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Post by Deleted on Jul 2, 2013 0:18:47 GMT -5
Nina’s reaction was a little calmer than Batman might have expected, but given that she was still in a hospital bed, there probably wasn’t a lot that would excite her. He already knew that his presence didn’t bother her, and he had a much better indication of why that was now. She could apparently sense and alter biological mass, at least in her immediate vicinity. That probably meant she could stop someone’s heart or give them an aneurism without anyone being the wiser. That she apparently hadn’t done so yet was a mark in her favor, but that she could do so made her extremely dangerous. All in all, though, it wouldn’t change how he treated her.
Shawnty was quiet, and nervous. She had reached for a weapon but had stopped before pulling it out. He couldn’t blame her, really. Her boss and friend had almost been killed. A dark shape outside the window tended to make people nervous. That she stopped, though, showed a good level of restraint and judgment. Her reaction to him was far more typical; she would be easier to predict than Nina.
Batman knew that he could have been there to stop the attack, in a perfect world. Selina had known she was going to be attacked, and the Riddler was the most likely candidate. He hadn’t known when though, or even if it was definitely something that would happen. He could have left immediately and set himself to watch over Nina 24/7, but the result would probably have been no hit attempted and a lot of other people dying because he was chasing a maybe. On the face of it, it had been a poor option. In retrospect, not going there was a poor decision, but he had to live in the here and now.
Selina, on the other hand, had been desperate for help. She come laying much more in the table than she had to, but events had been moving quickly. Apparently, things were moving more quickly than had been judged. She was hurt, and he understood that. She blamed him, and he understood her reasons for doing so, even if he didn’t agree with them.
He blocked her attempt to slap his face almost without thinking about it. In another time, another place, he would have allowed it, but not here, not from Selina, and not in front of people that didn’t know about him, about them. When she headed for the door, he beat her to it, holding it closed with an outstretched hand. He could hear the tears in her voice, even if she hadn’t let him see them on her face, but she wasn’t weak. This was beneath her.
She grabbed for the door, trying to pull it open through him, but it didn’t budge. He began speaking, addressing Nina, though he didn’t turn to face her.
“Selina contacted me, informed me that she believed you were in danger. Obviously, I didn’t give the warning the proper amount of attention.”
His voice dropped to a more personal level, and his words were directed at Selina.
“Your friend needs you. Stay with her.”
He released the door and made his way back toward the bed. He looked to Shanty and gave her a nod, then took a device from his belt and handed it to Nina. “I’ve been seen here; mission accomplished. If you need me, press the button. I’ll be around.”
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Nina Stenet
"Great acts are made up of small deeds." - Lao Tzu
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Post by Nina Stenet on Jul 3, 2013 14:11:39 GMT -5
There's a lot of things that Nina could do with her gift that would go against her nature - killing anyone being a prime example. She certainly knows how, in fact she knows one that would cause death almost immediately and has to hold herself back from doing it when she's sufficiently angry. But she's never used her gift in that way and hopes to die never having done so. Even now, after what Edward did, she's far from feeling murderous. Vengeful, yes, but she wouldn't kill him - or at least she wouldn't plan on it. What she might do in an unplanned moment of passion, she's not so sure of.
Shawty, on the other hand, has no qualms about killing if she thinks that she has to. In fact she's done so a few times - she grew up in east Gotham, where she joined and later lead an all-girl street gang. Of course as far as gangs go it was relatively positive as the focus of the gang was never about committing crimes but protecting its members from becoming victims of them themselves. In few cases, that meant ending the life of some punk who wouldn't take no for an answer - something she never did lightly. But when she made the transition from teen to adult, she'd put all of that behind her and decided that it was time to learn a better set of skills. At least until Dr. Stenet came along and convinced her that her old skills could be put to a better use - she'd felt naked without a gun anyway.
Nina frowns slightly to herself when Selina tries to slap Batman's face. She hardly thinks he deserves that, as she blames the entire thing on herself. Then again, though she doesn't have the faintest idea who the man behind the mask is (and doesn't really care, to be honest), she does know that Selina has feelings for him so she can imagine that her friend's emotions are a bit everywhere about it all. And the tears that follow only confirms it. But Nina is silent as she doesn't feel that it's her place to comment upon whatever is happening between the two of them.
