10298/Wayne Family Matters

Wayne Family Matters
Date of Scene:	26 February 2022
Location:	Hot Dumpling Restaurant
Synopsis:	A trip to Hot Dumplings, the Batlings version of Shawarma, results in a surprise announcement by Dick and Stephanie.
Cast of Characters:	Stephanie Brown, Cassandra Cain, Jason Todd, Dick Grayson, Julia Pennyworth, Tim Drake

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Stephanie Brown has posed:
It's not unusual for text messages to go around about lunch at Hot Dumplings. For years now the place has been an informal hangout for Bruce's extended family. Stephanie sent the text around, though it was slightly unusual in that she sent it two days in advance, and the wording suggested she really hoped everyone could make it.

For Cass, it was a map with a dot and a picture of the front of the store.

On the allotted day, Stephanie pulls up in The Compact. The little purple compact car is parked down the street and she heads over to the restaurant, wearing a long dark jacket, and with a headband around her ears to keep her warm. She steps inside the restaurant, heading over to get the big table, and adding a couple of extra chairs as she gives a big smile and a wave to the woman behind the counter.

She just looks back at Stephanie with a flat stare. As if there was a thought bubble over her head that said, "Oh great, the blond girl again."

Cassandra Cain has posed:
As most likely will, Cass shows up solo. The group is very much that kind of person, leaning toward single forms of travel. Unless they're dating. Which significance has escaped Cass thus far. She appears to be walking, which is dangerous in Gotham but hardly an issue for her personally. She prefers to be the one attacked by muggers over an innocent.

Dusting her jacket off in the doorway, Cass quickly scans the room. She looks at Steph, at Mama Chang, then frowns at both. Then she walks in, heading to the washroom. Not a word, apparently something she needs to deal with first.

To be fair, potty issues take priority over ordering dumplings.

Jason Todd has posed:
Not too long after Stephanie rolls in, the roar of a vintage motorcycle resounds through the neighborhood. Jason zips by The Compact, rolling around the block once before coming back around. Done showboating, he pulls the red Ariel Cyclone into the same spot as The Compact, parking the motorcycle behind Steph's car. He drops the kickstand and dismounts, tugging his black, full face helmet off. Tucking it under his arm, he makes his way to the restaurant, pulling his gloves off as he shoulders the door open.

"<Good afternoon, Mama Chang,>" Jason says in, honestly, really good Mandarin before he heads to the big table, tucking his helmet under the chair he claims (directly across from Steph). He drapes his leather jacket over the back of the chair before dropping into it. Something clinks against the chair from his coat. Surely he didn't bring a gun in here'?!

Dick Grayson has posed:
    Right behind the Compact, the Nightbird rumbles down the street, currently in it's 69 Camaro shell. He parks near the restaurant and arms the alarm before heading inside. Waving to Mama Chang he greets her in Mandarin, which earns him a big smile and a literal flood of Mandarin in return.

    He really needs to teach Stephanie to speak Mandarin one of these days, there's always the chance it might help.

    He heads for the big table, smiling as he sees Steph is already setting up for a small crowd and Jason is already in place. "Planning on a small horde, I see. Hope everyone can make it, we haven't all gotten together in quite a while. Heya Jason, how are you doing? Been a little while since we crossed paths."

Julia Pennyworth has posed:
Not everyone arriving at the restaraunt aptly named 'Hot Dumplings' was a regular here. It was Julia's first time as is evidenced by the fact that she merely waits outside on her motorcycle a few moments regarding the hole-in-the-wall with the neon sign, and chickens hanging from the windows. She'd been included in the text if only due to her age--She wasn't exactly an old fogie like Alfred or Bruce after all--but she was still a bit of an outsider to the others though a few were familiar enough with her.

Deciding to risk this sketchy looking place after all she hits the kill switch, kicks down her foot to knock the kickstand in place, and eases off the beaten motorcycle just as Jason arrives on his.

"Guess this is the right place after all."

