capeandcowl | who runs barter town

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who runs barter town

The Joker and Wilson in the city.

I think it's about time you and I had a talk.

Up for another chat?

Hey.

Love you.

Mmm. One thought has been rolling in my mind, lately. Especially given the kind of situation I come from.

What do you think of counselors? Therapists? Psychologists? Anybody who has to form an opinion on your mind and emotions as part of their job, really.

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What do you have to offer?

I figure you know damn well what I've got to offer, and it's not a fresh addition of superpowers that won't do shit.

Tactics, experience, information. I think we'd both prefer Wilson taken down before it can spill out to becoming some dumb slugfest in the middle of the streets. Or before he can do some other goddamn crap involving messing with all your lives.

He'll see you - and the Titans, and everyone else he's screwed over - coming from a mile away, as it stands now. You've got reason, you've got the resources, you've got the powers, the team, the works. And we all know he works best by messing with your expectations and staying one step ahead. Does it even better if he can isolate you into a one-on-one confrontation.

Long story short. You want to run him in - and quietly at that - you're going to want something different from Titans tactics. Even Batman tactics.

And not to brag, but I'm still alive for good reason.

Not to cast a less than sterling shadow on your aspirations, but my interest in keeping my friends safe is a little transparent. What do you have against him that’s bad enough you need him out of the game more than you need to avoid putting up with my limitations to pull it off?

What, I need to have something personal against him to want to get him shut down before he can ruin some lives or kill somebody?

First off, by virtue of just being in this universe, I have to put up with your limitations. Imports who get killed just come right back. And they don't come back in a jail cell. Which takes one of my options off the table right from the start.

Second, if I have to have something personal against him, I am still none too happy with the fact that Sarge Steel put the psychopath on the payroll of Checkmate way back when, I don't care what he did for him, and I don't care if he has done some good in his history.

You’re gonna have to cut me some slack if I’m a little slow to chance motivating factors on this one. If you’re willing to help me bring him in by the books for the sake of the warm fuzzies then be my guest, but I need to do this my way. I’m betting I’ve tangled with him a few more times over the years than you have.

Yeah, you have. I know just about all of them. Which is why you need my experience. He's expecting you, and your usual gameplan.

And if I'm playing ball with one of your rules, there's one of my own I want on here.

The new Robin stays out of it.

[....the longest pause]

Robin's involvement isn't negotiable.

You want to throw a - 11, 12? No, maybe even ten - year old up against one of the most accomplished and dangerous mercenaries in the world. Up against one of the major figures of the Society in its heyday. Up against a man who can give a collected group of JLA members pause.

And no, I don't care how much of a prodigy he is, or how he's proven himself.

Let's make one thing crystal clear, Waller: my partner is my business. I don't take that responsibility for granted and I depend on him in the field for a reason. He's handled a lot worse than this before and he will again before he's done his time in that costume. I'm not shutting him out of a case that could save his life one day to ease your misplaced sensibilities. [yeah, he sounds pissed :|]

Oh, yeah, my misplaced sensibilities.

You know what they'd call me if I recruited ten year olds to fight? Even if I held them to non-fatal methods only?

But that's off the main point.

I shouldn't have to ask you how many Titans have died. Or more specifically, if you remember what happened to Jason Todd.

You know the answers to both, better than anyone.

[....oh god how dare she call him on all his worst fears and anxieties fjalkjsgrrrr this silence, it gets long]

...Fine.

He can sit it out.

Good. I'm no Superman when it comes to morals, but I'm not going to be throwing a kid into the middle of this.

Otherwise, you have your pick of people for this. If you're going to pick a Titan, though, I recommend Logan.

I'll keep in touch.

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who runs barter town

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