Owner	Pose
River Banks	Robinson Park, near the reservoir, along the grassy lawn in the late afternoon. River Banks was trying to keep up with her physical and mental health, had gone to check in with the Thompkins Clinic to get some of the stitches removed, but still had a number of scars all over her body. She was wearing a shirt advertising Gotham University -- it was donated -- and shorts she'd picked up at a second hand store, and new sneakers. The summer air was heavy and hazy, but nothing she couldn't handle bein' from the Deep South.     "Ah swear t'God if an alligator crawled up outta that water --" she muttered to herself "Wouldn't be the least bit surprised."     Down some steps on the trail. Around a bend, into a wooded area shaded with violet.
Jason Todd	That check-in with Doctor Thompkins was met with approval. Both by Dr. Thompkins and Red Hood once she informed him of said checkup. Hearing that River has healed enough to remove the stitches was good news. "There are gators in the sewers. Huge ones. One of them walks on two legs and has opposable thumbs. And still has a brain the size of a walnut. BUt his teeth are sharper than a great white."
River Banks	"/JEEE---/" River startles at the sound of the voice, and she almost tumbles over.     "Sweet Mary -- sorry, didn't expect someone there!" the jogger calls out, bringing her hand up to run it through her blonde hair as she composes herself. Didn't want to lose control out here, that'd be bad.     "You're talkin' Killer Croc though, right? -- like there's not -- actual giant aligators in Gotham's sewers on 'count of the cold-ass weather y'all have up here?"
Jason Todd	Perched above the path on a stone wall, Red Hood looks down. "It's always good to be aware of your surroundings. Even when you can protect yourself, you can still be caught off guard." Well that sounds like something that has been preached till it was imprinted into his brain, doesn't it? He nods. "Yes. But there are gators. And, I've heard, lycanthropes. It's good to be mindful around any of the storm drains or sewer lines. As much as just going around the corner for eggs, milk and bread at the mini mart."
River Banks	"You know," River catches her breath, her hands on her hips. "I thought they was jus' talkin' shit about Gotham being stupid dangerous." she states, looking up at Red Hood as he perches up on that wall. She pitches her body forward a bit to let out an 'uuuugh' sound.     "Doc Thompkins said I could start walkin' 'long as nothin' weas tearin' up. Figured the humidity would keep people outta here, but looks like you're immune or you've got a hell of an anti-perspirant." she states, and holds up her hand, motioning to Hood.     "So to what do I owe the pleasure? You weren't just comin' out to check on lil' ol' me now were you?"
Jason Todd	"Gotham is a lot of things. Safe is not exactly one of its finest points alot of the time." He nods. "That's what she told me. I was glad to hear it. It's good." Dropping down from the wall to face her, he nods. "How're you feeling otherwise? How's Rio?" He looks River over curiously, as if judging how far along in healing she has gotten.
River Banks	River moves like she's someone familiar with having to hide bruises. She takes a half-step back from Hood, not with any purpose. Giving him room, stepping outside the strike zone, her ears get a little red at her brother's name, and she crosses her arms over her chest.     "He's upset right now. He doesn't want to leave Gotham, but I'm considerin' putting as much space between New York and him as I can. That fella who came down an' hit me hard... didn't seem like the kinda guy who would make exceptions for sole guardians, y'know?" she states softly. She tilts her head a moment and gives a shrug.     "He tried to get your number off the phone so he could text you tiktok things. Or somethin'. Had to take the RFID reader away from him an' put it on a taller shelf." she states, and she leans against the wall. "How've you been doin'?"
Jason Todd	Red Hood listens, though the mask makes it difficult to know if he's actually looking at her or past her at the area beyond. Maybe both. "Yeah. Those kinds rarely give up easily." He doesn't deny that she's in a difficult situation with things. But it isn't his battle to fight. He knows first hand what the vigilante styled hand-up, beyond his efforts already, will turn into. And it didn't resolve his own underlying issues, it just enabled him. He shakes his head, "The number goes to a burner flip phone. No apps. Sorry to disappoint him." He pauses, "He's a good kid." "Doing fine. Checking up on those I've said I would." Namely she and her brotther. "Stopping purse snatchers, drug dealers and rescuing kittens from trees when the fire department is busy." That last one might have been sarcasm. Probably.
