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Post by vigilant on Oct 15, 2012 23:22:17 GMT -5
"So we have to get to Scarecrow before he does."
His voice was pensive as his fingers danced across the keyboard. A profile of Wulfen was pulled up, likely a recent compilation of what Batman had managed to learn about the young vigilante. There was a lot of empty space; undiscovered variables that made him an enigma even to Batman himself. But what he didn't know in raw data, he made up for in a psychological break-down. He had analyzed Victor down to the letter. Still immature. Still emotional. Still not quite ready to face the daunting task, to shoulder the mantle, of a crime fighter.
"But we'll need to keep an eye on him. Nothing we can't do with a microscopic, camouflaged tracking device."
Batman was thinking aloud. For a second, the pair was allowed to see for themselves the complex and intricate machinery in the head of a world-class strategician. Every possible variable, accounted for. All potential scenarios, thought out and planned against. Little was left to chance. Nearly nothing left to the whims of probability. When he was done, like a master pianist as the music slowly tapered towards silence, he lifted his hands off the keys and allowed them to hover there, suspended mid-motion.
"Tomorrow, we plant the tracker. The hunt for Dr. Crane is on."
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Post by Deleted on Oct 17, 2012 4:43:23 GMT -5
Phoebe's eyes shift between the two vigilantes while they talk, but it's Batman's thoughts about Victor that cause her to shift uncomfortably for a moment. She won't argue with anyone saying that he's inexperienced and needs a lot of work before he'll be reasonably safe against Gotham's rougher criminals - she has a bit of experience in doing it herself to know how ugly that gets. And yet some of Batman's mental conclusions about him rub her the wrong way.
And badly enough that, though she at first doesn't want to say anything, she seems to grow a bit physically uncomfortable until she speaks her mind by muttering, "He's better than you think he is..." But she doesn't say that with much hope in her voice that anyone will actually pay any attention to her words. Then again, it's not really that big of a deal - she figures that her friend will provide ample proof of just what he's made of sooner or later.
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Dick Grayson - Nightwing
Registered On: Nov 13, 2010 18:14:54 GMT -5 ~
Posts: 1,416
~ Relationship Status: Dating
~ Partner: Kory Anders
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Post by Dick Grayson - Nightwing on Oct 18, 2012 5:44:41 GMT -5
Dick watched Bruce. Motionless and saying nothing. There wasn't much to be said. Bruce's mind was made up and set.
He heard Phoebe's words. She may think it was try. And it possible was. But Victor was fighting with too much emotion to think straight at the time.
Clouded by anger. No one knew this better than Bruce. He had helped others through situations much like this hundreds of times. Many of his partners going through such things more than once.
And Dick wouldn't admit it out loud. It was hard not to fall into such things. But they had to keep their heads clear to work like this. Even for him, he could fall back into that habit when push came to shove over a situation. Something Bruce knew all too well about his ex-partner.
Though fighting with emotion was never a bad thing. Kory had taught him that. But Dick knew the discipline it took to keep in check and control.
"Phoebe should possibly handle the tracker for Victor. He wouldn't let any one closer to him than her," Dick suggested.
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Post by vigilant on Oct 21, 2012 22:40:25 GMT -5
Bruce heard her. He heard her, alright. And she knew he did. But he wouldn't acknowledge it, just as Dick hadn't. Perhaps they both didn't believe her. Perhaps they both knew, from personal experience, the danger of acting emotionally. For them, the repercussions had been great. But thank goodness they had never crossed that line. Killing. Going against something ingrained into their moral fiber. Bruce knew, if push came to shove and he ever crossed that line, he'd never be able to turn back. He'd never forgive himself.
That was why he wouldn't let Victor make that mistake.
Still, it was with reluctance that Bruce considered Dick's suggestion. Would Phoebe see it as a betrayal of some sort? Deceiving her friend? Would she be willing? Dick had a point. Of all people, she would most likely be able to succeed. Did she understand that it was all for his own good? That their experience from years of prowling through Gotham's darkest alleyways gave them the wisdom that Victor, and perhaps even Phoebe, didn't have?
