Empty Chairs at Empty Tables [Ra's]

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Linsey leaned against the main bar. The lounge was so painfully quiet that she was sure she could hear Mort breathing on the other side of the room as if he were hanging eerily over her shoulder. However, considering the history of the man and the recent searches on his computer, such a behavior would not be so unusual. Eager to avoid Oswald’s foul mood in regards to the new city order, she tapped away at the screen of her beloved tablet in hopes to avoid his reign of terror. With the construction of the wall launched and nearly complete, there were few that visited the condemned side of town, limiting the activity for Linsey’s current location. If anything, it was peaceful; serving as a place to organize her thoughts and make preparations.

Failing to have eaten anything throughout the process of the day, a small dish of olives sat on the bar. Occasionally, she will select one and plop it into her mouth with a small sigh as she continued her work. Regardless of the city’s proclaimed advances she still had to insure that several of Oswald’s customers were taken care of as she sent hasty messages to the soon-to-be recipients of shipments. It wasn’t until the alarm on her tablet caused her to jump slightly. Time to go. Her eyes had been practically glued to the device until it started buzzing and chiming. Quickly disabling it, she looked up at the empty venue. Crime was rampart on this side of the city when at one time it used to be considered as Gotham’s highlight, she couldn't risk being carless. 

Dulling the lights on the vicious collection of sea lions that lounged lazily in their habitat, Linsey’s eyes didn’t as much as waver from the surface of the device as she used it to bring her second home to sleep, shutting down wings and corridors with each set. Only when one of the animals yelped loudly did she wonder what might happen to them when the building was officially turned over to the city, though honestly the carnivorous creatures would be left there for them to deal with. There were much more important things that was contained in the venue that needed to be taken care of before she worried about removing them.

The process was going to be length and laborious but she couldn’t afford any mistakes after that nosy little reporter had foolishly tried to hack the main system. That all seemed so long ago, yet she was still taking the beatings for her carelessness. An imaginary pain radiated through the redhead’s skull as she quickly recalled the large, ornate paperweight being desperately plunged into her forehead. It was all she could do not to scowl at the memory as she continued to make her rounds.

Iceberg Lounge was an elaborate and extensive venue that required a great deal of security and upkeep to house all of the operations that the Penguin oversaw. Now as times were shifting and the building was to be part of the isolated sector of the city, even more preparations needed to be made as far as their side work that served as the underlying motive for the club was concerned. After all these years she had grown so attached to the venue, it was almost discouraging to think of what its condition would appear to be in a matter of weeks. A yawn was quick to escape Linsey’s lips. With very little sleep in the past 24 hours, she was eager to finish her duties so that she could return home. That was- unless Cobblepott didn’t demand another endless night for the shapeshifter. She was doing all she could now to cope with this discomfort of hiding the once-notable bags that were under her eyes.

Linsey could heard the construction progress loudly clambering about outside. It didn’t do much for the headache that throbbed lightly. Rubbing her temples with her free hand, her heels clicked against the polished floors, causing an echo in the still and silent Iceberg Lounge.

outfit: click here

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Snow breaks like bone under the wheels of a hefty German SUV but your average Gotham citizen would only buy one for the reputation boost it would give to their image to be seen cruising around town in one. Still of all the inventions of the past century, electric heating was one of Ra's' favourites, there was only so much skulking in a damp castle he could take. No one would ever claim to want to visit Gotham, more so as a blanket of ice smothered the Town as some how no matter how many Christmas decorations would go up it never felt festive. Christmas in Gotham was nothing more than a sick inside joke for the locals, the mask of normality that shows the rest of America that they're not so different really. For one day they will close their eyes and imagine a life without the reality they are forced into by cruel fate. Out of the tinted window Ra's watched a towering crane move a long beam into position onto the wall in the distance. Crime away will melt away like the cold embrace of Winter in the face of glorious spring.

It was time to stoke the fire, to start the wheels of progress so that when Arkham City closes it's gates it will be brimming with degenerates ready to cut each others throats. By enflaming current gang wars, pushing crime rates through the roof, people will be far more willing to accept the necessary construction of a facility such as Arkham City. People always prefer retribution to justice. Those walls will not only lock away the scum but they will imprison the people just as much, in a flurry of militant support for these no nonsense methods. First however, some willing participants would be required to get the blood flowing so the Head of the League of Assassins sped through a slush ridden Bowery towards the Iceberg Lounge. Cobblepot had refused to move his bellowed Club, he wouldn't even sell it to the City, no matter there would be a use for it. No doubt the young Girl will not be expecting a return call so soon after their last meeting and at this time of the evening he knew that he'd be able to speak with her with out prying eyes and ears peeking in.

