AO3 SCAM

There's been a number of people reporting over on the AO3 subreddit that they're getting messages like this posted in the comments shortly after posting new fics.

The AO3 team are NEVER going to try and contact you about TOS violations via the comment section (or about anything else for that matter)

Don't click any links. Report the accounts involved (which might claim to be things like "LucySupport"), delete the message and move on.

(The evolution trigger is ✨Trauma✨)

Edit: since there seems to be some confusion about all the AU Jasons, here's a list of where they're from.

the last time I reblogged this post right before I got a great job, in a permanent work-from-home position, with benefits, retirement, and a salary literally 3x what I was making before, doing something I really like. 

So you know. 

Punctuating Dialogue

✧

➸ “This is a sentence.”

➸ “This is a sentence with a dialogue tag at the end,” she said.

➸ “This,” he said, “is a sentence split by a dialogue tag.”

➸ “This is a sentence,” she said. “This is a new sentence. New sentences are capitalized.”

➸ “This is a sentence followed by an action.” He stood. “They are separate sentences because he did not speak by standing.”

➸ She said, “Use a comma to introduce dialogue. The quote is capitalized when the dialogue tag is at the beginning.”

➸ “Use a comma when a dialogue tag follows a quote,” he said.

“Unless there is a question mark?” she asked.

“Or an exclamation point!” he answered. “The dialogue tag still remains uncapitalized because it’s not truly the end of the sentence.”

➸ “Periods and commas should be inside closing quotations.”

➸ “Hey!” she shouted, “Sometimes exclamation points are inside quotations.”

However, if it’s not dialogue exclamation points can also be “outside”!

➸ “Does this apply to question marks too?” he asked.

If it’s not dialogue, can question marks be “outside”? (Yes, they can.)

➸ “This applies to dashes too. Inside quotations dashes typically express—“

“Interruption” — but there are situations dashes may be outside.

➸ “You’ll notice that exclamation marks, question marks, and dashes do not have a comma after them. Ellipses don’t have a comma after them either…” she said.

➸ “My teacher said, ‘Use single quotation marks when quoting within dialogue.’”

➸ “Use paragraph breaks to indicate a new speaker,” he said.

“The readers will know it’s someone else speaking.”

➸ “If it’s the same speaker but different paragraph, keep the closing quotation off.

The teen appeared...distraught. Eyes rimmed with red, shoulders drawn tight, barely contained rage written in his clenched teeth.

But his hands were gentle where they held the child. Even though it was raining, the baby was completely dry, while the teen was soaking wet.

The windows had not been opened. The door had not been utilized. No alarms had been set off.

A meta.

A young, pissed off meta.

"Adopt him," the teen ordered, staring Bruce down.

Bruce raised his hands, showing that he wasn't a threat, and used that same movement to trigger a silent alarm.

"I know my reputation precedes me, but I don't actually take in every kid I-"

"-Shut up. Take him in, you're the only real option I've got. I have to hurry, I need to lay down a false trail or...just. Take the kid."

Unspoken words. The boy was hiding from someone, trying to hide the baby from someone. He himself had no intention to stay. He felt the danger was bad enough that a "false trail" would be required.

Shadows moved under the door.

Whoever was nearby to answer the alarm was ready and waiting.

"Okay. Okay, let's say I do this. Does he have a name? Is there someone specifically I need to watch out for?" Bruce asked, buying time. He needed more information; this boy had potentially brought a threat to his doorstep.

He needed to be prepared.

He needed more information on the boy himself, to investigate what the hell was going on.

"No name. Watch out for Vlad Masters, can't imagine he's happy about me taking my kid away from him, and he's got a weird mind control thing he does, so never enter a room alone with him."

Bruce's mind went blank.

Oh.

Shit.

No, he was not leaving a teenager to face their rapist alone, especially one with literal mind control as a power. He needed to know if this teen had proof of his claim of said power, if he knew if Masters had used his powers on any others, if he knew how long the mind control lasted-

"...What if I take you both in?" He asked instead.

The teen's eyes narrowed, lips parting in a small snarl.

"Not good enough. Vlad can't know he's here, so I have to-"

"-How do we defend against him, then? You broke away once, is that just something you can do or is there a way to fight back?"

The teen snorted, bouncing the baby as it started to wake up and fuss.

"Well you can either be dead or you can have anti-ghost tech, and you don't look too dead to me."

Looks were deceiving, and Bruce refrained from saying so. He also filed away that bit about Masters dealing with the occult.

"I can easily procure anti-ghost technology."

"'Easily', pff, yeah, sure. What, do you know Batman or something?"

Bruce's door quietly creaked open, and Nightwing, in full kit, poked his head in and smiled reassuringly at the bristling teenager.

"Or something." Bruce repeated, nodding at his eldest.

He was going to take both of them in, for as long as they needed.

On the other hand Danny is extremely angry and petty and right now? Doesn’t have anything left to lose. Bruce can handle Vlad. Batman can handle Plasmius. What’s Vlad gonna do? Out Phantom’s identity to his dead parents? Danny is gonna set the Justice League on Vlad’s ass. That should buy the Wayne’s enough time to get things sorted on their end.

