Post by Batman (Bruce Wayne) on Jun 13, 2014 18:56:25 GMT -5
Batman vs Dracula
Story By: Batman
Heroes: Batman, Huntress, Vicki Vale, Phantom Stranger, Red Hood, Black Bat
Villains: Dracula
Plot: A centuries old count once thought of a myth, returns to the living and sets his sights on Batman and his Kingdom. Meanwhile Batman struggles to solve another mystery given to him by the Phantom Stranger.
Transylvania, 1814…A coven of men stood surrounding a coffin where a man staked through the heart laid at his final rest dressed in a tuxedo of an ancient era, his hands were folded neatly over his stomach as his pale skin and gave him the appearance of undead. Oily black hair groomed like a ball of yarn twisted about his head. The group of men looked between each other and then picked up a stone cover and placed it on top of the coffin. A man dressed in an over coat and large hat over looked the resting place. “May this monstrosity never rise again and less this tail of what has happened here remain a secret. Fore words about the evil that lies here, shall attract followers seeking to unlock prison. May God have mercy on us all should the beast contained here, ever escape.” A roll of thunder scurried in he background outside the castle walls. The doctor dressed in the overcoat looked to a nearby man, worn only of simple dress jacket, shirt, and stitched pants. “You are a local man, what was your name?” “Dumitru Arcane.” “Very well, Mr. Arcane…” The doctor stepped close to Dumitru, their breath drawing upon one another as the Doctor spoke with an amount of firmness that shook the foundation of Dumitru. “The creature that is buried here must never be allowed to leave. It will be your family’s duty to safeguard and keep this so that….no one knows where they can find this creature. Tell only but the most trusted, not even your spouse. This is not her burden, it is yours.” Dumitru’s gaze looked into the doctors eyes and gave a solemn nod. The sinking feeling of death churned in his stomach knowing that this was a task he did not want to make a mistake with. The doctor turned and began walking up a stone set of stairs where his coven of men began to follow.
Gotham City, 2014…’November holds a special and deep place in my heart, it’s frigid are in the hills around Gotham only remind me of the day my parents died. The day I was introduced to fear and the supernatural associated with it. Someone once told me: “You always fear what you don’t understand.” Those words have set me on a path to understand what fear is and how to control it. My fascination for understanding the criminal’s mind, to turn fear against those who prey on the fearful. I think about this every now and again, sitting alone in the darkness of Wayne Manor. Whenever I feel like giving up, I realize that I can’t. The moment I stop and take off my cowl, it is the moment some poor child will find themselves in the shoes of Bruce Wayne in Crime Alley at 8 years old. I’ve taken this role to draw the attention of evil, to be their target and avoid casualties of hurting innocence. <c>
This life I live has to be one alone; to bring others into it only endangers them. My followers are loyal and I don’t doubt most of them would die for me if I gave them the command. For the past two years, my life has met challenge after challenge and I can feel Phantom Stranger’s warning…Something big is coming and Gotham City is ground zero. This family is growing, is it fate? Destiny? The only thing I can be certain of is the fact that this ‘family’ is being forged again after falling apart in my absence. It will take our combine strength to endure whatever lies ahead of us…Sooner or later I’ll have to bring everyone in; all of them, and explain what Phantom Stranger meant with his warning, hopefully it won’t be too late.‘ Bruce lifted the pen and gently placed it down upon the large journal book and folded its pages shut before standing and leaving the darkness of his living room.
The docks were quiet as the ship was unloaded; two men carried a coffin off the ship, the men placed it down upon a hand cart. Labeled “Monster’s coffin” As the men placed it onto the truck they opened the container to gasp as the scent of aged flesh leapt at them, staring for a moment they seemed surprised. “That looks real…” “Yeah but, there’s no blood.” One of the crewmen reached out and pulled out the stake within the creature’s heart prompting its eyes to open and startle the two men. “What the hell?!” His gaze turned to beam upon both men, one reaching for a weapon before stopping. A hypnotic gaze leered at the first man paralyzing them, as the second armed a knife only for the vampire’s arm to stretch and grasp the worker by the throat. Shifting his gaze to the second man he exchanged gazes and released him. Both workers stood by dumb founded and clueless as they were in a hypnotic state. The vampire slowly spoke “<I…understand…> Now.” In the following days the Father of Vampires would stake out new territory within Gotham. It would be only a day or two before the disappearance of people were beginning to arouse attention.
Hemingway expedition exhibit - a fundraiser where the news media swarmed and most of Gotham’s popular and high class gathered. As Commissioner Gordon arrived with police officers, a gathering of reporters moved closer to speak. “Commissioner! Where are you with your search for the ‘vampire killer’ ?” “Is this the work of Man-Bat? Is he back in Gotham?” “Is the Batman working on this case with your unit?” Detective Bullock shot forward and pushed a few reporters out of the way. “Scram you mooks. Give the man some space!” “I’m not here to discuss police cases or recent criminal activity. I’m here as security and to insure the safety of Gotham citizens. Enjoy your evening.” Inside the party, Bruce Wayne stood by a display case of stuffed tigers, a podium of details and note book detailing the species and research obtained. Bruce casually flipped through the pages; his large masculine features were concealed beneath a black business suit and white dress shirt.
Erzebeth: Vicki stepped out of a cab after paying the driver a small tip. She had been notified about the exposition later than expected. Gotham's favorite talkshow host had to attend all of the hottest scenes in Gotham. Tonight, was the acception. She had gotten a tip from one of the generous donators that a certain billionaire would be on the prowl. It couldn't have been more perfect. In what little time there was to get ready, she was able to pull off a trendy look. An emerald-green dress made from silk seemingly streamed down to the ground like waves of absinthe being poured out of a bottle. "I don't see your name on the guest list--" "Oh you don't?" There was an oddly placed man at the doorway who had been taking the names of each guest. Until he recognized the enraged eyes of the former reporter he stood firmly before the door. "Right this way, Ms. Vale." -e-
-Bruce’s gaze stared out into nothingness when his attention was snapped to by the voice of someone passing by. “Is that Vicki Vale?” Bruce blinked a few times and turned to look over his shoulder, his blue eyes bold and fearless searched for the talk show hostess and former reporter. He began walking towards the bar to grab himself a glass of water to help clear his throat of growing thirst. His gaze spotted Vicki and locked onto her, following her every move even while raising the glass of water to his lips.- ‘I didn’t expect to see Vicki here…It’s been a long time, I’m sure we’re both glad she didn’t see me in a crippled state.’ He leaned to his side where a pillar sat giving him a support to lean his broad shoulders against and hold up his frame.-
Erzebeth: As if she couldn't spot him out of the corner of her eye. Vicki turned as though she were walking towards Bruce when in fact she stopped to talk to another man. "Good evening, sir. I couldn't help but wonder if you've ever been a guest on a talkshow? You seem to have all of the right--" Vicki paused to look at Bruce then down at the man's shoes. "--qualities we are looking for. If you don't recognize me, my name is Victoria Vale. I'm the talkshow host of The Scene. You've probably scene our recent reviews. We have a very large audience filled with bright men like yourself." She knew how much of a kiss ass she was being. It was all according to plan. That snake-like look traveled all the way to Bruce. Only now would Vicki let him exchange glances with her. "Excuse me." Cutting the conversation short, her silk dress began dancing with her towards Bruce. "You're looking promising for an invisible man."
Red Hood: Vampire Killer, a strange term that had caught the attention of someone who would (normally) have not paid it much mind. However Jason Todd, the ex-Robin now known as Red Hood, had become more entangled in the mystical world of creatures of darkness. The vanishing act of so many had caught the attention of the police, and of that particular member of the Batman Family. 'Is it an Untitled?' The creatures that Red Hood gave himself to hunting had come to mind right away, and thus, the reason he now stood atop a roof watching a few girls working the street corner. What? Who better to be snatched away than a nearly defenseless hooker. 'Nearly. That's what you're here for.' Unknowing bait was the best kind, and the only way that Hood could think to begin his search. 'Could ask Bats for help you know. Or at least a lead.' The voice was annoying, and shut out with the faintest of mental growls. -c
Red Hood: c- Though Hood had picked to change, to give himself a new start in life as a member of the All-Caste and renounce his ways of pointless killing...Well, there were just some lines that even he wasn't yet ready to cross, and some bridges that were not yet rebuilt fully. Trust was a hard thing to earn when it was destroyed, and those two particular men had a lot of building to go. There were others though, others in the family that Red Hood had worked with, had created some sort of...Bond with. But right then, he knew not where said members were and was just fine with letting them find him. Well, in this case, letting 'her' find 'him' if she chose to.
The murders described the men who were killed as two bite marks in the throat, similar to bite marks found in some criminals only a year ago, but strangely enough these victims were also strained of blood; their wrists cut, police believe for purpose of selling the blood on the black market for gunshot wounds and other medical needs for criminals. Clearly the police didn’t give into the idea of vampires and given Gotham’s reputation for strange “Supervillains” it was likely a masked freak posing as a vampire as their theme. So far no women were found dead to the “Vampire Serial Killer.”
Black Bat: Surveillance flooded the scene of the murder. Cassandra Cain observed the pictures and files of the crime scene back at the base. She scowled, attempting to pinpoint the source of the motive and suspect. From collected speculation, they weren't targeting a specific group of people. This lead her to believe that these instances were a spur of the moment ordeal that told her that the criminal was rash and messy with his work. A lack of control in different aspects, depending on how one would perceive of it. Or he sought loners: low-lives who engage in specific activity. Her index tapped the intercom. "He could be desperate." And this didn't mean that it completely influenced the murderer's actions. Even if he took his time with it didn't mean that a sense of urgency or eagerness was absent. And this sudden statement was random -- Red Hood should be used to this by now, however. Seeming that she was aware he was on the case.[C]
Black Bat: "Where are you?" She snatched her mask and put it against her visage. Cassandra stood at the edge of the window sill before leaping off of it. If the ex-Robin had the women covered, she'd occupy the more isolated part of Gotham where illegal activity was imminent. Using her bat rope to lower herself, Cassandra eventually got to her batcycle to get ready to take off.[E]
Red Hood: Red Hood would continue to observe, shifting a bit from where he waited on the rooftops, hand moving to adjust the brown leather jacket he wore around his armor – that tell-tale symbol set in red upon his chest. So far nothing that Hood could gather would suggest that the criminals targeted women, however it was easy enough to deduce that perhaps Crime Alley would become a prime target sooner or later, and the hookers of his youth were still those that the masked Jason Todd felt a need to protect. 'Women and children.' The words caused a slight smirk moments before another voice would tease his ear. Cassandra Cain, the Black Bat as he had quickly come to know her as, had become one of those in the Family that Hood had come to be able to work with, thanks to a bit of trouble caused by the Untitled over seas. Broken from thoughts a hand moved to his hood, pressing where he knew a button would be waiting. -c
Red Hood: c- “Crime Alley. Shit is dead quiet around here.” At that time a criminal, somewhere in the surrounding areas, would pick to shoot a gun – probably some young punk scaring away someone from territory, or something else that really didn't grab at Hood's attention right away. “Well, as quiet as this hellhole ever gets. Whoever it is, they're not picking up on any of the easy bait around here...Yet.” If Black Bat planned to work her own side of the city, Red Hood would continue to explore his options here. Of course with nothing happening that meant he'd begin to wander toward another rooftop, pausing from time to time to observe. “Think whoever the fuck this is, is meta or Untitled?” The question would, of course, be to either himself or his partner on the other end.
A man would approach the three hookers, riding in an SUV. A dialog began to take place between them, if Red Hood was observant enough he may have spotted a police fraternity sticker on the front windshield, conveniently covered from the hooker’s line of sight. The sudden squealing of police sirens echoed stirring the hookers and even the driver as three police cars stormed down the street. “Dispatch to all units, suspect fleeing murder scene at 40th and Bellemont. Description 30’s, white male, pale skin, red eyes, covered in blood. Potentially armed with a knife.” The figure ran through the alleys, only four blocks from Crime Alley, stumbling through the street, his hands were soaked in blood, his eyes were blood red with black pupils dilated and searching for something. His body shivered, his skin was pale, and his canine teeth were sharp fangs sticking out from his teeth, blood dripping as he searched for something to eat. <c>
He staggered left and right before diving into an alley where he began climbing over a fence, roughly making it to the top, he fell dropping down onto the alley floor where he crawled towards the street, but he covered his eyes as the light was blinding him…too bright…too blinding!
Black Bat: Prompt silence met the question. Enough to have the chances of him pondering probable. Larceny in blood and the visual evidence left behind it made her pause. "I don't think it's the Untitled." She spoke before tapping into the police's intercom and attentively listened to their reports surreptitiously while conversing with her partner. Though the volume was lightly lowered. "This is too bold for the Untitled; it's not their mo...dus op--erandi." She claimed, somehow managed to memorize the term. "The slit wrist and blood drain along with dumping bodies nearly waiting to be discovered. Not to mention the puncture wounds on their neck....I don't think it's them." She scowled. "I don't remember them acting like -- " The acuity of her hearing fixated on the sudden report of a suspect near Red Hood's location. Black Bat immediately took a sharp left and the bike screeched. He didn't seem to quite circumvent the GCPD, thus she took advantage of the directional indications. {c}
Black Bat: Eventually, her vehicle came to a halt and she used her rope instead to capture the silhouette. Cassandra swung using both her leg muscles and used the walls of the narrow alleyway to skid downward. Using her batrope as a lasso, it'd propel towards his cranium. It'd tighten around his neck and she'd pull with immense force. Just not enough to cut his oxygen completely. {e}
Bruce continued to watch her, unknown to him she probably enjoyed it when he did it. As she turned to look at him and approach, he too approached her to meet her half way. “I’ve had better days…” He gave a sheepish and a matching shrug. He leaned in closer to her. “You’re looking exceptionally beautiful tonight.” Bruce smirked charmingly at her before taking a sip of his drink and inquiring. “I didn’t expect to see you here, are you alone?” Bruce opened his hand and arm with a gentle wave offering to walk with Vicki if she was inclined to, he would stay on her left as he walked with her towards an Arctic exhibit with wolves, polar bears, and penguins. “How’s your show working out for you? If I weren’t so busy, I’d probably watch you every night…” His words were intended to be suggestive and playful, it was the only way he could engage her without hurting her. Perhaps memories of the ‘good times’ were better explored here and now than dwelling on the ‘bad times.’
Erzebeth: "...I'd probably watch you every night..." Those words looped through her mind a few times before she could use her sharp tongue. "It's okay. I have about thirty-thousand other viewers to worry about. But if you'd like we could include you in our statistics, would you prefer to be listed under viewers who are too good to give a damn?" Vicki picked up a martini off of a passing tray. The olive was promptly stuffed into Bruce's mouth before he could answer. She then tilted her head back to guzzle the drink. After one breath of air her gaze became sullen then vengeful. "I know what you're doing. None of it makes up for what's happened. And if you think you can just walk around Gotham again parading around your pride while I'm on air you're wrong." Heads we're starting to turn towards the two. "We're having dinner next Tuesday. You're picking me up at eight and I expect you to be on time for once in your life."
Red Hood: Real time location updates would be a boon, and when Black Bat notified Red Hood of where she was, he would only smirk and continue to run, aware of just how close he was getting. A pity that the man would miss watching the girl tossed off into a fence like it was nothing, it wasn't often that Hood could get a chance to see the infamous ex-assassin in such a position. 'Time and place, pup.' An aged voice would tease the back of the man's mind, causing him to push harder, timing his grappling gun as well as his final jump and swing. The timing was great, he would come down just in time to watch something enter a house, and spot a familiar figure fast on heels. 'So this is it, huh.' Grappling gun is twisted and the release switch is pressed, allowing the ex-Robin to roll atop the lower-to-earth roof of the house as he did the much taller buildings earlier. -c
Red Hood: c- Of course this wasn't the most silent of landings, but it could readily work in the stealthy Shadow Bat's favor as, at worse, it could draw the creature's attention skyward. “On the roof above you. Making my way inside.” Voice a faint hiss that the communication device in hood would be able to pick up and relay to the woman below. Never skipping a beat the well-trained man would slip from the edge of the roof toward the back of the house, dropping down near a window, trying to get himself into a position where he could locate everyone and see where best to enter the fray at. Left hand was already upon the corresponding pistol at his side, while right was setting away the grappling gun.
The man entered into the home, gripping the beagle by the throat as his teeth opened and held its arm to the side, exposing its throat and chest to his face. He was prepared to strike and bite without expecting to be interrupted, or perhaps his hunger was greater. He bit into the dog causing the beagle to whimper as the vampire drank its blood. Its hands were still shaking and clearly not from the dog struggling to escape, but within a second the dog would surrender and become a victim before long. Psychotic? Unstoppable? One would only find out soon enough.
“I…” He felt the olive get stuffed into his mouth, leaving Bruce Wayne staring dumb-founded, noticed ever so often when appearing like a complete buffoon. He crushed the olive between his teeth, the lingering burn from the martini and the taste of the olive were nothing compared to her words. Then again he should’ve expected that kind of reaction, Vicki was a strong personality, a very attractive feature about her that Bruce liked, perhaps more than he would like to have admitted. “Eight, Tuesday, Don’t be late for once…I’ll be there, I promise.” Bruce’s attention then shifted from Vicki towards a police officer whose radio began to speak. “Dispatch, we have a new suspect fleeing a crime scene…Suspect wearing large cape, witnesses say it looks like a Vampire.” <c>
Bruce smirked at Vicki. “I won’t forget about Tuesday. If you’re still here, I’ll drive you home…” Bruce leaned into Vicki and would attempt to place his lips against her temple if she would allow him, and then he would make his way through the crowd in order to reach his car to change his clothes.
Erzebeth: Vicki folded her arms over chest as Bruce kissed her temple. She was clearly not amused. "If you're not I'll be around long enough to escort you home!" The bartender gave her a look as she approached. Great. It was going to be one of those nights. "Have fun at your costume party." She mumbled to herself. Hopefully the act was spectacular. Bruce couldn't leave her without a babysitter. This was way too easy. After Bruce had walked out the door her footsteps followed promptly. Her cab had been waiting for her in front the whole time. It wasn't exactly a stealthy car, but she would pay the driver very well if he could keep up with her pace. Poor guy was in for the night of his life. "If I tell you to drive you drive fast. I'll pay you double if that other car doesn't see us and triple if you speed." Regardless, Vicki would get her way tonight.
Black Bat: She was sure the thump that briefly resonated would capture the strange man's attention...Voracious appetite didn't stop him. Or he didn't care. Regardless. She took note of the male's notification. The moment the canine's throat was exposed, Cassandra chucked the batarang straight into his back and rolled the flash bangs. Forearm elevated to cover for sensitive hazels. The ringing in her ear reverberated but that didn't phase her action. Again, she rushed and flung more blunt knives towards him - particularly around his feet to prevent an escape route. The discomfort of the wailing had her stumbling against the wall. "Hurry." She said, still managing to keep her composure. If the vampire-wannabe fled? She'd chase. If he defended, despite her phased situation, she'd still fight. Just how well could he take blows? She needed to know what she was getting into. Feet set apart in a balanced stance, she'd wait. {c}
Black Bat: Though it's been a slow progress, the partnership between the two was strong. Especially since they've gotten together to put the Untitled to a complete rest. They were, without a doubt, inhuman. Depending on his abilities and strength, this could be easier or a lot more difficult. Regardless, preparation was key. Where was Batman? {e}
Red Hood: Up to the window Red Hood would stand, just in time to see a poor canine caught in the creature's hold. Thankfully the man was trying to get a grasp on the situation, because it meant that he would be able to see familiar weapons being rolled on the floor – and give him time for a single mental thought; shit. Eyes closed and Hood would be thankful for the fact that the helmet he wore shielded further against the flash bangs that the Family seemed to enjoy using in a bad situation to blind and confuse others. Still it meant that drawing his handgun and firing would be pointless, though he did draw and level it in the general direction. Once the flash and 'bang' aspects were over he would be able to see once more, but right then all Red Hood could do would be to stand ready. Whatever this creature was, if it ran he would be off to either side of the house and ready to give chase. -c
Red Hood: c- If not, he would still be there listening to the world around them, trying to keep focus and do what he could to assist Black Bat. It was strange, but the two seemed to work best like this; each supporting one another when the time was right, letting whoever was 'in the lead' take point. It worked, and it had helped them take down creatures far from human, very much akin (in their own way) to the little vampire that they now fought. Well, 'vampire' fit the current mindset better than assuming it was the real deal.
The vampire heard the clattering of the flash bomb and felt the stabbing of the batarang, stirring it to scream within the darkness of the house. It dropped the beagle leaving it in a state of paralysis as its hands opened and revealed razor sharp nails that would turn on Black Bat, stomping towards her his arm lashed out towards her aiming to decapitate her. “AAAAARRRRRRRRRR!!!!” His swings were reckless, his face shriveled and surging with vanes muscles with those bloodshot eyes raging on. His two sets of fangs were leaking blood and his arms that were once thinner in appearance suddenly became bulky and masculine. “RAAARRR!!!” His first swipe would break the drywall while also swinging to break Black Bat’s head off of her spine, due to its slightly larger muscle mass and the nature of its reaction, Black Bat would have more reaction time as opposed to before.<c>
It was no sooner that Vicki Vale entered the cab that another man opened the door and slipped in next to her. “Excuse me…pardon. Mind if we share a faire?” The man wore a tuxedo underneath a black cape with a red in-lining to it, his hair slicked back and oily. “Hey…I know you, don’t I? You’re the lovely Miss Vicki Vale, aren’t you…” His eyes held an onyx opal within the center with a soft maroon shaded ring surrounding it. “Damian Arcane, chemist and medical researcher.”
Erzebeth: Well that was rude. And that was the pot calling the kettle black. "Please, Mr. Arcane, I would love for you to join me." Her plans were officialy ruined. "Do we still have a deal or not, sweetheart?" The cab driver turned to look at Vicki and the stranger. "How 'bout you? Where are you going?" Now she held her head in her hand. This guy must have been one of Bruce's babysitters. Oh well, at least it wasn't Alfred. "Alright! Enough! Take me home then! If Bruce wants to keep playing games I'll leave it alone until our date. Mr. Arcane it's really a pleasure to meet you, but if Bruce has really put you up to this I apologize on his behalf. He finds me to be such a child." The cab driver lurched the car forward having finally lifted up the parking break. "You don't have to be here." Why couldn't Bruce trust her? She was perfectly capable of handling things herself just as she had always done.
He leaned back and tilted his head in confusion. “I beg your pardon? Bruce? I assure you, I’m here on my own account and by my will no one else’s. Do you require safekeeping from Bruce? I have my own private security that could protect you.” He seemed confident; looking to the driver he spoke. “The Violet Mansion, please…” Reaching into his pocket he pulled out the appropriate amount and handed it to the driver. “Keep the change.” He shifted in his seat, turning to face Vicki Vale, to study her further his eyes seemingly enthralled by her. “I suppose this venue was not particular to your taste?”
Black Bat: Speculation proceeded in the fit of the incessant rage inundating the creature. The solid, immovable posture belied the underlying velocity awaiting. She was as equally inexorable as the vampiric being, except the collected, level-headed state of mind gave her an advantage. Lids narrowed to slits in an ominous and hard stare. At the first strike, he missed. She didn't flinch. The grotesque muscles rippling underneath his garment made it more vapid -- this could be a facile victory. However, she was intelligent enough not to underestimate a villain such as him. Weapons? Equipped and ready in her utility belt. But for now? Their sole occupation was to remain there. Especially if she could redeem the faltered attempt at a flip earlier. Red Hood would be there. Did she trust him completely? No. Did she trust him with her life as a partner? Yes. Regardless, she didn't rely on others. {c}
Black Bat: Coordinated muscle movement reacted with enough celerity to be a challenge, but she processed the intent as fast as it came. Cranium ducked while the flexibility of her back helped aid the evasion of the blow. And immediately, digits curled around a large, large block that crumbled due to the impact. Within a fraction of a second, and dead-accuracy, it would be flung towards his face. The slow motion would be activated, naturally, Thus why it was a distraction. The average-sized, lengthy pipe had been broken free from its exposed position and if all went well. Once his attention re-fixated on her smaller frame, the newly obtained item would be firmly plastered along the small of her back with a flattened hand in front of her. Again, not a second was wasted before her movements became a complete blur. She'd twirl and swing it along the base of her palm. It was a fluid, confident, and unfazed dance. Appendage came above her cranium and towards his face -- again, another decoy. {c}
Black Bat: Her whole body would jerk back in case he fell for it then strike at an opening, straight towards his abdominal muscle. At this point, she moved to the side; Black Bat never kept the same position. There were no patterns to her movement. They were random. And hopefully, unpredictable. And while she kept him busy? While feeding onto his rage? Red Hood would have a huge advantage. {e}
Erzebeth: Violet Mansion? Wasn't that the second most expensive mansion next to Bruce's? Perhaps Vicki would be able to get a story from a different billionaire. "I was there for business. Not pleasure. It would seem that my time was wasted by someone who did not have in interest in my program. You wouldn't happen to know of any other billionaires running around Gotham and willing to be interviewed exclusively, would you?" It was easy to tell that Damian could be swayed easily by each move she made. Bruce was the same way. Every time she crossed her legs or crushed his balls with the tabloids Vicki could not cease her charm. She adored every minute of her triumph in a patriarchal society like Gotham. One day people would see her more as just an attractive talkshow host, but for now she simply needed to prove to Bruce that he was missing out on more than just a social life.
Damian smirked confidently. “Billionaire, maybe not…But someone far more interesting than any man could be. His eyes released a hypnotic gaze into her eyes, a seductive lure that would attempt to intrigue her regardless of what he would say. “I believe tonight would be…fascinating to have you for company. And I hope you find it more pleasure than business. Certainly more dazzling than this place and these gentlemen.” It was then a loud BANG smashed onto the hood of the taxi causing Damian to quickly search the windows for what happened…
Police sirens echoed as a large wings flapped through the air, followed by a large black clad figure lands upon the hood of a car next to the cab. Batman leapt into the air and aimed his grappling hook to fire it. A grinding whistle of steel launched forward with a winding wire wrapping around the large leg of a furry man with wings. “Oracle, I’m in pursuit of Man-Bat. He’s heading West bound…he seems enraged and out of control…The tranquilizers I have on me won’t be strong enough to stop him. I need something to stop him.” The echo-location of Man-Bat detected the presence of five converging onto his location…Batman was but the last of his worries. The large Man-bat shook his leg attempting to free himself of Batman while its arms with thick leathery wings flailed with impressive strength that forced gusts of wind.
Black Canary: Black Canary was patroling the East Side of Gotham, a lot of gang activity had been going on lately. A side affect of their leader's own ambitions. She was just glad there were no holiday themed crimes this year. Which caused her to think about Thanksgiving already, she wondered if she could try to get everyone together again this year... she remembered last year. 10 plates to go, which she had to drop all about the city. she hunched and drew her jacket about her, it was getting cold. she was glad she put on insulated layers under her fishnets tonight. she tapped her earpiece. "Hey Oracle. Things are pretty quiet over here tonight, need help with anything?"
Erzebeth: Vicki found each of his words to slowly drip with promise of more than just an interview. Using a recording device probably wouldn't go well with the younger audiences at home. "I would love to--" Her body suddenly jolted forward until the seatbelt snapped back and held her hostage against the leather seat. "What in the world was that?" The reporter in her forced her to take off the belt so that she could open the window. Forget about the interview. What made him so interesting anyway? Now there was something better to put on her show. There was never a day in Gotham that any normal news happened. People deserved a story from the mouth of someone who had directly been involved. Who could be better than the dashing talkshow host Vicki Vale?
Oracle: The huffs of breath left her in controlled patterns. Oracle pulled up and leapt into the air, feet switching under her to land back down, one leg drawn up to her chest and the other stretched back, holding her up on the ball of her foot. Flying leopard stances, they were key to her daily exercises, and helpful beyond belief. But they were so very difficult. The muscle burn was familiar, painful but welcome at the same time. It's warmth spread through her abs and legs as her chest burned with her lungs working hard again to keep up with the vigorous activities again.
Oracle: She continued on with her workout, leaping up, landing, breathing, leap, land, breathe. From her desk not far behind her, the speakers called out with the dark voice she'd come to see as a mentor and friend. Batman, and he sounded a bit trying. Taking a few collective breaths, she stood, closing the distance to the desk and checking the screens. Man-Bat, she'd known he was out and about and stirring, but he seemed to be causing a bit more trouble than appreciated.
Oracle: Her graceful fingertips picked up the comm piece and slipped it into her ear, connecting with Batman as she made her way to dress quickly. “If you wanted a drugs, you should probably seek out 6th Avenue. I’ll be there in a moment.” Humor, it kept her feeling like herself. It had been awhile since she’d been able to go out, and the times she had, they’d been quite calm. A couple of thugs, an arrest here and there, but she was rusty, and that wasn’t anything that couldn’t be fixed, especially with more time out.
Oracle: She finished pulling on her cowl, flipping her red locks out just as Dinah’s voice came through. The Batgirl slipped from the sanctuary of her clock tower home and out into the streets of Gotham, following the way to aid Batman, the proper tranquilizers equipped as he’d asked. “As a matter of fact, Canary, yes. I’m about to help Batman play veterinarian, care to join?” (e)
Damian’s mouth dropped open. “My…What is that?” He said questioning to Vicki, who was resident of Gotham and he was clearly from out of town. His gaze watched the two fly through the air and into the distance as police sirens followed in pursuit.
Man-Bat swung his leg spiraling Batman into a light post, the grappling line attached to Batman’s belt allowing Batman’s hands to focus on wrestling the wire to control Man-Bat. “Grrr!” Batman gripped Man-bat with all of his muscle, this caused Man-Bat to surprisingly cave in and fly into a wall where he flew out of control until eventually landing upon a parking garage. The Man-Bat fell and rolled upon the ground while Batman’s wings opened to allow him to glide. Perks of the lazerus pit…Batman felt stronger, faster, more in tuned with his senses. That same experience he shared with Barbara to heal her wounds. She didn’t seem to receive the same benefits he did, but she did regain control of her legs and for that he was grateful. Landing upon the rooftop Batman gripped the wire and shouted at Man-Bat. “Doctor! Stop! Let me help you!” <c>
Batman began walking towards Man-Bat, looking at Batman his hissed and tugged his attempting to break free, but the dark knight was strong. “Kirk, let me help you, please!” “Bat…Man…” Man-Bat spoke with confusion and a certain softness. “Yes, Doctor you must control yourself! Get control!” “NO!!” Man-Bat kicked the wire causing Batman to snap backwards and into a kneeling position. “Hsss!” was a new sound that drew Batman’s attention. He stopped and looked around….five newcomers appeared dressed with street clothes, no particular outfit but each had large red eyes, sharp finger nails, skinny and pale skin. Three of them leapt at Man-Bat, large vampiric fangs latched onto his thick arms where they bit into him causing blood to squirt out of his vanes. A horrific screech released from his mouth as the vampires latched onto him and began to drain him. <c>
Batman clutched his teeth and reached into his belt to hurl three batarangs that swiftly stabbed into three of the vampires to release an electronic pulse causing them to fall off and scream. Man-Bat grabbed one of the remaining leeches and hurled them away with all of his strength. The final remaining vampire punched Man-Bat in the stomach before grabbing his head and forcing it to meet his knee, this knocked Man-Bat onto the ground. The Dark Knight charged forward and delivered a flying high-kick into the fifth vampire throwing them backwards and landing him right next to Man-Bat who snarled at Batman. Batman glanced over his shoulder and spoke. “I understand now, Doctor. I’ll protect you, stay behind me.” The three crippled vampires rolled away and shook off the shock affects. Suddenly it was 5 against two as Man-Bat stood up. Batman tapped his ear piece. <c>
“Oracle, contact the police department. Tell them to create a parameter. Man-Bat is not the enemy. Back-up right about now would be appreciated.” Batman watched as the five vampires moved at superhuman speed, Man-Bat would leap into the air and kick one before mauling another as the third tackled Man-Bat to the ground. Batman would have two charge him, one from the front which threw punches at incredible speed. With almost no reaction time Batman slapped the fists away in order to deflect them, before spinning to kick the second attacker away from him with a blow to the abs. Batman ducked and weaved to dodge the first attackers slashes.-
Black Canary: Me dinah smirked as she heard the redhead in her earpiece. So Oracle was slippingn out of her ivory tower for what sounds like a night of tracking some kind of beast. She hadn't gotten all the details yet. she knew Batman had been busy with his latest cases and hadn't heard from him. "Sure Oracle, I'll meet you at your target location." she said sliding down a fire escape and dashing to where her bike was hidden behind a dumpster. she revs the engine and sets off. she thought about the progress Barb has been making with both her rehab and their sparring matches. She has been doing well, but keeps finding her going back to old batgirl moves, they just wore her out too fast. But she was clever, often thinking of ways to use her environment to her advantage, which was good, many thugs forgot about that. she even caught dinah off guard a few times. Also that left hook she was working on was pretty vicious. She smiled, proud at that. <c>
Black Canary: She just hoped that Orcale was ready for something more intensive. she arrived near the parking garage that orcale had told her to go towards. Something was going down there were police everywhere, she went around to the side alley and parked her bike and climbed up a fire escape to get on a roof and to leap into the nearby parking garage. she could hear a fight above her and ran for the stairwell,she would end up on side away from the railing, she paused a moment getting a gage of the situation. "I'm here oracle, and batman i'm here too, in the stair well. Do you need back up or some breathing room?" <e>
Erzebeth: "I don't know but I'm not taking a chance by staying trapped in here." Vicki had clearly lost interest in the man. This was probably going to bring her at least a hundred thousand hits on her youtube page. "Smile." Once she had opened the car door she placed herself carefully behind a post office mailbox and began recording the scene. Of course she felt bad for leaving Damian, but now there was action on the streets. He probably understood her need to cover the story. She had no idea why the man was so entrancing before. He probably couldn't have provided her with this amount of entertainment during the interview. Vicki preferred being in the middle of the action. In the face of danger she had no choice but to stare right back into its eyes even if she did face death. She could handle herself more than Bruce believed. Did he even believe that anymore?
Oracle: The cold November air bit at her cheeks as Batgirl raced through the streets of Gotham. The long red waves made a crimson comet’s tail whipping behind her, the undersided yellow of her cape flashing with the stain of color. The Batpod hummed almost silently, maneuvering quite well through the traffic and nearly-empty sidewalks. Idly, she reminded herself that Bruce Wayne was supposed to be a part of the fundraiser behind held, obviously this had taken priority. His balance of his persona as the Gotham billionaire and the Batman were always so astounding to her, two completely seperate men in her mind. And Bruce Wayne gave up so much just to take part in the nights of Gotham. His return had come as a great relief and yet at the same time, displeasure. He was the only Batman, he would always be the only Batman, but she knew what he gave up to become so.
Oracle: His words cut through her earpiece just as she closed in on the last couple of blocks to his location. The tone in his voice suggested a whole game changer, but she wasn’t entirely sure just how. Guess the tranquilizers weren’t going to be the purpose as for now, but she kept them close. Switching over to connect with the GCPD, she linked herself to her father’s personal radio, something she’d set up after getting her hands on it years ago. “Commissioner Gordon,” she called through, voice clipped a little more than usual. She tended to keep it that way with her father, it stood less of a chance for him to recognize her, and easier to see her as just an extension of the Dark Knight. “There’s a situation that requires your attention, the parking garage on Worthington, set up a perimeter but do not engage. I repeat, you are not to engage.”
Oracle: Her batpod pulled around the corner, turning so quickly the back tire spun in its designed rotation to acel her better. Her blue eyes caught sight of Vicki Vale just behind a mailbox for cover, a device out most likely streaming the life feed for her next big story. Oracle would have to edit that information and feed later, making a note silently as she refocused. She took up the ramp to the top of the parking garage and pulled up to find multiple men with strangely red eyes facing off the Dark Knight and Man-Bat just behind him. Batman’s positioning spoke that they might be helping Man-Bat as of now, though who against, she didn’t know. Barbara, reaching the open roof of the garage and facing the fight, fired off a cable net at the two men standing just to the side and about to make their own attack. Just after the net was fired, she aimed the pod at another man and gained speed toward him, lifting up slightly just before reaching him. The Batgirl held onto the handles of her batpodOracle: and swung her lower body out to the side, throwing all her weight into a kick at the man’s head. (e)
Damian took the opportunity to slip out of the cab as Vicki did as well. She went ahead and chased after the scene, but Damian stared towards the sky watching two winged creatures fly above the city lights in an intense battle as a fleet of police cars went into pursuit. Gripping both sides of his suit he began making his way into a dark alley only to vanish as a large brow bat flew from the darkness and into the night sky, following innocently the action that was taking place. He landed upon a rooftop above the situation and watched in entertainment. To a human it was be quite the distance to see, but for his eyes it was almost a front row seat.
