[May 6] [Watchmen] Philosophical Differences

[bane-6.livejournal.com]

Title: Philosophical Differences
Day/Theme: 6. Blades don’t need reloading.
Series: Watchmen
Character/Pairing: mostly Dan/Nite Owl II, some mention of Rorschach
Rating: PG




It was a difference in philosophy.

He remembered something his partner had grumbled at him when he had offered for the umpteenth time to reinforce his coat with some armor or make him some perfectly matching weapons or something. Rorschach had growled out something about not needing anything extra to carry out his duty. Dan had been stung at first, before grudgingly deciding that Rorschach hadn’t deliberately insulted him. Rorschach had his own costume to obsess over, even though Dan had a feeling he’d be terrifying no matter what he wore on the job.

It was also true that some of the lowlifes weren’t as impressed as they should’ve been by the armor and weapons and... stuff. A few had even said something along the lines of “Look how much work it takes to bring you out to fight me…” He had pounded them bloody and whimpering anyway.

Did he really need all the gear to bloody the sidewalks with scumbags? No. As unknown as he was in the rest of his life, he probably didn’t even need the mask. No one would recognize him in the places he went hunting. But it gave him more than just the physical edge, it was a psychological advantage too. Even the ones who realized they were facing down a man dressed like a bird, usually knew under the bravado that they were also facing a crazy man with no face who had probably invented a brand new machine for the sole purpose of really hurting them.

Low tech might be the way to go, but it lacked something. He had spent years on all the gear, years of research and development, and all the testing and retesting and finally getting something that not only worked, but looked good, looked intimidating, and was honestly really cool… And it did work. Even if he wasn't able to pack light anymore.