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brooklynislandgirl · 11 months

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Batman vs Superman?

Consider It A Challenge || Accepting

As far as questions go, this is one of those universal ones endlessly debated in comic shops, after movie premieres, and the entire basis of ruthless internet assassinations. The problem is that she doesn't really understand why. She knows what it is like being a billionaire with moral quandaries. There is a reason why she chose to become a Gardener. And perhaps seeing Batman's actions only highlight the doubts that come to stalk her in the darkest of hours, whether she is truly doing the right thing and how, every time she must prune a branch or pull up a weed, she makes mockery of her oath to do no harm. She is not an angel reaching for an ascension that might never come, but she doesn't think she is a devil, either. Father Vinnie would tell her if she were straying from her path, wouldn't he? Like, it's right there in his job description, being a shepherd of the Church, speaking with the authority of the Divine. As for Superman? Well, she's always made that comparison to Andy. The eternal Boy Scout, the protector and rescuer, bigger and better and stronger and faster than anyone else. But he's also not human. Can never be. There are times in those coloured pages that sometimes talk about what happens when he gets fed up. When through treachery or dismay, he turns. Then what becomes of those who look to him for mercy and protection? Maybe Lex Luthor isn't so crazy after all, a necessary evil that she can too easily also empathise with. She hates the one Justice League movie or whatever because the entire premise was built on the back on an idiot plot. Snyder should be ashamed of himself making two heroes fight to the death because they couldn't have a reasonable five minute conversation, and none of their friends seemed to be in on it either. Their agencies as people and as heroes was robbed of them. Plus Jessie Eisenberg? Now THAT is a joke. But maybe she's looking at it the wrong way. Maybe it has nothing to do with a battle of supremacy between DC's flagship heroes. Maybe the question is just which one she likes best. And the answer is simply...neither. Oh she loves Martian Man Hunter. And Constantine. She loves Barry Allen and Hal Jordan. There's Doctor Mid-Nite and Rorschach, Raven and Beast Boy, Dr Manhattan. Solomon Grundy and Gorilla Grodd. Jonah Hex and the Phantom Stranger. There's the Endless, whom she loves one and all. But really? Deep down in her heart of hearts, there's only two superheroes that she can truly love, support, and may have written fanfiction about. "Neiddah. My heart is torn between my two bes' ali'i. King of Atlantis- Aquaman aka Art'ur Curry... an' my truest love in comics, King Shark. Our god-prince, Nanaue."

#Mahalo!Nonnymouse <3333 #She's Talking to Angels {Bethisms}#Nanaue is actually part of Hawai'ian Mythology. How can Supes or Bats compete?#And unfortunately -- NO #she will NOT share the fanfic #Making Wishes on Passing Cars|Answered Asks

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bat-losers-inc · 5 years

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Collisions in the Dark (Ch 18): Prophylaxis

Summary: Damian plays devil’s advocate to Tim’s cause in order to help him see his grandfather’s endgame. Afterall, who better to help Tim stand up to Ra’s al Ghul then an al Ghul himself?

Chapter Notes: Prophylaxis: A strategy that frustrates and protects against an opponent's plan or tactic for fear of the consequences.

“History is painted by the winners. Keep your paints wet. Trust me, I have things to say.”— “Landscape with Several Small Fires”, Richard Siken.

When Tim pushed himself out of the nest of blankets he’d made in the center of the bed, the sun was already setting over the rooftops across the street. Tim shoved a pillow against the headboard and propped himself against it. He twisted his watch around in his wrist and examined the time. Despite sleeping for nearly twelve hours or more, Tim’s limbs still felt heavy with sleep.

A brown paper bag was tossed into the space between Tim’s crossed legs. Tim’s eyes flashed up to Damian, slouched in the same chair from the other night, now pulled to the end of Tim’s bed. The younger boy’s eyes were fixed on him, head resting against his fist, looking bored.

Tim unrolled the top of the paper bag and peeked inside to examine the contents. A bottle of water and a baguette sandwich. Tim’s stomach growled at the sight of food and he had the sandwich unwrapped and was tearing into it in an instant.

A hand seized his wrist, effectively stalling him.

Tim blinked up at Damian, who’d moved all at once from the chair to the middle of the bed.

Tim spoke around a large bite of sandwich, his words muffled. “What?”

The younger boy gave his wrist a squeeze. “The only thing you’ve consumed in the last sixteen hours was two shots of vodka. Eat slower. You’ll only make yourself sick.”

