kingfishers | I saw the long distance fall

[ the water darkens, fouled by what they carried with them. he busies himself getting ends of his cape clean. alfred isn't handy to help him; he can't call on lucius for a replacement. once more, he owns nothing but what he carries on his back.

he will make it be enough. ]

Makes no difference if it did, [ he says evenly. ] My past is mine.

[ almost thirty years have edified him. it's his in a way little else is because he has not made a monument of the rest. his to remember and his to regret. ]

[That gets Damian's attention and he fixes his gaze on Batman's back. It's a sentiment he can understand and it's not one he ever expected Batman to agree with.

It is still besides the point, but it catches his attention none the less.

It's not that surprising that Batman trained with the League of Assassins though Damian knows their training would have been very different. Bruce would have trained under Ra's without ever intending to become like him. He would have used him to acquire his skills and knowledge. Ra's would have allowed it out of respect for the man. It's possible that things had gone differently in another universe but he can't see it deviating too much. The League would always be the League and Batman would always be Batman.

His gauntlets are left to the side as he scrubs at his discarded boots with hands and fingernails. He remains silent, nothing to say now that he knows Batman will keep his secret.]

Edited 2015-02-21 17:42 (UTC)

[ he doesn't need to look to be aware of damian. despite jokes to the contrary, most of them alfred, bruce can read a situation. the tension in the small bathroom is palpable despite the open lack of hostility. bruce has no idea how to deal with it and since one coping mechanism ( intimidation and threats ) isn't appllicable here, he opts for his other solution to life's problems: ignoring it.

his cape is removed, the excess water drained from it. he picks up damian's cape next to repeat the action. it also gives him the chance to study it a little closer. while wringing the water out of the tough fabric, he regards damian. ]

Do you still want to go back?

[He never wanted to go back, he only wanted to be away from Bruce. Now that his anger has died down, it doesn't matter. Besides, Batman would obviously insist on accompanying him.]

That would be a waste of time. I assume you'll want to see the library? As our time is limited, it may be best to go there first.

[ after snapping the cape open, he slides it around damian's shoulders. the similarities between the boy's armor and his own help; he affixes the cape without difficulty. then he stands. ]

Once you're finished, we'll go.

[ he leaves the little bathroom without another word. ]

[What is he-oh. He stands there for a moment, trying to comprehend what just happened. That was entirely unnecessary, he knew how to dress himself. Of course it happened too fast for him to protest it. That's the only thing that kept him from lashing out. By the time he's formed a decent scathing retort, Batman is already out the door.

After a beat, Damian kneels to lace his boots and when he's done he exits the room to go and find Batman, pausing only a moment to tug his cape down an inch.]

Edited 2015-02-22 04:13 (UTC)

[ he's outside, standing like a sentry on the sidewalk. once damian is close enough to hear, he cants his head. ]

Lead the way.

[Well that's a change. One that he isn't going to acknowledge because he doesn't need permission. It won't take them long to get to the library and the walk over is fairly uneventful. The monsters never do leave the tunnels after all.

He stops when they get to the building, motioning towards it with his head.]

We're here.

[ he proceeds into the building without a word. as his steps disturb the floor, a faint cloud of dust suffuses the air. the cause becomes very obvious very soon: when he lifts a book, the pages crumble as if they had aged a thousand years in a second. he returns the empty cover to its place on the shelf.

turning smoothly on his heel, he slips between the stacks like a shadow. someone had been smart: information was carved into the walls themselves. some more recent. some much older. kneeling on the ground, he passes gloves fingers over a message clearly written by a child. he remains there for a moment, head bowed, before getting up and walking away.

the second floor proves no different, except replacing fiction for non-fiction. the third is full of computers. the soft flashing glow of 'no network' illuminates his face when he turns one on. he pulls a tower forward to examine the cables behind it. once finished, he slides it back into place. ]

[Damian follows at his own pace, occasionally stopping to check something out for himself. It crosses his mind that he could likely leave now and get enough of a head start that Batman would not catch him, but it now seems like too much effort.

