Cat And Hawk Game [Selina]

[Deleted]

As Shayera runs into yet another firewall, she curses under her breath. But that's hardly the first series of expletives to come out of her mouth this evening. She just wants to know who traced her online alias back to her, is that so wrong? It's not that huge of a security breach to her - worst case scenario, she'll have to find a new alias. Which would be an irritation, but not a huge problem - she only really uses it to offer her services as an independent computer programmer over the internet so that she can earn enough money to meet her minimal needs with some degree of anonymity, and while using a new alias would make it harder for her to find work without her reputation for very efficient coding it wouldn't take her that long to build it again under a new name. But whether or not she needs to go to the trouble depends on who it was, which is why she's bothering with all this in the first place.

Though at this point, a part of her just wants to give up because she's halfway certain the next hurdle will lead to something she can't handle rather than what she's looking for. In fact a part of her is almost suspicious that it was Batman - and that he's toying with her. Perhaps he's testing her hacking ability? However, another part of her - a much bigger part of her - tends to kick in whenever things get difficult and drives her to take up the challenge until it's clearly hopeless. So she forges past the firewall, only to finally find the information that she's looking for: the person who had been investigating her was using a computer linked to some company called Black Cat Security. Well, if that's their business it would explain why it was so hard. Still, she has to double check to make sure that this isn't yet another false lead, though this time she can't find any sign of that.

Her next step is to simply see what this company is, then, though when she sees a picture of the owner, there's something that seems familiar about that face. But when would she have seen Selina Kyle? More basic internet searches leads her to gossipy articles about the woman's scandalous relationship with Bruce Wayne, but Shayera knows that's not it - she doesn't pay enough attention to Batman's other life to know the woman from that. However, a connection to Batman, even if it's his day self, combined with the name of the company...

Shayera quickly digs up a very high resolution photo of the woman, then studies the picture more carefully. Hmm, that chin... those lips... To say that Shayera has very good eyesight would be putting it very mildly - she fully lives up to the name the media gave her that way. And along with her sheer ability to see detail, she pays very close attention to it and remembers those details well. Still, even the high resolution photo isn't enough for her to be completely sure - it just doesn't show as much detail as her eyes pick out. And a part of the problem is make-up, which obscures the fine details enough to make it that less sure. Still, either Selina Kyle is Catwoman, or else they happen to have an extremely similar face.

Laying that question aside, she finds the email address for Selina Kyle, and quickly writes a note from her [e-mail] address:

Ms. Kyle - To what do I owe the pleasure of having my identity investigated by your company? I can't say that I completely appreciate that.

- Buteo

[Deleted]

Alec had been sending updates on the latest person pushing past each roadblock he'd set up to secure their network. After she had read his first initial reports, she'd just asked for a mirror of what he was doing: which was tracking this person as they worked their way through BCS's carefully intricate security setup. And after a while, she had to smirk. This person, this hacker was deliberate, and patient. And decently good, from what Alec had been reporting to her. Even the name made Selina smile as she had shifted a meeting to watch the mirrored monitor with the concentrated effort of someone highly invested in a televised program.

"Ok. Just drop the last three precautions so she can get through. No doubt she'll make contact after this. It's just not fun after a while of toying back and forth," she tells her fantastic IT guy, laughing a bit as she leans away from her desk and stands; having been glued to the work unfolding before her for the last...two, three hours. Most people it would take quite a bit longer to break code after code, but this ...ah, there it was, the email. This...'Buteo' was good. And Selina was impressed.

Even as she glanced at the email, she chuckled, a cursory search in Google telling her what she had intuit; Buteo was Latin for hawk. But for all the language out there, Latin certainly was peculiar. An old, fine language, but she'd have thought Shayera would choose something...different. Then again, from what she understood of Thanagarian culture, it was very...stark. Either way, Selina took a leisurely stroll around her office, gazing out over the Gotham early-afternoon before returning to type in a response.

Ms. Hol!
It's fantastic to hear from you, it has been a while, I admit. Let's just say that some of your work has caught my eye, and I'd love to chat about your qualifications. Trust me, I wouldn't dare expose your work; it's too intricate of quality to reveal it's creator.

Care to meet up and discuss? You know where to reach me.

~Felidae cūriōsus

No doubt there would be either a phone call, or a reply in minutes, she took the time to visit her in-suite bathroom, and grab a cup of coffee, before settling back in her office, and mulling over the day's events thus far.

