etrayalogs | ( closed ) darken your clothes; strike a violent pose

Entry tags:

( closed ) darken your clothes; strike a violent pose

WHO: Accelerator and Robin
WHEN: Mid-Juneish
WHERE: Corrine's Cafe.
WHAT: Just two teenagers, discussing the hoard of other teens and tweens who are also here. for science.
NOTES\WARNINGS: n/a, probably hopefully.

( he's sitting at a table that leans up against the window, a cup of hot chocolate slowly growing colder in front of him and a notebook under his forearm that's filled with what looks like it could be words, but isn't. they all have a universal translator pressed against the sides of their head, keeping an eye out for languages they can't understand and robin intends on seeing the extend of that. seeing if it will recognize languages he's making up on the fly, sentences he's putting together with lettering he'd only just created a few moments before it was put down on paper.

there are a few doodles off towards the edges, characters sketched onto the page when he'd needed time to think and wanted something mindless to work his hands through. but that's not what he's focusing on now. a few sentences sit before him, and he's reaching up on instinct when the white-haired boy from before starts passed him, arm sticking out far enough to stop him but without intentions of actually grabbing hold of him. instead, robin's arm stays out for a moment, before he pulls it back in and holds his arm over the doodles so the only thing visible is the paragraph towards the far corner of the book. )

Can you read this?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[While Accelerator is always going to prefer his shitty canned coffee, he does occasionally make stops at Corrine's Cafe for actual stuff. Like today! He has a basic black coffee in his free hand and he's on his way out when a tiny arm blocks his way.

Oh, hey, it's the cosplay kid. Accelerator doesn't say that out loud, of course, but that's the first thing that runs through his mind when he looks over. The second thing that goes through his mind is that the kid is asking him something specific rather than trying to socialize casually, so his eyes trail over to the notebook to try and read what's written down.]

No. [He squints a little at the page.] Why? Is that even a real language?

[He knows a lot of languages and this is none of them.]

It is now.

( he'll make a reference page, and use it to leave coded messages where it's necessary. it's written, he can make a verbal version of it, too. damian dislikes the autotranslator; it makes finding in between ground where they can communicate without being understood a little more difficult. this will make it easier.

a look up to accelerator, and robin narrows his eyes under his mask. then - raises a foot, to kick out the chair across from him. it's an offering, of sorts. )

Sit.

[Well, okay then. He's getting the impression if he asked for more context he wouldn't get it, so he doesn't bother. Instead, he turns his attention to the chair.]

....................

[He considers it for a few moments, debating whether to stick around and see what the kid wants, or if he should just leave. Again, he is not interested in casually socializing (which is why he rarely sticks around the cafe after getting his coffee), but he's fairly sure he -- Robin? Robin -- isn't the kind of person who is inclined towards friendly chatter. Also, he's a little kid, so he should at least hear him out.

So sinks down into the chair, letting go of his crutch and leaving it standing next to the table.]

What do you want?

I've been following you.

( as he does everyone, really. accelerator sits down, and damian slouches against the back of his chair, eyes narrowing under his domino mask. )

You were asking Hawkeye about how many children there are here, weren't you? We've gained a few more since her call for a hangout.

( he says hangout like the word itself is gross. )

[Oh, he has a tiny stalker.

That's fine. That was pretty normal back home since it came with the territory of being the #1, so Accelerator doesn't react to this news and just sips his coffee.

What he does react to is Damian's next remark, about the kids. He looks exasperated, because he knows. While he doubts he's run into every kid here, he knows that Laura is at least new.]

And the only one who's brought that up is that person trying to get kids with powers to do drills.

[Which isn't a bad idea, he knows what it was like being a kid with too much power and no idea how to handle it, but that was one person offering one specific idea. How many adults are here?

He sighs.

It's also occurring to him at this point, that sitting here in a cafe drinking a hot beverage with an absolute brat of a child is seriously reminding him of his first face-to-face with Kuroyoru Umidori.

(Which is kind of embarrassing, given that edgy brat's terrible personality was the result of having his own thought patterns implanted in her head.)]

The amount of children who are combat-trained here is concerning.

( but better than having normal civilian toddlers wandering around labyrinths full of monsters, so at least they have that going for them. damian raises his drink to his mouth, taking a sip before he continues, )

But I disagree with her method of wanting to gather them together. It may be prudent to get a headcount to ensure we're prepared for if something like the labyrinth comes up again. We don't want one of them walking into a scenario they're unprepared for.

