Zennaire’s mouth was agape as they drove through the gates of Lesley’s property. It was bad enough that they got picked up in a car that really Bruce Wayne should have been driving; however, when he saw the house, it was over.
It looked straight out of a history book on the founding fathers. It didn’t fit Gotham’s style. It was bright and clean with its mainly white paint job. They got closer to the place and Zen saw an older man open the front door; a grey mustache adorned his face with matching slicked back steely hair. Two dogs, one black the other white, that were a breed he didn’t recognize came out from within the house and waited for the car to pull around. They reminded him of a collie mixed with a ferret and maybe a greyhound? Regardless of his staggering need to study up on his dog breeds, Zen watched as the car stood pulled to a stop and the old man was at the car door where Lesley sat opening it right away.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXLDVobTjh
“Master, I’m very pleased to see you back. May I take your coat?”
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dK824M2cJ
“No thank you, Ebenezer. Would you get some stationary out for me? I need to write a few letters.”
He stood up as the dogs nipped at his hands.
“Hello! I’m happy to see you guys too.”
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUDfXoSrf0
They calmed down as Lesley petted them behind the ears respectfully. As Bane left the car, the dogs demanded attention from him as well. Zen exited the car and the dogs focused that attention on him. They each sniffed him but quickly were called back into the tall mansion by the old man, Ebenezer?
He stood by the car until Lesley turned to him.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnmChhlgcm
“Are you coming in?”
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrHC2X4HNc
“I’m allowed in?”
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwhdbjQwKT
A blush creeped up Lesley’s pale skin as he looked at Zennaire.
“Of course, and other things.”
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GGUBRaTGh
He smirked and followed Lesley into the house.
“Can’t believe you like me even with a shaved head.”
“You have really nice bone structure..”
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyuEMErUXX
He briefly paused as he thought about how it was kinda cute how bad Lesley’s compliments were; but it wasn’t hard to just move past that when he looked at that face.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyy33tqvvCx
“Thanks. You do too.”
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUw1aVisEC
He reached up, once again cradling Lesley’s jaw before softly kissing him.
He didn’t let the kiss get too out of his control, he didn’t want Lesley to freak out on him after all. He pulled away only to see the two dogs staring at him.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Qlt5HW3Ft
“We… we should get inside.”
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrRbsJDtOx
Lesley looked between Zennaire and his dogs before taking his hand and heading inside the house.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4C0iMf7y6B
“Did you want to formally meet them?”
“Your dogs? I already petted them…”
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dEgUyA8Lw
Lesley gave a slight laugh before calling the dogs over.
“They’re Borosi. That’s the breed. This is Crow,” he took Zennaire’s hand and had him stroke behind the dog's ear for a second before summoning the other over, “and this is Dove. She's a total softy. Oh be careful, she likes to think she’s a lap dog.”
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LpE9A8SpJ
Zennaire petted the solid white dog, she was soft and leaned into his hand softly whining when Lesley pulled him away.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04oDXLFTEy
“Oh hush, Dove. Have you said hi to Mr. Bane yet?”
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqr5IbEFcNQ
The dogs bounded down the hallway where Zennaire soon heard Bane’s voice and laugh.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzN66SS7Up
“They really like him.”
“Oh, Mr. Bane? Yeah. He visits occasionally. He’s pretty nice actually. When… when he’s not trying to rebuild society.”
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNg7cym87oF
Lesley looked away from Zennaire as he spoke before the butler walked up to them.
“Master, I’ve lain out your stationary as you have asked. Shall I fetch the phone as well?”
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeE6GkcLaUg
“Yes actually. I need to make some phone calls. Zennaire, feel free to go where you’d like. Oh, and if you need anything please ask Ebenezer here.”
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYg89eGiUCQ
The butler gave a curt bow.
“Yes once I fetch the phone for the master I am at your disposal as well as Mr. Banes.”
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWncvSpeAFp
“Oh, ah… thanks.”
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVzxtMWdba
He watched as the two of them left the entryway into a side room. He wandered throughout the mansion taking note of the large portraits of men that looked strikingly like Lesley throughout the centuries his family had lived in Gotham; it was strange however, that they weren’t family portraits.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinwR0rYC0r
There was only one of those.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9UHfYcXCd
It stood at the far end of the hall. It was a huge portrait, almost life size. A man stood with his wife, a baby in her arms and a girl on the other side of the man. Everyone in the photo had startling white hair and red eyes, expect the man, he looked normal enough. He jumped as Lesley’s voice sounded from behind him.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUGJ8sFIfh
“Oh, you found the portraits?”