This wasn't Ra's al Ghuls first time visiting the Iceberg Lounge, though it had been a few months since he had frequented it with the lovely Aria Lloyd, shame she had gone quiet but it happens. As glamorous as it was branded by the Penguin, there will be only grime felt beneath the tacky brass for there was far more to the building than a dance floor and expensive bar. Wasn't as impressive as Mountain Fortress but not everyone has such deep pockets. Rolling up outside through a melted puddle of snow, Ra's' door was opened for him by a loyal servant but the Master had to avoid the puddle all the same. Three Men in matching black suits climbed out with him but stood by the car waiting for the return of the Demon, rarely did they actually follow him into tricky dangerous situations as a bodyguard implies that you can't defend yourself. The clicking of his firm heels rang through the entrance hallway as he removed the black gloves which covered his palms. Though he wore a flowing black long coat which trailed by his ankles, beneath he had picked out a dark plum colour three piece suit with a navy coloured shirt and black cravat; the imperial colour scheme.

The emptiness of it made him grimace and remember the irony poem about the King of Kings himself, how all turns to nothing in the end. Everything but the Demon. And there she was, a bit less flustered and more in her element than when she was tumbling out of the back of a lorry. Standing in the shadowed corner of the open room, looking over the Aquarium centre piece, he waited a few moments before speaking up. "Your finest red and be quick about it, I don't think this establishment has long left."

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The building was hauntingly quiet as she was left alone with her thoughts. It seemed almost unreal that one of the most thriving businesses in Gotham was now eerily empty. The device cradled against her ample chest sounded, informing that the front door had been accessed. She paused down the corridor and turned back toward the newest arrival. She supposed that technically they were still open according to the Lounges former policies, though Linsey had sent the staff home within the last hour. The only other members of Oswald’s staff that lingered in the Lounge consisted of his core team. Though she couldn’t completely account for what each of the individuals were doing, she was almost certain that Mort’s eyes were glued to one of the many screens that composed of the Lounges security system. In fact, she looked up and sent a glare at the one nearest to her. To think the man that sat in his swiveling chair all day couldn’t even remember to lock the doors.

Regardless, Linsey had started as a bartender and server at the club before her promotions within Cobblepott’s staff. Surely whatever this guest wanted would be easy to manage. The last thing she wanted was to stir up any bad blood between any of Cobblepott's loyal customers in a time like this. However, if this guest was hardly someone worth her time, she would dismiss the idea and inform them of the lounges closing. Linsey started back toward the entrance, trying to conjure somewhat of a smile. Considering the short distance she had managed to achieve away from the main entrance, it only took a matter of seconds before she reached her destination. Using her ability to practically melt away the bags that had formed under her eyes, she quickly caught glimpse of the gentleman who had arrived and recognized his features instantly.

Whatever attempt of a pleasant expression that played on the redhead’s face vanished quickly. Her jaw tightened as her glare was now redirected at the man before her. To think that he had the nerve to show up here, especially after the trouble that he had caused her over the past few weeks. Despite the questions that had surfaced she didn’t say anything to him at first other than addressing his request. “And would you like that thrown in your face or poured in your lap?” Linsey shot back quickly, obviously unhappy with his presence.

She started toward him, heels clicking against the polished floors as she continued. “I’m not sure what exactly you planned to gain with a visit, but I’ll give you 10 seconds to rethink that decision, turn around and leave.” With her ultimatum out in the open, Linsey reflected on everything that had occurred that evening. While most of the events following were the freshest in her mind, it didn’t take long before she recalled how she escaped their conversation.


outfit: click here

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"With service like that, I can understand why the Iceberg is melting." Humour was as alien to Ra's as misplaced compassion, yet he wasn't adverse to moments, albeit incredibly brief occurrences, of dry wit. Like a blue moon or the passing of Haley's comet it is a rarity that is afforded by the Man whose gaze can turn most men into shambling wrecks. Evidently she had not invested any time into researching the Demon, or she wouldn't be speaking with such an abundance of undeserved certainty bordering on infant like arrogance. Still he stood, hands firmly pressed on his cane, a balance aid never required but the perfect way to conceal a weapon. "Are you looking forward to life behind the wall? You'd have a captive audience of course, but you'll have to make your own alcohol. Or do you plan on looking for new work before the gates are shut for good?"

