9326/Monitor Duty

Monitor Duty
Date of Scene:	28 December 2021
Location:	Monitor Room
Synopsis:	Arthur and the Batman discuss life, the universe, and spaceports.
Cast of Characters:	Arthur Curry, Bruce Wayne

---

Arthur Curry has posed:
    The man known as Arthur Curry complained about monitor duty. Of course the man known as Arthur Curry complained about a great many things. For his was such a temperament, one that would respond to matters as presented with an eye toward pessimism if only to protect from disappointment. So those that knew the man knew he wasn't entirely sour all the time.
    And some that had insight into the man, might also realize that in some ways monitor duty was something he felt was important. Always on time. Always did his full shift. It was one of the rare ways someone could find him if he was on the schedule. Which might be why Diana sought him out there for her caper in Atlantis.
    Another reason, was it gave the tall Atlantean time to reflect and get some reading done. Which is what he was doing. Settled in the tilting office chair, legs up on the side of the console (thoughtfully away from the keys), he looked almost lazy in the execution of his duty.
    Were it not for the JLA Computer Interface training manual he held in his hand. Brow furrowed in concentration he focused on trying to learn a bit more on the complex computer system before him. And from the look of him...
    Well it might not have been going well.

Bruce Wayne has posed:
There was a fractious rumor around the League that Batman did not participate in the time-honored tradition of monitor duty. He was rarely seen at the Hall of Justice at all, and there was no denying that the sunny disposition of Metropolis as a whole was at odds with his whole aesthetic.

"Arthur."

His tone is grim and stony, granted a slight reverberation by a modulator built into his cowl. Like always, he is simply not in the room one second and in it the next. It's rare to see him moving from point to point.

"I got your gift. Thank you."

Arthur Curry has posed:
    There's that first physical flinch of realization. That involuntary catch as Arthur's eyes snap up. But then he tightens that down, squints a bit, tilts his head to the side as if there was a sudden pain in the side of his neck. If only to try and make that mental effort to not show Batman he had been caught unawares. He fails, of course, since the Dark Knight can see that tension jolt through the man. Most others might miss it. But not the Bat.
    A breath is taken, held, exhaled slowly. "Batman."
    The boots slide off the console and the man turns to face the other. A half-smile settles on his features as he looks up at the other Justice Leaguer. Then the reason for his visit is given and Arthur's eyebrows lift. His manner changes slightly, less on guard, more at ease.
    "Yeah?" He says at first, tone light, then deepening as he nods. "I mean, yeah. S'cool." He gives a slight nod to the side, "Figured it might be a thing." Non-commital.
    "You wanted to go, can play it however you'd need. One or both of us being all Mission Impossible if needs be." Then his lip twists up when his gaze lifts.
    "Still, you buy the beer."

Bruce Wayne has posed:
"Will need to work on the optics of it," Batman answers in his typical flat monotone, "Bruce Wayne needs a reason to be seen publicly with private citizens. Would draw scrutiny to you otherwise. Can develop a fake identity for you. Probably easier for me. Already have established pseudonym living in Maine. Alternatively, I have a cousin from Scotland who never actually existed you could fill in for."

The plan, and the alternatives, are all fired off one after the other without any real emphasis. It's clear that the man's mind is constantly working, constantly looking at variables and making plans.

"Still. A very thoughtful gift. I appreciate it."

Arthur Curry has posed:
    "Cousin works," Arthur offers as easily as that, then he looks to the side and makes a face, before shrugging a little as he looks back. "Whatever you got lying around," Knowing that whatever Batman decides its execution will be thorough and nearly unassailable. Just that level of trust from a long enough working relationship.
    Then at the compliment, Arthur gets that slightly pained look again as he shifts in the chair and turns it a little sideways, crossing one boot onto his leg and causing his jeans to rumple a bit. "Ah man, s'alright. Just figured what might be a thing that might be..." He lifts a hand and to the side, encompassing the entirety of the Bruce Wayne gift-giving conundrum. What do you get a man who has everything? Experiences. And sincerity.
    "Might be alright. Should warn you though, the Mariners are pretty terrible." His lip twists. Then he takes a breath and sobers a little. "But seriously, after your gift. Man. Hardly matches up." His to the first edition of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.
    "Keeping it at home, my dad's book case. Need to get a..." He lifts a hand, "Case for it I think."

