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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2013 18:24:24 GMT -5
It's not going to be the heals that kill her during their walk, but the possible lack of conversation. While Charlotte goes to change, Selina has made a quick swap as well; a decent pair of dark wash jeans instead of a skirt. It gives a better look that just 'skirtsuit,' and will garner less looks on their walk. When Charlotte does offer up a few syllables, she nods, thinking on several avenues to discuss. "I'll try to orient you a bit better. I live over the park, Robinson Park." Which to be honest is a fantastic place to live, considering she can get nearly anywhere in minutes, especially from her balcony when need be, but is quite different than the East side of Gotham, where the both of them started their lives. It's going to be a shock to Charlotte, as well as Selina.
As they start out from the Police Department, Selina points out various places. Here and there to eat, great places to shop, areas to avoid. The traffic avoidance was a better choice, especially considering they are outpacing most of the stopped vehicles. Even when they do cross a street, it seems there is no exact rhyme or reason; a green light may be going, or a red-light. Turning to Charlotte when they have to hustle across a crosswalk, she gently places her hand behind the girl as they barely making it before a rush of cars moves through the intersection they crossed. Catching her breath, Selina smiles at the teen. "I know I've been talking a lot, but we've got some time to kill. So while I have a lot of questions to try and get things straightened away, don't hesitate to ask me any. And just to start off on a few; no, the shoes don't hurt yet, yes, I did grow up in the East End myself, yes, I can drive, but I don't often. There is a car, and I don't..know if you drive yet, but we can get there. And a motorcycle, but that's mine." As they start walking again, Selina makes a mental list of all the answers she needs to get from her new...house guest. Not exactly the right word, yet, but it fits haphazardly for the time.
"So. After dinner, a shower, hell, you could do both, we can figure out what you need to get. Bath things, room things, school, wardrobe. And yes, I can see you cringing at the purchasing part...but think of earning them. You're not going into classes...just yet, and Liv; my assistant will help us get you where you need to. I'm going to throw a lot at you at once, but I have no doubts you'll grasp it. And I do live on the 17th floor of the building. It's more...an open, flat sort of set up, but it's safe, secure, and has a great view. You'll have a bedroom, Liv has a room, I have my....'room,' as well, you could call it. There is a kitchen, dining room, a living room, a few bathrooms. I don't have...excessive gym equipment, but there is a pool, sauna, and all that sort of stuff in the building. Oh. And I have a cat. Jasper." Surprisingly, she's rather organized, but also playing loose and fast with the girl. Within means, of course. If she wants to soak in the tub and eat a sandwich, or whatever is for dinner, she can. Two birds with one stone, as they say. And to that, Selina agrees why not.
Pausing at another intersection, she thinks. "We'll set up what you think would be ok for your responsibilities about the flat, food you like, what we need to bring you up to speed on...all that fun. You can see my room, but it's one of the places I prefer to work. My bed is in there, a place for my desk, my bathroom, closet, so forth. I won't set rules in place, per se, but there are expectations. Communication, respect, and compromise. Always." By the time they're walking again, they're not too far. But in the silence after her dump-truck-load of info, Selina is curious to see if Charlotte will ask any questions.
"And I am seeing someone...who no doubt you'll meet in time. And always feel free to ask questions. Curiosity is encouraged in this home, always. Although you will learn when to speak, and when just to observe with me." She adds with a laugh. Even as she speaks on, Selina is quite careful to not use flat, rigid terminology. Hard rules don't work for her, and never had, so while guidelines are needed, and quite necessary for a teen, she's more than willing to compromise, yet still lead a guiding hand.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2013 21:37:12 GMT -5
As Selina probably expected, Charlotte is quiet as they head out. But though she doesn't comment while Selina points out this and that, she does try to take mental notes. At some point during the beginning of their walk, Selina may note that the teen has pulled out the sandwich and is eating it as they go - apparently now she wants it. As they weave through the city, she doesn't have any trouble at all keeping pace. Navigating the city's streets is just as natural to her as it is for any other Gothamite, if not quite a bit more so than average. Though she too needs to catch her breath after they find themselves needing to hurry through one crosswalk.
She listens to Selina, though the comments about a car causes her to frown. "No, I can't drive," she replies quietly. She should at least have her learner's permit now, but she's gotten a little bit behind on several aspects of her life. But that, along with all the other things that Selina lists off, indeed make her cringe. She does not like being given things! And the more that Selina describes her place, the larger and fancier it sounds - she's not sure that she likes that either.
But she calms the dizzy feeling it gives her by focusing on a few basics: they're going to somewhere with a shower and food, and that's what she cares about at the moment. It'll be nice to get clean in a proper private bathroom again and, though she's eating her sandwich now, just wait an hour - her appetite will come right back. And though she doesn't react to the mention of a cat, Charlotte has been around them before - it'll be nice having one around. Yes, focus on that and not the number of rooms and she'll be fine.
The idea of chores and such hardly bothers her - that's only to be expected. In fact she'd actually think less of Selina if she weren't required to do things. But she doesn't feel the need to comment on anything, unless you count the slight face at the mention of a boyfriend as a 'comment', as there doesn't seem to be much point of it while Selina is just unloading information at her.
In fact, when the lady repeats that she can ask questions and then makes a more explicit comment about her silence, Charlotte rolls her eyes and looks away a little. What if she just doesn't feel like talking right now? Is that a crime? Her life's just been turned on its head over the past several hours - it's only natural for her to not be in the mood for idle chit-chat. Most of the questions she has will probably be answered when they get there anyway, and unless her mental map is failing her, they're nearly to the park. Besides, it's not like there's going to be a scarcity of time to ask questions later.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 6, 2013 3:17:41 GMT -5
Reeling back on the talking, Selina is silent as they continue their trek, the time allowing for Charlotte to eat her sandwich and not have to say anything back. After all, if she were in the younger woman's shoes, she wouldn't want to be talked at the entire time. She herself needs a bit of time to process things as it is. So after walking a while longer, Selina stops when they are about a block to the park, the green breaking up the concrete jungle and buildings and waves a hand, almost if announcing their approach.
"It's not much farther," she mentioned, taking in a deep breath, the faint aroma of flowers and trees in their last hurrah before the cold really sets in. It's several minutes as she takes a meandering route through the park, before she stops before a rather eloquent building. Eloquent and tall. As the front glass door is opened by a doorman, and greets her by name, Selina smiles, and waves, heading to the elevators as she punches in her floor; 17. The main floor, with someone at the front desk, is quite homey, open, and airy, fresh flowers here and there, and many windows. As the elevator dings, Selina pulls out a small key fob, and waves it above a small black square slightly protuding above the handle, before the door clicks and opens into a well lit small hallway, which soon leads into a ...living room of sorts.
There is a rather large "L" shaped sofa in a rich chocolate shade, another recliner, and coffee table, lamps of differing heights here and there, plants, and a decent sized tv placed above a fireplace. A real fireplace, even. Off that room is an open kitchen done in cherry wood, and granite, with a small eat-in bar area with stools, as well as a table for dining off of that. As soon as they go deeper into the flat, the floorplan goes into a more...open setting, the raw elements of the building showing as there are more floor to ceiling windows, and amazing views. Another two bedrooms, two bathrooms comprise this space, and finally, another quartered off area that is Selina's 'rooms.'
Crooking a finger, Selina motions for Charlotte to follow her, the hardwood floors nearly masked in some places by thick, plush rugs you almost want to fall down and sleep in. Considering she -was- an art major, it's made it's influence in the tiny details, and the objets d'art placed, well, artfully here and there. It's a short hall, and a turn to the left where the other two bedrooms, one is Liv's, which is not always used, and the other which will now be Charlotte's. The door is already open to the space, which has a full-sized bed, a desk, spacious window view overlooking the park, walk in closet, and while doesn't have an in-suite bathroom, does have one right next door. There are a few other bags laid on the desk, which contain a few staples; pjs, a few 'unmentionables' and toiletries such as toothpaste, toothbrush, and some hairbands. There is also a deep purple micro-fleece rob on the bed. [/f"This is you. If there is a color you'd rather it be, think on that. And we can get new bedding, curtains, whatever. It's not exactly..tailored. Consider it your blank slate. Maybe we can discuss a tv later. But you get what you need, and meet me in the room down the hall, and..well, it's the only door to the right that -isn't-back to the living room."
