cantilevers | Inbox (Etraya)

[Jason is quiet as he considers Vander’s words. It’s a reiterated warning. While Jason doesn’t entirely agree with it, he understands where Vander is coming from. Jason can’t say if the rest of his family will have the same level of nuanced understanding as he does]

And how about when Silco and Scarecrow make their move?

Silco is my responsibility. If you want Crane to also be my responsibility, that's fine too, but I expect your people would the respect to wrangle one of their world.

[He supposed that Silco had been his responsibility for a long time, and he expected he would be as successful now as he had been then. They didn't have the benefit of mutual respect these days. And Runeterra was in the balance.

He downed his whiskey in a single gulp as he thought of the difficulties that were on the horizon.]

Yeah, Scarecrow’s ours to take down. Can we cooperate then? This can’t be a solo job.

[Jason doesn’t like that Crane might be up to his old tricks again but the possibility is looking more likely. He just hopes there aren’t more obstacles along the way, like infighting]

We can cooperate yeah. I do want to ask: why is he called Scarecrow?

[It sounded like a nickname similar to his being called Hound of the Underground.]

[Jason replies with an almost casual tone. When Jason was Robin, Bruce made it a point that he memorized files of Gotham's most infamous rogues]

Apparently it started as something from his childhood. He's tall and lanky like a scarecrow. When he decided to be a freak who likes to terrorize people, he embraced the name. Obviously he prefers to scare more than just crows.

[Hmmm yeah that fit for the nickname then. He rubbing his chin with the back of his knuckles as he considered their situation. They were in a holding and observation pattern now; no point going in hot and driving the pair further underground.]

Hence why he makes a drug that can stimulate fear in people. I suppose it's nice to see he's consistent about his end goals.

[Jason snorts and gives a sarcastic toast before sipping]

Yup. When it comes to him, the question tends to be "how is he gonna do it this time?" as opposed to wondering his motives.

[He leveled a look at Jason, considering for a quiet moment.]

So... this guy has been doing this over and over, and my kid was the greater threat, huh? You sure Damian didn't just have a crush on Jinx and had no other excuse to approach her?

[Jason frowns. He doesn’t like what Vander’s implying]

Truthfully, I never even heard of your kid until both of you told me what was gonna happen.

That's for the best. She's still getting her feet here, and I want her to make friends, not enemies because she happens to have a glowing rock.

[Yeah, yeah, he knew it wasn't a rock per say. It was a power source that had a stabilized outer casing which could be harnessed and activated using old world runic symbols.]

Yeah, we’re not gonna be anywhere near that rock any time soon.

[Jason shrugs]

Not interested in more trouble.

[Vander watched Jason for a moment before huffed an amused sound.]

Closer than you think. But let's hope the future trouble around the gemstones now will remain a passive interest. Besides, I think you and I will be busy with the other problem this created.

[Jason sighs and nods. He agrees that Silco and Scarecrow are the more immediate threats right now]

How was it dealing with him the other times? What are we in for?

[He set his tumbler down on the table again and considered the question, losing himself briefly in memory as he remained pensive.]

We tried to kill each other. He won. I lost. [That was that, despite how it was so much more complicated the last time.] From what I understand, Shimmer flooded the streets, people became addicts but the compound became more refined over time. He'll keep things downwind as much as possible, secretive, likely underground.

[Jason goes quiet as he takes in those words. He remembers how Vander described their former relationship as being like brothers. Jason understands how sometimes, the most bitter relationships are the ones that used to be the most loving. He knows how one could be driven to even kill their loved ones.

Jason wonders if Vander’s sense of tribalism is partially out of guilt for how thing turned out between him and Silco]

This is gonna take a few hands then.

[He appreciated that there were no particular follow up questions about his explanation about how things had gone the last time. He made a point of not mentioning his adoptive sons. Why? Jason was adopted along with his brothers. For him, it was no different than if the boys has been by blood.]

No doubt. I know his tactics to a degree, and I can draw him out.

Stealth, recon, and working in the dark are the family specialties. We can make this work.

[Jason is arguably one of the tanks in the family but even his stealth skills are sharp]

If or when, we do take action, we’ll need gas masks or rebreathers. I know you mentioned the trenches but fear toxin is not something you wanna take your chances with.

Yeah, I suspected as much with the whole... bat aesthetic you all have going for you and from what I've seen. Perhaps best we avoid a direct confrontation.

[Crane and Silco would potentially have hired muscle which would be fine to take out, but the men themselves? Probably breakable.]

Probably not. I break things when I'm scared.

[Jason huffs out a laugh. It’s not out of mockery but out of camaraderie]

Yeah, same. I’ve been hit by that stuff before. It’s a trip to hell and back.

[He huffed amusement, though his smile was tight.]

Shimmer can be described similarly. Best and worst experience all rolled into one. I'll see about a filtration mask. Never thought I'd wear one of those.

At this point, it's hope for the best but prepare for the worst.

[It's almost one of the BatFamily's mottos]

Considering the apparent peace of this place, I happen to agree. There is nothing quite like preparing for a future fight.

[He had prepared a lot for many fights, gotten soft in the child-rearing years and now seemed to be back where he was before. Surely that was a sign.]

You consider us good then? You'll give me a heads up on rumblings from your side?

[Jason nods as he finishes his tumbler]

I'm good if you're good too. We'll try to keep each other in the loop.

[He nodded his head, making a point of downing the last of his whiskey and tapping the bottom of the glass on the table.]

Call me if you need anything, alright?

The same to you.

[Jason starts to get up]

I hope I'm allowed to drop by again.

Inbox (Etraya)

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