6945/Curiosity May Not Kill the Kitty

Curiosity May Not Kill the Kitty
Date of Scene:	18 March 2019
Location:	Library - Wayne Manor
Synopsis:	Jason takes Kitty to meet with Bruce Wayne, after Kitty has deduced Batman's identity
Cast of Characters:	Red Hood, Batman, Shadowcat

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Red Hood has posed:
They had come dangerously close to breaking up. Jason had wanted to keep his life as Red Hood and his relationship with Kitty seperate. Then the line blurred. Time and time again. He had drawn a line in the sand where it came to just knowing his identity. But she crossed that and learned more and more - until she finally put it all together. And he tried to pull away. To push her out. To protect her from the life. Only for her to fight twice as hard. To remind him of her own issues - the things she's gone through in her own life as a hero - one much better than Jason ever was. In the end, was there a choice, really? No. It was a long, hard talk - but Jason's hard-headness lost out to Kitty's stubborn determimation.

The drive to the Manor in Kitty's new car had been a quiet one. Jason was nervous. It was one thing to introduce Kitty to Bruce Wayne, billionaire playboy, it was another to...

'Kitty knows'

It was the text he sent to Bruce. Really it was the only one he needed to send. It puts the decision on what happens next fully with Bruce. He's ready to defend Kitty if he needs to. In light of the last few days, including Damian's 'vacation', he's not entirely sure how Bruce is going to react.

Batman has posed:
     Bruce gets the text message, and he's quiet. And he knows Jason. Right now, Kitty is probably on her way. Moving to the library, eyes roam over the books. It's not that Bruce would distrust Kitty, far from it. Her knowledge is far too soon than he pictured. ORacle could becalled, but Bruce doesn't want to go that route. Kitty deserves better. Sitting in the library, Bruce willtellAlfredwhere to take the pair when they arrive. He's trying to milke very second possible to think,a nd process, before they arrive.

Shadowcat has posed:
Kitty Pryde wanted to let Jason drive, but she saw how nervous he was. She still managed the drive, one hand on his arm, one on the wheel. She had had to fight to keep things from falling apart. She'd wondered a dozen times during the conversation if telling him had been the wrong thing to do. But no, it wasn't. He had to know he could trust her. If she kept it from him for a month, two? Well, maybe he'd know he if she went that long without blabbing, she wasn't likely to.

But he'd always look at her, and wonder what else she might be keeping back.

No, and they'd stayed together. They'd come through this, stronger than ever. She hoped. Kitty kept her eyes on the road though she wanted to keep looking over to him. Finally they arrived at the mansion. Leaving the car and walking up to the front door together. Kitty stopped outside the door to show Jason something in her hand. She smiles at him softly, eyes hopeful, before they move up to the door, finding Alfred waiting.

Kitty's first glimpse of the inside of the mansion is under different circumstances than she had imagined. And in truth she probably fails to see any of it up until they enter the library where Bruce waits.

Red Hood has posed:
Jason didn't want this day to come, truth be told. But then Galina and the Sentinels - and it all fell apart sooner than expected. Dick sticking his nose where it didn't belong didn't help much either. "Master Todd. Mistress Pryde, Master Bruce is in the library." Alfred greets the pair. He at least gives them a sympathetic, if somewhat supportive smile. Jason's not the first one to have had to done this. It's just his first time /having/ to.

And his last, if Jason has any say on it. "Hey." he greets Bruce as he comes into the library. "Any word from Damian? Postcard?" It's a good an icebreaker as any.

Okay so he may worry about the squirt. A little.

Batman has posed:
     "No. He's sensitive, and overreactive. He went too far," Bruce says. Whether it's a view ont he situation, Damian's reaction, orboth, he doesn't clarify. Sky blue eyes look to the pair. "Do you trust her, Jason?" that question is serious. Brucelet's it hang in the air. All eyes are on the adopted son. Bruceis trying to figure out Jason's mindstet ont he issue as it affects him a litlte more than the others.

Shadowcat has posed:
Kitty Pryde stays quiet as they come in. She finds herself wanting to drop her eyes, to peek up at Bruce. But that's what a young Kitty Pryde would have done. She's not a teen anymore. Kitty keeps her head up, her expression perhaps a little regretful that father and son are in this situation. But keeps her eyes up, looking between them.