Tim nodded, eyeing him warily. He shook Damian’s hand off his arm, and went back to his sandwich, slower this time. He stared down at his sandwich, taking the time between bites to process that information. Damian had seen him at the bar, Tim had to assume that he knew about Slade and the deal Tim had made as well.

“Why are you being so nice to me?” He eyed him beneath his lashes. “Buying me food. Watching over me while I sleep? Our relationship was never at that level. When did we suddenly become this.”

He gestured vaguely between the two of them.

Damian shrugged and picked at the upholstered chair. “I should have been the one to go on that mission, but you took my place and gave Ra’s something you knew he couldn’t pass up. In doing so, you increased the risks ten-fold. I owe you, but I couldn’t give you the help you really needed in Gotham… not when everyone was so busy trying to keep you safe and righteous. Now you’re here. You’re doing what you need to do to survive, even if that means cutting your ties and playing dirty. After I’d found out you’d left Gotham, I knew this was when I’d finally be useful to you.”

His words settled uneasily inside Tim’s stomach. There was something almost eager in Damian’s voice, like he’d been restless to offer his aid to Tim and was glad that the time had finally arrived. Tim had never thought about how all of this might have made Damian feel. He didn’t think the boy would want to be involved.

Tim pinched the bridge of his nose. “What is it exactly, that you think you can do for me, batbrat?

“Ra’s may be my family by blood, but you, Dick, Bruce, you’re the family that I chose. I chose to follow Bruce’s rules when I came into this family, but it’s never as simple as all of that. I was raised to follow in Ra’s al Ghul’s footsteps… to be a merciless killer, and every day it’s a struggle not to act on those instincts.”

Tim swallowed, mouth dry. Who was this boy that was exposing himself to Tim? He was so unfamiliar to the boy Tim had known two weeks ago. Tim looked Damian in the eyes and felt like he was looking at a kindred spirit, someone else with a war raging under his skin.

Damian leaned forward in his chair. “Bruce likes to simplify the world into black and white, but you’re stuck in a gray area. Forget what other people think, the only right and wrong is what you decide. This is affecting your life. You’re allowed to choose for yourself and whatever you choose, I’ll help you.”

Tim swallowed, mouth dry. “Even if I decide to kill him?”

Damian inclined his head. “I’ll follow you, but you should know that that’s not the right decision.”

Tim wanted to laugh. “Says who?”

Damian was quiet for a moment.

"Why do you think he’s doing it?” he asked Tim. “Sending the photos? Calling you? Coming here?"

He sounded like a teacher prompting a class into discussion. Like he knew the answer that Tim didn’t and was guiding Tim in the right direction. Tim decided to play along, willing to let an uncommon event such as this play out, if only to see where it went.

"He's trying to distract me so I'll make a mistake." said Tim.

"Exactly," grunted Damian. "He knows that your emotions are your weaknesses and he knows that you know that as well.”

“If he knows, then why do it? He knows he won’t get a rise out of me that way. Why not just change strategies?”

“Because he’s getting exactly the results he wants by playing it this way.”

Tim squinted at him. “How so?”

“Let’s run the scenario through a bit further… Ra’s wants you to be emotional, so what do you do? You stomp those emotions down, stop patrolling, lock yourself in the manor so you can think of a way to defeat him. But you're going up against the world's most notorious villain, who can you rely on to help you? Whose strong enough? None of your friends, that's for sure. So you start conspiring with villains like Deathstroke. Villains who share Ra's’ sociopathic-mindset. And the more you start to think like him and fight like him the more you start to become him."

"I wouldn't let that happen. I'm not like him." objected Tim, but the logic made sense. Damian’s theory was clicking into place.

"Oh no, not yet you aren't." Damian's smile was cold. "But there's a very fine line comprised of morals and friendships that separates you from him. But not everything has unfolded yet. So let's keep going..."

He tapped his fingers on his chin like he was thinking over his options.

"Let's skip to when Batman finds out who you've been working with, because we all know he's going to eventually. Ironically, it'll play out just like that little lie you spun for Grandfather that got you into this mess in the first place. Except this time, it will be for real and when Batman disowns you you'll have nobody to help you— and I mean nobody— not Jason, who despises you; not your family, who's been sworn against aiding you; and not your friends, who you've separated yourself from for so long you barely know them anymore. And then you'll be easy pickings: either you'll come to him willingly or he'll snatch you up. And then that's it... You're his.”

“Last night, Tim… that was a precursor for what's about to come."

Tim stared at him, the full weight of Damian's words sinking in, and he realized that he was right. Ra's was playing Tim like a flute.

"I thought I was the tactician in the family." He grunted more than a little afraid of this side of Damian. Tim thought it must be the al-Ghul side of him.

