menarebrave | (no subject)

Hello, Bruce.
I assume you don't have anyone for your arm with this upcoming gala— allow me to bombard you for pictures of your accessories, so I can get a dress to match.

Dr. Ziegler.
I hadn't gotten around to my invite list. Is there someone you're trying to catch the eye of?

[ He is used the idea of people asking him for favors. Particularly if they know Bruce Wayne, then said favors are more willing to pay attention. ]

Yes, as a matter of fact.
Yourself. 😊

What color will your accoutrements be? Handkerchief square? Cufflinks?
I thought I'd invite myself along on your arm and give you a bit of freedom for a change; you're always so sought-after that no one thinks much to donate.

And seeing as this will be a fundraising gala for the new therapy wing of Gotham General, I figured I would help cut down on distractions.

( She isn't asking a favor of him; she's looking to be his cover-date. Besides, Gotham's top surgeon was going to be top of the invite list, so she isn't even being presumptuous in inviting herself along. To not bring in the Head of Surgery and former CMO of the UN's peacekeeping organization would be an outright insult he would have never lobbed her way. )

Well, usually when people reach out to me, they want to get the attention of another party. A business partner or some kind of charity. Although, I'm sure anyone could reach out to the famous Dr. Angela Ziegler if they wanted.

You do know how I dress for special occasions. [ Darks, blacks, ect. ]

I think you would become the distraction. No offense meant, of course.

You do realize what being photographed along side Bruce Wayne means?

That sounds quite lonely, you know. That no one reaches out to you just for you.

( And as he says, she's quite famous in her own right. She didn't need to reach out to him for connections; she doesn't like to use others in such a way. But yes, she knows how he dresses. She was hoping for some hint of color or diamond accent or another to run with.

Because yes, she knows what it means to be photographed alongside Bruce Wayne. )

No offense taken. I think I'm quite skilled at encouraging charitable donations in a humble manner; I'm not nearly as easily distracted. And if I have you on my arm, as well, no one's going to bother trying to pick me up with drinks and bad lines.

So, will you be my date?

Well, what's there to know about billionare playboy Bruce Wayne?

[ Now, he's wondering how much she knows and how much she doesn't know. ]

I was more thinking that the fact of someone of your renown would stop out of their way to come to a charity for Gotham City Hospital. Most people have given up on the city.

[ But not him. Not Batman. ]

Well, I hadn't found a date just ye tfor the event.

I should think quite a lot more than you've let on. I've seen that kindness in you. You're sincere in your efforts and try your hardest with all of these events.

I appreciate it very much, as a surgeon covering the less-fortunate clinics and hospitals that don't always get the funding they need. Which of course includes Gotham. People everywhere need prosthetics, you know. Especially here.

( She'll never give up on people, period— no matter the cities. It's why she's gained her fame. She worked with MSF all over the world for a while, but she's tried to settle down where she could do the most good. War is neverending, of course, but eventually the soldiers all came home.

It just so happens that America is one of the most-populated and most in need of a trauma surgeon with prosthetics skills. And settling near Gotham and Metropolis left her plenty of work. So here she is, and here he is, and forgive her for gravitating to the person trying his utmost to fundraise what he can't personally fund on his own; she acknowledges that good in him. And, of course, has her suspicions about his identity come nightfall— when she's treated hero after hero, metahuman after metahuman, with her own nightly activities. )

Then it's settled. You can come pick me up. Will this be appropriate?

( She's attaching a photo, clearly taken in a dressing room at some upscale boutique. She'll have to borrow a fancy necklace from some nice sponsor with all that ample real estate available. )

Sometimes the playboy has to put the good foot out. But, you're not wrong.

You know my father was a doctor.

[ It's probably a well known fact, but, Bruce feels its a good thing to mention. It played into his father's desire to help Gotham. He'd see the worse of things coming through the doors of Gotham City Hospital. Even before he had to put his practice to the side and take up running Wayne Enterprise's. It's one of the main reasons he makes sure to do this fundraiser every year.

The added reminder of Thomas Wayne just makes people open their pocket books a bit more. ]

I think that'd be just fine.

I'm assuming you're already in town.

Hopefully you'll have two; I like to dance. Your hands can keep me warm with an open-back dress and a crisp autumn evening.

And I often take lunch on his memorial bench in the atrium. He was a very skilled surgeon, I hear.

( It is a well-known fact, perhaps, but she thinks she knows what he's getting at in bringing it up. That this means more to him and explains the shortage of "The Playboy" act. (Not that she minds.) How many bothered to get to know the man beneath it all? She'll take it as a chance to do just that. )

Think we'll make for a pretty picture? And yes, I'm in town. The lakeside hotel close to West Mercy Hospital and the University. We could practice our dancing if you felt up for a visit.

Edited 2020-07-24 15:47 (UTC)

Now, that definitely sounds like an attempt of wooing a man, Dr. Ziegler.

[ He appreciates the lightness though. Too much of Bruce Wayne's life is dark and dismal. Having something light is nice. Though... he ultimately knows it is incompatible. ]

Oh, in front of the sign for Gotham City Hospital? Definitely. It'll be on websites all over the place.

Are you implying I'm rusty at dancing?

The part about letting you keep me warm for the evening or the part where I have lunch with your father whenever I'm in town?

