Post by Talon on Aug 3, 2015 2:15:54 GMT
Beware the Court of Owls, that watches all the time,
Ruling Gotham from a shadowed perch, behind granite and lime.
They watch you at your hearth, they watch you in your bed.
Speak not a whispered word about them, or they'll send the Talon for your head.
- Gotham Nursery Rhyme
Cobblepot got the message loud and clear; whether he would ever admit it or not was a matter of debate. He knew who Oswald Cobblepot was, the real Oswald Cobblepot; The Penguin. A mob boss that milked the city of Blüdhaven as its Mayor he hid behind the façade as a noble and honest man looking to clean up corruption. His hands were all over the criminal underworld as one of it’s top bosses and he knew how to manipulate public opinion like a fascist tyrant even with the truth was on the very verge of escaping the darkest corners and into the public eye. To those who saw through the act would be the first to tell you that he either declined to run for another term as the Mayor of Blüdhaven out of fear of the vigilante or because he saw Gotham so vulnerable without it’s various defenders that it was a treasure ripe for plunder. Honestly it was probably a bit of both, he was a parasite on Blüdhaven and there was only so much blood and money that could be sapped out of the populace before it became a barren husk, Penguin decided to quit the game there while he was ahead while simultaneously looking to keep his head just above water. He should’ve stayed where he was.
But the job was far from done and “The Court” was only beginning to put their grand plans into motion. Cobblepot was the first but he certainly won’t be the last as neither hero nor villain would be safe from Gotham’s baptism in blood; nor would anyone that got in their way for that matter…
But the job was far from done and “The Court” was only beginning to put their grand plans into motion. Cobblepot was the first but he certainly won’t be the last as neither hero nor villain would be safe from Gotham’s baptism in blood; nor would anyone that got in their way for that matter…
“Splendid job! You’ve struck fear into the heart of Gotham and managed to humiliate that windbag Penguin as well!” An older gentleman could be heard saying as the assassin stepped into the dark, dimly lit room.
At the back of the room was a curved judge’s bench with four seats, a figure sitting in each one wearing a pale white owl mask. At the center above them rested an insignia of an owl with its wings spread wide with an ominous stare.
Each of these individuals were very prominent members in Gotham society and legend has it this secret society, The Court of Owls, was involved with the founding of the city yet denied the privilege of recognition of the other First Families of Gotham. Everyone thought power resided within City Hall and their arm of the law in Gotham PD but everything happened at the discretion of this Parliament. Those that played their roles like the good pawns they were usually were allowed to live their lives to a ripe, old age; if they were lucky but those that went against the grain ideologically or otherwise would usually die under mysterious circumstances. A councilman dies of a sudden heart attack, a reporter is found in the break room with a noose around his neck, a corporate executive is murdered after a night on the town gone wrong. True power resided in the hands of the elite, ruling with an iron fist of fear, terror, and indoctrination to the masses; these men and women truly believed they were God.
“But there is much work that needs to be done, my child. Gotham is in a state of debauchery and filfth! They selfishly believe that their actions do not have consequences; that law and order are merely but a myth of a time long ago.” The older gentleman spoke again with an air of arrogance at the far right of the bench, a man given the codename of Churchill after the Prime Minister of the UK.
The Court’s command structure was paranoid to a degree; they kept their identities close to their chest out of fear that The Bat or a rogue operative would spill state secrets of the secret order. There was no such thing as being too careful as far as the command structure was concerned and thus only a select few even knew their public identities, those that sat at The Bench, a handful of fiercely loyal lieutenants that would die before ever squealing, and The Talons; a name given to those who carry out The Court’s sentences with unquestioning loyalty.
“Cobblepot is already playing his part masterfully too I must say. Already pandering to the masses for sympathy in his bid for Mayor.” The lone female on the bench said as she nearly chuckled out of delight, Catherine (The Great) she was called. She sat on the inner right of the council. She was the definition of “high maintenance” even hiding behind the mask as her blonde hair was done immaculately in a Neo-Victorian style while wearing a designer pantsuit. Even amongst the council she seemed to carry herself with more authority than Churchill, which was saying a lot already; she had power and wasn’t afraid to remind everyone. “He can have his moment, after all Butterball won’t have very many moments left to write into the Book of Life.” Catherine snickered wickedly, there was no doubt that she took sick pleasure in this; she was a sadist in every definition of the word.
Talon had walked towards the center of the room before The Court as they talked and gloated amongst themselves while addressing their faithful servant. On a knee he listened intently to their every word, he knew better than to show off and talk out of turn to The Court.
“Remember! Cobblepot is just a piece of the puzzle, there are others as well!” bellowed the man on the far left, Washington was his codename. Named after the first President of the United States he carried himself like an elder statesman. He lacked the swagger of Churchill and the sadistic, arrogant glee of Catherine, in fact he was the calmest member of the Parliament gathered; almost too calm.
“One by one the First Families are coming home to roost. Cobblepot, driven by his greed wants to have his cake and eat it too as he looks for control of the City and Underworld. Roman Sionis, a grand liar running what amounts to nothing more than a front; Sionis Industries. A bitter psychotic man he is, he can’t stand the thought of being subordinate to that Penguin… a powder keg waiting to happen.” Washington rubbed his chin in deep thought as Talon kept his eyes to the floor. “He’s no better than the man he hates nor is he nearly as mentally stable, a manic episode waiting to happen. A rogue.”
Stopping momentarily he lifts his mask just slightly to take a drink of scotch. Washington knew The Talon wouldn’t dare speak a word anyway. “Ah and of course how could I forget ‘Doctor’ Thomas Elliot?” he placed his glass down on the bench before bringing his mask back down. “The merchant of lies himself. The Gotham Gazette is merely a vehicle to enhance his own ego and to spread half-truths to wage ideological warfare to an unwitting public. He may be a gifted surgeon but he clearly didn’t think this façade through. His crimes shall not go unnoticed.”
