The Silhouette and The Forge 
Chapter 32

With a click the TV shuts off as I lay on the couch seeing that Smith had pulled off an Oscar worthy performance. Hopefully with this the bulk of Gotham will unite against a common enemy.

Regardless if they do or not the Court will be dealt with. With them having access to the air purifier they have reduced the time it would take to achieve their goals with the recent acquisition.

From the looks of things they were going to try and poison the populace with the same poisons I provided. Makes me wonder who they would go to for the ammunition they would use before they gained access to my poisons.

Looking over and seeing my phone had a message from Light. Looking at it and sighing, pinching the bridge of my nose.

It looked like the Court had called a mass meeting that is mandatory. Annoying since I wanted to desperately put my new gains to use and start building up and training within the monastery.

But I can’t put it off since I set this in motion and I still want to take out the Court's leadership and have Jaina be in charge. She is a voice of reason, cared for the people of Gotham, and would use the Court in far more intelligent ways. Correcting actual issues and not blaming the poor for the problems they had created themselves.

Everyone has had a hand in why everything is awful in this city. Some more than others but blaming it all on one side is just childish and ridiculous. 

Not saying all of the rich people are to blame since you did have people like Jaina and Bruce few and far between as they are when compared to the rest. Even the more selfish amongst the rich will do the occasional charity work if for the wrong reasons which still helped the little people.

If Jaina ended up no better than the current Court then she would be dealt with. 

Getting geared up and heading out within an hour finding myself in yet another hideout in Gotham deep within the Diamond district. Unlike the other hideouts this one was more modern in its decor when compared to the others.

Weird shaped furniture unlike the old money leather, fur, and cloth ones. The paintings were similar to something someone just tossed globs of paint at and called it art. Far as I was concerned it was an insult to art in general.

I preferred the other paintings despite the narcissism involved of having a painting done of yourself in your finest clothes. They showed the history of the era and the paintings weren’t half bad if you could ignore who they were painted for and who it’s associated with.

Similar to separating the art from the artist, but more towards who is painted instead. Like looking at the detail and effort involved in it with the final result.

Walking along seeing how everything here was more of a modern art style made me want to gouge my eyes out. Shaking my head I stalked forward with my entourage of talons encircling me.

Entering the large room that was as big as the other meeting rooms only differently shaped. It looked more like a giant meeting room for board members of a multibillion dollar company than a cabal of the richest and oldest families in Gotham formed together in a cult.

A massive table dominated the room with many members of the Court seated at the oval table. Walking further toward the end of it with a high backed chair putting all of the other seats the members sat to shame.

The atmosphere was tense, seeing each member subtly looking at the other members waiting for something to happen. The whole room felt like it was holding its breath, waiting for when it could finally exhale.

“Silhouette, so glad you could make this meeting. Please, have a seat.” The grandmaster said, gesturing to a seat right next to them.

Taking my seat I see the majority of seats are filled. Even Jaina with her mask on was seated not far from the head of the table. A few more Court members filed in before the room was jam packed.

“Now that we have everyone gathered it is time we discuss the elephant in the room. We have some traitors amongst us. Some who don’t fully believe in our cause. Not only that, we also have zealots who thought it was a good idea to show off the few traitors that were discovered for the rest of Gotham to witness.”

The more they spoke the more wound up they got. At moments their voice distorted coming out like a screeching machine making me swivel my head to fully stare at them.

No one spoke. No one dared make a single noise. The room was as quiet as a graveyard.

The grandmaster chuckled, taking a hand and wiping off some imaginary dust from their sleeve since the table had a clear lack of any filth. 

“Apologies everyone. I for one enjoy those who are so fervent in helping our Court,” They raised their arms and gestured at everyone at the table. 

We all turn and look at one another with several members shifting uncomfortably, “But that enjoyment turns into anger when they decided to do something so stupid that it tips off the rest of the trash in this city that we appear to be weak!”

They raise their index finger pointing it at the crowd of gathered people before tapping the table for added emphasis.

“We are so close to accomplishing the grand plan that has been this Court's goal for the past century and a half, we cannot… No. I will not allow that to happen when we can finally accomplish it within our lifetime.”

The grandmaster rose from their seat followed by numerous talons stepping forward blades unsheathed. Several Court members started looking around wildly, not understanding what was happening. Before they were nervous of what was to come -- now they were panicked.

