Catalina Flores

Sometimes you need a villain around to really dig into the trauma

[akatarantula]

You know who she is.

You know what she did.

The real question is

What are you gonna do about it?

Someone has to be the monster for certain plots.

Mun is 30+. Willing to go as dark or nsfw as requested. Check-ins over messaging are necessary during extended rp.

I'm here to have fun making your nightmare (or rescue) scenarios a reality, Querido~💕

-------

Catalina Flores, aka Tarantula

Her current headspace?

Pretty fucking pissed. From her point of view, she and Dick Grayson were doing great! Sure, there had been some bumps at the start of their relationship, but they'd grown from them and compromised! She had opted to not kill Barbara Gordon and instead non-lethally manipulated a break up between Dick and Babs. Dick had let her kill Blockbuster, had allowed her to protect him, and her. Them.

Poor Dick. He'd been through so much at that point, he'd looked so sweet and sad on that rooftop, and even still he'd tried to apologize to her. He thought he'd failed her.

They'd made love in the rain. She thought she'd meant something to him. They were dating, he'd gotten a marriage certificate, everything had been beautiful and exciting!

And then Gotham had called him home and she'd followed after him.

The massive gang war may have left her as the leader of the Latinos United Gang, but all her work was sneered at by the Batman and his disciples. They had treated her like an attack dog, sent her to commit the violences they were too cowardly to do themselves, and then they'd condemned her for those acts.

Batman told her to get out of Gotham. Dick broke up with her and tried to arrest her.

Well, fuck them. She's still a vigilante. She's still out there saving lives and ending the unforgivable ones. She doesn't need the Bats or Dick Grayson's approval for her methods.

* Catalina's views are not necessarily accurate reflections of reality.

** Catalina's views are not reflective of the mun's views. The mun is a separate entity to the character they portray.

*** It's important to note that Catalina believes she is a good person even when she has done objectively terrible things.

[akatarantula]

Just so you know, I miss you. 😔 ( Jinx mun)

((I had a lot of fun! I miss being able to explore her character. Anon hate just got overwhelming and ugly about my portrayal of her. You all take care of yourselves out here ❤️))

[new-earth-rp]

a singleverse discord Role Playing server with a focus on the "Post Crisis" era of DC comics | 18 members

Some characters we're looking for:

Superman

Nightwing

Wonder Woman

The Huntress

Cassandra Cain

...and more!

Join us!

[jean-paul-azrael]

Psst psst psst my beloved followers I'm gonna keep bugging you all until we have enough people

[akatarantula]

((give me a reason to take Catalina out of retirement~))

((She's the type of character I'd like to check in with the Dick Grayson player for comfort levels before submitting for approval))

[illiteratedickgrayson]

rlly interesting that ur 30 n so heavily sexualize n fetishize a 19 y/o rape victim u clearly have 0 regard for his story or character u just want smut fr should have made an oc or smth if u didnt want to commit to rlly playing dick doesnt look like u even read his comics

((ooc))

Hey.

I wrote a lot of angry things in response to this. I had paragraphs and I deleted them.

Because it doesn't matter.

I doubt this anon is even listening.

I doubt they'll ever know that this was one of the most hurtful things I've been hit with alongside some truly horrible real life timing.

But hey, at least they defended an imaginary character. They hurt a real life person, but who cares, right? I'll never be as real as Dick Grayson is, not to them.

I'm tired.

I'm busy.

I'm only awake because someone close to me died and then I found this little gem on my dash.

So fine.

Consider @illiteratedickgrayson on hiatus for the time being. I'll not be starting any new RP with him on Tumblr, though I hope to continue the ones that are active.

I'll also be officially putting my other DC RP blogs on hiatus, and even unmasking one that's been getting constant streams of this kind of comment for months now.

@flyingprodigy | @grantagonist | @wonderwaller | @akatarantula | @pk-dick-grayson

@gothamgabber will remain as my Roomie Gabe's rare venture into Tumblr. My personal blog will probably be quiet for awhile, too.

I'll be active on the DCRPLR Discord if anyone wants to duck this latest wave of purity politics and bigotry. DM me for an invite or ask one of my usual RP buddies.

