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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

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[laughing_magus]

Ah, New Year's. A fine excuse for liquor, frivolity, and sex with a stranger. Two out of three, so far, anyway. John carries his G&T out of one of the bars lining the square and goes back to watching the big tv with the rest of his new town. He should leave. Part of him knows that. But something tells him to stay. There's more for him to do in Gotham, still. Besides, there's still plenty of underground gambling he isn't banned from yet.

Now, where to begin the evening's flirting?

[goshdarnniteowl]

Well, probably not with any of that trio over there, talking a bit awkwardly. Vaguely familiar looking lot, aren't they?

The youngest one, a somewhat 'soft' looking, if rather tall, man, seems to think the same. His eyes land on John, then flicker to his companions. First Walter, then Dr. Drake.

"...um, doctor..." he says, voice low. "Don't look behind you."

[hopeyrhappytoo]

Oh come on, Dan. Now she wants to look behind her. That's like telling someone not to look at an elephant. "Why not?"

[holyrorschach]

Walter glances and his eyes widen. His face even reddens a little. It's only a second before he starts moving towards the escaped patient.

[goshdarnniteowl]

"...Walter!" he hisses sharply.

Their cover. You are breaking it.

"I think I see Mr. Constantine. Look and he might notice." Like he knows something about (not) catching the attention of criminals and escaped asylum patients.

[hopeyrhappytoo]

Where is Walter going. She will boggle at this. "We should alert one of the officers, then." She was a cop once. She knows how this works!

[laughing_magus]

With a casual nonchalance that says 'why no, I never saw you guys' John lights the cigarette of his new lady friend and leads her off, a bet further from his 'old friends'. Tonight, he doesn't even mind his ghosts, but Arkham employees are a no-no.

As he gets further away, he might just wave.

[holyrorschach]

Walter turns back to glare at Daniel. Does he really intend to let this madman go? John is accused of murder. Even if he's as innocent as he says, what will he do while allowed to go free?

When he turns back, John is already making his way out of view.
"Damn it.... Daniel?!"

[goshdarnniteowl]

He actually glares at Walter, then turns to Alex.

"Dr. Drake, can you go find a cop and let them know we saw him? Give then a description and a location?"

All business, all of a sudden. A surprising burst of confidence and command, in the young man.

[hopeyrhappytoo]

She gives a quick nod and rushes off to do this, all arm gestures and loud-talk at the officer, who in turn rushes off in that general direction. Shouting into his radio.

Alex is debating whether or not to ask Daniel and Walter what, exactly, is going on. She'll continue to debate this as she makes her way back over.

[scratch9]

...One of the things that's a little distressing about the subtle changes in Gotham is the complete lack of smokers.

She's lost her lighter, too.

So naturally she zeroes in on the first little plume of smoke she sees rising from the crowd, stepping out from behind a gaggle of drunken sorostitutes like a panther coming out of the tall grass.

"Excuse me. You wouldn't happen to have a light, would you?"

[laughing_magus]

"For you? Of course."

He smiles that smug little scouse grin and produces a zippo. A flick of his wrist and there's flame. John is very pleased with himself. Even as he keeps an eye on the hoard he's sure will be slapping a straight jacket on him any minute.

[scratch9]

She makes this look good, bending delicately over the exposed flame, firelight flickering on pale skin. The tiny crushing sound of the first drag. She eyes him as she inhales, deep green over the rims of her sunglasses, then tilts her head back to exhale a long plume of smoke, smiling at the end of it. Smoke drifts out between her teeth as she smiles.

"Thanks."

[laughing_magus]

Ah, two of his greatest loves: cigarettes and beautiful women. Always best together. John smiles, his eyes just as brilliantly blue as hers are green.

"Care t'take a walk with me, darling? I think we could do with a better view."

[scratch9]

Well, if he tries anything she doesn't like, she can always beat him up and take his wallet.

"Sure, why not?" Caution has never been one of her best virtues.

[laughing_magus]

She sure can. He's complete crap in a fight and his wallet, well, that's mostly empty. Most of his money is in his sock. Largely because he gets beaten up often and loses a lot of wallets.

John leads Selina closer to the big screen and away from his former keepers. He even gets her a glass of champagne.
"S'my first New Year's in the states. Hear you go all out."