Running is something that I've always done [open]

[controlledvariable]

Who: Steph Brown. Open
What: Training/stress relief
Where: Mog Hill, anywhere else you might wanna run into her
When: Newdi evening, after work
Notes: Feel free to run into her at any point during her evening.
Warnings: None yet.

Meditation has never really worked for Steph; she hates sitting still and when she tries, she ends up getting too distracted by all the movements she wants to make to actually relax. Running has been her form of meditation, so it's what she plans to do when she finishes work for the day and finds herself still feeling stressed out.

She heads home, changing into her work out clothes - the under layer of her Batgirl suit, a loose, long-sleeved shirt and sneakers - then goes out again. She wishes she had her iPod with her, just because it'd make it easier to tune out the city sounds, but she manages without. The thoughts that have been troubling her the last few days slip away, leaving her with nothing but the thump of her footfalls, the controlled rush of her breathing and the prickle of sweat as she pushes herself to run harder.

Her route takes her out of Mog Hill and in a loop through the nearby neighborhoods until she's back near the Valhalla Inn. Rather than going straight back to the Inn, she stops at a park close by to warm down. She stretches first, then starts going through series of kata; she doesn't get them perfect, but they help work out some of the tension. She would normally practice on bad guys, but she's too tired to risk patrolling tonight; Babs would yell at her if she got herself killed. Babs would probably yell at her for doing something like this in public, but it's not like martial arts is all that exotic, so Steph figures she can just say she learned all this at self defence class or something.

She'll be there until late, until her muscles are sore and her mind is clear, then she'll walk the rest of the way home.

Comments

[captaincocksure]

It's the kata that gets his attention.

Jim has been out for the afternoon, into the evening, trying to track down some of the children seen on that anonymous video broadcast. It's become a personal mission for him; past memories of failure to save, to protect, have been dredged up by those images and he can't let this go.

He cuts through the park, on his way to the rail station, to go home, when the young woman practicing catches his eye. He's well-versed in hand-to-hand combat and self-defense, he was an Academy instructor in advanced techniques while still a cadet himself, so he recognizes excellent form when he sees it, even if he can't quite place what discipline it is.

Curiosity was always his downfall. He has to stop and ask.

"Evening," he calls out when he's within earshot, but still far enough away to not be creeping up on her. He approaches with an easy, relaxed posture, hands at his sides and clearly visible--look, any young woman on her own in a park, as night is getting ready to fall, is going to be wary of a strange man coming up. When she also practices martial arts? Jim's going to be twice as careful not to make her think he's a threat.

"Sorry, I don't mean to interrupt you while you're practicing, I was just curious--what are you practicing?"

[controlledvariable]

It was probably a good decision not to try to sneak up on her, Jim might've gotten a black eye.

As it is, Steph slows her movements when he calls out to her, checking that he was addressing her and when she confirms he is, she stops completely, resting lightly on the balls of her feet. She looks Jim over, in a 'threat assessment' sort of way, but he seems harmless enough.

"It's taekwondo," She answers with an easy smile, "Do you study any martial arts?"

She's curious as to why he stopped her to ask, and for now her guess is that he recognized the style.

[captaincocksure]

"Taekwondo," Jim repeats, and he does that chin-lift-and-nod thing people do when they realize they should've already known something. His lips curve into a friendly, open smile. "I couldn't place it--thank you. I learned a small amount of judo as part of my officer training, but the bulk of our training was in krav maga."

He leaves it at that; offering that he was an instructor, head of his class, blah blah, just makes him seem boastful. He understands that appearing to try to hard to impress comes off as either pathetic at best or a threat at worst from a guy a woman's just met.

Anyone who knew him before he enlisted a few years back would be surprised by his sensitivity now. Starfleet training at its best.

He moves closer, offering a hand. "I'm Jim Kirk."

[controlledvariable]

"No problem. I've done a little of those," It's a slight understatement for Steph too, Bat training is comprehensive, "You're a cop?"

It's the first thing 'officer' makes her think of. And there's an edge of amusement in her voice, what is it with her and cute cops?

"Steph Brown, nice to meet you." She gives his hand a firm shake, "How long have you been here?"

It's one of the questions she's decided she needs to ask; it helps her know how to talk to people.

