tushanshu_logs | [open : backdated to sept 29 & 30]

[ Kate isn't quite sure what she was expecting anymore but ]

Tommy, I thought you were kidding when you said that you guys were living in a giant tree house, but clearly, it really is a giant tree house.

[ She tosses him a grin before she turns, humming the Chip & Dale Rescue Rangers theme as she walks towards her new residence. ]

[ At Steph's suggestion, Kate fiddles around with her console. The video feed shows her grinning triumphantly as she locates the setting for 'Send Private Message'. ]

Steph? Hi. So, I'm in WO-1B? In the Wood Sector, apparently.

[Steph smiles back.]

Got it I know where that is. I'll see you in twenty.

[She gives a little wave, then switches off the connection so she can head out. She tosses some clean clothes into a bag; two pairs of pants, two t-shirts and one button down shirt. After a moment's consideration, she adds a bar of chocolate that she'd been saving, a couple of pieces of fruit, a small loaf of bread and a pot of some honey-like spread, just in case Kate hasn't had a chance to eat anything, yet.

Twenty minutes later, she's knocking on Kate's door.]

[ It's her upbringing that has her tidying up some while waiting for Steph to drop by. The room doesn't really look 'lived in' enough just yet, so there's nothing to really fix, per se. But Kate manages to busy herself in the twenty minutes so that she won't be twiddling her thumbs in wait.

She's actually poking around a newly-discovered nook that could be useful to hide in when the knock catches on her ears and she abandons her new discovery for the promise of clothes and company. ]

Hi. [ She's smiling, maybe a little shyly when she opens the door. ] I would say, "you must be Steph", but considering the video call option, I'll just stick to Hi.

Well, you never know, shapeshifters and all. [It's a joke, but it also serves as a general reminder for Kate to be careful.

She's not entirely sure the other girl needs it, considering her familiarity with Tommy and Steve. But it can't hurt.]

It's nice to meet you in person. [Her smile gets a little brighter, and she offers her hand to shake because that's how these things work.]

[Billy hadn't heard anyone come in so when he walked out of his bedroom then he almost jumped seeing someone else in their living room. He stops and stares for a moment. Looks like Kate. He broke out into a grin and steps closer.]

Kate!

[ It's a funny thing, relief. Sometimes you just feel it come at you head on, and sometimes you don't realize that it's settled in you, lying in wait like a timer.

Her name is halfway out of Billy's mouth when she's already crossed over to wrap her arms around him because while they'd spoken over the video, it's different, seeing him here and now. ]

Tell me Tommy hasn't been driving you up the wall.

[That feeling of relief? He has it as well and his is sudden, from the moment she hugs him. He's hugging back just as quick, arms around her and holding on. He rests his head against her shoulder and gives a gentle squeeze. Smiling is so easy right now and he's sure his cheeks will hurt soon. There's a huff of laughter at the comment.]

My mom told me never to lie. He's not been too bad.

[ There's a slight frown on Kate's lips at that new bit of information. Neither of the boys had mentioned shapeshifters. She'd have to ask them about that later. In any case, the frown is there and gone and in it's place is an easy smile and a hand that comes up to accept the shake. ]

Likewise. And thank you, for the offer of clothes and company for shopping. [ The bag has not escaped her notice; the look she offers Steph at this point is a very grateful one.

She holds the door open, an almost universal gesture of 'come on in'. ]

Shapeshifters?

It's no problem, turning up in a strange place is no fun, and I'm happy to help how I can.

[She steps inside, holding out the bag for Kate to take when she's ready. It's her first time being in one of the Wood sector suites, so she's looking around with interest. Though she focuses back on Kate at the question.]

The kedan - the people here - they can change their shape.

[Tommy has his head in the kitchen, rooting around for something to eat, and he pokes his head out to look at the pair when Billy speaks, snorting indignantly.]

Hey. I've not been bad at all.

Huh. [ like Teddy then, she thinks ] Okay. Filing that away and tagging it mentally for me to remember.

