Characters: Skit, Blackfire Setting: Hooligan-friendly nightclub, at night Previous Threads: Plot Summary: Having heard of a popular hangout for superpowered teens with shady jobs, Blackfire goes looking for some new helpers.
Rivet wasn't exactly the classiest joint in town. With a name like that, it was never going to be. Just an old warehouse, a bit off the beaten track, bought up and converted into a cheap nightclub. Still, it did attract a certain crowd, and just the right one for Skit. Low prices, loud music, and lax ID policies made it a favorite for teens with more superpowers than scruples, and Jump had plenty of those. You never knew who you were going to see at a place like this.
As was often the case, Skit came in alone. He was still somewhat new to town, and hadn't built up too much of a social circle yet. Not enough that he could really have a regular club posse, anyway. The rat was dressed for the joint, in some ratty old black jeans and a T-shirt from one of the local bands that would play the place sometimes. He paused in the door, looking around. This was one of the few places in public he could feel at home. He wasn't the only super with obvious physical quirks, and this sort of hangout was a rare place where his features didn't draw stares. Chances were he wasn't even the only furry there that night.
Tonight, though, someone was drawing stares. A girl with long, dark hair was there, and the same orangey skin and oddly-small eyebrows that Titan Starfire had. Skit had seen some stuff about this one while he was looking into Jump when he'd first moved in. Blackfire, she'd been a rival of the Titans before. Potentially a big power player, and definitely a powerhouse. He didn't approach, but he kept an eye out. He was still small-time, after all. That had helped him in some ways, kept him out of trouble, but it had also kept him working for peanuts. Maybe he could hench for a known villain, get some street cred, get his name out there. The rat tried to make sure he passed through her line of sight as he made his way to a table, taking a seat to look over the dancefloor. He still wasn't too comfortable with dancing. Skit was agile, graceful, but he wasn't used to that sort of thing. He'd been taught that every movement should have a purpose, just moving around for fun felt kind of awkward.
For Blackfire, using people was easy. They had their different quirks. They had things they liked and didn't. For some it was a compliment, a few nice words. Some liked something nice to look at, and others liked more physical things. Blackfire used her knowledge in this field to twist others around her finger and use them for all they were worth. That's why she was here in this club. It wasnt the most flashy club she had been to true but it did have what she was looking for. Seedy people, the 'bad' sort, but not the kind that were typically to high of themselves, the crimbals higher up on the food chain wearnt what she was looking for. They would in some cases have more power true, but that also came with a bigger head. Besides it wasn't necerly power she was looking for. Blackfire had plenty of that herself. No she was looking for other fields, namely the more.... Subtle and sneaky arts. Blackfire was a warrior, not a spy or an assasian-that was the kind of thing she required here.
Their were quite a lot of people and creatures gathered here but so far she hadnt quite found what she was looking for. Well until she saw the rat anyway. Now she wasn't sure if he was mutated, an alien or some other case. But that didn't matter much to her ether. What did matter to her were a few other things. He wasn't known, or to be more precise he wasn't known well enough to make him an immidiate target. Another was how he carried himself. He gave the appearance that his movements mattered and seemed to make it a point to pass by her. Concidence? Maybe, but ether way she had taken notice, if not perhaps for the reason he wanted.
The being sat at a table. The princess had taken notice. She saw a potential tool she could use to meet her ends. The smaller things at first, perhaps they could go further after that. Well assuming he accepted, but who would deny her? Blackfire knew how to put up an appearance, she was a princess after all, well she knew she was, but that was beside the point. It was due to the way she was raised that she knew combat and how to hold herself in a conversation, or a situation like this. She'd walk over to the creature with her usual grace, her yes not leaving his for a moment as she pulled up one of the chairs.
"This spot taken?"
If he didn't try to deny her she'd proceed to take a seat at the table, ordering a few drinks as she did so, she'd indicate Skit, cleslry asking if he was going to order anything. Once she got her drinks she'd take a few sips before continuing.
"Well then... Not to pry, but would you happen to be looking for work? I have a few jobs I need done and not to assume but... You look like the kind of man that would be useful for them"
Last Edit: Jun 10, 2018 11:33:57 GMT -6 by Blackfire
It took Skit a moment to realize that Blackfire was actually headed his way, rather than just passing by. He hadn't been sure what he was expecting when he'd sauntered past like that, he hadn't really thought he'd catch the bona fide supervillain's eye. The rat struggled to keep his poker face, straightening up when she came to his table. How was he supposed to handle this? He was talking to someone who'd tangled with the Titans more than once.
