[indent][u][b]November 7th, 5:31PM Gotham City, New Jersey[/b][/u][/indent] Anarkee settled into her usual spot on an abandoned fire escape looking down on the open alley below. Ostensibly, the place was supposed to have been a small car park for the nearby residents, but the lack of security, the long dark alley, and the general vibe of the area kept commuters away. Though it did help to attract a certain crowd; those lost souls of this godless pit. The small and downtrodden, those looking for any spark of hope. Anarkee looked at the building opposite her, her eyes narrowing as she took in the sight of those cretins creation. Gotham’s Watchful Hound. Grim’s mural. Street urchins and impoversed passerbys would often duck through this alley, stealing glances at this symbol of hope and even adding to it. Paint, chalk, pencil lines, all manner of graffiti adorned the wall around the wolf’s head symbol with messages to Grim, thanks and requests and praise for this lawless protector. Disgusting. Anarkee sighed as she set the pizza box she carried down on the steel grate of the fire escape. This had become routine for her. Pizza from Roy’s, the old blind chef not caring or seeing who he sold to; then slink to the mural and watch. Think. Plan. Nothing she was doing was working yet. Nothing got Grim’s attention. Anarkee refused to start in earnest until she knew Grim would see. This wasn’t just about the corrupt blowhards in the seats of power, or about the rampant destruction in the streets. This was about Grim too. All of it, like a big puzzle, all cogs in a machine. And Anarkee herself, the wrench in the works. The people were looking over their shoulders for her. The businessmen feared where she’d hit next. All she wanted was Grim to spare a glance. But for now… She’d wait. She’d watch. And when the time came, nobody would bother to rebuild their little shrine. All in due time. [hr] The Grim Mural. The least kept secret about Gotham City’s not so urban legend. A symbol of hope, a sign that there was a bit of light in the darkness that hung over the city, and the best way to catch a glimpse of Grim - aside from being in mortal danger, of course. And to top it off, the place where people of different stations could cross paths without much fanfare - aside from being in the neighborhood in general. Grim wasn’t above helping the rich when they were in danger, just for their station after all. Well, except maybe the city’s current Mayor, but only she was aware of that. It’s for this reason Zoey Kasimir got little more than a glance as Gotham’s resident billionaire drove through the streets, and most of those being for the vibrant yellow McLaren she was driving than anything. The expensive car pulled into the nearly abandoned carpark with little more than a quiet purr, the vehicle parking right in the center - even between the lines, despite no other cars being present. When the redhead emerged her steel-blue eyes scanned along the car park, muscles coiled and tensed as she checked the surroundings. Zoey had no fear of who she might meet here, but caution was rewarded. However as her gaze landed on the white paint of the canine’s head, splashed across the brickface, she paused and took it in. The paint was flaking a tiny bit in places, a testament to how long it had been up this time. When it first went up the mural was painted over within a month - surprisingly swift for Gotham. However it was repainted quickly, then again, and after the third time the messages started appearing. Zoey wasn’t aware of what came first, since by the time she visited there was a half dozen already there. It only grew. Occasionally the mural was still painted over, but it seemed they had given up the fight for a bit. The artists who put it up were staunch in keeping it, even if the messages were wiped out from time to time. A symbol of hope… And for Zoey Kasimir, a symbol of duty. Exhaling heavily the redhead shut the door of her McLaren before continuing her scan of the area, mentally berating herself for letting her gaze stop. She was confident in her abilities, but there was rarely an occasion to drop your guard so fully. Even the rooftops were scanned, which is what brought Zoey to a grinding halt. There, on the fire escape of one of the buildings surrounding the mural, was a [i]very[/i] familiar figure. For a moment the billionaire could only remain stock still, staring up at her. Not afraid. Cautious. There was a reason that Zoey had come here without her uniform - reports had been coming in of Anarkee occasionally being there. Yet now, head tilted back to gaze up at the figure who had caused so much chaos, so much [i]death[/i], having sought her out without weapons… The redhead’s tongue felt heavy with regret, words dying on the tip of her tongue. Even more so, in person, it was reinforced to Zoey just who this was. An