↷ dinah's apartment

@⋫ dinah lance He may or may not have been praying that question wasn't asked, earning a sheepish smile of sorts. 'Artemis..of Bana- Mighdall,' he answered with a clearing of his throat, 'which means not only is her father me of all people, she's the daughter of an amazon.' Jason didn't mind the questions, he'd come in search of help after all, but he wasn't entirely sure of what reaction he'd be recieving. 'I'm not sure when Artemis is going to come back, if she is, or if she's even.. okay. Haven't had contact with her since Astraea was born and it's not like I can just go to Themyscira- I've already been killed once, I'd rather not go through that again.' His lips pursed in thought, deciding if anyone could be trusted with it, he hadn't felt like it couldn't be her, his next words almost surprising himself; 'Would it be easier if you met her?'

@jason todd “Two..” she breathes out barely above a mere whisper, “Jesus Christ.” So young and so innocent, too young and too innocent for such a world she was born into. Her eyebrows furrow in mild confusion, “Themyscira? She repeats incredulously. “Who exactly is her mother then, Jason?” The questions were intrusive and straight to the point, and maybe given other circumstances, she would have felt bad for being so blunt and nosy. However, this is her business now too.. right?

@⋫ dinah lance Tucking the helmet under one arm, he brought a hand up to rub his face, wondering just what he was doing. 'She's only two.. Her moms kind of away on Themyscira,' he nodded slowly, 'so, she's kind of not in the picture at all.'

Jason moved his feet to lean against the nearest wall, setting the helmet down to cross his arms. 'I know I can keep her safe and give her a nice life, I just don't know how. I don't know if I have what it takes to raise her, you know..? My only other option would be to drop her off at Wayne manner and that is absolutely never going to happen.'

@jason todd A pregnant silence falls amongst the two, Dinah staring at the male with wide eyes unable to hid just how dumbfounded she truly is. Well.. this guy seemed to be full of surprises. Maybe, just maybe Dinah wasn’t surprised at the fact he had a kid. Most superheroes do despite their line of work and the danger it puts them in. It’s a tale as old as time. He didn’t want his daughter to be like him or have his childhood, she’s heard it enough from Bruce to last her a lifetime. No, maybe what’s caught her off guard is the fact that someone actually came to /her/ for help.

“Oh wow.. that’s a lot. How old is she?” Dinah can’t help but wonder. Jason is only twenty-one, so she can only assume the child is between the ages of being a newborn and 6 years old.

@⋫ dinah lance 'You look like you've seen a ghost,' he'd mumbled, attempting to calm his own nerves with humor. His identity wasn't exactly a secret to many people at this point but he couldn't help but feel utterly stripped without his face covered. Then again, he also didn't have the weapons that could so often be found on his frame minus one gun. His eyes followed the movements, more or less just familiarizing himself rather than being curious. 'I didn't think any type of trust would be involved but I can assure you, I've got no need to cause anything with you, especially when you're someone who was close to him.'

He wondered how to word his thoughts without sounding ridiculous but they seemed to come out on their own. 'Look, I'm twenty-one years old, I work with a lot a bad guys, and I've been dead. I don't always function right and I've got a ty attitude on somedays and.. and, I've got a daughter I don't want to turn out like I did,' he lowered his gaze, realizing just what that would mean. He didn't want her losing her only parent and ending up in crime alley the way he did. 'I want her to be able to grow up and say she didn't hate her father and that she can take care of herself.. but I don't want her involved in whatever the hell this things is people like us do. Because we live on borrowed time and I don't want that for her. Dinah, I- , I just need help figuring out how to be a parent. I've never been close to any girls growing up so I don't know.. how to take care of one, especially when I don't even know if I'll come home one night.' He didn't think about the fact he basically just dropped a huge bomb of information on her, without warning, that no one else was aware of.

@jason todd Her eyes widen ever so slightly once the helmet is removed. He’s all grown up. Dinah has never met him personally face to face, but she was there when Bruce has decided to take him in. He was just a small boy then, filled with so much curiosity and teen angst. Flash forward almost ten years later and she can still see the anger and the confusion that lingers in those pretty blue eyes. Heaving a sigh, she closes the door behind him, she too was feeling quite exposed. Her home wasn’t much, just a one bedroom studio apartment but it was well lived in. She walks over to her laptop, shutting it and cleaning up the papers around it as she listens to the male speak.

“This must be quite something if you’re coming all this way to keep secrets with me. You get this one favor because of Roy, make no mistake I’m not all that generous to those I feel like I can’t trust. But, you have my word.” She whirls around to face him once more, hands perched on her hips. She raises an eyebrow as if to say ‘well get on with it’.

