I mean...what makes you think I'm not that person? [idly. ] People accept it as mine, so it must be mine. I'm not going to tell them to think any differently if that's the conclusion they came to.
Did you actually read the journal yourself? [a ball soars up the ramp, going through one of the smaller holes and bouncing off.] Like I said. If people think I'm that kind of person, I'm not going to tell them to think differently.
[...that's a little trickier though.]
I'm kinda surprised you're even asking me when you're the type to keep digging. But if something doesn't make sense to you, wouldn't you keep looking into it until it did?
[Because, like, OKAY SHUT UP TRUE. But also... he trusts Cloud to give him decent details. Maybe. Look.]
Sure, I'm a digger. But... I'm not the same man I used to be on the island. A lot has happened. [He refuses to say he's gotten soft.] The rest of you act pretty skittish about Nightman listening, and you've told me to leave it alone before.
I don't want the digging to put someone else at risk.
[they stop and point at him with a ball in their hand.]
That's not at all what I'm saying. I trust Cloud myself. [so. that's something. and they pause a little and just turn away.]
...and I trust you, like I've told you, even if I'm not sure you get what that actually means. Your instincts have been pretty good so far. I just have to keep doing my job.
[so they get it. they throw the ball and it barely goes up the ramp before sliding down again.]
Like the contract says, the Host is aware of everything that goes on in the hotel so he can gauge the entertainment value of everything. As long as we're doing our jobs, there's nothing to be risked. [...] And as long as you fulfill your part of the contract, then...you'll be okay.
[He pauses to glance at them. He trusts Cloud, too, so it's fine. What's funny is... hearing them say they trust him. He's probably the least trustworthy person here, he thinks. He's not even that bad.
A small, hidden smile appears for a second or two before it's gone.]
So... he isn't going to retaliate because of these things floating around? Or... [A bit of a frown.] ...they're thrown in on purpose to make things more entertaining?
[rhetorical though it may be, they do seem to try to think of how to reply. they also don't linger on what they've said, because jason might not fucking remember right now ANNA but they are...similar, aquarius thinks. they've both had a life that's been tumultuous and trusting people doesn't come easy. when they do trust, it's for a good reason even if it's a fragile thing.
they pick up the ball at the bottom of the ramp again.]
Not sure yet. I don't know why these things are showing up, or why you were permitted to go certain places, or why...any of this. You've been careful so far with what you've been saying and doing though. I don't think anything's stood out yet.
[Hehe. It's okay. He gets everything back right before the nice party. :) It's all good.]
Gotta toss it a little harder.
[He feels like Aquarius is too dried up to for a physical toss-the-ball. MAYBE EAT MORE. Orion makes pancakes for a damn reason, don't just nibble on the edge of one.]
What? You mean to complete it? Either being alive and in the lobby, or offing someone to ensure the hostage...?
I know. [it's fine. they know how to play, but it's more going through the motions than everything. they do turn to throw it though and it speeds up the ramp to sink through one of the center holes.]
But no, not quite. Doesn't matter if you off someone or not, the contract says you have to be in the lobby by check-out no matter what. Even if you kill someone and your hostage is free to leave after the terms are completed, if you're not in the lobby at the end your contract isn't fulfilled.
[Don't "I know" him, wow. But it's okay. He watches Aquarius lob the ball back up the ramp and into one of the center holes. Not bad.]
Yeah... [It sounds like he might leave it at that, but he doesn't.] I know about that. Knew about it from the start. [Reading the contract, he means.] I figured, at least. It was worded too weird not to be important, even for the dead.
...We're working on it. Not a lot of leads right now.
Nerd. [it's a soft tease, but it falls flat because it's nice to know jason read the whole contract.] But it's something to keep in mind to know what terms you're bound by.
[...]
Effort's pretty much all that we can ask for. Staff can't interfere with things guests are doing when it comes to their contracts, except for the things permitted. You get it. Like why we can't help during your trials and stuff.
[He tosses another ball of his own up the ramp without much thought.]
I'm going to ask you a personal question, and I don't think you can answer it because your "job" will get in the way, but I'm trying anyway. This is... me to you. [...] Friend to friend.
...Do you want to leave?
