5238/The Curious Tale of Edward Nygma

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The Curious Tale of Edward Nygma
Date of Scene: 25 August 2018
Location: A rooftop in Gotham
Synopsis: Two masked vigilantes talk shop and trade intel.
Cast of Characters: Shadow, Batwoman




Batwoman has posed:
    It's late in Gotham. The rain has formed some kind of cruel mist upon the city, barely enough to be felt but just enough to leave a thin dusting on all that it touches, and Kate is on the rooftop of one of the buildings in the docks, the Bat pacing with her rich red cloak flowing behind her. Most suprisingly, she's talking to herself, as the barely obscured moon provides just enough light to see her by - At least from the same level, or one of the few buildings higher up.

    "I will deal with the paperwork later. I need traces run on all known accounts, and I need to know how that snide cretin escaped a prison built specifically to contain someone like him. We wrapped him up nice and sweet for them, and they untied the bow and let him escape." That rich, luxuriant voice touched with a fraction of anger.

    "There's no point us being out here if they aren't being contained. And for that matter, what in all that we hold sacred is Gotham PD doing holding a gorilla hostage?" Pacing aggressively, it seems, as she's busy venting into her cowl. That typical composure faulted, if not her voice.
Shadow has posed:
    Angry venting is a great way to let off steam, but focusing on your thoughts like that tends to be bad for your situational awareness, so Batwoman doesn't realize she's no longer alone on the rooftop until a sinister voice speaks up from behind her.

    "Which one of them in particular are you upset about this time?" The Shadow asks, almost conversationally -- and once Kate becomes aware of their presence, she can make out the area a few steps away from her personal space where the rain doesn't quite fall straight down...

Batwoman has posed:
    Perhaps she didn't notice that she wasn't alone, but her reaction from the first sound shows the kind of instinct that Kate's developed - Her hand slaps her thigh, finger catching on the trigger of her rifle as it extends, and is brought up while she whips around - Pointing the barrel at the obscurity while her eyes catch up. And a moment later, the rifle collapses back to it's normal size, and is attached to her hip. Pouty, rich red lips moving as she speaks. "Monitor the situation. Red out."

    "I wondered if I'd see you again. You really are cruel to take a girl out on a date and never call again." Although it's clear her heart isn't really in it. Not yet. AFter all she's just had an intense conversation, and then, to be honest, a mild shock.

Shadow has posed:
    "To be fair, you didn't exactly leave a number," The Shadow points out in return, the mist and rain rippling and solidifying like a bad special effect as they fade into visibility. "And I did mention that Gotham is not exactly my usual territory. If not for the fact that one of my agents needed to have something picked up in person I wouldn't have been in the vicinity."

Batwoman has posed:
    "And you know that's not a ladies responsibility." Those painted lips tease again, as she settles back into her role. Her game. Her costume. Batwoman smiles as the figure steps out of it's cloak, "It's fine. I do know how our type are. Very much the kind who are into a quick tumble, and off again." A tut, before she folds her arms over her chest. "One of my least favourite ne'er do wells has escaped from Arkham, and has been trying to test either my wits or my patience, and both are coming to an end. It's vexing. But how are you?"

Shadow has posed:
    "Much the same as usual. I'm pursuing some investigations, but have no active leads to follow up on. Yet." The last comes out with a hunter's certainty.

    Someone died, almost certainly because he saw something he shouldn't have. Two witnesses to the hit job are on the run. The assassins were... Professionally trained, and didn't leave many clues to work with." A chuckle. "When I catch up with them I intend to educate them in the difference between 'not many' and 'not enough'..."

Batwoman has posed:
"All business, as always." Batwoman chides softly. and then pauses. "I don't suppose you know anything about a Mister Nygma, do you? Likes to call himself the Riddler. Fiendishly clever chap, and has a penchant for... Well, some call them deathtraps, he would call it a lethal puzzle." A hand rests on her armored hip, as she considers the Shadow's heavy outfit. "And you know that outfit is far from flattering."

