bold of you to assume that i have money but metaphorically yes, i will BUT if you want to play a game of vigilante tag it should be on neutral ground you can't cheat your way out of this one, feathers
[ yeah, she kinda clocked that too. it's fine! she's definitely not reading into it, because... well, a lot of reasons but honestly mostly because she doesn't want to completely embarrass herself here ]
you've gotta motivate me!
wooow yeah alright that'll work but you'd have to do it before i head back so i can see the replies
[ it's a good thing he doesn't have to explain what he does or where he goes to Batman anymore, because he's pretty sure he wouldn't be able to find a way to make this make sense. ]
i don't need practice, i'm ready to go whenever you are, pal
[ She can't exactly toss the kitten through the window, even though he probably wouldn't mind and she's not webbing the poor little guy up into a ball or anything wild like that. Instead she lands lightly on the window sill, hanging onto the frame with one hand while leaning down to carefully deposit him onto the floor. ]
You should learn to take an advantage when one comes your way.
[ The kitten, none the worse for wear, stalks directly over to Dick and begins winding determinedly around his ankles, butting her tiny, bony head into his calf while he holds out a hand to help Gwen through the window. Not that she needs it, but it's the gentlemanly thing to do. ]
[ Oh, well, looks like she's coming back in for a minute then?
Like she was just going to swing right back out when he's standing right there. She takes the offered hand to pull herself through, careful not to step on any kitten toes in the process. ]
Dude, every day is practice for me. Never a dull moment, you know? [ The mask hides her face, but a lot of expression comes through despite that, so her raised eyebrows translate. But hopefully not a lingering slight awkwardness about where that conversation definitely Did Not Go. ] If I didn't know any better I might think that you were stalling, like maybe you need some practice.
[ As if either of them gets a real break from all this. They sneak in a night or two like this when they can, but being a superhero type is a 24-7 gig. ]
And yes, we did. He fits really well right in my hood. It's too bad he won't always be travel-sized.
[ She slips in through the window with the same grace that sends her swinging through the city, but he still keeps her hand in his until she's standing on her own two feet. When he lets go, he bends down to pick up the kitten, which is hardly more than a ball of fluff in his palm. ]
Maybe I just want you to think I'm rusty. Give myself an edge. Cultivate an element of surprise.
[ Or maybe he's starting to wonder what possessed him to say Paris. Of all places. Sure, the Eiffel Tower would be fun to race up, but it's not like Paris is known for its skyscraping architecture.
Rather than think about it too hard, he curves his palm beneath the kitten and strokes the small head with his free hand, amused. It's not quite a success – there's the faint element of something deeper that he's steadily keeping off his face – but it's warm all the same. ]
He'd probably get huge. You'd spend as much time recalibrating for the added weight as swinging.
[ It's probably just because she's in 'totally overthinking everything' mode that makes it feel like he's holding onto her hand a little longer than he needs to, probably, and she's not pulling away too fast either. Thank god the mask covers up the fact that her cheeks go a bit pink. It feels silly, she's grabbed his hand before, whether it was to give him a boost up into the air or to drag him along behind her or to help him back up after a tough hit. Don't make it weird, Stacy.
He seems very chill about it, so she's just going to be chill too. Easy. ]
Yeah, if he wants to be a spider-cat he's gonna have to work out how to use a webshooter. Or he could be a bat-bird-cat, I guess. Otherwise he might just have to stay here at HQ and keep an eye on things while everybody else is out.
[ The windowsill seems like as good a place to sit as any, watching while Dick gives the loudly purring kitten more attention and thinking that they're going to completely spoil him at this rate. But if there's a kitten to pet she is going to play with it while she can, no regrets. ]
[ He has a brief mental image of the kitten wandering over Oracle's keyboards and causing a massive data blackout, and can't help chuckling. ]
I don't know. I think he'd be pretty cute in a domino mask, lurking in the shadows. But if he wants to join the bat-team, he's going to have to pay his dues first and spend some time as Robin.
