The pristine Wayne family can't be seen at an auction like this-- a black market auction, selling all kinds of different illegal goods. The Bats can't be seen either: the operation would scatter and they would be no closer to figuring out what exactly is at the core of this thing, that's enticed so many major mob and criminal players in Gotham's crime scene to attend.

So obviously, this means going undercover.

..It's still sickening to be here.

“God, I hate auctions," Jason mutters. Half the time, these things are also a hit spot for selling and trafficking kids, and he hates when kids get hurt. Bruce sighs. “I know. Go along with it for now.. we need to figure out how many we need to save, and what we're up against."

Everyone attending all wears some type of masks, as this was a masked auction. No one wants to see anyone's faces. Illegal auctions tend to be like that. As Bruce, Jason, Tim, and Cass walk in, Barbara over the comms in their ears, the auction house is crowded with people wanting to bid or get rid of items. It takes a bit-- maybe twenty minutes-- before the event starts.

It starts calmly. Just jewelry, rare artifacts, enchanted things.. illegal to buy and sell, but nothing too horrible. They witness as the auctioneer slowly but surely starts to get into exotic and illegal animals. Thrashing leopards, hissing birds, different kinds of abused souls. The event is almost over. Luckily, it seems to be like there's no children being sold at all.

Until the auctioneer pulls out what's clearly a child from behind the curtain. They're chained, with a bag over their head, and Jason practically sees red, clenching the armrest of the seat. Bruce is outwardly calm, Cass much the same other than a slight frown of displeasure beneath her mask, and Tim is biting his cheek.

"Folks, you'll be raring to see just what you've all been waiting for," The masked auctioneer continues, the chipper attitude unsettling with the scene, "Item number one hundred and forty two..."