With each passing day completion of Arkham City grew ever close, the dates were falling before the project like dominoes. Of course the outer security fencing would be the first stage of the construction, with more intricate support systems being implemented later. However though they would never admit it, the criminal class of Gotham had to be feeling a growing stinging pain at the back of their mind every time they clasped eyes on a steel beam being welded into a place, another nail in the coffin for them. This project would be the anti-Christ of Noah's Ark, damnation made manifest for all who fall before the level judgment of the law. Even the Penguin himself would be set upon by all sides by the inevitable fear of arrest, for now execution would not come from the law enforcers but from the hordes of filth who you had stood on on the outside of the Walls.

"I am here to offer you a pardon if you'll accept my contract. Whatever foolish notions of loyalty you may have towards Mr. Cobblepot won't save you from internment in Arkham. If you do ask I command then there may be hope for your salvation, first my drink." Ra's moved over the shining marble floor with the tentative stepping of a cat, however his form stood firm and supported with a self-confidence brought about by the notion of ever lasting power which had been instilled in him after years of forcing his will onto lesser men. His finely made onyx brogues moved him over to the nearest table, where he sat and propped his cane up next to. Glancing about the room from Linsey to the cameras that were dotted around the ceiling, he began to further understand the character of the Penguin. Why would someone play cards with his electronic eyes peering down over their shoulder?

"Sit, we have much to discuss, Child. I require information concerning about your escape from me, of course I let you leave as you posed no threat but you did something which few are able to, escape my vision. How did you accomplish this?"

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Linsey resisted the urge to roll her eyes. In fact, her expression was quite vague as she looked up to the familiar face. She still knew nothing of him, though she wasn’t one to grovel for information. He had proved to be a pain in her side time and time again, though the man was practically untraceable when she had attempted to research him. Still, Linsey didn’t want any more of his unwanted surprises. Using the device in her hand, she used it to contact security and lock the building within a matter of seconds. He didn’t seem to be going anywhere, though she couldn’t be too careful. She had assumed such a conversation was long overdue, her paranoia convinced her daily that it would happen eventually.

“Unless you live under a rock, I’m sure you already know that’s not true.” Linsey still continued to tap away on her device, informing the lingering members of security to stay where they were. Even then, they were few and far between; consisting only of Cobblepott’s inner circle. Adding another being to the mix was sure to make things messy – and why do so when he was not being aggressively hostel. Still, she kept them at bay just in case. She wasn’t going to take any chances. Even then, there was little he could do to the shell of Iceberg that would affect them at this point. This sector of the city was condemned and all of the informative valuable contents effectively removed weeks ago.

Regardless, the comment still stung. For years Iceberg had been her love and her life. It was devastating to see it in such a state. He asked her of her plans, but she was skeptical herself. “I still work for Mr. Cobblepott, I don’t see why that would change due to an architectural development.” That part was set in stone, but having ignored Oswald and his consistent tantrums over the past week, Linsey wasn’t sure of her certain role in this new world. She had worked too hard to elude confinement to chain herself to Arkham city. The developments they had discussed were in the works, but until the time came it was unsafe to completely rely on them.

Sucking in her cheeks, she said nothing but instead nodded. She would play along for now. His words had certainly captured her, though she wasn’t going to get lost in them already. The busty redhead started toward the bar and prepared his drink with ease. Slanting the glass ever so slightly as she poured, the woman poured a perfect portion before returning the cock to the bottle of wine and storing it properly. “My, my. A pardon?” She smirked at the idea, hoping he might go into detail. She didn’t complete the task with the utmost urgency and with the glass in hand she sauntered back toward the towering man. Setting the glass down before him, Linsey then sat down at his instruction. “I’m hardly a child.” Linsey began as her mind continued to configure the rest of her retaliation.

