exsilium | 001 [Video]

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001 [Video]

[Lily's still nervous, even after discovering that she's free of that underground facility. Not only does she not know what happened to her fellow test subjects, but it's a big change, and there will still be fighting. Will she accidentally hurt someone? She hopes not. She flips on the video feed. There are two things worth noting about the young girl's features. The first is that her eyes are yellow. Perhaps the most notable, however, is the metal collar around her neck. It doesn't look like jewelry.]

I just have a question for everyone. What do you do to relax when you're scared or upset?

[She doesn't want to mention the extent of her problems, but she shouldn't lie either. So she just won't say anything if she's not comfortable talking about it, or she'll change the subject. That usually works for her.]

This place is very different than what I'm used to, so I'd really appreciate any suggestions. Oh! And I'm also looking for flowers. The place I lived in didn't have any, and I've always wanted to smell real flowers. Thank you for your time.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

You don't need to do anything you don't want to.

I want to help people...and the only thing I'm really good at is fighting. I don't mind if I get sent to fight, as long as that's not all that I do.

[ This is very worrisome. ]

There are plenty of other ways without having to fight.

I don't stay hurt, though. It's okay if I have to do some fighting. I've had a lot of training.

What do you mean?

My injuries heal right away and I've been fighting monsters as part of my training since I was small. I know how to shoot a gun, and I can take one apart and put it back together again.

[ At length: ]

What were you trained for? And who trained you?

[It takes Lily nearly a minute to answer. There's a lot of uncomfortable fidgeting as she debates how much she should really say.]

For war, I think. She called us wonderful weapons.

[ She evaluates her for another moment before her own expression eases into another soft one. ]

It's okay. No one's going to call you that here or hurt you.

[ It's a terrible promise to make, but she's Batwoman damn it, it's her duty to ensure kids like Lily are safe. ]

I'll meet you downstairs in ten minutes?

[That almost sounds too good to be true, but perhaps Kate is just referring to the people who live here. Lily's pretty sure the enemy will still try to hurt her. That's what people do in war, right? Still, she smiles appreciatively at Kate's words.]

All right. I'll see you in ten minutes. Thank you again.

[ She offers a small nod and disconnects, slipping the tablet away into the pocket of her hoodie and heading down to the promised meeting place. She stands with her arms out and the sweater unzipped to convey she has nothing to hide from the young girl. She doesn't want to frighten her or make her feel she can't trust anyone here, after all. ]

[Lily does take note that there's no obvious weapons on Kate, even though she trusted her to meet her in the first place. She's thankful for that small consideration. It helps to put her at ease.]

Hello.

[She offers a cheerful smile. Some of it is genuine, and some of it is simply her reflex to offer an assurance that she's fine regardless of how she feels inside.]

I'm really looking forward to seeing the library. Is it very big?

[ Kate returns the smile, soft and serene. She's so tiny and blond, but the collar stands out and she eyes it momentarily. ]

It's pretty big; lots of books to choose from. They only seem to have old movies, but there are good ones.

[ She then gestures to the young girl's neck. ]

Do you need to take that off?

[Lily's hands immediately go up protectively around the collar.]

No!

[When she speaks again, she's a little calmer, but still agitated.]

It can't come off.

[Taking a few deep breaths, she forces herself to calm down, and she brushes some of her hair aside, showing Kate the back of her neck. The collar is embedded into the base of her neck, right where the spine is.]

It's attached right into my spine.

[ She's taken aback by her defensive reaction and raises her arms in mock surrender, trying to soothe the young girl's concerns over. Kate shakes her head, although she eyes the collar once more now knowing that it's connected to Lily's body. ]

Was that done back home?

[ She can't think of a way to remove something as thick as that without knowing how deeply embedded in her spine it is. She could wind up paralyzing her if she attempted to or worse. ]

[She's put more at ease when Kate moves her hands away. Lily has to take a moment to think about that question.]

I've had it as long as I can remember. I'd say I was born that way, except my first memories are of when I was about five...

[ She turns to lead Lily in the direction of the library. ]

Does it hurt?

[Lily shakes her head.]

No...it probably hurt whenever it was put in, but I don't remember ever not having it.

[She continues following along after Kate.]

[ She watches the young girl from the corner of her peripheral vision, while her brow wrinkles in deep thought. ]

Do you want it off?

If I could have it off without it killing me or doing any permanent damage, sure. Or even if I could change it so only the part at my spine was there...

[She did have to factor the collar in when dressing, and no one else seemed to wear one.]

If I can't have it off, I think I'd like to put a scarf around it. I think it would look prettier.

[ Well, no need to try and sugarcoat any of this, then. She nods as they continue down the halls. ]

If you want someone in the clinic can take a look at it later. They won't hurt you; it'll just be an examination.

[ As for a scarf, as Kate is a billionaire heiress back home she has enough clothes to make someone's head spin. She tries to picture one on Lily and then a colour that would match with her. ]

I only have a black one and it's not in the best condition, but lavender would probably go best with you. Or pink.

Will you be there to make sure they're only doing an examination? I...I don't really like doctors.

[Her "mother" called herself a doctor, after all.]

I do like purple.

[ Kate hates being in hospitals and clinics, too, so she understands to a degree Lily's uneasiness. ]

If you'd like. Would you prefer a female or male doctor?

[ She's a girl, so she assumes a woman would help her feel better, but who really knows. ]

Okay, I'll try to nab one in the city for you.

Male, please. Or if it's a female doctor, one that doesn't have curly blonde hair.

[Cue Lily's hands flailing. Being shown around is one thing, but being given gifts...]

You don't have to do that. I can earn the money to buy myself one.

Alright.

[ That's pretty specific, but she'll abide by it and leave questions for later.

She points down the hall now as the get closer to the library; the doors leading inside not too far from them. ]

It's nothing. I can probably barter for a scarf, too.

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