16405/A Hidden Secret

A Hidden Secret
Date of Scene:	05 July 2024
Location:	Orchestra, Monarch Theatre
Synopsis:	Nikki finds out Tim Drake's Secret Base..and his Secret Identity!
Cast of Characters:	Nikki Hawkins, Red Robin

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Nikki Hawkins has posed:
After coming back from Germany and their little European tour, Nikki has been working on some of her finances, and taken some time to get a little more settled in Tim's place. She hasn't officially moved in by any means, but it's hard to bring most of her stuff from her place in New York to his place in Gotham. So essentially she's worked out to be minimalistic at Tim's place, but have enough to get by on if she does any extended staying.

Part of that includes her cleaning up every so often and doing a few other chores. Like today. She's been cleaning part of the front room and feeding the fish. She is also cleaning behind the fish tank cause sometimes that bit can get missed. Next thing she knows, she's rolled over a button that opens a door she's never seen before. After a jump and a blink, she tilts her head and begins to walk towards and through the door. Curious as to what she's found - even if there's a big part of her telling her she might not want to go down this particular rabbit hole.

Red Robin has posed:
Tim Drake is out picking up a few things, after having been at a meeting at the office today. His phone makes an odd vibration on his side, and as he is reaching for some chips to bring home he freezes, He reaches for his phone scanning about subtly to make sure none see what he is looking at. As he bring sup the app he mouths a four letter word. He starts to head out pausing just in time to tell one of the cashiers to charge his things and have them dropped off later. Once outside he jumps in his car, and is heading for one of the secret entrances from street level to his base.

Nikki Hawkins has posed:
Nikki blinks as she steps in, looking around and mouthing her own four letter word. Probably not the same word. Maybe. Either way, she can't believe that this exists here and takes a little time looking at some of the rooms, reading the name plates and then moving to head down further. A full on lab. With all types of high tech machines and screens and things of that nature. This room is going to take a moment to view...but she tries to be careful not to touch...mostly anything.

Red Robin has posed:
Tim Drake starts running through things in his head. He could go in as Red Robin, and maybe talk his way out of this, Red Robin getting backed by Tim Drake perhaps. Nikki trusts him and he could use that, but no. He aint Batman, he will handle it his way. His sports car pulling into the garage area, as he sends out a message letting the others of the outsiders know not to stop by the base for a bit.

Nikki Hawkins has posed:
The thing about this whole situation is that Nikki is more fascinated than she is upset by it. You see these kinds of things in movies and such, but never in real life. She gasps and jumps again when she hears that car pulling in. Someone's coming and she has no idea who it might be - especially since it seems more than one person stays here. The reaction in a knee-jerk is to hide - but she might break something that way cause of her clumsiness when nervous. So, she takes a few breaths and begins walking down towards where the car will surely be parking itself. Unsure who it is or what will happen from here.

Red Robin has posed:
Tim Drake is getting out of the car, having already brought up a sensor reading so he knows where she is and where she is heading. He will step out of the car and looks up to where she is walking down. He tries to read her body language and how she is taking it. It is a bit harder to read her than most, but Tim may have the best chance of anyone to do it.

Nikki Hawkins has posed:
From what he can tell so far, she is definitely more fascinated than anything else. Still not sure what to make of all this. There's been no telling signs of who runs this place, and it could just be... oh and then she finds it. Or at the very least, some things begin to click. There's a few bat themed items, and then she spots the suit. A very familiar suit. "Holy shit..." Finally words are spoken but then she looks in the direction of where Tim is coming from, stopping in her tracks as she sees him. "...Holy. ...Shit...."

Red Robin has posed:
Tim Drake runs his hand through his hair, and says "Um... I can explain?" He tries, but he does not stop moving towards her. He is getting close enough so they can talk without shouting. He tries to offer her a charming smile. He is ready to roll with any punches or slaps she might throw, wondering if training her in self defense was the brightest move right now.

Nikki Hawkins has posed:
Nikki doesn't raise a hand, nor does she seem to make a move to do so. She just looks back over her shoulder, then back to him, this motion continues a few times before she just flails her arms in the air. "You mean to tell me all those times Red Robin saved Niiki was because YOU'RE him?" All the pieces begin to click together, some of them in rapid session too. "And that phone number. That wasn't a normal phone number was it? It's something super secret tied to this whole thing isn't it?" Okay, she may sound mildly annoyed in the moment. Then the most important question she can think of finds her all at the same time as the others. "...Were you ever going to tell Nikki the truth?"