At the question to Jason, Kitty finally lets her eyes drift off to the side. In moments like this one's heart tenses against what they don't want to hear, rather than sings for what they do. Because the fear of losing him is too much to contemplate. She doesn't look at Jason though, not wanting to sway whatever he might say. Whatever he might feel from their time together, will have to be enough.

Red Hood has posed:
There is no hesitation. He's already weighed this question more times than he cares to count.

"I trusted her to tell her who I was."

"I trusted her to tell her what I've been through."

"I trusted her to introduce her to my father."

Perhaps that last statement will mean more than the last two, if not, he adds one more.

"I trusted her enough to tell you about her."

Batman has posed:
     Looking at Kitty, "If I knew more about your mutation, I would test it. But you're more open with the world than we are. I won't share all of our secrets." However, he pauses, and silence hangs in the air. Eventually, he will say, "You're not wrong."

Shadowcat has posed:
Kitty Pryde finds herself breathing again. And her eyes look like they glisten just a little bit though she avoids wiping at them after hearing Jason. Her hand finds his though, if he allows her, and squeezes tightly. Kitty draws a slow breath and looks back to Bruce after Jason is finished.

Her eyes meet his and she gives a small nod. "I wasn't trying to know," she says softly. Kitty glances at Jason. "I haven't even googled 'Jason Todd' to see what his old girlfriends had to say," she says, managing a soft smile up towards Jason before looking back to Bruce. "If you wanted to test me, I'd let you, sir," she tells him. "And, I don't expect you to share anything with me. I never did."

Kitty draws another deep breath and says, "But, whoever it was in the jet, that shot the missiles at the Sentinel that was chasing me? I'm grateful for that. That was me. The one with the dragon. Shadowcat," she says softly. "I'm willing to tell you about myself. I trust Jason and have told him. I don't tell anyone about you thought, haven't told anyone about him. My team just know, I shared my identity with him. They don't know he's anything more. Nor will they from me."

Red Hood has posed:
This isn't his place to talk at the moment, adding for Bruce. "I've known who she is for a couple of weeks now. But like yours.. I didn't think it would be fair to share until she was ready." he admits. Though he's between the rock and the hard place at the moment as he gives Kitty's hand a brief squeeze.

Batman has posed:
     "That was me, Kitty," Bruce says letting her know that all of the bravado seen at the cafe was mostly for sure. Mostly. Standing up, "I won't share everything, but I won't lie. I won't insult you like that," Bruce listens to the codename, and he nods. "Maybe you'll become Shadowbat," he's joking entirely, trying to make light of the situation.

     Sky blue eyes look to Jason for a moment. "I know. I'm not showing her other things to protect information that is not my right to share," people have differnet views about their secrets. How they got spoiled, when, etc.c Bruce tries to respect everyone's wishes.

Shadowcat has posed:
Kitty looks over to Jason, her eyes filled with warmth. She nods to him and looks back to Bruce. "I don't expect you to share everything, sir. I get it. Some people get upset when you don't tell them something. Acting as if it is shows a lack of trust in them," Kitty says. She shakes her head. "But when the secret is about someone else? It's really about whether you're worthy of the trust of that other person. And has nothing to do with who you tell."

Kitty gives a little nod to Bruce. "If you would like for your other sons to know about me, I would be fine with sharing with them. I think it's only right that I trust them if they have to trust me," she adds.

Batman has posed:
     "I want to know more about you, Kitty. That was before recent developments. You see what losing my parents did to me. Tell me about theparts of your life you censored during our breakfast," Bruce says letting Kitty's mind officially fill in the blankes to parts of his life. Bruce' sfingers steeple as he is listening to Kitty now. He isn't sure what she will say, but Bruce is all ears.

Shadowcat has posed:
Kitty gives a nod towards Bruce at the question. "Let's see. Parts that were definitely left out. My mutation started showing when I was 12 or 13. I can phase myself through most matter," Kitty says. She demonstrates, swinging her hand through a nearby table. Moving it back and forth through it a few times.