“We have a few more amongst our esteemed Court that had decided to go against the grand plan. Whether it was because they got cold feet, becoming uncomfortable at the idea of exterminating the vermin infestation that had plagued this city for far too long. Whatever their reasons, they would never be good enough to excuse such acts against us all.” 

The talons stepped forward grabbing only a handful of Court members. Of those they grabbed none of them were my hunters in disguise. Each of them was carefully selected because those among the Court members I had gone after proved to be the most difficult to remove and replace.

Add on to that they also had more resources and power than the average member of the Court which spoke volumes with how obscenely wealthy the average member of the Court is.

None of them were the most wealthy. But they were far from the average member of the Court either. 

Three men and one woman were dragged roughly by the talons.

“What is the meaning of this?! I am fully in support of the Court's plans! Release me!” The woman was infuriated by what was happening trying to pull her hand away. That was brought to a swift end when another hand grabbed her by her blonde hair yanking harshly making her yelp in pain.

“What she said! I am one of the biggest supporters of Court. Most of the resources and contacts the Court has managed to gain--” His rant is silenced when he is punched in the gut making him double over wheezing for air. The talon indifferent to what he was going through simply dragged him along the ground.

The other two Court members shake in fear watching the other two being handled so roughly simply following along being directed to the head of the table where the grandmaster had their arms held behind the small of their back.

“You four were some of the most fervent followers of the Court… I am deeply disappointed in each of you. The feeling of betrayal is that much greater knowing you four had decided to turn your backs on the Court after all you had done.” The grandmaster said, shaking their head.

“What proof do you have of this?!” The woman found her back bone demanding proof. That backbone turned to jelly when a pair of swords were placed by both sides of her neck making her gulp when a trickle of blood trailed down.

“The proof you seek is on this screen here.” They gestured to the wall where a part of it changes color showing footage from a camera going by the GCTV in the bottom right of it. 

A figure that looked just like the woman being held at sword point walked forward looking around like she was being followed. A few figures stepped  forward around some trash and debris as the woman looked between each of them. 

It was late at night, but despite the darkness they moved under a singular alley light as the woman spoke.

“This is the plans and layout of what I could gain for the Courts facilities and some of the resources they have. You hit these, you can slow them down. Just don’t waste this opportunity, the Court is close to enacting their plan and time is of the essence.” She said quietly voice just like the woman in the room with us.

The rough looking men in suits, ones that I recognized as men who worked for Penguin nod solemnly.

“We won’t. Our employer takes this very seriously and will be having the best sent to handle it.” The man said pocketing the information received before walking back into the darkness. 

The woman is utterly silent before one of the talons ripped her mask off. Her ruby red lipstick is in uneven splotches around her mouth with mascara running down her pale blue eyes.

“That wasn’t me. When was that recorded!” She demanded to know, trying to explain her innocence.

“It was recorded two days ago at three in the morning when you had decided to tip off Ozwald Cobblepot to a supply cache.”

“That’s impossible! I was asleep after attending a party!” She wailed out with the grandmaster shaking their head and scoffing.

The other three watched in horror at similar screens showing similar circumstances with full audio. All of them are shown tipping the gangs off alongside other groups willing to fight the Court with key information in slowing them down. 

All of their protests fall short with the grandmaster slamming their hands down on the table.

“Enough! Your four have shown yourselves to be nothing more than traitors, and so I shall give my judgement.”

A man rose out of his seat looking like he was questioning if that was the best idea with the current situation unfolding. The grandmaster paused and stared the man down with several talons taking a single step forward. 

My respect for the man went up a few notches when he finally realized it was now or never and continued with what he was going to do in the first place.

“Grandmaster, I understand the seriousness of their actions but doesn't the jurisdiction of choosing their punishment fall under the entirety of the Court? It is one of the major rules the Court has upheld for the past century and a half--”

“You would be correct that it would, but with the circumstances of how close we are to the grand plan, that rule is being overridden. We cannot have those amongst us call themselves members of the Court of Owls and stab us all in the back undermining what we have worked towards for so long.” The grandmaster spoke with a tone brokering no argument with such finality that everyone gathered tried to look anywhere but at the people who were slated for an execution.

