tushanshu | video; dated to not much after the exploration team's return

Current Mood: cranky

Entry tags:

video; dated to not much after the exploration team's return

[ Damian's a little pale, but composed enough. Only something in his eyes seems a little too tired for a twelve-year-old. ]

For those who got to know him here, Bean is no longer in Keeliai. If he has undertaken any obligations, I shall do my best to honor them in his stead.

Damian Wayne out.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Shit. First Bruce, now apparently this friend of Damian's. She flips on a light encryption, not because she's expecting deep secrets but just for a little privacy.]

Hey. Sorry to hear that. Were you two close? [Of course they were, if Damian's taking on obligations. But it's a start.]

[ And he can't even really tell people about his Father's absence, yet, since 'Bruce Wayne' is still right there. Sort of. ]

[ Damian gives a sharp, small nod. 'Close,' for his values of it, certainly covers what he and Bean were. ]

After his older friend - who was my age - disappeared, I invited Bean to live with me, which he has been doing since.

[ He couldn't just. Let him go, alone, the way he was. And he had no reason to regret the choice, either. ]

[That inability to talk about Bruce's disappearance is part of why she replied. At least he could talk about this.

She winces.] Ouch. Yeah, I-- know how that goes. Nice of you to take him in like that. A kid as young as he is shouldn't be on his own.

[Lois Lane seal of approval for you, Bitty!Bat.]

[ Thank you, Lois. His words most of the time notwithstanding, he is trying to do the right things. ]

It is not that he could not have made it on his own. But he was - it was a bad time, for him.

[ He was never going to see his friend again back home, either. ]

[ After a moment, Damian shakes himself from memory, and eyes the face on the screen. ]

Are you in need of ... something?

[ He's not mentioning about the fact that she is still on her own, either. ]

Just because he could doesn't mean he should.

[It's said firmly, with all the conviction of a woman strong enough to handle marriage to Superman and refuse to take crap from Batman.

On the other hand, it also holds all the obliviousness that it might apply to her current state as she once had to certain secret identities.]

Hmm? No, thanks. I'm generally pretty good. Just worry about yourself, okay? And let me know if you need anything.

[She's a total hypocrite. She looks exhausted.]

>Tt.< And what determines that?

[ Damian's question is half skeptical and half genuinely curious. Since he can certainly not tell, and he's not sure about anyone who could. And, yet, there are kids like Bean, like Colin back home, who are far more than meets the eye. Could they sit by and watch the world pass by until they're 'old enough'? Damian doubts it. ]

[ And he's also totally unimpressed by her reassurance of her well-being. Should he have called on her sooner? Probably, but he's been too shaken - and not a little angry at her husband - for that to actually occur to him before. ]

[ He opens his mouth to argue, then swallows, reconsiders his approach. Skimming over the fact that he's still living with Dick, he shrugs. ]

Perhaps I could take you out for dinner?

That a kid is a kid no matter what. I don't care what kind of hell or drama or craziness a kid has to deal with, it shouldn't be alone.

[Some of this may be bitterness towards her own father, who was never supportive and often absent. But she genuinely believes it.

Frankly, Lois doesn't really expect people to check up on her. Even after a year and a half in this place, it doesn't outweigh years of living in Metropolis where there aren't nearly as many people who would keep an eye on her like this.

So she's rather startled by the offer, and laughs.]

Keep that up and you'll turn into as much a charmer as [oh wait bad idea] the rest of your family.

[So maybe she nearly said 'your father.' But Dick is too, and Steph, and Tim. Good cover, right? ...right?]

Edited (i can close html tags, promise) 2014-03-21 20:51 (UTC)

I would disagree.

[ Alone is safer - when nearly everybody you've spent time with between the ages three and a half and ten has tried to kill you. Or worse, you've had to. ]

But few people are me, and, in most cases, yes' that sounds appropriate.

[ Then his eyebrows rise. That's not how he meant it, but he'll take the shift of topic. Though the suggestion makes him relax and shift just a little, stepping into the 'son of Brucie Wayne' persona. The next words are far from teasing, but definitely, well, less choppy than before. ]

[ And, yes, he does appreciate what she doesn't say. ]
That was not quite an answer.

[Clearly this is touching on subjects that are best not discussed over the network, at least not with this low an encryption if at all. Besides, she hadn't meant to open up an old wound.

But ignoring emotional trauma to play up to a Wayne pulling that particular act? She's so used to that routine that it's almost relaxing, in a way, and she laughs.]

As many food offers as I'm getting lately, I'm starting to wonder if Clark's told someone he thinks he's not feeding me enough.

[Translation: Has Clark put all you Bats and other assorted family members up to feeding me while he's in jail? I suspect a conspiracy.

The rest of her response, however, is sincere.]

I'd be honored.

[ Less of a problem with releasing information over the network and more not willing to waste time to discuss it. Or think on it too much. ]

[ He does raise his eyebrows in mild confusion. ]

I have not discussed the matter with him. Should I have?

[ No, Lois, you just look a little - more out of it than just knowing your husband is in prison should result in. But Damian nods, mollified by the phrasing even if he is aware there has to be a trace of irony in it, too. ]

When will it be convenient?

[Lois really hopes that confusion is general, which is why her response is immediate and quite hasty.]

No, no, that's totally okay. No need to bother him with it.

[Lois and Clark are complicated, and her feelings for him run so deep they are nearly unhealthy. On the other hand, so are his for her, and as neither of them is the type to take back seat in any relationship... well, it keeps them from being totally non-functional.]

Whenever, really, outside standard business hours. I don't really have-- many constraints right now.

[ Eyebrow still up, but, after a moment, he inclines his head in assent. ]

Then I shall pick you up after standard business hours tomorrow.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

video; dated to not much after the exploration team's return

[Video, basic encryption]

[Video, basic encryption]

[Video, basic encryption]

[Video, basic encryption]

[Video, basic encryption]

[Video, basic encryption]

[Video, basic encryption]

[Video, basic encryption] CW: Damian's messed up past.

[Video, basic encryption]

[Video, basic encryption]

[Video, basic encryption]

[Video, basic encryption]