Welcome
It all started when a crystal dropped into existence, punched a hole in time and space and landed into the lap of one the most insane men to ever walk the Earth.
At first, the clown didn't know what he had been gifted with, stuck in his cell in Arkham, staring at the reddish purple crystal laying innocently on the dirty stone floor.
And then the voices started, telling him of another universe, talking of power and chaos beyond what he could have ever dreamed.
census
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SHIELD
Avengers
Justice League
X-Men
Brotherhood
Mutants
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Neutral
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LET THEM KNOW WE
WONT BACK DOWN
a marvel/dc roleplay
Crashing The Party (Batman)
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Post by Natasha "Black Widow" Romanov on Aug 18, 2012 20:29:31 GMT -5
Undercover operations had become quite the norm for Natasha as of late as she was sent to a variety of different places in the hopes of learning what needed to be learned about the drug rings or other dangers of their world. Fury had made it clear that she would be doing these things for a little while longer as they tracked a rather dangerous group of drug and weapons dealers who seemed to have made Gotham City their prime target...and that alone was a bad idea. If not because the city was still sitting rather precariously on the brink of what had happened in their recent past, then because the city itself was protected by the masked vigilante known as the Batman who didn't take too kindly to scum like that polluting the streets and alleys of the city he struggled to protect.
But tonight was a little different than the missions she had been given before. There was no need for the skin tight body suit that she generally wore, her ammunition and gun hanging from her hip to be used at a seconds notice. Oh no, tonight was far different than usual for the deadly assassin. Instead it was something far deadlier, at least in her opinion...a black evening dress that sparkled with the slightest of movements, clasping her neck firmly enough to keep the material in place without the aid of straps while showing an elegant amount of cleavage at her chest. Her dark auburn locks were pulled tightly back from her face, held up with an assortment of pins and shiny clips that had been put there by her own hand for decoration. And as she sat in the car, her clutch beside her and heels on her feet, Natasha knew that she was in for one of her toughest challenges yet.
Gotham's Annual Charity Gala.
Why Fury wanted her there she wasn't sure. After all, if anything were to go amiss there was Batman to take care of the trouble. But maybe that was half of it. Fury had mentioned that something else was occuring, something they couldn't quite put their finger on. So maybe it was the detective skills of the Bat that they needed...and how else did one go about getting to him than quietly through his alter-ego? The car rolled to a stop in front of the hotel, leaving Natasha only a moment to put on her face before the door was opened and she stepped out into a flash of cameras and shouting voices. There, she was no longer Natasha Romanov, the SHIELD Agent, but Natalie Rushman, a model known for her career over in Russia and the Union.
And what a joy that was...
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Post by dmoyd on Aug 21, 2012 21:01:18 GMT -5
The paparazzi cameras flashed like blinding spotlights, capturing many of Gotham's celebrities, elitists, and A-listers. Gotham's annual charity galas always attracted large crowds of reporters and citizens, as the event itself was treated something along the lines of a red carpet event. As these important people exited out of their limousines, luxury cars, and even a horse-drawn carriage (weird attendee), the reporters and photographers flooded them with compliments, questions, requests, and some jeers. However, many of these Gothamites paid little attention to their 'fans', only a handful stopping to entertain them by answering a question or posing in a certain way for the camera, which caused more people to follow suit. Posing for the camera, reaching out to the smaller unnamed Gothamites, craving attention...
However, this particular billionaire did not crave any sort of attention, though he would prepare for it once his foot hit the sidewalk. While the other attendees made grandiose entrances, Bruce Wayne's presence would be known, although subtle. Pulling up to the lot in his black Lamborghini, the six foot billionaire exited the vehicle, gave the keys to the valet, and adjusted the collar on his Armani blazer. At first, his gaze was somewhere else, though his focus shifted back to the task at hand. He checked his silver wristwatch and mumbled beneath his breath. The gala had not even began and he wanted the thing to end. The reason not being his dislike in parties (as he knew that Bruce Wayne had to maintain the image of an eccentric billionaire), though the reason solely being on his need to be somewhere else. Not his want; his need. However, with some persuasion from both Alfred and Tim to leave the manor and attend, Bruce found himself walking behind Gotham's elites inside of the ballroom, his expression as stoic as possible. His presence went unnoticed for a brief second, though after that second passed, the same barrage of flashing cameras and requests assaulted Bruce Wayne.
"Hey Wayne! No supermodels tonight?" A reporter joked. Bruce stopped for a moment and gave a fake smile and laugh. Bruce hid his lack of interest for the gala fairly well, though at this stage of his life, Bruce could keep anything a secret.
"Unfortunately; though who knows? I may get lucky tonight." The billionaire stated, giving a laugh and a wink to the photographer.
"So where have you been, Mr. Wayne? Gotham barely sees ya!" Another shouted. Bruce exhaled and placed his hands in his pockets, then shrugged. He knew that question would pop up; he'd been hearing it recently, anyway. His being at the gala allowed for any rumors or speculations to be dispelled about him. Tomorrow the Gazette would read how Bruce is back home, how he's returned to take care of his finances and how he and Wayne Enterprises will continue to improve upon Gotham City.
"Vacationing." He answered. "But I'm back home now, that's all that really matters." He placed his hand in front of his face to avoid the flash and continued inside the ballroom, greeting familiar faces and fresh ones. As he maneuvered down from the crowd, his eyes caught a glimpse of a stunning young red haired woman. Bruce examined every part of her: her hair, her face, her legs, and even how her dressed hugged and complimented her curves. Always the notorious playboy, Bruce soon found a reason to stay at the gala.
And with that, his feet started moving into her direction.