[ The bag isn't very heavy when she takes it from the other girl, but it's definitely got something more than just clothes. ] May... I? [ She goes ahead eitherway and drags the zipper open, and is unable to help the smile that blooms on her face when she spies the food.

And.

Oh geez is that chocolate? ]

Okay, you are my new best friend.

[ Kate holds onto Billy for awhile longer before finally releasing the boy.

Nope nope nope. Definitely not getting misty-eyed. Just something in her eye. ]

Tommy, when are you not bad by your estimation? [ She straightens, arms crossing over her chest as she turns to acknowledge the other boy. She bumps a shoulder gently against Billy's though, the smile plastered on her face speaking of happiness and home. ]

So. [ eyes are scanning the general area ] I like. I like very much.

It makes remembering faces a little tricky. [seriously] But, uh, despite my joke, I don't think they make a habit of impersonating us.

[There's sort of a suggestion in her tone that Kate should still be careful, but she doesn't want to worry her too much.

And she grins, a little pleased with herself, when Kate finds the chocolate] I thought I should bring the necessities of life.

[ Definitely filing that away. And most assuredly will be careful. ]

Girl after my own heart. [ Kate closes the door and waves for Steph to follow her in, making a beeline for the couch and scooting over to make room. ] I am famished so I will nom on your gifts before I dress so we can go. [ She takes some of the bread, quickly uncaps the pot she spied and takes a quick sniff of the contents before dipping the corner of her bread inside.

She'd been fed some, but it's been a couple hours, so. ]

In the meantime, [ she breaks off a piece of the bread for Steph -- symbolism aside -- and holds out the pot ] tell me about where we're going?

We'll get coffee while we're out.

[Since that's all they're missing, now.

Steph takes a spot beside Kate on the couch, settling in comfortably enough, though she never quite relaxes in new places.] Good idea, I don't want you passing out from hunger while we're trying to buy clothes.

[She accepts that peice of bread, carefully dipping it into the pot and popping into her mouth before she drips any not-honey on Kate's couch. And then has wait a bit to swallow her food before answering the question. Because manners]

The Earth Sector - where I'm living - has the most clothes shops. We can start at pre-made stuff, but everything the locals wear is kind of what you'd expect from China, back home, so we can hit up a tailor if you want something a bit more familiar.

[Most of Steph's clothes are purpose made, either by herself or a seamstress.]

Edited (accidentally a word) 2012-10-05 05:14 (UTC)

[ Kate is chewing consideringly. She's not entirely opposed to wearing things made local, but the thought of clothes more along the lines of her usual fare lead into thoughts of her uniform.

She's considering the idea of having certain things made, but more or less getting the rest together on her own. She's no expert at clothes, but crime-fighting makes you conscious of understanding the clothes you wear.

She swallows and smiles ] I like this plan, [ and pulls out one of the shirts from the bag so that she can look it over. ] Did you have these made?

I probably made them myself, actually. [Her smile is a little self-conscious, because she didn't put too much thought into which pieces of clothing she brought along, and now she's hoping that Kate won't mind being subjected to her sewing skills.

Which are pretty good, admittedly, but she still worries a little]

I think the pants are definitely ones I made, but the shirts might've come from somewhere else.

[ Kate snatches out the pants next and she's going over them pretty intently. She's always had a deep respect who could do stuff like this. Oh she'd learnt, no doubt. While her bank account was large, it wasn't limitless and on more than one occassion they'd all learned to patch their uniforms back together again. ]

These are really nicely put together. Are you sure you're okay with me using them? [ She knows it's a silly question to ask but she asks it anyway. ]

Once I get my own things I'll wash these so that they look fresh and new and give them back.

Thanks. [For saying she's done a good job, and Steph waves a hand to dismiss the question] S'fine, I trust you not to go go mountain climbing or anything in them.

And there's no rush to get them back to me, I've got plenty of clothes, and I can borrow from friends if I get desperate.

