Four Days Ago

Adam flopped into his bed, nursing a few bruises he'd received in training earlier. He spent a few moments fumbling around until he finally retrieved the remote, hitting the button a few times until the television finally came on. "Just in time for the news." he offered to himself, flipping a few channels. There probably weren't too many superheroes out there who got their information largely from the news... but, well... everyone started somewhere.

"-theft of approximately five California Condor eggs from-" He shot up in the bed, staring curiously at the news report while he drummed his fingers on his hip.

"Well," The rookie hero mused, stroking his chin. "I suppose someone should look into that. I mean, it's not like the Titans are likely to be interested in this, and it's probably fairly low on the cops' priority list too." He mused before clapping his hands together.

"Fine, then. Time for the Tiger to make it into the...  um... medium leagues."

Present

"Alright," a dark haired youth muttered to himself, checking a notebook in his left hand as he looked around himself. "I wonder if this would be easier in my costume?" He considered a bit, crossing off an address. The fourth he'd visited in as many days. "Yeah, guy in a bright costume starts kicking in doors and asking about missing Condor eggs..." The young man muttered, stuffing the notebook into a pocket, casting a glance to the backpack currently on his shoulders. It wasn't a bad idea, per se. And not entirely uncommon in a city like this. Though he was quickly running out of options as he ran through his list as well. It wasn't the most efficient process... he'd had to make a list of stores that sold exotic animals, or really any sort of pet, or animal product that were within the range of his 'operations'.

That had been the easy part, actually. The hard part was the time and energy expended to then determine who owned both the business and the properties and then look for criminal backgrounds. Well, no. The really hard part was sneaking around to each of them and looking for clues. Because, honestly, how does one look for eggs without breaking and entering?

Stake out, of course. Which had, again, been difficult, but not impossible. Adam, in fact, grinned a bit as he considered his own ingenuity at that. He was only one man... and most importantly had to maintain a school life as well. But, a few cheap phones with a camera function and some duct tape worked wonders for him. Mostly. Not all of them had a very good camera span... or batteries... and it was quite draining on his own bank account.

"And it's yielded NOTHING." He grunted in frustration, ignoring the looks he'd gotten from people he walked past. (Surely he wasn't the first person to say something weird on the streets of San Francisco. "Maybe I should just put on a costume and beat the crap out of people until I find the information I need?" He finally considered, throwing his mind back to what had even started this whole fiasco.

Well, she was an American girl raised on promises

Gabrielle had heard it through Swift who heard it from the birds. Where the other birds heard it? She wasn't entirely positive. One of them must have been the condor who had laid the eggs, poor thing. From there it had passed along like wild fire. It was funny how birds seemed to talk just about as much as humans. You'd never believe it, though. Well, you wouldn't if you weren't seemingly one with the birds yourself. It had bothered her when she heard it from Swift, like a nagging in the back of her head. But there was initially nothing she could do but listen to the sounds of the birds chirps, tap into their minds, listen to what they knew. She'd even spent that first night over the reserve the Condor eggs had been disappeared from, getting Swift to mingle, using him as her eyes and ears as he flew about and gathered information. Not the most convenient way to do information gathering, and it didn't prove all too fruitful. But it at least gave her a basis to start off of.

The few days to follow were spent watching the news, catching every detail she could about the situation and doing her own investigative work around the city. Which, honestly, meant a lot of flying around and talking to more birds, asking questions of the few people who seemed to actually be concerned. There was a small movement outside of the reserve and scattered throughout the city of people worried about the safety, trying to make demands that the eggs be safely returned. They weren't all that much help, either, but she was starting to create a trail. Tracking, investigation, these were things she was always trying to learn, always trying to get better at. Her mother even gave her a few pointers, though Shen was sure that her daughter would be able to do it just fine. A few missing bird eggs, it couldn't be that dangerous of a case, now could it?

It was probably her fourth day on the case now, and Gabrielle was dressed like she usually was. After all, she didn't really have much of a costume. She had her special goggles over her eyes that helped to shelter them from the wind when she flew as well as kept the bright lights from hurting them. A pair of black shorts that were probably a tad bit too short and a blue shirt sporting a white star over the chest were her regular clothes, while that flag themed jacket wrapped around her. It was always a chore getting her wings through it but she managed. Those brilliant wings were folded up nice and tight, though she didn't feel like using the wing brace to keep them back. She didn't know when she might take to the air again. She also had on star-spangled converse shoes on her feet and the red hood of her jacket currently pulled up to somewhat try and hide her face. She probably should have dressed in darker clothes, something to help her sneak into some place to get more answers. But, to be fair, stealth had never been her forte. No, if she wanted to go for stealth, she would have just been flying around in Swift's mind again.