"Make yourself at home." Skit gestured for her, trying to sound casual. This was kind of a new experience for him. He was usually kind of a background character, not really associated with any known names. Now he had an underground celebrity coming over to his table, and a pretty cute one at that. And on top of it all, she was offering a job. Skit gave just a twitch of motion before restraining himself, not wanting to seem too eager. If he was too hype about a job, she might stiff him on the pay, or negotiate him down at least. People were like that, especially in the criminal circles he ran with. He had to at least pretend like he wasn't internally celebrating his big break.
"Depends, what kinds of jobs?" He didn't have much going on right now. Truth be told, he couldn't afford to be too picky. He had a bit saved up, but not enough for long. Still, if he let on about that, any employer could squeeze him a bit. "I normally do sneak work." He glanced around, making sure nobody was in listening range. Normally he wouldn't be speaking so openly in case he was talking to an undercover cop, but one perk of working with known supervillains is you knew they were on the level. It was a pretty shady level they were on, but they weren't going to snitch on you. "Burglary, sabotage, been doing some corporate espionage. Good town for that stuff." He gave her a nod. "Can fight too, but pretty sure you're better at that part than I am."
Well he seemed to have a level head, or was smart enough to give the impression that he did. That was good, he'd need it for the kinda stuff she had in mind. Well it would probably be stuff he was used to in a way... Simply higher up on the food chain so to speak. Now that she was back properly on the scene she had plans to put together and implement. She needed someone like this rat to get them done properly. Top of that list was of course revenge on her 'dear' sister, but she wasn't jumping straght to crushing her. She already knew she could do that much when they fought. No she wanted to break her sibling. Her and everyone who supported her. One by one, until she had no one left. Until she was alone, no one to hold onto.
Alone like her
She had every intention of crushing Starfire under her heel. But finishing it so quick would be a mercy to her. The brat didn't deserve that, she deserved to suffer for what she did-past and present. Blackfire would make sure she did. She'd make sure their people saw just how useless she was, current ruler or not. She'd show them their previous gem broken, glow lost once and for all. That was her goal, she wanted the throne to of course, and she could deal with her surgate father in due time as well. But this was the main part. Breaking her sister. Not just physically, emotionally, from every side. If she was lucky? She could swat down her little guard squad to. But she needed to focus. They would get to her sister in time, besides she needed to know Skit could even get it done. He said his abilities lied in stealth, that's what she needed. He looked the part as well but they would see.
"Of course, but it's not combat prowess I'm looking for thankfully, plenty of big heads in this town for that. No I need someone able to operate in the shadows, someone able to use thier head... Someone smart"
The Tamaranean was good at another thing, charming others. It could be useful, making someone think they were more than they were. Her tone and the words behind it were key. St this point she wasn't playing at making him think she liked him, simply stroking a potential ego, Small or not. It was fun for her, she had to admit.
"What your good at is the service I need from you. The Titan, Starfire, combats not necery, I'll be handling that part later. But your talents are. Robbery, sabtoge and espionage. However you wish to do it is fine, but I need her good name ruined I suppose you could say, the reverse of now... I want her resented"
The same as she and her other useless people had done her
"A difficult task I'll admit. She is pretty high on their little rope ladder after all. But I'm a patent girl, it doesn't have to be an immidient thing. My sister's to kind for her own good... So its my guess that a lot of the newer Titans would be drawn to her. Might be a place to start, but I'll leave that up to you. No matter how it's done or the length... That's what I want done. When she's alone... I'll handle the rest"
At those last words a cold smile crossed the Tamaranean's lips, momentarly breaking her flirtasious service before she continued.
"And of course as you might expect for a job like this, you'll be paid accordingly. So what do you say?"
It was a small club so Blackfire hadn't just yelled out her plans of course, that would be foolish. But their was also enough noise and music to drown out casual talk-so that's the tone she had taken. The Rat would be useful, and she'd prefer to use such an unknown quininty. But it wasn't a need ether. Their were others she could use for this. If Skit rejected her well... She'd just have to keep looking around.
Last Edit: Jun 12, 2018 7:07:21 GMT -6 by Blackfire
Skit grinned a bit. She knew how to prod his ego, that was for sure. From what he'd heard, she was a tricky one, having gotten close to the Titans at one point before things turned into a fight. He'd have to keep an eye out, just in case she was playing him. "Well if you want shadows, you came to the right guy." He leaned back a bit, getting away from the lights of the club and into a more shadowy part of the booth. Skit's image seemed to shimmer for a moment and he was gone, the seat across from her empty. Then he was there again, leaning forward out of the shadows. "That works for cameras too. Gimme a shadow, and I can just fade outta sight."
