16958/Study Time for Relationships

Study Time for Relationships
Date of Scene:	19 January 2024
Location:	Main Room - Titan's Tower
Synopsis:	What starts as a talk on a mutual love of manga and school study assistance becomes a deeper discussion of secret identities, relationships, and what it means to balance the two for Damian and Yaretzi.
Cast of Characters:	Damian Wayne, Yaretzi Acama

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Damian Wayne has posed:
Normally, when Damian gets a new book, he's eager to take it home, crack it open and get to reading. Today, after dealing with Flatline, and knowing that the Tower was closer, the young man decided to drop in there. Currently settled on one of the couches, there's a light undertone of mood music playing as Damian has his legs curled beneath him.

The book is opened and in his lap as he reads, the dark wrap-around glasses hiding his eyes as he's dressed in a dark turtleneck and blue jeans. His boots are off and on the floor, leaving him in sock covered feet.

The cover of the book is very much in a manga style and reads in kanji and English - Art School of the Heart, Volume 2.

A cup of tea, long since cooled and half-way drained is on a nearby table and he seems totally engrossed.

Yaretzi Acama has posed:
Golden Eagle comes flying in over the bay waters to the north, to land on the rooftop. There, she enters the elevator and starts riding down. Only once she's inside the building does she transform back into her civilian guise.

With a 'ding' the elevator doors open and Yaretzi walks out, her usual backpack over one shoulder as she makes her way into the main room of Titans Tower. Seeing Robin sitting in the room reading, she wanders over into the kitchen area, returning with a bottle of water in one hand. Setting her pack on the floor next to the couch as she sits herself down on one end of it, she takes a moment to get out... study materials.

She's said nothing, thus far, though she's clearly aware she's not alone in the room, not wanting to *too* blatantly interrupt Robin's reading. He does tend to be kinda a grumpy sort, after all, and she's got some studying to do, as well. Perhaps 'killing two birds with one stone' is the wrong metaphor to use, here...?

Damian Wayne has posed:
Just as he was about to flip the page, Robin sighs. "Oh Hana, why can't you just tell Ren your secret already." he murmurs, before he realizes that he's not alone. Sitting up further on the couch to look over as he glances to Yaretzi. And a small smile shows. "Hey, Yaretzi." he greets her. "Just get done with class?" he asks curiously as he sets in a bookmark to set the book aside for the moment to concentrate on her.

"Did... did you need any help with studying or anything?" he asks, broaching the subject. "I'm not Caitlin smart, but I could hold multiple degrees in criminology and chemical and computer science?" he offers to her.

There's another glance over her, and a curious lift of a brow. "You look nice today." comes the comment. "The ponytail is very fitting."

Yaretzi Acama has posed:
"Yep", Yaretzi replies as she lays her textbook, notebook, pen, and highlighter out. "Thanks for the offer, but it's just algebra. Year one, so I'm focusing on my basics right now", she says in reply. Then her cheeks flush a bit at the compliment. "I... I kinda always wear it like this, though", she says.

Then, as if she's trying to change the subject, she asks, "Who're Hana and Ren? Characters in your book?" She even points at the book in question with the pen she's still holding in one hand... which she quickly sets down, too, when she realizes she's using it as a pointer.

Damian Wayne has posed:
"Cool. I remember that. PEMDAS and all." Robin offers with a small chuckle. "But I am here if you need any questions." Though there is a pause as she mentions that the ponytail is her favored hairstyle of choice. "Oh. I suppose that it was inattentive of me. I just wanted to let you know that you looked nice. Regardless?" He's not very good at this, is he?

So the mention of the book is a welcome change. "Ah. Yes. I ah..." he picks up the book and scoots down the couch to come sit next to her, even if he's on the cushions and offers it to her so she can read the back cover. "When I was training, I did not get out and interact much. So... I started to read. And this genre spoke to me." he explains. It's totally a slice of life manga about two students, one that has to study and one that is naturally gifted and how their two stories led them through college together.

Yaretzi Acama has posed:
"Oh... sounds like Horimiya. I saw the anime, but I never read the manga", Yaretzi says, as she looks at the book's cover. "Of course, Kyoiko and Izumi fall for each other in second year, and the rest of the story is about how their relationship matures through the rest of high school. I kinda like Nagatoro, too. I'm actually reading that one, as the scanslations come out online", she adds, her train of thought staying generally on the subject, though still managing to meander a bit.

