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[kidinasuit.livejournal.com]

WHO: Joe Black | kidinasuit and You
WHERE: Wherever you want. Just make a reference in the tag so I can roll with it.
WHEN: Whenever you want, same as above!
WARNINGS: Tba.
SUMMARY: Joe takes walks around the City. Really, what else is there to do?
FORMAT: Whatever you prefer!


It was money from an anonymous benefactor, he'd been told. Someone who had heard about his arrival and had provided him with a nice, spacious apartment, complete with all the furniture Joe would never need. He was left to his own devices with a closet full of suits to fit him. He opened a door in the kitchen to find a neatly organized stack of Laura Scudder's Peanut Butter.

Curious.

Joe said thank you, but he did not offer anything in return and did not ask for details pertaining to why. There was no need to know that he had been found by a distinctly wealthy woman with a distinct lack of hobbies whose favorite movie of all time was Meet Joe Black. When she noticed that it was no longer part of her collection or anywhere to be found in any kind of media, she immediately knew.

Joe's secondary ability had played its part in placing all the pieces together, of course, but that, too, was just a secondary detail.

The space he'd been given had its limits, predictably enough, so he took it upon himself to step beyond. Sporting the trademark dark suit and tie, he walked into the streets, hands tucked behind his back.

Comments

[rethinkstrategy.livejournal.com]

Czeslaw was also walking the streets, poking his nose into various shops and trying to get a feel for this modern version of New York.

It was inevitable that they would cross paths, really. Czes did stick out in his outdated suit and cap...it was perfectly appropriate for a young boy of the thirties, but not so much for a kid in 2011.

[kidinasuit.livejournal.com]

As it was, each stood out from the crowd in his own way. Joe would take several pauses and stop to observe a detail either happening around or above him -- be it construction work; birds; street performers; beggars (he'd turn his head awkwardly and search his pockets for some money before someone approached him to ask if he had dropped a dollar bill); clothes left drying out; or just the top of a skyscraper. This was not a very big crowd pleaser -- especially when dozens of people had to walk around him to get back on track.

Traffic lights were something he still had to get used to, even after a couple of incidents (short for Accidents Inches Away From Happening). One car had to screech and come to a full break to avoid giving him an untimely death (ha, ha). Joe stopped and stared as the driver proceeded to make his protests very loud and clear.

[rethinkstrategy.livejournal.com]

Halfway through the driver's tirade the crosswalk was actually usable, and the people attempting to cross flowed around Joe in a way he was no doubt accustomed to already.

Czes, being as small as he was, found himself bumping gently into Joe as he unsuccessfully tried to navigate around him.

"Excuse me," he said somewhat loudly in order to be heard over the sound of cars and the angry driver.

[kidinasuit.livejournal.com]

Whatever attention Joe was paying to the angry driver was quickly replaced by Czes' little mishap. He turned his head to look behind, then downwards. This was the first child he'd talk to.

"I'm sorry." There were a few other looks before he took a step forward and cleared a path for the boy, back turned to the now completely outraged car owner. Threats and less than dignifying names were being thrown in every direction.

[rethinkstrategy.livejournal.com]

The "walk" icon was now flashing in warning. Czes chewed his lip in indecision, then sighed and tugged gently on Joe's coat.

"The light is changing," he said uncertainly.

[kidinasuit.livejournal.com]

Joe's attention was already back on the driver by the time Czes reached for his coat, quickly turning his head to refocus on the boy. He followed in somewhat puzzled and completely quiet compliance. Joe wasn't exactly helpless -- far from it -- but the physical world always seemed to provide some loudly distracting detail that, while others would happily ignore and throw it over the shoulder of their routine, he preferred to observe and understand.

[rethinkstrategy.livejournal.com]

Good, Czes had done his good deed for the day.

"It's better to keep walking when somebody yells at you," he advised. "He might've just hit you when the light changed, mister."

That kind of behavior, at least, hadn't changed from one New York to the other.

[kidinasuit.livejournal.com]

"Hit me?" Joe asked, completely devoid of any alarm. "Why?"

