The streets of Gotham

[seewhatyoumean]

Cass, and more importantly Oracle, was a decent tracker, but she never said no to help. So when she'd found herself in Milliways and spotted X it had only taken a quick exchange of vague hand signals to convince the other girl to follow her back through the door

Comments

[cutting_edgex23]

At the moment X is standing, deceptively casual, and sorting through the scents at the scene of the crime. Police are there, Cass' varied pathways are there, the bank robbers -

Hmm.

They seem to have split up.

[seewhatyoumean]

Cass is content to wait for some sort of signal from X before doing anything. She's good at patience.

[cutting_edgex23]

X moves forward, tracking the first path toward the street outside. She flicks a look back at Cass.

This one looks like it ends in escape by vehicle.

But there are cameras. That could be useful.

The second path -- that one heads into an alley and up. Onto the roof. Hmm.

[seewhatyoumean]

In this, at least, Cass is willing to let X lead. Though her head tips toward the alley of X needs a preference. Because Oracle can handle the cameras thing.

[cutting_edgex23]

X nods, shifting her path to head to the alley. The scent of refuse is strong, but X's nose is ridiculously sensitive.

Which is why it takes her only a few moments to realize that the trail leads first to a dumpster, and then --

Straight up the wall. Fortunately there is a fire escape ladder nearby. Using it should be simple enough.

[seewhatyoumean]

Cass takes half a second to secure her cowl, but then she's right behind. Neither of them are in a hurry, so it's easy to follow.

[cutting_edgex23]

It's a short path from one roof to the next -- old hat for Cass, certainly. And maybe for X, too.

Of course, the high-pitched sound of a hysterically crying child is distracting. Just a little.

[seewhatyoumean]

Cass pauses instinctively, head cocked toward the sound. She shoots X a 'what's that?' look. Which isn't all that helpful when you're wearing a cowl.

[cutting_edgex23]

X holds out one hand at roughly hip-height.

A small person, but not a baby. Then she points down over one edge of the roof, her other hand holding up two fingers.

Two floors down.

They should investigate?

[seewhatyoumean]

Cass glances ahead. They can totally catch up later. Assuming X feels like she can pick up the scent again.

Because, really, there is no hurry here.

[cutting_edgex23]

X doesn't bother nodding, just slips over the side of the building and down.

The volume of the cries indicated that the window was open. The only question is --

Why are the parents not responding to the child?

[seewhatyoumean]

Cass leads the way in through window. The lights were out, but that wasn't a huge barrier to either of them.

And the sound was definitely coming from a back room.

[cutting_edgex23]

X pauses, scenting the air and listening carefully.

There is one other person in the apartment, heartbeat slow and steady, breathing faint.

Female. Possibly she has been drugged.

As for the child -- the door the child is behind seemed to be blocked by something heavy.

Hmm.

[seewhatyoumean]

Cass looks over at X, using wide hand motions to signal her intent to move the... couch? That's what she thinks it is.

[cutting_edgex23]

X nods once, following Cass' lead.

Sometimes it is easier. And sensible.

And it is certainly less potentially conspicuous than cutting the door (and couch) into several pieces.

[seewhatyoumean]

Not that Cass wouldn't have gone with that if it had been an option for her. It's not like it occurred to her that people lived here and they might want their furniture intact.

With X's help the couch is slid forward a couple of feet to clear the door. Cass waves for X to go through first. She's smart enough to know that X is tougher than she is.