[log] Joke's on You [closed]

[jumpthegun]

Characters: Watson, Joker, England, Natasha Romanov, Tony Stark, Quark, and Luna
Location South of the school in various locations.
Date: Day 143-144
Summary: In which the Joker and Watson tussle, the Avengers and England come to the aid of Watson, Luna and Quark come to provide moral and healing assistance, and Natasha Romanov and Tony Stark take on the Joker, themselves.
Warnings: A lot of violence.

Comments

Day 143 - Morning (closed to the Joker)

[jumpthegun]

[John parts ways with Fiona and is off, out of the house quickly in the morning. The conversation with Bucky last night speeds his steps toward the clinic. He thinks he can make it to there and the shed in one day if he hurries it up. But if it's just the one, then he needs to reach the clinic today with plenty of time to look around and then report to the other man.

It's later in the morning when he catches sight of another person across the snow. While he is in a hurry, John slows his steps and tries to pick out who it might be - maybe someone who saw Peggy? There's no harm in asking, at least.]

Hey! Hey, it's-

[The shout of greeting dies on his lips and his wave to draw attention stills. That's a bright splash of purple against the white snow. He knows who that is, and it's someone he really doesn't have time for right now. Least of all when he has Alfie's warning about idiotic plans banging around in his head.

Just turning and leaving now isn't going to work either, though. But what happened with Royce... But Fiona is in the area. What if she accidentally runs into him? John can't exactly tail the man and-

Well, he can't now with the Joker approaching. He pulls out the sharp little fruit knife from his jacket pocket and holds his ground, waiting for the other man to draw nearer. His voice is a military bark when he next addresses the Joker.]

Stop where you are!

[harlequinofhate]

[The Joker is thinking about the men who had locked him in that damn room. Of course he'd gotten away... It wasn't like it had been lockdown and, heck, he's a master escape artist (if he says so himself).

Still, they had gotten the drop on him which just isn't funny. He is grimacing, thinking black thoughts when he sees someone wave to him. Him. Now that is funny.

It doesn't take long for him to recognize the voice as Watson's. He stops a few paces away, the fireplace poker tucked under one arm and his hands thrust into his pockets.

"Stop where you are!"

He looks over his shoulder, pretending to search for whoever Watson might be talking to, then turns back with an arched brow.]

[jumpthegun]

[Is he the reason Peggy...? John knows he shouldn't jump to conclusions, but that fireplace poker is looking rather prominent. His eyes turn to the tip, looking for signs of blood. John keeps his own weapon down near his side.]

You can't go south right now, Mr. Joker, there are people in the area. Turn around and head north. I'll follow you.

[And figure out precisely what to do with the man when they reach shelter for the night. This is Royce all over again, but he's going to do this differently, and he's not going to go with the initial plan. Maybe he can call Tony and ask him what to do while they march.]

[harlequinofhate]

[The Joker takes a casual step towards Watson.]

People in the area, hm? What do you think I'm gonna do?

SNAP AND SLAUGHTER EVERYONE AROUND ME?

[As he shouts that last part he swings the fireplace poker and freezes with the tip an inch from Watson's face.]

[jumpthegun]

[John tenses when the fireplace poker swings, but manages to hold down on the instinctive desire to lash out. One more try for words, then he's going after the other man. Okay. This is fine. He's wounded, he's sick, and John's taken on men his size before. It's the Joker, though. This isn't a fight he expects to be easy at all.]

Yeah. Actually. So, turn around and start walking.

Day 143 - Rescuer Mingle

[jumpthegun]

[It's after the Joker's message has gone out that people will be able to find John in his shallow grave.

Or perhaps it's later, still, than that when everyone has gone to the nearest available building:

Step into the only remaining room in this house and you'll be in for a shock--at first blush, it looks like you've stepped into a room that has blood all over the floor and walls. Look closer, though, and it's actually paint. This was once an artist's studio, judging by the canvases stacked up in the corner. It seems like there were paintings on the canvases once, but now they're muddy or blacked out entirely by thick paint. Some of the paint on the walls has been scraped away, revealing yet more paint. Some of the canvases have had their paint scraped off, or have been taken apart entirely.]

[jumpthegun]

[Out in the area just north of the painter's studio, there's empty snow stretching all the way toward the school. Well, mostly empty. There's scattered debris here and there, and amongst the rubble, there's a man's boot sticking out of a drift.

Watson is very much dead to the world, but at least the bleeding from his head has stopped on its own. Some of the snow in the near vicinity may be flecked with red spots of blood.]

