Owner	Pose
River Banks	He might have gotten a notification that the no-questions case had checked herself out earlier in the evening. She hadn't gone far; secured a room where her brother could sleep off his overexcitement and all the sugar the nurses loaded him up with, and River was sitting on the rooftop, leaning over the rainment with her eyes closed, feeling the cool wind and the promise of a summer storm through her straw-colored hair. She was wearing a T-shirt promoting the clinic and a new-ish pair of jeans, and fresh sneakers. Her hair was washed. She still had stitches in her side and back, but things were knitting back together nicely enough thaty the nurses only protested *a little bit* that she was discharged.     She had made promises to follow up with her primary.     She was going to end up taking them out herself next week.
Jason Todd	Jason Todd did get that message. Dr Tompkins was nothing if not an amazing, compassionate doctor who knew that Gotham needed more than just the boys in blue to cure its illness. She also happened to be stubborn and opinionated. When patients don't follow the doctor's orders, and they're affiliated can be contacted, yes. She's going to contact and lecture. Jason was never one to like lecutres. At least with Leslie it wasn't because she was disappointed in him. Usually. "You don't listen to instructions very well, do you?" Red Hood's voice is quiet, just loud enough to be heard from twenty feet away as he stands there facing her.
River Banks	"You always sneak up on girls or am I just lucky." River asks rhetorically,, relaxing her shoulders as she crosses her arms, and regards Red Hood.     "Listened well 'nuff. No strenuous liftin' or workin' out for at least two weeks. They gave me a cream ta help the scarrin' but ain't much they can do 'bout the face, jus' always gonna be this ugly an' I'm just always gonna have a split up chin like this." she cracks a small smile, and then then she shrugs her shoulder.     "Figured the longer we was in there, more chances they had to call child services an' take my brother. Who, by the way, wants to know when he can apply to be a sidekick."
Jason Todd	"It's Gotham City. Everyone sneaks around here except the bumbling criminals." He walks closer, "Didn't even notice the scar" he observes as if just seeing it. "You need to be on bedrest for another week according to the doctor. Considering the fact that she and her staff help vigilantes heal up, she's already working beyond the law. There's no reason she'd push to take your brother away. She even said it to me that you clearly have his best interests in mind. Just maybe not in the best of ways."
River Banks	"... I also don't wanna make that clinic a sittin' duck. That fella who took me down, he was big an' mean sonovbitch. Went through everything I could throw at him like it was nothin'. An' there's people down there comin' in off the street with real issues, Hood. I don't wanna cause them to get pissy." she states, turning her gaze off to the side. Semi-truth. She's trying not to show that she is scared whoever went after her wasn't going to stop at an alleyway.     "But you are agreein' I'm a homely lady. Least it's somethin'." she jokes.
Jason Todd	Shaking his head, "You're not going to change your mind so there's no point belaboring it." Walking to the railing he looks out over the city. "I'm not agreeing with anything." he mutters tersely. "So what are you going to do" he asks directly, turning to look at her. "What makes you think he's going to come after you again?"
River Banks	"'Cause I keep missin' payments." is the simple answer, and she sinks down. She's dizzy, she's not going to say anything though.     "Funny thing about not havin' much in the way of belongin's you don't got much to put up for collateral. Had to launder the cash. Ain't no one else who does it in large quantities that ain't associated with the Italian mob." she states, looking at Jason's knees.     "I missed the payment back. So next payment's gonna be the remaining amount, or next time he sends a merc it'll be to hopefully off me, or if not that..." she trails off. She didn't want to illuminate why being taken alive was so bad.     "Anyway. 'Long as it's not in Gotham I don't reckon it's your concern. 'Less Heroes got no jurisdictions."
Jason Todd	Red Hood listens. "So you borrowed from a criminal who has unreasonable rates for paying them back." Or so it seems. "I understand the issue is missing a payment. And you blame me because I stopped you from robbing the bank." He shrugs, "It's not going to stop. Even if you manage to pay back what is demanded. It's too easy to stay on that path once you start. You need to decide if that is really what you want for your life. Or for your brother. There's no way he's going to miss what you're doing and he's going to follow your example. That's what kids do."