When Batman enters the third floor, Damian remains on the second. He's tempted to retrieve his charcoal and sketch pages from where they're hidden in one of the walls, but he doesn't dare risk Batman catching him. Checking on them will have to wait until he's back here alone. Instead he finds a book in Cantonese that he can flip through if he is extremely careful and he begins skimming the pages.]

[ and then batman comes down and, finding damian reading, waits there observing the child until he's noticed.

I am depressed about lego movie not being nominated, this is the realest tag you'll ever get. ]

[There are very few people who can get away with observing Damian without his notice. Batman is of course, one of those people. While he remains unaware he continues to flip through the book, but after a short time he puts it down, frowning and muttering to himself.] Children's drivel...

[Another minute passes before he picks up on his silent audience and his shoulders tighten as he straightens up before turning in Batman's direction.]

Finished?

I am.

[ but if damian would like to continue reading "children's drivel," he will certainly not disagree… ]

[He stands, carefully closing the decaying book and replacing it on the shelf.]

It is easier to find clothing in Haven north. Unless you had other ideas, I suggest you gather some while we are here. Have you decided yet on your identity?

[ he doesn't smile. not even a twitch to signify how funny he finds the kid. ]

I have clothes.

Fine. [If he wanted to wear the same clothing constantly then that was his perogative.]

And the matter of your identity?

[ excuse, he appropriated a few ( actually coordinating ) outfits from the church. the goddamn bruce wayne doesn't go poor like normal people. ]

I'm keeping mine.

[His entire body stiffens and he turns to look at him.]

I see. You understand that there are those here who are familiar with Bruce Wayne and may make the connection with his timely appearance coinciding with Batman’s?

[ 1) don't say his name while he's wearing the suit
2) the most judgmental silence of "do you really think I haven't considered the possibilities and already have a plan in place?" ]

[This whole 'not talking and communicating through only a single look' is going to get old very fast. For not the first time, Damian wonders how the hell Grayson ever worked so closely with this man (no matter that he's not exactly the same Bruce Wayne) for so long.

Damian ignores the look and walks ahead of him.]

[ the return trip is just as silent. he had wanted to visit east, but that had been before the smallest and angriest munchkin signed up for the outing.

they find less animals this time. the answer soon becomes clear. when they reach the louse carcass, it bears clear signs of being ravaged by other creatures. hissing and the glint of eyes in the darkness provide further support. wordlessly, he picks up damian ( and his cape ) in order to get cleanly past it.

he lingers by the entrance of the subway, his cape fluttering softly around his ankles. he slips what looks like a slender black rectangle from his belt and holds it out for damian to take. ]

I've already tested it. Use it only for conversations not to be trusted to the phones. [ a sleek walkie-talkie with only one button on its face. ] Keep it on you or with the other Robin. There's only one but it's for both of your use.

[There is minimal grumbled protest when Batman lifts him again, but let's be honest. As Robin, Damian is willing to get down and dirty if it's necessary to complete a mission, but being willing and not caring are not at all the same thing.

When they reach the end of the subway and Batman offers him the walkie-talkie, he takes it and slips it into his belt, nodding at the explanation. Already he's planning to hand it off to Grayson. He was more likely to use it (and far more likely to need it as far as Damian is concerned.)]

Understood. We're in twenty-five, room one. [He begins to turn and then stops, hesitating before choosing to speak.]

Batman...

Edited 2015-03-02 03:04 (UTC)

Yes?

Robin-the other Robin-you're important to him. You might not be from our universe, but you're the same man, and he needs...he needs Batman. Even if he intends not to, he'll look to you for guidance and acceptance. [His eyes remain masked but they bore into the bat cowl with an unwavering gaze.]

Don't let him down. [It's not fair to Batman and he couldn't care less. Grayson was needy in a way that Damian never would be, and Bruce was the father to him that he had yet to be to Damian-time and circumstances had never worked in their favor. Whatever Grayson intended, he would end up looking to this man, of that, Damian was sure.

And if there is a subtle implication in the statement that Damian doesn't need him, well, he isn't going to protest it.]

[ whatever he think of this request, there's no sign; he has always and will always play his cards close to his chest, even from those he trusts.

a little pause follows, then, ] Get some rest, Robin.

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littlestguano - 2015-03-02 03:55 (UTC) - Expand