action/video 001; un: d.wayne Communal housing Floor 2.

[sonofab]

[Damian stares down his ...social worker... as she speaks. The woman explains the room, his bi-weekly stipend, the works. Still, Damian stares her down with a burning intensity that just screams 'I am displeased. Go. away. No mask, no Robin gear, just a pissed off teenager in a hoodie.

Clearing her throat nervously, she does leave and that's why Damian takes in his room. It didn't matter what the room looked like really, Damian wasn't having this communal living nonsense. He sees the extra beds in the room and ...that is just too many roommates. This is was 24-hour surveillance and he was not having that.

He frowns down at the device and switches it on. Have an annoyed looking ... 10-year-old? (No, he's 13 dammit, don't just assume things from his small stature!) glaring down at the camera.]

This communal living thing is not happening. What's the price range for houses or private apartments around here?

Comments

[sonofab]

[It's coo' Viking guys. People often call Damian a psychopath. They're likely right, but no need to let it get you down!

Anyway, "Something like a friend" Sounds about right. Even the people he considered friends, Damian tends to keep at arm's length. Did he kidnap you to? Hm...]

No, can't say I do. So "Something like a friend" what's your name?

[ragnarsson]

[Nah, Damain never kidnapped him. They just, y'know, tried to beat the shit out of each other when a sparring session got a little too intense. No big deal, Ivar didn't hold grudges over things like that.]

Ivar Ragnarsson. Some people call me Ivar The Boneless.

[A Viking straight out of the history books, though right now, he was still at the start of his career.]

[sonofab]

[That name... he's heard it before. The study or conquerors and leaders was one of the key lessons of the Al Ghul. Grandfather wanted an army after all and Damian was to lead it.

But the books were never clear on...]

Why "The Boneless"?

[ragnarsson]

I was born a cripple.

[No sugarcoating the matter. Last time, Damian had flat out asked him why he wasn't able to walk. Tact was not this angry bird's strong point.]

But that hasn't stopped me from commanding an army.

[sonofab]

[And really had you started off with that he'd of likely asked again. Human interactions, in general, are still a blur for him.]

Tt, nor should it. Your mind isn't part of your legs after all and a tactical mind can conquer any handicaps.

[But it's nice to find out an answer to a historical mystery.]

[ragnarsson]

That's very true. I'm the only one out of my brothers who uses their brain. But it doesn't hurt to have a good axe throwing arm either when you're leading men into battle.

[And a war chariot, that's also key for keeping up in battle. Ivar is a tough sort and generally can overcome whatever he's facing. There's no limitations he ever sees, only things to conquer.]

[sonofab]

[The corner of Damian's mouth might've quirked up at that.]

Always good to have a backup skill, but brains will always outdo brawn in the end.

[So, in your face Superman.] I've actually heard your name before, not here. I don't remember this place at all, but I've read it in history books.

[ragnarsson]

[Ivar has a pleased expression on his face. He'll never stop getting an ego boost from hearing that people knew of him in the future.]

I've been told my name lives on far after I die. It's a pleasing way to achieve a form of immortality like that.

[sonofab]

It is commendable and something I wish to achieve in time as well.

[Small bit of history nerd-ing aside though. Let's return to the subject at hand. This place seems rather dull right now.]

When I was here, what did we do?

[ragnarsson]

Talked a bit about things like consciences and empathy. A little bit about your father. And there was a sparring session that got a bit out of hand.

[Taking two teens with anger issues and letting them fight each other was probably not the smartest idea either of them had ever had.]

[sonofab]

Well, sounds like a very entertaining time. Was a winner declared in that spar?

[He might be smirking a bit at the prospect of a challenge. Whatever do you mean? The dumb ideas are often the most fun.]

[ragnarsson]

No. We got pulled apart before we could either figure out who won or who was going to kill the other.

[You know, it was pretty much the same thing when you got down to it. Not that Ivar held it against Damian. These things happened.]

[sonofab]

Tt, so does that mean a rematch is out of the question?

[He's kidding. He's kidding. Maybe.

Tempers flare and things get out of hand. As much as Damian liked to believe he could control his impulses, it was all a lie. Still, he likes to believe he wouldn't cross that line anymore.]

[ragnarsson]

Anytime you want one, say the word.

[Damian hadn't held back on him last time simply because he was in a wheelchair and Ivar counted on him not doing so again. It was still rare for him to find people that could take him seriously.]

[sonofab]

Name a time and place.

[There was no risk of that. Damian rarely held back, even with people he loved and being in a wheelchair was hardly an acceptable excuse for a shoddy performance, Ivar.]

[ragnarsson]

Doing anything tomorrow?

[He'll probably give Damian a run for his money. Ivar's unpredictable in battle, a trait which has served him well time and again.]

[sonofab]

[Hopefully moving out of communal living.]

Not a thing.

[Impulsive and unpredictable was a vital part of Damian's skill set. People often underestimated him due to his age and small size, so do your worst. Damian enjoys a challenge and expects nothing less from a historical conqueror.]

[ragnarsson]

[Ivar smirks. Oh, he's been looking forward to a rematch. Maybe this time he'll control himself enough to keep from trying to kill if the match goes on too long.]

Now you are.

[sonofab]

[Now what fun would that be? Damian as always he some aggression to work out and a fight with a future conquer sounds like the perfect place to do it.]

8 am. Place? I've just gotten here so name a place with little collateral damage possibilities and even less chance for interruptions.

[ragnarsson]

How about by the biggest waterfall in the Abandoned City? There will be no interruptions there.

[Well, unless Bucky, who has several hideouts there, catches wind of what they're doing. His hobo ex-assassin friend will definitely not approve of what they're going to do.]

[sonofab]

See you there.

[Old guys in secret hideouts ruin everything.]