one | audio; un: j.doe (go tell the world that i’m still alive)

[bamboozlement]

[this new voice is a little gruff and a lot to the point:]

Who wants to tell me which of these domes has a gym?

[meet jason todd, a guy who uses his fists to solve most problems, including his own brainspiders. he’s decided it doesn’t seem entirely fair that this place healed up all of the injuries he sustained back in gotham before his arrival - jason sorta thinks he deserved that broken arm, thanks. maybe if he’s lucky, he’ll end up with a sparring partner or two and a fresh set of bruises.]

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[unknownmoirai]

Oh, I see.

[Her voice sounds distant, as if it's locked within the grips of a past memory.] When do you know that you've seen enough? If it's pain that I need to feel... then wouldn't I understand now?

[bamboozlement]

You don’t need to experience pain to understand. All you need to do is look and have a little empathy.

[come to think of it, the way she’s asking these questions reminds jason a little bit of kori - and a little bit more of bizarro. the memory of how he’d just lost the latter is a raw wound in his heart that jason isn’t prepared to face just yet. better change the subject.]

So are you not from Earth?

[unknownmoirai]

[She shakes her head, forgetting that he can't see her.]

I am not but I've lived on Earth for a few years. I've traveled a lot but there are many things that I still do not understand.

[bamboozlement]

[not surprising, given his revelation just a moment ago.]

People who were born on Earth don't even understand everything all the time. Where were you from before you came to Earth?

[unknownmoirai]

There isn't really a name for it.

[It's very hard for her to label her home.]

Some people have told me that it sounds like a place called Heaven.

[bamboozlement]

[heaven. sure, why not; jason’s seen and heard plenty of weird things in his life.]

Your username’s appropriate. Heaven’s supposedly where you end up after you die, if you’re worthy.

[unknownmoirai]

I've heard that but my home isn't like that. At least, not my part of it. I haven't seen it all and I can't go back there again.

[There is a sad note to her voice but she quickly continues and covers it up.]

It's just what some people call it.

[bamboozlement]

[oh ... damn, that resonates pretty hard with jason. he’s a little quieter when he speaks again:]

Why can’t you go back?

[unknownmoirai]

It's complicated but to stat it simple, people don't leave.

[It's a sin.]

And I left.

[bamboozlement]

Why did you leave? You knew that would the consequence for leaving, right?

[unknownmoirai]

I got in a fight with my sister. She left and I followed after her.

[It made her decision a lot easier.]

[bamboozlement]

[hoo boy, this conversation’s taken a turn toward hitting all of jason’s pain points.]

Family’s ... complicated, I get it. Well, kinda. I’m not actually any good at family stuff.

[he takes a deep breath in and then quietly exhales.]

Did you and your sister make up?

[unknownmoirai]

It's okay, I'm not any good at it either.

[She shakes her head solemnly back and forth.]

We haven't. It's... complicated. She's done everything she could to make sure that I don't find her. It's been... six years since that day. I caught up with her briefly recently but... it didn't end well. [She'd been locked in a dark room for over a month with nothing but darkness.]

[bamboozlement]

Six years is a long time to chase after someone who doesn’t want to be found. You ever consider just leaving her alone?

[unknownmoirai]

I can't do that.

[She isn't sure if she should explain. Jason's already told her that he hunts down bad people and she doesn't want her sister added to that list.] Maria is... she's lost. She made some mistakes.

There isn't anyone else to look after her.

[bamboozlement]

Everyone makes mistakes. [jason includes himself here.] Not everyone has someone willing to look after them. [that would also be him; he’s had to take care of himself for practically his entire life.] Your sister’s lucky to have you.

[unknownmoirai]

I hope one day she sees it that way too.

[She doesn't sound all that hopeful.]

I'm sorry. It's... difficult to talk about.

[bamboozlement]

It's OK. You don't have to.

[unknownmoirai]

Thank you.

I am still sorry.

[She feels bad.]