DC: 2011-08-11 - Underage and Undercover

His ribs still haven't healed of course, yet Batman seems to have made up for this with slightly reinforced chest armour and an absolute refusal to acknowledge the pain, the way he moves around the cave gives no indication as to his injury, he doesn't even seem to register discomfort. He certainly hasn't let it stop his work. He speaks to the computer while leaning over some strange device he's apparently working on. "Run a search for all assassin's with known connections to the Penguin, sights, contracts and locations where possible." He listens to the computer as it begins to run through quite an impressive list. "Include any known bank accounts and credit transactions.

Kara Zor-El looks over your shoulder curiously. "Um.. hey. Who's 'the Pengiun?'" You still heard her, of course, but she's getting better at bypassing security quietly.

Batman frowns a little. "He's one of the more... enterprising criminals in Gotham. Computer display file Oswald Cobblepot." He doesn't seem surprised, but then who knows how many eyes he's got on the cave. An image of the Penguin and the related file appear floating in the air. "What can I do for you Kara?"

Kara Zor-El shrugs a little. "I'm bored... was hoping we could hang out. Maybe I could help with anything. See how you're um... doing. Stuff?" She doesn't mention she's also checking up on you to subtly check if your ribs are healing well.

Overprotectiveness must be a kryptonian thing.

Batman turns in his seat, his eyes meet Kara's. The look he gives her isn't intended to be scary, threatening or even unkind it's simply hard. "I see." He studies Kara closely. "Why would you want to 'hang out' with me? I doubt anything I'm doing is of particular interest to you."

Kara Zor-El shrugs. "You're my friend. Friends hang out. Besides... now we've worked together and stuff..." she checks out your ribs with her x-ray vision, trying to be subtle. "My big grumpy scary friend." she says to herself

"I don't hang out Kara. I work." He studies Kara for a moment. This doesn't fit the pattern. His expression's impossible to read. "Everything's ok?" He know how evasive teens can be when they're in trouble and seeking help.

Kara Zor-El looks a little relieved about something. "Oh... okay well um... maybe I can help with your work? I'm good at helping you know. Plus Robin's in San Francisco right now and um... thought maybe you'd be lonely? I mean I'm lonely all the time without Kal around. Can I do anything for you at all?" She really seems to be trying to be all friendly and talkative to you, despite all indications that you do not 'want' friendly and talkative-ness.

"I see." Batman pauses a moment, his conversation with Stephanie coming to mind, the ways he could better work with children. "Kara. I don't get lonely. I don't have the luxury to have friends. I appriciate that you're having a hard time with Clark gone. But I'm really not good company."

Kara Zor-El shrugs. "Well I think you are. I mean... I know we've had a rough start together, but I think we're good together. Besides, it was getting all weird in San Francisco." What the hell is she talking bout? She straightens up. "I want to help and that's that. Anything I can do? Anything at all?"

"You can tell me what happened in San Francisco." It's the voice, the one that tells people that Batman's not got the time to argue. "And then you can tell me what brought on this change of heart." He frowns as he looks at Kara. "I will admit I'm curious, you seemed perfectly happy with our relationship last time we spoke."

Kara Zor-El shrugs a bit. "Nothing really in San Francisco. They want me to join that Titans thing. I met some of the people there and it just feels weird and all." She fidgets. "I'm still happy with our relationship. I just ... you know you -can- ask for help. I owe you a whole lot after all." She pauses. "It doesnt even have to be superhero stuff. I can help ..um... like around the batcave?" She looks around. "I'll polish the giant penny?" she shrugs curiously.

The offer may be of interest to Alfred, then again he may be highly insulted at the idea of a teenage girl thinking she can polish as well as he can. But Batman simply arches an eyebrow. "Hmm, perhaps you can help with something." He moves to one of the storage units, his hand moves in a complex pattern as he speaks. "Open compartment two, safety measures disable, authorization Batman level alpha." He removes what looks to be the inner workings of his costume. "I've been working on a new defensive counter measure, effectively it's designed to administer spray to anyone who attempts to remove any part of my costume." The system's basically a chemical release system. "I know you have an understanding of engineering, I'd be interested to hear your views on how I can make the response time quicker, as near to instant as possible." He looks at Supergirl for a moment. "If I let you help with this you'll agree to go and visit someone else? I would have thought you'd enjoy being with the Titans. I'd think they're better company for you than I am."

