itinere | Open | Network or Action | And all the sinners crawl

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mcu: matt murdock (daredevil)

Open | Network or Action | And all the sinners crawl

Matt doesn't get on the network immediately. In fact, he's a little surprised to find that his PDA seems to have excellent voice control capabilities. He's also surprised to find an apartment that's laid out very much like his at home. As he explores the city, sunglasses on and cane in hand, there's a lot about this place that surprises him.

It's not until the third day, and plenty of exploring, that he finally gets on the network. He's sitting in a coffee shop, coffee at hand when he brings up the video screen and network capabilities. He probably looks pretty puzzled on the screen (because he is) but he also tries to look friendly enough. He's talked to a few people in the last few days, but not the city at large.

"Matthew Murdock," he tells the video screen, "and I guess you could say I'm new here. I've gathered a few things about this city, like the door I came in through doesn't go both ways and there are some very strange coincidences going on." He'll be happy to share some of those coincidences should anyone ask, but they mostly consist of his apartment right now.

"In any case, any information about this place will be very welcome."

That said, he turns the video function off, pockets the PDA and picks up his coffee. He's going to continue exploring and can be found just about anywhere in the city. Occasionally he'll stop, cock his head to one side and appear to be listening to something, but then he'll continue on, cane tapping ahead of him.

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Maybe she doesn't think so, but many people would find it admirable. People like a survivor. They admire them. Her popularity in the Games ought to be evidence of that. As for her personality, he'll reserve judgement for the moment.

It's one of his better qualities, at least it's one of the qualities that make him a good lawyer, a good vigilante and, he hopes, a good friend. It's not always a quality you want to come up against in opposition, but as long as he's on your side it's a good thing.

He wouldn't be a very good lawyer if he couldn't come up with a reasonable response to most arguments, but in this case it's true. He grins, chuckling a little at her words. "That would be far too easy and probably boring," he says in response.

She doesn't think so. She still doesn't think that anyone in Panem should have ever admired her. Or followed her. But they had. They had believed in the Mockingjay. Katniss will never understand the effect that she has on other people. Ever. Apparently there's something there. Even after she had killed President Coin and nearly threw the new government into disarray before it had a chance to even begin, there were still people that liked her.

It probably is one of his better qualities. Or Katniss just has a preference for stubbornness in her life. She'll reserve judgement on the friendship thing for the moment. Though he is turning out to be as interesting as she had initially thought.

She grins a little at his response, ducking her head a little awkwardly. "You must be really bored."

Humility is a good quality to have. Arrogance is off-putting, at least to Matt, and is often a weakness.

He's not weighing in on which one. See, reserved judgement is a good thing! Just go with it.

He can hear that grin in her voice when she speaks. He smirks a little and makes a show of looking around. "Well, very few things have captured my interest so far." He pauses just long enough. "Care to give me a tour?"

Reserved judgement might be a good thing. Or it might get her into a lot of trouble. The last friend she had tried making here had disappeared sometime during the chaos. Katniss would prefer to think Peter went home rather than think he died trying to save someone. It's better that way. People are generally safer without her in their lives.

She should tell that to Matt. Let him make his mind up now and know how few of her friends survived the uprising back home. How even her sister had been killed because of Katniss' actions. She should tell him that she's a very dangerous interest to have.

But the compliment is nice. It's the kind of attention she almost misses. Does miss once she lets herself acknowledge those sorts of emotions. Except for Prim, everyone else she knows is in Panem. She might never see them again.

"I'm not a very good tour guide," she warns. The answer isn't a no though. For all Katniss should step away from him, she doesn't want to quite yet.

Fair enough, but she can't take credit for someone disappearing from this place unless she's in control of the door and the events that occur here.

She could tell him and he wouldn't listen. His life back home is plenty dangerous and he's reasonably sure he can handle whatever danger comes his way.

It's not a crime to miss sincere compliments. They're good for a person. She's got to be lonely even though she does have her sister here.

It's not a no and Matt will take it. He grins and shakes his head. "It's okay. You can make anything up and I won't be able to see the difference," he assures her. He hesitates a moment. "Do you mind if I take your arm?" he gestures with his hand as he says it.

No, she can't. She has no control over anything that goes on in Itinere. She's learned that repeatedly within the past year. But at least Prim's still here. No matter how much it would be safe for her sister never to be around Katniss again, lest someone else use Prim against her, she has a chance for a life here. That outweighs any other fear.

