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[flipping_bird]

The visit to the Nexus has left Robin restless, uneasy, wanting things he's not sure how to name. He shifts restlessly, unable to sleep. Physically, he's exhausted. Mentally -- he just can't quieten his thoughts. It's not Slade. It's not even Nightwing and Persephone. It's more -- they're not there, and their absence brings other absences into

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[wantsapprentice]

He was out.

The new that Robin had returned to the Nexus put him not exactly in a bad, but he certainly wasn't pleased. He didn't expect to overhear anything incriminating either -- Robin was too smart for it, but even so, Slade knew there would be more going on that was immediately apparent

[flipping_bird]

It's a familiar presence, not unexpected. Robin's aware but not aware enough to wake: the information filters slowly through his sleeping senses, becoming tied up with other, earlier memories.

He's dozing still, having left Jump City behind for Gotham when he realises that Batman is going to kill him for being careless enough to fall asleep on watch and he awakes with a jerk. It takes a few seconds for his mind to recognise Slade, and he freezes, still trying to work out where he is and why.

[wantsapprentice]

He doesn't say a word, just watching as Robin gets his bearing. He's already looked at the cameras so he already knows what the boy must be here for, as well as why he fell asleep. It's unimportant.

So he just waits, still not making a sound as he peers at the boy in the darkness.

[flipping_bird]

You can tell the moment Robin realises where he is: his shoulders slump in something very like defeat. He covers it well though.

"Waiting for the chair?"

[wantsapprentice]

He notes the body language silently without altering his own, still watching from his perch by the console.

"Among other things." Brief pause. "How was your trip?"

[flipping_bird]

The question requires a total shift in gears. Robin slips out of the chair, wincing as he realises how stiff he is -- that chair was really not designed for sleeping in.

"Surprising," he says, looking at Slade curiously. "Your alternate wore blue."

[wantsapprentice]

That gets a small, wry smile out him. "Too colorful?"

[flipping_bird]

Robin snorts. He's very much aware that he can't throw stones in terms of colours (although he would insist if he could that it was his Mom's choice, not his, and he protested at the time). "Unexpected. Didn't seem right somehow."

[wantsapprentice]

To you, perhaps, he thinks but doesn't say. No need to encourage the idea that he is in any way similar to his alternate. His mercenary days are behind him and have been for a long time.

"Anything else?"

[flipping_bird]

"Lots else. I'm hoping other-you doesn't make a habit of hanging round the Nexus," Robin complains. "One of you is more than enough for anyone."

[wantsapprentice]

Slade can't help but smile a little at that. "Duly noted."

[flipping_bird]

Robin pauses. Was that a smile ... ?

Not for the first time this conversation he feels distinctly at a loss. "Anyway, if you don't need me for anything I'm going back to bed."

[wantsapprentice]

Yes, it was, but Robin will never know for sure thanks to that mask.

"Tomorrow, then," he says, dismissing Robin with his tone if not the words. He won't sleep for a while and knows it so as soon as Robin vacates the chair, he'll resume his position in front of the monitor.