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Post by Natasha "Black Widow" Romanov on Sept 9, 2012 13:02:02 GMT -5
The dress clung to her body in the right places, a necessary evil for the evening that she had tried to find as close to her regular uniform as possible. Certainly, her body suit and armour worn during her hours as a SHIELD agent were just as revealing as the costume she wore now, save for the ample amount of cleavage that was visible above the neckline of the dress itself. And if there was to be an emergency, the long skirt would have to be sacrificed to ensure that she was able to move quickly away from any danger. It was one of the many hazards that came with her job, one not so easily shared with the other people in her life. But as she thought about the idea a little, she realized that she didn't really need to discuss it with those people anyway. After all, almost every single person in her life was a hero or agent of some kind, and none of them were sure to give much of a care if they were to learn that she had a small revolver attached to the inside of her right thigh.
Her bright eyes observed those around her, taking note of those who she had seen before in the various profiles she had come to know over the past several years. It was easy enough to pick out the Mayor of Gotham City, closely followed by the Police Commissioner and a few other officers for security purposes. Scattered around the room were other socialites and politicians of various ranks, each with a variety of dollar signs accompanying their name at some point. But those were not the people of interest to Natasha that night. Oh no, she had been assigned to someone entirely different, someone that would normally present absolutely no interest for the woman at all. Director Fury had instructed her to find him and keep her eyes on him through the night so they she could eventually approach him about working for SHIELD. Whether he realized it or not, they were all too aware of who he was when the sun set.
And as luck would have it, Natasha was close enough to the doors after her own entrance into the hall that he had seen her without much effort on her part. While part of her wanted to roll her eyes when she saw the look on the playboy's face, she knew that she couldn't allow such feelings to show in any part of her body or face if she was to play the role effectively. The chances of her actually getting around to telling him that she knew about Batman were fairly slim that night. There were too many other people around and she didn't want to blow his cover in front of anyone else. But she also knew that Bruce Wayne was not the type of man to trust easily, and Natasha had to play her cards correctly without letting an opportunity slip past.
She might only get one shot at this.
A smile graced her lips as she looked up at his approach, making it look as though she hadn't actually given him the slightest bit of attention since he had walked through the door. It was best not to say a word, not until he actually talked to her. After all, she was supposed to be relatively new to this scene in Gotham. She knew of Bruce of course, but she wasn't about to let him know that.
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Post by dmoyd on Sept 21, 2012 12:22:40 GMT -5
Bruce maneuvered through the crowd of upper and middle class socialites, thankful that he was not as much as a celebrity here than he was on the outside. No, here in these parties, he was merely the C.E.O of a rival company and in a sea of other C.E.Os and the like, nothing really stood out about Mr. Wayne. However, that did not change his opinion about these parties (or these posh, arrogant people). Though this young red haired lady seemed to wow him more than any other woman inside of the gala. It was weird, but Bruce had never seen this woman before; considering how attractive she was and how many parties Bruce attended, she would at least have been a contact in his phone (or a previous guest in his king-sized bed), though this was the first time Bruce had lay eyes on her. Well, still being the suave playboy, all that would soon change. With every step, Bruce fixed any small imperfection that he thought would stand out on his face and upon approaching her, flashed that enticing smile before opening his mouth to speak.
"First time in Gotham? I haven't seen you too often at our yearly galas, maybe I can show you around?" Bruce asked. His blue eyes examined and adored everything about her: the way that her dress complimented her figure, her almost perfect hair, and that warm smile to name a few. While Bruce detested the parties, he had to say that they had their fair share of beautiful women. That was one 'up' for masquerading as Bruce Wayne. While Batman had a much more fulfilling and 'comfortable' (in Bruce's eyes) way of living, Bruce Wayne did have that alluring charm that accompanied him. "I'm sorry, I almost forgot to introduce myself: Bruce Wayne. " He introduced, before taking her hand and planting a delicate kiss on it.
"And you are?"
With this woman, Bruce would have to try and impress her to get her back to the manor, he thought. Thankfully, the gala would serve as the perfect venue to show off Bruce's wealth and power which was something every girl happened to love. Which everyone loved. From a passing waitress, Bruce swiped two glasses of sparkling champagne from the tray and handed one to his new acquaintance and the other for himself before lightly sipping. As he sipped, a microphone's feedback was audible before the crowd began to turn their attention to the stage were an elderly man welcomed the crowd and began to introduce Metropolis's top charity donators. Bruce gave a light clap and somewhat of a groan. Metropolis. Actually, Bruce would have to make a visit there to see his partner and also see on the finishing touches to the Justice League's satellite. He then turned to the woman and began to question her.
"So, if you don't mind me asking, where are you from?"
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Post by Natasha "Black Widow" Romanov on Sept 28, 2012 23:38:13 GMT -5
Having positioned herself so expertly on the floor, Natasha didn't second guess the movements of the billionaire playboy who made almost a direct bee-line for her after entering the room. And while she contained all emotion from being featured on her face, she felt like rolling her eyes at how predictable men like Bruce Wayne could be when there was someone new in the room. It was almost like dangling a new doll in front of a little girl. It doesn't matter what anyone says to you, all you want is to play with the new toy until you learned what it could do and then you would grow bored of it. Such was the way with men like Wayne and the women they were constantly seen with. None of them ever lasted longer than the amount of time it took for them to be lured into bed before they were dismissed without a second thought and their names were erased from memory.
But Natasha had no intention of becoming another notch on his bedpost.
With all the charm and grace that she had been taught, as well as the natural talent of being a women, Natasha turned herself around as he addressed her, flashing him a mysterious smile. "Why yes, actually. I'm here on business, representing a client of mine who wasn't able to make the function tonight." The words that next accompanied his movements were ones not quite expected by the young woman, who had dealt with many men in her time for various reasons. But of course, none of them were the type to be filed alongside Bruce Wayne, someone she was very interested in for reasons he did not yet know. Her smile only widened a little as she felt him take her hand and gently kiss the back of it, his name rolling off of his tongue as if he didn't think she would know him. But know him she did. "Natalie Rushman," she said softly, using the same name she had once given Tony Stark. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Wayne."
