Owner	Pose
Ra's al Ghul	The call to action went out two days ago. Messengers were dispatched the world over to bring word to a select few of a meeting to be held in Switzerland. It was short notice, but the parties in question were capable sorts. They could move meetings around on a whim, and nobody would dare complain. Nestled above the Reichenbach Falls in Switzerland is a castle. Old, weathered, and looking as if it was hewn from the very mountainside, it has sat there for centuries, casting a grim shadow over the village behind. Though it's often left unoccupied, there's a busy air about the place today and guards and workers are shuffling to and fro in anticipation of the guests. Ra's al Ghul is standing out on the meeting room's balcony, a heavy robe draped over his suit to fend off the cold as he pays close attention to the sound of the falls below. His companions will be arriving shortly.
Black Adam	YESTERDAY Black Adam, sovereign of Khandaq is handed a sealed envelope. His expression doesn't change, save for the barest flicker of an eye. Annoyance, perhaps. He opens it and reads once. Then again. The fine paper immolates in his hand, becoming so much dust in seconds. NOW One moment, The Demon is alone on the balcony. The next, Black Adam hovers before him, arms folded across his chest, his expression a scowl. It's always a scowl. Don't sweat it. "My presence is a courtesy. I agree to nothing. Yet."
Sebastian Shaw	The message was received by Tessa, who made the determination that it merited the attention of Sebastian Shaw. Messages from the fathers of the women in his club come in from time to time and are usually dealt with summarily and with a certain degree of financial compensation as par for the course, but when one arrives from one of his trusted advisors, it merits additional consideration. "Pack your bags," he tells her. "It is time we visited the Hellfire Club in the Alps." A pause. "And mix a little business with other business." At the appointed time, Sebastian Shaw arrives dresses as he often does - purple jacket, this time with bold black filigree, lace spilling out from the sleeves and collar, black breeches, and boots.
The Joker	Joker can't teleport or fly or even walk out of the shadows like a wraith in the night. So he goes the other extreme; Joker and Ra's rarely work together and the Clown Prince of Crime is genuinely intrigued as to why the Demon's Head is slumming it today. So he takes the Jokercopter, his boy Johnny Frost piloting; the Jokercopter is a bright purple helicopter with a giant, gastly image of Joker's face taking up the entire front, and the giant letters "J O K E R" on both sides of the tail, in case it wasn't obvious. Frost lands the bird expertly, and Joker hops off. Joker's dressed in a stark white suit, black silk shirt, and bone white tie, long and skinny. His cufflinks are the four card suits, and he's wearing a silver Joker face tie clip. The clown's wrapped in an oversized beaver pelt coat he frequents for cold climbs, and takes a minute to look over the falls. "World's greatest criminal mastermind." Joker says to himself, rictus grin twitching in some private amusement. "Hilarious." Walking into the castle, Joker is all smiles, waving his arms in the air as though he was old friends with everyone in the room. "Ra's old sport, look at you! Still breathing and everything, HA! Shaw it's been ages since you've thrown me out of a building you've owned, still self hating? And..." Joker trails off, looking up at Black Adam. "I want to say 'The Neck'. Weren't you just on TV?"
Ra's al Ghul	"Of course, Teth-Adam," Ra's says, gesturing for the man to join him in the fireplace-warmed conference room. The large table therein provides amble space for them all with room for more should a time arise when more are welcome. Antiques litter the room, ranging from suits of armor from long-forgotten wars to huge sprawling maps scrawled with ancient borders. The guards will welcome Shaw and The Joker with a trained respect and direct them to the conference room. Once they're all gathered, Ra's will approach the conference table, making a point to not stand at the head of it, but to the side, and look to them all. Joker manages to elicit a grin from the man, likely the first he's cracked since returning from the dead. "Gentlemen. I'm glad that you could all join me today," he begins, lifting a be-ringed finger to rest upon the surface of the heavy oaken table. "None of you is a fool, despite some outward appearances, and I think you've all managed to parse out why we're gathered here. While we have each strived, on our own, to meet the goals we've set out for ourselves, we often find ourselves outmatched by Leagues, Avengers, Defenders, Titans, what have you. It is long past the time that we should...form a society of our own," he says, looking to their faces to read any reactions thereupon."
Black Adam	Adam, being Adam, does not light on the ground until he has deigned to sit at the massive table. His eyes flicker at the head of it, but this is another man's home. One does not presume too much, even if you are full of Godly Might. His sitting posture reads as uncomfortable, but in control. He is not used to being in someone else's domain for things other than shocking and terrible violence. He is not sure he likes it. The Joker's comment just gets a look. He has never met the Clown, but he has heard tales. Whatever prowess and madness he has, The Joker is still just a man. Still, one must have manners, and he inclines his head ever so slightly to both Shaw and the Joker. "A counter to the forces arrayed against our persons and interests. The idea has merit."
