79/Alone in the Moonlight

Alone in the Moonlight
Date of Scene:	19 April 2017
Location:	Gotham City
Synopsis:	Summary needed.
Cast of Characters:	Batman, Catwoman

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Batman has posed:
Twilight in Gotham City in late spring. The skies are clear but, somehow, no less gloomy than if they were overcast. The streets flash neon, even as the general level of activity begins to decrease with the time.

On the rooftop corner of an older building, Batman stands vigil, seemingly as statuesque as the gargoyle beside him.

"...keep me updated," he says quietly, a hand to his ear. "There's more to it, guaranteed."

The building below, an Art Deco-era theater, sports a banner boasting of its exhibit on Andrew Lloyd Webber, filled with original scripts, costumes, and other memorabilia.

Catwoman has posed:
Even if Catwoman isn't on a job she loves to go out at night, the freedom she feels when she's running and leaping a drug to her. That is what brings her out this evening, the cat burglar lending something of a shadowy sihouette to the darkening background that is the sky. She's been at it for a while, now, making with the athleticism she is known from, leaping from roof to roof when she can, using her whipe to swing to the next building when there's more distance between the two.

Even those who are at peak human condition need to rest and catch their breath, that being what causes Catwoman to stop on a lower building within view range of where Batman is. Panting, she takes her goggles off and pushes the cowl of her catsuit back, letting the cool air brush against sweat-dampened hair and skin.

Batman has posed:
The lithe silhouette catches Batman's eye, and he leaps forward off of his roof, gliding over a wide city street to land quietly on a lower roof across the street. As he touches down, the dark knight rolls forward into a somersault that launches him back to his feet, and he takes off in the direction of the other rooftop athlete and where they appear to have stopped--trying to close the distance between them.

Batman's strides allow him to easily clear differences in roof edge height between neighboring buildings, and before long he's nearly to Catwoman's resting spot. "It won't work, you know," Batman calls out in a gravelly growl as he approaches. "Whatever it is you've got planned."

Catwoman has posed:
Catwoman's eyes roll, a visible reaction to the slight annoyance Batman brings out in her. Turning towards the voice, she crosses her arms about herself, waiting for the time the Caped Crusader lands before she responds to him. "Why do you always think the worst of me? Can't I just be out for a run?" In contrast to the Bat's growl her voice is a near-purr, a sultry tone to contrast the more masculine voice of Gotham's Hero.

Pausing a second, she curls her whip up and puts it back in place on the belt she has draped loosely about her hips, her goggles then tucked into it so she can free her hands entirely. "Please don't harrass me tonight. I really am not in the mood for it."

Batman has posed:
"Out for a run? Or on the prowl?" Batman lands on the roof where Catwoman is located, halting his forward momentum, and he slowly rises to his full height. "It doesn't take incredible investigative skills to deduce that when Catwoman's out and about, someone's going to be relieved of their belongings."

The caped crusader folds his arms across his chest. "The best way not to be harassed is not to wear the costume. Or to free-run across rooftops in it. Surely it's become clear that I'm watching over my city /every/ night?"

Catwoman has posed:
"And maybe /you/ can learn not to be such a pain in my ass and realize that I'm not always 'on the prowl', as you put it." Where many of Gotham's criminals would rather wet themselves at the mere sight of Batman Selina instead gets an attitude with him, the thief not afraid of him at all. "Seriously, Batman. You need to loosen up a little. You'll know if the time comes for you to play the bad cop with me. Tonight is not that time, though."

Lips curling down into a very obvious frown, she narrows her eyes at him, her expression icy. This isn't like how she normally is, Catwoman normally flirty, willing to use her wiles to try and charm Batman. Something must have her mood soured tonight. "Can I go, now?"

Batman has posed:
The corner of Batman's mouth turns up just slightly. "Hh," he grunts, taking just a step closer to Gotham's greatest cat-burglar. "We'll see about that," Batman replies.

He lets his arms fall to his sides. "I'm not going to stop you from running. But that doesn't mean I won't have my eye on you, Selina. For now, consider me less 'bad cop' and more 'parole officer.'"

Batman glances in the direction in which Catwoman appeared to have been running before her rest stop. "Whereever you're going...make sure it's a place you don't want me showing up. Unless, of course, you actually /were/ looking for me to show up."

Catwoman has posed:
That twich of a smile, slight as it is, gets Selina to relax and she manages a small grin of her own. "You seem quick to want to get rid of me." Stepping closer, she bridges what of the distance that is between them as she can, stopping a scant foot or two away from him if that's possible. "Perhaps I should stay here for a while, instead, see if I can't get you to smile some more." While innocently worded there's that look in Selina's green eyes, her expression playful, minutely naughty even. She doubts he'll take her up on the offer but still, it is so much fun to try and tease the Batman.

Batman has posed:
While Batman's body is clearly tensed in anticipation of violence, he nonetheless remains motionless while Catwoman approaches. "The city...the city needs me," Batman says quietly, before setting his jaw and speaking more forcefully. "I don't have time for games, Catwoman. You're not up to anything? We'll see. This dance we dance..." Batman allows himself a sigh. "It could be so much more enjoyable if you were the type to work /with/ me rather than against me. Or than only for yourself."

Catwoman has posed:
Ah yes. The spiel where he tries to convince her to leave the life of crime behind and come be one of his crew. It never ceases to be amusing. But where she might crack a joke about that subject normally... Selina actually looks like she is considering it. "And how would I fund my charities, Batman? That's where most of my money goes, you know." Her big cats are so very important to her and it actually saddens her to think that she might lose the only way she can save them if she were to take Batman up on his suggestion.

Sighing, she leans in, trying to rest her cheek on his armored chest. "Maybe someday, Batman. Maybe someday. But for now? I can't. Too much for me to do to help my cats."

Batman has posed:
With a shake of his head, Batman purses his lips. "It's not all about money. But..." he trails off for a moment before adding, "...there are people who might be willing to help. But that help tends to expect legitimate charitable work, Selina." Batman's voice grows just a tad softer once more. "That's hard to do with a criminal record and no evidence of remorse for it."

As she makes contact, the dark knight stops moving for a moment, but then places his hands on her shoulders and steps backward. "Keep your hands where I can see them. If you're really not up to anything tonight, there's no need to provoke suspicion." Batman sighs again. "Keep thinking about it. The good that can be done is possible without the bad. I know you know that."

Catwoman has posed:
"All of the charities I give money to are legit, Batman. You can look into that if you don't believe me." With the lives of many felines on the line, Selina makes sure that whatever money she donates goes where it needs to and that it won't go to line the pocket of dirty crooks. "And I do what I can to earn money honestly. I don't hold those boring social events because I enjoy them, after all." To be honest, she'd rather choke on a cat toy than have to throw another party, but she has to suck up her dislike for the majority of her fellow man and do what she has to do.

Batman's stepping back has her gritting her teeth, her feelings once again hurt by his resistance. "I think I'm just going to go home. My heart's suddenly not in it to run, anymore." One last look at him and then she turns away, pulling her cowl back in place over her head, her goggles then reached for. "Stay safe, please."

Batman has posed:
"It doesn't have to be this way," Batman says, far too quietly, as Catwoman turns to leave. He stares at her for a long moment as she departs before turning his attention back to the city.

"Alfred," Batman says to himself. "Tell me there's something happening nearby in need of intervention."

"Of course, sir," says a calm British voice in his ear. "Three blocks away from your location. I'm sure you will find it very cathartic."

The vigilante grits his teeth and fires a grappling hook out toward a nearby skyscraper. "Good."