One more Queer person chased off the dash 👍🏼

[askcobblepot]

Child Oswald (Marshmallow Picrew)

Picrew link: https://picrew.me/en/image_maker/2574340

Mushmallow Doodle Kid Maker

This is Non-commercial and Personal use only! You may post or use this Picrew as long as it's not used for profit, AI, NFTs, or claimed as y

[steven-grants-number1]

Tag Game!

Child Victor

(Mushmallow Picrew)

Mushmallow Doodle Kid Maker

This is Non-commercial and Personal use only! You may post or use this Picrew as long as it's not used for profit, AI, NFTs, or claimed as y

I didn’t know what to do with him so here’s my take on him

Tagging ppl bc I can. Do this with your characters if you want to!!

@miss-tuesday @redhood-offical @e-nygmaofficial

[cinnamon-does-wacky-shit]

Child Tuesday

@squid-turtles @director-of-arkham-city @e-nygmaofficial

[squid-turtles-deactivated202509]

Child Squid (he's trans)

@juliusday @vintageaviatorartwork @askd0ctorjcrane

[askd0ctorjcrane]

//AWH. Baby jon. Frightened lil guy.

@director-of-arkham-city @e-nygmaofficial @blood3red

[strange-case-of-geek-clown]

I was not invited but I’m here now. Sue me.

I made child Autumn :3

(I’m @/assisting-gothams-horror-king mun if it wasn’t obvious)

@crowsinthecornfield @theoneandonlyscaregoon @batwoman-or-whatever

[batwoman-or-whatever]

This is baby Kate. I'd like to imagine she was happy before...you know...she wasn't. Put the pride flag as foreshadowing.

I couldn't figure out how to save it so here's the link to make your own.

@batgirlspain @gotham-response @arkhambird @hero-helpers

[batgirlspain]

@belladonna-ismyfavoritecriminal @supergirlofmetropolis @batmanspain

[belladonna-ismyfavoritecriminal]

Thanks for the tag! Baby bat girl is adorable, and so are all the other babies <3

No pressure tags (mostly I just want y'all to see baby Bella)

@bestbunnyever @cutelover76 @prosecutor-paledew @loony-lupus

[bestbunnyever]

His older sister used to dress him heh.

Spoiled brat sighs.

Uhm uh. Gulps... Who to tag, who to tag... NO PRESSURE OR ANYTHING GUYS. @bunnyinatrenchcoat @criminal-or-child @kirkbridelabs-rescues (You can show the one you already did for Lewis or make one for Assistance, again, no pressure gulps!!) @the-stars-little-wing @everyones-confused-dad

[bunnyinatrenchcoat]

* the knife flew into my hand !!! i swear !!!

* baby blake was a quiet baby, dick might’ve died if he met them early

* @flyingprodigy @obsession-withthenight and everyone else who wants to join :3

[flyingprodigy]

Bitty Brad discovering his first circus

((Blatant, Shameless symbolism with the props and his future family - Eleanor's a tree frog and the Robins are his favorite heroes))

((also, not many vibrant clothes when he's young))

(( @jean-paul-azrael, @eleanor-wayne, @izakk-tiberius-kyle, @jericho-wilson30, @dreiderswords ))

((tag another character of mine I wanna play again!))

[jean-paul-azrael]

The Horrors

@angelofmercy-angelofdeath @shadowovergotham @illiteratedickgrayson @sleep-deprived-tim @moontress

[shadowovergotham]

That first night among the beasts was a hundred years long. @magicofgotham @praemonstra-supra @yagot-flatlined @theoraclecode @kryptonian-zenith

Fun little ask game :) hope y'all don't mind the tag

[praemonstra-supra]

@akatarantula @guy-on-top @fuckinredhood

[akatarantula]

//She is fully into her Cat Phase at this point, she is always half-dressed in her Halloween costume

//most everyone is already tagged I think? @arrowsnsarcasm , @jinx-badluckqueen, @jean-paul-azrael, @vamp-grayson, @lilhy-dumas

[akatarantula]

Catherine "Call me Cat, honey" Ortega mingles with the crowd, a visiting entrepreneur from Spain with a vague business and a beautiful smile. She mixes with several groups around the room, a demure but engaging conversationalist.

Catalina Flores needed information about a man she suspects has been leaving bodies in her territory. Luckily, he was easy to track down and his phone was even easier to clone. Once the gala is over, she'll have all the evidence she needs to take him down.