Kara Zor-El bites her lip as she looks at the system, then back at Batman, unable to stop thinking she really wishes he was acting like Bruce right now. Buts he can see it - he's nicer than he lets on. She looks at the Bat. "Well... they're my age and stuff but... things feel awkward. They kept talking over and over about teamwork and how we're amazing separate but unstoppable together and.... it sorta was feeling a little..." She shrugs. "Corny." She peers at the device a bit. "It did seem like a nice place to be able to hang out at though. Maybe it's just because I don't have a lot of experience with people my own age, it felt like a saturday afternoon special."

Yeah... she doesnt get most earth culture references, but TV references? That she knows.

Kara Zor-El adds, "If you put an inert xenon gas in this little compartment here, you could have the mechanism trigger upon exposure to the air when the xenon is released. To spray out ... well.. whatever you want to spray out."

"They're right. The Titan's are an amazing team." Batman looks at her for a moment. "You consider my company less weird than theirs?" Batman looks at her, his tone almost surprised now. "I'm not known for being social Kara." He nods at the idea. "Perhaps." He then frowns a little. "I thought socializing with your peers was what you wanted? It's going to be strange, it's something new."

Kara Zor-El shrugs a little. "It doesn't seem normal. It all feel forced... artificial. I'm not doing.... there's no teenage experience. It's not teenage socializing. We're teenagers.... that's about as far as it was going." She shakes her head. "Not sure if that makes any sense to you." She looks at you, offering the mechanism back. "There can be a backup cartridge as well even." then says "Besides which.... I think you're actually much nicer than you let on. Kal wouldnt speak so highly of you as a person otherwise."

She then tries changing the subjcet. "So..... um... I heard Robin's girlfriend is out of her coma. That's good."

"Perhaps you're just nervous." Batman nods at the ideas, he seems to be giving them due thought, even if he doesn't mention them. "I'm not nice Kara, I'm just very good at what I do. And your cousin respects me for that." He shrugs a shoulder as he studies the unit Kara's handed back. "I wouldn't know. I never had time for friends as a teenager.

Kara Zor-El shrugs. "It felt weird. The whole thing. Felt like I was the overpowered 800 pound gorilla in the room. I don't feel like that when I'm around you." Note, she doesn't mention Robin in that comparison. "You know, you could be both good at your job and a nice person..." She pauses, and drops this route of talking. "So.... about Robin's girlfriend..."

Frowning Batman looks at Kara. "I'm not a nice person Kara. I don't deal with people well. I haven't got time to be polite or consider peoples feelings." He then looks at her, apparently having got to what he thinks is the crux of the matter. "What about her." Kara Zor-El shrugs a little. "Is she nice? I heard she's recovered."

"She's recovering." Batman looks at you. He considers his options, on the one hand he wants to keep his distance. He doesn't want to encourage the friendship, on the other hand he has been trying to get a better profile on you. "She's strong willed, reckless at times, but good at what she does." He gives you a meaningful look. "She's also Robin's girlfriend. I know that there are feelings between you and Robin, but remember that."

Kara Zor-El nods a little. "I know. I wouldnt try to steal him. Besides... he's better off with someone of his own species anyway. I know that...."

You say, "It just feels nice being with him sometimes... you know. Normal."

Kara Zor-El adds, "Sometimes."

Batman continues to work. "You want normal yet you find my company comforting?" He sounds almost dubious. "I'm as far from normal as you get Kara." He once again meets your eyes. "You should consider spending some time as Kara Kent, meet people who don't fight crime for a living. That's normal." Of course he can relate to the fact that it's also a lie for people like him and Kara.

Kara Zor-El shrugs a little. "I have trouble with that. I can hear things. It's hard to ignore it."

Kara Zor-El watches you work. "Besides, I don't hate being Supergirl. I just wish I could also do normal stuff. I'm not Kara Kent. That's just a disguise."

Nodding Batman frowns a little. "Have you considered the fact that normal isn't what you want? Ultimately that's what you need Kara. You need to figure out what you want." He frowns a little. "You can't tell me you enjoy my company. I know you seek my approval and I've told you how much a disapprove of those effort. What do you want from your life? Not what do you think other people will approve of."

You say, "It's not like with Clark. He was raised like that. He can be Clark Kent or Superman or Kal-El or whatever and it feels normal to him."

"Then don't have a secret identity. You could spend all your time as Supergirl. Be yourself and not worry about needing the disguise." Batman puts the shirt away. "But you need to decide what you want and do it." He frowns a little. "Why do you feel comfortable around me?"

