Cock Talk [Rooster]

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She didn't care if the place was half-wrecked. Hell, she was half-wrecked. But at least she looked good. Dark denim, heeled creamy brown boots, black tight stylish top. The crutches were a bit of a bitch, but that was going to be life. Alec had been riding her, as well as the rest of her ...friends.

At least she had the balance to stand with one crutch, and push the door open with the other. It wasn't bad inside. It was no Iceberg, but she was guessing the theme wasn't penguins in here, either. Slipping through the door, Selina made her way to the bar, sliding to a bar stood gratefully, her crutches leaning against her seat.

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The club was only half wrecked because there had been a bit of a fight earlier in the night over a game of darts. It wasn't bad, it was a little busted near the entrance, but it would all be fine by morning. The place was sleek, sexy and divey all at the same time. It was the kind of place anyone who wanted to hear some bad ass tunes and have a strong drink poured up would go to.

The walls were adorned with eclectic and western art. All the bottles behind the two bars were lit up with red and blue lights coming from under them. The bars were made of cedar and the smell of it overtook the room. There was a wooden dance floor with seating all around it and a stage where the Mizz Stone herself was on stage playing fiddle, in a trance.

It was like a honky tonk, blues club, night club, and the state of Texas had a baby in Gotham. It was like a breath of fresh air compared to everything else around town. People of all walks of life were throughout. Business men in suits, hard men from the factories, girls night out, ladies in finer jewels, everyone mixed here.

Rooster was wearing her usual, some black jeans, finely made boots, a colorful shirt, a beautiful jacket (that was made in spain) and her ever prevalent and favorite bolero hat that was easily worth a fat stack of cash.

The lady would step forward to a mic here and there to provide back up vocal to the group while working along on her fiddle. The song they played seemed to have many people in the room pausing their conversations, drinks, and games to listen, many toes tapped.

A handsome and tall man behind the bar with a voice that was deeper and full of more sultry than expected smiled to Selina. He wore a simple blue western shirt, his sleeves rolled up. The moment he spoke it was obvious he was from a place far from Gotham.

"Well, hi there. Canna get'cha somethin', ma'am?  Fine lookin' lady like you needs a fine drinka somethin' fierce.  I'll even sweeten the pot and make up soemthin' special if you'd like that."

Bobby was Rooster's right hand, and he was, by far, a bird of the same feather as Rooster.  He had a charm to him that was classic, but also very southern and bright.  He was her underboss, but not many people knew that she was even a Godfather.  He took care of everything else so Rooster could be freed up to do the bigger and badder things and he didn't seem to mind that role at all.

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Looking around, this was a place she could find herself returning to. It was a bit more Western, but she loved the wood, and the vibe she was getting. It reminded her much of some of the favored dive bars she'd been to when she was younger, and some of the lounges she'd loved in Europe. Fantastic fusion of the two.

The music caught her ear first. She couldn't help it. Being a near-daughter of an opera singer and the true daughter of a ballet dance, she was always listening for those threads that tied back into the tapestry of life. Turning on her stool, she's caught up in the entirely of it, the fiddle, the strings, the haunting voice pulling at parts of her that had been untied in the past week.

Finally, mildly overwhelmed she turns around, to a rather striking man. Dark hair, and tall, his shirtsleeves are turned up, and he's already offering her a drink. While she's not partial to any one spirit, she's curious what he's going to offer her.

"I'll take you up on that. I heard you guys just opened a bit, and through a friend of a friend, I thought I'd stop by." With a wink and a smile, she leans on the counter, fingertips extended to his forearm. She's always been a sucker for a man with good arms.

So with her green eyes bright, she scans what they are showing behind the bar.

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The man smiled and gave her a wink and when he was about to start putting her something together he just let a devilish little smirk roll across his lips. A hint at his bright white tight peeking from under his lip.

"Oooh there, girl, get you a feel, there's plenty left for later."

Once she got a little feel he teased her, flexing his arm and then winked and laughed a bit as his hands started going to work behind the bar top on mixing something on up for her.

"Ah, I see, well, yes, we just opened up.  We caught a little snag on our grand opening, but we got back to it fairly fast.  Boss lady don't let nothin' keep her down for long."