For years individuals had used her ability to use and control her. “I’m just as surprised with this accomplishment as you are. I’ve been told that I’m pretty hard to miss.” Linsey insisted with a short glance down at her hourglass figure. “Besides, you lead me to believe I was free to go.” The redhead claimed, a false sense of innocence to her voice. She wanted to absorb everything he believed he knew before she simply submitted to telling him what he wanted to hear. And even then why should she? This little quirk was not something she was prepared to openly discuss with a total stranger, much less one responsible for a major source of her annoyance.


outfit: click here

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Of course he didn't live under a rock, in fact an argument could be made that he lived on top of one in the furthest flung reach of Nepal but he elected not to mention it, instead he cast a gaze worth a thousand prickly comments. "The riff raff of Gotham will have to find another gutter to illicit and peddle through when this tired horse runs its last race. I understand that from its creation this building was nothing more than a lick of cheap gold paint over a rusted frame, attractive to the eye only from a range. It'll fit in perfectly with the hordes of rapists and murderers, they'll love you for a time." Penguin would protect her of course, as long as she continued to be of some use to the diminutive crime lord but that wouldn't last forever and she knew it. There would be too many variables, largely the rival gangs would see her as a key employee to be removed from the hierarchy when war would no doubt break out. At least it will if the League has anything to say about it.

Sitting back in his chair, he watched her saunter across the large open planned room towards his table which was only one of many, a single set in a maze of varnished decking. A flurry of times gone by ran over his mind as he inspected the room to a closer degree, marking that the ballroom echoed a time of class and etiquette long forgotten by the apes who now run through the streets of Gotham. It was a monument to ages, a significant site to simpler times yet it never managed to truly deceive Ra's. He could see through the glitter and gold to the grime that hid in the corner of your vision, as if the grandness was only there to avert your eyes. Murder ran through these halls, screams of debts never paid and criminals sobbing for another chance before falling into the big sleep. Cobblepot was only the latest tyrant to rule this roost, however with any hope he would be the last. "An admirable show of loyalty no doubt but ask anyone and they'd say the same when everything was still plane sailing."


He glanced as she showed off her figure, selling her image to him in an attempt to pacify him, a trick she had no doubt used on many a man but he wasn't just any man. In fact it disgusted him to a certain degree. "There should be more to you than your appearance, hopefully the Penguin keeps you around as more than just an attractive ornament." Joker has the former Doctor Harleen Quinzel, Dr. Fries has his frozen wife and even Crane has that woman who clings to him like the plague. The criminal mind must require a woman to bounce their raw energy off, to support their outlandish doings and to not remind them how completely isolated their case is. The same must be for the Penguin. "Your death would have served no purpose, and without purpose there is only chaos." If she would wear the face of innocence, that she is but only a pawn in the game of greater minds then he would have none of it and his words would be honest in their message and clear in their delivery. "You are alive by my grace when someone else like your Boss would have dumped your body into the river so I will not accept your insolence. Now take a drink." Alcohol was a distraction he didn't need, she however might require it. "Tell me about yourself."

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He was pairing her deepest concerns with the reality that she had attempted to ignore. To remain at Cobblepott’s side was completely uncertain. While she was a fair marksman, she lacked any ability whatsoever in when it came to defense or combat abilities that her perspective attackers might be experienced with. All of those she had helped manipulate and find their place in captivity would have their targets locked on the shapeshifter. Her ability provided her with some healing capabilities, though how entirely helpful would that be with such ratios.

On the other hand, this wasn’t particularly a choice. She owed Cobblepott. He had created Linsey Finch just as much as she had and she could hardly leave his side. It was her obligation to go down with him – wasn’t it? She was just as valuable to him as he was to her. He would insure that she was safe, but as long as she worked directly for him was she ever completely safe? Exploring her options would be frowned upon, though she selfishly longed for more certainty. “You don’t know my employer as well as you would like to think you do. I won’t be as much as touched throughout this transition.” Linsey attempted confidently, though the falseness in her voice could identified in unity with her subtle expressions.

It was truly hard to argue when nearly everything he said was riddled with the truth. She nearly smirked at his comment most may have been offended by. “We’ve already discussed that I am a physical trophy and nothing more.” She said with a sigh in an attempt to hide her smile. She knew he wasn’t going to tolerate this much longer. Linsey needed to make her decision. Did she take advantage of this opportunity and risk owing yet another man to keep her ability a secret.

