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Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2014 20:46:04 GMT -5
Tim stared at the locks for a long second, a little taken aback. Oh. He hadn't thought - Certainly hadn't expected - But he wasn't about to argue about it. Smiling faintly, he pulled the first lock over and got to work, sliding the tension wrench into place before choosing the pick he wanted. One lesson was far better than none at all, and Tim wasn't too proud to take the opportunity.
"I guess I can see that," he said thoughtfully as he started testing the pins to see what he was working with. After a couple seconds, he pulled the pick out of the lock and picked a different one that could do the job better. "A safe house also being your home. But... Mm. I dunno, it's weird. Never mind. Thank you for the water."
Tim went quiet as he concentrated on the lock, expression focused and head slightly tilted. He'd almost gotten it, he was sure... Ah. Okay, there - that one, that one, and... Ha! Tim grinned a little as, on the one minute mark almost exactly, the lock clicked and turned like he'd just slid in the key. Sure, his time hadn't exactly improved on that run, but at least he'd avoided making a fool of himself. He slid the open lock across the counter towards Selina and pulled the second one over. It looked like the same as the first, so he just slid the same tension wrench into that one, too.
Then he pulled it right back out and got a wrench with better surface area.
Looks: totally deceiving. He changed back to the basic pick to figure out what he was dealing with for tumblers, gave the new pick that Selina had shown him a hard look as he ran some calculations in his head, then switched out the picks.
"Ow," he muttered to himself a couple moments later as the pick slipped to catch his hand. Alright, so he'd been a little off on his initial assessment of how it worked, but he'd felt it catch for a second or two, so he hadn't been entirely off. Tim paused just long enough to suck the small drop of blood from his skin, then tried again.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2014 21:24:12 GMT -5
"Different worldviews. That's what it boils down to." Seeing that he is about to start on the trio of locks, she sits quietly, and sips her water as he goes after them. Nodding her welcome to him, she studies his technique. Not bad, but he still has a bit of wiggle room to improve. Definitely Bruce's, well, Batman's method. She tries to hold back the smirk on her face when she sees him going for her additional pick. Inwardly, she encourages him to use it, even if he's unsure.
A minute is done, and he's done with the first, the second giving him a bit more trouble. They're nearly identical, but differing in mechanisms within. As he pricks himself, she pulls over a Kleenex and sets it beside him, just as the doorbell bings that their dinner is there. He has about two minutes left to finish that lock, and the third, before she collects all the necessities for them to eat.
Paying the delivery boy, she shuts and locks the door, and goes back to the counter where she starts pulling out the various items ordered.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2014 22:18:51 GMT -5
Tim made a soft sound of triumph as the lock clicked open. It had taken just under three minutes to manage, according to his internal clock - his worst time in ages - but not too bad, really, considering he was figuring out a new tool. He glanced up to see Selina pulling the food from the bag as he pushed the second lock away in favor of the third. He'd need to be faster with this one, he mused privately. This was an assessment of his ability, and the last thing he wanted to do was disappoint her by failing. Or worse, by revealing himself as not worth teaching at all. No time to waste. Tim slid a variable tension wrench into the final lock, determined, and got down to work. When the lock clicked open sooner than he'd expected, he let out a startled, "Oh!"
Fifty-seven seconds. It wasn't by much at all, but -
"I beat one minute!" Tim grinned broadly, face lit up with triumph and happiness, and looked up at Selina. "I've never done that before! My best time before this was one minute, five seconds."
He laughed a little at himself, feeling a bit giddy. It was ridiculous of him, he knew, but he couldn't help it. He'd been trying so hard to break that sixty-second barrier. And even if it was just three seconds, he was going to reward himself for the feat by finishing tomorrow's homework during study hall and reading a book when he got home instead. That would be nice.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2014 9:39:11 GMT -5
She nodded toward the third lock. "There is still one there. Go for it." He was just so damn enthusiastic. She doubted she'd ever been that excited about anything, let alone a lock. Or a new tool. Then again, there was a certain safe that she'd been giddy at when it had been unveiled, and then she'd found out it was just a revised older model from a different company, but still. Maybe there was still a bit of joy left in her. She couldn't turn into the pseudo-curmudgeon Bruce was. She doubted Tim had seen the man smile. Or perhaps he'd seen a different side of the man she never had. Either way.
The lock clicked, and she smiled at Tim. "Fantastic. I'll explain the boring mechanics of those after we eat, but I'm glad to see you got all three. And yes, in under a minute. He's been holding out on you, you know. I gave Bruce several copies of that pick a few months ago..." She clicked her tongue before winking at 'Robin.'
