11124/The acrobat, and the chimp talk of the circus.

The acrobat, and the chimp talk of the circus.
Date of Scene:	25 February 2020
Location:	Bludhaven
Synopsis:	Summary needed
Cast of Characters:	Nightwing, Detective Chimp

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Nightwing has posed:
Bludhaven is hopping tonight.

That has generally been the case since Nightwing has found himself with a little more time to devout to his main stomping grounds, more's the pity. He's up for a little excitement to be sure, as much as anyone and more than most, but this kind of excitement tends to leave jail cells bulging and overcrowded at best... and dead bodies in the streets at worst. That's not the sort of thing that anyone looks forward to. Well, no one sane at any rate.

The evening has taken on a distinctly chilly caste, the temperature having dropped a dozen degrees since the setting of the sun and a cold wind sweeps in off the ocean, the scent of snow hanging in the air. But the cold doesn't seem to have done anything to chill the temperatures that seem to be increasingly raging among the various gangs and mob factions in the Haven in recent days and nights. Mainly nights. A certain costumed vigilante is driving himself to exhaustion trying to keep up and this evening is no different. Having already swept the docks and the hard scrable streets of Melville, the darkly-clad vigilante races across the rooftops towards the Zee Moores projects, a half dozen bundled up bad guys already left in his wake.

And the evening is still young...

Detective Chimp has posed:
Detective Chimp has been stacking out the path the hero has been taking with reports of where gang busts and such have been in the past few weeks. This has led the monkey to find a educated guess of where the man should come at some point tonight. He as bought a couple of the hand held lanterns, and with a bit of tape and some change of light, there is a roof top building that has a yellow "bat" projected on it in the Nightwing symbol. Chimp waits in the shadows watching his unlit cigar chewed between his lips, a bit of lid heat sipped to keep the chill away

Nightwing has posed:
No matter how awkward it might seem at times, Nightwing travel's the 'rooftop highway' with the accustomed ease of one who has been doing it for more then a decade now, despite youthful features. Gaps between buildings are easily overcome, hurdled without a break in stride more often then not, and liberal use of his grapnel where required to rapidly ascent or descend, something required more and more as he nears the projects that serve as the center of so much of the vice in a city already packed full to the gills with it. He is only a few blocks away when he first spots it, the image that certainly isn't as crisp as one might expect to see in Gotham on a night like this. But a beacon nonethe less.

He only pauses for a moment before curiousity gets the best of him and he alters his course, tracking that flare back to it's source, a faintly amused grin sliding over his expression when he sees just what -- or in this case -- the source is. "They don't normally go in for that sort of thing here. They think it's a Gotham pretension, or something," he points out mildly.

Detective Chimp has posed:
Detective Chimp will light his cigar, and steps out of his shadows, as he says "Well, I didn't have a spot light, or your cell number so had to improvise a bit, besides, figuring out where you would be was a good practice for me and for you.' He will offer the man a small envelope. "This is how I figured out where you would probably be." he tells him. "I need to talk to you about a case if you got a bit of time. If you need me to I can come along on your patrol"

Nightwing has posed:
It takes all kinds -- that's lesson that Dick has learned well over the years and with a wry grin, dips his head in acknowledgement. "I suppose it is at that," he agrees, arching a brow above that mask as he reaches out to take the prooffered envelope, giving it a once over before he lifts his gaze back to his fellow Leaguer. "Of course. Anything I can do to help," he agrees at once, not a moment's hesitation. But then it is almost a given that none would be expected. Gesturing towards a set of towering highrise apartments that loom over the nearby neighborhood, he starts back towards the roof's edge, confident that his collegue will keep up. "Sounds like a plan to me. What is it that I can do for you?"

Detective Chimp has posed:
Detective Chimp will move to follow the younger acrobat. There is a bit of grunting and maybe an occasional curse word, but Chimp does follow more finding natural hand holds, and moving like he would in the natural world. "I been tracking some men who deal in exotic animals, poaching and selling." He will tell him. The cigar never leaves his teeth as he talks. "Seems they have been dealing with a few circuses and as bad as it sounds, I think you have been closer connected to them than I have in the past decade or two.

