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Post by Oracle on Jun 21, 2017 14:16:31 GMT -8
The night's cool air came wafting into the room
"Thunderstorms tonight" she smirked. The clouds outside the half opened Clocktower window lay were gathering and they weren't looking too happy. A lot of the times nothing looked too happy around the city these days. The buildings, the people.... the weather. A powerful thunderstorm seemed to be exactly what Gotham needed. A bit of rain to wash away the blood and grime that ran rampant down every gutter and every alley way in the city. Sometimes the filth just needed to be whisked away.
Glancing back to her unit of glowing monitors, her eyes glanced over her call board.
No sounds. No blinking lights....Nothing. The last week or so there hadn't been much activity on the com line. Which, for once, freed up a little time for Barbara. She didn't mind. If anything, she put the added time to good use and backed up her systems, restructured her Firewalls, and upgraded a variety of different systems.
After the improvements she made she was feeling more accomplished than ever. In fact.... maybe even something out of the ordinary was in order.
Barbara Gordon spun her wheelchair around and took a look in a nearby mirror floating on one of the exposed brick wall's. She ran her fingers through her tousled crimson hair to make sure every strand looked in place. Pulling out her phone, she sent a text to Dinah:
{Heading to the Iceberg Lounge for victory drinks. You should join me if you're not sleeping.-B}
It didn't take her long to make her way down the elevator and into the parking lot of her awaiting black SUV. All customly retrofitted to her needs, of course.
Twenty minutes later Barbara found herself pulling into the parking lot of the Iceberg Lounge with her retrofitted, black SUV. As soon as she managed to make her way out of her vehicle, her eyes darted around the parking lot. It was looking pretty empty, save for a few cars. Normally there were hordes of scantily clad ladies, shivering as they share cigarette's outside with their boyfriends or whomever they came with.... But not tonight. The parking lot was pretty empty.
Taking a quick glance at her watch, she noticed the time.
7:50pm
Technically... it was still early. At least by club hopping standards.
Usually there were three types of people who ended up coming to the Lounge early:
1. People who were conducting some kind of illegal activities. 2. To threaten or "beat up" the owner. 3. Those who just wanted a drink.
Barbara thought she qualified under the last of those reasons.
As she made her way over to the bar, she nodded to the bartender. "Heey bartender. Jack on the rocks?"
"Coming right up." he said back to her, as he started to fulfill her request. Upon receiving her drink, she gave her thanks to the bartender and found herself a table that had a nice view of the dance floor and stage area. Taking a sip of her drink, she grimaced for a moment as she felt the liquid run down her throat. It had been ages since she had been out drinking and the last time ended up in a brawl that ended up with some guy unconscious on the table after Dinah had flipped him, Judo-style.
It was amusing to see, she had to admit. They ended up having to cut the evening short, unfortunately. Hopefully that wouldn't be the case today. Maybe it was a good thing she came early.
"Wonder what time the shows start tonight..." she muttered outloud as she took another drink, enjoying the light scent of strawberries that wafted through the air. It was soft and constant.
'Did.... they start pumping air freshener through the ducts?' she thought silently.
TBC: ANYONE--!
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Post by O. Cobblepot on Jun 21, 2017 23:14:06 GMT -8
OSWALD COBBLEPOT'S WORLD FAMOUS ICEBERG LOUNGE Proudly presents:
11th Annaul Summer Solst-ICE
Beat the heat. 6/21/17
Ballroom Doors at 9PM Perched high above the street in his Iceberg Lounge office, Penguin stood at the large window overlooking Gotham Bay, Thunderheads began to form in the distance and the water began to crest as it beat down on the rocky shore. Summer Gleeson had cautioned against scattered showers in her news report this morning but from where Cobblepot stood, things seemed to be developing differently. Fortunately, if there was one thing he was always equipped to handle, it was rain. He waddled over to the front of his desk and pressed the button for the intercom. "Garrett: Code Purple. Distribute one umbrella to every member of the outdoor staff, no exceptions. If so much as one drop of water dampens one of my guests this evening, whoever is responsible will answer to me personally. Understood?" "Sure thing, boss," the speaker crackled. "Very good, lad." Penguin took his hand from the intercom and used it fish the cigarette case out of his suitjacket. He took the holder that was clenched in his teeth and replaced the old cigarette with a new one, lit it, and took a long drag and exhale before he finally walked around his desk to sit down. Unceremoniously, he plopped into the overstuffed chair, letting himself sink in. He checked his watch. 7:55PM. He had just over an hour before the gala would officially begin. His tuxedo had been cleaned and pressed for him but he didn’t want to risk any creases, so he put off getting dressed just yet. He took the opportunity to check in on the rest of the operation and leaned forward to turn on his security monitors. Front door, quiet. Back door, quiet. Top secret trap door, quiet. Parking lot, sparse. Kitchen, nothing unusual. Dining room, a dozen or so patrons. Illegal gunrunning operation, looks good. Ballroom, empty and ready for the party. Bar… “...bara Gordon?” Barbara Gordon was at his bar, ordering a drink and making her way to a table. What was she doing here? He had to admit, it was a surprise to see her here after all this time. He had enough time to go down and say hello… didn’t he? Penguin grabbed his umbrella and started downstairs.
