. ]

Hey there, stranger.

[ he looked tired when she came over, he stayed in line to get some coffee too, offering her a bit of a smile. ]

Sorry to keep you waiting, work keeps me quiet busy. I trust your doing well?

As well as one can do in an alternate universe full of robot police. Wish I was better with computers. It's all basically witchcraft to me.

How about you?

You know, I could teach you right? I am a programmer, I made my fortune on security software. I also work in hardware. I understand machines better than humans.

AS for me, I am not sure, something is happening at work, and I am trapped in my work. I want you to make me a promise okay?

You're welcome to try. [ She shrugs. She thinks she does alright for a novice... but nobody has asked her to do anything complicated yet. ]

It's possible. What is it?

It could save your life in a place like this, after our coffee I could take you to where I am staying and show you how to work the tower I have built.

[ He figured with the way his mind was running it would be good to show someone else what he does, even if he figured she might not have a head for code like he does. ]

If anything should happen to me, don't look for me, don't tell a soul you knew me. If something should happen, I want you to be safe. I dont think anything will... but I feel my own paranoia rising the more I am tailed after work.

[ She frowns at him and shakes her head. As much as she'd like to just put him at ease, she wants one thing to be clear. ]

I can't do that, Vergil. I'll keep quiet, but I'm not going to leave you behind in this place.

Edited 2020-01-14 20:48 (UTC)

...I suppose that's the most I can ask for, but please do be careful. You are my friend, and what I do is dangerous, I know you know danger as well as I do, but I still worry.

[ It was odd saying friend, but after the weirdness in the last world, she was as close as he could call to a friend.]

[ The word is enough to make her smile. She knows how much it means, coming from him. ]

That I can promise. I've made it an incredible four years without dying, I can't ruin my streak now.

Please don't ruin your streak, I'd hate to be alone again. The closest to a friend I have outisde of you is Nick, and well, Nick's like the rest of us. Interesting.

[ he spoke taking another drink of his coffee.]

I hear Mr. Drake is here, are you both doing better these days?

[ She takes a sip of her own as they make their way back to her seat. ]

Oh yeah, totally. I mean, it was pretty rough when I got home months later and everybody thought I'd faked my own death? But I think it's safe to call us friends again.

Jason's here too, but I don't remember, did you get to meet Jason?

...I feel there is more of a story there.

[ He inquired following her along. ]

Yes, I know another one bites the dust... [ He sighs, already annoyed, just at that. How DARE he ruin Queen. ]

[ She snickers. ]

I forgot about that.

There's probably a lot more to that story, but most of it is pretty hazy. The last few weeks in the village are all a blur. I'm not sure how it happened, but Dr. Thompkins said she found me wandering the savanna around Nigeria. By the time I got back to Gotham it had been a year since I'd died, and I couldn't really explain what had happened. I tried, but...

[ She sighs into her coffee. ]

I got tired of people looking at me like I'd lost my mind.

I see, that's quite the tale...

[ He remembered what was found in the bunker, idly wondering if the village sent her back to Gotham or if she had been real the whole time. He likes to think he was real.]

Well, strange as it is, you have me, i'm not even human, not a drop of human blood in me, and I tend to think you are as sane as I can find for a friend. So, the demon says, be happy if you can.

[ Ironically, she isn't sure. And it doesn't make enough of a difference for her to ask someone who does remember. She feels real, and that's good enough for her. ]

I feel like that might not be the most convincing argument, but thanks all the same.

[ She smiles again. ]

I can't tell you how relieved I was to find out I'm not just crazy. It seems weird to be nostalgic for that place, but it did have its moments. I mean, at least I never had to pick shrapnel out of my own arm.

Well, truth be told, I'd rather be back there, I might have been able to salvage me and Kat's partnership.

[ He said it with a touch of disappointment.]

Alas, we are here and looking back doesn't help any of us. We must push forward, and seize the day to set ourselves free and stop the scourge of the .... Um nevermind. I shouldn't quote movies.

[ The last bit said as he made eye contact with someone across the coffee shop. He knew better than to talk shop in public. Was it a robot or a heart member? Who knows. ]

And next time you get hurt, come to me, or go to Dr. Morbius, he has been helping a lot lately.

You do love your soliloquies.

[ She can mock and keep secrets at the same time! She learned it from Tim('s negative example). ]

The vampire, right? I'm so used to doing my own first aid I forget that's an option. Something to keep in mind the next time there's a blackout.

It is my life goal to be as dramatic as Hamlet.

[ Was he serious, probably.]

Yes, the vampire, though he's not really a vampire, least that is what he says. I could also give you my address even if I am rarely home. I do keep supplies on hand.

Careful what you wish for, or your girlfriend might end up in a river.

[ Not that she thinks he has a girlfriend. Not that she's seen a river, actually... Weird city, not being built on a bay. ]

You sure you trust me not to raid your pantries? I'm still gainfully unemployed.

I would need one before that would happen, Steph.

[ He chuckled before adding. ]

And no, that's not me asking you to play match maker. I'm fine alone.

[ He's really not, but hes never been okay. ]

It's a risk I'm willing to take, come on then.

I wouldn't dream of it.

[ She chugs the last of her coffee to accommodate him, then smiles warmly. ]

It really is good to see you again.

(no subject)

UN-NotAPoet

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject