Perched with Discontented Stillness

Flying By?

Sat, 30 May 2009 18:43:35 GMT

Date: July 29th, 1965. 9:45 am

I don't know how the time got away from me, but it did. I feel like this past month just escaped my grasp, because I've been so busy. Not just patrolling at night (more on that in a minute), but I also picked up a lot of volunteer work at the Natural History Museum as of late. It's fun teaching kids about biology and ecology, and while they are more interested in the lions and elephants than the birds, I try to make our feathered friends as interesting as I can. I also have been getting the kinks of out an actual transportation vehicle for me and Rorschach. After a couple test runs (and many fires put out) I think I finally have it under control, and I want to take it out sometime next week. It's been so rainy lately though that I don't want to risk it short circuiting. That would be disastrous.

And yes, I have been working with Rorschach. I think that we're finally getting on the same page in regards of what we expect of each other, which took a little time. We're just so different, but we've struck a balance between brute force and diplomatic strategy. We were out late last night, we had to temper some gang violence over near Chelsea and it took more time than we thought it would. I wanted to do something to congratulate him on a job well done, but he isn't really the type that you can just buy a beer. I'm not sure he even approves of beer, he doesn't seem to approve of a lot of things. It's a difference for certain, but it works for us. Hollis has voiced some concern, but I'm fairly sure that he has nothing to worry about.

I need breakfast. Now I just have to decide between cereal and eggs and toast...

Fireworks and Such

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 23:20:10 GMT

Date: July 4th, 1965. 4:30pm

I am taking the night off! Hollis invited me to go watch fireworks with him, and since it's been awhile since I went to watch any kind of celebration of this country I figure why not? And besides, Hollis came over for Passover Seder this year, so I should accept an invitation at his place. Even if I do have beer at his place every weekend. It's a nice change of pace.

I do have some qualms with celebrating the 4th the way this country does (liberal guilt, as Dad used to call it), but overall I like the hoopla of it. And THIS time, I'M providing the beer. I'm not going to drink him out of house and home without a little compensation.

I wonder if Rorschach is going to go out tonight. I haven't sought him out yet, even though I think that I really should. Especially since he expects me to do so. I don't know what I'm afraid of. I'm not even really afraid. I don't know what I am. Hesitant is the best way to describe it. I should work on that.

Well, I'm grabbing the beer from the fridge and heading out. I wonder if Hollis would accept an import or if that's some kind of 4th of July blasphemy...

Good News!

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 04:25:06 GMT

June 27th, 1965, 11:45pm

I'm soaking wet. I'm freezing. I'm probably going to catch pneumonia. But I am really, really pleased right now. I'm hoping to draw a bath in a bit here, but I wanted to make note of everything that happened.

I confronted Rorschach.

And I think he accepted my offer.

I'm a little hesitant to make any definite statements, but if I took what he said correctly, or if I interpreted it correctly I should say, we're at least going to give it a try. I can't wait to tell Hollis about all this when I see him this weekend, he'll be so happy to find out that I've found someone to work with. Just like old times, old times I never got to experience but wanted to. I probably shouldn't get my hopes up, but I can't help it.

I didn't get any work done tonight, which isn't a good thing. I'll have to work extra hard tomorrow, assuming I'm not sick in the morning from standing out in the rain for awhile. That is where the bath comes in. A bath, followed by some tea, and a good book before going to bed. I think some Tolstoy is good for a rainy night.

Okay, yes, bath time. Now.

The Other Foot

Sat, 04 Apr 2009 22:54:21 GMT

Date: June 25th, 1965, 10:20 pm

I think the tables have been turned on me. While out on my usual patrol tonight, I got the distinct feeling of being watched. I tried to shake it off, thinking that perhaps I'm turning a little more paranoid as time goes on, but then I found confirmation...

I had just subdued a mugger who had run into a dilapidated pharmacy. I was in the middle of tying him up when I heard a noise outside. Thinking he had friends, I quickly finished the knots around his wrists and ankles and prepared myself for a fight. When no one came through the door, I cautiously made my way outside to see if I was indeed in for a fight. I looked down the street both ways, and saw nothing. I was getting frustrated with myself, thinking I had overreacted... Until I turned around, and saw that there was something on the door.