“Could use help now!” -Batman snapped at Black Canary, spotting that Batgirl wasted no time in jumping in, the vampire she was caught off guard by her and was struck causing it to roll backwards after crashing into the ground. One vampire stopped attacking Man-Bat and charged at Batgirl. The two fighting Batman continued to circle him, one striking from behind lashed out causing a loud shriek from Batman’s cape as it was torn into by their nails. The other slashed at Batman’s shoulder causing sparks to ignite from the metal grinding against their sharp claws along with a loud shrieking of metal. He grunted in discomfort and then delivered a palm strike to the first vampire’s nose causing them to tumble backwards and then he shot a kick backwards only for that vampire to leap over Batman and kick Batman in the face throwing him into a cement wall forcing him onto the ground. The two attacking Batman turned their attention onto Man-Bat and leapt at him.
Black Canary: Black Canary was at the door and saw the scene unfolding as batman snapped at her. Crap. Batman was holding his own until one flipped over him and give him a kick away from the fight. Damn they were fast, but she had surprise on her side. So they were protecting the big man bat thing... got it. She just hope he handled being starteled well. She dashed in and leapt grabbing the shoulders of the creature as she pushed herself up and over like he was a pommel horse, feet coming up and over to deliver a kick at one. landing on one foot to do a spin kick using her momentum to get the second. "Stay clear of my friend here, that's your warning." she took a deep breathe, glancing at batman and Oracle.
Erzebeth: "Maybe I should just check on him." The phone was propped up against the mailbox as Vicki turned back to the taxi...which was now empty. "Coward." He probably was half-way back home running with his tail between his legs. Figures. "And now back to the story." Her green dress had to be picked up by the skirts this time so she could run quickly back to her hiding spot. Just what were those things? Gotham had a history of freakish characters running around, but these were a little more ghoulish than usual. Those claws didn't belong to any normal creature. Vicki snapped a quick picture with her phone and enlarged it. They had all of the features any normal bat would have. She wasn't about to believe in some stupid fairy tale myth, however, these creatures had a striking resemblence to many horror movie monsters. Nothing could ever make her truly believe in vampires. There had to be some science behind it.
Oracle: She landed the blow and winced when pain lanced up her leg. Her nerves weren’t fully healed, the Lazaraus Pit having done a fantastic job at bringing her back to the ability to walk and move, but it was up to her to practice, to train, to strengthen those muscles and nerves back up to speed. Where she walked out of the Pit barely standing and weak, Batman had returned with excellerated speed and strength. The Pit was never fully understood, and its properties and what it might do to a person...she shook the thought off. The image of a red mask staring back at her angrily, yet, so void of emotion, had her unwilling to follow the thought process any further.
Oracle: Nevertheless, the man she’d kicked went back hard, landing on the cement of the parking garage roof and rolling back just as she saw Batman get slammed back into the wall. If he had his speed and strength excelled as he did, yet they were doing such damage, then these weren’t normal men. The glowing red eyes should have given that idea earlier, but one never knew with strange contacts and other things to alter appearance. Either way, she had to steer clear of getting into the same position as her mentor, he could get back up easier than she could at the moment. Despite her wishing it wasn’t so.
Oracle: A second charged her and Oracle gripped the brake on her batpod, halting the vehicle in a sudden stop. The front wheel jerked in one spot as the back in raised up, meeting her body in the air where she’d kicked the first man. Her feet landed on the pedals with slight force, kicking the pod back down. The back wheel came careening down toward his head where she twisted the throttle in her left hand, spinning the back wheel with a flick of the wrist. The wheel collided with the man’s face and made a terrible screeching noise as it tore at him. They learned fast, that much was clear, but they hadn’t faced against Oracle. She couldn’t oufight them, but outhink them, she might have a chance at.
Oracle: The first man, however, was already back up just as Dinah had cleared the others from Batman. How had he gotten up so fast? She was a bit weak, but that kick should have kept him down a good few seconds longer. It didn’t matter, he was slamming into her now, body colliding with hers so hard it knocked the wind from her. She went sailing back and off the batpod, body hitting the concrete hard as he landed atop her. He was snarling, teeth snapping at her and gurgling noises coming from his throat. Maybe she watched too many zombie movies in her time at the tower, but this seemed a bit too much like it. Yet he wasn’t mindless, they seemed to learn.
Oracle: She threw up a forearm, shoving the tips of her gauntlet into his throat to push him back, but he was so strong. Oracle couldn’t manage pushing him off her, so instead, she tripped the blades in her gauntlet and let them shoot into the man’s throat above her. (e)
Man-Bat wasn’t sure what was happening as Black Canary and Batgirl arrived to fight. As they engaged the vampires it was clear whose side they were fighting for. Man-Bat screamed to empower himself forcing powerful and etched muscles within his thin frame to become bold and more powerful. Three sets of teeth gnawed at him, weakening him by the second it was his last act to grab one vampire and throw them before his vigor ran out and he collapsed. The vampire attacking batgirl would punch the front tire of the batpod causing it to flip and pop up into the air, likely hurling her backwards onto her back as the batpod tumbled over her and threatened to crush her leg underneath its weight. <c>
Black Canary would find the two vampires she attacked were beginning to retaliate soon as Man-Bat dropped. With such speed it would force Black Canary onto the defensive one began throwing lacerating attacks at her which would easily be defended by a frontal guard with her arms. If she didn’t defend the lacerating attacks would cut up her face and skin. The other vampire would slash at her thigh and hip attempting to wound her gravely, his attack approached from her side once more forcing her into the defensive otherwise leaving herself open to their ravaging attacks. Two of the remaining vampires grabbed Man-Bat’s incapacitated body and leapt off the garage rooftop with him, leaving only three remaining vampires.
Black Canary: Black Canary smirked as the two creatures were knocked away by her attack. And then they were back up and were up in her face! Geeze these things were fast. What the hell were they. She put up her arms blocking and defending the slashing attack. And then another came at her side, which was met by a side kick, to knock it away. She couldn't get an attack in edgewise, she was stuck defending herself against these things. She heard a thump behind her and caught out of the corner of her eye manbat getting hauled away. And she heard an awful crash as the batpod flipped. "Oracle!" dammit, Batman was knocked back and he hadn't gotten back into the fight yet and Oracle could be hurt! Okay, fine no more nice songbird! "Guy's if you can hear me, get ready for my highnote!" she called out with a grunt between defensive moves. At this range she could kill someone or at least blow their ear drums. She gave a short shriek turning her head hitting both creatures attacking her <c>
Black Canary: knocking them back and way and sliding a car in to wall. In the parking garage her little shriek echoed on the cement making her ears ring. <d>
Erzebeth: Vicki turned off her video on her cellphone just before a high-pitched shriek hit her ears. The shriek made her fall to her knees on the sidewalk. "What the heck was that?!" There was no way she could film from below the scene. The talkshow host needed to be on top where the action was happening. It wasn't going to be easy finding a spot without getting caught. Vicki ran across the street passed the now empty taxi cab she had once been inside of. She cringed while thinking about what could have happened while she was inside. "This story better be worth it." Her figure could be seen from afar as she scurried forward into the lobby of a hotel that face the parking garage. Each time she stepped her dress threatened to slip beneath her feet. "Stupid thing!" She picked up the skirt of her dress till it reached her thighs so she could run. Her idea was to run into the hotel and take the elevator to the highest floor. From there she could climb onto the roof by using a service elevator if -c-
Erzebeth: they had one. Plan B would be to climb out onto a balcony. Bruce would have yelled her if he knew what she was doing. "What he can't see won't hurt him." Not that she cared or anything. Bruce should stay out of her business. If she wanted to be with him she would tell him herself, not vice versa!
Oracle: The sound of the tire popping surprised her, not only was it loud, but the man had actually been able to pop the batpod’s tire. The vehicle flipped her over and before she knew it, was was trapped. The weight of it slamming down hard, making her let out a yelp. Oh, she felt the pain there, really felt it. Her nerve were awake again after coming back from being in the situation she had been in, she felt again, and right now, she really wished she hadn’t. Barbara gritted her teeth against the pain, against the feeling of being trapped. She turned and watched the Man-Bat be taken away by the men, straight off the roof. What were they dealing with?
Oracle: She struggled to get the weight of the batpod off, trying to use her other foot to lift it up enough but her leg wasn’t cooperating as much as it should have. Barbara chastisted herself silently, really needing the use of her legs back up to her standards. Just before she tried a new tactic, she caught sight of the Black Canary being viciously attacked. Oracle prepared for the high note as best she could, quickly changing the settings on her earpiece inside the cowl. The setting would change so that she could hear only the voices on the comm link, acting as a noise cancellation to anything away from the link. But nothing could really turn off the Canary Cry.
Oracle: The cry let out high and she felt the vibrations in the air, still covering where her ears were under the cowl. There was a slight pain, but it wasn’t nearly what it would have been. After the Cry was done, Batgirl lowered her hands and scanned the roof. It seemed Dinah had taken down the last men, at least for a moment. She turned her blue gaze, finding Batman against the ledge of the roof. She couldn’t tell if he was unconscious or just stunned, but if he was unconscious, he was the priority for protection now, not her, and she hoped Dinah understood. Her gaze flickered where Man-Bat was taken and tried to see how far away the target was before trying to lift hte Batpod with her hands. It took effort, but she lifted it and slid out her leg free, standing gently and checking mentally for the damage. Nothing was broken, but it damn well hurt still. (e)
The Vampires wouldn’t have been blown away by her screech, but the resonating sound echoed like the siren scream of nails raking a chalk board. The vampires turned tail and ran, fleeing with superhuman speed each leapt to follow their kin. Man-Bat and his captors wouldn’t be visible, but the vampires that just fled splintered into different directions. Batman would pull himself up to his feet and quickly move to Batgirl to lift the batpod off of her. “Grr!” He clutched his teeth, the fires of the Lazarus pit came before his eyes while his biceps channeled their strength forcing the batpod to lift allowing Batgirl to escape. “Get out.” Twisting the batpod Batman managed to roll it over to its side. ‘Defend!’ Were the words of a feminine voice. A swift kick towards the abs of Bruce Wayne, prompting him to block the attack from small woman clad in a black and red uniform. <c>
Her sharp narrow eyes piercing deeply at him. Her hair was dark much like his, she was one of the most lethal assassins in the world and the only person he trusted to honor an agreement with him. He snapped to reality and turned his attention to Black Canary. “We’re dealing with vampires…A nest most likely, they are organized…These ones aren’t like the vampires I’ve dealt with before…these ones seemed coordinated.”
Black Canary: Dinah stood there a minute catching her breath seeing the other vampires sprint off so fast, there was no way she could follow them. She walked over to Bruce who was helping Batgirl take the batpod off her. She looked at bruce his eyes seemed distant. She gave a hand to barb and helped her up. "Sorry for the cry guys, I couldn't get them off me... vampires? like b-horror flick drop outs?" she asked bruce, not too surprise that he had encountered vampires before. He had seena bout everything. "So, if they are coordinated they probably serve some kind of vampire lord I take it? Did anyone get a tracker on them?" she asked. "I'm sorry, they got the bat creature, I couldn't get to him in time. What's the plan?" she looked at barb. "Can you stand on your own?"
Erzebeth: The eyes of almost every hotel guest in the lobby gazed upon the sight of Vicki's rampage. "Where the hell is the god damned elevator!?" Was she drunk? She looked drunk. "Miss, the elevator is to the right of our front desk. Shall I help you with your bags?" A bell boy stopped Vicki in her tracks before she caused even more of a ruckus. "No thanks," A small huff was heard as she began shuffling again "Oh. And your parking garage is full!" Each guest gave a look at the bell boy after the stranger had left. "Was that Vicki Vale?" Whispers circled about the room. Never did any of Gotham's citizens ever think she would be so frantic.
Oracle: She struggled with the heavy batpod, trying with all her might before her mentor lifted it. Oracle did as he commanded and slid out from under the vehicle with wide blue eyes. His eyes had changed, lighting up like a set of stars for a moment. The Batgirl watched him so carefully, trying to understand the subtle changes in his posture she’d just seen. She had watched this man as her mentor and friend for years, she knew his mannerisms and understood most of the subtle changes in him and what they meant. But he was acting odd for a moment, even for Batman.
Oracle: She pulled herself to her feet with the help of Dinah, nodding curtly to the blond and muttering. “I’m fine.” Barbara gingerly placed weight on the pained leg and watched the Dark Knight, listening to Black Canary’s questions. “Something tells me these aren’t the kind that sparkle, they weren’t handsome, either.” She added, checking over the rooftop and turning from the two heroes as she searched for clues, keeping off her leg a little more as she examined the scene, giving it time to recoop. (e)
“No, these vampires were new…They have been born in the past 48 hour. They have Superhuman capabilities. We may need to consult the occultists…But the obvious question is why did they take Man-Bat?” Batman’s gaze hardened at Black Canary. “That isn’t just a creature….Man-Bat is nocturnal animal expert and professor of zoology. His research and experiment lead him to studying bats and searching for ways to mutually help each other’s species. He took an experimental serum and mutated into Man-Bat. Doctor Langstrom is a good man; I’ve been working with him as Batman to help him and his work. As much as it may seem otherwise, I consider Doctor Langstrom a reliable ally. “ <c>
“The vampires want him for something, did either of you notice anything about those vampires?” Batman spoke knowingly, clearly he noted something that both of them probably missed in the hype of the situation. A step ahead of both Barb and Dinah, Batman was thinking of Vicki Vale and Bruce Wayne as perfect specimen, if only there was a way….They both had a date coming up, perhaps it would be an opportunity to find the vampires.
Black Canary: She sighed as Batgirl shrugged off her help. she was so damned stubborn sometimes, she noted how she walked and moved gingerly, her leg obviously sore, but didn't say anything. She listened to Batman as he spoke. "Another scientist with a lab accident... I'm glad he has been a good ally. I'm sorry he was taken. Perhaps they need his DNA or expertise?" she thought about Batman's question. "They weren't trying to take us, they had an obvious mission to take Man-Bat. Is that what you mean?" <e>
Erzebeth: Finally the former reporter made it to the top floor of the hotel. "There's got to be a way to the top. I'm not letting this scoop go." Vicki spotted a maid cart near a room marked 430. There hadn't been anyone walking through the halls at the time so she figured she'd look for some keys. "Soap, toilet paper, shower caps...found them!" It shouldn't have been that easy, but luck seemed to be on her side today. After going through the cart she walked around the top floor looking for a service elevator or at least any door labeled "Staff Only". The second to last door just happened to be labeled exactly as such. Perfect timing.
Oracle: She rolled her ankle under her as her blue eyes scanned the blood splatter on the concrete. Barbara stood on the foot, comfortable enough to crouch down on both legs and pull an evidence vial from her belt. Batgirl took up a collection of the blood for later analysis as she listened to Batman and Black Canary behind her. She could tell she’d upset Dinah by not giving her a more fervent answer, but it wouldn’t have helped her cause, especially with her mentor standing right there. She’d taken worse hits and gotten back up before, she could do it again now. Batgirl made her way to the fallen Batpod and knelt, inspecting the back of her Batpod for the damage done.
Oracle: The force it would have taken to flip the Batpod over as it had was immense. “I’ll analyze the blood I collected, see what comes of it.” She leveled her gaze with Batman as she stood back again, favoring her leg just slightly still. “Do you think that Langstrom had anything to do with their creation? Someone stealing his work and altering it?” Though, these men hadn’t been the same sort of creature in her eyes as Man-Bat became. She listened to his question, a typical Batman tone. He was trying to figure out if they had paid as much attention has he had to the situation. Ever the mentor.
Oracle: She briefly went over the situation that just occured and narrowed her eyes, the detective in her on several tracks of thought. “They were after Man-Bat, they not only had him as focus, but they bit him. And they were attempting to drink blood from him I believe, even drinking so much he seemed worn out by such. Perhaps it was just to get him unable to fight back as much, but they seemed rather hungry for it. Do you think they were chasing after something in his blood?” Her blue eyes darted just off the roof and narrowed at the other roof of the hotel across the street. “Vicki Vale.” she muttered, noting that the determined reporter was carrying her electronics. (e)
“They were coordinated…None of those vampires were the same make or design. They were from all kinds of races and background. Keep yourselves on alert, monitor the scanners for any unfolding activity.” -Batman’s attention diverted to Vicki Vale, when Barbara spoke of her. Batman waved off Barb and Black Canary. “I’ll handle this…” -Arming his grappling hook he shot it towards the rooftops and flew up towards Vicki Vale, a large black cape spread open to appear much like an invading predator until his legs landed on the rooftop to look at her. “See anything you like?” Batman’s tone was suggestive and flirty, but his expression was still cold and firm while he allowed his cape to surround his body and wrap him in a veil of blackness.-
Erzebeth: Vicki frowned and pushed Bruce aside. "Yes, but you're in the way." She had wanted to see the other heroes of the night. Women were hardly seen protecting the streets at night and it was time for a new segment on the show. While Bruce had a handsome face, Black Canary and Batgirl were better suited for air time on the show. "Great. They're gone. Do me a favor? Lay off the steak. You're like a brick wall." Her weight shifted left and right till she could see just the edges of Batgirl's cape. "Dammit."
“I see…” Batman spoke in a flat monotone voice before looking over the building skylights and the night sky. “I was referring to the suspects fleeing the scene. These things we’re dealing with aren’t your usual suspects. Something terrible is going to happen to Dr. Langstrom, they’ll probably torture him. You have to stay off this case. You could get hurt and put yourself into more danger than you can imagine.” Batman’s tone was firm while that sharp nose and etched cowl made to express feral rage stared at her with white eyes.-
Red Hood: The dance was as beautiful as it was deadly, and despite the creature being something far more powerful (by Hood's guess) all his money and trust was on the smaller figure currently dancing about. “C'mon.” Barely a whispered breath, not a message to be delivered by something that was to help steady the man. From his current location outside there was no way Red Hood would clear the area in time to help Black Bat, and even if he did he would only get in the woman's way. Instead he would put to work that leveled weapon, focus razor sharp on the scene in front of him. And every time the female Bat was out of his line of sight? He would let loose a round, aiming at whatever non-vital area was exposed upon the creature. “This shit isn't going to work! Lure it outside!” The call went up, figuring the woman would understand, understand that no matter how good a shot her partner was, there was always that risk. -c
Red Hood: c- And right then? Red Hood wasn't about to take the risk of accidentally putting a bullet close enough to graze the woman under the mask and further dampen her ability to keep the now muscle-bound creature from harming her. Again the gun would ring out, using every decoy to his advantage, adjusting his shots so that he could even hit closer to the head – though never to take the killing blow, despite the training and fact he could attempt such a thing. 'Supernatural.' The word a thought in the mind, and already he felt the warm tingle upon his fingertips, despite the gun he held ready. The blades were eager to be summoned, to see if perhaps they could help keep this particular creature down. And if Black Bat did indeed heed his call and begin moving, or if the creature's attention shifted to him, Hood would begin backing away, to put more distance between himself and the window.
-The vampire heard the shots, his movement shifted and slipped away from the gunshots as they flew towards him. The loud echo of the gun rang and no doubt deafened both of them as much as it hurt the vampire. The closed quarters of the house allowed a resonating effect of the gun’s blast signaling neighbors and most likely prompted them to call the cops. The vampire was almost trapped, close quarters with two assailants hunting him down like an animal. Reflexes that were enhanced allowed him to react and instinctively dodge incoming attacks, but his own offensive was reckless and focused strictly on powerful blows than anything else. Its fist smashed into a wall, furniture, and objects causing them to break and resound through the room. He maneuvered through Black Bat’s attacks, her attempts to attack his vulnerabilities, but the creature’s reflexes were incredibly sharp. <c>
He would aim to catch her off guard by changing strategy and spontaneously hurling a handful of glass shards from a vase at her. Regardless of the glass’s fate, the vampire slipped through the house and jumped out a window shattering the glass before it landed on a ladder. He bounced off the ladder and slipped onto the rooftop of a garage overlooking a back driveway. He tumbled and came towards a sewer entrance that it pried open and slipped inside. Its hands then forced the grill shut and leapt into the darkness of the sewers. Climbed upon the walls and crawled its way down the shaft.-
Erzebeth: 'Stay off this case.' Did he really just say that? That made her want to stay on it all the more. Vicki turned around and placed a finger firmly on his chest. "Listen here. If those other women can handle this case then so can I. You have no right to say what I can and can't do. I lasted without your help for a year. I think I can handle a few freaks with wings. After all," Her eyes scanned over his suit. "I seem to just attract them to me." The pointing hand retracted to her side. Perhaps she had gotten too ahead of herself. She had to admit that she was being overly-stubborn, but Bruce was being overbearing as usual. If she needed the help she would know where to get it and stop once she got too far into things.
“You don’t know these people like I do. This isn’t like anything before. This is…borderline a cultist group. Radicals who will kill anyone involved. If they find out anything about us or you…They will find you and kill you. I guarantee your protection, I have to find them and stop them. This is too dangerous, trust me.” Batman watched her and then diverted his attention towards the garage rooftop where Batgirl and Black Canary cleared out. Perhaps Batman was looking for more suspects, expecting them to return. Police began to enclose around the area, collecting samples of blood they found. The thunder of a helicopter zoomed pass them from above to provide a spot light over the crime scene.
Erzebeth: Did he just say 'us'? "Woah woah woah. Slow down there. Do you have bats in your pants or something? I don't know if you've noticed, but there is no 'us' anymore. And even if there was an 'us' I would still be tailing this case like a chopper on traffic. Look, some crazy cultists aren't going to scare me. It's probably just some home-grown experiment gone wrong. It'll be just like Scooby-doo. Just some guys in masks. You don't actually believe all of that magic crap, do you?" Situation avoided. There was no way she could go back to Bruce like that. Sure they were going out next Tuesday, but it wasn't a date date. Vicki didn't need Batman of all people to ruin her career by babysitting her.
“I meant my people.” He said with a growl before turning away and leaping off the building, pressuring her anymore wouldn’t get anywhere. He would have to leave it in her hands as he continued to hunt down leads. ‘Doctor Langstrom might’ve been working on something new that would make him a prized target.’ Batman arrived minutes later in Langstrom’s laboratory where he sat down at the computer to begin looking over the documents and research that he was recently doing. ‘The files are about bats and their ability to navigate through the darkness…hardly anything someone would want, let alone vampires.’
Black Bat: Prolific attacks accumulated from the acuity of her own successful senses were easily dismissed by the reflex the creature yielded. Procedure of frustration and befuddlement became a minor routine during the short fight. She did indeed took heed to the words directed towards her -- her partner was more of a strategist than she was. Or at least in some ways. Just as she diluted her more aggressive movements in attempt to restrain the destructive being and shifted towards Red Hood's direction, the glass shards were thrown at her. Precision of his aiming didn't even hinder the beast. "How do you purpose we take him down?" She questioned while she withdrew a device and chucked it at the moving, blood-thirsty vampire. If done correctly, it'd be embedded along its back, barely noticeable. A tracking device. Black Bat was right behind him -- pursuing him until given a damn good, irrefutable reason to halt. A part of her was tempted to connect with Batman...{c}
Black Bat: Before she moved, however, she shouted, "Get the dog." How were they going to take it down? {end}
Red Hood: Strong and fast, no way the fucker was human – but still Red Hood would play by Batman and Black Bat's rules of no going for a killing shot. The shots fired off were well timed, using Black Bat's own speed and agility to his advantage. However it did nothing in terms of hitting, nothing in slowing the creature down enough for them to tag it with a good crippling blow. “Fuck me.” A hiss of annoyance. Why couldn't he just put one in the fucker's lap and call it a night? Always had to be hard when in Gotham, always! Well okay, not as hard as saving planets and stuff, but still hard! “Shitfuckitall.” The vampire was moving, and Black Bat was telling him to worry about a dog. “Keep on it, I'll catch up!” Red Hood would call out, doing the only thing he really knew how to do in that situation. To the dog he would go, pulling something from his jacket – where he kept all his goodies. “This will help little fella, may not like it though.” -c
Red Hood: c- A needle would be stuck into the canine, something to ease the pain as well as to knock the poor thing out. A bandage, specially made and used during his return so long ago, would follow up. This he would put on the canine and press down, trying to keep any more blood from getting out. “Best I can do.” With that the animal was scooped up and brought along for the ride. How did he purpose they stop the damn thing? Hand moves to key the communicator in his, well, hood! “I'm not sure how to stop it. Damn thing isn't human, Black Bat. If we're going to take it down, you need to fight it like...” A pause. Like she was going to kill? No, that wouldn't happen and they both knew it. Change of plans. “Where'd it run to?” He was taking care of the dog, thus, too far behind to see where everything was. Had he misunderstood the girl's orders? Perhaps but...Well, there was a reason for everything.
The tracking device would attach as the vampire fled, but as the signal went underground a distortion would begin to block the signal; a nearby power conduit in the sewer disrupted the signal if Black Bat went to check for the signal. If she chose to halt her chase then she may not know about the disruption just yet. What would make the disruption odd was Batman’s underground network allowed for his gadgets to trace without a problem, unless something was deliberately causing interference or the network was down. The beagle was unconscious upon fading from the vampires grasp, unknown to Red Hood the dog wasn’t actually infected by the vampires bite, only leeched leaving the dog incapacitated due to blood loss.
Erzebeth: "Of course you did." Vicki shook her head as she walked back into the hotel to call a cab. It was going to be another long night being scolded from afar by her former lover. "Get me a taxi." The front desk manager called for a cab on the phone. She practically dragged herself outside. Man, it was time for a drink. 'You could get hurt...' Maybe a drink at home would be safer.
“Sir…are you there?” the voice of Alfred speaking into the cowl prompted Batman to answer with a grouchy tone. “Yes, Ace?” “May I inquire where Ms. Vale fits into everything?” “She doesn’t. She’s only putting herself in danger.” “I see, so you have surveillance following her and her companion?” “No…yes…wait, companion? Ace, what companion?” “Gossip on the news suggested that shortly after speaking to you, she was seen driving off in a taxi fare with another gentleman, characterized as handsome and equally rich in finances and charm.” “…I don’t have time to worry about her or her relationships. If you haven’t got anything to contribute to the investigation, I would prefer radio silence.” “…Erm, well understood sir. Forgive me...”
Black Bat: She screeched to a halt upon pulling out her device and peering down at the screen. The cowl encasing her features turned into a vivid scowl. She tapped the scyrpohoewa hau in attempt to regain the signal that was evidently absent. Bold letters with limited description -- Cassandra narrowed her gaze. Odd. An abrupt violent pause at his cropped sentence. She was waiting for him to say it and already had 'no' lingering in her mouth. She compressed her index along the side of her head to reply. "Tracking device is useless...not working. Something's not right." What part of this was exactly right? The nearly pitch black scenario put her at a disadvantage. "I'm coming back up." They might need his lightsabers for this hunt. Black Bat held back the urge to sprint after the creature. She grit her teeth and returned to he surface.
Erzebeth: "Please don't be a creepy cab driver. Please, dear God, I don't need any more trouble." Vicki touched her finger to her lower lip just as a cab pulled up to the curb. The manager from the front desk looked over to Victoria and smiled politely. "Ms. Vale, I believe that is your cab." She nodded to the maanager and walked over to the checkered yellow cab. As Vicki opened the door she leaned downwards to talk to the driver, "I'd like a ride to twenty-third street. The address is 1767, apartment 22 A." Withouth hesitation she slid into the back seat of the car and neatly folded her hands on her lap as though she had forgotten about the previous incident. For some reason, going home made her feel more at ease.
It was hours later and inside the Batcave that Batman began studying an investigation board. Boxes of information sectioned and connected by thin lines creating a digital map that looked much like a tree. His words spoke quietly to himself “Vampires and Dr. Langstrom…” [R} It’s great to see him back on the job, working hard like I remember him. He’s had a rough year…we all have…but now things should calm down, things should be returning to normal…or at least as normal as they could get, right?] Red Robin approached Batman from the side and examined the screen. “Vampires huh? Heard a gang of them were screwing with Jason and Cass earlier. They lost him in the sewers, perhaps we should gather our sources and search for him down there?” “It’s a vampire, Robin…it’s most likely gone by now. There’s something more going on here…Something uncharacteristic of vampires…I’ve never seen anything like it in my previous encounters with them.” <c>
“What’s that, Batman?” “Coordination. Vampires are just savage creatures; they can’t control themselves or their impulses. If they’re hungry, they’ll hunt and snatch their prey without too much care of who their victims are. When they’re not hungry, they have some degree of control. The vampires we encountered tonight were something far worse…they were hive-minded; organized and with such synchronization they were capable of stopping Black Canary, Batgirl, and I…because I didn’t see the pattern sooner, they most likely have Dr. Langstrom captured.” “Why wouldn’t they kill him?” “Because Langstrom is the world leading zoo biologist on bats. Leading researcher on human and bat DNA transference.” Red Robin would place his hands upon his hips. “I remember his file…Man-bat wanted to improve human hearing with research into bats echo location.” <c>
“Correct. That is why I believe they’re going after Langstrom, to further improve some kind of Vampire breed, possibly use his Man-bat serum for their own soldiers…We need to shut this down immediately, before the vampire nest becomes too powerful with the serum. I don’t think Langstrom will give up that information, but the efforts here are genius level. Whoever is pulling the strings to the vampire nest has a plan.”
Erzebeth: Vicki had began to nod off as the cab cruised down the streets of inner Gotham. It was soon that she drifted off to the point where her dreams had merged with her barely conscious state. The reporter was sitting alone in her office after meeting Bruce for a cup of coffee. To her surprise he suggested that they meet at her house. Dream Vicki had agreed to this without hesitation. When she heard a knock at the door, in her dream, her actual body within the cab jumped. Within the dream there had been an unfamiliar face. It was the face of the only other billionaire in town. But no longer was his face his own. It was now greyed with slits in place of his nose. Hie eyes were black and glossy without a hint of his pupils ever existing. Vicki woke up when her cab braked suddenly. "Sorry, Miss. Black cat crossed the street. The both of us oughtta be careful tonight, eh?" She was still waking up, of course, but her hand automatically reached into her purse to pull out a fifty dollar bill.
Erzebeth: "You can keep the change." The driver smiled and temporarily left the car running to help Ms. Vale to her apartment door. "Thank you." She mummured suddenly feeling a headache bounce between each lobe of her brain. "It's not a problem Ma'am." He waved and watched her slip into the lobby of the apartment just to make sure she was okay. After all, the streets of Gotham were no place for a woman like that especially at night. -e-
The news broadcast the following morning would announce “In what seems like a sweeping of crime last night, a multitude of events took place making this three nights in a row of mysterious kidnappings and disappearances. The Batman was last seen in pursuit of Man-Bat who may be connected with the mysterious kidnappings that has 15 people and counting. While Gotham waits for tonight, we can’t help but fear for our lives and wonder what fate awaits us after dark? GCPD are encouraging people to stay inside and wait out this case until it is solved…” <c>
Batman was by his computer analyzing forensics from the crime scene from both vampire attacks. ~DNA match found…~ “Karl Sampson…Automotive repair man, organ donor and blood donor. Went missing yesterday…” Batman spoke out loud and to himself to reinforce this information. “Hank Pulmer. Blood Donor, financials indicate he works for a Daycare… Outside of their blood donation there is no pattern that I can see…I’ll have to go to those sewers and check for clues…”
Vicki would hear a knock upon her door and find a bouquet of flowers along with a card reading “Flowers to describe your inner beauty.” Within it were a phone number to the flower shop along with Damian Arcane’s business card with a phone number. Damian sat within the darkness of his dungeon, lying back within the darkness, a comfortable cushion of bedding. The moans of women quietly slipped from the shadows around him. Three women dressed black had their moans muffled by the flesh of a man shackled to the ground as they bit and devoured him; his eyes were dilated and searching the ceiling for some kind of star or object, he was barely conscious or aware of his situation as he smiled looking at the ceiling of darkness with glee.
Erzebeth: Vicki looked through the peephole before unlatching the lock on her door. After turning the knob she saw the bouquet and smiled. But wait, why the hell would Bruce ever remember to send her flowers? There was a card attached with...it was him. That man in her dream and the stranger in the cab. "Three minutes in a car was all he needed. What an ass." Of course she would have to call him. At least thank him for the flowers and politely stomp on his face for the rest of her career. It was the least she could do. Her journalism instincts kicked in. She had a phone number and a name now. Maybe she could get some real dirt on this guy for her talkshow. Vicki took the flowers in to her home before throwing them onto the counter. Hurridly she gathered her phone and laptop. "Let's see, seven, two three..." Her fingers punched in the numbers with a slight hint of displeasure. Damian Arcane. The name sounded just as pretentious as Bruce Wayne. "That's strange." As her eyes searched through the
Erzebeth: matched pages she noticed that the number was on a private line. 'Unlisted' or 'Unavailable' cotinuously appeared. "Playing hard to get is one thing. Playing hide and seek is not a game I like to play. Time for a phone call." Vicki picked up her cell and tapped the numbers causing her nails to clack against the glass screen of her phone. "Yes, this is Victoria Vale. I'm looking for Mr. Arcane. I'd like to thank him for his kind gesture." Once those words slipped off of her tongue she felt like gagging. 'How the hell do people do this sort of thing?' She thought. "Yes I will hold." -e-
Damian was lying backwards, standing almost straight but, upon his comfort of a coffin he listened to the muffles when his cellphone rang and his attention fell to it; he stood up and began walking towards the wall where an old phone polished to its brass finish. Picking up the phone he listened to the operator and grinned. “Mm..Yes please, send her through…” Dracula turned to his mistresses and waved them off and without a word the three wiped their mouths of a shredded corpse and slipped off around the dark stone corners of the tunnels. “Hello Ms. Vale. I’m humbled by your request to speak with me.” If she were to search for his information, the most she would hear about is the Transylvania beginning of the man, where it turned out he was just a wealthy man who came to Gotham just recently and began setting his roots up only last week. <c>
His first public appearance would’ve been last night, and to perhaps much surprise he wasn’t seen in any pictures. Either photographers weren’t looking for him and didn’t care or he was dodging them intentionally, which would raise the question ‘What is he hiding?’ Perhaps she was being giving the man too much credit? He definitely seemed interested in catching her eye; perhaps he wants a popular journalist in his corner?
Erzebeth: No, no. The man was definitely suspicious. Why would someone with so much money in Transylvania and the U.S. want to settle in Gotham of all places? "Humbled? I should be humbled." Vicki looked off to the side and made a face. "You bought me flowers. It's a very old fashioned gesture. I simply wanted you to know how grateful I am." Was it time for the face smashing yet? She was getting tired of playing this game. So desperately did the talkshow host want to end this conversation. So what if he was handsome and rich? So was Bruce Wayne and look where that got her. "Yet, I'm awfully sorry for what I'm about to say, but at the moment I am not in a position where I can simply have an interest in strangers from abroad. However, I do hope to have you one day on my show." There it was. That simple spark to light the fire. Vicki winced this time knowing that her behavior was probably inappropriate considering they had just met. But, he was the one to send flowers hours after they had met.
“Ohh, I understand Ms. Vale. I apologize if I offended you. The flowers are my way of requesting a courtship with you…I am having a celebration tomorrow night, which is ehh--Tuesday. Would 7 o’clock be a suitable time for you? There will be guests dancing, celebrating, a wonderful evening, I promise you. You can bring your sister or girlfriend or something. If you don’t enjoy it, you can always leave…I won’t take offense. I would very much like to arrange an interview on your television show.” He seemed calm and unaffected by her brashness, either ignorant because of a language barrier. His voice would seemingly snake its way into her ear, a shivering sensation would allow her to feel as though Damian’s hand was sliding down her spine slowly and that her legs were suddenly becoming weak. An intoxicating scent would slither into her nostrils that would remind her of their brief encounter and once more tease her with tender thoughts. <c>
Though she wouldn’t be able to place her hand on it, the flowers gave off the scent of him and with his voice a distant hypnotic trance he was lulling into her, planting the seeds of desire that would ensnare her upon their next meeting.
Erzebeth: "A celebration..." Is that what they called it in Transylvania? "I suppose I wouldn't mind. I do enjoy a good sockhop now and then." Wow. Vicki smacked herself for that one. Damian's lingo was setting her back a good sixty years in the past. "That was a joke." He could hear her sigh softly as a sudden wave of euphoria rushed through her body. What was that scent? Gosh it smelled way better than Bruce after a roll or two in the sheets. Vicki went silent on the phone for a short while. Her lips quivered and when she began to speak, she stuttered. "Y-You'll have to excuse, Mr. Arcane. I've been feeling ill ever since I walked through the door." She curled her toes ever so slightly just to keep her legs awake otherwise risking falling out of her chair. What was this feeling? Vicki clasped her hand over her mouth to do some deep breathing away from the phone. "I-I...please excuse me f-for a moment." It was then that she ran to the bathroom out of desperation.
