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Post by Pamela Isley - Poison Ivy on May 8, 2012 23:47:36 GMT -5
(Note: This thread starts at the Iceberg, but I'm posting it here because it will end up here shortly.)
It's early on in the evening when Poison Ivy settles herself into an empty booth, knowing that a small glass of absinthe will appear before her shortly. The Iceberg staff is always so good at fetching it for her quickly. She's hard pressed to find another place that treats her with the respect that she deserves like that.
She doesn't expect a chat with Oswald today, or at least they didn't plan one, but he's not the only reason why she comes here. There's the atmosphere, the chance to get away from her hideout, and the fact that it's becoming more and more known that she comes here. It's like having an office... sort of. Anyone with any intelligence knows that the place is bugged, yet it's a relatively safe place to make herself findable and easy enough to take any business elsewhere after introductions are made here.
As she waits for her drink, her eyes idly scan the other patrons for anyone she might wish to talk to, but the place seems to be full of nobodies and people she's already met and doesn't feel like talking to right now. Perhaps she's just in the mood to be alone tonight? Wouldn't be surprising, giving how much she hates these people. The only reason why she associates with any of them is because it's all for a better cause, but she's careful to keep that opinion well below the surface. She's quick to give friendly smiles to those she despises.
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Post by blackmask on May 8, 2012 23:58:23 GMT -5
The woman was dressed in the usual outfit that women were required to wear when working as waitresses in the Iceberg Lounge. She saw a red haired woman enter the Lounge and sit at a table. She knew that this must be the woman that the boss was talking about. She walked over to the bar tender and flashed a pleasant smile. "I'll get this one." She said in a flirty tone. Then as she got about half way to the table she reached up and pulled a piece of paper from her cleavage. It looked like any other piece of paper one would find in this place. Though unlike any other one would find here. This one had an invitation on it. An invitation to a business proposition at the docks that night.
The waitress finally made it to the table and set the glass down before the red head. She flashed another smile and then secretly tucked the paper under the glass. Where the woman would see it. The waitress then turned and walked away swaying her hips just to attract attention of the men in the room. She was successful in that regard. But she better hope that for her sake that she manages to do what he boss wanted her to do.
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Post by Pamela Isley - Poison Ivy on May 9, 2012 1:35:09 GMT -5
When her drink finally arrives, Poison Ivy flashes the waitress a completely faked smile as she sets down the glass. It isn't until she picks up the glass that she notices the piece of paper that was carefully placed beneath it. Interesting... Of course, her immediate thought is to wonder who sent it. But the only person she can be certain it wasn't is Oswald - she doubts that in his own lounge he'd feel the need to be so subtle as to pass her a note to ask for something. Then again, stranger things have happened. Still, until she knows what it is, she's better off assuming that it's a secret.
Rather than picking it up normally, she carefully slides it into her palm when she puts her glass back on the table, and then disguises the reading of it by pretending to examine her nails for a moment. Black Mask? Interesting... She's heard of him, naturally, but what would he want to meet with her about? Well, her reputation is spreading. And there's so many different things a mob boss could want from her - just look at how much greedy little Oswald likes dealing with her. Question is, what does he have that he thinks she'll want? It had better not be money.
But she doesn't have to consider the idea for long to decide that she's going. She's heard that the man is a manic, prone to killing anyone on a whim. But she's also heard the same thing said of herself, so that's hardly intimidating. Still, it would be dangerous, but given the way men like him operate it could be dangerous to ignore the invitation as well. Either way, though, she happily laughs in the face of danger. No, the selling point is actually pure curiosity on her part - partly because of the way she was invited. A secret note? Seems to indicate that the man doesn't wish to even send one of his men here. She's not always up to date on rogue relations, but that means he's avoiding someone who comes here. Most likely Oswald himself since they do similar business and thus suffer a greater rivalry, though that's only one option of many. Very, very interesting...
Her manner shifts subtly in her chair, now appearing to ponder her drink rather than the crowd. Now instead of crowd watching she now looks like she's quietly enjoying her drink by herself and has no particular interest in doing anything else. Black Mask gave her a bit of time before she'll have to leave to make the appointment, and she intends to enjoy her drink first and that means no interruptions. Fortunately, anyone who may have been interested in talking to her notes that she doesn't look very approachable and she remains undisturbed as she finishes off her glass of absinthe with only a little more haste than usual. And when she finishes, she gets up immediately - it's unlikely that anyone will really find it odd for her to leave so soon as it will appear that she only wanted to stop by for a quick drink rather than socialize.
