Summary:
November 6, 2014: Nightwing and Babs catch up before the Night Job and discuss, among other things, Robin
Clocktower - Gotham
A locally famous landmark, the Gotham Clock Tower is located in the Central Business District. Tours haven't run in years, though, since the building was bought out by a group of bird-lovers known as the Nightingale Society. Still, it's a well-known part of the Downtown skyline. From the outside it looks unused, but the clock is clearly maintained as it still runs on time, and now and again people can be seen coming and going. The bottom floor looks mostly disused, with a long hallway ending in a bookshelf full of coffee table books about birds. To either side of the hall are sparsely furnished rooms. The walls show illustrations of local Gotham feathery sorts, and charts on bird migrations. Cabinets store various bits of bird-watching equipment.
The doors to the stairs require a key card to access, probably to deter vandalism. The upper floors are only accessible by a secret elevator. The doorways to access it them the stairs have been bricked over and drywalled. On the living quarters floor, each door requires a keycard and voice recognition, except for the door to the training facility at the end of the hall, which requires palm, optical, and voice recognition. The top floor, however, is the most secure of all.
The pale glow of the four massive translucent clock-faces dominate the four compass points of the lair, casting everything in a warm light by night, and cool light by day. the natural brick walls of the buildings exterior are left visible on one wall while the others are painted a pristine white. The ceilings have recessed and track lighting, and the floors are smooth pale wood. There is a lounge area and even a kitchen, as well as other facilities here. The insulation around the top floor is meant to keep scanners and eavesdropping equipment from being able to image what's inside.
Mainframes and back-up generators line most of the walls in rooms of clear glass kept from overheating with with high-tech coolant systems. In front of one clock face is an enormous computer system laid out on a long, custom desk, lower than average, just the right height for Oracle's wheelchair. There is a command chair for use when needed, which slides on rails along the length of the desk. A huge bank of monitors are arrayed in a horseshoe shape around the desk, with the ability to form one large picture or individual smaller ones.
Characters
NPCs
- None
Mood Music:
Late afternoon in the Clocktower and Babs is in the monitoring room watching the citizens of Gotham prepare for the evening. It's not that the underworld element isn't active just that it's mostly handled, a nice situation to have.
At this time in the afternoon, The Bats too will be getting ready for shift changeover. From their mild mannered, or maybe not so mild mannered, alter ego's to their Bat Persona's and Oracle expects them to be checking is for 'work' in the near future. It's primarily for this reason, she is settling in front of her screens… to be ready when they are - to assist in keeping the streets of Gotham safe… it's what The Bats do, right?
It's about this time that Nightwing begins work. After another cup of coffee…or two, and upon finishing his classes for the day, he quickly heads home to change. Getting out of his apartment unseen isn't too much trouble as he's made certain that he has roof access and that there are no security cameras nearby. It doesn't take long to swing from one building to another…which is pretty much how he gets over to the Watchtower at this time of day. Getting dark earlier doesn't hurt either.
There's a light rap at one of the windows to announce his arrival before he slips inside. "Hey…anything on the docket from your end tonight?" Because he always tries to check, at least over the comm if not in person.
Oracle has seen Nightwing approaching, so by the time he slips through the window, she's turned her chair to face his direction. "Evening Nightwing" Babs replies before shaking her head "Nothing specific. The meta-human trafficking is the most concerning, but that's a long game." Focussing on Nightwing, Babs is momentarily silent "How is it with you?"
Nightwing nods, "That's the plan again for tonight. I'm trying to investigate as much as I can…Let me know if you get any leads?" He hasn't had much luck aside from busting a few smaller drug or arms-related outfits. All in a day's work for Gotham.
"I'm all right…can't really complain." There's a long pause before he leans against a wall that doesn't have a monitor on it. "You? Getting out some at all? Today was really nice for the hour or so we were out in the morning."
Babs nods solemnly at Nightwings words "I will, of course. There's a few different groups investigating and I'm keeping in touch with them."
Watching as he leans agains a wall, she tilts her head and at his question, and smiles "Yeah, I am, a bit. Mostly just to the coffee shop. Met a really interesting woman there the other day, Kate Kane. A bit of a socialite but she seemed nice, asked if we could keep in touch. Had dinner out a couple of times too. Oh and I got to visit Stark Industries and meet the legendary Tony Stark." Babs folds her hands in her lap "How's the academy going?"
