387/The Wolf Bows to the Head of the Demon

The Wolf Bows to the Head of the Demon
Date of Scene:	12 May 2017
Location:	Gotham City
Synopsis:	Summary needed
Cast of Characters:	Amarok, Ra's al-Ghul

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Amarok has posed:
It's a quiet evening in Old Gotham, and Daniel Richter is spending it in silence in the dark of his basement apartment, sitting and staring at the inky blackness reflecting in his turned off TV after many hours of watching the news. Soon, night will fall. And the Wolf will stalk the streets. But for now, all that remains is to wait...

Ra's al-Ghul has posed:
The strokes of fortune and history had brought violence to Gotham City, in such an unusual manner. The police refused to work, even to save those they allegedly had a calling to protect. Corruption and misery had long run rampant in this corrupt doge's delight of guild finance gone awry, but this was the precipice of calamity. And Ra's al-Ghul was pushed to ponder: having destroyed so much, could he become a doctor again, and save a patient? That is what led the League of Assassins to seek their prodigal son in his humble dwelling.

There is sound outside, the noise of a limosuine pulling up on the street outside and the engine cutting, the purr indicating an engine more muscular than on a typical man of estate's carriage. And then, two men in suits enter the Urban Wolf's apartment, having entered without any interference of access, having breached all layers of defense with nary an effort, merely quiet lockpicking and entry. They are Persian in descent, one with long hair and sunglasses, the other with a shaved head and closely shorn facial hair. They clasp their hands before themselves, and a shadow appears, one that Daniel Richter has never seen before, but must indeed know the identity of.

"Hello, child," comes a slow, melodic greeting, from the darkness of the doorway, a caped silhouette hiding the true form in the shade.

Amarok has posed:
Dan twitched as he heard the limo break the silence of his brooding, standing and glaring pensively towards the door as it's singular defence, a lock, is quickly picked through. As they enter, Dan relaxes slightly, pegging them almost instantly for members of the League of Assassins, but his eyes widen for a split second as it dawns on him who the shadow must be. Without hesitation, Dan drops to a knee and bows his head low, hands to the floor in front of him, "Please forgive my lack of preperation for your visit, master. I was not aware you were coming." He says in a quiet monotone to the floor below.

Ra's al-Ghul has posed:
"I would be worried otherwise," is all Ra's al-Ghul shares in response.

"Rise, Daniel Richter. And take your seat once more. We have much to discuss. Fate has selected you, as it had once selected me, and it had selected your parents." He steps into the light, the shade creeping up his limbs and the green cloak, lined with gold embroidery and hanging about him, before one can see his face as he fully enters the room.

He takes a step forward and extends his hand, placing it on Daniel's head in a priestly show of benediction, before he lets it fall away. Both of his bodyguards file out of the room at a glance from the Demon, leaving them alone.

"The true purpose of the League of Assassins, is to create superhumans, from mortal clay. It is not skill or luck or choice that led us both here, Daniel Richter. It is a higher power even I can only grasp in the darkest tides of my haunted slumber."

Amarok has posed:
Dan slowly rises, eyes still glued to the floor in submission as he carefully makes his way back to his seat as ordered, "I live but to serve, master." He says deferentially, "Command, and I shall obey."

Ra's al-Ghul has posed:
"I command you to live," Ra's al-Ghul says with a quiet dismissal of formalities, although there is a tone of respect for a subordinate in this statement. He does not eschew his custom, realizing its worth, it is merely a hindrance in this situation. He knows how to remove it, having designed the custom himself.

Ra's al-Ghul lifts his right hand within Daniel's view, palm upturned but hidden by his fingers, gesturing his eyes up with a quiet signal, before his arm drops hidden behind his cloak again.

"You are not an Assassin. You have failed, and left our organization, and we have not hunted you. I know what happened to your unit, Daniel Richter. And I can only guess what you saw." He makes firm eye contact, tilting his head downwards at the seated man, his eyes narrowing ever so imperceptably. "But I know what it has done to you. I have seen things which a man could not imagine until he has experienced the divine. As have you."

The Demon slowly moves his cloak backwards, showing his arms, allowing them to remain at his sides without a gesture to perch them, all the confidence of a Bedouin present after centuries away from the dunes. "Tell me, Daniel Richter."

"Do you still wish to become a legend, as your father raised you, and your mother desired?"

Amarok has posed:
Dan flinches slightly as Ra's acknowledges his failures, and as the question is asked, he tenses, a long moment passing before he slowly glances up to meet the Demon's eye, "....Yes, master. Yes I do."

Ra's al-Ghul has posed:
A small smile of paternal approval creeps about the Demon's lips. "Then you are an Assassin once again. Fate smiles on us if we are meant to enforce its will, Daniel Richter. Whether you are the smallest street urchin, or the highest king."

Ra's slowly turns aside, examining Daniel's dwelling, a deliberate gesture meant to lessen Daniel's tension. He has already memorized every detail (the ones important to him), to be purged later during meditative self-discipline before he sleeps. But he is a social creature still, even in these later years.

"There is a new breed of man in Gotham City. There were things like them here, once. They may still exist. These men, however, are different. They have costumes, strange identities, shows of self-worth, skills that are beyond the probability of so many gathered here being so remarkable. It is a diamond mine of human worth, and like many mines, the gems I seek are rough, unshod, and hidden in filth."

Ra's lowers his head, furrowing his eyebrows. "I wish to test this city, Daniel Richter. And you? You will be my chief instrument of diplomacy to these men and women." He looks at Daniel from his shoulder, his brow loosening, but the man deadly serious. "This is your mission."

Amarok has posed:
The dwelling is very basic, the only furniture in the room being a couch and a modestly sized TV. Dan's few personal possessions stil boxed up around the apartment. A door to a bedroom can be seen ajar, with a mattress bare and lying on the floor, with a similiar bathroom to the side and an open kitchen with a mini-fridge next to the microwave and an empty space where a stove would go, "I have...been made aware of them." He says with a glance to the TV, "....How would you like me to deal with them, master?"

Ra's al-Ghul has posed:
"Discretely. I hold no prejudice, whether they be an enemy of this city's order, a friend to it, or an individual that believes they are a friend. I will form my judgements later." He turns his head away from Richter, speaking in Arabic. One of the Persians steps into the room, handing the Demon a black smartphone. Ra's al-Ghul turns and offers it to Daniel in his hand. "You will make contact with them, and assess their aliases and identities and skills. I want their aliases, and their temperaments. The state of chaos from the police strike should be perfect." He drops his hand once the phone has been taken.

"Hunt wisely, Daniel Richter." He turns about and leaves the dwelling, his minions following. There's a thrum of an engine outside, followed by the slow rolling of tires away.

Amarok has posed:
Dan takes the phone with a nod and looks it over, "As you command, master. I will proceed at once." He says resolutely, bowing as Ra's makes his exit. Once more the apartment fills with darkness, and Dan slowly sits back onto the couch to contemplate the coming nights.