audio; anonymous

[demon_brat]

[Good evening, Keeliai, have your first Damian-as-Robin post. And, yes, it is the slightly different Robin voice, too.]

Considering the level of technology here, there was an item I found on the Mainland that might, I suppose, belong to one of the foreigners. It certainly doesn't match anything native, especially with the organic component in the consoles.

It is a laptop with a glowing symbol on it, and if anyone has something like that, back home, let me know.

[Yes, the specifics of the symbol are left out on purpose. Damian has to have a way to check if the item really does belong to the person who might answer.]

Comments

[backwordscompatible]

[Able to sense that much, at least, Zatanna drops the subject.]

So that's why you're so paranoid.

[demon_brat]

Among other things. Like the fact that we have been brought to this place with all its... questions and no actual explanation why, or why each of us.

[In a word, yes. But not only.]

[backwordscompatible]

Well, don't take it out on the rest of us. We were all brought here the same as you.

If you want to go spy on someone, why not the locals?

[demon_brat]

'Take it out on the rest of you'? What do you mean?

And I am. After the attempted - and one successful - sacrifices of foreigners, I believe a lot of people are keeping an eye on the kedan.

[backwordscompatible]

The way you're acting.

It's like you suspect all of us. Which, okay, yeah, paranoid. I got that much. But you're basically accusing of us of doing something before we ever get the chance to prove otherwise.

[demon_brat]

[And he... stills. Not that she can see it, behind the white-out lenses, but for several heartbeats, the only motion he's making are very slow blinks.]

Not... the case with you or Kid Flash.

[There is... a slim-to-none chance that she won't ask, isn't there.]

One needs to know one's potential allies, not only one's enemies. But the type of scrutiny is different.

[Which he would not have been as aware of as he is if he hadn't had that talk with Superman, earlier.]

[backwordscompatible]

[Pretty much.]

So we're you're allies now?

[demon_brat]

Potential allies!

[Beat.]

You are allies of your Robin. And I'll have his back.

[backwordscompatible]

Why?

[She's not being smart this time. She genuinely wants to know.]

[demon_brat]

Because...

[Pause. This. Is not easy for him to talk about.]

Because of who he grows up to be.

[backwordscompatible]

Who does he grow up to be?

[She's pushing, but she's also within her rights to ask because she knows him also.]

[demon_brat]

[Except Damian simply lacks the ability to explain Grayson. It doesn't work, and he's trying to put words together for it.]

... it's complicated.

[One of the first two people to treat him as a human being. The man who he insulted beyond reason and turned around and saved Damian's life. And saved it again and again, showing him there is a different side to this life they lead, one that is no weaker. The man who, ultimately, Damian defied his mother for. And would again, too.]

[backwordscompatible]

So...someone you do trust?

[demon_brat]

[More than anyone else in any world. Except, how sentimental is that?

Damian just. Nods. Once.]

[backwordscompatible]

[Very sentimental.]

I see.

[That explains why he's a little more readily willing to trust her and Wally. Potentially.]

And it doesn't matter to you that he's not the same Robin you knew?

[demon_brat]

He's not the same, but he isn't anyone else, either.

[backwordscompatible]

You know what's funny?

That actually made sense.

[demon_brat]

I am not certain I see how it is amusing, but it does make sense.

[backwordscompatible]

Trust me. It's amusing.

[demon_brat]

[And she gets a ... silence, at that request. But in the end, he just shakes his head, kind of not up for more arguing, right now, not after getting to think hard about Grayson.]

>Tt.<

[backwordscompatible]

[And she just leans back, somehow feeling a small semblance of victory. Even though she's pretty sure she has yet actually win anything.]

Something tells me we'll be seeing more of each other around.

And I don't mean just you stalking me through the Network.

[demon_brat]

[She... actually sort of did. If nothing else, she knows more about where he comes from and what makes him tick (sort of) than ... any non-bat, really. Well, non-bat or Superman. Though how pleasurable that knowledge is a different matter entirely.]

Doesn't stalking imply that you get ... specifically separate obsessive observation? Because it is not that individual.

[backwordscompatible]

[Clearly, she's been a secret bat all along. Notice the black hair and blue eyes?]

Okay, so you're an equal opportunity stalker.

[demon_brat]

[Another pause. (Nope, this version comes with the sense of humor feature almost surgically removed.)]

Probably.

[backwordscompatible]

[A roll of the eyes.]

And he admits it.

Wonder if I can get a copy of this conversation on record.