Just a Practice Run [Batgirl]

[catgirl]

Alright, so she wasn't thinking very well. This was a reckless, stupid move, but hey, she was in need of a challenge. Although, as she crouched on the roof, looking over the edge at the open window, she couldn't help but think that a challenge wasn't something she was going to get. At least there was the fact that there was still some daylight shining, that made it a little more interesting.

Sighing, Kitrina crawled away from the edge and stood. She shot a quick glance over her shoulder before jumping into a double back handspring. The second time she landed on her hands her fingers gripped the edge of the roof, while the moment carried her legs over her head and down through the window. "And the crowd goes wild as she sticks the landing!" Kitrina smiled, holding her hands in the air.

She took a moment to make sure no one had seen her enter the apartment before turning back to the task at hand. Within minutes she had completely searched the small appartment. Her careful analysis of the state of the rooms allowed her to put everything in its exact spot, and thanks to her gloves, no one would ever suspect that a thing. Of course, the woman would wonder where her set of very expensive looking diamond earings and necklace went, but maybe one of the kids would get blamed. Kitrina just hoped they were merciful parents.

With her treasure hidden in a secret patch in her clothes, Kitrina climbed onto the windowsill and pulled herself back onto the roof. A days work for an almost expert burglar. Kitrina smirked and sat down a moment to look out on the desserted street below. For it still being day light, she had picked the perfect time to go hunting. "You're getting pretty good at this, Kit," she complemented herself. Suddenly she cocked her head. She could feel eyes boring into her. Great, she thought, standing up and turning around to face whoever it was.

[b]

(OOC: I apologize for the quality of this post. It’s going to suck. Bad. I just want to get it out here so we can at least get it started. /shot And if Kit isn’t actually involved in gymnastics, feel free to poke fun at Babs.)

Street lights turned on block by block as evening fell over Gotham City. Batgirl leaped rooftop to rooftop carefully and cautiously, keeping an eye open for criminals as well as suits. These days it was more risky than usual to go out on patrol. Sure there was the threat of getting killed or maimed or tortured—but all that was old hat. Criminals and thugs were part of a vigilante’s diet; FEDs, however, were not. Every day they were taking in more people for questioning, and it wouldn’t do for Commissioner Gordon to find out about his daughter’s extracurriculars with one of Gotham’s (and apparently DC’s) Most Wanted from some self-righteous FBI asshole. So to keep her face off the front of Gotham’s Times, Barbara stayed in the darkest shadows cast by the street lamps down below.

The night looked like it was going to be a slow one by the time Babs South Gotham. The streets were practically barren compared with the traffic that usually clogged the city in the evening. With the FBI curfews in place hardly anyone doddled after work or stayed overtime. If the government’s aim was to get an entire city to hate them, someone was very, very good at his or her job. A little too good, Barbara glowered, ducking behind a chimney as a caravan of tinted SUVs drove past.

Across the way, just visible in the last patches of sunlight, a black-clad figure leaned over a rooftop, seemingly inspecting an open window on the floor below. What’s this? Batgirl wondered in bemusement. A new vigilante or cat burglar? Barbara waited on her rooftop for the other person to make their move. She watched with patronizing admiration as the figure—Barbara had judged a woman or small boy—nimbly lowered herself off the roof and through the window. Batgirl took the few seconds the girl would need to regain her footing and inspect her new surroundings to relocate onto the other rooftop. She landed on the edge of the parapet and carefully lowered one toe onto the roof’s surface so that the black gymnast—the technique was unmistakable to anyone who’d spent as much time on the mats as Babs had—wouldn’t hear the impact of her feet. Barbara glided silently across the roof, back into the shadows and waited for the girl to return. Batgirl was still visible, but she counted on the fact Little Miss Retton wouldn’t be looking in her direction when she came up for her dismount.

Adrenaline was already pumping through Barbara’s bloodstream in anticipation. She grinned as the girl appeared over the edge of the roof. Babs could make out small features now, but the dim lighting and the girl’s apparel weren’t helping Batgirl decide whether or not this was anything to worry about. She knew her partners preferred the Rush-In And Ask Questions Later method, but Barb knew what it was like being the outsider, the unwanted help, and always needed to be sure she’d gleamed as much as she could from a situation before she came up with her own conclusion. On the other hand—sneaky behavior during her patrol was not something Batgirl could just overlook.

Barbara stood up and stepped toward the girl, after she was finished patting herself on the back. Babs let out a small chuckle and gave the girl a few generous claps when the girl had whirled around to look at her. “So what exactly are you getting good at, Kit?” Batgirl asked mockingly. “Going in and out windows,” she grinned, “or did I miss part of your routine?” Sharp eyes cast an interested look at the girl’s clothing.

