RoT: Part 3 "The Fight" (Laszlo vs. Arabella)

The storm drains were found near the dock; a quick jimmy of the lock and he was able to duck inside. Of course he had to scoop up his cape first so it wasn't dragged through the muddy rainwater which ran out into the dock. The smell of stagnant liquid drifted through with the gentlest of breezes from above, as did the echoing sounds of the police drawing nearer. The Raven disappeared into the darkness but he was careful to casually walk before Arabella, making sure she was close behind. They followed the storm drains for a while, Laszlo mostly using hunches and the far off sound of the subway to get his bearings. His instincts and hearing proved to be quite effective, because the drain they had been walking through opened onto a platform that opened into the subway tunnel. Electricity flowed through one of the tracks as a train screamed by suddenly, whipping the cape out behind the circus performer. Laszlo paused and took the map from Arabella, orientated himself using the docks and his natural sense of direction, and finally set out for the warehouse.

The two of them probably made an out sight when they walked out of the subway system into a station; luckily there was only a hobo curled up on cardboard and a couple of bad kids that whistled at The Raven's partner. Szasz mostly ignored it and scaled the stairs out onto the streets, before moving onto rooftops. It took less then a half hour for them to finally reach the address they had been assigned. The two talked a little along the way, Laszlo discussing his parents and his brother and life in the circus. He guessed the pair of them had a lot in common with how she explained the origin of the pretty wings.

Finally the low dark building came into sight. Laszlo slipped down a fire escape, swinging a leg over the railing. He dropped down to the alleyway below, his cape flapping hard in the wind. The costumed hero turned and walked out onto the sidewalk, crossed an empty parking lot and plucked open the door. He held it open like a true gentleman for Arabella before he stepped in behind her.

The lenses on his mask limited the suddenly bright lights, a mirror depicting a never ending space filled with repeated instances of Arabella and The Raven. The mirrors faded to reveal the walls beyond, a nice touch all things considered. The gloved performer noticed the safe closest the door and flicked it lightly, before he pressed a hand to the tumbler. With an enough time he thought he could crack the case with his ear alone, but a note on the door caught his attention. "Come into the parlor said the spider to the fly... He mused to himself, plucking the envelope off the door. Turning it over in his hands he shrugged and held it out to Arabella. "After you."

Laszlo watched with a gentle smile as a blade made quick work of the envelope. He even managed to laugh at the annoyance line as went down to one knee and pressed an ear against the metal, carefully trying to pick it as he messed with the dial. His efforts slowed when he heard Arabella cut off, before the words finally sunk into his mind. He held out his hand for the letter just after she had removed the blade, his words tinted with easy amusement. "I had hoped I wouldn't get stabbed tonight." With it in his hand he gave it a quick read, before turning and checking the back. Hrm. His lovely partner was beginning to disrobe the loose clothes that might be easy to catch a hold of. The Raven placed the letter down on the safe and then unclipped the cape from around his shoulders, swinging it in front of him. The man carefully folded the material and laid it out over the paper before he straighten his jacket and pulled his sleeves. The name tag was plucked from his wrist and placed down on top of the material as he limbered up slightly, dancing from one foot to the other as he shook out his limbs and hands.

The gloves, his weapons, remained on his hands. He could do hand to hand combat with an unarmed opponent, but he supposed if things got a little difficult he would be able to produce a couple of non-lethal batons or bats. What, he wasn't stupid was he? It was a competition and while he very much enjoyed the evening with his partner, he wasn't going to jeopardize his chances this evening by going soft. And he supposed that she wouldn't either. "Just a couple of ground rules I suppose; nothing below the belt-" He tilted his head as if that was self explanatory, tugging on his collar a little. The mask was in place and would offer a little protection from punches to the face. Plus his chest and shoulders were padded; legs might be a weakness if she goes for them hard.

"Hopefully no bone breaking, because that might sour our employment, but I suppose choking and pinning are fine until one of us yields." He shrugged gently and made a point of twitching his sleeves, brushing his hand down his leg to try and wipe the last specks of mud away from his usually shined business shoes. When he was finally ready he lifted his hands like a boxer, the backs of his hands aimed in her direction as fists formed and he hunched his upper body protectively. Feet slipped shoulder width apart and he took in a long slow breath before he said gently, "Ready."

With that he stepped forward once then twice, his body ducking to one side before he suddenly swung his shoulders in the other and lashed out with his right fist at Arabella's face; the momentary feint should put her off for a second but if she was quick witted she'd be able to block or duck out of the way. If she did, he was going to follow up the swing at her face into a sharp left handed uppercut towards her ribs. He was quick and was trying to strike hard with his full strength, wanting to show that he was absolutely serious.

The heeled shoes flew up and past his face as he slid back on his shoes, letting her roll over and land her feet down again. His smile faltered slightly however, when he saw his feflection in one of the bright see through windows. The costume, his stance, his face pulled into what was always an obviously forced expression. Who's benefit was he doing this for? Not he innocent people. He didn't really honestly care about them when he thought about it. Was it for him? No, why would he constantly put himself in danger just for selfish reasons... The thought rose in his head like a shark from the deep; His father smile and holding his shoulder, the idea of his father being proud and even happier then proud. He lowered his fists slowly and really looked through the mask. Laszlo suspected sad tired eyes under the white discs.

"I uh. Can't do this. Shouldn't." He thought of apologising but shrugged once, glancing finally at Arabella. That smile arose and then he turned on his heels and approached the cape, talking loudly. "I hereby yadda yadda yadda, Uncle." He easily joked, before he pushed open the door and dragged the material from the safe. Without a second glance back, he supposed he'd go home to his Mom. To his Brother. Family that meant something, family he neglected.

Chelle was already on her way into the warehouse, curious as to what was going on. However, brushing passed Laszlo had her brow raised. Seems like he wasn't cut out for the group. Chelle stepped into the warehouse and smiled at Arabella. "Well, hello there darling. Seems your opponent flaked on you, huh? Well, that's okay. You're not penalized because of his inability to fight a girl." She slid off her sunglasses and pushed them up onto the crown of her head. "I'd like to personally and formally accept you into Thrones, Arabella. You are now a Bishop within the group, and your title is Adept of Mischief. Good to have you, dearest." Chelle winked, gave the woman a smirk, and slipped her glasses back on before stepping out of the warehouse. She peaked back around the corner and clicked the button in her hand. "Oh, and since Laszlo is no longer going to be with us, you get his first months pay as a bonus. Instead of twenty-thousand dollars, you're going to pocket forty-thousand. Congrats." She gave a little wave and was off, tucking herself back into her limo to relax until the next fight was over.

(End of Quest for Arabella, though Arabella is allowed to post once more within this topic.)