Stalking you again(nina)

[question]

The Question made good on his truth of keeping an eye on Nina after he lovely attempt to drop of the radar, an the sudden appearance of a one Icy known rouge at her door step whom she not only let in but left with seemingly with out struggle. He would rather hear it from the horses mouth sorta speak then have to dig through the proverbial trash for the answer he was looking for.

Another place of interest more than that of the frost man was that of the Riddler. another who used question mark as a gimmick, Question was all but too pleased when he found out about that, but the presence of biological weapons put his mind back on track an searching for the answers to the questions that were needed not wanted. After all the woman in question was a microbiologist. she could be nothing but a tool for riddler's advancement even further into the criminal underworld.

though he believed that she was genuinely good in her nature, even the devil was an angel. An his paranoid nature thought o the worst before the better, it spelled nothing but trouble.

the faceless man decided to wait for her outside of her work place. She was bound to know why he was paying a visit. Others who would see him, wouldn't remember him, just another face in the crowd.

[Nina Stenet]

A few months ago Nina thought that she was good at juggling her schedule. Though it was flexible and changeable, she managed to cram in over a hundred hours a week at WayneTech for no reason other than she wanted to, get all her errands done, take the minimal amount of time that she wanted for herself, and still get adequate sleep.

But no, back then it had been easy.

While she does have Shawty to run errands for her now, Nina is still managing to find time to work over a hundred hours a week on her own research while working on finishing Mr. Freeze's cure for Nora, getting enough sleep, and leaving enough room in her schedule for Edward as well. One wonders how she keeps up the pace.

For her assistant, the answer is easy: coffee. Nina doesn't touch the stuff - when you can sense what it's doing to your brain directly and in real time, you're not as inclined to want it. Shawty, on the other hand, has found it necessary to have some every morning anymore just to keep up with Nina. She clutches a styrofoam cup of the stuff in one hand as she deftly turns Nina's black mercedes into the parking lot behind Stenet Labs, parking it in the space nearest the doors. Some businesses have the practice of keeping the best spots open for visitors, but Stenet Labs doesn't normally get them. At least, not the 'normal' kind of visitor.

Nina sits in the back seat, lost in thought as she mulls over the work to be done that day. There's getting to the lab bright and early today, so in theory she'll be able to get a lot done. But the trouble with theories is that you can never tell whether they're true or not until you try it out.

[question]

Vic glanced over from his place leaning against the wall of the building. He heard the Low hum of the engine of the black slightly high end car that pulled into the parking lot. The building was locked an for once he would rather not break in when waiting outside would work just as well. Even for him it was one of those mornings.

He had like most vigilantes been up till all hours of the night an early into the morning watching the city for signs of anything that threw up a red flag. An for once he was going to go home an get some rest but, he was in the neighborhood.

Maybe his subconscious mind was telling him to check in with her or he had per-planned this an blatantly forgotten about it amongst the thwarted muggings an drug drop offs.

He knew Nina would recognize him, Well it would have been a bad sign if she didn't, would have meant that the seasoned hero was loosing his edge.

[Nina Stenet]

Nina is brought out of her daze when she hears Shawty curse under her breath, and looks up to see her assistant glaring at a certain faceless vigilante with a look of irritation. Shawty hasn't anywhere near forgiven the man for slipping past her the first time he met with Nina - even if she did, admittedly, have her guard down. Nina, on the other hand, looks at him with a thoughtful expression for a moment before deciding how to handle this.

"Shawty, leave your gun in the car - but let him see you doing it," Nina orders, her tone firm enough to indicate that she doesn't want to hear her assistant try to argue the point. Shawty sighs and complies, unbuckling the holster of the small handgun she normally carries concealed beneath her lab coat - being sure to lift it high enough as she does so for it to be seen above the dashboard before she deposits it on the front passenger seat. Once that's done, Nina adds, "Let's go - and stay close."