"I was approached by other mutants at that point. Things were stressful for my parents. Having some other mutants who could guide me was something to think about," Kitty says. "While they were still deciding, I was out with one of the mutants at a shop, getting to know her. When... not nice people showed up to kidnap her. And myself too since I was with her. Long story short... she told me how to get help. I phased and got away, brought back help and we rescued her."

Kitty falls quiet. "It was a harsh introduction to evil, for a 13 year old girl. But it taught me what the world was really like out there. It took some time before I was as active as I am now. Being a... 'hero'," she says, as if hating using that word. "But it's been a big part of my life for 7 years now."

Batman has posed:
     "I know about the harsh introduction, you know that. You have my sympathies," he says softly with the heaviness of knowing. Sky blue eyes look to her as he is waiting to hear more. Seeing that Bruce's suspicion is officially confirmed, he stays all ears.

Shadowcat has posed:
"I've actually had to work alongside the person who was responsible for that kidnapping. On a number of occasions," Kitty says. Her normally soft eyes seem just a little bit harder. "But sometimes people deserve second chances. Sometimes... they actually earn them and it ends up being worth it. Really hard for me with some people though," Kitty says with a sigh.

She looks back over to Bruce and looks thoughtfully. "I've been through some dark times. That first was... scary. But it was more eye-opening in the long run." She thinks. "We talked about Japan a little bit. Martial arts," she says, letting out a sigh. "There's a lot to that story. I've told Jason a little, but was waiting for him to want to know the rest," she says, pausing for a moment. "There was this ninja sorcerer. He has the ability to take over another person. To extend his life. And he put part of his consciousness in me. Trained me, preparing me to... I don't know for sure if my body would have become his next vessel, or what." Kitty trails off for a moment, frowning, a hand moving to her mouth as she remembers part of it.

Red Hood has posed:
There are plenty of moments that Jason could have returned. But he happened to pick the worst of the moments to have returned as Kitty is discussing something she hasn't even brought up to him yet. There's a soft clearing of his throat, as if trying to announce his presence. But instead, it turns into a dry laugh. "Funny, isn't it? Someone was trying to coop her soul, and here I was for who knows how long with no soul. Someone should have told him, huh?"

Batman has posed:
     Bruce is quiet for a while, "I've seen some people reform. If there is proper motivation to reform, there's an urge to do so." He knows that it's not quite a universe law, but the kilihood ishigher. Blue eyes look to Kitty as he wonders about whothat person is.

     "He might have used your body to find a vessel. Think of it like a sutor, except instead of marrying him your host would have consumed." Bruce presumed in this situationt hat Kitty would die. However, he keeps that part to himself. "With powers like that, they border on the supernatural. I believe in the supernatural. I've seen it. I'm skeptical to some individuals claiming to be supernatural, but it's hard to categorize if the threat in Japan is meta, magical, or both." Bruce pauses for a while.

     "There is an enemy that teeters this line," Bruce begins to explain. "He claims to be centuries old. There's evidence to back up the claim. He has a daughter, too. They want me to take over their empire." Right now, he is going to omit some details. "It's hard to say if he is mystical, metahuman, or both. I understand some of the horrors you've seen, Miss Pryde," Bruce's eyes holda level of respectfor the woman. She can see that he is trying to show correlation on some of their adventures. It's not quite a smooth comparison.

     And speaking of smooth, Jason enters. Almost as if on cue, "That's not my story to tell. Jason, she has figuredout our secrets. Some stories are bound to come out at odd tiems," he admits trying to smooth the situation over.

Shadowcat has posed:
Kitty looks up as Jason returns. Her eyes soften as she looks to him. "This is the part... when you were meditating and I thought you were talking about me? This is the origin of that," Kitty tells him quietly, reaching over to take Jason's hand and squeeze it.

Kitty finishes the tale in short order. "He sent me to kill a friend and mentor. Who had studied under that ninja long before. If I'd succeeded, yes, then I'd have stopped being Kitty Pryde. So, ah, long story short? My friend taught me to fight. Ninjutsu mostly. It wasn't enough to stop Ogun, the ninja. He beat me. But that same friend rescued me and was able to kill him for good. He cannot take me over. But what he put in me? That's still down there inside of me. I don't think he could come back. But... if I let it, if I gave in? I'd probably not be the woman you know anymore," Kitty says. Her eyes are on Jason for much of this.