Offering a warm smile, Selina backs from the room, shutting the door with a faint click. A deep breath and she sheds her suit jacket and fancier blouse for a more relaxed looking pale purple tunic that is loosely fit, and drapes a bit off her shoulder, heels kicked off as well. She's greeted mid-way to the bathroom by a feline meow from Jasper, who she politely explains to that they have a guest. And to be nice to her. Not that she has to talk to her cat, but hell, he's listened to her quite enough to know something is up. As the large Maine Coon follows her into the large bathroom, she holds up a finger to the ..not quite small feline. "One sec," she murmurs, stoppering up the tub and starting the hot water, a quick capful of bath oil poured in as well as a generous amount of bubbles from another ornate bottle lining the large jacuzzi tub. The tile is a deep grey, the walls a different shade of grey, and the tub a deeper, near black shade, the same as the sink, and toilet. There is one of those walk-in tiled showers, with no curtain, but instead a partial half-wall, and class so clear you can barely tell it's there. Here and there are lush purple accents, especially around the mirror above the sink. Pulling out several towels, Selina sets them near the edge of the tub, and re-tests the water.
Her focus is then brought to her cat, whom she scoops up and gives a warm hug to, allowing him to then climb to her shoulders as she walks back into her own 'room' two walls of the oddly shaped room floor to ceiling windows, and a door heading to a balcony with another breath-taking view of Gotham, and it's skyline. Her desk is poised before one of the windowed walls, her own bed a large thing to the right of her desk, and nearly across from the bathroom entrance.
There is also a small sitting area of a small chaise and chair, along with a low table, as well as the door to her walk-in closet. A small dresser is also along the wall, a few things on the top. But one of the greater oddities in the airy, yet delicate room is the metal bar suspended between her bed and the desk, ample space beneath it. Selina tends to explain it as 'a clothing bar' but most people don't think deeper into the fact that ...why is it so high, and so sturdy. So while she powers up her laptop waiting for Charlotte, she also sets aside a notepad and pen, already scribbling down several questions, and topics she needs to cover before tomorrow.
It's not long before she hears a noise at her open door and waves the teen in, pointing to the still-filling tub. "It's all yours. If you can think of something you want for dinner, I'll order it. And if I can do one thing...now, Let me get my hands on your hair before you wash it," Standing, the large feline still poised on her shoulders like a stole, Selina goes into the bathroom and surveys her bottles of this and that, and pulls one out. "You decide," as she hands the bottle over. "Bubbles are awaiting, and feel free to use whatever in the bathroom. Try a few different things out, and if you like them, we can get you some tomorrow, if not, we can try something else." Shrugging, she points to the furry head that is purring on her shoulders. "This is Jasper. He listens decently well, but will never agree to that, and he's quite friendly. Almost like a small dog, but neither him, nor I would admit to that, because it's a near insult." She mockingly whispers the last two words with a glint in her eye.
While it's a lot being thrown at her, and Selina knows it, and how overwhelming the entire situation is, she is also curious as to how Charlotte will react. And cope. As feline and teen acquaint themselves, Selina is quiet. It's not long before Charlotte is in the bathroom, and subsequently the tub, before Selina calls out to her. "I'm going to have some questions for you, while you soak, but I have a few phone calls to make. But think over dinner, clothing, that sort of thing, and if you come up with any definitives in what you need, or want, it will help. But I expect at least the food choice by the time I'm done!" She calls out. "And, anything you want to ask me." As the bathroom door is askew slightly, Charlotte can be sure Selina is still in the room, and vice versa, but neither can see the other. It's in this time that Jasper has taken up residence once again on Selina's bed, even the King on his throne, and Selina takes the time to do a quick spring jump and grasp her bar, taking her time in executing several stretches and maneuvers in kind. It's only after she is satisfied does she release the bar and fall soundlessly to the floor. It's then when she does check her phone, sighing as she jots down a number she knows by heart, a quick glance to the clock as she fits her earpiece in and makes a call. As soon as the other voice is heard, she starts the conversation in French, one ear on the voice on the line, another for when Charlotte pipes up with a need, or a response.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 6, 2013 19:41:33 GMT -5
If Charlotte is affected differently by the walk through the park than she was through the rest of the city, it doesn't show much on the surface. Based on her expressions, she's either lost in thought or bored - possibly both. Her attention only seems to be brought back to what she's doing when it becomes apparent which building they're headed to. Ugh, if it's like that on the outside... When they walk in her expectations are confirmed: it's too... nice. How people are comfortable in places like this she's sure she'll never know. Maybe the apartment will be better...
...Nope, it's worse. In fact the place looks absolutely garish to her first impression. All this space, all these things, for what? Three people, including her now? Does anyone really need a place to eat in the kitchen and a separate dining area? And a bathroom each? More than one each before she came into the picture, actually. Ridiculous. But she keeps these impressions to herself. She will admit she likes the idea of having plenty of space for herself - if she feels the need to just be alone that shouldn't be a problem around here.
But once again she frowns at the shopping bags - seriously? Just how many things is this woman going to just give her? She doesn't respond to what Selina says beyond confirming that she was listening by saying, "Okay." Though she can't help but feel more than a little lost at the moment - Dorothy isn't in Kansas anymore.
It takes what is certainly far more time than would be strictly necessary for her to appear in Selina's room. Then again, that's probably only to be expected - it's her first moment to be alone since she was taken out of that jail cell. And she certainly didn't anticipate this happening - here is is in some fancy apartment in the off chance that it'll help do something for her instead of being locked up for years. But, once again encouraging herself by the thought of getting clean, she finds the door that Selina indicated.
When she's invited in, her eyes drift briefly over the room that only underlines her impressions of the rest of the apartment. Ugh. Well, the large bathtub does look really nice - she supposes that one thing about it can have her approval. Though when Selina says she wants to tackle her hair, Charlotte hesitates for a moment. A part of her really doesn't want someone else touching her hair, but then again she knows that it could probably use any help it can get. The ponytail it's in is deceptive, giving the illusion of more tidiness than it has. But it's long, the only attention it's had in far too many days is from her humble comb, and she knows that the second it's released from the confines of the hair elastic and exposed to water, it's going to run wild. "...Fine..." she says, simply acknowledging her consent.
Of course, she hasn't failed to notice the cat on Selina's shoulders - it's not like you could very well miss a cat that size. When she draws near to Selina, she keeps a little distance for a moment, slowly blinking before lifting two fingers most of the way to the cat's nose to see how he'll react. When he leans closer to sniff her, she smiles a little to herself as she closes the distance to allow him to do so and then gently scratches his head a little, getting behind one of his ears. And she's content to leave it at that for now - Selina may have said that he's friendly, but it's never good to push your luck with cats who don't know you. Of course, the second that she's not focused on the cat, the slight smile disappears again. After all, it's always easy to know where you stand in a relationship with a cat - people are a completely different story.
True to the way it looked on the outside, when she gets in the tub it's heavenly. It's like she can feel her months on the streets getting washed off of her. She's actually never been in a jacuzzi tub before, and when the jets are on she finds herself wondering why people who have them ever leave them. So when Selina calls out saying that she has questions, Charlotte finds herself a bit less bothered by that than she would be otherwise. Still bothered, yes, but less. "Okay," she replies, sighing to herself as she tries to focus on what she wants.
It's actually a very hard thing to ponder. Even just thinking about what she wants for dinner. She's used to either, on the one hand, being handed things and being told 'here, you can have this'. That one thing, and not something else, because it's that and not something else that she's being offered. That was her childhood, and even more so the foster homes. 'You may have this' fit right in with 'do this' and 'feel this way'. On the other hand, when she was on the streets she was used to choices being a risk management decision - a matter of deciding if the more dangerous option was worth it or not. So making extremely open-ended and non-consequential choices is... how do you decide when all the options are pretty much the same?