The Brit ducks inside pausing as she hears Mandarin being spoken which earns a little grin. At least the food would be authentic and those chickens likely weren't just for show. With hands stuffed into the pockets of her jacket she approaches the table to greet everyone, "Oi. Thanks for the invite. I'm Julia, for those I haven't met yet."

Tim Drake has posed:
    It's a Wayne Enterprises car -- one of the fleet kept on reserve for executives -- that drops Tim off in front of the restaurant. He's not in a suit and tie, though, as he darts out from the backseat; he's wearing casual clothes, jeans and a sweater under his heavy winter coat. Though the collar of his dress shirt shows from underneath the sweater, so he probably was doing Business Type Things at some point earlier in the day.

    He's texting on his phone as he enters, though he pauses to call out a familiar greeting to Mama Chang before he navigates through the tight cluster of tables to drop into one of the available chairs.

    When Tim looks up, he realizes he's sat down next to Steph. "Been a while," he says with a half-smile. His brothers each get a nod, and then Julia, a face Tim knows only from her profile, gets a quick glance before he adds a "Hey, I'm Tim. Nice to meet you."

Stephanie Brown has posed:
Stephanie Brown waves over to Cassandra when she comes in, giving her friend a warm smile. Each person is greeted with similar as they arrive. "Jason," she tells him, and Julia receives a, "Glad you could make it. The dumplings here are to die for."

Dick's greeting gets a particularly bright smile as he takes a seat. "Hey, how's work going?" she asks him. The bright smile stays on her face as more people come in. As Tim takes a seat beside her, she tells him, "About time, I swear I thought you had moved to another city, Drake," she tells him in a joking tone.

Stephanie glances at the menu, just to confirm the number of her order. "I'm staying away from the spicy stuff this time," she says. The last time she went outside her normal orders and got one of the hottest dishes they have. As Mama Chang comes over to take their orders, she gets #12 with extra rice, and a Coke. "Glad that everyone could make it. Been awhile since we've all managed to be together like this," she says to the group.

Cassandra Cain has posed:
Cassandra comes out of the washroom, holding her tummy with one hand. She drops it the instant anyone sees her, her expression the one she normally gives people who need a good punch in the face. She has been here before, of course she has, and Mama Chang is likely aware that Cass isn't a talker. You don't hold language barrier against a mute, it's not polite.

Still, when Cass joins the others at the table, Mama Chang takes one look at her and frowns. Her old, perceptive eyes look over the group, and she nods once. Then she turns and walks into the kitchen, returning an instant later with a hot cup of something aromatic. She puts it firmly in front of Cass, then continues taking orders.

The look on her face suggests not asking. It's something between the two, though Cass lifts the glass and gives the old lady a half-smile. And only then does she greet her friends, eyes lifting in mood as she looks at them all.

The cup smells of fennel, cinnamon, and ginger.

Jason Todd has posed:
Jason tilts his head slightly at Julia, his body language going a bit more guarded, despite Steph's casual greeting of the woman. He can't help it, some days he wonders if he's the most like Bruce out of all of them.

Dick, though, gets a grin. "Been a minute," he agrees. "I'm just being me. For all that entails, good and ill." He manages not to laugh at Tim being Tim. Barely. "Making that green stuff, huh Tim? You don't know how to relax, do you?"

Neither does he, but don't tell anyone.

He squints a little at Cass, but he always does that. That cup is suspicious, but it smells good. He, of course, orders the brutally spicy number four.

Dick Grayson has posed:
    Dick just orders a little of everything for the table, it's just easier that way and they had asked everyone to meet here after all. About all people need to order for themselves is what they want to drink unless they want a large amount of any one thing. As the others trickle in, he waves them over to seats at the table.

    Food starts arriving soon after, several of the wait staff carrying full trays. The plates are put in the middle of the table so that everyone can take a portion of whatever looks good to them.

    "So should I do the cliche 'You're probably wondering why I asked you all here' detective thing?"

Julia Pennyworth has posed:
Julia Pennyworth raises one carefully manicured eyebrow at the rather tense look that Jason gives her. It's responded to with a smile that was at once highly amused and perhaps even a bit cheeky. "Relax, gunslinger," she offers out while snagging the back of a chair to swing around and settle down into herself rather comfortably so. Even if others were looking at her with suspicion or unease she was very much at-ease.

