shatterverse | (no subject)

In Metropolis....

Eden McCain has a table to herself at a coffee shop - notebook papers are spread over it with titles like 'Main Character' and 'Subplot 1'. The great post-apocalyptic novel isn't going to get written any other way! She felt like dressing like a cliche artist - and is wearing a navy blue beret.

Tom Therin is whistling cheerfully to himself as he walks down the street, idly looking for pockets to pick.

On the Cooper farm....

Bridgette Dubois has a stuffed pony, a lion, and a unicorn in a semi-circle on the lawn to the Cooper house. "Whoever wants me to sing Lion King at the talent show, say aye!"

The stuffed animals are silent, but Bridgette - after checking on Marie, who claps her hands in agreement an area to her left - nods as if they actually spoke. "All right - how about Sound of Music?"

Oliver Wycliffe, dressed in white and looking thoughtful, is riding his stallion Beauregard down the road to the farm.

Dana, an extremely tired-looking young woman in ratty jeans and a T-shirt, is waiting nervously in front of the hospital, gnawing on her lip.

[ooc: Tag one, tag all, but please let me know which one you're tagging!]

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Oliver pulls himself out of his own mind, giving Steph a polite smile and a wave in return.

"Good day, miss," he says, pulling Beau to a stop.

"Hiya Ol!" Steph grins over at him. "How've you been?"

"Well enough, miss," Oliver replies, and only the hints of purple under his eyes suggests otherwise. "And yourself?"

"Me, I'm wonderful," Steph says, in absolute honesty. Because she is.

"I had a question for you though. About Bridge."

Oliver's smile brightens - how good that someone here is doing so well! He's about to inquire further when the topic change happens.

Oliver, who really hasn't spared the Dubois girl much thought in between bouts of angst, is politely curious when he replies, "Yes?"

"Someone gave her weapons for her birthday?" Steph says, grinning. Because it's good that he smiles; she likes Oliver. "I wanted to teach her how to use them, I think she's a smart girl and she's not too young to learn. But she said you took them away."

Oliver frowns a bit at the mention of someone giving Bridge weapons, and looks surprised at Steph's words.

"Miss Dubois does seem an intelligent girl, but I believe her far too young both mentally and physically. I've trained children myself, you see - we don't start training lads with wooden swords until they're twelve. A child's frame is exceedingly delicate."

Rather, Bridgette's female frame is exceedingly delicate, but Oliver wisely decides not to say that outright.

"Course, yeah," Steph says, as if he's making perfect sense. "Only, see, she really wants to learn, and -- well, they are hers, you know? And if anyone knows anything about training delicate frames, it's me."

Well, if only because Cass isn't here and Oracle's busy. Steph holds her arms out demonstratively; she's not naturally built like a gymnast, but years of hard training mean she does a good job of looking like it.

Oliver listens politely. "Children desire many things that, in the long run, are unwise or even dangerous. As adults we must set boundaries and discipline. As for their being her weapons, they certainly are - and I shall return them when she comes of age.

"Truthfully," Oliver adds, switching the topic slightly, "I feel this emphasis on fighting is rather unseemly for a girl of Miss Dubois' age. She should be playing with dolls, baking pies..." Oliver trails off as he runs out of examples of what young girls do, "...and other such things. Surely, swords can be left for a time when she is more mature."

Steph is frowning now, although she's still trying to keep a sunny smile.

"But what about protecting herself? She needs to have fun and play, and all that, it's true, but she can't always trust others around her to protect her. This isn't exactly a safe world."

"If there is any threat, I would think we have warriors enough to face it, rather than placing such a burden on a young girl."

"What happens to her when all the warriors are dead, then?" Steph asks mildly.

"Given the diversity of talents of those here, I find it unlikely."

How, Oliver thinks dismally, did he get into such an argument over a girl he doesn't even like all that much?

"Oliver, we're at the end of the world. How is it so unlikely? What do you have against Bridget that you don't want her to know how to defend herself?"

Cranky Steph is cranky.