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1RYfHfw6y
“Gah! Yeah… they’re really well made.”
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRZJKs3X3J
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“I’m not scared.”
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnMfeHcDxH
Zennaire’s response came close to cutting the end of Lesley’s sentence off.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa93s7PEkMp
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLjWEEiFtF
Lesley nodded before looking at the portrait that hung in front of them, a sad smile on his lips.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8SIpMaNkb
“Were these people important Lesley?”
“You could say that, yes. They were the one of the first people to settle Gotham you know, the McKinleys.”
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPGy7qozQk
Zennaire paused to think while he registered the name McKinley. It seemed familiar to him, but he just couldn’t place it. Soon however, he was refocused on Lesley who continued to talk.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXebmQRPayA
“But please excuse me, I need to see how Mr. Bane is faring.”
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHuMZHPzf4
He began to walk away with Zennaire following him.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0Jkuzb53O
“I’ll come with you. I need to talk to Bane too.”
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFb8qs8EBTv
With a knowing smile playing on his lips, Lesley replied.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUFefNDIeg
“About getting your gear back from GCPD, right? Fear Doctor?”
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlFodG9q3x
He narrowed his eyes at the albino man before relaxing.
“I suppose my identity isn’t really that secret anymore…”
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Ck988cX1U
“No not really. You’re going to be treated differently by lots of people now.”
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezHobEs94N
The words from Lesley had a tone of sorrow that infected even his face as he looked distantly down the hallway.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxwAtrQLkX
“You don’t seem to be treating me any different.”
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRFATE8t4X
This broke the spell Lesley was under, causing him to turn towards the other man.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZf520M1Nlq
“We were both in Arkham. I can’t really say either of us are model citizens…”
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKo6j8y03p4
Zennaire had trouble believing that. The feeling he got from this man wasn’t one of destruction or even panic: it was just pain.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIiRjEILzwn
“Why were you in Arkham?”
“I killed someone, everyone said it was an accident, but that doesn’t excuse the fact it happened.”
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYjZmV7dUF
He kept silent as Lesley paused. His waiting paying off when the other man spoke up.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcOYiy1IwE
“...and it wasn’t an accident.”
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcL3QigaMG9
Lesley walked towards where Bane waited, his footfalls echoing through the walls. Zennaire followed silently. He wanted to ask, to prod, but he knew better; it wasn’t his place.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FqY9vZ0rv
——————
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEiaB8ea5G
Zennaire turned the corner behind Lesley entering the bright room. It took him no time finding the light source, the walls of this room were windows except for the one behind him.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4EAM54mQT
Bane sat on a couch with a dog on either side of him. When he saw them he nodded at them.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMoOokld44
“Welcome back you two.”
“Hey Bane.”
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWrYLFspVZ
Lesley motioned for Zennaire to sit down before he started to speak.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq08CYn4WF3
“I know you both are anxious to… return to reforming the city; however, I think it would be wise for you to say here a while.”
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgQ92k9Shm
Zennaire frowned and quickly replied.
“Look Lesley, I need to get my gear and head back to my father.”
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbZ3lw1Pfe
While Lesley opened his mouth, it was Bane who spoke.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb23uZ5uY8r
“Zennaire, Crane is fine without you. He’s been working by himself for years. Perhaps it would be well for you to distance yourself from him.”
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Ad7S0pAkb
“You sound like my brother. I’m Crane’s partner. He’s told me that himself.”
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb86DTCVTwU
“And he is a very good liar.”
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQy0FhnFHr7
Zennaire stood up, his face red with rage, when Lesley's voice broke the silence.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡza42gRbkQJ
“Enough. The both of you. I don’t care about Scarecrow. He’s not here. You two are, now listen.”
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAB4GsUpGq
Normally, he wasn’t intimidated by a man smaller than him and with the appearance of a doe but the look in Lesley’s eyes said other things. Zennaire sat back down as Crow came and sat by Lesley’s side.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjq4Yyn7bKD
“The city is going to be looking everywhere for you two. Bane, we’ve been through this before; Zennaire, you’re new to this. Everyone will want to search here. I could stop them, but I won’t. I have plenty of places to store you two while that’s happening.”
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDVqLokOwu
“How can you trust that driver and Ebenezer so much?”
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zhqtDKs93
“It’s not a matter of trusting them. They know their place. I don’t intend you to stay here forever. You can if you want, but I’m getting off track..”
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXb3qGngXD
Lesley paused and patted Crow before continuing.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0M7QkYS2xE
“It’ll take some time, but I can safely get you and your gear back.”