As her eyes began to study him carefully, Natasha began to wonder just what it was that made the women fall for him so easily. Part of it certainly had to be his money, for there were many shallow women who thought they could give a little and end up on the receiving end of a diamond mine. And of course, he had a certain amount of charm about him that just seemed to ooze into everything he did, from the smallest of spoken words to the simplest of movements. She couldn't deny that he was handsome either, for his bright blue orbs were a rather attractive feature on his already masculine face. And while others might have immediately been taken by such things, Natasha knew that her objective was probably not the one that he had in mind for the evening. If Bruce Wayne saw anything more than a fresh piece of meat when he looked at her, she would have been greatly surprised.
A smooth movement of his body and a twist in his wrist saw him offering her a flute of champagne from a passing tray, which she accepted in her delicate manner before she turned her own blue eyes to the speaking at the microphone. The words meant nothing to her, but she pretended to be engaged in what was happening if only to maintain the facade she had begun when she left the limo outside. "Boston," she told him, the lie rolling off of her tongue with no effort at all. "I work for a separate division of Stark Industries and maintain the running of the business there." Oh, Stark would have a field day if he heard that one.
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Post by dmoyd on Oct 9, 2012 21:50:57 GMT -5
Bruce Wayne instinctively studied this new red haired attraction, mentally recording each and every subtle movement about her. His look was filled with curiosity and lust, though maintaining the sort of suave style that only the billionaire playboy could pull off. She was definitely quite the looker: Bruce's thoughts would be completely centered around getting her into his bed. Though, like every other girl before him, he would not permit himself to get into a serious relationship, no matter how attractive one of his flings were. Actually, his playboy antics were so notorious that Gothamites speculated that he had serious commitment issues. Or he was a rich, handsome, jerk. The latter being the most popular. Although, this negative reputation was no secret to Mr. Wayne. In fact, it played to his advantage quite well as it made his second life -- his alter ego, or rather, the real him -- incredibly incompatible from his public persona. Being Gotham's protector did not permit Bruce the pleasures of having a committed relationship; instead, a relationship would only further complicate things. So this red-haired beauty, like every blond, brunette and the like before her, would only be a one night stand. Not a single pretty face or a seductive body would change Bruce's current lifestyle. But for now, Bruce would capture her interest and bring her back to the manor.
She would become another notch in his famed bedpost.
Bruce raised an interested eyebrow at her reason for being here. Substituting a particular client? While business hardly mattered for Wayne, learning about potential competitors or business allies would benefit Wayne Enterprises and prove to be important to Eve Amherst. "Shame that your client couldn't make it; word is that tonight's gala would best last year's" Bruce said, an eye slowly shifting to the stage as they continued down the list of the various charities. He smirked and let out a small chuckle from his previous statement. "They never are though." Bruce had to admit, he was taken aback by her stunningly smile, a smile escaping from his masculine face as he crossed his massive arms and stood next to his crush.
She delivered her name Bruce nodded, seeming pleased that she gave him her name. Bruce finished his glass and set it on a nearby table, keeping his enticing blue eyes in line with her own. As the speaker finished up with her reading of Metropolis, the tune emitting from the live band began, inviting the wealthy socialites to begin their dance with their partners. With the grace of a gentleman, his hand slid into hers as he gently pulled her nearer, his arm creeping around her waist as he began to sway with her.
"One of Stark's people? He's actually becoming one of my competitors, I hope he's not here." Bruce said, looking around pretending to seem worried. Bruce then flashed a smile to her, matching the rhythm of the band's beat. "It'd be a great addition to Wayne Enterprises if someone as beautiful as you joined, or at the very least, stayed in Gotham. I'd be grateful if you'd stay the night in my city. Promise you won't be bored here." He invited, giving her both a sexual invitation and a job offer. How generous! The passing compliments and congratulations from other party goers only further stroked his ego, the intention to impress the woman in his arms. "So, Miss. Rushman, how are you liking Gotham so far? Anything in particular catch your interest here?"
Bruce was confident. She would definitely not decline his offer.
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Post by Natasha "Black Widow" Romanov on Oct 9, 2012 22:53:05 GMT -5
Oh, how a part of Natasha longed to be back in her daily uniform with her belt and guns snuggly fit to her body. There was something far more secure in the clothing she wore aboard the Helicarrier when compared to the dress she had donned that night. Not because there was any shortage of tightness to the cloth, or even because she was missing fire power of some kind...oh no, there was a rather lethal little number strapped to the inside of her thigh if needed...but because she didn't feel so much like an object in her uniform. While the smile stayed on her face and lit up her features nicely while she played the part, Natasha always despised the men who made her feel like she was simply a material thing that was worth nothing once they had bedded her. Once she had been the type of girl to fall for the ploy, waking up broken hearted to find herself alone and escorted out by some kind of hired help after a night she had thought would lead to something more...
But that was no more. Tasha had learned quickly from those episodes in her younger days, having hardened her heart to believe that she would never truly be loved by anyone in such a manner. She would always be viewed as a triumph, a notch on someone's bed post, and by the look in his eye Bruce Wayne thought of her as nothing more. And what of the Batman, she wondered to herself. Was he there lurking behind the facade that Wayne was putting on for her benefit or was he back in his cave looking for the next sign of crime? She had to wonder if perhaps the Batman analyzed the people that Bruce Wayne met on a daily basis or if the two were mutually exclusive at something as trivial as a charity gala. After all, with all of the money that was attached to his name already, she highly doubted that Wayne came here to be a good samaritan and help those less fortunate than himself. Oh no, he was clearly here for a few little escapades of his own. "I can assure you that Mr. Stark is unable to attend tonight," she said with a soft bout of laughter. "He's otherwise engaged tonight."
