hadriel_logs | OPEN - In the middle of the night

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OPEN - In the middle of the night

Who: Matt (playing the Devil of ~~Hell's Kitchen~~ Hadriel's Pantry?) and OPEN
What: Old habits die hard. Matt is hopping around the rooftops and backstreets of the city
Where: Honestly, anywhere -- from the city straight to the tunnels
When: Now, but encompassing various days/nights in the near future
Warnings: Matt's stupid "disguise" fashion sense. And PARKOUR!!!

[Matt has settled in, more or less, to his apartment, gotten the general layout of the city down. Very nearly even found a routine -- exploring, gathering supplies, going back to his new "home" and going through his mental notes, of what he knows and what he doesn't know.

But walking around the streets, cane in hand, doesn't give him everything he needs to know. And he may have sworn off his other life as Daredevil back in New York, but doesn't this count as an extenuating circumstance? Well, that's the justification he's using.

He's dressed all in black, pants, a long sleeve shirt, thick gloves, and a black knit cap pulled down over his eyes, the bridge of his nose, so only the lower half of his face shows.]

[Option A - City Streets]

[It's after dusk, but Matt does make his way along the streets, sticking to less-traveled ways. But that doesn't mean he won't run into someone else out and about in the evening hours.

In fact, it's Matt's luck that he may wind up dropping down from the rooftop, landing soundless -- right in front of some poor unsuspecting person.]

[Option B - Rooftops]

[Most of the time though, Matt spends his time above the city, darting around from one building to another. If he happens to run into anyone up here, well, that will catch his interest for certain, and Matt will approach.

Trying to come across as not a threat -- despite being a masked man all in black.] ...nice night for getting out... [He's bad at casual conversation in these situations. Usually he sticks to punching when he's wearing the mask.]

[Option C - In or Near The Tunnels]

[And since he was warned against the tunnels, Matt is definitely going to check those out. Yeah yeah, monsters. He knows.

Of course, he does have to make it past the outskirts of the city first. Maybe someone catches him before he can make it out that far.

Or maybe someone else is exploring, and may feel a hand on their arm and a low whisper,] Careful. There's something up that way... [Just a friendly alert that here be monsters.]

[Option D - Wild Card]

[Or catch him basically anywhere else.]

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All right, then. Shall we?

[she has the grocery bag taken from her] Oh! Thank you. That's very kind of you.

[she smiles at his messy hair and reaches up to straighten it up a little] There you go. All better.

Lead the way.

[Matt agrees, though he pauses as his hair is sorted, exhaling a sheepish laugh. Odd the way a simple touch can feel so warm. Matt tries to tuck that thought away for now.]

Thanks. Pretty bad, huh?

All right, then. This way. [she reaches to tuck her arm through the arm that isn't carrying her groceries and starts to lead him toward her apartment]

[well, Marg is blushing for real. she hasn't done that since she was fourteen]

Mmm. Not bad, just a little ruffled.

[And Matt follows along, letting her lead the way. Not how he'd expected his night running around in a mask to go, but not a bad outcome at all.

He can tell she's blushing, even if he can't see it. But he's polite enough not to mention or call attention to it.

Instead he smiles.] Perils of the vigilante lifestyle, I guess. Hat head.

[they get to her spire and have to climb a flight of stairs to get to her apartment, but they arrive and she unlocks the door] There's a chair just to the left of the door and a couch along the left side of the wall. There's a small table in front of it, though. Here, let me help? [guides him around the table so he can sit on the couch

good, because otherwise she'd blush even more and maybe even get flustered

she smiles back] Is that what you do called?

Thank you.

[Murmured at her guidance, and he side steps easily around the table, moving along as he's guided until he takes a seat. His posture is on the tenser side of things. This explanation doesn't always go so well.

But he does want to explain, somehow, given that she's realized who he is when he was out running through the night.]

Well. It's what some people call it. I told you before I was a lawyer, what that entailed. But the problem is, sometimes people who commit crimes, who do terrible things manage to stay beyond the reach of the law -- by influence or power, money, intimidation. And people get hurt and have no recourse. So i tried to provide that recourse. [He'd sworn it off recently. But being here has given him excuse to thinking about stepping back into that role.]

It's a dark path though, and a very fine line between that and becoming what I was trying to fight.

It's the least I can do.

[she sits by his side, with her hands folded in her lap. she sees how tense he seems and don't want to press him by reaching out and touching him

she waits patiently for the explanation]

So you fought to defend those who had no other means of defense? [she comes from a society where physical violence was often used as a means to settle disputes, so she's not as shocked or taken aback as most others might be]

The fact that you know the line is there? Doesn't that reassure you that you're not going to cross it? [she's seen knights behave in most unchivalrous ways, heard about their abuses of Sansa Stark. she's aware of how many people do cross the line]

Edited 2017-10-04 21:56 (UTC)

I know where it is now. Always the chance I'll lose it. I came close a few times. One time I would've crossed it too, if I'd been successful. I tried to kill a man, to stop him. It was a mistake. There was a better way.

[In the end anyway, though even now Fisk is dangerous in his way. Matt knows that.

Still, the words are reassuring and he manages a smile.] So... not too freaked out yet? Because there's more.

You came close, but you didn't. You looked for that better way. I hope you found it. You're--a good man, Matt Murdock. Such men are rare where I come from. My second husband wasn't good. He delighted in the pain and suffering of others. That's not you.

[Margaery's grandmother took care of her second husband. permanently. and she was murdered by a woman jealous of the power Margaery had over her son. she's no stranger to those who seek a permanent solution to their problems

but she's glad to see him smile and so she smiles back and pats his hand] No, I'm not too freaked out yet. Tell me.