Her proposal was a bit trickier. Skit frowned, running through the options. Starfire wasn't exactly someone with deep roots in the community, he couldn't just talk to her friends from middle school and find out what she'd been up to. She was one of the main face Titans too, so kind of on a pedestal. That did mean she had farther to fall, but it would also be pretty to dig up dirt. "Looking to knock your sister off her high horse? That's gonna be a tricky one, but I can see what I can do." He wasn't sure he could find dirt, but maybe he could manufacture some. Sure, the Titans would know it was fake, but if he got a good enough forgery made then that would just make it seem like they were circling the wagons. "I can snoop around a bit, talk to my contacts. I'll let you know what I cook up."
It was a relief when she brought up payment. When she first started talking about revenge, he had been worried that this was just a passion project. Sure, working for a known supervillain looked good on your resume, but exposure doesn't pay the bills. He needed some cashflow. "Sounds good. I'd need some upfront, I'm gonna have to work some contacts for a job like this." It was a good way to hedge his bets, too. If she tried to flake out, at least he'd get something out of this. "How are we gonna keep in touch? And how regularly should I keep you posted?" It wasn't the way most people thought about it, but technically he was still getting a girl's number.
Blackfire would give a nod as she observed skits demonstration. Yes that little trick of his would indeed be perfect for what she wanted done. It wasn't a skill you saw every day ether, so it'd be more difficult to properly counter. Yes... Skit was shaping up to be a good candidate for her little jobs. She'd clap he rhands together in recognition of that, and to continue the previous stroking of the man's ego.
"Excellent, you wearnt lying, I can see how you've managed to become so adapt in your field. Yes your just... Perfect for this, certently"
Not the whole truth of course, their were others she could use. But she wasn't lying about him being the most.... Effective for her. He was unknown, he wasn't a 'big' villian, so she was certain she could his 'salary'. To be blunt he was the most effective and the least cost heavy for her in the long run. That wasn't to say she was going chesp for this, price wasn't an issue at this point when it came to crushing her sister beneath her heel. No I she had a doubt about him pulling the job off she'd simply walk away. No, he was simply the best on her in every marked field on her checklist. That was something that made her very satisfied. She knew it was a difficult job, but she had her own contacts she could lend as well and of course she was her sister. She hated her, but she still knew her. Their were many ways to get to the girl
"Of course, another option, though more risky would be her little boy toy Robin, of course a more down to earth target, but I admit it also has it's issues, more than anything, I want Starfire ruined though, as I said... How you do so I couldn't less about. I'm simply... Throwing out some hair so to speak"
Blackfire, like most baddies in the town wasn't fond of the Titans. But unlike most of them they weren't her worst enemy, nor her biggest concern. No that was her sister. Once she was handled? She couldn't care less about the little school of teenage supers unless they got in her way. As for Skit's suggestion? Yes that would work just as well for her.
"That sounds great to me, you have a nice little set up don't you? How have you not gotten bigger jobs?"
She decided to lay it on just a bit more, just for effect. Now he wanted to discuss price. Well she could give options. Course she had her own stash of the planets monatary item, but she also want as attached to it as her more 'off worldly' items, the ones she valued more.
"Fair enough, I can certainly arrange that for you, I'm assuming you'll want your planets currency for payment correct? As for contact... I have a few phones I use while I'm on the planet, or we can simply arrange meeting spots, ether works for me, do you have a preference?"
She didn't care how they arranged this, she didn't have much worry for most of these Titans, speciully their new bloods. But she'd also prefer avoid dirtying her hands when it wasn't needed. Instead she took it as a chance to make Skit feel he was more in control-besides from how he seemed to be she was sure he ones the darkest areas they could use if need be.
Skit had learned to be a bit cautious about lavish praise from employers. More often than not, they were trying to talk you down on price, hoping you'd take professional pride in place of some of your pay. He was doing this for the exposure, sure, but also for money. He hoped she wouldn't try to short him on this. Human criminals who hired him he could threaten, but how was he supposed to threaten an alien who could throw buses and shoot eye lasers? Even if he got the drop on her, he wasn't sure knives could even hurt her. "Glad for the vote of confidence."
He was less glad when the Boy Wonder came up. "I ran across Robin once. He found me near the site of one of my robberies, suspected but couldn't prove anything. I played innocent until I had a chance to go shadow and slip away." That could make the job trickier. He'd seen some tabloid gossip, but was he an actual couple with Starfire? If so, he might have mentioned more to her, that could add some twists to this. Skit noted it away for later, he already had enough complications with this job before bringing that in.