The smile remained bright on her lips as she took a sip from the flute that he had handed to her, only to quickly set it on a passing tray as she felt him tug her a little closer to his larger frame. With the rhythm of the song swaying their steps in time, Natasha knew she would have a much easier time focusing on her objective if she could lure him into a false sense of security. But apparently he didn't need her help for that at all. "It would seem that Gotham holds a great many mysteries I haven't yet unravelled," she said to him, fluttering her eyelashes a little bit. "Perhaps I need a tour guide to help make sure I don't miss anything worth seeing." There was no mistaking the light purr in her voice as she spoke, having more than picked up the hints he was dropping in front of her. And while she certainly did not require the job offer he was parading around, Natasha knew right then and there that she had Bruce Wayne right where she wanted him.
With her hand resting on his shoulder, she took that small step forward and wound it around his neck, pressing her body as tightly to his as she could without missing a step. "Perhaps we should discuss this elsewhere?"
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Post by dmoyd on Nov 7, 2012 0:59:51 GMT -5
Many of the socialites' attention within the room shifted to the Gotham-born billionaire and the lovely lady in his arms as their bodies swayed in the lavish ballroom. Bruce's eyes continued to stare into Natalie's eyes, pretending to be unaware of the envious glances which would have been shot his way. Bruce Wayne was the ultimate actor: he effortlessly fooled his peers into thinking that he constantly lived the swinger's lifestyle 24/7. And Bruce Wayne continued to play the part, moving the prize in his arms in the middle of the ballroom and absorbed every last gaze that was given, all the while pretending as though they were the only two people in the room. Want and desire emitted from Bruce's blue eyes onto Natalie's; his toothy grin displayed his comfort with being in this very moment and already people would begin to wonder if this young woman would become more than the list of ladies that Bruce Wayne had one night stands with. Of course there would be those types of thoughts; an elitist playboy like Bruce Wayne not french kissing a stunning young woman after meeting her had to mean something! Bruce already knew what would be on many Gothamites' minds, webpage comments, tweets, the like. They would think that Bruce Wayne was lovestruck -- ready to settle down. But alas, like the many others, they would be wrong. As much as it pained Bruce to lead a girl on and making her nothing more than a tool to save public face, things had to be done. Though she was beautiful...
"With aliens and hulking monsters?" Bruce joked. Bruce's feet moved with grace and a mastery of the band's rhythm, making sure not to collide with Natalie's feet though keeping his legs as close as possible. However, his effort was also being returned as Natalie's body clung to the billionaire's. Bruce listened to Natalie's response from his proposal on Gotham. If there were any hint of doubt in Bruce's mind (which there, of course, wasn't) that Natalie did not return the same feelings of lust and an alluring attraction to Mr. Wayne, the purr in her voice and the choice of words changed that.
This was what Bruce Wayne was notorious for. Why he was nicknamed as a playboy by the media and all of Gotham. That irresistible charm that only a Wayne could possess happened to work on this lovely redhead. Bruce set the trap and she walked right into it; Bruce would not have to imagine her being naked anymore since she would be momentarily ripping off her expensive dress for a taste of the billionaire. Oh, did Bruce feel guilty seducing this young lady to put on a front. Not even for a front which he cared deeply for -- a front which was absolutely necessary for Gotham's survival. And as Bruce's face came closer to hers, as the guilt began to pound at his chest, his conscious began to quell that guilt. She, Natalie Rushman, was a necessary tool for not only Gotham's survival but Gotham's growth. Bruce Wayne was doing what was necessary for his city; Natalie would unwillingly be participating in something much greater than just a one night stand with a billionaire.
Natalie then offered her own proposal to Bruce, whispering as seductively as possible. Bruce was no stranger to 'going somewhere else', even if that somewhere happened to be his manor or in one of his many penthouses. Bruce ran his hands through her hair and stroked the back of her neck, his forehead touching hers. With the band finishing their music and the gaze from the upper-class party goers dissipating, Bruce would make use of his knowledge of stealth and with Natalie in hand, slipped from the main ballroom into the backyard, walking across the grass and taking Natalie into a hidden gazebo, only the two of them occupying the immense space.
Bruce released her hand and smiled, dropping his arms to the side and looking around in the backyard, then back at Natalie. "So, we can be like spontaneous teenagers and do it under the stars or if you'd feel more comfortable in a bed, the valet shouldn't be too far from here. But we're by ourselves though, Miss Rushman."
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Post by Natasha "Black Widow" Romanov on Nov 15, 2012 22:04:46 GMT -5
By this point in her career, Natasha was all too used to being looked upon in the same way that Bruce was watching her now. In truth, she could feel a great many eyes upon her as she moved elegantly along the dance floor in his arms, knowing that many women were probably jealous of her and many men jealous of him. It meant nothing to her, of course, except that it was a reminder of the role she was currently playing. But aside from that, the next step was simply her mission. Discussing business on the dance floor was highly frowned upon by most people in the upper levels of society, and she was certain that Bruce didn't want to talk about Stark Industries or Wayne Enterprises anymore than she did. Granted, he didn't have the same idea as she did of where they would end their little meeting that evening, but that suited her just fine. She'd let him live in his little fantasy for the time being.
