directed | IC Inbox - Entranceway

Oh, I could likely give you a lecture anyway, even without knowing your intent. [Rip's rather good at it, as as Eobard said: that's simply who he is. Even now, after the destruction of the Vanishing Point, his own departure from the organization before that, Rip so often considers himself a Time Master. He cannot see himself stepping away from that role, and as hard as it is for him to look at his life beyond the quest to put an end to Vandal Savage, he has.

Someone must still protect history--and every indication would say that Rip himself assumes that role, right down to Eobard all but confirming his suspicions about the future.

A man who exists outside of time. And perhaps Eobard isn't wrong in that regard: without the vital tether of his family, Rip cannot even say he feels an attachment to 2166 anymore. The home he intends to return to is the Waverider--not a time, not even a place in the truest sense of the word.

And Eobard calls it idealistic, to be so removed. Neither hero nor villain, innocent or guilty. His mouth tightens; by the end of that tidy little speech, Rip feels a rather strong urge to laugh.]

You truly do make it sound idealistic--but I assure you, Mr. Thawne, that is hardly how my life is. [Even the question itself is a farce: who are you Rip Hunter, asked to a man who goes by a name chosen to erase his true identity when he'd been but a child.]

In fact, I'd go so far as to say that's not how the existence of any individual is. Defining history in such rigid terms is to fail to understand it at all. No one person is entirely hero or villain, not all the time. The worst of men is capable of acts of kindness, while the best of them could still cause catastrophe.

[Per Degaton had been a child once. One whom Rip could have removed from history permanently, except he'd chosen to believe in the goodness the boy might possess rather than pull the trigger of his gun.

And in the end, he'd been forced to wonder if that murder might not have been the heroic action after all. Take that and compare it to his abandonment of Calvert, condemning the town and it's people to a terrible end, but ensuring he could continue to act to protect the whole of time.

Hero, and villain. Rip truly is both and neither one.]

I would suggest you call me a Legend--but somehow I doubt that would grant you the answer you seek. [Eobard wants to classify Rip's existence, his purpose, but there is no label suitable, certainly not one that conforms to Eobard's view of the world.]

I know how history defines people, Rip. Between the lines there is nuance, but people don't care about that. They want a hero, who exists as a beacon of light and good. They want a villain, someone to unite against in hatred. Of course no one person is the hero or villain all the time. But history selectively captures the forefront, and not the background.

[He truly can't see it Rip's way. It's far too idealistic, almost naive. Eobard has seen how history judges, and it is cruel and unusual. He doesn't lament that fact, but accepts it for what it is and responds in kind. To live is to be cutthroat. No one gets ahead with kindness.

But this does give him a better understanding of who Rip is. It reminds him why Rip is his enemy. Their ideologies will never match. Despite being time travelers who see through things pragmatically, Rip is... emotional. Driven by empathy, and compassion for humans. He isn't naive, not by a long shot, but he looks too much for the best in others. Maybe because he wants to find something good, even when it's hard.

It's a shame. If that were to change, Eobard thinks they could get along well.]

I think I've had enough for tonight. I have a better understanding now of where we stand, and that's all I wanted. [A beat.] Oh, by the way? "Legends" has to be one of the worst names I've ever heard any team call themselves.

Interesting. Who would have ever guessed you care quite so much about what people think? [The fact that it's through the long stretch of history hardly matters; in the end, it would seem that Eobard has chosen to let the dictates of time define his path rather than seek out his own. Or perhaps that is simply how Rip sees it in the aftermath of learning about the Oculus. He remembers quite well Druce's cruel confidence as Rip viewed the one true timeline, the events that would and must be without question.

He's never seen his team quite so united as they had been in the moments when they decided that damnable machine must be destroyed.

Well. In the end, it would seem Eobard has found whatever answer he'd been looking for. Their differences are more well-defined, and it apparently has put to rest whatever doubt drove Eobard to ask for this meeting. Rip does remain a touch curious--but the commentary on his team's chosen moniker derails his own questions for the moment.]

Is it? [There's a hint of a grin on his lips, if only for a moment.] I must confess, I've grown rather fond of it myself. After all, none of us are exactly heroes nor villains in the end, now are we?

It's also why you aren't legends. [It's a contradictory name at best and outright self-aggrandizing at worst.] And for the record? I don't care for what people think, Rip. Only what history reflects.

[Nobody ever reads a history book and thinks of the opinions of the people who lived through those times. It's about the collective whole, not individuals. History wipes all of those away, with few exception.]

You can go off to bed now. I have no further need for you.

Perhaps for now, Mr. Thawne. Yet you know well that the future is always in flux. [In truth, Rip hardly cares to be remembered as a Legend; his goals remain unchanged whether he earns renown for them or not. But as for the impact those on his team might have?

Well. Considering how extraordinary they've all proven themselves to be, Rip in turn wouldn't be surprised if they leave their marks on history after all.]

And I suppose that is the heart of the difference between us: I'm much more concerned with protecting history rather than how I am reflected in it.

[Oh, but whereas he might have left, Eobard's dismissal of him stops Rip from even turning away.] Well, I see we've moved past the point of framing things politely. You truly did find your answer, didn't you?

Oh? ...I'm sorry. It seems I left you with the impression that I was ever being polite to begin with. I didn't mean to deceive you.

[He smiles, tone even and sardonic.]

I found the answer I was looking for. That's all that really matters.

I'm sure.

[And here Rip is half-tempted to do as some of the more rebellious children running around might by rolling his eyes.]

Good for you, then. I suppose I will take my leave now, before one or both of us drops dead asleep again.

[While Rip is certainly grateful that this event doesn't seem to carry the same risk of fatality as the last, it hardly makes the suddenly-sleeping-in-random-places aspect any less annoying.]

Oh, don't worry. If you happen to fall asleep before making it to your room, I'll be happy to drop you somewhere comfortable. Maybe into the heart of the hedge maze?

I'd hardly want you to trouble yourself, Mr. Thawne. As reassuring as your offer is.

[Rip won't point out there are worse places he could end up in this scenario: the pool, the fountain in this still frigid weather.

What it does do is cement the shift back to something closer to their first conversation existing between them now. While he's ready to walk away, Rip pauses for a moment. He can already guess the answer, but he'd be remiss not to ask the question anyway.]

I don't suppose you'll tell me what brought all this on? The sudden desire to meet, whatever uncertainty you'd been feeling.

[For curiosity's sake.]

I told you - I've been thinking about it since the flood.

[Of course that's what he says, and not the whole truth. But he won't dare even make a hint of what he dreamed, or Rip's part in it.]

And yet you only saw fit to ask about it now--in the midst of another event no less.

[Rip isn't completely buying it. There is something he's missing, although Eobard likely won't reveal whatever detail that is. Still--he's not taking the man's words at face value.]

Believe what you will. I may not be a polite man, but I'm not a dishonest one. I do not make falsehoods about my intentions.

[His lies are only by omission, which other people count while he doesn't. Anything he doesn't reveal is done with calculation.]

Oh, I've no reason not to believe you. [At least not so far as this is concerned.] You've been thinking about it since the floods; fine.

But merely thinking about something, and choosing to act on it--[He points towards Eobard briefly.]--those are two entirely different creatures.

So I suppose what I'm really asking after, is what made you decide to act?

[He smirks.]

If you must know, I just wanted to ruin your pleasant evening.

Oh, how flattering that you'd go to the effort.

[Right then. Eobard means not to tell him, and Rip hardly suspects he'll be able to sway the man. So be it.]

Until the next time we meet, Mr. Thawne.

IC Inbox - Entranceway

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