( closed )

[brat]

WHO: bats & co
WHEN: April 30th-ish.
WHERE: Wayne Manor
WHAT: an important meeting.
NOTES\WARNINGS:

( with the announcement comes a need to prepare; one that, unfortunately for most of their group, requires planning together. thus, those from gotham and close associates either receive a ping on their devices, coded with instructions of when to meet up, or - a note left where they'd find it, equally coded, because no one's leaving obvious meeting notes behind.

the manor's massive living space is where everyone settles, rather than the cave. not all of them arrived in uniform, and considering goliath has made himself comfortable and is taking a nap - well. it's best not to disturb him. )

Comments

[cohero]

[At the look, Dick shrugs and looks back. It says enough. He's had to deal with looks for most his life and he's used to speaking with them and not words. It's been a while, but he will adjust again if he has to in order to work with someone that's already done him a kindness.

Dick glances up briefly as Bruce looks at Damian and then looks back at the dog. There was nothing to see, obviously. ]

I agree. He is.

[Knowing that if Dick were to look over Damian would feel the fact that he's being appraised, he keeps his head bowed for the time being. He only pauses a beat to glance up, eyes sympathetic. Dick feels completely out of his element here, having mentioned earlier feeling alone even for the first time in a long time.

He knows he shouldn't, but there's all this and he knows how well he doesn't fit, especially with the other Grayson being here. ]

I don't completely understand, but I feel pretty apart from everyone here. If that means anything. I mean, I'm happy to live in the apartments. I am familiar with the manor as a location, but it's not a home. [stated quietly, eyes on his fingers as they run across the dog.]

[batsymbol]

( all bruce can offer is a look of understanding when dick goes and says that. feeling... disconnected from it all... an outsider. he can relate to that. especially with so many others having shown up here now. those who have memories — have history with one another and another version of yourself. he knows how difficult it feels to be in that position — in trying to find your place and so he understands how dick feels. even when he doesn't really say it.

again, his gaze flicks over to damian momentarily and then it lands back on dick and titus there. quiet. mulling over something. )

You're still welcome here.

( words soft, much like his gaze even if it drops to his own hands there as he says that. picking at his fingers some. )

It'll never be home, but it's a reminder of why we're here. What you risk losing if you don't try.

[cohero]

[There's the thought that it's all new, and Dick hasn't ever been a person to sit on the outside for too long. He's normally the person who brings people together. It's been more difficult than he figured though. He glances up, and then over at the other Grayson, and Barbara.

He rolls down a little bit further, making himself more comfortable. Talking to Bruce is a little easier-- they're closer in age and he knows the enormous pressure that someone with that moniker has to be taking on no matter what people say. Dick would help, but -- he's not sure he's needed, honestly.]

Thank you. I- might have. I'm not sure I can handle being in the same house as myself who is dating a version of my ex-girlfriend, who looks at me and talks to me like she knows me. It's a lot.

[There's a glance then, and even if he'd rather it not say anything it shows a flicker of something there. Not for Babs, or Dick really, but the whole situation. Dick doesn't know how to be himself, when his place is already taken. ]

[batsymbol]

If you're worried about living under the same roof, I don't think either of them stay here.

( to his knowledge at least. )

Though visits might happen.

( bruce himself hasn't decided where he's planning to stay. with wayne tower having been erected now and it being his as opposed to something similar, he has options between there and the manor here. he just... hasn't figured out which one. tends to go back and forth between them. with damian tagging along. )

For what it's worth, ( he starts, looking back down to his hands. ) like the manor here, you and him share similarities with one another, but ultimately, in the end, are different people with different lives.

( at least that's what he tells himself about himself versus another version of him they all know. )

[cohero]

[There are things that Dick could say, things that Babs said to him and then the way that people react to the other Dick and how he knows to react to them. Hell, how he even knows the people around them at least. It's not as easy as it seems. Even, this Barbara and his Babs are very different, different hair color and this one walks. His his the commissioner, and hers still has her father.

Dick doesn't know about her surgery-- or even that this Bab's been in a wheelchair. They never got that far. Dick's first day was a lot. She was a cherry on it. Right now, it's hard to make a commitment to anything. Life here is so new ]

I know he's got a different life, and is a very different person from me. --

[More words start, but Dick stops himself. He hears where they're going and it's not for anyone else to hear. He has his own thoughts and burdens. ]

I understand what you're saying, and I will consider it all when things settle after this...labyrinth shit. Sorry. I didn't mean to make this about me. You have plenty to dwell on already. So, do you know everyone here?

[batsymbol]

( just as long as he knows.

the question gets him to slide his gaze across the room — doesn't really let it settle on anyone in particular. just... taking in everything. everyone. being here with so many when he's used to it just being him and alfred. )

Only by face and what was briefly told to me about them.

( by damian, naturally. )

You?

[cohero]

[This is easier, and Dick relaxes some. Strangers to him, all of them minus Damian really. He's not allowed to mention it, but he feels slightly closer due to their encounter. It wasn't a normal first meeting and trauma bonds. Plus, Dick has a soft spot for youth like Damian.

Looking over the room full of people, Dick nods to the chair where Babs settled. ]

That's Barbara, I ran into her that first day after I got dried. We ate, sort of. Then I assume that's my other self nearby from looks, even if they are different enough. I can still tell. Damian of course. That's all I know, beyond you.

[Stretching his legs out, he glances up and lets his gaze linger for a few seconds before watching the rest of the room interact. Barbara gets up and moves somewhere, and Damian continues with his weapons. A bunch of people who are some how supposed to know and function together, and Dick knows he should be a part of it.]

[batsymbol]

( even then, does he really know much about him? he's another version of the bruce wayne he knows in his gotham. similar, yet different, much like he'd told him he is to the other dick grayson here. )

Are you intending to get to know them?

( he's not so sure himself, if he's honest. )

[cohero]

I don't know, honestly. I should. I know that like with you, it's like meeting a new person. You were kind to me, and so I'm trying to work beyond my instincts and walls and be open. It's difficult, as I'm sure you're aware.

[Taking a deep breath, Dick pulls his legs in and stretches over one finding a need to do something while he sits beyond twiddle his fingers aimlessly. The dog begins to snore at his side, and he snorts a short laugh.]

I told one other person here, in this universe, I mean, that I'd try to be their friend. I'm helping another ... well, a hellspawn through the first part of the labyrinth, they're unique. I want to try at least, to be me, to help others if I can.

[batsymbol]

( all of this is difficult and for a number of reasons for him. but, in typical bruce fashion, he doesn't allow himself to really dwell on it — not so openly around others anyways — and lets himself focus on everything else.

because that's just easier.

a glance over to dick, he looks around the room again. )

You should then. ( softly. ) Don't forget who you are, even in a place like this.

[cohero]

Thank you. [a beat, and a glance back up.]

...for everything. I know it doesn't seem like a lot, but it's enough.

[the clothes, offering a place to live, listening, the quiet reminders, they are all more than Dick would expect and he might say more, but he thinks it's better now to -- just be. ]