"I want a cheeseburger," she abruptly announces, making sure it's loud enough for Selina to hear in the other room and... is she speaking a different language? Whatever. But when she asks herself what she'd want to eat right now if she could have anything, a cheeseburger is what comes to mind. So there, decision made! ...Though she still has no idea about clothes. And what in the world did Selina mean by 'that sort of thing'?
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Post by Deleted on Oct 18, 2013 4:40:18 GMT -5
Selina nods to the girl, handing over the small bottle of hair oil. "Before you wash your hair, just sort of rub this into your hair. Or, I can help." Choice is a big help, and she knows that, even if there are almost too many choices for the girl at this point. But as she's thought, if the teenager can adapt, and handle this much, then she will do better once the shock of climate change has taken over.
Smiling as Jasper responds kindly, she lets him aquaint himself with the new member of the family for now, and watches as he jumps off her shoulder, and makes his way into the bathroom after Charlotte. He's going to keep an eye on her, even if she isn't going to follow her so closely. So while the sounds that affirm the girl is now in the tub come to her ears, she sits back down, and starts her telephone call. It's after several minutes that she hears a response; and she has to smile, telling her phone call that she needs a moment, and will call back at a later time. Cheeseburgers. Now that sounds like a proper request, and something that can just as easily be accomodated. Sending a quick text to Liv, she details out what to order, and where from. There is a diner a few blocks away that she can get several burgers from, with all the fixings; tomatoes, lettuce, pickles, onions, fantastic fries; both curly and crinkle cut, and several milkshakes. She orders one of each of both chocolate, and vanilla, and an extra vanilla one for herself. It's not long before there is a confirmation text returned back to her of the order placement, and an estimated time. Good assistants are always a blessing.
"Cheeseburgers will be here in about half an hour. I'll be on the balcony for a few, just call out, or tell Jasper to find me if you need anything!" She calls out, reaching into a small box on her desk, before standing and going to the nearly-impercetable door in the floor to ceiling glass wall. Stepping outside onto the small balcony, it's a few seconds later and she's lighting up a cigarette. Not the best habit, but one that she does indulge in from time to time. And now is one of those times. As daylight is soon fading, it lends the cityscape a wonderful sun-lit view, and the park an almost eerie, homesick feeling. It will be dark soon, and she can already feel her body waking up, despite having been awake most of the day already. At dusk she truly wakes, like most felines.
So as she enjoys her cigarette, she finds her own mind flicking back to when she was younger. The tumultous time after her parents passed, and when she herself had found herself not in a foster home, but an orphanage for a short time, and then the horrid boarding school. Back then she could never pinpoint what exactly drove her to take from others, and so slyly, getting caught here and there, and sitting exactly where Charlotte had sat prior, and what had driven her to -not- get caught, but there was something. And now, after talking with Iris, she can label such feelings, and identify the hows, the whys, and the what nexts.
So as she leans against the glass, then the railing in turn, her mind deep in thought, she continues to think back on Charlotte, and herself. And how complicated, and yet crystal clear it all is. Maybe at some point Selina was a poor little rich kid, but she had worked for her company, and she worked hard to build her alter-ego. Nothing had been handed to her, and those things that did; well, she earned them. Not in cash, but in experience, in bartering her own skill for that of experience. And even while she knows that Charlotte is overwhelmed with everything Selina is doing, it will make sense. A behavioral trick she'd picked up along the way. The more the girl opens up, the more trust she will gain. And with trust, comes more freedom. And so forth. And if Charlotte truly opens up, and can be trust-worthy, and keep a secret, then maybe, if she hadn't picked up on what Selina really is by that point, then she will start to train the girl.
Breaking out in a chuckle, she has to shake her head, blowing a thin stream of smoke into the night air. Her. Catwoman. Taking on a potential 'side-kick.' She can think of more than a handful of people that would think she was nuts. Or that she was risking too much, too soon. Either way, she knew there was a reason for what she was doing, even if it didn't seem to be the smartest thing. For she, at one point, had been taken under the wing of someone who could help her. And it was only right that she could do the same, for someone else. Even with it taking a bit of time, and more than enough patience.
Her phone vibrated, and she checked it, Liv sending her a message that food was here, and ready when they were. Raising a brow, she looked at the time. It was prompt, which was more than she could've asked for. A few more drags, and she gently snuffed the cigarettte out, and placed it back in her package, before tucking it away into a pocket. She had a feeling that if she didn't send another text, she'd have a late-night visitor that might show, and bring about several other questions she might not be able to answer as truthfully as she'd like, right now.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 18, 2013 17:20:18 GMT -5
"I can handle it," Charlotte says very quickly as she takes the hair oil. Then, almost as an afterthought, she adds, "...Thanks." Yes, she'd much rather do it herself, though she supposes that the lady really is just trying to help. But it's not like she's a little kid - she can wash her own hair and if she wanted help then she'd want it from someone she didn't just meet. Unless they're a professional hair stylist, anyway - because in that case that's kind of what they do.
When she notices that she's been followed into the bathroom, she can't help but smile at him. But, focused on the thought of getting herself clean, she leaves him be and instead gets in the tub. Which is so relaxing that she thinks she could spend all day in it, really. At least until Selina says when the food will arrive. "Okay," she calls back to confirm that she heard, figuring that means that she'd better shift from relaxing to actually getting herself clean. Most of the various products at hand that seem to be meant for that purpose look kind of confusing though... she manages to find the basics she actually knows what to do with though - shampoo, conditioner, soap... and the hair oil, of course. Once she's focused on the task, getting herself feeling clean again doesn't take too long even though she has to wash and rinse more than once.
But that's the easy part, the hard part is after she's toweled herself off, put the fuzzy robe on, and starts tackling her hair. The hair oil seems to have helped a lot though. Though it appears that she didn't get it in very evenly, leaving some patches more tangled than others. Perhaps she should have let Selina help her... no, she'll never admit that... But she manages to work through the tangles and dries her hair before she pulls it back into her standard ponytail again. As weird as all this is for her, it's nice to not smell like an alleyway. And the mirror confirms that she's looking a lot better too. Question is, how much is this going to cost her? Oh, she knows that Selina won't charge her money or anything like that, but there will be something that will make her question whether or not it's worth it - just wait.
When she figures that she's as finished as she's going to be, and gives Jasper another scratch under the chin, she wanders out of the bathroom in search of the balcony that Selina said that she'd be on. And it proves to be much, much easier to find that than it is to find where the door in the glass wall is. She has to frown at it for a moment before she spots the break in the pattern of the glass that indicates the part that can open. Seriously, why does it have to blend in that well? When she pushes the door open, she can immediately smell the lingering scent of a cigarette, but that's totally unremarkable to her.
"Um, I'm done," she says, lingering in the doorway and waiting for Selina to tell her what to do next. Because that's how her life always goes: either she's completely left to her own devices, or she has someone telling her what to do pretty much all day everyday. And today she's gone from the former to the latter - she knows the drill.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2013 14:17:09 GMT -5
The click behind her brings a faint smile to her face as she realizes the teen has figured out how to open the balcony door. Good eye, she thinks, feeling a soft body around her legs as Jasper has decided to join them as well. Crooking a finger to urge Charlotte out onto the balcony, she smiles. "Welcome to a softer side of Gotham, Charlotte. This can be your home, if you want." She speaks quietly. Taking in the now setting sun for a few moments, her gaze finally flicks to Charlotte's hair. "Food is on the table in the bedroom, if you're ready. And if you don't mind, I could braid your hair for the night." She doesn't want to point out that some spots are in dire need of attention, but the girl has done well, considering where she's came from.
Turning and walking through the door, Jasper runs ahead of them both, jumping to one of the couches that is surrounding the table of cheeseburgers, fries, and milkshakes. Sitting there on his haunches, he is almost wearing a smile to claim he has magick'ed the food there, instead of Liv. Proud thing he is.
