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controlledvariable) wrote2014-02-02 07:59 pm
controlledvariable) wrote2014-02-02 07:59 pm
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I hope you've made the right choice.
( Helena doesn't trust him, not as far as Caesar could throw him.
She doesn't like lawyers as a general rule: they kept the Gotham families running just as effectively as any other part of the system. They did as much dirty work, maybe more, than the lowest street thugs. Sure, there were lawyers that were good at what they did and wanted to make a positive impact - Barbara immediately comes to mind, but Barbara is ruthless as well, has no regard for privacy, for secrets.
Saul Goodman might not try to get guilty people off the hook, might not be a wall of defence between all manner of scum and their justice, but he is unknown, he is one of them, and he has managed to very successfully piss Helena off.
And she's not sure about the reassurance that it wasn't a criticism of herself, but that's her own secret. )
( Helena doesn't trust him, not as far as Caesar could throw him.
She doesn't like lawyers as a general rule: they kept the Gotham families running just as effectively as any other part of the system. They did as much dirty work, maybe more, than the lowest street thugs. Sure, there were lawyers that were good at what they did and wanted to make a positive impact - Barbara immediately comes to mind, but Barbara is ruthless as well, has no regard for privacy, for secrets.
Saul Goodman might not try to get guilty people off the hook, might not be a wall of defence between all manner of scum and their justice, but he is unknown, he is one of them, and he has managed to very successfully piss Helena off.
And she's not sure about the reassurance that it wasn't a criticism of herself, but that's her own secret. )
Edited 2013-07-01 05:26 (UTC)
Let's not get ahead of ourselves, god knows I'm not great at those.
[Choices. The right ones.
Maybe she's just bitter.
Maybe she knows it probably wasn't a good choice, at least with how things are panning out right now. She still hopes Saul isn't gonna do anything to endanger her, but he sure as hell hasn't made her life easier the last few weeks.]
[Choices. The right ones.
Maybe she's just bitter.
Maybe she knows it probably wasn't a good choice, at least with how things are panning out right now. She still hopes Saul isn't gonna do anything to endanger her, but he sure as hell hasn't made her life easier the last few weeks.]
( Something about that comment makes her suspicious. It doesn't make sense for Stephanie to be so flippant about something serious, not when she's just tried to reassure Helena that Saul can be trusted. Let's not get ahead of ourselves, it's all just undermining Stephanie assertions of just moments ago.
Her frown is audible. )
What aren't you saying?
( This isn't right. She doesn't know what it is, but something here isn't right. )
Her frown is audible. )
What aren't you saying?
( This isn't right. She doesn't know what it is, but something here isn't right. )
[Meanwhile, Steph's sigh is audible, though the sound of her pinching the bridge of her nose isn't.]
Nothing, sorry, I've had a shit week. [Or two weeks, or maybe the whole month, but she realizes that if she makes this seem like a big deal, Helena will probably keep pushing.] Don't worry about Saul, if you want me to say something to him I can, but if you're really worried about your ID, it's probably better if I don't actually tell him to back off.
[Because that'd just make it clear that there's something to back off of.]
Nothing, sorry, I've had a shit week. [Or two weeks, or maybe the whole month, but she realizes that if she makes this seem like a big deal, Helena will probably keep pushing.] Don't worry about Saul, if you want me to say something to him I can, but if you're really worried about your ID, it's probably better if I don't actually tell him to back off.
[Because that'd just make it clear that there's something to back off of.]
It's been a rough month.
( She simultaneously gets it, and wants eyeroll at the attitude.
She had no such intentions about Stephanie talking to Saul, and if Steph could see the do you think I'm stupid? look she's giving the phone-- well. Maybe it's for the best that she doesn't. Apparently they're both on edge enough as it is. )
No kidding.
( A beat, and: ) Anything I can do to help?
( With the bad week. )
( She simultaneously gets it, and wants eyeroll at the attitude.
She had no such intentions about Stephanie talking to Saul, and if Steph could see the do you think I'm stupid? look she's giving the phone-- well. Maybe it's for the best that she doesn't. Apparently they're both on edge enough as it is. )
No kidding.
( A beat, and: ) Anything I can do to help?
( With the bad week. )
[Steph's quiet for a while, weighing all that up, especially the question, and deciding what she wants to say in return.
She'd smiled at the idea of Batman being a real myth, because people were too scared to admit a woman was beating them up, but it's not really the important part of the conversation.
