(no subject)

[wholenewstory]

A new world. Sounds...strange.

But – people are people.

If I can – protect. I'll be fine.

Comments

[demon_brat]

Of course you'll be fine.

[wholenewstory]

[Cass tilts her head slightly, peering at him.]

Thank you.

You're...Robin?

[demon_brat]

Yes.

*headtilt* Batgirl or Black Bat?

[wholenewstory]

Neither. Just...me.

[demon_brat]

Huh. *but he... nods acceptance to that.*

[wholenewstory]

I still...fight. But I needed... [She just shrugs. She's not sure how to explain, with words.]

How long? [Has he been Robin, she means.]

[demon_brat]

Definition? *Helpful? At least trying to be.*

Since Grayson's been Batman. A few months. *vaguely?*

[wholenewstory]

...Independent. Individual. [He was! GO DAMIAN.]

[And her eyes go wide.] Dick? Batman? That's... [That's just weird, is what it is.]

Do you...like him?

[demon_brat]

*yay! Those responses made his mouth twitch a little* That is kind of difficult, after having had to be something all the time. *they all had positions they had to be perfect at.*

... uhoh. You didn't know about that. *SPOILERS!* He sort of had to.

And like may be an imprecise term. I used to think he was a joke, though, and unworthy of the name. That... changed.

[wholenewstory]

[That surprises her, but then she nods, with a faint, grateful smile.] Yes.

...I...shouldn't ask.

[Her smile widens, then.] He is - silly. Talks too much. But...I think that's good. For...

For people like us. [She can tell pretty easily that this Robin is no normal kid, any more than she was.]

[demon_brat]

*... smile. He knew Cassandra Cain sounded wonderful. Robin's face eases into almost a smile back. Though he knows what he says next will probably not be very smile-keeping.*

Background that might help and you will eventually know anyway. My name is Damian Wayne. My mother is Talia al Ghul, and Father did not know about me until I was ten. I suspect we share at least some training.

Grayson... *how do words?* He's still joking as Batman, though to select audiences. He does smile. Jolly Batman. He can be an idiot sometimes, but... we work well enough. Maybe better than well enough. Mother called him my circus oaf. She doesn't get him... at all.

[wholenewstory]

[Well, it's time to be stunned again.] Talia. [She was part of the Society. The reason Bludhaven - but that's not important. Not really.]

It's - good. That you're with them now.

[She shakes her head at Talia's opinion.] Not...surprising. But it's - okay. To be different from your parents.

[After a moment, intently] Both of them.

[demon_brat]

Maybe. Probably better. Mother trained me to be the Batman, and from there ruler of the world. *that sounds like Talia, right?* But she didn't really have any idea what they are like. What they are about.

*small shrug.* I can't really be either of them, anyway. *not that he isn't still trying to be like Father. Who knows if he even can?*

[wholenewstory]

No. The Bat is about...protection. Sacrifice. Hope. Not - power. Domination.

I...wanted to be Batman, too. But - I think we should just be us.

[demon_brat]

*small nod. She understands. And probably understands how distant that is from the League. That's... soothing, somehow.* The world doesn't need to be ruled by one person. Or ruled. That won't stop a psychopath from setting up fights to the death between children off the streets *look who's talking!* and then offing the winners himself. A ruler of the world wouldn't care about things like that.

*but the Bats do. And Damian found out that he does, too. Personally.*

I'm not sure I have a choice. Eventually. Or that I want one. *It's still a thing - after all, he can't shake all that conditioning quickly. Plus, what else is he good for?*

[wholenewstory]

[Cass nods earnestly, and there's a small, proud smile curving her lips. He's so young, but he's clearly learned so much, in such a short time.]

There is always a choice. We decide - who we want to be. [Her smile deepens.] And I think...I like you as you are.

[demon_brat]

*Cain, stop that. Damian has NO idea how to deal with people that actually like him. Even on slightly incomplete data, though she can guess more than a random person. He just... blinks at her, his eyes a little wider. As much as he can react, between rarity and all the ways he's been taught that feeling things is a weakness.*

I'm... *ulp.* Thanks.

[wholenewstory]

[Damian, you are precious. Cassandra's just beaming at him, now, because it's pretty clear how rare it is for him to be emotional like this, how strange it is to accept compliments.]

You're welcome.

[She holds out her hand.]

Robin.

[demon_brat]

*A small part of him is suddenly understanding those animated characters whose arms flail so much that they blur. He's never comprehended the glimpses, before.

He tentatively, slightly smiles back, reaching to shake her hand in return.*

Cain. *beat, and he corrects himself, quietly. She said she was searching for identity* Cassandra.

*and, after a moment, almost shyly pulls his hand back - only to greet her with a Namaste.*

my heart just burst

[wholenewstory]

[Her eyes widen, slightly, and then she just looks absolutely delighted before responding in kind. Bruce had taught her that; it was one of the first gestures she'd learned that wasn't violent.]

He's been doing some growing up in his game, but WOW! <3

[demon_brat]

*Oooh. He wouldn't have any idea about that. It's been a part of his training (manners, see, ruler of the world), but it's possibly the first time he is this close to fully meaning it.

And, after a moment.*

Good... luck in the new world you may be going to.

<3 I want to hug them both forever.

[wholenewstory]

[She can, of course, tell how much he means it, and fond pride shines in her gaze.]

Thank you. Are you - in a new place?

[somekindofhero]

You're the most adaptable person I've met. I think everything'll be okay.

[wholenewstory]

Thank you, Steph.

Already been - travelling. So this is just...another step. Sort of.

[somekindofhero]

Sort of. I think the whole... apocalypse world or whatever is going to be a little different than say, Hong Kong. Just make sure to pack warm socks, I guess.