[ A sound enough strategy, especially if Damian thinks Jason is working against him. But he also did not like the thought of Damian doing this alone. Dick is gone (and it wasn't like he had any right to make demands of him, even if that would not have stopped him). The younger Jason is too much of a liability. There was the other Bruce, but they weren't on speaking terms at the moment. If Damian wants anything from him, he'd have to get it himself.
Instead, he turns away, picks up the perfectly balanced batarang, then sets it aside to continue working on his own. ]
When you get your hands on it, I'll help you figure out how to dismantle it.
( rude of bruce to blatantly drop away a gift damian was giving to him. he clicks his tongue against the roof of his mouth, but doesn't offer any additional commentary. instead, he moves back toward the kitchen and the boiling pot of water. )
I have a... friend, here, whose abilities would be useful in dismantling it and discerning what, exactly, it's capable of. That part I wasn't concerned about.
[ He appreciates the gift, but he also values his independence. He could not and should not rely on anyone else to protect him. But Damian's batarangs will be put in reserve. Bruce continues to work. Ace is still staring at that cat. ]
Good. I really rather you didn't attempt something this foolish and reckless by yourself.
[ Bruce knows when someone is taking a jab at him. Even a subtle one. Damian seems to have trouble accepting Bruce had truly been alone for over 2 decades prior to meeting Terry. He doesn't do well alone, Damian says, but that doesn't change the fact that he was and that was how he'd preferred it for a long time. ]
I wouldn't have needed a partner in this situation. It's something I would have handled myself. You, on the other hand? [ Probably shouldn't be doing it at all. But, he figures Damian's not going to listen to him regardless. ] Should have someone with you.
You wouldn't have requested access to the weapon, either. You would have simply gone in and taken it.
( damian wouldn't have needed help, either, if he'd opted to do this the batman method of take first, ask questions later. but that would have caused enough chaos that damian opted to not go that route. if he'd been given access, he could have studied it. could have come up with contingencies for the gemstone. instead, he's going to have to fight for it.
damian gets a spoon to scoop a few spoonfuls of sugar into the tea, then climbs up onto the counter to make himself comfortable. alfred, being the cat he is, leaps up onto damian's shoulders to wrap himself around his neck comfortably while damian takes a few sips out of the mug. )
[ He's right. The second Bruce knew it was dangerous, he'd have taken matters into his own hands and fixed the problem before it became a problem. Sometimes it was easier to ask for forgiveness than it was permission, so to speak. If the Zaunites didn't like it, then maybe they'd reconsider having dangerous people wielding dangerous weapons unsupervised.
He finishes the batarang he's been working on and polishes it. He picks up another piece of metal and gets to work again. ]
What do you plan to do if you can't get your hands on it?
( there's multiple ways he could answer. ingrained training says to not accept no for an answer and get his fingers on the weapon regardless of what it costs. the little voice in his head that asks what would dick grayson do leans more towards finding an answer in between: if the zaunites don't want to hand it over, use a more peaceful resolution to develop a contingency plan against the weapon or ensure that they've put it into the hands of someone who isn't described as crazy. )
Considering your physical state, I don't see how that's relevant to you. It's not as if you could assist regardless.
( he has friends, here. companions who would lend a hand, who have capabilities beyond his own limitations. and beyond those friends, damian knows several who would lend a hand to ensure they're all safe regardless of how they feel about damian. if he doesn't get his hands on it? there are other options. )
[ That. Gets him to stop working. He sets the tools down and swivels his chair around, not to face Damian directly, but toward the open part of the room. Ace is still settled by his feet and finally looks away from the cat at Bruce.
He never liked being reminded he's in no condition to do much of anything. A sharp mind trapped in an aging cage. For a moment, he thinks about that stupid Lazarus Pit and how desperate he'd been. He'd accepted his condition then. Didn't mean he cared to have it thrown in his face.
None of the other Bats here particularly needed him. So it beg the question: ]
Then why are you here? You don't need my permission to do this. Were you just looking for someone to agree with you?
( bruce stops working. looks over to him, and damian, for a moment, considers answering the question honestly: he was looking for someone who would approve of his plan, who would justify his decision to try and get ahold of the weapon because it shouldn't just be in anyone's hands. he knew that this bruce has significantly more experience than the other, that he understands why damian would want to make sure it wasn't in the hands of someone dangerous, even if it meant angering a few other individuals.
instead of answering, damian just throws bruce a sour look, and sets his cup down so he can jump off the counter. )
[ He reaches for his cane, hauls himself upright and heads for a different part of the apartment. Somewhere that put distance and a wall between them. Damian could see himself out the same way he got in. ]
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Instead, he turns away, picks up the perfectly balanced batarang, then sets it aside to continue working on his own. ]
When you get your hands on it, I'll help you figure out how to dismantle it.
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I have a... friend, here, whose abilities would be useful in dismantling it and discerning what, exactly, it's capable of. That part I wasn't concerned about.
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Good. I really rather you didn't attempt something this foolish and reckless by yourself.
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( it's a dig at bruce - or at least a little bit of one. given how the man seems to prefer working alone and all.
damian turns off the stove, tips the pot over the mug he'd put one of the tea bags into, and pours it until it's almost full.
and then starts sifting around cabinets for the sugar. )
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I wouldn't have needed a partner in this situation. It's something I would have handled myself. You, on the other hand? [ Probably shouldn't be doing it at all. But, he figures Damian's not going to listen to him regardless. ] Should have someone with you.
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( damian wouldn't have needed help, either, if he'd opted to do this the batman method of take first, ask questions later. but that would have caused enough chaos that damian opted to not go that route. if he'd been given access, he could have studied it. could have come up with contingencies for the gemstone. instead, he's going to have to fight for it.
damian gets a spoon to scoop a few spoonfuls of sugar into the tea, then climbs up onto the counter to make himself comfortable. alfred, being the cat he is, leaps up onto damian's shoulders to wrap himself around his neck comfortably while damian takes a few sips out of the mug. )
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He finishes the batarang he's been working on and polishes it. He picks up another piece of metal and gets to work again. ]
What do you plan to do if you can't get your hands on it?
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Considering your physical state, I don't see how that's relevant to you. It's not as if you could assist regardless.
( he has friends, here. companions who would lend a hand, who have capabilities beyond his own limitations. and beyond those friends, damian knows several who would lend a hand to ensure they're all safe regardless of how they feel about damian. if he doesn't get his hands on it? there are other options. )
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He never liked being reminded he's in no condition to do much of anything. A sharp mind trapped in an aging cage. For a moment, he thinks about that stupid Lazarus Pit and how desperate he'd been. He'd accepted his condition then. Didn't mean he cared to have it thrown in his face.
None of the other Bats here particularly needed him. So it beg the question: ]
Then why are you here? You don't need my permission to do this. Were you just looking for someone to agree with you?
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instead of answering, damian just throws bruce a sour look, and sets his cup down so he can jump off the counter. )
I'm leaving.
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[ He reaches for his cane, hauls himself upright and heads for a different part of the apartment. Somewhere that put distance and a wall between them. Damian could see himself out the same way he got in. ]