Steph wanders out of the farmhouse, drawn by the sound of the plane. Zinda's visits are always worth a look, whether she's bringing new people or new missions or just picking up the Birds.
Oooh -- a new people!
"Hi!" She waves cheerfully, heading towards Angela.
As Steph covers the last couple of yards it's becoming apparent that she's -- well, she's fresh-faced and mostly unscarred, of course, but also almost eighteen, a little thinner, a tiny bit taller -- and of course the words make it perfectly clear:
"... uhm," she says awkwardly, wincing in sympathy, "I'm ... not sure what bar you're talking about, which means you're probably talking about a different version of me. ... Sorry."
But she'll still be your friend, worried-tired-girl-who-looks-like-she-needs-friends!
When the girl comes closer, she's starting to notice the differences. "Oh...yeah. You're like, way different, and...older. But...um, hey. So...not dead, then?"
"Not even a little bit," Steph promises her, grinning. "You're from Gotham, then, right? After I died there?"
Behind them, the kitchen door opens and releases a tiny black-haired toddler, who stumble-waddle-crawl-toddles directly at them, shouting "S'eeeeeeeeeeph! S'ephie!"
"No...actually, from Milliways. It's a weird multiversal bar-thingie. Dead people could go there too. So...I kinda knew you after, cos I was stuck there for a while, and you were too."
She grins as the little kid comes up to Steph. He's adorable.
"This is Loo," Steph introduces them, hoisting the little girl up to her hip. Loo considers Angela solemnly -- and then sneezes, prompting Steph to dodge the little puff of fire and smoke that comes from the toddler's nose.
"-- okay, you're gonna have to say that again." She's staring at Angela, suddenly listening. "You knew the dead me ... after I was dead?"
Steph grins, a little sheepishly. "Yeah, I'm definitely alive. The other me, I hear about her a bit, but mostly from people who knew her in Gotham. She sounds kinda dumb, getting herself killed."
Loo giggles happily and lunges for Angela. She likes the pretty newcomer with hair like Auntie S'ephie's! Steph restrains her, fondly, from attacking. "Yeah, she's a firebender, and her sister too. Their dad breathes fire."
"I'm gladder to be here every time I hear about her," Steph agrees, kneeling too, holding Loo's hand while Loo giggles happily and bats at Angela's hair.
They just -- don't really let the babies run to strangers. It's sort of in the unwritten rules.
"I'm not even sure. Dinah says it's linked to chi, and Sokka says it's just part of their world's powers -- waterbenders control water, firebenders control fire. I never really asked Zuko himself about it though."
Oooh -- a new people!
"Hi!" She waves cheerfully, heading towards Angela.
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She can hardly believe it. "Steph, is that you?"
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"Yup, sure is," she says cheerfully as she approaches.
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Someone she knows. Even better, it's someone she likes.
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As Steph covers the last couple of yards it's becoming apparent that she's -- well, she's fresh-faced and mostly unscarred, of course, but also almost eighteen, a little thinner, a tiny bit taller -- and of course the words make it perfectly clear:
"... uhm," she says awkwardly, wincing in sympathy, "I'm ... not sure what bar you're talking about, which means you're probably talking about a different version of me. ... Sorry."
But she'll still be your friend, worried-tired-girl-who-looks-like-she-needs-friends!
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She hopes not!
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Behind them, the kitchen door opens and releases a tiny black-haired toddler, who stumble-waddle-crawl-toddles directly at them, shouting "S'eeeeeeeeeeph! S'ephie!"
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She grins as the little kid comes up to Steph. He's adorable.
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"-- okay, you're gonna have to say that again." She's staring at Angela, suddenly listening. "You knew the dead me ... after I was dead?"
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"Um...yeah, that's how it was." She grins a little. "It's really weird, but some of my best friends at Milliways were dead."
Or are, now. Ouch.
"But yeah, you don't have any scars and you're definitely older and oh my god! That's so awesome!"
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Loo giggles happily and lunges for Angela. She likes the pretty newcomer with hair like Auntie S'ephie's! Steph restrains her, fondly, from attacking. "Yeah, she's a firebender, and her sister too. Their dad breathes fire."
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"Firebender. Cool." She kneels down to get near the little one. "What, is he part dragon or something?"
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They just -- don't really let the babies run to strangers. It's sort of in the unwritten rules.
"I'm not even sure. Dinah says it's linked to chi, and Sokka says it's just part of their world's powers -- waterbenders control water, firebenders control fire. I never really asked Zuko himself about it though."
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"Zuko, hmm? Are they yours?"
The two of them dated in the bar...you never know, history might repeat?
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"God, no! Me and Zuko? Can you imagine? We'd fight all the time, and then he'd whine. No, Mel's their mom -- you'll meet her too.
"--oh, I should warn you, the Zuko who's here? He's not the one who's their dad. It's another different-worlds thing."
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"Um...okay. That is really confusing. I'll just pretend that I don't know who is the Dad, then."
She grins. "She's awfully cute."
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