This is my city

"I pay the cops. I outsmart the heroes. And I am the Darkness.I am Jackie Estacado, and this is my city." Independent Jackie Estacado/The Darkness RP blog. Based on the comics more than the video games. Blog may contain triggering content. Will be NSFW. Please take the time to read the OOC. I track the tag 'iownthiscity'.

[chosenwielder-blog]

“And I’ll let you pretend that some day you’ll get the chance, if it makes you feel any better.” He knew, there was no way he would have smiled like that if he didn’t. “There’s got to be something else going through your mind, other than what we’d do together.”

She looked at the bartender, ordering herself another coffee, only this time she ordered an Irish coffee. She needed a drink.

[iownthiscity-blog]

"Do I need another reason to smile, Sara? You're sitting here, drinking with me. And now you're really drink. No one's trying to kill either of us - for now. It's a good day to be alive, don't you think? Only thing that could make this better is if you were in my lap..." He held up both hands. "Just saying. I'm not suggesting anything."

[chosenwielder-blog]

“Why are you so convinced that I’ve thought about it, Estacado? I didn’t think you could get anymore arrogant.” She glanced away, focusing on her coffee instead as she listened to him speak.

She had thought about it, thought about what he’d be like. Thought about his mouth on her, but that would be the last confession she’d give him. She hated that he was right, that he could see right through her but she relied on the fact that he had no proof.

It was all she had.

“Then find yourself a pretty face with a good punch. This city’s crawling with them, everyone’s trying to play hero these days.” She looked at him and smile, drinking her coffee. “Never crossed my mind, Jackie.”

[iownthiscity-blog]

Jackie made a gesture and smiled. "Alright, Pezzini. You win. You can pretend that imagining sex with me would be such a cardinal sin, and I won't tell you in fine detail all the ways I would make you scream my name."

He took another drag on his cigarette, looking off to one side with an ever so slight, and infinitely smug, smile upon his face.

[chosenwielder-blog]

“Like I said, I wasn’t going to ask. I didn’t want to know.” She glanced away from him for a moment. She should have been happy, that meant there were a few less assholes in the city. It didn’t mean she was. It was the reason she had skipped on asking questions.

“I didn’t say anything about me.” She glanced back at him, a coy smile on her lips, something that was incredibly brief. “I think anything turns you on, doesn’t it? A woman who kicks your ass, a nice ass, pretty face, whatever does the trick as long as it gets you off.”

She couldn’t believe she was having that conversation with him.

“I’ve never even though of it, I’ve got more important things on my mind.” She was lying.

[iownthiscity-blog]

"Bullshit," he said, crossing one leg over the other and leaning back in his seat. His suit stretched over his shoulders slightly, the muscular plane of his chest showing through the slightly open neck of his shirt. "You've thought about it. And believe me, getting me off is easy. I'm a man, what can I say?" He spread his hands, unashamed.

"But the real prize isn't getting me off, Sara. It's what I want. Some twig-thin girl looks sick on top of me. But I like... musculature. A body that's been worked at, strength that's used. And a woman who can take care of herself. Too many dates shot to shit. Leaves a bad impression."

Jackie's lashes lowered, his voice doing the same.

"You can't even begin to tell me you haven't imagined my mouth on you."

[chosenwielder-blog]

“I won’t ask questions about the Bulgarians, I assume you wouldn’t like the questions which does make it really tempting.” The coffee was brought to her and she smiled in thanks before adding the cream and sugar.

“Smoking’s a terrible habit, Estacado.” She stirred the coffee and brought it to her lips, taking a drink from it. “I can’t say I was hoping for terrible news. I actually like what I’m hearing, if you’re telling me all you’ve got. I can’t complain, makes enjoying this coffee a little easier.”

She looked up at him, leaning forward. “You need to get that idea out of your head.”

[iownthiscity-blog]

Jackie shrugged. "If it's any consolation, they were hurting kids. Now they won't be." Jackie didn't like it if children were hurt. Ever. He generally didn't like it if women were hurt, either, but in his experience women could be as fucked up as men.

If not moreso.

Jackie flicked the ash off of his cigarette and grinned at Sara. "You used to smoke too, Pezzini. What happen? Your lifespan suddenly increase with the Witchblade?" Then he shrugged. "You're a gorgeous woman who can kick my ass without the mystical weapon you got there. It turns me on. What can I say?"

