IC CONTACT - MASK OR MENACE

[performance]

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[boobwindow]

[ A beat. ]

Haven't heard from him in a while.

[performance]

[ Awkward. ]

Yeah. He's been, uh... well. You probably know.

[boobwindow]

Have you been in contact with him?

[performance]

Some. Not much. It's— we don't have the same kind of working relationship I'm used to.

[boobwindow]

Is it because he's from a different world? I imagine that might... make it difficult.

[ Or is it because of what happened in August? ]

[performance]

[ There's a hesitation, somewhat awkward. He doesn't like to talk about it, partly because it makes him uncomfortable to discuss it too much and partly because he doesn't know how much anyone else knows. But she asked, and he's promised himself he'll be more forthcoming, so... ]

Yeah. Or that's part of it, at least. There's no Robin in his world. Or at least he doesn't know me yet. And willingly taking on a nine year old is a little bit different than having a fourteen year old dropped on you. So it's... you know... circumstances.

[boobwindow]

I'm sorry that's been the case, Robin.

[ It's so strange to think of a Batman sans Robin. Bruce might be broody and standoffish, but most of them know how much his Robins mean to him. ]

He might be our best bet, but if we can't get a hold of him...

[performance]

I'll do what I can to help. I'm all in. And if we need assistance with the antidote... KF's a serious chemist. Replicated the Flash's superspeed formula in his garage when he was just thirteen. I know he'd be there for us, too.

[boobwindow]

Is he still over at StarkTech?

[performance]

Yeah. Both of us are.

[boobwindow]

He might be willing to help himself if he can. Maybe there's something he can build?

[performance]

You think so? I mean, yeah! It's possible!

[boobwindow]

There's no reason to keep this a secret. If people can have some kind of countermeasure in place, it's all the better.

[performance]

[ A painful reminder, but true. ]

Yeah, I-I know. I made that mistake before. Won't happen again.

[boobwindow]

That's not what I― it's not your fault, Robin.

It's never been an easy choice keeping information from civilians. Look how many people were ready to form an angry mob after Crane.

[performance]

No, no, that's not— you don't have to reassure me. I know it wasn't my fault, it was his, he did all of it...

[ He swallows, hesitating. ]

... I just don't want to lose faith in giving people second chances. I think that's what's really gotten to me. I know how he thinks and I'm not going to let him get in my head but I don't want to let him make me different—

[ Quieter: ] ... sorry.

[boobwindow]

I don't think he will.

I want to believe in second chances as well, but the sad truth is some people never change. Crane's not someone I've had to deal with really, but it's obvious he's got no plans to change his tune.

[performance]

[ Take a breath, let it out. ]

I know. Some people are just... evil. He's one of them.

[boobwindow]

So don't feel bad about it, Robin. You're doing good work already.

[ Changing people for the better isn't technically part of the job description. They can try, but mostly it's putting the bad buys behind bars and ensuring the world is safe. ]

[performance]

... yeah. Sorry. Guess that just slipped out. Thanks, Power Girl.

Do you think I should talk to Superboy? Or are you on it?

[boobwindow]

No problem. It's okay... Crane really screwed up some things for us for a while there.

You know... it might not be a bad idea. We've already spoken, but Superboy and I have never been close to be perfectly honest. If there is anything bothering him that he's let slip to Crane, maybe he'll be able to tell you.

[performance]

Jeez, I'd hope he'd tell one of us first...

[boobwindow]

I know it must put you both in an awkward situation -- both of you being from different worlds.

[performance]

I've gotten used to it, more or less. It's just— this one's very different.

[boobwindow]

This Superboy?