Bruce Wayne has posed:
"I'll send you a kit."

It's going to be a production, that's for sure. But the Bat has no doubts that Arthur can handle it, even with the lackadaisical demeanor.

"And I know they're terrible, that's why I'm looking forward to the game. I don't have time to attend games as much as I used to, but I still have the hometown pride where it counts."

There's the faintest, most slight inclination of Batman's head. A nod. The only part of him that really seems to move given the statue-like stillness with which he stands.

"A book is meant to be read and enjoyed, Arthur. Don't treat it like a precious gem. Enjoy it."

Arthur Curry has posed:
    At the mention of a kit, Arthur's eyebrows rise as he tries to quantify what all that might entail. How many nights wrangling it, but then Bruce can likely almost see the gears churning for the man, imagine the chain of thoughts leading to that next moment a look of acceptance appearing there. It's a rare book, and it needs to be cared for.
    Then at the return comment about them being terrible, it's enough to get Arthur's half-smile to come back he nodes along agreeing. He holds his tongue until the ultimatum.
    Enjoy it.
    "Ah." He pushes up out of his seat, but mainly to just lean against the console, arms folding over his chest as he murmurs with a half-smirk. "I may look like some guy who should be setting up speakers for a crappy band, Bruce. But I know a few things. I'll read it, for sure. But maybe with tweezers... while keeping it in an isolation chamber. Or something." The smile broadens as he expounds on what needs to be done to read it, but he's clearly not going to do that.
    Ok maybe the tweezers.

Bruce Wayne has posed:
"You make it sound like you're going to sell it eventually," the Bat answers, his tone remaining matter-of-fact despite the accusation that might suggest hurt feelings around a gift, "Which I wouldn't blame you. I wouldn't have it if an estate hadn't put it up for auction. All I ask is that you enjoy it before you do."

Satisfied, he gives a more obvious nod. He's used the brief gap in their conversation to move across the room, standing not far from the chair and the monitor display now.

"Nothing of interest on the feed," he opines, "Good. What's this?"

He reaches to pick up the computer manual, turning it over in one gloved hand.

"I wrote this."

Arthur Curry has posed:
    "I'm not gonna sell it, man," Arthur says as if the very idea. Shaking his head, "I have a cousin who does art conservation and she drilled it into my head one Summer when I was staying with her family. No touchy the canvas." Though for her it was the portraits she was restoring, less books. Still.
    As Batman moved, Arthur's attention moved with him. The mention of the feed brings it back to the Atlantean's thoughts and he flicks a glance at it. Thankful that there are no alerts, or that he somehow had missed the alarm sound.
    Then the manual is rediscovered and Arthur quirks an eyebrow. "You did?" A beat, then he adds. "I mean, I can see it. Sounds like you."
    Another pause as he leans over to look at perhaps what section Batman's considering before he lifts his gaze back to the man in the cowl. "A little dense for me, but I was never a computers guy."

Bruce Wayne has posed:
"This is the last generation," Batman adds, gesturing towards the monitor displays, "I'm beta testing the latest one at the moment. The manual might change. Probably best not to absorb it completely."

He flips through a few pages to some detailed step-by-step process on how to set up scripted macros within the system. Bringing up certain areas at a keystroke, or even watching for particular kinds of disasters or criminal activity. He dog-ears one corner of the page and places it back on the console, turning his attention fully back to the screen.

"It's amazing what you can learn when want becomes need, I've found. I would never have considered myself much of a computers person either."

A pause, then an abrupt change of topic.

"Atlantis is on the social media stream."

