(IC: Bruce Wayne)
I'm alone. Part of me prefers it. The silence... The calmness of the area... It's relaxing. I'm at peace, in the solitude of it.
Tonight, however, I'm not going to be alone. A guest will help me in occupying the Mansion. It was, at first, a simple means of convincing everyone that Bruce Wayne was not the same man that had been terrorising Gotham's criminal element for the past few days. In order to keep functioning in Gotham City as a vigilante and upper class citizen, without threat to my allies, I had to convince everyone that Bruce Wayne and Batman were two different men.
However... I can't help but feel that inviting her here, tonight, was a means to fill some other purpose. Perhaps one of loneliness. I could've easily forgotten about her... I could've ignored her when she had left the Gala, that night. But instead, I invited her here. For dinner.
...
Did I want this? Becoming Batman had changed me in alot of ways... Though my intentions remained intact. However, there was still a void left in me by Talia's death. I missed the feeling of love. Is it wrong for me to have that? After all... While I do my best to try and convince the criminals of Gotham City otherwise... I am only human. So is it only natural that I have needs, regardless of whether or not I want them?
I stand on the balcony of Wayne Manor... My father's house... watching as the sun lowers above the distant figure of Gotham City. I know what I'm going to be thinking, when that sun goes down.
I should be out there.
However, I've made a point not to. Not tonight, anyway. Someone is in danger... And they probably don't even know it. While there are other ways... This method is the most convieniant. So, in simplistic terms... Tonight, I'm dating Vicki Vale in order to protect her.
And the fact that I'm trying to convince myself that that is the only reason is somewhat of a reverse hypocritical. Why am I trying to think up an excuse to enjoy myself? Is that what my life is going to become? Or... has it, already?
I close my eyes, letting the cool breeze of the coming night air come to me. It reminds me of what I'm going to be missing, tonight.
I open them, at the sound of the twin doors, leading into the dining room, opening. I look back, to see Alfred.
"Your date is here, Master Bruce.", He says. I look down, seeing the car parked, and seeing her getting out, below. I turn to Alfred.
"...Any other announcements, Old friend?", I say, with a casual smirk.
Alfred begins lighting the candles on the dinner table (The rediculously huge dinner table, I might add.), as he responds.
"I think that'll be all from me tonight, Sir. Except one more thing, of course. Good luck.", He says, looking at me. I nod, as he exits the room.
He's trying his best to hide it, but... He's overjoyed, at this. If it weren't for him, this wouldn't be happening in the first place, after all. I wish I shared his enthusiasm... There really isn't that good of a reason not to be at least somewhat enthusiastic about this.
Vicki Vale. Beautiful. Stunning, really. Smart. Resourceful. Independant. If she were running around in a costume of some sort during the later hours, one would think she was perfect for me...
Yet I don't even care. What HAVE I become?
My thoughts immediatley cease the minute she walks through the door. Her coat hid the dress she's wearing, when I originally saw her pull up. To say the least... It caught me off guard. I try to say something... but words cannot seem to escape my lips.
"Hi.", She says, with a smile.
I nearly topple over the table, walking over to her. Half of it is part of the 'act'... But half of it, to my surprise, is actually genuine. I smile, aswell. The act is taking over.
"Hi."
She tries her best not to laugh, when I loose my balance for that instance.
"I hope this wasn't too much.", She says, addressing her attire.
"Not at all. Perfect, I'd say. You look-"
I stop.
"...I can compliment, right?", I ask, with somewhat of a laugh, in reference to the other night. She smiles, walking over as I pull out her chair.
"I don't see the harm in it.", She responds, sitting down. I smile. The act. It's only the act. It has to be the act.
"In that case... You look stunning, tonight."
She smiles again. That's when I spot the recorder in her purse. The interview. I forgot about that... Damn it...
"I bet you practiced that line infront of a mirror all day.", She says, jokingly.
"Perhaps. But if I did, the original line was 'beautiful'. 'Stunning' was entirely provoked by you.", I say. I hope that was right to say. I've never been good with socialisation. Well... genuine socialisation.
From her reaction, I did well.
As I sit down, I quickly realise I'm sitting at least ten feet away from her. We both pause, for a moment. Finally, I clear my throat.
"Maybe it would be better if I sat by you."
"I wouldn't object." She says, as we both laugh at the absurdity of the situation. I walk over, and sit down, next to her. I soon realise it's only going to be more difficult for me now, considering it'll be harder to avoid questions during the interview when I'm sitting right here infront of her...
"Dinner will be in shortly. Alfred's still preparing it... So, if you want to get that interview out of the way..."
"Are you sure? I don't want to seem too eager..."
"Of course I'm sure. I actually think it'd be better to get it out of the way now, so we can enjoy the rest of the evening. Plus... I really have nothing to hide.", I say, reassuringly.
Except for the fact that I run around in a cape and cowl, at night... Those of which are sitting in a gigantic Cave, underneath us, at this very moment.
...I never told myself I'd have to be honest, when planning my mission out.
She nods, taking out a tape recorder.
"Well... Okay. As long as you're comfortable with it.", She says. I nod, as she turns it on.
"Fire away."
I'm going to regret that. I just know I am.
"So... For starters... Where were you, all of those years?"
...
Did she just...?
Oh... This definatley isn't going to be easy...
