Calling all heroes, villans, and the other guys (for <lj site="livejournal.com" user="bladeinthecrow

[blindingtrust]

It was the Iceberge Lounge. One of the hot spots for the social elite and people somehow connected to the Mafia. In some ways it was also one of the safest places to hold a meeting. There was one such meeting going on up in one of the management offices over looking the club. Bars from old music could be heard through the door as it opened and a young dark haired woman dressed in formal wear was lead in.

"Thank you for having one of your men meet me, Mr Cobblepot. I do value the courtesy they showed me," Ivy stated showing all the poise in the world. She held herself as if she owned the room.

"Do take a seat, Ms Weaver. I didn't go through all that trouble just for a chat," the short man requests.

Ivy merely nods and takes a seat across from him. "No. You really didn't. I don't like it when my friends are abducted so let's cut to the chase, Mr Cobblepot. What the hell is this about? Your men..."

"Acted how they shouldn't have. I do apologize for how they mishandled you the other night. I hope to make it up to you before we move on to more important matters."

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[blindingtrust.livejournal.com]

There were three guards near the stair case. One was watching the dance floor to be sure couples wouldn't wander too close to the stair case leading up to the offices.The other two were further back not really doing much more than acting as back up.

There was a very good chance that someone might try interrupting the meeting after all. One of the men towards the back spoke up.

"Man, did you see that woman Fredo lead into the boss's office? What a looker," the slight redhead spoke with a low whistle. "Never seen her here before. Wonder if she's here for buisness or..."

"Damn it Vinnie, shut up. What if the Boss hears ya talking like that? You don't mistreat a lady. Especially real ladies, ya know? She's here because of that tall skinny guy that got grabbed. She's his friend I guess." The taller more professional of the two started to check his gun. Just out of habit.

In the office Ivy settled into her seat.

"You could have just called instead of sending your men to grab me. It would have gone at last more smoothly, Mr Cobblepot," Ivy says calmly while crossing one ankle over the other.

"And how do I know you would have come? Sending them wasn't very bright," the Penguin informed he. Then glanced at the guards in the room. They were mostly for show right now even if Ms Weaver couldn't notice how intimidating they could be.

[bladeinthecrowd.livejournal.com]

Altaїr could only guess at what the shiny metallic object was that the one guard fiddled idly with briefly. His guess was a modern-day weapon, something Ivy had told him about in passing. He couldn't be sure though. His eyes flickered over the three of them rapidly, gauging distances and timing and other intricate details in a matter of seconds. When in doubt...

Three rapid flashes issued from about waist height and crossed the expanse from the assassin to the guards. Three deadly blades, tiny throwing daggers, pierced the guards almost simultaneously and before any one of them could even begin to comprehend their danger, much less react. The daggers were perfectly placed within the throats of the brutish thugs and none let out more than an awful gurgling hiss as the fell heavily to the ground, all sounds easily disappearing in the general hubbub of the club.

This taken care of, Altaїr made his way towards the landing near the staircase. He glanced down at the guards only briefly in passing, mostly checking that they would not be getting back up. Altaїr didn't even think to re-collect his daggers; back home he would have simply gathered more from home or stolen them from a thug on the streets. It didn't occur to him that here the process might be more taxing.

Altaїr approached the office cautiously. For one, he had overheard the guards talking and knew there was a female inside. Presumably she was an innocent. The Creed forbade the deaths of the innocent. Second, Altaїr still needed to pick out his specific target from the crowd. That would be easy once he had a view inside. Third, it was always best to be discreet.

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Ivy and the Penguin of course have no idea what had just occurred outside of the room. They were now heavily debating information and it's value.

He thinks she has information he wants. She knows for a fact she doesn't.

"I know as much as you do that every Mobster in the city wants that question answered. I'd like that answered too. It takes a brave man to do what he's been doing. Or very insane. I'm sorry but I doubt that I could get you that information," Ivy tells him in a very even tone.

