[Discreet or not, Jay caught that eye rub and while he didn't know exactly how Lin Lie's powers worked, he knew enough to know that chi was something that came from one's self. That would need fuel, right? No different than any other part of the body being worked as hard as Lin Lie had been.
So, while Jason rubbed blood flow back into his leg to quiet the pins and needles attacking his nerves and despite how notorious he was about running off anyone from his claimed part of Gotham, he nodded softly.]
Yeah, I know a few places. Whatcha in the mood for? We got Italian, Thai, pizza...and the best chili dogs in Jersey, o'course.
[ Jason won't have to worry about strangers moving into his turf; Lin Lie has his own city to look after. But demons don't know about frontiers or even plans of existence; when their signature was detected here, Lin Lie opened a portal from K'un Lun to Gotham to go after them before they caused trouble.]
Bold of you to assume I wouldn't be able to eat one of each option easily.
[ Unfortunately, the joke is in a big part true; he gets so hungry after hearing someone. ]
But now that you brought up the chili dogs, I absolutely must try those. I never had a chili dog before.
[It would probably do Jason good to drink something as well; Lin Lie healed him but he still lost quite a bit of blood. ]
(OOC: I'm made of molasses. u.u I'm sorry. I totally get if you don't want to continue this, but just in case you do...)
[He honestly wasn't that concerned about Lin Lie being in the Bowery. The other man hadn't proven hostile towards him or the people he'd decided to take care of. In fact, he'd been nothing but polite and helpful. It was a welcome change of pace from his own family's interactions with him.
It took another few minutes of careful rubbing before the circulation was back to his toes, but then Jason was carefully pulling himself up via the AC unit he'd been hiding against, testing his weight on the newly repaired limb. The lack of pain earned a small 'wow', and then he was running his gloved fingers through his hair before bending to scoop up his helmet from the ground.]
Well, if it's quality and quantity you're after, I know just the place.
['The place' turned out to be a tiny little Italian place that was a few blocks away and up a set of side stairs. Inside was quiet, but obviously still open for business, and as soon as the little old lady behind the counter saw Red Hood, she was coming around to fuss at him in rapid fire Italian.]
[ ooc. ey Hello! It's ok; I never mind slow threads/replies. I've been slow myself because I was traveling out of the country. ]
[ His role as the Iron Fist means that he's a protector, and even before being anointed Shou-Lao's champion, he was part of a hero group who looked after those in need. He also has a tendency to look after those who are poverty-stricken and no patience for bullies, even those who are supposed to be on the side of the law, so...no, not really aiming to cause trouble here.
Lin Lie says nothing after hearing that 'wow,' but there's a small pleased smile playing on his lips at the clear relief from the pain that Jason feels. ]
Frankly, I am never too picky; food is expensive. But quality and quantity would be a welcome treat.
[ He's all too happy to follow the other man, and once they enter the place, the delicious smell of Italian food filling his nostrils already has his mouth watering. He doesn't speak Italian, so he misses what the cute old lady fussing over his companion is saying, but they're clearly familiar with each other. Hands at his sides, Lin Lie gives her a small bow as a greeting and wishes her a good night in English. ]
[Jason, meanwhile, has only just started to learn how to handle working with more than one person at a time. He'd spent years as Robin at Batman's side, but while the rest of the Robins had grown into their own teams and eventually struck out on their own, Jason...
Well, he'd died. Followed by a period of walking coma, and finally a dunk into a supernatural super juice pit that healed his body but boiled out his brain. By the time that he'd made it back to Gotham and had put enough work into himself to no longer be an emotionally fueled rage monster, he'd been well on his way to adulthood and had missed out on those five or so years of crucial older teen team building experience.
Working with Roy and Kori helped in more ways than one, but mostly he was a homebody who stuck to his portion of the city, working both sides of the law to try and improve the lives that everyone else had given up on. He had a reputation of being dangerous, and it was a well earned reputation at that, but if people treated him and his territory with respect, he gave them the same curtesy.
