1778/Recreational violence with a dash of poisoning

Recreational violence with a dash of poisoning
Date of Scene:	21 May 2020
Location:	Iceberg Lounge
Synopsis:	Elektra goes to the iceberg lounge to conduct an assassination on a mob boss. Things don't turn out well, as they tend not to and she escapes with Jason. Whiskeys are shared for surviving another night.
Cast of Characters:	Elektra Natchios, Jason Todd

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Elektra Natchios has posed:
Elektra rarely had business that brought her to Gotham for more than one or two nights in a row... And tonight here she was again ... After last time she had been here and failed to go through with the assassination of a family the Hand wanted to take down she had to fall back on their 'graces'. Sacrifices had to be made. And in this case it came in the form of Julius Veraccio. Old crime family member, the type that noone would care found an early grave considering the crimes they had done, including the kind that would make even Elektra turn her nose. The hit had been asked to be made by the Hand, and as such it had fallen on her lap to do so.

The set-up wasn't hard. A life of excess had made old Julius to develop a cardiac condition, one that certain poisons were certain to accelerate. She had prepared just so to be served on the glasses that were being brought to the table while she sat there in a supposed business meeting with the man. She was Antonia Aropoulos tonight, a shrewd business woman from Greece, representing an european crime syndicate supposedly trying to find a way into Gotham...

Yet something felt off. Was it the rather large amount of bodyguards Julius had brought to the meeting? Or the gleam in his eye? Something was afoot.

Jason Todd has posed:
The Iceberg Lounge wasn't Jason's usual spot to drown his sorrows, but given his sorrows had to do with the scum he had previously whipped into a gang abandoning him and the Bat Family, it behooved him to pick a spot where he'd be unlikely to run into either. That's why the evening found him posted up at the bar working on his second good scotch of the evening, paid for by the hard work of the drug dealer, he'd taken down the other night. Generally, the Penguin kept his icy ship of a bar running smoothly, to keep the dollars of normal citizens flowing into the register, the sort of club goers who wanted to be somewhere notorious without the actual danger involved. Tonight though felt different, there was tension in the air and a lot of muscle around.

Taking his drink and pretending to scope out the blonde in the mini skirt crossing the club, he scans the room, spotting Julius Veraccio talking to aknockout brunette, that was way too good for an old creep like Julie.

That's when he spots the other guys, a couple tables down, eyeing Julius' booth and the lady sitting in it. Something was definitely up.

Maybe it was some latent sense of chivalry, or maybe it was Jason was just bored and needed something to keep his mind off his troubles, but he picks up his drink and wanders over, putting an unsteady sway in his step and splashing a bit of booze on himself as he made his way over to the Julius' booth before he's stopped by the bodyguards, "Hey lady!" he calls out in a good approximation of a drunken slur,. "You're pretty want to dance?"

He wasn't sure if this would set off what was being planned or break up their plan but whatever was going to happen he betted on it not being boring.

Elektra Natchios has posed:
The two glasses had just been brought to the table. Strangely enough the rather unconspicuous girl bringing them was asian-looking, eyes meek, looking down while the glasses were put on the table. In truth she was one of the operatives Elektra had brought on to help with this particular issue. She also brought along a bottle, which she was just about to serve when Julius waves dismissively.

"No, I believe we will have something else tonight. I never trust the drinks here, specially when I am meeting such a .., notorious person." The man says, gesturing, one of his men bringing forth another bottle.

So this is what it was all about. They knew who she was. Clearly. Violence it was then... She was just about to reach down to an hidden blade on her thigh when there's the voice of someone approaching. An invitation to dance. Normally she'd simply scoff at the apparently drunken man. But this seemed just heaven-sent.

"Of course. You don't mind, do you Julius?" "No, Ms. Natchios. Feel free. I will find you soon enough." a promise on his tone.

She gets up, elegantly picking up her own glass and waits for it to be served. When both glasses are she steps out, finally taking a moment to look over Todd, up and down in a curious manner as she steps closer to the dance track.

Jason Todd has posed:
There was no mistaking the vibe that he had walked into something dangerous but Jason did his best to seem oblivious to it, even with the beefy bodyguard's hand splayed across his chest.

When Elektra rises from the table and looks him over, he does his best goofy, drunken smile. "Holy crap that worked," he says, stepping away from the bodyguard to offer Elektra his arm.

Jason's dressed for the club, a leather jacket over a red button down and a black pair of designer jeans, blue eyes a little too attentive to be truly drunk, and the way he keeps himself angled to the bodyguard suggests he's not entirely unaware of the dangerous situation he's wandered into.

"Shall we?" he asks, Elektra nodding towards the dance floor, before glancing back at Julius, "Don't worry guy, I'll have her back soon."

Elektra Natchios has posed:
Julius simply laughs in a raspy manner. "I am not worried. The night is still young." yes, there was violence in his eyes. But then again, in that family and specially on that man that used to be the norm. He seemed pleased with himself too, as if he somehow had the upper-hand. This was his turf afterall. Or well, Penguin's.. But they were all buddies right?!

Elektra elegantly continues to move towards the dance floor, hand resting on Jason's arm when it is offered. "Either you have a deathwish or you truly do not know the situation you are into." the brunette states simply while they walk. She was dressed in a mix of practicality and style. A dress that ended just below the knee, cut to one side to leave her space of maneuver. Sleeveless dress and tight to the body. Unfortunately her beautiful, gray silk scarf had been left by Julius's table. She didn't expect being able to retrieve it again. And of course, she sported quite the fancy high heels.

"Or are you the typical white knight?" She questions with an half-smirk cropping up to her lips. Typical Elektra, poking the guy that had just taken her from a dangerous situation. But that's what she did.

Jason Todd has posed:
Jason's pale blue eyes briefly turn icy at that promise of violence in Julius' tone. Even if it wasn't aimed at him he didn't usually let those things go unpunished. He relents for now, but however this night turns out, Julie's getting a visit from the Red Hood.