[ He'd rather not think about how much easier it is to be here by the window, chatting with Gwen and playing with the kitten, than interacting with everyone else that's milling around. They're dancing to bass-heavy music, drinking amateurish mixes out of Solo cups, laughing in loose circles of four and five and six; partying. It's pretty far from the black tie soirees he'd attended as Bruce Wayne's ward, and he'd never had the normal teenage, college-kid party experience, so maybe it's not so weird that he's taking a little break, right?
But then she asks and he does think about it and maybe it is a little weird, because honestly? All he really wants to do is fling himself out the window and into the cool, velvet night air, because as much as he likes people, chatting and laughing and flirting and catching up, he likes being out there more. ]
Good. No costumed villains have crashed it yet, so, you know. It could be more interesting.
[ Bat then bird, for whatever reason that's just how it works here? She's not one to judge.
This is honestly Gwen's typical go-to party spot, on the rare occasion when she would get dragged to one in the first place, since she kinda missed out on a lot of partying time already thanks to the whole Spider-Woman thing. Barricading herself in a quiet room to pet a cat after making a reasonable effort to be social was predictable, so she might have a knack for recognizing that same look on someone else's face. He doesn't look miserable but he's got a kinda wistful look in his eyes, she thinks. ]
You wanna take a couple drinks up to the roof?
[ It's not the same as fully abandoning the party. She might have suggested it sooner, but Dick looked like he was having a good enough time back there, she wasn't gonna steal him away. But now... apparently she's branching out from just being a cat-napper. Now she's a potential bird-napper too? ]
[ There's a moment where he focuses on the kitten, thinking it over. Of course she sees right through him; he's not the only one who opted to take a break from the party. The thing that catches him up is what he almost tosses back at her without thinking: you're not old enough to drink.
Which, she isn't. And that's nothing new, so he's not quite sure why it suddenly feels like kind of a weird thing to say. But this has been a weird kind of night; maybe he's just off his game. He'll feel better once he's back on patrol in the 'haven tomorrow. ]
As long as we take the kitten with us. He looks like he wants to get back out of here, don't you think?
[ He holds the small creature up, like it's the reason he's saying: yeah, okay. ]
[ Gwen would not call herself a master of subtlety by any means, but she did realize as soon as the thought occurred to her that he might have a knee-jerk reaction to the idea of her having alcohol, because she's so used to that. Growing up with a cop as a dad tended to hammer in stuff like that, and it lingers, even though she's basically living on her own these days, and she could totally call herself eighteen and no one would blink an eye.
But she's got no ulterior motives here, at least not that she's aware of, she's just kind of expecting him to come back with a can of soda rather than what most other people are drinking, and she could tease him about it a bit. But hey, if he's gonna treat her more like an adult than a kid? That's very okay.
Not that he really does that anyway, at the very least not in the obnoxious, condescending kinda way that tends to come from the over forty bracket. Maybe that's why he had a bit of a weird look for a second there, her age just usually doesn't come up. ]
Nope, no drinks for kitty unless they've got catnip tea on tap. [ She stands up to reach for the kitten, gently lifting him from Dick's hands. ] I'll go ahead and take him up, you can meet us there?
[ He gives up the kitten without argument, then winks at her. ]
Sure. Save me a seat, Spider-Woman.
[ She'll be gone in the next moment, so he turns his focus to his own mission – such as it is – and goes in search of drinks.
A few minutes later, climbing the fire escape up to the roof, he has to admit it: it's nicer out here, the breeze snaking through the buildings and cooling him, sticking his shirt to his back with sweat, than it was inside. Maybe he's taking the slow way up, but hey – he's not in costume, and it's just a few flights of metal stairs.
