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Dick Grayson has too many siblings (onatightrope) wrote in wariscoming,
@ 2012-07-05 23:45:00

Entry tags:

dick grayson/nightwing, mr. dark

Who:Dick Grayson and G.M.Dark
What:Meeting and negotiating.
When:Tonight!
Where:A Park~
Warnings:TBA!
STATUS: complete

Dick probably should have waited to set things up with the other heroes, all the negotiation had put him on edge. Being on edge at the first meeting could be bad for everyone. He picked up his binder with papers inside and took a deep breath to calm himself down. The air outside was warm and sticky, it didn't help with his nerves. He didn't like the summer heat much but there was no fighting it so he just bit back his complaints and shuffled his folder under his arm with his ownership papers inside and left Haly's Circus. His senses were on high alert, open to every possible sound around him from crunching leaves to the slightest shift in the wind. Dick was ready for anything. He'd done his homework on G.M. Dark, but that didn't stop him from worrying.

Even a small part of him worried about his family circus reputation. Was he going to drag it into the dirt with this man by his side? How long could he stand to work with someone who had Bruce's face? So many questions whirled through his head at light speed. He maintained a cool and calculated look on the outside, but on the inside it was so much different. Thank god for Bruce's years of training or he might have blown the entire thing out of the water.

He arrived earlier than the appropriate time and remained hidden in the shadows of the trees that lined the park. Recon. He didn't know this man, there were enough city lights on the nearest side walk to illuminate the park so he didn't worry too much about losing that advantage at least. He was dressed in a casual outfit, he knew it was a business meeting but he wasn't one for stuffy suits. He managed to calm his nerves as he waited through silent breathing tactics.

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onatightrope
2012-07-07 06:37 am UTC (link)

Dick's brows knitted together as Dark held onto him a little longer than normal. What was that about? Was that a part of the power he'd been reading about? If it was Dark was in for a bit of disappointment really assuming Zatanna's charm worked. Her powers really were something else. He was usually wary of magic and all things magic related, but Zatanna had been little bit helpful since he'd met her, and she was family. She'd treated him like a brother and in turn he would always be there if she needed him. Oh he had plenty of fears and worries, but that amulet did a good job of blocking many of them from Dark's abilities on that night. He would have to remember to thank Zatanna later.

There were very few people in that park which could go either way for Dick. It meant if he needed to he could fight back should something happen he would have more than enough space to defend himself. That was all he had planned if necessary. He was fit, he looked to be at the top of his game for a man in his early twenties. His body type suggested agility and his background in the areal arts screamed it.

"I have to admit, the name alone has my attention." Any showman would appreciate that. That was what they lived for after all, the attention of the audience. He smiled fondly at the memories of the carnival. "It's been a few years since I've performed but I remember it. There was nothing that made me happier." He felt like he could relate to Dark on some levels.

That was dangerous. Letting his guard down was not an option. "I've been reading up on you Mr.Dark. I know about your power. If I agree to this partnership what does that mean for me in regards to it. What's the catch?" He was trying to be civil but he was worried.

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illustratedman
2012-07-07 08:18 am UTC (link)

Mr. Grayson was a fit man. That was very obvious from the get-go, something that Dark took notice to. Not because he was that sort, by any means, but because he was a man with a penchant for observation. Observation told one almost everything one needed to know about others, after all. Dark smiled to himself and hummed a soft tune under his breath, but cut it short when Dick spoke again. He twirled his cane in hand, looked around at the park and up at the lamps that lit the pathway.

"Cooger and Dark's Pandemonium Shadow Show," he said fondly. "Imagine, for a moment, Mr. Grayson. Grayson and Dark's Combined Act brings to you Haly's Circus and the Shadow Show!" He swept his hat off his head again, thrust his arms out to both sides and took a pose as if he were standing in the spotlight with an audience stretched out before them. "The most glorious act you've ever seen combined."

There was a pause, Dark put his hat back on.

"You keep saying that, Mr. Grayson," Dark said knowingly, "but what do you really think that means? 'I know about your power.' What power is that, Mr. Grayson? What do you think it is that I do? Answer me that, and then we'll discuss the potential you gain from joining me."

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onatightrope
2012-07-07 09:46 am UTC (link)

The tune Dark was humming was at this rate forever going to be engraved in is memory. Though he had to say he wasn't sure he was entirely against it. Why again was he doing this? Since he'd arrived in Kansas he really hadn't even tried for a social life and now yet again he had another large task on his plate. That was just how Dick Grayson was. He lived in a technicolor world with limitless possibilities but only dabbled in the word of the normal young adult. He was in his early twenties but he hadn't even been on a date or taken much time for himself at all. No, he was far more concerned with everything else. The safety of a city that wasn't even his for one.

