Icy Encounters

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Catwoman climbed aboard the backseat with the poise and grace of someone used to riding a motorcycle; be it cruiser, or the more street-advanced style. Clicking down each passanger peg, she deftly adjusted herself on the back, gripping the tail with her inner thighs. Reaching a hand around Huntresss, she made sure not to impede with her maneouvering about the streets of Gotham, mostly through the dark, to more dark where the Iceberg's outside lights made the shadowed streets a bit less dreary.

As much as the prior activities of the night didn't sit well with her, going to the Iceberg was slightly less than thrilling. Even with the purple clad woman promising not to start things; that didn't mean that others wouldn't do the same. So once the woman powered down her motorcycle, and both of them had dismounted, Catwoman took a breath, and nodded to her guest for the night.

"I'll take you at your word. But someone may start shit. I'll ask that you let me deal with it, before you even say a word. That might get you from getting strung up. Who knows tonight." With a minor shrug, she led the way to the podium where some sort of bird-themed monikered woman would be standing, and would lead them to a place to sit.

Once it was their turn, Catwoman took the lead, holding up two fingers. "Hey, Raven. Is my booth open in the bar, seating for two? If not that one, something out of the line of fire?" She was rather happy that a hostess she knew was at the held. Out of the line of fire was thinly veiled wording for something quiet. If there was noise to be had that night, that is. Thankfully the woman nodded dutifully, and wove them through several unoccupied tables to a corner booth. Not her standard, but one with a vantage point she couldn't argue with. It allowed her views of not only the bar, but the entrance, and the ladies' room. Raven tonight would be getting a mighty fine tip. Even if it was out of money that Ozzie owed her.

Nodding her approval to the hostess, Catwoman slid into the rather nice seat (Even for a Villain's watering hole), and pat the seat next to her for Huntress. "What are you thinking of to drink?" She offered, sliding the menu over to the woman. "They offer some decent appetizers here, too, if you want something to sop up the liquor. Once Jerry hears who is mousing about, he likes to pour them stiff." Smiling wickedly, Catwoman winked at Huntress, knowing she'd have a few moments before their order was taken. "And don't forget; my treat tonight. You said you had a bit of information to discuss, too? Or hell, even just about 'the capes,'" she added. Maybe a bit of banter back and forth would dissuade most of her counterparts from lingering too much. Then again, while she was a curious cat, most knew not to bother the hunter while she was playing with her prey, be it truth, or just a facade.

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Huntress listened to Catwoman's words very carefully before she turned to initiate the lock-down procedures. She had learned long ago that no system was absolute in that any security could be breached, but this one was a sure fire way to at least retard the normal criminal. she had gotten the idea from one of the earlier 007 movies, the one entitled "For Your Eyes Only" if her memory was sound, but either way, anyone trying to steal the bike or tamper with its security would find themselves seriously hurt if not dead.

"I'll let you handle things, Catwoman, but if something happens beyond your control, I'll be sure to tell you before I take any action."

True to her word, Huntress had remained quiet while Catwoman had addressed the hostess, and though she got all kinds of looks from the other people around her - patrons and staff alike - Huntress noticed none of them went for any kind of weapon. It was too early to tell if things would remain quiet or not, but from what she could see, walking in with Catwoman had its advantages. Huntress had smiled inwardly at the choice of words Catwoman had used for the location of their table and once they had gotten close enough for her to see its location, Huntress could well approve of the choice as it gave them a wall to their backs and a full view of the place.

"I'm considering Scotch, but I might just go for a Whiskey and Seven. And don't worry, I won't get drunk on you."

Giving Catwoman a sly wink, Huntress quietly reached into a side compartment of her belt and pulled out two nondescript pills. Placing them both under her tongue, she allowed them to dissolve slowly, their chemical mixture aimed at building a greater tolerance for alcoholic beverages as well as drinks that might potentially be spiked with other things, secreted drugs notwithstanding. Huntress had not missed the wink she had gotten any more than she had Catwoman's action of patting the seat next to her, a move that brought back memories of another time, a memory that brought a smile to her otherwise serious-looking face.

"And no, I won't forget, it's your treat."