And soon a drink was put before Selina.  He leaned on his arm against the bar, sliding it the rest of the way to her.  This man was good at his job, he was charming, accommodating, and just all around a more than pleasant man to have serving a drink.

"This is what I like to call a Texas Tea.  Have a little taste, if you don't like it I'll strum up somethin' else."

After she tried it he smiled again.

"You got that little kick in it, hmm?  It's a little Texas style sweet tea, vodka, a splash of tequila, and a little jalepeno pepper muddled into it with some lemon squeezed in.  If you need anything else, you just go an holler.  Welcome to the Troubador, my name's-"


"BOBBY!  Pour me up somethin', bo."

Rooster was pulled up next to Selina.  The musicians were still on stage, sans a fiddle player now.  They played some rockabilly song of their own.  Bobby just gave Selina quick smirk and turned his attention to Rooster.

"You got is, Boss'Stone."

Rooster was all leaned up on the bar, her attention focused on Bobby.

"Bobby, I ever tell you how much I love your ass?"

"Hmm, I think I hear it every other day, Boss."

"If there ever was a day I didn't tell you, then somethin's wrong, bo'."

"Yesss ma'am."

Bobby slid a Shiner Bock to Rooster, she took it and chugged a bit of the beer down.  She set it on the bar top and turned out with her back against the bar.  She finally reguarded the woman beside her, picking her beer back up.

"E'nin'.  Hope you're enjoyin' it, ma'am."

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She couldn't keep a smile off her lips after that. She indulged him with a bit of a squeeze before removing her hand. She thought it was always art to watch a good bartender. And even better when they'd read you right, and make something fantastic.

"Oh, I heard about that. Joker decided he wanted to make a grand entrance." She mused, watching him curiously. Catching the drink, it was cool in her hands. A sip, and she lolled it about on her tongue before taking another sip. Ahhh. That's what that was. A bit of jalapeno. About to thank him and pay, a voice as rich as honey announced his name for him. Bobby. Not bad.

And this. Now this had to be Beretta Stone. Owner. Texan, her 'friend' had told her. And from what Selina knew, from watching, this was a woman who did things her own way, and loved what she did.

She could appreciate that. But it was the interesting moniker that to anyone else, would ring true of southern slang. But to her ears, it rang of something a bit more, dare she say it, fun.

Very fun.

"I am," Selina started, raising her glass. "Your Bobby is damn good at getting just the right thing. When you have a minute, I'd love to chat. No rush." Because honestly, she had nothing to do right now, and all the time in the world.

Shifting her crutches to the other side of her stool, Selina gave the woman a wry smile before sipping on her tea.

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"Yeah, that god damned clown is an ass, that's for sure."

But man, I do love that shit head.

Rooster had another long swig of her beer and lowered it a bit of a brow quirked to Selina.

"Mmm, Bobby's the best lookin' thing that ever came outta Texas."

Bobby smirked at his boss rolling his eyes and gave Selina another wink before turning back to whatever he was doin'.

"Mmm and that ass of his is sure somethin' nice to look at, too."

Bobby just shook his head and went to take care of another customer, a male. He seemed to know how to chat with them as well, talking about the upcoming baseball season.

Rooster nodded to Selina.

"Well then, now's a good time. What can I do ya for?"

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"And that's one of the nicer things I've heard Jack called," She mused, sipping on her drink as the owner pointed out the scenery. "Forgive me for not standing and appreciating, but our mutual friend has hurt my feelings." And by feelings, she meant her foot, and her cover.

As Bobby trotted off like the show pony he was, she set her drink down, and stood, shifting a crutch beneath each arm. "You have a bit more, ah, private place we can chat, Ms. Stone?" She may be as sweet as Tupelo honey, but here in Gotham, you were either quick and cold, or you started dancing with the wrong people. Selina preferred cold gems to thick syrup.

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At her comment on 'Jack' Rooster perked a bit, because she was sensing familiarity between this lady and her 'friend.' Then came 'mutual friend.' Rooster understood she was definitely talking about Joker now. Rooster looked at her for a moment and nodded at the suggestion of a more private area to carry on this conversation.