“Good, then I will see you tomorrow then…” He would spare her the embarrassment and allow her to linger on the sensations he evoked. As he hung up the phone his mistresses returned and to drape themselves onto his arms and one upon his shoulders to caress them. “My…sweet Victoria…Vale~…” Dracula’s index finger rose to his lips and gently brushed across them as if tasting the woman’s flesh. “Soon Gotham will be ours…And you…” His gaze turned to his mistresses. “Will have the Queen to serve.” He took the hand one of mistress and kissed it before slipping away from the trio and then waved his hand to dismiss them while his footsteps carried him through the dark stone tunnels and into a laboratory where Kirk Langstrom was chained to the wall, three vampires were watching, as two more were biting his neck to leech his blood. <c>
Beneath Langstrom’s position on the wall, a bucket was collecting his lost blood that dripped off his body. Dracula stared intently before turning his gaze to a vampire chained to the wall. “You have failed me…You allowed a new born to escape and for that my plan is potentially exposed. You have betrayed not just your master, but your family…” Dracula’s eyes were sorrowful; he dreaded what he had to do next as though a shriek of pain just through him. His arms reached forward and hugged the vampire; his hand caressing the man’s hair like a father would to a son. With a swift, loud crackle the vampire’s head would snap exposing their neck for the vampire lord to sink his teeth into and drain the man of his vital fluids.
Erzebeth: Vicki had leaned against her bathroom sink for support. Her breaths came in heavy short huffs causing her head to spin from the lack of oxygen. "What the Hell is this?" Her hand shook as it reached for the handle of the brass sink. She desperately pulled the handle hoping to splash cold water on her face. Once the stream shot down the basin she couldn't help but stick her head directly under the stream. The pinna of her ears turned a bright shade of red after she stepped back from the running water. What had happened to her body? She was only on the phone with Damian--Oh gosh. He had heard her breathy sighs, hadn't he? "The phone!" Now she could run. Her long legs danced across the marble floor all the way to the carpet until she could see that the call had ended on the screen. "Maybe, if I'm lucky, he didn't hear me?" Vicki rolled her eyes. "Yeah right. My luck with guys is never that good."
Gotham sewers were a narrow place surrounded by old stone construction, narrow passage ways meant for walking had crumbled or sunk into the muck they once stood above. A sewage level was roughly ankle high while the toxic levels were additionally hazardous. The Dark Knight carried a breathing apparatus attached to his cowl giving his chin a bulky like appearance with a small green light blinking in the upper left side of the device indicating it was functioning, it’s position strategically set so that Batman’s left eye could monitor it. His cape was recoiled into his backpack making it rise to his knees to avoid having it tainted by the rancid stench of the sewers. <c>
‘The clues Jason and Cassandra followed lead them to the old sewer systems in North Gotham. Batman’s eyes were lit with a blue glow allowing him to visually see through the dark and spot the cracks and crevices of the stone tunnel, junction points followed after every street and under buildings. With the shadows he moved towards a maintenance door to open it and slip inside and observe the space of a big closet, four walls and a computer station connected with computer server boxes connected and wired together in a complex series of inputs and outputs. <c>
On the other side of the room there were hazard suits, and cleaning supplies, along with a bathroom. Batman’s attention dropped to the floor where he saw a blood splat on the floor, along with a trail of sewage covered footprints. “Ace, I think I’ve tracked the vampire Black Bat was chasing to the Water treatment facility located underneath the Pinkiny Bridge, I have a blood splatter of a potential victim, uploading scan now. Contact GCPD, tell them to get a forensic team down here.” “Got it, sir.” It was at this point Batman heard a door open and slam ahead of him, down a corridor leading into the water treatment facility. His eyes narrowed and pulled his cape around himself as he continued into the facility.
Erzebeth: Vicki had already gotten ready for bed and was now laying in the dark with her phone on her pillow. "To tell Bruce or to not tell Bruce." She ran a hand through her hair with a scowl. The journalist new better than to go alone to a party, but going to a party with Bruce was the same thing as going alone. "Come on, Vicki. Even if he tries a disappearing act you can still have fun." She sighed and began dialing on her touch pad. The dial tone started and her heart skipped a beat. "Please go to voicemail. Please go to voicemail." Sure enough the phone was picked up. It took a while for Vicki to keep herself from saying something cruel, but in the end her words were as subtle as a ketchup stain on a white shirt. "Do you have time for me now?" The words weren't meant to sound selfish or cruel. It was honestly a good question considering his schedule.
The treatment facility had the sound of water quietly pouring through pipes into pools of the slightly green and murky water, throughout a processing of violet lighting of black lights radiating the water as it flowed, it traveled through winds and bends, black tubes to yellow and white. The Dark Knight’s gaze searched the ceiling for any sign of the suspect, when on his heads up display a picture of Vicki Vale appeared; through no intention of his own his eye responded to clear the image out of his visual. When he heard her voice his own heart skipped for a moment…both stunned and snapped back to the mortality that Bane forced him into. “-Uh…” He paused causing him to stand still for moment thinking about what to say. “…Now, isn’t a good time. What’s wrong?” <c>
He was really beating around the bush with this woman, she knew of his nightly activities and clearly right now she knew that he could be doing something far more important than her - something that could save lives. Before he would’ve blown her off, clearly she didn’t understand how important his work was, but the sudden recalls of the past year spent recovering from Bane made him slow down and rethink his old methods. His voice was calm; perhaps concerned that something might’ve happened to her.
Erzebeth: "Not everything has to be wrong when I call, you know." Her thoughts wandered off to her episode from earlier. "Listen, have you heard about that Damian Arcane guy? He's from Transylvania. Big shot billionaire like a certain someone I know." Vicki smacked herself mentally. She was wasting his time again. "Sorry for the rant. He's a little creepy. I got flowers from him at my door only a couple hours after he meant." Speed up the story, Vale. She knew he would tune her out if she wasn't careful. "He's having a party tomorrow. I think I'm going to snoop around at his party tomorrow night. I doubt you'd be interested since you probably have some other important business to tend to, but...but.." But what? He didn't have to go if he didn't want to but if he did she would forgive him for everything? Could she really forget about the other side of Bruce Wayne? "...but if you come...I would appreciate it." Her voice grew solemn. He could probably tell. Vicki was absolutely heart-broken by -c-
Erzebeth: the billionaire. She could never admit it to him. Bruce didn't have a choice but to ignore her sometimes and Vicki new how selfish she was to want him to ignore all of that. "You know what? I am so sorry. You're busy aren't you? G-Go do your...thing." -e-
“A party tomorrow? No, I don’t know anything about-…” Batman paused for a moment and then interjected, “Didn’t we have plans already? I was look-…okay, we’ll do whatever you want.” A loud bang would be heard from behind Batman prompting him to turn around and arm a batarang and lift it into the air while lowering his torso, crouching down as he scanned with his eyes for any sign of life. “…Yeah, I…” “HISSS!!!” The vampire suspect would tackle Batman from the side slamming the detective into a large white pipe causing it to indent with Batman’s shoulder and torso. The vampire’s grip was feral and yet powerful. Clutching his teeth, the dark knight grunted in anguish before charging his shock knuckler and jabbing his knuckle into the vampire’s shoulder forcing it to be electrocuted by 10,000 volts. <c>
A loud hiss and spark ignited from the contact forcing the vampire back and allowing Batman to drop onto the floor breathing at a slow pace. His eyes went back to the vampire who began climbing up the pipes to a catwalk leading outside the facility. Swiftly the dark knight recoiled from the impact and fired his grappling gun from the hip and shot towards the catwalk to intercept. The two would confront with the vampire lashing its claw forward and Batman ducking to knee it in the stomach forcing it to bend over in pain. His dark glove reached to grab the vampire’s hair and slam its head into the railing forcing a loud echo to resonate. Another punch would strike the vampire’s kidney from behind shocking it and finally dropping it to the ground. Batman sighed and examined his suspect when the words behind him startled him. <c>
“Fascinating work. Bravo…Bravo…” The Dark Knight turned around and his eyes fell upon a man draped in a tuxedo, long black cape with a red inner lining. A collar with pointed tips that reached for the sky, oily and slicked back hair, and an accent of Transylvania. His chin and nostrils had a small outline of hair, a sharp pointed chin and a set of teeth that were everything short of sinister. Sharp fangs presented themselves to Batman allowing the Dark Knight to create his accusation. “You’re the one controlling the vampires…The Dracula persona I’m not buying.” “I would suspect not from a common man, but you are not common man, detective…You remind me of an investigator I could once proudly call adversary…I imagine he is long dead.” <c>
Dracula held his hand out to Batman. “I have watched you, twice now. I’ve done my research into this century…People of now are just as blind and naïve as they were centuries ago. I was untouchable then and I will be untouchable now. I will offer you this one chance, Batman. You are truly a creature of the night. You belong with us, with me. I can smell your fear, but with our combine forces you can achieve what you’ve always dreamt. A world filled with justice, a world free of crime, oppression, corruption, death. Immortality and freedom for all of those like us. You’re just one man; you can’t fight this war alone. Let me help you.” Batman’s narrowed eyes glowed and studied Dracula before responding. “I’ve heard promises of world dominance before, if you truly understood me, you’d know that it’s not what I want.” <c>
“Very well. I will grant you a swift death.” Batman raised his fists into a defensive stance when Dracula appeared next to Batman at superhuman speed; Dracula’s breathing was intense, and strangely intimate. ~Don’t resist me…This will be over soon…Trust in me…Batman…~ Batman felt himself weaken, his legs were losing strength and his body fell backwards into Dracula’s chest. Dracula’s fangs came to bear down towards Batman’s neck.[/font] Lady Shiva’s voice would speak to Batman’s mind. ‘You would grant mercy to those who would do you harm. Inevitably, like Bane, it will kill you…The only way to survive against the most ruthless killers is to kill them first.’ The Dark Knight snapped out of the trance and threw his elbow backwards into Dracula’s stomach <c>
Forcing the Count to stumble, Batman twisted and threw his right fist towards Dracula’s face only to be met by Dracula’s left bicep. “Fool!” The Vampire Lord hissed and swung his arm lashing Batman with superhuman strength forcing the Dark Knight to break through the metal frame of the building and spiral down towards the cold water below. With a loud splash The Dark Knight drifted unconscious.-
Erzebeth: "Be careful." Those were the last words Vicki mumbled over the phone to Bruce before she hung up. "One of the richest men in the world and he can't get a cellphone with good reception." Her pillow was gently placed down on her nightstand now. At least he agreed to going out with her tomorrow. "That's right. We did have plans." She glared and sat up. Bruce was only going out with her because she had set up a date with him previously. "Stupid, stupid, stupid!" Maybe she was better off separating herself from him. Tomorrow Bruce would expect her to cling to his side like a leech. No more. Vicki was ready to show this man what it was like to lose someone so suddenly just when things were going exactly as planned. -e-
In the silence of the water, the dark night recalled the events of his life…The image of falling through a cave ceiling. A gun shot in a dark alley, the scream of his mother distant and fading…The cold chill that wrapped around his shoulders. The echoing of a loud ‘BANG’ of a gun. The explosion of a warehouse, the screaming of an alley. The laughter of a maniacal man. The breathing of a man who held Batman to the heavens before throwing him down into Hell, the snap of his spine warped him back to reality as redness filled his vision and he gasped in a rush of cold water. His mask was still concealed over his mouth, but upon his heads up display he saw his vital signs reaching critical and racing towards hypothermia. He rolled onto his stomach within the water and began swimming towards the surface on an angle; allowing the currents to lift him faster. <c>
He rose enough that he was able to fire his grappling hook and latched onto the bridge pulling himself out of the vast river. He hung from beneath the bridge and wheezed and shivered. “Al-Alfred…He-hel-help…me…” “Master Bruce? My word, I…I’m sending the jet, standby sir!” In minutes follow Bruce was settling into a warm bath, still dressed in his Batman suit, only with his helmet and boots removed. His lips were a dark maroon and tainted with slight purple. His head was resting against the edge of the bathtub with his eyes closed. Lady Shiva spoke once more to his mind. “You came to me, looking to salvage your life…but perhaps what you were really looking for was a reason for death…” <c>
Bruce could feel the proximity of her lips whispering in his ear. ‘All you have to do is ask and I will make it swift. Look at all you’ve done for this world. A legacy that cannot be removed from history. Do you really want to live through its decline? Through its fall? Spare yourself the anguish and let me give you what you desire…’ Bruce rolled within the bathtub, climbing out of it and onto the floor with a splash of water following him. “That man…I can’t let him…” The night would follow long and chillingly for the detective as he began pulling himself together for a speedy recovery.
Erzebeth: The next afternoon Vicki found herself running around her apartment after having a long talk with her producer. She had been on the phone for three hours with her until they had settled their argument about donating profits to an orphanage rather than spend it on a lunch spread which ended up rotting by the end of the day. "Dresses, dresses, dresses. Blue, white, and maybe red? No definitely the blue." Now she was running late. Bruce would be waiting for her outside for longer than she wanted--but it was par of the plan this time. Vicki didn't want to feel guilty, but it was a hard feeling to resist. It took her about an hour to shower and do her hair. Eventualyy she was able to wiggle into a shimmering blue dress which happened to be sleeveless and show off as much as she had planned. It was perfect to guilt trip the billionaire. "Alright, not too much make up. Gotta save some time." -e-
Bruce would be suiting up into his business suit, it was all black, He figured at the least he would be able to escape unnoticed if he had to. Shaving his face, he heard Alfred. “Sir, perhaps going tonight isn’t the best thing to do.” “I can’t. I promised Vicki I would do this, I’m not going to let her down…Isn’t it you who are always reminding me that life is too short to keep putting off things I should’ve done?” “Vicki Vale means a lot to you sir, but if this Dracula caper is about controlling the vampires and holding Dr. Langstrom hostage, your date can be put on hold.” “I’ll spend two hours with Vicki, if things don’t look well, I’ll slip out and contact Gordon for results. By then lab should have something and I’ll be able to make my next move.” <c>
Bruce cleansed his face and tied his neck tie around his collar. He pulled on his jacket and slipped out of his bedroom’s bathroom space. Alfred followed him through the house and into the garage. “I hope you know what you’re doing…the last time you underestimated a powerful foe you ended up 6 months strapped into a wheel chair and 2 months in rehabilitation and physical therapy!” Bruce would growl and loudly shout back at Alfred. “I know!” His booming voice would silence Alfred prompting the elderly man to huff before nodding his head solemnly as he turned around and left Bruce. Bruce clutched his jaw staring at Alfred. He shook his head dismissing any guilt he would’ve felt for shouting at Alfred and then set his route to Vicki’s house where he waited patiently for her. <c>
He looked at his watch patiently checking. “Take your time, Vicki…” He felt his heart skip a beat at her name once more. He smiled and then grabbed his cell phone to send her a text. “Hey, I’m outside. Take your time.”
Erzebeth: Vicki had just finished putting the last swipe of lipstick on. Her phone buzzed against the bathroom sink wildly. "...Dammit." Bruce was here already and she hadn't picked out shoes. Wait! That was a good thing! That man would have to wait in the car regardless if she was ready or not. "Don't text back, Vicky. Keep your cool." In the mean time she made an attempt to walk through her crowded closet. Two pairs of shoes caught her eyes. One was a very old-fashioned shoe the color of those little plastic pearls they use as buttons on women's clothing. The second shoe was a simple black pair of sling backs that sparkled only in the right light. "Now very slowly gather your things and walk--No no, inch. Inch towards the car." -e-
He waited, tapping at the steering wheel of his black Ferrari. He turned on the radio, its volume down quiet as the news report spoke of another dozen missing people. ”Twelve…the numbers are climbing…Damn it.” Bruce slammed his hand against the steering column before flipping the station to music, the instruments to “Smoke on the water” flew through the speakers and Bruce gently tapped his finger to the beat of the music. It was almost ten or so minutes later that Vicki finally arrived and he slipped out of the car to open the door for her. He took sight of her dress, her curves and felt his heart skip again. “You-…you look beautiful, Vicki…” Upon helping her into the car, he slipped inside and took off to the Violet Mansion. <c>
“You know…this place isn’t far from my house…If you like, afterwards or if things don’t work out…We could go back to my place.” -Bruce’s words were suggestive, but also rather direct. He obviously didn’t mind sleeping with Vicki nor spending time with her in the company of his home.-
Erzebeth: Vicki smiled at his comment for a second before she remembered exactly what she was doing. Unfortunately Bruce's face was all it took for her to snap back into reality. "Bruce, your mansion isn't the only one in town. Also, I nearly forgot I was going out with you earlier. You know, I should really make a seperate calendar for the billionaire's that want me to hang around with them." She forced herself to open the door of the car, but not before looking back at the male. "I'm glad you're on time, for once." That was all she had to said for the whole car ride. Otherwise her responses were quiet and consisted of the usual "mhmmm" 's or "yeah" 's. Bruce could probably tell that seeing him brought her back to the memories of her spending nights alone. Vicki had never felt so transparent. Her confidence had diminished entirely. Maybe the plan was meant for failure. This whole time it may have been smarter just to admit to him. -e-
Huntress: There were only a few times that Helena Wayne could remember being thrust into a social gathering of people that far outclassed her on the social wealth and power scale, and even less times where she had volunteered to go without some sort of protest. Yet there she was, slipping out of a hired car in a black dress that hugged her curves, exposed shapely shoulders and arms and dipped down low in the back as heels that extended her already long legs clicked onto the concrete of the drive. She was without an escort that evening, and in the face of the beauty and wealth of Gotham it left her a little jittery as she brushed crimson painted nails through her neatly styled hair. “I look like my mother.” She told her reflection, where sharp blue eyes that were solely her father’s stared back at her, and she cleared her throat, giving the driver a smile. “Thank you.” Undercover work wasn’t difficult, in Helena’s opinion, when it didn’t involve things like dancing, wine and finger food. -
Huntress: “I should have brought Terry.” Well, there was no room for regrets now and as she walked up to the door, extending her long legs to bring herself to a hip swaying stride that fit her dress she slipped into the right persona to be there. “Helena Bertinelli.” She told the man at the door and then walked inside. If there was anyplace to be, it was at a party where there was sure to be gossip.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1isFKw-5KY
The Mansion was a large brown building with a darker brown - almost black roof with towers stationed at critical points to support the structure. In a way the mansion looked almost like a castle, which was to be expected of the Violet Family whom was egotistical and boastful of their roots in Gotham dating back to the Arkham family bloodline. A parking lot filled with vehicles parked by a valet. The dark shade of the sky given by the sunken star would hide the true color of the grass on the premise, which was tainted into a dark gray blight. Within the warm atmosphere of the mansion, the rich, powerful, intellectuals of Gotham’s high society fraternized and chattered amongst each other. Marveling at the walls outfitted with tapestries and pictures of European fields. <c>
Waiters dressed in Tuxedo’s carried dinning trays from one room to another as guests filled the immediate living room by the front door along with the epicenter, ballroom, and dining room, which were connected in the mentioned order. Two sets of staircases went upstairs, from the epicenter and dining room reaching to a second floor. The corridors were very medieval, the walls decorated to appear almost like stone walls while providing warmth of a modern day house. A fireplace within each room where guests were expected provided a natural sense of heating from the November chill. <c>
Damian stood before mobs of people smiling and shaking their hands. Dressed in a black tuxedo with a black cape attached onto his collar…its crimson inner lining flashing ever slightly when he turned on his heels to respond to various guests. His hair wasn’t slicked back nor oily, instead it was kept at a short length and ruffled into natural spikes; a young man’s business haircut. From his looks Damian was probably in his early 30’s and had a lot of potential for influencing Gotham. The house held a sweet aroma that was lavender in scent and had a very seductive influence to those who inhaled it, it would almost ease patrons into submission.
Bruce felt the tension in the air and decided he would suck it up; perhaps he could win her over if she had one or two glasses of wine. The pessimistic thoughts of Batman would find Bruce’s logic very impractical and rather irrational. They pulled up to the house and the valet would open Vicki’s door to help her out of the car. Bruce would slip out and hand his keys to the service man before offering his arm to Vicki to walk her inside. “I’ll-uh-um…follow your lead here.” Bruce looked around, he wasn’t aware of Helena’s presence at the party or what angle she was working on that got her here, but surely upon spotting her his attention would wonder. <c>
‘Helena? What is she doing here? I wonder if she needs help…No, stay focused on Vicki.’ -Bruce looked at Vicki and gestured towards the refreshments table. “Can I get you a drink?”
Erzebeth: He was really going to give it his best shot tonight. Of all nights! Vicki was ready to break down by now. "Anything with a proof greater than fifty." She gazed down upon the floor beneath her feet for just a moment. At Bruce's side she felt safe. There had to be a way to fix everything with him. "Sorry, I guess I'm a little edgy." Vicki looked up once a glimmer of red caught her eye. Was that a cape? More importantly, was that Damian? Not surprising, afterall it was his party, but the whole cape thing seemed a little stereotypical for the Transylvanian. "There he is." She whispered softly before curling back into Bruce's arms. "Don't stare unless you really want him to come over here. It's like he can hear us from every corner of the world." This was a little awkward for her. Bruce probably wasn't one to get jealous though it was more so Damian she was worried about. He seemed nice, but she couldn't predict all of his habits. For all she knew Damian could be dangerous. -e-
Huntress: Smoothing her hands down over her dress, Helena took in a deep breath and felt herself relax almost as if on command as she was thankful for the fires that took the chill off of her bared arms as she gazed around. The mansion was beautiful if not a little foreboding in some strange way with it’s old paintings and styles though the feeling that skittered down the back of her neck, that made her straighten her spine as she reached out to grab a glass for something to hold onto was washed away in a feeling of ease. “And here I was worried.” Taking a sip of the contents of the glass she stopped by a wall, putting her back to it on the outskirts of the crowd that was gathered around Damian and observed for a long moment, an arm around her waist and the other holding the glass delicately, the crimson imprint of her lipstick having been left on the crystalline glass. -
Huntress: Blue eyes landed on a familiar tall and dark headed figure, though she had missed his gaze on her and automatically she reached down to adjust her dress, embarrassed. “Of course he’d be here.” Eyes trailing to the woman with him she squinted for a second then made a soft noise. “With a reporter - charming.” And though Helena felt like she should have been annoyed perhaps, or worried…she wasn’t really either. Looking back at the man in the odd cape Helena took in another deep breath. “Well, he’s easy on the eyes at least.” She murmured then took another sip from her glass and felt her shoulders relax.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2z9EXn7fm_U
Damian’s piercing red eyes knew the scent he picked up from Vicki Vale, a smirk formed on those lips and immediately a woman in a black dress and pale blonde hair came to him, latching herself onto his arm; she must’ve been 21 or so but with a gothic phase or something. She wore black lipstick and eye shadow with pale white skin; almost like the Joker. Damian’s eyes took in Vicki like she was the most beautiful flower he had ever seen. He smiled genuinely at her displaying those rather sharp canine teeth in the front row. “Ms. Vale. I am pleased by your attendance. I want you to meet my daughter, Morgana.” Morgana smiled and softly bowed her head. It was at this point Damian’s eyes fixed onto Bruce and immediately that smile faded into a smirk of amusement. <c>
“And Bruce Wayne, a pleasure meeting you again, I’m unsure if the fall you took confused you, but I’m Damian Arcane. Please enjoy yourself tonight.” He offered his hand to Bruce allowing a shake to take place and a firm grip to remind Bruce of his strength. His attention drifted back to Vicki allowing those naturally faded red eyes to meet her beautiful sight. “I hope you enjoyed the flowers I gave you~…” ~Think of me, Vicki…~ Vicki mind would suddenly feel Damian’s body against her from behind, a groping hand massaging her chest while his warm breathing fell upon her exposed neck while their hearts began beating in harmony together. Her legs would begin to feel themselves losing strength and time would begin to stretch as seconds become longer and longer between each one.
Bruce’s attention shifted to Vicki when she spoke of Damian and he didn’t seem to really care until Damian made himself apparent and Bruce’s attention was focused. His eyes narrowed and chin stiffened into that signature Batman jaw. Bruce straightened his posture and almost disconnected completely from Vicki - to attach to her now would likely make her his next target to hurt him. When Damian’s hand came for him, Bruce didn’t respond allowing Damian to have an awkward moment of holding his hand out to Bruce. In a normal social setting this would’ve been noticed but, everyone in the room seemed completely carefree and unaware of what was even happening. “I…I recall you…’Damian’ and its unfortunate we’re meeting under these circumstances. I’m sure tonight will be *very* eventful.”
Black Canary: Arriving a little later than the majority of the guests was a blonde clad in a sky blue dress which matched her eyes. It was shoulderless but had a beauitful sheer white wrap which drapped aboued her. The mid-calf length dress had layers of the same sheer white fabrick which started at her waist, giving a gentle frosted look which tied the rather modern dress together. The dress had been a favor she had called in from a fashion designer she had rescued once, Thomas. When he heard of her asking for his help he went all out and leant her a dress that cost more than her bike! He wouldn't take 'no' for an answer. She still couldn't believe she had been invited to this rather formal event. It was just the other night. she just finished an infilitration job, posing as a coprorate administrator, trailing a guy who was funding some criminal groups into a coffee shop when she had bumped into damian. The next thing she knew she was having coffee with him and was holding an invite. <c>
Black Canary: And now she was in the mansion. With all the kidnappings, a fancy party would be a good spot for kidnapping an elite set of guests. And then she saw Damian, she found herself having a little trouble not looking at him. 'come on canary get a grip of yourself, you can't let puppy love get the better of you' she thought to herself. and thhen she slowly gazzed about the rooms. Wait... was that Helena?! she was about to look again when she spotted Bruce with the reporter Vicki Vale talking to Damaian. and she looked just as happpy to see Damian as she was. What was up with her?! she felt like a school girl with a crush! She then proceded to mingle enjoying the warmth from the fire place. <e>
Erzebeth: "It's a pleasure to once again see you, Damian. Your daughter is quite the beauty." Vicki had the urge to hide behind Bruce. What was this man's deal? "Thank you for the flowers, again. I hope what we talked about doesn't--" Again her body lurched over as her legs shivered. Their were visions flashing through her mind suddenly blurring reality. Why would Damian ever do such a thing to her? This man was triggering feelings in her that were primal. "E-Excuse me, gentlemen." Vicki ran off in a hurry looking for the powder room. Her body was practically sweating from the heat rising through her spine. Every inch of her tingled tempting her to fall to the ground. She huffed before running into a young woman with quite the stand-offish look on her face. Only a slight bit of liquor spilled out from the lipstick-stained glass. "I'm so sorry! I-I was looking for the powder room. I didn't see you." By now her heart was racing. Where did she leave Bruce? -e-
Huntress: Uneventful, she imagined how this night was going to go to be completely uneventful, her eyes nearly straying from the man in the center of the crowd until she saw Bruce and Vicki move up to meet them and even from a distance noticed the posture change in the man who was so much like a younger version of her father, and saw that stiffened jaw line. Blue eyes that seemed to have a hazy fog cast over them sharpened then, and became more intrigued as she didn’t miss the interaction between the men. ‘Not your usual grace in the company of Gotham’s finest there, Not-Dad.’ The thought struck her as a skill taught had her reading Bruce’s lips, and had her assessing the situation to the best of her abilities even if the odd smell in the air seemed to be dragging at her senses a bit. ‘Alright pretty boy, so he doesn’t like you, why? This is your party, why come here?’ -
Huntress: The disappearances came to mind and her own jaw tightened as she glanced over the young blonde Goth looking woman, missing another blonde making her entrance all together and missing Vicki Vale folding over before rushing away and running directly into her. On instinct Helena’s free hand snapped out, catching Vicki’s wrist as her gaze was brought to her quickly and her brows furrowed down in concern. “Are you alright?” Standing straighter Helena released her wrist that felt too warm for the temperature outside or in that room for that matter - a blush? Reaching out to sit her glass on a passing tray Helena watched the reporter, the look of concern still on her face. “I don’t know where it is, but I can help you find it?” She offered. This woman looked panicked, -felt- panicked.
Morgana would promptly make her move to Bruce, sliding her hands up his suit collar, a seductive smirk upon her lips. “I bet you would taste really good…” She whispered to him, as Damian watched in amusement. “Perhaps I was hasty in my judgment of you…You should’ve died last night but, now I might let her have you…far more painful for you and enjoyable for me.” Damian’s attention followed Vicki and a brunette, allowing him to shadow them. Dinah’s mind would feel the connection and signal sent out by Dracula ~My dearest, I am prepared for you upstairs…~ the thought to her mind would likely intrigue her to seek out a means to get upstairs; isolating her from the ‘pack’ of human cattle that laughed and chuckled with complete carefree natures to them.
Bruce would give a brooding vibe back at Morgana, even as she played with his lapel and tried her best to soothe him. He peeled her hands off of himself and pushed her back gently and then threw his hand out to grab Damian’s arm firmly and with more strength than Bruce Wayne had ever displayed in public. “Kirk Langstrom. Where is he?” Bruce’s eyes were firm and judgmental, but Damian’s speed trumped Bruce allowing him to get in closer to Bruce, their cheeks became closer allowing Damian to whisper into Bruce’s ears. “Enjoy the party…it’ll be your last night in this miserable city.” And with that Damian broke Bruce’s grip and continued on his course to follow Vicki.
Black Canary: Dinah would pick an appetizer off a passing tray, a little surprised at how rich tasting it was. She looked down at her dress, she looked like a modern day princess at the grand ball in this thing! she laughed a little to herself at the thought, Thomas did have a bit of romantic flair with his outfits. Of courrse she never saw him in a suit that wasn't some shade of technacolor! Her eyes flicked to see Vicki dash past and get lost in the crowd. the movement caught her attention and she watched as Damian spoke with Bruce and then slipped off to follow vicki, probably to make sure she was alright. the thought seemed odd to her, she rarely made such assumptions... but before she could think on it. she heard Damian's voice in her ear. no not her ear it was more like inside her, she shivered a little. She glanced at him as he walked away and then at the stairs. This was confusing... how could he have whispered that in passing, he was too... she shook her head to try to clear her head. <c>
Black Canary: She glanced at the stairs again, and started to slip away from the crowd, silently going up them. She was flattered to get such attention from such a handsome and well to do man. Maybe he just wanted to talk... maybe he wanted more... she swallowed hard at the thought and started to walk across the second floor, feelig like she knew where she was going. <e>
Erzebeth: "Yes please. Before I-I..." This time Vicki fell to the ground. Guests probably confused her drop with someone who had drank too much. Vicki had never been someone to faint. She would never let herself be so careless, but her senses were overwhelmed by pulses of pleasure. It was hypnotic. The way she imagined Damian behind her with his hands grasping, groping, and gripping. In her unconscious state she moaned. "Please..." Where was Bruce? She shouldn't have left him so suddenly. -e-
Huntress: Helena started to nod in assurance to the woman who agreed to the help of finding the powder room and as she began to turn to look, instinct once again had her arm snapping out, this time curling around Vicki’s waist as the other woman dropped to the ground. Bending over at the waist Helena caught most of her weight at the last moment, so the other woman wouldn’t injure herself as she made a startled noise. “Ms. Vale!” Though she didn’t speak too loudly, Helena looked up through her now slightly disheveled midnight hair at the people around them before her toned arm tightened and she lifted Vicki back to her feet, keeping her arm secure around her and allowing the blonde’s head to rest on her shoulder. “Had a bit too much to drink.” -
Huntress: Helena said with a sympathetic smile as Vicki moaned and then the young dark haired woman began walking with her, mostly carrying her as she made a beeline straight to the powder room, glancing back over her shoulder and noting that the “pretty boy” was pulling away from Bruce. “What in the hell is going on here?” Using her hip to bump open the powder room, Helena shifted as she kneed the door closed and flipped the lock on the door and leaned Vicki up against the sink, holding onto her carefully. “Ms. Vale? Vicki, are you alright? Should I call a doctor?” Had she drank too much? Didn’t they just arrive at the party? Surely Bruce didn't bring her there drunk...
Bruce looked around the room, when he saw Dinah Lance making her way up the stairs in…was that some kind of wedding dress? ‘Dinah and Helena working on something here?’ Bruce looked around briefly for any sign of Helena but then went to follow Dinah up the stairs, she seemed determined and on a mission. It was just enough that Bruce would sneak up behind her; not too close - he was well aware that her elbow strikes and horse kicks were not thing to provoke. “Dinah?” He called out in a lonely hallway that allowed music to echo through them. “I need your help. I think Kirk Langstrom is here, somewhere.”
Black Canary: Hearing her name, the blonde nearly instictivly got into a defensive stance which looked a bit strange in a dress, but Thomas had made sure she would have full range of motion for her. Her elbow strike went back quickly as she turned ready to see who had startled her. "Bruce?" she asked, seeming more confused. She had nearly forgotten he was here. "Well, I'm here just socially tonight... I really need to..." she felt the draw to continue to the room she some how knew she was supposed to go to, to meet damian, but helping bruce tugged at her too. "Langstrom who went missing? I... I'll help you real quick. I'm supposed to meet someone." she looked about. "Do you suppose he is up here somewhere? It seems like mostly guest room and the master bedroom."
Erzebeth: Vicki opened her eyes drearily. "Oh gods my head." She gasped after recognizing Helena Bertenelli. "I'm terribly sorry for that. I didn't mean to worry you." Perhaps her intentions were to help rather than choke a bitch? Vicki sure hoped so. "I'm fine now. I can walk on my own. You haven't seen Bruce Wayne or the host of this...charming gathering, have you?" Either she ould confront Damian on her own or have Bruce at her side for safety. It was sure to get out of hand at this point. Something abnormal was going on in this house. Vicki started to fix her blue dress by stretching out the wrinkles. The damn thing had gotten so tight when she began hyperventalating. No wonder she fainted. -e-
Huntress: Holding onto to her for a moment longer as the other woman seemed to have come around, Helena watched her before she nodded slowly to her, letting her go even slower and stepping back. “You just ran away from both of them it seemed. I saw Mr. Wayne in the crowd, and as for the host.” Helena glanced back over her shoulder towards the locked bathroom door - he wasn’t really following them was he? “I saw him walking this way.” Vale didn’t exactly seem like she was as together as she was making herself out to be, and Helena took another step back, a careful one in those tall stilettos as if she were making sure that the blonde wasn’t going to collapse all over again. “Maybe you should sit down for a minute, then I can help you find Mr. Wayne?” She asked carefully, using the right tone of concern in her voice as her brain mulled over what could be going on and came up with nothing helpful.
“I’m really going to need your help on this one, Dinah…Damian Arcane can’t be trusted. Especially if he has Doctor Langstrom in his custody. I saw Helena here, I’ll message her and let her know to watch her back...” Bruce pulled out his cellphone and then spoke. “We’re not dealing with common criminals…They’re vampires.” Bruce began texting a message to Helena “Damian Arcane is Count Dracula.” He sent that message, allowing the important information process first and then Bruce sent another message. “Dr. Langstrom might be prisoner here.” Bruce pocketed his phone. “Will you be fine on your own?”
Black Canary: She smiled as Bruce actually admitted he needed help, things must have been getting worse that she thought! She frowned a little in confusion as he mentioned that Damian couldn't be trusted. But it did kind of make sense that if he had someone a prisoner they would be rather dubious. Her eyes widened as Bruce mentioned Vampires. "Did you really just say Vampires?" she looked at bruce with concern. Was he cracking up? Vampires, blood sucking turn into a bat vampires were in gotham. Seh felt that tug to go to that room again and found herself looking that way. "Yeah, I'm the black canary, of course I'll be fine. I'll see you later." she started to explore one of the hallways looking for clues.
