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.
177Please respect copyright.PENANA7JPOMKBUs7
“Master, I’m very pleased to see you back. May I take your coat?”
177Please respect copyright.PENANA0BosP31HTS
“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.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANABMKoeOBUog
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.
177Please respect copyright.PENANAm8khAm1Yxv
“Are you coming in?”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAb4L4tv1NqN
“I’m allowed in?”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAtrTLHHHb5g
A blush creeped up Lesley’s pale skin as he looked at Zennaire.
“Of course, and other things.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAMsjhYpgqiw
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..”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAhLQW5kQnAE
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.
177Please respect copyright.PENANA6T9dvKn7Rv
“Thanks. You do too.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAFjmZXnctzo
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.
177Please respect copyright.PENANAHUuOEFyLXf
“We… we should get inside.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAatG5n9d7lT
Lesley looked between Zennaire and his dogs before taking his hand and heading inside the house.
177Please respect copyright.PENANA2t1eProYVc
“Did you want to formally meet them?”
“Your dogs? I already petted them…”
177Please respect copyright.PENANA5saa5NqCIp
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.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAqYkwLklIpv
Zennaire petted the solid white dog, she was soft and leaned into his hand softly whining when Lesley pulled him away.
177Please respect copyright.PENANAq5N4BAxEbe
“Oh hush, Dove. Have you said hi to Mr. Bane yet?”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAtOY7GOD0oh
The dogs bounded down the hallway where Zennaire soon heard Bane’s voice and laugh.
177Please respect copyright.PENANAvKVzUiuFmc
“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.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANA3j5y6MJ8S9
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?”
177Please respect copyright.PENANA4nzrJ3Ew7n
“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.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAFw6uQI1to4
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.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAXj6AQAXTdV
“Oh, ah… thanks.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAm1ipfX7dgD
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.
177Please respect copyright.PENANAPNh6ddcC7n
There was only one of those.
177Please respect copyright.PENANAlxKPkb72tq
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.
177Please respect copyright.PENANA5AqI9RVy2d
“Oh, you found the portraits?”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAfz2FsGleEN
“Gah! Yeah… they’re really well made.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAfo91nhlZmp
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“I’m not scared.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAnsevvPZH9R
Zennaire’s response came close to cutting the end of Lesley’s sentence off.
177Please respect copyright.PENANAkcetqXd5TA
177Please respect copyright.PENANAFKOlTIQt9a
Lesley nodded before looking at the portrait that hung in front of them, a sad smile on his lips.
177Please respect copyright.PENANAibupSVAtlK
“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.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAKbTC4yU6Je
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.
177Please respect copyright.PENANAbI6VJZjcxP
“But please excuse me, I need to see how Mr. Bane is faring.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAHZgMFVvGRB
He began to walk away with Zennaire following him.
177Please respect copyright.PENANAn4B3kqb20r
“I’ll come with you. I need to talk to Bane too.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANALv3gznxbhe
With a knowing smile playing on his lips, Lesley replied.
177Please respect copyright.PENANAz1UnAX4VU8
“About getting your gear back from GCPD, right? Fear Doctor?”
177Please respect copyright.PENANASwIKhLNW9g
He narrowed his eyes at the albino man before relaxing.
“I suppose my identity isn’t really that secret anymore…”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAyyv7j3kt83
“No not really. You’re going to be treated differently by lots of people now.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAwS7owr9zeG
The words from Lesley had a tone of sorrow that infected even his face as he looked distantly down the hallway.
177Please respect copyright.PENANAUpdAaAbyxx
“You don’t seem to be treating me any different.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAtrkhkrz45t
This broke the spell Lesley was under, causing him to turn towards the other man.
177Please respect copyright.PENANASeQbd3oPTX
“We were both in Arkham. I can’t really say either of us are model citizens…”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAQPO0n2wb7u
Zennaire had trouble believing that. The feeling he got from this man wasn’t one of destruction or even panic: it was just pain.
177Please respect copyright.PENANATIawfYQ6iJ
“Why were you in Arkham?”
“I killed someone, everyone said it was an accident, but that doesn’t excuse the fact it happened.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAekKwWY60aB
He kept silent as Lesley paused. His waiting paying off when the other man spoke up.
177Please respect copyright.PENANAxN1gVuItYh
“...and it wasn’t an accident.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANA6q8tb0MyWN
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.
177Please respect copyright.PENANAaT6smpVr08
——————
177Please respect copyright.PENANAbh2BdSRfte
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.
177Please respect copyright.PENANA1RMc4v3FiT
Bane sat on a couch with a dog on either side of him. When he saw them he nodded at them.
