[action] Around the garden and checking everything out...

[theshortestbird]

[He'd only been here for about a day and a half. Talking to the head instructor, dealing with filling out a class schedule, which meant he had to figure out what half of these classes even meant, and Tim was now ready to go out and explore

Comments

[worthyheir]

[Boxing class could not come soon enough. Every second he had to be near his "classmates," Damian's urge to punch something rose. Though listening to Bronson go on wasn't much better, at least he yammered in an environment that encouraged beating the hell out of something. If he was lucky, he could even take a few swings at the man himself.

So when he saw Drake strolling down the halls examining everything like a poor man's version of his father, Damian wondered if he was delusional. Surely that wasn't the real Drake, but merely a manifestation of his frustration. After all, he did enjoy pretending the bag was Drake's head...

But no, that was actually him, the annoying little gnat, in the flesh. Why must he ruin everything?]

Drake.

[theshortestbird]

[Oh dear god, what was this? The headache that had started this morning when he woke up in the still same strange area. Of all the people who could be here, it was the one who would make his life hell.

Well, he'd have to keep playing the game they'd started awhile ago.]

Damian. When did you get here?

[worthyheir]

I should be asking you the same question.

[theshortestbird]

[His lips turn into a small, twisted sort of smile.]

I arrived here yesterday.

[worthyheir]

Then I have you beaten by several weeks.

[No, everything is not a competition with him. WHy are you looking at him like that?]

[theshortestbird]

[He gives him a flat look.]

If you think coming here is a good thing, then by all means, you win. On the other hand, I was back home helping out where they needed me.

Looks like I have you beat on what's relevant.

[worthyheir]

[Drake, you manage to infuriate him like so few do.]

It wasn't as if I wanted to be taken by the time compression when I was. I had no say in the matter. Besides, I've been far more useful to Grayson than you, extended absence or no.

[theshortestbird]

[Oh, don't you dare bring up Dick.]

You'd like to think that, but you're more of an annoyance and a pest then anything else. He's stressed all the time making sure to rein you in, I don't see how that's being useful or helpful.

[worthyheir]

[Oh he can and will bring up Dick with every possible breath, and you can't stop him, has been.]

You keep telling yourself that, Drake. You just need to get over the fact that I'm his partner now and you got kicked to the curb like the outdated model you are.

[theshortestbird]

[Deep breath in, let it out slowly. Use the training Bruce had taught him. He gives a disarming little smile.]

Sure, Damian. I can imagine what Dick is saying right now; "Where's Damian? He's not even here to be my partner." He's probably realizing how much of a mistake it is, to be a partner with someone who isn't even there.

[worthyheir]

[Snarls.] I did not ask to be here! Grayson will understand that.

At least he'll notice I'm missing. He won't notice you're missing for weeks, if at all.

[theshortestbird]

Will he? I think it just would be one more strike against you.

[Smirks.] He'd notice if I was missing. That's what happens when you're family.

[worthyheir]

There are no strikes, Drake.

Considering how infrequently you check in, it will be weeks before he notices.

[theshortestbird]

You really don't know how things work, Damian. There are three strikes, then you're out.

I doubt that. He already worries when it's been a few days. So does Alfred. You really don't seem to get any of this.

[worthyheir]

I know how things work better than you. There are no strikes. There are just B--Grayson and myself.

In your pitiful attempt to prove your superiority, all you're accomplishing is showing just how foolish you are.

[theshortestbird]

No, there's not. There's Dick, there's me, there's you, and then there's Bruce. Who is alive.

[Breathe in again. He is this close to just punching him. He would deserve it.] Sure thing, kid.

[Sarcasm laid heavily on 'kid'.]