(open) celebrating everything it took to free us from the land of the broken and betrayed

[whatsupcroc]

Date & Time: February 12th - February 14th
Location: Throughout Exsilium
Characters: ANY & ALL
Summary: Separation Awareness Day is a festival and time of celebration for the hard won and retained freedoms of those who live on the island of Exsilium. Separate from the United Earth, they continue to exist, and thrive in their own way. As those identified as teenagers and children are showered with gifts of sweets, foods, and toys from the adult population, merchants are selling on the streets and color had invaded the often grey atmosphere. Feasting is practically a law, singing can be heard in the streets, and instruments that may stay safely indoors most the year are brought out to encourage dancing and such other frivolities as are rarely seen.

The night of the 14th there are fireworks shows throughout the city, with the most impressive display being launched from the remains of Buckingham Palace.

Warnings: Festivities!

Date your threads as you will, and feel free to use this as a Valentine's exploration as well for those more inclined to appreciate a holiday from home amidst the celebrations of a whole different sort of world!

Comments

[controlledvariable]

"No, we're vigilantes, we have to leave those decisions for the courts, otherwise no one would tolerate us," That's often the way Steph explains it to herself, when she needs a reminder why she can't just slit the throats of people like Zsasz, or the Joker. What they do is already illegal, but as long as they don't cross that line, the public, and the government, will let them operate.

Her expression falls a little as Ellie talks, and she reaches out again, her hand on Ellie's knee, "I don't care what the Initiative expect, you're not going to fall into ranks and neither am I, okay?" It's solidarity, an offer to stand by Ellie against the Initiative, no matter what.

"The city is our base, it's not where the fights are gonna take us, and we're-- I'm gonna need you out there," She wants to have someone she can rely on, because god knows she can't rely on the Initiative.

[reconnaissance]

"Yeah." Places where the law still operates, the people have a say seem bizarre to her, almost, like some surreal and far off dream. "We're operating because the courts don't and our pollies all buggered off nice and safe to Washington." She's almost deaf to her own bitterness, now. "They'll probably charge us with vandalism or something stupid if things ever get back to normal." When has become a fairy tale.

With a frustrated little groan, she rests her head against Steph's shoulder. "Mm." Grumpy. Sulky, almost, which feels far too teenage to be appropriate. "Right."

She hopes not. Especially not Steph. Her becoming an Initiative crony, that'd be awful, even if she already has it figured that Steph is hardly likely to do that. Questioning and stubborn and in denial about being a super hero. The laugh Steph wins for her vote of confidence is not especially nice. "Think you're scraping the barrel. Maybe some of your bat... bird... people will turn up."

[controlledvariable]

"Funny how politicians do that," It puts her in mind of Gotham after the quake, when everyone with enough money just fled the city, including the politicans. Especially the politicians.

She shifts slightly to better accommodate Ellie, wrapping an arm around her. The laugh just makes her sad, "There are some, actually, but they're not--" There's a pause, as she tries to work out what to say about the subject of Dick and Jason, of the girl Robin. They should be allies, but they're so young. Even back home, Dick or Jason weren't people she trusted.

"They aren't my friends, they're--" Another pause, a sigh, "I dunno. It's complicated. But I can't rely on them."

If anything, she feels like she should be look after them, which might not be fair to the boys, but... Ellie is an equal.

[reconnaissance]

"Slimy, self-obsessed, self-indulgent shitheads. They abandoned us as soon as things looked bad, and they're the reason people thought we were weak in first place." The temper boils; it takes a real effort to hold herself down and stay happy against the human warmth she's curled up against. "They'll never fix anything."

Anxiety spikes with the revelation of more of those vigilante types running around, the chain reaction of Steph has a team and I don't have a team and the awareness of a dependence that she prefers not to really think about too much. Her body is rigid with tension, which doesn't ease even when she picks through Steph's meaning.