Arthur Curry has posed:
    For a time Arthur more just watches Batman. His brow might seem a touch furrowed, likely trying to plumb the depths of the man's thoughts. Failing of course, but one cannot be around the Bat without wondering what the man is thinking. And rarely does one see him in a state of such calm and... reflection?
    He says nothing. Until after those last few words then he seems to return to the here and now, nodding slowly. "Yeah?" He asks. Atlantis on social media.
    "Something other than their aid being given to Diana's project?" He never told anyone else how Diana and himself had arranged to get the aid from Atlantis, though it's likely that Batman already knew about it.

Bruce Wayne has posed:
"Some sort of diplomatic delegation," comes the Bat's answer, "Showing preferential treatment to mutants. Worth watching. I see no other motive beyond the usual military strongman chest-thumping. But then, you understand your people better than me."

It seems, outwardly, that Batman's intentions were merely to bring it to Arthur's attention. No real opinion on the situation, but then he is known for his tendency to reserve judgement on things until he's had enough time to properly observe them.

"Haven't seen Diana since my birthday." Silently asking after the Amazon.

Arthur Curry has posed:
    "Ah," Arthur says as his brow knits, thoughts drifting now in that direction of Atlantis. The court. The elaborate goings on there that this may bring forth. He takes a deep breath. Holds it, then slowly exhales as he shakes his head slightly.
    "I'll see what I can see about it. Try and figure out if there's an angle to it." Which he will, when Arthur says he'll do something he tends to take that road.
    But then the inquiry is made about Diana and his brow furrows slightly. "Diana?" He glances at the monitor again, albeit briefly. To perhaps grant that moment to gather thoughts before he answers.
    "Diana's Diana." He says with a smile, "Even when things are going horribly, she's still..." A hand flares to the side, as if brushing past what casual descriptors might be on hand to try and describe the woman. "She's our constant. But... she has a plan of late. To build a spaceport, of all things."

Bruce Wayne has posed:
"Still smiling about everything and driving her sports car," Batman answers, nodding his head, "You're right about that. A constant. The spaceport plan seems out of her wheelhouse, but then I also find myself unsurprised."

He takes another moment to pause, still as a statue while he mulls over some point internally.

"I'll have to talk to her. I can't imagine astrophysics is the Themysciran strong suit."

Arthur Curry has posed:
    "She's trying to gather people to it, make it a... planetary effort." The way Arthur says that, however, it's likely clear he's not the most well versed on the project. A hand lifts to rub at the back of his neck thoughtfully. "I think she believes it's time for us to step out onto that stage, since... well. We get a lot of traffic from off planet."
    There's on condemnation in Arthur's tone, nor really support. More just stating a fact though his last few encounters with aliens haven't been positive ones. League Members excluded, of course.
    "M'sure she'll be glad to have your input, though." He gives a nod toward the screen as he lets a half-smile grow. "I mean, if you wanna hang out here and cover the rest of my shift I'll go find her and tell her you wanna talk to her?"
    Sure he might not hate monitor duty. But it's not swimming, that's for sure.

Bruce Wayne has posed:
Whatever else Batman may think of the spaceport plan, he keeps it to himself. Those invisible gears continue to spin, and yet more unknowable thoughts dance their way across the transom. He looks at the monitor for a moment before turning his attention back towards Arthur once more.

"I have it streaming directly here," he answers, placing two fingers to the temple of his cowl, "Take the rest of the evening. I can keep watch while I'm on patrol."

Arthur Curry has posed:
    A half-laugh escapes Arthur, full laugh if he gave it just a smidge more energy. But he holds up a hand, "Nah man, I was just..." One does not tell the Batman you were just giving him shit. One just rolls with the punches.
    "Hey, that's good of you." Arthur says instead, changing his tone. "Thanks, I was wanting to check up on something." That said he turns and starts walking across the way toward the door, pausing to scoop up his discarded jacket that was left on the back of one of the nearby chairs and slinging it over his shoulders, sliding his arms in place a sleeve at a time.

Bruce Wayne has posed:
The thanks, for all the value there is in them, go without response. A momentary glance away is all the Batman needs to depart. Looking back, there's nothing there but the empty space that seems to swear 'I was always empty, I promise.' Still, that's probably a longer conversation than anyone has had with the Batman in months.