old friend. And now a menace. Because of her. [hr] Anarkee raised an eyebrow as a very familiar car pulled into the alley. That was the [i]last[/i] person she’d expected to see here. Finishing off a piece of pizza, Anarkee tossed the crust onto the asphalt below before crossing her arms. Had Grim run into Zoey Kasimir, left enough of an impression on the billionaire that she’d come here to pay respects? Anarkee’s eyes narrowed as Kasimir turned, recognizing the tense body language. She’d never seen it before, but now… It was plain as day. The stress on the billionaire, the way her gaze darted to the alley, the rooftops, and finally… To herself. Something was off about Zoey Kasimir. Anarkee slowly stood up from her sitting position, resting her hands on the rusted iron railing and chuckling coldly to herself as she looked down at her former friend. [color=9e0b0f]”Well. Well. Well. Look what the cat dragged in. Or, it would seem in this case, the dog. What on earth could bring Gotham City’s Darling to this backalley shithole? Oh don’t look at me like that; like you’re ready for me to pounce at any moment. And you [i]are[/i] ready, aren’t you? I know fear, and has no home in your eyes, Miss Kasimir. You’re waiting. Well, you’ll be waiting awhile, I’m afraid.”[/color] Anarkee said, relaxing slightly and flashing a toothy grin. [color=9e0b0f]”I’m in no mood to hurt someone right now. Least of all you, strangely. Like you, I’m waiting as well. Biding my time. Staring into the abyss, waiting to see who. Blinks. First.”[/color] Anarkee stared at Zoey Kasimir, unmoving. [color=IndianRed]”... Darling?”[/color] Was Anarkee’s response after a long minute, as Zoey just kept gazing up at the other woman in turn. She was so different. There was just enough to pick out who she was, but it was like some horrible, graffiti’d shell of the person she used to be. Finally however she shook her head, offering a strangely empty smile in return to the anarchist. It didn’t even reach her eyes. [color=IndianRed]”I like looking at this mural sometimes,”[/color] The billionaire finally responded, tilting her head slightly to look to it out of the corner of her eye. Mostly her steel gaze remained on Anarkee, yet she showed no fear. Caution, perhaps, but not fear. [color=IndianRed]”It’s fascinating, what it represents, despite Grim’s many, [i]many[/i] flaws.”[/color] Something in Zoey’s expression turned ugly, a grimace tugging her red painted lips downward. The redhead leaned against her car, a deep exhale emerging from her lips. Strangely enough, despite her tense muscles she didn’t feel… in danger, as she should. Well, no more than the usual paranoia, anyway. [color=IndianRed]”Then again, from the news reports, I suppose I’m just preaching to the choir, aren’t I, Miss Anarkee?”[/color] Anarkee chuckled and spread her arms, shrugging as she called out. [color=9e0b0f]”So you’ve heard of me! Though I shouldn’t be surprised, you probably had money in the bank I burned down!”[/color] Anarkee said with a wink. [color=9e0b0f]”Nothing personal you understand, just… Well, completely personal actually, just not directed at you specifically. Your ‘type’, as it were. The fat, bloated predators that feed on the little people and don’t give a damn about anything but padding their own pockets. But I’m getting off topic.” “You and I seem to share the same interests, Miss Kasimir. Examining Grim’s spark of hope in the community and pondering his place. You know, were the situations different I wouldn’t hate Grim so much. But we have a history, the two of us. Even if he doesn’t know it. And even aside from that, I could look past that history if it weren’t for the damn high horse. Grim goes around, acting outside the law, disrespecting due process and tearing up the tent-pegs of society… Only to nail them back down. There is so much more that Grim could do! To rebuild humanity as it was meant to be! This city shows it all Miss Kasimir. We are animals. We’re not so evolved as to be removed from our ancestors. Our base instincts guide us, and yet we deny them. To be a ‘good person’, to have compassion and empathy. And yet, those most successful in this city? The corrupt. The vultures. The animals. All I want, all I work towards, and all Grim is working against by using the same tactics is to show these people that they can achieve greatness as well if only they [i]take it[/i]! Embrace the animal, and its instincts will guide you to victory. Keep up the charade of justice and honor and be trampled by the animal. Grim knows that. And yet he struggles and fights to keep the weak where they were, instead of making them strong. And that is why I come here. To learn. To see. To understand. And to make Grim see me… Or trample him.”