3165/Ungrateful Kids!

Ungrateful Kids!
Date of Scene:	17 November 2017
Location:	Batcave - Wayne Manor
Synopsis:	Summary needed
Cast of Characters:	Batman, Nightwing

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Batman has posed:
    Sound carries in the Bat Cave. Each cry of a bat huddled in those teeming masses so far below and above can sound as if it were only a few feet away, even though they stay far away from the glowing halos of those low hanging lights in their sconces and lanterns. Though right now there is a steady clang that cuts across the distance, rhythmic pounding of metal upon metal as a lone figure in dark body armor grimaces while he stands at the damaged panel along the side of the armored batmobile.
    No cape for now, the cowl is pushed back, the Batman has managed to pull aside that panel from the vehicle exposing the inner workings of the multi-composite armor and the elaborate array of sensor devices that line its sides. For a moment the man crouches low, reaching inside the interior of the vehicle in the frame, grasping, then twists his arm and /yanks/ a component free from the mangled damaged side. The armor bends with the pressure of his grip, already damaged from the exterior, perhaps something explosive...
    But whatever it is that he manages to liberate, he takes in hand and starts to stalk away back down the gangway from the vehicle bay, scowling to himself as he moves. It's only when he reaches the bat computer does it toss the mangled... data drive? onto the desk with a clatter.

Nightwing has posed:
Dick has heard from Babs and others that Bruce wanted to talk to him about what was going on. It had been awhile since he'd been back to the Batcave after Dick headed to Bludhaven. When he heard about Bruce there was a bit of trepidation, he figured he knew what he was about to be told, but a quote came to mind at the same time... 'The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.' ... Gathering his gear, Nightwing decides he has put off seeing his Father and Mentor long enough, and headed to the one place he figured he could always find him... the Batcave.

Nightwing uses one of the many hidden entrances into the Batcave, no sound of motorcycle tonight as Rose still has it, but there is more than one way in if you know where to look. Nightwing walks down towards the bat computer just in time to hear the abused piece of equipment to be tossed on the desk. There's a pause, no doubt that Bruce already knows that he's there, and Dick pulls off his own Mask to place it in a compartment on his gloves. ~Best to face this man to man~ Dick thinks to himself, and walks the rest of the way until he's a few feet away from Bruce.

"Bruce." Comes Dick's voice, deeper, perhaps a bit more tired than normal, but it is strong no matter what he may be feeling in seeing the man that raised him given the circumstances. His face trying to remain impassive never really works in Bruce's presence, a small quirk at the corner of his mouth hints at the ever present smile normally there, but there's a look in his eyes that shows he is ready for the upcoming 'talk'... perhaps there is a bit left over from their last disagreement that hasn't fully be resolved yet.

Batman has posed:
    The monitors on the computer had flickered to life at his approach, a steady stream of data in green text upon a black background feeds across the displays, illuminating his features in that dim light as he gives his back to the rest of the cave as well as the young man who had entered.
    Oh he had been aware, a small window had opened to announce the entrance and the identity of the other vigilante, causing no outward change to the man's severe mien as he extended a gauntleted hand to brush a fingertip over a key on the keyboard and dismissing that alert almost negligently. But to someone who could read another at a glance, they could sense the subtle increase in tension, the minute downward curve at the corner of his mouth. Just small insight into the man before he makes that turn away from the console.
    "Dick," As much of a greeting as could be expected. His brow furrows and he looks towards the batmobile, then back at him. "Timing is tight. Need to recover the data on this drive." He gestures with a sweep of his hand towards the aforementioned drive. He steps past Nightwing, turning his shoulder slightly to not collide as he moves towards the equipment locker next to the bat computer. "Why are you here?"

Nightwing has posed:
Yep... not exactly what he expected, but it isn't too far off from one of his predetermined scenarios. Dick looks to the drive again, nodding his head slightly as Bruce brushes past him, and Dick's own features tighten a bit. The tension in his body and across his features, most would not even be able to notice it as he stands there, but these two have spent a life-time of blood and sweat together. Two quick and calming breaths, Dick asks "What can I do to help?"

