0027 - [Video]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

[Finally - after having his room stripped of supplies twice, after the Mirror Barge nonsense and allies lost and warden annoyances - Scorpius is holding in his hands the sum of the hours he's spent cooped up in his cabin.

He stands up from his work desk, holding what looks to be a ridiculously sharp and extravagant blade to be fitted over an arm. It has other uses - to pick up delicate things, to turn doorknobs and so on - but the chief inspiration seems to come from excessive weaponry.

Scorpius fits it over his own arm, and with a heave, turns his arm to cut into the wall next to him. The blade embeds itself into the wall some three inches deep before stopping. Satisfied, he pulls it free and sets it back on the table]

I believe your replacement is ready, Horatio.

Comments

[keeps_a_cool_head]

I set my ambitions higher than bank robberies and pointless slaughter.

But your compliment is most appreciated.

[ichoosefight]

You're welcome. Has he seen it yet? I assume he had design input.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

He did...somewhat.

[Scorpius might have added a few bits here and there]

But he's yet to see the finished product. I'll fit him for the harness later this evening.

[ichoosefight]

I'm sure he'll like it. [ She grins. ] I'd love to see his reaction when he sees it.

[ So she's maybe a little proud of his atrocity of a project. It is certainly a Thing. ]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

As will I. And I ought to thank you, Stephanie, for permitting the completion of this project.

[ichoosefight]

[ Her smile now is downright amiable. ]

Well hey, nothing exploded. Thanks for making me look good.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

You're certainly not the worst warden this ship has ever seen - you hardly need my help in making yourself 'look good.'

[ichoosefight]

That is possibly the highest compliment I have ever received.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

That worries me.

[ichoosefight]

Aw, you just want to spoil me. [ She flaps a hand at him, waving off the concern. ]

My life is full of assholes. I'm used to it.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Didn't you die prior to arriving here?

[ichoosefight]

You know that I did.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Then perhaps you ought to find more pleasant company in the future.

[ichoosefight]

That's just crazy talk. I can't kick pleasant company's face in.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Whom do you have, in your own world? Who is pleasant to you?

[ichoosefight]

The Birds. [ Her answer is instantaneous. ] Babs, Huntress, Dinah, Batgirl. Poor Tim is trying so hard to avoid me, but I haven't made it easy for him. I keep trying to tell him, Batman will have to get over the whole Black Mask thing eventually.

[ It does not occur to her that she hasn't named a single person not in the vigilante business. ]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

[Scorpius, however, catches onto this rather quickly, given their names. He gives a grim smile]

Any person who does not run around in a cape?

[ichoosefight]

[ For an embarrassingly long couple of seconds, she's stumped. ]

My mom? And the people I volunteer with are pretty decent, most of the time.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

You don't find an issue with this?

[ichoosefight]

Well, no. I love my friends, and I love my job. That's what you're supposed to aim for, isn't it?

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Not necessarily. I was fond of my position as well.

[ichoosefight]

But you didn't love your friends.

[ He didn't have friends, really. ]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Let's not pretend I had friends, Stephanie. I had coworkers, allies, subordinates and superiors. Never friends.

[ichoosefight]

Makes all the difference, you know.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Yet for a vast multitude of reasons, it will never happen.