Though at Batman's words to her, her frown deepens and she replies, "You wouldn't have needed to give it any attention at all if I'd done what I should have." Oh, the many ways that she could have stopped him if she'd only known what he was really up to! But how was she supposed to anticipate this? He had no reason to hurt her - none at all.
Shawty is still watching him as he approaches her boss, but she returns his nod as if acknowledging that she knows that he means her no harm. She's still going to watch him though. Nina looks curiously at the device in her hand for a moment before asking, "And what about when I'm recovered? What about when Edward finds out that I'm still alive?" Her eyes shift to Batman with a concerned expression. Not that she isn't grateful for the device - it's about damn time he gave her a way to tell him that she's in trouble - but it's hardly enough to protect her now.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 4, 2013 12:49:41 GMT -5
His block was automatic, and she was too distracted to retaliate. Instead, she had hoofed it to the door, heard him speak, heard Nina speak, rather calmly, for a stabbed woman, in the heart, of all places, and continued to try and leave. There was much, much too much not being said, and Nina didn't need to hear it. Even with her gift, this would be a lot to handle. And to keep with her on top of all the other masks and lies and heartache.
Glancing up at the black shadow, on shadow before her in the dimly lit room, her eyes narrowed. Setting her jaw, she shook her head at the wall of man, and tried to open the door despite knowing it wouldn't budge an inch. She was being stupid. And stubborn. And the words he said next stung like she herself had been stabbed in the heart. She'd tried. She'd tried her damnedest, and still...Edward, her goddamn friend had done it. For who knows what reason. She'd failed. Someone she had laughed with, and cared for. It wasn't acceptable.
So when his words were more than a gravelly murmur, meant only for her, she started him down, even if she had to look up. "I've been here with her. The day after it happened, and every fucking day since -" She almost said his name, she was so livid, instead glaring at him with such a mixture of emotions, she doubted she could name a single one they were so twisted together. Her fist balled up, and slammed against the emblem she was so used to caressing. "Don't you fucking get it?" She hissed at him, "I'm human too, you bastard." Selina spat. Did he not understand tears? Or how far it took for her, Selina Kyle, Catwoman to shed them in front of anyone?
Defeated, she followed him, composing herself in each step as she returned to the bed as well, watching as he deployed some sort of device to Nina. Too bad it was too much, too late.
Instead of waiting for Batman to respond, Selina answers for him. "I'll take care of Edward, Nina. I have a bit more time on my hands, and a certain finesse that Batman, well, doesn't quite possess that works with the Riddler," comes a cool, sly tone. She'll take care of Edward, and get to the bottom of this. Even if it means she'll make sure he will be needing his cane, and not for farce.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 12, 2013 20:13:32 GMT -5
It was all Batman could do to keep from slamming Selina against the door and telling her that she’d given up the right to succumb to pain when she’d created Catwoman. He surmised the others in the room knew who she was, but he wasn’t certain of it. His denial of her weakness, though, would be an admission of his own. He didn’t need to her be strong; he didn’t need anyone for him to be the Batman. As he swallowed his own pain and hurt, as much for seeing Selina in distress as for Dr. Stenet’s injury, decided that he appreciated the idea that she had a human side. Not that he was glad to see her hurt, but he was at least relieved to know she could show it. In some odd way, it showed that there was still hope for her, hope that he had left behind so very long ago.
He appreciated Shawty’s response. Of all the people in the room, she was perhaps the closest to approach normal, from a psychological standpoint. Her reactions were logical. They made sense and that made them predictable, which was something he appreciated. However, others could use that against her. He didn’t believe she was a completely conventional thinker, but he knew that others would be able to manipulate her as well. Riddler for one. The Joker as well. Cobblepot was perhaps more shrewd than any of the others. But, Shawty was stable, dependable, and kept her guard up. There was little more anyone could ask of her.
He had heard Dr. Stenet’s reaction to his admission; if what he suspected about her were true, then she very clearly could have stopped the Riddler, had she been prepared to. Selina’s suggestion that she was useful came more into light, but he would never allow himself to become dependent on a healer. It would make him sloppy and careless, eventually. Letting her go the dark side, as it were, wasn’t an option either. The harm she could do would be monumental. And, if her secret got out, she wouldn’t last a week before someone decided she was too powerful to let anyone else control her. She was a wildcard, and she needed to be handled carefully.
