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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2013 22:20:09 GMT -5
Batman waited, not letting his irritation at the delays show in his visage. Jordan got dressed quickly enough, without needing a light. That was good. He took the time to say his goodbyes to a cat. The act briefly reminded Batman of Selina, but that was not a topic he could afford to dwell on. He’d never understood the draw of animals as companions; they were needy, messy, and inconvenient. Therapeutic value notwithstanding, he felt pets were an unworthy distraction at best, and took on exaggerated importance far too often, frequently being seen as or more important than other people. Still, the therapeutic value could not be discounted, and with Jordan, the Dark Knight needed every advantage he could get.
Jordan seemed to be a good enough kid. Troubled, certainly, though that was understandable if the information gathered was correct. He was also dangerous. Not in and of himself, perhaps, but the beast within him was another issue entirely. How the kid managed to gain the alter ego was something he had to find out, the sooner the better. That the cat accepted Jordan as he was meant something, though exactly what, Batman didn’t know, but he’d have to find out.
“Bring the cat,” he instructed Jordan in a low growl, then led them out the window and onto the fire escape.
The Tumbler waited below; Batman hoped it would hold Jordan if his other side came out. Having the cat along should help keep the boy docile and, perhaps, give a warning if something in Jordan changed. When something in Jordan changed, he corrected. Evidence showed that the physiological changes in the boy were both dramatic and obvious at times, though sometimes it seemed to be only psychological. That he had been able to maintain a place to live and a pet meant that there was some control involved, either by himself or someone else. It might have been someone in the house, but if that were the case, they either weren’t proficient or didn’t have Jordan’s best interests at heart. If removing him from the house was a risk, though, leaving him there was criminal. They boy had suffered enough, and too many had died. It was time to bring that to an end, one way or another.
As he approached the Tumbler, he opened the passenger door, looking back to ensure Jordan had followed. He didn’t bother telling the boy to enter. He was sure the words were unnecessary. Instead, he waited for Jordan to enter so he could help strap him in place. A five point harness wasn’t really anything new. A five point harness with Kevlar sleeves around nanocarbon tubes, though, was quite new. Pound for bound, this particular weave of nanocarbon was hundreds of time stronger than the finest steel, and the Kelvlar made shearing the carbon a virtual impossibility. Lightweight and flexible, it appeared fairly normal, though it was anything but. The Tumbler could be lifted and carried by that harness, if one were strong enough.
“Don’t allow your fear to control you.”
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Post by Deleted on Jun 19, 2013 17:55:06 GMT -5
Jordan was ready to go. He was ready to face his future, and ready to face his fears, though he certainly didn't wish to. Most of all, he was ready to face all the things that he, or rather Scourge, had done. Batman was right, a cage was best for him. But what cage could possibly hold Scourge? Certainly not the plexiglass of Arkham. Not even steel would stand much of a chance against the beast. If Batman believed locking him up was the best course of action, surely he would take into account the lives he would be putting at risk? Sure, most of them would be other criminals, but the risk of hurting the staff was far greater. They weren't in cells, and the guards, with their weapons, would be certain to attract Scourge's attention. The faces of civillians he had so brutally slaughtered swam before his eyes. How many more would come to haunt his dreams? Jordan had come to terms with his fate, but not with the threat of killing anyone else, innocent or not.
He had tried to sway Batman earlier, though his argument had been rather weak in his state. Perhaps, if he were to try again, more clearly than before, Batman would take the risks into consideration? That is, if he hadn't already, and was already sporting some other plan for him. Maybe he'd just kill Jordan. Maybe he was just telling Jordan that he was taking him away to put him more at ease, so he could snap his neck when he wasn't looking. Maybe Batman was taking him away so his grandmother didn't see the body, or perhaps he simply wanted to kill him in solitude, with no witnesses or evidence. Jordan hardly minded, though. Any of those choices would be more appealing to him than throwing him into a cell with no capability of holding him, surrounded by people. Jordan sighed, and decided that he should just tell Batman, perhaps if he was unsure of killing Jordan, but had been planning to, he could put Batman's issue to rest. Jordan actually wanted to die, it was true, that he had suffered enough. Too much.
He was about to break the silence when Batman took the initiative, taking Jordan by suprise with his words. Ordering him to bring his cat? Could it be called that, an order, or an act of pity? Perhaps he felt Jordan would be more conforted with the tom's presence, and it was true. If he was to die, it would please him to die beside the very thing he loved most in the world, Janice not included, though is relationship with her was more of a neutral one in the long run. It was always a possibility that Batman had a more elaborate plan for the cat, though Jordan could think of nothing. He obediantly scooped up the tom, though it was more out of his own need than the will of Batman. The warmth of Shadow was calmling, as was his sweet, yet dusty scent that rolled off his pelt, soft fur tickling Jordan's chin as he held the feline close.
