Free as a Bird [Nightwing]

[Pamela Isley - Poison Ivy]

(OOC: For anyone who is confused, Pamela has been so 'stuck' for so long that this actually takes place before Nightwing's run-in with Joker. Please pretend that makes sense. Thanks!)

Darkness has overtaken the prison bloc. It's apparently never completely quiet around here: the sound of guards making rounds and occasionally a restless inmate here or there disrupts it even at this hour, well after lights out. But Pamela isn't one of them. If you'd asked her before, she'd have said that there would be no way that she'd be able to fall asleep under such circumstances, but she has. It's been a very long day, after all: escaping from Nightwing, getting picked up by the F.B.I., interrogated, imprisoned, then her little chat with Arnold and Oswald. That would be enough to exhaust anyone.

Though on top of that there's also the matter of having been holed up in buildings for too long recently. She's discovered that she definitely needs her sunlight since she hasn't gotten very much of it for the past few days. Mostly just that brief dose when she first ran into those F.B.I. agents. Not nearly enough.

Of course, her worries about her babies being harmed by the F.B.I. on top of all of that are draining on her mind in its own way as as well. Agent Tiff was clearly planning on harming them, looking for her secrets, and they're all just helplessly sitting there without anyone to protect them. Were she not so tired physically, that thought would actually be keeping her awake, but since she has so many other reasons to be tired it just piles more on her mind and makes it a piece of cake to simply tune out the whole world and get her rest. She doesn't want to deal with the world right now.

Then again, perhaps she wouldn't be sleeping so soundly if she knew that her day wasn't quite over just yet.

[Dick Grayson - Nightwing]

Breaking into the place wasn't easy. Not with the FBI around, but to those in the Bat-family, it seemed they were able to do the impossible at times. And when it came to breaking into building without being seen, Dick strives to be the best at cracking codes and computer security systems. It was one of his specialties when it comes to hacking systems.

Nightwing was on the move. Wanted by the police, FBI, and after taking down the fake with the help of a few friends. He was stepping into the lions den. This was his only chance. There was not much time left. It was either do this or die. And he was going to do everything he can to fight for his life. Literally.

So after hacking the system and staying out of sight, Dick was able to get the information he needed to track down what cell Dr. Isley was located in. He wasted no time, traveling through the vents to get through most of the building. And when it came to taking down the guards a quick punch to knock them out or one of the gas pellets to knock them out was used when needed.

He made it to the cell block. And the lights out was working to his advantage. He had a device to be able to get the cell door open when he got there and had a few exits mapped out in advanced to face any troubles if and when they occur.

Nightwing blended in with the darkness. His suit adjusting to darken in any type of lighting he faced. He had made it this far and no alarms sounded. After getting onto the cell block were Dr. Isley was kept, he threw a gas pellet to knock out the few guards around on that corridor.

He had stayed mainly in the vent ducts out of sight. And once locating the cell. He dropped down into the hall and found the cell. His night vision on for now to detect that it was her within the cell. He could also tell by the red hair.

It was now or never. But before he freed her, there was one thing he wanted in return. He walked up to the cell door. He'd have to go in to communicate with her. They must had discovered about her toxins and were handling her with care.

He quickly hacked the system and entered into the cell. His presents unknown to anyone monitoring the systems. He had put a blockade on the codes to protect his movement around the cell blocks and the building. He walked in and shut the door behind him. He wasn't letting her out with him until he got what he wanted. The cure.

"Dr. Isley. Seems you're finding your stay here comfortable," he mocked at the sight of her in a jail cell. It was where she belonged. He could just leave her there, but he need the cure for the toxin within his system before it was too late. And time was running out. It had taken him a while to track her down. But getting some of the reports from hacking the police systems for some time had paid off. Now to see how she reacted to him again. He hadn't seen her since their last meeting for the temporary supporting chemicals to hold off the toxins in his body.

[Pamela Isley - Poison Ivy]

Pamela startles awake and tenses the moment he speaks, instantly on guard and in the darkness it takes her a moment to remember that she's not still caught by Nightwing and instead in the F.B.I.'s prison. But that memory doesn't seem to make sense because when her sleepy eyes finally focus on the man in her cell it's Nightwing. How is he here if she's been caught by the F.B.I.? Was that a dream? No, this is definitely the prison cell she remembers and not that room where she'd been tied up.

