[video]

[cowled]

Well, that was... quite the event, now wasn't it? I'd like to extend my thanks to anyone that helped clear out the infestation of those little creatures.

[Bruce tosses the camera a disarming smile, pushes a fountain pen out of the view of the camera. There's a slight shift in his demeanor, the sort that few people would be able to recognize much less understand. Batman has just hung up his Bruce Wayne hat.]

I'd actually like to address a matter that concerns us all. I notice there've been considerable tensions lately between the metahuman or powered individuals and those who are more commonly considered 'baseline'. It's my understanding that we're all here to help this world inasmuch as we can regardless of our abilities or beliefs. As with all things, there is always the potential for those with power to abuse that power, but it's my belief that the majority of individuals here deserve our trust equally as much as our respect.

[You owe him for this one, Clark. He coughs, and then brightens.]

Also, it's my understanding that the first wave of Foreigners began arriving a year and four days ago. I know many of you are missing your friends, your families, and others may have those friends or families with you. For better or worse, this place has been a prison, a home, a second chance to a variety of people, many of which are no longer with us. The community we've created here has been strong and each obstacle we've encountered we've overcome, together. And together is the only way we can move forward.

[He folds his hands on the desk in front of him, gives the camera a firm nod.]

On that note, Wayne Enterprises is always hiring, and my pharmecutical branch is available for anyone missing medications from their respective homes, so if you've any interest in working for or speaking with the longest-standing foreigner-run business on Tu Vishan, my office is in the Metal Sector, and I'm available between six AM and noon on Mondays and Tuesdays. Thank you for your time, Keeliai.

Comments

video

[backwordscompatible]

I knew there was a reason I liked you.

[Now if only he could spread that sentiment to other people who are still on edge from the Korra-Sadie incidents.]

[The subtle hint of...something doesn't completely escape her, but considering what she knows of Bruce Wayne (and considering that knowledge does not include certain other aliases of his),she has no reason to suspect it was anything more than residual annoyance from Tribble Trouble.]

I hope your cleaning crew managed to find them all, by the way. I know a few of them were caught hiding in my air vents just yesterday. [Rude, Tribbles]

video

[cowled]

[He lifts his shoulders in a sheepish shrug, as if to say 'c'est la vie'.]

Asides from one lonely tribble I located yesterday morning in my shoe, I think we've got the issue well in hand in the Metal sector.

video; encrypted 40%

[demon_brat]

[Yes, that encryption is. Very much just for show.]

On the last note, Father, it has been brought to my attention that many of the newcomers are not aware of the company. Perhaps we should consider some sort of advertisement campaign to run - early in the week, perhaps?

[Somebody's getting a little irked by repeatedly pointing people to Wayne Enterprises and getting asked 'what is that?', okay?]

video; encrypted 40%

[cowled]

Oh, I-- hmm. I hadn't considered that, actually. What sort of thing do you have in mind? I never handled our PR departments back home, I usually left that to one of your brothers. I wish Tim would show an interest in the business here.

[GOSH THIS ENCRYPTION IS SO SECURE ISN'T IT.]

[alphatar]

Um, hi. Mr Wayne.

[Rich, charismatic, and a name that carried weight on Tu Vishan. Nothing that fit the criteria of stopping Korra from attempting to correct him.]

Can we just go with humans and people?

["Metahuman", along with "mutant", have grown into words Korra didn't like to hear or be associated with at all, and she wasn't sure if she was being referenced or not. But he did offer the alternative of "powered individuals", which was more fitting. To her "metahuman" and "powered individual" weren't interchangeable.]

I didn't know there was anyone organizing a way to fix the tribble problem, but I think I helped. [Others have called it animal cruelty, but Korra just saw it as a natural order of things. A balance.]

[cowled]

[A wave of greeting.]

I think that trying to erase the differences between us isn't going to help anyone. These differences do exist, they're part of what defines us as individuals. Dismissing or ignoring that, or trying to paint everyone with the same brush is like telling someone, I reject your differences and I'd prefer that you were exactly the same as me. I believe that viewpoint or stance would ultimately be more divisive than attempting to embrace or celebrate those differences.

[A 'thoughtful' pause. Which is not particularly impressive, because come on. Pacifist playboy who can barely string a sentence together unless it's about money or girls!! Or business, sometimes. Gosh.]

Besides, we have a number of aliens here who aren't human at all, and last time I checked there was also a talking, painting dog, who I think might object to being called 'people'.

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[skybluejeep]

[All the rest of the "normal" thing rankles a little, but there's a bigger issue here.]

...Would there maybe be Adderall in the mix here? Because that's a thing I need. Big time.

video

[cowled]

I believe that can be arranged, yes. Do you know your dosage, offhand?