River Banks	"Why the hell would I blame you for doin' your probably self-appointed duty?" River asks, her nose crinkling in confusion. "Not like you said 'oh hey Rip, go ahead and rob this bank but accidentally leave the door open sos two nitwits can get in there an' wreck shit so I can shot you with taser bullets'." she tults her head back to look up to Hood.     "Ain't your job to clean up my messes. You've already showed me enough kindness that I can't pay back." River snaps. "You don't know my life. You don't know what I've done and what I've had to scrape together for Rio, so you can stop with your lecturin'. I know. God... don't I know. Wasn't supposed ta be like this... but this is all I know. No one on the up-and-up's hirin' for 'ex bank robbers with water powers'. I can't even talk ta fish!"
Jason Todd	"For getting upset because I'm assuming things about you, you're doing a good job of doing the same about me." It's flat and it's edged hard. "I'm not a recruiter. I'm not even a poster child for what I do." He crosses his arms over his chest as he looks down at her. "You say you know. But you're still talking about stealing and robbing to get the money you need. Wanting things to change but doing the same thing each time is the definition of futility." He shrugs. "What are you prepared to do to get a different outcome for you both?"
River Banks	"No one's offered more than a 'we'll see'. Or 'you can do better'. You're the only one that even offered anything. You know... that gift card's first time in two years I've had ice cream?" River states, calming down, and she gives a slight wave to dismiss the thought.     "I don't..." she starts, and then shakes her head.     "Look, unless you got a job offer in your back pocket, I've gotta change geographical locations. Whatever that guy is, he's...." she curls her hand behind her ear, feeling the stitching that's holding the top of her neck together.     "... but for Rio, I'd do jus' 'bout anything. Wouldn't you if you had a kid brother?"
Jason Todd	He watches her reaction. "Good. There was intentionally enough on the card for you to have a few small indulgences for happy memories as well as paying bills." "Being a vigilante isn't a money making venture. It isn't like we're sponsorted or underwritten. Either you're independently wealthy, which I'm not, or you find a means to fund yourself." Watching her, he shakes his head, "Most vigilantes work solo with the exception of the Bat. Things in Gotham is, well, unique." He shrugs. "I don't know of any teams hiring." He studies her. "But your past is only a liability if you want it to be. If you're willing to prove you're not that person anymore, it will take time but others will give you the opportunities to show them who you really are." He turns away and stares out at the city. "You're not the only felon, River. It follows you the rest of your life. I get it." He doen't look at her as he asks a final question, "How much do you still owe. In total."
River Banks	"... two and a half million dollars. For ICU treatment. Internal bleeding treatment. Swollen brain due to rapid overheating of the cranium. Or somethin'. Big list of medical words that mean 'somehow this guy boiled alive in his own skin'." she replies softly.     "Rio thought I was a small appliance repair person. Fix up mowers an' blenders. Rewire things and trade 'em into shops. BUt the bills outstripped what was comin in. Always did. An' when you're sleeping in hammocks under trains with a five-year-old clinging to you in a cheap set of headphoens ta block out the noise, you kinda go back to what you know. And I knew how ta rob people. Don't pretend it's noble what I do. I'm not some Robin Hood. Jus' abusin' the bank system little bits at a time."
Jason Todd	Red Hood shakes his head "What does someone else's medical bills have to do with you?" He turns to look at her for the answer. "Life is hard. It's true. Harder if you have family. Not any easier if you don't" He seems familiar with both arrangements. The questions may be going toward something but he waits for her to clarify.
River Banks	"... I lost control of my temper and fried the guy who taught me how to be a theif after a fight. 'S why I try not to get too riled up 'bout nothin'." Riptide states. "He didn't die. I pay for his medical bills 'cause it's my fault. An' Rio doesn't know none of that. I'd like you to keep that under your proverbial hat, if you'd be so kind."
Jason Todd	"I'm not looking for blackmail details, just trying to understand. I thought you could control water. You can make it boil or something?" he tries to parse out. He turns back to look at the city while he listens, trying to put the puzzle together. Though most would question why, by this time.