In the meantime, she can listen in on the lives of the Gotham elite and perhaps enjoy the party.

[jinx-badluckqueen]

Jinx had snuck in, a curious witchy looking for any pretty stones that caught her attention.

She shook hands with random rich men and drank yummy wine.

The food was her favorite though.

Jinx smoothed down the dark purple sequined dress around her legs, fixing the bosom. Her silver heels added an extra three inches to her 5'7 frame.

[akatarantula]

A familiar voice might cause the young witch to pause as it purrs in approval.

"My, it's been too long since we last met, honey. What a divine picture you make! It's almost as lovely as the last outfit I saw you wearing."

Catalina slinks up alongside the witch, holding a champagne glass and wearing a smile.

[jinx-badluckqueen]

"Darling!" Jinx greeted, pulling her in and planting a kiss on her cheek.

"I'm so ecstatic to see you here." She replied, a twinkle in her eyes.

[akatarantula]

Catalina can feel her cheeks growing warm under the bubbly affection. She's been so busy in the past month that she hasn't had time to make many social calls. She and Roy had kept in touch, but then...

It's strange to hope that Hell will be good for him. His marriage to John, too. She wishes them the best, but hasn't been able to do so much as figure out an appropriate wedding gift, let alone get it to them!

What all this boils down to is that Catalina is very glad that Jinx is the type of person to reach out and touch someone. With the ice broken, she can wrap an arm around the other woman's waist and wander then both away from interested ears and eyes.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world, honey~"

Under her breath, she can admit a little more truth.

"'Cat Ortega' needed to get close to a one percenter who may be a strangler. Luckily, I'm his type. Even if 'Cat' is too high-profile for him to target, he talked himself up long enough for me to get my information."

[jinx-badluckqueen]

Jinx makes a show of laughing as if Catty has told her a funny joke.

"How can I help?" She replied in a hushed tone, a dazzling smile on for wandering eyes.

[akatarantula]

"Just know that I'm Catherine "Cat" Ortega for the night. I'm from Spain, my family has a respectably-sized business with exporting luxury textiles, and I'm in Gotham to explore whether starting an in-house fashion brand would be lucrative."

Jinx's immediate offer to assist her brings a more genuine smile to Catalina's face as she plays the part of a wealthy foreign socialite.

"My goal is accomplished; all I'm here for now is to not be suspicious and eavesdrop on other potential crimes."

Having her background have connections to the business of moving items across borders has already gotten her a few hushed nibbles. Mostly from people who are confused about Spain and Mexico being different places. Ah, the rich. The smart ones can be terrifyingly intelligent and the foolish ones can be utterly embarrassing to share air with.

She looks Jinx over again and admires how the gown accentuates her curves. Letting herself look at women this way is still new. Exciting.

"Unless you have something in mind?"

[jinx-badluckqueen]

"I always have something in mind for you, Catty." Jinx replied, her fingers tracing under her chin.

With the added height from her heels, Jinx's bosom is a perfect way to distract almost everyone, and in her gown, it shows just how shapely she truly is.

"Tell me, Cat, you're staying near here?"

[akatarantula]

That move should not be making Catalina's pulse race the way it's doing. She's had plenty of would-be suitors try to direct her with a firm grip or an arrogant hand; yet Jinx commands her attention with hardly an effort.

"A hotel suite in the Diamond district. Are you thinking of leaving early, Honey? We could have a nightcap and...catch up."

She's not the only one compelled by the magical woman's physique and attire; a number of people have drifted their way as if wanting to make conversation with the two beauties.

[jinx-badluckqueen]

Jinx leans down, shielding her from the others. She's so close, Catty can smell the wild lavender perfume she wore, lips just barely grazing her ear.

"I would love to catch up with you."

[akatarantula]

On one hand, Catalina is a former government agent who is currently a better than average vigilante. She is strong and capable of handling herself in everything from a gang war to a gala. She's a sexually liberated and experienced woman who isn't afraid to make the first move.

On the other hand, Jinx's breath against her ear makes her own breath stutter with excitement. The blush on her face can't be excused by heat or exercise.

"In that case, by all means; shall I call for a ride?"

[akatarantula]

Catherine "Call me Cat, honey" Ortega mingles with the crowd, a visiting entrepreneur from Spain with a vague business and a beautiful smile. She mixes with several groups around the room, a demure but engaging conversationalist.

