The Night is Young [Open]

[Deleted]

Gotham’s streets are like drains that suck all down into them. Often, Jason’s own thoughts were the only company he had. Especially upon nights such as these. Hands in his pockets, he walked down the dimly lit street while his long leather coat fluttered in the light winter breeze. The ice in his breath all but froze as it seeped from his lips before him, falling to his numb feet. Stepping through the snow, he passed various junkies who sat upon the floor with a bottle of whiskey rested in their bare fingers. A few looked up to him as he passed them although he took no notice, continuing along his path. Above his head, a red neon light buzzed in the wind, flickering to life before dying.

Out of the shadows came a Lady of The Night. Scantily dressed, a small part of Jason felt sorry for the Young Woman. In weather such as this, she’d likely freeze on the streets she’s spent her whole life on. The rest of him felt pure disgust. “Looking for a good time?” Her voice was coarse, drained of its natural strength. She must have uttered that line a thousand times and with it being as cold as this, she’d need as much money as she could get her hands upon. Not stopping, Jason was silent after she asked him, brushing past her roughly. “Screw you!” She shouted after him as he gave no response. Jason was now too far away from her to care. After living in East Gotham for so much of his life, Jason has become used to seeing sights such as prostitutes on every corner, it was actually a common sight.

Very few Christmas lights hung around the street, with many of them being broken or smashed. When he was younger, Christmas was never a big thing in his House hold. His Father might have stolen something for him once in a while but it wasn’t until he moved in with Bruce that he really began to enjoy the festive season. Now however it was back to just being another day. The reason Jason was in this neighbourhood was that earlier in the night, he had been scoping out a local bar for targets. He’d gone there on foot so now he had to walk back to his hideout through the cold night. I should have brought the bike. His reconnaissance mission to the bar proved to be a waste of his time. After having spent a few hours there, he discovered that there was no one of importance to be found.

Police car sirens tore through the night sky like banshees. Every time he heard them, Jason’s thoughts immediately went to the idea that they’d found him somehow. His eyes then follow, looking for the nearest escape route. But then he’d just realise that they were after a criminal, not him. A newspaper rockets up from the floor with a breeze, flying into his face. Removing it from his vision, he quickly read the headline upon it. In broad writing, the title said ‘Dent Defeated!’ Below the writing stood a large picture of Two-Face being placed in the back of a GCPD car. The article described how the former- District Attorney’s plot to rob Gotham’s 2nd Bank was foiled by Batman. Crumbling the paper up into a ball, Jason angrily threw it down into a puddle upon the floor. Was God laughing at him? Mocking him by reminding him of the Dark Knight? He didn’t know.

[Dick Grayson - Nightwing]

It wasn't far off from the lower end of Gotham's waste land of homes that the more frequented bars in the area had caught Nightwing's attention. Only problem was, Nightwing could not just go in and pummel people. Then the word would be out.

The strike on Williams, he had taken a different angle of questioning. The guy would know nothing of his true reasons. And that was just how he wanted to play it out.

So this was something he'd have to do undercover. Nothing suspicious about some punk off the street trying to get involved in the crime circles. It was usually seen as just boosting someone's ratings around this area. Though ask the wrong questions and you'll end up the next one in a body bag at some point.

And after working the streets of Gotham for years, it was easy to know what stirred up the trouble in these parts.

Dick Grayson now wandered the streets. Not as himself though to the eyes that come across him. He'd give the name of Dan. He looked gritty, just like anyone off the street. Small scars were added to his appearance to through anyone off. And the cloths were average. Blue jeans, a heavy set jacket with a few tears in it. And a pair of work boots. There was nothing left of the character Dick Grayson. He wore a grey beanie in this cold weather.

Yes, Batman had taught him how to best go undercover. Scars were a good tool to get people to focus on something. And this wasn't an area Dick Grayson wandered about at all. No one really would have been able to place him all that well. He wore nothing that would give sign of a wealthy living what so ever.

Dan would be sitting at one of the side bars with a few other guys. He was just playing up. Letting the chat run from them. Only throwing in a few lies here and there to season the stories of his rep. Just enough to get by. He was more interested in gaining the information from this group on a small operation that was running and becoming quick the buzz in this line of gangs. Not something they'd speak up about out loud, but code was enough for Dick to be able to piece it together. He'd throw in a few questions here of there, but nothing much.

The cigarette in his hand burned long. It was on of the many props the bat-family could use. Much like the non-alcoholic drinks. This was just a harmless fake. Though it was not something Grayson would do as himself.

The men at the table didn't suspect a thing. And he was getting more information than what was needed. At least to get the ball rolling. Every once in a while he'd look up when a cold burst of air came ripping through the bar as the door would open.