“Anything else you would like to say Mr. Salamanta?” The grandmaster asked the wiry looking man who fidgeted nervously at the mention of his name.

“No…” He said quietly, sitting back down and trying his best to make himself appear smaller than what he was. 

“Goooood. You four are hereby sentenced to death. Take this trash out of our sight and dispose of them.” The grandmaster waved their hand at the talons as the four pleaded their innocence, begging to be shown some mercy. They cried and groveled as they were dragged out of the room. Some even begged other members to help them. 

All of them just looked away, staring at the grandmaster, the table, or each other. But no one looked at them. Save for two others besides the Grandmaster. Myself, and Jaina. 

“With that issue now settled, on to our next one. Whoever felt the need to handle the traitors that had been executed, would have had the Courts and my gratitude. But do not ever make it a public execution so the public is aware of it!” They shook their fist at the crowd of people, many of which remain silent and despite the risk of death by talon, many of them do not look pleased at how they are being talked to nor how the Grandmaster is taking more power than they should have.

“Unlike that group of traitors, we do not know who did it but do have suspicions. So consider this a warning, do not continue this behavior. Now for the next bit of business…” 

A screen directly behind them had changed showing several bodies held inside of pods. The bodies looked rough, not for the bruises and cuts around softer areas like their throats but for the harshness the bodies had shown to be subjected to what must have been years of hard living. Signs pointed to them likely being criminals of the city.

The pods closed shut with the tubes gaining a bright teal color as a liquid was poured into them. The tops of the pods along with metal tubs to the side take on a green color with hints of a red liquid sprinkled. All of which looked similar to the potions I had granted the Court.

The video fast forwards to the pod opening with a hiss revealing a now uninjured man that looked a couple of years younger.

They stepped out of the pod and the video shifted to them training and fighting against the regular talons. They are doing far better than they should be and I noted they were improving at a steady rate. The fight dragged on, eventually the newly born talon matched the normal talon.

“As you can all see, the newly made talons from the trash of the city who each of them have never had any extensive training beyond what was needed to survive our city. With our newest member Silhouette providing his potions we have managed to correct the previous issues the talons suffered from.”

The Grandmaster talked while the newly made talons shrug off life threatening injuries the talons training them had inflicted.

“An unexpected discovery we have made is that despite the time limit of the potions having been made known to us, the talons exhibit strong but lesser effects of the potions long after their effects should have ended.” They said with evidence show to all of us. 

A time frame was showcased when the screen divided itself down the middle.

The left half showed the talons being made in those pods with the time frame and their training being two days later. 

That can’t be right… Those potions could last a few hours, maybe twelve hours if they somehow stretched it out but that would lead to lesser effects than they would have gotten doing it the normal way.

Yet the rate they are learning and healing told me otherwise even if it was slightly less than what it should be. 

“None of the potions had been ingested in between their creation and training?” I cut in with several people whirling to look at me, seemingly forgetting I was in the room with them.

The Grandmaster on their part doesn’t appear upset at the question. “No. We did several tests with them using your supplies and found out they still retain the effects of the chemicals well after they had worn off. Even had several of our scientists check their bodies finding the effects were no longer from the chemicals but their bodies.”

Now that got my attention.

“Interesting…” I looked deep in thought, musing aloud as the Grandmaster continued the original line of discussion.

“With this newly found discovery we are utilizing it to ensure we have a near endless supply of talons to help in the rebuilding of this city into the shining jewel it was always meant to be. Those who have brought this city to the sad state that it is now, can be of use to fix the damage and for once be of use.” 

In other words, use the dead bodies of all the poor people and make them into super assassins and servants to cater to their every whim. 

Despite my inner thoughts on the matter and making our plans go as fast as they can go without making the train come off the rails, I clapped along with the rest of the Court members. Before they would be for all what the Grandmaster had shown them, but now they were tense and hesitant after witnessing the death of arguably the four most loyal supporters of the Court.

Just as I wanted them to. A house divided cannot stand on its own after all. 

Whether the division was because the Grandmaster is abusing their authority and power, seeing that even the most vocal of supporters are not in line with this plan would create doubt that could grow into outright dissent, or simply being put in their place and knowing if they speak up they will end up just like the four before them.

So they bide their time and wait for an opening to take away the Grandmasters power and place someone else in charge of the Court. Jaina’s masked head turned in my direction without giving the impression she was staring at me. 

