tushanshu | video.

[For someone who's just found himself the winner of a cheap turtle cruise, Scott looks pretty calm sitting in his suite with his chin propped on the palm of his hand. He's skimmed the console posts and wheedled tiny bits of information from the kedan. He knows something is up with the turtle. ]

God only knows I deserve a vacation on a tropical turtle paradise right about now, but usually when I take my days off I like them sunny, not sickly. [Here he straightens, features losing some of their humor.] I know I'm the new guy around here, but if there's anything I can do to help, let me know.

[Admittedly, this might not be his best move considering he still has no idea why or by whom he was brought here, but no one's killed him (yet) so Scott's taking that as a good sign.]

Oh, and.

[The levity's back in his voice now but it's harder, more forced, and anyone paying attention can hear the undercurrent of worry slowly rising to the surface. He's already asked Tea but she'd only been one person and this turtle place is massive. Can't hurt to ask around more.]

If anyone's seen a group of nine kids - including two fish kids and a head in a jar - I'd also like to know, thanks. You can't miss 'em. Really.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Interest? Who cared about what he's interested in when they were training him? (Hint: not his mother.)]

Usually, I suppose they do.

[But I am not usual hangs in the air at the end of that statement. Yes, abnormal covers it.]

And, no, there are not. There has been at least one so-called 'movie night' - I am guessing using the smartphones of one or more of the people attending it.

What kind of movie night is that?

[There's an edge of disdain at the thought of using smartphones to display movies. What good is watching movies if it's not being shown on a huge screen and there isn't loads and loads of popcorn readily available.l

Still, it's a rhetorical question and Scott doesn't dwell on it too long.]

So, if movie nights are too childish for you [or whatever word Damian wants to use] what do you do in your free time then?

[Unmoved shrug]

One involving glitter, apparently.

[Pause.]

Define 'free'.

[Not even a trace of a joke.]

[.....Is this kid serious? Scott is completely and absolutely flabbergasted by that last statement.]

Uh, any time when you're not in school or doing other work?

I have never been in school. Only privately tutored. But, with that correction?

... train. Attempt to find out how the situation here can be changed to... something that can be acceptable.

Back home, work on plans to assist in managing the company my Father created.

Study on my own.

[Oh yeah, he forgot about the tutoring part. Whatever, it's close enough to school. Besides, this kid is weird enough that he's still having trouble wrapping his head around all of the oddities.]

So no video games. [And before Damian can respond:] Don't answer that.

[But. This is what's bothering Scott the most.]

And it doesn't ever bother you? The whole...being a tiny adult thing?

I have tried video games. They do not hold my interest for long.

[Yes, you get an answer, anyway. Damian also shrugs.]

No. But it seems to bother a lot of other people.

You got that right.

[It's muttered but Damian can probably still hear it.]

Maybe you just haven't found the right kinds of video games. I bet they make economics-based video games somewhere...maybe. [Making a face because ew why would anyone want a video game with copious amounts of math?] But right, since you're not a fan of video games, what do you like? You have to like something, right?

Why would I be satisfied by a simulation when I can have the real thing?

[That is a question that makes logic, okay?]

[He then shrugs, 'like' was not something involved when his activities were selected. He never exactly got the chance to pick, even when he was whimsical or threw tantrums.]

What I usually choose are active things, like training, or learning and bettering myself.

[Damian's not going to admit to liking killing people. And Scott is way too much a stranger to even hint about art.]

[....Yeah, okay, that's a smart move Damian, don't ever tell Scott about the enjoying killing people thing because he will lineface so hard and then promptly go have Words with Bruce. And get his ass handed to him because Bruce.]

Be...cause.....

[No, Scott doesn't have a good answer for that. Dammit Damian, stop being all logical and stuff. He can't keep up with all this smart and common sense.

MOVING ON.]

I guess those are good activities. [Very...specific activities.] Do you train with your friends, or with your dad, or with a teacher...?

[YOU HAVE FRIENDS RIGHT, DAMIAN?]

[... it wasn't Bruce's fault. He didn't know about that!]

>Tt.<

[There's a hint of a smirk at the trailing off. But then Damian's eyes widen a little. This is strange - this is the second person who's asked him something like that in the range of a few days, a question that he hadn't really been asked before.]

... I suppose. Most of the time I train alone, but sometimes I spar with others, or train with... friends. Or Father.

[Kyle counts as a friend! And he sometimes does train with Father, just not. Regularly...]

Does that mean anything? Who I train with?

[That's because friends are important, Damian.]

Not really, I guess, but there have to be people you enjoy hanging out with more than others, right? That's just how people are.

[Even creepy little child-sized adults with no sense of fun.]

And if you train with friends, they're more likely to encourage you and push you and make you better at what you're doing.

Actually, in my experience friends are more likely to try and spare me than push me.

[Beat. And, yeah, he's not going to answer the hanging out with people thing. Or the 'just how people are' thing.]

Other than my sister. But she understands better than most.

[Because Cassandra Cain.]

[The way Damian phrases that makes Scott just a little concerned as to the temperament and interests of said sister. Much as he like to question this kid about his sister, Scott thinks he's poked his nose enough into this kid's life.

He also thinks he's not sure he wants to find out what kind of sister this kid has if they get along so well.]

Well...Good luck with your training. [There's the tiniest bit of a lift in his voice at the end of that sentence, making it half question half statement.] And everything else. Not that you probably need it.

[HIS SISTER IS THE BEST DO NOT DARE! Damian will fight anyone who suggests Cassandra is anything other than perfect (and his Father probably will join him in that). Ahem. But Scott can push as much as he wishes, Damian will walk out of the conversation if it gets where he doesn't want it to go.]

[But the last addendum to the good-luck wish makes the first thing even remotely close to a smile to flit over the boy's face. An approving one.]

That is appreciated.

[Beat, but he does think to say it.]

And good luck to you, as well.

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