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[From here]
I can't imagine. I've had injuries but my spine has been relatively okay by comparison. Fucked up my pelvis something fierce when the building fell on me, a lot of broken bones and thought I was losing my hearing. That last one was my nightmare scenario.
Strangely, this might end up being the opposite of a self destructive stunt. He might be proud of you.
I know I should. The problem has always been the explanation. I got sliced to shit by a ninja a long time ago and even ten years on, the scars are still there. I can't explain that to a normal doctor. There's no surgical uniformity to them that might come from medical procedures and "fell in a woodchipper" seems like it'd prompt questions.
I can't imagine. I've had injuries but my spine has been relatively okay by comparison. Fucked up my pelvis something fierce when the building fell on me, a lot of broken bones and thought I was losing my hearing. That last one was my nightmare scenario.
Strangely, this might end up being the opposite of a self destructive stunt. He might be proud of you.
I know I should. The problem has always been the explanation. I got sliced to shit by a ninja a long time ago and even ten years on, the scars are still there. I can't explain that to a normal doctor. There's no surgical uniformity to them that might come from medical procedures and "fell in a woodchipper" seems like it'd prompt questions.
You need to find a way to come here at least once. I can even arrange the wedding to happen in New York but you need to meet Alfred, and Leslie - the doctor - so you can find someone closer to you to handle emergency medical scenarios and keep their mouth shut. Anything too dire, we can transport you but there's a lot of room between what you can handle yourself and 'you need surgery and an MRI'.
He will probably ultimately be proud of me and happy about it. He'll just need to see and hear that first hand. Fortunately, it's Superman. Knee jerk responses aren't typical for him. And you can probably work in teaching him a thing or two about grounding his senses at some point.
He will probably ultimately be proud of me and happy about it. He'll just need to see and hear that first hand. Fortunately, it's Superman. Knee jerk responses aren't typical for him. And you can probably work in teaching him a thing or two about grounding his senses at some point.
It's not that far from New York so I can manage that with a little time to figure out train schedules. I hate flying because of the pressure changes on my hearing so I tend to avoid that where possible. I feel some measure of guilt when I'm not out at night but I recognize that there are times when I can't be and I can accept that so I can travel. This is usually the part where I say I'm fine and say I have an order of nuns who can take care of me discretely but I recognize that doesn't carry a lot of weight.
That's understandable. It's kind of a big bomb to drop on someone as a surprise. I've never had to teach anyone that part before. The guy who taught me was an asshole so at least I know I'll be nicer about it.
That's understandable. It's kind of a big bomb to drop on someone as a surprise. I've never had to teach anyone that part before. The guy who taught me was an asshole so at least I know I'll be nicer about it.
It carries plenty of weight. It's not enough and there are gaps that I'd like to fill to the best of my ability and that you'll allow, but it's not without weight. Most of my basic medical care comes from a retired special services butler or myself. I just also have someone who can prescribe antibiotics and has hospital privileges. That's something I'd like to work out for you if I can.
We're still both going to end up bleeding to death in a gutter - if we're lucky.
He just needs some guidance in finding something that's not relying on me or his parents.
We're still both going to end up bleeding to death in a gutter - if we're lucky.
He just needs some guidance in finding something that's not relying on me or his parents.
The issue was primarily a need for anonymity rather than my self destructive tendencies and not having a good lie for strangers. I can only be 'mugged' so many times or fall down so many stairs before the stories stop adding up. A friend once worried the bruises was a sex thing and even that fell apart pretty fast when the real injuries piled on. Accepting help isn't my strongest suit but I'll do my best not to bitch too much about it and take what's being offered. For the minor things, I'll retreat to my overstocked first aid kit and do my own stitches but if it's more, I'll allow it.
I always assumed it'd be in a dumpster for me. A gutter is probably a step up in the world.
I understand that. I don't know where I'd be if I had to figure out all of this on my own.
I always assumed it'd be in a dumpster for me. A gutter is probably a step up in the world.
I understand that. I don't know where I'd be if I had to figure out all of this on my own.
