tushanshu_logs | well they call him the Prince of Gotham, anyway... (open)

Entry tags:

well they call him the Prince of Gotham, anyway... (open)

Characters: Batman, Lina Inverse, and open to anyone else!
Location: 'Batman' will be on the Mainland, but Bruce Wayne/Devin Craig will be available on certain days on the Turtle. Because secret identities. They're a thing.
Situation: He's being the goddamned Batman that's its own situation I promise.
Warnings/Rating: Probable violence/fighting/injuries.
Notes: This log is good for 1-20th, give or take. He'll be available as Bruce Wayne earlier in the month (let's say 1-5th) and from the 12-13, and the rest of the days he'll be off Batmanning it up. Bruce will have his Batsuit from the 15-onward, but until then he'll be dressed in Ye Olde Batzorro get-up. Here.

[It's decades too late for any alien locale to cause particular unease as far as Batman's concerned. The desert landscape is harsh, yes, but it's no Apokolips. Still, there's something about it that he doesn't like.

Though truthfully, the same could be said of anywhere that isn't Gotham. It's the one place in the universe he knows with the complete and total intimacy of long familiarity. It's his home, both a prison in hard times and a refuge in the same. And it was a sign of how well Tim knew him that the simple act of bringing him back from cardiac arrest was to say tell him Gotham needs him.

These last three and a half months aren't the longest he's been away from Gotham, but they are in many ways the hardest. If he had something-- a direction, a clear goal, it'd be easier to endure. But between the secrecy of the Emperor and the clandestine nature of this place, he's come up with nothing time and again.

The architecture of Tu Vishan is seven hundred years old. The written language is as complex as any he's ever seen, though he's been working on deciphering it it's a slow, secondary project to keeping people safe.

But his family is here - as whole as it's ever been at any given time in Gotham. He's... trying with Jason, though every conversation they have feels like going ten rounds with Killer Croc, leaves him bruised and beaten in invisible ways. But Cassandra, Dick, Stephanie-- even Damian. Having them here, as much as it irritates him that they're as trapped as he is, he's... glad of their presence, as he is of Kal's and Lois' as well.

And Kon, if he has to admit it. (Though he'd rather not)

He has allies here, and he's come so far in this life as to be able to admit it without much more than a cursory grimace.

He's not happy.

But he's close, and that terrifies him.

So he shoves everything down and aside, throws himself into his work. It's what he always does when he has an excess of emotion he'd rather not dealing with. Bruce - not Bruce Wayne, but Bruce at his most human and vulnerable - ceases to exist, eclipsed by the Batman. The Landfall is a perfect opportunity, one he plans to spend largely alone.

Though, as has been said, 'no plan of operations extends with certainty beyond the first encounter with the enemy's main strength'.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[She wanted to see.]

[That was essentially her entire argument for coming into the abandoned city, half a day's worth of supplies on her back. She had no intentions of staying any longer than that, and the lighter weight made traveling much easier. And she had no intentions of deliberately getting into a fight. The few individuals she had come across thus far were just as curious as she, only there to observe and explore. Not that she wasn't ready to defend herself if it came to that.]

[Still, the young sorceress slowly made her way down the vacant street. A little more cautiously than she may have in the past. There was a nagging sensation in the back of her mind. Like she was being watched. She knew that feeling well enough--there was always somebody trying to watch her back home. Be it a teacher or her father. But this felt...different. Familiar, except not completely.]

[Somebody was definitely watching her; with no signs of anyone else at ground level, she tilted her head upward in search. The question was: friend or foe?]

[He knew about Zatanna from Dick, and had accepted the fact that their universes were dissimilar enough that Zatanna was no longer one of his contemporaries. He'd noted her arrival in a faintly dismissive way. He didn't need to speak to her to watch out for her safety, which is the exact capacity in which he's acting now.

She's doing well so far, at least. Though she isn't like to be as powerful as the Zatanna he knows, she also wasn't a member of a superhero team at thirteen in his world. Still, he can't help but feel... protective of her, as he would be with anyone he's cared for back home.

He moves between the burnt-out husks of industrial towers and offices silently, tracking her progress. The buildings are twisted and warped, the result of excessive heat conduction. If he was anyone else he wouldn't be perched several storeys off the ground in one of the ruined towers. But Bruce has always had a good eye for structural stability, and he steps softly.