Jordan didn't know what to say in reply. Should he thank the hero? No, perhaps not. Batman may have simply requested he bring the cat because it would work well in his plan, whatever it may be. Jordan had seen little humanity from Batman since he had arrived, so giving him emotions that he didn't show, such as pity or compassion, was a foolish act, as if Batman did not possess such feelings, Jordan would only be setting himself up for dissapointment in the end. He was still determined to question Batman, though, once they got out of the cold. He followed Batman out the window, glancing down the fire escape into the alley below, where a vehicle was parked. It was dark, and hard to make out. Curiousity sparked within his gaze as he was led down the stairs, into the slush below. The air was cold, but Shadow radiated with comfortable heat.
Now that he was on the ground, closer to the vehicle, it's features were more easilly made out. It looked like more of a tank than a car, or perhaps a mix of both. Jordan was actually hesitant to get in it, when he saw the door open. The interior of the car was strange and unfamiliar, and while that might be enticing to some, Jordan didn't like new surroundings, or just new stuff in general. He was untrusting, and the car, or, whatever it was, though sturdy looking, was dark and seemed dangerous. He could tell Batman was waiting for him to enter, and Jordan didn't know how long he could draw out the man's patience. He decided he didn't want to test Batman's irritation level, and began to step slowly toward the vehicle, as if expecting it to bite him. Jordan looked up at Batman to assure himself that he wouldn't ditch him to the potential killing machine before cautiously entering. By now, he had completly forgotten about telling Batman his thoughts on the situation, and how it would be okay if Batman just wanted to kill him. He was far too busy admiring the inside of the vehicle, though he was still wary.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2013 23:17:22 GMT -5
Batman made sure the restraints were in place before he closed the door and went to his side of the Tumbler. He climbed in and closed the door behind him and, with the push of a button, the machine came to life with a throaty purr. He looked at the cat for several seconds, then shifted his gaze to Jordan. He seemed to be able to read the teenager’s mind.
“You’re not going to die. Well find another way.”
He put the vehicle in gear and started down the road. As he drove, a divider slid between him and Jordan. After it was in place, he hit button on the dash. The air inside the Tumbler began to take on a sweet smell. It was tainted with a drug that would cause it’s victims to become calm, restful, and then drift off to sleep. It had no other affects and would wear off quickly once the victims were given fresh air.
“I’m going to take you to see a friend of mine.”
The gas slowly filled Jordan’s half of the cabin of the Tumbler. It’s affect was not dramatic in any way; Batman kept a wary on the teen as he drove.
“She’ll be able to help you control your other side, and may be able to help understand why and how it happens.”
As the Dark Knight drove on, he knew that he was talking more than normal. He wasn’t sure if Jordan would catch that, or if the conversation would help to lull him to sleep without him noticing. He hoped the latter, and noted the cat snuggling onto his lap as well, softly purring.
“Unfortunately, where we’re going is a secret. It’s not the most pleasant place in the world, but it’s a place I can call home.”
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Post by Deleted on Jun 30, 2013 23:28:04 GMT -5
Jordan jumped a little as Batman leaned in to strap him into the vehicle. He gazed at the straps with suspicion. It didn't look like anything special. It didn't look like it had some sort of hidden, electrical shock or anything. It didn't even look as if it could hold Scourge, should the devil awaken, and that worried the boy greatly. The hiss of the doors startled him, and Jordan jerked in panic, however Batman's arrival beside him was oddly reassuring. Jordan didn't want to be alone, never had, though he knew it was necessary given the circumstances.
Jordan shifted in an effort to get comfortable, trying to forget the thought of what might happen should Batman end up stuck in the vehicle with a monster going at his throat. Oh god, what if I kill Batman? The boy immediately began to think about what terrors would take over Gotham, including himself, should there be no Dark Knight to stop them. How many innocent lives would be lost? How many would he take? Jordan had been hoping Batman would kill him, but Scourge likely wouldn't have allowed it, and even so, Batman seemed to have read his thoughts, assuring him he'd find another way.