Dick's footfalls move towards the drive to take a closer look, but doesn't touch anything as he knows how they both are when they are working on a project. "Looks like you might only get a partial recovery, and need to let the bat computer work out the rest." Small talk is something Dick is pretty good with anyone but Bruce. He shakes his head, deciding to tackle the problem head on...

"I heard you wanted to talk about what was going on." His eyes move back to his mentor, searching his face for any hints on how to approach the topic, "I'm not sure what you heard. I'd like a chance to give you the rundown, Bruce. It isn't as black and white as you might think."

Batman has posed:
    "I'll have Tim look at it later," The rumbling voice offers in reply even as Batman returns with a length of cable and a small display unit that he sets down on that work space, lifting the small drive and examining the interface. Perhaps it was a touch dismissive, and not very tactful, but such falls to the wayside often with him. The cable is plugged in and then the diagnostic program begins to run as the display springs to life. He darkens it, then sets it aside as it runs.
    Rounding back to the other man, he crosses his arms over his broad chest and affixes Dick with his stern glower. Not the one of having passed judgement, but that subtle expression of dubiousness as he gauges the moment.
    "You had a limited window to act. Seven minutes before Ukrainian traffickers escaped with twenty-seven imprisoned women. Shiva confronted you. You did not have the time to play her games. You gambled on giving her an option to face you in a year after you trained long enough to give her a challenge. She agreed. You both resolved the situation in time."
    With that concise explanation, Batman continues to glower at the young man. But then he adds levelly, "I understand. Given the circumstances I might have done the same thing."
    And as quick as that he turns back to the display, bringing it to life again with a swipe of a thumb as he taps a few keys.

Nightwing has posed:
The comment on having Tim look at it is not missed by Dick, his hands tighten on the shelf of the bat computer holding the drive. Dick's lips turn into a thick line, his eyes narrow, but he nods his head once without further comment. Stepping away from the drive, a few more calming breaths, the tension eases from his arms and face but still present in the carriage of shoulder.

He is a few steps away when Bruce turns back to him, arms crossed and glower present, but what he see's from Dick is not defiance. Dick's response is to watch and listen, it is obvious he is not here to argue, that has already happened and it is not something he is looking to relive. Instead, he is here to listen and learn...

At the very clear description of the events, Dick nods, "That is exactly what happened." he replies just in time for Bruce to spin back around. He runs a hand through his hair, and Bruce can hear him give a long sigh. "Bruce, I've got a couple questions..." After a moment's pause, he asks "What would you have done differently? In my shoes, not your own.." and then he adds "What can I do to get ready? I wanted to do this on my own. Figure out how to handle it without needing to ask for help..." He shakes his head, "...some people let me know how dumb that was, and how we're a Family. Never thought I'd listen to some advice while someone called me an idiot..."

Batman has posed:
    For a moment there's a furrow to the man's brow, unseen as his back is still to Nightwing. But then he straightens up and holds the display in one gloved hand, frowns... then sets it down and to the side. He rounds back upon the young man whom he extended of his life to, gave this insight into his world.
    "Dick..." His expression remains stern for a time, but he exhales slowly through his nose as if forcing himself to be in the here and now. With his hands at his sides he tells his former partner, "I don't know what was said. I can't second guess you on that. I think perhaps I might have more insight into the way she sees the world. That might have changed how I handled matters. But with the lives in jeopardy... you made the trade we do every night. You put yourself in danger to save others."
    He starts to step away, walking towards the edge of the central computer area and stepping onto the gangway that leads to the rotating launchpad for the batmobile. His footfalls clink faintly upon the metal underwork. Over his shoulder he tells him, perhaps assuming that Nightwing will walk with him. "I think at the most... you might have overestimated the severity of her initial challenge. She and I are at odds but we have an understanding. If she killed you..."
    He shakes his head and then kneels before the batmobile, resting a hand on the damaged armor and scowling to himself. "She knows I'd never let that pass."