[Video]

[fuzzyelf]

I hope that you mean any person with power has the potential to abuse it and not just those you call metahumans and powered individuals.

[There's a pointed look because he speaks from his own experience with mutants and baseline humans who have all abused their power.]

What kind of positions do you available?

[Video]

[cowled]

Did I imply otherwise?

[He knows all too well what baseline humans can do, and the abilities they can abuse if they chose to. He's one of them.]

Managerial things, primarily. I have an expanding workforce that requires some supervision.

video;

[backinakidflash]

Yesterday, I would've jumped at this. Today. I dunno. Cornpone or not, Max makes a better pitch with the TurtleBuddies.

Also - I like how everyone manages to get the word together to mean 'together but still in our separate labels' and not actually together. This isn't directed at you. Well. OK. It kinda is, but everyone does it.

video;

[cowled]

[Excuse you, Bart. Bruce knows teenaged needling when he sees it, and despite the fact that he keeps all trace of irritation from his voice and expression, oh, it's definitely there. Comparing his work to anything Max Lord is doing is ten kinds of Not Cool.]

Bart, is it? One of Tim's friends, if I'm not mistaken?

[Speedsters.]

Video

[raptorcanaria]

[Hi Bruce Wayne! Dinah never gets the chance to interact with this persona. She's got her costume on, but the whole 'Black Canary of the Justice League' image is ruined by her refusal to put her noodles or her chopsticks down for the message.]

That's a fine sentiment, Mr. Wayne, and thank you for saying so. I hope more people take it into account.

[Not that she knows anyone who could do with a little more trust in their lives.]

Video

[cowled]

[A MEMBER OF THE JUSTICE LEAGUE gosh it's his lucky day, isn't it? Bruce is totally going to play the Excitable Civilian card at her. You did this, Dinah. Your fault.]

Black Canary! Lovely to see you. It's been rather a long time, hasn't it?

[Gosh look at him he's brushing shoulders with superheroes. Life is awesome.]

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[neverginger]

[Oh, well that's a nice thought, isn't it? The Doctor can always appreciate a like-minded person, especially in a place like this.]

Are they all gone, then? I know we've got one that my mate's insisting on keeping as a pet. Don't worry; we fixed her all up. Completely unable to breed and all that.

[A pause.]

And what does Wayne Enterprises do, exactly?

[What? He's bored, and maybe a job wouldn't hurt.]

video;

[cowled]

I've only seen a few in the last week or so, I suppose they are mostly gone. They're no longer clogging up my drains, at any rate.

[He gives a wave of greeting, because he's still a little Awkward around these consoles, okay?]

A variety of things, honestly. Presently there's some focus on repairing damages left over from the decay. With the resource scarcity, it's proven to be a bit of a challenge, but I think we're definitely seeing some progress on that front.

[anomia]

Nice speech! [There's an element of teasing to her grin, but it really was a nice speech. Raimei doesn't get what the big deal is about having powers or not having powers, anyway. It's never made a difference to her.]

I don't know what you'd hire me for, and I probably won't have time once the bar is up and running, but if you need me for something then I wouldn't mind helping! But I already have a Captain, so don't think you can take his place.

[Because nothing entertains me more than talking about a player's character to their other characters... Yeah.]

[cowled]

[Oh, Raimei. If you only knew. Still. She's basically a tiny, happy version of Robin so the smile she gets from him-- well, it's 100% Bruce Wayne Lite, but it's a touch more genuine than it might be were it directed at someone else.]

Thank you, Raimei. It sounds like you're plenty busy as is, but I wouldn't mind supplying you with some extra work if you needed the income. There's plenty that you could do.

video;

[relatable]

Powered people? [Well that's new.]

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[cowled]

[Bruce blinks a little in surprise, as if the idea of someone not knowing about the presence of metahumans is a complete!! shock!! to him.]

Have you not encountered anyone with abilities yet? It's quite amazing, actually, there's an individual here who's actually bulletproof.

[No, he's not sorry for this one at all, Clark. The man of steel brings it on himself.]

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[raisethemoon]

That is a lesson that often takes many years to learn. It is commendable of you to speak out so...though truly, I find that very few individuals are as "baseline" as might be believed.

Now, pray tell, what precisely is Wayne Enterprises, and what services dost thou offer aside from the medicinal?

video;

[cowled]

[Ponies.

You know what? Bruce isn't really bothered by ponies. He's seen much, much, much weirder. Or rather, Batman has. Bruce Wayne looks a little bewildered.]

You don't happen to know a charming white dog named Amaterasu, by any chance...?

[BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY ALL TALKING ANIMALS ARE FROM THE SAME WORLD. Thus is the logic of playboy billionaire philanthropist et ceteras.]

