tushanshu | Entries tagged with † dick grayson (comics)

[It was a lovely day for a Network Post, wouldn't you agree, residents of Keelai? The sun was shining...~~the tank was clean~~...and Zatanna was sitting in front of a public console with the brightest smile she'd worn in a long time. Cheesy, at first, and definitely purposely over-the-top (her boss had clearly put her up to this, and she clearly was going along with it for giggles), but even as time went on and it melted away into something more genuine, her aura continued to project sheer happiness at life, the universe, and everything. For now.]

[Although the casual onlooker might be more interested in the unusual outfit she was wearing. Which she very deliberately paired off with her favorite charmed choker, not even caring that it didn't match the rest of the ensemble.]

Do you know what the Future Holds? ...that's okay, neither do I. But together, we can probably managed to squeeze a few hints out of it...with these.

[Smirking, she held up one hand, then flicked her wrist in such a way that a deck of cards appeared in hand. Magically.]

[Of course, those who knew her spells well enough would recognize the fact that she hadn't uttered a single backwards word. The trick was legitimate sleight-of-hand. No cheating.]

Spring Special: all tarot card readings, half off for the entire Month of April.

Admit it. You know you're curious.

[And on that note, she sent one last wink directly into the camera before signing off.]

wingedwarrior

(action)

(So. She's back. Shayera can't say she's pleased, or even remotely okay with being back here. Nothing much said to the Emperor except a middle finger before she grabbed her belongings and got the fuck out of there. Everything's a little fuzzy, honestly. Still placing names to faces, moments to places, feelings with people. Shayera alternates between walking among the streets, and flying in the skies. Flying to notice familiar landmarks or streets, walking to get an up close view to try and ring in some of those memories that keep flitting away every now and then. Doing what she can to keep herself calm and composed, as she always tries to be. Unless it's a fight, then she doesn't bother. She stays in the Earth Sector for a good few hours, as that place was her home before leaving. It's easiest to get her memories back here.

After that, she spends fleeting amounts of time, in the closer sectors such as Fire and Water maybe half an hour, or forty-five minutes at most. The other sectors only get about twenty minutes of flight time, mostly just for her to stretch her wings, attempting to see if she can get used to this place again. She was here for a good few months, so maybe she could adjust easier this time. Of course, that's wishful thinking. It's still a bubble, and she's not one for being caged in. Her flying or walking in the streets is easily the best time to notice her, maybe give a loud shout out. By the end of her trip a few hours later, she's heading back to her own suite on foot through part of the Fire Sector, and all the way home to her suite EA-2C in the Earth Sector. If she missed anyone, she might as well give them a shout out.)

(video)

(Well, that's a face that definitely hasn't shown up on the feed for quite sometime. Though she was a little stressed out earlier, Shayera's gone back to her confident self, complete with a smirk. Yeah, everyone here definitely missed that smirk. Of course.) I hope nobody missed me too much. Was I even gone for very long? Feels like I just skipped down for a bit, then came right back because someone missed me too much.

(She leans back in her chair, already feeling comfortable back in her second home. See? That didn't take too long.) Can anyone catch me up to speed on what's happened while I was out?

wintershepherd

[ Jack has mostly been flying under the radar during the past month, keeping to himself. Though he's worked regular shifts at the Fishing Shop and at the Welcome Center, when he wasn't there he was often nowhere at all, away from the city. He doesn't intend to address the recent exodus of people from the city, even though he's taken many of them like punches to the gut. Instead he keeps his tone light, and focuses on something that almost never fails to put some lightness back into him. ]

So fun fact: turns out the kedan have something a lot like "Take Your Kids To Work Day" from back home and there's a group that still need some volunteers. Anyone want to help out some kids and let them shadow you for a day?

backinakidflash

[It's been some time since Bart has graced the Network with a post. After Tim left the first time, that had been a miserable one to make. The shine is definitely gone like the cheap, shiny (lead-filled) paint on a kids meal toy.]

You know what is one of THE most annoying short story I've ever read? Hills Like White Elephants. Cause like. The Lottery was a trainwreck of stupid and gross, the one where that girl got shot out of the airlock was tragic, Super-Toys Last All Summer Long, All in a Summer Day - they're all about the worst of humanity, and I get that.

[It's strange how he has a hard time coming up with a short story that wasn't A huge downer, but, since he's venting, he doesn't pause the fast-paced, near breathless delivery to muse on it for long.]