Batgirl stopped a few feet away from the girl, ready to grab her bat-lasso if need be. “Now, what’s that thing my teachers use to say to me?” Barbara tapped a gloved finger on her chin, pretending to think. “Oh, that’s right!” she stuck her hands on her hips and put on her no-nonsense face. “Turn out your pockets.”

[catgirl]

((OOC: Are you kidding? That's great, especially compared to my posts.))

How she had managed to not see the girl before now was beyond her. But then, maybe it was best this way. Gave the newcomer a sense of superiority that Kitrina could use to her advantage if things started going downhill. Which, considering the fact that the woman had a bat symbol on her chest, would be the most likely outcome.

However, something about the height, build, and hair of the woman rung a tiny little bell in the back of her head. Not that it surprised Kitrina, the vigilantes of Gotham City were most likely not stray tourists looking for something fun to do. They knew every knook and cranny, every back street, alley way, and street corner.

A smile spreading across her face, Kitrina turned out the pockets on her black jacket and jeans, showing that nothing occupied the space. Nothing about the blue shirt gave way to anything suspicious, but the zippers on the hat gave misleading hints. She blinked through the tinted goggles and shrugged her shoulders.

"Well, there ya go teach," she said, using the accent she had practiced a bizillion times until it had come to sound completely natural. Couldn't let even a small concept like the tone of her voice giving her identity away. "Just doing a bit of inspection. They've been gone for a while, so as a concerned citizen I had to go make sure no one had gone in and killed them in their sleep. I mean, the police are so busy these days, don't want to bug them do we?"

Kitrina raised nonvisible eyebrows and cocked her head slightly. Hopefully this girl would just turn around and leave her alone, but the likely hood of that happening were slim. Then she would have to either fight or wait and escape from a knot. Whichever happened it would take away from her prescious time and throw off her schedule. People just had no courtesy these days.

[b]

(OOC: -dies- askdfhkjsdf Don’t say that. What if I get lazy and my standards go down? And this post is ridiculously short. Let me know if you want something more to reply to.)


Every chance the girl might’ve had of convincing Batgirl that she was a wannabe vigilante vanished with the smile that spread across her face. Barb wasn’t a rookie anymore; she knew what that smile meant. Kids smiled when they got away with a light punishment, crooks smiled when they thought they had the upper hand—when do-gooders are suspected of having ulterior motives, they don’t smile, they whine and protest and get on the defensive. Batgirl had a lot of experience with that. She watched the girl turn out her pockets with a skeptical eye, walking forward ever-so-slowly. Yup, Babs thought revoltingly. Way too cocky.

“Sweet of you,” Batgirl replied absently, holding out her hand to the girl. “How about that jacket?” She cupped her hand repetitiously, signaling she wanted it handed over, highly doubting the girl had chosen it just for looks’ sake.

“So what do you call yourself?” Barbara asked flatly, looking over her rather felinesque look. “Catwoman is already taken…or are you some kind of recruit?” That was all the Bat family needed; the bad guys recruiting their own teams. Catwoman wasn’t the worst of them, but she was already trouble enough without little kittens running around Gotham. Batgirl stuck her hands on her hips, deciding what she thought of this newcomer. Her voice sounded funny, probably faking a different voice the way everyone with an identity to hide did. That was clever, but she was careless and cocky. Something about that bugged Babs. Why are you so damn sure of yourself? she wondered silently, looking the girl up and down. She wasn’t armed and Batgirl knew she could overtake her if the girl tried to run. From what Barbara could tell, the girl didn’t have any backup and whatever the family might’ve had in their apartment wouldn’t be worth Catwoman’s attention. From what Batgirl had seen, the girl was just a petty thief with an eccentric wardrobe. What makes you think you’re so special?

[catgirl]

((OOC: It's good to me))

Kitrina blinked and stood there for a moment. Was this girl really going to go through all of her clothing for something anyone could tell wasn't worth a whole lot? The only reason she had chosen this place was because it was easy, a warm up for her later antics. Honestly, she wasn't even sure why this bat was even making a fuss over her. Sure she was robbing someone, but it was small and insignificant compared to the other crimes that could use some vigilante attention. Maybe she was working her way up on the chain after all.

Good, she thought as she shrugged out of the coat and tossed it over at the woman, let Mario hear about a teenage girl running rogue around the streets. He'll get my message sooner or later.. Once the coat was off the shortened rod hanging from her side could be seen. The cool metal shimmered slightly in the last rays of the setting sun. Of course it wasn't much compared to Batgirl's collection of gadgets, but it was something. Still there were no tell-tale signs of the hidden pocket in her shirt.

Now, as far as the name went, Kitrina wasn't fully sure. A few had been bouncing around in her head, but none seemed real fitting. Oh well, might as go with the last one. Kitrina sighed and folded her arms across her chest, looking rather impatient. "Kittyhawk. And you're Batgirl, I presume?"