It feels good being counted as an allie, or as someone to be counted on when others can't. Validation after getting the floor knocked out from under her so many times. "But you rely on me." Not a question and yet totally a question. "I get the job done. I'll give you a list of referees sometime." And logically she realises that Steph doesn't just mean someone who can stick to her guns and see things through, but that's something she can think of in concrete terms: she did blow up the bridge, the boat, the airfield. She did all manner of things that she didn't trust anyone else to get right.

[controlledvariable]

"I don't think it's a coincidence that most politicias are men," She probably shouldn't be encouraging Ellie's temper, but Steph is angry about it as well, especially learning that the politicians in Ellie's world abandoned kids, leaving them to fight a war.

That tension has Steph worried, and she partially regrets mentioning the Robins, but she promised to be honest, so she simply deals with the results of what she said. Which for now means putting an arm around Ellie, rubbing along her arm to try to get her to relax a little.

"I'm starting to," Rely on Ellie, and she knows it's not as reassuring as it could be, but again - honesty. Trusting people isn't easy for her, and there's a difference between telling someone a few secrets and really trusting them, but she's working on it. She turns her head a little, to rest her forehead against Ellie's temple, "I don't need a referees, I can make my own judgements."

[reconnaissance]

She snorts, derisive. "True enough, but even this woman from the UN hasn't been able to do much. Maybe because it is such a boys club wouldn't help."

Actually having someone to reassure, not sound just as irritated or exhausted as herself, it felt amazing. Right up there with a luxury cruise and buttery toast. "Careful, or I'll start expecting breakfast in bed." She feels a bit stupid and childish, but incredibly grateful for the patience at the same time.

Ellie sighs, and rubs her forehead. Honesty game, was it? "Relying people is almost as hard as not having anyone to rely on. Especially when they aren't around." One of her sad, not quite smiles appears. "You might not like where that ends up, Steph."

[controlledvariable]

"That wouldn't surprise me, boys clubs are awful," The Bats, the Robins, there's a reason that Steph got a lot of her training and support from the Birds of Prey, from Cass, rather than Batman and the boy Robins.

She pulls back enough that Ellie can see her smile, giving her arm a squeeze, "It wouldn't be too tricky with you already in my bed." It's not quite as cheeky as it could be, but she is trying to lighten the tone of the conversation.

"Harder, I think," She's used to not having people to rely on, it's trickier to learn to trust people, "I think I can take a risk."

Maybe she won't like where it ends up, but she thinks Ellie is worth it, otherwise she never would've told her about Batgirl.

[reconnaissance]

After a bit of thought, she nods. "They're everywhere. Even Harvey's Heroes." That was just a quietly murmured afterthought, not even really thinking, but the mere thought of him makes a vein in her neck throb. He got what was coming to him, but the price was too high.

She actually looks at Steph instead of making her study of anything as far away from Steph as possible. "Really? It always felt so much of a relief whenever there was an adult around." Though she does scratch the back of her neck ruefully. "Not many of them really came through, but not having to be the leader and keep people going is almost as much a relief as it is an insult." Truth be told, she wasn't ever the only leader. Homer just as much, and Robyn, even if Homer would never accept it, not even now. Still, she wrinkles her nose. "I hope I don't let you down, Captain." And a little mock salute, because that never hurt.

"I'll have to tell you some things. You should know what you're dealing with - fair's fair, hey?"

[controlledvariable]

"That's how the world works," She wishes it didn't, and she decides not to question what Harvey's Heroes is. The name is filed away, possibly for later, when they're not focused on other things.

Her smile is gentle, a little rueful, "I learnt a long time ago not to trust adults," She didn't exactly have the best role models; her father was an abusive criminal and her mom checked out on drugs. All her dad's friends were worse even than her father, and any adults she's trusted have let her down. Dinah left, Babs tried to break her spirit, Bruce is - Bruce, "But I never really had to be a leader, either."