Even if he didn't realize it, she was realizing what she was capable of. She wasn't assessing his skill, but herself, and how she would react. He was merely...a focus. And it made her smile to see how she could interact. Even though her subject would be female, and a bit older, and less...probably, enthusiastic, there would be ways to teach Charlotte. She did run a security company, so there were ...methods to see if the teen would be receptive. If not, the whole game would turn in a bit different direction. But so far, she liked this. Could maybe get used to it. But this was just the easy part.
"So. Sashimi, or...?" She offered. There was a variety of food to choose from.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2014 20:38:42 GMT -5
"Oh, um... The tuna maki first, please?" Tim requested hopefully, and smiled when Selina passed his plate over. He pushed the locks and picks out of the way for a clear space to set the plate down on. He'd put everything away properly later; food was clearly a higher priority. "Thank you. So, when you say you want to know what Bruce has me do, do you want a summary of my current duties as a whole, or just what I think could be applicable to you?"
He paused for a second as he cracked his chopsticks apart, though he waited until Selena had joined him and started eating her meal to start his own.
"...The same question applies to my training, too, I guess. Do you want to know everything, or just the things that might translate to your situation?"
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Post by Deleted on Feb 7, 2014 13:25:18 GMT -5
Nodding in admiration, she takes out a pair of chopsticks for herself, and offers another pair to Tim. Nodding after she had popped a piece into her mouth, she is curious to see what rigmarole Bruce inflicts on him.
"Exactly. What sort of regimen he has you do. All of them, as I don't quite know what would, or would not be applicable, considering...my end game is going to be a bit less 'go after the bad guys' and more....gain that physical.'" There really is no good way to put it that she's not exactly going to be stealing, but just...borrowing. Still, Charlotte will need to expound on her already impressive physical feats, and have them honed down. She already has one item stashed away for the girl; a tiny, delicate mp3 player.
"The same. Everything. Whatever you can tell me, will help. I'll probably have to pick Bruce's brain at some point, as well. Because what he has you do, and what you interpret is not always what he sets out to initially do. If that makes sense."
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Post by Deleted on Feb 7, 2014 17:14:49 GMT -5
"Well..." Tim pursed his lips thoughtfully for a second, sorting it all out in his head while he chewed an swallowed his sushi. He licked his lips free of the sticky rice when he was finished, then continued, "My initial training included endurance and strength training, gymnastics, several forms of martial arts - karate, judo, aikido, kung fu, krav maga, tae kwon do, boxing, kick boxing, a few others. Weapons training - kendo, escrima, basic archery, shuriken, firearms. Criminal forensics, analysis, basic psychology, several sciences, investigatory procedure, how to handle a crime scene, engineering, interrogation techniques, disguise, undercover work, tactics and strategy, emergency first aid, CPR... Things like that. Computers and technology probably would have factored in a lot more that they did if I hadn't already been sufficiently advanced in those areas, though I did do some studying on my own to get better."
He paused for a minute to eat another maki roll, taking a long drink of water after he swallowed. He grinned at Selina, shrugging a little. It sounded like a lot, all listed out like that, but it hadn't really felt like it at the time. It had been incredibly hard work, and he'd spent pretty much every waking minute and then some training or studying something, wanting to learn it all as fast and as well as he possibly could - but it had been exciting, too. Thrilling. Training with Batman to become Robin. How could that not be exciting?
"It's not like I had to master everything before I was allowed to go out into the field, but I did have to pass Bruce's standards for what he considers a proficient knowledge of the basics, and I had to do it within an average ninety-eight percent accuracy range or higher. I'm still training in basically everything and then some, which is only to be expected, really." Tim hesitated for a second, then admitted, "I wasn't really confident I was ready when B finally got me suited up, though. So he sent me to Paris to train with one of his old masters. It... Didn't really end up working out, and I kinda sorta might've ended training with Lady Shiva instead while we waited for King Snake to make his move. She taught me a lot of close-combat - and she gave me my staff. I started on the streets after I came back, so... That was all my 'pre-Robin' training, I think."
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Post by Deleted on Feb 9, 2014 22:16:09 GMT -5
She had known he had high standards...but this was a lot. And while Bruce had certain standards, she had others. She didn't need her sidekick to know all of those thing, but she would need to be proficient in other areas. There was going to be no face-to-face fighting, yet. But she had already broached the subject with Charlotte for aspect of 'safety.' But there were things she would learn, well, that Tim would not.
