Who: Talia al Ghul, Dr. Strange, NPC Hand ninjas What: Talia makes a move, and tests a theory with Dr. Strange as the guinea pig. Where: Gotham City, NJ When: Friday, Aug 12 Rating: R for redrum. I mean murder. I mean nothing bad happening here at all we're all good guys here how are you?
She couldn't recall the number of hours she'd slept this week. Six? Twelve? Eighteen? That matter was insignificant as long as she could continue to push her body and mind; and what was sleep but a waste of precious time. With her hands in so many cookie jars, Talia had to be constantly alert, constantly on edge, constantly looking for an opening. Not only did she have a full professional career that she took great pride in; but she was also tracking the movements of her sister and her people, assisting Luthor in his recent attempts at sustainable cloning of human and Kryptonian DNA, rallying and readying her own army which grew by the day, and unearthing the recently discovered Lazarus Pit in Gotham-- one of the only Lazarus Pits left in existence.
That was what had killed her father, more than her sister's machinations. Her Beloved had taken the time to locate as many Lazarus Pits as he could find, and destroyed them, ostensibly to keep such power from falling into "the wrong hands"; though if he thought those hands were her father's, he clearly knew nothing of what lay waiting beyond.
The discovery of the pit in Gotham, thanks to the great sorcerer, Dr. Strange, was a mixed blessing. Lazarus Pits were renown for their healing properties, but such power could only be used once at any particular pit; which was why their destruction had devastated the al Ghul family. She would not allow such a weakness to be exploited twice.
It was with that in mind that Talia had undertaken another mission of the highest priority: to engineer a way in which the Lazarus Pit could be used more than once. It had driven her to consult ancient texts and ritual, modern biochemistry and to spend hours at a time locked away at work, running through formula after formula until--
-- finally, a break through.
The experiments began with small rodent; mice, rats (in abundance in Gotham City). A chimp followed; all revived with no symptoms outside the usual effects of the pit; all resurrected by the same pit.
Now, it was time for a human trial.
The Hand, as deft as they were, were not exactly human any longer; and thus would ruin the control for the test. And Talia certainly wasn't about to attempt it on herself or any trusted associates until she was certain. As much as she wouldn't mind to be rid of a few others, the point was to bring them back-- which meant she would need a test subject who was at once knowledgeable and naive; someone who would trust her enough to be submerged; and hopefully would see the light of the Lazarus Pit and remain loyal.
The New York doctor came immediately to mind. He would not be squeamish at the pit, well-versed as he was in the mystical arts, but unlikely to allow her to kill him simply to test it. But there could be some mighty boons to having the Sorcerer Supreme on one's side.
Arrangements were made quickly; it was simply a matter of inviting him to Gotham, under the guise of sharing his company and to further explore the "unknowable and mysterious" pit he had helped discover. From there, it was only a matter of keeping him entertained at a nice dinner, suggesting a leisurely stroll, and waiting for her men to do their dark work.
The meal was concluded pleasantly, and Miranda was pleased to take his arm as they crossed into Robinson Park. She wore a gentle smile, with the kind of coy shyness of a woman not accustomed to dining with someone simply for pleasure.
"This is a short cut." She promised in her delicate French accent, a hint of pride in her green eyes, "I am excited to show you what I've discovered since you helped me to find this place. I think we may be ready to help my father soon, thanks to you, Stephen." Her voice turned soft as she said his name, and she looked away quickly, hiding the flush that colored her cheeks.