Which included, it would seem, introducing them to little Italian nonas who fussed over vigilantes with guns like they were knee high children. And who, as soon as Lin Lie called attention to himself, switched that fussing over to the younger newcomer without pausing. She poked at his ribs and ruffled his hair, demanding answers from Red Hood like he wasn't a known criminal kingpin with a body count in the double digits.
Red Hood who hadn't actually put his helmet back on, just tucked it under one arm so that the only thing shielding his identity was his red domino mask. Red Hood who had once delivered the heads of every lieutenant of every local drug lord in a single duffle bag. Red Hood...who was rubbing at the back of his neck and answering back with the distinct whine of a grandchild being caught denying food to a playmate.
His words switched from Italian back to English mid-sentence, his hands coming up in a surrender gesture.]
I don't know why he's so skinny! You can't just ask that! I'm trying to feed him!
[She 'tut'ed, poking a finger into Hood's chest armor before turning back to pat Lin Lie's cheek with something that could only be reassurance before she bustled away towards the kitchen, already calling out to whoever was behind the swinging doors.]
[ Lin Lie doesn't exactly visit Gotham often but has heard a lot about Red Hood from heroes and villains alike. Some good, some bad, some outrageous. He prefers not to lay judgment until he can get a firsthand impression. So far, he's also seen the good Red Hood has done for his community, especially for those who rarely have anyone at their sides, and that's something he values. He's still aware that the man is lethal in combat and extremely capable. The scourge of Gotham's criminals.
Which makes seeing him getting why a woman that barely reaches his chest all the more adorable. Maybe it's because of this, or because Lin Lie has already seen him bleeding today, but he's reminded how entirely human they all are behind their helmets and masks, behind their ideals and differences. Frankly, it's a good reminder. Plus it's kind of funny, kind of cute, to see Jason act like that.
When the woman turns to him, he dutifully leans into the pats to his cheeks, smiling warmly at the gesture and looking like he's used to dealing with old ladies acting like that around him. Because he is. This isn't the first time something like this has happened; he's rescued grandmas from mean criminals before and even fought while carrying one around on his back like a koala.
When she's gone, he stands straight again and glances back at Jason just in time to see the look on the man's face. Ah, the power of a scolding auntie. Not even Batman would get away unscathed. ]
You'll survive.
[ Lin Lie tries to hide his grin behind his hand, not really fully managing. Even with his own mask on; how the white lenses narrowed probably gave away his amusement. ]
I see that the overbearing auntie relative is universal! Frankly, if she spoke Mandarin, she would be just like my Nai-Nai. [ His grandmother, more specifically from his father's side, because he doesn't have a mom or anyone from that side of the family. ] You can tell her that I've always been on the short side; maybe that will make her feel better. But hey, I'm not that thin. You're just...[ He makes a vague gesture towards Jason's ...everything, still grinning. Mr. Hood here is built like a double-door fridge and probably just as firm, so he looks smaller in comparison. ] ... Imposing. I mean it like a compliment. And I'll let you know that I'm 20, so hardly a kid anymore.
[He tried to be a little less lethal these days between his shaky truce with the rest of the Bats and his own slowly stabilizing sanity. He'd traded lead for rubber in most of his load outs...but the occasional body still floated in the bay. If anyone bothered to do any research, that body usually would be connected to someone with a rap sheet full of hurting kids or some kind of sexual assault, but most of the time no one bothered to do any research.
No one cared what happened in Crime Alley. And, for that very same reason, no one would believe Lin Lie if he told this story to anyone outside of Gotham. The scourge of Gotham's underworld lectured by a little old lady in an apron. The idea was ludicrous.
Huffing a small laugh, Hood gestured towards one of the tables, flopping down with a tired sigh and dropping his helmet between his feet.]
Oh, it's universal, alright. She reminds me so much of my abuela it isn't even funny. Her food is just about as good, too. [Catherine might not have been his biological mother, but she'd raised him when Sheila had thrown him away and that made her mother his family. Of course, both his mothers and his abuela were dead now, but that was a common story for this particular stretch of Gotham streets.
