Fic: Rainbow’s Freedom (Paradise Arc) (21/37)
Title: Rainbow’s Freedom (Paradise Arc) (21/37)
Author: BradyGirl
Pairings/Characters: (this chapter): Elias ‘Pop’ Haly, Alfred, Dick, Clark/Bruce
Series Notes: In the 23rd century, Earth is a technologically-advanced society that practices the ancient institution of slavery. As Bruce and Clark continue to juggle being lovers as well as Master and slave, Bruce continues his Abolitionist work, and a shocking Family Secret is revealed. Meanwhile, the Queen Family welcomes a new member, and Steve and Hal meet their Destinies, although neither one realizes it yet. The entire series can be found here.
Genres: Drama, AU
Rating: (this chapter): PG-13
Warnings: None
Spoilers: None
Summary: Pop Haly gives Bruce some answers.
Date Of Completion (First Draft): June 11, 2008
Date Of Posting: April 24, 2009
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, DC does, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 947
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
"One can never trust a Gypsy."
Radek Mjolnir
Mayor of
Czernik, Transylvania
1897 C.E.
XXI
JUSTICE
Elias ‘Pop’ Haly arrived in Gotham as the trial of ‘Boss’ Tony Zucco began as February snow turned to March mud. Lord Wayne had summoned Pop to the Manor, which was just as well. He had Dick’s masking agent. It was growing close to the time when he would need it to keep him safe for another year.
Alfred ushered him into the library.
“Pop!”
Dick rushed over to him and hugged tight. He caressed the boy’s hair.
Dick smiled up at him. Fear twisted in his gut. The smile was strained, and dark circles were under the boy’s eyes. Was the child really sick?
“Have a seat, Mr. Haly.”
Pop sat in the chair in front of the antique oak desk. He pulled a vial out of his pocket. “I have Dick’s medicine here.”
Dick was sitting on the couch, looking anxious.
“I have to tell you, Mr. Haly, that your last batch was defective.” Bruce’s voice was neutral but his eyes were hard.
Pop frowned. “Whaddaya mean?”
Bruce leaned forward. “I mean that my personal physician discovered that Dick is Roma.”
The fear grew cold in the pit of his stomach. “So, I suppose you’ll be reporting me for selling you a slave under a Hunt Decree.”
“No.” Bruce’s eyes glittered. “I’m not reporting Dick, either. However, I’d like to know why you did it.”
Pop shrugged. “I had to. I could never sell him if the truth were known.” He looked at Dick. “I couldn’t have kept you, Dickie, and I didn’t want to put you on the block. Lord Wayne came along and offered to buy you. I knew his reputation with slaves was a good one.” Pop looked back at Bruce. “I’m sorry to deceive you, Lord Wayne, but I’d do it again to keep Dickie safe.”
Bruce nodded slowly. “I appreciate your honesty.”
Pop turned to Dick. “Your mother was the Roma. She had to carry her fear with her every day. Your father knew before they committed to each other.”
“Why didn’t they tell me?”
“They didn’t want to add to the stress of being a slave. They were going to tell you when you got older, but…”
Sadness filled Dick’s eyes.
“Dick is under my protection, Mr. Haly. I won’t be turning him over to the Government.”
“Lord Wayne, I would never put Dick in danger.”
He could see the suspicion in the Prince, then realization that Pop had protected Dick from the beginning.
“We still have to be careful at the circus.” Pop crossed his arms. “The Government still sniffs around once in awhile.”
Bruce frowned. “Why?”
“Many circus performers in pre-Decree days were Roma. They are now still Roma but deeply undercover. The Govs try to catch the unfortunate.”
“Are they successful?”
“Once in a great while.” Pop’s teeth gleamed. “But the Roma are clever. They survived persecutions, including the Holocaust, even before the Decree.”
Bruce’s eyes flicked to Dick. Pop smiled to himself. The Prince was no fool. He had recognized Dickie’s cleverness.
“You’ll have to track down the problem with the masking agent.”
“Absolutely.” Pop frowned. “Some of the other performers at the circus could be in danger, too.”