Speaking of Swift, the Merlin Falcon came to land on her shoulder and settled down a little before pecking at her cheek lightly to get her attention. "Ow, Swift, stop it! You coulda just flapped your wings or something. Sheesh!" She complained. The bird gave her another small peck before she listened in onto what he had to tell her. There was someone else going around with questions. She wouldn't have thought it was too weird until she heard the description. It didn't sound like any Titan she knew, which was what worried her the most. She wondered if one of the people behind the egg napping had heard about her asking, sent some boy to try and lead her astray. She couldn't have that. Oh no no. So she followed Swift's instructions and, soon, she found the boy. He was kind of cute. Shame that there was a possibility he was just a decoy. She kept pace with him for as they walked, ignoring the looks she was getting. The second she noticed an alley, she grabbed the boy's arm and pulled him into it, out of the crowds before turning a stern look to him. She didn't want to go too aggressive a route, but a bit of her sister's influence was seeming to seep in as she attempted to push him to the alley wall and hold him there. She wasn't sure she'd be able to actually do it, but she tried. For a second, she considered flying up a few inches to be at eye level, but decided against it. "What do you know about the birds? Are you working with them? Trying to throw me off? Answers, now. And don't lie to me. Swift told me you've been asking questions."

847	Adam Sato, @sebastian
Sorry for her xD She's trying to be tough

Thinking there was a little more to life somewhere else

✿

Ah the condor eggs. Sebastian had to admit it was pretty impressive. He was on the trail of a few green peace nuts who'd decided to use the magic of Mother Nature to 'even the odds'. His mysterious supervisor seemed mildly interested as well. Or, as interested as he or she was willing to show. He didn't blame them though. Showing too much emotion would lead a trail of clues and that would cause him to begin figuring out who it was. But that was fine with him, Sebastian would figure him or her out soon enough.

It was daytime, meaning that Sebastian's exposure was limited for the next few hours. So he'd need to rely on Admiral Fluffy Paws, something he wasn't so keen on. But in the end he'd have to make due. Which was fine, it gave Sebastian time to research and keep looking at stuff. He had a few leads here and there but he'd need more. Plus he knew from word on the street that a few others were interested. Well ok word only mentioned some kid, but he simply assumed Gabby would be interested. Namely because she was kind of like a bird, they were birds, it all worked out.

He'd let Admiral Fluffy paws roam the street and find who was needed to be found. Admittedly finding a kid detective was relatively easy. Well once Admiral Fluffy Paws was done chasing birds in the park. He was just another feral cat in the city, far from something that was out of the ordinary. Well provided they ignored the bright red eyes and the talking. Of course Admiral Fluffy Paws had never been one for laying low, something Sebastian had always enjoyed about him. He watched Gabby pull the boy he was following into an alley and begin berating him.

'You really need to work on your interrogation style Miss America.'

He said sitting at the end of the alley way, watching the two. He then began to hover, flying up to a nearby dumpster and laying down on it. He crossed his paws in front of him and looked back and forth.

'Did you ever consider asking within the Titans for leads. Brother Blood has been investigating the same case. You two have no idea what you stumbled into.'

He said before jumping down and walking down the alley towards the opposite street.

'If you want answers hurry up. The sun will be setting soon and he'll be off. Or if you wish to yammer on and on then by all means do so. Maybe you can discuss the next big case while you wait.'

He said over his shoulder before quickly scampering off. Of course he'd also only moved enough to be far away yet followed. The only reason he wasn't in a full sprint was because Sebastian had promised him treats if he brought the two of them back to one of his apartments.

Adam did his best to keep his head down and avoid getting too much attention, but it really must be said that the most suspicious looking person is one trying to avoid looking suspicious half the time. The other half its the person actually BEING suspicious. So, while he was likely getting someone's attention, there was also the fact that, well, the girl following HIM was getting his attention.

Okay, He considered with furrowed brows, picking up his pace just a little. Altering his placement on the sidewalk and changing up his speeds at random. Sure enough she was still behind him. A tail. gangs have been known to use kids as lookouts since people wont suspect them. Adam pondered. But really, someone dressed in bright, primary colors? With... what looked to be wings? Would they really use someone that was quite so... obvious? Maybe she was hiding in plain si-

Further musings were, unfortunately, cut off almost completely as the girl pulled him into an adjoining alleyway. A thought that, ordinarily, might have been quite pleasant all things considered! A combination of surprise, and her own physical strength had prevented the young man from resisting her efforts anyhow. At least until she started trying to interrogate him.

"Who is... 'Swift' did you say?" Adam asked, plainly confused at the sudden (and quite aggressive) barrage of questions. "And if I was working with whoever took the eggs, why would I be going around asking questions about them?" He added, trying to pull his arm away from the girl, if only to fold both across his own chest and give his best 'imperious stare' at her. Something was vaguely familiar here. Wings, a 'star spangled' outfit. Wait! She was a Tita-

And, for the second time, the boy known as 'Tiger' was finding himself surprised. This time by a.. talking... cat?

