001. video;

[giveaway]

( A sleepy Steph starts up the video, yawning a little before she takes her thumb off the camera to reveal herself. She's not messy or sloppy or anything like that, just yawning. Her voice is very matter-of-fact and she nods occasionally as she speaks to confirm how right her point is. )

Y'know I think this place needs to give newbies a warmer welcome. Hotels give you like coffee and maybe a fruit basket? We need that, waiting in our suite for us. Maybe with a cute message card saying something like, "Welcome to our city, and oh, remember you're stuck here! Have a mocha on us!" It's common courtesy to give folks some kind of compensation.

( She pauses. She's forgetting something, isn't she... Oh, right! )

Oh yeah, I'm Stephanie. Or Steph. Probably not Stephie. ( Bad memories associated with that one. )  Aaaand I really want a mocha. That actually sounds really good right now. Nice to meet you and especially nice to meet you if you know about a Turtlebucks close to the Wood Sector.

( Confirm her secret identity in this place as an ordinary and hilarious college student? Check. She honestly is seriously thinking about her situation, but for now she doesn't want that to show through as Stephanie Brown. Gotta be safe and all. )

I think that's everything? Laters.

Comments

video;

[raisethemoon]

Good morning, Stephanie. I am Princess Luna, and only recently arrived myself. [And trying very hard to be social, because she hasn't got anyone here to help her make friends now.]

I am lodged in the Fire Sector - but what is a "Turtlebucks"? [That joke? About fifty feet over her head.]

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[giveaway]

( Giving Luna a warm smile, she scratches the back of her neck ) I've never met a princess before, really, so I apologize if I'm rude or anything.

( And with that she proceeds to make the motions of a bow and makes her face all serious-like. Very proper, clearly.)

It is an honor to meet you, your majesty!

And Turtlebucks is... Well, it doesn't really matter, honestly. I was just joking, really.

[mrsarcastic003]

'Laters?' Really?

[And he's... going to let her decide how to play this--whether or not they 'know' each other.]

[giveaway]

Really.

( While she rolls her eyes at Mr. Probably Used to Say Laters As Well, she's honestly glad to see him. There's a sort of relief in seeing a familiar face and a reminder that you're not alone. Even if the person with you is your ex boyfriend.

But of course, there's the whole secret identities thing and Tim was always a stickler about that. However, seeing as they've gone to parties as civilians and he is showing his face to her, she thinks she can go ahead and act natural. )

... It's nice to see you.

( Immediately she turns face once more, going back to the joking. She doesn't want to seem weird, or too emotional, or too obvious. )

Didn't think I'd end up on a giant turtle with my Facebook contacts, but here we are!

Video;

[backinakidflash]

[Bart's admittedly getting worried by the constant stream of new arrivals. He's been here two months, and there's been no sign of it slowing down. Then there's the realization that, holy shit, he's been here two months smacking him in the face and derailing him before he can go racing into a big welcome.]

Hey there, Steph. I'm Bart. You're right, b. t. w. I keep thinking the kedan should let us know where they're shoving the new arrivals. I'd be down with being on the welcoming committee. We could hand out gift baskets and brochures. What To Do When You Find Out You're On a Turtle, Where's My Coffee? - everyone's always worried about coffee. Addicts, all of you.

[He smiles and shifts on his chair so he's sitting cross-legged.]

I promise: we've got coffee and fruit here. Well. Fruit like things. They're definitely from plants.

video;

[giveaway]

( Finally, someone who gets it! She'll let him slide on the addicts comment for now, since he didn't mean anything by it clearly. And he seems nice and total friend potential. She excitedly replies, as if she's had ten cups herself already. )

Right? I mean, this sort of change has to be hard for anybody and there must be lots of people upset and angry and in crucial need of caffeine. Knowing there's someone out there to help them, I think it'd make them happy even if just a little bit.

( Steph lets out an exaggerated sigh of relief. )

Well, thank god! I mean, how could people survive without the most important food group that is coffee beans? And those fruity things too, I guess.

[everylittlegirl]

I don't think you get a welcome when you're not really new.

[giveaway]

... Excuse me?

[video]

[backwordscompatible]

[It was funny how things worked out sometimes.]

[In her world, Zatanna never knew a Stephanie Brown. Nor a batgirl. Yet. However, in the time she'd been here, on the Turtle, she had come to know both these identities. Though certainly not in association with one another. So...to make a long story short? That glimmer of familiarity in her eyes? Completely misleading in every way.]