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Post by Oracle on Jun 25, 2017 9:28:40 GMT -8
The drifting sounds of an unknown jazz song floated effortlessly through the club. Finding herself tapping her fingers within the melody, Barbara's mood had managed to make it into vacation mode.
The scented chill of strawberries wafted past her nose as she noted a few elegantly dressed gentleman hustling past, running out with sets of umbrella's hanging from their wrists. Her mind had wondered back to how the sky had looked before she had come in. It WAS looking pretty foreboding... Maybe the clouds finally got fed up and started pouring outside? She wouldn't be surprised if it did, however.
She started to wonder if it was truly a conspiracy theory that Gotham City seemed to have a permanent air of brazen clouds that only furthered to the creepy ambience of the city as a whole. She knew immediately who distributed those umbrellas. It was Cobblepot. After all, umbrellas were kind of HIS thing. No one had a handle on that line of fashion. And this WAS still his club... At least the last time she had done a lot of reference checking anyway.
As the melodic charms started to turn into a rapid paced salsa number, Barbara's head perked up, her finger's still tapping along with the beat she took noticed to couples starting to pair in dressed to the nines. Up-swept hair styles and diamonds for the ladies, bowties and cummerbunds for the gentlemen. This was one of the reasons why she loved coming to this place, despite all of the air of controversy. She could relax and enjoy the ambiance of the youth trying to grasp onto fashion trends of decades past. Or... watch the the group of highly respectful Goth kids, dressed in elegance of a Victorian Gothic for the evening walk by and order a couple of Irish Car Bombs from the bar. Either way, it was a nice sight to see.
Barbara's gaze caught the raven haired woman's blue eyes as she and her group started to walk past her table.
"Your dress is amazing." Barbara complimented the woman once she was close enough to hear.
The lady beamed with delight, her lips rolling together in slight unease. "Thank you." she nodded, as she strolled past.
Barbara's eyes caught sight of a shadow out of the corner of the bar. It was a sudden flash... Something and then it disappeared behind the the nearest corner leading away from the bar. And then as quick as she seen it, it was gone.
Furrowing her brow, she turned back to the small Gothic Victorian group.
'One. Two. Three. Four....?' she counted mentally.
They were all there.
'Strange...'
She pushed up her glasses to sit better on her nose and turned back to where she was SURE she saw SOMEthing....
Just like that.. the shadow was gone.
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Post by O. Cobblepot on Jun 29, 2017 8:37:08 GMT -8
Cobblepot's most trusted bodyguard and right hand man, Garret, sat in his usual chair in the 'reception area' of The Penguin's office, feet up on the table and texting his girlfriend. He knew Mr. Cobblepot liked him to look 'at the ready' at all times, but these hours were brutal. With supercriminals, there is no vacation time, just an amazing salary.
He wished he could bring his girl to the shindig tonight, have some fun. It had been a while since they had a night out. He was in the middle of considering asking the boss for an invite after his shift when the office door flew open unexpectedly. Garret jumped, fumbling to put his phone in his pocket while snapping to attention.
"Sorry boss, I was just...!"
But Penguin wasn't evening listening. He marched right to his private elevator and started his decent to the main floor of the club.
"So... I'll just be here then."
No party tonight. Garret sat back down and started texting.
---
The ride down the main floor was a short one, but Penguin spent it reminiscing about days past. The vision of Barbara Gordon on his monitor had seen his nostalgia. She had been invaluable to him once in his mayoral campaign, offering a sheen of legitimacy to the proceedings. He had actually managed the popular vote as a 'reformed' supercrimal and that position of power would have dovetailed beautifully into his criminal empire. Now here was, still running gun, but not the city. Still, even if he wasn't a politician anymore, he still knew how to schmooze, and that just what he planned on doing.
The elevator doors opened to reveal the main floor of the commodious ice palace he'd build for himself. Soft jazz tones wafted to him on the same air as the scent strawberries. With a satisfied smirk at his accomplishments, he waddled out into the lobby and back into the saloon. Scanning the crowd for Gordon's trademark red haired, Cobblepot weaved between tables, nodding and clucking at patrons as he passed.
Pushing through some young hooligans in Victorian garb, Penguin finally made his way to where Barbara was seated, taking a swig of brown liquor and enjoying the music. He stealthily slid up behind Gordon, walked around the table and stood behind the seat opposite her.
"Good evening, Miss Gordon. May I sit?"