Miss America. Yeah, that name clicked with the appearance. If only he had the time to pat himself on the back for his deduction (ignoring that he hadn't deduced, or even really remembered, anything)

It seemed as if the cat was providing them with another lead still, though. Brother Blood. The Titans. Adam found himself working his jaw as he tried to process the information. 'You have no idea what you've stumbled onto'? That sounded ominous.

But... there was one all-important question that needed answered first.

"...You heard the cat talk, too, right?"

Well, she was an American girl raised on promises

Gabby honestly wasn't entirely sure what to make of the boy at first. He had a point, she supposed. Why would he be asking around himself. She let go of his arm, a bit rough in how she did so, though. Already, she was letting her wings unfold from behind her back. She didn't extend them all the way, but enough to try and make sure they were at the ready incase she needed to grip him up and start flying upwards with him. "Who Swift is doesn't matter to you," she growled. The bird on her shoulder didn't really appreciate it, though, and started pecking her cheek lightly. Ow! God dammit, stop it Swift! I'm trying to be tough here!' she thought to the bird. It pecked her again before flapping it's wings to try and get noticed. Like it wanted to be introduced as the Swift in question. Damned falcon.

"You might be going around to try and throw me off the trail, duh! Amd even if you aren't working for them, if you're asking around, that means you have to have heard something. So what is it, huh? What do you know, kid?" She didn't really get to go much further in her interrogation when she heard a very familiar voice. Admiral Fluffy Paws. He was Sebby's pet (or that's what she liked to call him at least, even if it was untrue). Usually, she just called him Fluffy. It was shorter, simpler. She wasn't entirely sure he appreciated it though.

What he said and the way he said it almost had her curious and worried. This was more than just a simple case of missing bird eggs. If Seb was on it, that meant magic. Awesome! She gave the cat a somewhat sheepish look, bending her head back to catch sight of it. Damn thing was like the Cheshire Cat, she would swear on that. "It seemed like a small case. Didn't want to worry the others, Fluffy!" she mused, talking back to him like it was a normal thing.

When he was off to the other end of the alley and heading dowm the street, she looked back at the boy in question. "Yeah, he does that on occasion. Not that it matters. You're coming with me kid. We don't know if you're involved in this in someway and until it's proven otherwise, you're under Titan custody," she said, trying to keep her voice firm and commanding. Swift flew off her shoulder to follow the cat and she grabbed the boys arm again, or tried to at least, so she could attempt to drag him along. Part of her wanted to just grab him around the middle in order to fly off with him but she didn't want to scare the kid that much just yet. Not when the Admiral had a lead they needed to follow.

847	Adam Sato, @sebastian
whoops, forgot about this ^^;

Thinking there was a little more to life somewhere else

✿

Admiral Fluffy Paws bounded down the street. The apartment wasn't far from where they were luckily. He slowed down, allowing them to catch up, glancing over at Gabby.

'How much do ya think he knows about....well everything about Blood? Could be a shock, could also be fun too though.'

He said with a laugh. Sebastian had always been blunt about it, but Admiral knew that it could prove risky. Especially given how people reacted to science and so forth. They always tried to add as much logic as possible to what they saw, despite what they were seeing.

'If he dies of a heart attack I call dibbs on everything in his pockets. Well aside from what pertains to the case of course.'

As he walked he turned down another alley and floated up to a fire escape. He perched calmly on the railing, looking down at the two. His tail flicked around behind him as he waited. Once he figured they knew where they were going he turned and disappeared into a window. As he did a thick black curtain billowed out behind him. Inside Sebastian was hard at work, trying to figure out how to deal with their current problem. He'd so far encountered a few set backs, but nothing that would permanently stop him. Which was fine, he did always enjoy a challenge.

Kid? Adam considered, raising an eyebrow incredulously at his interrogator. She looks younger than I do. He finished the thought. Really, it was easier to focus on the minor details like that. He hadn't been in the 'superhero' routine long enough that being accosted by a girl with wings or a... flying, talking cat had yet become routine to him.

"I know what's been on the news." He admitted, rather than puff up his potential resource well. "And the location of stores that sell exotic pets?" Okay, that last statement had been more of a question than an assertion, but he was still getting on his feet about all of this. For a moment he tried to consider just what his mother would have done during her JSA days in this scenario.

Well, that's simple enough. She'd go all 'impassive expression' and follow the cat. He realized after a moment, before trying to screw up his features into a neutral expression and... well, taking his first step behind the feline.

"If I die of a heart attack, I'm haunting the both of you." He finally offered, breaking the impassive moment while he stuffed his hands into his pockets. For some reason, he really wished he had his costume right now.