The gesture to his size earned a small snort, his lips pulling up into a little smirk as he lazily shrugged one shoulder.]
What can I say? Eat your fruits and veggies and drink your magical swamp water smoothies to heal your childhood malnutrition before your growth plates close. It does a body good. Guaranteed to make you 80% crazier with just one small dunk.
I hope you're as hungry as you say you are. She didn't let me actually order anything, so she's just making whatever she wants to feed you. I hope you don't have anything strenuous to do after this cause you're probably going to be in a food coma.
[ Both sound like good things that are worth the effort; it's not like Lin Lie would judge him too harshly for his method. He also dislikes killing and only destroys his enemies completely when it comes to demons trying to take over the world, but he understands that sometimes drastic measures need to be taken to protect innocents and those you care about. The citizens of K'un Lun are certainly pragmatic about war, and he's not about to judge them or anyone.
That aside, he's not someone who goes around sharing other people's secrets or affairs, which is probably one of the reasons why he has so many girlfriends who like to gossip with him, so Jason's secret is safe with him.
He lets out his own relieved sigh once he can sprawl on the comfortable seat, arms aching a little but otherwise not trembling too much, which meant he might be able to hold the cutlery without much issue. Chronic pain was a pain in the rear, and since it was caused by gamic, not even the healing powers of Shou Lao's chi could always fix it. ]
Little old ladies know the best recipes; I think it's an unwritten law of the cosmos or something. Did your abuela have a favorite food she liked to feed you? My Nai-Nai was obsessed with making me Hong Shao Rou. That's braised pork belly, and it's delicious, you should try it if you haven't yet. I can now make it with my eyes closed.
[ His grandmother is gone too, but he can still remember her doing things like that. He would not mind cooking the dish for Jason to try one day, if he ever wanted to know what it tastes like. Lin Lie would agree wholeheartedly that family is hardly something only defined by blood. He's learned to find community and a home with people who aren't at all related to him after his dad went missing, and he considers himself very lucky to have them.
I'm afraid I'm out of magical swamp water smoothies nowadays, but I'll keep it in mind. Maybe I can switch that for boba tea and even more training to get a similar result.
[ As if on cue, after Jason asked if he was hungry enough, Lin Lie's stomach let out a soft rumble. Oh, embarrassing. ]
Food coma is my favorite state of being. And I might not look like it, but I can eat a lot. Like, for 4 people's worth of food, it's kind of a lot. This takes a lot of energy out of me sometimes. [ He closes his right hand into a punch, only briefly making it glow. ] I'd love anything she brings me too.
[ So, food issues. He had some of them too and would never say no to any kind of dish put in front of him. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
So, while Jason rubbed blood flow back into his leg to quiet the pins and needles attacking his nerves and despite how notorious he was about running off anyone from his claimed part of Gotham, he nodded softly.]
Yeah, I know a few places. Whatcha in the mood for? We got Italian, Thai, pizza...and the best chili dogs in Jersey, o'course.
no subject
Bold of you to assume I wouldn't be able to eat one of each option easily.
[ Unfortunately, the joke is in a big part true; he gets so hungry after hearing someone. ]
But now that you brought up the chili dogs, I absolutely must try those. I never had a chili dog before.
[It would probably do Jason good to drink something as well; Lin Lie healed him but he still lost quite a bit of blood. ]
no subject
[He honestly wasn't that concerned about Lin Lie being in the Bowery. The other man hadn't proven hostile towards him or the people he'd decided to take care of. In fact, he'd been nothing but polite and helpful. It was a welcome change of pace from his own family's interactions with him.
It took another few minutes of careful rubbing before the circulation was back to his toes, but then Jason was carefully pulling himself up via the AC unit he'd been hiding against, testing his weight on the newly repaired limb. The lack of pain earned a small 'wow', and then he was running his gloved fingers through his hair before bending to scoop up his helmet from the ground.]
