Robert Queen/Merlyn (hunters_moon) wrote in dc_nextgen,
@ 2010-04-04 00:04:00

Entry tags:

inactive - jane doe-smith, inactive - robert queen

Not A Goodbye.
The Queen Industries building in midtown Gotham explodes as he looks on, and Robert Queen calls this a job well done. He planned the attack for after-hours, when the least amount of people were there. He'd counted two guards and someone working late in an office, all of which were disabled and removed from the building before its destruction.

Innocents didn't deserve to die for Oliver Queen's sins, though the resulting joblessness would be an issue until the place was rebuilt.

He went home, showered, and used his new cell phone to call his only friend in Gotham (in fact, his only friend ever thus far) and tell her that he was leaving. His plane left early in the morning, and it was on to St. Roch to continue the pattern. His mission is clear, to him, but Gotham was good to him for what it was worth.

He picks up the phone and calls Jane, hoping she's up working on a case. If nothing else, the explosion probably woke everyone in town.

"Hey Jane....it's me." he says.

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	jdoesmith 2010-04-05 03:36 am UTC (link)
	"Yes," she says in a short tone. It's not something she wants to talk about. That case is very personal since it involves her. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	hunters_moon 2010-04-05 03:41 am UTC (link)
	"And my questions about your work stop right now." he says, setting the book aside. "The food smells great, Jane. Thank you for agreeing to see me again." he says. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	jdoesmith 2010-04-05 03:45 am UTC (link)
	The tension leaves her shoulders pretty quickly. She feels calm and much better. "Cooking isn't a big deal. I like doing it. And... I'm glad I got to see you." This is much easier than things that get close to her past. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	hunters_moon 2010-04-05 03:58 am UTC (link)
	"When I'm done with dinner, remind me to kiss the cook." he grins. He sees that talking about her work isn't something that she enjoys, so he decides to change the game up a little. "I'm probably giving up my mystique a little here...but is there anything you'd like to know about me?" he asks. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	jdoesmith 2010-04-05 04:07 am UTC (link)
	She just smiles. Then she tilts her head. "What exactly do you do? I know your skill level is pretty up there. But that can't be everything." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

hunters_moon
2010-04-05 04:12 am UTC (link)

He paused for a moment to think on his response.

"I don't work for money, but I'm a mercenary of sorts. I work for what's right, to the best of my ability. My father abandoned my mother and I before I was born, and he refuses to have any contact with me.

My adopted father taught me everything he knows about how to fight, and my mother taught me about archery. I learned a lot from the both of them." he says.

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	jdoesmith 2010-04-05 04:17 am UTC (link)
	"So sort of what I do. Just more violent generally speaking," she says with a cocked eyebrow. "It's not a bad thing. I was adopted. Sometimes someone just has to step up to the plate." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

hunters_moon
2010-04-05 04:22 am UTC (link)

"A lot more violent." he says, not flinching from her gaze.

"Yeah, you could say that. My mother saw I needed a strong hand, and she found someone who could provide that. Granted, my father would have hated my step-father, had he given a damn, but he didn't.

He went back to his own life of womanizing, booze and promiscuity. He reminds me of men like Donald Kestrel. Oh, and he had children. He had a son he walked away from, and then started adopting kids off the street." Jake says.

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jdoesmith
2010-04-05 04:25 am UTC (link)

If she had more information she would know exactly who Jake is talking about. But he hasn't said enough but the picture is starting to get clearer.

Too bad she likes him. It's complicating things even though she is used to distancing herself. Somehow this time she can't.

"Ah. Well. Good for her. I never really needed anyone but Dad. I wasn't difficult. Just...." She shrugs. She won't go into it.

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hunters_moon
2010-04-05 04:34 am UTC (link)

"You have a relationship with your father, Jane. You have a treasure that many people would give anything they own for.

Honor that." he says.

"I moved around a lot as a kid, and my parents were very strict with me. They always pointed out what I could do better.

They cared enough to criticize and I loved them for it. I haven't seen them in a few years, but I'm a lot more self-reliant because of their teachings." he says.

