[Wayne Manor] Burning the Midnight Oil

Damian nods to himself, taking in the words of both Barbara and Alfred and considering them. He was getting a bit ahead of the game and taking a step back was perhaps a better idea? The lad resists the urge to shake his head as he cleans.

"Drake would be a good step for the data and, if you can convince him, Todd may be able to provide insight from the streets. He has a way of persuading people to talk that not even Grayson can manage."

His lips purse just a touch as he notices that Cain is closer than she had been. He isn't mad at her, but he isn't ready to repair what has been broken just yet. She had told him that they were an 'us' and then claimed that he was not like her in the same few, short sentences. Damian hadn't expected the burn of rejection from Cain of all the bats.

"If you reach out to them, I am sure there are other birds and bats you can reach out to for help." His words imply that he is not among that list. Damian shifts, placing Barbara between him and Cain like a shield. "I would like to be excused to gather some things from my room and to check in on Alfred. Would that be acceptable?"

Barbara is on the same wavelength as Alfred, just happy to facilitate and let the two start to mend what was broken. Baby steps, it will happen in its own time. She remains quiet, letting them figure these things out on their own. Her heart swells, though, knowing that this may not be as monumental a task as she had previously thought. 

"Dames, we should help with patrols once Tim and Jay have a better idea of what is going on," Barbara says innocently. Just trying to get the door open a little wider. "You know how it goes, can't be everywhere at once. I could use a chance to stretch my legs, get out of NYC for a couple nights," she adds. If they are doing it together, maybe it will be easier for him. When she had invited him to stay with her in New York, he had asked if it meant he was giving up on Gotham. Now, she wants to see if he really is. Her home is always open to him, for as long as he needs it. She will have to make sure to follow up with him, so he knows that and doesn't think she is already trying to push him out.

"Yeah, it is about time we got a move on, huh, Dames?" Barbara says, finishing up her little task. She reaches over to Cass, pulling her in for a quick side hug. "Always glad to see you. You know how to reach out to me. Maybe I'll stop by, see how Roy is doing," she murmurs to her. Just have to gently encourage. Her eyes connect with Alfred. 

"Can we talk? Something private," Babs says, knowing that might just entice the younger Bats to listen in, anyways. 

Damian holds his scowl with his fingernails, keeping it from showing on his face when Barbara mentions coming in to help Drake and Todd with patrols. Damian would rather eat his Robin costume than come back to Gotham so quickly. Even if it is because they require his assistance.

"I am sure that Drake, Todd, and Cain can cover things just fine on their own. After all, they have been doing this for so long already. I would not dare to imply they cannot hold their own." Said with all the scathing politeness of a Wayne cornered at a gala.

There is a renewed fondness for Pennyworth in Damian's chest as the man confirms he is free to move about as he pleases, but it is dimmed by the reminder that people still see him as part of this damned family. He isn't. He won't be again. This is Mr. Wayne's home. Still, there is no point in arguing it when he gets what he wants out of it. Least of all with Alfred.

"Thank you, Pennyworth. I appreciate the gift despite my departure. I am sure anything you and Mr. Fox have come up with will be sufficient." It is the closest to a compliment as one can gain from Damian. He keeps his shoulders stiff as Barbara goes to hug Cain and he walks past the two. The boy only gets a few feet before his ears pick up on Barbara asking Pennyworth for a moment of his time.

He pulls out his phone as if intending to check a message from Brown. Green eyes glance out from under his dark eyelashes as he feels Cain approaching him. An alliance. A common enemy and mission. Information is always worth gathering, but a stubborn part of him wants to snub Cain. To return what he feels was given.

Damian bites his tongue, tipping his head just a touch in both acknowledgment and acceptance. Just this once. If she makes a move he does not like, he will invoke Pennyworth's words that he can go where he wants and he will leave.

Damian's answer has her worried, very worried, but Babs doesn't show it. Too early, then. Perhaps further down the line.

"Thanks, Alfred," Barbara says instead of lingering on that. She goes with him out of the room, knowing she doesn't need to explain to him fully what is going on. He is a bright man, knows the Bats better than her even. The moment she tells him this "private" information, she is sure he will play along. 

"Is my old suit still lying around?" Barbara asks him, knowing she isn't really going to be using it any time soon... She's grown, for one, but she might be able to repurpose some of it into her pet project. "If Dames isn't going to bite on the patrols, I can try and go out on my own," she says, thinking that might get him thinking about going, if only to watch her back. "This bomb plot isn't the only one- a lot of kids have gone missing recently, good kids with no records. I mean to look into it, I don't think it is on anyone's radar's yet," she says, rubbing the back of her neck. Babs has to play this one... delicately. 

"We chose this life for various reasons... but I am worried that the various cracks are turning into chasms. If they cannot work together for a common goal, the safety and security of people who cannot protect themselves, how am I supposed to trust them as a team?" Babs asks, voicing a real anxiety of hers. She hopes she has an audience of three, not one. "I don't want to force it between them. Even Dick and I can work together, but I know it took... time. I'm scared that... these kids that need help, they don't have time," she murmurs. 

Damian's breath is controlled, silent as he listens to the conversation. He would have thought he was completely alone if not for the fact that he is so utterly aware of every move Cain makes. Still, nothing is as important as the words coming from Barbara's mouth and he finds himself scowling at the floor. To think she would go out on her own if he did not come with her! Damian knows already that his arm is twisted behind his back and his choice is taken from him.

Those green eyes turn to Cain and, for just a moment, it is there: the willingness to compromise- to put others before them and this hurt that he carries. He knows that, as a Robin, he should-

That's just it, isn't it?

He isn't one.

Though he will never know it as such, Damian has a moment of utter childishness. He lets his emotions rule him and he turns down the hall. Damian won't stay for this. He won't sit and listen about how he should work with Cain and Grayson and Drake. Todd and Brown and Thomas. The lad walks, his form retreating down the hallway.

He will gather his things from his room. He will give Alfred the cat some affection. He will wait for Barbara near the entrance until she is ready to leave the Wayne Estate.

Barbara gives a nod, not sure what else to say to the true Patriarch of the family. No matter what, Alfred has always felt more like a father to her than Bruce ever did. Sure, the latter had his moments, but... More often than not, she found herself caring for him in ways a child never should. He leaned on her, he leaned on all of them, and they were just children. 

"Thanks, Alfred," Barbara says, voice gentle. "I'll be back, okay?" she adds, looking hopeful, but still a touch defeated. How are they going to trust each other if they can't even be in the same room without knifes being thrown?

"I'm gunna help Dames, then get out of here. Just... keep me updated? Yeah?" she says, going to a different door than where she came in. She gives Alfred one last nod, then heads over to Damian's old room. Whatever help he needs, she gives it, uncharacteristically silent.

Best to just let that sleeping bird lie. 

EXIT