“You certainly can’t forget that child though… Kate Kane?” bellowed Churchill.
“I was getting to that.” responded Washington. “Although she lives outside of Gotham City limits she’ll undoubtedly drift back just like the rest of the First Families have, one by one. The legacy of the Kanes is that of corruption. The have looted and plundered this city in it’s infancy and they have escaped justice for far too long.”
“Paying for the sins of the Father.” Churchill nodded in agreement.
“Precisely.” echoed Washington. Talon still hadn’t moved a muscle, instead he let every single word seep into his mind. Most would have tired of this self-righteous diatribe by now and those that would have even been in agreement would’ve likely spoken out in some way. Talon wasn’t any mere mercenary or assassin; he was in essence the extension of The Court’s influence; in more ways than one. What exactly could breed such undying obedience and loyalty? Who in their right mind would buy in fully to such a secret society without a single question or concern? Who exactly is Talon for that matter?
“At least Kate has a little bit of class unlike that disgraceful little Crowne boy. Running out of town because Mayor Butterball Senior ran his lot of town.” Catherine said with a certain glee in her voice. Butterball Senior referring to Theodore Cobblepot, Great Great Grandfather of Oswald Cobblepot. “That being said he must really be a glutton for punishment when he should know what… misfortune is awaiting him. All he had to do was live in his little cabin in obscurity or in a loft somewhere in Montana and live his days in peace… instead Tommy Boy is going to get a healthy heaping of punishment.” Catherine pulled out an intricate silver dagger, the same type that Talon used to send a message to Cobblepot, almost playing with it like a child would with a doll. Of all of the members of The Court it was Catherine who enjoyed passing sentences the most. To her it was nearly orgasmic to sentence dissidents and enemies of The Court. Justice was never an ideal that she held onto; it was about inflicting pain and suffering as the ultimate testament to power.
“Thomas Crowne carries a dark legacy in his heart and the fact that he has been seen near the old family property in recent months is proof enough that he is up to no good.” Washington proclaimed while nodding slowly. “He must not be allowed to carry out whatever plan he’s concocted. Crowne would not have returned to Gotham without a nefarious scheme to reclaim prestige and glory for an utterly tarnished family legacy. His blood must run through the streets to preserve order. Thomas Crowne has thus rendered his life in forfeit by returning to Gotham and he will no longer be ignored.”
“Last but not least Lady and Gentlemen of The Court… we have the matter of Bruce Wayne; The Bat to deal with.” The man on the inner right of The Court finally spoke; Caesar was his codename. Named after the Roman General and Dictator Julius Caesar and his heir, great nephew and adopted son Emperor Augustus Caesar. Caesar was the most Senior member of The Court of Owls and thus had the most influence due to his long tenure; the other three do not act without his blessing. Theoretically a 3-1 majority split would force an action that he may otherwise oppose but Caesar had considerable pull and always managed to get his way; but he always choose his battles appropriately. If things failed to pass the “legislature” he had other channels to carry out his will; Caesar was the true power behind the throne one could say. Everything goes forward with his stamp of approval. The other members of The Court were wise to keep this in mind and only exercise opposition with the utmost caution; after all Caesar could always find someone else willing to take your spot.
“Wayne may be a very resourceful man and he may have fooled the public but few things escape the gaze of The Court. While he faked his death he was globetrotting to avoid media scrutiny and attention, trying to find a life for himself away from the city. Pennyworth and Fox did their best to cover his tracks, an admirable but ultimately futile effort.” Caesar stated rather matter-of-factly. “We’ve been watching the Wayne Family, Wayne Enterprises, as well as their finances for a very long time and try as he may, the all seeing eye of The Court saw it all transpire in broad daylight. It is because of Bruce Wayne and Wayne Enterprises that our fair city was nearly destroyed by a nuclear attack by the terrorist Bane and it is because of that he is the greatest liability to this city. His resources may be near infinite and it’s because of that Gotham as well as the world itself would be put in great peril once again should they slip back into the wrong hands again.”
“What about Wallace Wayne, Sir Caesar? We have no records of his existence, he is nowhere in the computer databases, no record of his birth, not even a social security number. He claims to be the illegitimate son of Bruce Wayne…” Washington expressed with a hint of worry. This was troubling even to the always cool and collected elder statesman of The Court; few people, few things escaped their surveillance and their methods.
“I want our efforts concentrated in regards to Wallace Wayne as a matter of surveillance for now. We do not currently have enough information to sentence him but make no mistake about it Talon, if he interferes? Kill him, use lethal force and make him suffer for crossing the will of The Court of Owls!” Caesar proclaimed as a matter of direct edict. The other three members nodded in agreement as Talon took a rare moment to address The Court, to reinforce his compliance.
“Yes, Master. Your will be done.” Talon said devoid of emotion. Caesar was almost certainly grinning behind his mask as his Knight in this game of Gotham Chess was ready to carry out their every order.
“Talon! We The Court of Owls find The First Families of Gotham; The Waynes, The Cobblepots, The Crowns, The Elliots, The Kanes, and The Sionis Family… GUILTY! Henceforth the only penalty worthy of their grievous crimes against The City of Gotham and The Court of Owls… is Death! Send them the same message you delivered to Cobblepot, strike fear into their hearts so that their final days will be filled with misery, grief, and above all; guilt. Once the messages have been served you are to eliminate every man and woman condemned to death as well as any who interfere with the scales of justice! Go forth Talon and do what you were born to do! Go out there and make us proud.” Caesar shouted with enthusiasm as Talon nodded from his kneeling position.
“I won’t let you down. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done.”