Selina’s declaration that she would handle Riddler didn’t sit well with Batman, but if he was going to become Dr Stenet’s caretaker, he wouldn’t be able to go after her. Then again, there was no reason to wait for Selina to reel him in, either. He wouldn’t sent Tim in after the Riddler, but Nightwing could help, as could Batgirl. If it came down to a question of sheer power, Starfire would become a welcome asset as well, though that was not usually how the Riddler worked.
“I can protect you,” he offered to Dr. Stenet. “It wouldn’t be a comfortable situation for either one of us, but when the Riddler strike again, Miss Kyle’s comments notwithstanding, if I am not already there, then you will have to handle him yourself.”
He turned to face Selina. “You are human. Too many people in this city aren’t. Don’t ever lose that, and certainly not for the likes of Riddler. He isn't worth it.”
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Nina Stenet
"Great acts are made up of small deeds." - Lao Tzu
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Post by Nina Stenet on Jul 13, 2013 8:10:16 GMT -5
Though Nina can hear the words that the two exchanged by the doorway, she politely ignores them. She's already aware that things between Selina and Batman are... complicated, and it appears that things have only become more so since she and Selina last talked about it. But none of that is really any of her business (unless, of course, Selina decides to 'share' later), so she lets them have as much space as one hospital room can give them. Yet when Selina comes back over, she gives her friend a small, grateful smile - she really does want Selina to stay, though she'd never ask her to do so if she didn't want to.
Though as Selina says that she'll take care of Edward and Batman offers to protect her, Nina's sighs quietly to herself and closes her eyes for a moment, her forehead wrinkling as her expression settles into a deep frown. Opening her eyes, she looks at Selina and asks, "And exactly how are you going to 'take care' of Edward? Beat him senseless? Claw his face?" Picturing that in her head, a smile flickers across her lips. "Oh, he definitely deserves that," she says quite bluntly - yes, she'd certainly not argue that point, "But would that really convince him to leave me alone? Maybe it would scare him off for awhile, but if he's determined you know that he'll eventually take getting to me in spite of you as a challenge. And he'd do it too - he knows how to concoct a scheme to get past you. And he's not going to make the mistake of letting me survive twice. He knows me and what I can do too well for that - we have to assume that if there's a next time, even if it's deferred for awhile, I'll probably die." Her recent brush with death has been a cold, hard dose of reality - she's not going to mince her words now.
Having said that, her eyes shift to Batman as she comments, "If you go after him instead, it's the same problem - you know that. The asylum only holds him for so long. And while I don't doubt that you could hide me somewhere so concealed that he couldn't find me - how could I do my work in that condition? Exactly how much time would I need to hide before he'll forget that he wants me dead? That's not a real solution. And to whatever degree I expose myself in order to work, he'll use it to get to me." She's seen far too much of his methods to not know that he'll take advantage of whatever he can.
She pauses, as she really doesn't want to have to say her conclusion, "Unless either of you see something I don't, this is something I need to work out with him - not some third party trying to protect me. And I can do it, especially if I can take it to him instead of waiting for him to come to me again - that would give me the advantage." Though from the frown on her face, she doesn't really want to have to do that. Yes, there's a side of her where all the anger and the desire for revenge delights at the mere thought of it, but that side only dominates as much as she lets it. But the bigger part of her would rather take the option of never seeing Edward again, though at this point that doesn't seem to be an option - not if he's going to do things like unexpectedly show up months after breaking up with her to kill her for reasons she can only guess at.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 14, 2013 21:13:31 GMT -5
Selina laughs ruefully at Batman. Half-heartedly she is giving herself away, but hell, Batman already knows who she is, even if Nina doesn't know that. Or maybe she does. So nodding, she laughs still. "Well, I doubt I can, because he's a friend of mine, Batman. But I'll try not to loose that sliver of humanity I do have. And perhaps you can remember that you don't posess any super-human powers, either. Just a great strength of detail,sir." She turns to Nina, tapping a finger against her head. "Nina, I'll store that away. And when I mean that I'll take care of him...I mean that after you and I discuss it. This is your kitten to corner, but I'm more than willing to help. One of my friends has behaved quite poorly, -badly, even. And whatever you need, let me know. I'll be there." She adds coolly, meaning every single word she's speaking.