Catalina Flores needed information about a man she suspects has been leaving bodies in her territory. Luckily, he was easy to track down and his phone was even easier to clone. Once the gala is over, she'll have all the evidence she needs to take him down.

In the meantime, she can listen in on the lives of the Gotham elite and perhaps enjoy the party.

[jinx-badluckqueen]

Jinx had snuck in, a curious witchy looking for any pretty stones that caught her attention.

She shook hands with random rich men and drank yummy wine.

The food was her favorite though.

Jinx smoothed down the dark purple sequined dress around her legs, fixing the bosom. Her silver heels added an extra three inches to her 5'7 frame.

[akatarantula]

A familiar voice might cause the young witch to pause as it purrs in approval.

"My, it's been too long since we last met, honey. What a divine picture you make! It's almost as lovely as the last outfit I saw you wearing."

Catalina slinks up alongside the witch, holding a champagne glass and wearing a smile.

[jinx-badluckqueen]

"Darling!" Jinx greeted, pulling her in and planting a kiss on her cheek.

"I'm so ecstatic to see you here." She replied, a twinkle in her eyes.

[akatarantula]

Catalina can feel her cheeks growing warm under the bubbly affection. She's been so busy in the past month that she hasn't had time to make many social calls. She and Roy had kept in touch, but then...

It's strange to hope that Hell will be good for him. His marriage to John, too. She wishes them the best, but hasn't been able to do so much as figure out an appropriate wedding gift, let alone get it to them!

What all this boils down to is that Catalina is very glad that Jinx is the type of person to reach out and touch someone. With the ice broken, she can wrap an arm around the other woman's waist and wander then both away from interested ears and eyes.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world, honey~"

Under her breath, she can admit a little more truth.

"'Cat Ortega' needed to get close to a one percenter who may be a strangler. Luckily, I'm his type. Even if 'Cat' is too high-profile for him to target, he talked himself up long enough for me to get my information."

[jinx-badluckqueen]

Jinx makes a show of laughing as if Catty has told her a funny joke.

"How can I help?" She replied in a hushed tone, a dazzling smile on for wandering eyes.

[akatarantula]

"Just know that I'm Catherine "Cat" Ortega for the night. I'm from Spain, my family has a respectably-sized business with exporting luxury textiles, and I'm in Gotham to explore whether starting an in-house fashion brand would be lucrative."

Jinx's immediate offer to assist her brings a more genuine smile to Catalina's face as she plays the part of a wealthy foreign socialite.

"My goal is accomplished; all I'm here for now is to not be suspicious and eavesdrop on other potential crimes."

Having her background have connections to the business of moving items across borders has already gotten her a few hushed nibbles. Mostly from people who are confused about Spain and Mexico being different places. Ah, the rich. The smart ones can be terrifyingly intelligent and the foolish ones can be utterly embarrassing to share air with.

She looks Jinx over again and admires how the gown accentuates her curves. Letting herself look at women this way is still new. Exciting.

"Unless you have something in mind?"

[jinx-badluckqueen]

"I always have something in mind for you, Catty." Jinx replied, her fingers tracing under her chin.

With the added height from her heels, Jinx's bosom is a perfect way to distract almost everyone, and in her gown, it shows just how shapely she truly is.

"Tell me, Cat, you're staying near here?"

[akatarantula]

That move should not be making Catalina's pulse race the way it's doing. She's had plenty of would-be suitors try to direct her with a firm grip or an arrogant hand; yet Jinx commands her attention with hardly an effort.

"A hotel suite in the Diamond district. Are you thinking of leaving early, Honey? We could have a nightcap and...catch up."

She's not the only one compelled by the magical woman's physique and attire; a number of people have drifted their way as if wanting to make conversation with the two beauties.

[akatarantula]

Catherine "Call me Cat, honey" Ortega mingles with the crowd, a visiting entrepreneur from Spain with a vague business and a beautiful smile. She mixes with several groups around the room, a demure but engaging conversationalist.

Catalina Flores needed information about a man she suspects has been leaving bodies in her territory. Luckily, he was easy to track down and his phone was even easier to clone. Once the gala is over, she'll have all the evidence she needs to take him down.

In the meantime, she can listen in on the lives of the Gotham elite and perhaps enjoy the party.

