jla_watchtower | Ah, Metropolis.

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Ah, Metropolis.

It is so shiny here.

Selina and Metropolis have never really gotten along. It isn't hatred but perhaps a mutual disdain for each other. The persistent sense of shine and chrome didn't help. Usually, she tries to stay here for as little time as possible - it feels like she's leaving fingerprints all over everything.

An unnerving feeling for someone who likes to leave no trace behind her.

Entering the hotel lobby, Constantine has done another one of his blend into the crowd and vanish things, even has they'd managed to, somehow, convince the woman behind the counter that they had a reservation for a suite. Was it magic? A con? Both? While things don't work that smoothly between the two, Selina isn't taking the time to stop and think about what they could accomplish together if they ever became a smooth working team.

Lex's hotel was going to end up sending a bill to nowhere, most likely.

Which is just the beginning.

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A familiar figure in green is leaning against the walls by the elevator - as if waiting for Selina. He has a smile on his face as he slides the brim of his hat up.

"Eddie."

There is a faint smile on her face but it doesn't exactly scream of being pleased to see him.

"Selina, darling. An impromptu vacation to Metropolis? That's so very unlike you. I have to say I'm puzzled - and when I have a puzzle, I solve it."

"I'm not on vacation."

Even if there is a suite keycard secreted on her person somewhere. It was just in her hand...

"And a lady likes being something of a mystery."

"You're in a Metropolis hotel. You don't tend to do business meetings. I'd be interested to know your purpose if it's not a vacation - but if you wish it to remain a mystery, so be it."

He shrugs, smiling.

"I'll solve it another way."

Selina looks at him in silence.

The elevator arrive, the doors open and she shakes her head a bit, "Let's go somewhere a little less public, shall we?"

"I thought you might suggest that. Yes, indeed - lead the way. I suppose it was a little shortsighted of me to show up in green and purple when you're flying below the radar."

Or, in other words, he knew exactly what would happen.

"You know, that's infuriating when you do it." Selina steps into the elevator and slides her key card to get it to go to the correct floor, waiting for Eddie to step in as well.

"Being infuriating is one of my most endearing qualities."

He takes his place in the elevator next to her, still smiling as the door closes.

"Better?"

"Only so much." The elevator takes them up and she sighs, "I'm here to do what I can to throw wrenches in Luthor's businesses, Eddie."

"That's the what, then."

Nygma turns his eyes on her, reading her face as best he can.

"The riddle is why."

The look Selina gives him, turning to face him, is blank.

Too blank.

None of the usual expressiveness is in her eyes, as she looks tired and emptied out.

"You didn't dump him. He's too intractable to have dumped you. What the hell happened?"

"Luthor."

The word is like a stone, dropping from her to the ground. Her fingernails dig into her palms for a brief moment.

There are very few moments he can recall seeing Selina this angry, and yet - there's the key piece of the puzzle he's still missing.

However, there's nothing he's better at than puzzles.

"Luthor? What could Luthor have done - "

The sudden trip abroad. The declining number of Batman sightings.

A lightbulb goes on in his head, and his eyes widen.

The elevator doors open and Selina starts to walk, not commenting on Eddie's revelation. She really isn't at all sure what it is she could say to him even if she were inclined to say anything in the first place.

He stays at the elevator a moment longer, then moves to catch up.

"Is he injured, or is it worse than that?"

"What you knew is no longer true."

She almost stops in the hallway with the statement but she pushes forward again, heading to the door to the suite at the end of the hallway.

And for what may be the first time in his life, the Riddler is speechless.

The implications of what she said are just too difficult to accept, given the things he's seen Batman endure over the years.

She'll reach her suite without further interruption as Nygma stands in the hall, quietly processing.

Selina scans the card in the reader and it refuses to open for her. For a moment, she stares at the door, confused and not thinking clearly. It doesn't take long before emotion comes boiling out of her, leading her to pound on the door, even kicking it with her foot.

Normally this door wouldn't cost her more than a bit of time and concentration but right now it feels like the largest obstacle she's ever faced in her entire life.

When the Riddler's voice returns, his tone is considerably more somber.

"Is there anything I can do to help you?"

Not with the Luthor vengeance kick, necessarily - that's genuine concern on Eddie's face.