Edited (wait i mixed it up) 2022-07-14 19:21 (UTC)
[this is an extremely loaded question and for a while they're quiet. they roll the ball around the bottom of the ramp. they shift their weight from foot to foot. they pause and sigh though. ]
I want to make sure I do my job to the best of my ability for as long as your term is in effect. [carefully. and then... ] Wedding planning is a little bit of a stretch but I do have someone who'll kill me the longer I'm here. And it seems like guest relations will be a little harder if there are no guests, you know? So we'll see.
[It’s fine. Jason doesn’t rush them. He lets them have time and be quiet, and he continues rolling a few balls up the ramp so it doesn’t look like he’s rushing them.
The answer he can infer, yeah. It brings a brief, small smirk to his face. Okay. Good. He can accept this answer.]
Don’t worry then. We’re going to give them one hell of a show so that… maybe you can think about additional employment. One with… better benefits.
[He sort of stops and hefts the ball he has in his hand a little, peering at them. Then he hangs his hand with it by his side.]
I can do both.
[He's going to do both. Sorry if he seems familiar at all to the same bullshit they have put up with elsewhere. But... he's a Bat. He's going to do both.]
[A second passes, and then he moves over to squat down in front of them, placing the skee ball between his feet so it doesn't roll away. He puts a hand on one of their knees.
Unfortunately for them, he has forgotten a lot of trauma, and so he has become a slightly more well-adjusted person. Uh. Briefly.]
I'm not afraid of tall orders. I give a shit about you, and I'm going to keep giving a shit about you. You're my friend. I trust you. But I don't want to do anything to get you in trouble.
[this has been such a trying week for aquarius and it's only wednesday. they watch jason crouch down and actually jason todd being slightly more well-adjusted is hard.
so they listen, and it's....hard. hearing it is hard. hearing it and not knowing if this is what jason means or if it's what this version of jason thinks he means and it feels a little...
they don't reply. they're quiet and there's a lull as they continue rubbing at their face under the veil.]
Stop. [it's a quiet, tired request that's half-hearted at best.] There's nothing...I told you. This is about you.
[He gets Aquarius is having a hard time. What he can't say because he doesn't know is that he's fine? Even without the trauma; Lup isn't wrong later. He's the young man he could be without the guard, the thorns. It's easier to be on the outside what he is on the inside without jumping over the ugly pits. There's a bridge!
Unfortunately for both of them, he can't reassure this.]
It's about all of us, you included.
[Slowly, he pulls himself up to his feet. His moment of contemplation isn't very long before he bends over to get Aquarius under the arms and make an attempt to heft them off the ramp and up onto his chest. He just, like, drapes them high over his chest above the floor. So he can hug them. Well, if they let him. Lessons from big brother Dick Grayson.]
It's okay. It's about us too. We'll finish the contracts. I'll finish mine.
[why does this keep getting worse actually. the thing about it is that jason gets up and says that and aquarius doesn't move. instead, jason picks them up and maybe it's surprising there's zero fight for once. like you know that thing where you pick up a cat and they just know they're doomed to deal with it so they're limp and unmoving? it's like that.]
What are you doing, Jason? [but they don't continue for a second before aquarius drops their head on jason's chest and shoulder.] I don't know how to make you understand. And it's not like you can promise anything when we don't know who's next. No one ever does. Not just here.
[they aren't explaining well, and they wonder if they should try right now.
but...they've been in a situation like this before, so they pause and just keep their face there. whatever. they can deal with the problems later and just play along for his sake.]
Just do me a favor and take care of yourself and the other guests first, okay? I'll concede this once, but that's all I need to ask. I know you'll fulfill yours somehow.
[Yes. Exactly like that, there, there. He sort of rubs the middle of their back and holds them. I am so sorry they are having to deal with the Grayson treatment here only because Jason has batter brain.]
Hugging you.
[Listen.
He inwardly hms at "not just here," but doesn't press it because he's always walking on such thin eggshells here.]
Okay, I will do you this favor. [He'll take care of them, but he will ALSO TAKE CARE OF AQUARIUS AND THE OTHERS. So the fingers are a tad crossed.] I will. I'm not exactly the roll over and take it type.
[this is actually terrible because there's a very slight jump in their shoulders that they don't acknowledge. they do kind of adjust their arms to drape over jason's shoulders if only because it's uncomfortable to have them pinned to his chest.]
Since when do you do hugs? [just. still tiredly. still deciding to pick their battles.] But I know you're not. You're stubborn and you're a pain and you're annoying so you're obviously going to get somewhere.