But Hills Like White Elephants, man. It's four pages of doing nothing but waiting for this couple to stop dancing around the topic and complaining that everything tastes like licorice. Like that's a bad thing. I'd cut off my arm for a twizzler. All right not the whole arm, but me and my pinkie have never been on the best of terms. Twizzlers are nature's straws. And that's how they go. On and on. For pages of nothing that dance around everything and you just want to shout at them to freaking say it already because the rampant silence is killing her and the incessant chatter is putting him off. But on the other hand, who cares about him? He's a scumbag, and I hope that - in the fiction of Hemingway's - she grew a spine and dumped his fatass and ran off to run a tourist bar in Borneo. Because he was freaking selfish.

[He shrugs at this terrible understatement. 'Shithead' would be better, or reprehensible dickwad, but this isn't actually a symposium on the works of Ernest Hemingway. It just seemed like the best way to bring up how there were so many things, including Malicant, that no one talked about directly. Talk about white elephants by bringing up the story where they talk about white elephants to ignore the white elephants.]

So, yeah. Most annoying four pages I've ever read, and that's not counting all the essays analyzing it. Half of them were longer than the story! That is what happens when you hafta keep avoiding a topic. The coding and decoding detour takes way longer than flat out talking about it ever could, and. Let's be real. Not talking about things is halfway to lying, and oh-what-a-tangled-web hasn't stuck around for two centuries because Marmion is such a gripping read. Ohgoditreallyisn't. Why am I talking about Walter Scott?

[He actually stops here, scratching behind his ear for a moment until the tangent becomes a parabola and re-intersects with the original topic.]

Ugh, right. Hemingway. Things snowball. Before you know it, you're in an entire room full of white elephants, crowding out all the oxygen, and you can't turn around without face planting in saggy gray butt. Names that you shouldn't say, that you can't say, things you don't want to say cause you'll upset someone else or you, or piss them off and. It's turning every conversation into "Oh. We're talking about that now? OK."

ALL of it could be avoided if people just said what was on their mind because decades of watching what I say is getting old. I can't take it. I'm not wired for patient and subtle. I'm gonna be the first Allen in four generations to get gray hair. Because all I can do is sit here like -

[He jumps to his feet dramatically, pointing off in the distance.] "What in the world could that be?"

[And sits back firmly, as if it's possible to sit down resolutely with enough speed and force. Bart slaps a hand on the desk for good measure.] IT'S A WHITE ELEPHANT. It sucks.

And so does Hemingway.

demon_brat

[ Damian's a little pale, but composed enough. Only something in his eyes seems a little too tired for a twelve-year-old. ]

For those who got to know him here, Bean is no longer in Keeliai. If he has undertaken any obligations, I shall do my best to honor them in his stead.

Damian Wayne out.

Current Mood: cranky

lostundercover

[Costigan sounds detached from the subject matter right now, but those attentive may notice a very slight slur on some words. He may or may not be intoxicated.]

Abigail Hobbs is gone, as are Walter Bishop and Rebecca Holiday.

That makes about a dozen in the last month. Anyone else worried about how many people are disappearing? No, why bother? It's not like we get along here and we're all just as fucked as they were anyway, right?

[There's a short silence before he cuts off.]

[100% encrypted to: Dick Grayson]
[He speaks noticeably clearer in his short message.]
Watch the Center. I'll be back in a week or two.

lostundercover

[Costigan runs a hand through his hair, looking at some paperwork on his desk. Then he looks up at the console, clearly distracted.]

For those unfamiliar, Catty Turner and Vanessa Cleveland started an Outreach Program to try to combat the spread of the drug Dust. With the two of them leaving, I, uh.. I'm funding it. It's going to be a Rehab Center, for any kind of addiction, stress relief, anything. Kedan or foreigner.

We need more people. If you're willing to do some kind of.. therapy b- [He cuts himself off before he calls it bullshit.] -business or- or relaxation, training, I don't know. [An exasperated sigh.] You know what I mean.

If you want help of any kind- you have an addiction or want to talk to someone, let me know. I don't fuck around with confidentiality. You want to be involved, wanting help or giving it, you don't fuckin' share what happens and neither will I.

It's Billy Costigan, by the way.

[ooc: Anyone interested in their character being involved in ANY way, please check out this post for more details.]

[Encrypted 97% to Jim Kirk & Emma Frost - separately]
Their files say you were involved in this place. I'd appreciate if you would stick around, but you'll have to tell me what you do and tell me if confidentiality is going to be a problem for you.

[Encrypted 97% to Dick Grayson]
You serious about managing this place?

mightythinice

[Ellie clicks on the console. While those who don't know her might think she looks like a normal 14 year old, those that do know her can tell she's trying to distract herself.

She rubs her nose as she ponders how to start this, before thinking that maybe she should even just cut the feed off. But, hell, she made it this far.

