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[The image opens on Bruce Wayne at his finest. He's wearing (1) new suit designed by Favrielle, and he's looking pretty swank. Because Bruce Wayne. And Reasons.]

All right, Keeliai, I have a business opportunity to propose. As of right now, I'm relaunching Wayne Enterprises. For those of you who've never heard the name before, it's a multi-national business conglomerate with a focus on humanitarian aid and the like, based out of Gotham City back home.

Anyway. For the duration of my stay here, I'm looking to start in pharmaceuticals - I'm sure you've all noticed the kedan have never even heard of ibuprofen - and work our way up from there. Essentially, I'm looking to better the quality of life for everyone on Tu Vishan, foreigner and local alike.

If anyone's interested in working for me, or if you have experience in a pharmaceutical field, feel free to contact me over the network. We can arrange a meeting in person if you'd prefer. Confidentiality is guaranteed in either case. I'm paying twice the rates the kedan offer, and I've arranged it with the local authorities such that any time you work towards me counts towards your overall work 'obligation' [can you hear the finger quotes falling around that word] here in Keeliai.

Thanks for your time.

[ooc; tags will be sketchy, but I wanted to get this up and get the ball rolling on this plot before I poofed from the internet. <3]

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[Bruce, at least, is making an effort at restraint.]

Which would you prefer?

[He is a good father like that. No irony in that - he does attempt restraint and reason, even when it's difficult - for one reason or another.]

I am going to help either way. But it will probably be more... efficient if I stayed officially outside. Keep an ear out.

[Prefer? That is not... really how Damian processes. But he can argue for a choice.]

Do that.

[Look, autonomy! He can be taught. He glances over at Damian, and his expression... doesn't soften, but it does become a little less distinctly Batman.]

You did well out there.

[Damian nods. He can, too, be independent. In fact, that's how he's been trained to think he was supposed to be. But he knows his ways and father's don't match, and he will not break what little they do have by going against his will.

Which starts by knowing that will.

At the last bit, he blinks, and ducks his head.]

It... it needed to be done.

Mm. It always does.

[It's not quite like saying GOOD JOB, SON, but it's... as close as Bruce ever gets.]

[And Damian's thank-you is in the complete absence of argument.

It's the stiffness that won't leave Father that makes the boy scoot closer. Not anything is clear as touching him, but... close. He can see the warded off unhappiness and - he did see Kon's broadcast - he can guess the reason.

And this is where he comes as close to apologizing without... actually bringing the subject up, directly.]

Yes. I did not know, when I first... came to Gotham.

[And he didn't know, back then. He'd seen much - but not the actual, undiluted reality that kept their family - and many more - doing what they do. The reality where each person more is help, not competition who needs to prove his place by replacing somebody.]

[Bruce glances briefly at the boy, briefly unsure as to the purpose. He's not used to the idea of Damian simply... talking to him for conversation's sake.

Dick's hand at work, again.

But he has no idea where to go from here. He and Damian are too similar. Bruce honestly hasn't the faintest idea about what the boy might want to hear or discuss.]

You've come a long ways since then.

[...yes, he has been getting better at some conversation for a while, now, though this right now is not necessarily idle.

Damian just doesn't know how to improve the situation.]

I found an actual direction I want to follow. And. Family. Which doesn't equal... lineage.

[Ah.]

If you'd rather have Dick as your legal guardian, I don't think he would object. I can make arrangements when we're back in Gotham.

[Because clearly that's what this conversation is leading up to. Why else would Damian be actually trying to talk to him.]

[What.

Wait... what?

The boy stills, staring up at the man. First at the lips that actually said that, then up to the same-blue eyes as his own. Confusion doesn't stay with Damian, though, not for long. He doesn't know what to do to help, but he surely can dispel this problem. ~~Right?~~]

Father. [The word is firm, unhesitating.]

Grayson is - brother. He could never be you. I meant that I understand family that means differently, not that I want more, or different, from what I have.

From what we have.

If you're certain.

[God knows Dick's been more like a father to Damian than Bruce even knows how to be.]

Did I give you reason to doubt that?

[A bit of a Look.]

I simply want to make it clear that you're under no obligation to me. You already know where I stand on the matter.