He leant forward as well, head canted down.

"Don't tell me you're not curious," he whispered. "Even you have to have heard how good I am in bed."

[chosenwielder-blog]

“Coffee, that’s all I want for now.” She spoke to the tender before her attention returned to Jackie. She didn’t know why she was here.

No, she was lying to herself, of course she knew. She was checking up on him. Sara wouldn’t have showed up without a reason after all. She crossed her legs and leaned back in her seat. 

“Got anything good to tell me?”

[iownthiscity-blog]

"Aside from a few turf scuffles and some fucking moronic Norwegian... Bulgarian... well somewhere from that part of the world gang that decided they wanted to try and mooch off of some of my earnings, not a damn thing."

Jackie lit a cigarette and inhaled on the expensive blend of toxic death. He always wondered why some cigarettes were so expensive. It was all going to kill you. Well. It would if you weren't the Darkness.

"And nothing on the not-quite-human front, either. But you never come to me for good news, Pezzini. And I honestly doubt you've decided to throw in the towel and have that one night in the sack with me."

[chosenwielder-blog]

“You’re right about that, just couldn’t help yourself, could you?” She took a seat. “Can I get a drink?”

[iownthiscity-blog]

Jackie snapped his fingers, summoning  the bartender. "Anything the lady wants, on me."

[chosenwielder-blog]

Sara crossed her arms and raised a brow, looking at him. “Then what do you think?”

[iownthiscity-blog]

"I think you look hot in that outfit, but you probably don't want to hear that."

[chosenwielder-blog]

“Just what I love to hear in the morning, Estacado.”

[iownthiscity-blog]

He hesitated. "Wait. Was that sarcasm? I can never tell with you. Mostly because you're always sarcastic."

[iownthiscity-blog]

- chosenwielder

"Well well. If it isn't my favourite Detective."

[indecenttimes]

“Harvey’s fine for now,” he said, somewhat pleased with the polite acknowledgement that things were not always as they seemed. “You’ll know when you’re dealing with Two-Face. He’s a great deal more aggressive.”

Words like ‘respectable’ and ‘legitimate’ coexisting in the same sentence was usually grounds for a good, healthy laugh, but from Harvey’s experience—and boy did he have a lot of that—these sort of opportunities were nothing to snub. Fresh meat like Estacado were often run out of the city within a few days, but everything he had found out through the News and other sources told him that no one was going to make this man go anywhere he did not want to.

And that was perfectly fine. Harvey wasn’t looking for a fight so soon after losing one of his most valuable footholds in Gotham.

“Tell me a little about your business,” he said, clasping his hands behind his back. “We like to know what we might begetting ourselves into.”

[iownthiscity-blog]

'We'. So. It was true. Interesting. Normally Jackie liked to stay away from the not-so-mentally-stable folks, but he had heart... well almost nothing but good things about Dent.

He gestured with the hand that held his cigarette, leaving a weaving trail of smoke through the air. "The standard, of course. Adult comforts. Good clean fun, though. I don't abide by bruises and cuts on my merchandise." He took a drag of his cigarette. Thank God the Darkness wouldn't even let him get a common cold let alone cancer. "And harder... comforts, of course. Depending on which is your drug of choice. I can do them all. Even this new thing I'm not too sure about, but it's better than those fucking Aryans selling that shit to any kid or hooker who turned up."

"I like to run things clean and quiet. Grease some palms in the PD, get some key eyes averted. I'm not in the business to slaughter either my customers or my men. Usually, when something comes up, I can deal with it myself, so you don't have to worry about any of your moes getting greased because of some shit that comes at me. I want this city to run like a well-greased whore in an oil pit. And I want you running it."

Jackie spread his hands. "I know you aint the type to work for nobody, so don't worry, I'm not lookin' to get bootlicking from you, no 'yes boss' crap. You'll be the head man in Gotham, I'll just be one little, tiny rung higher. You won't even notice me. Hell, the less I'm in Gotham, the happier I'll be."

[titansinmycrosshairs]

“You must have quite a way of keeping track of me. I’m very hard to find. But I suppose I could humor you and bite at an offer you may have. But remember: I’m picky and expensive.”