Erzebeth: "He's coming this way!?" Just as she had thought. The creepiness factor was beyond a code red. Vicki had an urge to peak out of the door momentarily. "I'm going to text Bruce. This is getting out of hand." Her red curls were now falling off of her shoulders as she poked her head outside of the door to check through the crowd. Her phone immediately slipped into her bag in a desperate attempt for her phone. "Ms. Bertenelli, this might sound awfully ridiculous, but I have suspicions about Damian Arcane. Considering I've been separated from Mr. Wayne I believe the intentions are to corner me. I need you to promise me that no matter what you will not chase after me if I am taken by him. There is no telling what he is capable of." -e-
Huntress: As Vale reached for her phone, Helena heard hers go off and she looked down to the front of her own dress where it was it up before slipping it upwards out of her cleavage. “Suspicions?” Half listening Helena entered in her pass code and brought up the first text and simply stared for what seemed like a long moment then read the second before tucking her phone away. “What? Uh…wait, why would the host of this party take you?” She managed confusion well, especially when it worked in to being her true feeling. Did he really just text her about Dracula? Dracula. Helena’s head swam, and she would have laughed if it wasn’t for the fact that the text had come from Bruce Wayne of all people. ‘Kirk Langstrom.’ Helena considered the name before she brought her full attention back to the reporter. “I don’t really care what he’s capable of to be honest. I’m not going to let some creepy pretty boy make off with you. Besides, do you know how many witnesses are standing outside of this door? -
Huntress: Maybe you’re just imagining things.” She played it off the best she could, and suddenly longed for her suit in the trunk of that car outside - and a few crossbow bolts. Shifting she gently grabbed Vicki’s arm and pulled her back from the door, reclosing and locking it. “We should just stay here if you’re that concerned….”
www.youtube.com/watch?v=e817qtDsIo4
~What is intriguing about him? You can’t stop thinking about his lips. You want him to be a carnivore, eating your flesh for every aching second.~ The whisper would be faint, luring like a lovers thoughts, they were posed as if they were her own thoughts…her dark fantasies that were pulled from past experience and memories within Vicki’s mind. ~He’s in the music study to the left, he’s probably alone…but he won’t mind the isolation the chance for us to talk.~ The door to the bathroom would unlock with no sign of what caused it, but Helena and Vicki would be surprised as an elderly man entered and froze upon seeing the girls. “Oh! Pardon me…” The man backed out of the room and closed the door. Still, Vicki would feel urges and impulses to see Damian; the name would come into her head. ~Lord Dracula…Lord Dracula…~ <c>
A sense of power if the name, the idea that she was wasting a “kings” time by not showing up on time would tease at her and by the minute she would feel rude for keeping him waiting. ~There’s a bond between us…we need each other…King and Queen…~ Her body would feel warmer and warmer, the only thing that would cool her off would be the presence of ‘Dracula’ whom she knew was Damian, but in her mind they were interchangeable. <c>
The first room Dinah would come to was a bedroom where three nude people would lie upon a bed bleeding from their wrists. One of them was awake and suckling on the thigh of another man. It was a man whose gaze calmly stared at Dinah’s eyes attempting to lure her closer; to join them in a celebratory orgy of initiation…But his ability to telepathically reach her was weak and untrained. Her mind would feel him ravaging it, seeing her as a little girl on a swing set…Dinah in a garage working on her motorcycle, the first time she put on that leather jacket…He was inside her and she knew it.
Bruce stared at her and then reminded Dinah. “Looker is a vampire, Doctor Langstrom can turn into a giant bat, Circe can turn people into animals…Are you really having trouble with this?” His tone was firm, chastising almost along with a hint of doubt as to whether she was dependable or not. She seemed out of it, but he began his search and began opening doors to search for something, entering bedrooms to find it very medieval. Bruce stopped when he saw three people shackled to the wall and shivering. Bruce came to them and knelt down examining them. He brushed his hand gently over their forehead to feel a very cold sensation from their body. “I’m too late.” Bruce lowered his head and clutched his fist.
Black Canary: Dinah looked at bruce sheepishly. He did have a point. the world did have vampires and strange magics, but why didn't she realize that? she just felt off... "Right, sorry. I'll do my best and be careful." she headed off looking through the rooms, she gasped as she stumbled into an orgy. An all men orgy where they had slit rests and were suckling blood from their thighs?! It was disturbing and kind of kinky at the same time... but still disturbing. and then she saw the third staring into her eyes and she then memories started to flit through her mind. Not just memories but the emotions that went with them. The exhiliration of a little girl with her hair blowing in the breeze as she swang. Coated in grease and sheen of sweat in the garage workign on her bike, feeling so accomplished and proud... and then the first time she wore her jacket, with a mix of happines and sadness.... she could feel him. he was in her head! Her hands balled into fists and she lunged forward. <c>
Black Canary: One hand giving the infilitrating guy an upper cut, while her opposing elbow came down for a blow square on the thigh biting vampire's head. They were vampires and they were up to something. She then leapt back to try to keep out of their reach hoping they weren't crazy fast yet. <e>
Erzebeth: Vicki felt her legs walk her past the door. Bertenelli must have known something was wrong when she didn't answer her. What was calling her to Damian? "Dracula..." The name made her lips part for a deep inhale. It was almost as though she were preparing herself. Vicki felt as though she were watching herself make each move and couldn't even get herself to stop. This was an intentional glitch in the video game. If she had only known what she had gotten herself into! The red-head thought Damian to be suspicious, but not in this matter. "Mr. Arcane..." Now her legs were moving much faster to this man. She was heading towards the study where he had said he would be. Was he speaking to her telepathically? Oh how she wished it were only a dream. Vicki would much rather be with Bruce at his home like he had said earlier. There were so many things she regretted with that man and now this would be one of them.-e-
Huntress: The lock turning caused Helena’s body to tense up, her eyes turning from confused to dangerous as the man opened the door then quickly excused himself. “That was wei-…Ms. Vale!” As the other woman walked out of the bathroom Helena clenched her teeth and moved after her, walking right along beside her. “Ms. Vale, where are you going?” If it was Dracula, if she listened to the movies, the stories growing up about this (what she imagined to be) fictional character, was he mind controlling Vicki? Reaching out and grabbing her arms hard, Helena moved in front of her. “Vicki, stop.” Her grip bit down firmly into the other woman’s upper arms, her blue eyes demanding and she gave her a shake. “We need to find Bruce, let’s go and find Bruce.” She tried to remind her, to redirect her, to do anything short of physically hauling her away as she glanced at the people around. The latter would be a last resort.
A loud thrash and blast would echo throughout the house as the loudest roll of thunder passed over the house; followed by a haunting flash of lightning. The crackle of rain against the windows could be heard after the loud deafening roar of the Gods. Dracula stood at the threshold of the rooms between Vicki, Helena, and the study. “You may release her, Ms. Bertinelli.” He held his hand out for Vicki to grab; if she did she would suddenly feel more in control of herself. If Helena held her back, it would soon become apparent there were two vampire guards closing in from behind. It was then the chilling sound of an organ shot throughout the mansion and like a flock of cattle the men and women began moving into the ballroom; a perfect place to isolate everyone. <c>
“Ms. Bertinelli, you should join with everyone else. Dinner will begin soon…” Dracula’s gaze examined her and then smirked. “You have your father’s eyes, Ms. Bertinelli. Hopefully you don’t have his brain or courage.” His hand would shoo Helena away like an insect or rodent. <c>
Erzebeth: Vicki had the urge to simply jump into the arms of the vampire, but her brain knew better. Out of the blue her cellphone had started ringing. Her concentration was slowly breaking. With a scowl on her face she turned away from Dracula. Her hands were now clutching her cellphone tightly. The name 'Emily Briggs' continued to appear on the screen. "Not now! Dammit Bruce!" She needed to keep thinking of the man she truly loved, but with all this noise there was no way to properly keep away from the monster. Vicki turned to the monster when she heard him speak to Helena. "If I go with you. Will you leave these people alone?" Secretly one of her hands tucked the cellphone into her purse. The least she could do while accepting the evil would be to save them from it. -e-
Huntress: The blue eyes that had been so concerned as she had been gazing at Vicki hardened into ice as she turned that gaze now to the man who held his hand out towards the woman she was holding onto. Her grip didn’t tighten but her posture changed. Equipment was too far out of reach, but she knew how to use anything she could get her hands on to her advantage. Letting go of Vicki slowly Helena turned to face Dracula head on, shoulders squaring and as she did she saw the two guards moving forward. “Thanks, but for some reason I’m not all that hungry.” Helena retorted and then her eyes widened as her posture stiffened, hands clenching into fists and at his dismissal she turned her eyes back to Vicki and prepared herself. “You can’t take this guys word on anything, trust me on that.” Helena said softly to her. ‘What in the hell am I supposed to do here?’ The thought raced through her mind. -
Huntress: Vampires weren’t exactly up her alley, especially not when she was wearing nothing but a slinky black dress and a pair of too expensive stilettos.
Looker: Red curled hair had been flowing through the brisk night air while the sound of a motorcycle bounced off the brick walls of homes lining the streets. "Come on, Vick!" Emily had been on this case for at least a week. Bodies were dropping in a pattern that could only be explained by something entirely unlikely. The trail had taken her to a party on the outskirts of Gotham. It was at the Violet Mansion of all places! There was nothing more suspicious than a man from Transylvania coming to Gotham and living in a mansion that made Bruce Wayne look like a beggar. And of all places she knew her friend Vicki was likely to be there. Emily pulled up to the driveway and gave her keys to one of the attendants. In no way was she dressed for a gathering like this. After taking her helmet off she placed it on a tray held by a waiter. Her leather body suit was a shade of red made to compliment her fantastic red hair. The red-head spotted a young woman across the room who seemed more than just pale. -c
Looker: Her hips swayed from side to side whilst making an attempt to corner the girl. "Morgana Arcane?" The red-head grinned deviously. "You've grown quite a bit since I've seen you. Perhaps you'd like to catch up somewhere more quiet? And preferably somewhere we could..." Emily's eyes looked over the girl with eyes that begged for more than just a glimpse beneath clothing "...get a little more comfortable?" -e-
Dracula would appear concerned for Vicki; she couldn’t lie to him…even if she thought she could. “It is not my intention to hurt anyone here tonight. I simply want your company, Vicki. Please, let me show you to our table. Ms. Bertinelli is no longer needed to escort you. I give you my word, I will not cause harm to Vicki. My escorts will see that you are treated well.” Dracula’s hand would take Vicki’s allowing her to feel the warmth of his aura. She would feel a rush of power and security unlike anything she had ever experienced. He pulled her to follow him into the dinning room, where if Helena didn’t stop him he would pull out a chair at the head dinning room table for Vicki, an empty space for her that his hand would gesture. “I reserved a seat for your guest.” <c>
Morgana would take sight of Emily as she entered the room and began to speak, Morgana gave a soft smirk and nodded reaching her hand to interlock with Emily’s and pull her towards the stairs. Leading her up to the hallways where there would be a mild level of privacy. It would be at this point two more girls approached; Dracula’s daughters, Adriana Arcane and Claudia Arcane, Adriana had black hair with black eye shadows and purple lips, while Claudia had blonde hair with white / gray colored skin. Her eyes were pure white with no sclera or iris in them. They were each dressed in the same outfit of a black dress that fit their curves perfectly.
Erzebeth: Vicki felt reassured by Dracula's presence for whatever reason. She couldn't put her finger on it but it felt as though he could be trusted at the moment. "Thank you." Her voice seemed monotone. She was not exactly happy with the monster that lurked within the male. Though Vicki had accepted her fate she did know better than to trust the man with her mortality. An evening with Bruce was the exact definition of danger. Vicki would be damned if she didn't carry her trusty glock with her. Maybe it was a little unexpected for a simple talkshow host although the practically clearly outweighed that entirely. She couldn't figure out why Dracula had sought after her of all people. Her hand reached for her cellphone to hide it in her lap. Message from Emily Briggs: Omfg Vick if I catch u at that party I will die all the fuck over again. What kind of message was that? -e-
Huntress: There was nothing she could do, not like this, not in a place were she was clearly outnumbered and out muscled. Helena wasn’t even sure what in the hell she would be fighting at this point in time and as Vicki took his hand she turned on her heel and followed them. Shoes clicked loudly on the floor as she strode after the two, her eyes glancing at each “escort” that had been coming to meet her. “On second thought, I think I’ll stay for dinner.” Where in the hell was Bruce? If allowed she’d walk to the dining room, and less than gracefully tripped and bumped into the table, knocking over a glass. “Oh, excuse me.” Helena let out a laugh that didn’t reach her eyes and in the spirit of her mother, palmed a knife from the table and hid it firmly against her wrist, thumb closed over it. Killing wasn’t Batman’s style, but the Huntress wasn’t above killing an asshole to save the life of innocents. Besides…weren’t vampires already dead?
Looker: Her gloved fingers laced with Morgana's as they walked up the stairs. Upon seeing her sisters Emily pulled her hands away. "Look at you three. So gorgeous. Come, give us a kiss." She slipped her gloved hand into her breast pocket to take out a packet of what looked like a packet of mints. The vampiress popped open the tin and poured the contents into her mouth. Earlier that evening when she had discovered the horde of vampires lurking within Gotham she had packed her suit with enough silver to burn herself alive. Right now Emily could feel her tongue blistering in pain, but she pulled Morgana over anyway for a deep kiss. Emily's mouth tasted entirely of rusted metal. Morgana probably didn't understand what exactly was going on until a smoldering object was forced into her mouth. The red-head pulled back from the kiss, flipped the girl on her front, and cuffed her. Her last move was to gag Morgana using a lacey sock. The cuffs were of course silver meaning that the poor vampiress -c-
Looker: was in double the pain. "Silly girl. Did you really think I'd waste my looks on you?" Her gaze turned to Adirana and Claudia. "If you'd like your sister alive...or semi-not turned into dust. Then I would suggest you tell me where your father is. I have a lot of unsettled business to tend to and I am so not wasting my time playing chase with a couple of sluts." Emily spat blood on the ground that had been left over from the blisters on her tongue. "Tell me where Damian Arcane is." -e-
Dracula would wave to the room, holding his arms out wide. “Ladies and gentlemen…I would like to begin my announcement. If I may have your attention. Please take your seats.” The crowd of people began shuffling to their seats while Damian remained standing by his chair next to Vicki. “I thank you all for being my guests tonight. You are here because I wish for all of you to join me and my family. We are going to change the world. My pharmaceutical company has created its first batch of immortality formula…Only those here tonight may be given this formula.” -Dracula’s hands gestured to servants, women dressed in white dresses came to unload trays of glass bottles, clear liquid inside with an alcoholic scent to them. <c>
“Not only will this gift separate you from those who would be beneath us, it is the final step in your human journey to touch the hand of creation. I ask all of you, to join me in this historic moment and step forward in medicine.” Dracula took a glass off the table and raised it towards Vicki. He gulped the vile and smiled as everyone stared holding their breath, but soon everyone followed suit and drank the vile not quite realizing it was only alcohol - there was no special medicine, as far as they could tell.
Adriana and Claudia would bare their fangs at Looker, suddenly their features becoming more defined and wrinkled. They leapt at her with no regard for Morgana’s suffering but, Morgana struggled against Looker, adding only dead weight meant to handicap and cripple Emily. Claudia would aim to lacerate her claws across Looker’s face, while Adriana reached for Looker’s arm to slam her backwards and into the wall.
Erzebeth: She raised an eyebrow at Dracula's toast. Vicki refused to drink for once in her life. There was no reason for her to drink with some stranger. There were too many people for her to reveal her weapon to the room. Thank heavens Helena was around. Slyly, the woman too the glass into her hand and threw the liquid out of the glass pretending to have taken all of its contents in one gulp. All of those people would suffer a terrible fate which she could do nothing about. "I would like to go home." Her eyes settled upon Dracula's. No longer would she stand for this sorcery or his ridiculous games. Vicki wanted her peace of mind and she could't have it with this asshole sitting right in front of her.
Huntress: Helena stood back in the crowd, her gaze trained on Damian as he spoke, the blade of the knife she had taken tapping against her dress covered thigh lightly, a flutter of movement that was all that showed of her nervous energy and agitation. Had these people really come here for a promotion for a pharmaceutical company? As the glass bottles were passed around, her slender fingers reached out a took it, eyes examining the contents before she sniffed gently at the bottle. ‘Don’t.’ She wanted to say to the people around her but simply stood in the crowd as each person took their own sips, and her hand remained down by her side, holding the vile between her fingers. Slowly she worked a hole in her dress with the dull knife, digging down into the fabric until she could slide it into her garter belt, hiding it effectively, and as a man moved past her, she slipped fingers into his pocket and came out with a small match book. ‘Good girl.’ -
Huntress: She hadn’t missed a beat around her, nor missed the fact that Vicki hadn’t followed the rest of the sheep.
Looker: Emily felt the scratches, but was just about ready to take whatever pain their was tonight. In this mansion she there was the possibility of finding the person who had made her lose the love of her life and her mortal life. She would be damned if she didn't put up a fight to find him. Once Looker hit the wall she slumped to the floor. Looker couldn't help but laugh. "Haters gonna hate." She reached into her jacket to remove iron handled silver blades. It was a wonder that she could smuggle these through the Tokyo airport. Suddenly a breeze caused the room to go cold, but in fact it had been Looker making a dash similar to Barry's. Within the amount of time it took to run across the room she had managed to decapitate Morgana. "If you won't tell me then I'll have to find out myself." Emily stared at the grimmacing head and activated her ability to mind read. 'Where is he!?' -e-
Dinah’s strike would throw the one vampire back as she struck him twice breaking his mind meld and him from sucking the thigh. The two remaining vampires woke up and turned their attention to Dinah, hissing at her and bearing their fangs. One leapt towards the wall and began climbing on it, the other rolled onto the floor to crawl upon it. Their nails grew longer and allowed them to gain traction in the niches of the room’s dimensions. <c>
Dracula traded gaze with Vicki striking her with a deep hypnosis and placing her into a sleep-walking state. Her mind would be trapped inside an empty mansion, a maze that she would wonder, searching for the escape but, unable to find any way out of the haunted house her mind imprisoned her in. He would command her mentally to appear content and sit peacefully in her seat while staring ahead. Her eyes would lose coloring; that spark of life that made her show any sign of personality. Dracula would whisper into her ear. “No worry my love…You will understand soon enough.” <c>
It was as Looker peered into the mind of Morgana only to find a dominating force; the memory of Dracula first meeting Looker - never existed. She would search for something that wasn’t happening, but now that gaze fell upon Emily and it probed her mind…Telepathically she would begin to hear the call of her ‘master.’ ~Emily…Come to me…~ He was fascinated by Emily, her beauty was rivaling of Vicki’s…He must have her, a second queen would be just as satisfying to him for two separate continents, it’s a big world after all.
“Damian Arcane!” A deep voice boomed across the room and shot down from the ceiling like a divine bolt of lightning. “You’re under arrest for kidnapping, possession of illegal narcotics, and murder.” Dracula’s hold on Looker’s mind would release, giving her free will once again. The Dark Knight stepped out from behind a window curtain as vampires moved to surround him; the numbers were suddenly vast; twenty of them assigned as security, the servants stood as secondary security if they were needed. Dracula would stare at Batman, clearly un-amused. “You’re not a police-Man, you cannot arrest me. And I do not think you can defeat one of my soldiers.” <c>
Batman’s white eyes blankly stared at Dracula, ignoring the soldiers closing around him. His lips created a finely made thin line. “I don’t plan on defeating them. I’m just delaying for backup...It’s a short ride for them-…” Lifting his hand batman revealed a small Microsonic device. Pressing the button a loud sonic pitch would irritate every vampire in a 2 mile radius. From the window behind Batman a dozen swarms of bats thrashed through the window screaming and attacking everyone in their path. Dracula would immediately wrap his arms around Vicki and fly up towards the second floor of the ballroom, carrying her away.
Black Canary: Dinah watched the two vampires who started to get more fiesty, watching how their nails seemed to become like talons. As the one crawled quiclky toward her, she ran towards it, jumping into a roundhouse kick at it's head. The other foot coming down it's back, which she jumped off of towards the vampire on the wall, using her momentum she delivered a haymaker on it. She would land on the bed in a defensive pose ready for the vampires to strike again. "Hey boys, sorry to ruin your little party here, but it's time to rock you guy's to sleep!" she looked around to see if there was a wooden chair or something that she could bust down into wooden stakes. <e>
Erzebeth: Vicki had been with Helenna hadn't she? Where was she? The mansion seemed entirely bare at this point. Everyone had seemed to disappear. She was wondering through continuous empty halls now. There was no escape from this madness. Dracula had gotten what he wated and she had let it happen. How could she have been so stupid? But Bruce! Oh she had tried to be so noble like him. His thirst for justice was contagious. Vicki wanted to be like him. He had inspired her, but of course she could never be like the Batman. And now she would never be able to see the Dark Knight or the man she wished to love. The least she could do was die trying. Now was the time for the glock. Her hands searched through her purse for the weapon. But would it be there while she was trapped within this illusion? -e-
Huntress: Helena watched Vicki, the interaction between the two of them and she took a step forward. ‘What can I do, what can I do?’ The question plagued her. Beyond stalling? It wasn’t like she was really all that briefed on how to handle a vampire. Sunlight was out of the question, crosses? No she didn’t bother to wear the cross of Helena Bertinelli anymore, which she didn’t even know if that’d be useful. Silver? Some of her bolts were tipped in silver, but wasn’t that for werewolves? Or… ‘I really need to catch up on the pop culture of vampires.’ There had been far too many shark movies in her life. As the voice boomed out, her froze for a moment, recognizing it instantly and turned her gaze to the window. Eyes training on the device Helena instantly pulled the knife out from its hiding spot and as the glass of the window shattered she threw it hard, right at Damian Arcane’s head. -
Huntress: A breath later he had moved, taking Vicki and flying with her upwards, the knife embedding into the wall behind him and Helena snarled out a curse before she turned to run out of the hall. She had to get to her suit, and it was waiting for her out in the trunk of the car.
The vampires fighting Black Canary would suddenly hold their heads in agony as a sonic scream resonated in their heads, from the window in the room Dinah would sudden hordes of bats swarming the mansion before some smashed through the window and began attacking the vampires with their fangs and claws lashing out. Black Canary would most likely run out of the room to avoid being submerged in the swarm that were crawling upon the vampires while ravaging their flesh. <c>
Batman maneuvered through the crowd as Dracula’s voice would shout out, echoing throughout the entire mansion like some omnipresence. “Do you think you can save them, Bat-Man? An entire species to save and you are alone! I demonstrated before that you cannot win and I am no longer amused.“ It was in that instant every single bat within the swarm dropped to the ground and shivered from a seizure, the sound of leather wings slamming against tables, glasses, ballroom floor, people, echoed like a bucket of water washing over a room. Batman clutched his fist and then hurled a batarang that exploded next to Dracula, the blast broke Dracula’s telepathic control of the bats allowing them to squirm and crawl upon whatever surface they crashed onto.
Black Canary: Dinah kept up her fight with the vampires, they were fast, but she was clever and well trained. And there was an awful sound It reminded her a bit of her own cry but was different, simulated, and seemed to hit the vampires just right. She was ready to take out the incapcitated vampires as they went to their knees cluthing at their heads, when the bats swooped in. Bats filled the room and attacked the vampires. She jumped back out of the room. She couldn't fight with all those bats in there and she didn't need them going after her too. She ran down the hall and did a kick and her foot crushed through an end table. she stood on the table legs and broke them off, she was ready with a few wooden sakes prepared. Dinah kept moving, checking other rooms for hostages. <e>
Huntress: The cool of the night hit her in the face as she ran down the stairs, the sounds of bats slapping into objects sounding behind her and she sprinted towards the car, knocking on it until the trunk opened and she could sling a duffle bag over her shoulder. It was a quick and cold change, and she envied her Kryptonian best friend for a moment as the frigid temperatures tried to leak through her suit. As the Huntress grabbed her grappling gun, aiming for the second story window she found that she envied Karen once again; the woman wouldn’t have had any trouble dealing with a vampire or two, would she? Instead of taking the style of her Not-Dad, as she heard the explosion go off she opted to ease the window open instead of the ledge she perched on, gazing in at Dracula and the captured reporter in his grasp. She needed something, anything to distract him, so she could take the woman from him and they needed to get the people the hell out of this creepy place. -
Huntress: Silently as possible, the Huntress loaded a bolt into her compact crossbow and pressed it back into the holder at her waist as she eased inside of the window to the floor.
Looker: Looker had been able to successfully escape the room or so it seemed. She need to find Dracula before it was too late. "Concentrate Emily." The red-head attempted to listen to the voices surrounding her, but the only thing she could here was a crash back in the dining room. "Too much noise." Perhaps it was better to find out the source of the disruption. Emily hurried to the staircase railing then slid down the glossed rail. At the bottom she saw the massive amounts of bats and one very large one. Was that? Oh shit. It was the Batman! They weren't exactly on good terms. Now more than ever was the best time to earn his trust. She took control of the bats and lured them towards the door so they could roam about the night freely. "Need my help?" -e-
Dinah might’ve thought she was in the clearing, but one of her previous attackers would seemingly pounce her from behind, without a trace of sound. Its strength would attempt to force her chest to slam into the wall, hopefully weakening her enough that its hands would grip the back of her head and hold her still long enough for it to bite her. It’s thoughts were close enough she could hear it. ~You’re my bitch now…~ a sinister voice as though it had achieved victory over a helpless sheep. His hands were by no means holding or restricting her arms or legs giving her free movement of any of them. A second vampire followed behind but, watched in anticipation. <c>
Dracula pulled Vicki Vale with him into his bedroom chamber where he placed his hand upon her cheek and kissed her lips. He bumped his forehead against hers and whispered. “Go, I will come for you my love.” And like the zombie she he had made, Vicki would enter a dark secret passage that Dracula would close. He then went out of the bedroom through another access point making his way to the main hall of the mansion. The labyrinth of a castle design made his escape all the more elusive and made it difficult for the vigilantes to fight superhuman beings.
Batman thrashed his fist across one vampire’s face throwing them backwards, he spun and roundhouse kicked another across the face. When Looker spoke, Batman growled. “Clear out his soldiers! I can’t stop all of them alone.” Looker would be able to see, Batman was moving faster than any human previously thought they could. His reflexes were barely slower than the vampires, but still he kept up with their heightened condition. A skull bash to another vampire’s face knocked them onto the ground. “Look for wooden stakes or silver.”
Black Canary: dinah didn't find any hostages as she searched. But then she heard a noise, her body stiffened and she got into a fighting pose. she turned around with with an elbow in motion but was grabbed by the swiftness of the vampire and was slammed into a wall causing her to drop he wooden stakes with a loud clatter. Sure the vampire was strong, but she was tough, the wall hardly phased her. As she felt him against her back, his breath on her neck, her lip curled up in discuss as she could feel him in her mind talking to her, with his assumed victory. She whipped her head back, smacking him in the forehead, letting him hold her as she pulled her legs up to thrust off the the wall, rocketing into him, so they would topple onto the floor. she rolled and straddled the vampire, pinning him, with a move that would make any wrestler proud and gave him a strong right hook as her left hand reached out and picked up one of the scattered stakes. "No. You're my bitch now." <c>
Black Canary: she growled and slammed the stake into his chest. she looked up to see the other vampire. "Ready to join your friend, or would you rather show me where the hostages are?" <e>
Erzebeth: Vicki was driving herself insane. She had heard a voice, but whose was it? "Bruce? Bruce! BRUCE!" The woman spun in circles in one of the hallways. The illusion was much more real to her now than before. It seemed like the longer she stayed within this illusion the more likely she would give up on escaping. That had to be his plan. Dracula wanted to wear down her spirit until she gave up. "To Hell with that!" Vicki would give anything to see Bruce again. Having him on her mind would never break her spirit. -e-
Huntress: Huntress stepped softly as she moved after Dracula and Vicki, waiting until they turned a corner to press her back against the wall and peer around the side of it. Taking note of what room they moved into, the young woman moved down the hall and slipped inside of a room, closing the door until she could just peak through the crack and waited. He hadn’t come out of the same door, but surely if his place was under attack he wouldn’t just leave it up to those guards that he had. Holding her breath Huntress slipped back through the open door and walked into the bedroom, reaching up and turned her detective vision on as she looked around. Had he left with her again? No, he would hide her, wouldn’t he? Looking at the wall she paused then moved over to it, fingers slipping along the hidden passageway until she could find the trigger to open it. Breaking it down, blowing it up would be stupid and she wasn’t about to draw any more attention to herself.
Looker: Looker tossed the Batman one of her blades with a grin. "Unlike some people I came prepared." To her surprise she was grabbed from behind. Her first response was to flip the halfling over until she could take her second blade into hand and stab him right in the heart. Soon the man was nothing more but a pile of dust. "Right. Pay attention." The red-head pulled off a leg of a wooden chair and began to taunt a herd of at least five halflings. "That's right...follow me." She lead them to an isle of chairs where they lined up perfectly. Using her telekinesis she managed to pierce the line of vampires with the leg of the chair till it reached the heart of the last vampire.
The vampire was surprised but then shook his head. “There are no hostages…There is only us and them. By the end of tonight, everyone in here will be with us, even you!” The vampire leapt at Dinah attempting to pin her down by the shoulders so that it could bite her throat. <c>
Huntress would just have to push the wall and it would slide forward allowing her access to a staircase that would lead her down into a dark tunnel that was chilly. Stone stairs spiraling down with a frozen draft made her feel as though she were entering the depths of Hell where the fire was so hot it felt cool to the skin. She would likely shiver herself to the point of sweating. At the bottom it would lead to a maze of tunnels that seemed to stretch for miles but, detective vision would immediately spot a trail of foot prints going in every direction, with one direction having multiple foot prints traveling it.
Batman caught the blade and spun to avoid being hit, swinging his arm he stabbed one vampire in the heart vaporizing them, immediately he slashed another vampire’s hand causing them to flinch and opening an opportunity for him to stab them in the chest vaporizing them into dust. He cut another vampires hand off before twisting and quickly arming his batclaw to shoot a claw behind Looker, the grapnel latched onto a vampire’s head allowing Batman to tug them down onto the ground placing them at knee height for Looker to execute them. He would need to call it out; as her heightened senses would pick up the vibration of the vampire landing on the ground behind her. <c>
Batman retracted the claw and slashed another vampire’s throat. An additional soldier punched Batman and threw him backwards forcing the blade to drop and Batman to tumble backwards. Three vampires rushed Batman; two gripped Batman’s arms and held him down while the third prepared to bite the detective. His gaze didn’t leave them but, he spoke calmly. “Do you hear that?” ~BEEEP!!!~ Snapflashes planted on their persons would explode throwing them away from Batman. He would look to Looker and adjust his cape. “Clean up here. I’m going after Dracula. Make sure Dinah Lance and Helena Bertinelli got out safely.” Batman fired his grappling hook towards the second floor and flew up to pursue Dracula.
Black Canary: Dinah frowned, apparently this guy was a low level recruit and had no idea about the man-bat, but his comment and confidence made her glower at him. They wanted to make them all join their ranks! Not if she could help it! She huffed as the vampire lunged at her, so obvious, these guys just had no true form to their fighting relaying solely on their strength and speed. She went down with his lunghat her shoulders, tucking her legs in and rollign with it, doing a backwards sommersault, using the momentumn as her feet slipped up to his gut and gave a hard kick, trying to knock him into the wall behind her. a hand sweepign back to grab another table leg as followed her momentum, landing on her feet and rocked to stand up. she then charged the vampire to thrust the stake into his chest. "I belong to no one! I'm the black canary! and your time is up!" <e>
Huntress: She walked into the tunnel slowly, adrenaline spiking up as she pushed the panel closed behind her and continued forward her heartbeat thumping firmly in her chest. It was dark, but she didn’t worry about it as the detective vision let her see clearly and as she started down the stairs she wrapped her cape tightly around herself and clenched her teeth together in an effort to control her shivering. Old injuries ached in protest of the cold, and her bones seemed to rattle as sweat dripped slowly down her spine in the suit. ‘Thank God for the upgrade.’ She thought of her suit and the fact that her only skin exposed to the air was that where the mask didn’t cover and was more grateful than ever. Crouching down she looked at the footprints then looked forward before she walked to follow the path with multiple footprints. Huntress considered calling out to Vicki but once again thought better of bringing attention to herself and instead continued down the seemingly neverending path silently.
Looker: "Diana France and Helen...Helen?" What were the names? Emily was now busy picking off the last of the so called "army". "Maybe it was Ellen." She gave a slash to the face of a chick who really needed a good tanning on the beach. "Bert..." This time a kick to the face sent Emily backwards. "Fuck that." Looker lunged at the chick till her blade ripped through the woman's neck. "More or less picked up. Let's see if I can find these chicks." The red-head flew through the hallways now picking up on the heartbeat of a young female. "It'll be a pain to find her in this mess. Let's see if I can set up a link." Looker separated the voices she heard this time. This girl sounded nervous so if she could focus on a voice like--Bingo. 'Helena Bertinelli.' Said a voice within the young woman's mind, 'Don't be alarmed, my name is Looker. Batman sent me to find you. Can you pinpoint your current location?' -e-
The vampire would be stabbed in the chest and die immediately from Dinah’s stake. In the tunnels Huntress would follow a confusing winding path corners, and blocked off pathways narrowing down where she had to go all the more when she found it-…Detective vision picked up a little girl chained to the wall by her wrists, her skin was pale, her blonde hair ragged and seemingly fallen out due to malnourishment. She was turning into a skeleton metaphorically speaking. Her head dangled almost lifelessly, it was the pain that ran through her that kept her conscious and unable to fade off into the next world. Her neck and legs were bleeding but some patchs were placed crudely over her wounds to keep her alive. Another person was next to her, suffering the same although they were an adult man in slightly better condition. <c>
Around the corner would lead into a dungeon chamber. Her detective vision would pick up 20-30 people shackled to walls with their arms held above their head as they sat upon the cold floor. One exoskeleton was far different; it was large and had wings attached to its arms. Leathery ears pointed on each side of its head. Feet that looked furry and clawed. Man-Bat had tubes prodding into his arms siphoning his blood into a bucket that vampire soldiers were extracting and moving into another chamber room.
Black Canary: Dinah smirked as the vampire ashed before her eyes. She picked up the other two stakes with a flourish. going back the way she came looking fot the third vampire. I f she didn't see him she would dash towards a stair case looking for guests. If thevampire was right, they were all endager. Perhaps she might stumble upon Helena, Vicky, or Bruce. The night had just started and she was going to stop thse fangbangers from turning any more innocents! <e>
Erzebeth: Vicki was now more angry than anything. She pulled out her glock and began shooting at windows to see if they'd break. Normally she was resourceful, but this magic was stupendous. How could she ever break this sort of spell? Unfortunately she had no experience with this sort of thing. Bruce would know what to do. Maybe that was it! Maybe she had to think like Bruce. -e-
Huntress: “Never ending.” She whispered into the cold and dark, gloved fingers moving out to brush along the wall lightly as it narrowed down. Suddenly she heard something, or rather…her mind did and she paused mid stride and narrowed down her eyes behind the lenses covering them. ‘Get the hell out of my head.’ Came the rude reply as she turned her thoughts to the bats she had seen fallen upstairs, focusing on how they looked, the texture of the wings, of anything but where she was and who she was. Batman sent someone to invade her mind? To look for her? She was in the layer of a vampire, probably surrounded and she wasn’t about to trust some random ass mind message in the midst of all of this. Continuing to walk she came into the room and her eyes landed on the little girl and instantly red filled her vision, white hot anger burning down into her stomach so intense she completely forgot the cold. -
Huntress: Reaching up she touched her cowl and wondered if from where ever she was she could reach someone over the communicator there. “B, Songbird, I need…” What did she need? Looking around she saw the other people and tightened her jaw. “You to find me a way to get the hell out of here with a bunch of people in tow. I’ve got Langstrom.” She whispered and then she moved forward to the little girl and quickly pulled out her lock pick kit, taking off the shackles and crouching down, removing her cape and wrapping it around the child. “Stay with me.” Huntress whispered as she laid her down gently and moved into the dungeon, drawing her crossbow.-e-
Looker: "Rude!" Looker tossed her hair to the side. 'Don't trust me? I'm Vicki Vale's friend from work. You might know me as Emil Briggs since 30% of your closet contains my brand of clothing. Don't worry, that's the only thing I took a peak at. TMI ruins my image entirely.' As long as she could keep the girl's voice in her head Emily could find her. Why was the mansion such a fucking maze? 'Don't move, I'm coming to get you.' Now she had her. Helena was only a few yards away. Looker could picture her exactly. -e-
“It won’t matter.” A voice spoke from behind Huntress, Batman stood observing the scene. “We’re in the vampires’ lair. They’re not going anywhere…She needs you.” Batman stared at Huntress, as the freezing young girl was rapidly fading due to extreme cold. Batman was either completely cold blooded or holding back a dam of emotions as he spoke softly, but very pointed. “Don’t let her go alone like this.” Batman had given up hope on the girl’s survival and he moved to the man next to the little girl, clenching the cape for warmth with barely any strength. Batman released the man’s hands and placed them onto the prisoners lap. “This kind of torture is inhumane. The kind of stuff King’s would subject prisoners to during the crusade, that’s over 700 years ago.” <c>
It was then Batman looked at Huntress and held out a device. “You entered the sewers without placing one of these at the entrance…Down here your communicator has no signal. This relay will create a hub to the outside world.” Batman armed his cryptographic sequencer and revealed a map of Gotham, Huntress would be able to see that they were located under the North Gotham bay. “These tunnels run under the water…that explains why it’s so cold. ”
Story By: Batman
Heroes: Batman, Huntress, Vicki Vale, Phantom Stranger, Red Hood, Black Bat
Villains: Dracula
Plot: A centuries old count once thought of a myth, returns to the living and sets his sights on Batman and his Kingdom. Meanwhile Batman struggles to solve another mystery given to him by the Phantom Stranger.