"Follow me. Bobby, hold it down, I got business to tend."

Bobby nodded and gave them a little nod and wave as they went off Rooster led Selina to a little hidden elevator and soon they would find themselves on the fourth floor, walking into her living room.

"You smoke?"

Rooster offered her a hand rolled cigarette. It was in a box with a few of them in there, there was a divider in the middle and a few more but they smelled much more pungent.

"Ones on the left are a little more green than the ones of the right, just so you know."

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Now that was an answer she could appreciate. Shifting her crutches, she walked as much astride Rooster as she could. The elevator was a nice touch, as well as the living room. Her glance around the room was cursory as she did a quick check. It seemed to be fine. But considering who Rooster Stone was befriending, she didn't trust a damn thing.

"I do. Usually my-" she paused, not able to find the right word to suffice. "I have a friend that I smoke with. Thank you." Taking the proffered cigarette, she waited until a lighter was passed her way or offered.

"Welcome to Gotham, Beretta. I hate to say it, but one of your newfound friends has hurt one of mine, and myself in the process. So I thought I'd pay a little visit, and see what sort of bullshit you were running." Selina started, taking a long drag on her cigarette. She'd pushed both of her crutches together, and was currently leaning on them as she spoke.

"Oh. And how rude of me. I'm Selina Kyle." She offered.

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Rooster smirked and lit her cigarette for her and then lit her own. She set the box back down and looked at her as she spoke, and then settled in a chair before responding to her.

"Well, Mizz Kyle, I know you're talkin' about Joker. I heard that ol' boy Bullock bagged him, but before that the steer got his horns jammed up in a couple'a'splosions? Is that correct? Because this is the man I assume is the friend you speak of."

Beretta took a drag or two of her cigarette and then went to go get herself a drink.

"The nature of Jay Bird and I's relationship is strictly platonic. He did some damage one night and then a night or two later got into my building, in my home. I don't trust him, not one bit. Since then he's showed up here and there to come chat. Every time he leaves he busts somethin' up on his way out."

Rooster headed back over with her whiskey, neat, and sat back down.

"Look, I'm sorry for what he did Mizz Kyle, but somethin' you gotta understand is there is an underlying plan I have at work. Y'see, I say its platonic, but... Well let's just say he's got a soft little spot in his heart for me. I impressed him when we first met. I didn't back down and I told a good joke. He's a loyal friend to me now. I am, in some ways loyal to him."

Rooster leaned back in her chair and put her feet up on the ottoman before her, the spurs of her boots digging into the fabric.

"My operation is organized crime, Mizz Kyle, but not the kind you're used to. I'm not a vigilante, per se, but I am a woman who seeks great power and doesn't mind getting her hands dirty to do the just and righteous thing. Jay Bird and I are birds of a feather. He's crazy, I'm crazy we're just on opposite ends of the spectrum of good and evil. That's why we get on so good."

Rooster took a hefty knock of her liquor and set it on the little inn table beside her and looked to Selina.

"I got the collar on, now I just gotta work on his leash."

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Settling into a chair across from the southern spitfire, Selina relished the hand-rolled cigaratte. If she sold these, she'd buy them. Easily. Looking at it after several drags, she nodded, listening to Beretta.

For her twang and hospitality, she was quick. And while that caused Selina to like her, it also arouse suspicion. Heavy suspiscion. "Mmm. And I was a casualty. Both are stupid, stubborn men sometimes, that Bull and Jay Bird."

Very quick. "I don't trust him, won't trust him, can't stand to work with him-" As Beretta started talking again, Selina's eyes started to narrow. This woman was going to plan on reigning him in? Great.

"You have a long-term plan? Are you kidding me? Does your plan involve Stockholm Syndrome and ending up his love jester like Harley? Because honestly, Ms. Stone, it sounds like a hefty load of bullshit to me, right now. And considering your loyalties..." Selina shook her head, shutting up for a minute as she took several long drags off her cigarette.

Organized crime? She sipped at her tea, shaking her head. Bullshit. And more of it.