She was just looking after herself, that's easier than having to take care of other people. And the little salute gets a smile.

"You don't have to, and you definitely don't have to right now," She's willing to give Ellie time.

[reconnaissance]

She wishes she knew what to offer in response. "I was lucky. I had my mum and dad, and Mrs. Macca, Mr. and Mrs. Yannos... Some of our teachers are pretty decent, too, but this new world order just sent everything to pieces. Like you get to see the real side of people, and most of them aren't anywhere near what you'd hoped or expected."

That could apply to themselves, as much as anything. "The hardest part is keeping everyone going. It's hard enough trying to make sure your batteries haven't run flat, but then people are looking for answers and ideas and motivation and sympathy." Her tone is rich is irritation, and yet, "but I don't trust them to get the job done right. End of the day, it's like a never ending bunch of self sabotage. They can't do jack if I don't let them, but like Hell I'm counting on Fifi and Kevin to buck up." Maybe those two especially, but Lee was bad enough with those homicidal rages of his. Not that she and Homer were much better, and she couldn't even leave Homer in charge because he became so completely insufferable when he ran things. Casting a mock-critical eye at Steph, she lets out a long suffering sigh. "I 'spose you look like you could make a decent cuppa. Dunno if you could handle toast."

The very very brief idea that she could boss around a superhero - vigilante just doesn't stick - is just too ridiculous, even for her pride.

[controlledvariable]

That's a lot to take in, and Steph is quiet for a moment as she runs over everything in her head, to make sure she's got it right. The thought of having good parents, of having a support system, is completely foreign to her. The first and only teacher she trusted turned out to be dealing drugs. There were parents who'd do what they could for her, some her friend's moms would invite her over for dinner to make sure Steph had something to eat, but adults that she could rely on were practically non-existent.

Leading people is an equally foreign concept, "That's just people, Ellie," It's said gently, she can understand Ellie feeling a bit... resentful towards the people she has to look after, and Steph won't judge her for that, "I'm sure everyone's doing the best they can in such an extreme situation."

It's not like being a vigilante, where they choose to throw themselves into that life. But the seriousness aside, she manages a smile, "I wouldn't trust myself with tea, apparently I'm awful at it."

Alfred is nothing if not honest.

[reconnaissance]

Ellie drops her head. "They're like kids. Their best could get us all killed, with the way they go on sometimes." And yet it was Ellie had screwed up so massively that she and Fi were all but dead already. Never mind that. "They can't take the pressure. Well, maybe Fi." Fiona Maxwell did have an infuriating capacity to surprise her. "But they just," but she can't finish the sentence, because it feels like her throat has ceased up with her own ire. Her mouth twists. "I must be as bad as your Batman." After all, they all belonged to the night time and the scary things now, didn't they? That was when they took action, when all the good, normal people should be sleeping.

She grins, but can't match the sentiment internally. Lee was right - she was a bit feral. "Still mastering the art of pouring to water on leaves, eh? Must be tough."

[controlledvariable]

"Hey, hey," She moves back a little more now, putting both hands on Ellie's shoulders and making sure she meets her gaze, "I don't know exactly what you've been through, but you didn't sign up for it, none of you did. I wanted to fight, I trained so hard and Batman still told me I wasn't good enough. You were thrown into a fight, so were your friends, and you're just trying to protect them."

She's not sure if any of that is as reassuring as she hopes it is, but they're the only words she's got. There's no judgement in her voice, over the fact Steph wanted to fight while Ellie didn't, it's just the way things are, and it's not as if Ellie comes from a world where vigilantism is common.

"I'm American, cut me some slack," If Ellie's gonna use stereotypes against her, Steph can use them, too.