Tim's greeting gets a dip of her head in his direction as well. "Timothy Drake. Dick Grayson. Stephanie Brown. Cassandra Cain," she names each in turn only to pause at Cass's little interaction there with another soft 'hm' of thought. But rather than say anything she gives a shrug. Ain't her business to be pointing out others business.

"And you're Jason Todd," she offers out with that smile returning all the more. Leaning forward she grins impishly. "I'm guessing based on your profile and surprise you got no clue who I am. So lemme reassure you with my full name. I'm Julia Pennyworth."

"And you bet your arses I'm having some dumplings. House special, please, and don't be weak on me cuz I'm British I promise I can handle the real stuff," she asks of Mama Chang with a polite nod.

Tim Drake has posed:
    As soon as he's settled with his coat hanging off the back of his chair, Tim tucks his legs up on the seat with him and begins to split his attention between the menu and his phone.

    It's been so long since he's been here that Tim has an entirely new (vegetarian) diet... which the dumpling menu does not look particularly supportive of. Oh well.

    Maybe he'll just pick at things. Yeah, that's probably for the best, especially after Dick puts in a big order.

    "Feels like I did, a little bit," he tells Stephanie. The Bat-crew know he was off in New York with Bruce for a significant length of time, but as far as it seems he's back and on his usual patrol schedule in his neck of Gotham now. He lowers his phone to also squint at Cass, with his own particular nosey-detective sort of look, but Jason distracts him.

    Tim grins before wordlessly turning his phone around to show the screen. He's looking at the 'gram. Or rather, #dogsofinstagram. This one is a Jack Russell Terrier with one ear that sticks up and one that flops down. He's wearing a little vest with a bunch of patches on it. While Julia gives her expansive introduction, Tim returns to scrolling through social media, only tipping his head to one side to acknowledge when she drops her full name. If anyone reads the memos, after all, it's Tim.

    Though he does obligingly lowers his phone, screen face down on the table, when Dick says he has some sort of announcement to make.

Stephanie Brown has posed:
Stephanie Brown leans over towards Cassandra once she's joined the table and had that curative beverage brought to her by Mama Chang. She keeps her voice lower as there was something she had made a point to tell Cass the next time she'd seen her. Not that Cass gets much from the spoken word, but habits remain.

Stephanie pulls out a necklace that she has tucked inside of her shirt. "Cassandra," Stephanie says, touching her arm to get the Asian's attention. "Did I show you what Dick got me for my birthday?" she asks, a big smile on her face and a quick glance towards Dick that would confirm to Cassandra who Stephanie is suggesting is the source of the necklace. It's clear from Stephanie's big smile how much she loves the necklace. It has an amethyst, suspended from diamond hanging from the silver chain. (https://i.imgur.com/dO192q4.jpg)

She smiles to Cass and then focuses her attention back on the others. "Oh, yes, sorry, didn't think that not everyone might have met Alfred's daughter by now," Stephanie comments belatedly about Julia. She falls silent then as Dick gets around to bringing up the reason for the get together, her hands moving to rest in her lap.

Cassandra Cain has posed:
Without missing a beat, Cass leans a hand toward Julia. Fist out, she offers a fist-bump to the woman; her file likely said something about the low verbiage content of her conversational skills, so the offer is a good start!

She glances at Dick when he speaks, glancing at the table. Then she sits back, begins to lift her tea to sip, and is interrupted mid-sip by Steph. She looks at the lady, then at Dick, and her jaw lifts and a proud smile touches her, nodding once. She so fooled them.

Then she goes back to drinking her period medicine. Thank you Mama Chang. She won't be eating a lot tonight.

Jason Todd has posed:
Jason looks at Tim's phone when it's pointed his way, and he just nods once. "Dog photos are vital to everything. Don't forget the cats, too."

Jason is always paranoid. Always ready for the other shoe to drop. He is not ready for this one. It's like a record scratch going off in his mind. "...Pennyworth? You're Alfred's..."

