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Post by DornKoon on Sept 20, 2024 15:13:50 GMT
*Tap... tap,tap... click*
"Wrong Password, access denied"
"No, that is the right one! Let me try this one more time..."
Master Splinter let out an exasperated sigh before slowly typing again, mainly using only his two-pointer fingers, typing slightly harder than before as if trying to use that as a way to tell the computer he was right.
*Tap, tap, tap, tap... tap..tap... click*
He knew how to use a phone and TV, but Leonardo was the one who was good with this kind of thing. Yet he could not turn to his sons now. No, he did not want to involve them in this—not yet, and not if he could help it.
"Wrong Password, access denied." The calm female voice of the watchtower computer said again.
"It most certainly is not; it is you who are wrong, infernal machine!" He gave the side of the computer a nudge with his cane. "This is important, vital, what don't you understand? I need to--"
"Please enter password..."
Master Splinter grumbled before looking through his robes, pulling out some dried berries, nuts and a flip phone the sons had given him (with a cheese-themed case). Splinter was not usually flustered, but when it came to technology, he was blind. He took a deep breath, centring himself, before trying... again...
*Tap... tap, tap... click*
"Wrong Password, access denied"
"Uzai!"
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Post by Countess on Sept 22, 2024 19:57:30 GMT
It is a slow day in the Watchtower, a blessing that comes and goes with no warning. It is something all heroes have to take advantage of when they have the chance. Some use it to catch up on their personal life, others use it to take care of street level crimes in their home town. Oracle has decided to take the time to get away from her command center and go for a quick walk to stretch her legs. She's on call anyways, best to stay close by rather than work from home. Besides, she can work on her studying once she gets back to the chair.
It is on this walkabout that she starts hearing the telltale sounds of an Elder struggling with Technology. She grins a little to herself, already turning for the detour. Best to tackle these issues quick... besides, she's basically IT for the Watchtower anyways.
Barbara peeks her head into the room Splinter is in, hearing his latest attempt and what she can only assume to be a curse. Smothering laughter, Babs takes a few tentative steps in. "Hey! Need some help?" she asks pleasantly enough. She is trying to defuse his anger with her own affability. "He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight," she says, quoting Sun Tzu. "And when to let Babs work her magic," she adds, laughing a bit, though most certainly not at him.
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Post by DornKoon on Sept 23, 2024 7:34:11 GMT
Inside Splinter, there was a brief struggle between his pride and humbleness, and then she quoted Sun Tzu, ending it with her little flair. "Who am I to say no to such profound wisdom?" Splinter said, his frustration quickly melting away as he turned to look at Barbara. "Your arrival is most timely, Miss Barbara. Maybe the gods heard my anguish and sent you to my aid?"
If one person in the League came upon him like this, Oracle would perhaps be the most fitting, not because of her technological knowledge alone. No, she knew how to be discrete, which was understandable when she had worked with Batman. Yes, perhaps someone like a detective would be best here. Master Splinter looked at the screen again, and then he nodded.
"I tried to access our base of data, looking for information. But, as you can see, I am unsuccessful. and our computer most unhelpful, despite her charming voice." He looked to Barbara again, "I have had a vision, Miss Barbara. I fear a terrible failure from my past threatens to haunt us or will soon."
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Post by Countess on Sept 25, 2024 0:37:30 GMT
"I know my audience, Master," Barbara says, grinning. It is a dance she knows many have to play, between ego and practicality. Pride is the greatest sin or something, right? She once heard someone beat the devil in a game of quarters because they used a mirror as a table. Who knows if that is true. "No gods, only me," she says, taking a look at what he is doing.
"Good thing I showed up now... you were about to get locked out," Barbara says, tilting her head to the side as she looks at the screen. That is a hassle and a half for everyone involved. "How about we reset your password?" Barbara offers. She will always be vaguely dubious of people, simply showing them the way and letting them fix things like this themselves. If she logged in as herself, let him have free reign... No. Simply wouldn't do.