The good news is, doing your own stitches is so standard for me that even my occasionally overbearing ass isn't likely to protest. As for explanations, I've had good luck with both sex and extreme sports as an explanation - and both are true enough, and solidify my reputation.
Make-up also helps but that would be a rough one for you to pull off.
Thank you.
Make-up also helps but that would be a rough one for you to pull off.
Thank you.
I also like to think I do good work. Straight stitches, clean. So there's that. Yeah, you can get away with the extreme sports explanation. That doesn't so much work for me; no one's going to buy that I went skydiving for the view. I can see how that would lend well to a playboy reputation though.
Yeah, that's one of those things I can't manage. People do tend to look the other way with injuries that they attribute to disability but after a while, even the innate desire of people to not be perceived as rude stops working.
Of course. I know the value of help with that.
Yeah, that's one of those things I can't manage. People do tend to look the other way with injuries that they attribute to disability but after a while, even the innate desire of people to not be perceived as rude stops working.
Of course. I know the value of help with that.
If your work that's good, you should start doing my stitches. [ That's a joke. His are messy, Alfred's are messy. His because he doesn't care and can't always reach. Alfred's because Bruce is impatient and cranky about it.]
The reasons are mostly skiing and rock climbing - sky diving I stay away from. Batman's too known for heights and dropping from them.
If I get a reputation for abusing you, I'm going to be annoyed.
The reasons are mostly skiing and rock climbing - sky diving I stay away from. Batman's too known for heights and dropping from them.
If I get a reputation for abusing you, I'm going to be annoyed.
My dad taught me when I was a kid. When it was just him and me, he needed someone to do it because hospitals were too much money and we didn't have it. I had a lot of practice on his brows and face, which necessitates straight and as small as necessary to close the wound. He could take a punch but he paid for it.
That's a good call.
If you mean in the public eye, I'm not well known so I can just start a brand new cycle of excuses since they'll appear fresh. Also, I presume that if I'm 'mugged' then there's some way to use that. The people who were once most concerned about my bruises either know now or are dead. I think Kirsten just believes I'm in a blind underground fight club.
That's a good call.
If you mean in the public eye, I'm not well known so I can just start a brand new cycle of excuses since they'll appear fresh. Also, I presume that if I'm 'mugged' then there's some way to use that. The people who were once most concerned about my bruises either know now or are dead. I think Kirsten just believes I'm in a blind underground fight club.
Edited 2025-08-13 15:49 (UTC)
I'd claim I don't remember when I learned, but the nearest thing I have to a 'super power' or enhancement is my memory. I was 15 in London and actually was mugged and didn't care much then, either.
I mean the public. No one who knows either of us would believe it privately - and if they do, I have bigger problems than the press. We can use you being an apparent victim of crime very well, I think.
Kirsten isn't entirely wrong.
I mean the public. No one who knows either of us would believe it privately - and if they do, I have bigger problems than the press. We can use you being an apparent victim of crime very well, I think.
Kirsten isn't entirely wrong.
When did you start training?
I've never had to float a lie to the greater public about why I have a bruise on my jaw so starting from scratch on the revolving wheel of excuses will work fine. As much as it annoys me, I recognize that I make a convenient 'victim' for those sorts of narratives if I choose to lean in.
Not entirely.
I've never had to float a lie to the greater public about why I have a bruise on my jaw so starting from scratch on the revolving wheel of excuses will work fine. As much as it annoys me, I recognize that I make a convenient 'victim' for those sorts of narratives if I choose to lean in.
Not entirely.
I 'ran away' from Gotham at 14. I reappeared at 20, picked up the cowl and adopted Dick the same year at 20.
I don't like the victim narrative any more than I like pretending to be an oversexed, reckless drunk, but when the narrative is convenient it's worth keeping. Especially when it's mostly false.
I don't like the victim narrative any more than I like pretending to be an oversexed, reckless drunk, but when the narrative is convenient it's worth keeping. Especially when it's mostly false.
And I presume all of this training happened when you were gone? I started when I was nine.
