Fourth Floor Common Room, Sunday Afternoon

[fly_so_serious]

This morning, everyone in the school got a last-minute email announcing Joker's birthday party, and there were flyers posted in a few places throughout the dorms. Both strictly insisted "no presents, please

Comments

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[nobloodymessiah]

"It is adorable, isn't it?" Eleanor asked, flushing a bit herself. (What? Elsa had flailed plenty when she was -- during Noir weekend, when -- shut up.)

"Incidentally," Eleanor asked, trying to keep her tone conversational, "speaking of not telling people things ... you haven't really mentioned me wanting a submarine to anyone, have you?"

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[notaweenie]

"Nope. Just you, me and the multiple supply companies who shipped in the parts I needs last week. Why do you ask?"

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[nobloodymessiah]

"I'd ... prefer that you didn't," Eleanor said, chewing her lower lip. "In fact, maybe it's a terrible idea to build the sub at all. I withdraw the request. I --"

Wait, her ears just caught up to her.

"You've already had parts sent?"

Dammit.

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[notaweenie]

"Sitting in the warehouse right now. Majority of them." Barry said giving El a sidelong glance. "And some assembly too but there's only so much you can do with fucking paws. Are you having some buyer's remorse?"

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[nobloodymessiah]

"Something like that," Eleanor said uncertainly. "I -- you didn't go to any trouble, did you?"

If he'd had parts ordered, apparently he had.

"It's just that -- it all seems doomed to fail," she explained. "She may not even still be there."

That seemed more polite than admitting that she was half-convinced Grace was dead by now.

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[notaweenie]

"Eleanor. I just ordered equipment for a military grade submarine. You don't do that without bending a few rules when you're a seventeen year old in fucking high school," Barry said gently. "But that's beside the pint because I pull that shit all the time. My question to you is this: can you live with yourself if you don't go back for her?"

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[nobloodymessiah]

"No," Eleanor said quickly. "But that means I need you to promise me that this sub will be our secret. Even Joker can't know."

Because she also couldn't live with herself if anyone else got hurt.

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[notaweenie]

"I can keep a secret. But are you going to do this alone?

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[nobloodymessiah]

Dammit. If she told him, he'd try to talk her out of it, but if she lied, he'd probably catch on. And if she refused to answer, he might refuse to make her the sub.

"I have to," was all she said. "I can't risk anyone else."

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[notaweenie]

"I don't think that's a good idea," Barry said shaking his head, "You're going to need at least one person driving that sub. And more to guard your back. Especially if there's a risk."

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[nobloodymessiah]

"I'm not dragging anyone else into this," Eleanor said, firmly. "I'd never forgive myself."

Especially not if they were hurt. Which was, by far, the most likely outcome.

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[notaweenie]

"And if you get hurt and die how do you think the rest of us are going to fucking feel?"

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[nobloodymessiah]

"Relieved that you aren't dead, too." She folded her arms. "Non-negotiable, Barry."

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[notaweenie]

"Jesus, El," Barry said shaking his head and looking angry. "All right. We're not going to do this at Joker's party. But you need to lose the martyr complex. If you want to get your friend out and save her and yourself? The odds are fucking better if you have a team. I can do the fucking math if you want."