Owner Pose
River Banks     River doesn't often occupy rooftops brooding. Typically she's working out, practicing her stances, or trying to figure out which combonation of coupons is going to work best at which grocery store so that she's not just dropping Jason's funds through her fingers. Tonight, she is sitting up late, enjoying the wind coming off the river. Her eyes are closed, her fingers looped around one knee as she listens to the sounds of the city around her. Sirens wailing. Cars popping. The occasional yelling of one neighbor or another.

    She's got a couple of sandwiches that were recently delivered being kept warm in a baking pan with a couple towels wrapped around it. Rio was eating his and watching the latest in sci-fi action thriller involving dinosaurs and the people who are eaten by them.
Jason Todd Getting texted with <Baby's first day of school> was a little unsettling. It made his blood run cold for a moment. Had he forgotten some night somewhe.. oh. It's River. That would be Rio. Sanity now restored, Red Hood regarded the message and had to admit he was proud of the both of them. Things hadn't be ideal. Easy was right out. But they'd found a way through, even if they were still having to scrap and claw for everything. At least they were doing it on the right side of the law.

Sometime after the two settle on their rooftop to enjoy one of the last few evenings before the lousy fall weather in Gotham hits, Red Hood appears on the rooftop across the street, watching them. He doesn't make an effort to hide, really. There isn't a need.

A few moments later, he crosses the street, landing on their rooftop, this time blending into the shadows so that only they can see him.

"Sounds like someone had a very big day today." His masked voice is quiet, just loud enough for them to hear.
River Banks     "-- RED HOOD!"

    The tablet with the dinosaur movie was set to the side (paused, of course), and Rio is already up adn making his approach, skidding just short of actually tackling Red HOod.

    "IT WAS SO CRAZY. Like I had to stay in classes and in my seat and there was a RECESS and there's a PLAYGROUND there that doesn't have needles in it and we at ereally fancy things and I had to sit through a class on eat-a-kit an' stuff and how to eat all proper like you gotta tear a bit of the roll an' THEN put butter on it --" he begins, mouth running about a mile a minute, "--and I was in math class and the teacher was so impressed that she wants to give me over to a better math class because they realized that I needed GLASSES an' someone loaned me them but now I gotta go get real ones."

    He huffs. "I don't want glasses. They'll call me names. They *ALREADY* know I'm *poor*." he huffs.

    "It was a mixed bad t'day in class." River states as she looks to Red Hood, and then sheepishly offers up a sub. "We ordered out in celebration. Figured you might stop by an' say hi." she explains,
Jason Todd The machinegun fire of conversation is overwhelming to him. The one thing Red Hood does not do often is hang around kids. Rio? He's definately a kid. A good one, with plenty of ideas in his head.

A few nods along the way show he is mostly keeping up.

"Glasses aren't the end of the world. They're actually better for your eyes than contacts or so I've heard. There's nothing wrong with seeing better.

A glance is given to River, "So I'm understanding" he notes dryly. "Still. It sounds like a better than average start. I'm glad."

A look to the sandwich and he nods. "Maybe later, if you don't mind." He reaches up to tap his mask. Secrets must be maintained. Even if just barely.
River Banks     "I figured if you showed up it's wrapped up to go. Life doesn't stop for you." River replies. She knows. She figured there was a chance, but...

    "They are TOTALLY the end of the world. My eyes are gonna be behind glass an' what if they break?!" Rio protests, though a bit more quietly, before he gives a soft huff.

    "But if YOU say they're all right, I'll try them. I've got an appointment at the Optimustrist next week."

    "Optomitrist, kiddo. Transformers don't do eye inspections."

    "Also River took out some guy harassing us at the bodega in one hit. I thinks he broke his nose. There's blood EEEVERYWHERRE."

    And River gets a flat expression as she looks to Red Hood.

    "Yeah that's true. He started callin' me names I didn't appreciate so I discouraged him before he could draw a taser." she explains.

    "/She/ gets to punch people, when do /I/ get to punch people?!"
Jason Todd A weak shrug is offered. Stopping by wasn't always the easiest with or without the mask but he has tried.

"They're not the end of the world. You'll be happier once you get used to them. Lenses don't have to be glass, they make very good plastic ones but both types are safe to wear." Was this what it was like trying to be a parent? It was enough to swear of ever having kids.

