[The declaration visibly startles him. And he finally looks up with those owlishly big eyes of his once more. Confusion-- curiosity. Lack of understanding.
Despite the rumors among scared drug dealers and petty muggers, he knew that Batman didn't kill people (Robin was another story, but he mostly obeyed). He was much more in the business of taking prisoners. He figured they'd get what they wanted from him and lock him away, and then it'd only be a matter of time before the Court reclaimed what was properly theirs, probably with their new Talon to finish the work, and that would be the end of that.
He can't possibly conceive of what the Bats would want with him if not to turn him loose, kill him or imprison him, nor the very idea that Robin would want to prevent him from returning to his punishment. "Abandoned," as he'd said it, but he didn't know how he felt about that phrasing. Sure, they'd want to keep him away from the Court so he couldn't do their work anymore, but what did they care besides that? If he was dead, he was off the streets and off their hands.]
I, don't-- I'm not sure. [It's the first time his speech has really faltered since he accidentally spoke during the fight, but Robin's demeanor makes him feel rushed to deliver an answer. But it was a really bad answer, and he tried to think of something else, quickly, that sounded more satisfactory. He cast his glance anxiously around the cell, as if something there would provide some insight.]
Eleven? Twelve? They took me in when I was eight. Seven or eight. But I'm not sure how long it's been.
[There. That was a better answer.]
But I have to go back. [Trying to be nonchalant, and desperately trying not to fidget while under scrutiny. But he's already resigned to that notion, made peace with it.] They'll just come get me if I don't.
no subject
Despite the rumors among scared drug dealers and petty muggers, he knew that Batman didn't kill people (Robin was another story, but he mostly obeyed). He was much more in the business of taking prisoners. He figured they'd get what they wanted from him and lock him away, and then it'd only be a matter of time before the Court reclaimed what was properly theirs, probably with their new Talon to finish the work, and that would be the end of that.
He can't possibly conceive of what the Bats would want with him if not to turn him loose, kill him or imprison him, nor the very idea that Robin would want to prevent him from returning to his punishment. "Abandoned," as he'd said it, but he didn't know how he felt about that phrasing. Sure, they'd want to keep him away from the Court so he couldn't do their work anymore, but what did they care besides that? If he was dead, he was off the streets and off their hands.]
I, don't-- I'm not sure. [It's the first time his speech has really faltered since he accidentally spoke during the fight, but Robin's demeanor makes him feel rushed to deliver an answer. But it was a really bad answer, and he tried to think of something else, quickly, that sounded more satisfactory. He cast his glance anxiously around the cell, as if something there would provide some insight.]
Eleven? Twelve? They took me in when I was eight. Seven or eight. But I'm not sure how long it's been.
[There. That was a better answer.]
But I have to go back. [Trying to be nonchalant, and desperately trying not to fidget while under scrutiny. But he's already resigned to that notion, made peace with it.] They'll just come get me if I don't.