He leans back in his seat, calling out to any staff that can hear him. "<If you've got any baijiu, I need it!>"

Because he's Jason, their little helper from so many years ago, Mama brings him the bottle and ruffles his hair. He actually takes it in good humor, ducking his head in thanks. He then drains his water glass, and starts pouring the liquor right into it. It smells like kerosine. When he takes a pull from the glass, the way he winces must mean it tastes like it too.

Exhaling roughly, he looks at Dick and smirks to answer his question.

"You're pregnant?"

Dick Grayson has posed:
    Looking at Jason with a raised brow, he replies, "If I was, we'd have even more money from the whole 'medical miracle' thing, not that we need it. You're actually slightly in the ballpark however. No pregnancies as the moment, but Stephanie and I are engaged. We're getting married."

    He looks to Tim and Jason, then with a wry smile says "Alright, let's hear the snark. I'm pretty sure you've got something to say on the subject." The smile on his face suggests that nothing they poke at him with will ruin the good mood he's in, however. After bending down to kiss Steph's cheek, he sits down beside her and adds "We already told Bruce and Steph's mom of course, but we wanted you guys to be the next to know."

Julia Pennyworth has posed:
Julia Pennyworth leans with arm outstretched to bump fists with Cass in greeting before sitting back in her seat once more. "Yep, the old man had sex, get it out of your system. Been out of mine for ages. Mum raised me, obviously, but we got back in touch a few years ago after a few things happened. Also you should get a low back pillow there, girl, might help out." Though hot tea would too.

Glancing toward Dick she looks him over even as Jason downs his baiju. "Congrats there Richard. Not even showing yet." Hey if someone was gonna rag on about pregnancy she was gonna hop on that. It's all said in jest, though, and she flashes Stephanie a grin after. "It's all good. I don't get the chance to surprise people often after all. Especially with you lot." Whatever THAT meant. While Jason is choking down his drink she reaches out to snag the bottle herself pouring a little into her own glass before thumping it back on the table between them.

"Well looks like this has become an engagement party. Cheers." The glass is raised toward Steph and Dick, then it's tipped back with a single gulp that causes her own eyes to scrunch up as they water just a little bit.

Tim Drake has posed:
    It takes a few more surreptitious glances from Tim before he's figured out that Cass isn't suffering from any new Poison Ivy toxin or the like. Not that Cass will have missed him sneaking looks, of course. Mostly it's just for Tim's own sake, to reassure himself.

    A few of the dumplings from the big plates in the center of the table make it in front of Tim, though he's not really eating them. Moving them around while waiting to hear the big news, more like. He glances across the table at Jason then chokes on his next breath at the whole 'pregnancy' thing, which prompts him to take a sip of water and pointedly avert his gaze. The banter from Dick and Julia on the topic only has Tim staring wide-eyed at his plate even harder.

    There is, thankfully, no spit-take.

    "Congratulations," Tim says instead. No snark, even.

    ...Wait for it...

    Tim lifts a shumai halfway to his mouth, stares at it in his chopsticks thoughtfully for a moment, then adds, "I'm sure Bruce can't wait to marry you off." He glances at Dick out of the corner of his eye before he chomps down on a dumpling, chewing with deep satisfaction.

Stephanie Brown has posed:
Stephanie Brown can't help but flush a bit at Jason's joke about pregnancy, even though he meant it for Dick. Though she nods as Dick sets that part to rest right away.

Stephanie had her hands in her lap. When they went down there, there wasn't a ring on her finger. But she slips it on while Dick is making the announcement, and then reaches over to rest her hand in his where they can see the ring. It has diamonds around the band, and one large and two smaller amethysts in the center. It is such a good match for her necklace that one could really believe Dick had given her the latter as well.

https://i.imgur.com/AX47g6l.jpg

"Thank you," she tells Julia. Stephanie's beaming, though trying to keep the smile from overflowing too much. That she's happy is immediately obvious. Her hand tightens on Dick's as she gives him a quick peck back on the cheek, keeping the PDA to low levels.