And, ah-- we also do considerable construction work, rebuilding houses that are damaged during some of the more trying events we've had here and the like. A few other odds and ends. I'm not afraid to venture into new endeavours, either. Is there a specific service you're looking for, Miss...?

video:

[ihope]

That was some lovely PR for your company.

[He doesn't know this man; he doesn't know why he should care about this man. He cares about the shameless promotion, the well delivered speech. One year, four days. Someone had kept such a close count, through the previous catastrophes and all.]

Who wrote the script?

video:

[cowled]

[Luthor. Bruce actually has to keep his hands from spasming into fists. Younger or no, different universes or no, he isn't willing to accept a version of Luthor that isn't corrupt.

He doesn't reply to Lex immediately. Instead he gets up, paces. Ends up at the kitchen sink, pouring himself a glass of water. Every movement is absolutely controlled, and calm, because if he dares to be otherwise there's a very good possibility that he'll react in a way that Clark - Clark of all people - will disapprove of.

Not that Bruce strives for his approval at all (ever) but Lex is Clark's problem more than his. The version of this man that became president hired Cain to murder Vesper Fairchild in Bruce's own house. Money. Politics. Power.

He's known Lex was here since his initial hurrah on the network. Has been keeping tabs on him, inasmuch as he can. Lex, after all, is a genius too. Not that Bruce cares to grant him the accolades, but he's not a man to underestimate no matter his age.

Allowing himself another moment, he sets the water glass on the counter and heads back to his console to click the video feed on. His expression is perfectly congenial. Bruce is nothing if not a consummate actor.]

I wouldn't want to hold myself to the task of memorizing that many words, I'm afraid. It was rather on the fly.

video;

[browbeater]

[he raises his eyebrows. Metahumans? Baseline? There was something weird about the language he'd used. Sounded way too differentiating (like benders vs. nonbenders), but he had no clue about any of the conflicts he was talking about. And he wasn't sure if it had anything to do with what Korra had told him already had happened.]

I'm not so sure creating different categories for everyone is really going to help with any of the tensions...

video;

[cowled]

I can understand that concern, of course, but I believe that the greater danger lies in ignoring our differences rather than embracing them.

[He studies the video briefly, in the guise of someone trying to puzzle out if they've seen the other individual before.]

I'm sorry, I don't believe we've met. I'm Bruce Wayne.

[mrsarcastic003]

[Bruce, are you actually arguing for trusting people? Really? What sorcery is this.]

You mean you didn't like being surrounded by purring earmuffs?

[Says Tim, who made his apartment a tribble-free zone as immediately as possible.]

[cowled]

[Oh Timmy, if only that were true. Bruce's ulterior motives in making this announcement are legion.]

I don't mind them so much, but they do get old after about the third time they managed to eat my breakfast out from under me.

[everylittlegirl]

So you want to sell drugs and for everyone to get along after being trapped for up to a year? Are you sure you're not part of the Emperor's HR department?

[cowled]

[A slightly furrowed brow.]

I've used all the proper protocols, which are available as public record, and I'm not really selling anything more than asprin, necessary prescription medications and antibiotics, the latter of which are highly controlled. Everything is restricted and under considerable scrutiny at the time of purchase.

To the latter, I'm not entirely sure I see what's wrong about hoping everyone can see past their differences and cooperate for everyone's sake.

[lostundercover]

Give me a reason to trust the people with powers not to abuse them and maybe I'll start. Respect has to be earned.

video;

[cowled]

I do agree with that to an extent, but if we allow ourselves to be mistrustful of them, all that does is foster resentment, and provide no incentive for anyone to earn the trust of anyone else regardless of their origins or abilities.

[video]

[bludhavenknight]

[Oh, wow, he's missed this. No, seriously, he has. It hasn't always been fun, over the years, to see the transformation to Bruce, and then back to Batman, and then back to Bruce (which always then led back to Batman), but you had to give him one thing; he sure knew how to pull it off well.

And they'd already spoken on the family part. Sort of. Kinda. In a way. Not really. But sort of. Anyway, he's not going to be touching that part.]

I think if I ever have to pick between tribbles and asbestos, I'm going with tribbles. [Because he has a tribble in one of those cold cages, isn't it cute? He's named it Babsy Malone.]

[And now we get to encrypt the rest at 90%]

What's the company's stance on this school being considered for metas? [And by that, your stance, but that goes without saying, right?]

[video]

[cowled]

[Hush, boy. Bruce endures Dick's... amusement as best he can, though his eyes do narrow ever-so-briefly before his expression settles into something a little more socially appropriate. In this case, a bright smile.]

They are charming, aren't they? I just wish there were fewer of them. Apparently they reproduce when their environment gives them undue stress.