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With a wave of her hand, Catwoman showed her care for the other women's choice of drink; very little. "Well, they should be able to accommodate that order. Jerry has several aged Scotches, or Whiskey. I think I'm just going to go with my usual. Which was a given, considering as soon as their waitress made her way over to the two women, Selina's martini was already in hand. The blonde server politely approached Huntress, asking her for her order, before scurrying off. Catwoman was known for conducting business here, so the less time at the table, the bigger tip. Even if it was coming straight out of their employer's pocket anyway.

While Huntress continued her light banter, Catwoman did narrow her eyes at the tiny pills the woman swallowed. Odd. Then again, those who did associate with the Bat-family, even if not closely, tended to have their own form of gadgets and secrecy. Things that she usually didn't comment on right away, even if she was curious.

"Are you sure you didn't want anything to eat, too? We could grab something else, considering we have a few more things to discuss?" Bringing the glass to her lips, she was glad it was made to perfection. And no doubt it would make hearing about Thorne a bit easier to swallow.

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"Whiskey.., no wait..., make that White Zinfandel. I don't want to get too blurry tonight."

Leaning back into the cushion, Huntress pulled her left leg up next to the back and relaxed. eyes were still on her but they had changed already, changed from thinking she might be a threat to something else, maybe a date for Catwoman, which made Huntress smile. The Martini looked good, though for her taste Huntress didn't want such a mixture so early in the evening, especially as something could easily start up, but she would be true to her word and let Catwoman do the talking.

"No, I'm fine, thank you. I have to watch my figure.., my weight. These costumes are tight enough as they are, as I am sure you will agree. They don't leave much to the imagination."

Her eyes on the other patrons for only a few minutes, Huntress returned her attention to Catwoman, before she began to think of just how much they were alike, opposite sides of the law - well at least to a fashion - but still very much alike..., though that was something Helena knew she would never share. Thorne was the reason for them even being in the place but for the moment all she wanted to do was savoir the wine, to test its bouquet, its elegance, though after one sip Huntress knew the wine to be inferior to what she normally had.

"Ah, my wine..., thank you Miss. What can you tell me of Rupert Thorne, Catwoman?"

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Now that wasn't exactly a drink she was expecting the woman to order. Raising a brow, Catwoman nodded, setting her drink back down before removing one glove; fingertips first, then the next, setting them atop one another on the tabletop to her right. Watching the other woman, well, watch the patrons in the room right now was interesting. She herself was doing many of the same behaviors; surveying, observing, and so forth. It was just ..different to watch in another person in a mask, especially a woman.

Snorting lightly, she rotated to rest her head on her hand, elbow atop the table. "Oh, now it's me spilling what I know, Huntress? I thought you were going to fill me in on that little encounter down at the docks, what you know of that little party, and why said Mr. Thorne would want to lure me in with some sort of poorly planned 'bait' to then lure in Batman. Hell, you're closer to Batman's side of things than I am, why don't you let me know what Thorne is thinking, sending his clashing goons after me."

Not snarky, she spoke the words with a playful tone. Of course she knew who Rupert Thorne was. It just was that she hadn't heard much of what he was up to these days, until the little dockside incident. Always curious.

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Catwoman wasn't going to bite - interesting. Setting down the glass of wine, Huntress twisted her upper body to where she was facing the feline before she glanced once more around the room. With her body mostly sideways she was setting herself up for possible issues from her far right, just beyond her Peripheral vision, but at the same time, she was presenting a narrower target for the main areas of the room. Watching Catwoman remove the gloves was an interesting sight, though it did give Huntress the time to consider her words on what she was about to say.

"Rupert Thorne has ambitions, part of which is to place people in positions of power in the city government so that they will be favorable to his way of thinking. But the reason behind what happened tonight, while partly just a guess on my part, could have its foundation in something I overheard from a reliable source. Thorne aims to take over the east side."

Pausing when she caught a movement from her extreme right side, Huntress looked that way for a moment to see a man that suddenly paused in his approach before turning to head another direction. Whatever he had been about to do would go unanswered though the fact he had a writing tablet and a pen in his hand made Huntress think he was maybe seeking an autograph which was so out of place for the locale than she almost choked. Her fingers finding the glass, she brought the wine to her lips and took a small drink of the wine, before she licked her lips slowly to savor the last bit, and then finally turned back to her host.