Her arm is bandaged up in a rough sling-- something she did herself.]

Sooo... I guess we can talk about what the fuck just happened, or we can talk about something better. Like, okay, I've had some of the kedan read to me?

Guys, guys. Their stories are fucking hilarious. I'm not even sure how someone gets engaged 12 times on accident, but there's a story for that.

And there's a story about the guy who had a huge case of mistaken identity, and owed a stupid amount of debt because someone pretended to be him when gambling.

... And a huge amount of these end up being romance stories.

Don't even fucking ask me.

[she shrugs and offers a little grin]

I asked if there was any stuff about someone pissing off a monster, or going to outer space, but nope. Nothing. Nada.

How fucking weird is that?

oneofthegoodguys

[Mike clicks on the video. There's a large curved scab above his right eye, a wound still in the process of healing. He wears a smile, looking quite comfortable with the console.]

My name's Mike Weston. I was an agent with the FBI before coming here, but I understand that doesn't mean much now. I was last in Havenport, Maryland, in the United States of America, in the year two-thousand and twelve.

I'd appreciate any more insights people might have on what's going on around here. The kedan answered a lot of my questions, but I can't ask about what I don't know.

[He gives another smile before reaching over to click on an encryption.]

[encrypted 60%]
If there's a network, there are people watching it. I'm new to town and want to learn how the system works and why the console I tried to open goo-ed all over me. Someone? Anyone?

[ooc: Anyone with the capability is welcome to hack the encrypted portion of the message.]

lostundercover

[The audio clicks on and Costigan sounds less than thrilled. He's been busy in the city, outside the bottle, and has very little patience left.]

Fuck.

Catty and Vanessa are both gone. Their suites are cleared out and everything. [A pause.] Anyone else work with them on their rehab program? I can fund and manage it, but I need volunteers to do the.. Counseling? Listening? Fuck if I know.

[encrypted 97% to Evandau]
[Costigan clicks on the video. He looks a little disheveled from the fighting, but he's holding his own fairly well. He looks at the camera.]

There's a kid here, Midii Une. You don't have to talk to her now, but I need to make sure she stays until you do. She's a good kid.

[He runs a hand through his hair. It's not an order, of course. Even though it's a statement, the tone of voice suggests it's a request. Costigan knows better than to make demands.]

And I could still use a better encryption program.

[ooc: I know lots of characters are in the bottle. If you want to assume your character would reply after the event, feel free to forward date a response!]

bludhavenknight

[Dick is at the console in Jason's apartment, since there are good reasons for him to still be there (like going through his things). And maybe he looks kind of tired, but he was working late so there is also a good reason for that.]

This is my first time making one of these, and here's hoping that it's going to be my last. [He sighs, scratching his head for a second.]

But Jason Todd is gone, for those of you who knew him. [He knows it's not exactly a large number.] I'm sorry that I have to let people know that; like I said, I hope this is the last time I have to do this.

[But he's aware that it probably isn't. That's all he has right now.]

( 100% Batcryption for Batfam )

[An hour later, Dick comes back on the network, and now he doesn't just look tired; he looks really tired.]

I shouldn't have said anything about that being my last. [He frowns, swallowing hard.] For those who knew her, Shayera Hol is also gone, I've just found out.

[He's really going to miss her, and he can't even begin to imagine the pain of someone else.] I think that's all for right now.

spiritshifted

[The video feed pops on: in front of a blank, undecorated wall, there is a woman of pencil-straight posture, with a serious and somewhat serene look on her face. This is Milla: even-tempered until she’s given a reason to be otherwise. Her hair is still wet - it takes some time to dry twenty years’ growth, and she had planned on wasting no time in finding her friends and a purpose in this world. In fact, with the way its sopping yellow mass sits around her face… her hair had, perhaps, not crossed her mind at all. And despite the relative chill in the air, she has made no effort to put on anything warmer than what appears to be a crop top.]

Yes, hello there. This is Milla Maxwell speaking.

[She nods her wet head once, understanding from the screen that her movement and voice have registered to the network. So while she might be new to these kinds of things, preferring to leave them to the more technologically-minded members of her party to activate and/or destroy, she has executed this video program without an issue.]

I understand that the concept of Maxwell does not exist in this world, and the spirits appear largely unreachable. It is my understanding that this is the last remaining turtle of many... other than the young turtles I have witnessed on my way here. Have these been bred to replace Tu Vishan's dead brethren? And is there a force protecting them? If possible, I would like to assist in that.

If that means fighting, then so be it.

[Okay, she’s gotten to the point. She nods once, then leans into the camera a little bit, eyes widening as she strokes her chin.]