He really is stubborn. That's something she'll probably start realizing again and again as she gets to know him. But she can be just as stubborn. Easily.

She's lonelier than she cares to admit. It's why she's still standing here right now.

And why she nods when he asks if he can take her arm. She readjusts her bow to her other shoulder and places his hand on her forearm. "Anything you want to see first?"

Then she can't take responsibility for it. It's just bad luck and coincidence. It's highly likely everyone here knows someone that has left.

Then they should have lots of fun together.

At least she's making progress then. Matt is a good friend most of the time anyway.

Once she places his hand on her forearm, he moves to her side. "Show me your favorite place." He figures he'll get to see the town and get to know her at the same time.

The odds are never in her favor. They hadn't been in Panem. Not really. Why should she think that it would be any different in Itinere? This place isn't normal. It's far from normal, further than anything she could even imagine. Really, it surprises her that she still has Prim in her life a year later. She shouldn't have that kind of luck.

"Can you walk in the woods?" Katniss asks. While she has no doubt that at this point in her life, she could walk within Itinere's forests blind, she's not sure the same can be said of someone who hasn't been in there before. "My favorite place? It's in there."

Maybe her luck is turning. Some places are rougher than others though, Matt understands that. No, even though Matt hasn't been here long, it's become obvious to him that this place isn't normal.

He nods at her question. "I'm surprisingly good at navigating, particularly if it's quiet. I can follow you, or let you lead me if there's room on the path."

He'll be able to navigate much better than she can even imagine. He's just hoping that she hasn't been around any blind people to know how limited his navigation skills should be.

Wouldn’t that be something? That if after all this time, all the pain and loss and hardship, she could finally have something good in her life. Something that won’t just fall apart because of a word or an action. For her first few days here, Katniss had almost let herself believe that it could happen. She and Prim were together again. Then the white roses had appeared and she knew the odds still were not in her favor.

She looks him over with some doubt on her face. There aren’t all that many disabled people in District 12. But there were always some, especially within the Seam. Coal mining is dangerous work and it wasn’t as if the Capitol cared all that much about the safety of the Districts. But even though she never spent that much time around those few blind she knew of, she has a hard time imagining any of them making their way through the woods. Does he have some other way to compensate for the loss of sight? Peeta had learned to cope with an artificial leg. She still remembers what it had felt like to lose hearing in one ear. If the Capitol doctors hadn’t restored it, would she have found some way of compensation that would have preserved her skills in hunting?

It takes her a few seconds to realize that she’s studying him rather than replying or walking. Katniss frowns and gives a thoughtful shake of her head. She’s curious but not curious enough to pry. “Guess we’ll find out. I spend a lot of time out there. It’s quiet. Peaceful.”

Everyone deserves some good in her life and after everything that Katniss has gone through, she deserves it maybe more than most. Maybe this will be the place she gets that good life.

He can't see that doubt, but he can sense it. Perhaps he should have lied and said that he can't navigate the forest, but he is interested in exploring all of Itinere, in figuring out what is here and what it lacks. Maybe that will help him figure out this place. He's got a way to compensate for his lack of sight and he thinks that most disabled people do figure out a way to compensate, though his way is unique and he does function better than most blinded (and some fully abled people) because of his special senses and the training that Stick gave him.

He knows he's being studied and he's quiet, still, content to let her study him. "I'm looking forward to visiting it then. Shall we?" he asks. "I'll let you know if I'm having a difficult time."

After everything Katniss has gone through, she's convinced that she deserves it even less than most other people. She's killed children. She's been responsible for the deaths of so many other people, directly and indirectly. It might have been in the name of survival or in order to protect her sister, but it doesn't excuse everything she had done. Nothing will ever excuse that.

Katniss had explored a little when she first arrived here. But after she stumbled on the forest, most of her explorations had been among those trees. Though she's curious, that need for some kind of sanity wins out. The only way she ever gets that is by losing herself in her treks and hunts. But if he wants to see the woods, she'll take him with her. Most people don't. And it gives her a better chance to try and figure him out.

"Okay," Katniss answers as she begins to lead him back in the direction she had come. They only make it a few steps before she blurts out, "How long have you been blind?"

Matt doesn't know the whole story so he really can't speak to that, but it's a matter of opinion and what she's trying to do now counts toward that opinion as do all the circumstances in which she did those things.

