2296/TITANS: Up On The Rooftop (Part II)

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TITANS: Up On The Rooftop (Part II)
Date of Scene: 03 September 2017
Location: Unknown
Synopsis: Many revelations, and Damian clearly learned how to train his dragon.
Cast of Characters: Robin (Wayne), Starfire, 87, Stardust




Robin (Wayne) has posed:
     Late afternoon for those in Titans Tower, and the latest young person to don the Robin moniker is standing outside, merely entering in figures on the holo-display in his wrist computer. He stares out from the roof of the famed tower. Between glances at the horizon, and glances at the computer, Damian just looks pensive while standing at the edge.

Starfire has posed:
    And the Starrest of Fires had spent the day meandering the city. For most, this may be boring, but for her - every day was a wonderful new adventure. New people, new things, new places to find, things to learn, friends to make, pizzas to eat...!

    But one couldn't stay a superhero for long, if they did not check in at home every so often. And with this late afternoon threatening to turn day into night, this was usually when Starfire came home, smelling of mustard and wearing joy on her features. Today was no different.

    In fact, from below... one could see Starfire creep up on the horizon, angling herself towards Damian, her orange hair caught and carried by the wind. In moments, she was in front of Damian, hovering in the sky. "Friend Robin!" she calls. "Are you doing... ah... homework?" inquires the Tamaranean.

Vorpal (87) has posed:
"Oh- didn't know the roof was occupied."

The Cheshire cat emerges from the elevator looking rather disheveled and sleep-deprived. He looks like he's just gotten out of bed, to be honest, his mane wilder and far more unruly than it usually is.

"Just for the record? Los Angeles sucks." He had gone to visit Gar, who was on the other coast taking care of some charitable appearances or whatnot, part of the things the Titans did to help one cause or another.

And instead of a week of visiting boyfriend and touring, it had turned into a week of a rampaging monster, a missing diamond and a p-o'ed sorceress. And, amazingly enough, it had all been connected. He must have gotten at most ten hours of sleep before he got in yesterday night.

"How's everybody doin'?" Right, manners. Hard to remember when you were tired and grouchy.

Stardust has posed:
"DAMIAN! Don't jump, you have so much to live for!" The banter precedes the speaker. Colette has a surprisingly loud voice, and sees no reason to wait until she's landed to use it. To be fair, she rarely sees much reason to not use her voice.

Colette is doing her Stardust thing, and has decided a visit to the Titan's Tower is part of the schedule for the day. As ever she's wearing her glimmery white-and-grey superheroing costume, as ever a completely different cut each time it's seen. Today it's ankle-boots, calf-length pants, leotard and hood. She's also carrying a large sack, which appears to be struggling.

  Colette drops out of the sky and onto the roof, joining the others with a grin and cheery wave. "Hi Damian, all recovered from your ordeal? Cassie doing well? Friend Starfire! Krazy Kat! Good to see you both. How is everyone?" She drops her sack on the ground, where it starts to crawl away, until she kicks it into submission.

Without waiting for a response, Colette continues her chattering. "What's everyone doing up here? Watching the sunset? Or is it hanging about on rooftops training? I'm good at hanging about on rooftops. Rooftops are kind of cool. One thing I've learned since being able to fly, rooftops are way more interesting than I ever expected. Someone should do like... tours. There's gotta be demand, what with all the flying and rope-swinging types. New York's Ten Most Architecturally Interesting Rooftops. The Best Rooftop Spots for Brooding. That kind of thing."

Robin (Wayne) has posed:
     Damian looks back to Starfire. "No, I'm playing." He offers the Tamaranean, typing again. "And doing a bit of research on Doctor Light. He had mentioned something during the operation that has me concerned." Robin raises an eyebrow to Vorpal as he made his entrance. "Los Angeles never intrigued me. A city nearly established to highlight mankind's hubris." In short, he was just fine.

  "I'm not suicidal, I'm -playing-." He directs to the group.

Starfire has posed:
"I am well aware of the concept of video games," says Starfire, her voice drawing a bit higher. Lifting higher up into the air, Starfire twists - feet to the sky, and eyes (and hair) kinda falling downward, as if she were trying to peer over Damian's shoulder. While upside down.

