[OPEN] Leave that old record spinning~

[robintohood]

Who: Jason Todd robintohood and you!
What: Grand Opening Week of Descendant Karaoke Bar and Lounge
When: Week of November 28th
Where: Central City
Content Warnings: N/A for now. Will edit if needed.

[Throughout November, you may have seen posts across all the major social media platforms about a new Central City karaoke bar opening up. They even include some nice professional photos of the interior taken by Mark Bryant. Or maybe you’ve heard vague rumors in the criminal underworld about a new safe haven for discussing and doing some illicit business.

Meanwhile in Central City, the renovations of a two-storied building with a basement and an attic were being done swifter than any legally permitted construction project. The owner made sure it was good work done too.

And now at the tail end of the month, there’s a newly opened karaoke bar and lounge known as Descendant. Everyone is welcomed, regardless of their meta status or if they’re part of any guild.


Descendant’s entrance door is relatively innocuous. As soon as you step into the building though, you’re in the security check area and met with bouncers holding metal detector wands. No one’s allowed further in until they get checked. Once you check your weapons, you’ll receive a key labeled with the number of the locker your weapon(s) are in.

In a nod to Ascendant, the previous bar that attracted some of Central’s criminals, much of Descendant’s interior basic layout is similar but now with a speakeasy-esque decor. Once you walk through weapons check, you’re greeted with the first floor being an open space for mingling, drinking, and eating. The walls are visibly brick and the tables and chairs aren’t too fancy. The first floor is also where the bar is.


Further towards the back of the first floor are private rooms for guests to enjoy if they reserve ahead of time and pay extra. The cheapest karaoke rooms are simple and while the most expensive are more luxurious.


One room that makes Descendant unique is the reading room everyone is welcome to use. You're free to drink and enjoy some quiet reading time. Take a book for keeps or donate a book! Quiet conversation is welcome, but overly noisy patrons will be kicked out.


On the second floor are a couple of arcade machines, pool tables, and a stage for live performances. There are plush lounges for people to sit and enjoy the shows, or to take a break between rounds of pool.

With the exception of the reading room and the employee-only areas, you’ll hear music throughout most of the building. It’s either coming from the karaoke machines or from a separate playlist.

Whatever you decide to do, the owner and other attentive employees hope you enjoy your time at their establishment.]

((OOC: Mingle post! Enjoy yourselves. More information about Descendant is here and here, including an opt-in form for the BatFamily to spy on your character.))

Comments

jon kent ( dc comics ) ota

[exponentially]

[ he's really only here because it's bat-adjacent and he wants to see what it's all about. he's technically been in a bar before, but that was in the 31st century and he was helping with an investigation. he can only imagine how the public would react if he went into a bar at home. he's seventeen, for one thing, and superman. here, though, no one knows him, and while he sincerely doubts he's going to fit in with the clientele it's probably meant to cater to, he's not planning to make a habit of it, anyway.

still, though the faded denim and worn flannel shirt suit him, uh, very well, he's probably a little too sweet-faced even beneath the black-rimmed glasses currently sliding down the bridge of his nose. it's not that jon can't be scary when he needs to be, it's just there are so few situations that actually call for it, and it doesn't come natural for him.


he'd planned on just saying hi and offering congratulations on the opening, but.. well, there are some interesting aspects to the building. so he might be found on one of the arcade machines, as human as can be in his speed on the controls. if he loses, he doesn't even swear, self-censoring himself with shoot or dang. it's a habit now, alright?

if he's not getting his ass kicked with like mortal kombat, he's definitely in the reading room, long legs curled up to make himself smaller as he pages through a book as slowly as he can make himself read. .. and yes, he's only had a glass of water so far. ]

[robintohood]

[Jason had earlier seen Jon's OurPowers post but chose not to comment. Tim and Steph were already in there and presumably had explained things to him. Plus, Jason was surprised that another Super is now around and doesn't recognize Jon specifically. Then again, with the multiverse involved, anything's possible.

Jon's wholesome "boy from a small town" look and dorky glasses is hard to miss, especially when he's in a more mature and darker setting. The water doesn't help either.

Jason steps into the reading room to check on how things are going when he sees Jon]

Enjoying yourself?

[exponentially]

[ jon glances up from the book, closing it around his index finger to keep his place, and smiles at the semi-familiar figure. he doesn't really know jason, but he's heard enough about him from damian to recognize him. although.. he does seem a little different from what he's seen of the red hood at home. not quite as bulky, maybe? though that just may be because he's wearing civilian clothes right now. ]

This room is a good idea, [ he says with a pleased little smile. ] I was just coming by to say hello, but.. [ he got a little distracted. he knows he can't stay much longer--duty calls--but it's been sort of nice seeing people he's familiar with.

soft, sheepish amusement curls his mouth up a moment later. ] I do stick out a little, though. I don't wear enough black, I guess.

