The finely woven flannel caught muted glints in the Batcave's slightly cold, damp air with every small movement.
Jason saw that the man, dressed far more appropriately for a dinner party, was patiently explaining the Batman of another universe to Barbara.
"Yes, they went to another universe. There, Gotham was a city that flew through the sky, but that wasn't something that happened decades ago. It was recent..."
"That's hard to imagine." Barbara shook her head, then asked curiously, "Would they welcome a Robin from another universe? Generally speaking, Batman doesn't like aliens coming to Gotham. The other universe's Batman probably wouldn't either."
"You know Batman well, Miss, but there may be a chance if Batman needs extra help." Schiller nodded and said with a smile, "Not long ago, that universe suffered an invasion by the Emperor of Apokolips. The children wanted to help him, and he graciously allowed them to make a fuss right under his nose."
Schiller spoke very slowly, enunciating every word clearly. Beneath the rises and falls of his voice was an unusual cadence that made anyone listening feel steady and calm.
"That must have been quite a sight." Nightwing spread his hands. "I don't mean Gotham flying through the sky. I mean a Batman who could handle two Bat-families."
As he spoke, he glanced toward the entrance to make sure Batman had truly left and returned to being Bruce Wayne, leaving him temporarily without time to check the surveillance equipment. The thought put him much more at ease.
"There isn't such a great difference between one and two." Schiller made a small outward gesture with one arm. "Perhaps he could accept a third as well. If you're curious, I can ask whether he'd be willing to give you his contact information."
"Better not." Robin shook