    The jury was out on how successful that was. "What video game are you playing?" she asks. A beat. "And what did he mention that makes you feel concern, friend R..."

    It was about this time the others appear, and Starfire beams a smile, holding an upside down hand up in greeting. "Hello, friends!" she says, her eyes flickering to Colette in particular. Then down to the bag. Curiousity fills her features. Kinda flying up and over Damian, Starfire moves to land - righting herself upon the rooftop proper. But in the midst of looking to the bag - her eyes go towards Vorpal. "And you are back, Vorpal!" says Starfire. While LA must suck, Starfire must...

    Well, she was looking to throw her arms around Vorpal in a bearhug. "This is a most joyous occasion! Do be welcomed back! Would you like pizza? Shortcake?"

Vorpal (87) has posed:
And he's bearhugged! The cat blinks and says "Hhhhiii Korr-" breathe, bear hug is strong. Not bone-breaking, but surprising. "I see our newest member is still as chatty as ever..." he pats Kori and grins, trying to sum up the energy from the depths of exhaustion. It does feel good to be back among friends.

"Did my ears deceive me? Did I hear our Angry Bird say he was... playing?"

Robin doesn't play. In Vorpal's mind, the kid hissed like a vampire exposed to the sun anytime the word 'fun' came up. "I must have heard wrong," he says to Collette and Kori, "He must have said preying. You know, like preying on crime, the criminal class cowardly and superstitious? He's totally hacking into the police band." Yeah, that was it.

Stardust has posed:
"Pizza shortcake?" Colette asks. "I'm not sure that would be a good idea. Does it come with mustard?" She tilts her head in thoughtful silence for a moment, then shakes it. Dismissing her culinary contemplation, she walks up behind Damian and peers over his shoulder instead.

"Video game, huh? Looks like an odd one. Who's Doctor Light, the end of level boss? With a name like that, you probably have to trap him between two mirrors. I bet that's the answer. Look to see if there are mirrors anywhere, and try to lure him in..."

Unnoticed by Colette, her sack starts attempting to crawl away again, inching clumsily towards the edge of the roof at a painfully slow pace. "Praying?" Colette continues. "I didn't know Robins were so theologically-minded. Is that a bat thing? I can just imagine Batman crashing through a skylight, landing in the middle of a band of criminals, and asking them if they've ever considered letting Jesus into their hearts."

Robin (Wayne) has posed:
     Damian had been using his link to the Batcomputer to research Doctor Light, the results of which were on his holographic display. "Im not playing a video game I'm playing" SKREEEEEEEE! A large red beast flies up to the roof, past the precipice, dropping a large tree branch at Robin's feet. "Fetch."

  Leathery wings flap as Goliath lands behind Robin. The great Bat Dragon clad with leather armor and reigns attached to rings on his neck. "Titans, this is Goliath." SNORF He offers, reaching out and petting his pet/guardian. "Doctor Light was the scientist that was using my brain for something while I was abducted. He mentioned Pits, which causes me great concern. Those are my family's domain. Anyone meddling with them are going to have a bad time."

Starfire has posed:
    Releasing the cat, Starfire takes a step back, her smile ever beaming. "He plays on the computer a lot, but..." Starfire pauses a moment, and leans in, whispering as if sharing a secret. "I think he is looking at secret things sometimes. Like... crime, perhaps."

    While Colette's religious metaphors leave Starfire even more blank eyed than normal, she does, idly, reach over and try to catch up the bag as it starts to scurry away the tower. But she was distracted. Maybe she misses it?

    Doubly so when.... GASP!

    "Did you find a flying lizard for your pet?" she asks, the rest of the bits about Dr. Light left for other minds to latch onto.

Vorpal (87) has posed:
VOrpal hits the ground, HARD, when Goliath appears, "JABBERWO-"

But no. His claws don't catch and those jaws don't bite (at least so far), and those eyes are not aflame. Looking thoroughly and completey embarrassed, he stands up. Looking for something to do, he quickly brusshes off non-existent dust from his tights, even though the rooftop is perfectly clean.