Jordan was visibly tense, and it was obvious he didn't like where the vigilante was going. Trying to save him? There was no way. There was no hope. If Batman didn't kill him first, Scourge would kill Batman. Jordan had no doubt the beast was capable of it. He felt the vehicle come to life around him, and it moved forward with a relatively smooth motion. Jordan gripped his cat tightly, squeezing a hiss from the tom as the divider slid into place. He was ready to shout in frightened protest, when the thought crossed his mind that Batman was probably just trying to protect himself, taking the precautions should Jordan turn suddenly vicious. He guessed that was okay. Jordan would have done the same thing.
He allowed the cat to settle in his lap as his pupils flitted rapidly about, searching for any other surprises. He noted the strange, but sweet scent in the air, and the peacefulness that was slowly overcoming his mind, giving him a warm and comfortable feeling, and with his cat nestled softly in his pants, purring softly, Jordan began to feel more secure. "You really should...just kill me." He began quietly, pausing as he lost the thought for a brief moment. "I don't want to hurt you." Jordan explained. He looked toward Batman's side of the Tumbler, his gaze blocked by the divider. He managed to find a soft spot leaning against the door, his fingers combing through his cat's fur. He didn't even know if the man had heard him as he began speaking again.
Had he heard Batman right? It was getting a bit harder to focus. He was going to take Jordan to see a friend, it seemed. Batman had friends? Jordan had never really had any real friends before. The gangs he hung out with were certainly not considered as such. He was a quiet boy, who didn't socialize often. The boys at school bullied him. The girls avoided him. They thought he was weird. Jordan's eyes snapped open as he realized that he had become lost in thought. He vaguely remembered Batman's voice mixed in with the memories. What had Batman said? Something about control, he remembered. His friend was a girl? He managed to snag that fact.
Jordan looked down at his cat, his vision failing him as a slight fatigue grasped his body, demanding that he close his eyes. He'd rest for just a minute. Jordan thought it wouldn't do much harm. Batman was talking again. Why? Did he always talk so much? Jordan didn't catch a single word. His mind seemed foggy. "What did..." He started drowsily, but he couldn't finish his question as a yawn forced his jaw to stretch. It didn't matter. He'd let his words hang for a brief time, rest his eyes a little, as they were quite heavy, and finish in a few minutes. His lids shut in response to his thoughts, and Jordan exhaled deeply as he settled down, relaxed. In a matter a moments, he was snoring softly.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2013 1:11:33 GMT -5
Batman noted that both Jordan and the cat were asleep. He drove around Gotham for another twenty minutes, avoiding the more crime ridden areas. He didn’t need another problem at that moment. The night had become cloudy and a light snow had begun to fall. It suited his purposes well enough; crime away from one’s home turf was less common during inclement weather. Not that it didn’t happen, but he was less likely to come across it in the north end. He couldn’t stay in the area long, though. The cameras would catch the Tumbler and police would be sent to investigate. After all, he was a wanted fugitive from the law.
He left headed south and pulled into an old warehouse. He brought up the vehicles sensors and did a thorough search for bugs or any kind of device that might be trackable. Only after the search turned up negative did he begin to head out of town. The route was circuitous, ensuring that anyone that happened to see him leave the city would be looking in the wrong direction for his lair. Jordan and the cat were still safely asleep; the gas was maintained at a safe level, and it would take a very high concentration for it to become dangerous, even for the feline. Eventually, he came upon the rocky pathway that led to the waterfall. The Tumbler made the jump with ease, hardly jarring the interior of the vehicle and he brought the car to a stop.
Alfred stood there talking with Phoebe, though what they spoke of didn’t concern him. She smiled, though, and the elder man seemed to be enjoying himself as well, even to Batman’s trained eye. He took some measure of relief in the idea that Phoebe was up and alert. He didn’t relish the idea of transporting Jordan without her present. Taking him from his home had been a calculated risk; there had been no reports of Scourge there. Here, though, there was no familiarity beyond the cat. There was no room for error.
Leaving the partition in place, he exited the vehicle and made his way over to Phoebe. It was odd speaking with her; that it was unnecessary for them to vocalize unnerved him, and he had made it plain to her that he preferred there communications be of the vocal variety unless a situation specifically necessary. He hated the idea that anyone could read his thoughts, regardless of how intensely. There was no way he could tell if she followed the rule of not, but he’d accepted the fact that he’d have to trust her, and kept his thoughts very focused when she was around.
“We’ve talked about Scourge. Jordan, the boy in the Tumbler becomes the monster. Your job is to monitor his thoughts. If they go to murder and destruction, you are to immobilize him. Don’t take risks. Don’t let him hurt you or anyone else. That’s the last thing Jordan wants, and we don’t want to fail him.