The reply he gets is almost screamed but she pulls herself back from that. No one who is anywhere near okay should be able to pull all of that back that fast without some sort of mental whiplash. One deep breath in and out and she tries the card again. Still nothing.

"That's up to you, really. It'll only be a matter of time until someone comes poking around here. Comes for me and, well, this isn't Gotham."

"I'm not worried about you being able to protect yourself. Selina - how do you even know this thing happened?"

"There was a Justice League mission. He didn't come back." Selina lifts a shoulder. This isn't really something she wants to talk or think about, "I still have a bit of a hard time believing..."

Her forehead presses against the door.

"Hrm. I'll have to look into it."

He steps forward, taking the card from her hand so as to open the door.

"I know you want to lash out, but no one's even seen Luthor in weeks. Weigh your risk versus the actual vengeance you'll extract."

"You think I'm the only one looking for a piece of him? I can't leave the planet." Selina looks toward Eddie, reaching out and putting a hand on his shoulder, lightly. It isn't much of a touch but it helps balance her out a bit.

"If he ever comes back, ever surfaces again, I want him to have to start over. To have to rebuild completely."

The keycard hits the lock, and the light goes green.

"Well, if you need a private detective to help you locate assets, let me know."

Selina opens the door and shakes her head at herself. A door. Really? She needs to get herself together if she's going to be able to pull this off at all. "That's a good thought, which has given me another one." Her lips press together in a thin line.

"I think the other one will take a significantly larger amount of money."

Eddie's eyebrow goes up.

"Do tell."

"Well, there are a lot of assets that would be hard to touch, to even find." Selina sounds like she's thinking this out as she speaks, leaning against the door. "And, really, I'd just want to make sure he couldn't get them. It isn't that I don't want to ... destroy them."

Though, she might not mind stealing them... which would be challenging. "The one man I know, though, who can help ... well, we're not on the best terms. And I don't think I could ask the other computer genius I know."

"Computer genius? Are you talking about the Calculator? Or do you actually know that Oracle person he's so focused upon?"

"I am talking about the Calculator. Thus the money issue. I can't imaging he'd want to do this as a favor."

Selina shakes her head a bit, wondering at how she hadn't thought of this earlier. Of course, she knows why she didn't think of this earlier. She's been too angry, too bent out of shape to think straight.

"Well, I recall he has a distaste for Luthor, and values information as much as money. Perhaps you can find an alternate means of payment?"

"Hmmmmm."

Selina frowns a little before giving a small shrug, "I am a girl who knows a great number of things." Stepping back she indicates the room, which oddly already looks a little lived in.

"Will you stay for a bit or do you have other pressing matters?"

"ONE drink." Holding up a single finger. "You can tempt me to tarry that much, and then I have to see how soon I can get back to Gotham."

He smiles.

"I don't have to drink it quickly, I suppose."

"Is there a reason for the rush back?"

"Some leads to follow up on, witnesses to interview."

He smiles.

"You know how to reach me, though, when you're ready for my help."

"Of course."

Selina pauses for a moment pouring herself a drink from the minibar before gesturing for him to help himself. She's not the world's best hostess right now.

"Just... don't follow up too vigorously, okay?" It would seem that she's concerned about how this is going to go. Or maybe she cares for more than just the Bat. Or maybe she's worried for Eddie's sake.

"I'll try not to end up injured or in jail, and you know I will be discreet regarding the man's name."

He shrugs, pouring himself a little drink to sip.

"Apart from that, I would think you'd want to see me pursue this as diligently as possible."

"On one hand, yes. For evidence and such but... Well. Some of these people won't take it well."

"And Luthor will be thrilled at your sabotage? Please. Who are you worried I'll upset? His family? I am capable of tact.."

"Sure you are, Eddie."

Selina shakes her head and settles into a chair, sliding her shoes off of her feet.

"Well, let me know if you find out anything interesting."

He nods, finishing off the drink.

"Naturally. And I'll free up some time on my calendar to assist you with finding those assets, too. I'll be back in touch soon, alright?"

"Of course. I'm sure you'll be able to find me."

She hasn't exactly been subtle so far.

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Ah, Metropolis.

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