"... a pet. Of course he'd have a ginormous dragon fer a pet," the cat mutters. The humor of the image of Batman of the Latter Midnight Saints now giving way to his embarrassment.

And then a quick blink. "Wait. Someone was using your bra- you got kidnapped?"

He hadn't received the news, since his communicator had gotten destroyed during the rampage of NotZilla, and only now he had had a chance to get it replaced. "Geez, I leave for a week and you guys go off to have a great adventure. Did you even bring me a doggie bag?"

Stardust has posed:
"Uh hi Goliath, pleased to meet you," Colette offers. It's not clear whether she expects an answer, but honestly? The world the way it is, how do you tell whether something can talk or not based solely on appearances? After all it's not long since she found herself talking to a turtle.

"oh, THAT Doctor Light. The one we arrested," Colette replies, her eyes still on Goliath. "Gotcha. Yeah, I should have remembered that I suppose, seeing as how I had to drag his sorry ass through a magic backpack. Still, my mirror idea is pretty awesome. We should totally do that. Put him in a cell with mirrors for walls, I bet he wouldn't be able to escape from that.

  The sack is moving rather slowly, and Starfire is easily able to catch hold of the bag, even with her attention firmly elsewhere. Whatever is inside the sack continues to struggle feebly in her hands, scrabbling for purchase as it attempts to haul itself away.

"Yep," Colette tells Vorpal. "Shortstuff got kidnapped. We busted him out and arrested some science-guy. Not Bill Nye, Doctor Light. Cassie got stabbed, but then she got better. I don't remember him saying anything about him wanting to meddle with your pits though Damien. Ew. "

Robin (Wayne) has posed:
     Goliath walks up to each of the Titans and sniffs if they will let him. SNRF SNORF "Goliath says hello."

  Damian turns around to the three again. "Lazarus Pits, pits of ichor that my grandfather has used to keep him alive for over seven hundred years. They are guarded by the League of Assassins...and until this summer I was the heir to Ra's al Ghul, and the League."

Starfire has posed:
Starfire quirks her head at what Vorpal says. And what he doesn't say, of course. "You would not prefer a kitty bag?" she asks of Vorpal, kinda biting her lower lip. Turning her eyes from cat to... flying cat, Starfire glances up and down Goliath, still carrying the sack in her mighty hand.

As was often the case, however, the conversation was passing her by - while her train of thought was still boarding at the station. Starfire purses her lips, examining Goliath.

Especially as he snorfs, she leans forward and snorfs back, her nostrils flaring. "Oh," says Starfire, looking back to Damian. The way he said that seemed to imply that he was sharing a great secret, and her expression grows more serious as a result. "What happened this summer?" asks she.

Vorpal (87) has posed:
Vorpal.exe has stopped working. After a brief reboot, the Cheshire cat opens his mouth, then closes it. Then he opens it again and his words actually do come out.

"Wait. You are Batman's son -and- the gradson of ... *Ra's Al Ghul*? Wait. Wait. Wait." He pauses, holding up a hand. "Do you mean to tell me that Batman is Ra's al Ghul's *son*?"

He needs to sit down. He goes over the rooftop edge and sits down. He looks up at Colette, then, and says "This is the point where you mention you're Meryl Streep's great-granddaughter and Starfire reveals she's secretly Lady Gaga, I think."

Stardust has posed:
"Your pits are full of your grandfather's ichor?" Colette asks. "Damian, there is such a thing as too much information, and you left it about forty miles behind. I recommend a hot shower and some industrial strength roll-on deodorant."

Colette holds her hand out for Goliath to sniff and says "Good boy," obviously deciding the best way to treat a giant bat-dragon thing is to treat it like a puppy. "She has a point, Vorpal. Who'd bring a doggy bag for a cat? Wouldn't that be insulting? And no. She's Meryl Streep, and Lady Gaga is my great-grandfather."

The sack in Starfire's hand stops struggling and goes quiet for a moment before whatever is inside redoubles its efforts, flailing wildly. Colette looks over and tells Starfire "Oh, give it a quick kick, that usually calms it down. Robot, by the way. Or what's left of one. It was trying to break into a bank. I didn't know what to do with it, but I thought one of you guys might have some use for it."