I could tell from her posture after she saw what had been done to those people’s bodies had bothered her despite hiding it rather well. She wasn’t bothered by the four people being dragged off to be executed in comparison but I understood.

Those people they turned into those talons did the things they did to survive and thrive in a city that does not help them make a living through legitimate means. These people with the amount of wealth they have at their collective disposal could have helped immensely in turning this city into a shining beacon that could surpass even Metropolis.

My mind cranked along after witnessing them create and train more talons. It’s why I needed to get busy with not only making more hunters just in case it became too much for the people in Gotham to handle even with my weapons and tools that would be used against the Court, but using my newly gained knowledge to make a little something extra. 

It would act as a safety net to ensure if they whipped something out I hadn’t expected then it could be handled. 

I had overestimated my capabilities and underestimated the Courts when those talons were on jet, several other drugs, and whatever the potions had done to their bodies that enhanced them like it did. 

With the show coming to an end and the grandmaster fully facing us again not gesturing at the screen with the newly gained capabilities of the talons.

“With the adjustments to our plans for Gotham, and the newly gained source of our means of cleansing it we will no longer have need to support the other sources we were going to use at the university beyond a select few of personal interest to the Court.” 

Walking down past the table with several Court members keeping them in their sight as they turned to face them and those closest try not to flinch back when several talons followed them while I still had six around me.

Don’t know if it is to intimidate me, protect me, or to simply have them here if they believed me to be a traitor as well. Maybe all of the above?

“So for any of you who have resources invested in the university it would be best to pull them from it now, save for a candidate whose research could prove worthwhile in the long run. A Kirk Langstrom I believe it was…” They say dropping that bomb.

I don’t let it show but that caught me off guard. What could they need Kirk for? His research was ground breaking but why would they have any need of him or his research when they have everything they need to take the city over.

Oddly enough several Court members showed no sign of shock or surprise showing just how much I had been kept out of the loop of what has been going on within the Court. But that is to be expected from an outsider like myself, despite how much I have given the Court and becoming one of them.

With that the gathering was dismissed but not before ensuring the hunters amidst the Court spread dissent like a plague amidst the already wary Court members. All of them ordered to suggest Jaina as the new head of the Court to their respective groups.

There will be those who would be against the idea, but enough cajoling and stating simple facts would get them to turn around to the idea, especially recent events of the Grandmaster showing they have no issue simply cutting down their own if they were traitors or not. 

Even if they consciously acknowledged they were traitors, their subconscious and simply the shock of having so blatantly executed those four people who prior were avid supporters.

Those that don’t… Well it’s not like anyone is going to miss them when the grand finale happens. 

Getting up and leaving the room with my own escort staying around me as I glanced in Jaina's direction as she looked back at me. 

I will have to speak to her about our plans and make a few adjustments. Many of the Court members huddled together or in far corners speaking quietly amidst one another and despite how well they kept it from getting to prying ears I heard it all the same.

“This is madness.”

“The grandmaster has gone too far, they are taking all the power for themself.”

“Careful speaking so loudly someone might hear and the talons will come.”

On and on the conversations went with several of my hunters going out of their way to suggest appointing a new grandmaster to the members of the Court. Some balked at the idea of Jaina, others were more neutral suggesting their own candidates, and a rare few did agree with the notion of her being the head of the Court.

Walking out of a wall in an older part of Gotham that had seen far better days with trash all over as the talons stepped back with the brick wall seamlessly going back into place. 

Hoping that the drones managed to hitch rides on several members that could be potential loyalists despite what they witnessed the grandmaster do. Stepping into the car and like last time the talons followed us but unlike back then they are much faster proving to be a nuisance with the car not once managing to break line of sight with them.

They moved in short bursts and moved fast enough that the only reason the drones even kept them in their view was because the density of the drones spread over a wide enough area. 

Their limbs turned into blurs; they leapt from building to building keeping to the shadows. They were almost like humming birds with the speed their arms and legs moved at.

“Well I have needed an excuse to use this for once, better now than later to test it.” I said aloud to myself. My hands flew through handsigns using one of the jutsu that got my interest, having tested it on one of the engineers once prior to this to see its effectiveness. 

On the last handsign modifying it just enough to have it spread to more than one target. Each talon was affected the instant my chakra exited my body and latched onto each of them. 