Whatever Batman decides to do at this point; it's out of her hands. She pushed, and that was that. She'd tried prior, and it had done nothing, nothing but lead up to a near death on Nina's part. Now, Bruce, well, Batman, could use his mind, and resources to keep Nina safe. And as for Nina? Selina clearly is shifting to cheerleader-slash-friend and willing to do whatever is necessary. Why Edward would want to kill his Ex? She has no idea. Why he'd go and ...get himself worked on, she still had no idea. But he was acting odd, and there were more questions at this point, than there were answers. That, was clearly his style. But for someone as curious as her, and who didn't take that many into her confidence, she wasn't willing to stand for just questions, with no answers. It left a poor taste in her mouth. Friends didn't just keep friends out of the loop. Friends didn't just stab other friends, and expect no repercussions.
Snapping from her reverie, and gently wiping at her eyes, Selina looked around for her tea. It was on the side table, and she found herself drinking it in no time, the warm liquid a balm to her raw feelings.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 19, 2013 2:14:04 GMT -5
Batman had did all he’d sought to do on his trip here, and more. He surmised that there was more to Dr. Stenet’s abilities than he had gleaned from his eavesdropping, but this was not the time to grill her. Selina was angry at him; anger was a luxury she could afford. He saw no point in reprimanding her; her emotions were her own, and she wasn’t his charge. If she got sloppy, he’d let her know, but until then, maybe the emotional release would help her.
“If you think I’m going after the Riddler specifically because of what he did to you, Doctor, or to stop him from getting only to you in the future, you’d be mistaken. And, in the end, I don’t think you’re the one that needs protection.”
He turned his attention to Shawty. “Stay close to your boss. She needs you to be at her side now more than ever.” He didn’t say out loud that she was currently Dr. Stenet’s weakest link, or that staying close would let the doctor protect her. He didn’t know either Dr. Stenet or Shawty well, but he knew the types. The doctor would go to any lengths to protect her friend, he believed. If it had been Shawty that was attacked and not the doctor, odds were the Riddler would be dead and poured down the drain like old dishwater, though likely not without a tear of regret from Stenet. Only by keeping her bodyguard close would Dr. Stenet be able to keep her safe. As for Shawty, if she believed she was a liability for to her friend, she would probably bolt at the first chance. She needed to believe that she was necessary.
He turned to regard Selina for just a moment. She was right; he had no super powers. He didn’t need them. He would do what was demanded of him. Nothing else was acceptable, or even tolerable as a suggestion. “You're more human than you know.”
He stepped to the window and left the way he’d come, swinging into the night.
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Nina Stenet
"Great acts are made up of small deeds." - Lao Tzu
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Post by Nina Stenet on Jul 20, 2013 0:36:50 GMT -5
When Selina recognizes that Nina ought to be the one leading this charge, Nina nods and an almost relieved smile tugs at her face. She credits her friend as being a very intelligent and thoughtful woman, but then again Selina is obviously very upset about all this and there's the fear in the back of Nina's mind that the woman might run off and do something rash. Therefore it's good to hear Selina indicating that she does, indeed, possess more sense than that. "What I need at the moment is just time," she replies, "I can do nothing until I'm back on my feet - I need you to keep Edward away from me until then." Though the way her eyes shift from Selina to Shawty to Batman at that last part indicates that's not something she's asking of Selina alone, though she suspects that practically goes without saying for each of them.
And she nods quickly at Batman's words to her. "I only meant that there's not much you can do for my own long term safety. Of course there's other people in danger from him - lots of other people - and in the short term the busier you keep him the less time he has to worry about me. So by all means, go get him," she replies, which is the first time she's ever so easily spoken on the subject of Batman stopping Edward. Even in China, when she knew full well that Edward was trying to start the next world war, there was that sense of mixed emotions about her when Edward had been caught. There are no mixed emotions here. In fact the only concern she'd had about what Batman will do is whether or not he'd try to interfere with her going after Edward herself. But because he says nothing on that subject, she takes that to mean that he'll not get in her way. Good.