Damn Stark. Everyone's knowing his identity as the Iron Man could sometimes make her job a little more complicated than it needed to be, but Natasha simply smiled and offered Bruce a small laugh in response. "I don't think New York is being terrorized at the moment, but I could be entirely wrong." Add in the little invasion that Loki had staged over the city just a short while ago and she could understand completely where he was getting his joke from. That immortal troublemaker had caused quite the headache for SHIELD as they attempted to clean things up and keep identities a secret from the press. Her own image had been compromised since she wasn't exactly the type of heroine to wear a mask in the line of duty. Then again, Natasha didn't consider herself a hero at all...
With a subtle glance and a shift in his body, Natasha instantly caught onto the signals that he was sending out. After her little "offer" had been spoken, he seemed rather interested in pursuing the matter further and lead her away from the dance floor. He walked rather lightly for a man, she noted as they moved, which was definitely something that would prove to be an asset to his nightly activities outside of his bedroom. Her own footsteps remained soft despite the heels she wore on her feet so as not to attract any unwanted attention toward their leaving as he guided her through the hallways and corridors of the building. In what felt like no time at all, he had taken her outside and away from the main party, to a gazebo in the middle of an otherwise empty lawn. His next words rather surprised her, and it was then that Natasha chose to change her demeanour from Natalie Rushman back into the femme fatale she knew herself to be. "Right here under the stars like teenagers? And here I thought Bruce Wayne had more class than that."
She was a few steps away from him now, no longer touching him as she stepped carefully in front of the staircase that provided the entrance and exit to the gazebo. Her stance took on a stronger tone, weight spread evenly between both of her legs as she crossed her arms tightly over her chest. It was cool outside, and the dress wasn't making things warmer, but she wasn't cold. Not yet anyway. "And actually, I'm not overly interested in talking to Bruce Wayne," she told him, her bright eyes looking at him sternly as if daring him to try her. "I'd much rather talk to the Batman."
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Post by dmoyd on Nov 18, 2012 11:07:38 GMT -5
Bruce was a bit stunned. In all honesty, Bruce thought it to be adventerous if they did not go the conventional way of having casual sex. To play out another person's fantasy; a billionaire and a stunning red-head running off in the backyard of a mansion, making out with one another under Gotham's stars like teens at their prom night. Bruce shrugged, brushed back his hair, and laughed.
"Well, it's fun to act a bit immature once in a while, don't you agree? I should tell you about the time I was in high school..." Bruce said, trying to bounce back after this awkward moment. He had not been too sure -- had this happened to Bruce Wayne before? Sure, he had his series of bad dates (some which included him actually being held hostage), though he didn't remember being turned down on the first attempt so easily.
Maybe Bruce Wayne had come on a little too strong? Hm, of course not! Bruce Wayne was a flirt and like they had done before in the ballroom, flirting was a huge weapon in Bruce Wayne's arsenal. His name alone though, was a panty dropper. What woman didn't want to fuck their brains out to Gotham's billionaire, regardless if it was under the stars, in a bed, or in Arkham Asylum. But Natalie resisted the tempting urge to be one of the girls Bruce Wayne seduced. Had it been another pretty face, the two would be engaged in sweet passion until the sprinklers interrupted. Bruce actually admired her playing hard to get, him thinking that he may have been too confident with his Wayne charm and would have to try a bit harder to romance the ravashing red-head.
In the inside, Bruce was actually indifferent on how things could have gone. In his mind, he wondered how his city was faring with Bruce Wayne being confined behind the walls of a boring ballroom gala. His mind rang with the thought of his city and the many Gothamites who relied on Batman to be there for them. Though Batman, for the moment, could not be there. This bothered him, though he knew that it was necessary for Bruce Wayne to keep both his reputation and save public face. For Bruce to disappear from the public once more would probably raise suspicions and already tabloids were calling him a failed version of Thomas Wayne. No matter if Bruce wore the cowl or not, that was a serious strike towards his pride. He could never live with himself if he believed that he was tarnishing the memory of the late and great Thomas and Martha Wayne -- his parents.
Bruce watched her movements with anxiety, her body slipping away from his and her stance now looking a bit more serious than before. The look on his face clearly showed that he did not have any clue what was going to happen, not in the slightest. In the back of his mind, he was expecting a hidden camera to pop out, a new show embarrassing billionaires on national TV. Oh if that was the case --
But it wasn't the case. Bruce Wayne could fathom an annoying announcer laughing at the scenario, though he couldn't stomach her last sentence. She wanted to speak to the Batman. Immediately, after uttering that phrase, she was now under investigation. The feelings of want and lust soon dissipated and was now replaced with curiosity and rage. Just who was this vixen who brought up Bruce's alter ego? Was it a villain who had gotten lucky with the identities? Was it a reporter, riding Vicki Vale's bandwagon by claiming that Bruce Wayne and Batman were connected? Those rumors were instantly debunked as soon as they went public -- there was no possible way a civilian could have deduced that Bruce Wayne was Batman. Bruce went through so many measures to ensure that his secret, along with the secret identites of his allies, were kept safe. Now they had been compromised; now the truth was in jeporady. Bruce wanted to know more about Natalie Rushman, though getting her in bed was now the least of his worries.
His heart may have skipped a beat and his mind was now cursing, uttering every phrase in the book, but his appearance remained calm. It would be very dangerous to admit it; he had no idea who she was. Not to mention, there was no proof to connect the two together. Bruce Wayne's acting and lying would surely persuade her that there was no connection and would also teach Bruce a bit more about this mistress.
Bruce chuckled and looked up at her, still giving her the same interested look from before. "I'm pretty sure that there's a Batsignal on the police rooftops if you need to speak with the Batman." He said, sighing in dissapointment.
"Is this what that's been about, Miss Rushman?" Bruce asked, regarding the 'this' to the flirting in the ballroom. He advanced towards her, though kept his distance. He flashed that award winning smile and looking longingly into her eyes.
