[OPEN] Maybe not a literal monster mash

[robintohood]

Who: Jason Todd robintohood and you. Also a mingle!
What: Various antics at Descendant Karaoke Bar and Lounge during October
When: Throughout October
Where: Central City
Content Warnings: N/A for now. Will edit if needed.

[There may be some changes to the timeline now but Descendant Karaoke Bar and Lounge is still open for business. There are always people looking to have a good time drinking and blowing off some steam with a good song. It doesn’t matter if they’re ordinary civilians or some of Central City’s more... colorful characters. Just be nice to the bouncers and check your weapons by the entrance first.

To reflect the fall season, Descendant has included seasonal drinks like pumpkin beer, apple cocktails, and spiced maple bourbon.

Meanwhile, some of this month's most popular songs seem to be reflecting Halloween, such as Highway to Hell and Monsters. Or maybe you want to do a more classy number like Witchcraft? Descendant looks like a speakeasy after all. And in a total coincidence, Time Warp has also shown up on the popularity chart.

If you drop by at Descendant on a Coyote Ugly Night, you’ll find the atmosphere considerably wilder and wetter. You might’ve even already seen some of the social media posts and videos of the employees performing. They certainly look like they’re having a good time.

Perhaps you’re coming in during a more normal time. Come by for a drink. Maybe rent a private karaoke room or karaoke on stage in front of others if you’re feeling brave. There are some bar games around too.

You can always just people watch as well. Those who are especially observant might notice that some of Descendant’s customers are a bit... furtive as they keep their heads low or quickly scurry to one of the private rooms.

There’s always the reading room too for those who want a more quiet ambiance.

And then there's the very select few who are allowed upstairs in the attic apartment.

Whatever the case may be, Jason will be around. As Descendant’s owner, he’s a busy guy with plenty he has to do]

((OOC: Jason will be around but feel free to mingle! My contact information is on this journal's profile and I'm in the game's Discord server. Also feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns as well. I also have a feedback post.))

Comments

dick grayson ; open

[hackingyoursensors]

reading room

[ Dick is often at the Descendant when he's not on patrol that night, though most people wouldn't notice. He keeps to more out-of-the-way areas-- a teenager sticks out in a bar and definitely ruins the vibe on the rowdier nights. Often, he can be found in the reading room with homework spread on the table in front of him. It seems like an odd place to work, but the noise is actually relaxing for him even if the soundsystem is blaring "Can't Fight the Moonlight" in the distance or someone is fumbling their way through karaoke.

If someone enters the room, he'll pick his head up and shoot them a smile. More likely than not, he's already almost done with his homework and would actually appreciate some company. ]

attic

[ Dick is one of the rare few that has access to the attic. Sometimes, he's taking a (very light) cat nap. But most of the time, he's typing away on a laptop while snacking on something (don't worry, he brought extra). ]

around

[ Although Dick makes himself scarce during business hours, he doesn't hide in the attic or the reading room the whole time. Sometimes he's by the bar (not during a performance, at least) to grab a soda from the fridge with the air of someone perfectly comfortable in the chaotic setting. Occasionally, he can be found in the back hallways. Dick will help out anyone who's lost (or "lost") and won't hesitate to grab a glass of water and a chair for someone who's maybe a little too tipsy.

And anyone who's drunk and stupid and tries to pick a fight with a teenager will have a very bad, very embarrassing time. Just grab the popcorn-- no need to jump in and help him. ]

reading room

[fightcoded]

[ He's seen the kid drift by the counter twice since he took a seat at the bar. The third time, Midnighter packs up and follows after him into the Reading Room; one hand holding what's left of his maple bourbon, the other a new drink nearly spontaneously ordered. ]

I come bearing a mocktail because I'm nothing if not respectable. [ An apple cider ginger ale that he sets down on the nearest surface to Dick and his spread of schoolwork. ]

[hackingyoursensors]

[ The homework scattered on the table in front of Dick isn't anything particularly interesting-- just some algebra that's already finished and grammar homework that is an affront to him, personally, but is also finished. Imagine using words and phrases exactly as intended. Could never be him.

He's not surprised that anyone noticed him, but he didn't expect anyone to follow him to the reading room. Why follow a teenager to a room full of books when there's a whole bar full of people and booze? He does grin when he sees Midnighter, though. ]

What's the occasion?

[fightcoded]

You not being of legal age to drink alcohol, I guess.