She looks over at Tim, giving him a small grin at his crack on Dick, and leans over to give a shoulder bump to the first Robin that she'd met. After, blue eyes seek out Cassandra, non-verbally checking to see if Cassandra was able to follow the meaning of it all.

Jason Todd has posed:
"Somehow, I'm not surprised," Jason says with a smirk. "I always figured you'd be the first of us to get hitched." He keeps quiet the part that Steph wasn't who he thought Dick would marry. That would ruin the mood, and he'd probably have to let Dick kick his ass. Not worth it. Instead, he engages in his third favorite pastime.

Eating face-meltingly spicy food. He is very good with the chopsticks.

Jason peers at the ring when Steph shows it off, making an expression that somehow conveys the word 'Classy', because he doesn't talk with his mouth full.

Cassandra Cain has posed:
Cass makes a sound. It sounds like a little, soft squee, as she bites on her own knuckles. She isn't the talkative type, but to be fair she may never have made that particular sound before either! She has wide eyes, and is looking at Steph with a look like she either A) seriously has to pee, or B) understood perfectly for a change.

She stops biting her own hand, then wraps Steph in her arms and ....that might have been the sound of a rib cracking, there. Good thing the room's filled with medicos.

Julia Pennyworth has posed:
"Very nice. Not much for jewelry myself but that is nice," Julia has to admit when Stephanie flashes the ring around after the big announcement. Cass's noise earns a momentarily concerned look that's flashed around the table to see if this was okay. The ensuing hug makes it obvious though, so she merely shrugs and snags some chopsticks to snag some dumplings for herself. Shumai, and some of the hot pepper sauce which she pours out onto her plate.

"Got a date set yet? I'm sure pops will love to help plan things if you want. Probably been dying to do a wedding for years now."

Dick Grayson has posed:
    It's fairly obvious that absolutely nothing, possibly not even every supervillain in Gotham charging into the restaurant would be able to dampen his spirits. He'd probably ask most of them to join the party.

    Looking to Julia he chuckles a little and nods, "Yeah, I don't think he'd ever speak to us again if he wasn't involved in the planning. And no date yet, it's something we have to talk over. I'm pretty flexible on most of the wedding stuff, so I'll probably let Steph and Alfred figure out most of it. If what TV has taught me is right, the groom's job is mostly to show up at the wedding on time and not faint."

Tim Drake has posed:
    Tim bumps his shoulder back against Steph's in friendly counter-point, his straight face faltering halfway through. He shakes his head, smiling, as he looks first at the ring, and then at Dick. "Good job," he says. Apparently it's passed muster from whatever Tim's grading it on.

    "First-slash-only?" he asks Jason. "Or are you secretly a romantic? I can't even form a mental image of Damian getting married. My brain flat-out refuses to contemplate that." Then he looks over at Cass, eyebrows lifting in curious inquiry at her response to the news. Maybe it'll be Cass next. As he sets his chopsticks down, Tim returns his attention to his phone briefly, probably just firing off a quick text.

    He tucks his fist against his chin and pokes distractedly at his uneaten dumplings.

Jason Todd has posed:
Jason is eating the ridiculously spicy stuff without flinching. Maybe the baijiu coated his tongue, or maybe it's because he used to hang out here as a kid. He swallows when Tim asks him a question, and he taps his chopsticks on his plate.

"Well, if not Damian, that means you or me and, well." He grins, taking another noxious slug of baijiu. "I'm undatable. Looks like you're it, Timmy."

Stephanie Brown has posed:
Stephanie Brown has a smile of gratitude for the Wayne wards around the table. Having gone from being exiled by Bruce, as it were, to welcomed into the family, was a long and emotional trip for her. With those at the table having supported her to varying degrees despite Bruce's admonition she should hang up her cape.

Those days are long in the past now though, and Tim especially will have seen the confidence she shows about belonging with the family now, that she had sorely lacked in those days. "Thanks," she tells them all, and when Cass givers her that tremendous hug, Stephanie returns it just as tightly. Though with a soft, "Ouch, that might break a rib, Cass!" though said laughingly.

