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OurPowers | Video | Tim Drake | Public

Display Name: Tim Drake
Notes: During the age swap event

[ There’s a spikey-haired child who has clearly already discovered Dep Gel. He’s sitting in a front of a grungy brick wall with badly chipping paint that shows the strata of different paint layers. Looks like an alley, with a thin line of corrugated metal just visible behind the boy.

Clever eyes would recognize that he’s sitting on the closed lid of a dumpster. It doesn’t look like a place for a boy of somewhere between 8 and a very small 10. ]

My name’s Tim Drake, and I’m in Central City. I’m not supposed to be.

I hope I’ve gotten this working. I guess it’s supposed to be mine? The account has my name, but that’s not right. You aren’t supposed to use real information on social media, especially when you’re a kid, because it can lead to abductions.

[ Tim glances around, like he’s expecting someone to come bursting in now that he’s said that outloud. ]

And I think I’ve been abducted?

[ He picks at t-shirt and leather jacket that he’s absolutely swimming in. ]

They changed my clothes.

[ Frowning, he looks confused at that, and as if he’s run out of things to say here. ]

You’re not supposed to give personal details online. I did, but I think the rules are different when you’ve been kidnapped? I’m not going to say my parents names or address, but I can’t walk home.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ gosh. he knows he and teddy aren't ready to have kids together yet, but tim is so cute at this age that billy almost wants to have that conversation when he gets home. .. almost. ]

Thank you, [ he says, sincere, and steps closer, offering out his hand in case tim wants a little help getting down from the dumpster. ] It does come in pretty handy at times.

[ and then, because it's the middle of winter and this poor boy has been sitting in an alleyway in clothes that are extremely inadequate for the weather: ] Are you cold? [ he unwinds the scarf from around his neck--made of the usual impossible galaxy fabric he's fond of--and instead wraps it around tim's, fussing with it until it's tucked warmly around him. ]

[ He takes Billy’s hand - but only to make sure he doesn’t spin! - and jumps down to the ground. At this age, he stands but 4’3”, and Billy fairly towers over him. The leather jacket he has on is almost to his knees.

Tim looks nervously down the alley, where there’s a back door propped open slightly with a pipe; he’s so distracted with it that he just lets himself be swaddled with the scarf without too many traditional kid protests to be being bundled up. ]

I’m okay. The jacket covers my hands.

[ He holds up his hands like he has sweater paws. ]

Um. There’s another kid from Gotham here - he’s a superhero like you. He might want to go back, too, and I told him I’d wait here. I don’t want him to think I got snatched again. I know you’re already being generous, but… could we wait for Robin? He said he wouldn’t be long, and it’s been a while.

Edited 2023-01-05 05:28 (UTC)

Hm. [ he takes the little hands in his as if to inspect them, then squeezes them gently, releasing him again. ] You're pretty tough, huh? I'd be freezing.

[ the mention of another kid, though, earns a minute widening of his eyes, his glance following tim's to the propped-open door. they slide back to tim again a moment later, and his smile returns, small and reassuring. ]

Of course we can wait for Robin. [ there's another robin? since when? he thought tim was robin. is this a second tim? is it a title that anyone can use? does this one work for the same guy? (.. what the hell was the guy's name, anyway? he's animal-themed, isn't he?) ] If he wants to come along, the more the merrier. [ how is he going to convince a kid who's also a vigilante to come stay with him for a couple of days, anyway? he remembers very well how great he was at taking adults' advice as a teenager in a costume. ]

[Not long after Billy arrives, Jason comes back. The boy is only a few inches taller than Tim and judging by his suit, is certainly not the same Robin Billy knows.

He tenses up upon seeing Billy and mentally kicks himself for letting Tim be himself. He knew it was a risk but he had no idea if taking Tim with him while he investigated a shady hotel room would be much better]

Who are you?

[Him and Tim not knowing how they wound up in Central City and needing a way to get back is already serious enough. He's not about to let Tim get snatched away again]

This is Wiccan. He’s a superhero and a space prince.

[ Answering first seems like a good idea. There’s an unplugged parasocial relationship in play, although Tim doesn’t know the concept and Robin has no idea he’s got a fan. ]

His real name’s Billy, and he can take us to Gotham. He said it on camera on the internet, so I don’t think he’s a kidnapper. If he is, he’s a dumb one.