No Turtlebucks, I'm afraid. But we've got a couple cafes around here that make a pretty mean cup of cocoa.

video;

[giveaway]

Maybe you'd have to show me some then. ( Big toothy grin! She needs something to do around here, and making friends over cocoa does not sound bad at all. ) It's really quite the shame though that capitalism hasn't made its way onto the back of a turtle.

[video]

[bludhavenknight]

[Oh man. He's pretty damn glad to see you, would you believe it?]

Speak of the devil in a red dress! [He was literally just talking about you, you know. Or, well, you don't know, but it's a great coincidence. All these secret identities really get in the way, don't they? But he knew you when you dressed in purple eggplant, and so. Hello!]

You know, first thing I looked for when I got here? Coffee. Forget new clothes or food, coffee came first. In all different types, too. [He grins.]

video;

[giveaway]

( She can definitely dig these overall warm welcomes. What's next? Bruce with her fruit basket? )

I'll take that as-

( And she pinches the bridge of her nose, stopping herself mid sentence in a sudden annoying realization. She's thankful Dick reminded her, but not really looking forward to doing a bunch of chores now that she's in a new home. )

Ugh, that reminds me... I really need to buy some new clothes. That's... probably more important than coffee. ( She grins. ) Just maybe.

[demon_brat]

Brown. I see you are still incapable of not babbling.

[Sorry, Steph. He's getting a bit of his full of people coming back and not remembering. Like they're entirely new people.]

[Ugh.]

[giveaway]

And you're still incapable of holding polite conversation.

Good to know some things never change, right? ( Mostly teasing, she smiles. As always, it looks like Damian still has a ways to go until he can act like a normal kid. It's weird Dick and Bruce don't find that important enough to teach him. )

Video:

[solo_patria]

[Well, have someone not so much older than you, Steph, even if he's from a completely dfferent century.]

It is a pleasure to meet you then, Mademoiselle Stephanie. I do agree about the warmer welcome AND the coffee. Everyone I know could benefit from regular deliveries of that, and it seems like such a basic right somehow. [Enjolras's lip quirks at this last bit because of how true, and pathetic that is, especially in his own case.] Perhaps one of the cafes here can help.

video;

[giveaway]

It's nice to meet you too, Monsieur...?

( Okay, so she took Spanish in high school and her French accent is probably terrible, but she is trying to be cute. And hopefully succeeding. )

Having coffee is most definitely a basic right. We need to like start a petition or something to get daily deliveries, I think.

And in the meantime, you and I could deal with walking to the cafe together.

video

[raptorcanaria]

Actually there's a pretty good coffee place just a ten minute walk from the suites there.

[Dinah gives a warm smile. If Steph wants to acknowledge recognizing her or not is up to Steph, but knowledge of the local eateries is important knowledge that needs to be shared.]

Better than anything with "bucks" in the name, I promise.

video;

[giveaway]

( Her face lights up, a huge excited grin finding its place. ) Oh my god, you're that woman who helped out with my dad once, right?!

You have to let me treat you to a coffee at that place! It's the least I can do.

( And then they can actually speak normally and catch up and such. )

video;

[imaginate]

['Sup Steph it's a GL. He gives a friendly wave.]

You missed the mountains of tribbles that were the welcoming gift last month. [Beat.] In retrospect, they were more of a nuisance...

video;

[giveaway]

Tribbles? ( She raises an eyebrow at the word, waiting for him to explain further. ) I'm guessing they don't taste as good as coffee.

video

[escarabajo]

I've been living in the wood sector-- unless they set one up while I wasn't looking, you're fresh outta luck for turtle-based coffee empires.

video;

[giveaway]

Well, darn. Today is just not my lucky day now, is it? Although, I've heard there's some good local brews, but I don't know if I can handle not having a logo on everything I hold.

[Video]

[tactile_telekinesis]

If you find any coffee, don't drink it. It's probably safer not to do it.

[Kon is smiling as he leans back in his chair with a small creek.]

Gotta admit, that'd be pretty sweet. I'd have liked a little mint on the pillow as well.

video;

[giveaway]

Let me guess: it's poisoned?

( Steph smiles back brightly. )

Maid service would come in handy too, I think.

video;

[crotcharrow]

[He stares. Wide eyed.]

--Steph?

video;

[giveaway]

... That's my name, don't wear it out?

[Video]

[alpha_squad_leader]

[Victor offers an awkward little smile and wave.]

Uh, since it sounds kind of like you don't remember being here welcome back doesn't fit so...uh...welcome to the city on the back of a giant turtle.

I don't know about the Wood Sector but there's a great coffee place out here in the Earth Sector. And there's coffee in the stores if you ever want to brew any at home.

video;

[giveaway]

( Steph gives an over-excited wave in return! )

Hey! Yeah, uh, sorry about that whole thing. It's confusing. And weird. Kinda like our entire situation? But you know, whatever.