"Thankfully, I am here, so I can walk you through the steps. Got your phone on you?" she asks, turning to him. Admittedly, it had taken her time to get used to Master Splinter's appearance... Usually, she's up against animal-people. Helps the Turtles, as quippy as they are, happen to be some of the best animal-people she's gotten to know. Intelligent animals? Hybrids? She's never been bold enough to ask about all that. Might make for a good story, one day...
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Post by DornKoon on Sept 25, 2024 9:02:49 GMT
Master Splinter was stroking his whiskers, thoughtfully taking in what Oracle said.
"Yes, that might be for the best," he said in agreement. He did not want to depend on the charity of his allies every time, and she came to his aid; no, it was more than mere coincidence that caused their paths to meet like this; he was certain of it. " And yes, yes indeed, I have it here..." He held up his flip phone with the cheese theme. "My sons gave it to me in case of emergencies."
He would do as instructed to reset his password and do his best to remember what it was this time, the one he had been sure it was all along. It was not his place to question the wisdom of someone more experienced; he would be a hypocrite if he did that.
"Do you know how one might best find information about people, groups, registers... that sort of thing?" He asked, "You see, I am trying to find information, anything, on a group called The Hand, with origins in Japan." Master Splinter was not ashamed of talking about it, and who was he to question the will of the gods? "I used to be the Master of the Hand many years ago, before my sons and I turned, but a former student, Oroku Saki, usurped me, killed those loyal to me, and forced me to flee into exile." The Ninjutsu Master sighed, "I sense a growing shadow, a dark hidden hand. I failed to see the evil before; I shall not make the same mistake again."
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Post by Countess on Sept 26, 2024 22:48:35 GMT
Barbara is pleasantly patient walking Splinter through the steps, making sure she knows the password, as well. Even if he forgets, she won't. In the future, she can give him hints to remember it.
"Yeah- I have a library of dossiers, digital and physical. Here," Barbara says, briefly taking the mouse to get to the information. She makes sure to do it slowly, to make sure he knows where to go. "I call it The Archive," she says, opening the program. "It should be easy to use. You can explore it on your own, there is a lot, or you can search by keywords and tags. Hand, Japan, Oroku Saki, ninjas," she says, offering some suggestions. "It could at least get you started," she continues. This sounds... interesting. Almost like the League.
"I don't really... know a lot about you, Master Splinter," Barbara confesses. "I try not to pry to much where I can help it. I might have been taught by Bats, but I don't follow his teachings like the Gospel," she says, rolling her eyes as she thinks of the handful that do. "Before you... turned? Were you human? The Ninja Turtles, too?" Babs asks, unable to stop herself. "I am very sorry if that is a rude question."
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Post by DornKoon on Sept 28, 2024 8:17:15 GMT
"You do not?" Master Splinter sounded slightly surprised, "No, perhaps we did not have the chance to talk about it before; my apologies; I was certain the boys would have "spilt the beans". If that is the case, I shall rectify it; there is nothing that needs to be hidden from allies and friends."
Master Splinter gestured for Barbara to one of the tables inside the room.
"But, such a story is going to need some nice matcha. Have a seat, and I shall tell you how my sons and I came to be what we are."
"Before I was Master Splinter, I was human, like you. My name was Hamato Yoshi." He began preparing the matcha using the wooden tools; he had never been without them. Master Splinter was nothing if not a traditionalist. "Not that I need to go through all my life, but I joined a group called The Hand, masters in the art of Ninjutsu and Arts of Combat. Over the years, I climbed the ranks and became Master of the Hand. I was a very different man then, proud and strong, but also, to my regret, blind." Splinter sighed, shaking his head, before gently putting the match powder into the cup and adding the hot water. "One of my students, an ambitious man named Oroku Saki, conspired to take over the clan, and I was so blinded by my hubris and pride that I never saw it coming. I was overthrown swiftly and brutally; those still loyal to me were slain, and I was forced to escape across the ocean to New York City."
Splinter handed Barbara the cup of green tea, both to give her the tea and to give them a moment to take in what he had just told. That was the superficial part of the story, as it did not reach the present.