When she scans the skyline, Bruce melts back into the shadows of the building in answer. There's no way that the younger version of Dick has failed to mention his being here, and he doesn't want to give Zatanna any reasons to look for him specifically.]

[Her eyes scanned the skies for nearly a full minute before she finally looked away. Maybe she was just imagining things?]

[Absently pulling at her backpack, she continued on her path. The further into the charred remains she traveled, the stranger she felt. Almost like vertigo. It was an indescribable sensation--not quite pain, but hardly pleasant. At one point, a hand rose to her head. Maybe it was just the atmosphere. The sight of all that destruction was enough to make anybody depressed.]

[As she turned the corner, however, the same feeling was upon her again. She froze, visibly frowning as she lifted her eyes once more.]

Okay, is somewhere there?

[She hated sounding paranoid, but walking through a creepy ghost city was weird enough without somebody following her. Then a though occurred to her, and she almost smiled:]

Robin, if that's you, you might as well come out already.

[Chances were slim it was her fellow teammate. No doubt, he would have already said 'hello' by then. But on the off-chance he was messing with her, it was best to call him out on it while she still had the verbal advantage.]

[Zatanna-- Zee would likely assume it was him over one of his birds, but that she's so close almost elicits a smile.

He's surprised she's so aware of her surroundings at this age. There are very few people who can realize they're being tailed when he's intentionally trying to stay hidden. He doesn't move a moment longer, considering his options. She doesn't have the supplies to venture much further, so her intention is likely to return to the Turtle sometime in the next twelve to sixteen hours. She's alone, which is somewhat surprising given Dick's... attachment to her (Even if Dick is from a different universe and not yet in his teens, Bruce recognizes the tone he'd used to describe Zatanna) which implies that she hasn't done her research on what's out here, or expects to be able to handle it.

Still. As much as he doesn't care to reveal himself, there's no point in making her uncomfortable, either. He could simply turn and leave, but-- in many ways his Zatanna is one of his oldest friends. And she'd no doubt disapprove of his giving the cold shoulder to another version of her.

With that potential chastisement in mind, Bruce fires off a grappling line, leaps from his perch and disengages it again a few metres from the ground, where he lands silently behind the girl.]

Zatanna.

[Go-go gadget bat-voice.]

[Had they been in a higher traffic area, or even back on the Turtle where she felt more secure, Zatanna might never have noticed him. Or anyone else. Only because her senses were on alert was she even able to register the foreign presence at all.]

[Though he still managed to catch her off-guard; when the voice came from behind, she instinctively spun towards its source. Eyes wide, though face oddly neutral. Staring up at the man whom looked so much like the Batman she knew. Who had been a close friend of her father's for so long.]

[If she hadn't already been told, she would never had guessed this wasn't him.]

...why are you following me?

[The first words that came to mind were still cautious, but deliberate. In truth, there could be any number of reasons--she could think of half a dozen off the top of her head right then. It was about hearing which one he chose to give. Or if he would even answer the question at all.]

[That earns an arched eyebrow, though it's invisible behind the mask. She's shocked at his sudden appearance, but not so by his being here. Dick's filled her in, then. And about the fact that he's not the Batman from her world, by her...

Not a question. A challenge.

She isn't interested in his answer so much as which one he'll choose and how he'll say it. If he cites her protection, she'll feel condescended to, which will only make her more defensive and likely to strike out on her own. If he implies it's a simple coincidence (which is half the truth, he wasn't exactly looking for her when he found and followed her) she'll disbelieve him and that suspicion will shadow each of their future encounters.

If he refuses to answer the question or dismisses it outright, she'll feel resentful and angry at having been ignored and will likely push the issue.

It's such a-- Zatanna thing.]

I noticed you in the vicinity and wanted to ascertain your identity before we spoke.

[It's. A compromise. And more words than he generally likes using, more explanation than he likes giving.]

[There was something strange about his demeanor, and it took Zatanna several seconds after he gave her an answer before she realized what it was: he was treating her with respect. Not as the daughter of a longtime friend, or teammate protege. His words were carefully chosen. Basically the Bat-equivalent of 'I wanted to say hi.']

[It was...weird. Enough for her to give a passive facial reaction, changing the subject.]

I'm guessing you already knew when I arrived. [It was a statement, not a question. No matter the universe, Batman was still Batman.] And...I already know you're not the Batman I know back home.

[Which also meant she knew she wasn't the Zatanna he knew. Because there was no doubt in her mind now that he knew a Zatanna. That must've been where the respect came from.]