"That's a pity. Are you sure you have nothing you can give me?" He's pressing for information. Ivy does have a good poker face though.

"No, I honestly don't. And I'm not sure anything I would stumble across would be useful anyways. I imagine you could get it first. Why come after me? I thought you wanted the information I have kept where I'm leaving it."

[bladeinthecrowd.livejournal.com]

Altaїr kept low as he neared the large window looking out onto the club below. He remained in a comfortable crouch as he peeked in and took in the sights. What he saw both surprised him and startled him into premature action.

Without much thought, the Assassin burst into the scene, heavily barreling through the door as he made his rush. The first guard dropped in much the same way the three outside did. The second was much closer to the assassin and he had the misfortune to being on Altaїr's left side; he fell to the ground after the white-robed man cuffed his throat and chin area with an open palm, the area bleeding freely after the assassin withdrew his hand, a gaping wound seemingly appearing from nowhere. There was no weapon in that hand.

The other, however, was making a move for another dagger to throw when a very distinctive sound echoed through the small area. Altaїr halted immediately; not because he knew the sound for what it was, but simply because it sounded dangerous in nature. He turned to face his next opponent and narrowed his eyes at the black, metallic object being leveled at his face.

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The large man with the gun leveled at Altair's face made no other move. But that didn't mean the other guards hadn't circled around. Ready to strike like wolves at the first sign of danger.

Even the Penguin was ready. A small gun in his hand was already trained on Altair.

Ivy though quickly got up standing in the mobster's way. She just knew who it was. The smell was right anyways. And he was very close by.

"Please!"

The Penguin was more than a bit surprised by Ivy's actions. As far as he knew she didn't get out much. No time for real dating.

"Who is he? He just killed two of my men!"

"I guess you need better men then. He's...a very dear friend of mine," Ivy starts talking coolly. Directing the conversation her way.

"A 'dear friend'? My dear Ms Weaver. Dear friends don't dive in here like that," the Penguin retorts trying to not get angry at the young woman.

"Well, you don't have friends like mine then," Ivy replies with a confident smile. "Can we be reasonable here, Mr Cobblepot? I have nothing you really want. I came here on good faith."

[bladeinthecrowd.livejournal.com]

"Five, actually," Altaїr corrected in a low, dangerous tone. He didn't sound frightened in the least despite his current positioning. It wasn't for lack of the goons' trying, either. "The three outside will need to be replaced as well."

Even though it wasn't his policy, Altaїr knew when discretion was the better part of valor. He could probably kill the goon closest to him, get a dagger off at the leader and likely kill him, and maybe dodge a few attacks. But if those weapons were as deadly as Ivy described them, he probably wouldn't get to everyone in the room quick enough. And although his own life didn't matter much in the long run, Ivy's more than made up enough for the sentiment.

He would try it Ivy's way; he would try to negotiate his way out.

"You provoked me before this evening, Sir Cobblepot," the assassin continued before Ivy could delve any further. Really, did she have to give out information like that? No one really needed to know they knew each other. "Your men did something that I do not approve of, something I heard about. They, and their master, should be punished."

His eyes darted to the weapons trained on him and back. "However, I also heard of a certain misunderstanding. Now, you see... if that misunderstanding meant they were disobeying their master.... then a simple deal could be struck..."

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"Hm? Pity, they were good men. No matter," Penguin says calmly. there was no lasting sadness at the loss of the five men. More could be hired or moved around.

The Penguin nods agreeably. "Of course. What is it you're proposing?"

Ivy is in his line of sight. He snorts lightly in annoyance that she's tall enough to be in the way. "Ms. Weaver, do sit down. I won't be shooting anyone right this moment."

Ivy sits because there seems to be no other choice.

[bladeinthecrowd.livejournal.com]

Altaїr stared deadpan at the guard still holding the gun to his face until the other man finally flinched noticeably. Then the white-robed assassin pushed past the man with little effort. He stepped closer to the Penguin and stood in an obviously relaxed state. He could play this game if he had to. That's what he kept telling himself anyway, as his heart thundered loudly in his ear. This was not his usual game.

