An old voice came back. (Nolanverse AU, diverging during Bruce's "lost years")

[andthethrill]

[Who's this? Just some guy, a drifter, floating around the underbelly of the world. Trying to find a purpose. He lights a cigarette, takes a drag.]

You're back.

[He's got a Gotham accent. And maybe he looks familiar... but, no. Surely not. He's far too young, for one. Maybe around the age Wayne was when he disappeared. Or a year or two older...]

It's been four years. You know that. Right? Since the last time we talked. You think it's going to be easy? Getting back in my head? You think there's anywhere I could go? [His lips twitch. Scornful.] I'm still not done. I'm still searching.

[Searching for what is a fair question, but he doesn't elaborate. He just twists the cigarette between his fingers, thinking for a moment.]

...get me my partner back. And maybe we'll talk.

Comments

[a_bad_joke]

[Four years? He he furrows his brow. Relaxes it. Stares at the floor. Licks the inside of his lips; the insides of his scars. Shrugs to no one. Four years. Forty years. Four minutes.. Doesn't matter. He is hands fiddle with the threadbare seams deep in his pants pockets and rocks on his feet (heel then ball then heel then...). ]

There's always somewhere to go. Though..ah...we're all going the same place in the end, hmm? ... Better to enjoy the journey.

[andthethrill]

[Not that Mitch has been keeping track of the passing time. Not that he was even aware, 'til he came out of storage. Hell of a blackout.]

Do something with it. [Haha, J, both of you know he doesn't enjoy things. And there's still that vague pipe dream of his...] Make a mark.

[a_bad_joke]

[J has gotten very used to Mitch not enjoying things. He has determined 'not enjoying things' to be his traveling partner's favorite thing. Finding things for Mitch to not enjoy is becoming J's favorite thing.]

When you're ready to make a...a real mark....

[andthethrill]

[Mitch has that unimpressed look, like he's heard this line a hundred times before.] You're running out of material.

I know you'd like the challenge.

[a_bad_joke]

[He stares flat and hollow at Mitch for a moment, looking unreadable and distant. A look that probably more resembles a coiled pit viper, to Mitch's eyes. Several silent seconds tick by. Then he bursts into a short fit of loud laughter, keeping unsettling eye contact all the while.]

I'm not the repetitive one here.

Wanna see the change you could make? Wanna..ah...see how I rise to a challenge? Stop talking. Make a move.

[andthethrill]

[It doesn't scare Mitch, that look. He tenses a little, shifts his stance, but there's no fear. There might be an attack coming, there might be a fight, but there's no fear. Just preparation. When J breaks into laughter, he stays tense, alert, knowing that it means nothing for his safety. He huffs softly.]

I'm working on it. I just don't know how to get there.