4222/Images from the Past

Images from the Past
Date of Scene:	08 April 2018
Location:	Gotham City
Synopsis:	Talia arranges to meet Jason and offers a deal.
Cast of Characters:	Red Hood, Talia al Ghul

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Red Hood has posed:
The Brideshead neighborhood of Gotham City. It's where Selnia Kyle once resided before she moved along - and is currently under the control of the crimelord known as Bracuda. Like any other neighborhood, the cops are either on the take or overwhelmed. Unfortunately, this has drawn the attention of Red Hood and his plans to clear Gotham neighborhood by neighborhood.

Brideshead makes for a great starting point. The Bat doesn't come here often, and it allows Jason to do his thing, mostly unbothered. Except in this case, it has set a pattern. He's shown up for a week straight in the neighborhood as he has taken on a single-minded focus to clean the neighborhood and establish his foothold.

Which is why he stands on the rooftop tonight. A bright neon sign announcing the name of the shop below buzzes with electricity as Jason is sitting on the large air conditioning unit, eating his lunch - a military style ration that's easy to get protein and instant energy in, and just as easy to get rid of when done.

Talia al Ghul has posed:
Red Hood isn't the only one with an interest in Gotham. Likewise, he isn't the only Watcher. One with his skillset would certainly be aware that his movements are being followed. It took only a few nights of repeating patterns, but his presence in Brideshead has attracted attention.

And tonight while he eats his lunch, that familiar presence returns. His Watcher is skilled, to be sure, and just across the street to the right. Also on a rooftop. Whoever it is, this one is much more skilled than one of Bracuda's regular thugs. A hired specialist, perhaps?

Red Hood has posed:
Jason sits there, opening his bottle of water as he takes a long swig from his bottle. But his eyes cut to the side as he feels the presence to his immediate right. But he doesn't turn his head or move. Instead, he waits. The plastic spoon digs into the chicken ala king, pulling out some of the chunky, gelatinous goop that the military has deemed such, at least. As he takes the spoonful into his mouth, he waits to feel whatever it is that is seeking him out getting closer.

But he's never been one of the more patient Robins - or person in general. So just before the figure in the shadows can make it's move, Jason drops off the edge of the air conditioner into a roll. As he does so, the helmet seals into place as the rebreather kicks in, and Red Hood draws a pair of pistols to prepare for engagement. "You could have at least waited til I got to the banana bread to fuck up my lunch."

Talia al Ghul has posed:
The Watcher doesn't move, not even when Jason drops and rolls. It's a figure dressed all in black, binoculars returning to the belt. A single sword is worn across the back in ninja-fashion. And now that Jason is close, the garb and the manner of the League of Assassins is apparent.

What's also apparent is that the Watcher isn't alone; they're a decoy.

From behind him there's another voice, soft and silky and undoubtedly feminine. "We should talk." the woman offers. "While you finish your lunch." It's a familiar voice as well.

Red Hood has posed:
It makes the hair on Jason's neck rise on end. He knows that voice. He knows it too well. "Instead of lunch, how about I empty both clips into you and call it even for interrupting me." comes the response, as Jason twists around, though one gun remains pointed towards the decoy, and the other finds the shapely and beautiful daughter of the demon.

"Thought you'd be off pestering the Bat. You know, looking to try again for that whole 'ultimate heir' of the clan bullshit or something." The roll of his eyes within the helmet is heard in his voice, before he rumbles. "You got three seconds to convince me not to open fire."

Talia al Ghul has posed:
The woman before him draws off her mask, shaking out that long mane of midnight-black hair. Talia is beautiful, of course. She always looks beautiful, the Demon's Daughter. And armed as well. A sword over one shoulder, a quiver of arrows on her hip, and a bow in hand.

"If my intention had been violence, I would have shot first." she offers. And he -knows- how good she is with that bow. "I have other business in Gotham; business that aligns with your own."

And then Talia drops the big one.

"I no longer serve my father's interests. Talk or shoot, but choose swiftly."

Red Hood has posed:
That revelation draws an audible "Huh?" from Jason Todd, as one pistol is moved and shoved back into it's holster. "Here I thought your first stop would be with the old man to confess that you've left pops for him." comes the rumbled response as he finally decides to put away the other pistol. "At least you could have brought lunch with you to cover the loss of my feast." Some feast he had.

Reaching up to undo his helmet with a hiss of air, Jason removes the Hood in order to set it to his side before he gestures towards the guard. "Send away the novice. We don't need a babysitter, since I doubt you're going to make a move on me."

Talia al Ghul has posed:
Talia al Ghul tilts her head and lifts an index finger, and in that moment the assassin slips away. "There are very few who are aware that I am not dead. The Detective is one, but not because I contacted him directly." She hasn't nocked an arrow, of course. Her intentions have already been declared.

"There is a small Italian cafe a block over. I would offer to buy dinner, but neither one of us is really dressed properly. Next time, perhaps?" The woman edges slowly towards a roof vent, settling upon it while keeping her attention focused on Jason.

Whether he relaxes or not, Talia begins to speak once she's (relatively) comfortable. "As I said, I have broken from my father since my presumed death. My interests currently involve Gotham, and by all accounts you operate independently from the Detective. That puts us in alignment, from my perspective."

