|
Post by Selina Kyle on Aug 20, 2013 2:01:14 GMT -5
The park had a broken silence about it. Leaves and branches shuddering in the slight wind, illuminated by a few scared lamp posts scattered along the pathways that were set out. Signs of life were scarce this late at night, but still, the city's commotion could be heard very faintly from this deep in the Gotham park.
The most evident form of life present however was fleeing. She'd managed to slip away from her pursuers without being seen, disappearing into the darkness of the tree's. Now she felt very alone, and had moments to spare to lick her wounds.
She stopped, leaning heavily on the arm of a bench under a dim lamp. Dropping on it, she winced and looked down at her leg. The costume had been split, and the line of pale skin that was visible was tainted by her own blood, thanks to a nasty gash on her thigh.
For a brief moment she fought back a whine after pressing her hand to the wound. God, if anyone had heard that ridiculous whimper she might kill herself. The already weak light above her fizzled out, and she let her shoulders sag, dropping her head from a moment and rubbing the bridge of her nose with her hand.
"Beautiful." she murmured.
Selina was exhausted. Those goons weren't just any goons. They belonged to the mask'd mercenary that everyone was talking about. The very mercenary she'd watched break open Arkham Asylum from a distance. She'd found him with nearly no problems, but scoring a meeting with him was apparently a much more difficult task.
What with the mouthy henchmen he kept around, well, Selina was rather mouthy herself. And where did that land her? Limp on a park bench with her head hanging over the back side as her breathing finally began to steady.
|
|
|
Post by Remy LeBeau "Gambit" on Aug 20, 2013 2:27:01 GMT -5
The city had been quiet of late, as quiet as Gotham got. The whole thing had the feel of a breath held just before a nuclear explosion - too many powers were moving in, drawn by the demolition of Arkham. Now everyone was waiting for the bang.
Enjoying the lull in the firefight, Remy had been relatively inactive - hauled up in his shabby little hotel room, living of the funds from a particularly lovely diamond necklace and the high from charming it right off some pretty little thing. Poor dove had been an easy target.
As much as the lack of open warfare suited Remy's needs, he was restless. After learning the name of his whip bearing companion in crime, Remy hadn't seen her again. Trying to hunt her down, he'd gone so far as to dig into her past. The police station was an embarrassingly easy place to get into. But significantly more alarm raising was that she didn't exist.
Not a assault charge, theft, robbery, not even a parking ticket. More humiliating was actually googling her, and it ad been for nothing.
Selina Kyle was as substance as air.
So in defeat he'd tried returning to luxuriating in his room, even gone out for a few under the table poker games. He'd blown cash on petty things and pretty people, and was all the more bored for it. Finally, aggrivated after his latest round of taking money from drunk over bluffing simpletons, Remy had wandered into the park to, well, pout.
He was sitting at the base of a tree in the dark, twisting a pack of cards between his fingers and frowning out over the pond when he heard the shuffling behind him. Assuming it was some homeless person bedding down for the night he initially made no move. Who was he to disturb a man's rest?
But the light pettered out, and there came that glorious velvet tone.
Beatuiful.
Remy leaned to the side, peering round the tree. Leaning against the bench, hardly visible in the inky dark, she could have been anyone if not for the peaks of her cowl. He found himself grinning before he could assemble his smirking persona, and instantly it bothered him the sway she had over him. One sight of her and he was all perky as a pup. That wouldn't do.
Standing, and slipping the cards from his pack, Remy fanned them out then selected a specific one. Moving out from his hide away, there was a soft fitz! noise as the card lit up purple. He took a few steps closer, but remained out of reach of her very potentially dangerous whip. "Need ah light, Kitten?"
|
|
|
Post by Selina Kyle on Aug 20, 2013 2:40:53 GMT -5
She very nearly hissed at the sound of a very distinct fitz. Her head snapped harshly to his direction, and then when he spoke she practically did hiss. Quiet, and to herself, but likely it would be heard as a scoff. Selina had to think fast. She'd been avoiding this man for a while now since he'd nosed into her business and revealed everything at that gaudy ball.