"What are you doing here?" she almost hisses, angry but wise enough to keep her voice down - she can scream and alert the prison bloc that something's up later, if she needs to. Him being here makes absolutely no sense! The way he'd been acting before it was like he either had no concern for his life or had somehow miraculously found a cure for her toxin, either way not needing to have any sort of deference for the fact that she held his life in her hands. And the only reason why he'd put himself at such risk to break in now would be because he knew that time was almost up for his next dose and thought somehow to convince her at the last moment - like that's going to happen after what she's been through!

She quickly pushes herself into a crouch on the cot, prepared to move. But it's not a threat - actually, mixed in with her anger is a hint of fear. If he is here because he wants his next dose, then there's no telling what he'll do to her now. And she knows that she can't fight him, or run while locked up in this cell with him. How did he get in here in the first place?

[Dick Grayson - Nightwing]

Nightwing took into a bit of a subtle defense mode. She wasn't as much of a thread at that time. She didn't have her plants or any weapons of any kind after going through the security of this place. He knew many ways to turn attacks against him in his favor.

"Well, I'm not here to turn myself in," Dick said flatly. He knew there was a hateful tone to her voice. There was no kindness towards him. And he didn't expect it after all she's done to him. Playing with his life like it was a scale in the balances.

"I know you don't want to be here. And I don't either. So you either hear me out or we are both wasting our time," he started in. "I could be doing better things with the time I have felt rather than sinking down to a level I hate to hit."

He was flat and getting to the point. But first, he was going to see about sealing a deal on getting that cure. No matter what it took. He'd leave he here if he had to if she didn't agree. And there was no putting it past him. He rather see this dangerous woman remain in jail than free if he was going to die.

"There is only one choice to make and it's going to be my way or nothing," he added. He'd give her a chance to answer to see her reaction before he set the ground lines down and got to his point.

[Pamela Isley - Poison Ivy]

Even in this situation, Pamela can think of a couple things she can do to herself - there are two weapons she has that are impossible for anyone to take away from her, even after they'd carefully ensured that her lips were cleansed of the poison she'd put on them. But the problem with both is that they aren't very quick, and only one would work here. Though that would be a bit of a desperation ploy, really, so she's quite eager for other options.

"I'll listen," she replies, cold and unmoving. Actually, given that she's currently stuck in a prison cell with him and isn't so childish as to cover her ears, she doesn't have much of a choice with that, does she? "But what makes you so sure that I'll choose your way after what you did to me?" she has to ask. Yes, fine, she'll listen to whatever he's going to say if he's willing to go to these lengths to speak to her, but listening is free and he'll have a tough sell if he wants anything else from her. She's a woman who tends to hold a grudge, after all, and she certainly has one for him.

[Dick Grayson - Nightwing]

Dick stood there and waited for her answer. He wasn't just what she had faced. But he knew he was going to have to clear his image of him with her. The impostor had taken it too far. And Dick had no idea what had gone on at this point to her.

For all he knew, she held him responsible for all of this. And he was the true enemy of all. A snake in the garden, not to be trusted at all.

"You'll chose my way, because it is the only way out of here," he replied flatly to her. He'd try to answer he better about the whole thing. But she was still a criminal so he did not have to level things out to show her anything.

"I can not be held responsible for anything that has happened to you within the last few days. I've been on a search of this whole city to find that impostor to stop him," he replied. He had left out the part over having to stop the impostor from harming Isley. This was not something he would admit to boost her feeling of control over him yet.

"What you have been put through has been the doing of an enemy to Gotham and trying to bring out the worst in the worst of timing with the FBI around," he said. There was no need to go into the personal information between the gang leader and Nightwing information that had only be as an act of revenge against the vigilante.

"I can offer you the chance for a safe escape from this place. But I want something in return. And if I don't get it...You can forget about leaving this cell for a long time," Dick replied coldly. Showing no emotion over the subject of just leaving her there. And he would do it too.

[Pamela Isley - Poison Ivy]

"Impostor?" Pamela repeats after him, but she's silent and in thought as he continues. "Your voice..." she mutters to herself as that piece falls into place. Yes... if the Nightwing she's been dealing with is an impostor, then that would make everything over the past few days make sense! But she'd been very close to the both of them and seen the same costume. How had someone been able to copy it so faithfully? But now that the thought of a fake has been put forth, she can remember that there were a few differences...

