2511/On the Outside, Looking In

On the Outside, Looking In
Date of Scene:	18 July 2020
Location:	Batcave
Synopsis:	Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson discuss Tim Drake's team-in-the-making, among other things, and Nightwing reveals some future plans.
Cast of Characters:	Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson

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Bruce Wayne has posed:
Saturday afternoon. For many, a time of leisure and recreation. Not surprisingly this is rarely the case at Wayne Manor. Even setting aside all the preparations going on upstairs for the Gala that will be held tomorrow evening, Bruce Wayne himself is in his "other home" well beneath the Manor, seated at the controls of the BatComputer while video footage plays of various individuals: "Conner" Superboy mugging for a newsperson's camera. Cassandra Sandsmark wrapping a lasso around a large brute, then swinging him around her head before flinging him off, out of sight of the camera, then flying after. Fuzzier footage of Rose Wilson engaged in a bloody assault in what looks like a warehouse. And blink-and-you'll miss it photos of Bart Allen/Impulse appearing at seemingly random locations in Gotham, it not being immediately clear what he's doing but he seems to be...looking for something?

Bruce sits with fingers steepled, a long-cold, half-full cup of tea and a plate containing the crumbs of what might have been some kind of sandwich at his side and a focused expression that those that know Bruce recognize as being deep in his thoughts and plans. His expression is impassive, betraying no hint of emotion. Calculating. Even cold, in its' own way.

But deep in his own thoughts does not mean unaware of his surroundings. Another has entered the Cave at his call, and arriving right on-time. Always reliable, which is part and parcel of why Dick Grayson was asked here this afternoon.

"Hello Dick." Bruce greets his first protegee without looking away as the footage flickers between various feats and incidents involving these particular people. People Dick quite likely recognizes too.

Dick Grayson has posed:
Dick had gotten the memo and had been around anyway to help with preparations for the gala, having arrived in the morning after the Met Gala. He is in a t-shirt and shorts, unbothered by the Bat Cave's temperature. If anything, he's learned to stick to a schedule, and today he does so, as predicted.

"Bruce," Dick says as he approaches and looks at the screens, "Seems some people have been busy, recently." Then he sees Rose and a few others and raises a brow, "I was curious what this is all about. Are they causing trouble in Gotham or at least working here without permission?" His tone is even as he switches to pondering for a few moments.

Bruce Wayne has posed:
"No. Not exactly." Bruce replies as to the video footage. "Ravager has been on excursions with Tim, where she seems to be restraining herself, for the most part. For the others the footage comes from outside Gotham." Bruce pauses the feed and swivels in the chair to face Dick, "Tim's putting together a team. I'm not entirely sure he fully realizes it yet but it's all but already happened, and some part of him knew it was coming because he's built out that Theater of his to be a headquarters."

That stone cold facade melts away now into the glimmer of a smile, "He hasn't spoken to me about it. Likely out of the belief that I would try to bar him from it. But in all truth I think this might be something I can use to our overall advantage. If they can keep quiet while they're in Gotham itself, I don't really care where their headquarters is. If it becomes a problem later, we'll deal with it then. My primary concern at this point is that Tim hasn't played the leader role before. In point of fact I suspect he may end up ceding it to Miss Sandsmark and play a similar role to my position within the League. A tactical advisor, if you will." That may be an oversimplification of things where Bruce and the League are concerned, but that's neither here nor there. "Point being, I'd like you to help him, and them."

Dick Grayson has posed:
"I see," Dick says with an approving smile and nod, "Tim is having a positive influence, that's always good. Glad to see him getting out of his shell for once." He chuckles and then continues, "Same, as long as they don't work in Bludhaven they can have a safehouse there."