“I’ve shown you the oubliette. That is where he’s to go if you get tired. There’s heat, a bedroll, food, water, and basic plumbing available to him. The floor is forty feet down, and he’d have to tear through a mountain to get out the side.”
That Scourge might just be able to tear through a mountain bothered the Dark Knight, but the other options were to contact Superman and have him become a specimen in the Man of Steel’s zoo, or to be imprisoned in space where escape meant death. Neither were options he wanted to look into. Clark had his own city to take care of, and Batman liked to handle his problems in-house.
“Are you ready?”
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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2013 6:59:51 GMT -5
The idea of helping Batman is at once exciting and nerve-wracking for Phoebe. On one hand, she actually enjoys being able to use her unique skills, especially for a good cause, and she also hopes that if she does a good job it might help Batman trust her more. On the other, this is pretty much the first job of any kind she's done for anyone since quitting the FBI, and she's still very shaken by that experience. What if she finds herself again in the position of helping people do what turns out to be the wrong thing? The guilt of having done so much of that already still weighs heavily upon her and she fears adding to it.
But when Batman told her about Scourge, and she'd caught glimpses of his thoughts on just how powerful the monster is, she'd known this was definitely a good thing for her to help with. Well, most likely. Clearly the creature is very dangerous, she knows she can keep it contained, and she knows that there are few if any alternatives to her help. Yeah, this is probably the right thing to do. As she waits with Alfred for Batman to return, the old butler has been giving her a pep talk of sorts so she's feeling confident as the Tumbler arrives.
Given her mind-reading abilities, she's hardly unaware of the effect that she has on people. Batman is not the first person she's met who doesn't like the idea of a little girl reading their thoughts, but she does her best to minimize their discomfort. If, as Batman prefers, they'd rather not communicate mentally she's perfectly fine with that. But though reading minds is entirely voluntary and she doesn't technically have to do it, that's not something she will compromise upon: even if she's talking to someone out loud, she will read their mind. And if, for whatever reason, she's unable to do so then she will not talk to them.
Though in practice, if she communicates only out loud with a person then talking to her is mostly like talking to anyone. There are a few oddities, however: Though she's young she understands everything said to her the first time whether the person is explaining themselves well or not, whether they're simplifying their words for her or not, and whether they're speaking clearly enough to be heard properly or not. The only time she gets confused when someone's talking to her is when the topic is an abstract philosophical idea that her mind is simply too underdeveloped to fully understand. There's also times when she comments upon something that someone only thought and didn't say out loud, but she tries to avoid doing so around people who are more uncomfortable with her powers when it isn't important. But sometimes she forgets and does that anyway.
So as she listens to Batman's instructions, she needs nothing clarified - any such questions are answered by his thoughts, which are more detailed than the meager words he's translating them into. And she catches his worry that the monster may prove to be too strong for the deep hole thing to hold securely, though she personally isn't too worried about that: she knows that she's strong enough to hold monster, and that if she really had to in order to protect everyone she could probably hang onto it for a long while - probably long enough for Batman to decide what to do next, even if the other choices aren't as good.
When Batman is done talking, Phoebe acknowledges his instructions by nodding and saying, "Okay, got it." Then she steps a little to the side to where she can have a clear view of the passenger side of the Tumbler. She doesn't have to see what she's doing to use her powers, but it makes it a lot easier - especially if she's moving anything. But it's not difficult for her to find the mind of the boy in the passenger compartment, and once she can sense the peaceful thoughtlessness of someone asleep she nods again and says, "Yes, I'm ready."
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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2013 21:35:33 GMT -5
Batman nodded, though he knew his reaction was felt much more deeply than that. Phoebe had understood what was needed of her, but not because of what he’d said. He’d seen the comprehension in her eyes, and it was more than a little eerie. People talked; the communicated, interpreting the words and body language of the other, layering it with their own point of view, experience, and understanding. There were vagaries in the understanding, subtext, and the interpretation of the immediate environment, what it meant, and how important each part was. It was imperfect and rarely comprehended in full; though often the listener had thought they had interpreted correctly. It had taken long training and practice for him to reach that level of understanding with Nightwing. Batgirl grasped it more easily, and Tim just had a knack for putting himself outside of the problem and seeing what was there.
Phoebe didn’t have those problems. She didn’t have to read context or intent. She read your mind, and she knew what you meant. There was a very subtle difference in expression between a person that thought they knew what you meant, and a person that knew beyond a doubt. Batman didn’t like that, but it was something he simply had to accept.