River Banks	"You think someone who never completed eighth grade is gonna know the details of some weird water powers?" Riptide answers back, and she goes to stand up, and she leans back over, to Hood's side, looking over the city.     "When I get real mad, or real... any negative emotion, it's stronger but more dangerous. In three seconds when I'm calm and collected I can form ice spikes and send 'em flyin' at the tires of a truck or police car to discourage 'em from chasin' me down. When I got mad... and this was real mad --" she holds her hands out, looking at them lit up against the city lights.     "... your body's somethin' like seventy percent water. I made his temperature go briefly to boiling."
Jason Todd	"Remind me to never make you angry." It's grim sarcasm as much as it's serious. "That explains the injuries then." He is silent again. "I don't have an answer for you, tonight." He reaches into his jacket and pulls out a smart phone. Tapping on the screen for a few moments before looking at her. "When is the loan due?" He continues tapping on the screen while he listens.
River Banks	"... next Wednesday. Or else he'll probably send the merc after me again." River remarks, and she gives a soft snort.     "I only do it to assholes. You're a jerk, but you're not a dislikeable jerk." she remarks. "I've gotten real good at holdin' anger in check. Otherwise I'd never be able to watch a football game." She pauses, and looks over to Jason.     "... what're you doin'?"
Jason Todd	"Well at least my repuation is intact." Thinking on it, he taps on the phone one last time. "I'm giving you a hand up." Looking back at her, he clarifies, "I've added to the card. There's enough for another month so you can have a safe place for Rio." Because no kid should grow up on the streets. "I don't have an answer for you right now on the loan. I have a couple ideas but I need to get more information first. I'll know something in 48 hours." He looks to her, "Keep your head down. Spend time with Rio and focus on getting healthy. I know Dr Thompkins' assessment of where you're at in the process. Don't go and do something stupid. If something comes up or if that merc somehow finds you, you know how to reach me." Taking a step back he turns to face her, waiting for her reply.
River Banks	"Well, I'd hate to ruin your reputation." the young woman states as she draws herself up, and she just sort of... blinks. Owlishly. She takes a deep breath, and then rubs the back of her head.     "Look, Red Hood, I jes don't... I don't understand. Even without knowin' 'bout Rio, you gave me this card and..." she rubs the back of her neck again.     "Why. Why help out a failed bank robber?" she asks.     And then, in a lower voice she replies: ... and truly. Didn't want that merc showin' up at Doc Thompkins's clinic an' wrecking shit for people."     She looks out into the middle distance. "She scares me."
Jason Todd	"Because I know what it's like to be held down by circumstances. I know what it's like not knowing where your next meal will come from and I know what it's like to have to steal to scratch out a living." "I know enough about you, now, to know that you seem to be at the tipping point. You either go full time criminal or you find a way out." "I'm no hero and I'm not angling to be your suger daddy. But I am in a position where I have some means to give you some of the assistance you need so that you can decide what the best choice is for you and your brother." "Someone once helped me. I can't do for you what they did for me. But I can at least help take the pressure off trying to live while you focus on trying to resolve your other matters. And I might have an idea or two about that. I'll be in touch." If the comment on the merc is heard, he doesn't comment on it before disappearing into the night as if he were never truly there to begin with.
River Banks	The young woman watches a moment, trying to decide if he was there, or if the world was just going to pick on her brain tonight.     But she breathes out.     "... you make it really hard to tack on the 'jerk' part." she mutters into the night, and then turns to very slowly make her way down the fire escape to the tiny apartment she had sequestered Rio in.     And Rio, curled up in a papasan chair like it was some big, comfortable nest, didn't even stir when she slipped in the window. The apartment was clean, and dry, and had a good AC rattling away in the other window.     And River just sat by the window to the fire escape, still not tired enough to sleep as she watched the Gotham sky for a while.     "Mama, if you're watchin' over me an' Rio -- coulda done a whole lot worse." she states quietly, and after along while dozes off by the window.