Damian Wayne has posed:
"Nagatoro?" Robin's brows arch up and he grins down at Yaretzi. "Are you wanting someone to playfully bully into a relationship with you, senpai?" he asks her teasingly, "It's similar to Horimiya, but they're both very skilled. Ren, that's him..." he points out the male on the cover, "Has trained for art school his whole life. He approaches art as a step at a time, planned out experience. Hana..." he gestures to the girl. "Is a free spirit. She's naturally gifted and never seems to have a plan, but makes beautiful art. At the end of the first chapter, they compete against each other in their first show - and Hana wins, while Ren finishes in fourth. This chapter starts to deal with the fall out of that."

"I was just at the part where Hana had found Ren in the art room where he ws tearing up his canvas in frustration, claiming that he would never be as good as she is. And she was about to share her big secret, I think."

Yaretzi Acama has posed:
Her cheeks staying flushed, Yaretzi swats generally in Robin's direction -- though she's clearly not actually trying to land it. "No...!", she says.

"...they're just so *cute*, the way they both can't figure out how to tell each other their feelings while everyone else already knows without any doubt that they're totally in love with each other", she adds. "Last chapter that came out, it looked like he was about to confess to her, finally!", she excitedly says, any embarassment she might've been feeling -gone- as she thinks about the story she's clearly enjoying.

Then, her smile fades into a grumpy sorta look, and she even crosses her arms. "...they left us on a cliffhanger. Again!", she gripes.

Damian Wayne has posed:
Robin could have dodged, but realizes that she was going to miss anyway, but he listens to her curiously. "I haven't read much of it. So... she wants him to confess, and he hasn't done it yet?" he asks her with a thoughtful hrm.

He sets his book to the side for now, a thoughtful curl to his lip. "Has she confessed to him?" he asks, looking to her. "I would think that would be the pratical solution. If she wants to know how he feels - she should tell him how she makes him feel?"

When she gets grumpy, he reaches down and gives her shoulder a gentle pat, meant to comfort her. "Of course, they can't sell more of the next chapter if they give it all away in the current one." he points out.

Yaretzi Acama has posed:
"She wants him to confess. He wants to confess. She wants to confess, and he'd be delighted if she did!", Yaretzi says. "... but they just don't know how to get past their own particular brands of 'shy' to get the words out, even though they've shown each other, by what they do, in so many ways already -- and all their friends already -know- it!", she goes on, gesticulating with both hands, as if indicating one person or another... although she's gesturing at open air in front of herself.

"I guess it's silly anime/manga rom-com tropes and stuff, yeah, but they're *so cute* about it!", she adds, all smiles, now, instead of boisterous. She even laces the fingers of both hands together and holds her hands up near her chin.

Damian Wayne has posed:
Releasing her shoulder, Robin leans back on the couch, another one of those thoughtful hrms that rises from him and he considers. "Is that the type of relationship you would want to have?" he asks her, his hands folded into his lap in thought. "Do you want someone to exchange shy glances with across the classroom? Realize that when he looks at you, you feel your heart skip a beat? To wonder what it would be like next to them. Wonder what he ... or she," he's not judgy, "...would offer to you for a romantic evening? A walk on the beach? Fun at the arcade? Just watching a movie together? Would you want everyone else to know that you have someone that likes you before you realize you like them?"

"I can totally understand that trope." He shrugs his shoulders, looking up to blow out a breath. "Things are always so complicated around here." he admits as he considers the lights in the ceiling. "...one of the reasons I like this manga is that it's simple. You can see it, you know it. Even if they don't. But there's always so many complications in the real world. Secret identities. Life without the mask. Former relationships, current friendships, peer pressure. It gets convoluted."

Yaretzi Acama has posed:
Yaretzi gets quiet, cheeks still somewhat flushed. "I dunno how I'd want it to happen. If it happens, it happens... and I'm not an anime or manga character, anyway", she says in reply. She listens as he continues, then furrows her eyebrows together for a bit... then shrugs off whatever though'd come to her head, even giving a little physical shrug of her shoulders.

"I've never had to worry about it, 'cause I've always kept who I am secret... well... until that message, I mean. I still haven't told my parents", she says. "I'm not sure how to drop that kinda bombshell on them."