[Which is code for 'yes of course I've been experimenting on them as humanely as possible why do you ask'.]


[90% encrypted]

I don't disagree with it. Everyone should have the opportunity to learn.

[It's a cheerfully said answer, but Dick knows him well enough to pick up on the cues beneath the veneer. Namely, it's useful inasmuch as it identifies the metahumans and those that potentially pose a threat. As cruel as the sentiment is, children who don't understand or can't control their powers are often the ones who pose the most danger to others.]

[video]

[witchnotwarlock]

[He likes you!] That's such a great sentiment! You wouldn't believe how bad it can get back home with the fighting between mutants and... everyone else. Same with superheroes, too. There's a lot about them that people really hate. They had schools set up for awhile, but they were more like camps.

[video]

[cowled]

[Billy Kaplan. A magic user. Bruce didn't have significant acquaintance with him during his prior stay, but only a fool wouldn't have taken note of his abilities, and Bruce is hardly that.]

That sounds awful. I know there's some discussion of a school here, but I don't believe it's intended to have anything in common with a 'camp'.

video;

[tearsdownthesky]

You wanna help me get rid of someo' these furs?

[She holds up some tribble pelts.]

Or are you too much of a prude to wear skins of animals?

[She's grinning tho.]

Nice speech. Who put you in charge anyway?

video;

[cowled]

I could... sell them, I suppose.

[VAGUELY UNSURE EXPRESSION LIKE 'omg what do you want me to do with those it was an animal once!! WAY TO OFFEND HIS DELICATE GOTHAM SENSIBILITIES

not that anyone in Gotham actually has Gotham sensibilities.

But that's neither here nor there, much like the city itself.]

I don't consider myself to be in charge. I've just been here... for a long time. Longer than most people, I arrived sometime in the second month of Keelai's... 'Enforced Home for Wayward Multiversians', or whatever it is you'd like to call it.

Video

[bindsthedead]

It's... upsetting to see people argue about things like this. Particularly when there are more important matters at hand. In any case, many abilities some here consider 'metahuman'- [And it's clear Sabriel doesn't like that word] are things anyone can learn, with the proper training.

Video

[cowled]

Oh? Would you care to elaborate on that matter?

[Video;]

[givenanonymity]

...You own a pharma branch too?

[...Hoffman can never resist an opportunity to speak to Bruce Wayne. For reasons that he no longer understands. childhood, lost years, that sort of thing.] That's good to know.

[Video;]

[cowled]

[He laughs.]

I do. Does that alarm you, Detective?

[crotcharrow]

[he's listening to the entire post Bruce, but apparently only one thing sticks in his brain.]

--Who gets up at six am?

video;

[cowled]

Early birds and worms, the last I heard.

[And billionaire philanthropist playboy geniuses but that's neither here nor there.]

[lookedtothestars]

That was well said.

[Sorry, Bruce, unfortunately Jor-El doesn't know better. He's only aware of 'Wayne' as someone Lois contacted, and that she'd 'deal with' him. Apparent first name basis aside, Lois is uniquely vivacious, so any possible connection there isn't realized. It's what happens with little communication.

This does explain the 'how' of the air filter, though.]

What other branches does your company possess besides one for pharmaceuticals?

[He's repairing and improving local technology and machinery on an individual basis. Access to more tools and equipment is quite tempting, however; it'd be much simpler to achieve his goals of reaching near-Kryptonian levels of technology with a wider production base.]

video;

[cowled]

[There's a part of him that's been... 'dreading' isn't the right word. But let's go with vehemently opposed to this. Bruce... is fond of the Kents. Johnathan and Martha have always treated him better than he at times deserved, and what he knows of Jor-El...

Bruce doesn't reply to him right away, choosing instead to sit in pensive silence as he considers how to approach this. Neither Clark nor Lois would have given away his identity, he knows, so he doesn't have to take care with that aspect of interaction, but--

Clark's father. The head of the house of El. Bruce... respects that.

(And envies it.)]

We also do construction work as needed, but I'm always interested in broadening my horizons. Why do you ask?

video

[superoverachiever]

Hey Mister Wayne, can we have a building?

[This is way more polite than she was to the last person she asked. So it's a step up. Sort of.]

video

[cowled]

[A bit of a brief, startled laugh.]

I-- are you asking for this school I've heard everyone talking about?

[video ]

[agentx13]

The longest-standing foreigner-run business on Tu Vishan, huh? How long does that mean you've been around, Mr. Wayne?

[video ]

[cowled]

Ah, it'll be a year at the end of this month, Miss...?

[Lying through his teeth a little? Lying through his teeth a little. 'Batman' arrived before nearly anyone remaining. 'Bruce' came later.]