NEW FLESH, jason todd

08.

Venus rushed down the stairs searching for Dick, wanting to tell him about her strange encounter. She scanned the room for Bruce, too. The least she could do was let him know that a rogue vigilante was after him. Venus said that she would play Red Hood's game, but she's definitely still going to try to bust him. She doubt it'll ever work; he won't be caught until he wants to be. It'll be fun to try, though. She caught sight of Alfred greeting guests near the door. 

"Alfred!" Venus panted, slightly winded. "Have you seen Dick? Or Bruce? It's important."

The man shook his head, eyeing Venus suspiciously. "No. Is everything alright?"

"Um, yeah. Sure. I'll just call him later, bye!" She quirked, spotting Dick by his car. She hustled over to him, flipping her hair over her shoulder. He looked at her, surprised.

"You look...flustered?" Dick questioned, scratching his head. Venus just shrugged and got into the car.

"I'll explain in the car, now drive." She commanded, buckling her seatbelt. He shrugged and started the engine, maneuvering out of the Manor gates. 

"Red Hood was here," She deadpanned. Dick swerved his head to her in shock. "He pulled a gun on me thinking I was Bruce, and when I asked if he wanted him dead, he said he just wanted to scare him." 

"Okay," Dick started slowly, brows furrowed. "And when did this happen?"

"Literally right now, idiot!" Venus snapped and crossed her arms. "When else would it have happened?" 

"Alright, alright, chill. Did you tell Bruce?" He asked, still processing the information. 

She sighed and ran a hand down her face. "No, I couldn't find him. I doubt Red Hood will try anything at the gala, though." 

"Shit, do you think he knows who Bruce is?" Dick questioned, hands tightening around the wheel. 

Venus stayed silent and shrugged. Maybe he did, maybe he didn't. 

"It's fine. It's totally fine," Dick assured, not very convincingly. "Just text him. Leave a message. Whatever. He'll know what to do."

She nodded a sent him a message, taking her time. Venus definitely does not want Bruce Wayne dead--she wouldn't wish that on him, she couldn't. Not after everything he's done for her. Though she wouldn't mind if he got roughed up a bit; he deserves that. And, he wouldn't really kill Bruce, would he? 

"Why is he striking up conversation with you?" Dick wondered, furrowing his brows. "He wasn't in a talkative mood when Bruce and I chased him."

Venus rolled her eyes. "Maybe because you were chasing him? Nobody in their right mind would start a conversation with two superheros chasing them. They'd just get the hell away from you."

"You were chasing him too," Dick pointed out. "Even fought with you. Maybe he knows you? From school or something?" 

"Oh, maybe" She paused, tapping her chin lightly. She decided to test the waters, plant some seeds. "He knew my name. Called me Vea." 

Dick glanced at her quickly. "But didn't Ja--never mind. I'll have Gordon cross-reference college students in Gotham, see if we can find anything." Venus nodded, content with the way the case was going. Although she was a little confused and excited?, she wasn't worrying. Despite the vigilante's unpredictable encounters, she felt she had total control over the situation.

She was slightly concerned about the men in the alley, the ones Red Hood killed. The ones who knew Eden Calore. Venus was sure they were just pawns; whoever employed them was the real threat. She'll discuss it with Jade; surely, the former assassin would know what to do.