[jinx-badluckqueen]

Jinx had snuck in, a curious witchy looking for any pretty stones that caught her attention.

She shook hands with random rich men and drank yummy wine.

The food was her favorite though.

Jinx smoothed down the dark purple sequined dress around her legs, fixing the bosom. Her silver heels added an extra three inches to her 5'7 frame.

[akatarantula]

A familiar voice might cause the young witch to pause as it purrs in approval.

"My, it's been too long since we last met, honey. What a divine picture you make! It's almost as lovely as the last outfit I saw you wearing."

Catalina slinks up alongside the witch, holding a champagne glass and wearing a smile.

[jinx-badluckqueen]

"Darling!" Jinx greeted, pulling her in and planting a kiss on her cheek.

"I'm so ecstatic to see you here." She replied, a twinkle in her eyes.

[akatarantula]

Catalina can feel her cheeks growing warm under the bubbly affection. She's been so busy in the past month that she hasn't had time to make many social calls. She and Roy had kept in touch, but then...

It's strange to hope that Hell will be good for him. His marriage to John, too. She wishes them the best, but hasn't been able to do so much as figure out an appropriate wedding gift, let alone get it to them!

What all this boils down to is that Catalina is very glad that Jinx is the type of person to reach out and touch someone. With the ice broken, she can wrap an arm around the other woman's waist and wander then both away from interested ears and eyes.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world, honey~"

Under her breath, she can admit a little more truth.

"'Cat Ortega' needed to get close to a one percenter who may be a strangler. Luckily, I'm his type. Even if 'Cat' is too high-profile for him to target, he talked himself up long enough for me to get my information."

[jinx-badluckqueen]

Jinx makes a show of laughing as if Catty has told her a funny joke.

"How can I help?" She replied in a hushed tone, a dazzling smile on for wandering eyes.

[akatarantula]

"Just know that I'm Catherine "Cat" Ortega for the night. I'm from Spain, my family has a respectably-sized business with exporting luxury textiles, and I'm in Gotham to explore whether starting an in-house fashion brand would be lucrative."

Jinx's immediate offer to assist her brings a more genuine smile to Catalina's face as she plays the part of a wealthy foreign socialite.

"My goal is accomplished; all I'm here for now is to not be suspicious and eavesdrop on other potential crimes."

Having her background have connections to the business of moving items across borders has already gotten her a few hushed nibbles. Mostly from people who are confused about Spain and Mexico being different places. Ah, the rich. The smart ones can be terrifyingly intelligent and the foolish ones can be utterly embarrassing to share air with.

She looks Jinx over again and admires how the gown accentuates her curves. Letting herself look at women this way is still new. Exciting.

"Unless you have something in mind?"

[akatarantula]

Catherine "Call me Cat, honey" Ortega mingles with the crowd, a visiting entrepreneur from Spain with a vague business and a beautiful smile. She mixes with several groups around the room, a demure but engaging conversationalist.

Catalina Flores needed information about a man she suspects has been leaving bodies in her territory. Luckily, he was easy to track down and his phone was even easier to clone. Once the gala is over, she'll have all the evidence she needs to take him down.

In the meantime, she can listen in on the lives of the Gotham elite and perhaps enjoy the party.

[jinx-badluckqueen]

Jinx had snuck in, a curious witchy looking for any pretty stones that caught her attention.

She shook hands with random rich men and drank yummy wine.

The food was her favorite though.

Jinx smoothed down the dark purple sequined dress around her legs, fixing the bosom. Her silver heels added an extra three inches to her 5'7 frame.

[akatarantula]

A familiar voice might cause the young witch to pause as it purrs in approval.

"My, it's been too long since we last met, honey. What a divine picture you make! It's almost as lovely as the last outfit I saw you wearing."

Catalina slinks up alongside the witch, holding a champagne glass and wearing a smile.

[jinx-badluckqueen]

"Darling!" Jinx greeted, pulling her in and planting a kiss on her cheek.

"I'm so ecstatic to see you here." She replied, a twinkle in her eyes.

[akatarantula]

Catalina can feel her cheeks growing warm under the bubbly affection. She's been so busy in the past month that she hasn't had time to make many social calls. She and Roy had kept in touch, but then...

It's strange to hope that Hell will be good for him. His marriage to John, too. She wishes them the best, but hasn't been able to do so much as figure out an appropriate wedding gift, let alone get it to them!

