1378/The Cat, the Bat, and the... Richard

The Cat, the Bat, and the... Richard
Date of Scene:	09 July 2017
Location:	Gotham City
Synopsis:	Batman and Catwoman work together on something.
Cast of Characters:	Batman, Catwoman, Nightwing

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Batman has posed:
It is night in Gotham, and Batman was out.. He was dressed in his Batsuit looking down from a couple stories up, and looking down at a old chineese restraunt. Sure it was one of the many that were Gotham, but this one was a sleeper cell for the Hand. The League, or whatever Talia was calling it now, Laviathan, it was the hand was at war with the Hand. She had done it slightly out of his city, though they had to run somewhere and this group decided to run into Batman's area. Inside his cowl the image zooms in, and shifts to different colors looking on different forms of light, he crouches ready quietly not moving though there is a perfect he knows the amount of people, but that was not his goal tonight.

He waited for Catwoman to show up, but frowned as she was already late. Sure she was not one of the Bats so it was to be expected, but he had hoped she would at least show up on time the first time he called her to a situation. He had called her in because inside of that house there was an item they had used that they shouldn't have. He would bust in, and beat them all taking it leaving them for the police, but this situation was different as they are currently stoping the League from spreading. He shakes his head, and makes a plan on entery since it was already three minutes after and she was not here.. He would do it himself.

Catwoman has posed:
One minute went by, then two. After the third, it began to look like Batman was itching to act alone. That's when something flutters down in front of him. It's a small piece of paper, and if the bat takes the time to give it a read, printed on it are a few words, followed by a couple more in small handwriting:

'Good things take time...in bed.'

Then comes another, though this one has no extra writing on it:

'You have a magnetic personality.'

"I was a little hungry, so I tried a few things." It's Catwoman, landing a few feet away and to one side, her whip out before she starts to wind it back up around her hips. "Food's not bad, but I had to go change to get ready. One of those are for you, but I'm having trouble figuring out which one fits you best," she smiles, a hint of a purr touching her words as she licks her lips.

Nightwing has posed:
    The first day back in Gotham is always the hardest, getting re-acclimated to the ebb and flow of the city always took some getting used to. But having grown up in the city it didn't take nearly as long as it once had. For now Nightwing was cutting across the rooftops, a bare silhouette against the night sky as he twists in the air, flipping free of the grapple line and hurtling past an old billboard that proclaims support for an old political candidate.
    Landing with a faint crunch on the gravel rooftop, the former Robin dashes across the way and then halts at the lip of the building. He'd already met the new Batgirl, and had come across a situation at the docks. But it finally came to try and catch up with the Bat. Alfred had given word with young Master Dick, and it didn't take too long to follow the trail of the Dark Knight.
    But now, on the edge of the building and close enough to come into play with whatever Bats has planned, Nightwing triggers his gauntlet to signal to his mentor that he was there, but a few blocks away by the strength of his signal. If he needed help he'd be able to move in, but if he needed the quiet then Nightwing would keep a holding pattern some ways off.

Batman has posed:
Batman only seems to move in a quick grab he takes both papers out of the air, quiet as she lands. Of course Batman was on the clock, so he just points. "Down there.. you are looking for this." he pulls out a picture, and the two papers are gone. He planned to save those for handwritting analysis later though he still had to find a connecting match which was the hard part. He continues, "Get the item, and bring it back.. Take nothing else, do this and it will help save innocint people." then falls to silence again letting her make up her own mind before continuing. "If you need me I will be here, though I would prefer to take the item without them associating it to me."

He doesn't even seem to of noticed the signal. though Nightwing would know he seen, or heard it. He doesn't even look back as he talks to her, and is silent after he explains that waiting for her to do her Catwoman thing, as he stands on the edge of the building waiting to move in himself. If it had to happen he would be right there, but for now he kept his distance as he hoped he wouldn't need to.

Catwoman has posed:
When he checks the handwriting, Batman will find nothing obvious about it. If anything, there's so little in the letters that make up 'in bed' that it's almost impossible to make anything of it, and aside from that, it's written intentionally deceptively. Nothing to it would give away Catwoman's real penmanship.

"And good evening to you, too," she nearly coos at him, sauntering back and forth before him after she's accepted the photo, touching a spot on her goggles as she holds it up in front of them. Then, she hands it back. "Just a medallion, then? I may have even seen it already, if they had it just sitting out there for anyone to see, but I'm thinking a back room or some hidden area. They'd have to be pretty cocky to have it out for just anyone to spot. Wherever it is, I'll find it. But, I have to say I like you opening up like this, accepting that sometimes it's okay to take something from someone else."

The possibility of saving some innocent lives may or may not matter to her, but it probably does on some level. She steps over to the edge of the roof, releasing the whip again, then she leans forward, plunges down, and the whip snakes out to use a light pole as a way to swing ahead.