[redrooms]

[Tony and Natasha have been searching since the Joker's message went up, largely in the area Luna mentioned. It's slow going—Watson could be anywhere, and there isn't much to go off of other than hearsay on the network. Others are looking too, at least, which is a bright spot, but Natasha is already considering the fact that they're going to have to keep an eye on the Joker in the future.

South of the school, Natasha spots a figure in the distance. Certainly not Watson, considering they're moving on their own power and look relatively uninjured, so she assumes it must be England. Natasha angles herself so that they'll cross paths, calling out across the snow.]

Have you found anything?

[keepscalm]

[England recognises the voice from the audio messages on the Joker's post. Natasha. Funny that they'd meet under these circumstances; as curious as she was about nations, she's going to get to see one truly in action.

She has someone with her, he notices. He's grateful that they're looking too, but he doesn't let his gaze linger too long on the pair. His eyes are scanning the snowy landscape for any sign of Watson. He raises his voice in response.] Nothing yet. I assume you haven't, either.

[Or she wouldn't be asking, of course.]

[definingfuture]

[There's so much ground to cover it's almost impossible to know if they are in the right area. The snow all looks the same piled up, and he's all too aware that they are running out of time. It's down to luck.

Thank God at least other people are looking too. They have a better chance with more eyes.]

Nothing this way. There should be tracks. [He hopes they'll be able to tell.]

Day 144 - The Calvalry Mingle

[jumpthegun]

[While Natasha and Tony go off to chase down the Joker, John is left recovering in England's care. Quark and Luna may be along to assist with that, even if doctors tend to make the worst patients.]

[jumpthegun]

A - Morning
[On the bright side, John is conscious, mostly alert, and no longer suffering the worst effects of hypothermia. On the not terribly bright side, it feels like someone crashed a lorry into his head, his toes, fingers, ears, and cheeks are all tingling and pins and needles, and he's having some mild nausea and vertigo. Not unexpected after multiple blows to the head.

He's propped up in one corner of the painter's gallery they carried him to last night. Normally, John would make the rounds for a greeting, but for now, he just stays bundled up where he is. If anyone passes nearby, though, he'll smile at them, and speak in a soft voice.]

Morning. Sorry about yesterday. Bit of trouble.


B - Afternoon
[It's the right ear. He needs a second opinion, but John can feel the difference in the pain with that one. He's expecting frostbite. Luna should be here soon to make a judgement on it. And then... then he's going to have to ask her to do something very unpleasant while England and Quark try not to watch.

He doesn't have much in the way of rations left, but he's trying to eat something, and he's willing to share.]

Have you eaten lunch, yet? Got a bit extra here.

A!

[redrooms]

[Natasha wanted to check up on John anyway, partially out of genuine concern and partially to get a read on him. Tony says he knows who they are and had a flimsy excuse as to why, and she can't just dismiss that. On the other hand, she's seen him on the network. He seems to genuinely want to help people, and this situation is apparently no exception. She's keeping that in mind, and it's why she smiles at him, shaking her head.]

That's a strange thing to apologize for. Do you mind if I join you?

[jumpthegun]

[Black Widow. Black Widow. Black Widow. Play it cool.]

Yeah, sure. Please.

[He tries to sit up a little straighter and winces.]

Just habit, I s'pose. Don't like to make a fuss. Mm... nostalgic, though.

[John reaches up to brush gingerly at one of his temples.]

[redrooms]

[Natasha sits down beside him, absently smoothing her coat as she does.]

Nostalgic? Brain injuries are nostalgic?

A!

[keepscalm]

[It's not even a question that England eventually wanders his way back over to Watson. Truth be told, he's been checking pretty frequently, so he's surprised this time when he sees that John is awake. He's just as surprised by what John says, but he really shouldn't be; it's the kind of thing he would say in that position, as well.

England scoffs, though it's not out of annoyance.] A bit! Honestly. You've got nothing to apologise for. I'm just glad we found you.

[Though England typically tends to communicate with a very certain distance, especially on the network, he sounds sincere now.]

[jumpthegun]

[He pushes himself a little bit more up with a wince.]

Me, as well. Much obliged for that. [He's more than much obliged.] Not sure I was thinking all that clearly last night to thank you and the others properly. You save my life. Thank you, sir. If you ever need anything, I'll be there to help you.

[To serve his country like before. That seems like a very silly joke to make just now, though. And he's still... a little weirded out by the spirit of the country thing.]