( and accelerator looks significantly younger than bishop, yet not much older than damian. he understands damian's concerns well enough, while still riding the line of being old enough to be fine on his own. it benefits damian: younger children who are as combat-ready as someone like laura likely wouldn't want to be corralled in by several adults. usually, it's the adults who have caused the problem to begin with. )

[It's a double-edged sword. A kid with combat training will have a better chance of surviving during missions like the labyrinth, but a kid shouldn't have combat training to begin with.

Regardless, it's good to see someone else actually gives a damn about this, even if it's one of the kids who shouldn't be here.]

Agreed. [They're on the same page.] I take it you've thought about how you wanna do that. [Because this conversation isn't exactly screaming "hypothetical" or "wouldn't it be nice if someone else stepped up."]

We need a safe environment they can come to, without concern about being spotted by adults.

( he has, in fact, thought of this. )

Doing a roll call over the network would be an option, but had I been in their position, I wouldn't respond to one. Partitioning off a building short term to get everyone together may be a better method of taking stock of what we're working with. I want to find out sooner rather than later the amount of youth we need to keep a close eye out for.

[Accelerator mulls this over.

A public announcement would be the easiest way to at least make all the kids aware of a roll call, even if Robin's right about some of them being suspicious. Really, as straightforward as kids can be sometimes this is one of those cases where you need to think about their individual temperaments. If he was younger he'd be wary, but ultimately do whatever someone in a position of authority told him to. A kid like Last Order can easily be bribed with food or something cute. Someone more like Misaka Worst would need a damn good reason to want to show up, one that makes it worth her while. Qliphah would just need someone she trusts to tell her it isn't some trap.

He sighs, leaning forward, his forehead in one hand.]

It'd be a hell of a lot easier to just go around physically scooping them up as opposed to getting them to want to show up. [Not that that's an option, he's just complaining.] But....

[Buuuuut his brain is in strategy mode.]

You want to start with getting everyone in the same room and build from there. That means somewhere that isn't sketchy and out of the way, and reasons to make them want to show up.

[He takes another sip of coffee.]

Even with all these buildings getting constructed I'm guessing most of them still live in the standard apartments Aurora had set up, or are at least familiar with it. There's the rec room on the main floor with games and shit, that would be big enough. Plus, it's centrally located and showing up would be low stakes for a kid who's cautious. If they aren't sure all they need to do is walk by the door to see what's going on. If that stupid bounce castle was closer I'd suggest it, but it's too out of the way and might be too childish for some of them.

[Looking at you, kiddo.]

I guess another option would be that burger place. It's close and they'd get food if they showed up.

Big Belly Burger would be easier to keep everyone else out of while we're conducting our business.

( no adults allowed in the kid meeting. damian does know several that he trusts, but he's also well aware it took him a significant amount of time to decide he did trust them. there's no need to cause more concern than necessary, when they're already attempting to gather all the tweens and teens as is.

robin takes another drink out of his own cup before he sets it down and puts his elbows on the table, leaning closer to accelerator. )

We'll need to show our faces. ( we. this is a group project now. ) A text announcement for them to show will only cause further suspicion. If they recognize we're closer in age to them than most here, it may assist in getting a more accurate count.

[Damn, they're really plotting now.

Accelerator nods. That shouldn't be too difficult to manage, he's willing to get violent towards any adults who won't listen about staying away.]

That's fine, I'm used to being a public figure. [Maybe 'public menace' is a better way of putting it, but anyways --] You'd have to lose the mask.

Edited 2024-06-19 01:37 (UTC)

No.

( it's a quick response; damian doesn't pause before he says it, because he already knows the answer. )

I don't wear the mask for my sake. For that same reason, I can't remove it in public.

[Okay, that isn't the answer he's expecting to hear. He raises an eyebrow.]

Is the reason for that private?

My identity being known would cause significant risk to those who know me.

( if damian wayne is revealed as robin, it won't be hard to figure out that bruce wayne is batman, dick grayson is nightwing, and the others are also their masked counterparts. )

I am not the only one from my universe here.

.....

[Ugh, as much as he'd like to argue against this he can't. He knows what it's like to be targeted solely due to your identity, and if this kid has that issue he can't force him to have to deal with the consequences of going public. Those consequences suck, especially for someone young.