[ billy startles into a laugh at the irreverent comment, reaching up to tweak the scarf around tim's neck. ] I have been accused of being no thoughts, head empty sometimes, but you're right, I'd have to be pretty dumb to kidnap you.

[ he turns back to robin, then, brows lifting in mild alarm at the-- is that a speedo and a t-shirt? who is this batman guy and why is he dressing his partners like this? if they live in new jersey normally, it's cold in the winter.

he clicks his tongue softly, then flicks his hands, twisting them in a complicated gesture that sends rings of blue runes around them. ] Hold on, if we're going to spend a little time talking out here, let me just-- [ the rings expand, then dissolve in the air, and the alley warms around them into a comfortable temperature. ] You two might not be cold, but I'm a wimp.

[ he dusts a few last blue sparks off his hands, then smiles at robin. ] To clarify, I can take you to where Gotham is supposed to be in this world, to see if it even exists in this dimension. If it's not here, I-- I haven't been able to figure out how to locate our home realities yet, so I can't take you back to your native dimension. I'm working on it, though.

[ he glances back down at tim again, brows knitting once more, mouth pursing worriedly. ] If it's not there, we can talk about what's next, okay?

[Jason nods as he moves closer to Tim. He still doesn't quite trust Billy but the warming spell feels nice. And if Billy was a magic kidnapper, he could've easily used some other spell to snatch them away. Jason remains armed with his utility at least if he and Tim need to escape as well]

All right. Are you related to Zatanna?

[ Tim is much more openly mesmerized by the display and even goes so far as to try to touch one of the rings of runes, just to see what might happen.

He doesn’t say cooooool, as there is now someone closer to his age around that he would like to make a good impression on. Tim doesn’t think he can impress Robin, but he’d like to not be seen as a dweeb. ]

He kinda looks like Zatanna, but his world doesn’t have a Justice League. He told me.

[ Zatanna has black hair, Tim knows that much. This is said as an aside to Jason.

To Billy, he says with all the confidence in the world. ]

Gotham City is on the north side of the Delaware Bay, east of Metropolis.

[ the dissipating energy tickles tim's fingers-- milder than a static shock, an odd but pleasant sensation. a few sparks cling to his fingers before seeming to absorb into his skin. ]

I'm afraid I've never heard of Zatanna, [ billy admits apologetically. he knows how important it is to find something familiar in a strange place, and though he wishes he could provide that for the two of them, he's pretty sure it won't be happening. ]

I can't say I've ever heard of Metropolis, either, but.. let's see what we can do, huh? [ he pulls his phone back up and brings up the google maps app, then hands it down to tim so he can navigate to the general location. he knows that there won't be a gotham listed, but if tim wants them to check out the general location anyway, it can't hurt.

while he lets tim search, he glances back up at robin, lips quirking up at his reasonable suspicion. ] In my dimension, I was a crimefighter, too. Technically I was based in New York, but we traveled all over. I retired when I got married.

[Jason looks back at Billy, still considering him]

"We?" So you were part of a team? What were they like?

[ Taking the offered phone, Tim guides the map quickly to South Jersey. That’s the easy part.

He doesn’t find the one of the 3 biggest cities in the United States. That’s the first shock.

Noodles around with the phone, doesn’t find Metropolis over the bay in Delaware either. How do you lose two cities with millions and millions of people?

He knows how to get around Gotham very, very well. If the streets were there, he could take the map clear to his house without using the address. Tim has to find this river and that cove and think about posters he’s seen where the map of Gotham is made up of the names of the neighborhoods in different fonts.

If he were in his world, he would have correctly navigated quite close to his house. Jason would likely end up on the same area.

Tim has gone very quiet and still. He’s used to his parents not being home, but now his home is not home. It’s a lot to process, and the forewarning hasn’t helped. He holds the phone out with a soft word. ]

Here.

[ he starts to reply to robin, but tim has grown very quiet at his side. he offers the costume-clad boy a small, apologetic smile, turning his attention on the younger child. he can see the moment tim realizes there's no home to go back to here, and his heart breaks for him.

he takes the phone back with gentle fingers, tucking it away, then reaching with both hands, carefully cupping the boy's little face. ] That's okay, [ he says softly, thumbs stroking his temples lightly. ] Home might not be an option right this second, but you're not alone. [ he draws his hands back, but then offers one out, palm up. ]

Maybe we can sit down somewhere safe and warm, and we can talk about our other options? [ he glances from tim to robin, offering his other out to him. ] Robin can come with us to protect you if you're not really sure about me. I've heard he's pretty well-prepared for anything.