"Will you do it, Phoebe?"
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Post by Deleted on Oct 22, 2012 13:28:17 GMT -5
The girl's attention shifts first to Dick and then to Batman, listening to far more than just their words. And Dick's thoughts and words quite quickly have her frowning. And Batman's make the frown deepen to the point of anger.
Yes, she realizes that she's a kid and therefore completely devoid of their years of experience - she knows that her fighting skills, especially her mental abilities, are extremely well developed for her age and yet there's something to be said for having more actual experience instead of simply being trained. Especially when it comes to working with people.
On the other hand, neither of them have her ability to literally listen in on another person's thought processes, nor has either of them spent a considerable amount of time with Victor. She knows him very well - much better than he knows himself, actually. That said, she still expected them to not really take her muttered statement seriously.
What she didn't expect was to be asked to literally use her friendship with Victor against him. Even if she actually agreed that it was for his own good, it would be a betrayal of sorts to do any such thing. If anything, they should be considering the idea of actually talking to Victor about it rather than using such a cloak and dagger method, really. That would be the fair thing to do, not standing here insisting that they know what's best for a guy they hardly know just because they assume he's just like them. Not even giving Victor a chance to address their worries himself...
So she'd already been quite opposed to the idea of so preemptively putting a tracker on him, even if she hadn't said anything about it - they have their way of doing things with good intentions behind them, after all. Perhaps she's even misread Victor and the thing is actually needed. But to be asked to actually help them with their scheme offends and angers her, so Batman's question is responded to with a glare and a flat, "No!"
Her angry eyes shift over to Dick for an instant, and she turns toward the staircase that leads back up into the mansion. "I'm going to my room," she informs them, pointedly not asking for permission before she starts heading that way. She's had quite enough of this conversation and is no longer willing to listen to anyone say that she has to be a party to it.
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Dick Grayson - Nightwing
Registered On: Nov 13, 2010 18:14:54 GMT -5 ~
Posts: 1,416
~ Relationship Status: Dating
~ Partner: Kory Anders
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Post by Dick Grayson - Nightwing on Oct 24, 2012 19:36:46 GMT -5
Dick remained still while Bruce addressed Phoebe. This was her choice. Only she had to make the decision. Otherwise Batman and Nightwing would find their own way.
They couldn't force the kid to do anything she didn't want to. And Dick for one wasn't planning on it. He wasn't going to push someone to do something that was against their wishes. And by all means, it wasn't fair for Phoebe to have to do such a thing.
If she wanted to help that was fine. But if she didn't then they would carry out their plan in another way.
And then her answer came. A glare shot at both of them at the answer of no. And then she stormed off toward the stairs.
Dick looked to Bruce. Almost a way to go on both their parts look. But their was no one to blame over the thoughts. It's what both of them were aiming for. They needed to get this done. And Nightwing was willing to work with Batman on it.
And if Phoebe wanted no part in this, Nightwing wasn't going to stop her. Maybe she just needed some time to think it over. Maybe to her it was double crossing her friend. And Dick knew that feeling all to well over something like this. Not like he hadn't been tracked before. Another reason he had liked being with the Titans so much.
There had been a trust there. And they were family. But after a recent loss...Dick was drifting away from that. He no longer wanted that family feeling between others with him. He work as he did. Like he had been. Pushed away from others a bit. Still allowing his friends to care for him. And he returned that feeling. But the pain over the loss was not an easy one.
Though it was something Kory was going through as well. Both of them having each other. But like always, Dick was putting up that wall again. Maybe to protect himself or others.
But Dick looked to Bruce. There was something else on his mind. But he did not let the thought come up with Phoebe there.