The dress definitely catches Jason's eye as Elektra joins him on his journey towards the floor. His own outfit makes it pretty clear he doesn't have the physique of someone used to sitting on their butts in bars getting sloppy drunk.His arm under the the jacket and shirt feels well muscled, and his hand has the calluses that speak of intense weapons training. Added to that, up close, the shirt is still a little damp from where he'd splashed himself with booze to make him smell the part of the drunkard.

"What? Julie? Yeah, he's a piece of work, as for where I land between deathwish and white knight? Well, that's a matter for my therapist, but I know what I was walking into. How about you? Looked like Julie was sizing you up for a body bag when I pulled you out of there. Plus I'm pretty sure he's got an extra table of goons on your right." He doesn't look over or nod to them. He just takes her hand in his and places his other hand on on the small of her back as they reach the floor, turning her if she goes along with it so she can have a look.

"Unless those are your guys and I've messed up a perfectly good trap on your part. In which case, totally my bad." He doesn't sound too rattled by the whole situation. So there may be something to the whole deathwish idea.

Elektra Natchios has posed:
Julius seems to have left them in peace for now, even if he continues to watch, swirling the wine in his glass, reclined on his chair, smile to his lips. As if a Lord at his mansion. Elektra was nursing a glass of her own too, she just now bringing it to her lips while looking over her shoulder to Julius, then lifting it as if in a salute. If anything she was a good sport about the whole situation.

To Jason though, as she is much closer to him now, there is almost no nervousness felt on the woman, no nervous ticks, breathing just calm. The type of woman that may have been on this kind of situation a few good times in the past. And she certainly notes that Jason seems to be quite a lot more than just a simple drunkard, the muscled physique clearly noticeable, and those hands can't lie to anyone that has lived by the blade as long as she has. "If he is any smart he will have a few on the outside too." she notes.

They finish going up the steps to the dance floor, she finally turning fully to Jason. "And those are not my men, I work solo most of the time." she says. "You can call me Antonia. It is my name tonight." of course that Julius did address her by Ms. Natchios. Which may or may not be a name recognizable by Jason.

"As for having a deathwish.., is there any other way to live but recklessly?" her tone gaining an amused touch to it.

Jason Todd has posed:
Jason grins at the little salute given to Julius. That and the lack of nervousness is definitely noted. Definitely a pro, he could tell by her own hands she had her own share of training. Interesting. And Natchios? Was that the name he heard Julius use, that pings familiar even if he doesn't place it.

"It's what I'd do," he agrees about the men outside. "Got to say, I'm impressed Antonia, Julius must really want you dead, Penguin doesn't usually let people use his club for dirty work, he must have paid the old bird a fortune for tonight, what's the story there?" he asks, giving Elektra a look, before glancing over at Julius, "I am going to guess he's not an ex, doesn't seem like your type," he says with a hint of a smirk. "And call me Peter, it's /my/ name for tonight." Okay it was his middle name truth be told but at least it was easy for him to remember.

There's a grin about the deathwish "Not that I've found," he answers. "So, there's a service entrance out back, if you're game to make a break for it, that's our best shot, still going to be guys out there, but at least we'll be leaving this party behind for a bit. What do you think?" he asks her as they continue to make a show of dancing.

Elektra Natchios has posed:
Elektra gives Jason her best poker face. Because in truth she was here to take care of Julius. Of course that him knowing who she was clearly reeked of someone having blown the whistle.. It did make her wonder if it'd be someone with the Hand. But no time to dwell on that. "Former business deals that went sour." clearly she isn't saying everything though.

"No wonder he has such a poor heart condition, getting upset by everything..." While they dance Elektra seems to be waiting, watching Julius's table, her eyes that of a predator... It is only when Julius drinks that she finally breaks into a smile. Yes, the plan was finally concluded. The poison was on the rim of the glass afterall.

"Alright, Peter. Seems like you are in luck and will be leaving with a woman on your arm out of here." a smirk up on her lips. "Lead the way." as she gets ready to walk out through the service entrance.

Jason Todd has posed:
"Must have been some bad deals," Jason observes with detached amusement, his attention Elektra, and her sudden change of mood. He can guess at why and he finds he can't feel sorry about it if he's right. The world is better without Julie in it.

"Guessing he got a worse one tonight," he wagers lightly his eyes turning to the double doors leading to the kitchens and that service exit beyond. He could see a pair of men moving to block it.

"Must be my lucky night," he says of leaving with a woman on his arm as he starts them towards the exit. "Think you can handle the guy on the right in those heels?" he asks, already sizing up the one moving to block their exit on the left.

Elektra Natchios has posed:
"He might. One never knows what excitements the night can bring." Elektra says in way of confirmation towards Jason. But she does quirk a brow up at the man. Observant one! She takes one last drink out of her glass. A shame, at least Julius had a good taste for wine. With a sigh she walks past the double doors that lead to the kitchen, the chefs running about hurriedly, unaware of the latent aggression between the men covering the door and the duo walking towards it.

"It is an art." She answers. Though in truth she had this penchant of either losing or otherwise breaking her heels when fights broke loose. She hoped tonight would be different, she liked these shoes!

Yet there is no hesitance to her motions when they speak of handling the men. She was a woman of violence, that much could be seen on the gleam on her eye and the way she moved.

The men speak up. "I believe Mr. Julius still wants a word." then reach under their jackets for knives..

.. And then all hell breaks loose..

Jason Todd has posed:
Bats may be 'blind' but not the Bat Family. Bruce had made sure observation was as much a part of their training as punching bad guys was.

Jason doesn't break stride as they approach the doors. "Well, looking forward to a demonstration," he quips easily as they approach the doors and the men reach inside their jackets for their blades.

As for his part, Jason quickens his pace, kicking the man in the chest before the knife is fully out of his jacket, sending him flying back through the double door into the kitchen.

