[OPEN] And once more we go into the fray--

[theshortestbird]

Who: Tim Drake and OPEN
When: Around 3 o'clock in the afternoon.
Where: Three blocks away from the baseball diamond.
Summary: Tim found himself in a strange new world, so he bought some clothes and a backpack and went to get something to eat.
Warnings: Possible language.

Comments

[under_thehood]

[Jason's out trying to figure out just how to deal with now being homeless, in full-on hood rat attire. His hair's tucked up underneath a ballcap and the hood of his olive green sweatshirt pulled up over that. Delivering his computer to Carrie that morning had been rough, honestly, and he's not really looking to get into anything with anyone. With his hands in his pockets, the vigilante's passing by the cafe.

And then he sees Tim and time almost seems to slow down. His heartbeat fills his ears and he can almost taste bile in the back of his throat, but he swallows it down, keeps his expression placid and unrecognizing. Maybe if he pretends he doesn't see the other teenager, then maybe it'll somehow go better. Maybe, if he denies Tim's existence, he'll just disappear. That's how it works, right?]

[theshortestbird]

[When he glances up and Jason is there, well. That just rounds out the day, really, on the list of worst days ever. But on some level, it was good to see him, too; good in the fact that Tim had found him on the network, so that meant he was still in town.]

Jason? [Because he can recognize him. Always can. How could he not?]

[under_thehood]

[Jason almost doesn't stop, but decides maybe going more casual is the best route. He pauses, raises a seemingly curious eyebrow at his adopted brother. He remembers quite clearly the day Talia showed him Tim's picture, the emotions that had torn through him. Was he not good enough? Did Bruce even care? But, for now as he did that moment he laid eyes on the pictures, his expression is a false positive, a calm, cool exterior as he takes a couple steps toward where Tim's sitting.]

Well that's weird. Someone else who I've never met knows my name.

[That's actually a half-truth; Jason's never met Tim in person, and really had no desire to other than to beat his face in.]

[theshortestbird]

[Tim sighed inwardly, nodding slightly at him. He leaned back in his chair, wondering for a moment if, like so many other people here, this was the Jason from his timeline. From what he was getting from the other network posts of other people, it seemed like anyone could show up at any time, from any time.]

Have a seat? [Asks carefully, gesturing to the empty chair across from him.]

[under_thehood]

[Jason reads Tim's question as nervous and that excites the vigilante like none other. He's only spoken a handful of words to the kid and he's already nervous. The raw glee that eats its way up through his chest collides with the simmering jealousy, concocting something much more powerful. Feeling in charge and far more dominant than he had a few moments ago, Jason shrugs and sits down across from him, doing his best to appear nonplussed by question.

But where he can now get a good look at Tim, Jason is completely unimpressed. This was the kid Bruce replaced him with? He didn't look brave enough or strong enough to hold his own weight, much less take down anyone. He probably can't even look into the face of someone who really wants to kill him. The logical part of his mind notes that that's what Jason looked like to every one of his teachers before he killed them and that judgments about Tim shouldn't be made so quickly, but the vigilante really can't help himself. He needs to be better.]

There a problem?

[theshortestbird]

[He's not nervous. If anything he's more in control of the situation then he appears to be, but then, he's supposed to be a teenage kid right now. He can't appear just like Red Robin, after all, and he's definitely not Robin anymore. If anything, he's normal right now, or as normal as he can be.

He just shakes his head no and leans in a little.]

No, no problem. You've been here awhile, right? I was reading over the network. [He holds up his NV to show him.]

[under_thehood]

[Jason internally rolls his eyes at Tim, but mentally takes note of what the kid's NV looks like. If he ever needs to steal it for any reason, he now knows exactly what it looks like. Another shrug, playing the normal teenager card as well. ]

Couple months. It's a blast. [Thick, thick sarcasm.]

[theshortestbird]

I can imagine. [Tim rolls his eyes slightly at that, voice also sarcastic.]

I saw that some of the others are here, too.

[under_thehood]

[Jason remains where he is half-slouched in his chair, hands in his pockets, pokerface up in place. Others. He'd read Cass arriving and the fact that she was important to Bruce in some way to merit a face-to-face meet and the vigilante internally bristles with even more jealousy. With all these people showing up left and right, he's just going to drop off his father's radar, isn't he. He's not the 'good son' or a Robin anymore, he's not even one person; he keeps flitting between identities: Red Hood, Darkwing, Red Hood, Darkwing. What Bruce doesn't want, what Bruce does want. Well now it won't matter.]

You lost me there. [Another eyebrow raise. And the lies begin.] I don't even know who you are.

[theshortestbird]

[Tim sighed; lies beget more lies, and while he was used to it, that didn't mean he had to like it. A necessity that they needed, and he knew that, but it never got old to him.]

Tim Drake. Nice to meet you.

[under_thehood]

[Jason tucks away that information, despite already having it. A name with a face that isn't a picture and hidden behind a domino mask, fighting alongside Bat--- concentrate. With a flippant reply,] Sure.

[And a brief pause.] You said others.

[theshortestbird]

Other people from Gotham. [Says casually, leaning back in his chair.]

[under_thehood]

[Jason doesn't respond when Tim leans back, keeping his posture the same as he slouches in his chair. He saw Cass's post earlier and the responses to it and with Tim's arrival, that could herald a whole slew of Gothamites.]

A few, I guess.

[theshortestbird]

A few Rogues. [Says calmly as he picks up his glass of water and takes a drink.]

[under_thehood]

[A casual shrug. He's tempted to just reach across the table and just punch Tim in the face to make him show some kind of emotion. And for kicks.]

Yeah, so?

[theshortestbird]

I didn't expect to see any of them here. [He sets his glass of water back down.] It surprised me.