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]

What? I'm - I'm his brother. I care about him, no matter what else has happened. I-

Shit. He died, okay? He died and none of us could help him, and now we have a second chance and - and what are we doing with it? What am I doing with it? Have you ever lost someone you loved? Told yourself you'd do anything, give anything for another moment with them? And then they actually come back and just - nothing about it is right?

[not_a_wonder]

I would have to be very blessed to get to this age without losing someone I loved. And I'm not that lucky.

I understand the desire to see a loved one again. To be sure that they know you love them. I haven't yet had someone come back... unless you count when Diana was lost in space, and everyone thought she was dead.

In any case, you misunderstand me. Why must it be you who fixes this situation? Why not, for example, the father that you share with Jason?

[iamthenightwing]

I'm pretty sure Bruce just keeps making it worse. [Dick shakes his head.] Bruce is terrible at this sort of thing. And I know, I know, he needs to learn, and he needs to figure out how to handle it, but - that shouldn't come at Jason's expense. I just keep feeling like it's different, like he might be more willing to listen to me and I might come off as...

... no. [Dick shakes his head again, hugging himself a little.] No, fine, that's not the whole story. I want to have things be okay again. I want them to be okay! I want my brother back, and not just by - by waiting around for Bruce to pull his head out of his ass! [He snaps the last words - he can't help it. He loves the old man but sometimes they're all so frustrating.]

[not_a_wonder]

[Nessie smiles.] Good. I'm glad that you can be honest with yourself about it. And I'm very glad that making peace with Jason is something that you actually want, not just something that you feel you ought to, or have to, do.

And... [Nessie can't help a small chuckle, shaking her head.] I think if you actually talked about Bruce like that around Jason, he might realize you're more sympathetic than he thinks.

[iamthenightwing]

[Dick lets out a sort of stuttering laugh.] Should I just... throw rocks through his window with nasty things about Bruce written on them? Leave phone messages ranting about Bruce? [He makes the same noise.] I don't even have his number. The only time we even really run into each other is on the job, where... other concerns have to come first.

[And there's that noise again, bordering on a sob.] This... this is the first time I've admitted it like that. I don't. Really know what to do with it.

[not_a_wonder]

[Nessie reaches out, telegraphing the movement, and hovers her hand over Dick's shoulder, waiting for his permission to touch and silently offering it.] Sometimes, the hardest thing in the world is to admit the truth to ourselves. It's not so important, how long it took you to do it, but that you did it.

You know that Jason talks to me. When you're ready to talk to Jason, I'm sure I can arrange a meeting.

I don't know that you're ready yet, either of you. Like I said, there's a lot of pain there, for you both.

[iamthenightwing]

[He nods, and accepts the proffered contact, dabbing at an eye.] That's... probably the right call.

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to dump all this on you - God, we've just met. It's just that... there aren't a lot of people I can talk about this with. The people who are in the know already have so much invested in all of it and the ones who aren't invested, don't know.

[He breathes.] ... thank you. [He tries to smile.] You really are good at this, you know that?

[not_a_wonder]

[Nessie pats Dick's shoulder comfortingly.]

It's okay. I have a lot of clients that tell me pretty heavy stuff right after we've just met.

Believe me, I understand what it's like -- holding something this big and painful in, it's very tiring. I don't mind hearing you out, Dick. Everyone deserves someone to listen to their troubles, and help as best they can.

[Nessie's answering smile is more certain.] Thank you, Dick. I do my best.

[iamthenightwing]

[He takes a few deep breaths, calming himself down.] I guess maybe sometimes... it's easier to talk with people you don't know. When you don't have to deal with the expectations.

But anytime you need someone to return the favor... feel free, okay? It's the least I can do for your best.

[not_a_wonder]

[Nessie pulls out her wallet, and presents him with a business card. She appreciates the offer that Dick is making, but she's not so sure she'll take him up on it. He seems spread thin enough as it is, especially with the Big Siblings commitment coming soon.]

I'm sure there'll be times in the future when you'll need to talk to someone. You can call me at this number.

[iamthenightwing]

[Dick... well, the line isn't word for word. But the echo makes him double-take, and laugh again with the general cocktail of emotions that it brings.]

Thank you. I'll... I'll try to call when I need.