"You got this?" he asks as he keeps going trying to follow his man inside while Elektra deals with her new dance partner.

Elektra Natchios has posed:
With the door having been opened so conveniently by one of the goons flying back with Jason's kick the other soon follows. Yet Elektra is all for being effective right now. At least until they are out of there. She certainly wasn't interested in having a full-out brawl in this place. Could go badly if a certain penguin took note of it. So she aims for that deadly part of a man's body that is sure to leave the man inoperacional for a bit, hitting him between the legs. The man reels back into the kitchen, wincing in pain and falls..

.. Such a low blow.. She steps past her goon and finally gets out of her heels. Bare-footed now. She does bring her heels with her though! No leaving her shoes behind anymore. "What's taking you so long?" she quips back, starting onto a jog towards that final stretch that leads to the service door. The chefs look scared but don't try to intervene while from the main room there's the sound of approaching steps. Most likely the thugs still within, hoping to catch up outside.

Jason Todd has posed:
No, definitely don't want to start too much trouble in the Penguin's club, not just because of the Penguin, but because of the Bat. Start things at the Iceberg Lounge and Bats was going to hear about it and Jason wasn't sure if he wanted that heat right now or not. So into the kitchen the two thugs go, Jason glancing back as Elektra prods him about taking too much time with his goon. He knocks the man down with a right cross and borrowing from Elektra's playbook gives him a stomp to the groin for good measure. The cooks grown in sympathy, even the women.

"Haven't you ever heard of a savouring the good things in life?" he asks, "Some good wine, fine company, the feel of a guy's nose breaking under your fist," he quips about his slowness as he hurries to catch up. The goons would be on the move now and if they didn't hurry they'd be facing a mob when they got outside.

Jason pushes open the service door, and finds five men waiting for them, and the sounds of more coming. "Really, only five?" he says, of their welcoming party, "Even if they didn't count on you having back up that's kind of insulting," he says. "Anyhow, be my guest," he says nodding to the men as he draws up in a fighting stance, "Wouldn't want to slow you down." He snarks about her earlier comments.

Elektra Natchios has posed:
"Hey, invent your own moves." Elektra says while making her way to the door. She really doesn't need to look over her shoulder to know what happened, considering the groans of sympathy on the cooks. She does smirk amusedly though. But by now her blood is running hot, the adrenaline starting to push up. She knew they'd be in for a fight once they were out those doors..

"What can I say? My reputation doesn't precede me anymore apparently." A sigh escaping her lips and setting her heels down on the floor. "I thought you were supposed to be white-knighting here.." Elektra then adding once Jason leaves it implied that she should go ahead and take them down.. Doesn't stop her though, she begins running forward, driving a knee through one to send him reeling. Brutal and effective.

But then she has to backflip out of the way of the rest. It wouldn't do to be wrestled down by these guys. They do seem strong afterall.

One of them says towards Jason. "Get the fuck outta here, boy. We just want her." just before a kick takes him in a shoulder. Not down, but making the man wince in pain.

Jason Todd has posed:
"Why when yours are so easy to copy," Jason teases with a smirk of his own as he hurries on to join Elektra at the door. He wasn't breathing hard yet but that spike of adrenaline was there, driving his Lazarus Pit enhanced abilities into overdrive.

"Shame when that happens," he says thinking of his own men turning on him after only a couple of weeks away. "Guess they need to learn."

He grins, "I'm more of a grey knight," he counters watching, amused, as Elektra throws herself into the fight. "Yep," he says to himself. "They should have sent more guys."

She had this, but he wasn't going to let her have all the fun himself. "Please," he says as he dropped the guy that called him boy with a punch. "I'm barely younger than you." Besides once you die and come back, does age really matter?

Jason steps over the first guy and grabs a second who was coming at Elektra's back and throws him hard into the concrete before kicking him in the throat. "See, improvisation, didn't copy you this time" he remarks.

Those footsteps of the other guys were getting closer now.

Elektra Natchios has posed:
At her moves being easy to copy she says, "I admit. That one was a good burn." Elektra snorting out her nostrils just as she dodges away from a punch aimed at her face. It catches air instead, she moving past his defense and placing first a punch to the gut and then an elbow to the throat. The man falls back. Just in time for Elektra to be caught in a bear hug by the last man standing.. Not that it lasts long, she headbutting him and then delivering a lightning fast snapkick to the belly. Yet the true challenge here was doing that kick without ripping that dress.

The final man falls back. "So you guys go by color codes now?" She says of Jason being a grey knight. Not that she's assuming him to be a bat. But if there's one thing Gotham is known for is all the vigilantes. And Jason fights a lot better than just someone normal would, including that superior strength she notes.

With those footsteps being closer she says in Jason's direction. "Will you be a darling and get my shoes?" yes, there is still amusement traced all over her features and voice.

Jason Todd has posed:
Jason shrugs, "It's a talent," he says of his snarking at the assassin. Though speaking of talent, it's clear 'Antonia' has some of her own when it comes to fighting. She lays the men out like it's nothing.

He chuckles when she puts the last one down, "Remind me not to try and hug you," he remarks dryly stepping over the man. Though yeah, doing that kick without ripping the dress was at once, impressive and a little disappointing from Jason's point of view. "And yeah, there's a whole guide to it an everything, we start at white and go all the way to dark," he says making the reference to Gotham's most famous vigilante. "I'm definitely not him, in case you're wondering."

He ducks down and grabs the shoes with a roll of his eyes. "Get your luggage too?" he asks her, those goons were close now. "So, got a ride? We should probably get out of here."

Elektra Natchios has posed:
"I know you aren't, Peter." Elektra says that with quite a certainty to her tone. Does she know the old bat? Or even the man behind the mask?! Whatever the case may be there is no betrayal on her expression. Just a knowing smirk. Eyes do dance amusedly when Jason picks up her shoes. But she does nod, perhaps in thanks.

