[He's there in a matter of seconds. Artemis is already waiting for him, and he skids right in front of her, kicking up bits of gravel. He's out of breath and already sweaty, but at least the constant running has helped keep him somewhat calm.]
Okay, do we know if there are any Gotham baddies here?
Last night. He was already gone when I woke up today. [Wally is so frantic he doesn't realize that he just told Artemis that he's living in the same housing as Robin.] There's...a guy here, an old enemy of my uncle's. But I don't think he would've done anything, it's not his M.O. Besides, he's retired.
[Artemis is too busy thinking things like "crime scene" to notice how shady that sounds.]
We should check it out. Maybe there's something there.
[And she has no idea where else to start. The only other lead is a possibly retired super villain, and Artemis isn't sure they should just go charging in to that situation without some idea. She's trying to think like Robin... but he's the detective, not her. And definitely not Kid Flash.]
Well, as long as they don't go into his room, she shouldn't figure out that they're living together. He hasn't told her where he lives yet, after all.]
Okay, it's this way.
[And he'll run with her, normal pace this time, and tell her about the Shade and how he'd battled with Jay and Barry before vanishing back home. How he'd pestered Wally the second Wally showed up, called him by name but proclaimed himself retired and beyond that sort of thing. Not because he was trying to turn over a new leaf, but because he'd simply grown bored of robbing banks and other criminal activity.]
I'm not really digging his reasons, but I believe him when he says he's retired. But he also pretty much said he wanted something interesting to do. [Might've implied he wanted Wally to get in on it.] I don't even know if he knows about Rob.
[The more he tells her about Shade, the less Artemis likes it. She seen with her own eyes how hard it is to leave "the life" and she can't imagine anyone doing it just because they were bored.
She doesn't know the Shade personally (and doesn't make the connection to the man she met on her first post to the network), but she's heard her dad talk about him. That makes him suspect in Artemis's book.]
Well, since he's from our world, he's probably heard of Robin. And if he found out Robin was here... Maybe. [But if anything, it seems like Wally should be the one at risk.] I can't believe you didn't tell us as soon as you found out the Shade was here.
[Wally's getting his comm out. He doesn't know if he should even try to contact the Shade; if Shade is responsible, they'd be tipping him off. But if he's not, then he might know something about what happened to Robin.]
He's a Central City rogue, I didn't think he even knew about you guys. And he'd been retired for years back home too, he's not in the game anymore.
[KF knows that it's his guilt making him so defensive though. He should've told Artemis and Robin immediately instead of goofing off, complaining about school, going to theme parks and the beach. He's been treating this like- like a vacation. Like an inconvenient vacation.
He might've just gotten Robin kidnapped -or worse- because he was just plain stupid.]
You said yourself, he got out because he was bored and now he's bored again. And wherever he's from, I'm pretty sure he has a TV. Or has read a newspaper. You two are sidekicks to two of the biggest heroes in the Justice League--everyone knows about you.
[And, if it turns out he's worked Sportsmaster, there's even a very slim chance he's heard the name "Artemis Crock" before, which isn't helping her anxiety level.
Artemis can tell Wally is freaking out and when she's calmer she'll feel bad about getting on his case. Right now, though, she's feeling pretty guilty and upset herself. They've all let down their guard and now the one person who could have figured a way out of this mess is missing.
She sees him pulling out his comm and catches him by the wrist.]
[Wally tugs his wrist free.] Calling Power Girl. She knows about me and Robin- like in the future or something, I don't know, but I trust her. She might know where he is.
[He leaves a message when she doesn't pick up but frowns at his comm. She doesn't usually not pick up. Whenever he texted her she always got right back to him.
What if she's missing too? This is just like something the Shade would do. What if he's grabbing people from their world?] I think we should go find the Shade and get some answers.
So, let's get out of the way the fact that we have like zero chance of beating him in a fight. Our plan should probably be to get info, and if he has Rob then also get Rob, and then get out. Right?
