Tweak

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Tweak says, "I need the algorithm."

stephanie nashton does it all (forthem) wrote in doors,
@ 2014-03-20 19:49:00

Entry tags:

batman, riddler, stephanie brown

eddie n., da bat
[comm to eddie n.]

[During Bruce's post, right after Eddie comments the breakdowns on the clinics, etc. She's Spoiler'd on a rooftop near midtown, where the highest buildings are. Beep, beeeep, beep. When he picks up, teasing warmth:] Look at you still playing tactician.

[comm to bruce w.]

[After this. Beeeep beep beep insistent beep!! until he picks up.]

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Re: rooftop: steph/bruce/eddie

onerule
2014-03-22 10:14 pm UTC (link)

[Bruce might be slow to catch on in certain instances, but he's not blind. As far as he knew Stephanie was still acting as Batgirl, and a few days seems a short time for her to have changed her mind so drastically. And it isn't just that; her build is different. Not the same. It isn't quite suspicion that creeps in so much as wariness, and he only ceases his perusal when Eddie approaches to subject him to the same scrutiny.]

Hello. [His gaze shifts between the two, back and forth.] I would say it's good to see the two of you as well, but [...] I don't think it's been quite as long for me, has it?

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Re: rooftop: steph/bruce/eddie

forthem
2014-03-23 03:57 am UTC (link)

[There's a moment of hesitation, and Stephanie lets Bruce speak before following suit with Eddie. She pulls the hood off, then tugs down the cowl. Her smile is flimsy at best, and visible, even in the dim light of Gotham, is the jagged scar crawling along her jaw. She's aged, obviously, but there's also that heaviness of war that Eddie carries with him as well.]

Always the world's greatest detective, Bruce. [It isn't said through malice. More like fondness for someone she's missed for years.] We didn't lose more than a minute here, at least. [A genuine smile then.] It's really, really good to see you, Bruce.

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Re: rooftop: steph/bruce/eddie

riddlethem
2014-03-23 05:26 am UTC (link)

[Eddie looks at Stephanie a moment, almost as if he's measuring the scar along her jaw. A small, thinking frown before he looks back over to Bruce. His voice is clearer than the bat has ever heard it.] We were having breakfast and in a second we were zapped to Earth-3. I told you about the Syndicate once, didn't I? I had to. It's a [...] place in the comics books, an alternate dimension where all the people who usually fight crime, commit it and those who usually get thrown in Arkham, try to be vigilantes. We spent five years fighting with the clown and Freeze and others like that at our side. Trying to save Gotham.

[He knows it sounds ridiculous, so there's a little smile on his face. But, it's flimsy and sad.] Most of them died. It wasn't like here. The city turned into a war zone quickly and that was all we knew. People died every second and then five years in, just as we thought we were going to die too, we got zapped back here. [Pause.] We wanted to tell you instead of having you find out second hand or on your own.

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Re: rooftop: steph/bruce/eddie

onerule
2014-03-24 04:20 am UTC (link)

[Behind the cowl, his eyes widen. It's already happened with Selina so he shouldn't be that surprised, but he is. The suddenness of it, the unexpectedness, that's what gets him.] I like to think I earned the title. [An attempt at humor that falls flat.] You're older, both of you. Different, but [...] the same. [Bruce shakes his head.] It's strange. To me you never left, but for you it's been-- [Pause.]

[He begins to ask how long, but then Eddie starts to speak and he falls quiet, opting to listen instead. A nod about the Syndicate; yes, he remembers. It does sound ridiculous. It sounds crazy, in fact. But the proof is standing right in front of him because there's no denying that they've aged, and five years certainly didn't pass here. After a long, long moment of silent staring.] I appreciate you telling me. You two have obviously been through a great deal. [A pause, and he takes a step forward.] Do you know how it happened?

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Re: rooftop: steph/bruce/eddie

forthem
2014-03-24 05:17 am UTC (link)

[Stephanie laughs a little at his observation, but it's also stinted, and she wraps her arms around her middle for a second. A little, itty bit of that insecurity finally bleeding in for the only man aside from Eddie (and perhaps, maybe her father) that Stephanie still wanted approval from despite herself. Still, she goes for a joking tone.] It's been a lot, but how else would we get these buff bodies?

[She stares for a couple of seconds, fingers grabbing her forearms tightly. When he takes a step forward, she capitulates before thinking fuck it and stepping closer to Bruce until she could wrap her arms tightly around him in a hug that bleeds daughter missing her father-figure. There's a sound that bubbles from her, and a shake of her shoulders, but she holds steadfast. Lingering, probably, for a little too long, but she didn't care. She didn't care about the tears she was crying or probably (read: def) making Bruce uncomfortable.]

