2017.01.07 - It May Be The Start Of A Beautiful Friendship
It is another cloudy and cold winter night in Gotham City. Fog adds an extra layer of mystery and danger to the streets. For once the wind is quiescent. Despite the weather, it's a typical Friday night in the heart of the city. Several clubs are open as are some restaurants and a coffee shop which does a brisk evening business.
Atop Wayne Tower is where the Dynamic Duo are lurking. Batman stands near the edge of the roof and gazes down to where the street lights are dim glows shrouded by the fog. His figure is mostly hidden by the dark cape he wears.
Robin's bright costume is certainly in contrast to his mentors, but he's no less a stern figure overseeing the city. He crouches at the edge of the ledge, overlooking the streets below for signs of trouble, his shorter cape rustling in the stiff wind.
With the weather merely cold, rather than rainy as well, the youth known as Ganymede has flown into the heart of Gotham City, his dark costume mostly blending with the night sky, meaning that few people should notice his passage, from the streets. Eagle eyed and on the look out for the one who had summoned him, Ganymede finally spots, not Batman, but Robin, seeing the yellow of his cape, and heading toward it, moving at a slower pace once he reaches visibility, slowing to float a dozen feet or so away from the duo. He's wearing his costume, again, black and silver, looking more closely tailored since Bruce saw him last, his long curls loose and drifting slightly as he slows, his smile warm and inviting. He doesn't speak, waiting for the pair to start the conversation.
The Dark Knight nods at Ganymede and waits silently, the rooftop breeze stirring his cape about him.
Robin flashes a friendly smile on seeing Ganymede approach. "Costume is looking good," he says as the boy drifts closer. He stands up straight, his smile faltering as a pained wince passes over his features.
"You're injured." Ganymede says, almost instantly, looking like he wants to rush forward and lend aid... but holding back a little. He knows how Batman felt about it... he doesn't want to push things or assume with his companion. Looking from Robin to Batman, he raises his eyebrows. "What happened?"
"The same thing that always happens in our line of work," Batman answers without elaborating. Night after night of the two of them fighting crime on the streets of Gotham is bound to result in some injuries sometimes.
Robin starts to answer, then merely nods at what Batman says. Up close... it's obvious that a little theatrical makeup has been applied to cover up or diminish the Teen Wonder's facial bruises and cuts - after all, the illusion of invulnerability is almost as good as the actual power. To all outward appearances he looks fine, but someone who can read movements can tell he's bandaged heavily across his ribs under his costume.
"Let me... Please, step back from the ledge, and I can safely heal you." Ganymede states softly, moving to land on the rooftop a moderate distance from the ledge, grey eyes concerned.
Batman takes a few silent steps away from the edge of the roof. He watches Ganymede the whole time, too. But whatever he might be thinking or feeling remains a mystery known only to him.
Robin steps back off the ledge, and stands with his arms folded over his chest. He glances at Batman, then back to the teenaged Amazon. "Thank you," he says to Ganymede.
Moving toward Robin, Ganymede tilts his head back slightly to look up at the other youth, smiling slightly. "I must touch your skin." He says, softly. His English is much improved, his accent fading a little more every day, as he learns how to properly speak the tongue.
Batman merely watches in silence. He had been through this already himself the previous night so he knew what to expect. However, that did not lessen his alert stance.
Robin takes off one of his green leather gloves and holds out his bare hand to Ganymede. He glances to Batman with a slight smile, then looks back to the young Amazon.
Before taking Robin's hand, Ganymede looks to Batman. "Do you wish to bind me again?" He asks softly, seemingly unoffended by the idea. It's not something he's looking forward to... but he wants everyone to be comfortable while he works.
"Do what you need to do," Batman answers Ganymede. The offer of assistance did seem genuine and the Dark Knight was going to take it at face value this time.
Robin raises an eyebrow and glances at Batman, but stays quiet. If his mentor wants him to know, then he'll be told.
Nodding slightly, Ganymede reaches out to take the Teen Wonder's hand between both of his, holding it gently. His hands are soft, warm despite the cold air. The soft glow of a full moon behind clouds seems to surround the joined hands, suffusing Robin with warmth and a sense of well being. It takes several minutes, but the aches start to fade, bruises fading from purple to green, to yellow... and then almost entirely disappearing. Ganymede's eyes are closed, lips moving faintly as he shares his Gods' given powers with Robin.
Batman watches Ganymede and Robin, the sensor suite in his cowl actively scanning them both while the healing proceeds.
Robin tenses, then feels the warmth flooding through him, and he stands there while he feels his wounds knit and his aches disappear. When it's done, he steps back and puts his glove back on, then tentatively does a standing backwards flip. Landing perfectly, he grins over at Ganymede and then Batman. "That is amazing!" he says.
The sensor, should it somehow monitor magic, might pick something up. Otherwise, the only anomaly is that both boys heart rates seem to be perfectly in sync while the power is being used, slow and steady. Ganymede smiles, looking slightly fatigued, as if he had been working out, or something of equal effort. A moment later, he seems restored to himself, his smile brighter. "It is a gift from the Goddesses." He agrees, tilting his head, curls falling to mostly cover one eye.
"It is an amazing gift," Batman concedes. He takes in Robin's upright posture after the back flip and nods at Ganymede. "Thank you."
Robin looks like he could take on the entire criminal community of Gotham by himself, almost bouncing on his heels he's so full of energy. He smacks one fist into his palm. "Okay, I can't wait to get back into action!" he grins.
There's a soft laugh from the teen Amazon, and he looks from Robin to Batman, bowing his head slightly. "I am happy to have helped." He says softly, eyes lingering on Batman curiously. "Have you sustained new injuries...?"
Batman shakes his head. "No, I'm fine," he replies. And he really means it. He is in the peak of health at the moment.
Robin grins at the Dark Knight, then offers his gloved hand to Ganymede. "Thank you, again," he says. "And I hope you'll consider my offer to join the Teen Titans."
"I... am not a Titan?" Ganymede asks, finally, looking more than a little perplexed. "I am an Amazon." He takes Robin's hand, though, squeezing it gently, as is the new custom, as Diana explained it. He's very, very careful with his strength.
"Not the Titans as you might be used to," Batman tries to explain to Ganymede. "But you would probably fit in well with them."
Robin flashes a smile. "It's an alliterative thing; it's just the super group name," he says. "I'll fill you in, later." With that, he looks to Batman, eager to continue the night's patrol.
“I will consider it." Ganymede states, seriously. He smiles at the duo, lifting into the air. "I must return home. Io is a harsh weapons master, and she will not respect that I have been out so late." And then he's gone, a little pop of air the only reminder that he was even there.