Ruby Eclipse | Tim Drake

Ch 1: The Bird

Tim POV

I wake with a start and realize I fell asleep at my desk. I sigh and reach for my cup of coffee only to be met with disappointment when I find it empty. Of course it's empty, just like the rest of my life; not that anyone could tell with the endless tasks that lay before me at every waking minute.

I could use a break.

I rise and pull my suit jacket on. Running a hand through my hair, I glance in the mirror and am met with two massive black holes beneath my eyes. I'm not surprised. Between nightly vigilantism as the Red Robin and being the co-CEO of Wayne Enterprises, I'm lucky to have only pulled three all-nighters this week. I make my way out the building, politely brushing off a concerned secretary, and head to my favorite coffee shop.

Jade POV

Finally, I escape from work on my break. In a rush this morning, I forgot to grab any caffeination. I can already smell the hot French vanilla latte and my mouth waters. I walk briskly to my car and pull out my keys when I feel something bump into me from behind. Slightly irritated, I turn expecting to find a rude pedestrian who will likely expect me to apologize for standing here and existing. Instead, there is a large goose looking directly at me. I pause, confused. I have a friend with a slight fear of geese who claims she was once brutally attacked. I don't worry about them too much, but this one is different. The determination in the bird's eyes makes me uncomfortable. After a short stare off, I decide to ignore the bird and slowly turn back to my car. The goose was not pleased. It prodded me once again with more force than before, then latched onto my shirt and tugged me to the left.

"What's your problem, you stupid goose?!" I yell while struggling to release my shirt, beginning to understand the fear my friend had described.

Letting go, the bird honks and seemingly indicates in the direction of the park about a block away. Was it asking me to go there?

No, no, no shaking my head, we may be tired, but not taking imaginary orders from a goose tired.

The goose charged at me, flapping its wings. I ran towards the park.

Tim POV

Thanking the barista and attempting a smile that likely looked more like a grimace, I take the drink carrier with my four cups of coffee. Anyone could assume I will share these with my coworkers, but I'm just hoping they will last me through the afternoon. I stop in my tracks when I see it waiting at the entrance: a goose staring directly at me with a gaze I thought I'd only ever see on Gotham's Knight.