psychoshenanigans | Nebulous // AU

Entry tags:

robin,
tylo

Nebulous // AU

[well, welcome to the big city.

an artery of it, anyway, pumped out of the heart of the place to serve the smaller, lesser millions that live in the dingier parts of town. there are puddles pooled in divots of this alley that have gone stale, fossilizing discarded cigarettes and reflecting back the neon lights above. there's a line of people waiting to get into the side-door of a building, kept orderly by the Big Guy checking IDs at the front of the line.

it's dark, and the air sounds heavy. the bass is pretty substantial, even out here.

what's a stranger to do?]

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[the nice thing about crowds is that their combined opinions make for one excessively average collage. even with an appearance that is kind of flickering and shifting in panic, it's hard to really notice that person who doesn't have a single outstanding feature.

while his surroundings are still spinning, he at first avoids the alien crowd. but then a few glances shoot his way and start to stick, so he--she, it, they--change their minds.

feigning sudden nonchalance but not even breathing, not daring to pause long enough to process anything around him, he moves toward the crowd on instinct. he's an aquatic creature that needs to dive into the safety of the ocean before anything can catch him floundering.

he at least knows not to push himself into a waiting line, but he does go skirting hastily through the crowd of smokers and loiterers standing around. and he can't afford more care than that. he's too focused on trying not to scream.]

[unbeknownst to the new guy (how could he know how his life is about to change?), Robin happens to be in the crowd of loiterers he pushes through. his attention was already drawn by the flicker of something, an unusual feeling for this world--but it's impossible to ignore when the thing practically bumps into him on its way past.

and it is the appropriate word. he may be a few (dozen) drinks in, but he doesn't think the thing's shifty appearance can be blamed on his eyes playing tricks on him. giving them a few moments to get away from the mostly-ignorant crowd, he flicks his own cigarette to the curb.]

Yo, hey, I'll meet up with you guys later. Gotta catch someone.

[he dismisses himself, giving someone's drunk girlfriend half-a-hug on the way out--but it isn't too long until he's on the stranger's trail. the alleys here are close and go winding, but interspersed with normal, open streets and two-lane traffic. he wants to catch this person before they disappear out into the crowd, where they'll be significantly harder to track.]

[and the crowds are exactly what they're aiming for--moving like someone trying to shrug off a tail, but sticking to the most populous pockets of the avenue instead of the shadows. and every time that Robin catches sight of them, there's something a little bit different. first, the hood that had just been on their sweatshirt is gone. then there's a ponytail. then that ponytail is a little blonder than it had been. then back to the hood and brunette look.

and maybe it's instinct alone, but they may be getting the feeling that they're being stalked, judging by the way the pace picks up. Robin is going to have to hurry before they speed up and duck around some corner that he isn't able to track.]

[they'll probably never get caught, in a crowd like this. everyone's busy, tipsy or otherwise, too preoccupied with loud conversation or trying to get somewhere to look very hard at one more hooded-or-not-hooded person headed by on the street. besides, there are police sirens sounding a couple of blocks down, pulling everyone's attention. everyone wants to go see what the trouble is.

the stranger will pass bars, restaurants, apartment buildings, more alleys, even a convenience store--with nothing looking familiar in the whole lot of it. he probably won't think he's being followed by anyone, mostly because he doesn't know that Robin took a moment to disappear into a wall, spitting out in human shape in some shadows just a block away.]

[yeah, if there had been some suspicion of being stalked, it definitely fades with that little wall trick. the rest of the city--the whole noisy, looming, threatening unfamiliarity of it--can take over in occupying the stranger's attention. their pace begins to slow a few blocks down, though it's due to growing caution instead of calm.

the hood sticks around this time, and gets pulled up for them to hide in. and the stranger slows up outside of the convenience store in particular, taking a moment to look over the signs and advertisements plastered all over the front of it, before slinking onward again.]

[beyond the convenience store is more of the same, though at some point down this block it starts to change into residential housing. taking a turn would put him in the direction of more office buildings, industrial things. there isn't a whole lot in the way of maps or directions around here--street signs, maybe a bus map, but good luck deciphering those.

especially with the person walking up behind him, kind of fast and sudden for what should be possible in a normal human. Robin knows he's sliding onto thin ice, but that doesn't stop him from tapping the stranger on the shoulder.]

Hey, friend...!

[as if he's, you know, actually a friend or something.]

[the guy jumps and whirls--but almost immediately looks sheepish for startling like that.]

--Oh! Wow, you shouldn't sneak up like that. You almost scared the life out of me...

[he's lankier than he'd seemed before, but his frame is still on the slight side. he's got a good, embarrassed smile, and big eyes. and it might be Robin's imagination, but the shaggy hair peeking out from under his hood seems unusually white.]

[and here was Robin, expecting someone shadier. the difference between what he imagined and what he gets is such a stark contrast that he laughs out loud and practically beams.]

Sorry, I just didn't want to lose you. [cheery, from one thought to another.] Love the hair. Are you doing that on purpose?

Doing what on purpose?

[he either honestly doesn't know what Robin is talking about, or he's very good at playing dumb. he hardly blinks.

he does looks a little confused though--still hung up on that first comment. he pats his pockets and glances behind himself.]

And what--did I drop my wallet or something?

[and Robin is very good at not answering questions when he doesn't want to, so he shakes his head and rolls them right along.]

No, sorry-- Nothing like that, just bear with me for a second. Ah...

[as much as he'd like to be taken seriously, the smiling and the slight drunken wobble in his words make this sound a lot sillier than he means it.]

Do you believe in fate?

[the cheesy question and wobbliness at least make Robin seem a little less threatening, and that makes it easier to play along. no one's game is running into anyone else's yet, and he's not about to complain about a lack of conflict.]

Fate, huh? Is that a question I want to answer 'yes' to? ...Seems kind of dangerous. [--pleasant and playful, but distantly so. nice and safe.]

[he laughs again, a good drunken sound. it's about halfway true, and he'll admit that the other half is being influenced entirely by how cute this person is.]

Yeah, well. That's life, isn't it? But I get the feeling you're... [a dramatic (or maybe forgetful) pause as he comes up with the phrase.] ...New in town. Am I right?

[another sheepish grin, he scratches the back of his neck, and he's just so goddamn charming as he does so.]

You could say that, yeah... Is it obvious?

[he loves it. Robin himself looks like he belongs, in the sense that he could belong anywhere--he's dressed for a night out on the town, and his fingernails are painted black, but he could otherwise be the kind of handsome gent you'd find anywhere.

the sirens in the distance are fading--the drama must be over. Robin wobbles his head back and forth, just a little.]

Yeah, sorry. You just have that lost look about you. But that's why I'm here-- [he holds up a finger.] Can you remember an address?

[his grin widens, and there's a good chance that it is absolutely because it seems like he'll be able to break away from this conversation pretty soon. maybe this really is just some charming drunk trying to make friends, and he'll be able to escape unharmed. there is light on the horizon. the end is in sight.]

Oh yeah, sure. I've got a great memory.

[and that much is true, at the very least.]

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Nebulous // AU

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