[/color] Zoey remained quiet throughout the whole - well, okay, it was a monologue. To be quite frank she didn’t mind however, just keeping her gaze steadfast on the woman who had caused so much grief to the city, taking in her words quietly. The billionaire [i]wanted[/i] to understand her, to figure out what led her down this path. To be honest, at first she thought it was some weird, twisted way of vengeance against Grim. Maybe it was, and even Anarkee didn’t realize it. Another exhale, heavier this time as pale fingers rose to run through crimson strands. To be honest, it was a little … frightening how close Anarkee’s thoughts were to her own. Almost like parallels, one path twisted and corrupt. Like all it would’ve taken was one different decision and they could’ve ended up on the same side, or mirrors of each other once more. And all Zoey wanted to know was what happened in those years Emma disappeared. To wonder if it would’ve been different if she could’ve found her, after Jason’s death. She’d never know, now. Was there even some part of her left? Would it be suicide for a regular person to ask? Luckily Zoey Kasimir was no regular person. [color=IndianRed]”... I know of your history with him, Anarkee.”[/color] The tall woman finally ventured, voice soft in the air. [color=IndianRed]”At least part of it, from all those years ago.”[/color] Anarkee’s eyes narrowed at Zoey’s admission, tilting her head to the side to consider this new information. Suspicion rose in the pale woman’s head, theories and ideas shooting off like sparks. That statement could mean so many different things… Were this any other day and any other person, Anarkee would have pounced then and there. Taken the other woman and pried the information from her by any means necessary. Fortunately for the redheaded billionaire, the stars had aligned just right that Anarkee decided on a different route. [color=9e0b0f]”You do, don’t you…”[/color] The anarchist mused, letting go of the railing and tilting her head to the other side, cracking the joints in her neck with a loud pop. At the same time she flicked her left wrist, priming her gas glove to start accepting commands. [color=9e0b0f]”Out of every person in this city, I’d thought that only me and Grim would know about that…”[/color] Anarkee let a hint of sadness seep into her voice now, the smallest crack of weakness. She needed to know what Zoey knew, to get close enough to confirm her suspicions. [color=9e0b0f]”My messages were in the paper, I thought only Grim would know… But of course you’d be able to figure it out too.”[/color] Anarkee sat back down on the fire escape, letting out a mournful sigh. She intended to appear pathetic, to trigger Zoey’s mothering instincts for her old friend. [color=9e0b0f]”That’s when it all started, all those years ago… He never would have been out there if it wasn’t for Grim, Zo’.”[/color] Emma Graves admitted with a sniffle, heavy tears starting to fall from her eyes. Emma reached up and wiped them away, smearing the red and white face paint and revealing a streak of her pale skin underneath as she looked at Zoey with her sparkling blue eyes. [color=9e0b0f]”He did that to Jason. Grim created me, Zo’. It’s not my fault…”[/color] The woman cried with a carefully planned crack in her voice. Zoey’s head tilted to the side as she watched Anarkee - watched Emma, her friend from so many years ago. Her sharp eyes took in every detail, every minute motion like she had done for years. Well-honed instincts screamed in the back of her mind. Even without that, a rational person would know very well to steer clear of getting close to the city’s most famed - currently - murderer. The billionaire wasn’t always a rational person. [color=IndianRed]”Of course I know. Jason was my friend,”[/color] Zoey began in a soft voice, stepping closer to the fire escape. Her eyes slid along the metal railings, noting that the ladder at the bottom wasn’t down. Grim could make the jump. [color=IndianRed]”It was just… something in the back of my mind, from those messages. Then when I got the hint, well, looking at your pictures in the paper… you know that I used to study the details of your face quite enthusiastically.”[/color] A slight quirk of the lips, a little joke before the tall woman took a few steps and attempted to grab onto the ladder with a leap. Her slender fingers scrambled against the wall as Zoey missed, quite intentionally, her feet landing back on the ground with a muffled curse. [color=IndianRed]”I’m too old for this,”[/color] She muttered under her breath, letting the words carry up to the other woman. She took a few more steps back to be able to look up at Emma, running her pale fingers through red strands. Despite everything, part of her ached seeing someone she once considered a friend like that. Cracking voice, smeared makeup, tears. It was the picture of a broken woman. [color=IndianRed]”Why don’t you come down here? We can get you help, Emma. I’ll stay with you through it.”