[If he'd been in his armor, he sure as hell wouldn't be sporting stitches from crow talons. It was cool enough outside at night that he'd started wearing his jacket again when he went out as Red Hood, and that leather was old and patched to all hell, but it was durable and very well taken care of.
Glancing up from his bowl, Jason smirked.]
'Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn.' [Once again, his love of languages and grasp of accents proved useful. He didn't have a spot on Clark Gable, but it was passable enough. He chuckled, shaking his head a little as he went back to his food.] Still, I'll keep the mask for now. Just because you don't care doesn't mean it wouldn't feel really weird if I didn't care. And I shouldn't have to start any rumors. Jace Peters works for Hood, don't you know. My people will vouch for me if someone starts sniffing around. Though, they'd have to be really fucking brave to poke around my part of the city.
[He was quiet, listening to Jon talk. Usually, it was him spilling his guts, not the stoic strawman. It was a little weird...but also kinda nice. Made him more human, in a way.]
Not all teachers need to be kind. My favorite teacher was this brittle old bitty with a fondness for rulers and a stickler for grammar. She'd fucking roll in her grave if she saw me now.
[ It was getting close to that time of year when Crane goes away to Arkham for the winter, or a few weeks as tended to be the case over the last few years. The colder it gets, the less Scarecrow works until spring. Outside of Halloween, of course. So he felt valid in his thought that the Hood was in his civvies.
A half glare offered. ] Close, do it again, with feeling.
[ If Jason was going to do Clark Gable at the Georgian, oh, he was going to make him do it again. Though, Jon would NEVER admit that is why he says it half as much as he does. ]
You misunderstand, I am not saying i don't care so take it off. No, I am saying I do not care to ever know who you really are. Unless either my ring returns, or somehow my amgydala fixes itself. The latter is nearly as impossible as the former... Thanks to Luthor.
[ A flash of rage in his eyes a moment before took a breath forcing it down, Scarecrow getting rowdy and wanting out with the flush of rage over Luthor. Taking another bite before adding. ] Jace Peters can be attacked by the Scarecrow should it come to that. I would only charge a session for the act.
[ Hey, there are some good books coming out. And he has a harmless version of the toxin he made to scare people without actually gassing them. ] I find if you remember them with some disdain, they were likely a good teacher. You don't need to be friendly with everyone. School is about learning, and I would not pass any fool if I had a say. Which was counterproductive when half the staff were sleeping with students. [ Poking at the bowl with the fork again.] Why would she roll, though? I have seen your writing, it is rather good.
[He grinned in the face of that glare, taking a cheeky bite of his food before the conversation continued and the grin faded a little at that flash of anger. He understood it, but there was still a part of him that was wary of it.
Just because Jon didn't gas him now doesn't mean Jon didn't gas him back when he'd been Robin. Watching his mother claw her way after him, needles hanging from her arms and vomit on her blouse had been bad enough. He was more than a little nervous about what he'd see if he were to ever be dosed now.
Their sessions with hypnosis were bad enough and he didn't even really remember most of those. Just an overall feeling of fear and pain and the crushing weight of being alone.]
If I need Jace to end up gassed, I'll let you know. For now, I think we should be good. And she'd be rolling because she was the person who came the closest to making me stop cussing. My knuckles were black and blue by the end of that year, she'd smacked me with that damned ruler so much. Almost worked, though.
[That had been the year that Willis had been locked up, so a lot of his bad influences were gone for a while. Of course, then Catherine had gotten bad and he'd stopped going to school at all....but still. She'd left her mark.]
[ At least that anger had not been pointed at Jason. He had not been the one who stole away the one item that let him not only feel unfiltered fear, but to cause it. The truth was, had Luthor not stolen his ring, Jon would have left earth with Sinesto and likely would never have returned. Even when he horrified Gotham and peeled peoples minds open, it was still better than whatever horror he would unleash with the Yellow Ring.
The issue was, clocked that wariness, and it took effort to ignore it. To force himself to eat and not think about the beautiful horror each of the Robins had shown, the horror he used to feel. No, focus on the baby bird, and eat what the Hood made him.
Taking another deep breath, letting it out of his nose before he spoke again.]
