metalogs | open-ish.

Entry tags:

open-ish.

Who: Bruce Wayne/Batman

batsymbol and others
What: a halloween-themed housewarming
When: end of october
Where: primarily central
Content Warnings: TBD but let's just say Bruce being Bruce is always likely

It's Friday October 27th when this housewarming shindig happens at the townhouse in Central he's recently purchased for himself and with it being so close to Halloween, he decides to decorate it a little. Or maybe a lot. He's still trying to get the hang of this whole Bruce Wayne thing.

Either way, the lower floor of the five-story townhouse is decorated for the spooky season and the one floor he'd prefer people to stick to since he's not the only one who lives here. There's food and refreshments available with something hopefully for everyone and if you're in the mood for something a little more spooky for a drink, there's this little guy lined up along one of the tables to be enjoyed, the flavor being a tart pomegranate with a touch of sweetness to it. Yes, it can also be alcoholic and yes, he has someone stationed there to ensure those of age to drink are the ones taking the alcoholic version of that.

On your way in or out, don't forget to say hi to the concierge for the night and feel free to take your complimentary pumpkin bucket filled with candy he has for guests. Don't worry about checking the candy for trackers. It's not like he would ever do such a thing. 😇 Happy Housewarming Halloween.

ooc notes: just a stupid little housewarming mingle thrown together where bruce makes an attempt to Do Something for his kiddos and friends he has here. Diana also lives within the townhouse and so friends of hers are welcome to stop by as well if she'd invite them. whoever the kiddos want to bring along with them are also welcome to stop by but please stick to the first floor where the shindig is or else bruce is going to be Disappointed aka i'm still figuring out the rest of the floors.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

He did. But he offered me the space when he found it, which was generous of him.

[ And, regardless of anything else they are to each other... it's good that Bruce won't be so alone. ]

That’s pretty nice of him.

[He genuinely means it instead of sarcastically. It’s no secret how much Bruce values his privacy]

So… everything’s okay between the two of you now?

[Not that he wants specific details about the two of them but Jason was upset on Diana’s behalf last time]

Things are better, I think. Yes.

[ They'd made up, certainly. ]

It was when I went to find him that he suggested my taking space in this house, in fact.

Really? He initiated?

[This evening really is full of surprises]

Yes.

[ The hand she lays on Jason's arm is a much gentler touch than the one she'd used when she pulled him and his double apart not long ago at the bar. ]

I understand your feelings about him, Jason. And I haven't forgotten what you told me before. I appreciated your advice then and I still appreciate it now.

Yet there's more to him than you might think. Try to see him for who he is now and not who you expect him to be, and perhaps you'll be pleasantly surprised.

[Jason doesn’t move away from that touch. He understands what Diana’s trying to do. She’d rather see the family get along than always fighting each other. Deep down, Jason would like that too but to say the issues are complicated is an understatement.

On the other hand, she’s right that this Bruce isn’t the same one that he knows. Just like how he and his doppelgänger aren’t exactly the same]

No promises but I won’t start shit if he doesn’t either.

[ That wins a warm smile from her, and she squeezes his arm before letting go. ]

I appreciate it, Jason. For both of you.

[ And she'd certainly step in if she saw Bruce starting something. ]

How have you been since the last time I saw you?

Oh not much. Keeping busy like always. Lately I've been catching a bunch of kids trying to start stuff. Been trying to nudge them to better resources.

Oh? Resources?

Anything I can assist with?

Yeah, there's been a gang running around called the Blue Sabers. I'm still trying to dig into who are the higher-ups but a bunch of the lower-level members are more like young hoodlums and than psychopaths. Kids who come from rough backgrounds just trying to survive. That's how gangs get members.

So I've been trying to nudge them if I could to elsewhere.

[Jason empathizes all too well with people who commit survival crimes]

I guess if you see them, try to go easy. Maybe even talk to them a little. They're not gonna trust anyone right off the bat but they remember how someone treats them.

[ She listens attentively, a small frown tucked between her brows as she sips at her drink. ]

You have my word, [ she promises. ]

But I would try to talk with them first in any case. We have a saying, my people: Don’t kill if you can wound, don’t wound if you can subdue, don’t subdue if you can pacify, and don’t raise your hand at all until you’ve first extended it.

I will do what I can for them, Jason, if they'll let me.

It’s a good saying.

[Even though it’s something Jason doesn’t always live by]

Pacify or subdue should be enough for most of them. It’s a lot of petty theft and vandalism and hopefully it doesn’t go beyond that. I’ve been showing them youth shelters or at least giving them a place for a hot meal for a night.

I expect they'll need more than that to solve the problem permanently, but that's good work, Jason.

[ She considers, thoughtful. ]

Are they based here in Central?

As far as I can tell, yeah. The thing about kids like them is you gotta gradually earn their trust and there might be some backsliding because of how suspicious they are about outside help. So it’s a lot of small steps first.

[Jason knows all too well what that’s like]

I will remember, and will treat them accordingly.

[ She smiles at him, slight. ]

It's good of you to help them, Jason.

[Jason feels humbled by Diana’s comment. Trying to help kids is always a personal issue for him]

I just know what it was like to be them when I was a kid.

Your empathy does you credit. And your experiences are why you're a good person to help them.

If there's anything I can do to help you in this endeavor, only ask.

[Jason bows his head slightly, still feeling humbled by Diana's words]

Thanks, Diana. That means a lot. And I don't know how much I can offer to the table with the stuff you fight but if you ever need help, I'm always open too.

I should hope so.

[ She smiles, then taps the "W" at his chest with one light finger. ]

Anyone who wears this had better be prepared to act accordingly.

[Jason laughs. The heaviness of the conversation is beginning to lift for him]

I think I got it. No lasso but I've been working on my swordsmanship.

Have you.

[ That is interesting. ]

I thought you preferred firearms?

I do but--

[Jason steps back to leave some space before summoning from thin air two double-edged swords]

The Confluence left me a couple of gifts when I landed on this Earth.

Most impressive.

[ She holds out her hands, her palms open. ]

May I?

Of course.

[With the pommels pointed to her, Jason offers both swords to Diana. They look and feel exactly how a sword that was normally forged should be. The weight and balance to them were created exactly right for Jason’s body and strength. They’re also pristine and shining, as if Jason had just polished and cleaned them]

[ She studies them, hefting them to test their balance and the straightness of their blades, feeling their weight before she hands them back, hilt-first. ]

These are beautiful weapons. If you like, I could teach you how to wield them in the true Amazon fashion.

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