Shadow has posed:
    "I'm aware of him, of course," The Shadow replies, shrugging. "Occasional elaborate death trap aside, he strikes me as one of the least harmful by far of the Bat's rogues' gallery. I suspect most of his antics are born more of an desire to have people pay attention to him than anything more sinister..."

    "After all, if lives weren't in danger, the Batman would have no interest in solving the puzzles Nygma sets before him; and if he didn't pose those riddles in the first place, he'd easily get away with most of his crimes. But Nygma doesn't /want/ 'easy'. He wants to /win/ and prove himself Batman's intellectual superior by challenging him with a riddle he can't solve..."

    Batwoman can just about make out a raised eyebrow to her other comment. "This outfit is... Traditional, in its own way - much like the cape and cowl you wear. Flattery was never one of its intended purposes." It's hard to make out vocal inflections through that voice mask, but there seems a distinct hint of amusement in there.

Batwoman has posed:
    "Close, but no cigar. Wouldn't you like to win the special prize?" Batwoman muses softly, "Mister Nygma is something a little unusual. Yes, he loves his game, and his dance with those who want to capture him, but the source of his games? It's his desire to say something with such emphasis that it cannot be ignored. Far be it from me to fully empathise with him, but Mister Nygma seems like he wants things done the way he believes is right, far more than he wants to play games." Her armored finger drums against her lips as she considers.

The batsuit is modelled for a moment, Kate preening before the strange Shadow before she teases. "Perhaps. My outfit is inspired by the Batman, but in no way a duplicate. Although I admit the cape is a touch much, and can occasionally get in the way, but it gives so much /drama/." As if on cue, her cape flutters briefly, the same rich red that rests upon her dampened lips. "Most vigilantes love to play show, not tell. Full face mask, bust out." A chuckle.

Shadow has posed:
    Another chuckle. "And for dramatics, it works very well indeed," The Shadow concurs. "Whereas I'm more of a horror -- an unseen, relentless stalker that hunts its victims and strikes from the shadows just when they thought they were finally safe. It worked superbly for my predecessor, after all..."

Batwoman has posed:
    Kate can't help but stifle a giggle behind her hand, and reveals a cheshire cat smile when she removes it. "Oh dear, you're wearing a hand-me-down? That's a little bit sad. Perhaps you could style it up with a bow or something." She teases, "And don't worry, I'm just having fun. We have our own aesthetics, and that's fine. It's just my inner temptress wanting to pull at your strings like an marionette in an oversized coat." The Batwoman takes a few steps towards the edge of the building, to sit on the lip facing inwards.

Shadow has posed:
    The Shadow's laughter is a distinctly unnerving sound -- or at least it would be for someone who hasn't had the Joker cackle at them at close range. "Ah, but would you respect me as much if it were that easy?" comes the reply, amusement coiling underneath the voice mask's distortion.

    "At any rate, you may find this interesting -- the details and destination of a shipment of goods to a property owned by a second-generation Chinese immigrant named 'Darius Quan'.}" A USB stick glitters in the Shadow's gloved hand for a moment before it's flung into the air toward Batwoman. "It might be worth your time looking into..."

Batwoman has posed:
    "I've enough sense left in me to respect anyone until I have their full measure, and you are no exception." Kate responds, her hands coming to rest on the aged stone, armored palms brushing over it as she thinks aloud. "And perhaps you play this game of shadows so well because you are still finding your feet, which is not entirely unusual, although you do come off as quite a professional."

    "Oho?" Kate snatches it out of the air without issue, and secretes it in her belt after a cursory inspection. "Well now. Another riddle wrapped in an enigma, hmn? I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to put a round through the calf of that jester."

Shadow has posed:
    "I had good teachers," comes the reply, with a slightly theatrical bow. "Good hunting, Batwoman. May your foes tremble."

    With that, the Shadow turns and leaves, already fading from view until even their footsteps are only barely visible in between the splashing raindrops...

Batwoman has posed:
    Kate shakes her head, offering an idle, parting chide. "I thought it was customary for a kiss on the second date. No matter, though, as it seems I have a suitor who needs tracking regardless. Nothing like hunting down one's quandry to whett an appetite - It seems like I might owe you one after this." Kate doesn't move from her position, though, as she watches the person fade from view.