The First Broad Daylight (Fourth Wall)

[cowledcrusader]

[The thing about sudden influxes of people means Batman's constantly busy and can't inevitably stay away from everyone because they're everywhere.  So most of his stalking he expects to be bothered... and in fact, it probably will be.

He'll be out in the open a few times today, investigating inevitable disturbances in the village.]

Comments

[titango.livejournal.com]

Hmph. Not like you to admit someone else is right about anything. [Okay, so maybe it just slipped out. That doesn't mean he's going to be in a hurry to take it back.]

[cowledcrusader.livejournal.com]

[...A lucky guess? Or...? Not likely.]

I doubt Mr. Wayne has holdings on other worlds.

[almostgothim.livejournal.com]

His Butler's vacation home, the-

Other worlds?

[neversaynoever.livejournal.com]

[cowledcrusader.livejournal.com]

[...And from a nearby roof, well concealed, he looks down toward her through a pair of binoculars.

...It is her. And with that suitcase... doubtful she ever gave up that life. Not that he can say much about that. It had been more than four years now since that incident. Of course by now he knew she did let the Joker go, but there was evidence to suggest that The Phantasm still was operating as an assassin, though there was nothing concrete enough to make it stick. And of course, she operated nowhere near Gotham most of the time...

...Batman quickly slipped the binoculars into his belt and slipped into full concealment again. Luceti just had this nasty habit of digging up the past, it seems...]

[4thwallcansukmy.livejournal.com]

...

Okay. Either you're a HEAVILY committed cosplayer or I'm dreaming right now.

[cowledcrusader.livejournal.com]

This place is called Luceti. It is a world entirely separate from Earth, a place where individuals from any number of universes may be pulled into.

I'm sure you observed some unusual individuals in your time here.

[cowledcrusader.livejournal.com]

[Trademark eye narrowing and scowl. Probably the real deal, given how withering that gaze is. Not that Deadpool will be fazed by it, but.]

[cowledcrusader.livejournal.com]

...A panda?

[neversaynoever.livejournal.com]

[He offers some Panda brand cheese.]

[almostgothim.livejournal.com]

And here I thought they were creative costumes.

[hewantsanswers.livejournal.com]

...As opposed to the less chaotic forces that bring in individuals from random realities, or if they're feeling generous, just random points in a single timeline?

You'll understand why I'm concerned, I hope.

[cowledcrusader.livejournal.com]

Not everyone has to do what we do.

[almostgothim.livejournal.com]

Is this a permanent residence for you now?

[goddamnwoman.livejournal.com]

[Hey, Batman. Have a very different Wonder Woman from what you're used to.]

You.

[cowledcrusader.livejournal.com]

[He looks over to her. Well. She doesn't look happy.]

...Wonder Woman?

[For what it's worth, this Batman seems to sound and carry himself a bit differently than the Goddamn Batman. If Wonder Woman cares to take the time to notice.]

[cowledcrusader.livejournal.com]

...Cheese?

[He takes it cautiously, but doesn't open it. The hell is going on.]

[cowledcrusader.livejournal.com]

[Unsurprisingly, he doesn't look bothered by this much. Maybe he's gotten used to you saying it, Dick. ...And depending, Batman may look and sound older than what you remember.

But the comment brings up plenty of unpleasant memories of the final few months Dick Grayson had been Robin in his world. The growing rift between them and Dick's growing frustration. Honestly, this still bothered Bruce in his more private moments, but he knew what Dick did was his own decision.

All of his pushing, his prodding, his expectations? They were for something greater. Batman and Robin stood for more than just being crimefighters. But to be more than that, mistakes couldn't happen. And even besides creating a "legend"... one of the most important things was always that his teammates, his family, made it home alive.

Of course, he never said that out loud. Maybe he should've. But dwelling on it was something that he really couldn't do much. Because there were causes much higher than his own happiness he had to pursue. Because few others could.]

It happens.

[cowledcrusader.livejournal.com]

Not if I have anything to say about it.

[With that voice. With drive.]

[titango.livejournal.com]

[Perhaps the Dick in his world had been of a lonelier sort. Though he never really stopped self-identifying as Dick Grayson, he also wasn't one to have much in the way of dates, and hadn't really socialized properly until college. Whereas this Robin had long since given up attempting to maintain himself as Dick at all, and already slipped into more Batmanisms than he'd care to admit.

Maybe there was a plan after all. But going in accordance with that plan didn't have to be mutually exclusive to turning coldhearted and solitary. And that was the bit Batman could never understand, the bit that always tempted him most severely when Slade Wilson took an interest in him. A real family worked as a unit stronger than the sum of its parts. Each member could have its flaws, but there would always be another nearby to ensure everyone returned home in one piece.

Bruce would never get that. It wasn't in his nature. And that's what's making it so hard to keep looking at him now.] ....I'll get it done as soon as I can. And then you can go back to Gotham and I'll head back to Jump City and we won't have to deal with one another again. All right?

[honkifyoulove.livejournal.com]

Calm down? CALM DOWN? I lost my sidekick, man! [ Who kind of looks like Die Fledermaus. Cool. :|a ]

He's a tiny white remote in the couch cushions of justice! And everyone knows you can't change the channel without one of those: because the buttons on the TV are broken and the City is stuck on the 24/7 channel of villainy!

[neversaynoever.livejournal.com]

[Good. He then stares. Well?]

[4thwallcansukmy.livejournal.com]

Holy shiznaz! Batman!

...

You know uh... if I stayed a little longer I probably would be in the Justice League right now. You know, just a little FYI for the Christmas cards.

[cowledcrusader.livejournal.com]

Jump City?

[There's a brief look of confusion on his face which might surprise even Robin.]

...Hm. I thought you looked different. ...You're not the same Robin I know from my universe. No less of one, but different.

[titango.livejournal.com]

Jump City. In California. ...Where Titans Tower is. [...And now he'll be regarding Batman curiously. Had Batman been here so long he was already starting to lose his tenuous grip on sanity?]

...Is this another one of your tests?