Orientating the Board: Tracking Down

Most of the places on Kate's list were bars that only opened in the evening, then stayed open all night. Only one was open around three in the afternoon when Dick made his way back to Gotham: a small pub-like restaurant.

Dick hadn't gotten much sleep after he headed home in the morning but he needed less than most people so it had been enough. Martha had still been asleep when he had returned home, but she was the only one home when Dickprepared to leave in the afternoon. When he told her he was going to follow up Kate's lead, she reminded him to check in later. He had agreed, before quickly rushing out the door.

A part of him still couldn't let go of the fact that last night a man had died and Dick had done nothing but watch. He knew that he couldn't have known, he hadn't even known it was Falcone before the man appeared in the graveyard. And yet...Dick had started this to try and prevent suffering. He wanted to be able to do that.

It was mid-afternoon and there were only a few clouds in the sky so there were few shadows around that were big enough for someone to hide in. Dick settled himself on the roof of the bookstore opposite to watch. It wasn't likely that Falcone would turn up but if there was a chance Dick didn't want to miss him.

Dick kept an eye on the street and the restaurant, as well as the few other places someone could hide in the area, his gaze flicking back and forth between different spots. About twenty minutes in he noticed something in the alley between the bookstore and the tattoo parlor next door.

A tall figure wearing a long overcoat was standing in the alleyway, just enough in the shadow, that Dick couldn't make out any distinguishing features from his perch was unlikely anyone walking on the street would either. But the alley was clear enough that they could clearly see the restaurant across the street.

The figure wasn't moving. Just like Dick on the roof, he seemed to be waiting and watching the restaurant across the street. A few people left but the figure didn't move, keeping his eyes on the door. Dick crept along the edge of the roof until he could get a better angle to observe the figure. Sure enough, his face was covered in silver and underneath the overcoat he was wearing armor. It was Falcone.

His attention was purely focused on the restaurant. If Dick took him out now, he'd never have the chance to attack whoever he was waiting for.

A voice in Dick's head that sounded suspiciously like Bruce told him this was a bad idea. He flexed his claws and jumped down.

He landed on Falcone's back and tried to grab his arms to pin him down but Falcone reacted fast, kicking out with his leg and hitting Dick's shin. Dick managed to keep his grip on his left but he got his right free to reach around and grab something that had been hidden under the coat- a short sword. Dick was forced to jump back and let go to dodge the swing that came his way.

Falcone may have been surprisingly fast but Dick was still faster. When he lunged forward with the sword again, Dick easily sidestepped it and rushed forward. His claws broke apart the silvery skin of his face as Dick just barely missed his eye.

Dick jumped back to dodge another sword swing. Falcone glared. "What kind of barbarian are you to be attacking me like this?"

"You've been killing people."

"I've been killing traitors." He rushed forward but Dick jumped to the side and tried to claw at Falcone's side. They scraped against the leather of the armor.

Most of the Owls' targets that they would send Talons after were civilians so only one of Dick's trainers in the labyrinth had spent any time on armor. He just needed to find an opening. Falcone's armor clearly took some inspiration from ancient Rome, as everything about him did. Aside from a pair of greaves covering his shins, his legs were mostly exposed. Dick lunged, trying to tackle him around the legs and knock him over.

He moved fast enough to take Falcone by surprise, causing him to drop his sword. Unfortunately he fell down on top of Dick momentarily winding him. Dick lashed out with his leg, knocking the sword further away while tightening his grip on his legs. Falcone jabbed an elbow into his ribs knocking the air out of his lungs again and scrambled away to the far side of the alley. Dick stood up, getting between him and the sword.

Dick was evaluating his next move when a sharp snap from the entrance of the alley caught his attention. Both he and Falcone turned to see a young woman standing at the end of the alleyway holding up a Wayne XO phone. A brief flash of panic filled Dick before he remembered to focus on the current fight.

Falcone seemed to have had a similar initial reaction to being observed. He backed further into the alleyway before turning to Dick.

"This is not an appropriate venue for our duel. But we will meet again, and you will not deter me from administering just punishment, barbarian." Then he turned and ran down the alley, a trail of blood splatters dripping after him.

Dick didn't wait around. He took a moment to grab the sword, then jumped up onto a dumpster using a window ledge to get over to the fire escape and up onto the roof. Once back on top of the bookstore he kept moving, leaping from one roof to another. He didn't hear the woman taking any more pictures but he wasn't going to risk it.

He had been seen. That was very bad. Hopefully the woman wouldn't share the photo but he couldn't count on it. He needed to talk to Bruce and the rest of the Wayne family. They needed to make a plan for when the Owls came.

But Falcone was also getting away. He had been a tougher opponent than Dick had expected but he could have knocked him out or incapitated him with a bit more time. Next time he would be expected. He needed to tell Kate.

At least, he also had some good news for Kate. The sword he had now should have some fingerprints and might just be the piece of evidence they needed.

AN: So! It's been a while! Sorry about that. I finished up my final exam season for my degree and ThreeBlackCats got her vaccination! That's one of us two! Regarding my final exam season? I passed! Just need to complete a couple of hours and I will officially have 'graduated'!

At least you got a quadriple upload? The schedule should be back to normal now, see you next fortnight for our next little arc. ( •̀ ω •́ )✧ It's gonna shift the field.

Thanks once again for reading! If you'd like to contact us via tumblr, my handle is eastoniablogs! Reviews appreciated!

Cheers,

East