Red Robin has posed:
Tim Drake looks to her, and says "No, the phone number is a legit security service. I just also get the info they get as well." He offers, and at the last part, he looks to her, and says "Honestly, I am not sure, if is safer for you to not know about it, but I will be honest, I did not like hiding things from you.

Nikki Hawkins has posed:
Nikki smiles a little, closing the gap between them a little more. "Doesn't help that Nikki was already being bullied and stuff to where he had to come help her..." A hand lifts, but it's a gentle touch to the cheek rather than the slap he was maybe expecting more. "Nikki understands the need for secrets...she's...actually kinda sorry she found this place. It was an accident. She was cleaning..."

Red Robin has posed:
Tim Drake will reach up to take her hand, and says "Well, with knowing about it, we will need to go over a few things. There are some things that are rules and safety guides for you. But then again, will let ya have access to some more cool stuff."

Nikki Hawkins has posed:
Nikki squeezes his hand and smiles. "Nikki understands. Rules are important. She'll follow them, she promises!" Just the idea of having access to cool stuff is enough to make her happy about this little accident. "Nikki's dating a super hero..." It finally seems to dawn on her.

Red Robin has posed:
Tim Drake smirks a bit and says "Yea, you are." He leans in and kisses her, and says "So, I guess you would like a tour and also find out about the rules for being around here?"

Nikki Hawkins has posed:
Nikki returns that kiss and then nods her head. "Yes please!"

Red Robin has posed:
Tim Drake nods, and says "Ok, well, I guess we should start with the rules. "I will need to show ya a command to type in if you want to come down here, so it lets anyone in the base know someone is coming in. That way if they want to keep their identity hidden they can bring up their cowl or mask or what not. He leads her towards his costume.

Nikki Hawkins has posed:
"Does Nikki get to know who all stays here? At least by their super hero name?" Asking this as she follows him back up to where his suit in. A new found sense of pride and happiness has found her. "But having a code makes sense...that way people aren't surprised..." She probably won't even come down much, or the opposite, she'll become an asset to the team as a whole.

Red Robin has posed:
Tim Drake nods, and says "Well for staying here not many, but there are a few who have room here in case they need them. The main ones you might know more of are Impulse, and the older Superboy."

Nikki Hawkins has posed:
Nikki thinks on it for a moment. "Names sound a little familiar... but Nikki's also of the mind that maybe Tim and everyone else is mostly in Gotham. Nikki's only been in New York most her life until she met Tim." Saying that much which will explain her not knowing too much about anyone. Even Red Robin was a surprise until she got attacked in Gotham proper.

Red Robin has posed:
Tim Drake says, "Well, Superboy is in Metropolis a lot, and Impulse, well he is a speedster, so he is all over the place, never know quite where and when he will show up." He does not add in the whole time traveling thing making the When even more unpredictable. He opens the case, and speaks out a code "You can touch the costume if you want.""

Nikki Hawkins has posed:
Nikki blinks as the case is opened and the costume is revealed. At his offer, she does reach out to touch it, stroking fingers over the material. "I mean. Nikki's heard of a few super heroes. But more the ones in New York. Like Spider-Man and Iron Man. Thor. Captain America..." To name a few. Yet to be up close to one, and see their persona behind the mask. It's interesting to say the least. She stands up again and turns to Tim. "Thanks for not freaking out on Nikki and getting upset with her. Though. Did he want to? Be upset she means..."

Red Robin has posed:
Tim Drake looks to her, and says "Well, I was a bit panicked for a moment, but one of the things about being a hero, who does not have powers, doing everything with skill and gadgets you have to be able to think fast." He tells her. "And yea most of the scars that I tell people are from that car accident a while back, have a bit more story to them." He admits.

Nikki Hawkins has posed:
"Is there anything Nikki can do here to be helpful?" She asks this and smiles to him. "She's sorry she made him panic... but she was more surprised than anything else. And not mad. This is a good secret to keep. Nikki understands." In the end of everything anyway. Shifting for a moment, she moves to lean against him just to prove that she's not scared to be close to him even now.

Red Robin has posed:
Tim Drake nods a bit and says "I can show ya some of the things I am working on, and we can work on it together. And if your wanting to help more, I can maybe teach you to help with some of the online back up when am in the field."

Nikki Hawkins has posed:
Nikki beams a smile and nods her head. "Yes. I would like that. Now, how about we finish up this tour and the rules and then go upstairs for dinner and cuddles?" Asking this even as she giggles and moves along with him as he leads the way.