[reconnaissance]

"I don't know if I respect you for being brave enough to choose it, or think you're completely crazy." Somehow, with all that angry and horror bubbling about in her like a geyser, Steph has managed to lure out a smile. Her mouth wobbles a bit for jut the barest second before that uncomfortable mask of control can be clamped back down. "Jury's still out." Granted she didn't know Steph very long yet, but everything about her, especially the honesty and the patience, that yelled good things in Ellie's ear. And not everyone would help out a total stranger. That helping hand on Ellie's first night in Exsilium meant a lot. Steph has secured all manner of loyalty points with that, and honesty points as well. Batman gets a less sympathetic assessment: he discarded a good mate, someone who'd have his back. He didn't sound like much of a leader.

"Right, right. 'Land of the free, home of the bad coffee,' hey? If you lot hadn't given me Marilyn Monroe, you'd be useless."

[controlledvariable]

Steph's smile is wry, a little self-deprecating, "Probably the latter. What's that thing about insanity, people who do the same thing over and over and expect different results?"

It feels like that sometimes; one of their rogues kills people, they catch him and put him in jail, then he escapes and starts the cycle all over again. She might not kill, but she can understand why Jason does, why Helena does, why they finally finish their fights in a way Bruce never can.

Satisified that Ellie isn't as distressed anymore, Steph goes back to holding her against her side, an arm around her again, "Our coffee is wonderful, thank you very much, it's the tea that apparently leaves something to be desired," And she grins a little, "You a fan of old movies, then?"

Between Brando before, and now Munroe.

[reconnaissance]

"Mmm. My dad could be a bit difficult about movies, calling them stupid and stuff, but we could all watch the golden oldies together. And she was just amazing." Something of a nostalgic smile quirks, much warmer and gentler than the others, happily settling against Steph. She's warm and comfortable, undemanding. "And she said some of the best stuff, too. She always seemed so confident and classy-- I don't know. She's my idol. Even if I don't where high heels, or aching like that. She's great." It makes her feel a lot more like a regular teenager, talking about silly things like that. "What about you? Favourite movies, idols?"

Very gently - and it must be noted she doesn't always make that effort - she elbows Steph. "We can swap what gets drunk with breakfast, then. Just make sure there's buttery toast." A little fussy for someone living in the wild, hey Ellie?

casually quotes asofterworld comics

[controlledvariable]

Despite all they've shared recently, somehow this little thing feels the most intimate to Steph. It's talking about a normal life, about someone she admired, and it feels so much more personal than talking about war and violence.

"She seemed really strong. It was always so sad, what happened to her," Suicide is just a polite way of saying the world got her, and she agrees with Ellie, about the things Marilyn said. She gives her own response a moment thought, she's never been much for movies, or - pop culture in general; she keeps up, but it's never been something she's been particularly drawn to, "If we're talking old movie stars, I always liked Katharine Hepburn, she was just so - I dunno, so cool."

It's been a while since anyone buy her mom has gotten this physically close, not since Cass has gone away. It's weird, but nice, "Or we could just have both, I don't do well without my morning coffee," Not even joking a little. Steph has a caffeine problem.

I want to read comics the more I hear about Steph tbh

[reconnaissance]

"If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun.' She was a smart lady." Ellie hasn't felt this normal in ages. "They made it all look so effortless. Obviously it wasn't, I mean, Marilyn. But-- they seemed so classy." She grins, and nudges Steph. "Think we can catch up? If we find some heels and fancy dresses."

She chuckles a bit. "Coffee is better. Morning tea though, I'll take care of that. It just means the coffee expert has to get up earlier to make the coffee. I think I do better out of that." Yes, she approves of this plan.

I will give you a rec list

[controlledvariable]

"That's definitely advice I can live by," Steph isn't much of a stickler for rules, which is possibly ironic, considering what she does at night. As for effortless, that actually gets a laugh out of her, even if it's just a quiet chuckle, "Last time I got dolled up, I got attacked by ninjas and my dress got ripped."

That's the problem with being a vigilante, you can't even go to a nice party.