[So many question, so little time.]

Am I really closer to your age where you're from? [Might as well get to the point. She'd been curious ever since it had been mentioned to her that she was 'supposed' to be older. Several times.]

Yes.

[Although just how close would probably get him smacked in the back of the head, should it ever get back to the one in his world. It's not that Zatanna doesn't respect his personal space, it's that she's one of the few individuals in the world who isn't afraid to show her displeasure at him.

One of the few who isn't afraid to risk his. She's done things for which he'll never forgive her, and trusting her... well let's just say that's not high on his to-do list. But this girl doesn't know what she's done. And given the disparities to their universes, may never follow in her counterpart's footsteps. So for now, he'll give her the benefit of the doubt.

Innocent until proven otherwise.]

[Short and blunt, without offering any more than what she'd asked. Just like the Batman she knew, only...well, it would've been a stretch to describe him as warm by any means, but the man standing before her now certainly didn't radiate very much. He was respectful, but he was distant. Zatanna could see why Robin had been troubled by his presence here.]

[Likewise, as alike as she and her other self may have been, the differences were all too apparent as well. Even taking into account age, the truth was that she was simply raised in a different world. Magic was a part of her life, sure, but conservatively. Her father had done his absolute best to shield her from his lifestyle for so long, of course she couldn't help slipping her way in the first chance she got. But she was still new. Young. Truth spells aside, manipulation of most any kind was beyond her. That wasn't how she fought.]

[Years later, it would prove to be a fellow teammate of hers who went down that path...but, at this point in time, boundaries were definitely still a thing. Even more so by the familiar-yet-so-not sensation of re-meeting him for the first time.]

I would've never thought--

I mean, back home--the one I know--you're practically my dad's age. In fact, I'm pretty sure the two of you were friends since before I can remember.

We were friends in my universe as well. Giovanni... mentored me.

[His tone is wry. He has a lot of fond memories of Zatara and learned a great many valuable lessons. And when he died, Bruce... grieved. In his own way.]

[Any traces of a smile she may have had until then faded away at the deliberate choice of tense. Were? Mentored? And that tone...]

Did...something happen to my dad?

[Damn. He knew he should have lied about that. Then again, she'd likely have pounced on that, too. She's always had an uncanny ability to tell when he's omitting the truth.]

He died. Several years ago now.

[She inhaled sharply. Even knowing that his was a completely different world than the one she knew...in hers, her dad was all she had.]

He...

How?

Peacefully.

[Relatively speaking.]

[Her eyes lower to the ground, and she appears momentarily far away as she tries to absorb all this. Peacefully...helped. Not much, but it was a small comfort to know he hadn't suffered. And she had been older when she lost him. Batman's age. Not 14.]

Do you think whatever happened to him there could happen where I'm from?

[The pain of a child losing a parent is... always difficult for Bruce to endure. Even tangentially. So his tone is gentle when he replies,]

Everyone mortal dies, Zatanna. It's... difficult for those left behind, but it's an inevitability everyone has to face. As much as we wish and hope otherwise. Your father was a good man, and regardless of the universe I imagine he loves you very much.

I know he does.

[He was strict. Overprotective. He rarely smiled, and his tone in public was the epitome of formality. Often, when she spoke of him to the others, she even called him Zatara. But never once had Zatanna ever doubted that what he did, he did out of love.]

Still...there's nothing I could do? If I ever made it back home.

Without knowing your world, it's difficult to say. I'm sorry.

[And he sounds it, too.]

No. It's not your fault.

You didn't have to tell me anything. You could've lied, but you didn't.

[She takes a deep breath, forcing a smile.]

Well, this all turned pretty depressing real fast, didn't it? Some second first impression.

I've had worse.

[... second first impressions, that is.]

[A name immediately comes to mind, but she hesitates in saying it aloud because she's not sure. And she doesn't want to assume.]

Something tells me this sort of thing might become a regular occurrence.

Then we deal with it. As it comes.

[Does that name start with R and end in 'obin', by any chance.]

[Maybe]

Easier said than done.

I have a strong feeling I've gotten off easy so far. A couple smart-alecs making comments about my age, one or two doubles...and now you.

[Eyebrow.]

You'd classify me as 'easy'?

[What, are you offended?]

Well, yeah.

You're still talking to me. If my dad were here, he'd even probably use the words 'civil conversation'.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject