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[glasgow_smile]

About seven minutes before the big countdown, many thousands of people, both physically in attendance and watching from the safety of their living rooms, shall witness the dapperly dressed mayor approaching the main podium, positioned close to the massive digital display. Leaning in to the cluster of microphones, he announces a very special message

Comments

[goshdarnniteowl]

You know. It wasn't like Daniel didn't expect something to happen tonight. It's why he was even out here, why he dragged his friend out with him. But he was more -- expecting the Riddler, or -- someone else. Someone more manageable, and less... him.

Eyes wide, he looks to Walter and Dr. Drake. The police can deal with checking for explosives -- they'll have to, they wouldn't just let a kid, or a guy in an owl costume, go at it -- but the people... "Dr. Drake, didn't you say you came with someone?"

[hopeyrhappytoo]

Bill. She'd been wondering when they'd see or hear from him again, but she hadn't been expecting this. In retrospect, maybe she should have been expecting this. She would certainly feel a lot less shocked and stunned and panicked because...

"Yes. Yes. My daughter..." She's just going to go looking for her, in a bit (a lot) of a panic, because. Well. Because Gotham. Not that she doesn't trust her godfather as capable enough to take care of Molly. She does.

She does not, however, trust this crowd.

[holyrorschach]

Walter doesn't trust this, or any crowd. He was expecting something and the more people that gathered here, the worse the thing he expected became. This is actually smaller. He expected flames, explosions, guns... The Joker didn't even need them.

He looks at Daniel, with just a glance to Dr. Drake. She's an inconvenience right now. She's in the way of them getting anything done. Not that they ever do much good... No, he can't think like that.

"One of us should get up to one of those balconies. Get an aerial view."
He flicks on the walkie-talkie in his pocket.
"The other can stop fights, help the fallen, help clear the area."

The high ground is yours, Daniel. Bad ankle, and all.

[goshdarnniteowl]

Daniel nods. He doesn't think Walter having the violent work is the best idea, but it does make tactical sense. Off he goes, looking for high ground, but also --

He catches Dr. Drake, before she gets too far. "Doctor! Tell us what she looks like and we'll look for her."

[hopeyrhappytoo]

She can do you one better, Dan. She'll tear open a wallet, flip through it and give him a picture of Molly. "Thank! Really! If she's with a man named Evan, that's fine."

[holyrorschach]

Walter looks over to get a good look at the girl in the photo, then nods to the both of them and disappears into the crowd. His small size helps him move between people quickly and, where that isn't enough, muscle helps.

[goshdarnniteowl]

"We'll keep an eye out," he assures her, as he takes the picture. "You should get somewhere safe, doctor." He almost bites his lip. "But I, um, understand if you don't want to."

[hopeyrhappytoo]

"I'll be fine. Thank you!" And she's off!

[holyrorschach]

Walter tries to take guide the fleeing crowds to more than one exit. Women and children get extra attention and are moved in one direction, with younger people pointed to another.

Mostly, however, he's just waiting for Nite Owl --Daniel-- to get in place and begin radioing him directions.

[goshdarnniteowl]

And they do come.

Okay, there's -- seven o' clock, an old woman just got shoved down. Five yards. Fight breaking out, three o'clock, three yards. I think I just saw a knife...

[holyrorschach]

Rorschach dons his face once he's far enough into the crowd to hide the action.
The old woman is helped up with acceptance of the panic that caused her to be shoved. He can't punish everyone here who acts inappropriately. However, the fight is roughly separated, each having one wrist zip-tied to their belt and then sent off to get out of the area.

A knife, though. Rorschach moves quick, knocks the man down and searches him over.
"What the hell is wrong with you?!" the drunk young man asks as he tries to shove Rorschach off of him. No knife is found. Did he get the wrong man? Damn it...

[goshdarnniteowl]

Daniel's voice climbs, over the walkie talkie. Shouting?

...no, other one -- behind you...!

[holyrorschach]

'Behind you'. The black splotches shrink suddenly as Rorschach tenses. He drops low and turns, grabbing the man's knife wielding hand. He holds tightly onto that fist and forces the blade into the man's thigh.

As the would-be criminal shrieks, Rorschach growls into his ear.
"City does not need you to make it more afraid. There is an ambulance to the East. Find it. LEAVE."

[goshdarnniteowl]

Oh, God.

Daniel, on his fire escape, cringes. But this isn't the time to say anything. The bleeding man stumbles, fleeing, and he tries to force himself back to scanning the crowd. His eyes light on a small figure almost on the other side of the square, a rapidly emptying area, just a little patch of blonde hair without any accompaniment.

Eight -- nine o'clock! Other side of the square! I think I see her!

[holyrorschach]

Molly. He can't help the little girl like this. Damn. He ducks down low and pulls the mask off and stuffs it in one of his pockets. The same is done with the gloves which are now blood stained. He can tolerate the cold for a while.

"Molly! Molly!"
He does try to sound less threatening, but he's never been good with children.

[hopeyrhappytoo]

Molly, like any good former-policewoman's daughter ought to be doing, is staying in one spot until her mother or Evan find her. She knows, first hand, what happens when you run around in a panicky situation. (you get taken hostage, you get your mother shot, you miss your birthday, you have to move to Gotham.)

So, yeah. Molly Drake will be standing put, off to the sides, and trying to stay out of the way of crazy.

Though. Someone is calling her name, and it does not APPEAR to be her godfather.