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Post by Deleted on Dec 29, 2014 18:10:58 GMT
02:23 - 19th November
Central City
Outside Jade’s Apartment
No matter the City (except perhaps New York) they were all very much alike during the early hours of the Morning. Things were always quiet, peaceful. Of course you had the odd few people making a bit of a ruckus on their way back from a night of partying, but that’s to be expected. In Central City, it was a particularly cold evening as things move towards a wintery December. There was a cold sharpness to the wind as it blew through the catacomb like streets, but the skies were clear, bringing hope that the weather may actually not be too bad when everyone awakes tomorrow morning.
But down one of the streets you would find a hooded figure stood outside of an apartment building – very peculiar indeed. There was no-one else around though, and the hooded figure’s identity or presence was unknown to anyone around. But this was Safira of the League of Shadows. A task had been set for her, by way of Ra’s Al Ghul himself. Details of which are not too important just yet. The hooded female assassin would reach into the open pocket of her tunic and pull out a small piece of paper. On it were marks, written words but not in English, it appeared to be written in another language, something like Arabic. She peered from the note up to the building, making absolutely sure that this was the place she was meant to be. It seemed as though it was, as Safira pocketed the note once more before making her way in through the front entrance of the building.
Some time had passed, and now the hooded assassin stood before a door to one of the apartments. It was located on the top floor, and the hallway appeared to be rather quite barren. A dirty white color the walls were painted in, and it was clearly visible that there were a few structural weaknesses about the place. But that’s irrelevant. Safira moved towards the door closely, and attempted to open it with a light push. It barely moved, in fact it probably didn’t at all. It was unlikely that entry would be so easy, but it’s always worth a try. Instead, the assassin would kneel down on one knee in front of the door, and pulled out two lock picks from her tunic pocket. She would carefully angle the two lockpicks within the lock on the door, and slowly, tactfully move them around as she seeked the sweet spot for opening the door. It took but a few moments before a low pitched click could just about be heard – the lock was open.
Success! Celebrations would need to wait. Safira slid the two lockpicks back into her tunic pocket, and would then lift herself up to a standing position. With the easy part out of the way, it was time to move onto the more difficult part of this operation. Safira would place both of her hands against the door, and apply a fairly low amount of pressure as she pushed against it. There was no need to be quick here, it was more important to be careful, to avoid making any noise that could otherwise be avoided. Gradually the door opened a significant amount, enough so that Safira felt as though she could squeeze through. She did so, with little effort and of course all her movements were light in weight. Inside now, Safira took the same amount of care in closing the door as she had done so with opening it. The door came to a close, but making a noise as it shut was unavoidable – though hopefully nobody heard it. A sigh followed the sound, as well as the whisper of Safira as she cursed at herself, feeling as though that could have been avoided.
The apartment itself was in much better condition than the hallway outside, at least that’s the conclusion Safira had come to based upon seeing the apartment in absolute darkness. Safira proceeded from the door to creep further into the apartment. Her movement was slow, calculated and weightless as she looked to make no further mistakes. Oh how she despised a creaky floorboard. As she reached the lounge, it appeared lifeless. There was evidence that there were people there before, occupying the area; children’s toys littered the floor, the television was on standby and there were a few other clues as well. It wasn’t the particular setting that Safira had in mind. Looking over to one side of the room, there was a door that was opened only by about a few centimetres. From it came a low amount of light, so of course, it grabbed Safira’s attention.
Safira moved across the lounge towards the door, and pushed it open ever so slightly. She peered in, but not a lot could be seen. Closer to the door, the foot of a bed could be seen. But the light was coming from near the window. A tiny night light set up beside a crib, interesting. Curiosity got the better of Safira, who once again squeezed into another room. She paid little to no attention to the bed however, and instead moved over towards where the crib was. She would grip the side of the crib with both hands, and lean over to look inside, and what was inside managed to fill all the blanks as everything started to make sense. It was confirmation that Safira had broken and entered the correct apartment. Because inside the crib, there was a small baby who was fast asleep. Beneath the balaclava that covered Safira’s mouth, she had a smile stretched across her face. It was as easy as taking just a simple glance to tell who the mother of this baby was. Sure, Safira had heard things, rumours, but this was real. No wonder she had not shown her face around the League all that much recently, how could you pull yourself away from watching this little bundle of joy? |
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Post by Cheshire on Dec 29, 2014 19:53:35 GMT
It had been a long and tiring day, Lian had been fussy and a handful and it had wore Jade out. She never would have thought that trying to chase after a toddler would be so physically demanding but it was, it was in a ways worse than a high stakes assassination, at least then she knew the risk but with Lian there was always a undetermined variable that kept her on the look out. That child liked to get into anything and everything and given that Jade kept her weapons near by it was always a task to make sure the child kept away from them.