Still watching everyone in silence, Shawty's attention is instantly grabbed when Batman speaks to her. His statement prompts a slight nod and she simply says, "I know." If she knew what Batman had really meant by that she'd be slightly offended, but then again she'd also have slightly agreed. But while she may be Dr. Stenet's weakest link, that's in part because she's able to eliminate many others that would be even worse. Her boss's ability may be very powerful, but it has its limits and other quirks that leave her more vulnerable than someone might think. And on top of that, beyond any superpower, Dr. Stenet also has other limits - the lack of certain knowledge and skills especially, and at the moment the inability to move. Shawty's specific set of skills does much to cover the gaps, however, and though she has her own weaknesses many of them are easily covered by her boss's skills. Long story short: they're a good team. Both are better off when they're together, even if the fact that they're here proves that they're not perfect.
Nina watches passively as Batman heads back out of the window, though when he's gone from sight her attention turns right back to Selina. "He's so concerned about you," she comments idly, mostly to see how her friend will react to that observation.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 20, 2013 13:06:44 GMT -5
Somehow she had pulled herself together after her tears. Crying. In front of Batman, no less. With Nina, it was different. Everything had come to a head, and she wasn't ok with it. Was it that horrible she'd shown some form of raw emotion? To a degree, yes. In front of Batman, yes. Knowing how he functioned, she felt it would only hurt her. Even after their little conversation, several days ago. Getting close to anyone, was a risk. And this was the aftermath of such risk.
Before Batman could swing away, he'd addressed her; a phrase she hadn't just skimmed over, as much as her now-calm facade was giving off. "You are, too, Stud," was her quiet, yet resolute response. He was a man, behind all that black, and voice, and getup. He had been something of flesh and bone, wounded, before he had taken up his own mantle and code. Sighing, she shook off his words, and turned back to Nina, watching her, and Shawty, and the man in black speak their few words before he left. "I should be able to keep him occupied. Just...trust me in the fact of what I'm doing, Nina, no matter how....outlandish it is. I can keep him occupied. Trust me on that one." And for Nina, she would. And no doubt it would cause Batman to raise his brow as well...but he knew her. And he knew her skills.
One the room was free of the male presence, Selina calmly rose to her feet and went to re-secure the window, returning to her seat slowly. Nina's words bite into her as if she'd been stabbed herself. The sea of emotions that had calmed was suddenly a rolling, bubbling surface again, it's calm exterior disrupted again. What does she say to that? That Gotham's Savior has a thing for her, but is too preoccupied? That she knows who he is? And vice versa? That there were too many layers to even contemplate; or even attempt to overcome, but she still couldn't not try?
"I...we were together when I got the phone call." Is finally choked out. She can't meet Nina's eyes directly, focusing instead on her friend's hands. "I tried to convince him that something had to be done...before this. We talked...about a lot of things." She just can't seem to get out the fact that she cares about him, too, to her friend. Call her stubborn, but it'd be too easy. And when you're well versed in cloak and dagger tactics; mask upon mask to keep people at arm's length, it's hard to just say the most obvious. "How can you be so sure?" Selina asks quietly instead.
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Nina Stenet
"Great acts are made up of small deeds." - Lao Tzu
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Post by Nina Stenet on Jul 21, 2013 0:15:57 GMT -5
"I trust you, Selina," Nina replies easily. After all, Selina has never given Nina any reason to doubt her. And though one might think that being literally stabbed in the back by the man she loved would destroy her trust in people, it's had more of an opposite effect. It made her wake up to how blinded by her emotions she'd been, and in retrospect she really should have seen it coming. But her friendship with Selina has always been unclouded by such powerful emotions. Edward's betrayal of her trust has made the relationships in which she should put her faith in that much more precious to her.
The very emotional response that Selina gives to her probing question catches Nina somewhat off guard, but then again she's unaware of all the recent happenings between the cat and the bat. Though if Selina were to look at her face, she'd see Nina's expression quickly shift into a sympathetic smile. She may not have intended to set the sea of emotions boiling, but then again if it's that easily disturbed then maybe it's just as well Selina had the chance to get it out.
Though she can be heard to softly sigh at what Selina says, and she reiterates, "Again, it was neither of your fault..." Not that she expects to convince Selina of that at this point, but if she's going to keep trying to claim it then Nina is going to keep challenging that. "You were trying, and that counts for a lot. Maybe if Edward had waited a few days..." she trails off, as that's just speculation at this point. Would it have made a difference? Maybe. The only thing she knows would have made a difference is if she'd reacted differently herself - that's why it's her fault.
