Log: Too much walking shoes worn thin

[hititwithacrowbar]

who: Jason Todd
what: Jason exploring and being down during Tavernfest.
when: September 24th- October 5th
where: Around the city
warnings: Some heavy drinking, cursing and possibly fighting. update: nsfw in Loki thread.



A: Perimeter Guard Headquarters
Jason hadn't been sure where he would be assigned to today, he had come in again freshly sobered and just a coming off the tail end of a hang over from being out at Tavernfest the night before. He always tried to make sure he was sober by the time he was due to work in the AM. He was in proper uniform and like always his guns were strapped to his thighs. Being at work was the only time he really had a chance to let the weapons out or have a chance to use them.

To many heroes in the city for him to really get much of a chance to do much. He tried to hide a yawn as he stood quietly killing time.

B: Tavernfest + Bookstore
Jason had hurried home once he was done with work, changing quickly into the fancy clothes he had bought the first day of the festival. Slicking his hair into a proper Victorian style, and grabbing the cane shaped umbrella, and hurrying back out the door. Only a quick hello offered to his roommates as he quickly changed by his bed and left.

Stopping at different places to try the different foods and the pairing options. It was fun, he had never had much of a chance back home to do stuff like this. It was nice. He walked along, the umbrella over his shoulder, a black and red pattern that went well with his suit. Humming a certain Rhianna song to himself since he was bored and moving through the crowds looking for the next place to stop.

"Excuse me." He spoke, squeezing through a small crowd to get to the edge of a bookstore he had not found yet, making his way inside to close the umbrella, tapping the rain off and moved inside to look around. Drinking could wait when there were new books to look at.

C: Jay's favorite Divebar. (After talking to Bruce over the network)

Jason stared solemnly down at the phone in his hands. He was Sitting at his favored place at the bar. Not bothering to play pool, or go out back looking for a fight. His fancy festival jacket hung open as he sat at the bar, the frilly black shirt still in place. His hair was messed all up, and he generally just looked a mess from how fancy he looked the days of Tavernfest. No he sat there quietly working on his drink. Rereading the messages between him and Bruce... not Bruce. Whoever the child was.

Each time his pint was empty he just tapped the glass without looking up.

They had come so far from his rage when he returned to Gotham. So much bad blood, so much time lost... it was his fault of course. Everything was his fault. He kept opening a new text but never sent it. Loki's name waiting for it to be sent but each time he closed it and looked back to Bruce's messages.

How were Dick and Damian handling this? He knew he should go knock on that door and question them, offer an olive branch to help his older brother and his growing house of boys. After all, he had NO doubt at all that Dick was going to take little Bruce in the way Bruce had taken all of them in.

He lifted his finger tapping the glass again.

D: Umbrella
Being Gotham born and bred, Jason knew the fancy umbrella wasn't exactly needed. He was used to miserable rain, it almost never bothered him. It was near midnight that he was out tonight, not dressed up for the festival. Dodging people that got to close as well. Dressed in his normal civilian clothes. His red leather pants he had gotten not to long ago during the acid rains, and a black long sleeved shirt. His big black boots splashing on the sidewalk as he made his way through the night streets. Taking in the sounds of the city, the way he did when he was upset, or just needed to center his energy... the same way he helped calm Bizaaro. Listen to the life of the city.

Cities were alive.

And god did the life of this city make him miss the cesspool he called home. He hated Gotham three fourths of the time, but, it always called him home.

E: Anything else?

Comments

a.

[ikols]

[ Loki isn't a member of the perimeter guard but his siblings are and even when he isn't visiting them, he knows the place well because of spending so much time around Tony in the past. He likes it. There's always some new gossip going around for a nosy godling to take note of, although lately he hasn't been paying much attention to the new icy lake that recently appeared overnight a few miles away in the Abandoned City. Thor seems to ... have that under wraps.

Meandering along the corridors, he spots a familiar figure dressed up to the nines in guns and leather. A smile breaks out over his face as he wolf-whistles, heading over to where Jason stands by a wall of windows. ]

Skipping breakfast?

[hititwithacrowbar]

[ Jason had somehow pulled off the illusion of being put together, being a functioning adult this day. He deserved an award for that, even if he had opted out of shaving that morning. Hearing the whistle caught his attention, then the question, he looked like he turned a bit green.

