Well, start by talking to him. You don't have to make a decision just yet, but if you get a feel for how he might handle the whole alternate universes deal, it'll be easier to decide what you wanna do.
Okay, I'll remember that. Um... Thank you for listening, Steph.
[And most nights, she'd just smile and thank her for the second comment, but something makes her pause. When she speaks, it's curious, not self deprecating.]
I think there are good things and bad things about every place... I'm happy I was there, though. It was tough, but I met a lot of really great people, and I think it made me a stronger person, too.
[A smile.]
You know, I don't think you've ever told me what your world is like!
[She's always kind of amazed at how emotionally healthy Ahiru sseems to be.]
Sounds a lot like Exsilium, then. [but she smiles in return] And if that's a diversion tactic, I want it on record that I totally noticed it, but I'll tell you about my world if you really want.
[She gives Ahiru an I know your tricks sort of look, but it's probably ruined by her smile.]
My world's pretty interesting, I guess. I mean, at least compared to the history of this world, we have aliens and magic and metahumans, which are people with superpowers. It keeps us pretty busy, 'cause sometimes it's the bad guys who've got the fancy powers, or there's aliens that wanna invade, which is why we've got superheroes to help keep the world safe.
[She's thinking of the Justice League and Teen Titans, rather than the vigilantes in Gotham, since they're a little more small scale, generally.]
One of my best friends is an alien, and the last boy I kissed back home was a witch, I've fought alongside a girl who's got metal skin, and fought a man made of clay who can turn into copies of people. So...
Oh, jeez... That's horrible. [And it's said sincerely, if not with the same amount of shock it would've been several months ago.] Is she alright? I mean, I guess you can never really be okay with something like that, but still.
Still, it must be hard. I bet you'll see her when you go back, though!
Yeah, it's... complicated. There were other Kryptonians still around, but they sort of got into a war with Earth and things were pretty bad for a while there, but Kara's tough.
[She's been through a lot and she still tries to see the best in the world, which is a trait Steph admires.]
[There's more to it than that, but it's complicated and in the end, fear is what it boiled down to. Fear and xenophobia.]
Mmhm, that's what you do when someone's in hospital. [she holds up a hand to cut off the concern she knows is coming.] I was fine, I just needed a blood transfusion.
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[A pause.]
And this is assuming I could even get the nerve to tell him if I thought it was the best thing.
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[At the rest of wat Ahiru says, Steph smiles warmly.]
You're one of the bravest people I've met, duckling, I'm sure you'd do fine.
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[And most nights, she'd just smile and thank her for the second comment, but something makes her pause. When she speaks, it's curious, not self deprecating.]
Why do you think that?
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[Even if she didn't have the perfect advice, she hopes that being a sounding board was helpful at least.]
Because you always believe the best in people, and you always have so much hope. That takes courage, especially when you've been through a lot.
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[Even if she doesn't know what she'll do, it was nice to have somebody listen.
She doesn't quite laugh at what Steph has, but she does smile, making a small noise of amusement.]
If I said I haven't really been through a lot, would you believe me?
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[Most of the places like Exsilium don't seem to be.]
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[A smile.]
You know, I don't think you've ever told me what your world is like!
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Sounds a lot like Exsilium, then. [but she smiles in return] And if that's a diversion tactic, I want it on record that I totally noticed it, but I'll tell you about my world if you really want.
[r u sure that's what you want, ahiru]
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[She shakes her head, smiling.]
I'm not diverting anything, I'm just curious!
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My world's pretty interesting, I guess. I mean, at least compared to the history of this world, we have aliens and magic and metahumans, which are people with superpowers. It keeps us pretty busy, 'cause sometimes it's the bad guys who've got the fancy powers, or there's aliens that wanna invade, which is why we've got superheroes to help keep the world safe.
[She's thinking of the Justice League and Teen Titans, rather than the vigilantes in Gotham, since they're a little more small scale, generally.]
One of my best friends is an alien, and the last boy I kissed back home was a witch, I've fought alongside a girl who's got metal skin, and fought a man made of clay who can turn into copies of people. So...
[So. shit's weird, basically.]
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Wait, wouldn't he be a wizard instead of a witch?
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[you know]
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[A pause.]
I'd probably think it was weirder if my world was normal at all... What planet was your alien friend from?
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[Steph misses her.]
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[A small pause.]
Sorry she left, though.
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[It's possible that Krypton existed and was destroyed, but that Clark and Kara never got away.]
It's okay, she's better off back at home.
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Still, it must be hard. I bet you'll see her when you go back, though!
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[She's been through a lot and she still tries to see the best in the world, which is a trait Steph admires.]
I better, she owes me flowers.
[makes sense]
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[She blinks.]
Er, flowers?
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[There's more to it than that, but it's complicated and in the end, fear is what it boiled down to. Fear and xenophobia.]
Mmhm, that's what you do when someone's in hospital. [she holds up a hand to cut off the concern she knows is coming.] I was fine, I just needed a blood transfusion.
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[And, predictably, a look of concern crosses her face, not fading completely even after Steph's amendment.]
You lost a lot of blood?
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[People suck.
But she shakes her head.]
Nah, I just inhaled something that could've been dangerous if it stayed in my system too long, so they flushed it out.
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