Nebulous // AU

[birdsbirdsbirds]

[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?]

Comments

[birdsbirdsbirds]

[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?

[switchmutt]

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?

[birdsbirdsbirds]

[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?

[switchmutt]

[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.]

[birdsbirdsbirds]

[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?

[switchmutt]

[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?

[birdsbirdsbirds]

[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?

[switchmutt]

[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.]