"I've heard the name," when Kate Kane is mentioned. "I think I met her at some charity function or something like that," Nightwing offers with a shrug. "Seemed harmless." An eyebrow lifts under his mask at the mention of dinner and meeting Tony Stark, "Yeah? What was that like? And who did you have dinner with?" See? It's asked very casually. Because he's not jealous. Not at all.
"Another two months or so and I'll be done…and then it's into the force. I'll probably be stuck on traffic duty, knowing my luck."
"Kate was interesting, I liked her. Tim met her too, but he was pretty beat up and I'm not sure how much he remembers of her." Babs eyes sparkle as she remembers the Stark Industry tour "Stark Industries is just amazing, and Pepper Potts is an inspiring woman. Tony is larger than life, he was only there for a short period." realising that she's probably fangirling, Babs looks a little sheepish "Sorry, tech stuff you know. Dinner was with a new friend, Rowan." she shrugs "He's a Blue warrior, essentially an Atlantean, but he's from another Earth. He's interesting."
"Two months huh? That's not too long. Traffic duty shouldn't be too bad, different to the night job… use it to unwind."
Interesting…a blue Atlantean is 'interesting'? Uh-oh. "As long as they don't put me on night-duty…I'm not sure that they'd do that to a Rookie…but I guess we'll just find out in a few months." Nightwing looks at Oracle for a moment before looking at his gloved fingers. It never really gets any easier, does it?
"You want to get dinner sometime? I mean, I don't want to horn in on you and Rowan, but I thought it might be nice."
Babs looks at Nightwing quizzacly and raises an eyebrow "I would like to get dinner Nightwing and I'm still waiting for that coffee we discussed" Babs tone is lightly teasing. "As to night-duty, that's a bridge to cross only if you come to it." There really isn't much to say on that daytime jobs can, and often do interfere with the night job… and vice versa. It's a delicate balancing act that they all perform.
Interesting…a blue Atlantean is 'interesting'? Uh-oh. "As long as they don't put me on night-duty…I'm not sure that they'd do that to a Rookie…but I guess we'll just find out in a few months." Nightwing looks at Oracle for a moment before looking at his gloved fingers. It never really gets any easier, does it?
"You want to get dinner sometime? I mean, I don't want to horn in on you and Rowan, but I thought it might be nice."(re)
Babs looks at Nightwing quizzacly and raises an eyebrow "I would like to get dinner Nightwing and I'm still waiting for that coffee we discussed" Babs tone is lightly teasing. "As to night-duty, that's a bridge to cross only if you come to it." There really isn't much to say on that daytime jobs can, and often do interfere with the night job… and vice versa. It's a delicate balancing act that they all perform. (re)
"Coffee…" had he actually forgotten about that? "Coffee. Right. What's your schedule like tomorrow morning, early? Want to meet then? I know a couple of diners that are 24 hours and have coffee -and- pie all night!" A plus, right? "And you're right. I should just wait for that bridge when I approach it. I never really considered a day job before…I left the night-stuff for school, so…I don't know how Tim does it."
Babs quirks an eyebrow at the response she just received and laughs "Sure, tomorrow morning, early. Tell me where to meet you." Rubbing the back of her, Babs stretches her shoulders "I don't Tim is coping, just quietly. I worry about him"
"At the Town Diner. You know where that is? Let's meet there…how early do you think you can make it? Is 6am too late?" There's a moment's hesitation before Nightwing moves a little closer, "Want a back rub?" is asked with, "I worry about him too," immediately following. See what he did there? All casual. "I guess we were a bit blind when we were his age, but I don't see how he doesn't see the stress that this supposed internship is putting on him. Nevermind keeping the Robin gig -and- going to school."
Waving off the back rub offer "No thanks Nightwing, its just been a long day and I sit too much" Babs laughs at her own, silly, joke. "6am is fine and yeah, the Town Diner. I don't think I'l be doing Pie for breakfast though." Turning thoughtful, Babs frowns a little "Were we really that young? Tim doesn't see the stress and his last meeting with Batman has just made it worse. He's taking bigger and bigger risks, it's like he wants to fail."
Nightwing isn't sure he's ever been turned down while trying to flirt. He's actually taken by surprise for a moment. Is this on purpose? "Nothing wrong with pie for breakfast." He stays close by though, settling on whatever surface is closest and able to be sat upon. "We were. But maybe we had a little more sense then? I mean, I left to focus on school…" his voice trails off for a moment before, "What happened at his last talk with Batman? He didn't tell me about that."
