Gotham City's Own Paris Hilton

[not_a_wonder]

[Nessie isn't surprised that there wasn't a lot of turnout for this "Be a Big Sibling" sign up event. Although everyone in Gotham City knows that crime affects the children of the city, there aren't a lot of people willing to help fix that.]

[Of course, the stringent background check required for it might also scare some people off.]

[She hands off a copy of the brochure and says,] "I hope you'll consider being a Big Sibling for one of our foster kids in need! They could use more good influences in their lives."

[The woman smiles at her, and moves on to Nessie's boss for the presentation.]

[Nessie hears another person step up to her table. She holds up another brochure, and says again,] "I hope you'll consider being a Big Sibling for one of our needy foster kids!"

[[OOC: (Added 23 July 2022) Although this particular scene was written beforehand, chronologically it comes after scenes that are being played at this time.]]

Comments

[iamthenightwing]

[Dick nods, acknowledging the comment - he hadn't been sure how to raise the subject of the Silver Swan (Bats do their research, after all), and he's glad she's comfortable addressing it herself. He doesn't know that he needs to draw attention to it, though, so instead he says,] Most people would set their sights on something... a little less daunting.

[He smiles.] I'm glad you didn't. It seems like you're doing good work here. [He takes another sip of coffee.] Have you been... having any trouble settling in? [Okay, maybe he can draw a little attention to it. It's not a lot of people who go through something like Nessie did and come out of it still fighting - he wants to make sure no one less sympathetic is hassling her.]

[not_a_wonder]

The occasional bit of hate mail still finds me, but I have good friends here and elsewhere. I have a therapist of my own, as well.

The worst thing was a few weeks into my move to Gotham, really. I was the target of a mugging.

[She drinks from her coffee again.]

[iamthenightwing]

[Dick frowns a little over his coffee.] I'm glad it's been mostly going well - are you all right, though? Did they ever find who did it?

[not_a_wonder]

[Nessie smiles, a touch smugly.] I kicked their asses.

[iamthenightwing]

[Dick chokes slightly, and laughs.] Well, that's good to hear. The Bats can't be everywhere. [A little ruefully, he adds,] And I think a social worker in Gotham needs to be a bit tough.

How are things there, by the way? With social services? The Wayne Foundation has put a lot into it, but it's a little hard to get an... insider perspective, sometimes? Is there anything more we could do to help make it better? [Shaking his head, he says-] I'm sorry. Just... I like to make sure we're doing the most good we can, too.

[not_a_wonder]

Diana asked some of her teachers to teach me. And my mother was very supportive, that I learn how to defend myself.

Well... you know how things are. Sometimes it seems like we're baling out a sinking boat, but every life that we improve makes it worth it. What you did today is the sort of thing we need more of... ways to make what the everyday regular person can do look more appealing.

And, I won't lie. The Wayne Foundation's money helps a lot, too.

[iamthenightwing]

[He lets out a low whistle.] Those are some very good teachers you had.

I do know how it is. There's so many people trying to help out, on all ends of it, but... not as many as there should be, sometimes. And sometimes... [He stares into his drink.] Well, sometimes I worry if we're not all a little too focused on punishing criminals, instead of making sure they don't become criminals in the first place, or helping them stop. [Beat.] Within the system, I mean. With everyone pushing three strikes laws and all that... I want bad people off the street as much as anyone, but... people, in general, I don't think they really understand how much good social services can accomplish.

I... can I ask a question that's probably none of my business?

[not_a_wonder]

[Nessie laughs a bit.] Go ahead. If it's really none of your business, I reserve the right not to answer.

[iamthenightwing]

That's fair. [He smiles, but it doesn't quite reach his eyes, and drops it before he asks,] Do... you still talk to her? Diana? Wonder Woman, I mean.

[not_a_wonder]

[Something dark flickers in Nessie's eyes.]

We talk. Not often, but I accept that she has a lot of responsibility to the world.

[iamthenightwing]

[Dick winces slightly at that flicker, but mostly hides it.]

