001 | Dictated

[hellofist]

Uh... Is it- working?

[Okay, those are definitely the letters that make up the word uh but the rest of it is just jumbled up nonsense. Still, Cass is just going to trust this thing is writing down what she's saying.]

I'm- lost. I think. Castle is big. In book room. Um, library. [Come on Cass, use the right names for things.] Could use [help] information. Um... tips? Meeting in person... would be best.

[Nothing happens for a minute, but then Cass remembers the important part about introductions: You have to actually introduce yourself.]

I'm Cassandra. Cain.

[If anyone does go looking for her, they'll find Cass poking through the books and possibly looking at them like she's reading them, but once you're close enough it's clear... she's holding the book upside down. Oops.]

((ooc: Cass can't read, so any written replies might give her trouble. Feel free to find her in the library for in person meetings!)

Comments

Cass.

[dorkwonder]

[Slows down when he spots her, glad he's had some time to process and repress his emotions. His body is about ready to explore and scream and yell over everything that's happened in the last few minutes. But some how he manages to keep his composure, and focus on the good. Cass is here with him before everything changes. He has the chance to give her some of the happiness that was stolen from her.]

Cassie, hey. [Manages to smile at her.]

[hellofist]

[Cass doesn't slow down. If anything, Cass walks faster until she can reach for Tim and fist her hand in the front of his shirt. She shakes him, but she's fought Tim before. He'll know she's not doing it nearly as hard or as rough as she could.]

What's going on? Tell!

[dorkwonder]

[The smile on his face instantly disappears. He doesn't go into a defensive position. Tim knows if she wanted to hurt him, he'd already be on the floor with a couple of broken bones.]

There's something I need to tell you. I didn't want to be the one to tell you it, but obviously it's too late for that.

[Looks her straight in the eye so she knows he's being completely serious and honest.]

Steph's here in the castle with us. She's been here for a long time.

[hellofist]

[She doesn't need eye contact and she doesn't make it, she's too busy scanning Tim, eyes darting all over him to take in everything he's giving her. He's sad for her, she shoves that away because it's pity and she doesn't want it. He's stalling, he knows more and he's too slow and this is why she hates words.]

How? The- pit? This place? It's- magic here. [Or something, it's the best word she has for what Paradisa has. But... that really doesn't matter. It's true, his body is screaming that he's telling the truth so she just shakes her head, then shakes him again.]

Where?

[dorkwonder]

[This whole mess is so symbolic of his life. Every time he tries to do something to protect the people he cares about, something always goes terribly wrong. At least that's how it feels at the moment. Not only did Steph not get the chance to be the one to tell Cass she's alive and well, but now he knows about what happened before her trip to Africa.

He knew it was something terrible from how desperately Steph wanted to reveal the truth to him, but he didn't want to know. When he found out about his father, it was like losing him all over again. Steph had betrayed him twice, and yet some how he had gotten to the point where he trusted her enough to ask her to help him save Tam and Gotham. Putting that much trust into someone was a huge deal for Tim. Now, it feels like he's back to how he felt when he found out she had been trying to make him a tougher person.]

She'll tell you. Steph needs to be the one to talk to you about everything that happened. [Even if he wanted to give her the full story, he couldn't. The alteration made to his memories made sure of that.]

Steph's in the Ortus tower, room 1704. I'll take you there.

[hellofist]

[As angry as she is, it's too difficult to stay angry when she sees all of this in Tim. He's hurting too, he's not even who she's mad at, so she lets go of his shirt with a sigh and a nod. No reason to treat him poorly, not when he doesn't have any answers either. He's just trying to do the right thing.]

Okay. Now?

[dorkwonder]

[Straightens up after she is done shaking him and lets go. Times like these he wishes he could have his cowl on. Later on, he'll make that happen. For now, he motions for her to follow him.]

Yeah, we'll go now. [Leads the way to Steph's room.]

She'll be really happy to see you. Steph's been here for three years. Time works differently here than it does back home. People get taken from all different times and universes, but no one notices they are gone. A lot of different people from our Gotham and others have been here before.

[hellofist]

[He's not the only one wishing they had a cowl to hide behind, but Cass always feels more comfortable as Batgirl than she does wearing anything else. She follows him, a few steps behind him so she can read his body language.

Until he starts speaking and his body language changes. Then she moves forward and slips her hand into his, a small offer of support.]

How long, for you?

[dorkwonder]

[Takes her hand and squeezes it in appreciation.] Around two and a half months.

[A frown reappears on his face.] We've both been here a few times. I've been told that I've been here six times previously. It's part of the reason why I go by Alvin Draper here, and not Tim Drake.

[hellofist]

[Cass' nose wrinkles in distaste.]

Alvin?

[dorkwonder]

Would you ever expect a Robin to go by the name Alvin?

[hellofist]

Yeah, but... there's better names.

[dorkwonder]

What name would you suggest?

[hellofist]

... I like Tim.

[dorkwonder]

[Smiles at her.] You can still call me Tim around people who know the truth, okay?

[hellofist]

Who else knows?

[dorkwonder]

Steph, Kara, Ezio [grumbles], Lucrezia, and you. Ezio and Lucrezia know me or of me from my time here before.

[hellofist]

[She studies him for a moment, taking all that in.]

You don't like them.

[dorkwonder]

I don't trust them. [Pauses.] I don't trust and like Ezio. He's a sexist, obnoxious, and an unrepentant assassin. In some ways, he's like us, in the sense he wants to protect others from the tragedies he's experience. Unlike us, he crosses the line over and over again.

[Tim doesn't care that he's an assassin, because Rose and Cass were both raised to be an assassin. What bothers him is the countless people Ezio has likely murdered, and doesn't seem to feel even the slightest guilt over.]

[hellofist]

[Cass squeezes his hand lightly, a silent sign of her understanding and support.]

Is there anyone here... you do like?

[dorkwonder]

You. [The muscles in his body relax, while he offers her a smile.]

[hellofist]

[Well, that settles that. Cass stops them, but it's only so she can put her arms around Tim's neck and hug him.]

Like you too.

[dorkwonder]

[Wraps his arms around her, hugging her tightly. Any extra time he has with, especially while she's like this, is a gift. One he's not planning on taking for granted or losing sight of.]

[hellofist]

After... everything, with Steph, will come see you. We should... spend time, too.

[dorkwonder]

Agreed. I'll be disappointed if Steph gets you for the entire evening. [Mostly joking. He wants the two of them to spend as much time together as possible.]