[As far as Jason's aware of, he and Damian were the two in their family who have interacted with Zaunites. The others haven't and at this point, maybe it was for the best to keep distance. Covers still needed to be maintained and tensions were going to be high for a while.
Damian burned whatever bridges he had built with any Zaunites and Jayce, which left Jason...]
Yeah.
[Jason's expression, tone, and body language remain a mix of neutral and casual. But internally, he's been stressed and angry about the whole situation. It didn't need to happen and yet, here they were.
Dick was always the best diplomat in the family. He's the one who knows to how efficiently ease tension. Usually with a smile at some point too. There's a reason why he's the Titans' leader and why he's usually the one who can round up most of the BatFamily.
Meanwhile, Jason's well-aware of his preference for blunt approaches. Fists, threats, and violence were what helped him navigate through much of his life.
But Dick isn't in Etraya anymore and Jason had the foundations of a rapport with one Zaunite.
Jason hates that this the hand he's been dealt but but what other choice was there? Let the powder keg explode and have the whole family get dragged into a fight that shouldn't have been started in the first place?]
[Well, joke was on Jason because Vander fully intended to put himself out there to meet more of this family and understand their dynamic better with each other. They seemed like a wild lot, and the threat would always be present because Damian didn't seem like the 'give up' type of teen.
He nodded his head at the confirmation, accepting it easily. While he would pass on the information, it was useless if no one cared about it. Still, an effort would be made.
Yet, he snorted at the absurdity of the question returned to him. He expected it, and maybe half a year ago he would have confidently said that he was but these days? He was just a guy lost in the shuffle and doing what he could to protect those he cared about. Whether they needed it or not was on them.
He lifted his tumbler to his lips and took a long sip from it.]
No. I'm not particularly a spokesman for anyone, but I know them well enough to run interference to focus their attention on me to distract from a more perilous situation. And I'll defend them. Zaunites stick together; it's been us against everyone else a long time. When you have nothing, you covet that which you do. [It was the rule of the streets, engrained and basically in their DNA these days.] I assume you know about that.
That’s Surviving Crime Alley 101. Always watch your back. Trust is hard earned. Nothing comes for free.
[All were hard lessons he learned early on as a kid. While his life is much more stable now, he still relies on those approaches. They’re how he survives as a vigilante]
And you watch the back of those who you have connection with.
[He appreciated the candor. He knew Jason understood the struggles better than most, which might have been one of the big reasons that he was here having a drink with the man rather than insisting this be done over text.
It wasn't this guy's fault his family member wanted to go rogue. Much like Zaunites, he was certain they were painted with a similar brush as this family.]
The logic made no sense to me. I've played soccer with kids that could kill with a literal look or some guy in a moody castle could blow up the city if he wasn't so morose or a near indestructible man flies around. No one yells about them, but a girl with a gun? It's unfortunate choices were made that she was the biggest problem around these parts.
[He finished the last of his finger of whiskey and set his tumbler aside.]
So, where do we go from here? We stand in our separate corners and handle our own people?
[Even with Oracle's intel, Jason knows there must be more to to Jinx's story and about what Vander's family is like. Rarely are things so black and white and even less so in places like Crime Alley or Zaun. The hextech weapon is still a concern but Jason's not interested in acting on it until there's further information and much more ideally, if they could collaborate with the Zaunites instead]
I guess so. It doesn't seem like we're in any good shape to have pints with each other for now.
[He highly doubts most of the BatFamily will be interested]
[There were plenty of details that both of them were missing about each other and their associated people. He had no doubt that the dynamics were messier than what appeared on the surface. Things were best kept behind closed doors, and he supposed that Etraya helped obscure the messier details from being discovered.]
Not yet. Perhaps in future when things settle out again, assuming that they do.
[He leaned back in his chair and shrugged his big shoulders nonchalantly.]
Not sure, honestly. It's been a busy few days, and I expect the ripples of this aren't yet fully felt by everyone. You?
Agreed on both fronts. As if missions and the fate of our worlds isn't enough pressure, we now have to wrangle those close to us.
[He wasn't certain who had the harder job in that right now. Perhaps Jason has more people to keep an eye on, or maybe it was simply Damian acting out.]
[He pushed himself to stand, gathering both of their tumblers in one hand and looked down at Jason. He did wonder about the streak; it reminded him a little of Silco though the one Jason had was far more dramatic.]
I know. He's a kid doing something stupid because he thinks it's right, or he's angry about something, or he's bored, or because he wants attention of someone. Teens aren't reasonable and thinking about consequences isn't their strong suit.
[He was reminded of Vi who took his kids on a job topside, blew up a building and led to the crack down across the Lanes. He doubted she had thought much of the consequences, but they had come knocking, and that was a decision that she would live with the rest of her life.