What all this boils down to is that Catalina is very glad that Jinx is the type of person to reach out and touch someone. With the ice broken, she can wrap an arm around the other woman's waist and wander then both away from interested ears and eyes.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world, honey~"

Under her breath, she can admit a little more truth.

"'Cat Ortega' needed to get close to a one percenter who may be a strangler. Luckily, I'm his type. Even if 'Cat' is too high-profile for him to target, he talked himself up long enough for me to get my information."

[akatarantula]

Catherine "Call me Cat, honey" Ortega mingles with the crowd, a visiting entrepreneur from Spain with a vague business and a beautiful smile. She mixes with several groups around the room, a demure but engaging conversationalist.

Catalina Flores needed information about a man she suspects has been leaving bodies in her territory. Luckily, he was easy to track down and his phone was even easier to clone. Once the gala is over, she'll have all the evidence she needs to take him down.

In the meantime, she can listen in on the lives of the Gotham elite and perhaps enjoy the party.

[jinx-badluckqueen]

Jinx had snuck in, a curious witchy looking for any pretty stones that caught her attention.

She shook hands with random rich men and drank yummy wine.

The food was her favorite though.

Jinx smoothed down the dark purple sequined dress around her legs, fixing the bosom. Her silver heels added an extra three inches to her 5'7 frame.

[akatarantula]

A familiar voice might cause the young witch to pause as it purrs in approval.

"My, it's been too long since we last met, honey. What a divine picture you make! It's almost as lovely as the last outfit I saw you wearing."

Catalina slinks up alongside the witch, holding a champagne glass and wearing a smile.

[akatarantula]

Catherine "Call me Cat, honey" Ortega mingles with the crowd, a visiting entrepreneur from Spain with a vague business and a beautiful smile. She mixes with several groups around the room, a demure but engaging conversationalist.

Catalina Flores needed information about a man she suspects has been leaving bodies in her territory. Luckily, he was easy to track down and his phone was even easier to clone. Once the gala is over, she'll have all the evidence she needs to take him down.

In the meantime, she can listen in on the lives of the Gotham elite and perhaps enjoy the party.

[officialbruciewayne]

Gala Runway - outfit thread

(Art credit to FudaArt)

[akatarantula]

//Catalina's Fit

[vamp-grayson]

Catalina watches a familiar form move with unfamiliar lethal grace.

He's older than her ex, more wild. She wonders if this version is a meta of some kind; all things seem possible in this Gotham and it's shifting multitudes.

She misses the man she thought she was going to marry, the man who had used her willingness to kill for his gain before casting her to the side. Maybe this one shares her beliefs; maybe this one could love her as her Grayson didn't.

"Nightwing?"

- @akatarantula

Dick hummed as he heart Catalina speak and landed in front of her easily so quietly that it made no nosie. He gave her a wide smile, which revealed two sharp fangs. "Hello there."

[akatarantula]

This one is very much inhuman. Tarantula's hair begins to stand up on the back of her neck and on her arms.

This one is dangerous.

She doesn't back down; she is dangerous as well. They all are, really. The ones with blood on their hands are only more honest about it.

"Trying out a new look or is this normal for you?"

She gestures to her mouth and doesn't call him by her ex's pet name. It's a win she'll take.

[vamp-grayson]

"It's normal for me. That kind of happens when you turn into a blood drinking being~" Dick cooed smiling. He looked calm, but there was something dangerous in his eyes.

[akatarantula]

"Vampirism? The multiverse is truly endless."

Tarantula tilts her head, assessing him. He is terribly dangerous, every instinct has her ready to respond despite her casual, languid movements.

"It's a good look on you."

Damnit, she hadn't wanted to compliment him!

[vamp-grayson]

Dick laughed at that and then smiled all charming. "Why thank you for the compliment." He said, looking into her eyes with his red ones.

[akatarantula]

There is something mesmerizing about Nightwing like this. Despite the danger and the bad breakup, Tarantula can't help still being drawn to the man.

"At this point, the most surprising universe will be one in which you aren't a handsome creature. I hope that your skills have improved along with your looks."

The flirtation comes easily, teasing her with how they'd used to banter before things had turned sour.

