3513/Still Learning

Still Learning
Date of Scene:	29 December 2017
Location:	Batcave - Wayne Manor
Synopsis:	Summary needed
Cast of Characters:	Batman, Red Robin

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Batman has posed:
    The night had been relatively uneventful save for a few brief conflicts that had ended in a blur of activity. The bat clan had worked well together, like well-oiled machine that with Cassandra and Damian in the mix definitely lent a different atmosphere to the times when it was Batman, and Tim or Dick. The radio chatter was less, the comms almost somber in their way, with minimal input save for what was needed and the occasional click of acknowledgement from Batgirl's communicator.
    The Ukrainians had indeed given up their holdings, and the Russians were still licking their wounds. But that meant a power vacuum was left and it was anyone's idea who would fill it. So tonight had been putting the fear back into the contenders, to let them know exactly what had happened, why, and how they were now on notice. Afterwards they went their separate ways on their separate patrol routes for the rest of the remaining hours before the sun rose...
    And it was just before the sun crested the horizon that the Batmobile roared back into the cave, the large runway extending towards the waterfall entryway, the turntable twisting around to ready for the imminent arrival of the vehicle. The large black mobile roars, engine whining as it dies down once it hits that turntable, the wheel locks clicking into place with loud metallic sounds, then slowly it begins to turn the vehicle around to prep it for its next departure.
    Only a moment after that, the Batman emerges, dark silhouette rising from the cupola and cape flaring for a moment as he drops off the back to land on the walkway. He starts to stride across the gantry, moving towards the main console area and the Batcomputer.

Red Robin has posed:
    Someone is in Batman's chair. His laptop and tablet are plugged into the massive computer and is clicking on the mouse as he moves. Tim Drake is already in a pair of sleeping pants. His hair is wet and tousled. He has a bruise on his left arm, and so he is obsessing.

    As he watches, he reaches for a mug with one hand. He turns it over, and pours coffee into it. His eyes flick to the rim of the mug, then back to the computer.


    He holds the mug out to the batman with one hand even as he clicks on a couple of frames in the view. "Here. I will be out of your chair straightaway. I wanted the big screen."

    If there was a mistake made, it was being in that spot. he fought really well, but Tim is obsessing. His best and worse habit all at once. He stepped from what could have been a lethal blow into a minor hit. It was the right call, but his mind will not be satisfied until he has dissected it, sliced it up, examined it, and adjusted his training a little. Batman has seen his computer's hooked up to the dummies, keeping track of his strike placement within millimeters. Damian's prowess has him motivated.

    But this level of obsession? Something else is eating at him. A bit of his bottom lip is missing a tiny bit of skin, where his teeth have worried away on his lip. his left thumb strokes the callouses on the palm of his right hand. He's obsessing over this bit of minutia because something else is bothering him.

Batman has posed:
    "Tim," One leather and kevlar-clad hand flares to the side as he gestures towards Tim, as if holding him off from vacating the seat as he murmurs, "No rush. Going to upload the streams from tonight then run an equipment check. You have twenty minutes." That said he accepts the proffered mug and takes a sip before returning it towards him.
    As he walks away he pushes a hand up to the nose ridge of the cowl, pushing it free of his features and exposing the man behind it. He pauses in front of the equipment case, triggering the sequence that causes it to open with a faint hiss of escaping air. There's a faint click as he disengages the belt, but then his brow furrows faintly as he catches the young man's reflection in the glass of the display case.
    That has always been Tim's way. The intensity, the worrying at a piece of information over and over. But this is a step beyond the pale. He looks down, slinging the belt in place but then says over his shoulder. "What has you so focused?" He asks, as if he didn't mostly know.

Red Robin has posed:
    "You can't laugh." Tim answers. He looks around. He's searching to see if anyone else is in the room. He does a long, careful sweep. He does not continue until he knows for a fact that it is just him and Bruce. He starts closing out things though. he's been called on his own bologna, and he knows it. "I'm deadly serious. This is stupid stuff to you, but it's a big deal to me."

    "Girls. Growing up. College. Just mundane stuff. Dick and you had a falling out. Jason, well Jason was on his way out that door before bad things happened. I'm not mad at Damian. You're..."

    The pause is his discomfort. "If you were my real dad, I'd have to be your Robin too. Honestly, next year I am 19, it is time I started being my own man. I just... " Time calculates. "We're better than that, you and I. You and me? I'm not your sidekick. I'm your -partner-. I can call you on your bologna, and you consider it. I'm gratified by that. I'm the most like you, between the ears."

    The next words are not cruel. "That isn't always the best place to be like you. But you? You gave me the tools I need. And you know what? I can leave, and I can come back. Because we're good. Our rules were better. I don't regret an iota I have spent with you."