Nightwing has posed:
Some of the tension leaves Dick's shoulders as they start to talk through what happened, and what might have been done differently. Following Bruce out to the Batmobile, Dick asks "You think there might have been something she said or did that I could have used to either get her to help, or at least let me pass without trouble?" He accepts that his knowledge of her is limited, and even more so he begins to see how this could become a much bigger problem.

At Bruce's admission of how he would handle Dick... losing.. yeah, we will stick with that word... His brow furrows, "Wait." perhaps a bit of recognition dawning for the first time, "You think she did this, knowing that she can beat me no matter what, which means she is getting to you...." His thoughts following down that path, "...to get you to do something you normally wouldn't?"

There is a long pause, at first standing next to Bruce, and then kneeling down next to him so he can look over at him. "Bruce. I can beat her. Not now, but I'll do what it takes, learn from whomever it takes, to beat her. I don't want you to pay for my mistakes... I never want that..."

Batman has posed:
    The twisted and torn metal on the side armor of the vehicle creaks as Bruce touches his hand to it and seems to focus on it even as Dick speaks to him. But then he gives up the charade and faces the younger man directly. "I think that she may have been using you to get at me. To try and draw me out. Or she was making a run at you to gauge you, to see which way you would jump."
    He furrows his brow and looks to the side for a moment, eyes distancing before he looks back towards Nightwing. "But you may have made an error when you told her you'd face her in a duel to the death in a year's time. It changed matters from her simply playing to her now being the challenged. And when Shiva is challenged..." He shakes his head, leaving the last unsaid.
    Rising to his feet he murmurs, "I told her that Gotham. Our people. That they're off limits to her. That if she made that deadline that I would be there."

Nightwing has posed:
"It makes sense..." Dick says in response to Bruce stating what Dick only just now realized. That he was a measure of Batman, and perhaps in the most important way he had failed in this test. He shakes his head, more disappointed in himself than anything else, "I should've seen it. I was in such a hurry to save those people... I thought I could handle it, that it was worth my risk for those people..." his eyes moving to Bruce's, and he grimaces "...but it wasn't my risk, I made it /our/ risk." With a sincere nod, he tells his Mentor, "I'm sorry, Bruce."

Dick nods his head as he thinks through the wording, they've dealt with the Riddler enough that he should be more circumspect when it comes to How and What you say, he stands up with Bruce, "Ok, so what does that mean to her? Does that sound like a challenge to her as well? Does that mean if I don't show up that she will start targeting the rest of the Family?" There is worry there, deep concern, "I can't let that happen, Bruce. I can't let this become a threat to everyone else. There has to be another way, and it's something that I've gotten myself into. If there's any chance the rest of you are in danger then I /need/ to handle this, because I can't fail you all like I failed my..." He stops, but Bruce knows he's thinking of a family from a Circus that fell to their death.

Batman has posed:
    Shaking his head, Bruce tells him, "There's nothing to apologize for. You made a call in a bad situation. You saved those people." There's a beat as he lets silence reign between them as if he were to say something else. But instead he steps past and moves back towards the computer console having liberated another small piece of armor that he sets down in the surface scanner next to the console.
    He turns back to the keyboard, typing a moment and keying the scanner to life before he turns back towards him. A nod is given, gesturing the younger man to one of the seats there even as he takes a seat of his own.
    Leaning forwards, he rests his elbows on his knees, fingers interlacing as he meets Dick's gaze. "Right now, she will meet you at the appointed time. She will most likely face you with all of her strength and technique, and if she wins she will kill you. She will not do anything to interfere with this. She won't go after anyone close to us. She will not seek to sabotage you at all. To her the duel is everything. She will do nothing to undermine it."
    Straightening up he grimaces, "She would actually help you if you asked her most likely. She is... strange that way."

