I think that's a pot calling kettle. [ But he's laughing when he changes trajectory, circling downward. If she wants to draw him in, he can play that game. ]
Beggers don't get to choose! [ She's fast, alright. But now at least he has a clue. A quick twist and he's diving straight towards the spot where he'd seen her last, not bothering with a feint in either direction. ]
[ She throws her voice expertly, making it sound like she's behind him, as she deftly starts climbing. The moment he spots her she's made: the grapple is faster. But she's got this advantage. ]
[ It's the simplest trick in the book, and still one there's almost no way around even with the best set of ears. He knows her well enough to know she's fast enough to be anywhere by now.
He's still searching the lower level for a few precious seconds, long enough that she's had a good head start by the time he spots her climbing. With a triumphant little laugh he fires out a line and swings up, aiming a kick she'll probably see coming a mile away. ]
We'll see who's little! [ So close. Maybe this is finally his chance. His chance to earn her respect somehow, to show he's not weak, not pathetic, not useless like he knows she thinks he is.
He picks up speed on his next pass, and now he's trying to get on top of her trajectory, to reengage with the upper hand. ]
[ Fast as she is, Haven's diet has had an impact on her speed and strength, and she never was any match for a grapple, especially one with so light a weight at the end of it. She ducks away and jumps to a parallel beam, starts sprinting. ]
[ He laughs again, still feeling more bemused than frustrated while he makes the leap to follow her. Now where is she going? Is she leading him somewhere? ]
Don't think we're finished!
[ He can't give up the chase now. And he already knows he can't match her running, so out the grapple comes again. A quick launch and he zips in, closing a little more distance. ]
You're the one that didn't set the rules! [ And he's pressing the advantage while it's there, with a quick glance back over his shoulder to stick his tongue out playfully. ]
I was going to give them to you tomorrow morning anyway.
[ She gives him another pleased smile (he trusts her enough to follow). They're coming up to a section of Haven West that's especially bare, and Rose comes to a stop, hunting for something, and then finds it. Reaching into the dirt, she pushes over a rock and holds out a small bundle wrapped in an old cloth for him. It's a pair of escrima sticks, carefully carved to be sturdy and light for him. She's embellished with the Robin insignia at one end. ]
[ There's a sharp stab like a knife through the ribs (and she has cause to know what that feels like). There's always a catch. Dodge all the bullets and you can sleep, Rose. You can join the team if you try your hardest not to be yourself. Everything was a transaction. From him it hurts worse, he's the only one - not the first, but the only one - from after Ravager, who offered her the least. ]
[ Playfully, ] Sure there is. [ she leans down and taps her cheek ] You have to give me a kiss.
[ He holds it only a split second longer, that careful, cautious gaze. Then with a grin he leaps forward to give her a wet, messy kiss on the cheek. Then, if she lets him, he throws his arms around her middle; a tight, fierce hug. ]
I know a few now. [ And he's marking it down as one more thing to question her about some other time. But right now there's new sticks. He swishes them again, grinning while he twirls them in both hands.
Weapons are for the cave. That's always been the rule. But the threats are so different in Haven, so much more daunting when he's so used to fighting with assets, fighting with the car a block away, with a strong, dark shadow to stand in. He's needed these for months now, even if he hadn't been able to say it to anyone in words. ]
So this means you're gonna teach me, right? [ He's only alright on escrimas. ]
[ Blink and you miss it: an unguarded smile, inexplicably fond, as she watches him. The man this kid grows up to be - yeah, she sees it all, splayed out as clear as a blood trail on a carpet. ]
I'll think about it.
[ Playfully, as she steps across from him and parries the blows as he uses his new sticks, so he can test out how they feel against an opponent. Grayson, you idiot, she's supposed to be an aloof elitist about who she teaches, but she can't resist showing off. ]
[ He returns the parry with a few gleeful strikes; he may be rusty on the sticks themselves but he can catch the rhythm of a spar and follow it like a pro. ]
Guess I’ll just have to convince you. [ Somehow without beating her in a fair fight. He’s not optimistic enough to be delusional.
And a new thought occurs to him suddenly; his brow furrows mid-overhead slash. ]
Wait- what about the other Robin? [ Already he feels a pang of guilt at the thought of coming home with a prize like this without something for Damian. ]
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[ She comes into view grinning brightly at him, disappearing off into the shadows again. ]
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[ She throws her voice expertly, making it sound like she's behind him, as she deftly starts climbing. The moment he spots her she's made: the grapple is faster. But she's got this advantage. ]
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He's still searching the lower level for a few precious seconds, long enough that she's had a good head start by the time he spots her climbing. With a triumphant little laugh he fires out a line and swings up, aiming a kick she'll probably see coming a mile away. ]
Who's losing, lady?
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You are, little man!
[ Only a hundred metres to go. ]
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He picks up speed on his next pass, and now he's trying to get on top of her trajectory, to reengage with the upper hand. ]
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Don't think we're finished!
[ He can't give up the chase now. And he already knows he can't match her running, so out the grapple comes again. A quick launch and he zips in, closing a little more distance. ]
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[ She points up to the spire, it's the finish line, shakes her fist comically at him as he sails past on his grapple. ]
You dirty rotten cheater!
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Okay, I admit. That one's on me.
[ Looking out over the view, ]
So. We should do this more often.
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After a moment: ]
So what did I just win?
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Follow me.
[ There's a different quality to way she descends, no competition, just looking to see how best to run beside him. ]
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You know I was kidding, right? [ Should he be worried, is the more important question. ]
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[ She gives him another pleased smile (he trusts her enough to follow). They're coming up to a section of Haven West that's especially bare, and Rose comes to a stop, hunting for something, and then finds it. Reaching into the dirt, she pushes over a rock and holds out a small bundle wrapped in an old cloth for him. It's a pair of escrima sticks, carefully carved to be sturdy and light for him. She's embellished with the Robin insignia at one end. ]
Go on, try them.
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Those are for me? [ He turns them over in his hands. They're beautiful. ]
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[ Amused exasperation, as she folds her arms and watches him. ]
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Okay, I'm listening. [ He's still clutching them like a prize. ] There's a catch, isn't there?
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[ Playfully, ] Sure there is. [ she leans down and taps her cheek ] You have to give me a kiss.
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...Thanks.
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Hey, it's no problem. You might not know your future team, but this is what Titans do for each other, okay?
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Weapons are for the cave. That's always been the rule. But the threats are so different in Haven, so much more daunting when he's so used to fighting with assets, fighting with the car a block away, with a strong, dark shadow to stand in. He's needed these for months now, even if he hadn't been able to say it to anyone in words. ]
So this means you're gonna teach me, right? [ He's only alright on escrimas. ]
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I'll think about it.
[ Playfully, as she steps across from him and parries the blows as he uses his new sticks, so he can test out how they feel against an opponent. Grayson, you idiot, she's supposed to be an aloof elitist about who she teaches, but she can't resist showing off. ]
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Guess I’ll just have to convince you. [ Somehow without beating her in a fair fight. He’s not optimistic enough to be delusional.
And a new thought occurs to him suddenly; his brow furrows mid-overhead slash. ]
Wait- what about the other Robin? [ Already he feels a pang of guilt at the thought of coming home with a prize like this without something for Damian. ]
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