[ Midnighter takes a seat in one of the oversized leather chairs still within Dick's periphery. For all his instigation and enabling, there's not a lot of premeditation in his appearance in the Reading Room. Only that a bar is, by and large, predictable, even with Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum body rolling on the bar counters.

Every customer is a walking billboard for prepared phrases and testosterone that leads to a predictive index which Midnighter already knows. Needling a fun-size version of Dick that still remembers how to smile is much more stimulating for the ol' precognitive neural implants. ]

Despite everything, they still make you go to school?

[hackingyoursensors]

[ Dick laughs. ] I'll drink to that, I guess?

[ He's already dismissed the possibility that M would try to poison him. The place is too public (and bugged to hell, besides), plus Midnighter wouldn't benefit from it.

(He'd wonder if normal people would do risk assessment like this, if he thought it was odd in any way.)

Dick takes a sip and shrugs. ]

I could probably dodge the truancy officers, but I promised to give school a try. My guardian seems to think I need 'normal' friends.

[fightcoded]

[ Midnighter notices the very quick assessment of being handed an unknowable drink. Young as he is, it's clear training has been so thoroughly drilled into him it's a natural reaction. It's impressive; Midnighter's calculations are built in, something he cannot shut off, like computer software automatically crossing off a checklist a million bullet points long in under a millisecond. It happens without conscious thought. ]

He's got a point. I have a few back home that tolerate me. [ For some reason. Midnighter isn't sure what they get out of it. Maybe the constant amusement of watching an alien try to act human. ] They're good for when you need a little humbling.

[hackingyoursensors]

I don't think I'll meet anyone as humbling as my best friend back home.

[ Barbara Gordon aka scary good at everything.

But among other heroes? Dick is used to being 'normal.' He's just a regular human with a lot of intense training. ]

Around

[robintohood]

[Jason calmly leans against a wall as he watches younger Dick Grayson interact with a drunk soon-to-be ex-customer. Under most circumstances, Jason would jump in and get between a teenager and an asshole adult but he's well aware that Dick Grayson is not an ordinary teenager.

So for now, Jason is going to take in some entertainment]

[hackingyoursensors]

[ The ill-fated drunkard seems relatively average, though his bearing and clothing choices suggest that he's in some minor position of power in a local gang. His suit is clearly off-the-rack from a higher-end department store, but has been tailored. The watch is from a nice jeweler, though it's not from a famous brand. He's someone who feels like he's moving up in the world and deserves respect for it.

"Kids these days, they have no f-fuckin' respect! Who... who'd you think you were glarin' at, punk?"

Dick stares at him blankly, but his stance shifts ever-so-slightly. ]

No idea. You never told me your name.

[ With that kind of charm, the man in the suit can't help but become apoplectic. His face turns bright red, his fists curled and a little bit of spittle flying as he yells.

'I'll beat it into you, you l-little shit!'

The thug throws a punch, but hits nothing but air. Dick had already side-stepped. ]

Wait, aren't you supposed to yell your name when you try to hit me?

[ The only other patron in the area picks up her drink and leaves for another part of the bar. Dick notices the movement, and it draws his attention to Jason. Who is clearly just here for the show. Might as well make it a good one.

'Listen here, you shit!' The man throws another, woefully sloppy punch as Dick dodges again. 'I'm Leonard the Mad Dog and you--' Another attempt, this time at a hook. It still fails, but at least it's variety. '-- you get over here!' ]

No thanks, Leo.

[ Absolutely incensed, the man throws one last full-strength punch. Dick doesn't dodge this time. Instead Dick grabs the man's wrist and flips him onto his back. It's not flashy, but he's not going for flashy. Not as a civilian, at least.

Mad Dog Leo blinks blankly at the ceiling, like he's wondering how he ended up on his back.

At least he's mercifully quiet for the moment. ]

[robintohood]

[After the thug gets flipped and lands on his back, Jason whistles. He's not surprised that Dick easily won but it was still a good show, especially when the "mad dog" had it coming]

Nicely done. Love the finesse.

[Jason appears to be completely unconcerned by the man on the floor]

[hackingyoursensors]

[ 'Mad Dog' opens his mouth as if to complain to the manager, but stops dead when he sees the grin on Jason's face. Instead, he tries to get up.

Dick just lightly pushes him back down with his foot. ]

Thank you. I'm surprised he didn't throw up, though.