He nodded, then opened the passenger door to the Tumbler and stepped back to let it air out for a few seconds. He gave a look to Phoebe, warning her to stay back, and slipped a rebreather into his mouth moved closer. It took him only seconds to undo the seat belts; he’d disengaged the locks after he was certain Jordan was asleep and there were no bugs in the car.
He moved the cat aside and lifted Jordan out of the car, carrying him to an executive office chair and setting him securely into it. He went back to the Tumbler and brought the cat to Jordan’s lap before he closed the door and put the stowed the rebreather. By his estimation, the boy should be waking at any time.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2013 23:49:45 GMT -5
Jordan had been sleeping peacefully. In fact, it had been the best sleep he had had for weeks. Normally, when he tried to sleep, Jordan was yanked awake by nightmares, but not this time. Nothing had disturbed him. Even Scourge seemed oddly subdued, as he had not stirred within Jordan's mind since the gas had taken effect. Now that he became more aware of his senses, however, Jordan noticed the air no longer possessed a sweet smell, and the comfortable warmth that had enveloped him in the Tumbler was now gone. His eyes remained closed. He didn't want to wake up. His body was aching in protest. Finally allowed some peace, Jordan clung desperately to it, but wary thoughts had begun to invade his mind.
He didn't feel secure, he felt vulnerable. He was exhausted, and in some cold, unfamiliar place, accompanied by a man that many claimed to be a devil of sorts, a man that he had no means of defending himself against. All he had was the warm touch of his cat, and the beast rumbled contently in his lap. The feline didn't seem to be afraid, in fact, he appeared relaxed and comfortable. Jordan moved a hand to stroke the tom, noting the weakness he felt in the limb. After so many nights with little sleep, Jordan's nap in the Tumbler was doing more harm than good. He suspected Batman was waiting for him to open his eyes, and acknowledge his surroundings, but his body struggled to cooperate with his thoughts.
Jordan huffed with annoyance, letting his hand fall limp on the cat. He managed to force his lids apart with some effort, giving a moan that was originally intended to be a question. He noticed the girl to the side, and focused on her for a few moments. What was she doing there? Was she Batman's daughter? The thought was somewhat amusing. Of course not. Batman didn't have a family. She looked young, though. Younger than he was. The girl shouldn't be near him, with the monster inside of Jordan, she was enticing prey. Jordan feared the result of a confrontation. His eyes moved to Batman, as if to question him, and he briefly noticed his surroundings. It appeared he was in a cave of sorts. Batman's lair, perhaps?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2013 7:42:42 GMT -5
Phoebe shifts uncomfortably where she's standing when she feels Batman's mental reaction to her. She doesn't want to make him uncomfortable, but she can't help being who she is. Of course, once again he's not the first person to feel that way, except that the previous people only felt that way for brief moment or she didn't have to work with them for very long. Having to interact with him on a longer basis is therefore a bit trying for her, though she hopes that in time he'll grow more comfortable.
But she tries to shake off those feelings by concentrating on what she's supposed to be doing: focusing on the boy. And the first thing that she notices as he begins to awake is that she's not sensing anything of the monster: that's good. She'll keep monitoring his thoughts very carefully for any signs that it will change, but for now it seems that there's no worry. Instead the thoughts that she senses makes her feel a lot of empathy for the boy, actually. Though she's rather jealous of his cat. Or, actually, jealous of how he feels about his cat - she wouldn't know what to do if someone gave her one.
As he opens his eyes and looks at her, she doesn't really like that he feels the need to worry about her so much. Yes, he turns into a monster that would like to hurt her, but she's too strong for him to be worrying about that. But she's not sure yet if and what would be best to say to the boy, so she stays quiet and lets Batman take charge of the situation for now. But she does smile at the boy - friendly, calm, confident, and trying to tell him without words that even though the cave may be cold and dark, Batman might be scary, and he's still wondering what's going on with her, it's not all bad.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 13, 2013 11:12:59 GMT -5
Batman waited until Jordan opened his eyes before speaking. He thought he sensed a feeling of betrayal in the boy’s eyes, but he’d expected that. Whatever Jordan might have been expecting, Batman was fairly sure it wasn’t waking up to see another young girl only a few yards away from him. The Dark Knight gave Jordan time to take in his surroundings before explaining.
The cave was actually well-lit for a cave, but only the portion of it near where they were. The lighting actually made it harder to see farther into the cave, though, as the bright lights immediately around them desensitized the eye to dimmer light. The farther reaches of the cave were well out of sight, giving the cave an a feeling of existing in limbo. The Tumbler was in sight, as were several other vehicles, a giant penny, a live-sized replica of a Tyrannosaurus Rex, and a computer complex. Alfred remained out of sight but within range to respond if necessary. Phoebe stood nearby, as did Batman.
