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"Remember I can only get you to the city, once you reach 10th Street I'm not allowed to interfere, that's the deal."
"I know Oracle." Hood droned, turning onto the slip road leading him to the city limits
"And warn April there might be people about in silver masks, they don't like letting other heroes on their turf so be on your best behaviour."
"Copy that." Jason looked over his shoulder briefly to get April's attention before speaking.
"Oracles just let me know there may be people in masks, they're on the side of the people that are gonna help you, they're judging me, not you."
Jason had turned back to focus on the road before April had the chance to nod, but he felt her tense her grip on him as buildings began to tower over the streets they rode on.
Pulling up to the Donut shop he'd been given the address to, Jason realised the warning of some masks may of been an understatement.
Every fire escape, every alley, every doorway, the entire front of the shop.
Citizens of all descriptions stood and watched, identical silver masks shining under streetlights, some holding phones with only "i.c.u" lit up on the screens.
"Christ she better not of walked me into a cult." Jason muttered to himself as he climbed off the bike and held out a hand for April to follow.
Eventually the crowd infront of the shop parted for a woman to appear.
She wore the same mask as the rest but her red suit and yellow cloak indicated she was probably one of the heroes of the city.
"I'm Red Hood from Gotham, I'm here to chaperone a citizen to your protection, Batgirl said you'd keep her safe" Jason introduced, realising the woman was making no move to start the conversation herself.
"Tremor," the woman simply responded "follow me."
Walking his bike alongside him as they followed more of the people trailed behind, April moved closer to his side, clearly nervous about about being surrounded.
"Try to relax, they're here incase I do something, not you."
"Welcome to the sweatshop, or the 181 as the kids say," A blonde haired woman introduced to them as Vengeance Moth, or just Ven proclaimed as she wheeled through the entrance of the old factory they were led to "You've had a long drive, either of you want a fruit snack?"
"I'm good, stomachs a little upset still from nerves." April responded, taking in the building.
Ven nodded and looked over to the other woman who was removing her mask.
"If you're going to be staying with us you may as well know you can call me Roshanna when we're inside." Tremor, now also known as Roshanna said.
Jason took off his own helmet as a show of trust in response, he still had his domino on underneath but more of his face was exposed than with the helmet on.
Wanderjnv over to the railing of the balcony and observing a lesson being taught below, it seemed to be about adverbs and their overlooked everyday use.
Most of the students were probably old enough to be using them frequently, but Jason knew from his own programs in the Alley that some "basic" education could easily be missed if circumstances were less than ideal.
Coming up to join them on the balcony were three more people in costume
"This is Virtue our leader," Ven introduced "Christopher," she said gesturing to a man with his pulled low to cover most his face "and Mouse."
"Would you like to meet Dr Skłodowska?" Mouse asked in lieu of a greeting, holding up a small rat, way too close to Jason's face for comfort.
"I'll pass thanks" Jason saw the frown on the other mans face and tried to appease "But I could take a picture for my brother though, he loves all animals."
Mouse grinned and held his palms out flat for the rat to strike pose as Jason took out his phone to take a picture.
The motion almost felt robotic, sure he'd seen weirder but this was almost uncanny.
Christopher wasn't sure what to make of the newcommers to the sweatshop.
The woman, April, seemed nervous.
Christopher was still one of the newer members of the Movement, he knew what it felt like to be an outsider.
Hopefully she'd warm up in time, but right now she seemed to be trying to make herself smaller.
The man however was large, but he seemed kind, Batgirl said he was here to help April find somewhere new to live away from her abuser.
That he wanted to make sure the protection offered in Coral City was up to his standards.
So based on that he seemed like a good person, but Christopher knew looks could be deceiving.
"So why'd you guys call it the 181?" April asked eventually
"It's the number of women that were left to die here during an earthquake, they were more than numbers but we don't know their names" Roshanna explained
"We do our work to honor them and others like them" Virtue finished "I need to speak to Hood in private, but Moth's gonna give you a tour and introduce you to some people"
Jason looked to April to make sure she was OK with splitting up, at her nod she followed the blonde down the ramp, and Jason followed the heroes.
Waiting inside a brightly painted room was another woman.
Mechanical wings adorned her back and she watched him come in with a glare that could've sent the average goon running.
"This is Katharsis"
"Kulap" She said, shaking his hand hard.
Virtue may of been the leader, and the others probably had powers too, but so far Kulap seemed the least willing to tolerate any bullshit.
He could respect that.
As the others filed in, taking their own spots Jason was left standing in the middle, with all eyes on him it was easier to look about the room then any singular person.
"You seriously have your important meetings in here? Feels like that one hospital"
"That's what I've been saying" Roshanna responded, taking up a spot to lean against in the corner.
"We need more details on the situation, if this ex shows up what do we have to be weary of" Virtue asked
"Red Robin ran a background check, as far we know he's not a meta, no enhanced strength or powers, just an ex-cop with a superiority complex"
"Ugh" Kulap groaned
"Ex-cop?" Roshanna enquired
"Discharged after a fear gas attack from Scarecrow, he didn't manage to injure anyone else but he was deemed unfit to serve in an emergency." Jason confirmed
"After that he couldn't find work so he started taking his frustration out on April"
"We've got a deal with the cops in this city, we don't always agree but send me his file I'll pass it onto our captain, I'll make sure if he comes sniffing he won't get anywhere"
"And is that your only line of defence or is April actually gonna be safe here?"