And it seemed she might have to make a few phone calls to friends, as well. Ted, for one. Theo, another. Bruce...another. Dick, Kory. She'd be pulling on a lot of people.
But the first aide could be done. The other aspects, well, Charlotte could 'help' at BCS. And get paid, while learning. So while Tim yammered, Selina took mental note, and finally moved to pull a notepad over, and start scribbling a few things.
Narrowing her eyes at Tim, she shook her head at him, partially joking, her mouth agape. "You mean he -didn't- make you master everything before he put you out there? This is Batman, we're talking about!" She teased, taking a sip of her own water. "Did Dick every impart knowledge? Pass on any words of wisdom?" He had to, considering he had the mantle prior, before turning to Nightwing.
Chopsticks picked at a few pieces on her plate, before she popped one into her mouth.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2014 0:21:11 GMT -5
Tim grinned a little, crookedly.
"Bruce's idea of what constitutes 'the basics' is almost definitely very, very different from everyone else's," he told her, swallowing. "And Dick only really got more involved in my training after I took up the mantle officially and started helping B in the field. He's busy, so... He works with me a lot in gymnastics and acrobatics and stuff - most of my routines and workouts on the bars and rings and stuff are ones he taught me, now - and he spars with me. Stuff like that."
He picked at his remaining maki for a second, chewing briefly on his lip. "And he takes me train surfing." Tim imparted it like it was a secret, voice soft and head ducked shyly as he leaned in towards Selina just a bit. He loved train surfing, especially now that doing it blindfolded wasn't so disconcerting anymore. Even more, though, he loved the time Dick spent with him, and feeling like he really was Dick's little brother. It was one of the best feelings. "Or we play rooftop tag, or hide-and-seek, or... They're games, for the most part, but they're also training in a real-world setting. I don't think B would allow it, otherwise, since they're mostly played during patrol hours."
How people would react to Tim and Dick tying on blindfolds and jumping from the 57th St overpass onto the top of the H Line Southbound in broad daylight would probably be comical, though.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2014 22:24:36 GMT -5
He did gymnastics, too. Now that could be something. Perhaps she could steal Tim away for an afternoon session with Charlotte. Or hell, someday she would be introducing Charlotte to Tim, which was a comical thought on it's own;Bruce being the adoptive 'father' that most didn't see him as. And the two teens could probably work out in the cave, as well.
So many avenues she had not previously thought of. Nodding as Dick was mentioned, she liked that idea, eating as Tim talked on about more of his training.
Train surfing. Selina smiled wryly. She knew all about that, having spotted them one night. It was a thrilling, yet heart-shocking, and possibly deadly experience. But what a thrill. Bruce was insane, if you looked at what he did just to prepare for his 'patrols.' But he was efficient, and effective for a reason. And his boys were well rounded, and quite prepared for the world, if you looked at it from a few steps back, as well.
"Mhm." She offered, shaking her head at this news. "He has a method to his madness. I think otherwise, he'd just come off a Joker-level crazy."
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2014 20:56:12 GMT -5
Tim grinned a little and ducked his head.
"He's not that bad," he said. "Anyway, once you get used to it, the training isn't so tough. I put in an hour or so in the morning, usually, and Bruce has me training every night before patrol and stuff, whether I'm going on patrol or not. Um. Unless I'm benched for an injury."
Though unless he was seriously bedridden, Tim normally did a light workout in his room anyway. He wouldn't risk falling behind. He didn't think Bruce or Alfred knew about it, because neither of them had ever said anything and Alfred, at least, probably would've made some kind of comment by now. Finishing his last piece of sushi, he slipped off of his chair and went to retrieve the container of beef udon he'd ordered from the counter. Tim glanced back at Selina as he picked it up.
"Do you need anything while I'm over here?"
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Post by Deleted on Feb 17, 2014 9:52:29 GMT -5
"Oh, I can agree with you on that, Mr. Drake. But the reason he does it, is because he cares. He wouldn't have taken you, Jason, Dick, under his wing," she cringed lightly at the pun. "If he didn't have a heart beneath all the drills, and the learning, and the Bruceness." Nodding she popped another bite into her mouth, thinking.
Would she need to be that strict with Charlotte? Yes, and no. Her own prowess dealt more in getting in, getting out, getting gone. No taking down the baddies, no combat. While she was skilled in several disciplines herself, her own route during the night was a solo-gig.