“What would you have done then, if you didn’t intend to kill me – yet I wasn’t expected to escape? You can continue to compare yourself to my employer, though your idea of mercy caused me worlds of pain that could rival death. So please, I’m practically anxious to know of your former intentions.” There was a hint of venom to her voice as she waited for an answer. Linsey had paid dearly for the loss of the shipment, exhausting her body and ability at Cobblepott’s whim until she had quite literally collapsed. Eventually she had made up for the prizes that had been lost, but she saw little from the achievement.

Her eyes flickering downward at the glass of wine he instructed her to drink. There were an abundance of reasons why she shouldn’t, it’s hindrance on her ability being the most obvious one. She swallowed and glanced back up at him. To completely decline might give a hint to such a weakness though to do might as well hand him whatever answer he was seeking and a front row seat. “I shouldn’t. I’d be best to keep my wits about me.” She dismissed his offer quickly. “I think that instead you should tell me what you think that you know about me. Then perhaps I can fill in the gaps” Linsey said finally, mouth twitching slightly as she waited to hear his conclusions.

outfit: click here

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Reading people's unspoken reactions, what they there were too afraid to say or believed that they could hide under a mask of confidence, was a game that a master infiltrator had to know inside and out with a level of uncanny expertise. It wasn't an art that could be taught so much as that it required autonomous learning through pain staking extended periods of conversation and sprees of simple people watching. A stutter under a hushed breath here, a darting glance in a certain direction, told more to the observer than a thousand words could and it was something which Ra's was forced to pick up after years of close surveillance. "I've never met the Man but I know of his trade and I know of his methods for achieving results. You should know better than anyone of his frivolity and prejudice for greed and violence. Whatever else he may say he is: business man, honourable member of Gotham high society, at his core he is a depraved type." Ra's had no doubt that if the choice came for Oswald to either save himself or Lynsey, he would throw her under the wheels of the bus every time.

Picking up the glass with his thumb and forefinger, cradling the smooth red in the palm of his hand, he allowed himself a quick inhale of the crimson substance before pushing it to his lips, downing a small portion of the glasses' contents. Exhaling to signify his approval, Ra's found the drink most agreeable, a sour body that most would be sickened by pleased his taste buds greatly. "A fine choice of wine, my Dear." With a careful movement, he placed the glass down upon the wooden table before moving his hand back around to the cane that he had propped down by one of his legs, softly stroking the golden head with his thumb. "Had you not run off, I would have made you a similar offer as I do now. There's potential in you wasted by that stunted fool who has you inspecting warehouses and serving drinks. His eventual passage to Arkham is as certain as the turn of the seasons but your fate is not yet sealed."

"As for what I know about you, practically nothing before your time with the Penguin which would indicate that you're either a novice which is incredibly unlikely or you are a special find worth keeping a secret." At this point he sat back in his seat, forcing his back right into the wood as he brought one of his legs up and placed it up over the other, crossing it in the process. Every time she spoke or he responded, his unflinching watch never ran far from her own two pockets of blue iris'. "If he and his villainous associates are locked away then Gotham will be free from the competition and ready for the taking." Of course he spoke in a hushed tone so that the various cameras dotted around the room like something from a George Orwell novel wouldn't pick up on his words. What he was offering her was a chance to finally progress into the big leagues, to turn something that will be a moment of turmoil into something potentially glorious. "How you slipped away into the night, I have no idea."

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She couldn’t help but stifle a chuckle at his words. It was almost humorous to hear such things about her employer, especially when she had shouted far worse things concerning the manipulative Oswald Cobblepott on some of their worst days together. It wasn’t as if she had the task of convincing him otherwise. Yes, she was a dedicated and devoted employee to his handful of causes, but whether or not this mystery man became Cobblepott’s fan was none of her concern. If anything she hoped to find some kind of arrangement between the pair of them that may allow him to back off the operations she worked endlessly to restore after his terror. Linsey had easily picked up on the presumed fact that he was here for her rather than the Penguin, which was a notion that she loved toying with. “That’s only one man’s opinion,” She said almost dully, as if suddenly bored. “Which explains your vexatious attempts to stop him, Mr…..” She allowed her sentence to trail off as if he might fill in the blank for him. If he insisted on being a frequent figure in her life, it was surely time that he provided her with a name or at least an alias. Just as long as she didn’t have to keep mentally referring to him as one of the many crude nicknames that had developed over the past few weeks, she was so terrified that one might slip out as he sat before her.