After the hug, she gets some dumplings on her plate. "I don't know, probably a long engagement so I can focus on at least getting through the school year. I think I may have to fistfight Alfred to keep it small though. Marquis of Queensbury rules," she adds with a soft chuckle. "I know Waynes are supposed to do the big social thing. If we have to, we can. But really I just want our friends and family there," she says.

Cassandra Cain has posed:
Cass releases Steph before they have to get the Jaws of Life, and then puts her arms back on the back of her chair. She immediately regrets that decision though, and puts her arms back on her lap. Joyful day or not, she still has that minor issue of her own. She glacnes at the boys, a very slight resentment in the tone of her glance.

Ah well. Not their fault.

Julia Pennyworth has posed:
Julia Pennyworth scoffs openly at the suggestion of a large wedding. "I think he'll be fine with the small side of things, given the family dynamics going on. I mean I could be wrong but given he didn't even marry me mum, I doubt he's really stuck on the marriage is mandatory situation a lot of older folks like to pretend they're into." Another dumpling is dipped, and she's just about to pop it into her mouth when she asks point-blank, "So what's got you distracted, Tim? You're not eating. You're on your phone. Much as puppers and doggos are awesome you don't seem so into this."

The dumpling is popped into her mouth to chew. The now-emptied chopsticks jab in Jason's direction. "I dunno, you're a looker and you've got that skunk stripe going on that makes your age questionable. You're bound to break someone's heart along the way I'm sure."

Tim Drake has posed:
    "It's your wedding. I don't think Bruce will really make the whole Wayne social scene thing a sticking point." Tim breaks open a dumpling with his chopsticks to peer at its filling, before adding, "But if comes up, just let us know. We'll handle it. You deserve to have it the way you want." In Tim's terms that probably just means making a very convincing argument, likely with an attached Powerpoint and Excel spreadsheet. But he means it!

    He pauses in his dumpling-surgery to shake his head at Jason, across the table. "No. Nope. No way." He shakes his head.

    And apparently he's finally decided that he's willing to eat this dumpling that he's been examining, because he mushes it vaguely back into its original shape with his chopsticks and then pops it into his mouth. Hence, he can only stare wide-eyed at Julia. Pause. Chew. Swallow. Then Tim's shaking his head again, though it's not with the certain finality of the previous gesture. Instead he's just conciliatory. "I'm, uh, I've recently become vegetarian but I'm not going to make a big deal out of it here, that's all."

Stephanie Brown has posed:
Mama Chang goes to pick up an order from the kitchen, coming back with a tray with bowls of lotus seed sweet soup. A dish that might be served at a Chinese wedding. She sets down a bowl for each person, and tells Dick in a warm tone in Mandarin, <<I overheard your announcement. Congratulations on your engagement.>> She gives him a smile and a bow of her head.

Then Mama Chang straightens and her eyes go over to Stephanie, who has a big smile at the unexpected treat. The Chinese woman's smile quickly fades away to a flat look as they meet eyes, which causes Stephanie's smile to fade uncertainly. Mama Chang turns and walks back to her counter, the smile she gets from the brief exchange of looks hidden from the blond coed.

"She's so going on the list anyway," Stephanie vows with a quiet harrumph, before turning to Tim and telling him, "Thank you. I think Bruce will be fine with anything. I just figured Alfred would want the big affair for the Wayne family, looking out for all those social aspects for them. Er, for us." That'll take some getting used to, still.

Stephanie gets back to eating then.

Dick Grayson has posed:
    Dick finally takes some dumplings from the communal plates he ordered and bites into one, swallowing before he says "Yeah, a friends and family might be better, given that some of the people I'd like to be there are, well, not able to pass as normal people. Easier to do a small private thing we can sneak them into."

    He looks to Steph and asks, "How about you? Any colorful guests you've thought of? We can always bring them in by helicopter if we're doing it in the mansion or on the grounds." He considers a moment then adds, "Maybe do it lakeside, no way anyone outside the ground can see us there, and we can let someone play with anti-drone tech."

