1000 paper cranes for you

[sibyllant]

WHO: origamiguardian & sibyllant
WHERE: the BoP office building
WHEN: after the Joker killed people :(
WARNINGS: I don't think so.
SUMMARY: Maggie was attacked by the Joker shortly before he revealed himself on the network. Oracle is concerned, and asks her to come in for some tests, and to discuss what information she has.
FORMAT: anything you like!

Comments

[origamiguardian]

Maggie found her way to the clinic in the office building. She had a book in one hand, that she clearly had been reading while walking, up until she had to focus on navigating a relatively new place, following Oracle's instructions on entering and taking the elevator.

Arriving at the clinic entrance on the second floor, she knocked at the door, waiting patiently.

[sibyllant]

The doctor opened the door to admit Maggie. Babs smiled and lifted a hand in greeting from where she sat.

"This is Dr. Reema Sadhwani," she said, indicating the doctor, who murmured a hello. "I know you didn't mention any lingering effects, but if you're comfortable with it, I'd like to have her check you out. The Joker's toxins can have some nasty components in them. This would entail a physical and some blood tests."

[origamiguardian]

Maggie returned the wave to Oracle. She'd only met the woman once before and in rather more urgent circumstances, so was glad to meet her again, even if it wasn't really a pleasure call.

Maggie gave a soft "pleased to meet you" to Dr. Sadhwani, and nodded to both of them. "Sure. I don't mind. What do you need me to do?"

She realized she was still holding a book, a Kathy Reichs paperback, which she stuffed into the inside pocket of her jacket.

[sibyllant]

"We can start with your height and weight," said the doctor in a lightly accented voice. But she would probably have to stand on a stool or something to take Maggie's measurement, being fairly petite.

While they worked on getting Maggie's statistics, Babs folded her hands in her lap and said, "Maggie, what impression did you receive of the Joker while he was acting as Oberon Sexton? If anything noteworthy at all, I suppose. I know of the man he was impersonating, but I don't know him personally."

[origamiguardian]

"I'm 185 centimeters," Maggie said helpfully to the little southeast Asian woman, and then stood on the scale

[sibyllant]

The doctor laughed a little as she recorded the numbers. "Thank you."

As Maggie spoke, a crease of concern gathered from Barbara's slight frown. It was always disturbing when the Joker displayed the ability to act with clarity for long periods of time. She knew, for instance, that 'Oberon' had showed up to help Danny with Danny — that had been almost two months ago. It was possible that that had been the real Oberon, who in that case might still be confined somewhere, but the coincidence of it being Jason made it suspicious.

"When he wants to be, the Joker can be extremely effective at disguise — he's tricked nearly everybody before, so don't feel as if you were easily misled." She said first, which was absolutely the case. Even Batman hadn't suspected during the events that led up to the Joker nearly killing Zatanna. "And that is very interesting. It's difficult to know with him, of course, but there are a few possibilities: as unlikely as it sounds, he may have simply forgotten about you, but I find it more likely that he wanted

[origamiguardian]

Maggie addressed Dr. Sadhwani before replying to Barbara. "What else do I need to do?"

She turned back to the woman in the wheelchair. Maggie had no idea why anyone would like her, but a psychopath taking a shine to her made as much sense as anything else. If anything, the main consistency that she was aware of about the Joker was that he was unpredictable. "So he may have only knocked me out to keep me from interfering. He expressed concern via the Network, but it was very hard to interpret that."

Maggie sighed, lifting her arm as the doctor wrapped a blood pressure gauge around it. "He hasn't seen any major demonstrations personally. But..." She went red again. "About... about half the clothes I wear are actually paper. I wear my combat suit underneath. Right before he gassed me, my powers failed, and so my clothes turned back to paper and fell to the floor."

"I don't exactly keep my powers a secret, either. If he paid attention to my network posts, he may know some of what I'm capable of."

[sibyllant]

Her thoughtful gaze found the floor as Barbara leaned on one arm of her wheelchair, chin in palm. Having taken Maggie's blood pressure, Dr. Sadhwani now used the stethoscope to monitor Maggie's breathing.

"I'm sure he gets the gist, in any case. It's not — terribly important, but just something to be prepared for. Even without his Porter power, he's been known to neutralize others. Such as with Zatanna, who you met — she usually speaks to use her magic, so he cut her throat. It isn't a true limitation of her power, however, so she was able to overcome the handicap." Babs bit her lip consideringly, retraining her eyes on Maggie. "I would recommend, however, that you find another place to live, and maybe change some of your daily routines. You're more than welcome to stay with us while scouting around."

[origamiguardian]

"What he doesn't know... again except what I've said on the Network... is my training with Dokusensha. And Cassie has been helping me refine my hand to hand combat. She's very good. I think she might be better than Anita..." Maggie paused, shaking her head to get back on topic. She remained quiet a moment as Dr. Sadhwani moved the stethoscope around on her back

[sibyllant]

She couldn't help but smile faintly at Maggie's description of her problem, which Babs hoped she wouldn't take amiss. It wasn't that she was laughing or condescending, but that she found this kind of 'flaw' somewhat apt, in an awful way. As Maggie had said, a possible side-effect of her powers. But it wasn't very awful, she supposed, just difficult to build one's life around

[origamiguardian]

Oracle's smile reminded her a little of Nenene in a gentler mood, and strangely, set Maggie a little more at ease. "Thank you very much."

Maggie sat in the phlebotomy chair and looked up at Dr. Sadhwani. "It... doesn't really matter. Left, I guess." Maggie remained obedient and passive to the doctor, the moment the needle entered her arm not even registering in the slightest on her face. She sat and talked as blood was drawn.

"If I move in temporarily, I could help," Maggie said, always wanting to be of service to the people who were helpful to her. "What's your combat style?"

((This is a dumb question, but does Maggie know Oracle's real name? I know they met, but I don't know if she actually introduced herself))

[sibyllant]

((Oh, totally not dumb — I think she would've gone ahead and introduced herself, yeah.))

"Escrima," she answered, reaching beneath the arm rests and pulling out the hidden sticks to show Maggie. The corners of her eyes crinkled in amusement as she added, "Obviously it's about the limit of what I can do, but I find it a comfort. That's what I was going to do to that hacker, but he never came close enough. Luckily, you and Zatanna showed up."

The doctor took a couple small vials, and shook Maggie's hand. "Thanks for being a good patient," she said with a smile. She then moved to the other side of the room, where the lab area was, setting up the machine to test the samples.

"So I'd enjoy having a partner. Practicing with Cass is always a good workout, but too long a session and my arms go numb." Babs made a soft huff of amusement.

[origamiguardian]

Maggie nodded at the sticks. "I'm surprised you don't keep a ranged option as well." Maggie shrugged. "But on the other hand, relying on your upper body strength makes a lot of sense."

"I'd be honored to train with you. I could throw some of my familiars at you if you wanted something different."