Transylvania, 1814…A coven of men stood surrounding a coffin where a man staked through the heart laid at his final rest dressed in a tuxedo of an ancient era, his hands were folded neatly over his stomach as his pale skin and gave him the appearance of undead. Oily black hair groomed like a ball of yarn twisted about his head. The group of men looked between each other and then picked up a stone cover and placed it on top of the coffin. A man dressed in an over coat and large hat over looked the resting place. “May this monstrosity never rise again and less this tail of what has happened here remain a secret. Fore words about the evil that lies here, shall attract followers seeking to unlock prison. May God have mercy on us all should the beast contained here, ever escape.” A roll of thunder scurried in he background outside the castle walls. The doctor dressed in the overcoat looked to a nearby man, worn only of simple dress jacket, shirt, and stitched pants. “You are a local man, what was your name?” “Dumitru Arcane.” “Very well, Mr. Arcane…” The doctor stepped close to Dumitru, their breath drawing upon one another as the Doctor spoke with an amount of firmness that shook the foundation of Dumitru. “The creature that is buried here must never be allowed to leave. It will be your family’s duty to safeguard and keep this so that….no one knows where they can find this creature. Tell only but the most trusted, not even your spouse. This is not her burden, it is yours.” Dumitru’s gaze looked into the doctors eyes and gave a solemn nod. The sinking feeling of death churned in his stomach knowing that this was a task he did not want to make a mistake with. The doctor turned and began walking up a stone set of stairs where his coven of men began to follow.
Gotham City, 2014…’November holds a special and deep place in my heart, it’s frigid are in the hills around Gotham only remind me of the day my parents died. The day I was introduced to fear and the supernatural associated with it. Someone once told me: “You always fear what you don’t understand.” Those words have set me on a path to understand what fear is and how to control it. My fascination for understanding the criminal’s mind, to turn fear against those who prey on the fearful. I think about this every now and again, sitting alone in the darkness of Wayne Manor. Whenever I feel like giving up, I realize that I can’t. The moment I stop and take off my cowl, it is the moment some poor child will find themselves in the shoes of Bruce Wayne in Crime Alley at 8 years old. I’ve taken this role to draw the attention of evil, to be their target and avoid casualties of hurting innocence. <c>
This life I live has to be one alone; to bring others into it only endangers them. My followers are loyal and I don’t doubt most of them would die for me if I gave them the command. For the past two years, my life has met challenge after challenge and I can feel Phantom Stranger’s warning…Something big is coming and Gotham City is ground zero. This family is growing, is it fate? Destiny? The only thing I can be certain of is the fact that this ‘family’ is being forged again after falling apart in my absence. It will take our combine strength to endure whatever lies ahead of us…Sooner or later I’ll have to bring everyone in; all of them, and explain what Phantom Stranger meant with his warning, hopefully it won’t be too late.‘ Bruce lifted the pen and gently placed it down upon the large journal book and folded its pages shut before standing and leaving the darkness of his living room.
The docks were quiet as the ship was unloaded; two men carried a coffin off the ship, the men placed it down upon a hand cart. Labeled “Monster’s coffin” As the men placed it onto the truck they opened the container to gasp as the scent of aged flesh leapt at them, staring for a moment they seemed surprised. “That looks real…” “Yeah but, there’s no blood.” One of the crewmen reached out and pulled out the stake within the creature’s heart prompting its eyes to open and startle the two men. “What the hell?!” His gaze turned to beam upon both men, one reaching for a weapon before stopping. A hypnotic gaze leered at the first man paralyzing them, as the second armed a knife only for the vampire’s arm to stretch and grasp the worker by the throat. Shifting his gaze to the second man he exchanged gazes and released him. Both workers stood by dumb founded and clueless as they were in a hypnotic state. The vampire slowly spoke “<I…understand…> Now.” In the following days the Father of Vampires would stake out new territory within Gotham. It would be only a day or two before the disappearance of people were beginning to arouse attention.
Hemingway expedition exhibit - a fundraiser where the news media swarmed and most of Gotham’s popular and high class gathered. As Commissioner Gordon arrived with police officers, a gathering of reporters moved closer to speak. “Commissioner! Where are you with your search for the ‘vampire killer’ ?” “Is this the work of Man-Bat? Is he back in Gotham?” “Is the Batman working on this case with your unit?” Detective Bullock shot forward and pushed a few reporters out of the way. “Scram you mooks. Give the man some space!” “I’m not here to discuss police cases or recent criminal activity. I’m here as security and to insure the safety of Gotham citizens. Enjoy your evening.” Inside the party, Bruce Wayne stood by a display case of stuffed tigers, a podium of details and note book detailing the species and research obtained. Bruce casually flipped through the pages; his large masculine features were concealed beneath a black business suit and white dress shirt.
Erzebeth: Vicki stepped out of a cab after paying the driver a small tip. She had been notified about the exposition later than expected. Gotham's favorite talkshow host had to attend all of the hottest scenes in Gotham. Tonight, was the acception. She had gotten a tip from one of the generous donators that a certain billionaire would be on the prowl. It couldn't have been more perfect. In what little time there was to get ready, she was able to pull off a trendy look. An emerald-green dress made from silk seemingly streamed down to the ground like waves of absinthe being poured out of a bottle. "I don't see your name on the guest list--" "Oh you don't?" There was an oddly placed man at the doorway who had been taking the names of each guest. Until he recognized the enraged eyes of the former reporter he stood firmly before the door. "Right this way, Ms. Vale." -e-
-Bruce’s gaze stared out into nothingness when his attention was snapped to by the voice of someone passing by. “Is that Vicki Vale?” Bruce blinked a few times and turned to look over his shoulder, his blue eyes bold and fearless searched for the talk show hostess and former reporter. He began walking towards the bar to grab himself a glass of water to help clear his throat of growing thirst. His gaze spotted Vicki and locked onto her, following her every move even while raising the glass of water to his lips.- ‘I didn’t expect to see Vicki here…It’s been a long time, I’m sure we’re both glad she didn’t see me in a crippled state.’ He leaned to his side where a pillar sat giving him a support to lean his broad shoulders against and hold up his frame.-
Erzebeth: As if she couldn't spot him out of the corner of her eye. Vicki turned as though she were walking towards Bruce when in fact she stopped to talk to another man. "Good evening, sir. I couldn't help but wonder if you've ever been a guest on a talkshow? You seem to have all of the right--" Vicki paused to look at Bruce then down at the man's shoes. "--qualities we are looking for. If you don't recognize me, my name is Victoria Vale. I'm the talkshow host of The Scene. You've probably scene our recent reviews. We have a very large audience filled with bright men like yourself." She knew how much of a kiss ass she was being. It was all according to plan. That snake-like look traveled all the way to Bruce. Only now would Vicki let him exchange glances with her. "Excuse me." Cutting the conversation short, her silk dress began dancing with her towards Bruce. "You're looking promising for an invisible man."
Red Hood: Vampire Killer, a strange term that had caught the attention of someone who would (normally) have not paid it much mind. However Jason Todd, the ex-Robin now known as Red Hood, had become more entangled in the mystical world of creatures of darkness. The vanishing act of so many had caught the attention of the police, and of that particular member of the Batman Family. 'Is it an Untitled?' The creatures that Red Hood gave himself to hunting had come to mind right away, and thus, the reason he now stood atop a roof watching a few girls working the street corner. What? Who better to be snatched away than a nearly defenseless hooker. 'Nearly. That's what you're here for.' Unknowing bait was the best kind, and the only way that Hood could think to begin his search. 'Could ask Bats for help you know. Or at least a lead.' The voice was annoying, and shut out with the faintest of mental growls. -c
Red Hood: c- Though Hood had picked to change, to give himself a new start in life as a member of the All-Caste and renounce his ways of pointless killing...Well, there were just some lines that even he wasn't yet ready to cross, and some bridges that were not yet rebuilt fully. Trust was a hard thing to earn when it was destroyed, and those two particular men had a lot of building to go. There were others though, others in the family that Red Hood had worked with, had created some sort of...Bond with. But right then, he knew not where said members were and was just fine with letting them find him. Well, in this case, letting 'her' find 'him' if she chose to.
The murders described the men who were killed as two bite marks in the throat, similar to bite marks found in some criminals only a year ago, but strangely enough these victims were also strained of blood; their wrists cut, police believe for purpose of selling the blood on the black market for gunshot wounds and other medical needs for criminals. Clearly the police didn’t give into the idea of vampires and given Gotham’s reputation for strange “Supervillains” it was likely a masked freak posing as a vampire as their theme. So far no women were found dead to the “Vampire Serial Killer.”
Black Bat: Surveillance flooded the scene of the murder. Cassandra Cain observed the pictures and files of the crime scene back at the base. She scowled, attempting to pinpoint the source of the motive and suspect. From collected speculation, they weren't targeting a specific group of people. This lead her to believe that these instances were a spur of the moment ordeal that told her that the criminal was rash and messy with his work. A lack of control in different aspects, depending on how one would perceive of it. Or he sought loners: low-lives who engage in specific activity. Her index tapped the intercom. "He could be desperate." And this didn't mean that it completely influenced the murderer's actions. Even if he took his time with it didn't mean that a sense of urgency or eagerness was absent. And this sudden statement was random -- Red Hood should be used to this by now, however. Seeming that she was aware he was on the case.[C]
Black Bat: "Where are you?" She snatched her mask and put it against her visage. Cassandra stood at the edge of the window sill before leaping off of it. If the ex-Robin had the women covered, she'd occupy the more isolated part of Gotham where illegal activity was imminent. Using her bat rope to lower herself, Cassandra eventually got to her batcycle to get ready to take off.[E]
Red Hood: Red Hood would continue to observe, shifting a bit from where he waited on the rooftops, hand moving to adjust the brown leather jacket he wore around his armor – that tell-tale symbol set in red upon his chest. So far nothing that Hood could gather would suggest that the criminals targeted women, however it was easy enough to deduce that perhaps Crime Alley would become a prime target sooner or later, and the hookers of his youth were still those that the masked Jason Todd felt a need to protect. 'Women and children.' The words caused a slight smirk moments before another voice would tease his ear. Cassandra Cain, the Black Bat as he had quickly come to know her as, had become one of those in the Family that Hood had come to be able to work with, thanks to a bit of trouble caused by the Untitled over seas. Broken from thoughts a hand moved to his hood, pressing where he knew a button would be waiting. -c
Red Hood: c- “Crime Alley. Shit is dead quiet around here.” At that time a criminal, somewhere in the surrounding areas, would pick to shoot a gun – probably some young punk scaring away someone from territory, or something else that really didn't grab at Hood's attention right away. “Well, as quiet as this hellhole ever gets. Whoever it is, they're not picking up on any of the easy bait around here...Yet.” If Black Bat planned to work her own side of the city, Red Hood would continue to explore his options here. Of course with nothing happening that meant he'd begin to wander toward another rooftop, pausing from time to time to observe. “Think whoever the fuck this is, is meta or Untitled?” The question would, of course, be to either himself or his partner on the other end.
A man would approach the three hookers, riding in an SUV. A dialog began to take place between them, if Red Hood was observant enough he may have spotted a police fraternity sticker on the front windshield, conveniently covered from the hooker’s line of sight. The sudden squealing of police sirens echoed stirring the hookers and even the driver as three police cars stormed down the street. “Dispatch to all units, suspect fleeing murder scene at 40th and Bellemont. Description 30’s, white male, pale skin, red eyes, covered in blood. Potentially armed with a knife.” The figure ran through the alleys, only four blocks from Crime Alley, stumbling through the street, his hands were soaked in blood, his eyes were blood red with black pupils dilated and searching for something. His body shivered, his skin was pale, and his canine teeth were sharp fangs sticking out from his teeth, blood dripping as he searched for something to eat. <c>
He staggered left and right before diving into an alley where he began climbing over a fence, roughly making it to the top, he fell dropping down onto the alley floor where he crawled towards the street, but he covered his eyes as the light was blinding him…too bright…too blinding!
Black Bat: Prompt silence met the question. Enough to have the chances of him pondering probable. Larceny in blood and the visual evidence left behind it made her pause. "I don't think it's the Untitled." She spoke before tapping into the police's intercom and attentively listened to their reports surreptitiously while conversing with her partner. Though the volume was lightly lowered. "This is too bold for the Untitled; it's not their mo...dus op--erandi." She claimed, somehow managed to memorize the term. "The slit wrist and blood drain along with dumping bodies nearly waiting to be discovered. Not to mention the puncture wounds on their neck....I don't think it's them." She scowled. "I don't remember them acting like -- " The acuity of her hearing fixated on the sudden report of a suspect near Red Hood's location. Black Bat immediately took a sharp left and the bike screeched. He didn't seem to quite circumvent the GCPD, thus she took advantage of the directional indications. {c}
Black Bat: Eventually, her vehicle came to a halt and she used her rope instead to capture the silhouette. Cassandra swung using both her leg muscles and used the walls of the narrow alleyway to skid downward. Using her batrope as a lasso, it'd propel towards his cranium. It'd tighten around his neck and she'd pull with immense force. Just not enough to cut his oxygen completely. {e}
Bruce continued to watch her, unknown to him she probably enjoyed it when he did it. As she turned to look at him and approach, he too approached her to meet her half way. “I’ve had better days…” He gave a sheepish and a matching shrug. He leaned in closer to her. “You’re looking exceptionally beautiful tonight.” Bruce smirked charmingly at her before taking a sip of his drink and inquiring. “I didn’t expect to see you here, are you alone?” Bruce opened his hand and arm with a gentle wave offering to walk with Vicki if she was inclined to, he would stay on her left as he walked with her towards an Arctic exhibit with wolves, polar bears, and penguins. “How’s your show working out for you? If I weren’t so busy, I’d probably watch you every night…” His words were intended to be suggestive and playful, it was the only way he could engage her without hurting her. Perhaps memories of the ‘good times’ were better explored here and now than dwelling on the ‘bad times.’
Erzebeth: "...I'd probably watch you every night..." Those words looped through her mind a few times before she could use her sharp tongue. "It's okay. I have about thirty-thousand other viewers to worry about. But if you'd like we could include you in our statistics, would you prefer to be listed under viewers who are too good to give a damn?" Vicki picked up a martini off of a passing tray. The olive was promptly stuffed into Bruce's mouth before he could answer. She then tilted her head back to guzzle the drink. After one breath of air her gaze became sullen then vengeful. "I know what you're doing. None of it makes up for what's happened. And if you think you can just walk around Gotham again parading around your pride while I'm on air you're wrong." Heads we're starting to turn towards the two. "We're having dinner next Tuesday. You're picking me up at eight and I expect you to be on time for once in your life."
Red Hood: Real time location updates would be a boon, and when Black Bat notified Red Hood of where she was, he would only smirk and continue to run, aware of just how close he was getting. A pity that the man would miss watching the girl tossed off into a fence like it was nothing, it wasn't often that Hood could get a chance to see the infamous ex-assassin in such a position. 'Time and place, pup.' An aged voice would tease the back of the man's mind, causing him to push harder, timing his grappling gun as well as his final jump and swing. The timing was great, he would come down just in time to watch something enter a house, and spot a familiar figure fast on heels. 'So this is it, huh.' Grappling gun is twisted and the release switch is pressed, allowing the ex-Robin to roll atop the lower-to-earth roof of the house as he did the much taller buildings earlier. -c
Red Hood: c- Of course this wasn't the most silent of landings, but it could readily work in the stealthy Shadow Bat's favor as, at worse, it could draw the creature's attention skyward. “On the roof above you. Making my way inside.” Voice a faint hiss that the communication device in hood would be able to pick up and relay to the woman below. Never skipping a beat the well-trained man would slip from the edge of the roof toward the back of the house, dropping down near a window, trying to get himself into a position where he could locate everyone and see where best to enter the fray at. Left hand was already upon the corresponding pistol at his side, while right was setting away the grappling gun.
The man entered into the home, gripping the beagle by the throat as his teeth opened and held its arm to the side, exposing its throat and chest to his face. He was prepared to strike and bite without expecting to be interrupted, or perhaps his hunger was greater. He bit into the dog causing the beagle to whimper as the vampire drank its blood. Its hands were still shaking and clearly not from the dog struggling to escape, but within a second the dog would surrender and become a victim before long. Psychotic? Unstoppable? One would only find out soon enough.
“I…” He felt the olive get stuffed into his mouth, leaving Bruce Wayne staring dumb-founded, noticed ever so often when appearing like a complete buffoon. He crushed the olive between his teeth, the lingering burn from the martini and the taste of the olive were nothing compared to her words. Then again he should’ve expected that kind of reaction, Vicki was a strong personality, a very attractive feature about her that Bruce liked, perhaps more than he would like to have admitted. “Eight, Tuesday, Don’t be late for once…I’ll be there, I promise.” Bruce’s attention then shifted from Vicki towards a police officer whose radio began to speak. “Dispatch, we have a new suspect fleeing a crime scene…Suspect wearing large cape, witnesses say it looks like a Vampire.” <c>
Bruce smirked at Vicki. “I won’t forget about Tuesday. If you’re still here, I’ll drive you home…” Bruce leaned into Vicki and would attempt to place his lips against her temple if she would allow him, and then he would make his way through the crowd in order to reach his car to change his clothes.
Erzebeth: Vicki folded her arms over chest as Bruce kissed her temple. She was clearly not amused. "If you're not I'll be around long enough to escort you home!" The bartender gave her a look as she approached. Great. It was going to be one of those nights. "Have fun at your costume party." She mumbled to herself. Hopefully the act was spectacular. Bruce couldn't leave her without a babysitter. This was way too easy. After Bruce had walked out the door her footsteps followed promptly. Her cab had been waiting for her in front the whole time. It wasn't exactly a stealthy car, but she would pay the driver very well if he could keep up with her pace. Poor guy was in for the night of his life. "If I tell you to drive you drive fast. I'll pay you double if that other car doesn't see us and triple if you speed." Regardless, Vicki would get her way tonight.
Black Bat: She was sure the thump that briefly resonated would capture the strange man's attention...Voracious appetite didn't stop him. Or he didn't care. Regardless. She took note of the male's notification. The moment the canine's throat was exposed, Cassandra chucked the batarang straight into his back and rolled the flash bangs. Forearm elevated to cover for sensitive hazels. The ringing in her ear reverberated but that didn't phase her action. Again, she rushed and flung more blunt knives towards him - particularly around his feet to prevent an escape route. The discomfort of the wailing had her stumbling against the wall. "Hurry." She said, still managing to keep her composure. If the vampire-wannabe fled? She'd chase. If he defended, despite her phased situation, she'd still fight. Just how well could he take blows? She needed to know what she was getting into. Feet set apart in a balanced stance, she'd wait. {c}
Black Bat: Though it's been a slow progress, the partnership between the two was strong. Especially since they've gotten together to put the Untitled to a complete rest. They were, without a doubt, inhuman. Depending on his abilities and strength, this could be easier or a lot more difficult. Regardless, preparation was key. Where was Batman? {e}
Red Hood: Up to the window Red Hood would stand, just in time to see a poor canine caught in the creature's hold. Thankfully the man was trying to get a grasp on the situation, because it meant that he would be able to see familiar weapons being rolled on the floor – and give him time for a single mental thought; shit. Eyes closed and Hood would be thankful for the fact that the helmet he wore shielded further against the flash bangs that the Family seemed to enjoy using in a bad situation to blind and confuse others. Still it meant that drawing his handgun and firing would be pointless, though he did draw and level it in the general direction. Once the flash and 'bang' aspects were over he would be able to see once more, but right then all Red Hood could do would be to stand ready. Whatever this creature was, if it ran he would be off to either side of the house and ready to give chase. -c
Red Hood: c- If not, he would still be there listening to the world around them, trying to keep focus and do what he could to assist Black Bat. It was strange, but the two seemed to work best like this; each supporting one another when the time was right, letting whoever was 'in the lead' take point. It worked, and it had helped them take down creatures far from human, very much akin (in their own way) to the little vampire that they now fought. Well, 'vampire' fit the current mindset better than assuming it was the real deal.
The vampire heard the clattering of the flash bomb and felt the stabbing of the batarang, stirring it to scream within the darkness of the house. It dropped the beagle leaving it in a state of paralysis as its hands opened and revealed razor sharp nails that would turn on Black Bat, stomping towards her his arm lashed out towards her aiming to decapitate her. “AAAAARRRRRRRRRR!!!!” His swings were reckless, his face shriveled and surging with vanes muscles with those bloodshot eyes raging on. His two sets of fangs were leaking blood and his arms that were once thinner in appearance suddenly became bulky and masculine. “RAAARRR!!!” His first swipe would break the drywall while also swinging to break Black Bat’s head off of her spine, due to its slightly larger muscle mass and the nature of its reaction, Black Bat would have more reaction time as opposed to before.<c>
It was no sooner that Vicki Vale entered the cab that another man opened the door and slipped in next to her. “Excuse me…pardon. Mind if we share a faire?” The man wore a tuxedo underneath a black cape with a red in-lining to it, his hair slicked back and oily. “Hey…I know you, don’t I? You’re the lovely Miss Vicki Vale, aren’t you…” His eyes held an onyx opal within the center with a soft maroon shaded ring surrounding it. “Damian Arcane, chemist and medical researcher.”
Erzebeth: Well that was rude. And that was the pot calling the kettle black. "Please, Mr. Arcane, I would love for you to join me." Her plans were officialy ruined. "Do we still have a deal or not, sweetheart?" The cab driver turned to look at Vicki and the stranger. "How 'bout you? Where are you going?" Now she held her head in her hand. This guy must have been one of Bruce's babysitters. Oh well, at least it wasn't Alfred. "Alright! Enough! Take me home then! If Bruce wants to keep playing games I'll leave it alone until our date. Mr. Arcane it's really a pleasure to meet you, but if Bruce has really put you up to this I apologize on his behalf. He finds me to be such a child." The cab driver lurched the car forward having finally lifted up the parking break. "You don't have to be here." Why couldn't Bruce trust her? She was perfectly capable of handling things herself just as she had always done.
He leaned back and tilted his head in confusion. “I beg your pardon? Bruce? I assure you, I’m here on my own account and by my will no one else’s. Do you require safekeeping from Bruce? I have my own private security that could protect you.” He seemed confident; looking to the driver he spoke. “The Violet Mansion, please…” Reaching into his pocket he pulled out the appropriate amount and handed it to the driver. “Keep the change.” He shifted in his seat, turning to face Vicki Vale, to study her further his eyes seemingly enthralled by her. “I suppose this venue was not particular to your taste?”
Black Bat: Speculation proceeded in the fit of the incessant rage inundating the creature. The solid, immovable posture belied the underlying velocity awaiting. She was as equally inexorable as the vampiric being, except the collected, level-headed state of mind gave her an advantage. Lids narrowed to slits in an ominous and hard stare. At the first strike, he missed. She didn't flinch. The grotesque muscles rippling underneath his garment made it more vapid -- this could be a facile victory. However, she was intelligent enough not to underestimate a villain such as him. Weapons? Equipped and ready in her utility belt. But for now? Their sole occupation was to remain there. Especially if she could redeem the faltered attempt at a flip earlier. Red Hood would be there. Did she trust him completely? No. Did she trust him with her life as a partner? Yes. Regardless, she didn't rely on others. {c}
Black Bat: Coordinated muscle movement reacted with enough celerity to be a challenge, but she processed the intent as fast as it came. Cranium ducked while the flexibility of her back helped aid the evasion of the blow. And immediately, digits curled around a large, large block that crumbled due to the impact. Within a fraction of a second, and dead-accuracy, it would be flung towards his face. The slow motion would be activated, naturally, Thus why it was a distraction. The average-sized, lengthy pipe had been broken free from its exposed position and if all went well. Once his attention re-fixated on her smaller frame, the newly obtained item would be firmly plastered along the small of her back with a flattened hand in front of her. Again, not a second was wasted before her movements became a complete blur. She'd twirl and swing it along the base of her palm. It was a fluid, confident, and unfazed dance. Appendage came above her cranium and towards his face -- again, another decoy. {c}
Black Bat: Her whole body would jerk back in case he fell for it then strike at an opening, straight towards his abdominal muscle. At this point, she moved to the side; Black Bat never kept the same position. There were no patterns to her movement. They were random. And hopefully, unpredictable. And while she kept him busy? While feeding onto his rage? Red Hood would have a huge advantage. {e}
Erzebeth: Violet Mansion? Wasn't that the second most expensive mansion next to Bruce's? Perhaps Vicki would be able to get a story from a different billionaire. "I was there for business. Not pleasure. It would seem that my time was wasted by someone who did not have in interest in my program. You wouldn't happen to know of any other billionaires running around Gotham and willing to be interviewed exclusively, would you?" It was easy to tell that Damian could be swayed easily by each move she made. Bruce was the same way. Every time she crossed her legs or crushed his balls with the tabloids Vicki could not cease her charm. She adored every minute of her triumph in a patriarchal society like Gotham. One day people would see her more as just an attractive talkshow host, but for now she simply needed to prove to Bruce that he was missing out on more than just a social life.
Damian smirked confidently. “Billionaire, maybe not…But someone far more interesting than any man could be. His eyes released a hypnotic gaze into her eyes, a seductive lure that would attempt to intrigue her regardless of what he would say. “I believe tonight would be…fascinating to have you for company. And I hope you find it more pleasure than business. Certainly more dazzling than this place and these gentlemen.” It was then a loud BANG smashed onto the hood of the taxi causing Damian to quickly search the windows for what happened…
Police sirens echoed as a large wings flapped through the air, followed by a large black clad figure lands upon the hood of a car next to the cab. Batman leapt into the air and aimed his grappling hook to fire it. A grinding whistle of steel launched forward with a winding wire wrapping around the large leg of a furry man with wings. “Oracle, I’m in pursuit of Man-Bat. He’s heading West bound…he seems enraged and out of control…The tranquilizers I have on me won’t be strong enough to stop him. I need something to stop him.” The echo-location of Man-Bat detected the presence of five converging onto his location…Batman was but the last of his worries. The large Man-bat shook his leg attempting to free himself of Batman while its arms with thick leathery wings flailed with impressive strength that forced gusts of wind.
Black Canary: Black Canary was patroling the East Side of Gotham, a lot of gang activity had been going on lately. A side affect of their leader's own ambitions. She was just glad there were no holiday themed crimes this year. Which caused her to think about Thanksgiving already, she wondered if she could try to get everyone together again this year... she remembered last year. 10 plates to go, which she had to drop all about the city. she hunched and drew her jacket about her, it was getting cold. she was glad she put on insulated layers under her fishnets tonight. she tapped her earpiece. "Hey Oracle. Things are pretty quiet over here tonight, need help with anything?"
Erzebeth: Vicki found each of his words to slowly drip with promise of more than just an interview. Using a recording device probably wouldn't go well with the younger audiences at home. "I would love to--" Her body suddenly jolted forward until the seatbelt snapped back and held her hostage against the leather seat. "What in the world was that?" The reporter in her forced her to take off the belt so that she could open the window. Forget about the interview. What made him so interesting anyway? Now there was something better to put on her show. There was never a day in Gotham that any normal news happened. People deserved a story from the mouth of someone who had directly been involved. Who could be better than the dashing talkshow host Vicki Vale?
Oracle: The huffs of breath left her in controlled patterns. Oracle pulled up and leapt into the air, feet switching under her to land back down, one leg drawn up to her chest and the other stretched back, holding her up on the ball of her foot. Flying leopard stances, they were key to her daily exercises, and helpful beyond belief. But they were so very difficult. The muscle burn was familiar, painful but welcome at the same time. It's warmth spread through her abs and legs as her chest burned with her lungs working hard again to keep up with the vigorous activities again.
Oracle: She continued on with her workout, leaping up, landing, breathing, leap, land, breathe. From her desk not far behind her, the speakers called out with the dark voice she'd come to see as a mentor and friend. Batman, and he sounded a bit trying. Taking a few collective breaths, she stood, closing the distance to the desk and checking the screens. Man-Bat, she'd known he was out and about and stirring, but he seemed to be causing a bit more trouble than appreciated.
Oracle: Her graceful fingertips picked up the comm piece and slipped it into her ear, connecting with Batman as she made her way to dress quickly. “If you wanted a drugs, you should probably seek out 6th Avenue. I’ll be there in a moment.” Humor, it kept her feeling like herself. It had been awhile since she’d been able to go out, and the times she had, they’d been quite calm. A couple of thugs, an arrest here and there, but she was rusty, and that wasn’t anything that couldn’t be fixed, especially with more time out.
Oracle: She finished pulling on her cowl, flipping her red locks out just as Dinah’s voice came through. The Batgirl slipped from the sanctuary of her clock tower home and out into the streets of Gotham, following the way to aid Batman, the proper tranquilizers equipped as he’d asked. “As a matter of fact, Canary, yes. I’m about to help Batman play veterinarian, care to join?” (e)
Damian’s mouth dropped open. “My…What is that?” He said questioning to Vicki, who was resident of Gotham and he was clearly from out of town. His gaze watched the two fly through the air and into the distance as police sirens followed in pursuit.
Man-Bat swung his leg spiraling Batman into a light post, the grappling line attached to Batman’s belt allowing Batman’s hands to focus on wrestling the wire to control Man-Bat. “Grrr!” Batman gripped Man-bat with all of his muscle, this caused Man-Bat to surprisingly cave in and fly into a wall where he flew out of control until eventually landing upon a parking garage. The Man-Bat fell and rolled upon the ground while Batman’s wings opened to allow him to glide. Perks of the lazerus pit…Batman felt stronger, faster, more in tuned with his senses. That same experience he shared with Barbara to heal her wounds. She didn’t seem to receive the same benefits he did, but she did regain control of her legs and for that he was grateful. Landing upon the rooftop Batman gripped the wire and shouted at Man-Bat. “Doctor! Stop! Let me help you!” <c>
Batman began walking towards Man-Bat, looking at Batman his hissed and tugged his attempting to break free, but the dark knight was strong. “Kirk, let me help you, please!” “Bat…Man…” Man-Bat spoke with confusion and a certain softness. “Yes, Doctor you must control yourself! Get control!” “NO!!” Man-Bat kicked the wire causing Batman to snap backwards and into a kneeling position. “Hsss!” was a new sound that drew Batman’s attention. He stopped and looked around….five newcomers appeared dressed with street clothes, no particular outfit but each had large red eyes, sharp finger nails, skinny and pale skin. Three of them leapt at Man-Bat, large vampiric fangs latched onto his thick arms where they bit into him causing blood to squirt out of his vanes. A horrific screech released from his mouth as the vampires latched onto him and began to drain him. <c>
Batman clutched his teeth and reached into his belt to hurl three batarangs that swiftly stabbed into three of the vampires to release an electronic pulse causing them to fall off and scream. Man-Bat grabbed one of the remaining leeches and hurled them away with all of his strength. The final remaining vampire punched Man-Bat in the stomach before grabbing his head and forcing it to meet his knee, this knocked Man-Bat onto the ground. The Dark Knight charged forward and delivered a flying high-kick into the fifth vampire throwing them backwards and landing him right next to Man-Bat who snarled at Batman. Batman glanced over his shoulder and spoke. “I understand now, Doctor. I’ll protect you, stay behind me.” The three crippled vampires rolled away and shook off the shock affects. Suddenly it was 5 against two as Man-Bat stood up. Batman tapped his ear piece. <c>
“Oracle, contact the police department. Tell them to create a parameter. Man-Bat is not the enemy. Back-up right about now would be appreciated.” Batman watched as the five vampires moved at superhuman speed, Man-Bat would leap into the air and kick one before mauling another as the third tackled Man-Bat to the ground. Batman would have two charge him, one from the front which threw punches at incredible speed. With almost no reaction time Batman slapped the fists away in order to deflect them, before spinning to kick the second attacker away from him with a blow to the abs. Batman ducked and weaved to dodge the first attackers slashes.-
Black Canary: Me dinah smirked as she heard the redhead in her earpiece. So Oracle was slippingn out of her ivory tower for what sounds like a night of tracking some kind of beast. She hadn't gotten all the details yet. she knew Batman had been busy with his latest cases and hadn't heard from him. "Sure Oracle, I'll meet you at your target location." she said sliding down a fire escape and dashing to where her bike was hidden behind a dumpster. she revs the engine and sets off. she thought about the progress Barb has been making with both her rehab and their sparring matches. She has been doing well, but keeps finding her going back to old batgirl moves, they just wore her out too fast. But she was clever, often thinking of ways to use her environment to her advantage, which was good, many thugs forgot about that. she even caught dinah off guard a few times. Also that left hook she was working on was pretty vicious. She smiled, proud at that. <c>
Black Canary: She just hoped that Orcale was ready for something more intensive. she arrived near the parking garage that orcale had told her to go towards. Something was going down there were police everywhere, she went around to the side alley and parked her bike and climbed up a fire escape to get on a roof and to leap into the nearby parking garage. she could hear a fight above her and ran for the stairwell,she would end up on side away from the railing, she paused a moment getting a gage of the situation. "I'm here oracle, and batman i'm here too, in the stair well. Do you need back up or some breathing room?" <e>
Erzebeth: "I don't know but I'm not taking a chance by staying trapped in here." Vicki had clearly lost interest in the man. This was probably going to bring her at least a hundred thousand hits on her youtube page. "Smile." Once she had opened the car door she placed herself carefully behind a post office mailbox and began recording the scene. Of course she felt bad for leaving Damian, but now there was action on the streets. He probably understood her need to cover the story. She had no idea why the man was so entrancing before. He probably couldn't have provided her with this amount of entertainment during the interview. Vicki preferred being in the middle of the action. In the face of danger she had no choice but to stare right back into its eyes even if she did face death. She could handle herself more than Bruce believed. Did he even believe that anymore?
Oracle: The cold November air bit at her cheeks as Batgirl raced through the streets of Gotham. The long red waves made a crimson comet’s tail whipping behind her, the undersided yellow of her cape flashing with the stain of color. The Batpod hummed almost silently, maneuvering quite well through the traffic and nearly-empty sidewalks. Idly, she reminded herself that Bruce Wayne was supposed to be a part of the fundraiser behind held, obviously this had taken priority. His balance of his persona as the Gotham billionaire and the Batman were always so astounding to her, two completely seperate men in her mind. And Bruce Wayne gave up so much just to take part in the nights of Gotham. His return had come as a great relief and yet at the same time, displeasure. He was the only Batman, he would always be the only Batman, but she knew what he gave up to become so.
Oracle: His words cut through her earpiece just as she closed in on the last couple of blocks to his location. The tone in his voice suggested a whole game changer, but she wasn’t entirely sure just how. Guess the tranquilizers weren’t going to be the purpose as for now, but she kept them close. Switching over to connect with the GCPD, she linked herself to her father’s personal radio, something she’d set up after getting her hands on it years ago. “Commissioner Gordon,” she called through, voice clipped a little more than usual. She tended to keep it that way with her father, it stood less of a chance for him to recognize her, and easier to see her as just an extension of the Dark Knight. “There’s a situation that requires your attention, the parking garage on Worthington, set up a perimeter but do not engage. I repeat, you are not to engage.”
Oracle: Her batpod pulled around the corner, turning so quickly the back tire spun in its designed rotation to acel her better. Her blue eyes caught sight of Vicki Vale just behind a mailbox for cover, a device out most likely streaming the life feed for her next big story. Oracle would have to edit that information and feed later, making a note silently as she refocused. She took up the ramp to the top of the parking garage and pulled up to find multiple men with strangely red eyes facing off the Dark Knight and Man-Bat just behind him. Batman’s positioning spoke that they might be helping Man-Bat as of now, though who against, she didn’t know. Barbara, reaching the open roof of the garage and facing the fight, fired off a cable net at the two men standing just to the side and about to make their own attack. Just after the net was fired, she aimed the pod at another man and gained speed toward him, lifting up slightly just before reaching him. The Batgirl held onto the handles of her batpodOracle: and swung her lower body out to the side, throwing all her weight into a kick at the man’s head. (e)
Damian took the opportunity to slip out of the cab as Vicki did as well. She went ahead and chased after the scene, but Damian stared towards the sky watching two winged creatures fly above the city lights in an intense battle as a fleet of police cars went into pursuit. Gripping both sides of his suit he began making his way into a dark alley only to vanish as a large brow bat flew from the darkness and into the night sky, following innocently the action that was taking place. He landed upon a rooftop above the situation and watched in entertainment. To a human it was be quite the distance to see, but for his eyes it was almost a front row seat.