Red Hood has posed:
"Bats? Eh. We operate in the same circles, but we don't. But I'm surprised that you're coming to me, considering that he's got the squirt with him." Jason admits as he considers Talia, and then chuckles. "Next time I go on patrol I'll make sure to pack the tux so I can see you more immodestly." That is offered dryly to her, before she settles in, and the Hood takes his own seat.

"I know you're not dead, because you're the reason I'm not dead." He knows this much, but it's not like he owes her any big favors, right? "But yeah, he may need my help on occassion, but I'm not exactly one of his errand Robins or Oracle." he offers with a shrug of his shoulders.

"So, you're here in Gotham. Are you trying to get his attention and prove something, or just looking for a change of pace?"

Talia al Ghul has posed:
Talia al Ghul shakes her head. "None of the above, I'm afraid." she replies, with a pleased little smile. Her expression fades almost immediately, gaze narrowing. "And I do not require *His* permission to see my son." There's a soft hiss when she says 'His'.

So she has already contacted Damian.

"But let us return to the matter at hand. There is too much of a crime presence in Gotham. You want to reduce that. So do I. My reasons are my own, and I see that your methods are not too far afield from my own." Her gaze lowers to his pistols, then. Something Batman would never approve of.

Red Hood has posed:
"Thinning the herd to the worthy? Seems your style, Tali." Jason offers up with a dry tone as he pushes off of the air conditioner and dares to approach near her personal space. "And it sounds like you already seen your precious bundle." he adds as he lifts a brow beneath his domino mask."

"So, yeah, you put some of your training in me, you know what I'm capable of. Why don't we cut through the foreplay and get to the nitty-gritty. What is it you're wanting me to do, and how much you offering me to do it?"

Talia al Ghul has posed:
Talia al Ghul does not rise as he approaches, but rather remains perched upon the roof vent as if it was a throne. "Bracuda. I want him permanently out of business." she declares, simply. "And after him, I have a list of others." The woman doesn't acknowledge his hypotheses with anything more than a knowing smile.

"As for what I'm offering, you know the resources at my disposal. Name your price. All I ask in return is that you let *me* guide your hand; a surgeon with a scalpel."

Red Hood has posed:
"Didn't we have this song and dance once before?" Jason asks as he lifts his boot and sets it on the railing next to where she's sitting. It allows for a more private conversation between the two. "If I recall right, you offered me this same deal, and then when I didn't dance for you like you wanted me to, you turned the League loose upon me - or your daddy did, and here we are now."

"What's to keep me from saying that while you may be incredibly hot and yeah, we have the same objectives, but you're going to inevitablt stabe me in the back?" he asks her with curiosity as Jason lowers his gaze to meet hers. "And then there's the matter of how much leeway you're going to allow. I ain't exactly a puppet on a string anymore. Did that twice already and hated it. You can tell me what you want done, but I do it on my time and terms - and you don't complain if I get sidetracked."

Talia al Ghul has posed:
Talia al Ghul shakes her head once. "My father was responsible for that previous unpleasantness." she replies succinctly. "He has broken faith with me as well, if you recall." Another nudge in the direction of 'alignment'.

The woman considers for a moment, her gaze straying to the boot resting almost next to her. "I agree to your terms. I name the targets; you choose the timing and the terms. You are free to end our arrangement whenever you wish, of course."

She leans in closer, resting a hand upon his knee as her voice lowers. "But the moment the Detective learns -anything- of my interests from you, I will assume that you have broken faith with me."

Red Hood has posed:
"Oh yes, because the moment you leave, I'm gonna turn and tell the old man you're in town." There's an audible snort from Jason on that front as he feels the press of her hand on his knee. "I'm not his errand boy anymore, Talia. He doesn't contact me unless he needs me for something that's out of his comfort zone and I sure as hell don't talk to him much anymore."

He doesn't mention that he's even assembling his own little group, or was, and is seeking out someone to replace Alfred. Though noone can replace Alred's grilled cheese sandwiches. Sigh. Lament.

"So there a place I should be meeting you for these little rendevouz? The more secluded, the better, I'm assuming." Jason offers to her. Yes, he know it's dangerous to flirt with the demon's daughter - but that's half the draw.

Talia al Ghul has posed:
Talia al Ghul smiles at that, fingers giving his armored knee a light squeeze. "Then we understand each other. Good." she replies. Rising smoothly puts her -very- much within his personal space. And close enough for him to smell that she's not wearing perfume.

This is professional for her. All evidence to the contrary.

Talia holds up a cell phone, offering it. "There is one number in the call history. You can reach me with this, and I can reach you. You know how it works. I'll give you a new phone every time we meet."

Red Hood has posed:
Oh, he knows it's business. He also knows Talia's game. He's just playing along with at the moment. Not that he wears cologne, either. Unless you count the smell of cordite.

Taking the burner phone, Jason gives a nod. "Yep. Just like having a new girlfriend." There's a smirk at that before he tucks it into a sidepouch. "Now what if I just want to call just to call?" Did he really just suggest a booty call to Talia al Ghul? Possibly, but there is amusement on his features as he pulls back from Talia to re-establish their ground before it carries too far.

Talia al Ghul has posed:
Talia al Ghul chuckles softly, but doesn't follow when he steps back. "Then I suppose we'll just have to see what happens, won't we?" she replies, with her customary playfulness. It's not a 'yes', but certainly not a 'no' either.

"I look forward to our next conversation, Red Hood. Coat and tie." And with that, she'll wait for him to make the customary Bat-departure before leaving the roof herself.