Both women step from the vehicle, and since this is the first time he's seen Shawty outside of it, this is also probably the first chance he has to see that the young woman is only 4'9". But every inch of her is watching the Question like a hawk as she silently pushes the button on the car's remote to lock the doors. Nina, on the other hand, seems relaxed as she says, "Good morning, Question. Would you like to come in?" Of course she recognizes him - in fact that greeting indicates that she knows more about him now than she did when they last parted ways; he never did introduce himself properly and she hadn't the slightest clue who he was at the time.

But given that she strongly suspected that she hadn't seen the last of him, she'd taken the precaution of finding out what she could about him. Now Nina knows enough to want her bodyguard immediately on hand if he's going to be asking her more questions, especially since she can guess what they'll be. And she's not entirely sure that things will stay peaceful when he hears her answers. But then again, she knows Shawty well enough to want her unarmed. When you have no idea what's going to happen, but have one person who may be willing to hurt you on one hand and one definitely willing to kill and/or die for you on the other, it's better if there's no possibility of a gun being involved.

[question]

Question titled his head to the side only by the slightest degree as he watched the driver remove what looked most clearly like the silhouette of a gun holster, Smart move. He thought inwardly as he watched the two step from the vehicle. One's posture A bit relaxed an calm an the other's tense, Like a snake coiled an ready to strike should it be needed at any given moment. Her size left much to be desired as a threat though.

Vic was not here to start a fight, merely seeking answers. Unless the shorter of the two had some sort of Vendetta against him now for evading her the last time. "Doing your Research I see" He said to her when she sprouted his name. Either that or the card was a dead give away, which was its intended purpose of leaving it on the lamp.

However for Vic to be a bit less paranoid of being jumped by the other he would need to have her either in another room while he questioned Nina or out of commission for a few hours or so. He knew what she was kept around so If he did so chose to knock the woman unconscious he wouldn't leave Nina defenseless. He would stay until she regained consciousness. But that was only one plan at the moment.

The Question nodded before following her inside. It would be more secure that way, less chances that it would be recored an sent by some tiny spy bug or some of that nature attached to the aglets on her shoes. The government did things like that, he would bet his favorite hat on it.

[Nina Stenet]

Though Shawty definitely lives up to her nickname, the young woman is a surprisingly skilled fighter - even unarmed. Probably nowhere near the Question's level, but certainly good enough for Nina's unusual needs when it comes to protection. Nina's nowhere near defenseless herself, but Shawty fills in most of the blind spots. But though Shawty is just a bit overzealous when it comes to keeping Nina safe, she won't make any first moves.

And that's why Nina can be so relaxed - Shawty is there if needed. And that's actually just one of the things in her favor at the moment. Though she sincerely hopes that this will be limited to talking. She smiles at his comment on research - he probably hasn't the slightest idea how she did that research - but she merely says, "It's only fair." Actually, she's guessing that she'd have to go much further until they'd hit 'fair', but she has much better things to do than research a vigilante. And she'll follow the golden rule when it comes to how much she feels the need to know about other people - even though it seems like absolutely nobody else does.

Shawty leads the way into the lab as she unlocks the door and flips on the lights. The increased security of being inside is questionable: if Nina was a paranoid as the Question, she'd suspect that Edward had managed to hack into the security system that's supposed to protect the lab at night in order to plant a surveillance system without her knowledge so that he could keep an eye on her. Because she really wouldn't put it past him to do that, and she knows that he has all the necessary skills to do it. And of course her office would be watched very carefully if that was the case. But then again, since she already tells him (nearly) everything and he can't afford to get caught helping her again he probably didn't. Probably.

Actually the real reason why Nina would rather do this inside is simply because, though she's probably beat the people who work in the neighboring buildings to work today, she'd rather keep knowledge of this conversation between her and the Question limited to the two of them, Shawty, and of course anyone who has happened to bug the reception area of the lab. Because Nina doesn't bother to invite him any further in - instead she only waits until they're all inside before she turns to him and asks, "So what do you want to know now?" Right down to business. She'd probably have gone a step further and started right into saying what she could of her recent activities, but she's not sure which of them he's found out about and which he may not have. Because for a woman who really rather keep herself out of trouble, Edward aside, she's not been doing a very good job of it lately.