    He's stalling. He sighs. "I met a girl. Bruce, I miss you. I'm not mad, but I miss you. Growing up means things change, but I met a girl, and I'm a virgin, and I -know- you managed to give me the tools to have it all. I don't have to fumble like Dick and Barbara are. I had good parents. All four of them. I just don't know how to make the cowl and a girl work. When can she know I'm Tim? When can she see.. me for all that I am. I'm not some square-jawed hero. I'm a computer nerd... who can probably kick your @$$."

Batman has posed:
    It's a long ride, going along with Tim's train of thought and listening to him phrasing his concerns in his own inimitable way. At first at the request he doesn't laugh he gets a small hint of a smile, but it's quickly replaced with a solemn nod as he gauges the young man's intensity. He listens, brow furrowing slightly as his partner relates to him what has been preying on his thoughts and near the end he exhales a small hmm of sound as he reaches near the end.
    And what answers him then... at first... is silence. It's a silence he's observed before from the man, when his thoughts are focused and keen on what is before him. He steps forwards even as he slowly undoes the clasp on his left gauntlet, the small data display going dark as it detaches from his arm. He sets it to the side on the desk beside one of the myriad keyboards and console controls, then turns to face Tim even as he works on the other wrist.
    Only after that second gauntlet is detached that Bruce Wayne's calm level voice reaches out, "Tim, when I met Damian's mother..." He pauses and looks to the side, blue eyes distancing. "She was already aware of me. Of who I am. Her father is..." There's a pause, "Was... an ageless genius and I say this without admiration. He had gained my secret and through him she gained it as well."
    There's a small lightening to his tone, a ghost of a smile at the corner of his mouth. "There's also another member of our team who figured things out on his own. I did not have the chance to share my secret with you. You discovered it on your own. And as Alfred has told me several times, if I had my druthers in some ways it's unlikely I would have ever have shared of myself."
    But then he holds up a hand as if to stay any protest. "But the difference is this. Right now, I have hopes for Damian. I have a wish for his future. But with you Tim, I believe if we knew each other before everything happened in other circumstances that eventually I would have made the choice to share who I was with you. I trust you."
    He looks to the side, brow furrowing, then he looks back at Tim, "So when you come to me with these worries about a woman you've met. I can't tell you when to admit of yourself to her exactly. I can't tell you when it's safe to open up to her. Everyone and every situations is different. But I have no worries about this Tim."
    Another pause and he says, "Because I trust the man you are."

Red Robin has posed:
    "First, let me apologize, Bruce. That was all over the place." Tim pinches his nose as he tucks his chin down for a moment. He pulls in a long breath as he takes the moment to consider the words and the sentiment. It takes Tim a moment to process that, his ease returns though, as his mouth twists as he thinks. the initial words make Tim smile though as he looks up to meet Bruce's eyes, "Well, you should trust me. You and Alfred raised me right." It isn't that he detests his father. He simply knows where his integrity comes from. he gives a simple nod of his head at that and continues, "I did sort of force your hand. I initially just wanted you and Nightwing to work together again. I cannot help but notice that he is here more often now that I am around." The grin is pure Tim, and he quirks his left brow as if declaring victory.

    Tim gets up from the chair. There is no flourish, it is Batman's chair. Tim sometimes keeps it warm. He closes his laptop and picks up the electronics, moving them over to the next closest work station. As he continues, Tim repeats himself a little. "I would never trade a second. Even the the worst, most painful, scary second of time I have had as your partner. I may not be Robin anymore, but I am always your partner." his blue eyes are a little bright, but his smile is that lopsided, vaguely self-mocking grin of his.

    Tim picks up his mug, and looks into it for a moment. "all these changes came at once. You taught me how to deal with change. i was also taught to plan, and look ahead, and try to be smart. So.." he looks back up to Batman. "I really like this girl. I mean, I like her enough that I talked to you about her. That being said, this is all your fault." It was getting too heavy. Some words cannot be said, because these are two tough guys. "She is a fighter. She's this slinky, gorgeous, feline woman that runs along rooftops." he lifts his left hand and with a wide grin simply declares. "Do not ever doubt that you have had an influence on me. Sometimes, I am you all over again." Tim barks out a short laugh that is purely at his own expense. the laugh is cut short.

    "I'll try not to do anything stupid. Remind me of that if you have to step in? I'll remember."
5r    As he sits back in, Tim adds, "Uhh, please no need for a birds and the bees talk? If it comes to that, I still have that condom Dick gave me like four years ago."