There was that praise again. Skit smiled, cautiously pleased by it. "Still new to town, haven't gotten too established yet. Haven't had the chance to work with one of the big names until now." Two could play that villainous professional compliment game. "Planet's currency is good, yeah. US dollars, in cash. And I got a few burner phones, so I can get in touch with you on those. Can keep you posted as things develop, no contract so it's harder to track." He'd settled in pretty quickly to this stuff. They didn't have all the bells and whistles of a smartphone, but it wasn't a good idea to carry around a tracking device with your name attached when you had this sort of job. "I'll see what I can arrange. Say, your sister have any sort of berserk buttons? Some folks are kind of nervous about supers, especially alien supers. If we can provoke her into going overboard and pulverizing someone on camera..."
"Yeah, cute kid, but far to straght and narrow for my tastes, a shame really, wasted potential there"
For him anyway-and Starfire as usaul not making the best of it ether.... Sad really. If he wasn't such a prim and proper little hero she might have been interested. Oh well, didn't matter to much. In this scenario he only mattered for as much as he could be used against little Star.
"Why, a lady would almost think you were complementing them... Well, I certainly won't skip on such a charmer, earth currency it is. Set up works good for me as well... Now that payment is out of the way..."
She'd take a sip of her drink, thinking over his next request on information. Something that could make her sister go overboard? Oh well their was certainly a couple obvious things. But something that could send her into complete overdrive? Their could only be one real thing. Though if she was being honest she doubted Skit could pull it off... Unless he was good with disguies to she supposed.
"Well, theirs the obvious little hero quirks, but that's just as likely to get you in more hot water... Well, their is a group she hates with as much venom as her sugary heart can manage. Yes... If their was something that was going to drive her beserk it would be the thought of The Citidal being here in any form. She was.... A slave to them, supposed to stay that way but she broke free. Theirs a lot of emotional baggage their, even outside her servitude. Though whether you can do anything with that... Obvisoly you can't summon them, but perhaps you could work something together with info on them... In any case if I were to say something that could drive her off the edge? It would be me or The Citidal, but with me we wouldn't have her harming what we need her to harm hmm?"
She'd lean back, thinking it over. If this could work this way well.... That would line up things perfect-it would defently be a reason to use the rat in the future as well... Well, that all depended on what Skit could do with the I formation she had given so far.
Skit kept a smile up, trying to pretend he was relaxed about all this. Under it all, he had all sorts of nerves firing every which way. Talking to an attractive girl his age, talking to a famous supervillain, talking to his new boss, talking to someone who could obliterate him without breaking a sweat. It was a tense moment on a lot of levels, but luckily rat faces didn't have the same tells humans did. He could keep a decent poker face.
"Well, if I'm gonna work with an established pro, doesn't hurt to keep the boss happy." He wasn't sure if she was flirting, if that was just how she talked, or if it was just wishful thinking on his part. Either way, he didn't want to overplay his hand. He'd just met her, after all, and she was a super powerful alien princess. Better to be careful than to make her mad in some way.
Luckily for him, they had plenty else to think about. The gears in Skit's head were already turning. "What if we do a false flag? I can hire some people, convince em they're working for the Citadel to capture her. They go after her, she goes HAM on them in public and beats them to a pulp..." He thought it over, trying to come up with a list of what they'd need. "Know anywhere we could get Citadel-style weapons, or anything else she'd recognize as being theirs? I mean it ain't the only way, but it's one plan." It was a plan Skit liked, too. He was one of the sneaky types, not really suited to open confrontation. Even with all his skills, he wasn't really suited to fight even Robin in a head to head. Lurking in the shadows, though, giving a few well-placed orders and bribes, that he could do.
Well well she had to admit, Skit was more crafty than she assumed. That was a good thing however, he'd need for be for something like this. Though she teased him he truly wss brighter than she intially thought. That much was true. Well then that just made him more likely to earn his paycheck. All the low ones around here craved in the end anyway... Really she wasn't one to complain about that-she understood that allure better than anyone. Still it was a bit cute, how he tried to stay all proper about things.
"Of course, I personally have a lot of the equipment you'll need stashed away, and my own connections to get what I don't... Yes I think that approach will work beutifully... It's about time my dear sister learned a very valuable lesson.... One she'll never forget"
Yes... This was starting to fall into place, but by but. Starefire needed to learn, needed to feel that pain. More than that she wanted to be there when it happened. Their to finish her, break her the same way she was. Her sister was weak, she didn't deserve where she was.