[robintohood]

[Jason makes a small smirk back]

Yeah. Didn't the big guy tell you? Bats and birds can be allergic to color. It goes against their schtick too. And thanks for dropping by. They tell you how big our flock is here?

["They" being Tim and Steph]

[exponentially]

It sure seems that way sometimes. [ which makes it all the funnier that jon's family wears bright primary colors for the most part.

still, he nods at the question, hesitating before setting his book aside entirely. ] Once they were sure that I am who I seem to be, anyway. [ though he feels pretty confident saying that tim's still a little cautious. but considering the fact that no one here really seems to know jon so far, maybe it's understandable. ]

I'm Jon, by the way. I don't know if they said. [ he imagines all the bat family is up to date, but it seems polite to introduce himself anyway. ]

[robintohood]

[Jason nods]

Name's Jason. I saw your post. Gotta admit, the colors were familiar but you weren't. I'm from either a different universe or a different part of the timeline compared to the others. Only knew about one Superboy.

[If the others can trust Jon, then Jason has to as well. There's not much use being too cagey towards someone who can listen to his heartbeat for lies]

[exponentially]

I guess I might not be born yet. [ he hesitates, then laughs a little awkwardly. ] Honestly, at this point, I don't think I even question timeline stuff anymore. Do you have Damian around at home..?

[ not that it really matters, does it? if this jason is from another timeline or dimension entirely, all of history might be different.

anyway. he hesitates, then leans in slightly, brows lifting questioningly. ] .. By the way, should I pretend not to notice the hidden passages..? [ like is this something hood-related that superman maybe should look away from? ]

[robintohood]

I'm not aware of a Damian in my universe but it's possible I just haven't met him yet. Wasn't even aware of most of my other siblings until I got here.

[Jason's not surprised Jon can see the secret passageways. When he renovated the building, he hadn't considered putting in lead as protection against a Kryptonian's x-ray vision]

And yeah. Don't spread around that we got extra features to this place. The rest of the flock and a few other people know too but that's it.

[exponentially]

Ooh, yeah, I thought you seemed a little younger than the, uh, Jason from home. [ a beat. ] I'm technically supposed to be three years younger than Damian, so it'll be a while if I'm ever even born there.

[ he holds up his hands in a reassuring gesture. ] I definitely wasn't planning to tell anyone. I assume you have your reasons, just.. [ he has no idea what they're for. bat-related things, he has to assume. there's no batcave here, so.. is this place meant to be for that? ] Who's the few other people? Anyone I should be aware of?

[robintohood]

Just a few kids who need a safehouse whenever they visit Central. Seemed best they have at least one place here. Dylan's the only who somewhat knows about Red Hood but not the details.

There's also an alien who's usually in the shape of a black and yellow cat with four red eyes. You'll probably see them around here sometimes. I trust them and they know about me being Red Hood.

[And the more gory details of him being a gang leader but he trusts Sleeper not to mention that to anyone]

[exponentially]

[ a safehouse? his brows knit, concern filling his expression immediately. ] Are they in trouble? [ kids don't usually need to hide unless there's something seriously wrong, and the thought of it bothers him a lot.

the mention of an alien cat makes him nod, though, fingers picking absently at a fray on the knee of his jeans. ]

I think I saw them earlier. [ he knows he did. even across a crowded bar, it's hard to miss a cat with four eyes, especially when you're a super. ]

[robintohood]

[Jason sees that concern Jon has. He gets it. It's not the best situation]

Two of them have trust issues. Can't say I blame them. So going to the guilds for resources is out of the question. I've been doing what I can and offering help whenever they want it. This kind of thing can't be forced so the next best thing is to let them set the pace on their own and let them know you're always around to help.

The third kid is the alien cat's sibling and does have a good home. Apparently he's got a tendency of accidentally attracting trouble so the safehouse is a contingency plan.

It helps they're all friends with each other.

[exponentially]

[ as someone who was a kid trapped in a hostile alternate dimension, this hits home a lot harder than jon's comfortable with admitting. the difference, at least, is that these kids have jason, who almost certainly also knows what it's like to be a lost kid. ] I don't know what I can do right now, given that I just got here, but.. if you need my help with anything for any of them, don't hesitate to ask.

[ he flattens his hand against his knee, not wanting to look anxious, smile tilting his mouth up almost apologetically. ] It's really good of you to help them, Jason. I know it can't exactly be easy, given the situation here.

[robintohood]

[Jason ducks his head a little and rubs the back of his neck, feeling oddly humbled. He doesn't really think of himself as heroic or noble these days. He saw kids who needed help and knows what it was like to be in their position. It was simple as that, wasn't it?]

