“You’re seriously asking what the problem is with just killing people? Are you nuts for real, or what? Criminals need to be punished, but if your first reaction to that is to reach for a knife then you’ve got problems. I’d already figured that much, though. How can there be any justice in taking a life as retribution when, if it were someone else in the position, you’d want to punish them for the same act? What kind of backwards logic is that, seriously? Look, I’m not going to pretend that there aren’t problems. The justice system is corrupt, and sometimes it seems like it was only designed to benefit the lowlife crooks it’s supposed to be incarcerating, I get that. Which is why heroes exist in the first place—to give people a little hope when it seems like the whole world’s gone to shit. To try and make a difference in that crap. God, you are so infuriating!”
“Don’t try to act like you do what you do out of some kinda concern for the welfare of innocent people, when it’s obvious that you’re doing it for yourself. And this whole completely ruling out rehabilitation thing—do you ever think of that? What if there’s some poor bastard out there waiting to be given a chance for redemption, someone who could do some good in the world with the right people there to give him the strength for it, but he’s got no choice and no chance because you couldn’t wait to stick a knife into his neck! Yeah, I can see that I’m wasting my time and effort on you. You’re clearly determined to stick to your messed up ideals, and if that’s what you want, then fine. I tried to help, but plainly there’s no helping some people.”
"Just… whatever. Don’t come crying when it all comes crashing down and you fall flat on your sorry ass.”
“You’re one of those morally guided people, huh? I can see that I won’t go far with you. Look, you pull the trigger, they’re dead, you move on. No need to be angry about it or let them carry on being nothing but a pain in the ass. You take out the vermin, simple as that. Heroes? They call themselves that, they fed me their own lies, but I learnt to see past them. You need to be more efficient, and cities like Gotham need someone like me, not Batman. Everything is corrupted and unless you do something drastic for that to change, you’re basically writing down your will. Criminals will always prevail unless you fight crime with crime, that’s the only way that they’ll understand that someone else, way better than them, is out to get them. Those criminals will get that someone like me won’t hesitate to kill, just like they do, to make a statement.”
“I’m not doing anything for myself, believe it or not, I might even be the most selfless person alive. I’m such a saint, really. I’ll kill them if I see that there’s no hope for them. And I’m not talking about the common burglar who is lurking the streets, I’m talking about straight ass murderers, people who enjoy watching everyone else beneath them suffer. Hard to believe that I’m not just a plain killer, huh? My confirmed kills count might be high, but I’m not going out there killing everyone, just those who deserve it. In other words, you and I aren’t very different, I’m just not a coward who won’t take drastic measures when he has to. I don’t need help, or saving, or anything that you might be thinking of. I’m just dandy, can’t you see?”
“Oh boo hoo, I wasn’t counting on Archer Number Two anyway.”
“There’s a fine line between confidence and arrogance and I’m pretty certain that you’ve more than overstepped it. I mean, Jesus! Are you even listening to yourself right now? And even so, maybe that wouldn’t be so bad if you hadn’t just admitted to using those skills to slaughter people on your little crusade against crime. Real funny. What I’m eager to see is someone knock a little sense into your head, but the longer this conversation goes on the more I’m starting to think that’s a lost cause. Well, it’s a relief to know that I’m not the only one to be so charmed by your company, I’d be seriously worried for the person able to stand next to you for more than two minutes without wanting to sock you. This Harper guy must be some kind of saint to be able to put up with you long enough to find out what makes you tick.”
"We already have heroes for that exact reason, except we don’t go running around with delusions of grandeur thinking that we’ve got any authority to decide who lives and who dies! That’s the whole point. You don’t let personal reasons influence your decisions on the field to the point that you get so caught up in it that you can’t see anything else. You think that just because daddy didn’t love you enough that gives you any right to take all your misplaced anger out on the world? I’ve heard that story enough times to know that it’ll end badly for you. What I’m trying to do is help you, Jason.”
"It’s sad more than anything that you genuinely seem to think that."
"What’s wrong with that? If you’re a crime fighter yourself, you know very well that those bastards won’t stay behind bars. They’re waltz in and out, just like it always happens. Why not take them out once and for all, huh? I’m doing everyone a favour here, I’m taking anyone who is a threat out. You sure all act tough yourself, wanting to punch a guy you just met, a guy who willingly admits that he’s not afraid to both maim and kill. Wanting to see him beaten down for doing what, telling you the truth as it is? Being fed too many lies from those you idolized, right? You archers with your short tempers and snappy come backs are all the same. Harper knows when to stop, something that you don’t seem to realise.”
“And they get to make that call? They get to choose who lives and who dies when they’re threatening people out there? Those people are mostly innocent, they, not so much. So killing them is a good call, they’re guilty, they won’t learn, you just get rid of them like vermin before it’s too late, simple as that. Listen here, girlie. You don’t know me or anything about me, no matter what stories you’ve heard. I don’t need your help or pity, I’m doing just dandy. So don’t try to appeal to my emotions or whatever you’re trying to do, it won’t work on me.”
“I do believe what I’m saying. I wouldn’t be standing right here if I wasn’t confident in my words and skills.”
“I’ve got no interest in watching you give any kinda performance unless it’s you on the receiving end of that session. I don’t care how powerful and all-important you think you are, sooner or later that arrogance is gonna trip you up and you’ll regret it. Might even knock you down from that high horse of yours, who knows? Alright. You want to know what my first impressions are? If I haven’t made it clear enough already, I think that you’re pathetic. I think that you’re pretentious, and supercilious, and overwhelmingly big-headed— do you want me to go on? I can think of a few more adjectives.”