He turned offering a weak smile to Loki. Well, he looked both lovely and far to chipper at the hour. ]

I don't do that early eating thing. [ The thought of food just was not welcomed so early.] What brings you here?

[ikols]

[ A companionable hand pats Jason on the arm, the mildest concern in Loki's gaze. No breakfast? That's probably why Jason appears so wan at such a bracingly chilly hour. ]

What takes me anywhere, you might ask. Are you sure you don't want a coffee or something? I assume you're on the early shift.

[hititwithacrowbar]

[ A light smile is returned, appreciating the touch he wouldn't ever ask for. After a second he nodded.]

And yet, you give no clue. Ever so mysterious. [ He found it charming.] I could use some coffee, yeah, I haven't actually slept... since sometime yesterday. I always work the early shift. Makes the nightlife easier.

[ Made sleeping easier, less of his roommates home when he face planted into his bed and slept the early afternoon away.]

[ikols]

[ An enigmatic smile is all the answer he provides at first, moving on to summon a take-out coffee into his hand with a sparkly green shimmer from wherever in the Quarantine is serving them to customers at this time of day; he reads the scribble on the side, which mentions a name of the person who paid for it but also, ]

Ah, pumpkin spice! Basic, but effective. Here you are.

[ And he offers it to Jason with a good-natured smile. ]

No assignment yet, I take it.

[hititwithacrowbar]

[ Jay arched a brow at that, amused as always.]

I look like a basic bitch to you?

[ His tone was playful as it could be all things considered. Taking the cup he didn't even spare a look to the name but took a drink.]

Thanks. And no, not yet. Who knows maybe I'll get lucky and get the day off.

[ikols]

You look like you appreciate free coffee and won't complain about it.

[ Hands slide into the pockets of his coat and he glances away through the window to the grounds below, the jungle beyond the wall. ]

If you escape, hit me up. These halls are quiet today.

Bookshop

[bruceno]

Sorry. I wasn't looking, myself. [ He apologizes softly, hands in his jacket pockets. Bruce was too busy staring at the sign, his mind far away from books, though. But with his stream of consciousness interrupted, he follows along behind the tall man into the store. ]

[hititwithacrowbar]

[ Hearing the voice was enough. He knew the Gotham accent. That upper class cut of it. His blood ran cold, as he looked down at the dark haired boy. Oh god.

What was with his life lately? ]

It's cool.

[ he replied not looking back as he made his way inside, he could tell Bruce was following him, his heart hammered as he walked to look at the books trying to pretend like he hadn't noticed.]

[bruceno]

[ Bruce certainly hadn't. He's there information on Riverview and its history. This may not be his world, but preparation would keep him sharp, and alive if this place became dangerous.

He combs through the aisles looking for a section on Non-Fiction or Reference materials he can use. ]

[hititwithacrowbar]

[ It was a small quaint little bookstore. The sweet smell of old books and incense was strong through the building. The door jingled anytime someone entered the water little hide away. The owner paid no mind to anyone who came in, half asleep at their station.

Jason moved through in his new Victorian finery, running a hand through his slicked hair, trying to not be notable as is eyes tracked the boy every time he looked up from a book. He was ghosting around fiction at the moment. Tracking the little Bat.]

[bruceno]

[ The section he wanted, if it can even be called a section, is incredibly small. He rifles through the thick spines regardless, reading each title and taking a few out to leaf through the table of contents.

But, as he scours, Bruce can't help but feel an itch between his back. And every few moments his sharp eyes casually survey the store around him, not sure if he's simply paranoid or truly being watched. ]

[hititwithacrowbar]

[ A few moments later, Jason moved finally coming to lean against the shelf near Bruce. It was sickening how much courage it had taken.]

Hello, Mr. Wayne, I have a feeling I know what your looking for, and just how to find it.

Police Station: Closed to Dick Grayson

[hititwithacrowbar]

Police stations were a place one might never expect to find the notorious Red Hood, but, that was not true. His last hide out had been under the GCPD before Bruce and Black Mask found it. Today he was making his way inside without worry of being arrested, he had been a mostly good boy. Normally he might not come here for any reason but, he had let it sit on his soul far to long how bad talking to Dick had been. It wasn't this Dick's fault things had gone south back home.

