On being reserved at tushanshu

[bird_of_prey]

So....not to get on your ass or anything but instead of playing games and pissing your time away whilst not out being a productive member of society, why don't you get around to that app you've been writing for me, huh?

Mundane, I don't want to hear your excuses. You're not allowed to go 'I'm going to app Babs to the Turtle' and then proceed to just poke at the app in a half-asssed, disorganized manner. Don't make me get nasty with you. I will eat at your headspace until all that's left in that mothball filled cavern is me and this.That's right, ten hours of it.

No, I'm not trying to turn you into the Joker. How dare you even suggest that. Really, mundane, I have my doubts about whether or not we'll ever make a cohesive team.

Comments

[plains_hunter]

[That damned song.]

Don't people on your side have some sort of rules against torture?

[bird_of_prey]

It's not really torture so much as psychological warfare. Or cognitive manipulation if you prefer. I'm not hurting per se, so does it really count as torture?

[wing_of_night]

I can personally attest to the virtues of not making you get nasty with people.

[bird_of_prey]

[She just smiled sweetly.] That's because you're not an idiot, Dick.

[wing_of_night]

That, and I've been on the receiving end of your lectures far too often. How've you been?

[bird_of_prey]

Generally because you deserved one of them, I'm sure. [One shoulder lifted and fell in a half-shrug.] Aside from uncooperative muns, I can't complain too much. [Which in Barbara speech meant she was working far too much and generally putting her life on hold for the Birds.]

[wing_of_night]

Not saying I didn't. Just ask Alfred. I'm sure he's glad someone took his shift lecturing me.

[Considering this is Dick, and has become too well versed in Babs-speak...]

So... you're going crazy now that your mun is keeping you away from the Clock Tower and the Birds? Honestly, so long as you're here and not in a game, consider it a vacation. It'd do you good to relax for a bit.

[bird_of_prey]

I'm sure you were an absolute doll compared to some of the other Robins. [Jason....he went without saying because he was a bit of a sore subject for both of them and Damian...well he was just a little shit.]

Pretty much, yes. I don't do vacations well, Dick. You know that. After a day or two of inactivity I'm climbing the walls and looking for something to do. I can relax all on my own and still get work accomplished at home.

[wing_of_night]

You're joking, right? Steph is the only one that came close to my record of times we made Alfred do his trademark exasperated sigh.

[Have a hand on your shoulder.]

Believe me, I know. I can hope though. I've seen too many people work themselves to death. I am allowed to worry about you, aren't I?

[bird_of_prey]

Hmmn, she definitely seems to get the most vein-popping reactions out of Bruce, that's for sure. [Which was just yet another reason she was so fond of the girl.

Feeling the familiar weight of Dick's hand on her shoulder, Babs shot a curious look up at Nightwing.] You are if there was something to be worried about. Yes, I work hard but that's just the way I'm built and you know it. [Still, her hand came up to rest against Dick's lightly.] Besides, if there is anyone you should be worried about it's Bruce and Damian doing his damndest to emulate him. Last time I talked to Alfred he mentioned Damian was trying to convince his body he needs more than two hours of sleep at night.

[wing_of_night]

I swear, she's like a long-lost Grayson. [He's so proud of her too. They learn so fast.]

[At the talk of Bruce and Damian... Dick instantly looks exhausted, despite the small smirk.]

Damian has come a long way. Considering his mother, it wasn't really any surprise that he had issues, but I gotta admit, his body seems to be built for the high-stress life.

I'm more worried about you right now, because you're being kept from your work. I know all too well that you function better when you're multitasking. I'm afraid this place won't challenge you enough, y'know?

[bird_of_prey]

Doesn't really fit the Roma cast though, does she? [Steph definitely didn't look anything like Dick but she certainly had a knack for cheesing off Bruce which was a quality Barbara could support. After all, there'd been a time not so long ago when she'd been the Batgirl wearing the symbol despite Batman and everyone else telling her she couldn't.]

I'm sure Talia and he would make some ridiculous claim about it being superior genetics but he's still a kid and that kind of stuff will stunt his growth or something. [Seeing that her gambit to try and change the topic away from her was failing, Babs settled for sighing ever so quietly.] Why do you say that? A lot of our people are there already.

[wing_of_night]

Maybe, but she's got the spirit for it.

Yeah, she would. But we both know it's all in the training. I wouldn't about his growth though. Alfred will see to it that he gets the proper nutrition.

[This is Dick. He's just as stubborn when he wants to be.] You'll have four of the Birds there, yeah, but you'll be cut off from every data network you hacked from the clock tower, and there will be all sorts of rules and crazy events that will limit you further.

Besides, aren't I allowed to worry about the people I care about?

[electabuzzfan]

Babs?

[ex_bigsmile878]

Well, I guess it's like they say - Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery. [ Ha! ]

[bird_of_prey]

While there might be some passing similarities between you and my mundane, she's not a complete raving psychopath like you. Somehow I doubt that song on end for ten hours straight is enough to drive anyone to your level of insanity.