[Deleted]

The funny thing about hacking is that many of the same personality traits that make Shayera a good fighter translate very well into that task. She has a certain knack for spotting the biggest weakness in something, hits that weakness as fast and as hard as she can, and a certain stubbornness when things aren't as easy as she might have hoped. Of course, since she goes for the more obvious routes and just isn't the subtle type she suspects that her hacking had been monitored, but she wasn't the one who started this so she doesn't care.

Not knowing how long it will be until she gets a reply, Shayera turns her attention to other things, though she doesn't have to wait long before there's a response in her inbox. It first confirms that they really did get her name, though the rest is enough to convince her to hold off on a name change... at least for now. She's still not completely sure that she likes the idea of Ms. Kyle knowing, though perhaps if she can talk to the woman it would help her decide? After a moment of pondering, she writes a response.

Ms. Kyle - I'm available starting at 9PM tonight. You may pick the location, but keep in mind that crowds and I don't mix very well. And there'd better be drinks. And you're paying.

- Buteo Barbarica

[Deleted]

The chime on her email brings her attention back to one screen, over the other. The email brings a smile to her place as she reads the email, a quick response sent in turn.

Ms. Hol-
Perfect time. And I'm not too fond of crowds, either. How about we meet at Lloyd's on 5th Avenue? They have private seating. And of course I'll cover the tab. Can't wait to drink with you.

Meow.

It's short, sweet, and considering they're quite aware of who is on the other end of the email, there is no reason to play coy and pretend. A quick phonecall is in order as she reserves a room starting at 8:30 to close. Top shelf liquor, a dedicated waitstaff, and a fantastic view of both Gotham, and the grand-not baby grand, piano on the floor of the club.

It's not the rager most teens and young twenty somethings attend, but something with a bit more class. Jazz is the norm here, most professionals coming for drinks and a bit of entertainment, or even dinner in the smaller seating area.

Even the decor is understated; wine shades, deep royal blues, and rich chocolate browns are mixed and matched to perfection in the suede, velvet and leather textures. It's a warm, welcoming place that screams luxury, but not the usual associated attitude that accompanies wealth. You'd be just as comfortable here in jeans as one would in elegant nightwear.


But for now, Selina has a few more things to address before she heads home for the day, to prepare for her meeting in the night.

[Deleted]

Ms. Kyle - I'll be there.

Shayera is already at home, as that's where her computer is. It's no Batcomputer by any means, but it's still good enough to beat up most other computers and take their lunch money. But after that intense hacking session, she's ready to be off the computer for awhile.

It isn't until around 8:30pm that her attention goes back to her meeting with Selina. Which is plenty of time for her to get ready. She trades her now standard workout wear for something a little bit nicer - a fairly plain white halter top; a pair of of faded, low rise, dark denim jeans; and a pair of strappy teal heels to dress it up just a little more. Of course, she finds that it doesn't matter too much what she wears anywhere since everyone just stares at her wings anyway. A quick look at her hair, a double check of the address on Google, and she's flying to the restaurant.

A few minutes before 9pm, Shayera lands just in front of the restaurant. Ignoring the stares of the people close enough to see her landing, she heads inside. "Um, can I help you?" asks the man at the front, clearly a bit taken aback to see her. Used to this, Shayera ignores that and simply states, "I'm here to meet Ms. Kyle." Which causes the man to blink in surprise for a moment, as if not having expected her to act like a normal patron, though that seems to prompt him to treat her like one, "Oh... yes! Right this way, please." Shayera internally rolls her eyes as she follows the man, being careful not to hit anything with her wings.

[Deleted]

As the email chimes again, Selina notes it, but doesn't respond-she doesn't have to, at this point. It's a few more hours of paperwork and phone calls, going over blueprints, and it's nearing 6pm. She'll have enough time to eat something, shower, and get an outfit together, with a bit of time to spare before the meeting.

It's a simple black leather dress hitting at midthigh, stilettos, and a fantastic necklace of amethyst and jet, a pair of similar enough earrings, and a simple bracelet, a slim band of diamond and matching purple stone on her right hand.

A coat is quick to grab, her purse, her hair and makeup already re-done artfully. It's a quick cab ride to Lloyd's and she's there with twenty minutes to spare.

Shown to the private seating area, she is presented with a menu for food, as well as a drink menu. She orders a bottle of wine, and instructs the waitstaff to be on hand for when her guest arrives.