"Nice gig. I still don't care. Joker outed me to Bullock. And the problem with that? Bullock and I have been friends for nearly two decades. He's a cop. And I'm on the entirely other side. You know how you and Jack are? Reverse that and you have Theo and I. And he wasn't aware. And I never wanted him to know at the hands of the goddamn Joker." She was eerily calm, and quiet as she spoke that. The pain in her foot was nowhere near the depths of that unwanted revelation.

She knew the woman wasn't stupid. And a little birdie told her the woman had been a Texas ranger. So she wasn't going to put it out there plain as day. "You can't collar, or leash insane. Ask the fuckers in Arkham Asylum." She took several pulls on her cigarette. "Ask the ones that keep getting out, and the ones that never get caught."

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"Well, you better make sure your little Metropham party really does somethin' to improve security at Black Gate and Arkham, because I'm sure soon to be throwin' them loons up in them bins, sister."

Rooster continued dragging on her cigarette and shook her head with a smile to Selina.

"And I'll tell you right now, I'm chaos in boots, trust me, I got 'im. He's somethin' feirce loyal to me, which is quite an advantage. Anyone messes with me he'll be on 'em before I'll know it. Also, he came round here the other night. Had a moment I thought he was gonna try to jump up and lay one on me thick, but he-"

Rooster stopped and sighed. It had been a more tender moment she had ever expected from him, when he put her hands down and told him he loved Harley.

"He loves Harley. You want to get back at him? I'd find a way to get Harley out of the picture, and I don't mean hurt or kill her or nothin' no... Get her cured, Putty Tat."

Rooster didn't need to know from Jay Bird, she had her ways of getting information.

"That's how you get at 'im. Y'see, Mizz Kyle-"

Rooster stood again, picking up her drink and downing the reaminder and going to pour another. When she walked back over she set an ash tray on her coffee table before Selina.

"I'm a muse. Through and through, that's what I do."

Rooster took a long swig of her drink and smacked her lips with a sigh at it as it burned down deep.

"I'll warn you now though, he's up to somethin' and I wouldn't be surprised if it involved you and the good Detective. Ol' Bull caught him and you were there. He's getting up close and personal. He wanted to go after Gordon, but went after Bullock after his attempts were unsuccessful. I can guarun-damn-tee you that he ain't finished with Bullock. He knows you're the Bull's lock, so to speak, so you better keep an eye up and a finger on a trigger, girl. And I never told you any of this, we clear on that?"

Rooster downed the rest of it and took a long drag of her cigarette again.

"Were I you I'd get the hell out of dodge, at least for a little while. Bullock might want to as well."

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"We're trying. And the PD need all the help they can get with Jack blowing up the goddamn force." She spoke hotly now. As much as she hated the police, she was fond of them. Especially a certain one of 'em.

"Then you sound like the sort of woman I would call a friend. And if you can reign that fucker in, do it." Her eyes went closed when she thought of Harley. She shook her head. "I don't know if I can do that. She's been fucked in the head pretty badly. Wait." Her eyes snapped open, green eyes scanning the woman.

"So you know. Smart lady. Glad I didn't have to put it out there. But at least you can see why I'm pissed. Bullock didn't need to hear it. Ever. And not from Joker." She finished her own drink, nodding thanks at the ashtray. It was the woman's home, and she respected that. Especially now that everything was out in the open. If she could talk to Iris, maybe she could get her hands on Harley, but still, it was a crapshoot.

"Then do your muse-thing. Inspire him. And if I need to, I'll hobble over there and fill my own glass, but I don't want to trip over your things." She needed a strong, hard drink after what she had just heard.

"It was a fuck up. Bullock had a sting set up. Wasn't answering my calls. The boy likes his music. So when I heard Jack's laugh, and that music cut out...I hauled ass up those stairs. Fucked up my foot good. Grabbed his shotgun and his .45. Pointed them at Jack. If I had just..not said one damn thing, or if Theo wasn't smart...Jack thought I was sleeping with the enemy. Sucks that he got his story wrong, but you know. Casualty. Theo got butthurt that I didn't tell him. I was pissed that I was accidentally brought into it all because I'm a good friend." She grit her teeth, looking at the ceiling as she took a long, slow drag of her cigarette.

"Not that you wanted to hear all this, but Joker fucked up. He knows better. We're not chummy, but we had an understanding. And now he's behind bars, and one of the few things I held sacred is open to my little secret."