I do look forward to finding my place in this foggy world.

[r-r-r-r-rumble. That's her stomach.]

...I also look forward to dinner.

washitaway

[When the feed starts, it’s on an empty suite, showing a slept-on couch, a clean kitchen, and a very snazzy guitar. Astute viewers will recognize it as Booker DeWitt’s guitar. And his suite. Off-screen, voices can be heard.]

C’mon. You just have to ask. It’ll take five seconds. [That would be Elizabeth, apparently back to living with Booker in his suite. It’s a far cry from when we last left our heroes.]

I don’t see why I have to show my ugly mug to half the city, though. [Booker’s voice is lower, but actually not slurred with drink for once. Apparently, Elizabeth being back has sobered him up considerably.]

Because, [Elizabeth begins patiently,] it was your idea, and you need to ask. No one’s going to hate you, and you are not ugly, don’t say that. If you wanted to do an audio-only- y’know, like a voxophone- you should have said something before. Now go sit and ask!

[Very reluctantly, Booker walks into view of the screen and sits down, looking rather abashed. He’s also looking cleaner, fresher and more sober than he has in weeks. He just shaved yesterday, folks, it’s a miracle. Elizabeth trails along behind him, looking quite proud of herself. But she won’t be taking her eyes off of Booker, until the message has been sent. It’ll be a long time before she trusts him with something even like that.]

Anybody know of nice restaurants around here? Um. The rich sort. I had a bit of a windfall recently and. Well, I’m just wondering. Any that might seem like they could be Parisian?

[He frowns and turns back to where Elizabeth is standing, shrugging as if to say ‘do you have anything else to add?’]

[Why, yes, she does, how kind of you to ask, Booker. Actually, at the mention of the restaurant in question being vaguely Parisian, Elizabeth, brightens up considerably. When he’s done, she wraps him in a quick hug, then turns to the screen.] Thank you so much in advance! [And then, back to Booker, almost a whisper as she reaches for the control panel.] And thank you, dad.

[The feed switches off.]

----
[ooc: specify whom you wanna talk to, or both, whatever!]

looksfine

[It has been a very interesting two months for Aya thus far. The young not-so-Artificial Intelligence has already learned so much. About Keelai. About the multiverse. About her fellow Foreign "visitors" and, perhaps most importantly, about herself. And how little she actually knows about herself, and the circumstances surrounding her apparent unique creation.]

[Which is what brings her to the Network for a third time. Her eyes are shining with their usual curiosity, although this time, they are enhanced by a certain...hesitation behind them. An uncertainty that emphasizes her surprisingly (and deceptively) young age.]

There is something I am curious about. As your localized Network System appears to be the best place to make such public inquiries, I have chosen to make mine here as well.

[Somehow, when she preempts with this rather innocent statement, it sounds like she's apologizing for wasting everyone's time. Despite the importance to her, personally.]

I have had several conversations regarding...memories. In particular, those that people are able to access, and those they are not. It has been drawn to my attention that, upon departing from this world, any and all memories of this place are to be deleted from one's memory banks without fail. [She is not okay with this, of course, and yet this is still not the main focus of her post.] It has also been drawn to my attention that there are certain memories in which the majority of organic beings are capable of retaining as well as forgetting.

I was programmed to never forget. And yet...I have been made aware that there are certain events which must have occurred in my life that I cannot remember. I find this both curious and disconcerting. Which is why I must ask:

Is it common for one to possess no memories of the circumstances surrounding one's birth?

More so, I am also curious as to precisely what kinds of memories everyone appears to retain best.

[[PRIVATE MESSAGE - TONY STARK (MCU)]]

[Shortly after her more public message, one in a drastically different change of tone will appear on Tony's screen. For either him or JARVIS to encounter first]

I have completed the designs of the sweaters--[here, a small image of said sweater will appear on his screen for visual]-- you requested for the office. Pending your approval, and a total count of sweaters necessary, I shall proceed to create one for each member of the company.

withthebrotherhood

[The video feed shows Toad (in all his scummy green glory) focused and frowning as he messes with the console. It’s not like there wasn’t an explanation, but he’s bad at listening. And refraining from touching things.]

Ah… freakin’… stupid… Heeeey, it’s workin’!

[He immediately brightens. Then scowls again when he remembers what he turned it on for.]

So, uh, I'm new. Hi. Anyway, how cool are people with this deal? Maybe someday do something to fight the weird evil whatever it is, get a house on turtle island?

[The roof over his head aspect is actually quite a selling point for Toad. And there's something unnatural about admitting he exists on some kind of public channel and not just hiding in the shadows, but it seems to be what people do here.]