"I only get about three hours a night anyway, getting up a bit early can't hurt," There's wryness in her smile, although she's been catching a lot more sleep in Exsilium, when patrol isn't as necessay, and she doesn't have college to worry about.

Alfred and Cass are the only ones who've ever managed to get her to successfully drink tea, but maybe Ellie will manage, too.

83 yes excellent

[reconnaissance]

"Last time I got dolled up..." Hmmm. "I drank too much and did really stupid things." She rolls her eyes, cheeks flushing with embarrassment and laughter together. "Your story sounds more exciting. And sometimes tears can look good?" Yes, that will surely help.

Wait, wait wait. "That's not enough." Knee jerk mothering tendencies. Never mind that Ellie is too paranoid, scared to sleep because of the things that crowd her dreams. "Maybe we should get you some nice hot choccy before bed. Just knock you out for a bit." Her fingers curl into Steph's shirt. "Hot chocolate and soundtracks from old movies. I wonder if you can get that here."

Because that sounds super fun.

[controlledvariable]

That's the second time Ellie has mentioned stupid, drunk decisions, and Steph can't help the way her expression softens slightly, and she decides to let it be, "It was a pretty dress, my friend bought it for me," She sounds almost annoyed, at the ninjas who ruined her dress.

And there's another laugh, this one lighter, a little more fond, and she smiles at the way Ellie almost tugs at her shirt, "I nap a lot, you don't need to worry yourself," It's strange to have someone fuss over her, she's used to it being the other way around, "If you find me a piano I can play those soundtracks for us."

It's said lightly, but she can actually play, and with her mom's fondness for old movies, she remembers a few songs from that era.

[reconnaissance]

"Oh." That's automatically different. Ellie scowls a bit, as if a scowl might defend Steph's honour and protect any future dresses. "Dickheads." It does quite cover it, not with Ellie's temper, but this is nice and comfortable, and she doesn't really want to get all worked up again. Grumpy indignation is quite sufficient. "Next times throw a party, I'll ban ninjas."

"Apparently Leonardo DiVinci or... One of those renaissance blokes only ever got four ours sleep at a time. Maybe you're just a genius." A genius or suffering chronic sleep problems, either or.

Stop being cool, Steph. "Can you play stuff like West Side Story?"

[controlledvariable]

"I'd appreciate that," Not getting attacked by ninjas, and she doesn't even doubt Ellie's ability to keep ninjas away, "Maybe we can find an excuse to get dressed up nice."

There are missions, maybe one of them might involve a party somehow, though Steph isn't sure whether that would be better or worse than a battle. Undercover is always a bit of a struggle.

"I don't think I'm much of a genuis," But she apperciates the compliment anyway. Bruce, Tim, Babs, they're the genuises, Steph is just good at punching stuff.

She grins a litte, less genuine than the others, but mostly because she's pretending to be smug, "I think I could manage. Just for you."

[reconnaissance]

"That'd be good. Something to celebrate!" The dramatic pause is perhaps condemning enough. "Maybe I can have a party to celebrate not having to drink any of your crappy tea." Mockery is practically affection, with this one.

"No? All right then, dumbass." But Ellie is not entirely successful at hiding her grin, pulling back a bit on reflex, just in case Steph should sat at her. "I won't ask you for any help with the maths homework, then."

Happy enough with that, Ellie gives a nod of approval. "I bet you say that to all the girls. I'm onto you."

[controlledvariable]

"Sounds like you'll find any excuse to party," She waggles her eyebrows at Ellie. She doesn't really seem like the partying type at all, but she won't let that get in the way of making fun of her. Especially after the tea comment.

She just rolls her eyes at the math comment, "I'm alright with the practical stuff, but I'm useless with the rest," Anything requiring her to calculate angles or work out perimeters is easy, but she's never had the head for more theoretical stuff.

"I've only played for a couple of people, actually," Ever since she gave up lessons, she barely touched a piano, especially not in front of other people. Tim, Cass, Alfred. It's a small list.