Opening Your Eyes [OPEN]

[avenging_bat]

Jean-Paul couldn't stand it. He was too restless, too driven at the moment. There was so much he had to do, so much he needed to finish. And everyone here was holding him back. He wanted them to let him do what he wanted, let him finish the fight like the REAL Batman should

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[crusaderinacape]

This was something he had in no way been looking forward to doing. Jean-Paul's tenure as Batman had been one of the lower points in Bruce's life, and it was a hard fought battle, with both his protegé and his own psyche to reclaim the title.

Jean-Paul ought to be certain of one thing. He has been watched. Watched intently.

Once Stacy has finished with her chiding, Bruce Wayne and not Batman steps out of the darkness.

"The suit doesn't make the man, Jean-Paul."

[avenging_bat]

In another time, another place, this moment would have taken place somewhere else for him. A place almost as symbolic to him as it was to Wayne. Fate had other plans, though and it happened here.

Jean-Paul looked up to see Bruce, having heard what he said.

"That's... ...that's what the other one said." Jean-Paul said. "...I'm sorry... for what I did..."

[crusaderinacape]

"The fault is mine," he replies candidly, "I was afraid-- afraid of what I might do without it. Afraid of what it would do to Dick if I gave it to him. I should have helped you, Jean-Paul, not passed on my curse."

He offers his hand to the man who had once been a friend, "Off your knees. Batman doesn't kneel, not for anyone."

[avenging_bat]

Jean-Paul looked up and notice Bruce offering a hand and telling him to get up. If this wasn't a sign, then what was? Reaching up and taking it, he pulled himself up, letting out a sigh.

"...now, what?" Jean-Paul said, rubbing his face. He had a feeling that one of those options would be 'stop being Batman.'

[beyondgotham]

Valley was the last person Terry wanted to run into - so, of course he came across him in the hallway. Irony is a b****, isn't it? Terry didn't realize it was Valley, though, having never seen him without the armor.

He was just about to ask the sorry-looking, upset man what was wrong, but then he heard what the man was saying. It was about Batman. Any sympathy he was feeling he immediately buried.

"What's your problem?" He said in mock-kindness, dripping with vitriol, as he folded his arms and regarded Valley.

[avenging_bat]

Jean-Paul looked up at Terry, recognizing him. One of the three he attacked out of his System-induced anger.

He let his head drop down again as he spoke. "...'m sorry."

[beyondgotham]

Terry was genuinely surprised by that.

"...what?" He said slowly, still a bit defensive.

[avenging_bat]

"I said... I'm sorry." Jean-Paul said. "I... what I did. What I said. I..." he let out a sigh. "I can't control it. Can't control the System. I let it get a grip on me..."

He let out a sigh. "How many others have I attacked?"