“Could use help now!” -Batman snapped at Black Canary, spotting that Batgirl wasted no time in jumping in, the vampire she was caught off guard by her and was struck causing it to roll backwards after crashing into the ground. One vampire stopped attacking Man-Bat and charged at Batgirl. The two fighting Batman continued to circle him, one striking from behind lashed out causing a loud shriek from Batman’s cape as it was torn into by their nails. The other slashed at Batman’s shoulder causing sparks to ignite from the metal grinding against their sharp claws along with a loud shrieking of metal. He grunted in discomfort and then delivered a palm strike to the first vampire’s nose causing them to tumble backwards and then he shot a kick backwards only for that vampire to leap over Batman and kick Batman in the face throwing him into a cement wall forcing him onto the ground. The two attacking Batman turned their attention onto Man-Bat and leapt at him.
Black Canary: Black Canary was at the door and saw the scene unfolding as batman snapped at her. Crap. Batman was holding his own until one flipped over him and give him a kick away from the fight. Damn they were fast, but she had surprise on her side. So they were protecting the big man bat thing... got it. She just hope he handled being starteled well. She dashed in and leapt grabbing the shoulders of the creature as she pushed herself up and over like he was a pommel horse, feet coming up and over to deliver a kick at one. landing on one foot to do a spin kick using her momentum to get the second. "Stay clear of my friend here, that's your warning." she took a deep breathe, glancing at batman and Oracle.
Erzebeth: "Maybe I should just check on him." The phone was propped up against the mailbox as Vicki turned back to the taxi...which was now empty. "Coward." He probably was half-way back home running with his tail between his legs. Figures. "And now back to the story." Her green dress had to be picked up by the skirts this time so she could run quickly back to her hiding spot. Just what were those things? Gotham had a history of freakish characters running around, but these were a little more ghoulish than usual. Those claws didn't belong to any normal creature. Vicki snapped a quick picture with her phone and enlarged it. They had all of the features any normal bat would have. She wasn't about to believe in some stupid fairy tale myth, however, these creatures had a striking resemblence to many horror movie monsters. Nothing could ever make her truly believe in vampires. There had to be some science behind it.
Oracle: She landed the blow and winced when pain lanced up her leg. Her nerves weren’t fully healed, the Lazaraus Pit having done a fantastic job at bringing her back to the ability to walk and move, but it was up to her to practice, to train, to strengthen those muscles and nerves back up to speed. Where she walked out of the Pit barely standing and weak, Batman had returned with excellerated speed and strength. The Pit was never fully understood, and its properties and what it might do to a person...she shook the thought off. The image of a red mask staring back at her angrily, yet, so void of emotion, had her unwilling to follow the thought process any further.
Oracle: Nevertheless, the man she’d kicked went back hard, landing on the cement of the parking garage roof and rolling back just as she saw Batman get slammed back into the wall. If he had his speed and strength excelled as he did, yet they were doing such damage, then these weren’t normal men. The glowing red eyes should have given that idea earlier, but one never knew with strange contacts and other things to alter appearance. Either way, she had to steer clear of getting into the same position as her mentor, he could get back up easier than she could at the moment. Despite her wishing it wasn’t so.
Oracle: A second charged her and Oracle gripped the brake on her batpod, halting the vehicle in a sudden stop. The front wheel jerked in one spot as the back in raised up, meeting her body in the air where she’d kicked the first man. Her feet landed on the pedals with slight force, kicking the pod back down. The back wheel came careening down toward his head where she twisted the throttle in her left hand, spinning the back wheel with a flick of the wrist. The wheel collided with the man’s face and made a terrible screeching noise as it tore at him. They learned fast, that much was clear, but they hadn’t faced against Oracle. She couldn’t oufight them, but outhink them, she might have a chance at.
Oracle: The first man, however, was already back up just as Dinah had cleared the others from Batman. How had he gotten up so fast? She was a bit weak, but that kick should have kept him down a good few seconds longer. It didn’t matter, he was slamming into her now, body colliding with hers so hard it knocked the wind from her. She went sailing back and off the batpod, body hitting the concrete hard as he landed atop her. He was snarling, teeth snapping at her and gurgling noises coming from his throat. Maybe she watched too many zombie movies in her time at the tower, but this seemed a bit too much like it. Yet he wasn’t mindless, they seemed to learn.
Oracle: She threw up a forearm, shoving the tips of her gauntlet into his throat to push him back, but he was so strong. Oracle couldn’t manage pushing him off her, so instead, she tripped the blades in her gauntlet and let them shoot into the man’s throat above her. (e)
Man-Bat wasn’t sure what was happening as Black Canary and Batgirl arrived to fight. As they engaged the vampires it was clear whose side they were fighting for. Man-Bat screamed to empower himself forcing powerful and etched muscles within his thin frame to become bold and more powerful. Three sets of teeth gnawed at him, weakening him by the second it was his last act to grab one vampire and throw them before his vigor ran out and he collapsed. The vampire attacking batgirl would punch the front tire of the batpod causing it to flip and pop up into the air, likely hurling her backwards onto her back as the batpod tumbled over her and threatened to crush her leg underneath its weight. <c>
Black Canary would find the two vampires she attacked were beginning to retaliate soon as Man-Bat dropped. With such speed it would force Black Canary onto the defensive one began throwing lacerating attacks at her which would easily be defended by a frontal guard with her arms. If she didn’t defend the lacerating attacks would cut up her face and skin. The other vampire would slash at her thigh and hip attempting to wound her gravely, his attack approached from her side once more forcing her into the defensive otherwise leaving herself open to their ravaging attacks. Two of the remaining vampires grabbed Man-Bat’s incapacitated body and leapt off the garage rooftop with him, leaving only three remaining vampires.
Black Canary: Black Canary smirked as the two creatures were knocked away by her attack. And then they were back up and were up in her face! Geeze these things were fast. What the hell were they. She put up her arms blocking and defending the slashing attack. And then another came at her side, which was met by a side kick, to knock it away. She couldn't get an attack in edgewise, she was stuck defending herself against these things. She heard a thump behind her and caught out of the corner of her eye manbat getting hauled away. And she heard an awful crash as the batpod flipped. "Oracle!" dammit, Batman was knocked back and he hadn't gotten back into the fight yet and Oracle could be hurt! Okay, fine no more nice songbird! "Guy's if you can hear me, get ready for my highnote!" she called out with a grunt between defensive moves. At this range she could kill someone or at least blow their ear drums. She gave a short shriek turning her head hitting both creatures attacking her <c>
Black Canary: knocking them back and way and sliding a car in to wall. In the parking garage her little shriek echoed on the cement making her ears ring. <d>
Erzebeth: Vicki turned off her video on her cellphone just before a high-pitched shriek hit her ears. The shriek made her fall to her knees on the sidewalk. "What the heck was that?!" There was no way she could film from below the scene. The talkshow host needed to be on top where the action was happening. It wasn't going to be easy finding a spot without getting caught. Vicki ran across the street passed the now empty taxi cab she had once been inside of. She cringed while thinking about what could have happened while she was inside. "This story better be worth it." Her figure could be seen from afar as she scurried forward into the lobby of a hotel that face the parking garage. Each time she stepped her dress threatened to slip beneath her feet. "Stupid thing!" She picked up the skirt of her dress till it reached her thighs so she could run. Her idea was to run into the hotel and take the elevator to the highest floor. From there she could climb onto the roof by using a service elevator if -c-
Erzebeth: they had one. Plan B would be to climb out onto a balcony. Bruce would have yelled her if he knew what she was doing. "What he can't see won't hurt him." Not that she cared or anything. Bruce should stay out of her business. If she wanted to be with him she would tell him herself, not vice versa!
Oracle: The sound of the tire popping surprised her, not only was it loud, but the man had actually been able to pop the batpod’s tire. The vehicle flipped her over and before she knew it, was was trapped. The weight of it slamming down hard, making her let out a yelp. Oh, she felt the pain there, really felt it. Her nerve were awake again after coming back from being in the situation she had been in, she felt again, and right now, she really wished she hadn’t. Barbara gritted her teeth against the pain, against the feeling of being trapped. She turned and watched the Man-Bat be taken away by the men, straight off the roof. What were they dealing with?
Oracle: She struggled to get the weight of the batpod off, trying to use her other foot to lift it up enough but her leg wasn’t cooperating as much as it should have. Barbara chastisted herself silently, really needing the use of her legs back up to her standards. Just before she tried a new tactic, she caught sight of the Black Canary being viciously attacked. Oracle prepared for the high note as best she could, quickly changing the settings on her earpiece inside the cowl. The setting would change so that she could hear only the voices on the comm link, acting as a noise cancellation to anything away from the link. But nothing could really turn off the Canary Cry.
Oracle: The cry let out high and she felt the vibrations in the air, still covering where her ears were under the cowl. There was a slight pain, but it wasn’t nearly what it would have been. After the Cry was done, Batgirl lowered her hands and scanned the roof. It seemed Dinah had taken down the last men, at least for a moment. She turned her blue gaze, finding Batman against the ledge of the roof. She couldn’t tell if he was unconscious or just stunned, but if he was unconscious, he was the priority for protection now, not her, and she hoped Dinah understood. Her gaze flickered where Man-Bat was taken and tried to see how far away the target was before trying to lift hte Batpod with her hands. It took effort, but she lifted it and slid out her leg free, standing gently and checking mentally for the damage. Nothing was broken, but it damn well hurt still. (e)
The Vampires wouldn’t have been blown away by her screech, but the resonating sound echoed like the siren scream of nails raking a chalk board. The vampires turned tail and ran, fleeing with superhuman speed each leapt to follow their kin. Man-Bat and his captors wouldn’t be visible, but the vampires that just fled splintered into different directions. Batman would pull himself up to his feet and quickly move to Batgirl to lift the batpod off of her. “Grr!” He clutched his teeth, the fires of the Lazarus pit came before his eyes while his biceps channeled their strength forcing the batpod to lift allowing Batgirl to escape. “Get out.” Twisting the batpod Batman managed to roll it over to its side. ‘Defend!’ Were the words of a feminine voice. A swift kick towards the abs of Bruce Wayne, prompting him to block the attack from small woman clad in a black and red uniform. <c>
Her sharp narrow eyes piercing deeply at him. Her hair was dark much like his, she was one of the most lethal assassins in the world and the only person he trusted to honor an agreement with him. He snapped to reality and turned his attention to Black Canary. “We’re dealing with vampires…A nest most likely, they are organized…These ones aren’t like the vampires I’ve dealt with before…these ones seemed coordinated.”
Black Canary: Dinah stood there a minute catching her breath seeing the other vampires sprint off so fast, there was no way she could follow them. She walked over to Bruce who was helping Batgirl take the batpod off her. She looked at bruce his eyes seemed distant. She gave a hand to barb and helped her up. "Sorry for the cry guys, I couldn't get them off me... vampires? like b-horror flick drop outs?" she asked bruce, not too surprise that he had encountered vampires before. He had seena bout everything. "So, if they are coordinated they probably serve some kind of vampire lord I take it? Did anyone get a tracker on them?" she asked. "I'm sorry, they got the bat creature, I couldn't get to him in time. What's the plan?" she looked at barb. "Can you stand on your own?"
Erzebeth: The eyes of almost every hotel guest in the lobby gazed upon the sight of Vicki's rampage. "Where the hell is the god damned elevator!?" Was she drunk? She looked drunk. "Miss, the elevator is to the right of our front desk. Shall I help you with your bags?" A bell boy stopped Vicki in her tracks before she caused even more of a ruckus. "No thanks," A small huff was heard as she began shuffling again "Oh. And your parking garage is full!" Each guest gave a look at the bell boy after the stranger had left. "Was that Vicki Vale?" Whispers circled about the room. Never did any of Gotham's citizens ever think she would be so frantic.
Oracle: She struggled with the heavy batpod, trying with all her might before her mentor lifted it. Oracle did as he commanded and slid out from under the vehicle with wide blue eyes. His eyes had changed, lighting up like a set of stars for a moment. The Batgirl watched him so carefully, trying to understand the subtle changes in his posture she’d just seen. She had watched this man as her mentor and friend for years, she knew his mannerisms and understood most of the subtle changes in him and what they meant. But he was acting odd for a moment, even for Batman.
Oracle: She pulled herself to her feet with the help of Dinah, nodding curtly to the blond and muttering. “I’m fine.” Barbara gingerly placed weight on the pained leg and watched the Dark Knight, listening to Black Canary’s questions. “Something tells me these aren’t the kind that sparkle, they weren’t handsome, either.” She added, checking over the rooftop and turning from the two heroes as she searched for clues, keeping off her leg a little more as she examined the scene, giving it time to recoop. (e)
“No, these vampires were new…They have been born in the past 48 hour. They have Superhuman capabilities. We may need to consult the occultists…But the obvious question is why did they take Man-Bat?” Batman’s gaze hardened at Black Canary. “That isn’t just a creature….Man-Bat is nocturnal animal expert and professor of zoology. His research and experiment lead him to studying bats and searching for ways to mutually help each other’s species. He took an experimental serum and mutated into Man-Bat. Doctor Langstrom is a good man; I’ve been working with him as Batman to help him and his work. As much as it may seem otherwise, I consider Doctor Langstrom a reliable ally. “ <c>
“The vampires want him for something, did either of you notice anything about those vampires?” Batman spoke knowingly, clearly he noted something that both of them probably missed in the hype of the situation. A step ahead of both Barb and Dinah, Batman was thinking of Vicki Vale and Bruce Wayne as perfect specimen, if only there was a way….They both had a date coming up, perhaps it would be an opportunity to find the vampires.
Black Canary: She sighed as Batgirl shrugged off her help. she was so damned stubborn sometimes, she noted how she walked and moved gingerly, her leg obviously sore, but didn't say anything. She listened to Batman as he spoke. "Another scientist with a lab accident... I'm glad he has been a good ally. I'm sorry he was taken. Perhaps they need his DNA or expertise?" she thought about Batman's question. "They weren't trying to take us, they had an obvious mission to take Man-Bat. Is that what you mean?" <e>
Erzebeth: Finally the former reporter made it to the top floor of the hotel. "There's got to be a way to the top. I'm not letting this scoop go." Vicki spotted a maid cart near a room marked 430. There hadn't been anyone walking through the halls at the time so she figured she'd look for some keys. "Soap, toilet paper, shower caps...found them!" It shouldn't have been that easy, but luck seemed to be on her side today. After going through the cart she walked around the top floor looking for a service elevator or at least any door labeled "Staff Only". The second to last door just happened to be labeled exactly as such. Perfect timing.
Oracle: She rolled her ankle under her as her blue eyes scanned the blood splatter on the concrete. Barbara stood on the foot, comfortable enough to crouch down on both legs and pull an evidence vial from her belt. Batgirl took up a collection of the blood for later analysis as she listened to Batman and Black Canary behind her. She could tell she’d upset Dinah by not giving her a more fervent answer, but it wouldn’t have helped her cause, especially with her mentor standing right there. She’d taken worse hits and gotten back up before, she could do it again now. Batgirl made her way to the fallen Batpod and knelt, inspecting the back of her Batpod for the damage done.
Oracle: The force it would have taken to flip the Batpod over as it had was immense. “I’ll analyze the blood I collected, see what comes of it.” She leveled her gaze with Batman as she stood back again, favoring her leg just slightly still. “Do you think that Langstrom had anything to do with their creation? Someone stealing his work and altering it?” Though, these men hadn’t been the same sort of creature in her eyes as Man-Bat became. She listened to his question, a typical Batman tone. He was trying to figure out if they had paid as much attention has he had to the situation. Ever the mentor.
Oracle: She briefly went over the situation that just occured and narrowed her eyes, the detective in her on several tracks of thought. “They were after Man-Bat, they not only had him as focus, but they bit him. And they were attempting to drink blood from him I believe, even drinking so much he seemed worn out by such. Perhaps it was just to get him unable to fight back as much, but they seemed rather hungry for it. Do you think they were chasing after something in his blood?” Her blue eyes darted just off the roof and narrowed at the other roof of the hotel across the street. “Vicki Vale.” she muttered, noting that the determined reporter was carrying her electronics. (e)
“They were coordinated…None of those vampires were the same make or design. They were from all kinds of races and background. Keep yourselves on alert, monitor the scanners for any unfolding activity.” -Batman’s attention diverted to Vicki Vale, when Barbara spoke of her. Batman waved off Barb and Black Canary. “I’ll handle this…” -Arming his grappling hook he shot it towards the rooftops and flew up towards Vicki Vale, a large black cape spread open to appear much like an invading predator until his legs landed on the rooftop to look at her. “See anything you like?” Batman’s tone was suggestive and flirty, but his expression was still cold and firm while he allowed his cape to surround his body and wrap him in a veil of blackness.-
Erzebeth: Vicki frowned and pushed Bruce aside. "Yes, but you're in the way." She had wanted to see the other heroes of the night. Women were hardly seen protecting the streets at night and it was time for a new segment on the show. While Bruce had a handsome face, Black Canary and Batgirl were better suited for air time on the show. "Great. They're gone. Do me a favor? Lay off the steak. You're like a brick wall." Her weight shifted left and right till she could see just the edges of Batgirl's cape. "Dammit."
“I see…” Batman spoke in a flat monotone voice before looking over the building skylights and the night sky. “I was referring to the suspects fleeing the scene. These things we’re dealing with aren’t your usual suspects. Something terrible is going to happen to Dr. Langstrom, they’ll probably torture him. You have to stay off this case. You could get hurt and put yourself into more danger than you can imagine.” Batman’s tone was firm while that sharp nose and etched cowl made to express feral rage stared at her with white eyes.-
Red Hood: The dance was as beautiful as it was deadly, and despite the creature being something far more powerful (by Hood's guess) all his money and trust was on the smaller figure currently dancing about. “C'mon.” Barely a whispered breath, not a message to be delivered by something that was to help steady the man. From his current location outside there was no way Red Hood would clear the area in time to help Black Bat, and even if he did he would only get in the woman's way. Instead he would put to work that leveled weapon, focus razor sharp on the scene in front of him. And every time the female Bat was out of his line of sight? He would let loose a round, aiming at whatever non-vital area was exposed upon the creature. “This shit isn't going to work! Lure it outside!” The call went up, figuring the woman would understand, understand that no matter how good a shot her partner was, there was always that risk. -c
Red Hood: c- And right then? Red Hood wasn't about to take the risk of accidentally putting a bullet close enough to graze the woman under the mask and further dampen her ability to keep the now muscle-bound creature from harming her. Again the gun would ring out, using every decoy to his advantage, adjusting his shots so that he could even hit closer to the head – though never to take the killing blow, despite the training and fact he could attempt such a thing. 'Supernatural.' The word a thought in the mind, and already he felt the warm tingle upon his fingertips, despite the gun he held ready. The blades were eager to be summoned, to see if perhaps they could help keep this particular creature down. And if Black Bat did indeed heed his call and begin moving, or if the creature's attention shifted to him, Hood would begin backing away, to put more distance between himself and the window.
-The vampire heard the shots, his movement shifted and slipped away from the gunshots as they flew towards him. The loud echo of the gun rang and no doubt deafened both of them as much as it hurt the vampire. The closed quarters of the house allowed a resonating effect of the gun’s blast signaling neighbors and most likely prompted them to call the cops. The vampire was almost trapped, close quarters with two assailants hunting him down like an animal. Reflexes that were enhanced allowed him to react and instinctively dodge incoming attacks, but his own offensive was reckless and focused strictly on powerful blows than anything else. Its fist smashed into a wall, furniture, and objects causing them to break and resound through the room. He maneuvered through Black Bat’s attacks, her attempts to attack his vulnerabilities, but the creature’s reflexes were incredibly sharp. <c>
He would aim to catch her off guard by changing strategy and spontaneously hurling a handful of glass shards from a vase at her. Regardless of the glass’s fate, the vampire slipped through the house and jumped out a window shattering the glass before it landed on a ladder. He bounced off the ladder and slipped onto the rooftop of a garage overlooking a back driveway. He tumbled and came towards a sewer entrance that it pried open and slipped inside. Its hands then forced the grill shut and leapt into the darkness of the sewers. Climbed upon the walls and crawled its way down the shaft.-
Erzebeth: 'Stay off this case.' Did he really just say that? That made her want to stay on it all the more. Vicki turned around and placed a finger firmly on his chest. "Listen here. If those other women can handle this case then so can I. You have no right to say what I can and can't do. I lasted without your help for a year. I think I can handle a few freaks with wings. After all," Her eyes scanned over his suit. "I seem to just attract them to me." The pointing hand retracted to her side. Perhaps she had gotten too ahead of herself. She had to admit that she was being overly-stubborn, but Bruce was being overbearing as usual. If she needed the help she would know where to get it and stop once she got too far into things.
“You don’t know these people like I do. This isn’t like anything before. This is…borderline a cultist group. Radicals who will kill anyone involved. If they find out anything about us or you…They will find you and kill you. I guarantee your protection, I have to find them and stop them. This is too dangerous, trust me.” Batman watched her and then diverted his attention towards the garage rooftop where Batgirl and Black Canary cleared out. Perhaps Batman was looking for more suspects, expecting them to return. Police began to enclose around the area, collecting samples of blood they found. The thunder of a helicopter zoomed pass them from above to provide a spot light over the crime scene.
Erzebeth: Did he just say 'us'? "Woah woah woah. Slow down there. Do you have bats in your pants or something? I don't know if you've noticed, but there is no 'us' anymore. And even if there was an 'us' I would still be tailing this case like a chopper on traffic. Look, some crazy cultists aren't going to scare me. It's probably just some home-grown experiment gone wrong. It'll be just like Scooby-doo. Just some guys in masks. You don't actually believe all of that magic crap, do you?" Situation avoided. There was no way she could go back to Bruce like that. Sure they were going out next Tuesday, but it wasn't a date date. Vicki didn't need Batman of all people to ruin her career by babysitting her.
“I meant my people.” He said with a growl before turning away and leaping off the building, pressuring her anymore wouldn’t get anywhere. He would have to leave it in her hands as he continued to hunt down leads. ‘Doctor Langstrom might’ve been working on something new that would make him a prized target.’ Batman arrived minutes later in Langstrom’s laboratory where he sat down at the computer to begin looking over the documents and research that he was recently doing. ‘The files are about bats and their ability to navigate through the darkness…hardly anything someone would want, let alone vampires.’
Black Bat: Prolific attacks accumulated from the acuity of her own successful senses were easily dismissed by the reflex the creature yielded. Procedure of frustration and befuddlement became a minor routine during the short fight. She did indeed took heed to the words directed towards her -- her partner was more of a strategist than she was. Or at least in some ways. Just as she diluted her more aggressive movements in attempt to restrain the destructive being and shifted towards Red Hood's direction, the glass shards were thrown at her. Precision of his aiming didn't even hinder the beast. "How do you purpose we take him down?" She questioned while she withdrew a device and chucked it at the moving, blood-thirsty vampire. If done correctly, it'd be embedded along its back, barely noticeable. A tracking device. Black Bat was right behind him -- pursuing him until given a damn good, irrefutable reason to halt. A part of her was tempted to connect with Batman...{c}
Black Bat: Before she moved, however, she shouted, "Get the dog." How were they going to take it down? {end}
Red Hood: Strong and fast, no way the fucker was human – but still Red Hood would play by Batman and Black Bat's rules of no going for a killing shot. The shots fired off were well timed, using Black Bat's own speed and agility to his advantage. However it did nothing in terms of hitting, nothing in slowing the creature down enough for them to tag it with a good crippling blow. “Fuck me.” A hiss of annoyance. Why couldn't he just put one in the fucker's lap and call it a night? Always had to be hard when in Gotham, always! Well okay, not as hard as saving planets and stuff, but still hard! “Shitfuckitall.” The vampire was moving, and Black Bat was telling him to worry about a dog. “Keep on it, I'll catch up!” Red Hood would call out, doing the only thing he really knew how to do in that situation. To the dog he would go, pulling something from his jacket – where he kept all his goodies. “This will help little fella, may not like it though.” -c
Red Hood: c- A needle would be stuck into the canine, something to ease the pain as well as to knock the poor thing out. A bandage, specially made and used during his return so long ago, would follow up. This he would put on the canine and press down, trying to keep any more blood from getting out. “Best I can do.” With that the animal was scooped up and brought along for the ride. How did he purpose they stop the damn thing? Hand moves to key the communicator in his, well, hood! “I'm not sure how to stop it. Damn thing isn't human, Black Bat. If we're going to take it down, you need to fight it like...” A pause. Like she was going to kill? No, that wouldn't happen and they both knew it. Change of plans. “Where'd it run to?” He was taking care of the dog, thus, too far behind to see where everything was. Had he misunderstood the girl's orders? Perhaps but...Well, there was a reason for everything.
The tracking device would attach as the vampire fled, but as the signal went underground a distortion would begin to block the signal; a nearby power conduit in the sewer disrupted the signal if Black Bat went to check for the signal. If she chose to halt her chase then she may not know about the disruption just yet. What would make the disruption odd was Batman’s underground network allowed for his gadgets to trace without a problem, unless something was deliberately causing interference or the network was down. The beagle was unconscious upon fading from the vampires grasp, unknown to Red Hood the dog wasn’t actually infected by the vampires bite, only leeched leaving the dog incapacitated due to blood loss.
Erzebeth: "Of course you did." Vicki shook her head as she walked back into the hotel to call a cab. It was going to be another long night being scolded from afar by her former lover. "Get me a taxi." The front desk manager called for a cab on the phone. She practically dragged herself outside. Man, it was time for a drink. 'You could get hurt...' Maybe a drink at home would be safer.
“Sir…are you there?” the voice of Alfred speaking into the cowl prompted Batman to answer with a grouchy tone. “Yes, Ace?” “May I inquire where Ms. Vale fits into everything?” “She doesn’t. She’s only putting herself in danger.” “I see, so you have surveillance following her and her companion?” “No…yes…wait, companion? Ace, what companion?” “Gossip on the news suggested that shortly after speaking to you, she was seen driving off in a taxi fare with another gentleman, characterized as handsome and equally rich in finances and charm.” “…I don’t have time to worry about her or her relationships. If you haven’t got anything to contribute to the investigation, I would prefer radio silence.” “…Erm, well understood sir. Forgive me...”
Black Bat: She screeched to a halt upon pulling out her device and peering down at the screen. The cowl encasing her features turned into a vivid scowl. She tapped the scyrpohoewa hau in attempt to regain the signal that was evidently absent. Bold letters with limited description -- Cassandra narrowed her gaze. Odd. An abrupt violent pause at his cropped sentence. She was waiting for him to say it and already had 'no' lingering in her mouth. She compressed her index along the side of her head to reply. "Tracking device is useless...not working. Something's not right." What part of this was exactly right? The nearly pitch black scenario put her at a disadvantage. "I'm coming back up." They might need his lightsabers for this hunt. Black Bat held back the urge to sprint after the creature. She grit her teeth and returned to he surface.
Erzebeth: "Please don't be a creepy cab driver. Please, dear God, I don't need any more trouble." Vicki touched her finger to her lower lip just as a cab pulled up to the curb. The manager from the front desk looked over to Victoria and smiled politely. "Ms. Vale, I believe that is your cab." She nodded to the maanager and walked over to the checkered yellow cab. As Vicki opened the door she leaned downwards to talk to the driver, "I'd like a ride to twenty-third street. The address is 1767, apartment 22 A." Withouth hesitation she slid into the back seat of the car and neatly folded her hands on her lap as though she had forgotten about the previous incident. For some reason, going home made her feel more at ease.
It was hours later and inside the Batcave that Batman began studying an investigation board. Boxes of information sectioned and connected by thin lines creating a digital map that looked much like a tree. His words spoke quietly to himself “Vampires and Dr. Langstrom…” [R} It’s great to see him back on the job, working hard like I remember him. He’s had a rough year…we all have…but now things should calm down, things should be returning to normal…or at least as normal as they could get, right?] Red Robin approached Batman from the side and examined the screen. “Vampires huh? Heard a gang of them were screwing with Jason and Cass earlier. They lost him in the sewers, perhaps we should gather our sources and search for him down there?” “It’s a vampire, Robin…it’s most likely gone by now. There’s something more going on here…Something uncharacteristic of vampires…I’ve never seen anything like it in my previous encounters with them.” <c>
“What’s that, Batman?” “Coordination. Vampires are just savage creatures; they can’t control themselves or their impulses. If they’re hungry, they’ll hunt and snatch their prey without too much care of who their victims are. When they’re not hungry, they have some degree of control. The vampires we encountered tonight were something far worse…they were hive-minded; organized and with such synchronization they were capable of stopping Black Canary, Batgirl, and I…because I didn’t see the pattern sooner, they most likely have Dr. Langstrom captured.” “Why wouldn’t they kill him?” “Because Langstrom is the world leading zoo biologist on bats. Leading researcher on human and bat DNA transference.” Red Robin would place his hands upon his hips. “I remember his file…Man-bat wanted to improve human hearing with research into bats echo location.” <c>
“Correct. That is why I believe they’re going after Langstrom, to further improve some kind of Vampire breed, possibly use his Man-bat serum for their own soldiers…We need to shut this down immediately, before the vampire nest becomes too powerful with the serum. I don’t think Langstrom will give up that information, but the efforts here are genius level. Whoever is pulling the strings to the vampire nest has a plan.”
Erzebeth: Vicki had began to nod off as the cab cruised down the streets of inner Gotham. It was soon that she drifted off to the point where her dreams had merged with her barely conscious state. The reporter was sitting alone in her office after meeting Bruce for a cup of coffee. To her surprise he suggested that they meet at her house. Dream Vicki had agreed to this without hesitation. When she heard a knock at the door, in her dream, her actual body within the cab jumped. Within the dream there had been an unfamiliar face. It was the face of the only other billionaire in town. But no longer was his face his own. It was now greyed with slits in place of his nose. Hie eyes were black and glossy without a hint of his pupils ever existing. Vicki woke up when her cab braked suddenly. "Sorry, Miss. Black cat crossed the street. The both of us oughtta be careful tonight, eh?" She was still waking up, of course, but her hand automatically reached into her purse to pull out a fifty dollar bill.
Erzebeth: "You can keep the change." The driver smiled and temporarily left the car running to help Ms. Vale to her apartment door. "Thank you." She mummured suddenly feeling a headache bounce between each lobe of her brain. "It's not a problem Ma'am." He waved and watched her slip into the lobby of the apartment just to make sure she was okay. After all, the streets of Gotham were no place for a woman like that especially at night. -e-
The news broadcast the following morning would announce “In what seems like a sweeping of crime last night, a multitude of events took place making this three nights in a row of mysterious kidnappings and disappearances. The Batman was last seen in pursuit of Man-Bat who may be connected with the mysterious kidnappings that has 15 people and counting. While Gotham waits for tonight, we can’t help but fear for our lives and wonder what fate awaits us after dark? GCPD are encouraging people to stay inside and wait out this case until it is solved…” <c>
Batman was by his computer analyzing forensics from the crime scene from both vampire attacks. ~DNA match found…~ “Karl Sampson…Automotive repair man, organ donor and blood donor. Went missing yesterday…” Batman spoke out loud and to himself to reinforce this information. “Hank Pulmer. Blood Donor, financials indicate he works for a Daycare… Outside of their blood donation there is no pattern that I can see…I’ll have to go to those sewers and check for clues…”
Vicki would hear a knock upon her door and find a bouquet of flowers along with a card reading “Flowers to describe your inner beauty.” Within it were a phone number to the flower shop along with Damian Arcane’s business card with a phone number. Damian sat within the darkness of his dungeon, lying back within the darkness, a comfortable cushion of bedding. The moans of women quietly slipped from the shadows around him. Three women dressed black had their moans muffled by the flesh of a man shackled to the ground as they bit and devoured him; his eyes were dilated and searching the ceiling for some kind of star or object, he was barely conscious or aware of his situation as he smiled looking at the ceiling of darkness with glee.
Erzebeth: Vicki looked through the peephole before unlatching the lock on her door. After turning the knob she saw the bouquet and smiled. But wait, why the hell would Bruce ever remember to send her flowers? There was a card attached with...it was him. That man in her dream and the stranger in the cab. "Three minutes in a car was all he needed. What an ass." Of course she would have to call him. At least thank him for the flowers and politely stomp on his face for the rest of her career. It was the least she could do. Her journalism instincts kicked in. She had a phone number and a name now. Maybe she could get some real dirt on this guy for her talkshow. Vicki took the flowers in to her home before throwing them onto the counter. Hurridly she gathered her phone and laptop. "Let's see, seven, two three..." Her fingers punched in the numbers with a slight hint of displeasure. Damian Arcane. The name sounded just as pretentious as Bruce Wayne. "That's strange." As her eyes searched through the
Erzebeth: matched pages she noticed that the number was on a private line. 'Unlisted' or 'Unavailable' cotinuously appeared. "Playing hard to get is one thing. Playing hide and seek is not a game I like to play. Time for a phone call." Vicki picked up her cell and tapped the numbers causing her nails to clack against the glass screen of her phone. "Yes, this is Victoria Vale. I'm looking for Mr. Arcane. I'd like to thank him for his kind gesture." Once those words slipped off of her tongue she felt like gagging. 'How the hell do people do this sort of thing?' She thought. "Yes I will hold." -e-
Damian was lying backwards, standing almost straight but, upon his comfort of a coffin he listened to the muffles when his cellphone rang and his attention fell to it; he stood up and began walking towards the wall where an old phone polished to its brass finish. Picking up the phone he listened to the operator and grinned. “Mm..Yes please, send her through…” Dracula turned to his mistresses and waved them off and without a word the three wiped their mouths of a shredded corpse and slipped off around the dark stone corners of the tunnels. “Hello Ms. Vale. I’m humbled by your request to speak with me.” If she were to search for his information, the most she would hear about is the Transylvania beginning of the man, where it turned out he was just a wealthy man who came to Gotham just recently and began setting his roots up only last week. <c>
His first public appearance would’ve been last night, and to perhaps much surprise he wasn’t seen in any pictures. Either photographers weren’t looking for him and didn’t care or he was dodging them intentionally, which would raise the question ‘What is he hiding?’ Perhaps she was being giving the man too much credit? He definitely seemed interested in catching her eye; perhaps he wants a popular journalist in his corner?
Erzebeth: No, no. The man was definitely suspicious. Why would someone with so much money in Transylvania and the U.S. want to settle in Gotham of all places? "Humbled? I should be humbled." Vicki looked off to the side and made a face. "You bought me flowers. It's a very old fashioned gesture. I simply wanted you to know how grateful I am." Was it time for the face smashing yet? She was getting tired of playing this game. So desperately did the talkshow host want to end this conversation. So what if he was handsome and rich? So was Bruce Wayne and look where that got her. "Yet, I'm awfully sorry for what I'm about to say, but at the moment I am not in a position where I can simply have an interest in strangers from abroad. However, I do hope to have you one day on my show." There it was. That simple spark to light the fire. Vicki winced this time knowing that her behavior was probably inappropriate considering they had just met. But, he was the one to send flowers hours after they had met.
“Ohh, I understand Ms. Vale. I apologize if I offended you. The flowers are my way of requesting a courtship with you…I am having a celebration tomorrow night, which is ehh--Tuesday. Would 7 o’clock be a suitable time for you? There will be guests dancing, celebrating, a wonderful evening, I promise you. You can bring your sister or girlfriend or something. If you don’t enjoy it, you can always leave…I won’t take offense. I would very much like to arrange an interview on your television show.” He seemed calm and unaffected by her brashness, either ignorant because of a language barrier. His voice would seemingly snake its way into her ear, a shivering sensation would allow her to feel as though Damian’s hand was sliding down her spine slowly and that her legs were suddenly becoming weak. An intoxicating scent would slither into her nostrils that would remind her of their brief encounter and once more tease her with tender thoughts. <c>
Though she wouldn’t be able to place her hand on it, the flowers gave off the scent of him and with his voice a distant hypnotic trance he was lulling into her, planting the seeds of desire that would ensnare her upon their next meeting.
Erzebeth: "A celebration..." Is that what they called it in Transylvania? "I suppose I wouldn't mind. I do enjoy a good sockhop now and then." Wow. Vicki smacked herself for that one. Damian's lingo was setting her back a good sixty years in the past. "That was a joke." He could hear her sigh softly as a sudden wave of euphoria rushed through her body. What was that scent? Gosh it smelled way better than Bruce after a roll or two in the sheets. Vicki went silent on the phone for a short while. Her lips quivered and when she began to speak, she stuttered. "Y-You'll have to excuse, Mr. Arcane. I've been feeling ill ever since I walked through the door." She curled her toes ever so slightly just to keep her legs awake otherwise risking falling out of her chair. What was this feeling? Vicki clasped her hand over her mouth to do some deep breathing away from the phone. "I-I...please excuse me f-for a moment." It was then that she ran to the bathroom out of desperation.
