(Untitled)

[legendarymadman]

Somehow Geoffrey figured this duty would fall on him sooner or later, and now three different elements had converged to make it his turn: he was on the Council, he wasn't running in this election, and he was, in fact, master of this stage

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part 1

[cantstopmoving]

Hands tucked in his pockets, one ankle crossed over the other, Dick leans against a tree and listens to the speeches for awhile. Lets the rhythm of the words, the ideas, the patter of it wash over him. It's different than politics back home. Less bullshit, more transparency. Dick likes that, even if it conflicts with the secrecy of the mission. Dick's not planning to talk about that, but he won't deny it either. Nightwing's not running for Council; Dick Grayson, the guy Barbara Gordon sent him away to find, is

part 2

[cantstopmoving]

"Before I jump down from here, and I probably will jump, just a warning--" His lips curve hard with the force of a grin that says he's looking forward to it. "I want to say a word about who I'm voting for. Jack Harkness over there gave you his speech. I watched him babysit two kids the first day I met him, and, I knew, there's a guy who looks out for people. So he's got my vote.

"And over here, you'll see her soon now, is Barbara Gordon. I've never met four people together who are more competent and more capable than Babs, and besides that, she's going to look out for things a lot of us would never see.

"The last person I'm going to vote for is me. Because I'll tell you the truth, I believe I'm the right person in the right place at the right time." He pauses, considering it a moment, then decides not to skin up his t-shirt to reveal his bullet, glass, and knife scars. "You can all see my arms." Dick turns them and his hands palm out to the crowd saying, "I've been shot, stabbed, beaten and I still keep going," then pulls in his

Re: part 2

[curiously_cora]

"Hello Mister Grayson, my name is Coraline Jones and I'm going to ask you some questions if that's okay." Coraline said with a big smile. Whilst her nemesis The Evil de Worde seemed to do well with really big words and questions, Coraline found that most of the people on the stage answered better to a smile. And in this game of who gets to ask more questions, Coraline was determined to win. "Firstly, do you mean Gotham City? Like Batman and Robin Gotham?"

That was pretty cool. Unless he was a villain and then she'd have to defeat him. "And if elected what would you do for the children on the island? And do you really mean it about a circus because I really want a fun fair."

Re: part 2

[cantstopmoving]

"Hi there, Coraline," Dick answers, smiling back just as brightly. He'd hoped she'd want to talk to him. "You can call me 'Dick'. Everyone does. And, yes, I do mean Gotham like Batman and Robin's Gotham."

Considering her for just a minute, he knelt down at the edge of the stage, hand out to help her up. "I'd love it if you'd come on up here with me so we can talk about the island's children, okay?" While he's waiting for her to decide, he projects his voice so that she and everyone else can hear him: "I do mean it about the circus, and a fun fair sounds like a great idea. How would you want me to help with that?"

Re: part 2

[curiously_cora]

"Okay Mister Dick," Coraline said with a smile. She put away her notebook into catbag and took his hand as he helped her onto the stage. "Help arrange a portion of the building crew's time into doing it like a timetable at school. I mean I know it's not as important as houses or clinics but I think it's much more important then a place where ladies take off their clothing. The Grown Ups have a lot of places they can go and play in but we don't."

Re: part 2

[cantstopmoving]

Dick laughs easily for "Mr. Dick". "Actually, Coraline, Mr. Dick is the guy over there--" He points out Joe Dick in the crowd. "Who gave the first speech. I'm just 'Dick' but you can call me whatever works for you." As long as it's not 'Shortpants'.

"So--" He looks at her, several feet shorter still, and settles gracefully into a crouch that puts their eyes level. "I think we can do that. Even if I'm not elected, I'd be happy to help with your fun-fair, and I think my friends would too." Roy. "Your job is finding the right grown-ups to work at the fair. It's a place for kids, but there should be people to make sure you're safe, don't you think

Re: part 2

[dogbitesman]

"As far as I'm aware the school already has self-defence classes," William said absently. He was a reporter; it was equal parts asking questions and presenting information, sometimes both as part of the same package. "Under the name of weaponry, at least, but it has featured unarmed instruction, which I imagine is the same thing."

He glanced at his notebook, in which he'd written the salient points of the speech. "William de Worde, Tabula Rasa Times. Mr Grayson, how long have you been on this island?"

Re: part 2

[cantstopmoving]

"Thank you, Mr. de Worde. I appreciate the opportunity to answer your questions," Dick begins politely. "I also appreciate the information about the school's offerings. But there's a vast difference between knowing about a weapon and the basics of how to use it, or even unarmed combat, than there is in continued, sustained instruction in the arts of self-defense. Above and beyond the skills, self-defense training gives people confidence. It makes them more capable of managing themselves in any sort of crisis, because they're less afraid."

He smiles, calm and confident. "I've been here just over a month."

Re: part 2

[dogbitesman]

William raised his eyebrows slightly. "Just over a month, and you believe you've enough knowledge and experience of the island to be part of the governing body?"

Re: part 2

[cantstopmoving]

"I understand your point, Mr. de Worde, and to some extent, I even agree with it. But I also know that at least ten people wanted me to be one of their leaders, and that's not something I take lightly." Dick meets de Worde's gaze clear and sharp, pure Nightwing.

"Leadership is about people as much as places. It's a delicate balance between setting a direction with your opinions, and listening to the people you lead. So, yes. I do believe I've got enough knowledge and experience to be part of the governing body. Because I have all of theirs--" He nods to the crowd behind him, then smiles. "And yours."

Re: part 2

[dogbitesman]

"Right," William said, "but why not just elect one of them? They have all of theirs, as well. Why choose you over someone with personal experience specific to the island, and for that matter greater familiarity with the residents?"

Re: part 2

[cantstopmoving]

Dick can answer that question at least five different ways, so he gives it a few seconds to let it settle. "Maybe because I am new, Mr. de Worde. We have new faces on the island weekly, if not daily. I think there should always be someone on the Council with fresh experience of what it feels like to land here, maybe without friends or family. Someone who will remember how terrifying it is when you wake up five years old and it's the first time you've been exposed to it. There are plenty of Council seats for people who know everything there is to know, but someone who is still fresh enough to think outside the box would be an asset."

Re: part 2

[playingstupid]

Josh had been listening to the speeches tucked in the back of the audience, smirking to himself and rolling over in his mind how this whole mess worked. Politics, right.

"Hey," The guy was about to pass him when he jutted his chin out, his arms still folded over his chest. "That was... something. Not your average stump speech." To say the least.

Re: part 2

[cantstopmoving]

Watching who's watching him is a Bat habit. He noticed this guy during the speeches, so it's not a surprise when he stops him.

Cocking his head a little, Dick pretends to study him, then settles into an easy smile. "Probably not. I've got more practice leading than getting elected to do it." And a lot more practice seducing constituents than persuading them.

This one's talking to him, and from the closed off posture, Dick bets he's more surprised about it than Dick is.

Re: part 2

[playingstupid]

He raised his eyebrows. "Really? Dictatorships are more your style?" Josh was, well, Josh, and subtlety wasn't exactly a strong suit. The guy did talk like he was already in charge, and that was something that grated against his God-Bless-America and her voting system instincts. Voice of the people. Voting was a civic duty, and one he took very seriously.

Re: part 2

[cantstopmoving]

On the one hand, yes. You can't work for Bruce and not be used to dictatorships. But on the other, he's never run his teams that way.

"Interesting assumption," Dick answers, cocking his head and relaxing into a casual slouch. His eye contact stays sharp and clear. "Maybe I should've said I'm used to getting elected but not to politicking."