I could feel my reserves dip below half. Like barbed hooks bound into their bodies I have control over their senses. 

“Agent Goodnight, avoid nearby cars to not give away that something is off until we manage to get some distance.” I tell the hunter while keeping my breathing steady. I found it a bit more difficult to focus on the genjutsu while doing anything else but I maintained it.

“Yes sir.” He coolly said, slowing down enough on the busy street to not disturb the flow of traffic. 

Molding the chakra to carefully and subtly create an illusion of the car I am inside of as they branch at an intersection our car just got onto. They go to the left following the phantom car only they could see while we go to the right in the complete opposite direction. The drones continued to give me surveillance of the talons as the jutsu strained me more and more.

By this point having used the monastery for a short time had helped my control improve by leaps and bounds. Now the issue lies in how much I have in the tank to keep this up. 

Like everything I do I prefer to keep my enemies unaware of the extent of what I can do and I rather not have the Court know of this and continue to wait cursing the talons for their perseverance in not letting up.

It’s not just replicating the visual appearance of the car which may as well be a complete visual replica with my perfect memory having seen every detail to it, but the sounds of it and so many other details. 

The downside to this genjutsu is it isn’t exactly meant to be modified on the fly so things in the environment like the drops of water on the roads getting splashed up would just go through the car like a hand through a ghost.

The phantom car is finally given an opportunity to vanish. With shaky hands I keep the hand sign up not ready just yet with two semi trucks coming along on the three way highway.

The car moved in between them with the talons being out of position with none having a direct view between the buildings on both sides. With a sign of relief the jutsu ended with the car in a blink just disappeared.

The semi trucks moved just enough for the talons now in position to freeze for several seconds realizing the car was no longer there. They all split up and spread out across the city trying to find me. Shaking my head and smirking to myself. When this is over I needed to spend as much time as I can improving upon my chakra reserves and control. 

If I find myself in a situation like I did in Wayne Tower against something far more dangerous than the talons I will die. I refused to let that happen not necessarily out of fear of dying but leaving my work unfinished and how much I have yet to do to atone for my mistakes and help this city in the process.

The car rolled to a stop before I got out and stood on the street no longer garbed as Silhouette and instead appeared as Will Hardigan. Just as my hand holding the key is about to open my workshop I paused feeling someone call me on my phone meant for Solution Inc. 

Who could this be? 

Curious enough to see who it is and hoping it isn’t one of those scumbag scam callers my eye goes to answer as the call goes through.

“Sally’s Mule Barn, which ass would you like to talk to?” I sounded like a secretary in my most deadpan tone.

There is a long pause on the other end and just as I am about to hang up they speak.

“... Really?” Jaina’s voice greeted me on the other end, making me halt as she sounded like she was trying to not chuckle, “You would think you would be a tad more serious than that Will.”

Despite what she said she sounded mirthful when saying it. 

“To be fair I expected a scam caller on the other end.” I countered back.

“I’m just going to ignore that last part. I am going to be enjoying myself this evening and was wondering… if you wanted to join me?” She asked, sounding like she was having second thoughts but went through with it.

Thinking it over and even though I should be training right now… I have trained enough. I need a breather and something to do to relax and not solely focus on training. You can only do it so long before it wears out its welcome.

“Sure. I think we both could use a distraction.” I say to her as she sends me the details of where to meet her. 

Half an hour later I stepped out of my car as I took in the diamond district of Gotham. At first glance nothing has changed. The wealthy and influential people of Gotham move about enjoying themselves. The younger ones go into clubs and the others into fancy restaurants and hotels all enjoying the luxury all of it had to offer them. 

Finding myself staring at a red, yellow, and green adorned building designed more with a far eastern aesthetic with a sloping tiled roof with pillars that had stone serpentine dragons carved into them. 

Workers outside dressed in eastern garb ranging from black and white tunics with matching pants. The men’s hair is done in woven ponytails.

The women on the other hand were in cheongsam dresses with a plethora of colors their hair cut short, in buns, or let down in a cascade of black.

All of the workers were Asian as they bowed and greeted the customers. When I stepped up the stairs with a red carpet going down a woman greeted me.

“Hello sir, may I get your name?” She asked me. She had an hourglass figure like the others as she smiled at me.

