IC: Bruce Wayne
Blake. Thomas Blake was never a man I could ever deem sane by any means, but he had a quality that I could share, even as a lost teenager in the jungles of South America: A rare sense of determination.
Thomas believed, and apparentally still does, that animal totems were the key to immortality. Behind them, a person could never die. A spirit could never die. I took his example to heart, even after I left. I believe that my teachings there could've very well led to the way that I ended up going about my mission. One day, when I inevitably die from all of this, Batman will live on through someone else. It's a task that I hope comes much later in life, but someday, I'll need to choose an heir. A successor, of sorts, after training him or her as my apprentice.
But I'm still young. Still ready. I won't subject myself into any unnessacary line of thought until the time comes for it's need. Right now, I have a duty to restore... civility to my gala.
As I walk forward, slowly making my way around the area where Blake and Luthor stand, I suddenly find myself blocked by a redheaded male. Odd. I didn't see him there before...
"Hello, my name is Barry Allen. The Flash, the fastest man alive. Pleasure to meet you, and please feel free to introduce yourself. I'll be at the bar."
I decide not to be a rude host, even if he did come out of nowhere. I extend my hand.
"Hello. I'm Bruce-"
And then, he's gone. Just like that, in the matter of only a few seconds. And that in itself is pushing it.
"-Wayne?"
I look around, as does everyone else. They're as confused as I am. All I can see is a blur, motioning through the room, before it stops. I look over at the bar, seeing him finally slow to a halt. My eyebrow is already arched.
The Flash of the twin cities. A man who was said to be able to travel at rediculously inhuman speeds without deterierating. I admit, I was skeptical. But after what I just saw, I needn't be anymore. Though I'm starting to wonder why I invited all of these people. I didn't have to make it so overly high profile to protect my identity. I guess, in the end, I was caught up in protecting it that I didn't even stop to think about it. And now, in between the Captain, Blake, and Allen, I'm in the middle of a Circus. In my own home.
I really need to work on mutli-tasking. Especially given my... lives.
I turn, looking over as Blake turns away from Luthor. Great. So not only does he show up like this, he could potentially endanger a deal that could ensure the welfare of many orphaned children living on the streets of Gotham. Like I would've been, had I not been... privelaged. But either way, Blake's appearance here tonight has done little to comfort. And I'm sure more than a few of my guests feel the same way. I need to take control back...
As I begin walking, I glace up at the upper level of the room, where the west entrance leads to. And suddenly, I've found myself... well, paused for the moment, as a particular guest walks into the room, looking around. I have to make sure I'm looking at the same person. That couldn't be...
"Rachel?", I ask, stepping up the stairs as she turns, and smiles.
"Bruce.", She states. "It's good to see you again."
I walk up to her. And as I do, I realise something. I can't say anything. And just why can't I say anything? Maybe it has something to do with the fact that she could very well be the only one in the room to know that Bruce Wayne is Batman in actuality. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that I've got so much on my mind, and so much to do in regards to Blake, Luthor, Allen, Lance, and others.
Or maybe it's just because of the dress she's wearing. Or the way her hair is made up. She looks absolutely nothing like the woman that pulled me out of the very battered Batmobile and drove me here, to save my life. She looks... Well, let's just say... I had no idea. I honestly had no idea she could've ever looked like this.
"You too.", I mention. "I'm... glad you could come."
"I'm glad you invited me.", She responds. "Especially after the other night. I wasn't sure if you wanted me here, or if you felt-"
I shake my head.
"No. Of course I don't feel that way. That incident doesn't give me reason to be rude.", I say. "If anything, I'm grateful that it occured."
She looks at me, for a second, but eventually nods.
"It's nice to hear that.", She says, looking out across the room. "This really is a lovely party, Bruce. You've really put alot of effort into this."
She looks at me again.
"Plus, you look really good."
I look at her, smiling. With one that oddly wasn't practiced at all. It came... naturally to me. Is it wrong that I should worry about that?
"So do you.", I say, knowing full well I've just made an understatement.
How long. How long am I going to be able to tell myself that I can't give into any personal feelings that may endanger my mission... before one actually does? Am I just being paranoid? I mean, it's not as though I've developed actual feelings for this woman. She just caught me off guard. And in the end, she's an ally to my 'war' on the criminality of Gotham, while knowing the sacrifices I'll have to make to persue it.
I lean over the small balcony over the dining area, sighing to myself. Blake... Luthor's offer... Allen's arrival... even Rachel's appearance has all left my mind. And in their place only lies uncertainty. I think of Doctor Elliot, and how he was able to carry on my father's legacy as a world renowned surgeon. A life I could've had, if I didn't choose this instead. I'm beginning to wonder if I really do have to torture myself like this.
I take another sip of my drink, and stand up, heading back into the party as Rachel engages in conversation with... Well, Oswald Cobblepot. I need to protect her, given what I know about Cobblepot, but that would only prove my point even further.
That I had the hypocritical audacity to accuse Luthor of paranoia...