Her eyes temporarily glanced toward the glass as he sipped, her expression not changing. “It’s poisoned.” Linsey lied almost too expertly. Though it was clear by her body language and the smirk causing the corner of her mouth to twitch at her own statement that she had no intent for doing so. However, such bottles were sure to exist below the bar if she really had felt it necessary. “It’s a Cabernet Sauvignon blend, Arietta. It’s one of my favorites.” She followed up quickly, her eyes flickering back to his own. “I’m not going to lie, I am intrigued by your offer if anything. But I’m not in a place to abandon ship.”

As she listened she heard a voice on the other end of her earpiece. It was Terry, another one of Cobblepott’s staff with an equally high ranking position, unsure if Linsey’s guest would affect his security measures. If she was being completely honest, she wasn’t quite sure of his full intentions though there was no reason to disturb the routine as long as he was preoccupied with their chat. “I’m fine, west wing is clear. The entrance is locked. Proceed.” The redhead informed the man on the other end, her hand hovering over her ear as she prepared to turn the device off. She wore it so frequently that she nearly forgot it was there. Her distant gaze snapped back to the man seated across from her, muttering a quick apology.

Raising an eyebrow at his claim, she played into the idea. “Is that where you come in?” He was correct. While their operations were targeted on Arkham, what did that make of Gotham? It was something she had considered several times herself, though whether or not Oswald had plans that would trickle throughout the entirety of the city was still a mystery. Often, she daydreamed of branching off from him and affiliating with others, though her last attempt at doing so did not end well.

“Well, perhaps I’m uncommonly quick.” Linsey suggested, though her coy smile practically informed the man opposite her that such an excuse hadn’t been what helped her get away. “Or maybe my employer is not as depraved as you would like to believe and I merely followed the protocol to be rescued and whisked away to safety, all of which you neglected to notice.” It was more of a jest than anything, one might only assume by her airy tone, though she was enjoying her control of the conversation far too much. “But that’s not it is it?” She continued with a playful pout. “Because I disappeared right before your very eyes.” Linsey continued, making brief pauses between her last few words. “And I could do so just as easily right now if I so wanted too.” The redhead revealed, though leaving a great deal of questions out in the open as to what he special skill may entail.

Linsey allowed her eyes to transcend from their brilliant shade of blue quickly into a full-circled spectrum, eager to see if he might notice.

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"al Ghul, I'm not from Gotham." To tell the true the land he once called home was now little more than a chapter in a high school history textbook. When he was a Boy the Sultans of the Ottoman Empire ruled the desert, having just defeated the Byzantines for control of the Middle East. They were violent days that dragged onto brutal years than never seemed to end. A different time, a different name, always the same lust for control that spins the never stopping wheel of destruction. However they were without doubt simpler days, when the work of the League was all the more one dimensional. Tyrannical war lords needed opposing, destruction of decadent blood lines, there were clear enemies to fight. The shadow war that they were increasingly forced to fight with criminals such as Cobblepot made him long for those days of old when the World was just that bit smaller but all the more bigger at the same time.

Another sip of the drink was taken while she spoke to the voice that came through her ear piece with Ra's giving a slight nod of approval as he apologised for the interruption. Of course eyes were upon them, in a room such as this where so much of the gambling relied on surveillance, there was no doubt that in a room somewhere someone was paying close attention. That was why Ra's chose to sit at this particular table out of the two dozen that sat grouped together in the centre of the hall, for it was the furthest away from the nearest camera. "And I thought that America was the heart of capitalist drive for self improvement." He joked before pressing the glass to his lips again and finishing off his last gulp. "Faith is a rare commodity in this day and age, I'd have thought that you'd be a Woman of logic not passion. The evidence shows that he will only protect you when you are of use or when he is in an affable mood. I wouldn't take those chances, not if the pressure of prison survival is placed upon him."

The glass was placed back down onto the table, his fingers however were still perched on the rims of the opening, running themselves around the edges as he glanced to Lynsey. "I'd appreciate it if you didn't lie, to me or to yourself and I will be as open with you as I can. Your employer is not the amiable gentleman he would have the World believe he is and you should know that better than anyone. Tales of the Penguin's punishments ring out through the criminal community I hear." Of course the League employed torture methods to extract information but it was rarely used for the pursuit of personal pleasure; to torture for the sake of torture for that was a waste of both time and resources. Most punishments were simply capitol for the sake of maintaining discipline.