It was confirmed not a second later when Damian replied, "Grandfather might call you 'Detective' but I’m an al-Ghul. I've watched him defeat men without ever lifting his sword. I know how it’s done. And trust me, I've thought about ruining you many times in the past."

"Then what can I do? It's hopeless." sighed Tim, shoving his food away from him brutally. He didn’t have much of an appetite after that revelation anyway.

Damian crouched down in front of him so that they were eye to eye. It was an unnerving sight. "Stick with the people who make you you . You face your fears,Tim… You face Jason."

Tim tore his eyes away and stared into his lap. His fingers played with the oversized t-shirt he wore, stolen from Jason’s apartment.

"Jason hates me," said Tim, "He'll be more inclined to gut me on sight than help me. Even against Ra's."

"As much as he despises you for your past choices, Jason could never hate you enough to send you back to Ra's. Jason doesn't know Ra's like you and I do. He assumes Ra's will lose interest eventually. He’s wrong."

"It's a sentimental thought but what would winning his pity do for me?" asked Tim.

"Win Jason back to your side and you'll have strayed far enough off of the path Ra's has sent you down to change the outcome.”

Tim looked up in time to catch Damian’s smile. For a second he thought he’d imagined it.

“It's all a game, Tim. Change the outcome, change your fate."

And for the first time in a very long while, Tim felt hopeful. It made Tim feel giddy enough that he had to bury his teeth into his bottom lip to keep from making some kind of embarrassing noise. He had no delusions that persuading Jason would be an easy task by any means, but he was willing to try if Damian’s theory held true.

#collisions in the dark #Tim Drake #Damian Wayne #Red Robin #robin #batman fic #batman #DC comics #ra'stim #jay/tim #JayTim #Ra's al Ghul #bat-losers-inc #LittleDarlingXOX

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ninequestions9 · 5 years

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Michael, 26, Teacher / Actor

What is the biggest frustration you’re facing now?

I would say professionally, my frustration is I’m trying to change how theater is viewed at my school. It just seems like a club as opposed to something that’s worth doing that has meaning, that can transform lives.

Personally my biggest frustration is the fact that my personal values don’t match up with my family’s values. My parents grew up in a very different time than I did and my brother unfortunately is beholden to them and agrees with them on a lot of things. I’m always seen as like the rebel or the one that has the progressive views and therefore my views are not welcome. So there’s a lot of tension in my household. We’re really not a family, you know, my dad and his brother hate each other and don’t speak. My mother and her siblings don’t speak and there was a whole lawsuit. So I don’t really have any sense of family in terms of like I have no extended family and even right now, my nuclear family….my brother doesn’t want to speak to me currently for a variety of different reasons. Mostly because he’s seeing someone. He met this girl and he hasn’t been behaving like himself and I told him he should start acting like himself and he told me never to speak to him again after that. Because we’re in this group chat with this fantasy football thing and he added her to the group chat and Ryan was always this snarky sarcastic kind of….he was my brother and he stopped acting like himself so I said “Ryan, why aren’t you acting like yourself?” Then he said “Please don’t speak to me ever again.” So that’s my personal frustration. And it sucks because that relationship with my brother meant the world to me. We were very close.

It’s hard because as the oldest sibling you’re expected to…like Ryan’s always the easy going one and to my parents, you know, I’m the problem. So it’s “How dare I say that.” And while any time I’ve ever dated anyone they didn’t really like or I wasn’t acting like myself they, of course, yelled at me. So the consistency is off. My parents criticize me a lot and I’m under the microscope all the time and my brother can do no wrong. So it’s hard.

2. What trait do you wish you most had?

Better time management. I think it would help me better with my career. What makes me a good actor is that I can live in the moment and that’s what makes me a good teacher because I’m here, I’m present and I’m with you. But I’m always late for everything. I’m always going to be five minutes late. I’m one of those people. I actively try not to be five minutes late and I am somehow two minutes late. I just over schedule. I take on too much. I’m always giving a piece of myself. Whether it’s like I have a meeting period six, but it’s lunch and a student comes in and is like “I need you,” I’m like “Alright I’m here! I’m with you!” And my supervisor tells me this all the time: you need to take more time for yourself. Weekends, weekdays, lunch, I’m always there for my kids, for my students, for my friends so I have a very poor sense of time management.

3. What are 3 characteristics you look for in a friend?

Loyalty, someone who gets my sense of humor, and kindness and compassion.