Kara Zor-El looks at you. "I can so tell you I enjoy your company. Plus I know you like mine too, even if you don't lke that I want you to approve of me. I think you do approve of me and you just don't want me to get a .... what's the term... swelled head about it."

She looks at you. "Why? Because ... I don't know. You know who you are. Even if you don't let others know who you are, you know. It's comforting." Did she just call Batman 'comforting'?  Batman grins. "And now we see the one hole in Batman's prep powers... Teenage girls.

Frowning Batman looks at Kara. He seems to be weighing her. "I spend my time fighting crime Kara. This is who I am." He motions around the room. "This is my life."

Kara Zor-El looks plainly at you. "You know it's more than that. You feel comfortable with whatever you're doing. It radiates off you. I like that feeling. At first I thought it was just you being a mean grumpy... you know what. Now I see that's not the case."

Batman turns you, he looks down at you. He seems to weigh you briefly. "What is going on here Kara? What has you so convinced that I'm not the person you thought I was?" He frowns. "I' confident, I've been doing this a lot of years and I've got the training to do it well. Why does that mean I'm not the man I was before?"

Kara Zor-El crosses her arms. "Don't know why you can't take a compliment. -You're- a good, nice person." She smiles "And that's that."

Batman doesn't move, it's almost inhuman how still he manages to be. "It's not about the compliment, it's about where it's coming from -why- have you changed your mind? What makes you think I'm not the mean, grumpy old man you thought I was before."

Kara Zor-El smiles and shrugs. "Maybe I'm a good detective also. And I'm not saying anything else about that."

"I see." Batman turns fairly quickly, his attention turning to the computer display before him. He doesn't say word, there's neither invitation to stay or leave, though he does add. "I'm sorry Kara, but whatever you think you know. You're mistaken.

Kara Zor-El nods a little, figuring she pushed too much, briefly looking at the computer to see what you're looking at now.

If it were anyone else there'd likely be a sigh. Yet Batman makes no such sign. His expression still on the screen, it shows a fairly simple who's who of Gotham's organized crime, a list of names and what Batman has tied to them, as well as how they tie to each other. It's complex to the point of being crazy. Batman speaks without looking around. "I'm reviewing information, it's what I do with my free time."

Kara Zor-El leans over and reads over your shoulder. "You're so dedicated."

Batman watches as the pages flicker. "I told you this is what I do Kara. I've dedicated my life to this mission." He doesn't stop reading as he speaks to her. "Computer, cross reference file Tony 'stitches' Bordion to file Oswald Cobblepot."

Batman nods slowly as he turns to look at Kara. "Don't give up on the Titans Kara. And stay out of trouble." The last is pretty much just a reminder after all she's been good so far right?

Kara Zor-El nods. "I'll give them a shot." Then floats up. "Um... can I use an exit other than the water way? Like maybe where your plane comes out or something? Please?"

Batman pushes a button on the panel in front of him and a tunnel opens. "This will take you to one of the secondary exits, it comes out in town so be careful." It pretty much leads to an old underground route before allowing access the surface. "It's not for the plan but it should be fine."

Kara Zor-El smiles at Batman all happy-like. She peers at you for a moment, nodding to herself, then turns and flies out at superspeed, faster than human eyes can register, to as not to attract attention.

Iceberg Lounge - Gotham City(#620RJs)

Kara Zor-El comes into the Iceberg Lounge, looking around. Yeah... she's going to try to help Batman - see if she can find anything to help link this Cobblepot person to Tony Bordion.

Kara Zor-El walks inside, wearing one of the outfits Clark grudgingly bought for her months ago. A sexy little black number which she knows her cousin hates seeing on her. Never mind her uniform shows even more skin. Clark can be weird sometimes. She walks past, heading to the bathroom, taking note of where cameras are. Gonna have to make sure to be faster than those shutter speeds. Making note of where the private areas are also that are off limits.  Kara Zor-El says, "http://comicadventures.wikia.com/index.php?title=Supergirl&image=x1527174-superman_batman_apocalypse-2010-dvdrip-xvid_noir_032369_05_37_56_-jpg"

The cameras cover every inch of the club. The only area that's off limits are the kitchen and the Penguin's office. A number of people from the list Batman had been looking at are currently at the club, there's currently no show, yet as always the club is a house of obvious vice. Yet the penguin's smart nothing illegal happens out where anyone can see.