It was a piece of paper, stained with ketchup and mustard, most likely from the burger place down the street a ways. But along with the condiments, there were symbols in black ink, recently drawn. The patterns were two nearly mirrored images, lines and spots. Ladies and gentlemen, I am being watched, and I can only assume it's by Rorschach. I'm not sure how to take this. I don't think he's mad. I don't think he's thrilled I was following him, but anger it's not. I think he's testing me, seeing how I'll react to this. So I just looked at it neutrally, figuring that if I showed fear or contempt he'd want nothing to do with me. I just pocketed the message and went back inside the pharmacy. Hopefully I passed whatever test it was he gave me. And it just makes me even more determined to confront this guy. I think this shows that maybe he's as ready as I am to finally meet. Hollis cautioned me about this a couple nights ago, saying that I might not want to deal or mess with someone as mysterious as this Rorschach fellow. I kindly pointed out that the most mysterious of the Minutemen wasn't the one he had to worry about, as I'd rather meet Hooded Justice in a dark alley than The Comedian.

I'm going to introduce myself to Rorschach tomorrow night. I can only hope it goes well. If it doesn't I might be in traction at my next entry.

::edit:: Alright, perhaps I'm chickening out, but I'm going to give it a few days...

An Education

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 06:11:21 GMT

Date: June 20th, 1965, 11:45 pm

It never occurred to me that there were different ways to approach crime fighting. I had always assumed that the way I did it was the way that everyone did it. After all, I've basically modeled it after what the Original Nite Owl did, I asked Hollis exactly what his procedure was, what his philosophies were, all that. But after trailing Rorschach for the past couple of nights, I have learned that there are, indeed, lots of other ways to patrol the city and keep it safe. Ways in which I am not exactly comfortable implementing myself. That isn't to say they aren't effective, and I can understand why he would do them. And yet I need to figure out if I am going to pursue a partnership with this man. There are pros and there are cons:

Pros for asking: strength in numbers, diversifying strategies, playing to strengths.

Cons for asking: possibly compromising in certain areas I wouldn't compromise in otherwise.

Honestly I think we could be a pretty good team if he was willing to work with me. Watching him at the Grimalkin (is that what it was called?) Diner the other night gave me a front row seat to raw vigilante justice, without the gadgets and protective gear that I have worked into my fighting skills. He just goes right in, fighting with his fists and whatever weapons are available to him if he needs them. Which he certainly didn't the other night. It was both terrifying and enthralling to watch him. I know that I could never do what he does, and I envy him on some level. On other levels I'm thankful I could never do that. Now that I've observed him for the past couple of nights I need to figure out how I'm exactly going to approach him. I also have no idea what he's going to say to my proposition.

The creepy thing? I think he knew I was there. And yet he did nothing about it. I don't know what it was, but there was a certain level of understanding in his movements. I say this because the first night, after the Diner fight, he lost me pretty easily. But the next few nights, I was able to follow him for longer bouts of time, increasing with each passing day. And I don't think it had anything to do with my stealth, as I know I lack that. It was as if he was allowing me to take it all in....

Decision Made

Sun, 29 Mar 2009 01:26:54 GMT

Date: June 16th, 1965, 5:30 pm.

Today my head was much better. I'm definitely going out tonight, and I'll be more cautious. I spent much of the morning working on practical ways to reinforce my mask and headgear, I decided it would make the most sense to sew some steel plates into the areas around my head. That isn't to say I spent all day doing that. I did make my way up to the zoo this afternoon. I find that going to look at the birds helps clear my head, especially when I have some hefty decisions to make. So I strolled the grounds, observing not only the owls (though they are admittedly my favorite), but the other birds of prey and the more 'exotic' birds from Asia and South America.

I mentioned a decision I had to make. I've decided that, assuming the information I gather tonight is favorable, I am going to try to recruit a partner. Specifically I am going to try to recruit this Rorschach fellow. I think that we could be very beneficial to each other, from what I have heard about him. I just need to find out a couple things: firstly, where he usually is when he patrols the city, and secondly, what his exact techniques are. I don't want to have to worry about getting knocked out again when I approach him. Or worse. What I may have to do is, once I figure out where he usually works, observe him. Like the birds of prey at the zoo. Stay out of sight, and just watch the surroundings. And that sounds much more morbid than I intended it to.

I have no idea how long this is going to take. It may be a couple of days, or a couple of weeks, maybe even a couple of months before I actually find this guy. And then I need to observe, and then the actual approach. Hm, we'll see if anything comes of this. If not I'm going to have to ask Hollis what he thinks, exactly what his strategy was in reaching out to other costumed crime fighters.

I should really go to the zoo more. It's one of the few peaceful places in this city. Hopefully it won't fall victim to the bad influences of other parts.... I should eat something before I go out. It's going to be a long night.