‘Cus that’s stupid, but how stupid? Is it worth playin’ along? I didn’t see a lot of dumpsters to dive in and stuff, so can you even be, like, no, fight your own monster, I’ll be over here, hiding. Do you actually get in trouble or go to turtle jail?

[He’s a follower. And a coward. Having some idea of how much of a tantrum he can get away with throwing will be helpful.]

...Toad out.

backwordscompatible

[The voice that comes over the screen...and, yes, voice is all the majority of the Network is going to get...is neutral. Eerily so. No emotion whatsoever. No sadness. No anger. Not even a quiver. She'd made sure all of that was out of her system before daring to turn on the console.]

Dick's gone. I caught the locals trying to clean out his room earlier.

[...which explains a few random kedan people might run into looking oddly dazed and confused. Like they had ended up on the wrong side of one of her hexes.]

Managed to salvage just about everything.

You know...just in case any of his friends here were wondering. Or wanted something of his.

cmdreffingshepard

[Shepard's smiling today, and it quickly becomes apparent why: she holds up a little orange hamster, who appears completely uninterested in the proceedings. Really, woman, you shoot things for a living and you get all googly-eyed over a hamster?]

Say hello to Captain Squeaks, of the SSV Normandy. I never thought I'd see this little guy again!

[Captain Squeaks... squeaks a bit, and she sets him back in his little cage.]

Anyone else have pets from home they've been missing?

alphatar

[A broad smile is on Korra’s face when she turns on the video feed. She’s leaning to one side of the chair and looking pleased as punch.]

I’ll be reopening the dojo in the Wood Sector and I need some teachers, mentors, instructors- whatever you want to call yourselves, to teach people that want to learn. Any fighting style will do, but if it’s martial arts; then all the better.

If you’re interested in lessons, get in touch with me here or privately. I don't know how much lessons are going to be yet, but I'll try to keep it low.

[There's a pause where Korra considers her next words and her smile fades a little.]

If you're half as good as Dinah Lance is [Not was.] then I need to talk you.

[Four months of training with Dinah isn't enough for Korra. She wants to dig in further into the various styles she was mastering, and this is the only way she knows of to find someone that can help her do just that.]

tony_redgrave

[The feed clicks on to a new face, a severely annoyed and unimpressed face. The broadcast is from one of the cafe booths, because this guy just cannot sit still for long, even when he feels a lot like death warmed over. He leans over to peer unnecessarily close to the monitor, before slumping back in the booth with an irritated 'hnph!'.]

So, it does work. Well isn't that nice. I'm sure anyone watching this thing has done this little tango before so I'll cut out the pleasantries. First order of business, what's a guy gotta do to get a pizza around here? And second, great story about your little problem and all, but is there any way we can skip climbing the evil tower and go straight to the main event?

I'm late for a party back home, you see, and I'd really hate to miss out on the festivities. It's a pretty big gig, I'm sure you understand.

[This one has only the most pleasant social skills.]

violetsedanchair

[Walter appears again, wearing a white lab coat as usual, in front of his blackboard.]

Dear friends! It seems our chelonopolis has its mind set on visiting the landmass in sight. Some of you may remember my proposed plan from my previous transmission:

[He takes a step back and flips the blackboard around, revealing that he has not wiped away the chalk from last time:

OPERATION "BRINGING HOME THE BACON"

1) ACQUIRING PIGS

2) AN ACCEPTABLE SUBSTITUTE

3) SYNTHETIC PIGS

He picks up the chalk and draws a circle around 1) ACQUIRING PIGS.]

I aim to mount an expedition to the landmass to determine whether any specimens of pig can be secured. All assistance or advice in this endeavour would be appreciated. If you wish to volunteer for the expedition, or if you have any information or experience in porcine acquisition, let me know.

For the record, I have no plans to engage in illegal activity to secure the specimens. So far we've only determined the legality of interdimensional pig rustling, moreover, it would be very bad manners.

[OOC: Landfall thread]

Tu Shanshu

✦ 013 ✦ [VIDEO] ✦ Network Cafe ✦

001 ♦ action → video

23 ❄ ( VIDEO )

Video; take the big game down

video; dated to not much after the exploration team's return

14M15 [AUDIO]

14M14 [VIDEO]

Something to take the blues away [video]

00001 VIDEO: stranger than paradise

14F13 [AUDIO]

[ video ] Another disappearance post

☆ 01. video

009; joint video;

➢ 002 | VIDEO

001 [Video]

✦ 011 ✦ [VOICE]

008; video

Video;

Mission 1 - This isn't where I parked my bike

03 [Video; backdated to the day before Landfall]

Links