[/color] Anarkee watched through the metal grate as Zoey approached, her eyes stinging with hot crocodile tears. It seemed as though her old friend was truly concerned, trying to calm her down. Anarkee very nearly gave up on her suspicions when Zoey missed the ladder, but something about the jump seemed… Off. Zoey had always been meticulous about her workouts, and the two women were close enough in age that Anarkee was confident she had an idea of what Zoey could still do. Reaching out a hand and making sure it has enough of an emotional shake to it, the anarchist rested her gloved fingers on top of the collapsible ladder, toying with the release switch. Anarkee couldn’t let Zoey any closer without confirming at least some of her suspicions. Cursing herself internally, the anarchist closed her eyes as she continued pretending to cry. Using a skill of hers she tried hard not to rely on, but one that would come in very handy right about now… In the black space behind her eyelids, Anarkee could see a blossom of emotions. Her own suspicion and yes, slight guilt about this whole situation, though her own emotions were tied up and suppressed. And from below, a swirling, surprisingly well-bundled mix of emotions from the redheaded billionaire. Concern, suspicion, reluctance, relief, hope… And a surprising amount of guilt. Guilt undercutting and defining every other emotion, and running [i]deep[/i] into Zoey’s core. Pulling her senses back and opening her eyes, Anarkee nearly smiled to herself. That certainly helped support her suspicion. Tapping her fingers on the ladder latch, Anarkee wiped her eyes with her other hand, sniffling as she looked down at Zoey. For a brief moment, she actually considered the other woman’s offer. But even assuming she weren’t tossed in prison for life… What then? She wouldn’t stay with Zoey, that was for sure. Not after these questions had been raised. No no, best to stay the course. Of course, right now that meant getting close… Anarkee let out a pitiful sigh as she twitched her fingers, hoping that her trembling would help hide the commands she was issuing to prime a Blank Burst. [color=9e0b0f]”Just… Just sit with me for a few minutes, Zo’... Just let me feel… Let me feel goddamn [i]normal[/i] for a few minutes…”[/color] Anarkee lied, flicking the latch and listening to the clanking sounds of the ladder unfolding. In moments like this, a hand on the ladder that would potentially lead to one of her biggest mistakes, it was all risk versus reward. There was so many reasons for Zoey to stay firmly on the ground, to retreat immediately, hell, even to call Lady Arcana to have her just grab this nutcase. But once upon a time this was [i]her[/i] nutcase. Zoey owed nothing and everything to the girl above her, because despite how broken her mind had become Emma was right about one thing. Jason would have never died the way he had if Grim had never existed. So it was that against her better judgement the billionaire took a deep breath, her fingers ghosting over her pocket and silently calling the Grim Jet to hover a few blocks away, and placed her hands on the rungs of the ladder. The weight of blades up her sleeve was reassuring, but not enough to ignore how [i]bad[/i] of an idea this was. Grim had studied the reports for days, had inside information from the police, Zoey knew above all others that this was a [i]colossally stupid[/i] thing she was doing, especially without her gas mask. The reports on the bank robbery especially mentioned Anarkee’s toxin filled bombs. Yet here Zoey was, climbing up the ladder finally. [color=IndianRed]”Hey, Emma,”[/color] Zoey whispered softly to the woman she once called a friend once she got up beside her. The billionaire’s entire body was tense, but it often was considering her paranoia - still screaming in her ear. The redhead carefully sat down beside her, bending a knee to rest her foot against the edge of the fire escape while letting the other hang off. The position would allow her to spring up in an instant, but could also pass as casual. Taking a deep breath steel-blue eyes lifted to the deep blue’s of the woman opposite her, seeing the hint of who she once was beneath smeared makeup and tears. Anarkee wiped her eyes clear as Zoey climbed the ladder, confident that her glove was primed and ready to go. This was her moment. The pale anarchist shot a small half-smile at her old friend, waiting until she had settled down before speaking. [color=9e0b0f]”Hi Zoey. Sorry.”