Even so, he hups lightly over the edge of the rooftop, drinks in one hand. Sodas – for both of them. The buzz and muffled sensation of alcohol isn't really something he's chasing, tonight. ]
[ By the time Dick arrives Gwen has made herself relatively comfortable sitting on the edge of a vent cover, and the kitten seems even more so since he's curled up in her lap, tucked in between her crossed legs, apparently somewhat temporarily tired out from all of the excitement of his whirlwind tour around the local skyscrapers. She's been gently scratching his ears and staring out over the glow of the city lights around them, honestly kind of zoning out for a minute or two there. She's good at that. But she does snap out of it when she sees him swing over the ledge with drinks in hand.
She frees up both of her own hands to make a grabby motion toward him, but she's obviously not going to move and disrupt the sanctity of a kitten nap. She's not that much of a monster. ]
Thank you!
[ She's fine with soda. The thing about alcohol is, aside from the fact that she could possibly get in trouble in some places with it, is that she can barely work up more than a brief buzz before her metabolism kicks the whole thing out, so it kinda defeats the whole point. Maybe it's fun for an hour or two, that's about it. ]
Did anybody have something to say about you following my bad example and abandoning the party?
I assume it's all any of them are talking about, now.
[ He hands over her soda and takes a seat next to her, cracking open his own can for a sip of cola, relaxing as he looks up into the sky and savors the quiet of the rooftop.
It's not that he doesn't like people. Unlike Bruce, he's always enjoyed company, always been extroverted and chatty. But there are times when he feels like that's as much of a performance as Bruce's shadows and cloak and ability to pop out of seemingly nowhere. It's a second before he puts his finger on it, but once he does, he glances over at her. ]
It's funny. Being around that many people in one space always makes me feel like I'm back in the center ring. Like I should be doing tricks while they eat popcorn.
[ Which isn't a bad thing. He'd loved his time in the circus. He was born to stand in the spotlight, to draw oohs and ahhs from the crowd.
But once a performer, always a performer, he supposes. He casts an amused glance at the kitten. ]
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you did NOT just say you could get away from me.
[ the a u d a c i t y ]
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[ and that's exactly why she said it, she knew it would ruffle his feathers ]
because i can
if i want to
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I'd like to see you try
[ look, he knows what she's up to, but just because he knows doesn't mean he isn't going to allow himself to fall for it completely. ]
you talk a big game, spider-woman. I wonder if you can put your money where that mouth is.
perfect i have passed on the curse
bold of you to assume that i have money
but metaphorically yes, i will
BUT if you want to play a game of vigilante tag it should be on neutral ground
you can't cheat your way out of this one, feathers
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unlike a certain bug girl I know
[ Feathers. ]
Neutral ground, huh? So not New York, Bludhaven, or Gotham
How about Paris?
[ Why not? ]
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oh wow no, we are not doing bug girl
it makes me sound like i'm part cricket or something
i could work with paris
they really shouldn't have built the eiffel tower like that if they didn't want us climbing and swinging off of it honestly
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I actually know someone who can channel a cricket
along with every other animal in existence, but still
Paris, then
[ he almost adds it's a date but that would be weird. right? weird? ]
don't worry, I won't actually make you pay me anything when you lose
the knowledge that I'm right and you're wrong will be more than enough for me
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it's a [ not a date who said anything about a date?? he didn't! it's just a plan, to do a thing ] deal. yeah, a very fair one
[ what a totally normal and not at all awkward way to say that ]
so what do i get when i inevitably swing circles around you? is this for bragging rights only?
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why plan for something that's never gonna happen?okay, okay
if you win, you can text the batfam group chat to let them know you beat me
[ he would never hear the end of it. not even death would release him from the mockery. ]
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you've gotta motivate me!
wooow yeah alright that'll work
but you'd have to do it before i head back so i can see the replies
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I can do that, because it won't matter
[ it's a good thing he doesn't have to explain what he does or where he goes to Batman anymore, because he's pretty sure he wouldn't be able to find a way to make this make sense. ]
but for now, just bring the cat back, please
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[ gwen hasn't considered the other obvious angle on the teasing, or exactly what he has and hasn't told his crew, but hey ]
tell somebody to open the back window would ya?