Until her own heart had called to her to move. And move she had.
"Tell me how you figured out his identity. And am I that transparent as Catwoman?" That is what he could tell her. "But no, I don't need anything. And thank you."
While Catwoman may be a feral she-bitch, Selina Kyle was polite. And curious if his mind was really as keen as Bruce had told her.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 17, 2014 15:38:38 GMT -5
"I, uh. When I was nine, I saw some footage of Batman and Robin on the news," Tim started, returning to the bar. He put his udon up on the counter, then boosted himself back up onto the stool. "Robin did a quadruple somersault. And I just knew it was Dick. I'd seen him do it before - at the time, I thought he'd done it for me, because he'd said he would, but now I just know it was part of the show."
He pulled the cover off of the container and shot Selina a small, sad smile. He'd had nightmares for years after that circus trip, had woken himself up screaming on multiple occasions. He didn't do that anymore, thankfully. The screaming thing. There were other people in the house with him now - Bruce and Alfred - and he'd hate to wake them, especially since he was always such a mess afterwards. They'd probably feel obligated to stay with him until he calmed down, even though he had long since figured out how to manage alone.
"I was there, the night Dick's parents fell," he confirmed quietly, because Selina was probably already thinking it. "In the audience. I saw everything. Including Batman. So, um. I think even if I didn't have an eidetic memory, that whole night would have stuck pretty well. Once I got some empirical evidence of Robin's identity, confirmed it was Dick, then it wasn't hard to deduce that Bruce Wayne was Batman - and getting proof of that is a lot easier when you go in already knowing. Figuring out your identity was a little different, but not much more difficult."
Tim stopped, replayed that last sentence to himself (and why had he said it so casually, that just made it so much worse!), then promptly flushed, looking into his udon like it held the secrets of the universe.
"Not that you're transparent, really," he muttered, and stuffed some noodles into his mouth before he could make things worse.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2014 10:41:43 GMT -5
He is a keen little thing, she notes. Nodding, she herself feels a bit of a twinge, and hesitation as he speaks. But it's not his, but her own. Why does it seem that those taking up these nocturnal habits are those that experience so much loss? It's not a comforting feeling for anyone.
As the Robin-move is mentioned, Selina smiles. She knows that one well. And she knows the delicate effects a snapped whip have on said quad somersault.
"I'm sorry to hear that. Dick...is a good kid. He's had his issues, but anyone who's lost both their parents could tell you that. Hell, look at Bruce. Dick. Myself." She's betting Tim is unaware of her history, or considering how astute he is, perhaps he is aware.
"Situations like that will stay with you for quite a while. Intense, passionate, traumatic. I've read that it's almost like a muscle memory, which may, or may not result in PTSD." She goes to sip at her tea, she is rather impressed with how he deduces. If the boy wasn't so tow-headed, she'd have thought he was Bruce's. But in a different way, he truly is.
"So you're saying after the science, it's just confidence." She nods slightly, contemplating that. Confidence, or overly-inflated ego.
As Tim is suddenly overcome by a large pang of hunger, Selina gently nudges him verbally; "True, but you really didn't answer your question about me, Mr. Drake." She really is curious. And hopefully not as scary as he thinking she is.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2014 18:29:12 GMT -5
Tim's cheeks turned a faint pink. He'd kind of hoped that Selina would let the evasion pass.
"Um. Well. You move like fighter, for one thing," he started slowly, his tone becoming increasinglymore professional as he continued. He may as well have been giving a report to Batman. "Not like a socialite or any other business woman I've ever seen. The balance and gait is different. You have some calluses on your palms, too, indicative of regular work with an implement with a long, thin grip. I noticed when you shook my hand when we were introduced. Taken in conjunction with the way you move, the supposition that it's a weapon that you're using is a lot stronger. So... Whip, since it fit the other parameters. The calluses are subtle, though - you regularly apply hand lotion as well as use gloves. Also, accounting for varying heel heights of your shoes, you and Catwoman share the same basic body type."
Tim cleared his throat and looked down, blush deepening. Here came the embarrassing stuff.
"Your increased appearances at the Manor also coincided with Catwoman's shift in M.O. and... Um. I've seen and heard you leaving on some of the mornings following Batman's encounters with Catwoman. Uh, your overall behavior towards Bruce - and his towards you - are mostly the same regardless of identity as well, and I'd very much appreciate it if you didn't ask me to go into detail. So, ah. It wasn't really a jump, given the evidence."
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