IC CONTACT - MASK OR MENACE

[performance]

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[performance]

... yeah. Sorry. Guess that just slipped out. Thanks, Power Girl.

Do you think I should talk to Superboy? Or are you on it?

[boobwindow]

No problem. It's okay... Crane really screwed up some things for us for a while there.

You know... it might not be a bad idea. We've already spoken, but Superboy and I have never been close to be perfectly honest. If there is anything bothering him that he's let slip to Crane, maybe he'll be able to tell you.

[performance]

Jeez, I'd hope he'd tell one of us first...

[boobwindow]

I know it must put you both in an awkward situation -- both of you being from different worlds.

[performance]

I've gotten used to it, more or less. It's just— this one's very different.

[boobwindow]

This Superboy?

[performance]

Yeah. He's, uh...

... perkier.

[boobwindow]

He's... from an earlier timeline. I know, it's very... retro.

[performance]

Is that why? I thought it was just— I don't know, a 90s dimension...

[boobwindow]

He grows out of it...?

[performance]

Is it weird for you? People you know being younger than they should be?

[boobwindow]

[ She doesn't answer right away, wondering how she should. ]

Honestly?

[performance]

Please honestly.

I mean, if you're willing.

[boobwindow]

It's a little weird. I've had time to adjust, though.

Not the first time I've been somewhere where things weren't what I was used to.

[performance]

I guess that's just one of those job hazards, huh?

I know it'd be stupid to apologize for something like that, but I still kinda feel bad.

[boobwindow]

Why?

[performance]

[ A slightly uncomfortable pause. He feels silly even saying it, but... ]

I just want to be the best version of myself I can be. I keep— I keep hearing stories about everything I turn out to be, everything I mean to all these different people, and sometimes I think maybe, you know, he's the one who should be here. And I know that sounds like I'm getting down on myself, but I'm not. I'm confident, I like who I am, I just... it's a weird kind of pressure, trying to live up to myself.

[ snort. ] Alternate universes, right?

[boobwindow]

[ She can completely empathize, too. Her counterpart will be right there when she goes home, sometimes a reminder she'll never be exactly who she wants to be.

She has to learn to live with that. ]

Well, he's not here and that's fine. I think we're lucky to have any Robin, so don't feel you've got to compete with yourself. Trust me, it's not a path you want to set yourself on.

[performance]

... Thank you for saying that. I know it's no good to dwell on hypotheticals, and— sorry for dumping that on you when you already have enough to deal with.

[boobwindow]

It's alright and honestly? Don't let anyone make you feel you need to live up to some other version of yourself out there and that includes me.

[performance]

I'll try. And I'll get in touch with Superboy.

I'm glad we talked. I know it's been a while, but... I'd like to get to know you better. Be someone other people can rely on.

[boobwindow]

Anytime, Robin. I think you're doing just fine.