"I am proposing a deal of sorts. I fix to a problem that, in truth, nags us both. Me, the indiscretion; you, the disobedience." Altaїr paused to once more process his next words. Well, he'd already set it up, there was no backing down now. Either the snotty little man would agree or not. No delaying the inevitable.

"I get the men to do with as I please, you continue to breath the fine air this city has to offer."

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"Agreed." He nods once. It makes sense to him. He was going to have it done anyways. At least it would be out of the way. "Would you like me to call them up? I can have them placed in one of the rooms we have for such occasions."

Made for easy cleaning!

Ivy doesn't breath in relief. But she is surprised. But what Altair is doing makes sense right now. It also makes sense to her she hasn't been removed from the room. Human shield in a way.

[bladeinthecrowd.livejournal.com]

Altaїr didn't voice his disgust at the discriminating information this offer revealed. He would have much preferred to sink his blade into the boss's neck and be done with it. But this would have to do for now. There was a brief movement of Altaїr's head in the upper direction when he heard the news, almost a startlement but heaven forbid anyone suggest that, then a moment later he bobbed it down and up again.

"This will do," he replied neutrally. This task itself would take little time, but it was better here than out on the streets. Altaїr had no other place better than the Penguin's offer.

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The Penguin nodded simply then glanced towards the large man who hadn't said a word. "Fredo. Do take care of this for me, hmmm?"

The large man nods and finally speaks. "Sure thing, boss. I'll bring them right up. You want to see them first?"

The Penguin shakes his head. "No. They knew it was this or I would have sent them to the 'Cleaner'."

There's an uncomfortable silence that follows. Fredo clears his throat just once and nods. "Right. I'll go get them." So the large man leaves to go get the pair.

The Penguin turns his focus back on Ivy for the moment. He seems to be trying to decide on what to do with her. "Hmm. Would you like me to send you home, Ms Weaver? Your friend will of course be released. Our business here is done."

Ivy opens her mouth to speak. But closes it and nods slowly. "I can see to getting myself home."

"Oh no, I must insist, Ms Weaver. It would be dangerous for you tonight. There's too many things that could go wrong. I'll call one of my drivers," he says all too seriously. This has Ivy feel slightly nervous.

[bladeinthecrowd.livejournal.com]

Altaїr remains quiet through the exchange between boss and underling, and also keeps quiet as the focus settles back on Ivy. However, by the end of their brief conversation, Altaїr can't help but to feel the need to say something. He refrains from jumping to Ivy's defense on the need for a car (he still didn't trust the things themselves much less any of the Penguins men driving one with Ivy in it). He tried to think of something more subtle to say.

Subtle was something Altaїr was only good at when it involved death--dialog wasn't his best feature. So instead he went along another path. "Why did you want to talk to Ivy?" The cat was already out the bag, he had no reason not to ask really.

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"Ah, her Uncle was well known for being the sort to horde information. I had hoped he had left behind something on Batman. He's become a thorn in the side of the criminal underworld," he says simply. "I am aware that she would be aware of any information he had."

Which she knew there was none. Pity for him but good for Batman. Having an old man who suspects so many of being connected to the mafia in some way gathering information on him might not have been a good thing.

The Penguin calls for one of his drivers and Fredo steps back into the room. There's a tiny splotch of blood on one of his knuckles. The Penguin merely raises an eyebrow.

"Sorry boss, little Tony tried fightin' me. Had to hit him to keep him from causing trouble," the large man says in a very apologetic tone. "I hope it's alright with you."

"Of course Fredo. So long as you didn't draw any attention to yourself."

"No sir. Loud music. Lots of couples were busy," the burly man says very calmly.

"Good man. If you would show our... guest to them?" Fredo peers over to see if Altair is of course agreeable to this.