Relaxing jazz music is in the air, and she sits on one of the low couches, her jacket slung over the back as he waits for her guest. It's not too long before she spots the redhead coming up the stairs, and stands, wine glass in one hand, and a smile on her face.

"Ms. Hol, good to see you. Can I get you something to drink?" She states demurely, a waiter melting from the side, ready to take the woman's order. True to her word, Selina is footing the bill entirely tonight. A hand is waved to the seating area, offering the Thanagarian choice of seating to her comfort.

[Deleted]

As she's led to the table, Shayera can't help but make mental notes about the place. After all, she'd left the decision completely up to Selina, so her selection of this particular place says something about both Selina and her perceptions of this meeting. Like anywhere, there are things that Shayera likes about it, others that she doesn't, but on the whole she has a kind of neutral feeling about it. Then again, what's to Shayera's taste is probably not Selina's, so perhaps neutral is a good thing.

As they head up the staircase, Shayera spots Selina on a couch and her eyes seem to stare at her for several moments, though by the time she reaches the top her expression is a bit more relaxed. "Nice to see you again, too," she comments. Though so much has happened to Shayera since that rooftop confrontation that it seems like another lifetime ago. In a way, it was another lifetime ago. Not enough for Shayera to not be very acutely aware of exactly who she's talking to, but long enough for her to feel somewhat differently about it. But that's a long story that she'd rather not think about.

"Is there scotch?" she asks, hoping so. Though if they do, she suspects that it'll be at least a little disappointing - she really did like the stuff that hateful bartender gave her the night she met Harvey, and it's not likely to compare. She still has the rest of the bottle at home, where it's waiting for a moment when she really needs a drink. Which will probably be sooner, rather than later, given how her life has been going.

Her drink selected, she pauses to consider where to sit for a moment. Perhaps one of the most frustrating thing about this planet to her is that she often can't simply sit without really thinking about it first - nothing is designed with her in mind, so she's always having to adapt herself to the situation instead. But there's a chair with nothing behind it near the couch where Selina was sitting, so she takes a seat there - carefully lifting her wings over the back of it so that they drape behind her. Once she has that settled to her satisfaction, she crosses her legs and comments, "So, here we are."

[Deleted]

As her guest finds a comfortable seat, Selina settles back into the couch again, her body angled toward Shayera. Thankfully she'd had the foresight to allow for the woman's gorgeous assess, and nods, her brow raising at her choice. "Chivas Regal, Glenlivet, Jonnie Walker, Black label, of course, Macallan, and J&B." The waiter intones.

"They have a better selection here than most places. Glenlivet, Macallan, and the J&B are decent. Jonnie Walker is fine, but has a bit more bite, in my opinion," Selina offers. "Bring a bottle of whichever she likes." Selina Kyle, scotch connoisseur? At one point in time, yes she was. And she does have several bottles of this and that at home, but who doesn't like to keep a well stocked bar?

It's not that she's trying to impress Shayera, it's more her own precautions are coming to the forefront. As she's not in her feline guise, she still holds a careful caution about her, especially with the rise of this whole Lex/Metropham nonsense.

"Here we are. And if I may say, you do fantastic work. My associate...has been following you for a bit. Your work, how you go about it. And he was quite impressed. Especially with the ease you were able to find me." She's casual, but there is a no-nonsense air to her words. This may be a more social call, but business never lingers far.

[Deleted]

As the waiter lists off what they have, there's the slightest of hints of disappointment in Shayera's expression when he finishes the list. Oh, she's sure that it's a fine selection to most people but... Well, her tastes are just different, she supposes. Though a tilt of her head indicates that she listens to Selina's suggestions, Shayera don't need them to make her selection among those particular options. "Jonnie Walker," she says simply to the waiter, as that would be the best of those to her palatte - the rest are even more mild or fruity. If she wanted mild and fruity, she'd be asking for wine! Oh, well, at least it's still scotch.

Though Shayera's expression lingers on passivity as Selina talks about her work, when she's finished a sharp exhale and a smile comes from the Thanagarian. "I wouldn't say that I'm good at it, I... - sorry, but I don't think it's possible to say this without it sounding at least a little like an insult - am from a much more technologically advanced culture so I know some fundamental principles behind how computer technology works that are probably centuries further along than what you have here. So the hard part to me is the... extreme basicness of the interface," she explains. In other words, she's someone who knows how a lighter works, trying to start fires with flint and steel - she knows so much, but given the tools she has to work with...