He sighs a little, relenting.]

Anyone dangerous?

Not yet.

( but given their collection of vigilantes from their side, it stands to reason that one of the less savory individuals may show up at some point. when they do, they can't connect robin with damian wayne. )

The mask stays on. I can't help as efficiently without it.

[That's a bit of a relief, at least. One less thing to worry about right now.]

Alright. But if you're going to wear the mask we gotta make it clear this isn't - what did they call it? Cape shit?

[If Robin isn't cosplaying, then he assumes that's what this is. Superhero business.]

If a kid's a criminal or thinks they're bad, we don't want them thinking this excludes them.

You're not wearing a mask.

( obviously. damian raises a hand, and - gestures over toward accelerator. )

You could make the announcement.

No way. This was your idea, don't put this all on me.

[He doesn't want to be the only one having to field people's replies!!]

Then we can do it together.

( so he can put most of it on accelerator while also being a visible presence. )

You were thinking of it, too.

........

[From the sour frown on Accelerator's face, it's clear he wants to argue. This is Robin's idea, Robin's the one taking charge, he's just willing to help out.

He sighs.]

Fine. We've got a location, so let's hammer out what we want to say. We're looking to do a head count of all the kids here, no matter who they are and what kind of background they've got.

( this is what he gets for deciding to sit down with robin: a partnership neither of them wanted but became necessary for the sake of every other tween and teen around. )

We're taking roll call to ensure that everyone is accounted for, and to make sure that, in the event something like the labyrinth comes up once again, everyone without proper training is accompanied by someone who does have it. Safety in numbers, especially given the lack of noticeable supervision. I would prefer to find proper housing for them with adults who can take care of their needs, but given the circumstances, mentioning that may not go over well.

[Damian is going to make a great dad one day, you heard it here first, folks.]

It wouldn't.

[He can imagine how offended Asuka would be. The thought of doing that himself even seems ridiculous.]

What you said before might work, a space for younger kids where adults aren't allowed. [Bishop Publishing is out, even if it was offered.] If there's at least some kind of common area that'd allow us to keep an eye on the ones who need help, without worrying about some fucked up adult taking advantage of the situation.

Ramsey farm.

( he can't offer wayne manor, tower, or the gotham clock tower. but he knows the woman who has been taking care of the farm, so - )

It's watched over by a young woman, Willa, who is in her early twenties. She'll share the space, and she's a healer. If we're lucky we won't need it, but having one capable of healing is useful. It will make due for neutral ground until we establish somewhere without anyone over the age of sixteen.

[Accelerator's been by there (because he's wandered by every building within the dome, checking for weird vectors), and it seems like a decent temporary option aside from the fact that an adult is living there. That part makes him a little hesitant.]

Do you trust her?

[There aren't any adults he can say he trusts around here, especially one he's never met before.]

I trust her for this.

( grayson would be a better choice of an adult figure to keep around, given his childish nature - and damian trusts him wholeheartedly. but willa has proven herself to be trustworthy on her own and has been helpful when damian needed it most but wouldn't admit to it. )

We make an announcement on the network for those under sixteen to meet us at the farm, and state it's going to be an area meant for children and children only - aside from the farm's caretaker. We offer protection, training if wanted, and companionship with those in a similar age bracket. We can stock the farm with enough supplies to keep them comfortable if they opt to stay there full-time, and we can take shifts protecting it, along with any other older teens we decide to add to the guard.

...... Okay. [He isn't totally sold, but they don't really have a better option at the moment.] In the meantime, we look for somewhere more permanent.

[That doesn't have an adult living there, since the farm owner's presence presents the exact same issue as Bishop Publishing.]

It'd also be a good idea to start dropping off groceries to kids who want to keep living on their own. Not asking if they want the help, just showing up with food.

[After all, it's a lot less likely for a kid to turn something tangible down than it is an offer of help.]

Agreed.

( which would mean, )

They would have to tell us where they're staying willingly, but it's doable.

( his hand presses against the table, as robin pulls himself up to his feet and grabs onto the notebook he'd been writing in. )

I would like to know the extent of your abilities, too.

[Accelerator nods at that. He hasn't found it particularly hard to get that kind of information out of kids, so he isn't concerned there.

Anyways, the subject change isn't surprising. He doesn't like talking about himself, but he also understands the value of making his ability known publicly, especially in a situation like this.