177Please respect copyright.PENANAQkxNwnqEke
“Welcome back you two.”
“Hey Bane.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANA3SCuoHkCNF
Lesley motioned for Zennaire to sit down before he started to speak.
177Please respect copyright.PENANA4w6XA6mNrZ
“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.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAmm1flsr5jy
Zennaire frowned and quickly replied.
“Look Lesley, I need to get my gear and head back to my father.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANADu1io9LoYZ
While Lesley opened his mouth, it was Bane who spoke.
177Please respect copyright.PENANAeo6iHHISRS
“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.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAF6d1xSXvdC
“You sound like my brother. I’m Crane’s partner. He’s told me that himself.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANApbe1G5qzDI
“And he is a very good liar.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAG0Qh2Ankzk
Zennaire stood up, his face red with rage, when Lesley's voice broke the silence.
177Please respect copyright.PENANAJUjspDZJhj
“Enough. The both of you. I don’t care about Scarecrow. He’s not here. You two are, now listen.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAIlHVNC4nxd
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.
177Please respect copyright.PENANADdsDMpWeF5
“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.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANACSDVeIjPao
“How can you trust that driver and Ebenezer so much?”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAUg1VMcSSji
“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..”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAk0Hg9uSzry
Lesley paused and patted Crow before continuing.
177Please respect copyright.PENANA3tlpFXVzRw
“It’ll take some time, but I can safely get you and your gear back.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAQmGFZoU3tK
177Please respect copyright.PENANAyusF3Aoe6H
Zennaire had to think, why was Lesley so powerful? And why hadn’t he ever heard of the guy?
177Please respect copyright.PENANAGyFTDWJ1GJ
“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.
177Please respect copyright.PENANA2YsqfodiIv
“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.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAQ7qWnJHvUj
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.
177Please respect copyright.PENANAp2iuHNR3ED
Bane sat in his chair silent as the question was posed.
177Please respect copyright.PENANAX8rTKKKKrQ
“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.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAlVQugeW8Sr
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..
177Please respect copyright.PENANAz8On8uaONa
“Fine. But how are you going to…”
“Don’t worry about it.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANA5EXuMLcplq
Bane nodded in agreement as he stood.
“Zennaire, Lesley is quite more capable that he appears. Let him handle it.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAyRsFr9jbet
If even Bane has such faith in this guy, maybe he should listen.
“Fine…”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAXO4fawJy4J
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?”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAiLc6z10hIf
177Please respect copyright.PENANAlCS9NZBHEy
—————————
177Please respect copyright.PENANAEIdb7oLElo
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…
177Please respect copyright.PENANA1fNm5fjUYH
Yet here he was.
177Please respect copyright.PENANAW9yQ4R6laK
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.
177Please respect copyright.PENANAcUJcM9dbdJ
Zennaire couldn’t stifle a dry chuckle as Gordon sat down.
177Please respect copyright.PENANALA0gtyMqDF
“What’s so funny, Crane?”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAZtYtqpyWbK
“Nothing, sir.”
Zennaire wiped the half smile from his face as he looked at the director.
177Please respect copyright.PENANA17raCucR96
“The Officer who escorted you in here; he said you wanted to tell us something?”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAtznBnzjnjW
“Uh… yeah.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAJ6YKxAknc4
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.
177Please respect copyright.PENANAutB4KYvvXE
“Right… I came here today, because….”
177Please respect copyright.PENANApBHUzPpdng
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.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANApztwcjFWdg
The sound of chair legs scraping against the concert floor echoed through the room as a deep voice spoke up from the back.
177Please respect copyright.PENANASxzzmvHYPM
“We know.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAjxI2JXqV3a
Blue eyes met cowl as Zennaire looked at The Bat who continued.
177Please respect copyright.PENANA0OB2bSpEGr
“Scarecrow put you up to that. So he could get away.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAOLpwaKdpIb
He wouldn’t do that. This was just another test from Father.
177Please respect copyright.PENANAdNmY2AxUeg
“Yes… I came to understand that.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANATs26dfVTkE
177Please respect copyright.PENANAkOpNiGCYtP
This time Gordon spoke as Batman left the room.
177Please respect copyright.PENANA50Px148Eq2
“Alright since you’re going to cooperate; we want Scarecrow’s bases.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANADUNZhF8SM3
“Base.” Zennaire corrected. “He only has one.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANADkHyx9wx6r
“Uh sure… in return, we’ll expunge your record.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAamDYQlFA5b
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.
177Please respect copyright.PENANA4G3cXdD18L
177Please respect copyright.PENANAT96DcYzTfT
The place he would now be exchanging for his freedom.
177Please respect copyright.PENANAqWtj5TzdX1