[question]

"Why ask a Question when you already know the answers I'm looking for?" He asked never taking his eyes off of her, but it wasn't like any one could tell either way. "Save us both time an energy an tell me what you have been doing for Riddler an Freeze." He asked calmly.

It had been a long night, an a progressively lengthily morning for him. Vic had other things that he could be doing than getting the answers he so looked for. There were theories to be de-bunked, always another connection to find an exploit. Oh, an sleep, he could be sleeping right now as well.

But sleep was for those in his line of work a tad bit over rated.

[Nina Stenet]

Nina sighs a little in annoyance at the question. She certainly has much better things to do than satisfy his curiosity - that's why she's coming into work so early. She'd wanted to get an early start on it, not deal with this instead. Especially since she's not about to simply explain everything to him, so it's unlikely that this conversation will end up being brief.

"I see no reason why I should have to explain myself to you," she starts, "And I haven't been doing anything to help the Riddler. And I'm not going to explain any of my past dealings with him." These words are spoken firmly, stubbornly, and yet honestly. She doesn't help Edward. Never has, in fact, though she's careful to leave room in her words for the implication that she may have in the past - it had been her idea to let people assume that was the case, after all. Because if she'd never done anything to help him then that leads to people wondering why he was having anything to do with her - and the real answer to that is a much larger problem.

But she's also very quick to add, "But if you want to know about Mr. Freeze, I have no reason not to tell you that. How much do you know about him? I don't want to waste time explaining things you already know." That, at least, is something she's perfectly free to talk about. Especially given the fact that probably the only crime there for her is not turning him over to the police - and she has more than one perfectly good reason for that.

[question]

The sigh that escaped her lips meant that this was possibly going to take longer than either of them wanted. He understood being some where early to get a jump start on work while the building was still quiet. Question also knew that it was a better environment to interrogate someone in when there were less bodies around. He tucked his hands in his pockets an listened, her words once again true, agitated, but true.

"Being around him puts you in such a risk, you must see that" He spoke before she started on about Freeze. He had to hand it to her, he did like the way her mind worked. As for what he knew about freeze, it was what most knew.

"That he himself requires extreme cold to survive. How he obtained this was an accident whilst trying to save his wife's life, Thats what you doing with him isn't it? Helping him help her." He could respect that, having a black an white view on just about everything. Question would be doing the same if he was in Freeze's shoes.

"So what exactly are you doing?"

[Nina Stenet]

The last thing that Nina needs is another lecture about danger. Being around Edward is dangerous for several reasons, actually, and she's well aware of that. And on top of that she also has him worrying about her safety even despite all the precautions that they've taken. So the Question's statement causes a pensive frown, but she says nothing.

If she wasn't well aware that she's a terrible liar, she might try saying outright that she's had nothing to do with him since her reappearance. They've both been extraordinarily careful about seeing each other since then, and the only recent thing that would point any fingers was that bank robbery with the biochemical weapons - Nina didn't have anything to do with it, but it's meant to look like she did. And if she had, she could have helped him at any point during her month long disappearing act. But since trying to lie is a bad idea, silence is the best option. Hopefully when the Question finds no more evidence of a connection between the two he'll assume that, whatever connection there was between the two, it's over - just like he's supposed to. Then again, she's more worried about Edward's 'friends' finding out that it's all a lie than she is about the vigilantes, though she doesn't particularly want them to know either.

Eager to have his attention on what she's actually willing to talk about, at least for the moment, she quickly nods to his guess. "Yes - his wife took a turn for the worse recently, so he came here to get my help. I was able to restabilize her, and we've been working on the cure for her condition together," she explains easily - the difference between her flat refusal to talk about the Riddler and her openness about Mr. Freeze like night and day, "If all goes well, and I see no reason why not, she'll be cured in just a few months. And it's my understanding that Mr. Freeze intends to make the cure available for anyone else who needs it. And I know my way around cryogenics now."