The day had been long, the toddles cries and screams had been terrible and the pay off was minimal but Jade would not trade it for the world. Ever since Roy had asked her to leave Star City the mother and daughter had bounced around from city to city, not staying in one place for very long; luckily Jade had safe houses and other apartments set up all over the world so it made running a little easier. These days the duo found themselves in Central City, Jade made a point to try to stay out of the places that had big hero activity like Metropolis or Gotham and while The Flash was known to set up shop here he was not as dangerous or problematic as say Superman or Batman.
So far the few weeks spent here had been uneventful and with the exception of today's terrible twos episode things had gone rather smoothly.
It took some doing on the mothers part but eventually Jade got Lian to calm down enough to eat her dinner and take her bath and finally put her down to sleep a little after 9. With the child put down Jade walked to the kitchen and poured herself a glass of wine to help her relax a little more, and while one glass wasn't quite enough to help melt away the days troubles it would have to be enough, you never knew...As she stood there leaning against the counter Jade looked out over the apartment, toys and other signs of children were littered all over the floor and she knew she should pick it up but right now she just did not have the desire too. It wasn't like anyone was going to see the inside of this place anyway. The building itself was not the best, it had plenty of problems and the tenants were known to be troublesome and Jade's apartment was a step above the others, she had paid a lot of money to make sure her homes were comfortable and secure.
Finishing her glass Jade rinsed the inside off in the sink and left it there to deal with in the morning, now with the glass gone she went to get herself ready for sleep and after locking and securing the apartment Jade walked off toward the bathroom to do just that.
It didn't take her long to do her nightly routine and change into a comfortable over sized t shirt (something she may have stolen from Roy) and climb into bed after checking on Lian and slip off to sleep.
Jade slept well for a few hours but it was a little after 2:30 when something woke her. Naturally Jade was a light sleeper, she had to be in case someone tried to attack her in her sleep and having a child didn't help that at all and she roused awake when she heard what she thought was their front door closing shut. The assassin laid there and listened, trying to pick on any movements outside and her suspicions were confirmed when she heard the sound of someone coming closer. Jade slipped her hand under her pillow and gripped the handles of her sais that she kept under there for this type of situation and she was ready to attack when she saw a figure enter into the room.
The women in bed remained still, pretending like she was still asleep to hopefully catch her intruder off guard. Was it Roy? Had he found her and was coming to try to talk to her again, had someone else caught up with her? As the intruder entered the room they did not attack however, instead they by passed her and went right to Lian's crib. Jade watched, still in her false sleep state and she could tell right away that it was not Roy, the figure was too shapely to be a man and the outfit....
While the strange woman was looking down at the sleeping child Jade swiftly and silently slipped from the bed, with her weapons. Her light footsteps and training making her nearly impossible to detect as she came up behind the intruder and put the point of one sai to the middle of the womans back while the other rested against the side of the womans neck, ready to puncture should the intruder make any sudden movements. "Who sent you" Jade demanded, someone had and she wanted to know who so she knew who to go after next. No one came into her home like this and no one ever dared tried to drag Lian into things where she did not belong. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 30, 2014 11:13:40 GMT
For a few brief moments as Safira had laid eyes upon the infant did she forget about whom she initially came to see. Fortunately enough for Safira, there was soon a quick reminder for her. It was the Sai that Jade had pressed against the middle of Safira’s back that she had felt first. It wasn’t at all painful, but you knew it was there. It caused Safira to stand up straight a bit more, which in turn pressed her back against the tip of the Sai all the bit more. Now the feeling had a bit more sharpness to it. But regardless, Safira did her best to suppress the faint but prolonged pain it undoubtedly caused. “I was wondering when you would show up”. Safira would say as she stood there, back to Jade. Beneath the balaclava that Safira wore, a smile had formed. It perhaps was not the best situation to find herself in, but there was no threat all. Safira knew full well that Jade wouldn’t act upon it. A Blood debt isn’t something anyone clued in would want.