Dick looked scared and Bruce said, “Test them immediately. If you need more of the agent, I can get some for you.”
As Pop took out his cellphone he asked, “Why are you involving yourself beyond Dickie?”
“I don’t believe in exterminating an entire race just because of who they are.”
Pop waited for the signal to go through. “Does that include Kryptonians?”
“All people.”
Pop spoke to his trusted assistant. Dick went to Bruce, who pulled the child into a hug.
Pop was very certain that he had made the right decision.
When he was finished, Dick approached. “Who are the other Roma?”
Pop ruffled his hair. “You’re a nosy one, aren’t you?’ Dick giggled. “Go back outside, Dickie. You’re always safe here.”
Dick hugged him and left, Bruce’s gaze measuring him.
“Why wouldn’t you tell him?”
“Because if he ever is exposed, they’ll torture him to find out if he knows about others before executing him.”
“I won’t let that happen.”
Pop could see the determination in Bruce’s eyes. Good. He would use his considerable power to protect Dick.
& & & & & &
Pop Haly testified against Tony Zucco’s extortion. Zucco was convicted of extortion and murder, though not the murders of John and Mary Grayson. A freeman could not be convicted for killing slaves. A heavy fine was levied on him for the Graysons, and the extortion had linked him to the murder of a free shopkeeper.
Bruce Wayne attended the trial, and his entire Household was with him, his Squire sitting between him and his Prize, the Master’s arm around the small shoulders. The butler was also close, British unflappability a calming influence on the solemn little group.
After the verdict, the group returned to the Manor, Dick slipping away.
Bruce found him by his parents’ graves, sitting silently as the birds twittered in the trees. Bruce laid a hand on his shoulder.
“It’s a year ago today,” Dick said softly.
“I know.”
“Does it ever get better?”
Bruce stared off into the distance. “It varies day-to-day. Some days are fine. Some aren’t.” He squeezed the boy’s shoulder.
Dick was sitting cross-legged and remained still as a statue, then he unfolded gracefully and stood. His eyes were wet but he lifted his chin.
“I’m ready to go home now.”
Bruce smiled slightly and they walked back to the Manor, Bruce’s arms around Dick’s shoulders.
Author: BradyGirl
Pairings/Characters: (this chapter): Elias ‘Pop’ Haly, Alfred, Dick, Clark/Bruce
Series Notes: In the 23rd century, Earth is a technologically-advanced society that practices the ancient institution of slavery. As Bruce and Clark continue to juggle being lovers as well as Master and slave, Bruce continues his Abolitionist work, and a shocking Family Secret is revealed. Meanwhile, the Queen Family welcomes a new member, and Steve and Hal meet their Destinies, although neither one realizes it yet. The entire series can be found here.
Genres: Drama, AU
Rating: (this chapter): PG-13
Warnings: None
Spoilers: None
Summary: Pop Haly gives Bruce some answers.
Date Of Completion (First Draft): June 11, 2008
Date Of Posting: April 24, 2009
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, DC does, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 947
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
"One can never trust a Gypsy."
Radek Mjolnir
Mayor of
Czernik, Transylvania
1897 C.E.
XXI
JUSTICE
Elias ‘Pop’ Haly arrived in Gotham as the trial of ‘Boss’ Tony Zucco began as February snow turned to March mud. Lord Wayne had summoned Pop to the Manor, which was just as well. He had Dick’s masking agent. It was growing close to the time when he would need it to keep him safe for another year.
Alfred ushered him into the library.
“Pop!”
Dick rushed over to him and hugged tight. He caressed the boy’s hair.
Dick smiled up at him. Fear twisted in his gut. The smile was strained, and dark circles were under the boy’s eyes. Was the child really sick?
“Have a seat, Mr. Haly.”
Pop sat in the chair in front of the antique oak desk. He pulled a vial out of his pocket. “I have Dick’s medicine here.”
Dick was sitting on the couch, looking anxious.
“I have to tell you, Mr. Haly, that your last batch was defective.” Bruce’s voice was neutral but his eyes were hard.
Pop frowned. “Whaddaya mean?”
Bruce leaned forward. “I mean that my personal physician discovered that Dick is Roma.”