Upon meeting Mr.Dark in that quiet park, all that changed. Dick had adopted Kansas. If it would have him, he would be there until the day it tore him apart. He would give it every ounce of who he was until he knew it was safe. Whether or not that was a good thing, time would only tell. Raising an eyebrow at Dark's sudden outburst his eyes lit up with intrigue before he could help it. "Grayson an Dark's Combined Act.."He repeated. It was his first time hearing the name like that. It was his circus. His name could be in the title. He was no longer just a performer.

Running a hand through his dark hair as Dark sobered slightly and he shifted uncomfortably.

"I'm aware that you use fear to manipulate your victims. What I'm not sure of is why, or how." He spoke cautiously, trying to pick the right words. Dark was good at his act. Dick had to be better. He had to prove that he didn't need help, he'd taken on this assignment and he was going to see it through.

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illustratedman
2012-07-07 10:27 am UTC (link)

He saw that light in Dick's eyes, and just barely managed to keep himself from bursting with delight. Oh, people were so terribly easy to manipulate. And it wasn't because they were stupid--though believe you me, people were stupid in Dark's eyes--but rather because of the lack of control over the innate desires of the mind, body, and soul. No. Mr. Dark didn't necessarily use fear to control his freaks, though they were often afraid of Mr. Dark and his ability to harm them. It was manipulation through desire that Dark used against people. He had been honest with River, though profoundly twisted in a sense, when he said that he gave people only what they wanted.

So a woman wanted to be beautiful. Dark made her beautiful, and then took her sight from her. A boy wanted to be a man, and so Dark put him forward on the carousel that aged his body but not his mind. It was trickery, bribery and every other 'ery' in the book, yes. But it only happened because people were so damned desirous of the things that were very often the worst thing imaginable for them.

"Fear is such a silly thing, Mr. Grayson." But utterly important to Dark's survival. The fear of Evil is what kept him alive, probably. "The carnival is hardly a horror house, though the Haunted House is one of the favorite attractions for the children," he said matter of factly, tapping his fingers on his chin. "I can show you," he said a moment later, tipping his head to regard Dick with fierce eyes. "But we're not partners and you needn't know the secrets of my show.

"The point of us being here, Mr. Grayson, is to determine if a combined act is something that you desire and may profit from. Together the combined acts can travel the world and reach the height no show has ever reached before. At my side, Mr. Grayson, you can have everything you've ever desired your show to be. I value innovation and creativity. Do you want to design all new acts? All new attractions? By all means! Conduct the circus, be the ring-master. Do all you wish to do, Mr. Grayson. I aim to please and provide."

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onatightrope
2012-07-07 11:13 am UTC (link)

"I did have a few new acts in mind." He said as the gears in his mind began to turn. He was thinking of how to put together a show. Even he wasn't above a little desire. He wanted Haly's Circus to thrive. It was his family's after all. The Circus his parents had traveled with all their lives, and where he'd grown up. His childhood memories were within it's past, the happiest time of his life was within reach again. He had a chance to regain what he'd lost if he became partners with Dark.

Thoughts of corn dogs and animals came to an abrupt stop when a little voice poked at the back of his mind as he got carried away in the moment. Focus. Not your objective. Focus on the mission. The voice sounded annoyingly like Bruce's. He almost wanted to growl at it and tell it to shut up, but he wasn't entirely insane. "You won't show me then?" He looked disappointed. Instead of pushing the matter he just took a breath and let his eyes level on Dark's own. "Yet." He corrected. Dark was more intense then he anticipated initially. Maybe he should have had Clark spot him.

"If we become partners, you'll show me everything?" Dick watched Dark carefully. "I have ideas, a new Haly's Circus for a new generation." Ring Master. He could be Ring Master. "A marksman that never misses." He added with a dramatic gesture of his own to back up his claim, and hopefully catch Dark's attention. Then he sobered some. "What about you? If I become Ring Master what is it you'll become? You said you want to entertain, but you really have no interest in profit at all?" He had to ask.

He looked over at Dark warily. Getting close to a man like him was going to be trying. It was going to take all his tricks.

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illustratedman
2012-07-07 05:12 pm UTC (link)

"Yet," he agreed mildly. If they sealed the deal and became partners, then Dark wouldn't be too concerned with showing him how the carnival worked. Dick had the gist of Dark's abilities, but lacked serious fundamentals. It didn't bother him, let Dick imagine everything he wanted to about what Dark did. It was fuel for the mind, and inspired curiosity! Intrigue! "If we become partners, Mr. Grayson, you will learn," Dark said evenly, almost matter-of-factly. It didn't matter in the moment.