Hearing that River got into a fight makes him turn to look at her while he listens.

"Tasers are a bitch." He ought to know. "Sounds like you did a good job defending yourself. Good."

Looking back to Rio, he shakes his head, "You don't punch anyone at your age buddy. That's how you end up getting kicked out of school. Next thing you're hanging with the wrong kinds of kids and you're on your way to getting into serious trouble you can't come back from easily." It may be preachy but it's also the voice of experience.
River Banks     She knows too.

    She didn't like being tased and it was enough for her to at least give Jason a hearing.

    "'You gotta wear glasses, you can't punch people, gotta stay outta trouble' - you sound like River now." Rio complains, and sulks a little bit.

    River takes a deep breath, and she turns over to Rio. "You should apologize to Red Hood, Rio. He's nice enough to help us get a safe place to live, an' cause he got us a safe place to live you get to go to school. An' that meansyou get opportunities. SO I'm gonna give you a hot minute to cool off, but 'fore he leaves you owe him an apology. I am *way* more naggy than he is, 'cause I'm your adult."

    River wraps the sub up tighter, and offers it to Red Hood. "He's adjustin' to a new schedule. I've picked up counter an' cleanin' work here an' there and we're tryin' to rely less on the funds you've been givin' me. It's jus'... hard. I'm not used ta budgeting long term, but also not used to having an actual bed for him. He got mad that they don't got Red Hood blankets." she raises her eyebrows a moment. "So he got sharks instead."
Jason Todd He almost feels bad about tasing her. Almost. The alternative would have been live rounds if someone hadn't influenced him. At least the taser rounds got her attention enough to reconsider. Maybe this way was working some of the time after all.

"Life has rules Rio. If you don't find a way to follow them, you end up in bad places and with bad people. You're too good a kid, too smart, to let that be your future." Damn it's hard talking to kids.

Taking the sub, he nods, "Thank you." He means it. "You now what?" He turns away into the shadows and the sound of rustling and fiddling can be heard. Then the click of his mask unlocking. He turns back and moves to sit down. Gone is the mask and in its place is an actual red hood. Eye slits are cut and a domino mask shows through from underneath, keeping his identity hidden.

"I'm pretty hungry right now, after all." Sitting down, still mostly in the shadows, he unwraps an end of the sub and takes a bite from under the nearly shoulder length hood.

"Sharks are cooler anyway" he notes finally. "This is really good." The sub.

"You're doing the right things, River. It'll come back to you. Maybe not right away, but it will. I'm both impressed and.. proud. Of the both of you. I know it hasn't been easy. It's been scary and uncertain."
River Banks     River's mouth curls. And she is trying not to laugh at having a mask under the mask, and she gives a humored snort before she sits down near him in the shadows.

    "Yeah, we got it from Mama something's. Apparently they have a really good Meatball sub too, but I didn't know what travels better."

    "Sharks are NOT Cooler than you Red Hood! Spinosauruses *MAYBE*. But sharks? Nah. But they are pretty cool." Rio calls back, absorbed in the movie "'Rahhhwr it's gonna eat you guy! Better run!"

    "Scary an' uncertain's right. I see him get on a bus an' my heart's in my throat. But I can't keep him cooped up forever. What kinda life is that for a kid?" she asks quietly, and she grabs up her water bottle.

    "He deserves so much better than I can give him. An' he's so smart. He hasn't really picked up on how scared I've been the last couple of years." she takes a breath and lets it out.

    "I s'pose next I'll have to get a GED so's I can take courses or some shit. Just in case this definitely-not-your-sidekick thing doesn't work out."
Jason Todd It wasn't under the mask but it wasn't really worth justifying.

"This is fine. Thank you." He's eating it so it has to be good.

"Sharks are totally cooler than me. They don't need masks or guns to keep everyone in the fish world in line. They just smile and everyone starts behaving. No one is scared by my smile." That probably isn't true. If Jason smiles everyone likely has a moment of silent worry over what he's planning now. But that isn't the same thing.

He nods. "I can try to imagine but it's not the same, I realize."