Sebastian Shaw	The Black King regards Ra's al Ghul with a an even expression as he outlines his aspirations. "You realize of course I already have a secret society at my disposal, one in which your daughter serves quite capably." He looks to Black Adam and then to Joker before returning his gaze to Ra's Al Ghul. "What is the possible gain that you see in exchange for the increased risk I would be taking on by exposing myself and my operations to...unreliable...allies." His gaze drifts over towards the Clown Prince of Crime as he speaks the last words.
The Joker	"What, no canapes? I thought you medieval types lived for week long meetings with a boar hunt and a round of droit d'sanguer." Joker says; he can be surprisingly difficult to read, with his face defaulting to a wide grin. It hadn't been fully trapped there in years, Joker has access to the full library of human expression, but the old venom still makes his default expression a broad, mirthless smile. Adam gets a head tilt at his lack of reaction. Shaw, there's familiar ground. "Oh, Sebby, if everyone with a Manhattan penthouse is a member of your club, is it really all that secret? This isn't the first time Talia's changed teams to tweak daddy off, I hope you didn't give her the key to the good sex dungeon." Pulling a cigar out of his pocket, Joker offers the pack around to see if anyone's interested or if Ra's will beg off. Old man, old lungs after all. "Oh, this pitch? I've got to admit I'm flattered, Ra's, usually only Luthor invites me to these things."
Ra's al Ghul	"And my League of Assassins has sprawled the globe for five hundred years," Ra's bites back at Sebastian. "Teth-Adam has a kingdom dedicated to his Godhood. The Joker commands the respect of every thug and miscreant the world over." He pauses for effect. "And we all have an exceptional habit of stepping on each other's toes and getting in each other's way," Ra's continues. "I do not expect that we should all leave this room as friends or beg each other for permission to complete what we decide must be done. But a mutual network wherein plans are discussed and...conflicts are avoided is to our benefit." Ra's' green eyes rest on Joker for a moment, lifting a hand to reject the offered cigar. His body is a temple, after all. An ancient one that requires constant upkeep. "I have no interest in forcing cooperation. If you are not interested..." he lifts a hand in a slow gesture towards the exit.
Black Adam	"The timing of your request, Master al Ghul, seems to be favored by the Gods," Adam says, looking thoughtful. "As I have just opened the borders of Khandaq to all who flee persecution of nation-states who do not allow them to be who they are." They can be in Khandaq. As long as they keep it in their pants while in the country. He looks to Shaw, the corner of his lip twitching ever so slightly upwards. "And the one who claims to be queen of your people seemed to feel threatened by my decree. I wonder why that is." As for the cigar, Adam simply lifts one hand in a polite gesture of refusal. The Joker will find that, when he goes to smoke one himself, it lights on its own. Maybe this musclebound jerk isn't so bad after all.
The Joker	"Magneto's gone soft." Joker says, looking right at Shaw. "Brainiac's slaughter broke him. His assets practically have giant yellow Xes on them these days. Which means Xavier has time to look for the kind of people he doesn't approve of that are a little subtler than old buckethead. I'm not an expert on the psychic wars your crowd indulge in, but I have heard what a killer Charlie X used to be when his morals were tweaked enough. Something about a trail of bodies scattered through the middle east?" Joker blinks as a genuine wizard lights his smoke. "Golly, Tex, and I didn't bring my thank you card." Joker's eyes narrow slightly as he tries to figure out the Demon's Head's angle. Then he snorts a laugh, sending a smoke ring in the air. It's shaped, somehow, like an abstract bat. Joker waves it away, briefly furious. "You're up to something, old man. But you're right. Crime needs a kick in the pants! Hell with it, I'm in. I need something to keep my mind sharp while the Bat's busy finding new kinds of birds to name his latest batch of loser strays." Joker sticks his tongue out at the thought. "I bet some aren't even orphaned!"
Sebastian Shaw	An inclination of his head towards Ra's. "So you speak rather of an alliance for aid, a confederation of intent." He nods slowly. "That does have considerable merit. Ensuring that we are not targeting the same objective to waste resources that are better spent on our foes than our ... " Shaw pauses, seeking out a word and failing. "...foes' foes " "I would enter into such a pact. It seems sensible enough and it does not increase any risk." Turning his gaze towards Black Adam, Shaw laughs. "She is no queen of mine. She is the ruler of an enclave of cowards who are afraid to take their proper place in this world."
Ra's al Ghul	"Teth-Adam's refusal of punitive extradition is a boon, one that will no doubt benefit all of our organizations with the proper coordination. In the spirit of give and take, I will also extend an offer to each of you to take advantage of mine and the League's resources; information and the subtle application of knives in the dark. Within reason," Ra's says, eyes lingering on Joker as the man speaks to some ulterior motive. Of course there's an ulterior motive. Everybody in this room has one. It is their way. Ra's begins a slow walk around the table, his heavily ringed hand gripping The Joker's shoulder for a tight but quick squeeze before it's gone. As stated, they do not often work together, but they share more enemies than the rest of the room. He reaches the head of the table and stands up straighter, adjusting the lapel of the long cloak he's wearing. "We are of one accord, then." Basically. "Let us celebrate," he says, snapping his fingers. A quartet of servants seemingly spring from the ether, each setting a glass on the table in front of one of the four men. It's contents are some obnoxiously old and yet somehow not yet toxic vintage of wine. Ra's lifts his glass in a silent toast to the others.