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Post by vigilant on Oct 28, 2012 20:52:53 GMT -5
Bruce watched, silent, as Force spat her refusal at them and stormed out of the room. Like the quiet after a gunshot, it suddenly became deafeningly quiet. A glance at Dick, and Bruce knew what was on his protégé’s mind. Even if Force had refused, there was no stopping them. They would spy on Wulfen and keep tabs on him. If need be, they would confront him and set him straight. Normally, Bruce had no qualms about doing such. At least, not against criminals. He had no sympathy for them. But this was Wulfen. Inexperienced, young, an amateur. But nowhere near a villain.
Still, if need be, Bruce knew they'd have no choice but to confront him. Find some way to stop him in his tracks. It was for the best. And if they didn't know what the best was, who would?
"You know Wulfen, Dick. Who else can lay the tracker without arousing suspicion?"
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Post by Deleted on Oct 30, 2012 1:11:40 GMT -5
As Phoebe heads up the stairs, she's actually somewhat surprised that Batman just lets her leave like that - he likes getting his way, after all. But perhaps it's a matter of knowing that arguing the point with her would be more trouble than it's worth. And it's not like going to her room isn't a very benign thing for her to do as an alternative to sticking around now that she's made it clear that she's not going to participate in their schemes.
Of course, what neither of them likely know is that she hardly has to be present to continue to read their minds and therefore listen to their conversation. Telepathy from a distance can be tricky for her, but the hard part is always 'finding' the person with her mind when she doesn't know exactly where and how far away they are. But once she's already found it, it isn't very hard to keep following that mind as long as she keeps concentrating, even if they move. And while she's been very open with Batman about some of her abilities, she hasn't told him everything yet - she still doesn't fully trust him yet, and while she's happy to show him what she can do with her telekinesis, she's much more protective about the true extent of her telepathy.
And in this case, just because she no longer wishes to be present doesn't mean that she's not still interested in what they're talking about. They're talking about her friend, after all, so she wants to know what's going on even if she doesn't currently plan on stopping them. She has several reasons for not stopping them, actually - partly because she knows that they both genuinely don't want to hurt him, partly because she knows that they're clever enough to do it behind her back even if she stops them now, and partly because she's been in that sort of a struggle before with bad results.
While she has a much stronger ability to put her foot down than most, it isn't infinite, and sometimes stopping someone in their tracks only prompts them find a way around you. In the FBI's case it was by inventing a drug that temporarily suppresses her powers. To say that she's not a fan of the stuff would be putting it mildly, so she certainly doesn't want to push Batman into figuring out some similar way of 'dealing' with her. Better to just let them put the stupid tracker on Victor to begin with. It probably won't even work.
When she gets to her room, she lays down on the bed and lets her body rest while her mind concentrates on theirs. Not for the first time she's glad that her mental touch is weak enough that people rarely know that she's mind-reading, as she has no intention of ever informing either that she did so. That may be just as shady as sneaking a tracker onto someone, but making sure that she can keep trusting these guys is a far more important cause than trying to keep Victor from killing some bad guy. Especially since he's not going to kill him anyway.
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Dick Grayson - Nightwing
Registered On: Nov 13, 2010 18:14:54 GMT -5 ~
Posts: 1,416
~ Relationship Status: Dating
~ Partner: Kory Anders
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Post by Dick Grayson - Nightwing on Oct 30, 2012 11:53:53 GMT -5
Dick looked to Bruce. He was really going to try this. Dick wasn't too sure that it was actually going to work...
To be truthful, it just seemed like the guy would find out either way. He thought about Bruce's question. And he did know of some one. But he wasn't so sure that someone would be able to handle lying to their friend...well more of her friend. Dick and Victor were not exactly on a good page with each other lately.
"It's kind of hard not to know the guy when it seems I keep running into him every where," Dick mumbled at the thought.
A little out burst of annoyance over having to really have to plan something like this. He wanted nothing to do with Wulfen. And yet it seemed the guy kept showing up every where. His mind thinking back to the day of the photo shoot and he had been there with Kory and him.
Dick shook the thought off. Bruce didn't know anything about what was going on between all of them. And it wasn't something Dick was going to discuss with him either.
