8579/A Bat, a Rat, and a Turtle Walk Into an Abandoned Building...

A Bat, a Rat, and a Turtle Walk Into an Abandoned Building...
Date of Scene:	27 July 2019
Location:	Westchester, Bronx
Synopsis:	Splinter and Leonardo have a clandestine meeting with Damian.
Cast of Characters:	Leonardo, Splinter, Robin (Wayne)

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Leonardo has posed:
'Go above ground.. Find me.. we need to talk.. NOW!' That was the message with the white mask on it, the name of Damian left in the phone the Turtles immediately checked to ensure it would not lead anyone straight to the Lair. When nobody showed up after a few days, Leonardo ventured with a call. A few words were shared, leading to a location and a time.

Leonardo was a lock to be part of this meeting, but he might have been surprised when Splinter told him he would accompany him on the journey into Westchester, close to the Bronx Zoo where Leonardo and Nemean encountered each other. "You're leaving the Lair more often lately, Father," he observed.

Splinter has posed:
"You and your brothers are grown, Leonardo." Splinter says, before he adds, "And able to take care of yourselves. I am a hermit by circumstance... not by choice. And I find that as things change, I am less and less allowed the luxury of solitude." He is quiet, as they wait.

Robin (Wayne) has posed:
Damian sat by himself in the quiet of an abandoned house near the Zoo, and if he was really quiet he thought he could even hear it from this far away as he quietly waited. He was very interested in meeting who was coming through that door, as it could be his answer to the current issue he had in Gotham, or at least one of them. Between the Shredder, and the other things going on in his life he was quite busy running around though today he had made a chance to take a brief rest before meeting whoever was leading the walking talking turtles, and the dog lady.

Damian wore his normal garb of a black suit with the blood red shirt/tie combo he sat on a towl he had set down though the rest of the building was empty. It couldn't be more the 20-30 feet square, and is most likely why it was abandonded being taken down for larger buildings, and forgotton. Laying on the ground infront of him is his gauntlets, and furthest away his sword. He had brought them both, more as they are what he knew so he thought he might have need of them.

He didn't plan to fight, or at least if the person coming was on the level. If it was someone at Master level then it might be good to bring some of his tools to match Damian's request. While it might not be difficult to sneak up Damian, he is currently sitting in the dark at the meeting location perfectly still just taking in the building. He knows others are coming, but he isn't activly searching either.

Leonardo has posed:
Especially with some of the noisier elements around the Lair, which is sometimes Mikey being Mikey, Donnie blasting music that thumps even if his room is insulated well, or two additional residents and the changes that brings to whatever passes as normal for them.

Leonardo replies, "That's so, but I guess change is hard sometimes. I'm still not sure if I'm doing everything the right way. More and more, it's getting harder to truly stay hidden, and we aren't the only ones out there who are different. We might need the help of others to deal with Shredder." Hence, this meeting.

The place is easy enough to get to, and he's come prepared with similar tools as when the Turtles ambushed the Purple Dragon meeting in Gotham City. If they're meeting the one they encountered there, what will it lead to? "There," he points once coming up out of the sewers, the abandoned home literally right in front of them. Carefully, they will enter.

Splinter has posed:
"You will find," Splinter says, "That life will take you to unexpected places, and you will meet unexpected people. I taught you to be invisible..." He says, "But perhaps I didn't teach you some of the things I should have."

He is thoughtful, about that, before he adds, "I've been wondering when I was going to have to teach one of you about dating."

Robin (Wayne) has posed:
Damian is quiet for a bit as maybe he didn't hear them come in, or maybe he just waited till after they entered to make them wonder how long though he eventually speaks. "I see you found the place." he sounds like a kid much more Leo's age though when he looks at anyone he has a hard look like anger, and determination together. He doesn't open his eyes only remain where he is waving a hand, "Well come on out.. I will not harm you." he adds more out of respect of trying to make a peacefull introduction then any threat.