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Re: rooftop: steph/bruce/eddie

riddlethem
2014-03-24 05:25 am UTC (link)

[Eddie has a feeling a Stephanie/Bat hug is incoming. It's been five years and Bruce was one of the only people who understood them. The shake of her shoulders gets a surprised look, though and he glances up to Bruce. After a long moment, quietly.] We don't know how it happened. Just that we couldn't come back for a long time. [And, that explains a lot. It says they tried to come back. That they never thought they would.]

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Re: rooftop: steph/bruce/eddie

onerule
2014-03-26 12:56 am UTC (link)

[There isn't time to remark on their physique, if he would have at all. Bruce's intention was to demonstrate trust by moving closer, not to initiate contact, and so the hug definitely catches him off guard. All of Gotham knows he isn't quite the hugging type, and there's a few seconds of awkward uncertainty before he returns the hug. Well, sort of. It's almost painful to watch but he tries.

He mulls over the possibility that they might not have come back for a few seconds before looking up.] However it happened, I'm glad you two made it back.

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Re: rooftop: steph/bruce/eddie

forthem
2014-03-26 01:51 am UTC (link)

[Steph hadn't thought about Bruce's intentions or making him uncomfortable. Just the urge to embrace a man she'd come to see as a father. When he finally kinda sorta returns it, she relaxes for a second and only lingers for a couple more moments before pulling back. Eyes red and watery, but a smile on her face. She holds onto his forearms for a second before clearing her throat, stepping back, and turning her face away to swipe at tears that might have been brewing for a long, long time by the looks of it.

She clears her throat again.] It's different for us now, still. Five years in that changes people. You know? [As if imploring him to understand that they weren't the same Steph and Eddie he knew only a day ago.]

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Re: rooftop: steph/bruce/eddie

riddlethem
2014-03-26 04:12 am UTC (link)

[Eddie extends an arm to Stephanie, an open invitation to hold onto him if she wants to and then looks back at the Dark Knight.] We have changed and neither of us can write an essay explaining all the differences. But, we're still loyal to you and the welfare of the city. I'd like to pick up where we left off. Steph and I are going to be helping out whether you like it or not, but I think you figured that out by now. [Small smile.]

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Re: rooftop: steph/bruce/eddie

onerule
2014-03-26 06:51 am UTC (link)

[Feelings about physical contact aside, Bruce lets her pull back instead of being the one to break the hug. Affection he isn't so good at, but smiles, he can manage those. His smile isn't quite as painful as his hug. And maybe, just maybe, it's kind of nice to know he was missed.]

I know. [Said in all seriousness, because he realizes five years in that would change anyone.] I would never refuse your help. Either of you. I believe it's safe to say you are two of the people I can rely on most.

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Re: rooftop: steph/bruce/eddie

forthem
2014-03-26 07:02 am UTC (link)

[Stephanie readily wraps an arm around Eddie's waist when she steps back away from Bruce, leaning against him for comfort and security as she always has. The smile assures her somehow, and while she knows he doesn't do affection well, she'll read under the surface for that.]

I'd hope you say that. [A bigger smile, relieved and placated and feeling secure in her place in this Gotham for the first time since she and Eddie came back.] It's true. [Tugging on Eddie's coat a little as if she were grounding herself there.] For now, I think I'm sticking away from Batgirl. But I'll let you know if I change my mind.

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Re: rooftop: steph/bruce/eddie

riddlethem
2014-03-26 07:07 am UTC (link)

[Eddie's grip on Stephanie tightens once she's in his arms and he nods.] You can always rely on us, Dark Knight. That's a fact. [Back to work:] I'll disable as much security I can at New Arkham so you can get Crane. Spoiler and I will keep on the streets. And, if anyone asks about Steph or me, have them go to us first. As much as I hate reminding myself who Owlman is over and over, I don't mind explaining where we've been.

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Re: rooftop: steph/bruce/eddie

onerule
2014-03-27 12:31 am UTC (link)

[A hint of something flickers in his expression as he watches the two of them, the way they are with one another and what it says about their relationship. Wistfulness, maybe, but it's there and gone too quickly to be pinned down.

Bruce nods.] It's your choice. Batgirl or not, you're still one of us. [To Eddie.] Alright. I'll let you know if I run into any trouble, but I don't think that will be a problem. [...] Of course. It's your story to tell. I'll leave that up to you two.

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	Re: rooftop: steph/bruce/eddie forthem 2014-03-27 01:10 am UTC (link)
	[Stephanie bites back a noise about explaining everything time and time again, but she doesn't say anything contrary. Just a twist of her fingers into Eddie's coat again that betrays her discomfort in all of that. Just a smile to Bruce though, and a nod.] Thanks, Bruce. It means a lot, you know. Especially coming from you. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	Re: rooftop: steph/bruce/eddie riddlethem 2014-03-27 05:07 am UTC (link)
	[Eddie nods and kisses the top of Stephanie's head as if to quell a shared discomfort. He echoes Stephanie and says:] Thank you. [Then he lets Steph go and takes a step back.] Good, let's get back to work. (Reply to this) (Parent)

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