[captaincocksure]

"Nice to meet you, too, Steph," he says, shaking her hand. "I've been here... God, it's five months now, about. What about you?"

He doesn't mind the question; he's used to it, and likely would've asked it himself if she hadn't beaten him to it. It seems to be the shared gauge of experience here. You ask and you know whether to offer help, seek help, or just commiserate.

He laughs softly, shaking his head, as he goes on. "And I'm not a police officer. Military officer, is probably the closest thing. I'm a ship's captain, where I'm from."

[controlledvariable]

"Two weeks, going on three," It's always a little disheartening to find out how long some people have been stuck here for, "Five months is a long time."

"Oh, that's pretty cool," She doesn't have any feelings one way or another on the military (aside from the militia here, but that's different), "So you were in the navy? It must drive you crazy to be stuck in one place for so long."

At least Steph is used to being in one city - she rarely left Gotham back home - but she imagines someone use to captaining ships would get around a lot.

[captaincocksure]

"Oh, so you're pretty new here." That always breaks his heart a little, knowing the place is still dragging people in. "Are you settling in okay, do you need anything?"

He smiles again. "It does drive me a little crazy to be stuck in one spot, yeah. I'm not in the Navy. I'm in Starfleet. I'm captain of a starship." And it's clear he's proud of that, but not in a boastful, what a badass am I sort of way. It's different, it's subtle, it's more along the lines of what an awesome thing I'm lucky enough to do.

"So, yeah. One city feels kinda confining."

[controlledvariable]

"I'm fine," there's a hint of amusement in her voice and her smile, it's mostly directed at herself, because her first thought had been annoyance at the offer of help before she reminded herself that she'd have done the exact same thing, "I've got a job and everything, and I'll be moving into a proper apartment once I find somewhere suitable."

Have Steph just staring in wide-eyed wonder for a moment. Because starship in space! She knows Tim has been in space before, and Kara's from space, but the idea of someone being captain of a starship is still really awesome, "I'm upgrading my original assessment of 'pretty cool' to 'ridiculously amazing'."

And then she realizes it must be even worse for him being stuck and winces sympathetically, "I'm surprised you haven't tried to build your own spaceship yet to try to get outta here."

[captaincocksure]

"Good, good." He's glad for that, and impressed that she's accomplished so much in such a short time. He's firmly of the belief that the faster you get on your own feet in this city the better off you are against it. He doesn't trust the inn's hospitality, doesn't think anyone should rely on the help and wind up indebted.

And then his smile brightens, widening to a grin. "Thanks. I gotta admit--I do it for a living and even I think it's ridiculously amazing. Unfortunately my genius engineer didn't make the trip here with me, just my chief medical officer. So building a ship to escape is a bit out of reach but at least I can be patched up properly if I make the attempt and it blows up in my face?"

[djravenfall]

It may be getting a bit late, but that doesn't really stop Kait from being out and about. Sleeping normal hours was never her thing, and even if it was her unfamiliarity with Baedal has made sleep a bit more difficult as of late.

It hasn't kept her from roaming around Mog Hill, though, despite that it might be arguably safer in her room at the inn. Some habits are just too hard to shake.

When she see Steph approaching in teh midst of her jogging (running?) route, it's a mix of boredom and and the fact that she still hasn't really gotten to know anyone that drives her to wave at the woman, a smile on Kait's face as heavy footfalls move in her direction. One hand rises out of her pocket in a small wave, not even sure if the other woman has even noticed her enough to see it.

Undeterred, she speaks up as Step approaches. "Well, that's one way t' kill some time," she quips, hoping that'll get her attention. Stepping a bit aside in the event she decides to pass by her, she lets her hand settle back into her pocket before addressing her again. "You run around here often?" An eyebrow quirks up, hoping for an answer, and her posture shifts as she relaxes a bit.

[controlledvariable]

Steph doesn't notice the wave, she's too caught up in her own thoughts to pay any more attention to her surroundings than ensuring she doesn't run into someone. She hears Kaitlyn speak, though, and fumbles a step in surprise before coming to a full stop a few feet in front of Kaitlyn.

"Sorry, I was a million miles away," her smile is apologetic as she pushes a few loose strands of hair back from her face and gives Kaitlyn an appraising look. "But no, I don't think I've been here long enough to say I do anything 'often'."