Cobblepot waited for permission. He was a gentleman, after all.
TBC: Oracle (or...?)
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Post by Black Canary on Jul 1, 2017 18:43:22 GMT -8
The cool air felt good on Dinah's face as she sat perched on a fire escape. She had just finished running down a small time mugger who was a lot faster than she had expected but unfortunately for him not fast enough. It had been a pretty slow start to the night so far, hopefully it would pick up, felt like a good night for some ass kicking. Dinah peered upwards at the sound of a low rumble.
"Great....Storm's coming in...." it can be bad enough when its cold out here let alone when she was soaking wet taking on Gotham's finest.
"well at least I might get a cool light show" She sighed and headed back down street level to see what she could rustle up.
As Dinah started to resort to stalking her prey a pleasant distraction appeared with the faint sound of a text. "ohh Drinks...."
sure just let me freshen up, be there in an hour With her quick reply Dinah was off to her apartment with a much better plan for her night. She made her way quickly but not soon enough to miss the start of the downpour just her luck...With a quick shower and change she made her way to the iceberg lounge.
Though Dinah was still not a fan of Copplepot's she had to admit that he had really jazzed this place up, it used to be such a hole in the wall but now it was one of Gotham's best clubs with some really good drinks and live entertainment, she smirked as she remembered the last time Her and Barbara went out leading to her providing the live entertainment...
Dinah was greeted by a sea of umbrella's as she pulled up to the valet, at least he thought that through. She smiled and handed the keys to the valet attendant and made her way inside with her own personal umbrella handler. She scanned the room for Barbara but it was starting to get a little croweded.Here, where are you?
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Post by Oracle on Jul 2, 2017 9:41:41 GMT -8
Watching from afar, Barbara's eyes rested on a male carrying a small briefcase. Her fingertips glazed across the rim of her glass as she went to take another sip. Could that have been what she saw earlier?
The man she was watching seemed to have a stocky build with a rough jawline. His unkempt, black hair looked gave his face the touch of softness it needed to make the guy look less intimating than most. His attire wasn't quite like the rest of the people swarming in the Lounge, either.
'Has to be a technician,' she thought.
-Bing! Bing!-
Barbara's attention blinked to her phone. Maybe it was Dinah? Upon checking her messages she sent a text back to her:
[Sounds great! I will see you soon.]
Just before she went to place the phone down, she re-thought about what she had just sent her friend. And sent a second message as well:
[I'll be parked near the bar in the back.]
This as great! Dinah was, INDEED, coming.
When her gaze rose to go back to watching the 'technician', she was surprised to be met with another shadow. Only.. this shadow wasn't a shadow and wore a tailcoat.
"Cobblepot..." It had been a long time since she had seen the former mayor. She had to admit, working with the Cobblepot in the past seemed to help a lot of things that played out in her nightlife... but Cobblepot actually was GOOD for Gotham during that time he was in office. Granted, there were some hiccups along the way... but what would you expect when the city is in, yet ANOTHER, disastrous crisis? "This is a surprise."
Or was it... REALLY? After all, the guy did own the club.
"Of course, I wouldn't mind," she smiled. "It's been a while... How are you keeping busy...? I mean.. other than taking care of things here....? Or have you settled to just... roost here?" Another curved smile. She had to love her sense of humor, when it came out appropriately.
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Post by O. Cobblepot on Jul 13, 2017 7:28:11 GMT -8
Pulling back the chair and taking his seat, Cobblepot unbuttoned his coat, fully exposing the white shirt that was being pushed to the limits by his round belly. Next he removed his top hat. He held it and his umbrella off to one side, and right in cue, a porter was there to collect his things. He smoothed back his hair, adjusted his monocle, and finally smiled.
"And what a wonderful surprise it is. I must say, after so many years, it's strange to see you back among the icebergs."
She was inquiring about his business and how he had been spending his time, but the Penguin learned long ago not to let conversation linger on himself too long. If he'd learned anything in life, it included these simple truths:
1. When wooing women or clients, best to keep the focus on them. 2. When discussing business, best not to let on the truth. 3. When meeting the police commissioner's daughter, combine 1 & 2.
"I'm doing well enough for myself, as you see. But please, tell me what you've been up to. It must be far more exciting than the mundane day-to-day of a club owner. What brings you to my little nest this evening?"
He knew she wasn't here for the Solstice. Much like another well known portly fellow, Penguin had checked his own list twice earlier in the evening and didn't see Barbara Gordon's name anywhere as a guest.
Strange as it was, it was nice to see her again. She'd always had a certain charm that she definitely didn't get from her father. There was a softness about her, but still there was danger and wit behind her eyes. He wondered what she was like in her private life then shrugged off the thought quickly as another one entered: 'What...?'
Penguin could have sworn he just saw one of the stuffed polar bears blink.
[TBC]
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