1048/The League's Future Calls Upon Its Past

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The League's Future Calls Upon Its Past
Date of Scene: 20 June 2017
Location: Gotham City
Synopsis: Damian Wayne wants to hire Shiva for a job. Ares comes along for the negotiations.
Cast of Characters: Ares, Lady Shiva, Robin (Wayne)




Ares has posed:
    The great city of Gotham is a wide sweeping canvas of urban sprawl that from a distance blurs together into a sheen of greys and browns, almost curiously monochromatic save for slight hints of color at the small places in the city where greenery grows almost defiantly. It's a city where the valleys of streets between the tall buildings are navigated by a million citizens, all trying to find their way in the world. Heads are often bowed, attention focused upon the street and the steps before them.
    But the tall man at the side of the woman known as Shiva has his head held high, the hood of his coat is drawn over him, giving some hint of shelter from the steady downpour of rain that casts the already grim city into another haze of gloom. Yet it's through this crowd and this weather that the two of them advance, their destination chosen at the behest of the person who summoned them. Or rather... her.
    It's to Shane's Bar & Grill that the meeting was made for. A hole in the wall off the general thoroughfare that has no signage displaying its name beyond a simple neon sign that says nothing more than, 'BEER'. It buzzes and crackles as the raindrops hit it. And then when the door is pushed open, a bell jangles but is drowned out by the rumble/thump of the music playing from inside.

Lady Shiva has posed:
    The invitation was vague but had enough informatation for her to piece together a few details. She was intrigued and that is the key go getting her attention. Lady Shiva flows through life like water, smoth and easy or violent and destruction. Perhaps her viewpoint influences her choice of attired as she didn't bother with covering her head despite the rain. She's wearing her signature black leather trenchcoat, waterproofing enough.
    Upon entering the room, she brushes a hand back over her wet hair, flicking droplets off to the side as she lowers the hand back down. She takes a moment to look around the room, an automatic motion. She picks up on everyone, reading their body language, dismissing most as beneath her notice.
    She doesn't spare a glance for John, though she is aware of him on levels tha are not apparent to the room at large. His life energy is like a shining beacon to her, something she can sense. She walks through the room, looking to see if their host for the evening is present. If he follows the habits of most in their circles, he would be toward the back with a view of all exits at all times, keeping tabs on the rooms' occupants.

Robin (Wayne) has posed:
The bar is actually of nice size, as it looks like multiple rooms connected with the open area in the middle. This was the place that was specified, but from the group at the bar that looks like they would rather stab you, or the people playing pool who stop when you enter looking at you as soon as you enter.

Of course, as soon as you see the third room that is on the right side of the door it becomes quite.. obvious. The room is empy, though there does seem to be a table. The table plane, but the setting on it looks different from this place, though there is nothing on it but long.the cloth that covers it. On the side you can see are two chairs, though they look like normal chairs one would just have other then the bar seats on a pole. The other side is blocked by two men both looking at you two intently, they don't seem angry, or worried, but they have a dedicated stare that lets you know they are willing to do whatever it takes for this mission.

Lady Shiva has posed:
    Shiva continues forward, not caring about the stirrings of the bars occupants. None of them are worth the concern. She walks with assurance toward the third room, assuming that John will follow. Once inside, the gives a flick of her gaze to the table but her attention is on the pair at the door. They are not the typical riffraff that they have already left behind. Yet, they are still of no concern. With that same calm confidence, she walks to the door then looks at the men. She doesn't reach for the door. She doesn't try to enter. She simply waits, standing about five feet away.

Ares has posed:
    As for the tall man at her side, John Aaron walks ahead, pulling back the hood of his jacket and taking the time to consider his surroundings. If she walks with such precision and confidence, then each place that Ares sets his foot it seems as if he considered it his rightful domain. All of this. He looks across the room slowly, and one can read it in his face as he looks. All of this is Ares'.
    But he says naught as he approaches, stepping to the door beside the shorter woman. It's at that moment that one of the men at the door steps forwards, extending a hand as if to stay John Aaron's progress. He says simply, curtly. "The meeting is for the lady," He looks askance towards her and then adds, "No one else."