Everyone has a favorite spot. He generally prefers the tops of high buildings, but then he's never been in an actual forest. He'll. no doubt, find the top of the highest building here and perch on the roof to listen to the sounds of the town below. He's curious by nature and it helps to have someone with him to tell him about the areas they're in. He'd lived in Hell's Kitchen so long that he knew his little corner of the city like the back of his hand. This place is a whole new world and he wants to explore all of it. He also appreciates having someone to show him around.

He's listening to everything around them and he hears her intake of breath, knows that she's about to ask something just before he does. He smiles slightly at her question. "I was nine when the accident happened. A truck swerved to miss me and the chemicals it was carrying spilled everywhere. My eyes got the worst of it. I'm thirty now, so well over half my life."

He doesn't appear to take offense to her question because he's not offended. She simply had the courage to ask what everyone wants to know. He admires that. He'd rather her be frank and curious rather than dance around her question.

Maybe. Unlikely. Very unlikely. Really, it's too bad that Teleios doesn't have someone like Dr. Aurelius. She could probably still use the therapy.

The tops of high buildings aren't bad. Then again, Katniss' only experience with high buildings had been the training center in the Capitol. Still, she has fond memories of the gardens on the top of the building. She could probably be talked into exploring more rooftops in Itinere. If they even exist.

While he might appreciate her bluntness, she appreciates that he doesn't mind. And that he answers so honestly. Katniss isn't sure if she's supposed to feel bad for him. But pity isn't really something she's good at. Bad things happen to everyone. He just happened to have it a little worse. So did she.

"You know how to live with it," she decides, pausing thoughtfully for a few seconds before continuing. "Did it take long to adapt?"

There's probably more than one person here who could use therapy.

Perhaps one of these buildings has a nice rooftop garden, or at least a good patio to sit on. Matt may take that challenge. He'll have her on a rooftop before long.

They'll be good conversation partners then. He definitely doesn't want pity, nor does he need it. He's made his peace a long time ago with his blindness. The same can't be said for his father's murder, but she's right: bad things happen to everyone.

He nods a little at her statement then presses his lips together as he considers that. "A few months to learn how to function with blindness. Several more to really be comfortable with it."

Perhaps it might. There's a lot about Itinere that Katniss still hasn't seen for herself yet. And there's a lot about Itinere that seems to change almost every day. There are worse challenges that he can take on. Charming Katniss on to a rooftop might not be so hard in the end. She never minded heights before.

Then he understands. And maybe if she opens up to him, he won't pity her either. She doesn't want anyone's pity. Or sympathy or empathy or any of that. Bad things happen. Even if that wasn't the case, she's not a good person. She doesn't deserve pity.

He's brave. Katniss can't imagine going life blind. She doesn't want to. How would she hunt? How would she survive? Nearly losing her hearing in one ear had been bad enough. She's quiet for a while after his admission, listening to his footsteps and the click of his cane on the sidewalk as they near the forest. Finally, "It's sunny out today. There are a few clouds in the sky. We've left the heart of the town and there are less buildings here. But there's still road. The road eventually leads to mountains but my trail starts before then. It's between a couple of oaks. I've marked one of them with an X so I know where to go."

Well, since this place seems a little light on the need for vigilantes, Matt might just take up that challenge.

No. He's not big on pity. He had enough of that when he was a kid that had lost his sight. She won't have to worry about pity from him. Sympathy and empathy might be something she does have to worry about. However, he'll try not to be overt about it.

Maybe. Though he wouldn't necessarily be comfortable with that descriptor. He'd had to go through life blind. There hadn't been other choices. He'd learned to adapt and yes, his abilities had made it much, much easier. He's aware of that. He turns his face up to the sky when she talks about it. He's wearing his sunglasses. "Can you show me the X? If you don't mind the chance that I might be able to find your spot without you one day."

They could have used a few vigilantes a couple of months ago. Now, not so much. Regardless, she'll happily give him a challenge to try and live up to.

It's so much easier when someone understands where you're coming from. When they get why pity really isn't something that's ever wanted. Or all that needed. In the end, some kind of sympathy and empathy might not be so bad. But it will take her a while to be willing to accept it.

She looks at him for a moment when he tilts his head up. The sunglasses hide his eyes and she nearly asks him if all he sees is the reddish glow from the glasses or nothing but black. He beats her too the next question though and she frowns thoughtfully. "Have you been counting steps?"