Cassandra Cain has posed:
Cass raises her hand, after Dick asks who's being invited. She looks as if she'd like to come. She's not entirely sure why, but she would really like to come to the wedding. Please?

Jason Todd has posed:
Jason, of course, shakes his head at Julia. "I never said I wasn't good looking, Miss Pennyworth. I'm just damaged goods." A pause. "Really, really damaged. Ask Alfred about it, sometime. I don't want to bring this little party down with the sordid details of my shitty life."

Granted, it's not all that bad, but there's a big, big block of recent history that is terrible.

"I don't sweat about it. I'm honestly too busy to date, and that's even considering finding someone in the business who can put up with me for more than five minutes who arent, well, family."

Julia Pennyworth has posed:
"Oi! Don't you 'Miss Pennyworth' me, I'm only a couple years older than you. Make me sound like an old lady." Julia harumphs a bit at that, sitting back in her chair as she rocks it back on two legs. Another shumai is snagged only to pause when the sweet soup is offered out. Very cleary she offers a 'thank you' in Mandarin that was tolerable if accented. She knew at least some good manners phrases darnit, she had been military ops. Conversation? That was another matter.

"Fair enough though. And nothing wrong with being vegetarian. I'm sure if you mention it they could get you some veggie dumplings or stir fry noodles or sommat."

Dick Grayson has posed:
    Dick nods to Tim, "I didn't know about the vegetarian thing, but let's see...." He looks over the plates, then taps one with a chopstick, "These are meat free, so go to town if you like." He makes a mental note, need vegetarian options at the wedding. These days, it's just safer to figure for that anyway.

    "I'll mention it to Alfred, but being it's Alfred, he probably already knows. I swear the man has somehow wired us all up to monitors in secret, you can't surprise him." He chuckles and eats another dumpling. There's a reason this place is the official bat-hangout, after all.

Stephanie Brown has posed:
Stephanie Brown considers Dick's question about guests. "Well, I'm not sure. I suppose, it would be nice to invite Roberto and his mother. Not sure if he'd want to come, but I imagine Nina would. And she and my mother are still good friends," she says, invoking the name of her only real ex of note who wouldn't already be invited. "Maybe some... associates of Barbara and I." Oh god. Does she have to invite Harley Quin, and now Poison Ivy, if she invites the Birds!?

Stephanie looks over to Cassandra and slides her arm around her. "Wouldn't dream of having it without you there," she says warmly. Then to Julia, "Are you going to be staying in town? Would love to have you there as well of course, though we don't know when it'll be yet."

Stephanie gets a bite of her dumpling, then tries the sweet soup. "oh, that nice, never had that before," she says. She looks over to Jason then. "Don't sell yourself short, Jason," she tells him. "People in the family can barely put up with you that long too," she says, flashing him a teasing grin.

Jason Todd has posed:
Jason gestures at Steph with his chopsticks. "See what I mean? I'm clearly scum," he says in a mock-wounded tone. His eyes slide over to Julia and he shrugs. "Just being polite. Like how Alfred taught me." Is that a jab? Probably not intentional. Jason's just an idiot.

Back to Dick, he looks a bit sly. "I'd say I won't bring a gun to your wedding, but I know what happens when we get together and party. Somehow the fu--the clown will find out, and then he'll show up. Then I'll be pissed that I can't shoot him."

Julia Pennyworth has posed:
Julia Pennyworth tucks her head down toward her plate to focus on getting a good solid few more dumplings put away. A single nod is given toward Stephanie's question while her hand lifts with a little side-to-side wiggle. "Probably for awhile given I've got a terrorist group with a hit out on me currently. Best I stay out of Europe for a bit tll that dies down or is otherwise resolved."

Jason's remark earns a dead mans stare back. "Wouldn't know. My da decided to raise some rich kid instead of me," she deadpans, before dropping the issue entirely about Alfred. Instead she turns toward Tim to point out, "See, there you go. Just got to speak up about things instead of holding them in and wasting the dumplings the rest of us could be eating." This light jab is said with a grin before she steals another off the big tray. She was trying a bit of everything since it was a first time for her.

