19329/A Headless Inquiry

A Headless Inquiry
Date of Scene:	20 October 2024
Location:	Batcave
Synopsis:	Batman and Batgirl discuss a recent encounter with the - or an - alleged Headless Horseman. Batman suggests a point of contact for Batgirl and Red Hood to seek out for paranormal or occult consultation.
Cast of Characters:	Bruce Wayne, Barbara Gordon

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Bruce Wayne has posed:
Aside from the quiet rush of wind traveling within the caverns beneath Wayne Manor, the Batcave is an otherwise quiet place. The soft rumble created by the wind is only periodically interrupted by a soft beep from one of the command and control terminals. That same beep echoes throughout the caverns and is often answered by the soft squeaks of one nocturnal mammal or another. Batman's present within the Batcave tonight, even if it is without his cape and cowl. He's dressed in his gear, though his head is left bare and his blue eyes seem to be skimming one of the terminal monitors. He shifts in his seat and the chair makes a soft squeak before his suit ever does. The sound of quiet footsteps approaching from behind results in his chair shifting further and Batman rising up to his feet. While Batman may stand before Batgirl, it's Bruce Wayne's face that confronts her. His brow etched with the tell-tale lines of a frown, his jaw set within the typical grim countenance of Batman, and his lips pressed into a flat line.

"Barbara," he greets her with the face of Bruce, but the voice of the Dark Knight. He shifts then in order to gesture toward the monitor before his chin shifts, directing his gaze back toward Batgirl as his question follows upon his blue-eyed stare settling heavily upon her once again, "Have there been any further developments on this apparent Headless Horseman incident?"

The question is left to hang between them, awaiting an answer. Somewhere deeper within the caverns the sudden screech of an annoyed bat could very well act as an answer, but it doesn't seem to be the one that Batman's seeking tonight.

Barbara Gordon has posed:
On the far parking platform, BArbara's smaller Batmobile is parked next to Bruce's much more intimidating variant, though both look as related to one another, as Batgirl and Batman do in their armored suits. Barbara was in hers as well, though she still had her cape on. Her helmeted mask had been removed, on her way toward Bruce's location, held in her right hand, she offers him a small smile when she stops, and he rises up.

"Nothing as exciting as the sighting itself." she replied to him, as she glanced toward one of his large screens, and the footage is brought up without her having to do anything physically... Her mind was linked to the Bat computers, and with that neural link implant inside her head? She operated the machines with her mind alone.

The footage that she recorded with her Batmobile, her drones, and her own suit camera, was all being displayed, of the impressive Headless Horseman rider, causing all manner of mayhem to both she and Jason's vehicles.

"I can't get my head around why the Headless Horseman, with that kind of ability, would be bumming around the city, robbing liquor stores and convenient stores. But, I saw it with my own two eyes. It was as real, as anything else we deal with." She said, her green eyes going back to Bruce, as she walked toward the terminals, her free hand going up to rustle her long fiery red hair behind her shoulders, the light from the screens bathing her front profile in a warm glow.

Bruce Wayne has posed:
Bruce's expression remains stern, but impassive. He wears the look of a disapproving father exceptionally well. While the footage plays and replays, Batman's eyes remain resting upon the monitors that showcase the captured footage. A nod is given that's more than likely intended for Barbara and, ultimately, more than likely intended to signal that he's seen enough. The footage could be shut off at any moment, judging by the way that Bruce's shoulders shift and direct his attention away from the monitors, then back toward Batgirl. He considers the fiery red haired vigilante before Bruce's powerful arms lift, cross over his chest, and his chin lowers slightly in order to bring his gaze an inch or two downward to meet her own, "What's your analysis: supernatural or less than it seems?"

Batman's gaze shifts toward the monitors for one last glimpse, though it holds for only a pair of seconds before Bruce's watchful blue eyes turn back to rest upon Barbara.

Barbara Gordon has posed:
Babs stood with Batman on her left side, her eyes up on the footage playing in a few different windows, for a little while longer. It wasn't until he asked that last question, that she took her eyes off of the screen, and the windows blinked out of existence again, just after the Horseman had vanished in the alleyway. She was clearly considering his question, and her green eyes even looked away, toward a distant thought that was not even sharing the room with them.

When her green eyes flickered back up to his own, she shook her head in a ghostly motion. "It has to be paranormal. What it did, with the pumpkins? The fire, the smoke? Then just up and vanishing down that cobblestone old road? It has to be something connected to that specific spot. I just haven't figured out what, yet. Maybe... maybe the old tales from Sleepy Hollow managed to make its way here too? New York is obviously not that far away, maybe it's not that far fetched a thought. Ya know, as far as far fetched headless horsemen, throwing fiery pumpkins off of demonic steeds go."

She smirked at him, in an expression that might make Bruce think of Babs when she'd first came in to his little team here, when she was in her late teens.

She turned back to the monitors, and placed her free hand up on the back of one of the chairs.