He had sent a stupid name to have Dick summoned Arthur Fonzarelli He figured if nothing else, Dick would laugh at him using Fonzi's name. If he ever had time for old reruns. Jason was waiting out in the lobby with a paper bag at his side, still done up for the festival. He might look displaced in time if not for the fact he was flipping through his phone while he waited.

[fingerstripes]

[ The truth is it’s been hard. Hard to reconcile the shock with his pervasive sense of loss. The punishing guilt that haunts him day and night. Keeps him from sleep, keeps him from joy. He’s been putting on a good face for the boys and for Wanda, prodding himself through the motions of normal life, funneling his grief and unrest back into the streets.

But police work agrees with Dick, and work (in one guise or another) is where he comes alive. He’s in uniform when he strolls out to meet Jason, spotless and pressed, looking every inch the model cadet. If there’s any trepidation he hides it well when he spots Jason, though the outfit gets an eyebrow. Dick assumes that was the point. ]

No play for the jacket? [ He spreads his arms out; non-plussed. ]

Thought I was signing for the Fonz, not the Bulgarian mob.

[hititwithacrowbar]

[ At the approaching footsteps, Jason's eyes shift up, a light smile offered. Not quite reaching his eyes. He's spent a lot of time lately acting happy to ease those he lives with, it was becoming more of a habit now. His eyes sweep the perfectly set uniform and he pushed himself up. ]

No, I'm no actor, just dressing the part for the festival.

[ The open arms looked inviting but, he didn't move to hug the other instead he held our the bag.]

Thought that would get your attention, and no mob today, just a surprise lunch. You got a few minutes free?

[fingerstripes]

[ His eyes flick to the bag with something close to surprise. He doesn't know what he'd been expecting, really. A jab? A note? A tip on a case? Nothing?

Not Jason, present and real, stupid outfit notwithstanding. With surprise lunch. ]

...Sure. [ Casual, as if they do this all the time. He jerks him thumb towards the door. ] You care to take a drive?

[ He's thinking they'll want privacy. ]

[hititwithacrowbar]

[ Jason had pondered making something himself, but it felt like it was to much. He honestly felt a little awkward standing there, but it was mostly just is own hang ups.

He manages another light smile for Dick and shrugs.]

As long as it's not in a cruiser, I'm down for it. [ Jay moved towards the door, only sparing a look back to make sure Dick was still there.]

[fingerstripes]

[ Dick's cruiser is one of the older models on the force (chosen for it's impressive ability to disappear on busy streets) and he nudges it with his foot as they walk by. ]

Got something against four wheel drive on a stick shift?

[ Yeah, he knows what it's really about. He moves past it purposefully, clearly heading in another direction entirely. ]

Come on. We'll take the bike.

[ So maybe part of him is a little eager to show it off to someone who would know how to appreciate it, circumstances be damned. ]

C: Jay's favorite Divebar.

[thegreatninja]

Yuffie was all for drinking and frivolity but these festivals were getting ridiculous. At least this one was all about drinking. It was a nice change, not that Yuffie usually drank to the point of excess. She liked being alert when she had no one to watch her back and while Vincent was in Quarantine, it wasn't exactly the same. She hadn't made connections that she thought would warrant that sort of help. Yuffie wasn't exactly a master of making friends.though she seemed to let them down a lot.

Tonight she was looking for a specific friend of hers; hopefully someone that she wouldn't let down. She had seen Jason briefly at the rooms but he had changed and escaped into the streets. He was always such a cheater!

Yuffie had something she wanted to show him.

Luckily, she was a talented stalker and knew exactly where he would be after baby-Bruce's post. Yuffie knew the complications with Jason and his dad and seeing a younger, douchier, version of him wasn't good for Jason's health.

She spotted him at the bar instantly and crept up next to him. After first she didn't say anything but that got boring fast. She poked his side with her index finger as she spoke. "Tag. You're it." Her voice rang in a muffled high-pitched tone. When he turned he'd see the ninja princess dressed in a new outfit this one was red and black.

[hititwithacrowbar]

Jason liked to let himself get past the excess if he could go home, but he didnt consider the communal floor home, and he had few other places to go. Some nights when he got to deep in the cuts he would waste money and rent a room to sleep it off. This festival... this week, he didn't give a shit at all. He only came home long enough to sleep and change. He didn't even bother with his usual showers. He was clearly clean, but not showering on the floor

The cheater was sitting at the bar, a bottle of vodka in front of him and a tankard of beer that kept getting refilled. Given how run down the bar was, the owner didn't even care if people smoked, so there was a cloud of smoke around the big sack of miserable sitting there. The guys at this bar knew Jay well enough by now to know to stir clear of him when he was in these moods.