“That isn’t justice. Don’t go around pretending like you’re a hero acting out of some sense of obligation to the public, deserving anyone’s thanks. What you do is nothing but an attempt to satisfy your own need for revenge, or whatever your deal is, and it isn’t right. It makes you no better than the criminals you think you’ve any right to dispatch. Clearly there’re some buried affairs, here. Don’t tell me… daddy issues? Some sort of inferiority complex? Am I getting close?”
"You know, honestly, it’s gotta be some sort of miracle that you’re even standing upright under the weight of all that bravado, sweetheart.”
"So being confident in your skills is bad? Let me tell you something, I’ve been trained by top assassins and the teachers of All Castle, I can bring down anyone who will try to get in my ways, including you. You’re so eager to see me beaten up, I didn’t know young girls like you were into that sort of thing. Interesting, you sound like someone from Gotham all right. Those were some really charming adjectives, I’ll give you that. Nothing that I wasn’t called before, got something more original? Harper can do better than that and he knows exactly what to say to make me tick.”
“Hero? No, I’m what this city needs, someone to do their dirty work, take out anyone who dares to pose a threat to the common folk. I may have some personal reasons to do certain things but trust me, I’m getting revenge when I see the people responsible for some things. The criminals here, they’re the ones who are pathetic, thinking that they can make make a living out of this life, that’s why they’re getting punished. What, you’re going to psychoanalyze me? Be my guest, I was sat down in Arkham and had a weird doc trying to..what did he call it..help me let go of my past, move forward, all that crap.”
“It’s a gift, isn’t it? That’s what makes me so special, Katie.”
“You’re really that eager to get your ass handed to you on a silver platter? Believe me, I’m starting to think that’s a show I’d like front row seats to. I can tell that you’re something else, alright, but somehow I don’t think we’re quite on the same page regarding what that is.”
"In this place? What important stuff has a guy like you got on his mind? Really, I’m curious. You somehow don’t seem like the ‘contributing member of society’ type. Listen, you patronize me like that one more time and I won’t have to direct anyone anywhere, I’ll clock you in your arrogant face myself.”
“I’m the one with the attitude problem, now? That’s got to be the funniest thing I’ve heard all week, considering I’m standing right in front of a guy whose ego could crush him to death in his sleep.”
"You’re in for a huge treat then, I don’t let anyone beat me. You should sit on the front row when I’m next fighting in that little club. I’ll be sure to give the guy I’m facing a maiming session from you. How about you give me a request now? Really? I’ll tell you mine if you tell me yours, first impressions are always the best, right?”
“A tough and rough girl that’s something nice for a change. Oh, but I am. I clean the scum of the streets, you should be all thanking me. Unlike others, I’m not afraid to get my hands dirty. Criminals get what it’s coming for them, and that’s my dagger slicing their neck. If I had my pistols, a couple of bullets through their head. As simple as that.”
“Yeah, yeah, the death part. Been there, done that, and now I’m here where apparently you can die? That’s not making me shake in my red helmet at all you know.”
“I’ve seen enough people in this city to know that there’s a fair amount who could physically blast that smugness right out of you. Where do you get off acting all high and mighty, like that?”
“Of course you don’t. You don’t seem like you’d know a fun time if stripped to its underwear in front of you and danced the macarena. Wow, I feel so honoured, you’ve got no idea. Your presence is truly enlightening, it’s just a joy to be around you.”
"Nice overblown sense of supremacy you’ve got there, Jason.”
"Why won’t you direct them at me? The fight club’s good and all, but I’m dying to have some good competition out here on the streets. Can’t say. It’s all part of my charming personality, really. You can tell that I’m something else, can’t you?”
“Or that I might have more important things to do than watching strippers. That’s more of Harper’s thing, really. I’m glad that you agree, if only the sarcasm wasn’t as obvious in your tone, then we would be just dandy, sweetheart.”
“Another archer with an attitude problem? Great, just my luck.”
“Ooooh, o-kay. I see. You’re one of those grim, brooding types of guys, who thinks that he’s got some kinda edge over everyone else. I get it.”
"A fight club! See, that totally proves my point. You couldn’t just have a night out at like, a karaoke place or something? So, what, you only make an effort with people who look interesting? Whatever that means.”
"The name’s Kate Bishop! Hello.”
"I don’t think that, I know it. Have you seen the people in this city? I doubt that anyone from where I come from would fit in anyway.”
“I don’t sing. Exactly, why should I waste my time anyway? I’m talking to you now so you should take that as a compliment, I normally walk away after what, one, two sentences, but you seem interesting enough. Let’s see if we can keep this up.”
“Then you have to make your own fun! You can’t just rely on other people to provide the entertainment all the time.”
“Get out and explore, or something. Talk to people. Make friends! Join an organisation, even. Just—as long as it’s a good one, and not some crackpot villain’s hideout.”
“I don’t rely on them to provide the entertainment to me, most of the times I just observe and have a good laugh at everyone else.”
“I’ve joined a fight club, that’s pretty fun if you ask me. You beat up a couple of cocky brutes and you’re all set for the night. Found a decent bar, but not many people peeked my interest. And you’re supposed to be who..?”