Pressing the back of her hand to her mouth, Selina stifles a yawn, her hand waving to the food. "Help yourself, there are chocolate, and vanilla milkshakes, too." A bit hesitant at where to go from here, Selina offers a few more questions after she's started in on some fries. "So, where are you thinking to visit tomorrow? I know I have a list of places we can stop for bedding, clothing, a laptop, and so forth, but I'd love to hear what you think." She stops to take a sip of a vanilla milkshake, before continuing. "And really, if there are any questions, let me know. Or if you don't want to do anything. I won't be offended. You need to make that room your own, and hell, I'd rather get you what you need sooner, rather than later, so we can get you settled in, before the next steps."
Which would hopefully fall into place. "And while I'm guessing you've had other adults tell you what to do, I'm going to set up guidelines. Ones that you can help me mold, because honestly? I'm not a true black and white sort of gal. Hard and fast rules were only made to be broken in my opinion." And considering she's been down this route before, and it didn't work out, she's pulling from her own experience in what worked, and what clearly, clearly didn't.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 25, 2013 4:42:57 GMT -5
When Selina motions for her to come out, Charlotte joins her by the railing with no hesitation. She does glance down, not used to being up this high, but more out of curiosity - she trusts that the railing is adequate for ensuring that she doesn't fall to her death. It's not like she's going to do something stupid like climb over it, after all. After the ground, her eyes take in the rest of the view, her eyes automatically lingering on the park and the sunset as she ponders Selina's statement. Does she want a place like this to be her home? Not really. Then again, the home she does want is only a memory now. So she doesn't respond, unless you count thoughtful silence as a response.
But she does respond to the rest, though still only in short statements. "Yeah, I'm ready," she says, adding, "And you can if you want." She keeps her tone carefully neutral this time, as she wants Selina to decide whether or not to braid her hair since she doesn't care either way - or at least that's her story and she's to it. When they head inside and she spots the way that Jasper is looking, she can't help but give a small half-smile at the look he's giving them, but the smile fades the moment her attention shifts away from him.
As she sits down to eat, she dives right into the cheeseburger - that's what she was craving after all - though she can't decide if she's more pleased or annoyed that it's clearly of better quality than one would get at a fast food place. Because it's nice but... sheesh, how much did it cost? It's probably not even worth the extra price - never mind that she's finding herself eating it slower than usual just to savor it a bit more. But as her usual eating pace is something only a truck driver would claim to be polite, that's just as well. Fortunately, she does remember to finish chewing (most of) the food in her mouth when Selina asks a question rather than immediately. "I don't know..." she says at first, hesitating for a moment before she adds, "Usually people just give me stuff - I don't know where to go or how to pick." From the way she says it, it sounds almost as if she thinks that Selina should also follow suit and do it all herself, except that simultaneously Charlotte also sounds a little resentful about the entire process.
Having said that, she immediately takes an extra large bite of her cheeseburger, as if to give herself a reason why she can't respond to the rest of what Selina said. She doesn't know what to make of Selina's insistence that everything is going to be different this time. So far, the only difference that Charlotte can see is that Selina seems to be rather eccentric and the place she'll be living in is disgustingly opulent. She suspects that these 'guidelines' are actually going to be rules and that Selina just doesn't like the word 'rules'. And the bit about helping her make them? Yeah right - Selina will just veto anything she says unless it happened to be exactly what Selina had wanted it to be in the first place. Pretend as she might, Selina's just another adult who doesn't trust her.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 25, 2013 13:43:02 GMT -5
She's cautious to allow the girl to take in all the new. That's what it is, new. And with all that newness is an uncertain freedom. Something she too, has felt at one point. But as they shift back into the warmer indoors, Selina nods, ducking into the bathroom to grab the oil again. "Put back in a braid, will help your hair tonight. If you want, we can get it trimmed tomorrow, too," she calls out from the bathroom.
By the time she's exited, Charlotte is digging in to the food happily, a quiet thoughtfulness to her dining. But as she speaks, Selina inwardly can feel that twist in her chest. Being thrust into the system is much like a prison; this she knows. No choices, just...you take what you can get, and hold as tightly as you can, until it's ripped from your grasp. Just nodding, she sets about loosing Charlotte's hair, and applying a liberal amount of the oil to her strands, before deftly plaiting it along the back of her head, efficiently braiding it to one plait, before tucking that last bit of bound hair back into the crown of her head. "If you want it down, you just need to tug here." She taps gently on the girl's head to where she had tucked the end of the braid. Odd, Selina Kyle, deft at braiding hair. Who would've thunk.
Scooting back to sit and eat herself, Selina is thinking. How to approach this, how to break the ice. How to get the windfall of words from the clearly walled up teen she's taken in. Sipping on her milkshake, she's curious to how she should, and could form words.
"Well, you may see me as 'giving you stuff,' but it's more...I'm going to help you acquire the tools to help yourself. And at this point, you need to start with the basics. Clothing, bedding, toiletries. I know of a few places we can go tomorrow, and we can figure out what you like, what is comfortable, and what you will need. And you have the say in if you like it, or don't. That's always going to be true. And when it comes down to it, that's the first of my guidelines. Communication. Always. Especially with me. You can ask me whatever you want. And I'd hope you'd want to confide in me. Like I mentioned before...if you'd rather not ask, or tell me everything, there is the option of a therapist as well." She pauses, taking a breath, and allowing Charlotte to respond to that first tenant.
"We can work on school, getting you into a public, or private facility. Or, you can do a bit of schooling in-home. After that, I'm guessing you'd rather have a bit of pocket-money," yes, she did just refer to it in that way, "So I know of a place you could intern. It's interesting, considering what you've already shown a talent for. Unless there is something else you're interested in." Taking another few minutes, Selina works on a cheeseburger herself, enjoying the kosher dill pickles between bites as she alternates the foods.
"Next, trust. I think that is something we'll have to work on, but it's a two way street. It ties into communicating. Ask, and you'll receive. Don't ask, and you'll never know. I welcome curiosity, so please don't hold back. After that, is respect. That ties back into communication, and trust. Don't know about something-" she points to the bar suspended in her room, behind them, "Ask before you do anything with it. Unless, well, it's something like a toilet. Common sense, I believe comes into play." Smirking, she alludes to the fact that Charlotte is more than capable of thinking independently.
"We'll have to get you a new ID, keys, and a fob for the building. Among the other creature comforts. But I'm going to tell you a bit of a story, first, then you can fill me in on what you think of these 'starting guidelines.' I'm not one for calling them rules, because to me, that just screams for them to be broken, crossed, and toed. If you can think of anything else, go ahead. But no doubt, you're thinking me some crazy, extremely affluent 'rich lady.' And while you may be correct, it's not entirely true. There is a difference between truth, and being right. And I'm not the sort to deal in black and whites, like some folks do."
"But yes, I was once in the system. My parents both died, I was put in an orphanage, and ...took a route much like your own. Only I didn't have someone that reached out, and had to devise my own way out. A way that I doubt I could ever escape, and while it's not exactly the most legal way to get where I am now...I made it a legal way. I earned this," she gestures with a french fry, "by working hard, the hard way. I failed quite a bit, and learned from all that."
"But what I'm really trying to say, is that if these guidelines work out, I'm hoping that you could learn a new skill-set, that could allow you to live, and not just have to survive. But there will be work involved, because those who are just..handed things, never truly appreciate them. There is a certain amount of feeling when you accomplish something yourself. So in short, no, I'm not treating you as a charity case. No, I'm not going to be anything less than honest with you. No, I'm not going to work you like a slave. Think of it like a pay-it-forward sort of mentality. I have the means to help you, because....well, let's call it fate. I see a lot of myself in you, and you remind me of how...I once was." The last words come out quietly. The seething anger, the restless energy that surrounds Charlotte is all too familiar. And while Catwoman is considered a 'villain' in Gotham, she doesn't want Charlotte to fall completely to that impression, and end up with Harley, or the more violent 'villains' of Gotham. "I can't sugar coat things, but I can be honest with you. This will be hard. Not only for you, but for me. We will learn to compromise, and communicate, and figure out that give and take. I'm not going to be a parent, nor a sister, but maybe...mentor, for now. If it comes to something closer, then we can figure it out then. But I'm not expecting you to want to talk to me, especially in the beginning, because you don't know me. But that does mean you can ask me as many things as you want, without judgement, and always. I'm guessing you are a quick study in some cases, and I'd love to teach you what I do know.."