[8x10s_on_request]

So, Babs. Is it true you cybered with Beetle?

Because... well, dammit, because Booster. That's all the reason he needs.

[idkmybffbooster_gold]

[And cue a Blue-Beetle-Booster-Brain-Bash. Aka, slapping Booster upside the head.]

Don't mind him, Barbara. He's a little... slow.

Re: Because... well, dammit, because Booster. That's all the reason he needs.

[8x10s_on_request]

You don't want me finding out, eh? It must be true!

[idkmybffbooster_gold]

Dude! Shut up! It wasn't like that at all. [Never mind him turning bright red.]

[8x10s_on_request]

Uh-huh.

[bird_of_prey]

I can promise you that you'll never know one way or another. Also, don't they teach you not to ask those kinds of questions in your century? [Not that there weren't rude jackasses here too.]

[idkmybffbooster_gold]

Again, I apologize for Booster. I think he took a few too many blows to the head when he was a child.

[Awkward Ted is awkward.]

[8x10s_on_request]

Probably. I spent most of school playing football or sleeping.

Besides, [puts an arm around Beetle's shoulders] you could do a lot worse than my buddy here.

[bird_of_prey]

And getting dropped on your head as a child, I'm going to assume. [Barbara crossed her arms over her chest and flicked a look from Booster and to Ted before looking back at booster again.]

I'm aware of that. But that still doesn't forgive asking those kinds of questions.

[idkmybffbooster_gold]

[And Ted is just going to groan, looking decidedly trapped.]

Booster, remember when I mentioned giving you an implant that shocked you every time you had a bad idea? ...Yeah, I'm making the blueprints in my head now.

[And Babs, have a look of "I'M SO SORRY!"]

[8x10s_on_request]

Please. Like you'd really do that? I'd either burn it out or be dead in a week.

[bird_of_prey]

[She could only shrug helplessly at Ted when he sent her that helpless look.]

Or you could just take a chill pill, Booster and cool your jets. [Chill pill? Alright, maybe she was dating herself just a little.]

[idkmybffbooster_gold]

[Ted is going to make sure Booster is nowhere to be found before striking up a conversation.]

So... uh... how's the Clock Tower working out for you?

[bird_of_prey]

It's working out well, thank you. I've almost got it to where I want everything. [Barbara assured him with a smile. She liked Ted, he didn't get that glazed over look in his eyes when she started talking about anything technical and they almost had their own 'retired superheros' guild going on.]

[idkmybffbooster_gold]

Good to hear. I was kind of worried there might be an issue with overheating. I had that problem with the first model of the Bug.

[Yes, it's rare that Ted gets to flex his brain - especially with Booster around - and even rarer that he can do so without causing headaches in his peers. And Ted would totally make t-shirts for their 'retired superhero' club.]

[bird_of_prey]

Not so far, no. I'm using a new combination of heat sinks I got from Star Labs and my usual air cooling system.

[Of course, it wasn't her first time building a 'super secret lair'. Nothing could be worse than the apartment of doom where the electrical system had taken weeks to iron out.] How are you doing, Ted? Annoying best friends with embarrassing questions not withstanding?

[wholenewstory]

[What is that? Oh, it's an armful of Cass.]

[bird_of_prey]

[She was okay with the sudden armful of Cass even if it was somewhat unexpected.] Okay, hello to you too? [Barbara half laughed.]

[wholenewstory]

[Cass beams up at her.]

Missed you.

[They were finally starting to be okay again, and then she died, and now she's on a turtle, and she wants her mom, okay.]

[bird_of_prey]

[She found herself smiling back at Cass. It was so hard not to when the girl smiled at her like that.]

Missed you too, hon.

[She probably would have freaked out a little over being the 'Batmom' but Cass was definitely the one Batgirl you could count on to keep her mouth shut.]

[wholenewstory]

[She pulls back, still beaming.]

Glad you're coming. Need to - keep the boys in shape.

[bird_of_prey]

Something tells me you're more than capable of handling the boys on your own, Cass.

[Amusement touched the woman's green eyes as she smiled at her protege/replacement.]

[hackingyoursensors]

If anyone can whip a mun into shape, it's you.

Though the bad music is a little cruel and unusual.

[bird_of_prey]

Thank you for the vote of confidence, Boy Wonder.

[A dark red eyebrow arched ever so slightly at that.] Coming from people who regularly hang bad guys off the sides of buildings? I'd say this is nothing compared to some of the interrogation tactics you and Bats use.

[hackingyoursensors]

Well then, what tunes would you recommend for the next time Batman and I interrogate someone? The Beach Boys? N*SYNC?

[bird_of_prey]

I suppose it would depend on the person you're interrogating, hmmnn? That just happens to be my mundane's least favorite 'ear worm' so that's why I pulled it out.

[hackingyoursensors]

Good to know you don't pull punches with anyone, no matter the dimension.

[HE WISELY DOESN'T BRING UP AGE. HE'S WELL-TRAINED.]