Robin (Wayne) has posed:
As one of the men stop Ares a few things happen at once, but starting with the two men they both seem to take a step back, but the movement is fluid not stiff like a soldier. They seem to be moving closer to the door to defend it, as the extra person was enough to trigger a reaction to do so. But they might feel whatever is in there is looking their direction now, and though it would be a wierd form of war something Ares might not of ever experienced in a non-high-tech area, but it is like someone who has been in a war for a long time. You would guess this person has been fighting for a long time for a human maybe 10-15 years, though there are wiffs of fighting, and war even on him now though.. that is the normal kind.

Second a voice comes out, "Let them enter... If she brings a guest she has already accepted responsibility for them" the voice is modulated as it comes over a speaker. Finally the last thing that happends is the bar behind you starts clearing out as soon as the assassins move. It seems they have seen the signs like this before. Though Damian does let them in mot seem to think it is a better idea to just walk away.

Lady Shiva has posed:
    Shiva never shifted her stance. Even when entrance was denied for John, she remained standing calmly. When the assassins moved, she never even shifted her weight from one foot to the other. It is good that the person behind the speaker was smarter than the hired help. She is not someone to deny what she wants. If she wanted John present with her, he would be. Or she would walk.
    Either way would have been fine. Honestly, it's not sweat off her brow either way.
    As the voice fades, she will take the knob and open the door, letting herself in to the next room and fully expecting John to follow.
    If he is kept from doing so, things will be going poorly for the next few seconds.

Ares has posed:
    This is her world, her connections, her people. John had looked to the man who stepped forward to deny him entry and his response had been a simple concise quirking of one eyebrow, as if asking if this man truly wished to choose this path for his life. But luckily others took the matter into hand and his passage was allowed.
    The door opened for Shiva and the tall man stepped in after her, stepping to the side and taking up a place just a step behind. It does not stop him from perusing his surroundings, however. He simply passes that gaze from point of interest to point before it settles forwards on the goal of this excursion.

Robin (Wayne) has posed:
    The two guards on command move out of the way, even giving a sligh bow though they do not take their eyes off of them as they watch them carefully. As Shiva enters the room first she would see sitting at the table of the white room is what looks to be short, though after a quick moment there is a good reason for that. He is just a boy, fifteen at best he sits at the table watching you enter though his eyes are sharp, and no fear is on his face. He looks half-asain, with long black hair that goes down his back. He wears the suit of the league, hard leather lots of straps that seem to be holding small metal spikes. He doesn't have any out or ready as they are put away like the sword on his hip.

    Ares would realize that the boy is who he got the readings from before, as the boy just watches quietly from his seat. Shiva might realize she is also being watched, though he might not be able to read all her movements he does seem smart, and trained enough to look into what he can. Across from him is the table with the fabric table cloth on it, and two chairs. One looks like a normal chair that one would have by the table, though the other is a folding chair that looks just put down.

    After a moment the boy speaks... Again his voice as childish as his appearance.. "I welcome you, please sit.. so we may discuss buisness."

Lady Shiva has posed:
    The room is taken in, the table, the sole occupant. Shiva gauges him, analyzing. Deciding. It is instantaneous and there is no reading her decision in her expression. The jacket flares slightly with her movement but gives nothing away. Though being a member of the League, he would know just how much can be hidden beneath that simple garment. There is no doubt she is armed, it's just a question of what she might have concealed.
    Shiva pushes her coat out of the way then sits on the folding chair, on the front edge. She does not lean back and get comfortable. This is business, not leisure.
    "You wished to speak." No introductions, no niceties.

Ares has posed:
    The woman's companion advances forward, his footsteps quiet and his movement precise. He looks across the way at Damian and curiously enough the young man's appearance causes John's attention to focus precisely on the young man. Like the point of a laser, the incognito Olympian considers that young person in the seat, the way he holds himself, his form. An eyebrow quirks again, but then he returns his visage to a settled neutral look.
    A few more steps and he rests a hand upon the back of the chair that Shiva did not choose. A small smile touches the corner of his mouth as Shiva picks that folding chair, but then he sets himself down in the other. No announcement of greeting, nor opening of negotiations. The words are for Shiva, he is there perhaps as an observer or a bargaining chip.

Robin (Wayne) has posed:
The boy looks at her as she sits, and doesn't look to dislike the move she made, he mearly nods in note. He glances at Shiva's plus one, for a moment, though reconition of who you are does not seem to come to him. He then looks back at Shiva, "Indeed.. But I need to know who's side you are on. So I offer a test.. Your friend may come along if you wish, but the pay will not change." He reaches under the chair, and pulls out a blueprint of the Gotham Art and History exibit, laying it on the table infront of her. Inside he knows are times, and shifts of all the guards, as well as names, faces, and even home addresses. "Inside you will find all you need, follow my plan or don't I care not as long as ou get me one item from inside."

