[ Post a Response | Role Play Board ]
Posted by Robin
on 6/21/2009, 10:33 pm
69.180.153.101
----------The Watchtower----------
"So this is what the future looks like, cold and metal" I say sarcastically, though I'm genuinely impressed by the sheer volume of cutting edge technology in this building. I think that's why Ted invited me here today, to show off all of his goodies after I talked up what we have in the batcave. Some kind of geek one-upsmanship.
"I know, it lacks the coziness of a dank cave, but unfortunately sacrifices had to be made," Ted Kord snaps back with his infectious smile plastered all over his face. I like Ted, and thats not something I can say about a lot of people. Bruce trained me to always find the secret hidden within everyone, friend or foe. He taught me to identify the truth behind the facade. Ted has no facade, at least not one I can see. I wonder how he's been able to do the work he has for all this time and not lose his humanity. I've been at it for less than six years and I already feel like it's slipping away from me. "Look down below," he says while directing my attention to a large window overlooking what seems to be a super-futuristic training room. "We call it the kitchen."
"If that's the kitchen remind me not to ask to use your bathroom," I quip back, feeding off Ted's immediate laughter.
"No no, as in, if you can't take the heat,"
"Stay out of the kitchen," I finish for him as I look below and see Donna Troy fighting a giant stone automaton in a post-apocalyptic Metropolis. "It seems really impressive, I wouldn't mind programming a scenario or two for Bruce."
"I'm guessing he wouldn't enjoy what ever punishment you've dreamt up for him." Ted replies while taking a seat beside me and marveling at Donna's battle prowess.
"Unfortunately I think he would," I respond, drawing a smile from Ted that I don't return. No point in laughing at the truth, impossible odds and painful sacrifice are definitely Bruce's territory.
"So," Ted interjects after thirty seconds of awkward silence, "I appreciate your help last month, I think the two of us make a pretty formidable team."
"Yeah a regular Starsky and Hutch," I snap back, remembering fondly, despite the dangers, our work together last month. And I agree with him, we do make a good team. He's like a kinder gentler Bruce. Not that I begrudge what Bruce has done for me, I just can't help but wonder what I would be like if Ted had adopted me? I'd be a worse crime fighter, I have no doubt of that, but maybe I'd be a better person. Or at the very least happier.
"No, I'm being serious," He says while placing his hand on my shoulder and turning me in my chair to face him. "You have certain skills and abilities that are in very short order in this World, and the League could really benefit from those skills."
"You're joking, right?" He's joking, right? Why me? I'm a bench warmer, not a prime time player. That's what things like the Teen Titans are for, for us second-class heroes to play Justice League and feel like we're really important. Besides, there is no way that Bruce is in any way behind this idea.
"No joke Tim," Ted responds sincerely while peering directly into my eyes. "We could really use your talents here."
"What talents?" I answer hastily, tap dancing away from the offer as fast as I can. "There's nothing I can bring to this team that Batman doesn't already do better. Hell, if you're taking in stray sidekicks why not ask Dick, he's definitely higher in the hero pantheon than I am."
"We already have and he's all but accepted," Ted says, though I can tell he's lying about something because his eyes leave my own and move to the floor, and the pitch of his voice begins to raise slightly.
"If you have him, and you have Bruce, then you don't need me." I state succinctly. "Lord knows Gotham can't stand to lose all three of us. And if what you tell me is true, I'm going to be busier than ever." I brush his hand gently from my shoulder and rise from my seat. I can see the worry in Ted's eyes as I begin to walk away. The man puts way to much pressure on himself.
"You," he begins while bounding from his chair, snatching the hood of my coat and spinning me around, "Like Batman, and like Nightwing, have natural leadership abilities that can't simply be taught."
"Yes they can," I snap more loudly than I intend to while forcing his hand free of my coat, "how do you think I learned those skills?"
"By enduring training that would make most of us just give up." His says quickly, the pace of his speech quickening as he must feel he's losing me. "You led Young Justice, you led the Teen Titans. Superboy took orders from you, and that's saying something." He visibly calms, apparently content to make his final pitch. "We have egg-heads and we have blunt instruments, but we're sorely lacking on leaders. Bruce is brilliant, but hardly what you'd call a team player." He takes a step closer and extends his open hand to me. "You and Dick got the best of Bruce, but you've both managed to avoid some of his less than stellar qualities. I don't need an answer now, and I'm not giving you a deadline, I just wanted you to know that the offer is always open."
He smiles at me and I'm instantly infected as a matching grin adorns my face. I shake my head in disbelief and happily accept his outstretched hand. "I'll think about it."
----------Wayne Tower, 7:15AM----------
"I love you Blue Bird," Starfire declares to Dick as she leans in and kisses him softly on the the cheek. He's too guarded to ever admit that he has feelings for her too, that's one of those, how did Ted put it, "less than stellar qualities," Bruce imparted on him.
"Thank you," Dick stutters back while nodding and grinning like an idiot. Then, in a flash of vibrant light, Starfire leaps out his window and soars off into the morning sky.
"That was pathetic," I exclaim through a wry smile, causing Dick to spin around in surprise. The grin flees from his face, replaced by a very tired, and very annoyed scowl. "What, no hug for me?"
"Oh, I've got a hug for you," he says menacingly as the initial scowl melts into a smile. "How did you get in here anyway?"
"I'm Batman's sidekick, or have you forgotten all your training?" I respond while digging in the pocket of my jeans and holding up a key, "besides you gave me a spare."
"Remind me to take that back," he quips as stumbles wearily back toward his bed and scoops up a dirty t-shirt from the floor. "So, what do you need this early Timmy?"
"I'd heard rumors you joined the League, and came to hear it directly from the horses mouth," I state as he slips the shirt over his chest and shakes his head in disgust, "But from what I gathered from Starfire I guess it's true."
"How does everybody know about this?" He sighs while sitting on his bed.
"Ted actually," I say while walking over and sitting near him on his bed, "I think he thought it would help entice me to join. He apparently doesn't know me as well as he thinks he does."
Dick looks to me with genuine shock, an expression that should offend me, save for the fact that I agree with him. "What did you tell him?"
"That I'd think about it, which was of course stupid." I tell him while I get up and rub my very weary eyes. "Cause of course the answer has to be yes, I mean why wouldn't it be?"
"Cause we're the back-up. We're..."
"Crime fighters. We got into this to help people," I say as I begin to stretch my sore right shoulder, "and while we do the best we can in Gotham, imagine what we can do throughout the World, Hell throughout the galaxy, as a member of the League?" I look to Dick and his head is still down, and I can tell he's clearly torn by this decision. What happened to his self confidence? I can only imagine the job Bruce must have done on him. "Besides, my invitation made perfect sense when I heard they asked you," I state while finally gaining his attention, "If their taking in old veteran sidekicks like you, why not ask a raw kid with as much potential as me?"
"Yeah, something like that," Dick chuckles, finally dropping his pained and stoic exterior, at least for a moment.
"You belong there bro," I say while I slap him on the shoulder and beam him a smile, "you know it as well as I do." Dick nods his head non-commitingly as I turn for the door. "But I have to be going."
"Big plans?"
"No I just need to get ahold of Ted," I joke as I board the elevator out of his penthouse and activate the button for the lobby, "I hear the league operates on seniority and after I join before you, I'll be the best boss you ever had."
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