[Deleted]

Now his face was damp with snow, along with his numb toes and freezing fingers. The weather was showing no signs of clearing, so perhaps he could always wait it out for a further few hours, in the hope that it will improve. A nearby bar would provide refuge for a while, even if he had little desire to stay in one longer than he had to. Bars and other such locations were a reminder of where he came from; the sleaze, the filth. All he was bothered about now is where he’s going. Looking up at one of the many neon-lighted bar signs, he chose to enter the nearest one to him.

A flood of wind and sleet howled through the door upon his entrance. With some effort he quickly shut the door behind him, catching the eye of everyone in the bar. They all watched him uneasily as he made his way past the few tables that stood about the room. The bar itself was nothing impressive, with just a few stools stood up next to it. Behind the bar stood the typical Gotham Bartender; grizzled, no-nonsense and ready to throw you out in a flash. Sitting at the bar, Jason gives another glance around the room before turning back to the Bartender. The dregs of humanity infest places such as these.

“Aren’t you a little young to be in here?” The heavyset Bartender asked, chuckling with both of his hands flat down upon the wooden bar. A few people on neighbouring stools join in with the laugh, sniggering amongst themselves. With a glance to either side of him, Jason was obviously angered by their mocking of him. “Aren’t you all a little stupid to be making jokes like that?” A few stopped laughing and the one behind the Bar’s face suddenly became deadly serious. Obviously he wasn’t welcome at the Bar now. Climbing off of one of the seats, Jason searched for a booth at the back of the room, away from the eye of everyone else.

Besides a group of men, there was an empty booth. It would be suitable. Now with a view of the whole bar, Jason could inspect all who sat in it. The majority of customers are likely small time crooks, spending their ill gotten money on getting drunk before their next job. Jason couldn’t help but see his Father, Willis, in the faces of most of the Men. Many a time his Father would leave the house for the local Bar, leaving Jason alone with his Mother for hours on end. He was either in Prison or getting drunk. How many Children had these men left at home? Too many. Shaking his head, Jason removed a cigarette from the box and sparked one up.

Streams of smoke poured from his dark nostrils as he exhaled, constantly watching his surroundings. Although for a few moments, he closely listened to the conversation going on next to him. At first it sounded just like simple chat, he’s heard it all before. But who knows what they could be planning. Moving slightly closer, Jason attempted to look as if he was focusing on something else. Batman had taught him many lessons about suivellance, the only problem was that Jason never enjoyed it thus never took much attention. Why should we wait for them to make a move when we can attack first?

[Dick Grayson - Nightwing]

The next person who walked through the doors caught his attention. There was something oddly familiar about him.

Though, he gave little attention to him as the guy walked over to the bar. Then only to cause a bit more trouble it seemed and backed off.

The conversation went on. One large guy made mention of someone they called MV. Dick was not entirely sure who this character was. The man made mention of running into him out at the dock yard.

"Seems everyone's hitting the docks now a days," the character Dan piped in. A pointless joke in the conversation, but much true to it.

Another skinnier fella with a girl on his own arm spoke up as well. Saying it was the safest place to operate lately.

Operate what? Was he on the tail of the cargo cases he was looking into. Then the name of a Rick came up. Dick listened into this one. He could only piece the possibilities together at that time.

"Rick and MV, should I be surprise," he said smugly as if he knew.

The bigger guy spoke up again, saying there was trouble between those two and their partner.

So there was a third party to this group. It was then that Dick's attention was drawn to the new guy who sat just behind their booth. He could tell the guys was listening in. Maybe not as noticeable to some. But the guy was sloppy at it. He could tell.

The skinnier guy looked over at Dan, seeing the slight shift in his view. And remained rather silent, only to nudge the larger guy beside him. It had only taken that moment for them to catch on. All suspecting the other.

The larger guy spoke once again. Asking if Dan had friends with in the group. Wondering why he was here.

"I've got important information from the underground seeking out MV," he replied.

The one bought it, but took notice to the kid in the booth behind them listening in. Turning slightly to look at the kid to say, "do you have a problem with our conversation.

The girl on his arm backed off from the group. Seeming to know what may come from this.

[Deleted]

Punks like these didn’t faze Jason, due to them likely having more mouth than brawn or brains. Still with them being in a group, it might give them a certain confidence to attack him. That is if it came to that. But with their readiness to fight and Jason’s brash behavior, the chances of them coming to blows are high. Obviously his surveillance skills weren’t as impressive as he first thought, although he quickly blamed that upon the conditions that he’s just experienced, putting him at a disadvantage. Sitting back into the hard leather chair, smoke continued to seep from his lips as he watched the Thug rise from his chair. “No, but I’m starting to have a problem with your attitude. So sit back down asshole, before I knock you back down.”