[theoneofwhomisblue]

Thirsty wunk

[akatarantula]

// Actual footage of Tarantula in the shower

// Not Clickbait!

[eleanor-wayne]

🔞📖

// @akatarantula

// I'm still mostly dead but hey

// Does the public of Gotham know that Cavalry is female? I imagine that with her armor a number of people could write Cavalry as whatever gender or humanoid species fits the narrative

//Cavalry has been written as every gender and species under the sun I guarantee it

Eleanor had been scrolling on her news feed when Jason decided it would be amusing to send her a random link.

"What is Ao3??" she mutters under her breath. She was on the bus since she didn't feel like driving to the gym today.

She clicks the link and starts reading, face completely flat

[akatarantula]

That is not the first question Eleanor will ask herself over the course of her bus ride. This day she gains cursed knowledge.

Among the many works hosted on the site both holy and profane, Eleanor finds one that features a summary reading:

[Prince Kevin "Cavalry" Batterson has been sent by his father and King of Gotham to investigate underground rumors of a powerful new figure in the neighboring Land of Blüdhaven, a lawless place ruled only by the most violent criminal families.]

[Slow burn: medieval au: reverse-cinderella: Cavalry x Tarantula (II): Cavalry is Kevin: Morally gray Cavalry meets Gang Leader Hero: rating may change: stop asking me who tf Tarantula is: she's not an OC she's local]

[Chapters: 32/?]

[eleanor-wayne]

Kevin. Kevin. What on earth had she done on patrol to deserve the name Kevin?

Eleanor felt a morbid sort of curiosity and clicked the link. she was aware of Tarantula, obviously. She knew about just about every vigilante her family had worked with.

She saw the word count for the chapter and felt like she was going insane. over two thousand words. Someone out there was certainly dedicated... for better or for worse

[akatarantula]

The tragedy of the thing is that it isn't that bad; the dialogue is a little clunky and the reasons for why Gotham's King Batterson wants information on Blüdhaven's criminal scene are vague, but once Kevin starts poking around?

The dialogue is still clunky, but there's a solid little mystery at the core of the fic. There are explorations into the nature of poverty and the struggle of trying to eke out a living in a fictional wasteland. It has moments of hope and humor and a reassuring pragmatism about people working together in communities to survive against the seemingly impossible odds.

Kevin explores the land, following rumors of slavers, assassins, and spiders. It appears that he's not the only person suddenly taking interest in the legend of Blüdhaven's Tarantula. According to an elderly scholar traveling through the region, accompanied by his long-suffering bodyguard, two sects of foreign assassins are trying to either locate and recruit the mystery man or eliminate him to keep the competition from gaining his exemplary martial prowess.

After the harried bodyguard chivvies the older man off to rest, Kevin learns that tales of the Tarantula are the scholar's favorite stories to tell to the small communities they pass through. The old man is an eccentric - the Tarantula is no more real than the Bat of Gotham.

Yet as Kevin continues his travels, someone is using that name to interfere with the slave trade and the drug sales. More and more people have taken to painting an eight-legged symbol on rocks and leaving them along trails. It finds its way onto buildings and outside caves.

[eleanor-wayne]

Eleanor snorts quietly. Well, if we are using that comparison then Tarantula is definitely real. Poor Kevin has to keep a straight face through all of that.

[akatarantula]

The dialogue has gotten much better since those early chapters. A rare author's note mentions that they had "been given a second opinion", which could be taken to mean that there is some sort of Beta now. Whoever they are, the energy of the exchanges is a lot less bombastic and showy. A reader could believe that Kevin was meant to be the wandering Cavalry now, speaking less like someone's idea of a heroic figure and more like a person.

Speaking of Kevin, he's just discovered an entire city hidden in a great fissure. The buildings are carved into the stone walls, extending seemingly endlessly into the unseen bottom of the massive ravine. There's a sketch - another new thing - of what evokes certain cultures had they not been suppressed.

Twenty-four chapters in and Kevin has only just found the true heart of Blüdhaven. The author had not been kidding about the slow part of the slow-burn romance.

Here is where Eleanor may notice some details that are perhaps...concerning. Enough that she might have to reread the thing with a more discerning eye.

After all, Kevin just followed the wrong spider symbol embroidered on a man's shirt collar and is now facing either death or recruitment by The Eight - a group of unique spider-themed mercenaries who are taking issue with some upstart freedom fighter disrupting the plans of their employers while using a name that indicates he's one of The Eight.

