892/Rites of Batpassage

Rites of Batpassage
Date of Scene:	31 March 2020
Location:	Carrie Kelley's Apartment
Synopsis:	Dick checks in on Carrie about things, and tries to offer some older brother advice. No booze, she's not 21!
Cast of Characters:	Carrie Kelley, Dick Grayson

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Carrie Kelley has posed:
For the most part since Damian arrived Carrie had been staying at the penthouse. She had an apartment of her own for attending college, to help be close so as to not miss any classes, but it had been left untouched for at least a month. Not an unusual thing, really. All she had to do was tell her neighbors that she was visiting family.

After Bruce's birthday though she'd immediately packed up what few things she had and gone back to the apartment. It's here she's pacing around currently tidying up from having been gone so long. A forgotten trash bin of papers emptied here, a bit of dusting there. It wasn't a large apartment, just a studio with a bed, tv, computer desk and kitchenette along with a bathroom. It was suitable enough for one person.

Dick Grayson has posed:
It didn't take much for Dick to hear about what had happened at the birthday. To be honest, it's the whole reason why he made part of his present patrolling Gotham as Nightwing. When Batman showed up early to relieve him, he immediately knew something was wrong. After a bit of searching, he stopped by the penthouse and not finding Carrie there, decided to check the next logical place.

It's not through the window or breaking in that Dick arrives, instead, it's with a knock at the door. "Carrie, it's Dick. I got deep dish pepperoni and bell pepper, and a six pack. And don't give me any lip about how you're not twenty-one yet, I'll arrest myself later."

Carrie Kelley has posed:
Carrie Kelley stiffens at the knock a moment not sure who it might be. Was she ready to put on a fake face? Thankfully it ends up being someone she wouldn't have to pretend around. Letting out a sigh she dumps the half-full trash bag back into the bin, and nudges it to the corner of the kitchenette before heading to answer the door.

"Bell peppers are gross," she calls out with a wry smile. "But I guess I can forgive it on a deep dish."

The deadbolt is slid back to open the door letting it swing wide to let Dick in with a tired smile. "Hey. Guess you heard, huh?" Sweeping her arm wide she gestures him in. "Welcome to Casa de Kelley." She was just wearing yoga pants, and a t-shirt while barefoot otherwise currently. Just lounge around the house attire.

Dick Grayson has posed:
"I may have lied about the bell peppers. I mean, who puts vegetables on a pizza anyway?" Dick asks as he breezes in. "Heard about what?" comes the question as he goes to set down the pizza -- and no, the six pack is cola, not beer. He's a cop for pete's sake. Can't go contributing! Setting down the pizza box, the smell of all the meats, tomato sauce and garlicky crust is heady as he grabs a seat.

"Nice place." he grins. "Not exactly homey yet, I mean, your dirty clothes aren't even on the floor." he points out. "All the hallmarks of a bugout house." There's a slight smile, tucking his hands into the pockets of his blue jeans and shrugging his polo idly. "Not really a tell, more an educated guess. Want to talk about it, or want me to go first?"

Carrie Kelley has posed:
Carrie Kelley sighs softly watching the sodas be placed down. Sure, she wasn't really one to go for drinks being a stickler for rules, but it had almost sounded like a nice idea at the time. The door is shut, and she moves to flop down on the couch beside him before reaching for one of the sodas. "Let's just say, even dressed in a suit Bruce can dodge a Chinese takeout box easily." Then again she hadn't really expected it would hit him.

The soda is cracked open as she leans back again eyeing the pizza a moment. "Yeah, well. This isn't exactly home. Or wasn't." A long sip is drawn, and she shrugs. "What do you want to know?"

Dick Grayson has posed:
"I'm just surprised it took you this long. Though I suppose it helps that you didn't exactly grow up with this Bruce." Dick admits as he gets a paper plate to dig out a slice of pizza. "I'm not Damian, I didn't poison it." he comments as he takes a bite. "I was eighteen when I had the big blow up and went out on my own. But by then, the split was already there - I'd already retired the Robin suit and took on the mantle of Nightwing." he explains.

"In short, it's not what I want to know... it's more, what are you comfortable talking to me about, Carrie." He glances over at her with a smile, and a little shoulder bump. "You're the closest to me in age, and when it comes down to it, besides Babs, you're the only other one I get along with outside of Bruce. But again, I had a long time to get used to this Bruce. And he's not your Bruce. I don't mean that in a mean way... just, I know he's not what you're used to. Maybe we can start there. The difference."

Carrie Kelley has posed:
Carrie Kelley gives a little elbow back after the shoulder bump, but it's good natured. And she reaches for a slice of pizza at this point as well. "The differences are huge, but I learned to accept that years ago. It's this whole thing with Damian. He's refusing to do anything. He wants us to do it for him because he feels that Talia tried to set them up to be at each others throats. Which I can agree with," she points out only to sigh. "But ignoring him to the point that he hasn't even trained with him yet?" Her head shakes.