“Good, then I will see you tomorrow then…” He would spare her the embarrassment and allow her to linger on the sensations he evoked. As he hung up the phone his mistresses returned and to drape themselves onto his arms and one upon his shoulders to caress them. “My…sweet Victoria…Vale~…” Dracula’s index finger rose to his lips and gently brushed across them as if tasting the woman’s flesh. “Soon Gotham will be ours…And you…” His gaze turned to his mistresses. “Will have the Queen to serve.” He took the hand one of mistress and kissed it before slipping away from the trio and then waved his hand to dismiss them while his footsteps carried him through the dark stone tunnels and into a laboratory where Kirk Langstrom was chained to the wall, three vampires were watching, as two more were biting his neck to leech his blood. <c>
Beneath Langstrom’s position on the wall, a bucket was collecting his lost blood that dripped off his body. Dracula stared intently before turning his gaze to a vampire chained to the wall. “You have failed me…You allowed a new born to escape and for that my plan is potentially exposed. You have betrayed not just your master, but your family…” Dracula’s eyes were sorrowful; he dreaded what he had to do next as though a shriek of pain just through him. His arms reached forward and hugged the vampire; his hand caressing the man’s hair like a father would to a son. With a swift, loud crackle the vampire’s head would snap exposing their neck for the vampire lord to sink his teeth into and drain the man of his vital fluids.
Erzebeth: Vicki had leaned against her bathroom sink for support. Her breaths came in heavy short huffs causing her head to spin from the lack of oxygen. "What the Hell is this?" Her hand shook as it reached for the handle of the brass sink. She desperately pulled the handle hoping to splash cold water on her face. Once the stream shot down the basin she couldn't help but stick her head directly under the stream. The pinna of her ears turned a bright shade of red after she stepped back from the running water. What had happened to her body? She was only on the phone with Damian--Oh gosh. He had heard her breathy sighs, hadn't he? "The phone!" Now she could run. Her long legs danced across the marble floor all the way to the carpet until she could see that the call had ended on the screen. "Maybe, if I'm lucky, he didn't hear me?" Vicki rolled her eyes. "Yeah right. My luck with guys is never that good."
Gotham sewers were a narrow place surrounded by old stone construction, narrow passage ways meant for walking had crumbled or sunk into the muck they once stood above. A sewage level was roughly ankle high while the toxic levels were additionally hazardous. The Dark Knight carried a breathing apparatus attached to his cowl giving his chin a bulky like appearance with a small green light blinking in the upper left side of the device indicating it was functioning, it’s position strategically set so that Batman’s left eye could monitor it. His cape was recoiled into his backpack making it rise to his knees to avoid having it tainted by the rancid stench of the sewers. <c>
‘The clues Jason and Cassandra followed lead them to the old sewer systems in North Gotham. Batman’s eyes were lit with a blue glow allowing him to visually see through the dark and spot the cracks and crevices of the stone tunnel, junction points followed after every street and under buildings. With the shadows he moved towards a maintenance door to open it and slip inside and observe the space of a big closet, four walls and a computer station connected with computer server boxes connected and wired together in a complex series of inputs and outputs. <c>
On the other side of the room there were hazard suits, and cleaning supplies, along with a bathroom. Batman’s attention dropped to the floor where he saw a blood splat on the floor, along with a trail of sewage covered footprints. “Ace, I think I’ve tracked the vampire Black Bat was chasing to the Water treatment facility located underneath the Pinkiny Bridge, I have a blood splatter of a potential victim, uploading scan now. Contact GCPD, tell them to get a forensic team down here.” “Got it, sir.” It was at this point Batman heard a door open and slam ahead of him, down a corridor leading into the water treatment facility. His eyes narrowed and pulled his cape around himself as he continued into the facility.
Erzebeth: Vicki had already gotten ready for bed and was now laying in the dark with her phone on her pillow. "To tell Bruce or to not tell Bruce." She ran a hand through her hair with a scowl. The journalist new better than to go alone to a party, but going to a party with Bruce was the same thing as going alone. "Come on, Vicki. Even if he tries a disappearing act you can still have fun." She sighed and began dialing on her touch pad. The dial tone started and her heart skipped a beat. "Please go to voicemail. Please go to voicemail." Sure enough the phone was picked up. It took a while for Vicki to keep herself from saying something cruel, but in the end her words were as subtle as a ketchup stain on a white shirt. "Do you have time for me now?" The words weren't meant to sound selfish or cruel. It was honestly a good question considering his schedule.
The treatment facility had the sound of water quietly pouring through pipes into pools of the slightly green and murky water, throughout a processing of violet lighting of black lights radiating the water as it flowed, it traveled through winds and bends, black tubes to yellow and white. The Dark Knight’s gaze searched the ceiling for any sign of the suspect, when on his heads up display a picture of Vicki Vale appeared; through no intention of his own his eye responded to clear the image out of his visual. When he heard her voice his own heart skipped for a moment…both stunned and snapped back to the mortality that Bane forced him into. “-Uh…” He paused causing him to stand still for moment thinking about what to say. “…Now, isn’t a good time. What’s wrong?” <c>
He was really beating around the bush with this woman, she knew of his nightly activities and clearly right now she knew that he could be doing something far more important than her - something that could save lives. Before he would’ve blown her off, clearly she didn’t understand how important his work was, but the sudden recalls of the past year spent recovering from Bane made him slow down and rethink his old methods. His voice was calm; perhaps concerned that something might’ve happened to her.
Erzebeth: "Not everything has to be wrong when I call, you know." Her thoughts wandered off to her episode from earlier. "Listen, have you heard about that Damian Arcane guy? He's from Transylvania. Big shot billionaire like a certain someone I know." Vicki smacked herself mentally. She was wasting his time again. "Sorry for the rant. He's a little creepy. I got flowers from him at my door only a couple hours after he meant." Speed up the story, Vale. She knew he would tune her out if she wasn't careful. "He's having a party tomorrow. I think I'm going to snoop around at his party tomorrow night. I doubt you'd be interested since you probably have some other important business to tend to, but...but.." But what? He didn't have to go if he didn't want to but if he did she would forgive him for everything? Could she really forget about the other side of Bruce Wayne? "...but if you come...I would appreciate it." Her voice grew solemn. He could probably tell. Vicki was absolutely heart-broken by -c-
Erzebeth: the billionaire. She could never admit it to him. Bruce didn't have a choice but to ignore her sometimes and Vicki new how selfish she was to want him to ignore all of that. "You know what? I am so sorry. You're busy aren't you? G-Go do your...thing." -e-
“A party tomorrow? No, I don’t know anything about-…” Batman paused for a moment and then interjected, “Didn’t we have plans already? I was look-…okay, we’ll do whatever you want.” A loud bang would be heard from behind Batman prompting him to turn around and arm a batarang and lift it into the air while lowering his torso, crouching down as he scanned with his eyes for any sign of life. “…Yeah, I…” “HISSS!!!” The vampire suspect would tackle Batman from the side slamming the detective into a large white pipe causing it to indent with Batman’s shoulder and torso. The vampire’s grip was feral and yet powerful. Clutching his teeth, the dark knight grunted in anguish before charging his shock knuckler and jabbing his knuckle into the vampire’s shoulder forcing it to be electrocuted by 10,000 volts. <c>
A loud hiss and spark ignited from the contact forcing the vampire back and allowing Batman to drop onto the floor breathing at a slow pace. His eyes went back to the vampire who began climbing up the pipes to a catwalk leading outside the facility. Swiftly the dark knight recoiled from the impact and fired his grappling gun from the hip and shot towards the catwalk to intercept. The two would confront with the vampire lashing its claw forward and Batman ducking to knee it in the stomach forcing it to bend over in pain. His dark glove reached to grab the vampire’s hair and slam its head into the railing forcing a loud echo to resonate. Another punch would strike the vampire’s kidney from behind shocking it and finally dropping it to the ground. Batman sighed and examined his suspect when the words behind him startled him. <c>
“Fascinating work. Bravo…Bravo…” The Dark Knight turned around and his eyes fell upon a man draped in a tuxedo, long black cape with a red inner lining. A collar with pointed tips that reached for the sky, oily and slicked back hair, and an accent of Transylvania. His chin and nostrils had a small outline of hair, a sharp pointed chin and a set of teeth that were everything short of sinister. Sharp fangs presented themselves to Batman allowing the Dark Knight to create his accusation. “You’re the one controlling the vampires…The Dracula persona I’m not buying.” “I would suspect not from a common man, but you are not common man, detective…You remind me of an investigator I could once proudly call adversary…I imagine he is long dead.” <c>
Dracula held his hand out to Batman. “I have watched you, twice now. I’ve done my research into this century…People of now are just as blind and naïve as they were centuries ago. I was untouchable then and I will be untouchable now. I will offer you this one chance, Batman. You are truly a creature of the night. You belong with us, with me. I can smell your fear, but with our combine forces you can achieve what you’ve always dreamt. A world filled with justice, a world free of crime, oppression, corruption, death. Immortality and freedom for all of those like us. You’re just one man; you can’t fight this war alone. Let me help you.” Batman’s narrowed eyes glowed and studied Dracula before responding. “I’ve heard promises of world dominance before, if you truly understood me, you’d know that it’s not what I want.” <c>
“Very well. I will grant you a swift death.” Batman raised his fists into a defensive stance when Dracula appeared next to Batman at superhuman speed; Dracula’s breathing was intense, and strangely intimate. ~Don’t resist me…This will be over soon…Trust in me…Batman…~ Batman felt himself weaken, his legs were losing strength and his body fell backwards into Dracula’s chest. Dracula’s fangs came to bear down towards Batman’s neck.[/font] Lady Shiva’s voice would speak to Batman’s mind. ‘You would grant mercy to those who would do you harm. Inevitably, like Bane, it will kill you…The only way to survive against the most ruthless killers is to kill them first.’ The Dark Knight snapped out of the trance and threw his elbow backwards into Dracula’s stomach <c>
Forcing the Count to stumble, Batman twisted and threw his right fist towards Dracula’s face only to be met by Dracula’s left bicep. “Fool!” The Vampire Lord hissed and swung his arm lashing Batman with superhuman strength forcing the Dark Knight to break through the metal frame of the building and spiral down towards the cold water below. With a loud splash The Dark Knight drifted unconscious.-
Erzebeth: "Be careful." Those were the last words Vicki mumbled over the phone to Bruce before she hung up. "One of the richest men in the world and he can't get a cellphone with good reception." Her pillow was gently placed down on her nightstand now. At least he agreed to going out with her tomorrow. "That's right. We did have plans." She glared and sat up. Bruce was only going out with her because she had set up a date with him previously. "Stupid, stupid, stupid!" Maybe she was better off separating herself from him. Tomorrow Bruce would expect her to cling to his side like a leech. No more. Vicki was ready to show this man what it was like to lose someone so suddenly just when things were going exactly as planned. -e-
In the silence of the water, the dark night recalled the events of his life…The image of falling through a cave ceiling. A gun shot in a dark alley, the scream of his mother distant and fading…The cold chill that wrapped around his shoulders. The echoing of a loud ‘BANG’ of a gun. The explosion of a warehouse, the screaming of an alley. The laughter of a maniacal man. The breathing of a man who held Batman to the heavens before throwing him down into Hell, the snap of his spine warped him back to reality as redness filled his vision and he gasped in a rush of cold water. His mask was still concealed over his mouth, but upon his heads up display he saw his vital signs reaching critical and racing towards hypothermia. He rolled onto his stomach within the water and began swimming towards the surface on an angle; allowing the currents to lift him faster. <c>
He rose enough that he was able to fire his grappling hook and latched onto the bridge pulling himself out of the vast river. He hung from beneath the bridge and wheezed and shivered. “Al-Alfred…He-hel-help…me…” “Master Bruce? My word, I…I’m sending the jet, standby sir!” In minutes follow Bruce was settling into a warm bath, still dressed in his Batman suit, only with his helmet and boots removed. His lips were a dark maroon and tainted with slight purple. His head was resting against the edge of the bathtub with his eyes closed. Lady Shiva spoke once more to his mind. “You came to me, looking to salvage your life…but perhaps what you were really looking for was a reason for death…” <c>
Bruce could feel the proximity of her lips whispering in his ear. ‘All you have to do is ask and I will make it swift. Look at all you’ve done for this world. A legacy that cannot be removed from history. Do you really want to live through its decline? Through its fall? Spare yourself the anguish and let me give you what you desire…’ Bruce rolled within the bathtub, climbing out of it and onto the floor with a splash of water following him. “That man…I can’t let him…” The night would follow long and chillingly for the detective as he began pulling himself together for a speedy recovery.
Erzebeth: The next afternoon Vicki found herself running around her apartment after having a long talk with her producer. She had been on the phone for three hours with her until they had settled their argument about donating profits to an orphanage rather than spend it on a lunch spread which ended up rotting by the end of the day. "Dresses, dresses, dresses. Blue, white, and maybe red? No definitely the blue." Now she was running late. Bruce would be waiting for her outside for longer than she wanted--but it was par of the plan this time. Vicki didn't want to feel guilty, but it was a hard feeling to resist. It took her about an hour to shower and do her hair. Eventualyy she was able to wiggle into a shimmering blue dress which happened to be sleeveless and show off as much as she had planned. It was perfect to guilt trip the billionaire. "Alright, not too much make up. Gotta save some time." -e-
Bruce would be suiting up into his business suit, it was all black, He figured at the least he would be able to escape unnoticed if he had to. Shaving his face, he heard Alfred. “Sir, perhaps going tonight isn’t the best thing to do.” “I can’t. I promised Vicki I would do this, I’m not going to let her down…Isn’t it you who are always reminding me that life is too short to keep putting off things I should’ve done?” “Vicki Vale means a lot to you sir, but if this Dracula caper is about controlling the vampires and holding Dr. Langstrom hostage, your date can be put on hold.” “I’ll spend two hours with Vicki, if things don’t look well, I’ll slip out and contact Gordon for results. By then lab should have something and I’ll be able to make my next move.” <c>
Bruce cleansed his face and tied his neck tie around his collar. He pulled on his jacket and slipped out of his bedroom’s bathroom space. Alfred followed him through the house and into the garage. “I hope you know what you’re doing…the last time you underestimated a powerful foe you ended up 6 months strapped into a wheel chair and 2 months in rehabilitation and physical therapy!” Bruce would growl and loudly shout back at Alfred. “I know!” His booming voice would silence Alfred prompting the elderly man to huff before nodding his head solemnly as he turned around and left Bruce. Bruce clutched his jaw staring at Alfred. He shook his head dismissing any guilt he would’ve felt for shouting at Alfred and then set his route to Vicki’s house where he waited patiently for her. <c>
He looked at his watch patiently checking. “Take your time, Vicki…” He felt his heart skip a beat at her name once more. He smiled and then grabbed his cell phone to send her a text. “Hey, I’m outside. Take your time.”
Erzebeth: Vicki had just finished putting the last swipe of lipstick on. Her phone buzzed against the bathroom sink wildly. "...Dammit." Bruce was here already and she hadn't picked out shoes. Wait! That was a good thing! That man would have to wait in the car regardless if she was ready or not. "Don't text back, Vicky. Keep your cool." In the mean time she made an attempt to walk through her crowded closet. Two pairs of shoes caught her eyes. One was a very old-fashioned shoe the color of those little plastic pearls they use as buttons on women's clothing. The second shoe was a simple black pair of sling backs that sparkled only in the right light. "Now very slowly gather your things and walk--No no, inch. Inch towards the car." -e-
He waited, tapping at the steering wheel of his black Ferrari. He turned on the radio, its volume down quiet as the news report spoke of another dozen missing people. ”Twelve…the numbers are climbing…Damn it.” Bruce slammed his hand against the steering column before flipping the station to music, the instruments to “Smoke on the water” flew through the speakers and Bruce gently tapped his finger to the beat of the music. It was almost ten or so minutes later that Vicki finally arrived and he slipped out of the car to open the door for her. He took sight of her dress, her curves and felt his heart skip again. “You-…you look beautiful, Vicki…” Upon helping her into the car, he slipped inside and took off to the Violet Mansion. <c>
“You know…this place isn’t far from my house…If you like, afterwards or if things don’t work out…We could go back to my place.” -Bruce’s words were suggestive, but also rather direct. He obviously didn’t mind sleeping with Vicki nor spending time with her in the company of his home.-
Erzebeth: Vicki smiled at his comment for a second before she remembered exactly what she was doing. Unfortunately Bruce's face was all it took for her to snap back into reality. "Bruce, your mansion isn't the only one in town. Also, I nearly forgot I was going out with you earlier. You know, I should really make a seperate calendar for the billionaire's that want me to hang around with them." She forced herself to open the door of the car, but not before looking back at the male. "I'm glad you're on time, for once." That was all she had to said for the whole car ride. Otherwise her responses were quiet and consisted of the usual "mhmmm" 's or "yeah" 's. Bruce could probably tell that seeing him brought her back to the memories of her spending nights alone. Vicki had never felt so transparent. Her confidence had diminished entirely. Maybe the plan was meant for failure. This whole time it may have been smarter just to admit to him. -e-
Huntress: There were only a few times that Helena Wayne could remember being thrust into a social gathering of people that far outclassed her on the social wealth and power scale, and even less times where she had volunteered to go without some sort of protest. Yet there she was, slipping out of a hired car in a black dress that hugged her curves, exposed shapely shoulders and arms and dipped down low in the back as heels that extended her already long legs clicked onto the concrete of the drive. She was without an escort that evening, and in the face of the beauty and wealth of Gotham it left her a little jittery as she brushed crimson painted nails through her neatly styled hair. “I look like my mother.” She told her reflection, where sharp blue eyes that were solely her father’s stared back at her, and she cleared her throat, giving the driver a smile. “Thank you.” Undercover work wasn’t difficult, in Helena’s opinion, when it didn’t involve things like dancing, wine and finger food. -
Huntress: “I should have brought Terry.” Well, there was no room for regrets now and as she walked up to the door, extending her long legs to bring herself to a hip swaying stride that fit her dress she slipped into the right persona to be there. “Helena Bertinelli.” She told the man at the door and then walked inside. If there was anyplace to be, it was at a party where there was sure to be gossip.
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The Mansion was a large brown building with a darker brown - almost black roof with towers stationed at critical points to support the structure. In a way the mansion looked almost like a castle, which was to be expected of the Violet Family whom was egotistical and boastful of their roots in Gotham dating back to the Arkham family bloodline. A parking lot filled with vehicles parked by a valet. The dark shade of the sky given by the sunken star would hide the true color of the grass on the premise, which was tainted into a dark gray blight. Within the warm atmosphere of the mansion, the rich, powerful, intellectuals of Gotham’s high society fraternized and chattered amongst each other. Marveling at the walls outfitted with tapestries and pictures of European fields. <c>
Waiters dressed in Tuxedo’s carried dinning trays from one room to another as guests filled the immediate living room by the front door along with the epicenter, ballroom, and dining room, which were connected in the mentioned order. Two sets of staircases went upstairs, from the epicenter and dining room reaching to a second floor. The corridors were very medieval, the walls decorated to appear almost like stone walls while providing warmth of a modern day house. A fireplace within each room where guests were expected provided a natural sense of heating from the November chill. <c>
Damian stood before mobs of people smiling and shaking their hands. Dressed in a black tuxedo with a black cape attached onto his collar…its crimson inner lining flashing ever slightly when he turned on his heels to respond to various guests. His hair wasn’t slicked back nor oily, instead it was kept at a short length and ruffled into natural spikes; a young man’s business haircut. From his looks Damian was probably in his early 30’s and had a lot of potential for influencing Gotham. The house held a sweet aroma that was lavender in scent and had a very seductive influence to those who inhaled it, it would almost ease patrons into submission.
Bruce felt the tension in the air and decided he would suck it up; perhaps he could win her over if she had one or two glasses of wine. The pessimistic thoughts of Batman would find Bruce’s logic very impractical and rather irrational. They pulled up to the house and the valet would open Vicki’s door to help her out of the car. Bruce would slip out and hand his keys to the service man before offering his arm to Vicki to walk her inside. “I’ll-uh-um…follow your lead here.” Bruce looked around, he wasn’t aware of Helena’s presence at the party or what angle she was working on that got her here, but surely upon spotting her his attention would wonder. <c>
‘Helena? What is she doing here? I wonder if she needs help…No, stay focused on Vicki.’ -Bruce looked at Vicki and gestured towards the refreshments table. “Can I get you a drink?”
Erzebeth: He was really going to give it his best shot tonight. Of all nights! Vicki was ready to break down by now. "Anything with a proof greater than fifty." She gazed down upon the floor beneath her feet for just a moment. At Bruce's side she felt safe. There had to be a way to fix everything with him. "Sorry, I guess I'm a little edgy." Vicki looked up once a glimmer of red caught her eye. Was that a cape? More importantly, was that Damian? Not surprising, afterall it was his party, but the whole cape thing seemed a little stereotypical for the Transylvanian. "There he is." She whispered softly before curling back into Bruce's arms. "Don't stare unless you really want him to come over here. It's like he can hear us from every corner of the world." This was a little awkward for her. Bruce probably wasn't one to get jealous though it was more so Damian she was worried about. He seemed nice, but she couldn't predict all of his habits. For all she knew Damian could be dangerous. -e-
Huntress: Smoothing her hands down over her dress, Helena took in a deep breath and felt herself relax almost as if on command as she was thankful for the fires that took the chill off of her bared arms as she gazed around. The mansion was beautiful if not a little foreboding in some strange way with it’s old paintings and styles though the feeling that skittered down the back of her neck, that made her straighten her spine as she reached out to grab a glass for something to hold onto was washed away in a feeling of ease. “And here I was worried.” Taking a sip of the contents of the glass she stopped by a wall, putting her back to it on the outskirts of the crowd that was gathered around Damian and observed for a long moment, an arm around her waist and the other holding the glass delicately, the crimson imprint of her lipstick having been left on the crystalline glass. -
Huntress: Blue eyes landed on a familiar tall and dark headed figure, though she had missed his gaze on her and automatically she reached down to adjust her dress, embarrassed. “Of course he’d be here.” Eyes trailing to the woman with him she squinted for a second then made a soft noise. “With a reporter - charming.” And though Helena felt like she should have been annoyed perhaps, or worried…she wasn’t really either. Looking back at the man in the odd cape Helena took in another deep breath. “Well, he’s easy on the eyes at least.” She murmured then took another sip from her glass and felt her shoulders relax.
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Damian’s piercing red eyes knew the scent he picked up from Vicki Vale, a smirk formed on those lips and immediately a woman in a black dress and pale blonde hair came to him, latching herself onto his arm; she must’ve been 21 or so but with a gothic phase or something. She wore black lipstick and eye shadow with pale white skin; almost like the Joker. Damian’s eyes took in Vicki like she was the most beautiful flower he had ever seen. He smiled genuinely at her displaying those rather sharp canine teeth in the front row. “Ms. Vale. I am pleased by your attendance. I want you to meet my daughter, Morgana.” Morgana smiled and softly bowed her head. It was at this point Damian’s eyes fixed onto Bruce and immediately that smile faded into a smirk of amusement. <c>
“And Bruce Wayne, a pleasure meeting you again, I’m unsure if the fall you took confused you, but I’m Damian Arcane. Please enjoy yourself tonight.” He offered his hand to Bruce allowing a shake to take place and a firm grip to remind Bruce of his strength. His attention drifted back to Vicki allowing those naturally faded red eyes to meet her beautiful sight. “I hope you enjoyed the flowers I gave you~…” ~Think of me, Vicki…~ Vicki mind would suddenly feel Damian’s body against her from behind, a groping hand massaging her chest while his warm breathing fell upon her exposed neck while their hearts began beating in harmony together. Her legs would begin to feel themselves losing strength and time would begin to stretch as seconds become longer and longer between each one.
Bruce’s attention shifted to Vicki when she spoke of Damian and he didn’t seem to really care until Damian made himself apparent and Bruce’s attention was focused. His eyes narrowed and chin stiffened into that signature Batman jaw. Bruce straightened his posture and almost disconnected completely from Vicki - to attach to her now would likely make her his next target to hurt him. When Damian’s hand came for him, Bruce didn’t respond allowing Damian to have an awkward moment of holding his hand out to Bruce. In a normal social setting this would’ve been noticed but, everyone in the room seemed completely carefree and unaware of what was even happening. “I…I recall you…’Damian’ and its unfortunate we’re meeting under these circumstances. I’m sure tonight will be *very* eventful.”
Black Canary: Arriving a little later than the majority of the guests was a blonde clad in a sky blue dress which matched her eyes. It was shoulderless but had a beauitful sheer white wrap which drapped aboued her. The mid-calf length dress had layers of the same sheer white fabrick which started at her waist, giving a gentle frosted look which tied the rather modern dress together. The dress had been a favor she had called in from a fashion designer she had rescued once, Thomas. When he heard of her asking for his help he went all out and leant her a dress that cost more than her bike! He wouldn't take 'no' for an answer. She still couldn't believe she had been invited to this rather formal event. It was just the other night. she just finished an infilitration job, posing as a coprorate administrator, trailing a guy who was funding some criminal groups into a coffee shop when she had bumped into damian. The next thing she knew she was having coffee with him and was holding an invite. <c>
Black Canary: And now she was in the mansion. With all the kidnappings, a fancy party would be a good spot for kidnapping an elite set of guests. And then she saw Damian, she found herself having a little trouble not looking at him. 'come on canary get a grip of yourself, you can't let puppy love get the better of you' she thought to herself. and thhen she slowly gazzed about the rooms. Wait... was that Helena?! she was about to look again when she spotted Bruce with the reporter Vicki Vale talking to Damaian. and she looked just as happpy to see Damian as she was. What was up with her?! she felt like a school girl with a crush! She then proceded to mingle enjoying the warmth from the fire place. <e>
Erzebeth: "It's a pleasure to once again see you, Damian. Your daughter is quite the beauty." Vicki had the urge to hide behind Bruce. What was this man's deal? "Thank you for the flowers, again. I hope what we talked about doesn't--" Again her body lurched over as her legs shivered. Their were visions flashing through her mind suddenly blurring reality. Why would Damian ever do such a thing to her? This man was triggering feelings in her that were primal. "E-Excuse me, gentlemen." Vicki ran off in a hurry looking for the powder room. Her body was practically sweating from the heat rising through her spine. Every inch of her tingled tempting her to fall to the ground. She huffed before running into a young woman with quite the stand-offish look on her face. Only a slight bit of liquor spilled out from the lipstick-stained glass. "I'm so sorry! I-I was looking for the powder room. I didn't see you." By now her heart was racing. Where did she leave Bruce? -e-
Huntress: Uneventful, she imagined how this night was going to go to be completely uneventful, her eyes nearly straying from the man in the center of the crowd until she saw Bruce and Vicki move up to meet them and even from a distance noticed the posture change in the man who was so much like a younger version of her father, and saw that stiffened jaw line. Blue eyes that seemed to have a hazy fog cast over them sharpened then, and became more intrigued as she didn’t miss the interaction between the men. ‘Not your usual grace in the company of Gotham’s finest there, Not-Dad.’ The thought struck her as a skill taught had her reading Bruce’s lips, and had her assessing the situation to the best of her abilities even if the odd smell in the air seemed to be dragging at her senses a bit. ‘Alright pretty boy, so he doesn’t like you, why? This is your party, why come here?’ -
Huntress: The disappearances came to mind and her own jaw tightened as she glanced over the young blonde Goth looking woman, missing another blonde making her entrance all together and missing Vicki Vale folding over before rushing away and running directly into her. On instinct Helena’s free hand snapped out, catching Vicki’s wrist as her gaze was brought to her quickly and her brows furrowed down in concern. “Are you alright?” Standing straighter Helena released her wrist that felt too warm for the temperature outside or in that room for that matter - a blush? Reaching out to sit her glass on a passing tray Helena watched the reporter, the look of concern still on her face. “I don’t know where it is, but I can help you find it?” She offered. This woman looked panicked, -felt- panicked.
Morgana would promptly make her move to Bruce, sliding her hands up his suit collar, a seductive smirk upon her lips. “I bet you would taste really good…” She whispered to him, as Damian watched in amusement. “Perhaps I was hasty in my judgment of you…You should’ve died last night but, now I might let her have you…far more painful for you and enjoyable for me.” Damian’s attention followed Vicki and a brunette, allowing him to shadow them. Dinah’s mind would feel the connection and signal sent out by Dracula ~My dearest, I am prepared for you upstairs…~ the thought to her mind would likely intrigue her to seek out a means to get upstairs; isolating her from the ‘pack’ of human cattle that laughed and chuckled with complete carefree natures to them.
Bruce would give a brooding vibe back at Morgana, even as she played with his lapel and tried her best to soothe him. He peeled her hands off of himself and pushed her back gently and then threw his hand out to grab Damian’s arm firmly and with more strength than Bruce Wayne had ever displayed in public. “Kirk Langstrom. Where is he?” Bruce’s eyes were firm and judgmental, but Damian’s speed trumped Bruce allowing him to get in closer to Bruce, their cheeks became closer allowing Damian to whisper into Bruce’s ears. “Enjoy the party…it’ll be your last night in this miserable city.” And with that Damian broke Bruce’s grip and continued on his course to follow Vicki.
Black Canary: Dinah would pick an appetizer off a passing tray, a little surprised at how rich tasting it was. She looked down at her dress, she looked like a modern day princess at the grand ball in this thing! she laughed a little to herself at the thought, Thomas did have a bit of romantic flair with his outfits. Of courrse she never saw him in a suit that wasn't some shade of technacolor! Her eyes flicked to see Vicki dash past and get lost in the crowd. the movement caught her attention and she watched as Damian spoke with Bruce and then slipped off to follow vicki, probably to make sure she was alright. the thought seemed odd to her, she rarely made such assumptions... but before she could think on it. she heard Damian's voice in her ear. no not her ear it was more like inside her, she shivered a little. She glanced at him as he walked away and then at the stairs. This was confusing... how could he have whispered that in passing, he was too... she shook her head to try to clear her head. <c>
Black Canary: She glanced at the stairs again, and started to slip away from the crowd, silently going up them. She was flattered to get such attention from such a handsome and well to do man. Maybe he just wanted to talk... maybe he wanted more... she swallowed hard at the thought and started to walk across the second floor, feelig like she knew where she was going. <e>
Erzebeth: "Yes please. Before I-I..." This time Vicki fell to the ground. Guests probably confused her drop with someone who had drank too much. Vicki had never been someone to faint. She would never let herself be so careless, but her senses were overwhelmed by pulses of pleasure. It was hypnotic. The way she imagined Damian behind her with his hands grasping, groping, and gripping. In her unconscious state she moaned. "Please..." Where was Bruce? She shouldn't have left him so suddenly. -e-
Huntress: Helena started to nod in assurance to the woman who agreed to the help of finding the powder room and as she began to turn to look, instinct once again had her arm snapping out, this time curling around Vicki’s waist as the other woman dropped to the ground. Bending over at the waist Helena caught most of her weight at the last moment, so the other woman wouldn’t injure herself as she made a startled noise. “Ms. Vale!” Though she didn’t speak too loudly, Helena looked up through her now slightly disheveled midnight hair at the people around them before her toned arm tightened and she lifted Vicki back to her feet, keeping her arm secure around her and allowing the blonde’s head to rest on her shoulder. “Had a bit too much to drink.” -
Huntress: Helena said with a sympathetic smile as Vicki moaned and then the young dark haired woman began walking with her, mostly carrying her as she made a beeline straight to the powder room, glancing back over her shoulder and noting that the “pretty boy” was pulling away from Bruce. “What in the hell is going on here?” Using her hip to bump open the powder room, Helena shifted as she kneed the door closed and flipped the lock on the door and leaned Vicki up against the sink, holding onto her carefully. “Ms. Vale? Vicki, are you alright? Should I call a doctor?” Had she drank too much? Didn’t they just arrive at the party? Surely Bruce didn't bring her there drunk...
Bruce looked around the room, when he saw Dinah Lance making her way up the stairs in…was that some kind of wedding dress? ‘Dinah and Helena working on something here?’ Bruce looked around briefly for any sign of Helena but then went to follow Dinah up the stairs, she seemed determined and on a mission. It was just enough that Bruce would sneak up behind her; not too close - he was well aware that her elbow strikes and horse kicks were not thing to provoke. “Dinah?” He called out in a lonely hallway that allowed music to echo through them. “I need your help. I think Kirk Langstrom is here, somewhere.”
Black Canary: Hearing her name, the blonde nearly instictivly got into a defensive stance which looked a bit strange in a dress, but Thomas had made sure she would have full range of motion for her. Her elbow strike went back quickly as she turned ready to see who had startled her. "Bruce?" she asked, seeming more confused. She had nearly forgotten he was here. "Well, I'm here just socially tonight... I really need to..." she felt the draw to continue to the room she some how knew she was supposed to go to, to meet damian, but helping bruce tugged at her too. "Langstrom who went missing? I... I'll help you real quick. I'm supposed to meet someone." she looked about. "Do you suppose he is up here somewhere? It seems like mostly guest room and the master bedroom."
Erzebeth: Vicki opened her eyes drearily. "Oh gods my head." She gasped after recognizing Helena Bertenelli. "I'm terribly sorry for that. I didn't mean to worry you." Perhaps her intentions were to help rather than choke a bitch? Vicki sure hoped so. "I'm fine now. I can walk on my own. You haven't seen Bruce Wayne or the host of this...charming gathering, have you?" Either she ould confront Damian on her own or have Bruce at her side for safety. It was sure to get out of hand at this point. Something abnormal was going on in this house. Vicki started to fix her blue dress by stretching out the wrinkles. The damn thing had gotten so tight when she began hyperventalating. No wonder she fainted. -e-
Huntress: Holding onto to her for a moment longer as the other woman seemed to have come around, Helena watched her before she nodded slowly to her, letting her go even slower and stepping back. “You just ran away from both of them it seemed. I saw Mr. Wayne in the crowd, and as for the host.” Helena glanced back over her shoulder towards the locked bathroom door - he wasn’t really following them was he? “I saw him walking this way.” Vale didn’t exactly seem like she was as together as she was making herself out to be, and Helena took another step back, a careful one in those tall stilettos as if she were making sure that the blonde wasn’t going to collapse all over again. “Maybe you should sit down for a minute, then I can help you find Mr. Wayne?” She asked carefully, using the right tone of concern in her voice as her brain mulled over what could be going on and came up with nothing helpful.
“I’m really going to need your help on this one, Dinah…Damian Arcane can’t be trusted. Especially if he has Doctor Langstrom in his custody. I saw Helena here, I’ll message her and let her know to watch her back...” Bruce pulled out his cellphone and then spoke. “We’re not dealing with common criminals…They’re vampires.” Bruce began texting a message to Helena “Damian Arcane is Count Dracula.” He sent that message, allowing the important information process first and then Bruce sent another message. “Dr. Langstrom might be prisoner here.” Bruce pocketed his phone. “Will you be fine on your own?”
Black Canary: She smiled as Bruce actually admitted he needed help, things must have been getting worse that she thought! She frowned a little in confusion as he mentioned that Damian couldn't be trusted. But it did kind of make sense that if he had someone a prisoner they would be rather dubious. Her eyes widened as Bruce mentioned Vampires. "Did you really just say Vampires?" she looked at bruce with concern. Was he cracking up? Vampires, blood sucking turn into a bat vampires were in gotham. Seh felt that tug to go to that room again and found herself looking that way. "Yeah, I'm the black canary, of course I'll be fine. I'll see you later." she started to explore one of the hallways looking for clues.