And in the meantime? Well after he’s shared his intel with Nightwing Danny supposes he can accept a shower and a hot meal from the rich guy he’s dumping his clone on. He really is tired. Okay so staying over one night won’t hurt. It’s not like it’s permanent.

The teen tensed at Nightwing’s arrival, sneering at him with distrust. “You his sugar baby?”

Dick and Bruce both cringed. “Nope!” Dick immediately denied. “Absolutely not. That’s gross and disgusting. He’s like my dad.” Bruce shot him a warning look.

“Uh. Stepdad. Y’know, cause he’s married to Batman.”

Bruce sighed deeply. Now was not the time for the digs about being “married to his work”. Besides, this kid brought a case to him, not the other way around. Bruce was actually sleeping- it wasn’t his fault this time.

“Not married.” Bruce corrected. “Legally it’s impossible. But regardless- I can get access to the tech I need to protect you both.”

“Huh.” The teen chewed on his lip and Bruce spotted elongated canines. “This… could work.” He looked up and studied Bruce with a piercing gaze. “Your sugar batsy- he’d go after a ghost for you?”

Bruce’s face twitched. “Please don’t call him that ever again. But yes, Batman would.”

Nightwing snickered. “Great. Sounds like we have a collaboration in our future. So how about introductions? I’m Nightwing, that’s Bruce. You are?”

“…Danny.” The teen hedged. The baby gurgled and began to fuss.

“Nice to meet you Danny. How about we get you dry and the little one a place to sleep?” Nightwing coaxed.

“I’m not staying.” The tee- Danny immediately protested, the scowl on his face incongruous with how he gently rearranged the baby in his arms.

“So you’ve said.” Bruce placated. “But you still need to share your intel with Nightwing. And it’s pouring outside. It would be nigh impossible to track anyone in this weather- and that’s only if Masters tries at all.”

“Bruce is right.” Nightwing added. “You’d be the only person outside and therefore an obvious target.”

Danny sighed gustily. Then sniffed. Grimaced. Gingerly transferred the squirming baby onto Bruce’s lap. “Here. Uh. Needs a change, I think. So… yeah. I’ll just let you deal with that while Nightwing and I go talk strategy! Okay. Bye.”

Thing is, Danny's not relaxing like Dick expected. Sure, he's rambling and providing small details as if he is oversharing, but Danny's not drunk his tea, there's a tenseness to his shoulders, and, as the conversation continues, Dick is pretty sure Danny is providing small details to hide the big ones.

"So how do you know Masters?"

"Oh, he was my parents' lab partner back in college. They went to Wisco back in the 80s."

"And you said he had mind control powers?"

"Oh yeah, because of their lab project at school. Vlad was pretty pissed about it, actually. They didn't speak for nearly twenty years as a result. And hey, if my parents' built something that rearranged my genes, I'd be pissed too."

Dick waits - Danny did absolutely use a meta power to sneak into the Manor. Was that inherited?

"But at a class reunion they reconnected. Dad had really missed his best friend, you know?"

"And Masters didn't use his mind control powers on your parents?"

"Are you kidding? He loves my mom too much for that. He'd never hurt her. Even named his cat after her."

Nothing about Masters hurting other members of the family. Nothing about what he and Bruce both suspect: that Masters used those powers on Danny, an assumed trans teen, who is looking for shelter for his new infant.

"You mentioned Master's power can be stopped?"

"Yeah, Batman just needs anti-ghost tech. But good luck getting that. There's only one manufacturer in the world right now who makes it, and well, that's Vlad's company."

Suspicious.

Danny looks out the window. The rain is still heavy, but dawn is starting to break.

"Look, Vlad can find me. I don't think he knows that I took the newest one," Dick has to hold back his alarm at that statement, "so he should be safe as soon as I'm gone. Vlad's the only one selling anti-ghost tech, but it looks like Bruce's pocket book is bigger based on the sheer amount of stuff in here, so, take this."

Danny digs into his pocket and places a flash drive on the table. "Plans for anti-ghost weapons, as well as where to find supplies. I recommend starting with a ghost shield and -"

"Look, it's late. Early. Why don't you sleep, and we can go through those plans tomorrow."

"What part of Vlad can find me don't you understand? Doesn't matter I'm several states away. I've got like, an hour maybe, and I need to make sure he doesn't come here." Danny stands.

Dick stands with him. "Danny, please. Let us help. Or tell me what he's done. If we have evidence, of, of him hurting you, we can -"

Danny laughs. "Look, it's funny you think that'll work. But it's not like Vlad's hurt me, just completely broke his promise and violated my trust like, five times over."

Dick winces. They need to get Danny away from this guy.

"Vlad's outside the law, I'm outside the law. Nothing will stick. Just, just take care of the baby, okay? I think it'll piss him off, having a better, richer dad." Danny's grin is feral, fangs on display and Dick has so, so many questions.

Danny's head snaps to the doorway, eyes alarmed, sliding into a ready stance. He got in without alerting anyone, could Masters do the same?

Dick hears the shuffle and recognizes Bruce and Alfred's footsteps. They step into the room, the baby fussing. He's swaddled in at least three blankets.