"The only person I think who would be able to get so close to him as she does, would be Kory," Dick replied.
He crossed his arms in thought over this. He wasn't so sure Kory would do such a thing knowing what it was truly for. And who wanted it placed on Victor. And Dick hated to lie to her over the reason for it, because he was sure she wouldn't do it if he told her it was because Batman wanted to keep an eye on him and keep him away from the Scarecrow.
Ok, well...Maybe she would understand. But he was sure as soon as he mentioned Batman was behind it, she would say no.
"But what do you plan on her doing...putting a collar on him? Because the only way to fully track of course would be while he is actually suited up as Wulfen," Dick replied.
But he already knew not to ask such question. Batman always was a step ahead. Always planning and moving forward. Not needing questions like this. Dick was only bringing in his personal problems with the guys because the annoyance he was feeling over the whole thing.
How did Dick get dragged into all this?
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Last Edit: Nov 1, 2012 23:46:41 GMT -5 by vigilant
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Post by vigilant on Nov 1, 2012 23:46:07 GMT -5
In the face of Dick's sudden, and rather unexpected outburst, Bruce seemed calm. Unperturbed. He had been on the receiving end of his young charge's temper tantrums more often than he could remember. Not that Dick ever had the audacity to explode on him. Except for that one night, when he packed up his bags and left. When he stormed off, abandoned Gotham for Bludhaven.
No, mustn't think of that.
"A collar sounds like just what Wulfen needs."
His eyes glazed over, hardened, and turned to ice. There was a visible change to the set of his jaw. The line was stronger, the bone a bold slash against marmorean flesh. He tapped his fingers on the keyboard. Once. Twice. Fingers flashed across the screen. Then a new window materialized before them. A collar, the same shade as Wulfen's costume. There were markings on it. Eccentric. Almost tribal in nature; chillingly reminiscent of Kory's home, light years away.
It was the perfect gift. Something Kory would give to a close friend. Something such a friend would make a point to keep close, at all times. Something a young, lonesome vigilante might consider a lucky charm, like a four leaf clover, or a hearth through the cold nights.
"Don't you think?"
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Dick Grayson - Nightwing
Registered On: Nov 13, 2010 18:14:54 GMT -5 ~
Posts: 1,416
~ Relationship Status: Dating
~ Partner: Kory Anders
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Post by Dick Grayson - Nightwing on Nov 2, 2012 13:53:18 GMT -5
Dick looked at Bruce. He had to say it...Well at least it was a practical idea. But the idea of having to go with the idea.
But when he saw what Bruce had in mind, Dick just crossed his arms and looked at the screen hard. Hating the idea now that Kory was going to have to be in on this.
"It would work for something like that," Dick said coldly. Hating the words he had to agree with.
His arms still crossed and an annoyed look on his face. It wasn't over the tracker idea. But it could be told by his words it was more than that. And perhaps it had something to do with Kory having to be involved in these and with Victor of all people. That was the truth of it.
"Do you really think he wouldn't suspect something like that? Besides, I'm not so sure Kory would agree with what it is for any ways," Dick said.
Which was true. But he knew Bruce would recommend not saying what it was for. And even that would bother Dick. He could do it. Though he would run the risk of Kory being mad at him over the fact.
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Post by vigilant on Nov 4, 2012 0:03:55 GMT -5
Bruce gave Dick a look. A sharp, inquisitive look. Then a slightly arched brow. Skeptical. Curious. Did he honestly have to ask that question? If Bruce's conclusions regarding Wulfen's feelings for Kory was correct, then of course he wouldn't suspect it. The poor boy probably wouldn't dare to take the collar off, not to mention questioning Kory's motives! Kory... Well, she didn't have to know. And Dick knew that. Bruce had raised Dick himself. He knew how calculating, how keen, his pupil was capable of being. Dick was just refusing to face the facts.
"It'll work, Dick, and you know it. Plus, Kory doesn't have to know."