"I bought four red-eared slider turtles in my innocence and need of companionship. But, it turned out fate had other ideas for us, as on my way back, I came upon an undercover transaction in a dimly lit alley; a purple glowing liquid inside vials was the object they traded. They were keen to get me out of the way, so I was forced to defend myself, but the vial broke in the scuffle." He prepared tea for himself, pouring the hot water into the matcha before whisking it. "Mutagen, that was the content. It works in the way that it transforms the person based upon what they last were in contact with. For my sons, that had been me, so they became the young, boisterous boys you know now. Just minutes earlier, I helped a rat stuck inside a can, and so I became... what you see before you." He blew on the tea before taking a small sip. "Fearing what humans might think, I took them and made a new home for us in the city sewers. There, I trained them in the art of Ninjutsu. So you see, I was human, but my sons were not."
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Post by Countess on Oct 4, 2024 20:47:58 GMT
Barbara shakes her head at his question. In many ways, he is a mystery to her. "Please, no apologies necessary. I could have just read your file... but sometimes, it just seems rude to pry that much, you know?" she says, knowing that she usually does when she feels like she needs to. It has simply never come up for Master Splinter. When he motions for her to take a seat, she does so, knowing now that she is in for the long haul. She's had matcha before, especially his, and finds herself smiling at the prospect. "Thank you, that sounds heavenly," she says, making sure to be extra polite to him. She would not be acting this formal with Johnny. Why does he keep popping up in her thoughts? She banishes it.
Barbara listens intently, eyes only occasionally moving from him to the preparation of the tea.
So... He was human. Recognition shows on her face when he uses his previous name. It is one of many Bruce has shared with her. When the tea is handed to her, she bows and raises the cup to him. She knows this isn't a formal tea ceremony, but the motions feel respectful. Gently, she turns the cup in her hands so the front of it is no longer facing her. She takes a sip, then smiles as the flavor seeps warmth into her. "Thank you, this is delicious," she says in the moment of silence. From there, she drinks more, listening to his tale.
"They were turtles?" she murmurs, thinking on that for the briefest of moments. "Are you the one that taught them "Cowabunga"? If so, You and I... really need to have a chat," she says, laughing a little, trying to lighten the mood. She can't help it.
More thinking. She's chewing on something. "Would... would you be willing to talk to my little brother? He... found a teacher I really... honestly am afraid of," Barbara says carefully. She had promised not to tell the Bats. "This is a secret, you must understand. He... hasn't had the best teachers in the past. League of Shadows," she tries to explain. "I can't really... compare to that. I've only just gotten the use of my legs back, and I am starting from square one on my training. If you could help him... I would be very, very happy to help you with your growing shadow."
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Post by DornKoon on Oct 4, 2024 22:19:05 GMT
"I appreciate the honesty," Master Splinter said with a slight smile. "Many would have just looked at the files; you did not. "
Splinter bowed his head at her praise but said nothing.
His nose twitched slightly when she asked about the cowabunga...
"No, that was all them," he replied, sipping his tea. "I encourage them to express themselves, and they are free spirits. Even if they have always been a handful, and if I could go back to change what happened." He paused, "I would not change a thing. My current form is not so bad."
Master Splinter could tell she had something on her mind, but he waited for her to speak, not wanting to push... instead focusing on his tea. Then, as Barbara talked, making her offer, Splinter took her words into careful consideration. "The League train to kill; their methods are particularly ruthless, Ra's al Ghul most of all." He peered at Barbara over his cup, and after another sip, he returned it to the table. "I would not discredit yourself, Miss Barbara, and your secret is safe with me." He twirled his whiskers as he pondered. "Of course I will speak to the young man."
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Post by Countess on Oct 5, 2024 14:03:35 GMT
Barbara gets a sheepish grin. "I try to only use them when I feel like I need them. Usually, I am the one making them too, like for Johnny Storm who just joined us. I had to research and vet him. Myself, day to day, I don't need to know everything, and learning like this is... a lot better, I think," she says, nodding. "Hearing it from you means more than reading it somewhere, or hearing it from someone else. There's a lot of emotions tangled up in our memories, and I find myself more concerned with how you feel about it than guessing," she adds. What she doesn't say is she would rather people just read her file. Talking about it... dredges it all up.
