milliways_bar | (no subject)

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Knox is the bar, taking in a beer, skimming the newspapers. It's just another day today. Which in Gotham means that Two-Face's new mob is on the loose, that Batman has been sighted six times in the past 48 hours, that there are accusations of new corruption at City Hall, and that there is a new costumed kook calling himself the Riddler sending cryptic messages to banks.

Yup, just another day in Gotham. Come say hi to the city's third or fourth favorite columnist.

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"Hey, you," Makita declares, flopping down next to him without an invitation.

"Hey, Kita!" He's always glad to see her. "Have you seen Raps? She's back!"

Makita grins. "I haven't, but that's great news." Since it's kind of obvious how big a deal that is to him.

"Yup. And she's not Bound anymore." Which doesn't make him quite as happy.

"That's good news."

Makita pauses.

Then cocks her head. "Right?"

"Yeah.

"Mainly."

Pause.

"Her people are at war. She's not on the front lines. But she was drafted and trained to use guns and fight and everything.

"I'm a little worried, that's all."

"I... get that."

Better than most people would, really.

"I know. I worry about you too. I worry about my friends." His family. "Part of me wants to tell her to just abandon her world and her people and come with me to Gotham. But that wouldn't be fair, would it?"

"I don't think she could." Makita sighs. "It's hard to walk away from your family."

"I don't know if she thinks of them as family. More as her people. And this war is about taking back their homelands from the person who took it from them. It's about something different." Something he is sure Raps feels deeply but cannot articulate.

"They're family, too," Makita decides. "In their way."

"I guess. I just that I can't make her choose them or me. And would never ever try to do that, anyway.

"So I have to worry. And hope she can stay here as much as she can. And wine and dine her in Gotham."

Makita nods. "That's worth a lot, you know."

"I know, Kita. I missed her every day she was gone. And to have her back...it's worth everything to me.

"Don't tell anyone else I said that." He smiles coyly.

"Oh, because it's not really obvious to everyone?" she asks with a smirk.

"Er...well...hey, there's apparently devils here. And I don't need them coming to me and making a deal because they heard what I said." Well, this is true. But so far not a single creature of the underworld has talked to Knox.

She doesn't stop smirking, but she nods. "Your secret is safe with me."

"Good.

"And how are you doing?" He could go on about Raps. But maybe it's best not to.

"Not... bad."

She hasn't been home in... a long time. There's not really anything for her anymore.

"Same as it's been?" She can't really fool him anymore. Or at least not without a bit more effort.

She nods.

She likes Milliways, but... it's not her home. For a while she'd hoped it might be, but... it's not. And exceptions like Knox aside, most of the people who made it come closest aren't around much these days.

"Guess you gotta make a choice soon about heading back. Or finding another door." He has wondered about bringing someone like Kita to Gotham. And wonders just how bad an idea that would be.

"Yeah," she agrees softly.

"I'll probably head back home for a bit." Even if it's not really home without Proto or Papa. But at least she knows what to do there. How to act.

"You miss it, even after all you've been through." It's pretty obvious, too.

She nods. "It's what I know. And... they need the help."

He's quiet for a moment. He knows that she isn't going to be doing food service duty. That she will possibly - probably? - die protecting her home. And he has no idea what to say.

Makita's content to fall silent for the moment, too. Knox is one of the few people she's comfortable doing that with. At least these days.

After a few minutes, he speaks.

"You should come by our room one of these days. Say hi to Raps. But knock first."

"I should," Makita agrees with a grin. "But what happens if I don't knock?"

She's smirking as she asks.

He has no illusions at all about Kita's innocence. But she's still young enough that there are things he won't say.

"Let's say that we might be in the middle of something you do not want to see."

Makita just laughs.

"Anyway, I lock the door. Every Gothamite locks the door behind him," he adds after her laughter stops. (She should laugh more.)

"Prude," she teases fondly.

"No. Crime victim. I don't mind if you see me kissing Raps. But I will not stand for you stealing my TV." OK, he is a bit of a prude. Just one who likes his property.

Makita rolls her eyes. "What would I do with your TV?" she snickers.

"Sell it for cash. Or drugs. It's what all the kids are doing now." He's trying not to smirk.

"Oh, right. I suppose I do have to feed my drug habit somehow."

He won't make any ill conceived jokes about her being gaunt enough to pass for a drug addict.

"If you do steal something, take my computer. I hear it will be worth a lot."

"Like I'd even know."

"You could learn." Pause. "I hope you don't." No doubt she would be too good a thief. "I prefer my friends to be more or less honest."

"Well, I'll see what I can do about staying... honest?" She never really thinks about it that way herself.

"Sounds good." He doubts she is any more honest than innocent. But he can pretend.

[ooc: fade?]

[Works for me.]

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