[rethinkstrategy.livejournal.com]

Czes sighed. "Because he could. Welcome to the big city." There's a sort of cute wryness in his tone.

[kidinasuit.livejournal.com]

"I've been in this City for a while." Was the only thing he felt the need to clarify afterwards. Joe stopped and looked back at the road when they stepped onto the sidewalk. After a beat of observation, he returned his attention to Czes, as if waiting for him to continue - be it the walk or the conversation.

[rethinkstrategy.livejournal.com]

Did this guy need a babysitter or something? Czes started talking a beat before he started walking, just to make sure Joe would follow him. Honestly, some people...

"Don't get out much, then, mister?"

[kidinasuit.livejournal.com]

Joe seemed distracted when the question was posed, taking a moment to observe some other detail in the distance. He wasn't completely absent from the conversation, however - he simply took a little longer to return the attention.

He was a little puzzled when he looked at Czes. "Mister?"

[rethinkstrategy.livejournal.com]

Czes, on the other hand, looked vaguely discomforted.

"Do you prefer a different title? I was just trying to be polite."

[kidinasuit.livejournal.com]

And he return, Joe wondered where the need for titles came from. He enjoyed the sound of his adopted name--its use made him feel like he was being treated just like any other regular Joe.

Pun intended.

"My name is Joe Black."

[rethinkstrategy.livejournal.com]

"Okay."

He was just being a good boy from the thirties, really...Anyway, he would call him Joe if he asked.

"I'm Benjamin. Were you trying to get somewhere, Mister Black?"

[kidinasuit.livejournal.com]

"Nowhere in particular, Benjamin." He continued, turning his head to the side for a momentary glance. His eyes eventually returned to the boy, his tone practically flat.

"Were you going somewhere?"

[rethinkstrategy.livejournal.com]

"Not...really."

For some reason, listening to Joe made Czes feel a little uncomfortable. He couldn't quite figure out why, though.

"I was just out for a walk. I thought you might be lost..."

[kidinasuit.livejournal.com]

He shut his eyes momentarily and produced a little smile, not quite aimed at his new acquaintance. "I have no destination at the moment."

[rethinkstrategy.livejournal.com]

"Oh."

Awkward...

"Sight-seeing, then?"

[kidinasuit.livejournal.com]

"Yes... I believe I am." There was another temporary distraction, but he was still very present in the conversation. One lengthy pause followed. He then squinted slightly to think. It was as if he'd changed his mind when he spoke again. "I am looking for a shop."

[diesarock]

Daylight had made way for evening, lighter jackets for heavy coats, streetlights and headlamps substituting a grayed out sun and a weak moon. Many people wore dark clothing here: black on black, dark blue on darker purple, gray and green and brown. Winter was a dark time, after all. It was cold, often miserable, and always dreary.

But darkness is often broken, no matter where it resided, and this evening was no different. Among the crowd of dark coats and darker moods, there was a person dressed all in white—a young woman, blonde, in a white dress, cutting through the mob in a straight dagger's line.

It made sense that she stood out so much; she'd been dead only an hour before.

[kidinasuit.livejournal.com]

Joe was gladly sitting on the outdoor of a café -- never mind the hour and harsher temperature quickly settling in -- several plates with all kinds of cakes, breads and fillings displayed on his table, accompanied by a rather large mug filled to the top with cappuccino. He stared a little awkwardly at the abundance of options before him. Such was the prize given to the ten thousandth client, who had only walked inside to satisfy his curiosity, not hunger. He'd been told to pick whatever he liked from the menu, and so he did, hoping he'd find something to suit his tastes as successfully as peanut butter.

As the waiter finally brought him the (hopefully) last order, fate decided the aspiring actor with bed hair and a garage band should misplace his foot and trip, dropping the slice of cake on a completely innocent passerby in a completely white dress.

ALMOST FORGOT.......

[curses]

[Bellatrix knows it is too early to go out into the night, especially for what she wants to do. There are still too many lights, too many people milling around. Normally, she'd relish the attention the screams of her victims bring, but she's already spent more than fourteen years in prison -- she doesn't want to add to that.