Placing the cigarette in an ash tray, ready for him to finish once he was done with his business, Jason watched the Woman wisely back away from then. Slowly, Jason thought about removing his concealed pistol from his shoulder but decided against it as soon as he placed his hand upon the silver handle of the gun. If he started shooting up the place, then the police might get involved and honestly, he was far too tired for that to happen. Perhaps a knife would be a better option, he did have one hidden way in a scabbard by his foot but Jason decided to just use his fists for now, although he would progress to a weapon if they used them.

From behind the bar, the Bartender watched the Gang rise from their seats with a worried face. “Hey I don’t want no trouble in here, take it outside.” No one seemed to listen to him, as the rest of those in the bar seemed to watch the confrontation closely, their eyes set upon them all. “You stay out of this Old Man. This Kid’s got it coming to him.” By this point, the entire Gang had stood up and had approached the booth, standing on the other side of the table to Jason. With both of his arms placed comfortably upon the top of the seat, Jason managed to keep focused, ready for any movement. “You going to stand there talking or are you going to do something?” Daring them, it was all but certain that a fight was to break out.

The nearest one to Jason quickly made his move, although Jason had predicted that he’d be the first to move. With a firm push with his foot, Jason kicked the table into the group, knocking them back while giving him a moment to further his position. Rising from his seat, Jason managed to quickly counter an attack from one of them, grabbing his arm before he managed to land a hit. Twisting his arm, the sound of a snapping bone echoed before he fell to the floor, cradling his arm in pain. The next attack came when one charged Jason by surprise, knocking him into a near wall. Before he knew what happened, he felt a heavy punch land in his gut, knocking the air from his lungs. But Jason was quick to react, rising his own knee into his foes stomach before slapping him across the face with his elbow.

A chair was then picked up by one of the few remaining Punks, which he used against Jason with some force. Narrowly dodging getting hit with it, Todd took a bottle from the table, smash it across the chair-wielders face. In a flash, Jason had managed to take down three foes with only one remaining. This last one had more composure than his fellow low-lifes, although some how his face was familiar. He was probably some kid he knew around here when he was Younger. Chances are he wouldn’t recognize him, with him having changed so much in the past few years. “Run along before I cut you down like these other piggies.” A smirk formed on Jason’s face, with him obviously enjoyed the brief fight.

[Dick Grayson - Nightwing]

Dick silently sat back in his seat as the others words got heated between them. There was no point in stepping in. He wasn't expected to either.

The slim guy was the one who provoked it. Though the kid at the other table had caused the situation to escalate with his words further.

This was rather interesting and sparking more of a memory. A hot tempered young man. He was trying to grip where he had seen the kid before.

All the while he watched the heated words turn into fight. The table was sent his way, and he easily dodged out from it's range. The other three went after the kid.

The kid was brutal, no regard for injuries he would cause given he gave the guy a broken arm already. His reaction time was fast, but he wasn't focused. Dick could tell he was running off more of his anger and excitement of the fight. He was sloppy when it came to being to alert to the other man attacking him. But his counter attacks were through of and taken in one swift movement.

Dick just stood there watching. Not surprised at all by a bar fight. No sign of emotion played on his face. And when the kid threatened him next, with a smirk on his face.

It was almost enough to make him laugh at his attempt. So he responded and to fit the part,"It'd be a waste of my time."

[Deleted]

Blood pumped through his veins quickly as his lungs inflated and then emptied to match the pace of his blood flow. The last remaining opponent looked like any other thug that roamed the streets of this City although he had more sense than his friends, with him not getting involved in the fight. Taking the cigarette from where he left it, he took another puff from it. “Smart, wouldn’t want to mess up that face of yours.” Smirking, Jason walked away from the booth to the bar, leaving the men on the floor groaning in pain as they sooth their wounds. Behind the bar, the Bartender stood with an open mouth, with one hand all most reaching the shotgun by his knees. “Leave it Gramps.” And so he did, backing away from the weapon.

Removing a fifty dollar bill, Jason laid it down upon the wooden surface for the Bartender to take. “Sorry for the mess.” It was all he had on him, due to Jason not often spending money upon luxuries. Although he had no job, a large amount of money is wired to his secret account every month, likely from the League. Bullets, guns and explosives cost money, money that Jason wouldn’t have without Ra’s’ help. The Head of the Demon and his Daughter had provided him with everything he required for his fight against the criminals of Gotham. Bruce had his Wayne Industries to provide him with all of his equipment. Having a company is something that Jason doesn’t have, so the League became his quartermaster, along with his new trainer.