Needless to say it would be a harmless gas, I did sign saying I would not dose you with toxin. As for your teacher, I suppose she tried, but I rarely find that violence works to enforce a lesson. Not does soap in the mouth. Cussing doesn't take away from who you are. Recent studies have even stated that by swearing, you're triggering emotional responses in yourself. Those responses trigger a mild stress response, which eases mild pain.
[ After that rambling explanation he sat the half finished bowl down to sit back some looking to the Hood, staying quiet a moment.]
[Well. Fuck. Didn't that just paint a whole new light on why a seven year old was cussing enough to earn himself bruised knuckles.
Shaking his head, he dropped his fork into his mostly empty bowl and slumped back in his chair.]
Not a session, Doc. You shrink my head all you like while I'm paying you, but I called you to give that little one it's best chance at not dying. So...what's the prognosis?
[It no doubt said a whole lot about his childhood that he didn't want to talk about it outside of very strict perimeters.
Reaching forward, he lightly touched the edge of the shoe box, sitting up straighter so he could peer into it. The bird was still upright, but it was settled down. If it had more feathers, they would have been just a puff, but as it was, they were still kinda scraggily looking.
A good match for the man he'd given them to.]
She looks pretty comfortable. You can take the heating pad, if you need it. I've got more and it's not like I'm in this safehouse often.
[ Jonathan was studying him again, despite not finishing his food. Still sitting back, quietly filing away the things that make the Hood tick. ]
Occasionally, I forget to turn it off. She may live, I will take her home with me. Though, I will likely have to put Craw out tonight, and hope she is carrying nothing, as Nightmare will be curious if he is not too tired to move around tonight. I will take her to the vet to confirm what I can, and if she is incapable of surviving, then I will handle it.
[ He sounds a little sad when he says it, but it would be humane if it came to that. He would torture a human to death, but birds were never something he would torture, despite what Jeremiah Arkham may think.
He had not yet considered how Edward might feel about the new addition, that would hit him later. ] I don't need it, Nightmare's pumpkin is heated, and I have one as well. Back pains, I am certain you understand, or you will.
[ Considering they are the same height. Those back pains would come if they hadn't already. ]
[He could feel the man staring at him and even through the contacts he could feel the focus against his skin. It had bothered him at first, when he'd first started to see the man. He'd been wary and guarded and quick to call an end to things, not trusting the other man to not use the weaknesses he was handing over to be used as knives against him. Those knives never came, however, and he'd slowly started to open up more and more, uncurling from around his pain like some masochistic hedgehog.
That had been a long time ago and a far cry from the man who was lounging comfortably in just a pair of sweatpants and a tied on Halloween mask. Still, that calculating look slide easily under his skin and without the comforting parameters of therapy, it made him fidget. He tried to cover it by shoving another spoonful of eggs and rice into his mouth, but he didn't have much hope that it actually worked.]
Knees more than back, but I get it. Keep me informed on how she's doing? Even if you have to put her down, I'd like to know. She's a cute little shit. If you need anything for her, let me know? I can't actually do anything with her, but I can pay for things if you don't feel like stealing so close to your big night.
[ It wasn't just Jason he watched that like. It was nearly everyone. Some people were moderately safe from his studying gaze, but those people could be counted on one hand. And, sometimes, even they were studied depending on the situation. It was nothing personal, just the part of Jon that was a workaholic. It was impossible to not study an interesting case.
Those knives were not coming for Jason. No, he was not nearly as suicidal these days. He had his reasons to live, a few friends, Edward, his birds and the work. The Red Hood was not part of that work, though.
No, Jonathan just returned to feeding the baby bird when he saw Jason try to cover. He rarely apologizes, but he knows he's made the other uncomfortable, it was challenging to ignore Scarecrow screeching to lock onto that and see what makes the little bird tick. The Hood had stopped being little bird when he came back a man the size he was, but Scarecrow didn't care. Everyone has a nickname from Scarecrow.]
Luckily, my knees don't often bother me. It's been my back since my late twenties. The dancing helps. [ No denying he dances, not with his fighting style. It keeps him limber, even with pains of age. ] Of course, you found her, so I will keep you informed. I have a feeling she may be a beauty if she survives. Nightmare looked worse than this when I found him, but I would say he was a month or so older. I shouldn't need anything, though. I have been at this a long time.
