(twelfth miracle) BBS + action; action is open to fourth wall

[bunnypassingby]

[BBS]
Does anyone have a handgun holster I could borrow? [Hey, it worked for Espio!]

I'm starting to look into getting holsters for my pistols, and all the information on them in the books is kind of overwhelming, especially when they don't have pictures, [that was backspaced, because Mikuru correctly thinks it makes her sound dumb] so I thought actually trying out some of the different types might help.

Or if you know about holsters and could maybe give me some recommendations, that would be good too. :)

- Mikuru

[ACTION]
[On the quad, Mikuru is enjoying the return of warmth to do some homework, but in front of her is a handwritten sign, decorated with cutesy doodles of flowers and happy stick people: "Join the Garden Festival Committee today! Ask me!"

[When people walk past, she glances up and smiles at them, but she doesn't approach anyone on her own just yet.]

Comments

action

[bratbeyond]

You're not going to get members like that.

[Despite his tone, Day's actually pities her. It's tough, getting people to join school clubs these days!] Did you at least make fliers?

Re: action

[bunnypassingby]

I didn't want to bother anyone too much... [Story. Of her. Life.] But yeah, I did make some handouts. [She produces one from a folder.]

[bratbeyond]

[He looks at it before attempting to snatch it from her hands.]

Then you should tack them all around campus. You're not going to get any members by sitting around and being all passive.

[bunnypassingby]

['course you can have it, Day.] That's a good point! [Sob how did she end up leader of this club.]

[bratbeyond]

[By default, Damian's assuming.] Only the truth.

How else do you think politicians get their jobs done?

[bunnypassingby]

I never really thought about it, to be honest. [The attention Mikuru pays to politics: "Oh, that's a thing that happens."]

[bratbeyond]

[a soft, resigned sigh.] You and the rest of the world.

ALL THE APOLOGIES IN THIS POST

[bunnypassingby]

Sorry...

DAMIAN BRINGS 'EM ALL TO THE YARD

[bratbeyond]

[He might be smiling. Just a little.]

It's fine. It's not like the rest of the student body pays attention to politics anyhow.

[bunnypassingby]

Politics confuses me. [It embarrasses her to admit, but it's the simple truth about why she doesn't pay attention.]

[bratbeyond]

Understandable. It even confuses politicians.

But I think it makes more sense when you realize pretty much everything is politics: it's just how people try to negotiate a better world for themselves based on their values.

[bunnypassingby]

[She looks at the sky as she considers this, then nods, kind of starting to get it.]

[bratbeyond]

... It just frustrates me.

Mom and Dad were into politics, so my siblings and I knew how to handle it pretty well. Guess it's still weird that the rest of the world doesn't.

[bunnypassingby]

Is it any different on other worlds that aren't here or Earths, do you think?

[bratbeyond]

Not really. The people might be different, the issues might be different... but the methods, they're all the same.

[bunnypassingby]

Human nature. [If there was one thing she picked up from Sociology last quarter...]

[bratbeyond]

Unfortunately. [He makes a face.] It's not just limited to humans either... those who can walk and think like humans also act like us too.

action

[neverbatman]

[The minute he sees that cutesy sign, this guy can't help snickering slightly. It's not malicious; at least, he doesn't intend for it to be...]

The Garden Festival Committee? Even your school clubs sound boring.

[The fact that he could pass for Damian Razem's older brother? Is totally irrelevant to the conversation. Of course.]

Re: action

[bunnypassingby]

[She frowns, though it comes out as more of a pout.] We organize a lot of fun events that people have enjoyed...

[She had intended to go on, but she gets a bit sidetracked by staring curiously at him, because damn boy do you look familiar.]

[neverbatman]

I'll believe it when I see it.

[He doesn't really appreciate that stare...] What're you looking at?

[bunnypassingby]

You... look a lot like a friend of mine. Do you have a little brother?

[neverbatman]

[He's silent for what feels like a very long time.

Mother'd always said that she'd replace him... but what's that clone doing here at some military school?] Yeah. Let me guess, he's enrolled here?

[bunnypassingby]

[She brightens a little. On one hand, yay for meeting friends' family! On the other hand, that silence doesn't bode well.] Yes, he is! Damian's kind of like a little brother to me, so it's nice to meet his actual older brother - my name's Mikuru.

[neverbatman]

Wait a sec.

His name's Damian? [His eyes narrow. Not only is the clone at this school, but the clone stole his name? SO NOT COOL.] I'm sure you're a cool person, but... what's his last name? Al'Ghul? Wayne?

[bunnypassingby]

Razem... [Ooookay, something's not right here; brothers should know each other's names.] Um, are you... not Sharif?

[neverbatman]

[Razem... The name rings a bell, if only faintly. He shakes his head.]

Nope. My name's Damian Wayne, though I might know this "Damian Razem" kid from somewhere.

[bunnypassingby]

[Oh.] Sorry, I think the Damian I know is from a different world to you, or something.

[neverbatman]

Sure sounds like it.

[It's a little depressing how normal alternate selves are for him.] So... Razem, huh. Is he Dr. Ramzi Razem's kid?

[bunnypassingby]

[She nods.] You've heard of his family?

[neverbatman]

Unfortunately.

I didn't think Doc was the kind to actually adopt kids, though. He's way too gung-ho about his little superhero group. [He rolls his eyes.]

[bunnypassingby]

Um, I don't know about a group, but he does have four kids including Damian...

[neverbatman]

... Huh.

[It's concerning, considering his world's Dr. Razem is nowhere near ready to have kids yet, but...] As long as he's treating this other me right, I guess that's okay.

[bunnypassingby]

He is; Damian's a great kid. [Despite the random insults et al. PROUD SMILE. Oh god little Damian can never know about this.]

[neverbatman]

[Wow.

He hasn't heard anyone say that about him since... well, since Grayson.] ... I'm glad.

Thanks for believing in us.

[bunnypassingby]

You're welcome. [She ducks her head down and smooths her skirt, a little embarrassed by her own affection.]

So... What's your world like?

[neverbatman]

We've still got superheroes. Batman, Robin...

But I'm actually Batman's kid. Not Dr. Razem's. [The thought makes him sick to his stomach.]

[bunnypassingby]

[Her eyebrows lift in surprise. She's not sure she really gets it, but she's heard a bit about Batman.] That must be...intense.

[neverbatman]

[He snorts.] Just a little, yeah.

I think your Damian got off easy, if Dr. Razem's his dad. Doc's always preaching non-violence and being all mighty with your tongue instead.