He doesn't seem to have anything around him, and if you checked there isn't any traps as whoever this is, is just sitting on a blanket in the middle of this place quietly. Damian thinks about what he is doing and what could this be coming out of the shadows. He had seen turtles, and dogs, only picturing other animal combinations he kept still with his eyes closed for now. He listened to the floor, and the air changes paying close attention to what is around them, but for now did not feel he needed to open them. He was so curious though, but no he forced himself to keep them shut for now, not because of them, but he must push back this curiousity even at this level.

Leonardo has posed:
For years, their invisibility was out of necessity. Also out of necessity, it is becoming sensible to change that one step at a time. Leonardo leads the way with a cautious, all but silent step, proving he is still every bit the ninja Splinter has trained him to be.

After, of course, whispering with a raised brow that also lifts his eye mask, "I don't think you have to worry about that with me for a while..father." No, he has no current plans to begin any sort of dating. In fact, it's as if he hadn't even considered the idea whatsoever.

Then, they're in. The layout is noted, the solitary figure on the minimal bit of padding in the room just waiting for them. "You would be Damian," he says in a matter-of-fact way, and it's one of the very same voices from the recent encounter with the youth in a different appearance. Leo has the katanas kept at his shell in back.

Splinter has posed:
"Life doesn't care what anyone thinks, my son." Splinter takes one look at Damian, and then one furry eyebrow perks. Based on only having observed him for a few moments, the old rat strokes his chin, and says, "The way you hold yourself... Why is someone trained by the League of Assassins looking for us?"

He waits for an answer, seemingly unconcerned at having dropped that particular bombshell.

Robin (Wayne) has posed:
Damian stands quietly without a sound after Leo asks him if he is who he says he is, and nods. He does not act surprised by Splinters observation, though he does give him a nod as well for he was able to spot it just after a few motions. "The one with you is right, I am Damian.. Some call me Damian Al Ghoul, and others Damian Wayne.. I have come to speak to you about cooperation against a common foe though I do not wish to lie." he finally opens his eyes to loo at the two. He sees the turtle, and is that a mouse, and works to cover the expresion of surprise behind that cold stoic glare of determination.

He walks forward first towards then past his weapons, and holds a fleshy hand out the normal kind people have, "The league is not looking for you.. I am, because I need to save my city from people like Shredder." would offer the same to Leo as he was not rude to ignore him after all this. He did move like an assassin though, down to the lack of general movement, and the stare while he stood in silence waiting for a response.

Leonardo has posed:
"You were the one with the mask," Leonardo recalls, certain of it more than ever, which is hardly a stretch given the note that was left in the Lair. He stands toward one side, away from the center of the room as Damian has claimed that territory already, but it gives him the chance to keep watch over things along with peeking outside past a crack in a boarded-up window. "I am Leonardo, and this is Splinter," he notes, leaving out for now the relationship between the two.

The turtle gives the sense of one ready to act on anything, at any moment, fully in control of himself as he keeps a watchful eye on both Damian and Splinter. Rather than accepting the handshake outright, he offers a formal bow. Should the hand be left there even afterward, he'll meet it with his after a few seconds. In that sense, the texture of his skin and the feel of his hand would become clearer.

Splinter has posed:
Splinter watches, and then adds, "I would imagine trained by the League of Assassins and the Bat would be prepared to fight Foot Ninjas." He leans on his walking stick, dark eyes fixed on Damian, as if evaluating the young man for some inscrutable purpose.

Finally he holds up one hand. "There's no need for such stiff formality. Tell us what you need, and how we might give it to you."

Robin (Wayne) has posed:
Leo would not need to shake his hand, as he would recall it returning the bow with formality himself, as the whole handshake thing to him was just as akward. He turns and glances at Splinter now a bit surprised, "That is not common information, though I guess should be expected." he turns and looks at Splinter dropping the formality his tone takes that even calm tone he is calm with. The emotion seems to be clipped off falling more into just details, "Shredder is not the only one moving into Gotham, and I think it is starting to become clearer to the others." he shrugs a bit, "Bats is great, but... I have learned what I can from him and adopted it into my own style mixed with my assassin upbringing." he glances at Leo looking out the window pausing for a moment to watch him with that look.