He sits back, slinging his free arm over the back of his chair as he takes another sip of coffee.]

I'm an esper. I can manipulate vectors with my mind.

Ah.

( vectors - so, manipulating the movement of an object. or at least, that's damian's understanding. it makes sense, along with the esper comment. robin stays on his feet and tucks the notebook under an arm. )

Do you have limitations to this ability? You don't have to tell me.

[Well, he isn't going to get into the choker because that thing's a huge vulnerability for a lot of reasons, but he figures he can still given an answer.]

Not really. My ability isn't based on strength or willpower or however the fuck powers in other universes function, it's based on quantum mechanics. As long as I can do the mathematical equations in my head then I can manipulate something via its vectors, and I've never not been able to do the math.

Good.

( he's more clever than damian had originally assumed, then. he can appreciate that, especially given the circumstances they've found themselves in. he raises his chin, and gestures towards the door of the cafe. )

There's no time like the present.

[Accelerator sighs, before grabbing his crutch and hauling himself to his feet.]

What about you?

I'm human.

( is the easiest way to explain, as far as damian is concerned. )

But I've taken down plenty of metahumans without breaking a sweat.

So you've got skills rather than powers.

[That seems like a good way of putting it. Either that or the kid is incredibly lucky.]

Well-trained, yes.

( he wouldn't count on luck. damian's skilled; a fighter ever since he was born, and one who had rigorous training every step of the way. his mother made sure he was prepared for anything. his father and elder brother have ensured he has not fallen behind over the last few years. )

What kind of training are we talking about?

[He doesn't sound skeptical, there are a lot of kids back home who are like this. But 'well-trained' can cover a lot of ground, so it'd be good to get the specifics.]

I have had tutors from a very young age who have ensured that nothing would ever be capable of catching me off-guard.

( it's intentionally unspecific, but he does follow it up with, )

Name a skill that would be useful in combat or reconnaissance, and it's likely I have at least passing talent utilizing it.

[Combat or reconnaissance, huh? Totally typical skills for a kid his age.

Accelerator is silent for several long moments, considering this. When he speaks up, it isn't to give a skill and see if Damian knows it.]

Why?

Does it matter?

( his heritage isn't a secret. most of batman's rogue gallery know that robin is batman's blood son, as well as the heir to the league of assassins. but with such a limited number of people here, discussing even pieces of it could lead to someone finding out something they're not intending to share yet. )

Yeah, but if you don't want to explain that's fine.

[He's aware the answer could tread into territory that's highly personal, so he isn't about to push.]

My father is a vigilante whom you have never heard of, and my mother is an assassin.

( that--simplifies it. robin will still be seen with batman here. just as damian wayne will likely be spotted with bruce wayne, when bruce wayne decides it's time for him to exist outside of batman.

but the chances of that happening any time soon are low, so he supposes - there's minimal risk here. and if accelerator spills information, it will lead back to him. )

As such, I've gained an array of useful skills to encompass both. . . professions.

[Why the hell would you need to? is the question that's on the tip of Accelerator's tongue, though he refrains from answering. The other question rising up in his mind is Why the hell do your parents think this is okay? Because it isn't, it really isn't.

He could care less about adults having dangerous lines of work. That's their prerogative, and if they don't know what they're getting into that's on them. But for said adults to think it's appropriate for their kid to know the kind of shit an assassin does - that's disgusting.

He's sure if he said that out loud he'd have a whole argument on his hands, and he doesn't want this plan to help the other kids here fail before it even gets off the ground. Besides, he'd be directing his ire at someone who doesn't deserve it.]

Tche. [He's annoyed, but he keeps his voice level] So you've got a leg up on these fucking missions.

[There's... that at least???]

Something like that.

( he's well-prepared, is how damian would put it. has spent years training, readying himself to handle anything that comes at him regardless of how ridiculous it is. the labyrinth had - thrown him off, when it captured him and grayson. but he's ready for that now, and won't let it happen again. )

I'm not overly concerned with myself. It's the others we need to keep an eye out for.

Uh huh. [Yep, he's definitely gotten that vibe from the kid, which means he needs to be a little more careful about how he acts with him. Working with him doesn't mean Accelerator isn't going to keep an eye on him at the same time.

He'll just be smart about it.]

This is a decent start. It's better than sitting back and doing nothing.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

( closed ) darken your clothes; strike a violent pose

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

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