The fear grew cold in the pit of his stomach. “So, I suppose you’ll be reporting me for selling you a slave under a Hunt Decree.”
“No.” Bruce’s eyes glittered. “I’m not reporting Dick, either. However, I’d like to know why you did it.”
Pop shrugged. “I had to. I could never sell him if the truth were known.” He looked at Dick. “I couldn’t have kept you, Dickie, and I didn’t want to put you on the block. Lord Wayne came along and offered to buy you. I knew his reputation with slaves was a good one.” Pop looked back at Bruce. “I’m sorry to deceive you, Lord Wayne, but I’d do it again to keep Dickie safe.”
Bruce nodded slowly. “I appreciate your honesty.”
Pop turned to Dick. “Your mother was the Roma. She had to carry her fear with her every day. Your father knew before they committed to each other.”
“Why didn’t they tell me?”
“They didn’t want to add to the stress of being a slave. They were going to tell you when you got older, but…”
Sadness filled Dick’s eyes.
“Dick is under my protection, Mr. Haly. I won’t be turning him over to the Government.”
“Lord Wayne, I would never put Dick in danger.”
He could see the suspicion in the Prince, then realization that Pop had protected Dick from the beginning.
“We still have to be careful at the circus.” Pop crossed his arms. “The Government still sniffs around once in awhile.”
Bruce frowned. “Why?”
“Many circus performers in pre-Decree days were Roma. They are now still Roma but deeply undercover. The Govs try to catch the unfortunate.”
“Are they successful?”
“Once in a great while.” Pop’s teeth gleamed. “But the Roma are clever. They survived persecutions, including the Holocaust, even before the Decree.”
Bruce’s eyes flicked to Dick. Pop smiled to himself. The Prince was no fool. He had recognized Dickie’s cleverness.
“You’ll have to track down the problem with the masking agent.”
“Absolutely.” Pop frowned. “Some of the other performers at the circus could be in danger, too.”
Dick looked scared and Bruce said, “Test them immediately. If you need more of the agent, I can get some for you.”
As Pop took out his cellphone he asked, “Why are you involving yourself beyond Dickie?”
“I don’t believe in exterminating an entire race just because of who they are.”
Pop waited for the signal to go through. “Does that include Kryptonians?”
“All people.”
Pop spoke to his trusted assistant. Dick went to Bruce, who pulled the child into a hug.
Pop was very certain that he had made the right decision.
When he was finished, Dick approached. “Who are the other Roma?”
Pop ruffled his hair. “You’re a nosy one, aren’t you?’ Dick giggled. “Go back outside, Dickie. You’re always safe here.”
Dick hugged him and left, Bruce’s gaze measuring him.
“Why wouldn’t you tell him?”
“Because if he ever is exposed, they’ll torture him to find out if he knows about others before executing him.”
“I won’t let that happen.”
Pop could see the determination in Bruce’s eyes. Good. He would use his considerable power to protect Dick.
& & & & & &
Pop Haly testified against Tony Zucco’s extortion. Zucco was convicted of extortion and murder, though not the murders of John and Mary Grayson. A freeman could not be convicted for killing slaves. A heavy fine was levied on him for the Graysons, and the extortion had linked him to the murder of a free shopkeeper.
Bruce Wayne attended the trial, and his entire Household was with him, his Squire sitting between him and his Prize, the Master’s arm around the small shoulders. The butler was also close, British unflappability a calming influence on the solemn little group.
After the verdict, the group returned to the Manor, Dick slipping away.
Bruce found him by his parents’ graves, sitting silently as the birds twittered in the trees. Bruce laid a hand on his shoulder.
“It’s a year ago today,” Dick said softly.
“I know.”
“Does it ever get better?”
Bruce stared off into the distance. “It varies day-to-day. Some days are fine. Some aren’t.” He squeezed the boy’s shoulder.
Dick was sitting cross-legged and remained still as a statue, then he unfolded gracefully and stood. His eyes were wet but he lifted his chin.
“I’m ready to go home now.”
Bruce smiled slightly and they walked back to the Manor, Bruce’s arms around Dick’s shoulders.