And then it's time to run. "This way." she tells the man, beginning to run on the opposite way from where the steps are coming from, making due towards one of the dark alleys that surround the Lounge. Gotham had quite a few of those afterall...

She does seem to know where she is going though, as soon enough she pauses, moving behind the shades of a garbage truck and bringing out a motobike. Plain, without any specific markings. Clearly she was ready for an escape if need came to it.

A sigh, "The Driver should franchise out here to Gotham.." a shame. She'd need to use the motobike instead. "Hop in. And careful with the hugging." she reminds Jason, sliding one leg over and settling in.

Steps are still heard behind them, getting closer to the alleys. "Spread out. Find them!" a voice is heard.

Jason Todd has posed:
/That/ gets Jason's attention, and dark eyebrows arch above blue eyes for a moment, enough to suggest that Jason, or rather 'Peter' might know the Bat himself. He quickly flattens that surprised look catching the amusement dancing in Elektra's eyes. Damn it. Smooth, Jason, real smooth.

Self-chiding aside, Jason runs, shoes in hand following Elektra into one of the city's myriad of dark alleys. He keeps his attention split as he goes, half on where they were going and half on what was coming behind them.

"So the Driver's real?" he asks, surprised. He'd heard the stories of course but he just thought those were old crook's tails. "Definitely needs to get a franchise going here," he says before he gets on the bike, a 'heh' at the hugging part as he wraps his arms around Elektra.

As the men spread out, one of them peeks their head down the alley they're in, and out of the club, he's not trying to be quiet, he lifts a pistol aiming at the pair on the bike.

Reacting, Jason throws what he has at hand, the shoes! "Drive!" he calls as the shoes hit the man and send the shot wild as he tries to pull the shoe straps free of the gun.

Elektra Natchios has posed:
"Ask him about a Ms. Natchios sometimes." Elektra offers as a gift to Jason when he lifts those eyebrows at her, a glance given over her shoulder while the man is settling himself in. The engine roars. "Though lets keep what happened here between us, I am sure we don't want trouble being brought up to our doorsteps, mmm?" because yes, she knew what the bat thought about killing.

"As real as it gets..." She was just beginning to start getting the bike out when the man peeks out. And then it all seems to go slow motion when she notes that motion from Jason, the tossing of the shoes... Her eyes widen just so. Damn it! She was sooo close to having her shoes survive. Ah, well. No point in crying over spilled milk.. Or in this case tossed shoes.

She doesn't stay around to get a second shot their way, instead the wheels spinning as she starts to drive out of there at full speed. "I hated those shoes anyway." she says, more in consolation to herself than anything else. She turns into a side street, no hesitation. She appears to have memorized some kind of escape route, following through the secondary streets.

Jason Todd has posed:
"Yeah?" Jason asks about asking after her with the Batman. That promised to be an interesting conversation. Though Jason can't agree fast enough about keeping tonight between the two of them, "Done deal. I am not sure I want this getting around either." So much for his much touted defiance of Bruce, here he was creeping around trying not to get in trouble for breaking the rules. He hadn't realized at the time but the detente Bruce and he had struck a few weeks ago had changed a lot.

Though none of that was important right now, not with someone shooting at them. The shoes are thrown without hesitation and a second thought, though he does promise, "I'll get you new ones," as they ride off through Elektra's route. Behind them the gunman shouts, "They've got a bike, quick, get the cars."

"Better step on it unless, we want company. I'm all out of shoes back here," Jason calls as he holds a little tighter, expecting the pace to get picked up in a moment.

Elektra Natchios has posed:
New ones? That obviously brings a snort out of Elektra. "Do you have any idea how much those cost?" because yes, she has assessed Jason by his clothes, being the material girl that she is, and frankly they aren't the type that seem capable of affording it. Yet there is a rather amused touch to her voice. Maybe it was starting to be a tradition, losing her shoes. Ah well, better that than losing her life..

A glance over her shoulder for any sight of pursuers and then they are speeding through Gotham, veering here and there. Two people on her bike wasn't exactly what she had planned though, so it's without too much of a surprise there the sound of pursuing cars begins to get heard.

"Why is it that Gotham banditry is so much more tenacious than other places..?" she muses over one shoulder, taking a particularly tight turn down a more open road. At this hour of the night there's barely any other traffic present.

Jason Todd has posed:
"Who said I was going to pay for them?" Jason replies with a grin in his voice. "Might grab a pair for myself, totally won't fit, but very tactical. Aerodynamic." He says rubbing it in a little.

Though with the engines of the other cars getting closer now, Jason's attention fixes on the road ahead of them. It was fortunate there weren't too many cars on the road, it made for a quicker drive, but it gave them less cover if the cars caught up.

"Natural selection, the ones who were wired to give up all moved to Metropolis rather than go toe to toe with the Bat and his people every night. All that's left are the real stubborn bastards.

It was clear to Jason too that the escape plan was meant for one, and that two on this bike was making them slow. "If you slow a little I can jump off and-"

One of those cars appears behind them taking a shot. "Nevermind!" he shouts. "Think this thing can handle going cross-country, if so Robinson Park is two rights from here, we can probably loose them if we don't mind driving on sidewalks and walking paths!"

Elektra Natchios has posed:
"Get a dress to match too. You can make it work." Elektra replies easily even as she takes another tight corner, the wheels complaining and screeching as the bike nearly veers off-course. She seems to have a good enough handle on it though..

"Stubborn, vicious.., the whole nine yards. This is why I skip coming to Gotham unless strictly necessary." But then she instinctively ducks her head at the sound of shots, them wheezing past not too far from their bike.

"In my hands it can handle everything." Elektra's tone bordering on the arrogant. Though of course she never promises the vehicle would be in one piece in the end. Leaning forward she speeds up, taking that first right, nearing the other...

One of the cars approaches dangerously, making her grit her teeth when they have to take a wide corner, nearly going against a residential building. Yet Robinson Park appears to be looming right ahead now.. She begins speeding on towards it.