[...unfortunately, it's kind of a horrible sort of fondness. there's a moment they pause again.]
...it would be kind of terrible if you disappeared before then. [so please don't die.]
[Which he didn't give out because he's a damn moron with a lot of issues, but shhhh. Bad brain can't catch him now. His chest rumbles under them when he laughs at the list of qualities.]
Wow. I will put those on my resume.
[His hand slows to a stop, and then gives them a small squeeze.]
Yeah, but even if I did, that wouldn't be the last you see of me. Bet.
...maybe I can believe that. [they should? maybe ask jason to put them down? they are still on the job???
but jason's also like half a foot taller than them and this sort of feels weirdly comforting. hateful. terrible. they're kind of annoyed about it immediately.]
Mm. Don't say bet. [THAT DOESN'T FIT YOU.] And even if that were true, it doesn't change the part where--
[...jason doesn't remember things. they keep remembering that, and it stops them from continuing again.]
...just be careful, idiot. Other people besides me would be pretty upset, too.
[very convincing when they're still faceplanting into his chest. dumb dorito.]
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I mean...what makes you think I'm not that person? [idly. ] People accept it as mine, so it must be mine. I'm not going to tell them to think any differently if that's the conclusion they came to.
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[He tosses another ball up the ramp, but doesn’t get it into any hood holes.]
Okay. In your expert hotel staff opinion, do you think we should keep digging, or leave it alone?
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[...that's a little trickier though.]
I'm kinda surprised you're even asking me when you're the type to keep digging. But if something doesn't make sense to you, wouldn't you keep looking into it until it did?
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[Because, like, OKAY SHUT UP TRUE. But also... he trusts Cloud to give him decent details. Maybe. Look.]
Sure, I'm a digger. But... I'm not the same man I used to be on the island. A lot has happened. [He refuses to say he's gotten soft.] The rest of you act pretty skittish about Nightman listening, and you've told me to leave it alone before.
I don't want the digging to put someone else at risk.
[Is what he's trying to say.]
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That's not at all what I'm saying. I trust Cloud myself. [so. that's something. and they pause a little and just turn away.]
...and I trust you, like I've told you, even if I'm not sure you get what that actually means. Your instincts have been pretty good so far. I just have to keep doing my job.
[so they get it. they throw the ball and it barely goes up the ramp before sliding down again.]
Like the contract says, the Host is aware of everything that goes on in the hotel so he can gauge the entertainment value of everything. As long as we're doing our jobs, there's nothing to be risked. [...] And as long as you fulfill your part of the contract, then...you'll be okay.
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A small, hidden smile appears for a second or two before it's gone.]
So... he isn't going to retaliate because of these things floating around? Or... [A bit of a frown.] ...they're thrown in on purpose to make things more entertaining?
[It's mostly rhetorical; he glances at them.]
Fulfill the contract. Okay, sure.
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they pick up the ball at the bottom of the ramp again.]
Not sure yet. I don't know why these things are showing up, or why you were permitted to go certain places, or why...any of this. You've been careful so far with what you've been saying and doing though. I don't think anything's stood out yet.
[so thank you for that, they mean.]
You remember what fulfilling the contract means?
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Gotta toss it a little harder.
[He feels like Aquarius is too dried up to for a physical toss-the-ball. MAYBE EAT MORE. Orion makes pancakes for a damn reason, don't just nibble on the edge of one.]
What? You mean to complete it? Either being alive and in the lobby, or offing someone to ensure the hostage...?
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I know. [it's fine. they know how to play, but it's more going through the motions than everything. they do turn to throw it though and it speeds up the ramp to sink through one of the center holes.]
But no, not quite. Doesn't matter if you off someone or not, the contract says you have to be in the lobby by check-out no matter what. Even if you kill someone and your hostage is free to leave after the terms are completed, if you're not in the lobby at the end your contract isn't fulfilled.
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Yeah... [It sounds like he might leave it at that, but he doesn't.] I know about that. Knew about it from the start. [Reading the contract, he means.] I figured, at least. It was worded too weird not to be important, even for the dead.
...We're working on it. Not a lot of leads right now.
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Nerd. [it's a soft tease, but it falls flat because it's nice to know jason read the whole contract.] But it's something to keep in mind to know what terms you're bound by.
[...]
Effort's pretty much all that we can ask for. Staff can't interfere with things guests are doing when it comes to their contracts, except for the things permitted. You get it. Like why we can't help during your trials and stuff.