But in spite of trying to suppress it, a slightly amused laugh reaches the surface at Selina's last question. "Oh, it was pretty obvious. To me, at least - did you see it, Shawty?" she replies, turning to her assistant for confirmation. Which Shawty gives with a quick nod, adding, "Oh, yeah - everything he said to you smacked of giving a damn." And Nina can't help but smirk at that since she knew that the girl would give Selina a much more pointed answer to that question than she ever would. She also suspects everything Selina's not said about her feelings in return, as she well remembers their conversation in China and sensed that there may have been some... progression since. But that's just an educated guess.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 21, 2013 3:26:27 GMT -5
Those simple words are like a much needed balm. But in the case of such an ointment, it usually brings about pain, as well. And while she starts to sob again, Selina feels the sting that she should be the one pulled together, and Nina...falling apart. It's more than a few moments before she can finally stop the harrowing breaths, and respond to her friend. Her wounded friend, nonetheless. "Thank you. I'm sorry...I just.." Sniffling away the tears, she tilts her head up in the ever pride-saving motion of hoping nothing more will fall from the corners of her eyes. "I should be more pulled together. I guess it's all just hit me again." And the fact she doesn't say she was with Batman, without his mask, at his Manor of all places, makes her feel worse.
Holding up a hand, she argues against Nina futility. "Edward already had a plan. Him waiting a few more days would have been his plan, possibly, even. I tried to do what I could. And...I guess, to some extent, so did Batman. But still. This shouldn't have happened to you. You hadn't done a damn thing, but love him. And trust him. And I hope to hell you have some sort of plan thought up, because I am going to back you up on that. No questions asked. Whatever you need me to do." She's quite appalled at the fact Eddie would go to such lengths. He's a bit mad, but this crazy? She knows he's killed, but why Nina? Sucking in a ragged breath, she feels that if she doesn't get her own shit together, Nina is going to get another bed in the room for her. Or worse, get her a lovely, lovely suite in Arkham.
Then again, maybe that's not a bad idea.
A half-truncated laugh falls flat in her throat. "Telling me I'm human, or barring me from leaving. Because shit, if either of those is giving a damn, clearly I've been misreading his 'You shouldn't be taking that,' and his whole 'Dark Stare' on the rooftops. Because he's pretty shitty at communicating concern." She rants, seeing the truth in Shawty's words, but not fully wanting to admit it. "He's a damn human, too." She spits. A human who took the time to help her shower, when she'd clearly been irresponsible, and had kept up the façade. And as much as she wants to sob to her dear friend she knows who the man behind the mask is, it'd only be more confusing, because the man behind the mask, is nothing more than another mask.
"Nina. Please tell me you know a good shrink at Arkham. A recommendation, something?" She's not asking because she is crazy, but because she honestly needs someone, that can be a neutral party. Nina would be fantastic, and has been fantastic, but she may need another outlet.
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Nina Stenet
"Great acts are made up of small deeds." - Lao Tzu
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Post by Nina Stenet on Jul 24, 2013 16:31:08 GMT -5
Honestly, Nina's emotions are such that she could fall apart easily if the conditions were just a bit more favorable. But expressing her upset in the way that she would if she could would take much more energy than she has. Perhaps she could instead get very depressed and sour about the situation, but she'd had enough of the former over the past several months and the latter is simply out of character for her. No, when things get hard and tears, pacing, and cursing in every language she knows aren't good ways of dealing it she prefers to distract herself by worrying about other things.
So in a way, Selina's actually being helpful - her falling apart a bit is very distracting to Nina and gives her something besides her own emotions to be worrying about. At least until she starts to talk about how little she deserved all this. She sighs heavily, eyes drifting to the ceiling for a moment as she tries to find the words for her thoughts. "I do have a plan, and I don't. I have... so many options. So many... It will take me awhile to narrow the list down. Even harder given that I want to give him what he deserves, but I also don't want to do worse... And yes, I can do worse to him than he deserves for something as bad as this. I think, because he knew I wouldn't use my gift to help him with his plans, he never stopped to consider the... variety. Perhaps he would have made a different choice if he'd had..." her voice drifts off at that somewhat dark statement, but her expression clouds into a frown as she adds, "I never thought that I'd be doing something like this with my gift, you know. When I discovered it and realized what I could do with it... Well, I believe that it's meant for better things."