Black Adam	Black Adam nods once. "I will add my strength to this endeavor. Khandaq is open to your use," he says, pointedly looking at the Joker as the wine is passed out. "Do as you will outside the borders." His gaze then sweeps across the other two. Because fair is fair. "Should harm come to my people from actions of your agents," he says trailing off. He picks up the glass of wine, examining it, or seeming to. "Well, it has been some time since I have given my people the show of a public execution." He then drinks the wine without fear. The Stamina of Shu will keep him safe.
Sebastian Shaw	"I think that this is an excellent plan, now that we have heard some more details." Sebastian Shaw looks among the three, and considers. "As you know, the Hellfire Club is welcoming to each of you." He casts a glance over towards the Joker. "Provided you can behave within its walls." He inclines his head slowly. "As always, you can available yourselves of our hospitality, but also I will be sure to communicate what our initiatives are so that we do not play in each other's backyards." He reclines in his seat. "I am sure we could also arrange for private parties or exhibits of our staff, if there was value in it to you."
The Joker	"Gentlemen, my reputation precedes me. I don't kill people at random." Joker explains, sitting down as the booze, finally, comes out. It'd be nice to have broken shadow people who came when he snapped his fingers, Joker thinks, looking at wine so old it should be vinegar. Maybe he'll make some. "I kill people when it's funny. It's an appreciable difference, I assure you." Joker's grin twitches a little more, as he feels the familiar rush of the great game. "Here's to crime."
Ra's al Ghul	Lifting the cup to his lips in a show of solidarity, Ra's drinks deep and sets it aside. "As a show of good faith, I will reveal one of my current plans to you," he says, sliding the side of his cloak back and leaning forward to have a half-seat on the table's edge. "The Green Arrow, Starling City's most stalwart defender and member of the Justice League...killed a man on my behalf today. It is my intention to train the man in the ways of an Assassin and use him as a tool to enact my will," Ra's says. If he was capable of showing pride, he'd be showing it right now. "I ask, of course, that none of you of you interferes with the man or Starling City over the course of the next few weeks. It would prove...counterproductive to me if his attention were to be split during this crucial time," he explains, something approaching a smile leveled at the rest of them. He gestures for any of them to join in on the sharing, if they'd like.
Black Adam	Adam raises one eyebrow at the confession of The Demon. "Interesting," he says. "And here I was led to believe that your interests were more ... chiropteran." Was ... That a joke? "I have no active ... schemes beyond letting my country become a safe haven for the like minded and powerful. Their ill gotten money will flow through Khandaq's economy, bringing prosperity." Kind of a one track mind, here.
Sebastian Shaw	"I will ensure that none of our operations target Starling City, as you request," offers Sebastian Shaw, inclining his head towards Ra's al Ghul. He looks to Black Adam. "Likewise, I do not see us intervening in Khandaq." He is silent for a moment, before continuing. "The Hellfire Club has arranged to receive considerable intelligence on the comings and goings of all craft at the Starport. I cannot advise how, but we will have access to all logs and all manifests. I ask that you do not disrupt its operations. And offer, in return, to share that information with you, should there be anything you would find useful, at the same cost that we face. Which, I assure you, is quite reasonable given the value of that information in our new world state."
The Joker	"I'm going to blind Batman." Joker says, after a moment, having raised an eyebrow at Ra's effortlessly turning a charter member of the League. Guess we are getting serious. "Metaphorically. Bats, ecolocation. They need systems to function. It's an evolutionary flaw." "Then I'll sell how I did it to the highest bidder, naturally. A man needs his pocket money."
Ra's al Ghul	"One must diversify on occasion," Ra's answers Adam, a ghost of a grin on his lips. "Very good," he offers at the information that's already being bandied about. "This has been a promising beginning," he admits, moving back to his feet. "But I'm afraid I must call our inauguration to a close. Pressing matters in the States demand my attention, and I wouldn't deign to keep any of you from the same," he says. "Do not hesitate to reach out to me, if necessary," he say, gesturing easily to the door. It's more congenial than the last time he did so.
Black Adam	This was ... productive. A surprise. Adam pulls a Batman, which is likely not appreciated. One moment he is seated in his chair, the next he is gone with only a breeze to say anything even happened. Wizards, man.
Sebastian Shaw	Again, Sebastian nods. "You know where to find me." He inclines his head towards Ra's. "Thank you for assembling this group." With that, he turns to depart, as well.