"To be honest, I wouldn't bother with it at all. But it's one skill - except mercenary work, maybe - that I can get paid for, and even superheroes have living expenses. But accepting payment for hero work is... not kosher," she explains with a shrug. And not all superheroes are lucky enough to be born a billionaire. Some of them land in swamps with nothing but their clothes, their mace, and their helmet.

[Deleted]

Selina waves off the words. "Understood. And as for my appearance, it takes rather quite a bit to offend me. And I can understand that Homo Sapien tech is child's play compared to Thanagarian technology. But still, my associate, Alec, was still impressed with your technique. Even as you say it was nothing, there was a certain style to it, that neither him, nor myself have come across."

Smiling in turn at the woman, she laughs lightly. "And that is why I asked you here. Your name is fantastic, by the way. Even though I wouldn't have thought you for Latin. But still, ingenious. I want to offer you consulting work. Which, as you keenly put it, would be electronic mercenary work." As the woman explains how the cape stuff goes, Selina takes a sip of her wine and scrunches her nose.

That is one of the reasons she likes what she does; she gets paid. Either in monetary ways, or in what she acquires. But she did have to take in a breath to keep her from admitting that. Shayera isn't aware that she is the woman behind the mask and cat persona that she had words with atop the rooftop a while ago. Even though she has a feeling that the woman wouldn't be hard-pressed to put two and two together, still. This is a very risky, yet tentative idea she has in offering the woman work.

[Deleted]

As Selina mentions her unique smile, Shayera can't help but grin and comment, "Well, I do think like a Thanagarian." And for all the apparent similarities between herself an a human, there are far more differences between the two besides the very obvious one. In fact, there's probably far more internal differences than the external similarities would suggest - including in her mind. Especially in her ability to pick out the one thing she's looking for among a vast number of other things - like a weakness in a large quantity of computer code.

Again Shayera smiles as Selina compliments her internet alias. That it doesn't seem like her is a part of the point - anyone clever enough to suspect her could very easily make the mistake of being too clever and assuming that a Thanagarian wouldn't use a Latin name. In fact she suspects that if this Alec had tried to figure it out instead of finding it out directly, she probably would have him fooled too. But that hardly matters now.

As Selina explains that she wants to give her work, Shayera's eyebrow lifts slightly. "I take this to mean that there are no hard feelings about the past then?" she asks. Which ought to tell Selina something, considering that it sounds like she's not talking about the little hacker war earlier today, and she has no reason to think that Selina Kyle would have any reason to be upset over the past...

[Deleted]

Selina laughs, and has to admit that were it an otherwise circumstance, she could see herself possibly pursuing a friendship with the woman. "And clearly, you have the advantage of tech that is far superior to our own." To say she's curious about that is an understatement. If she was given a few hours to pick Shayera's brain, she has a distinct feeling that it would still be insuffient time to learn all the ins and outs, and find a way to apply the alien workings.

But when her guest mentions the past, she has to pause for a miniscule second, sipping her wine. Should she, or should she not respond to what Shayera is clearly referring to as the encounter between Catwoman, Hawkgirl, and Batman?

Raising a brow, she rolls the stem of her glass between her fingertips, and turns to Shayera. "Would you care to clarify that?" She'd rather have the woman say it outright, than play little games of cat and ...bird. Because if they delve into masks and capes at this point, a lot more will have to be brought up in the employment offer, as well. "I may not quite be catching what you're trying to say, I apologize." She is quite sincere in her words.

[Deleted]

"Not as much as you might think," Shayera says with a grin, "It's not like I brought a computer with me from Thanagar, or could build one from scratch. I get the best human tech I can get my hands on instead, and splice in some Thanagarian where it matters most. I don't know if I could build a full system even with the supplies - that was never my job." In fact, she's really quite impressed herself sometimes with how much she does remember at times about exactly how things were put together - it's just as impossible for her to know everything about Thanagarian tech as it would be for a human to know about their own. But she was trained to be resourceful in general, and that serves her very well.

As Selina reacts to her question, Shayera watches the woman's reactions very closely. It's rather entertaining to see how someone reacts to this sort of thing, but it also says a lot about a person. And Selina's reactions speak of poise and caution - refusing to leap to conclusions or give any ground until she's certain. There's actually much to admire in that sort of reaction, though it's not quite one that Shayera would give if the roles were reversed - she's not nearly so cautious.

