Batman wrapped up training within a span of a few hours. He wanted to talk to Avery one-on-one before going to patrol Gotham for the night with Robin. There were quite a few things that needed to be addressed.
Avery was lying face down on a stack of mats off to the side of the room. There was a water bottle clutched in her hand that was hanging off the edge. Batman approached and cleared his throat to get her attention. In response she lifted her head, peeling her facial skin from the synthetic covering of the mats in the process. That earned a small wince.
"We need to talk." The Dark Knight sat on a smaller stack of mats not too far away.
The teen sat up and crossed her legs, "Alright, about what?"
"A few things, actually. First of all, you've been signed up for high school, which starts tomorrow."
Avery's eyes widened in surprise and mortification. "Is it not my choice about going to school? If you have not noticed, I purposely separate myself from other people. Shoving me into a crowded area is not going to do much good."
"You've done just fine with the Team," Batman pointed out.
"Still a small group of people."
Batman hesitated for a second, "Well, let me put it this way. You're going."
"Excuse me?" Avery screeched.
"When you came to me for help, you decided that I was responsible enough to make decisions that could impact your life. Going to school is a decision that I made for you. But it's for your own good, realize that," Batman explained.
Avery opened her mouth to talk, then closed it, then opened it again, "So you trust me to go out in public and not speak about how I live in a cave with super-powered teens?"
"If you do, we can write you off as crazy and pull you out of school. But then you have to stay in the Cave without ever being let out for the rest of your natural life. Seem fair?" Batman almost smirked at the expression on the girl's face.
Finally, Avery ended up gaining control of her facial expression and glared at the Bat. "That is not fair at all, but telling you that is just plain redundant."
"Glad we're on the same page. Now, you're registered as a distant cousin of Superboy's in the school system. It's just a formality and makes it easier to explain your sudden appearance in town, plus your likeness to him made it the best choice. You're still registered as Avery Brave, fifteen year old girl. The story is that your parents recently passed in a car accident in Gotham, as a few people can vouch for your presence there recently, and you've had to move in with your cousin here in Happy Harbor. You can make any more specific details from there yourself. Got it?"
"Eidetic memory, I already have it stored away and memorized." Avery waited a beat. "So in this little story you have concocted, I am just a little orphan girl far from home? Seems a little stereotypical-new-girl to me."
"It's the closest thing to the truth we've got. Unless you want to come up with something better by the end of the night?"
Avery was silent.
"That's what I thought. Now, don't speak about your actual past at school. Never associate yourself with any hero when you talk. In gym class, never live up to your full potential, but don't make it obvious that you're slacking. You can make friends with whoever you want, but you are not to tell them that you're a hero in training. Never-" Batman was cut off.
"So basically, live a lie, but make it seem real." Avery raised an eyebrow quizzically.
"New rule-" Batman was interrupted again.
"Never cut off the Batman?" Avery smiled like the cat that ate the canary.
"Exactly," He growled out.
"I think I have this down. Living a lie is the thing I am best at, remember?" Her smile morphed into one of remorse.
Batman gaped. Sure, he's lived with kids who literally just lost their parents. But he never was the best at comforting them. That was mostly left to Alfred. Being a parent has brought some of those skills into the light, but not nearly enough. So he said the best thing he could think of. "Maybe one day, you won't have to."
.:Back to Life:.
Robin was walking around the halls to wake himself up. He had tried going back to sleep after hearing Hurricane Avery in the next room over as she tried to get ready for training, but that proved unsuccessful. So there he was, walking past the training room. Inside he saw Batman guiding Avery through the procedures for dodging a variety of attacks. Easy stuff. In his half-awake state, he found himself daydreaming while standing up in the doorway of the training room. His little drifting session between sleep and reality was pulled by a familiar voice.
"Looking in on training then?" Nightwing said a few feet from his successor.
"More like falling asleep standing up," Robin justified.
"Sure, excuses. Maybe you were just trying to watch Avery flip around." A sly smirk found its way to Nightwing's face.
"Just like you do with Barbra?" The smaller bird retorted.
Nightwing smiled, "Now that, I will admit to. But don't tell Babs."
"I'll just keep it filed away for later, thank you very much."
"Fine. If you tell Babs, I'll tell Avery."
"There isn't anything to tell. And would you stop trying to shove me towards Avery already?" Robin quickly retaliated.
Nightwing cleared his throat and prepared his 'big brother' voice. "Listen, you didn't take your break up with Cassie all too well. Maybe moving on will do you some good."
"I'm perfectly fine right now, don't want a relationship or need one." Robin tried to walk down the hallway to his room.
Nightwing pushed him back. "All I'm saying is to not get hung up on Cassie."
"Why? Because she's already moved on with Jaime?" Robin crossed his arms.
"Well, yeah."
"I don't have to be in a relationship to be emotionally healthy," Robin once again tried to pass Nightwing.
"I'm not saying you do. But I am saying to give Avery a chance." Nightwing put his hand on his "brother's" shoulder. "Maybe it won't be so bad."
"'Won't be so bad'? Have you seen how we act around each other?" Robin brushed Nightwing's hand off his shoulder.
"Let me enlighten you really quick. Remember all the stories I've told you about how Artemis and Wally's relationship started out?"
"They fought." The realization dawned on the younger teen and his eyes widened.
"There you go, my job is done; have a nice day now." Without further ado, Nightwing left towards the kitchen.
.:Back to Life:.
Robin waited at the zeta tubes for Batman and Avery to finish up their training. Gotham had to be patrolled tonight after all. After a few minutes, the two finally showed up. They were wrapping up their conversation by the sound of it.
Batman gave Avery one final warning, "Be up early for school. Miss Martian will give you a ride to school and Superboy will pick you up."
"Got it; I will wake up and go to school like a good little girl." Avery rolled her eyes and started walking back towards the hallway she just emerged from.
"One more thing," Batman called. "I expect you to get good grades."
Avery gave a short wave without looking back as a way of showing that the message was received. "Have fun actually doing work in the field," She called back.
Robin scoffed under his breath, "Sure, then I get an hour's worth of sleep before I have to go to school."
A/N: This is actually leading up to major story progression, so bare with me here. Also, if you celebrate Easter, Happy Easter. If not, happy Sunday. There, my bases are covered. Have a nice day everyone.
Read. Enjoy. Review.