14; voice;

[slingshots]

You'd think you'd get used to being jerked around universes, but it just never sets in right.

[ why, what a cool and laid-back sounding newcomer this is! well, she doesn't sound all that new, but the NV signal is definitely a different one than last time. ]

We're still on 2012, right? I'm hoping not. Music doesn't start sounding good 'til at least 2025.

[ encrypted to Sherlock Holmes: ]

You talked to the last me, right? 'Cuz that so wasn't me.

[ awkward... pause... ]

And... um, hi. Busy?

Comments

[deductives]

[Redbird. A darker shade, like blood. Like Red Hood-- Sherlock remembered that one. Sionis had a beef with him. Did Carrie talk to him? And was he present in this City as well? Sherlock takes a thoughtful sip of his tea.]

Again, at least it's more subtle. No medieval tales related.

[He won't criticize it too much. Sherlock had learned the value of of having an alias, though he'd still never take one up.]

[slingshots]

[ The absence of an insult is as good as a compliment. She smiles, pulls off the mask, and tucks it into a pouch. It feels sort of silly to be wearing it indoors, with Sherlock. ]

No Robin's ever Robin forever, and I didn't really wanna be Batman anymore, so... [ She shrugs. ] Someone told me it was the name of a car. I still think it's cool, though.

[deductives]

[He gives her a small smile at that. Now it feels like he was really seeing her again.]

Don't need glasses anymore?

[This insight is telling, though. Carrie had looked up to Batman more than anyone else, always. Without his guidance, and even without Sherlock's, what had she done? There was only one thing that he could think of. His face becomes serious.]

Did you do what he can't?

[slingshots]

Contacts. [ best investment for a crimefighter ever, man.

She sobers as well with the question, though. There's only way to interpret that question, isn't there?And she'd only ever told one person about it. One really important person. Which... is exactly what Sherlock is, even if she hadn't been able to remember it until recently.

She nods. ]

For a while. But it... [ The glance falls away, even if her expression doesn't change. It's a dark patch, but she's found a peace with it. ] ...Wasn't my place.

[deductives]

[Sherlock looks at her squarely, not expressing approval or disapproval. How could he judge her? He was the man prepared to do anything, and that would never change. Especially not now.

But she was still a child. Watching her murder a drug dealer in cold blood once had been more than enough. There was no persuading her away from being a vigilante, though. He'd learned that long before.]

It's not black and white, Carrie. Bruce tried to put everyone he could above grey areas.

[He sets his tea cup down, gazing at it intently for a moment.]

Sometimes it's the only way out.

[slingshots]

I know.

[ She sets the cup down, both hands folded around it for warmth. ] I can do it, if I gotta. If there's no choice. I got good. [ A beat, and she adds: ] All with my heart intact, even.

[deductives]

[If she got good at it, Sherlock isn't sure he wants to know how many people she killed. Self-defense or otherwise, she was just so small for it. He has a feeling this is more aching sentiment, and he sighs.]

Don't leave a mystery for me.

[He'll solve it. He always does, but he doesn't want to be responsible for her getting arrested.]

[slingshots]

[ She shakes her head with that, not looking too worried. She's been threatened before by the people she'd liked, and they'd left it way less ambiguous than Sherlock. ]

Not planning on it.

[ And by now she's feeling deep enough into their usual routine, comfortable enough with this universe to recall that she's here now, not there — and so she pushes away the cup, rises from the table, and heads to Sherlock's side to wrap both arms around his neck. ]

I missed you.

[deductives]

Well. Good.

[As relaxed as Carrie might be, Sherlock isn't sure if he should bring up his own absence from the Port or not. She'd been one of the few he'd entrusted with knowing about Moriarty before hand, so he has a feeling she would understand.

That doesn't mean he wants to talk about it, though.

So while contemplating this, he just figures she wants to get more sugar. The hug cuts him off guard, not that it should. Carrie remains one of the few people to hug him so often. He would point out that missing him must have been difficult if she couldn't remember him, but he knows what she means: That inexplicable absence in the heart.

He sighs and wraps his arms around her tiny frame.]

I'm... glad. To see you again.

[slingshots]

Yeah, better be.

[ She doesn't let go, and smiles into his shoulder. He smells just like she remembers. Sometimes she'd catch a whiff of something like that, in the City, and then have no idea why she was sad. ]

Bet there wasn't anyone around to stalk you proper, while I was gone.

[deductives]

Bruce kept up the tradition, but it lacked the courtesy of the occasional cuppa.

[He actually lets her stay there; he missed her enough to allow her this. Blackheath, though, is quick to investigate. Sherlock nudges him away with his foot, though it's more difficult now that he's outgrowing his puppy phase.]

I suppose I have to reintroduce you to the nuisance.

[slingshots]

[ She eventually consents to let go and let Sherlock have his own space back, but only to crouch and give some dog-love instead. She does it with a little half a smile, looking wistful. ]

I ended up with three dogs, somehow. Here's to hoping my roommate remembers to feed 'em.

[deductives]

[Sherlock takes up his tea again and furrows his brow, trying to remember how the dog even got here in the first place.]

I didn't intend to get one. I... found him.

[Sherlock Holmes with an armful of orphaned puppies. Still an embarrassing thing to remember.]

[slingshots]

Found him.

[ She abandons the dog-love in favor of taking her seat again, and fixes him with a brow-cock. ]

Refresh my memory.

[deductives]

[Such pokerface right now.]

Yes. A bunch of them, orphaned by a Darkness monster. I-- took them to the NCC and John insisted on keeping one.

[slingshots]

[ She manages not to crack a grin, but it's a struggle. ]

Nice of you.

[ And again she's employing one of those new lessons she's picked up: if you stare expectantly and silently at people, they sometimes feel the need to add more details all of their own accord. Maybe the trick won't work on Sherlock, but she knows he won't miss the silent request, at least. ]

[deductives]

It was.

[Yep, you're gonna have to try harder than that, not daughter. He just stares right back. Sherlock has no qualms with awkward silences. Even if he probably should.]

Did your "City" have anything like the Darkness?

[slingshots]

[ Oh well, worth a shot. She'll just wrangle any amusing details out of John. ]

No. Aside from us showing up there, it was pretty normal.

[deductives]

A world normal except the dimensional rift. Of course.

[Sherlock pauses to look at her more analytically.]

I hope you used the time to improve your skills.

[slingshots]

[ oh no don't tell her there's a pop quiz
she eyes him back, a little warily. ]

Some of 'em.

[ the... fighty-ones, mostly..... ]

[deductives]

[Siiigh. He crosses his arms and gives her a look. Without even Bruce, he wonders how her detective skills have been polished at all.]

Not including picking up wushu.

[slingshots]

[ That just gets an incredibly guilty look, and suddenly the table is a lot easier to watch. ]

Well, did know this one PI for a while...

[deductives]

[Sherlock quirks a brow. One could almost say he's having fun grilling her. Almost.]

One? And what were his methods?

[slingshots]

[ For a second she's afraid she'll have lost that along with his name and face, but with a little relief it comes to her. ]

"Find the right question."

[ That with a fond little smile. She's pretty sure he'd been a cool dude. ]