Well, if it's quality and quantity you're after, I know just the place.
['The place' turned out to be a tiny little Italian place that was a few blocks away and up a set of side stairs. Inside was quiet, but obviously still open for business, and as soon as the little old lady behind the counter saw Red Hood, she was coming around to fuss at him in rapid fire Italian.]
no subject
[ His role as the Iron Fist means that he's a protector, and even before being anointed Shou-Lao's champion, he was part of a hero group who looked after those in need. He also has a tendency to look after those who are poverty-stricken and no patience for bullies, even those who are supposed to be on the side of the law, so...no, not really aiming to cause trouble here.
Lin Lie says nothing after hearing that 'wow,' but there's a small pleased smile playing on his lips at the clear relief from the pain that Jason feels. ]
Frankly, I am never too picky; food is expensive. But quality and quantity would be a welcome treat.
[ He's all too happy to follow the other man, and once they enter the place, the delicious smell of Italian food filling his nostrils already has his mouth watering. He doesn't speak Italian, so he misses what the cute old lady fussing over his companion is saying, but they're clearly familiar with each other. Hands at his sides, Lin Lie gives her a small bow as a greeting and wishes her a good night in English. ]
no subject
Well, he'd died. Followed by a period of walking coma, and finally a dunk into a supernatural super juice pit that healed his body but boiled out his brain. By the time that he'd made it back to Gotham and had put enough work into himself to no longer be an emotionally fueled rage monster, he'd been well on his way to adulthood and had missed out on those five or so years of crucial older teen team building experience.
Working with Roy and Kori helped in more ways than one, but mostly he was a homebody who stuck to his portion of the city, working both sides of the law to try and improve the lives that everyone else had given up on. He had a reputation of being dangerous, and it was a well earned reputation at that, but if people treated him and his territory with respect, he gave them the same curtesy.
Which included, it would seem, introducing them to little Italian nonas who fussed over vigilantes with guns like they were knee high children. And who, as soon as Lin Lie called attention to himself, switched that fussing over to the younger newcomer without pausing. She poked at his ribs and ruffled his hair, demanding answers from Red Hood like he wasn't a known criminal kingpin with a body count in the double digits.
Red Hood who hadn't actually put his helmet back on, just tucked it under one arm so that the only thing shielding his identity was his red domino mask. Red Hood who had once delivered the heads of every lieutenant of every local drug lord in a single duffle bag. Red Hood...who was rubbing at the back of his neck and answering back with the distinct whine of a grandchild being caught denying food to a playmate.
His words switched from Italian back to English mid-sentence, his hands coming up in a surrender gesture.]
I don't know why he's so skinny! You can't just ask that! I'm trying to feed him!
[She 'tut'ed, poking a finger into Hood's chest armor before turning back to pat Lin Lie's cheek with something that could only be reassurance before she bustled away towards the kitchen, already calling out to whoever was behind the swinging doors.]
....you're gunna get me in trouble, kid.
no subject
Which makes seeing him getting why a woman that barely reaches his chest all the more adorable. Maybe it's because of this, or because Lin Lie has already seen him bleeding today, but he's reminded how entirely human they all are behind their helmets and masks, behind their ideals and differences. Frankly, it's a good reminder. Plus it's kind of funny, kind of cute, to see Jason act like that.
When the woman turns to him, he dutifully leans into the pats to his cheeks, smiling warmly at the gesture and looking like he's used to dealing with old ladies acting like that around him. Because he is. This isn't the first time something like this has happened; he's rescued grandmas from mean criminals before and even fought while carrying one around on his back like a koala.
When she's gone, he stands straight again and glances back at Jason just in time to see the look on the man's face. Ah, the power of a scolding auntie. Not even Batman would get away unscathed. ]
You'll survive.