Kitty looks back then and listens quietly as Bruce speaks of his own situation. She nods slowly at his tale and explanation. "I've had a lot of experience with the supernatural, unfortunately. Not all of it has been bad. It is nice though, that we're able to understand one another," Kitty says. The words said to Bruce, but her eyes swinging to Jason also clearly make that seem something that's important to her in their relationship.

Red Hood has posed:
It takes only a moment, but Jason comes behind Kitty and sets his hand on her shoulder. A silent show of support - and perhaps solidarity. "As we said early on in all this.. there's going to be a whole lot of discoveries. And a whole lot to figure out still. Even this is still tip of the iceberg shit." he responds as he lets out a breath and then kisses Kitty on the top of the head. "But I already said I'm willing to hang on for the long haul."

Batman has posed:
     Bruce nods to both fo them. For Kitty it's a matter of respect, understanding, etc. For Jason, it's an understanding. Deep down Bruce is glad that the young ward is not upset over the revelations. And that he is willing to listen. "Point is, we've all seen things. All of us, now you know you can lean on us Kitty. Ask for help." Bruce is trying to be sympathetic because this is still a lot to take in. "There are also new resources. However, that doesn't mean everything will be open, fancy free as they are." BRuce pauses for a moment. "I will still do what I can do to help, but I may not be a free to give the resources."

Shadowcat has posed:
Kitty Pryde reaches up to rest her hand atop Jason's on her shoulder and squeeze. She looks to him, her eyes lit with a deep warmth. "Together," she confirms to him. "And, yes, we've only scratched the surface in some ways. But, deep enough to know how right this is," she tells him.

Kitty looks back to Bruce. Her expression and nod suggest she seems to understand what he means. "And, the same with me. I'm part of a team. There may be times where they may be willing to assist if needed. And I'm willing to help how I can," she tells Bruce.

"So... you're the only one that we've talked to so far. There are one or two of Jason's friends who know my identity. But your other sons do not, beyond just having met me as Kitty. If you agree, sir, I think it's right that I offer to share my own identity with them. Jason's family, and I know I can trust them with it," Kitty says, offering to give her identity to those whose own she has found out.

Red Hood has posed:
"This isn't stopping me from going out and doing crazy shi... stuff." Jason says with a small smirk. "Just you know. May make me think once. Maybe twice." Yeah, okay, maybe not. But it sounds good.

Batman has posed:
     A nod comes from Bruce. "Tell me about this team," he asks. If Kitty is willing divulge that information, he is curious. The man is quiet for a bit not doing much beause he is waiting onanswers. Those sky blue eyes looking to the pair. "Determine who you can trust," Bruce says softly. That's all the advice he can give Kitty.

     Jason's comments get a slight smirk from Bruce. However, he does add an, "Agreed," the words are soft yet firm.

Shadowcat has posed:
Kitty Pryde hesitates for just a moment at Bruce's question about her team, the reason likely quickly become apparent as she starts speaking. "We go to great lengths to remain unknown. I'm part of why there aren't any videos on Youtube or anywhere of us," Kitty says of the group which between technological and telepathic shielding is still mostly unknown to the public.

"Obviously I can't reveal their details. Not a matter of not trusting you. A matter of not being my secret to share. We call ourselves the X-men though. We've stopped a lot bad people over the years. When Magneto tried to take over the planet, that was us that stopped him," she says. "A few alien threats. I've been off-planet quite a few times. Lockheed is a better astral navigator than I am, one of the reasons I was working on the degree in astrophysics. I seem to get stuck piloting a lot," she tells Bruce, looking to see if the amount she shared satisfied him.

"They are really good people by and large. I mean, flawed like any of us. But you know how it is when there are people you come to depend on, to have your back and save your life when you need it," she tells Bruce.

Red Hood has posed:
After a moment's thought, Jason considers. "There's one more thing to address. And this may be the most important part." He glances to Kitty. "I already told her you may be against it, because it could draw in her friends - and everything that comes with that. I still need to go to Central City to deliver a message to Flash and Flash Junior about that little stunt they pulled a few nights ago. But.. she wants to help here."

