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schizoauthoressTitle: Handle With Care
Author: D.L.SchizoAuthoress /![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
schizoauthoress
Rating: PG
Spoilers: Nothing that I can think of. Timeline is vague.
Warnings: Gender-bender. Possible Tim-bashing (I don't think it is, but I admit he's my least favorite Robin). Insensitive jokes from a character that doesn't know better yet.
Word Count: 1082
Prompt: any, any, pretty like a girl
Summary: Maybe they were expecting him to make an ugly girl... truth is, he's not a girl at all.
This story is part of the Curse!verse and is a direct sequel. Click on the link, or the "fiction: dcu: curse!verse" tag to read the previous parts.
Handle With Care
"Harley and Ivy got away," Robin reported. "I managed to get a tracer onto their car, but it must have gotten damaged during the chase. I lost the signal."
~I've got my Birds sweeping the area,~ Oracle interjected. ~Otherwise, Gotham's quieting down for the time being and you can deal with Jason's issue without any external demands on your attention, boys.~
"Thank you, Oracle." Batman's curt reply was the first thing he'd said since coming down into the Cave. Under his silence, the rest of the family followed his lead -- except for Dick, who was trying to contact certain allies, but even he spoke quietly as he left a message.
"No answer from Zatanna," Dick sighed, pulling the hands-free headset off his ears. "Shall I try Dr. Fate next?"
"I'd rather find a solution that doesn't have to do with magic." Batman grumbled.
~I'm collating data on Aine and the practices of her worshipers, as well as information on the museum pieces and schedule of tour dates.~ A smirk was evident even under Oracle's voice-masking. ~I'd rather have a magic-user on standby if our good old-fashioned detective work reveals we need one.~
Robin dabbed spirit gum remover around the edges of his domino mask, still listening attentively. As he peeled the mask from his face, Alfred walked past him with a large tray of sandwiches. It was a reminder of their normal routines, and of the fact that Tim was hungry.
"Thanks, Alfred," he said, grabbing a sandwich and taking a big bite. He chewed and swallowed before asking, "Are you sticking around?"
"Miss Cassandra gave me the impression that I should be here as well." Alfred said mildly. "And I would like to show Master Jason my support."
Cassandra's voice carried toward them as she said to Jason, "Come... they want to help," and the two young women came into view, one gently insistent to the other's obvious reluctance. "Can't hide forever."
"I could if I wanted to," muttered Jason. Out of the bulky jacket and accouterments of the Red Hood persona, the changes wrought on Jason were much easier to see. She had lost a few inches of height, and her build had altered to become more slender. Her hair remained close-cropped, with longer bangs. 'Pretty' was not a word that one would have used to describe the male Jason, yet it seemed to be the only way to quantify the overall difference. But, to Bruce, who was watching with his usual intensity, the strangest thing was to watch the hesitant, unsure way that Jason handled herself.
Jason caught sight of the others waiting, and a change came over her. She straightened up, glared a challenge at each of them in turn (with extra 'I hate you so much right now' for Dick), and walked quickly -- with the customary swagger that had been missing before -- to the area of the Bat Cave where they had assembled.
Visibly amused, Cassandra trailed behind the newly-female Jason at nearly the same pace.
"All right," Jason declared, tone harsh and clipped, "Get it out of y'r systems now. I'm a screw-up, nothing but trouble, I had it coming... let's hear it. I know you're thinking it."
"Oh, shit," Dick mock-gasped, "Girls really are psychic-- ow!" (The last being said after Cassandra slugged him on the arm, just below his shoulder. She frowned and shook her head at him, her whole body radiating disappointment.)
Batman and Tim appeared to be completely at a loss for words. Maybe they were expecting Jason to make an ugly girl. Alfred gave a tiny sigh over their reactions, then stepped forward laying a gentle hand on Jason's shoulder.
"Master Jason," Alfred said seriously, "I don't pretend to know the inner workings of a god's mind, but I cannot think of any crime you could commit where this would be a just punishment. Yes, you made mistakes, but so have we all."
"And you're more than just 'trouble'," Batman broke in. Jason, interpreting the vague phrase negatively, flinched and looked away. Alfred squeezed Jason's shoulder in a supportive gesture, and glanced at Batman with one eyebrow eloquently raised. Batman's jaw tensed momentarily, and he tried to clarify, "What I mean, Jason, is that you've been a valuable member of the team..." Alfred pursed his lips into a slight frown; a muscle in Batman's cheek twitched. "and you're a member of my... our family. You're not trouble, you're in trouble. And I'd like to help... if you'll accept it."
Cassandra, still close to Dick in case he got mouthy again, nodded approvingly. There was a lot left unsaid, but she'd learned from Babs that even small steps were important.
Jason cleared her throat. "Yeah... well... I'd have to be an idiot to turn that down."
"So, um..." Tim asked, "How are we going to explain her to people?"
Everyone turned toward Tim. What little of Batman's face was not hidden by the cowl held an expectant look, as if waiting for an explanation from Tim. Cassandra, both eyebrows raised, was staring at him with that searching, reading look she had. Dick and Alfred both looked rather disconcerted at the blunt phrasing; Jason flushed bright red and stared at Tim with mingled anger and embarrassment.
