Red Robin and Signal were on a stakeout mission with Arsenal (Roy Harper). The night was slow, so Duke and Tim started chatting about anime. Duke was a huge fan and made it clear that slander against anime would not be tolerated.
Signal and Red Robin had been discussing Fullmetal Alchemist for the past twenty minutes after an hour of tedious surveillance, watching a building from a distance and waiting for the signal to strike.
Arsenal sat on the ground with his bow resting on his lap, contemplating whether he should have informed the sitter about Lian wanting a glass of water before bed.
Signal: I'm telling you, Edward should’ve killed that man. What he did to his daughter and dog was messed up. The man did this twice, mind you. Edward should’ve shoved that medal down his throat. Why did Scar get the kill?
Red Robin: Because Elric knew it would be wrong.
Signal (incensed): He turned his daughter into a Chimera! He did the same to his wife! None of them deserved that, but the father deserved to choke on that medal!
Red Robin (shrugging): That doesn’t mean he can react with murder. Elric knew he would regret it.
Signal (dismissive): See, if that was me—without the Signal persona—I would've done it!
As the two heroes continued to debate, Arsenal interrupted.
Arsenal: Edward killing the man would've felt like a hollow victory. He would’ve struggled even more with giving his chimera daughter a mercy killing. Scar showed regret too, but I believe he knew it had to be done. Plus, I like Scar, so I might be a little biased, but I stand by it.
Signal and Red Robin went silent, staring at Arsenal, surprised by the archer's take.
Signal (whispering): He watches anime?
Arsenal (overhearing them): I did a lot as a kid.
Arsenal calmly pulled a cigarette from his pocket, his alternative to keep him (ironically) calm during high stress situations and stakeouts.
Arsenal: Then, when I was a year into recovery, I rewatched Sailor Moon and went from there. Me and Lian watch a few together, but most of the time I'm using that streaming for that.
Signal: You seen Death Note?
Arsenal: Yes, the last season was a bit of a drag, but I think it's good enough to forgive that. The sequel series in the manga was so dumb though.
Arsenal chuckled dryly, lighting his cig up. Signal smacked Red Robin on the arm while eagerly stammering.
Signal: He read the sequel series! You seen... Cardcaptor Sakura?
Arsenal: Yes, I binged that too. God I miss that show.
Signal: Subs or dubs?
Arsenal: Subtitles, since I know Japanese. Dubs if I'm multitasking. Dubbing has gotten better though.
Signal: That’s a good answer. All right, shounen vs. seinen?
Arsenal (texting on his phone): Shounen. It’s cliché, but Dragon Ball still holds up. Except for the movie. That doesn’t count as a good movie, though.
Signal: Exactly!
Signal smacked Red Robin on the arm, repeating the word.
Red Robin: I said I didn’t hate the movie as much as you; that doesn’t mean I liked it.
Signal (suspicious): Mm-hm. Oh, I got one that’s Dragon Ball-related. Vegeta in the Buu saga—
Arsenal: The only one who knew what he was doing. Gohan constantly pissed me off.
Signal: My ninja! That’s what I’m talking about!
Signal high-fived Arsenal and added in a stealthy dap shake while the archer was busy texting the sitter for an update on whether his daughter was in bed.
Signal: I like him. He’s cool with me. Unlike you, saying One Piece is peak anime and that Boruto is good.
Arsenal (offended): Oh God!
Red Robin: If you just treat it like it’s its own thing—
Signal: Man, silence. You lost your Naruto speaking rights after defending Boruto. Arsenal, my new friend one last question, this is "Cowboy BeBop at His Computer".
Arsenal: "Cowboy" means Bounty Hunter, "Bebop" is the name of the cool starship that's not a person. The girl in the photo name is named Ed, and that was not her computer.
Signal (giddy): Eeey! He got it! Hood picked a good best friend.
Red Robin: And Nightwing.
Signal: Oh, you friends with both of them too? Good shizz!
Arsenal nodded and when Signal held out his hand for dap, Arsenal was able to do it again. Red Robin rolled his eyes with an annoyed smile.
Signal: He's got an invite.
Red Robin: Whatever. It took me a few tries to do the dabbing thing.
Signal and Arsenal: Dap. Dap!
While the three men chatted more about anime, Batman and Green Arrow overheard the chatter. Arrow shook his head, laughing softly. He was about to speak on comms to tell the boys to focus on the mission, but Batman took over.
Batman (shouting through all the communication devices): FOCUS!
Green Arrow: You are such a hater.
Batman: Shut it. Stop talking about dumb anime and focus on the job! Lookout, not rambling about Japanese cartoons!
Signal: He saying that like he don't watch Dandadan.
Red Robin: He's old. Some of that generation still think anime is taboo.
Arsenal: I bet he watched One Piece on four kids.
Batman: And what if I did?! I was bored and needed something to listen to. The rap theme song isn't bad! Get back to work!
