[1st wand]

[whitescientist]

[ As all young hipsters should at least once in their lives, Eridan is hanging out in the mall. He stands out like a sore thumb among the plain city residents, and the StarFloraBucks cup he's holding just sort of completes the trashy teenager look.

He seems to be window-shopping, though judging by his looks of confusion, he's probably not in complete understanding of the city's culture - though he doesn't look to be in a particularly bad mood. It's probably a safe moment to approach him if you're in the area. ]

Comments

[batdweeb]

[If Alfred were here, he might say something about that coffee stunting Eridan's growth. Not that Bruce is sure if it works that way for sea trolls.]

[Upon Eridan's question, Bruce glances over at the rest of the mall. He makes a thoughtful sound.]

I wouldn't say the people in Freesia look all that different from the people in Gotham, no. Is that what you were referring to?

[whitescientist]

I guess. [ He feels a little out of his depth, so he draws the cup close to his mouth as if he's about to drink from it, and speaks from behind it while glancing around faux-disinterestedly. ] That and no one's fightin' each other. Everyone's gettin' along or whatever.

You know. No system but money. That normal too?

[batdweeb]

[ That kind of talk is definitely getting Bruce's attention. Eridan may notice Bruce's expression growing more serious. ]

Well, yeah. Most people don't start fighting unless it's something really important. Especially not in public. Is it different on Alternia?

[whitescientist]

Way different. [ He senses going into detail might offend Bruce's delicate sensibilities, so he doesn't. Yet. ] But I won't bore you with all that. It's all history. Literally. Since the planet got meteored off the face o' the universe.

...What do you want, anyway?

[batdweeb]

[ That's a fairly terrible thing to relate so casually. ]

I'm sorry.

[ Bruce sounds sincere, but there's obviously A Long Story that Eridan's not telling, and Bruce wonders if-and how- the destruction of Alternia relates to The Empress Who Would Have Been. ]

Me? I just came here to look for supplies for my apartment. I recognized you, and I thought I'd say hi.

[whitescientist]

[ Shrug. ] I'm probably the best troll to tell you that all hope was lost right from the start, an' I don't mean to wax poetic there. It's just sort of a thing that happened. [ He is not doing a good job of convincing Bruce it's not a big deal, is he. ]

Well.

Hi.

Was that it, or did you have somethin' to say or ask me or somethin'? [ he is not used to this. he's awkward, it happens ]

[batdweeb]

[ Not doing a good job at all. ]

[ Bruce shrugs as well, and turns his attentions to the display window, even though it's mostly just a boring pile of fancy radios and TV screens. ]

I was wondering if you were doing okay. You seem a bit young to be on your own.

[whitescientist]

Young is subjective. Sounds like your species doesn't have the long lived perk that comes with a real blood hue system. [ ...Okay yes he'll probably live a long time, but he hasn't yet. This is pretty clear. ]

Point is, I'm doin' just fine without anybody's help. So if you've come to gloat or cast your (COMPLETELY PLATONIC) pity my way, you got no reason to!

[ ... ] But if you just wanted to talk. Then. That's okay, maybe.

[batdweeb]

Don't tell me you're actually a thousand years old? [Which Bruce supposes is an actual possibility- it's not like he's an expert on Alternian biology- but since Eridan looks, sounds, and acts like he's around Dick's age it's hard to keep the incredulous tone out of his voice.]

Alright, point taken. You look well enough.

[Eridan, you are an odd kid. Apart from the whole "alien" thing.]

[whitescientist]

[ mildly alarmed: ] GOD, no. ...But I might o' been someday, if I'd played my cards more careful. Or still might be someday. Still not sure what the deal is there.

Just 'cause I'm curious, mind: what's the last thing you remember before all this happened? [ vague gesture to... everything around them. ]

[batdweeb]

[ Yeah, okay, there's no way Bruce can let that bit of mumbling go without comment. ] Might have been? What happened there?

[ Bruce hesitates. ]

Me? Um, I was helping with the cleanup after an alien invasion, actually. [ And wearing a batsuit at the time, not that Eridan needs to know that. ]

[whitescientist]

[ He shrugs the question off, and waits for Bruce to finish. ]

...Nothin' was attackin' you? That you know of?

Like. Nothin' was goin' on that might lead you to believe you ain't alive any more. Right now I mean.

'Cause that might blow my theory outta the water a little.

[batdweeb]

[What the fuck Eridan.]

[What the fuck.]

...No. There was a lot of rubble, but I wasn't in a position where anything might fall on me.

We're definitely both alive.

[whitescientist]

Right. ...No, yeah, that... that theory was a load o' melodramatic nonsense, I dunno why I thought...

[ He trails off. And maybe looks a little tiny bit relieved. ]

In regards to your question maybe I'll be a thousand someday if I don't get eaten by shadow rats beforehand. Highbloods live a long time when they ain't dead. [ duh ]

[batdweeb]

You were in a lot of trouble back home, weren't you?

[ A destroyed homeworld, an Empress disposed- dead?- and a near-death experience, on top of everything Eridan's already hinted at about Alternian culture. ]

[ He doubts Eridan's going to go into much detail however, so his tone slips into a more teasing one. ]

Then you're in luck. I don't think the shadow rats have digestive tracts.

[whitescientist]

[ If you're looking closely, his face-fins flag downwards just for a split second. ]

Doesn't matter now though, does it.

[ ....ew??? but also kinda funny, not that he cracks a smile ] Ugh. I don't wanna think about what happens instead. Speakin' of, has anyone figured out how to kill 'em properly yet?