Selina could become nearly invisible if she so desired, especially in her own city. But it was Gotham, and Gotham was no ones' friend. She couldn't flee, not with her leg, her head feeling woozy to even stand, she didn't trust that she wouldn't fall over if she tried. She had to bluff. His thing was cards, so it might be in vain.
"Oh." she practically cooed at him, "You know cat's can see in the dark." and regardless whether he could see or not, he'd definitely hear the curl of a smile in her voice.
This darkness was the only thing keeping him from seeing that nasty wound on her leg. She wasn't sure if she could talk him into leaving. Maybe if she was mean enough- but leaving didn't seem his style. Hell, she was the one always flitting off and disappearing.
She tried to make it look like she was lounging, rather than resting, but when she crossed her legs she winced and her upper lip curled. It was dark, Selina had to remind herself, and that he mind not even notice. But that purple glow of the card was just steps away from lighting her up completely.
"Maybe you should go home honey, Gotham's a little rough for the kids who need a light."
She probably knew before he said it that that wasn't going to fly, and if anything it might only provoke him.
|
|
|
Post by Remy LeBeau "Gambit" on Aug 20, 2013 2:55:33 GMT -5
Chuckling to himself, her sharp retort was an addictive jolt. Finally, a girl who didn't seem to like him at all. He couldn't help finding it so much more appealing. After all, he didn't earn a name like Gambit hating games.
He saw her face make a sharp twitch, but he couldn't tell if it was a wince or another repulsed instinct. She was either very eager for him to disappear into a cloud of smoke, or secretly delighted he was here and playing far right wing hard to get. The face he couldn't tell made it extremely entertaining.
"Tis true, all sorts of criminals and vagabonds about." Remy took a few steps closer, daring lashing range to try and see her better. She was moving about, which instantly made him think she had something to hide. Of course, that could have been the weeks of searching talking. Or the sips of bourbon he'd had over cards. "But I can't go tah bed without mah story. How 'bout where you've been lurking? I was about to put up posters, but you don't have too many pictures on de internet these days."
A wince of his own. Alright, so it was a several gulps of bourbon. He hadn't meant to let her know he'd been looking, but now to avoid it would make him look a guilty as he was.
"You know, the police in dis city got some terrible attitude. They'll pull any wise cracker in for a bottle of fine whiskey thrown and a bit of staggerin? Waste of a drink, but the trip was enlightening. I'd ask you to tuck me in tah bed Miss Kyle, but in mah experience people who don't exist make for good pillow talk."
|
|
|
Post by Selina Kyle on Aug 20, 2013 3:06:32 GMT -5
A very soft scowl took her features, the bridge of her nose wrinkling as she scrutinized him. He was disgustingly charming, even when he slipped up. But at the very least she'd been amused. Not that she was going to let that show, she'd give him a poker face to match his own game.
"Don't tell me you failed digging up more information on little ol' me." she tutted her tongue, and then wore a very distinct bitter smile, more of a grimace with her lips pressed together. She gritted her teeth, trying hard to ignore the pain at her thigh but she could feel her face getting hot.
She was very distinctly aware of his advance towards her, and also about how careful he was being. He needn't worry. She'd managed to lose her whip in the commotion. Luckily she had a spare, unluckily it wasn't on her. But he didn't need to know that. As far as she was concerned Remy probably thought she was still mad. And she was, to an extent. But it was hard, and she wasn't about to admit it.
Seeing him again was both a blessing and a curse. A part of her was very stand-offish and careful. Another part of her was thrilled. But again, she wasn't about to admit it.
"Maybe you should take a walk then and give your search another go, Cajun." she huffed, lifting a gloved hand to inspect those false, but undeniably deadly, clawed gloves. There was blood on them. Hers. Selina dropped it quickly across her stomach, and tried to heave a casual sigh but it trembled.
|
|
|
Post by Remy LeBeau "Gambit" on Aug 20, 2013 3:16:21 GMT -5
The girl could make an iceberg seem cozy with a look like the one she was giving him. He might have genuinely started to worry he had crossed an unforgivable line when he noticed the blood on her claws, and the way her breath became unsteady.