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[ The same someone who's now leaning back against the wall, letting the sounds of the party wash over him as he types into his phone. ]
don't worry
I'll let you get as much practice in as you need before game time
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i don't need practice, i'm ready to go whenever you are, pal
[ She can't exactly toss the kitten through the window, even though he probably wouldn't mind and she's not webbing the poor little guy up into a ball or anything wild like that. Instead she lands lightly on the window sill, hanging onto the frame with one hand while leaning down to carefully deposit him onto the floor. ]
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[ The kitten, none the worse for wear, stalks directly over to Dick and begins winding determinedly around his ankles, butting her tiny, bony head into his calf while he holds out a hand to help Gwen through the window. Not that she needs it, but it's the gentlemanly thing to do. ]
You two have fun?
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Like she was just going to swing right back out when he's standing right there. She takes the offered hand to pull herself through, careful not to step on any kitten toes in the process. ]
Dude, every day is practice for me. Never a dull moment, you know? [ The mask hides her face, but a lot of expression comes through despite that, so her raised eyebrows translate. But hopefully not a lingering slight awkwardness about where that conversation definitely Did Not Go. ] If I didn't know any better I might think that you were stalling, like maybe you need some practice.
[ As if either of them gets a real break from all this. They sneak in a night or two like this when they can, but being a superhero type is a 24-7 gig. ]
And yes, we did. He fits really well right in my hood. It's too bad he won't always be travel-sized.
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Maybe I just want you to think I'm rusty. Give myself an edge. Cultivate an element of surprise.
[ Or maybe he's starting to wonder what possessed him to say Paris. Of all places. Sure, the Eiffel Tower would be fun to race up, but it's not like Paris is known for its skyscraping architecture.
Rather than think about it too hard, he curves his palm beneath the kitten and strokes the small head with his free hand, amused. It's not quite a success – there's the faint element of something deeper that he's steadily keeping off his face – but it's warm all the same. ]
He'd probably get huge. You'd spend as much time recalibrating for the added weight as swinging.
But I admit it; he's pretty cute.
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He seems very chill about it, so she's just going to be chill too. Easy. ]
Yeah, if he wants to be a spider-cat he's gonna have to work out how to use a webshooter. Or he could be a bat-bird-cat, I guess. Otherwise he might just have to stay here at HQ and keep an eye on things while everybody else is out.
[ The windowsill seems like as good a place to sit as any, watching while Dick gives the loudly purring kitten more attention and thinking that they're going to completely spoil him at this rate. But if there's a kitten to pet she is going to play with it while she can, no regrets. ]
So how's the party going?
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[ He has a brief mental image of the kitten wandering over Oracle's keyboards and causing a massive data blackout, and can't help chuckling. ]
I don't know. I think he'd be pretty cute in a domino mask, lurking in the shadows. But if he wants to join the bat-team, he's going to have to pay his dues first and spend some time as Robin.
[ He'd rather not think about how much easier it is to be here by the window, chatting with Gwen and playing with the kitten, than interacting with everyone else that's milling around. They're dancing to bass-heavy music, drinking amateurish mixes out of Solo cups, laughing in loose circles of four and five and six; partying. It's pretty far from the black tie soirees he'd attended as Bruce Wayne's ward, and he'd never had the normal teenage, college-kid party experience, so maybe it's not so weird that he's taking a little break, right?
But then she asks and he does think about it and maybe it is a little weird, because honestly? All he really wants to do is fling himself out the window and into the cool, velvet night air, because as much as he likes people, chatting and laughing and flirting and catching up, he likes being out there more. ]
Good. No costumed villains have crashed it yet, so, you know. It could be more interesting.