"Besides, why would you want to talk to a guy who dresses up as bat for, anyway? Why don't we step inside my new Ferrari and finish what we started before, huh?" He asked, throwing all of the flashy and shiny toys at her doing whatever he could to throw off her train her thought.
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Post by Natasha "Black Widow" Romanov on Nov 25, 2012 22:47:55 GMT -5
The circumstances of this meeting were far beyond what Natasha personally would have liked. If possible, avoiding the trouble of getting all dolled up and slipping into a dress that made all of those men stare at her would have been a blessing, since it always proved to be such a waste of time in the long run. Her choice would have been confronting him at his manor or having him arrested on some trumped up charge that she somehow managed to create. But no, things could never be done the easy way, she thought to herself as she kept her bright eyes on his larger frame. Anything to do with men never seemed to be easy at all, and there was always some round-about method that she needed to take in order to approach the subject from an entirely different angle.
Her arms remained crossed over her chest as she shifted her weight a little, allowing most of it to rest to the side as her right hip popped lightly beneath the material of her dress. Clearly, he wasn't going to give her the information she wanted right away. "My name is Natasha Romanov," she said, careful to look for any signs of sudden movement in case he thought he could get away after giving her a good smack. "I'm an agent enlisted by S.H.I.E.L.D. and the American government to deal with global security and threats of worldly invasion." That was about the simplest way she could think of explaining her job, knowing that the chances of him knowing about the organization were greater than your average citizen. In reality, if he knew nothing about SHIELD, Natasha was going to be a little surprised, but not all together thrown off guard. After all, their objective was to remain silent and in the shadows so that ordinary people did not learn of their existence. It was bad enough that people had almost recognized her for her efforts in New York...
She made no movements as she watched him step slowly toward her, maintaining his playboy façade, but her mind was mentally preparing for whatever would come her way. Unfortunately, it was nothing that Natasha would deem interesting as her brow knit itself into a frown. She was finished with playing these games, and she didn't appreciate the flirtatious longing in his eyes when she was sure that wanting to have his way with her was not even on the list of things going on in his mind anymore. "Come now, Mr. Wayne, aren't we a little old to be playing mind games?" Despite the frown on her face, a part of Natasha wanted to smirk at her own catty remark. "You and I both know that time and hardships can do wonders for dealing with people on a daily basis, so let's cut to the chase." Oh, how part of her wanted to reach out and start something with him. After all, Bruce Wayne could only deal with so much before the instincts of the Batman were sure to kick in and take over completely.
The red-head knew that they were far enough away from the party for this discussion to be happening, she had people ensuring that they would not be disturbed once she managed to separate him from the rest of the socialites. The issue now was getting him to help her without raising too much of a fuss. She'd hate to scratch his pretty face, after all...
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Post by dmoyd on Dec 14, 2012 19:36:42 GMT -5
Her intentions were clear; her face was stoic and it did not seem like Bruce Wayne could persuade her into thinking he was not the Batman. Bruce needed his identity to be kept secret and secure and her knowing could potentionally ruin the mystery of the Batman. On the outside, Bruce remained unaware and amused, though on the inside he was reeling. His photographic mind began to flip through many of the persons he encountered since the universe merging, however, she was not one of those faces. This redhead, this Natalie Rushman, was able to crack the case to one of the world's greatest mysteries: the identity of the Batman. This vixen was obviously a dangerous opponent and Bruce would be dedicated to finding out exactly who she was and how she gained her knowledge. That was, until, her enticing lips began to speak and her identity began to pour from her mouth. Bruce's suspicions soon died down as he processed each and every thing that she said. So; that's why Bruce had never met Natalie -- no, Natasha was her real name -- she was apart of the second universe and not only that, was a secret agent for the equally secret police agency known only as SHIELD. Bruce's eyebrows narrowed, his face now showing his anger and frustration. He was angered by the very presence of this woman and her knowledge and SHIELD also shared his frustration for gaining the upper hand on him. She was sent to Gotham, just to get close to Bruce. She had succeeded into getting close to the playboy billionaire by playing as one of Bruce Wayne's interests. SHIELD must have realized that getting to Gotham's prince was much easier than getting to Gotham's dark knight. Bruce hated himself for picking up this woman -- then, he also hated Batman for digging deep into SHIELD.
Ever since he met that woman in the streets of Gotham asking for Joker, Zara O'Riley, he was interested in learning about the secret police force from the second universe. However, his snooping may have caused to his identity being compromised. No matter how meticulous Batman had been, it was evident that he had slipped somewhere. His whole career of being Batman had been successful with only a few amount of people (a very miniscule amount) finding out that Bruce Wayne and Batman were the same person. Others, Bruce allowed to know about his double life. This woman, however, was an enemy to both Bruce and Batman. She presented this information so casually to Bruce that paranoia started to creep and poke at the billionaire. He wondered how much she knew. But in finding that, he would have to admit that her suspicions were correct...
There were other ways to get the information that he wanted without admitting he was Batman, however. The first option was the worst -- she obviously wasn't alone and if he forced the information out of her, it would only cause a scene outside of the mansion. If she had this information and she happened to be even craftier than she let on, Bruce could be in serious trouble. So the first option of force was scrapped. What if Bruce admitted he was Batman without actually admitting he was Batman? However, having an ally like SHIELD on his side would be a tremendous advantage on Batman's war against crime. However, with such a vast organization, the Justice League may have some issues on such an idea. A meeting was desperately needed...
Bruce stepped away from her and leaned on the opposite side of the gazeebo, his eyes shifting from side to side, assuring that they were alone. Bruce was a secretive and usually distrusting person. However, she may have a reason why she should be trusted. Bruce's fingers drummed against the marble and a small sigh escaped his mouth. "Exactly how many people in SHIELD believes Bruce Wayne and Batman are the same? I mean, if I were Batman, I'd want to know that my identity was kept secret."