“I…I’ll get you a drink, Mister I mean sir.” Stuttering, the Bartender searched for a glass to give him. Besides Jason sat an older man with a red cap on. He looked like a Trucker of sorts, with stubble covering his cheeks. Noticing that his cigarette had gone out, Jason took his that sat in the ash tray, taking a deep suck on it before exhaling and putting it back where he found it. While doing it, he casually stared at the Man, who in turn returned the glare. By the time he was finished, the Bartender had placed a glass before him with a bottle of whiskey to accompany it. “There you go Mister.” Before he poured a drink, Jason nodded to the Bartender, attempting to show him that he meant no harm. “Jason’s fine.”

He hated being called Mr. Todd, it always reminded him of his father and if there was one person he didn’t want to be like, it was Willis Todd. For some reason, the man behind the bar didn’t seem too concerned by Jason’s age. Being eighteen, Jason still appeared to be quite young although he’s experienced enough to last him a lifetime. In a few short years, he’s been a superhero, has been killed and then resurrected, trained by a band of Assassins and finally he is back to being a vigilante. So with all of these experiences, Jason looked physically older than he actually was, with the mind of an experienced fighter unbefitting his young age. Finishing his glass, Jason made his way to the door, leaving the bar in silence. “At least you won’t have guys like them bothering you for a while.” Those were his final words before he walked back out into the snow, his knuckles read with fighting.

[Dick Grayson - Nightwing]

Dick's two edge comment seemed to slide by the other guy. It would truly be a waste of his time, he'd have the guy down in a matter of moments.

He left the others to themselves. No point in getting involved in an after argument over the fight. If there was any disgruntled attitudes toward anyone who had been seated at that table.

He had gotten enough information. And took his time leaving thought. It was then that he caught the young guy stating his name...Jason.

It's could be? But it was! The fighting straight down to his looks, it was a dead ringer to be a look alike for Jason if it was. And the attitude and voice only back up his suspicion.

Dan had disappeared down into the alley as quickly as he could. And it was then that Dick decided that maybe it was time for Nightwing to take patrol.

Disappearing only to return to a near by rooftop, Nightwing took on the rest of the night shift. And his first target was Jason. He wanted to know if his suspicions were correct.

From the rooftop he spotted Jason coming out of the bar. He'd follow him for a bit before he would interact just yet. And as soon as he spotted Jason, he did just that. Shadowing him from the rooftops.

[Deleted]

Although he wanted to remain in doors for a bit longer, Jason realised that he wasn’t the most popular person in the bar. Still the hour was growing late so he’d have to return home at some point. Flexing his fingers, his raw knuckles still hurt from the fight but the fingerless gloves he wore returned some feeling to them in the cold. Moving through the snow, his boots continuously got stuck in large patches of snow, bringing him much annoyance. It would be easier to move across the roof tops than through these streets, if it wasn’t for the chance of falling to your death.

Looking up at the tops of the buildings, his vision was somewhat blurred by the falling snow with him barely able to see beyond the second floor of most buildings. For a moment, he thought we almost saw a figure above him but then it disappeared. The cold was likely affecting his mind, making him see things in the blizzard. A car slowly rolled past him in the snow, illuminating him with its headlights. Gotham has the habit of playing tricks with those who live in the City. Shadows move, people see mysterious things in the dark alleys.

Jason’s current home was a local subway station, it had been put out of use twenty years ago but it served his purposes. No one bothered him down there allowing him to work in peace plus the disused tunnels provide a quick travel system throughout the City, allowing him to get to anywhere along the tunnel route. Moving equipment down there is a troublesome task and at night it can be as freezing cold as is it outdoors yet still it was home. Batman had his cave, so Jason as his own hideout. The Station was only a few blocks away but still it felt like it was taking ages to reach it.

[Dick Grayson - Nightwing]

Nightwing followed in the shadows. He knew this was Jason. And he wanted to approach him. But in doing so, it would more than likely start a fight between the two of them. It always seemed to in the past.

And things don't charge much between them.

He just remained silent and watched. Jason had not provoked him to attack. The bar scene was enough to alarm him. Though action was not required.

As it seemed Jason was not looking for trouble either that night. And at this point, Nightwing had made up his mind after several minutes of following Jason. It was best to leave him alone.

Jason already knew that he would send him a warning if he started anything. Nightwing was always watching. Something his brother would do, would not cross his path unnoticed.

And with that Nightwing slipped down to another rooftop. Turning away from the wandering boy on the street. There was nothing there for either of them to react to. Until another time.