“This is the friend I told you about,” he said to Jordan, referring to Phoebe. “She’s called Force. She’ll be your keeper until we can find a way to help you. When she needs to rest, you’ll go into a holding cell.”
He didn’t bother asking if there were any questions. If Jordan didn’t understand what would be happening, it wouldn’t take long until he did. This one time, he didn’t Phoebe reading his thoughts; she needed to know. Batman’s intent was preferably to permanently remove Scourge from Jordan, though he had few ideas yet on how that would be accomplished. He’d need data, and Phoebe could help him get that. However, if Scourge proved to be too dangerous to hold, there were other options, including the Fortress of Solitude, of even the Phantom Zone. Helping him was the goal, but If it came to it, Batman would to whatever was in his power to ensure that Jordan never had to live with a death at the hands of Scourge again.
“Force, this is the person I’ve told you about, Jordan Derisma. He transforms into a creature that kills indiscriminately. I believe Jordan has no control over the change, or the creature. Your task is to ensure that Scourge, the name that the creature he calls itself, never has the chance to hurt anyone.”
He didn’t add out loud, but thought very clearly that if Scourge were ever to hurt Force, it could lead to the creature being freed on the world again. If it came to that, he’d have to be stopped. Regardless of the cost. The cat was Jordan’s link to the outside world, and should give him hope of returning there one day. At much as Batman hated hope himself, he knew it was indispensable to others.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 14, 2013 20:28:56 GMT -5
The girl's smile was hardly reassuring. If anything, it made things worse, and the pain that flashed within Jordan's eyes at the sight was quick to shift to betrayal as his pupils moved to Batman. How dare he place another child in front of him, tormenting him with the image of the girl he had so viciously torn apart! It was like dangling a peace of meat in front of a wild dog, and now, the betrayal melted into anger, mingling with the grief of the now vivid memory that floated just behind Jordan's eyes. Still, he remained quite, waiting for an explanation that might offer some small relief. He was all ears, now.
The odd features of the cave were noted, but not acknowledged. Jordan's eyes remained firm on the Dark Knight, but as fear still lingered within his gaze, Jordan was hesitant to speak out with his emotions. He was hardly pleased by Batman's words. Force? His keeper? She was just a girl, and the very sight of her tormented him. It brought out a rage that Jordan hadn't realized he possessed. He wanted to shout. He wanted to jump up and throw all his might into delivering Batman one hell of a punch to the face. He almost did, but his teeth clamped down on his tongue as his hands gripped the cat tightly. His body shook as Jordan struggled not to react.
He couldn't loose control. He had to relax. Jordan listened, allowing himself to take in a few deep breaths. Now Batman spoke to Force, but Jordan ignored his words as he tried to form coherent thoughts. Was Batman being cruel, or did he truly believe that Force had the capabilities of keeping him there, and protecting herself from Scourge? The boy sighed as he realized it was all he could do to trust the man, even if he didn't agree with him. Within Batman's territory, Jordan had no power to disagree, and he had no ability to act out with the anger he felt. His eyes moved to study Force for a moment as Jordan attempted to find what could be so special about her that would convince Batman to put her in such danger.
Jordan could find nothing. Force looked normal. She looked fragile. Within his mind, he felt the familiar presence brush his thoughts as the beast awakened to peer through his eyes. Still, Scourge remained silent, and for that, Jordan was thankful. But how long would the predator wait to pounce, teased by such tender prey? Jordan looked back at Batman with a frown as he finished speaking. "Holding cell?" Of course, he was a little late, but as Batman had given him no chance to speak before moving to Force, he decided that now was better than never.
"And she won't be staying with me the whole time, will she?" Though his words had the make of a question, his tone was pleading. Jordan didn't want to spend his days with the girl, even if she did have the power to handle him. Her image was too much. A simple glimpse of Force brought terrible visions into his head. Jordan pulled the cat off of his lap and into an embrace, hugging him tight. The cat purred, and the sound was soothing. "And what will I do when I'm not in my room?" Jordan avoided recognizing his new home as a cell for the moment. It was quite depressing.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2013 1:06:22 GMT -5
As the boy keeps looking at her Phoebe's smile fades into an expression that's kind of half amused and half annoyed. No, she doesn't expect him to take one look at her and immediately know that he doesn't need to worry about her, but does he have to worry about her that much? Can't he guess that Batman wouldn't let her be here if there wasn't something different going on? Boys are so dumb...