"Damn it, I'm not-- this isn't--" Jason balled both hands into fists, and snarled out, "You don't get to judge me, okay?"
"I'm not!" Tim protested. "You look like a girl!"
"Did you just notice that?!" Jason snapped.
"No! Anyone would notice it right away! You look like a girl, so people will think 'girl' and call you 'her' and 'she'..."
"You know better," Cassandra said. "Jason is not 'she'."
"But we're going to have to do that, too! Unless you want to go with some convoluted explanation," Tim pointed at Jason, "using anything other than what appears to be the right pronouns for her is going to be confusing. She'll just have to get used to it!"
Jason's fist slammed into Tim's jaw. Normally, such a blow would knock the smaller, slighter young man to the ground. As things were, Tim rocked back on his heels, looking dazed, but remained upright.
"Whoa!"
"Master Jason!"
"Jason!"
~Jason!~
"Start your strike further back," Cassandra critiqued, "You can make up for the changes in your strength and muscle power by putting your whole torso behind it."
Tim rubbed his jaw. "Oh, real nice, Cass."
"Someone has to teach him," Cassandra replied, "to fight like a girl."
Go to Chapter Four
****
(Urk. I need to reformat my tags... probably c: instead of chara:... when I'm not so sleepy.)
I hope that this chapter wasn't too confusing. Like I said, in the narration, Jason is referred to as "she" and "her" (although sharp readers will note that I tried to avoid pronoun use in places); the characters (with notable exception) are still thinking of Jason as "he" and "him".
Author: D.L.SchizoAuthoress /
schizoauthoressRating: PG
Spoilers: Nothing that I can think of. Timeline is vague.
Warnings: Gender-bender. Possible Tim-bashing (I don't think it is, but I admit he's my least favorite Robin). Insensitive jokes from a character that doesn't know better yet.
Word Count: 1082
Prompt: any, any, pretty like a girl
Summary: Maybe they were expecting him to make an ugly girl... truth is, he's not a girl at all.
This story is part of the Curse!verse and is a direct sequel. Click on the link, or the "fiction: dcu: curse!verse" tag to read the previous parts.
Handle With Care
"Harley and Ivy got away," Robin reported. "I managed to get a tracer onto their car, but it must have gotten damaged during the chase. I lost the signal."
~I've got my Birds sweeping the area,~ Oracle interjected. ~Otherwise, Gotham's quieting down for the time being and you can deal with Jason's issue without any external demands on your attention, boys.~
"Thank you, Oracle." Batman's curt reply was the first thing he'd said since coming down into the Cave. Under his silence, the rest of the family followed his lead -- except for Dick, who was trying to contact certain allies, but even he spoke quietly as he left a message.
"No answer from Zatanna," Dick sighed, pulling the hands-free headset off his ears. "Shall I try Dr. Fate next?"
"I'd rather find a solution that doesn't have to do with magic." Batman grumbled.
~I'm collating data on Aine and the practices of her worshipers, as well as information on the museum pieces and schedule of tour dates.~ A smirk was evident even under Oracle's voice-masking. ~I'd rather have a magic-user on standby if our good old-fashioned detective work reveals we need one.~
Robin dabbed spirit gum remover around the edges of his domino mask, still listening attentively. As he peeled the mask from his face, Alfred walked past him with a large tray of sandwiches. It was a reminder of their normal routines, and of the fact that Tim was hungry.
"Thanks, Alfred," he said, grabbing a sandwich and taking a big bite. He chewed and swallowed before asking, "Are you sticking around?"
"Miss Cassandra gave me the impression that I should be here as well." Alfred said mildly. "And I would like to show Master Jason my support."
Cassandra's voice carried toward them as she said to Jason, "Come... they want to help," and the two young women came into view, one gently insistent to the other's obvious reluctance. "Can't hide forever."
"I could if I wanted to," muttered Jason. Out of the bulky jacket and accouterments of the Red Hood persona, the changes wrought on Jason were much easier to see. She had lost a few inches of height, and her build had altered to become more slender. Her hair remained close-cropped, with longer bangs. 'Pretty' was not a word that one would have used to describe the male Jason, yet it seemed to be the only way to quantify the overall difference. But, to Bruce, who was watching with his usual intensity, the strangest thing was to watch the hesitant, unsure way that Jason handled herself.
Jason caught sight of the others waiting, and a change came over her. She straightened up, glared a challenge at each of them in turn (with extra 'I hate you so much right now' for Dick), and walked quickly -- with the customary swagger that had been missing before -- to the area of the Bat Cave where they had assembled.
Visibly amused, Cassandra trailed behind the newly-female Jason at nearly the same pace.
"All right," Jason declared, tone harsh and clipped, "Get it out of y'r systems now. I'm a screw-up, nothing but trouble, I had it coming... let's hear it. I know you're thinking it."
"Oh, shit," Dick mock-gasped, "Girls really are psychic-- ow!" (The last being said after Cassandra slugged him on the arm, just below his shoulder. She frowned and shook her head at him, her whole body radiating disappointment.)