"Everything is on a spectrum. A gradient of sorts. No one is ever purely good, or purely evil. Some are, but it's a rarity, and there is a sort of humanity in even the most vile....personalities out there. And some personalities, are just masks. Remember that, too." While she enjoys more of her shake, Selina laughs a bit, hoping to change the tone of the conversation. "So, you know who Bruce Wayne is?"
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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2013 4:40:56 GMT -5
As Selina braids her hair, Charlotte tries to ignore the process. She still doesn't really want someone she just met messing with her hair, but she did all that she could do with it, it's still having issues, and there's nobody else available to help, so fine - braid her stupid hair. In turn, she'll pretend she doesn't care. At least the process doesn't seem to take very long. "Okay," she replies when Selina tells her how to undo it, and then, as if having to think about it first, she adds, "Thanks."
The pause immediately afterward is a welcome silence, but she should have known that it was too good to last. This time as Selina starts to speak, at first Charlotte can feel herself starting to tune it out. Both foster families thought that they could fix her by giving her things too. And she has a say? Heh, we'll see how much that's worth... But when Selina mentions a particular guideline she forces herself to tune back in - she did say that she was going to try again, after all, and the first step to trying to follow the rules guidelines is knowing what they are in the first place. Though what it is causes her to frown thoughtfully. That's it? No big deal. Well, except when Selina mentions the shrink idea again - she makes a face at that.
"Fine..." is her only reply, which is probably not a very promising response to being told that she needs to communicate. But it's not like she has any questions to ask or anything, as much as Selina seems to really, really think that she ought to. Maybe she's just not in a curious mood right now. Or maybe she'd rather not add to the list of new information she's having to deal with. Either way, she sees no reason why she has to talk right now. What would she even say, anyway? It's not like she has a lot of firm opinions to express on anything that Selina's talking about.
Take school, for instance. She doesn't care where she goes. Except that she'd rather not do school, but she's guessing that's not an option. Okay, maybe a (very small) part of her actually doesn't want to be a high school dropout, but she knows that she's behind and it'll take a lot of work to fix that, and she'd really just rather not have to deal with that. And being home-schooled would be beyond boring. But being behind while attempting to fit in at a school, either public or private, would be complicated. So, see? No opinion. The question of whether or not she'd like her own money - yes, thank you - and where she'd want to intern are even less complex. She has no idea what she wants to do in the future, so anywhere is just as good as the next place in her opinion. "Nah, that's fine," she replies with a shrug.
And that prompts yet another welcome but short-lived silence. And she can't help but lower her eyes slightly at what it's broken with. Trust? Really? If there's anything she's learned over the past six years or so it's that trust is for suckers. Well, most of the time anyway. She personally is very trustworthy. Or at least, she is by her own definition of the word. She treats people the way that they deserve to be treated - that's the long and short of it. It's just that some people deserve to be lied to, stolen from, and stuff like that. Respect is pretty much the same deal. Does Selina deserve to be trusted and respected? Eh, on a scale of one to ten, perhaps a one on the former and a three on the latter. If she wants more, she'll have to earn it.
When the long bar is mentioned, Charlotte glances at it but doesn't seem that interested. She just figured that it was there because Selina is weird. But, having been told repeatedly that she can ask questions, she sighs and asks, "What's with that?" No, she's not really interested, but she'll humor the lady. It's not like she was going to do anything with it anyway, because... seriously, what would she do with it? No idea. She can think of no use, practical or otherwise, for such a thing.
As Selina goes on to mention keys and such, if she's paying close attention she might notice that Charlotte reacts to that with the slightest of surprised looks on her face, unlike the other items Selina's mentioned needs to be acquired. But the look is fleeting as the girl's attention shifts first to noticing that her cheeseburger is finished (alas!) and then moves her focus more toward the rest of her fries.
One thing's for certain: If Selina expects Charlotte to stop thinking of her as a crazy rich lady, she's not done much to help her case. Being told that the woman before her has a past that's at all like hers is just... so abstract. And seems so implausible. Again she gets the feeling that it's been made up to try to 'connect' with her. Beyond the story, she sees nothing to indicate that the woman before her was ever anything like her. Perhaps it's supposed to be an encouraging, 'follow your dreams' thing... Still, she keeps the skepticism off her face, just in case the tale has any truth to it. Instead, her demeanor is one of quiet thoughtfulness that one hopes means that she's thinking about the words rather than ignoring them.
But once she gives up on trying to figure out what to make of that story, and what Selina supposedly feels about it because of it, she tries to articulate her feelings about these guideline things. "It sounds fine to me and... worth a try, I guess," she says with a shrug. Honestly, the principles of communication, trust, and respect are all things she can completely agree are great and would be fantastic to have. It's just the whole... well, it's hard to picture it actually happening. There's always the ideal on one hand and then cold, hard reality on the other. Sighing, a little, she adds, "I'm not getting my hopes up, though." After all, if you hit rock bottom a few times in a row, you kind of expect to end up back there again.
Naturally, the last question seems to come completely out of left field. Charlotte's expression is two parts confusion and one parts disgust as she says, "The billionaire lecher? Yeah. Why?"
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Post by Deleted on Oct 28, 2013 17:52:49 GMT -5
Selina raises a brow. AT least she's getting some sort of reaction out of the girl, and a few more words. But Charlotte doesn't seem to be getting it. "And this just isn't a one way street. While I may have been a teenager at one point...I wasn't... I just didn't have a support system. So you need to set guidelines for me. I'm guessing talking at you and expecting instant responses is not going to be on the list. but you need to have expectations, too. I know this is new, and you're used to having things just..handed to you, and you doing it, but that isn't how I live. I laid out my..guidelines of communication, respect, trust, and, well, there is going to be compromise, as well. For the both of us. Rolling your eyes and giving me attitude is expected in the beginning. But you do have drive. Otherwise you wouldn't steal. Or have lived on the streets, instead of a house, with a family."
To answer Charlotte's lax questions, which she suspects were to get her to shut up, Selina steps away from the food and darts into her closet, returning with several hangers of clothing, which at a closer look are ...nice dresses. Reaching up on her tiptoes, Selina hangs the dresses in a reach. "Ta-da! Clothing rack." She says with mild mocking. "But in reality, it's for this...." And while she suspects the girl might see her as already eccentric, or insane, Selina does what she does best; smooth, nearly impossible seeming acrobatics. Pulling the hangers down she tosses them onto her bed, while a quick standing jump allows her to grip the bar and pull herself up, going through a quick motion of flexibility and grace as she shifts from hanging upside down, to a mix of contortionism and calculated movements, and then, suddenly, drops back to the bedroom floor soundlessly.
"I know everything I am saying is odd, but...with me, the most mundane items serve a dual purpose. And not everyone is quite aware, or can even see." With a bit of a wink, Selina tugs another file from her desk, and sets it gently in front of Charlotte.
"If you judge every book by your cover, you're going to get in trouble. Especially in Gotham." Flipping open the manila folder, a very familiar 'story' is laid out in front of Charlotte. The same rap sheet, but more in detail, telling the story of a vivacious, but troubled youth, named, this time, as a young Selina Kyle, complete with photos, and a more in-depth history. "I hope this may help you, understand. And why, it will take trust in this tenuous relationship we have, for the moment. And while I can see you're shocked at getting keys, and ID, and even less enthusiastic about this working. It may seem odd, but you're going to have to put effort into this. I know that you're not stupid, you just haven't had any support, nor foundation to support you. I...found that, and while it was rocky, and a story that is best saved for later, I'm going to help you, to help yourself. Where I live is no prison, and like I said, my rules aren't rules, but guidelines. I dislike rules."
