[They've spoken before- Vanitas, his brain supplies. And while Bruce is peripherally aware of the way his head turns, that his attention is drawn off in the direction of the bonfire, his own remains significantly closer to the ground. It isn't doubt that had prompted him to check the name written across the side so much as it's curiosity- an ever-present desire to see things with his own eyes. To know for himself. But instead of lingering on the print, he comes face to face with the rat again. Not an ordinary rat, not a rabbit either- but something else. Something he doesn't recognize. It hides behind the boy's leg and peeks out not with the uncertainty of a frightened pet, but rather...
It reminds Bruce of being a child. When he too used to hide behind his father.
His gaze lifts in time for them to meet, to look at one another- before he straightens in kind. The distance between them is small enough that it could be pressed as an advantage, to make a statement if not a declaration. That might be what Vanitas is trying to do. Time will tell. This is probably something else isn't shaped by notes of surprise because there's no uptick in his inflection. There's no invisible question mark. Not entirely unexpected, then.
Bruce takes a small step not backwards, but to the side; in doing so he leaves the package squarely in Vanitas's space. It isn't accidental.]
Do you want to see what's inside?
[Instead of looking anywhere else, Bruce reaches for his waist- withdrawing, and then offering, a short folding knife.]
no subject
It reminds Bruce of being a child. When he too used to hide behind his father.
His gaze lifts in time for them to meet, to look at one another- before he straightens in kind. The distance between them is small enough that it could be pressed as an advantage, to make a statement if not a declaration. That might be what Vanitas is trying to do. Time will tell. This is probably something else isn't shaped by notes of surprise because there's no uptick in his inflection. There's no invisible question mark. Not entirely unexpected, then.
Bruce takes a small step not backwards, but to the side; in doing so he leaves the package squarely in Vanitas's space. It isn't accidental.]
Do you want to see what's inside?
[Instead of looking anywhere else, Bruce reaches for his waist- withdrawing, and then offering, a short folding knife.]