[djravenfall]

"No worries, can't really expect someone t' pay much attention to some random girl, I guess," Kait replies with a laugh, but after a moment, her eyes light up a bit, smile widening as she shifts her weight back forward and looks at Steph for a moment.

"Oh, you're new here too? I hyst got here a few days ago m'self, haven't really gotten the chance t' talk to anyone else," she remarks as she turns, looking on ahead down the path Steph had been heading down.

"Name's Kaitlyn. Nice t' meet another newbie. Though I guess that means you can't answer my question about what the hell's up with this place..."

[controlledvariable]

"I don't think anyone here is random," they've all been kidnapped by a city, it seems likely that there's a reason behind it.

"Two weeks, just about. And it can be hard to meet people, it's a big city." Her smiles widens, losing the apologetic edge and just seeming friendly.

"I'm Steph," the smile twists at that, turning wry and she shrugs her shoulders lightly, "I'm guessing we're in another universe, maybe one that intersects all the others, to allow for movement between them. And I think someone, or something, is collecting people; maybe it's those Gods the pamphlet goes on about."

Multiple universe theory isn't new to Steph, although this is her first actually experience. And she's had time to talk with people and develop her own theories about Baedal and it's purpose(s).

[djravenfall]

"Well, I haven't really tried yet. I'm not one t' shy away, I just've been too busy gettin' settled in. Though I'm sure you know how that goes," Kaitlyn grins just a bit wider, though it fades a bit as Steph continues on.

"Another universe?" She sounds more than a little unnerved by this, lips pursing as she thinks on it for a moment. "That's a pretty big leap t' make..." She trails off, looking back out at their surroundings. "Then again, this is a pretty weird place..."

Trail off again, her expression flattens a bit, and she sighs. "I'm used to... time realted stuff, mostly. That's what I was kinda hopin' was going on. Another universe is kinda... different." She reaches up, scratching the back of her head as she looks back at Steph.

"Sorry, I didn't mean t' pull you from your jog so you could tell me the ways of the universe to me. If you want a little runnin' company, I can come with for a bit, though. Be nice t' talk to someone not over the cohort."

[controlledvariable]

"I got pretty lucky, landed a job in my first week so I haven't had to worry too much."

Another shrug, and she looks kind of sorry for having to deliver the bad news, "I've seen it happen before, although the ones I've heard about were more similar than Baedal is to back home." The mention of time related stuff has her raising an eyebrow, "You mean time travel?"

"Don't worry about it, and I wouldn't mind some company, as long as you can keep up." She grins, but it's mostly teasing, she's not in the mood for racing today.

[djravenfall]

"Yeah, I guess that's one way of putting it." Time travel, that is. A nonplussed expression sits on Kait's face for a few moments before she lets that smile creep back on to her face. She takes a few steps forward before breaking into a jog - she can probably keep up, for a bit at least.

"That's kinda cool I guess, though. Different universes. It certainly makes this all, uh... more lively. So, that means you're form somewhere else than I am? What exactly does that make home?" There's a distinctly curious tone to her voice. "Hopefully not too awful." Not like hers.

[controlledvariable]

"How do you get that sort of experience?" Steph's met people who've travelled through time, but it still seems like such an amazing concept. She moves when Kaitlyn does, setting an easy pace so they can keep talking.

"It'd explain how everyone comes from such different places," she gives a small laugh and a wide grin, "Home is where the heart is." A beat, and then more seriously, "It's hard to work out how to describe what makes your own world different to everyone else's. There's no reference point, you know?"

late ._. I am sorry.

[goodsoldier]

Jason dislikes disguises.

It's not that he's not good at them, because he does have a base level of competence with a lot of Bat-things, and he picked up a few tricks while on his own goddamn training trip, but there's just something so fundamentally irritating about having to put on a disguise if it's not simply a means to an end. He has disguised himself for purposes of reconnaissance or getting in close to someone or when it's absolutely necessary, here and elsewhere; but putting on a disguise for something like this, which is following someone a bit, that's annoying.