Though as Batman explains to the boy about how she'll be watching him, she brightens as she knows that'll clear up everything. ...Only it doesn't. Her annoyance increases at the boy's reaction - why does that make him angry? She's here to help him, and he's acting like that's some horrible thing. So what if he has bad memories - he's not the only one with those! Her face becomes a pouty frown for a few moments as she suppresses the urge to yell at him for being such a mental crybaby about it. But she manages to hold her temper for the moment.
Instead she lets Batman's words distract her from the feelings. Though when she responds she's looking at Jordan as if she's talking to him. "No problem!" she says confidently. No, there is absolutely no way that Scourge will be able to either hurt her or get away from her. Her shields have never failed her yet, and she's already pitted them against stronger things. She's fast too - the creature definitely can't match the speed of thought.
Still, she doesn't like all of his whiny thoughts, especially when he says some of them out loud. Turning her attention toward Batman, she quietly comments, "I remind him of other kids... and Scourge looked at me..." She figures that Batman would appreciate knowing why the boy is whining about her, and knows that it's best to also tell him she caught a sign of the monster in the boy's head. She's not too worried about the latter issue - if some creature wants to try to hurt her, she's quite prepared to live up to her codename. However, she does hope that the boy will stop thinking about the other kids - how is she supposed to work if she's going to have to deal with that? Well, she probably could, but she doesn't like it.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 19, 2013 1:14:04 GMT -5
Batman read the discomfort in Jordan’s face and body language, but he’d expected it. The boy was desperate to avoid hurting others, but the sacrifices that would be involved in making that a reality were probably not something the boy had considered. Having Phoebe there was obviously something he was uncomfortable with, but it was the right choice. The Dark Knight noted the boy was not really paying attention to his surrounding, was not interested in beyond what was right in front of him. That might be normal, even expected, but it was something he would have to get past. They might be able to find a cure for his affliction, but Batman believed it would more be a case of learning to control it, and that would mean learning to be aware of his surrounding and not being caught off guard.
Phoebe seemed to be aware of her surroundings to a better degree, though she had been in and around the cave for some time; it wasn’t new to her. She was appropriately focused on the main threat around her, and he felt she was aware of what was in the cave, as well. She was obviously annoyed at what she felt in Jordan, though she handled herself well by adult standards, extremely well given her age, but she hadn’t really been a little girl for a very long time, he thought. Though, in some ways, she managed to retain an air of innocence. Some measure or it, at least, was not a ruse.
“Holding cell,” he answered Jordan. “Your freedom will depend on your self-control. Unless you prefer the beast . . .”
He acknowledged Phoebe’s report. He hadn’t noticed the change in Jordan, but he’d study the video to see if there was anything he missed.
Batman looked back at Jordan with an emotionless face. “She’s not other children. Force is a strong psychokinetic, with a measure of telepathic ability. She can hold you, or your beast, with ease. His strength won’t matter if he has no leverage and no footing. You are simply not a threat to her. This also means that, in her presence, you are not a threat to anyone.”
He didn’t explain that it was a temporary solution. He did not expect and would not allow Phoebe to be Jordan’s babysitter forever. A cure would have to be found. That, or a more permanent means of holding him until such was possible.
“She will be monitoring your thoughts, and apparently those of Scourge as well. You’ll be helping us to find a way to either cure you of his presence of find a way to control him.”
Batman moved to the computer console and adjusted the controls to change the lighting. A table came into view loaded with sandwiches and a crock of soup, as well as plates, bowls, and the necessary utensils.
“Help yourselves.”
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Post by Deleted on Jul 19, 2013 16:23:13 GMT -5
Jordan listened quietly as Batman answered his question. Unless he preferred the beast? If he did, Jordan doubted he would even be there right now. He found it to be quite irritating that Batman would suggest such a thing, but then again, in such an unfamillier enviorment, Jordan found nearly everything to be irritating in some shape or form. At least Batman's explanation on Force offered him some ease. Of course, Jordan couldn't help but wonder what the hell a psychokinetic was, he at least had the knowledge to know what a telepath was. His eyes moved over to Force again. So she could read his thoughts? It was somewhat reassurring, to know that they'd have some warning should Scourge decide to stretch his legs. But there were some thoughts he didn't want to share, or need to share, for that matter.