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[He tosses another ball of his own up the ramp without much thought.]
I'm going to ask you a personal question, and I don't think you can answer it because your "job" will get in the way, but I'm trying anyway. This is... me to you. [...] Friend to friend.
...Do you want to leave?
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I want to make sure I do my job to the best of my ability for as long as your term is in effect. [carefully. and then... ] Wedding planning is a little bit of a stretch but I do have someone who'll kill me the longer I'm here. And it seems like guest relations will be a little harder if there are no guests, you know? So we'll see.
[jason can infer that however he wants.]
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The answer he can infer, yeah. It brings a brief, small smirk to his face. Okay. Good. He can accept this answer.]
Don’t worry then. We’re going to give them one hell of a show so that… maybe you can think about additional employment. One with… better benefits.
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I need you to focus on fulfilling your contract. That's the important part. Don't worry about whatever happens to us. Okay?
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I can do both.
[He's going to do both. Sorry if he seems familiar at all to the same bullshit they have put up with elsewhere. But... he's a Bat. He's going to do both.]
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Unfortunately for them, he has forgotten a lot of trauma, and so he has become a slightly more well-adjusted person. Uh. Briefly.]
I'm not afraid of tall orders. I give a shit about you, and I'm going to keep giving a shit about you. You're my friend. I trust you. But I don't want to do anything to get you in trouble.
I'm proud of you, okay?
[But he doesn't clarify.]
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so they listen, and it's....hard. hearing it is hard. hearing it and not knowing if this is what jason means or if it's what this version of jason thinks he means and it feels a little...
they don't reply. they're quiet and there's a lull as they continue rubbing at their face under the veil.]
Stop. [it's a quiet, tired request that's half-hearted at best.] There's nothing...I told you. This is about you.
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Unfortunately for both of them, he can't reassure this.]
It's about all of us, you included.
[Slowly, he pulls himself up to his feet. His moment of contemplation isn't very long before he bends over to get Aquarius under the arms and make an attempt to heft them off the ramp and up onto his chest. He just, like, drapes them high over his chest above the floor. So he can hug them. Well, if they let him. Lessons from big brother Dick Grayson.]
It's okay. It's about us too. We'll finish the contracts. I'll finish mine.
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What are you doing, Jason? [but they don't continue for a second before aquarius drops their head on jason's chest and shoulder.] I don't know how to make you understand. And it's not like you can promise anything when we don't know who's next. No one ever does. Not just here.
[they aren't explaining well, and they wonder if they should try right now.
but...they've been in a situation like this before, so they pause and just keep their face there. whatever. they can deal with the problems later and just play along for his sake.]
Just do me a favor and take care of yourself and the other guests first, okay? I'll concede this once, but that's all I need to ask. I know you'll fulfill yours somehow.
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Hugging you.
[Listen.
He inwardly hms at "not just here," but doesn't press it because he's always walking on such thin eggshells here.]
Okay, I will do you this favor. [He'll take care of them, but he will ALSO TAKE CARE OF AQUARIUS AND THE OTHERS. So the fingers are a tad crossed.] I will. I'm not exactly the roll over and take it type.
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Since when do you do hugs? [just. still tiredly. still deciding to pick their battles.] But I know you're not. You're stubborn and you're a pain and you're annoying so you're obviously going to get somewhere.
[...unfortunately, it's kind of a horrible sort of fondness. there's a moment they pause again.]
...it would be kind of terrible if you disappeared before then. [so please don't die.]
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[Which he didn't give out because he's a damn moron with a lot of issues, but shhhh. Bad brain can't catch him now. His chest rumbles under them when he laughs at the list of qualities.]
Wow. I will put those on my resume.
[His hand slows to a stop, and then gives them a small squeeze.]
Yeah, but even if I did, that wouldn't be the last you see of me. Bet.
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but jason's also like half a foot taller than them and this sort of feels weirdly comforting. hateful. terrible. they're kind of annoyed about it immediately.]
Mm. Don't say bet. [THAT DOESN'T FIT YOU.] And even if that were true, it doesn't change the part where--
[...jason doesn't remember things. they keep remembering that, and it stops them from continuing again.]
...just be careful, idiot. Other people besides me would be pretty upset, too.
[very convincing when they're still faceplanting into his chest. dumb dorito.]
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