There's no reason to think Stephanie should instantly recognize him, but if she worked for Batman, then she had access to his files, and he is most definitely in Batman's files, albeit perhaps not as he is now. So, resenting the farce, he dyes his hair blond — ugh, dying it back tonight, definitely — and 'borrows' a friendly dog to walk it through the park where he's established Stephanie sometimes goes. A heavy jacket will partially disguise his build, and glasses (such eye-rolling as he puts them on) are as far as he's going to go with this disguise bullshit. The dog, a wolfy-looking dark gray mix of indeterminate breed, is just happy to be out and about. Jason walks him past Stephanie with only a glance, and they pause about thirty or forty paces past while the dog rolls around.

The last he heard of Stephanie Brown, she was dead, yet what he's seeing now is, in his opinion, different from the intel he was given by Talia. She seems older, for one, though not the age of the Tim who's here. She seems... well, he can't say for sure. He never saw her in action.

i forgive you because you gave me the image of blond jason and i'm laughing so hard i'm dying

[controlledvariable]

Steph is trained to notice certain things, such as people watching her and combined with the sort of wariness that comes with being a female Gothamite, the random blond dude walking his dog draws her attention. He's the same distance away that she'd pick to covertly observe someone - close enough to actually see them, but not so close as to seem suspicious. She doesn't recognize him, but that could mean anything. He might be someone from the network, its not like she's been very careful.

She could just be being paranoid, though, so she doesn't actually do anything about him yet. Well, not much. She finishes the kata and goes into something more like tai chi; slow and controlled movements that make it easier for her to watch him watching her.

HAHAHA it's just a small step to red from here, jason. he picks up the wrong bottle......... NOO!!!!

[goodsoldier]

The dog is genuinely distracting, which he really should have figured on, but he hasn't actually had much experience with dogs apart from security concerns. The leash is no barrier to its joy in comparative freedom, and petting seems to make it more wriggly rather than calm it down. At last, he sighs and crouches to accept a licky death.

"C'mon, buddy," he mutters just audibly. "You're gonna distract tai chi lady."

pretty sure peroxide in rlly black hair could turn it red

[controlledvariable]

"You don't have much experience with dogs, do you?" She shifts her movements so she's facing him, her expression open and friendly. If he's just some random dude, starting a conversation can't hurt and if he's following her for some reason, this'll give her a chance to suss him out.

NEVERRRRRRRRRR

[goodsoldier]

Jason glances sideways at Stephanie with a bashfulness he's honestly never felt, ever. Immediately he has a persona in mind, name and everything, but he wishes he'd not shaved and then also bleached his stubble. It would have been a small help. Fortunately, the coat also has a high collar and there's a scarf, too.

"He's not mine," he admits, gently fending the dog's tongue off with his hand. "But my sister's sick, so I gotta walk him."

There's no trace of Gotham in his voice, just a hint of Boston.

[controlledvariable]

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that," she comes to a stop, offering a sympathetic smile and stepping a little closer - its hard to have a conversation from 30 feet away.

"I'd offer some advice on dealing with him, but I'm afraid I don't have much experience with dogs either." But when she's close enough, she crouches down and holds out her hand for the dog to sniff. It might be a little risky coming near this guy, but she's fairly sure he won't start anything in a public park. And even if he does, she's confident she can take him.

[goodsoldier]

The dog, overjoyed by attention, shoves its wet nose against Stephanie's hand and then licks. It's clearly not very well trained, and rears up excitedly, the better to bestow doggy affection. Jason laughs and tries to restrain the dog without yanking on the leash.

"Woah, c'mon, down boy." He's not really fond of doing the persona thing, either. It's never been central to his plans, or even useful; he doesn't lead two lives at once, he's just Jason Todd, Douchebag Vigilante, all the time. This doesn't come naturally, but he's not tense or watchful. Nate, as he's decided he is for as long as his hair is blond, is just a little awkward around girls. "Sorry... I don't know how to control Bandit, other than bacon."

[controlledvariable]

"It's okay," she's not worried about losing her balance and she firmly, but gently, keeps the dog away from her face so he can't lick her while she's petting him. "It's probably best not to let him overdose on bacon."

After a moment she looks up at Jason, there's still a smile on her face, but her brows are furrowed slightly. He looks familiar, but not enough to work out where she's seen him before. Steph has never met Jason and only seen a few pictures of him, most of those from when he was Robin.