It wasn't anything creative but it would have gotten the job done. Bruce's eyes locked onto her, not showing any signs of sexual interest for her. He moved from his position and stood still, Bruce knowing that she would catch his meanings. If she was smart enough to get Bruce Wayne -- no, Batman -- out here alone, then she would be smart enough to read in between the lines.
"Now you've gotten me curious... Natasha. You and SHIELD have this information," Bruce said, coming closer though still not displaying any aggressive intentions. "What do you want with the Batman?"
Bruce crossed his arms and stared daggers into her eyes. Partnership? Was this some threat? He patiently awaited for an answer.
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Post by Natasha "Black Widow" Romanov on Dec 17, 2012 0:07:15 GMT -5
The more time they spent playing this game, the more time they wasted. And while the Black Widow understood his desire to keep his dual identity a secret from the rest of the world, she very much wanted to gather the required information so that she could leave Gotham and report back to Fury in the morning. Why he had sent her, she hadn't been entirely certain until she'd read the file on her way into the city...and only then had she understood why it was her and not someone like Carter or Hill who had been sent. Wayne liked beautiful women, especially the kind who might be easily lured into bed by his charming smile and money...the very things that would prevent people from thinking that the billionaire playboy masqueraded as a flying bat by night. But when someone like Natasha, a complete outsider, manages to have such information and comes right to the point with it as soon as they have been separated from the rest of the crowd, alarm bells would certainly be ringing for any other man as well. Still, the red head just wanted to cut to the chase, forget the whole charade and do her job...
And Bruce Wayne didn't seem all that accommodating.
A small frown appeared on her face as she watched him, watched the mask remain in place as he brushed aside her allegations of his identity. She could only imagine the things that were going on in his head right now, having been confronted so suddenly by a woman he had been ready to bed. Heck, she'd certainly be reeling on the inside if the roles were reversed. But they weren't, and Natasha, while curious to know just what he was thinking when he looked at her, knew that time was not necessarily on their side that night. "Select few agents are privy to the knowledge of who you are, Mr. Wayne," she assured him, folding her arms carefully over her chest. "It's a 'need-to-know' basis. But rest assured, I know quite a bit about you." She couldn't help but let a small smirk slip onto her lips at that, wishing to make him a little more uncomfortable and perhaps get something to show in his face.
Shifting her stance a little, the red head allowed her body to lean back against the railing of the gazebo, mirroring his own posture as she lifted one leg to brace her foot against the lattice work. In doing so, she picked up the material of her dress a little, the slit in the side spreading slightly over her thigh and knee. "We have no intention of allowing that information to be used anywhere, by anyone. The Batman does far more good without a face and a name." Though it was meant to be something that might give him reason to breathe, Natasha highly doubted that Wayne was satisfied with her answers just yet. But at the same time, he was going to keep up the persona of Bruce Wayne as he questioned her, attempting to gather as much information about the woman as he possibly could. Good, she thought to herself. It might prove useful to him one day.
With careful eyes she watched the movements in his body as he picked himself up and wandered over toward her. The desire was now completely gone from his eyes, and while he didn't show signs of being prepared to take her down, she was always ready for such a thing. Heaven forbid he should try...Natasha wasn't sure that his train would be enough to handle the skill set she possessed. "SHIELD requires your assistance in learning about and tracking down The Joker, as well as several other dangerous criminals," came the quiet reply. "One of your mob bosses is reportedly dealing with him, and The Joker has been tampering with the drugs and weapons being sent out to other ports. We've found several people dead of different poisonings and overdoses...and we want to connect the dots."
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Post by dmoyd on Dec 31, 2012 1:33:53 GMT -5
Bruce loathed the position which he had been thrusted into. By Alfred's nagging did Bruce Wayne appear at the charity gala; with Bruce Wayne's playboy reputation needed to be in tact did he make advances towards this woman, and now, this woman taunted him with her knowledge of knowing Wayne's true self. It could have been an error Batman made on his attempts on hacking into SHIELD'S database, it could have been SHIELD secretly watching the Dark Knight, or the workings of a physic mutant who spilled the beans. Either way, Bruce was fully exposed and trapped in a corner -- a position in which he did not find himself in, often. Bruce's stomach was churning with anger, his cheeks was hot from embarrassment and his calm and collected demeanor was suddenly fading. This woman, it seemed, did not have a reason to lie to Bruce Wayne -- not to mention, Bruce was skilled in reading faces and the like, so he would have known if this was just a ruse. No, this was the real deal. SHIELD had sent an agent to wrap Bruce Wayne around her well-manicured finger and then drop the biggest bombshell on the billionaire's life. The rage that he felt right now was indescribable. The total dislike for both Natasha and her knowledge was all Bruce knew at the moment.
She tried to ease the waters by stating that Batman's secret was known within a select few members inside of SHIELD. Bruce, being one who trusted virtually no one, was not thrilled about others knowing who was behind the cowl. The way Natasha spoke about the information showed that she trusted her collegues, though Bruce would have to make it his business to find out exactly who knew and how much they knew. His mind began to think about his own collegues. Were their identites compromised? Did this Natasha Romanov know that Clark Kent was Superman or that Barry Allen was the Flash? If she was able to deduce that Bruce Wayne was Batman, then it would be a given to conclude that she knew of Batman's sidekicks identities. How unhappy Tim would be to hear that Robin's identity was shared with a circle of strangers? Worse yet, how would this sound to the Justice League? Batman usually kept his endeavors to himself, however, this detrimental piece of information could either make or break the League's and SHIELD's potential relationship.
