5274/The Oracle Knows All

The Oracle Knows All
Date of Scene:	31 August 2018
Location:	Gotham City
Synopsis:	Batwoman introduces Peregrine to Oracle.
Cast of Characters:	Batwoman, Peregrine, Oracle

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Batwoman has posed:
Dawn has nearly broken. It's the best time for vigilante's to meet, with the bulk of crime dealt with for the night, and Kate's made her way up to the Clocktower with a recently contacted Peregrine in tow - Although the speedster would be capable of simply ascending the tower, Kate has to take a far more athletic route up, and so she's glad when they can finally get out of the night air and she can remove her cowl. Her suit has a fine dusting of light rain upon it, but the hair underneath her cowl is completely dry, as the mask is put aside while they walk into the clocktower. "I've asked Oracle to meet us here. She shouldn't be far away." Kate mentions to Peregrine, as they make their way down from the top to the lower floor of the penthouse. "Hopefully she can be more help than I can." No longer the rich, seductive tones of the red-lipped seductress.

Without the mask, she doesn't really need them anyway

Peregrine has posed:
Peregrine simply runs up the side of the clocktower when mentioned. Her suit is dry - her speed aura kept the rain from touching her. She sighs as she pulls her helmet off when arriving. "Well... I'm glad to hear. So she'll be arriving in person?" she asks as she looks around the place, her blue costume having a few glowing yellow lines pulsing in it as she smiles faintly. She fidgets nervously - she has a very short attention span like most speedsters as she sighs, tempted to pull her phone out of her pocket, but waits.

Oracle has posed:
Oracle. That mysterious, faceless entity whose very identity is little more than whispers and rumors and Internet urban legend. Very few know who Oracle is, and those are all sworn to secrecy.

Apparently Batwoman is one of those few. And now, she's led Peregrine to a penthouse apartment in Gotham City's Clocktower building.

Stepping out from the kitchen is a young redhead. Dressed casually, Barbara is wearing skinny jeans and a green tank top, along with a comfortable pair of flats. Cradling a mug in one hand, she takes a sip and offers. "Welcome. Water's hot if you'd like tea."

Peregrine has posed:
Peregrine blinks. "Hello there. Some tea sounds delightful right now - it's a bit nippy out side." She walks to the kitchen, and prepares two cup sof tea - one for herslef and one for Kate. "So. I have an appointment here this morning...?" Deanna herself is a redhead, but her curly hair is cut military-style to fit under the helmet she uses as part of her costume. She looks Barbara up and down, then glances back to Kate. Could this 20-something be this Oracle?

Batwoman has posed:
It's a meeting of redheads, in fact. Kate smiles at Barbara as she walks out, seperating herself from Deanna to wrap her friend in a momentary hug while Peregrine goes off to make some tea for them both. "Peregrine is still new to her powers, in the grand scheme of things. A speedster, mid-tier. At least at this point. I hoped you could help her with what she wishes to do, perhaps see if she can help you in your own endeavours." A smile, before she finds a table to lean against and watch. For the most part. "She knows me as Batwoman, and Red. I'm still happy to remain incognito, at least at this point."

Oracle has posed:
Barbara is unfazed by the costumes, or by the early-morning appointment. Breathing in the herbal tea, she offers a small smile to the guest. "Yes I know, Peregrine." Kate's embrace is returned, and warmly, careful of spilling her mug. Listening to the run-down, she nods and turns her attention back to the visitor. "Fair enough, Batwoman. I think calling you 'Red' would be confusing, given the present company."

While Peregrine messes about in the kitchen, Barbara steps a little closer. "Deanna Dove. Major, US Air Force. Test pilot." She then goes on to quote Deanna's service number, birth date, and social security number. "Call me Barbara."

Yes, this is definitely Oracle.

Peregrine has posed:
Peregrine just STARES, her mouth agape, at all that information. "So you definitely ar Oracle. How did you find all that out? I just told her my first name..." She frowns. "That's almost a bit disconcerting, Barbara." She just sits down, just holding the tea but not drinking it.

Batwoman has posed:
"Facial recognition, military records. InOps can do a lot, but Oracle here is something special." Kate responds simply, reaching out for her cup of tea from Peregrine before she has a chance to get too far away. "Don't worry. Barbara is an old friend, she isn't up to anything sinister with it."

Oracle has posed:
Barbara Gordon chuckles and gestures towards the sofa. "Relax, Deanna. Have a seat and get comfortable." She moves towards the sofa herself. Giving Kate a nod, she adds "You'll soon learn that secrets are a big part of what we do here. Keeping secrets, I mean. And Batwoman is right. The first name was a little help, but with a facial image I was able to do a deep-dive on you. If you're curious sometime, I can show you your Air Force personnel file."

