[Damian's first thought when he recognizes that he's being grabbed hold of is to shoot a frankly dangerous glare at the boy he's dragging along - the kind of feral rage that might be expected of a wild animal, or an instinctual killer. The tension in his body doesn't leave as he listens, though he can tell that the boy isn't actually planning on attacking him or keeping him from moving, and he's sure he could get free by simply breaking his arm.
He doesn't though.
To his credit, he does listen. Damian's never had to worry about money. His father is in the top fifty richest men in the world - or rather was, and his mother was the princess of an empire built on murder, worship and theft. R'as Al Ghul had a dragon's hoard of wealth that he had stolen from those he viewed as corrupt influences on humanity. So yes, he's realizing that maybe some privilege motivated his disgust. He's not going to say it out loud but he does realize it. But his stance doesn't change.]
What a longwinded way of demonstrating how little you understand anything I said or what commercializing even means. [He snatches his cape away, careful not to accidentally activate the electric mechanism that would knock him clean out.] And if you touch me like that again and I'll break your arm.
[And then he walks off, fast, to not let him get another word in. He has a lot of opinions on what a hero is and what a vigilante is. He was a criminal first - a terrorist prince who was told from a very young age that the world was his and that he would conquer the ivory towers of the same humanity that doomed the world and corrupted the green, and he would paint the polished stones of their palaces red with their blood.
He's disavowed the League. He understands that they were no better. But he doesn't believe there's anything heroic about serving the governments of the world as a loyal soldier, when they're often the most despicable villains of all. The Court of Owls, the entire concept of the Suicide Squad, Lex Luthor, Bendix, Waller, the puppet Batman appointed by the police that haunted the future.
He returns after a minute, with the supplies needed, and he drops it on the table before sighing and preparing to continue.]
Do you honestly believe that all cops, doctors and investigators sign up out of the goodness of their hearts? Turning heroism into an industry with designated schools all connected through a greater institution designed for profit isn't about providing people with fair pay. Heroes are paid in my world. [Often by his father or Green Arrow, or through the sizeable donations that the Justice League gets. Heroes who don't join any teams don't tend to get paid, though. Damian certainly doesn't. He's technically been homeless for the past three months.]
Where I'm from, being a hero is about changing the world for the better. Not serving a status quo for money.
[Not strictly speaking... true. The superhero community has been divided over whether to comply with government restrictions or not in the past, with his father often being the one most against it and Superman being more prone to following along - more carefully aware of much they fear him. But Damian's never exactly held much respect for anyone outside of his family or his friends. He's aware other heroes serve at the whims of Amanda Waller, or LexCorp, or the Police. But he considers them less heroes and more military police in fancy dress.]
And I made my own costume, for your information. [With stolen tech, but yes.]
no subject
He doesn't though.
To his credit, he does listen. Damian's never had to worry about money. His father is in the top fifty richest men in the world - or rather was, and his mother was the princess of an empire built on murder, worship and theft. R'as Al Ghul had a dragon's hoard of wealth that he had stolen from those he viewed as corrupt influences on humanity. So yes, he's realizing that maybe some privilege motivated his disgust. He's not going to say it out loud but he does realize it. But his stance doesn't change.]
What a longwinded way of demonstrating how little you understand anything I said or what commercializing even means. [He snatches his cape away, careful not to accidentally activate the electric mechanism that would knock him clean out.] And if you touch me like that again and I'll break your arm.
[And then he walks off, fast, to not let him get another word in. He has a lot of opinions on what a hero is and what a vigilante is. He was a criminal first - a terrorist prince who was told from a very young age that the world was his and that he would conquer the ivory towers of the same humanity that doomed the world and corrupted the green, and he would paint the polished stones of their palaces red with their blood.
He's disavowed the League. He understands that they were no better. But he doesn't believe there's anything heroic about serving the governments of the world as a loyal soldier, when they're often the most despicable villains of all. The Court of Owls, the entire concept of the Suicide Squad, Lex Luthor, Bendix, Waller, the puppet Batman appointed by the police that haunted the future.
He returns after a minute, with the supplies needed, and he drops it on the table before sighing and preparing to continue.]
Do you honestly believe that all cops, doctors and investigators sign up out of the goodness of their hearts? Turning heroism into an industry with designated schools all connected through a greater institution designed for profit isn't about providing people with fair pay. Heroes are paid in my world. [Often by his father or Green Arrow, or through the sizeable donations that the Justice League gets. Heroes who don't join any teams don't tend to get paid, though. Damian certainly doesn't. He's technically been homeless for the past three months.]
Where I'm from, being a hero is about changing the world for the better. Not serving a status quo for money.
[Not strictly speaking... true. The superhero community has been divided over whether to comply with government restrictions or not in the past, with his father often being the one most against it and Superman being more prone to following along - more carefully aware of much they fear him. But Damian's never exactly held much respect for anyone outside of his family or his friends. He's aware other heroes serve at the whims of Amanda Waller, or LexCorp, or the Police. But he considers them less heroes and more military police in fancy dress.]
And I made my own costume, for your information. [With stolen tech, but yes.]