The first Wayneling thinks for a little bit, "Yeah, it's not easy doing that, and he should know better than to think you would not find out. If you are going to stop us, you are going to stop us, whether we tell you or not," Dick snorts. "But I can watch over him and give him advice. It is not as easy as it looks, especially when you have to bring together people not used to working together and are, quite frankly, better than you at most things." As the most fragile of the original Titans, he is fully aware of this. "I'll help him, heck, if you're all right with it, I'll already be on campus this fall."

Bruce Wayne has posed:
"Yes, exactly." Bruce nods, "Look over their shoulders from time-to-time. Let them have an ear they can vent to that understands the burden of leadership. Encourage them when they're making the right moves, and do your best to dissuade them when they're moving in the opposite direction." Bruce does, it seems, take into account the oft-stubborn nature of many superheroes on that score.

"And if you and Tim and the others can be a positive influence on Ms. Wilson, so much the better, but if her Father starts taking too much interest, I need to know immediately. Slade Wilson is a distraction I can't afford to have in Gotham right now."

At that latter bit, a touch of curiosity paints Bruce's face and he tilts his head inquisitively, "Oh? There's not much you need to ask my permission for at this point, Dick, but I'll bite - What's taking you to Gotham University?"

Dick Grayson has posed:
"That is doable, leave them to make decisions, but be a guide as needed, it isn't easy and they can avoid the unnecessary pitfalls," Dick nods, "Though hopefully his good influence continues." The mention of Slade gets a firm nod, "You will be the first call if he even starts thinking of poking around here. I know full well what that would mean if he shows up." There is a bit of dread in that tone.

That dread dissipates when Dick fishes out a letter from his wallet and hands it over to Bruce, "I was accepted to Gotham Law. It might interfere with my consulting duties, but if that is all right with you, I figure someone in our family better know the way around the law."

Bruce Wayne has posed:
There's a flicker of surprise at Dick's mention of being admitted to Gotham University's law school, "I wasn't even aware you'd applied." That's less a tone of disapproval and sounds more...reflective. An awareness, perhaps, that for as much as he keeps track of the goings-on in Gotham he sometimes does not pay so much attention to the goings-on of the people closest to him.

"Your consulting duties are what you choose make of them. I don't see any real conflict there at all, and if you're looking to pursue a law degree I think that's easily justified as "related training" for your position with Wayne Enterprises. Again though...this isn't a move you need my permission for. You're your own man, Dick. We're glad to have you around if you choose, but that choice -is- yours at this point. Either way, I will support your decisions, though as such things go, this doesn't sound like a bad one." Bruce's knowledge of the law is fairly comprehensive, but well...he's like that. Also he doesn't really have any experience actually working legal cases, which is a different type of skillset.

Bruce takes in a deep breath, lets it out, and admits, "Though if you /are/ planning on staying around...I have to admit I will likely be leaning on you more heavily than I might normally like."

Dick Grayson has posed:
Dick exhales a little bit in relief, he felt that it was likely he would be supported in this, but glad for it to be confirmed, "Spur of the moment idea once I left the force. Took the lSAT on a lark and did well enough." He smiles, "But I will keep that in mind. I want to stay a part of the family business, both of them." Dick's tone is sincere and he gives a grin, "Besides, have you met my brothers, eventually they are going to need a lawyer. Carrie is well behaved enough."

The shift in Bruce's tone, though cause Dick to frown and express concern in his own voice, "What is wrong? I do not plan on going too far from home unless it is absolutely necessary, but if I am needed, I am needed. What can I do?"

Bruce Wayne has posed:
"In most ways, do the things you always do. Be the glue that holds us together. The voice of reason when things start to go off the rails. Keep Tim and Jason and Damian from taking things beyond sparring matches and verbal barbs." Bruce replies simply enough. "Guide the others if and when I can't." That might sound ominous, though Bruce's tone and manner don't seem to be implying so very much with the statement.

"I've uncovered evidence that there are major players in Gotham that have managed to keep me unaware of their presence and activities for my entire career thus far." Bruce shakes his head, "I'll brief you and all the others once I'm ready, but at the risk of sounding overdramatic, we may have a war for the soul of Gotham on our hands in the very near future, and I suspect it's a war I'm going to have to fight as Bruce Wayne every bit as much as The Batman."

