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[It all started because she lost a bet.]

[...granted, the final results of said bet may have been in question because she technically DID reach the reactors first. In the sense that her fellow Automata corrupted individuals had gotten there, stolen half the cargo, and brought it to her so she would know how and what to update. But then, HE had ACTUALLY reached the reactors. And, as there was no real way of determining when exactly these two separate incidents took place, the bet essentially ended in a tie.]

[She decided that tie went to him. Because, what she was about to do? Definitely didn't feel like losing.]

We interrupt your irregularly scheduled Preschool Fantasy for a very important Public Service Announcement:

Robin is the Best, Most Superior Robin to ever Robin. I concede to this fact.

[Thats what you get for not color-coding yourselves, boys, Gosh]

After all, I practically owe the kid my life. [No, she doesn't.] When I was in danger of de-rezzing from corruption complications, he stayed by my side, held my hand, and whispered words of the most gentle encouragement to help me focus and remember myself.

[Not even close to what actually happened.]

So...yeah, now you know.

[~~And knowing is half the battle!~~ ~~/cue Reading Rainbow logo~~]

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[Those few months' time growing accustomed to M'gann's telepathic connection were coming in hand right then, because Zatanna somehow managed to keep her mental thoughts clear, concise, and even with a clearly faux innocent tone.]

Actually, this is exactly what we agreed on. You win, I sing your praises publicly. Which you did, so I did.

[ He's gritting his mental teeth. ]

This is slander. Mischaracterization. I did none of that!

[ He's so offended. Didn't hold her hand, not even for a second. ]

[So maybe she exaggerated a few minor details.]

Is it really such a bad thing for other people to think you were nice to me?

Yes. Robin isn't nice. Batman and I are successful because we're not seen as 'nice.'

[ A fair point. Powerless vigilantes are effective largely because of their ability to inspire fear. Of course, that means he sees other Travelers as potential enemies -- which, given the Marks going around... ]

The Robin I know is. Very nice, in fact. And guess what? Back home? Still successful.

[There's also the part where she doesn't see everyone around her as a potential enemy, so...yeah.]

If his Gotham is anything like my Gotham? I promise you, Robin is much less nice on the job.

[ Damian has just the tone of voice to make it sound like she, maybe, doesn't know Dick as well as she thinks, equal parts haughty and pointed. ]

[Was it possible to telepathically hear an eye roll?]

I'm not a job. I'm his friend.

So?

[ Kid's not getting it. To Damian, friendship is an abstract concept. And, the way he sees it, something that's promptly set aside when a Robin is Robin-ing. ]

...what do you mean, so?

I was going to make a joke about the fact that you'll understand when you're older, but now I'm starting to worry about what you actually understand NOW.

I understand plenty.

[ Annoyance ringing through, loud and clear, a huff at the end of his breath. ]

You're the one who's not getting it.

[ Like two ships passing in the night. ]

[Where at least one of the Captains was blindfolded.]

I think Robin would beg to differ.

And I think Robin would tell you that's exactly how we operate.

[ Stubborn as a brick wall when he's sure he's right. It's simple: friendships amongst vigilantes are about business, only. Alliances. There's no other point. And they have to maintain their distance all the same.

He's never teamed up with someone outside of the family. Never known what it's like to have company over, never just sat down to have lunch or play video games on a night off with a friend. And, from his limited point of view, sequestered alone with just Dick and Alfred, and then just Bruce and Alfred, he hasn't seen them do any of that, either. ]

Then there's only one way to settle this: we ask him.

[Stubborn, meet 100% certainty. He could talk all he wanted, but she had a distinct advantage over him in this case. She knew Robin. Her Robin--in the sense that he was the Robin from her world. And her friend. Among other things. She'd fought ~~and flirted~~ alongside him in enough battles to know exactly what he would say.]

Fine!

[ A challenge. One he's going to win. She can blather on about friendship as much as she likes, but Richard would understand what he means, and agree with him.

(Or, more accurately, he'll look at the two of them and wonder what the hell they're even arguing about. Speaking entirely different languages.) ]

Ask away.

Fine.

[And since they were using telepathy anyway, rather than have to "leave" to go find him--]

Oh, Robin~

You called? [Don't mind him, he just tunes everything out when the network gets too busy and completely missed the argument.]

[ Prepare to be told, Zatanna.

Damian's piping up with a tone of voice remarkably similar to an actual ten-year-old complaining to his older brother. It'd be almost refreshing -- a reminder that he is, yes, a child -- except for the self-assured affront he's pulling. ]

She seems to believe that friendship is an acceptable excuse to compromise our -- [ His. ] -- public image as Robin and make us -- [ Him. ] -- look ridiculous in front of peers and could-be enemies.

I told her that if she tried that in Gotham, you'd have to shut her down. We can't afford to look weak.

[ He's definitely crossing his arms, wherever he is. ]

Tell her I'm right. Batman wouldn't stand for this kind of subversion.

[ Batman (the other one) could absolutely weigh in on this, even. But Damian is sure that all it'll take is Richard to settle the matter. ]

[No way kids he's staying out of this one]

[Have a scoff from her end]

Stop trying to manupulate him into answering the way you want.

Here's the short version: are we friends, and does that mean you actually treat me nicely and even have a little fun now and then. Even on the field?

[Dont you dare say "no", boy, she knows the answer she was there]

... Why is this even an issue with you guys?

[ Because Damian made it an issue. Let's be real, here. ]

Because it's important.

[ BECAUSE, RICHARD. ]

And because I'm right.

[ The right-est. ]

Because he's never going to let this go otherwise.

[...and clearly no other reason, NOPE.]

[S I G H you guys srsly...] Honestly? You're both wrong and right.

Yes, public image is important. But that doesn't mean we have to go around scowling at every living thing we come across. It's more unsettling to see a kid being on good terms with the Batman since that can send across a couple of different messages. Said kid is close to the most terrifying man in Gotham. Hurt the kid, the Batman will hurt you, or hey look, here's a kid that the Batman trusts to be out on a mission with him, joking around like this is a walk in the park. Either he's touched in the head or he's actually got the skill to back up that nonstop babbling.

Yes, Zee, we're friends. We joke around on the field but we also know when to get down to business and not just goof off. Get casual at the wrong time and someone gets hurt.

Speaking of 'public image'... you guys do realise you've just broadcasted this whole argument over the entire network, right?

[There was literally nothing he said that she didn't already know, and that she knew he knew that she knew. Thus, considering the admission of friendship and agreement from her perspective...she grinned in triumph.]

Told you.

[Worried about the fact that their argument was public? Not in the least.]

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