Chapter 4: Conversation
DNO!
Revised on 12/20/16
Palilalia- a speech disorder characterized by involuntary repetition of words, phrases, or sentences.
Superman sighed, glancing at Bat's with a disturbed smile. He looked at the others who were glancing as the boy squirmed beneath their glares. He scooted farther back and ducked his head into his shirt, an action that made the Super smiled slightly.
"Okay," Superman stated lowly. "We'll come back in a bit okay? We're going to discuss some things before so we can figure out what will happen."
Bruce peeked his head out, looking away before nodding solemnly. He turned slightly, facing the wall before leaning sadly onto it as he completely ignored them all.
"Come on everyone." Superman smiled comfortingly at them. "Let's go to that room."
He pointed off to the right, watching as they all shuffled solemnly into the room. He dully noted that Bruce peeked his head out to watch them all go.
"Don't leave." Superman mumbled, causing the boy to tense. "We really only want what's best for you."
There was a tense silence, Superman faintly heard him gulping his fear away.
"Okay." Bruce muttered softly.
Superman smiled and strode into the room, awkwardly. He sighed when four pairs of eyes laid upon him.
Voices overlapped one another as each struggled to ask the question's pinned in their heads.
"Is he okay?"
"What was that?"
"Why would he say that?!"
"Superman tell us what the hell is wrong! Please!"
He raised his hands enticing silence from the group.
"Please one at a time, I can barely hear any of you!" He called out, shaking his head before staring at them with wide eyes.
John stepped forward determination leaking from his body as he raised his voice about a fraction higher to be heard.
"What was with him repeating his phrases like that?" John asked.
Superman rubbed his neck awkwardly, sitting down in the nearest chair as he looked out the door.
"Well, Bats, when he was a lot younger, had a speech impairment." Superman stated slowly. "He had trouble forming words, and when he finally managed to 'get rid' of that little 'bug' he ended up repeating his phrases a lot. I think it was called paliphia or something."
John nodded.
"Palilalia, one of my cousins has it, she's going through Speech Therapy now for it." John confirmed.
"Okay, move out of the way bucko." Shayera grunted. "What was with the whole, 'I'm not important to anyone' mumbo Jumbo? I mean surely he doesn't feel this way!"
Superman grimaced slightly.
"Did I mention he was a very sad child?" He grinned sheepishly before his sadness escaped in a sigh. "He never had friends, his parents were always out and the only person he ever talked to was a butler who was very busy throughout the day. He felt alone for his whole life. He always felt useless and worthless."
Everyone in the room froze, taking a couple of steps back as they clutched the tables around them for a sense of place.
"You're kidding." Shayera stated weakly. "You're telling us he was depressed?!"
"Well yeah I guess." Superman stated awkwardly. "And he still is, it doesn't really go away from what he's told me. It's one of the main reasons he doesn't make friends with anyone."
They nodded solemnly, sliding down to take seats on the floor or any spare chairs.
"Is that why he hasn't asked for his parents yet?" Diana muttered quietly. "Or called out for anyone for that matter."
"I hope." He muttered softly.
"So what are we going to do with him?" J'ohnn asked suddenly. "We cannot keep him here forever."
"But with Morgan out there, we have no choice!" Superman sighed. "If we let him out who knows what could go wrong?"
"But if we do that, he could stay like that forever!" Diana stated. "What do we do?"
They stood quiet, contemplating everything.
"Come on let's get going before the kids begins to question where we're at." John said pushing himself away from the table he was sitting at. "Oh and wings…."
Shayera looks up, only to get smacked upside the head.
"Ow! What the fuck John?!"
"You are no longer allowed to talk to the kid." John stated calmly. "You know cause you need to work and stuff."
Shayera squawked, earning laughter from everyone.
"That was a misinterpretation of words Night Light." Shayera hissed. 'I just worded it wrong."
"Sure wings." Diana teased.
With that they all walked out.
A/N: bah bam done with this one and onto the next. Chapter.
SO I've been lagging and I know, like I said in my pokemon story (If anyone has been reading it.) I was in an existential crisis, but things are starting to clear up now.
Okay just going to the Story, yes it explains more or less more of Bats. And i did look up ass much as i could to get into the situations scizophrenia does at times involve speech impairments and disorders so it extremely plausible for Palilalia to transpire.
Still a short Chap i know sorry.
Anyway Next chapter will be up soon hopefully. And with that please review.
-Maiden Out.