[/color] Anarkee said, lunging towards the redhead and flicking her wrist. The gas exploded from the vents in her gloves, spraying a concentrated dose of Apathy at Zoey’s face. A whiff would temporarily reduce just about anyone to a blank, mindless state. Not good for much other than answering questions, but that was all Anarkee would need. And with the two of them sitting on the fire escape, there weren’t many places for Zoey to escape to… Tense and ready to spring, the only surprise was how similar Anarkee’s glove device was to Grim’s. Zoey used her foot resting against the metal beneath it to immediately spring away, pale hands finding the railing as she leapt back, ending up crouched on the same railing as far away from Anarkee as possible. There was a glint of metal near the billionaire’s wrist, ready to throw a blade in an instant if she kept approaching. But despite her reflexes and quick footwork, Zoey wasn’t quick enough. There was a strange scent in her nose, a burn in her mind that made her constantly tense muscles uncoil and even her pounding heart slow. She cursed in her mind, wishing she had her mask. What a fool she was for thinking insanity could be helped! Steel-blue orbs glinted in the bits of flickering light over the Grim mural as Zoey cursed lowly, and bit her bottom lip. Her muscles fought, wanting to relax and just smile dopily to the other woman. Of course, that train of thought was ended quickly as her pain receptors lit up, blood blooming against the white of her button up shirt as it spilled down from her mouth to stain against her front. Immediately her heart once again began pounding against her chest, adrenaline rushing her veins like a shot. Her relaxed posture became rigid as the redhead glowered to Emma - no, [i]Anarkee[/i]. Maybe Emma Graves really had died, even if not in body. [color=IndianRed]”Is that how you treat old friends?”[/color] Zoey finally rumbled, lips slick with blood. Anarkee had reacted quickly as well, throwing herself in the opposite direction as Zoey had begun to move. Leaping on top of the railing around the fire escape, she had kicked at the air briefly, the spring-loaded knives in her boots extending before she leapt towards the opposite wall. Kicking at the old brick and moarter as she hit, the lithe woman slammed her hands against the wall as well, the knives and razors digging into the wall. At the very least she’d bought herself some space. She turned her head to look at Zoey, noting the blood dripping from her mouth and the knives in hand. Anarkee laughed, the screeching sound ripping itself from her lungs as she grinned at the other woman. [color=9e0b0f]”If those friends got my brother, the last surviving member of my family killed, then yes; [i][b]GRIM[/b][/i]!”[/color] Anarkee cried triumphantly, her suspicions confirmed. [color=9e0b0f]”But you know, you did show me one kindness: You murdered the sons of bitches that killed my brother! So I’ll cut you a deal! You get in your stupid car and you leave right now. We don’t have to fight today. You know me, and I know you. And we both know this isn’t our last encounter. So why not be ready next time? We both walk away, and come back to this better and smarter! And we’re even now. Clean slate. Whadaya say?”[/color] [color=IndianRed]”I’d say whatever part of Emma Graves I thought survived in you died long ago!”[/color] Zoey spit back in return, quite literally as flecks of blood blew through the air with her words. [color=IndianRed]”You’re absolutely insane, there’s no way I could be Grim - I [i]hate[/i] Grim just as much as you do for what happened to Jason!”[/color] The billionaire’s teeth grit together, knowing it was likely useless to protest now that it was in Anarkee’s head. Still, she had to [i]try[/i] - not for herself, but for her two sons at home. Her fingers slid along the throwing blade in her hand, wondering if she could be quick enough to disable the other woman. She was fully decked out, while Zoey was not. It’s not like she’d be able to fight with pure willpower against it when the area was filled with gas… But she had to try. The Grim Jet was nearby. Decision made in a split second Zoey threw her hand forward, two gleaming blades leaving her grasp. Unlike the hitman from less than a month before these weren’t aimed to kill; one went for Anarkee’s thigh, the other her arm. As soon as they left she leapt up, grabbing onto the level above in the fire escape to start climbing up it on swift limbs. Anarkee pushed off from the wall as Zoey flung the knives at her, inhaling sharply as one of the blades grazed her arm before she fell to the ground. She glared up at the other woman as Zoey began scaling the fire escape, laughing harshly as she sprinted for the ladder [color=9e0b0f]”I’m sure you do, Zoey! Filled with hatred and self-loathing, that guilt must drive you crazy! That’s the difference between you and I you know, you deny the darkness inside and let it drive you mad, but I accept it and it’s made everything clear!”[/color] Anarkee cried, swinging up the ladder and staring up at her fleeing foe. [color=9e0b0f]”You think I’m crazy, that I’ve lost my mind! But my mind is the only thing I [i]haven’t[/i] lost, Grim! You know I’m right, deep down!”