It isn't long before she's back in her car, driving down to the dockyards. It's not that far from her hideout, actually, but of course nobody knows that. Having had no intention of associating with any members of the public today, she's dressed in her standard rogue garb, complete with her larger vines that wrap around her on the outside of her clothing, one eventually wrapping down her left leg and the other wrapped around her right arm. Before she leaves the car she also straps on her wrist crossbow - she'll have enough trust that this meeting won't turn ugly to not arm it immediately, but not enough to leave it and her tainted bolts behind. Once that's done, she exits her car - a very flashy and expensive red convertible sportscar. And she immediately scans her surroundings, alert for danger even though she's not expecting to run into anything she can't easily handle.
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Post by blackmask on May 9, 2012 7:49:14 GMT -5
Black Mask was standing on one of the nearby boats. He felt that his best bet was to have something that the woman would love. He had heard about her habit of killing anyone who got in her way....... And she had some strange power over men. So he wanted this to go well. And on this boat there was a gift....... I very rare gift. He had spent an amazing amount of money getting it into the country. But he had a strong feeling that she would like it.
Then he turned and looked out over the docks. 'Soon I'll be back on top.' He thought. 'And Cobblepot will be laying at my feet begging for mercy.' Then he stepped off the boat and straightened up his suit. The suit jacket and pants were both dark grey, and his shirt and tie were both purple, his shoes were black...... Just like his 'mask' He then checked to see if his two guns were ready to be drawn at a moments notice.
Soon he heard the sound of a car pulling up. He waited where he was for a few seconds then he stepped out from behind a nearby stack of crates. He saw a sports car. 'I'm glad I'm not offering money.' He thought. He looked at the woman stepping out of the car. He took a few more steps towards her and spread his arms out in a 'welcome' gesture. "You must be this Poison Ivy I've heard so much about." He said. 'I think I see why she has her way with me so easily.' He thought "I know its not much but welcome to my turf." He said as he looked her over for any weapons. All he saw was a crossbow. He felt that he could take her on if it came down to it. Thought he hoped it wouldn't, after all from what he had heard, having this woman in your corner would tilt the odds that much more in his favor. "I was hoping that we could become partners. After all you have your remarkable skills with men, herbs, and poisons." He said clasping his hands behind his back. "And I could use that......... And I believe I have something that you would like as well." All of this is said in as nice and polite a manner as he could................................. Which was surprisingly good.
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Post by Pamela Isley - Poison Ivy on May 9, 2012 17:46:02 GMT -5
There once was a time when Poison Ivy would cringe at the thought of being in such a dark and filthy place, but she has learned much since her transformation - neither these sorts of surroundings nor the people in them have any real power to harm her. So even as a man steps out from behind a pile of crates she appears unbothered. True he can present some risks, but nothing that she thinks that she can't handle. Yet though she's not worried about the situation, she still doesn't find this to be a pleasant place - she's gotten quite good at connecting to any plants around her, and around here the plants are few, small, and sickly. Mostly due to the polluted water. It adds a sense of misery to the place that only see would feel.
The man's statement is obvious, considering that she's wearing vines. As is hers, "You must be Black Mask." Do any of Gotham's big names need to introduce themselves? Perhaps only out of politeness. As is her nod to his welcome - acknowledging the statement without voicing her opinion of his 'turf' since he probably wouldn't appreciate it. And if you aren't aware that the vines wrapped around her are weapons, the only one she appears to have is the crossbow. A thorough inspection of the contents of her pockets would also prove interesting, but beyond that it's really all she has. Those are all she needs, so why carry more?
She approaches him, but stops while she's still quite some distance away. She has a very large 'bubble', you might say, and though she tolerates being closer to people when she has to, like if it's crowded and she's indoors, here she stays some ten feet away. Easy enough to talk from that distance, after all, and given that she was invited and she uncertain of his motives, she'd rather err on the side of being distant both physically and mentally.