Reaching for her milkshake, she nearly chokes when Charlotte comes back with a rather..interesting viewpoint. "Well, you've got part of that right. Lecher is something I haven't heard in a while, but the billionaire part is correct. Just gauging your knowledge of current events," she says offhandedly. But if she has heard much, it's probably second, or even third-hand. So who she is...is probably still lost on the girl, other than she's a younger, quirky, eccentric, weirdo with lots of money.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 29, 2013 7:11:07 GMT -5
What Selina says next causes Charlotte to give a troubled frown. "You... want me to... set guidelines... for you?" she asks very skeptically. Well, that is a new one! Except that, she reminds herself, having people say all these things that sound fantastic and yet failing to follow through with them is exactly what they always do. For a moment she's tempted to just let that thought pass by her, much like she has most of Selina's rambling. But then she reminds herself that she's been saying that she's going to try here, and perhaps this is a handy way of seeing just how much of this lady is just talk.
"Alright," she says, setting down her food for a moment so that she's not distracted by it for this. She sits back and looks at Selina with a challenging expression as she says, "If you want me to respect you, then me talking to my family - especially my brother - is a right, not a privilege you can take away. I can feel how I want about my parents - you don't know them. What you think about my family doesn't matter - you don't know them. My room is my room - I can go there whenever I want, you don't go there when I don't want. Especially to snoop - if I'm not telling you about something I'm doing, I'm not stupid enough to leave evidence so there's no point anyway. So privacy. And if you want me to be 'open' and talk to you about that stuff, I have to know you'll be cool about it first. And not assume that I'm a 'bad kid' or that I'm lying to you - if you think I'm doing something already even though I'm not, there's no point in not doing it. And I hate hypocrisy - I'm not gonna take anything you don't want me doing seriously if you're gonna do it yourself. If I do something you don't like, first you ask me why I did it and then you decide whether or not to freak out about it. I don't have to like your friends, you don't have to like mine. Especially boyfriends. And if you want to meet my friends, you have to be cool. Especially boyfriends. And I need a cellphone because... lots of reasons."
Having said all that, she suddenly stops and gives Selina an expectant look. She wonders if she'll be taken seriously or not. She wonders, even if she's taken seriously, whether or not Selina will agree to it all and if not whether it'll be a tweak hear and there or if she'll just reject it wholesale. Maybe it's too much like the rules Selina's repeatedly said she doesn't like, though Charlotte doesn't see it that way - it's simply a matter of cause and effect. She's not saying that Selina's not allowed to do things, only that if she does there are natural consequences that'll just happen. And she's not quite sure how to distill that all down neatly into a few guidelines. Especially since she's not quite prepared to trust that leaving a lot of these things to Selina's own judgment is a good idea - so many adults are so stupid when you do that.
Especially since Selina herself has yet to really impress Charlotte with her intelligence. Granted, a major part of that is the teen's own fault for having a whole series of preconceived notions about people in the upper class - it's very much an uphill battle that Selina's fighting here. And another factor is that she doesn't much care for the kind of smarts that seem to be so on display here - she supposes that one has to be intelligent to be good at business, but that's a matter of knowing how to work with the system. And after what she's been through, she doesn't care for the system. Not that she feels the need to fight the system, necessarily. No what impresses her is the ability to be above the system - that ability to put yourself into a place where the rules no longer apply to you.
So when Selina pulls out the dresses and displays the use of the bar as a clothing rack, Charlotte gives her a blank stare as if the woman grew a second head. Uh-huh... As Selina demonstrates the real use of the bar, though, a sudden look of stunned surprise crosses her face. It just... contrasts too sharply with the impression she'd formed of her. Holy crap... Even when Selina finishes and starts talking again, Charlotte's mind is still trying to wrap her mind around the incompatible nature of that skill with what she thinks that she knows about the lady already.
What snaps her out of it is Selina putting the file in front of her. Fortunately for Charlotte, it's pretty much exactly what she needs to process all this. Having already read the rap sheet, she doesn't need to do much more than skim through the pages inside, noting the extra details that the previous one had left out, as she silently flips through them and examines the pictures as Selina talks. It's a bit of a mind screw, but gradually she manages to sort out all of the false notions from the facts, and once those are removed from the picture she can feel all the pieces that didn't seem to fit falling into place. Not that she's able to make the leap into really knowing who she's talking to - the only hint of that being an idle comment from that cop earlier that she'd quickly dismissed. But she manages to see how it's indeed possible the woman in front of her has the background that she claims to have. Even though that still strikes her as weird. "Fine, I get it..." she says, just to give some vague reassurance that she understands the point being made.
Still, even with that insight, she has trouble trying to figure how that changes anything. Even if there's a certain similarity between Charlotte and who Selina used to be that doesn't mean that the lady understands her - they're still different people, after all. Charlotte certainly doesn't see herself being like Selina when she's older. Which means that it doesn't do much to change her opinion of the odds of success here. Then again, it does make it seem more likely to Charlotte that Selina is actually being sincere here.
But all these thoughts and feelings and stuff seem rather overwhelming, and without really thinking about it her eyes go to the bar and she asks, "Do you, um, mind if I try that?" A part of her is sure that Selina will think that she's weird for asking, but then again that's the very same part of her that thinks that Selina is weird for having such a thing in the first place.
Selina's reaction to her summary of Bruce Wayne gets an unconcerned shrug. "That's what I've heard. It's not like I know the guy," she says, absolving herself of any responsibility for any inaccuracies in her impression of the man. Especially since it's reinforced by the fact that in every other photo she's seen of him he has a different bimbo on his arm. What else is she supposed to think of that?
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Post by Deleted on Oct 29, 2013 20:51:45 GMT -5
Well, she didn't stutter, did she? Maybe a more direct, non-question was the way to get through to the girl.Then again, she was 16, and part of 'the system.' So wrinkling her nose a bit, Selina nodded her head in an affirmative. After Charlotte has laid out her own 'guidelines,' she smiles. Not too much to ask, and just a few tweaks. To be honest, a few of the subjects Charlotte mentions are mildly insulting. It's as if the girl doesn't quite understand her philosophy, and her hatred for rules. Well, not hatred, per se, but the fact that she tests them, tempers them, and utterly ignores them at times. But that's neither here, nor there for the moment. And considering who she dates...that does set a bit of a precedent for who Charlotte can see. Hm.
So when she asks to use the bar, Selina waves her hand in the direction of it. "It's yours. Just be mindful of my desk." Sitting back, she is curious to see what the teen can do. Coordination, among several other skills can be easily interpret by the one simple object suspended from the high ceiling.
The file is another issue. As soon as it's closed, Selina slips the lighter from her pocket and drops the file onto a metal tray, lighting the file as she watches the flame lick along the paper, gracefully incinerating it. That was one burden lifted from her mind at least for the moment.
Laughing at what Charlotte has to say about Bruce, she smiles. "Well, we can get to him later," she starts, watching Charlotte make her way to the bar. "Well, just to make sure I'm understanding your guidelines, and what you said, hear me out; First of all, I'd never limit your contact with your family. But their choices for your livelihood, your wellbeing, are moot at this point. They had that priveledge at one point, fucked it up, and now, with your help, and guidance, I'll be making those decisions. Not without your input. And no, I don't know your parents. I know what I've read, but as with Mr. Wayne, we know that isn't always the truth. So, when the time comes, if I need to know anything, I'm be asking you, first and foremost about them. Secondly, of course your room, is your room. I'd hope you treat my own space the same way. Other than those two spaces, the flat is free reign, but respect, communication, all that still comes in to play. Clean up after yourself, and we'll figure out how to divide up who cleans what. No, I don't have a cleaning lady, and Liv is my assistant, not my, well, our maid. If you're not there, meaning, in your room, or in the house, I'd hope that you'd contact me to keep me in the loop of where you will be, and ask if the need necessitates it. Considering we're going to be adding school, and work into this whole mix, you will be coming and going. Depending on times, activities, we'll end up figuring out a time for a curfew. But even then, those times may change as well. My work keeps me on my toes all hours of the night. It's not exactly a 9-5 job, which is why I'll need your understanding, and flexibility as well." She pauses, taking a sip of her milkshake before continuing, as well as allowing Charlotte to question her thus far. Even though Selina does have to smile a bit on the inside. It doesn't matter if Charlotte is hiding something from her. She'd know about it before the evidence aspect ever came to thought. She's not dumb, and she was once a teen herself. A larcenous teen, but one, nonetheless.