There. He said it. Now Dick would have no choice but to acknowledge the truth. That if Dick insisted, or found some way to suggest the idea, to Kory, she wouldn't suspect for a moment what the real motive was. Bruce remembered the nights he had spent, impressing upon his pupil the importance of applied psychology. Of knowing how people behaved and thus being able to control them. How to influence them while remaining in the shadows.
Dick should have known better. And did. Now he just had to acknowledge it.
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Dick Grayson - Nightwing
Registered On: Nov 13, 2010 18:14:54 GMT -5 ~
Posts: 1,416
~ Relationship Status: Dating
~ Partner: Kory Anders
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Post by Dick Grayson - Nightwing on Nov 11, 2012 18:41:36 GMT -5
"Easy for you to say," Dick mumbled under his breath.
Not allowing himself to say it out. Bruce wasn't him. And to Dick the trust of Kory was important to her. He hated lying to her.
Sure he would hide things from her. But that was just him. He did it to protect others and to protect himself. And the thing about this was it was more under handed with dealing with a friend of her's.
Though Bruce was right. He had to agree on it. He wasn't going to argue himself out of this. There was no point. Bruce would be able to find a way to get Dick to listen to him and go along with it. It was easier to listen than to talk back over it.
They had both agreed that something needs to be done about Wulfen. And had agreed that this would be the best way. And now it was up to Dick to carry on with the next stage of the plan.
There was no point in trying to find facts against the logical stand behind the plan.
"So how much more do you suspect I'll be involved in this little keeping track of the wolf man deal? Just handing off the tracker," Dick asked.
He just wanted to see if he could get in the mind set that Bruce had. He knew too well that Victor could cause problems with others or put himself in danger. And that was the main reason. That and to stay out of Batman's way. But what else did Bruce have already thought up. He was always five steps ahead in the game.
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Post by vigilant on Nov 14, 2012 0:36:43 GMT -5
Bruce knew how much Kory meant to Dick. Perhaps more than anybody did. Most people would offhandedly dismiss him as calculating and cold-hearted. That he'd do whatever was necessary as long as he got his way. But it was more complicated than that. Bruce had lived this life far longer than his young protege. And he knew, perhaps better than Dick, the bitter taste of loneliness. Eventually, he lost track of time; days become months and months became years. It was just him and the Bat-cave, him and his plans, locked away deep underneath the Wayne Manor.
"If Wulfen tries anything ridiculous, we will have to step in and stop him. Unless you don't want to..."
He watched closely for Dick's reaction. His protege would know, after having spent years in his mentor's presence, that Bruce never offered alternatives. There was never a choice of doing or not doing. His word was law and everything he said was final. Was he offering Dick a choice now? Or was he just trying to box him into a corner, prodding at his ego and testing his obvious competitiveness with Wulfen?
Either way, there was a glacial edge to Bruce's eyes. A look that was completely and utterly Batman.
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Dick Grayson - Nightwing
Registered On: Nov 13, 2010 18:14:54 GMT -5 ~
Posts: 1,416
~ Relationship Status: Dating
~ Partner: Kory Anders
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Post by Dick Grayson - Nightwing on Nov 20, 2012 6:21:02 GMT -5
Dick had started to get a bit laid back with arguing with Bruce at this point, that he took the time to lean back against the cave walls. His arms crossed. Only watching from where he stood.
But at Bruce's words...Really? Was he challenging Nightwing?
"What are you talking about? I never said I wouldn't," Dick said as he dropped his arms and motioned his excitement over the question.
It was never a good think when Bruce tried to challenge him like that. What was he up to?
"I'll be frank with you...I don't like the guy. And I have my reasons. But something tells me there will be times...small times he gets in the way. I've got my city to watch over. I don't need a full time babysitting job as well," Dick said. There was a bit of edge to his tone.
Ok, maybe it was due to the lack of sleep and his work on trying to get another job. The academy stuff was a bit more with the work he was already doing at the time.
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