[Her and Kara are basically the same size, and she's starting to make a habit of stealing Brandon's clothes.]

Mountain climbing? [ Kate grins as she rises from the seat. ] Not something I'm likely to do anytime soon.

So, hey, I'm going to go get changed real quick so that we can go. Feel free to make yourself comfortable. [ And without further ado, she ducks into the next room, clothes in hand. ]

That's reassuring to hear. Try not to fight any lions or anything, either.

[Steph gives a little salute, and spends the next few minutes putting the food she brought in Kate's kitchen before getting a glass of water to drink while she waits, leaning against the countertops.]

[ Kate takes about ten minutes, tops; and comes out dressed, barefoot with her hair damp but combed through. She makes a beeline back to the bag where she reaches into to pull out the shoes she'd glimpsed at the bottom. When she sits down on the couch so she can put the shoes on, she calls out: ]

Do you make it a point to fight lions often? [ this is a querying look in your direction, Steph, because the quick bath had given Kate enough time to mull over the fact that she knows very little about you ]

Only on Tuesdays. [is Steph's ever-so-serious reply as she wanders back to where Kate is.

But she can sense the question for what it really is.] Otherwise it takes up too much of the time I should be spending on homework.

[So. A student, and she's a bit too old to still be in high school; Kate can figure it out]

Ew, homework. Suddenly fighting lions sounds infinitely preferable.

[ Now that the shoes are on, Kate rises from her place on the couch. ] What's your major? [ color her curious ]

Trust me, if my professors would accept it as an alternative way to get course credit, I'd happily jump into a pit full of them.

[Not entirely a joke, but she'll grin like it is one] I'm one of those terrible "undeclared" people who make small talk really difficult, but it'll probably end up being social work.

[She tilts her head at the door, in a silent ready to go?]

[ Kate laughs and makes her way to the door, opening it and gesturing for Steph in an after you ] Social work's a good thing to get into, if a little underrated by most.

It'd be one of my choices -- no joke -- even if my dad would roll his eyes and say something about me being such a bleeding heart for people. [ she pauses thoughtfully, and then shrugs ] This is, of course, provided that I get back home after all of this.

[in the spirit of ridiculousness, Steph does a little curtsey as she passes Kate; once they're outside, the motorbike Steph rented for the trip will be visible]

Underrated is one way to put it. [Her tone is light, but it's clear this is something she cares about a lot. She gives Kate a reassuring smile at that last comment] We'll get home. And you should do it - social work, I mean - we need more bleeding hearts.

[ soft snort ] That's pretty much what I reply to my dad each time he gives me that "daughter-mine, why are you spending so much of your free time in soup kitchens".

The world needs people who care. Who else is going to if we aren't? [ which is why she does superheroing too, but Steph doesn't need to hear that just yet ]

Nice ride, by the by.

[She's struck, suddenly, by the realization that Kate is probably coming at this from a different side than Steph, especially considering what she says about her father and that attitude, which always sounds to her like "why waste time on poor people?" It has her bristling a little. She swallows it down]

No one, in my experience. [Well, she tries, anyway. And she doesn't let it linger, giving Kate a grin instead.] It's not quite mine yet, but thanks. Can you ride?

Edited 2012-10-10 06:49 (UTC)

[ Kate doesn't miss that, Steph.

Kate watches the girl, trying to get a sense of what it was that caused the blonde to cover it up with a smile, but since she's unsure as to how to broach the subject, she offers a smile of her own: ]

A bit? I'll hang on tight to you, just in case. I don't want to splatter ungracefully on the floor in front of the locals. [ she gives the vehicle an appreciative look and then just takes the dive without looking back to Steph ]

Hey, Steph? [ there's a little something nagging at the back of Kate's head, a little voice asking her why does it matter so much what the other girl thinks, she's just a new friend ] If I say things that make you feel uncomfortable, call me on them, okay? I'm a big girl and I can take whatever people dish out. [ She looks over again and then it occurs to her she wonders why it hadn't smacked her in the face.

