10526/Why can't stakeouts have steak

Why can't stakeouts have steak
Date of Scene:	21 March 2022
Location:	One of Gotham's premiere dark, rain-soaked rooftops above a criminal operation
Synopsis:	Kate and Julia chat the way most Bats and Birds do in Gotham. While watching henchmen lurk around a warehouse. Theories are shared, steaks are discussed. And Kate definitely doesn't run off into the night to get home in time for a Facetime appointment for her birthday. Kate definitely didn't forget her own birthday.
Cast of Characters:	Kate Kane, Julia Pennyworth

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Kate Kane has posed:
Batwoman is out on patrol, or, well, something like it. Patrol makes her think of her bike thrumming away, bright halogen lights and rain soaked asphalt, blinding speed and gleaming tail lights.

This is surveillance of a warehouse, the kind that has trucks coming and going at the sort of hours even the other warehouses don't keep. Where the homeless who try to take shelter from the rain are chased off with a savage beating if they're lucky.

She's tucked in against a hulking AC unit, black costume blending in, carefully applied makeup on the bottom half of her face the only contrast, but since she's not leaning out over the edge of the building, she's not worried about being spotted. Kate's nothing if not all about form and function, but she's not quite of the 'Slap a bat symbol on everything for The Brand'. So her black thermos is in fact just a Thermos brand vacuum bottle, screwed up tight right now and filled with what she's hoping is still almost uncomfortably hot coffee.

She knows _someone's_ going to be joining her, but she's not going to talk to herself, and so she lurks in the shadows, fingertip slightly drumming on her knees as she crouches, keeping time with the rain's downpour.

Julia Pennyworth has posed:
Julia Pennyworth hadn't really been out on patrol per say in quite awhile. As it was, she was only a backup until she had the full clearance of one very judgy Batman. Thankfully, given her lineage, she was allowed perhaps more leeway than the younger Robins and other assorted types he had gathered. She had experience already. Just not quite this sort.

Survelliene was something she could easily do however, and with a desire to get out from behind the computer for awhile, she's the 'help' that's on the way. There's a nearly unheard sound of footfalls against the brickwork as she literally climbs and jumps her way up from the alleyway to the roof. There she sticks to the darkness taking the long way around to the A/C unit where she could make out the form of Batwoman waiting. Her own attire was a simple black suit. Nothing labeled, no Bat symbols anywhere. It was all very militaristic, efficient, and without anything to claim who she 'belonged' to. It's perhaps only the simple domino mask she's opted to wear with it's whited out eyes to let her see better in the dark that might give evidence as to who she was.

"Got to admit, these masks are far better than night vision goggles." The quiet remark is made while she pauses to unsling a small pack laden with a large thermos of her own, and a ziplock bag filled with biscuits. Or cookies, to these darn Yanks.

Kate Kane has posed:
Kate allows a brief little grin, "Yeah, plus they don't take those goddamn C cell batteries." She sighs and rolls her eyes... probably, given the dip of her chin, but the white lenses of her cowl make it hard to tell for sure. She grins all the wider as the themos and biscuits come out. "Ah! And you come prepared." She clicks her tongue and murmurs dryly, "I really need to ask Ba... Oracle to make some sort of vigilante food delivery drone network. Hot soup dropped off at the press of a button." She smirks and murmurs, "But imagine a certain dour someone would grumble and grouse." She drops her voice to her best Batman growl... well, okay, he best _bad_ Batman growl, "Soup isn't a tactical necessity. You should be focused on electronic intercepts, not frivolous pursuits."

She leans forward to take a bit more of a close peek over the edge of the building and hums out, "Well, nothing much seems to be going on down there right now. Just more trucks and..." She waves vaguely, "You know, the usual central casting 'Cheap thug number fifty seven' cast of characters."

She pauses for a long second and grins wide, "So! ...See any good movies lately?"

Julia Pennyworth has posed:
"He's full of lies. I know pops puts plenty of snacks in his pockets," Julia responds with a wry grin of her own at the impression of Batman grumbling and grousing. The bag of cookies is plopped down between them as she moves to tuck her feet beneath herself sitting cross-legged. It was comfortable enough for her to do given there was no immediate action down below. She's already cracking open the top to her thermos to pour out a steaming cup of something that wasn't coffee. Or tea. It was some unholy combination of both most likely that Julia takes a sip of straight not caring about the bitter mix of flavors.

"Yes, but not the sort you discuss in polite company." A soft 'hmm' of thought comes as she peers over toward the edge herself with a knowing nod. "Long haul, then. No wonder he was so okay with me heading into the field. Seriously, like I haven't done this in enough countries already." Lightly clucking her tongue in a 'tsk' she offers a more relaxed grin to Kate again. "Ah, movies, right. I think the last I saw was that one with Keanu Reeves going after the guys that killed his dog. It's been awhile."