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	jdoesmith 2010-04-05 04:42 am UTC (link)
	"Had," she says a little regretfully. "He was a good man though. Wouldn't give up the time we had for anything. I was lucky given my circumstances." She doesn't want to bring that story in though. She tries avoiding it but it keeps slipping in. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	hunters_moon 2010-04-05 04:49 am UTC (link)
	"Oh. I apologize." he says. A lot of things about Jane become clear to him in that moment. The reasons why she seems so alone, and reluctant to let anyone in. "You've done well for yourself, Jane. Anyone who sees you can attest to that." he says, eating heartily. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	jdoesmith 2010-04-05 04:57 am UTC (link)
	"It's okay. Really. I just don't.... talk about him to people much," she says with a shrug trying to shift the subject. "Thanks." She digs into her plate of food. She needs to forget things for a bit. Food not surprisingly helps. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	hunters_moon 2010-04-05 10:51 pm UTC (link)
	"I understand. We can talk about anything you like." he says. He lets the silence reign for a bit. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	jdoesmith 2010-04-09 05:31 pm UTC (link)
	She moves food around on her plate with her fork. Her expression is serious and closed off for a few minutes. Finally she sighs deeply and speaks up again. "I've spent most of my life alone. Most of what I can remember anyways, on my own. I'm not used to being around too many people or opening up to anyone. Talking can be... weird. I never know what to say." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	hunters_moon 2010-04-10 12:34 am UTC (link)
	"Well, we can sit and listen to each other breathe if it's easier, Jane. I...I kind of understand where you're coming from. Yeah, I had my mother, but...I've never fit in anywhere. I had to make my own way, and I'm still doing that. You're the first person that's really...seen me, I guess." he says. "And there goes that weird you were talking about. I'm sorry." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	jdoesmith 2010-04-10 01:31 am UTC (link)
	Jane lets both of her eyebrows go up. She is fighting to not grin but looses. "I think it's the fact I'm not normally comfortable with people. I get the feeling you're the same way. People are.... strange. I have to step back and study what's going on to really get it." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	hunters_moon 2010-04-10 03:57 am UTC (link)
	"I'm not really comfortable with people, either. Many of them say one thing, but do something else. I prefer to get to the heart of things if I can." he says. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	jdoesmith 2010-04-10 04:07 am UTC (link)
	"See, that's what gets me. With my work I... I see a hell of a lot of dishonesty. People lie. They cheat. They do all these terrible things," she shakes her head looking resigned. "But there are good parts. There are people out there who lay all their cards out on the table. I like 'em. They're easy to figure out." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	hunters_moon 2010-04-10 04:16 am UTC (link)
	"And you help the good people, making you a good person." he says, not caring to elaborate on people who lie and do terrible things. He knows people like that, and in his world, such people are a necessity. "You seek the truth of things, and that is a good path to be on. Most people don't find one that suits them quite so well." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	jdoesmith 2010-04-10 04:21 am UTC (link)
	She crooks one eyebrow in a thoughtful manner. "I seek out truths were I can find them. What is it that you look for Jake?" She pauses then blushes and shakes her head. "You don't have to answer that. I know you're not like me in that regard. You're looking for something. I don't know what and it ain't my place to poke my nose in where it isn't needed." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

hunters_moon
2010-04-10 04:25 am UTC (link)

"You're the first person to ask me that, you know? I seek balance, Jane. When I look at the world, I see so many things wrong with it, so many areas with the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.

Good people die young and evil men live to be old and grey. Men like Donald Kestrel can kill and intimidate with impunity, and there's almost no one to stand up for the common man.

So, I think about how I can bring balance to the world wherever I go, and if I can, I do it." he smiles.

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jdoesmith
2010-04-10 04:32 am UTC (link)

"So you seek justice in a way," Jane says while propping herself up with a hand under her chin with the elbow on the table top.

"Not a bad thing. I'm just not sure how you're really supposed to deal with men like him. On one hand I want to say a good detective like me should be able to bring in the evidence that shows he's a son of a bitch. Then again.... he has power in spades. I hate that."

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	hunters_moon 2010-04-10 04:38 am UTC (link)
	"All rich men are corrupt or degenerate in some way. I have come across many, I have yet to see my suspicions proved baseless." he says, thinking of Kestrel, Slade, and his father. Blowing up that Queen Industries building was a way of achieving balance for Jake. "So, you must cut his power-base away from him. It is that simple." he says. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	jdoesmith 2010-04-10 04:40 am UTC (link)
	"Nothing's ever that simple Jake. The more you cut, the more desperate he will get. What happens then?" She shakes her head. "He goes after people I care about or people he thinks I care for. Either way.... I need to be careful dancing with him." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)