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[ Bat then bird, for whatever reason that's just how it works here? She's not one to judge.
This is honestly Gwen's typical go-to party spot, on the rare occasion when she would get dragged to one in the first place, since she kinda missed out on a lot of partying time already thanks to the whole Spider-Woman thing. Barricading herself in a quiet room to pet a cat after making a reasonable effort to be social was predictable, so she might have a knack for recognizing that same look on someone else's face. He doesn't look miserable but he's got a kinda wistful look in his eyes, she thinks. ]
You wanna take a couple drinks up to the roof?
[ It's not the same as fully abandoning the party. She might have suggested it sooner, but Dick looked like he was having a good enough time back there, she wasn't gonna steal him away. But now... apparently she's branching out from just being a cat-napper. Now she's a potential bird-napper too? ]
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Which, she isn't. And that's nothing new, so he's not quite sure why it suddenly feels like kind of a weird thing to say. But this has been a weird kind of night; maybe he's just off his game. He'll feel better once he's back on patrol in the 'haven tomorrow. ]
As long as we take the kitten with us. He looks like he wants to get back out of here, don't you think?
[ He holds the small creature up, like it's the reason he's saying: yeah, okay. ]
But no drinks for him.
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But she's got no ulterior motives here, at least not that she's aware of, she's just kind of expecting him to come back with a can of soda rather than what most other people are drinking, and she could tease him about it a bit. But hey, if he's gonna treat her more like an adult than a kid? That's very okay.
Not that he really does that anyway, at the very least not in the obnoxious, condescending kinda way that tends to come from the over forty bracket. Maybe that's why he had a bit of a weird look for a second there, her age just usually doesn't come up. ]
Nope, no drinks for kitty unless they've got catnip tea on tap. [ She stands up to reach for the kitten, gently lifting him from Dick's hands. ] I'll go ahead and take him up, you can meet us there?
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Sure. Save me a seat, Spider-Woman.
[ She'll be gone in the next moment, so he turns his focus to his own mission – such as it is – and goes in search of drinks.
A few minutes later, climbing the fire escape up to the roof, he has to admit it: it's nicer out here, the breeze snaking through the buildings and cooling him, sticking his shirt to his back with sweat, than it was inside. Maybe he's taking the slow way up, but hey – he's not in costume, and it's just a few flights of metal stairs.
Even so, he hups lightly over the edge of the rooftop, drinks in one hand. Sodas – for both of them. The buzz and muffled sensation of alcohol isn't really something he's chasing, tonight. ]
Your drink order, madam?
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She frees up both of her own hands to make a grabby motion toward him, but she's obviously not going to move and disrupt the sanctity of a kitten nap. She's not that much of a monster. ]
Thank you!
[ She's fine with soda. The thing about alcohol is, aside from the fact that she could possibly get in trouble in some places with it, is that she can barely work up more than a brief buzz before her metabolism kicks the whole thing out, so it kinda defeats the whole point. Maybe it's fun for an hour or two, that's about it. ]
Did anybody have something to say about you following my bad example and abandoning the party?
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[ He hands over her soda and takes a seat next to her, cracking open his own can for a sip of cola, relaxing as he looks up into the sky and savors the quiet of the rooftop.
It's not that he doesn't like people. Unlike Bruce, he's always enjoyed company, always been extroverted and chatty. But there are times when he feels like that's as much of a performance as Bruce's shadows and cloak and ability to pop out of seemingly nowhere. It's a second before he puts his finger on it, but once he does, he glances over at her. ]
It's funny. Being around that many people in one space always makes me feel like I'm back in the center ring. Like I should be doing tricks while they eat popcorn.
[ Which isn't a bad thing. He'd loved his time in the circus. He was born to stand in the spotlight, to draw oohs and ahhs from the crowd.
But once a performer, always a performer, he supposes. He casts an amused glance at the kitten. ]
He looks pretty comfy.
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