Safira would then look to turn her head ever so slightly to her right. But in doing so, the presence of another one of Jade’s Sai’s was discovered. The tip of the blade pressed lightly against Safira’s neck, to which she reacted by turning her head back to look directly forward. “Put down the Sai’s, Jade”. Safira remarked, she couldn’t exactly move or anything by now. Jade was a smart girl, and Safira had figured that by now the Momma Assassin had figured out who it was she had caught, which in turn answered her question for her; Ra’s Al Ghul had sent her.
It wasn’t all that often that Safira found herself in a predicament like this, it really was quite strange. And really, Safira didn’t have enough patience to remain stood here with two Sai’s thrust against her. A heavy sighed followed soon after Safira’s instructions for Jade to withdraw her weapons. Should that request have not been heard as clearly as one hoped, perhaps this will. “Do you really want your daughter waking up to see Mommy threatening Auntie Tay?”. That would do the trick, surely? No guess work was needed now; Jade must now know who it is that she has threatened - a friend, something of a protégé, and maybe someone who little Lian would grow up to know as Auntie Tay. |
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Post by Cheshire on Dec 31, 2014 0:11:44 GMT
The voice was familiar but that meant nothing to Jade at the moment, it wasn't until the intruder spoke and called her by her name that it all clicked in the assassins mind. So, the league had finally come calling, she knew that it would only be a matter of time. Debts like what she owed would not go unpaid for long but that still gave them no right to invade her home like this or to inadvertently threaten her daughter.
“Do you really want your daughter waking up to see Mommy threatening Auntie Tay?”.
"Auntie Tay should have known better." She spoke, making no movement to remove the weapons from their positions against the other womans body. "I might remove them when you tell me what you are doing here" Or maybe she would stick her through, she still wasn't decided yet. Even if Taylor and herself had been what one would consider close in this line of work there were still boundaries and right now she had crossed every one of them. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 31, 2014 1:56:09 GMT
It was made evidently clear that Jade wasn’t in the greatest of moods right about now. As the timing of Tay dropping by, nor the manner did anything to help change or improve that. Of course, should she want; Taylor could quite easily just teleport away across the room in a flash. But somehow she thought it better not to, doing so may appear aggressive and things were already hostile enough as it is. “Drop the act already”. She responded. “You know I’m not fond of foreplay”. A small smirk had crept onto the face of Taylor beneath the balaclava as she had continued her trail of thought.
There really was absolutely nowhere to go however, and Jade was currently occupying the power position, the one with the control over the situation. All Taylor could do really, was comply. “And you know why I’m here, Jade. You can stop treating me like I am your enemy”. There was not a single doubt in Taylor’s mind that Jade knew why she was there. It’s mighty difficult to forget having a debt with the League of Shadows. To forget would be stupid, and Jade wasn’t that. “I’m a friend – something I am led to believe you are in short supply of lately. So how about putting down the Sai’s so we can actually talk? It’s in your best interest to hear me out”. The longer a debt stands, the less likely a peaceful resolution is to be met. |
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Post by Cheshire on Dec 31, 2014 2:19:56 GMT
Jade remained where she was, not making any effort to remove her weapons while she weighed her options. Taylor was right, until this debt was paid she was not her enemy and Jade really had no reason to believe she would be after. She had not betrayed the League like her father had...not fully anyway, even if Jade had gone after Aqualad it had been to avenge her sisters death, something that Ra's understood. Revenge against a blood killer was one thing Ra's felt strongly for which was why he had let her small indiscretion pass. Knowledge of Artemis being alive may be another thing but no one knew that she knew and it would stay that way.
Deciding that letting the woman speak her peace would be the wisest move Jade relaxed her stance and removed the blades from Safira's neck and back. "Not here." Jade simply said and motioned toward the door, she waited for Safira to exit the room before following. Jade gave her daughter a quick look over to see that everything was as it should be before following to the living room, leaving the door to the shared room slightly agar. "I suppose a phone call was out of the question?" Jade spoke once she was out in the larger room where she could speak freely. She set her sais on the counter and leaned against it while waiting for Safira to state her business. She was just being smart, she knew how the League conducted things, it was all about dramatics and sending the right message and she had gotten this one loud and clear. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 31, 2014 10:59:51 GMT
A great sense of relief came over Taylor as Jade had removed her two weapons from pressing against her neck and lower back. She didn’t doubt that Jade would not disarm, but the possibility of Jade doing otherwise was beginning to seem all the more likely. Even with the weapons removed, Tay didn’t seek to move. She was Jade motion over towards the door, and then Taylor moved. She walked over to the door and pushed it open, stepping out into the more lounge area.