[/color] Anarkee squinted as she looked up through the grates, cackling up at Zoey’s silhouette. [color=9e0b0f]”Everything I said, the rampant corruption and the bondage of man, the beast inside, you know it’s true! You can’t deny it forever, and when you come to term with it I’ll be right here Zo’!”[/color] [color=IndianRed]”You’ll be in a heavily padded [i]cell[/i] by the time I’m through with you,”[/color] Zoey hissed in return, but her voice was lower now. Flinging herself over the roof of the building her phone was in hand, issuing commands to the nearby Grim Jet to swap to non-lethal ammunition. Another quick input and the billionaire pocketed the phone once more, a flick of her wrist having another knife at the ready with the other she already held. Rolling her shoulders and taking a deep, steadying breath Zoey once more jolted onto the edge of the building, this time on the corner of it to have a better visual. With a speed that spoke of how often she did it one knife left her hand to once more head towards Anarkee, hesitating only a moment before the second was let loose as well - corrected with the path of the first. [color=9e0b0f]”Oh, I have [i]so[/i] missed our banter, Zoey!”[/color] Anarkee said with a laugh as she ducked out of the way of the first knife. The second nearly caught her off guard though, and she swatted at it to deflect as it flew through the air. The sharp blade caught the side of Anarkee’s glove and ruptured one of the gas valves, which began to hiss and spray smoky gas around Anarkee. [color=9e0b0f]”Oh now look what you’ve done!”[/color] Anarkee cried, ducking low into the cloud of smoke to try and hide her movements. Reaching inside her jacket with her other hand, Anarkee produced a fear bomb and threw it up towards Grim. It should explode on impact and spread her fear toxin in a wide radius, hopefully causing her old friend to flee. Zoey was fast, incredibly fast. But braced to throw another knife into the cloud of gas, sharp eyes looking for the slightest human movement in the rolling fog, the bomb came up far quicker. The billionaire struck out with a kick to knock it away, which managed to get a large portion of the gas to instead spread and settle over the car park - and her car for that matter - but the roof of the building wasn’t unscathed either. Despite her efforts to back track from the cloud of smoke it clung to her clothes, her hair, stuck to her tongue like sap combined with the coppery taste of blood. Zoey gagged but without her gas mask and already having fought the effects of the apathy bomb a cold feeling began to grip at her chest. She whimpered. Back tracking, almost tripping over her own feet to collapse, trembling, on the other side of the roof, Zoey wasn’t looking as from the sky came the rev of two very, very large guns. The Grim Jet steadied itself as it took in the moving targets before settling on the one it wasn’t keyed into, and abruptly let loose a barrage of non-lethal bullets towards Anarkee and the fire escape. Anarkee looked up to the sky with wide eyes as the Grim Jet soared into view. If she wasn’t sure about Zoey’s identity before, she sure as hell was now. The whir of the twin guns on the jet snapped the anarchist into action, and she threw herself off the fire escape again, landing heavily on the ground and rolling to her feet even as a hail of rubber bullets sprayed the alley, a few of them pelting her painfully. Crying out in frustration and pain, Anarkee sprinted underneath the fire escape for a moment of protection before running full tilt towards the open street at the end of the alley. Knowing Grim, those guns would probably stop shooting once civilians got involved, and this job just got too big for Anarkee to attempt it without a plan. Of course, that would mean leaving her pizza behind, but some sacrifices were necessary for further survival. She could feel the bullets pelting her back, though her stash of toxin bombs in her jacket offered her just enough protection that she could keep running. Anarkee broke through onto the public street, dodging a speeding car and knocking over a businessman on his phone. Sneering down at him as he cursed at her, Anarkee paused for just a moment to drop a fear and anger bomb in the middle of the street, likely enough to incite a confused riot. Using the spreading smoke as cover, Anarkee sprinted towards the nearest storm drain and dropped down, covering her head to protect herself from the hail of gunfire as she slipped her slender frame down into the sewers below the city. For now she’d lick her wounds and tend to the massive bruising from the Grim Jet. But Anarkee was just getting started. That night, every pizza delivery man in Gotham found themselves converging on Kasimir Castle, each of them delivering a very special pizza, the toppings all placed in the shape of Anarkee’s ‘A’...