And then a key question. What would Dark become with Dick as the Ring Master? Dark considered for a moment, as if it were a serious contemplation of his own, "Me? I shall be the proprietor of Haly's Circus and Dark's Shadow Show, behind the scenes. You will be the face, Mr. Grayson, the joy of the acts and my partner in all things." Though, what Dark did not say was that he determined where the carnival traveled, who the new arrivals were and how long they spent in each location. It was inherent that the traveling carnival.. traveled. Further, if Dick agreed to become a partner then his face would be forever etched onto Mr. Dark's skin. It was absolute control. It had been how he'd won Mr. Cooger, after all.

"I have interests, Mr. Grayson, and the carnival serves those interests. I have told you, I built the Shadow Show from ground up. It's my life, and I'll do all that I must to preserve her integrity and survival." He gestured enthusiastically and glanced just briefly at the palm of his hand, then turned to Mr. Grayson with a smile. "What shall it be then?"

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onatightrope
2012-07-07 06:25 pm UTC (link)

He was having second thoughts. It was his family's circus after all. The way Dark operated meant people could get hurt, and if they were hurt it would reflect on his name. That was all the more reason to sign with him, Dick knew there were bigger things to worry about then his family reputation, but it bothered him. "Good." He couldn't help but feel a certain sadness wash over him at what was about to happen. It was for the better of man kind, so why did he feel so awful? The amulet would protect him against whatever Dark had in mind when he agreed to their deal but he still worried. He still had questions. He knew though that Dark wasn't going to wait forever, there was only so long he could stall and he was about at the end game.

Dick watched him as he looked quiet serious. Was it all an act for his sake or was Dark actually considering something deeper? Magic was rarely as simple as it seemed on the outside and Dick was wondering if he had gotten in over his head after all. He had a team waiting on the other end for answers, he had to keep focusing. Keep reminding himself that the objective was to get Dark to trust him and then take him down. It was not to make the Circus as great as it had once been in its hay day, he wasn't there to revive it with this sort of person. That could come much later.

"One more thing.." Dick paused as he looked at him squarely. "You never did mention what happened to your other partner Mr.Dark. Mr. Cooger was it?"

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illustratedman
2012-07-07 08:24 pm UTC (link)

Oh, yes. That little issue of Mr. Cooger.. Dark thought for a moment, tapping his fingers on his chin in idle contemplation.

"Well, you see," he began a moment later, "If what they say about this Seal is true, I seem to have left Mr. Cooger in 1962. Should he walk through the Seal to join us here then I expect he'll reprise his role as my colleague, and we shall join forces to become Cooger, Dark and Grayson's combined carnival and circus. Until then, Mr. Grayson, Mr. Cooger isn't a real concern. He's a marvelous man, I assure you. Loyal to a fault and entirely willing to listen to good reason." He had no choice. Mr. Dark controlled all of the people who worked in his carnival, and even their rebellion could be shut down with pain.

It was magic of a different sort. He had sold his soul for this carnival, and emerged as more than a man. Evil incarnate was a word thrown around, though no force like Biblical text, or prayer could stop him. He had every page, line and word in the Bible read at him his entire life. His magic was a magic that targeted human weakness. People were so damnably weak.

"If it would make you feel better, perhaps we could arrange a meeting to examine both circus and carnival at a future date." That, perhaps, would have been a prudent first step. Mr. Dark let it go with ease, and continued on down the path, tapping his walking-stick onto the ground in a light rhythm, his little tune emerging from his throat again in a low hum.

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onatightrope
2012-07-07 08:43 pm UTC (link)

Dick made a mental note that he needed more information on Mr.Cooger the next time they met. He'd missed a step in his research and it bothered him. He needed to be more concise for this operation to work out. "It is true as far as any of us are aware. People who show up here from our past are barely even aware we've been gone and vice verse when we return." He added and nodded accepting Dark's answer for now. There had to be more to the story. Dick would investigate as soon as he were able.

"It would yes. A trial run of sorts?" He added with a hint of uncertainty. He didn't realize how hard it would be to emotionally disconnect himself from his past when dealing with Mr.Dark. He should have accounted for it, he thought he had done so already. Still his past bit at him like a fresh wound as he stood there talking about the circus. Bruce had always taught him not to look back, and now he knew why. When he looked back he was vulnerable, he still felt like that ten year old kid who watched his parents plummet from the traps infront of a live audience of hundreds. How could he possibly be prepared to relive the most painful memory? Maybe Bruce would have some kind of technique. Some sort of meditation he could use for the future meeting. He needed to be more grounded and more focused.