It annoys me more as part of the perception of disability but I also recognize all the ways that I use that to my advantage, so it does often feel like talking out of both sides of my mouth to complain about it. It's what it is, but sometimes it's trying to go through life having to pretend to be something you're not. As I'm sure you well know.
In any event, I'm going to start dropping the "oh, I can't make plans, I've been talking to someone" on people in the office. No names yet. Building the story. How should I say we met?
It annoys me more as part of the perception of disability but I also recognize all the ways that I use that to my advantage, so it does often feel like talking out of both sides of my mouth to complain about it. It's what it is, but sometimes it's trying to go through life having to pretend to be something you're not. As I'm sure you well know.
In any event, I'm going to start dropping the "oh, I can't make plans, I've been talking to someone" on people in the office. No names yet. Building the story. How should I say we met?
Then you're working with at least as much experience as I am, and with less support. Though I was doing a lot of martial arts from seven, in an attempt to impose some control on me and give me an acceptable outlet. I was a terrible child.
That's a good question. Where would our public lives intersect? Where does your public persona go besides work and court?
That's a good question. Where would our public lives intersect? Where does your public persona go besides work and court?
I know a thing or two about being a terrible child. I have the five year running record for Hail Mary's at St. Agnes orphanage and a discipline file that's an entertaining as hell read. Lots of fights I didn't start but that I finished on the playground.
I don't have much of a public persona in that way. I go to a local dive bar if I'm not doing the other things in my life and I can't imagine that you and I would meet there. You don't seem the type to appreciate a place where your shoes kind of stick to the floor when you take a step. But that makes me a more malleable quantity in this story. You're probably better with the sort of public storytelling. I just try cases and sometimes give quotes to the press.
I don't have much of a public persona in that way. I go to a local dive bar if I'm not doing the other things in my life and I can't imagine that you and I would meet there. You don't seem the type to appreciate a place where your shoes kind of stick to the floor when you take a step. But that makes me a more malleable quantity in this story. You're probably better with the sort of public storytelling. I just try cases and sometimes give quotes to the press.
Definitively finishing fights I didn't start was part of my issue. The rest was more... variable.
I actually prefer that kind of bar, but not as my public face. Let's just say I was on a business trip and ran into you at a coffee shop. "Brucie" is aggressive enough in pursuit of a pretty face that all he has to do is have seen you.
I actually prefer that kind of bar, but not as my public face. Let's just say I was on a business trip and ran into you at a coffee shop. "Brucie" is aggressive enough in pursuit of a pretty face that all he has to do is have seen you.
Such as? Petty vandalism? High crimes and misdemeanors? What are we talking here?
That works for me. I stop at a coffee shop near the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse every time I'm in court. That's lower Manhattan so I'm sure there's plenty of good reason why you could have business in the area. Please tell me I don't have to call you that and did you just refer to me as a pretty face?
That works for me. I stop at a coffee shop near the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse every time I'm in court. That's lower Manhattan so I'm sure there's plenty of good reason why you could have business in the area. Please tell me I don't have to call you that and did you just refer to me as a pretty face?
Hair trigger temper and violent outbursts. Apathy. Defiance. Completely disrupted sleep that became Alfred's disrupted sleep. Property destruction and sometimes self-destructive, albeit scaled for a child.
If you ever call me Brucie, I'm going to be... upset. [ He hates it, thanks.] It's a way I can distinguish the persona from me, at least loosely, but I hate it. And I'd like to think we're building some kind friendship and solid working relationship.
Reasons to have been there are easy to come up with. Yes, I referred to you as pretty. You're not actually far off my type, known and otherwise, anyway.
If you ever call me Brucie, I'm going to be... upset. [ He hates it, thanks.] It's a way I can distinguish the persona from me, at least loosely, but I hate it. And I'd like to think we're building some kind friendship and solid working relationship.
Reasons to have been there are easy to come up with. Yes, I referred to you as pretty. You're not actually far off my type, known and otherwise, anyway.