Reaching under again he takes out a photo of a old book made from stone, and on the cover is what looks like runes, and some words in a wierd language. The boy is quiet as he lets them digest what this is, and what he wants. "It is a simple job, but it is very important to me to get that item. If you follow my plan I can make a distraction for any so called Hero's, but as I said it is up to you. Do you have any questions so far?"

Lady Shiva has posed:
    As he explains, Shiva listens. No movement save the shifting her of gaze as he pulls out each item of interest. She considers the picture of the book but she hasn't reached for any of the pieces to examine more closely. Her dark eyes shift to the boy. Take in his age, his lack of years although she knows better than most that age is not the gauge of prowess. It is all about training, about the chi they can manipulate.
    At the question, she shifts on the chair, closer to the edge. Not a dangerous motion, just a change. It's an outward indication of where she is mentally, something she is sharing in such an obvious manner purposefully.
    "I do not prove my loyalty for I have none save to myself. I assist the League when it suits me and that is an arrangement we've had for more years than you have on this Earth," she says simply, no malice or anger in her tone. "Is there a guard you are wishing to have eliminated? For that is the only reason I can see you contacting me. If you wish something stolen, call a thief."

Ares has posed:
    As Shiva speaks, John Aaron shifts on his chair to lean forwards and consider what is set before them. But then he looks to her and quirks an eyebrow silently as he gauges the assassin's expression. He lifts his chin a moment, nods slightly and it's then that he shifts his gaze towards the young man opposite him and raises his voice for the first time.
    It's a deep baritone, a low rumble that to some would sound almost like a growl. And when he speaks it's in this steady and calm rhythm, a certain formality to the words. "What I believe the Lady Shiva means, is that her area of expertise at which she excels is a thing of renown. To those who wish another's life to end, she is a tool to be used precisely. But is this such a task that befits one of her talents? Or perhaps is it that you would seek to have her function as a leader and assemble a team of operatives to insure success?"
    To most who knew him from ages past they might find it terribly amusing to see the God of War negotiating between two parties, perhaps trying to bridge their differences. But those who have faced him in battle know... he is quick on his feet and able to adjust a plan nigh unto instantly.

Robin (Wayne) has posed:
The boy leans back a bit, and waits for it.. He knew this is where it would most likely go this way, asking an assassin to steal I mean there was bound to be some pushback. He looks at her, "I hire the right person for the right job, I don't do fair fights, and I don't keep following the same old ways people keep doing because it isn't working." he pauses, and looks at her. Chi wise what he has seems artificial, though it is there what little chi is there seems to be not normal. It might be unclear if he can even use it the same as a normal person would be able to. He sighs a bit, "If you are able to get this, and return it to me without complications I will be more then happy to give you jobs to kill others." he glances at Ares, "I do not doubt her skills, and this is not up to her level, but... there are many things in play here."

He turns to face Shiva, "Because you strike there others will move. It is imporant that it be you because of what they will move. Kill people, don't that is up to you, but this is the proper job at the proper time. I will not say more then that." he pauses then holds a finger up, "Oh, and I did mention you were being paid.."

Lady Shiva has posed:
"And I did mention I am not a thief," Shiva returns in that same tone. "By your words, it must be me to steal this item in order to set things in motion for your plans. Yet, if I were to take the task, no one would know it was me. Unless you are going to be certain I am identified. You wish for it to be known I am the culprit." She sighs softly, another purposeful outward tell when she doesn't have to do anything of the sort. "Pay or no pay, you will have to explain further if you wish to entice me to take the job. At this point, it simply sounds like it will put me in the crosshairs of the authorities while sullying my reputation that I would let myself be identified, as well as branding me a common thief." For the first time, she lets a hint of distaste come into her tone.

Ares has posed:
    Ah. John has seen that look in her eyes before. The last time was at a particular restaurant in Thailand that had the fall to not only get her order wrong but also to repeatedly refuse to consider her wish to pay the check. It did not end well.
    He had made his attempt at brokering peace, and had offered perhaps a way out for either of them. It didn't work. He grimaces slightly and then tilts his head to the side, causing the joint to crackle with a loud resounding cartilaginous pop. He rolls his other shoulder and then looks back towards Damian. "Her concerns do seem sound, and her bargaining position is rather unassailable." He offers that consideration, perhaps it will help... perhaps not.