Nightwing has posed:
Dick follows along next to Bruce as they make their way back to the bat computer. Whether Bruce notices it or not, there will be a small quirk of a smile on Dick's features, a bridge crossed figuratively as well as literally. "It's what you taught me to do, Save people." He then takes seat next to Bruce, quiet as always, his owh thoughts working on a solution for the current situation.

When Bruce turns to him, Dick swivels the chair to meet the older man's gaze, posture almost identical, if someone where to draw a picture it would seem as if one man at two different stages in his life. With each statement, Dick nods his head, and the relief is evident that she will not be going after the Family. Quickly, however, that familiar look of determination sets on his youthful features, "I think training with her would defeat the purpose. I"m sure I'd learn a lot for her, but she would learn all of my tells too. Can't afford that to happen..." Taking in a breath, always looking for a path forward, Dick says "So we find someone or a group of people on par with her to beat the hell out of me for the next ten months..."

Batman has posed:
    A small nod is given, then Bruce murmurs levelly. "When this first broke, I adjusted the training schedule for the others. They're rotating partners, doubling the frequency of their training. I wanted to make them all more ready in case Shiva had a larger play. So far I think this is what it seems to be. For now."
    At that he frowns marginally, eyes shifting to the side, but then back as he adds, "There are several people you could face and train with that would help you. I would suggest myself, but I think we of all people know the most of each other's styles." He straightens up, hands resting on the arms of his chair. "The person immediately available you might learn the most from is Cassandra. Her talent is unique, and in some ways I would say she is Shiva's equal." Almost.
    He tilts his head slightly, "I know that some overtures have been made to Richard Dragon, he would provide you with strong training, but also be able to share insight into Shiva as well."

Nightwing has posed:
"Babs has told me a little about the routine changes, and I had assumed it was tied to this in some way." Dick responds with a grunt, "I hoped that it was just being prepared instead of something she might do..." again, that smile starts to work it's way on his face, but he schools himself well, "...looks like I might have picked up a thing or two through the years."

Dick nods at the mention of Cassandra, "I haven't had the chance to really work with her yet. I'll look for her, and see when she can spare some time to work with me." Dick is happen to work with anyone, even though he is confident, he has never been egotistical. The fact that Cassandra can teach him something, especially to protect the Family, Dick would take a beating from her every day if it is what it takes.

At the mention of Richard Dragon, Dick is contemplative, and finally says "So, what I should work on with him is not only the martial skill, but really understanding Shiva. If you know your enemy and you know your self you need not fear the result of a hundred battles."

Batman has posed:
    Another nod, then he straightens up fully. Those dark blue eyes meet Dick's and he says in that steady rumbling voice of his that's more Batman than Bruce Wayne. "Do not waste this time, Dick. Use every moment of it." He gets to his feet, rising slowly and grimacing for a moment. He takes a steadying breath then scowls as he looks sidelong towards the batmobile... then back towards the other vigilante.
    "If needs be, I'll cover for you in Bludhaven. Do what you have to do to succeed."
    And with that he turns away, starting to walk towards the storage area across another gang plank. "Now, I have work to do." He says over his shoulder. One might expect him to say something else... but he doesn't.

Nightwing has posed:
Dick stands at the same time as Bruce, his eyes betray a bit more emotion than Bruce's own, and it's obvious that this conversation was needed by Dick. As their eyes meet, Bruce can see the determination, and the willingness to do everything it takes to be successful. He will also see the respect and pride that he has for the man that raised him.

"I won't waste it , Bruce. I'll do what needs to be done for the Family, for you, and for me." There's a flicker when Bruce grimaces, a question that lingers between them, but not asked as Dick knows it isn't how things work between them.

"Bludhaven should be good. Flash came by earlier, and chatted with me. Babs is also working on building out surveillance with a friend of hers too. I won't let it distract me from what needs to get done."

As Batman, because that is who he is now, walks off Dick pulls out his mask, and places it on to become Nightwing. "Take care, Batman..." and as he walks off, Bruce might just hear, "...and take care of yourself, Bruce."