"He wanted me to mentor and train him. Wanted ME to be the one to help Damian figure out that he ought to prove himself." Her nose crinkles at that. "I tried talking to him about it several times. He's not MY son. If it were just another Batboy? Sure." She shrugs, and takes a bite of the slice with a sigh of contentment. Pizza always helped fill the void. "But he's not. He's actual, literal, family. He's not just trying to prove himself to get a mask. He wants his father."

Dick Grayson has posed:
"Did you ever think for a moment that he's not Bruce's son either." Dick points out as he takes a bite of pizza and waves it. "I mean, biologically? Yeah, totally his kid. But I mean... think about it. Bruce picked each of us. Me, you, Jason, Tim... Damian was thrust upon him. He didn't get to choose. And whether that's because Talia stole some of his DNA, or Bruce had a moment, we'll never know -- and frankly, don't want to know." he holds up his hands at that before grabbing a soda. "So, suddenly, Bruce's world, that he carefully crafts and controls, where we're all parts, all soldiers on the board of Gotham, is thrown into upheaval. Bruce never had to be a father, because we all wanted a father, and it came natural to us to accept him as one."

"Damian's challenging that. Unlike the rest of us, he already knows there's a Batman. Okay, to be fair, he was barely Batman when I met him." there's a smirk, "...but Damian doesn't want Bruce Wayne the father. He wants to be Batman. And we both know what that's going to take." Cracking open a soda, he sips from it, setting it aside. "And Bruce, he wasn't ready for this, he didn't even get the new Robin smell off of Tim, and now, not only is he having to train //two//, but is also, for the first time, learning what it truly means to be a father."

Carrie Kelley has posed:
"I know," Carrie has to admit when he explains about the world that Bruce had set up for himself. She does listen and consider it... But at the end she grins ruefulyl over toward Dick. "I know it's not what he wanted. Or expected. How often has he given you lectures about accepting responsibility for your actions, though? Or the rest of us?" Sighing quietly she rolls her head back against the couch to stare up at the ceiling. There wasn't anything interesting up there but it felt good on her neck at least.

"I gave him some space and some time. I went and offered suggestions how to step up. Privately," she adds. The other night was more open and vocal, but she hadn't started out that way. "And gave him time after that too. If that's how he wants to play it? Fine. But I'm barely out of being a kid myself, and I *sure* haven't done anything that would result in a kid, so... I don't really want that responsibility. Or at least it shouldn't have been just my responsbility."

Dick Grayson has posed:
"Ah, but you assume this was his action. Devil's advocate here. It wasn't." Dick points out. "Talia played him. And probably better than anyone of us ever could have. Gave him the one thing he would never turn away." he points out as he sets aside his pizza and drink, and nudges Carrie. "Turn." And guiding her so she's settled against him, back to chest, Dick starts to give her shoulders a rub, fingers digging into the cloth of the shirt as he works on her muscles.

"This isn't about Bruce accepting responsibility. I mean, the kid's got to meet him somewhere in all of this. He came into the cave immediately demanding that he's going to be Batman -- much less Robin? I treated him like a kid, Carrie, cause in those first days? He was being a brat." Finding a knotted spot, Dick works his fingers carefully into it. "But you're exactly where I was. With Bruce telling you to train Damian? It keeps you close to the nest, when really, you should be getting ready to find your own way."

Carrie Kelley has posed:
Carrie Kelley eyes him warily at that as she considers what he says. Another small exhale of air comes, but she does nod and turn to face away so that he can start working on her neck. The tension was bad, but she had plenty of reason to be tense. "I know. I'm well past the age of Robins. Babs wants me to help with the Birds, and that's a good area to work with..." For a moment she trails off when the knot in her shoulders is found earning a little grumbly mumble before her shoulders slump relaxing just a bit more.

"And I know this isn't a standard situation. He will have to prove himself. He's just not starting out from scratch like all of us did. It's going to be frustrating for both of them. I actually wanted him to try and get to know Damian without masks. That will always be there, but give him a chance at a normal life, too. Even we had times we could be just kids."

"I doubt Damian ever got that."

Dick Grayson has posed:
"Be kids? Us? Really?" Dick asks with a lift of his brows. "Come on now, we're talking about Bruce Wayne here." He's clearly teasing as he marches his fingers down the center of her back, pausing halfway to work his fingers back up in a practiced motion. "Babs is firing up the Birds again? Huh." He didn't get the memo on that one, and his fingers pause in a press on the middle of Carrie's back. "Who all has she asked about it?" Clearly, he's mulling over something.

And it's a good topic change from Damian. "You're going to work with her on it, then?" he asks as he starts on the massage again on the redhead's back.

Carrie Kelley has posed:
Carrie Kelley chuckles softly at that. "He used to let me go horseback riding. The old Boss. I know it wasn't much but to a city kid that was the best thing ever. Admittedly Alfred probably had more to do with the occasional fun thing, but he listened, and joined in. That's really all he has to do. Just be there." A long, deep breath is drawn in, and she rolls her head forward to enjoy the backrub while it lasts.

"Yeah. I'm not sure who she tapped yet for it, but I've made a few suggestions for her to check out. I guess I should start thinking of a different name and suit while I'm at it." Here she pauses only to glance over her shoulder peering at him from the corner of her eye. "Sorry. Talking about the ex all the time must not be easy for you."

