004 ◉ audio; dated to the 14th

[imaginate]

[ The audio clicks on and there's a long pause. When Kyle speaks, his tone is calm, perfectly controlled. It's his Business Voice, blank save for the barest hint of anger. ]

This is Kyle Rayner of the Green Lantern Corps. I apologise for the inconvenience, but our clinic at EA-3B is currently undergoing repairs and won't be able to take more patients at this time. We'll be temporarily operating a backup at WA-1A. [ He attaches a map, showing where it is. ]

Any and all hands with medical experience or healing abilities are always welcome.

[ Another long pause. ]

And if someone could come collect Avatar Korra, that would be appreciated.

[ There is a brief pause, as though he's debating what more to say, before the audio clicks off. ]

Comments

[hackingyoursensors]

So he got to you before I did. [Smiles. Oh, Damian, you've grown so much.] As long as it's covered.

[His expression turns serious.]

Yeah. Especially now.

[imaginate]

It is. I promise to call if I need anything from you.

[Because bros, and his expression turns serious too.]

You saw?

['The hamster', or 'the clinic', he doesn't specify, letting Dick talk.]

[hackingyoursensors]

What I didn't see, I figured out.

[Both Sadie and Korra are on his shit list right now.]

People get their powers back and this is what they choose to do with them?

[He sounds legitimately angry. People defending the wrongdoers makes it worse.]

[imaginate]

[He makes a very cross noise.]

You're telling me.

[People taking control of your body? NOT. COOL.]

I almost want the turtle to go back to having no powers at all - besides those who need them to live - if this is what it leads to.

[hackingyoursensors]

Their powers are a part of who they are. Taking them away would be like taking away my acrobatics or your art.

But you'd think being baseline human would teach them the value of their powers and what it's like for the rest of us. Why we get so upset.

Apparently the lesson didn't stick.

[imaginate]

I know, I'm grouching. [He sighs, running a hand through his hair.] Stuff like this is why the Corps was founded, to make sure ordinary people had somebody around who could protect them from... enemies who could eat suns or something.

[Then he throws up his hands. He knows they both agree about this.]

Damnit. They might not care that it reflects badly on them, but at least they could think about how it reflects on their teachers.

[hackingyoursensors]

I know. Trust me, the only reason I didn't reply to Sadie's network post is because I'm pretty sure I would've just yelled the entire time. I've spent four years trying to protect Gotham from people who abuse their powers. I've been on the receiving end of it more times than I can count.

[He sighs.]

Their teachers and other superhumans.

[imaginate]

I'm pretty sure I would have, too. Pranks are fine as long as everyone knows what they're getting into [he shakes his head] that kind of thing? Not okay.

[And Dick can see how his fist and jaw clench - his experiences with being possessed and controlled are far worse, given that it's the only effective way to attack a Lantern.]

[hackingyoursensors]

[He sees Kyle's stormy expression.]

I'm keeping an eye on her. I'll ask Zatanna for help, make sure we can undo it if she tries something like that again.

[The fact that Sadie disavows any wrongdoing pisses Dick off more than he can articulate.]

[imaginate]

Good idea.

[He exhales, grumpily.]

[hackingyoursensors]

The last thing we need is to be fighting each other. Gotta nip this in the bud before it gets too crazy.

[He sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose.]

[imaginate]

I don't think people are likely to do something incredibly stupid, not with the knowledge that there's a lot of others who could stop them but [he waves behind him, to the ruin of the walls].

[hackingyoursensors]

[Darkly:] I don't want to take any chances.

[He stops and sighs again.]

Man, I sound like B.

[imaginate]

Hey.

[He leans forward, his expression softening.]

Trust, with caution. It never hurts to be prepared.

[And a very long, ominous pause, as he looks offscreen.]

If anything happens... to make me... you know. [This is difficult for him, and he nearly doesn't meet Dick's eyes as he speaks.] Go for the fingers.

[hackingyoursensors]

I know. Misplaced trust could... ['Get people killed.']

[Dick studies Kyle, looking worried.]

Will it kill you?

[imaginate]

[He smiles, all self-assurance.]

The worst things in the universe have tried. Honestly. The most you'll do is hurt my pride.

[hackingyoursensors]

[He looks relieved.]

Alright. I know how to do it without leaving any permanent damage.

But I'll do whatever I can to make sure I'll never need to.

[imaginate]

I will, too. This is a two-way agreement, remember?

[hackingyoursensors]

[He smiles slightly.]

I know.

[His smile widens.]

I think I found my will again. No cool oath, though.

[imaginate]

Good.

[I knew you would.]

Pity about the cool oath, though.

[hackingyoursensors]

[His smile turns warm. Kyle's faith in him... it's kind of touching.]

Yeah. But having to recite an oath would get in the way of my witty remarks and clever quips in battle.

[imaginate]

C'mon, smart kid like you could make it work.

[A cheeky wink.]

[hackingyoursensors]

Hmm. I guess I'll work on it then.

[imaginate]

[He smiles, and then he leans forward.]

You going to be okay? With all this [waves a hand] talking about abuse of power?

[hackingyoursensors]

I'll never be okay with people abusing their powers. But I'm not afraid or anything.

[He'll be way less okay once he has his falling-out with Clark, though.]