River Banks	"He's a great kid." River agrees, and she gives a little smile, and rubs the back of her shoulder. "Careful with that last one. Heard that Gotham has a well-known cat too." she states with amusement, and then looks over to Red Hood. "Look, if we end up leavin' the city an' headin' west -- there a place I should drop the card off at?" she questions. "NOt that I'm not appreciative -- Ah *am* and would gladly help if there was somethin' I could do for you - but pretty sure 'workin' with failed bank robber' ain't high on your list of things to do." she raises her eyebrows a moment. "And weirdly I get the feelin' like even if I dropped it off you'd still find me if you wanted to."
Jason Todd	Red Hood listens and nods slowly. "When you're done with it, shred it or toss it in a microwave on high for thirty seconds." The last surely is sarcasm? But then people used to microwave CDs just to make random crackle patterns from the oxide media layer inside. "If you go west, travel safe. Stay out of trouble." Not that he expects that to happen. "I don't need a side kick." Been there, done that. Having a Litte Buddy or an Old Chum of his own is not a thing he wants. "I haven't forgotten my promise to try and find you something more long term. It's taking time" Probably because bank robber and all. "But I will be in touch when I can offer something useful."
River Banks	"Didn't say nothin' about bein' a side-kick. Did that an' what'd it get me?" River asks rhetorically as she shrugs her shoulders, one hand in the air "Bank robbery! No sir, I do not /sidekick/ an' I don't go for that sappy story shit, ain't interested in bein' no side-kick, apprentice, learner permit type a' person. But if you need a weird water power user in a fight or somethin' or someone to pick up your food order while I'm in town, I'm your girl." she sets her jaw tight.     "... an' if you decide to go after the guy that tore me up, or Byron Buller, you let me know, a'ight? I gotta bone to pick with the two a' them."
Jason Todd	There is a smirk behind the mask. "Right." "As for those two. If they keep out of Gotham, they're for the masks in Manhattan to deal with. Or the Avengers or someone. I've got more than enough to keep track of in Gotham." He pauses but adds, "If I ever need someone with your talents I'll certainly be in touch. I will anyway." Because of course he'll somehow keep track of her. Or at least make her think he's watching.
River Banks	"Aw. I think you're actually beginnin' to like me under that mask, Red Hood." River replies smartly, and she stretches her shoulders again. "Longer I stay in Gotham, more likely one of 'ems goin' to find out I'm here. An' I'm guessin' your funds are finite." she pushes off the wall, and regards Red Hood.     "Also, Rio wanted to extend an invite to his birthday party. Didn't think you'd be interested, professionalism an' all, but Ah promised I'd pass along the invite."
Jason Todd	Red Hood stares at her silently as she expresses her suspicions. "Tell him I'm flattered. If you're on the road it's going to be next to impossible for that to happen" He considers briefly, "Not that it would if you were still in Gotham." At least he's honest. Or at least establishing lowered expectations. Promising anything is a good way to get into trouble. Or lured into a trap willingly or otherwise.
River Banks	"I'll do that. Day of I'll make up some story about you fightin' Killer Croc or dealin' with a bunch of gang members tryin' ta get the drop on Superman or somethin'. He'll eat it up." she replies, and gives a shrug. "An'... thanks." she states. "For bein' kind to him."     Her brown eyes settle on Red Hood again, and she rubs the back of her neck. "So, guess we'll be in touch maybe."
Jason Todd	Shaking his head he mutters, "I didn't ask you to lie to him." He knows about being promised expectations that never happen. That's the summary of his childhood and he won't do that to some other kid. "Sure. Everyone needs happy memories as a kid." He tilts his head. "If you need to. Or you give me a reason to. I'm not going to stalk you." Again, Gotham has its own first world problems. "But you know how to contact me if something comes up." He'll be a solid 4th... 7th... choice contact at least.
River Banks	"I know you didn't. But I do. 'Fore he found out about my powers he thought I fixed lawn mowers for rich people who didn't know how ta count. Now he thinks I'm a half step 'way from bein' in the Justice League." she snorts, "Easier to keep him from the truth is all." she gives a huff out, and then looks over to Hood, and she gives him a curious look.     "I know. You're the closest thing to a friend I've got to rely on. Lucky us." she states, and then raises her hand to bid him farewell and continue her run.
Jason Todd	Red Hood would snort or laugh, if that weren't a painful admission to hear from someone. Instead he just nods silently. Because right now there wasn't much he could say that was going to make things any better. Even so he offers a quiet, "Stay safe." As if any of them know how to do that. He watches her run off and then turns to head back to his car.