Nightwing has posed:
    A quick scan of the area and Nightwing puts together an idea of the current situation. 'Hnh,' he says to himself just a moment before he pushes himself off the edge of the building and snares a flagpole, helping him swirl through the air and flip up towards another rooftop that puts him on a high angle above Batman.
    He takes a few more steps and then makes the drop to land lightly at the other end of the rooftop, rising to his feet silently. From a distance he just looks like a silhouette in the shadows. But then the dark-haired youth steps forth, the light from the moon sliding over his dark suit as he makes the approach. His voice lifts just to say, "Batman."

Batman has posed:
Batman doesn't rise to her taunts, and doesn't speak till she is moving to jump away. "Take only that, and we don't have a problem." is what he says in the gruff voice he always use though he does add. "It was stolen so many times the original owners are long gone. This isn't for profit, nor gain." though it seems he explains it slowly for her. He then watches her go swinging over noding to himself, as he hears the sound behind him.

Of course he knew who it was, and gives him a slight nod. He doesn't ask why here is here, because he is sure he would soon tell him. He just watches where Catwoman went carefully watching to see how it was going for her. He just sits silently in his spot, not moving as if he is ignoring Nightwing, though they both know that isn't true. This would be normal for Nightwing, as Batman was 'working' with that dedication he always shown.

Catwoman has posed:
One departs, and one fills the space left behind as Nightwing replaces Catwoman on the rooftop with Batman the remaining constant. "Can't believe I'm actually doing this for him," she tells herself, shaking her head as she lands silently and ducks into an alley adjacent to the restaurant. But, yes, there's a good reason behind it.

While Nightwing himself might catch a glimpse of her moving along, giving him something to ask Batman about if he hadn't already been briefed on the situation, she's on her way toward the rear entrance of the place, scouting it out, waiting for a moment to sneak inside.

Nightwing has posed:
    Just like old times. Nightwing stays where he is as Batman keeps his eyes and attention on the job. After a moment the younger vigilante is standing beside him with his arms folded as he awaits the signal. Silence reigns between them as has been their tradition for some time, though he does shift his weight slowly to the other boot.
    A glance to the side is given towards the Dark Knight, then back towards where Selina is working her magic. A breath is taken, steady calming.
    "I met Batgirl." Those words hang there. He knows he's met Babs before. But Cassandra... is another thing entire. Then his brow furrows as he looks off across the way, "And there was a group of cultists at the docks." A round about way of announcing that he's back, and working. "How have things been?" There, a conversational gambit.

Batman has posed:
Batman watches her move forward actually thinking how surprised he was he actually talked her into it though it is too bad they can't read minds. Maybe that is why they work so well together because deep down, maybe she was masked vigilanty material. He sighs, as Catwoman approaches from a side that is a bit higher on the risk side though it would get her closer. He can't tell her that, because he had learned with Robin's they never listen only get angry which helps nothing. Though her approach was... risker, then he liked but he didn't feel he needed to step in yet as she still kept her stealth for now though these people were usually better then your average thug.

Batman doesn't turn to face him, but he would hear Batman speak though in a low volumne that Nightwing might have turn up the volumn a bit to hear. "Good... she has much to learn, but easier then some Robins" he adds shortly leaving a pause in there. "The league of Assassins are back, this cultists have been fighting them. We have a Sea king that is making moves against us, and I hear it is even worse in bludhaven though rumors are there is some Cheerleader like girl fighting them off.." he summerizes some of the things that Nightwing is going to have to deal with on his return. He glares at the place, quietly for a long moment letting that sink in.. "Also the people with powers, or mutations they call it.. are growing exponentially, and some of them are starting to link into Gotham though they have not become an issue yet."

Catwoman has posed:
Two people exit the back of the place, looking much like the types that would be associated with the League of Assassins, the Hand, or whoever. By the time they're aware of anything, Catwoman's scrambled her way up to the rooftop, keeping a low profile from there, nearly pressing herself flat against it. In fact, she's positioned such that her back - and backside - are facing Batman and Nightwing. Coincidental, or intentional? If Batman knows her at all, and how she's teased him when she could...

That way in might not work. Based on earlier observations of her own, there was rooftop access, but it was meant to be a backup plan. Now it's the primary one.

Nightwing has posed:
    "Mmm," Nightwing's acknowledgement of the words little emotional inflection to it. But he eyes Batman askance at the mention of the teenager in Bludhaven. A small, 'hnh' slips from him as he keeps his arms folded over his chest. "I'll head up to Bludhaven, since I'm more familiar with the ground there." He lifts his eyes, gaze distancing as if considering the lay of the land.
    But then the younger vigilante shifts his gaze downwards to where Selina makes her play on the building. He rubs a gauntlet along the curve of his chin as he murmurs, "How did you manage that." He gestures with one hand towards the building the Catwoman seeks to infiltrate, and her rather pointed teasing, then eyes Batman sidelong. "She umm..." He perhaps struggles with the word he wants, then decides on, "Sincere?"