"I mean that our last meeting wasn't exactly very friendly. Of course, I don't know about you, but for me so much has happened since then... I do hope that it's not an issue," she says, answering the question that Selina asked.

But as for the question Selina meant... "Did I ever tell you that you have a very nice chin?" she asks after a pause, her head tilting curiously as her eyes shift just slightly to the body part in question, "An odd thing to say, I know, but I have very good eyes - I notice little details and have a good memory for them. And your chin is very nice. So is Mr. Wayne's actually. I could pick out both of them anywhere." That ought to be plenty of 'clarification'. And of course, she can hardly help but look rather pleased with herself.

[Deleted]

Selina has to give the woman props. She was talking about their rooftop meeting. So in confirmation, and every as Catwoman would do, she winks at Shayera, and puts a finger to the side of her nose in jest. "Mmm. It wasn't the most pleasant meeting, I will agree. And I have to say that much has changed on my end, as well. With our fellow companion, too. But I do hope you have been doing well in our time since then. I, myself, have taken a different tact, one could say. Acquisitions of a different sort. Information, rather than, items."

Laughing at what Shayera notes about her chin, she has to shake her head. "Fantastic eyesight, I must say. I get most of my features from my mother. But these-" she points a finger to her vivid green eyes. "Are from my father's gene pool. And if I based all my impressions on one meeting, we wouldn't be here today. And Mr. Wayne...and I have become quite close as well. A different understanding, as I am a hush-hush consultant for Wayne Enterprises, as well." The fact her face lights up, a fondness infusing her eyes as Shayera mentions Bruce, as well as her own polite, yet restrained words on Wayne, clearly show that the thief and vigilante have come to some sort of compromise, and not just based on their quite different vocations. Not that her accomplishments with Bruce didn't come without a fight to get there, either. Hashing out anything with Batman is never easy.

"But you said while you are gifted in the computer arena, it was not your job? Care to expound on that? I do like to know my employees, especially considering my company employs only two at this point. But with my up-swell in business, you'd think there were more. But less, is more at times. And feel free to ask me anything; nothing at this point is off-limits." And she's honest in that. If Shayera can pinpoint her chin and her alter-ego, there really is no point in hiding anything. There is always a discreet, yet creative way to answer, especially in their semi-public VIP area.

[Deleted]

"Mmm, that's a story..." Shayera says quietly when Selina mentions her hope that she's been well since their last meeting. A story that she doesn't want to elaborate on any further, if the way she lets that trail off with a hint of sarcasm is any indication. On the whole, she wouldn't say that her life has gone very well in the time between. Though she is pleased to hear that Selina's taken a turn of her own, if only because it makes her somewhat less uncomfortable about the woman - even if it still sounds somewhat fishy to her.

But if Batman clearly knows so much about the woman's doings and has chosen to do nothing, then she'll leave that choice up to him. Even if she does suspect that his judgment is probably not completely impartial when it comes to this woman. Which is why when Selina starts speaking of him, Shayera grins comments, "Yes, I've heard the rumors... and I remember the last time I saw you two together..." Which was, again, on the rooftop. Even though it seemed to be at an... earlier stage back then. It's hardly a shocker to her that things progressed after that, though - based on her observations of the man, the really hard part would be to get through that wall he puts up around himself to begin with. You get into that, and the rest is a matter of dealing with him being... him. And that's the bit of it that makes Shayera not attracted to the man at all herself - he's far too frustrating to someone as direct as she is.

Selina's last question causes Shayera some pause for thought, deciding how much to say and how to say it. "Again, I never said I'm gifted, I just know more about what I'm doing - in the broadest scheme of things," she replies, "And I was military - most of my training was combat, strategy and tactics, and that sort of thing. Though that does carry over into other things more often than you'd think." As far as she's concerned, breaking through a firewall is not unlike attacking a heavily fortified enemy position - so many of the tactics are practically the same.

"I suppose the only question I have at the moment is more specifically what sort of projects you'd like me to help with, and what it would be used for?" she adds, as that's all she's really curious about. Though she's caught the hint that she could be asking about more than just business, she sees no real reason to wander into questions about the woman's night life when Batman probably knows all about it already. Perhaps she'd wonder more if she was more a part of the night scene herself, but she operates more independently.