"As to 'being cool' about most subjects; I can assure you that very little...shocks me. Nor am I judgemental. What irks me is the 'have to follow the rules, you can't do that' sorts. I already have to deal with one person like that, so more...I'd rather not invite into my life. I'm not your mother, I'm not your parole officer. Maybe thinking of me like a distant aunt, or a mentor may be more...fitting for now. But no 'Ms. Kyle' crap. Call me Selina. And if you have something you'd rather go by, please let me know. I want you to be comfortable here. I will remind you that if you're not going to open up to me, there is someone else as an option, but it's one, or the other, or both; but not none. And if there is a way I can, or need to prove to you that I'm 'cool' about things, please let me know. Talk to me. Ask questions, but don't test limits. That's not a good way to test out if I'm'cool' or not."
"And assumptions. Oh boy," she says in an exhale of breath. She's not Batman, so she'd never jump to these sorts of conclusions. But still..that's for another conversation. "I don't assume. That gets a person into trouble quicker than they can say 'makes an ass out of you and me.' You're not a bad kid. It's just that some other responsible people forgot they had choices to make that involved people other than themselves, and you got caught in the wayside. Does that make you bad for trying to stay in a place that made you feel safe, and for providing in a way you could? No. Does that mean I'm condoning theft? Well, no, not exactly. I'd had my sure of run-ins with the law, so I'd learned a few lessons. And very, very few can turn a simple skill into a career. Next up; I hope that us keeping an open, respectful dialogue prone to adaptation keeps obscuring the truth from ever entering the equation. You want to do something, I'm more willing to hear a good argument for why, rather than straight up deny it. You want to stay out late, watch the stars, so forth? Go for it. But there will be some limits. Especially here in Gotham. Once the moon comes out, so do the masks, and until I can get you into a few classes....I'd rather we limit alone time after dark, for now. I was mugged last year, and it wasn't fun."
Pursing her lips, she has to think about hypocrisy for a moment. While Charlotte shouldn't be stealing, she does do it. It's going to take several carefully framed statements to sideline that little guideline. Nothing she hasn't had to do prior, but still, it's tricky when trying to gain the trust of someone she already has some hope in. "And what are these things that you see yourself doing, that I'm doing? You already know I smoke. Rarely, but I do it. It's for your own health I ask that you don't, but if you want a cigarette, ask me for one. I tend to drink wine at meals, and considering I am your legal guardian, no doubt you'll be learning vintages and tasting yourself. Drugs, I don't do them, other than caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine. Any others, I'd prefer you not indulge in. If you want to get intimate with men, well, I'm sure you know about condoms, and birth control, and that can be squared away as well, when the time comes."
Now that was a slight detour she wasn't planning on. "If there is something that occurs that I don't like, we'll discuss it first and foremost, then go from there. What most parents fail to realize is that there is usually a reason; no matter how well thought out or not, why something is done. So...hence my stressing of communication. But if you're having second thoughts on something, come ask me first. I'm a consultant at work, which is pretty much a troubleshooting specialist. I can weigh pros, and cons, from a neutral vantage point. And no, you don't have to like my friends, nor the men I'm seeing at the moment. Which is only two. Both rather prolific men that you're going to meet sooner, rather than later. And no, I don't tend to freak out. I've done that....a handful of times in my life, and there were damn good reasons for it." Especially when en elevator is about to fall several stories..but even then, she didn't 'freak out.'
"But friends. I have faith that you will choose those who will not perpetuate behaviors that landed you in juvie. Prior friendships are fine, and once we can nail down an educational institute for you, we will be open to quite a few newer possibilities. But I'd like to meet your friends, and those potential boyfriends. And just an FYI, but I don't 'sleep around,' so I'd hope you don't do that, either. Not a hard and fast rule, but you are the master of your own life. And yes, you will get a cellphone. Probably not a super fancy 'smartphone' to start, but one that will be able to text, and make phone calls, and hold your schedules." ...And be able to be traced, but that's her own little addition.
"But if there are any things that I do, that I ask you not to do, please tell me. I'm not perfect, so please don't put me on that sort of pedestal. No human is perfect, no matter how much they think. This is going to take a bit of bending from both of us. But going back to your room being your room, we need to make it such. And that will require shopping, and a list of things that you're going to want in there. I know I have an idea of what is needed, but I'd rather hear it from you, considering, you know, it's your room..." She adds with a smile.
"But as for the Bruce Wayne opinions, we could talk about that, if you wanted..." She trails coyly.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 30, 2013 2:58:53 GMT -5
Honestly, Charlotte isn't sure what she can do with the bar either. Perhaps that's a part of why she wants to try it - just to see. The other part being that she's just feeling really restless right now and could use the distraction - when her head gets full of too many thoughts, physical exertion seems to help make it all settle into place. Though perhaps that's why she's known to run away from problems.
First she simply stands beneath the bar, staring up at it. She's a solid four inches shorter than Selina, and her arms are proportionally shorter too, so the height of it is... not ideal. Still, after take a moment to psyche herself up to it, she jumps and just manages to hook her fingers over the bar. From there she adjusts her grip of one hand and then the other to give herself a better hold as she hangs from it. Ah-hah, step one conquered! What should step two be?
Even as she ponders this, she listens to Selina with the part of her mind not focused on what she's doing. That woman can sure talk... It's like listening to a distant radio station - most of it's static but you can just make out the important bits. "You think I'd listen to them now?" she asks, her tone indicating that she absolutely wouldn't. Her mother is in prison at least until her twenties and her father even longer, so as far as she's concerned their role in her upbringing is over. After all, it's their fault that her life is so screwed up now.
For a moment she tries to pull herself up higher with her arms, but they're nowhere near strong enough for that so she gives up quickly. But after pondering for a moment, she changes tactics and instead swings a little on the bar to help her bring her legs up and turn upside down. The movement is far from graceful, but she does manage to get one leg past the bar and uses it to help get the other leg in place so that she can hang upside down from her knees. Once she feels secure, she lets her arms dangle a bit to rest them - she's not at all used to these maneuvers and her muscles are screaming at her for it. But it does please her to be able to do more than just hang by her arms - each step here is an accomplishment since she's not really done it before.
Except that hanging upside down like this seems familiar somehow, though she can't immediately place her finger on it. But she interrupts that thought to comment, "That's one reason for the cellphone - so telling you where I'm at is not a big deal." It's actually really irritating to her when everyone feels such a big need to keep tabs on her. Then again, given her past history, she knows that's her fault - they'd be stupid not to worry about that. So she'll comply with that process without raising a fuss about it, but then again the ability to discreetly text that rather than having to ask someone to use their phone for the purpose... yeah, more than a little bit of a necessity in her opinion.
She doesn't see the need to comment otherwise, so she doesn't - it all just sounds... reasonable, really. Provided that Selina actually means what she's saying, anyway - it'll take awhile before the teen's skepticism wears off. Though right now she's more focused on what to do from here - can she do better than hang upside down? Let's see... It's then that it hits her why this seems familiar. "Heh, this reminds me of the jungle gym in elementary school," she comments out loud when she realizes. She'd loved the various ones they'd had, having spent many recesses there. But she'd moved from that school when her parents were arrested, and not long after she was too old. And that was all a third of her life ago, so she only remembers it so distinctly.
Still, now that she's placed why this seems familiar to her, it seems to her that she ought to be able to do more. She can now pull her upper body up to the level of her knees, but no further. It doesn't help that she's in an entirely different shape than she was when she last did something like this - she'd had comparatively shorter limbs, but was also stronger for her size. Mulling this over for a moment, she lets herself drop again so that she's hanging from her knees. Then she swings her upper body back up again, this time putting some momentum and speed behind it, and as her body comes up she pulls on the bar so that it's positioned under her butt instead of behind her knees. She ends up crooked for a moment and she teeters precariously, but she quickly shifts and adjusts to try and find her center of gravity while her hands remain firm on the bar so that she can catch herself if this all goes wrong. But a few very ungraceful movements later and she has her legs counter balancing her upper body as she sits on the bar. And once she's relatively stable - there's just the smallest of wobbles now - she smiles to herself. Okay, that was hard, for her at least, but she did it.