Kara Zor-El walks over to Tony, smiling. Then leans over to the bar. "Can I get something fruity?" she asks the bartender.

Tony turns his attention to Kara. He studies her a moment. On the one hand she's a beautiful young woman. On the other hand she's obviously young. He does watch her though. The barman frowns a little. "You got ID? You shouldn't be here unless you're twenty one." He shakes his head. "I should call secruity" He pours a drink that's non-alcoholic. "But I remember what it's like to be a kid. You got one drink then you disappear got it?" Batman has the place bugged. He actually took the time to visit the club and get the feeds. He also happened to be watching them by the time Kara arrives. It doesn't sit well with him. His approach needs to be careful now after all.

Kara Zor-El smiles at the bartender. "Thanks." She takes the drink and sips it, then looks over at Tony when she notices out of the corner of her eye that she's being checked out. She gives the bartender money for the drink, whispering again "thanks again" - for not calling security. Then walks over to Tony. "Hey there." she says, grinning.

For all that tony made the list, it would seem he's not the sharpest guy around. He seems to give Kara a few moments thought. "Hey. You ain't meant to be here." He sips his own drink. "This ain't a nice place kid. You don't want to be rubbing shoulders with these guys. They're..." He shuts up as it seems security's already caught up with Kara. They head over with a severe frown. They've got an expression that implies they're definately not above violence and what's more they're all armed. "Hey kid. You got ID?"

Kara Zor-El smiles, looking up at Tony all flirty-like. "Maybe I could rub-" she pauses and looks around at security. "Um.. yeah. I have ID."

Kara is a Kryptonian girl with a full 3 months on earth, most of which has been spent in Antarctica, with Batman, or on an Island paradise full of amazons. So how the hell did she find time to get a fake ID? She fishes out an ID from the little purse she has with her. "Here." It says her name is Tricia Takiyama. That's how she got a fake ID. She paid a moron.

These guys are the criminal types. They've sold this kind of ID before and unlike Tony they're not struggling to think. "You're Tricia Takiyama?" They sound more than a little dubious as they inspect the ID closely.

The Penguin for all that can be said of him hires the best. His security are good. They're also criminals, they've pushed dodgy IDs on people before and they're not buying these. "You're trying to push a fake ID on us?" He sounds pretty close to certain, there might be enough doubt there to talk your way out, but it's going to be close and Tony's starting to look a little spooked by the attention.

Kara Zor-El shakes her head. "No... I mean.. yes, I'm Tricia Takiyama" She frowns to herself. Note to self Kara... next time actually read the fake ID name. "On my father's side."

The guards aren't buying and Tony's getting up to leave a few mumbled comments and he's making his way through the crowd to the back of the club and possibly the Penguin's office. Yet the guards still don't want to let you go. "I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to leave miss." It's then that the figure can be seen, Tony may be on the files as suspected of crimes. Yet the man stepping out of the Penguin's office is a known escape from Blackgate.

Then the voice can be heard, it's coming over a frequency not used for anything else and the voice will catch your attention. It's Batman and he's using his business voice. <>

Kara Zor-El watches as Tony heads off to the back. Then the other man coming out from the back room. "Oh for rao's sake" she mutters to herself as the guards get insistent. She tries to ignore the security as she uses her X-ray vision to see what's going on in the back room. Then she swallows, recognizing the voice on the unused frequency. Probably coming from the club's speakers. Geez.

In the back room Tony speaks to the Penguin and the fugitive. He seems annoyed and very eager to leave, he turns and leaves the office and the club, the entire talk took place in the only part of the club that didn't have camera coverage. The voice of the Bat can be heard again. <> To most of the club things would seem to be business as usual, yet you can see Batman enter via the skylight, he's quick to take out the penguins personal guards and then he's after Simon... Who seems to be truly terrified of Batman, his heart rate's off the charts and he's literally cowering. Batman for his part is all sudden and violent grace as he enters the room and disables the guards looming over Simon he glances to the Penguin. "You're harbouring a fugitive." Cobblepot shakes his head. "No, I didn't have a clue... I only just saw him on the cameras myself. I had him called to my office so that I could contain him until the police arrived."

Kara Zor-El sighs a bit, still ignoring security's request for her to leave. She watches using X-ray vision where Batman goes. She finishes her drink then crosses her arms, just looking at the wall and what's happening beyond, her hearing able to pick that up as well.