[ granted, he hadn't realized the problems that will lead him to calling Oswald in a day or so. ]
She wouldn't be safe around your daughter, for either the child or the bird. I wasn't going to leave her even if you asked. Though, I do thank you for considering my big night. After the last two years, nothing will be in my way.
[ As soon as he said it, his head snapped up. ]
Your next session, you will pay not in money, but by making me a promise Hood.
[ His cheap-ass doing anything for free? It must be big.]
[A respite was a respite and Jason wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth. Crane turned back to the chick and Jason felt his shoulders relax without that scrutiny. He slouched a little more into his chair, fiddling with the spoon in his hand as he came down from the spiral his brain had started to climb.
By the time Crane mentioned dancing, Jason was once more solid enough to give a small, lopsided grin.]
A dancing Doc, never thought I'd hear the magic behind getting your feet up that high, but it makes sense. And it makes sense why it helps with your back, too. A lot of back pain that isn't mechanical is because of weak core muscles. The long muscle needs conditioning if it's going to protect from getting your shit kicked in a couple times a year. I could give you a couple tips if you wanted? Help you lengthen and stretch out those problematic aches.
[The man's posture wasn't doing him any favors, either...but he'd read Crane's file when he'd been Robin and something told him that snapping 'stand up straight' would be a great way to make that abused child Jon had once been lash out.
At the mention of his daughter, his exposed eyes softened a little and that grin broadened into a smile. He was head over heels for that little girl who'd been so suddenly dropped in their laps. The expression didn't harden, exactly, but he did arch a curious brow at the rather abrupt change in his doctor.]
Easy, Doc. What is it? I'm not gunna chase you over Halloween, if that is what you're worried about. Long as you're not mowing down toddlers with your scythe, anyway. You do that, all bets are off, but you knew that.
[ He may be one of the worst people to trust with one's mental health, but he was excellent at what he does, when he cares enough to try anyway. The Hood's mystery was enough to keep him interested, and the Hood safe as one could be around Crane.
He chuckled when Hood spoke, waiting until he was done, as he held the little bird, letting it stay warm in his bony grasp. ] Did you not know? I've always called it violent dancing. [ Shrugging a little.] I'll consider it, it won't be tonight. I am officially off the clock, which means doing nothing I do not feel like doing.
[ His posture was terrible, always slouching, and leaning, while Scarecrow was stiff and moved in inhumane ways. Jason was smart to not say it, though, that had always been a favorite of Grannys. ]
Easy is for after you promise me you will take your child and Arsenal and leave on the 30th, don't return until November 2nd at the earliest. I will not be killing anyone, unless accidents happens. And [ A flat look given.] You know I do not start until after curfew, if children get hurt that is on their parents. Even the homeless children know to get off the streets on Halloween.
I do not do previews or hints, but you do not want you or your child here while I am working.
[ He had worked too much with The Hood to expose him to Halloween toxins. It was part of their deal after all, no Toxin for the hood. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
For Hosannas_of_anguish
[If he'd been in his armor, he sure as hell wouldn't be sporting stitches from crow talons. It was cool enough outside at night that he'd started wearing his jacket again when he went out as Red Hood, and that leather was old and patched to all hell, but it was durable and very well taken care of.
Glancing up from his bowl, Jason smirked.]
'Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn.' [Once again, his love of languages and grasp of accents proved useful. He didn't have a spot on Clark Gable, but it was passable enough. He chuckled, shaking his head a little as he went back to his food.] Still, I'll keep the mask for now. Just because you don't care doesn't mean it wouldn't feel really weird if I didn't care. And I shouldn't have to start any rumors. Jace Peters works for Hood, don't you know. My people will vouch for me if someone starts sniffing around. Though, they'd have to be really fucking brave to poke around my part of the city.
[He was quiet, listening to Jon talk. Usually, it was him spilling his guts, not the stoic strawman. It was a little weird...but also kinda nice. Made him more human, in a way.]