"His plan is simple in its complexity. He's been buying up large tracks of the area and having other people - fronts - doing the same for him. Once he has all of this done, he will then evict the residents there now and raze the buildings - all of them - to be replaced by high rise luxury town homes. My source tells me the Bertinelli Construction Company will be the guiding force in the area's destruction as well as its rebuilding. Of course, what happens to the people living there is of little consequence to him. What does that have to do with you? You are known or thought to be that area's protector of sorts, and Batman is a - shall we say friend - of yours? My source tells me they feel the need to rid themselves of you and the Batman, it's about that simple."

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Curious. That was the first thing that came to mind with Huntress' words. Not that she took too much interest; one crime boss to the next were usually scum with no change. But once the other woman moved, Catwoman's eyes shifted. The man walking toward them abruptly changing paths was not a welcome sight.

"I can see him. Don't worry. I have your blind spot covered," came her low murmur, her lips partially obscured by the martini glass she then sipped from. It seemed that more and more pairups with capes was coming to pass for her. And that sort of career shift sat indifferently with her.

"So you're saying he is going to level that part of town, take over the government, and use the Bertinelli family's company to do demo and reconstruction?" Interesting. And none of that had to do with stealing. "I thought they were Mafia, too. Why not go with his own people?" She mused more to herself, than to Huntress.

"I...don't frequent that area as much as I used to," she added. Lately, she hadn't been frequenting much of any area, other than those that dealt with cape and mask politics, it seemed. "But I can understand your concern. Why not just, well, honestly, take this to Batman? While I may be close to him...I'm not on the same side, no matter how much people think we are. Wouldn't it be easier than going through me? I'm not exactly liked by the lot of you," she said with a dismissive wave. There was a bit of truth to that, but how much, she couldn't say.

"But he'd be better to go to about this, than me. I'm no stranger to being used as bait, and nearly everyone can attest to that in this lounge, even. But as for protecting anything? I look after my own,and that's about it. I've grown, changed, and hell. My own extends to myself, and few others, Huntress. I can't do what Batman and his do. You know this. It's too risky."

Pursing her lips, she took another sip of her drink, enjoying the bit of alcohol after the docks. Focusing her green eyes on the woman, she smirked. "Now who has such an intense fascination with you that they'd tail you here?"

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Sipping her wine, Huntress listened intently to what Catwoman had to say. She had learned early on that much could be learned by what one didn't say or even by the way they said it, and though Catwoman was known for using a more cryptic means of talking, Huntress had not "felt" anything beyond what she was saying at the moment. That she and Batman were not that close sat well with Huntress though, as it meant he was open for the taking, something Huntress had thought of more than once, as she felt she was the perfect woman for that masked man.

The man that had been approaching their table had seemed familiar to her, though for the moment Huntress couldn't quite remember why. Pushing that thought aside for the time being, she looked back at Catwoman as the feline took yet another sip of the Martini, before she took another drink of the wine. Take it to Batman, don't bother her with it, let the matter drop, shove it under a rug somewhere - that was the message she was getting from the Catwoman, and if Catwoman didn't feel threatened by any of it, then so be it, though that didn't mean Huntress wasn't going to watch the feline's back for awhile.

"Well, if you aren't concerned with this stuff, then I'll drop it, and I'll send it Batman's way. After all, I'm not the target this time, or rather I wasn't, that last man notwithstanding. As for what he wanted, I suppose we could ask him, but I have promised not to start anything..., and besides, I am rather enjoying the company."

Signaling for another round of drinks, Huntress relaxed. The night was young, if there was such a concept in Gotham, and she had spoken the truth, she was enjoying the company. Catwoman was the one woman she could relate to in Gotham City, and they had shared a history back in Crime Alley, one that still haunted Huntress to a degree in that she had attacked the feline for no good reason at all.

"Well, now that Thorne has been dealt with, what else shall we talk about?"

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"No offense, Huntress, but crimefighting isn't my kink. I can pass it along to Batman, but hell, I don't know where everyone seems to be getting the vibe that I'm on that side, if any as of late." She shook her head thoughtfully at that, honest to goodness curious as to why she'd been sequestered, and asked the same thing. Or even worse, masks had assumed that she was 'being good.' Either way, it was disturbing, and she mused on a few names that might be spreading the nice, but unlikely rumor. She'd have to remedy the word on the street with a bit of action, it seemed.