What does she want to be?]
I want people to take me seriously. [Isn't that what she's always wanted? And it seems out of her grasp, no matter what she does or what uniform she wears.] I never would've thought of being Batgirl if Cass hadn't given it to me, and then I had to fight so hard to keep it. [Because of Babs and Dick, becaues of Bruce. And she hates the fact that Bruce's approval, that he said she could keep Batgirl, means so much.] It's just complicated, you know?
[She thinks Helena will understand.]
She'd smiled at the idea of Batman being a real myth, because people were too scared to admit a woman was beating them up, but it's not really the important part of the conversation.
What does she want to be?]
I want people to take me seriously. [Isn't that what she's always wanted? And it seems out of her grasp, no matter what she does or what uniform she wears.] I never would've thought of being Batgirl if Cass hadn't given it to me, and then I had to fight so hard to keep it. [Because of Babs and Dick, becaues of Bruce. And she hates the fact that Bruce's approval, that he said she could keep Batgirl, means so much.] It's just complicated, you know?
[She thinks Helena will understand.]
[She's quiet for a moment, because this is... potentially dangerous territory, and she doesn't really know Helena enough to feel comfortable bringing it up, but she's going to try anyway.
So, carefully:] There are other things I could say to him to get him off the vigilante trail.
[She's looked over the conversation by now, at least the public part, and she can think of something to mention that could convince Saul that what Helena's hiding isn't about vigilantism.
She'll address that offer of help in a moment, after she's gauged how Helena will react to her own offer.]
So, carefully:] There are other things I could say to him to get him off the vigilante trail.
[She's looked over the conversation by now, at least the public part, and she can think of something to mention that could convince Saul that what Helena's hiding isn't about vigilantism.
She'll address that offer of help in a moment, after she's gauged how Helena will react to her own offer.]
( Her own silence is drawn out, because there's only one thing that Stephanie could be talking about. It's effective because it's the truth, that Helena struggles with her own family, who she is, the tangled mess of it. It's caused her enough problems as a vigilante, and not every school was eager to employ the last member of one of Gotham's most notorious families. )
My family?
( She's not entirely sure how to feel about this. )
My family?
( She's not entirely sure how to feel about this. )
[Well, that wasn't as bad as it could've been.]
Not entirely, but I can drop a hint or two to make him think it's about just who you are, rather than who you might be running around as at night.
[If that made sense?
She hopes that made sense.]
Not entirely, but I can drop a hint or two to make him think it's about just who you are, rather than who you might be running around as at night.
[If that made sense?
She hopes that made sense.]
( Of anyone, she knows that Stephanie Brown understands what she is better than the other Bats. She knew what it meant to be the daughter of the enemy, rather than the state. For them, it was the state that was treacherous.
Helena has to take a few moments before she can think what to do. )
Do you plan on telling him I'm one of them, or that it is the evasion of the name?
( That's important. ) Either you're looking out for one of Gotham's citizens, or keeping an eye on someone he should be careful not to piss off.
Helena has to take a few moments before she can think what to do. )
Do you plan on telling him I'm one of them, or that it is the evasion of the name?
( That's important. ) Either you're looking out for one of Gotham's citizens, or keeping an eye on someone he should be careful not to piss off.
The evasion of the name.
[Gently, almost, if they can have a conversation like this where Steph can be gentle. Unless Helena specifically asked, Steph wouldn't ever suggest she was one of them.]
Whatever I say to him, or whatever he might figure out, he won't tell anyone.
[She believes that, because Saul had promised to keep her own identity a secret and meant it.]
[Gently, almost, if they can have a conversation like this where Steph can be gentle. Unless Helena specifically asked, Steph wouldn't ever suggest she was one of them.]
Whatever I say to him, or whatever he might figure out, he won't tell anyone.
[She believes that, because Saul had promised to keep her own identity a secret and meant it.]
Thank you.
( For what, she's not certain. )
Do what's necessary. ( A beat, because Dinah doesn't worry about the blur, and she and Stephanie seem so similar sometimes. ) I don't know if I can be Huntress so publicly.
( For what, she's not certain. )
Do what's necessary. ( A beat, because Dinah doesn't worry about the blur, and she and Stephanie seem so similar sometimes. ) I don't know if I can be Huntress so publicly.