Batman has posed:
Batman sighs, as he watches her so what Catwoman does when she knows she is being watched... He doesn't answer for a moment until he finally says.. "Catwoman could be one of us, though the dedication is not there. If she takes anything I will send her to jail just like anyone else. But if this is what she wants to do, then the proper use of those skills can save lives." he doesn't seem to continue for a moment as he falls silent again, letting a long silence cover the air.

He finally continues, "If I need to visit Bludhaven I will.. Though there might be times your needed in Gotham, I need to head to Metropolis for a while Batgirl will stay here." he finally states, more then asks really.. Though Nightwing would know that is just how he asks, it must be work related or he would not go, if it was taking him away from Gotham at least.

Catwoman has posed:
A hatch in the form of a skylight, looking down on an office area. It has a latch, but it's on the inside. Catwoman circles the opening, determining that what she wants to do next has a fairly good chance of working. After reaching into the shoulder bag she brought with her, she attaches a small suction device to the glass and 'draws' a circle in the glass with a clawtip, allowing her to expose an easy way in to unhook the latch. The window panel is lifted up, and she ties one end of her whip around a pipe nearby, running the rest of it down into the room before she shimmies her way in and out of sight.

Nightwing has posed:
    "Alright," Nightwing nods as he properly interprets. He unfolds his arms and steps to the side, "I'll split my time, but cover if needs be." A few steps carry him away from the Dark Knight, his footsteps silent even upon the gravelly rooftop. He glances sidelong towards the older man and gives a nod. "I'll take up position on the opposite side, just in case."
    With that having been said there's the crack/hiss of compressed air as he fires his grapple line, the hook twirling around a distant pipe on the opposite building. He tests the line once and then snaps off a small salute with two fingers towards his brow before he turns back and drops off into the abyss. For a moment he's visible only as a dark silhouette against the sky line, and then he's gone into the night.
    Across the way he'll take up another observation point, making sure to at least cover Catwoman should she need it. Or, just because, in case she tries to make a break for it with something particularly shiny.

Batman has posed:
Batman sits watching Nightwing go, he does watch him go though only slightly as he knew Nightwing had it in him, but was curious if he was out of practice or slow. He knew everyone had their weaknesses, but he tought him well so didn't doubt him being out here. He sighs turning to look at Catwoman again, for a thief she sure shimmied a lot. It actually impressed him a little how she could add all that extra movement, still not being detected by the others. Though his way was best so he would keep Batgirl from learning stealth from her.

He himself, waited for Catwoman's return.. This was her test, and though Nightwing might take it easy a bit with helping he wanted to make sure she could do the job. Thinking this is like when Alfred made him let Nightwing sleep past four hours, just one of those things of people not used to the life of a Bat.

Catwoman has posed:
Two minutes pass by, then a third, and clawed fingertips appear at the opening in the rooftop. The second hand soon follows, and Catwoman hoists herself back up top again. Hanging from her neck is a ribbon, with the medallion swinging from the end of it. She's sure to flash Batman a grin along with a thumbs-up, showing the score off for him.

But, before she's done, she lightly shuts the skylight, secures the latch, and rummages around in her bag for something else. A fluid of some kind is used to line the glass she'd cut out, then she replaces the 'damage' she made and holds it in place for a few seconds. It must be a quick seal, because after a cursory tug of the suction cup follows and the glass holds, she tucks her tools away.

Now, Catwoman saunters her way toward the front of the building, sure that Batman has her squarely in her sights. She makes a show of taking off the medallion, then she lays it down on the roof for Batman to fetch. She may have got it out of the restaurant, but /he/ gets to actually /steal/ it. The catsuited woman's also licking her lips, apparently finishing chewing on something. One more strip of paper is set beside the medallion before she slinks her way to the back of the roof to again disappear. If Batman's 'vision' is good enough to read it from his location, or he has to move in closer first, it's another fortune:

'Your ingenuity will bring fine results.'

If Catwoman ever took any notice of Nightwing, nothing came of it this time around.

Batman has posed:
As she might notice after waving, Batman isn't where he was, he had moved at somepoint after Nightwing had just quietly shifting locations. As she saunters away after leaving the item there would be a grappling noise sound and from abover her watching down from a nearby building. It grabs the item, and pulls it back he just frowns at her again though he doesn't come after her just watch her leave quietly. He tucks the artifact into one of his belt pockets marking it for the league vaults for later. He was not going to keep it either, but she didn't need to know that.

He doesn't wave, he doesn't comment if anyone is watching or not he is just there, and then gone as he had work to do, and a city to protect now that there was a thief this good running around in it he would have to be a lot more careful out there. Later in his Batcave he would go after the notes signitures to get an inconclusive.. He looks at the crimes they believe have linked to her, and Bruce sits there in the batsuit with his cowl off.. "Who are you Catwoman..." interupted by Alfred saying it was time for him to leave for his flight.