"Bit later perhaps." He frowned and not thinking of himself anymore he moved closer. "Tough night, Cher?"
He halted as he finally laid eyes upon the open wound, instantly soothing is ego by assuring he wasn't the only problem. And then a pang of remorse for being pleased that she was bleeding. A lot.
"Damn!" He moved close to her, instantly focusing on just how badly she was bleeding. "Dem other guys must a sight to scare ghosts if dey got you this bad."
He let the card go out, shedding the black suit jacket he was wearing and bunching it up. Provided he didn't contribute to the blood on her claws in payment for his coddling, Remy would press the coat to the wound, giving her a tutting look of his own. "Tell me true, pack of dogs one of them R.O.U.S's?"
|
|
|
Post by Selina Kyle on Aug 20, 2013 3:27:56 GMT -5
In truth, Selina hadn't been able to examine her work on the other guys before she'd made her effort to flee. She knew she'd left one of them tied up pretty good and dangling by his ankle in a back alley, which was the reason her whip had been left behind. Hadn't be able to backtrack for it so it was written off at this point.
When Remy moved in, she did contemplate the idea of refusing, and giving him a good lash, but thought better of it when her head spun. When he pressed his jacket to her leg her brow tightened and she inhaled, it was all she could do to prevent any pathetic noise from escaping. Not in front of him. Instead she tried to brush it off by clearing her throat.
"Tell me true, pack of dogs one of them R.O.U.S's?"
She actually cracked a smile, looking softly down at the bundled up jacket. She pressed her lips together, but was unsuccessful in smothering her amusement. And then with her answer, came seriousness.
"Tried to reunite with an old friend..." Selina explained vaguely. The tone in her voice provided the idea that this said friend wasn't exactly a favorite of hers. "I'm sure you've heard of Bane... His company are real darlings."
This night was not going how she'd planned. Selina had almost forgotten why she'd been so crossed with him in the first place in such short moments. It's why she'd spent so long avoiding him.
|
|
|
Post by Remy LeBeau "Gambit" on Aug 20, 2013 3:45:49 GMT -5
"Friend, huh?" Remy's attention sharpened at her mention of Bane. "Yeah, I got one or two friends like dat. Better to avoid, non?"
Of course he instantly wanted to jump on the questions that her tease raised, but he thought better of it. Having just earned speaking terms again, it seemed like poor timing for the good cop bad cop routine.
Returning focus to her cut he leaned down, lifting the jacket off gently to inspect the damage. "As much as I'd like tah kiss it better, dis gon' need some stitches. We need tah get you off yer feet, Cher, and somewhere those boys aint gon' come looking for you. I got me a seamstress and a place you can lay your lovely head down for tonight. I'd offer to take you home instead, but I hear you don't like people getting to know too much 'bout you. And I ain't leavin you to bleed."
Tossing the ruined jacket over the park bench, Remy offered her a hand. "Limp or lift, dealer's pick. Either way, best we not linger."
He did a quick scope of the area to make sure they weren't being observed, excited by the danger despite the inappropriateness of the timing.
|
|
|
Post by Selina Kyle on Aug 20, 2013 3:59:52 GMT -5
Selina rolled her eyes when Remy said those friends were better to avoid. Did he really think she hadn't realized that by now? In any case he had the situation all wrong, it hadn't been Bane who had done this to her, he probably wouldn't even hear that she'd been there at all, unless they reported it as an attack by Catwoman.
She groaned, closing her eyes for a moment while reaching up and putting her hand in his.
"I don't feel much like the dealer right now." she confessed. With a heave she managed to stand, trying to put as little effort onto her leg as possible and leaning heavily into Remy's side. This was no good, and she furrowed her brow in frustration.
"He's not going to be happy with the mess I made..." Selina admitted with a shudder. Bane was terrifying. His power was something to admire, and being her greedy self she'd managed to get tangled up in that mess again. After escaping it last time, it was likely Selina had learned her lesson. But evidently not.
With her gloved hand that wasn't covered in blood she pressed it to the side of her face to steady her thoughts.