Damian Wayne has posed:
"I can get that." Robin admits. He shelves the relationship talk for now. Instead, he focuses on the issue of Yaretzi's family. There's no pressing on what was in her head and he leans forward, crossing his legs to put his elbows on them.

"The first. And most important question here is this. Do you want them to know?" he asks her. "Before I offer anything else, I want to know that. Becuase if you don't? I can only suggest that you keep them seperate. There are only a few in the Titans that know who I really am. But that's not for me. That's for Batman." he explains.

Yaretzi Acama has posed:
It was the Batman angle that made Yaretzi shrug off the thought that Robin knows who she is and she doesn't know who he is, so she just nods her head at that. To the rest...

"I... I don't know. I trust them, beyond a doubt. It's not -them- that keeps me from telling them. I worry that, if they know, it could put them in danger. Best intentions and all that", she says, making an 'I don't know what do' sort of shrugging gesture with both hands. "... and... and...", she says, stumbling over her words a bit. "... and my grandpa never told them, either, for the same reason", she finally says.

Damian Wayne has posed:
"I've only known you a couple of months, Yaretzi. Let me get to know you, understand you." Robin suggests. "The ones that know me? They were Titans before I was ever one, or those that were close to me, or Nightwing, or one of the other Robins." There's a soft little sigh. "Even Honey Badger knew the rest of us before we dated. It's important to me. And if you do learn? Then it means something really special."

And that's the best he can offer on that. "So, a question, and just a thought. What happens when someone who finds out who knows you are and has ill intent comes after your family. They will not understand why they are being targetted, they will not realize that they can turn to you for help, so they never reach out." he points out to her, and another piece of the puzzle comes in as she explains her grandfather was Eagle before her.

Yaretzi Acama has posed:
Yaretzi nods, then her eyes widen. "Waitaminit!", she says. "Who said anything about dating?" Robin goes on, though, and what he postulates is a thought that clearly hadn't ever gone through her mind, from how she's suddenly serious, even frowning a little bit.

"I didn't think of that. Grandpa never told 'em, but he was always there with them, after he stopped actively being the hero. I'm not always with them, though. Maybe I *have* to tell them, then?", she says, her tone one of mostly just thinking aloud.

Damian Wayne has posed:
"I was just explaining the idea, because that's why we dated. She knew who I was." Robin points out. But then she turns her thoughts towards the question he has presented her, and the situation that he laid out for her to consider.

"I'm not saying that you have to." he points out. "I'm just presenting one idea where not telling your parents who you are would be detremental to you. It's up to you who you tell. I will not share what I know with anyone else unless you give me permission to. I'm sure the others that were there when you revealed yourself would say the same."

"But. If it helps?" He considers her. "My family does know who I am."

Yaretzi Acama has posed:
Yaretzi nods slowly, her eyes falling to her textbook. She reaches over and picks it and the notebook up, slipping them back into her pack; any thought she had of studying is out the window, at this point. She's quiet as she collects her things and then just leaves the pack sitting there as she puts her elbows on her knees and her chin in her hands.

Damian Wayne has posed:
And now Damian is the one in unfamiliar territory. And for a few moments, he's unsure what to do. Finally, he considers what Caitlin or Donna or one of the other more... understanding Titans would do. Slipping off the couch, he settles on the floor next to Yaretzi. He lifts his arm. But then he pauses. And a bite of his lower lip before he asks.

"Do you want a hug?'

Yaretzi Acama has posed:
That breaks Yaretzi from her pondering silence, and she sits up and back quickly. "Uhm... no! Thanks! It's okay! I'm okay!", she says, her cheeks flushing all over again.

Then she narrows her eyes a bit. Cheeks still red, she asks, "Why're you being all nice and stuff to me and talking about relantionships and dating all of a sudden? Are you trying to figure out if I'd be cool with you asking me out, or something?", leaning forward a bit as she points at Damian -- her fingertip is all but touching his nose, with how he's on the floor in front of her that way.

Damian Wayne has posed:
Both brows become visible above his glasses and Robin shakes his head as he lowers his arm. "Good. I don't have experience with comforting teammates. This is something more suited to Donna. Or even Caitlin." he settles his hands back in his lap before he faces the barrage of her accusations.