Nightwing has posed:
Fortunately the crumbling infrastructure of this particular neighborhood seems to offer all the natural hand holds and outcroppings one could want -- at least if one wants to get around without setting foot on the ground. Not the worst of ideas giving some of the sketchy individuals that seem to lurk on street corners and hang out in the mouthes of narrow allies. Definitely not the garden spot of a city that already would never be considered a garden spot.

A small frown creeps over his expression at the fellow detective's description. An ugly sort of business and one that Nightwing does indeed have some familiarity with. "I still have some contacts in the business," he agrees with a slow nod. "I can definitely reach out to the them and see what they know, or can dig up. If there's a group put animals out on the market there's a good chance they're had an offer or two sent their way."

Detective Chimp has posed:
Detective Chimp nods, and says "I was hoping so, Ace heard a few rumors, but by the time he got there everyone had cleared out and stink bombed the place." He looks around keep an eye on things as they go "I know a few Tortoises and a couple elephants, but been to long since I was around. I am sure some of the newer ones would talk to me but finding them can be time consuming. I would appreciate it if you could get me any information might lead to who it is or at least where they have been working of late.

Nightwing has posed:
He, of course, loves the circus, loves his memories of growing up with Haly's -- despite the tragic end -- and he understands the temptation to deal in such illegal trades given the increasing pressures that the modern world puts on such fading institutions. But it's an ugly, ugly business. "Understood," he agrees at once. "I'll see what I can track down. It will probably take a few days, maybe a week to hear back from everyone," he cautions. It is a very spread out net that they're casting here. "I can probably get you the 411 on what animals have been sold, where and to whom as well if you want to follow up with them directly too. Not sure how much they'll be able to give you about current whereabout or the like, but you might pick up a nugget or two I imagine," he offers.

Detective Chimp has posed:
Detective Chimp nods his head and at one of the places they have stopped looking around the area. He will offer the other man a card with his name and number on it. Chimp is a publicly working detective after all. I would appreciate it, some of them can give me a decent amount of information, honestly depends partially on how they are kept, if they are well cared for and the people are friendly to them usually can get more, if they are not treated well, well you have seen how long term prisoners and P.O.W.s are." He admits "So what we out here looking for anyways?"

Nightwing has posed:
The neighborhood opens up here, the ancient brownstones coming to an abrupt end as across the street a massive plot of land is interspersed by a dozen or so high rise residences that have clearly seen better days. Flickering shadows seem to dance madly across the plot of the Zee Moores projects as any number of barrel fires send up little plumes of smoke to go along with the wildly gyrating shadows. If this was a map, this would be where 'Here there be monsters' would be scrawled out.

"Done. Some of them might be in rougher shape, though there's a good chance most are being well cared for. Whether disreputable circuses or zoos, or even private collectors there aren't going to be many that would be careless with an investment of tousands of dollars," he says optomistically. Unsaid? Some might have wanted the creatures for hunting or other less than pleasant 'sports'.

Glancing out over the street towards the projects, Nightwing gives a little shake of his head. "Seems like the local gangs decided that the best way to keep warm this winter was to go to war. I still don't know what set it off, but it's getting a little bit ugly. We've intercepted a half-dozen weapon shipments the last two weeks going to four different gangs or local mobs. Knifing each other or taking potshots at one another with .22s is apparently not enough for them. They want to move up to the bigger toys it seems," he says, mouth hardening into line. For a moment he looks more like his mentor then the fun-loving sidekick.

Detective Chimp has posed:
Detective Chimp hmms and nods his head a bit to this and looks over the area. "This time of year, it is a bit odd, would expect any territory beefs to be more a spring, summer thing. He hmms, and says "I would almost be willing to bet it is more a personal thing than something over the whole gangs. You looked into the main ladies or guys or what ever of the leader's? Cold night, guy comes to his ladies place, and he finds some trace of someone else having been there. Wrong colors in the closet or such.