Kate Kane has posed:
Kate actually has to stifle a genuine laugh at Bruce's snack secret being exposed and a moment later, her hands are reaching up and she's snapping at the catches for her cowl and lifting it off, head whipping back... there's a definite, careful delineation between the pure white paint around her cheeks and mouth, and the... not all that less pale skin of the rest of Kate's face. Her eyes close and she groans out softly, "Well, you know, if he admits he's human, then..." She shrugs and rolls her eyes, definitely this time, "Who knows, I get the symbol and myth to scare those nitwits down in the warehouse and such, but..." She groans and shakes her head, which, with her cowl and its wig gone, reveals far shorter hair, "I don't know. He's infuriating sometimes."

Kate snorts out and lifts one eyebrow, "Wait, there's _polite_ company around here? I mean, the most polite person here's probably one of those truck drivers hauling god knows what. My guess is scraps of alien technology. Some basement tech dweeb's going to try and use it to build a device to give people powers and we're going to wind up invaded by unicorns."

She snorts and grins wide, "Oh, that's a good one! Sequel's pretty good too, there's a really badass sidekick to the villain. Definitely recommended." She eyes her cowl and then drops it onto her lap, reaching out to pick up a biscuit and take a small nibble. "Oh, that's the secret to vigilante work... the difference between it and working for some PMC is that they just _think_ they dress cool." She pauses for a long moment, "Okay, also, they definitely don't worry about the 'no killing' rules." She leans forward, cowl used as a rest for her elbows, hands cupping her chin as she glances between Julia and the warehouse across the street, "I think the last one I saw was... a zombie movie. Bill Murray and... oh... god, the... new Star Wars guy. The one with all those memes about his pants being so high. That is..." Her face twists thoughtfully, "Well, it was definitely something."

Julia Pennyworth has posed:
"Touche," Julia retorts with a grin of her own coming easily over her. One of the cookies is snatched up to dip into her thermos top letting it soak up that caffienated goodness. "Ah, I think I saw that one too. I can't recall completely, but I think I did. You know, I ran across a file some of the younger bats had made to apparently catch up some of their teammates on pop culture. Huge list of movies worth seeing. I'm thinking of taking a go at a few of them soon instead of taking my chances on a random pick. Free to join in if you'd like."

The cookie is tucked into her mouth freeing her hand up to reach up and tap the side of her mask. Just enough to wiggle it free so she can see normally once again. Granted, she still had smudged a few lines of black grease paint over her eyes and cheeks which the lack of mask revealed. Never hurt to be careful herself, though she didn't bother to try and lighten her skin color. It would be a hell of a lightening.

Kate Kane has posed:
Kate's eyebrows pop high and she lets out a thoughtful murmur, "Hm! I can see them doing that. Probably to help... well, okay, at this point a couple of the people they know adjust to culture." She grins crookedly and sighs out, "Or, you know, it can be repurposed for those of us who are too busy to like.. socialize outside this strangle little circle."

She snorts out a low breath and sighs out, "I mean, this whole thing is just so... consuming. I wouldn't trade it for anything, but I mean... the closest thing I've got to a friend who's not one of us is... someone who was just on the other side of this whole song and dance. But hey, she's turned over a new leaf it seems." And then Kate's snickering softly and heaves out a sigh, "God, she'd kill me for saying that... I mean, not literally. Probably."

Julia Pennyworth has posed:
"I had beers with the Juggernaut at a bar that doesn't exist the other week. It happens. Sometimes you just meet people and roll with it because it's not a matter of fighting them all the time." Julia grows quiet as she finishes off her cookie. A single nod is given in thought as she's clearly listening. Glancing back toward Kate she points out, "Things you learn in combat: There's more sides than just 'ours and theirs'. Hell, depending what country we're in, *I've* got a few criminal charges."

Here she pauses to glance across the street again watching the dock workers go about their tasks. There wasn't anything that really popped out to her for needing immediate attention. "This city is kind of it's own thing though. Something in the water maybe."

Kate Kane has posed:
Kate quirks an eyebrow high, "Well, that's... huh. I mean, yeah, there's..." She gestures grandly, "Levels of screwed uppedness to it. Ivy's... okay, she goes _too_ far for her cause, but don't I? Doesn't J... Red Hood? Hell, people think Bats himself goes too far."

She reaches up to run splayed fingers through her short hair, just trying to get rid of some of that 'cowl hair'.

