NINJAMEME MASTERPOST 8|

[whatfriendsdo]

I have nothing to say here DEAL W/I.

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THE FIRST MEETING

[whatfriendsdo]

What's a vigilante like you doing in a place like this?

THE MORNING AFTER

[whatfriendsdo]

Where's the fire?

Re: THE MORNING AFTER

[cowled]

Not on the Karrin Murphy list of approved actions, I take it?

[His tone is more curious than anything.]

[whatfriendsdo]

[She doesn't quite look at him as she answers, her focus instead on the oven and its contents.]

He's my boss. [That's not an explanation for anyone who doesn't know her. Murphy grunts again.] I don't want favors.

[cowled]

Favours are what I do for people when I'm trying to blackmail them into investing into Waynecorp, Karrin.

[Yes, he know that sounds contradictory. He's smiling a little as he says it. Bruce Wayne: ruthless businessman.]

[whatfriendsdo]

[One of her mother's favorite phrases springs to mind. Don't criticize your host for the way they clean their house. She taps her fingers against the counter.]

It's not about whether or not you did it or meant to do it. I don't want him to think you're pulling strings for me. [For all her general avoidance of politics, she knows perfectly well how it works.]

[cowled]

I can recognize when independence is important to someone, Karrin. I barely mentioned you at all. My word. Bruce Wayne is far too self-involved to note much more than 'she saved my life, and I think she got away' regarding a lowly police lieutenant. I didn't even catch your name.

[He stops what he's doing - in this case, saving another crepe - and catches her hand. He'll bring it to his lips if she allows it. The words are a feint, of course, and hardly meant to offend. Bruce is perfectly aware of his public image, and has on numerous occasions fought to protect it.]

THE BIG REVEAL

[whatfriendsdo]

We've got to stop meeting this way. No really.

Re: THE BIG REVEAL

[cowled]

[He snorts. He doesn't doubt it.]

You're lying. Let me see.

[whatfriendsdo]

[Murphy rearranges, exposing the injury and trying to keep the rest of herself covered with the cape. She keeps one hand pressed against the edge of the wound. Her fingers feel slightly numb.] I told you, I've had worse.

[cowled]

[Bruce makes an annoyed noise, reaches into his belt for a powdered coagulant and tears the top off the little envelope with his teeth.]

Lean back.

[you are damn right he's going to dose you with this stuff, Murphy.]

[whatfriendsdo]

[She does - though not in obedience, and absolutely to get out of range of whatever is in that envelope.] I'll take the cape. You keep the drugs.

[cowled]

It's a coagulant. Non-narcotic.

[He doesn't try to approach her further, though his jaw is a bit tight.]

DOMESTIC VIGILANTISM

[whatfriendsdo]

They need a hobby.

they already have a hobby. (troll)

[cowled]

[And because Bruce speaks fluent mmpph, he answers directly instead of asking her to clarify.]

I've done some digging. There are currently nineteen active 'Knights of the Blackened Denarius', of thirty. A priest is the custodian of the others - an interesting choice, by the way.

[He doesn't have a lot of faith in priests. At least not the ones in Gotham, not unless they've proven themselves.]

Anything else I should know?

[He could have just asked her for the details, but he's always preferred to do his own legwork. Even if most of this was done digitally.]

ohohoho~

[whatfriendsdo]

Father Forthill is a good man. He's put his life on the line for me and my people more than once - he puts his life on the line every day just hanging on to the coins.

[She stretches until he back gives a little click. Murphy gives Bruce a little sideways glance, amusement twinkling across her face.] Did you find out anything about the Holy Swords?

[cowled]

[His expression is wry. He sees that amusement, Murphy. Did you honestly think he wouldn't find out as much information as possible in as short a time?]

Some. The Excalibur connection was a little obvious. I have a... [he doesn't use the word 'friend'] an ally from that time period who would recognize it on a more personal level.

[The problem with Bruce is that he has an alarming tendency to find credence in the most awful stories, and is only ever skeptical of the positive ones.]

The other two-- well. History is full of stories based on magic objects. Swords have always been popular paraphernalia, and most myths are rooted in some semblance of fact. I wouldn't rely on them personally, but I'm--

[-'disturbingly self aware'-]

Difficult like that.

[whatfriendsdo]

Amoracchius, Esperacchius, and Fidelacchius. Love, hope, and faith. [And the greatest of these is love. She smiles a little.] There's no 'semblance' involved, Bruce. They are what they are. Excaliber, Durendal, Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi. Whatever you want to call them. Dresden's current theory is that the wielders have all descended from royalty, or something, which seems kind of sketchy to me.

[She plucks at the hem of the shirt she's wearing.] I've been offered Fidelacchius twice. The swords aren't just tools. They're a calling. One you have to be willing to die for.

[Murphy clears her throat, realizing with an uncomfortable little jolt how much she's thought about the weapons and her steadfast refusal to pick one up.] They're not something to rely on, in any case.

[cowled]

[He's a skeptic by nature, Karrin, and he's not about to apologize for it. But he nods.]

There isn't much I do rely on. I think I'm safe.

[cowled]

[It's the first time he's taken her down into the Batcave.

It's an impressive place, all things considered. The cave is a network of nooks and crannies, boasts a gym that would make Club Med jealous. It has several floors, and numerous trophies from his rogue gallery. The Tyrannosaurus, the giant penny. The memorial cases have been broken and repaired so many times he's lost count, most recently by Damian throwing Tim through one of them, but Bruce can remember another time-- Bane. Habitually, he pauses for a brief second in front of Jason's. Nothing's changed. Jason's no longer dead, but-- this, Robin, what he stood for, it only exists now behind glass.

He carries on.]

Ask if you have any questions.

POST-FROZEN-TUNDRA

[whatfriendsdo]

[Murphy has never liked hospitals. They always mean one of three things. Option one, the hospital is haunted, and she's there to do damage control on one of Harry's clean-up efforts. Option two, one of her people is injured. Option three, she's down for the count herself, which is both better and worse than option two.

Right now she's thinking 'worse'.

There is one channel on the TV, and it's been broadcasting some public-access variety show for the past hour and a half. Visiting hours are just about over, and she's barely been conscious long enough for anyone to know she's capable of actually having company.

Murphy eyes the empty water glass on the table next to her bed and considers trying to break it against the television. Who knows, maybe she could take out both.]

[cowled]

[To anyone that asks, he was doing dressage. He's certainly dressed for it, in all the proper regalia. He even instructed Alfred to saddle up one of his horses, give it a work-out, and rub it down afterwards. And Bruce's clothing, while neat and pristine as ever, does look to have been used. He has the helmet off, and scrubs a hand through his hair with one gloved hand.

Getting into the room was easy. It's amazing what a little charm will do in all the right places. And he managed to do it without dropping his real name, though he thinks that one of the orderlies recognized him regardless.

He knocks gently on the door to Murphy's room. He certainly doesn't look like a man who spent sixteen hours battling hypothermia.]

Karrin?

[whatfriendsdo]

[....Not the first person she expected to see. She eases herself a little further up onto the pillows, her hands throbbing, fingers burning from injuries and exposure both.] Bruce.

[.............give her a second. Her brain is still in the reboot process.] You ditched a game of billionaire barbie dress-up just for me?

[cowled]

[He flushes a little. It's nice to be able to do that on command.]

Word travels fast. You'll be pleased to know I saw to my horse first. Are you all right?

[whatfriendsdo]

I'm fine. [It's not exactly convincing, but it's not as though she'd say anything else.] Turn the TV off? I'm about ready to put an IV stand through it.