And saying that makes an easy smile appear on Nina's face - she really does enjoy her work. It's just that this time the person she's collaborating with is cold-hearted serial killer who literally cares about nothing besides his wife. Still, by working with him, he gets his wife cured, she gains valuable knowledge she can apply to her other research, and the world gets a cure for a disease. Nothing wrong with any of that. Except that Mr. Freeze will probably raid for more supplies during those months, and Nina knows where he lives but hasn't turned him in, of course.

[question]

He simply nodded his head for the time being, taking in the fact that Freeze turned to someone for help. Which to him meant that he would more than likely do it again. An then he could be taken into custody an his wife could have more than just two people trying to save her. So he would turn his attention to the other topic at hand.

The biological weapons from the bank robbery.

Nina had to know something about them. Even if it was something as simple as how they were deployed he could save people from further harm that way. Question watched her for a moment, "why so Defensive about Riddler but open about Freeze, trying to hide something again?" A relationship was obvious or maybe it was just a fondness, right now he could not tell at this point. The more defensive she became about it might betray her emotions on the man.

Which could blow things wide open into an event that he would rather avoid for her sake. The truth on the other hand would make things easier on the both of them. He would have his answers an leave.

(OOC: I might write more if I stopped replying at 3 an 4 am, brain like jelly)

[Nina Stenet]

That question causes Nina to purse her lips, and she seems to mull it over for a few moments as she tries to decide how to answer it. But finally she simply says, "I will answer that question when you tell me your real name." It's somewhat eerie to her how much like Edward this guy is. He has a certain inability to leave mysteries unsolved too. Perhaps he's also like Edward in that she needs to give him a way to have his answer if she hopes to avoid worse trouble.

But then, what the Question wants to know is no small secret - it's a dangerous one. It could be the death of her - worse, it could be the death of Edward. It's not something to be told just because someone is curious, but a secret for as few as possible. So she's asking for something of equal value. And if he's too unsure about her character, discretion, and motives when handling that sort of information - well, the feeling is mutual.

[question]

Question smirked under his mask at Nina. Her reluctance to the question only helped him put further grounds into the theory between the two of them. How ever there were other things at hand that needed to be answered besides her relationship with Riddler. He looked about the room for a moment. The Biological weapons.

"Your Friend's weapon of choice, what is it, If your not going to tell me what it is exactly then narrow it down for me. How is it deployed an what does it do?" He asked completely serious once again.

"you answer me this an I will be on my way., If you don't things might get physical."

that wasn't a threat, but a promise.

[Nina Stenet]

Closing her eyes and giving a quiet sigh of frustration, Nina opens them again and very firmly but calmly says, "I can't answer that. And if things get physical, they won't be physical for very long." That's a promise as well, which probably seems rather bold coming from a woman with no fighting experience but she's both eerily calm in saying that and quite serious. But then, Nina has two secrets, and the second one she doesn't mind sharing if she has to.

Next to Nina, Shawty shifts just slightly at the sudden turn of the conversation, prepared to protect her boss. She'd probably last about three seconds against someone like the Question, but then again that's all that Nina really needs. Two, if Dr. Stenet did what she thinks that she did while her eyes were closed. Which means that Shawty is probably the only one who'd end up getting hurt here - but that's her job.

[question]

Well this was an unexpected turn of events. He Watched her for a moment, calculating a one to two blow to take out her assistant. Which in his head would leave him free to do what was necessary to get the answers he needed from Nina. "So your telling me that you would rather let possible of upwards to hundred to thousands of people just because you have emotions for the man." He spoke stepping closer to her.

"Take yourself out of the Question, Do the right thing. I only ask for a result or a means to prevent death before it happens. "