But Bella is restless, so she is currently stalking through the streets, her dark cloak flowing behind her. When she spots a figure in the distance, she immediately assumes he is her housemate, forgetting for the moment about the other man she recently had dinner with.

She calls out, her voice echoing slightly. Bella is sure he'll be game for blowing something up together.]

Tyler!

[kidinasuit.livejournal.com]

[Joe finds that he prefers spending his nights indoors and is making his way back to the apartment, content about the productivity of his day so far. He still hasn't found anything that comes close to what he's really looking for, but things aren't so bad when they manage to keep him interested enough.

It isn't the recognition of the voice or the name as much as the fact that it's sudden and loud that makes him turn his head and stare at Bellatrix. His expression shifts with recognition almost immediately after.]

[curses]

[She quickens her pace as she draws nearer but suddenly stops walking when she notices that this man isn't Tyler.]

Oh. It's you.

[kidinasuit.livejournal.com]

[He remains quiet for another moment.]

Yes, it is me.

[curses]

[She places a hand on her hip, already slightly impatient.]

Joe, correct? How are you settling in?

[kidinasuit.livejournal.com]

Very well, thank you.

[check out all that poise.] How have you been?

[curses]

Fine. [A beat.] Bored.

Where are you off to?

[kidinasuit.livejournal.com]

I was making my way back to my apartment.

[He finishes with a hint of a smile.

Pause pause pause.]

Would you like to accompany me?

omg i am so sorry i just got the notif NOW

[curses]

[A pause as she considers. Why the hell not?]

...All right. Do you still live at the MAC?

IT'S COOL *flips notifs

[kidinasuit.livejournal.com]

No, I live in a different place now. [and that's that. He waits for her to signal that she's ready to go.]

OH GOD I PROMISE I'LL TAG FASTER NOW THAT I'VE SWITCHED TO GMAIL...

[curses]

[She raises an eyebrow.] That was fast.

[And she begins to walk, expecting him to lead the way. It's his place, after all.]

*FLIPS LJ SPAM FAIL

[kidinasuit.livejournal.com]

Was it? [He asks, getting back on his way to the apartment.] It was offered to me.

I HOPE IT'S NOT PERMANENT BECAUSE I MISS YMAIL

[curses]

By whom? [She supposes he could have made the right friends. There is a certain charm to him...]

[kidinasuit.livejournal.com]

[He narrows his eyes, pressing his lips together in a little smile, like he's tried to think about it before.] I don't know.

[curses]

And you just...took it without question? How trusting of you.

[kidinasuit.livejournal.com]

I have no reason to not be.

[curses]

[A shrug.] Suit yourself.

[Bella will just be following him, occasionally casting curious glances his way. He just looks so much like Tyler.]

[kidinasuit.livejournal.com]

[Joe doesn't seem to notice, content enough to observe their surroundings, only occasionally returning Bella's attention. They arrive at the building shortly after. They are let in by a doorman -- it's that kind of fancy building -- and make their way to his apartment. It's spacious; exaggeratedly so for just one person to live in it. Joe seems neither overwhelmed by or proud of this fact. He stands in the living room, looking at the very generous view of the City and its lights.

He turns back to look at Bella.]

[curses]

Your benefactor is very generous. [That's all she has to say. Though it's a little too Muggle for her tastes, she has to admit that the place is quite luxurious.]

[kidinasuit.livejournal.com]

They are. [He just looks a little awkward now, watching her observe the apartment. He's run out of any sense of initiative by now.]

[perfectbluff.livejournal.com]

Vesper was seated on a park bench, the paper cup of formerly hot, now lukewarm chocolate clutched between gloved hands as she watched the crowds. There was little else for her to do now, outside of her few odd hours at her part-time job or making cocktails for a man no longer present to drink them. She'd had such ambitions, only a few scare months ago...

She blinked as the suited man walked into view, recalling his face from the network. Vesper offered a small smile and nod of recognition to him, grateful to any form of distraction from morbid thoughts.

[kidinasuit.livejournal.com]

There was some recognition in Joe's eyes when she caught his attention. He offered her a subtle smile with an attentive gaze, nodding in return. Then he made his way to her, calm and paced, hands behind his back.

"Hello."