Out on the School Grounds Near the Dorms, Wednesday Evening

[batwaffles]

Even a few days in Gotham City was long enough for Stephanie to notice how quiet Fandom was by comparison. She didn't mind; it wasn't a bad kind of quiet, just a little jarring at first

Comments

[godgavemecable]

Toby had gone outside with the intent of getting away from the endless mental chatter of his fellow students. Not that walls really made much of a difference, but distance sometimes did, and he'd planned on making his way out to the campground.

But then- he'd caught a flicker of a thought- enough to pique his curiosity, and so he casually strolled over to where Steph stood. "Not a sight you really get to see in the big city," he commented, tilting his head up towards the sky.

[batwaffles]

"Totally not," Stephanie agreed in an awed tone, her head still craned back except for the moment she took to sneak a sideways look. "Heya, Toby. Have a good break?"

Hopefully yours was less boot-camp-y than mine. Oh, the wisecracks I can't actually make. Curse you, cruel secret-identity world!

[godgavemecable]

"Quiet," Toby said with a shrug. "Food, a few presents, definitely no running around and dodging," he coughed, realising he was responding more to her thoughts than her actual words. "...Since I decided to forgo the Boxing Day shopping and all." A decent recovery, he thought.

[batwaffles]

"Boxing Day?" Poor uncultured Stephanie, but at least asking the question was a good coverup for her surprised look.

BUT THAT WAS MY HEAD VOICE, RIGHT? YIKES.

"Is that what they call the totally crazy after-Christmas sales?"

fastest NFB ever

[dollpocalypse]

Huh. Stephanie. Brooding. And staring up like she was looking for the Ratman signal or something.

Topher read too many comics.

He checked for squirrels as he came over, then hissed, "You're you right now, right?"

Thank you, Topher.

Re: fastest NFB ever

[batwaffles]

Who knew? Maybe some of the new tech in Stephanie's bag included something squirrel-repellent along with the nifty new batarangs.

"Is that supposed to be a trick philosophical question?" she asked, genuinely confused. "And by the way hello to you too, Topher."

Re: fastest NFB ever

[dollpocalypse]

"No, I meant you-you," he clarified. "No costume. But you're brooding."

Superheroes always brooded.

Re: fastest NFB ever

[batwaffles]

Yeah, but not superheroes who were also technically sidekicks! They weren't supposed to do that.

"Not brooding," Stephanie said, almost a whine but mostly just an objection. "Just thinking. It's completely possible to think without brooding, y'know. Sheesh!"

[hoorayimrich]

"You're back!" Hello to you as well, Tony. Because there weren't enough people with To-- names there yet.

[batwaffles]

EVERYONE BUT STEPHANIE. GOD.

"I am!" Stephanie bounded over to throw her arms around him. "And so are you! Did you peel yourself away from the video games for more than, like, two minutes?"

[hoorayimrich]

Tony took a deep breath, shaking his head before leaning against her. "Bruce and I ended up in the future where we had to fight a giant, robotic Charles Dickens."

Was he joking? It was hard to tell.

[batwaffles]

". . . seriously?" Stephanie eased up on the hugging just a touch. "You did both make it back --" yes, she'd listened to radio this morning -- "so I'm assuming that at least turned out decently."