Robin (Wayne) has posed:
     Goliath simply licks the back hand of Starfire with affection. "No, Batman is not grandfather's son. My Mother is his daughter."

  "This summer I left the League and met my father for the first time in my life. He took me in and made me Robin." That was why Drake had changed his name.

  "This doesn't concern my armpits, this is about the Lazarus Pits. And if Doctor Light is attempting to meddle with them, it will only end up badly. I may not agree with my Mother and Grandfather's theories any more but I do not wish them harm."

Starfire has posed:
"Oh." says Starfire.

It was a very thoughtful sound. Bringing up her hand, she gives the bag another little punch, before turning to offer it back to Colette. "If you could give this to Cyborg - or Tim Drake - I think that may be best," offers Starfire. "They are both so good with machines, hmm?" she says.

The lickery of her hand sparks a brighter grin on Starfire's lips, her hand coming up to rustle Goliath's ears. "I must..." she pauses a moment.

"Check on something. Please do not go far!" she says.

But as it turns out, Starfire herself would not be back for some time.

And what she was checking on was suspiciously strawberry-related.

Vorpal (87) has posed:
So Batman married the daughter of the Ghoul. There was still no way this didn't sound effed up in one way or another, especially since it sounded like she was still in the family business, of sorts.

He stares at Robin for a few seconds. He hasn't approached Goliath at all, and it may have something to do with the fact that the creature reminds him, if SLIGHTLY, of the Jabberwock. He cannot remember what exactly it was that happened to his other half with that creature to make him so skittish. As far as he could remember, the Cheshire Cat was basically *the* one untouchable creature in all of Wonderland.

Something stirs, the bare edge of a memory. Something about the Jabberwock being the reason why he was *here* now, and merged with a mortal, and diminished. But just as he feels he has the answer in his grasp, the memory ebbs away.

He sighs in frustration. Right. Robin.

While he can't sympathize with Ra's' plight (the man is a head of assassins, for crying out loud,) the little angry creature is obviously worried about his mother. Mothers are hard for Tommy. He's a soft touch, deep down.

"Then I guess we need to get bottom of this Pit business so no harm comes to your mother," the Cheshire cat says, standing up at the edge of the building. "That's what t-friends are for, right?" He was about to say 'team-mates', but that wouldn't have gone over well. Robin may be as awkward as an octopus trying to tap dance on a waxed floor, and his grandfather may as well be the Devil himself-

But you could say the same about Raven, really. Actually, her father was litterally a devil.

And as much as Robin had been a little snarkling, he worried about Georgie's safety. So he wasn't evil, just... full of vinegar. And quills. So, he was more or less close to your average New Yorker.

"Just point the way and we'll have your back. Titans together, right?" he smirks and looks at Colette. Catty bag. Maybe he could patent those and give them to his team members when they go out to have delicious food. They could bring him some back.

Stardust has posed:
"Your father isn't your grandfather's son?" Colette asks with a faint smirk. "Families can be confusing, but that's quite a trick. Did he get taught it by an ancient mystical hillbilly?"

Colette takes the sack back from Starfire, and waves the cheesecake-seeking woman goodbye before giving the sack a few more punches. The sack falls still, and she places it carefully in the middle of the roof, where it will take some time to reach the edge if it starts trying to escape again.

"So what's a Lazarus pit?" Colette asks, apparently finally taking it seriously. "Sounds like it's got a bit of a Frankenstein vibe. Maybe worth checking if any of Doctor Light's associates have died recently." She nods her head in agreement at Vorpal's 'Titans together' comment. She may not be quite an official Titan, but they're her friends and she's already promised to help them were she can. "Just tell us what we can do to help, Damian. I wish I had a snack for Goliath. Does he like Milk-Bones?"

Robin (Wayne) has posed:
     "Different families, Father didn't know about me until I showed up." Goliath of course, simply sits down and watches everyone, his demeanor was more like a dog, happy and calm. Even if he looked (and could be) a ferocious beast.

