On joining the Omegafriends. Hoping to find some fellow DCAU characters to come along.

[i_am_vengeance]

You're slowing down.

If you're going to write that app, then do it, but if you're just going to sit around watching videos and calling it "research" then stop wasting my time. I have work to do, and that doesn't involve mentoring anybody.

[.....]

If Clark wants to play babysitter, that's his business. I do my best work alone.

[.....]

... No, Diana being there wouldn't change my mind either.

Comments

[big_blue_boyscout]

I'll be sure to tell Robin that.

[He's joking, but that's probably fairly obvious even without being the world's greatest detective.]

[i_am_vengeance]

[Fairly dangerous ground for a joke considering the point that Robin in the game is from.]

That was different.

Is it? I haven't had the time to check his canon point and now I feel awful about that.

[big_blue_boyscout]

My point is that these kids want to do the right thing, just like us, and whether you like it or not, they're going to be the ones leading the charge when we can't anymore. We have a responsibility to make sure they can do that, and I think they could learn a lot from you. I'm not saying that you have to leave Gotham and spend all of your time showing them the ropes, but even part-time you could do a lot of good, Bruce.

[arkhamscoldest]

Ah, the Batman. I should have assumed it would be only a matter of time before one of you arrived to interfere in my work once more.

[i_am_vengeance]

Only because your work too often puts innocent lives at risk, Freeze.

[His offer to help you still stands, Victor. They don't need to be enemies.]

[arkhamscoldest]

If the citizens of Gotham were less concerned with labelling me as a monster akin to those others within Arkham, I would perhaps feel more inclined to show them mercy.

[And lock him away as soon as they're finished? He wants to stay with Nora, not be forever beyond her beauty in the confines of Arkham with those far less sane than he.]

[inmateincharge]

Batsy! It's been far too long since I've heard that gravelly voice of yours! How are the kids? I haven't seen Bratgirl in ages, and I've completely lost track of how many little birdies you've got flying around!

[i_am_vengeance]

Joker.

[Not even gonna rise to to any of that bait. His eyes narrow dangerously.]

I should have expected to find you here.

[inmateincharge]

Should've, but didn't! Good thing, too - I wouldn't want to be too predictable!

So what's all this about you going on vacation? Gotham doesn't have enough crime for you all of a sudden?

[sickjoke]

I .... don't think you're who I think you are.

Damn.

[darknessiknow]

Minds often change when in a new environment.

threadjack drive-by for a high-five

[sable_cloak]

Because seriously. Shadow rules.

[red_star]

Sometimes slow is better. Information is important.

[son_of_talia]

Work alone, Father? [Damian doesn't even remotely buy that. He's seen how Bruce depends on Alfred in and out of costume, he just avoids Alfred's name for the sake of not wanting to truly anger him. Oh, and if you didn't hear him come in, good. Like father, like son. Though Damian would attribute it to Talia's training more than anything.] Then explain the former Robin to me. Or the Batgirl costume in the cave, though in my opinion the latter looks less effeminate.

Heeeey there. You lookin' fer a game by any chance?

[i_am_vengeance]

[Of course he heard you come in. Damian's good but he's not that good, not yet.

He'll ignore the criticism of the old Robin costume, and instead focus on the criticism leveled at him. Because he's aware of the hypocrisy of that statement, however....]

Those were different times. Things changed.

[As for Robin... well, that's not his explanation to give. Damian might get it from Dick one day, if the two of them can get along for twenty minutes.]

Yes... I'm new, but easily enabled.

[son_of_talia]

[Let him have it, Bruce. It's not like he has any other fond memories of childhood other than sneaking up on people. This is good times, for him.]

Pennyworth is closer to you than anyone who wore those costumes in the cave, and you keep him around. And it's not just because he makes fantastic tea.

[Although he does. Alfred is much better than Dick. If forced to choose, Damian has his pick. After a moment, though, his smirk fades to a more serious expression.] Mother said once that Alfred might as well be your father, though. And I can... comprehend making exceptions for family. [Pause.] Useful family.

[Ugh, he almost sounded soft for a moment, there.]

Intriguing

[i_am_vengeance]

[Just this once, then.]

She wasn't wrong. After my parents' murder Alfred... Alfred was the only family I had for a long time. [He still is, even if his family has grown recently. It seemed no matter how good Bruce became at driving people away, Alfred was always there. It meant something.]

As for the others, leaving was their choice, and it isn't one I hold against them. They had their own lives to lead.


[OOC: Well, Batman here just got accepted into Omegafriends, a Saturday-morning cartoon style superhero game. It's an AU game although that term is used loosely for characters who are already superheroes. For them, it's mostly just a question of changing locations.]

I'm also running on no knowledge of Damian other than the Son of Batman animated feature. Sorry.

[son_of_talia]

Why did you not fall into the custody of another family member? Surely there was some far-flung relative, at least? [Talia drilled the importance of family into him. He can't comprehend how a child could end up being raised by a servant.

He eyes his father carefully.] They had a legacy to uphold, however. [It's somewhere between a statement and a question. His own parents have inadvertantly put him in a place of conflicting loyalties, and he knows he's technically heir to both of their respective empires.] It truly never bothered you?


[OOC: Oh, wow. I kinda want in and at the same time doubt I have a good enough Damian voice for this...]

That's cool, I'm pretty much in the same boat there. This Bats is DCAU based anyway.

[i_am_vengeance]

There wasn't. [It's a terse answer, for a difficult subject. He never liked talking about that period of his life, when he'd had to come to terms with being alone in the world... however, that won't do here. Of course Damian would have questions and he has a right to the answers to them. It's his family too after all.] My grandparents were already gone, and both my parents were only children. The truth is, there was nobody else.

[And speaking of difficult subjects... of course, he can't say that Dick and Barbara's departures never bothered him, but he understood their reasons. Just like he also knows that Damian will have to make a choice one day, but perhaps he can at least guide him toward making the right one.]

I chose this life for myself years ago, and I'll see it through to the end, no regrets, but it isn't one I can force on anyone else. That's all.


[You seem fine to me so far, but most of my experience with the character is from the movie as well. There's a test drive meme here. I've gotta be getting to bed but if you want, I'd be happy to help you voicetest some more. Having Damian around would make things very interesting for Batsy here.]

DCAU, I grew up on. It was my childhood.

[son_of_talia]

[Damian watches the minimal expressions of the older Wayne carefully. Bruce is not an expressive man, but watching his mother, Damian learned how every person, even her, had tiny tells that gave away lies. Seeing none leaves him more confused than before. He's not entirely sure what to make of this man he's supposed to call Father.]

He did not have to step in to take you. I doubt my handlers would have done the same in that situation. [Damian isn't sure why he feels the need to add,] Pennyworth is a curious fellow. He has quit complaining about my 'overly specific and complicated' tea order once I mentioned Mother and I used to have it that way every morning. [And no, Bruce, you don't get to make a comment on how Damian's first move upon being shown his room was order the sole comfort from home he could get. Because this is Damiam being vulnerable in return for his father's own vulnerability in regards to Thomas and Martha Wayne and Alfred, and he can slam that door shut as quickly as it opened.]

You need an heir. Without it, what has all your sacrifice and work been for? You poured your everything into Gotham. Mother said she knew priests less dedicated to their religions than you are to your cause. That can't simply be thrown away.

[The weight of all the things he feels like he absolutely, unequivocally has to do is so heavy it's almost unbearable sometimes.]


[OOC: Thanks! I'm about to crash for the night myself but I might post there if I can brain a decent post for him, see if this can work. Thanks for the encouragement; your Bruce is spot-on.]