June 11, 2019

Hi again! Bruce asked me to go over to his place tomorrow to talk over this new case he has. Something about the Court of Owls trying to make a come-back in Gotham. So I'll pry be heading over that way tomorrow. Don't worry, I'll still write! Unless something comes up… I think I'm writing tomorrow.

Today I have decided to set a date to talk to Timmy some more. Like, really talk. You guys have been telling me he needs it… and I think he needs it… I've been wanting to do this for a while. So, while it is not gonna be fun, I'm going to try and talk with him next Thursday. He isn't usually as busy Thursdays.

Today I found a small drug ring trying to sell to high schoolers. They should be glad Red Hood didn't find them. As is, I managed to take out a small pocket of dealers and use their phone contacts to find their boss.

They actually had him listed as 'Boss' on their phone. Ah, what the small fry will do that prevents them from ever being big fry.

I was able to track down 'Boss' pretty easy by tracing the line and now he is in jail. Alone with six little goons.

'Six Little Goons' sounds like a children's book… I would read it. I would read it to Damian as a bedtime story, which would be hilarious.

So, that kept me up for a good while. Fortunately, they were so disorganized and incompetant that if there are any other members I don't think they'll keep up a life of crime.

You know, I think we're about due for some big comic worthy action. Some big guy… I hope I did not just jinx myself. If we could never have another huge interesting battle again, that would be great. Boring, but great.

IMPORTANT DISCOVERY! If you put peanut butter on bread and cover the bread with a layer of mini marshmallows and then bake in the oven on broil until the marshmallows turn brown then it tastes DELICIOUS I recommend this in all the ways.

I am showing it to Dami when I see him Sunday. Actually we might have to postpone our day… depends on what B needs me for with the Court thing.

Robin and You!

forever 122 asks: Hiya, Dick! Yeah, an angry Damian is an adorable Damian. The Simba thing?! Yippee! That'll be fun. (insert smirk here) You should have someone else in on it too. "Enact my Disney"? I LOVE IT. Live your best Disney life. Hey. Post when is most convenient for you. If everyone has their responses in, you should post it.

Hi, Dick. (insert very confused face about the protest) They were protesting with torches. And firecrackers. That is NOT a protest, that is a riot! So, your first thought about kyaking is, gotta take Dami sometime. No wonder Tim thinks he isn't the favorite sibling or kid. Oh, I know I'm a 10/10 big sister. At least in my sister's eyes. Bug...spraying? I didn't know there was a spray. We just use whatever's handy. A fly swatter, our hands, tissue, paper towel, toilet paper, a shoe. Camping IS relaxing. Yes, the bugs may be part of the experience, but that experience is less fun when you get huge welts from their bites and they won't stop itching. They're just trying to live their best bug life. Hm. That's a movie, isn't it? A Bug's Life? Man, I haven't watched that in ages. Pretty sure Alfred is an immortal, all-knowing being, by the way.

Dick. You are NOT responsible for Damian anymore. Sure, when Bruce isn't around, you are. But you are not responsible for him. With the parent being unable to fulfill the role, the eldest sibling usually steps up if they can. It is hard to let go of that feeling of responsibility when the parent is able to parent again. It takes time to happen, but you have to let it go. Not the connection you developed with your sibling, but the responsibility. Personally, Bruce needs to step up his responsibility game.

You're right, Tim didn't want to deal with all the crazy. More specifically, you spending all your time with Damian while Tim's in the same place. Tim is not the type of person to ask for things, Dick. He doesn't want to "burden" you with himself. He wants you to be happy, and he sees you happy with Damian. So, he keeps quiet and stays away unless asked. Sometimes, people don't ask for things, not because they're afraid that they would be seen as weak, but because they don't want to be a bother.

When people grow up too fast, they act more like an adult and people stop seeing them as a kid. Maybe, be respectful of Tim and the things he wants, but also remember to treat him as the teenager/kid he is. I don't think he was treated as a kid much of his life, like Damian. Tim does need some Mother Henning, but he is mostly able to handle himself. Thanks to traveling the world and all that. He doesn't have some of the habits he needs to be a happy, healthy, and properly functioning adult yet. In some ways, he is far beyond his age, in others, he is a bit stunted. He misses Bruce, ya know? Maybe make a pie chart of what/who takes up your life. If you feel Damian takes up a lot of your life, you may want to cut it down a little to increase other aspects of your life.