"Whatever it was, it was as dangerous as a lot of the other psychos we are always dealing with. Tis the season, I guess..."

Bruce Wayne has posed:
Silence reigns on the part of Bruce while Barbara answers. He doesn't nod along or send thoughtful glances her way. Instead the Capeless Crusader stands with his powerful arms crossed and his expression grim, while his eyes remain cast toward the monitors despite the fact that the footage has ceased to replay. Barbara's words are heard despite the fact that Bruce seems to show no outward sign of their reception or acknowledgment. He simply listens and absorbs. No doubt he's chewing over the footage in his own mind, considering it at lightning speed and more than likely forming his own conclusions. Judging by his answer though, Batman's own conclusions align with Batgirl's, "I agree. I'm willing to accept that there's a reasonable explanation that evidence can reveal. Scarecrow's fear gas, pyrotechnics, and everything else. Fooling both of you would require more of an undertaking that even a small team could manage".

His words are an indirect compliment for Barbara and Jason, even if he doesn't pay it directly. Or with much warmth. Batman's in the office, despite his mask and cape resting only a few paces away.

"I'll keep analyzing the evidence and look for the rational explanation. For now you should rally the Red Hood and pay a visit to a man named John Constantine. You'll find information on him in the Bat Computer," Batman remarks in his same grim voice. He shifts slightly and begins to move toward his chair again, one heavy hand coming to rest upon its back in order to shift it around as though he's preparing to seat himself.

"If you don't know him already, he has substantial presence in the world of the occult. You may be able to provide information pertaining to this matter or even help guide you toward seeing the matter dealt with," Bruce's chin shifts and his gaze rests flat and cold upon Barbara. He's clearly awaiting her answer to his suggestion.

Barbara Gordon has posed:
Barbara taps her gloved fingers on the back of the chair's headrest, the chair that Batman did not normally occupy. She drew her eyes off of his computer screens again, as he made the recommendation of John. "I've seen him from afar, I think, just recently in fact. The demonic attack at Bryant Park in Manhattan. I flew my Batwing there to help them. He was there. I recognized his face from some Justice League roster profiles in my database. I didn't speak to him though. That entire incident was a bit... more than I prefer to deal with, when it comes to the occult. This seems to be a growing element of what we're up against, though, Bruce." She said, using his name since he was not in the cowl.

She bit down on her bottom lip, and considered something for a second, before another thought hit her mind. "Oh," she moved and glanced down at her left hip, her hand dropped from the chair to fish something out of one of the containers on her gold yellow belt. She lifted up a small plastic container, and offered it to him. "Here is a sample of the rider's pumpkin weapons. I thought you might want to look it over. You're far better at this variety of investigation, than I am." She complimented him as he took his seat again.

"I'll grab Jason, and see if we can't track down this Constantine fellla though."

Bruce Wayne has posed:
"Then you're familiar at least. Good," Bruce answers with a stoic nod as he begins to settle himself into his chair again. He doesn't turn it back to his monitors however. One of his compatriots is in the cave and immediately present. He doesn't turn away for now. Instead his attention remains fixed upon Barbara, even as she now stands higher than his own seated position. He nods once with the explanation that she offers and her commentary regarding the increasing amount of occult and otherwise paranormal experiences that they've confronted of late is given a solemn nod of acknowledgment, even if he never truly verbally answers the point that is made.

He begins to shift back toward the monitors after the brief moment of silence. He pauses however when Barbara's metaphorical light bulb alights and the sound that often accompanies such a spark of revelation or memory practically echoes into the cavern. He looks expectant, even if the same dose of grim, when Barbara steps forward with the offered sample. He collects it within his palm and his fingers fold up around it, like thick tendrils or petals seeking to encompass the small plastic container within their protective embrace, "I appreciate the evidence. It's important to collect and analyze it, no matter how certain we are of our suspicions or hunches," he seems to casually remind her, himself, and the spiritual presence of his adopted children and beyond.

The plastic container is placed upon the desk that sits before his bank of monitors, though he does spare a brief moment to consider its contents. It doesn't last for long however before Batman's head shifts and his blue eyes rise up to seek out Barbara anew, "While you do that I'll analyze this sample. I'll let you know what I may or may not discover."

Bruce pauses for a moment and his hand lifts, as though signaling Barbara to remain a moment more. It's then that he grimly reminds her, "Be careful, Barbara. Signal all of us if you need us."

Barbara Gordon has posed:
For everyone in the Bat family, Barbara was probably considered the most vulnerable to enemies. Not just because of what happened to her a decade ago, but because her combat skills were rooted in her training as a kid, in local fighting tournaments, trained by local martial artists. Bruce had certainly upped her game, once he took her under his wing, but she'd missed ten years of that training while in her wheelchair. She's still one of the most capable fighters in Gotham City, but of the Bats? She's on the lower end of the skill and talent, when it came to protecting herself.

