[COLOR=SLATEGRAY][INDENT][B][SUP][SUB][H3] P R E S E N T[/H3][/SUB][/SUP][/B][/INDENT][hr][/COLOR] [CENTER][IMG]http://i.imgur.com/6P2GNLE.png?1[/IMG][/CENTER][COLOR=DARKSLATEBLUE][INDENT][B][SUP][SUB][H3]G O T H A M C I T Y[/H3][/SUB][/SUP][/B][/INDENT][hr][/COLOR][INDENT][sup][color=silver]March 15[sup]th[/sup], 2017 - 6:02 PM | [i]Park Row aka Crime Alley[/i][/color][/sup][/INDENT] [INDENT][INDENT]Rain splattered against the face of Richard Grayson's helmet as he guided his motorcycle along the street of aging Victorian era townhouses. Among the buildings was one particularly impressive estate that had been converted into apartments during an early Wayne Industries' affordable housing project while Bruce's father, Thomas Wayne, was still alive. Bringing the motorcycle to a stop outside of the building, Dick dropped the kickstand, disengaging the engine as he felt Kori's arms relax before the two figures stood up from the small vehicle. A shiver ran down Dick's spine as he approached the house, Kori's body followed suit as it tensed up. Rain turned to small pellets of steam as it collided with her skin, her alien physiology already acting defensively. Gotham had numerous notorious locales among it, but none so notorious as Park Row. Better known to the people of Gotham as Crime Alley, Park Row was plagued with an ever present criminal element, and the Park Row Apartments were no different. Ever since the 1900's the building had been associated with several grim murders and even a couple of serial killers. These occurrences died down in wake of the conversion to apartments, but even still, a crawling sensation of darkness hung over the place as the influence of the penthouse tenant seeped into the building. [COLOR=STEELBLUE][B]"Remember, he's a friend."[/B][/COLOR] Dick said as he began climbing the steps to the front door. [COLOR=9966CC][B]"Be that as it may, this place is still unnerving."[/B][/COLOR] Koriand'r replied, her arms crossing as a shiver traveled down her own spine. [COLOR=STEELBLUE][B]"Well he is a demonologist."[/B][/COLOR] Dick replied, a small smirk crossing his face in an attempt the lighten the mood. [COLOR=STEELBLUE][B]"But if we're going to have any hope of finding Raven, then he's our best bet."[/B][/COLOR] A slight twinge of guilt found its way into Dick's chest as he spoke the words. When he left the Titans, several of his closest friends followed suit. Koriand'r departed Earth, and Raven took refuge in Azarath, no longer having the protection of her friends. Dick couldn't imagine what it'd be like to live one's life constantly on the run. He chose to live on the move, always looking forward, but Raven was trapped, constantly watching what was behind her. Her father needed her and she knew it, the Titans had managed to repel him once, but eventually Trigon was bound to return. Entering the building, Dick buzzed apartment 909 and leaned back. Kori's chest heaved up and down, a feeling of anxiety wafting off of the normally calm and collected Princess. Koriand'r was normally not one for fear, as a young girl her freedom had been traded for peace on Tamaran. Living deserted on an isolated world, Koriand'r grew up learning to ignore fear to survive, but now the feeling of the true raw unknown was making her skin crawl. The buzz of the door suddenly broke the silence as the pair shuffled inside. Walking through the main hallway, Kori couldn't help but admire the older craftsmanship in the building. Although there had been many renovations to turn the old estate into an apartment building, the antique styling had been kept in tact. Gothic finishes and dark colours chased away any remaining light from the windows as dim, aged bulbs flickered in the hallway adding to the already grim atmosphere. Pressing the call button for the elevator, Kori decided it was time to speak. [COLOR=9966CC][B]"You can't continue to blame yourself, Dick."[/B][/COLOR] A warm hand found its way to Dick's shoulder as he moved his eyes from the elevator doors to Kori's emerald gaze. [COLOR=9966CC][B]"You made a choice, I made a choice, and so did Raven."[/B][/COLOR] The ding of the elevator caused the pair to break their gaze before stepping inside. [COLOR=STEELBLUE][B]"But I also made Raven a promise,"[/B][/COLOR] Dick stated, stepping forward. [COLOR=STEELBLUE][B]"We all did."[/B][/COLOR] Continuing as he pressed the button for the penthouse, Dick's brow furrowed as his frustration became clear. [COLOR=STEELBLUE][B]"We were more than a team, we were a family, just like Bruce and Alfred are to me. If anything happened to either of them I'd be there in a heartbeat."[/B][/COLOR] As the elevator began to move, Dick turned to face Kori once again. [COLOR=STEELBLUE][B]"But what really bothers me is in her time of need, we're the only ones here now. Her family abandoned her and I can't help but feel responsible for that."[/B][/COLOR] [COLOR=9966CC][B]"But we are here now."[/B][/COLOR] Kori interrupted. [COLOR=9966CC][B]"Perhaps the others will come around, perhaps they won't. What matters is our actions from this point forward."[/B][/COLOR] A sign of resignation escaped Dick's chest as he lowered his head before pushing back his long, dark hair. A deep breath entered the toned chest as it rose up before quickly collapsing with his exhale. His piercing blue eyes quickly met Kori's as he raised his head once again before stepping forward and embracing her. [COLOR=STEELBLUE][B]"I really love you sometimes, you know that?"[/B][/COLOR] He said with a soft kiss on her forehead. [COLOR=STEELBLUE][B]"Now then,"[/B][/COLOR] he said as the door opened. [COLOR=STEELBLUE][B]"We have to help our friend."[/B][/COLOR] Suddenly the elevator shook as the lights went out only for the power to return immediately afterwards as each fixture in the hallway illuminated in a slow series. [COLOR=STEELBLUE][B]"Okay, I hate this place."[/B][/COLOR] Dick said with a soft chuckle as he led Kori forward, his hand firmly intertwined with her own. [COLOR=STEELBLUE][B]"I just hope it's not a waste of our time."[/B][/COLOR][/INDENT][/INDENT]