Yeah, well we're all kinda in the same boat for now until we know more about the Confluences.

If you see any kids like that out on the streets, just let them know if you can help and more importantly, listen to them. They might not take whatever you offer at first but it's a start. The trust has to be earned.

[exponentially]

[ the bashful response makes his smile widen, earnestly fond. just because he doesn't know jason personally doesn't mean he doesn't know about him, after all. and jon and his family historically have a soft spot for bats. ]

I'll do my best, [ he promises softly, and scoots forward to reach out, touching fingertips to jason's wrist to bring his glance back up. ] Just.. take care of yourself, too, while you're taking care of them. [ he knows none of them are great at doing that, but it's worth offering a reminder. ]

[robintohood]

[Jason's surprised by the gesture but allows it. He knows Jon means well. Hell, every Super does. There's a particular level of wholesomeness and goodness they have neither Jason or his family can keep maintain for long. It might as well be another superpower on top of everything else the Supers have.

Jason huffs out a soft laugh. He's not sure how much Jon knows about his history. Maybe it's just the broad strokes, including how he'll apparently come back into the BatFamily. In any case, it's awkward for Jason knowing how genuine Jon is being while Jason's also running a criminal gang and has no qualms about killing]

Don't I always?

[exponentially]

[ he leans back again, brows arching over the rims of his glasses. ] You want me to answer that honestly? I know just enough about you to know that you don't seem to have a sense of self-preservation, just like the other birds.

[ which.. jon can't talk, really. he recently threw himself in front of a death ray that would have wiped out an entire island, after all. but he's invulnerable, so he knew odds were good he'd survive it. batman and his family don't have that kind of assurance.

he reaches up to fiddle with his glasses, pushing them back up his nose. ] .. I don't agree with your methods, and I don't think that's any surprise to you, but.. I think you have a lot to offer the world, and your life is important.

[robintohood]

[Jon's right that Jason's not at all surprised. When would any Super agree to his methods? And if they did, everyone should be scared, Jason included. Maybe the kid does know enough of his history.

Jason keeps his expression and tone calm. He doesn't want to get into another argument about his methods if he can help it]

Sounds like you've dealt with the flock for a good while now.

[exponentially]

[ he smiles, soft and earnest and hopelessly fond. ] Damian's my closest friend. [ and with a knowing look: ] He can be stabby. [ so he's used to being around someone whose methods he doesn't always agree with. ]

I met him when I was ten, [ he adds cheerfully. ] He kidnapped me. We hated one another at first, he was so mean.

[robintohood]

[Jason knows about Damian's connection the League of Assassins so him being described as "stabby" is not surprising.

Kidnapping at the age of 10 however...]

He kidnapped Superman's kid? That's a hell of a power move to make.

[exponentially]

[ he grins, face going a little pink. ] Yeah, Dad wasn't thrilled. [ he spreads his hands in a helpless shrug. ] I guess it all worked out, though, thus continuing the unexpected tradition of bats partnering with supers.

[ his dad and bruce, tim and kon, even jason and bizarro. ]

[robintohood]

[Jason lightly snorts]

Apparently, yeah. I hope you learned your lesson after that. A Robin shouldn't be able to kidnap a Super, pint-sized or not.

[exponentially]

I don't know.. you guys are pretty resourceful. And well-prepared. [ he trusts the bats to be able to do something about it if he or kon are ever.. compromised again.

he glances down at his hands, rubbing his thumb absently over the knuckles of his opposite hand. ]

.. Tim said that a version of him is here. Older. Said he hasn't really talked to you guys. I'm.. worried about him. [ even though damian would probably scoff at the idea. ]

[definecat]

[Sleeper's favorite room when they're not being asked to be a more subtle check on unruly customers is also the reading room. They're actually curled up on one of the chairs themselves with a copy of The Great Gatsby. Not because they actually were interested in it, but there were already three copies on the shelf, so it wouldn't be depriving anyone.

Plus, maybe a quarter of people who peeked in decided that weird tableau was a good indicator they might want to cut themselves off. Another public service provided by the alien cat. And they also were willing to give literary criticism, given anything resembling an indication.]

Here to read, or just enjoying the quiet?

[exponentially]

A little bit of both, [ jon admits with a smile down at the not-quite-a-cat, expression a little sheepish. ] It's a lot of noise, and I don't drink. [ both for legal reasons and because it probably wouldn't do anything for him, anyway.

he bends a little to read the title of the book sleeper seems to be reading, brows lifting questioningly. ] .. Do you like it? [ personally, he found the great gatsby pretty bleak. there's enough sadness out in the universe, he doesn't much like ingesting it in his escapism. ]