3207/Old Friends and Remembrances

Old Friends and Remembrances
Date of Scene:	20 November 2017
Location:	Gotham City
Synopsis:	Nightwing and Black Canary meet up. She learns about his future Duel with Lady Shiva
Cast of Characters:	Nightwing, Black Canary

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Nightwing has posed:
Crime Alley. The place where it all started for Bruce, and a place that maybe only Nightwing knows he visits on a routine basis. Given everything that has happened between them, as well as the bridges that are being mended, Nightwing has felt a strange compulsion to come here on his own.

Nightwing stands on the roof of a nearby building, looking down into the empty alley, lost in his own thoughts for the longest time. Once he returns to the present, Nightwing dives headfirst off of the building, and slowly turns in mid air with almost inhuman grace. His grappling gun fires, slowing his speed, and landing in a crouch with almost no sound. He takes a few careful steps, completely silent, through the shadows towards the place that Bruce has told him about.

Then, towards the end of the alley, kneeling down to a place that only he can see, Nightwing stays in quiet contemplation.

Black Canary has posed:
A motorcycle roars to life a few blocks away. Black Canary had been following two shady individuals in an attempt to discern what -precisely- they were up to. But as near as she can tell, they are just looking to hang out, at least for now. They don't seem to pose a threat. And so she rides down a back alley, keeping a keen eye out. Holidays seem to bring the worst out of people, and Gotham is DEFINITELY no exception. Reaching a crucial point, however, something prickles the back of her neck. Canary has the feeling someone else is present. She halts her bike, scanning the area, and looking for what or whom has given her this sensation.

Nightwing has posed:
"I'll watch out for him..." Nightwing whispers to the ghosts of Thomas and Martha, "...he pushes himself so hard, and I think he loses that he is a Wayne most days." A slight shake of his head, he tells them "I know you would want someone that cares for him. It's been hard, we've had our arguments, but he's ... a father to me. " With one final nod of his head, he adds "I'll make sure he doesn't get lost."

Then there is the roar of the engine of a motorcycle, and Nightwing ducks into a nearby shadow. After a moment, he sees the bike and the rider, and a small smile creases his face. He takes a moment before stepping out of the shadow.

"Hello Stranger!" Nightwing calls out to Canary, "And what brings you to the dregs of Gotham, Canary?" The ever present playful tone in his youthful voice echoes down the alleyway. "Do you need any help?"

Black Canary has posed:
Canary breathes an oath. "Glad it's just you. I couldnt tell who was here. Just that I wasn't quite alone." She smiles, then, shaking her head. "I'm good. Just keeping an eye on the area. Guess I'll never be the only one, long as I 'm in Gotham, eh?"

Nightwing has posed:
A graceful gait takes Nightwing within easy speaking distance of Canary. He takes a moment to look over the motorcycle, and whistles in appreciation, "I see you've done some work on the bike..." nodding in approval, he adds "...looking good."

"Well, for some folks you'll run across pretty regularly." Nightwing chuckles, his smile broadening a bit, "Bats has built up quite the Family, and you'll see someone around most nights." Then he pauses, adding "I spend my nights in Bludhaven now. New place. Changes. Wanted to try something different."

Black Canary has posed:
Black Canary watches Nightwing for a moment. A myriad of thoughts visible in her gaze, yet not one betrayed to him as she nods, and replies softly. "Something different. Yeah, I've made a few runs through there myself, lately. Anyone there causing you any trouble to speak of?"

Nightwing has posed:
Nightwing takes a long moment to consider Canary's words and question. "Part of it was just to get out of Gotham for awhile." He answers her honestly, "I was considering doing something different than ...." he motions at the suit and mask "..this..." Then a simple shrug of his shoulder, "But I have a duel with Shiva coming up, to the death, and I noticed that Bludhaven was as bad, sometimes worse, than Gotham. So I can't give it up just yet."

Black Canary has posed:
"You're good at what you do," Canary replies, her tone suggesting a hint of protest at the idea of him giving it up. "A duel, hmm? To the death. I must have been out of the loop too long. Whose idea was this?" Only now does her gaze betray a hint of concern, as it watches his eyes intently, trying to get a feel for where his mind is on the matter.

Nightwing has posed:
"I think it's more in my blood than I wanted to admit..." Nightwing tells Canary, a similar conversation had not too long ago with another friend. "Sort of my fault.." Nightwing replies sheepishly, shaking his head after considering perhaps he should have made better choices. "I ran into her trying to save peoples lives. I didn't have time to handle it on my own, she offered to help, and wanted something in return." There he lets out a long sigh, "I used the wrong words, said the wrong thing, who knows. Ended up being a Duel to the Death..." He gives a crooked grin, adding, "But at least we saved the people. I've got about ten months to train, and then we have ourselves a good ol' fashioned Duel to the Death."

Black Canary has posed:
"To her death, not yours," Canary insists. "I won't accept it any other way. Besides, ten months is a long time. Things change quickly. I mean, they changed from normal heroics to a duel to the death in a split second, right?" She arches a brow, considering a million possibilities in a single moment. "I won't discourage you. But if there's anything I can do..." Maybe he knows how many she's taught. Maybe not. There will be a moment to bring it up, but this isn't that moment. "I'll be here for you."

Nightwing has posed:
"That's the plan..." Nightwing says in a confident manner that he even manages to pull it off quite well. "I'm going to train with Richard Dragon, and a few others as much as I can. Batman has told me that's to be my focus, and he'd keep a watch on Bludhaven for me." Her offer is seriously considered, knowing that she has an extensive background as well, "I think I'll take you up on that, Canary. I need to fight as many different styles as possible. Especially if you throw in your Canary Cry in, to keep me on my toes..." His easy going attitude shifting to very serious, he knows what is at stake, and it is more than his life, "...Thanks Canary." and it's obvious that he means it, "If you've got the time, maybe we can go a few rounds now? I know Batman would want me doing that instead of patrolling."

Black Canary has posed:
"Anything you want, Nightwing. And anytime you want. I'm behind you one hundred percent, and I'll be glad to help you with anything, no matter what it takes. She shifts her weight on the bike, averting her gaze slightly. "I mean, there's too much at stake here, y'know?" She lifts her gaze back up to his, wondering if there's any way he -does- know.

Nightwing has posed:
A grin shows on Nightwing's features, an appreciate nod to her again, "Awesome. My bike is not too far from here. I hear you have a dojo, so we can head there, and see just how much you kick me across your mats." At her words, his face takes on a more solemn cast, "I know. I didn't before, but I know this impacts all the Family, not just me, and I know Batman doesn't intend on letting it go."

Black Canary has posed:
Canary shrugs with a smile. "She can't duel you to the death if someone else knocks her off in the meantime, right?" She winks and nods to him. "C'mon, let's get your bike and head back, I'll have you on your back so much you might just decide to stay there."

Nightwing has posed:
Nightwing quirks a brow at her both of those two statements, "I think she wouldn't take any Duels until ours is done, from what I hear from Batman she has a pretty rigid sense of honor, and she even promised to make sure no one messes with me while I get ready for our Duel." His grappling gun fires to the nearest rooftop, and as he starts to lift off the ground he adds, "And Batman has said something similar to me in the past..." and she might hear him mutter on the way up, "...but it didn't /quite/ have the same ring."