16782/Bats in the Kitchen

Bats in the Kitchen
Date of Scene:	05 January 2024
Location:	Kitchens - Wayne Manor
Synopsis:	Talia and Kate catchup at Stately Wayne Manor and gossip about Bruce.
Cast of Characters:	Talia al Ghul, Kate Kane

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Talia al Ghul has posed:
It's sometime in the late afternoon. Talia is working over in the kitchen at boiling some tea and getting out various tea cakes that Alfred specializes in making. She's listening to some Arabic music, coming off like chanting as she would be moving her lips along to it, looking wistful at whatever sorts of memories were coming with it

Kate Kane has posed:
Kate was just coming by to see her favorite quasi-nephew, when she was walking past the kitchen. Hearing the music, she pauses and changes course, peering in. When she sees Talia working on some tea and cakes, she actually smiles a little, tilting her head and watching Talia quietly for a moment.

Then, she presses open the door completely, making enough noise to be noticed as she looks at Talia, "Hey, it's been a little while, Talia." Kate's eyes dance, as she's dressed rather informally at the moment, a simple black shirt and pants combination. "Think it's been... what, three years now? Since that charity ball." What happened afterwards, she doesn't elaborate, but it's clear she hasn't forgotten either.

Talia al Ghul has posed:
Talia al Ghul would take a mmoent to recall the woman. Kate Kane. Bruce's cousin. "Ah, hello." She would go to turn off the music. "It has been awhile. I hope that the last few years have been well." To the ex-marine. "I'm just staying here for awhile while running some business. The man of the house has given me permission to stay for the duration."

By 'man of the house' she meant Alfred. HE was the one truly in charge of the place that could silence all with just a disproving stare.

Kate Kane has posed:
Kate grins, "That was rather kind of Alfred. How's Bruce handling it?" She tilts her head, "But you didn't have to turn the music off. I have to admit it's... interesting, seeing you relaxed. I don't know that I ever have." She chuckles softly, and walks over, leaning against the table not too far away as she looks at Talia, "It's good to see you."

Talia al Ghul has posed:
Talia al Ghul would muse, "Rather distracted. But he always is. His life and his pursuits keep him quite occupied." If she were a woman that had any care in the matter, her face might show a line of irritation. But she was well past the point in her life where she had any right to cast such judgement. Long, long past. And had frayed whatever she had away.

"A pleasure to see you as well. Has your company been successful the lsat few years?"

Kate Kane has posed:
Kate smiles, "Oh, it has been. Mainly because I refuse to micromanage it, so it does well despite the fact that I'm in charge." She laughs, and while it's definitely self-depreciating, she knows enough to let the experts do their thing and she provides the vision. Not the worst idea in the world, truly.

She looks curiously at Talia, "He definitely does keep himself pretty busy. Though if I might ask... what sort of business?" She arches a brow slightly, looking somewhat curious.

Talia al Ghul has posed:
Talia al Ghul would laugh, "Then you're the best kind of owner. One that delegates, but also has sense in whom they delegate to. Mister Wayne seems tos ucceed in spite of himself much of the time. I presume that it's mostly due to Mister Fox's considerable talents." She would shrug her shoulders.

"I wouldn't presume to know. I'm not sure he's been at here the entire time that I've been in guest residence." A very smooth lie

Kate Kane has posed:
Kate laughs quietly, "Not /his/ business, Talia. Yours." She smiles wryly, "I mean, I'm his cousin, if I really want to know it's easy enough for me to find out about him. But it's always harder for me to get a read on you." Her eyes dance a bit.

"And it seems that you have tea and cakes enough for two, if you wanted to catch up a bit?" Kate smiles a little, "Seems like I've been running into all sorts of old acquaintances lately."

Talia al Ghul has posed:
Talia al Ghul would smile over, "But of course. I'm merely in town for some family affairs." Keeping it purposefully vague. Something that she could extend indefinitely after all if the curious woman kept up with it.

"Of course. I'm sure that Alfred will love the appreciation of his cones."

Kate Kane has posed:
Kate laughs, "He always does. Though honestly I'm impressed. He almost never trusts anyone else in his kitchen. I still remember the pie incident with the kids at Thanksgiving." She shakes her head, and chuckles, "I tried to warn them, but they never listen, you know?"

She smiles, "Want help with taking anything to the table, Talia?"

Talia al Ghul has posed:
Talia al Ghul would smile, "Oh, I doubt that he would trust me either. However, these scones are out, and I prseume that means they are to be enjoyed, not stashed away for times uknown. So yes, let us. And I haven't heard of that." She would gesture over at Kate to elaborate.

"I've not been in Gotham for some years, I missed on the gosship."

Kate Kane has posed:
Kate smiles, "Well, it was about three years ago, Bruce and Alfred were out of town, and weather delayed their plane right before Thanksgiving. Which around here is a fairly big deal. Anyway, the kids got it in their heads to try and bake the pies. Which..." She pauses, then laughs, "Did not go so well. Between forgetting to preheat the oven, putting all the pie ingredients into a single 'MEGA-PIE', and... well."

She grins, sitting down across from Talia, "Alfred was almost as mad at me as he was at them, since I didn't stop them. I *did* try to warn them." She looks still amused, as she still has no regrets about the whole affair.

Just don't tell Alfred.

Talia al Ghul has posed:
Talia al Ghul would look over at Kate, "I see. I'm surprised that not only did the kitchen survive, but that Alfred let any of them in it again." Then again she hadn't necessarily seen anyone using it while she was here that was not Alfred. She's not even tried herself unless it was getting something already made to eat.

"I'm surprised that any of Bruce's wards had the initiative to try and do such a thing. I would have thought that they'd lived in enough terror to not even consider it."

Kate Kane has posed:
Kate laughs, "Oh, you get them together and the courage is exponential. Plus, well, they were trying to do Alfred a favor. In the worst possible way." She shakes her head, "But they all love Alfred, more than anything, and I can't blame them. He's really the best. Helped me out a few times too, even though I don't really live here. But well, first cousins." She pauses, then smiles, "Though with the age difference, I tend to be more an aunt to some of them."

Talia al Ghul has posed:
Talia al Ghul would ah, "I see. Do forgive me, I've only rarely been here. I don't know much about the dynamics of the household. I'm glad that they have a sense of family with one another. Bruce has truly outdone himself with finding those that need aid and then immediately foisting them off on Alfred to take care of."

Kate Kane has posed:
Kate nods, "Oh, it's not an issue. And Bruce is... well, I'm certain he tries, but he's had it rough. Makes it hard to build some of those connections, though yes, Alfred definitely helps. And he does care, quite a bit." She smiles a bit wanly, "It's always tough losing a parent. Then Bruce lost two."

Talia al Ghul has posed:
Talia al Ghul would nod gently, "Yes it is. And yet it is that pain that has helped make him. Or perhaps what drives him so much to flee from everything in excess." Why the Playboy came in. Was it his mask? Or his denial?

Kate Kane has posed:
Kate hrms, "Maybe so. When I lost my mother and... my sister, I was about his age." She nods, "I was lucky, I suppose. Dad was still there, and we had each other. Which led me to joining the army, and well, I don't think I need to tell you how /that/ worked out."