But you are... of course I am under obligation to you. All that I've become is-- because you made me promise. And because you drew together a family that could even take me. And because. You're you.

And... if I cut connection to you...

I do not want to. [To do it. Nor to be that alone. He is accepting the rest of the batclan as family, but he's cut one of his blood ties already. Cutting the other off - the thought itself makes him shy away.]

[... His expression shifts a little.]

That's not quite what I meant. I meant-- I want you to make those choices for you. Because you want them. Promises only mean what you're willing to let them.

[Damian bows his head a little, but his eyes dart up to stay on Father's face again.]

I am beginning to find what I want. Not whim, not have a curiosity about, what I want. Why keeping that promise is important - to me. But I would never have gotten this far if not for the path you set me on, Father. I would rather continue following you.

[His expression... wavers.] Ever Grayson... He's different from you, yes. But what you mean to him - it's in every choice, in every action. And he wanted you back so badly, even if it would - it might have - mean the end to him-and-me as Batman and Robin. And even when I thought that, I chose to return to your judgment, too.

I am your son. I do not want to be anything less.

[This is hard. Hard to formulate, ever harden to admit out loud. But he needs Bruce to understand.]

Mm.

[Bruce isn't good at physical forms of affection, but he does rest his hand briefly on Damian's shoulder. Saying what he means without words.]

I'd like a report on your movements during the gang activities.

[Bruce isn't good, but they're still mostly alien for Damian. But this... unlike most touches, he doesn't try to get away. And he looks up, a tightness around his eyes relaxing. This maybe possibly means that Father is not full-on Batman for a little while, right? That has to be good.]

Yes, Father.

It began with crowd control during the mess in Fire [which reminded him of Gotham before Grayson took the cowl, except much milder], and then six assigned missions in Metal and Fire. Two of those, I lost track of the kedan I was following through an ambush, for which I am sorry.

[He got away. Not fast enough to keep tracking his target.

And, yes, that means he's been on the go since the whole thing started. It's actually relaxed some of the tightness - he's been fighting for days on end, the urge for violence is sated, and he's only a little tired. For now.]

[There's a reprimand in his mind. A do it better, of the same sort that he flung at Dick so many times he lost literal count. It doesn't make it past that vague consideration. Damian is... he's hard enough on himself. Bruce would only make it worse than it already is. Still, he can't bring himself to say that it was a good job, because a failure is still a failure. He nods instead. Acknowledging Damian's self-censure.]

What do you think of Evandau's measures?

[Damian doesn't need to hear it. He gets it loud and clear, not that he hasn't berated himself over it - profusely.

Do it better for him is, outright, be perfect. And he tries.]

I think they are more extreme than Gotham would take - US in general, actually - but not the most extreme I've seen. While as a whole he manages a balance between brutal and lax, and is, as a whole, precise in his execution, or, at least, identification, he is not infallible, and does not always consider the complete consequences of his actions.

[Just LOOK who's talking! ... then again, he's getting to see what Father considers covering his bases, and he can see the differences.]

And I think he is operating on information that we do not know, yet, both in laws and customs of Tu Vishan, and regarding... us. Incomplete information gives an imprecise view of his goals, and therefore the methods of achieving said goals.

[He is still not very good at judging law enforcement. Still geared towards the other side of things. But he's focusing and trying to interpret the actions correctly.]

Are you considering closer work with him and the police here?

No. He's made his stance on vigilantism clear.

[It's not like they're strangers to working outside the law, when that law disproves of their work. It makes their job harder, but when has Bruce ever done anything the easy way?]

[Not the first time at all. And not like... well. Not like Damian ever has the option of giving the work up.]

I will try to see of any of the police may be persuaded into the opposite attitude.

[Because access to at least some information from the police might be beneficial.]

Mm.

[It's a light noise of agreement.]

Anything else?

[To report or discuss, he means.]

I will be where you need me.

[Is that reassurance that isn't Damian's to give? Oh yes, yes it is.
He still gives it, anyway.]

I know.

[And that, as much as anything, is a dismissal. But there's a touch of a smile to his expression - mostly around the eyes - that make it less a mandate and more an allowance.

He's trying.]

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demon_brat - 2012-09-28 15:18 (UTC) - Expand

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