Though what he says causes her to raise an eyebrow. "Partners?" she asks out loud, mulling it over quickly. She knows immediately that she'll have to decline such an offer. Mostly because she's the type of person who, while she does appreciate the benefits of having many 'friends', she'd rather not let any of them get too close. Especially since she knows that Black Mask is unlikely to be on good terms with Oswald, and barring some sort of really strong need to do otherwise she intends to keep dealing with him. Oswald has been so very useful in their dealings, after all, and while she's not above doing something underhanded she'd prefer to avoid it. It's not so much loyalty as knowing that she has a good thing and not wanting to risk it.
But what response to give then? "I'm afraid that I don't play very nicely with others," she finally replies, her tone almost becoming sad, "So I'm going to have to decline." But, not wanting him to be angered at all by that, she's quick to add, "However, if you'd like to like to arrange for any less... extensive deals, I'll listen. Especially if you do happen to have something that I want." What it could be, she has no idea, but she's not about to be skeptical of that until he proves that statement one way or the other. Some of Gotham's criminals are nearly as inventive and capable as she is, after all.
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Post by blackmask on May 9, 2012 21:24:50 GMT -5
Black Mask bowed his head at the sound of his name. "The one and only." He said. He noticed that she stopped about ten feet away and he felt that if her reputation had any weight behind it he shouldn't get too close to her.
"I would shake your hand but I've been told that I shouldn't get to close without permission." He said as politely as he could manage. He could be very polite when needed. And how was a time in which it was needed.
"I think you misunderstood me when I said 'partners'" He said. "I meant that I could give you things that you need and you give me things that I need..... Trade partners would be a better example." He said. He then turned to walk towards the boat he was on before but then stopped. "If you'll give me a second I will return with one of the items I can give you."
He walked towards the boat and picked up a item that couldn't be found in the United States and walked back to Ivy with it. He stopped about ten feet away from her as to not make her feel threatened. "Do you like it?" He asked. It was a plant but not just any plant, It looked like a flower at first glance. But at further inspection the flower part looked like a gaping maw, it was also a striking lavender color. The stem was a lovely yellow color and the smell it gave off was like no other. "And you can have it no matter what your answer to my offer is." He said. "Consider it a first meeting present."
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Post by Pamela Isley - Poison Ivy on May 9, 2012 23:40:55 GMT -5
"Wise," Poison Ivy says on the subject of not shaking her hand. She wonders exactly which rumors he's been listening too - most of the rogues aren't aware just how dangerous being close to her is. On the other hand, if this is his 'turf', then he's more likely to have heard about her from a different source - during the FBI's occupation that she wasn't shy about crushing a few low-level smugglers that displeased her. Someone more connected to the shady underground of east Gotham is more likely to have heard about that.
But there are advantages and disadvantages of that - on one hand, she'll have that much more respect, but on the other she's that much less likely to catch him by surprise. It's true though - being close to her is dangerous. Already he's within reach of the vines on her body, if they were to uncoil, and if he was close enough to shake her hand he'd be within reach of her pheromones. Though if he plays his cards right then he doesn't need to worry about either.
But at the moment she's still not completely certain that she can trust him. Asking her to come to a certain place at a certain time could easily be a trap, even though she's certain it wouldn't be something she couldn't manage. Yet, aside from being alert to any changes in her surroundings, she's willing to give the man the benefit of the doubt. After all, she knows that she really can offer a lot of things a man such as him would want - he'd have to be an idiot to cross her. On the other hand, he's a man so she'll be on the lookout for that.
"That I can agree to," she says simply after his clarification, and she nods when he turns to go get something. She's a bit surprised when she sees him returning with a plant in his hands, mostly because she hadn't sensed it. Then again, she wasn't expecting any plants to be stashed aboard any of the boats, so she hadn't checked. Her eyes focus on it instantly, and she quietly says to herself, "Asparagales, Iridaceae, Iridodideae, Tigridieae... unspecified..." Strange, she ought to be able to narrow down the genus... But no, whatever this flower is, it's distinctly foreign. Definitely South American, she can tell that much - similar to a tiger-flower, but not one of those. Yes, she has to admit that she wants it.