He had to be. "Or would you simply like a tour of my circus?" He questioned at the idea of a meeting date. Suddenly he was glad he hadn't brought him immediately to the grounds. He wondered how badly things would have gone there. He would go there post meeting for the first time. He would go and sit in that ring where his family died infront of his eyes.

He had to revisit it. The circus was calling. There was no more holding it off, he couldn't just wait until the right moment. He'd set up a large team waiting on orders and directions, he had to deal with things now. No matter how much the idea of going back there wounded him. If he was to go through with this he had to put his emotion behind him, this was unacceptable. The floodgates could not open.

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illustratedman
2012-07-07 09:07 pm UTC (link)

Mr. Dark was attuned to people's emotions, their desires, fears and every other mundane thing they went through. Mr. Grayson was oddly muted to Mr. Dark, it threw up a series of red-flags but really.. what would anyone try to do? Investigate the carnival? It was normal to everyone except the people who were the most susceptible to its charm. That being said, with the rush of emotion that Grayson nearly let loose in wake of his past, Dark felt a faint wash--like the brush of a woman's caress on his consciousness--that caught his attention. He tipped his head, reached out mentally to grasp the thing and felt it slip away from his reach.

How interesting, that Mr. Grayson could keep himself aloof from Dark's.. dark charm. He couldn't get a good reading of him. Dark examined his companion for a moment, and then smiled his dramatic little smile.

"We'll take a tour, and if the circus is up to par for my desires and my carnival enough to suit your tastes then we'll sign the deal. Yes?" he said, pragmatic.

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onatightrope
2012-07-07 11:38 pm UTC (link)

"Trust me, it'll be a tour you'll never forget." Dick managed to contain himself and would until the meeting was over. Though for his own sake he hoped it ended soon. "Can you give me some time? How is next Thursday for you. I only recently obtained this circus after all. It was not here before. I need a little time to make sure things run smooth for our tour." He thought it sounded reasonable. In all honesty he could have done with another week, but he didn't want to put this off forever. He wanted to dive in as fast as possible and contain whatever this was if there was a way to do so.

He had to get back soon, he knew Clark and Bruce would both be worrying about now. Bruce probably wouldn't admit it but Clark was the sort to stay awake all night and do so whether Dick wanted him to or not. He didn't want to put either of them out longer then necessary. Besides he wasn't exactly a fan of the air Mr.Dark gave off. Then there was the fact that he had Bruce's face. There was only so many hours in a day he could stand to be around it. He hoped he wouldn't take out his annoyance over the situation on his partner later on. He really couldn't make any promises there though. It was unnerving. He hadn't even tried to talk to Abe Lincon yet the vampire with Bruce's face, he just wasn't sure if he could take that much Bruce-face. He had enough issues with the original as it were.

"Sounds like a plan then."

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illustratedman
2012-07-08 01:14 am UTC (link)

"Certainly," Mr. Dark agreed, allowing Dick to take the extra couple of days to put together a show worth remembering. It would be enough time then to gather several other people to man the carnival. Dark had already set up a few attractions but he needed others to make the show .. a show. That was the only reason he'd pushed the carnival back so far. Opening July 31st gave him a whole month to gather his freaks once more. He'd send the others out to neighboring cities and towns soon on recruitment missions. Maybe starting tonight.

With the children.

Dark clapped his hands together, and reached out for Dick's hand to shake it again. "Wonderful, Mr. Grayson. It was a pleasure meeting you. We'll be seeing each other very soon. Take care." And tipping his hat in polite goodbye, Dark turned on his heel and trumped off across the lawn toward the park exit, picking up the same tune he'd been humming all day.

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onatightrope
2012-07-08 09:23 pm UTC (link)

"You won't regret it." He offered a grin and followed Dark until he stopped to shake hands again, which Dick returned the gesture. "Indeed. See you next week." A week. Only a week to put together an unforgettable show. No pressure right? Dick watched Dark leave and let out a breath he'd unconsciously held. He was going to need more support next time. He was going to let Clark spot him should they meet alone again and not let his pride or worry get in the way. Clark could keep a thousand feet back and still help him within seconds if he needed it.

Still he wanted to prove to his new team that he could handle himself in the field without backup if necessary. He'd proven himself time and time over with the Titans and the Outsiders and various other teams he'd lead in the past but this was new territory.

"Good evening Mr. Dark." He said as the figure departed. Only when he was a good distance away did Dick melt away into the shadows again and head for home himself.

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