  "I will have to have a word with Doctor Light and see what else he can tell us about the operation that hired him." Of course the mention of a snack had the Bat Dragon panting and happy. "I don't think he's had any before...I usually give him fish and meat." He offers, reaching out to Goliath and rubbing his forehead. "A Lazarus Pit is a pool that can heal wounds and extend ones life, rejuvenating them." He doesn't mention Lazarus Fever, but that side effect wasn't something that he liked to mention.

Vorpal (87) has posed:
Blink.

BLINK.

Blink.

"Damian?" the cat asks. Vorpal.exe has encountered an unexpected operation. He slowly turns his head to face Robin. "Your name ... is *Damian?*"

The Cheshire cat stares, and then walks over to the edge, and hen sits down. "You know, I'm too young to start drinking now?" he says, rubbing his forehead.

Stardust has posed:
"If you're going to talk to him, don't forget the mirrors," Colette offers. "I bet he'd be more willing to talk if you stuck him between two mirrors. Aww. I wish I had some snacks for Goliath. I bet he'd like Milk-Bones. I'm gonna get him some. Or I could, you know, lean on him a bit for you if you like. Doctor Light, not Goliath. Goliath is way too cute to lean on."

"You're never too young to start drinking," Colette confides in Vorpal. "Well, okay, obviously that's not true. But /you/ aren't too young. I mean okay, legally. Yes. But not actually. I know a place... His name is Robin. Or shortstuff. Or Kid ninja. Or Bat-brat. Why shouldn't it be Damian, too?"

Robin (Wayne) has posed:
     Robin raised his brow at the mention of his real name. "Yes." He was the same Damian that had once almost beat the tar out of Vorpal.

  Damian looks towards Colette, reaching up to his mask. "He's seen me before...without the pretense of being Robin. But didn't know I was Robin." Answering her question, Damian sighs a bit. He wouldn't have let his real name out but the circumstances of the last week have let that out of the bag. "I can assure you I'm not going to make it pleasant on him. And I'm sure Goliath would appreciate a treat."

Vorpal (87) has posed:
"And you also almost attacked me, too," The cat smirks and gives Damian a look. He is tempted to comment on the singular appropriateness of his first name, but decides not to be snarky. Starfire had mentioned some Drake guy, he assumed it must be a friend of Cyborg's, a fellow tech-head.

"If you go see Light, I might also be of use. I don't know how his powers work but I *can* create darkness, if that helps?"

Stardust has posed:
Colette looks a little crestfallen. "Was... it a secret? I'm sorry, I didn't mean to give anything away. I mean people were calling you Damian, so... uh... actually to be honest, I thought it was another nickname. I mean there were those movies, right? Damian is kind of the go-to name for broody types." Someone had to comment, right? At least Colette isn't snarky about it.

"You can create darkness?" Colette asks Vorpal, looking sceptically. "How can you create darkness? That doesn't make sense. Darkness is the absence of light. That's like creating nothingness. Or making a silence. The way you do it is to not make a noise. You can't create the absence of something, that doesn't make any sense. "

Robin (Wayne) has posed:
     "No, not anymore. At least my first name." He offers reassuringly, before moving to Vorpal. "And you did a slack job of paying attention to -detail-." Admittedly Damian was more observant than your usual observer. SNOORF "Okay...okay. It was...good enough." Damian gives a bit of a grimace to his guardian bat dragon. "Damian is my name because I was to tame this world...to bring it to its knees. Not because I am some what you call 'emo' child."

Vorpal (87) has posed:
"Your father was a literalist as far as names go," The Cheshire cat says with a smirk, "I guess it's better that than the Patron Saint of doctors." Yes, Tommy knows his saints. He may not be practicing, but he did grow up in an Irish Catholic household, after all. "Detail? You humans all look alike to me, how was I supposed to know?" That's not true at all, of course, but he's not going to have that discussion. He turns to Colette, "My dear, I can do seven impossible things before breakfast, don't you know?" the Cheshire smirks, and in the blink of an eye they are all surrounded by total darkness for about three seconds before the spell lifts.

