tushanshu | [video]

[When the video opens on Bruce, much of his 'friendly neighborhood playboy' demeanour is muted. He looks a little more serious than normal, though his tone and expression remain congenial enough.]

As some of you may have noticed, passports have been delivered to our suites. It's very likely that these herald another landfall, and given the fact that our population is significantly increased from what it was in November, I'd like to warn people about what we might encounter.

[Attached is a file, landfall.doc. It contains things like details on the llothi, the mausoleum, the ruins, the temperature, sorts of plants found, soil samples, etc.]

You have Miranda Lawson to thank for those. Sadly, she's no longer among us, but I doubt she'd want her research to go to waste.

[A slight pause, barely notable before he continues.]

And that brings me to my second point of business. At one time, a foreigner was keeping a list of people we might be looking for in the event that they arrive. However, I think it's past due we started a compilation of the names of those that have left us. Since disappearing from this place seems an almost instantaneous process, it could be weeks or even months before we become aware of some people's departure, and I believe that process is best expedited for everyone's sake. Most recently, at least to my knowledge, we've lost Miranda Lawson, Favrielle nό Eglantine and Lina Inverse.

[Not mentioning Jason Todd? Not mentioning Jason Todd.]

I'd appreciate any other names you might have.

Additionally, given the current state of Keeliai, I think it's an opportune time to rekindle the idea for a Foreigner-lead council. Councilman Tarrlok, a word to that effect? I think an elected representative from each Sector would be a good place to start.

And if there is anyone well-suited to the role, I'm happy to hold nominations.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Flippantly,] I'm sure they exist. Have you been to Gotham? I think there were actually people there that appreciated the Quake.

[An off-hand reference to something that she hasn't experienced. That none of them really have, though Dick knows about it now. It's one more way of ferreting out how much information he's told her.]

I'm not even sure I'll leave. I've had enough of sight-seeing in locales that don't have a five star resort.

[Off-hand, but curious enough to capture her immediate attention.]

"Quake"? You mean, like an earthquake?

I don't remember Gotham having one of those recently.

It wasn't recent for me. It destroyed the majority of the city. Gotham was effectively declared a No Man's Land by the American government and cut off from aid and relief funding.

[... and despite the fact that he sounds fairly calm about that, Zatanna probably knows him well enough by now to recognize the iron-edged anger simmering just below the surface about that little debacle. Say what you will about Bruce Wayne: billionaire, but he loves his city.]

Edited (redundant statement) 2013-04-23 22:07 (UTC)

[She does. That eery calm, with dark undertones. Yelling and lectures, she could always handle. But during those rare moments whenever her father turned that same voice on her? She'd fall as quiet as she did pale.]

[Even now...though she knew the tone wasn't directed at her...Zatanna could feel a small shiver run down her spine from the lingering memory.]

R-right.

Must be another multiverse thing, because I definitely would've remembered hearing about something like that. If not in school, then from my dad. He used to spend a lot of time in Gotham.

It's possibly it hasn't happened yet for you. My son, Dick, was in his twenties then.

[Which he definitely wasn't now.]

I can't imagine how weird that must be for you.

[Having Dick suddenly 14 again.]

[...actually, no, she could imagine. Somewhat. Maybe not from the same perspective as he, but there were plenty of instances thus far where she'd encountered Differences.]

Is he about the same here as the Dick you know back home?

[Just curious.]

Mostly, yes.

[It's provided him with a great many opportunities he wouldn't otherwise have. To try and mend things, approach certain situations in Dick's life that he didn't or couldn't before. He wouldn't trade it for anything, but it's still difficult. On both of them.]

Hmm.

[She looks contemplative for a moment. The question was actually less about Dick himself than the ongoing notion of multiples and alternate universes and the like. After several conversations with people from this other world--most noticably, Kyle--she was starting to come to terms with this other self of hers. But she would never not be curious.]

I wonder how much about your world is also about the same....

I'd be happy to compare notes when I've got more time. I confess, it's quite a novelty. I'd never even considered the possibility of alternate worlds before.

[He is a lying liar that lies. But damned if he isn't charming while he does it.]

[Very charming. And charm just happens to sometimes maybe work on her a little.]

I'd like that.

Maybe over coffee or cocoa or something?

It's a deal. Just name the time and place.

Maybe sometime after landfall?

[She assumes, of course, that she'll be preoccupied with visits and making more potential contacts.]

I know this one shop in Fire. I stop by there for tea every other morning, but all their drinks are pretty good. They have benches and tables outside for people to sit at. It's both public and private all in one.

[He gives the pretense of having to think about this a moment, and then an enlightened nod.]

I know the place. Three days after we disembark, I'll meet you there just before noon.

It's a date.

[Only not really.]

[Because that would just be awkward.]

[And more than a little creepy.]

[She just means it as a figure of speech.]

Three Days. High Noon. Cafe.

I'll be there.

[He manages not to grimace at her phrasing, and then nods, lifts a hand in a farewell wave and cuts the feed.]