He shifted his eyes when she poked him and spoke. he couldn't help a quirk of his lips. "Sit, White Rose, looking good." He spoke, he couldn't just call her rose, after all, his ex's name was Rose. And Yuffie was a better person than Rose Wilson. "Care for a drink?" he asked as he lifted a hand to wave away some of the smoke for her. While he was fine with it, he didn't want to risk her health.

[thegreatninja]

Yuffie could understand Jason's dislike of the communal floor. She had liked it at first but now it felt too exposed and uncomfortable. Yuffie would hang out on the floor to swipe food or pester people but she found other places to sleep; usually the roof tops of random buildings at random hours of the day.

She took a seat next to him before spinning, rather theatrically, around to face the bar. There was a playful smirk tugging across her lips. Clearly, Yuffie didn't care that Jason was in a bad mood nor was she planning to give him any space.

"Like it? Told ya I could find something awesome and sexy that was black and red." She was proud of herself.

For a few seconds Yuffie was silent, her large dark eyes watching him curiously. "So. What do you have your panties in a twist about?"

[hititwithacrowbar]

Jason was looking into a new place to live, but also not looking all that hard. Even if he had his own place it wouldn't change much of how he operated besides bringing dates home. He couldn't sleep on rooftops, not anymore. Not unless he had no choice, it hit to close to home to close to his days on the streets.

He shook his head almost amused at her antic. "It looks good on you. Hood approved." He motioned with his cigarette over to the pool table. "The guy with the beard is Gregory, he's the one I sell your goods to." He offered since they were both in the same place for once.

He lifted the shotglass then and threw back another shot. "Why would anything be wrong? And you might want to correct yourself, I haven't wore 'panties' since I was 15, when I took a crowbar to the head."

[thegreatninja]

Yuffie was looking for a place to live but it wasn't to bring dates home. She wanted to be on her own, to not have to deal with or pretend that she didn't care about the people around her. It wasn't as if they cared about her, which was sad, but Yuffie was used to it and trying to convince herself that she was okay with it.

She hadn't always thought that but her last interaction with Lola made her realize that she needed to get away or she'd sacrifice something in herself to make others happy. Things were different here than they were in her home and she only just now began to realize how different.

"Ooooo." Yuffie turned and stared at the bearded man. Staring was rude but Yuffie gave no fucks. "Noted for future reference." Those in the bar who knew Jason very well would probably remember Yuffie given that she blatantly ignored the fuck-off vibe that he was currently issuing.

"Fine." She looked back at him, half rolling her eyes at his comment. She could be delicate... sorta. "I'm guessing shit sucks. Do you want to talk about it or drink because like hell am I letting you be alone." Yuffie's mantra, if a friend was going to do something stupid, she wanted to be there to do that stupid thing with them.

Floor Six - Closed to Ed (or Al)

[hititwithacrowbar]

A low humming could be heard through floor six, it was closed to four am. Jason had stumbled in around midnight, stumbling from a bit to much to drink, he had had fun though for once. He had changed out of his clothes and draped on the couch watching the old horror movies he binged at night when he didn't stay out to late.

The TV's volume had been turned all the way down just before he passed out on the couch. A lamp still lit above him. The humming could still be heard. Low and soulful, like something from a dream. Jason was laid in an awkward way, one of his long legs tossed over the back of the couch, the other propped on the air, an arm was over his eyes, and the other hand splayed on his bare chest, he sadly snored a little when he was this far gone. He knew better than to sleep on his back when he had to much to drink, having spent to many nights as a boy rolling Catherine onto her stomach, but he was fine. Laying deep asleep. The humming was coming from the couch though. a pale woman sitting on her knees, so see through one would have to look twice to really see her, her hand was moving through Jay's curly hair, his hair didn't move but she kept the motion up humming softly. Nearly blood red hair spilled down to her hips, a white shirt with a daisy on it and a pale purple skirt. She looked very out of place and yet she didn't seem bothered. Just a calm smile on her face as she tried to run her fingers in the sleeping man's hair.