[Her first thought is to tell Helena that thanks is necessary, but sometimes that can come across as dismissive, and she doesn't want to do that.]
You're welcome, and I will.
[As for the Huntress, Steph lets out a slow breath, considering that.]
It's why I decided to keep Batgirl off the network, at first. [Well, she kept Steph off the network a fair bit, too, but she thinks Helena will understand.] Dick seems to do the opposite. I guess you've gotta work out what's gonna work best, but I can keep my distance from either Huntress or Helena, to save anyone drawing conclusions.
[Since Steph doesn't have her ID; someone from Gotham associating with another, known vigilante could lead to the same conclusions Saul drew.]
You're welcome, and I will.
[As for the Huntress, Steph lets out a slow breath, considering that.]
It's why I decided to keep Batgirl off the network, at first. [Well, she kept Steph off the network a fair bit, too, but she thinks Helena will understand.] Dick seems to do the opposite. I guess you've gotta work out what's gonna work best, but I can keep my distance from either Huntress or Helena, to save anyone drawing conclusions.
[Since Steph doesn't have her ID; someone from Gotham associating with another, known vigilante could lead to the same conclusions Saul drew.]
I'd rather not compromise our solidarity in the name of my identity. You've been to my house, we train together. We worked together, albeit remotely, during the bombings.
( And that solidarity is, ultimately, more important than her identity in this place. It'd be more important in Gotham and Metropolis, too, at the end of the day. It would make life more difficult, but she'd do it.
She'd failed children she meant to protect before. Too slow, too late, not pushing herself hard enough before things went wrong. Stephanie had been let down before, by every adult vigilante in Gotham. Helena's frowning as she picks over it with her mind, but ultimately, it's true. It's what matters.
Slowly: ) Our continuing to work together takes priority.
( She isn't going to go public (yet?) and not unless she has to, but being reliably there for Stephanie and Batgirl takes priority. The same way for Robin, for Blue Beetle. They're kids. She's going to look after them. )
( And that solidarity is, ultimately, more important than her identity in this place. It'd be more important in Gotham and Metropolis, too, at the end of the day. It would make life more difficult, but she'd do it.
She'd failed children she meant to protect before. Too slow, too late, not pushing herself hard enough before things went wrong. Stephanie had been let down before, by every adult vigilante in Gotham. Helena's frowning as she picks over it with her mind, but ultimately, it's true. It's what matters.
Slowly: ) Our continuing to work together takes priority.
( She isn't going to go public (yet?) and not unless she has to, but being reliably there for Stephanie and Batgirl takes priority. The same way for Robin, for Blue Beetle. They're kids. She's going to look after them. )
Good!
[Look you can tell because she used an exclamation mark]
How are you? What's up?
[She's not trying to be abrupt she's just. not used to texts that are just for idle chating so she assume there's a reason behind it.]
[Look you can tell because she used an exclamation mark]
How are you? What's up?
[She's not trying to be abrupt she's just. not used to texts that are just for idle chating so she assume there's a reason behind it.]
no it's okay, i'm the opposite of busy right now
[She's probably hanging upside from something just chilling out.]
how's that girl of yours?
[She's probably hanging upside from something just chilling out.]
how's that girl of yours?
[WELL NOW SHE FEELS BAD]
shit, i'm sorry.
do you wanna talk about it? i promise not to say anything stupid and/or insensitive this time.
shit, i'm sorry.
do you wanna talk about it? i promise not to say anything stupid and/or insensitive this time.
that doesn't make it suck any less.
you could come over to watch romcoms and eat ice cream if that'd help at all?
you could come over to watch romcoms and eat ice cream if that'd help at all?
you're alwys welcome if you wanna come over.
i can start a batch of hot cocoa.
[Come visit Donny she will give you ice cream and hot chocolate and hugs]
i can start a batch of hot cocoa.
[Come visit Donny she will give you ice cream and hot chocolate and hugs]
Okay. Thank you.
I'll head over now.
( AND HARK, IN LITTLE MORE THAN A FEW MINUTES, AN ADONIS IS KNOCKING AT HER DOOR
damn son you have a lot of fresh hickeys for someone whose lady isn't interested in you just saying )
I'll head over now.
( AND HARK, IN LITTLE MORE THAN A FEW MINUTES, AN ADONIS IS KNOCKING AT HER DOOR
damn son you have a lot of fresh hickeys for someone whose lady isn't interested in you just saying )
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