[iownthiscity-blog]

Jackie shrugged. "I am sure I can afford it." Most things Jackie could take care of himself. He wasn't one for hiring outside help. But maybe Deathstroke could prove useful.

"There's a certain... Detective. Cool. Clean. Quiet. Think you can do that?"

[fallen-and-rusting-deactivated2]

She was actually taken aback at his sudden change in tone. Yeah he was right she never worked for a guy like him, but maybe that was just what she needed. Wait no….one of her old bosses was the exact same. 

“Yes sir.” She said keeping eye contact. What are you getting yourself into girl? She thought quietly. At least he had enough decency not to make her a prostitute. She shuddered at the thought. Don’t get her wrong she did enjoy sex, but she was very picky when it came to partners. 

Lucky for her she had no one. Anyone she cared about hated her guts or was six feet under. Rubbing the back of her neck she looked at him “So that being said and done…What do you want me to do first boss?” She asked looking at him. Besides changing my pants, heh nah. 

For being so ruthless he was rather attractive. Then again she had a thing for over baring powerful bad boy types. It always fucks you over in the end huh? She felt a chill go straight through her and she shivered a little. Weird. 

[iownthiscity-blog]

Jackie rolled his eyes. “Lady, you came to me, not the other way around. I don’t have any work for you just yet. Chill. For now, just wait for my word. And don’t go boasting to every idiot you know. The less people that know you work for me, the better it’ll be. Let me decide who does and does not know, okay?”

Jackie turned away, stopped, and then flicked his fingers. A white card sailed out of his hand. A Darkling caught it, falling out of the shadows, and hopped over to Belle.

“Hey, hotstuff,” he said with a leering grin. He wore a baseball cap, a basketball jersy, and came up to her knee. “If this guy isn’t treatin’ you right, you let me know.” He handed her the card, which had Jackie’s number on it.

“Don’t call it unless you desperately need me. I don’t like wasting my time. When I need you, I’ll contact you.”

With that, Jackie began to walk away.

[thecanarycry-blog]

“Well, Jackie-boy. I happen to be one of those good guys, I do the right thing. I guess that should qualify me as one.” She continued to smile, her mood had seemingly improved although she still looked as tired as she had been, at least she was relaxing in his company. “Then you better hope for your sake that you don’t have to be trouble for me, I’d hate to see what happens to you.” She laughed softly, her tone indicating that she only meant to tease him and nothing else.

[iownthiscity-blog]

"I hope, for both our sakes, that that's the case." Because he would hate to have to kill her. She was a good sort. He hated killing good sorts.

"I never got a chance to do the right thing, Dinah," he said honestly. "Not even when I was a kid." He held up a hand. "And before you try and suggest it, I did try and get out. I really did." Jackie turned away and lit a fresh cigarette. "It didn't turn out so good."

[fallen-and-rusting-deactivated2]

She didn’t budge when he released his power. Was she afraid? Yes. Anyone in their right mind would be. How ever…she did not fear death. More over she feared failure.

She wanted to work for him. Needed to, it was necessary to really turn Falcone and Maroni into piles of quivering goop. Her eyes met his showing a strong determination.

Stupidly she was with out the  flight response of fear, she only had fight. That was beaten into her durning her days as a child. Countless beatings brought about by her drunken father told her to take it. Take the lashing and bide your time.

Her jaw tightened. “Go ahead an’ kill me then.” She said looking at him. I fear not death. I walk in its stride. I beg for its release. She wondered in morbid curiosity what the darkness would do to her. With her rapid healing factor..how would it effect her? After all her powers were born out of darkness in a sense. Where they connected some how? 

[iownthiscity-blog]

"Alright then." jackie was nonchalant as the Darkness swelled, claws scraping, teeth gnashing, glowing eyes getting closer. They gathered around her, choking off any light source, obscuring everything except Jackie.

Then they stopped. Just stopped.

"You got spunk."

The Darkness receded from her, pulling back into the shadows like it had never been there, leaving only Belle and Jackie.

"I don't know if you've ever worked for someone like me before, but let's get one thing straight. I'm being fucking generous right now. A pretty piece of ass like you would whore herself out before she got anywhere in this line of business. So be grateful I'm not in to that sort of thing."