B

[brokethefirst]

[For once, Luna's leading the way through the snow as she and Quark march towards the clinic, trying to keep a steady pace despite the frigid temperatures. When she finally pushes the door open to let Quark follow in behind her, what parts of her face that aren't already wrapped are flushed, her breath heavy and fogged as she scans the gallery.

Spotting Watson, at least, doesn't take much time at all. The tension stringing her up instantly melts.]

J-John--- oh, thank goodness...

[It's muffled under her makeshift scarf, one she fumbles to pull down off her face as she crosses over to him, her brows furrowed tight. Her bags have hardly hit the floor before she's digging through to pull out a stethoscope.]

How long have you been awake?

[jumpthegun]

[He probably should have expected the panicked concern. He offers her a wider smile.]

Few hours now. It's fine, Luna, really. Worst of the hypothermia's over.

[But John will shift with a wince to make an examination easier. His lungs and heart are strong, if she checks. His head has some obviously tender lumps on it, and he's sporting a black eye on the left side where Joker hit near his temple. There's a cut there that's healed over, as well. The skin on the tip of his nose and cheeks shows signs of frostnip, but nothing worse. His fingers are a little worst with some superficial frostbite, along with his left ear. The right ear... that's probably the biggest problem. It's already starting to blister badly, the skin blackening.]

Right ear's numb, though. Hasn't come back like the rest. [He licks his lips, and when he speaks, John's voice is quieter, gentler, apologetic.] Luna, have you ever conducted a partial amputation?

A

[definingfuture]

[At least John isn't on the brink of death. He doesn't look great, but he seems as though he'll make it, at least. That's encouraging. Tony actually comes to check up on him, because the fact they found him buried like that made everyone's hearts stop at least for a moment. He wants to make sure he's okay now.]

How are you feeling? Warm enough?

[Is John really apologizing for nearly getting killed? Tony doesn't ask, but he does give him a questioning look at that.]

[jumpthegun]

[It's a joke, Tony. Mostly. He does feel bad about being a bother.]

All right as I can be, I s'pose. And if you'd like to sit down next to me, I imagine it'd be warmer.

[There's a pause, and then John winces.]

That wasn't a come-on. I just mean if you want to sit down and talk, you're welcome. You don't have to stand. There. I think I can still claim the hypothermia and delirium, yeah?

Day 144, Building 58

[harlequinofhate]

[Joker slouches into the structure and rubs at his nose with the back of his hand.

There is a pain throbbing between his eyes and he feels colder than he's ever felt in his life.]

Well, fiddle sticks.

[A coughing fit racks through him and he collapses to his knees. Blood trickles from his lips to the floor.

Ah.

What a stupid way, he thinks, for a man like him to die.

He glares at the droplets of blood on the floor for a few seconds before dragging himself back to his feet.]

[redrooms]

[The Joker has made a nice, pretty trail of blood for them to follow through the snow, at least. It stands out stark against the white, and so as soon as they spot it, they have no trouble figuring out where he's going. He's got a bit of a head start and Natasha isn't too worried about catching up right away. Better to corner him in a building, she thinks, where he won't escape.

Her goal here, really, is twofold: Try to make sure the Joker doesn't hurt anyone else, and try to get him fixated on her, if possible. If she can hold his attention, maybe he'll be more likely to come after her than anyone else, and she thinks she can handle him. Arrogant of her, probably.

The blood leads them to a house, half-ruined and covered in snow, and Natasha stops, looking over at Tony.]

It looks like this is it. Are you ready?

[definingfuture]

[At least Watson's attempts at self defense did something for him. He might have saved his own life and left them a trail. What they are going to do now that they might actually find the Joker, well, that... Tony isn't sure of. He wants to make sure the Joker doesn't corner someone else, but in order to make sure that happens, will the two of them have to keep him confined? Hold him in some sort of improvised custody?

Do something else?

He just hopes they aren't making this worse by pissing him off.]

Disable. No killing. If he wakes up on the other end of town or something we won't be able to catch up to him quickly.

[And he's still not sure how this death and revival thing is supposed to work. But Tony nods at Natasha as they prepare to head in. Ready, set, charge.]

[redrooms]

[Natasha smiles a little, pulling her scissors out of her coat pocket.]

No killing. I know.

[But she's not going in unarmed, of course. She's already given Tony the rundown of what Watson told her, and she's really not looking forward to potentially dealing with acid guns or crowbars or... whatever it is the Joker has prepared for them, but hey. For the greater good, right? So, one last glance at Tony, and then she pushes the door open, preparing for the Joker to rush her, just in case.]