Then he pauses and looks at her "River. I said I'd teach you to defend yourself. There was nothing about a sidekick. I'm the worst person you'd want to do that with anyway." With a nod, he agrees, "Getting your GED is a very good idea. I.. may know a few people who could possibly help you with studying. School was never my thing either." He's smart, just not book-smart as it were.
River Banks     "I know I ain't your damn sidekick." River replies flatly, "You don't want one and I'd probably end up dead doin' the things you're doin. An' that'd leave you lookin' after Rio and we both know that ain't gonna happen. I'm too stubborn an' you look like you'd rather eat thumbtacks than talk about Ninjawolf and Spine-a-saurs for two hours a day." River states back, "... Rio comes first. That's always gonna be the truth. No matter what else happens in mah life. I took his dad from him, an' our mama's interred in the wrong slot in a cemetary." she cracks a small smile.

    "... anyways. You know I'm thankful for the help you've been giving us. So if there is anything Ah can do to help.. I got your back."
Jason Todd Red Hood bursts into laughter. "I don't mind talking about Ninjawolf or Spine-a-saurs. It's just that Colonel Mayhem and the Lucky 13 are just so much cooler." Yeah it's a playful challenge to Rio while showing River he has -some- clue about the things preteen boys like these days.

"Rio won't need anyone else to raise him." It's a guarantee as much as anything can be.

"Life is difficult" he agrees. "But we make from it what we wish. The easy way is almost never the right way."

He nods. "I've never thought otherwise, River. I told you I was offering you a hand up not a hand out. That hasn't changed. I'm able to do it for you right now. One day there will be someone that you two can help and that's all I will ever expect."
River Banks     "COLONEL MAYHEM? Hold on, do you have a walker in the back of your car?!" Rio ripostes back making a crack at the Red Hood's age.

    River tries not to laugh. And she bites her lower lip a moment. "Well. Maybe you'd be fine if ya had to watch him a day."

    Jason Todd: Babysitter. That absolutely would probably not result in all the Bat Family knowing about it.

    "Nah, the easy way's anot the right way, but damn do I sometimes miss my old work. Way easier robbin' banks than it was trying to be a hero." she whispers quietly in admission to Jason.

    And she gives a slight smile to the hooded figure, and she gives a breath out.

    "I'm thinkin' 'bout just stayin' in Gotham. Settin' down roots. Is that gonna be a problem for the rest of yer outfit?"
Jason Todd Red Hood looks at Rio, "Yes. It's an Imperial Walker. And if you keep talking trash like that I'm going to use it to blow up Ninjawolf and step on Spine-a-saur" he says playfully.

They mock him already. What difference would it make if they knew about him watching someone's kid brother to help keep them both out of trouble? None. And if it did, he'd just break a nose or two. In a brotherly way.

"Till you get caught by an asshole upholding most of the law" he muses back to River just as quietly.

"Gotham isn't a city. It just has some bad places. Like every city. Even Metropolis with all it's high tech world of tomorrow bright exterior." Pausing to wrap up the last half of the sub, he looks to her, "My outfit won't have any problem with another good family choosing to stay in Gotham. And I meant it. I know a few people who may be able to help you with studying and preparing for your GED when you get ready to work toward it. I'll talk to them."
River Banks     "HEY You leave your old man junk outta this Hood before I call the Senior Citizen Helpline for you!" Rio calls back, purely playing around, and he gives Red Hood a grin to let him know it's all boyish posturing. River chokes a moment and goes "Rio!" in disappointment, but she's trying not to laugh.

    "Look if I knew maybe it would aended up sharin' sandwiches and beers on rooftops, I woulda skipped the robbing of bank and maybe gone right for feeding you. Lot easier on my nervous system." she gives a small smile, and she opens her mouth again, and then closes it.

    "Well, I'd be happy to have anyone's help. Rio's a full time job managin' to keep him outta trouble when he's not in school, an' I go and clean for a guy for ten bucks an hour under the table." she states, looking to Red Hood again.
Jason Todd "I see how it is. Next thing you're going to say is that Nightwing is the better vigilante in Gotham" of course it's not true. He's off in Bludhaven or whatever. Right?

As River comments on her 'job' he looks at her seriously. "Better be all that you're doing.." It isn't a threat, just a caution. "I'm sure there are better clients to work for than that." He'll check around. Is he doing a lot more favors than just hand up? It depends on who's asking. But if it helps the two of them stay safe and warm and get educated, where is the down side?

"Can't drink beer right now. I've got to see a few people about some things they need to reconsider. Drunken Vigilante work is dangerous."