She knew it, too, which is partly why she had a flock of highly armed drones flying over her all the time. She was the 'Tech Knight' in the group, and her ability to engineer technology to aid her was her greatest defense. From her own armored car, parked not too far away, to those drones, to the GGE Blimp-- which had a growing arsenal of its own-- to a small Bat-wing that parked on top of the blimp's superstructure. Babs made up for any combat weaknesses, in her technology arsenal.

Still, though, she showed him a grin. "I'm always careful, Bruce." She said in a low tone of her feminine voice. She stepped over to him, and placed a gloved hand on his shoulder, showing the older man a bit of affection, since he meant the world to her. He had been her idol since she was quite young, afterall. "Are you well?" She asked him. "Need anything from upstairs? I might go bother Alfred for a bit."

Bruce Wayne has posed:
Bruce's gaze remains fast upon Barbara while he watches her seemingly consider his words for a flicker of a moment. The grin that accompanies her answer seems to allay some of the unspoken concerns of the Caped Crusader and he offers her a stern nod in return. It seems, for the moment at least, that Batgirl has assuaged his unspoken worries. Not that Batman ever worries. Following his stern nod, Bruce answers back at her own assurance, "I know you will be. A little reminder never hurts". Then it seems that a little Bruce Wayne finally puts a few cracks in the veneer of Batman. A small smile grows at the corners of his mouth and it only seems to grow, both in its strength and its confidence. Not in himself, but in Barbara's answer.

Though she promptly turns the tables on himself and the question of his own wellness, no doubt on many different physical and metaphysical levels, results in Bruce considering her question. His brow furrows anew and his chin shifts, directing his gaze toward the blanked monitors. He seems to consider not only their featureless surface, but also the warped reflection of himself and his surroundings within them. He finally nods in time with his gaze shifting back toward Barbara, his nod continuing a moment or two more as though to truly drive the point home, "I'm doing well enough. Many are turning their attentions to the stars and may be letting their slipping in their obligations here. We have to keep Gotham secure though and help when, where we're able. Me? Even if I'm not doing well, there's work to be done."

He goes quiet then. Without a doubt he's considering Barbara's follow-up question and his expression softens yet further and a slight shake of his head is given in answer to the matter of needing anything from the surface, "I've got everything I need down here. It's getting cooler down here since autumn's arrived. I'd rather keep Alfred upstairs. Let him enjoy the warmth," Bruce answers without directly acknowledging Alfred's growing years.

Barbara Gordon has posed:
Barbara knew Bruce well enough, to know that he would turn her down for the offer. Once she did get upstairs, Alfred would likely have something ready to bring down to Bruce anyway, though. She'd been around here long enough to know how it worked. She stood beside his chair a moment, and glanced toward the screens again, seeing the reflections of them both in the mirror finish of the large displays.

"Sometimes it clears the head best, to take a step out of our element, and slip on something new. We all need a little warmth, to endure the cold that much more easily." She told him, showing him another light grin, and giving his shoulder another soft squeeze.

"I'm sure I'll be back down here with a large stack of pancakes, or waffles, or a turkey club sandwich, soon. So don't get too comfortable." She warned him, as she turned to walk toward the steps back down to the catwalk that spanned between the multiple platforms, headed for the wardrobe area, since one could not just waltz up in to the Manor in full Bat-armor!

"Hey, maybe we'll tangle with Frankenstein next. Or a Mummy. It's that time of year, right?" She called back over her shoulder, her voice gently echoing through the immense chamber of the cavern around them.

Bruce Wayne has posed:
The commentary that Barbara provides on shaking things up or stepping from the usual routine doesn't earn a verbal response from Bruce. Nor does he look after her anew. He watches himself in the blank monitors and simply nods his response. It's a slow, purposeful response at that. The sort that one may give to acknowledge that they've heard the message loud and clear, but don't necessarily place much stock in it. Though Bruce Wayne is glimpsed again when by the end his shoulders rise slightly with a shallow shrug and his head tilts aside, as though indicating some novelty to the idea. Even if it's similar to the sort that Alfred's preached for over two decades now. Hearing it from a different voice may very well lend further credence to it.

The warning of impending delivery and service results in Bruce's chair shifting and soundlessly turning a few scant degrees to his right. He spares a glance toward his shoulder as he watches Barbara's retreat and considers her threat. Finally he calls after her, a subdued smile threatening his otherwise stern expression, "Really, don't bother Alfred on my behalf. It's late and he should retire early," Bruce seems to appeal to Barbara's sense of humanity. Even if it's for Bruce's own manipulative gain.

Though he never truly answers the matter of other threats from the world of the paranormal, Bruce's quiet huff of amusement can barely be heard by the time Barbara's making good her retreat into the ready room. Afterward Bruce shifts away and again returns his attention to his blank monitors, his expression as grim as before as a keystroke brings the monitors back to life and the data that previously resided there, flashes to life anew.