2017.01.18 - Work And Play
Seated at the batcomputer, Batman is tapping away at the keyboard. It seems he's working on a few cases at a time with information spread across several of the computer's monitors. There's the matter of Arnold Taylor on one screen, an entry about the demon attack on a second screen, information about The Penguin and the missing jewelry on another screen and lastly a screen detailing the Dynamic Duo's encounter with the very lively tree in Robinson Park.
Robin has just come home from school; he dropped straight down into the cave and walked over to the costume vault to change. Now the Teen Wonder comes out, adjusting his cape, and walks over to the Bat-computer. "So, were you serious about a vacation, last night?" he says
He reaches to turn Batman's head and examine the work he did on the man's jawline injury last night, gentle gloved fingers barely touching the man's chin and jaw, canting the head slightly to look at it in the wash of light from the monitors. "Looks like that survived shaving OK this morning," he says, satisfied.
Batman submits to Robin's examination. He had shaved very carefully that morning to avoid disturbing the synthskin bandage. "You did a good job patching me up," he commends the Teen Wonder.
"I think you were following a lead on The Penguin's case the night the demon attacked," Batman says, pulling the entry about that incident to the larger central monitor. "I talked to Zachary. He thinks it was an accident. But I'd like you to get in touch with Omen about it anyway."
Robin gives a quick nod to Batman as he shifts to look at the monitor, folding his arms over his chest. He studies the scrolling window, and the associated pics and video. "I can certain check with Omen," he says, reaching to subtly scratch his own chin, considering the data in front of him. He quirks a smile. "Zach is going to think he lives in Gotham," he chuckles. "So how do you summon a demon by accident?"
Batman shrugs. "Magic is not my area of expertise. That's why I consulted with Zachary," he says. "He thinks someone was trying for one feat of magic and accidentally summoned the demon instead. Once it got here, the demon began searching for magic items in the vicinity, tearing apart anything that got in its way."
Robin grimaces. "I haven't read the full report yet. Did the summoner survive?"
"I don't think so," Batman answers with a sigh. "I tracked it back to a warehouse on the waterfront. There was a lot of blood. And what I think is a summoning circle." A few mouse clicks and there are pictures up on the screen. A concrete floor is a dull shade of rust, the color of dried blood. Another picture shows what appears to be a large circle inscribed on the concrete in chalk. Various symbols outline the circle, looking strange and alien.
Robin whistles softly. "Man. Even trying to follow that with my eyes gives me a headache," he say as he leans in to look, propping himself on the console. "Maybe two pages stuck together or something." He shakes his head. "Poor guy."
"If the summoner did manage to survive, then my next guess is that there was a blood sacrifice of some sort," Batman says, studying the images again despite having been there in person to see it all before. And how many times had he combed through this data already? "All the blood is human and the same DNA. But nothing came up in CODIS. However, that just might mean whoever this blood came from just isn't in their database."
Robin nods as he reads the analysis. "Well, apparently since he did it by accident, then I guess he stood in for that himself," he says as he shakes his head. The patterns on the ground and walls indicate that the end wasn't pretty or particularly quick.
The youth quirks a smile and puts a hand on Batman's broad shoulder, squeezing it slightly. "So, you never answered me about that vacation," he says, only partially teasing.
"Maybe," Batman allows regarding the nature of the blood sacrifice.
Turning his head to look at Robin, Batman asks, "Have you ever really known me to take an actual vacation?" Despite his public appearance as a wealthy man of leisure who only played at running the company he had inherited, he is a workaholic. "Or are you saying you'd like to go on a vacation?"
Robin's smile broadens. "I /figured/ you were a little loopy from getting struck," he says, shaking the man's broad shoulder slightly. "And, no, I just wondered. Getting away would be nice for a bit, but not alone." He smiles a litte at Batman, the teenager's gentle teasing borne of long familiarity.
A brief smile ghosts across Batman's lips. "Where would you like to get away to?" he asks in an amiable voice.
The Teen Wonder's smile grows just a little. "Hey, you mentioned South America. I could go for that," he says. "It's summer in Rio /right now/," he laughs.
"Rio is such a dirty city and the crime is terrible. Muggers and pickpockets always target tourists. What about Australia?" Batman suggests.
"All the animals there want to murder you. I mean, can you imagine their equivilant of Catwoman? The Koala?" Robin says. "What about the Bahamas? Don't you already have like a small island there already?"
"Yes, Walker's Cay. Supposed to be some really good deep sea fishing there," Batman says, his tone thoughtful.
"Mmm hmmm," Robin says encouragingly. "Big veranda, ice cold lemonade, fishing off the back of the boat. Nothing more relaxing than fishing."
"But what about the city?" Batman asks. He has to be practical.
"Jason and Tim can handle it," Robin says. "Or I could stay behind and make sure they are OK; We've done it before."
"But I thought you wanted to get away, too?" Batman points out. He pauses a moment, mulling over the thought of Jason and Tim minding the city. With this strange time shift, they were virtual strangers to him. "Do you think they are capable of doing it without us?" he asks, valuing Robin's opinion.
Robin looks down at Batman, knowing how hard it must be for him to even consider this. "I would not mind it, but it's more important for you. And yes, I think they can. Tim is smarter than all three of us combined, and Jason is almost as good a fighter as I am. And they'd have some help, too. I'm sure the Titans wouldn't mind giving them a hand. You have someone like Superboy on your side and things get a lot easier."
Batman nods slowly. "All right. We can take my jet to Miami then charter a smaller plane out to Walker Cay."
Robin looks... stunned, for a second, then nods quickly. "I'll let Alfred know," he says. Quick, before the man can change his mind!