"I do," she replies, allowing her eyes to widen slightly and show some of her interest, though she keeps that muted. "And what is it that you want?" she asks politely, her head tilting slightly in curiosity. When he says that she can have it for free, she's half tempted to simply take it then and leave him with nothing, but she's better off in the long run in making this an exchange rather than a 'free gift'.
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Post by blackmask on May 9, 2012 23:57:52 GMT -5
Black Mask was pleased by her reaction. 'Its nice to know that I can catch people off guard.' He thought. He moved the plant around in his hands carefully looking at it. "I have no clue what kind of plant this is." He said before looking back at Ivy. "All I know is that it is rather rare and hard to find." He said. "And I know how to get more like this. And anything else you are having trouble getting."
He carefully set the plant down at his feet and took a few steps away from it putting his left hand in his pocket and gesturing to the plant with his right hand open palm facing up. "Feel free to come take it if you'd like." He said.
"And as for what I would like from you is simple." He began. "I would like access to your......... specialized poisons." He said. "And the knowledge that you won't try to attack me anytime soon." He added.
He then let out a nasty chuckle. "Also don't let that bird back in the Lounge know about my insider." He said. "At least not yet." He added.
He tried to keep himself focused on business. But he had to admit she was a looker. Just like Circe. And he knew that all she cared about was power....... Power and money........ All women were like that.
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Post by Pamela Isley - Poison Ivy on May 11, 2012 1:27:05 GMT -5
When Black Mask invites her to take the plant, Poison Ivy smirks, but doesn't take any steps forward. Instead she extends her right arm a bit and the vine around it quickly unwraps, shooting forward to carefully cup the pot the plant is in, before lifting it back and depositing it right into her hands. She examines it for a moment with a smile on her face while the vine rewraps itself around her arm.
It actually takes some effort for her to turn her attention away from the interesting-looking flower and listen to Black Mask telling her what he wants. She laughs lightly as she comments, "I'd say this is worth a little poison. But that's like asking a bartender for a drink - what kind did you have in mind?" Given that she can literally create any poison that she can dream up - fast, slow, painless, agonizing... so many options - he'll have to be more specific to get what he wants. "And I have no quarrel with you, Black Mask," she adds easily, "I'm a very... independent woman, and we've only just met."
Which is as close as she'll come to outright telling him that just because she deals with Oswald a lot, she's not about to take his side against anyone. No, she'd rather keep herself out of whatever feud may be going on and deal with both of them. She actually doesn't care about power and money - all she cares about is her plants - but power and money goes a long way to keeping them safe and evolving. And she smirks when he comments about the waitress who gave her the note. "That should not be a problem," she replies easily. With any luck, Oswald will remain completely in the dark about this little meeting, and if not it should be easy enough to calm whatever upset he may have about it without helping him figure out exactly how it was arranged. He may yet find out about the insider, but it won't be her fault.
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Post by blackmask on May 11, 2012 18:49:05 GMT -5
Black Mask raised his left eyebrow at the vines whipping out to grab the plant. 'So that could be a weapon too.' He thought He smiled.at her response to the plant. "Well if its not too much trouble........" He paused and thought some. "Do you have one that is slow........... and painful?" He asked after all it could help him with his hobby.
He then nodded his head at her promise of not letting Cobblepot know about the informer. "Ok...... Because I might use her to take him out if it comes down to it." He said. "Now if you ever want more plants like that then just let me know." He smiled politely and nodded his head.
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Post by Pamela Isley - Poison Ivy on May 12, 2012 13:38:44 GMT -5
A smirk comes to Poison Ivy's face at Black Mask's question. "Of course," she replies instantly, "Just how slow are we talking about? Days? Months? Years? And how painful? I have one that gives the sensation that your skin is on fire..." She's a fan of causing death in a more quick and painless matter - in fact she suspects that the victims of her lethal kiss actually enjoyed it - but that doesn't mean that she doesn't have the skills to do otherwise. Dr. Woodrue was a very good teacher, and she was his best student.
She doesn't react much to his comment about using his insider to kill Oswald - she'd suspect that the man would have some sort of contingency plan for that sort of thing. But if not, she's always been a fan of the concept of 'survival of the fittest'. The only objection she'd have to Oswald getting killed is that she'd have to find a new primary business partner and she suspects it would be hard to find one that has Oswald's 'reach'.