"But information is only so useful on its own, which is why I'm putting together a group to take it to the next level."

Peregrine has posed:
Peregrine sighs. "I've seen it somewhat. I just don't want the Air Force too curious about me." She sighs softly as she sips her tea. "So you are capable of getting information - must mean you're a good hacker." She ponders. "So... if I may ask... why is Red here so... reticent... to share even her first name? I'm a bit confused on that subject. And... what kind of group?"

Batwoman has posed:
"Babs," Kate responds to the question with an interject. "Would it be... Safe, to tell her?"

Oracle has posed:
Barbara Gordon shrugs. "Batwoman's secrets are her own, and she'll share when she's ready." she replies to Peregrine. "Some of us have been wearing a mask or cowl for so long that secrecy has become a way of life." Considering, then, she adds. "We all have to start trusting each other sometime, ...Batwoman. It's sort of a 'you show me yours and I'll show you mine' arrangement."

The smile returns.

"There are criminals who operate above the Law, who live outside the Law, and who are basically untouchable. They feed Gotham's crime syndicates, and are too remote for the Bats to touch. They are our targets. Our prey."

Peregrine has posed:
Peregrine blinks. "Prey? So - you want us to be predators of those the police can't touch?" she asks, pondering softly. "What is this group going to be called?" she finally asks. "And you want us to go after people that Batman won't touch? But I thought Batwoman herew as an associate of Batman...?"

Batwoman has posed:
"Ah, but mine is much bigger than yours." Kate teases back at Barbara, arms folded across the bat emblazoned upon her chest. "Kate then. Call it a dash of trust on this Justice Pie you're baking." A glance over at Peregrine follows, "Batman keeps his eyes mostly on Gotham. I'm somewhat more flexible. "

Oracle has posed:
"Not won't touch, but *can't* touch." Barbara clarifies. "Drugs come into Gotham from distributors in South America and parts of Asia, as an example. Batman's reach isn't infinite, and he doesn't have the time to track down every lead. We are well-funded and we have private transportation to anywhere in the world. The teams will focus on infiltration, reconaissance, and surgical strikes."

Crimson brows knit, then, and she takes another sip of her tea. "Team name? We don't actually -have- a name as such."

Peregrine has posed:
Peregrine smiles. "Reconnaissance and surgical strikes are my jam. Infiltration not so much - speedsters aren't very... subtle." She winks. "I should mention that I can fly anything with wings or rotors so..." She hmmmms softly. "Oh - thank you for your name, Kate." She ponders. "So - we are going to be predators, going after those who the law can't touch... that sounds good."

Oracle has posed:
Barbara Gordon nods and gestures with her mug. "Right. If we do things right we'll get in, take out our targets, and get out again before anyone even knows we've been there. No assassinations, though. And no killing. We're still vigilantes, not mercenaries. We live by a code and we stay in the light, even though we'll work in the shadows."

"Secrecy. Loyalty. Courage. That's what I swore to Batman, and I won't ask anything more from any of you. Can you live with those terms?"

Wait, she swore this to Batman? On what terms....

Peregrine has posed:
Peregrine nods. "Sounds like you want us to swoop in like birds of prey..." she muses softly. "I can abide by those terms. Though I served in the military, I have never killed and don't want to start now." She smiles faintly. "Mercenaries are really despicable people when you get to know them. Especially ones overseas."

Batwoman has posed:
"I wouldn't say that. Mercenaries have their place in the world the same as us." Kage suggests. Partially because she's slightly involved with them. "Besides, they can provide ground and fire support where required." Kate looks over the pair, and pushes herself back to her feet with a mouthful of tea. "Well, I'm due in the office in about three hours, so I had best get some beauty sleep. Let me know if you need any help with the warehouse - And if you could forward all the information that I collected on the Colonel to Batman, I think he would appreciate it. Deanna, are you about finished?"

Oracle has posed:
Barbara Gordon switches the mug to her other hand, raising it towards Deanna in a toast. "Welcome then, Peregrine. We'll introduce you to the others in time and I'll make a key card for you." She smiles again. "My -full- agents use the front door."

Peregrine has posed:
Peregrine smiles softly. "Oh. But running up the side of the tower is quicker," she muses. "Very well. I'll try to be subtle in arriving. It's not... my strong suit. When I use my speed, it's VERY noticalbe." She smiles. "I look forward to working with you, Miss Oracle." She nods her head, and she's gone in a blink, the tea cup on its saucer rattling lightly on the table it suddenly appeared on.

Batwoman has posed:
"And when was the last time a bat used a door?" Kate quips, as she recovers her cowl and slips away.