Batman has posed:
     "What's your uniform made of? What does it look like?" Bruce doesn't prod about the group anymore. However, he is making sure that she is safe when going out there. The name is noted for later. Every team has flawed members. Bruce doesn't contend that. As if on cue, Jason brings up his point. "What did dthey do?" he asks .

     A Looking to the pair, now he is curious what else Jason will reveal. For now, Bruce is keeping things close to the chest. Details will be revealed if asked. He's just not volunteering this information. He's not an open book guy.

Shadowcat has posed:
Kitty describes her costume. Black with yellow down the middle and an X on the belt, plus a mask. "Generally our uniforms are a special unstable molecule, specially made to work with the powers of the individual. In my own case there really isn't anything needed to adapt to. I have complete control over whether my clothing, or anything or anyone I touch, phases with me," she tells Bruce. "I don't generally wear armor, though the suit is pretty resilient compared to normal clothing. Generally I would just let threats I'm aware of pass through me."

Red Hood has posed:
"During the masquerade, he and one of his speed buddies went through Gotham and 'cleaned it up'." The eye roll from Jason may be audible at that. "I figured I'd mosey over to Central City and do my own 'cleaning'." Which will probably involving some breaking of legs and such. And you know, a 'thank you card'.

Batman has posed:
     That costume description, "I remember seeing you on the field," Bruce says in regards to the sentinel ifnormation. "If you needaddiotnal materila, just ask" Bruce assures her. Those blue eyes look to Kitty. Like the car, he's not going to take "No" for an answer.

     A look is givent o Jason, and Bruce does a similar audible eyeroll. "They weren't invited," Bruce didn't like pushy friends. Even the well-meaning, puhsy friends. For once, Bruce isn't stopping Jason from doing a "Thank you."

Shadowcat has posed:
Kitty Pryde looks over to Jason, her expression showing small notes of concern at the mention of breaking legs, though she doesn't say anything about it. She slips her hand over onto his side, resting it there as she stands by him. Kitty looks back to Bruce then and she nods her head slowly as he speaks of seeing her.

"That was you in the jet, then?" she asks him. "Thank you for those missiles. Yes, that was me, with the purple dragon. Lockheed is his name." Kitty looks thoughtful at the mention of additional material. "By the way, thank you so much for the car. It was so sweet. And Jason and I were just planning to go looking for something used," she tells Bruce.

"You had mentioned martial arts training, back when we first met. I've neglected some of my training the last few years while I was dealing with school. If that offer still stands? I'd appreciate taking you up on it. I was going to tell you that before I found out about, the rest of this," Kitty tells him, with a little wave of her hand at the end for having found out he's Batman.

Batman has posed:
% R     "Yes." Bruce says as he is looking toward the young woman. For one of the few times, he feels the pull between his two lives. Anod comes from him, "Don't mention it. I want you and Jason to last, and you've done so much good for the world. It's time the world gave something back," he gives a soft smile, but his face falls into a serious look.

     "It does. I would say you need to pick who trains you. I can be a taskmaster," he warns her. This is more than the Bat Family members had. Those eyes look toward Kitty as she is given the option to pick her teacher. Jason could be equally harsh, or not want Kitty to go through similar training that Bruce put him through. Those blue yes watch, wait for her to mull over the decision.

Shadowcat has posed:
Kitty considers for only a few moments. She looks over to Jason thoughtfully, "I think we will be training together already, anyway. We'll have enough to focus on, just incorporating our styles together to work effectively together."

Kitty looks back over to Bruce. Thoughts of her previous training, what she went through, go through her head. She says, "If you would be willing, sir? What I've learned came under someone who made me sink or swim. In a frozen mountain river. And, to get back in true fighting shape now I'm not focused on school, I've actually been revisiting that same style of training. So I think that would probably be right for me," Kitty tells him.

Batman has posed:
     "Last chance to get out," Bruce warns. This is going to be Kitty's get out of jail free card. She is going to learn what all the Robin's went through if she agrees. Those blue eyes watching Kitty for a moment.

Shadowcat has posed:
The twenty-year-old gives Bruce a quick nod of her head. "I'm in, sir. Before I was in school and didn't quite know where I'd end up. But, I know this is what my life is going to be. And I want to be the best I can at it." She looks over to Jason and smiles to him, squeezing his hand softly before turning back to Bruce.