Green Arrow shook his head with a disapproving look, even though he agreed.
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Roy: I'm in a fascist part of the world ruled by a homicidal dictator-
Oliver: You're not in America?
Roy: Outside of America, they're a literal dictator.
Oliver: Oh... Go on.
Roy: They're trying to kidnap me and hold me hostage. They demand... A million of... Their currency. I need the money so I can make it back home for my date with Donna and Lian's ballet recital.
Oliver: Is that it? Like you just need ransom money?
Roy: Yeah or they cut off my hand... I need that for stuff. The dictator is such a ... dick.
Dictator: I mean it is in the name. I like you ginger man.
Roy: Thanks- Dad, I'm luckily favored by him. Sorry.
Oliver: It's okay, you're a charming kid. Anyways I'm funneling the money and I'll tell Donna what's going on.
Roy: Sweet. Need me to pay you back?
Oliver: Never asked, weren't expecting it. Make it home safe.
Roy: Kay. Bye love you.
Oliver: Hey it's see ya soon. Love you more.
Roy ended the call and waited for the money to hit his account. After a second, he heard the ping and wired the money to the account the dictator gave him.
Roy: You got your money. We all good?
Dictator: Yes, this will fix you sleeping with my daughter.
Roy: It was twelve years ago! I said I was sorry.
Dictator: That doesn't mend her broken heart! It's not easy finding a ginger man in this area! That's on you.
Roy: Again, sorry. I don't have a great track record with dating. At least I didn't back then. Can I go?
Dictator: Yes, I'll give to this to Eliza. Take care American scum.
Roy: You too, ya sack of garbage.
Roy left whistling happily and ready to fly home. The dictator sighed exhausted.
Dictator: I told you to let me pair her off with the diplomats daughter.
Dictator wife: And I told you the girl is not good for her! I'm still trying to get past her being bi, but she won't be with a loser.
Roy: Lian, why are there five giant rabbits in your room?
Lian (holding toothpicks): The boys and I watched this horror movie about killer rabbits. Midway, by the way, afterward Damian and I argued if rabbits can be turned into predators. We’re seeing who can train them to be attack animals and take down a threat.
Roy let out a weary dad sigh, rubbing his tired eyes.
Roy: I… That’s—I have five questions already.
Lian grabbed a head of lettuce.
Lian: Is it about how I found five giant rabbits? I named them after my fave video game characters.
Roy: No. I have a guess who you called. First, did you watch Lepus Madness? Lian, that is a horror movie. You're barred from subjecting your friends to them after the sleepover incident!
Lian (missing the point): Lepus Madness is rated PG. The babysitter was nearby while we watched the movie. And again, it’s not my fault those girls can’t handle a movie about a family in a haunted house.
Roy: You showed them Poltergeist!
Lian (indifferent): A bunch of lightweights.
Roy: You’re going to stick to that defense?
Lian: Yes. It’s done me wonders.
Roy: I would too. Anyway, why this bet?
Lian: Damian started it! He said smaller rabbits can win no matter what and I argued, heck no big rabbits can.
Roy: Makes sense that a bat kid thought this first. You can’t train bunnies to be threats. They’re literally too cute to be threatening.
Lian: Not bunnies. Rabbits. If Watership Down taught me anything, it’s that yes, they can be.
Roy’s eyes widened in shock that she knew that movie. Lian smiled sweetly.
Lian: Uncle Con showed me that one. Anyway, I put bragging rights on the line, and the winner gets to pick what we do for fun afterward. I want to go to that new FNAF-inspired arcade, so are you going to help me or not?
Roy (trying not to sound proud): Why are you like this?
Lian (nonchalantly): Daddy… Don't play. Grandpa told me how wild you were at my age. It’s basically in my DNA.
Roy sighed, smiling reluctantly.
Roy: Yeah, before the dark days, I was a cool kid.
Lian: I didn’t say all that.
Roy: I’m going to pretend you did. If this is to one-up a Bat-kid, then I’ll help. But you have to stop showing them horror movies. Clark is still mad at me after you showed Jon that Winnie the Pooh horror spoof.
Lian: It’s not my fault he can’t handle cheesy gore. That movie was barely scary, like I laughed.
Roy: You really are my daughter. Last question, who did you call to get five giant rabbits?
Lian: Flemish Giant rabbits. Grandma supplied me with five, but the toothpicks are basically their blades. Damian’s using a different breed, but he’s totally going to lose. And before you ask, Jon is fine. He loved the movie. The effects were supes cheesy he barely got scared or scarred. I promised to show—
Roy: Stop promising horror movies!
Lian blinked, her cute, round face showing she had about five scary movies of varying quality and ratings ready.
Roy: Make sure they’re not rated R next time, you little sneak.
Lian: That I can do.
--------------------------
Meanwhile, with Damian and his rabbit army:
Tim: You’re going to lose, dude.
Damian (holding a rabbit in tiny armor): Shut your mouth, Drake! I will win this battle!