The extra trouble is that The Eight are currently engaging in what they consider 'pruning'. They are targeting and executing members of a rival group - larger and highly established in the underground - called The Demon's Legion. The Eight consider this practice to be a way of strengthening the Legion's herd so that they can kill more talented assassins later, raising their own reputations.

And now Kevin will have to work with The Eight to find and recruit or kill Tarantula before the Demon's Legion does.

Joy.

[eleanor-wayne]

Eleanor is getting a tiny bit suspicious at this point as she keeps reading, brows slightly furrowed. Some of these details are... Concerning.

[akatarantula]

Kevin and two of the Eight set out, the unfortunate Cavalry being compelled to work with them due to having suffered a wound from a blade laced with deadly venom. The two assassins have a treatment that will keep him alive and have promised him a cure upon the success of their mission. They recognize him as a prince in disguise and want no war with Gotham if it can be avoided. Kevin seems to think that they would very much like to hunt the Bat if they believed they could get away with it.

The effects of the venom are painfully recounted, as Widow and Recluse enjoy forcing a prince to his knees and often wait until Kevin collapses before giving him the treatment that will stave off the pain for another two hours. Kevin, in desperate straits, takes them out of the Underground and half a day's travel past the great ravine to where he recalls the elderly scholar and his bodyguard said they would be searching for the location of an old friend of the man, who had become a hermit decades ago. It is the prince's hope that the scholar might have more stories of Tarantula to share and that this won't get the other travelers killed.

After a day of searching and finding no trace of travelers or of destination, Widow and Recluse contemplate whether a war with Gotham would really be a risk. After all, no one really knows that Prince Kevin is in Blüdhaven under the name of Cavalry. They watch the venom begin to kill him again and as his sight grows dark, Kevin thinks he sees three people standing above him.

[vamp-grayson]

Catalina watches a familiar form move with unfamiliar lethal grace.

He's older than her ex, more wild. She wonders if this version is a meta of some kind; all things seem possible in this Gotham and it's shifting multitudes.

She misses the man she thought she was going to marry, the man who had used her willingness to kill for his gain before casting her to the side. Maybe this one shares her beliefs; maybe this one could love her as her Grayson didn't.

"Nightwing?"

- @akatarantula

Dick hummed as he heart Catalina speak and landed in front of her easily so quietly that it made no nosie. He gave her a wide smile, which revealed two sharp fangs. "Hello there."

[akatarantula]

This one is very much inhuman. Tarantula's hair begins to stand up on the back of her neck and on her arms.

This one is dangerous.

She doesn't back down; she is dangerous as well. They all are, really. The ones with blood on their hands are only more honest about it.

"Trying out a new look or is this normal for you?"

She gestures to her mouth and doesn't call him by her ex's pet name. It's a win she'll take.

[vamp-grayson]

"It's normal for me. That kind of happens when you turn into a blood drinking being~" Dick cooed smiling. He looked calm, but there was something dangerous in his eyes.

[akatarantula]

"Vampirism? The multiverse is truly endless."

Tarantula tilts her head, assessing him. He is terribly dangerous, every instinct has her ready to respond despite her casual, languid movements.

"It's a good look on you."

Damnit, she hadn't wanted to compliment him!

[vamp-grayson]

Catalina watches a familiar form move with unfamiliar lethal grace.

He's older than her ex, more wild. She wonders if this version is a meta of some kind; all things seem possible in this Gotham and it's shifting multitudes.

She misses the man she thought she was going to marry, the man who had used her willingness to kill for his gain before casting her to the side. Maybe this one shares her beliefs; maybe this one could love her as her Grayson didn't.

"Nightwing?"

- @akatarantula

Dick hummed as he heart Catalina speak and landed in front of her easily so quietly that it made no nosie. He gave her a wide smile, which revealed two sharp fangs. "Hello there."

[akatarantula]

This one is very much inhuman. Tarantula's hair begins to stand up on the back of her neck and on her arms.

This one is dangerous.

She doesn't back down; she is dangerous as well. They all are, really. The ones with blood on their hands are only more honest about it.

"Trying out a new look or is this normal for you?"

She gestures to her mouth and doesn't call him by her ex's pet name. It's a win she'll take.