Nightwing has posed:
Like every good story, it's all about a girl? "It's certainly not impossible. If these were the brightest and the best they probably wouldn't be in Bludhaven," Nightwing agrees drily. Certainly there have been turf wars started over a whole lot less in this town. "Or maybe like attracts like. But yeah, that's a good suggestion. I'll see if there's been anything recent that might explain it all. There's damn well been enough double dealing and betrayal and murdered brothers and cousins and favorite hair stylists in the past that they all have some reason to hate one another."

Detective Chimp has posed:
Detective Chimp nods, a bit and says "It maybe cliche, but it has to happen enough to become one." He tells the other hero. He will pull a flask out of his pocket taking a long sip before offering it to Nightwing. If you need any help investigating it let me know, I can do a bit of leg work on it for you.

Nightwing has posed:
Grinning at the offer, Nightwing waves it aside casually though he otherwise remains perches on that rooftop edge, staring out towards those buildings, the world lit up in a greenish glow as he peers through the special lense inserts in his mask, providing plenty of contrast. "You make a valid point. And I might take you up on that offer. It might be nice to get to the bottom of it all and see if anything can be done short of me beating my way through every two-bit thug and mob enforcer in the city. If I get a slightly better lead or two I'll point 'em your way and see where they go," he agrees at once.

Detective Chimp has posed:
Detective Chimp nods a bit and sips the flask again before putting it away. "Well anything I can do to help you let me know." He offers a grin and says "Might be able to show ya a few things you can take back, and show the old man." Yup the chimp is saying he knows some trips the Bat does not know. He looks over the scene before them looking at the fires and tries to make sure there is no patterns placing them around.

Nightwing has posed:
The flaming barrels could possibly mark out which group controls which part of the grounds around the dilapidated buildings. Then again, given how the vast majority of exterior lighting -- both on the buildings and lining the street -- seem to have been shot out, it might just be so anyone can see at all if they venture out after dark. Even odds there probably.

"MMmmm, there's a thought," Nightwing agrees with a little smirk. "On one hand it might be nice to finally catch him off guard one of these days. Surprising Batman is definitely on the bucket list," he agrees. "On the other hand, he might pout. Have you ever seen the Dark Knight pout?" he asks with a mock shudder. "Some things you can't unsee." Chances are he's joking. Maybe.

Detective Chimp has posed:
Detective Chimp smiles a bit and looks over to the other and says "Well credit where credit is due, he is the worlds best human detective." He hmms and points out a couple of the fires, and says "I would guess your next skirmish would be either there, or over there. They seem to be the ones that make the most sense but could be trying to lire them in.

Nightwing has posed:
Ahhhh, wouldn't it be fun to lock those two in a room and settle just who is the better detective. If such a thing even were possible. The corner's of Nightwing's mouth twitch in amusement and he dips his head. "Of course. I'm sure he would be flattered," he manages with a straight face before rising up from his crouch on the building's ledge, drawing out one of those grapnels once more. "I would think you're right," he agrees. "I'll give you a call in a couple of days once I have any word on the animals. Or if I have something a little more substantial for you to look into the collective hissy fit going on here," he says, lifting a pair of fingers to his forehead in a sort of salute for his fellow detective. "Stay safe out there," he adds a moment before he leaps from the building's edge, the grapnel firing off with the soft hiss of releasing compressed air. It doesn't seem like he is too inclined to follow his own advice, now does it? Once more unto the breach.

Detective Chimp has posed:
Detective Chimp watches over the young man and will sat softly to himself once the vigilante is out of earshot "Well gotta admit he seems to be a good teacher if his boys are to any sign of it. He lights his cigar as it has went down and sighs as he looks down the side of the building "Well lets see if I can avoid the King Kong comments.