[The entire rest of the way to House 28 is spent texting Jaime and wondering if there's any way he can show Artemis Robin's room while still protecting his secret identity. Robin doesn't keep any pictures, or really much of anything that gives his room any personality. Wally can probably get in there and sweep it for identifiers before letting her in.
Yeah. That's all he can do. ...and also lock his own door so she doesn't go in there and see what is very obviously Wally West's room. No reason to make it easier for her to figure out who Robin is.
God, Robin is going to be so mad at him later. Oh well.]
Hold on, let me uh- let me go check for traps. Trip wires and stuff, you know how paranoid he is.
[Wally darts inside before Artemis can even answer, speeds through the room and grabs anything that could possibly identify Dick Grayson, throws it into his own room and locks the door.
Artemis is already on her way up once he finishes. Hopefully she didn't hear that door click.]
It's this one.
[Predictably, there's nothing out of place.] Okay so, you look around and see if you find anything. I got a guy who might be able to track Rob down, so I'm gonna take something over to him and see what he can do. [Wally searches around, grabs a hoodie and rolls it up under his arm.] I'll call you before I do anything about Shade, okay?
[If Wally is acting jumpier than normal, Artemis doesn't really notice. It feels weird being in someone else's house--especially since the military housing makes it look basically just like her own. It's even weirder to be in Robin's room. Robin is... well, private would be putting it way too mildly. Artemis tries not to push him, especially since she really doesn't want him to push her back. It's bad enough that he caught her at the Gotham zeta tube that one time.
So she's not really looking forward to pawing through his stuff. Still, this is an emergency. She'll just have to apologize afterwards.
Assuming she gets the chance.]
Okay, if you think it will help. I'll... be here.
[She looks around Robin's room wondering where she should even start. It's already pretty obvious that nobody broke in and dragged Robin out the window or anything, which was sort of the kind of evidence she was hoping for. Well, maybe the new super-eyes will help...]
... I'll call you if I find anything.
[She gets to work and starts snooping, adding almost as an afterthought] Be careful.
[No smart-ass remarks this time. He watches Artemis pick gingerly, toss back that, 'be careful' like they're not about to do something amazingly dumb (or exactly because they are, whatever) and he nods.] Okay.
[KF takes off out of the house; the structure shudders with the force of his departure and he's gone in just a second.
It's not even thirty minutes later that he's calling Artemis.]
S'me. He didn't find anything. We gotta go with the Shade plan.
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where are you ill come to you
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#3 Heropa
Hurry up.
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Okay, do we know if there are any Gotham baddies here?
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When did you last hear from him?
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... Wait, what do you mean, he was gone when you woke up? You know where Robin lives?
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-uh. Yeah. I do, I um...found out by accident.
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We should check it out. Maybe there's something there.
[And she has no idea where else to start. The only other lead is a possibly retired super villain, and Artemis isn't sure they should just go charging in to that situation without some idea. She's trying to think like Robin... but he's the detective, not her. And definitely not Kid Flash.]
You can tell me about the retired guy on the way.
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Well, as long as they don't go into his room, she shouldn't figure out that they're living together. He hasn't told her where he lives yet, after all.]
Okay, it's this way.
[And he'll run with her, normal pace this time, and tell her about the Shade and how he'd battled with Jay and Barry before vanishing back home. How he'd pestered Wally the second Wally showed up, called him by name but proclaimed himself retired and beyond that sort of thing. Not because he was trying to turn over a new leaf, but because he'd simply grown bored of robbing banks and other criminal activity.]
I'm not really digging his reasons, but I believe him when he says he's retired. But he also pretty much said he wanted something interesting to do. [Might've implied he wanted Wally to get in on it.] I don't even know if he knows about Rob.
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She doesn't know the Shade personally (and doesn't make the connection to the man she met on her first post to the network), but she's heard her dad talk about him. That makes him suspect in Artemis's book.]