Batman has posed:
    A small smirk slips over the tall man's features as he settles into the seat, casually pushing over a spare flash drive of Tim's as if he was cluttering up his desk. Which he isn't, but doesn't stop the man from giving that impression and hint of a hard time. But he's keying up the data displays on the Batcomputer, the screens coming fully to life as their green text surge into being and cast a faint hue upon the man's features.
    As Tim speaks the man types a series of commands into the system, causing a few windows to rise and lower. He glances to the side slightly at the mention of Tim being his partner, and then the description of the woman. He looks back to the monitor, exhaling slightly in what might be a hint of a snort. But then he hits a single key and all the processes freeze.
    It's in that moment that Batman turns on the chair, the seat making a faint squeak as he levels his blue-eyed gaze on the young man. "My best advice, Tim? Take matters slowly. You are young. Incredibly mature for your age, but you're still young. Very few people build their lives with the person they've met as a teenager. There are definite exceptions, but if you play things well then you will at least have a friend for life."
    He straightens up and flares his hands slightly, "Alfred might have better advice. My relationships are not exactly... renowned for their stability." Turning back to the monitor he seems about to resume his work. But then he lowers his head to the side slightly and adds, "Get another condom."

Red Robin has posed:
    "I need another one? Heck, I've been practicing putting that one on for years now." Tim clears his throat after making the joke. "Honestly, that is why I come to you. I think like you." The soft tone of lament in that would be almost insulting if not for the context. "I obsess over details. I try to control my surroundings and circumstances, and I try to give myself a strategic and tactical advantage in every situation I can. It's great for beating the snot out of bad guys." He looks over at the older man. "It's little less successful when dealing with women." The tone is pure deadpan.

    "I am leaving Alfred alone for a couple of days. I think I overplayed the Christmas gift for him. There might have been too much sentiment in the note." The admission makes Tim bite his bottom lip and gets his gear back back in order. He picks up the stray drive and plugs it in. "I'm not good at sentiment, but I am not a child anymore. People need to know that there is gratitude and ... feelings." He settles in to his spot finally and tucks his legs up under him. as he starts the laptop up, he cradles his coffee mug in both hands.

    The silence is quiet, and companionable. He says it quietly, so Bruce can ignore it or pretend to not have heard it. "Thanks, dad." He goes back to work. He starts up with something else, to further hide the moment.

    "Dick and I are going to the university to check things out next week. Pick up text books. Have a burger at the union. There is room for another, work permitting." Tim is the guy who is okay with the work not permitting though. "I appreciate being able to stay here, but we both know that my time in the manor is coming to an end. People will start looking at you funny in a year or two if I am still here; that might jeopardize the mission. Unless you already have plans, expect initial ideas in a month or so, so we have plenty of time to plan."

Batman has posed:
    With his attention seemingly back upon the computer before him, Bruce looks at the display for a time and Tim might get a hint as to the content, some sort of global positioning array that is displaying the location of various objects in a database. A holographic sphere representing the globe appears and turns with each point marked out, all over the world apparently.
    It's only at the end of Tim's words when he mentions about the university that Bruce looks over. For a moment his eyes are a touch distanced as if considering something, but then he nods to Tim. "You're most likely right. Let me know what living arrangements we need to establish. Will need to consider something with suitable connection to alternative means of departing and returning."
    Turning back towards the computer he hits a few more keys, slides a small chip into one of the ports, then withdraws it. He stands and steps back towards Tim, offering the chip. "Here are the current safe houses I use as alternative bat caves inside the city. Consider where might be suitable to operate from if needs be. Can also arrange a possible scholarship to explain your living conditions."

Red Robin has posed:
    "You're going to give me my own Red Robin cave?" Tim looks surprised and gratified. "I..." Bruce can sense the wheels turning in the young man's head. It never occurs to Tim to take this as anything other than a vote of confidence. "I won't screw it up." He hastily promises as he accepts the chip. The smile is instant and huge. Tim's chest even pumps up a little with a bit of pride. It's palpable that he's excited at the prospect. "I'll still operate from here, and still coordinate and do all the stuff I do here. I promise! I'll just be able to forward deploy a little, and have my own place when I'm 100 percent ready."He all but quivers with gratitude and excitement.

    "I actually have a scholarship, and I am your adopted kid, and I have ... what's left of my father's money which should be more than enough to fund me and my grandchildren. I think if I stayed at the university, people might talk."

    If he was younger he'd be bouncing off the walls. As it is, Tim just grins. He nods his head, and he offers Bruce his hand. "You will never regret the day I told you that i knew you were Batman. Your trust and respect are the most important things in the world to me, and i will never let you down. Th-Thanks."

    Tim has to physically restrain himself from hugging Bruce.

Batman has posed:
    A small smile is there, just for a moment. But then it's hidden by the man nodding after Tim accepts the data and then Bruce takes his hand. It's a firm shake, precise, three pumps and done and not overbearing. A shake between equals as he murmurs to him levelly. "I know you won't, Tim." It's a solemn pronouncement given, as if passing a law into being to which he adds. "You never have."