Jason Todd has posed:
Jason barks out a laugh, "Well, the shoes I can manage, but you're going to have to-," the bike veers hard to the side and Jason has to grip the back to keep his seat. "Whoa," he exclaims at the sharp turn. "Nice moves." His mind off the dress track now.

Jason ducks as well, "Yeah, does beg the question of what got you down here in the first place," Jason says. "Not that I mind this has been the most fun I've had in an evening for weeks."

There must be a retired race car driver behind the wheel of that one car, all the same Elektra steers them away from the attempt to spill them on the street, and more than that Jason is able to scoop up a loose brick off the sidewalk and hurl it at the oncoming car, the gunman hanging out of the passenger side goes limp, weapon tumbling from his hand onto the street.The guy in the back had a gun still, and he was moving to his window and there was one more car gaining, but for the moment they had a clear line to the park.

"I bet it can," Jason says of Elektra's skills on the bike. "Once we hit the park, take off over the grass, we'll see how well they do out there."

And they definitely would the two cars were getting close to catching up.

Elektra Natchios has posed:
"I am a woman of the world." Is what Elektra replies to Jason when he asks her what she had been doing here. There is amusement on her tone though. And indeed the ambassador's daughter has been around quite a lot. Often leaving a trail of blood behind her, but that's details. She was trying to change remember?! "Though the why I was here tonight appears to be obvious. You don't really seem like the typical crusader who would most likely be looking at me in a judgemental manner by now." a snort escaping her nostrils, wind sweeping her hair about while they dodge and weave out of the way.

A glance over her shoulder tells her that they are gaining on them. And good drivers too. A frown. A momentary consideration of dumping her passenger.. But it only lasts a split of a second.. She looks back to the road, lifting the wheels a bit as they go up onto the sidewalk and then into the park..

It's darker there, certainly not like the rest of the city streets they were travelling through. Walking paths, dirtways, grass. "Even the parks here look gloomy." she comments.

Jason Todd has posed:
"Me? I am the furthest thing from a crusader," Jason says with a glance back at their pursuers, before turning back and getting a face full of hair on the speeding bike. He brushes it away, before saying, "Julie was definitely on my list," though if he was going to be working his way through that list was in doubt. "Not that I mind you got there first."

The park at night was indeed gloomy and dark. No end of thugs were likely looming in the shadows to steal wallets or more likely tonight, rubberneck at the chase going on in this most unlikely of places.

The two cars mount the curb with a kerchuck of metal on concrete and then zoom after the bike across the grass, where they're street tires are having trouble finding easy purchase. All Elektra has to do to escape is lose the dead weight on the back, and Jason tenses almost expecting that move, but when it doesn't come he smiles faintly.

Though that doesn't deal with the cars. They pile on the speed coming at the bike from both sides as all the three vehicles race towards a decorative pond. If they don't do something they're either going to get crushed or be driven into the water!

Elektra Natchios has posed:
"Yea? What stopped you from going ahead and actually doing it?" It's an honest enough question since the man did say he had a list! Elektra continues driving through the park, between benches, wheels making dirt fly here and there as she turns and attempts to zigzag away from the pursuers. Another glance behind her shoulder... Cars closing in from the sides.. a pond..

And Elektra being Elektra she plays 'chicken' with the cars, maybe wanting to see when or if they will close in fully, or if they will so with the incoming pond.. She seems to be waiting, right to that last moment, already feeling that rush of wind of the two cars so close by...

"Hold--" She doesn't finish the sentence, hitting the brakes of the bike, enough to make the rear wheel go up a little as she is slowing down. In truth she is hoping those street tires won't allow them the same kind of maneuvarability as the bike.

Jason Todd has posed:
That's the question isn't it? Why didn't he take out Julie and the rest of them? He goes with the simplest answer to that question. "Batman," he says, in a tone that spoke more of frustration than fear where the Bat is concerned. "Also being turned into a gorilla for a bit didn't help," he adds in a slightly defensive grumble. The question pointed out how far he'd strayed from his original purpose in Gotham.

Jason's thoughts are brought back to the moment by Elektra's aborted warning. There's a moment of confusion and then he sees it and grins, holding tight to both the bike and the assassin as the bike rears up coming to a sudden stop and the two cars roar by tires slipping on the slick grass, one passing so close by it nicks the handlebars of the bike before sails past.

Sailing was a good word for it. One splashes into the pond, submerged to the front window. The other hits a rock at the side of the pond leaving the wheels spinning in the grass.

Jason laughs, "You've definitely got moves," he says. "Shall we?" he asks as the men struggle to get out of their cars. If they wanted to make good their escape now was the time.

Elektra Natchios has posed:
As the maneuver finally comes into fruition and both cars get turned out of commission Elektra remains with her bike stopped for a couple of seconds. Considering. There's a murderous look on her eyes, one that perhaps Jason can notice. She is watching the men struggling to get out. The men that dared to hunt her down as if she was prey. She could show them ... But then she shakes her head out of it.

"Batman never lets his boys have fun, does he?" Not that she seems to be putting him in the Robin-type category. Even with there being so many of them! But then the part about being a gorilla just makes her smirk. She begins speeding up and away from the small disaster at the pond. "Only for a bit?" as if implying he could still be one! But to be honest, Jason did put align himself right into that quip.

But soon enough they are getting into the darker areas of the park, moving to come out on the other side. Of their pursuers there is no sight or sound of them. They seemed to be escaping.

Jason Todd has posed:
"Don't let me stop you if you've got to take them out, I'm not here to mess with your rep," Jason says sensing that tension in Elektra and recognizing it from personal experience. Had they been gunning for him in particular he might have felt the same way.

Whatever the outcome, that quip about Batman gets a smirk and a shake of his head, "I can't speak to the batboys, but he definitely likes to get in the way of everyone else's fun, that's for sure." There's definitely history between Jason and the Bat.

