More training?

[blackest-knight.livejournal.com]

Todd has been through a lot since he started training with Shade. He's been shot. He's been poisoned. He's gone through more effective psycho-therapy than anything the doctors had ever imagined.

He's also watched his family sick from a plague. He's helped stop missiles from destroying the world--by the by, not being on the 'destroying' side of it? Pretty damned nice.

He's a lot calmer now than he used to be. He's a lot more accepting of everything. Of his feelings for his father. His sister. His mother. Of other... Of what's he done. Of what he can do.

He's got another meeting with Shade right now. But as he walks down the now-familiar halls, he has to wonder.

Just what else is left?

DNA

[det-montoya.livejournal.com]

A dry erase marker is an essential tool of the trade. Montoya has taken over the white board in the break room. On it is a scribbled out spreadsheet. Victims, gang or crime family affiliations, locations, murder weapons found if any, and last but not least, DNA notes. On the list are two familiar names... Andropov and Finnegan. To it, she now adds John Doe, Russian Mafia, and Rey Chaparro, Coyote Locos. The third name she adds was a Red Dragon.

Five cases total. Two in Gotham, three in Bludhaven. Dissimilar weapons, dissimilar affiliations. They all have one thing in common... DNA. The longer she looks at it, the more convinced she becomes the answer lies there.

Why these five men? Who benefits? Josie's comment from a week prior comes back to her brain. "Y'know what I've been wondering over the past couple months? If we're about to see a feeding frenzy here in Gotham." An all out gang war? Who would gain from it? Someone from outside looking to sweep in and snatch up territory? Manipulate the playing field so that your adversaries wipe each other out? The other motive she reasons is a matter of resources. A supplier could make big bucks supplying both sides with arms. Or any other needed materials.

Her eyes fall on the Red Dragon. A DNA anomaly like the others. This DNA however has an owner. Had an owner, she corrects herself. Carlos Ribeiro. Dead now four months. How did his DNA get onto that body? What's the connection? Who was Carlos Ribeiro anyway? Where did he live? What did he do for a living? Did he have family? How did he die?

Where to go from here? Montoya shakes her head. This case seems to produce more questions than answers. She'll start with Senor Ribeiro and the city of Bludhaven.

Out for the night.

[damage-girl.livejournal.com]

Metropolis is a gorgeous city to sight-see. The art and history museums are usually crowded but good, but there's always guaranteed to be a new, interesting exhibit opening somewhere.

The Religious Art Through the Ages caught Corrine's eye, and despite the unruly child in the fifth display room, she was glad she and Sand had gone. The art was breathtaking, the artifacts were interesting, and there'd been a panel on Roman art, transitioning from Paganism to Christianity. She still thinks the pope hat is silly, though.

Lunch had been at a cozy little Thai place downtown. Closing out the busy noise that is Metropolis in the spring was nice, and gave her some peace from the tizzy that she'd forgotten about living in the city. They had a nice selection of vegetarian dishes, and while the waitress spoke very little English, she was courteous and warm.

They'd made the train across town to Corrine's open rehearsal just in time. This was the part she'd actually been dreading all day, but it had turned out nice. She'd taken a dive on a turn and missed at least two cues, but this was only the third rehearsal and the rest of the crew was jovial and good-natured about it. Janice from back row had a bit of a... wardrobe malfunction that made for a few seconds of awkward silence and then hesitant giggling from the crew.

All in all, not as terrifying as she thought it'd be. After rehearsal she takes a quick shower and change of clothes in the back dressing room, then meets Sand in the front lobby of the theater. She feels a bit awkward dressed up for the first time in a long time, but she gives him a smile. "Food?" she says hopefully.

Back at the bar...

[zinda-blackhawk.livejournal.com]

Lady Blackhawk's been every bit the entertainer after the earlier disturbance, regaling her reluctant drinking partner Norman with tales of flight and fancy that'd make a sailor blush - making sure he drinks as often as possible, of course, while moderating her own intake.

Huntress and Canary aren't the only ones skilled in espionage.

Well before closing time, Norman's about ready to keel over, and being the hospitable gal she is, she offers to walk him home. Nice and easy, like.