“Nice to see you too”. Tay would add. With her right hand, Taylor reached for her the hood of her tunic and threw it back, whilst with her left hand she pulled her balaclava down. A shake of the head followed, with her long dark brown hair falling down over her shoulders. At last the two could speak face to face. “I could have phoned, but. How could I resist the opportunity to come visit one of my favourite people in the world?”. Taylor had said as she walked about the place a bit, before finally coming to a halt near to where Jade was leaning against the counter. Her eyes shot a glance over towards the bedroom for a moment, before Tay returned her gaze towards Jade. “I suppose I better make that two now”.
There were very few people who Tay would ever say that she absolutely trusted. Jade was one, and now by extension; her daughter was as well. Of course, Taylor didn’t even know the name Jade had given her daughter, nor spent more time with her than those forty seconds she spent watching her sleep. “You know, I never had you down as being the ‘motherly’ type. It fits you well”. Tay remarked. Whilst the assassin career line didn't exactly bring out the most nurturing attributes, nor the best profession for anyone starting a family. Jade seemed to have made it work. She didn't appear to have 'gone soft' either. “Oh… and sorry about the timing, I’ll call ahead next time”. That’s if there would be a next time. |
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Post by Cheshire on Dec 31, 2014 22:19:57 GMT
"I suppose I better make that two now."
As Safira spoke the words Jade wasn't sure how she felt about that. On the one hand she had no reason to believe that the woman in front of her would do anything to harm Lian, like she had so playfully called herself 'aunty' the girls had been close and it was a fair assumption to make that Taylor would indeed be just that to the little girl. On the other hand however, Jade did not like the League knowing and she was sure it was safe to say that they did, and if they hadn't they would now. The mother did not want her daughter forced into this life, if she chose it then she would not stop her but she wanted it to be Lian's decision when the time came..the same went with if she decided to follow in her fathers footsteps. Lian would have the training and the knowledge but it would not be like how it was for her and Artemis growing up and what Lian did with that knowledge would be her decision and it would be one Jade would respect.
She would at least get that part of parenting right.
It was not a easy thing to do, being a mother after the life she had lived and the home she had grown up in. Jade did not want to make the same mistakes that her mother and father did...especially her father and the idea of turning into him haunted her dreams at night. There were very few things that could wake the seasoned assassin up at night in a cold sweat but that was one of them.
When Taylor made the comment about her not seeming the motherly type Jade simply shrugged "I guess I'm just full of surprises" the girls next comment caused Jade to raise her brow. "Right, and I'll hold my breath for that. " She sighed, "Why are you here Taylor?" Jade was not going to call her by her League name unless it was mission work and she really wanted to know just what brought the other woman all the way to Central City and something told her that it wasn't just to catch up. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 31, 2014 23:08:53 GMT
It was rather late, and perhaps it was time to cut to the chase about why exactly Taylor was here. Playing catch up is best saved for a later date perhaps, another time when Jade is more awake and in a better mood for chit chat. Taylor would turn to look towards Jade. A near expressionless face, for the information she was about to divulge was that of a more serious manner than what Taylor had displayed thus far. “Doing the Demon’s work”. She remarked, not uttering another word for a few moments as she allowed Jade time to process that. The Demon was calling, and now Jade had a decision to make about whether she answers it or not. The result of doing so and not doing so were drastically different, though Tay had hope that Jade would.
“You didn’t forget about that debt you have, did you?”. Taylor said a few moments later, she glanced away from Jade for a moment as she faintly laughed to herself. Whether Jade had remembered or not, it didn’t really matter, it’s not like Tay was going to snitch on her. It would be amusing had she, but not fatal. Taylor continued. “Ra’s has a few things he would like you to take care of; he’s comprised a short list - I have it with me. But, I’m not about to just hand it over… I need to know something first, Jade. I need to know whether or not Cheshire wants to come out and play”. Tay would say with a smile as she looked towards Jade. In essence she was asking whether Jade had it in her to put down the ‘Mom’ costume, and put the ‘Cheshire’ one back on for a night or two. If not, then their next encounter wouldn’t be quite as friendly. |
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Post by Cheshire on Jan 1, 2015 21:39:22 GMT
"Doing the Demons work"
You could almost visibly see how much more serious the tone in the room got at the mention of Ras, it was like a cold chill had fallen over them. That was the power of the man that had lived through the centuries, it was power that made a persons blood run cold at the mention of a name and it was something she respected and even slightly feared.