The crowd do see Batman however as he steps out of the office into the club, he's literally dragging Simon along by his collar. He's making his way towards the door when one of the guards decides to take initative, still standing with Kara he goes for his gun planning to take a shot at Batman, who by now pretty much has his back to the guard. Simon still struggling to try and regain his feet. From the perspective of someone who knows him it's hard to believe the reaction he gets from the people in this room. They're much more afraid of Batman than Metropolis' criminals are afraid of Superman, yet if he radiates a comforting aura of confidence in the cave out here he radiates a terryifying aura of barely contained aggression.

Kara Zor-El watches the reaction of everyone curiously as Batman basically drags a criminal out. If she did something like that, she's sure she'd get yelled at.

It's an example that's for sure. To the people that see what happened and to the Penguin. He may not be able to be tried for this, but his customers are clearing out so fast that The Flash would probably have a hard time keeping up. Business is going to slump for a day or two. The guard going for his weapon manages to pull of a shot, even as the batarang flies to disarm him. The bullet's wide of Batman and doesn't even cause him to break stride. There's still no sign of discomfort from those ribs. The voice that comes next is spoken, though quietly enough that only your hearing will pick it up. "Out back by my car."

Kara Zor-El sighs, shaking her head. She walks away from security. "Okay... I guess I'm going." She heads out the door and around to the back.

Batman's at the car. The police really were called, the moment the penguin realised his deal was going south and Tony left. They arrive to take Simon into custody and Batman waits in the shadows where no one can see him. Once they're gone he emerges looking at you, his eyes meeting yours. "If you were a good detective you'd have avoided approaching the target. If you were a good detective you'd have put all the pieces together before you went anywhere near him. And you'd have asked me what I was looking for." Batman doesn't sound angry. He does pause taking a moment to remember what Stephenie said, he needs a different approach to the one he usually uses. "I know you want to help Kara, but you need to understand there's a very specific way things work in Gotham."

Kara Zor-El heads out to the back where Batman is. She nods a little. "I was trying to be subtle. No smashy smashy." She adds, "Plus I sorta wanted to show you I could help."

Nodding Batman looks you over briefly. "I noticed. You did fairly well in that regard at least. You never smashed anything, but you /did/ cost me Tony." He pauses. "I know you can help Kara, you do a lot of good, but this isn't the best way for you to help." He looks at you seeming to consider his next words carefully. "Why is it so important that you be able to do things my way Kara?"

Kara Zor-El frowns a bit. "That Tony guy wouldnt have left if it wasnt for stupid security. He was -totally- into me. I could tell." she nods to herself. Then she looks at you. "Seriously with all the people you've trained in 'your way'... you're surprised I want to be a bit more like you in investigating stuff? Like you said, you're dedicated." Long distance to Conner: Kara Zor-El looks back at him. If she doesn't back down from her cousin, from Diana, or from Batman, she sure isnt going to back off from Conner. "I never said I was your boss." She smiles a bit. "Though I'm a girl so it's implied."

Nodding Batman considers that. "He probably was, but what were you going to do with that fact?" Batman looks at Kara. "Being dedicated doesn't mean you have to be like me. You have the chance for a life with friends and family. I can never give them the time I should. I have accepted that. You can work on a level I can't."

Kara Zor-El shrugs. "I was thinking he'd take me somewhere in private then I could bring him to you to interrogate." She rolls her eyes a bit. "I'm not trying to be -exactly- like you, but there are worse ways to be, right? At least when it comes to crimefighting. Seems to work for T..... for Robin."

Batman catches the slip. It's obvious that he's caught it, but that's something to discuss with Tim. "If I'd wanted to interrogate him I'd have done so Kara. I needed him to make that deal." He nods a little. "Robin's good at what he does and I'm proud of him. I'll arrange some programs to help you to improve your detective skills, but you need to promise me you won't operate in Gotham." He's helping, either it's a sign he does like you, or he's trying to get you to promise not to work in Gotham.

Kara Zor-El nods a little. "I'll try not to cramp your style in your city."

Cramp your style? The girl really is watching too much TV from her lingo.

Nodding Batman heads back his Car. "Then I'll compile the reading material and test programs for you. You can collect them at the cave." With that he's getting into the car. "Now you should keep your eye on Metropolis, without Superman around they could use your help." And then the car's pulling away, apparently he's finished talking.

Kara Zor-El watches him drive off. "Maybe it's the cowl that makes him grumpy." Then she flies off.