Hi, forevs. Alfred will be in on the Simba attack. He will make sure Dami is tired enough for my scheme to work. And he might as well be in on it, 'cause he already knows it's happening. Might as well have him actively helping, right?

I have generally found bug bites to be somewhat energizing. Helps me get into the 'into the wild' mood. Unless there are too many. But I know that most people (all of the other people) do not see it that way.

And A Bug's Life is a movie! I liked it a lot! I used to be kinda scared of the grasshoppers, though.

And, yeah… for Bludhaven it's more of a protest. Since they weren't actively trying to destroy anything. But in anywhere not Bludhaven or Gotham that would be a riot, yes.

Oh, Tim isn't a big fan of water or getting wet. He'll go swimming sometimes, and enjoy that, but he's just never really liked boating. Aside from being splashed he sunburns easily. And develops fevers easily. For some reason vigilantedom does not trigger his sever outside ailments.

And why would Tim be favorite? No one is favorite. Bruce loves all his kids equally and I love all my brothers and sister equally. Damian and Jason… are somewhat less equal, but Jason likes Tim more than Damian, I think. And I'm pretty sure Tim doesn't care about what Damian thinks.

And I think I'll always be responsible for Damian, in a way. I mean, it's not the same as when I was raising him, but Damian and I… we're bonded. He was my Robin and I was his Batman. That's… a big deal. There are things only each other will understand… it's not something that can be turned off or set aside.

And with Bruce raising Damian as more of a soldier than a son… no, I shouldn't say things like that. It's not right. I'm sorry.

Let's just say that some things about Damian are still my responsibility, and I don't think that's going to change.

I know that Tim doesn't want to ask for things. But I do reach out to him. And it's not like I haven't got my own psychological issues… I'm not saying that to complain, or brush him aside or belittle him, I promise.

It's just that this is a two way street. I can reach out to him, but if he doesn't reach back nothing I do is going to work. Eventually, he's going to need to move past his own burdens and fears and let me help him. He has excuses, but he can't hide behind them forever.

It's not nice like I want to be… but Tim is responsible enough to know this. I know it'll be hard for him and I'm going to help him as much as I can, every step of the way. But if he doesn't reach out… he's going to end up like Bruce. And it won't matter how many of us reach out anymore.

Have you suggested anything to Tim on how to reach back? I mean, like I said, I'm going to be talking to him Thursday. Maybe he can start planning on where to go from there. Or maybe he needs more time. He does have a lot of very legitimate problems with me. I haven't always been the best older brother.

I mean I'm not now… but yeah. Whatever he needs. I just want him to think about it for now.

FLUFF asks: :D***. D***! D***! Timmy needs a three minute hug when you see him again!

Hey, FLUFF. I think a 3 minute hug might scare him more than anything, but I will give him a hug and if he is up for a 3 minute one then I'd be more than glad to oblige!

Discourse With Damian

forever 122 queries: Hello, Damian. Just a quick thought. Are you sure you should be giving out details about the security of your home to a stranger? I know we can't do anything with it, since we're in a different universe, but what if someone who can access your universe gets ahold of that information?


Greetings, forever 122. It matters little. Should this journal be discovered (though I am assured it will not) we will have far greater worries than the specifics of the security system. Namely all our secret identities. However, I have been assured that this is as safe as the Batcomputer, so I do not worry.


Dandelion queries: Damian. I am afraid you addressed the wrong person in your response. It was not this "FLUFF" person who inquired after you this last time, but I. No matter though. A simple mistake. Simple mistakes can cause problems though, so I recommend you double check who you are speaking to in the future.

Yes, acrobatics and physical strength are good to improve upon. Flexibility is important in your line of work as much as strength and cunning. What such ways are there to bypass this intense lock down once it has occurred? Does it occur everywhere in the manor, including the "Bat Cave"? Is it capable of trapping beings inside as well as out, for safety reasons of course? My, you improved the "Bat Mobile" yourself? You must be quite handy with an extensive knowledge of engineering.


Greetings Dandelion. My deepest apologies. Obviously I misread the comment or changed from one to the other at an inopportune time, resulting in this embarrassing situation. Please accept my condolences.

forever 122 has mentioned that your interest in the manor's security is strange, and while I find our communication secure, I must agree. Should this line of questioning continue prepare to be subjected to an extensive background check.

But I will tell you that it occurs everywhere and can trap beings inside (to some extent).

I did improve the Batmobile. Most of my improvements (such as flight) occured when Grayson was Batman. I have had less opportunity to tinker since the change in management.


