[network] @ADMIN; Arrival

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Comments

@LELRIC; audio

[armoured]

[Do excuse the interruption of a child-like voice, he's been watching and he's a little protective of Steph.]

What's that supposed to mean? This isn't the Joker, is it?

[Using someone else's tablet? Toying with Steph, seems like something he would do.]

[srsbat]

No.
But it's good to know the Joker is here.
We have some catching up to do.

[armoured]

So you're from Gotham?

[Someone from Steph's home does not automatically make them a good thing to have around, not with how bad her life has been so far.]

What's your name?

[srsbat]

If you ask her, she'll know. I can't confirm even to her right now.
This house only allows text.

[armoured]

I didn't know any of the houses did that, how does it stop you using voice or video?

[Technology is still baffling to him.]

[srsbat]

[Poor sweet Al.]

Neither will go through when I try.
If not an environmental anomaly, the house could be made of material that blocks the signals.
Computer terminals seem to have been present at one time.

private;

[armoured]

[There's a pause where Steph contacts him, before he switches to private and responds there.]

You're, uh, Batman?

[God, he feels dumb saying that name.]

private

[srsbat]

[Freaking Stephanie. HOW MANY FRIENDS DOES SHE HAVE HERE?]

Yes.

private

[armoured]

Steph's told me about you, that you're working with her.

[He hesitates, voice softening and sounding even younger.]

She's one of my best friends. Not even just here, but-- in general.

private

[srsbat]

[Bruce understands. He would commend Stephanie, but that's always the hardest thing to get out of him. Saying so might make her keep from reaching for being better.]

She's told me you're looking for the Joker.

[spoileralert]

He's okay. Probably. We can all get back to threatening him if he turns out not to be.

private;

[armoured]

What do you mean, probably?

private;

[spoileralert]

I mean he's probably Batman, but there's a chance he's someone else pretending to be Batman. I don't think he's the Joker, this would make for a lame joke even by his standards.

private;

[armoured]

Oh.

[Steph has at least told him some of who Batman is, at least enough to know he's one of the good guys.]

Do you think he might make it more complicated with the Joker situation?

private;

[spoileralert]

Definitely. It's hard to say how. I told him to talk to you about it, I hope that's okay.

private;

[armoured]

Of course it is, it's not a secret and the more people who are experienced and can help, the better.

[But he's not giving up in favour of someone else taking over.]

Mprivate;

[spoileralert]

Heeee doesn't want anyone to help. I told him to get over himself, but. We'll see.

@Mnemosyne; text; private

[bookofnope]

So you're the bat. Welcome.

private

[srsbat]

You must know Stephanie.

Private

[bookofnope]

Actually, I know the Joker. It's going to be a substantial relief for the rest of us When he realises he has his object of fixation back.

private

[srsbat]

Not necessarily.
You may all be in more danger than before if he knows.

private

[bookofnope]

You say "if" as though there's any doubt. He follows the network like everyone else. He knows.

Let me guess. This is about him hurting innocent people to get a reaction out of you.

private

[srsbat]

Yes.
I'm aware he's done so several times already with others.

private

[bookofnope]

Alas, that is usually how it goes with people who decide that protecting the innocent is their responsibility.

private

[srsbat]

Someone has to do it. No one deserves to die just because those that can, won't.