reconstruction | ETRAYA INBOX.

I don't understand why this is so difficult to comprehend.

( but look, he's taking a breath in and attempting to figure out how to dumb his explanation down in a way that connor will understand. )

The man known as Superman here is capable of far more than any normal human being. If I am correct, he could be listening to this very conversation regardless of the distance between where he is and the laboratory. He likely has more raw strength in his little finger than I have in my entire body. It would be easy for him to decimate this planet if he chose to. He has thus far not shown signs of being an active threat, but that doesn't mean he won't become one.

[he stops walking, hands hanging loosely at his sides. he understands the magnitude of power, to a point. he also understands that preparing for the worst is important. but this ...]

Do these precautions include everyone on the planet?

[he'd said metahumans. that could include a variety of people on the planet - it could include Accelerator.]

Why start now? Unless, did you always have this prepared?

( ah.

now he understands where the disconnect lies. damian, too, stops. stays a few steps away from connor, turned to face him. )

These precautions include everyone. And I hadn't just started. I have been maintaining similar plans of action since long before my arrival here, for every enemy and ally.

[he regards Damian with uncertainty, jaw set - expressing what humans would call distrust, caution. his LED spins yellow as he processes what's been said and all the implications that follow. he cycles through as many outcomes as he can without taking longer than a few seconds.]

What about yourself?

[he pauses, thinks of how Damian could respond.]

Where do you draw the line?

I have Drake and Todd if my behavior becomes erratic and uncontrollable.

( he has thought of this. more thoroughly than anyone else his age really should: if he becomes the monster he's tried so hard to avoid becoming, who will remove damian from the equation? who is strong enough, cunning enough, to remove him from play safely? grayson is always damian's first line of defense: a familiar face to go to if he's feeling off in any way. someone he can converse with safely to an extent, except grayson is also soft. he would try every route possible to save damian from himself first, even if it meant putting his own life at risk. damian can't have that. drake is the more logical choice, especially given his reliance on logic. where damian may have drake beat in skill, it's drake's mind that's his true asset.

barring that, todd understands the line damian walks better than most. if it came down to it, damian knows jason wouldn't let him become something he hates. bruce isn't a consideration. )

If they fall through, I trust Accelerator will have an alternate plan.

( but he can't answer as to where he's drawn the line, because there is no line. only further contingencies. )

Robin, [and he's using his alias pointedly, since he'd been serious about Superman having hearing that might be able to reach them. not that Connor thinks that this Superman in particular cares about what they're talking about.] I'm sorry that you can't trust people enough that you have to go to these lengths to protect yourself. You could be using this equipment to bring people together.

[he starts walking again, reaching Damian's side.]

You do want that, don't you?

( there had been the farm, with lisieux and the other children. before laura had disappeared. before things had gotten more complicated, when damian had been attempting to bring together all the youth to give them a safe space free from the judgment of adults who thought they knew better. but a significant amount of disappearances have discouraged him from attempting to bring together others; it's futile, when one cannot rely on others remaining here and cannot even guarantee they have returned to their proper homes.

his mouth twists into a scowl, one that matches the same bruce wears when he's wearing his cowl and thinking. )

»Tt«. ( teamwork would be ideal, but damian knows better than to believe in being able to accomplish ideals. ) And risk everyone's lives when others ultimately discover how to use it against us? If he becomes a concern, we'll only get one chance at this.

Statistically, even if one or two people chose to use what you provide against us, the majority of us would find a solution. We are already risking our lives here. People know what they're getting involved in by now, and we should have more faith in them.

[he pauses. humans would sigh in these moments - he is only quiet.]

I'd really like to go back home, Robin. I'm sure you do, too. [his LED spins yellow as emotions bubble up to the surface, ones he has a hard time facing.] I think it would be a good idea to ask him for help.

( ask him for help, connor says.

ask for help, as if that's something damian would ever do. he's brought connor in, but only because connor asked. damian doesn't feel the need to bring in others for assistance. there's no need. he can handle things by himself, and what he cannot handle, his family can. there is power in numbers, but damian has always kept his numbers close to himself. )

If he proves he can be trusted. Thus far he has given me nothing of the sort. In the meantime, I would like to prepare for the worst-case scenario.

ETRAYA INBOX.

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