Now what were they talking about? Oh yeah, 'being cool'. "I don't know if you can prove 'cool' - you just are or you aren't," she says with a shrug. She supposes that she'll just have to get to know Selina better first. "And most people just call my 'Charlotte'. I don't like 'Char'. Or 'Lottie'," she adds, her voice suddenly a bit quiet at that last part.
Seeming to be content to sit there and just listen as Selina rambles on about how she's not a bad kid, Charlotte lets herself be reassured that her new guardian gets that. Well, yes, she did a lot of things that were 'wrong', but nothing extremely wrong and only things that she didn't have many better alternatives for. She does find herself starting to formulate some sort of objection to the idea that she's fine to be alone after dark - she'd been living on the streets for pity's sake - but no, even then she'd known to stick to safer places that she was very familiar with at night and that was perhaps the homeless equivalent of being home by curfew.
As Selina begins to list off the things that Charlotte may have meant about hypocrisy, she holds her tongue for a moment as that's not quite what she meant but the things that Selina are saying are important she guesses, so she'll let her finish that first. Well, except that last bit causes the teen to visibly cringe. Really? She went there? "Um, I meant stuff more like lying, breaking promises, shit like that..." she comments, trying to get as far away from that other topic as quickly as possible. She doesn't want to touch that with a ten foot pole!
Luckily, Selina doesn't seem inclined to say more than she already has on the subject and instead moves onto the next one. And once again she just silently agrees. Well, except that when Selina says that she's seeing two men - that prompts a roll of the eyes, which prompts a slight loss of balance that she hastily corrects. Okay, she shouldn't do that while she's sitting on the bar... Which is why she doesn't roll her eyes when Selina says that she won't freak out - heh, we'll see...
The subject of friends though gets a slight frown. Oh, everything will be fine with that so long as Selina proves to be the kind of adult she's comfortable introducing her friends to, but she doesn't know that yet so that could be trouble. But she doesn't ponder that for long because they're suddenly talking about sex again. Ugh... She suddenly sighs and lets herself fall backward, letting her legs complete the rotation and then letting go of the bar so that she ends up doing an easy backflip and lands on the ground. It's not that hard of a move - she used to do it all the time on the playground - so she sticks the landing.
But rather than congratulating herself on that, she's too busy trying to get herself to say, "Look, I'm only saying this once: I've never been kissed. Like, for real, I mean. Okay?" Which she's actually pretty embarrassed to admit but... well, if it stops Selina from bringing that up again it's worth it. It's all just... way premature, at least to her perspective. One step at a time and all that.
Then, as if to distance herself from the awkward, she sits back down so that she can tackle the rest of her fries and milkshake. Luckily, what's going in her room is something she wants to talk about. Well, except for one snag. "I really don't know," she responds, grimacing to herself before adding, "I mean, I don't know, um, my options. I've never picked before." And that's really kind of a frustrating situation to be in, actually.
As Selina brings up Bruce Wayne again Charlotte frowns and has to ask, "Why does my opinion about him even matter?" It seems kind of random to her.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 30, 2013 4:36:46 GMT -5
No, she doesn't think she'd listen to her 'parents' or really anyone that doesn't pass her muster at the moment, but she lets the girls' words slip. "No, but that's a different point. I'm not going to hinder you from speaking to them, but I'm not going to let them influence you. Hence why I am your legal guardian at the moment." And why she's tiptoeing into dangerous territory with what she is going to tall 'good, bad, right, and wrong.' But if Bruce Wayne-cum-Batman can take in boys, then she sure as shit can take in a girl in need of guidance, instead of teaching some 12 year old boy how to ....kick ass and take names?
Whatever.
Bruce has his own set of issues. Subscriptions, even. But she's not one to judge when she has her own issues to glance at as well. Clearing her throat, she continues on a rather delicate topic. The nuances of guiding and directing a teen, without...being a parent, but being a confidant. Hell, she never liked it easy, did she.
"Hence why I'm trying to ...guide you where they couldn't. I'm not going to ever replace them, nor would I want to. But I may have a better worldview in making decisions." She adds softly. She had a loving family at one point, and lost it, creating her own, and finding that tiny slip of space she could be alive in, and live in, without compromising who she had made herself to be. And while those choices did complicate life, it was never something she'd had ever regretted.
"Bingo. It seems we're on the same page, after all. I just seem to be a bit more verbose than you." As she watches the girl, she can see that tiny spark in her eyes. "It's...a part of a jungle gym, I just thought it may be a bit too obvious to have all of it in my bedroom, where people may think I'm a bit more ...eccentric that I already am. I have a gym I go to where I practice, no questions are asked, we can go, if you want. I'd gladly show you the routine I did..." she adds quietly, foraging into a tentative place she has never really ventured to prior. ACtivity was her release, something she had been forced to refine, and do silently to reach those loftier goals. Perhaps it will be something that the two can bond over, perhaps. But as Charlotte yammers on, something Selina isn't about to do a damn thign to stop, she watches the girl with a keen eye, noting her muscle memory kicking in, and the skills she has already flow back into her. The girl has potential, that is clear, and has some level of fearlessness. Gumption, too. But she's had the practice on the bars before, which is more than Selina could've ever asked for. Sometimes gut instincts and intuition are worth listening to.
And she has to agree. While being 'cool' is something that is more demonstrated than explained, Selina nods at the disliked affectations. "Those are both pretty vile, sad to say. I'll have to think on it, and let you know if anything comes to mind." And as much as she wants to let the words, the syllables flow off her lips, she knows it's too early. Push too hard at times, and things can break, especially the tenous fibers of trust, and connection they're forgaging. And sometimes too much, too fast, could wreck the fact that Selina Kyle -is- more than some eclectic 'lady' and in all reality, lives and breathes her feline namesake.
As she went on to talk about after-dark goings on, it's not the fact the girl screams out 'FOR SERIOUSLY?!' but the fact her face scrunches up that tells Selina she's not hugely a fan of the thought. So instead she offers up another alternative. "Well, if there are places you like to go, if I'm able to see them, visit, canvas, if you like, they could be agreed upon places. Like I said, rules are just meant to be broken."
It's Charlotte's tone next that says more than she could've ever wanted. No boys are currently in the picture. AT least not romantically. "Well, lying, breaking promises, and all that shit, I don't handle well." Not 'tolerate,' but...Selina doesn't do well with them. A man should say what he means, and mean what he says. "Integrity is something I value highly. But deception, well, that's not going to get you many places." But..if it's used correctly, it will get you to all the places, and ones you may never have even thought of. But that's an entirely different lesson for an entirely different day.
It's the slight eyeroll, and the relaxation that catches her attention. Either Charlotte is paying attention to what she's doing, or she's not, and well, they may, or may not be making a visit to the ER in a few minutes pending the girl's reaction time. So while she files away the eyeroll and what it means, Selina also gives a rather admiring head nod to the dismount, and landing. "I'll make an appointment at the gym for you." Taking a rather calm sip of her milkshake, she nods again, in admiration. Setting down her drink, she herself jumps from a standing position, and nearly mimicks Charlotte's dismount, but stops, pausing as she gives a bit of instruction. "At this point, arms should have been tucked a bit more. And here..." Leaning back almost to the point it would be impossible to hold the nearly-falling backward position, Selina continues to narrate as she falls backward, "Tuck your legs, and you'll get a better rotation, so you can land on both feet." The rotation was a bit neater, and Selina lands silently on both feet; barefoot even, near the girl.
"You're good. And, well, when it gets to that point, it gets to that point. I can get you what you need, when you need it." Shrugging, she pads off and goes to drape herself in one of the chairs in her room, picking up her tablet and queing up a few things.
Raising a brow, she offers a cheshire grin. "Because in my world, Bruce Wayne is someone you're going to run into, time and time again, Ms. Geier. And come over here, I have a few things I need your opinion on."
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