Trauma does all kinds of things to us. I don't know if what you do now falls into those loose categories but at least it seems a hell of a lot more focused and useful. At least that's how it is for me.
I would never, thank you very much. That cutesy shit is...not for me. Similarly, only my dad, Stick and my priest ever got to call me Matty, so none of that. Matthew or Matt is fine. I like to think we're well on our way to that.
I drink black coffee with three sugars, by the way. If that were to come up. Real sugar; I can tell that fake shit and it tastes like chemicals to me. See, you've got me at a disadvantage still since we're not in person yet, but I appreciate the compliment all the same.
I would never, thank you very much. That cutesy shit is...not for me. Similarly, only my dad, Stick and my priest ever got to call me Matty, so none of that. Matthew or Matt is fine. I like to think we're well on our way to that.
I drink black coffee with three sugars, by the way. If that were to come up. Real sugar; I can tell that fake shit and it tastes like chemicals to me. See, you've got me at a disadvantage still since we're not in person yet, but I appreciate the compliment all the same.
No one does this without some level of trauma creating the impetus. Even Superman, though his trauma is different.
I drink my coffee black. There's only so far I'll take the facade, though you're going to get called 'sweetheart' a lot. Apologies in advance.
I can be in person by the time you get off work tomorrow.
I drink my coffee black. There's only so far I'll take the facade, though you're going to get called 'sweetheart' a lot. Apologies in advance.
I can be in person by the time you get off work tomorrow.
No, they don't. Everyone that I've met in this whole world has been just different brands of trauma in different packaging. My ex girlfriend the therapist always dropped that Faulkner quote about how the past is never dead, it's not even the past.
Yeah, you seem the type. Sweetheart is fine. I can handle sweetheart. That's usually my default endearment as well.
Alright. I imagine I'll be done reasonably early as long as my client shuts the hell up for once.
Yeah, you seem the type. Sweetheart is fine. I can handle sweetheart. That's usually my default endearment as well.
Alright. I imagine I'll be done reasonably early as long as my client shuts the hell up for once.
Oh, I'm rude. I'll interrupt if I have to. You can decide if you want an impatient call or impatient, large man in expensive shoes in your office.
Faulker seems like a good person to quote at you. “Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion against injustice and lying and greed.”
Faulker seems like a good person to quote at you. “Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion against injustice and lying and greed.”
I think I'll go with the impatient, large man in good shoes but you have to tell me what the receptionist's expression is when it happens.
I was always partial to "Because no battle is ever won he said. They are not even fought. The field only reveals to man his own folly and despair, and victory is an illusion of philosophers and fools." I think she dropped the other line on me because she picked it up in a shrink book, though, to be fair.
I was always partial to "Because no battle is ever won he said. They are not even fought. The field only reveals to man his own folly and despair, and victory is an illusion of philosophers and fools." I think she dropped the other line on me because she picked it up in a shrink book, though, to be fair.
I'll definitely provide a description. It's bound to be something interesting.
I would lose what's left of my sanity trying to date someone with a background in mental health. Or they would.
For what it's worth, my favorite is "Don't bother just to be better than others. Try to be better than yourself."
I'll see you tomorrow - and good luck with the tenants case.
I would lose what's left of my sanity trying to date someone with a background in mental health. Or they would.
For what it's worth, my favorite is "Don't bother just to be better than others. Try to be better than yourself."
I'll see you tomorrow - and good luck with the tenants case.
Edited 2025-08-13 17:28 (UTC)
Oh, I'm sure it will be. My love life seems to be a favorite topic in the office so I'm certain the whispers will be good listening.
One of Kirsten's attempts at getting me back to living some semblance of a life. When my ex started wanting to write about the vigilantes in the city and the literal and figurative masks...yeah.
I like that one.
I'm looking forward to it. Thank you. I'm hoping it's a win for the 'little guy.'
One of Kirsten's attempts at getting me back to living some semblance of a life. When my ex started wanting to write about the vigilantes in the city and the literal and figurative masks...yeah.
I like that one.
I'm looking forward to it. Thank you. I'm hoping it's a win for the 'little guy.'
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