She waved her hand at the mention of Gordon. "He's been so roped into inter-office bureaucratic bullshit, he sends Theo out most of the time." She shook her head at the mention of a lock, not quite understanding.

"We're quite clear, but by lock, you're meaning...weakness? That man has no weaknesses." She snorted, stubborn as shit. "Unless you're talking a good cigarette, some fine aged Scotch, and vinyl. That man loves his records. Or work. He's married to that bitch, and he rides him rough."

"I can't. I'm tied to this Metropham thing. And he wouldn't leave this city unless he was dragged. Maybe after the Gala, but not a day before. And...thank you." She was so conflicted, she didn't know what to say. Joker was locked up. Not that it meant a damn thing, he was wily when need be.

"When my foot is better, if you ever need something, please let me know. I have a legit office off 14th." She slipped a card from her pocket, a pen scribbling another number on it. "Either of those will get my cell. If you can honestly do what you're claiming, you may need another more stable friend on the other side."

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Rooster nodded her head.

"I'm a good friend, and if I c'n manage it I will, Mizz Kyle."

She went back to the bar to pour Selina a little of what she was having. She poured herself another as well. She walked back over while Selina spoke and handed her a hefty glass of whiskey.

"You ain't sleepin' with Bullock? You sure had me fooled, and that's a rare thing, lady."

Rooster took to her seat again, putting out the now nearly dead cigarette hanging from her lips. She grabbed that box and lit another cigarette, but this one was a bit more pungent and green. She took longer drags and held the smoke in for a bit before exhaling. She wasn't worried about being rude, shit it was her home they were in. Though, she did offer it to Selina.

"Don't kid yourself, every man has a weakness and nine times out of ten its a woman. You're the woman. Trust me, I can tell."

She took another long drink of her whiskey and sighed at it after swallowing.

"I could always put in for him to head down to Texas, maybe I can call up a favor, have the Rangers or Dallas PD ask him to come down for a 'Urban Detective Practices' Seminar or some bullshit like that. You, well, Metropham is going to go on with or without you, I suppose. Ain't that Mr. Self-Made_Billionaire Lex Luthor in on that? Couldn't he just run it himself?"

Rooster made a mental note that if she ever threw a Cattle Baron's Ball here in Gotham she might just have to invite Luthor if he was around in the city enough.

"Anyway, look, I'm just tryin' ta give yeh some advice here."

She took another long drink.

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"I appreciate it. I don't forget when nice things are done. Ever." Taking a hefty swig, it felt like a weight was lifted off her chest, only to be replaced with another. If anything, other than technology, baubles, and wine, Selina was a sucker for a strong woman. There weren't enough in Gotham for her liking.

Into her second mouthful, her eyes shot to Rooster's. "What can I say? I'm a private woman. I like to keep my men close to the vest. We've been tight since we met. And why the hell, do people keep saying that. I try to keep my life private. Enough of my other goings-on are public," she grumbled, shaking her head. If she was boning Theo...

What would be different?

Sitting back in the chair slightly she thought a bit harder. "We sleep together, but just not how you're thinking. I...whatever." She waved her hand, going to reclaim her cigarette and puff away. Everyone was getting in her business, and it was one nose too many as of late.

"He has lots of women," she shot back, shaking her head at the next few options. "He'd never leave here. Trust me. Gotham is his home. I don't think he's left at all. His sisters are here, his home. You'd have to hog-tie his ass and sedate him to cart him over state lines." She nearly finished her glass, setting it on her knee for a moment.

"Luthor? We're partners on this. I'm the Gotham half, he's the Metropolitan. And with how deep the two of us are in, I can't bow out. Not now. Maybe afer the Gala I'll be less of a public figure, but I doubt it. Me taking this job is pissing off friends on both sides of the fence."

Mulling everything over, she sighed. "So I'm going to be a target. Lex has good, and I mean good security in place. Half the guest list...well..you know." Were capes. Vigilantes.

"And you'll be at the Gala. And Jack is behind bars. I got here fine, without being accosted. I'm not fifteen." But she was certainly acting like a pissy little girl.