Because while she doesn't mind showing him the X, she's not sure how he'll ever find it himself unless he touches every tree along the road. That seems kind of futile to her.

He would have liked for the timing to be different. Matt is going to find doing nothing a bit difficult. He'll have to eventually find a way to pass the time, though he's not sure how.

He, at least, understands that even if their experiences are quite different. As for her taking time to accept sympathy and empathy, he's generally a very patient man. He cares about people in general, wants to help them and if all is required is patience to do that then he's more than capable of it.

He wouldn't mind the question, but the answer is nothing but black. He lowers hsi head and nods a bit at her question. "I almost always do. It helps me navigate a place on my own until I know my way around."

But timing never goes how you expect it to. Just like the odds are not always in your favor. Katniss is more than aware of both of those things. It's happened more than once in her life. But it shouldn't be too hard for him to find things to do in Itinere. Everyone seems to find something. And it's not as if life is always good here. Bad things have happened before. Who's to say they won't happen again?

Besides, if he is that patient, he'll find a way to wait it out. Katniss needs more patience in her life. People who are patient and willing to give her time or help her as she starts to heal.

That does make sense. It can't be easy though, having to count all those steps and remember them until he's completely used to a new place. She looks at him with a hint of admiration. "Then I guess you can stop counting." She takes the hand resting on her arm in her own hand and places it on top of the X. "This is where the trail begins."

No, it really doesn't: the law of the universe, or something like that. Matt is aware of those things as well, though not to the same extremes that Katniss is. He'll adapt. Matt is good at that. Maybe it's because he grew up in a state home or maybe it's because he's blind. Either way, he's learned to adapt.

He will find a way to wait it out. Most people, most situations, can use more patience. Though it's not always easy to be patient.

Easy, no, but counting isn't all Matt does. It's just the easiest one to explain. He's also paying attention to sounds and smells, the way the path feels. He lets her place his hand against the X on the tree. His fingers trace the marks in the tree bark. He runs his hand along the tree. He nods a little then takes her arm again. "Lead the way."

Games. It all comes down to games. Games and Gamemakers. Katniss might not have any concept of gods or religion but she wouldn't be all surprised if someone someday told her that there was someone else using her as a playing piece in their games. It would be hard to believe but it still wouldn't be much of a surprise.

It isn't always easy to be patient. Nor is it always easy to survive. But you find a way, somehow or another. There's no other choice in the end.

Counting steps would also be one of the only things to make much sense to her. There are muttations where she's from but no people with gifted powers. She wouldn't understand all the other ways that Matt can 'see.' Not right away. But she can appreciate his bravery (foolhardiness?). Going into a forest blind and with a stranger. She almost grins. "This way," she says, pulling him into the woods behind her.

Matt likes to think that they're all more to God than that: pieces in a game, but he certainly can't promise her that. He's not sure that anyone can.

No, it's not, but Matt has found that's true about life in general. You just hope that you have moments worth all the difficulties.

It's not nearly as foolhardy or as brave as she thinks. He can certainly take care of himself and he'd be able to tell if she had any ill intent. He does stumble a few times, but it's mostly for effect. However, there's an exposed tree root that does genuinely trip him up. This terrain isn't anything like the sidewalks or even the rooftops he's used to navigating.

At least Matt's worldview is a lot less depressing. She wouldn't mind thinking that her life means something more than that of a game piece. It's just hard, very hard, to get herself to think otherwise.

It's a lot harder when those moments seem few and far in between. And when you don't think yourself worthy of much good in your life.

It's not very nice of her to grin a little more widely when Matt trips over the root. But she had warned him that they'd be going into the woods. Did he really expect the pavement of the roads outside? As much as his near-accident amuses her, she also reaches out behind her to help steady him. "Are you okay?"

That's probably something that's going to take a while. Matt had had a pretty depressing outlook on life for a few years as a kid. That had changed as he'd gotten older, as he'd made a plan to make the world, at least his corner of it a better place. It had given his hope something to stand on, so to speak.

Oh, Katniss.

Maybe he should face-plant if that's the reaction he gets to tripping. Though, he generally tries to avoid things like that. He didn't expect pavement. He'd really had no idea what to expect: first time in the woods after all. He nods a little at her question. "I'm fine. I just need to focus. I hadn't expected there to be so many sounds and smells out here. I guess I think of woods as quiet."

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stillplaying - 2016-06-05 21:03 (UTC) - Expand

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