( 1. Stephanie, you are obnoxious but Helena is fond of you so she just quirks an eyebrow at that display.
2. "Better than I might be" is hardly informative, Barbara. Her brow is just slightly furrowed, mouth tugged into a frown as she rests her chin on her hands, watching Barbara critically.
The good news: Stephanie is alive! The bad news: the mess that unfolded around it, that she went through that ideal at all, that these wounds are still so fresh. And it's not like they can really discuss that complicated tangle of things with Stephanie so close, not without potentially saying something that would hurt her, and she's been so eager to please and win approval. Not being weak, not by a long shot, but she definitely appreciates approval. Stephanie might not think of herself as a kid, but she's one of Helena's kids now, under her wing, which basically equates to having someone very protective prepared to loom at all times, even if she does trust Stephanie's ability. )
'Eventful' might be a good word for it.
( Still frowning, but there's something gentler in her voice. ) This place is screwed up in the extreme.
( A long beat, and she's leaning back in her chair, arms crossed. Helena Bertinelli certainly never uses appearing standoffish as a means to protect herself, what could you be thinking? )
no subject
2. "Better than I might be" is hardly informative, Barbara. Her brow is just slightly furrowed, mouth tugged into a frown as she rests her chin on her hands, watching Barbara critically.
The good news: Stephanie is alive! The bad news: the mess that unfolded around it, that she went through that ideal at all, that these wounds are still so fresh. And it's not like they can really discuss that complicated tangle of things with Stephanie so close, not without potentially saying something that would hurt her, and she's been so eager to please and win approval. Not being weak, not by a long shot, but she definitely appreciates approval. Stephanie might not think of herself as a kid, but she's one of Helena's kids now, under her wing, which basically equates to having someone very protective prepared to loom at all times, even if she does trust Stephanie's ability. )
'Eventful' might be a good word for it.
( Still frowning, but there's something gentler in her voice. ) This place is screwed up in the extreme.
( A long beat, and she's leaning back in her chair, arms crossed. Helena Bertinelli certainly never uses appearing standoffish as a means to protect herself, what could you be thinking? )
I'm... glad you're here.