( open ) but everything looks better when the sun goes down

[fingerstripes]

who: dick grayson + others
what: fireflies + may catchall
when: all of may!
where: all over
warnings: possible violence



Yellow

[ In Dick, fear blends and shifts, keeps him moving rather than freezing him up, looking a lot more like newly single-minded dedication than anything else. Fear turns him outward, draws him inexorably into the role of unasked-for shadow, and whether you're a friend or a stranger you're likely to find him there, sudden and unannounced, if you happen to step out late at night. If you're venturing out past the fence alone. ]

Hey. [ Look again and he's beside you, decked out in a mask (or a police uniform, take your pick). ] Not sure if you know the area, but it's not safe out here right now.


Red (anger)

[ On red Dick simmers. At the Police Station he's picking up extra shifts, passing the break room to down coffee after coffee in the rare moments that he's not out on patrol. With coworkers and friends he's snappish and short, burying himself for hours at a time in the archives with old case files. He's never at home.

As Nightwing he's somehow easier to find - or run across by chance - but if you happen to be looking the road there is paved with unsettled lowlives. No one is maimed or even seriously injured, but he's scared them, clearly with an intent running deeper than Nightwing's typically brisk, playful style of violence. Find him mid-battle just by the fence, taking on at least 12 too many vicious, snapping monsters. Find him mid-interrogation on the roof, holding someone against the drop-off more securely than the man in question likely perceives. ]


Blue

[ Or find him just after that.

Blue never lingers on Dick for long, but he's easy prey when his strength is limited, worn down by effort expended on walking himself down from anger and fear. He can't outpace the feeling when he's already steeped in shame. When a thousand what ifs crowd out everything else. Find him sagging in that dark alley, head in his hands; or huddled out by the fence, surrounded by wounded monsters. Give him a few minutes, he'll be alright. ]


[ ooc: pm or hit me up at with_pins if you'd like to play out a more specific scenario! I'd prefer to avoid lust prompts for Dick at this time, but Violet, Green, and Orange are all on the table with some discussion. ]

Comments

yellow ;; may 1st

[leadintheyoung]

[ Out is where Líadan intends to go late though it may be. Or early, rather. Half past three in the morning is late enough to be considered early given she starts her days well before dark in most cases and tends to end them well after, not that she's particularly concerned with the time. She's awake and that means she's moving and in this case with the intent to venture past the fence and into the abandoned city to have a closer look at something she'd seen in passing the other day. Of course, she's wholly equipped for an expedition and it's her dagger that's found for her initially unexpected company, but stayed in its sheath for familiarity. ]

Is it ever?

[ Her hand finds her hip instead, head canted with a mischievous glint about her eyes. ]

That's part of the fun! I would expect you of all people to know that, Nightwing.

[fingerstripes]

Well, the fun part's not what I'm questioning.

[ As a way to hedge around it. The knowing that if he lets her out of his sight for a second she'll be torn apart by monsters. Devoured by a totem. Left to die slowly, unable to call anyone for help.

He cannot let her go. ]

It's the part where you're heading out into the wild unknown with no backup.

[leadintheyoung]

If you're that concerned, you can come with me. I would have you know, however, that this is not my first... ah, my first...

[ Oh, what did he call it? She drops her eyes for a moment, trying to remember, but that not quite impish smile that's dawned doesn't quite leave her. ]

Rodeo!

[ Right. That's what Gladio had said and she's fairly certain Jesse mentioned it at some point. And now, a fraction more seriously: ]

This is not my first rodeo, Nightwing. I am perfectly capable of looking after myself.

[ Except for those times when she bit off a bit more than she could chew, but that hadn't happened here yet and he really didn't need to know about that. Everything had worked out in the end anyway. ]

[fingerstripes]

...Right. I- [ Yeah he can kind of see now where that kind of statement from a near stranger might sound patronizing. He has the courtesy to look a little contrite. ]

No, I get that. I'm sure you're used to handling... a lot, where you're from.

I'd just feel a lot better if we traveled as a pair. Just this once.

[leadintheyoung]

[ Nice save. It sees her retract any semblance of a look and relax into something closer for a smile even as she folds her arms. ]

That really was all you had to say. I am never opposed to good company in a venture, you realize, and you are good company in my experience. Why only once, though?

[fingerstripes]

Well, you did kind of strike me as the dark and edgy loner type. [ He's too overwhelmed with relief for the moment to really fake professional indifference. A small smile tugs at the side of his mouth. He steals a sideways glance at her. ]

You saying I'm wrong about that?

[leadintheyoung]

[ And that tugs a grin and a chuckle straight out of her as she moves to head out again. The longer they stand idle, the more darkness they lose and darkness may very well be to their advantage for this venture. ]

You'll see for yourself. That you have to ask is proof I need to rope you into these sorts of ventures more often.

[fingerstripes]

Well I don’t tend to be a difficult guy to snag. [ And he’ll fall in beside her, shadowlike in the dark, as that prickling sensation subsides to a buzz.
 
It’s a feeling, that’s all. Maybe a little company from a spirited friend is all he needs. ]
 
So what venture are we chasing this time?

[leadintheyoung]

I thought I saw something odd sticking out of the ground near the big wheel in the abandoned city on the way back from my last venture. I think it's worth looking into.

[ She nods, thoughtful as she recalls what she can remember of it. ]

It was a shiny piece with strange writing. Didn't seem like it fit in there, you know? I was in a hurry or I'd have grabbed it.

[fingerstripes]

[ It's an interesting prospect. Dick nods, watching the steps she takes and carefully echoing them. Coming from where she does, she must know where she's going.

Dick takes a breath. Steadies his anxious heart rate. ]

You must have a hell of a memory for landmarks.

[leadintheyoung]

[ If only Dick knew how tickled she is to be the one shadowed. She's used to being that member of the party before anyone else, after all. ]

Best to keep your wits about you unless it's your intent to feed the wolves. I'd just as soon not.