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[not_a_wonder]

Not all who wander are lost.

Comments

[no_ones_son]

Always helps to keep a map handy, though. On the subject of vaguely meaningful proverbs, anyway.

Long time no see.

[not_a_wonder]

And not all who are lost wish to be found. [Nessie smiles wryly.] You're not the Red Hood I know.

[no_ones_son]

Just because you're lost doesn't mean you've... stopped hiding? Fuck, I'm not good at this.

No? Must have you mixed up with someone else, sorry. But you do know a version of me?

[not_a_wonder]

[Nessie smothers a giggle with one hand.] Not as good as some, that's true. Sorry.

I know a Red Hood. He's missing. But you're not him.

[no_ones_son]

We could always switch to puns, I guess, but that's sinking awfully low.

Mm. You're right on that count. Question is, is yours looking to be found, or not?

[not_a_wonder]

Do try to resist the urge.

I'm not sure if he's looking to be found, but I think he needs to be. There's some asshole running around in a pill-shaped helmet and white jammies with a skull logo, calling himself the Red Hood. He's not exactly being helpful on the whole "relocate, educate, rebuild" plan? Which isn't like the real Red Hood at all.

[no_ones_son]

That... doesn't sound at all like me. For a large number of reasons. But if he hasn't come back to kick the wannabe's ass, I'm guessing he's probably in over his head somewhere.

[not_a_wonder]

I know, but Batman and Robin sure are reacting to him like he is you. [She means her world's Red Hood, but he seems to be experienced with the multiverse so she forgoes the overly specific speech patterns that sometimes have to be used.]

[Nessie sighs and twists some of her curls around one hand in a nervous gesture.] If he's in over his head, I'm sure I would be, too. Which is the opposite of helpful in this case.

I wonder if I could prove that Pill-Head isn't the Red Hood, to the Bat and his boy.

[no_ones_son]

Eh. They'd probably buy a DNA test or something.

So how do you know your 'verse's me, anyway?

[not_a_wonder]

I suppose. But wouldn't they have already run one themselves? And how could I get some of the faker's DNA? [Nessie is more musing aloud than trying to shoot down the suggestion, which should be clear in her tone.]

He was going to save me from a mugging. I saved myself.

And he knew about my... sordid history. As the Silver Swan. [She shrugs.] I guess the parallels interested him.

[no_ones_son]

Not if they don't actually give enough of a damn to care if he's behaving out of character. God forbid they notice the difference.

[He snorts.] Sounds entertaining. You have any type of professional type relationship, or are we just talking about coffee now and again?

[not_a_wonder]

[Nessie will, if you let her, allow that thread of the conversation to drop. From experience with her world's Jason Todd, "Family" is a minefield of issues and it's difficult to navigate even at the best of times.]

I'm a social worker, and sometimes he brings me work.

[no_ones_son]

[Jason'll let that topic go, then.]

As in, asking for help, or are we talking a "cat with a dead mouse" type thing?

[not_a_wonder]

As in, letting me know when the various rampages or schemes of the Arkham set end up victimizing children. Especially when those children need someone to game the system for them. [There's a determined glint in her eye.] If I can get them out, I get them out.

[no_ones_son]

... starting to think I should track down my 'verse's version of you.

[not_a_wonder]

She might not be in a good place, [Nessie cautions him,] I wasn't, not for a long time after being the Silver Swan. The physical recovery from the surgeries to remove the cybernetic implants was hard, but the mental scars were harder.

[no_ones_son]

I can get that.

I work with a lot of people who aren't. I'll keep it in mind.

[not_a_wonder]

If she's anything like me -- and she ought to be, since most of the people I've run into in this place seem to react the same to me across the board -- she wants to help people, and she wants redemption for her mistakes. It's not like Jason had give me the hard sell to get me on his side.

Just, uh... try to keep her away from situations where she might have to yell.

[no_ones_son]

[He doesn't ask - it's not his business, and he can make some pretty good guesses.] Got it. Could always use a couple more contacts on the official side of the system. [Note that he does not use the word "legitimate.]

[not_a_wonder]

Yup. That was my Red Hood's reasoning too.

But really. I'm a social worker and crisis counselor... just what every lord of the underworld needs, right? [Nessie smirks.]

[no_ones_son]

You have no idea. Well, maybe you do.

[not_a_wonder]

Crises seem to follow you.

[no_ones_son]

I like to think it's the other way around.

I mean, it isn't, but I like to think so.

[not_a_wonder]

[Nessie giggles.] I will keep that particular delusion in mind.

[worth_the_cost]

"The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots are not reached by the frost." I could do the whole poem if you like. [He gives a teasing grin.]

[not_a_wonder]

Not so much into Tolkien these days. Actually, never really was... unless it's "The Hobbit".

I was in the middle of... trying to track down an important associate of mine. But... this place decided to play with an old toy, I suppose.

[worth_the_cost]

I do like "The Hobbit" better. I should see the new movie, movies? But I've been too busy.

This place has always had impeccable timing. [He rolls his eyes.] Hopefully this won't be to big of a hiccup in your plans.

[not_a_wonder]

So much to do, so little time for ourselves. [Nessie's smile is sympathetic.]

I don't know. I think... I think Jason is missing, but no one else does.

[worth_the_cost]

Exactly. [He smiles back.]

Ah. Where I'm from there's a very very short list of people who might care or even notice, and I'm not sure... Alfred's probably your best bet for help. [Talia too, but he doesn't think that would be a safe contact to suggest.]

[not_a_wonder]

Who's Alfred?

[Nessie and Jason might be friends of a sort, but he is still a notoriously private person.]

[worth_the_cost]

[Jason screws up his face trying to weigh how much Nessie might know with how much he can tell her without endangering her.] Alfred Pennyworth. He... works for Bruce Wayne. I'd offer you his phone number but... multiverse

[not_a_wonder]

Oh. [beat] Oh! "Al". He's mentioned an "Al", but I never made the connection.

I... I suppose I have to. Oh, gosh, I'm going to look so out of place in Bristol...

[worth_the_cost]

Yeah Al. He'll listen to you and do what he can to help.

Just act like you belong. You've got a reason to be there.

[not_a_wonder]

[soft, half to herself,] Well, it can't be that much different from Beacon Hill.

[She sighs and looks back up at him.]

But that's not my biggest problem. I mean, what do I say? "I haven't seen Jason in a while and I have a bad feeling about it"? They think Jason is still around.

[worth_the_cost]

Yeah he's heard stranger things. [Jason smiles fondly.] If you really believe Jason is missing he'll help. [Jason's sure Alfred will help, even if the old man doesn't believe Nessie's story.]

[demonalone]

Sometimes that is the reason we wander.

[not_a_wonder]

I thought it implied that most who wander are lost, [Nessie replies in a mild tone.]

[demonalone]

[Dami shrugs,] Perhaps wandering in the only way to become un-lost.

[not_a_wonder]

Maybe.

[demonalone]

Do you wander for a reason? [He asks, curious about this strange girl.]

[not_a_wonder]

Not a one. [Nessie answers promptly, and smiles slightly.] I seem to find myself in strange places sometimes. Maybe it's a side effect of being involved with superheroes, or maybe being involved with superheroes is part of the strangeness and not the cause.

I was lost once. And Diana tried to find me, for a little while. Before more important things came along. So I had to find myself.

[demonalone]

Diana is a good friend to have. She is... powerful, and kind. I am glad you were able to find yourself.