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[Thoughts of Soranik take a backseat to that last sentence of his. Her shoulders slump, if only because she had heard the sentiment--albeit in different circumstances--before.]

Is that what you're worried about? The locals being afraid of us? [She automatically equates 'us' with foreigners in general, not just Lanterns.]

It is against my code to instill fear in anyone who does not deserve it. [Flat, and uncompromising.]

I'm not really sure you could help how somebody feels, Kyle. None of us actually want anybody to be scared of us, and look what's already happened.

[Some of the metahumans--or whatever they call themselves in their world--are starting to hesitate about using their own powers at all.]

[His fist clenches, tight.] I don't you think you understand just how much that's anathema to a Lantern. It's against everything - everything we stand for. There isn't much I wouldn't do to alleviate that.

[It's only because this was the how many consecutive times now she's seen him like this that her first instinct was to no longer snap back.]

And what I'm trying to tell you is that you're blaming yourself for things beyond your control; if someone choses to feel a certain way, what can you really do about it?

[Maybe a not-so-subtle jab at the notion that she was the one who actually did have the power--theoretically--to do something about it. As did others. Power Kyle had made it explicitly clear about regarding his own personal feelings, which is why she would never otherwise entertain the thought in his presence.]

Is there anything I can do to help?

[She sounds so much like Damian that it helps let the tension go. Again, he's doing this, trying to set things right when he wasn't even sure there was something off in the first place. This was the wrong attitude, he knew it intellectually but it just hadn't sunk in because like a fool he'd run away from the facts.

He doesn't have his head on straight, which means it's time to step back, and try to look at the situation from outside. She's right.] Sorry. [He rolls his shoulder, trying to relax.] I hate it when they're afraid. I wouldn't use my power hurt anyone like that. [Except Amon Sur. Except Grayven. Except Terry's attackers. Except Jack Chance.]

[Please don't tell her she sounds like Damian. Ever.]

I know you wouldn't. Only rocks, right?

And anyone who hurts you. [He is entirely serious.]

You might have to take a number on that one.

[So is she.]

Not if I get there first. [And he's smiling again, despite the topic.]

I guess I could leave something for you to kick around a little, if that'll really make you feel better.

[No, really, this is an awful topic to be bonding over.]

[no best topic.]

In that case maybe I should go last. The ring is pretty thorough.

[Oh, okay then.]

Might be best.

We wouldn't want to disappoint the others, would we?

[He starts laughing.] I'm sorry, did we just lighten the mood by talking about beating somebody up?

[She also laughs]

Hey, Artemis and I bonded by taking out a few street thugs--[And almost getting killed by a sister-killing freak who referred to himself in the third person]--instead of going to a school dance.

Besides, only Robin would do the actual beating up. Probably. The rest of us have other methods.

[Kyle actually doesn't want to ponder too much on his 'other methods'.] And what if he broke your heart? Permission to punch him?

No.

[Rude, big bro. Don't go around threatening her sort-of boyfriends.]

Besides, I don't think that'll be a problem.

[But it's his role as big brother to glare pointedly at boyfriends!! And disapprove of them, on occasion. It was strange in this case because he saw Dick as a sort-of brother too.

Teasingly:] Really now.

Really.

[And here, she tries not to wince. Because wincing would imply Guilt. Which she didn't, because it wasn't her fault that...things...happen...]

I...if I asked you about something, would you promise not to hold it against me?

Depends on what it is, but most likely no. [Uh oh, Real Talk. He braces himself.] What's up?

[Something like that, yeah.]

Is it a bad thing to like two people at once?

[She didn't think so, but she wanted to make sure he didn't think so, either. Because his opinion actually mattered to her, and try as hard as she did to convince herself, a little vindication couldn't hurt.]

It's not unheard of. [O u c h Donna and Jen.] Someone else caught your eye?

[Neutral, because he wants more information before he makes a final decision.]

I...think so. I don't know. I'm not sure.

It's weird. I met him here. After. [Meaning, the interest in Robin had come first] In a lot of ways, he actually reminds me of Robin...except I think we might have even more in common. The first time we really talked, I completely lost track of the time. And I tend to get bored pretty easily.

Meaning you made friends and you're not sure whether there's something more there?

[When did he land up giving romantic advice but hey he'll roll with it.]

Pretty much, yeah.

[When he adopted a bunch of ~~hormonal~~ teens.]

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