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkXqmbwmGu
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsXTX8Yb1J
Zennaire had to think, why was Lesley so powerful? And why hadn’t he ever heard of the guy?
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9A3Hd4hl3
“I can get my own stuff back, that’s not an issue. Though I won’t turn down a free place to stay.”
As he finished his statement, he smiled at the albino who returned it before speaking.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshreYJu6C1
“I don’t doubt that; however, no more going to the store, park, mall, no social media, constantly changing phones…” he shifted his shoulders back and forth before stopping, “...of course, if you’re okay with that, by all means. But if you want to still be relatively free, then you’ll listen to me.”
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUJhSUSaTR
The smile on Lesley’s face wasn’t the soft, coy one Zennaire had grown used to seeing. This was barely a smile; it was ruthless.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEdFOmF3Hr
Bane sat in his chair silent as the question was posed.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDCIdWS9cy
“Alright, what do you want me to do?”
“Publically, renounce your father. Say that he used you and it wasn’t your idea.”
“What!? I’m not doing that. He didn’t use me!”
“Zennaire, it’s not hard. Just lie. The public just needs to not see you as a threat. If you can place the blame on Scarecrow, then you’re off free. Everyone knows him. It’ll be a breeze. Then just leave everything up to me.”
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyBIi4E4ci
He took a moment to think about that. Use his own dad? He’d be pissed when he found out of course, but… Zennaire was more than able to handle an angry father..
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbymbgRG9pH
“Fine. But how are you going to…”
“Don’t worry about it.”
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RWsz1wh5O
Bane nodded in agreement as he stood.
“Zennaire, Lesley is quite more capable that he appears. Let him handle it.”
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rZu0T6THY
If even Bane has such faith in this guy, maybe he should listen.
“Fine…”
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNIxZ02j3A
At Zennaire’s acceptance, the soft smile returned to Lesley’s face.
“Okay. Let’s get this show on the road then. Ebenezer, would you drop him off at the station please?”
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJp7kjMBIVo
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kcOEaTFxe
—————————
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOARQTLwrdF
Zennaire soon found himself seated in an interrogation box down at the local GCPD.
When they had seen him so readily turn himself over, they cuffed him and tossed him in here. He could only guess they were calling in backup… The son of one of the Gallery, just walks him after he escapes? Even he’d find it suspicious…
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3S9SEzqWBn
Yet here he was.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfaaziszaa
He watched as none other than Director Gordon and, the hero himself, Batman walked into the room, with the latter hanging back by the door.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGH79vclnO
Zennaire couldn’t stifle a dry chuckle as Gordon sat down.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkR21bmhRc9
“What’s so funny, Crane?”
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73Vs5wQAmo
“Nothing, sir.”
Zennaire wiped the half smile from his face as he looked at the director.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjuGKaFzAk
“The Officer who escorted you in here; he said you wanted to tell us something?”
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDu5uZSe0wB
“Uh… yeah.”
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjZv6hf6N0
There was silence and Gordon urged Zennaire to continue with a look. He averted his eyes. There was still time for him to back out… he didn’t have to betray his father, not like this… Though the thought of seeing Lesley’s disapproving frown or worse, a sympathetic smile.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0DirdPbx3
“Right… I came here today, because….”
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDOdt6YzE1
He gulped, the lie was harder to tell than he thought. Was it always this hot in here?
“I wanted to… uh… it wasn’t my, my idea to go to that warehouse.”
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtSn23gkPe
The sound of chair legs scraping against the concert floor echoed through the room as a deep voice spoke up from the back.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKenG0rLCzx
“We know.”
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeFfaPbx2K
Blue eyes met cowl as Zennaire looked at The Bat who continued.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXCoUPZaC7
“Scarecrow put you up to that. So he could get away.”
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPefaYevBQ
He wouldn’t do that. This was just another test from Father.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6esXjjD4fP
“Yes… I came to understand that.”
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSUSxilZHX
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fFEU3oNZx
This time Gordon spoke as Batman left the room.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTB6vGxDVxY
“Alright since you’re going to cooperate; we want Scarecrow’s bases.”
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBG1w0EZT4
“Base.” Zennaire corrected. “He only has one.”
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWF1mPamtP
“Uh sure… in return, we’ll expunge your record.”
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaTQZMuVjB
Zennaire nodded. And rattled off the location of the base he had visited so many times, the one with all his gear.
The one where he was tested on his loyalty.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Z1eQTrOBe
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1o0luQXt33
The place he would now be exchanging for his freedom.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5FM8T1nFh