Standing he turns back into the shadows again, removing the cloth hood and securing his full mask again. Sammich and hood get tucked into his jacket. Hopefully he remembers the sammich before it gets smushed or nasty from being left in that pocket for a week.

It could happen.
River Banks     "Who's *NIGHTWING*? That sounds like a made-up name." Rio calls back, and gives a yawn, stretching one arm up. Must be close to bedtime.

    "Yeah, I wouldn't want you gettin' hurt. I don't think they'd let me visit you in whatever place Superheroes go to get hospital care." River gives an upnod. "Unless Red Robin vouches for me I guess. What kinna flowers do you bring for that? Is there like, a new section of Hallmark? 'Sorry your ass got beat, better luck next time'?" she asks, tring to show some humour and understanding as she hops gracefully to her feet.

    "Come by any time. Y'know. In case you need an ear or somethin'."

    "An' don't you worry 'bout me none. It's safe. All I do is clean up and take out the trash and wipe down fingerprints on display glass. It's safe, and boring." she confirms, and she blocks the very curious Rio from taking a closer look up catching him and turning him around.

    "Hey, we don't spy on Red hood. He's our friend, an' you still owe him an apology." she states, and she motions for Rio to grab his tablet. "Get your kit an' get inside, 'fore it rains."
Jason Todd Red Hood snorts, "Red Robin, huh? You're seeing other viglantes on me, now?" he jokes. "He's good. Too brainy for his own good, though." NERD.

"I don't know about hero hospital. Usually I just ask our mutual persnickety Clinic operator for help. And sometimes I even get it without a lecture."

"Have a good night Rio. Remember. No fights. No punching. Use your brain. Out smart the punks." He finger-guns toward the boy then taps his temple. "Being smarter is always better."

"Everyone wants to know. Til they know. Then theyre terrified because I'm really Dr. Frankenstein's Monster!" he rawr's, fingers wriggling menacingly toward Rio. "Or maybe I'm Dr. Jekyll" he teases. "Good night Rio."

Looking to River he waits for a moment as she herds Denise the Menace into the apartment.
River Banks     "Only incidentally. You know you're the only vigilante for me, Hood." River states with a grin, and Rio wrinkles his nose "Dr. Jeckyll's not the bad one, it's Mr. Hyde that did all the murders!" he comments, and rolls his eyes.

    "All right. I won't punch anyone yet. But only 'cause you asked nicely. G'night Red Hood. Kick people's asses!" he encourages, finger-guns, and then holding his tablet he goes back down the access hatch to the apartments.

    Hood and River are alone on the rooftop.

    "Right then. You be safe out there. I'll be up for a while, but my phone's always on loud so I can wake up if you need... I dunno. Your windshield washed or somethin'."
Jason Todd Shaking his head, Red Hood smirks behind his mask.

"Not now and not ever. And - hey. Language!" he rebuffs Rio. Oh god, it's starting. He's worrying about a kid's behavior.

"No promises" about being safe. "I don't think there'll be time tonight but 'he' can stop over in the next few evenings I think." Jason. He pauses, "What're you doing for Rio and Trick or Treating?"

Sure, that's kind of out of the blue but he explains, "I happen to know some well-to-do sorts who put on some pretty great parties for Gotham kids. They have the best and safest, candy." Because when your night job is protecting the city, you're not going to give the kids of the city anything less than the best brands of candy to rot their teeth in the spirit of Good-Ness.
River Banks     River blinks a moment, and then her shoulders draw down. "YEah, yeah ah -- we've never done the trick-or-treating thing. Obviously he wants to try. Obviously he wants to go as you, but that might be a little too much poking the bear." River states, rubbing the back of her head as she shakes her head.

    "Go ahead and drop me the location, and yeah. If he stops over, at least there'll be food and more Rio saying he's not as cool as Red Hood." River gives a slight smile. "An' I'll talk to RIo. He might feel he's too old for Trick-or-Treatin' or just buy a big bag a candy an' watch Hocus Pocus with him again." River replies with a shrug.

    "But we'll see?" she questions, unsure.

    And then she smiles. "You better get goin' or you'll get a Southern Goodbye an' the sun'll be up 'fore you get the chance to convince some other folks. G'night, Hood." River smiles, and tears herself from the conversation, grabbing her uneaten sub and her towel, and making for the stairs.