Unfortunately for Nightwing, he doesn't need to elaborate on the details for Pamela to feel a sudden and very delightful feeling of control over the situation again. In hindsight, her past few days of being held a fake Nightwing have a new feeling of fear with them as she realizes that she hadn't been nearly as safe there as she'd thought that she'd been, but on the other hand in the present she suddenly has the real Nightwing still firmly under her thumb. And he's here to help her escape!

"Ah," she suddenly says as her thoughts become clear again and her defensiveness eases. Oh, this is too perfect! She'll be out of here and back to... No, she can't go back to her old life. If she escapes, she'll still be labeled a criminal. Come to think of it, what use will Nightwing be to her then? The poison in his system was insurance to keep him silent, but what does that matter to her now? Sure he might continue to be a useful puppet, but there's no risk to him talking. In fact, there's no risk to her killing him either since she's already on record for being a murderer. Once she's out of here there will be no reason to keep him alive, really. "Well, yes, it's nearly time for your weekly dose, isn't it?" she says, suddenly much more friendly.

[Dick Grayson - Nightwing]

Nightwing stood there and watched her in the dark. He could see her once defensive demeanor fading away as she realized the truth behind it all. So she now understood. Though now it seemed the ball was in her court.

And by her words. she most definitely thought she would keep the upper hand in this situation. He watched her and since he had found out she was here, he had been planning his own plots for trying to get what he wanted. "I believe you are correct on that," he said at first. "But..."

Nightwing looked at her with a smug look to his eyes, but remained just as serious over this situation. "I have a better idea," Dick started. He glanced over at the door. "You see I have the ability to get in and out of here without the guards and FBI knowing. And as you already noticed you're the one locked away."

He stopped for a moment and then looked back at her. "Thing is...I'm getting a bit tired of this little game of your. So, I think it's time we play it my way," Nightwing started in.

He crossed his arms and looked at the woman. Glaring over what he was about to say. He knew he would live to regret helping this woman and would hate himself for doing this. But it needed to be done to get the cure for the toxin. "I'm willing to help you out of here on one condition. And if those terms are not met, well...You can make your cell as comfortable as you want seeing as they won't be letting you go any time soon," he replied.

"So do you want me to go on or would you rather ignore me and continue trying to live your days out the hands of the FBI? I'm sure they would love to run some more test to find out your little secrets," he commented. He stood there looking at the woman. Twisting this situation in his favor. Seeing as he had nothing more to lose if she refused, besides his LIFE. She'd still be locked away.

[Pamela Isley - Poison Ivy]

When Nightwing starts to talk, at first Pamela's smirk increases... then fades somewhat as he continues. Her eyes narrow as he starts talking like he thinks that he has something to hold over her - as if he has some control over the situation. But she listens, attentive to the fact that he'll have had some time to think this out and knowing that he's had ample time to realize just how hard she'd be to convince of anything. If he somehow does have a good point that she should consider, she'll not miss it due to not paying attention.

True, he'll probably regret this a lot later. After all, she won't be returning to such relatively harmless crimes as robbing the rich for charity - more likely her murder count will rise with renewed haste. On the other hand, assuming that she'll be stuck in here forever would be an even bigger mistake; she's an extraordinarily talented and clever woman who will find a way out sooner or later. By letting her go free he'll merely make that happen sooner, and the price paid for that may very well be worth keeping his life. But that doesn't mean he won't hate himself for it anyway.

Forcing herself to keep patient in spite of his cocky assumption that she can be forced into caring about his terms, she asks, "And what is this 'condition'? The full antidote?" It's a guess, but then again there's probably little else that he'd want from her besides that or the formula that holds the poison off for a week, but he's already indicated that he's not asking for the latter. "You'll die if you don't help me escape - you have to get me out of here whether I agree to your terms or not," she replies confidently, unconvinced because he hasn't answered the question of why he's willing to die if she doesn't agree. Without an answer to that question, she can only assume that he's bluffing.

[Deleted]

The creature was awoken at the sound of the conversation between Ivy and Nightwing. Nightwing had managed to stealthy enter the detention cell area without making a sound louder then a piece of straw hitting cement floor. It was their voices. Voices that were not It's own. Voices that were not those of Scarface and the others telling It do commit acts of immorality were refreshing indeed.

It listened closely to their game of social chess as if everything that is happening was a fascinating mystery suspense thriller. There was talk of escape and It's ears perked like a goblin hearing the sound of a rabbit dash across the camp. How to enter the conversation? Rudely with one of It's trademark rhymes.