Not all teachers need to be kind. My favorite teacher was this brittle old bitty with a fondness for rulers and a stickler for grammar. She'd fucking roll in her grave if she saw me now.
no subject
A half glare offered. ] Close, do it again, with feeling.
[ If Jason was going to do Clark Gable at the Georgian, oh, he was going to make him do it again. Though, Jon would NEVER admit that is why he says it half as much as he does. ]
You misunderstand, I am not saying i don't care so take it off. No, I am saying I do not care to ever know who you really are. Unless either my ring returns, or somehow my amgydala fixes itself. The latter is nearly as impossible as the former... Thanks to Luthor.
[ A flash of rage in his eyes a moment before took a breath forcing it down, Scarecrow getting rowdy and wanting out with the flush of rage over Luthor. Taking another bite before adding. ] Jace Peters can be attacked by the Scarecrow should it come to that. I would only charge a session for the act.
[ Hey, there are some good books coming out. And he has a harmless version of the toxin he made to scare people without actually gassing them. ] I find if you remember them with some disdain, they were likely a good teacher. You don't need to be friendly with everyone. School is about learning, and I would not pass any fool if I had a say. Which was counterproductive when half the staff were sleeping with students. [ Poking at the bowl with the fork again.] Why would she roll, though? I have seen your writing, it is rather good.
no subject
Just because Jon didn't gas him now doesn't mean Jon didn't gas him back when he'd been Robin. Watching his mother claw her way after him, needles hanging from her arms and vomit on her blouse had been bad enough. He was more than a little nervous about what he'd see if he were to ever be dosed now.
Their sessions with hypnosis were bad enough and he didn't even really remember most of those. Just an overall feeling of fear and pain and the crushing weight of being alone.]
If I need Jace to end up gassed, I'll let you know. For now, I think we should be good. And she'd be rolling because she was the person who came the closest to making me stop cussing. My knuckles were black and blue by the end of that year, she'd smacked me with that damned ruler so much. Almost worked, though.
[That had been the year that Willis had been locked up, so a lot of his bad influences were gone for a while. Of course, then Catherine had gotten bad and he'd stopped going to school at all....but still. She'd left her mark.]
no subject
The issue was, clocked that wariness, and it took effort to ignore it. To force himself to eat and not think about the beautiful horror each of the Robins had shown, the horror he used to feel. No, focus on the baby bird, and eat what the Hood made him.
Taking another deep breath, letting it out of his nose before he spoke again.]
Needless to say it would be a harmless gas, I did sign saying I would not dose you with toxin. As for your teacher, I suppose she tried, but I rarely find that violence works to enforce a lesson. Not does soap in the mouth. Cussing doesn't take away from who you are. Recent studies have even stated that by swearing, you're triggering emotional responses in yourself. Those responses trigger a mild stress response, which eases mild pain.
[ After that rambling explanation he sat the half finished bowl down to sit back some looking to the Hood, staying quiet a moment.]
no subject
Shaking his head, he dropped his fork into his mostly empty bowl and slumped back in his chair.]
Not a session, Doc. You shrink my head all you like while I'm paying you, but I called you to give that little one it's best chance at not dying. So...what's the prognosis?
[It no doubt said a whole lot about his childhood that he didn't want to talk about it outside of very strict perimeters.
Reaching forward, he lightly touched the edge of the shoe box, sitting up straighter so he could peer into it. The bird was still upright, but it was settled down. If it had more feathers, they would have been just a puff, but as it was, they were still kinda scraggily looking.
A good match for the man he'd given them to.]
She looks pretty comfortable. You can take the heating pad, if you need it. I've got more and it's not like I'm in this safehouse often.
no subject
Occasionally, I forget to turn it off. She may live, I will take her home with me. Though, I will likely have to put Craw out tonight, and hope she is carrying nothing, as Nightmare will be curious if he is not too tired to move around tonight. I will take her to the vet to confirm what I can, and if she is incapable of surviving, then I will handle it.
[ He sounds a little sad when he says it, but it would be humane if it came to that. He would torture a human to death, but birds were never something he would torture, despite what Jeremiah Arkham may think.
He had not yet considered how Edward might feel about the new addition, that would hit him later. ] I don't need it, Nightmare's pumpkin is heated, and I have one as well. Back pains, I am certain you understand, or you will.