Setting down her cocktail, Catwoman reached to the other woman's forearm for a friendly squeeze. "I'm glad you're not a target this time. As much as you'll never catch me repeating this, I do tolerate you more than some of the other masks. And what Crane did to you was horrible. I've been there, and trust me, it's not fun to fight a friend."

Removing her friend, she nodded to the other woman's words. It was Batman's city, after-all. If he was the King of the Night, do-gooder of Gotham, she was curious what that made her on the other wide. Queen of Purloining? She liked the ring of that. "Well, I can snag him, if you're not wanting to 'start anything,' as you put it. " Finishing her drink in one last sip, she was glad to see the waitress already en route with two identical drinks. And a sampling of food as well.

Pushing her empty toward the waitress, she happily accepted her next drink, and sampled a small, pizza roll type item. Popping it into her mouth, she raised a brow at her counterpart for the night.

"Well, I doubt he's been 'dealt' with, as you're thinking, but hell, we'll move on for now. Topics? What have you been up to since our last entanglement? It seems that your face has been MIA for a bit?" That, or she had just been...not in the wrong places at the right times.

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Catwoman was becoming a broken record - her repeated message having already fallen on deaf ears to such an extent that Huntress felt like grabbing the needle and ripping it from the arm of the record player. Shoving the wine glass away from her as much from disgust as growing anger, Huntress let a cold gaze settle upon her face while she looked right into Catwoman's eyes. She had thought earlier that the two of them were alike, and it was only that knowledge that kept Huntress from reaching out and back handing the woman where she sat.

"Ok, I get it, crime fighting is not your thing..., saving the east side or anyplace else is not your thing, trying to find out why someone might want you dead is not your thing..., Batman is not your thing. I got that, Catwoman, just like I got the other messages you have been sliding my way, but I don't give a damn. As for taking it to Batman, screw that - screw him - screw..."

Huntress stopped herself before she uttered the last part of the comment, knowing it would only make matters worse. Glancing toward the retreating man that had been heading their way only moments before, Huntress slid out of the booth and headed for him, her pace twice the speed of his own. In minutes she was standing right in front of him - her own body blocking his escape - but as she had promised, Huntress didn't start anything, though what she had done - getting into another's personal space - could have been deemed an affront.

"Were you by chance looking for me? If so, I won't be here all night, so maybe we can find each other beyond these walls, then you can tell me what it is that is so important. Say midnight, Crime Alley?"

The gauntlet dropped, Huntress brushed past the started man to make her way to the bar. That she had scared him half to death had become evident well before she had gotten half her comment out, for the air around then had changed. His pants wet before she had left him, Huntress stopped at the bar long enough to ask for a bourbon, before she made her way back to where her host, the Catwoman sat, knowing she had possibly pissed the feline off, but then, that would only make Catwoman join her own single member club.

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She wasn't prepared for Huntress' outburst. So raising a brow as the woman raised her voice, Catwoman smirked. "I never said Batman wasn't my thing. It's just that none of you get it through your head that I steal instead of fight crime. Hence the repetition, dear." With a sly smile, she sure as hell did give a damn, if she was vocalizing it with the tone she was certainly using.

"Well..that's not a bad idea, you know," came the purr, in response to Huntress' last words. "A fine, fine idea." She added, raising her glass to her own lips. If the cape wanted to throw a fit, wanted to draw attention to herself, she could. If she was looking for a fight, here, of all places, she could go for it. But if anyone was going to link the two woman together based solely on the fact they wore similarly colored costumes, well, then Catwoman would have to pipe up, and set a few people straight. So there she sat, watching the little tiff go down, a wry smile toying on her lips as she watched the woman order another drink, the bartender briefly meeting her own gaze before sliding a glass to the vigilante.

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Whether the man had other plans or not was something the place would not see as he quickly turned three shades of red and bolted for the doors. Her own drink in hand, Huntress eyed the bartender, then Catwoman, and then downed the stiff drink in one gulp, before she set the empty glass back down on the bar, though at first she had considered banging the glass to the oak top. One glance back to the doors told her the man had vanished, which was just fine with her, though from the looks of the other patrons on the lounge, few - if anyone - had even paid her any attention at all.