".... would you ever go back, if you had the chance?" Barbara asks. There is guilt in her tone. She's thinking about her own... "transformation". "Or... would you have them change? To completely human?" she asks, remembering she didn't ask that Mage to help her friends... only herself. Master Splinter seems like the kind of man who knows when a question isn't so much about him... but about the person asking.
Barbara nods at his assessment of the League, and withholds the fact that Damian, whom she will always call her little brother, is in fact Ra's' grandson. She worries it might... complicate things. That isn't her secret to share... and to be fair, this one wasn't, either. Her cheeks get a little pinker at his compliment, and it is everything in her not to refute him. Instead, she just lets it settle in her bones.
"Thank you," Barbara says, bowing her head for a moment in respect, but also to hide the tears pooling in her eyes. She quickly blinks them away. Damn, she is worried about Dames. "He needs someone, and I can't do it all myself. I wish I could, but I can't. It is... so hard. He cuts people off like it is nothing, and it is a very real possibility if he learns I have told you as little as I have, he will cut me out, too. But... I love him so much, and I care more about helping him than I care about how he thinks of me. I don't think I know better than him... I just know what it is like to get so deep into something I don't notice the walls closing around me."
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Post by DornKoon on Oct 5, 2024 15:27:51 GMT
There was wisdom in her words, and Splinter had already heard that she was a woman with a good head on her shoulders. It was reassuring to find out that it was more than just flattery. "It takes restraint not to be controlled by curiosity," he said, "I think you're very wise to look for answers from the source; I find secondhand accounts lose some colour." It was always too easy to be tempted, and of everyone in Justice League, she was the one who could easily find out many secrets about the other members, should she want to.
"For myself? I think not; I know the boys still would jump at the chance to find a way to turn me back, even if they think they are sneaky about it." Master Splinter tapped the cup with one of his claws. "I would not want to go back to being Hamato Yoshi. I am Splinter, and it has taken several years, but I have accepted it. His gaze turned to Barbara. He knew what was gnawing at her; her gift was a blessing, but she was worried she should have shared it or was unworthy. "Being able to walk again is as much a blessing for those who care about you as it is for you, Barbara. None of us envy you that freedom." He gently touched her hand; if she would let him. Otherwise, he would not push it. "And let me answer your question with one of my own. Do you think either of us have the right to make that choice for my sons?"
Master Splinter continued to listen as Barbara talked about her brother. It was frightening how he had gotten himself tangled with the League, which was particular about its members and ruthless in its training. "It takes courage to admit when we need help." Master Splinter poured more tea for her as he spoke. "Tell me more about this brother of yours. I am curious about what kind of a young man he is. I am not surprised he has trust issues; the Demon's Head and his ilks do not strike me as the nurturing kind."
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Post by Countess on Oct 6, 2024 19:47:39 GMT
Barbara listens to his assessment, nodding along. Lose color- a perfect way to put it. People's pasts are like paintings, almost. "People tell you who they are," she says. It goes deeper than face value- she is not a naïve woman, nor is she gullible. What people say has meaning, one way or another. Even their lies are telling, in their way. She's become rather cunning in that.
Even as Master Splinter reaches out to her, Barbara turns her hand so she can grasp his hand back. She doesn't shy away from him. Gently, she squeezes his hand, then lets go. It is a thanks, shown instead of said.
"No, we don't," Barbara murmurs. Her thoughts go to Flash... Some of her guilt vanishes. That Mage had given her a choice. Taking it away from someone else, for what she thought was better for them... isn't the right thing to do. "Thank you. I needed some clarity on that," she says.