[ Considering they are the same height. Those back pains would come if they hadn't already. ]
no subject
That had been a long time ago and a far cry from the man who was lounging comfortably in just a pair of sweatpants and a tied on Halloween mask. Still, that calculating look slide easily under his skin and without the comforting parameters of therapy, it made him fidget. He tried to cover it by shoving another spoonful of eggs and rice into his mouth, but he didn't have much hope that it actually worked.]
Knees more than back, but I get it. Keep me informed on how she's doing? Even if you have to put her down, I'd like to know. She's a cute little shit. If you need anything for her, let me know? I can't actually do anything with her, but I can pay for things if you don't feel like stealing so close to your big night.
no subject
Those knives were not coming for Jason. No, he was not nearly as suicidal these days. He had his reasons to live, a few friends, Edward, his birds and the work. The Red Hood was not part of that work, though.
No, Jonathan just returned to feeding the baby bird when he saw Jason try to cover. He rarely apologizes, but he knows he's made the other uncomfortable, it was challenging to ignore Scarecrow screeching to lock onto that and see what makes the little bird tick. The Hood had stopped being little bird when he came back a man the size he was, but Scarecrow didn't care. Everyone has a nickname from Scarecrow.]
Luckily, my knees don't often bother me. It's been my back since my late twenties. The dancing helps. [ No denying he dances, not with his fighting style. It keeps him limber, even with pains of age. ] Of course, you found her, so I will keep you informed. I have a feeling she may be a beauty if she survives. Nightmare looked worse than this when I found him, but I would say he was a month or so older. I shouldn't need anything, though. I have been at this a long time.
[ granted, he hadn't realized the problems that will lead him to calling Oswald in a day or so. ]
She wouldn't be safe around your daughter, for either the child or the bird. I wasn't going to leave her even if you asked. Though, I do thank you for considering my big night. After the last two years, nothing will be in my way.
[ As soon as he said it, his head snapped up. ]
Your next session, you will pay not in money, but by making me a promise Hood.
[ His cheap-ass doing anything for free? It must be big.]
no subject
By the time Crane mentioned dancing, Jason was once more solid enough to give a small, lopsided grin.]
A dancing Doc, never thought I'd hear the magic behind getting your feet up that high, but it makes sense. And it makes sense why it helps with your back, too. A lot of back pain that isn't mechanical is because of weak core muscles. The long muscle needs conditioning if it's going to protect from getting your shit kicked in a couple times a year. I could give you a couple tips if you wanted? Help you lengthen and stretch out those problematic aches.
[The man's posture wasn't doing him any favors, either...but he'd read Crane's file when he'd been Robin and something told him that snapping 'stand up straight' would be a great way to make that abused child Jon had once been lash out.
At the mention of his daughter, his exposed eyes softened a little and that grin broadened into a smile. He was head over heels for that little girl who'd been so suddenly dropped in their laps. The expression didn't harden, exactly, but he did arch a curious brow at the rather abrupt change in his doctor.]
Easy, Doc. What is it? I'm not gunna chase you over Halloween, if that is what you're worried about. Long as you're not mowing down toddlers with your scythe, anyway. You do that, all bets are off, but you knew that.
no subject
He chuckled when Hood spoke, waiting until he was done, as he held the little bird, letting it stay warm in his bony grasp. ] Did you not know? I've always called it violent dancing. [ Shrugging a little.] I'll consider it, it won't be tonight. I am officially off the clock, which means doing nothing I do not feel like doing.
[ His posture was terrible, always slouching, and leaning, while Scarecrow was stiff and moved in inhumane ways. Jason was smart to not say it, though, that had always been a favorite of Grannys. ]
Easy is for after you promise me you will take your child and Arsenal and leave on the 30th, don't return until November 2nd at the earliest. I will not be killing anyone, unless accidents happens. And [ A flat look given.] You know I do not start until after curfew, if children get hurt that is on their parents. Even the homeless children know to get off the streets on Halloween.
I do not do previews or hints, but you do not want you or your child here while I am working.
[ He had worked too much with The Hood to expose him to Halloween toxins. It was part of their deal after all, no Toxin for the hood. ]