"I saw those four fighting, and there was something else there. Something I couldn't place." he shakes his head clearing it to stay on task, "I know where Shredder is going to be, and when I can put you in the same room. But I want to learn this form." he turns to look at Splinter, "It will be used to protect a good number of people that I assure you, but I need to get better, stronger to do it successfully, and I believe this is how I can reach that objective."

Leonardo has posed:
Leonardo stays out of how Splinter knows who Damian has associated himself with. Perhaps the old rat has done more studying on that front while Leo's attention has been on his extensive training. "That's why we went over there. We've dealt with the Purple Dragons before and when we heard they were trying to start up something in Gotham we decided to interrupt."

That said, the leader of the brothers frowns at what it seems Damian is seeking to negotiate with them. He begins an answer steeped in reluctance and caution, "We can find Shredder. We don't need--"

Splinter has posed:
Splinter holds up a hand.

"What you saw," Splinter says, "Is that my sons are trained to fight together. Formidable apart, but stronger together, each trained in a way that mitigates his brother's weaknesses and reinforces his strengths." He studies Damian, and says, "Teaching you that would require others to learn with you." He strokes his chin, and says, "And I will teach you nothing without the approval of your sensei, your master. He may not approve of my methods or my style."

Robin (Wayne) has posed:
Damian nods, "Perhaps, I am not against working with a group though I learn for myself to better fit it into the current style." he states not hiding his intentions at all. He looks at Splinter with that look as well not trying to diswade him, only be himself as that is what was requested. "I will ask him, and will return with his decision." he continues answering the next request as it too was reasonable. "After the League though I doubt your training method will reach such objections." he notes thinking about it.

He doesn't reach out his hand again just nod, "I can accept all your conditions, of course given time." he turns to look at Leo not replying to his answer yet, "Shredder will be at Pinquins place here in a few days. I am tricking Penquin to think I am currently with the League so he will freak out, and call Shredder who will show up himself to deal with a threat as large as the League itself." he turns to look at Splinter. "If my sensei says no, or if you change your mind from this point." he pauses thinking about it, but then continues, "You have honestly given me your time so I will hold you have reached your end of the deal." he looks over at Leo, "The information was to get you here, I apologize for my bluff." and nods.

Splinter has posed:
Splinter looks up, and says, "If your master asks who I am, tell him that once upon a time my name was Hamato Yoshi. He may know it -- he may not. Either way."

He adds, "Remember. The group is ALWAYS stronger than the individual. Fight with others, and for them, and you will always defeat the man who fights for himself, even if he's with a hundred others like him."

Leonardo has posed:
Leonardo holds his tongue since being interrupted by Splinter, and it is not out of any sort of feeling of being reprimanded, no. He simply lets Splinter have the floor and do the talking. Damian is the one seeking something from Splinter himself, not Leo. If anything, he comes off looking like a bodyguard the old rat does not even appear to need right now. Damian does receive a rolling of a shoulder in regard to the bluff, a shrug of sorts. Otherwise, he is a still and silent presence.

Robin (Wayne) has posed:
Damian nods, and steps back from him again he walks backwards in the same steps he walked up to him, and crouches down almost in reverse of his actions earlier. His eyes now closed again he falls to silence a moment, "Be there on that night" he gives a night a few days from now, "And be ready for a fight. I do not know who he will bring, but know I must keep my cover at the meeting. I will have your answer from my Master then." he says calmly explaining his actions. He hoped that Leo would also get the suggestion on what that means since they ran into each other while he was under-cover.

"Good Evening, Splinter." he adds with a final nod falling into silence once again this time he would not interupt it as to give them the option to leave quietly. The deal was not struck so he was not his master so he still addressed him by common title. He just would sit there and concentrate on listening to this old place thinking about the zoo now and then as whispers of it reach even this far building.

Leonardo has posed:
"Thank you for the information," Leonardo speaks again without committing to the news he's provided them. He will have to consult with Splinter as to whether or not Penguin's place would be a good idea to try to ambush in the first place. Starting for the door, he makes as if to aid Splinter along, that fragile-looking old rat with his stick. "Will that phone still work?" he wonders, glancing back toward the assassin.