voicetesting

[stillbatman]

Charming.

[How does that one word convey such an overbearing quality of sarcasm? Magic. Or Batman. One of the two.]

This compulsion of yours isn't flattering or useful. For either of us. Give it a rest.

Comments

[rather_be_surfing]

Your mun probably has too much time on their hands. Seems to be what's up with mine. Give her a few days off and she decides to dig me out of the so-called mental grave.

[stillbatman]

And?

[Bruce is naturally inclined to cranky old man syndrome when confronted with people he doesn't know.]

[girlfriend_beyond]

Wayne.

Bad time to talk?

[stillbatman]

Miss Tan.

[They've never really had much to do with one another, but Bruce arches an eyebrow inquiringly.]

[laughingalltheway]

[ Can't resist any Batty boop he comes across, I tell you. Good thing he doesn't have a clue who this Bruce is or was or is! ]

Oh but, see, compulsions are the very finest things to follow, you know. A little impulse action, if you will, going with your gut, following your instincts? I find it funny, you know, amusing, humorous, entertaining even... Hah, hah.

You seem so glum, so disappointed. Why not a smile?

[stillbatman]

[... And you know what? Some things are just universal. People smile when they're happy, cry when they're upset, and any incarnation of the Joker is a recognizable pastiche of the jester's role. Still, though this may be a variant on his greatest enemy, Bruce doesn't look so much as ruffled. He's danced this dance once before.]

I'm not the smiling type.

[electric_mayhem]

Still as cranky as ever.

[stillbatman]

[Oh, it's you. Well, Bruce doesn't hate you, so although his expression stays... disgruntled, it's not actively irritated.]

Are you surprised?

[byebye_mistah_j]

You look rather familiar. I'm not entirely sure why though.

[stillbatman]

[Harley Quinn.

Or, more likely - Harleen Quinzel, by the look of her. Bruce just. Scrutinizes her.]

I think I'd remember.

[Hey, he may be an octogenarian, but he can still lay on the charm. And you bet he will until he figures out what's up with a version of Harley that looks... somewhat sane?]

[trainedbythebat]

(Yep. Doesn't matter what universe, how old he is or even if he's wearing the suit. Tim will always recognize that voice.)

Never change, do you?

[stillbatman]

[There aren't a lot of people who can say that they've surprised Batman. Any Batman, frankly. Maybe Jean-Paul excepted.

But Tim now joins those hallowed ranks, because Bruce is looking at him like he's seen a ghost.]

... Tim.

[felinefemme]

Join the rest of the crowd unhappy to be here.

[stillbatman]

['I'm always unhappy'. It's on the list of things that Bruce would probably almost never say aloud.]

... Miss Kyle, I presume?

[Not his Catwoman. But a Catwoman. He's surprised he can feel fond of her, after all these years.]

[alienfromkansas]

I wouldn't call having a little fun a 'compulsion'.

[stillbatman]

The compulsion is her penchant to collect 'Batmen'.

[HIS EXPRESSION IS SO SOUR. SHE COULD HAVE PICKED HIM FROM WHEN HE WAS IN HIS PRIME BUT NOOOO there were mumbles of 'more compelling' and 'frankly I just like you more as a cranky old grandbatdad'.

You know. Once everything he loved is dead.]

[bodilesswarrior]

Are you really lecturing someone about compulsions?

[stillbatman]

[Oh, the glare.]

[magicianoffate]

[Did somebody say Magic?]

Speaking of charm, I see the years haven't damped any of yours, old friend.

[stillbatman]

Zatara.

[Good god he sounds faintly surprised for the second time in as many hours. Zatara was old when he was a boy (or at least it seemed so at the time, though the man was in his forties) you can imagine this being a little... weird.]

[goddamnwingman]

Yeeeeah. Problem is, most of them don't care about it being flattering or useful. They just find it amusing.

[stillbatman]

Your observational skills, as always.

[Not sure how to take a bb!Dick that wasn't forced into retirement by a bullet to the spine, help, help.]

[ditchedtheherogame]

You do know that by telling them to give it a rest you're probably only making things worse, right?

[stillbatman]

[... head... tilt...

Admittedly, Bruce would never do anything so obviously bemused. Instead, he merely arches an eyebrow.]

The thought occurred to me.

[battothefuture]

[Terry's voice is relieved and affectionate and a little tired all at once, with amusement under all of that. It's... been a while.]

Give it up, old man. If they're stubborn enough to have gotten you this far, I doubt they'll give up that easily.

[stillbatman]

McGinnis.

[And he gets a once-over. Not sleeping enough. Probably not eating enough, either. Bruce's eyes narrow.]

You've been busy.

[catwoman]

My, you're grouchy.

[stillbatman]

[-- the costume's a different colour, but that sass, girl.]

Catwoman. To what do I owe the pleasure?

[He made the mistake of calling the other one by her real name. It's not one he plans to repeat.]

[maxnotmaxine]

[Well, there's a familiar face.

She tries not to look nervous, and fails. As always.]

Mr. Wayne.

[stillbatman]

[He gives her an arch look.]

Miss Gibson.

[What, did you want an actual greeting or something.]