Again the fact of prescious time flowing from her grasp found its way into the spotlight. For practice this was taking a painfully long time. Did woman find it fun talking your ear off? Or was it a habit they formed and didn't realize it? Hopefully she would never end up with an extreme case, but would instead stick to the occasional small talk and a whole lot of ass kicking. It was more enjoyable that way. Kept her in shape.

[b]

(OOC: Short and rushed again. /shot I swear, one of these days I’ll give you a decent post. There's also god-moding, but I figured since we already discussed what would happen, it would be alright.)

Batgirl caught the jacket with one hand and flipped it over her other arm to inspect the insides of the coat. There were only three possibilities now: the pocket was really undetectable, whatever the girl stole didn’t amount to much, or it wasn’t in the jacket. Barbara slid her fingers up and down the worn seams and decided it was probably all three, which was why the girl seemed to think she was going to get let off. Frustrated, Batgirl folded the jacket back up and tossed it back to the girl. My god, how old are you? She glared at the girl, trying to decipher an age under the mask. Looks like this job—if anyone could even call it that—was just for kicks and thrills. Just the sort of thing Catwoman would find appealing. Great. That’s all I need, Batgirl thought looking up at the sky beneath her cowl. Catwoman starting a youth program.

To top it all off, the girl had a positively ridiculous name. Barb couldn’t hold back the snort. Kittyhawk. Really? Who in their right mind would ever want to call themselves that? Granted, Batgirl didn’t exactly strike fear into the hearts of those who heard it, but Barb could more than handle her own. She’d said it before: she uses the expectations of the people who underestimate her against them. They live to regret their preconceived notions. This girl however, well, to be frank the only thing frightening about her was her accessorizing. Zippers hadn’t been in since the 80’s. Then again…Batgirl’s eyes flashed to the metal rod sticking out of Kittyhawk’s pants. Better safe than sorry. “Here,” Batgirl tossed the girl back her jacket, choosing not to dignify her ‘presumptions’ with an answer. No, sweet cheeks, she thought sarcastically. I’ve just got a big yellow bat across my chest because I think it shows off my boobs better.

Just then a gunshot came from the alleyway. Batgirl’s head immediately swiveled in the direction. She couldn’t see anyone from where she was standing. Barbara looked at the girl, deciding what to do in a second’s notice. She grabbed her Bat-lasso reflexively and threw it at the girl’s calves. The steel twines wrapped around her legs securely. Batgirl rushed forward and proceeded to tie the girl’s hands and feet securely. “Sit tight, Kitty,” Barbara ordered her, pressing weight on the girl’s shoulders so that she’d sit down. “I’ll be back for you later.” Without another word, Batgirl shot her grappling gun at the building across the alley where the shot had come from, ran, and leaped off the building.

[catgirl]

(OOC: It's really ok. I understand that you're busy. I'm just sorry it took so long to reply. And the small god-mod is fine. Like you said, it was already discussed.)

Kitrina caught the jacket with one hand and smoothly slid her arms through the sleeves. She gave a small smirk when the girl snorted, but the humor didn't reflect in her eyes. Yeah, it was a pretty awkward name. It was actually the name of one of Mario's favorite takeover palns. The Kittyhawk. While the majority of the group sneaked into the chosen area, a small group would be set up as snipers on the surrounding rooftops, and another set would 'fall from the sky'. This not only overwhelmed the more souls that were chosen as victims, but also caught the attention of any contemplating rivals. He only used it on special occasions.

And hell, at least it didn't have girl at the end of it.

The gunshot didn't peak her interest, so she was ready to catch herself when the twine pulled her legs out from under her. She sighed and sat still as the girl tied her up. "Awe, do I have to?" Kitrina rolled her eyes and watched as the girl swung away.

After Batgirl had disappeared from sight Kitrina began working her way out. Well, she had accomplished, if that's what you would call it, a few things. One, she had met one of the members in the Bat family. Nice girl, she'll go far in life. Two, she had successfully stolen something and gotten it past a Bat. Very good, very good. Although, next time I should try sneaking something that's worth more than maybe a hundred bucks. And last but not least, she had gotten out of a Bat's knots.

Kitrina let out a chuckle as she stood up. She examined the steel twine dangling from her hand. It would definitely need a certain kind of blade to be able to cut through it, one she couldn't afford. sighing, Kirtina released her grip on the bundle and watched it as dropped on the ground where she had been sitting. How she wished she could stay to see Batgirl's reaction when her line was empty. But she had other places to be yet that night, and a significant amount of time had already been spent on their little chat.

"Well, I guess I'll be seeing you around then," she said, turning around and sprinting across the roof, the jewelry still tucked away in it's hiding place.