"Lift." she grudgingly said after a moment. "But you're not taking me to my home." she added with a touch of hostility. He was still in her bad books right now, despite what he might think, and she wasn't about to let him know where he could regularly find her. But as far as being caught and brought to Bane was? It was terrifying. And Selina was more afraid of Bane than she was bruising her ego even more than it had been tonight.
|
|
|
Post by Remy LeBeau "Gambit" on Aug 22, 2013 21:09:02 GMT -5
Gambit tilted his head in surprise as she took his hand, helping her stand and trying not to let it go to his head that she leaned against him. It was rare for him to find someone who could manipulate as well as himself - he kept forgetting himself and trusting more in what Selina did than he ought to.
"Cher, wit me your always dealer." He could see this whole night had gotten deeper to her than she wanted to admit. She was tough - damn side tougher than most, and he doubted she'd let it stick to long, but all the same he did what he was able. Scooping her up, he gave her a genuine roguish smile. "Alright, but you don' get tah complain 'bout the mess at mine. An if you start scratching my couch we gon' have a problem."
He didn't bother to grab the coat, heading down the path fringing on the darker side. He'd left his staff at home, so the idea of running into a rumble was less appealing than normal.
"So dis Bane... am I gon' have tah teach him some manners or did his boys do dis to you? Either way I figure someone's in for a rough night tomorrow. Can't have des lowlifes thinking they can get away wit touching respectable thieves like ourselves." He tried to keep it light, but his face had gotten more serious. While he was teasing in language he was completely intent on hunting down whoever had done this to her and blowing some nasty sized holes. They might not be partners anymore, but that didn't mean he shouldn't look after her back now did it?
|
|
|
Post by Selina Kyle on Aug 23, 2013 2:20:39 GMT -5
"Easy..." she breathed with a wince as he grabbed her up off her feet. She put her hands behind his neck and laced her fingers, examining him carefully with a scrutinizing stare and assuring him "Your couch is safe."
And then he mentioned Bane again, and teaching him manners. For a moment, it looked like fear flashed in her face.
"No." she replied perhaps a little too quickly, and very firm. There was a wavering sound in her voice, and she realized it. So trying to cover it, Selina shook her head and cleared her throat before talking again.
"It'll only make him angry. Leave it." she insisted, taking on a much cooler tone. But there was a certain extra chill to it that crossed the level of casual and dismissive to a more dangerous side.
Selina was still afraid of Bane. The man who broke the Bat. Had Gambit not heard?
"His men aren't the problem, but if you trifle with them you can bet he will be..." she began to advise. And then she looked up at him carefully, "You don't want to interfere with Bane. Promise me you won't?" she demanded. This was the closest thing to concern she dared to express right now. Selina had lost Bruce to the masked mercenary once, she didn't want to lose Remy to him too. Bruce had been gone a long time, she didn't want to risk Remy never coming back to her.
So maybe she was selfish. She's a thief, afterall.
|
|
|
Post by Remy LeBeau "Gambit" on Aug 25, 2013 13:52:25 GMT -5
Remy chuckled at the assurance as to the state of his couch, continuing to watch the world around them as they started into the streets. He wasn't too far from home here in the park, but all the same he moved just slightly faster than a normal pace - enough to keep them quick, but trying to be slow enough that he hopefully didn't hurt Selina in the process.
The shake and too quick response made him at once dangerously interested. So when she asked him not to interfere - heck, and asked him for a promise... was that genuine concern? It struck him off balance - figuratively of course, there were few things that could do it physically - and it took him a minute to figure out what to say.
"Alright, Kitten. No mask stealin'."
But did he mean it? The side of Remy that had been getting more and more tense with Selina's absence and the utter inactivity of Gotham was already planning how to start rustling some of Bane's feathers. It was far from impossible - his boys were growing in number, which made them impossible to hide even if the mercenary had tried.
Then there was the issue of Selina.
He wanted to be indifferent to her wishes - she'd run off for hoe long now, probably intending never to see him again if she could, and now she was asking favors? What right did she have? But refusing woman wasn't his strong suit, and from wherever this concern for his well being sprung from, there was no part of him that honestly wanted to ignore it.