"Hickory, dickory, dock,
The mouse ran up the clock.."

The Ventriloquist got up and sat at the edge of the bed so that it was facing Nightwing and the Ventriloquist. It cupped It's hands around It's mouth and rested It's elbows at the knees when It sat.

"Wh--what is this we hear? Ta---talk of escape? Talk of an antidote?"

It peeked around Nightwing to get a good view of Isley. It knew what she was capable of. It was one of the first beings in the city to know that the woman dabbled in toxins and poisons. She had threatened to infect It on more then one occasion.

"Free Us instead! W--we can he--lp you coerce her into giving y--you the antidote. There are methods a sociopath doesn't mind crossing.."

The Ventriloquist cracked It's knuckles. There was something familiar about the man standing in the cell hallway. It had followed the news. This man must be the individual called "Nightwing" according to the blue and black kevlar armor. But there was something more. It had met this person before....this Nightwing seemed so familiar.

[Dick Grayson - Nightwing]

Nightwing watched her. No emotion showing in his eyes like the usually Nightwing that had stood before her. A coldness coming over him. Almost as if in the presents of the Bat. He listened to her words. His logic coming to it's senses and thinking about how to play this out.

"I don't have to do anything," Nightwing looked at her as he spoke. "Who said I won't turn around and just as easily walk out those doors as easily as I came in? I really have nothing else to lose if I leave right now. Now you? Well...There's no telling what these special agents will do to you. I've already heard Joker's in hiding and the Riddler hasn't shown his face in weeks."

Nightwing keep searching her seeing if she still thought he was bluffing. He was just about to turn round and leave her there. Sure his life was on the line, but the only way he was going to be able to get to her was by threats, then by all means, he'd try. "Thing is...They are already learning your little tricks. And with a few more hints, they just might be able to keep you in here if you are trying to escape-"

Nightwing was cut off when he heard the sound of a familiar voice. Oh, no, how did this guy just end up listening in, Dick thought to himself. He knew who it was. The Ventriloquist. A look of distaste came to his face when he heard the man speak. This was the same guy who had one of his goons try to crush Batgirl to death and had ran into a bank threatening many lives at gun point over money in the safe.

Nightwing glared between the two villains. He was becoming no better than the impostor right now in between helping these low lives out. He was becoming the very thing he was fighting against. Then again...if he left them there who knows what they will put these criminals through. Their methods were beyond the torment at times when dealing with crooks. And this town didn't work that well under pressure and being controlled the way it was now. At least if he could get the antidote, he can help to make sure to keep them in their place back in Arkham.

"For a man that isn't suppose to move his month all that much, you sure do talk a lot," Nightwing said in response. "And what methods would that be? That and why should I free any of you from here?" There was a hint of curiosity as to what could come of this.

He turned back to Isley to finish what he had been saying before the other man had entered in on a conversation he shouldn't have gotten into. At least in Nightwing opinion. This situation was getting better and better...

"Now I am willing to turn right around and leave you here. Sure, I'll lose my life, but there are others that will fight for me. But as for you...who knows what you will face here. Let's face it, this isn't Arkham. I'd like to see you pull a disappearing act as quickly as it took me to get in here. And trust me...it wasn't easy. That and having almost a life time of experience comes in handy when dealing with this kind of night life," he commented.

[Pamela Isley - Poison Ivy]

Pamela's eyes narrow at Nightwing's words, and she's about to reply when they're rudely interrupted by her neighbor across the way. She openly scowls at the man. "Unless you want to owe me two favors, keep your mouth shut!" she snaps at him coldly. She's not at all intimidated by his implied threat, nor is she worried that Nightwing will take him up on that 'offer'. If this Nightwing is the first Nightwing she met, then he's too 'good' for that sort of thing even in the hands of someone else. And it wouldn't work anyway - when Pamela Isley holds a grudge it's permanent.

Her attention shifts back to Nightwing as he continues, the expression on her face growing gradually more unhappy. He doesn't seem to be lying about his willingness to leave without her. Damn. Then again, it's not like she loses much of anything by letting him live either. And especially if it's the price for getting out of here now, she's willing to pay it. Her greenhouse - she needs to get back there as soon as possible. Hmm, actually, he needs to get her back there as soon as possible...