Mm, I'll have to check it out then! I'm getting lots of great recs, so I guess I'm going to have to do a little coffee tour of the whole city.

video;

[notdreaming]

Hello Stephanie.

[ She knows not to say 'Hello again', having been in that situation herself. ]

I'm Kara. Have you gotten that Mocha yet?

video;

[giveaway]

Not yet, unfortunately. But I've got a lot of offers of people wanting to get one with me. Turns out I'm more popular on turtles than on the real world...

( And then private, 90-something % encrypted. )

I... know who you are Kara, but I don't know if you're my Kara or? God, that sounds weird. What I mean to say is, I know a Kara who looks a whole lot like you. Sorry if that sounds weird, but really, what isn't in this place, right?

video;

[trainwrecked]

[Bucky... got the part where this is a different Steph.]

[And tried to resist saying hi.]

[But couldn't. So he's a little late - like, a day or so - and his smile is. Soft. A little wistful.]

Hey. Found acceptable coffee, yet, or would you still like a guide who's trying not to turn local.

[Like he could turn into a shapeshifter.]

video;

[giveaway]

Found a few places. Got a map of the rest. Aaand I could always use some friendly company. Coffee's always better with friends, I think.

action;

[cowled]

[Bruce waits. Long enough to assess the replies, to gauge the timeline she's come from. He already knows it isn't the Stephanie he... became accustomed to. But she has the same potential.

He sits at his desk in perfect darkness. Considers his options. He needs to separate out how he feels from the Stephanie he grew to know to this new girl, with none of those experiences.

(Bruce remembers sitting at her side after the llothi, fingers pressed lightly against her wrist to feel her pulse through the night. He's no surgeon, not the way Alfred is. The possibility of losing her was... very real, for those few days.)

When he's heard enough, he gets up and leaves his suite. Collects one of his suits from the safe-house along the way, and makes the trek to the Wood sector. He keeps a running tally of which buildings are occupied, and although it takes him a while to sort through the new arrivals, he eventually comes to Stephanie's suite, lets himself in through a high window.

She isn't like Dick, someone who will know he's there by the displacement of the air. So he folds his arms, and speaks,]

Stephanie.

action;

[giveaway]

( Stephanie's still settling into her suite, moving around furniture, putting newly bought clothes away and such, when she hears a familiar voice. Immediately she turns around, only to have her suspicions confirmed. She's not sure whether to be surprised or not, as on one hand people appearing in your room is pretty creepy no matter what, and on the other hand she expects this sort of behavior from the people she knows, especially him.

She grins slightly, raising an eyebrow at him in an almost teasing way. )

Is knocking first really that hard?

text;

[redjay]

Newcomer, huh.

text;

[giveaway]

Yep. Any reason you're not showing your face, mysterious stranger?

video

[wherethestoryis]

Hello, Stephanie. [This hurts a little--on the other hand, a Steph with a clean slate! ...On the other other hand, a Stephanie with whole new ways for Clark to screw up with the teenagers. Again.

Promising. But still, Lois is glad to see her.]

I'm guessing you've heard that we've seen you around, though you won't remember it. I'm Lois, if we haven't managed to meet back home.

[Lois is calling in from home--so it's Clark's suite in Water Sector, from the background (and in case Batgirl decides to put a trace on the call).]

video;

[giveaway]

Yeah, I've heard that... ( She pretends to count on her fingers ) A lot of times. ( And it's getting annoying so she's glad she's been able to get it out of the way with just one response. )

I don't think we have, but either way, it's nice to meet you, Lois! Again, I guess.

[video]

[withoutaworld]

Steph! [ The smile's a little sad, but genuinely happy to see her - she already got the 'not our Steph' news from Tommy, but it's still nice having a Steph here. ] Sorry, we used to be friends. Well, me and... a version of you. I'm really glad to see you again. Or meet you again. Whatever.

My name's Rikki, by the way. And I know you've probably gotten directions from, like, everyone, because for someone coffee is the one thing everyone can agree on here, but if you want to know my Steph's favorite place... I can take you there. First mocha's on me.

video;

[giveaway]

It's fine, don't worry. I'm sure we'll be friends this time around too, right?

( Part of her wishes she was this other Steph, this other her. She'd make them happier then. Every time someone says they knew her, a wave of guilt crashes onto her. But... she smiles anyways. Maybe they'll stop talking about it eventually and focus on the now. )

It's great to meet you again, Rikki. And I'd definitely love to check it out with you!