Joseph led the way in complete silence to a part of the tower Robin hadn't seen before. The corridor was sectioned off into different parts, until today Robin had been very restricted to only a few rooms, with rare exceptions when he was escorted to a different room for training session. Perhaps that is how they managed to not see or bump into each other until recently, they had their own sections of the clock tower they were held in.

However it seemed like Jericho knew this place well, he didn't hesitate or look around to try and study things like Robin was, he obviously got to walk around the tower a lot more freely than the imprisoned titan, because it seemed like a familiar, uneventful thing for him. It didn't take long before they stepped into a room that was obviously a makeshift kitchen.

All the metal cabinets were old and rusted, half of the bulbs in the industrial-style overhead lights were either broken, missing or continuously flickering. The toaster, microwave, small fridge and metal chairs were obviously new, looking out of place in the old, run-down building. It seems like Slade hadn't wasted time refurbishing the clock tower, but rather just brought in enough to live off of. Which meant that this was most likely a temporary base, probably so Robin couldn't find him again if he managed to escape.

Jericho made a vague hand gesture to the room that Robin assumed meant for him to help himself. He watched as the blond calmly walked over to one of the cupboards, taking out a few pieces of bread and placing them in the toaster.

Apparently this was an everyday occurance for him, having free rein to walk around and make food himself instead of waiting for a bot to deliver food to your locked room. Perhaps that meant that Slade was relaxing his tight control on Robin, giving him a slightly longer leach knowing that he wouldn't escape. Though of course, Jericho could have just been assigned his keeper, watching him and reporting back any suspicious activity he saw directly to Slade. For some reason though, he felt like like Joseph wasn't there just to spy on him. They had both been just as surprised to see each other, and he didn't immediately know that the dark haired apprentice was Robin.

The blond apprentice didn't take his eyes off the dark haired boy though, silently watching as Robin searched around the kitchen for anything that he could use to escape, while pretending to look for food. But Jericho didn't seem to be keeping an eye on him the way Slade did, he just looked curious, and mildly amused, rather than suspicious.

Eventually giving up on his search for anything useful, Robin grabbed a box of cereal and a dish before heading over to the fridge for some milk. Joseph was already buttering his toast and Robin cursed himself for not noticing where he got the knife from, He assumed that Slade had hidden the knives, along with anything else that he could have used as a potential weapon.

"So, where do you keep the cutlery around here?" He asked as naturally as possible.

Jericho just shook his head and smiled. Slade probably told him keep him away from sharp objects, but at least this time he actually had an excuse.

"Does Slade really expect me to eat cereal without a spoon?" He muttered in a sarcastic deadpan. Not having access for knives is one thing, but really, Robin would have to improve a hell of lot to escape with just a spoon. Frankly if he managed that, then he imagined Slade would be impressed, which only made the thought more bitter.

Joseph just grinned and passed Robin a spoon that he must have had on the side of his plate, because he definitely didn't open any drawers or cupboards. Apparently already a step ahead of him, because Robin had no idea how he'd managed to get any cutlery without him seeing.

"Thanks." Maybe he'd seen though that one, but it was worth a try anyway. There wasn't much he could use as a weapon, but now he knew that things were kept from him, he could start trying to look for anything slightly out of place where things could be hidden.

They sat down to eat, still in silence, before Robin decided that he might as well find out more about his apparent new partner. He was at a disadvantage. People knew Robin the boy wonder, either as Batman's sidekick or the leader of the titans, but he knew nothing about this strange boy working for Slade of all people.

"You don't talk much do you?" Might as well start with the obvious. The boy hadn't said a word, or even made a sound since they bumped into each other. Not an awkward introduction, or even agreeing or giving input during the mission briefing.

Smiling sadly the boy just shook his head, bringing two fingers up against the high collar of his shirt to tap his throat twice before taking another bite out of his toast.

"What, you're not allowed to talk?" It would make sense, if he's been here for awhile then anything he told him about Slade or this place could aid Robin in his eventual escape.

Shaking his head again, Joseph paused, like he was considering if he should say anything at all. But slowly, He nervously pulled down the high neck of his shirt to reveal the thick scar across his throat. As soon as he was sure Robin had seen it, he quickly pulled the collar back up, hiding it from view once again.

"Oh." Robin cringed slightly at the thought of having something like that happen. "Sorry. I didn't realize." He wanted to ask questions, how it happened, who did that to him, but he knew that wasn't his place to ask. Still, a cold shiver washed over him at the thought of Slade being the once to silence the boy for good.

Joseph gave an awkward smile and tried to wave it off. Apparently it hadn't offended him, but he seemed grateful not to have any follow up questions. It was only after a few more moments of awkward silence that he decided to try and start a conversation again. This time raising his hand to use sign language.

Do you speak A.S.L?

"Yeah, not quite fluent in it though." Robin confessed, though he seemed happier to know that they could at least communicate. Silently thankful that Batman had insisted on him learning so they could communication silently on patrols, though he wished he paid more attention right now.

"So, how's Slade keeping you here?" He asked after a few moments of awkward silence.

The sudden awkwardness from Joseph, and the way he shifted in his seat told Robin that it wasn't the right thing to say. But just as Robin was about to apologize, Jericho shook his head, apparently not able, or just unwilling to reveal the reason he was here.

"Right… I take it you've been here Awhile though?" There was something unsettling with how Slade had interacted with the boy, too familiar, like it was all old and routine dealing with eachother. Or perhaps Slade didn't feel he needed to control Joseph the way he did Robin, maybe Jericho was loyal, or he had juet learnt his place over time. Slade didn't treat the boy as harshly, or mock him the way he did his new apprentice. Joseph didn't even have to wear Slade's colour or logo, which Robin was convinced was just to add to his humiliation, and remind him that he belonged to the man while his friends lives were on the line,

With a sigh Joseph nodded, giving a sad smile at admitting that he has been here for a long time. He hesitated before bringing his hands to sign again, slowly, like he was second guessing if should be saying anything at all.

Almost a year

A year? He had been with Slade for that long! Robin, who studied and obsessed over Slade to the point of masquerading as a villain to get his attention, had never seen even the slightest hint that Slade might not have been alone all that time.

"Im sorry…" Robin had to wonder if Joseph had tried to escape before, he'd been there so long he had to have tried, but the fact he was still here might not bode well for Robin's own attempts. Slade held such a strong hand that Robin didn't know how he could get out of this and still save his friends. "At least we're not alone now." He didn't mean it as bitterly as it sounded, but maybe together they could come up with a way to take down Slade, but for now, they had to be good little soldiers and follow orders.