eachdraidh | [OPEN TO ALL/BOTH COURTS] Public Service Announcement [VIDEO]

[ This time on the network, Kaldur looks far more serious and far less in immediate danger. That's a plus. Possibly. Still, his shoulders are squared at the camera and his face unemotional and grave. ]

Three days ago, I stumbled across some worm-creatures, and with a team was able to manage their numbers. Those of you who have gone exploring may also have encountered them, and discovered as I had, that they had remarkable powers of self-healing and regeneration.

However, we have discovered a way to eliminate the creatures and to keep them from regenerating. If you sever the creatures into pieces, and burn them, it will kill the creature. Fire applied as cauterization to any wounds the worms sustains acts to prevent those wounds from healing.

[ A pause, and Kaldur shifts. ]

I know that many of us are to be opponents in this war, but this is no manner of individual conflict, but rather a threat that applies to us all, and thus the solution should be given to all.

To those of you who are considering exploring this new land, I ask that you take the utmost caution, and recommend that each travel in groups, so that you do not find yourselves overwhelmed by the sudden emergence of these creatures that plague us.

Thank you.

[ The feed cuts. ]

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[ It is abrupt, but not something Kaldur is surprised at. Lucky enough that he is in the castle, and after asking a fairy for the quickest way into the courtyard, he arrives promptly on time, observing his surroundings as he enters. The best cover is the small sprawl of trees, so he heads in that direction since Batman is not otherwise visible. ]

Over here.

[ He's making himself visible enough for a moment, then stepping back. Still visible, but not to everyone. It's the best spot in the area in case this was a trap; as much as he doesn't want it to be, he was raised by Batman. Being extra careful is necessary. ]

Batman.

[ He joins the Justice League leader in the shadows, but the back of his neck prickles. Something seems... off, by just the slightest margin, though the figure still seems familiar to him.

He is the slightest bit tense, waiting. ]

I will attempt to answer your questions as best I can.

[ He has questions of his own, but those can wait. ]

[ So far so good. ]

This might sound strange. [ A warning, but a brief one. ] There are lots of people here, some who have never heard of America or even Earth.

[ And because of that, he needs to be extra cautious. ]

It might be something you've noticed.

Yes. Several individuals I have worked with are from different worlds or planets, or some sort of alternate Earth. They are fascinating, the diversity in them, though there are several who are familiar with each other, or from the same worlds, as well.

[ Kaldur's been proactive, kicking worm tail and taking names (and being an organizing busybody).

Still, the way that Batman starts with that knowledge specifically... ]

You do not know me, or at least, you do not yet.

[ Still, the time difference that holds.... For Batman to have heard, but not introduced? It would have been at the very start, when he and Garth first aided Aquaman. Six-seven years previous, at least. ]

Close. [ He considers his next words carefully. ] But the date that you spoke of earlier is beyond the one I came from. You also mentioned Nightwing—a person who isn't around anymore for me.

[ Ha ha. ]

This leads me to think that we're from similar places, but ones with differing timelines.

Robin is no longer...?

[ It is a blow, and one harder than he expects it to be, even if this an alternate version of one of his dearest friends, a different world. First Tula, and now Nightwing as well? He cannot master his expression as quickly as he would like, as he tries to keep his posture from showing his surprise and defeat. ]

Grayson... Forgive me. This is... hard news to take.

[ So young. Strong, and capable, and well-knowing of the risks, and yet still... Even younger than he was when Kaldur last gave him leadership of the team, if Batman is to be correct.

Batman... his first protege. Dick had seemed often akin to a son to the man, it must be even harder for him, with Kaldur speaking so casually that Nightwing had things in control. ]

Forgive me, I did not seek to bring up poor memories, for you.

But I must agree: Nightwing is alive and well, in my timeline, beginning to take on the responsibilities he was meant for.

I am curious for other diverging points to this as well, but I am not sure... if I am prepared to receive more potentially ill news so soon.

[ He had left The Team to straighten his mind, and yet this world confronts him with more problems of that nature, beyond the puzzle of returning home. ]

[ Well, that's not what he expected. And it makes him feel really, really bad—it was easier to say that Nightwing had gone missing or died when he actually became Batman, but it wasn't easy to see reactions to it.

Especially not when he's right there.

Time to make a decision, one he probably shouldn't. One he's probably told others no before. ]

...

[ Ugh, it's hard to break the mold. He looks away for a moment once Kaldur's done speaking, then looks back to him. ]

That's not it.

[ He loses the Batman voice for that, then reaches up to tip the cowl backwards, revealing his own face. ]

Sorry—I... had to be sure that you were an ally.

[ He's way, way too soft for this. The nice Batman. ]

[ Of all the things he is expecting, it is not this.

To hear Grayson's voice, if perhaps a little deeper than he is used to and then to see... this. This man who is what Kaldur hopes he will return in time to see, his friend full grown and into himself.

This Grayson is far more burdened than the one he knows.

And far older, it strikes him, as apparently the date Kaldur has come from has not come to pass. ]

I am... relieved, to see you well.

[ His voice is firm, steady, but those who know Kaldur can see the emotion he holds back. Even if it is not his Dick, it is Dick. And one far more in need of a friend, to judge the way the cowl settles upon his shoulders. ]

And I am sorry for your loss.

[ He pauses, and lets the silence grow, gathering thoughts and generally allowing this new information to shift and settle. ]

Our timelines differ more greatly than I had first believed. For in my world, you, Grayson, are younger than me by at least three years.

Even so, you are my friend, and I doubt that there is any world in which you do not retain the full strength and goodness of your character, and I would not count you otherwise.

[ Automatic, easy acceptance, and yet it is not a decision Kaldur seems to make lightly. He does very little lightly. ]

[OPEN TO ALL/BOTH COURTS] Public Service Announcement [VIDEO]

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kaldur you're so cute

/squishes face