Well, since he's from our world, he's probably heard of Robin. And if he found out Robin was here... Maybe. [But if anything, it seems like Wally should be the one at risk.] I can't believe you didn't tell us as soon as you found out the Shade was here.
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He's a Central City rogue, I didn't think he even knew about you guys. And he'd been retired for years back home too, he's not in the game anymore.
[KF knows that it's his guilt making him so defensive though. He should've told Artemis and Robin immediately instead of goofing off, complaining about school, going to theme parks and the beach. He's been treating this like- like a vacation. Like an inconvenient vacation.
He might've just gotten Robin kidnapped -or worse- because he was just plain stupid.]
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[And, if it turns out he's worked Sportsmaster, there's even a very slim chance he's heard the name "Artemis Crock" before, which isn't helping her anxiety level.
Artemis can tell Wally is freaking out and when she's calmer she'll feel bad about getting on his case. Right now, though, she's feeling pretty guilty and upset herself. They've all let down their guard and now the one person who could have figured a way out of this mess is missing.
She sees him pulling out his comm and catches him by the wrist.]
What are you doing?
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[He leaves a message when she doesn't pick up but frowns at his comm. She doesn't usually not pick up. Whenever he texted her she always got right back to him.
What if she's missing too? This is just like something the Shade would do. What if he's grabbing people from their world?] I think we should go find the Shade and get some answers.
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She adjusts her quiver and hopes they're not about to make a big mistake.]
I think you might be right. Do you know where to find him?
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[Wally folds his arms tight and thinks. He should check on Jamie, too.]
...but I know he likes throw-down superhero versus villain fights. We could try luring him out.
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We've gotta do something.
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... Okay. But we have to be smart about it. It's not going to help Robin if we both get snatched or whatever.
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So, let's get out of the way the fact that we have like zero chance of beating him in a fight. Our plan should probably be to get info, and if he has Rob then also get Rob, and then get out. Right?
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[They are so dead.]
How were you planning to lure him out?
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[Mega-dead.]
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Then shrugs with a sigh of resignation. This guy has met Wally, so maybe he'll buy it.]
This is the dumbest thing we've ever done. Okay, do it, but don't say anything about me. Don't let him know you have backup.
[ooc: I'm going to work and won't be back til 10pm EST, so feel free to kick things off with shade without me]
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Yeah. That's all he can do. ...and also lock his own door so she doesn't go in there and see what is very obviously Wally West's room. No reason to make it easier for her to figure out who Robin is.
God, Robin is going to be so mad at him later. Oh well.]
Hold on, let me uh- let me go check for traps. Trip wires and stuff, you know how paranoid he is.
[Wally darts inside before Artemis can even answer, speeds through the room and grabs anything that could possibly identify Dick Grayson, throws it into his own room and locks the door.
Artemis is already on her way up once he finishes. Hopefully she didn't hear that door click.]
It's this one.
[Predictably, there's nothing out of place.] Okay so, you look around and see if you find anything. I got a guy who might be able to track Rob down, so I'm gonna take something over to him and see what he can do. [Wally searches around, grabs a hoodie and rolls it up under his arm.] I'll call you before I do anything about Shade, okay?
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So she's not really looking forward to pawing through his stuff. Still, this is an emergency. She'll just have to apologize afterwards.
Assuming she gets the chance.]
Okay, if you think it will help. I'll... be here.
[She looks around Robin's room wondering where she should even start. It's already pretty obvious that nobody broke in and dragged Robin out the window or anything, which was sort of the kind of evidence she was hoping for. Well, maybe the new super-eyes will help...]
... I'll call you if I find anything.
[She gets to work and starts snooping, adding almost as an afterthought] Be careful.
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[KF takes off out of the house; the structure shudders with the force of his departure and he's gone in just a second.
It's not even thirty minutes later that he's calling Artemis.]
S'me. He didn't find anything. We gotta go with the Shade plan.
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