"You must be quick to escape me, unnaturally so for I can fathom no other explanation." And that worried him slightly as if knowledge was power then he was in a weakened state because of it. "Care to explain?"

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Blinking, her long, curled lashes made the process almost seem delayed as she reacted to his comment. Tilting her head back only briefly enough to mutter, “Clearly,” she was at least able to place a name with the face. Even if it was a fake name, she didn’t have to continuously refer to him as her mystery tormentor in her head. Now that he had managed to relieve her of her mild humiliation, she could feel closer to an equal as she sat across from him. For a confident and beautiful woman, she still felt unexplainably small in his presence. Perhaps the fact that he had mentally dominated her over the past few weeks had certainly come into play, though she tried not to dwell on such things currently as she sat up a bit straighter. “Where are you from then?” The redhead asked curiously.

Linsey nearly sighed with his comment, “And who is to say that I am not constantly of use? You only have a peak into my life, Mr. ah Ghul. Don’t pretend to be all-knowing.” As confident and loyal as she sounded, there was a great deal of truth to his words that she often ignored. Presently, such a situation had fortunately failed to arise.

Her smirk told all as he commented once again on the moral fiber of her employer. Not that she exactly found his torturous methods entertaining per say (though she did openly partake in few of them when the vendetta was personal) but her pride was persistent. “Alright, no lies.” The redhead stated matter-of-factly. Though she might have loved to hear what rumors had been circling around and met the ears of the man seated across from her, Linsey didn’t pry.

“I’m hardly fast.” She admitted finally, her game coming to an eventual end. “I do have an ability.” Linsey began, her chest growing tight. It was something she had never said, to admit that she was a meta-human and openly discuss the potential of her powers. Speaking of which, she hated that word. Powers. It was more of a back-handed cursed if anything. A part of her that made her valuable and treasured but caused her pain and anguish. “I can alter my DNA.” Linsey said clearly. It was the first time she had ever confirmed the fact aloud. “I simply changed my appearance and disappeared in the crowd.”


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"My place of birth is long gone, truth be told I couldn't even give you a name. The Middle East." There was no landmark to identify with, no home town to return to. He was born in motion, another mouth to feed in the herd of desert mystics and hunter gatherers. For a roaming community they knew so little about the World they lived in, their ignorant satisfaction would only suffocate his restless mind to the point that he knew that to grow he had to remove the shackles of the family to begin a new in a more enlightened area. Little did he know that he'd come to miss the tranquillity of ignorance, the simplistic gratification of turning your back on the troubles of the World. And so he ran to a place mirroring Gotham in everything wallowing detail; the willing enslavement to wealth, the lust for debauchery and the rotting cancer of corruption's cold grip.

Was she Gotham born and bred?  True there was a brisk defensive aspect to Lynsey, that there was a reply for every answer and it was usually one said with an insulting tone. "We could facilitate the change it's true but for what I have in mind you may not need to directly challenge your employer just yet. The Penguin is doomed, as are the majority of his associates but I wager that with no small amount of help you could escape the net. You're intelligent enough to leave some level of deniability to your work if challenged." Ra's paused, giving a quick glance in the direction of the nearest surveillance camera. He didn't look at the camera itself so much as that he peered through the lens directly towards whoever was sitting on the opposite side of the feed, glancing into the soul of Big Brother itself. "Strike a deal with Cobblepot, offer him an opportunity to maintain some of his Empire outside the walls of Arkham City by offering to serve him out here. He won't be able to refuse your plan, he'll need a foot hold outside of his expansive prison cell and you're his best chance at maintaining one. Once he's away then you have all the control, I'll make sure of that."

The last of the wine ran down his throat and a sigh of satisfaction ran from his lips for the final time. She was right, it was a fine tasting vintage. As he finished she began to explain her Houdini routine to him and full and for a time he said nothing, considering the revelation in full before attempting to draw any conclusion. What he saw in her was promise, an opportunity ripe for use. "Remarkable, you're a woman with considerable gifts then." Spoken as if this sort of thing is said to him all the time. It was true that she wasn't the first of her kind that he had met but she was the first shape shifter to have ever crossed his path. Meta Humans, a type of people that once would have either been referred to as Gods or foot soldiers of the Devil. There could be no delusions when considering their power, a power which could either wreck havoc for Humanity or it could serve as a great boost if harnessed correctly. "To what extent can you adapt?"