tushanshu | 003 ♒ Video;

[Ah, an occasion of dire ocean-related importance, usually the only time he bothers to post a message on these things himself. He's looking pretty pissed because what the hell are you idiots doing, but there's also... quite a bit of concern in there. Anyone who's met him can guess why easily enough, though there's no sign of the egg in the suite he's posting from.]

I think we can take that little message as a direct threat to the viable turtle eggs being discovered in the city. How many have been found so far and who's found them? We should make sure they're all accounted for and taken care of so that we can try to ensure their survival. [If there's one thing Arthur can't stand the thought of, it's these infant turtles, a new hope for this world, dying before they can even hatch. There are no immediate answers on how to protect them, but he's fairly sure that Malicant would be able to find them even without a list, so he feels it puts the foreigners at a disadvantage not to communicate.]

To "those that invited it here"? I hope you're pleased with yourselves. [Because everyone else certainly isn't, no doubt.]

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[And here's Bruce, in some... shadowy corner of Arthur's apartment. God only knows how long he's been standing there or to what purpose - maybe he's practicing his houseplant impression. One can never be too sure with regards to Batman, after all.

There's a further moment of silence, and then he speaks.]

I need to examine the egg.

[Well that sure is completely without preamble.]

[Neptune's barnacley beard, Bruce, use a fucking door once in a while, huh? But Arthur doesn't even seem too surprised, he just rises smoothly from the chair in front of his console and raises an eyebrow.]

And what would this examination involve? [Aka IF YOU FUCK UP MY BABY I WILL FUCK YOU UP. He's not letting anything more intrusive than a scanner near it, sorry.]

[Quietly.]

Are you sure it is wise for the questions of 'how many and who has found them' to be answered over the consoles?

[Oddly enough, Damian's voice isn't argumentative. He's more pointing out something that the man might have missed. He's... well aware just how important the safety of the eggs, and later hatchlings, is. Overall, and for the carers.]

[Arthur you are such a goon. Bruce gives him a look, easily interpreted even through the cowl.]

Did you even stop to think that finding 'viable' eggs hundreds of years old and our enemy showing up nearly simultaneously might not be a coincidence? There's a chance that these are the invitation, Arthur.

Well, at least it told us that much. [He's trying to be gentle?]

[And you're a jerk.]

Even if it is, what do you want us to do? Leave them here? This is a chance to maybe return a little life, a little hope to a dying world. Asti might not have to be the last of his kind. [Being an outcast, being the only one, Arthur knows that feeling all too well. There aren't exactly a mob of half-human Atlanteans running around.]

It called to me.

Telepathic influence is dangerous.

[Is he really arguing with you about this, after what he put you through with the whole hydrophobia thing that nearly, oh, I don't know, killed you? His tone is hard-edged and there is no mercy here.]

You're telling me that no part of you has even considered the implications of an enemy with unknown abilities playing on the sympathies of this population as a means to enter our ranks?

If you want to set up - I dunno. Guard duty. I'll help. I didn't find one myself.

I doubt it would have said anything if it would make a difference at all. [If this bit of 'forewarning' was going to tip things in their favor at all, he seriously doubts it would have put out the taunt in the first place.]

You're giving it too much credit. Or maybe not giving us enough. Just because it doesn't think it's selling something doesn't make that true.

[The devil's in the details. Tony's glad to finally get an idea of what they are actually dealing with. The personality behind the vague threat.]

[And that gets a flat look. Are you really lecturing a telepath about telepathy?]

Yes, I'm sure it wants to enter our ranks as an infant turtle. [Said dryly.] Yes, I have considered the possibilities. It's also possible that the eggs getting closer to hatching is why Asti dove down here in the first place, isn't it? As long as these turtles live, the growth period is probably massively long.

Maybe. [He appreciates the little bit of optimism after his visit with Bruce, honestly.] Maybe not. Too many unknowns, as usual.

[He will lecture a telepath about whatever he damned well pleases to lecture about because he's Batman, okay? It's written into his contract.]

There's no guarantee that they haven't been corrupted. Or that they're turtles at all. This creature has enough influence to make them seem so without the burden of reality.

[Whatever he's not going to argue he's obviously right about this.]

If it's a real infant turtle, I won't harm it.

[There's also the implication there that he really doesn't need permission, and that he's asking as a courtesy and little else.]

Maybe, or maybe it won't help. I think we need a better idea of what we're dealing with and what threat it might pose to the eggs. For now I just want to make sure they're all being cared for.

You're getting side-tracked by the show. That's what he wanted. Big show to put everyone on edge. We're not going to let anything happen.

[He's pulling out Avengers mode for this. At least this is familiar territory where Tony can sound confident.]

I didn't find any eggs, but if you want help keeping an eye on them, I'd be happy to help.

[Gettin' real tired of ur shit. He's widely regarded as useless and unimportant, and then he still gets lectures about things that are in his areas of expertise?]

If it isn't a turtle, I doubt you'd find out before me. I know the brain signature of a marine creature. And I'm very familiar with the calming effect that sitting up by Asti's head provides - the same effect I get from this egg. If it's a trick, it's a damn good one that I doubt your machines would be able to pick up on.

[Bruce you really don't want to do that right now. You really don't. He's in full on papa shark mode.] No ifs. You will not harm it.

Are you just trying to be optimistic or do you actually have ideas?

If you do see any in the ruins, I'd like to hear about it. I don't like the thought of them being left unattended any longer.

I always have ideas. That's my best feature--aside from the other obvious good features. Working on some things right now, actually.

Just keep your head together.

You aren't infallible, Arthur.

[He says that neutrally. He's not looking for a fight. Like it or not, they're on the same side. As much as Bruce prefers to stand alone, he understands strength in numbers. And in allies.]

And should it prove to be something else?

OK. Offer stands though.

[Bart salutes and closes the feed.]

No one is. [Looking straight at Bruce when he says that. You aren't either, bro.

His voice lowers slightly.] If it proves to be, without a single doubt, something else, then we will deal with it appropriately. But if we made a mistake and it is a real infant turtle, I wouldn't be able to live with myself for letting any harm come to it.

[Stated as plainly as possible. His connection with marine life... he doesn't expect Bruce to understand. No one really can, because they can't feel it the way he does.]

Would you be willing to fill me in, then? Not over these. Maybe we can help each other.

[Quirking an eyebrow slightly.] I always have my head together.

You'll be the first person I tell.

I'm Julie.

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