"Excuse me?"
"You were reported missing for six years. No one had seen or heard from you for quite some time. Where were you?", She asks, curiously.
Okay, this is my first obstacle. How can I answer that?
Wait... I've got it...
"Well, really... I was persuing my education, truth be told."
"Out of Gotham?"
"Wealth can bring you to strange places."
"So... You were off studying, all of those years?"
I don't even have to lie with this, really. I was studying. It's just the subjects that I'm going to be vague about.
"It's strange... I know. But I felt if I kept myself moving, it wouldn't be as hard having to deal with-"
"The pain?"
I stop. Her eyes widen, a little, stopping the tape recording.
"Oh my god... I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-"
"No... No, it's no problem at all. You were right, actually.", I say, with a reassuring smile. She eases.
"Sometimes I tend to say things that can piss some people off.", She says, embarassed. I shake my head.
"You're doing fine.", I say. We share somewhat of a relieved stare, before the moment passes.
"So... Moving on...", She says, turning the tape recorder back on. "Why come back to Gotham now?"
"Well... I knew that Wayne Enterprises was going to be going under new management, soon. The company was struggling, as alot of people knew. I simply figured it was time that I payed my parent's back for the years they gave to the city, and to me.", I say.
I raise an eyebrow.
"I'm not rambling, am I?"
She shakes her head.
"No. That was... perfect." She says, giving me another smile. This one, however... it was different. As if she were in a trance.
...Something tells me there was a double meaning, there. Is she falling for me? Or is that my own arrogant bias?
"What do you feel about the economic growth of the country over the past few years? Do you think that Gotham is getting it's deserved treatment?", She asks.
...
Well, at least she didn't ask if I were Batman or not. I clear my thoat, before answering.
"Well... Really, I don't much about that at all. I just got into the buisness... I'm still learning the ropes.", I say, with a shrug.
The ecomic growth is maddening, in comparison to Gotham. Metropolis is being considered the city of tommorow, while Gotham is feared, these days. It's unfair treatment, especially towards it's good citizens. Tjey deserve a city that's clean, and a city that's safe to live in, rather than having to look over their shoulders every night. That's why I got into the industrial buisness... to try and build a better city. A rightful city, for the good people.
...Of course, If I'm to sound like an idiotic playboy, I couldn't tell her that.
She nods.
"It's okay. I didn't come up with that question anyway... It was more of a suggestion, during my research.", She says.
This is actually going better than I imagined. Now, It just needs to keep up...
"Now, let's clear up a rumor... Is it true that you have a girlfriend? Some reporter, or something?", She asks, with a sly smile.
I return the smile.
"Well, I do know one. And I'm quite fond of her, actually. I think it's mostly her call as to whether she wants it to develop any further...", I say, with my eyes narrowed.
"Good answer.", She says.
I notice she's switched off the tape recorder. I look back up at her.
"And that was off the record, I'm assuming."
"Let's just say it was more of a personal question...", She says, as a gaze comes into her eyes.
"Really? Well... What about you're interview?", I ask, coming closer.
"Want to know a secret?"
I smile.
"I didn't come here for the interview...", She says, coming closer to me, aswell.
...What the bad place is happening? Am I even in control, anymore here?
Our faces are mere inches apart, at this point.
"Funny. The interview wasn't the real reason I invited you, either...", I say, leaning forward.
"I guess we have something in common, after all..." She says, smiling, leaning forward aswell.
"Do you want to know a secret?", I ask, repeating her question, as we come, ever so closer...
Dear god, I think I AM in control...
"I do have a girlfriend."
"And who would that lucky individual happen to be?", She asks, as we go from inches, to milimeters apart, in a matter of seconds.
"I'm looking at her...", I say, as our lips just barely touch.
...And that, unfortunatley, is when the doors behind us reopen. We both sit back in our chairs, straightening ourselves out, as Alfred comes in, carrying two food trays. He looks at us, as we try to hide what, exactly, we were close to doing. I can't even believe it went that far.
Alfred raises an eyebrow.
"I... um... hope I'm not interrupting anything.", He says.
I give Vicki a nervous smile, while responding.
"Uh... No, not... not at all, Alfred.", I say. She nods. "We were just... kis...-talking. Yes, talking. That's it."
Alfred gives us both strange looks. This is my actually first ''date'', oddly enough. I can't help but feel Alfred is getting some sort of sick, twisted enjoyment out of this, as he smiles and nods.
"Whatever you say, Master Bruce.", He says, after laying the trays down on the table.
He turns around, walking out. I can swear I see his smile turn into a grin, as he turns.
"If either of you need me, I'll be downstairs.", He says.
"Thanks, Alfred. We'll keep that in mind.", I say, making it known that I'd rather be alone with Vicki.
He nods, getting the message, before leaving. I look at Vicki.
"Well, he's loyal, at least.", I say. We both laugh, for a minute... But by the time we're done, neither of us are paying attention to the food.
A minute passes of silence. Oh, to bad place with it.
We embrace in a kiss. It's the first one I've felt since Talia... But, I think I needed it. To remind me that there are 'other fish in the sea', as the phrase goes.
Funny thing. It's been dark outside for at least thirty minutes. ...And I haven't had one single urge to call this off so I could go out there. Maybe there really isn't anything wrong with me. Maybe there's actual hope for me, too...