@⋫ dinah lance He felt like he was under a microscope once he was finished explaining, causing him to shift his weight and flicker his gaze that he was thankful she couldn't see. A sigh of relief slipped past his lips despite his hesitancy at her request - he had a feeling an attempt at arguing would only get the door slammed in his face. Roy had always made it a point that she wasn't one to try attitude with and with that in mind, he reached to pull the red helmet off.

His now visible, crystal colored eyes gaze away just how desperate and /scared/ he seemed to be. Holding the red accessory in shaky hands, he took a few strides into the apartment. 'Thank you. You don't understand how much I appreciate it,' he began, automatically taking in his surroundings out of habit, 'I just need to make a small request of my own. Whatever you learn here.. can't leave here. That's all I ask.'

@jason todd She eyes him suspiciously, she knew Jason used to work under Bruce and was Roy’s best friend - that’s probably the only way she knew about the guy but he has a track record of shady business. Jason Todd was the in between, he’s a antihero who doesn’t play for any side, and in Dinah’s eyes, those are the most dangerous of people. Roy used to be the same way, though. Never knowing where to fit in, wanting to serve justice but not in the most heroic of ways. The guy seemed desperate in ways he’ll probably never admit and those two things alone are enough for Dinah to give in.

She steps back out of the way and opens up the door so he could come in. “Alright fine, I’ll help you but if you’re stepping into my home and asking me for personal favors, the mask has got to go.” There’s finality in her words, leaving no room for any argument.

@⋫ dinah lance Staying silent and being as patient as he could, the anti-hero glanced around the halls; this was a mistake. He wondered maybe if turning around and disappearing before anyone could get to the would be a better option but it felt like his secrets were beginning to eat him alive. He seemed to have more and more piling up on his plate as each day went by but this one couldn't be ignored, couldn't just be dealt with like everything else in his life and being so caught up in the thought, he nearly jumped with the door moved.

'Dinah Lance?' Shifting his weight, he held up the paper that had previously been in his pocket, showing the familiar, drunk handwriting. 'I won't pretend you don't know who I am but I'm not here for anything malicious,' Jason bit his tongue before he continued, 'I.. need your help. Roy.. He told me about you a lot and honestly? You're the only person that could possibly assist in the situation I'm dealing with.' Listening to his own words, he wondered how pathetic he must sound; must look. It wouldn't surprise him as he more or less felt like a lost child beneath the mask and leather jacket; 'Please.'

@jason todd “Keep looking then.”

“Dinah, we’ve searched all over this city and your father has done everything in power and rank to look for Oliver. He’s not here. Honey, imagine what you’re going through.. but imagine being alone while feeling like that. You couldn’t stay in Star City what makes you think he can too?”
Dinah growls in frustration, shifting on the couch in front of her laptop. She knew her mother was right, it was self and completely unfair to assume he’d stay in the same city that was engraved with their memories. Her mother doesn’t mean the way it came out, yet the words still pierce her heart all the same. He’s gone to a place where he cannot be found, he doesn’t want Dinah to find him.

A sudden knock to the know brings her out of her self misery, startling her. that’s ood, she never had neighbors visit her before. “Mom I’ll call you back.” She quickly ends the Skype call, standing from her couch with a apprehensive expression. Slowly, she shuffles closer to the door, standing on her tiptoes to peer out the peep hold. There were many things in life Dinah expected and sometimes you have to expect the unexpected, but she /never/ could’ve predicted this. She could recognize that helmet from anywhere, Jason Todd. Unlocking the door, she only opens it halfway, leaving a rather small gap in between. “May I help you?”

@⋫ dinah lance Sitting back on his motorcycle, his gaze settled on the apartment building warily, wondering when his mind decided this was a good idea. Roy was a good friend, he'd spoken highly of the person he'd sought out but Jason wasn't exactly on the good list in the eyes of many heroes, so he hesitated. He could have gone home but it seemed anyone who entered Wayne manner left with some kind of weapon and a spandex suit - he wouldn't be having any of that.

He needed help; female help and the only one he trusted was somewhere off on an island that was ready to kill him.

Reluctant to get off the vehicle, he adjusted his jacket before glancing at the paper from his pocket; the apartment number. His steps were slow, thinking over how he'd go about showing up at her front door. Roy had often expressed how easily she was to be gotten along with but he didn't have the nicest personality, so he questioned if she'd be so willing to help an outlaw. A few minutes of movement found him infront of the door, tapping his knuckles against the wood carefully. He willed himself to ignore the nausea bubbling up in his gut.