Dick Grayson has posed:
Dick nods in understanding, "Can do. Keep the others acting brotherly, got it." He lets himself relax a little as things seem to be going well and then Bruce drops the bomb. "Well, fuck." Dick is actually shaken a little by this. Bruce was damn near omniscient in his eyes and it's like seeing your dad cry for the first time. "I. Ugh. Well, I understand, now. Whatever you need, I will arrange it. Just know that you have me, and the rest of the Bat Brats with ya. Whether you like it or not." He tries to inject /some/ levity in there, "But really, if it's all hands on deck, so be it. Things have been mostly quiet in Bludhaven, so I can easily rotate to here more."

Bruce Wayne has posed:
There's a tilt of a brow and the tiniest flicker of amusement as Dick drops that expletive. Not exactly disapproval, though there is the admonition that follows, "Don't let Alfred hear you. You might be your own man but you're still in his house." His tone is deadpan, seemingly serious, but the expression carries that amused look a half-second beyond the statement, before fading to something more genuinely serious.

"For now just do as we always do. I'll gather everyone together soon. This weekend we have a party to get through, so...busy weekend for you and parties, it seems." There's no disapproval there...a Wayne is pretty much expected at gatherings like the Met Gala. "So for now focus on what's in front of you. I'll chase the ghosts until we have something more solid to pursue."

Dick Grayson has posed:
Dick chuckles at the so-called admonition, "True, Bruce. Fortunately, he is getting ready for tomorrow." He grins at the mention of the Met Gala, "Appears so, the horse did well, hopefully it enjoyed the trip back here." He may not be a Wayne by blood, but he knows his duty to be the face when needed for the family, "I can do that, at least." A firm nod, "Already got the tux drycleaned and it should be delivered shortly. Will also make sure to do the regular meet and greet things, to see and be seen. Hopefully you don't get attacked by women wishing to be Mrs. Bruce Wayne like you were at the last party." Dick is not going to miss a shot at that joke.

Bruce Wayne has posed:
"I get attacked by women wanting to be Mrs. Bruce Wayne at every party Dick." Yes, there might be a tiny bit of exasperation leaking through there. "But we both know that's not going to happen anytime soon, if ever." Sometimes to Alfred's disappointment, really. "And I seem to recall you don't lack for attention at these sorts of things for the last few years." Because yes, at some point Dick went from the "adorable kid" to "WHOA!" adult. And also he's likely to be loaded himself, if not quite the prize catch Bruce would be in terms of financial gain. Certainly there is no shortage of widows and divorcees and even a few still-married but frustrated women who have made their advances. Made all the more creepy when some of them have known him since he WAS that "adorable kid."" And now Tim has hit the age where he can look forward to the very same thing, and Damian fills the "adorable kid" role. With Carrie having to weather her own similar trials, though being accompanied by a loquacious, blue-furred mountain of muscle might have allayed some of that of late. However that's all really neither here nor there.

"And speaking of the party, we should go see if Alfred needs any more help. Even though we know he'll refuse." Bruce rises from the seat, giving Dick a brief clasp on his shoulder as he passes, "Thank you, Dick. And if you need anything in regards to your scholarly pursuits, just let me know. Lucius can handle any details in regards to the consulting position."

Dick Grayson has posed:
Dick is certainly fully aware of getting attention at parties ever since he became and adult, and he gives an understanding nod, "Yeah, though fortunately you take most of the heat in this. Maybe someday you'll find somebody, but I am not exactly one to criticize you not settling down." He chuckles and nods again regarding the party, "Yeah, I'll head on back up, worst case scenario he will need us to haul things in from outside in this humidity, but if that's the worst it can't be too bad, right?" He grins and says, "See you up there, Bruce." With that, Dick departs unless stopped.