Dick Grayson has posed:
"I moved on, I mean it's been a whole, Carrie." Dick chuckles. "Actually... I'm kind of seeing someone." he admits, sitting back more fully on the couch in thought. "Not that I was going to let the others know. I'd never hear the end of it. Young woman named Dinah Lance. She owns a floral shop in Gotham." he explains. "We've been flirting with the idea of going on a date." he explains. "Finally decided to take the plunge and ask her out properly. We've had a couple of dates."

There's a shrug of his shoulders. "But I know what you're saying. Barbara was my first. And I care alot about her." he sighs. "But she's a lot like you. Gotham first. And I wanted to do more. To help in the world. Hence, the Titans."

Carrie Kelley has posed:
"Really?" Carrie asks in a very sweet, sugary tone as she shifts around to sit normally again. "And here I thought her name was Black Canary." The smile that's on her face is rather obvious as she sits there watching Dick's reaction to that. Oh she knew. She knew.

"She's actually one of the ones I suggested Babs talk to about the Birds. Caught her finishing up a gang and she's got skills." A little snort comes at that along with a shake of her head. "I was based in Gotham, it wasn't all about Gotham. The people I've fought... You don't even know the half of it."

Dick Grayson has posed:
"Oh great, I get Nancy Drew here." Dick rolls his eyes and flops back. "Alright, who else knows?" he asks, opening one eye to peer at Carrie curiously. "Not that it matters, I mean, I'd worry about that when it came to the family dinner." But he blows out a breath. "Can't keep a secret for anything in this family. But she'd be good for the Birds, I think."

Drawing in his breath, he adds. "There's someone else. A young woman calling herself Flamebird. She's been wanting to help out in Bludhaven, but she's... not very experienced. I mean, she has skills."

Carrie Kelley has posed:
"Hey, I was raised by a detective. Mostly she thought I might have been your ex though," Carrie points out. "Asked if I worked as a librarian for fun on the side. It didn't take long to put two and two together after that." A little nudge of her elbow is offered to his side in a friendly fashion. "I haven't tattled to anyone else. We just chatted awhile was all."

When the topic switches to Flamebird she nods slowly. "I'd met her, too, and also passed the info on. I didn't get a chance to see her at work though. Good to know she needs improvement. I'm not against newbies, but like to know what to expect before a fight, y'know?"

Dick Grayson has posed:
"I don't expect you to keep it a secret, Carrie. I know Bruce will deduce it sooner or later. But we all need our own lives. Like you said earlier. Your Bruce took you horse-back riding, my Bruce usually took me to social functions." Because what bachelor isn't more able to have a cover story if he has a young ward to tend to. He rolls his shoulders to work at the pizza."

"She's eager to prove herself. Much like a certain young man we both know." he points out between bites. "I can pass her information to you, maybe you can see about working a case together or something." he laughs. "God, this is getting into my days of..." he goes quiet suddenly, mum as he glances at the pizza. "I'm sure you and Barbara will do fine."

Carrie Kelley has posed:
"We'll do fine," Carrie assures with a little shoulder bump to try and rock him out of those thoughts. "And if we need help, we know who to call. Big brother Dick to the rescue," she teases with a half grin watching his reaction. That was a rough topic still after all. The Titans always were. "Thanks for the pizza, and coming over," she adds after a moment. "Though really you could have brought something real to drink."

"I gave her my contact. We'll work things out I'm sure."

Dick Grayson has posed:
"Yeah, they will. Barbara's always been good at that." And then Dick smirks. "Next January, I'll take you out on the town. Have the party Bruce never would let us have." he says with a smirk. "It'll be good to have someone I can actually drink with about all of this." he gives her a grateful smile and he sits back up. "So. You going to be okay?" he decides to ask. Because he feels like he needs to.

Carrie Kelley has posed:
"You better darnit. No one else is old enough to do it!" Of course there were a few, but Carrie doesn't really need to nitpick that. She just grins offering him a nod as she finishes off her soda with a gulp. "Yeah. I will be. Thanks. I'll work things out with Bruce, somehow, and... It's about time I did start taking charge again. I mean I used to lead an army. Not just follow along with all of this."

Dick Grayson has posed:
"The first thing you're going to need to do, Carrie? Is stop being Robin. Because that only puts you in the shadow." Dick points out. "It's why I set it aside. Until you do, Bruce is going to treat you like a Robin." Then he smirks. "Just no kitty ears and skates, right?" There's a playfulness in his voice as he tries to cover his tracks.

He knows he can be real with Carrie. But at the same time, he's guarding himself. With that, he's rising to his feet. "Give me a call before you come over next time. You know. In case I have company."

Carrie Kelley has posed:
Carrie Kelley pulls a face at that trying to make it seem more like an 'eeew' moment as opposed to just being embarassed by the very thought. "Not a problem there, Grayscale. I'll call or text before I pop over. Don't need to get yelled at by your girlfriend." She does grin though, and stands to show him to the door. "Night."