[Jason also clocked in on Tim's silence and appreciates Billy keeping him involved as the man tries to comfort Tim. Jason's also worried about not finding Gotham or Metropolis but with Tim already scared, Jason knows he has to keep a brave face. It's what Bruce would do]

Yeah! Don't sweat it. Stay close to me. If I can't find a way then Batman will. He'll have noticed that I'm gone so he'll be looking for me. You know how amazing he is.

[ Home might be an option now. It hurts to hear. Home is - home. It's where Tim knows that, no matter what, he'll be safe, warm, and fed. Billy's trying to be really nice about it, but it does underline how bad the situation is. His home won't be there. His parents might not be anywhere.

Nor Robin's, so Tim looks to him as he takes Billy's hand. He does know. Batman will find them. It's what he does. Especially with his partner here, he'll find Robin for sure, and they won't leave Tim behind. ]

Okay. I'll go if he goes and if you tell us about outer space.

[ "Us." Robin clearly needs to know as well. ]

[ tim is a tough little boy. he's being so brave and mature about it, and billy can honestly say he personally wouldn't have been if he'd been thrust into the same situation at this age. and god, robin. he's younger than billy and teddy had been when they'd joined the young avengers-- no wonder the avengers at the time had been so worried. so he gently squeezes tim's hand, then reaches to take robin's, squeezing his, too. ]

I'll tell you anything you want to know. [ around them, blue sparks like little flames begin to fill the air. ] And hopefully, Batman will find you two before you know it. [ energy swirls up, there's a weird pull like a moment of freefall, and as the energy fades away again, they're all in the middle of billy and tommy's warm little kitchen.

he presses both hands in his grip again, then releases the boys, flicking his hand instead to set the kitchen to moving again. a smaller pot rises out of the lower cabinets to set itself on the stove, the fridge opening so various things sail out and across the room. ]

I was starting dinner before I started talking to you, Tim. How about I get it going again, and in the meantime.. do you both like hot chocolate? [ he gently urges them toward a breakfast nook to sit, where a long gray, unusual looking cat is waiting for them, purring loudly. ] And this is George. He's friendly. --Neither of you are allergic to anything you know of, are you? Do you have anything you can't eat? [ for religious purposes or otherwise. ]

[Jason tried to keep an eye on both Billy and Tim as he held onto Billy. Once they all let go and Billy uses his magic to prepare food, Jason stares in awe]

Cooool. And yeah! Hot chocolate would be good. I'm not allergic to anything so I'm fine with whatever.

[Jason knows he shouldn't take food from strangers but these... were unusual circumstances and he was hungry. He can keep watching Billy or whatever spell he's cast that's preparing the food at least]

[ You can’t cry in front of your heroes. It’s much better to follow him closely like another Tim in Jurassic Park, wanting to sit in the same Jeep as Dr. Grant. ]

I’m okay too. My mom doesn’t keep kosher.

[ Tim’s parents are from different religions, and their adhere to either is nominal at best.

He watches the dance of dinner going on in the air with renewed interest. Billy might not be doing it as a distraction, but it’s certainly working. ]

Do you have spell slots?

Well, I do, [ he informs him with another smile, and goes to get mugs down, setting them both on the table at the nook for them. ] I'm Jewish, though admittedly pretty lapsed, and my twin--who lives here with me--isn't, so we have a mix of foods here. I usually cook kosher, though. [ a brief pause, grinning at the question. ] No, no spell slots. My magic's free to use whenever and however and as often as I want. [ more or less.

he eyes them both, then. robin's in a costume, and tim's wearing clothes that are much too big for him, and in billy's opinion, neither look particularly comfortable. he's either going to have to change or make some new clothes for them to sleep in, and something to wear casually. he's sure robin won't want to remove his mask, anyway, but he should have to run around in his costume the whole time he's here.

he grabs a couple of packages of hot chocolate mix--nothing fancy, but they're kids, so hopefully they won't mind--and the steaming electric kettle, pouring chocolate powder and milk into each of the mugs. he mixes it with a little flick of a finger, setting the kettle aside and settling in his own seat.

george stretches, padding over to shove his face into billy's hand, then dropping down from the table to wind between one boy's ankles, then the other's. ]

Okay. [ billy lifts his mug, blowing steam off the top, glancing between the two boys. ] So.. what do you boys know about this place so far? I know it's a lot to take in.