Not the family... Not the friends.... Not her team or her privilege. They were all gotten by taking away from her, well... Now she was gonna feel what it was like to be thrown to the wolves, and dragged through the mud. Yes... She'd be the one to bring her crashing from her pedistal.
"Oh I'm not so hard to keep happy, and I'm sure you'll do the job given well... Gotta earn the pay after all, now then... Is their anything else we need to work out? Or can I assume we can move forward?"
Skit couldn't help grinning. This was starting off a lot smoother than he'd hoped. Really, it made sense for the villainous space princess to have villainous space weapons, but he hadn't expected it when she was already probably stronger than a lot of that arsenal. He'd watched some old news clips, and he'd never seen her or Starfire using weapons, aside from the occasional thrown vehicle. Now he had his weapons, all he needed were some patsies, and a way to avoid connecting it to his name. He almost wished he'd stuck with the family a little longer, his mom had known a few illusion tricks that could come in handy there.
"I think we got ourselves the perfect crime." He just hoped this whole vendetta thing didn't backfire on him. He was used to operating subtle, but the whole sibling revenge deal could get really public. Though in this case, he supposed it didn't matter once things were in motion. They only had to keep his and Blackfire's names out of it until Starfire had already had her big public meltdown, once the confrontation started they could start taking some credit.
"As far as the job goes, I think I'm good to start. I'll start working on contacts, get the plan together, and I'll contact you when I got what I need. Lemme know if you need anything else, okay?" He gave her a smile, trying to look more confident than he felt. He was still nervous about this gig. It was his first big break, he didn't want to mess anything up. Especially not in front of her.
The exiled princess gave a chuckle. Perfect crime indeed... So long as Skit played his part well...but she wouldn't have chosen him if she didn't think he could get at least this much done. Where his confidence was fake or real+he did posses the skill set she required. A shame she couldn't hire her minions on name alone, but she couldn't blame them for wanting money ether-treasures were very nice little things... She was no different in that regard. Besides that's how the underbelly on this planet worked. Money and reputation. It was along with her own power the reason she fit so well in the enviorment.
"That we do, my sister.... She's gonna learn what its like to fall to the bottom"
Blackfire smiled, quite satisfied wjtht he arrangement. It was all in her control-all going her way. Yes... This set up would drive her sister mad. She'd make that fatel mistake. And when everyone had left her and she layed sprawled on the ground. She'd be the only one there, just like when they were kids. Only this time saving her sister would be the last thing on her mind.
"Good... I'm very pleased to hear it, yes, I'll be waiting for the call, I will get the equipment you need arranged as well! It will take a few days but... I assume you need time to get your affairs in order as well, and with that.. I believe our deal is struck correct? I will have your due money to you shortly"
She'd swallow the rest of her drink leaning back in her chair. Unless Skit had anything else to bring up she was finished. This was a win win, for her and him-she would not fail this time, this time her little sister was playing by her rules.
Skit nodded. He was still a bit nervous about this job. He was more of a for-profit villain, focusing on things like robbery and extortion. Destroying someone's life for revenge was a bit different. It wasn't that he had any moral objections, but it seemed like a lot of risk without much in the way of tangible rewards. Sure, Blackfire got some gratification out of it, but he was in it for the money. He just hoped the cash was good.
"Thanks. I'll be in touch." Skit leaned back in the booth, focusing for a moment as he faded into the shadows. He liked making an exit like this. It meant slipping under the table to keep invisible in the shadows, but that wasn't too inconvenient. He was short anyway, and good at creeping through low places. He stuck to shadows all the way out of the club, and continuing down the street. He had some arrangements to make, and he wanted some privacy for them.
The rat hurried back to his apartment, finally letting himself be fully visible again once the door was shut. He pulled out a few burner phones and started making calls. He was going to have to work pretty much all his contacts for this, but for a rep boost like this it was worth it. He'd been a nobody working for small-time crooks since he'd arrived in Jump. Now he was finally making it to the big leagues, getting to work with a real, well-known supervillain. The jobs would be rolling in after this.
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Alviss: Darn doesn't show the pic
Apr 18, 2019 7:10:17 GMT -6
force: miss this place. if anyone comes back and sees this, i'm force, i was kid flash here once. you can find me on discord at rook#9485
Jan 12, 2023 13:11:35 GMT -6
The roleplay takes place after the series end of the original Teen Titans animated show, but does not include the movie Trouble in Tokyo. Since then Robin has been on something of a recruiting spree, and many new young heroes have found themselves a home in Jump City as well as Titan Tower.
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