[ Lin Lie tries to hide his grin behind his hand, not really fully managing. Even with his own mask on; how the white lenses narrowed probably gave away his amusement. ]
I see that the overbearing auntie relative is universal! Frankly, if she spoke Mandarin, she would be just like my Nai-Nai. [ His grandmother, more specifically from his father's side, because he doesn't have a mom or anyone from that side of the family. ] You can tell her that I've always been on the short side; maybe that will make her feel better. But hey, I'm not that thin. You're just...[ He makes a vague gesture towards Jason's ...everything, still grinning. Mr. Hood here is built like a double-door fridge and probably just as firm, so he looks smaller in comparison. ] ... Imposing. I mean it like a compliment. And I'll let you know that I'm 20, so hardly a kid anymore.
no subject
No one cared what happened in Crime Alley. And, for that very same reason, no one would believe Lin Lie if he told this story to anyone outside of Gotham. The scourge of Gotham's underworld lectured by a little old lady in an apron. The idea was ludicrous.
Huffing a small laugh, Hood gestured towards one of the tables, flopping down with a tired sigh and dropping his helmet between his feet.]
Oh, it's universal, alright. She reminds me so much of my abuela it isn't even funny. Her food is just about as good, too. [Catherine might not have been his biological mother, but she'd raised him when Sheila had thrown him away and that made her mother his family. Of course, both his mothers and his abuela were dead now, but that was a common story for this particular stretch of Gotham streets.
The gesture to his size earned a small snort, his lips pulling up into a little smirk as he lazily shrugged one shoulder.]
What can I say? Eat your fruits and veggies and drink your magical swamp water smoothies to heal your childhood malnutrition before your growth plates close. It does a body good. Guaranteed to make you 80% crazier with just one small dunk.
I hope you're as hungry as you say you are. She didn't let me actually order anything, so she's just making whatever she wants to feed you. I hope you don't have anything strenuous to do after this cause you're probably going to be in a food coma.
no subject
That aside, he's not someone who goes around sharing other people's secrets or affairs, which is probably one of the reasons why he has so many girlfriends who like to gossip with him, so Jason's secret is safe with him.
He lets out his own relieved sigh once he can sprawl on the comfortable seat, arms aching a little but otherwise not trembling too much, which meant he might be able to hold the cutlery without much issue. Chronic pain was a pain in the rear, and since it was caused by gamic, not even the healing powers of Shou Lao's chi could always fix it. ]
Little old ladies know the best recipes; I think it's an unwritten law of the cosmos or something. Did your abuela have a favorite food she liked to feed you? My Nai-Nai was obsessed with making me Hong Shao Rou. That's braised pork belly, and it's delicious, you should try it if you haven't yet. I can now make it with my eyes closed.
[ His grandmother is gone too, but he can still remember her doing things like that. He would not mind cooking the dish for Jason to try one day, if he ever wanted to know what it tastes like. Lin Lie would agree wholeheartedly that family is hardly something only defined by blood. He's learned to find community and a home with people who aren't at all related to him after his dad went missing, and he considers himself very lucky to have them.
He snorted at the reply, raising a hand to his mouth to hide his smile. Yeah, it was dark in a way but also kind of funny to be so blasé about what happened. Lin Lie doesn't mention his own death and resurrection that often, but when he does, he sometimes also goes for a casual, joking tone. It makes people less freaked out, and he can
ignore his feelings about it andhandle the past trauma. Sort of. ]I'm afraid I'm out of magical swamp water smoothies nowadays, but I'll keep it in mind. Maybe I can switch that for boba tea and even more training to get a similar result.
[ As if on cue, after Jason asked if he was hungry enough, Lin Lie's stomach let out a soft rumble. Oh, embarrassing. ]
Food coma is my favorite state of being. And I might not look like it, but I can eat a lot. Like, for 4 people's worth of food, it's kind of a lot. This takes a lot of energy out of me sometimes. [ He closes his right hand into a punch, only briefly making it glow. ] I'd love anything she brings me too.
[ So, food issues. He had some of them too and would never say no to any kind of dish put in front of him. ]