Batman and Tim appeared to be completely at a loss for words. Maybe they were expecting Jason to make an ugly girl. Alfred gave a tiny sigh over their reactions, then stepped forward laying a gentle hand on Jason's shoulder.
"Master Jason," Alfred said seriously, "I don't pretend to know the inner workings of a god's mind, but I cannot think of any crime you could commit where this would be a just punishment. Yes, you made mistakes, but so have we all."
"And you're more than just 'trouble'," Batman broke in. Jason, interpreting the vague phrase negatively, flinched and looked away. Alfred squeezed Jason's shoulder in a supportive gesture, and glanced at Batman with one eyebrow eloquently raised. Batman's jaw tensed momentarily, and he tried to clarify, "What I mean, Jason, is that you've been a valuable member of the team..." Alfred pursed his lips into a slight frown; a muscle in Batman's cheek twitched. "and you're a member of my... our family. You're not trouble, you're in trouble. And I'd like to help... if you'll accept it."
Cassandra, still close to Dick in case he got mouthy again, nodded approvingly. There was a lot left unsaid, but she'd learned from Babs that even small steps were important.
Jason cleared her throat. "Yeah... well... I'd have to be an idiot to turn that down."
"So, um..." Tim asked, "How are we going to explain her to people?"
Everyone turned toward Tim. What little of Batman's face was not hidden by the cowl held an expectant look, as if waiting for an explanation from Tim. Cassandra, both eyebrows raised, was staring at him with that searching, reading look she had. Dick and Alfred both looked rather disconcerted at the blunt phrasing; Jason flushed bright red and stared at Tim with mingled anger and embarrassment.
"Damn it, I'm not-- this isn't--" Jason balled both hands into fists, and snarled out, "You don't get to judge me, okay?"
"I'm not!" Tim protested. "You look like a girl!"
"Did you just notice that?!" Jason snapped.
"No! Anyone would notice it right away! You look like a girl, so people will think 'girl' and call you 'her' and 'she'..."
"You know better," Cassandra said. "Jason is not 'she'."
"But we're going to have to do that, too! Unless you want to go with some convoluted explanation," Tim pointed at Jason, "using anything other than what appears to be the right pronouns for her is going to be confusing. She'll just have to get used to it!"
Jason's fist slammed into Tim's jaw. Normally, such a blow would knock the smaller, slighter young man to the ground. As things were, Tim rocked back on his heels, looking dazed, but remained upright.
"Whoa!"
"Master Jason!"
"Jason!"
~Jason!~
"Start your strike further back," Cassandra critiqued, "You can make up for the changes in your strength and muscle power by putting your whole torso behind it."
Tim rubbed his jaw. "Oh, real nice, Cass."
"Someone has to teach him," Cassandra replied, "to fight like a girl."
Go to Chapter Four
****
(Urk. I need to reformat my tags... probably c: instead of chara:... when I'm not so sleepy.)
I hope that this chapter wasn't too confusing. Like I said, in the narration, Jason is referred to as "she" and "her" (although sharp readers will note that I tried to avoid pronoun use in places); the characters (with notable exception) are still thinking of Jason as "he" and "him".
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
on 2010-05-22 03:22 (UTC)no subject
on 2010-05-22 07:51 (UTC)no subject
on 2010-05-22 21:15 (UTC)*...reads comment below hers* Oh my. Jason on his period. That'd be terribly frightening. >>;; Jason-Cass-Babs-Steph all on the same schedule. And Gotham EXPLODES. Hahaha. XD
And Jason looks like a girl version of my anger icon. XD
Doo de doo de doo...
on 2010-05-22 06:23 (UTC)-Quip
Re: Doo de doo de doo...
on 2010-05-22 07:53 (UTC)2) First period comes later. Or don't you know about women's cycles synching up when they live in the same house?
Re: Doo de doo de doo...
on 2010-05-22 10:20 (UTC)2. Menstrual cycles synch up between 20-38 days. Jason hasn't had a cycle in years.
3. I wuv you!
4. The story is interesting! Keep it up!
-Quip
Re: Doo de doo de doo...
on 2010-05-22 15:02 (UTC)And your argument re: menstrual cycles doesn't fly. The female body Jason's got now is brand new, hasn't had a chance to ovulate. Even if the process started RIGHT WHEN he switched genders, that's still 28-ish days before girl!Jason's menarche. (Also, it's fucking magic and it's my story so there.)
*sigh* At least you like the story. Although part of me thinks you just like yanking my chain over this, too.
Re: Doo de doo de doo...
on 2010-05-23 03:23 (UTC)-Quip
no subject
on 2010-05-24 07:34 (UTC)no subject
on 2010-05-24 08:00 (UTC)no subject
on 2010-06-14 05:36 (UTC)XD Sorry, had many trans friends in high school. Just saying.
Awesome as always <3.
no subject
on 2010-06-14 06:35 (UTC)But this is supposed to be their first reactions; I haven't yet decided what Jason's going to do. I mean, logically, he could stay in the Batcave or out of the public eye until someone comes up with solution, but where's the fun in that? :)
Thanks for the feedback and ideas!