He walked away to fill their glasses, this time with more than before. He again telegraphed his movements so Jason could see he added nothing to their drinks before returning again to his seat. He set the one tumbler in front of Jason.]
[He took a cursory sip of his to assure Jason that it was safe. Well safe enough anyway.
He regarded the younger man for a long quiet moment to debate if his timing was worthwhile. He decided that he had enough respect for Jason to want to give the other man a heads up.]
Silco is on the move. His playbook is probably what we discussed before. That Pandora's Box is now open for real and no closing it.
[Vander huffed a noise of amusement, swirling his drink in its glass. He appreciated that Jason took the news seriously.]
He wouldn't be so obvious as to day outright. However, he dropped enough vague comments that I am certain they have made contact. Silco doesn't cook; he distributes and networks.
[Jason is absolutely taking it seriously. The timing of this the last thing any of them need]
Crane would cook. More than happy to and it wouldn't surprise me if he was already working on something before he and Silco called. Crane's also known as the Scarecrow so you might wanna keep your ears open to anything like that too.
So it is likely safe to assume that they have some sort of venture planned. What they would concoct I don't know, but I assume it would not make Etraya better in the long term.
[This was all something they should have hoped to avoid, but whatever Silco was working on, he intended to keep tabs on it. He had already made mistakes while emotional not that long ago.]
No details. It wasn't my primary concern at the time we were speaking.
[That had been in the thick of things with expecting Damian to make a move against Jinx. He had been considering his options on that more than anything else.]
Maybe look into your Crane guy and see what he is up to.
We will. We don't trust him to leave him alone. He's the type who doesn't like to gets his hands dirty unless he's sure the fight's already in his favor.
[Jason sips from his tumbler]
Shimmer and fear toxin sound like a hell of a combo.
Neither does Silco. He prefers to operate in the shadows, but I expect he is looking to create disruptions.
[Maybe if there were a few groups on the look out, they could limit the amount of damage the two could create. It wasn't as if Silco or Jinx would listen to him. Well maybe Jinx.]
Overpowered fast healing people infected by fear? With the power some people have here; it would be a rough ride.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2025-06-19 03:15 am (UTC)Damian burned whatever bridges he had built with any Zaunites and Jayce, which left Jason...]
Yeah.
[Jason's expression, tone, and body language remain a mix of neutral and casual. But internally, he's been stressed and angry about the whole situation. It didn't need to happen and yet, here they were.
Dick was always the best diplomat in the family. He's the one who knows to how efficiently ease tension. Usually with a smile at some point too. There's a reason why he's the Titans' leader and why he's usually the one who can round up most of the BatFamily.
Meanwhile, Jason's well-aware of his preference for blunt approaches. Fists, threats, and violence were what helped him navigate through much of his life.
But Dick isn't in Etraya anymore and Jason had the foundations of a rapport with one Zaunite.
Jason hates that this the hand he's been dealt but but what other choice was there? Let the powder keg explode and have the whole family get dragged into a fight that shouldn't have been started in the first place?]
How about you? Spokesperson for the Zaunites?
no subject
Date: 2025-06-19 01:02 pm (UTC)He nodded his head at the confirmation, accepting it easily. While he would pass on the information, it was useless if no one cared about it. Still, an effort would be made.
Yet, he snorted at the absurdity of the question returned to him. He expected it, and maybe half a year ago he would have confidently said that he was but these days? He was just a guy lost in the shuffle and doing what he could to protect those he cared about. Whether they needed it or not was on them.
He lifted his tumbler to his lips and took a long sip from it.]
No. I'm not particularly a spokesman for anyone, but I know them well enough to run interference to focus their attention on me to distract from a more perilous situation. And I'll defend them. Zaunites stick together; it's been us against everyone else a long time. When you have nothing, you covet that which you do. [It was the rule of the streets, engrained and basically in their DNA these days.] I assume you know about that.
no subject
Date: 2025-06-19 06:03 pm (UTC)That’s Surviving Crime Alley 101. Always watch your back. Trust is hard earned. Nothing comes for free.
[All were hard lessons he learned early on as a kid. While his life is much more stable now, he still relies on those approaches. They’re how he survives as a vigilante]
Of course you’d be all pissed about this.
[He takes another sip]
no subject
Date: 2025-06-20 02:04 am (UTC)[He appreciated the candor. He knew Jason understood the struggles better than most, which might have been one of the big reasons that he was here having a drink with the man rather than insisting this be done over text.
It wasn't this guy's fault his family member wanted to go rogue. Much like Zaunites, he was certain they were painted with a similar brush as this family.]
The logic made no sense to me. I've played soccer with kids that could kill with a literal look or some guy in a moody castle could blow up the city if he wasn't so morose or a near indestructible man flies around. No one yells about them, but a girl with a gun? It's unfortunate choices were made that she was the biggest problem around these parts.