That's good. I think... [And he can't describe it, he knows, not without spilling information about himself he doesn't know that Nessie knows. But he remembers, from a distance, Wonder Woman after the first Silver Swan attack had happened, the sadness in her eyes.] I think she seems like she'd be glad to know you're doing well, is all.

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to dredge up bad memories.

[not_a_wonder]

It's not so much dredging something up as it is brushing sand away. I don't try to bury what happened to me. I don't get much chance to.

And it's not like getting hit by a car, among other things, is something you forget easily.

[iamthenightwing]

No, I guess it wouldn't be.

It's not easy. When something like that happens to you, remembering it without letting it consume you. Getting your life back together. When... [He shakes his head.] Well, it helps to have someone there. I think that's part of why what you do is so important. It's why... well, why I know I'm glad to hear you're doing well.

I guess it's why I signed up to be a Big Brother earlier, too. [He laughs.] I'm sorry, I really did come here just to discuss the program. I'd been hearing so many good things - I'd wanted to talk to you for a while, but this was the first time I got the chance with everything that's been going on.

[not_a_wonder]

It can be hard. Good things shape us, but the bad that happens to us does that as well. I hope... you've had that sort of support, when you needed it.

I suppose that makes it a bit easier, hm? Actually signing up for the task instead of having it sprung on you?

[iamthenightwing]

[Is she... does she mean... no, he must be reading too much into things.]

I... think I have more often than not, I suppose.

It does make it a little easier! Though having a nudge in the right direction now and again can be nice, too. I'm... very busy, these days, but that shouldn't mean I can't make time for the things I need to.

Speaking of, I'm not actually sure of the... process here? Will I be matched up with a younger sibling randomly, or is there some type of personality and interest matching process, or?

[not_a_wonder]

Good to hear.

[Nessie presses her lips together briefly, as though she were holding some thought back from crossing those lips. Then she says,] It's a bit more than a nudge, isn't it, having your adoptive father adopt more children? Unless he consulted you?

Oh, well... the form has a section for special skills and interests? We do try to match up kids who match those interests, or at least would benefit from those skills. And the background check and upcoming interview will let us know just how... difficult... of a Little Sibling you're likely to be able to handle. Not that we won't be available to help, of course!

[iamthenightwing]

Well, I mean - [He finds sudden interest in stirring his coffee.] ... things sort of... fell into his lap. I understand that now. But... a little warning would have been nice, yes.

[Maybe then he'd have been better at it.]

Hey. [He puts on a grin.] Do your worst! I think I can handle any of the kids you've got. [Lord knows he's had worse.]

[not_a_wonder]

I really hope so. Some of these kids... the things that were done to them, by adults that they should have been able to trust...

It's hard to hear. It's even harder to live through. But they deserve all the help we can give.

[iamthenightwing]

[He nods, sobering.] I know. I'm sorry, I certainly don't mean to be flippant about it, it's only... well, my... my brothers came up through a lot, too. I know it's important to have someone who can help. Who'll be there. Who... who they can come to if they need.

[... Dick takes a very, very long drink of his coffee.]

[not_a_wonder]

You can tell them that, but it's up to them to accept.

And it can be hard to accept that they don't believe you.

[iamthenightwing]

I- [He looks visibly struck by the comment.]

I...

... I think sometimes you just keep wondering if they'd have believed you if you told them the right way.

[not_a_wonder]

[Nessie frowns slightly, and sets her coffee aside.]

Sometimes... Sometimes there isn't a "right way", Dick.

[iamthenightwing]

... no. I guess there's not.

[He sighs.] That's the hardest part of all of this, isn't it? Not being there when they need it, but not being able to be there even when you want to.

[not_a_wonder]

It is hard, but what's important is letting them know that they are loved and cared for. For however long they allow themselves to believe it... you're making their life better now, and sometimes that all anyone can do.

[iamthenightwing]

Heh. [Dick scrubs a hand over his face.] You've got some wisdom in there, Ms. Kapatelis. No wonder I keep hearing such good things.

I think I needed to hear that. Thank you.