He makes a face at the gorilla quip though, yep, walked right into that one. Now that they're not racing for their lives he can take the time to reach up and touch his cheek for the sake of a gag, "Hey I shaved, and trust me gorilla me wouldn't look this good in this outfit."

They did seem to have made their escape, for now, but knowing Julie he'd have more guys out there if he was going this big to take down Elektra. "Got a place to hide out in town? We should probably get off the street before we've got round two of these goons to deal with."

Elektra Natchios has posed:
"No." Elektra mutters about taking them out. In all honesty that talk about Batman did bring her back to their previous talk, and those last words out of the caped crusader still echoed within her. She had people she cared about now. Did it make her weaker? Maybe. But she was done getting her hands dirty for tonight..

So the bike continued on through the park, eventually they finding a side exit and she wheeling it out onto the street after a small jump through the sidewalk and back to the asphalt.

Eyes look around the street... So far no other signs of pursuit. "My aim was to leave town before the sun came up. May have to revise my plans." a glance over her shoulder towards Jason. A brow arching. "Unless you are offering a place to crash." she asks, reving on the bike while she waits for the man's answer, still stopped in the middle of the street.

Jason Todd has posed:
If only Jason could read minds, he'd recognize that same struggle he faced, was he weaker for trying to live by Batman's rules. He wasn't sure but he did feel a little relief when Elektra opts not to kill the henchmen sent after them, which shows through the easing of his grip around her waist.

Out on the street, Jason finds himself nodding, "Yeah, I was. Figured it would be a good down payment for the shoes," he says, trying to keep things light. "Though fair warning, might not be quite up to your standards."

Elektra Natchios has posed:
There was always a choice. At least that much she was learning. Not that Elektra's habits were easy to break away from. Exhibit A: The supposed assassination she had led against Julius tonight. By now she imagined the man would be on the way to the hospital. But it wouldn't be enough. Still, she would wait the call from the Hand operative which had helped her tonight.. And then there was still the matter of -who- had warned off she was coming. But something for later.

For now she simply snorts, "I can imagine. But I have slept in places you probably can't even imagine." for the better or worse!

Yet then it's time to go. She gets the bike rolling. "Where to?" as she starts speeding up.

Jason Todd has posed:
Jason for his part hadn't fully reformed, if it had been Dick or Tim in that club they'd have probably let themselves get in trouble with the goons trying to save Julius' life once they realized what was going on. Jason though could live with it. If the scumbag died, so be it.

"Oh, can believe a lot when it comes to crappy places to live," Jason says, "But come on. You know Park Row? It's not far I'll show you the way."

And Jason does guiding Elektra through the city to the Park Row neighborhood better known to Gothamites as Crime Alley. The neighborhood lived up to its name, even at this late hour the streets had their more share of streetwalkers, thugs, drunks and drug addicts working their respective trades. Jason guides the way through all of that to a worn down brownstone that's been converted into low rent apartments. "Let's park this thing around the back, so it's out of sight," he suggests, before showing her the way to the overgrown back lot where the other residents have parked their broken down cars.

Elektra Natchios has posed:
Not too much surprise on Elektra when Park Row is mentioned. Yes, she knew the city's neighborhoods. Part of the job afterall, knowing the places where she operated. Both in the past and perhaps in the future. So she led them towards the neighborhood, dark eyes tracing over the few people she found on the streets, trying to keep to the shadows. Yes, she knew these places well.

There's barely any sound coming now from Park Row to the exception of the occasional scream, the sounds of running. The very distant gunshot. And perhaps a siren to those cops crazy enough to attempt to get in here. All in all, not a pleasant place..

The engine dies once she parks the motobike on that overgrown back lot, behind one of the broken cars so as to keep it out of sight. She had lost her shoes, no point in losing the motobike too.

"Here we are." She glances about and then steps out of the bike, taking in a deep breath, finally starting to let the adrenaline simmer down. "I was expecting a cave or something. So unfortunate." a smirk creeping back to her expression.

Jason Todd has posed:
Park Row was home, not just now but when he was a child living on these streets, it sounds and people didn't frighten him. If anything he felt more comfortable here than he did at one of Bruce's fancy parties. He knew how things worked down here, people minded their own business and didn't care who you were as long as you didn't look like an easy mark. Despite their facy clothing, neither Jason or Elektra gave off that vibe.

As the motorcycle stops, Jason nods, and leads the way, saying, "Mind your feet," he says, as they cross the debris strewn ground to the back door of the building. He unlocks it and leads them up the stairs to the second floor and to the door of suite 2B which Jason unlocks and pushes open for Elektra.

Inside is a narrow brick walled apartment of a single room, a kitchenette jammed in beside the door, table that folded out next to a pair of mismatched chairs at in the center, and a pull down bed (still pulled down) by the window that overlooked the back lot. There was no signs of regular occupancy, except for the odd bit of clothing left here or there, and the big green duffle bag pushed against one wall. In all it had the look of a safehouse as much as anything.

Amused look on his face, Jason watches Elektra's reaction, echoing her early comment, "Here we are. Sadly not a cave or anything, even those are way too pricey in Gotham."

Elektra Natchios has posed:
Elektra was already making plans for next time. Have a backpack near the escape route with a change of clothes. And SHOES. That would work. For now, she had to dodge debris, broken bottles and even worse things. Still, she kept up, making her way over in a rather elegant manner. Somewhat contrasting to the rest of the neighborhood.

Not that she was fully trusting. She still had the small blade on her thigh. One she had picked up nimbly between fingertips, holding it close to her, hidden from sight. Just in case this was some ruse. Her eyes don't immediately go over to the apartment, staying on Jason as she walks in. Only finally does she look about.

"Safe house." She immediately recognizes those tells. Almost no occupancy. A bag ready to go. Yes, pretty much how she'd had done it.

"A good secondary exit out through the back lot. Not bad." she begins making her way around, watching here and there. Yes, she was thorough, making sure there were no surprises. Like other people waiting for her. "So, who exactly are you?" she asks, turning to face the man.