Erzebeth: "He's coming this way!?" Just as she had thought. The creepiness factor was beyond a code red. Vicki had an urge to peak out of the door momentarily. "I'm going to text Bruce. This is getting out of hand." Her red curls were now falling off of her shoulders as she poked her head outside of the door to check through the crowd. Her phone immediately slipped into her bag in a desperate attempt for her phone. "Ms. Bertenelli, this might sound awfully ridiculous, but I have suspicions about Damian Arcane. Considering I've been separated from Mr. Wayne I believe the intentions are to corner me. I need you to promise me that no matter what you will not chase after me if I am taken by him. There is no telling what he is capable of." -e-
Huntress: As Vale reached for her phone, Helena heard hers go off and she looked down to the front of her own dress where it was it up before slipping it upwards out of her cleavage. “Suspicions?” Half listening Helena entered in her pass code and brought up the first text and simply stared for what seemed like a long moment then read the second before tucking her phone away. “What? Uh…wait, why would the host of this party take you?” She managed confusion well, especially when it worked in to being her true feeling. Did he really just text her about Dracula? Dracula. Helena’s head swam, and she would have laughed if it wasn’t for the fact that the text had come from Bruce Wayne of all people. ‘Kirk Langstrom.’ Helena considered the name before she brought her full attention back to the reporter. “I don’t really care what he’s capable of to be honest. I’m not going to let some creepy pretty boy make off with you. Besides, do you know how many witnesses are standing outside of this door? -
Huntress: Maybe you’re just imagining things.” She played it off the best she could, and suddenly longed for her suit in the trunk of that car outside - and a few crossbow bolts. Shifting she gently grabbed Vicki’s arm and pulled her back from the door, reclosing and locking it. “We should just stay here if you’re that concerned….”
www.youtube.com/watch?v=e817qtDsIo4
~What is intriguing about him? You can’t stop thinking about his lips. You want him to be a carnivore, eating your flesh for every aching second.~ The whisper would be faint, luring like a lovers thoughts, they were posed as if they were her own thoughts…her dark fantasies that were pulled from past experience and memories within Vicki’s mind. ~He’s in the music study to the left, he’s probably alone…but he won’t mind the isolation the chance for us to talk.~ The door to the bathroom would unlock with no sign of what caused it, but Helena and Vicki would be surprised as an elderly man entered and froze upon seeing the girls. “Oh! Pardon me…” The man backed out of the room and closed the door. Still, Vicki would feel urges and impulses to see Damian; the name would come into her head. ~Lord Dracula…Lord Dracula…~ <c>
A sense of power if the name, the idea that she was wasting a “kings” time by not showing up on time would tease at her and by the minute she would feel rude for keeping him waiting. ~There’s a bond between us…we need each other…King and Queen…~ Her body would feel warmer and warmer, the only thing that would cool her off would be the presence of ‘Dracula’ whom she knew was Damian, but in her mind they were interchangeable. <c>
The first room Dinah would come to was a bedroom where three nude people would lie upon a bed bleeding from their wrists. One of them was awake and suckling on the thigh of another man. It was a man whose gaze calmly stared at Dinah’s eyes attempting to lure her closer; to join them in a celebratory orgy of initiation…But his ability to telepathically reach her was weak and untrained. Her mind would feel him ravaging it, seeing her as a little girl on a swing set…Dinah in a garage working on her motorcycle, the first time she put on that leather jacket…He was inside her and she knew it.
Bruce stared at her and then reminded Dinah. “Looker is a vampire, Doctor Langstrom can turn into a giant bat, Circe can turn people into animals…Are you really having trouble with this?” His tone was firm, chastising almost along with a hint of doubt as to whether she was dependable or not. She seemed out of it, but he began his search and began opening doors to search for something, entering bedrooms to find it very medieval. Bruce stopped when he saw three people shackled to the wall and shivering. Bruce came to them and knelt down examining them. He brushed his hand gently over their forehead to feel a very cold sensation from their body. “I’m too late.” Bruce lowered his head and clutched his fist.
Black Canary: Dinah looked at bruce sheepishly. He did have a point. the world did have vampires and strange magics, but why didn't she realize that? she just felt off... "Right, sorry. I'll do my best and be careful." she headed off looking through the rooms, she gasped as she stumbled into an orgy. An all men orgy where they had slit rests and were suckling blood from their thighs?! It was disturbing and kind of kinky at the same time... but still disturbing. and then she saw the third staring into her eyes and she then memories started to flit through her mind. Not just memories but the emotions that went with them. The exhiliration of a little girl with her hair blowing in the breeze as she swang. Coated in grease and sheen of sweat in the garage workign on her bike, feeling so accomplished and proud... and then the first time she wore her jacket, with a mix of happines and sadness.... she could feel him. he was in her head! Her hands balled into fists and she lunged forward. <c>
Black Canary: One hand giving the infilitrating guy an upper cut, while her opposing elbow came down for a blow square on the thigh biting vampire's head. They were vampires and they were up to something. She then leapt back to try to keep out of their reach hoping they weren't crazy fast yet. <e>
Erzebeth: Vicki felt her legs walk her past the door. Bertenelli must have known something was wrong when she didn't answer her. What was calling her to Damian? "Dracula..." The name made her lips part for a deep inhale. It was almost as though she were preparing herself. Vicki felt as though she were watching herself make each move and couldn't even get herself to stop. This was an intentional glitch in the video game. If she had only known what she had gotten herself into! The red-head thought Damian to be suspicious, but not in this matter. "Mr. Arcane..." Now her legs were moving much faster to this man. She was heading towards the study where he had said he would be. Was he speaking to her telepathically? Oh how she wished it were only a dream. Vicki would much rather be with Bruce at his home like he had said earlier. There were so many things she regretted with that man and now this would be one of them.-e-
Huntress: The lock turning caused Helena’s body to tense up, her eyes turning from confused to dangerous as the man opened the door then quickly excused himself. “That was wei-…Ms. Vale!” As the other woman walked out of the bathroom Helena clenched her teeth and moved after her, walking right along beside her. “Ms. Vale, where are you going?” If it was Dracula, if she listened to the movies, the stories growing up about this (what she imagined to be) fictional character, was he mind controlling Vicki? Reaching out and grabbing her arms hard, Helena moved in front of her. “Vicki, stop.” Her grip bit down firmly into the other woman’s upper arms, her blue eyes demanding and she gave her a shake. “We need to find Bruce, let’s go and find Bruce.” She tried to remind her, to redirect her, to do anything short of physically hauling her away as she glanced at the people around. The latter would be a last resort.
A loud thrash and blast would echo throughout the house as the loudest roll of thunder passed over the house; followed by a haunting flash of lightning. The crackle of rain against the windows could be heard after the loud deafening roar of the Gods. Dracula stood at the threshold of the rooms between Vicki, Helena, and the study. “You may release her, Ms. Bertinelli.” He held his hand out for Vicki to grab; if she did she would suddenly feel more in control of herself. If Helena held her back, it would soon become apparent there were two vampire guards closing in from behind. It was then the chilling sound of an organ shot throughout the mansion and like a flock of cattle the men and women began moving into the ballroom; a perfect place to isolate everyone. <c>
“Ms. Bertinelli, you should join with everyone else. Dinner will begin soon…” Dracula’s gaze examined her and then smirked. “You have your father’s eyes, Ms. Bertinelli. Hopefully you don’t have his brain or courage.” His hand would shoo Helena away like an insect or rodent. <c>
Erzebeth: Vicki had the urge to simply jump into the arms of the vampire, but her brain knew better. Out of the blue her cellphone had started ringing. Her concentration was slowly breaking. With a scowl on her face she turned away from Dracula. Her hands were now clutching her cellphone tightly. The name 'Emily Briggs' continued to appear on the screen. "Not now! Dammit Bruce!" She needed to keep thinking of the man she truly loved, but with all this noise there was no way to properly keep away from the monster. Vicki turned to the monster when she heard him speak to Helena. "If I go with you. Will you leave these people alone?" Secretly one of her hands tucked the cellphone into her purse. The least she could do while accepting the evil would be to save them from it. -e-
Huntress: The blue eyes that had been so concerned as she had been gazing at Vicki hardened into ice as she turned that gaze now to the man who held his hand out towards the woman she was holding onto. Her grip didn’t tighten but her posture changed. Equipment was too far out of reach, but she knew how to use anything she could get her hands on to her advantage. Letting go of Vicki slowly Helena turned to face Dracula head on, shoulders squaring and as she did she saw the two guards moving forward. “Thanks, but for some reason I’m not all that hungry.” Helena retorted and then her eyes widened as her posture stiffened, hands clenching into fists and at his dismissal she turned her eyes back to Vicki and prepared herself. “You can’t take this guys word on anything, trust me on that.” Helena said softly to her. ‘What in the hell am I supposed to do here?’ The thought raced through her mind. -
Huntress: Vampires weren’t exactly up her alley, especially not when she was wearing nothing but a slinky black dress and a pair of too expensive stilettos.
Looker: Red curled hair had been flowing through the brisk night air while the sound of a motorcycle bounced off the brick walls of homes lining the streets. "Come on, Vick!" Emily had been on this case for at least a week. Bodies were dropping in a pattern that could only be explained by something entirely unlikely. The trail had taken her to a party on the outskirts of Gotham. It was at the Violet Mansion of all places! There was nothing more suspicious than a man from Transylvania coming to Gotham and living in a mansion that made Bruce Wayne look like a beggar. And of all places she knew her friend Vicki was likely to be there. Emily pulled up to the driveway and gave her keys to one of the attendants. In no way was she dressed for a gathering like this. After taking her helmet off she placed it on a tray held by a waiter. Her leather body suit was a shade of red made to compliment her fantastic red hair. The red-head spotted a young woman across the room who seemed more than just pale. -c
Looker: Her hips swayed from side to side whilst making an attempt to corner the girl. "Morgana Arcane?" The red-head grinned deviously. "You've grown quite a bit since I've seen you. Perhaps you'd like to catch up somewhere more quiet? And preferably somewhere we could..." Emily's eyes looked over the girl with eyes that begged for more than just a glimpse beneath clothing "...get a little more comfortable?" -e-
Dracula would appear concerned for Vicki; she couldn’t lie to him…even if she thought she could. “It is not my intention to hurt anyone here tonight. I simply want your company, Vicki. Please, let me show you to our table. Ms. Bertinelli is no longer needed to escort you. I give you my word, I will not cause harm to Vicki. My escorts will see that you are treated well.” Dracula’s hand would take Vicki’s allowing her to feel the warmth of his aura. She would feel a rush of power and security unlike anything she had ever experienced. He pulled her to follow him into the dinning room, where if Helena didn’t stop him he would pull out a chair at the head dinning room table for Vicki, an empty space for her that his hand would gesture. “I reserved a seat for your guest.” <c>
Morgana would take sight of Emily as she entered the room and began to speak, Morgana gave a soft smirk and nodded reaching her hand to interlock with Emily’s and pull her towards the stairs. Leading her up to the hallways where there would be a mild level of privacy. It would be at this point two more girls approached; Dracula’s daughters, Adriana Arcane and Claudia Arcane, Adriana had black hair with black eye shadows and purple lips, while Claudia had blonde hair with white / gray colored skin. Her eyes were pure white with no sclera or iris in them. They were each dressed in the same outfit of a black dress that fit their curves perfectly.
Erzebeth: Vicki felt reassured by Dracula's presence for whatever reason. She couldn't put her finger on it but it felt as though he could be trusted at the moment. "Thank you." Her voice seemed monotone. She was not exactly happy with the monster that lurked within the male. Though Vicki had accepted her fate she did know better than to trust the man with her mortality. An evening with Bruce was the exact definition of danger. Vicki would be damned if she didn't carry her trusty glock with her. Maybe it was a little unexpected for a simple talkshow host although the practically clearly outweighed that entirely. She couldn't figure out why Dracula had sought after her of all people. Her hand reached for her cellphone to hide it in her lap. Message from Emily Briggs: Omfg Vick if I catch u at that party I will die all the fuck over again. What kind of message was that? -e-
Huntress: There was nothing she could do, not like this, not in a place were she was clearly outnumbered and out muscled. Helena wasn’t even sure what in the hell she would be fighting at this point in time and as Vicki took his hand she turned on her heel and followed them. Shoes clicked loudly on the floor as she strode after the two, her eyes glancing at each “escort” that had been coming to meet her. “On second thought, I think I’ll stay for dinner.” Where in the hell was Bruce? If allowed she’d walk to the dining room, and less than gracefully tripped and bumped into the table, knocking over a glass. “Oh, excuse me.” Helena let out a laugh that didn’t reach her eyes and in the spirit of her mother, palmed a knife from the table and hid it firmly against her wrist, thumb closed over it. Killing wasn’t Batman’s style, but the Huntress wasn’t above killing an asshole to save the life of innocents. Besides…weren’t vampires already dead?
Looker: Her gloved fingers laced with Morgana's as they walked up the stairs. Upon seeing her sisters Emily pulled her hands away. "Look at you three. So gorgeous. Come, give us a kiss." She slipped her gloved hand into her breast pocket to take out a packet of what looked like a packet of mints. The vampiress popped open the tin and poured the contents into her mouth. Earlier that evening when she had discovered the horde of vampires lurking within Gotham she had packed her suit with enough silver to burn herself alive. Right now Emily could feel her tongue blistering in pain, but she pulled Morgana over anyway for a deep kiss. Emily's mouth tasted entirely of rusted metal. Morgana probably didn't understand what exactly was going on until a smoldering object was forced into her mouth. The red-head pulled back from the kiss, flipped the girl on her front, and cuffed her. Her last move was to gag Morgana using a lacey sock. The cuffs were of course silver meaning that the poor vampiress -c-
Looker: was in double the pain. "Silly girl. Did you really think I'd waste my looks on you?" Her gaze turned to Adirana and Claudia. "If you'd like your sister alive...or semi-not turned into dust. Then I would suggest you tell me where your father is. I have a lot of unsettled business to tend to and I am so not wasting my time playing chase with a couple of sluts." Emily spat blood on the ground that had been left over from the blisters on her tongue. "Tell me where Damian Arcane is." -e-
Dracula would wave to the room, holding his arms out wide. “Ladies and gentlemen…I would like to begin my announcement. If I may have your attention. Please take your seats.” The crowd of people began shuffling to their seats while Damian remained standing by his chair next to Vicki. “I thank you all for being my guests tonight. You are here because I wish for all of you to join me and my family. We are going to change the world. My pharmaceutical company has created its first batch of immortality formula…Only those here tonight may be given this formula.” -Dracula’s hands gestured to servants, women dressed in white dresses came to unload trays of glass bottles, clear liquid inside with an alcoholic scent to them. <c>
“Not only will this gift separate you from those who would be beneath us, it is the final step in your human journey to touch the hand of creation. I ask all of you, to join me in this historic moment and step forward in medicine.” Dracula took a glass off the table and raised it towards Vicki. He gulped the vile and smiled as everyone stared holding their breath, but soon everyone followed suit and drank the vile not quite realizing it was only alcohol - there was no special medicine, as far as they could tell.
Adriana and Claudia would bare their fangs at Looker, suddenly their features becoming more defined and wrinkled. They leapt at her with no regard for Morgana’s suffering but, Morgana struggled against Looker, adding only dead weight meant to handicap and cripple Emily. Claudia would aim to lacerate her claws across Looker’s face, while Adriana reached for Looker’s arm to slam her backwards and into the wall.
Erzebeth: She raised an eyebrow at Dracula's toast. Vicki refused to drink for once in her life. There was no reason for her to drink with some stranger. There were too many people for her to reveal her weapon to the room. Thank heavens Helena was around. Slyly, the woman too the glass into her hand and threw the liquid out of the glass pretending to have taken all of its contents in one gulp. All of those people would suffer a terrible fate which she could do nothing about. "I would like to go home." Her eyes settled upon Dracula's. No longer would she stand for this sorcery or his ridiculous games. Vicki wanted her peace of mind and she could't have it with this asshole sitting right in front of her.
Huntress: Helena stood back in the crowd, her gaze trained on Damian as he spoke, the blade of the knife she had taken tapping against her dress covered thigh lightly, a flutter of movement that was all that showed of her nervous energy and agitation. Had these people really come here for a promotion for a pharmaceutical company? As the glass bottles were passed around, her slender fingers reached out a took it, eyes examining the contents before she sniffed gently at the bottle. ‘Don’t.’ She wanted to say to the people around her but simply stood in the crowd as each person took their own sips, and her hand remained down by her side, holding the vile between her fingers. Slowly she worked a hole in her dress with the dull knife, digging down into the fabric until she could slide it into her garter belt, hiding it effectively, and as a man moved past her, she slipped fingers into his pocket and came out with a small match book. ‘Good girl.’ -
Huntress: She hadn’t missed a beat around her, nor missed the fact that Vicki hadn’t followed the rest of the sheep.
Looker: Emily felt the scratches, but was just about ready to take whatever pain their was tonight. In this mansion she there was the possibility of finding the person who had made her lose the love of her life and her mortal life. She would be damned if she didn't put up a fight to find him. Once Looker hit the wall she slumped to the floor. Looker couldn't help but laugh. "Haters gonna hate." She reached into her jacket to remove iron handled silver blades. It was a wonder that she could smuggle these through the Tokyo airport. Suddenly a breeze caused the room to go cold, but in fact it had been Looker making a dash similar to Barry's. Within the amount of time it took to run across the room she had managed to decapitate Morgana. "If you won't tell me then I'll have to find out myself." Emily stared at the grimmacing head and activated her ability to mind read. 'Where is he!?' -e-
Dinah’s strike would throw the one vampire back as she struck him twice breaking his mind meld and him from sucking the thigh. The two remaining vampires woke up and turned their attention to Dinah, hissing at her and bearing their fangs. One leapt towards the wall and began climbing on it, the other rolled onto the floor to crawl upon it. Their nails grew longer and allowed them to gain traction in the niches of the room’s dimensions. <c>
Dracula traded gaze with Vicki striking her with a deep hypnosis and placing her into a sleep-walking state. Her mind would be trapped inside an empty mansion, a maze that she would wonder, searching for the escape but, unable to find any way out of the haunted house her mind imprisoned her in. He would command her mentally to appear content and sit peacefully in her seat while staring ahead. Her eyes would lose coloring; that spark of life that made her show any sign of personality. Dracula would whisper into her ear. “No worry my love…You will understand soon enough.” <c>
It was as Looker peered into the mind of Morgana only to find a dominating force; the memory of Dracula first meeting Looker - never existed. She would search for something that wasn’t happening, but now that gaze fell upon Emily and it probed her mind…Telepathically she would begin to hear the call of her ‘master.’ ~Emily…Come to me…~ He was fascinated by Emily, her beauty was rivaling of Vicki’s…He must have her, a second queen would be just as satisfying to him for two separate continents, it’s a big world after all.
“Damian Arcane!” A deep voice boomed across the room and shot down from the ceiling like a divine bolt of lightning. “You’re under arrest for kidnapping, possession of illegal narcotics, and murder.” Dracula’s hold on Looker’s mind would release, giving her free will once again. The Dark Knight stepped out from behind a window curtain as vampires moved to surround him; the numbers were suddenly vast; twenty of them assigned as security, the servants stood as secondary security if they were needed. Dracula would stare at Batman, clearly un-amused. “You’re not a police-Man, you cannot arrest me. And I do not think you can defeat one of my soldiers.” <c>
Batman’s white eyes blankly stared at Dracula, ignoring the soldiers closing around him. His lips created a finely made thin line. “I don’t plan on defeating them. I’m just delaying for backup...It’s a short ride for them-…” Lifting his hand batman revealed a small Microsonic device. Pressing the button a loud sonic pitch would irritate every vampire in a 2 mile radius. From the window behind Batman a dozen swarms of bats thrashed through the window screaming and attacking everyone in their path. Dracula would immediately wrap his arms around Vicki and fly up towards the second floor of the ballroom, carrying her away.
Black Canary: Dinah watched the two vampires who started to get more fiesty, watching how their nails seemed to become like talons. As the one crawled quiclky toward her, she ran towards it, jumping into a roundhouse kick at it's head. The other foot coming down it's back, which she jumped off of towards the vampire on the wall, using her momentum she delivered a haymaker on it. She would land on the bed in a defensive pose ready for the vampires to strike again. "Hey boys, sorry to ruin your little party here, but it's time to rock you guy's to sleep!" she looked around to see if there was a wooden chair or something that she could bust down into wooden stakes. <e>
Erzebeth: Vicki had been with Helenna hadn't she? Where was she? The mansion seemed entirely bare at this point. Everyone had seemed to disappear. She was wondering through continuous empty halls now. There was no escape from this madness. Dracula had gotten what he wated and she had let it happen. How could she have been so stupid? But Bruce! Oh she had tried to be so noble like him. His thirst for justice was contagious. Vicki wanted to be like him. He had inspired her, but of course she could never be like the Batman. And now she would never be able to see the Dark Knight or the man she wished to love. The least she could do was die trying. Now was the time for the glock. Her hands searched through her purse for the weapon. But would it be there while she was trapped within this illusion? -e-
Huntress: Helena watched Vicki, the interaction between the two of them and she took a step forward. ‘What can I do, what can I do?’ The question plagued her. Beyond stalling? It wasn’t like she was really all that briefed on how to handle a vampire. Sunlight was out of the question, crosses? No she didn’t bother to wear the cross of Helena Bertinelli anymore, which she didn’t even know if that’d be useful. Silver? Some of her bolts were tipped in silver, but wasn’t that for werewolves? Or… ‘I really need to catch up on the pop culture of vampires.’ There had been far too many shark movies in her life. As the voice boomed out, her froze for a moment, recognizing it instantly and turned her gaze to the window. Eyes training on the device Helena instantly pulled the knife out from its hiding spot and as the glass of the window shattered she threw it hard, right at Damian Arcane’s head. -
Huntress: A breath later he had moved, taking Vicki and flying with her upwards, the knife embedding into the wall behind him and Helena snarled out a curse before she turned to run out of the hall. She had to get to her suit, and it was waiting for her out in the trunk of the car.
The vampires fighting Black Canary would suddenly hold their heads in agony as a sonic scream resonated in their heads, from the window in the room Dinah would sudden hordes of bats swarming the mansion before some smashed through the window and began attacking the vampires with their fangs and claws lashing out. Black Canary would most likely run out of the room to avoid being submerged in the swarm that were crawling upon the vampires while ravaging their flesh. <c>
Batman maneuvered through the crowd as Dracula’s voice would shout out, echoing throughout the entire mansion like some omnipresence. “Do you think you can save them, Bat-Man? An entire species to save and you are alone! I demonstrated before that you cannot win and I am no longer amused.“ It was in that instant every single bat within the swarm dropped to the ground and shivered from a seizure, the sound of leather wings slamming against tables, glasses, ballroom floor, people, echoed like a bucket of water washing over a room. Batman clutched his fist and then hurled a batarang that exploded next to Dracula, the blast broke Dracula’s telepathic control of the bats allowing them to squirm and crawl upon whatever surface they crashed onto.
Black Canary: Dinah kept up her fight with the vampires, they were fast, but she was clever and well trained. And there was an awful sound It reminded her a bit of her own cry but was different, simulated, and seemed to hit the vampires just right. She was ready to take out the incapcitated vampires as they went to their knees cluthing at their heads, when the bats swooped in. Bats filled the room and attacked the vampires. She jumped back out of the room. She couldn't fight with all those bats in there and she didn't need them going after her too. She ran down the hall and did a kick and her foot crushed through an end table. she stood on the table legs and broke them off, she was ready with a few wooden sakes prepared. Dinah kept moving, checking other rooms for hostages. <e>
Huntress: The cool of the night hit her in the face as she ran down the stairs, the sounds of bats slapping into objects sounding behind her and she sprinted towards the car, knocking on it until the trunk opened and she could sling a duffle bag over her shoulder. It was a quick and cold change, and she envied her Kryptonian best friend for a moment as the frigid temperatures tried to leak through her suit. As the Huntress grabbed her grappling gun, aiming for the second story window she found that she envied Karen once again; the woman wouldn’t have had any trouble dealing with a vampire or two, would she? Instead of taking the style of her Not-Dad, as she heard the explosion go off she opted to ease the window open instead of the ledge she perched on, gazing in at Dracula and the captured reporter in his grasp. She needed something, anything to distract him, so she could take the woman from him and they needed to get the people the hell out of this creepy place. -
Huntress: Silently as possible, the Huntress loaded a bolt into her compact crossbow and pressed it back into the holder at her waist as she eased inside of the window to the floor.
Looker: Looker had been able to successfully escape the room or so it seemed. She need to find Dracula before it was too late. "Concentrate Emily." The red-head attempted to listen to the voices surrounding her, but the only thing she could here was a crash back in the dining room. "Too much noise." Perhaps it was better to find out the source of the disruption. Emily hurried to the staircase railing then slid down the glossed rail. At the bottom she saw the massive amounts of bats and one very large one. Was that? Oh shit. It was the Batman! They weren't exactly on good terms. Now more than ever was the best time to earn his trust. She took control of the bats and lured them towards the door so they could roam about the night freely. "Need my help?" -e-
Dinah might’ve thought she was in the clearing, but one of her previous attackers would seemingly pounce her from behind, without a trace of sound. Its strength would attempt to force her chest to slam into the wall, hopefully weakening her enough that its hands would grip the back of her head and hold her still long enough for it to bite her. It’s thoughts were close enough she could hear it. ~You’re my bitch now…~ a sinister voice as though it had achieved victory over a helpless sheep. His hands were by no means holding or restricting her arms or legs giving her free movement of any of them. A second vampire followed behind but, watched in anticipation. <c>
Dracula pulled Vicki Vale with him into his bedroom chamber where he placed his hand upon her cheek and kissed her lips. He bumped his forehead against hers and whispered. “Go, I will come for you my love.” And like the zombie she he had made, Vicki would enter a dark secret passage that Dracula would close. He then went out of the bedroom through another access point making his way to the main hall of the mansion. The labyrinth of a castle design made his escape all the more elusive and made it difficult for the vigilantes to fight superhuman beings.
Batman thrashed his fist across one vampire’s face throwing them backwards, he spun and roundhouse kicked another across the face. When Looker spoke, Batman growled. “Clear out his soldiers! I can’t stop all of them alone.” Looker would be able to see, Batman was moving faster than any human previously thought they could. His reflexes were barely slower than the vampires, but still he kept up with their heightened condition. A skull bash to another vampire’s face knocked them onto the ground. “Look for wooden stakes or silver.”
Black Canary: dinah didn't find any hostages as she searched. But then she heard a noise, her body stiffened and she got into a fighting pose. she turned around with with an elbow in motion but was grabbed by the swiftness of the vampire and was slammed into a wall causing her to drop he wooden stakes with a loud clatter. Sure the vampire was strong, but she was tough, the wall hardly phased her. As she felt him against her back, his breath on her neck, her lip curled up in discuss as she could feel him in her mind talking to her, with his assumed victory. She whipped her head back, smacking him in the forehead, letting him hold her as she pulled her legs up to thrust off the the wall, rocketing into him, so they would topple onto the floor. she rolled and straddled the vampire, pinning him, with a move that would make any wrestler proud and gave him a strong right hook as her left hand reached out and picked up one of the scattered stakes. "No. You're my bitch now." <c>
Black Canary: she growled and slammed the stake into his chest. she looked up to see the other vampire. "Ready to join your friend, or would you rather show me where the hostages are?" <e>
Erzebeth: Vicki was driving herself insane. She had heard a voice, but whose was it? "Bruce? Bruce! BRUCE!" The woman spun in circles in one of the hallways. The illusion was much more real to her now than before. It seemed like the longer she stayed within this illusion the more likely she would give up on escaping. That had to be his plan. Dracula wanted to wear down her spirit until she gave up. "To Hell with that!" Vicki would give anything to see Bruce again. Having him on her mind would never break her spirit. -e-
Huntress: Huntress stepped softly as she moved after Dracula and Vicki, waiting until they turned a corner to press her back against the wall and peer around the side of it. Taking note of what room they moved into, the young woman moved down the hall and slipped inside of a room, closing the door until she could just peak through the crack and waited. He hadn’t come out of the same door, but surely if his place was under attack he wouldn’t just leave it up to those guards that he had. Holding her breath Huntress slipped back through the open door and walked into the bedroom, reaching up and turned her detective vision on as she looked around. Had he left with her again? No, he would hide her, wouldn’t he? Looking at the wall she paused then moved over to it, fingers slipping along the hidden passageway until she could find the trigger to open it. Breaking it down, blowing it up would be stupid and she wasn’t about to draw any more attention to herself.
Looker: Looker tossed the Batman one of her blades with a grin. "Unlike some people I came prepared." To her surprise she was grabbed from behind. Her first response was to flip the halfling over until she could take her second blade into hand and stab him right in the heart. Soon the man was nothing more but a pile of dust. "Right. Pay attention." The red-head pulled off a leg of a wooden chair and began to taunt a herd of at least five halflings. "That's right...follow me." She lead them to an isle of chairs where they lined up perfectly. Using her telekinesis she managed to pierce the line of vampires with the leg of the chair till it reached the heart of the last vampire.
The vampire was surprised but then shook his head. “There are no hostages…There is only us and them. By the end of tonight, everyone in here will be with us, even you!” The vampire leapt at Dinah attempting to pin her down by the shoulders so that it could bite her throat. <c>
Huntress would just have to push the wall and it would slide forward allowing her access to a staircase that would lead her down into a dark tunnel that was chilly. Stone stairs spiraling down with a frozen draft made her feel as though she were entering the depths of Hell where the fire was so hot it felt cool to the skin. She would likely shiver herself to the point of sweating. At the bottom it would lead to a maze of tunnels that seemed to stretch for miles but, detective vision would immediately spot a trail of foot prints going in every direction, with one direction having multiple foot prints traveling it.
Batman caught the blade and spun to avoid being hit, swinging his arm he stabbed one vampire in the heart vaporizing them, immediately he slashed another vampire’s hand causing them to flinch and opening an opportunity for him to stab them in the chest vaporizing them into dust. He cut another vampires hand off before twisting and quickly arming his batclaw to shoot a claw behind Looker, the grapnel latched onto a vampire’s head allowing Batman to tug them down onto the ground placing them at knee height for Looker to execute them. He would need to call it out; as her heightened senses would pick up the vibration of the vampire landing on the ground behind her. <c>
Batman retracted the claw and slashed another vampire’s throat. An additional soldier punched Batman and threw him backwards forcing the blade to drop and Batman to tumble backwards. Three vampires rushed Batman; two gripped Batman’s arms and held him down while the third prepared to bite the detective. His gaze didn’t leave them but, he spoke calmly. “Do you hear that?” ~BEEEP!!!~ Snapflashes planted on their persons would explode throwing them away from Batman. He would look to Looker and adjust his cape. “Clean up here. I’m going after Dracula. Make sure Dinah Lance and Helena Bertinelli got out safely.” Batman fired his grappling hook towards the second floor and flew up to pursue Dracula.
Black Canary: Dinah frowned, apparently this guy was a low level recruit and had no idea about the man-bat, but his comment and confidence made her glower at him. They wanted to make them all join their ranks! Not if she could help it! She huffed as the vampire lunged at her, so obvious, these guys just had no true form to their fighting relaying solely on their strength and speed. She went down with his lunghat her shoulders, tucking her legs in and rollign with it, doing a backwards sommersault, using the momentumn as her feet slipped up to his gut and gave a hard kick, trying to knock him into the wall behind her. a hand sweepign back to grab another table leg as followed her momentum, landing on her feet and rocked to stand up. she then charged the vampire to thrust the stake into his chest. "I belong to no one! I'm the black canary! and your time is up!" <e>
Huntress: She walked into the tunnel slowly, adrenaline spiking up as she pushed the panel closed behind her and continued forward her heartbeat thumping firmly in her chest. It was dark, but she didn’t worry about it as the detective vision let her see clearly and as she started down the stairs she wrapped her cape tightly around herself and clenched her teeth together in an effort to control her shivering. Old injuries ached in protest of the cold, and her bones seemed to rattle as sweat dripped slowly down her spine in the suit. ‘Thank God for the upgrade.’ She thought of her suit and the fact that her only skin exposed to the air was that where the mask didn’t cover and was more grateful than ever. Crouching down she looked at the footprints then looked forward before she walked to follow the path with multiple footprints. Huntress considered calling out to Vicki but once again thought better of bringing attention to herself and instead continued down the seemingly neverending path silently.
Looker: "Diana France and Helen...Helen?" What were the names? Emily was now busy picking off the last of the so called "army". "Maybe it was Ellen." She gave a slash to the face of a chick who really needed a good tanning on the beach. "Bert..." This time a kick to the face sent Emily backwards. "Fuck that." Looker lunged at the chick till her blade ripped through the woman's neck. "More or less picked up. Let's see if I can find these chicks." The red-head flew through the hallways now picking up on the heartbeat of a young female. "It'll be a pain to find her in this mess. Let's see if I can set up a link." Looker separated the voices she heard this time. This girl sounded nervous so if she could focus on a voice like--Bingo. 'Helena Bertinelli.' Said a voice within the young woman's mind, 'Don't be alarmed, my name is Looker. Batman sent me to find you. Can you pinpoint your current location?' -e-
The vampire would be stabbed in the chest and die immediately from Dinah’s stake. In the tunnels Huntress would follow a confusing winding path corners, and blocked off pathways narrowing down where she had to go all the more when she found it-…Detective vision picked up a little girl chained to the wall by her wrists, her skin was pale, her blonde hair ragged and seemingly fallen out due to malnourishment. She was turning into a skeleton metaphorically speaking. Her head dangled almost lifelessly, it was the pain that ran through her that kept her conscious and unable to fade off into the next world. Her neck and legs were bleeding but some patchs were placed crudely over her wounds to keep her alive. Another person was next to her, suffering the same although they were an adult man in slightly better condition. <c>
Around the corner would lead into a dungeon chamber. Her detective vision would pick up 20-30 people shackled to walls with their arms held above their head as they sat upon the cold floor. One exoskeleton was far different; it was large and had wings attached to its arms. Leathery ears pointed on each side of its head. Feet that looked furry and clawed. Man-Bat had tubes prodding into his arms siphoning his blood into a bucket that vampire soldiers were extracting and moving into another chamber room.
Black Canary: Dinah smirked as the vampire ashed before her eyes. She picked up the other two stakes with a flourish. going back the way she came looking fot the third vampire. I f she didn't see him she would dash towards a stair case looking for guests. If thevampire was right, they were all endager. Perhaps she might stumble upon Helena, Vicky, or Bruce. The night had just started and she was going to stop thse fangbangers from turning any more innocents! <e>
Erzebeth: Vicki was now more angry than anything. She pulled out her glock and began shooting at windows to see if they'd break. Normally she was resourceful, but this magic was stupendous. How could she ever break this sort of spell? Unfortunately she had no experience with this sort of thing. Bruce would know what to do. Maybe that was it! Maybe she had to think like Bruce. -e-
Huntress: “Never ending.” She whispered into the cold and dark, gloved fingers moving out to brush along the wall lightly as it narrowed down. Suddenly she heard something, or rather…her mind did and she paused mid stride and narrowed down her eyes behind the lenses covering them. ‘Get the hell out of my head.’ Came the rude reply as she turned her thoughts to the bats she had seen fallen upstairs, focusing on how they looked, the texture of the wings, of anything but where she was and who she was. Batman sent someone to invade her mind? To look for her? She was in the layer of a vampire, probably surrounded and she wasn’t about to trust some random ass mind message in the midst of all of this. Continuing to walk she came into the room and her eyes landed on the little girl and instantly red filled her vision, white hot anger burning down into her stomach so intense she completely forgot the cold. -
Huntress: Reaching up she touched her cowl and wondered if from where ever she was she could reach someone over the communicator there. “B, Songbird, I need…” What did she need? Looking around she saw the other people and tightened her jaw. “You to find me a way to get the hell out of here with a bunch of people in tow. I’ve got Langstrom.” She whispered and then she moved forward to the little girl and quickly pulled out her lock pick kit, taking off the shackles and crouching down, removing her cape and wrapping it around the child. “Stay with me.” Huntress whispered as she laid her down gently and moved into the dungeon, drawing her crossbow.-e-
Looker: "Rude!" Looker tossed her hair to the side. 'Don't trust me? I'm Vicki Vale's friend from work. You might know me as Emil Briggs since 30% of your closet contains my brand of clothing. Don't worry, that's the only thing I took a peak at. TMI ruins my image entirely.' As long as she could keep the girl's voice in her head Emily could find her. Why was the mansion such a fucking maze? 'Don't move, I'm coming to get you.' Now she had her. Helena was only a few yards away. Looker could picture her exactly. -e-
“It won’t matter.” A voice spoke from behind Huntress, Batman stood observing the scene. “We’re in the vampires’ lair. They’re not going anywhere…She needs you.” Batman stared at Huntress, as the freezing young girl was rapidly fading due to extreme cold. Batman was either completely cold blooded or holding back a dam of emotions as he spoke softly, but very pointed. “Don’t let her go alone like this.” Batman had given up hope on the girl’s survival and he moved to the man next to the little girl, clenching the cape for warmth with barely any strength. Batman released the man’s hands and placed them onto the prisoners lap. “This kind of torture is inhumane. The kind of stuff King’s would subject prisoners to during the crusade, that’s over 700 years ago.” <c>
It was then Batman looked at Huntress and held out a device. “You entered the sewers without placing one of these at the entrance…Down here your communicator has no signal. This relay will create a hub to the outside world.” Batman armed his cryptographic sequencer and revealed a map of Gotham, Huntress would be able to see that they were located under the North Gotham bay. “These tunnels run under the water…that explains why it’s so cold. ”