067 [video]

[batmanschmatman]

[The enchanted book starts broadcasting an image to your own communicators of Dick, who looks exactly the same as his Barge counterpart, but with different clothes. He's a more or less familiar face around this town, although he and his bff Jon Snow come and go as they please to avoid getting caught by you Sheriff of Nottingham types. He's

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[Private]

[aboutpower]

[She replies instantly, barely a second's delay. Rowena puts on her image and she speaks in that same too-beautiful voice with that same passive expression, with those same ever-curious eyes staring at him.]

The Robin has returned. [She tilts her head delicately to the side as if the question is ridiculous.] The forests have remained, and so have I.

[Private]

[batmanschmatman]

[The instantaneous response almost surprises him, but he manages to mask it and can't help but grin at the way she addresses him.] That's good to hear.

How have you been, milady?

[Private]

[aboutpower]

[And that head-tilt gets a little more angled, and she half-smirks as if she's watching some sort of very strange yet charming behavior. Like she's studying him. Intensely. Nymphs don't really have the same kind of social behavior norms. :|]

I am no lady. [Brief smile, oh you're so funny, you silly charming mortal man! Then she becomes serious once again.] The noise as of late has been.. Exhausting. But I am well.

[Ominous pause.] I know what you seek.

[Private]

[batmanschmatman]

[NOTHING AND NO ONE ELSE MATTERS IN THIS MOMENT. Robin literally stops breathing for a second, because he's been waiting for years for someone to give him more news. There had been false leads, glimmers of hope, and maybe even legitimate missed opportunities, but the difference now was that he trusts Rowena, and knows she has her ways of finding things out so this... this is serious.]

You do?

[Private]

[aboutpower]

[Rowena does her best to hide her disappointment that he is still so very hung up on this girl. If he were anyone else, she would consider betraying him and sending him to his death or a trap of some kind. But he's Richard, and she will do right for him.]

Yes. [Little pause.] New whispers have come to me in recent days. But I am hesitant to divulge what I am not certain of..

[Private]

[batmanschmatman]

[He tries to keep the disappointment out of his own expression, because he does appreciate the help, and he knows it's not something she wants to just hand out until she's sure of the details, even if his hopes are already rising.]

I understand. Can you tell me what you do know?

[Private]

[aboutpower]

[More pausing as she begins to walk through the forest in a fluid motion, as if she is floating, or as if the forest floor is rising to meet her footsteps. She says his name as if it is an entire song. Her voice is musical enough. Might as well be.] Richard.

She is still your greatest wish? Time has not altered or eroded your devotions? [She knows the answer but she still has to ask.]

[Private]

[batmanschmatman]

[Something painful twists in his chest at the question, and he looks away from the journal for a moment. Losing Summer hurts so much that it might as well have happened yesterday. He knows people think he's crazy, but he can't bring himself to care. She was alive, and he would spend the rest of his life searching for her if necessary.] No. It hasn't.

I love her, Rowena.

[Private]

[aboutpower]

[Silence and there's pain in her face she can't disguise. Rowena stops walking and sits on a rock next to a small pond.]

Then I will try to reunite you. [Said so softly.] I have heard of a sighting. Your Summer is alive.

Anything more I cannot say. Yet. [She looks to the trees.]

Tomorrow. Tomorrow you will come into the forest.

[Private]

[batmanschmatman]

[She's alive. That enough was almost enough to bring tears to his eyes, and he puts a hand over his mouth, trying to mask his reaction. She's alive.

He recognizes her reaction a few seconds later than he probably should have, and immediately masks his own emotions. He's... not really sure why she looks so sad about it, but he's so grateful to his friend, he can't even really express it. She's already done so much for him, and now this.]

Thank you, Rowena. Thank you. I'm forever in your debt.

[Private]

[aboutpower]

[She notices that he noticed, and she covers it as best as she can. Now she focuses on his words and finds the good parts in them. Rowena allows herself to smile a guarded smile.]

My Robin. I wish to see you happy. [Not that she thinks this girl will make him happy, but hey!] There is no need.

[Private]

[batmanschmatman]

[He laughs softly, shaking his head slightly. He's serious. They already were connected by friendship and gratitude after she'd saved his life, but this just strengthened it.]

Thank you. [He smiled honestly.] When I fell into that river, I didn't realize what a friend I'd be making.

[Private]

[aboutpower]

[Smirk.] As I didn't realize I'd ever meet a human so.. [Don't say it, don't say it. She catches herself and says:] Tolerable. [And smiles, a private joke to herself.]

[Private]

[batmanschmatman]

[His own smile widens to a grin, definite amusement in his expression.] I'm flattered. Truly.