Blue eyes narrowed at the gorgeous red head. Bruce would be the one who would come out on top -- regardless of how omnious SHIELD were.
Bruce spoke softly, their conversation only audible to the two inside of the gazebo. Even though they had the entire backyard to themselves, Bruce still took extra precautions. This spat that they found themselves would eventually lead to nowhere and with Natasha revealing the purpose of coming to Bruce Wayne, Bruce had to decide to come clean. The Joker was at large which meant lives were, once again, at risk. Batman would go any strenuous night or any amount of hours to ensure that Joker was, once again, incarcerated. He didn't need SHIELD's help -- but SHIELD was asking for his.
Bruce Wayne dragged his index finger along the marble railing of the gazebo, chuckling softly to himself before speaking. His eyes moved away from Natasha's gaze, to the floor, then met her gaze once more. "What baffles me is SHIELD's remarkable ability to 'unmask' heroes, though failing to find very distinct, very eccentric terrorists. You need Batman's help to help you find Joker..." Bruce stated, giving off a faked laugh. If he couldn't bleed any information out of Natasha, then the least he could do was get her hot underneath the collar a bit.
Was she the type of lady to take offense to a few insults? Then again, with this information, Bruce had to play it safe and not push her over the top. Then again, it was probably best not to rock the boat at all.
Bruce removed himself from his slouched position and stood straight, taller than Natasha and walking with a confident step in her direction. Just like back in the party, the two were eye to eye. The feelings, however were complete opposites. It was like Bruce was sending signs of his obvious anger and distrust for Natasha and SHIELD as a whole. Though the two, however, did share a mutual purpose: They wanted the Joker stopped. They wanted lives to be saved. They would have to work together. A balled fist met with the marble railing of the gazebo complimented with an exasperated exhale from Bruce's mouth. His biceps buldged and he could feel a grind beginning on his teeth. He looked at her with the same intense stare in which he eyed down Gotham's criminals. The same stare which made Batman the feared figure. A long silence fell upon the two before Bruce began speaking.
"Let's begin." He stated. "Let's stop the Joker."
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Post by Natasha "Black Widow" Romanov on Feb 5, 2013 17:04:40 GMT -5
Were she in his position, Natasha knew that she wouldn't be overly thrilled at the idea that someone else had learned of her dual identity either. The Batman had become a symbol for Gotham City, a sign that not every man was willing to hide quietly in his wealth while a large portion of the city was overrun by criminals, drug lords and psychopaths with strange make up on their faces. He was a beacon of hope to those who still wished to see a better tomorrow, who desired the changes that would allow future generations a better lifestyle than the one that the city had fallen into. She knew that, she understood. Her own identity was at risk all the time with the various tasks she was required to perform, including ones such as this, where she seduced wealthy men into revealing a little more information about themselves than they should have before she either took them down or confessed to knowing who they really were. And after all of the publicity the attack on New York had gathered, she was surprised that her face hadn't been plastered to almost every television in her own city.
And yet, from careful study of Bruce Wayne, she could sense that he would likely never fully trust her that way he trusted himself, and that was a wise choice on his part. Natasha understood better than most people that trusting nobody was the only sure way of being safe and keeping others out of harms way. Not that she really had anybody to protect, mind you. The closest thing she had to family was Clint...and well, he was capable of taking care of himself for the most part. Minus mind control from a God, perhaps...
Her bright blue orbs watched him wordlessly, always aware of the subtle signs of his body language, carefully watching the focus of his eyes. These small details would help to create a larger picture, to ensure that Natasha wasn't going to end up the victim of some kind of angered assault, not that he would likely get in too many punches before she or someone else took him down. But there were no signs of that from the billionaire playboy. Anger? Of course that was there, and so was the evident distrust in his eyes. But she sensed no immediate danger coming from him, which only assured the young woman that she had chosen one of the better moments to reveal herself to him. "You of all people should know that the Joker isn't like other criminals," she pointed out, raising a brow slightly as his attempted insult. "SHIELD doesn't make a habit of coming into to take care of someone else's problem unless it requires our attention. And in this case, it requires our attention."
He could poke and prod all he wanted. She wasn't going to move herself to the level of playing his mind games, she was rather sick of them for the moment. Someone like the Joker was dangerous, that fact had been evident from the moment he landed on their radar, but he wasn't at a threat level that demanded their assistance in bringing him down. He ran amuck in Gotham, let Batman deal with him. Now that he had started causing havoc in other places though, and a drug operation found in Chicago had been linked to him, SHIELD had been given a much better reason to take a closer look at the situation. And of course, in their typical, political way, they couldn't just ignore the man who had spent so much time trying to capture the maniac, even if he did always manage to escape again. It was like a game to him, a game of cat and mouse in which he seemed to rather enjoy being caught by Batman if it meant that he was allowed to escape and play the game all over again.
But frankly, she was getting rather tired of watching that game herself.
As his large frame strolled toward her, Natasha remained where she was, unmoving and unconcerned. She could sense that the Bruce Wayne persona had been shed in favour of Batman, despite the lack of cape and cowl. His one hand was fisted, coming to rest on the railing just on the one side of her body. "I'm glad we understand one another." A small smile returned to Natasha's face, but it was nothing like the one he might have seen earlier in the night when he sought her out on the dance floor. She supposed, now that she had made contact with him and gotten him to agree to helping them, that her job for the night was over. She had no further orders, no other information that she could disclose to him in their current location without their security being compromised. "It might perhaps be wise of you to return to the party," she said gently, her voice soft enough only for his ears. "People tend to notice when Bruce Wayne has made an exit."
She was fairly certain that Bruce Wayne wouldn't be taking Natalia Rushman back to the dance floor anytime soon...
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FORUM SKIN BY KATYA OF GANGNAM-STYLE
do not steal
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