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[thetomorrownews]

Confetti, glowsticks, free hot chocolate for all the kiddies, and an awful lot of boys in blue -- it's New Year's Eve in Gotham City. This year, as with most other years, the main festivities are being held at Merchant's Square. Neatly affixed to one of the taller buildings, there's a giant, video screen and throughout the evening there will be

Comments

[hopeyrhappytoo]

Alex decided that it'd be much more conducive to a healthy family mental state to spend new year's eve in the middle of a crowded event than it would be to spend it indoors watching tv. So, she dragged her daughter and godfather out to Merchant's Square and sent them off a'mingling with orders to report back every 30 minutes. (It is Gotham, after all)

Though, given how cold it is, she may regret this decision come tomorrow when everyone comes down with a bug.

[goshdarnniteowl]

Oh, hey, Dr. Drake, look! It's an orderly! Clutching a styrofoam cup full of hot chocolate and looking even more miserable than the cold should probably account for. He waves when he recognises her, though, one thick leather (leather?) gloved hand, and tries for a smile.

[hopeyrhappytoo]

Oh, dear. Well, Dr. Drake will just have to go right over to that orderly and see what's up, won't she? "Enjoying yourself?"

[goshdarnniteowl]

You know, that really has to hurt, pretending to smile so hard.

"Hi, Doctor Drake. I wish it wasn't so cold."

[hopeyrhappytoo]

One imagines, especially in this weather. "Yes. A bit chillier than I'd like it to be." She eyes him for a moment, and THEN. "Is everything all right?"

[goshdarnniteowl]

Wince.

"Just fine, doctor."

...oh, Daniel. You know better than that.

[hopeyrhappytoo]

She looks skeptical, Dan! "Are you sure?"

[goshdarnniteowl]

"Yeah." Okay, that smile is a little more convincing. Not that that says much. "It's --" He swallows, looking away. "It's just been a long couple of weeks."

[hopeyrhappytoo]

"It is the holidays." But that's probably not why, right? "Anything you need to talk about?" Not want. Need.

[goshdarnniteowl]

"Um." Oh, God. Secret identity! But HORRIBLE TRAUMA. But...

"I-it... not -- not here?" His voice takes on a pleading tone.

[hopeyrhappytoo]

Well. Now she's worried. Alex nods, thinking. "In there?" Somewhere. Over there, with less people and merriment.

[holyrorschach]

No. There certainly isn't anything that Daniel should be wanting to talk to the doctor about. It would take a lot of explaining anyway. Explaining he shouldn't be doing. Not here or anywhere.

So, hey, here's another orderly. He has a fresh hot cocoa. It has an abundance of marshmallows. It's his third tonight.

"Hmmm." Cocoa mustache is licked away. No one has ever looked more serious and dour doing that. "Hello doctor Drake. Daniel."

[goshdarnniteowl]

"Uh --" This maneuver Walter just pulled off shall be known henceforth as the psychblock -- the act of preventing another person from seeking mental help. Daniel shoots Dr. Drake a look that might possibly be interpreted as later? Or possibly oh god my roommate is insane heeelp.

"H -- hey, Walter."

[hopeyrhappytoo]

Believe her, Daniel. She will bring it up again later, if need be. "Hello, Walter. Enjoying yourself."

The bit of a stutter is noted.

[holyrorschach]

No stutter for Walter, though. He's as hurt as his partner, to say the least, but his usual blank expression and monotone serve far better than a false smile to cover his feelings.

"Cold. Cocoa is good, though."

[goshdarnniteowl]

"Yeah, it is." He sips, demonstrating just this, still looking down. "How about you, doctor?"