"I am trying to learn more about you. You are a new teammate, and I was told that I should try to make the effort." he shrugs his shoulders in thought. "You have already made it clear that you would not have an interest in dating anyone that you didn't know with and without the mask." he points out. He doesn't shy away from the finger on his nose, but if it goes anywhere near his glasses, she may lose it.

Yaretzi Acama has posed:
"... I actually don't remember saying that. I do think it'd be a whole lot easier to date someone I actually know that way. After all, how can someone get to know someone else, if that someone else is hiding who they really are from the first someone?", Yaretzi says. She pulls her finger back as she uses both hands to gesticulate at non-existant someones, once again. "I mean... I've met and see guys who're just totally hot, one way or another, but I don't think I'd wanna date a guy just 'cause he's pretty, y'know? I've always thought whoever I'm dating would be really special, I guess", she adds, hands falling to rest on her knees.

Damian Wayne has posed:
"Welcome to the pitfalls of dating in the superhero universe, Yaretzi. Everyone's pretty, everyone's got secrets." Robin points out to her as he gives a small smirk of amusement. "You want someone to be open to you, but in turn, you have to share the same. So. You have the rare double whammy. And I wish you luck with that." he moves to pull back up onto the couch. "I'm done with relationships for the time being. If one presents itself, then I will consider it. But it's not a priority." Back into that, he goes. Because it's safe there.

"For what it's worth, though?" he comments to her as he gathers his book back to him. "Both Yaretzi and Golden Eagle are attractive. I am sure you will do well when you find that one you can trust with both."

Yaretzi Acama has posed:
Yaretzi nods. "Yeah, I know, Robin. It took, well... Golden Eagle from the future to talk me into telling anyone my big secret", she says. She blushes, again, at the compliment he gives.

"You did mention that you just had a breakup", she then says, leaning back into the couch. "You doing okay with that?", she asks, simply.

Damian Wayne has posed:
"Sometimes, that's what it takes to kick start things for your new life, Yaretzi." Not Golden Eagle, he keeps the two forms seperate. Professional courtesy from Robin. But then there's the mention of the breakup. He shrugs his shoulders in a nebulous motion.

"She is genetically related to others like her. One of them was in danger and she was not sure how long it would be before she could find her and then return. So, we decided it was best that we part company as friends. Our feelings are still strong on that front, and it's best to keep it that way."

Yaretzi Acama has posed:
Yaretzi nods. "Yeah, I get that. Doesn't make it hurt any less, that it's over, I bet", she says. "From what I've seen, heard, and read, that's how romance is... it's great while it's there, and hurts when it goes away. It's different for everyone, though, and I don't know you well enough to really read you and tell if you're actually hurting or not, so all I can do is ask and listen if you wanna talk about it", she explains. "...but, like you said, we barely really know each other. If there's others you know better, who know you better, that you can talk to, maybe you should?", she suggests. Her tone speaks of that she's just trying to be friendly, helpful.

Damian Wayne has posed:
"There is no hurt." Robin reiterates. "It was a mutual agreement. She had things to tend to. I could not leave Gotham to assist her." he points out to her. "It was for the best, and that is all there was to it." He shrugs his shoulders at that. "There's no hurt, no sadness. When she finds her sister and returns? I will still be her friend and not expect anything else."

Yaretzi Acama has posed:
Yaretzi nods. "Like I said, it's different for everyone. I'm glad you're really not hurting. It sucks to see a friend hurting, y'know", she adds... and, she reaches for her pack and her study materials, once again.

Damian Wayne has posed:
"Alright, I've totally taken up too much of your study time. I apologize." gathering his book, Robin moves to rise to his feet. "Good luck with your classes. If you need any assistance with studying or someone to drill you? We're all about college age if not a little older. We can help." A brief smile offered.

"Have a good night, Yaretzi. I hope you find all that you want." A genunine tone in his voice, and a tip of his head as he gathers his cup. "And... thanks." Though he doesn't say for what, as he moves to put away his dishes after washing them out. He does not want Caitlin's wrath for cleaning up after himself.

Yaretzi Acama has posed:
Yaretzi lifts a hand to waggle her fingers as a wave to Robin as he steps away, but she ends up just sitting there instead of studying. She's got a lot to think about.