Her eyebrows perk and she grins, "I mean, I _know_ I've got charges pending in a few countries. Parking tickts, I promise. Okay... parking and speeding. Probably a few DUIs from... well, I don't remember when. Which adds up with the I I was U." She snorts and grins, "And doesn't it just? I mean, okay, Metropolis and New York have their own costumed criminals, but like... they just dress up and rob a bank. That Shocker guy Spider-Man has to tangle with? It's not like he only robs banks that are surprising to rob so we're all 'shocked'. Everyone in this city has a goddamn bit, and they stick to it."

Julia Pennyworth has posed:
Julia Pennyworth winces faintly at the mention of tickets and DUI. That was never an easy topic to bring up, really, yet one so prevailent among those that were ex-military. "Ah, well if you ever need a drinking partner willing to cut you off when necessary..." The offer is left hanging and open for acceptance or denial as may be the case. It's not pushed further anyway.

"Ivy though? Yeah I've heard of her. I can't say her cause is wrong from what I've read," she has to admit with a little shrug. "So she's changed her ways then? Or decided to lighten up some at least? Might be worth meeting her sometime."

Kate Kane has posed:
Kate laughs softly and grins, "Well, I've been... avoiding testing myself on that particular subject. But hey, next time I get one of those gaudy Hellfire gala invites, if you want an excuse to go see a bunch of rich people who aren't nearly as interesting as they think they are but _do_ have an open bar with top shelf liquor..." She clicks her tongue and finger guns.

She nods and laughs softly, "Yeah, she was packing up a bunch of trucks with like... the whole Poison Ivy shebang. Walking plant creatures, uhh... leaf..." She twists her lips slightly, "Costume? I figured I'd do the whole 'I'm watching you, don't mess around, villainous cur!' thing... but she was moving out to Brooklyn. She's trying to change her ways, or at least her methods. So I'm trying... you know..." She snorts and pinches the bridge of her nose, "God, it all sounds so stupid, but what? Bats gets to hang out with a former burglar, and it's fine, but Pam's tarred and feathered? At least she was doing it for... principles or whatever."

Julia Pennyworth has posed:
Julia Pennyworth lifts her hands to make finger air quotes, "Hanging out." A little snort comes from her as well in regards to Batman's association with Catwoman. "Hate to say it... No I don't. He's a hypocrite. It's not that he intends to be, but he is, because he doesn't trust anyone else to make a good judgement call. He trusts HIMSELF to do it, so it's okay, but if it's someone else then clearly they're to be watched. Honestly he's probably listening in to us right now and grumbling about it."

Just in case her were, she flips a finger off to the shadows behind her. Just in case.

"I get you there. Lost a lot of mates to the bottle after a mission or two. Though," she has to admit, "Hellfire club could be amusing. I hear they make a mean steak in their restaurant at least."

Kate Kane has posed:
Kate nearly doubles over, her entire body seizing, she doesn't snort out, she nearly _chokes_, one hand slapping down onto her thigh, balled in a fist, "Oh my god I said the _same thing_! ...The he's totally probably listening to us thing."

Her eyes light up and she nods, "Oh, they do. And the creamed spinach is..." She groans out, grimacing, "You think it's going to be worth the extra reps to work it off... and it _is_." She grins wide and perks her eyebrows up, "Well! How 'bout it then? We hit Manhattan one day, get out from under the constant overcast and away from the Gotham water, and get steaks, and... _maybe_ a drink or two. Also, the desserts. They're dangerous in the best way."

Julia Pennyworth has posed:
Julia Pennyworth can't help but to laugh along with Kate at such a reaction to her remarks. A hand swings out to pat the taller woman on the back a time or two with a good natured clap before she shifts to draw one knee up to her chest and drape her arm over it. Better than sitting too long in the same position. "Right? Either that or pops is and giving him a run down of it. There's no way he can listen in on everything himself." Probably.

Grinning broadly she tips her head in a quick nod. "Hah, I'll make sure to do extra situps and a few more laps around the track. Sounds like an excellent idea. I honestly haven't explored a lot of the states yet."

Kate Kane has posed:
Kate grins at that patting to her back, tensing up a little, easily felt through that sleek, thin costume of hers. She snickers and murmurs dryly, "That or there's some supercomputer having to work away at all our comms and city cameras and... so on and so forth." She rolls her eyes because she's positive one of these theories is right.

She shifts a little and there's a chirp from her hip, phone pulled out of her utility belt... and her eyes widen. "Uhhh... can you like..." She gestures warehouse-ward, "Watch this for a bit? I really need to run and... deal with something." Cowl's tossed back on, clicking in place, and Kate's long legs spring, right into a sprint, diving off the dark roof... into the alley _behind_ the building so the guards across the street won't see. And a few seconds later there's the muted whine of high performance bike revving up a few streets over.