But she does take an interest when he mentions finding her more plants. She smiles at the idea and says, "I'll take anything as rare as this that you find." There are possibly thousands of species that would fall into that category, but she knows that it's still not an unreasonable thing to say. Most of those species are probably undiscovered, and the rest would be fiendishly difficult to come by. It isn't everyday you can get a plant like this to Gotham. Yet she'd like to think that her poisons are worth every bit of that effort.
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Post by blackmask on May 12, 2012 22:09:40 GMT -5
Black Mask kept his left hand in his pocket and stroked his chin with his right hand. "Well I guess I could use a poison that would take a week to kill its victim........... And I want it to be painful beyond imagining....... But not so painful that the victim can't respond to my questions." He said. He figured that he could get all he wanted from someone in a week's time.
Then he smiled at Ivy. "Well it might not be a common thing from me. This one was hard to get." He said gesturing towards the plant with an open hand. "But I will defiantly try to hold up my end of the bargain."
Then he looked her over and raised his eyebrows. "Is there anything else you'd like to know?"
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Post by Pamela Isley - Poison Ivy on May 13, 2012 0:45:55 GMT -5
Poison Ivy can't help but smirk at those specifications. She doesn't have a poison exactly like that in her supply, but it would be easy enough for her to invent one. And she can see how it would appeal to someone like Black Mask. Come to think of it, it might be something that she ought to keep on hand, just in case she needs something like that...
"So not quite that painful," she comments. The one she mentioned is so painful that the victim is hardly aware of anything but the pain, if it doesn't cause them to pass out. Definitely not in any fit state to be answering any questions. She does wonder, though, just how accurate any answers would be under that kind of torture, but that's not her problem. She herself would be more likely to use such a thing as a punishment for people she's really angry with.
And she nods easily when he explains that it might not be too frequently that he can get her a plant, but she'd suspect so. She tries to find such things herself, after all, so she knows just how difficult it is. And yet, very rewarding as well - not only are plants such as these absolute treasures to her, they often contain many unique secrets in their chemical makeup for her to learn from. "It shouldn't take me more than a week. How should I contact you when I'm finished?" she asks.
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Post by blackmask on May 13, 2012 0:58:31 GMT -5
"I want it to be painful.. But not too painful.. So yes." He said smiling. "And I hope you like your gift........ I might know someone who I could talk to and get them to get more plants like that."
Black Mask took his hands out of his pockets and straightened his suit as he thought. "Well a week sounds like a reasonable time frame." He paced abit as he thought. "I guess you could either let me know via my insider.........." He said "Or you could do something grandeous and get my attention that way." He said with a slight smile. "After all I would dare try to control a woman such as you." He said with a slight bow.
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Post by Pamela Isley - Poison Ivy on May 13, 2012 1:51:41 GMT -5
"I do," Poison Ivy says simply, keeping her smile muted. Though she does want to make sure the man knows that she's quite pleased with the plant, she'd rather not let him know just how delighted she is with it. In fact, she's practically giddy with glee on the inside and will probably spend the entire rest of the night examining it and caring for it the moment she gets it back to her hideout. But if he knew that she cared that much about it - well, he'd probably try to use her love for plants against her. Better to simply appear pleased so that he knows that giving her more plants would be a good idea without letting on just how deep that feeling goes.
And actually, giving herself a week to make a poison is being quite generous. Creating poisons is a much simpler process than inventing a new plant - she only needs a few hours to come up with a formula and then a day or so to actually make it, and only because certain steps would require her to wait for chemicals to react. But she has many other things to attend to than keeping Black Mask happy, so a week will give her enough time to fit it into her schedule without interrupting anything she considers more important - he'd probably be disappointed if he knew just how many things she considers to be more important than him.
But she smiles and nods when he mentions his insider at Oswald's place, and laughs when he suggests that she could do something bigger. "I would, but I'd rather not play with the Bat just now," she says with a smirk, "But your insider will do. It would be convenient to me, actually - that's practically my office now." Black Mask isn't the only one to take advantage of her frequent appearances there, even though Oswald is the reason why she started going there in the first place. It's a real hotspot for making connections and picking up gossip, after all.
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