She shakes her head, but then adds, "But this... this was unprovoked. This was undeserved. I don't care what put the thought into his head, he had no right or reason to lift a finger against me. So he's forcing my hand - when he's willing to go to this extreme against me, I must use extreme measures to protect myself. Even if I don't want to. To do otherwise would only add to the list of stupid things that I've done recently." She sighs heavily again, willing all the many twisted emotions these thoughts bring up - all of them troublesome in their own way. Even the part of her that looks forward to paying him back for this comes with an undercurrent of worry that perhaps she shouldn't be this excited about it.
Fortunately, the thoughts that come along with talking to Selina about Batman are much more pleasant. Especially on her end, as a third party witness to the mixed emotions there instead of being a part of it herself. "I believe that's man-speak for 'be careful' and 'stay strong'. Most men are terrible at saying those things, and he's obviously worse than average," she says with a slight shrug, "I'd give him a little slack right now if I were you - I somehow doubt that he's as stoic on the inside as he is on the outside." Of course she doesn't know the man well enough herself to know for sure, but she's thinking more along the lines that nobody could do what he does and yet care that little about all that's just happened. Even if she questions just how much she matters to him personally - but she doesn't care if she doesn't.
There's slight surprise in the way Nina's eyebrows lift at the mention of the asylum, but once that wears off her expression is nothing but understanding - maybe it would help Selina to talk to a professional. Then again, her one time visit to the place didn't give her much confidence in them, though she'd not advise Selina to forget the idea. "I'm afraid I don't," she replies with a slight frown, "The only one I've met before is Dr. Arkham, and I can't say that I was impressed by his demeanor." Then again, much of that probably relates to the conversation she'd had immediately preceding the one with him.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 3, 2013 5:12:40 GMT -5
"You're too good to me. This all should be about you, and the failures at keeping you safe..and look, here you are, giving me advice. No Arkham...and honestly, I doubt I could see a man about that sort of issue right now. Maybe a female would be better. And I just...thank you for paying attention. I'm furious at what Edward's done, what Bruce has done.. I just...this is all so infuriating. And the fact I'm in the middle...makes it worse." One large, deep breath, and she seems to be pulling herself together, a quick shake of her head dismissing Nina's 'stupid things she's done lately.'
"If it were anyone else, I'd laugh. But stupid things and Edward seem to go hand-in-hand. If you need any help, and I mean any, I will come to your aide with him. I trust you to know the lines....well, much better than he does, or I do. With him, you should go for his pride. I'll think on what I know you are capable of, and make sure that the only way we speak of such things will be verbal. No way to track a damn word of it. Sadly, he gets in his own way. His own ability gets bloated from pride, and his focus gets so narrow, he doesn't see any other option. And this is coming from me; a friend. I just have to ask that you trust me, in my own actions against him, even if they seem...peculiar." The last word is said strongly. There is already a plan forming in her own mind, and she knows there will be questions across the board about her actions. But acting is a passion of hers, if not to the same extent of stealing.
Biting her lip, she shifts slightly in her chair, feeling more human, and less...emotional woman. If Nina can keep her shit together after being stabbed, Selina can at least not go on crying benders when her friend who was stabbed is mentioned. Maybe she should blame it on the rollercoaster of reveals as of late. Batman, Bruce, Edward, Nina, and so forth. Such is life. Maybe she needs a vacation, even.
Either way, Selina nods. "We're all human; just like he said, Nina. And I'm trusting your moral compass is better than most, so when you mention stupid things, I bet it compares a bit differently to my stupid things." No doubt. But right now isn't the time to discuss politics and philosophy, even though she would love to indulge in those topics.
"But...I don't know. I think deep down, he's just as hurt, and vulnerable as myself. I just wish..he didn't have to be such an asshole about it. It's been years of 'That's not yours,' and 'Well, are you going to stop me,' on the rooftops, in the safes, and now.... I just...we were together when I got the phone call about your stabbing. And I'm so sorry, Nina. I feel like I failed you as a friend...and the whole situation..." She shook her head, not willing to meet Nina, nor Shawty's eyes. The whole night was...unsettling. Not in a bad way, but in a way akin to ripping off an old bandage; good, and bad. Vividly painful, and delightfully freeing. A tumult of new emotion she hadn't needed to deal with in years.
