Owner	Pose
Dan Richter	It's a dreary night in Gotham, aren't they all? Torrential rain, distant sirens, the sounds of an uncaring city abound the night air as Dan makes his quiet way home, a half drenched bag of groceries hanging lazily at his side. As he pushes open the old weather worn door to the basement apartment he calls a home, the spartan surroundings are dimly lit by the night air. An old sofa, a similiarly aged TV against the wall across from it, and everything else boxed up as if he'd only moved in the day before.
Talia al Ghul	He barely gets the door closed when a lamp beside the sofa clicks on. The face is all too familiar, and it brings back a lot of memories. Unpleasant memories. Talia al Ghul is dressed in a skin-tight black bodysuit, and the fabric is dry. She's been here a while. There's a pistol on her hip and she holds an unsheathed sword before her, point down. Not to be especially threatening, but because it's not comfortable to sit with a sword carried upon one's back. "I brought beer for the fridge." she offers, with that disarming smile.
Dan Richter	Dan's reaction is immediate, clearly reflexive, as he drops straight to one knee, hand enclosed over fist, and head bowed low in submission, "You humble me with your presence milady. How may this lowly servant be of use to you?" He asks in a tone as submissive as his body language.
Talia al Ghul	Were he to look up, Dan would see her smile become -very- pleased. She doesn't rise, although the sword shifts to rest the naked blade across her thighs. "I know you truly *mean* that, or you would not offer." she replies almost casually. "Tell me, Daniel. What is it that you seek? What brings you to this place?" Of course the big elephant in the room might be his estrangement from the League, but that question goes unasked. For now.
Dan Richter	Dan remains unmoving, his face hidden behind his still saluting hands, but his voice wavers slightly with confusion, "I...I live here...I...seek..." He pauses, then unsalutes long enough to move the wet bag to a presenting position, "Groceries?....I fear, milady, that I do not understand the question...." He pauses again before presenting a question of his own, "Is this...Has something become of my sister, Elizabeth?" His voice has the tiniest quiver to it, a tinge of apprehension and fear to his normaly stoic submission.
Talia al Ghul	Talia al Ghul clucks her tongue at the question, the confusion. There's even a soft chuckle. "No, Elizabeth is fine. She remains loyal to me." The latter is offered as if the former depends on it. "I am asking about your -purpose- in Gotham, Daniel. No one -chooses- to live in this city if they can help it. And I know you are capable of so much more."
Dan Richter	Dan visibly lets out a deeply held breath of relief, the muscle memory preventing even the tiniest sound from escaping, "Yes, Gotham....It is the city of my birth....I...never really thought about why I chose to live here after my tour....I just....did. Regardless, my talents are nothing noteworthy. I am but a humble servant of the Blood of the Demon."
Talia al Ghul	Talia al Ghul's gaze narrows a touch, although he doesn't see it. Neither does he see the nod. "I require eyes in Gotham. Eyes and ears." she declares. "Your talents are more than sufficient for my needs. I will arrange for regular reports."
Dan Richter	Dan bows ever so slightly lower, the limits of the human skeletal structure limiting further movement, "Thy will be done, milady. Need you anything else of this lowly servant?" Ever the professional lackey it would seem.
Talia al Ghul	"There are many organized crime families in Gotham." Talia declares, unnecessarily. "Watch them. Listen for changes in their activities. You know how to do this." Yes, she's very well aware of his training and capabilities. "Especially one named Bracuda." Bracuda is the one who Talia has asked Red Hood to target, not that Dan would know that. She doesn't trust Red Hood, but she DOES trust the man kneeling before her. "That will be all for now." Rising, she drops a burner phone on the sofa and sheaths her sword.
Dan Richter	Dan once more neck crackingly bowes his head a little further in acknowledgement, "My eyes are yours, milady. All that goes on in this city will be known to you, as the Blood of the Demon commands." He's technicly blocking the door should Talia attempt to leave, but he's knelt so low that stepping over him would barely strain the thigh, so it's hardly an issue.
Talia al Ghul	Talia al Ghul hasn't moved other than to rise and sheath her sword. "You may rise, Daniel, now that our business is concluded." she offers, watching him. "I will tell your sisters that you ask about them." Yes, she knows that Dan is despised by his sisters, at least one of which is in Talia's personal honor guard.
Dan Richter	Dan is hesitant, but slowly rises to his feet. But even at his full height, his eyes remain cast far wide of Talia. He nods lightly, "T-thank you, milady." A quiet pause, and he tenatively queries "If....If I may ask it, milady....Do you have anyone watching....the young master?" The title can obviously refer to only one person. Damian Wayne.
Talia al Ghul	He is taller than she is, of course, not that it matters to her. She's used to dealing with taller men. Talia arches a dark brow at the question, knowing perfectly well who he's referring to. "Are you merely curious, Daniel, or are you offering?" she asks, the smile returning.
Dan Richter	Dan is silent for a moment, before clearing his throat and answering, "I...know of his whereabouts and activities. If milady wishes it, I can include him in my reports. And it goes without saying, that I will fight to the death to defend the Blood of the Demon." His tone is hesitant and wavering. Up until he affirms his defense of Damian, at which point it instantly solidifies and takes an almost righteous tone.
Talia al Ghul	Talia al Ghul considers for no longer than a moment, her gaze meeting the man's evenly. She nods, then. Once. Simply. "So be it." the woman declares. "Watch my son." And from her tone she quite clearly means to watch him more than just visually. The smile returns, the woman looking very pleased now. "You know how to reach me."
Dan Richter	Dan's gaze is elusive, actively avoiding Talia's, but there's only so far for it to run without moving his head. As Talia announces his orders, he once more drops to the worshipful salute, "Thy will be done. Would you prefer the standard dead drops, or shall I leave them at one of your local safehouses?" Seems someone hasn't dulled with lack of natural light.
Talia al Ghul	"Assume that the standard drops are compromised." Talia declares, almost casually. After all she is technically working outside of her father's knowledge. And this is also her son they're discussing. The woman points to the burner phone on the sofa. "I will call you with a new series of dead drops. If one week passes without hearing from you, I will assume you are compromised."
Dan Richter	Dan gives another silent strained nod before once more speaking, "Will that be all, milady? If so, I will begin compiling my initial report." He says dutifully.
Talia al Ghul	Talia al Ghul simply nods her head. "That will be all, Daniel. I look forward to hearing from you again." And with that, she steps past him and out the door. Without looking back. When he goes to put his groceries away, he'll discover that she did, in fact, leave a six-pack of beer for him in the fridge.