[He finished the last of his finger of whiskey and set his tumbler aside.]
So, where do we go from here? We stand in our separate corners and handle our own people?
no subject
Date: 2025-06-20 03:30 am (UTC)I guess so. It doesn't seem like we're in any good shape to have pints with each other for now.
[He highly doubts most of the BatFamily will be interested]
How are you holding up?
no subject
Date: 2025-06-20 03:56 am (UTC)Not yet. Perhaps in future when things settle out again, assuming that they do.
[He leaned back in his chair and shrugged his big shoulders nonchalantly.]
Not sure, honestly. It's been a busy few days, and I expect the ripples of this aren't yet fully felt by everyone. You?
no subject
Date: 2025-06-20 04:06 am (UTC)Honestly, the same as you. It's gonna be a while before the smoke from the aftermath gets cleared up.
[He shakes his head]
I love them but this is a mess none of us needed.
no subject
Date: 2025-06-20 04:21 am (UTC)[He wasn't certain who had the harder job in that right now. Perhaps Jason has more people to keep an eye on, or maybe it was simply Damian acting out.]
Want another drink?
no subject
Date: 2025-06-20 04:48 am (UTC)[Jason runs a hand through his white-streaked hair. He's definitely seen better days]
Robin doesn't speak for us about this matter.
[Maybe it was obvious now but it didn't hurt to reiterate the point]
no subject
Date: 2025-06-20 12:52 pm (UTC)I know. He's a kid doing something stupid because he thinks it's right, or he's angry about something, or he's bored, or because he wants attention of someone. Teens aren't reasonable and thinking about consequences isn't their strong suit.
[He was reminded of Vi who took his kids on a job topside, blew up a building and led to the crack down across the Lanes. He doubted she had thought much of the consequences, but they had come knocking, and that was a decision that she would live with the rest of her life.
He walked away to fill their glasses, this time with more than before. He again telegraphed his movements so Jason could see he added nothing to their drinks before returning again to his seat. He set the one tumbler in front of Jason.]
But I do know this problem isn't over.
no subject
Date: 2025-06-20 01:21 pm (UTC)He graciously takes his glass once it’s been refilled]
How so?
[Jason can hazard some guesses by what Vander means but he wants to hear it straight from him first]
no subject
Date: 2025-06-21 02:26 am (UTC)He regarded the younger man for a long quiet moment to debate if his timing was worthwhile. He decided that he had enough respect for Jason to want to give the other man a heads up.]
Silco is on the move. His playbook is probably what we discussed before. That Pandora's Box is now open for real and no closing it.
no subject
Date: 2025-06-21 02:54 am (UTC)You're certain? Any mentions of a Dr. Jonathan Crane?
no subject
Date: 2025-06-21 04:32 am (UTC)He wouldn't be so obvious as to day outright. However, he dropped enough vague comments that I am certain they have made contact. Silco doesn't cook; he distributes and networks.
no subject
Date: 2025-06-21 04:53 am (UTC)Crane would cook. More than happy to and it wouldn't surprise me if he was already working on something before he and Silco called. Crane's also known as the Scarecrow so you might wanna keep your ears open to anything like that too.
no subject
Date: 2025-06-21 05:00 am (UTC)[This was all something they should have hoped to avoid, but whatever Silco was working on, he intended to keep tabs on it. He had already made mistakes while emotional not that long ago.]
no subject
Date: 2025-06-22 12:39 am (UTC)It’s always bad news when Crane’s involved. Do we have a rough idea of what the timeline is?
no subject
Date: 2025-06-22 03:39 pm (UTC)[That had been in the thick of things with expecting Damian to make a move against Jinx. He had been considering his options on that more than anything else.]
Maybe look into your Crane guy and see what he is up to.
no subject
Date: 2025-06-22 05:40 pm (UTC)[Jason sips from his tumbler]
Shimmer and fear toxin sound like a hell of a combo.
no subject
Date: 2025-06-22 09:39 pm (UTC)[Maybe if there were a few groups on the look out, they could limit the amount of damage the two could create. It wasn't as if Silco or Jinx would listen to him. Well maybe Jinx.]
Overpowered fast healing people infected by fear? With the power some people have here; it would be a rough ride.
no subject
Date: 2025-06-22 09:46 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-06-22 09:48 pm (UTC)[It was about control too.]
no subject
Date: 2025-06-22 09:51 pm (UTC)Figures. They really would be a match made in hell.
no subject
Date: 2025-06-22 10:12 pm (UTC)Perhaps. Time will tell, but we should have contingencies just in case.
no subject
Date: 2025-06-22 10:28 pm (UTC)(no subject)
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