[Billy still isn't really someone Jason knows so he hesitates about sharing what little intel he's gathered. He pauses to think what might be okay to say]

We're in Central City, Michigan and... some kind of multiverse situation happened. A bunch of people have no idea how they got here.

[It was odd how few people recognized him as Robin and then also hear about different versions of people from his world]

[ The native curiosity that Tim still has is much more open and innocuous at this age. There's no calculation behind it, just an intelligent sponge of a brain that wants to soak up all the knowledge it can. What's your twin's name, what's it like having a sibling, how come they're not Jewish if you have the same mom, what books describe magic right... and on and on it would go, but Tim is being quiet until he has the opportunity to speak.

Only Billy ends with a question for them, so it doesn't fit. ]

Including us.

[ Tim amends, being less suspicious. The kitchen looks normal (once you ignore the Mary Poppins of it), there's magic cocoa, and he's sitting at table with two superheroes. ]

There's another me. Or just another Tim Drake, but I don't know where he's from because Gotham's...

[ Gone. ]

He's a lot older than me. He's at least your age.

[ Because one of the people looked to be almost Billy's age, and he said that the other Tim was older than him. ]

[ robin's still pretty wary of him, which is valid, honestly. neither of them know billy from adam, and robin had met him in an alley chatting with a ten-year-old. it would be worth a little caution no matter how you look at it. still, he's being friendly, and he seems to have relaxed a little, so hopefully billy's starting to win him over.

tim, on the other hand, seems to instinctively trust anyone he considers a superhero, which at least was helpful in getting him here, to billy's home, where he'll be safe and warm and fed. god, he needs to message tommy before his twin shows up to two kids in their kitchen. maybe while the boys are eating.. ]

There's a multiverse situation, [ he agrees, nodding to robin and lowering his cup, curling his hands around it. ] And right now, we're actually in Sunset Falls, which is in Massachusetts. I can teleport you back if you decide not to stay with me, but.. I do have a pretty decent guest room, and you'll be safe here until we can figure out what happened. [ he glances to robin, absently tapping his wedding ring against the mug as he considers him. ] And I know you'll probably want to keep crimefighting while you're here, so if you want to do it in Central, I'll see if I can make you a ring or a bracelet or something that lets you pop between here and there.

[ .. which will also let him keep a magical eye on the boy, just in case he gets into trouble he can't get back out of on his own. ]

[Jason is surprised by Billy's offer to make rings for them. It seems like he won't try to stop him from being Robin either. It sounds almost too good to be true]

What's the catch?

[ The suspicious question brings back some of Tim’s original concerns that Billy had dubious motives, which he’d squashed. It’s Robin, though, and the only person who would trump that is Batman.

If Jason’s suspicious, then so is Tim.

The cocoa tastes good, though, and Tim thinks staying here would be as good as anywhere else, if Billy really means it. ]

If we stay, are you going to take us to an orphanage? I’m not - my parents are…

No orphanages, no catch. [ a pause as he sips his own cup, looking thoughtful. ] .. Well, maybe one catch. Tommy and I only have one guest room, so you'd have to share. You'd have more space if I turned the queen into bunk beds, but I can do two singles if you prefer that. Also, obviously it would be your job to keep the room clean.

[ a beat, tapping a knuckle against his mouth in consideration. ] Okay, two catches. [ he points to robin. ] You ask for help if you get in over your head, and be responsible about it. I know you usually have a partner, and I'd feel a lot better about you running around rooftops if I know you'll contact me when you need backup. I wasn't much older than you when I started the vigilante thing, but I had a whole team.

[Jason pauses to take this all in. The first catch is easy as Jason wants Tim to stay close to him anyway.

It's the second one that he thinks about some more. He believes with all his heart that either Bruce will find him or he'll find Bruce. But even he has to admit he doesn't know when. He can only hope that it'll be soon. And with no special Bat resources to access except whatever he has on his belt, he knows he has to accept some kind of help from others eventually until he and Bruce are reunited.

Billy also seems to have some understanding of what it's like to be a kid hero]

Okay. I promise. And I want singles.

[Singles means he and Tim can be right within sight of each other]

OurPowers | Video | Tim Drake | Public

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