( But she's always liked to tease, harmless and gentle as it may be. She knows the world can't always be so light, so what does it hurt to let it in now and again when the sun's out? Even if some days are longer than the nights, later in the year the balance shifts. It all evens out in the end. It's all right to allow yourself to enjoy the longer days, Bruce. )

Then I'm afraid it sounds as though we simply must attend together. For pretty pictures on websites all over the place.

I may be. Would such an issued challenge spark you to act? I was thinking of ordering in. Company for dinner is always welcome, you know.

It'd be hard to have lunch with my father.

[ He does his best not to be upset. It's just a very unease subject. Though, he will take her as a date to the charity event. Partially to humor her, partially to stand for a project his father found so dear and near to his heart. ]

Well, we certainly can't let the media downn now can we.

Well, not many venues these days have a dance floor. We'll have to fix that.

I didn't quite mean it like that; my apologies, Bruce.

( As someone who's also lost her parents and recognizes the value of memorial locations, she's always appreciated them and likes to enjoy them. Thankfully she doesn't go about talking to those memorialized; she'd have to tell his dad what a good man he's become as if he doesn't already know that from somewhere above.

Instead of answering him properly, she sends him a photo from her phone once again: the living area of her hotel suite, furniture moved aside to open the hardwood floor for room to dance. And a menu sitting open on the overturned table atop the sofa. )

I think I've already fixed it. Room 329.

It's alright.

[ It is always... complicated when it comes to the Waynes. It always will be. He appreciates the concern though. Not many are sensitive to the notion of what goes on with Bruce Wayne beyond the face he puts out. ]

Lessons before t he charity ball?

( Well he'll be getting an apology hug on arrival, should he choose to indulge her. And silly as it may be, she's rich, too— so she'll be buying him dinner. A novel concept, most like. )

Can you blame me for wanting to vet my dance partner? I'll even put on the dress, if you'd like. And dinner is my treat.

[ He'll accept the hug and return it in all proper social fashion. ]

I've been accused of vetting for less. [ Like if you want to join his cool league. ]

What time should I meet you?

( Good boy; hugs are nice, after all, and she has a feeling he could use some more in his life. Simple affections that don't end up in bed (unless that's really where he wants to go, where she'll be just as soft).

(But also let her join your cool league.) )

There's nothing wrong with letting other people prove their worth, I think.

And that depends; how soon can you be here? I'm starving. 😊

[ Bruce definitely needs the affection and kindness. Not that he has been starved of it - Alfred is almost a lifeline. But, losing Jason, Dick leaving, things never worked with Selina... ]

I live outside of Gotham by all technicalities. Probably 40 minutes.

( Well thankfully one of the world's fonts has invited herself to his arm; he'll have a hard time escaping regular doses, now. If he knows anything about Angela Ziegler, it's that she never quite knows how to give up on anything— her patients, her causes, her missions.

If he's ever had a run-in with her night activities, he'd likely recognize the attitude in a heartbeat. )

Oh, good. I think I can survive another 40 minutes.

Drive safe; no speeding. It's a date in 40.

I don't need to speed unless it's chasing something.

[ Meaning chasing criminals down, but, Angela is better not knowing that he's the Bat. He intends to keep it that way. The only people who know he's the bat are a handful. The only people that know the Bat is even real are... well the people in Gotham who have seen him. ]

Aw, fancy yourself too busy for me? What a shame.

I'm usually too busy for most people. Is there something I can help you with?

Treating me like a mortal? A peon that walks along Gotham's disgusting streets? And here I thought Oliver Queen was a handful.

Well, you haven't done anything remarkable to garner my attention. Unless you have a resume to show off.

Darling, my resume will be far more impressive than anyone else you've come across.

Well, I'm waiting. Impress me.

[And like that, she walks into where he is out of thin air]

Usually, it's humans that wish to impress me, not the other way around.

[ Bruce turns slightly in his living room, cup of coffee in his hands. Holy shit. ]

Well, I'm not most humans.

[She grins at him and takes a deep breath]

Ah, coffee. I'll take one. Cream. Sugar. The whole lot.

[ He gives her a look before turning back and making another for what she requests. At least he has manners. ]

Now. What are you doing here?

What? I couldn't come check in on a favorite vigilante?

[She walks around, as if she is appraising the living room and wipes her finger along the mantle before pulling her hand away]

I'm pretty sure running a bioengineering lab is exactly like running a multi-billion dollar company. I'm bored and need a drink in Gotham.

Well, depending on your budget, I can recommend some high class establishments.

Bioengineer. What do you think? We're not made of Wayne money but can afford a drink at a fine establishment. Wanna join?

Wayne money is no different than any other money. There's just more of it.
Social gathering with Bruce Wayne will garner attention.

Ugh, fine. I could buy the drinks and pour them at your place. Might be late. Just saw some insane clown posse looking wannabes heading in the direction of a bank.

Joker's Gang. They're his wannabes.

Exactly what I want to do on my vacation. Seriously, you wouldn't have the same treatment if you came to Central.

And what kind of treatment would I get?

(no subject)

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that icon holy moly

how about THIS ONE

CLASSY. bruce likes classy

she is certainly classy

+2 to liking

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