rhymeswithgrim | (no subject)

(no subject)

[the good news: the Bat Barn is beginning to take on a more serious tone. re-worked Frankenstein electronics and other various fix-up projects line the second floor rafters and a decently-sized training area is slowly being filled with the basic gym necessities. there are some scattered print-outs, but the barn is almost unreasonably clean.

the bad news: dude, it's a Bat Barn, complete with a (house-trained) Bat Cow.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[paces outside the barn a few minutes before tentatively knocking on the door]

... Robin?

It's open.

[opens the door, but stays standing in the doorway]

Oh. I thought Robin might be here... I'm sorry to bother you.

[up on the second floor rafters, busy with abusing a broken centerfuge (http://www.rousselet-robatel.com/images/products/Laboratory-Pic-1lg.jpg)]

-- hey, Vanya. No, it's good you stopped by. Your order came in from the store.

[takes a few steps inside, looking up at him]

... the clothes?

Yeah. Hang on, I'll pull them out.

[with some minor gymnastics, he's down to the first floor and moving several boxes around]

Sorry, it's going to take a minute. My orders all finally came yesterday, and I haven't had time to sort through and organize everything yet.

[looks curiously at all of the boxes]

That's a lot of stuff. What else did you order?

Mostly broken electronics. Installing completely new equipment for a lab would take a budget I don't have in camp. Ordering in broken parts and fixing them myself is much, much cheaper, and I'll be able to customize the equipment.

You're good at building things like Robin is?

We have different specialties.

What kind of stuff do you like to build? Or fix?

[still digging through boxes. most of them have very distinct cow-omnomnoming teeth marks on the flaps.]

Computers, some fragile systems. I mean, I'm hardly some kind of leading authority in the field, but I can manage basic patch jobs.

That sounds really difficult...

Can you teach other people how to do it?

Circuit systems and mechanics are pretty cut and dry. If a person can read and memorize diagrams, they already have every skill needed to learn -- found 'em (http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/5008/timhasgreattaste.jpg).

[holds them up for inspec--]

Um. Ignore the dried hay.

[is practically staring at them...]

I don't mind the hay...

Synthetic fiber with cotton. If you have allergies, wearing this shouldn't aggravate them. I don't think Damian's going to run you through anything too extreme, but the shirt's made of the same material we use for lining in our uniforms. It'll keep you from walking out of here looking and smelling like you just ran a 50k marathon.

... I really had no idea what to do about size. I asked Batgirl to eyeball it for me.

[still staring]

It's like your uniform? Really?

Well, I decided against including the kevlar stitching at the last minute. But seriously, will these work for right now?

[nods]

They're perfect. I still think I should repay you somehow.

They're a gift, Vanya. No favors necessary.

Robin said I have to get used to getting gifts if I go to Gotham. I'll have to let people buy me stuff.

He's right. You'll need to learn how to accept... we'll call it non-conditional aid.

Non-conditional aid? Does that mean I don't have to do anything to deserve your help?

Yeah. Sorry, you'll just have to bear our good intentions.

[holds the clothes out to her]

[takes them, folding them carefully in her arms]

It still seems stupid for you to waste money on me.