"Sometime, I guess I'll be able to explain it all. Just...everything happened at once." Despite how bad of a decision it was the first time, she wished she was at some hovel drinking just as much as she had that night in China.
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Nina Stenet
"Great acts are made up of small deeds." - Lao Tzu
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Registered On: Nov 4, 2010 0:01:40 GMT -5 ~
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Post by Nina Stenet on Aug 3, 2013 23:15:48 GMT -5
Nina listens carefully to Selina, especially as the other woman talks about Edward and expresses her thoughts on what she should do to him. And they're certainly not bad thoughts at all - she nods thoughtfully and comments, "If anyone desperately needs to be knocked off of his high horse, it's him - and I'd hardly complain about however you want to contribute to that." Then again, that doesn't narrow down the options for her that much. There's probably nothing for it but to simply ponder long and hard about the issue until she hits upon something that seems right.
Something which she doesn't really want to do right at this moment, actually - mulling that over is something that would be good to do with the suddenly massive amounts of free time she'll have while laying in this room. Right now, on the other hand, she has Selina to talk to. And she really is somewhat relieved to hear Selina wanting to see someone. She understands that emotions are going to be high when a friend almost dies, but she also suspects that even more than that is going on here if it's causing this much emotion. In fact she thinks that she might have gotten a hint of there being more because she has to ask, "Bruce? Bruce who?" As far as she knows Selina's never mentioned anyone of that name before, and she's much too far removed from Gotham's gossip chain to have heard anything about Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle. Instead she's mentally theorizing that it's simply the name of one of the rogues that she doesn't know much about. There's a lot of those, after all.
Shawty, who is not as far removed from Gotham's gossip chain as her boss, is now watching Selina with a somewhat curious expression but keeps her mouth shut.
As Selina goes on to complain further about Batman's treatment of her, Nina can't help but frown slightly. She can't lay where she is for the reason that she is without seeing it in a different perspective, after all. "At least if he's being an asshole, he's one that cares about you instead of one who doesn't," she comments, careful to keep her tone mild since those words coming from her really aren't. She supposes that it's fair to complain about how a man expresses his feelings normally, but she just can't sympathize with that very easily right now. No, she's too busy thinking about just how lucky Selina is to have a man who cares about her at all. If she'd had the same, none of this would have happened.
But, not wanting to be too harsh she adds, "This has been a long several days for everyone - including me, even though I missed a few. Time will definitely help." Well, that and revenge, but the latter will have to wait a bit.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 4, 2013 22:22:57 GMT -5
Nina has been nothing but selfless; always. As her words wash over her, Selina's head snaps up. She didn't just say that. But the fact that Nina is questioning what Bruce, is somewhat assuring. Of course she had to know that Selina is on friendly terms with Bruce Wayne..right? That makes sense. Then again, it adds more complications than she wants to address right now with Catwoman, and Batman, and her little...fit moments ago. A glimpse to Shawty knows that at least one of them is aware, but isn't saying anything. Not right now. Nina is quite lucky to have the astute blonde at her side, through thick and thin.
"You're right, Nina. Time will help, and I've been pulling on you more than I usually would. You're a damn good friend, too good, to be consoling me, as you're...the one lying in bed." Scooting closer, she offers to take Nina's hand, if she's willing. "I wholeheartedly agree. Edward does need that chip taken off his shoulder, and between the two of us, we'll come up with something. You have a keen insight; I don't doubt you'll find something perfect. And, as odd as it is, when that plan goes into effect, I'll be there for the good ol' one-two punch. If I do something...a bit odd, just trust me. It will make sense in the long run.
And I just...you speak too much truth. I guess it's better than no one caring. I wish at times it wasn't Batman. He's always...going to be on the other side than I am. And the differences. And his priorities. And mine." Shrugging, she shakes off that conversation, and turns to a new topic. "When you get out, what do you think you're going to do next? Well, other than the obvious?" She smirks, curious to hear what Nina has to say, and ready to offer up help with a place to stay, if she needs it.
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