[Audio]

[librariansheart]

[Sheska's sounding a little breathless and wilted at the moment.]

I'm sorry to interrupt your weekend, but I thought everyone should know... The release list has arrived. Since the two officer who would normally be in charge of this sort of thing are out of commission for the moment I, um, I thought I'd give everyone the bad news. S-so here it goes.

The released persons over the last month include:

America Chavez
Aradia Megido
Archer
Billy Kaplan
Damian Wayne
Hanamura Yosuke
Ian Yorkland
Jason Todd
Link
Namine
Peter Parker
Ryu
Sif
Stephanie Brown
Terra
Texas
Thor Odinson
Tommy Shepherd
Vanitas
Wally West
Yatogami Kuroh


I... I'm sorry. If there are any questions I can answer, I'll do my best. [A thoughtful beat.] Unless it's about the heat or the air conditioning, because I'm afraid the police don't know anything about that, and are suffering as well. It's not something we can fix, unfortunately.

Comments

[librariansheart]

It's not easy. Most days it's a challenge just to remember to smile at whoever comes in. But it's not their fault that we're stuck here. Not the average person's. You can't take it out on them.

So you find other reasons to smile. The laugh of a loved one. The excitement of a child on seeing a puppy at the shelter. A bird singing its heart out to the dawn. The way someone's face lights up when you bring them a snack in the middle of a busy work day. Little things. Just enough to remind you that it's not all bad.

[peckish4action]

... oh, I can smile when I have to. I mean, I grew up as a circus artist, you've got to learn to do that.

[Whether or not you're happy.]

But those are... beautiful things. Yes.

[librariansheart]

[Gently.]

I guess I meant more to be able to smile and mean it. Or let the smile you put on for others reach you as much as them. You don't have to mean it at first, but just be open to the idea that it can be a good day. Sometimes you just have to forcibly make it one.

[peckish4action]

The show must go on.

... I hope you know the song, anyway.

But the point is, when you're up on the trapezes, flying under the big top, your smile has to reach people. That's all.

[librariansheart]

I don't, but I know the sentiment. Sometimes that's all you can do. And no matter how frustrating it is, at least you're helping brighten someone else's day.

...Do you miss it? Being in the circus?

[peckish4action]

Every day.

[... and, attached, a video of Show Must Go On. Because some songs, Dick Grayson has on his own smartphone from home, and he's figured out how to transfer it to the New Moore device. Hackers, man.]

[ Private ]

[librariansheart]

I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked. I'm Sheska. Am I right in thinking that you're Mr. Grayson? Tim's brother?

[ Private ]

[peckish4action]

It's okay. I mean, it's been over five years, it's not like...

[... nope, moving on to the other question. More brightly.]

Yeah, that's me. Though call me Dick, it's really weird to call Tim Tim and me Mr. Grayson. Nice to meet you, Sheska.

[ Private ]

[librariansheart]

[...Yep, just leaving that one alone. If he wants to talk about it, he will. So instead she laughs a little sheepishly.]

I'm sorry. Dick, then. I didn't want to be impolite, but I've worked with Tim long enough that he's broken me of the habit of calling him Mr. Drake, mostly. It's nice to meet you too! I'm glad he has some family with him right now. He tries so hard all the time. Are you both holding up all right?

[ Private ]

[peckish4action]

Oh! It's not about being impolite, it's just weird, so thanks!

And... yeah. I think we are. I mean, what can we do exactly?

... wait, where are you, or were you, working with Tim?