He'd been too quiet for too long and he knew it, his face sober with trying to choose. He needed to wait till she was asleep to hash out his next step, not while she was here in his arms all lovely and damsel like - and close enough to probably guess what he was tangling with internally if she felt so inclined.
Shifting her gently in his arms, he spoke. "So... do I get to know what you did tah get dis guy all blood hungry or is dat off limits to?"
|
|
|
Post by Selina Kyle on Aug 25, 2013 15:18:58 GMT -5
He wasn't going to listen to her, she could see it. Although the fact that he seemed to be struggling with it gave her some hope. There was a hesitance, and Selina hoped to feed off of that hesitance, perhaps get him to stay with her instead of going out and picking a fight like Bruce had done. In any case she wasn't going to be the one to lead him to his certain death. Not this time.
"I suppose nothing's off limits anymore..." she remarked, smothering a smile by pursing her lips. But there was still a seriousness in her eyes.
"Do you know... anything about what happened when Bane first came to Gotham? Not now- but before?"
She needed to know exactly what Remy knew about Bane before she was going to start with why his return was so dangerous to her if she didn't make it in good with him again. There was a chance he might just ignore her. But she'd played a hand in his original demise, regardless of how small.
But Selina wasn't satisfied with Remy's answer. It was too vague, too dismissive for her tasted. There was still time to convince him otherwise, and she might as well start now; with one hand she tangled her fingers with the ends of his hair behind his head, staring intently up at him while waiting for him to relay anything he knew about Gotham's history.
|
|
|
Post by Remy LeBeau "Gambit" on Aug 26, 2013 1:33:28 GMT -5
"I suppose nothing's off limits anymore..."
Ah, yes, maybe he would still be paying for that in the near future. He raised a brow at her question, reviewing what little he'd learned. At the time Bane was attempting to raize Gotham. he'd been neck deep in his own mess with the Thieves Guild, and had been too busy cutting and running to pay much attention tot e troubles of the world.
But of course, since Bane's assault on Gotham part deux, Remy had made a point of looking into things.
"De basics - Bane comes, takes over Gotham while de Batman's... wherevah super heroes go tah take a load off, and den Batman comes back, saves de day, and Gotham's ace gets blown skyward." His dismissive account of Batman's sacrifice might have been crass, but Remy found it all to be a bit disappointing of a tale. For someone who could take over one of America's most important cities, it seemed to him Bane had lost it fairly easily.
"What'd I miss?" He looked down at her, highly distracted by her fingers toying with his hair and trying not to show it.
|
|
|
Post by Selina Kyle on Aug 26, 2013 1:49:42 GMT -5
Selina winced at Remy's words, there was no way for her to hide that how he'd so brashly put it, it'd gotten to her. But it was the truths he didn't know that hurt. How could he have known? She swallowed hard, looking down briefly as her fingers slowed do a very absentminded stroke at the back of his neck.
"Mostly right." she commented without looking up. "Except he didn't go on a holiday."
Selina cleared her throat, she wasn't sure if telling Remy that she was the one who'd handed Batman over to Bane would be wise. He remembered everything, did she want him to remember that she was a possible betrayer? Not particularly, although she didn't usually care.
It took her a long moment before she could find the right words to begin speaking again, and when she did she had a different tone, more matter of fact. But she did finally look up.
"Bane used me and in exchange his men stopped hunting me. When Batman came back, I played a part in shutting Bane down." Remy didn't need to know about Talia. Selina wasn't too fond of the woman honestly, for various reasons. Mostly because she didn't like sharing, partly because she was a murderous witch.
"He knows it. I can either try and sort it out, or wait for him to sniff me out when it strikes him up." she explained, again very vaguely. But Selina watched Remy's face carefully as she finished. "He's dangerous. He will kill you if you oppose him..."
She spoke as if speaking generally, about anyone who would oppose him. But the way she stared so intently at Remy said she was most concerned about him, and that he wasn't exempt from the general crowd in this situation.
|
|