“It should be under William Hardigan. I was supposed to be with Jaina Hudson?” I tell her, earning a look of recognition. She smiled and bowed to him.

Gesturing towards the doors, “Right this way sir, Ms. Hudson has been expecting you.” 

Several men opened the door for him. The insides looked extravagant yet otherworldly, like stepping back in time. Reds, golds, black, and so many other colors just like outside. 

The difference being with the outside you could tell it was a modern building, inside beyond the lights and the occasional glimpse of modern technology from the customers it looked like it was ripped from an old painting depicting an emperor's court.

The workers served platters of food to the patrons coming and going from the back doors leading to what must be the kitchen, they even had several long tables with workers cooking in front of the customers. 

Some of them even do Teppanyaki twirling knives in the air juggling them like a circus act. Others flipped and tossed the food, not losing a single piece of it even when it had been diced to near perfection.

The smells of the dishes mixed together created a tantalizing smell that made one want to partake in them. Eyeing one man enjoying some crab rangoon and egg rolls with a side of noodles dipped in a delectable sauce that had carrots and broccoli mixed in.

Walking forward the woman from the front pointed out a table further back where Jaina was sitting dressed in an emerald colored cheongsam that put the numerous workers outfits to shame.

“Enjoy your meal and company sir.” She gave one last smile and bowed to me but was caught off guard when I bow back.

“Arigatou.” 

The woman is caught off guard as I nodded to her before walking away with several of the other women near her giving her looks while they hid their smiles by turning their heads away or placing their hands in front of their mouths.

Walking through the open spaces between tables with plenty of room to move around. Jaina by this point sees me and immediately perked up and gestures at a chair right beside her as an older Asian man sat beside her. 

His face is aged with a well groomed beard that wouldn’t look out of place in an old kungfu movie.

Relaxing at the table as I looked at Jaina who like usual looked perfect. Masquera that is just enough, red lipstick, eye liner with her gorgeous black hair not in a ponytail this time instead it was fully let down. It looked like an obsidian river winding down her back.

“Good to see you, Jaina. Who is your friend?” I asked, tilting my head around Jaina to see the older man as he had his hands clasped together over the table with his black and gold embroidered suit with carp swimming up waterfalls and dragons soaring up among clouds.

“Glad you could make it William and this is Hong. He is a close family friend.” 

I gave the man a bow out of respect which he slowly gave a bow in turn. “Pleasure to meet you Hong.”

“It is nice to meet the man Jaina speaks so highly of as well. Your company has done wonderful things for this city.” He said in an old ancient voice that captured my attention.

Simply shaking my head at the man, “I am glad my company has. All the workers in it have done amazing work, wouldn’t be the same without them.” 

“A humble one at that.” Hong said, giving a small smile, “Many who seek wealth and fame could use that in their lives. It was wonderful seeing you again dear, if you need anything do not hesitate to contact me. Alright?” He said rising from his seat his ancient hand gently grabbed Jaina’s. 

Jaina swallowed before she nodded. She gave a light smile and the man rubbed her hand smiling back before leaving the two of us at our table. A little odd since it feels like Jaina is trying to hold back her emotions. 

Taking my seat beside her I ask the big question on my mind. “So what’s the occasion for this?” 

Jaina’s posture shifted, tuning into something resembling… melancholy.

“I come here every year on the same day of the anniversary my… parents had passed.” She struggled to say the last part. 

My smile is quickly wiped off of my face.

“Oh… I am so sorry if I caused offense and made a fool of myself to you, Jaina.” I now felt like an ass.

“You have done nothing wrong, you had no way of knowing this Will.” She said immediately.

I get up out of my chair about to leave before Jaina grabbed my arm.

“I should leave since this is something important to you and I am disrupting it when I have no business being here.” Slowly pulling my arm only to stop when she didn't let go and simply increased the strength of her grip.

“William, you are fine and I asked you to be here. Please don’t leave.”

Seeing the earnest look on her face, her other hand gestured at my chair I was just in before accepting and sliding back down into my seat.

A worker came to bring us drinks and food watching the ample feast the other customers enjoyed. Once the meal is prepared we both dig in but not before Jaina bowed her head and I waited not wanting to be rude as she prayed, or whatever she believed in.