“Secondly, you have obviously never worked for anyone like me before, because if you had you’re suicidal to approach someone else. This isn’t glamorous, and you don’t get what you want unless I say so. You are loyal to me and me only. More than your lovers, or your own mother, or your kids. You do as I say, when I say, how I say. You disobey, I blow your kneecaps out. You try and usurp me, I kill you. You betray me, I kill everyone you care about. Boyfiend. Girlfriend. That kid you talk to on the corner. One at a time. Then you.”

Jackie finished his cigarette and tossed it aside.

“I tell you to fuck a guy, you fuck him. I tell you to kill a guy, you kill him. You kill anyone without my permission and without a damn good reason, and you better buy yourself a ticket to Nepal, lady. Because I will cut your ass loose and leave you for the dogs.”

Jackie folded his arms over his chest. “Too late to back out, now. I own you, girl. Your powers, your life, everything. Got that?”

[thecanarycry-blog]

“I’m very good at what I do, can’t say I’ve been bad at anything else. Are you bad at something, Jackie? That’s what you said your name was, right?”

“You’re going to be trouble for me, aren’t you?”

[iownthiscity-blog]

"I'm not generally bad at something. But let's just say I'm not one of the good guys all the time. Sometimes, though, I swear." He held up a hand. "And I aint conna be more trouble for you than I have to be, darlin'."

[fallen-and-rusting-deactivated2]

She crossed her arms. Did he feel threatened? Normally her powers were a great asset. She blinked lightly. Bella really wanted to work alongside someone like him. Working for a powerful guy like that would only have its benefits. 

Though she was never one to ‘take over’ someone else’s endeavors if she wanted to do such a thing she’d do it on her own. She had no desire to run a gang. 

“I do have a fully operational base.” She said looking at him. 

Whats his deal Baltus? What is he? Why is he so strong? She asked the demon which shared her body.

He is barer to the ancient power called the darkness. An almost unstoppable force…accept in the light.

She looked at him. “…There’s also the fact I can carry out work in the day time. Also I am more able to protect you against light.”  That had to count for something right? 

You think it wise to alley with the darkness? Aren’t you trying to get your soul back? 

It’s the fucking darkness Baltus…could you imagine how much it would fuck Lucifer up?

[iownthiscity-blog]

Jackie rolled his eyes. "Nothin' I can't buy for myself. And I don't want to operate on someone else's turf. Bad practice. You know how it is." He turned away, putting the cigarette back to his lips. "But thanks for the offer, kiddo. You got spunk."

Then he stopped. Dead. Like a switch had been thrown. Had she really just suggested what he thought she did? Not only did she suddenly know about the Darkness, and he was damn sure she didn't know about it two seconds ago, but she went so far as to suggest that he needed to protection?

Jackie sighed and closed his eyes. Goddamn, it was just a night for it. "You know, I was just gonna walk away. I was gonna be a good boy and then run Sara's face in it later. But nope. You had to go and push it."

Ktshhh.

A light nearby went out, the sound of shattering glass and distorting metal accompanying the sudden darkness. Another light went out, closer to the two, and another, and another.

"You said you made a deal with the Devil, babe. Well, you aint the only one. I didn't, but now it's my curse to bear."

Green eyes appeared in the shadows all around, fanged maws dripping saliva, distorted and distended and staring at her hungrily. Bladed tentacles slithered out from under Jackie's coat. Even her own shadow sprouted spider-like legs, licking at her feet.

"So when it comes to badass powers, no offence, lady, but I'm sticking with what I know."

"And for future reference, if you ever suggest I need 'protecting' again, I'll pull your horns off and stuck them in your eyes."

[thecanarycry-blog]

“Is that how things work?” She grabbed her water and took a drink, turning in her seat to look at him. She idly wondered if he was telling the story from personal experience or if he was making it up. She didn’t ask about the details. She didn’t need to.

She was still getting her story.

“This sounds like the type of story my father would have told me.” She smiled at him again. “I’m not going to ask where you got the story, I’m going to call it cute that you even tried to tell me a story.You didn’t have to. I hope you know that.”

[iownthiscity-blog]

"Generally, no. But she was good at her job, like I said, and being good at your job sometimes mean you gotta be bad at other things."

"Sweetheart, you're smiling, and it does wonders for you. I wouldn't mind if you wanted me to recite the plot for Casablanca so long as it got your pretty face to light up light that."