Robin (Wayne) has posed:
The boy smiles for the first time, though it is a wicked grin he nods, "You underestimate the hero's of Gotham. I warn you not to do so or you will not be successful." he leans back, and his grin dissapears again. "Very well, I will explain so you will understand as you assume I am asking more then I am." he looks at her again. "You take the item.. We will call that moment zero.. In less then twenty-four hours the Bats will decend on the scene. They will do what they do, and if you do your due dilligance you will not be identified.

Though knowing yourself you will leave clues, everyone does though they don't mean to. These clues will point them to someone with a skill set they are unfamiler with so they will call in someone else." he leaves the who this is vague. "In seventy-two hours from moment zero, I will have another job for you.. While that person is gone, we will kill lots of people of different sorts, though one I am not sure of.. he seems to have the same kind of eyes you do. Profit, killing, I am sure you see where this goes, but.. if someone like I, or even a common thief would do it, you see the problem." He shrugs, "There are several good fighters you will have to face, and get paid for, for doing so. But they need to be put in a proper position to do so, or they will just call their friends, until it is a bad match-up for you. Right now I could send you after one of them, and you might win, but out numbered, with the varied strength of the hero's out there that would interupt.. No.. They must be put in the proper place first, then you pick them off."

Lady Shiva has posed:
A few things occur to Shiva, the biggest amongst them quite a surprise considering the circumstances. There is only one thing in there that really stands out as appealing. Multiple fighters that he rates as good. She isn't sure she would agree with that assessment. Putting herself at odds with the Bats of Gotham isn't even daunting. It holds a bit of appeal as she would like to challenge a few of them. To see if they are a worthy challenge. He seems to think more than one is a problem but in her mind, that isn't an issue.
    "I will agree to your offer but only on two conditions. One, if at any time I do not wish to continue, the job will be dropped. My fee would be forfeited of course. I have ties in many circles and with this being a mysterious set of foes you place before me, I do not know is some may be associates. If so, I will not do your bidding. If we can agree on this then the second point would be the amount of my payment."

Ares has posed:
    As for Ares, the expression he wears is one of curiousity and casually surrendering of any position of authority in regards to its negotiation. Instead, from his point of view, this is all primarily a terribly interesting experience that will serve to further his understanding of the mortal condition in some ways. In others... it should at least not be boring.
    So he listens to Shiva's counter offer and gives a faint nod as if everything she said was perfectly reasonable, then he in turn shifts his attention towards Damian, curious what the child prodigy might have up his sleeve.

Robin (Wayne) has posed:
The boy nods to her, as he listens to her conditions. "I understand, and I hope not to cross those others as it would be.. an unreasonable risk anyway." he shrugs, "Besides, without proof I would not ask you do to anything other then this first mission. If you wish to walk away then do so, but I hope to give you a sutiable challenge after this, if you are successful." he nods to the papers, "Inside is an account number, once you take it you are assigned to this, if you take it and run.. Well so far you have been polite so I will return the favor, and save the threat."

The boy scoots of his seat, and stands starting to walk out. "It is the fee for one assasination.. I will not barter it is the payment for this mission." he glances at her friend then back to her as he stops for a moment, "We will meet again soon, hopefully then you will see what good position you have put yourself in though I hope you like fighting, as there is much of it to come."

Lady Shiva has posed:
    There is a hint of amusement on her face as the boy goes to leave. She glances at her companion, letting him see it. She won't speak of it until they are out of this place and she quickly hides it back behind her calm veneer. Rising to her feet, she takes the paperwork that outlines the assignment and it disappers somewhere inside her jacket. No use carrying it out in the rain to get drenched. She turns on heel and heads for the door they entered through, considering if the guards outside are going to be suitably polite.

Ares has posed:
    Rising himself, John Aaron glances sidelong towards Shiva even as Damian makes his departure. At her look he lets his gaze drift back towards the young grandson of the demon and then looks to her and gives a small nod as if accepting what she might be imagining. Or perhaps simply holding his words for when they might not be overheard.
    Whatever it may be, he turns and begins to move out as well, though he brings up the hood of his coat while he walks.