Steph reminds her of Cassie.

It's more than the surface details: blonde hair, that cheerful disposition. It's the witty comebacks, even if they're not exactly in sync. Or maybe it's just that Kate hasn't admitted that talking to people who might otherwise be dead has raised flags of warning because, let's face it -- it has crossed her mind. She just hasn't voiced 'Do you think the Turtle might bring Cassie here?' out loud because its not exactly a thing you say. ]

Just make sure to lean into turns. [The instinct to lean out of turns is usually what gets people unfamiliar with bikes, so Steph just wants to make sure.

She hops on the bike, but pauses at Kate's question, her grip tightening momentarily on the handle.

Smooth, Brown.

She mentally kicks herself for not being better at keeping a hold on her emotions; it's not like it's Kate's fault, or even her dad's fault, despite the apparently shitty attitude he has. She's just always had an instant, visceral defensive reaction to anything that even comes across like classism. For all she knows, she could just be misinterpreting wrong. At the very least she owes an explanation.]

It's not you. I just-- [she breathes in, counts to five, breathes out] Your dad might think it's a waste of time, but I probably wouldn't have made it to high school without soup kitchens.

[because dumpster diving wasn't always a successful venture, and while school lunches kept her fed, during the summers when her dad was in prison and her mom was spending their tiny income on pills, having access to a free meal was a lifesaver.

A lot of them had been Martha Wayne centres. It had been weird finding out they were essentially funded by Batman.]

[ Kate blinks, it takes a moment for Steph's words to sink in, but when they do she walks over and hesitantly sets a hand on the one the other girl has on the bike handle. ]

My dad is my dad but I'll be the first to say that he's a pretty big jerk who needs some perspective kicked into life. [ She offers a weak smile. ]

He and my sister... I love them, but I'm not comfortable with the fact that they seem to take our wealth for granted like it's a fact of life. It's a really terrible attitude to take when we're in the perfect position to give back.

[ She drops her hand away and looks off to one side. ] I mean it's great that I've got opportunities back home that other kids don't, but what use is money if you're going to hoard it for yourself. My sister had this wedding gown, ridic expensive. Don't get me wrong, I was happy that she got her big day at St. Patrick's Cathedral with all the glitz and glamour worthy of an Upper East Side princess, but I could never picture that for me.

You remind me of my best friend, you know? [ Her voice is soft. ] It's a bit of miscellaneous information you can disregard, but I had to say it out loud. Cassie would have liked you.

[For a few long seconds she doesn't react at all to Kate's touch, but eventually her grip loosens on the handle as she listens to what Kate has to say, waiting until she's done.

The past tense doesn't escape her, and when she looks up at Kate her smile is understanding, and a little sad]

Thank you.

[She isn't sure what else to say, and maybe that's enough. She's so used to people throwing her anger back in her face, or just not understanding on such a momentous level that it's almost embarrassing. Tim complained to her about being middle class, and it'd felt like a punch in the face, that he even had the gall to do that.

It's nice to have someone actually seem to give a shit.

Another second passes, and her smile grows a little wry] My best friend's named Cass, maybe it's fate.

[What kind of fate, she has no idea, but it's something to say that isn't focusing on the tight feeling in her chest.]

[ Her eyes feel a bit misty so Kate tilts her face up and blinks until the moisture's gone away.

When she turns back to Steph, she laughs and shrugs. ] Ah, fate, that 'strange, unpopular restaurant filled with odd little waiters who bring you things you never asked for and don't always like.' [ She can't remember where exactly she'd read the quote, just that it was a Lemony Snicket one. ]

So, [ she lifts a brow at the bike ] Let's go?

[The quote gets a more genuine smile] Well, I like you so far. I'll make sure to leave a good tip.

[Steph pats the spot behind her on the bike] Hop on, I promise I'll be gentle. [she won't, but sometimes it's nice to pretend]

[ Kate climbs on, and hesitates a little on where to put her hands. ]

That's what they all say. [ smirk ] How fast can this thing go?

