IC CONTACT - MASK OR MENACE

[performance]

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[performance]

Yeah, Wally— when he got back, before, he didn't remember, and— it was a whole thing.

[ He waves a hand, dismissive. He really doesn't like to think about that. ]

Anyway. I want to ask you things, but first: you said I could hug you.

[real_archer]

Why do I feel like I'm about to get debriefed by Batman?

[But hugging first. Right. She sort of holds her arms out stiffly.

... This girl clearly never got enough hugs growing up.]

[performance]

[ Dick hasn't gotten enough hugs in the last five years, but hey, he mostly remembers how it works. ]

Nah. Just me.

[real_archer]

Good. Wouldn't want to hug Batman anyway.

[She gives him a squeeze before finally pulling away. True, she saw him back home, but this is a different Robin and now that she's back she remembers the things they've done here that she's never done with the Robin at home. It's confusing and amnesia might have been easier, but also would have sucked too because then all those things would be gone for good.

Plus he's her friend, and it's good to hug a friend when you can. Even if you are awkward and not very good at hugs.]

[performance]

[ He pulls back after a minute, rubbing the back of his neck. ]

Gonna be honest. He's not great at it.

[ A grin. ]

So... how long were you back? That's a weird question, I know...

[real_archer]

Right, time travel BS. So didn't miss that... It was a little less than a month back home. [She shrugs.] About the same as it was here, actually.

[performance]

A month? So...

[real_archer]

New Years. [Her mouth quirks into a small smile] Wait, does that mean I'm past you again?

[performance]

Christmas Eve. The circus mission.

... Anything fun happen? And by fun I mean— well. You know.

[real_archer]

The circus mission, of course. I remember that now.

[She's weirdly proud of herself--which is pretty silly considering she was there so of course she remembers. It just sucks being stuck behind.]

And, uh... well... it's kiiiiinda been a busy week...

[Oh boy, she's not even sure where to start with that one. Or if she should.]

[performance]

[ Robin notices her hesitation, putting two hands up, palms out. ]

You know what? It's fine. Table it for now. It's been a busy month here, too.

[real_archer]

[That makes things easier. She sits on the edge of the bed.]

Okay, I'm listening. Tell me.

[performance]

Did you know Wally has a cousin? From the future. Like fifty years in the future.

[real_archer]

Yeah, he said something about that. I met the kid before I, um... left.

[Her brow furrows.]

Wally says he's for real.

[performance]

He's for real. He knows [ my name ] all about us. From history books, or so he says.

It's bizarre, hearing about yourself like that.

[real_archer]

Yeah? [Okay, Artemis can't help but be a little interested in that.] Did he, um... say anything about me?

[SUBTLE]

[performance]

If he did, I missed it.

[ Sorry, Artemis, he was too busy repressing how much he missed you to mention you at all. ]

He gets all cagey if you ask him things directly, but he throws around spoilers like breathing. Be careful, though. You don't always want to know this stuff. Trust me.

[real_archer]

Oh. [Totally not disappointed or anything, but come on, who wouldn't want to know that they're in a history book.] What kind of stuff did he tell you?

[performance]

Team leader, right here.

[ He jerks a thumb toward his chest. He would look more excited about it, except Kaldur is still a big question mark. That, and he's practically going grey trying to do it here. How does Kaldur do it? ]

Future me sounds pretty stressed out. I dunno, Art, I'm pretty sure I get all tense and serious. He's so surprised when I kid around. And—

[ And then there's the stuff Carrie had told him. That he'd had a falling out with Batman, that his successor was killed... He doesn't know how much of that holds true where Bart's from. He's not sure he wants to know. ]

... Look, it's just a lot. Be careful what you ask.

[real_archer]

... Huh.

[She leans back, taking that in. She wonders what happens that makes Robin so stressed and also...]

I mean, I'm not saying you're a bad leader, because you're totally not. [Get traught or get dead, Artemis would pretty much follow Robin anywhere and she can't believe that him suddenly being uptight would change that.] But... what about Kaldur?

[performance]

I don't know. That's about where he clammed up.

And KF says I can't tie him to a chair and pump him full of truth serum. [ straight-faced, this one. ]

[real_archer]

[Artemis scoffs at that.]

So now we're listening to Wally for tactical advice? You get the truth serum and I'll get the chair.

[performance]

He'd probably vibrate right through it. Apparently that's a thing.

[real_archer]

That's a thing? [Color Artemis impressed.] Can all speedsters do that? Why doesn't Wally do that?

[performance]

You didn't know?

[ Robin winces. Ouch. ]

Flash can. Impulse can. KF, not so much. His top speed's not as high as theirs, either. Please don't mention it.