Jade knew it was only a matter of time before he came looking to collect on her debt, there had been signs that it would be coming which was why it made it slightly easier to leave Roy behind. It was better for them all if they put distance between them given their two sides of the law. "I haven't forgotten." How could she? A debt like that wasn't something to take lightly and Jade knew what it would mean when she went to him for the information.
She waited for Taylor to explain the details but when she started stalling and teasing if she was up to the task Jade gave a small annoyed sigh "Please" and walked over to the other woman and held out her hand for the list. "You don't think I've gone soft now do you?" |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 1, 2015 22:18:33 GMT
“I had to be sure”. Tay remarked. She then reached into the pocket of her tunic, and from it pulled out an envelope. It wasn’t properly sealed, and had been folded up in order to fit within the pocket. Regardless, the details in contained were clear and of much importance. Taylor handed over the envelope, but didn’t let go right away. She kept her grip, holding onto it as she blankly stared towards Jade whilst speaking. “A few names; diplomats and crime lords mostly, people who have wronged the League in some way. Ra’s would like you to work your way through them. You’ll find a few details on each inside the envelope, we’re not sending you in totally blind”. Whilst Jade was expected to eliminate these targets independently, the League was not going to send her in blind. Details included things such as their most recent location, an in depth physical description as well as close friends and relatives. It was up to Jade how she went about things for the most part, what was important is that she get it done.
“Needless to say, Ra’s will know just how quickly and how well you progress. There are to be no hiccups, Jade, no complications - any problems may lead to more for you. Keep within the usual League quota”. Taylor was confident Jade had forgotton the usual standards set by the League on all operations. She was to uphold them all, even if she wasn’t an active member of the Shadows anymore.
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Post by Cheshire on Jan 4, 2015 1:55:34 GMT
Jade made to grab the list once it was shown but Taylor did not seem keen to let it go and she let her hold on to it for a moment while she explained just what the list was made but but soon enough Jade yanked the envelope from the other woman's hands. Finally having the list Jade tucked it between her arm and side to keep for the time being, she would look it over once her visitor had left and start making the necessary preparations. "Tell Ra's to consider it done." Depending on how long the list was Jade was positive that she could get it finished well before the time that was usually allotted for this kind of work. In her not so humble opinion she had been one of the best and that had not changed, domestic life had not made her skills any less sharp. "After this is completed my debt will be paid and I will continue to go back to living my life" It was not a question it was a statement. After this she was done with the League. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2015 12:19:24 GMT
It seemed as though Jade was rather eager, and that had to be the exact response that Ra’s would have wanted. It was perhaps that enthusiasm, that attitude that may allow for Jade to return to the Shadows if she ever wished it. As Jade had made clear what happens post-debt with that very last statement, it brought about a smirk upon the face of Taylor. Once you dabble with the League just once, no longer is living a normal life an option. You become a contact, an asset for Ra’s to use. Ra’s was a man of power, debt or no debt, you do as he asks rather than risk the consequences. Jade knew that. “Your debt will be paid, but… good luck on the living life thing”.
With that said, Tay would make her way over towards the living room where the toys were scattered about on the floor. Space was essential. She turned to look back over towards Jade, a smile appearing on her face. “Anyway, I’ll inform Ra’s of the news. I trust you’ll see to the debt promptly”. That was to be expected. The right hand of Taylor would become infused with pink-purple energy, as behind her she threw the energy out to create a portal. It was fairly big in size, and in the middle could be seen a faint image of the location where she would be heading – League of Shadows HQ. “I only hope that this won’t be the last time I see you”. If Jade was to fail, then maybe this was to be their last encounter. Tay had confidence in Jade, but. Everyone and everything comes to an end sometime. “Goodbye, Cheshire”. Tay remarked, bowing her head slightly before turning and walking through the teleportation portal. As she stepped through, a bright pink light emitted itself around the room before the portal collapsed in on itself. The Demon’s call had been heard. |
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