Another one Rides the bus.

Robin stuffed his gi into his small black duffle bag, before slinging it over his shoulder and collecting his shoes. He said his quick farewells to everyone, and bowed out of the small storefront. No money, shitty part of town, but really great people. He reached down momentarily and grabbed a cigarette butt off the ground in front of the dojo. Gotta work on that left knee, he reflected as he straightened, flicking the butt into a nearby trashcan.

He walked along the concrete sidewalk, shot through with cracks. The occasional boarded up building along the side of the street brought home how things had gotten around the neighborhood. Every few blocks the sight of a blue tarp or a vibrantly colored tent would draw the attention. They were never there more than a few days, but they were always present. Empty houses and people living on the street. He sighed, reflecting that he'd almost been there himself once.

The trash on the sidewalk grew heavier as he approached the main thoroughfare and the bus stop. Aaaand there it goes... His eyes viewed the bus as it sped past his spot... five minutes early, according to his phone, which he pulled from his pocket to... No... it's only ten, they'll still be asleep, or out of it. Hell, Lauren probably isn't back from work, he reflected somberly.

For a second, he thought about texting Viola, before realizing that he didn't have her phone number... hell, he'd kissed her and he really... yeah, he was going to have to write her a note. It hadn't helped that Lauren had riled him up about it not five minutes later, whispering that he should have grabbed Viola's ass. Then when she had left, well, she had suggested that...

His thoughts continued as he climbed onto the next bus, and quietly ignored the screaming children, strange sickly sweet smells that came from persons with different choices in personal hygiene, and men who just seemed to want to glare at him for being visible. It was quite a relief when he got off, then realized, after checking at the stop, that once again, he'd missed his connection, and would have to walk home. Ah, the wonderful world of public transportation. Welp, it was good for the endurance anyway, he shrugged, hefting the bag, and began to walk the thirty or so blocks home.

When he finally saw the familiar chain link half fence that marked the boundaries of his home he was overjoyed. His legs ached, he was sweaty, and overall, just wanting to crash. Just a couple hours, of couch, just... ugh. He noticed the swarm of cars out in front of the duplex, and the sound of Barbecue and the smell of Fireworks. Ah crap, just what I need, he reflected. Fucking Gunpowder. He glanced at the sky, willing it to rain. No such divine intervention was forthcoming, unfortunately, he noted as he glanced at the beautiful clear sky.

"Haaaaay... Robin..." The extremely friendly Neighbor in the front unit cheered at him, waving a beer and something that he knew wasn't a cigarette. Her dark face was in that particular mood that showed that today was a day for relaxation, flirtation, and any other ation that came to her mind, gorgeous. Hey, no sweat off his back, it's legal, but... Not now. Oh, man, not now.

"Hey, Kadasha," Robin waved back one handed as he glanced about the wrought iron lawn furniture that had been pulled out of the storage unit. Let's see... one, two, three... oh, and they brought their kids... fucking GREAT... Well, that explains the fireworks.