"What are you doing?" Danny snaps, taking his son.

He might have no idea how to change a dipper, but Danny is gentle with the infant. He starts removing the wrapping. "He'll overheat in all these layers."

"He's cold," Alfred states. "I suspect hypothermia from the rainy night."

"What? No. This is normal for us." And indeed, as Danny peels off another blanket the kid settles down. He snuggles into Danny's chest, and a small purr fills the parlor, from the baby or Danny, it's hard to tell. Maybe both.

Dick locks eyes with Bruce over Danny's shoulder. He might have a flash drive full of blueprints, but he hasn't gotten much extra info from Danny that's be useful to take down Master. He's certainly more pissed, if this baby is the 'newest'. How long has Danny been under Master's thumb?

"Danny, please, stay the night," Dick asks. "You gave me information on anti-ghost tech." And that's an unanswered question - is Masters a ghost? Controls ghosts? "But we need information about the baby too. Standard care won't work, I'm guessing."

Danny looks between them. There's a slight edge of panicking creeping in. "I, I need him to be safe. I can't, the others, I want him to live."

Miscarriages? Did Masters dispose of them?

Bruce whispers in Dick's ear. "He's Master's charge, after Danny's parents died six months ago."

Dick has more questions now. How long has the abuse been going? Did Danny's parents know?

Danny is starting to spiral, half talking to them, half talking aloud. "I thought you'd be able to help him, that he can live a normal life. But that means you need to take care of him, and if you can't...Who else? Who else is rich enough to piss Vlad off? Who else can I give him too? This can be the false trail, I've been here long enough, but there's gotta be someone on the other coast. Or farther? How quick can I cross the ocean?"

It's all in one breath. Danny isn't breathing, but that doesn't seem to be a problem for him.

Step one: take care of the infant. Once that's taken care of, Danny will settle.

Dick steps up and takes the baby from Danny's arms. "We can absolutely take care of him. We just need your help. Go do what you need to, lay your false trail, but be back here tomorrow morning."

Danny looks at him - big blue eyes, messy black hair, pale exhausted face. Bruce is 100% going to try to care care of him too.

"Okay," Danny says. "Okay, I'll be back tomorrow morning."

And then he disappears into thin air as a cool breeze blows through the parlor.

The baby in Dick's arms whines, and Dick pulls him close.

"I'll prepare a bottle. And more tea," Alfred says.

Dick turns to Bruce. "We have twenty-four hours to come up with a plan to convince Danny we can protect him and the kid."

The teen appeared...distraught. Eyes rimmed with red, shoulders drawn tight, barely contained rage written in his clenched teeth.

But his hands were gentle where they held the child. Even though it was raining, the baby was completely dry, while the teen was soaking wet.

The windows had not been opened. The door had not been utilized. No alarms had been set off.

A meta.

A young, pissed off meta.

"Adopt him," the teen ordered, staring Bruce down.

Bruce raised his hands, showing that he wasn't a threat, and used that same movement to trigger a silent alarm.

"I know my reputation precedes me, but I don't actually take in every kid I-"

"-Shut up. Take him in, you're the only real option I've got. I have to hurry, I need to lay down a false trail or...just. Take the kid."

Unspoken words. The boy was hiding from someone, trying to hide the baby from someone. He himself had no intention to stay. He felt the danger was bad enough that a "false trail" would be required.

Shadows moved under the door.

Whoever was nearby to answer the alarm was ready and waiting.

"Okay. Okay, let's say I do this. Does he have a name? Is there someone specifically I need to watch out for?" Bruce asked, buying time. He needed more information; this boy had potentially brought a threat to his doorstep.

He needed to be prepared.

He needed more information on the boy himself, to investigate what the hell was going on.

"No name. Watch out for Vlad Masters, can't imagine he's happy about me taking my kid away from him, and he's got a weird mind control thing he does, so never enter a room alone with him."

Bruce's mind went blank.

Oh.

Shit.

No, he was not leaving a teenager to face their rapist alone, especially one with literal mind control as a power. He needed to know if this teen had proof of his claim of said power, if he knew if Masters had used his powers on any others, if he knew how long the mind control lasted-

"...What if I take you both in?" He asked instead.

The teen's eyes narrowed, lips parting in a small snarl.

"Not good enough. Vlad can't know he's here, so I have to-"

"-How do we defend against him, then? You broke away once, is that just something you can do or is there a way to fight back?"

The teen snorted, bouncing the baby as it started to wake up and fuss.

"Well you can either be dead or you can have anti-ghost tech, and you don't look too dead to me."

Looks were deceiving, and Bruce refrained from saying so. He also filed away that bit about Masters dealing with the occult.

"I can easily procure anti-ghost technology."

"'Easily', pff, yeah, sure. What, do you know Batman or something?"

Bruce's door quietly creaked open, and Nightwing, in full kit, poked his head in and smiled reassuringly at the bristling teenager.

"Or something." Bruce repeated, nodding at his eldest.

He was going to take both of them in, for as long as they needed.

This is Money Snake. She only appears every 312 years.