4. What makes you feel brave?

For a while it was my sheer will. Like “I just have to get through this.” Which is why my favorite super heroes are Batman and Dare Devil because….especially Dare Devil. I super identify with Dare Devil because his whole thing is he gets knocked down, he gets back up, like, why does he keep getting back up?

But I think it’s my friends and the people I care about that make me feel brave. That’s what motivates me to get back up, to get hit again.

5. What makes you feel vulnerable?

That’s a hard question for me as an actor because my job is to be vulnerable in every role I do. So everyone gets to see my deepest pain, my deepest fears, my deepest love, but through someone else. So I would say art makes me feel vulnerable; singing, expression makes me feel vulnerable, but you’ll never know that it’s me. In terms of being truly vulnerable, I would say safety. Someone I can trust makes me personally feel vulnerable. They can see my deepest pain is what it is. I tell my kids this all the time: your job as an actor is to be honest, open, vulnerable with a character, but no one will ever know what your pain is. They’ll see the pain, but they won’t know it’s yours. They’ll see it as the character’s. So that’s how I’ve been my entire life just sharing my pain through the characters I play. For someone to recognize what that pain is in my life, it’s trust, it’s safety.

6. What was your proudest moment?

When my students grow or when I see them become people and embrace their talents. For example, I have this one student that hated reading, he’s a senior so he’s done with high school, the whole thing. I showed them The Truman Show before we started reading “The Stranger.” He watched it and he was like shooketh by the movie! He’s like “Hey Mr. B I really want to read this book cuz I love the movie.” And he read the book and he participated! This was a kid that played games most of the time in class. So that was a proud moment.

I have this one student, she’s Thelma [in the school production of Chicago] and she has so much anxiety. When she believes in herself, that’s when I feel pride because….when you see someone who’s so insecure about themselves and struggling, because you know high school kids, especially today, have a lot to deal with, so seeing her find herself, even in the briefest moments makes me proud because I’m helping. So that makes me proud. Being there for other people and seeing my influence. Well, it’s not me, it’s them. It’s more knowing that I was there to help them along the path and help them be the person they were always meant to be.

7. Who is your role model / hero and why?

My dad. Its funny because all the super heroes I idolize it’s because of the will, if you know what I mean. That’s my dad. He spends most of the time getting beaten down by life and he always got back up. He provided for his family and always made sure that we were taken care of. I am who I am because of him, so yeah, he’s my hero. That’s what he gave me. I hope to be half the man that he is. He provides for his family, he takes care of his wife. He’s supremely loyal and he’s a good looking charming guy. He never strayed. He always had a good internal moral compass and that’s something I try to emulate. He tries to instill that in his sons. Like when you think of like “That’s a good man,” that’s my dad. He’s a good man. He’s not a great man, but he’s a good man. And he loves his kids and he loves his wife. That’s a hero to me.

8. What is one life lesson you’d like to pass down to future generations?

Always challenge yourself to be better. If you look at any religion, any book, anything, at the central point of it is to challenge you to be better. So my hope is that future generations challenge themselves to always be better because we will always fail, we will always be human, we will always make mistakes and the goal is to learn from those mistakes. Just challenge yourself. “You know, I messed up, I’ll be better tomorrow.” That’s all you can hope for is that you just be better. With compassion, with empathy, with being kinder. I think it’s very easy to fall into a hole where you’re like, “Well it’s all about me.” No, just be a better version of yourself to others, to yourself. I think if we all try to do that individually, that will be better for the collective common good.

9. What is your opinion of Jesus?

I went to a Catholic school for a very long time. My opinion is the current Catholicism, Christianity, has him all wrong. The man was brown, he was progressive, and he was a radical and they killed him for it. We are currently living in a country where Christianity is essentially the main religion to the point where it is infused into our laws, our society even though we say church and state separate, you know, it’s not. To me, he is a figure who is being used by many to support their own agendas and hate and it makes me sad because I don’t think that’s what he would have wanted. If you read the Bible, which I have many times for a lot of different assignments, the established Christianity is not what I feel like Jesus would have wanted. Which is why I have turned away from it. I joke that I know too much. In that, yeah, I’ve done my Bible study, I’ve read it several times and it upsets me to see where we’ve gone. Unfortunately, we’re in a time in politics where conservatives are using religion to justify a lot of hate, a lot of bigotry, a lot of things that aren’t really important. To me, Jesus was a man, depending on what you believe, might also have been God who came down and said “Let’s forgive and let’s care about each other more.” Let’s love each other. Even our enemies. I think that’s lost currently in modern day society in so many ways. I think if we could actually take the time to go back to that, it might fix a lot of the problems.

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