Tim Drake has posed:
    Now furnished with the vegetarian dumplings, Tim tucks in, which gives him an excellent excuse to not participate in the conversation about dating. He just keeps on chewing and doesn't lift his head, very interested in the design on Mama Chang's plates all of a sudden.

    Though a few dumplings in, he pauses to lift a hand. "It's because he's telepathic," Tim points out, to Dick, before the conversation about Alfred takes a turn, and oh wow the plum sauce is so good, excuse Tim while he busies himself topping up his little saucer of it. Nobody mind him.

Cassandra Cain has posed:
Now that she's certain that she gets to wear a pretty dress at Steph's wedding, Cass kisses her on the cheek and stands up. She leans over toward Dick, hands on the table, and tilts her gaze just a bit.

You know what she's gonna say. You know that she's gonna threaten him, not to hurt her friend. But she doesn't, ha! She couldn't if she wanted to. Also this is DICK. So she grins, then pushes off of the table, and gives Mama Chang a wave.

Time to go apparently.

Stephanie Brown has posed:
Stephanie Brown takes a bite of dumpling after dipping it in sauce, sighing happily. "It's like a party in my mouth," she comments once she's finished chewing it. "I just want to thank all of you," she says, looking around the table. "It really means a lot, this family. I mean, just look at the rest of my family, running around on the lam after escaping Blackgate," she says with a sigh. "And no, he's not getting an invite if found. Though wouldn't surprise me if he found out if it didn't make him appear from out of the woodwork."

She motions with her chopsticks. "Sorry, I digress. You guys are the best though, really. Thank you. You mean a lot to both of us," she says with a smile, and looking a little choked up with emotion.

Dick Grayson has posed:
    Once Cass is headed towards the door, Dick looks over to his fiancee and grins, "Apparently I pass the Cass test, you get to keep me." He nods as she talks about family, saying "We have to be a family, who the hell else could stand us? 'Sorry dear, something came up again, I won't be home until 4am and I might be bleeding a little. Work sucks these days.'

    He shrugs and helps himself to another dumpling. "And anyone who wants to can grab some of these for another meal when you head out, there's lots here."

Jason Todd has posed:
Jason gives Cass a bit of a salute with his chopsticks as she heads out. Scarier than Damian, that one. Nicer, too.

"Only a little, Grayson? You're slacking off. I mean, Tim over here sucker punched an Archangel. I would have shot him with a point five zero anti-materiel rifle, but Bruce made me stay behind to watch things." A pause. "He owes me one now."

Julia Pennyworth has posed:
Julia Pennyworth raises an eyebrow at mention of sucker punching an angel. A single 'huh' is given, and she pops another shumai in her mouth. "Honestly wish I could have seen that. I imagine I'll be getting to see more things as time goes on though."

Tim Drake has posed:
    Tim looks up from stuffing himself with dumplings to flash a thumbs up at Steph. Better than trying to say anything. Which also means he can't argue against the whole sucker-punching thing, so all he can do is point accusingly at Jason.

    It takes a solid twenty seconds before Tim has managed to chew and swallow (because manners) so that he can say "I didn't sucker punch the angel. The angel saw me coming and didn't think I was a threat. That's their fault, not mine." Then he clears his throat. Public place and all. He glances around, then sinks down a little bit in his seat. "I don't think it's possible to date out of our 'profession' anyway. It's too complicated, otherwise."

Stephanie Brown has posed:
Stephanie Brown reaches over to rest her hand on Dick's side, after wiping her fingers on a napkin. Because it doesn't do to send him back to the precinct with sweet and sour stains on his jacket. "Not that I ever feared," she says of Dick having gotten Cassandra's seal of approval.

"Still, coming home not bleeding is preferred," she agrees. "That should be our motto or something?" Stephanie finishes off her dumpling and then slides the dessert bowl she was given over in front of her. "This really is good. Pretty sweet, but good," she says as she spoons up one of the pastries in it. Or, whatever it is. "I tried," she says, of dating out of the profession. "It definitely had its issues," she says with a tiny shake of her head.