"Illusion through chaos magic. Unlike your run of the mill illusionism, the images, sounds and smells I create are real. How does it work?" He shrugs his shoulders and smirks "A scientist I met told me my Rabbit Holes did things to reality. Maybe my illusions do something similar to it, too? I don't know. All I know is that it works, so I don't question it. Otherwise I get a headache."

Stardust has posed:
"Tame the world?" Colette looks even more sceptical. "That seems like a big job for anyone. I'm pretty sure it's beyond taming." She reaches out to pet Goliath lightly. "You can't tame anything this insane. You'd have to figure out how to make it sane enough to tame first. You'd have to be Superpsychiatrist to fix that.

Then darkness falls. In the darkness, Colette can be heard snorting. "Illusions aren't going to help. If he can control light, then pretending the light isn't there won't help. That would be like making an illusion that a bullet doesn't exist instead of trying to dodge it."

Robin (Wayne) has posed:
     Damian had raised a finger. "Mother. Like I said before. Heir to the Demon's Head. They want to rid the world of that which would destroy it. I was supposed to be the one to do that." Not that Damian had believed it anymore, and if he divulged all of what he had been through his short life...it may be too much for the Titans.

  "I think he's a tech-based villain. They haven't had any issues that I know of in Bludhaven's jail."

Vorpal (87) has posed:
"Tech? That's good to know if I run into him. I have a way with technology." Okay. He has a way of making it smoke. It still counts, right?

The cat looks at Damian and frowns for a second. "That which would destroy it. Is that a specific threat or more of a generalized thing? Not to pry. That sounded mildly prophetic and I just happen to be allergic to prophecies," he explains, sticking his tongue out, "They taste of predestination."

Stardust has posed:
"So, Google, Maccy D's and Disney?" Colette inquires. "I can think of quite a few things that would fall under the world-destroying category. Your work would be cut out for you there. I think attempting to save it one hijink at a time the way you are now is probably good for your sanity."

"Tech based? Doctor Light?" Colette looks thoughtful. "So all those laser beams and stuff, that's some gadget he has? So uh... who has that gadget now? Just out of curiosity, you understand."

Robin (Wayne) has posed:
     Damian looked to the pair. "It's a very long story. And...I don't like to tell it. Needless to say, that organization is very dangerous. But anyone who thinks they can overtake them for control of the Pits is going to create an even more dangerous situation."

  Robin sighs just a bit, fiddling on his wrist computer again. "I'll have to find out where Mother is. I have to find her and meet. But not before I get some face time with the doctor."

Vorpal (87) has posed:
"Just don't go into danger alone. Rushing headlong foolishly into danger is *my* schtick." The cat smirks, and stifles a yawn, and he points at Colette, "You leave Disney alone, I will fite you to save Mary Poppins. Just sayin'" he smirks. He even knows which weapons he would choose. He did find those BattleBots in his attic, after all, when he visited his parents before going off to LA. "I hate to cut this short but I am seriously underslept, and I need to go to bed before I start hallucinating. Because when *I* hallucinate, *everybody* hallucinates. And I'm sure you'd like to be spared from Mamma Mia being re-enacted in the commons with sets, orchestra and all." He grins. "Unless you have any more info, I should go and say goodnight."

Stardust has posed:
Colette nods her head at Damian, not really understanding what it all means, but not too worried about that. If he says it's bad news, she accepts that. "If you need a hand... just ask. We got your back."

"There's a good boy," Colette says. This time not to Damian which would be odd, but to Goliath, who she pets again. "Night night, Krazy Kat," she adds, this time to Vorpal, rather than Goliath. Which would also have been odd. "I'm gonna go see if I can rustle up some Milk-Bones, I can't bear not having any snacks for him! Oh, and I better deliver that robot..."

  Colette fetches her sack and makes for the entrance to the tower with a wave. As she leaves, Colette glances back at Vorpal with a grin, and sings.

~Don't hide yourself in regret~

~Just love yourself and you're set~

~I'm on the right track, baby~

~I was born this wa-a-a-y~

She's got a very good voice; a well-controlled coloratura with a lovely vibrato. You'd almost think her grandfather was Lady Gaga.