(Untitled)

[goddamnrobin]

WHO: Dick and Future Batman Tim.
WHERE: Titans Tower's roof.
WHEN: Beginning of the timeswitch, after this post.
WARNINGS: None.
SUMMARY: Tim kicked out everyone out of the Tower.
FORMAT: Quicklog

Comments

[123youreit]

[He had been sincere - there was no point in making empty promises, and despite the assumptions that everyone seemed set upon, he wasn't a heartless villain either. He steps out of the patch of all-concealing shadows he'd chosen to station himself in, and nods.]

Robin.

[goddamnrobin]

[It doesn't look or feel like Tim at all, even if Dick knows it is. But... well, the point is to try and see Tim in there somewhere, isn't it? Part of it, anyway.]

I thought you never wanted to be Batman.

[123youreit]

[Perhaps there's a trace of him in the very slight tilt of his head at that comment, the dryness in his voice.]

It became necessary.

[goddamnrobin]

[Dick stares at Tim, not making any move to get closer to him. He doesn't know what to do or say, now. He hadn't planned that much (or at all, really). But a Batman having guns on his belt is really creepy.]

So what are you going to do, now? You sort of turned tons of people against you.

[123youreit]

[He makes no move to alleviate the creepiness, or reassure Dick. Either he'll accept him as he is, or turn away.]

I gave them a chance. They'll have to learn the hard way that I'm right. [He pauses] If necessary, I will abandon the Tower, but that's not my first choice.

[goddamnrobin]

If you wanted to convince anyone you were right, your way isn't going to work. You're just gonna come off as a psycho.

[Except that Dick knows there is no way to convince most people that killing criminals is okay. He's... on the verge about it himself.

...Yeah, so maybe showing up to talk to Tim wasn't the best idea...]

[123youreit]

[He just keeps giving Dick a guarded, sharp look... but it softens almost impercebtibly.]

They would have decided that as soon as they saw the guns. This way, I gave them the chance to talk, to listen.

And what do you think about my way, Dick?

[goddamnrobin]

[Dick feels his stomach drop but doesn't let it show. Not much, anyway.]

I'm not joining you, if that's the question.

[Anyway, Batman is going to show up soon.]

[123youreit]

[He smiles, a thin, faint sliver that's gone again within seconds.]

No, that wasn't the question. But that's all the answer I need. You know I'm right. That people like the Joker don't deserve the mercy he gives.

[goddamnrobin]

[Dick glares at Tim through the lenses of the mask. Not because he's wrong, but because he's right and Dick is not ready to admit it. But he's going too far, he has to be, or Beast Boy wouldn't have said he was crazy.

The Joker should die, Dick agrees with this much, but this doesn't mean he would kill him himself. There's a line, there, and Dick would prefer not to cross it.]

Yeah but when do you stop? You kicked us out of the Tower -- what if one of the Titans tries coming against you? What then?

[This isn't Tim, Dick isn't even trying to see Tim in that man anymore. It's just too easy to tell them apart.

Or maybe it's denial on Dick's part. It doesn't matter.]

[123youreit]

Then I dissuade them.

[He frowns slightly and takes a step closer.]

In my time, there are those Titans who stand with me - an army. But there are also those who dissent. They operate on the East coast, we operate on the West. There is a truce. I don't intend to kill other heroes, but neither will I allow them to stop me. If they stay out of my way, then they won't come to harm by my hand.

[goddamnrobin]

[He sighs and purses his lips.] Okay.

[Dick isn't suicidal and won't get in Tim's way if not necessary. But this doesn't mean most people won't stop him.

Actually, Dick doesn't have... the strong conviction that stopping him would be the best thing to do. He doesn't know him enough, and even through the creepiness, he can't tell if this Batman is wrong or right.

He'll have to wait and see.]

Just don't be an idiot.

[123youreit]

[He tilts his head just slightly, and gives Dick a thin smile.]

I never am.

[He turns away, walking back into the shadows.]

Shouldn't you be leaving? Unless you wanted to join me.

[goddamnrobin]

[Dick's will not to judge and not to be a jerk sort of vanishes with that comment. He squints and sneers, reaching for his grappling hook on his belt.]

Told you I wasn't going to. [It feels like he's saying 'no now' to him, but there's no way Tim can know. Or if he has doubts about it, he doesn't have any proof.

He takes a last look at this Batman before shooting his line to fly away.]