Jason Todd has posed:
As they reach the building Jason quips, "Would have offered to carry you, but you didn't seem the damsel type," he says about leaving her to pick her way through the debris before leading her upstairs.

When the door's opened Jason makes no threatening moves, he steps back, arms spread, he had a blade in his jacket, but he doesn't make a move for it. Letting Elektra decide if things were good or if they were going to throw down.

When she opts to enter and scope out the place, he nods, "Yeah, safe house seemed like the right move, don't want Julie's boys showing up at my door unannounced," or you know lead an assassin to where he really hung his hat at night.

Jason steps inside and closes the door after Elektra's question, he keeps his hands visible as he goes to the bag, "That depends on how much we want to share. The safe move is to keep things to Peter and Antonia, and leave it at that, but, you don't strike me as someone who plays things safe." He unzips the bag and produces a towel which he holds out to Elektra for her feet, nodding for her to grab a seat on the bed.

If she takes it or not, Jason rises, and moves to one of the chairs turning it backwards and straddling it. "But the Cliff's Notes version, is I'm a guy that hunts badguys, or at least did. Sort of in transition at the moment."

Elektra Natchios has posed:
"Wise." Is all Elektra says about no attempts of carrying her up those stairs. Because yes, -that- could had lead to a throw down. As it is she just examines the house, keeping the blade close to her. A small little thing but deadly in the right hands. And those seemed like the right hands.

After being apparently satisfied with the house she goes back closer to the man when the towel is offered, taking it with a nod and settling down on one of the chairs instead of the bed. Because doing what she's told has never been her thing.

She begins cleaning up her feet, not exactly a pair of dainty ones, but ones that have seen quite a few days out, walking bare-footed. But it's not too much of a surprise most likely.

"From Ms. Natchios to who I really am won't take much of a jump. Elektra."

Her eyes lift just so when Jason speaks about hunting badguys, mmm'ing thoughtfully. "In transition to who, or what?"

Jason Todd has posed:
Jason offers a nod about carrying her, and while he may not be aware of the knife hidden in the Elektra's nimble fingered hand, he senses that weighing look she gives him and gives her the time to process them both.

When she seems settled, he hands her the towel smiling when she grabs the chair, he does the same, leaving the folding table between them as she tends to her feet. The state of them says a lot about the woman who at first glance most would assume has never worked a day in her life. Let alone walk somewhere barefoot.

Elektra's first name gets flash of recognition in Jason's blue eyes, "That's a name I've heard," he says, respect in the way he says. "Sort of honoured you let me tag along then." He offers with a nod. "I've got people to protect, so I can't be as forthcoming, but you can call me Jason," he says before Elektra asks her question and Jason stands, still careful around this very dangerous woman. "Going to grab a drink, whiskey. Want some?" he asks her while mulling over the question. "And I'm not sure. Asked me two weeks ago, I'd have told you I was going to raise a gang and take the city away from the Batman and his crew, but things got complicated. Now," he glances back, spreading his hands. "No clue."

Elektra Natchios has posed:
"If I remember correctly you tagged in." Elektra says as a reminder at the fake-drunk impression, a brow arching amusedly. She isn't too surprised about her name having been heard. He seemed the type of man that didn't do things the 'good' way afterall. "Jason. Alright. Not too different from Peter." it doesn't seem to ring a bell to her. But then again, she doesn't go around knowing heroes or villains secret identities! At least not Gotham ones.

She finishes with her feet, running her fingertips over their base and then the top, letting out a sigh just before she gets back to her feet. "You got whiskey here? Smart." because one never knew how long they had to stay in a safe house. "It does make the time go faster." she walks over to the kitchenette, which is where she imagines the whiskey is.

"Complicated as in you got defeated by the Bat? What would you do with the city once you had in your hands?"

Jason Todd has posed:
"Sorry, best I can do," Jason says about the name. He does actually sound sorry about it too, despite the amusement dancing in his eyes as she brings up his little foray into heroism. "Right my white knighting," he says with a touch of laughter in his voice. "Or grey knighting, or whatever colour of knighting it was. So, not to pry, what's the story there? He cross you or was he just a job?" he asks.

"Thanks, been stuck in enough safehouses without booze to stash a bottle in them to pass the time," he says, before nodding to the cupboard above the somewhat compact fridge crammed into the corner of the kitchenette. "Up there. Should be clean glasses too if you want one."

As to the Bat? Jason nods, "Guess that's a fair assessment, yeah, I lost to him. Then after that I ran into some old friends, real do-gooders, you know how people like that can get in your head sometimes?"

He shakes his head. "And what would I do with it? Run it better than he did. He doesn't kill, that's a mistake, some people like Julie back there aren't going to learn, they're not going to change, and the only responsible thing to do is take them out. Can't hurt anyone if they're in a hole in the ground."

Elektra Natchios has posed:
Elektra makes her way over to the kitchenette, her dress swishing about her form, she reaching up to that cupboard and bringing out the bottle of whiskey. She drags out a couple of glasses, setting them on the counter and begins to pour. "A job. I suppose he crossed the wrong people." by her tone it does seem to know more than what she is saying though. "Does it matter in the end? He is dead, or will be soon enough." a dispassionate tone to her voice. She finishes pouring the glasses, picking one up. And of course, just as she does she offers the man the same kind of smile she did when she saw Julius taking that drink earlier. Eery! Or probably just trying to unsettle Jason.

"Yes, got an idea how annoying those kind of people can be." Damn do-gooders.. She knew them just way too well. "So they are trying to convert you, is it?" some amusement. "You don't seem to be too convinced just yet."

She swirls the drink between fingertips, not yet taking a drink, just watching. "Some say it can hurt your own soul when you begin killing too much. Or maybe it's just the first that does. From then on ..." she trails off, lifting her shoulders in a shrug.