"He wouldn't agree. The League... I've had a few tangles with them, their agents, and I fear greatly for what they may have done to him in the name of teaching him a lesson," Barbara shares, feeling a little lighter. She takes a long sip of her tea, letting the flavor settle her turbulent mind. "He is thirteen, acting like it in all the ways one would expect, but is very mature in certain ways. He can be so kind, so loving, so generous, but he does everything he can to hide it. I think he is afraid of being abandoned, so when he thinks it may happen, he severs all ties before they can be severed for him. He-" she starts, then shakes her head. "He is a good man already. I look at him, and think of who he will be and my heart swells with pride and fear. He is so scared, but he can't let anyone know that. He is so lonely, but he would never reach out to make it better. I try to make him feel safe and loved, and I think he is starting to heal."
Tears threaten again.
"I am so sorry, I don't know why these keep coming," Barbara says, wiping her eyes. "He... I love him so much, Master Splinter. I would do anything for him, and that... really scares me, too."
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Post by DornKoon on Oct 6, 2024 20:40:27 GMT
"You're welcome," Master Splinter said.
He listened as Barbara told him about this young brother, and he got a pretty good idea of what he was working with. He could understand her worries, depending on how long he had been with the League, and from the way she talked... he must have been there a long time.
"He is not a man yet, but a boy, no matter how bright, strong or skilled." said Master Splinter; there was no malice in the words, only empathy. "I've seen similar things before; it happens when children are forced to grow up too quickly." Master Splinter paused; this was a source of great pain for her, making him wonder how the young man might react if he were to find out how she was feeling. "My sons have always been stubborn, and growing up, they often lash out; that is nothing uncommon; it is to be expected that a teenager does so."
The ninjutsu master nodded. He would need to meet this youngster himself to get a better idea of what he was working with, and it was safe to say that the League must have done a number on him; the question was, of course, why.
"You've still got nothing to be sorry about; your worries are only natural." He paused, eyes examining her, a question... it was there, but how to ask it? "What is his relationship with the League? I feel there is something deeper than having been trained by them."
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Post by Countess on Oct 6, 2024 22:54:16 GMT
"I will have him up here from time to time. His name is Damian Wayne. He... isn't really my brother, but... he might as well be. He is in the know, completely," Barbara says. "I am sure you will run into him... but, we can nudge things along. Later this week, he will be joining me for lunch, using some time to explore the Watchtower. Maybe you can talk to him then?" she offers.
Barbara shakes her head at that one. "If he wants you to know his history with them, he will tell you. You could always look up his files... but you won't learn from me. You are correct, however, there is something deeper," she says, knowing that he will understand. "It is complicated and messy. It involves many secrets, ones I have never shared with anyone. My mentor taught me the importance of them, when to share them, when not to," Barbara says, thinking on Bruce. She wonders how he is doing now, as a senator. He is so distant now, more than he ever had been.
"So... how can I help you?" Barbara asks, finishing off what remains of her tea. "The Hand. Growing shadows. I have a lot of resources, I can start putting out the word, see what shakes loose. Another of my brothers, he is a wiz with kind of detective stuff. If I set him on it, he can find something out, I am sure."
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Post by DornKoon on Oct 7, 2024 9:21:45 GMT
"I see. " Master Splinter folded his hands at the table. Damian Wayne, now that was a familiar name, well, the Wayne part, in any case. Splinter became even more curious about meeting the boy. "I look forward to meeting this young man when you bring him here. I would not worry too much; I feel things will work out in the end."
He nodded at her words. He had no intention of looking into any files on Damian, but he was getting a few hunches about the relationships. Complicated and messy told him much, not to mention something deeper. "Batman has always been good at secrets," Master Splinter said with a knowing smile, thinking back on the events that ended with this very faction's birth."I think I have a pretty good idea of what I'm working with. You need not worry, Miss Barbara; I shall tell no one. Family ties are among the messiest and the most difficult to escape." He finished his tea with a satisfied sigh. "How has Mr Wayne taken to the boy?" The last piece.
"Yes, I need help finding out what The Hand is up to, and more importantly, my old student, Orokus Saki." Master Splinter left the words hanging momentarily. "Saki is dangerous, very dangerous. I know not why I have started getting these visions now, but it can't be good."
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