"That's kind of what I meant, Nightwing. Emotionally, Tim's really young… so the 'sense' you mention hasn't set in yet." Blowing out a long breath, Babs looks at Nightwing as she settles again. "Tim hasn't told you… That he told Batman about Spoiler? and that whole conversation? I saw him not long after that and it wasn't pretty."
"Ah. Yes, he told me about that…and that Batman didn't quite approve…I tried telling him not to worry about that because Batman doesn't know how to do relationships." Nightwing lifts a shoulder, "I tried telling him to go for the relationship, but now he thinks he's mucked it up because she thinks he's dating you or something. It was all sort of a mess."
Nodding as Nightwing talks "Yep, that's the discussion. Bruce…." Babs sighs "has no idea how much damage he's doing there. You haven't seen the Harley footage? Let me show you, you might understand why Spoiler is angry." Turning the chair back to her screens, Babs pulls up a Youtube video of Harley on her back, Tim on top and Harleys' legs wrapped around Tim. Turning the volume up, Babs grins. "That… is why Spoiler is angry. My name got used because I was trying to help him. But honestly… " and she just shakes her head.
Nightwing lifts his mask to get a better look at the video. Once it's done though, he leans back, "She's not very smart then, is she? I mean…if she thinks that Robin and Harley are a thing…that takes a pretty major lack of common sense and a lot of jealousy to really think that of him. It's Tim…he's one of the most honorable kids I've ever known."
Quirking an eyebrow, Babs looks a tad amused "Spoiler is 18, has big trust issues and a lot of snark about her." giving a half shrug with one shoulder "It's not easy and sure, she should have more faith in Tim, but when you have trouble trusting this type of thing" and Babs motions her head to the screens "It just hurts. She hasn't thought it through at all, she's reacting with instinct to protect herself." Biting her bottom lip as she thinks, Babs then continues "But she's what Tim wants right now and that betrayal, after sticking his neck out to Batman for her" Babs expression becomes tight "is just another way of winding him tighter."
"Well, I told him that we'd try to save the relationship by going on a double date," Nightwing explains. "I figured we could talk to her about how awesome and loyal Tim is while showing that you and he aren't together. Maybe ease some of her jealousies that way." He's probably going to get hit for that. "I'd say we make him stop for a week or two, but if he's not going out as Robin, he'll be working for that Internship…which I still don't trust. Why does Batman have to mess everyone up?"
"You told Tim, we would go on a double date without asking me first?" Bab asks Nightwing quietly, "Next time, ask me first." and blowing out a deep breath "I'm not angry, just a little disappointed. Don't do it again, please. There isn't much I wouldn't do to help Tim, but it really is my choice. Besides, from I understand the young lady isn't taking Tims call, so it's a moot point at the moment." Babs let's the subject drop "And how would you propose making Tim stop? I've tried grounding him when he's been badly injured and he sneaks out. He gets the daylights beat out of him and knocked out, and he stays in hospital one night. We just have to let him go and be there when" she sighs deeply "whatever happens, happens."
"I was going to ask you…probably tonight, even…." Nightwing actually looks a bit chastized. "I'm sorry…it was the only thing I could come up with so quickly. I won't do it again." Most likely. He also changes the subject as Babs does, "So we just sit back and watch him destroy himself? Because that's what he's doing. It's like Bruce…"
Nodding at Nightwings apology, Babs makes no further comment "I'm afraid, we do. He's an adult, as he's keen to remind us. The only other option is to put him in Arkham… and I wouldn't want that. Caring for others sucks, doesn't" the redhead looks quite sad for a minute "Bruce yes, but Tims young and maybe it will give him some perspective."
"Or it will kill him. He's so…emo." Nightwing sighs, "It does suck. I just don't know how to get through to him. He's an adult by legal standards, but he's not, emotionally. I don't know if we're the pot calling the kettle black, but I feel like there's something that we could do to get through to him. I feel helpless just sitting and waiting."
Shaking her head, Babs smiles sadly "I can't see there's another way. I've spoken to him about evolving from the sidekick gig, but he's not done anything there." shrugging, she looks directly at Nightwing "It's getting late, don't you have we have jobs to do tonight?"
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