I'm not like most people. [Whatever that means.

And the hesitation doesn't escape her, and she just reaches back to grab one of Kate's wrists, moving her arm around to wrap around Steph's waist. There.]

Not as fast as I'd like, but it can hit a decent speed.

[With that, Steph kicks up the stand, starts the bike and takes off.

True to her word, she is - relatively gentle, not going too fast or taking turns too sharply, but it's still clear she's a skilled driver, and they make it to the Earth Sector in reasonable time.

She pulls up in front of a row of clothing stores, turns the bike off and braces it with her foot on the ground]

This look good?

[ It's the second time today that Kate's had the opportunity to watch the city speed by. The place is beautiful, intricate even, and she makes a note to walk through it once she's better settled.

When Steph slows the bike, Kate spies the stretch of clothing stores. The displays show similar-styles, all Oriental-ish in make, which is to be expected given the architecture of and overall thematic feel of the city. ]

Definitely good.

[ She slides off the seat, feet finding solid ground as she turns her head in Steph's direction. ] You shop here often?

I work over there. [Steph points a little further down the street, where there's a little fabric store-slash-seamstress. After stretching her arms out over her head until her back cracks, she climbs off the bike to stand next to Kate]

But yeah, I tend to buy the basics from the shops here, just stuff I don't have time to make.

[Between three jobs, Batgirling, and a boyfriend, Steph doesn't have much spare time.]

[ She follows the direction Steph points out to her and nods. ] Now you have me curious at the stuff you make outside of the stuff you've loaned me.

[ Kate takes a step towards one shop just then, her gaze sweeping over the stuff on display. When she turns back to her companion, her smile is sheepish: ] How'd you land the job? [ a pause ] Straightforward question, sorry. We can talk about it later, but I wasn't sure how else to broach the subject.

[ She's been running a list of all the things she could offer as skills. Things outside of being a teen superhero with a proficiency in archery and hand to hand combat. She's an okay cook and more than simply competent in organizing events and files and keeping things in order, and while she's hopeful that there are places that could offer someone work based on these skills, she doesn't know where exactly to look. ]

[Steph shrugs, an easy gesture] It's mostly just items like that, I don't really need anything fancier. [She could make herself nicer clothes, but there's not much point when trousers and shirts cover most of her needs, and it seems excessive to spend time making items she might not even need.

At the question and then following apology, she just smiles.] It's fine. I actually just got talking with a seamstress while I was shopping for fabric, and she offered me a job when I mentioned I was new and looking for one. [and then Steph pauses, her smile a little more gentle] Not all the kedan hate us, some are really understanding about how hard it must be for us.

Do you know what sort of job you're gonna try for? [she figures that's why Kate asked.]

[ Kate nods. ] That's reassuring. Thanks, Steph. I must sound like such a ninny to you.

I'm not entirely sure, to be honest. [ She falls into step with the girl, eyes scanning for the usuals: pants, tops, shoes. ] I'd never had to worry about jobs back home, which is really irresponsible when you really think on it.

I know a lot of stuff, but you could say I'm not entirely sure what direction I'd like to go? [ Superheroing shouldn't count. It's not something a practical person would put down on their resume. ]

Edited (ffff changed a word) 2012-10-21 14:29 (UTC)

Not at all, we're all in the same position when we first get here.

[She gives a little smile at that "really irresponsible", more bemused than anything, since she thinks it's a pretty typical teenage experience to not worry about things like jobs until they hit college age.

Steph got one as soon as she could, paid under the table because she technically wasn't old enough, but that's neither here nor there.]

You don't really need to look for like - a career or anything. The other job I've got is just waiting tables; it's easy enough and since most of the work pays the same, I'm happy with it.

If you want to get a little more specialized, you could always offer to tutor people in something? I'm teaching a friend gymnastics - for free - but it's the sort of thing I could potentially charge for, if I wanted to, you know?

[open : backdated to sept 29 & 30]

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