All eyes were on the woman sitting by herself in the corner booth - on the Catwoman - and though Huntress knew that might be because Catwoman had brought a cape into the lounge, the fact no one was glancing her way made Huntress think it might be something else, though to tell Catwoman any of it would probably end with the same results - denial.

Sighing quietly out of frustration with the whole affair, Huntress resigned herself to the evening and started to head back to the table, only to stop when the sound of a voice invaded her right ear. A crime was going down close by and she was being called for help with the growing situation, and though she had never refused a call if she could possibly avoid it, this time Huntress felt compelled to at least be cordial enough to let Catwoman know she had to run.

"Interesting place, this lounge. I might need to go shortly, though it depends on what goes down in the next five minutes or so. Another drink?"

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If Huntress was looking to unsettle her with that look, it wasn't going to work. She was used to being eyed, leered at, glared at, stared, and mocked. Especially here, in the Iceberg. So while the other woman drank her drunk down, and shot a look back at her, she merely shrugged. Such was a night at the Iceberg, albiet a rather tame one, even with a cape in it's vicinity. Even with the fleeting glances her way, Selina didn't care. Nor did the Catwoman. Later on, if she chose to stay, or days later, questions would arise, but pending the remainder of the night, would matter her responses to any of the queries.

Nibbling on the food still hot at their table, Catwoman nodded to her returned nightcap companion. "Interesting company you keep, Huntress. Do you always have near-threatening men following you night and day?" She offered a wide smile, teasing the woman. She had no idea what Huntress did during the day, but she could venture the young woman at least slept a bit, considering her nightly proclivities.

"If you have plans, then by all means don't break them on my account. I'll probably stay put for another hour or so, so why not. Another round? Don't forget this is all on my dollar." She still had a good inch or two left in her own cup, but had no issue with the other woman ordering another round for them both, or even just herself.

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"I don't have any other plans just yet, and yes, they do tend to follow me from time to time, though mostly to see if they can pick me up for a one night stand. where I got that rep I have no clue."

Sitting back down next to her mate for the night, Huntress leaned back and relaxed. She had already had enough in the way of drinks, but food might not have been a bad idea, though she had declined it earlier. Grabbing the menu that had been left behind by the waitress, she scanned the list of entries first, before letting her gaze move toward the appetizers. The lounge had more in terms of cuisine than she had first thought it would, but whatever she ate would have to settle in next to the wine and bourbon she had already consumed, and if that wasn't enough, the creepy man had just returned, along with a couple of friends, two of which she knew intimately.

"I'll have the Shrimp Pisano basted in a butter garlic sauce and the pasta, butter garlic on that. as for a drink, better make it water."

Handing the menu to the waitress, Huntress settled back again before she looked back at the men who had just returned. They had made a beeline for a table just within eye sight of the table she and Catwoman were at, and though they didn't seem to be a threat, another trio of men that had just entered the room to sit at a table to her right did make Helena think of danger. It could have been an Indian attack from some Saturday afternoon western, but if these "Indians" thought they had the pioneers encircled, they would be in for a nasty surprise.

"You ever watched Gunfight at the OK Corral, Catwoman? It's a classic."

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"Must be the cape, hon." She teases, surveying and choosing another small bite to pop into her mouth as she nods an affirmation to Huntress. "I have seen that movie. The classics have proved to be a bit more entertaining than the crap they have been putting out lately, it seems."

As the other woman orders, she has to smile to herself. Yes, the Iceberg has a rather ...unsavory clientele at times. But it does offer a pretty fantastic bar, lounge, restaurant, and if you're really special, the back room. And not a back room like that that she is aware of, but one where you can fence items, learn the dirt, and likewise.

"Good choice. Most don't go for the Italian, but it is pretty fantastic here. Ozzie has kept the latest chef for at least a year now. And it seems to be paying off." Finishing her own drink, Selina sets down the glass, which the waitress removes as well. Following Huntress' line of sight, she notices the same men as before.

"Mmm. I do see what you mean by the movie. Well, if they do want to start something in here, they will find out there are a lot more deputies than they thought there would be." And security. Big security. It may be a den for criminals, but hell, criminals were people too, and liked to dine with no interruption. Having your meal ruined by lead was never a fun time.