Jason Todd has posed:
Jason does take a moment to watch Elektra walk past and his eyes follow her to the kitchenette. Jason moves to lean on the counter taking the drink when it's offered, brows raising at the look Elektra gives him. His eyes glance down at the glass, "Guess not," he says of what happened to Julius mattering or not. He takes a drink, meeting Elektra's gaze as the alcohol burns its way down his throat.

If it's poison, she's got him. But then there were plenty of other chances to kill him earlier and he was alive so far.

"Yeah, they've tried, in the most insidious manner possible, being nice to me. Speeches, or yelling I could take, but they seem to like me and trust me, despite all the horrible shit I tried to do to them," he says shaking his head. "It makes no sense, but at the same time it gets in my head in a way all that other crap wouldn't."

He shoots Elektra a look, as if to see if she understood what he meant, he slides his glass over for a second. "I know this is bad discipline," he remarks, "Inviting strange assassins to your safehouse and drinking more than they do, but figured if you wanted me dead I'd be dead by now. Just wanted to say that in case you thought I was a total scrub at this stuff." There's a faint smirk at his own words then, he considers Elektra's.

"I've heard that said, dunno what I believe there, it definitely gets easier. It took me awhile to work up to my first, I knew he was a scumbag, I'd made my plan, but I kept calling it off. In the end though I was glad I did it. The guy didn't deserve to breathe the same air as the rest of us, and after that it got easier." At least until he came back home and met his family again, face to face. "How was it for you?"

Elektra Natchios has posed:
"Bit of a deathwish in you as well." Elektra comments when Jason gets to drinking the whiskey, she continuing her slow swirl of her whiskey before tipping her head back and downing the whiskey in one go. It does indeed burn the throat, Elektra making a face. "Good stuff.." and after tonight she was needing it..

She stays near the counter, her back against it, arms folding over her waist, listening, the nod she giving showing she understood what he meant. And maybe she suffered some of the same. But that was life. "I know how that is, being unable to shake those people that care. You don't look too upset with it." she comments, again that half-smirk creeping up to her expression, amused, deadly eyes continuing their examination of the young man.

She listens to how he describes that first kill, considering whether to share her own experience or not but eventually she does so. "Survival." a simple word, but full of meaning. "There was a choice between life or death. I chose the former."

Jason Todd has posed:
Jason shrugs, "Could say that," he says of his deathwish. "Besides, die once and it seems a whole lot less scary," he offers before downing his glass as well.

Reaching for the bottle. "Another?" he asks Elektra as he fills his own glass again. He needed it too after a whole string of crappy and confusing nights.

"Don't I?" Jason asks about looking not to upset about it. "It's messing with my head something fierce, but yeah, I guess there's a part of me that doesn't mind it. Nice to know they care I guess, not that I'm going to let them know," that last is said with a smirk, in part for what he said and in part because he noticed that examination. "Like what you see or searching me for weapons?" he teases before he takes a sip of his drink.

"Good choice," he says of her first kill. "Never get why anyone would think not killing and being killed for it is the right choice there, but I know some people who'd probably lecture me on how I'm wrong about that." He snorts a laugh.

Elektra Natchios has posed:
The refill is welcome, Elektra lifting her glass up to get some more though this time she doesn't down it all at once, resting it against the crook of her arm. "Die once?" the makes her lift a curious brow at it. "What's the story there?" because indeed she knew a few things, like Nobu the thrice-lived rumor of many lives and some other mysticism related to the Hand. "Because you certainly don't look like a ghost." though the gleam on her eye seems telling, her surprise being more on how Jason would know about dying and returning than exactly that it could exist.

"I'd need to do a more through examination to find them all. But I got a good idea of where they are by now." she snorting after her response and finally taking some more of that whiskey, downing half of her glass. "It is ever the problem with these dresses, not enough space for all my needs."

"And it's probably the same kind of people that would tell you there's always a choice between killing or not. Many have not been put in that situation. Some have though, and then turn either towards stopping killing completely or they turn like me." She lifts her shoulders in another shrug. "But at least we get to live in another night."

Jason Todd has posed:
Jason fills Elektra's glass, and smiles. "I dunno, been out so much at night lately I could be pale as one," he remarks of being a ghost, putting down the bottle and letting laying his arm down on the counter by Elektra's and pulling back his sleeve a bit. Really, though he's not that pale, if several shades lighter than Elektra. "But yeah, died, buried, came back to life. No clue why, used to think it was for revenge, or to wipe out criminals, but if I'm truthful that's just me projecting. I honestly have no clue why or how I came back, and that's after a year of the League of Assassins trying to figure it out." He shrugs. "Big into immortality those guys."

At this point the booze was loosening his lips and truth be told he didn't mind giving away the League's secrets, he didn't owe them anything by his estimation.

He downs half his glass as well, "Well be my guest," he says of the examination. "And I bet, it does fit you rather closely for hiding stuff," he says eyeing the dress. "Definitely a look though, if you don't mind me saying."

"Definitely those people. The ones that tell me that, they've been in it, had to choose, they chose the other way, not killing, it's going to get them killed probably, unless they've got backup like me around." He nods then. "That we do," he lifts his glass. "To another night?" he offers.

Elektra Natchios has posed:
"You are with the League as well..?" Perhaps a slip-up, as if Elektra had met someone else here in Gotham, or even more than one person, that was with them. The rumors were there, and now she apparently had confirmation that the Hand weren't the only ones having found a way to bring someone back. Or at least part of that person. Because who knows how much of them stayed behind? "Everyone wants to live forever apparently. A bit overrated in my opinion." a laugh leaving her lips. She was a survivor, doesn't mean she didn't want to go when her time was up.

"So you are the guy that does the hard stuff that the others don't want to get involved in. Yes, I know very well how that can be." she lifts her own glass up to clink with Jason's.

"Yes, to another night. All we can hope for." and then she finishes with the whiskey. It does indeed feel good to be alive.