“My condolences Jaina. If it makes you feel any better I too lost my Dad around this time of year. It still hurts just like it did when the time came.” A heavy feeling weighed on my heart after swallowing a bite of chicken and shrimp. A reminder of how alone I am.

Jaina looked down at her plate in thought before looking up at me. “It is never an easy thing to lose those we love most. Even if the accident had not been so abrupt I don’t think any number of years would ever prepare me for the loss of them even if I knew it was coming. No amount of time ever could…” 

We fall into a companionable silence enjoying each other's company and savoring the meal. 

The food was amazing. The flavors, the different spices and sauces. It all blended together so well.

Yet it may as well be ash in my mouth with me and Jaina reminiscing and telling stories of our time with our families. My Dad and uncle Furgus and her parents. We laughed at our funny and embarrassing stories of when we were kids while enjoying the company of one another and the food and atmosphere. 

“So you come here often?” I asked before taking a sip of tea.

“I try to come when my schedule allows it, which isn’t as often as I would like… but I always make time on this day to come here.”

“I understand. After my business had taken off I found myself with far less free time than I had prior.” I chuckle. “A quote I heard could apply to me now. I think it went along the lines of it’s easy to stay poor, but hard to stay rich. After all, you have everyone coming after you once you have some money.” 

Jaina made an unlady-like snort before her eyes widened and she covered her mouth with her cheeks turning red realizing what she had done. I can’t help but chuckle at her making her pout at me, making me laugh harder.

After her glare had softened and my laughter had died down she finished swallowing her piece of broccoli and beef before speaking. “What you said is sadly true. I couldn’t even begin to count how many people would seek me out after I inherited my family’s fortune… far too many and the vast majority if not all of them were scavengers.” 

“But with how that meeting went that will all hopefully change. Soon.” 

Jaina took a drink from her tea before finishing it and waving down a server as they are about to pour her more tea. A few quiet words imparted to them they nodded quickly and scurried off. 

So we have reached the point where she seemed to think I am Silhouette… She isn’t wrong and I see no reason in not playing along. 

“That meeting was something else…” I give her my honest opinion. 

Shaking my head, acting out a far off look in my eyes with Jaina giving me a hard look, her hands tightened around her spoon, her rice falling off with how it shakes.

“Yes it was. Which is why I hope we are close to meeting our deadline.” She says calming down and scooping up the rice and eating it.

“Very close. But it would be for the best to have a few back up plans in case they don’t like our suggestions.” 

Jaina easily picks up what I am saying as she nodded when the server returned holding a white urn with another holding two cups. They place both in front of me and Jaina. Pouring what I see and smell is some expensive and potent sake.

Giving Jaina a raised brow she smiled in response. She thanked the workers who both smiled in return and swiftly left us with the bottle and the cups.

“I usually have a bottle of this served as part of the anniversary to help ease the pain… I think it would be even better with company instead of doing so on my own.” She takes her cup as do I, holding them aloft. 

“To a better future for Gotham, a fruitful partnership, and to easing the pain in our hearts.” She said solemnly before it turned into a sort of cheer as we clinked our glasses together. 

Both of us take the sake and down the cups in one go. It goes down smoothly. Far smoother than anything I have ever drank before since the strongest alcohol I had drank was some Jim Beam bourbon whiskey. 

Yet that didn’t mean it didn’t pack one hell of a punch. It had a light flavor to it yet I can’t quite place what it was. Even with my enhancements if it wasn’t for them it would have hit me far harder than it had. 

Feeling the warmth in my stomach Jaina looked at me with a growing smirk. Nodding to herself she poured more of the sake for herself before doing the same for me. 

“So how has your training gone?” I asked her to make idle conversation while we enjoyed the drink.

“Quite well. I appreciate the advice on picking up on something for self defense even if I myself don’t have as much time to personally train it as much as I need to. Thankfully it’s not as hard as it would have been if it wasn’t for me being in decent shape in the first place.” 

Humming at that thankful she heeded the advice in taking some classes to help her better defend herself should the worst come to pass. 

Will it help her handle a talon? Not likely. 

But it might just save her if someone like Donovan tries to do something to her.

Tip Batman off about the Court as Silhouette +50
Plant seeds of doubt and treason within the Court +100
Earn Jaina’s trust to join her on her parents death anniversary +100
Jaina heeds your advice on learning how to fight +50