"What exactly are you implying batboy?" Kulap asked, standing up to her full height and letting her wings flare a little
"Only that ex-cop or current cop, I wouldn't depend on one of their own to stop him if it comes to it"
"That's why that's only a precaution, we look after our own." Virtue assured
"All those people you saw with masks are on our side? Any one of them spots something happening the others will show up too"
"Thought your little batgirl would've told you that after her visit" Kulap sneered
"Even without them we have Tremor and we have Christopher"
"And what exactly does Christopher do?" Jason asked nodding his head in the direction of the quiet man who'd taken his seat on the swingset.
"I have the devil in me" He spoke, a slight shake in his voice
"Who doesn't?" Jason snorted
"You take on forms of a demon too?" Christopher asked, shooting up from his seat in hope
"Shit you were serious, wait fuck you probably don't like swearing, sorry" Jason fumbled realising the other man was serious.
He couldn't quite make out what the look on the blonde's face, he almost looked amused, but also confused, maybe a little hurt his own, what Jason assumed was trauma surrounding his other form, was being laughed at.
"I mean I died before, and did some pretty terrible things after," Jason tried to explain "it didn't change anything about my appearance other than my eyes, but I'm trying to make up for it."
"All of us here have done things we're not proud of," Roshanna spoke, probably picking up on how Jason might start rambling if she didn't interrupt "What matters is how we help do good now."
"Right, which is why I wanted to make sure April would be safe here.
From what I've seen, I trust you guys, but I take care of the Alley, that includes it's people, if I find out she's got hurt on your watch, that trust is being revoked."
"We understand" Virtue responded "And we take care of the Tweens, we won't let you down."
Everyone else seemed to silently agree that was the end of the discussion and moved back out the "war room"
Seeing that Jason decided to duck outside the door he was let in through for a cigarette before final discussion with April began.
"Pssst" Holy stage whispered once the door closed firmly behind him "Go follow him"
"Me?" Christopher asked pointing to his own chest
"Yes you," Roshanna laughed "No one else here would be interested"
Catching onto what Virtue implicated Christopher looked over to Kulap and she raised a brow in response
"Please we'd crash and burn within a month, he's all yours"
Nodding to himself and trying best to hide his grin Christopher followed the taller man outside.
He hadn't gone far, just enough no clouds would hit someone unsuspecting as they came though the door.
Christopher tried to copy his stance of leaning against the wall, but found himself faltering with what to say.
"You're Christian?" Hood eventually asked between puffs of his cigarette
"Yes, but the others say it sounds more like a cult," Christopher corrected "they hated me and stood my brother up as our savior"
"Huh, I was raised Catholic but haven't praticed since my ma got ill"
Christopher nodded "Some of my teachings scare others they're... unorthodox, but I'm learning how to better communicate, the Movement helps."
"Yeah I'm beginning to see that, shame Barbie doesn't get along with you guys."
"We don't always agree with each other, but we compromise to do what's best for everyone."
"It's good you've got community around you, coming out of a situation like that."
"The movement accept me for who I am.
They took care of me, helped me unlearn what my old family taught me.
They will help April too."
"I'll hold you to that, c'mon." Jason said stubbing out the final embers "Let's get this over with"
"Miss Austen just created a new painting, I'd like you to have it!" Mouse yelled from across the factory as he spotted Jason and Christopher stepping back inside
"Wait like Jane Austin?" Jason questioned
"He liked to name his rats after real people" Christopher confirmed and led the way to where April and Vengeance had rejoined the others
"Hood!" April waved as they approached "There's an opening for me to learn upholstery, say I can start right away."
"That's great." Jason said earnestly as he joined the circle
"No ones obligated to do anything in return for our help but April's already offered to teach what she knows about fabric repair, she's gonna fit in great." Vengeance said with a hint of pride.
"Hood's gave us the details we need to best protect you as best he can without interfering with your privacy" Virtue said addressing April "Anything you want kept confidential will be, but if you do want to speak to people we have groups every Tuesday and Thursday."
April nodded in response and looked to the Red Hood "Everyone I've met so far has been friendly"
"And you've got my number if anything goes wrong?" Jason checked
"Yours and half the girls from the corner building if I can't get through directly." April confirmed
"And we've got each others if anything comes up." Virtue added
"Then good luck" Hood said before giving April a brief hug "and don't be a stranger."
"Thank you," she responded before he'd fully let go "for everything."
"Christopher will see you to the door" Roshanna offered as they made their way back up towards the balcony.
"If you want someone to make sure I leave I won't be hurt"
"No really," Vengenace smiled, immediately picking up on what her teammates were trying to do "he insists."
Looking over at the blonde he seemed anxious, the escort clearly wasn't his idea but he followed Jason outside again anyway.
"I hope you have a good trip back" Christopher offered
"Thanks, keep on doing your thing I guess."
Christopher gave no verbal response but under the streetlight Jason could just make out a faint blush across his cheeks.
Maybe it was nothing, but it could be worth a try.
"Here's my number," Jason said hurredly, handing a small slip of paper over "keep me updated on how April's settling in, and uh, if you just want to talk too."
"OK." Christopher replied, taking it gently with a grin
Watching as Jason returned a smaller one back before it was hidden under his helmet.
As his bike took off into the distance Christopher tried to ignore the wolf whistles and whoops of his teammates through a crack in the door.
But still smiled wider despite it.