[A good man. That isn't what he's expecting to hear, and the words strike so sharp it nearly knocks the breath from him. But it draws a smile as as well.]

Thank you, for saying it. I try to be... more man than devil.

[But that said. He frowns now, and reaches a hand over to set on hers as she mentions her husband.] Men like that... they're the worst of all. [Those who enjoy causing pain.

A moment's pause.] I told you before I was blind. And that's true, but that isn't the whole story there either.

[she hears the sharp intake of breath and momentarily worries that she may have gone too far. but then she sees his smile and everything's better]

There's no need to thank me for telling the truth.

[she turns her hand over so she can hold his] They are. I was--fortunate in that I was only his wife for a day. Oh, while I was his betrothed, he never dared lay a hand on me, but I have no doubt that had I--been his for longer, he would have tired of me. And then he would have started to hurt me. [causing pain was Joffrey's main reason to live]

Oh? There's more to it?

[His fingers curl around hers in turn, quiet as he listens. For one thing, it's hard to imagine someone growing tired of Margaery.] I wouldn't think it'd be possible to be tired of someone as charming and clever.

[And kind. She's been nothing but kind to Matt, after all.] But your former husband sounds like the type who only cared about his own twisted ideas.

[Matt is already not a fan of this guy.

He nods at her question, no hesitation this time.] I lost my sight when I was a child, but since then I've gained... my other senses are stronger, more sensitive then most people. I can hear your heartbeat... [His fingers tighten about hers.] I can feel the blood moving through your veins. I can feel the electricity wired through the walls -- it thrums, just a little. The way the air moves, the way sound echoes... it all comes together like a picture in my mind.

I was taught how to use this when I was a child. I was also trained to fight.

[Joffrey would have and then her life would've been made a living hell. but she blushes again at his description of her][she laughs a little] Ohhh, you're making me blush with your compliments!

[Marg nods] He was. He had his Kingsguard beat his previous betrothed. All because her brother was beating him on the battlefield.

[no one should be a fan of Joffrey]

[her eyes widen at his description] How--how extraordinary! You must see far better than I can with my eyes! I've never heard of such a thing.

[she nods. training to fight is what's done with boys in her world] I take it you're good? Very good?

Not compliments. Just observation.

[He corrects gently, though his expression works its way into a frown as she describes this asshole former husband of hers.

The above the law, hurts people because he can type.

A faint nod.] It's not something most people have heard of. It's not normal. I'm not the only one. My teacher was the same. But there aren't many, and it's not something people are aware of.

[And that question. Well. That he won't mince words with.] I am.

[blushes more] Then, I really should thank you. [she squeezes his hand gently

but then she notices the frown] I'm--I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought up Joffrey. In the end, I did get lucky. I was only his for a day. [and there's a story behind that, but not one she feels prepared to tell just yet]

Then, I will keep your secret for you. It's the least I can do.

[Margaery nods and looks a little--proud?] Good.

[A quick shake of his head.] No, don't. Don't apologize. I'm glad, that you trust me enough to tell me. I want to know about you.

[And that is honest too, and not just because he's grateful she's volunteered to keep his secret before he could even ask her.]

Thank you. In this place, it may be different in the end. But for now, I'm grateful for the discretion.

[He laughs though.] Good?

[she still seems uncertain] Are--are you sure? Not all of my past is pleasant. And at least some of it is all my fault because my ambitions got the better of me.

[she can tell that he's being honest, but she worries about what he'll think of her when he gets more details about her past. a lot of it isn't pretty]

[she nods] You were masked. I assume you wouldn't be unless you had a good reason to be.

[she smiles] Of course it's good. Where I'm from, men are expected to be able to fight and fight well to protect his home, his House, the ones he cares for. I'm glad to hear that you can, too.

Edited 2017-10-05 18:55 (UTC)

Most of my past is a mess, and a whole lot of it is my fault.

[Matt informs her, offering a smile.] Our past doesn't have to define the road we're taking now.

[It shapes it, of course, but choices still matter. He needs to believe that after some of his own past mistakes.

He ducks his head once more.]

My dad never wanted me to fight. That's what he did for a living. A boxer, you know? He wanted me to make my way through life with my brain instead of my fists.

[this both surprises and reassures her] Oh? [an attempt at levity] I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours?

[she smiles back, looking relieved] I suppose it doesn't. And I have been quite literally brought from the dead? I--would like to think that means I have new opportunities to perhaps not be as heedless as I was in my past life.

[Marg largely wants a clean slate. she's mostly accepted that she'll never be able to go back to Westeros, so that means building a life here or with someone else

she finds his apparent shyness endearing]

Sometimes, life doesn't quite work out the way we'd like it to. But if it helps, I think you're very smart.

That does sound like a fair trade...

[And it is. He's already confessed some of his worst, and she hasn't turned him away. That, he thinks, is a good sign.

He can sense her relief, the change in her posture, seated as the are. He reaches to set a hand on hers once more.]

You're alive here, that means the path you follow is up to you. I think so anyway.

[One step at a time. One choice at a time. He laughs, almost sheepishly at the compliment though.] Well. I get by anyway.

I thought so, yes. Should I begin or would you rather?

[she's not going to turn him away, she likes him too much to do so. and given the weirdness she experienced in life, very little is shocking to her anymore

when he takes her hand, she finds herself blushing like a maiden again. she likes the way it feels when he does things like that. she likes it a lot]

I hope I choose a good one, this time. I would like to think that I'm wiser now than I was before I died. I'm ambitious. [small laugh] I think I'll always be ambitious. But perhaps I can channel that into--better things this time around.

[she smiles] Well, you're a lawyer. From the way you described it, it doesn't sound like a career for the dull.

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OPEN - In the middle of the night

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