"First of all, I'm not worried about being here. Second, they don't know half of my 'tricks', and neither do you. Third, it might have taken me a few days to arrange, but I didn't need your help getting away from your look-alike and I don't need your help getting out of here either," she says firmly, wanting all of that to be perfectly clear before she says what she'll say next. "But you are faster, and I'm in a hurry. So fine, we'll do it your way," she adds as she pushes herself up off the cot, sounding irritated by the concession, "You'll get your cure. But it isn't as simple as getting me out of here: it's not like I carry it with me."

She suddenly pauses and glances over at the Ventriloquist before looking back and commenting, "But the walls have ears here and I'm guessing that time is not on our side, so perhaps I should explain further on the way out?" Now that she's been convinced to cooperate, she's quite eager to get it all over with. Between the real Nightwing and the fake Nightwing, she's definitely seen way too much of the guy lately.

[Deleted]

Fate. Perhaps it was on the side of the Ventriloquist. Ivy’s scolding made It flinch back for a brief moment, but when she did not follow up with the threat It managed to regain composure and simply go back to listening.

There was talk of escape! Ivy was gong to be leaving, she who hat only been incarcerated for less then two days, while It had been behind bars going on three miserable weeks! How unfair! Why did she get all of the luck!? Intervention though. You don’t get what you don’t fight for right?

“The clock struck one,
The mouse ran down!
Hickory, dickory, dock”
The Ventriloquist chimed before pressing It’s head against the cell doors.

“Take Us with you Heee. We hate the FBI. We despite the FBI. If put on the streets We’ll fight against them and cause them trouble! Breaking up their plans, bursting their bubble!!”

The Ventriloquist provided a yellow toothed smile and a foul rancid odor from It’s breath. It really needed to escape from this prison. Escape with haste in order to get some tooth paste.

[Dick Grayson - Nightwing]

Nightwing stood there arms crossed and listening to Isley. Her defensive attitude toward his proposal as far as his way or the high way, was typical. He figured it might take some convincing. He didn't care how long it would take. The options were clear and he stood by them.

It was either her freedom or his life. He was willing to do what it took to have his life, but he would make sure of away to secure her freedom as far as crime. He'd be there to stop her. But right now...The FBI was going to far and needed to be stopped. Even the villain seemed entitled to have some sort of protest against all this. But to an extent. He knew he would gravely regret this some day.

At this point, it couldn't be done with out Isley. And she was the only one with the cure and she knew her plants better than anyone else. There wasn't a chance in the world that anyone would be able to break this code like poison in his system. Not even Batman.

"Fine. And any double crossing will not go without an action towards it," Nightwing said flatly with no emotion towards him willing to have any type of tolerance in this situation.

"And moving quickly would be ideal at this point," he replied. "This is the FBI, not the guards in Arkham." He motioned, he was ready to get out of there and get that cure. He would not trust Isley. And he never would. Not after all he had to go through against her.

He turned to look toward the Ventriloquist. "Make your reason quick to this question. Why should I have any reason to free anyone else," he said. He knew the reason for the Ventriloquist trying to convince him that he would fight out against the FBI. But action spoke louder than words. And this guy wasn't trust worthy either. Especially after he had tried to shot him a while back ago when he had still been partners with Batman.

[Pamela Isley - Poison Ivy]

Nightwing's warning causes her eyes to narrow, but she simply states, "Your life for my freedom; it's a fair deal." And no, she's not planning on crossing him on that - getting out of this place right now would make all the trouble he's caused her rather worth it, actually. And it comes with the convenience of the fact that he won't be simply dropping her off outside of the prison's walls, but see her safely to exactly where she wishes to be right now.

"I wouldn't know," she replies to his comment about the comparison between guards. She's never been to Arkham, after all, so she has no basis of comparison. "But I'm ready whenever you are - just remember I'm not used to trapezing through the dark," she adds, waiting for him to take the lead. She's may have beauty and brains but very little brawn - perhaps that's something she'll have to fix once she's out of this mess. But for now she's physically exactly what she appears to be - a socialite used to the lap of luxury, and a sleep deprived and lethargic one at that. Not that she's having trouble staying awake now that she knows what the rest of her night is going to be like.

The Ventriloquist is ignored until he speaks up. Or, actually, until Nightwing actually dignifies the man's request to come with an actual response. "He'll only slow us down," she mutters, giving her own opinion but leaving it at that. She honestly doesn't hate the man - or at least not much more than she hates people in general - but he is horribly irritating and she's guessing that he's in even worse shape than she is.