However, Jordan was quite pleased to hear that Batman believed Scourge offered no threat in the presence of the girl. Of course, that didn't mean Jordan wasn't still skeptical about it. Who wouldn't be? Force was just a child, after all. A little girl. Batman continued his explanation, of which Jordan was now more willing to listen too. He didn't quite know if either solutions would be possible. Jordan didn't have a disease, although his mental health was certainly scarred by his experiences. Scourge was a monster, living inside of him. It wasn't something you could cure. At least not so far as Jordan knew.
And to control the beast? That didn't seem possible either. Scourge was a chaotic creature, that sought only rampant destruction. Was it truly possible to tame such a wild beast? The idea seemed more likely than the one fist suggested, though. Jordan didn't exactly trust Batman, but he knew if anyone could manage to find a way to control Scourge, it would be him. Perhaps, it was possible in some way to prevent Scourge from surfacing at all. If only there was some strength he knew to build, but as with anything, Jordan was wary of trying new things. If Batman thought he knew what he was doing, Jordan would let him be.
He observed Batman's approach to the console, marveling at the technology. Never had he seen such a thing. Jordan glanced at Force, wondering if she showed similar astonishment, but figured she'd likely have been in the cave more than once before. Jordan was quick to notice the change in lightning, shifting his attention to the table. He only now realized that he was hungry, enough so that his stomach pained him. Still, Jordan rose slowly, making sure to keep Batman in view as he secured his grip on the cat. No way would he leave him to wander about the dark cave all by himself. Which brought up the question. "What about Shadow?" The boy asked Batman, looking down on the tom in his arms. He'd need care, too, of course.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 20, 2013 16:31:02 GMT -5
Given the combination of her age and the strength of her powers, the ability to control her temper was obviously an extremely important skill for her to develop and Phoebe's trainers certainly didn't neglect it. If upset she's more likely to take it out on someone verbally or simply leave the situation until her temper cools, depending on how upset she is and whether or not leaving is an option. Which is a very mature way of handling things for someone her age, and especially one who is so capable of throwing a spectacular fit, but again that's precisely why the lesson was so important - destroying buildings when you're angry is simply not tolerable behavior.
Fortunately, Batman's second explanation of her proves to be more effective than the first, so at least she doesn't have to try so hard to be patient about the boy's thoughts. She can handle him being skeptical about her - she figures that sooner or later she'll have to prove it, and then he'll know how silly he's been to worry. It was him being so sure that he was going to hurt her that really bothered her. That, plus the hint of hope makes listening to his thoughts much more pleasant.
In fact, the decreased unpleasantness makes her feel more inclined to actually communicate with the boy, and she pulls something out of her pocket. She's always had the odd habit of carrying six pennies with her at all times, as pennies aren't heavy or worth much and six is the largest number of objects she can keep track of individually if she's really concentrating. Therefore, they're good to have on hand so that she can practice a few mental exercises whenever she wants to, and if something goes awry she's unlikely to break anything expensive. But right now she only pulls out one and holds it in the palm of her hand.
"This is psychakanesis," she says as she lifts the penny with her powers - just because she has the ability doesn't mean that she pronounces it correctly when she's not trying. Lifting the penny high above her head, she lets it drop onto a spinning spiral that circles her before she makes it land back in her palm. As she puts the penny back in her pocket, she adds, "I can do that with big things too - like that." She points at the tumbler, mostly because it's the heaviest-looking object she can see right now, though she doesn't demonstrate. You don't pick up someone's car without their direct permission.
And she doesn't show any signs of being impressed by that or any of the rest of her surroundings. She's been here several times before, after all, though she prefers to be up in the mansion. While pretty much everything in the mansion seems rather elaborate to her, given how she spent her life before coming here, that's preferable to being down here where everything is about utility more than comfort. Especially since Batman works down here and there are aspects of that which makes her feel uncomfortable. And the technology and such that surrounds her, while interesting at first, never did hold her attention for too long. It's partly that she's just plain not that interested in such thing, but it's also that she grew up seeing massive computers and things like tanks. Batman's stuff may be more refined and such, but it's not that different from things she's seen a lot of times before.
Unlike Jordan, she doesn't hesitate to head over to the table when invited. She's not terribly hungry, but then again like most kids her age she doesn't pass up a meal and especially not when the food is good. She heads for the soup, using her powers to get a bowl into her hands, though she prefers to ladle the soup into it by hand - fluids are... tricky. Once she's filled the bowl, she takes it over to where she wants to sit, but then proceeds to use her powers to get a plate and put it in front of herself, put a sandwich on the plate, and retrieve a spoon for her soup, which she catches in her hand. So in mere moments she's ready to eat, which is precisely why she used her powers instead of walking all over the place carrying things with her hands.
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