[ Maybe his stomach just hasn't caught up yet. ]

[robintohood]

Probably just caught him in the right moment.

[Jason finally saunters over to the thug]

Be a shame if he did that all over the floor. We should help him walk.

[And out the door]

[hackingyoursensors]

You're right.

[ Dick lifts his foot off of the man's chest, who pushes himself up on his elbows. The shock on his face has turned into a scowl and he tries to yank his arm away when Dick grabs one of his elbows. ]

I think he needs fresh air.

[robintohood]

[Jason uses a painful vice grip on the man's other elbow]

Oh definitely. That'll clear his head right up.

[He then tugs and starts to lead towards the front door. Might as well make an example out of him for others to see]

[hackingyoursensors]

[ Dick is nowhere near as imposing a figure as Jason, but he's deceptively strong for his age.

As they walk him toward the front door, Leonard starts running his mouth.

'H-hey! What're you doin'?! I'm a payin' customer and this little shit started it. You saw him assault me, what kinda owner are you?!

Dick just rolls his eyes. Under his breath, but mostly for Jason's amusement: ] Sure you wanna advertise that a teenager knocked you flat?

[robintohood]

[In a casual and cheery tone to show he really doesn't give a crap]

Or that you were picking on a teenager in the first place?

[The man is getting hauled through the main bar area where dozens of customers are staring to see who's becoming the newest rulebreaker to get thrown out]

attic.

[reneger]

( he doesn't spend a lot of time at the bar. for one: it's junior's space, and while their initial rule of stay out of my shit and i'll stay out of yours doesn't necessarily apply anymore, it's still junior's space, and he doesn't have much interest in invading it just for shits and giggles. to be an ass? yes.

but that's not what he's there for now. jason was helping to man the bar, but he's decided he's done with that and has opted to make his way upstairs to check on dick.

finds him sitting with his laptop and makes his way on over to drop down beside him, leaning into him just enough he can take a peek over at the screen - but gives dick plenty of time to tab away from whatever the hell he's got going on in case he feels like being secretive. no need to snoop. )

You about ready to head back?

[hackingyoursensors]

[ Dick doesn't tab away. The screen has a few news articles up, as well a marked-up map of Central notated with crime rates and gang activity. Normal teenager stuff, you know. ]

Yeah. Slow night?

[reneger]

Got bored. They don't pay me enough to stick around through that.

( technically he's not getting paid at all, because jason doesn't give a shit about money. doesn't need it anymore either. which is terrible all in of itself but.

he raises a hand up, gestures to the screen around where he's seen the newest gang of ruffians fucking around. )

Blue Sabers?

[hackingyoursensors]

[ He snorts. ]

They don't pay you at all.

[ Dick zooms into a section of the map with little pins in it. ]

Yeah, I've been mapping confirmed and suspected sightings related to them.

[reneger]

Map out Junior's gangs antics yet? The Backbreakers. ( and he's--snorting, because it sounds ridiculous. who the fuck names their gang the backbreakers? )

Promised him a good ass kicking, figured it's about time I make good on that.

( though he does look down to dick. ruffles his hair. )

Gently, of course.

[hackingyoursensors]

[ He looks up at Jason after the hair-ruffling that he has just accepted as part of his life now.

Wryly: ]

'Gently' as in sending only half of the gang to the hospital?

[reneger]

Eh, if they stick 'round long enough for me to put 'em in the hospital, that's on them.

( he's already taken down a good chunk of them at least once, they should know better by now. )

If he's gonna be a crimelord, he's gotta be prepared for anything.

[hackingyoursensors]

[ Dick hesitates. ]

I'm still... getting used to that. I don't really befriend crime lords back home.

[ He and Bruce dismantle gangs and topple criminal empires. He doesn't believe that Jason-- either Jason-- is a bad person, and he understands the concept of having a 'least worst option.' People who join the Backbreakers have to obey certain rules. Rules that keep some people safe.

But it's still a stretch for him, sometimes. ]

[reneger]

I pulled the same shit, when I was younger.

( it's not a secret, and it's not something he feels the need to hide. jason hasn't been there for a while now, there hasn't been--time, mostly. )

He's trying to corral crime by controlling it. Keep drugs out of the hands of kids by keeping the dealers from working 'round schools, fuck up the worst of 'em by throwing his own minions at 'em. Sometimes it takes a bad person to stop worse shit from happening.