FLUFF queries: Dami, would you rather be in a car with Dickie driving, or Timmy?

Also, I did not ask about that! I'm not interested in learning about all your defenses. Is someone using my name?!


Greetings, FLUFF. I would rather be in one with Grayson, despite the fact that his driving is far more dangerous. For one, I have often been in the Batmobile with him driving it. For another I do not wish to be in a confined space with Drake, particularly if he held that much power over our destination and the radio.

As to my misnomer, I apologize. It was my mistake in incorrectly labeling Dandelion as yourself. I would request that you accept my apology.


Red Robin's Response Page

forever 122 asks:

"Hi, Tim. Take back what you said to Damian when he first showed up? What would that be? Wait- I thought Conner and Cassie were alive again...? Are they NOT on your team?

(pushes up glasses and pinches bridge of nose) Tim. (removes hand from face) We WILL talk about the whole "convenient" and "used" and "helpful" thing later. And ESPECIALLY the "I'm annoying but worth keeping alive" thing. I just CANNOT with that right now. I will say one thing now though. You are in no way annoying. You are a bright young man with phenomenal ideas and a heart that wants to help. You are worth more than merely keeping alive. You are someone who has been hurt badly by those close to you, but yet you persevere. You will prosper in whatever way you chose to lead your life. Do not let others dictate that for you."

Hey, forevs. When Damian first showed up I tried being nice to him and reaching out as a new big brother. That worked great. He tried to assassinate me. It almost worked. Jerk.

Conner is Superboy and Cassie is Wonder Girl.

Um. Well, thank you. I… I know not everyone sees me that way. As expendable, I mean. I know Dick doesn't. I was talking about Damian. Who definitely sees me as all those things.

And… you know, I think you're really an amazing person. You care so much about me… it's incredible. I can't believe it. I mean, you've been spending so long talking to me and not leaving and you just seem so passionate… I just want you to know that I think you have phenomenal ideas, and no one can say you don't have a heart that wants to help.

From everything I've heard, I think you persevere and fight to end up with a better hand than what life dealt you.

You're a loving person who cares about your sister and who tries to be as good an older sibling as you possibly can.

You're an empathetic person who took all this time to reach out to some kid with more issues than anything because you felt they were a good person who needed someone to help them.

You're passionate: you fight for a cause you believe in and you pull out all the stops.

I think you're amazing. And I don't want you to ever forget that.

FLUFF asks:

"Timmy! It IS a big deal! You shouldn't feel that way. You need a hug. I'm telling D***!"

Hi FLUFF. Ummm… that's not necessary. Really. I don't… I don't need that. It's good. Thank you.

Dandelion asks:

"Hello, Tim. Gas, duly noted. What about Jason and D***? If you had to take down Batman himself?

I've said too much already. Hopefully you won't speak with him again."

Hey, Dandelion! As far as my Batman protocols go… even this isn't quite secure enough for me to say! Let's just say I don't want to do it alone.

The best part

forever 122 says: "Hiiiiiii, Jasooon. You said something earlier about- …(insert sigh) never mind. Just Timmy and his self-worth. How are Artemis and Bizarro?"

Hey, forevs. They are doing great. Bizarro has gone around wearing a baseball hat backwards because he liked Roy's so much. It's messing with Artemis and it's really hilarious.

Artemis has decided that to work on centering herself she is going to start learning to fight with a bo. I mean, she already knows some, but she wants to get good. Because to fight with a bo you need precision and a lot of balance: brute force doesn't help that much. Also, a bo is mostly defensive, so she thinks it might help her balance herself out.

FLUFF says: "Jason, would you rather be in a car with Dickie driving, or Timmy?

forever122 thought we were talking about kidnapping someone? Let's do it! We should totally try and kidnap one of your little brothers."

Hey, FLUFF. Tim. Definitely Tim. Dick drives like a man possessed and I don't want to end my second life because he tried to take a hairpin turn at 80 mph.

I'm down with kidnapping. Not for too long though. Then they might get annoying. Idea. Kidnap Damian, take him to the lair and force feed him something sugary while making him watch a Star Trek marathon.

I could drop a line by Alfred so he knows what's going on. It could work.

Wing-tip!

When talking to someone, try to figure out their eye color! Not because you're going to do anything with the information, but because the eye contact and attention makes you seem more trustworthy and confident and it's a good way to make people feel like you're friendly.